Topics in Electron Diffraction and Microscopy of Materials celebrates the retirement of Professor Michael Whelan from the University of Oxford. Professor Whelan taught many of today's heads of department and was a pioneer in the development and use of electron microscopy. His collaborators and colleagues, each one of whom has made important advances in the use of microscopy to study materials, have contributed to this cohesive work.
The book provides a useful overview of current applications for selected electron microscope techniques that have become important and widespread in their use for furthering our understanding of how materials behave. Linked through the dynamical theory of electron diffraction and inelastic scattering, the topics discussed include the history and impact of electron microscopy in materials science, weak-beam techniques for problem solving, defect structures and dislocation interactions, using beam diffraction patterns to look at defects in structures, obtaining chemical identification at atomic resolution, theoretical developments in backscattering channeling patterns, new ways to look at atomic bonds, using numerical simulations to look at electronic structure of crystals, RHEED observations for MBE growth, and atomic level imaging applications.

Crystallographic groups are groups which act in a nice way and via isometries on some n-dimensional Euclidean space. They got their name, because in three dimensions they occur as the symmetry groups of a crystal (which we imagine to extend to infinity in all directions). The book is divided into two parts. In the first part, the basic theory of crystallographic groups is developed from the very beginning, while in the second part, more advanced and more recent topics are discussed. So the first part of the book should be usable as a textbook, while the second part is more interesting to researchers in the field. There are short introductions to the theme before every chapter. At the end of this book is a list of conjectures and open problems. Moreover there are three appendices. The last one gives an example of the torsion free crystallographic group with a trivial center and a trivial outer automorphism group.This volume omits topics about generalization of crystallographic groups to nilpotent or solvable world and classical crystallography. We want to emphasize that most theorems and facts presented in the second part are from the last two decades. This is after the book of L Charlap "Bieberbach groups and flat manifolds" was published.

The book intends to give a state-of-the-art overview of flexoelectricity, a linear physical coupling between mechanical (orientational) deformations and electric polarization, which is specific to systems with orientational order, such as liquid crystals.Chapters written by experts in the field shed light on theoretical as well as experimental aspects of research carried out since the discovery of flexoelectricity. Besides a common macroscopic (continuum) description the microscopic theory of flexoelectricity is also addressed. Electro-optic effects due to or modified by flexoelectricity as well as various (direct and indirect) measurement methods are discussed. Special emphasis is given to the role of flexoelectricity in pattern-forming instabilities.While the main focus of the book lies in flexoelectricity in nematic liquid crystals, peculiarities of other mesophases (bent-core systems, cholesterics, and smectics) are also reviewed. Flexoelectricity has relevance to biological (living) systems and can also offer possibilities for technical applications. The basics of these two interdisciplinary fields are also summarized.

Photoresponsive polymers that can be manipulated with specific frequency of light Designing of polymers for vibration damping Smart manipulations of hydrophic and superhydrophobic polymers Biopolymers including hydrogel for smart application, drug delivery etc. Smart paints Self-healing and shape memory polymers Holography for data storage Phase change polymers and solid polymer electrolyte for thermal and electrochemical energy Molecularly imprinting polymers for sub ppm sensing and removal of undesired materials Smart textile covering the concept of advanced textiles

This book gives a comprehensive description of the physical properties of lyotropic liquid crystals. Structural features, phase transitions and phase diagrams are discussed in detail. The available experimental data on lyotropic mixtures is presented in the unifying context of the Landau theories. This phenomenological approach is used for establishing connections between structural properties and phase diagrams. The book is suitable for use as a pedagogical introduction to the subject.

The understanding, at the molecular level, of the interactions between innate and adaptive arms of the immune system is currently a hot topic, particularly to those interested in immunology - especially susceptibility to infectious diseases. This book provides a survey of topics, in the area of innate and adaptive immunity, which have been researched within the MRC Immunochemistry Unit, at Oxford University, over a period of forty years. The topics include: " antibody structure - for which the first Director of the Immunochemistry Unit, Professor RR Porter, was awarded a Nobel prize in 1972 " the characterization of membrane proteins on lymphoid cells - leading to the concept of these molecules belonging to an immunoglobulin super family " the proteins of the human serum complement system - one of the body's major defences against microbial infection " the human cell -surface integrins and the hyaluronan- binding proteins, which are involved in regulation of inflammation at cell surfaces and within the extracellular matrix " the family of collectin molecules - containing distinct globular carbohydrate -binding domains linked to collagen-like regions - which play important roles in innate immunity in the lungs and bloodstream by immediate recognition and clearance of microbial pathogens Each chapter in the book gives a brief historical background to a topic and then provides a survey of recent advances in the field and are written by internationally recognised renowned experts. The theme running through the chapters is that of protein structure-function relationships - including, amongst others, descriptions of quaternary structures of large oligomeric proteins, of Factor H and C1q binding to specific ligands, and of the chemistry of the mechanism of catalysis of covalent binding of activated C3 and C4 proteins to nucleophilic groups on microbial surfaces. In several chapters excellent descriptions are given with respect to how the immune system can be recruited to combat microbial infection - via proteins of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. The book also includes notable chapters which are excellent examples of the importance of how the isolation, characterisation, protein engineering and crystallisation has resulted in a full understanding of complex protein-protein interactions involved in the recognition and triggering events of important sections of the immune system: -Structure and Function of the C1 Complex - GUrard J. Arlaud -Chemical Engineering of Therapeutic Antibodies - George T Stevenson -Leukocyte surface proteins - purification and characterisation - A. Neil Barclay -Cell Surface Integrins - Suet-Mien Tan and S.K. Alex Law This book is aimed primarily at established senior research scientists, postdoctoral research scientists and PhD students who have an interest in proteins of the immune system. However, the wide range of immunity system topics, while staying broadly within innate/adaptive immunity will also appeal to a wider audience.

The structural biology of protein-nucleic acid interactions is in some ways a mature field and in others in its infancy. High-resolution structures of protein-DNA complexes have been studied since the mid 1980s and a vast array of such structures has now been determined, but surprising and novel structures still appear quite frequently. High-resolution structures of protein-RNA complexes were relatively rare until the last decade. Propelled by advances in technology as well as the realization of RNA's importance to biology, the number of example structures has ballooned in recent years. New insights are now being gained from comparative studies only recently made possible due to the size of the database, as well as from careful biochemical and biophysical studies. As a result of the explosion of research in this area, it is no longer possible to write a comprehensive review. Instead, current review articles tend to focus on particular subtopics of interest. This makes it difficult for newcomers to the field to attain a solid understanding of the basics. One goal of this book is therefore to provide in-depth discussions of the fundamental principles of protein-nucleic acid interactions as well as to illustrate those fundamentals with up-to-date and fascinating examples for those who already possess some familiarity with the field. The book also aims to bridge the gap between the DNA- and the RNA- views of nucleic acid - protein recognition, which are often treated as separate fields. However, this is a false dichotomy because protein - DNA and protein - RNA interactions share many general principles. This book therefore includes relevant examples from both sides, and frames discussions of the fundamentals in terms that are relevant to both. The monograph approaches the study of protein-nucleic acid interactions in two distinctive ways. First, DNA-protein and RNA-protein interactions are presented together. Second, the first half of the book develops the principles of protein-nucleic acid recognition, whereas the second half applies these to more specialized topics. Both halves are illustrated with important real life examples. The first half of the book develops fundamental principles necessary to understand function. An introductory chapter by the editors reviews the basics of nucleic acid structure. Jen-Jacobsen and Jacobsen discuss how solvent interactions play an important role in recognition, illustrated with extensive thermodynamic data on restriction enzymes. Marmorstein and Hong introduce the zoology of the DNA binding domains found in transcription factors, and describe the combinational recognition strategies used by many multiprotein eukaryotic complexes. Two chapters discuss indirect readout of DNA sequence in detail: Berman and Lawson explain the basic principles and illustrate them with in-depth studies of CAP, while in their chapter on DNA bending and compaction Johnson, Stella and Heiss highlight the intrinsic connections between DNA bending and indirect readout. Horvath lays out the fundamentals of protein recognition of single stranded DNA and single stranded RNA, and describes how they apply in a detailed analysis of telomere end binding proteins. Nucleic acids adopt more complex structures - Lilley describes the conformational properties of helical junctions, and how proteins recognize and cleave them. Because RNA readily folds due to the stabilizing role of its 2'-hydroxyl groups, Li discusses how proteins recognize different RNA folds, which include duplex RNA. With the fundamentals laid out, discussion turns to more specialized examples taken from important aspects of nucleic acid metabolism. Schroeder discusses how proteins chaperone RNA by rearranging its structure into a functional form. Berger and Dong discuss how topoisomerases alter the topology of DNA and relieve the superhelical tension introduced by other processes such as replication and transcription. Dyda and Hickman show how DNA transposes mediate genetic mobility and Van Duyne discusses how site-specific recombinases "cut" and "paste" DNA. Horton presents a comprehensive review of the structural families and chemical mechanisms of DNA nucleases, whereas Li in her discussion of RNA-protein recognition also covers RNA nucleases. Lastly, FerrU-D'AmarU shows how proteins recognize and modify RNA transcripts at specific sites. The book also emphasises the impact of structural biology on understanding how proteins interact with nucleic acids and it is intended for advanced students and established scientists wishing to broaden their horizons."

Powder diffraction is a widely used scientific technique in the characterization of materials with broad application in materials science, chemistry, physics, geology, pharmacology and archaeology. Powder Diffraction: Theory and Practice provides an advanced introductory text about modern methods and applications of powder diffraction in research and industry. The authors begin with a brief overview of the basic theory of diffraction from crystals and powders. Data collection strategies are described including x-ray, neutron and electron diffraction setups using modern day apparatus including synchrotron sources. Data corrections, essential for quantitative analysis are covered before the authors conclude with a discussion of the analysis methods themselves. The information is presented in a way that facilitates understanding the information content of the data, as well as best practices for collecting and analyzing data for quantitative analysis. This long awaited book condenses the knowledge of renowned experts in the field into a single, authoritative, overview of the application of powder diffraction in modern materials research. The book contains essential theory and introductory material for students and researchers wishing to learn how to apply the frontier methods of powder diffraction

This book walks you through the fundamental deformation and damage mechanisms. It lends the reader the key to open the doors into the maze of deformation/fracture phenomena under various loading conditions. Furthermore it provides the solution method to material engineering design and analysis problems, for those working in the aerospace, automotive or energy industries. The book introduces the integrated creep-fatigue theory (ICFT) that considers holistic damage evolution from surface/subsurface crack nucleation to propagation in coalescence with internally-distributed damage/discontinuities.

Crystallography Made Crystal Clear makes crystallography accessible to readers who have no prior knowledge of the field or its mathematical basis. This is the most comprehensive and concise reference for beginning Macromolecular crystallographers, written by a leading expert in the field. Rhodes' uses visual and geometric models to help readers understand the mathematics that form the basis of x-ray crystallography. He has invested a great deal of time and effort on World Wide Web tools for users of models, including beginning-level tutorials in molecular modeling on personal computers. Rhodes' personal CMCC Home Page also provides access to tools and links to resources discussed in the text. Most significantly, the final chapter introduces the reader to macromolecular modeling on personal computers-featuring SwissPdbViewer, a free, powerful modeling program now available for PC, Power Macintosh, and Unix computers. This updated and expanded new edition uses attractive four-color art, web tool access for further study, and concise language to explain the basis of X-ray crystallography, increasingly vital in today's research labs.
* Helps readers to understand where models come from, so they don't use them blindly and
inappropriately
* Provides many visual and geometric models for understanding a largely mathematical method
* Allows readers to judge whether recently published models are of sufficiently high quality and detail to be useful in their own work
* Allows readers to study macromolecular structure independently and in an open-ended fashion on their own computers, without being limited to textbook or journals illustrations
* Provides access to web tools in a format that will not go out of date. Links will be updated and added as existing resources change location or are added

This book aims to provide expert guidance to researchers experienced in classical technology, as well as to those new to the field. A variety of perspectives on Photonic Crystal Fibres (PCFs) is presented together with a thorough treatment of the theoretical, physical and mathematical foundations of the optics of PCFs. The range of expertise of the authors is reflected in the depth of coverage, which will benefit those approaching the subject for a variety of reasons and from diverse backgrounds. The study of PCFs enables us to understand how best to optimize their applications in communication or sensing, as devices confining light via new mechanisms (such as photonic bandgap effects). It also assists us in understanding them as physically important structures which require a sophisticated mathematical analysis when considering questions related to the definition of effective refractive index, and the link between large finite systems and infinite periodic systems. This book offers access to essential information on foundation concepts of a dynamic and evolving subject. It is ideal for those who wish to explore further an emerging and important branch of optics and photonics.

A publication of the French Society of Microscopies, Large-Angle Convergent-Beam Electron Diffraction Applications to Crystal Defects is devoted to an important aspect of electron diffraction. Convergent-beam diffraction is capable of furnishing remarkably accurate crystallographic information. In this book, the author goes well beyond a simple presentation of the method. The description of convergent-beam electron diffraction and especially of LACBED is preceded by several preparatory chapters, in which the principles of diffraction and the nature of electron-matter interactions are clearly set out. An entire chapter is concerned with instrumentation. Another on the interpretation of diffraction patterns enables the reader to master all stages in the process. The book ends with a long chapter in which numerous applications concerned with the characterization of crystal defects are examined and analyzed.

Given the widespread interest in macroscopic phenomena in liquid crystals, stemming from their applications in displays and devices, the need has arisen for a rigorous yet accessible text suitable for graduate students, whatever their scientific background. This book satisfies that need.
The approach taken in this text, is to introduce the basic continuum theory from nematic liquid crystals in equilibium, then it proceeds to simple application of this theory- in particular, there is a discussion of electric and magnetic field effects which give rise to Freedericksz transitions, which are important in devices. This is followed by an account of dynamic theory and elementary viscometry of nematics. Discussions of backflow and flow-induced instabilities are also included. Smetic theory is also briefly introduced, summarised, with with some examples of equilibrium solutions as well as dynamic effects. A number of mathematical techniques, such as Cartesian tensors and some variational calculus, are presented in the appendices.

Focusing on the applied and basic aspects of confined liquid crystals, this book provides a current treatise of the subject matter and places it in the broader context of electrooptic applications. The book takes an interdisciplinary approach to the subject, combining basic principles of physics, chemistry, polymer science, materials science and engineering.

Crystal Growth of Si Ingots for Solar Cells Using Cast Furnaces is the first book written to both comprehensively describe these concepts and technologies and compare the strengths and weaknesses of various techniques. Readers will learn about the basic growth and characterization of Si crystals, including sections on the history of cast methods for Si ingots for solar cells. Methods discussed include the dendrite cast method, as well as other significant technologies, including the high-performance (HP) cast and mono-like cast methods. These concepts, growth mechanisms, growth technologies, and the problems that still need to be solved are all included in this comprehensive volume.

This book contains the contributions of 13 well known specialists in the field of solid state chemistry who had been invited as lecturers at a 1992 NATO Advanced Study Institute in Erice, Sicily. The chapters of a more general character concern the use of the space group - subgroup relationships for the recognition of structure families, the crystal chemical formulae (which is a way of denoting simple crystal chemical information in a condensed form), the concepts of atom co-ordination, atom volume and charge transfer and the physicist's view of the bond strength in the solid which is measured by the crystal orbital overlap population. It is demonstrated for the case of ionic compounds that the bond valence method is superior to the old sum-of-radii method for the prediction of interatomic distances. Simple valence electron rules can be applied fto compounds with tetrahedral anion complexes. These rules allow one not only to make predictions on expected structural features of unknown compounds, but also to point out inconsistencies between the reported structure and composition of known compounds. Detailed accounts are presented on the crystal chemistry of the superconducting copper oxides, the sulfosalts, the metal cluster compounds, the silicates and the transition metal borides and related compounds. In the case of intermetalic compounds the intergrowth concept is found to be very useful for an "understanding" of complicated atom arrangements. At the end of each chapter there can be found problems and their solutions. This makes it possible for (advanced) undergraduates in chemistry, physics, metallurgy, materials science and mineralogy to be able to profit from a study of this book.

Essentially there are two variational theories of liquid crystals explained in this book. The theory put forward by Zocher, Oseen and Frank is classical, while that proposed by Ericksen is newer in its mathematical formulation although it has been postulated in the physical literature for the past two decades. The newer theory provides a better explanation of defects in liquid crystals, especially of those concentrated on lines and surfaces, which escape the scope of the classical theory. The book opens the way to the wealth of applications that will follow.

Liquid crystals allow us to perform experiments that provide insight into fundamental problems of modern physics, such as phase transitions, frustration, elasticity, hydrodynamics, defects, growth phenomena, and optics. Smectic and Columnar Liquid Crystals: Concepts and Physical Properties Illustrated by Experiments is a result of personal research and of the graduate lectures given by the authors at the Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon and the University of Paris VII, respectively. The book examines lamellar (smectic) and columnar liquid crystals, which, in addition to orientational order, possess 1D, 2D or 3D positional order. This volume illustrates original physical concepts using methodically numerous experiments, theoretical developments, and diagrams. Topics include rheology and plasticity, ferroelectricity, analogies with superconductors, hexatic order and 2D-melting, equilibrium shapes, facetting, and the Mullins-Sekerka instability, as well as phase transitions in free films and membrane vibrations. Nematic and cholesteric liquid crystals are covered by the authors in a separate volume entitled Nematic and Cholesteric Liquid Crystals: Concepts and Physical Properties Illustrated by Experiments. Smectic and Columnar Liquid Crystals is an ideal introduction and a valuable source of reference for theoretical and experimental studies of advanced students and researchers in liquid crystals, condensed matter physics, and materials science.

Introduction to Liquid Crystals: Chemistry and Physics, Second Edition relies on only introductory level chemistry and physics as the foundation for understanding liquid crystal science. Liquid crystals combine the material properties of solids with the flow properties of fluids. As such they have provided the foundation for a revolution in low-power, flat-panel display technology (LCDs). In this book, the essential elements of liquid crystal science are introduced and explained from the perspectives of both the chemist and physicist. This new edition relies on only introductory level physics and chemistry as the foundation for understanding liquid crystal science and is, therefore, ideal for students and recent graduates. Features Introduces and explains the essential elements of liquid crystal science, including discussion of how liquid crystals have been utilized for innovative and important applications. New to this edition are over 300 figures, 90 end-of chapter exercises, and an increased scope that includes recent developments. Combines the knowledge of two eminent scientists in the field; they have fully updated and expanded the text to cover undergraduate/graduate course work as well as current research in what is now a billion-dollar industry. Immerses the reader in the vocabulary, structures, data, and kinetic models, rapidly building up an understanding of the theories and models in current use. Begins with a historical account of the discovery of liquid crystals and continues with a description of how different phases are generated and how different molecular architectures affect liquid crystal properties.