The mission of this book is to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements at the intersection of polymer science, nanotechnology, and materials research, aiming to foster innovation and collaboration across disciplines, promote sustainable practices and applications, and guide the future direction of materials science in addressing global challenges.

Professor Dr. Fernando Gomes de Souza Jr.

Macromolecules Institute

Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)

BR-21941598 Rio de Janeiro

RJ, Brazil

E-mail: Fernando_gomes@ima.ufrj.br

Associate (IV) Professor Fernando Gomes is an accomplished academic with a strong background in materials science. He obtained his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry-Education from the Federal University of Espírito Santo in 1999, followed by a Master's in Materials Engineering and Science from the State University of Northern Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro in 2002. Driven by his passion for knowledge, he pursued a Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Technology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, which he completed in 2006. He further enhanced his expertise through a postdoctoral position in the Chemical Engineering Program at COPPE/UFRJ 2008. Prof. Gomes has held the esteemed position of Associate Professor IV at the Institute of Macromolecules of UFRJ and Full Professor in the Nanotechnology Engineering Program at COPPE/UFRJ since 2019. He has received recognition throughout his career for his contributions, including prestigious awards such as the Young Scientist of Rio de Janeiro State in 2015 and the Scientist of Rio de Janeiro State in 2021. He was also honored with a Chair Professorship on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology from Mahatma Gandhi University in India in 2018, and he has been distinguished as a Researcher 1D CNPq in 2023. More information about Prof. Gomes can be found at  Lattes Platform. Prof. Gomes has made significant contributions to the field through his extensive publication record. He has authored 216 articles in scientific journals, 13 books, and 25 book chapters. His research has garnered widespread recognition, with numerous citations and an impressive H-index. As of February 8, 2023, his works have amassed 2379 citations with an H-index of 31 in SCOPUS and 35 in Google Scholar. The primary focus of Prof. Gomes's research lies in polymer nanocomposites derived from renewable resources. He strives to develop innovative applications for these materials, promoting their adoption across various industries and sectors. In addition to his research endeavors, Prof. Gomes has demonstrated a deep commitment to mentoring and guiding students. He has supervised the successful completion of numerous Master's dissertations and Ph.D. theses as both the main and co-advisor. He has also guided undergraduate thesis projects, scientific initiation projects, postdoctoral projects, and projects of various other natures. He actively advises students in multiple roles, continuing his dedication to fostering the next generation of researchers. Prof. Gomes's editorial contributions are equally noteworthy. He has served on the editorial board of several esteemed journals, including the Current Applied Polymer Science journal as a member since 2016 and Editor-in-Chief since 2020. He has been Associate Editor for the MedCrave Online Journal (MOJ) Polymer Science since 2017 and has served as an Honorable Editor for the Academic Journal of Polymer Science since 2018. In 2021, he became the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Brazilian Journal of Experimental Design, Data Analysis, and Inferential Statistics. Furthermore, Prof. Gomes is actively running three Special Issues in Materials MDPI, where he is pushing the boundaries of nanomaterials, environmental recovery, and release systems [Materials MDPI (IF = 3.748; ISSN 1996-1944): "Advances in Machine-Learning-Assisted Nanomaterials: Applications in Simulation, Detection, Classification, and Imaging"; "Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Bioimaging, Sensor, Catalytic, and Photoelectronic Applications"; and "Advances in Nanomaterials and Molecules and Their Applications on Environment Recovery and Release Systems"]. Prof. Gomes's extensive contributions to academia, research, and mentorship have solidified his position as a respected figure in materials science. His dedication to advancing knowledge and inspiring future generations of researchers is evident throughout his remarkable career.