John Proctor is a senior lecturer in physics at the University of Salford and is head of the Materials and Physics Research Group. He specialises in solid state physics, particularly the study of materials under extreme conditions. His works on graphene, silane and transition metal hydrides under high pressure have been highly cited. He regularly publishes research in leading international peer-reviewed journals, delivers contributed and invited talks at international conferences, and is a user at national and international synchrotron facilities. He was previously a lecturer at the University of Hull (2011 – 2013) and a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Edinburgh (2007 – 2011). He obtained his PhD (2007) from the University of Manchester, and his MPhys (2004) from the University of Oxford. Daniel Melendrez Armada is pursuing his PhD in nanomaterials at the University of Manchester. His research involves the development of graphene based sensors. He was awarded his MSc in Electrical Engineering with option in Bioelectronics (2012) from the Centre for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico. Aravind Vijayaraghavan is a lecturer in nanomaterials at The University of Manchester. He leads the Nano-functional Materials Group (www.nanofunc.com) and his research involves the science and technology of graphene and two-dimensional materials, particularly for applications in composites, electronics, sensors and biotechnology. He was previously a post-doctoral research fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA and an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany. He obtained his MEng (2002) and PhD (2006) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA and his BTech (2000) from the Indian Institute of Technology - Madras, India. He has published over 60 papers in international peer reviewed journals and delivered over 50 presentations at international conferences. He is also a leader in public engagement and science communication and won the 2013 Joshua Phillips Award for Innovation in Science Engagement.
"'This book is a timely addition to the basic literature in this emerging field, given the recent huge surge in interest (and funding) the area. It is a text that graduate students starting out in graphene or carbon nanotubes should buy. The theoretical background and survey of important literature will provide an excellent grounding and reference for people entering the field. The book is visually attractive with clear diagrams. The style is rigorous but approachable and the content assumes basic undergraduate physics. I found the book to be accessible to those with a chemistry background too. It is pitched at the right level for research students or final year undergraduates in the physical sciences. There are two main areas of content: (1) theoretical background; (2) preparation and applications of these materials. On the theoretical side, I found the coverage of metallicity in nanotubes particularly appealing. For a chemist, the synthesis sections are very interesting and well described. These would fit well into a course about carbon nanotubes. Similarly, the chapter on the functionalisation of graphene is appealing. I enjoyed the rigorous but readable style. This text will complement many higher-level lecture courses and research projects.' —Dr Timothy J Prior, Lecturer in Chemistry, University of Hull ""In this easy-to-follow textbook, the authors bring the exciting science of carbon nanostructures, from fullerenes to nanotubes and graphene, down to the level of senior undergraduate students. Having evolved from a University course on the same topic, this book builds up on basic understanding of physical phenomena, which science students typically acquire in the first two semesters, and a basic knowledge of quantum mechanics. Graphene turns out to be especially suitable for the introduction of concepts such as direct and reciprocal lattice, electronic and phonon band structure and density"