Over the last decade the interest in nanoscale materials and their applications in novel electronic devices have been increasing tremendously. This is caused by the unique properties of nanoscale materials and the outstanding performance of nanoscale devices. The fascinating and often unrivalled properties of nanoscale materials and devices opened new and sometimes unexpected fields of applications. Today, the widespread applications range from the detection of explosives, drugs and fissionable materials to bio- and infrared-sensors, spintronic devices, data storage media, magnetic read heads for computer hard disks, single-electron devices, microwave electronic devices, and many more.

This book contains a collection of papers giving insight into the fundamentals and applications of nanoscale devices. The main focus is on the synthesis and characterization of nanoscale magnetic materials, the fundamental physics and materials aspects of solid-state nanostructures, the development of novel device concepts and design principles for nanoscale devices, as well as on applications in electronics with special emphasis on defence against the threat of terrorism.

Over the last decade, techniques for materials preparation and processing at nanometer scale have advanced rapidly, leading to the introduction of novel principles for a new generation of sensors and detectors.  At the same time, the chemical industry, transport and agriculture produce huge amounts of dangerous waste gases and liquids, leading to soil, air and water contamination. One more modern threat - international terrorism - demands that scientists make efforts to apply new principles and technologies to protect society against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attacks and to develop novel effective technologies for the remediation of large contaminated areas.

Accordingly, the main goal of this book is to bring together experts (theorists, experimentalists, engineers and technologists) for an extensive discussion covering: novel principles for functional nanostructures and detector fabrication and implementation, the development of novel technologies for the deactivation of CBRN agents, their experimental realization and their application in novel monitoring and control systems, and technological processes for soil and water remediation, with a view to environmental protection and defence against CBRN-based terrorism.

In keeping with the book’s main goal, the following topics are highlighted and discussed: 

-        Sensors and detectors - detection of chemicals, principles of “artificial nose” and chemical “micro-lab on a chip” design, surface and underground water quality monitoring systems, molecular electronics, superconducting electronic devices, quantum detectors and Qubits.

-         Environmental protection and CBRN - detection of infrared, microwave, X-ray and terahertz radiation. Principles for novel IR-, UV-, and Terahertz-wave devices for the detection of low-contrast objects.

-         Novel technological processes for CBRN  destruction and deactivation.

All these topics are strongly interrelated, both with regard to fundamental aspects and to fabrication and implementation technologies; in addition, they are highly promising for application in novel functional devices, computer logics, sensing and detection of low-concentration chemicals, weak and extremely weak magnetic and microwave fields, infrared and ultraviolet radiation. Given its scope, the book will be a useful and interesting guide for a broad readership of engineers, scientists, PhD students and experts in the area of defence against environmental terrorism.

Over the last decade the interest in nanoscale materials and their applications in novel electronic devices have been increasing tremendously. This is caused by the unique properties of nanoscale materials and the outstanding performance of nanoscale devices. The fascinating and often unrivalled properties of nanoscale materials and devices opened new and sometimes unexpected fields of applications. Today, the widespread applications range from the detection of explosives, drugs and fissionable materials to bio- and infrared-sensors, spintronic devices, data storage media, magnetic read heads for computer hard disks, single-electron devices, microwave electronic devices, and many more.

This book contains a collection of papers giving insight into the fundamentals and applications of nanoscale devices. The main focus is on the synthesis and characterization of nanoscale magnetic materials, the fundamental physics and materials aspects of solid-state nanostructures, the development of novel device concepts and design principles for nanoscale devices, as well as on applications in electronics with special emphasis on defence against the threat of terrorism.

Over the last decade, techniques for materials preparation and processing at nanometer scale have advanced rapidly, leading to the introduction of novel principles for a new generation of sensors and detectors.  At the same time, the chemical industry, transport and agriculture produce huge amounts of dangerous waste gases and liquids, leading to soil, air and water contamination. One more modern threat - international terrorism - demands that scientists make efforts to apply new principles and technologies to protect society against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attacks and to develop novel effective technologies for the remediation of large contaminated areas.

Accordingly, the main goal of this book is to bring together experts (theorists, experimentalists, engineers and technologists) for an extensive discussion covering: novel principles for functional nanostructures and detector fabrication and implementation, the development of novel technologies for the deactivation of CBRN agents, their experimental realization and their application in novel monitoring and control systems, and technological processes for soil and water remediation, with a view to environmental protection and defence against CBRN-based terrorism.

In keeping with the book’s main goal, the following topics are highlighted and discussed: 

-        Sensors and detectors - detection of chemicals, principles of “artificial nose” and chemical “micro-lab on a chip” design, surface and underground water quality monitoring systems, molecular electronics, superconducting electronic devices, quantum detectors and Qubits.

-         Environmental protection and CBRN - detection of infrared, microwave, X-ray and terahertz radiation. Principles for novel IR-, UV-, and Terahertz-wave devices for the detection of low-contrast objects.

-         Novel technological processes for CBRN  destruction and deactivation.

All these topics are strongly interrelated, both with regard to fundamental aspects and to fabrication and implementation technologies; in addition, they are highly promising for application in novel functional devices, computer logics, sensing and detection of low-concentration chemicals, weak and extremely weak magnetic and microwave fields, infrared and ultraviolet radiation. Given its scope, the book will be a useful and interesting guide for a broad readership of engineers, scientists, PhD students and experts in the area of defence against environmental terrorism.