Irina V. Uvarova - Böcker

The term "functional gradient materials" was coined in Japan in the 1980s to describe a class of materials having spatially homogenous microstructures and properties. These materials can be used successfully in such applications as electronic devices, optical films, anti-wear and anti-corrosion coatings, thermal barrier coatings and biomaterials. The materials are fabricated with the use of nanoparticles, leading to greatly improved performance. Nanoparticle technology is not straightforward, however, demanding a modification of methods for processing and characterization. This book provides graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, engineers and senior scientists with an in-depth review of aspects of the field, ranging from synthetic methods to a variety of applications. The different approaches to material synthesis are described, giving the reader a better understanding of the complex phenomena involved. Characterization and the evaluation of properties are also discussed.

The term "functional gradient materials" was coined in Japan in the 1980s to describe a class of materials having spatially homogenous microstructures and properties. These materials can be used successfully in such applications as electronic devices, optical films, anti-wear and anti-corrosion coatings, thermal barrier coatings and biomaterials. The materials are fabricated with the use of nanoparticles, leading to greatly improved performance. Nanoparticle technology is not straightforward, however, demanding a modification of methods for processing and characterization. This book provides graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, engineers and senior scientists with an in-depth review of aspects of the field, ranging from synthetic methods to a variety of applications. The different approaches to material synthesis are described, giving the reader a better understanding of the complex phenomena involved. Characterization and the evaluation of properties are also discussed.

The latest international research from materials scientists for 2002 is presented in this book, which also provides further information on bioceramics specifically for medical applications. New materials for sensors are also discussed. Nanostructured materials and coatings for biomedical and sensor applications contribute to the dissemination of state-of-the-art knowledge about the application of nanostructured materials and coatings in biotechnology and medicine, as well as that of sensors for the chemical and biomedical industries. The research presented here addresses the fundamental scientific problems that must be resolved in order to take advantage of the nanoscale approach to creating new materials.