Materials World Solid-State Chemistry

Living in a Materials World Solid-State Chemistry 

In this chapter, we start by introducing the most basic structural imit of a solid material — the unit cell. From there, we explain how crystalline solids form different shapes and are organized into different systems. At the end of the chapter, we explain some of the important and useful characteristics of solid materials, including their use as superconductors, and semiconductors. 

Solid structures are categorized as either noncrystalline (also called amorphous) or crystalline. The difference between the two is how the atoms are arranged. Noncrystalline, or amorphous, solids are made up of small particles that are about 100 A in size. The atoms composing these particles are 

Diamonds make for wonderful gifts. They re exquisite examples of a crystalline material with a unit cell that repeats itself over and over until all the crystal has a similar shape to the unit cell. 

Glass is a special kind of amorphous solid, and it serves as an analog for comparison for other types of materials. For example, when proteins fold into macroscale structures, they can sometimes be referred to as being in a glassy state. 

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Chapter 18 Living in a Materials World Solid-State Chemistry 289... 

From the viewpoint of molecular chemists, inorganic metal amides or primary amides, the derivatives of ammonia, are related to solid state chemistry. However, both inorganic and organometallic amides are mentioned in the same breath. In a world of new materials where, e.g., ceramics [16,17] and hard... 

One of the most important advances in solid state chemistry is the development of silicon-based materials. The Silicon Valley is where the semiconductor industry was bom scientists worked very hard to learn how to purify silicon and arrange the silicon atoms in such a way that they can be used to make a computer chip. At the heart of every single computer, and most electronic devices, is silicon. Just look aroimd you and imagine a world without silicon, it would be a very different place. 

We refer the reader to the very informative review article [568], where it is possible to find many illustrations of ab-initio simulation possibilities in the area of solid-state chemistry, physics, materials and surface science, and catalysis. This publication is especially useful as an introductory overview for the reader who is not acquainted with solid-state simulation. All the examples discussed in [568] have been generated with the CRYSTAL code and implemented by the authors and collaborators. CRYSTAL was the first periodic ab-initio code to be distributed to the scientific community beginning in 1989. Now, several ab-initio LCAO codes are available to users (see Appendix C), but the CRYSTAL code remains the most user-friendly and fast-developing code being applied now in more than 200 research groups in the world. 

Metal hydrides development touches many fields of research solid-state physics, surface chemistry, thermodynamics, diffusion, metallurgy, gas-solid reactions, and so on. Therefore, it requires a multidisciplinary approach on a team basis as well as for the individual researcher. Fundamental and applied knowledge still needs to be acquired for the full understanding of this class of materials. The intellectual challenge is exciting and, moreover, the developments will serve to make a better world for future generations. 

Chemistry is the science and study of the material world. It is generally accepted that there are three states of matter, solid, liquid and gaseous, and the chemicals that make up the materials of the world involve the chemical elements or molecules. 

Bill Baker rose from a bright graduate of Princeton to one of the most revered men in American science and industry. He retired as Chairman of the Board of AT T Bell Laboratories in 1980. He worked with Charles P. Smyth at Princeton on the dielectric properties of organic crystals. He joined Bell Laboratories in 1939, after he received his Ph.D. in physical chemistry, and quickly applied his deep knowledge of dielectrics to problems in polymer science. His solid state perspective on polymers helped Bell Labs to become the pre-eminent research center in the world in condensed matter materials science. 

The present volume Nanomaterials Basic Concepts and Applications , as the title suggests, deals with basic concepts and applications of nanomaterials, a buzz word in the modern world of Science and Technology. Because of advanced characterization and new fabrication techniques, nanomaterials are now central to multiple disciplines, including materials science, chemistry, physics, engineering and medicine. This special volume under Solid State Phenomena series will present an overview of recent research developments, including synthesis, characterization and applications in Nanoelectronics, Luminescence, Drug Delivery, Memristors, Solar Cells and Semiconductors. 

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