Book excerpt: This volume presents a comprehensive review of key aspects of polyester film technology, ranging from first principles to practical applications Bringing together world-class experts to review the state-of-the-art of key materials and processing elements of polyester film technology, Polyester Films covers a wide range of topics with direct utility to students, practitioners, business managers and researchers, in academia and industry. Topics covered in this volume include survey of optical and physical properties, microlayer coextrusion, polyester ionomers, polyester blends, biomedical applications and recycling . In particular, the text focuses on novel design and application of polyester films, such as those used in the production of flat panel displays, flexible electronics, and barrier films. The overriding objective of the book is to scope the multitude of options available to material and product designers in manipulating the properties of polyester films to meet specific performance and product criteria. These options include synthetic modifications (copolymerization), physical enhancements (blending), and process upgrades (tenter-frame changes, coextrusion, and coating). Edited by two highly qualified material scientists with extensive experience in academia and industry, Polyester Films covers topics such as: Historical review of polyester film technology Overview of physical performance and applications of key polyester films, especially PET and PEN Synthetic options available for manipulating the structure and properties of polyesters, with special focus on polyester ionomers Main blending options available to enhance the performance of commodity polyesters Rheo-optical properties of polyester films and corresponding testing methodology Micro-layer coextrusion technology as applied to modify the performance of polyester films Bio-medical applications Polyester recycling, with special focus on upcycling With an interdisciplinary approach covering the performance of real-life products and components, Polyester Films is an essential resource for researchers and engineers in academia and industry working in physics, material science, chemistry and process engineering. This volume should also be invaluable for graduate students and early-career researchers in similar fields.