The 7th International Workshop on Nonlinear Optics and Excitation Kinetics in Semiconductors (NOEKS 7) was held at University Karlsruhe (TH) from 24-28 February 2003. Topics of NOEKS 7 were: Ultrafast dynamics (coherent effects, coherent controls, quantum kinetics, THz-experiments), photonic crystals (2D and 3D photonic band gap materials), quantum dot physics (quantum dots, quantum wires), spin effects (spin dephasing, spin transport), disorder-related effects, organic semiconductors, semiconductor quantum optics (luminescence, photon statistics), device physics (quantum cascade lasers, superlattices, interband lasers), and Bose-Einstein condensation of excitions. physica status solidi (c) - conferences and critical reviews publishes conference proceedings, ranging from large international meetings to specialized topical workshops as well as collections of topical reviews on various areas of current solid state physics research.

This text explores the optimization of catalytic materials through traditional and novel methods of catalyst preparation, characterization, and monitoring for oxides, supported metals, zeolites, and heteropolyacids. It focuses on the synthesis of bulk materials and of heterogeneous materials, particularly at the nanoscale. The final chapters examine pretreatment, drying, finishing effects, and future applications involving catalyst preparation and the technological advances necessary for continued progress. Topics also include heat and mass transfer limitations, computation methods for predicting properties, and catalyst monitoring on laboratory and industrial scales.

Energy – in the headlines, discussed controversially, vital. The use of regenerative energy in many primary forms leads to the necessity to store grid dimensions for maintaining continuous supply and enabling the replacement of fossil fuel systems. Chemical energy storage is one of the possibilities besides mechano-thermal and biological systems. This work starts with the more general aspects of chemical energy storage in the context of the geosphere and evolves to dealing with aspects of electrochemistry, catalysis, synthesis of catalysts, functional analysis of catalytic processes and with the interface between electrochemistry and heterogeneous catalysis. Top-notch experts provide a sound, practical, hands-on insight into the present status of energy conversion aimed primarily at the young emerging research front.

The book is a multi-author survey (in 15 chapters) of the current state of knowledge and recent developments in our understanding of oxide surfaces. The author list includes most of the acknowledged world experts in this field. The material covered includes fundamental theory and experimental studies of the geometrical, vibrational and electronic structure of such surfaces, but with a special emphasis on the chemical properties and associated reactivity. The main focus is on metal oxides but coverage extends from 'simple' rocksalt materials such as MgO through to complex transition metal oxides with different valencies.

The First Book on Ultracold MoleculesCold molecules offer intriguing properties on which new operational principles can be based (e.g., quantum computing) or that may allow researchers to study a qualitatively new behavior of matter (e.g., Bose-Einstein condensates structured by the electric dipole interaction). This interdisciplinary book discusse