Hot Topics in Crystal Engineering covers the design and synthesis of single crystalline solid-state materials, their properties and applications, focusing on the understanding and use of intermolecular interactions that constitute single crystalline materials. Many of the most modern materials, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) capable of gas storage and separation, and selective entrapment of harmful substances, are the result of the rational use of crystal engineering. Topics covered in this work highlight breakthroughs in this rapidly developing field. This work offers a carefully chosen cross-section of the latest developments, some in their early infancy and some covered for the first time. - Provides comprehensive and authoritative articles, giving readers access to a wealth of information to fully support their research and activities - Covers the latest developments in crystal engineering, including topics which are in their early infancy - Written by leading international experts

This volume collects the state of the art in molecular materials. It collects the lecture notes of a series of lectures given by some of the best specialists in the field at the 2007 Erice International School of Crystallography, and also a NATO-ASI course. The school first established "where we are" in terms of modeling, design, synthesis and applications of crystalline solids with predefined properties and then defined current and possible futuristic lines of development.

Crystal engineering is an interdisciplinary area that cuts across the traditional subdivisions of chemistry. Fuelled by our increasingly precise understanding of the chemistry and properties of supramolecular systems, interest in the potential of the field has increased rapidly. The topics discussed in the 28 contributions in this book provide a state-of-the-art description of the field and offer new research ideas that, if pursued, will serve to strengthen the field at the interface between supramolecular chemistry and materials science.

Optical Properties of Crystalline and Amorphous Semiconductors: Materials and Fundamental Principles presents an introduction to the fundamental optical properties of semiconductors. This book presents tutorial articles in the categories of materials and fundamental principles (Chapter 1), optical properties in the reststrahlen region (Chapter 2), those in the interband transition region (Chapters 3 and 4) and at or below the fundamental absorption edge (Chapter 5). Optical Properties of Crystalline and Amorphous Semiconductors: Materials and Fundamental Principles is presented in a form which could serve to teach the underlying concepts of semiconductor optical properties and their implementation. This book is an invaluable resource for device engineers, solid-state physicists, material scientists and students specializing in the fields of semiconductor physics and device engineering.

Electronic Properties of Crystalline Solids: An Introduction to Fundamentals discusses courses in the electronic properties of solids taught in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University. The book starts with a brief review of classical wave mechanics, discussing concept of waves and their role in the interactions of electrons, phonons, and photons. The book covers the free electron model for metals, and the origin, derivation, and properties of allowed and forbidden energy bands for electrons in crystalline materials. It also examines transport phenomena and optical effects in crystalline materials, including electrical conductivity, scattering phenomena, thermal conductivity, Hall and thermoelectric effects, magnetoresistance, optical absorption, photoconductivity, and other photoelectronic effects in both ideal and real materials. This book is intended for upper-level undergraduates in a science major, or for first- or second-year graduate students with an interest in the scientific basis for our understanding of properties of materials.

This book summarises approaches and current practices in actinide immobilisation using chemically-durable crystalline materials e.g. ceramics and monocrystals. Durable actinide-containing materials including crystalline ceramics and single crystals are attractive for various applications such as nuclear fuel to burn excess Pu, chemically inert sources of irradiation for use in unmanned space vehicles or producing electricity for microelectronic devices, and nuclear waste disposal. Long-lived -emitting actinides such as Pu, Np, Am and Cm are currently of serious concern has a result of increased worldwide growth in the nuclear industry. Actinide-bearing wastes have also accumulated in different countries as a result of nuclear weapons production. Excess weapon and civil Pu from commercial spent fuel is waiting for environmentally-safe immobilisation. As actinides are chemical elements with unique features, they could be beneficially used in different areas of human life including medicine although currently there is no appropriate balance between safe actinide disposal and use. Both use and disposal of actinides require their immobilisation in a durable host material. The choice of an optimal actinide immobilisation route is often a great challenge for specialists. There is a wealth of information about actinide properties in many publications although little is published to summarise the currently accepted approaches and practices on actinide immobilisation. This book intends to provide such information based on the authors' experience and studies in nuclear material management and actinide immobilisation.

This book is important because it is the first textbook in an area that has become very popular in recent times. There are around 250 research groups in crystal engineering worldwide today. The subject has been researched for around 40 years but there is still no textbook at the level of senior undergraduates and beginning PhD students. This book is expected to fill this gap.The writing style is simple, with an adequate number of exercises and problems, and the diagrams are easy to understand. This book consists major areas of the subject, including organic crystals and co-ordination polymers, and can easily form the basis of a 30 to 40 lecture course for senior undergraduates.