Materials Research Society Series – serie

This book provides a self-contained undergraduate course on quantum computing based on classroom-tested lecture notes. It reviews the fundamentals of quantum mechanics from the double-slit experiment to entanglement, before progressing to the basics of qubits, quantum gates, quantum circuits, quantum key distribution, and some of the famous quantum algorithms. As well as covering quantum gates in depth, it also describes promising platforms for their physical implementation, along with error correction, and topological quantum computing. With quantum computing expanding rapidly in the private sector, understanding quantum computing has never been so important for graduates entering the workplace or PhD programs. Assuming minimal background knowledge, this book is highly accessible, with rigorous step-by-step explanations of the principles behind quantum computation, further reading, and end-of-chapter exercises, ensuring that undergraduate students in physics and engineering emerge well prepared for the future.

This text covers all of the data science, machine learning, and deep learning topics relevant to materials science and engineering, accompanied by numerous examples and applications. Almost all methods and algorithms introduced  are implemented “from scratch” using Python and NumPy.The book starts with an introduction to statistics and probabilities, explaining important concepts such as random variables and probability distributions, Bayes’ theorem and correlations, sampling techniques, and exploratory data analysis, and puts them in the context of materials science and engineering. Therefore, it serves as a valuable primer for both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as a review for research scientists and practicing engineers. The second part provides an in-depth introduction of (statistical) machine learning. It begins with outlining fundamental concepts and proceeds to explore a variety of supervised learning techniques for regression and classification, including advanced methods such as kernel regression and support vector machines. The section on unsupervised learning emphasizes principal component analysis, and also covers manifold learning (t-SNE and UMAP) and clustering techniques. Additionally, feature engineering, feature importance, and cross-validation are introduced.The final part on neural networks and deep learning aims to promote an understanding of these methods and dispel misconceptions that they are a “black box”. The complexity gradually increases until fully connected networks can be implemented. Advanced techniques and network architectures, including GANs, are implemented “from scratch” using Python and NumPy, which facilitates a comprehensive understanding of all the details and enables the user to conduct their own experiments in Deep Learning.

This text covers all of the data science, machine learning, and deep learning topics relevant to materials science and engineering, accompanied by numerous examples and applications. Almost all methods and algorithms introduced  are implemented “from scratch” using Python and NumPy.The book starts with an introduction to statistics and probabilities, explaining important concepts such as random variables and probability distributions, Bayes’ theorem and correlations, sampling techniques, and exploratory data analysis, and puts them in the context of materials science and engineering. Therefore, it serves as a valuable primer for both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as a review for research scientists and practicing engineers. The second part provides an in-depth introduction of (statistical) machine learning. It begins with outlining fundamental concepts and proceeds to explore a variety of supervised learning techniques for regression and classification, including advanced methods such as kernel regression and support vector machines. The section on unsupervised learning emphasizes principal component analysis, and also covers manifold learning (t-SNE and UMAP) and clustering techniques. Additionally, feature engineering, feature importance, and cross-validation are introduced.The final part on neural networks and deep learning aims to promote an understanding of these methods and dispel misconceptions that they are a “black box”. The complexity gradually increases until fully connected networks can be implemented. Advanced techniques and network architectures, including GANs, are implemented “from scratch” using Python and NumPy, which facilitates a comprehensive understanding of all the details and enables the user to conduct their own experiments in Deep Learning.

This open access book provides a totally new perspective on the rapidly developing sector of electrochemical energy storage, putting a spotlight on their sustainability under consideration of the latest developments and emerging future technologies. A number of selected, high-level authors from different disciplines discuss the potential contribution of batteries to a cleaner society, the need for new battery concepts, necessary new chemistries and their sustainability. These include not only analyses of the most relevant technological developments in the field, but also the latest state of knowledge in terms of their applicative functionalities in transport and stationary applications within the clean energy transition framework, their potential environmental impacts, resource demands and social impacts, and the corresponding methodological advances. All these aspects are analyzed on micro-level (i.e., for the specific technology), but also on macro-scale i.e., from a systemic perspective, providing a glimpse on how emerging battery systems might cover future energy storage demand. By taking a prospective and interdisciplinary viewpoint, this book will be of interest for a broad field of readers interested in electrochemistry, engineering with particular focus on electric grids and on-board systems and energy system analysis, but also those worried about the sustainability and societal challenges related with the energy transition(s).

This open access book provides a totally new perspective on the rapidly developing sector of electrochemical energy storage, putting a spotlight on their sustainability under consideration of the latest developments and emerging future technologies. A number of selected, high-level authors from different disciplines discuss the potential contribution of batteries to a cleaner society, the need for new battery concepts, necessary new chemistries and their sustainability. These include not only analyses of the most relevant technological developments in the field, but also the latest state of knowledge in terms of their applicative functionalities in transport and stationary applications within the clean energy transition framework, their potential environmental impacts, resource demands and social impacts, and the corresponding methodological advances. All these aspects are analyzed on micro-level (i.e., for the specific technology), but also on macro-scale i.e., from a systemic perspective, providing a glimpse on how emerging battery systems might cover future energy storage demand. By taking a prospective and interdisciplinary viewpoint, this book will be of interest for a broad field of readers interested in electrochemistry, engineering with particular focus on electric grids and on-board systems and energy system analysis, but also those worried about the sustainability and societal challenges related with the energy transition(s).

This book presents a new class of metallic materials, called shape memory alloys (SMAs), as emerging materials for civil engineering applications. These materials have been used for decades in high-end fields like the aerospace and biomedical fields, and possess extraordinary properties that have attracted the attention of civil engineering researchers and practitioners for over 25 years. In this volume, based on 20 years of research findings, the author describes how SMAs started to find their way into practical applications in civil engineering. And that, like any metal, SMAs are produced in any shape, size, or form including wire, bar, and sheet, but unlike other metals, SMAs exhibit a unique ability to recover their original shape/size after being excessively deformed. Given the demand for sustainability and resilience in civil engineering applications, this book is ideal for civil engineering practitioners and materials researchers concerned with building materials and civil infrastructure.

This book presents a new class of metallic materials, called shape memory alloys (SMAs), as emerging materials for civil engineering applications. These materials have been used for decades in high-end fields like the aerospace and biomedical fields, and possess extraordinary properties that have attracted the attention of civil engineering researchers and practitioners for over 25 years. In this volume, based on 20 years of research findings, the author describes how SMAs started to find their way into practical applications in civil engineering. And that, like any metal, SMAs are produced in any shape, size, or form including wire, bar, and sheet, but unlike other metals, SMAs exhibit a unique ability to recover their original shape/size after being excessively deformed. Given the demand for sustainability and resilience in civil engineering applications, this book is ideal for civil engineering practitioners and materials researchers concerned with building materials and civil infrastructure.

This book presents progress in device processing and materials characterization of the wide-bandgap semiconductor gallium nitride (GaN) and related materials for power electronics applications. The content of the book is based on the output of multiple well defined and actively managed programs from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The material is organized into eight parts with a total of 28 chapters contributed from invited experts that were part of the ARPA-E programs along with chapters from a few select experts from around the world who are actively engaged in GaN and related WBG semiconductor research and development.The book includes an overview of GaN power electronic devices and systems and a comprehensive review of the key vertical device processing challenges (Part I), detailed descriptions of bulk GaN substrate technology (Part II), discussions of the challenges in GaN epitaxial growth and processing (Part III), an in-depth examination of approaches and challenges in GaN selective area p-type doping with an eye towards mechanistic understanding (Part IV), an overview of innovative material characterization techniques developed to understand the device processing challenges (Part V), an analysis of the fundamental materials properties of GaN in relation to its use in power electronics (Part VI), a discussion of related earlier stage nitride wide bandgap materials development and application in power electronics and other applications (Part VII), and concludes with a forward-looking discussion of the areas that still need research and development to push the limits of power electronics to utilize wide bandgap semiconductors along with potential high impact application areas (Part VIII).This book is intended to be an essential reference for anyone working in either basic research or advanced development of vertical architecture GaN power electronics and technologies. It is anticipated this book will become a go-to reference for any scientist and engineer working in any nitride semiconductor material seeking an updated coverage of the state-of-the-art processing and characterization techniques that will push GaN know-how to new materials and device frontiers.

This book presents progress in device processing and materials characterization of the wide-bandgap semiconductor gallium nitride (GaN) and related materials for power electronics applications. The content of the book is based on the output of multiple well defined and actively managed programs from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The material is organized into eight parts with a total of 28 chapters contributed from invited experts that were part of the ARPA-E programs along with chapters from a few select experts from around the world who are actively engaged in GaN and related WBG semiconductor research and development.The book includes an overview of GaN power electronic devices and systems and a comprehensive review of the key vertical device processing challenges (Part I), detailed descriptions of bulk GaN substrate technology (Part II), discussions of the challenges in GaN epitaxial growth and processing (Part III), an in-depth examination of approaches and challenges in GaN selective area p-type doping with an eye towards mechanistic understanding (Part IV), an overview of innovative material characterization techniques developed to understand the device processing challenges (Part V), an analysis of the fundamental materials properties of GaN in relation to its use in power electronics (Part VI), a discussion of related earlier stage nitride wide bandgap materials development and application in power electronics and other applications (Part VII), and concludes with a forward-looking discussion of the areas that still need research and development to push the limits of power electronics to utilize wide bandgap semiconductors along with potential high impact application areas (Part VIII).This book is intended to be an essential reference for anyone working in either basic research or advanced development of vertical architecture GaN power electronics and technologies. It is anticipated this book will become a go-to reference for any scientist and engineer working in any nitride semiconductor material seeking an updated coverage of the state-of-the-art processing and characterization techniques that will push GaN know-how to new materials and device frontiers.

This book, now in an expanded second edition, provides a self-contained undergraduate course on quantum computing based on classroom-tested lecture notes. It reviews the fundamentals of quantum mechanics from the double-slit experiment to entanglement, before progressing to the basics of qubits, quantum gates, quantum circuits, quantum key distribution, and some of the famous quantum algorithms. As well as covering quantum gates in depth, it also describes promising platforms for their physical implementation, along with error correction, and topological quantum computing. With quantum computing expanding rapidly in the private sector, understanding quantum computing has never been so important for graduates entering the workplace or PhD programs. Assuming minimal background knowledge, this book is highly accessible, with rigorous step-by-step explanations of the principles behind quantum computation, further reading, and exercises, ensuring that undergraduate students in physics and engineering emerge well prepared for the future. This edition contains new material on quantum metrology, random circuit sampling, electric dipole spin resonance, dilution refrigeration, photon detection, boson sampling, and continuous variable quantum computing. It also features around 50 new exercises, and lecture slides for course instructors.

This book serves as a concise and modern guide on computational materials science that meticulously revitalizes classical concepts, theories, and models through a contemporary lens and equally importantly, integrates cutting-edge advancements into a cohesive framework. It explores the transformative impact of machine learning and quantum computing on materials science research, as well as the influential role of language models and high-performance computing. The author includes detailed descriptions of advanced simulation methods such as First-principles methods, Molecular dynamics, Monte-Carlo simulations,  Multi-scale methods, and more. Readers are also provided with in-depth case studies on specific materials, including structural materials, quantum materials, functional materials, biomaterials and beyond.This book presents readers with a concise yet rich framework that introduces essential concepts, methods, and applications. It covers the fundamental principles of materials science, simulations, and modeling, while also addressing contemporary topics transforming the field and illuminating new research opportunities and perspectives. Designed to swiftly empower young researchers with essential knowledge and serve as a modern reference for seasoned professionals and educators, this book aims to prepare materials scientists for the future of this rapidly evolving field.

This contributed volume provides a comprehensive and consolidated resource on transition metal-based layered double hydroxides (LDHs). The book bridges the existing knowledge gap by offering an authoritative reference encompassing the latest research, developments, and applications of LDHs. It addresses specific challenges faced by researchers, including the complexities of designing LDHs for various applications, the dispersion of information across multiple sources, and the limited accessibility to up-to-date research. The book explores synthetic methods and functionalization strategies of LDHs while also discussing their various applications in areas such as catalysis, absorption, green chemistry, and/or tissue engineering, among others. It is a valuable resource for graduate students, researchers, and professionals working in the field of transition metal-based layered double hydroxides and materials science.

This book imparts critical knowledge and insights essential for the innovation of new materials through metal 3D printing. It emphasizes the scientific principles necessary for understanding the substantial temperature gradients inherent in powder bed fusion-type additive manufacturing (AM), highlighting crystallization and crystal growth within super-thermal environments. Furthermore, it introduces pioneering research on material creation grounded in these scientific principles. The text also offers practical guidelines for Neo 3D Printing, facilitating the simultaneous management of crystal orientation and microstructure—pivotal determinants of material properties—during the 3D printing process.As an indispensable guidebook for materials scientists and researchers dedicated to the development of novel materials, it also serves as an invaluable resource for engineers employing 3D printing technologies to confront challenges associated with materials science.Parts of this book's translation from its Japanese original manuscript were completed with the assistance of artificial intelligence. The author subsequently revised the content.

This book explores the world of liquid crystals created by strategically designed supermolecules. Addressing fundamental aspects of liquid crystal material science, it explores new applications and highlights the interdisciplinary nature of liquid crystals, which range from information displays to medical uses. These new worlds enable polar order in anisotropic fluids, alignment-free high-contrast liquid crystal displays, and chiral materials generated in an achiral system. They also enable selective antitumor activity. Additionally, the book presents significant basic scientific findings, such as dissipative structures through fluctuations and spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking. Topics include hierarchical and dissipative structures, ferroelectric liquid crystals, blue phases, supramolecular chirality transfer, and biological liquid crystals. An introduction to liquid crystals is included to facilitate understanding of the aforementioned cutting-edge fields. Distinguished by its unique perspective and insight on an emerging topic, this book serves as an authoritative guide for researchers and graduate students.

This book presents current academic research on additive manufacturing using biodegradable materials and promotes the utilization of more sustainable practices and materials in 3D printing at a societal level. It represents the first comprehensive study focused on this area, where significant growth is anticipated in academic research and applications across industry, the arts, and do-it-yourself (DIY) initiatives over the coming years. This book is a compilation of original research chapters authored by leading scholars in the field, framed by an introduction and conclusion provided by the editors. The introduction primarily comprises two chapters: one compiles lifecycle information of prevalent 3D printing methods and materials, while the other reviews existing research in biodegradable 3D printing. The invited chapters are divided into two sections: the first section addresses methodologies and the technical means for achieving 3D printing with biodegradable materials, featuring research on various fibers, binders, and technologies, with a focus on materials science and chemical engineering. The second section emphasizes applications across different fields and explores the potential offered by biodegradable materials, including applications in medical implants, product design, molds for casting, and architectural-scale applications. This book offers an overview of various methods, materials, and applications, making it suitable for readers from academia in materials science, chemical engineering, and biomedical engineering, as well as industry professionals in product design, architecture, and the fine arts that are interested in exploring techniques or alternatives applicable to their practice. It is also relevant for the hacker and maker communities that wish to improve the sustainability of their methods. Additionally, the book's appendix provides step-by-step instructions for novices, such as students or members of the maker community, to quickly initiate their own projects and research efforts.

This open access book describes from fundamentals to the state-of-the-art of long-period stacking/order structured Mg alloys, termed LPSO-structured Mg alloys, which have been the subject of research promoted by the Editors-in-Chief Kawamura and Abe since the early 2000s. LPSO-Mg alloys represent unique nanometer-scale layer structures and provide unexpected high strength through kink deformations, which are novel and striking phenomena that have never been seen in any other alloys. The contents of this book cover a wide range of topics of this novel high-strength Mg alloy including alloy design guidelines, atomic-scale structure, kink deformations and disclinations, static/dynamical processing, computer simulations of mechanics, and fatigue and fracture properties. This book provides a platform for those working in lightweight structural materials to spark ideas which encourage extending the LPSO concept to various materials including aluminum and titanium alloys. This book appeals to graduate students learning materials science and modern metallurgy researchers/engineers wishing to develop new light alloys, as well as for general material specialists who have interests on a structure-property relationship.Parts of this book's translation from its Japanese original manuscript were completed with the assistance of artificial intelligence. The author subsequently revised the content.

This open access book describes from fundamentals to the state-of-the-art of long-period stacking/order structured Mg alloys, termed LPSO-structured Mg alloys, which have been the subject of research promoted by the Editors-in-Chief Kawamura and Abe since the early 2000s. LPSO-Mg alloys represent unique nanometer-scale layer structures and provide unexpected high strength through kink deformations, which are novel and striking phenomena that have never been seen in any other alloys. The contents of this book cover a wide range of topics of this novel high-strength Mg alloy including alloy design guidelines, atomic-scale structure, kink deformations and disclinations, static/dynamical processing, computer simulations of mechanics, and fatigue and fracture properties. This book provides a platform for those working in lightweight structural materials to spark ideas which encourage extending the LPSO concept to various materials including aluminum and titanium alloys. This book appeals to graduate students learning materials science and modern metallurgy researchers/engineers wishing to develop new light alloys, as well as for general material specialists who have interests on a structure-property relationship.Parts of this book's translation from its Japanese original manuscript were completed with the assistance of artificial intelligence. The author subsequently revised the content.

This book focuses on ion transport and storage around the interfaces in solid-state-ionics devices, especially for all-solid-state batteries. It covers materials research from fundamental model systems to practically important materials, advanced analysis methods, and computational & data science. This volume is intended for researchers in academia and industry who have studied or worked in this field. It is expected to provide readers with guidelines for interface and material design aimed at advancing all-solid-state batteries, as well as insights into the development of novel solid-state ionics devices.This book is a summary of the studies obtained in the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas "Interface Ionics” founded by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) during 2019-2023.

This book focuses on ion transport and storage around the interfaces in solid-state-ionics devices, especially for all-solid-state batteries. It covers materials research from fundamental model systems to practically important materials, advanced analysis methods, and computational & data science. This volume is intended for researchers in academia and industry who have studied or worked in this field. It is expected to provide readers with guidelines for interface and material design aimed at advancing all-solid-state batteries, as well as insights into the development of novel solid-state ionics devices.This book is a summary of the studies obtained in the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas "Interface Ionics” founded by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) during 2019-2023.

This open access book introduces the science of the new materials, soft crystals, by showing various interesting examples. Different from conventional hard and stable crystals, the soft crystals respond to gentle stimuli such as vapor exposure and rubbing but maintain their structural order. In this book, their exhibition of remarkable visual changes in their shape, color, and luminescence is described. Through the chapters, historical background, recent remarkable developments, and future prospects are described concisely. This book helps readers to understand a new concept of materials that have the characteristics of stimulus-sensitive soft matter and finely controlled crystals and to design novel materials with the characteristics.The English translation of this book from its Japanese language original manuscript was done with the help of artificial intelligence (machine translation by the service DeepL.com). The text has subsequently been revised further by a professional copy editor in order to refine the work stylistically.

This open access book introduces the science of the new materials, soft crystals, by showing various interesting examples. Different from conventional hard and stable crystals, the soft crystals respond to gentle stimuli such as vapor exposure and rubbing but maintain their structural order. In this book, their exhibition of remarkable visual changes in their shape, color, and luminescence is described. Through the chapters, historical background, recent remarkable developments, and future prospects are described concisely. This book helps readers to understand a new concept of materials that have the characteristics of stimulus-sensitive soft matter and finely controlled crystals and to design novel materials with the characteristics.The English translation of this book from its Japanese language original manuscript was done with the help of artificial intelligence (machine translation by the service DeepL.com). The text has subsequently been revised further by a professional copy editor in order to refine the work stylistically.

This book introduces characterizations of hyperordered structures using latest quantum beam technologies, the advanced theoretical methods for understanding the roles of the structures, and the state-of-the-arts materials containing the structures. In this book, the authors focus on the importance of defect complexes to improve functionality of crystals and that of orders of network structures to improve functionality of glass materials. These features can be regarded as interphases between perfect crystals and perfect amorphous, and they are the key factor for the evolution of materials science to a new dimension. The authors call such interphases "hyperordered structures" in this book. This is the first book that comprehensively summarizes glass science, defect science, and quantum beam science. It is valuable not only for active researchers in industry and academia but also graduate students.