This Handbook compiles advanced methods for materials measurement and characterization from the macroscopic to the nano-scale. Materials professionals need not only handbooks of materials data but clear guidelines and standards for how to measure the full spectrum of materials characteristics of new materials ans systems. Since materials science forms a bridge between the more traditonal fields of physics, engineering, and chemistry, unifying the varying perspectives and covering the full gamut of properties also serves a useful purpose. This handbook is the first dedicated to these practical and important considerations.

The book covers in particular state-of-the-art scientific research about product quality control and related health and environmental safety topics, including human, animal and plant safety assurance issues. These conference proceedings provide contemporary information on the general theoretical, metrological and practical issues of the production and application of reference materials. Reference materials play an integral role in physical, chemical and related type of measurements, ensuring their uniformity, comparability and the validity of quantitative analysis as well as, as a result, the objectivity of decisions concerning the elimination of technical barriers in commercial and economic, scientific and technical and other spheres of cooperation. The book is intended for researchers and practitioners in the field of chemistry, metrologists, technical physics, as well as for specialists in analytical laboratories, or working for companies and organizations involved in the production, distribution and use of reference materials.

Under the guidance of the German Federal Institute for Materials Research (BAM), the standards for fabrication and application of reference materials are presented here in comprehensive form. The areas covered are analytical chemistry, materials science, environmental analysis, clinical and forensic toxicological analysis, and gas and food analysis. A standard reference for every analytical laboratory.