Archive for the ‘Book of the Month’ Category

Gold: A very seasonal colour

Gold has inspired and captivated mankind from long ago, and at this time of year, with Christmas rapidly approaching, the influence of this precious metal is even more apparent. From the Three Wise Men bringing precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, the five gold rings in the Twelve days of Christmas, to golden tinsel strewn around the tree – gold is very much the seasonal colour of celebration and importance.
 
With all this glittering gold around, we have selected Nanoporous Gold: From an Ancient Technology to a High-Tech Material to highlight as our December Book of the Month. The book is published as part of the inspirational RSC Nanoscience and Nanotechnology series and is edited by Arne Wittstock, Jurgen Biener, Jonah Erlebacher and Marcus Baumer, all of whom are experts working within the area of materials science and nanoporous gold.
 
“Each of the chapters is detailed and interesting, and would make very valuable reading for individuals interested in porous metal sponges of gold as well as of other elements” Reviewed in Gold Bulletin.
 
Beginning with an in depth introduction, firstly to gold, its history and significance, and then to nanoporous gold, this accessible book comprehensively discusses all aspects of nanoporous gold chemistry, materials science and the utilisation of this versatile substance.  Furthermore, each chapter begins with an introduction to the subject covered providing the reader with the context for the following discussion.  Offering unrivalled coverage of all areas of nanoporous gold chemistry this book will provide a thorough grounding for researchers from a wide variety of disciplines, for those working in both industry and academia.
 
Is all that glitters gold? Find out here.

Interested in Nanotechnology? Read more about the RSC Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Series.

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Smarten up your Materials Knowledge

To celebrate the launch of the new RSC Smart Materials Series we’ve selected another of our books which gives rise to interesting materials applications.

The need for new functional materials has led to an increased interest in metal phosphonates, as they can produce a number of open-framework structures with many potential uses including catalysis, biotechnology and energy applications.

Edited by Abraham Clearfield, Texas A&M University, USA and Konstantinos Demadis, University of Crete, Greece, Metal Phosphonate Chemistry provides a concise summary of the latest developments of the synthesis, structure, properties and applications of the resulting hybrid materials.

With contributions from experts around the world, the book looks at the early history and growth of metal phosphonate chemistry and includes chapters on zirconium phosphonates, metal carboxyphosphonates, magnetic properties of cobalt phosphonates, metal phosphonate MOFs and luminescent metal phosphonate materials.

Find out more about metal phosphonate chemistry – access the content.

Want to know more about other intelligent materials? Read more in RSC Smart Materials.

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Shedding light on photosynthesis reactions

It has been 100 years, almost to the day, since Italian Chemist Giacomo Luigi Ciamician first proposed harnessing the sun’s power to produce energy.  Writing in Science, Ciamician stated “And if in a distant future the supply of coal becomes completely exhausted, civilization will not be checked by that, for life and civilization will continue as long as the sun shines!”.  With these words in mind, we have selected Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer: A Carrefour of Chemical Reactivity edited by Sebastiao Formosinho and Monica Barroso as the October book of the month. 

Amongst other topics, this fascinating book discusses both natural and artificial photosynthesis and highlights the importance of proton-coupled electron transfer in biological systems, in particularly for bioenergetic conversion. 

The book gives a good insight into current research on a vibrant topic. It is to be expected that it will be the first in a long upcoming list of publications, given the importance of PCET processes such as the activation of water, production of H2, reduction of CO2, and reduction of N2.”  Reviewed in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

Using personal accounts of experimental examples this book will provide a unique insight into the current understanding of this important reaction type.

Let the sun shine on your reactions.

Interested in other books on catalysis? Read more in the RSC Catalysis Series.

You may also be interested in the latest themed issue of Energy & Environmental Science on ‘Proton-coupled electron transfer’ .

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The Chemistry of Autumn Colours

As the leaves start to change colour here in the UK, we’ve selected a book that helps us understand more about chromophores, the part of a molecule which gives it colour.
 
Circular Dichroism and Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy are techniques that provide details about the conformations and electronic states of chromophore containing molecules. The technique isn’t widely employed due to the inaccessible theory underlying the method. Most books on the subject focus on the mathematical theory, which are aimed at physical chemists and physicists.

September’s book of the month, Circular Dichroism and Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy for Organic Chemists, is written by researchers actively using these techniques for other researchers wanting to incorporate the method into their work with specific emphasis on interpreting the spectral data.

Put the colour back into your research – access the content now!

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The future of medicine is nano-sized

As the World’s eyes focus on London for the sporting events, here in the RSC book’s office we’re focussing on health and wellbeing.  Therefore, our book of the month for August focuses on the contributions of materials science to healthcare.

Biological Interactions with Surface Charge in Biomaterials highlights the fascinating area of nanomedicine, an area that has long since been heralded as the future of healthcare in science fiction films and television shows.

The book is published in the RSC Nanoscience & Nanotechnology series and is written and edited by experts in the field, the book discusses the fundamental principles and scientific background behind the body’s response to biomaterials, and highlights the considerations that must be taken into account when developing such materials, such as plaque formation, encrustation and charge distribution.

Covering the technology and applications of biomaterial devices in detail, these concepts are supported by case studies, clearly indicating the real life implications of this newly emerging research field.

Find out how close the future really is here.

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Concerned about how environmental agents affect us?

To celebrate the launch of the new RSC Journal, Toxicology Research, we’ve selected Biomarkers and Human Biomonitoring from the Issues in Toxicology Book Series as July’s book of the month.

Human biomonitoring is a technique used to measure exposure to environmental agents such as phthalates, mercury and lead, by testing tissue or fluid samples for specific biomarkers, evidence that an environmental agent has entered the body e.g. the agent itself, its metabolites or a change resulting from the interaction of the agent in the body such as protein levels.

With an increasing use of this technique in environmental health assessments and in monitoring programs worldwide, Biomarkers and Human Biomonitoring provides readers with a complete overview of this fascinating area. Volume one introduces the key concepts of biomonitoring and summarises current global studies along with individual chapters on well known environmental biomarkers including bisphenol A, phthalates,  lead, mercury, arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and dioxins. Volume two highlights different biomarkers of exposure which are gaining recent attention including hemoglobin adducts, hormone activity and micronuclei as well as biomarkers of human exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and mycotoxins.

Find out more about how the environment is affecting you – read the ebook now:

Biomarkers and Human Biomonitoring Volume 1: Ongoing Programs and Exposures
Biomarkers and Human Biomonitoring Volume 2: Selected Biomarkers of Current Interest

Interested in similar titles? Read more books in the Issues in Toxicology and RSC Drug Discovery Series.

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