Note: Intro -- Soft Fibrillar Materials -- Contents -- Preface -- List of Contributors -- Section I Small Molecule Gels -- 1 Molecular Gels and their Fibrillar Networks -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Advances and Perspectives for Design of Gelators -- 1.2.1 Analyses of Structure Packing via X-Ray, Synchrotron, and Other Techniques, Including Spectroscopic Tools -- 1.2.2 Chirality as a Tool - Comparisons between Optically Pure and Racemic Gelators and Optically Pure and Racemic Liquids -- 1.2.3 Liquids and their Influence on Gelator Networks -- 1.3 Stimulation of Gelation by Perturbations Other Than Temperature -- 1.3.1 Enzymatic In situ Formation of Gelators and Gels-Potential Biological Applications -- 1.3.2 Ultrasound - Conformational and Aggregation/De-Aggregation Effects -- 1.3.3 Radiation-Induced Gelation and Degelation -- 1.4 Kinetic Models for Following One-Dimensional Growth and Gelation -- 1.5 Advances and Perspectives for a Priori Design of Gelators -- 1.6 Some Final Thoughts -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 2 Engineering of Small-Molecule Gels Based on the Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Fiber Formation -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Fiber Networks of SMGs -- 2.2.1 Nucleation and Growth Mechanism of Fiber Network Formation -- 2.2.2 Single and Multi-Domain Fiber Networks -- 2.2.3 Fiber Branching -- 2.2.4 Structural Characteristics of Fiber Networks -- 2.3 Crystallization of Nanofibers -- 2.3.1 Thermodynamic Driving Force -- 2.3.2 Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Nucleation -- 2.3.3 Crystallographic Mismatch Nucleation Induced Fiber Branching -- 2.3.3.1 Fiber Tip Branching -- 2.3.3.2 Fiber Side Branching -- 2.3.4 Growth and Branching Kinetics of Nanofibers -- 2.4 Strategies for Engineering the Micro/Nano Structure of Fiber Networks -- 2.4.1 Engineering of "Single" Fiber Networks -- 2.4.1.1 Effects of Supersaturation/Super Cooling on Fiber Branching. , 2.4.1.2 Additive-Mediated Fiber Branching -- 2.4.2 Engineering of Multi-Domain Fiber Networks -- 2.4.2.1 Manipulating Fiber Network by Controlling Primary Nucleation -- 2.4.2.2 Switching between Multi-Domain Fiber Networks and Interconnecting Fiber Networks -- 2.4.2.3 Kinetically Controlled Homogenization of Fiber Networks -- 2.4.2.4 Engineering Multi-Domain Fiber Networks by Volume Confinement -- 2.5 Engineering the Macroscopic Properties of Gels by Design of Fiber Networks -- 2.5.1 Improving the Elasticity of a Material by Controlling the Primary Nucleation of the Gelator -- 2.5.2 Improving the Elasticity of a Material by Enhancing Fiber Branching -- 2.5.3 Improving the Elasticity of a Material by Converting its Multi-Domain Network into an Interconnecting ("Single") Fiber Network -- 2.6 Conclusions -- References -- 3 Applications of Small-Molecule Gels - Drug Delivery -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Hydrogels in Pharmaceutical Applications -- 3.2.1 Drug Carriers -- 3.2.2 Drug-Derivatized Small-Molecular Hydrogelators -- 3.2.3 Drug-Gelator Conjugates -- 3.3 Organogels in Pharmaceutical Applications -- 3.3.1 Dermal and Transdermal Formulation -- 3.3.2 Parenteral Depot Formulation -- 3.3.3 Oral Formulation -- 3.4 Organogel Delivery of Bioactive Factors in Regenerative Medicine -- 3.5 Future Directions: Hybrid Organogels -- 3.6 Conclusion -- References -- 4 Molecular Gels for Tissue Engineering -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Low-Molecular-Weight Gelators and Molecular Gels -- 4.3 Self-Assembly and Gel Structures -- 4.4 Applications of Hydrogels in Tissue Engineering -- 4.4.1 Peptide-Based Molecular Gels -- 4.4.1.1 Self-Complementary Alternating Amphiphilic Peptides -- 4.4.1.2 Peptide Amphiphiles -- 4.4.2 Saccharide-Based Molecular Gels -- 4.4.3 Lipid-Based Molecular Gels -- 4.4.4 Nucleobase-Based Molecular Gels. , 4.4.4.1 Nucleobases and Hybrid Biomolecules Containing Nucleobases -- 4.4.4.2 Nucleic Acid Chains -- 4.5 Summary -- List of Abbreviations -- Appendix: Gelators and their Potential Use and Applications -- References -- 5 Molecular Gels for Controlled Formation of Micro-/Nano-Structures -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Structure of Metal/Transition Metal Oxide and Sulfate -- 5.2.1 Silica Nanofibers and Nanotubes -- 5.2.2 Silica Nanoparticles -- 5.2.3 Nanofibers/Tubes of Metal/Transition Metal Oxide and Sulfate -- 5.3 Metallic Nanostructures -- 5.3.1 Silver and Gold Nanoparticles -- 5.3.2 Silver and Gold Nanowires -- 5.4 Controlled Formation of Organic and Composite Structures -- 5.5 Controlling Crystal Growth of Pharmaceutical Substances -- 5.6 Conclusions and Perspectives -- References -- Section II Natural Silk Fibrous Materials -- 6 Spider Silk: Structure, Engineering, and Applications -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Mechanical Design of Spider Silk -- 6.2.1 Hierarchical Structure of Spider Silk -- 6.2.2 Strain Hardening of Spider Dragline Silk -- 6.2.3 Environmental Effects on the Mechanical Properties of Spider Silk -- 6.2.3.1 Supercontraction of Spider Draglines -- 6.2.3.2 Tough Silk at Low Temperature -- 6.3 Mimicking Spider Silk -- 6.3.1 Genetic Engineering -- 6.3.1.1 Silk Proteins from Mammalian Cells -- 6.3.1.2 Harvesting "Spider Silk" from Silkworms -- 6.3.2 Modification of Spinning Conditions -- 6.3.2.1 Crystallite Size -- 6.3.2.2 Orientation Distribution -- 6.3.2.3 Intercrystallite Distance -- 6.3.3 Tougher Silk than Natural Spider Silk -- 6.4 Applications -- 6.4.1 Tissue Engineering -- 6.4.2 Drug Delivery -- 6.4.3 Technical Applications -- References -- 7 Functionalization of Colored/Fluorescent Silkworm Silk Fibrous Materials -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Legend and History of Silkworm Silk -- 7.3 The Structure of Silkworm Silk. , 7.4 Functionalization of Silkworm Silk -- 7.4.1 Colored/Fluorescent Silkworm Silk -- 7.4.1.1 Genetic Engineering -- 7.4.1.2 Nanoparticles -- 7.4.1.3 Dieting -- 7.4.2 Optical Limiting Silkworm Silk Films -- 7.4.3 Two-Photon Fluorescent Silkworm Silk Fibers -- 7.4.3.1 Two-Photon Absorption Cross-Section of Designed Organic Molecules -- 7.4.3.2 Two-Photon Fluorescence Quantum Yield of Designed Organic Molecules -- 7.4.3.3 Two-Photon Fluorescence Silk in Application of Bio-Imaging -- 7.4.4 Nano- and Micro-Patterning of Silk Fibroin Films for Biomedical Optical Applications -- 7.4.5 Construction of Structural Color to Silk Fabrics -- 7.5 Summary and Outlook -- References -- Section III Smart Fibers -- 8 Flexible Nanogenerator and Nano-Pressure Sensor Based on Nanofiber Web of PVDF and its Copolymers -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 Electrospinning Mechanism and Set-up -- 8.3 Nanofiber Web -- 8.3.1 Preparation and Characterization of PVDF Nanofiber Fabric under Varied Conditions -- 8.3.1.1 Morphology and Diameter Distribution of PVDF Nanofiber -- 8.3.1.2 Crystalline Structure of PVDF Nanofibers -- 8.3.2 Nanofiber Web of PVDF with CaCl2 and Carbon Nanotube -- 8.3.3 Nanofiber of Copolymer P(VDF-TrFE) -- 8.4 Piezoelectric Properties of Electrospun Web of PVDF and its Copolymer -- 8.4.1 Piezoelectricity of PVDF Web under Different Electrospinning Conditions -- 8.4.2 Origin of Piezoelectricity in Electrospun Nanofiber Web -- 8.5 Flexible Devices -- 8.5.1 PVDF Web-Based Sensor -- 8.5.2 Touch Sensor Based on a PVDF Electrospun Web with CaCl2 and CNTs -- 8.5.3 Force Sensors Based on Copolymer P(VDF-TrFE) with Different VDF -- 8.5.4 Nanogenerator Based on Electrospun PVDF Nanofiber Web -- 8.6 Conclusion -- References -- 9 Electrospun Nanofibers for Regenerative Medicine -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Electrospinning of Nanofibers -- 9.2.1 Setup and Principle. , 9.2.2 Materials Consideration -- 9.2.3 Incorporation of Bioactive Molecules -- 9.2.4 Degradation Characteristics -- 9.2.5 Mechanical Properties -- 9.2.6 Cell Infiltration -- 9.3 Controlling the Alignment of Nanofibers -- 9.3.1 Alignment Caused by Mechanical Forces -- 9.3.2 Alignment Caused by Electrostatic Forces -- 9.3.3 Alignment Caused by Magnetic Forces -- 9.4 Nanofiber Scaffolds with Complex Architectures -- 9.4.1 Stacked Arrays of Nanofibers -- 9.4.2 Conduits Assembled from Nanofibers -- 9.5 Applications in Regenerative Medicine -- 9.5.1 Nerve Injury Repair -- 9.5.2 Dura Mater Repair -- 9.5.3 Tendon/Ligament Repair -- 9.5.4 Tendon-to-Bone Insertion Site Repair -- 9.6 Concluding Remarks -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Index.