A common feature of advanced functional materials -- such as thin films, layered structures and all kinds of nanoscale materials (ultrafine powders, polycrystals, nanocomposites, nanoporous or nanotubular materials) - is that their properties are mainly influenced by the structure and composition of their surfaces and interfaces. This book discusses the processing, fabrication, structure, properties and applications of such interface-controlled materials, highlighting the problem of determining the structure and properties of these advanced materials by different techniques. |