Molecules Into Materials

In a technology driven civilization the quest for new and smarter materials is everlasting. They are required as platforms for developing new technologies or for improving an already existing technology. The discovery of a new material is no longer chance driven or accidental, but is based on careful reasoning structured by deep understanding of the microconstituents of materials - the atoms and molecules in isolation or in an assembly. That requires fair amount of exposure to quantum and statistical mechanics. `Understanding Properties of Atoms, Molecules and Materials' is an effort (perhaps the first ever) to bring all the necessary theoretical ingredients and relevant physical information in a single volume. The book introduces the readers (first year graduates) or researchers in material chemistry/engineering to elementary quantum mechanics of atoms, molecules and solids and then goes on to make them acquainted with methods of statistical mechanics (classical as well as quantum) along with elementary principles of classical MD simulation. The basic concepts are introduced with clarity and illustrated with easy to grasp examples, thus preparing the readers for an exploration through the world of materials - the exotic and the mundane. The emphasis has been on the phenomena and what shapes them at the fundamental level. A comprehensive description of modern designing principles for materials with examples is a unique feature of the book. The highlights of the book are comprehensive introduction and analysis of Quantum states of atoms and molecules The translational symmetry and quantum states in periodic and amorphous solids Band structure and tuning Classical and quantum statistics with applications to ideal gases (photons, phonons and electrons, molecules) Quantum states in type-I and type-II superconductors (elementary theory included) Magnetic materials, materials with GMR and CMR Shape memory effects in alloys and materials 2D materials (graphene and graphene analogus) NLO and photovoltaic materials Hydrogen storage material for mitigating the looming energy crisis Quantum states in low and high band gap semiconductors Semimetals Designer materials, etc. The volume is designed and organized to create interest in the science of materials and the silent revolution that is redefining the goals and boundaries of materials science continuously.

The last decade has seen the emergence and explosive growth of a new field of condensed matter science: materials chemistry. Transcending the traditional boundaries of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, this new approach aims to create new molecular and lattice ensembles with unusual physical properties. One of its pioneers, the author has worked on structure-property relations in the inorganic and metal-organic solid state for over 40 years. His seminal work on mixed-valency compounds and inorganic charge transfer spectra in the 1960s set the scene for this new type of chemistry, and his discovery of transparent metal-organic ferromagnets in the 1970s laid the ground rules for much current work on molecular magnets. He has also published extensively on molecular metals and superconductors, especially on charge transfer salts combining conductivity with magnetism. This indispensable volume brings together for the first time a selection of his articles on all these topics, grouped according to theme. Each group is prefaced by a brief introduction for the general reader, putting the articles into their context in the evolution of the subject and describing the intellectual circumstances in which each project was conceived and executed.

Scientists have long desired to create synthetic systems that function with the precision and efficiency of biological systems. Using new techniques, researchers are now uncovering principles that could allow the creation of synthetic materials that can perform tasks as precise as biological systems. To assess the current work and future promise of the biology-materials science intersection, the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation asked the NRC to identify the most compelling questions and opportunities at this interface, suggest strategies to address them, and consider connections with national priorities such as healthcare and economic growth. This book presents a discussion of principles governing biomaterial design, a description of advanced materials for selected functions such as energy and national security, an assessment of biomolecular materials research tools, and an examination of infrastructure and resources for bridging biological and materials science.

The field of molecular materials research looks at the preparation and characterization of potentially useful materials with enhanced physical, chemical, and biomedical properties. Molecular Materials: Preparation, Characterization, and Applications discusses the cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in the area of advanced molecular-based materials. This book explores multiple aspects of molecular materials, including their synthesis and characterization, and gives information on their application in various fields.

Chemistry and chemical engineering have changed significantly in the last decade. They have broadened their scopeâ€"into biology, nanotechnology, materials science, computation, and advanced methods of process systems engineering and controlâ€"so much that the programs in most chemistry and chemical engineering departments now barely resemble the classical notion of chemistry. Beyond the Molecular Frontier brings together research, discovery, and invention across the entire spectrum of the chemical sciencesâ€"from fundamental, molecular-level chemistry to large-scale chemical processing technology. This reflects the way the field has evolved, the synergy at universities between research and education in chemistry and chemical engineering, and the way chemists and chemical engineers work together in industry. The astonishing developments in science and engineering during the 20th century have made it possible to dream of new goals that might previously have been considered unthinkable. This book identifies the key opportunities and challenges for the chemical sciences, from basic research to societal needs and from terrorism defense to environmental protection, and it looks at the ways in which chemists and chemical engineers can work together to contribute to an improved future.

Concepts of Biology is designed for the single-semester introduction to biology course for non-science majors, which for many students is their only college-level science course. As such, this course represents an important opportunity for students to develop the necessary knowledge, tools, and skills to make informed decisions as they continue with their lives. Rather than being mired down with facts and vocabulary, the typical non-science major student needs information presented in a way that is easy to read and understand. Even more importantly, the content should be meaningful. Students do much better when they understand why biology is relevant to their everyday lives. For these reasons, Concepts of Biology is grounded on an evolutionary basis and includes exciting features that highlight careers in the biological sciences and everyday applications of the concepts at hand.We also strive to show the interconnectedness of topics within this extremely broad discipline. In order to meet the needs of today's instructors and students, we maintain the overall organization and coverage found in most syllabi for this course. A strength of Concepts of Biology is that instructors can customize the book, adapting it to the approach that works best in their classroom. Concepts of Biology also includes an innovative art program that incorporates critical thinking and clicker questions to help students understand--and apply--key concepts.

Combining the contemporary knowledge from widely scattered sources, this is a much-needed and comprehensive overview of the field. In maintaining a balance between theory and experiment, the book guides both advanced students and specialists to this research area. Topical reviews written by the foremost scientists explain recent trends and advances, focusing on the correlations between electronic structure and magnetic properties. The book spans recent trends in magnetism for molecules -- as well as inorganic-based materials, with an emphasis on new phenomena being explored from both experimental and theoretical viewpoints with the aim of understanding magnetism on the atomic scale. The volume helps readers evaluate their own experimental observations and serves as a basis for the design of new magnetic materials. Topics covered include: * Metallocenium Salts of Radical Anion Bis-(dichalcogenate) metalates * Chiral Molecule-Based Magnets * Cooperative Magnetic Behavior in Metal-Dicyanamide Complexes * Lanthanide Ions in Molecular Exchange Coupled Systems * Monte Carlo Simulation * Metallocene-Based Magnets * Magnetic Nanoporous Molecular Materials A unique reference work, indispensable for everyone concerned with the phenomena of magnetism.