Handbook of Chitin and Chitosan

Prof. Sabu Thomas is a Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering and the Director of the School of Energy Materials at Mahatma Gandhi University, India. Additionally, he is the Chairman of the Trivandrum Engineering Science & Technology Research Park (TrEST Research Park) in Thiruvananthapuram, India. He is the founder director of the International and Inter-university Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at Mahatma Gandhi University and the former Vice-Chancellor of the same institution. Prof. Thomas is internationally recognized for his contributions to polymer science and engineering, with his research interests encompassing polymer nanocomposites, elastomers, polymer blends, interpenetrating polymer networks, polymer membranes, green composites, nanocomposites, nanomedicine, and green nanotechnology. His groundbreaking inventions in polymer nanocomposites, polymer blends, green bionanotechnology, and nano-biomedical sciences have significantly advanced the development of new materials for the automotive, space, housing, and biomedical fields. Dr. Thomas has been conferred with Honoris Causa (DSc) by the University of South Brittany, France. Professor Pius achieved her BSc. in Chemistry in 1985 from Holy Cross College, Nagercoil, Madurai Kamaraj University, India following this with and MSc and PhD in Chemistry. Her research interests are environmental chemistry and pollution control, polymer composites, nanocomposites, food chemistry, bioavailability – in vitro studies, photodegradation of pollutants, waste water treatments and anion sensors. Professor Pius is a reviewer for a number of well-known journals including Ecological Engineering, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Journal of Chemistry & Applied Biochemistry, Journal of Water Process Engineering, National Academy Science Letters and Separation Science and Technology. Dr. Sreerag Gopi is the Co-Founder and Director of Molecules Food solutions Pvt Ltd, Zingon Naturals Pvt Ltd. He was the Chief Scientist at Plant Lipids Pvt Ltd. and Chief Scientific Officer at Aurea Biolabs Pvt Ltd. He served as an adjunct professor at universities including Stockholm University, Sweden, Siberian Federal University, Russia, and Mahatma Gandhi University, India. His doctorate is in organic chemistry and nanotechnology, and nano drug delivery working in the area of natural products, isolation, and biological activities. He's published more than 175 international articles and filed 75+ patents, including in the US and Europe. In his work at Plant Lipids, he developed many innovative products and technologies, and was responsible for driving the research team to excellence, as well as the generation, implementation of new projects, and the presentation of scientific seminars to various customers. He is listed world's top 2% scientist list by Stanford University.

1. Polymer blends, composites and nanocomposite from chitin and chitosan: Manufacturing, characterisations and applications

2. Processing techniques of chitin based gels, blends, and composites using ionic liquids

3. Processing techniques of chitosan based IPN’s, gels, blends, composites and nanocomposites

4. Microscopic studies on chitin and chitosan based IPN’s, gels, blends, composites and nanocomposites

5. Thermal degradation characteristics of chitin, chitosan, chitosan/Al2O3 and chitosan/Benonite nanocomposites

6. Barrier properties, antimicrobial and antifungal activities of chitin and chitosan based IPN’s, gels, blends, composites and nanocomposites

7. Chitin and chitosan based polyurethanes

8. Functional properties of chitin and chitosan-based polymer materials

9. Biocomposites of chitosan reinforced with natural fibers