This book is a glimpse into the sol-gel universe, providing a wealth of information to curious undergraduate, postgraduate and research students.The book focuses on the direct application of the sol-gel technique to synthesize the transparent silica coatings which exhibit remarkable surface properties. Research scholars will find techniques to combine remarkable surface properties such as transparency, hydrophobicity and enhanced scratch resistance of coatings. Detailed within is an eco-friendly route to enhance the hydrophobicity of coatings.
Dr Kavale Mahendra Suhas completed his undergraduate degree in DBF Dayanand College, PAH Solapur University, Solapur, India. He received an Eklavya Scholarship from the Government of Maharashtra for a PG in Physics. He completed his PG and PhD in Physics under the guidance of Prof. A. Venkateshwara Rao from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. He worked as a Junior Research Fellow on the DAE BRNS project. His area of expertise are low density silica aerogels, scratch resistant and hydrophobic silica coatings, hard coatings, nano materials, colloidal materials etc. Presently, he is working as an Assistant Professor in Physics in Sangameshwar Autonomous College, Solapur, Maharashtra India. He has published more than 37 research papers in international journals. His 'h' index is 13 and his number of citations total more than 882. He has maintained the same position for last 4 years. He is the best researcher in physics in the institution.
