"Written in an "easy-to-follow style", this textbook provides an introduction to this exciting subject with chapters covering natural and synthetic polymers, colloids, surfactants, biological soft matter and liquid crystals and the many and varied applications of these materials. It has been newly edited and has chapters with updated coverage of recent aspects of polymer science. A series of questions and answers is also provided at the end of each chapter. The book contains a new chapter on biological soft matter, which adds significantly to the discussion of proteins, DNA and lipid membranes in the previous edition. " "The book will appeal to students of polymer, biomaterial, colloid, surface and interface science. Experienced researchers in the field will also find this a good introductory text for revising their knowledge of the basics. "--BOOK JACKET.