Work Function and Band Alignment of Electrode Materials


Book Description

This book covers a wide range of topics on work function and band alignment, from the basics to practical examples. Work function and band alignment determine electric properties at the interface including surfaces, such as electron emission, the Schottky barrier height, and ohmic contact. Basic physics is used to systematically explain how to adjust and measure work function and how to modify the band alignment required for controlling work function in functional materials and electrodes. Methods introduced in the book help to improve device performance and to solve the problems of controlling the voltage and efficiency of devices in a great variety of applications, including electronic devices, optical devices such as displays, and energy devices such as solar cells and batteries. Understanding the technical methods necessary for controlling work function and band alignment can help to solve problems such as non-ohmic contact at source–electrode or drain–electrode interfaces in metal–oxide–silicon structures, which directly contributes to improving power saving and reducing heat generation in computers.




Solar Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage


Book Description

Solar Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage: Materials, Technologies, and Applications focuses on the current state of solar energy and the recent advancements in nanomaterials for different technologies, from harnessing energy to storage. The book covers different aspects of advanced nanomaterials for solar energy, rapid developments in solar thermal and hot water systems, and PV and CSP technologies. In addition, sections cover storing harnessed solar/heat energy using different available energy storage technologies, including phase change materials (PCMs), batteries, and supercapacitors. Various applications such as agriculture and aquaculture, desalination, domestic appliances, and transport are also explored. - Provides an overview of solar energy harvesting technologies, energy storage technologies, and the role of advanced nanomaterials in solar energy - Explores applications of technology in the fields of agriculture, aquaculture, desalination and transport - Includes discussion of current policies, strategies and socioeconomic analysis and challenges




Tin Oxide Materials


Book Description

Tin Oxide Materials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications discusses the latest in metal oxides, an emerging area in electronic materials. As more is learned about this important materials system, more functionalities and applications have been revealed. This key reference on the topic covers important material that is ideal for materials scientists, materials engineers and materials chemists who have been introduced to metal oxides as a general category of materials, but want to take the next step and learn more about a specific material. Provides a complete resource on tin oxide materials systems, including in-depth discussions of properties, their synthesis, modelling methods, and applications Presents information on the well-investigated SnO2, but also includes discussions on its emerging stoichiometries, such as SnO and Sn3O4 Includes the most relevant applications in varistors, sensing devices, fuel cells, transistors, biological studies, and much more




CMOS Past, Present and Future


Book Description

CMOS Past, Present and Future provides insight from the basics, to the state-of-the-art of CMOS processing and electrical characterization, including the integration of Group IV semiconductors-based photonics. The book goes into the pitfalls and opportunities associated with the use of hetero-epitaxy on silicon with strain engineering and the integration of photonics and high-mobility channels on a silicon platform. It begins with the basic definitions and equations, but extends to present technologies and challenges, creating a roadmap on the origins of the technology and its evolution to the present, along with a vision for future trends. The book examines the challenges and opportunities that materials beyond silicon provide, including a close look at high-k materials and metal gate, strain engineering, channel material and mobility, and contacts. The book's key approach is on characterizations, device processing and electrical measurements. - Addresses challenges and opportunities for the use of CMOS - Covers the latest methods of strain engineering, materials integration to increase mobility, nano-scaled transistor processing, and integration of CMOS with photonic components - Provides a look at the evolution of CMOS technology, including the origins of the technology, current status and future possibilities




Comprehensive Guide on Organic and Inorganic Solar Cells


Book Description

Comprehensive Guide on Organic and Inorganic Solar Cells: Fundamental Concepts to Fabrication Methods is a one-stop, authoritative resource on all types of inorganic, organic and hybrid solar cells, including their theoretical background and the practical knowledge required for fabrication. With chapters rigorously dedicated to a particular type of solar cell, each subchapter takes a detailed look at synthesis recipes, deposition techniques, materials properties and their influence on solar cell performance, including advanced characterization methods with materials selection and experimental techniques. By addressing the evolution of solar cell technologies, second generation thin-film photovoltaics, organic solar cells, and finally, the latest hybrid organic-inorganic approaches, this book benefits students and researchers in solar cell technology to understand the similarities, differences, benefits and challenges of each device. Introduces the basic concepts of different photovoltaic cells to audiences from a wide variety of academic backgrounds Consists of working principles of a particular category of solar technology followed by dissection of every component within the architecture Crucial experimental procedures for the fabrication of solar cell devices are introduced, aiding picture practical application of the technology




Solar Cells


Book Description

Enormous leaps forward in the efficiency and the economy of solar cells are being made at a furious pace. New materials and manufacturing processes have opened up new realms of possibility for the application of solar cells. Crystalline silicon cells are increasingly making way for thin film cells, which are spawning experimentation with third-generation high-efficiency multijunction cells, carbon-nanotube based cells, UV light for voltage enhancement, and the use of the infrared spectrum for night-time operation, to name only a few recent advances. This thoroughly updated new edition of Markvart and Castaner's Solar Cells, extracted from their industry standard Practical Handbook of Photovoltaics, is the definitive reference covering the science and operation, materials and manufacture of solar cells. It is essential reading for engineers, installers, designers, and policy-makers who need to understand the science behind the solar cells of today, and tomorrow, in order to take solar energy to the next level. A thorough update to the definitive reference to solar cells, created by a cast of international experts from industry and academia to ensure the highest quality information from multiple perspectives Covers the whole spectrum of solar cell information, from basic scientific background, to the latest advances in materials, to manufacturing issues, to testing and calibration. Case studies, practical examples and reports on the latest advances take the new edition of this amazing resource beyond a simple amalgamation of a vast amount of knowledge, into the realm of real world applications




Robotic Systems and Autonomous Platforms


Book Description

Robotic Systems and Autonomous Platforms: Advances in Materials and Manufacturing showcases new materials and manufacturing methodologies for the enhancement of robotic and autonomous systems. Initial chapters explore how autonomous systems can enable new uses for materials, including innovations on different length scales, from nano, to macro and large systems. The means by which autonomous systems can enable new uses for manufacturing are also addressed, highlighting innovations in 3D additive manufacturing, printing of materials, novel synthesis of multifunctional materials, and robotic cooperation. Concluding themes deliver highly novel applications from the international academic, industrial and government sectors. This book will provide readers with a complete review of the cutting-edge advances in materials and manufacturing methodologies that could enhance the capabilities of robotic and autonomous systems. - Presents comprehensive coverage of materials and manufacturing technologies, as well as sections on related technology, such as sensing, communications, autonomy/control and actuation - Explores potential applications demonstrated by a selection of case-studies - Contains contributions from leading experts in the field







Nanostructured Zinc Oxide


Book Description

Nanostructured Zinc Oxide covers the various routes for the synthesis of different types of nanostructured zinc oxide including; 1D (nanorods, nanowires etc.), 2D and 3D (nanosheets, nanoparticles, nanospheres etc.). This comprehensive overview provides readers with a clear understanding of the various parameters controlling morphologies. The book also reviews key properties of ZnO including optical, electronic, thermal, piezoelectric and surface properties and techniques in order to tailor key properties. There is a large emphasis in the book on ZnO nanostructures and their role in optoelectronics. ZnO is very interesting and widely investigated material for a number of applications. This book presents up-to-date information about the ZnO nanostructures-based applications such as gas sensing, pH sensing, photocatalysis, antibacterial activity, drug delivery, and electrodes for optoelectronics. - Reviews methods to synthesize, tailor, and characterize 1D, 2D, and 3D zinc oxide nanostructured materials - Discusses key properties of zinc oxide nanostructured materials including optical, electronic, thermal, piezoelectric, and surface properties - Addresses most relevant zinc oxide applications in optoelectronics such as light-emitting diodes, solar cells, and sensors




Handbook of Thin Films


Book Description

This five-volume handbook focuses on processing techniques, characterization methods, and physical properties of thin films (thin layers of insulating, conducting, or semiconductor material). The editor has composed five separate, thematic volumes on thin films of metals, semimetals, glasses, ceramics, alloys, organics, diamonds, graphites, porous materials, noncrystalline solids, supramolecules, polymers, copolymers, biopolymers, composites, blends, activated carbons, intermetallics, chalcogenides, dyes, pigments, nanostructured materials, biomaterials, inorganic/polymer composites, organoceramics, metallocenes, disordered systems, liquid crystals, quasicrystals, and layered structures.Thin films is a field of the utmost importance in today's materials science, electrical engineering and applied solid state physics; with both research and industrial applications in microelectronics, computer manufacturing, and physical devices.Advanced, high-performance computers, high-definition TV, digital camcorders, sensitive broadband imaging systems, flat-panel displays, robotic systems, and medical electronics and diagnostics are but a few examples of miniaturized device technologies that depend the utilization of thin film materials. The Handbook of Thin Films Materials is a comprehensive reference focusing on processing techniques, characterization methods, and physical properties of these thin film materials.