Electronic devices and circuits are employed by a range of industries in testing conditions from extremes of high- or low-temperature, in chemically corrosive environments, subject to shock and vibration or exposure to radiation. There are numerous challenges for the engineer to develop electronic components and devices that can operate in such difficult environmental conditions or in situations where long-term reliability is critical where a failure would lead to safety risks and substantial costs. Examples of such applications include aerospace and automotive engineering, chemical plants, oil-well drilling and implanted medical devices.

This book describes the diverse measures necessary to make electronics capable of coping with such situations as well as to gainfully exploit any new phenomena that take place only under these conditions. These precautionary measures begin right at the outset during the conception stage of an electronic circuit in reference to the conditions under which it is planned to function, and must be addressed at all stages commencing from device or circuit design to its fabrication and encapsulation, including proper choice of constructional materials. Superconducting electronics, which can function only at very low temperatures, is included. The book treats the subject in its entirety maintaining full rigour and lucidity of approach, covering both theoretical and experimental aspects in a comprehensive manner. Research endeavours of scientists have led to interesting technological breakthroughs in this swiftly progressing field, and the book provides up-to-date coverage of the topic for industrial and academic researchers.