Search results for ""Royal Society of Chemistry""

First reported in 2008, Pillararenes are a new class of macrocyclic hosts consisting of hydroquinone units linked at the para-position. With a composition similar to cucurbiturils and calixarenes, they combine the advantages and aspects of traditional hosts and have applications in sensing, material synthesis and biomedicine. Pillararenes starts with the historical background of macrocyclic compounds and then following chapters cover the synthesis of pillararenes, their structures, conformations and planar chirality. Dedicated chapters then cover their host-guest properties and supramolecular assemblies based on pillararenes including supramolecular polymers and mechanically interlocked molecules. Edited by the leader in the field, this is the first book to cover pillararenes and will appeal to graduate students, researchers and academics in supramolecular chemistry, organic chemistry, polymer chemistry and materials science interested in the chemistry and applications of pillararenes.

Read more less

Organophosphorus Chemistry provides a comprehensive and critical review of the recent literature. Coverage includes phosphines and their chalcogenides, phosphonium salts, low coordination number phosphorus compounds, penta- and hexa- coordinated compounds, quinquevalent phosphorus acids, nucleotides and nucleic acids, ylides and related compounds, phosphazenes and the application of physical methods in the study of organophosphorus compounds. This is the 40th in a series of volumes which first appeared in 1970 under the editorship of Stuart Trippett and which covered the literature of organophosphorus chemistry published in the period from January 1968 to June 1969, citing some 1370 publications. The present volume covers the literature from January 2009 to January 2010, citing more than 2200 publications, continuing our efforts to provide an up to date survey of progress in an area of chemistry that has expanded significantly over the past 40 years.

Read more less

There has been a recent surge in hardware developments with respect to mobile NMR and MRI systems, from which novel applications are starting to emerge. These comparatively low cost systems allow either for more routine use of NMR and MRI, generally for material quality control, or they allow for the analysis of samples whose size and shape precludes conventional NMR and MRI application. This book will, for the first time, summarise these recent hardware developments, highlight the challenges facing mobile and generally low-field NMR and MRI and describe various applications. Including chapters on commercial applications in well logging and food content measurements, the broad appeal of this book will fill a gap in the literature for NMR spectroscopists, analytical chemists and all those involved in measurement science in both industry and academia.

Read more less

Ambient ionization has emerged as one of the hottest and fastest growing topics in mass spectrometry enabling sample analysis with minimal sample preparation. Introducing the subject and explaining the basic concepts and terminology, this book will provide a comprehensive, unique treatise devoted to the subject. Written by acknowledged experts, there are full descriptions on how new ionization techniques work, with an overview of their strengths, weaknesses and applications. This title will bring the reader right up to date, with both applications and theory, and will be suitable as a tutorial text for those starting in the field from a variety of disciplines.

Read more less

Polyrotaxane is a necklace-like supramolecule in which many cyclic molecules are threaded into a single polymer chain and can be cross-linked to produce functional polymeric materials. The resulting materials have movable cross-linking giving unique properties different from other polymer networks with fixed covalent bonds gaining much attention for new films, elastomers and coatings. Polyrotaxane and Slide-Ring Materials is the first book to cover the fundamentals and applications of these molecules and materials. After a general introduction, the first part of the book covers the thermodynamics of inclusion complex formation and sliding transition in polyrotaxane, followed by different synthesis techniques of polyrotaxane and slide-ring materials. The book then addresses different scattering methods for structural analysis followed by chapters on the electric and optical properties of polyrotaxane as well as the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of slide-ring materials. The final part of the book contains different chapters on their applications including gels elastomers and resins. Authored by the inventor of slide-ring materials, it will appeal to students, researchers, and engineers in supramolecular chemistry, polymer chemistry and polymer physics.

Read more less

With the increasing awareness and concern about the dependency on fossil resources and the depletion of crude oil reserves, experts from industrial biotechnology, renewable resources, green chemistry, and biorefineries are stimulating the transition from the fossil-based to the bio-based economy. This text confronts scientific and economic challenges and strategies for making this crucial transition. Renewable Resources for Biorefineries is the work of a strongly interdisciplinary authorship, offering perspectives from biology, chemistry, biochemical engineering, materials science, and industry. This unique approach provides an opportunity for a much broader coverage of biomass and valorisation than has been attempted in previous titles. This book also represents the fundamentally important technical and policy aspects of a bio-based economy, to ground this important science in a realistic and viable economic framework. Chapters in this book cover a diverse range of topics, including: advanced generation bioenergy sectors; biobased polymers and materials; chemical platform molecules; industrial crops and biorefineries; financing and policy for change; and valorisation of biomass waste streams. This is an ideal book for upper level undergraduate and postgraduate students taking modules on Renewable resources, green chemistry, sustainable development, environmental science, agricultural science and environmental technology. It will also benefit industry professionals and product developers who are looking to improve economic and environmental ways to utilise renewable resources in current and future biorefineries.

Read more less

Calcium’s importance in health and disease is clear when listing its multiple roles in the body, which include building strong bones and teeth, vascular calcification, muscle function, hormonal regulation and maintaining a normal heartbeat. This book will examine these roles and will also cover areas such as chemical analysis, sources of calcium based on geography, influence of Vitamin D, hypercalcemia and the effects of dietary calcium. This edited volume will pool knowledge across scientific disciplines in a way that increases its applicability to a wide range of audiences and fills the gap identified in providing comprehensive synopses of food substances. Chemists, analytical scientists, forensic scientists, food scientists, as well as course lecturers and university librarians, will all benefit from this title.

Read more less

Although toxic in large doses, selenium is an essential trace mineral in the animal diet and in some plants. It has a role in making antioxidant enzymes and a particular role in the functioning of the thyroid gland. This volume examines the chemical activity of selenium and its functional health effects eg towards cancers, in the heart and brain. It also covers other areas such as functional food enrichment, whole body metabolism, and the effects of selenium deficiency on health. Part of The Food and Nutritional Components in Focus series, this edited volume pools knowledge across scientific disciplines in a way that increases its applicability to a wide range of audiences. Victor Preedy’s own distinguished career in nutritional science has made him a prolific author of research articles and books in this area, and this project fills a gap in providing comprehensive synopses of food substances. Chemists, analytical scientists, forensic scientists, food scientists, as well as course lecturers will all benefit from this interdisciplinary title written by international experts in this area.

Read more less

Betaine is widely distributed in plants and animals and has a role as an osmolyte and as a cofactor in methylation in liver metabolism. It has been shown to protect internal organs, improve vascular risk factors and enhance performance. The growing body of evidence shows that betaine is an important nutrient for the prevention of chronic disease. This volume surveys the current state of play in these and other areas of interest, including its role in one-carbon metabolism, tissue biochemistry and interactions with folate and other biomolecules. The analysis of betaines using different techniques is covered, as is the function and effects in the body. Written by an expert international team, this book provides a fascinating insight for those with an interest in the effects of betaine on health and the diet. It will appeal across disciplines but specifically to nutritional and food scientists, health professionals and researchers.

Read more less

Electrochemical methods of chemical analysis have been widely used for many years, most especially the trusty pH electrode and conductivity meter, but also in the mass-manufactured glucose test strips which place electrochemical measurements into the hands of non-scientists. The purpose of this volume is to address advances that will enable new measurement strategies in the future. Surveying research and development advances based on new methods, materials and devices that achieve improved electroanalytical performances, this collection encompasses chip-based systems, through nanodomain approaches and soft interfaces. This book is a vital resource for graduate students and professional analytical chemists.

Read more less

Almost 100 years have passed since Trautz and Lewis put forward their collision theory of molecular processes. Today, knowledge of molecular collisions forms a key part of predicting and understanding chemical reactions. This book begins by setting out the classical and quantum theories of atom-atom collisions. Experimentally observable aspects of the scattering processes; their relationship to reaction rate constants and the experimental methods used to determine them are described. The quantum mechanical theory of reactive scattering is presented and related to experimental observables. The role of lasers in the measurement and analysis of reactive molecular collisions is also discussed. Written with postgraduates and newcomers to the field in mind, mathematics is kept to a minimum, and readers are guided to appendices and further reading to gain a deeper understanding of the mathematics involved.

Read more less

Science and art are increasingly interconnected in the activities of the study and conservation of works of art. Science plays a key role in cultural heritage, from developing new analytical techniques for studying the art, to investigating new ways of preserving the materials for the future. For example, high resolution multispectral examination of paintings allows art historians to view underdrawings barely visible before, while the use of non-invasive and micro-sampling analytical techniques allow scientists to identify pigments and binders that help art conservators in their work. It also allows curators to understand more about how the artwork was originally painted. Through a series of case studies written by scientists together with art historians, archaeologists and conservators, Science and Art: The Painted Surface demonstrates how the cooperation between science and humanities can lead to an increased understanding of the history of art and to better techniques in conservation. The examples used in the book cover paintings from ancient history, Renaissance, modern, and contemporary art, belonging to the artistic expressions of world regions from the Far East to America and Europe. Topics covered include the study of polychrome surfaces from pre-Columbian and medieval manuscripts, the revelation of hidden images below the surface of Van Gogh paintings and conservation of acrylic paints in contemporary art. Presented in an easily readable form for a large audience, the book guides readers into new areas uncovered by the link between science and art. The book features contributions from leading institutions across the globe including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Art Institute of Chicago; Getty Conservation Institute; Opificio delle Pietre Dure, Firenze; National Gallery of London; Tate Britain; Warsaw Academy of Fine Art and the National Gallery of Denmark as well as a chapter covering the Thangka paintings by Nobel Prize winner Richard Ernst.

Read more less

For years, concepts and models relevant to the fields of molecular electronics and organic electronics have been invented in parallel, slowing down progress in the field. This book illustrates how synthetic chemists, materials scientists, physicists, and device engineers can work together to reach their desired, shared goals, and provides the knowledge and intellectual basis for this venture. Supramolecular Materials for Opto-Electronics covers the basic principles of building supramolecular organic systems that fulfil the requirements of the targeted opto-electronic function; specific material properties based on the fundamental synthesis and assembly processes; and provides an overview of the current uses of supramolecular materials in opto-electronic devices. To conclude, a “what’s next” section provides an outlook on the future of the field, outlining the ways overarching work between research disciplines can be utilised. Postgraduate researchers and academics will appreciate the fundamental insight into concepts and practices of supramolecular systems for opto-electronic device integration.

Read more less

Self-Assembly of Biopolymers University of Bristol, United Kingdom 16-18 September 2013 FARADAY DISCUSSIONS Volume 166, 2013 Farady Discussion 166 This volume focuses on the physical chemistry of novel self-assembling bio-conjugate or bio-hybrid materials. Soft matter has emerged as a coherent subject within the last ten years, and is of increasing relevance to interdisciplinary research at the interface of physical chemistry, physics, materials science and biology. Recently several exciting new directions have been pursued in this area, including developments in understanding amyloid fibrillization, liposome and polymersome self-assembly, DNA superstructure formation, biopolymer hydrogel self-assembly and how to control this to develop tissue scaffolds, and the control of biopolymer self-assemblies for applications in biomedicine. This volume focuses on the self-assembly of novel bio-hybrid materials, especially conjugates of proteins with polymers, glycosylation of proteins, polymer/virus hybrids etc.. Much work in this field has been driven by recent advances in synthetic methodology which has enabled exciting work on the production of self-assembling and self-organizing systems. These systems are under intense research for applications in tissue scaffolding, drug delivery systems. An understanding of the physical chemistry of self-assembly is essential for such applications. Topics covered in this volume include: • DNA condensation using polyelectrolytes • Self-assembly of polymer/protein and polymer virus conjugates • Self-assembly of lipids and polymerosomes • Self-assembly of carbohydrate/gluco polymer hybrid materials

Read more less

Magnetorheological fluids, smart fluids which change viscosity in the presence of a magnetic field, are of great commercial interest for many engineering applications such as shock absorbers and dampers in aerospace. Magnetorheology: Advances and Applications provides an update on the key developments in the physics, chemistry and uses of magnetorheological fluids. Topics covered include the role of interparticle friction and rotational diffusion, magnetoelasticity, nondimensional flow analysis, thin-film rheology, tribology, coated magnetorheological composite particles and magnetorheological devices with multiple functions. Specific chapters on applications cover adaptive magnetorheological energy absorbing mounts for shock mitigation, magnetorheological fluid-based high precision finishing technologies, adaptive magnetorheological landing gear systems and magnetorheological lag dampers for stability augmentation in helicopters. Edited by a leading expert and with contributions from distinguished scientists in the field this timely book is suitable for chemists, physicists and engineers wanting to gain a comprehensive overview of these smart materials.

Read more less

Guiding chromatographers working in regulated industries and helping them to validate their chromatography data systems to meet data integrity, business and regulatory needs. This book is a detailed look at the life cycle and documented evidence required to ensure a system is fit for purpose throughout the lifecycle. Initially providing the regulatory, data integrity and system life cycle requirements for computerised system validation, the book then develops into a guide on planning, specifying, managing risk, configuring and testing a chromatography data system before release. This is followed by operational aspects such as training, integration and IT support and finally retirement. All areas are discussed in detail with case studies and practical examples provided as appropriate. The book has been carefully written and is right up to date including recently released FDA data integrity guidance. It provides detailed guidance on good practice and expands on the first edition making it an invaluable addition to a chromatographer’s book shelf.

Read more less

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising electrochemical power generation devices that can convert chemical energy of a fuel into electricity in an efficient, environmental-friendly, and quiet manner. Due to their high operating temperature, SOFCs feature fuel flexibility as internal reforming of hydrocarbon fuels and ammonia thermal cracking can be realized in SOFC anode. This book first introduces the fundamental principles of SOFCs and compares SOFC technology with conventional heat engines as well as low temperature fuel cells. Then the latest developments in SOFC R&D are reviewed and future directions are discussed. Key issues related to SOFC performance improvement, long-term stability, mathematical modelling, as well as system integration/control are addressed, including material development, infiltration technique for nano-structured electrode fabrication, focused ion beam – scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) technique for microstructure reconstruction, the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) simulation at pore scale, multi-scale modelling, SOFC integration with buildings and other cycles for stationary applications.

Read more less

The ability for a material to change properties in response to external stimuli is an attractive feature for numerous applications and as such stimuli responsive materials are gaining attention across many different fields. This book introduces the concepts of stimuli-responsiveness, including the fundamental materials properties required for design. It provides readers with comprehensive scientific principles and developments of stimuli responsive materials, as well as the recent technological advances. Written by a renowned expert in the field, this book is suitable for anyone interested in stimuli responsive materials working in polymers, biochemistry, biotechnology and materials science.

Read more less

Phosphorus-containing (co)polymers are gaining wide appeal for many uses, from healthcare and medicine to energy and environmental applications. Phosphorus-Based Polymers is the first book dedicated to this topic and provides a comprehensive overview of the different polymers and their uses. The first part of the book covers the synthesis and polymerisation of different phosphorus containing systems including phosphorus containing (meth)acrylate, (meth)acrylamide and viny or allyl monomers, as well as vinyl phosphonic acid, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine, poly(phosphoesters)and polyphosphazenes. The second part of the book contains specific chapters detailing different applications such as biomedical applications in dental materials, tissue engineering and drug delivery, metal complexation for anti-corrosion and wastewater purification materials, fire retardant additives and fuel cell membranes. Written by expert researchers in the chemistry of phosphorus-containing polymers, this book is suitable for academic and industrial researchers interested in polymer and materials synthesis as well as their applications.

Read more less

There has been a resurgence of interest in light-induced water splitting as the search for storable carbon neutral energy becomes more urgent. Although the history of the basic idea dates back more than four decades, efficient, economical and stable integrated devices have yet to be realized. In the continuing quest for such devices, the field of photoelectrochemistry is entering a new phase where the extraordinary interdisciplinary of the research and development efforts are opening new avenues. This aspect of current research effort is reflected in the chapters of this book, which encompass present thinking in the various disciplines such as materials science, photo-electrochemistry and interfaces that can contribute to realization of viable solar fuel generators. This book presents a blend of the background science and recent advances in the field of photoelectrochemical water splitting, and includes aspects that point towards medium to long term future realization. The content of the book goes beyond the more traditional approaches to the subject by including topics such as novel excitation energy processes that have only been realized so far in advanced photonics. The comprehensive overview of current activities and development horizons provided by the impressive collection of internationally renowned authors therefore represents a unique reflection of current thinking regarding water splitting by light.

Read more less

As the world’s population continues to grow so does the demand for food, and in consequence the amount of material left over from food production. No longer considered simply as "waste", many food co-products are being identified as economically-viable raw materials and their potential is enhanced by modern processing technologies and the biorefinery concept. This book presents a general overview of the current situation, with perspectives from within the food industry and policy makers in the introductory chapters. These are followed by five chapters exploring modern advanced processing techniques. Further chapters are dedicated to separate food groups, including cereals, oils, rice and fish, exploring the potential for making the best use of the co-products generated. Many of the processing technologies discussed will be familiar to students and practitioners of green chemistry, but the book goes further in presenting examples and case studies, written by active workers in the field from across the globe. Food technicians and process engineers will be amongst the researchers in academia and industry and postgraduate students this book is aimed for.

Read more less

Chemicals are an essential part of everyday life and all too-often taken for granted, yet often portrayed negatively in the media. Concern over the deleterious effects of chemicals to the environment and human health have prompted governments in the developed world to establish screening programmes such as REACH and HPV Challenge to identify chemicals presenting the greatest degree of risk to health and the environment. While such programmes identify chemicals with the greatest risk, there is no ranking system for alternative chemicals, which while being potentially less harmful, still carry a degree of risk. This volume of the Issues in Environmental Science and Technology series investigates how the alternatives can be assessed and their risk determined. With contributions from experts across the globe, this volume addresses some of the key concepts behind risk assessment of alternative chemicals. Some of the current protocols adopted are discussed, and several chapters explore the topic in the context of industry, making this book essential reading for industrialists as well as academics, postgraduate students and policy makers.

Read more less

This book is written as an addition to Darwin's work and that of molecular biologists on evolution so as to include views of it from the point of view of chemistry rather than just from our knowledge of the biology and genes of organisms. By concentrating on a wide range of chemical elements, not just those in traditional organic compounds, we show that there is a close relationship between the geological or environmental chemical changes from the formation of Earth and those of organisms from the time of their origin. These are considerations which Darwin or other scientists could not have explored until very recent times since sufficient analytical data were not available. They lead us to suggest that there is a combined geo- and bio-chemical evolution, that of an ecosystem, which has had a systematic chemical development. In this development the arrival of new very similar species is shown to be by random Darwinian competitive selection processes such that a huge variety of species coexist with only minor differences in chemistry and advantages. This is in agreement with previous studies. On the large scale of evolution of very different organisms, and over greater timescales, by way of contrast, we observe that groups of species have special, different, chemical features and function. It is more difficult to understand how they evolved and therefore we examine their chemical development in detail. Overall there is a cooperative evolution of a chemical system driven by capture of energy, mainly from the sun, and its degradation in which the chemistry of both the environment and organisms are facilitating intermediates. We shall suggest that the overall drive of the whole joint system is to optimise the rate of this energy degradation. Since the environmental changes are inorganic and relatively fast they move inevitably to equilibrium. The living part of the system, the organisms, under the influence of this inevitable environmental change are forced to follow but as they are increasingly energised and their reactions are slow, they move further away from equilibrium. We are able to explore the ways in which this chemical system evolved, recognising that as complexity of the chemistry of organisms increased, they had to be formed from more and more compartments and to become part of a chemically cooperative overall activity. They could not remain as isolated species. Only in the last chapter do we attempt to make a connection between the changing chemistry of organisms with the coded molecules of each cell which have to exist to explain reproduction.

Read more less

While it is not difficult to find data in many cases, what advice can you get on the quality of the data retrieved? Chemical Information for Chemists could help with this problem and more. This book is a chemical information book aimed specifically at practicing chemists. Written and edited by experts in the field, it is ideal for chemists who lack a chemical information professional able to teach basic and intermediate techniques in retrieving and evaluating information using the unique entry points of the chemical literature, including structure, formula, substructure, and sequence. Aimed at students on undergraduate and graduate courses, it could also be a useful guide to new information specialists who are facing the challenging diversity of chemical literature.

Read more less

Written by an accomplished author this book discusses all major aspects on the production and properties of biodiesel, but the main focus is on the two very important properties of oxidative stability and low-temperature flow. Examples of key chapters include: biodiesel properties, fuel specifications, oxidative stability and low-temperature flow properties, engine efficiency and emissions using biodiesel, major sources for biodiesel production, the present state of the biodiesel industry. One additional feature of the book is that it contains a comprehensive section on biodiesel resources. In this section the reader will be directed to fifty Indian unknown plants, that contain more than 30% oil in their seed or fruit. The author discusses in significant detail the statistical relationship between fatty acid compositions and other biodiesel properties. To bring the book to a final conclusion the food versus fuel issue is discussed and possible solutions. The book will be essential reading for chemists, chemical engineers and agricultural scientists working in both industry and academia on the production of biofuels.

Read more less

Guanosine and its derivatives have a high potential for self-recognition and self-assembly, as well as the recognition ability for other biologically important molecules. This book explores in detail these properties with the goal of increasing knowledge of the basic principles of guanosine-assembly, synthesis of new optimised materials and exploration of their electronic and optical properties. Following the work of COST Action MP0802, the aim is to design novel reproducible and well ordered supramolecular structures to serve as molecular-scale architectures for new hybrid molecular electronics. Coverage includes synthesis, characterisation and optimisation, theoretical modelling and prediction, biochemical and biorecognition properties and applications in nanotechnology especially in molecular electronics. Appealing to researchers working in the field ranging from chemists, biologists and material scientists, this title will be a welcome addition to the inter-disciplinary literature providing direction for future research and ideas for industrial applications.

Read more less

How do we assess and manage the actual risks from water contamination? Can we learn from previous experiences? What can be done in future? This book is the proceedings of the fifth conference on this topic and addresses these issues relating to drinking water and drinking water systems. With emphasis on effectively and efficiently managing the risks and threats and sharing experiences, it provides information on successful use of leading-edge technologies and best practice both now and for the future. With contributions from leading scientists and experts in academia and industry it offers a truly international perspective on our ability to deal with water contamination emergencies. Emphasis is given to prevention, strategy and unusual emergency incident situations relating to drinking water. The book will appeal across a diverse group from public health professionals, water companies and water security experts and regulators.

Read more less

The field of nanoscience continues to grow at an impressive rate, with over 10,000 new articles a year contributing to a literature of more than half a million citations. Such a vast landscape of material requires careful searching to discover the most important discoveries. The newest edition to the Specialist Periodical Reports presents a digest of the last twelve months of the literature across the field. The volume editor, Professor Paul O'Brien (University of Manchester, UK) has drawn on some of the most active researchers to present critical and comprehensive reviews of the hottest topics in the field. Chapters include "Nanomaterials for solar energy", "Magnetic hyperthermia", and "Graphene and graphene-based nanocomposites". There is also a special chapter on "Nanoscience in India". Anyone practicing in any nano-allied field, or wishing to enter the nano-world will benefit from the comprehensive resource, which will be published annually.

Read more less

Named after the two-faced roman god, Janus particles have gained much attention due to their potential in a variety of applications, including drug delivery. This is the first book devoted to Janus particles and covers their methods of synthesis, how these particles self-assemble, and their possible uses. By following the line of synthesis, self-assembly and applications, the book not only covers the fundamental and applied aspects, but it goes beyond a simple summary and offers a logistic way of selecting the proper synthetic route for Janus particles for certain applications. Written by pioneering experts in the field, the book introduces the Janus concept to those new to the topic and highlights the most recent research progress on the topic for those active in the field.

Read more less

Techniques and strategies for the production of nanomaterials and nanostructures have developed to an advanced level. However, the concepts and methods needed to correctly architect these materials into viable applications remains seriously lacking. This book introduces the concept of "Nanoarchitechtonics", a term introduced by Dr Masakazu Aono to describe the correct manipulation of nanoscale materials in the creation of nano-devices and applications. With contributions from across the globe, Manipulation of Nanoscale Materials presents a broad spectrum of nanomaterials and their applications. Following an introductory chapter prepared by the editors, the book is divided into three further sections of chapters, detailing Nanoarchitectonics for Materials Development, Materials Nanoarchitechtonics for Bio-Conjugates and Bio-Applications, Materials Nanoarchitechtonics for Advanced Devices. The first book in its field, this is essential reading for anyone creating or deploying nanomaterials. Fully referenced to the primary literature, this title presents an excellent source of information, and inspiration, to the reader and should appeal to experienced materials scientists, nanotechnologists and postgraduate students. Dr. Katsuhiko Ariga is the Director of Supermolecules Group and Principal Investigator of World Premier International (WPI) Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS). Dr Masakazu Aono is Director General of MANA and group leader of the nano-system organiszation group MANA, NIMS.

Read more less

Energy and environment issues are of paramount importance to achieve the sustainable development of our society. Alcohol-fuelled direct oxidation fuel cells (DOFCs), as a clean and highly-efficient energy harvesting engine, have attracted intensive research activity over recent decades. Electrocatalysts are the material at the very heart of the cell that determines the performance of DOFCs. The rapid advances in electrocatalysts, particularly nano-sized ones, have left current information only available in scattered journals. To be truly useful to both present and future researchers, a new book is needed to present an insightful review of the reaction nature of this research and to systematically summarize recent advances in nanocatalysts, and convey a more global perspective. Catalysts for Alcohol-fuelled Direct Oxidation Fuel Cells will present a state-of-the-art review on recent advances in nanocatalysts and electrocatalysis in DOFCs, including both proton and hydroxide ion exchange membrane fuel cells. The main topics covered include a molecular-level understanding of electrocatalysis, the design principles of electrocatalysts, recent advances in nanocatalysts and future perspectives for DOFCs. The book presents a cutting-edge collection on nanocatalysts for alcohol-fuelled direct oxidation fuel cells and brings together the most authoritative researchers in the field from both industry and academia, filling the gap between both sides. Finally, the book will provide an insightful review on electrocatalysis at the molecular- level, which will be useful for postgraduate students and junior researchers in this field. It will be an essential resource for postgraduates, researchers and policy-makers globally in academia, industry, and government institutions.

Read more less

Sustainability is becoming more and more important in our everyday lives and this book is a non-exhaustive look at materials and how they relate to sustainability. This concerns not only the elements that could be in short supply in the near future, such as phosphorus, helium, some rare earths and platinum metals, but also the pollutants such as carbon dioxide and methane which are being produced in sufficiently large quantities to be a threat to our lives on Earth. Covering fives themes in twenty five chapters, one of the great advantages of this book is that the chapters have been written by scientists or engineers who are experts in their field and include up-to-date statistics, recent research, and references to the latest work. The book includes chapters concerning chemicals and materials that might soon be required in large quantities to help create a more sustainable way of life. These include: biomass needed to manufacture plastics; special compounds and membranes for water purification, water-splitting, photovoltaic cells, batteries and fuel cells; and special materials for buildings, glass technologies and for storing hydrogen. Aimed at industrialists and investors; policy makers in local and central governments; students, teachers, scientists and engineers working in the field; and finally editors, journalists and the general public who need information on the increasingly popular concepts of sustainable living, this book provides current information and points the way forward for new developments.

Read more less

This book was triggered by the success story of sector field mass spectrometry in elemental and isotopic analysis since the first presentation of the mass spectrum of Ne a hundred years ago. The outstanding and unique features of sector field mass spectrometry - high sensitivity, high mass resolution and simultaneous multiple ion detection – have paved the way for its widespread and successful application across different scientific disciplines.　 Written, compiled and edited by world renowned experts, this book is intended to provide deep insight into the topic along with fundamental knowledge about elemental and isotopic analysis. Aimed at scientists in the field of natural and life sciences, instrument manufacturers, practitioners and graduate students, it provides solid information about the methodological background and analytical capabilities of sector field mass spectrometry. A detailed description of peculiarities and an overview of the most relevant applications making use of specific techniques employing sector field mass analysers (ICP-MS, GDMS, TIMS, SIMS and IRMS) are given, including a presentation of the currently available commercial instruments. This approach guarantees that readers are thoroughly introduced to and familiarized with the fascinating inter- and transdisciplinary field of sector field mass spectrometry.

Read more less

Advances in Dermatological Sciences collates major scientific research achievements over the last two years in a diverse range of dermatological research fields. Examples of key topics covered include experimental models, toxicology, regulatory, exposure assessment, therapeutics, cosmetics and decontamination. A unique feature of the book is the introductory chapter to each section that is written by an internationally-recognised expert summarising work to date, and explaining how new research contributes to our overall understanding of the skin and where the next major developments are likely to be focussed in the future. Each section contains several experimental research chapters that present contemporary research on 'hot topics' or major advances relevant to the dermatological sciences. The book incorporates a broad range of specialist topics rather than focussing on one single aspect so as to appeal to a broader audience. Thus, the proposed book will distil cutting-edge advances across all of the dermatological sciences into one major work and so provide a one-stop portal for accessing the current state of knowledge that will communicate both a readily accessible overview (in the form of introductory chapters) and also detailed, expert contributions. The text will be essential reading for interdisciplinary scientists working in dermal pharmacology, dermatological and dermatotoxicological sciences.

Read more less

Since its commercial introduction in 2004, UHPLC (Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography) has begun to replace conventional HPLC in academia and industry and interest in this technique continues to grow. Both the increases in speed and resolution make this an attractive method; particularly to the life sciences and more than 1500 papers have been written on this strongly-evolving topic to date. This book provides a solid background on how to work with UHPLC and its application to the life sciences. The first part of the book covers the basics of this approach and the specifics of a UHPLC system, providing the reader with a solid background to working properly with such a system. The second part examines the application of UHPLC to the life sciences, with a focus on drug analysis strategies. UHPLC-MS, a key technique in pharmaceutical and toxicological analyses, is also examined in detail. The editors (Davy Guillarme and Jean-Luc Veuthey) were some of the earliest adopters of UHPLC and have published and lectured extensively on this topic. Between them they have brought together an excellent team of contributors from Europe and the United States, presenting a wealth of expertise and knowledge. This book is an essential handbook for anyone wishing to adopt an UHPLC system in either an academic or industrial setting and will benefit postgraduate students and experienced workers alike.

Read more less

The importance of developing new, clean and renewable sources of energy will continue to grow in the foreseeable future and so will the need for the education of researchers in this field of research. The interest and challenges of the field continue to shift from simple homogeneous solutions to increasingly more complex heterogeneous systems and interfaces. Over the past decade there have been numerous theoretical and experimental breakthroughs many of which still exist only in the primary literature. The aim of this book is to gather in one volume the description of modern, sometimes exploratory, experimental and theoretical techniques applied to the dynamics of interfacial electron and electronic excitation transfer processes studied in the context of solar energy conversion. The intended treatment will be fundamental in nature and thus applicable to a broad range of hybrid photovoltaic and photocatalytic materials and interfaces. The book will focus on the dynamic aspects of the electron injection, exciton and carrier relaxation processes, as well as coherence effects, which continue to provide the impetus and the greatest challenge for the development of new methodologies.

Read more less

B Vitamins and Folate covers thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, cobalamin and folate. The book begins with an overview covering the historical context of B vitamins, disease and fortification effects. Coverage then includes chemistry, biochemistry and metabolism across the vitamins and related compounds; analysis including spectrofluorimetry, isotope dilution mass spectrometry, chromatography; and finishes with the functional effects in humans including in strokes, epilepsy, dementia and kidney disease. Written by an expert team, this book provides a fascinating insight for those with an interest in the health and nutritional sciences.

Read more less

This fully updated and expanded second edition of a highly popular text book focuses on the structure and mechanism in carbohydrate chemistry and biochemistry. Carbohydrates play important roles in biological systems as energy sources, as structural materials, and as informational structures (when they are often attached to proteins or lipids). Their chemical reactivity and conformational behaviour is governed by mechanistic and stereochemical rules, which apply as much to enzymic as to non-enzymic reactivity. The same principles of reactivity and conformation govern changes brought about in the process industries, such as pulp, paper and food. Extensively referenced with citations and a detailed index, the book contains everything the reader needs to know to start a carbohydrate research project with one of the real strengths being the treatment and integration of the important physical-chemical principles and methods (though lead references only are given to the finer points of carbohydrate synthesis). The book is suitable for both researchers who are new to the subject and those more established as well as a readership from diverse backgrounds and interests, including chemists, biochemists, food scientists and technologists involved with the processing of polysaccharides in the paper, textile, cosmetics, biofuels and other industries.

Read more less

Renewable hydrogen produced using solar energy to split water is the energy fuel of the future. Accelerated innovation in both major domains of solar energy (photovoltaics and concentrated solar power) has resulted in the rapid fall of the solar electricity price, opening the route to a number of practical applications using solar H2. New thermochemical water splitting using concentrated solar power (CSP) as well as CSP coupled to electrolysis has the potential to convert and store solar energy into clean hydrogen using a tiny fraction of the world's desert area to meet our present and future global energy needs. Photovoltaics, in turn, has the versatility required for supporting the creation of a distributed energy generation infrastructure in developing countries especially now that the price of PV solar electricity has fallen to unprecedented low levels. In all these cases, solar H2 will be used to store energy and release it on demand either for fuel cells (to power homes and boats) or internal combustion engines and turbines (for powering cars, trucks and in thermoelectric power units). This book on solar hydrogen is unique in its field and is a timely treatment of a hot topic in industry, academic, political and environmental circles. With reference to many examples as well as to new technologies, this accessible book provides insight into a crucial technology for our common future and numerous colour pictures contribute to the book's readability. Written by experts in the field who are engaged at the forefront of research, the book supplies readers with last minute insight from the frontiers of research. The book will be of interest to Politicians, solar PV companies, hydrogen and sustainability researchers, environmentalists, managers in the automotive and nautical industries, undergraduate and graduate students in physics, chemistry, energy and materials science.

Read more less

There are about 8 million deaths each year from neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the underdeveloped world, whilst drug discovery focus and practice is only recently taking on greater urgency and embracing the latest technologies. This unique book is a state of the art review of drug discovery in respect of NTDs and highlights best practice to guide the ongoing drug discovery effort and also to raise debate and awareness in areas that remain highly neglected. All the major diseases such as malaria, trypanosomatids and TB are covered, with a review of each disease and established compounds, new mechanistic classes and new horizons. Each chapter highlights the key science that has led to breakthroughs, with detailed assessment of the key medicinal chemistry involved, and critical appraisal of new emerging approaches. Later chapters highlight under publicized disease areas where the medical needs are neglected and research is very limited, to raise awareness. The editors, acknowledged experts in the field, have a wealth of experience in successful drug discovery practice and tropical diseases.

Read more less

This book documents the latest research into the theory and application of force-fields, semi-empirical molecular orbital, density functional and ab initio calculations, Quantum Mechanical (QM) based modelling, Atoms in Molecules (AIM) approach, and biomolecular dynamics. It also covers theory and application of 2D cheminformatics, QSAR/QSPR, ADME properties of drugs, drug docking/scoring protocols and approaches, topological methodology, and modelling accurate inhibition constants of enzymes. Finally, the book gives the theory and applications of multiscale modelling of proteins and biomolecular systems. The information need for a book in this area is due to the continuing rapid advance of firstly theoretical approaches, secondly software/hardware and lastly the successful application of the technology and this book fills a gap in the literature. The co-editors have extensive experience of teaching and researching in the field and the book includes contributions from cutting-edge academic and industrial researchers in their respective fields. It is essential reading for medicinal chemists, computational chemists and those in the pharmaceutical industry.

Read more less

Membranes already have important applications in artificial organs, the processing of biotechnological products, food manufacture, waste water treatment, and seawater desalination. Their uses in gaseous mixture separations are, however, far from achieving their full potential. Separation of air components, natural gas dehumidification and sweeting, separation and recovery of CO2 from biogas, and H2 from refinery gases are all examples of current industrial applications. The use of membranes for reducing the greenhouse effect and improving energy efficiency has also been suggested. New process intensification strategies in the petrochemical industry have opened up another growth area for gas separation membrane systems and membrane reactors. This two volume set presents the state-of-the-art in membrane engineering for the separation of gases. It addresses future developments in carbon capture and utilization, H2 production and purification, and O2/N2 separation. Topics covered include the: applications of membrane gas separation in the petrochemical industry; implementation of membrane processes for post-combustion capture; commercial applications of membranes in gas separations; simulation of membrane systems for CO2 capture; design and development of membrane reactors for industrial applications; Pd-based membranes in hydrogen production; modelling and simulation of membrane reactors for hydrogen production and purification; novel hybrid membrane/pressure swing adsorption process for gas separation; molecular dynamics as a new tool for membrane design, and physical aging of membranes for gas separations. Volume 1 focuses predominantly on problems relating to membranes.

Read more less

Archaelogists and anthropologists (especially ethnologists) have for many years realised that man's ingestion of alcoholic beverages may well have played a significant part in his transition from hunter-gatherer to agriculturalist. This unique book provides a scientific text on the subject of 'ethanol' that also aims to include material designed to show 'non-scientists' what fermentation is all about. Conversely, scientists may well be surprised to find the extent to which ethanol has played a part in evolution and civilisation of our species.

Read more less

This undergraduate teaching text and accompanying Periodic Table DVD, provides an introduction to the transition metals. The first two chapters introduce the reader to the chemistry of the first-row transition elements in different oxidation states, in particular +2 and +3 and their relative stability, largely using interactive activities and video on the DVD. This is followed by a study of coordination chemistry and the stability of complexes. Later chapters look at theories of metal-ligand bonding, in particular the way models can be used to rationalise many of the properties of transition metals and their compounds, such as colour, magnetism and stereochemistry. Starting with the simple, yet powerful crystal field approach, the book finishes with a largely pictorial treatment of molecular orbital theory. The text also includes interactive activities on the accompanying Periodic Table DVD, in-text questions with answers, full colour diagrams and revision exercises on an associated website www.rsc.org/metalsandlife

Read more less

This unique book describes newly discovered proteolytic enzymes and their biological function. In many cases, these enzymes are targets for new drug discovery in order to provide new therapeutic approaches to control human diseases and/or metabolic conditions. The chapters in this book will help other investigators to pursue drug discovery by detailing methods of production and assay of the enzymes. In addition, the latest structural studies that are described in the book will permit rapid advances in drug design. The most important elements of this book are the state-of-the-art, detailed descriptions of the properties of the proteolytic enzymes. The chapters in the book, written by leading experts in the field, collect the best work on the topics with complete bibliographies for each target enzyme. The illustrations are highly informative to aid and facilitate a new design of inhibitors that can be developed as drug candidates. Key chapters include those by Mark Gorrell and Catherine Abbott, both describing dipeptidyl peptidases, which have been implicated in a number of metabolic conditions including diabetes. The chapters are written from two very different perspectives, thus enriching the literature in this area. In addition, the chapter by Sheena McGowan focuses on aminopeptidases from the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, and the chapter by Ben Dunn deals with the aspartic peptidases from the same organism.

Read more less

Metals play a vital role in the metabolism of plants and animals and, increasingly, in medicine. This book provides an introduction to the metals essential to life and ligands of biological importance. It considers the uptake of metals, their transport and ultimately their storage, illustrated in particular with the story of iron in the body. It also considers Na, K and Ca ion channels and biomineralisation and covers the key roles that metals and their complexes play in living systems, for example in respiration and photosynthesis. The last chapter (delivered online) considers metal toxicity and deficiency as well as the role that metals play in medicine, looking at both diagnostics and therapy, and in the forefront of inorganic research.

Read more less

This book provides an introduction to optical anisotropy (linear dichroism, LD) and optical activity (circular dichroism, CD) as techniques for the study of structures and interactions of molecules in solution. The book covers the use of these techniques for both small and large molecular systems with particular emphasis being placed on proteins and nucleic acids. CD is a well-established technique and this book aims to explain how it can be used simply and effectively for new entrants to the field as well as covering more advanced techniques for experts. LD is often seen as a rather exotic method intended only for experienced spectroscopists. This book demonstrates that it is an approach with real utility that may be used by both students and scientists from graduate level onwards to give simple answers, which are not available from any other technique, to structural and kinetic questions. Much of the emphasis is on flow orientation of samples in solution phase. The book first describes the techniques and the information they can provide; it then goes on to give specific details on how to actually implement them, including a wide range of examples showing how LD and CD can help with * protein and nucleic acid secondary structure elucidation; * analysis of the formation and rearrangements of fibrous proteins and membrane proteins; * identification of the absolute configuration of small molecules; * determination of the orientation of small molecules in anisotropic media; * assignment of transition moment polarizations; * investigation of binding strengths and geometries of ligand-macromolecule complexes; * 3-D structure determination from LD, molecular replacement and MD modeling. The advantages of combined LD/CD studies are also outlined with examples of DNA/drug complexes and protein insertion into membranes. Taken together the book represents a comprehensive text on the theory and application of LD and CD in the chemical and biological sciences.

Read more less

The aim of this book is to provide a general introduction into the science behind non-covalent interactions and molecular complexes using some important experimental and theoretical methods and approaches. It is the first monograph on this subject written in close collaboration between a theoretician and an experimentalist which presents a coherent description of non-covalent interactions viewed from these two perspectives. The book describes the experimental and theoretical techniques, and some results obtained by these, which are useful in conveying the principles underlying the observable or computable properties of molecular clusters. The chemical and physical background underlying non-covalent interactions are treated comprehensively and non-covalent interactions is contrasted to ionic, covalent and metallic bonding. The role of dispersion and electrostatic interactions, static and induced multipole moments, charge transfer and charge localisation and de-localisation are described. In addition, the nomenclature and classification of non-covalent interactions and molecular clusters is discussed since there is still no unique agreement on it. The authors were among first who coined the term non-covalent for intermolecular interactions and all interactions can thus be categorised as metallic, covalent and non-covalent. The book covers covalent bonding where the properties of a moiety in a molecular cluster are concerned, for instance its electrostatic multipole moments. The historic development of the field is also briefly outlined, starting from van der Waals who first recognized the fact that molecules in the gas phase interact, through London who explained the fact that non-polar uncharged systems attract each other, making a connection to modern work of theoreticians and experimentalists who have contributed to the present knowledge in the field. The role of non-covalent interactions in nature is discussed and the book also argues why non-covalent interactions and not covalent ones play a key role in biological systems. The authors show the unique significance of non-covalent interactions in biological systems and describe several important processes (molecular recognition, structure of biomacromolecules, etc) that are fundamentally determined by non-covalent interactions. The book is aimed at undergraduate and graduate students who need to learn more about non-covalent interactions and their role in chemistry, physics and biology. It also provides valuable information to non-specialist scientists and also those who work in the area who will find it interesting reading. As both experimental and theoretical procedures are covered, this enables the reader to orientate themselves in this very intensely growing area.

Read more less