The chemistry of glass is a rapidly developing field brought about by the merging together of advanced chemistry and advanced physics. While acting as a text book on the subject, this work may also serve as a useful reference source for students and research workers alike.

'The preface ... either serves for the explanation of the purpose of the book, or for justification and as an answer to critics'. Lermontov This book is based mainly on the lectures on the Chemistry of Glasses which I gave at the University of Sheffield to the final year honours and postgraduate students of Glass Technology and Materials Science. Most books reflect the interests and enthusiasm of their authors, and the present one is no exception. The chemistry of glass is a rapidly developing field because the frontiers of advanced chemistry and advanced physics are merging together and con sequently this book will soon require considerable amplification and modification. However, my experience in teaching the chemistry of glasses for more than a decade has shown me that there is much need for a good text-book on the subject. This book is therefore intended to be a stop-gap which, until it receives that new revision. may serve as a useful reference work for students and research workers alike. I gratefully acknowledge the influence on my thinking of many of those colleagues at Sheffield with whom I have been in contact during the past twenty years or so. In addition to these personal influences, other published works have had considerable influence in modifying my approach. especially Cotton and Wilkinson's Advanced inorganic Chemistry. Dr Peter James helped me in writing Chapter 2, and Professor Peter McMillan not only read the whole manuscript but also made a number of most helpful suggestions.

Glass Chemistry is concerned with the relation of chemical composition, structure and properties of various glasses. The book has been translated from the third German edition, which serves as a textbook for university students in materials sciences and a reference book for scientists and engineers in glass science and production. The central themes of the book are the chemistry and physics of glass. Detailed knowledge of the compositional and structural facts is the basis for the systematic development of new glasses as construction and optical materials. Glass Chemistry is an interdisciplinary book on the borderlines between chemistry, physics, mineralogy and even biology and medicine. The book represents a well balanced treatment for students, scientists and engineers.

Structural Chemistry of Glasses provides detailed coverage of the subject for students and professionals involved in the physical chemistry aspects of glass research. Starting with the historical background and importance of glasses, it follows on with methods of preparation, structural and bonding theories, and criteria for glass formation including new approaches such as the constraint model. Glass transition is considered, as well as the wide range of theoretical approaches that are used to understand this phenomenon. The author provides a detailed discussion of Boson peaks, FSDP, Polymorphism, fragility, structural techniques, and theoretical modelling methods such as Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics simulation. The book covers ion and electron transport in glasses, mixed-alkali effect, fast ion conduction, power law and scaling behaviour, electron localization, charged defects, photo-structural effects, elastic properties, pressure-induced transitions, switching behaviour, colour, and optical properties of glasses. Special features of a variety of oxide, chalcogenide, halide, oxy-nitride and metallic gasses are discussed. With over 140 sections, this book captures most of the important and topical aspects of glass science, and will be useful for both newcomers to the subject and the experienced practitioner.

The scope of J.K. Rao's book has been largely guided by the author's own experiences in teaching and research. The book is chiefly concerned with inorganic glasses but some examples are drawn from polymer and organic glasses for illustration.

Fundamentals of Inorganic Glasses, Third Edition, is a comprehensive reference on the field of glass science and engineering that covers numerous, significant advances. This new edition includes the most recent advances in glass physics and chemistry, also discussing groundbreaking applications of glassy materials. It is suitable for upper level glass science courses and professional glass scientists and engineers at industrial and government labs. Fundamental concepts, chapter-ending problem sets, an emphasis on key ideas, and timely notes on suggested readings are all included. The book provides the breadth required of a comprehensive reference, offering coverage of the composition, structure and properties of inorganic glasses. Clearly develops fundamental concepts and the basics of glass science and glass chemistry Provides a comprehensive discussion of the composition, structure and properties of inorganic glasses Features a discussion of the emerging applications of glass, including applications in energy, environment, pharmaceuticals, and more Concludes chapters with problem sets and suggested readings to facilitate self-study