This book presents the latest research in ultrathin carbon-based protective overcoats for high areal density magnetic data storage systems, with a particular focus on hard disk drives (HDDs) and tape drives. These findings shed new light on how the microstructure and interfacial chemistry of these sub-20 nm overcoats can be engineered at the nanoscale regime to obtain enhanced properties for wear, thermal and corrosion protection – which are critical for such applications. Readers will also be provided with fresh experimental insights into the suitability of graphene as an atomically-thin overcoat for HDD media. The easy readability of this book will appeal to a wide audience, ranging from non-specialists with a general interest in the field to scientists and industry professionals directly involved in thin film and coatings research.

This book provides a detailed description of metal-complex functionalized carbon allotrope forms, including classic (such as graphite), rare (such as M- or T-carbon), and nanoforms (such as carbon nanotubes, nanodiamonds, etc.). Filling a void in the nanotechnology literature, the book presents chapters generalizing the synthesis, structure, properties, and applications of all known carbon allotropes. Metal-complex composites of carbons are described, along with several examples of their preparation and characterization, soluble metal-complex carbon composites, cost-benefit data, metal complexes as precursors of carbon allotropes, and applications. A lab manual on the synthesis and characterization of carbon allotropes and their metal-complex composites is included. Provides a complete description of all carbon allotropes, both classic and rare, as well as carbon nanostructures and their metal-complex composites; Contains a laboratory manual of experiments on the synthesis and characterization of metal-complex carbon composites; Discusses applications in diverse fields, such as catalysis on supporting materials, water treatment, sensors, drug delivery, and devices.

A timely text on the recent developments in data storage, from a materials perspective Ever-increasing amounts of data storage on hard disk have been made possible largely due to the immense technological advances in the field of data storage materials. Developments in Data Storage: Materials Perspective covers the recent progress and developments in recording technologies, including the emerging non-volatile memory, which could potentially become storage technologies of the future. Featuring contributions from experts around the globe, this book provides engineers and graduate students in materials science and electrical engineering a solid foundation for grasping the subject. The book begins with the basics of magnetism and recording technology, setting the stage for the following chapters on existing methods and related research topics. These chapters focus on perpendicular recording media to underscore the current trend of hard disk media; read sensors, with descriptions of their fundamental principles and challenges; and write head, which addresses the advanced concepts for writing data in magnetic recording. Two chapters are devoted to the highly challenging area in hard disk drives of tribology, which deals with reliability, corrosion, and wear-resistance of the head and media. Next, the book provides an overview of the emerging technologies, such as heat-assisted magnetic recording and bit-patterned media recording. Non-volatile memory has emerged as a promising alternative storage option for certain device applications; two chapters are dedicated to non-volatile memory technologies such as the phase-change and the magnetic random access memories. With a strong focus on the fundamentals along with an overview of research topics, Developments in Data Storage is an ideal reference for graduate students or beginners in the field of magnetic recording. It also serves as an invaluable reference for future storage technologies including non-volatile memories.

The papers included in this issue of ECS Transactions were originally presented in the symposium ¿Coatings for Corrosion Protection¿, held during the 216th meeting of The Electrochemical Society, in Vienna, Austria from October 4 to 9, 2009.

This book joins and integrates ceramics and ceramic-based materials in various sectors of technology. A major imperative is to extract scientific information on joining and integration response of real, as well as model, material systems currently in a developmental stage. This book envisions integration in its broadest sense as a fundamental enabling technology at multiple length scales that span the macro, millimeter, micrometer and nanometer ranges. Consequently, the book addresses integration issues in such diverse areas as space power and propulsion, thermoelectric power generation, solar energy, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), multi-chip modules, prosthetic devices, and implanted biosensors and stimulators. The engineering challenge of designing and manufacturing complex structural, functional, and smart components and devices for the above applications from smaller, geometrically simpler units requires innovative development of new integration technology and skillful adaptation of existing technology.

PRICM-8 features the most prominent and largest-scale interactions in advanced materials and processing in the Pacific Rim region. The conference is unique in its intrinsic nature and architecture which crosses many traditional discipline and cultural boundaries. This is a comprehensive collection of papers from the 15 symposia presented at this event.