The application of chemistry within archaeology is an important and fascinating area. It allows the archaeologist to answer such questions as "what is this artefact made of?", "where did it come from?" and "how has it been changed through burial in the ground?", providing pointers to the earliest history of mankind. Archaeological Chemistry begins with a brief description of the goals and history of archaeological science, and the place of chemistry within it. It sets out the most widely used analytical techniques in archaeology and compares them in the light of relevant applications. The book includes an analysis of several specific archaeological investigations in which chemistry has been employed in tracing the origins of or in preserving artefacts. The choice of these investigations conforms to themes based on analytical techniques, and includes chapters on obsidian, ceramics, glass, metals and resins. Finally, it suggests a future role for chemical and biochemical applications in archaeology. Archaeological Chemistry enables scientists to tackle the fundamental issues of chemical change in the archaeological materials, in order to advance the study of the past. It will prove an essential companion to students in archaeological science and chemistry, field and museum archaeologists, and all those involved in conserving human artefacts.

Noble metal nanoparticles have attracted enormous scientific and technological interest because of their unique optical properties, which are related to surface plasmon resonances. The interest in nanosized metal particles dates back to ancient societies, when metals were used in various forms as decorative elements. From the famous Lycurgus cup, made by the Romans in the 4th century AD, through thousands of stained glasses in churches and cathedrals all over medieval Europe, bright-yellow, green, or red colors have been obtained by a touch of metallic additions during glass blowing. This peculiar interaction of light with nanometals can be widely tuned through the morphology and assembly of nanoparticles, thereby expanding the range of potential applications, from energy and information storage to biomedicine, including novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods. This book compiles recent developments that clearly illustrate the state of the art in this cutting-edge research field. It comprises different review articles written by the teams of Prof. Luis Liz-Marzán, an international leader in chemical nanotechnology who has made seminal contributions to the use of colloid chemistry methods to understand and tailor the growth of metal particles at the nanoscale. Apart from synthesis, the book also describes in detail the plasmonic properties of nanomaterials and illustrates some representative applications. This book will appeal to anyone involved in nanotechnology, nanocrystal growth, nanoplasmonics, and surface-enhanced spectroscopies.

Gold Nanoparticles for Physics, Chemistry and Biology offers an overview of recent research into gold nanoparticles, covering their discovery, usage and contemporary practical applications.This Second Edition begins with a history of over 2000 years of the use of gold nanoparticles, with a review of the specific properties which make gold unique. Updated chapters include gold nanoparticle preparation methods, their plasmon resonance and thermo-optical properties, their catalytic properties and their future technological applications. New chapters have been included, and reveal the growing impact of plasmonics in research, with an introduction to quantum plasmonics, plasmon assisted catalysis and electro-photon conversion. The growing field of nanoparticles for health is also addressed with a study of gold nanoparticles as radiosensibiliser for radiotherapy, and of gold nanoparticle functionalisation. This new edition also considers the relevance of bimetallic nanoparticles for specific applications.World-class scientists provide the most up-to-date findings for an introduction to gold nanoparticles within the related areas of chemistry, biology, material science, optics and physics. It is perfectly suited to advanced level students and researchers looking to enhance their knowledge in the study of gold nanoparticles.

Glass of the Roman World illustrates the arrival of new cultural systems, mechanisms of trade and an expanded economic base in the early 1st millennium AD which, in combination, allowed the further development of the existing glass industry. Glass became something which encompassed more than simply a novel and highly decorative material. Glass production grew and its consumption increased until it was assimilated into all levels of society, used for display and luxury items but equally for utilitarian containers, windows and even tools. These 18 papers by renowned international scholars include studies of glass from Europe and the Near East. The authors write on a variety of topics where their work is at the forefront of new approaches to the subject. They both extend and consolidate aspects of our understanding of how glass was produced, traded and used throughout the Empire and the wider world drawing on chronology, typology, patterns of distribution, and other methodologies, including the incorporation of new scientific methods. Though focusing on a single material the papers are firmly based in its archaeological context in the wider economy of the Roman world, and consider glass as part of a complex material culture controlled by the expansion and contraction of the Empire. The volume is presented in honor of Jenny Price, a foremost scholar of Roman glass.

Third edition of a comprehensive textbook, ideal for students in archaeological science and chemistry, archaeologists, and those involved in conserving human artefacts.

The first scientific volume to compile the modern analytical techniques for glass analysis, Modern Methods for Analysing Archaeological and Historical Glass presents an up-to-date description of the physico-chemical methods suitable for determining the composition of glass and for speciation of specific components. This unique resource presents members of Association Internationale pour l'Histoire du Verre, as well as university scholars, with a number of case studies where the effective use of one or more of these methods for elucidating a particular culturo-historical or historo-technical aspect of glass manufacturing technology is documented.

The twenty-five papers in this volume cover diverse aspects of the material culture of the late Roman, Byzantine and Medieval periods, with particular emphasis on the metalwork and enamel of these times. Individual papers include major reinterpretations of objects in the British Museum's Byzantine collections as well as essays devoted to the Museum's recent acquisitions in this field. The volume celebrates the retirement of David Buckton, for over twenty years the curator of the British Museum's Early Christian and Byzantine collections and the National Icon Collection.

This book, Petroleum Nanobiotechnology: Modern Applications for a Sustainable Future, explores the unique fusion of biotechnology and nanotechnology as applied to the different sectors of the oil and gas industry. It is a concise resource on the most recent and most up-to-date bottom-up fabrication techniques in petroleum nanobiotechnology, covering the advantages of biofabrication over chemical or physical techniques from the point of being more cost-effective, ecofriendly, biocompatibly superior, and highly stable. The volume covers the important topic of microbial and phytosynthesis of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles. The key applications discussed here include the application of these nanoparticles in different sectors of the oil and gas industry, with special emphasis on antimicrobial applications, reduction of environmental pollutants, and bio-upgrading of petroleum and its fractions. The discussion of each application is augmented with a critical review of the potential for continued development. The book first provides an overview of petroleum microbiology and nanotechnology and proceeds to consider phytosynthesis of metal nanoparticles, microbial synthesis of metal nanoparticles, biosynthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles, nanobiotechnology and mitigation of microbial-influenced corrosion in petroleum industry, applications of nanobiotechnology in petroleum refining, and how nanobiotechnology can be used for petroleum wastewater treatment. This book covers the very important principle of nanobiotechnology as applied in the petroleum industry and how it can be used for: Oil recovery Microbial enhanced oil recovery Petroleum refinery, such as, for example, desulfurization, denitrogenation, demetallization, biotransformation, and bio-upgrading Bioremediation of oil polluted soil and water Mitigation of microbial corrosion and bio-fouling Toxicity of nano-materials and its obstacles upon application Nanobiotechnology in petroleum industry and the 17 goals of sustainable development The advantages of the application of nanobiotechnology in the oil industries are enormous and clearly outweigh any negligible cons. The success can have a huge impact on the exploration, production, refining, mitigation of corrosion, waste management, and economics. This informative volume will be valuable for petroleum engineers and petroleum microbiologists, scientists, and researchers concerned with nanotechnology, environmental pollution, petroleum biotechnology, petroleum microbiology, petroleum refining, and the petroleum industry in general.