Thermoelectricity


Book Description

Next-generation energy sources are crucial for combating the world’s energy crisis. One such alternative energy source is thermoelectricity, which is cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. This book presents a comprehensive overview of the progress made in thermoelectrics over the past few years with a focus on charge and heat carrier transport from both theoretical and experimental viewpoints. It also presents new strategies to improve thermoelectricity and discusses device physics and applications to guide the research community.




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.




Magnetoelectric Composites


Book Description

This book is dedicated to modeling and application of magnetoelectric (ME) effects in layered and bulk composites based on magnetostrictive and piezoelectric materials. Currently, numerous theoretical and experimental studies on ME composites are available but few on the development and research of instruments based on them. So far, only investigation of ME magnetic field sensors has been cited in the existing literature. However, these studies have finally resulted in the creation of low-frequency ME magnetic field sensors with parameters substantially exceeding the characteristics of Hall sensors. The book presents the authors’ many years of experience gained in ME composites and through creation of device models based on their studies. It describes low-frequency ME devices, such as current and position sensors and energy harvesters, and microwave ME devices, such as antennas, attenuators, filters, gyrators, and phase shifters.




Nanoscale Phase Separation and Colossal Magnetoresistance


Book Description

The study of the spontaneous formation of nanostructures in single crystals of several compounds is now a major area of research in strongly correlated electrons. These structures appear to originate in the competition of phases. The book addresses nanoscale phase separation, focusing on the manganese oxides known as manganites that have the colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) effect of potential relevance for device applications. It is argued that the nanostructures are at the heart of the CMR phenomenon. The book contains updated information on manganite research directed to experts, both theorists and experimentalists. However, graduate students or postdocs will find considerable introductory material, including elements of computational physics.




Oxide Electronics


Book Description

Oxide Electronics Multiple disciplines converge in this insightful exploration of complex metal oxides and their functions and properties Oxide Electronics delivers a broad and comprehensive exploration of complex metal oxides designed to meet the multidisciplinary needs of electrical and electronic engineers, physicists, and material scientists. The distinguished author eschews complex mathematics whenever possible and focuses on the physical and functional properties of metal oxides in each chapter. Each of the sixteen chapters featured within the book begins with an abstract and an introduction to the topic, clear explanations are presented with graphical illustrations and relevant equations throughout the book. Numerous supporting references are included, and each chapter is self-contained, making them perfect for use both as a reference and as study material. Readers will learn how and why the field of oxide electronics is a key area of research and exploitation in materials science, electrical engineering, and semiconductor physics. The book encompasses every application area where the functional and electronic properties of various genres of oxides are exploited. Readers will also learn from topics like: Thorough discussions of High-k gate oxide for silicon heterostructure MOSFET devices and semiconductor-dielectric interfaces An exploration of printable high-mobility transparent amorphous oxide semiconductors Treatments of graphene oxide electronics, magnetic oxides, ferroelectric oxides, and materials for spin electronics Examinations of the calcium aluminate binary compound, perovoksites for photovoltaics, and oxide 2Degs Analyses of various applications for oxide electronics, including data storage, microprocessors, biomedical devices, LCDs, photovoltaic cells, TFTs, and sensors Suitable for researchers in semiconductor technology or working in materials science, electrical engineering, and physics, Oxide Electronics will also earn a place in the libraries of private industry researchers like device engineers working on electronic applications of oxide electronics. Engineers working on photovoltaics, sensors, or consumer electronics will also benefit from this book.




Magnetic Oxides


Book Description

Magnetic Oxides offers a cohesive up-to-date introduction to magnetism in oxides. Emphasizing the physics and chemistry of local molecular interactions essential to the magnetic design of small structures and thin films, this volume provides a detailed view of the building blocks for new magnetic oxide materials already advancing research and development of nano-scale technologies. Clearly written in a well-organized structure, readers will find a detailed description of the properties of magnetic oxides through the prism of local interactions as an alternative to collective electron concepts that are more applicable to metals and semiconductors. Researchers will find Magnetic Oxides a valuable reference.




Handbook of Laser Micro- and Nano-Engineering


Book Description

This handbook provides a comprehensive review of the entire field of laser micro and nano processing, including not only a detailed introduction to individual laser processing techniques but also the fundamentals of laser-matter interaction and lasers, optics, equipment, diagnostics, as well as monitoring and measurement techniques for laser processing. Consisting of 11 sections, each composed of 4 to 6 chapters written by leading experts in the relevant field. Each main part of the handbook is supervised by its own part editor(s) so that high-quality content as well as completeness are assured. The book provides essential scientific and technical information to researchers and engineers already working in the field as well as students and young scientists planning to work in the area in the future. Lasers found application in materials processing practically since their invention in 1960, and are currently used widely in manufacturing. The main driving force behind this fact is that the lasers can provide unique solutions in material processing with high quality, high efficiency, high flexibility, high resolution, versatility and low environmental load. Macro-processing based on thermal process using infrared lasers such as CO2 lasers has been the mainstream in the early stages, while research and development of micro- and nano-processing are becoming increasingly more active as short wavelength and/or short pulse width lasers have been developed. In particular, recent advances in ultrafast lasers have opened up a new avenue to laser material processing due to the capabilities of ultrahigh precision micro- and nanofabrication of diverse materials. This handbook is the first book covering the basics, the state-of-the-art and important applications of the dynamic and rapidly expanding discipline of laser micro- and nanoengineering. This comprehensive source makes readers familiar with a broad spectrum of approaches to solve all relevant problems in science and technology. This handbook is the ultimate desk reference for all people working in the field.




Functional Metal Oxides


Book Description

Functional oxides are used both as insulators and metallic conductors in key applications across all industrial sectors. This makes them attractive candidates in modern technology ? they make solar cells cheaper, computers more efficient and medical instrumentation more sensitive. Based on recent research, experts in the field describe novel materials, their properties and applications for energy systems, semiconductors, electronics, catalysts and thin films. This monograph is divided into 6 parts which allows the reader to find their topic of interest quickly and efficiently. * Magnetic Oxides * Dopants, Defects and Ferromagnetism in Metal Oxides * Ferroelectrics * Multiferroics * Interfaces and Magnetism * Devices and Applications This book is a valuable asset to materials scientists, solid state chemists, solid state physicists, as well as engineers in the electric and automotive industries.




Chemical Solution Synthesis for Materials Design and Thin Film Device Applications


Book Description

Chemical Solution Synthesis for Materials Design and Thin Film Device Applications presents current research on wet chemical techniques for thin-film based devices. Sections cover the quality of thin films, types of common films used in devices, various thermodynamic properties, thin film patterning, device configuration and applications. As a whole, these topics create a roadmap for developing new materials and incorporating the results in device fabrication. This book is suitable for graduate, undergraduate, doctoral students, and researchers looking for quick guidance on material synthesis and device fabrication through wet chemical routes. Provides the different wet chemical routes for materials synthesis, along with the most relevant thin film structured materials for device applications Discusses patterning and solution processing of inorganic thin films, along with solvent-based processing techniques Includes an overview of key processes and methods in thin film synthesis, processing and device fabrication, such as nucleation, lithography and solution processing




Hard X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (HAXPES)


Book Description

This book provides the first complete and up-to-date summary of the state of the art in HAXPES and motivates readers to harness its powerful capabilities in their own research. The chapters are written by experts. They include historical work, modern instrumentation, theory and applications. This book spans from physics to chemistry and materials science and engineering. In consideration of the rapid development of the technique, several chapters include highlights illustrating future opportunities as well.