The first book to extensively cover nanoparticles, this addresses some of the key issues in nanocomposites. Polymer nanocomposites (polymers reinforced with nanoparticles), are of great interest due to their remarkable mechanical, thermal, chemical properties as well as optical, electronic, and magnetic applications Potential applications include automobile body parts, high-barrier packaging materials, flame-retardants, scratch-resistant composites, and biodegradable nanocomposites Combines basic theory as well as advanced and in-depth knowledge of these properties Broad audience includes researchers in Materials Science, Physics, Polymer Chemistry, and Engineering, and those in industry