Interlude: Use of chapters 1–11

Abstract

The many and various topics that have been discussed in the first eleven chapters of this book are now drawn together in this chapter, for two reasons. The first reason is for convenience, particularly in Chapters 16–22 where the various concepts and expressions will be needed when specific materials synthesis and fabrication process models are developed. The second reason is to make it possible to draw connections between the various chapters--that is, to see how the various concepts (and numerous equations) fit into one great whole. Because most of the details concerning these concepts were given in Chapters 1–11, they are not repeated here; instead, the key information from these chapters is simply catalogued in this chapter--making it a convenient reference for what follows in subsequent chapters. In addition, this chapter also lists a number of guidelines concerning which expressions to use, and when it is convenient to use them.