The nitrides and carbides of boron and silicon are proving to be an excellent choice when selecting materials for the design of devices that are to be employed under particularly demanding environmental and thermal con- tions. The high degree of cross-linking, due to the preferred coordination numbers of the predominantly covalently bonded constituents equalling or exceeding three, lends these non-oxidic ceramics a high kinetic stability, and is regarded as the microscopic origin of their impressive thermal and mechanical durability. Thus it does not come as a surprise that the chemistry, the physical properties and the engineering of the corresponding binary, ternary, and even quaternary compounds have been the subject of intensive and sustained efforts in research and development. In the five reviews presented in the volumes 101 and 102 of "Structure and Bonding" an attempt has been made to cover both the essential and the most recent advances achieved in this particular field of materials research. The scope of the individual contributions is such as to address both graduate students, specializing in ceramic materials, and all scientists in academia or industry dealing with materials research and development. Each review provides, in its introductory part, the chemical, physical and, to some extent, historical background of the respective material, and then focuses on the most relevant and the most recent achievements.

The nitrides and carbides of boron and silicon are proving to be an excellent choice when selecting materials for the design of devices that are to be employed under particularly demanding environmental and thermal con- tions. The high degree of cross-linking, due to the preferred coordination numbers of the predominantly covalently bonded constituents equalling or exceeding three, lends these non-oxidic ceramics a high kinetic stability, and is regarded as the microscopic origin of their impressive thermal and mechanical durability. Thus it does not come as a surprise that the chemistry, the physical properties and the engineering of the corresponding binary, ternary, and even quaternary compounds have been the subject of intensive and sustained efforts in research and development. In the five reviews presented in the volumes 101 and 102 of "Structure and Bonding" an attempt has been made to cover both the essential and the most recent advances achieved in this particular field of materials research. The scope of the individual contributions is such as to address both graduate students, specializing in ceramic materials, and all scientists in academia or industry dealing with materials research and development. Each review provides, in its introductory part, the chemical, physical and, to some extent, historical background of the respective material, and then focuses on the most relevant and the most recent achievements.

High-temperature ceramic fibers are the key components of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). Ceramic fiber properties (strength, temperature and creep resistance, for example)-along with the debonding characteristics of their coatings-determine the properties of CMCs. This report outlines the state of the art in high-temperature ceramic fibers and coatings, assesses fibers and coatings in terms of future needs, and recommends promising avenues of research. CMCs are also discussed in this report to provide a context for discussing high-temperature ceramic fibers and coatings.

E. Clot, O. Eisenstein: Agostic Interactions from a Computational Perspective: One Name, many Interpretations.- Robert J. Deet: Recent Developments in Computational Bioinorganic Chemistry.- E. Ruiz: Theoretical Study of the Exchange Coupling in Large Polynuclear Transition Metal Complexes Using DFT Methods.- D. Sánches-Portal, P. Ordejón, E. Canadell: Computing the Properties of Materials from First Principles with SIESTA.- F. Corà, M. Alfredsson, G. Mallia, D.S. Middlemiss, W.C. Mackrodt, R. Dovesi, R. Orlando: The Performance of Hybrid Density Functionals in Solid State Chemistry

It is difficult to overestimate the impact that density functional theory has had on computational quantum chemistry over the last two decades. Indeed, this period has seen it grow from little more than a theoreticalcuriosity to become a central tool in the computational chemist s armoury. Arguably no area of ch- istry has benefited more from the meteoric rise in density functional theory than inorganic chemistry. the ability to obtainreliable results in feasible ti- scales on systems containing heavy elements such as the d and f transition - tals has led to an enormous growth in computational inorganic chemistry. The inorganic chemical literature reflects this growth; it is almost impossible to open a modern inorganic chemistry journal without finding several papers devoted exclusively or in part to density functional theory calculations. The real imp- tance of the rise in density functional theory in inorganic chemistry is undou- edly the much closer synergy between theory and experiment than was p- viously posible. In these volumes, world-leading researchers describe recent developments in the density functional theory and its applications in modern inorganic and b- inorganic chemistry. These articles address key issues key issues in both sol- state and molecular inorganic chemistry, such as spectroscopy, mechanisms, catalysis, bonding and magnetism. The articles in volume I are more focussed on advances in density functional methodogy, while those in Volume II deal more with applications, although this is by no means a rigid distinction.

It is difficult to overestimate the impact that density functional theory has had on computational quantum chemistry over the last two decades. Indeed, this period has seen it grow from little more than a theoreticalcuriosity to become a central tool in the computational chemist s armoury. Arguably no area of ch- istry has benefited more from the meteoric rise in density functional theory than inorganic chemistry. the ability to obtainreliable results in feasible ti- scales on systems containing heavy elements such as the d and f transition - tals has led to an enormous growth in computational inorganic chemistry. The inorganic chemical literature reflects this growth; it is almost impossible to open a modern inorganic chemistry journal without finding several papers devoted exclusively or in part to density functional theory calculations. The real imp- tance of the rise in density functional theory in inorganic chemistry is undou- edly the much closer synergy between theory and experiment than was p- viously posible. In these volumes, world-leading researchers describe recent developments in the density functional theory and its applications in modern inorganic and b- inorganic chemistry. These articles address key issues key issues in both sol- state and molecular inorganic chemistry, such as spectroscopy, mechanisms, catalysis, bonding and magnetism. The articles in volume I are more focussed on advances in density functional methodogy, while those in Volume II deal more with applications, although this is by no means a rigid distinction.

This book collects some of papers presented at the very successful Symposium "Polymer Derived Ceramics and Composites" in the framework of the 8th Pacific Rim Conference on Ceramic and Glass Technology. There, over 70 researchers from around the world discussed their latest innovations over four full days. It covers all the main aspects of interdisciplinary research and development in the field of Polymer-Derived-Ceramics, from the precursor synthesis and characteristics to the polymer-to-ceramic conversion, from processing and shaping of preceramic polymers into ceramic components to their microstructure at the nano- and micro-scale, from their properties to their most relevant applications in different fields.

Additive Manufacturing Materials and Technologies discusses the recent developments and future possibilities in additive manufacturing. The book focuses on advanced technologies and materials, with chapters centered on shape memory materials, alloys and metals, polymers, ceramics, thermosets, biomaterials, and composites. Fiber-reinforced materials are covered as well, as are the life cycle and performance criteria of 3D printed materials. Other chapters look at the various applications of these materials and processing techniques, covering their use in the aerospace and automotive sectors, construction, bioengineering, and the pharmaceutical industry. Various additive manufacturing techniques such as electron beam melting, selective laser melting, laser sintered, fused deposition, and more are also studied. - Presents a comprehensive overview of recent advances in additive manufacturing technology and materials research and development - Outlines the processing methods, functionalization, mechanics, and applications of additive manufactured materials and technology - Summarizes lifecycles and performance parameters of 3D printed materials - Focuses on the types of shape memory materials and smart materials used in 3D printing in industrial applications and their applications