This volume presents a series of articles concerning current important topics in quantum chemistry.

The Elsevier book-series Advances in Planar Lipid Bilayers and Liposomes, provides a global platform for a broad community of experimental and theoretical researchers studying cell membranes, lipid model membranes and lipid self-assemblies from the micro- to the nanoscale. Planar lipid bilayers are widely studied due to their ubiquity in nature and find their application in the formulation of biomimetic model membranes and in the design of artificial dispersion of liposomes. Moreover, lipids self-assemble into a wide range of other structures including micelles and the liquid crystalline hexagonal and cubic phases. Consensus has been reached that curved membrane phases do play an important role in nature as well, especially in dynamic processes such as vesicles fusion and cell communication. Self-assembled lipid structures have enormous potential as dynamic materials ranging from artificial lipid membranes to cell membranes, from biosensing to controlled drug delivery, from pharmaceutical formulations to novel food products to mention a few. An assortment of chapters in APLBL represents both an original research as well as comprehensives reviews written by world leading experts and young researchers.

This book explicates the optical controls of antiferromagnetic spins by intense terahertz (THz) electromagnetic waves. The book comprises two key components: (1) the experimental demonstration of the enhancement of a THz magnetic field using a split-ring resonator (SRR) and (2) the control of the direction of magnetization by using the enhanced THz magnetic field to break the symmetry of optically-induced phase transition. These make up the first step leading to future spintronics devices. In the beginning of the book, the author reviews the basics of the ultrafast laser and nonlinear optical techniques as well as the previously achieved experiments to control spin dynamics by THz magnetic fields. In this context, a new experimental protocol is described, in which electron spins in a ferromagnetic material are redirected at the unprecedented level in cooperation with the enhanced THz magnetic field. Subsequently, the author demonstrates that the THz magnetic field is significantly amplified as a nearfield around the SRR structured metamaterial, which is implemented by measuring spin precession in a solid. At the end, the author presents the key experiment in which the amplified THz magnetic nearfield is applied to the weak ferromagnet ErFeO3 along with the femtosecond near-infrared pulse, demonstrating the successful control of symmetry breaking of the spin system due to coherent control of the optically-induced spin reorientation phase transition pathways. The comprehensive introductory review in this book allows readers to overview state-of-the-art terahertz spectroscopic techniques. In addition, the skillful description of the experiments is highly informative for readers in ultrafast magnonics, ultrafast optics, terahertz technology and plasmonic science.

This book highlights current advanced developments in bioepoxy and bioepoxy/clay nanocomposites and an optimisation of material formulation and processing parameters on fabrication of bioepoxy/clay nanocomposites in order to achieve the highest mechanical properties in relation to their morphological structures, thermal properties, as well as biodegradability and water absorption, which is based on the use of Taguchi design of experiments with the consideration of technical and economical point of view. It also elaborates holistic theoretical modelling of tensile properties of such bionanocomposites with respect to the effect of contents of nanoclay fillers and epoxydised soybean oil (ESO).

Chemical Imaging Analysis covers the advancements made over the last 50 years in chemical imaging analysis, including different analytical techniques and the ways they were developed and refined to link the composition and structure of manmade and natural materials at the nano/micro scale to the functional behavior at the macroscopic scale. In a development process that started in the early 1960s, a variety of specialized analytical techniques was developed - or adapted from existing techniques - and these techniques have matured into versatile and powerful tools for visualizing structural and compositional heterogeneity. This text explores that journey, providing a general overview of imaging techniques in diverse fields, including mass spectrometry, optical spectrometry including X-rays, electron microscopy, and beam techniques.

Determination of Metals in Natural Waters, Sediments and Soils provides analytic labs with a comprehensive overview of the various methods available for analysis of metals and serves as a manual to determine metal concentrations in different media such as natural waters, waste waters, sediments and soils. The book begins with a discussion of sampling techniques and preservation and then covers metals in rivers, surface ground and mineral waters and metals in aqueous precipitation. It concludes with detailed information on analysis of metals in sediments. Determination of Metals in Natural Waters, Sediments and Soils provides a foundation for informed action by environmental interest groups and regulators and a starting point for further study by graduate students, professionals, and researchers.

This volume contains authoritative reviews regarding the field of organometallic chemistry. It covers topics in organometallic synthesis, reactions, mechanisms, homogeneous catalysis, and more, and will benefit a wide range of researchers involved in organometallic chemistry, including synthetic protocols, mechanistic studies, and practical applications.

Advanced Fluoride-Based Materials for Energy Conversion provides thorough and applied information on new fluorinated materials for chemical energy devices, exploring the electrochemical properties and behavior of fluorinated materials in lithium ion and sodium ion batteries, fluoropolymers in fuel cells, and fluorinated carbon in capacitors, while also exploring synthesis applications, and both safety and stability issues. As electronic devices, from cell phones to hybrid and electric vehicles, are increasingly common and prevalent in modern lives and require dependable, stable chemical energy devices with high-level functions are becoming increasingly important. As research and development in this area progresses rapidly, fluorine compounds play a critical role in this rapid progression. Fluorine, with its small size and the highest electronegativity, yields stable compounds under various conditions for utilization as electrodes, electrolytes, and membranes in energy devices. The book is an ideal reference for the chemist, researcher, technician, or academic, presenting valuable, current insights into the synthesis of fluorine compounds and fluorination reactions using fluorinating agents.

Desulphurization and Denitrification of Diesel Oil using Ionic Liquids: Experiments and Quantum Chemical Predictions discusses how quantum chemical calculations are applied to investigate the fundamental nature of the IL-sulphur-nitrogen systems at atomic and molecular levels. The book will help readers understand the nature of the structural relationship between molecules such as ionic liquid + aromatic sulphur + aromatic nitrogen system(s). In addition, COSMO-RS (Conductor Like Screening Model for Real Solvents) predictions and subsequent experimentation are discussed to evaluate the performance of ionic liquids for desulphurization and denitrification of diesel oil.

Electrochemical Micromachining for Nanofabrication, MEMS and Nanotechnology is the first book solely dedicated to electrochemical micromachining (EMM). It begins with fundamentals, techniques, processes, and conditions, continuing with in-depth discussions of mechanisms of material removal, including an empirical model on the material removal rate for EMM (supported by experimental validation). The book moves next to construction-related features of EMM setup suitable for industrial micromachining applications, varying types of EMM, and the latest developments in the improvement of EMM setup. Further, it covers power supply, roll of electrolyte, and other major factors influencing EMM processes, and reports research findings concerning the improvement of machining accuracy and efficiency. Finally, the book devotes a chapter to the design and development of micro-tools, one of the most vital components in EMM.