TABLE of CONTENTS
Foreword The Golden Mean and the Kitchen
General References
Chapter 1 What to Know to Start with
1 Introduction
2 Classical and Non-Classical Crystals
3 The Reciprocal Space
4 The Search for Enhanced Mechanical Properties
5 The Birth of a Monster
6 The Quarrel of Ancients and Modems
7 The World of Quasicrystals
8 Recovering the Periodicity
9 Organised Disorder: the Phasons
10 From Tilings to Coverings
References
Chapter 2 Strange Physical Properties
1 Introduction
2 Basics of Metal Physics, in Very Simple Words
2.1 Electron Transport in Metallic Crystals
2.2 Electron Bands
2.3 The Hume-Rothery Rules in Crystals
3 Electronic Transport in Quasicrystals
3.1 Phenomenological Data
3.2 An Insulator Made of Metals
3.3 Quantum Interference Effects
3.4 Variable Range Hopping
3.5 Hierarchical Recurrent Localization
3.6 Optical Properties
3.7 Another Step Towards a Model of Electronic Conductivity
4 Electron Densities of States
4.1 Pseudogap and Relevant Experimental Information
4.2 The Hume-Rothery Gap in Related Crystals
4.3 Surface Electronic States
4.4 A Bit More about d-states and the Role of Transition Metals
4.5 Enhanced Stability of Quasicrystals and Approximants
5 Lattice Dynamics and Thermal Conductivity
5.1 Lattice Vibrations in Icosahedral Mono-Domain Samples
5.2 Heat Conduction
5.3 Structural Scattering of Phonons
5.4 Electronic Contribution to Heat Transport
6 Magnetism
References
Chapter 3 When Atoms Move Away
1 Introduction
2 Brittle Intermetallics that End into Chewing-Gum
2.1 Hardness, Brittleness and Low Friction
2.2 Plastic Behaviour at Elevated Temperature
2.3 The Role of Dislocations
2.4 Behind Dislocations, Cluster Friction
3 Non-Conventional Surfaces
3.1 Rough and Flat Surfaces
3.2 Static Friction on Clean Surfaces
4 Oxidation Behaviour
4.1 Dependence on Oxidizing Environment
4.2 Kinetics and Temperature Dependence
5 Atomic Mobility
5.1 Atomic Transport in Normal Crystals
5.2 Diffusion in Icosahedral Quasicrystals
5.3 Phason Assisted Diffusion
5.4 Atomic Jumps
References
Chapter 4 Preparation and Mass Production
1 Introduction
2 Phase Selection
3 The Multitude of Approximants
3.1 Crystals and Approximants in the A1-Cu-Fe-Cr System
3.2 B2-Based Approximants in Relation to Quasicrystals
4 Phase Diagrams
4.1 Growth from the Liquid State
4.2 Equilibrium Phase-Diagram Data
5 Phase Transformations
5.1 Order-Disorder Transitions
5.2 Phason-Driven Transitions
5.3 Pressure-Induced Transitions
5.4 Surface Transformations
6 Preparation in the Laboratory
6.1 Out-of-Equilibrium Methods
6.2 Mono-Domain Samples
6.3 The Nightmare of Growing a Stable Quasicrystal
6.4 Sintering
7 The Thick Coatings Route
7.1 Thermal Spraying versus Magnetron Sputtering Techniques
7.2 Processing of Atomized Powders
7.3 Polishing and Surface Preparation
7.4 Phase Stability of Quasicrystalline Coatings in Agressive Media
8 Thin Films and Nanosized Precipitates
8.1 Multilayers or Vapour Deposited Films
8.2 New Data from Kinetics of Growth
8.3 Nanosized Precipitates in Selected Metallic Alloys
References
Chapter 5 The Rise of a Dream
1 Introduction
2 Smart Surfaces
2.1 Facts and Artifacts
2.2 Wetting and Electronic Properties
2.3 Cooking Utensils for the Future
3 Application to Energy Savings
3.1 Thermal Barriers
3.2 Reducing Friction and Wear
3.3 Friction in Vacuum and (Once More) Surface Energy
4 Electronic Devices
4.1 Light Absorption and Sensors
4.2 Thermo-Power Generation
5 Generation of a Green Energy
5.1 Catalysis
5.2 Hydrogen Storage
6 High-Performance Alloys for Mechanical Applications
6.1 New Maraging Steels and Light Alloys
6.2 Metal and Polymer Matrix Composites
7 Perspective View at Other Applications
References
Conclusion The Dream is Not Over Yet
References
Index |
