This book provides a clear and understandable text for users and
developers of advanced engineered materials, particularly in the area of
thin films, and addresses fundamentals of modifying the optical,
electrical, photo-electric, triboligical, and corrosion resistance of
solid surfaces and adding functionality to solids by engineering their
surface, structure, and electronic, magnetic and optical structure. Thin
film applications are emphasized. Through the inclusion of multiple
clear examples of the technologies, how to use them, and the synthesis
processes involved, the reader will gain a deep understanding of the
purpose, goals, and methodology of surface engineering and engineered
materials.
Virtually every advance in thin film, energy, medical, tribological
materials technologies has resulted from surface engineering and
engineered materials. Surface engineering involves structures and
compositions not found naturally in solids and is used to modify the
surface properties of solids and involves application of thin film
coatings, surface functionalization and activation, and plasma
treatment. Engineered materials are the future of thin film technology.
Engineered structures such as superlattices, nanolaminates, nanotubes,
nanocomposites, smart materials, photonic bandgap materials,
metamaterials, molecularly doped polymers and structured materials all
have the capacity to expand and increase the functionality of thin films
and coatings used in a variety of applications and provide new
applications. New advanced deposition processes and hybrid processes are
being used and developed to deposit advanced thin film materials and
structures not possible with conventional techniques a decade ago.
Properties can now be engineered into thin films that achieve
performance not possible a decade ago.
