Solid state ionics is a multidisciplinary scientific and industrial field dealing with ionic transport phenomena in solids. In a couple of decades, solid state ionics has become one of the largest disciplines closely related to energy technologies, such as batteries, fuel cells, and so on. So far, a large number of scientists and engineers in Asia as well as in Europe and US are engaged in the research in solid state ionics. In the context of such a situation, the Asian Society for Solid State Ionics was founded in 1986, and a series of academic conferences has been held biennially since 1988. In 2012, the 13th conference is organized in Sendai, Japan. This book provides research papers describing the latest developments and findings in the field of solid state ionics. The selected contributions from prominent researchers in the Asian Society for Solid State Ionics, which are presented at the 13th Asian Conference on Solid State Ionics, can be found. The papers in this book are detailed and suitable to understand recent research trends in solid state ionics, and thus will be a valuable resource for physicists, chemists, and material scientists.

Solid state ionics is a multidisciplinary scientific and industrial field dealing with ionic transport phenomena in solids. In a couple of decades, solid state ionics has become one of the largest disciplines closely related to energy technologies, such as batteries, fuel cells, and so on.So far, a large number of scientists and engineers in Asia as well as in Europe and US are engaged in the research in solid state ionics. In the context of such a situation, the Asian Society for Solid State Ionics was founded in 1986, and a series of academic conferences has been held biennially since 1988. In 2012, the 13th conference is organized in Sendai, Japan.This book provides research papers describing the latest developments and findings in the field of solid state ionics. The selected contributions from prominent researchers in the Asian Society for Solid State Ionics, which are presented at the 13th Asian Conference on Solid State Ionics, can be found. The papers in this book are detailed and suitable to understand recent research trends in solid state ionics, and thus will be a valuable resource for physicists, chemists, and material scientists.br>

The book focuses on the solid-state physics, chemistry and electrochemistry that are needed to grasp the technology of and research on high-power Lithium batteries. After an exposition of fundamentals of lithium batteries, it includes experimental techniques used to characterize electrode materials, and a comprehensive analysis of the structural, physical, and chemical properties necessary to insure quality control in production. The different properties specific to each component of the batteries are discussed in order to offer manufacturers the capability to choose which kind of battery should be used: which compromise between power and energy density and which compromise between energy and safety should be made, and for which cycling life. Although attention is primarily on electrode materials since they are paramount in terms of battery performance and cost, different electrolytes are also reviewed in the context of safety concerns and in relation to the solid-electrolyte interface. Separators are also reviewed in light of safety issues. The book is intended not only for scientists and graduate students working on batteries but also for engineers and technologists who want to acquire a sound grounding in the fundamentals of battery science arising from the interaction of electrochemistry, solid state materials science, surfaces and interfaces.

Despite its limitation in terms of surface covered area, the PLD technique still gathers interest among researchers by offering endless possibilities for tuning thin film composition and enhancing their properties of interest due to: (i) the easiness of a stoichiometric transfer even for very complex target materials, (ii) high adherence of the deposited structures to the substrate, (iii) controlled degree of phase, crystallinity, and thickness of deposited coatings, (iv) versatility of the experimental set-up which allows for simultaneous ablation of multiple targets resulting in combinatorial maps or consecutive ablation of multiple targets producing multi-layered structures, and (v) adjustment of the number of laser pulses, resulting in either a spread of nanoparticles, islands of materials or a complete covering of a surface. Moreover, a variation of PLD, known as Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation, allows for deposition of organic materials, ranging from polymers to proteins and even living cells, otherwise difficult to transfer unaltered in the form of thin films by other techniques. Furthermore, the use of laser light as transfer agent ensures purity of films and pulse-to-pulse deposition allows for an unprecedented control of film thickness at the nm level. This Special Issue is a collection of state-of-the art research papers and reviews in which the topics of interest are devoted to thin film synthesis by PLD and MAPLE, for numerous research and industry field applications, such as bio-active coatings for medical implants and hard, protective coatings for cutting and drilling tools withstanding high friction and elevated temperatures, sensors, solar cells, lithography, magnetic devices, energy-storage and conversion devices, controlled drug delivery and in situ microstructuring for boosting of surface properties.

Volume 1 (A and B) covers international organizations throughout the world, comprising their aims, activities and events.

This book highlights the state of the art in solid electrolytes, with particular emphasis on lithium garnets, electrolyte-electrode interfaces and all-solid-state batteries based on lithium garnets. Written by an international group of renowned experts, the book addresses how garnet-type solid electrolytes are contributing to the development of safe high energy density Li batteries. Unlike the flammable organic liquid electrolyte used in existing rechargeable Li batteries, garnet-type solid electrolytes are intrinsically chemically stable in contact with metallic lithium and potential positive electrodes, while offering reasonable Li conductivity. The book's respective chapters cover a broad spectrum of topics related to solid electrolytes, including interfacial engineering to resolve the electrolyte-electrode interfaces, the latest developments in the processing of thin and ultrathin lithium garnet membranes, and fabrication strategies for the high-performance solid-state batteries.This highly informative and intriguing book will appeal to postgraduate students and researchers at academic and industrial laboratories with an interest in the advancement of high energy-density lithium metal batteries