Presenting break through research pertinent to scientists in a wide range of disciplines from medicine and biotechnology to cosmetics and pharmacy this second edition provides practical approaches to complex formulation problems encountered in the development of particulate delivery systems at the micro- and nano- size level. Completely revised and expanded to represent the most up-to-date studies in the field, this guide covers advances in pulsatile delivery systems, injectable micro particulate systems, and site specific delivery systems, as well as potential therapeutic applications of nanotechnology. Describing a practical methodology for the routine scale-up of microencapsulation processes, this hand book covers the latest developments in the production of polymeric micro and nano particles, lipospheres, solid lipid particles, liposomes, amphiphilic cyclodextrin-based nanoparticles flexible vesicles, emulsions, double emulsions, and microemulsions considers opportunities and challenges associated with the use of small-scale polymeric and lipid delivery systems for injectable, topical, ocular, and oral administration allows readers to easily compare the processing, manipulation, production, physicochemical characterizations, biological evaluations, and therapeutic potentials of various micro systems and nanosystems. Studies the utilization of colloidal carriers when designed for vaccine, brain, ocular, or transdermal delivery offers a comprehensive approach to increase the oral bioavailability of poorly absorbed lipophilic drugs using self-emulsifying oral lipid-based formulations analyzes various kinetic models used to characterize drug-release profiles and stresses the need for efficient drug targeting delivery systems by presenting different coupling techniques for the formation of drug colloidal