This volume considers experimental and theoretical dielectric studies of the structure and dynamics of complex systems. Complex systems constitute an almost universal class of materials including associated liquids, polymers, biomolecules, colloids, porous materials, doped ferroelectric crystals, nanomaterials, etc. These systems are characterized by a new "mesoscopic" length scale, intermediate between molecular and macroscopic. The mesoscopic structures of complex systems typically arise from fluctuations or competing interactions and exhibit a rich variety of static and dynamic behaviour. This growing field is interdisciplinary; it complements solid state and statistical physics, and overlaps considerably with chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, and biology. A common theme in complex systems is that while such materials are disordered on the molecular scale and homogeneous on the macroscopic scale, they usually possess a certain degree of order on an intermediate, or mesoscopic, scale due to the delicate balance of interaction and thermal effects. In the present Volume it is shown how the dielectric spectroscopy studies of complex systems can be applied to determine both their structures and dynamics.

Both an introductory course to broadband dielectric spectroscopy and a monograph describing recent dielectric contributions to current topics, this book is the first to cover the topic and has been hotly awaited by the scientific community.

This book presents new approaches that offer a better characterization of the interrelationship between crystalline and amorphous phases. In recent years, the use of dielectric spectroscopy has significantly improved our understanding of crystallization. The combination of modern scattering methods, using either synchrotron light or neutrons and infrared spectroscopy with dielectrics, is now helping to reveal modifications of both crystalline and amorphous phases. In turn, this yields insights into the underlying physics of the crystallization process in various materials, e.g. polymers, liquid crystals and diverse liquids. The book offers an excellent introduction to a valuable application of dielectric spectroscopy, and a helpful guide for every scientist who wants to study crystallization processes by means of dielectric spectroscopy.

"This book is about Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy as a Modern Analytical Technique"--

Dielectric Spectroscopy of Electronic Materials: Applied Physics of Dielectrics incorporates the results of four decades of research and applications of dielectric spectroscopy for solids, mostly for the investigation of materials used in electronics. The book differs from others by more detailed analysis of the features of dielectric spectra conditioned by specific mechanisms of electrical polarization and conductivity. Some original methods are presented in the simulation of frequency distributions (relaxers and oscillators), with methods proposed for various ferroelectrics frequency-temperature dielectric spectra. Also described are original methods for ferroelectrics on microwaves investigation, including the features of thin films study. The book is not burdened by complex mathematical proofs and should help readers quickly understand how to apply dielectric spectroscopy methods to their own research problems. More advanced readers may also find this book valuable as a review of the key concepts and latest advances on the topics presented. - Introduces critical material characterization techniques by an expert with more than 40 years of experience in dielectric spectroscopy - Reviews advances in dielectric spectroscopy methods to enable advances such as the miniaturization of electronics at the nanoscale - Provides an overview of polarization mechanisms utilizing different models (i.e., oscillator and relaxation)

‘Recent Advances in Elastomeric Nanocomposites’ reviews the recent progresses in the synthesis, processing as well as applications of elastomeric nanocomposites. Elastomers are a very important class of polymer materials and the generation of their nanocomposites by the incorporation of nano-filler has led to significant enhancement of their properties and, hence, expansion of their application potential. Most of the studies related with these materials are present in the form of research papers. Here, the authors present a comprehensive text covering the whole of the subject. The book is tailored more from the applications point of view, but also provide enough introductory material for research scholars new to this field.

Recent Advances in Science and Technology of Zeolites and Related Materials is a collection of oral and poster communications, presented during the 14th International Zeolite Conference (IZC). The conference was hosted by the Catalysis Society of South Africa. In the tradition of the IZC series, this Conference provides a forum for the presentation of new knowledge in the science and technology of zeolites and related materials. Papers presented cover a wide range of topics that include synthesis, structure determination, characterisation, modelling, and catalysis. This highly visual book is a must for readers looking to stay up-to-date on zeolite science. * This three-part volume provides valuable information on zeolites and related materials* Includes papers that cover topics such as structure determination, modelling and separation processes* Contains new and exciting developments in the field

The study of dielectric properties of biological systems and their components is important not only for fundamental scientific knowledge but also for its applications in medicine, biology, and biotechnology. The associated technique - known as dielectric spectroscopy - has enabled researchers to quickly and accurately acquire time- or frequency-spectra of permittivity and conductivity and permitted the derivation and testing of realistic electrical models for cells and organelles. This text covers the theoretical basis and practical aspects of the study of dielectric properties of biological systems, such as water, electrolyte and polyelectrolytes, solutions of biological macromolecules, cells suspensions and cellular systems. The authors' combined efforts provide a comprehensive and cohesive book that takes advantage of the expertise of multiple scientists involved in cutting-edge research in the specific sub-fields of bio-dielectric spectroscopy while maintaining its self-consistency through numerous discussions. The first six chapters cover theoretical, methodological and experimental aspects of relaxation and dispersion in biological dielectrics at molecular, cellular and cellular aggregate level. Applications are presented in the following chapters which are organized in the order of increased complexity, beginning with pure water, amino acids and proteins, continuing with vesicles and simple cells such as erythrocytes, and then with more complex, organelle-containing cells and cellular aggregates. Due to its broad coverage, the text could be used as a reference book by researchers, and as a textbook for upper-level undergraduate classes and graduate classes in (bio) physics, medical physics, quantitative biology, and engineering.

In the present book, various applications of electric field are introduced in health and biology like treating cancer and cell sorting and in engineering and technological applications like enhancing the heat transfer, colloidal hydrodynamics and stability, and lithography. Electric field is defined as a force field arising from the electric charges. Depending on the nature of the material (the ability to polarize) and the inherent or attained surface charges, the response of the electric field varies.

This book describes the dynamics of low molecular weight and polymeric molecules when they are constrained under conditions of geometrical confinement. It covers geometrical confinement in different dimensionalities: (i) in nanometer thin layers or self supporting films (1-dimensional confinement) (ii) in pores or tubes with nanometric diameters (2-dimensional confinement) (iii) as micelles embedded in matrices (3-dimensional) or as nanodroplets. The dynamics under such conditions have been a much discussed and central topic in the focus of intense worldwide research activities within the last two decades. The present book discusses how the resulting molecular mobility is influenced by the subtle counterbalance between surface effects (typically slowing down molecular dynamics through attractive guest/host interactions) and confinement effects (typically increasing the mobility). It also explains how these influences can be modified and tuned, e.g. through appropriate surface coatings, film thicknesses or pore diameters. "Dynamics in Confinement" sums up the present state-of-the-art and introduces to the analytical methods of choice for the study of dynamics in nanometer-scale confinement.