The features of chemistry that make it such a fascinating and engaging subject to teach also contribute to it being a challenging subject for many learners. Chemistry draws upon a wide range of abstract concepts, which are embedded in a large body of theoretical knowledge. As a science, chemistry offers ideas that are the products of scientists' creative imaginations, and yet which are motivated and constrained by observations of natural phenomena. Chemistry is often discussed and taught largely in terms of non-observable theoretical entities - such as molecules and electrons and orbitals - which probably seem as familiar and real to a chemistry teacher as Bunsen burners: and, yet, comprise a realm as alien and strange to many students as some learners' own alternative conceptions ('misconceptions') may appear to the teacher. All chemistry teachers know that chemistry is a conceptual subject, especially at the upper end of secondary school and at university level, and that some students struggle to understand many chemical ideas. This book offers a step-by-step analysis and discussion of just why some students find chemistry difficult, by examining the nature of chemistry concepts, and how they are communicated and learnt. The book considers the idea of concepts itself; draws upon case studies of how canonical chemical concepts have developed; explores how chemical concepts become represented in curriculum and in classroom teaching; and discusses how conceptual learning and development occurs. This book will be invaluable to anyone interested in teaching and learning and offers guidance to teachers looking to make sense of, and respond to, the challenges of teaching chemistry.

Encyclopedia of Materials: Plastics and Polymers, Four Volume Set covers plastics and polymeric materials, including their fundamental properties, current and potential future application areas in various private, public, commercial and industrial sectors, and their biodegradability, reusability and disposability. As well as covering all aspects of the science and applications of plastics and polymers, the book expounds on newer developments, including up-to-date articles and knowledge. In addition, the detrimental environmental effects of plastics and polymers are included, along with expertly-written articles that shed light on composites of macro, micro- and nano-particle sized plastic and polymeric materials and biodegradable natural or synthetic materials. This encyclopedia will be most valuable to researchers working at the interface between materials science/chemistry and materials engineering, as well as advanced undergraduates who need to quickly understand a broad range of foundational concepts and the developments that have taken place over time.

Modern Synthesis Processes and Reactivity of Fluorinated Compounds focuses on the exceptional character of fluorine and fluorinated compounds. This comprehensive work explores examples taken from all classes of fluorine chemistry and illustrates the extreme reactivity of fluorinating media and the peculiar synthesis routes to fluorinated materials. The book provides advanced and updated information on the latest synthesis routes to fluorocompounds and the involved reaction mechanisms. Special attention is given to the unique reactivity of fluorine and fluorinated media, along with the correlation of those properties to valuable applications of fluorinated compounds.

Reactive Species Detection in Biology: From Fluorescence to Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy discusses the reactive oxygen species that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, presenting theories, chemistries, methodologies, and various applications for the detection of reactive species in biological systems, both in-vitro and in-vivo. Techniques covered include fluorescence, high performance chromatography, mass spectrometry, immunochemistry, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Probe design and development are also reviewed in order to advance new approaches in radical detection through synthesis, computations, or experimental applications.

Selection of the HPLC Method in Chemical Analysis serves as a practical guide to users of high-performance liquid chromatography and provides criteria for method selection, development, and validation. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is the most common analytical technique currently practiced in chemistry. However, the process of finding the appropriate information for a particular analytical project requires significant effort and pre-existent knowledge in the field. Further, sorting through the wealth of published data and literature takes both time and effort away from the critical aspects of HPLC method selection. For the first time, a systematic approach for sorting through the available information and reviewing critically the up-to-date progress in HPLC for selecting a specific analysis is available in a single book. Selection of the HPLC Method in Chemical Analysis is an inclusive go-to reference for HPLC method selection, development, and validation.

Discovery and Development of Antidiabetic Agents from Natural Products brings together global research on the medicinal chemistry of active agents from natural sources for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and associated disorders. From the identification of promising leads, to the extraction and synthesis of bioactive molecules, this book explores a range of important topics to support chemists in the discovery and development of safer, more economical therapeutics that are desperately needed in response to this emerging global epidemic. Beginning with an overview of bioactive chemical compounds from plants with anti-diabetic properties, the book goes on to outline the identification and extraction of anti-diabetic agents and antioxidants from natural sources. It then explores anti-diabetic plants from specific regions before looking more closely at the background, isolation, and synthesis of key therapeutic compounds and their derivatives, including Mangiferin, Resveratrol, natural saponins, and alpha-glucosidase enzyme inhibitors. The book concludes with a consideration of current and potential future applications. Combining the expertise of specialists from around the world, this volume aims to support and encourage medicinal chemists investigating natural sources as starting points for the development of standardized, safe, and effective antidiabetic therapeutics.

NMR of Paramagnetic Molecules: Applications to Metallobiomolecules and Models, Second Edition is a self-contained, comprehensive reference for chemists, physicists, and life scientists whose research involves analyzing paramagnetic compounds. Since the previous edition of this book was published, there have been many advancements in the field of paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy. This completely updated and expanded edition contains the latest fundamental theory and methods for mastery of this analytical technique. Users will learn how to interpret the NMR spectra of paramagnetic molecules, improve experimental techniques, and strengthen their understanding of the underlying theory and applications.

The purpose of this text is to introduce engineering and science students to the basic underlying physics and chemistry concepts that form the foundation of plasma science and engineering. It is an accessible primer directed primarily at those students who, like the general public, simply do not understand exactly what a plasma or gas discharge is nor do they even necessarily have the fundamental background in statistical thermodynamics, gas dynamics, fluid dynamics, or solid state physics to effectively understand many plasma and gas discharge principles. At the conclusion of this text, the reader should understand what an ion is, how they move, the equations we use to describe these basic concepts, and how they link to the aforementioned topics of plasmas and gas discharges. This book is focused on specific concepts that are important to non-equilibrium, low temperature gas discharges. These discharges fi nd wide applicability today and are of significant interest to the scientifi c and engineering communities.

This annual review of the literature presents a comprehensive and critical survey of the vast field of study involving organophosphorus compounds, from phosphines and related P-C bonded compounds to phosphorus acids, phosphine chalcogenides and nucleotides. The Editors have added to the content with a timely chapter on the recent developments in green synthetic approaches in organophosphorus chemistry to reflect current interests in the area. With an emphasis on interdisciplinary content, this book is aimed at the worldwide organic chemistry and engineering research communities.

Global economic demands and population surges have led to dwindling resources and problematic environmental issues. As the climate and its natural resources continue to struggle, it has become necessary to research and employ new forms of sustainable technology to help meet the growing demand. Sustainable Nanosystems Development, Properties, and Applications features emergent research and theoretical concepts in the areas of nanotechnology, photovoltaics, electrochemistry, and materials science, as well as within the physical and environmental sciences. Highlighting progressive approaches and utilization techniques, this publication is a critical reference source for researchers, engineers, students, scientists, and academicians interested in the application of sustainable nanotechnology.

The goal of Interface Science and Composites is to facilitate the manufacture of technological materials with optimized properties on the basis of a comprehensive understanding of the molecular structure of interfaces and their resulting influence on composite materials processes. From the early development of composites of various natures, the optimization of the interface has been of major importance. While there are many reference books available on composites, few deal specifically with the science and mechanics of the interface of materials and composites. Further, many recent advances in composite interfaces are scattered across the literature and are here assembled in a readily accessible form, bringing together recent developments in the field, both from the materials science and mechanics perspective, in a single convenient volume. The central theme of the book is tailoring the interface science of composites to optimize the basic physical principles rather than on the use of materials and the mechanical performance and structural integrity of composites with enhanced strength/stiffness and fracture toughness (or specific fracture resistance). It also deals mainly with interfaces in advanced composites made from high-performance fibers, such as glass, carbon, aramid, and some inorganic fibers, and matrix materials encompassing polymers, carbon, metals/alloys, and ceramics.