Hard or protective coatings are widely used in conventional and modern industries and will continue to play a key role in future manufacturing, especially in the micro and nano areas. Protective Thin Coatings Technology highlights the developments and advances in the preparation, characterization, and applications of protective micro-/nanoscaled films and coatings. This book Covers technologies for sputtering of flexible hard nanocoatings, deposition of solid lubricating films, and multilayer transition metal nitrides Describes integrated nanomechanical characterization of hard coatings, corrosion and tribo-corrosion of hard coatings, and high entropy alloy films and coatings Investigates thin films and coatings for high-temperature applications, nanocomposite coatings on magnesium alloys, and the correlation between coating properties and industrial applications Features various aspects of hard coatings, covering advanced sputtering technologies, structural characterizations, and simulations, as well as applications This first volume in the two-volume set, Protective Thin Coatings and Functional Thin Films Technology, will benefit industry professionals and researchers working in areas related to semiconductors, optoelectronics, plasma technology, solid-state energy storages, and 5G, as well as advanced students studying electrical, mechanical, chemical, and material engineering.

After the invention of semiconductor-based recti?ers and diodes in the ?rst half of the last century, the advent of the transistor paved the way for semiconductors in electronic data handling starting around the mid of the last century. The transistors widely replaced the vacuum tubes, which had even been used in the ?rst generation of computers, the Z3 developed by Konrad Zuse in the 1940s of the last century. The ?rst transistors were individually housed semiconductor devices, which had to be soldered into the electric circuits. Later on, integrated circuits were developed with increasing numbers of individual elements per square inch. The materials changed from, e. g. , PbS and Se in rf-detectors and recti?ers used frequentlyin the ?rst halfof the last centuryoverthe groupIV element semicond- tor Ge with a band gap of 0. 7eV at room temperature to Si with a value of 1. 1eV. The increase of the gap reduced the leakage current and its temperature dependence signi?cantly. Therefore, the logical step was to try GaAs with a band gap of 1. 4eV next. However, the technology of this semiconductor from the group of III-V c- poundsprovedto be muchmoredif?cult,thoughbeautifuldeviceconceptshadbeen developed. Therefore,GaAsanditsalloysandnanostructureswithotherIII-Vc- poundslike AlGaAs or InP remained restricted in electronicsto special applications like transistors for extremely high frequencies, the so-called high electron mobility transistors (HEMT). The IT industry is still mainly based on Si and will remain so in the foreseeable nearer future.

This book presents theoretical explorations of several fundamental problems in the dynamics and control of flexible beam systems. By integrating fresh concepts and results to form a systematic approach to control, it establishes a basic theoretical framework. It includes typical control design examples verified using MATLAB simulation, which in turn illustrate the successful practical applications of active vibration control theory for flexible beam systems. The book is primarily intended for researchers and engineers in the control system and mechanical engineering community, offering them a unique resource.

This book comprises of chapters based on design of various advanced nano-catalysts and offers a development of novel solutions for a better sustainable energy future. The book includes all aspects of physical chemistry, chemical engineering and material science. The advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology help to find cost-effective and environmentally sound methods of converting naturally inspired resources into fuels, chemicals and energy. The book leads the scientific community to the most significant development in the focus research area. It provides a broad and in-depth coverage of design and development advanced nano-catalyst for various energy applications.

The Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering of KIET Group of Institutions, Delhi-NCR organized the 4th International Conference ICCE-2020 during November 28-29, 2020. Information compiled in this book is based on the 114 research papers of excellent quality covering different domains of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering. The subject areas treated in the book are: Satellite, Radar and Microwave Techniques, Secure, Smart, and Reliable Networks, Next Generation Networks, Devices & Circuits, Signal & Image Processing, New Emerging Technologies, having the central focus on Recent Trends in Communication & Electronics (ICCE-2020). In addition, a few themes based on Special Sessions have also been conducted in ICCE-2020. The objective of the book resulting from the 4th International Conference on Recent Trends in Communication & Electronics (ICCE-2020) is to provide a resource for the study and research work for an interested audience comprising of researchers, students, audience, and practitioners in the areas of Communications & Computing Systems.

Provides an introduction to fundamental mixer types, as well as variations on the classical mixer designs.

Spectroscopic ellipsometry has been applied to a wide variety of material and device characterizations in solar cell research fields. In particular, device performance analyses using exact optical constants of component layers and direct analyses of complex solar cell structures are unique features of advanced ellipsometry methods. This second volume of Spectroscopic Ellipsometry for Photovoltaics presents various applications of the ellipsometry technique for device analyses, including optical/recombination loss analyses, real-time control and on-line monitoring of solar cell structures, and large-area structural mapping. Furthermore, this book describes the optical constants of 148 solar cell component layers, covering a broad range of materials from semiconductor light absorbers (inorganic, organic and hybrid perovskite semiconductors) to transparent conductive oxides and metals. The tabulated and completely parameterized optical constants described in this book are the most current resource that is vital for device simulations and solar cell structural analyses.

In their classic book published in 1974, R.D. Levine and R.B. Bernstein defined molecular reaction dynamics as being "concerned with the molecular level mechanism of elementary chemical reactions." Recent experimental and conceptual advances have moved this field beyond the study of the detailed dynamics of gas phase chemical reactions, to the dynamics of reactions occurring at the gas-solid interface. Heterogeneous reaction dynamics thus is defined as the study of the molecular level mechanism of elementary chemical reactions occurring at interfaces between two phases. This area of research has important implications for catalysis and solid-state electronics, including the manufacture of semiconductors, integrated circuits, and other solid-state devices. Heterogeneous Reaction Dynamics Steven L. Bernasek In their classic book published in 1974, R.D. Levine and R.B. Bernstein defined molecular reaction dynamics as being "concerned with the molecular level mechanism of elementary chemical reactions." Recent experimental and conceptual advances have moved this field beyond the study of the detailed dynamics of gas phase chemical reactions, to the dynamics of reactions occurring at the gas-solid interface. Heterogeneous reaction dynamics thus is defined as the study of the molecular level mechanism of elementary chemical reactions occurring at interfaces between two phases. This area of research has important implications for catalysis and solid-state electronics, including the manufacture of semiconductors, integrated circuits, and other solid-state devices. Heterogeneous Reaction Dynamics is organized around case studies from the literature. The case studies included all involve surfacesthat are well characterized as to structure and composition, and gas phase participants in the heterogeneous reaction that are well characterized at the molecular level. Introductory chapters describe the surface characterization methods and reaction dynamics approaches shared by all the case studies presented. Subsequent chapters cover inelastic scattering of molecules from surfaces and the problem of energy transfer on collision; the processes of adsorption, film growth, and adsorbate interactions; surface diffusion; the dynamics of dissociative adsorption of small molecules on initial collision with the surface; atom recombination on surfaces; catalytic oxidation; and small molecule decomposition processes. Each chapter begins with a discussion of the experimental methods particular to the case studies described. Heterogeneous Reaction Dynamics is directed to advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students in chemistry and molecular physics who would like an introduction to the detailed dynamics of chemical reactions occurring on well characterized solid surfaces. Electronics engineers and condensed-matter physicists also will find this book to be a valuable resource.

This unique compendium emphasizes key factors driving the performance of thermoelectric energy conversion systems. Important design parameters such as heat transfer at the boundaries of the system, material properties, and form factors are carefully analyzed and optimized for performance including the cost-performance trade-off. Numbers of examples are provided on the applications of thermoelectric technologies, e.g., power generation, cooling of electronic components, and waste heat recovery in wearable devices.This must-have volume also includes an interactive modeling software package developed on the nanoHUB (https://nanohub.org/) platform. Professionals, researchers, academics, undergraduate and graduate students will be able to study the impact of material properties and key design parameters on the overall thermoelectric system performance as well as the large scale implementation in the society.

This book provides an overview of the electronic applications of nanotechnology. It presents latest research in the areas of nanotechnology applied to the fields of electronics and energy. Various topics covered in this book include nanotechnology in electronic field, electronic chips and circuits, batteries, wireless devices, energy storage, semiconductors, fuel cells, defense and military equipment, and aerospace industry, This book will be useful for engineers, researchers and industry professionals primarily in the fields of electrical engineering engineering, materials science and nanotechnology.

To meet the demands of students, scientists and engineers for a systematic reference source, this book introduces, comprehensively and in a single voice, research and development progress in emerging metamaterials and derived functional metadevices. Coverage includes electromagnetic, optical, acoustic, thermal, and mechanical metamaterials and related metadevices. Metamaterials are artificially engineered composites with designed properties beyond those attainable in nature and with applications in all aspects of materials science. From spatially tailored dielectrics to tunable, dynamic materials properties and unique nonlinear behavior, metamaterial systems have demonstrated tremendous flexibility and functionality in electromagnetic, optical, acoustic, thermal, and mechanical engineering. Furthermore, the field of metamaterials has been extended from the mere pursuit of various exotic properties towards the realization of practical devices, leading to the concepts of dynamically-reconfigurable metadevices and functional metasurfaces. The book explores the fundamental physics, design, and engineering aspects, as well as the full array of state-of-the-art applications to electronics, telecommunications, antennas, and energy harvesting. Future challenges and potential in regard to design, modeling and fabrication are also addressed.

Considerable amount of effort has been devoted, over the recent years, towards the development of electronic skin (e-skin) for many application domains such as prosthetics, robotics, and industrial automation. Electronic Skin: Sensors and Systems focuses on the main components constituting the e-skin system. The e-skin system is based on: i) sensing materials composing the tactile sensor array, ii) the front end electronics for data acquisition and signal conditioning, iii) the embedded processing unit performing tactile data decoding, and iv) the communication interface in charge of transmitting the sensors data for further computing. Technical topics discussed in the book include: * Tactile sensing material; * Electronic Skin systems; * Embedded computing and tactile data decoding; * Communication systems for tactile data transmission; * Relevant applications of e-skin system; The book takes into account not only sensing materials but it also provides a thorough assessment of the current state of the art at system level. The book addresses embedded electronics and tactile data processing and decoding, techniques for low power embedded computing, and the communication interface. Electronic Skin: Sensors and Systems is ideal for researchers, Ph.D. students, academic staff and Masters/research students in sensors/sensing systems, embedded systems, data processing and decoding, and communication systems.

The modern electronic testing has a forty year history. Test professionals hold some fairly large conferences and numerous workshops, have a journal, and there are over one hundred books on testing. Still, a full course on testing is offered only at a few universities, mostly by professors who have a research interest in this area. Apparently, most professors would not have taken a course on electronic testing when they were students. Other than the computer engineering curriculum being too crowded, the major reason cited for the absence of a course on electronic testing is the lack of a suitable textbook. For VLSI the foundation was provided by semiconductor device techn- ogy, circuit design, and electronic testing. In a computer engineering curriculum, therefore, it is necessary that foundations should be taught before applications. The field of VLSI has expanded to systems-on-a-chip, which include digital, memory, and mixed-signalsubsystems. To our knowledge this is the first textbook to cover all three types of electronic circuits. We have written this textbook for an undergraduate "foundations" course on electronic testing. Obviously, it is too voluminous for a one-semester course and a teacher will have to select from the topics. We did not restrict such freedom because the selection may depend upon the individual expertise and interests. Besides, there is merit in having a larger book that will retain its usefulness for the owner even after the completion of the course. With equal tenacity, we address the needs of three other groups of readers.

This book describes high frequency power MOSFET gate driver technologies, including gate drivers for GaN HEMTs, which have great potential in the next generation of switching power converters. Gate drivers serve as a critical role between control and power devices. In recent years, there has been a trend to increase the switching frequency beyond multi-MHz in switching power converters to reduce the passive components and significantly improve power density. However, this results in high switching loss and gate driver loss in power MOSFETs. The novel approach in this book is the proposed Current Source Gate Driver (CSD) including different topologies, control and applications. The CSD can reduce the switching transition time and switching loss significantly, and recover high frequency gate driver loss compared to conventional voltage gate drivers. The basic idea can also be extended to other power devices to improve high frequency switching performance such as SiC MOSFET and IGBT. Topics covered in the book include the state-of-the-art of power MOSFET drive techniques, the switching loss model, current source gate drivers (CSDs), resonant gate drivers, adaptive gate drivers and GaN HEMT gate drivers. The book is essential reading for design engineers, researchers and advanced students working in switching power supplies and in power electronics generally.

This book is the first to give a comprehensive description of the physics and applications of resonant tunneling diodes. The opening chapters of the book set out the basic principles of coherent tunneling theory. The authors describe in detail the effects of impurity scattering, femtosecond dynamics, non-equilibrium distribution, and intrinsic bistabilities. They review the applications of RTDs, such as in high-frequency signal generation and multi-valued data storage, and close the book with a chapter on the new field of resonant tunneling through laterally confined zero-dimensional structures. Covering all the key theoretical and experimental aspects of this active area of research, the book will be of great value to graduate students of quantum transport physics and device engineering, as well as to researchers in both these fields.

This thesis deals with the development and in-depth study of a new class of optoelectronic material platform comprising graphene and MoS_2, in which MoS_2 is used essentially to sensitize graphene and lead to unprecedently high gain and novel opto-electronic memory effects. The results presented here open up the possibility of designing a new class of photosensitive devices which can be utilized in various optoelectronic applications including biomedical sensing, astronomical sensing, optical communications, optical quantum information processing and in applications requiring low intensity photodetection and number resolved single photon detection.

Polymer Electrolytes for Energy Storage Devices, Volume I, offers a detailed explanation of recent progress and challenges in polymer electrolyte research for energy storage devices. The influence of these electrolyte properties on the performance of different energy storage devices is discussed in detail. Features: * Discusses a variety of energy storage systems and their workings and a detailed history of LIBs * Covers a wide range of polymer-based electrolytes including PVdF, PVdF-co-HFP, PAN, blend polymeric systems, composite polymeric systems, and polymer ionic liquid gel electrolytes * Provides a comprehensive review of biopolymer electrolytes for energy storage applications * Suitable for readers with experience in batteries as well as newcomers to the field This book will be invaluable to researchers and engineers working on the development of next-generation energy storage devices, including materials, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineers, as well as those involved in related disciplines.

This book brings together numerous contributions to the field of magnetoelectric (ME) composites that have been reported so far. Theoretical models of ME coupling in composites relate to the wide frequency range: from low-frequency to microwave ones and are based on simultaneous solving the elastostatic/elastodynamic and electrodynamics equations. Suggested models enable one to optimize magnetoelectric parameters of a composite. The authors hope to provide some assimilation of facts into establish knowledge for readers new to the field, so that the potential of the field can be made transparent to new generations of talent to advance the subject matter.

This book is an introduction to the basics of surface science. The Nobel Prize winner Wolfgang Pauli's statement, 'God made solids, but surfaces were the work of the devil!' emphasizes the diabolic nature of surfaces. Surfaces are the external border of materials to the external worlds, thus by exploring surfaces one can investigate the material. In the last few decades new and exciting surface properties have been explored in nanomaterials, low-dimensional structures in electronic and photonic devices and other numerous applications.

This thesis makes a significant contribution to the development of cheaper Si-based Infrared detectors, operating at room temperature. In particular, the work is focused in the integration of the Ti supersaturated Si material into a CMOS Image Sensor route, the technology of choice for imaging nowadays due to its low-cost and high resolution. First, the material is fabricated using ion implantation of Ti atoms at high concentrations. Afterwards, the crystallinity is recovered by means of a pulsed laser process. The material is used to fabricate planar photodiodes, which are later characterized using current-voltage and quantum efficiency measurements. The prototypes showed improved sub-bandgap responsivity up to 0.45 eV at room temperature. The work is further supported by a collaboration with STMicroelectronics, where the supersaturated material was integrated into CMOS-based sensors at industry level. The results show that Ti supersaturated Si is compatible in terms of contamination, process integration and uniformity. The devices showed similar performance to non-implanted devices in the visible region. This fact leaves the door open for further integration of supersaturated materials into CMOS Image Sensors.

Metamaterials: Theory, Design, and Applications goes beyond left-handed materials (LHM) or negative index materials (NIM) and focuses on recent research activity. Included here is an introduction to optical transformation theory, revealing invisible cloaks, EM concentrators, beam splitters, and new-type antennas, a presentation of general theory on artificial metamaterials composed of periodic structures, coverage of a new rapid design method for inhomogeneous metamaterials, which makes it easier to design a cloak, and new developments including but not limited to experimental verification of invisible cloaks, FDTD simulations of invisible cloaks, the microwave and RF applications of metamaterials, sub-wavelength imaging using anisotropic metamaterials, dynamical metamaterial systems, photonic metamaterials, and magnetic plasmon effects of metamaterials.

Frank Handle ] 1.1 What to Expect For some time now, I have been toying around with the idea of writing a book about "Ceramic Extrusion," because to my amazement I have been unable to locate a single existing, comprehensive rundown on the subject - much in contrast to, say, plastic extrusion and despite the fact that there are some outstanding contributions to be found about certain, individual topics, such as those in textbooks by Reed 1], Krause 2], Bender/Handle ] 3] et al. By way of analogy to Woody Allen's wonderfully ironic movie entitled "Eve- thing You Always Wanted to Know about Sex," I originally intended to call this book "Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Ceramic Extrusion," but - ter giving it some extra thought, I eventually decided on a somewhat soberer title. Nevertheless, my companion writers and I have done our best - considering our target group and their motives - not to revert to the kind of jargon that people use when they think the less understandable it sounds, the more scienti c it appears. This book addresses all those who are looking for a lot or a little general or selective information about ceramic extrusion and its sundry aspects. We realize that most of our readers will not be perusing this book just for fun or out of intellectual curiosity, but because they hope to get some use out of it for their own endeavours."

The electromechanical coupling effect introduced by piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting (PVEH) presents serious modeling challenges. This book provides close-form accurate mathematical modeling and experimental techniques to design and validate dual function PVEH vibration absorbing devices as a solution to mitigate vibration and maximize operational efficiency. It includes in-depth experimental validation of a PVEH beam model based on the analytical modal analysis method (AMAM), precisely identifying electrical loads that harvest maximum power and induce maximum electrical damping. The author's detailed analysis will be useful for researchers working in the rapidly emerging field of vibration based energy harvesting, as well as for students investigating electromechanical devices, piezoelectric sensors and actuators, and vibration control engineering.

Despite the vast knowledge accumulated on silicon, germanium, and their alloys, these materials still demand research, eminently in view of the improvement of knowledge on silicon-germanium alloys and the potentialities of silicon as a substrate for high-efficiency solar cells and for compound semiconductors and the ongoing development of nanodevices based on nanowires and nanodots. Silicon, Germanium, and Their Alloys: Growth, Defects, Impurities, and Nanocrystals covers the entire spectrum of R&D activities in silicon, germanium, and their alloys, presenting the latest achievements in the field of crystal growth, point defects, extended defects, and impurities of silicon and germanium nanocrystals. World-recognized experts are the authors of the book's chapters, which span bulk, thin film, and nanostructured materials growth and characterization problems, theoretical modeling, crystal defects, diffusion, and issues of key applicative value, including chemical etching as a defect delineation technique, the spectroscopic analysis of impurities, and the use of devices as tools for the measurement of materials quality.