Chemical Laboratory
This book covers techniques in the chemical laboratory and safety procedures that are crucial to making the laboratory a safe workplace. The book is divided into two sections, the 1st comprehensively covering safety protocols in a chemical laboratory and the 2nd detailing important techniques to master. This book can be utilized by graduate students, laboratory technicians, and laboratory chemists. New to this edition: Chemical Hazard Classification and Labeling, Personal Protective Equipment, Spill Management and Decontamination Procedures, Waste Disposal and Environmental Compliance, Biological and Radiological Hazards in Chemistry Labs, Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans, Safe handling of Nanomaterials and Emerging Risks, Developing a Lab Safety Culture in Academic Institution, Automation, Sensors, and Digital Tools in the Lab, Microscale and Semi-Microscale Techniques.
Engineering Catalysis
The book illuminates various aspects of catalysis engineering: from catalysis design, catalyst preparation and characterization, reaction kinetics, mass transfer, and catalytic reactors to the implementation of catalysts in chemical technology. Aimed at graduate students, it is also a useful resource for professionals working in research and development. Newly added: homogeneous and enzymatic catalysis with the same engineering/ industrial focus.
Modeling, Reliability and Health Management of Lithium-Ion Batteries
As the global transition toward carbon neutrality accelerates, Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become the cornerstone of electric mobility and renewable energy storage. However, ensuring their safety and maximizing their lifespan requires precise solutions for complex electrochemical and thermal challenges. This Reprint, representing the second edition of the Special Issue "Modeling, Reliability, and Health Management of Lithium-Ion Batteries," compiles eight significant research contributions and a comprehensive editorial that define the current state of the art in this field. The collected works address three interconnected themes. In the domain of modeling, authors introduce efficient parameter extraction methods for equivalent circuit models and solid-phase diffusion models for high-power LTO batteries. Reliability and safety are addressed through novel investigations into thermal runaway mechanisms, including pressure dynamics in prismatic cells and environmental impact evaluations, alongside robust fault diagnosis techniques utilizing relative entropy. Finally, the Reprint showcases breakthroughs in health management, featuring physics-guided machine learning for capacity fading prediction, autoencoder-based SOH estimation for small data samples.
Artificial Intelligence for Seniors
Unfortunately, a lot of mature aged people, who didn't grow up with computers and the internet, may feel anxious about using technology and believe it's too late to learn about it. I understand that AI might seem complex and intimidating at first glance. However, here's the good news: accessing and using AI is not difficult at all, once you know how. And the benefits it can bring are truly life changing.This book aims to bridge that gap. It will show you how you can easily embrace AI to unlock new opportunities for learning, creativity, and fun. Written in easy to understand, non-technical language.Come with me on an exhilarating journey into the captivating world of AI. Together, we'll wonder at the fusion of AI and human creativity, unleashing endless inspiration and amusement. Brace yourself for an adventure filled with delightful surprises and whimsical activities, making your learning experience enjoyable, exciting and fun! With AI as your ally, you can enrich your life and make the most out of each day, regardless of your age or experience.Peter ThorpeAuthor
Microstructure and Mechanical Behaviour of Structural Materials
Metallic materials have long been integral to structural applications, spanning from advanced aerospace and automotive industries to common household items. The performance of these materials is inherently linked to their microstructure, which governs their mechanical properties. Understanding the microstructure-property relationship is therefore essential for optimizing the performance and reliability of structural components across diverse applications. This Special Issue features cutting-edge research articles, including full-length papers, and comprehensive reviews, that focus on the microstructural characterization, mechanical property evaluation, and deformation behavior of commercial and advanced structural materials. We aim to provide a platform for novel insights and innovative approaches in the following areas: Microstructure evolution during processing and its influence on mechanical properties;Multiscale characterization and simulations to understand mechanical behavior;The relationship between alloy composition, heat treatment, and resultant properties;Deformation mechanisms and failure analysis in metals and alloys;Applications of metallic materials in advanced structural designs.
Innovate Energy
America's next energy revolution won't be won by politicians. It will be built by innovators.For decades, nuclear microreactors powered the world's harshest outposts-Antarctica, Panama, and beyond-delivering clean, reliable energy where diesel was costly, risky, and hard to sustain. Then, in the 1970s, politics and fear shut the door.Today, as America faces an energy crunch, microreactors stand ready. Perfectly sized and portable, they provide energy without forcing industries to set up operations close to power supplies or fly diesel. Microreactors mean energy on your terms-not the grid's.In Innovate Energy, author, entrepreneur, and industrial leader Mike Wandler tells the untold story of microreactors' ability to restore resilience, security, and prosperity. Drawing on family legacy, lessons from heavy industry, and insights from mentors and pioneers, Wandler Busts myths to alleviate fear around the dangers of nuclear energy.Reveals truths about the ways microreactors can provide affordable, more secure energy solutions.Lays out a playbook for leaders who refuse to settle for scarcity.Other proven clean sources will play their role, but nuclear microreactors hold the key to unlocking America's next wave of energy abundance. This is not just a book about technology-it's a call to action for builders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers who believe America's best days are still ahead. Are you ready to see what happens when truth, grit, and American leadership take charge of energy's future? Let Innovate Energy show you how today!
Advances in Numerical Computation and Mathematical Modelling for Geotechnical Engineering
The field of geotechnical engineering is experiencing a transformative period driven by the increasing complexity of in situ projects and the need for operations in challenging geological environments. As engineering activities extend into deeper strata and more complex geological conditions, practitioners face unprecedented challenges, including groundwater seepage control, dynamic rock mass failure analysis, geothermal effects on rock stability, and microseismic monitoring. These multifaceted problems demand sophisticated numerical computation, mathematical modeling, and engineering monitoring methodologies that can provide reliable solutions for analysis, evaluation, and design processes. The collection focuses on the development and application of cutting-edge numerical computation and modeling methods for geotechnical monitoring, analysis, and theoretical prediction. By assembling high-quality original research papers, comprehensive case studies, and innovative methodological contributions, this issue aims to bridge the gap between fundamental mathematical theories and practical computer-based applications in geotechnical engineering.
System-on-Chip (SoC) and Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Design
The evolution of digital technology is firmly steered by key concepts such as Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and the evolution of System-on-Chip (SoC). These pivotal elements seamlessly integrate programmable logic, creating a potent synergy that manifests in spatial and temporal computing. While SoCs stand as a milestone in technological evolution, incorporating processors and reconfigurable logic areas, FPGAs emerge as fundamental devices for the rapid development of complex digital circuits. Together, SoCs and FPGAs create an ecosystem that not only accelerates the time to market but also opens the doors to a new computing paradigm, where flexibility and spatial-temporal optimization are at the forefront of digital innovation. The significance of these FPGA and SoC architectures extends beyond mere computing power, influencing the design of advanced devices in sectors such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and robotics, radically transforming how we interact with technology in our daily lives.
Plant Maintenance and Reliability Engineering
"Plant Maintenance and Reliability Engineering" provides both theoretical and practical knowledge together with the latest technological concepts and research in the field. The topics covered in this book are an integral part of the syllabi in most of the universities in India and meet the requirements of the course plant maintenance and reliability engineering taught in mechanical engineering and all allied branches. This book aims at providing the readers an insight into the working and maintenance of plant equipment and machinery. The text substantially deals with the emerging issues faced by plant engineers on a day-to-day basis and discusses the measures to address such issues. This book emphasis on the safety of workplace and workers and discusses the increasing role of plant managers in the corporate management. This text is precise, systematic, and uses an easy-to-understand language and is enriched with several illustrative examples.Key Features - Covers topics in an organised and systematic manner - Includes rich pedagogical features such as practice examples, end-of-chapter exercises, case studies, and exercises and questions to test the learners understanding of the topics discussed - Incorporates a multitude of neatly labeled and visually appealing illustrations - Includes bustles/activities to encourage hands-on and practical exposure - Incorporates sufficient number of solved numerical problems
Fundamentals of Smart Grid Systems
This book presents a comprehensive overview of smart grids, beginning with their motivation, evolution, challenges, opportunities, components, operation, management, control and protection. This book consists of nine chapters, which focuses on core topics such as, benefits and challenges of smart grid, renewable energy sources, and energy storage systems. One chapter is dedicated to Plugin Electric Vehicles and their role in grid support. This book also covers crucial topics like demand side management, monitoring, protection and power electronic converters which are included as part of effort to provide a complete operational scenario of smart grid. Each chapter ends with several challenges that instilling critical thinking. The book can be used by undergraduate and post graduate students, faculty as a basic textbook and as a training resource for industrial engineers to gain the essential knowledge of various smart grid technologies and their fundamentals concepts in the areas of renewable energy integration, storage, e-mobility, demand side management, monitoring, operation and protection.
How to do Business with NASA
Have you ever wondered how to break into one of the most prestigious and exciting organizations in the world-NASA? Whether you're a startup founder, a small business owner, or a seasoned aerospace professional, this book shows you exactly how to navigate the complex but rewarding world of NASA contracting and partnerships.How to Do Business with NASA pulls back the curtain on the agency's unique processes, programs, and procurement culture. Drawing from 15+ years of direct experience with NASA, aerospace startups, and federal contracting, author Jeff Nosanov offers a step-by-step guide to discovering opportunities, submitting winning proposals, and building lasting relationships that can propel your business into orbit.Inside, you'll discover: How NASA's contracting system really works-and how to position yourself to succeed.Proven strategies for identifying opportunities, from SBIRs and Space Act Agreements to multi-million-dollar contracts.Insider tips on proposal writing, compliance, and standing out in a competitive field.Stories and lessons learned from real NASA projects that illuminate the path forward.Whether your expertise lies in aerospace engineering, data analytics, health sciences, or any field NASA touches, this book is your roadmap to securing contracts, forming partnerships, and becoming part of the future of space exploration.Why buy this book now?Because NASA is investing billions into Artemis, commercial spaceflight, and next-generation technology-and opportunities for innovators have never been greater. If you want your business to thrive at the frontier of human achievement, this book shows you how to start today.
Home Land
If you care about the West, you must care about the lands of the West--lands that are disappearing rapidly, along with the people and cultures that go along with them. In this collection of 22 essays, the editors have brought together some of the best--and most insightful--writing on ranching in the West. These writers explore the changing landscape of the West and how, in an age of huge, corporate-owned ranches, the small rancher can survive. This book brings together the best writers in the West today--including poets, ranchers, and conservationists--in a one-of-a-kind, unique look at the West. Includes essays by: Aaron Abeyta, Julene Bair, Rick Bass, Bob Budd, Joan Chevalier, James Galvin, Drum Hadley, Linda Hussa, Page Lambert, Wallace McRae, Sharon Salisbury O'Toole, Diane Josephy Peavey, Nathan Sayre, Mark Spragg, Kim Stafford, Paul F. Starrs, Courtney White, Paul Zarzyski Winner of the Colorado Book Award.
Materials Chemistry
Materials Chemistry, a broad dscipline including hard and lightweight materials, bio-materials and superconductors, as well as the more traditional materials such as ceramics, polymers, and glasses focusing on the structure-property paradigm. Each class of materials highlights recycling techniques, and green methods of production. This book includes subjects on: defect structure, crystal structure, semi-crystalline materials, semi-conductors, superconductors, polymers, metals and alloys, bio-materials, ceramics, glass, lightweight materials and hard materials. An emphasis is placed on emerging subjects and discoveries throughout the field, as well as the possibilities of recycling of materials. The author examines all the relevant and newly emerging sub-disciplines within materials chemistry, without minimizing the already well-established subjects within the field. Materials Chemistry provides a broad survey of this field for those being first exposed to materials chemistry. It is useful to advanced students, as well as to professionals in the field.
Mucilage and Gums
The growing global emphasis on sustainability and the environmental challenges posed by synthetic polymers, such as plastics, has created an urgent need for eco-friendly alternatives. Natural polymers, particularly mucilage and gums, represent a promising solution due to their biodegradability, renewable nature, and wide availability. The book Natural Polymers serves as a comprehensive, cutting-edge resource for understanding the full potential of mucilage and gums as natural polymers. By exploring the extraction, characterization, modification, and application of these biopolymers, this book provides valuable insights that span across academic research, industrial innovation, and sustainable development.
The Future Interface
Every tap, swipe, and wake word is a negotiation for control. This book shows how to win that negotiation without losing speed. It is a field guide to the next wave of interaction-where systems infer intent from voice, movement, gaze, and even neural signals-asking what happens when anticipation outruns consent. For designers, founders, and curious readers, it explains how to keep interfaces legible, reversible, and humane as they get closer to our minds. Across vivid case studies and clear patterns, you will learn when human computer interaction principles trump hype, how to apply design psychology for products to reduce error and fatigue, and why accessible interface design is the fastest route to mainstream excellence. It demystifies AR VR design principles, shows where voice and gesture design shines and fails, and sets ethical guardrails for brain computer interface ethics so prediction never becomes pressure. Along the way, it tackles the hard edge of privacy in smart assistants and the business logic of anticipatory design, giving you tools to recognise dark patterns and replace them with humane ones. - For product leaders, it is a practical test for building humane technology patterns that scale trust - For researchers and makers, it offers checklists to move from demo to durable workflow - For everyday readers, it provides language to evaluate claims and reclaim choice The result is clarity you can act on: a mental model for future interfaces book that anticipates responsibly, earns the right to set defaults, and leaves the final word with you.
Information Technology and Africa
"Mastery over New Technologies is a sine qua non for resetting Africa for great development strides." - Dr Evans E. WoheremIn this instructive and far-reaching book, Dr Evans E. Woherem presents the technological antecedents of Africa in the context of the continent's position as an unheralded pioneer in technology. The author explains Africa's absence from previous industrial revolutions and advocates for the continent's advantage in harnessing the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). The book's focus on policies-government and nongovernmental-and other interventions that can contribute to growth in Africa will be of great use to students and policy makers alike. It also provides an understanding of the exponential technologies and what organisations, universities, countries, and individuals can do to master these technologies for the continent's development."What Dr Woherem has created is a blueprint for how Africa can move forward. But it's also a book for anyone from any country seeking a deeper understanding of how the technologies propelling us into the future can be systematically harnessed and implemented." - Robin Raskin, Founder, The Virtual Events Group (VEG)
Optimizing Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in Building
The eight articles proposed in this Special Issue cover various aspects of energy efficiency and thermal comfort optimization, such as simulation, control, multi-objective optimization, and decision making. First, there are two review papers, which deal with overheating and guidelines embedded in international standards and national building codes, and building performance optimization through the benefits of retrofits, respectively. Then, different control and optimization strategies are developed and discussed in the following four articles. In the first, a multi-objective optimization design method of a university student center based on low energy consumption and thermal comfort is conducted. In the second paper, a decision-making methodology for building thermal design, considering the optimal selection and operation of multi-energy systems focused on renewable energy, is created. The third article is dedicated to the optimization of a hydronic system in a commercial building by using predictive control with limited data. The content of the fourth article describes the development of a smart thermostat with validation thanks to a surrogate model of a climatic chamber. The last two articles of this Special Issue deal with indoor environmental quality (IEQ). To this end, the concentration of CO2 in a working area with a gas infrared heater and an air-exchange system was studied. Lastly, the effects of exterior glazing on thermal comfort in office buildings were investigated.
Innovative Design and Application of Modern Agricultural Machinery Systems in Cropping Systems
In modern societies, an ample food supply remains a critical challenge. To meet this demand, it is crucial to improve agricultural machinery for sustainable farming. However, the efficiency and productivity of broadacre farming both heavily depend on the utilized machinery systems. Different mechanical systems are used in various types of cropping systems. There is an urgent need for innovative and common mechanical systems to meet the growing global demands. The rising costs of energy, fertilizers, chemicals, and labor only add to the urgency, thus compelling farmers and the agricultural industry to seek more cost-effective solutions. These solutions must enhance production efficiency while ensuring profitability and affordability for consumers. Moreover, the imperative of environmental sustainability urges the adoption of novel agricultural techniques that safeguard soil health and minimize ecological impact. With these challenges and opportunities in mind, we announced this Special Issue and collected research on the designs and applications of modern agricultural machinery systems. The themes include a range of topics that are crucial for advancing agricultural production, including tillage, seeding, fertilization, harvesting, tractor technology, and control and automation systems: Innovative tillage and seeding technologies; Advances in fertilization methods and equipment; Cutting-edge harvesting technologies; Modern tractor technologies and their applications; Control and automation systems in agriculture; Precision agriculture and smart farming technologies.
Wave/Current-Structure-Seabed Interactions around Offshore Foundations
With the global surge in the exploration of ocean resources, there has been a significant increase in the construction of offshore infrastructure, including offshore platforms and wind turbines, over the past few decades. However, these engineering structures are prone to occasional destruction or damage due to harsh offshore environments. Therefore, ensuring the safety of marine infrastructure heavily relies on a profound understanding and comprehensive evaluation of the coupling effects between waves, currents, structures, and the seabed. The primary objective of this Special Issue is to present recent advances in the field of wave/current-structure-seabed interactions around offshore foundations. Authors are encouraged to submit articles that encompass experimental, numerical, theoretical, and applied approaches, aiming to enhance the understanding and refinement of complex physical processes involving waves/currents, foundations, and marine sediments. The scope of this Special Issue encompasses various research areas, including, but not limited to, the following: Fluid-soil-structure interactions around offshore foundations; Scour around offshore foundations; Wave-induced seabed liquefaction; Physical and numerical modeling for geohazard and offshore geotechnics; Hydrodynamic loads on offshore structures; Assessment and mitigation of foundation instabilities; Soil characteristics and constitutive model for marine sediments; Offshore foundation design.
Birth Tech The Fertility Technology Of The Future
Birth Tech explores the rapidly emerging technologies reshaping human reproduction, fertility, and gestation, examining how scientific innovation is beginning to transform one of the most intimate and socially consequential aspects of human life. From assisted reproductive technologies and fertility diagnostics to artificial wombs, synthetic gestation, and data-driven matchmaking systems, the book traces the expanding ecosystem now forming around birth itself.Rather than approaching fertility as a lifestyle issue or a clinical handbook, Birth Tech treats reproduction as a technological system. It situates modern fertility tools within a wider framework of biotechnology, platform economics, medical infrastructure, ethics, and long-term demographic change. The book considers how advances in automation, artificial intelligence, materials science, and biomedical engineering are converging to challenge long-standing assumptions about pregnancy, parenthood, and biological limitation.Written in a reflective, analytical style, the book moves fluidly between current commercial technologies and speculative developments that are moving rapidly from theory into early implementation. Topics include the evolution of IVF and fertility preservation, the rise of "femtech" platforms, emerging ectogenesis research, and the ethical pressures created when reproduction becomes partially decoupled from the human body.Birth Tech is intended for readers interested in the future of medicine, technology, and society rather than prescriptive guidance. It will appeal to those working or studying in biomedical engineering, health technology, policy, ethics, and investment, as well as general readers seeking a serious, accessible examination of how technological progress may redefine birth in the decades ahead.
Energy and Sustainable Development
This textbook explains electricity generation in plain English so non-engineers can easily understand it. It also presents a framework to incorporate sustainability into international development projects in the energy sector. It uses examples from Africa to illustrate both sustainable and unsustainable energy development projects. Presents a unique view of energy sustainability as it relates to international development. Ideal for Masters and PhD students in the fields of international development and energy management.
Geometry Reconstruction from Images (2nd Edition)
Recovering 3D content from images has been a tremendous source of research advances, with many different focuses, targeted applications, needs, or scientific starting points. A wide range of existing approaches nowadays are employed in the industry for many considerations, including, for instance, quality in engineering production, video-based security, or 3D modeling in gaming applications or movies. Yet, reconstructing a representation of a scene observed through a camera remains a challenging aspect in general, and the specific question of producing a (static or dynamic) geometric model has led to decades of research and still corresponds to a very active scientific domain. Sensors are continuously evolving, bringing more and more accuracy, resolution, and new opportunities for reconstructing objects' shapes and/or detailed geometric variations.This second issue is dedicated to 3D reconstruction from images, for which machine learning has brought interesting reconstruction methods, with approaches such as NeRFs or Gaussian splatting. Some specific aspects are also addressed, with in-depth fundamental research, such as the management of specular surfaces or accuracy issues in underwater environments. The 11 articles published in this second edition tackle several very interesting challenges: reconstructions of objects known for their complexity, underwater environments where distortions make depth estimation difficult, interactive systems and dynamic scenes, analyses of existing reconstruction techniques, and deep learning approaches.
Thermal Management in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Considering the rapid growth witnessed in the electric vehicle and rechargeable battery markets, this Special Issue presents an opportune platform to explore diverse thermal management technologies. It specifically focuses on their application in battery and electronics systems for transportation applications, including passenger cars, trucks, buses, locomotives, boats, aircraft, and beyond, encompassing both established industry practices and emerging solutions for future advancements. This Special Issue includes valuable insights and expertise from academic institutions, industry organizations, and national laboratories.The published papers cover the following topics: Single-phase and multi-phase cooling; Innovative cooling materials and structures; Advanced sensors, thermal control, and fault detection; Strategies to mitigate thermal runaway and propagation; Cutting-edge models to gain insights into thermal-related degradation mechanisms; New mechanistic models to understand degradation caused by thermal issues; Challenges of battery thermal management under extreme conditions such as extremely fast charge and low temperatures.
DC/AC Converters
This monograph presents a comprehensive and structured study of DC/AC converters, focusing on the fundamental types-current source inverters (CSIs), voltage source inverters (VSIs), and resonant inverters (RIs). The book offers a unified analytical and modeling framework, enabling detailed investigation of electromagnetic processes in inverter power circuits. A particular emphasis is placed on the development and implementation of specialized simulation models, as well as the formulation of general design methodologies applicable across a wide range of converter topologies and operating modes. The content is supported by numerous examples, diagrams, time-domain waveforms, and simulation case studies using MATLAB/Simulink and LTspice environments. The monograph integrates theory, numerical modeling, and engineering design in a coherent manner to bridge the gap between academic research and practical power electronics development. The book is intended for the following audiences: Graduate and PhD students specializing in power electronics, electrical engineering, or related fields.Academic researchers and teaching staff looking for a modern, structured reference in the field of DC/AC power conversion.Engineers and system designers working on industrial applications such as electric drives, renewable energy systems, uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), and high-frequency energy processing.Developers interested in advanced simulation techniques and design optimization of inverter-based systems.No prior deep knowledge in inverter modeling is required, but a solid understanding of circuit theory and power electronics principles is beneficial. The approach adopted in this book is methodologically unified, model-driven, and application-oriented. It combines the following: Analytical modeling based on the study of electromagnetic processes in RLC equivalent circuits, suitable for all major inverter classes.Numerical simulation, using MATLAB/Simulink and LTspice, for accurate dynamic and steady-state analysis.Design methodology, offering step-by-step procedures to develop and optimize inverters with different topologies and operating modes.Practical validation, through case studies and simulated experiments, ensuring a direct link between theory and engineering practice.This hybrid approach ensures consistency, clarity, and relevance for both educational and real-world engineering environments. It is especially useful in contexts where design efficiency, model accuracy, and functional reliability are of critical importance.
RFID-Enabled Sensor Design and Applications
The dissemination of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology results primarily from the progress in the field of integrated electronics technology, as well as from our better understanding of the phenomena that determine the principles of the wireless transmission of information and energy at a distance. Until recently, RFID transponders were used only as electronic tags for marking objects. At present, these radio devices are becoming integrated into sensors of various physical quantities in order to monitor the operating state of marked objects, as well as to gather information on their working environment. On this basis, innovative applications of RFID transponder sensors can be developed towards distributed IT systems, and their implementation can be achieved in various areas of socio-economic activity (e.g., Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, smart homes and cities, smart agriculture, e-healthcare, retail and supply chain). The progress in RFID transponder sensors also stimulates the availability and continuous improvements in low-power energy-efficient integrated circuits. The combination of these advancements with the ability of energy harvested from various sources present in the surrounding environment makes the construction of autonomous battery-free systems possible. Additional development factors include the integration of transponder sensors with marked objects, as well as their use as semi-finished products in technological processes unrelated to electronic systems (e.g., textronic systems and product packaging).
A Practitioners Approach to Geographical Information Systems
The book "A Practitioner's Approach to Geographical Information Systems" is an exhaustive resource that offers a structured and logical learning experience for those seeking to master Geographical Information Systems (GIS). This textbook is designed as a hands-on guide, providing step-by-step experiments and exercises that cover the foundational skills required to work with GIS software. The book's content is carefully curated to bridge the gap between theoretical GIS concepts and their real-world applications, making it an ideal resource for students, practitioners, and researchers.
Prosperity from a Pittance - The New Sustainable Future
In a world overwhelmed by climate change debates and economic uncertainty, one thing remains clear: lasting solutions begin at home. Dr Pat Howden - ecologist, medical researcher, and pioneer of sustainable living - offers a lifetime of insight into how individuals can take charge of their environmental footprint through practical, low-cost, renewable home systems. Drawing on decades of experience since 1946, including his role as ECOnsultant to Sydney University's 1974 Autonomous House project, Dr Pat Howden introduces S.H.E. - Sustainable Home Engineering - and his concept of Frugaluxury: a simple, solar-powered lifestyle that's conservatively run on renewable resources. His approach helps everyday people sidestep the stress of overwork, rising costs, suburban sprawl, and planned obsolescence - while reconnecting with family, community, and purpose. This book is a hands-on guide to building a resilient future, featuring projects and principles that schools, homesteaders, and makers of all ages will find both indispensable and fun. With the rise of resource shortages and global disruptions, Dr Pat Howden's sustainable systems offer not just hope - but real economic opportunity for cottage industries, villages, garages, and corporations alike. From the Men's SHED Project to his second Sustainable Future Museum and Apt Library, Dr Pat Howden continues to inspire a new generation of ecological thinkers. Here, he shares the blueprint. "Optimum low cost family is when one partner works, the other helps family become highly self-sufficient. Swap jobs every 6 months or less! Please circulate this text that the world can't afford to be without - other folk may need tomorrow! Disaster Survival is highly correlated with home multi-tasked self-sufficiency level!" SUNcerely & Sustainably - Dinah & Dr Pat Howden.
Greenkeeping Guide A Beginner's Handbook for Healthy Turf
Greenkeeping Guide: Essential Skills, Systems, and Seasonal Plans for Today's Golf Course Superintendent is a comprehensive, practical handbook designed to support both new and experienced professionals in the demanding world of golf course management. Blending decades of hands-on experience with modern turf science and operational best practices, this guide provides clear, actionable strategies for maintaining healthy, high-performance playing surfaces throughout the year.The book covers the full scope of superintendent responsibilities, beginning with the foundations of budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation. Readers will learn how to build effective maintenance programs, manage seasonal challenges, and make informed decisions that protect turf health and course playability. Detailed explanations of agronomy, irrigation, mowing practices, pest management, and soil care help establish a strong technical foundation.Beyond turf science, the guide emphasizes the leadership and organizational skills required to run a successful operation. Topics include staff training, team communication, workflow planning, equipment management, and long-term strategic thinking. Practical checklists and real-world examples make the material easy to apply in daily operations, while insights into sustainability and environmental stewardship highlight the importance of responsible land management.The book also explores emerging trends such as precision turf management, data-driven decision-making, and the growing role of automation and technology in course operations. These forward-looking sections help superintendents prepare for the future while strengthening the systems they rely on today.Whether you are entering the profession or refining an established program, this guide offers a reliable, year-round reference for improving turf quality, enhancing operational efficiency, and leading with confidence. It is an essential resource for anyone committed to elevating the standards of golf course maintenance and creating exceptional playing conditions.
Spectral Detection Technology, Sensors and Instruments, 2nd Edition
Spectral detection technology has always been a research hotspot in the field of precision measurement. It can obtain not only the spectral characteristics of the measured object, but also the topography of samples through hyperspectral and multispectral imaging. It is widely used in national defense, space remote sensing, biomedicine, disaster monitoring, and many engineering fields. In recent years, with the development of technology, intelligent manufacturing and environmental protection have attracted worldwide attention, which extends the application of spectral detection technology to new dimensions. The Special Issue of Sensors, titled "Spectral Detection Technology, Sensors and Instruments, 2nd Edition", collects the latest progress in spectral technology. These studies collectively advance the field of spectral analysis and detection technology, offering valuable insights and methodologies poised to drive further research and innovation.
Building Energy Performance Modelling and Simulation
Rising global temperatures, changing climate conditions, and increasing expectations regarding indoor comfort have intensified the demand for more accurate tools to predict and optimise the performance of buildings. As the construction sector remains one of the largest energy consumers, understanding the complex interactions between buildings, their systems, and occupant behaviour is essential for reducing energy use and improving indoor environmental quality. Advances in information technology and simulation methods offer new possibilities for analysing building behaviour under dynamic real-world conditions.This Reprint focuses on recent developments in building performance simulation and indoor environmental quality modelling. It presents research addressing energy demand, thermal comfort, thermal sensation, airflow behaviour, and the environmental impact of buildings. The contributions demonstrate a variety of modelling approaches, including whole-building simulation, airflow modelling, and computational fluid dynamics, as well as studies on calibration, validation, and optimisation of building systems. The Reprint provides an overview of current methods and tools used to analyse and improve the energy efficiency and indoor environment of contemporary buildings.
Fundamentals of Multilevel Converters
Dive into the realm of advanced electrical engineering with "Fundamentals of Multilevel Converters", a comprehensive guide tailored for students, scholars, and engineers eager to master the intricacies of multilevel inverters. Authored specifically for graduate, undergraduate, sand research scholar programs, this book unravels the complexities of various multilevel inverter topologies through in-depth exploration and practical case studies. Spanning six meticulously crafted chapters, readers are guided through the fundamentals of multilevel inverters, pulse width modulation techniques, and detailed analyses of diode-clamped, flying-capacitor, cascaded H-bridge, and hybrid multilevel inverters. From theoretical insights to hands-on exercises using simulation tools such as SIMULINK/MATLAB, each chapter culminates in a wealth of knowledge, reinforced by summaries, exercise problems, and learning objectives. Immerse yourself in the world of multilevel inverters, where advantages, disadvantages, and real-world applications are presented with clarity and precision. Whether delving into case studies on resistive and inductive loads or exploring the latest advancements in hybrid multilevel inverters, this book serves as a pivotal resource for those seeking to elevate their understanding and expertise in the field of electrical engineering. Get ready to embark on a transformative educational journey that seamlessly blends theory with practical applications, preparing you to navigate the dynamic landscape of multilevel inverters in modern electrical systems. A must-read for anyone passionate about pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation in the realm of power systems and renewable energy.
Safety and Health in Industry
This Handbook mainly focuses on accidents and their prevention, health & safety in organisations, occupational health & safety, statutes on accident compensation, pollution control and protection, and Disaster Management. This Handbook provides various suggestions on how to enhance conceptual knowledge and professional skills, making it an indispensable tool for those looking to improve workplace safety and health.It contains 15 chapters and 10 Appendices.Salient features- Presents the material in a simple and lucid style for easy understanding of a multi-dimensional subject- An authoritative and up-to-date text related to Indian situation- Immensely useful to students of management and engineering and also professionals working in the field of industrial safety and health
Objective Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry
Dive into the world of "Objective Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry" where the pursuit of knowledge meets the challenge of class and competitive examinations. In this meticulously crafted resource, aspiring candidates navigate the intricate web of questions and answers essential for success in the field. While the book provides a comprehensive array of examination patterns and arithmetic nuances, it is not a standalone substitute for textbooks. Readers are encouraged to combine their textbook knowledge with the practical exercises provided here to sharpen their skills and boost their chances of success. With its focus on precise examination preparation, this book is sure to serve as an additional tool for those striving to conquer the rigorous academic landscapes of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry.
Wandering Pilgrim
John Dunlop, self-styled as The Wandering Pilgrim, has spent a lifetime documenting his travels, inspired from boyhood by Grimm's Fairy Tales-especially East of the Sun and West of the Moon.Volume III presents diaries and accounts written at the time of the events, illustrated with contemporary photographs. It falls into two parts: fourteen boyhood travel stories from exploring and hitchhiking across Australia, followed by twenty-six accounts from his early career as a mining engineer after graduating from Melbourne University around 1971-working at mines, then freelancing as a minerals consultant in remote locations worldwide.Like Volumes I (dedicated to alpine climbing and Himalayan mountaineering) and II (Tasmanian wilderness walks), this book preserves the original voice-from youthful exuberance to maturing style-offering personal adventure and valuable historical insights.Born in Melbourne in 1950, son of the renowned "Weary" Dunlop, John twice hitchhiked around Australia before finishing school, worked as an underground miner and on offshore oil rigs, and visited war-torn Vietnam with his father in 1965.A distinguished engineering career followed, spanning mine operations, senior management, and thirty years of global consulting in remote regions. Throughout, he carved out time for wilderness escapes-to "feed the rat"-building a remarkable sixty-year chronicle of travel.Today he lives at his remote rainforest retreat in Far North Queensland. The Wandering Pilgrim series forms a vivid, progressive autobiography captured across seven decades.
Sustainable Rural Development
Sustainable development is the core principle for improving the quality of life. The policies discussed in this book apply to rural areas, including country towns, villages, and the wider, largely undeveloped countryside up to the fringes of larger urban regions. Rural sustainability can be defined as the ongoing pursuit of development approaches that protect and strengthen rural communities, ensuring that economic, sociocultural, and environmental values are well aligned and responsive to the needs of all these dimensions. This book presents various technology-based methods to address the challenges faced by rural communities. Technologies such as innovative irrigation systems, technology-based cooking methods, and new ways of harvesting energy are described to support sustainable rural development.For more details, please visit https: //centralwestpublishing.com
Liquid Crystals
This book presents a detailed study on the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel achiral bent-core liquid crystals based on a four-ring benzene framework. It explores how structural modifications such as polar and non-polar substituents affect mesophase behavior, chirality and photophysical properties. Combining synthetic strategies with experimental techniques like DSC, POM, and X-ray diffraction, the book offers valuable insights into structure-property relationships in bent-core mesogens, making it a useful resource for researchers and students in materials science and liquid crystal research.
Composites Recycling
The book covers recent advances in composites recycling including current industry practice of waste management, composite recycling technologies, and environmental impact. It is an indispensable source for professionals working toward a circular economy in the composites industries, such as aerospace, automotive, wind energy, marine and construction. It is also of interest to any students and researchers working in the field.
The Importance of Quality Assurance Systems in the Fire and Rescue Service
Fire services around the world share one common objective, to protect life and property. Although they have a variation of functions covered under their mission statements, the protection of life and property is a universal objective irrespective of nationality.However, the way this crucial objective is addressed from country to country, and even between fire services within the same country, varies significantly.As such, there is little homogeneity in how fire services operate. Despite empirical evidence and a wealth of experience documented in books, manuals and training guides, establishing a broadly defined methodology towards effective emergency management and response, the status quo globally precludes the creation of an international benchmark for fire and rescue services.This book attempts to establish a global benchmark to which fire services and their performance can be measured. It is acknowledged that due to intrinsic differences between fire services, such as funding capacity and risk needs, would deem the adoption of a uniquely homogenous standard, even in Europe, unfeasible. Therefore, it is a set of best practice principles that are being suggested that will invariably assist in improving fire service performance.
Minds Before Machines
What if the most powerful innovations in history were not made of machines, but of pure thought? Long before engines, compasses, or modern laboratories, ancient minds cracked the code of survival and progress by relying on observation, philosophy, and bold imagination. They learned to cross vast oceans using Polynesian wayfinding, to build cities that still stand on the strength of Roman concrete, to master ancient agriculture and irrigation that fed millions, and to design weapons and fortresses through nothing more than mathematics and ingenuity. This book reveals how civilizations solved seemingly impossible problems with limited means, turning constraint into their greatest ally. It goes beyond artifacts to uncover the hidden reasoning-the frameworks of ancient engineering methods and the philosophy of invention-that made progress possible without electricity, engines, or digital tools. Written for curious readers who love history, science, and the hidden logic of innovation, this work bridges the gap between past and present. Whether you're a student of the history of technology, a professional seeking sharper problem-solving models, or simply fascinated by how the human mind shapes its world, you'll find ideas here that change how you think about invention itself. By the end, you'll see innovation differently: not as a product of gadgets, but as a mental discipline that thrives under limits. You'll discover how pre-industrial technology carries urgent lessons for today's complex, resource-strained world-and how adopting these ancient mental models can sharpen your own ability to tackle modern challenges. An exploration of human brilliance under constraint, this is a blueprint for rethinking progress-grounded in the timeless ingenuity of the mind.
Heat Transfer Analysis
This Special Issue presents recent developments and challenges in the field of applied heat transfer. Focus is placed on studying, modeling, and optimizing heat transfer processes in energy devices and installations, with particular attention paid to environmental protection. Included are original research articles of high scientific quality, applied studies offering practical solutions, and review papers. Special emphasis is given to approaches that enhance the thermal efficiency of energy machines and systems, contribute to reducing the use of conventional energy sources, and support sustainable technologies.
Optimization Design and Simulation Analysis of Hydraulic Turbine
This Special Issue collected eight publications, focused on complex flow in hydraulic turbines, system stability and state monitoring of pump turbine units, and turbine hydraulic design. The authors come from six countries: China, Ethiopia, Norway, Ireland, Australia, and Bulgaria. They carried out a systematic and in-depth study on hydropower engineering in each of their countries, to guide the design, construction, operation, and management of hydropower plants and pumped storage plants. Specifically, in Africa, hydropower provides cheap and renewable electricity for social and economic development. Thus, two publications by scholars from Mekelle University in Ethiopia are collected, and we express our sincere respect to them. Thanks to all scholars, reviewers, editors, and MDPI personnel who contributed to this publication.
Intelligent Sensors for Condition Monitoring, Diagnosis, and Prognostics
This Reprint focuses on the advancements and applications of intelligent sensors for condition monitoring, diagnosis, and prognostics. The original research papers that showcase the latest sensor technologies and intelligent algorithms aimed at enhancing real-time monitoring, precise diagnostics, and accurate prognosis of machine health. Contributions focus on the exploration of the integration of advanced analytics, including AI and ML, with intelligent sensors to improve the accuracy and speed of data processing and decision making. We are particularly interested in papers that demonstrate how intelligent sensors enable real-time decision making and improve operational policies. Research addressing both electro-mechanical systems (e.g., rotational machinery) and emerging systems (e.g., renewable energy) is encouraged. Moreover, papers that showcase the application of intelligent sensors in diverse industries and contexts, including but not limited to manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and environmental monitoring, are also encouraged.Overall, we bring together a collection of high-quality research papers that exhibit the latest advancements and applications of intelligent sensors in condition monitoring, diagnosis, and prognostics, and their potential to revolutionize various industries and improve our daily lives.
Advances and Applications in Structural Vibration Control
Engineering structures characterized by increased height and slenderness, such as high-rise buildings, expansive cross-sea bridges, wind turbines, and floating platforms, are frequently located in regions with high-intensity dynamic hazards and challenging marine environments. These structures are susceptible to various external dynamic loads, including winds, earthquakes, sea waves, and vibrations induced by construction or subway activities. Effective structural vibration control is paramount for bolstering the resilience and safety of such engineering structures.This reprint provides a comprehensive treatise on recent advances and applications in this critical field. The collected studies delve into a wide range of topics, including seismic retrofitting techniques; passive, active, semi-active, and hybrid control systems; advanced control strategies; and the vibration mitigation of various engineering structures. It further explores novel control devices, such as inerters, negative stiffness systems, and metamaterials, alongside the growing application of artificial intelligence and the development of smart structures.
Sensors for Machine Condition Monitoring, Diagnostics, Prognostics and Maintenance
The objective of this Special Issue is to highlight applications of legacy and next-generation sensors along with advanced analytic techniques for machinery monitoring. The Issue presents novel sensor concepts, designs, and applications that support advanced decision-making approaches by incorporating sensors, real-time decision-making methods, and operational policies. Industrial sensors play a critical role in the advancement of smart manufacturing with growing demand for integrated smart systems in which most sensors, designs, and operations are digitalized to enhance reliability, efficiency, and data-driven insights. This Special Issue addresses current limitations and key advancements in sensors for machinery condition monitoring, diagnostics, prognostics, and maintenance, while also considering legacy operations and emerging system types.
Industrial AI
This Reprint showcases recent advances in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to fault detection, diagnosis, and prognosis, with a focus on enhancing reliability, efficiency, and decision-making in industrial systems. In the era of Industry 4.0, the convergence of machine learning, deep learning, and hybrid modeling has transformed traditional maintenance strategies, enabling predictive and autonomous capabilities in cyber-physical systems. The 18 selected contributions span a diverse set of industrial domains, including photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, electric vehicles, bearings, railways, elevators, and wastewater treatment. Methods range from generative adversarial networks, reinforcement learning, and transfer learning to multi-objective optimization, signal processing, and knowledge distillation. Common themes include tackling data imbalance, improving model interpretability, enabling cross-domain adaptability, and supporting edge computing. This Reprint reflects the collective effort of researchers addressing current challenges and underexplored areas in Prognostics and Health Management (PHM). It provides both theoretical innovations and practical solutions for industrial AI applications, offering valuable insights for researchers, engineers, and decision-makers committed to building resilient, intelligent, and sustainable systems.
Modern Project Management
In this translation of the updated and expanded new edition of "Modern Project Management", Holger Timinger explains the classic, agile and hybrid approaches to project management. This book is intended to enable you to use suitable processes, methods, tools and roles for handling an individual project task, and also deals with the HyProM structuring framework. You will learn what characterizes traditional project management and in which situations it has strengths and weaknesses. The author also shows you when and where to use agile project management. This allows you to combine traditional and agile approaches when it makes sense. The book takes up current standards such as the Individual Competence Baseline (ICB) 4.0 of the International Project Management Association (IPMA) and the PMBOK of the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is one of the first books to deal with hybrid project management in a structured and comprehensive way, using an innovative framework. The framework structures project management processes, methods, tools and roles. The digital business world, agile transformation and technology and innovation management are buzzwords that are preoccupying many companies. Efficient and effective project management can make an important contribution to this.
Application and Management of Smart Energy for Smart Cities
The rapid growth of the global population and its increasing concentration in cities is reshaping the energy landscape. By 2050, nearly 70% of the world's population will live in urban areas, turning cities into massive hubs of energy consumption. At the same time, the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel dependence calls for a stronger integration of renewable energy sources (RESs). However, large cities face limited space for local RES production, shifting the focus to suburban and peri-urban areas where photovoltaic, wind, and distributed generation can flourish. Ensuring a reliable and sustainable urban energy supply therefore requires innovative approaches to store, share, and optimally use energy produced beyond city centers. This Special Issue presents a collection of outstanding studies that explore smart solutions enabling efficient energy flows between urban demand and suburban RESs. The contributions address a wide spectrum of topics, including renewable energy communities, energy aggregation, storage technologies, demand response and management, and innovative electricity market mechanisms. Together, these works advance our understanding of how emerging green energy technologies can improve system adequacy, security, and resilience.
Advanced Methodology and Analysis in Coal Mine Gas Control
The aim of this reprint is to immerse the reader in the latest advances of environmentally sustainable exploration, processing, and utilization of gas resources to support the energy transition and net-zero carbon goals. The significance of coal mine gas control in the field of engineering cannot be underestimated. Within this reprint, research efforts are focused on understanding and investigating gas occurrence and flow laws through a combination of experimental, theoretical, and computational methods, with the goal of uncovering the fundamental characteristics of coal mine gas control.
