The author explores the status of being a misfit as something to be embraced, and social misfits as being individuals of value who have a place in society, in a work that encourages people who have had difficulty finding their way to pursue their goals.

Interest in the mechanical properties of thin films remains high throughout the world, as evidenced by the large international contingent represented in this book. With regard to stresses, techniques for sorting out residual stress and strain states are becoming more varied and sophisticated. Discussions include Raman scattering, nonlinear acoustic responses and back-scattered electron imaging microscopies, as well as the more standard wafer-bending and X-ray techniques. Spectroscopy, indenting and the burgeoning field of nanoprobe imaging for the characterization of mechanical properties of thin films are also highlighted. Topics include: mechanical properties of films and multilayers; fracture and adhesion; nanoindentation of films and surfaces; mechanical property methods and modelling; tribological properties of thin films; properties of polymer films; stress effects in thin films and interconnects; epitaxy and strain relief mechanisms, measurements.

American Visions offers a rich sampling of literature for writing classes with a multicultural perspective, exploring the historical context and contemporary relevance of major themes that have shaped our consciousness as a nation.