Since its inception in the mid-twentieth century, solid-state chemistry has matured within the chemical sciences. In the same way that chemistry itself is considered a central science, solid-state chemistry is central in its many relations to physics, in particular to solid-state physics and also to materials science and engineering. There are few problems in materials science or engineering in which the preparation of the material itself is not a central issue and, more often than not, this will be a solid-state chemical problem. For these reasons, it is not surprising that in the technological development of the last century, solid-state chemistry has grown in importance. It is not only a synthesis science, it is also the science of structures, defects, stoichiometry, and physical chemical properties. Most of these are explored in the book. Topics include: metal-to-insulator transition; porous materials; dielectric materials; nanomaterials; synthesis of materials; films and catalytic materials; CMR materials; thermoelectric materials; dielectrics, catalysts, phosphors, films and properties and synthesis and crystal growth.

As a spectroscopic method, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has seen spectacular growth over the past two decades, both as a technique and in its applications. Today the applications of NMR span a wide range of scientific disciplines, from physics to biology to medicine. Each volume of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance comprises a combination of annual and biennial reports which together provide comprehensive coverage of the literature on this topic. This Specialist Periodical Report reflects the growing volume of published work involving NMR techniques and applications, in particular NMR of natural macromolecules which is covered in two reports: "NMR of Proteins and Nucleic Acids" and "NMR of Carbohydrates, Lipids and Membranes". For those wanting to become rapidly acquainted with specific areas of NMR, this title provides unrivalled scope of coverage. Seasoned practitioners of NMR will find this an invaluable source of current methods and applications. Volume 33 covers literature published from June 2002 to May 2003. Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage in major areas of chemical research. Compiled by teams of leading authorities in the relevant subject areas, the series creates a unique service for the active research chemist, with regular, in-depth accounts of progress in particular fields of chemistry. Subject coverage within different volumes of a given title is similar and publication is on an annual or biennial basis.

The MRS Symposium Proceeding series is an internationally recognised reference suitable for researchers and practitioners.

Solid-state chemistry continues to span and to spawn multiple materials research areas, attracting investigators from chemistry, condensed-matter physics, materials science and engineering, ceramics, chemical engineering, and mineralogy/geology, to name a few. The common challenge is to understand and to predict structures and properties of new materials. As with earlier volumes in this series from the Materials Research Society, the presentations here represent interdisciplinary research from around the world and explore not only recent advances in the solid-state chemistry of inorganic materials, but also their impact on commercial applications. The book covers a broad range of topics, including synthesis and characterization of novel functional materials; design and fabrication of nanostructures and nanomaterials; crystal and structural chemistry; catalysis; gas separation and storage; and magnetic and optical applications. Both theoretical and computational studies of solid-state inorganic materials are featured. Joint presentations with solid-state ionics are also particularly fruitful.

Progress in MOS integrated-circuit technology is largely driven by the ability to dimensionally scale the constituent components of individual devices and their associated interconnections. Given a set of materials with fixed properties, this scaling is finite and its predicted limits are rapidly approaching. The International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors establishes the pace at which this scaling occurs and identifies many of the technological challenges ahead. This volume assembles representatives from the fields of materials science, physics, electrical and chemical engineering to provide an insightful review of current technology and understanding. Specifically, the intent is to discuss materials issues stemming from device scaling to sub-100nm technology nodes. Topics include: high-k characterization; atomic layer deposition; gate metal materials and integration; contacts and ultrashallow junction formation; theory and modeling and crystalline oxides for gate dielectrics.

The past decade has seen an explosive growth of interest in the physics of granular materials. Granular media are comprised of macroscopic objects with internal degrees of freedom. Granular assemblies exhibit phenomena that incorporate the properties of traditional solids, liquids and gases, making it a unique state. In many ways, the granular state is a generalized state of matter. This new volume from the Materials Research Society brings together researchers from many countries and disciplines to assess issues and problems concerned with the collective behavior of granular assemblies as encountered in the context of various applications. In particular, these applications include ceramic science, shock propagation and absorption, design and maintenance of stable natural and artificial structures, processing of pharmaceuticals, and self-assembly processes associated with the synthesis of ultrahigh-density magnetic tapes. The volume should be of value to researchers involved in exploring granular material-based technologies, and is expected to stimulate further research in this arena. Topics include: electromagnetic fields; structural issues; flow behavior; and dynamical problems.

This book combines the proceedings of Symposium Q, Magnetoelectronics-Novel Magnetic Phenomena in Nanostructures, and Symposium R, Advanced Characterization of Artificially Structured Magnetic Materials, both from the 2002 MRS Fall Meeting in Boston. The common focus is on artificially engineered nanostructured magnetic systems. The two symposia address new phenomena in magnetoelectronic applications, their preparation, and advanced methodology for characterization. Interest in nanomagnetism has been catalyzed by advances in two fields of research. 1) Advances in materials synthesis of structures whose length scales transcend magnetic length scales and open the possibility for creating materials with new magnetic properties. Such structures include interfaces, superlattices, tunneling devices, nanostructures, and single-molecule magnets. 2) Advances in sample characterization techniques for nano-magnetism which allow detailed exploration of structure-property relationships in nanostructured magnetic systems. The volume highlights current trends in both fields and offers an outlook for further advances and new capabilities.