Pierre Delhaes - Böcker

The research of unitary concepts in solid state and molecular chemistry is of current interest for both chemist and physicist communities. It is clear that due to their relative simplicity, low­ dimensional materials have attracted most of the attention. Thus, many non-trivial problems were solved in chain systems, giving some insight into the behavior of real systems which would otherwise be untractable. The NATO Advanced Research Workshop on "Organic and Inorganic Low-Dimensional Crystalline Materials" was organized to review the most striking electronic properties exhibited by organic and inorganic sytems whose space dimensionality ranges from zero (Od) to one (1d), and to discuss related scientific and technological potentials. The initial objectives of this Workshop were, respectively: i) To research unitary concepts in solid state physics, in particular for one dimensional compounds, ii) To reinforce, through a close coupling between theory and experiment, the interplay between organic and inorganic chemistry, on the one hand, and solid state physics on the other, iii) To get a salient understanding of new low-dimensional materials showing "exotic" physical properties, in conjunction with structural features.

Humans first used carbon as chars from firewood in ritual paintings and primitive metallurgical processes. Natural forms of carbon have been known since antiquity, yet the knowledge of the carbon element in chemistry and its technical applications on a larger scale are a relatively recent development. The industrial revolution in Europe two centuries ago led the way to the numerous applications of these graphitic forms that are still used today. Graphite and Precursors features short tutorial articles on different topics related to the science and technology of carbons intended for engineers, students of Materials Science and scientists who are seeking a fundamental understanding without "reinventing the wheel." This first volume of the World of Carbon book series focuses on graphite and its precursors, including its origin and various implications. The basic properties of hexagonal graphite are developed, and several theoretical and experimental approaches explain why this crystalline solid is fascinating in solid state physics. Also featured are the numerous applications connected to thermal, mechanical and chemical graphites, as well as their various industrial uses in polycrystalline form. Finally, carbon precursors are introduced.

This book is devoted to advanced composite materials based on carbon fibers issued from different precursors and various matrices.Written by internationally recognized specialists, Fibers and Composites is divided into three main parts. The first presents an alternative way to process and prepare carbon fibers issued from either natural or artificial precursors. It introduces recent achievements in carbon fiber technologies, including the main physical characteristics as high modulus or high strength type of the new fibers. The second part presents both classical and novel ways to prepare carbon matrices. It analyzes chemical vapor deposition (CVD) as well as chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) inside a porous preform. In addition, the book describes the liquid impregnation of a preform by a pitch or some other precursor.The final section explains other carbon-based composites, such as those with polymers or cement as matrices, and includes their role of interfacial characteristics as wetting or adhesions for their final application. Fibers and Composites will be of interest to engineers, graduate students and researchers in the field of solid-state physics, chemistry and materials science.

This work reviews the state of the art in the area of molecular magnetism. It is organized in two parts, the first of which introduces the basic concepts, theories and physical techniques required for the investigation of the magnetic molecular materials, comparing them with those used in the study of classical magnetic materials. Here the reader will find: (i) a detailed discussion of the electronic processes involved in the magnetic interaction mechanisms of molecular systems, including electron delocalization and spin polarization effects; (ii) a presentation of the available theoretical models based on spin and Hubbard Hamiltonians; and (iii) a description of the specific physical investigative techniques used to characterize the materials. The second part presents the different classes of existing magnetic molecular materials, focusing on the possible synthetic strategies developed to date to assemble the molecular building blocks ranging from purely organic to inorganic materials, as well as on their physical properties and potential applications.These materials comprise inorganic and organic ferro- and ferrimagnets, high nuclearity organic molecules and magnetic and metallic clusters, spin crossover systems, charge transfer salts (including fulleride salts and organic conductors and superconductors), and organized soft media (magnetic liquid crystals and Langmuir-Blodgett films).

The research of unitary concepts in solid state and molecular chemistry is of current interest for both chemist and physicist communities. It is clear that due to their relative simplicity, low­ dimensional materials have attracted most of the attention. Thus, many non-trivial problems were solved in chain systems, giving some insight into the behavior of real systems which would otherwise be untractable. The NATO Advanced Research Workshop on "Organic and Inorganic Low-Dimensional Crystalline Materials" was organized to review the most striking electronic properties exhibited by organic and inorganic sytems whose space dimensionality ranges from zero (Od) to one (1d), and to discuss related scientific and technological potentials. The initial objectives of this Workshop were, respectively: i) To research unitary concepts in solid state physics, in particular for one dimensional compounds, ii) To reinforce, through a close coupling between theory and experiment, the interplay between organic and inorganic chemistry, on the one hand, and solid state physics on the other, iii) To get a salient understanding of new low-dimensional materials showing "exotic" physical properties, in conjunction with structural features.

A thermodynamic system is defined according to its environment and its compliance. This book promotes the classification of materials from generalized thermodynamics outside the equilibrium state and not solely according to their chemical origin. The author goes beyond standard classification of materials and extends it to take into account the living, ecological, economic and financial systems in which they exist: all these systems can be classified according to their deviation from an ideal situation of thermodynamic equilibrium.    The concepts of dynamic complexity and hierarchy, emphasizing the crucial role played by cycles and rhythms, then become fundamental. Finally, the limitations of the uniqueness of this description that depend on thermodynamic foundations based on the concepts of energy and entropy are discussed in relation to the cognitive sciences.

It is well known that solid carbons can be found in various guises with different forms of bulk phases (graphites, diamonds and carbynes) as well as more molecular forms (fullerenes,nanotubes and graphenes) resulting from recent discoveries.The cause of this rich polymorphism is analyzed in the first part of this book (chapters 1-5) with the propensity of carbon atoms for forming different types of homopolar chemical bonds associated with variable coordination numbers. Precursor organic molecules and parent compounds are also described to establish specific links with this rich polymorphism.Then in a second part (chapters 6-10) a comparative review of the main classes of bulk physical properties is presented. This approach emphasizes in particular the electronic behavior of (pi) polyaromatic systems organized in plane and curved atomic sheets. Finally in a third part (chapters 11-15) the surface and interface characteristics are introduced together with the texture and morphology of these multiscale carbon materials. An overview of the main field of applications is related showing the large use and interest for these solids.

Carbon solids have been utilized by man since prehistoric times, first as a source of heat and then for other purposes; these are used as key markers for different civilizations. The essential role played by the use of coal mines during the industrial revolution as a main source of energy is a crucial point, which was then expanded through the development of carbochemistry.This book begins by describing the use of solid carbons as traditional materials, for example in the steel industry and for ceramics, then moving on to their technological uses such as active carbons and carbon fibers, etc., before discussing nanocarbons, the jewel in the crown of contemporary technological science. The final chapter analyzes the current economic and social impact of carbon solids.

The second part presents the different classes of existing magnetic molecular materials, focusing on the possible synthetic strategies developed to date to assemble the molecular building blocks ranging from purely organic to inorganic materials, as well as on their physical properties and potential applications.