The MRS Symposium Proceeding series is an internationally recognised reference suitable for researchers and practitioners.

Since its inception in the mid-twentieth century, solid-state chemistry has matured within the chemical sciences. In the same way that chemistry itself is considered a central science, solid-state chemistry is central in its many relations to physics, in particular to solid-state physics and also to materials science and engineering. There are few problems in materials science or engineering in which the preparation of the material itself is not a central issue and, more often than not, this will be a solid-state chemical problem. For these reasons, it is not surprising that in the technological development of the last century, solid-state chemistry has grown in importance. It is not only a synthesis science, it is also the science of structures, defects, stoichiometry, and physical chemical properties. Most of these are explored in the book. Topics include: metal-to-insulator transition; porous materials; dielectric materials; nanomaterials; synthesis of materials; films and catalytic materials; CMR materials; thermoelectric materials; dielectrics, catalysts, phosphors, films and properties and synthesis and crystal growth.

Advances in silicon carbide materials, processing and device design have recently resulted in implementation of SiC-based electronic systems and offer great promise in high-voltage, high-temperature and high-frequency applications. This volume focuses on new developments in basic science of SiC materials as well as rapidly maturing device technologies. The challenges in this field include understanding and decreasing defect densities in bulk SiC crystals, controlling morphology and residual impurities in epilayers, optimization of implant activation and oxide-SiC interfaces, and developing novel device structures. This book brings together the crystal growers, physicists and device experts needed to continue the rapid pace of silicon-carbide-based technology. Topics include: epitaxial growth; characterization/defects; MOS technology; SiC processing and devices.

This year's nitride symposium showed the scope of nitride-related advances spanning basic materials physics over process technology to high-performance devices. Progress was reported in bulk growth of GaN and AlN, growth on various substrates and substrate orientations, optical properties of InN, defect and doping analysis of p-doped GaN, and polarization properties. These led to new performance records in visible light emitter technology, i.e., higher efficiency/higher brightness, UV emitters with shorter wavelength, and UV and photo detectors. Advances in the development of nitride-based electronic devices with new heterostructure FET designs for RF power applications, including those on Si substrates and wafer fusion, are also reported. This book captures the exciting developments in this rapidly progressing field. Topics include: epitaxy - devices and defect reduction; defects and characterization; epitaxy - nonpolar orientations and alloys; optical properties; UV emitters and detectors; visible light emitters; electronic devices; characterization of defects and transport; and contacts, processing and p-type nitrides.

The objective of this 2003 volume from the Materials Research Society is twofold - to provide an overview of advances in membrane science and technology and to enhance communication among membrane researchers from a variety of disciplines including chemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemical engineering and materials science. Membranes can be used for inert or reactive separations in a variety of fields including gas purification, water treatment, energy storage and conversion, bio-technology and biomedicine. The book brings together scientists involved in the entire spectrum of modern approaches to membrane science and technology to address synthesis, characterization and transport properties and their use in established and emerging applications. Topics include: membrane synthesis and preparation; surface modification and additives; hybrid and composite membranes; membrane characterization; transport phenomena in membranes; charged membranes and ion transfer; gas permeation and separation; pervaporation and vapor permeation; dense membranes for hydrogen separation; applications in biotechnology and biomedicine; and membrane R&D for industrial and emerging applications.