ABSTRACT
In the previous chapter we have focused on structural aspects
related to the arrangement of atoms through the space in a given
solid, and we saw that such an arrangement plays an essential role
in controlling the lattice contribution to its thermal conductivity.
One must note, however, that the arrangement the atoms adopt in
a given material is mainly determined by its predominant bonding
style (i.e., ionic, covalent, metallic, or van derWaals), stemming from
the interaction among the solid constituents.
