Authored by leading experts from around the world, the three-volume Handbook of Nanostructured Thin Films and Coatings gives scientific researchers and product engineers a resource as dynamic and flexible as the field itself. The first two volumes cover the latest research and application of the mechanical and functional properties of thin films an

Nanostructured Thin Films: Fundamentals and Applications presents an overview of the synthesis and characterization of thin films and their nanocomposites. Both vapor phase and liquid phase approaches are discussed, along with the methods that are sufficiently attractive for large-scale production. Examples of applications in clean energy, sensors, biomedicine, anticorrosion and surface modification are also included. As the applications of thin films in nanomedicine, cell phones, solar cell-powered devices, and in the protection of structural materials continues to grow, this book presents an important research reference for anyone seeking an informed overview on their structure and applications. - Shows how thin films are being used to create more efficient devices in the fields of medicine and energy harvesting - Discusses how to alter the design of nanostructured thin films by vapor phase and liquid phase methods - Explores how modifying the structure of thin films for specific applications enhances their performance

Coatings are used for a wide range of applications, from anti-fogging coatings for glass through to corrosion control in the aerospace and automotive industries. Nanocoatings and ultra-thin films provides an up-to-date review of the fundamentals, processes of deposition, characterisation and applications of nanocoatings.Part one covers technologies used in the creation and analysis of thin films, including chapters on current and advanced coating technologies in industry, nanostructured thin films from amphiphilic molecules, chemical and physical vapour deposition methods and methods for analysing nanocoatings and ultra-thin films. Part two focuses on the applications of nanocoatings and ultra-thin films, with chapters covering topics such as nanocoatings for architectural glass, packaging applications, conventional and smart nanocoatings for corrosion protection in aerospace engineering and ultra-thin membranes for sensor applications.With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Nanocoatings and ultra-thin films is an essential reference for professional engineers in the glazing, consctruction, electronics and transport industries, as well as all those with an academic research interest in the field. - Provides an up-to-date review of the fundamentals, processes of deposition, characterisation and applications of nanocoatings - Focuses on the applications of nanocoatings and ultra-thin films, covering topics such as nanocoatings for architectural glass, packaging applications and ultra-thin membranes for sensor applications - Includes chapters on current and advanced coating technologies in industry, nanostructured thin films from amphiphilic molecules, chemical and physical vapour deposition methods and methods for analysing nanocoatings and ultra-thin films

This book highlights the latest advances in chemical and physical methods for thin-film deposition and surface engineering, including ion- and plasma-assisted processes, focusing on explaining the synthesis/processing–structure–properties relationship for a variety of thin-film systems. It covers topics such as advances in thin-film synthesis; new thin-film materials: diamond-like films, granular alloys, high-entropy alloys, oxynitrides, and intermetallic compounds; ultra-hard, wear- and oxidation-resistant and multifunctional coatings; superconducting, magnetic, semiconducting, and dielectric films; electrochemical and electroless depositions; thin-film characterization and instrumentation; and industrial applications.

Thin Films and Coatings: Toughening and Toughness Characterization captures the latest developments in the toughening of hard coatings and in the measurement of the toughness of thin films and coatings. Featuring chapters contributed by experts from Australia, China, Czech Republic, Poland, Singapore, Spain, and the United Kingdom, this book: Presents the current status of hard-yet-tough ceramic coatings Reviews various toughness evaluation methods for films and hard coatings Explores the toughness and toughening mechanisms of porous thin films and laser-treated surfaces Examines adhesions of the film/substrate interface and the characterization of coating adhesion strength Discusses nanoindentation determination of fracture toughness, resistance to cracking, and sliding contact fracture phenomena Toughening and toughness measurement (of films and coatings) are two related, yet separate, fields of great importance in today’s nanotechnology world. Thin Films and Coatings: Toughening and Toughness Characterization is a timely reference written in such a way that novices will find it a stepping stone to the field and veterans will find it a rich source of information for their research.

This book delivers practical insight into a broad range of fields related to hard coatings, from their deposition and characterization up to the hardening and deformation mechanisms allowing the interpretation of results. The text examines relationships between structure/microstructure and mechanical properties from fundamental concepts, through types of coatings, to characterization techniques. The authors explore the search for coatings that can satisfy the criteria for successful implementation in real mechanical applications.

Materials development has reached a point where it is difficult for a single material to satisfy the needs of sophisticated applications in the modern world. Nanocomposite films and coatings achieve much more than the simple addition of the constitutents OCo the law of summation fails to work in the nano-world. This book encompasses three major parts of the development of nanocomposite films and coatings: the first focuses on processing and properties, the second concentrates on mechanical performance, and the third deals with functional performance, including wide application areas ranging from mechanical cutting to solar energy and from electronics to medicine. Sample Chapter(s). Chapter 1: Magnetron Sputtered Hard and Yet Tough Nanocomposite Coatings With Case Studies: Nanocrystalline Tin Embedded in Amorphous SiNx (187 KB). Contents: Magnetron Sputtered Hard and Yet Tough Nanocomposite Coatings with Case Studies: Nanocrystalline TiN Embedded in Amorphous SiN x (S Zhang et al.); Magnetron Sputtered Hard and Yet Tough Nanocomposite Coatings with Case Studies: Nanocrystalline TiC Embedded in Amorphous Carbon (S Zhang et al.); Properties of Chemical Vapor Deposited Nanocrystalline Diamond and Nanodiamond/Amorphous Carbon Composite Films (S C Tjong); Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Nanocrystalline Diamond Films (Z-Q Xu & A Kumar); Properties of Hard Nanocomposite Thin Films (J Musil); Nanostructured, Multifunctional Tribological Coatings (J J Moore et al.); Nanocomposite Thin Films for Solar Energy Conversion (Y-B Yin); Application of Silicon Nanocrystal in Non-Volatile Memory Devices (T P Chen); Nanocrystalline Silicon Films for Thin Film Transistor and Optoelectronic Applications (Y-J Choi et al.); Amorphous and Nanocomposite Diamond-Like Carbon Coatings for Biomedical Applications (T I T Okpalugo et al.); Nanocoatings for Orthopaedic and Dental Application (W-Q Yan). Readership: Undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers, scientists, college and university professors, research professionals, technology investors and developers, research enterprises, R&D research laboratories, academic and research libraries."

The surface of materials is routinely exposed to various environmental influences. Surface modification presents a technological challenge for material scientists, physicists, and engineers, particularly when those surfaces are subjected to function within human body environment. This book provides a comprehensive coverage of the major issues and topics dealing with interaction of soft living matter with the surface of implants. Fundamental scientific concepts are embedded through experimental data and a broad range of case studies. First chapters cover the basics on biocompatibility of many different thin films of metals, alloys, ceramics, hydrogels, and polymers, following with case studies dealing with orthopedic and dental coatings. Next, a novel and low-cost coating deposition technique capable of production of several types of nanostructures is introduced through simple calculations and several illustrations. Moreover, chapter 6 and 7 present important topics on surface treatment of polymers, which is a subject that has seen many developments over the past decade. The last chapters target mainly the applications of coatings in biology such as in bio-sensing, neuroscience, and cancer detection. With several illustrations, micrographs, and case studies along with suitable references in each chapter, this book will be essential for graduate students and researchers in the multidisciplinary field of bio-coatings.

Due to their unique size-dependent physicochemical properties, nanostructured thin films are used in a wide range of applications from smart coating and drug delivery to electrocatalysis and highly-sensitive sensors. Depending on the targeted application and the deposition technique, these materials have been designed and developed by tuning their atomic-molecular 2D- and/or 3D-aggregation, thickness, crystallinity, and porosity, having effects on their optical, mechanical, catalytic, and conductive properties. Several open questions remain about the impact of nanomaterial production and use on environment and health. Many efforts are currently being made not only to prevent nanotechnologies and nanomaterials from contributing to environmental pollution but also to design nanomaterials to support, control, and protect the environment. This Special Issue aims to cover the recent advances in designing nanostructured films focusing on environmental issues related to their fabrication processes (e.g., low power and low cost technologies, the use of environmentally friendly solvents), their precursors (e.g., waste-recycled, bio-based, biodegradable, and natural materials), their applications (e.g., controlled release of chemicals, mimicking of natural processes, and clean energy conversion and storage), and their use in monitoring environment pollution (e.g., sensors optically- or electrically-sensitive to pollutants)

This book provides a comprehensive overview of thin film structures in energy applications. Each chapter contains both fundamentals principles for each thin film structure as well as the relevant energy application technologies. The authors cover thin films for a variety of energy sectors including inorganic and organic solar cells, DSSCs, solid oxide fuel cells, thermoelectrics, phosphors and cutting tools.