As the title suggests, this unique book describes the synthesis, structure and properties of the polyamide family known by the common term n-nylon. Each nylon from n=1 to n=22 is discussed in detail with descriptions of the preparation of monomers, various synthetic approaches to the polymerization, structure and crystallisation of polymers and both their fundamental properties and important technological properties. It treats the structure and properties from two perspectives, namely the effect of the aliphatic chain length between amide groups and the effects of the rigidity or flexibility of the main chain Whilst intended as a reference work for all polymer scientists, in academia and industry, working with nylons, polyamide and condensation polymers, n-Nylons will also be appreciated by post-graduate students of polymer science and engineering. Each self-contained chapter can be read individually and is extensively referenced.

This new book offers research and updates on the chemical process in liquid and solid phases. The collection of topics in this book reflect the diversity of recent advances in chemical processes with a broad perspective that will be useful to scientists as well as graduate students and engineers. The book will help to fill the gap between theory and practice in industry.

Sputtered Thin Films: Theory and Fractal Descriptions provides an overview of sputtered thin films and demystifies the concept of fractal theory in analysis of sputtered thin films. It simplifies the use of fractal tools in studying the growth and properties of thin films during sputtering processes. Part 1 of the book describes the basics and theory of thin film sputtering and fractals. Part 2 consists of examples illustrating specific descriptions of thin films using fractal methods. Discusses thin film growth, structure, and properties Covers fractal theory Presents methods of fractal measurements Offers typical examples of fractal descriptions of thin films grown via magnetron sputtering processes Describes application of fractal theory in prediction of thin film growth and properties This reference book is aimed at engineers and scientists working across a variety of disciplines including materials science and metallurgy as well as mechanical, manufacturing, electrical, and biomedical engineering.

This work deals with the effect of crystal symmetry in determining the tensor properties of crystals. Although this is a well-established subject, the author provides a fresh approach using group theory and, in particular, the method of symmetry coordinates, which has not been used in previous books. Using this approach, all tensors of a given rank and type can be handled together, even when they involve very different physical phenomena. Applications to technologically important phenomena as diverse as the electro-optic, piezoelectric, photoelastic, piezomagnetic, and piezoresistance effects, as well as magnetothermoelectric power and third-order elastic constants, are presented. Attention is also given to special magnetic properties - that is, those that require the concepts of time reversal and magnetic symmetry, an important subject not always covered in other books in this area. This book should be of interest to researchers in solid state physics and materials science, and should also be suitable as a text for graduate students in physics and engineering taking courses in solid state physics.

Metallic Glass-Based Nanocomposites: Molecular Dynamics Study of Properties provides readers with an overview of the most commonly used tools for MD simulation of metallic glass composites and provides all the basic steps necessary for simulating any material on Materials Studio. After reading this book, readers will be able to model their own problems on this tool for predicting the properties of metallic glass composites. This book provides an introduction to metallic glasses with definitions and classifications, provides detailed explanations of various types of composites, reinforcements and matrices, and explores the basic mechanisms of reinforcement-MG interaction during mechanical loading. It explains various models for calculating the thermal conductivity of metallic glass composites and provides examples of molecular dynamics simulations. Aimed at students and researchers, this book caters to the needs of those working in the field of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of metallic glass composites.

Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy is focused on discussing the latest approaches in the recording of high-fidelity quantitative annular dark-field (ADF) data. It showcases the application of machine learning in electron microscopy and the latest advancements in image processing and data interpretation for materials notoriously difficult to analyze using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). It also highlights strategies to record and interpret large electron diffraction datasets for the analysis of nanostructures. This book: Discusses existing approaches for experimental design in the recording of high-fidelity quantitative ADF data Presents the most common types of scintillator-photomultiplier ADF detectors, along with their strengths and weaknesses. Proposes strategies to minimize the introduction of errors from these detectors and avenues for dealing with residual errors Discusses the practice of reliable multiframe imaging, along with the benefits and new experimental opportunities it presents in electron dose or dose-rate management Focuses on supervised and unsupervised machine learning for electron microscopy Discusses open data formats, community-driven software, and data repositories Proposes methods to process information at both global and local scales, and discusses avenues to improve the storage, transfer, analysis, and interpretation of multidimensional datasets Provides the spectrum of possibilities to study materials at the resolution limit by means of new developments in instrumentation Recommends methods for quantitative structural characterization of sensitive nanomaterials using electron diffraction techniques and describes strategies to collect electron diffraction patterns for such materials This book helps academics, researchers, and industry professionals in materials science, chemistry, physics, and related fields to understand and apply computer-science-derived analysis methods to solve problems regarding data analysis and interpretation of materials properties.

Providing the first comprehensive overview of the method of crystal growth in gels, Professor Henisch reviews the field, covering the underlying physics as well as the empirical experience of growth techniques accumulated over the past century. In addition, the book discusses the phenomenon of periodic precipitation, which often governs the distribution of crystal in laboratory growth systems. For the first time, computer techniques are brought to bear on the subject, the diffusion equations being solved numerically, in association with the conditions governing precipitations and crystal growth.

This is the first book dedicated to the glass transition since this concept became recognized as a distinct and independent field of investigation. The glass transition is a synonym for relaxation and dynamics in complex disordered systems, especially in liquids. It embraces time-scales ranging from picoseconds to years. The book describes and interrelates the following processes: cooperative alpha processes in a cold liquid, structural relaxation in the glass near Tg, the Johari-Goldstein beta process, the Williams-Götze process in a warm liquid, fast nonactivated cage rattling and boson peak, and ultraslow Fischer modes. By describing the salient facts, explaining and discussing the fundamentals, the author attempts to introduce a unifying concept for the entire material. The formulas, diagrams and references are carefully selected to illustrate the main current ideas about the glass transition.

In recent years, there has been increasing activity in the research and design of optical systems based on liquid crystal (LC) science. Bringing together contributions from leading figures in industry and academia, Optical Applications of Liquid Crystals covers the range of existing applications as well as those in development. Unique in its thorough coverage of applications, not just the basic chemistry and physics of liquid crystals, the book begins with the existing applications of liquid crystals, from the ubiquitous LCD through to LC projectors and holography. The remaining chapters discuss more promising technologies in development, including photoaligning, photopatterning, and bistable twisted nematic LCs.

The KDP family of single crystals is composed of compounds of alkali metals with light or heavy (hydro, deutero) water and oxides of phosphate or arsenate, including ammonium, potassium, rubidium and caesium dihydro- and dideutero-phosphates, and similar arsenates. While not occurring in nature, their production exceeds that of any other water-soluble crystals and the demand for bigger and more optically pure crystals is ever increasing. KDP-Family Single Crystals is a comprehensive investigation of the crystallization mechanism for these systems. The first part of the book collects the majority of the available data on the physico-chemical analysis of these systems. This is complemented by a review of contemporary concepts related to the crystal growth dislocation mechanism under the influence of impurities, changing supersaturation, and temperature. This is not only relevant to the growth of KDP single crystals but to the majority of crystals grown from low- and high-temperature solutions. Finally, attention is given to the important problem of speeding up the production processes for the growth of these crystals while maintaining the quality of the crystals. The in-depth coverage that KDP-Family Single Crystals provides to the art of crystal growth techniques makes it an essential reference work for all those working in the field of crystal growth and to those using KDP-family crystals in quantum electronics devices.

Despite the large quantity of phenomenological information concerning the bulk properties of nematic phase liquid crystals, little is understood about the origin of the surface energy, particularly the surface, interfacial, and anchoring properties of liquid crystals that affect the performance of liquid crystal devices. Self-contained and unique, Adsorption Phenomena and Anchoring Energy in Nematic Liquid Crystals provides an account of new and established results spanning three decades of research into the problems of anchoring energy and adsorption phenomena in liquid crystals. The book contains a detailed discussion of the origin and possible sources of anchoring energy in nematic liquid crystals, emphasizing the dielectric contribution to the anchoring energy in particular. Beginning with fundamental surface and anchoring properties of liquid crystals and the definition of the nematic phase, the authors explain how selective ion adsorption, dielectric energy density, thickness dependence, and bias voltage dependence influence the uniform alignment of liquid crystals and affect the performance of liquid crystal devices. They also discuss fundamental equations regulating the adsorption phenomenon and the dynamic aspects of ion adsorption phenomenon in liquid crystalline systems. Adsorption Phenomena and Anchoring Energy in Nematic Liquid Crystals serves as an excellent source of reference for graduates and researchers working in liquid crystals, complex fluids, condensed matter physics, statistical physics, chemical engineering, and electronic engineering, as well as providing a useful general introduction to and background information on the nematic liquid crystal phase.

This book provides some insight into chemical defects in crystalline solids, focusing on the relationship between basic principles and device applications. It is concerned with the chemical, optical and electronic consequences of the presence of defects in crystals.

An introduction to structure determination by x-ray crystallography, primarily for final-year undergraduate studies in crystallography, chemistry, and chemical physics, and introductory postgraduate work in this area of crystallography. This substantially revised edition (2nd, 1985) adds a chapter o

Our understanding of the properties of materials, from drugs and proteins to catalysts and ceramics, is almost always based on structural information. This book describes the new developments in the realm of powder diffraction which make it possible for scientists to obtain such information even from polycrystalline materials. Written and edited by experts active in the field, and covering both the fundamental and applied aspects of structure solution from powder diffraction data, this book guides both novices and experienced practitioners alike through the maze of possibilities.

Sir Isaac Newton once declared that his momentous discoveries were only made thanks to having 'stood on the shoulders of giants'. The same might also be said of the scientists James Watson and Francis Crick. Their discovery of the structure of DNA was, without doubt, one of the biggest scientific landmarks in history and, thanks largely to the success of Watson's best-selling memoir 'The Double Helix', there might seem to be little new to say about this story. But much remains to be said about the particular 'giants' on whose shoulders Watson and Crick stood. Of these, the crystallographer Rosalind Franklin, whose famous X-ray diffraction photograph known as 'Photo 51' provided Watson and Crick with a vital clue, is now well recognised. Far less well known is the physicist William T. Astbury who, working at Leeds in the 1930s on the structure of wool for the local textile industry, pioneered the use of X-ray crystallography to study biological fibres. In so doing, he not only made the very first studies of the structure of DNA culminating in a photo almost identical to Franklin's 'Photo 51', but also founded the new science of 'molecular biology'. Yet whilst Watson and Crick won the Nobel Prize, Astbury has largely been forgotten. The Man in the Monkeynut Coat tells the story of this neglected pioneer, showing not only how it was thanks to him that Watson and Crick were not left empty-handed, but also how his ideas transformed biology leaving a legacy which is still felt today.

The discovery of the spatial structure of the double-stranded DNA molecule is one of the greatest achievements of science. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the DNA double helix is a distinguished symbol of modern biology. Divided into three parts, DNA Liquid-Crystalline Dispersions and Nanoconstructions covers the information presently available on the condensation of various forms of DNA and describes practical applications of the peculiar properties of the liquid-crystalline particles. Part 1 describes the main methods used for condensation of linear high- and low-molecular mass DNA, including their complexes with polycations and circular DNA Part 2 compares the state and reactivity of double-stranded nucleic acid molecules fixed spatially in the liquid-crystalline as well as the same molecules under intracellular conditions Part 3 explains how the discovery of the fundamental principles underlying the formation of nucleic acid liquid-crystalline dispersion particles opens a gate for the operational use of these principles in the area of nanotechnology and biosensorics With detailed coverage of DNA liquid crystals, this book provides an understanding of the information presently available on the condensation of various forms of DNA. Double-stranded nucleic acids, spatially organized in a liquid-crystalline structure, represent an important polyfunctional tool for molecular biology and nanobiotechnology. The possibility of programmed and controlled variations in the properties of these molecules and in the characteristics of their liquid-crystalline dispersions, provides wide options for the formation of biologically active three-dimensional structures with unique, widely applicable properties.

The principal objective of this book is to stimulate interest in research that will extend available theory towards a greater understanding of the steps involved in solid-state decompositions and the properties of solids that control reactivities. Much of the activity in this field has been directed towards increasing the range of reactants for which decomposition kinetic data is available, rather than extending insights into the fundamental chemistry of the reactions being studied. The first part of the book (Chapters 1-6) is concerned with theoretical aspects of the subject. The second part (Chapters 7-17) surveys groups of reactions classified by similarities of chemical composition. The final Chapter (18) reviews the subject by unifying features identified as significant and proposes possible directions for future progress.

Studies of thermal reactions of ionic compounds have contributed considerably to the theory of solid-state chemistry. Furthermore, many of these rate processes have substantial technological importance, for example, in the manufacture of cement, the exploitation of ores and in the stability testing of drugs, explosives and oxidizing agents. Despite the prolonged and continuing research effort concerned with these reactions, there is no recent overall review. This book is intended to contribute towards correcting this omission. The essential unity of the subject is recognized by the systematic treatment of reactions, carefully selected to be instructive and representative of the subject as a whole. The authors have contributed more than 200 original research articles to the literature, many during their 25 years of collaboration.

Features of this book:

Gives a comprehensive in-depth survey of a rarely-reviewed subject.

Reviews methods used in studies of thermal decompositions of solids.

Discusses patterns of subject development perceived from an extensive literature survey.

This book is expected to be of greatest value and interest to scientists concerned with the chemical properties and reactions of solids, including chemists, physicists, pharmacists, material scientists, crystallographers, metallurgists and others. This wide coverage of the literature dealing with thermal reactions of solids will be of value to both academic and industrial researchers by reviewing the current status of the theory of the subject. It could also provide a useful starting point for the exploitation of crystalline materials in practical and industrial applications. The contents will also be relevant to a wide variety of researchers, including, for example, those concerned with the stabilities of polymers and composite materials, the processing of minerals, the shelf-lives of pharmaceuticals, etc.
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Crystal Structure Refinement is a mixture of textbook and tutorial. As A Crystallographers Guide to SHELXL it covers advanced aspects of practical crystal structure refinement, which have not been much addressed by textbooks so far. After an introduction to SHELXL in the first chapter, a brief survey of crystal structure refinement is provided. Chapters three and higher address the various aspects of structure refinement, from the treatment of hydrogen atoms to the assignment of atom types, to disorder, to non-crystallographic symmetry and twinning. One chapter is dedicated to the refinement of macromolecular structures and two short chapters deal with structure validation (one for small molecule structures and one for macromolecules). In each of the chapters the book gives refinement examples, based on the program SHELXL, describing every problem in detail. It comes with a CD-ROM with all files necessary to reproduce the refinements.

This book reviews the state of the art for determining the "real" structure of matter. Nature does not stack atoms up in crystals in a perfect manner. Various types of "mistakes" find their way into the arrangements of atoms in real crystals. These mistakes or defects determine the physical properties of a material and understanding them is critical to predicting a new materials properties. This book reviews the principal characterisation technique permitting us to measure the defect solid state: X-ray diffraction.

Photo Atlas of Mineral Pseudomorphism provides a comprehensive overview on the topic of pseudomorphism-in which one mineral is replaced by another but still maintains its original crystal form-a phenomenon that is far more common than currently thought and is extremely important in understanding the geologic history of rocks. There are many examples of pseudomorphs, but they have never been brought together in a single reference book that features high-resolution, full-color pseudomorph formations together with the original minerals that they have replaced. This book is the essential reference book for mineralogists, geologists or anyone who encounters mineral pseudomorphism in their work.

'The book is well organized and is pedagogical. By discussing crystallization in pure systems, the author introduces and describes the important concepts, physical parameters and theoretical models pertaining to nucleation and growth of crystals ... If you are a young investigator or a graduate student whose research involves understanding the fundamentals of crystallization including nucleation and growth, this book will be a treat for you. Readers who have a strong background in physical chemistry or thermal physics may find the book easy to read. Nevertheless, this book should be a good reference to have on the bookshelf if you are an experienced researcher whose interest crosses the path with the general topics of crystal growth.'Acta Crystallographica Section BThe processes of new phase formation and growth are of fundamental importance in numerous rapidly developing scientific fields such as modern materials science, micro- and optoelectronics, and environmental science. Crystal Growth for Beginners combines the depth of information in monographs, with the thorough analysis of review papers, and presents the resulting content at a level understandable by beginners in science. The book covers, in practice, all fundamental questions and aspects of nucleation, crystal growth, and epitaxy.This book is a non-eclectic presentation of this interdisciplinary topic in materials science. The third edition brings existing chapters up to date, and includes new chapters on the growth of nanowires by the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism, as well as illustrated short biographical texts about the scientists who introduced the basic ideas and concepts into the fields of nucleation, crystal growth and epitaxy. All formulae and equations are illustrated by examples that are of technological importance. The book presents not only the fundamentals but also the state of the art in the subject.Crystal Growth for Beginners is a valuable reference for both graduate students and researchers in materials science. The reader is required to possess some basic knowledge of mathematics, physics and thermodynamics.

'This is a book for crystal chemistry lovers written by one of the pioneers of solid-state chemistry.'MRS BulletinDevoted to a diverse group of solid state scientists, the book has two objectives, both relating to structural chemistry: (i) a progressive analytic familiarization with the main parameters that govern the organization of crystallized matter and related crystal structures, (ii) a study of what are the various ways to 'read' a structure far beyond its representation in scientific articles. Hence, the reader will, from numerous examples illustrated in color, analyze what are the main characteristics of these structures, from their geometric characteristics, their coordination polyhedra, their connections with the resulting dimensionalities of these solids, including also the defects they exhibit, before looking at possibilities to classify structures, within which recurrence laws can emerge.Chemists are required to understand the potentials of a new structure for becoming future materials scientists. The first part of the book is by no means a database for known structures, but facilitates a progressive understanding of the organization of the solid state. With these tools in hand, the reader is invited in the later part of the book to analyze new structures, and to also use new concepts for viewing structures in a more synthetic way for the future. Such new vision is already leading to the creation of completely new solids with outstanding characteristics that find applications in societal problems concerning energy, energy savings, environment and health.The content is not exclusively academic but relates to the creation of innovative materials, through a more physical approach, that might condition the future of materials.

'This is a book for crystal chemistry lovers written by one of the pioneers of solid-state chemistry.'MRS BulletinDevoted to a diverse group of solid state scientists, the book has two objectives, both relating to structural chemistry: (i) a progressive analytic familiarization with the main parameters that govern the organization of crystallized matter and related crystal structures, (ii) a study of what are the various ways to 'read' a structure far beyond its representation in scientific articles. Hence, the reader will, from numerous examples illustrated in color, analyze what are the main characteristics of these structures, from their geometric characteristics, their coordination polyhedra, their connections with the resulting dimensionalities of these solids, including also the defects they exhibit, before looking at possibilities to classify structures, within which recurrence laws can emerge.Chemists are required to understand the potentials of a new structure for becoming future materials scientists. The first part of the book is by no means a database for known structures, but facilitates a progressive understanding of the organization of the solid state. With these tools in hand, the reader is invited in the later part of the book to analyze new structures, and to also use new concepts for viewing structures in a more synthetic way for the future. Such new vision is already leading to the creation of completely new solids with outstanding characteristics that find applications in societal problems concerning energy, energy savings, environment and health.The content is not exclusively academic but relates to the creation of innovative materials, through a more physical approach, that might condition the future of materials.

The book presents a unified and self-sufficient and reader-friendly introduction to the anisotropic elasticity theory necessary to model a wide range of point, line, planar and volume type crystal defects (e.g., vacancies, dislocations, interfaces, inhomogeneities and inclusions).The necessary elasticity theory is first developed along with basic methods for obtaining solutions. This is followed by a detailed treatment of each defect type. Included are analyses of their elastic fields and energies, their interactions with imposed stresses and image stresses, and the interactions that occur between them, all employing the basic methods introduced earlier.All results are derived in full with intermediate steps shown, and 'it can be shown' is avoided. A particular effort is made to describe and compare different methods of solving important problems. Numerous exercises (with solutions) are provided to strengthen the reader's understanding and extend the immediate text.In the 2nd edition an additional chapter has been added which treats the important topic of the self-forces that are experienced by defects that are extended in more than one dimension. A considerable number of exercises have been added which expand the scope of the book and furnish further insights. Numerous sections of the book have been rewritten to provide additional clarity and scope.The major aim of the book is to provide, in one place, a unique and complete introduction to the anisotropic theory of elasticity for defects written in a manner suitable for both students and professionals.