Nanocomposites as Next-Generation Optical Materials


Book Description

This book looks at advanced nanocomposites, introducing long-awaited concepts towards bridging the gap between nanostructured optical materials and next-generation imaging systems. It investigates nanocomposites as bulk optical materials and highlights the immense potential they hold for real-world optical elements and systems, such as smartphone cameras. It covers the full spectrum of nanocomposite optical materials from their fundamental properties to analytical modeling and detailed application examples. This book also provides an in-depth discussion of the role these new materials play in the development of broadband flat optics – diffractive optical elements used for enhancing high-end broadband imaging systems. Written by an industry expert, this book seamlessly connects fundamental research and real-world applications. It is the ideal guide both for optical engineers working towards integrating new technologies, and researchers involved with fundamental research on optical materials.




Polymer-Based Advanced Functional Composites for Optoelectronic and Energy Applications


Book Description

Polymer-Based Advanced Functional Composites for Optoelectronic and Energy Applications explains how polymer-based smart composites and nanocomposites can be prepared and utilized for novel optical, sensor and energy-related applications. The book begins with an introductory section on the fundamentals of smart polymer composites, including structure-property relationships and conjugated polymers. Other sections examine optical applications, including the use of polymer-based smart composites for luminescent solar concentrators, electro-chromic applications, light conversion applications, ultraviolet shielding applications, LED encapsulation applications, sensor applications, including gas-sensing, strain sensing, robotics and tactile sensors, with final sections covering energy-related applications, including energy harvesting, conversion, storage, vibrational energy harvesting, and more. This is an essential guide for researchers, scientists and advanced students in smart polymers and materials, polymer science, composites, nanocomposites, electronics and materials science. It is also a valuable book for scientists, R&D professionals and engineers working with products that could utilize smart polymer composites. - Provides thorough coverage of the latest pioneering research in the field of polymer-based smart composites - Offers an applications-oriented approach, enabling the reader to understand state-of-the-art optical, sensor and energy applications - Includes an in-depth introductory section, covering important aspects such as structure-property relationships and the role of conjugated polymers




Fundamentals, Properties, and Applications of Polymer Nanocomposites


Book Description

This book is focused primarily on polymer nanocomposites, based on the author's research experience as well as open literature. The environmental health and safety aspects of nanomaterials and polymer nanocomposites, risk assessment and safety standards, and fire toxicity of polymer nanocomposites, are studied. In the final chapter, a brief overview of opportunities, trends, and challenges of polymer nanocomposites are included. Throughout the book, the theme is developed that polymer nanocomposites are a whole family of polymeric materials whose properties are capable of being tailored to meet specific applications. This volume serves as a general introduction to students and researchers just entering the field and to scholars from other subfields seeking information.




Plastic Scintillators


Book Description

This book introduces the physics and chemistry of plastic scintillators (fluorescent polymers) that are able to emit light when exposed to ionizing radiation, discussing their chemical modification in the early 1950s and 1960s, as well as the renewed upsurge in interest in the 21st century. The book presents contributions from various researchers on broad aspects of plastic scintillators, from physics, chemistry, materials science and applications, covering topics such as the chemical nature of the polymer and/or the fluorophores, modification of the photophysical properties (decay time, emission wavelength) and loading of additives to make the material more sensitive to, e.g., fast neutrons, thermal neutrons or gamma rays. It also describes the benefits of recent technological advances for plastic scintillators, such as nanomaterials and quantum dots, which allow features that were previously not achievable with regular organic molecules or organometallics.




Advances in Nanocomposite Materials for Environmental and Energy Harvesting Applications


Book Description

This book discusses the fundamental, synthesis, properties, physico-chemical characterizations and applications of recently explored nanocomposite materials. It covers the applications of these different nanocomposite materials in the environmental and energy harvesting fields. The chapters explore the different techniques used for preparation and characterization of several types of nanocomposite materials for applications related to environmental and energy pathways. This book presents a panorama of current research in the field of nanocomposite structures for different applications. It also assesses the advantages and disadvantages of using different types of nanocomposite in the design of different material products. The comprehensive chapters explain the interactions between nanocomposite materials and mechanisms related to applications in environmental pollution and energy shortage.




Polymer Composites, Nanocomposites


Book Description

Polymer composites are materials in which the matrix polymer isreinforced with organic/inorganic fillers of a definite size andshape, leading to enhanced performance of the resultant composite.These materials find a wide number of applications in such diversefields as geotextiles, building, electronics, medical, packaging,and automobiles. This first systematic reference on the topic emphasizes thecharacteristics and dimension of this reinforcement. The authors are leading researchers in the field from academia,government, industry, as well as private research institutionsacross the globe, and adopt a practical approach here, coveringsuch aspects as the preparation, characterization, properties andtheory of polymer composites. The book begins by discussing the state of the art, new challenges,and opportunities of various polymer composite systems. Interfacialcharacterization of the composites is discussed in detail, as isthe macro- and micromechanics of the composites. Structure-propertyrelationships in various composite systems are explained with thehelp of theoretical models, while processing techniques for variousmacro- to nanocomposite systems and the influence of processingparameters on the properties of the composite are reviewed indetail. The characterization of microstructure, elastic,viscoelastic, static and dynamic mechanical, thermal, tribological,rheological, optical, electrical and barrier properties arehighlighted, as well as their myriad applications. Divided into three volumes: Vol. 1. Macro- and Microcomposites;Vol. 2. Nanocomposites; and Vol. 3. Biocomposites.




Holographic Materials and Optical Systems


Book Description

Holographic Materials and Optical Systems covers recent research achievements in the areas of volume holographic optical elements and systems, development of functionalized holographic recording materials, and applications in holographic imaging and metrology. Designs of single and multiplexed volume holographic optical elements for laser beam shaping, combining, and redirection are covered, and their properties are studied theoretically and experimentally. The high impact of holography in imaging and metrology is demonstrated by applications spreading from thickness and surface measurements, through antenna metrology and analyzing high-density gradients in fluid mechanics to characterization of live objects in clinical diagnostics. Novel functionalized materials used in dynamic or permanent holographic recording cover photopolymers, photochromics, photo-thermo-refractive glasses, and hybrid organic-inorganic media.




Nanocomposite Science and Technology


Book Description

In recent years, nanocomposites have captured and held the attention and imagination of scientists and engineers alike. Based on the simple premise that by using a wide range of building blocks with dimensions in the nanosize region, it is possible to design and create new materials with unprecedented flexibility and improvements in their physical properties. This book contains the essence of this emerging technology, the underlying science and motivation behind the design of these structures and the future, particularly from the perspective of applications. It is intended to be a reference handbook for future scientists and hence carries the basic science and the fundamental engineering principles that lead to the fabrication and property evaluation of nanocomposite materials in different areas of materials science and technology.




Applications of Nanocomposite Materials in Drug Delivery


Book Description

Applications of Nanocomposite in Drug Delivery discusses and explores the applications of nanocomposites in the area of drug delivery. Starting with a scientific understanding of drug delivery fundamentals, the book explores the utility of nanocomposites in the area of controlled, transdermal, osteo-articular tuberculosis and stimulus sensitive drug delivery applications. The book intricately details and discusses a variety of methods for their preparation, while also highlighting specific applications of nanocomposites in targeted drug delivery. - Discusses nanocomposite and nanotechnology for drug delivery - Outlines the mechanisms involved in targeted drug delivery using nanocomposites - Includes synthesis methods for nanocomposites used in controlled drug delivery - Lists various applications of nanocomposites in drug delivery




Micro Nano Devices, Structure and Computing Systems II


Book Description

Selected, peer reviewed papers from the 2013 2nd International Conference on Micro Nano Devices, Structure and Computing Systems (MNDSCS 2013), January 23-24, 2013, Shenzhen, China