SpringerBriefs in Materials – serie

Since the size, shape, and microstructure of nanocrystalline materials strongly impact physical and chemical properties, the development of new synthetic routes to  nanocrystals with controlled composition and morphology is a key objective of the nanomaterials community. This objective is dependent on control of the nucleation and growth mechanisms that occur during the synthetic process, which in turn requires a fundamental understanding of both classical nucleation and growth and non-classical growth processes in nanostructured materials.  Recently, a novel growth process called Oriented Attachment (OA) was identified which appears to be a fundamental mechanism during the development of nanoscale  materials. OA is a special case of aggregation that provides an important route by which nanocrystals grow, defects are formed, and unique—often symmetry-defying—crystal morphologies can be produced. This growth mechanism involves reversible self-assembly of primary nanocrystals followed by reorientation of the assembled nanoparticles to achieve structural accord at the particle-particle interface, the removal of adsorbates and solvent molecules, and, finally, the irreversible formation of chemical bonds to produce new single crystals, twins, and intergrowths. Crystallization and Growth of Colloidal Nanocrystals provides a current understanding of the mechanisms related to nucleation and growth for use in controlling nanocrystal morphology and physical-chemical properties, and is essential reading for any chemist or materials scientist with an interest in using nanocrystals as building blocks for larger structures. This book provides a compendium for the expert reader as well as an excellent introduction for advanced undergraduate and graduate students seeking a gateway into this dynamic area of research.

Helium Ion Microscopy: Principles and Applications describes the theory and discusses the practical details of why scanning microscopes using beams of light ions – such as the Helium Ion Microscope (HIM) – are destined to become the imaging tools of choice for the 21st century. Topics covered include the principles, operation, and performance of the Gaseous Field Ion Source (GFIS), and a comparison of the optics of ion and electron beam microscopes including their operating conditions, resolution, and signal-to-noise performance. The physical principles of Ion-Induced Secondary Electron (iSE) generation by ions are discussed, and an extensive database of iSE yields for many elements and compounds as a function of incident ion species and its energy is included. Beam damage and charging are frequently outcomes of ion beam irradiation, and techniques to minimize such problems are presented. In addition to imaging, ions beams can be used for the controlled deposition, or removal, of selected materials with nanometer precision. The techniques and conditions required for nanofabrication are discussed and demonstrated. Finally, the problem of performing chemical microanalysis with ion beams is considered. Low energy ions cannot generate X-ray emissions, so alternative techniques such as Rutherford Backscatter Imaging (RBI) or Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) are examined.

This book explores the recent advances in designing and synthesizing one- and two-dimensional metal chalcogenide nanostructures, along with their practical applications, helping readers understand what has happened, and what is currently happening in the field of nanotechnology.

Along with coverage of ferrite synthesis methods, it discusses bismuth-ferrite structures in unary, binary and mixed ferrite nanostructure systems, as well as future perspectives and limitations for using ferrites as electrochemical supercapacitors.

This book provides an in-depth introduction to the sol to gel transition in inorganic and hybrid organic-inorganic systems, one of the most important chemical-physical transitions and the basis of the sol-gel process. Familiarity with the fundamental chemistry and physics of this transition is essential for students in chemistry and materials science through academic and industry researchers working on sol-gel-related applications. The book features a didactic approach, using simple and clear language to explain the sol to gel transition and the accompanying processes. The text is also suitable for use in short courses and workshops for graduate students as well as professionals.This fully revised and updated new edition contains a wealth of new content. In particular, it includes a detailed discussion of the chemistry of transition metal alkoxides and organosilanes, and an extended discussion of the sol to gel transition models.

This book covers the recent development of metal oxides, hydroxides and their carbon composites for electrochemical oxidation of water in the production of hydrogen and oxygen as fuels. It includes a detailed discussion on synthesis methodologies for the metal oxides/hydroxides, structural/morphological characterizations, and the key parameters (Tafel plot, Turnover frequency, Faradic efficiency, overpotential, long cycle life etc.) needed to evaluate the electrocatalytic activity of the materials. Additionally, the mechanism behind the electro oxidation process is presented. Readers will find a comprehensive source on the close correlation between metal oxides, hydroxides, composites, and their properties and importance in the generation of hydrogen and oxygen from water.The depletion of fossil fuels from the earth’s crust, and related environmental issues such as climate change, demand that we search for alternative energy resources to achieve some formof sustainable future. In this regard, much scientific research has been devoted to technologies such as solar cells, wind turbines, fuel cells etc. Among them fuel cells attract much attention because of their versatility and efficiency. In fuel cells, different fuels such as hydrogen, CO2, alcohols, acids, methane, oxygen/air, etc. are used as the fuel, and catalysts are employed to produce a chemical reaction for generating electricity. Hence, it is very important to produce these fuels in an efficient, eco-friendly, and cost effective manner. The electrochemical splitting of water is an environmentally friendly process to produce hydrogen (the greener fuel used in fuel cells), but the efficiencies of these hydrogen evolution reactions (cathodic half reaction) are strongly dependent on the anodic half reaction (oxygen evolution reaction), i.e., the better the anodic half, the better will be the cathodic reaction. Further, this oxygen evolution reaction depends on the types of activeelectrocatalysts used. Though many more synthetic approaches have been explored and different electrocatalysts developed, oxide and hydroxide-based nanomaterials and composites (with graphene, carbon nanotubes etc.) show better performance. This may be due to the availability of more catalytic surface area and electro active centers to carry out the catalysis process.

In this concise but authoritative book, the authors take the reader through the epidemiology, risk factors and the basic mechanism of coronary artery disease.

This book bridges disparate fields in an exploration of the phenomena and applications surrounding molecular mobility in glassy materials experiencing inelastic deformation.

This book focuses on the use of natural fiber composites (NFCs) in the automotive industry. The new race in the automotive industry is no longer speed, but rather low weight and sustainable. Major automakers and component suppliers are now shifting to natural fiber reinforcements for their composite components as a sustainable and lightweight alternative to conventional, synthetic reinforcements. The main object of this book is to bridge the gap between academic literature and actual industry practices, and to provide a comprehensive and integrated review on the use of NFC in the automotive industry from composite fabrication to recycling. The book focuses on the major areas of interest to academic researchers, such as the history of NFC in the automotive industry, specific types of materials used, material qualification programs, major technical challenges facing NFC, major processing techniques and parameters, analysis of major NFC parts used and their performance requirements, sustainability assessments including life cycle assessment and carbon footprint, and future trends.

This book discusses two silicon biosensors: an electrochemical sensor – the Electrolyte Insulator Silicon Capacitor (EISCAP), and a mechanical resonant cantilever sensor.

This book focuses on organic semiconductors with particular attention paid to their use as photovoltaic devices. It addresses a fundamental and hitherto overlooked concept in the field of organic optoelectronics, namely the role that sub-gap states play in the performance of organic semiconducting devices. From a technological point of view, organic semiconductor-based devices are of significant interest due to their lightweight, ease of processability, conformal flexibility, and potentially low cost and low embodied energy production. Motivated by these rather unique selling points, the performance of organic semiconductors has been a subject of multidisciplinary study for more than 60 years with steady progress in applications such as solar cells, transistors, light emitting diodes, and various sensors.The book begins with a review of the main electro-optical phenomena in organic solar cells and presents a new method for measuring exciton diffusion lengths based on a low-quencher-content device structure. Furthermore, the book reveals how mid-gap trap states are a universal feature in organic semiconductor donor–acceptor blends, unexpectedly contributing to charge generation and recombination, and having profound impact on the thermodynamic limit of organic photovoltaic devices. Featuring cutting-edge experimental observations supported with robust and novel theoretical arguments, this book delivers important new insight as to the underlying dynamics of exciton generation and diffusion, charge transfer state dissociation, and indeed the ultimate fate of photogenerated free carriers.

This book deals with existing technologies of solar energy conversion as well as novel methods under consideration in academic and commercial R&D sites.

The book is primarily focused on natural plant (lignocellulosic) fibers as sustainable reinforcement material for green composites.

This book focuses on recent advances in dental gold alloys and gold nanoparticles (GNPs) for biomedical applications.

This book provides expert treatment of the use of the Calphad calculations for the study of crystal structures and thermodynamics relationships in phase diagram determination. After a short review of the relationships between crystal structures and the thermodynamics of materials, including all possible phase transformations, the book proceeds to a brief discussion of the methods for solving the stability hierarchy of different phases. Coverage includes both theoretical calculations and experimental methods based on classical thermodynamics, with emphasis on the latter. The experimental approach is mainly carried out using heat-exchange data associated with the transition of one form into another. It is demonstrated that the crystallographic properties must be associated with the phase transformations and should be taken into account. The role of X-ray crystallography therein is also discussed. Readers interested in carrying out related research will appreciate the detailed discussion and critical analysis of key results obtained by the author and his colleagues over the past five years.

This book summarizes recent advances in epoxy vitrimer research, giving thorough discussion of the classification and fabrication of epoxy vitrimers and their composites.

This book discusses the synthesis of catalytic materials with improved and tailored functionalities via the sol-gel method.

This book briefly looks at numerical modeling and micromagnetic simulation results of magnonic crystals, which are periodically modulated magnonic devices regarded as the magnetic counterpart of photonic crystals with spin waves acting as the information carrier.

This book is based on a course of lectures aimed at undergraduate and graduate students studying materials science and welding at the E.O. Paton Institute of Materials Science and Welding National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute." The book is divided into four parts, each focusing on various aspects of magnetic solitons in ferromagnetic nanosystems.The first two parts of the book cover the quantum and thermodynamic properties of uniaxial ferromagnetic films with strong magnetic anisotropy and cylindrical nanowires made of different chemical compositions (ferrite-garnet, iron, nickel). These properties are related to the presence of "kink" solitons, which are vertical Bloch lines (BLs) and domain walls (DWs) of transverse type, respectively.The third part of the book discusses the effect of thermal motion of transverse-type DWs on the magnetocaloric effect in cylindrical iron and nickel nanowires. The fourth part of the book explores the conditions that lead to structural transitions between different types of DWs, including transverse, asymmetric, and DWs with a Bloch point (point soliton).Each part of the book is summarized at the end, highlighting the main results presented. Overall, the book is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of magnetic solitons in ferromagnetic nanosystems and their associated quantum, thermodynamic, and structural properties.

This book explores magnetic properties and critical temperatures in inverse ferrite Fe₃⁺(M₂⁺Fe₃⁺)O₄ spinels (e.g., Fe, Co, Ni). It calculates transition and Curie Weiss temperatures, providing insights into their thermodynamic behavior. Using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method, it investigates electrical and magnetic structures of spinel chromite, revealing magnetic moments in MnCr₂S₄. Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity are also calculated. Advanced techniques like Monte Carlo, DFT+U, and FLAPW analyze magnetic characteristics of LiMn₁.₅Ni₀.₅O₄ and electronic/magnetic structures of Fe₃O₄. High-temperature series expansions calculate Néel temperature and critical exponents, while GFT determines thermal magnetization and susceptibility. The analysis exposes exchange interactions' effects on magnetic order and introduces asymmetric phases in ferrimagnetic spinel systems. This book serves as an invaluable resource for researchers, academics, and enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive understanding of magnetic properties and critical phenomena within diverse spinel materials.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of positron profilometry, specifically focusing on the analysis of defect depth distribution in materials.

In addition, the book looks at the influence of magnetism using Monte Carlo simulations, revealing crucial parameters and examining the GdCrO3 system through DFT and Monte Carlo simulation, shedding light on recent experimental observations.

This book deals with surface defects in wide-bandgap crystals of lithium fluoride, silicon dioxide, and zinc oxide. Encompassing topics such as radiation-induced amorphization, crystallization, and various microstructural developments arising from defect production and annealing, the book delves into controlled modifications of physical and chemical properties, micro and nano-structuring of surfaces, and the creation and behavior of structures far from thermal equilibrium, including supersaturated solid solutions, ion tracks, and surfaces treated with electron- and high-intensity ion beams.Beyond its relevance to the academic community, this monograph serves as a valuable resource for design and installation organizations, offering insights for specialists involved in the development of modern, new, and energy-efficient innovative materials. The applicability extends to traditional silicon energy and semiconductor electronics, providing practical knowledge for professionals engaged in these fields. Additionally, the work is of significance to a broad spectrum of specialists and managers in various organizations involved in the development of lithium-ion batteries for energy storage systems, especially those employing cutting-edge high-performance materials. As a comprehensive reference in materials science, this monograph caters to a diverse audience engaged in the ongoing advancements and applications within this dynamic field. It is suitable for scientific and engineering professionals, as well as researchers specializing in materials science, physics, semiconductors, photovoltaics, defects engineering, laser technology, solid-state physics, and beam-enhanced synthesis and modification of materials.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of recent developments in inorganic ultraviolet (UV) filters utilized for photoprotection applications. It evaluates the performance of the two approved inorganic UV filters for sunscreen use, titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO), examining their physicochemical properties in relation to various factors such as efficacy in UVR attenuation, formulation considerations including product aesthetics and stability, safety aspects, potential risks to human health, and their environmental fate and effects. The regulations governing the use of TiO2 and ZnO in sunscreens are also addressed.Furthermore, the book assesses different modification strategies employed to mitigate the undesirable properties of ZnO and TiO2. It also presents various inorganic materials studied as alternatives to ZnO and TiO2, evaluating their potential for use as UV filters.This book is tailored for chemists, material scientists, researchers, engineers (both chemical and biomedical), as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in this dynamic research field. Additionally, it serves as a valuable resource for industrial researchers and R&D managers aiming to develop and market advanced inorganic UV filter-based sunscreen products.

This book provides a concise yet comprehensive look at carbon nanostructured materials, focusing on synthesis methodologies, applications, and fundamental principles.

The book explores the properties and behaviors of high-critical-temperature superconductors in the yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) system, looking specifically at Y0.5Ln0.5BaSrCu3O6+z compounds, where Ln represents rare earth elements like europium (Eu), samarium (Sm), and (neodymium) Nd. Structured into several chapters, it navigates through key aspects of superconductivity and its characterization.Starting with an introduction to the discovery of high-critical-temperature superconductors and their far-reaching applications, it sheds light on unresolved questions in materials physics, particularly concerning the behavior of the copper(II)-oxide (CuO2) planes and the introduction of additional electronic holes. Emphasizing the pivotal role of the CuO2 planes in shaping material properties above the critical temperature, it also delves into the history of superconductivity, properties of superconducting materials, and various types of superconductors.Phenomenological theories like the London theory, Ginzburg-Landau theory, and Abrikosov's theory of the mixed state in type II superconductors are discussed, along with conventional theories such as the BCS theory and Josephson junctions. The book provides an overview of experimental techniques used to characterize structural, magnetic, and electrical properties of superconductor compounds, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and magnetometry.Focusing on the structural, magnetic, and electrical properties of Y0.5Ln0.5BaSrCu3O6+z compounds, along with the effects of substitutions and thermal treatments, the book aims to achieve several objectives. These include a comparative study of superconducting and structural properties under various thermal treatments and isovalent substitutions, analysis of magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity as functions of temperature, investigation of the evolution of mixed-state properties with changing temperatures, and utilization of the Rietveld crystallographic refinement method to establish correlations between interatomic distances and critical temperatures.Additionally, the book presents the synthesis of studied compounds through solid-state reactions and subsequent thermal treatments, including annealing under oxygen and argon atmospheres. The results of these treatments are discussed in relation to improvements in irreversibility lines, magnetic shielding, and grain quality.

This book discusses the scientific framework of thermoplastic deformation of structural metallic materials, in particular dual-phase steels and intermetallic alloys, emphasizing the attainment of desired alloy structures and properties through enhanced production techniques.

This book comprehensively reviews the essential characteristics of biomaterials and their designs important for applications in tissue regeneration. It delves into both past research milestones in tissue engineering and emerging trends poised for future integration. The primary focus lies on the evolution of biomaterial generations and the burgeoning domain of tissue engineering discovery. Furthermore, it examines various biomaterial categories, including bioceramics, bioactive glasses, synthetic and natural polymers, alongside their composite derivatives, all pivotal in scaffold fabrication, a cornerstone of tissue engineering. The book also looks at diverse scaffold fabrication methodologies, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the technical intricacies involved.The book showcases recent breakthroughs in tissue engineering across multiple fronts such as bone, skin, cartilage, neural, and cardiac regeneration, highlighting their potential as pre-clinical interventions for rehabilitating injured or diseased tissues and organs. Finally, it reviews the contemporary landscape of biomaterials for tissue regeneration, shedding light on emerging trends and confronting the challenges that lie ahead.

This book delves into the foundational principles governing the treatment of molecular networks and "chemical space"—the comprehensive domain encompassing all physically achievable molecules—from the perspectives of vector space, graph theory, and data science.