This major treatise on photochromism involving organic molecules and derived systems offers a detailed examination of the synthesis and specific photochromic properties of the best-known photochromic and thermochromic compounds. It includes practical information and commercial applications for known photochromic families.

This book, Organic Photochromic and Thermochromic Compounds, is the fourth major treatise on photochromism involving organic molecules and derived systems. The first such book was edited by G.H. Brown in the Weissberger series in 1971, the second was edited by H. Dürr and H. Bouas-Laurent in the Elsevier series in 1990. A third book, edited by C.B. McArdle, should be added to the list, which focuses on the very important topic of the behavior of photochromic systems in polymer matrices. The current book is a result of the large increase in the number of publications and patents concerning photochromic compounds and their use in various applications (e.g. ophthalmic lenses, security printing, etc.) during the last 10 years. As a result of this increased interest, two successful International Symposia on Photochromism have been held: the first, ISOP93, in France on Embiez Island near Bandol (September 12-16, 1993) and the second, ISOP96, in the United States in Clearwater, Florida (September 8-12, 1996). The number of countries represented at each of these symposia (17 and 16, respectively) attests to the international scope of the photochromic research community. This global interest is also exemplified by the authors of the chapters within this book. The second volume of this new review is focused on the physico-chemical properties and photochromic behavior of the best-known systems, which have led to new developments in the known photochromic series or the discovery of new families. Chapters are included on the most appropriate physico-chemical methods by which photochromic substances can be studied (spectrokinetic studies on photostationary states, Raman spectroscopy, EPR, chemical computations and molecular modeling, X-ray diffraction analysis). In addition, special topics such as interaction between photochromic compounds and polymer matrices, photodegradation mechanisms, and potential biological applications have been treated. The last chapter, on thermochromic materials, is included to emphasize the chemical similarities between photochromic and thermochromic materials. In general, the literature cited within the chapters covers publications through 1995.

Summarizing all the latest trends and recent topics in one handy volume, this book covers everything needed for a solid understanding of photochromic materials. Following a general introduction to organic photochromic materials, the authors move on to discuss not only the underlying theory but also the properties of such materials. After a selection of pplications, they look at the latest achievements in traditional solution-phase applications, including photochromic-based molecular logic operations and memory, optically modulated supramolecular system and sensors, as well as light-tunable chemical reactions. The book then describes the hotspot areas of photo-switchable surfaces and nanomaterials, photochromic-based luminescence/electronic devices and bulk materials together with light-regulated biological and bio-chemical systems. The authors conclude with a focus on current industrial applications and the future outlook for these materials. Written with both senior researchers and entrants to the field in mind.

This major treatise on photochromism involving organic molecules and derived systems is a result of increased international interest in the field. Volume 1 offers a detailed examination of the synthesis and specific photochromic properties of the best-known photochromic and thermochromic compounds. It includes numerous physico-chemical methods by which photochromic substances can be studied as well as practical information and commercial applications for known photochromic families.

This book presents a design-driven investigation into smart materials developed by chemists, physicists, materials and chemical engineers, and applied by designers to consumer products. Introducing a class of smart materials, that change colors, the book presents their characteristics, advantages, potentialities and difficulties of applications of this to help understanding what they are, how they work, how they are applied. The books also present a number of case studies: products, projects, concepts and experiments using smart materials, thus mapping out new design territories for these innovative materials. These case studies involve different fields of design, including product, interior, fashion and communication design. Within the context of rising sustainable and human-centered design agendas, the series will demonstrate the role and influence of these new materials and technologies on design, and discuss how they can implement and redefine our objects and spaces to encourage more resilient environments.

Sol-Gel Techniques for Glass Producers and Users provides technological information, descriptions and characterizations of prototypes, or products already on the market, and illustrates advantages and disadvantages of the sol-gel process in comparison to other methods. The first chapter entitled "Wet Chemical Technology" gives a summary of the basic principles of the sol-gel chemistry. The most promising applications are related to coatings. Chapter 2 describes the various "Wet Chemical Coating Technologies" from glass cleaning to many deposition and post-coating treatment techniques. These include patterning of coatings through direct or indirect techniques which have became very important and for which the sol-gel processing is particularly well adapted. Chapter 3 entitled "Bulk Glass Technologies" reports on the preparation of special glasses for different applications. Chapter 4 entitled "Coatings and Materials Properties" describes the properties of the different coatings and the sol-gel materials, fibers and powders. The chapter also includes a section dedicated to the characterization techniques especially applied to sol-gel coatings and products.

Photochromism is simply defined as the light induced reversible change of colour. The field has developed rapidly during the past decade as a result of attempts to improve the established materials and to discover new devices for applications.As photochromism bridges molecular, supramolecular and solid state chemistry, as well as organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, such a treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach and a broad presentation. The first edition (1990) provided an enormous amount of new concepts and data, such as the presentation of main families based on the pericyclic reaction mechanism, the review of new families, some bimolecular photocycloadditions and some promising systems. This new edition provides an efficient entry into this flourishing field, with the core content retained from the original work to provide a basic introduction into the different subjects.*Second edition of a work first published in 1990, now revised due to constant development of research. *Including updated lists of references (1989-2001), offering immediate access to recent developments.*Providing great basic interest and high application potential bringing scientists together from chemistry, physics and engineering.