Book excerpt: Based on Wiley's renowned Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, this book provides coverage of key methods of characterization of the physical and chemical properties of polymers, including atomic force microscopy, chromatographic methods, laser light scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermal analysis, among others. Written by prominent scholars from around the world, this reference presents over twenty-five self -contained articles on the most used analytical techniques currently practiced in polymer science.