The liquid crystalline state may be identified as a distinct and unique state of matter which is characterised by properties which resembles those of both solids and liquids. It was first recognised in the middle of the last century through the study of nerve myelin and derivatives of cholesterol. The research in the area really gathered momentum, however, when as a result of the pioneering work of Gray in the early 1970's organic compounds showing liquid crystalline properties were shown to be suitable to form the basis of display devices in the electronic products. The study of liquid crystals is truly multidisciplinary and has attached the attention of physicists, biologists, chemists, mathematicians and electronics engineers. It is therefore impossible to cover all these aspects fully in two small volumes and therefore it was decided in view of the overall title of the series to concentrate on the structural and bonding aspects of the subject. The Chapters presented in these two volumes have been organised to cover the following fundamental aspects of the subject. The calculation of the structures of liquid crystals, an account of their dynamical properties and a discussion of computer simulations of liquid crystalline phases formed by Gay Berne mesogens. The relationships between molecular conformation and packing are analysed in some detail. The crystal structures of liquid crystal mesogens and the importance of their X ray scattering properties for characterisational purposes are discussed.

Inorganic materials show a diverse range of important properties that are desirable for many contemporary, real-world applications. Good examples include recyclable battery cathode materials for energy storage and transport, porous solids for capture and storage of gases and molecular complexes for use in electronic devices. An understanding of the function of these materials is necessary in order to optimise their behaviour for real applications, hence the importance of 'structure property relationships'. The chapters presented in this volume deal with recent advances in the characterisation of crystalline materials. They include some familiar diffraction methods, thoroughly updated with modern advances. Also included are techniques that can now probe details of the three-dimensional arrangements of atoms in nanocrystalline solids, allowing aspects of disorder to be studied. Small-angle scattering, a technique that is often overlooked, can probe both ordered and disordered structures of materials at longer length scales than those probed by powder diffraction methods. Addressing both physical principals and recent advances in their applications, Structure from Diffraction Methods covers: * Powder Diffraction * X-Ray and Neutron Single-Crystal Diffraction * PDF Analysis of Nanoparticles * Electron Crystallography * Small-Angle Scattering Ideal as a complementary reference work to other volumes in the series (Local Structural Characterisation and Multi Length-Scale Characterisation), or as an examination of the specific characterisation techniques in their own right, Structure from Diffraction Methods is a valuable addition to the Inorganic Materials Series.

With physical properties that often may not be described by the transposition of physical laws from 3D space across to 2D or even 1D space, low-dimensional solids exhibit a high degree of anisotropy in the spatial distribution of their chemical bonds. This means that they can demonstrate new phenomena such as charge-density waves and can display nanoparticulate (0D), fibrous (1D) and lamellar (2D) morphologies.

This text presents some of the most recent research into the synthesis and properties of these solids and covers: Metal Oxide NanoparticlesInorganic Nanotubes and NanowiresBiomedical Applications of Layered Double HydroxidesCarbon Nanotubes and Related StructuresSuperconducting Borides

Introducing topics such as novel layered superconductors, inorganic-DNA delivery systems and the chemistry and physics of inorganic nanotubes and nanosheets, this book discusses some of the most exciting concepts in this developing field.

Additional volumes in the "Inorganic Materials" Book Series:

Molecular Materials
Functional Oxides
Porous Materials
Energy Materials

All volumes are sold individually or as comprehensive 5 Volume Set.

.".". the book does an excellent job of putting together several different classes of materials. Many common points emerge, and the book may facilitate the development of hybrids in which the qualities of the "parents" are enhanced."" -Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011

With applications in optoelectronics and photonics, quantum information processing, nanotechnology and data storage, molecular materials enrich our daily lives in countless ways. These materials have properties that depend on their exact structure, the degree of order in the way the molecules are aligned and their crystalline nature. Small, delicate changes in molecular structure can totally alter the properties of the material in bulk.

There has been increasing emphasis on functional metal complexes that demonstrate a wide range of physical phenomena. "Molecular Materials" represents the diversity of the area, encapsulating magnetic, optical and electrical properties, with chapters on: Metal-Based Quadratic Nonlinear Optical MaterialsPhysical Properties of MetallomesogensMolecular Magnetic MaterialsMolecular Inorganic Conductors and SuperconductorsMolecular Nanomagnets

Structured to include a clear introduction, a discussion of the basic concepts and up-to-date coverage of key aspects, each chapter provides a detailed review which conveys the excitement of work in that field.

Additional volumes in the Inorganic Materials Series:

Low-Dimensional Solids - Molecular Materials - Porous Materials - Energy Materials

Given the recent expansion in materials chemistry, this revised edition of a highly successful book addresses several of the vigorous areas of research in this field where inorganic materials are central to that research. Each chapter provides an introduction to the subject under discussion and then develops the field to provide a sensible overview, with certain topics being expanded. Comments on the First Edition 'This...timely book...covers a wide range of material, using the multi-author format, with the advantage that each chapter is written by an expert in the field...The editors have deliberately used authors who are actively researching the areas they describe, which helps to convey the author's enthusiasm to the reader'-Chemistry in Britain '...the individual reviews are timely, self contained and up-to-date and will be of value to researchers in chemistry, physics and materials science'-Science 'This excellently designed and produced book gives a valuable introduction to inorganic materials chemistry...an interesting, readable and up-to-date account of the present status of this field'-Polymer News

In the past few decades, the increasingly routine use of advanced structural probes for studying the structure and dynamics of the solid state has led to some dramatic developments in the field of porous solids. These materials are fundamental in a diverse range of applications, such as shape-selective catalysts for energy-efficient organic transformations, new media for pollutant removal, and gas storage materials for energy technologies. Porosity in inorganic materials may range from the nano-scale to the macro-scale, and the drive towards particular properties remains the goal in this fast-developing area of research. Covering some of the key families of inorganic solids that are currently being studied, "Porous Materials" discusses: Metal Organic Frameworks MaterialsMesoporous SilicatesOrdered Porous Crystalline Transition Metal OxidesRecent Developments in Templated Porous Carbon MaterialsSynthetic Silicate Zeolites: Diverse Materials Accessible Through Geoinspiration

Additional volumes in the "Inorganic Materials Series: "

Low-Dimensional Solids - Molecular Materials - Functional Oxides - Energy Materials

In an age of global industrialisation and population growth, the area of energy is one that is very much in the public consciousness. Fundamental scientific research is recognised as being crucial to delivering solutions to these issues, particularly to yield novel means of providing efficient, ideally recyclable, ways of converting, transporting and delivering energy.

This volume considers a selection of the state-of-the-art materials that are being designed to meet some of the energy challenges we face today. Topics are carefully chosen that show how the skill of the synthetic chemist can be applied to allow the targeted preparation of inorganic materials with properties optimised for a specific application.

Four chapters explore the key areas of: Polymer ElectrolytesAdvanced Inorganic Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel CellsSolar Energy MaterialsHydrogen Adsorption on Metal Organic Framework Materials for Storage Applications

Energy Materials provides both a summary of the current status of research, and an eye to how future research may develop materials properties further.

Additional volumes in the "Inorganic Materials Series"
Molecular Materials
Functional Oxides
Porous Materials
Low-Dimensional Solids

Functional oxides have a wide variety of applications in the electronic industry. The discovery of new metal oxides with interesting and useful properties continues to drive much research in chemistry, physics, and materials science.

In "Functional Oxides" five topical areas have been selected to illustrate the importance of metal oxides in modern materials chemistry: Noncentrosymmetric Inorganic Oxide MaterialsGeometrically Frustrated Magnetic MaterialsLithium Ion Conduction in OxidesThermoelectric OxidesTransition Metal Oxides - Magnetoresistance and Half-Metallicity

The contents highlight structural chemistry, magnetic and electronic properties, ionic conduction and other emerging areas of importance, such as thermoelectricity and spintronics.

"Functional Oxides" covers these complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner providing an excellent introduction to this broad subject area.

The "Inorganic Materials" series contains five volumes, based on the physical properties of each material: Functional Oxides, Molecular Materials, Low-Dimensional Solids, Porous Materials, and Energy Materials. Each themed volume is a self-contained reference, containing four to five topical review chapters. The chapters cover recent research areas within the contributors' field of knowledge, and provide a clear and useable introduction to that field. Authored by leading international researchers, each volume reflects the diversity of the subject areas, and together they provide an invaluable survey of the field of inorganic materials.