This book contains nine chapters selected for their description of advances in materials science research. Chapter One is an investigation of the various properties of delafossite CulnO2 for transparent electronic applications. Chapter Two examines how x-ray tomography may be used for the characterization of performance materials. Chapter Three reviews applications of thin silicon oxide films in integrated circuits. Chapter Four examines the use of ultrasound to prepare ionic liquid-based emulsions. Chapter Five describes thermal degradation and why it matters. Chapter Six reviews the role of silicon oxide in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to produce ethylene, focusing on nickel based catalysts. Chapter Seven details the synthesis and applications of chitosan sulfonic acid. Chapter Eight examines electrical and optical properties of organic semiconductors. Chapter Nine is a review of pulsed-discharge treatment of the Al-Ti-C modification system.