This book explores the conversion for solar energy into renewable liquid fuels through electrochemical reactions. The first section of the book is devoted to the theoretical fundamentals of solar fuels production, focusing on the surface properties of semiconductor materials in contact with aqueous solutions and the reaction mechanisms. The second section describes a collection of current, relevant characterization techniques, which provide essential information of the band structure of the semiconductors and carrier dynamics at the interface semiconductor. The third, and last section comprises the most recent developments in materials and engineered structures to optimize the performance of solar-to-fuel conversion devices.

This book highlights the most recent advances in nano science from leading researchers in Ukraine, Europe and beyond. It features contributions from participants of the 3rd International Summer School "Nanotechnology: From Fundamental Research to Innovations," held in Yaremche, Ukraine on August 23-26, 2014 and of the 2nd International NANO-2014 Conference, held in Lviv, Ukraine on August 27-30, 2014. These events took place within the framework of the European Commission FP7 project Nano twinning and were organized jointly by the Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, University of Tartu (Estonia), University of Turin (Italy) and Pierre and Marie Curie University (France). Internationally recognized experts from a wide range of universities and research institutions share their knowledge and key results in the areas of nanocomposites and nanomaterials, nanostructured surfaces, microscopy of nano-objects, nano-optics and nano photonics, nano plasmonics, nano chemistry, nano biotechnology and surface enhanced spectroscopy. Covers nanocomposites, nano structured surfaces and nano biotechnology Presents state-of-the-art advances in nano plasmonics, nanomaterials characterization and surface enhanced spectroscopy Represents essential reading for advanced undergraduate and graduate students through practicing university and industry researchers

Micro/nano-mechanical systems are a crucial part of the modern world providing a plethora of sensing and actuation functionalities used in everything from the largest cargo ships to the smallest hand-held electronics; from the most advanced scientific and medical equipment to the simplest household items. Over the past few decades, the processes used to produce these devices have improved, supporting dramatic reductions in size, but there are fundamental limits to this trend that require a new production paradigm. The 2004 discovery of graphene ushered in a new era of condensed matter physics research, that of two-dimensional materials. Being only a few atomic layers thick, this new class of materials exhibit unprecedented mechanical strength and flexibility and can couple to electric, magnetic and optical signals. Additionally, they can be combined to form van der Waals heterostructures in an almost limitless number of ways. They are thus ideal candidates to reduce the size and extend the capabilities of traditional micro/nano-mechanical systems and are poised to redefine the technological sphere. This thesis attempts to develop the framework and protocols required to produce and characterise micro/nano-mechanical devices made from two-dimensional materials. Graphene and its insulating analogue, hexagonal boron nitride, are the most widely studied materials and their heterostructures are used as the test-bed for potential device architectures and capabilities. Interlayer friction, electro-mechanical actuation and surface reconstruction are some of the key phenomena investigated in this work.

This volume is the latest of the "Kirchberg-Proceedings". The previous 11 International Winterschools on Electronic Properties of Novel Materials, all held in Kirchberg, Austria, were devoted to conducting polymers, high temperature superconductors, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes. Fullerenes and nanotubes are still in the center of interest, but the topic of the school and the proceedings is molecular nanostructures in general. The organizers have attempted to treat carbon nanostructures as a special case of molecular nanostructures, which also include silicon clusters, gold clusters, vanadium oxide tubes, and many others. The Winterschool provides a platform for reviewing and discussing new developments in the field of molecular nanostructures and their applications. Materials discussed include fullerenes, fullerene-derived structures, carbonaceous nanotubes, non-carbonaceous nanotubes, layer by layer systems, molecular clusters, new phases of carbon, endohedral compounds and related materials. The book aims to give an overview of the current status of fullerenes, carbon-nanotubes and related molecular nanostructures. The majority of the contributions present the latest results of experiments and calculations conducted in the field. However, about a dozen contain some degree of instructional material which even newcomers will benefit from.

Bringing together nanoscience with stem cell and bacterial cell biology, this thesis is truly interdisciplinary in scope. It shows that the creation of superparamagnetic nanoparticles inside a protein coat, followed by chemical functionalisation of the protein surface, provides a novel methodology for cell magnetisation using incubation times as short as one minute. Crucially, stem cell proliferation and multi-lineage differentiation capacity is not impaired after labelling. Due to the unspecific labelling mechanism, this thesis also shows that the same magnetic protein nanoparticles can be used for rapid bacterial magnetisation. Thus, it is possible to magnetically capture and concentrate pathogens from clinical samples quickly and highly efficiently.

Building on the success of its predecessor, Carbon Nanotubes: Synthesis, Structure, Properties and Applications, this second volume focuses on those areas that have grown rapidly in the past few years. Contributing authors reflect the multidisciplinary nature of the book and are all leaders in their particular areas of research. Among the many topics they cover are graphene and other carbon-like and tube-like materials, which are likely to affect and influence developments in nanotubes within the next five years. Extensive use of illustrations enables you to better understand and visualize key concepts and processes.

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is now recognized as a crucial tool in materials science. This book, authored by a team of expert Chinese and international authors, covers many aspects of modern electron microscopy, from the architecture of novel electron microscopes, advanced theories and techniques in TEM and sample preparation, to a variety of hands-on examples of TEM applications. Volume II illustrates the important role that TEM is playing in the development and characterization of advanced materials, including nanostructures, interfacial structures, defects, and macromolecular complexes.

This book introduces an innovative and high-efficiency technology for mechanical energy harvesting. The book covers the history and development of triboelectric nanogenerators, basic structures, working principles, performance characterization, and potential applications. It is divided into three parts: Part A illustrates the fundamental working modes of triboelectric nanogenerators with their prototype structures and theoretical analysis; Part B and Part C introduce two categories of applications, namely self-powered systems and self-powered active sensors. The book will be an ideal guide to scientists and engineers beginning to study triboelectric nanogenerators or wishing to deepen their knowledge of the field. Readers will be able to place the technical details about this technology in context, and acquire the necessary skills to reproduce the experimental setups for fabrication and measurement.

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is now recognized as a crucial tool in materials science. This book, authored by a team of expert Chinese and international authors, covers many aspects of modern electron microscopy, from the architecture of novel electron microscopes, advanced theories and techniques in TEM and sample preparation, to a variety of hands-on examples of TEM applications. Volume I concentrates on the newly developed concepts and methods which are making TEM a powerful and indispensible tool in materials science.

This comprehensive book covers flexible fiber-shaped devices in the area of energy conversion and storage. The first part of the book introduces recently developed materials, particularly, various nanomaterials and composite materials based on nanostructured carbon such as carbon nanotubes and graphene, metals and polymers for the construction of fiber electrodes. The second part of the book focuses on two typical twisted and coaxial architectures of fiber-shaped devices for energy conversion and storage. The emphasis is placed on dye-sensitized solar cells, polymer solar cells, lithium-ion batteries, electrochemical capacitors and integrated devices. The future development and challenges of these novel and promising fiber-shaped devices are summarized in the final part. This book is the first to introduce fiber-shaped electronic devices, which offer many fascinating advantages compared with the conventional planar structure. It is particularly designed to review the state-of-art developments in fiber-shaped devices for energy conversion and storage. The book will provide a valuable resource for researchers and students working in a wide variety of fields such as advanced materials, new energy, electrochemistry, applied physics, nanoscience and nanotechnology, and polymer science and engineering. Huisheng Peng, PhD, is a Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Macromolecular Science and PI of the Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Heat transfer laws for conduction, radiation and convection change when the dimensions of the systems in question shrink. The altered behaviours can be used efficiently in energy conversion, respectively bio- and high-performance materials to control microelectronic devices. To understand and model those thermal mechanisms, specific metrologies have to be established. This book provides an overview of actual devices and materials involving micro-nanoscale heat transfer mechanisms. These are clearly explained and exemplified by a large spectrum of relevant physical models, while the most advanced nanoscale thermal metrologies are presented.

This is the first book about functional nanostructures. Nanocrystalline materials exhibit outstanding properties and represent a new class of structural materials having a wide range of applications. In particular, there is considerable interest in developing nanocrystalline materials to be used as functional materials in aerospace applications, automotive industry, wear applications, etc. Future progress in these high technological applications of nanocrystalline materials depends on development of new methods of their fabrication and understanding of the underlying nano-scale and interface effects causing their unique mechanical properties.

The application of nanotechnology in different consumer products has delivered new products with highly desirable properties, but at same time has opened a new window for a wide group of emerging contaminants and a new type of human exposure which needs to be assessed.

Most of the current human toxicological information on nanomaterials comes from nano-sized particles in air, and their effects via inhalation. Other routes of human exposure, such as water and food, and the effects on human health and the environment have been less studied. It is the recent research in these areas that is highlighted here in one of the first books covering the analysis and ecotoxicological evaluation of nanomaterials in food and the environment, with both matrices being of considerable interest. In addition to providing a global summary of recent research, this book shows how widely used chromatographic and spectroscopic methods can be added to the analytical arsenal of microscopic techniques that have commonly been used to characterize nanomaterials.
Describes the analytical techniques used to characterize nanomaterials and their applications in environmental or food samplesIncludes analysis and ecotoxicological evaluation of nanomaterials in food and environmental matricesTakes a detailed look at the research on emerging fields of human exposure to nanomaterials and their environmental risks

This book covers the latest research on porous materials at the submicron scale and inspires readers to better understand the porosity of materials, as well as to develop innovative new materials. A comprehensive range of materials are covered, including carbon-based and organic-based porous materials, porous anodic alumina, silica, and titania-based sol-gel materials. The fabrication, characterization, and applications of these materials are all explored, with applications ranging from sensors, thermoelectrics, catalysis, energy storage, to photovoltaics. Also of practical use for readers are chapters that describe the basics of porous silicon fabrication and its use in optical sensing and drug delivery applications; how thermal transport is affected in porous materials; how to model diffusion in porous materials; and a unique chapter on an innovative spectroscopic technique used to characterize materials' porosity. This is an ideal book for graduate students, researchers, and professionals who work with porous materials.

Less than twenty years ago photolithography and medicine were total strangers to one another. They had not yet met, and not even looking each other up in the classi?eds. And then, nucleic acid chips, micro?uidics and microarrays entered the scene, and rapidly these strangers became indispensable partners in biomedicine. Asrecentlyastenyearsagothenotionofapplyingnanotechnologytothe?ghtagainstd- ease was dominantly the province of the ?ction writers. Thoughts of nanoparticle-vehicled deliveryoftherapeuticalstodiseasedsiteswereanexerciseinscienti?csolitude,andgrounds for questioning one's ability to think "like an established scientist". And today we have nanoparticulate paclitaxel as the prime option against metastatic breast cancer, proteomic pro?lingdiagnostictoolsbasedontargetsurfacenanotexturing,nanoparticlecontrastagents for all radiological modalities, nanotechnologies embedded in high-distribution laboratory equipment, and no less than 152 novel nanomedical entities in the regulatory pipeline in the US alone. Thisisatransformingimpact,byanymeasure,withclearevidenceoffurtheracceleration, supported by very vigorous investments by the public and private sectors throughout the world. Even joining the dots in a most conservative, linear fashion, it is easy to envision scenarios of personalized medicine such as the following: patient-speci?c prevention supplanting gross, faceless intervention strategies; early detection protocols identifying signs of developing disease at the time when the disease is most easily subdued; personally tailored intervention strategies that are so routinely and inexpensively realized, that access to them can be secured by everyone; technologies allowing for long lives in the company of disease, as good neighbors, without impairment of the quality of life itself.

This book provides a comprehensive description of microsensors for mechanical quantities (flow, pressure, force, inertia) fabricated by silicon micromachining. Since the design of such sensors requires interdisciplinary teamwork, the presentation is made accessible to engineers trained in electrical and mechanical engineering, physics and chemistry. The reader is guided through the micromachining fabrication process. A chapter on microsensor packaging completes the discussion of technological problems. The description of the basic physics required for sensor design includes the mechanics of deformation and the piezoresistive transduction to electrical signals. There is also a comprehensive discussion of resonant sensors, the hydrodynamics and heat transfer relevant for flow sensors, and, finally, electronic interfacing and readout circuitry. Numerous up-to-date case studies are presented, together with the working, fabrication and design of the sensors.

A compendium of novel information on molecular-scale science and the application of nanocarbon, nanosilicon and biopolymer integrated nanosystems.

During the 20th century, molecular-scale science and nanotechnology developed rapidly, leading to the construction of innovative materials - nanosystens from molecules (fullerenes), supramolecules (nanotubes, peapods, polymers, biopolymers (DNA, protein and their complexes) and semiconductor nanoparticles (nano-Si, SiOx, Si/SiGe dots, metal nanowires). This book presents exciting new developments of the early 21st century. Significant progress has been made in nanotechnology of building blocks for integrated nanosystems, single and assembled molecules, nanoparticles characterisation, and multifunctional applications of nanosystems.

The realisation and the application of novel multifunctional nanosystems in electronics, optics, biomedicine (nano-bioelectronic devices based on DNA and proteins, silicon nanocrystal memory devices, monolithically integrated silicon photonics, nanocapsules, biosensor nanosystems) are described by well known experts.

A presentation and discussion of the most recent advances in the field by the world's leading experts. Topics dealt with include new organic metals with quasi-two-dimensional structure, new organic superconductors, conducting and magnetic hybrid organic-inorganic materials, and highly conducting organic composites. Also reported are very interesting, significant results on optically controllable gratings in liquid crystals and polymers, organic electroluminescent materials, functionalised polymers and photonics, and nonlinear optics. Some new, fascinating fullerene derivatives and organic and metallic clusters are also presented. The chemical design of logic gates and molecular logic machines and the analysis of the roles of defects in clusters are attracting great interest. The properties of semiconducting quantum wires, electronic transport through magnetic molecular nanostructure and electronic transport properties of nanostructures containing both ferromagnetic and superconductors are also presented and discussed.

This open access book offers a host of theoretical knowledge at the basis of new EM&Ts (namely, Interactive Connected Smart Materials, Wearables (ICS), Nanomaterials, Advanced Growing Materials, and Experimental Wood-Based Materials), as communicated through the unique design teaching method developed within the context of the European Project DATEMATS, a result of the creative workshops held by the four higher education institutions that were partners in the project, stressing the pros and cons of the method and offering ideas for further development and improvement. The modern age requires its own innovations in regards to both social and industrial progress, innovations made possible by Emerging Materials and Technologies (EM&Ts). Frameworks for designing both with and for the new materials are presented, educating designers about the opportunities offered by EM&Ts and how to take advantage of them. At the same time, the book explains how the method developed through the knowledge generated at research centers and universities can be communicated to companies across various industries that stand to gain from it, linking the assorted stakeholders, and includes a final chapter based on feedback from both students and business professionals as to the benefits of academic/industrial cooperation.  This is an open access book.

Up to 40 volumes are planned for this concise monograph series, which focuses on the implementation of various engineering principles in the conception, design, development, analysis and operation of biomedical, biotechnological and nanotechnology systems and applications. The smartness of nano-materials is attributed to their nanoscale and subsequently unique physicochemical properties and their use in glucose sensing has been aimed at improving performance, reducing cost and miniaturizing the sensor and its associated instrumentation. So far, portable (handheld) glucose analysers were introduced for hospital wards, emergency rooms and physicians' offices; single-use strip systems achieved nanolitre sampling for painless and accurate home glucose monitoring; advanced continuous monitoring devices having 2 to 7 days operating life are in clinical and home use; and continued research efforts are being made to develop and introduce increasingly advanced glucose monitoring systems for health as well as food, biotechnology, cell and tissue culture industries. Nanomaterials have touched every aspect of biosensor design and this chapter reviews their role in the development of advanced technologies for glucose sensing, and especially for diabetes. Research shows that overall, nanomaterials help address the problems with conventional optical and electrochemical biosensors, by enhancing the preferential detection of glucose or its oxidation products through better electron transfer kinetics, sensitivity and response time, while lowering the operating over-voltages for energy efficiency and avoid interference. The reproducible production of nano-materials and nano-structures at low cost is vital for the successful development of nano-technologies for glucose sensing. Several products, especially, home glucose monitoring devices, use nano-materials, but the need for reliable long-term CGM is still unmet. Nano-materials and nano-technologies have an important role in achieving the long-awaited CGM technology.

Precision Nanometrology describes the new field of precision nanometrology, which plays an important part in nanoscale manufacturing of semiconductors, optical elements, precision parts and similar items. It pays particular attention to the measurement of surface forms of precision workpieces and to stage motions of precision machines. The first half of the book is dedicated to the description of optical sensors for the measurement of angle and displacement, which are fundamental quantities for precision nanometrology. The second half presents a number of scanning-type measuring systems for surface forms and stage motions. The systems discussed include: * error separation algorithms and systems for measurement of straightness and roundness, * the measurement of micro-aspherics, * systems based on scanning probe microscopy, and * scanning image-sensor systems. Precision Nanometrology presents the fundamental and practical technologies of precision nanometrology with a helpful selection of algorithms, instruments and experimental data. It will be beneficial for researchers, engineers and postgraduate students involved in precision engineering, nanotechnology and manufacturing.

Written by a team of experts, Nanotechnology Standards provides the first comprehensive, state-of-the-art reviews of nanotechnology standards development, both in the field of standards development and in specific areas of nanotechnology. It also describes global standards-developing processes for nanotechnology, which can be extended to other emerging technologies. For topics related to nanotechnology, the reviews summarize active areas of standards development, supporting knowledge and future directions in easy-to-understand language aimed at a broad technical audience. Therefore, this unique book is an excellent resource for up-to-date information on the growing base of knowledge supporting the introduction of nanotechnology standards and applications into the market. Praise for this volume: "This book provides a valuable and detailed overview of current activities and issues relevant to the area as well as a useful summary of the short history of standardization for nanotechnologies and the somewhat longer history of standardization in general. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone with an interest in nanotechnologies whether it be from a technical or societal perspective." -- Dr. Peter Hatto, Chairman ISO TC 229 and CEN TC 352 nanotechnologies technical committees, Director of Research, Ionbond Limited, Co Durham, UK Content Level Professional/practitioner

Even as we enter the nanotechnology era, we are now encountering the 50th anniversary of the invention of the IC. Will silicon continue to be the pre-eminent material and will MooreTM s Law continue unabated, albeit in a broader economic venue, in the nanotechnology era? This monograph addresses these issues by a re-examination of the scientific and technological foundations of the micro-electronics era. By better assessing and understanding the past five decades of this era, it is proposed that a firmer foundation can be laid for the research that will ensue and possibly provide a glimpse of what is next to come in the nanotechnology era."

This tenth volume of papers emanating from the annual International High Technology Small Firms Conference represents a full decade of research and policy relevant papers on innovation and growth problems of New Technology-based Firms (NTBf).
Because this series has become the major vehicle for publication among the best international researchers working on the formation and subsequent growth problems of NTBfs, it represents an authoritative voice on NTBf development problems.
Topics covered in this volume include strategy, spin offs - their contribution to NTBf growth and the problems they encounter during the traumatic "spin off" process, the current hot topic of clusters and their role in enhancing NTBf formation and growth, networking and global issues since many NTBfs are truly "born global."

This book provides in-depth reviews of the effects of nanoparticles on the soil environment, their interactions with plants and also their potential applications as nanofertilizers and pesticides. It offers insights into the current trends and future prospects of nanotechnology, including the benefits and risks and the impact on agriculture and soil ecosystems. Individual chapters explore topics such as nanoparticle biosynthesis, engineered nanomaterials, the use of nanoclays for remediation of polluted sites, nanomaterials in water desalination, their effect on seed germination, plant growth, and nutrient transformations in soil, as well as the use of earthworms as bioremediating agents for nanoparticles. It is a valuable resource for researchers in academia and industry working in the field of agriculture, crop protection, plant sciences, applied microbiology, soil biology and environmental sciences.