This collection of papers on the latest developments in polymer research includes discussion of hydrogels as separation agents, polymer gel phase transition in condensation, the molecular design of temperature-responsive polymers as intelligent materials and friction between polymer networks.

Contributions by: J.H. Burban, E.L. Cussler, S.H. Gehrke, O. Hirasa, S. Hirotsu, M. Irie, E. Kokufuta, T. Okano, A. Suzuki, M. Suzuki, M. Tokita, P. Verdugo, K.L. Wang