The MRS Symposium Proceeding series is an internationally recognised reference suitable for researchers and practitioners.

The measure of a thermoelectric material is given by the material's figure of merit. For over three decades the best thermoelectric materials had a ZT = 1. Recently, however, there are reports of new methods of materials synthesis that result in improvements beyond this performance. In addition, rapid characterization, as well as faster theoretical modeling of thermoelectric materials, has resulted in a more rapid evaluation of new materials. This book offers a look at these results and provides a benchmark for the current state in the field of thermoelectric materials research and development. The focus is on new and innovative directions that will lead to the next generation thermoelectric materials for small-scale refrigeration and power generation applications. The book emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of the research needed to advance the science and technology of the field. Both theoretical and experimental studies are featured. Topics include: low-dimensional systems and nanocomposites; devices; oxides; skutterudites; complex bulk materials and measurements; novel approaches; and thermoelectric materials and technology.

The MRS Symposium Proceeding series is an internationally recognised reference suitable for researchers and practitioners.

This volume, a continuation of the MEMS, NEMS, and molecular machines symposium of the 2002 MRS Fall Meeting, is devoted to the investigation of materials and device behavior at the micro-, nano-, and molecular scale as well as interdisciplinary work futhering the design and development of micro-, nano-, and molecular devices. New materials and fabrication techniques are introduced, and ongoing issues such as reliability, surface effects, processing and packaging, biocompatibility, and stability are discussed. Projects coupling micro-and nanoscale approaches to solve ongoing issues in the development of small-scale systems are featured. Topics include: nanotechnology; alternative fabrication techniques; micro- and nanofluidics; applied micro- and nanotechnology; mechanical properties; biotechnology and nanotechnology; alternative materials and metrology; and surface engineering and tribology.

This book focuses on recent advances in nanostructured and nanophase materials and their applications. Nanostructured materials consist of domains of less than 100nm and include atom clusters and cluster assemblies, one- and two-dimensionally modulated layers and three-dimensional structures. The term 'nanophase' refers to structures comprised of domains or particles of a single material that are typically less than 100nm, whereas 'nanocomposite' refers to a composite of more than one nanophase. Nanoscale materials can be engineered as homogeneous or porous ceramics, metals, metal oxides, semiconductors, organic polymers, or as composite materials containing these components. This book brings together scientists from many disciplines to share and discuss advances in the field. Topics include: nanophase materials; nanocomposite materials; nanoporous materials; nanostructured materials; applications and properties of nanostructured materials; carbon nanotubes; nanostructured thin films and coatings; and theoretical and modeling studies of nanostructured materials.

Actinides are an important, if sometimes unwanted, part of highly technological societies. Actinides pose an extreme scientific challenge to the materials research community. Their complex electronic structure results in many abnormal properties that even today are not well understood. The focus of this book is fundamental actinide science and its role in resolving technical challenges posed by actinide materials. Both basic and applied experimental approaches, as well as theoretical modeling and computational simulations, are featured. Topics for the inaugural actinides symposium include: actinide phase stability, transformations and aging; phononic and electronic structure; actinides and the environment; actinide solution and interfacial chemistry; actinide science and technology; theory of actinides - elemental phases, alloys and compounds; and superconductivity, correlated behavior and quantum criticality.

This work contains experimental, theoretical, and modeling research papers from a December 2003 symposium on the mechanical behavior of thin films, touching on topics in stress evolution, modeling stresses and film instability, deformation and adhesion, film fracture and fatigue, processing and structure, indentation testing, mechanical properties, properties and performance, and multilayers and nanolaminates. Some specific topics include fracture patterns in thin films and multilayers, thin film herringbone buckling patterns, the effect of oxygen on adhesion of thin copper films to silicon nitride, and the effects of stress amplitude on the fatigue of polysilicon. Annotation : 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Twenty years after the discovery of a quasicrystalline compound, the field of quasicrystals still raises interest and is continuously evolving. Quasicrystals display properties different from conventional crystals with small unit cells and present interesting potential for industrial purposes. This book offers an updated look into the field of quasicrystalline research. For example, a report on electrodeposited Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystals shows great promise for industry. It is also demonstrated that when Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystals are used as catalysts, in particular at high temperatures, such quasicrystals outperform conventional industrial catalysts. A new class of quasicrystal, based on a novel type of local order differing from previously observed Mackay- and Bergman-type quasicrystals, is featured. A detailed description of layer-by-layer growth of a Cu film on a quasicrystalline surface is also provided. Additional topics include: synthesis and structure; transport properties; electronic properties; mechanical properties; quasicrystals from metallic glasses; surfaces and coatings; and applications and hydrogen storage.