Development of the thin film and coating technologies (TFCT) made possible the technological revolution in electronics and through it the revolution in IT and communications in the end of the twentieth century. Now, TFCT penetrated in many sectors of human life and industry: biology and medicine; nuclear, fusion, and hydrogen energy; protection against corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement; jet engine; space materials science; and many others. Currently, TFCT along with nanotechnologies is the most promising for the development of almost all industries. The 20 chapters of this book present the achievements of thin-film technology in many areas mentioned above but more than any other in medicine and biology and energy saving and energy efficiency.

Thin Film Coatings: Properties, Deposition, and Applications discusses the holistic subject of conventional and emerging thin film technologies without bias to a specific technology based on the existing literature. It covers properties and delves into the various methods of thin film deposition, including the most recent techniques and a direction for future developments. It also discusses the cutting-edge applications of thin film coatings such as self-healing and smart coatings, biomedical, hybrid, and scalable thin films. Finally, the concept of Industry 4.0 in thin film coating technology is examined. This book: Explores a wide range and is not specific to material and method of deposition Demonstrates the application of thin film coatings in nearly all sectors, such as energy and anti-microbial applications Details the preparation and properties of hybrid and scalable (ultra) thin materials for advanced applications Provides detailed bibliometric analyses on applications of thin film coatings Discusses Industry 4.0 and 3D printing in thin film technology With its broad coverage, this comprehensive reference will appeal to a wide audience of materials scientists and engineers and others studying and developing advanced thin film technologies.

This book comprehensively reviews assorted types of coatings, their applications, and various strategies employed by several scientists and researchers to fabricate them. Exclusively, the recent progress in computational strategies that are helpful to optimize the best suitable coating formulation before one goes for the real-time fabrication has been discussed in detail. And this book is also intended to shed light on the computational modeling techniques that are used in the characterization of various coating materials. It covers mechanisms, salient features, formulations, important aspects, and case studies of coatings utilized for various applications. The latest research in this area as well as possible avenues of future research is also highlighted to encourage the researchers.

Creating antibacterial surfaces is the primary approach in preventing the occurrence and diffusion of clinical infections and foodborne diseases as well as in contrasting the propagation of pandemics in everyday life. Proper surface engineering can inhibit microorganism spread and biofilm formation, can contrast antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and can avoid cross-contamination from a contaminated surface to another and eventually to humans. For these reasons, antibacterial surfaces play a key role in many applications, ranging from biomedicine to food and beverage materials, textiles, and objects with frequent human contact. The incorporation of antimicrobial agents within a surface or their addition onto a surface are very effective strategies to achieve this aim and to properly modify many other surface properties at the same time. In this framework, this Special Issue collects research studying several materials and methods related to the antibacterial properties of surfaces for different applications and discussions about the environmental and human-safety aspects.

This Special Issue on Functional Oxide-Based Thin-Film Materials touches on the latest advancements in several aspects related to material science: the synthesis of novel oxide, photoluminescence characteristics, photocatalytic ability, energy storage, light emitter studies, low-emissivity glass coatings, and investigations of both nanostructure and thin-film properties. It represents an amalgamation of specialists working with device applications and shedding light on the properties and behavior of thin-film oxides (e.g., GaOx, Ga2O3, HfO2, LiNbO3, and doped ZnO, among numerous others). The papers cover many aspects of thin-film science and technology, from thin film to nanostructure and from material properties to optoelectronic applications, thus reflecting the many interests of the community of scientists active in the field.

Smart thin films, composed of functional materials deposited in thin layers, have opened new avenues for the development of flexible, lightweight, and high-performance devices. Optoelectronics and Spintronics in Smart Thin Films presents a comprehensive overview of this emerging area and details the current and near future integration of smart thin films in solar cells, and memory storage. Offers an overview of optoelectronics and spintronics Discusses synthesis of smart nanomaterials Describes deposition techniques and characterization of thin films Considers the integration and application of opto-spintronics for technological advancement of solar cells and memory storage devices Focused on advancing research on this evolving subject, this book is aimed at advanced students, researchers, and engineers in materials, chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineering, as well as applied physics.

Provides a comprehensive, yet practical source of reference, and excellent foundation for comparing the properties and performance of coatings and selecting the most suitable materials based on specific service needs and environmental factors. Coating technology has developed significant techniques for protecting existing infrastructure from corrosion and erosion, maintaining and enhancing the performance of equipment, and provided novel functions such as smart coatings greatly benefiting the medical device, energy, automotive and construction industries. The mechanisms, usage, and manipulation of cutting-edge coating methods are the focus of this book. Not only are the working mechanisms of coating materials explored in great detail, but also craft designs for further optimization of more uniform, safe, stable, and scalable coatings. A group of leading experts in different coating technologies demonstrate their main applications, identify the key bottlenecks, and outline future prospects. Advanced Coating Materials broadly covers the coating techniques, including cold spray, plasma vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, sol–gel method, etc., and their significant applications in microreactor technology, super(de)wetting, joint implants, electrocatalyst, etc. Numerous kinds of coating structures are addressed, including nanosize particles, biomimicry structures, metals and complexed materials, along with the environmental and human compatible biopolymers resulting from microbial activities. This state-of-the-art book is divided into three parts: (1) Materials and Methods: Design and Fabrication, (2) Coating Materials: Nanotechnology, and (3) Advanced Coating Technology and Applications.

Comprehensive Guide on Organic and Inorganic Solar Cells: Fundamental Concepts to Fabrication Methods is a one-stop, authoritative resource on all types of inorganic, organic and hybrid solar cells, including their theoretical background and the practical knowledge required for fabrication. With chapters rigorously dedicated to a particular type of solar cell, each subchapter takes a detailed look at synthesis recipes, deposition techniques, materials properties and their influence on solar cell performance, including advanced characterization methods with materials selection and experimental techniques. By addressing the evolution of solar cell technologies, second generation thin-film photovoltaics, organic solar cells, and finally, the latest hybrid organic-inorganic approaches, this book benefits students and researchers in solar cell technology to understand the similarities, differences, benefits and challenges of each device. Introduces the basic concepts of different photovoltaic cells to audiences from a wide variety of academic backgrounds Consists of working principles of a particular category of solar technology followed by dissection of every component within the architecture Crucial experimental procedures for the fabrication of solar cell devices are introduced, aiding picture practical application of the technology

METAL OXIDE NANOCOMPOSITE THIN FILMS FOR OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE APPLICATIONS The book provides insight into the fundamental aspects, latest research, synthesis route development, preparation, and future applications of metal oxide nanocomposite thin films. The fabrication of thin film-based materials is important to the future production of safe, efficient, and affordable energy as the devices convert sunlight into electricity. Thin film devices allow excellent interface engineering for high-performance printable solar cells as their structures are highly reliable and stand-alone systems can provide the required megawatts. They have been used as power sources in solar home systems, remote buildings, water pumping, megawatt-scale power plants, satellites, communications, and space vehicles. Metal Oxide Nanocomposite Thin Films for Optoelectronic Device Applications covers the basics of advanced nanometal oxide-based materials, their synthesis, characterization, and applications, and all the updated information on optoelectronics. Topics discussed include the implications of metal oxide thin films, which are critical for device fabrications. It provides updated information on the economic aspect and toxicity, with great focus paid to display applications, and covers some core areas of nanotechnology, which are particularly concerned with optoelectronics and the available technologies. The book concludes with insights into the role of nanotechnology and the physics behind photovoltaics. Audience The book will be an important volume for electronics and electrical engineers, nanotechnologists, materials scientists, inorganic chemists in academic research, and those in industries, exploring the applications of nanoparticles in semiconductors, power electronics, and more.

A thin film is a layer of material ranging from fractions of a nanometer to several micrometers in thickness. Thin films have been employed in many applications to provide surfaces that possess specific optical, electronic, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties. Through ten chapters consisting of original research studies and literature reviews written by experts from the international scientific community, this book covers the deposition and application of thin films.