Conjugated Polymers for Next-Generation Applications, Volume One: Synthesis, Properties and Optoelectrochemical Devices describes the synthesis and characterization of varied conjugated polymeric materials and their key applications, including active electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors and lithium-ion batteries, along with new ideas of functional materials for next-generation high-energy batteries, a discussion of common design procedures, and the pros and cons of conjugated polymers for certain applications. The book's emphasis lies in the underlying electronic properties of conjugated polymers, their characterization and analysis, and the evaluation of their effectiveness for utilization in energy and electronics applications. This book is ideal for researchers and practitioners in the area of materials science, chemistry and chemical engineering.

Semiconductor Memories and Systems provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of semiconductor memory at the technology and system levels. After an introduction on market trends and memory applications, the book focuses on mainstream technologies, illustrating their current status, challenges and opportunities, with special attention paid to scalability paths. Technologies discussed include static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), non-volatile memory (NVM), and NAND flash memory. Embedded memory and requirements and system level needs for storage class memory are also addressed. Each chapter covers physical operating mechanisms, fabrication technologies, and the main challenges to scalability. Finally, the work reviews the emerging trends for storage class memory, mainly focusing on the advantages and opportunities of phase change based memory technologies.

Epitaxial Growth of Complex Metal Oxides, Second Edition reviews techniques and recent developments in the fabrication quality of complex metal oxides, which are facilitating advances in electronic, magnetic and optical applications. Sections review the key techniques involved in the epitaxial growth of complex metal oxides and explore the effects of strain and stoichiometry on crystal structure and related properties in thin film oxides. Finally, the book concludes by discussing selected examples of important applications of complex metal oxide thin films, including optoelectronics, batteries, spintronics and neuromorphic applications. This new edition has been fully updated, with brand new chapters on topics such as atomic layer deposition, interfaces, STEM-EELs, and the epitaxial growth of multiferroics, ferroelectrics and nanocomposites.

Metal Oxide-Carbon Hybrid Materials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications reviews the advances in the fabrication and application of metal oxide-carbon-based nanocomposite materials. Their unique properties make them ideal materials for gas-sensing, photonics, catalysis, opto-electronic, and energy-storage applications. In the first section, the historical background to the hybrid materials based on metal oxide-carbon and the hybridized metal oxide composites is provided. It also highlights several popular methods for the preparation of metal oxide-carbon composites through solid-state or solution-phase reactions, and extensively discusses the materials' properties. Fossil fuels and renewable energy sources cannot meet the ever-increasing energy demands of an industrialized and technology-driven global society. Therefore, the role of metal oxide-carbon composites in energy generation, hydrogen production, and storage devices, such as rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors, is of extreme importance. These problems are discussed in in the second section of the book. Rapid industrialization has resulted in serious environmental issues which in turn have caused serious health problems that require the immediate attention of researchers. In the third section, the use of metal oxide-carbon composites in water purification, photodegradation of industrial contaminants, and biomedical applications that can help to clean the environment and provide better healthcare solutions is described. The final section is devoted to the consideration of problems associated with the development of sensors for various applications. Numerous studies performed in this area have shown that the use of composites can significantly improve the operating parameters of such devices. Metal Oxide-Carbon Hybrid Materials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications presents a comprehensive review of the science related to metal oxide-carbon composites and how researchers are utilizing these materials to provide solutions to a large array of problems.

Renewable Polymers and Polymer-Metal Oxide Composites: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications serves as a reference on the key concepts of the advances of polymer-oxide composites. The book reviews knowledge on polymer-composite theory, properties, structure, synthesis, and their characterization and applications. There is an emphasis on coupling metal oxides with polymers from renewable sources. Also, the latest advances in the relationship between the microstructure of the composites and the resulting improvement of the material's properties and performance are covered. The applications addressed include desalination, tissue engineering, energy storage, hybrid energy systems, food, and agriculture. This book is suitable for early-career researchers in academia and R&D in industry who are working in the disciplines of materials science, engineering, chemistry and physics.

Defects in Two-Dimensional Materials addresses the fundamental physics and chemistry of defects in 2D materials and their effects on physical, electrical and optical properties. The book explores 2D materials such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD). This knowledge will enable scientists and engineers to tune 2D materials properties to meet specific application requirements. The book reviews the techniques to characterize 2D material defects and compares the defects present in the various 2D materials (e.g. graphene, h-BN, TMDs, phosphorene, silicene, etc.). As two-dimensional materials research and development is a fast-growing field that could lead to many industrial applications, the primary objective of this book is to review, discuss and present opportunities in controlling defects in these materials to improve device performance in general or use the defects in a controlled way for novel applications.

Sustainable Strategies in Organic Electronics reviews green materials and devices, sustainable processes in electronics, and the reuse, recycling and degradation of devices. Topics addressed include large-scale synthesis and fabrication of safe device materials processes that neither use toxic reagents, solvents or produce toxic by-products. Emerging opportunities such as new synthetic approaches for enabling the commercialization of pi-conjugated polymer-based devices are explored, along with new efforts towards incorporating materials from renewable resources for a low carbon footprint. Finally, the book discusses the latest advances towards device biodegradability and recycling. It is suitable for materials scientists and engineers, chemists, physicists in academia and industry.

Electrochemical Sensors: From Working Electrodes to Functionalization and Miniaturized Devices provides an overview of the materials, preparation and fabrication methods for biosensor applications. The book introduces the field of electrochemistry and its fundamentals, also providing a practical overview of working electrodes as key components for the implementation of sensors and assays. Features covered include the prompt transfer of electrons, favorable redox behavior, biocompatibility, and inertness in terms of electrode fouling. Special attention is dedicated to analyzing the various working materials systems for electrodes used in electrochemical cells such as gold, carbon, copper, platinum and metal oxides. This book is suitable for academics and practitioners working in the disciplines of materials science and engineering, analytical chemistry and biomedical engineering.

Nanoscale Compound Semiconductors and their Optoelectronics Applications provides the basic and fundamental properties of nanoscale compound semiconductors and their role in modern technological products. The book discusses all important properties of this important category of materials such as their optical properties, size-dependent properties, and tunable properties. Key methods are reviewed, including synthesis techniques and characterization strategies. The role of compound semiconductors in the advancement of energy efficient optoelectronics and solar cell devices is also discussed. The book also touches on the photocatalytic property of the materials by doping with graphene oxides--an emerging and new pathway.

Metal Oxides for Biomedical and Biosensor Applications gives an in-depth overview of the emerging research in the biomedical and biosensing applications of metal oxides, including optimization of their surface and bulk properties. Sections cover biomedical applications of metal oxides for use in cell cultures, antibacterial and antimicrobial treatments, dental applications, drug delivery, cancer therapy, immunotherapy, photothermal therapy, tissue engineering, and metal oxide-based biosensor development. As advanced and biofunctionalized nano/micro structured metal oxides are finding applications in microfluidics, optical sensors, electrochemical sensors, DNA-based biosensing, imaging, diagnosis and analysis, this book provides a comprehensive update on the topic. Additional sections cover research challenges, technology limitations, and future trends in metal oxides and their composites regarding their usage in biomedical applications.

Organic Ferroelectric Materials and Applications aims to bring an up-to date account of the field with discussion of recent findings. This book presents an interdisciplinary resource for scientists from both academia and industry on the science and applications of molecular organic piezo- and ferroelectric materials. The book addresses the fundamental science of ferroelectric polymers, molecular crystals, supramolecular networks, and other key and emerging organic materials systems. It touches on important processing and characterization methods and provides an overview of current and emerging applications of organic piezoelectrics and ferroelectrics for electronics, sensors, energy harvesting, and biomedical technologies. Organic Ferroelectric Materials and Applications will be of special interest to those in academia or industry working in materials science, engineering, chemistry, and physics.

The Beginnings of Electron Microscopy - Part 1, Volume 220 in the Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics series highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on Electron-optical Research at the AEG Forschungs-Institut 1928-1940, On the History of Scanning Electron Microscopy, of the Electron Microprobe, and of Early Contributions to Transmission Electron Microscopy, Random Recollections of the Early Days, Early History of Electron Microscopy in Czechoslovakia, Personal Reminiscences of Early Days in Electron, Megavolt Electron Microscopy, Cryo-Electron Microscopy and Ultramicrotomy: Reminiscences and Reflections, and much more.

Microsupercapacitors systematically guides the reader through the key materials, characterization techniques, performance factors and potential applications and benefits to society of this emerging electrical energy storage solution. The book reviews the technical challenges in scaling down supercapacitors, covering materials, performance, design and applications perspectives. Sections provide a fundamental understanding of microsupercapacitors and compare them to existing energy storage technologies. Final discussions consider the factors that impact performance, potential tactics to improve performance, barriers to implementation, emerging solutions to those barriers, and a future outlook. This book will be of particular interest to materials scientists and engineers working in academia, research and development.

Topological Insulator and Related Topics, Volume 108 in the Semiconductors and Semimental series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on topics such as Majorana modes at the ends of one dimensional topological superconductors, Optical/electronic properties of Weyl semimetals, High magnetic fields to unveil the electronic structure, magnetic field-induced transitions, and unconventional transport properties of topological semimetals, New aspects of strongly correlated superconductivity in the nearly flat-band regime, Anomalous transport properties in topological semimetals, Pseudo-gauge field and piezo-electromagnetic response in topological materials, Topological Gapped States Protected by Spatial Symmetries, and more.

Advances in Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP), Second Edition provides the latest information on a mainstream process that is critical for high-volume, high-yield semiconductor manufacturing, and even more so as device dimensions continue to shrink. The second edition includes the recent advances of CMP and its emerging materials, methods, and applications, including coverage of post-CMP cleaning challenges and tribology of CMP. This important book offers a systematic review of fundamentals and advances in the area. Part one covers CMP of dielectric and metal films, with chapters focusing on the use of current and emerging techniques and processes and on CMP of various materials, including ultra low-k materials and high-mobility channel materials, and ending with a chapter reviewing the environmental impacts of CMP processes. New content addressed includes CMP challenges with tungsten, cobalt, and ruthenium as interconnect and barrier films, consumables for ultralow topography and CMP for memory devices. Part two addresses consumables and process control for improved CMP and includes chapters on CMP pads, diamond disc pad conditioning, the use of FTIR spectroscopy for characterization of surface processes and approaches for defection characterization, mitigation, and reduction. Advances in Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP), Second Edition is an invaluable resource and key reference for materials scientists and engineers in academia and R&D.

Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Volume 219, merges two long-running serials, Advances in Electronics and Electron Physics and Advances in Optical and Electron Microscopy. The series features extended articles on the physics of electron devices (especially semiconductor devices), particle optics at high and low energies, microlithography, image science, digital image processing, electromagnetic wave propagation, electron microscopy and the computing methods used in all these domains.

Nanostructured Zinc Oxide covers the various routes for the synthesis of different types of nanostructured zinc oxide including; 1D (nanorods, nanowires etc.), 2D and 3D (nanosheets, nanoparticles, nanospheres etc.). This comprehensive overview provides readers with a clear understanding of the various parameters controlling morphologies. The book also reviews key properties of ZnO including optical, electronic, thermal, piezoelectric and surface properties and techniques in order to tailor key properties. There is a large emphasis in the book on ZnO nanostructures and their role in optoelectronics. ZnO is very interesting and widely investigated material for a number of applications. This book presents up-to-date information about the ZnO nanostructures-based applications such as gas sensing, pH sensing, photocatalysis, antibacterial activity, drug delivery, and electrodes for optoelectronics.

Dielectric Spectroscopy of Electronic Materials: Applied Physics of Dielectrics incorporates the results of four decades of research and applications of dielectric spectroscopy for solids, mostly for the investigation of materials used in electronics. The book differs from others by more detailed analysis of the features of dielectric spectra conditioned by specific mechanisms of electrical polarization and conductivity. Some original methods are presented in the simulation of frequency distributions (relaxers and oscillators), with methods proposed for various ferroelectrics frequency-temperature dielectric spectra. Also described are original methods for ferroelectrics on microwaves investigation, including the features of thin films study. The book is not burdened by complex mathematical proofs and should help readers quickly understand how to apply dielectric spectroscopy methods to their own research problems. More advanced readers may also find this book valuable as a review of the key concepts and latest advances on the topics presented.

Ternary Quantum Dots: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications reviews the latest advances in ternary (I-III-VI) chalcopyrite quantum dots (QDs), along with their synthesis, properties and applications. Sections address the fundamental key concepts of ternary quantum dots, progress in synthesis strategies (i.e., organic and aqueous synthesis), and characterization methods (i.e., transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, etc.). Properties of ternary quantum dots are comprehensively reviewed, including optical, chemical and physical properties. The factors and mechanisms of the cytotoxicity of ternary quantum dot-based nanomaterials are also described. Since ternary chalcopyrite quantum dots are less toxic and more environmentally benign than conventional binary II-VI chalcogenide quantum dots, they are being investigated to replace conventional quantum dots in a range of applications. Thus, this book reviews QDs in various applications, such as solar cells, photocatalytic, sensors and bio-applications.

Nanomagnetic Materials: Fabrication, Characterization and Application explores recent studies of conventional nanomagnetic materials in spintronics, data storage, magnetic sensors and biomedical applications. In addition, the book also reviews novel magnetic characteristics induced in two-dimensional materials, diamonds, and those induced by the artificial formation of lattice defect and heterojunction as novel nanomagnetic materials. Nanomagnetic materials are usually based on d- and f-electron systems. They are an important solution to the demand for higher density of information storage, arising from the emergence of novel technologies required for non-volatile memory systems. Advances in the understanding of magnetization dynamics and in the characteristics of nanoparticles or surface of nanomagnetic materials is resulting in greater expansion of applications of nanomagnetic materials, including in biotechnology, sensor devices, energy harvesting, and power generating systems. This book provides a cogent overview of the latest research on novel nanomagnetic materials, including spintronic nanomagnets, molecular nanomagnets, self-assembling magnetic nanomaterials, nanoparticles, multifunctional materials, and heterojunction-induced novel magnetism.

Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Volume 218 merges two long-running serials, Advances in Electronics and Electron Physics and Advances in Optical and Electron Microscopy. The series features articles on the physics of electron devices (especially semiconductor devices), particle optics at high and low energies, microlithography, image science, digital image processing, electromagnetic wave propagation, electron microscopy and the computing methods used in all these domains. Specific chapters in this release cover Phase retrieval methods applied to coherent imaging, X-ray phase-contrast imaging: a broad overview of some fundamentals, Graphene and borophene as nanoscopic materials for electronics - with review of the physics, and more.

Thermoelectricity and Advanced Thermoelectric Materials reviews emerging thermoelectric materials, including skutterudites, clathrates, and half-Heusler alloys. In addition, the book discusses a number of oxides and silicides that have promising thermoelectric properties. Because 2D materials with high figures of merit have emerged as promising candidates for thermoelectric applications, this book presents an updated introduction to the field of thermoelectric materials, including recent advances in materials synthesis, device modeling, and design. Finally, the book addresses the theoretical difficulties and methodologies of computing the thermoelectric properties of materials that can be used to understand and predict highly efficient thermoelectric materials. This book is a key reference for materials scientists, physicists, and engineers in energy.