The aim of the book is to report the recent research development of ancient glass and glazing technology and the historical-cultural exchange of the East and West along the Silk and Steppe Roads. The contents of this book are dedicated to promote the exchanges between researchers in both social and scientific fields.The scope of this book includes the new archaeological findings of ancient glass and faience in the world, the relationship of glassmaking with glazing technology, the development and application of modern techniques used for the characterization of ancient glass and glaze, compound colorants/opacifiers among ancient glass, the early exchanges of culture and techniques used between China and elsewhere along the Silk and Steppe Roads, and so on.

Boron nitride was first produced in the 18th century and, by virtue of its extraordinary mechanical strength, has found extensive application in industrial processes since the 1940s. However, the more recent discovery that boron nitride allotropes are as structurally diverse as those of carbon (e.g. fullerenes, graphene, carbon nanotubes) has placed this material, and particularly its low-dimensional allotropes, back at the forefront of modern material science. This book provides a comprehensive history of this rapid rise in the status of boron nitride and boron nitride nanomaterials, spanning the earliest examples of three-dimensional boron nitride allotropes, through to contemporary structures such as monolayer hexagonal boron nitride, boron nitride nanomeshes, boron nitride nanotubes and the incorporation of boron nitride into cutting-edge van der Waals heterostructures. It specifically focuses on the properties, applications and synthesis techniques for each of these allotropes and examines how the evolution in boron nitride production methods is linked to that in our understanding of how low-dimensional nanomaterials self-assemble, or 'grow', during synthesis. The book demonstrates the key synergy between growth mechanisms and the development of new, advanced nanostructured materials.

This book comprises select proceedings of the International Conference on Futuristic Trends in Materials and Manufacturing (ICFTMM 2018). The book includes latest research on conventional materials, advanced metals and alloys, polymeric materials and composites. In addition to the characterization of different advanced materials, the book also discusses their applications in various fields such as marine, automotive, aerospace, sporting equipment, and infrastructure. The book offers an insight into the manufacturing of cost-effective and high performance materials products. The contents of this book will be useful for students, academicians, and researchers working in the field of materials science and engineering.

All Refractories Are Ceramics but Not All Ceramics Are Refractories Ceramics and refractories cover a wide range of fields and applications, and their relevance can be traced as far back as 24,000 BC to the first man-made piece of earthenware, and as recently as the late 1900s when ceramics and ceramic matrix composites were developed to withstand ultra-high temperatures. Beginning with a detailed history of ceramics, An Introduction to Ceramics and Refractories examines every aspect of ceramics and refractories, and explores the connection between them. The book establishes refractories as a class of ceramics with high fusion points, introduces the fundamentals of refractories and ceramics, and also addresses several applications for each. Understand Ceramic Properties and Refractory Behavior The book details applications for natural and synthetic ceramics, as well as traditional and engineering applications. It focuses on the various thermal and thermo-mechanical properties of ceramics, classifies refractories, describes the principles of thermodynamics as applied to refractories, and highlights new developments and applications in the ceramic and refractory fields. It also presents end-of-chapter problems and a relevant case study. Divided into three sections, this text: Introduces and details the applications of ceramics and refractories Discusses the selection of materials and the two stages in selection Describes the phase equilibriums in ceramic and refractory systems Outlines the three important systems: unary, binary, and ternary Considers corrosion of ceramics and refractories, failures in ceramics and refractories, and the design aspects Addresses bonding, structures of ceramics, defects in ceramics, and ceramics' microstructures Covers the production of ceramic powders starting from the raw materials Explains four forming methods Highlights three types of thermal treatments Defines mechanical properties, and thermal and thermo-mechanical properties Classifies materials and designates classes Addressing topics that include corrosion, applications, thermal properties, and types of refractories, An Introduction to Ceramics and Refractories provides you with a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of refractories and ceramics, and presents a clear connection between refractory behavior and ceramic properties to the practicing engineer.

Handbook of Ceramics Grinding and Polishing meets the growing need in manufacturing industries for a clear understanding of the latest techniques in ceramics processing. The properties of ceramics make them very useful as components-they withstand high temperatures and are durable, resistant to wear, chemical degradation, and light. In recent years the use of ceramics has been expanding, with applications in most industry sectors that use machined parts, especially where corrosion-resistance is required, and in high temperature environments. However, they are challenging to produce and their use in high-precision manufacturing often requires adjustments to be made at the micro and nano scale. This book helps ceramics component producers to do cost-effective, highly precise machining. It provides a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of ceramics-their properties and characteristics-and of the abrasive processes used to manipulate their final shape as well as the test procedures vital for success. The second edition has been updated throughout, with the latest developments in technologies, techniques, and materials. The practical nature of the book has also been enhanced; numerous case studies illustrating how manufacturing (machining) problems have been handled are complemented by a highly practical new chapter on the selection and efficient use of machine tools.

Advanced mixed ionic electronic conducting (MIEC) perovskites play an important role in many electrochemical systems for advanced energy technologies. They are major components in such devices as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), oxygen separation membranes, chemical sensors and catalysts. In addition to energy technology, the development of these multifunctional materials is of crucial importance for transportation, aerospace engineering, and electronics. The use of these materials as chemical sensors is also important for anti-terrorism initiatives. The present book discusses progress and problems in the development of ionic, electronic, and MIEC materials as active materials in advanced energy systems; the development and design of solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) for next-generation vehicles, chemical sensors and oxygen separation membranes; and identifies directions for future research, such as conducting mechanisms, stability and reliability of devices, degradation problems, crystal structure, classification of phase transitions exhibited by the materials.

Comprehensive presentation of six synthesis processes of mullite precursors, such as gelation, coprecipitation, diphasic gelation, codecomposition, and microcomposite processes, are shown. Comparison of phase evolution processes of spray pyrolysis, monophasic, polymeric, coprecipitated, diphasic precursors and composite mullite powders is established. Critical analysis of the results of DTA, XRD, IR, and MAS NMR of earlier researchers, as shown in Review part of the book, is included. Chemistry behind the hydrolysis reaction of different components in six synthesis processes of mullite precursors in achieving homogeneity is shown. Elaborate discussion of the characterization of Al-Si spinel and t-mullite based on studies of alkali leaching, TEM/EDS, QXRD, and lattice constant measurements is done. Remarkable of diagrams/graphics are included in each chapter.

This book introduces readers to the application of fracture mechanics and mesomechanics to the analysis of the fracture behaviors of wood and bamboo. It presents a range of research methods to study the fracture behaviors of wood and bamboo, taking into account their various fracture mechanisms resulting from differences in their macroscopic and microscopic structures. It combines theoretical analysis with experiments, as well as various mathematical tools and experimental approaches. The research methods are illustrated by simple schematic diagrams, and the results obtained are largely presented as tables and figures, helping to make the book concise and compact. As such, it provides a valuable guide to the development of new biocomposites that possess exceptional strength and toughness properties and successfully overcome the shortcomings of biomaterials.

Sol-Gel Techniques for Glass Producers and Users provides technological information, descriptions and characterizations of prototypes, or products already on the market, and illustrates advantages and disadvantages of the sol-gel process in comparison to other methods. The first chapter entitled "Wet Chemical Technology" gives a summary of the basic principles of the sol-gel chemistry. The most promising applications are related to coatings. Chapter 2 describes the various "Wet Chemical Coating Technologies" from glass cleaning to many deposition and post-coating treatment techniques. These include patterning of coatings through direct or indirect techniques which have became very important and for which the sol-gel processing is particularly well adapted. Chapter 3 entitled "Bulk Glass Technologies" reports on the preparation of special glasses for different applications. Chapter 4 entitled "Coatings and Materials Properties" describes the properties of the different coatings and the sol-gel materials, fibers and powders. The chapter also includes a section dedicated to the characterization techniques especially applied to sol-gel coatings and products.

This book covers development in scanning probe microscopies, electron, ion and photon based spectroscopies, structure imaging, analysis and atomic co-ordination, mechanical evaluation of surfaces, characterisation of polishing damage and creep, and measurement of dielectric, piezoelectric and thermal properties. Materials featured include refractories, engineering ceramics, glasses, composites and electronic ceramics.

Structure and Concentration of Point Defects in Selected Spinels and Simple Oxides presents diagrams and numerical data of important properties of spinels and oxides based on experimental results published in the literature. The values of many parameters presented can be used for optimization of preparation of new systems, to predict the practical properties of these systems. Applications include electronic devices, new metallic alloys with improved corrosion resistance, new ceramic materials, and novel catalysts, particularly for oxygen evolution and reduction reactions. Organized into four comprehensive parts, the authors present the problem of the structure and concentration of ionic and electronic defects in magnetite and hausmannite, pure and doped with M3+ cations, and in spinels exhibiting magnetic properties and high electric conductance. Additional Features include: Includes 236 figures presenting equilibrium diagrams of point defects and other useful details related to stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric spinels and oxides. Details novel methods of calculation of equilibria involving point defects. Collects scattered data published in nearly 500 original articles since the 1950s on spinels and oxides in one useful volume. Building upon the data presented, this book is an indispensable reference for material scientists and engineers developing new metal or oxide-based systems can easily calculate other useful parameters and compare the properties of different materials to select the best candidates for an intended use.

The 8th International Symposium on fracture mechanics of ceramics was held in on the campus of the University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA, on February 25-28, 2003. With the natural maturing of the fields of structural ceramics, this symposium focused on nano-scale materials, composites, thin films and coatings as well as glass. The symposium also addressed new issues on fundamentals of fracture mechanics and contact mechanics, and a session on reliability and standardization.

This book commemorates the "Nobel Laureate Professor Suzuki Special Symposium" at the International Union of Material Research Society-International Conference on Advanced Materials (IUMRS-ICAM2017), which was held at Kyoto University, Japan, in 2017. The book begins with a foreword by Professor Akira Suzuki. Subsequently, many authors who attended the special symposium describe the latest scientific advances in the field of carbon materials and carbon nanomaterials including polymers, carbon nanocomposites, and graphene. Carbon-based materials have recently been the focus of considerable attention, given their wide range of potential applications. Fittingly, the chapters in this book cover both experimental and theoretical approaches in several categories of carbon-related materials.

Ceramic and Specialty Electrolytes for Energy Storage Devices, Volume II, investigates recent progress and challenges in a wide range of ceramic solid and quasi-solid electrolytes and specialty electrolytes for energy storage devices. The influence of these electrolyte properties on the performance of different energy storage devices is discussed in detail. Features: * Offers a detailed outlook on the performance requirements and ion transportation mechanism in solid polymer electrolytes * Covers solid-state electrolytes based on oxides (perovskite, anti-perovskite) and sulfide-type ion conductor electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries followed by solid-state electrolytes based on NASICON and garnet-type ionic conductors * Discusses electrolytes employed for high-temperature lithium-ion batteries, low-temperature lithium-ion batteries, and magnesium-ion batteries * Describes sodium-ion batteries, transparent electrolytes for energy storage devices, non-platinum-based cathode electrocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cells, non-platinum-based anode electrocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cells, and ionic liquid-based electrolytes for supercapacitor applications * Suitable for readers with experience in batteries as well as newcomers to the field This book will be invaluable to researchers and engineers working on the development of next-generation energy storage devices, including materials and chemical engineers, as well as those involved in related disciplines.

The success of any concrete structure depends on the designer's sound knowledge of concrete and its behaviour under load, under temperature and humidity changes, and under exposure to the relevant environment and industrial conditions. This book gives students a thorough understanding of all aspects of concrete technology from first principles. It covers concrete ingredients, properties and behaviour in the finished structure with reference to national standards and recognised testing methods used in Britain, the European Union and the United States. Examples and problems are given throughout to emphasise the important aspects of each chapter. An excellent coursebook for all students of Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering and Building at degree or diploma level, Concrete Technology will also be a valuable reference book for practising engineers in the field.

This book focuses on the processing, materials design, characterisation, and properties of polymer composites and nanocomposites for use as electromagnetic radiation shielding materials and to enhance radiation shielding capacity in order to meet the safety requirements for use in medical X-ray imaging facilities. It presents an in-depth analysis of materials synthesis methods such as melt-mixing, ion-implantation, solution casting and electrospinning. In addition, it measures the X-ray attenuation behaviour of fabricated composites and nanocomposites in four major types of X-ray equipment, namely general radiography, mammography, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy units. Given its scope, the book will benefit researchers, engineers, scientists and practitioners in the fields of medical imaging, diagnostic radiology and radiation therapy.

Glass is a popular cladding material for modern buildings. The trend for steel-framed, glass-clad buildings instead of those using traditional materials such as brick and concrete has inherent problems. These include, for example, the performance of architectural glass in extreme climatic events such as windstorms and heavy snow loads and also during earthquakes. This book reviews the state-of-the-art in glass and glazing technology to resist failure due to these natural events.
Building code seismic requirements for architectural glass in the United States are considered first of all, followed by a chapter on glazing and curtain wall systems to resist earthquakes. The next two chapters discuss snow loads on building envelopes and glazing systems, and types and design of glazing systems to resist snow loads. Wind pressures and the impact of wind-borne debris are then considered in the next group of chapters which also review special types of glazing systems to resist windstorms. A final chapter reviews test methods for the performance of glazing systems during earthquakes and extreme climatic events.
With its distinguished editor and team of contributors, Architectural glass to resist seismic and extreme climatic events is an essential resource for architects, structural, civil and architectural engineers, researchers and those involved in designing and specifying building glazing and cladding materials in areas where severe windstorms, snow and earthquakes are a threat.
Considers the state of the art in glass and glazing technology to resist failure due to extreme climatic eventsReviews specific building techniques and test methods to enhance glazing performance during snow storms, wind storms and earthquakes

A cement material, or binder, is an essential ingredient in most forms of building construction. Portland cement has become a widely accepted cementitious material, but it is more expensive than other binders and unsuited to small-scale production. In addition, although it is stronger than most alternatives, there are uses for which alternatives such as lime are more suited. Lime is versatile, durable and suitable for use in complex and intricate decorative and restoration work, as well as in simple buildings. If greater strength is required, a variety of materials known as pozzolanas can be added to the lime. Examples of pozzolanas include rice husk ash, brick dust and certain types of naturally occurring volcanic ash. The most successful material in any area depends on local primary resources and the development of appropriate technology. Lime gypsum and lime pozzolanas could be reintroduced successfully if more information were available and appropriate building standards enforced. This book brings together expert knowledge from around the world about the use of different alternative binders, presenting case histories which demonstrate the successes and the pitfalls, as well as practical information based on experience. A recurring theme in the book is the need to work towards the wider acceptance of lime, and alternative binders by: establishing realistic performance standards for alternative cements and getting these standards accepted in international, national and local building codes and standards. Establishing simple testing procedures to measure compliance with these performance standards; holding seminars and training courses and compiling case study material on existing production and use; and, initiating research and development projects of a practical nature.

This book reports the basics of hybrid phosphor materials, their synthesis routes and their special properties and characterization techniques. It gives the reader information about the natural origins and development of hybrid materials, which are developed by combining inorganic and organic species in one material interface-determined materials. The book provides a general classification of hybrid materials, wherein inorganic materials modified by organic moieties are distinguished from organic materials or matrices modified by inorganic constituents. It gives a focus to the functionalization of organic materials by inorganic additives. The application areas covered include optoelectronic field, sensor applications, biological and environmental applications.

This book presents a wide range of synthesis and characterization techniques to produce ceramic nanomaterials specially developed to be used in environmental applications. The book cover synthesis using hydrothermal, chemical vapor deposition, sol-gel, emulsification, magneto-sputtering, among other process and modern characterization techniques with detail. The use of the synthesized materials in eco-friendly approaches such as photocatalysis, solar energy efficiency improvement, absorbents, sensors, solar cells, biofuels and waste reuse are reported in detail.

Sintering of Ceramics provides the only comprehensive treatment of the theories and principles of sintering and their application to the production of advanced ceramics with the required target microstructure. Stemming from the author's bestselling text, "Ceramic Processing and Sintering," this book includes additional material selected from many sources, providing a single comprehensive volume of all aspects of sintering theory and practice. While the emphasis is on the sintering of ceramics, the book is also useful for the sintering of metals and other materials because of the comprehensive treatment.

Starting with a review of sintering fundamentals such as diffusion and defect chemistry, the book continues with a detailed treatment of solid-state sintering, viscous sintering of amorphous materials, grain growth and microstructural evolution in solid-state materials, and liquid-phase sintering. Special topics include sintering difficulties such as constrained sintering of composites, adherent thin films, and multilayers; solid solution additives and their role in microstructure control, morphological stability of continuous phases and thin films; and sintering with concurrent reaction or crystallization. The treatment concludes with coverage of practical methods for improving sintering techniques, the effects of process variables on sintering behavior, and applications of sintering to the development of advanced ceramics.

Sintering of Ceramics provides an up-to-date text for a senior undergraduate, introductory graduate, or continuing education course in sintering, as well as an ideal reference text for scientists and engineers involved in the research, development, andmanufacture of ceramics or powder metallurgy products.

This volume contains ten invited presentations on the topic of sulfate attack caused by external sulfate sources. The discussions concentrate on chemical and physical mechanistic aspects of the applicable sulfate-to-paste reactions and on the interrelationships between the internal (e.g., paste composition, pore solution, concrete matrix permeability) and external (e.g., composition of aggressive medium, temperataure and humidity, curing practices) variables.

This book delivers a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of several types of materials that are widely used in the current era of supercapacitors; namely, architectured carbon materials, transition metal oxides and conducting polymers. It provides readers with a complete introduction to the fundamentals of supercapacitors, including the development of new electrolytes and electrodes, while highlighting the advantages, challenges, applications and future of these materials. This book is part of the Handbook of Nanocomposite Supercapacitor Materials. Supercapacitors have emerged as promising devices for electrochemical energy storage, playing an important role in energy harvesting for meeting the current demands of increasing global energy consumption. The handbook covers the materials science and engineering of nanocomposite supercapacitors, ranging from their general characteristics and performance to materials selection, design and construction. Covering both fundamentals and recent developments, this handbook serves a readership encompassing students, professionals and researchers throughout academia and industry, particularly in the fields of materials chemistry, electrochemistry, and energy storage and conversion. It is ideal as a reference work and primary resource for any introductory senior-level undergraduate or beginning graduate course covering supercapacitors.

These proceedings are designed to provide a forum that integrates research in characterization and modeling to advance the science of ceramic/composite sintering. Densification, shape deformation, and microstructure evolution during sintering is addressed.