Ferroic Functional Materials


Book Description

The book covers experiments and theory in the fields of ferroelectrics, ferromagnets, ferroelastics, and multiferroics. Topics include experimental preparation and characterization of magnetoelectric multiferroics, the modeling of ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials, the formation of ferroic microstructures and their continuum-mechanical modeling, computational homogenization, and the algorithmic treatment in the framework of numerical solution strategies.




Topological Structures in Ferroic Materials


Book Description

This book provides a state-of-the art overview of a highly interesting emerging research field in solid state physics/nanomaterials science, topological structures in ferroic materials. Topological structures in ferroic materials have received strongly increasing attention in the last few years. Such structures include domain walls, skyrmions and vortices, which can form in ferroelectric, magnetic, ferroelastic or multiferroic materials. These topological structures can have completely different properties from the bulk material they form in. They also can be controlled by external fields (electrical, magnetic, strain) or currents, which makes them interesting from a fundamental research point of view as well as for potential novel nanomaterials applications. To provide a comprehensive overview, international leading researches in these fields contributed review-like chapters about their own work and the work of other researchers to provide a current view of this highly interesting topic.




Functional Materials


Book Description

Functional materials have assumed a very prominent position in several high-tech areas. Such materials are not being classified on the basis of their origin, nature of bonding or processing techniques but are classified on the basis of the functions they can perform. This is a significant departure from the earlier schemes in which materials were described as metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, glass materials etc. Several new processing techniques have also evolved in the recent past. Because of the diversity of materials and their functions it has become extremely difficult to obtain information from single source. Functional Materials: Preparation, Processing and Applications provides a comprehensive review of the latest developments. - Serves as a ready reference for Chemistry, Physics and Materials Science researchers by covering a wide range of functional materials in one book - Aids in the design of new materials by emphasizing structure or microstructure – property correlation - Covers the processing of functional materials in detail, which helps in conceptualizing the applications of them




Magnetism and Structure in Functional Materials


Book Description

Magnetism and Structure in Functional Materials addresses three distinct but related topics: (i) magnetoelastic materials such as magnetic martensites and magnetic shape memory alloys, (ii) the magnetocaloric effect related to magnetostructural transitions, and (iii) colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) and related manganites. The goal is to identify common underlying principles in these classes of materials that are relevant for optimizing various functionalities. The emergence of apparently different magnetic/structural phenomena in disparate classes of materials clearly points to a need for common concepts in order to achieve a broader understanding of the interplay between magnetism and structure in this general class of new functional materials exhibiting ever more complex microstructure and function. The topic is interdisciplinary in nature and the contributors correspondingly include physicists, materials scientists and engineers. Likewise the book will appeal to scientists from all these areas.




Domain Walls


Book Description

Technological evolution and revolution are both driven by the discovery of new functionalities, new materials and the design of yet smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient components. Progress is being made at a breathtaking pace, stimulated by the rapidly growing demand for more powerful and readily available information technology. High-speed internet and data-streaming, home automation, tablets and smartphones are now "necessities" for our everyday lives. Consumer expectations for progressively more data storage and exchange appear to be insatiable. Oxide electronics is a promising and relatively new field that has the potential to trigger major advances in information technology. Oxide interfaces are particularly intriguing. Here, low local symmetry combined with an increased susceptibility to external fields leads to unusual physical properties distinct from those of the homogeneous bulk. In this context, ferroic domain walls have attracted recent attention as a completely new type of oxide interface. In addition to their functional properties, such walls are spatially mobile and can be created, moved, and erased on demand. This unique degree of flexibility enables domain walls to take an active role in future devices and hold a great potential as multifunctional 2D systems for nanoelectronics. With domain walls as reconfigurable electronic 2D components, a new generation of adaptive nano-technology and flexible circuitry becomes possible, that can be altered and upgraded throughout the lifetime of the device. Thus, what started out as fundamental research, at the limit of accessibility, is finally maturing into a promising concept for next-generation technology.




Nanoscale Ferroelectrics and Multiferroics


Book Description

Dieses Buch beleuchtet die wichtigsten Aspekte der Verarbeitung und Charakterisierung von Ferroelektrika und Multiferroika auf Nanoebene, präsentiert eine umfassende Beschreibung der jeweiligen Eigenschaften und legt dabei den Schwerpunkt auf die Unterscheidung von Größeneffekten bei extrinsischen Eigenschaften wie Rand- oder Interface-Effekte. Eingegangen wird auch auf neuartige Nanoebene. Das Fachbuch ist in drei Abschnitte unterteilt und beschreibt die Verarbeitung (Nanostrukturierung), Charakterisierung (nanostrukturierter Materialien) und Nanoeffekte. Unter Rückgriff auf die Synergien zwischen Nano-Ferroelektrika und -Multiferroika werden Materialien behandelt, die auf allen Ebenen einer Nanostrukturierung unterzogen werden, von Technologien für keramische Materialien wie ferroelektrische Nanopulver, nanostrukturierte Keramiken und Dickschichten sowie magnetoelektrische Nanokomposit-Materialien bis hin zu freistehenden Nanoobjekten mit spezifischen Geometrien wie Nanodrähte und Nanoröhren auf verschiedenen Entwicklungsstufen. Grundlage des Buches ist die europäische Wissensplattform im Wissenschaftsbereich innerhalb der Aktion von COST (Europäische Zusammenarbeit in Wissenschaft und Technik) zu ein- und mehrphasigen Ferroika und Multiferroika mit begrenzten Geometrien (SIMUFER, Ref. MP0904). Die Autoren der Kapitelbeiträge wurden sorgfältig ausgewählt, haben allesamt ganz wesentlich zur Wissensbasis für das jeweilige Thema beigetragen und gehören vor allem zu den renommiertesten Wissenschaftlern des Fachgebiets.




Micromechanics and Nanomechanics of Composite Solids


Book Description

This book elucidates the most recent and highly original developments in the fields of micro- and nanomechanics and the corresponding homogenization techniques that can be reliably adopted and applied in determining the local properties, as well as the linear and nonlinear effective properties of the final architecture of these complex composite structures. Specifically, this volume, divided into three main sections—Fundamentals, Modeling, and Applications—provides recent developments in the mathematical framework of micro- and nanomechanics, including Green’s function and Eshelby’s inclusion problem, molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, atomistic based continuum, multiscale modeling, and highly localized phenomena such as microcracks and plasticity. It is a compilation of the most recent efforts by a group of the world’s most talented and respected researchers. Ideal for graduate students in aerospace, mechanical, civil, material science, life sciences, and biomedical engineering, researchers, practicing engineers, and consultants, the book provides a unified approach in compiling micro- and nano-scale phenomena. · Elucidates recent and highly original developments in the fields of micromechanics and nanomechanics and the corresponding homogenization techniques; · Includes several new topics that are not covered in the current literature, such as micromechanics of metamaterials, electrical conductivity of CNT and graphene nanocomposites, ferroelectrics, piezoelectric, and electromagnetic materials; · Addresses highly localized phenomena such as coupled field problems, microcracks, inelasticity, dispersion of CNTs, synthesis, characterization and a number of interesting applications; · Maximizes readers’ ability to apply theories of micromechanics and nanomechanics to heterogeneous solids; · Illustrates application of micro- and nanomechanical theory to design novel composite and nanocomposite materials.




Functional Materials


Book Description

Functional materials are important materials for any technological needs and the forefront of materials research. Development of functional materials and their effective applications in the frontier fields of cross-multidisciplinary research programs is unique. This book presents an overview of different types of functional materials, including synthesis, characterization and application, and up-to-date treatment of functional materials, which are needed for structural, magnetic, polymeric, electromagnetic, etc. applications. New topics based on polymeric materials and spintronic materials are given for possible applications. The chapters of the book provide a key understanding of functional materials. It is suitable for undergraduates, graduates, and professionals, including engineers, scientists, researchers, technicians, and technology managers.




Multiferroic Materials


Book Description

"a very detailed book on multiferroics that will be useful for PhD students and researchers interested in this emerging field of materials science" —Dr. Wilfrid Prellier, Research Director, CNRS, Caen, France Multiferroics has emerged as one of the hottest topics in solid state physics in this millennium. The coexistence of multiple ferroic/antiferroic properties makes them useful both for fundamental studies and practical applications such as revolutionary new memory technologies and next-generation spintronics devices. This book provides an historical introduction to the field, followed by a summary of recent progress in single-phase multiferroics (type-I and type-II), multiferroic composites (bulk and nano composites), and emerging areas such as domain walls and vortices. Each chapter addresses potential technological implications. There is also a section dedicated to theoretical approaches, both phenomenological and first-principles calculations.




Magnetocaloric Energy Conversion


Book Description

This book provides the latest research on a new alternative form of technology, the magnetocaloric energy conversion. This area of research concerns magnetic refrigeration and cooling, magnetic heat pumping and magnetic power generation. The book’s systematic approach offers the theoretical basis of magnetocaloric energy conversion and its various sub domains and this is supported with the practical examples. Besides these fundamentals, the book also introduces potential solutions to engineering problems in magnetocalorics and to alternative technologies of solid state energy conversion. The aim of the book is therefore to provide engineers with the most up-to-date information and also to facilitate the understanding, design and construction of future magnetocaloric energy conversion devices. The magnetocaloric energy conversion represents an alternative to compressor based refrigerators and heat pumps. It is a serious alternative to power generation with low enthalpy heat sources. This green technology offers an opportunity to use environmentally friendly solid refrigerants and the potentially high energy efficiency follows the trends of future energy conversion devices. This book is intended for postgraduate students and researchers of refrigeration, heat pumping, power generation alternatives, heat regenerators and advanced heat transfer mechanisms.