This is a book for electrical and electronic engineers, not for materials scientists. Every explanation is rendered in its simplest and clearest form and as many relevant examples are included as possible. At every point, the author makes clear the direct relevance of every topic to the reader's main course of study: electrical and electronic engineering. The central theme is that the type of bonding in a solid not only controls its electrical properties but also, and just as directly, its mechanical properties and how things are made from it. Thus the reason why a copper wire can conduct electricity is exactly the same reason it can be drawn into a wire in the first place. The reason why a piece of porcelain does not conduct electricity is the same as why it cannot be rolled into its final shape as copper could and thus has to be made directly. This common origin of electrical and mechanical properties dictates the structure of the book.

This introductory text is intended to provide undergraduate engineering students with the background needed to understand the science of structure-property relationships, as well as address the engineering concerns of materials selection in design. A computer diskette is included.

An informal and highly accessible writing style, a simple treatment of mathematics, and clear guide to applications, have made this book a classic text in electrical and electronic engineering. Students will find it both readable and comprehensive. The fundamental ideas relevant to the understanding of the electrical properties of materials are emphasized; in addition, topics are selected in order to explain the operation of devices having applications (or possible future applications) in engineering. The mathematics, kept deliberately to a minimum, is well within the grasp of a second-year student. This is achieved by choosing the simplest model that can display the essential properties of a phenomenom, and then examining the difference between the ideal and the actual behaviour. The whole text is designed as an undergraduate course. However most individual sections are self contained and can be used as background reading in graduate courses, and for interested persons who want to explore advances in microelectronics, lasers, nanotechnology and several other topics that impinge on modern life.

"A classic text in the field, providing a readable and accessible guide for students of electrical and electronic engineering. Ideal for undergraduates, the book is also an invaluable reference for graduate students and others wishing to explore this rapidly expanding field." -Cover.

Materials properties, whether microscopic or macroscopic, are of immense interest to the materials scientists, physicists, chemists as well as to engineers. Investigation of such properties, theoretically and experimentally, has been one of the fundamental research directions for many years that has also resulted in the discovery of many novel materials. It is also equally important to correctly model and measure these materials properties. Keeping such interests of research communities in mind, this book has been written on the properties of polyesters, varistor ceramics, and powdered porous compacts and also covers some measurement and parameter extraction methods for dielectric materials. Four contributed chapters and an introductory chapter from the editor explain each class of materials with practical examples.

Electronic materials provide the basis for many high tech industries that have changed rapidly in recent years. In this fully revised and updated second edition, the author discusses the range of available materials and their technological applications. Introduction to the Electronic Properties of Materials, 2nd Edition presents the principles of the behavior of electrons in materials and develops a basic understanding with minimal technical detail. Broadly based, it touches on all of the key issues in the field and offers a multidisciplinary approach spanning physics, electrical engineering, and materials science. It provides an understanding of the behavior of electrons within materials, how electrons determine the magnetic thermal, optical and electrical properties of materials, and how electronic properties are controlled for use in technological applications. Although some mathematics is essential in this area, the mathematics that is used is easy to follow and kept to an appropriate level for the reader. An excellent introductory text for undergraduate students, this book is a broad introduction to the topic and provides a careful balance of information that will be appropriate for physicists, materials scientists, and electrical engineers.