This volume gives a broad overview of advanced technologies for detection and defence against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) agents. It provides chapters addressing the preparation and characterization of different nanoscale materials (metals, oxides, glasses, polymers, carbon-based, etc.) and their applications in fields related to security and safety. In addition, it presents an interdisciplinary approach as the contributors come from different areas of research, such as physics, chemistry, engineering, materials science and biology. A major feature of the book is the combination of longer chapters introducing the basic knowledge on a certain topic, and shorter contributions highlighting specific applications in different security areas.

Plamen Petkov received his degree in Physics from the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria in 1981 and his PhD in Physics in 1994. He has worked at postdoc positions in I. Physicalisches Institut, RWTH, Aachen, Germany, University of Odense, Denmark, University of Bonn, Germany. Actually, he is a full professor of applied physics at the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy and head of Physics Department and Thin Film Technology Laboratory. His research activity is mainly devoted to electrical and optical properties of semiconductor materials for various technological applications. He is author of more than 150 archival refereed journal papers, co-author and co-editor of 5 books, 10 patents and inventions on topics of solid state physics.

Dumitru Tsiulyanu received his degree in Physics from the Institute of Applied Physics at the Moldavian Academy of Science (PhD in 1975 and DSc in 1988). Since 1989 he has worked at the Technical University of Moldova and since 1999 he is Head of the Physics Department and full professor in physics. Present scientific interests include investigations of basic physical properties of chalcogenides and their application development in instrumentation for environmental monitoring. His publication activity includes 150 archival refereed journal papers, co-authorship of 6 books, 20 patents and inventions on the topics of gas sensors and sensor systems.

Cyril Popov received his MSc in Chemical Engineering in 1990 and PhD in 1994 from the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria. In the period 1995-1997 he was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan and at the Central Laboratory of Photoprocesses, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, working on preparation and investigation of novel materials in the ternary system B-C-N. In 1998 he joined the Institute of Nanostructure Technologies and Analytics (INA), University of Kassel, Germany, where at the present he is a Group leader. His current research interests cover deposition, characterization and applications of nano- and ultrananocrystalline diamond films. He is co-author of more than 100 publications, 20 contributions to conference proceedings and 18 book chapters, co-editor of 4 books.

Wilhelm Kulisch studied Physics at the Universities of Münster and Kassel in Germany. Degrees: diploma, PhD and habilition. Since 1988 he works as Researcher and Teacher at the Institute of Nanotechnology (formely Microtechnology) and Analytics at the University of Kassel. His fields of research (among other) include semiconductor devices, thin film technology, superhard materials, diamond and nanodiamond, nanotechnology, biosensors. Between 2003 and 2009 he stayed four years at the NanoBioTech group at the Joint Research Center of the European Commission in Ispra, Italy. He is author of over 200 publications, ca. 10 textbooks and two monographies, editor of five books on diamond and sensors.

Part I General Topics.- CHAP. 1. A. Vaseashta: Roadmapping the Future in Defense and Security: Innovations in Technology using Multidisciplinary Convergence.- Part II: Material Preparation and Processing.- chap. 2. T. Kocourek, M. Jelínek, V. Studni¿ka, J. Drahokoupil: Crystalline Thin Layers of BaTiO₃ for Gas Sensors Prepared by PLD.- Chap. 3, B. Georgieva, S. Kolev, C. Ghelev, T. Koutzarova, D. Kovacheva, B. Vertruyen, R. Closset: A Comparative Study of the Morphology of Y-Type Hexaferrite Powders Obtained by Sol-Gel Auto-Combustion and Ultrasonic Co-Precipitation.- chap. 4, G. Telbiz, E. Leonenko, G. Gulbinas, P. Manoryk: 2D hybrid Si-, Ti-Nanocomposites for Optoelectronic Devices Manufactured by the Sol-Gel Method.- Chap. 5, T.S. Kavetskyy, M.M. Kravtsiv, G.M. Telbiz, V.I. Nuzhdin, V.F. Valeev, A.L. Stepanov: Surface Plasmon Resonance Band of Ion-Synthesized Ag Nanoparticles in High Dose Ag:PMMA Nanocomposite Films.- Chap. 6, T.S. Kavetskyy, K.V. Zubrytska, A.V. Stronski, L.I. Pan'kiv, P. Petkov, V.I. Nuzhdin, V.F. Valeev, A.M. Rogov, Y.N. Osin, A.S. Morozova, A.L. Stepanov: Formation of a Periodic Structure in a Chalcogenide Film Substrate by Silver Ion Implantation.- Chap. 7, M. Trzci¿ski, T.S. Kavetskyy, A.L. Stepanov: Optical Band Gap and Carbon Clusters in PMMA Nanocomposite Films Formed by Ion Implantation: Boron, Helium, and Xenon Ions.- Part III Structural and Optical Characterization.- Chap. 8, I. Rigó, M. Veres, L. Himics, T. Váczi, P. Fürjes: Preparation and Characterization of SERS Substrates of Different Morphology.- Chap. 9, I. Kostova, D. Tonchev: Synthesis of UV Sensitive Rare Earth Doped Materials.- Chap. 10, D. Nicheva, V. Boev, P. Petkov, G. Avdeev, T. Petkova: Characterization of Nickel-cobaltite Spinel Prepared by Different Methods.- Chap. 11, Z. Slavkova, O. Kostadinova, G. Avdeev, T. Petkova: Structure and Thermal Behaviour of Lithium Sodium Sulphate.- Chap. 12, O. Paiuk: Influence of Modification on the Structure and Physical Properties of Arsenic Trisulfide. A Short Review.- Part IV Electrical Characterization.- Chap. 13, L.C. Costa: Time Domain versus Frequency Domain in the Characterization of Materia.- Chap. 14, M.P.F. Graça, P.R. Prezas: The Measurement of Thermally Stimulated Depolarization and Polarization Currents.- Chap. 15, S. Devesa, M.P.F. Graça, L.C. Costa: Iron Concentration Effect on the Microwave Dielectric Properties of BiNbO₄ Ceramics.- Chap. 16, B.M.G. Melo, M.A. Valente, M.P.F. Graça: Dielectric Analysis of Phosphate-Borate Glass-Ceramics Doped with Alkali Oxides.- Chap. 17, S. Soreto Teixeira, A.J.M. Sales, M.P.F. Graça, M.A. Valente, L.C. Costa: Electrical and Magnetic Properties of Yttrium Ferrites.- Part V Materials: Graphene, Nanotubes and Nanodiamonds.- Chap. 18, A. Ansón-Casaos, E. Garcia-Bordeje, A. M. Benito, W.K. Maser: Nanostructured Carbon Materials: Synthesis and Applications.- Chap. 19, N. Felgen, A. Schmidt, B. Naydenov, F. Jelezko , J.P. Reithmaier, C. Popov: Quantum Information Technology and Sensing Based on Color Centers in Diamond. cHap. 20, L. Himics, M. Veres, S. Tóth, I. Rigó, M. Koós: Experimental Study of Spectral Parameters of Silicon-Vacancy Centers in MWCVD Nanodiamond Films Important for Sensing Applications, Chap. 21, A. Petrovski, P. Paunovi¿, A. Grozdanov, A. T. Dimitrov, G. Gentile, M. Avella: Electrochemical Synthesis of PANI/Graphene Nanocomposites Aimed for SensorS, Chap. 22, A. Santidrian, N. Lozano, A. M. Benito, W. K. Maser, A. Anson-Casaos: Preparation of Metallic and Semiconducting SWCNT Inks by a Simple Chromatographic Method: A Two-Parameter Study.- Part VI Materials: Nanowires and Fibers.- Chap. 23, A.Vaseashta, N. Karagülle: Loaded Nanofibers - Force Protection, Filtration, Decontamination.- Chap. 24, N. Bölgen, A. Vaseashta: Nanocomposites of Electrospun Polymeric Materials as Protective Textiles against Chemical and Biological Hazards.- Part VII Materials: Nanocomposites.- Chap. 25, Z. Samir, S. Boukheir, Y. El Merabet, M.P.F. Graça, M.E. Achour, L.C. Costa: Temperature Effect on the Dielectric Response of Carbon Nanotubes Particles Filled Polyester Polymer Composites.- Chap. 26, S. Kolev, T. Koutzarova: Nanosized Ferrite Materials for Absorption of and Protection from MW Radiation.- Chap. 27, L. Kreit, Z. Samir, I. Bouknaitir, A. Triki, M.E. Achour, L.C. Costa, A. Kallel, A. Oueriagli, M. Mabrouki: Dielectric Relaxation in Biocomposites Based on Olive Pomace Grain.- Chap. 28, Z. Petkova, I. Kostova, G. Antova: Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Application in Thin Polymer Films.- Chap. 29, L.Storozhuk, N. Iukhymenko: Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Modified with Silanes and Their Heating Ability in Alternating Magnetic Fields.- Part VIII Materials: Glasses and Polymers.- Chap. 30, T. Kavetskyy, O. Smutok, M. Gonchar, O. Šauša, Y. Kukhazh, H. Švajdlenková, T. Petkova, V. Boev, V. Ilcheva: Ureasil-based Polymer Matrices as Sensitive Layers for the Construction of Amperometric Biosensors.- Chap. 31, D. Tsiulyanu, M. Ciobanu, O. Mocreac: Impedance Characterization of Gas Sensitive Chalcogenide Films.- Chap. 32, T. Kavetskyy, H. Švajdlenková, Y. Kukhazh, O. Šauša, K. ¿echová, I. Mäko, N. Hoivanovych, O. Dytso, T. Petkova, V. Boev, V. Ilcheva: Swelling Behavior of Organic-Inorganic Ureasil-Based Polymers.- Chap. 33, V. Ilcheva, V. Boev, D. Tatchev, G. Avdeev, G. Zamfirova, V. Gaydarov, V. Lilova, T. Petkova: Synthesis and Characterization of Organically Modified Silicates by Co-condensation of Two Organic - Inorganic Ureasilicate Monomers,- Chap. 34, R. Harizanova, L. Vladislavova, C. Bocker, G. Avdeev, C. Rüssel: Sr-substituted Barium Titanate Glass Ceramics from Oxide Glasses as Potential Material for Sensor Preparation.- Chap. 35, L. Vladislavova, C. Thieme, T. Zscheckel, C. Patzig, T. Höche, C. Rüssel: BaO/SrO/ZnO/SiO₂ Glass System: Influence of Different Nucleation Agents: Bulk versus Surface Crystallisation.- Chap. 36, S. Slavov, Z. Jiao: Bismuth-Titanate Bi2Ti2O7 Crystallization in the Bi2O3/TiO2/SiO2/Nd2O3 System.- Part IX Applications: Sensors and Detectors.- Chap. 37, T. Eftimov, D. Tonchev, I. Kostova, G. Patronov, T. Pashova: Application of Sm Oxide Doped Oxyfluoride Glasses for the Development of Extrinsic Fibre Optical X-ray Sensors.- Chap. 38, A. Hofmann, M. Meister, S. Germer: Next Generation Diagnostics: Highly Sensitive Integrated CMOS Photodiode Sensor Array for Light Absorption Measurement.- Chap. 39, G. Chepishevski, A. Petrovski, A. Grozdanov, P. Paunovi¿, A. Dimitrov, G. Gentile, M. Avella: MWCNT/PANI Screen Printed Electrodes for Gas Sensors.- Chap. 40, A. Shalaby, Sh. Safwat-Mansour, A.S. Afify, M. Hassan, A. Staneva: Synthesis of RGO/SiO₂ and Ag/RGO/SiO₂ Nanocomposites and Study of Their Sensitivity Towards Humidity.- Chap. 41, M. Abdallah, N. Velikova, Y. Ivanova, A.S. Afify, M. Ataalla, M. Hassan: Preparation of Nanoporous Hybrid Materials with Bridged Tetra Sulfide Functional Groups and Determination of Their Sensing Characteristics towards Relative Humidity.- Chap. 42, M. Ataalla, Ahmed S. Afify, M. Hassan, A.M. Adam, M. Milanova, I. Piroeva: Humidity Sensing Properties of Tungsten Based Glass Crystalline Materials in the WO₃-ZnO-La₂O₃-Al₂O₃ System.- Chap. 43, D. Demir, N. Bölgen, Ashok Vaseashta: Green Synthesis of Silva Nanoparticles Using Lantana Camara Leaf Extract and Their Use as Mercury(II) Ion Sensor.- Chap. 44, S. Kozhukharov, Ch. Girginov, O. Kostadinova: Highly Ordered AAO Layers for Various Sensor Applications.- Chap. 45, V. Postica, O. Lupan, J. Göttrup, R. Adelung: Individual Bi₂O₃-Functionalized ZnO Microwire for Hydrogen Gas Detection.- Part X Applications: Water Treatment, Environment and Health.- Chap. 46, P. Paunovi¿, O. Popovski, P. Khadke, U. Krewer, G. Näevski, A. Grozdanov, A. T. Dimitrov: Improvement of the Catalytic Activity of Pt through Synergetic Interaction with Co.- Chap. 47, P. Písäík , M. Jelínek, J. Remsa, J. Mikšovský: Antibacterial Coatings for Biomedical Applications.- Chap. 48, I.V. Pavlidis: Identification and Evolution of Biocatalysts of Interest.- Chap. 49,  T.S. Kavetskyy, R.I. Khalilov, O.O. Voloshanska, L.M. Kropyvnytska, T.M. Beyba, V.A. Serezhenkov, A.N. Nasibova, A. Akbarzadeh, S.Ya. Voloshanska: Self-organized Magnetic Nanoparticles in Plant Systems: ESR Detection and Perspectives for Biomedical Applications.- CHAP. 50, N. Enaki, T. Paslari, E. Starodub, S. Bizgan, C. Ristoscu, I.N. Mihailescu, A. Vaseashta: Nanoparticle Based Decontamination of Bacteria/Pathogens.- CHAP. 51, A. Stoilova, A. Georgiev, D. Nazarova, L. Nedelchev, D. Dimov, P. Petkov: Development of Nanostructured Materials with CBRN Agents Sensing Properties.- Subject Index.