This book presents the latest trends and applications of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). It includes research and applications of the new primary ion guns. It also describes new possibilities of mass spectrometers and instrumentation development.

This fully updated edition provides a broad approach to the surface analysis of polymers being of high technological interest. Modern analytical techniques, potential applications and recent advances in instrumental apparatus are discussed. The self-consistent chapters are devoted to techniques from photoelectron spectroscopy to electron microscopies and wettability.

This book summarizes the main surface analysis techniques that are being used to study biological specimens/systems. The compilation of chapters in this book highlight the benefits that surface analysis provides. The outer layer of bulk solid or liquid samples is referred to as the surface of the sample/material. At the surface, the composition, microstructure, phase, chemical bonding, electronic states, and/or texture is often different than that of the bulk material. The outer surface is where many material interactions/reactions take place. This is especially true biomaterials which may be fabricated into bio-devices and in turn implanted into tissues and organs. Surfaces of biomaterials (synthetic or modified natural materials) are of critical importance since the surface is typically the only part of the biomaterial/bio-device that comes in contact with the biological system. Analytical techniques are required to characterize the surface of biomaterials and quantify their impact in real-world biological systems. Surface analysis of biological materials started in the 1960’s and the number of researchers working in this area have increased very rapidly since then, a number of advances have been made to standard surface analytical instrumentation, and a number of new instruments have been introduced.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are spherical particles with a diameter less than 100nm. They will likely become important building blocks in several industrial sectors in the future. NPs are produced under different compositions, shapes, and structures often dispersed in a medium. NPs are classified according to their composition, properties, fabrication process, or applications. A simple classification could be obtained by dividing NPs into inorganic metals, inorganic semiconductors, inorganic insulators, and, finally, organics including polymers. Other classifications are based on the nature of the manufacturing process (chemical, physical, or biological), synthesis media (gas, liquid, or solid), energy source (sputtering, laser, microwave, convection, and sonochemical), and properties (optical, mechanical, or thermal). Besides increased surface area and reactivity, smaller particles may give rise to numerous improved mechanical, optoelectronic, thermal, and magnetic properties. NPs are often used with a core–shell structure obtained following the synthesis step or a post-synthesis process. In most cases, the value chain of commercial products involving NPs consists of NP production, formulation, integration, and system assembling. Toxicity and environmental issues are considered important issues requiring more R&D and education. In particular, improved life cycle inventory and life cycle analysis for different commercial and pre-commercial NP-based products are needed.

TRAC: Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Volume 9 provides information pertinent to the trends in the field of analytical chemistry. This book discusses a variety of topics related to analytical chemistry, including flow chemography, condensation polymers, sedimentary organic matter, nucleosides, and fuzzy expert systems. Organized into 43 parts encompassing 87 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of particle induced X-ray emission and its analytical applications. This text then discusses direct memory access data acquisition, which is an efficient method of collecting data from analytical instrumentation. Other chapters consider the application of flow injection analysis in industrial research laboratory. This book discusses as well the utilization of the time-of-flight mass spectroscopy method. The final chapter deals with brassinosteroids, a group of steroidal plant growth substances that possess B-ring lactone and two vicinal diols. This book is a valuable resource for analytical chemists, biochemists, molecular biologists, physicists, engineers, scientists, and researcher workers.

The aim of this book is to present a range of analytical methods that can be used in formulation design and development and focus on how these systems can be applied to understand formulation components and the dosage form these build. To effectively design and exploit drug delivery systems, the underlying characteristic of a dosage form must be understood--from the characteristics of the individual formulation components, to how they act and interact within the formulation, and finally, to how this formulation responds in different biological environments. To achieve this, there is a wide range of analytical techniques that can be adopted to understand and elucidate the mechanics of drug delivery and drug formulation. Such methods include e.g. spectroscopic analysis, diffractometric analysis, thermal investigations, surface analytical techniques, particle size analysis, rheological techniques, methods to characterize drug stability and release, and biological analysis in appropriate cell and animal models. Whilst each of these methods can encompass a full research area in their own right, formulation scientists must be able to effectively apply these methods to the delivery system they are considering. The information in this book is designed to support researchers in their ability to fully characterize and analyze a range of delivery systems, using an appropriate selection of analytical techniques. Due to its consideration of regulatory approval, this book will also be suitable for industrial researchers both at early stage up to pre-clinical research.