This book introduces the reader to the state of the art in nanostructured anode and cathode electrocatalysts for low-temperature acid and alkaline fuel cells. It explores the electrocatalysis of anode (oxidation of organic molecules) and cathode (oxygen reduction) reactions. It also offers insights into metal-carbon interactions, correlating them with the catalytic activity of the electrochemical reactions. The book explores the electrocatalytic behaviour of materials based on noble metals and their alloys, as well as metal-metal oxides and metal-free nanostructures. It also discusses the surface and structural modification of carbon supports to enhance the catalytic activity of electrocatalysts for fuel-cell reactions.

This book presents selected peer-reviewed contributions from the 2017 International Conference on "Physics and Mechanics of New Materials and Their Applications", PHENMA 2017 (Jabalpur, India, 14-16 October, 2017), which is devoted to processing techniques, physics, mechanics, and applications of advanced materials. The book focuses on a wide spectrum of nanostructures, ferroelectric crystals, materials and composites as well as promising materials with special properties. It presents nanotechnology approaches, modern environmentally friendly piezoelectric and ferromagnetic techniques and physical and mechanical studies of the structural and physical-mechanical properties of materials. Various original mathematical and numerical methods are applied to the solution of different technological, mechanical and physical problems that are interesting from theoretical, modeling and experimental points of view. Further, the book highlights novel devices with high accuracy, longevity and extended capabilities to operate under wide temperature and pressure ranges and aggressive media, which show improved characteristics, thanks to the developed materials and composites, opening new possibilities for different physico-mechanical processes and phenomena.

This book addresses electrocatalysis based on chalcogenides, particularly in the nanoscale domain. Special attention is paid to the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The book provides an introduction to materials synthesis; the basic principles of electrocatalysis; related precious metal versus non-precious metal catalytic center chalcogenides as well as supports; and the role of such supports in stabilizing the catalytic centers. In short: pursuing a bottom-up approach, it covers the properties of this class of electrocatalysts and examines their applications in low-temperature fuel systems such as microfluidic fuel cells for portable devices. Accordingly, it is ideally suited for all professionals and researchers interested in electrochemistry, renewable energy and electrocatalysis, and non-precious metal centers for chemical energy conversion.

This book presents a comprehensive overview of nanoscale electronics and systems packaging, and covers nanoscale structures, nanoelectronics packaging, nanowire applications in packaging, and offers a roadmap for future trends. Composite materials are studied for high-k dielectrics, resistors and inductors, electrically conductive adhesives, conductive "inks," underfill fillers, and solder enhancement. The book is intended for industrial and academic researchers, industrial electronics packaging engineers who need to keep abreast of progress in their field, and others with interests in nanotechnology. It surveys the application of nanotechnologies to electronics packaging, as represented by current research across the field.

This thesis systematically introduces readers to a new metal-organic framework approach to fabricating nanostructured materials for electrochemical applications. Based on the metal-organic framework (MOF) approach, it also demonstrates the latest ideas on how to create optimal MOF and MOF-derived nanomaterials for electrochemical reactions under controlled conditions. The thesis offers a valuable resource for researchers who want to understand electrochemical reactions at nanoscale and optimize materials from rational design to achieve enhanced electrochemical performance. It also serves as a useful reference guide to fundamental research on advanced electrochemical energy storage materials and the synthesis of nanostructured materials.

This book highlights the development of novel metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs). It describes the metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) that consist of a microporous stainless steel support, nanoporous electrode composites and a thin ceramic electrolyte using the "tape casting-sintering-infiltrating" method. Further, it investigates the reaction kinetics of the fuel cells' electrodes, structure-performance relationship and degradation mechanism. By optimizing the electrode materials, preparation process for the fuel cells, and nano-micro structure of the electrode, the resulting MS-SOFCs demonstrated (1) great output power densities at low temperatures, e.g., 1.02 W cm-2 at 600 DegreesC, when operating in humidified hydrogen fuels and air oxidants; (2) excellent long-term stability, e.g., a degradation rate of 1.3% kh-1 when measured at 650 DegreesC and 0.9 A cm-2 for 1500 h. The design presented offers a promising pathway for the development of low-cost, high power-density and long-term-stable SOFCs for energy conversion.

This book covers the various advanced manufacturing processes employed by manufacturing industries to improve their productivity in terms of socio-economic development. The authors present automated conventional and non-conventional machining techniques as well as virtual machining principles and techniques. Material removal by mechanical, chemical, thermal and electrochemical processes are described in detail. A glossary of key concepts is attached at end of the book.

This book focuses on nanocarbons (carbon nanotubes, graphene, nanoporous carbon, and carbon black) and related materials for energy conversion, including fuel cells (predominately proton exchange membrane fuel cells [PEMFC]), Li-ion batteries, and supercapacitors. Written by a group of internationally recognized researchers, it offers an in-depth review of the structure, properties, and functions of nanocarbons, and summarizes recent advances in the design, fabrication and characterization of nanocarbon-based catalysts for energy applications. As such, it is an invaluable resource for graduate students, academics and industrial scientists interested in the areas of nanocarbons, energy materials for fuel cells, batteries and supercapacitors as well as materials design, and supramolecular science.

Global experts provide an authoritative source of information on the use of electrochemical fuel cells, and in particular discuss the use of nanomaterials to enhance the performance of existing energy systems. The book covers the state of the art in the design, preparation, and engineering of nanoscale functional materials as effective catalysts for fuel cell chemistry, highlights recent progress in electrocatalysis at both fuel cell anode and cathode, and details perspectives and challenges in future research.

This book reviews the latest advances in the bioelectrochemical degradation of recalcitrant environmental contaminants. The first part introduces readers to the basic principles and methodologies of bioelectrochemical systems, electron-respiring microorganisms, the electron transfer mechanism and functional electrode materials. In turn, the second part addresses the bioelectrochemical remediation/treatment of various environmental pollutants (including highly toxic refractory organics, heavy metals, and nitrates) in wastewater, sediment and wetlands. Reactor configuration optimization, hybrid technology amplification and enhanced removal principles and techniques are also discussed. The book offers a valuable resource for all researchers and professionals working in environmental science and engineering, bioelectrochemistry, environmental microbiology and biotechnology.

This book provides a review of the latest advances in anion exchange membrane fuel cells. Starting with an introduction to the field, it then examines the chemistry and catalysis involved in this energy technology. It also includes an introduction to the mathematical modelling of these fuel cells before discussing the system design and performance of real-world systems. Anion exchange membrane fuel cells are an emerging energy technology that has the potential to overcome many of the obstacles of proton exchange membrane fuel cells in terms of the cost, stability, and durability of materials. The book is an essential reference resource for professionals, researchers, and policymakers around the globe working in academia, industry, and government.

This book addresses the control of electronic properties of carbon nanotubes. It presents thermodynamic calculations of the formation of impurities and defects in the interaction of nanotubes with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and boron, based on theoretical models of the formation of defects in carbon nanotubes. It is shown that doping and adsorption lead to changes in the electronic structure of the tubes as well as to the appearance of impurity states in the HOMO-LUMO gap. The book presents examples of specific calculations for doping of carbon nanotubes with oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and boron, together with numerous experimental results and a comparison with the author's thermodynamic calculations. Possible directions of the technological processes of optimization are pointed out, as well as the perspectives of p-n-transition creation with the help of carbon nanotube arrays. The results presented were derived from the physics of the processes and a theoretical model of the technological processes. Though a wealth of empirical information on doping nanotubes has been accumulated in the scientific literature, what is lacking is a theoretical model for their analysis. As such, the book develops a thermodynamic model of the self-organization of structural elements in multicomponent systems - including carbon nanotubes, clusters and precipitates in condensed matter - and subsequently adapts it to the doping of carbon nanotubes. This approach allows readers to gain a far deeper understanding of the processes of doping carbon nanotubes.

This thesis presents the fundamental research and latest findings on novel flexible/wearable photovoltaic technology, and comprehensively summarizes the rapid developments in flexible photovoltaics, from traditional planar solar cells to fiber solar cells. It discusses the rational design of fiber solar cell materials, electrodes and devices, as well as critical factors including cost, efficiency, flexibility and stability . Furthermore, it addresses fundamental theoretical principles and novel fabrication technologies and their potential applications. The book provides practical information for university researchers and graduate students interested in flexible fiber photovoltaics, and inspires them to design other novel flexible/wearable electronics and textiles.

This book outlines issues related to massive integration of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles into power grids. Electricity is becoming the preferred energy vector for the next new generation of road vehicles. It is widely acknowledged that road vehicles based on full electric or hybrid drives can mitigate problems related to fossil fuel dependence. This book explains the emerging and understanding of storage systems for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The recharging stations for these types of vehicles might represent a great advantage for the electric grid by facilitating integration of renewable and distributed energy production. This book presents a broad review from analyzing current literature to on-going research projects about the new power technologies related to the various charging architectures for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Specifically focusing on DC fast charging operations, as well as, grid-connected power converters and the full range of energy storage systems. These key components are analyzed for distributed generation and charging system integration into micro-grids. The authors demonstrate that these storage systems represent effective interfaces for the control and management of renewable and sustainable distributed energy resources. New standards and applications are emerging from micro-grid pilot projects around the world and case studies demonstrate the convenience and feasibility of distributed energy management. The material in this unique volume discusses potential avenues for further research toward achieving more reliable, more secure and cleaner energy.

This book highlights the various topics in which luminescence and electrochemistry are intimately coupled. The topic of this book is clearly at the frontier between several scientific domains involving physics, chemistry and biology. Applications in these various fields naturally also need to be mentioned, especially concerning displays and advanced investigation techniques in analytical chemistry or for biomedical issues.

This book presents a comprehensive survey about conducting polymers and their hybrids with different materials. It highlights the topics pertinent to research and development in academia and in the industry. The book thus discusses the preparation and characterization of these materials, as well as materials properties and their processing. The current challenges in the field are addressed, and an outline on new and even futuristic approaches is given. "Conducting Polymer Hybrids" is concerned with a fascinating class of materials with the promise for wide-ranging applications, including energy generation and storage, supercapacitors, electronics, display technologies, sensing, environmental and biomedical applications. The book covers a large variety of systems: one-, two-, and three-dimenstional composites and hybrids, mixed at micro- and nanolevel.

This volume offers a careful selection of trend-setting topics in the field. In-depth review articles illustrate current trends in the field. Experienced experts present a comprehensive overview concerning the electrochemical biosensing of glucose for diabetes care from an industrial research and development perspective a survey of bioassay applications for individually addressable electrochemical arrays, focusing on liquid-phase bioanalytical assays a review of recent advances in the development of electronic tongues based on the use of biosensor arrays coupled with advanced chemometric data analysis novel strategies of DNA biosensor development and corresponding applications for studies of DNA damage a survey of recent trends in the electrochemistry of redox proteins, including the increasing diversity of redox proteins used in electrochemical studies, novel immobilization strategies, and biosensor / biofuel cell applications an overview of electrochemical sensing of blood gases with advanced sensor concepts a survey of recent bioelectroanalytical studies with high spatial resolution using scanning electrochemical microscopy with a wide range of applications covering imaging of living cells, studies of metabolic activity, imaging of local enzyme activity, and studies of transport through biolayers This timely collection will be of interest not only for experts in the field, but also to students and their teachers in disciplines that include analytical chemistry, biology, electrochemistry, and various interdisciplinary research areas.

This book discusses recent progress in endohedral fullerenes - their production and separation techniques, as well as their characterization and properties. Furthermore, the book delves into the all-important issue of stability by investigating electron transfer between the encapsulated metal species and the carbon cage. It also reviews spin-based phenomena caused by the shielding of endohedral spin by the fullerene, and analyzes formation of the spin states by charge transfer as studied by electron spin resonance. Tuning of charge states of endohedral species and of spin states of both the cage and the cluster are explained. Finally, the book considers the recent discovery of magnetism in some endohedral fullerenes, and the potential for quantum computing.

This book review series presents current trends in modern biotechnology. The aim is to cover all aspects of this interdisciplinary technology where knowledge, methods and expertise are required from chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, chemical engineering and computer science. Volumes are organized topically and provide a comprehensive discussion of developments in the respective field over the past 3-5 years. The series also discusses new discoveries and applications. Special volumes are dedicated to selected topics which focus on new biotechnological products and new processes for their synthesis and purification. In general, special volumes are edited by well-known guest editors. The series editor and publisher will however always be pleased to receive suggestions and supplementary information. Manuscripts are accepted in English.

This volume explores the latest developments in the area of polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) used for high-temperature fuel cells. Featuring contributions from an international array of researchers, it presents a unified viewpoint on the operating principles of fuel cells, various methodologies used for the fabrication of PEMs, and issues related to the chemical and mechanical stabilities of the membranes. Special attention is given to the fabrication of electrospun nanocomposite membranes. The editors have consciously placed an emphasis on developments in the area of fast-growing and promising PEM materials obtained via hygroscopic inorganic fillers, solid proton conductors, heterocyclic solvents, ionic liquids, anhydrous H3PO4 blends, and heteropolyacids. This book is intended for fuel cell researchers and students who are interested in a deeper understanding of the organic-inorganic membranes used in fuel cells, membrane fabrication methodologies, properties and clean energy applications.

The book introduces the outcomes of latest research in the field of Chemical Engineering. The book also illustrates the application of Chemical Engineering principles to provide innovative and state of the art solutions to problems associated with chemical industries. It covers a wide spectrum of topics in the area of Chemical Engineering such as Transfer operations, novel separation processes, adsorption, photooxidation, process control, modelling, and simulation. The book provides timely contribution towards implementation of recent approaches and methods in Chemical Engineering Research. It presents chapters focussed on several Chemical Engineering principles and methodologies of wide multidisciplinary applicability. The intended audience of this book will mainly consist of researchers, research students, and practitioners in Chemical Engineering and allied fields. The book can also serve researchers and students involved in multidisciplinary research.

A text- and exercise book for physical chemistry students! This book deals with the fundamental aspects of physical chemistry taught at the undergraduate level in chemistry and the engineering sciences in a compact and practice-oriented form. Numerous problems and detailed solutions offer the possibility of an in-depth reflection of topics like chemical thermodynamics and kinetics, atomic structure and spectroscopy. Every chapter starts with a recapitulation of important background information, before leading over to representative exercises and problems. Detailed descriptions systematically present and explain the solutions to the problems, so that readers can carefully check their own solutions and get clear-cut introductions on how to approach similar problems systematically. The book addresses students at the (upper) undergraduate level, as well as tutors and teachers. It is a rich source of exercises for exam preparation and can be used alongside classical textbooks. Furthermore it can serve teachers and tutors for the conception of their lessons. Its well-thought-through presentation, structure and design make the book appeal to everybody who wants to succeed with the physical chemistry lessons and exercises.

The second edition of this textbook includes refined text in each chapter, new sections on corrosion of steel-reinforced concrete and on cathodic protection of steel reinforced bars embedded in concrete, and some new solved examples. The book introduces mathematical and engineering approximation schemes for describing the thermodynamics and kinetics of electrochemical systems, which are the essence of corrosion science, in addition to electrochemical corrosion, forms of corrosion and mechanisms of corrosion. This approach should capture the reader's attention on the complexity of corrosion. Thus, the principles of electrochemistry and electrochemical cells are subsequently characterized in simple electrolytes from a thermodynamics point of view.

This thesis focuses on the theoretical description of electro-osmosis of polymer solutions. In particular, it emphasizes the importance of considering non-uniform profiles of the solution viscosity and polymer concentration near a solid surface. The thesis begins with an introduction to fundamental theories and experimental observations for beginners in this field, concerning electrolyte solutions, electric double layers, and electrokinetics. In Chapter 2, the author discusses the linear response of electro-osmotic flow with respect to applied electric fields in aqueous polyelectrolyte solutions, and predicts a possibility of flow reversal caused by oppositely charged polyelectrolytes adsorbed on a charged surface. In Chapter 3, the author extends the discussion to non-linear electro-osmotic flow driven by applied electric fields in neutral polymer solutions. The dynamics of polymers are modeled and simulated using Brownian dynamics and kinetic theory. Finally, the thesis is summarized in Chapter 4. The introduction provides a comprehensive review of electrokinetics for graduate students and researchers interested in soft matter physics. An additional attraction is that readers can effectively learn various theoretical approaches to electro-osmosis.

In this book well-known experts highlight cutting-edge research priorities and discuss the state of the art in the field of solid oxide fuel cells giving an update on specific subjects such as protonic conductors, interconnects, electrocatalytic and catalytic processes and modelling approaches.Fundamentals and advances in this field are illustrated to help young researchers address issues in the characterization of materials and in the analysis of processes, not often tackled in scholarly books.