Symposium EE, 'Solid-State Chemistry of Inorganic Materials VIII', was held Nov. 29-Dec. 3 at the 2010 MRS Fall Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. Solid-state chemistry is a truly interdisciplinary field, attracting investigators from chemistry, condensed-matter physics, materials science engineering, ceramics, metallurgy, chemical engineering, and mineralogy/geology. It encompasses synthesis of new materials; preparation of materials in new forms (nanocrystalline, thin-film heterostructures, porous, etc.); investigations of the relationships between composition, structure and properties; as well as the application of cutting-edge characterization methods. The scope and importance of solid-state chemistry has grown not only with the discovery of new materials but also through the advancement of techniques for preparing and studying them, and in advanced computational predictions for structures and properties. The intent of the symposium was to provide researchers from academics, government, and industrial laboratories an interdisciplinary forum for interaction, discussion, and exchange of ideas on recent fundamental advances in solid-state chemistry and their impact on the development and application of inorganic materials.

The importance and scope of solid-state chemistry has grown in response to the continuing challenge to understand, control and predict the structures and properties of solids at the atomic level, and to synthesize new compounds with enhanced physical response. The many successes in the preparation of materials with unique electronic, optical, magnetic and catalytic properties are a clear testament to the vitality and importance of solid-state chemistry to materials research. This book provides an interdisciplinary forum for discussion and exchange of ideas on both the recent advances in solid-state chemistry and their impact on the development and application of inorganic materials. Topics include: chalcogenides; synthesis and reactivity; materials synthesis; theory; optical properties; electronic and magnetic properties; dielectrics and ferroelectrics; solid-state ionics and surfaces and interfaces.

Solid State Chemistry and its Applications, 2nd Edition: Student Edition is an extensive update and sequel to the bestselling textbook Basic Solid State Chemistry, the classic text for undergraduate teaching in solid state chemistry worldwide. Solid state chemistry lies at the heart of many significant scientific advances from recent decades, including the discovery of high-temperature superconductors, new forms of carbon and countless other developments in the synthesis, characterisation and applications of inorganic materials. Looking forward, solid state chemistry will be crucial for the development of new functional materials in areas such as energy, catalysis and electronic materials. This revised edition of Basic Solid State Chemistry has been completely rewritten and expanded to present an up-to-date account of the essential topics and recent developments in this exciting field of inorganic chemistry. Each section commences with a gentle introduction, covering basic principles, progressing seamlessly to a more advanced level in order to present a comprehensive overview of the subject. This new Student Edition includes the following updates and new features: Expanded coverage of bonding in solids, including a new section on covalent bonding and more extensive treatment of metallic bonding. Synthetic methods are covered extensively and new topics include microwave synthesis, combinatorial synthesis, mechano-synthesis, atomic layer deposition and spray pyrolysis. Revised coverage of electrical, magnetic and optical properties, with additional material on semiconductors, giant and colossal magnetoresistance, multiferroics, LEDs, fibre optics and solar cells, lasers, graphene and quasicrystals. Extended chapters on crystal defects and characterisation techniques. Published in full colour to aid comprehension. Extensive coverage of crystal structures for important families of inorganic solids is complemented by access to CrystalMaker® visualization software, allowing readers to view and rotate over 100 crystal structures in three dimensions. Solutions to exercises and supplementary lecture material are available online. Solid State Chemistry and its Applications, 2nd Edition: Student Edition is a must-have textbook for any undergraduate or new research worker studying solid state chemistry.

The challenge to understand, control and predict the structures and properties of solid-state chemistry of inorganic materials has driven this field for over 50 years. However, its scope and importance continues to increase, not only with the discovery of new classes of materials, but also through a deeper understanding of the diverse properties of solids made possible by modern techniques. Contributions to solid-state chemistry are now made by researchers who are active in many fields of study, including materials science and engineering, ceramics, chemistry, chemical engineering, mineralogy/geology, and condensed-matter physics. This book brings these areas together to provide an interdisciplinary presentation and discussion of recent advances in solid-state chemistry of inorganic materials, as well as a review of the impact of their development and applications. Topics include oxides, fluorides, chalcogenides, intermetallics and composites, including colossal magnetic resistance, super-conductivity, ion conductivity, magnetism, ferroelectricity, negative thermal expansion and electronic conductivity in transparent materials.