GIANT MOLECULES

“… Giant molecules are important in our everyday life. But, as pointed out by the authors, they are also associated with a culture. What Bach did with the harpsichord, Kuhn and Flory did with polymers. We owe a lot of thanks to those who now make this music accessible …”

Pierre-Gilles de Gennes
Nobel Prize laureate in Physics
(Foreword for the 1st Edition, March 1996)

This book describes the basic facts, concepts and ideas of polymer physics in simple, yet scientifically accurate, terms. In both scientific and historic contexts, the book shows how the subject of polymers is fascinating, as it is behind most of the wonders of living cell machinery as well as most of the newly developed materials. No mathematics is used in the book beyond modest high school algebra and a bit of freshman calculus, yet very sophisticated concepts are introduced and explained, ranging from scaling and reptations to protein folding and evolution. The new edition includes an extended section on polymer preparation methods, discusses knots formed by molecular filaments, and presents new and updated materials on such contemporary topics as single molecule experiments with DNA or polymer properties of proteins and their roles in biological evolution.

Contents:

Foreword by P G de Gennes
Introduction: Physics in the World of Giant Molecules
What Does a Polymer Molecule Look Like?
How are Polymers Made?
What Kinds of Polymer Substances are There?
Polymers in Nature
The Mathematics of a Simple Polymer Coil
The Physics of High Elasticity
The Problem of Excluded Volume
Coils and Globules
Globular Proteins and Folding
To Knot or Not to Knot
Dynamics of Polymer Fluids
The Mathematics of Complicated Polymer Structures: Fractals
Polymers, Evolution, and the Origin of Life

Readership: Undergraduate and graduate students in physics, chemistry and biophysics, chemical and biomedical engineering; advanced high school students; non-experts interested in the physics of polymers and biopolymers.

“This book, affectionately written, still offers much for a new generation to enjoy.”

Choice

Reviews of the First Edition

“Giant Molecules is a beautiful book on polymer science which is written by two of the leaders in the field who are also tremendously skilled at putting the science in both historical and scientific contexts. The book is actually a marvelous introduction to polymer physics … which is scientifically accurate but can also be read as a wonderfully articulate and amusing history of the subject. The book must be on the shelf of all polymer scientists and will go a long way in explaining this sub-discipline to the broad public.”

Philip Pincus
(from the review of the manuscript, 1996)

“Giant molecules is one of the hottest topics in science today. This book, written by two brilliant physicists, will guide readers through this new frontier of polymer science … and the authors make the topic equally applicable to any curious reader. The authors are skilled story-tellers, which makes this scientifically relevant book entertaining as well as informative. Giant Molecules will be of use to all levels of science enthusiasts who are curious about the newest developments in polymer science. This book is not to be missed!”

Toyoichi Tanaka (1946-2000)
(from the review of the manuscript, 1996)

“Who would have thought a pair of theorists would produce a very readable and perceptive monograph of polymer physics? Yet this is exactly what Alexander Y Grosberg and Alexei R Khokhlov have done in this attractive book … The explanations … are about clearest I have read anywhere.”

Nature

“… it might seem almost impossible to write a book on macromolecules … using almost no maths. However, the authors have succeeded in writing an accurate and precise book … I never found a place where simplification led to scientifically questionable description … This makes it a valuable book for both the scientifically interested layreader and non-expert student, as well as for the experienced scientist … I noted with pleasure the citations from classic literature at the start of each chapter which hint at some surprising parallels in thinking between scientists and the cited authors …”

Physics World

“The book reviews the fundamental concepts of polymer physics and discusses some of the modern frontiers of the subject, particularly in biology. The overall level is suitable for an advanced undergraduate in physics, chemistry or chemical engineering … Practitioners will also find this book stimulating …”

Physics Today

“… this is an easy read and readers with a desire to learn more about the biology and physics of polymers will find Giant Molecules friendly and welcoming.”

New Scientist

“As a scientific text it is without doubt one of the easiest to read I have ever encountered. Despite this, it remains, highly informative … The authors have managed, without compromising their scientific contents, to include a number of interesting anecdotes that place the science in its true context … I would commend this book to anyone with an interest in polymer science, whether established experts or complete newcomers, it really is an excellent starting point for the subject.”

Molecules

348pp		Pub. date: Sep 2010
ISBN: 978-981-283-922-0 981-283-922-4		US$75 / £47

348pp		Pub. date: Sep 2010
ISBN: 978-981-283-923-7(ebook) 981-283-923-2(ebook)		US$98

Imperial College Press \| Global Publishing \| Asia-Pacific Biotech News \| Innovation Magazine Labcreations Co \| Meeting Matters \| National Academies Press Copyright © 2012 World Scientific Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Updated on 10 February 2012