This volume deals with chemical modification, structure-property relationship, biological interaction and biomedical applications of chitosan and its chemically modified derivatives. The chapters of this volume provide an overview of the structural comparison of chitosan with other sugar-based biopolymers, a different type of strategy used in chemical modification of chitosan to interact with metal ions and to enhance antimicrobial activity. The chapters further discuss the development of functionalized chitosan hydrogels, films, scaffolds and composites that have the potential to be used in food packaging, enhancing saltiness, biosensors and wound dressing. In addition the fabrication and biological properties of chitosan and its derivatives-based nanofibers are presented. Another important aspect covered in this volume is that of the interaction of chitosan with blood, platelet-rich plasma and stem cells. Finally, this volume presents the current challenges in the development of biomedical products based on chitosan and its derivatives. The volume will be of interest to chemists, material science, biological science and biomaterial scientists can able to understand structure-property relationship, biological interaction and biomedical applications of chitosan and its derivatives.

The modern electron microscope, as a result of recent revolutionary developments and many evolutionary ones, now yields a wealth of quantitative knowledge pertaining to structure, dynamics, and function barely matched by any other single scientific instrument. It is also poised to contribute much new spatially-resolved and time-resolved insights of central importance in the exploration of most aspects of condensed matter, ranging from the physical to the biological sciences.Whereas in all conventional EM methods, imaging, diffraction, and chemical analyses have been conducted in a static - time-integrated - manner, now it has become possible to unite the time domain with the spatial one, thereby creating four-dimensional (4D) electron microscopy. This advance is based on the fundamental concept of timed, coherent single-electron packets, or electron pulses, which are liberated with femtosecond durations. Structural phase transitions, mechanical deformations, and the embryonic stages of melting and crystallization are examples of phenomena that can now be imaged in unprecedented structural detail with high spatial resolution, and ten orders of magnitude as fast as hitherto.No monograph in existence attempts to cover the revolutionary dimensions that EM in its various modes of operation nowadays makes possible. The authors of this book chart these developments, and also compare the merits of coherent electron waves with those of synchrotron radiation. They judge it prudent to recall some important basic procedural and theoretical aspects of imaging and diffraction so that the reader may better comprehend the significance of the new vistas and applications now afoot.This book is not a vade mecum - numerous other texts are available for the practitioner for that purpose. It is instead an in-depth expose of the paradigm concepts and the developed techniques that can now be executed to gain new knowledge in the entire domain of biological and physical science, and in the four dimensions of space and time.

The modern electron microscope, as a result of recent revolutionary developments and many evolutionary ones, now yields a wealth of quantitative knowledge pertaining to structure, dynamics, and function barely matched by any other single scientific instrument. It is also poised to contribute much new spatially-resolved and time-resolved insights of central importance in the exploration of most aspects of condensed matter, ranging from the physical to the biological sciences.Whereas in all conventional EM methods, imaging, diffraction, and chemical analyses have been conducted in a static - time-integrated - manner, now it has become possible to unite the time domain with the spatial one, thereby creating four-dimensional (4D) electron microscopy. This advance is based on the fundamental concept of timed, coherent single-electron packets, or electron pulses, which are liberated with femtosecond durations. Structural phase transitions, mechanical deformations, and the embryonic stages of melting and crystallization are examples of phenomena that can now be imaged in unprecedented structural detail with high spatial resolution, and ten orders of magnitude as fast as hitherto.No monograph in existence attempts to cover the revolutionary dimensions that EM in its various modes of operation nowadays makes possible. The authors of this book chart these developments, and also compare the merits of coherent electron waves with those of synchrotron radiation. They judge it prudent to recall some important basic procedural and theoretical aspects of imaging and diffraction so that the reader may better comprehend the significance of the new vistas and applications now afoot.This book is not a vade mecum - numerous other texts are available for the practitioner for that purpose. It is instead an in-depth expose of the paradigm concepts and the developed techniques that can now be executed to gain new knowledge in the entire domain of biological and physical science, and in the four dimensions of space and time.

Specific ion effects are important in numerous fields of science and technology. They have been discussed for over 100 years, ever since the pioneering work done by Franz Hofmeister and his group in Prague. Over the last decades, hundreds of examples have been published and periodically explanations have been proposed. However, it is only recently that a profound understanding of the basic effects and their reasons could be achieved. Today, we are not far from a general explanation of specific ion effects. This book summarizes the main new ideas that have come up in the last ten years.In this book, the efforts of theoreticians are substantially supported by the experimental results stemming from new and exciting techniques. Both the new theoretical concepts and the experimental landmarks are collected and critically discussed by eminent scientists and well-known specialists in this field. Beyond the rigorous explanations, guidelines are given to non-specialists in order to help them understand the general rules governing specific ion effects in chemistry, biology, physics and engineering.

This book traces the history of ideas about the nature of matter and also the way that mankind has used material resources that the world offers. Starting with the ideas of ancient civilizations that air, earth, fire and water were the basic ingredients of all matter, it traces the development of the science of chemistry beginning within the ranks of the alchemists. First, the idea of elements grew and then the atomic nature of matter was verified. Physicists had entered the scene, showing the nature of atoms in terms of fundamental particles and then introducing the concept of wave-particle duality that altered the basic concepts of what matter was. Finally the physicists discovered a panoply of fundamental particles, some observed within atom-smashing machines and the existence of others merely postulated. In parallel with the above there is a description of various kinds of matter as it affects everyday life including the nature of matter associated with life itself. The way that early man used the materials directly given by nature, such as stone, wood and animal skins, is followed by the use of materials requiring some process to be employed, e.g. metals which include bronze and also concrete. Some important modern materials are discussed, such as synthetic fibres and plastics and semiconductors, and potentially important future products from new developments in nanotechnology.

This book traces the history of ideas about the nature of matter and also the way that mankind has used material resources that the world offers. Starting with the ideas of ancient civilizations that air, earth, fire and water were the basic ingredients of all matter, it traces the development of the science of chemistry beginning within the ranks of the alchemists. First, the idea of elements grew and then the atomic nature of matter was verified. Physicists had entered the scene, showing the nature of atoms in terms of fundamental particles and then introducing the concept of wave-particle duality that altered the basic concepts of what matter was. Finally the physicists discovered a panoply of fundamental particles, some observed within atom-smashing machines and the existence of others merely postulated. In parallel with the above there is a description of various kinds of matter as it affects everyday life, including the nature of matter associated with life itself. The way that early man used the materials directly given by nature, such as stone, wood and animal skins, is followed by the use of materials requiring some process to be employed, e.g. metals which include bronze and also concrete. Some important modern materials are discussed, such as synthetic fibres and plastics and semiconductors, and potentially important future products from new developments in nanotechnology.

This edited volume provides an extensive overview of how nuclear magnetic resonance can be an indispensable tool to investigate molecular ordering, phase structure, and dynamics in complex anisotropic phases formed by liquid crystalline materials. The chapters, written by prominent scientists in their field of expertise, provide a state-of-the-art scene of developments in liquid crystal research. The fantastic assortment of shape anisotropy in organic molecules leads to the discoveries of interesting new soft materials made at a rapid rate which not only inject impetus to address the fundamental physical and chemical phenomena, but also the potential applications in memory, sensor and display devices. The review volume also covers topics ranging from solute studies of molecules in nematics and biologically ordered fluids to theoretical approaches in treating elastic and viscous properties of liquid crystals. This volume is aimed at graduate students, novices and experts alike, and provides an excellent reference material for readers interested in the liquid crystal research. It is, indeed, a reference book for every science library to have.

This is the seventh volume in the successful series designed to help the chemistry community keep current with the many new developments in computational techniques. The writing style is refreshingly pedagogical and non-mathematical, allowing students and researchers access to computational methods outside their immediate area of expertise. Each invited author approaches a topic with the aim of helping the reader understand the material, solve problems, and locate key references quickly.

Microbial biosurfactants are green molecules with high application potential in environmental and industrial sectors. Chemical diversity of biosurfactants allows them versatility and broad range surfactants capability without compromising performance or economic viability. Biosurfactants are used as emulsifiers, dispersants, wetting agents, oil recovery agents, biopesticides, stabilizers, solubilizers, and bioremediation agents (pesticide, heavy metals and oil spill cleanup). This comprehensive book on biosurfactants and their environmental and industrial applications offers a broad spectrum of information on potential applications of biosurfactants in various fields and related technological developments.

"The chapters in this book survey the progress in simulating biomolecular dynamics.... The images conjured up by this work are not yet universally loved, but are beginning to bring new insights into the study of biological structure and function. The future will decide whether this scientific movement can bring forth its Picasso or Modigliani." -from the Foreword by Peter G. Wolynes, Bullard-Welch Foundation Professor of Science, Rice University This book highlights the state-of-art in coarse-grained modeling of biomolecules, covering both fundamentals as well as various cutting edge applications. Coarse-graining of biomolecules is an area of rapid advances, with numerous new force fields having appeared recently and significant progress made in developing a systematic theory of coarse-graining. The contents start with first fundamental principles based on physics, then survey specific state-of-art coarse-grained force fields of proteins and nucleic acids, and provide examples of exciting biological problems that are at large scale, and hence, only amenable to coarse-grained modeling. Introduces coarse-grained models of proteins and nucleic acids. Showcases applications such as genome packaging in nuclei and understanding ribosome dynamics Gives the physical foundations of coarse-graining Demonstrates use of models for large-scale assemblies in modern studies Garegin A. Papoian is the first Monroe Martin Associate Professor with appointments in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Institute for Physical Science and Technology at the University of Maryland.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters. Physical chemistry covers diverse topics, from biochemistry to materials properties to the development of quantum computers. Physical chemistry applies physics and math to problems that interest chemists, biologists, and engineers. Physical chemists use theoretical constructs and mathematical computations to understand chemical properties and describe the behavior of molecular and condensed matter. Their work involves manipulations of data as well as materials. Physical chemistry entails extensive work with sophisticated instrumentation and equipment as well as state-of-the-art computers. This new volume presents a selection of articles on topics in the field.

This book provides up-to-date discussion of modern polarographic methods, with examples and experimental details. It is designed for the practicing analyst and a factor in bringing the reincarnated area of analytical chemistry into a new and healthy maturity.

An excellent knowledge base in soil and water chemistry —the ideal basic text for students of the environmental sciences

In Environmental Soil and Water Chemistry, leading soil and water authority V. P. Evangelou presents a complete overview of the principles and applications of soil science, addressing the subject by viewing the interactions between soil and water as a basis for understanding the nature, extent, and treatment of polluted soil and water. The text opens with a discussion of principles—the fundamental tenets of chemistry needed to understand soil and water quality and treatment of polluted resources—and continues with a look at applications for the control and treatment of soil and water. Suitable for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students, this extensive, timely volume covers:

• Water chemistry and mineral solubility; soil minerals and surface chemical properties and their behavior; and electrochemistry and kinetics
• The control of agricultural chemical pollution and land disturbance pollution; colloids and transport processes in soils; and technologies for measuring quality and executing treatment
• Specific chemical contaminants and the procedures for their neutralization

In a world where chemical pollutants pose a grave threat to the earth's natural resources, Environmental Soil and Water Chemistry offers students both an excellent textbook and a handy reference on the wide spectrum of environmental problems they will confront outside the classroom.

This timely and unique publication is designed for graduate students and researchers in inorganic and materials chemistry and covers bonding models and applications of symmetry concepts to chemical systems. The book discusses the quantum mechanical basis for molecular orbital concepts, the connections between molecular orbitals and localized views of bonding, group theory, bonding models for a variety of compounds, and the extension of these ideas to solid state materials in band theory. Unlike other books, the concepts are made tangible to the readers by guiding them through their implementation in MATLAB functions. No background in MATLAB or computer programming is needed; the book will provide the necessary skills. Key Features Visualization of the Postulates of Quantum Mechanics to build conceptual understanding MATLAB functions for rendering molecular geometries and orbitals Do-it-yourself approach to building a molecular orbital and band theory program Introduction to Group Theory harnessing the 3D graphing capabilities of MATLAB Online access to a growing collection of applications of the core material and other appendices Bonding through Code is ideal for first-year graduate students and advanced undergraduates in chemistry, materials science, and physics. Researchers wishing to gain new tools for theoretical analysis or deepen their understanding of bonding phenomena can also benefit from this text. About the Author Daniel Fredrickson is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where his research group focuses on understanding and harnessing the structural chemistry of intermetallic phases using a combination of theory and experiment. His interests in crystals, structure, and bonding can be traced to his undergraduate research at the University of Washington (B.S. in Biochemistry, 2000) with Prof. Bart Kahr, his Ph.D. studies at Cornell University (2000-2005) with Profs. Stephen Lee and Roald Hoffmann, and his post-doctoral work with Prof. Sven Lidin at Stockholm University (2005-2008). As part of his teaching at UW-Madison since 2009, he has worked to enhance his department's graduate course, Physical Inorganic Chemistry I: Symmetry and Bonding, through the incorporation of new material and the development of computer-based exercises.

Reviews in Plasmonics 2010, the first volume of the new book serial from Springer, serves as a comprehensive collection of current trends and emerging hot topics in the field of Plasmonics and closely related disciplines. It summarizes the year's progress in surface plasmon phenomena and its applications, with authoritative analytical reviews specialized enough to be attractive to professional researchers, yet also appealing to the wider audience of scientists in related disciplines of Plasmonics. Reviews in Plasmonics offers an essential reference material for any lab working in the Plasmonics field and related areas. All academics, bench scientists, and industry professionals wishing to take advantage of the latest and greatest in the continuously emerging field of Plasmonics will find it an invaluable resource. Key features: Accessible utility in a single volume reference. Chapters authored by known leading figures in the Plasmonics field. New volume publishes annually. Comprehensive coverage of the year's hottest and emerging topics. Reviews in Plasmonics 2011 topics include: Metal Nanoparticles for Molecular Plasmonics. Surface Plasmon Resonance based Fiber Optic Sensors. Elastic Light Scattering of Biopolymer/Gold Nanoparticles Fractal Aggregates. Influence of electron quantum confinement on the electronic response of metal/metal interfaces. Melting Transitions of DNA-Capped Gold Nanoparticle Assemblies. Nanomaterial Based Long Range Optical Ruler for Monitoring Biomolecular Activities. Plasmonic Gold and Silver Films: Selective Enhancement of Chromophore Raman Scattering or Plasmon-Assisted Fluorescence.

A novel proposal for teaching organic chemistry based on a broader and simplified use of quantum chemistry theories and notions of some statistical thermodynamic concepts aiming to enrich the learning process of the organic molecular properties and organic reactions. A detailed physical chemistry approach to teach organic chemistry for undergraduate students is the main aim of this book. A secondary objective is to familiarize undergraduate students with computational chemistry since most of illustrations of optimized geometries (plus some topological graphs) and information is from quantum chemistry outputs which will also enable students to obtain a deeper understanding of organic chemistry.

This volume presents an up-to-date review of modern materials and concepts, issues, and recent advances in analytical and physical chemistry. Distinguished scientists and engineers from key institutions worldwide have contributed chapters that provide a deep analysis of their particular subjects. The chapters discuss the composition and properties of complex materials as well as mixtures, processes, and the need for new and improved analytical technology.

This book collects all the latest advances in the leading research of the circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) of small organic molecules. Compared with that of lanthanide-based fluorophores, the research into the CPL of small organic molecules is still at the developmental stage for their relatively smaller dissymmetric factors, but has been a source of widespread attention recently. The book includes the state of the art of the discoveries in CPL organic molecules, such as helicenes, biaryls, cyclophanes, boron dipyrromethene dyes, and other chiral molecules, mostly in their isolated states, covering all possible chiral substances for future applications. This book also highlights the recent development of CPL instruments as well as time-resolved circular dichroism spectroscopy, to facilitate the further development and future design of CPL molecules.

Portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) instrumentation has some unique analytical capabilities for the in situ analysis of samples in the field. These capabilities have been extended in recent years by the continuing development of solid state detectors, surface mounted electronics, digital signal processing technology, Li-ion batteries combined with a choice of rugged sealed radioisotope sources or miniature X-ray tubes that provide lightweight hand-held devices. As well as opening up new applications, in situ measurements by PXRF, where the instrument is placed in direct contact with the object to be analysed, involve the complete integration of sampling and analysis. Careful interpretation of results is therefore required, particularly when the analysis is used to estimate the bulk composition of a sample. In this monograph, an overview is given of instrumentation, analytical capabilities, and limitations in the interpretation of results, sampling considerations and applications where PXRF offers substantial advantages over conventional analytical techniques. The aim is to give the reader an insight into the capabilities of the technique and to demonstrate the contribution it can make to a range of areas of contemporary scientific interest. Chapters are written by internationally recognised scientists with practical experience of in situ analysis using portable X-ray fluorescence and demonstrates the wide range of applications for the technique. The topics covered are illustrated with diagrams and photographs where appropriate and each chapter includes supporting references to enable the reader to gain a greater understanding of a particular application. Topics include: -analytical capabilities -instrumentation -quantification -correction procedures -sampling considerations -future developments Applications include: -the assessment of contaminated land -surfaces -coatings and paints -workplace monitoring -metal & alloy sorting -geochemical prospecting -archaeological investigations -museum samples & works of art -extraterrestrial analysis The work is aimed at scientists who have some knowledge of analytical techniques and/or the applications covered, but are not fully familiar with the capabilities of PXRF. It offers a general introduction to the technique and its applications rather than a research monograph. As such, it is aimed at analytical scientists, environmental and geological scientists, industrial hygienists, industrial and plant scientists, archaeometrists and museum researchers, research scientists and research students with projects in the applications covered. Undergraduate students studying associated degree courses will also benefit from the work.

Over recent years electronic spectroscopy has developed significantly, with key applications in atmospheric chemistry, astrophysics and astrochemistry. High Resolution Electronic Spectroscopy of Small Molecules explores both theoretical and experimental approaches to understanding the electronic spectra of small molecules, and explains how this information translates to practice. Professors Geoffrey Duxbury and Alexander Alijah present the links between spectroscopy and photochemistry, and discuss theoretical treatments of the interaction between different electronic states. They provide a thorough discussion of experimental techniques, and explore practical applications. This book will be an indispensable reference for graduate students and researchers in physics and chemistry working on theoretical and practical aspects of electronic spectra, as well as atmospheric scientists, photochemists, kineticists and professional spectroscopists.

In the mid-nineteenth century, chemists came to the conclusion that elements should be organized by their atomic weights. However, the atomic weights of various elements were calculated erroneously, and chemists also observed some anomalies in the properties of other elements. Over time, it became clear that the periodic table as currently comprised contained gaps, missing elements that had yet to be discovered. A rush to discover these missing pieces followed, and a seemingly endless amount of elemental discoveries were proclaimed and brought into laboratories. It wasn't until the discovery of the atomic number in 1913 that chemists were able to begin making sense of what did and what did not belong on the periodic table, but even then, the discovery of radioactivity convoluted the definition of an element further. Throughout its formation, the periodic table has seen false entries, good-faith errors, retractions, and dead ends; in fact, there have been more elemental "discoveries" that have proven false than there are current elements on the table.
The Lost Elements: The Shadow Side of Discovery collects the most notable of these instances, stretching from the nineteenth century to the present. The book tells the story of how scientists have come to understand elements, by discussing the failed theories and false discoveries that shaped the path of scientific progress. Chapters range from early chemists' stubborn refusal to disregard alchemy as legitimate practice, to the effects of the atomic number on discovery, to the switch in influence from chemists to physicists, as elements began to be artificially created in the twentieth century. Along the way, Fontani, Costa, and Orna introduce us to the key figures in the development of the periodic table as we know it. And we learn, in the end, that this development was shaped by errors and gaffs as much as by correct assumptions and scientific conclusions.

The CRC Handbook of Enthalpy Data of Polymer-Solvent Systems presents data that is as essential to the production, process design, and use of polymers as it is to understanding the physical behavior and intermolecular interactions in polymer solutions and in developing thermodynamic polymer models. Providing an all-encompassing collection of current enthalpy data for all types of polymer solutions, this handbook is a ready companion with Christian Wohlfarth's previously published handbooks of thermodynamic data for copolymer solutions, aqueous polymer solutions, and polymer solutions at elevated pressures, which contain only a small amount of enthalpic data in comparison to the data presented here. This volume contains 1770 data sets that include enthalpies of mixing and dilution for the entire concentration range as well as partial enthalpies of mixing and solution at infinite dilution. Special appendices allow scientists to access specific systems and data easily. The CRC Handbook of Enthalpy Data of Polymer-Solvent Systems is a practical, one-stop resource that allows polymer chemists, biochemists, chemical engineers, materials scientists, and physical chemists involved in both industrial and laboratory processes to quickly retrieve relevant information as needed.

Research on advanced energy conversion devices such as solar cells has intensified in the last two decades. A broad landscape of candidate materials and devices were discovered and systematically studied for effective solar energy conversion and utilization. New concepts have emerged forming a rather powerful picture embracing the mechanisms and limitation to efficiencies of different types of devices. The Physics of Solar Energy Conversion introduces the main physico-chemical principles that govern the operation of energy devices for energy conversion and storage, with a detailed view of the principles of solar energy conversion using advanced materials. Key Features include: Highlights recent rapid advances with the discovery of perovskite solar cells and their development. Analyzes the properties of organic solar cells, lithium ion batteries, light emitting diodes and the semiconductor materials for hydrogen production by water splitting. Embraces concepts from nanostructured and highly disordered materials to lead halide perovskite solar cells Takes a broad perspective and comprehensively addresses the fundamentals so that the reader can apply these and assess future developments and technologies in the field. Introduces basic techniques and methods for understanding the materials and interfaces that compose operative energy devices such as solar cells and solar fuel converters.

The present volume includes most of the material of the invited lectures delivered at the NATO Advanced Study Institute "Morphogenesis through the interplay of nonlinear chemical instabilities and elastic active media" held from 2th to 14th July 2007 at the Institut d'Etudes Scientifiques de Cargese (http: //www.iesc.univ-corse.fr/), in Corsica (France). This traditional place to organize Summer Schools and Workshops in a well equipped secluded location at the border of the Mediterranean sea has, over many years now, earned an increasing deserved reputation. Non-linear dynamics of non equilibrium systems has worked its way into a great number of fields and plays a key role in the understanding of se- organization and emergence phenomena in domains as diverse as chemical reactors, laser physics, fluid dynamics, electronic devices and biological morphogenesis. In the latter case, the viscoelastic properties of tissues are also known to play a key role. The control and formulation of soft responsive or "smart" materials has been a fast growing field of material science, specially in the area of po- mer networks, due to their growing applications in bio-science, chemical sensors, intelligent microfluidic devices, ... . Nature is an important p- vider of active materials whether at the level of tissues or at that of s- cellular structures. As a consequence, the fundamental understanding of the physical mechanisms at play in responsive materials also shines light in the understanding of biological artefacts."

The world faces significant challenges as population and consumption continue to grow while nonrenewable fossil fuels and other raw materials are depleted at ever-increasing rates. This volume takes a technical approach that addresses these issues using green design and analysis. It brings together innovative research, new concepts, and novel developments in the application of new tools for chemical and materials engineers. It is an immensely research-oriented, comprehensive, and practical work that focuses on the use of applied concepts to enhance productivity and sustainability in chemical engineering. It contains significant research that reports on new methodologies and important applications in the fields of chemical engineering as well as the latest coverage of chemical databases. Highlighting theoretical foundations, real-world cases, and future directions, the volume covers a diverse collection of the newest innovations in the field, including new research on atomic/nuclear physics, the barometric formula, amino acids in aqueous solutions, bioremediation and biotechnology, and more.