Search

Targeted for chemists, the current textbook outlines the principles, experimental methods and data analysis in X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS). The authors introduce EXAFS, Near-Edge XAS, X-Ray Imaging and many other advanced experimental techniques. A special section of the book is devoted to applications of XAS in chemistry, materials and environmental sciences.

Zamysłem inicjatorów wydania tomu było udostępnienie młodym uczonym informacji o kierunkach badań, które mogą być prowadzone w ośrodku synchrotronowym, a także włączenie ich do społeczności użytkowników promieniowania synchrotronowego i twórców przyszłości Narodowego Centrum Promieniowania Synchrotronowego SOLARIS. Udostępnienie użytkownikom, w 2018 roku, pierwszych linii pomiarowych NCPS SOLARIS w Krakowie było przełomowym wydarzeniem dla polskiego środowiska fizyków i chemików ciała stałego. Ułatwiło dostęp do nowoczesnych metod badawczych opartych na wykorzystaniu tego promieniowania szerszej grupie badaczy, ale też stworzyło zadanie zaproponowania programu badań naukowych, pozwalającego wykorzystać w pełni unikalne właściwości urządzenia, a także tworzyć kolejne linie badawcze. Książka zawiera wprowadzenie do fizyki promieniowania synchrotronowego, metod jego wytwarzania i konstrukcji jego źródeł oraz zbiór rozdziałów przedstawiających możliwości wykorzystania tego promieniowania jako narzędzia w różnych dziedzinach nauk przyrodniczych. Autorzy dołożyli starań, by każdy czytelnik znalazł tu podstawowe informacje o interesujących go dziedzinach związanych z promieniowaniem synchrotronowym, i mają nadzieję, że książka stanowić będzie przydatną lekturę dla studentów wyższych lat studiów kierunków przyrodniczych, doktorantów, a także osób niezwiązanych dziś z zastosowaniami promieniowania synchrotronowego, ale chcących zapoznać się z tą tematyką.

Par-4 is a tumor suppressor protein first discovered and identified in 1993 by Dr. Vivek Rangnekar's laboratory in prostate cancer cells undergoing apoptosis. Par-4 (later also known as PAWR) is a naturally occurring tumor suppressor. Studies have indicated that Par-4 selectively induces apoptosis in cancer cells while leaving normal, healthy, cells unaffected. Mechanisms contributing to the cancer-selective action of Par-4 have been associated with protein kinase A activation of intracellular Par-4 in cancer cells or GRP78 expression primarily on the surface of cancer cells. Par-4 is downregulated, inactivated or mutated in diverse cancers. This first of two volumes will be the first on the market on the topic of Par-4, and will provide the opportunity for researchers to discuss the future direction of studies, broaden the scope of research, and contribute a more complete understanding of the molecule's structural features, key functional domains, regulation and relevant basic and clinical/translational facets.

X-Ray Fluorescence in Biological Sciences Discover a comprehensive exploration of X-ray fluorescence in chemical biology and the clinical and plant sciences In X-Ray Fluorescence in Biological Sciences: Principles, Instrumentation, and Applications, a team of accomplished researchers delivers extensive coverage of the application of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) in the biological sciences, including chemical biology, clinical science, and plant science. The book also explores recent advances in XRF imaging techniques in these fields. The authors focus on understanding and investigating the intercellular structures and metals in plant cells, with advanced discussions of recently developed micro-analytical methods, like energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF), total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF), micro-proton induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE), electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPXMA), synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy (SXRF, SRIXE, or micro-XRF) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). With thorough descriptions of protocols and practical approaches, the book also includes: A thorough introduction to the historical background and fundamentals of X-ray fluorescence, as well as recent developments in X-ray fluorescence analysis Comprehensive explorations of the general properties, production, and detection of X-rays and the preparation of samples for X-ray fluorescence analysis Practical discussions of the quantification of prepared samples observed under X-ray fluorescence and the relation between precision and beam size and sample amount In-depth examinations of wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence and living materials Perfect for students and researchers studying the natural and chemical sciences, medical biology, plant physiology, agriculture, and botany, X-Ray Fluorescence in Biological Sciences: Principles, Instrumentation, and Applications will also earn a place in the libraries of researchers at biotechnology companies.

The knowledge about crystal structure and its correlation with physical properties is the prerequisite for designing new materials with taylored properties. This work provides for researchers and graduates a valuable resource on various techniques for crystal structure determinations. By discussing a broad range of different materials and tools the authors enable the understanding of why a material might be suitable for a particular application.

Molecular Docking for Computer-Aided Drug Design: Fundamentals, Techniques, Resources and Applications offers in-depth coverage on the use of molecular docking for drug design. The book is divided into three main sections that cover basic techniques, tools, web servers and applications. It is an essential reference for students and researchers involved in drug design and discovery. - Covers the latest information and state-of-the-art trends in structure-based drug design methodologies - Includes case studies that complement learning - Consolidates fundamental concepts and current practice of molecular docking into one convenient resource

In chemistry, speciation refers to the distribution of an element amongst chemical species in a system. The five chapters of this book each bring a unique perspective on this type of speciation as it pertains to marine biota, x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and other areas of interest. Chapter One investigates the bioaccumulation of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, in marine biota in the Egyptian coastal zones. Chapter Two scrutinizes the applications of energy and wavelength dispersive spectroscopic techniques in various materials. Chapter Three explains the phenomenon of thermoluminescence and the effect of varying readout heating rates on the dosimetric properties of TLD-100 (LiF: Mg, Ti) irradiated with 6 MV X-ray. Chapter Four focuses on the applications of different X-ray spectroscopy techniques and their use in the elemental analysis of water, coal, fly ash, and fertilizer samples. Finally, Chapter Five describes how to select the best speciation model from studies based on potentiometric measurements.

Computer Techniques for Image Processing in Electron Microscopy, Volume 214 in the Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics series, presents the latest advances in the field, with this new volume covering Image Formation Theory, The Discrete Fourier Transform, Analytic Images, The Image and Diffraction Plane Problem: Uniqueness, The Image and Diffraction Plane Problem: Numerical Methods, The Image and Diffraction Plane Problem: Computational Trials, Alternative Data for the Phase Determination, The Hardware of Digital Image Handling, Basic Software or Digital Image Handling, Improc, and much more. - Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors - Presents the latest release in the Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics series

The present volume deals with the application of the following techniques; computational chemistry, X-ray diffraction, and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance. The book will discuss how these methods can be used to study steric aspects of biomolecular interactions.

This edited book, based on material presented at the EU Spec Training School on Multiple Scattering Codes and the following MSNano Conference, is divided into two distinct parts. The first part, subtitled “basic knowledge”, provides the basics of the multiple scattering description in spectroscopies, enabling readers to understand the physics behind the various multiple scattering codes available for modelling spectroscopies. The second part, “extended knowledge”, presents “state- of-the-art” short chapters on specific subjects associated with improving of the actual description of spectroscopies within the multiple scattering formalism, such as inelastic processes, or precise examples of modelling.

Retaining its proven concept, the second edition of this ready reference specifically addresses the need of materials engineers for reliable, detailed information on modern material characterization methods. As such, it provides a systematic overview of the increasingly important field of characterization of engineering materials with the help of neutrons and synchrotron radiation. The first part introduces readers to the fundamentals of structure-property relationships in materials and the radiation sources suitable for materials characterization. The second part then focuses on such characterization techniques as diffraction and scattering methods, as well as direct imaging and tomography. The third part presents new and emerging methods of materials characterization in the field of 3D characterization techniques like three-dimensional X-ray diffraction microscopy. The fourth and final part is a collection of examples that demonstrate the application of the methods introduced in the first parts to problems in materials science. With thoroughly revised and updated chapters and now containing about 20% new material, this is the must-have, in-depth resource on this highly relevant topic.

The research and its outcomes presented here is devoted to the use of x-ray scattering to study correlated electron systems and magnetism. Different x-ray based methods are provided to analyze three dimensional electron systems and the structure of transition-metal oxides. Finally the observation of multipole orderings with x-ray diffraction is shown.

Powder diffraction is a widely used scientific technique in the characterization of materials with broad application in materials science, chemistry, physics, geology, pharmacology and archaeology. Powder Diffraction: Theory and Practice provides an advanced introductory text about modern methods and applications of powder diffraction in research and industry. The authors begin with a brief overview of the basic theory of diffraction from crystals and powders. Data collection strategies are described including x-ray, neutron and electron diffraction setups using modern day apparatus including synchrotron sources. Data corrections, essential for quantitative analysis are covered before the authors conclude with a discussion of the analysis methods themselves. The information is presented in a way that facilitates understanding the information content of the data, as well as best practices for collecting and analyzing data for quantitative analysis. This long awaited book condenses the knowledge of renowned experts in the field into a single, authoritative, overview of the application of powder diffraction in modern materials research. The book contains essential theory and introductory material for students and researchers wishing to learn how to apply the frontier methods of powder diffraction

High-resolution x-ray diffraction and scattering is a key tool for structure analysis not only in bulk materials but also at surfaces and buried interfaces from the sub-nanometer range to micrometers. This book offers an overview of diffraction and scattering methods currently available at modern synchrotron sources and illustrates bulk and interface investigations of solid and liquid matter with up-to-date research examples. It presents important characteristics of the sources, experimental set-up, and new detector developments. The book also considers future exploitation of x-ray free electron lasers for diffraction applications.

Mentioned as the second prize area in his will, Chemistry was the most important science for Alfred Nobel's own work. The development of Nobel's inventions as well as the industrial processes he employed were based upon chemical knowledge. This volume is a collection of the Nobel lectures delivered by the prizewinners, together with their biographies and the presentation speeches for the period 2006-2010. Each Nobel lecture is based on the work for which the laureate was awarded the prize.List of prizewinners and their award citations:(2006) Roger D Kornberg — for his studies of the molecular basis of eukaryotic transcription;(2007) Gerhard Ertl — for his studies of chemical processes on solid surfaces;(2008) Osamu Shimomura, Martin Chalfie and Roger Y Tsien — for the discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP;(2009) Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Thomas A Steitz and Ada E Yonath — for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome;(2010) Richard F Heck, Ei-ichi Negishi and Akira Suzuki — for palladium-catalyzed cross couplings in organic synthesis.

This book introduces and details the key facets of Combined Analysis—an x-ray and/or neutron scattering methodology which combines structural, textural, stress, microstructural, phase, layer, or other relevant variable or property analyses in a single approach. The author starts with basic theories related to diffraction by polycrystals and some of the most common combined analysis instrumental set-ups are detailed. Powder diffraction data treatment is introduced and in particular, the Rietveld analysis is discussed. The book also addresses automatic phase indexing—a necessary step to solve a structure ab initio. Since its effect prevails on real samples where textures are often stabilized, quantitative texture analysis is also detailed. Also discussed are microstructures of powder diffraction profiles; quantitative phase analysis from the Rietveld analysis; residual stress analysis for isotropic and anisotropic materials; specular x-ray reflectivity, and the various associated models. Finally, the book introduces the combined analysis concept, showing how it is superior to the view presented when we look at only one part of the analyses. This book shows that the existence of texture in a specimen can be envisaged as a way to decouple ordinarily strongly correlated parameters, as measured for instance in powder diagrams, and to examine and detail deeper material characterizations in a single methodology.

This book on Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) Spectroscopy grew out of a symposium, with the same title, organized by us at the 1979 Meeting of the Materials Research Society (MRS) in Boston, MA. That meeting provided not only an overview of the theory, instrumentation and practice of EXAFS Spectroscopy as currently employed with photon beams, but also a forum for a valuable dialogue between those using the conventional approach and those breaking fresh ground by using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) for EXAFS studies. This book contains contributions from both of these groups and provides the interested reader with a detailed treatment of all aspects of EXAFS spectroscopy, from the theory, through consideration of the instrumentation for both photon and electron beam purposes, to detailed descriptions of the applications and physical limitations of these techniques. While some of the material was originally presented at the MRS meeting all of the chapters have been specially written for this book and contain much that is new and significant.

The past few decades have witnessed remarkable growth and progress in our knowledge concerning the structure and properties of aperiodic systems at a microscopic level. The present volume provides a timely overview of the current state of the art on the structure, electronic and magnetic properties of aperiodic materials, including structural inhomogeniety. It also describes the theoretical calculation methodology. The subject is approached both from the basic science and the applied engineering points of view. Many references, illustrations and tables assist specialists and non-specialists alike to gain access to the growing body of essential information.

The physics of atomic inner shells has undergone significant advances in recent years. Fast computers and new experimental tools, notably syn­ chrotron-radiation sources and heavy-ion accelerators, have greatly enhan­ ced the scope of problems that are accessible. The level of research activity is growing substantially; added incentives are provided by the importance of inner-shell processes in such diverse areas as plasma studies, astrophysics, laser technology, biology, medicine, and materials science. The main reason for all this exciting activity in atomic inner-shell physics, to be sure, lies in the significance of the fundamental problems that are coming within grasp. The large energies of many inner-shell processes cause relativistic and quantum-electrodynamic effects to become strong. Unique opportunities exist for delicate tests of such phenomena as the screening of the electron self-energy and the limits of validity of the present form of the frequency-dependent Breit interaction, to name but two. The many-body problem, which pervades virtually all of physics, presents somewhat less intractable aspects in the atomic inner-shell regime: correlations are relatively weak so that they can be treated perturbatively, and the basic potential is simple and known! The dynamics of inner-shell processes are characterized by exceedingly short lifetimes and high transition rates that strain perturbation theory to its limits and obliterate the traditional separation of excitation and deexcitation. These factors are only now being explored, as are interference phenomena between the various channels.

This Proceedings is a collection of papers presented at the Third Annual Conference on Superconductivity and Applications organized by the New York State Institute on Superconductivity. This year the Conference was held at the Buffalo Hilton Hotel on September 19- 21, 1989, with previous meetings on September 28-29,1987, and April 18-20, 1988. As in previous years, this meeting was highly successful, with an attendance of over three hundred researchers participating in lively scientific exchanges and discussions. The high quality of the talks is evident in this Proceedings. The field of high temperature superconductivity has matured considerably since its early days of media frenzy and rapid new discoveries. However, the enthusiasm and pace of research have not slowed down. A much better picture of the nature of high temperature superconductivity, the properties of these new materials and where they may find their eventual use has emerged. Processing techniques, especially thin film deposition, have been perfected nearly to the point of allowing commercial applications. We expect continued phenomenal growth of the field of high temperature superconductivity, both in terms of research and applications for many years to come.

Brings together the best tested and proven stereoselective synthetic methods Both the chemical and pharmaceutical industries are increasingly dependent on stereoselective synthetic methods and strategies for the generation of new chiral drugs and natural products that offer specific 3-D structures. With the publication of Stereoselective Synthesis of Drugs and Natural Products, researchers can turn to this comprehensive two-volume work to guide them through all the core methods for the synthesis of chiral drugs and natural products. Stereoselective Synthesis of Drugs and Natural Products features contributions from an international team of synthetic chemists and pharmaceutical and natural product researchers. These authors have reviewed the tremendous body of literature in the field in order to compile a set of reliable, tested, and proven methods alongside step-by-step guidance. This practical resource not only explores synthetic methodology, but also reaction mechanisms and applications in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. The publication begins with an introductory chapter covering general principles and methodologies, nomenclature, and strategies of stereoselective synthesis. Next, it is divided into three parts: Part One: General Methods and Strategies Part Two: Stereoselective Synthesis by Bond Formation including C-C bond formation C-H bond formation C-O bond formation C-N bond formation Other C-heteroatom formation and other bond formation Part Three: Methods of Analysis and Chiral Separation References in every chapter serve as a gateway to the literature in the field. With this publication as their guide, chemists involved in the stereoselective synthesis of drugs and natural products now have a single, expertly edited source for all the methods they need.

The use of x rays has moved in the forefront of science and technology in the second half of the 20th century. This progress has been greatly stimulated by the advent of synchrotron x-ray sources in the 1960s. The undulator-based synchrotron radiation sources which have appeared in the last decade of the 20th century gave a new impetus to such development. The brilliance of the x-ray sources has increased by 12 orders of magnitude in 40 years and this trend does not show any signs of stagnation. The future x-ray sources of the 21th century based on free-electron lasers driven by linear accelerators will provide sub-picosecond radiation pulses with by many orders of magnitude higher brilliance and full transverse coherence. The x-ray sources of the newest generation offer a possibility to realize more than ever before the great potential of x-ray optics and, as a consequence, to elaborate new sophisticated instrumentation with unprecedented resolution and eventually to move in new directions of research in x-ray technology, materials science, fundamental physics, life sciences, etc.

a

Spintronics is an emerging technology exploiting the spin degree of freedom and has proved to be very promising for new types of fast electronic devices. Amongst the anticipated advantages of spintronics technologies, researchers have identified the non-volatile storage of data with high density and low energy consumption as particularly relevant. This monograph examines the concept of half-metallic compounds perspectives to obtain novel solutions and discusses several oxides such as perovskites, double perovskites and CrO2 as well as Heusler compounds. Such materials can be designed and made with high spin polarization and, especially in the case of Heusler compounds, many material-related problems present in current-day 3d metal systems, can be overcome. Spintronics: From Materials to Devices provides an insight into the current research on Heusler compounds and offers a general understanding of structure–property relationships, including the influence of disorder and correlations on the electronic structure and interfaces. Spintronics devices such as magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) and giant magnetoresistance (GMR) devices, with current perpendicular to the plane, in which Co2 based Heusler compounds are used as new electrode materials, are also introduced.From materials design by theoretical methods and the preparation and properties of the materials to the production of thin films and devices, this monograph represents a valuable guide to both novices and experts in the fields of Chemistry, Physics, and Materials Science.

After an introduction by J.G. Bednorz, describing the discovery of high Tc superconductivity and its consequences, the book goes on to describe modern research, dealing with general problems, new materials and structures, phase separation, electronic homogeneities and related problems, and applications. Specific systems dealt with include the La-cuprates. the Bi-cuprates and the Y-cuprates and related compounds.

This book will describe the nuclear encoded genes and their expressed proteins of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Most of these genes occur in eukaryotic cells, but not in bacteria or archaea. The main function of mitochondria, the synthesis of ATP, is performed at subunits of proton pumps (complexes I, III, IV and V), which are encoded on mitochondrial DNA. The nuclear encoded subunits have mostly a regulatory function. However, the specific physiological functions of the nuclear encoded subunits of complexes I, III, IV, and V are mostly unknown. New data indicates that they are essential for life of higher organisms, which is characterized by an adult life without cell division (postmeiotic stage) in most tissues, after the juvenile growth. For complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase) some of these subunits occur in tissue-specific (subunits IV, VIa, VIb, VIIa, VIII), developmental-specific (subunits IV, VIa, and VIIa) as well as species-specific isoforms. Defective genes of some subunits were shown to induce mitochondrial diseases. Mitochondrial genes and human diseases will also be covered.

The characterization of epitaxial layers and their surfaces has benefitted a lot from the enormous progress of optical analysis techniques during the last decade. In particular, the dramatic improvement of the structural quality of semiconductor epilayers and heterostructures results to a great deal from the level of sophistication achieved with such analysis techniques. First of all, optical techniques are nondestructive and their sensitivity has been improved to such an extent that nowadays the epilayer analysis can be performed on layers with thicknesses on the atomic scale. Furthermore, the spatial and temporal resolution have been pushed to such limits that real time observation of surface processes during epitaxial growth is possible with techniques like reflectance difference spectroscopy. Of course, optical spectroscopies complement techniques based on the inter­ action of electrons with matter, but whereas the latter usually require high or ultrahigh vacuum conditions, the former ones can be applied in different environments as well. This advantage could turn out extremely important for a rather technological point of view, i.e. for the surveillance of modern semiconductor processes. Despite the large potential of techniques based on the interaction of electromagnetic waves with surfaces and epilayers, optical techniques are apparently moving only slowly into this area of technology. One reason for this might be that some prejudices still exist regarding their sensitivity.

This valuable text begins with the general theory of diffraction through the use of Fourier transforms. The author then applies the general results to various atomic structures including amorphous bodies, crystals, and imperfect crystals, whereby the elementary laws of x-ray diffraction from ideal structures follow as a special case. The presentation has been carefully developed to illustrate clearly the meaning of the general equations essential for the study of more complex cases.Readers are assumed to be familiar with the elements of crystallography and x-ray diffraction, and the author has not discussed the problem of determining crystal structures. Rather the focus is on the great variety of imperfect crystals as well as amorphous bodies and liquids. The book should thus be especially useful solid-state physicists, materials scientists, chemists, and biologists with an interest in the scattering from defective structures. More generally, it will benefit all who require a thorough understanding of diffraction theory in order to interpret properly the information provided by modern x-ray diffraction instruments on line profiles, line intensities, diffuse scattering and other phenomena associated with disorder.

The progress in polymer science is revealed in the chapters of Polymer Science: A Comprehensive Reference, Ten Volume Set. In Volume 1, this is reflected in the improved understanding of the properties of polymers in solution, in bulk and in confined situations such as in thin films. Volume 2 addresses new characterization techniques, such as high resolution optical microscopy, scanning probe microscopy and other procedures for surface and interface characterization. Volume 3 presents the great progress achieved in precise synthetic polymerization techniques for vinyl monomers to control macromolecular architecture: the development of metallocene and post-metallocene catalysis for olefin polymerization, new ionic polymerization procedures, and atom transfer radical polymerization, nitroxide mediated polymerization, and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer systems as the most often used controlled/living radical polymerization methods. Volume 4 is devoted to kinetics, mechanisms and applications of ring opening polymerization of heterocyclic monomers and cycloolefins (ROMP), as well as to various less common polymerization techniques. Polycondensation and non-chain polymerizations, including dendrimer synthesis and various'click'procedures, are covered in Volume 5. Volume 6 focuses on several aspects of controlled macromolecular architectures and soft nano-objects including hybrids and bioconjugates. Many of the achievements would have not been possible without new characterization techniques like AFM that allowed direct imaging of single molecules and nano-objects with a precision available only recently. An entirely new aspect in polymer science is based on the combination of bottom-up methods such as polymer synthesis and molecularly programmed self-assembly with top-down structuring such as lithography and surface templating, as presented in Volume 7. It encompasses polymer and nanoparticle assembly in bulk and under confined conditions or influenced by an external field, including thin films, inorganic-organic hybrids, or nanofibers. Volume 8 expands these concepts focusing on applications in advanced technologies, e.g. in electronic industry and centers on combination with top down approach and functional properties like conductivity. Another type of functionality that is of rapidly increasing importance in polymer science is introduced in volume 9. It deals with various aspects of polymers in biology and medicine, including the response of living cells and tissue to the contact with biofunctional particles and surfaces. The last volume is devoted to the scope and potential provided by environmentally benign and green polymers, as well as energy-related polymers. They discuss new technologies needed for a sustainable economy in our world of limited resources. - Provides broad and in-depth coverage of all aspects of polymer science from synthesis/polymerization, properties, and characterization methods and techniques to nanostructures, sustainability and energy, and biomedical uses of polymers - Provides a definitive source for those entering or researching in this area by integrating the multidisciplinary aspects of the science into one unique, up-to-date reference work - Electronic version has complete cross-referencing and multi-media components - Volume editors are world experts in their field (including a Nobel Prize winner)

The study of phase transformations in substitutional alloys, including order­ disorder phenomena and structural transformations, plays a crucial role in understanding the physical and mechanical properties of materials, and in designing alloys with desired technologically important characteristics. Indeed, most of the physical properties, including equilibrium properties, transport, magnetic, vibrational as well as mechanical properties of alloys are often controlled by and are highly sensitive to the existence of ordered compounds and to the occurrence of structural transformations. Correspondingly, the alloy designer facing the task of processing new high-performance materials with properties that meet specific industrial applications must answer the following question: What is the crystalline structure and the atomic configuration that an alloy may exhibit at given temperature and concentration? Usually the answer is sought in the phase-diagram of a relevant system that is often determined experimentally and does not provide insight to the underlying mechanisms driving phase stability. Because of the rather tedious and highly risky nature of developing new materials through conventional metallurgical techniques, a great deal of effort has been expended in devising methods for understanding the mechanisms contrOlling phase transformations at the microscopic level. These efforts have been bolstered through the development of fully ab initio, accurate theoretical models, coupled with the advent of new experimental methods and of powerful supercomputer capabilities.

Relativistic effects are of major importance for understan- ding the properties of heavier atoms and molecules. This book is still the only comprehensive bibliography on related calculations. The material is organized by subject into ta- bles containing a concise characterization. Together with Volume I (Lecture Notes in Chemistry Vol. 41, ISBN 3-540-17167-3) the literature until 1992 is now covered and 6577 references, with titles, are given in the two books. The book will provide aconvenient reference for theoretical chemists and atomic and molecular physicists interested in the properties of heavier elements. Contents: Introduction - One-particle problems - Quantum electrodynamical effects - Multielectron atoms: methods - Multielectron atoms: results - Symmetry - Molecular calcula- tions - Solid-state theory - Relativistic effects and heavy- element chemistry - Corrections to Volume I - Some comments on notations and terminology - List of acronyms and symbols - Bibliography.

This volume contains the proceedings of the third in a series of biennial NEC Symposia on Fundamental Approaches to New Material Phases sponsored by the NEC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. The symposium was held from October 7 to 11, 1990, at the Hakone Kanko H9tel in Hakone. About 40 invited participants stayed together, became involved in intense discussions, and freely exchanged ideas both in and out of the conference room, which faced Mt. Fuji, the beautiful lake Ashinoko, and the quiet landscape in the old crater. The title of this volume, Ordering at Surfaces and Interfaces, which was also the title of the third symposium, describes the aim of the symposium: to discuss ordering properties and their underlying mechanisms at surfaces and interfaces. The topics treated include the reconstruction of surfaces of semiconductors and metals, atomic and magnetic ordering at interfaces, theoretical tools to study or­ dering mechanisms at surfaces and interfaces, ordering in adsorbate-surface sys­ tems, such as alkali-adsorbed silicon surfaces, electric current effects on semicon­ ductor surfaces and many related STM (scanning tunneling microscopy) results.

Physics and Chemistry of Transition-Metal Oxides includes both theoretical and experimental approaches to the variety of phenomena found in the transition-metal oxides, including high-temperature superconductivity, colossal magnetoresistance, and metal-insulator transition. These are the central issues in materials science and condensed matter physics/chemistry, and readers can obtain up-to-date information on what is happening in this field of research.

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) technology are promising forms of low-temperature electrochemical power conversion technologies that operate on hydrogen and methanol respectively. Featuring high electrical efficiency and low operational emissions, they have attracted intense worldwide commercialization research and development efforts. These R&D efforts include a major drive towards improving materials performance, fuel cell operation and durability. In situ characterization is essential to improving performance and extending operational lifetime through providing information necessary to understand how fuel cell materials perform under operational loads.Polymer Electrolyte Membrane and Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Technology, Volume 2 details in situ characterization, including experimental and innovative techniques, used to understand fuel cell operational issues and materials performance. Part I reviews enhanced techniques for characterization of catalyst activities and processes, such as X-ray absorption and scattering, advanced microscopy and electrochemical mass spectrometry. Part II reviews characterization techniques for water and fuel management, including neutron radiography and tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and Raman spectroscopy. Finally, Part III focuses on locally resolved characterization methods, from transient techniques and electrochemical microscopy, to laser-optical methods and synchrotron radiography.With its international team of expert contributors, Polymer electrolyte membrane and direct methanol fuel cell technology will be an invaluable reference for low temperature fuel cell designers and manufacturers, as well as materials science and electrochemistry researchers and academics. Polymer electrolyte membrane and direct methanol fuel cell technology is an invaluable reference for low temperature fuel cell designers and manufacturers, as well as materials science and electrochemistry researchers and academics. - Details in situ characterisation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), including the experimental and innovative techniques used to understand fuel cell operational issues and materials performance - Examines enhanced techniques for characterisation of catalyst activities and processes, such as X-ray absorption and scattering, advanced microscopy and electrochemical mass spectrometry - Reviews characterisation techniques for water and fuel management, including neutron radiography and tomography, and comprehensively covers locally resolved characterisation methods, from transient techniques to laser-optical methods

The physics of transition metal oxides has become a central topic of interest to condensed-matter scientists ever since high temperature superconductivity was discovered in hole-doped cuprates with perovskite-like structures. Although the renewed interest in hole-doped perovskite manganites following the discovery of their colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) properties, began in 1993 about a decade after the discovery of high temperature superconductivity, their first investigation started as early as 1950 and basic theoretical ideas were developed during 1951-1960. Experience in sample preparation and characterization, and in growth of single crystals and epitaxial thin films, gained during the research on high temperature superconductors, and the development of theoretical tools, were very efficiently used in research on CMR manganites. In early nineties it appeared to many condensed matter physicists that although the problem of high temperature superconductivity is a difficult one to solve, a quantitative understanding of CMR phenomena might be well within reach. This book is intended to be an account of the latest developments in the phys­ ics of CMR manganites. When I planned this book back in 2000, I thought that research on the physics of CMR manganites would be more or less consolidated by the time this would be published. I was obviously very optimistic indeed. We are now in 2003 and we still do not have a quantitative understanding of the central CMR effect. Meanwhile the field has expanded. It is still a very active field of research on both the experimental and theoretical fronts.

Biophysics is a rapidly-evolving interdisciplinary science that applies theories and methods of the physical sciences to questions of biology. Biophysics encompasses many disciplines, including physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, biochemistry, medicine, pharmacology, physiology, and neuroscience, and it is essential that scientists working in these varied fields are able to understand each other's research. Comprehensive Biophysics, Nine Volume Set will help bridge that communication gap. Written by a team of researchers at the forefront of their respective fields, under the guidance of Chief Editor Edward Egelman, Comprehensive Biophysics, Nine Volume Set provides definitive introductions to a broad array of topics, uniting different areas of biophysics research - from the physical techniques for studying macromolecular structure to protein folding, muscle and molecular motors, cell biophysics, bioenergetics and more. The result is this comprehensive scientific resource - a valuable tool both for helping researchers come to grips quickly with material from related biophysics fields outside their areas of expertise, and for reinforcing their existing knowledge. - Biophysical research today encompasses many areas of biology. These studies do not necessarily share a unique identifying factor. This work unites the different areas of research and allows users, regardless of their background, to navigate through the most essential concepts with ease, saving them time and vastly improving their understanding - The field of biophysics counts several journals that are directly and indirectly concerned with the field. There is no reference work that encompasses the entire field and unites the different areas of research through deep foundational reviews. Comprehensive Biophysics fills this vacuum, being a definitive work on biophysics. It will help users apply context to the diverse journal literature offering, and aid them in identifying areas for further research - Chief Editor Edward Egelman (E-I-C, Biophysical Journal) has assembled an impressive, world-class team of Volume Editors and Contributing Authors. Each chapter has been painstakingly reviewed and checked for consistent high quality. The result is an authoritative overview which ties the literature together and provides the user with a reliable background information and citation resource

Structural Bioinformatics was the first major effort to show the application of the principles and basic knowledge of the larger field of bioinformatics to questions focusing on macromolecular structure, such as the prediction of protein structure and how proteins carry out cellular functions, and how the application of bioinformatics to these life science issues can improve healthcare by accelerating drug discovery and development. Designed primarily as a reference, the first edition nevertheless saw widespread use as a textbook in graduate and undergraduate university courses dealing with the theories and associated algorithms, resources, and tools used in the analysis, prediction, and theoretical underpinnings of DNA, RNA, and proteins. This new edition contains not only thorough updates of the advances in structural bioinformatics since publication of the first edition, but also features eleven new chapters dealing with frontier areas of high scientific impact, including: sampling and search techniques; use of mass spectrometry; genome functional annotation; and much more. Offering detailed coverage for practitioners while remaining accessible to the novice, Structural Bioinformatics, Second Edition is a valuable resource and an excellent textbook for a range of readers in the bioinformatics and advanced biology fields. Praise for the previous edition:'This book is a gold mine of fundamental and practical information in an area not previously well represented in book form.'—Biochemistry and Molecular Education'... destined to become a classic reference work for workers at all levels in structural bioinformatics...recommended with great enthusiasm for educators, researchers, and graduate students.'—BAMBED'...a useful and timely summary of a rapidly expanding field.'—Nature Structural Biology'...a terrific job in this timely creation of a compilation of articles that appropriately addresses this issue.'—Briefings in Bioinformatics

A complete account of the theory of the diffraction of X-rays by crystals, with particular reference to the processes of determining the structures of protein molecules. This book is aimed primarily at structural biologists and biochemists but will also be valuable to those entering the field with a background in physical sciences or chemistry. It may be used at any post-school level, and develops from first principles all relevant mathematics, diffraction and wave theory, assuming no mathematical knowledge beyond integral calculus. The book covers a host of important topics in the area, including: - The practical aspects of sample preparation and X-ray data collection, using both laboratory and synchrotron sources - Data analysis at both theoretical and practical levels - The important role played by the Patterson function in structure analysis, by both molecular replacement and experimental phasing approaches - Methods for improving the resulting electron density map - The theoretical basis of methods used in refinement of protein crystal structures - In-depth explanation of the crucial task of defining the binding sites of ligands and drug molecules - The complementary roles of other diffraction methods: these reveal further detail of great functional importance in a crystal structure.

Structural Biology Using Electrons and X-Rays discusses the diffraction and image-based methods used for the determination of complex biological macromolecules. The book focuses on the Fourier transform theory, which is a mathematical function that is computed to transform signals between time and frequency domain. Composed of five parts, the book examines the development of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), which allows the calculation of the images of a certain protein. Parts 1 to 4 provide the basic information and the applications of Fourier transforms, as well as the different methods used for image processing using X-ray crystallography and the analysis of electron micrographs. Part 5 focuses entirely on the mathematical aspect of Fourier transforms. In addition, the book examines detailed structural analyses of a specimen's symmetry (i.e., crystals, helices, polyhedral viruses and asymmetrical particles). This book is intended for the biologist or biochemist who is interested in different methods and techniques for calculating the images of proteins using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). It is also suitable for readers without a background in physical chemistry or mathematics. - Emphasis on common principles underlying all diffraction-based methods - Thorough grounding in theory requires understanding of only simple algebra - Visual representations and explanations of challenging content - Mathematical detail offered in short-course form to parallel the text

Synthesizing over thirty years of advances into a comprehensive textbook, Biomolecular Crystallography describes the fundamentals, practices, and applications of protein crystallography. Illustrated in full-color by the author, the text describes mathematical and physical concepts in accessible and accurate language. Biomolecular Crystallography will be a valuable resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students and practitioners in structural biology, crystallography, and structural bioinformatics.

An interferometer is a device that splits a beam of light into two beams. In this book, the most prominent active interferometers are discussed from a research point of view focusing on three variants. Among the many topics of research included in this book are: results of adaptive interferometers operation based on photorefractive crystals and the effect of the non-steady state photo-electromotive force, a reanalysis of the framework of the'magnetic'components of gravitational waves, the development of a real-time in situ surface height measuring system based on phase shifting interferometer, a review of a single-channel interferometer for generating digital Fresnel holograms of 3-D real-existing objects illuminated by incoherent light, a study on the volumetric changes which occur during photopolymerization under nonisothermal conditions and a discussion of the electrochemical Koesters interferometer technique used for the determination of changes of surface stress of solid electrodes. In order to cope with the unceasing bandwidth demand fueled by the massive use of the Internet, this book includes a review of the two main types of switching devices, namely the SOA-assisted Sagnac switch(TOAD) and the Ultrafast Nonlinear Interferometer. Application of Laser interferometry technique for investigation of acoustic wave fields is considered as well.

The Advances in Chemical Physics series provides the chemical physics and physical chemistry fields with a forum for critical, authoritative evaluations of advances in every area of the discipline. Filled with cutting-edge research reported in a cohesive manner not found elsewhere in the literature, each volume of the Advances in Chemical Physics series serves as the perfect supplement to any advanced graduate class devoted to the study of chemical physics.

A little over?ve years have passed since the?rst edition of this book appeared in print. Seems like an instant but also eternity, especially considering numerous developments in the hardware and software that have made it from the laboratory test beds into the real world of powder diffraction. This prompted a revision, which had to be beyond cosmetic limits. The book was, and remains focused on standard laboratory powder diffractometry. It is still meant to be used as a text for teaching students about the capabilities and limitations of the powder diffraction method. We also hope that it goes beyond a simple text, and therefore, is useful as a reference to practitioners of the technique. The original book had seven long chapters that may have made its use as a text - convenient. So the second edition is broken down into 25 shorter chapters. The?rst?fteen are concerned with the fundamentals of powder diffraction, which makes it much more logical, considering a typical 16-week long semester. The last ten ch- ters are concerned with practical examples of structure solution and re?nement, which were preserved from the?rst edition and expanded by another example – R solving the crystal structure of Tylenol.

In the last couple of decades, high-performance electronic and optoelectronic devices based on semiconductor heterostructures have been required to obtain increasingly strict and well-defined performances, needing a detailed control, at the atomic level, of the structural composition of the buried interfaces. This goal has been achieved by an improvement of the epitaxial growth techniques and by the parallel use of increasingly sophisticated characterization techniques and of refined theoretical models based on ab initio approaches. This book deals with description of both characterization techniques and theoretical models needed to understand and predict the structural and electronic properties of semiconductor heterostructures and nanostructures. - Comprehensive collection of the most powerful characterization techniques for semiconductor heterostructures and nanostructures - Most of the chapters are authored by scientists that are among the top 10 worldwide in publication ranking of the specific field - Each chapter starts with a didactic introduction on the technique - The second part of each chapter deals with a selection of top examples highlighting the power of the specific technique to analyze the properties of semiconductors

Powder diffraction is a widely used scientific technique in the characterization of materials with broad application in materials science, chemistry, physics, geology, pharmacology and archaeology. Powder Diffraction: Theory and Practice provides an advanced introductory text about modern methods and applications of powder diffraction in research and industry. The authors begin with a brief overview of the basic theory of diffraction from crystals and powders. Data collection strategies are described including x-ray, neutron and electron diffraction setups using modern day apparatus including synchrotron sources. Data corrections, essential for quantitative analysis are covered before the authors conclude with a discussion of the analysis methods themselves. The information is presented in a way that facilitates understanding the information content of the data, as well as best practices for collecting and analyzing data for quantitative analysis. This long awaited book condenses the knowledge of renowned experts in the field into a single, authoritative, overview of the application of powder diffraction in modern materials research. The book contains essential theory and introductory material for students and researchers wishing to learn how to apply the frontier methods of powder diffraction

Identifying where to access data, extracting a needed subset from available resources, and knowing how to interpret the format in which data are presented can be time-consuming tasks for scientists and engineers. By collecting all of this information and providing a background in physics, An Introduction to the Passage of Energetic Particles thr

For many years it was believed that translational symmetry would be the fundamental property of crystal structures of natural and synthetic compounds. It is now recognised that many compounds crystallise without translational symmetry of their atomic structures.'Incommensurate Crystallography'gives a comprehensive account of the superspace theory for the description of crystal structures and symmetries of these incommensurately modulated crystals and incommensurate composite crystals. It thus provides the necessary background for quantitative analysis of incommensurate crystals by methods in Solid State Chemistry and Solid State Physics. The second half of'Incommensurate Crystallography'is devoted to crystallographic methods of structural analysis of incommensurate compounds. Thorough accounts are given of the diffraction by incommensurate crystals, the choice of parameters in structure refinements, and the use of superspace in analysing crystal structures. The presentation of methods of structure determination includes modern methods like the Maximum Entropy Method and Charge Flipping.

Few books exist that cover the hot field of second-generation spintronic devices, despite their potential to revolutionize the IT industry.Compiling the obstacles and progress of spin-controlled devices into one source, Spintronic Materials and Technology presents an in-depth examination of the most recent technological spintronic developmen