This book presents a comprehensive review of the most important methods used in the characterisation of piezoelectric, ferroelectric and pyroelectric materials. It covers techniques for the analysis of bulk materials and thick and thin film materials and devices.

There is a growing demand by industry to adapt and integrate piezoelectric materials into ever smaller devices and structures. Such applications development requires the joint development of reliable, robust, accurate and - most importantly - relevant and applicable measurement and characterisation methods and models. In the past few years there has been a rapid development of new techniques to model and measure the variety of properties that are deemed important for applications development engineers and scientists.

The book has been written by the leaders in the field and many chapters represent established measurement best practice, with a strong emphasis on application of the methods via worked examples and detailed experimental procedural descriptions. Each chapter contains numerous diagrams, images, and measurement data, all of which are fully referenced and indexed.

The book is intended to occupy space in the research or technical lab, and will be a valuable and practical resource for students, materials scientists, engineers, and lab technicians.

This thesis presents an in-depth study on the effect of colloidal particle shape and formation mechanism on self-organization and the final crystal symmetries that can be achieved. It demonstrates how state-of-the-art X-ray diffraction techniques can be used to produce detailed characterizations of colloidal crystal structures prepared using different self-assembly techniques, and how smart systems can be used to investigate defect formation and diffusion in-situ. One of the most remarkable phenomena exhibited by concentrated suspensions of colloidal particles is the spontaneous self-organization into structures with long-range spatial and/or orientational orders. The study also reveals the subtle structural variations that arise by changing the particle shape from spherical to that of a rounded cube. In particular, the roundness of the cube corners, when combined with the self-organization pathway, convective assembly or sedimentation, was shown to influence the final crystal symmetries.

This book presents the practical aspects of mass measurements. Concepts of gravitational, inertial and conventional mass and details of the variation of acceleration of gravity are described. The Metric Convention and International Prototype Kilogram and BIPM standards are described. The effect of change of gravity on the indication of electronic balances is derived with respect of latitude, altitude and earth topography. The classification of weights by OIML is discussed. Maximum permissible errors in different categories of weights prescribed by national and international organizations are presented. Starting with the necessity of redefining the unit kilogram in terms of physical constants, various methods of defining the kilogram in terms of physical constants are described. The kilogram can be defined by Avogadro's constant, ion collection of some heavy elements, levitation, voltage and Watt Balance. The detection of very small mass of the order of zeptogram through Nanotechnolgy is also discussed. Latest recommendations of CIPM are given.

The papers in this volume cover a broad spectrum of topics that represent the truly diverse nature of the field of composite materials. In recent years, composite materials have grown in strength, stature, and significance to become a key material of enhanced scientific interest and resultant research into understanding their behavior for selection and safe use in a wide spectrum of technology-related applications. This collection presents research and findings relevant to the latest advances in composites materials, specifically their use in aerospace, maritime, and even land applications. The editors have made every effort to bring together authors who put forth recent advances in their research while concurrently both elaborating on and thereby enhancing our prevailing understanding of the salient aspects related to the science, engineering, and far-reaching technological applications of composite materials.

The dielectric properties especially of glassy materials are nowadays explored at widely varying temperatures and pressures without any gap in the spectral range from Hz up to the Infrared, thus covering typically 20 decades or more. This extraordinary span enables to trace the scaling and the mutual interactions of relaxation processes in detail, e.g. the dynamic glass transition and secondary relaxations, but as well far infrared vibrations, like the Boson peak. Additionally the evolution of intra-molecular interactions in the course of the dynamic glass transition is also well explored by (Fourier Transform) Infrared Spectroscopy. This volume within 'Advances in Dielectrics' summarizes this knowledge and discusses it with respect to the existing and often competing theoretical concepts.

This book focuses on the modern development of techniques for analysis of the hierarchical structure of polymers from both the experimental and theoretical points of view. Starting with molecular and crystal symmetry, the author explains fundamental and professional methods, such as wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering, neutron diffraction, electron diffraction, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, NMR, and synchrotron radiation. In addition, the author explains another indispensable method, computer simulation, which includes energy calculation, lattice dynamics, molecular dynamics, and quantum chemistry. These various methods are described in a systematic way so that the reader can utilize them for the purpose of 3D structure analysis of polymers. Not only such analytical knowledge but also the preparation techniques of samples necessary for these measurements and the methods of analyzing the experimental data collected in this way are given in a concrete manner. Examples are offered to help master the principles of how to clarify the static structures and dynamic structural changes in the phase transitions of various kinds of crystalline polymers that are revealed by these novel methods. The examples are quite useful for readers who want to apply these techniques in finding practical solutions to concrete problems that are encountered in their own research. The principal audience for this book is made up of young professional researchers including those working in industry, but it can also be used as an excellent reference for graduate-level students. This book is the first volume of a two-volume set with Structural Science of Crystalline Polymers: A Microscopically Viewed Structure-Property Relationship being the second volume by the same author.

The discovery of high temperature superconductors (HTS) in 1986 by two IBM scientists led to an unprecedented explosion of research and development efforts world-wide because of the significant potential for practical applications offered by these materials. However, the early euphoria created by the exciting prospects was dampened by the daunting task of fabricating these materials into useful forms with acceptable superconducting properties. Progress towards this goal has been hindered by many intrinsic materials problems, such as weak-links, flux-creep, and poor mechanical properties.

The above problems led to the development of the Second-Generation of HTS wires. Three methods were invented to produce flexible metallic substrates, which were also crystallographically biaxially textured, and resembled a long, mosaic single crystal. The first method invented is the Ion-Beam-Assisted-Deposition (IBAD). The second method developed was the Inclined-Substrate-Deposition (ISD). The third method invented is called the Rolling-assisted-biaxially-textured-substrates (RABiTS).

The book is divided into four sections. The first section discusses the three methods to fabricate biaxially textured substrates, upon which, epitaxial YBCO or other HTS materials can be deposited to realize a single-crystal-like HTS wire. The second section includes chapters on various methods of HTS deposition such as pulsed laser ablation (PLD), thermal co-evaporation, sputtering, pulsed electron beam deposition, ex-situ BaF2 by co-evaporation flowed by annealing, chemical solution based ex-situ processes, jet vapor deposition, metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), and liquid phase epitaxy (LPE).The third section includes detailed chapters on other HTS materials such as the various Tl-based and Hg-based conductors.

These Second-Generation HTS conductors, also referred to as "Coated conductors" represent one of the most exciting developments in HTS technology. HTS wires based on this technology have the potential to carry 100-1000 times the current without resistance losses of comparable copper wire. HTS power equipment based on these HTS conductors has a potential to be half the size of conventional alternatives with the same or higher power rating and less than one half the energy losses. Upgrading of the world-wide electric power transmission and distribution with HTS based devices can significantly help in meeting the growing demand for electricity world-wide. There is little question that superconducting technology based on the Next-Generation HTS Superconducting Wires will make a substantial impact on the way we generate, transmit, distribute and use electric power. Of course the question is - how soon?

This volume represents the current knowledge on the effect of SCMs (slag, fly ash, silica fume, limestone powder, metakaolin, natural pozzolans, rice husk ash, special SCMs, ternary blends) on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete (e.g. early strength development, workability, shrinkage) and curing requirements. Other topics treated in the book are postblending vs preblending, implications of SCM variability, interaction between SCM and commonly used admixtures (e.g. superplasticizers, air entrainers).

This book provides insight into the underlying basic theories and concepts in X-ray, light, and neutron scattering. The three scattering principles are systematically presented, together with a unified description based on elastic scattering of electromagnetic waves and the Schroedinger wave from matter. These explanations are presented with an introduction of their common Born approximation using a consistent set of symbols and terminology and with step-by-step derivations of equations. This book emphasizes the combined applications of these three scattering methods, wherever and whenever possible, as a very powerful methodology for characterization of internal structures of soft matters in the length scale ranging from subnanometers to a few 10 micron meters. These applications include explorations for evolution of hierarchically self-organized internal structures of a variety of soft matters, including cells, under diverse environmental conditions. This book will not only be an excellent resource for graduate students and academic researchers who analyze structures of soft matters and polymers, but it will also be useful for researchers in industries.

This collection presents the papers from a symposium on extraction of rare metals as well as rare extraction processing techniques used in metal production. Paper topics include the extraction and processing of elements like antimony, arsenic, calcium, chromium, hafnium, gold, indium, lithium, molybdenum, niobium, rare earth metals, rhenium, scandium, selenium, silver, strontium, tantalum, tellurium, tin, tungsten, vanadium, and zirconium. Rare processing techniques presented include bio leaching, molecular recognition technology, recovery of valuable components of commodity metals such as magnesium from laterite process wastes, titanium from ilmenites, and rare metals from wastes such as phosphors and LCD monitors.

The measurement and characterisation of surface topography is crucial to modern manufacturing industry. The control of areal surface structure allows a manufacturer to radically alter the functionality of a part. Examples include structuring to effect fluidics, optics, tribology, aerodynamics and biology. To control such manu-facturing methods requires measurement strategies. There is now a large range of new optical techniques on the market, or being developed in academia, that can measure areal surface topography. Each method has its strong points and limitations. The book starts with introductory chapters on optical instruments, their common language, generic features and limitations, and their calibration. Each type of modern optical instrument is described (in a common format) by an expert in the field. The book is intended for both industrial and academic scientists and engineers, and will be useful for undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

This book presents physical units and widely used physical formulas, which are given together with conversion factors in various units. It includes frequently used atomic spectra and data for atoms, ions and molecules, as well as potential curves for diatomic molecules, and provides numerical parameters for transport phenomena in gases and plasmas. Further, the rate constants of a number of processes in atmospheric ionized air have been added to this second edition of the book. The numerical data has been selected from the information on atoms, atomic systems, atomic processes and models for atomic physics in this area, and the numerical parameters of atoms, ions and atom systems are included in periodical tables of elements.

This book is devoted to the development of the shape memory materials and their applications. It covers many aspects of smart materials. It also describes the method on how we can obtain not only large recovery strains but also high recovery stress, energy storage and energy dissipation in applications. This volume treats the mechanical properties of shape memory alloys, shape memory polymers and the constitutive equations of the materials which are necessary to design the shape memory elements in applications. It also deals with the fatigue properties of materials, the method to design the shape memory elements, and the shape memory composites. The authors are international experts on shape memory alloys and shape memory polymers in the metallurgical, chemical, mechanical and engineering fields. The book will be of interest to graduate students, engineers, scientists and designers who are working in the field of electric and mechanical engineering, industries, medical engineering, aerospace engineering, robots, automatic machines, clothes and recycling for research, design and manufacturing.

The subject of this book is to study the porous media and the transport processes occur there. As a first step, the authors discuss several techniques for artificial representation of porous. Afterwards, they describe the single and multi phase flows in simplistic and complex porous structures in terms of macroscopic and microscopic equations as well as of their analytical and numerical solutions. Furthermore, macroscopic quantities such as permeability are introduced and reviewed. The book also discusses with mass transport processes in the porous media which are further strengthen by experimental validation and specific technological applications. This book makes use of state-of-the-art techniques for the modeling of transport processes in porous structures, and considers of realistic sorption mechanisms. It the applies advanced mathematical techniques for upscaling of the major quantities, and presents the experimental investigation and application, namely, experimental methods for the measurement of relevant transport properties. The main benefit of the book is that it discusses all the topics related to transport in porous media (including state-of-the-art applications) and presents some of the most important theoretical, numerical and experimental developments in porous media domain, providing a self-contained major reference that is appealing to both the scientists and the engineers. At the same time, these topics encounter a variety of scientific and engineering disciplines, such as chemical, civil, agricultural, mechanical engineering. The book is divided in several chapters that intend to be a resume of the current state of knowledge for benefit of related professionals and scientists.

All living things contain carbon in some form, as it is the primary component of macromolecules including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), and carbohydrates. As a matter of fact, it is the backbone of all organic (chemistry) compounds forming different kinds of bonds. Carbon: The Black, the Gray and the Transparent is not a complete scientific history of the material, but a book that describes key discoveries about this old faithful element while encouraging broader perspectives and approaches to its research due to its vast applications. All allotropes of carbon are described in this book, along with their properties, uses, and methods of procurement or manufacturing. Black carbon is represented by coal, gray carbon is represented by graphite, and transparent carbon is represented by diamond.

This collection focuses on all aspects of science and technology related to friction stir welding and processing.

This book covers state-of-the-art technologies, principles, methods and industrial applications of electronic waste (e-waste) and waste PCB (WPCB) recycling. It focuses on cutting-edge mechanical separation processes and pyro- and hydro-metallurgical treatment methods. De-soldering, selective dismantling, and dry separation methods (including the use of gravity, magnetic and electrostatic techniques) are discussed in detail, noting the patents related to each. The volume discusses the available industrial equipment and plant flowsheets used for WPCB recycling in detail, while addressing potential future directions of the field. This practical, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary reference will appeal to professionals throughout global industrial, academic and government institutions interested in addressing the growing problem of e-waste. Covers principles, methods and industrial applications of e-waste and PCB recycling; Details state-of-the-art mechanical separation processes and pyro- and hydro-metallurgical treatment methods; Describes the available industrial equipment used and plant flowsheets for PCB recycling and addresses potential future developments of this important field.

Experimental Vibration Analysis for Civil Structures: Testing, Sensing, Monitoring, and Control covers a wide range of topics in the areas of vibration testing, instrumentation, and analysis of civil engineering and critical infrastructure. It explains how recent research, development, and applications in experimental vibration analysis of civil engineering structures have progressed significantly due to advancements in the fields of sensor and testing technologies, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, computer technology, computational modeling and simulation of large and complex civil infrastructure systems. The book also examines how cutting-edge artificial intelligence and data analytics can be applied to infrastructure systems. Features: Explains how recent technological developments have resulted in addressing the challenge of designing more resilient infrastructure Examines numerous research studies conducted by leading scholars in the field of infrastructure systems and civil engineering Presents the most emergent fields of civil engineering design, such as data analytics and Artificial Intelligence for the analysis and performance assessment of infrastructure systems and their resilience Emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to develop the modeling, analysis, and experimental tools for designing more resilient and intelligent infrastructures Appropriate for practicing engineers and upper-level students, Experimental Vibration Analysis for Civil Structures: Testing, Sensing, Monitoring, and Control serves as a strategic roadmap for further research in the field of vibration testing and instrumentation of infrastructure systems.

This book is the 2nd special volume dedicated to the memory of Gerard Maugin. Over 30 leading scientists present their contribution to reflect the vast field of scientific activity of Gerard Maugin. The topics of contributions employing often non-standard methods (generalized model) in this volume show the wide range of subjects that were covered by this exceptional scientific leader. The topics range from micromechanical basics to engineering applications, focusing on new models and applications of well-known models to new problems. They include micro-macro aspects, computational efforts, possibilities to identify the constitutive equations, and old problems with incorrect or non-satisfying solutions based on the classical continua assumptions.

This is the first book summarizing the theoretical basics of thermal nondestructive testing (TNDT) by combining elements of heat conduction, infrared thermography, and industrial nondestructive testing. The text contains the physical models of TNDT, heat transfer in defective and sound structures, and thermal properties of materials. Also included are the optimization of TNDT procedures, defect characterization, data processing in TNDT, active and passive TNDT systems, as well as elements of statistical data treatment and decision making. This text contains in-depth descriptions of applications in infrared/thermal testing within aerospace, power production, building, as well as the conservation of artistic monuments The book is intended for the industrial specialists who are involved in technical diagnostics and nondestructive testing. It may also be useful for academic researchers, undergraduate, graduate and PhD university students.

This book summarizes many of the recent research accomplishments in the area of polyvinylchloride (PVC)-based blends and their preparation, characterization and applications. Various sub-topics are addressed, such as the state-of-the-art of PVC based blends, new challenges and opportunities, emphasis being given to the types and sizes of components/fillers and optimum compositions of PVC blends, their processing and structure-properties relationships, modification/compatibilization methods, and possible applications. PVC/thermoplastic based nano, micro and macro blends, PVC membranes, bio-based plasticizers and PVC blends with components from renewable resources are reported. The various chapters in this book are contributed by prominent researchers from industry, academia and government/private research laboratories across the globe. It covers an up-to-date record on the major findings and observations in the field of PVC-based blends.

This book describes the latest developments in the new research discipline of X-ray nanochemistry, which uses nanomaterials to enhance the effectiveness of X-ray irradiation. Nanomaterials now can be synthesized in such a way as to meet the demand for complex functions that enhance the X-ray effect. Innovative methods of delivering the X-rays, which can interact with those nanomaterials much more strongly than energetic electrons and gamma rays, also create new opportunities to enhance the X-ray effect. As a result, new concepts are conceived and new developments are made in the last decade, which are discussed and summarized in this book. This book will help define the discipline and encourage more students and scientists to work in this discipline. These efforts will eventually lead to formation of a full set of physical, chemical and materials principles for this new research field.

Granular forms of common materials such as metals and ceramics, sands and soils, porous energetic materials (explosives, reactive mixtures), and foams exhibit interesting behaviors due to their heterogeneity and critical length scale, typically commensurate with the grain or pore size. Under extreme conditions of impact, granular and porous materials display highly localized phenomena such as fracture, inelastic deformation, and the closure of voids, which in turn strongly influence the bulk response. Due to the complex nature of these interactions and the short time scales involved, computational methods have proven to be powerful tools to investigate these phenomena. Thus, the coupled use of experiment, theory, and simulation is critical to advancing our understanding of shock processes in initially porous and granular materials. This is a comprehensive volume on granular and porous materials for researchers working in the area of shock and impact physics. The book is divided into three sections, where the first presents the fundamentals of shock physics as it pertains to the equation of state, compaction, and strength properties of porous materials. Building on these fundamentals, the next section examines several applications where dynamic processes involving initially porous materials are prevalent, focusing on the areas of penetration, planetary impact, and reactive munitions. The final section provides a look at emerging areas in the field, where the expansion of experimental and computational capabilities are opening the door for new opportunities in the areas of advanced light sources, molecular dynamics modeling, and additively manufactured porous structures. By intermixing experiment, theory, and simulation throughout, this book serves as an excellent, up-to-date desk reference for those in the field of shock compression science of porous and granular materials.

Neutrons are extremely versatile probes for investigating structure and dynamics in condensed matter. Due to their large penetration depth, they are ideal for in-situ measurements of samples situated in sophisticated and advanced environments. The advent of new high-intensity neutron sources and instruments, as well as the development of new real-time techniques, allows the tracking of transformation processes in condensed matter on a microscopic scale. The present volume provides a review of the state of the art of this new and exciting field of kinetics with neutrons.