In this concise handbook leading experts give a broad overview of the latest developments in this emerging and fascinating field of nano-sized materials. Coverage includes new techniques for the synthesis of nanoparticles as well as an in-depth treatment of their characterization and chemical and physical properties. The future applications of these advanced materials are also discussed. The wealth of information included makes this an invaluable guide for graduate students as well as scientists in materials science, chemistry or physics - looking for a comprehensive treatment of the topic.

Due to their unique size-dependent physicochemical properties, nanostructured thin films are used in a wide range of applications from smart coating and drug delivery to electrocatalysis and highly-sensitive sensors. Depending on the targeted application and the deposition technique, these materials have been designed and developed by tuning their atomic-molecular 2D- and/or 3D-aggregation, thickness, crystallinity, and porosity, having effects on their optical, mechanical, catalytic, and conductive properties. Several open questions remain about the impact of nanomaterial production and use on environment and health. Many efforts are currently being made not only to prevent nanotechnologies and nanomaterials from contributing to environmental pollution but also to design nanomaterials to support, control, and protect the environment. This Special Issue aims to cover the recent advances in designing nanostructured films focusing on environmental issues related to their fabrication processes (e.g., low power and low cost technologies, the use of environmentally friendly solvents), their precursors (e.g., waste-recycled, bio-based, biodegradable, and natural materials), their applications (e.g., controlled release of chemicals, mimicking of natural processes, and clean energy conversion and storage), and their use in monitoring environment pollution (e.g., sensors optically- or electrically-sensitive to pollutants)

There have been extraordinary developments in nanomaterials in the past two decades. Nanomaterial processing is one of the key components for this success. This volume, titled Processing of Nanoparticle Materials and Nanostructured Films, is a collection of the papers presented at Controlled Processing of Nanoparticle-based Materials and Nanostructured Films symposium held during the Materials Science and Technology 2009 conference (MS&T’09), October 25-29, 2009 in Pittsburgh, PA. It summarizes the progress that has been achieved most recently in understanding and processing nanoparticle-based materials and nanostructured films. Nanoparticle-based materials and nanostructured films hold great promise to enable a broad range of new applications. This includes high energy conversion efficiency fuel cells, smart materials, high performance sensors, and structural materials under extreme environments. However, many barriers still exist in understanding and controlling the processing of nanoparticle-based materials and nanostructured films. In particular, agglomeration must be controlled in powder synthesis and processing to enable the fabrication of homogeneous green or composite microstructures, and microstructure evolution must be controlled to preserve the size and properties of the nanostructures in the finished materials. Also, novel nanostructure designs are highly needed at all stages of bulk and thin film nanomaterial formation process to enable unique performances, low cost, and green engineering. This volume focuses on three general topics, 1) Processing to preserve and improve nanoscale size, structure, and properties, 2) Novel design and understanding of new nanomaterials, such as new synthesis approaches, templating, and 3D assembly technologies, and 3) Applications of nanoparticle assemblies and composites and thin films.

This book contains 17 papers from the Controlled Processing of Nanoparticle-based Materials and Nanostructured Films; Nanotechnology for Energy, Healthcare, and Industry; and Nanolaminated Ternary Carbides and Nitrides (MAX Phases) symposia held during the 2010 Materials Science and Technology (MS&T'10) meeting, October 17-21, 2010, Houston, Texas. Topics include: Direct Manufacturing; Low Dimension Nanomaterials; Processing and Sintering; Thin Films; Nanolaminated Ternary Carbides and Nitrides (MAX Phases); and Novel Nanomaterial Approaches.

The Special Issue “Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films” highlights the recent progress in thin film synthesis/modification and characterization. New methods are reviewed for the synthesis and/or modification of thin films based on laser, magnetron, chemical, and other techniques. The obtained thin nanostructures are characterized by complex and complementary techniques. We think that most of proposed methods can be directly applied in production, but some others still need further elaboration for long-term prospective applications in lasers, optics, materials, electronics, informatics, telecommunications, biology, medicine, and probably many other domains. The Guest Editor and the MDPI staff are therefore pleased to offer this Special Issue to interested readers, including graduate and PhD students as well as postdoctoral researchers, but also to the entire community interested in the field of nanomaterials. We share the conviction that this can serve as a useful tool for updating the literature, but also to aid in the conception of new production and/or research programs. There is plenty of room for further dedicated R&D advances based on new instruments and materials under development.

This book presents an overview of nanostructure determination and ways to find relationships to the electronic and optical properties. The methods described can be applied to a large number of other granular metal-insulator systems and used as a guideline for characterisation and modelling. In addition, the book describes the manufacture of artificially structured nanomaterials using laser or electron-beam irradiation.

Nanostructured Thin Films: Fundamentals and Applications presents an overview of the synthesis and characterization of thin films and their nanocomposites. Both vapor phase and liquid phase approaches are discussed, along with the methods that are sufficiently attractive for large-scale production. Examples of applications in clean energy, sensors, biomedicine, anticorrosion and surface modification are also included. As the applications of thin films in nanomedicine, cell phones, solar cell-powered devices, and in the protection of structural materials continues to grow, this book presents an important research reference for anyone seeking an informed overview on their structure and applications. Shows how thin films are being used to create more efficient devices in the fields of medicine and energy harvesting Discusses how to alter the design of nanostructured thin films by vapor phase and liquid phase methods Explores how modifying the structure of thin films for specific applications enhances their performance