Emerging Fields in Sol-Gel Science and Technology

This volume contains selected papers from the symposium on "Sol-Gel and Vitreous Materials and Applications" held during the International Materials Research Congress in Cancun, Mexico in August 2002. Some of the subjects covered in this symposium include: synthesis of new materials endowed with outstanding and non-conventional optical, magnetic, electrical, thermal, catalytic and mechanical properties; study of the sorption properties of model porous materials in order to test the validity of previous and recent theories; theoretical studies related to density functional theory, fractal and scaling law approaches; synthesis of biomaterials for use in medicine and pollution control; application of sol-gel colloids in the fine-chemistry industry in products such as fragrances and pharmaceuticals; and development of special vitreous materials.