This volume contains papers presented at the NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) Dynamic Interactions in Quantum Dot Systems held at Hotel Atrium in Puszczykowo, near Poznan, Poland, May 16-19,2002. The term low-dimensional systems, which is used in the title of this volume, refers to those systems which contain at least one dimension that is intermediate between those characteristic ofatoms/molecules and those ofthe bulk material. Depending on how many dimensions lay within this range, we generally speak of quantum wells, quantum wires, and quantum dots. As such an intermediate state, some properties of low-dimensional systems are very different to those of their molecular and bulk counterparts. These properties generally include optical, electronic, and magnetic properties, and all these are partially covered in this book. The main goal of the workshop was to discuss the actual state of the art in the broad area ofnanotechnology. The initial focus was on the innovative synthesis of nanomaterials and their properties such as: quantum size effects, superparamagnetism, or field emission. These topics lead us into the various field based interactions including plasmon- magnetic spin- and exciton coupling. The newer, more sophisticated methods for characterization of nanomaterials were discussed, as well as the methods for possible industrial applications. In general, chemists and physicists, as well as experts on both theory and experiments on nanosized regime structures were brought together, to discuss the general phenomena underlying their fields ofinterest from different points ofview.

Since their discovery in 1977, the evolution of conducting polymers has revolutionized modern science and technology. These polymers enjoy a special status in the area of materials science yet they are not as popular among young readers or common people when compared to other materials like metals, paper, plastics, rubber, textiles, ceramics and composites like concrete. Most importantly, much of the available literature in the form of papers, specific review articles and books is targeted either at advanced readers (scientists / technologists / engineers / senior academicians) or for those who are already familiar with the topic (doctoral / postdoctoral scholars). For a beginner or even school / college students, such compilations are bit difficult to access / digest. In fact, they need proper introduction to the topic of conducting polymers including their discovery, preparation, properties, applications and societal impact, using suitable examples and already known principles/knowledge/phenomenon. Further, active participation of readers in terms of "question & answers", "fill-in-the-blanks", "numerical" along with suitable answer key is necessary to maintain the interest and to initiate the "thought process". The readers also need to know about the drawbacks and any hazards of such materials. Therefore, I believe that a comprehensive source on the science / technology of conducting polymers which maintains a link between grass root fundamentals and state-of-the-art R&D is still missing from the open literature.

This handbook examines the recent advances in the nanotechnology of polymers and ceramics, which possess outstanding mechanical properties and compatibility given their unique physical and chemical properties caused by the unusually large surface area to volume ratios and high interfacial reactivity. This handbook highlights the various compositions and morphologies of polymer and ceramic nanomaterials that can serve as powerful tools for the diverse applications in areas such as electronics, photonics, shape-memory alloys, biomaterials and biomedical nanomaterials, graphene-based technologies, and textiles and packaging. The handbook addresses safety, economics, green production and sustainability. The book contains a section on functionalization of these molecules, which only increases the possibility of developing even more versatile materials that can be fine-tuned for specific applications. Filling a gap in the literature, this handbook provides comprehensive coverage of properties, fabrication, characterization, functionalization methods and applications at both experimental and theoretical models scales. Economic, toxicological, regulatory, and environmental concerns regarding applications are also discussed in detail. Special attention is paid to sustainable approaches that reduce costs in terms of chemicals and time consumption. The book covers research trends, challenges, and prospective topics as well.

The need for advanced thermal management materials in electronic packaging has been widely recognized as thermal challenges become barriers to the electronic industry’s ability to provide continued improvements in device and system performance. With increased performance requirements for smaller, more capable, and more efficient electronic power devices, systems ranging from active electronically scanned radar arrays to web servers all require components that can dissipate heat efficiently. This requires that the materials have high capability of dissipating heat and maintaining compatibility with the die and electronic packaging. In response to critical needs, there have been revolutionary advances in thermal management materials and technologies for active and passive cooling that promise integrable and cost-effective thermal management solutions. This book meets the need for a comprehensive approach to advanced thermal management in electronic packaging, with coverage of the fundamentals of heat transfer, component design guidelines, materials selection and assessment, air, liquid, and thermoelectric cooling, characterization techniques and methodology, processing and manufacturing technology, balance between cost and performance, and application niches. The final chapter presents a roadmap and future perspective on developments in advanced thermal management materials for electronic packaging.

This Handbook covers all aspects related to Nanofibers, from the experimental set-up for their fabrication to their potential industrial applications. It describes several kinds of nanostructured fibers such as metal oxides, natural polymers, synthetic polymers and hybrid inorganic-polymers or carbon-based materials. The first part of the Handbook covers the fundamental aspects, experimental setup, synthesis, properties and physico-chemical characterization of nanofibers. Specifically, this part details the history of nanofibers, different techniques to design nanofibers, self-assembly in nanofibers, critical parameters of synthesis, fiber alignment, modeling and simulation, types and classifications of nanofibers, and signature physical and chemical properties (i.e. mechanical, electrical, optical and magnetic), toxicity and regulations, bulk and surface functionalization and other treatments to allow them to a practical use. Characterization methods are also deeply discussed here. The second part of the Handbook deals with global markets and technologies and emerging applications of nanofibers, such as in energy production and storage, aerospace, automotive, sensors, smart textile design, energy conversion, tissue engineering, medical implants, pharmacy and cosmetics. Attention is given to the future of research in these areas in order to improve and spread the applications of nanofibers and their commercialization.

Advanced Supramolecular Nanoarchitectonics provides the latest information on design at the nanoscale, presenting a range of the new challenges that arise when the manipulation techniques that work at the macro- and micro-scale do not work at the nanoscale. Nanoarchitectonics approaches material design via a profound understanding of the interactions between individual nanostructures and their organization. This book presents the more advanced features of this research paradigm, focusing on the materials fabrication of self-defined nanostructures and demonstrating possible applications of these fabricated materials. - Written by the team that coined the term nanoarchitectonics, providing a detailed explanation of the approach and techniques of supramolecular nanoarchitectonics - Focuses on the fabrication of materials with defined structures via organized interactions at the nanoscale - Demonstrates current and potential applications of nanoarchitected materials