Technological Innovation - An Introduction
The book introduces technological (commercial) innovation, beginning with what it is and is not, and how it is connected to economic growth. It then covers the pathways by which such innovations are created, the origins from which most of them arise, models of innovation generation, enablers and limitations governing success rates, and approaches to integrating innovation into new product development. At the organizational level, the book introduces the management of innovation and innovation culture, barriers, and strategy. At a higher level, the book covers innovation ecosystems, the institutional players and how they can optimally interact, the global eras and waves of innovation, and where they fi t in the technological ages of human history. This all comes together in an overview of innovation outputs and impacts at the organizational, regional, and national levels, and the connections to productivity and competitiveness. This edition also includes an extensive dictionary.
Glass Furnaces
Glass furnaces: design, construction and operation by Wolfgang TrierTranslated from: Glasschmelz繹fen: Konstruktion und Betreibsverhalten originally published by Springer-Verlag 1984Translated by K. L. LoewensteinThe technology and the underlying science of all furnace types are covered in this extensive study. It's objective is to not only deal with the glass furnace in its basic construction and mode of operation, but to include the relevant technical background knowledge. The book describes the technical criteria, descriptions and designs of furnaces; construction elements and typical dimensions; selection and use of refractories in glass tank furnaces; the operation of glass tank furnaces; the general behaviour in operation of tank furnaces; mathematical models of glass tank furnaces; electric tank furnaces; day tanks; pot furnaces; the fuels and combustion; waste heat recovery; and emissions from glass furnaces.
Advances in Wireless Communication
Wireless communications have evolved from a user-centered service, where the system design was primarily focused on providing adequate Quality of Service for voice services, to a system that connects things to form an entire ecosystem supporting users' everyday lives. They are no longer focused on connecting peers but rather on enabling everything around the user to perform context-aware automated routines to improve Quality of Life. To this end, machine learning algorithms must equip nodes with sufficient intelligence to scan the environment and learn the user's patterns, distinguishing everyday life situations from emergency and unusual events. This intelligence will prioritize data packets within the user ecosystem and for other parties, such as vehicles. To date, most devices transmit all available data to the user's smartphone, leaving the user to either discard, attend to, or ignore these notifications or to configure notification settings. However, this is not sustainable due to high energy consumption, high bandwidth usage, and the cumbersome process of configuring each node. In the same context, due to the environmental impact of the batteries in these devices, the search for clean, sustainable options to power nodes will have a major impact on wireless communication devices. As such, communication systems will consider the limited energy and charging times of energy-harvesting modules to decide what information to transmit and when. Hence, the design of wireless communications will require the use of energy consumption, security guarantees, machine learning, and IoT and social media communications.
More Makers of American Machinist's Tools
Here is the much-anticipated sequel to the author's Makers of American Machinist's Tools and American Machinist's Tools: An Illustrated Directory of Patents, pioneering works on machinist s tools and their makers. These books together provide the most comprehensive historical directory ever of the machinist tool industry and its technology. This volume covers hundreds of additional makers. There is also new material on the Big Five makers, with several of their previously unknown tools. The research and illustrations in this, and Cope s earlier volumes, provide a truly unique and incomparable reference source for collectors, dealers and researchers.
Chemical Engineering: 25 Must-Know Process Design Principles
This book contains all essential design methods for chemical, biochemical, biofuels, food, cattle feed, diary, medicine, fertilizer, ceramics, detergents, skincare, and other processes. The 1st section covers classic process synthesis methods connecting process inputs to outputs by selecting unit operations and recycle streams. It covers innovative process intensification synthesis by defining functions and integrating them. It also covers evaluation methods for safety, health, environment, economics, and sustainability. The 2nd section is on reaction engineering and the 3rd on distillation. The 4th covers the base for all unit operation design, residence time distribution, heat, mass transfer, impulse transfer, and shear rate. The 5th covers design for circular economy, urban-industrial symbiosis, and industrial symbiosis. This book is relevant for industrial process researchers, developers, and designers, as well as for academic teachers, and students, as it can be used to get all relevant established information about chemical engineering design methods. The information can be found quickly due to its lucid structure with sections, chapters, sub-headings; basics, method, case application, references, and symbols and an index.
Biomolecules
Biochemistry is the study of the structure and functions of biological macromolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. The book is organized in five chapters which covers the basic concepts and fascinating chemistry of biomolecules. It also exposes students to different metabolic pathways and concept of energy in biological system, and provides valuable material for the students of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioscience. Includes new material in: Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins, Enzymes, Nucleic Acids.
Advances in Bridge Design and Construction
Bridges are critical elements of transportation networks, which, in turn, play a crucial role in the development of communities, cities and nations. With the Industrial Revolution and especially after the Second World War, the construction of bridges experienced a blatant boom in all industrial countries. These bridges, built 50 to 75 years ago, have reached the end of their useful lifespan and must be reinforced, rehabilitated and sometimes monitored in real time while awaiting replacement. Furthermore, the rehabilitation or reconstruction of bridges has evolved in the context of climate change and new, more restrictive seismic requirements. This Special Issue presents genuine articles and reviews covering different aspects of recent advances and future perspectives in the design, rehabilitation and construction of bridges.
Advances in Hydrogen Production, Storage, and Utilization
Hydrogen continues to play a central role in the transition to sustainable, low-carbon energy systems. As a clean and versatile energy carrier, it facilitates decarbonization and the integration of renewable energy across multiple sectors. This Special Issue Reprint highlights recent developments across the hydrogen value chain, including innovative production methods such as electrolysis, photochemical, thermochemical, and biological processes; advancements in storage materials and systems; and applications in fuel cells, industrial processes, and integrated energy networks.The Special Issue emphasizes interdisciplinary research spanning materials science, chemistry, engineering, and policy, addressing technical, economic, environmental, and social aspects of hydrogen technologies. Collectively, the articles provide a current overview of progress in hydrogen science and technology and offer insights to accelerate the deployment of sustainable hydrogen solutions worldwide.
Innovations in Intelligent Microgrid Operation and Control
Amid the global imperative to balance energy security, environmental sustainability, and economic feasibility, integrating renewable energy sources (RESs) has become central to modern energy systems. Microgrids-capable of standalone or grid-connected operation-are pivotal for efficient RES utilization, while intelligent microgrids, empowered by advanced control, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and sophisticated energy management, drive the transition to decentralized, low-carbon energy networks.The Special Issue "Innovations in Intelligent Microgrid Operation and Control" presents state-of-the-art research advancing microgrid technology, focusing on novel solutions to boost efficiency, reliability, flexibility, and resilience. Its studies cover critical topics: advanced control systems for RES and load integration, optimized energy storage deployment and operation, distributed/hierarchical control for system-wide coordination, and strategies to enhance microgrid resilience against natural disasters, cyberattacks, and other disruptions. Additional research explores economic/policy frameworks for widespread adoption and design principles balancing resilience with environmental sustainability.Key contributions include: innovative virtual synchronous generator (VSG)-based control to mitigate voltage fluctuations in high-penetration RES networks; intelligent monitoring for critical microgrid components; trust evaluation frameworks for adaptive load optimization in safety-critical systems; and shared energy storage solutions for bipolar DC microgrids.
Electromagnetic Sensing and Its Applications
Based on the interaction between materials and electromagnetic fields/waves, electromagnetic sensing techniques are able to provide physical insight into the integrity and properties of materials without causing damage. EM sensing facilitates advancements across a wide range of scientific, industrial, and medical domains and addresses challenges in many application fields, such as aerospace, rail, oil, and gas, geophysical exploration, and advanced manufacturing. Great efforts have also been made to improve the measurement accuracy, speed, and resolution through optimization of sensing systems and advanced manufacturing. This Reprint reports recent advances in EM sensing. The collected articles cover a range of topics, including: New and emerging electromagnetic sensing principles, sensors, and systems;Electromagnetic sensor design and optimization;Material property evaluation;Defect detection and imaging;Sensing system development;Forward and inverse problems;Deep learning-enhanced sensing and its applications.
Sensing and Imaging for Defect Detection
With the progress made in science and technology, the quality of people's material and cultural lives has improved, meaning that the requirements for product quality and nondestructive testing technology have further increased. Nondestructive testing technology usually includes five conventional testing technologies, namely, eddy current, penetration, magnetic particle, ultrasonic, and X-ray, along with their related new technologies. Usually, different materials need to be detected, and the defects that need to be detected are not the same; for example, for metals, defects include non-metallic pipe defects and slag inclusions, the metal not being welded through, porosity, etc.; for the power transmission of porcelain bottles such as ceramic materials, defects include cracks, porosity, etc.This reprint collected papers about the detection of the most common defects, including surface defects, subsurface defects and so on. Recent advances in sensor technologies form the basis of the development of nondestructive testing technology, data acquirement processing, and image processing technology.
Advances in Diagnostic Analysis, Strategic Management, and Proactive Maintenance of Electrical Equipment
The reliability and safety of modern power systems depend heavily on the optimal performance of electrical equipment. As energy networks become increasingly complex due to the integration of renewable sources and smart grid technologies, the strategies that are used to manage these assets must evolve. This Reprint compiles cutting-edge research and practical case studies dedicated to the lifecycle management of critical power infrastructure. The collected works explore sophisticated diagnostic techniques, including non-invasive sensing, signal processing, and AI-driven fault detection. The authors address the shift from traditional time-based maintenance to proactive, condition-based strategies that utilize real-time data to predict failures before they occur. Key topics include the monitoring of power transformers, switch, cables, and rotating machines, as well as the economic and strategic frameworks that are required to implement these advanced maintenance protocols. By integrating physical analysis with data-driven decision-making, this Reprint offers a comprehensive overview of how utilities and industries can enhance system resilience, extend equipment lifespan, and reduce operational costs. It serves as a vital resource for engineers, researchers, and asset managers aiming to navigate the technical challenges of the modern energy landscape.
3D Computer Vision and Smart Building and City, 2nd Edition
This Topic is a continuation of the previous successful Topic, "3D Computer Vision and Smart Building and City". Three-dimensional computer vision is an interdisciplinary subject involving computer vision, computer graphics, artificial intelligence and other fields. Its main contents include 3D perception, 3D understanding and 3D modeling. In recent years, 3D computer vision technology has developed rapidly and has been widely used in unmanned aerial vehicles, robots, autonomous driving, AR, VR and other fields. Smart buildings and cities use various information technologies or innovative concepts to connect as well as various systems and services so as to improve the efficiency of resource utilization, optimize management and services and improve quality of life. Smart buildings and cities can involve some frontier techniques, such as 3D CV for building information models, digital twins, city information models, simultaneous localization and mapping robots. The application of 3D computer vision in smart buildings and cities is a valuable research direction, but it still faces many major challenges. This topic focuses on the theory and technology of 3D computer vision in smart buildings and cities.
Toward Achieving a Carbon-Neutral Society
This Special Issue presents recent advances in beneficiation and extractive metallurgical technologies aimed at enabling a carbon-neutral and circular supply of critical metals. It brings together nine contributions addressing the recovery of key materials-including Li, Au, Cu, Ni, Co, and rare-earth elements-from both primary ores and secondary resources such as slags, industrial wastes, and biomass. The collected studies cover a wide range of physical, hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical, and bio-based processes, highlighting environmentally benign and low-energy approaches. Several contributions focus on alternative lixiviants, selective recovery strategies, and process intensification techniques to improve metal recovery efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Others explore the valorization of non-traditional resources and provide fundamental insights into metal behavior relevant to sustainable extraction. Together, these papers offer a comprehensive overview of current challenges, technological progress, and future directions in sustainable metallurgy for critical metal production.
Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics
Over the past few decades, mining activities and operations have benefited from the application of geomechanical and geotechnical approaches in mine planning/design and ground control management to minimize unsafe working conditions and avoid catastrophic mine failures. Appropriate mine planning and design and its subsequent modifications for any mine site require a detailed level of ground condition investigation by an experienced geomechanical expert with sound judgment. In addition, a ground control management strategy at any mining site should oversee the geotechnical uncertainty at the design execution phase in order to avoid and mitigate the magnitudes of unfavorable results to a tolerable level.The aim of this Reprint is to highlight how improved knowledge of rock mass behavior; the development of empirical, analytical, and numerical approaches for geomechanical mine design; and proper evaluation of how material characteristics under different loading conditions have contributed toward the safer execution of mining activities and the management of geotechnical risks. Continuous geotechnical data collection and its optimization using smarter ground support instrumentation and the application of advanced data analysis techniques have proven to be essential tools in providing proactive measures to enhance mine production efficiency and limit the potential risk of geomechanical failures.
Advances in Wastewater Treatment 2024
The following Reprint, based on the Special Issue "Advances in Wastewater Treatment 2024", compiles 12 papers (one Editorial, five review papers, and six original scientific papers) on innovative pollutant-removal technologies aimed at harnessing renewable energy from wastewater. Several papers included in this Special Issue address energy efficiency: the authors of one study assess the economic feasibility of a hydropower plant at the Toruń (Poland) treatment facility, while the authors of another study analyze energy use across three plants in southwestern Poland to propose strategies for reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint. In another study, the authors evaluate a novel Venturi-assisted confined tube aerator designed to lower aeration energy demand. The focus of three of the included papers is contaminant removal: synthesis and testing of Zn/Al layered double hydroxides for Congo red dye removal; assessment of low direct-current densities for phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic-compound removal in a sequential electrochemical reactor treating greenhouse wastewater; and evaluation of biochars and activated carbon for removing heavy metals from wastewater generated during soil remediation. The five review papers focus on renewable-energy integration for energy-self-sufficient municipal plants; advances in chemical coagulation and electrocoagulation; methanogenesis for biomethane production; solar-driven photocatalytic treatment using concentrator systems; and modeling and management strategies to optimize aeration energy use.
Image and Video Processing and Recognition Based on Artificial Intelligence
This Reprint includes 15 published papers featured in the Special Issue "Image and Video Processing and Recognition Based on Artificial Intelligence: 3rd Edition" of Sensors. This Reprint focuses on challenging issues in the field of AI- and sensing-based image and video processing and recognition, including high-quality and state-of-the-art academic papers.
Recent Progress in Integrated Photonics
This Reprint collects cutting-edge research on integrated photonics, showcasing the latest advances in chip-scale light manipulation technologies that are reshaping modern communications, computing, and sensing systems. The articles herein explore innovative material platforms, novel device architectures, and hybrid integration strategies that enable higher performance and greater functionality in compact photonic circuits. Key focus areas include photonic integration with electronics, quantum photonics implementations, and emerging applications spanning telecommunications, optical data processing, and precision sensing. Together, these works highlight the critical role of integrated photonics in addressing the growing demand for faster, more efficient, and scalable optical technologies. This compilation serves as a comprehensive resource for researchers and engineers working at the intersection of applied optics, nanotechnology, and integrated device engineering.
Ultra-Low-Power ICs for the Internet of Things (2nd Edition)
In an era where IoT devices are proliferating across smart homes, industrial automation, wearable technology, remote sensing, and environmental monitoring, power efficiency has become a make-or-break constraint. Battery-powered IoT nodes, edge computing devices, and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) demand ICs that minimize energy consumption without compromising performance, reliability, or functionality-requirements that drive the core mission of this Special Issue.
Sustainable Development of Coal Based Energy
This Topical Collection, "Sustainable Development of Coal-Based Energy: Technology, Environment, Humanities, Economy, and Education", has successfully curated a significant body of interdisciplinary research critical to navigating the future of coal within a global sustainability framework. The published papers present tangible advancements, including intelligent mining systems, backfilling technologies, and methods for controlling mining-induced strata movement and surface subsidence. A strong emphasis is placed on environmental remediation, featuring studies on water resource utilization, greenhouse gas emission control, and the ecological restoration of mining areas. Furthermore, the collection broadens the conversation to encompass essential economic strategies for carbon capture and the reuse of abandoned mines, as well as the vital social and educational dimensions of a just energy transition. By synthesizing technical innovation with holistic policy and management approaches, this compilation provides a robust knowledge base and offers actionable insights for academics, engineers, and policymakers striving to balance energy security with urgent climate and environmental goals.
Sustainable Development of Coal Based Energy
This Topical Collection, "Sustainable Development of Coal-Based Energy: Technology, Environment, Humanities, Economy, and Education", has successfully curated a significant body of interdisciplinary research critical to navigating the future of coal within a global sustainability framework. The published papers present tangible advancements, including intelligent mining systems, backfilling technologies, and methods for controlling mining-induced strata movement and surface subsidence. A strong emphasis is placed on environmental remediation, featuring studies on water resource utilization, greenhouse gas emission control, and the ecological restoration of mining areas. Furthermore, the collection broadens the conversation to encompass essential economic strategies for carbon capture and the reuse of abandoned mines, as well as the vital social and educational dimensions of a just energy transition. By synthesizing technical innovation with holistic policy and management approaches, this compilation provides a robust knowledge base and offers actionable insights for academics, engineers, and policymakers striving to balance energy security with urgent climate and environmental goals.
Sustainable Development of Coal Based Energy
This Topical Collection, "Sustainable Development of Coal-Based Energy: Technology, Environment, Humanities, Economy, and Education", has successfully curated a significant body of interdisciplinary research critical to navigating the future of coal within a global sustainability framework. The published papers present tangible advancements, including intelligent mining systems, backfilling technologies, and methods for controlling mining-induced strata movement and surface subsidence. A strong emphasis is placed on environmental remediation, featuring studies on water resource utilization, greenhouse gas emission control, and the ecological restoration of mining areas. Furthermore, the collection broadens the conversation to encompass essential economic strategies for carbon capture and the reuse of abandoned mines, as well as the vital social and educational dimensions of a just energy transition. By synthesizing technical innovation with holistic policy and management approaches, this compilation provides a robust knowledge base and offers actionable insights for academics, engineers, and policymakers striving to balance energy security with urgent climate and environmental goals.
SOLIDWORKS 2026 Learn By Doing (COLORED)
Getting started with SOLIDWORKS is straightforward when you follow the right sequence. This book provides step-by-step tutorials that cover the full range of SOLIDWORKS tools, from basic sketching to advanced surface modeling and simulation.You learn to: Model parts using extrudes, revolves, lofts, sweeps, shells, and patternsBuild assemblies with mates, sub-assemblies, and exploded viewsCreate engineering drawings with sections, BOMs, balloons, and annotationsDesign sheet metal parts with flanges, bends, and forming toolsWork with surfaces, mold tools, and weldment structuresApply GD&T annotations using MBD dimensions and DimXpertRun basic stress analysis using SimulationXpressPrepare for CSWA and CSWPA certification with included sample questionsYou start with the interface and sketching, then work through part modeling and assemblies. Later chapters cover surface design (28 tutorials), mold tools, weldments, appearances, rendering, and simulation. Each chapter uses tutorials that follow a clear sequence from start to finish.The book is written for engineering students and working professionals who need one complete resource for SOLIDWORKS 3D modeling and CAD design.Order now and start working through the tutorials today.
Intelligent Sensors for Smart and Autonomous Vehicles
This Reprint highlights recent advances in intelligent sensors for smart and autonomous vehicles, emphasizing their essential role in perception, localization, and decision-making. It presents progress in sensor fusion, edge AI, and adaptive sensing, while identifying challenges related to robustness, calibration, latency, and cybersecurity. Future research should focus on verifiable, uncertainty-aware multimodal systems to ensure safer, more reliable, and efficient autonomous driving.
Sustainable Development of Coal Based Energy
This Topical Collection, "Sustainable Development of Coal-Based Energy: Technology, Environment, Humanities, Economy, and Education", has successfully curated a significant body of interdisciplinary research critical to navigating the future of coal within a global sustainability framework. The published papers present tangible advancements, including intelligent mining systems, backfilling technologies, and methods for controlling mining-induced strata movement and surface subsidence. A strong emphasis is placed on environmental remediation, featuring studies on water resource utilization, greenhouse gas emission control, and the ecological restoration of mining areas. Furthermore, the collection broadens the conversation to encompass essential economic strategies for carbon capture and the reuse of abandoned mines, as well as the vital social and educational dimensions of a just energy transition. By synthesizing technical innovation with holistic policy and management approaches, this compilation provides a robust knowledge base and offers actionable insights for academics, engineers, and policymakers striving to balance energy security with urgent climate and environmental goals.
Industrial CFD and Fluid Modelling in Engineering, 2nd Edition
This Reprint presents a curated selection of recent research articles illustrating the evolving role of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in industrial engineering. It reflects the state of the art in industrial CFD and fluid modeling, highlighting how advances in numerical methods, computational power, and modeling strategies enable the efficient and reliable analysis of complex real-world flows. The contributions cover a broad range of industrial applications, including mixing and multiphase flows, turbomachinery, aerodynamics, marine and offshore engineering, indoor air quality, and metallurgical processes. Several studies address practical design and optimization problems, demonstrating how CFD supports engineering decision-making by balancing performance, efficiency, and operational constraints. Others focus on methodological developments such as improved turbulence modeling, hybrid and reduced-order approaches, and the integration of CFD with machine learning and co-simulation frameworks.A recurring theme is the balance between accuracy and computational efficiency. The collected works show how validated models, innovative numerical strategies, and multiscale approaches can reduce simulation costs while maintaining predictive reliability, making CFD increasingly accessible for industrial workflows. Overall, this Reprint provides a concise snapshot of current industrial CFD practices, encompassing both established applications and emerging directions in simulation-driven engineering.
The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization
Don't Just Survive the Collapse. Rebuild It. The modern world hangs by a thread. We live in an era of complex, fragile systems that most of us don't understand. When the power grid fails, the supply chains shatter, and the internet goes dark, bushcraft skills alone won't save you. You don't just need to survive the first month; you need to rebuild for the next decade. Are you holding the blueprint for the future? The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization is a dense, no-nonsense technical archive designed to bridge the gap between the Stone Age and the Industrial Revolution. Author and researcher James Evans has compiled the foundational knowledge necessary to restart society. This book focuses on the "hard skills" of civilization: the processes, chemistry, and engineering that separate a scavenging existence from a thriving community. Packed with detailed diagrams, step-by-step instructions, and critical scientific context, this manual covers 50 essential discoveries across six key domains. Inside this technical arsenal, you will learn how to: - FEED A COMMUNITY: Move beyond subsistence gardening with scalable agriculture, the heavy plow, four-field crop rotation, and long-term food preservation like canning. - MASTER MATERIALS: Stop relying on scavenging. Manufacture your own concrete, fire durable bricks, blow glass, and produce paper for record-keeping. - FORGE METALS: Build a bloomery furnace, smelt iron from raw ore, produce steel via the Bessemer process, and cast the tools needed for reconstruction. - HARNESS POWER: construct water wheels, windmills, double-action bellows, and even steam engines to automate labor. - SYNTHESIZE CHEMICALS: Create essential supplies from scratch, including soap for hygiene, lye for processing, sulfuric acid for industry, and black powder for defense. - RESTORE HEALTH: Understand the microscope, apply antisepsis to prevent infection, synthesize natural antibiotics, and utilize anesthesia. This book is an insurance policy for the knowledge we take for granted. Whether you are a serious prepper, a homesteader looking for deeper self-reliance, or simply someone who understands that knowledge is the only true security, this manual belongs on your shelf. When the lights go out, competence is the only currency. Secure your copy today and be ready to build.
Advances in Marine Mechanical and Structural Engineering
In the advanced design of novel structures used in marine, mechanical, and structural engineering, a pivotal challenge lies in accurately predicting their strength amidst the integration of new materials and structures within the context of extreme marine environments and potential accidents. This Reprint aims to explore the advances in marine, mechanical, and structural engineering, as well as recent advanced design and analysis of materials and structures.
Resilient Cities and Land Take Effective Management Through Sustainable Urban Planning Tools
The COVID-19 health emergency after the occurrence of the subprime crisis of 2007 has highlighted the economic, social, and environmental shortcomings of urban systems. The most difficult challenge of the 21st century is the ability to carry out effective interventions in cities to mitigate urban genetic anomalies (urban sprawl, urban sprinkling, etc.) and avoid land consumption. In this context, the active industrial sites that are subject to reclamation interventions, including reconversion and monitoring of the effects, are of national interest and play a crucial role in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by Agenda 2030. Since the "Stockholm Conference" of 1972, the European Union has brought to governments' attention the need to plan actions that aim to reduce the negative effects caused by impactful land use. The 17 SDGs of the 2030 Agenda, the recent "NextGenerationEU", and the New Green Deal targets represent the current global efforts that aim to improve the future of European urban development. It is, therefore, imperative to pursue the efficient management of existing real estate assets and adequate regulation of new building according to the current relevance of the ESG's criteria (Environmental, Social and Governance). With this Special Issue, we present papers that provide insights into the assessment and evaluation frameworks concerning the risks of economic, financial, social, health, and environmental issues generated by land consumption or industrial and production activities in the urban environment where both public and private subjects are involved.
Ocean Renewable Energy Systems (ORES); Wave-Structure Interaction Analysis and Design Methods
Ocean Renewable Energy Systems (ORES) are at a critical crossroad; Offshore Wind Turbines (OWTs) have proven that they may lead the energy outlook in years to come and Wave Energy Converters (WECs) are in the critical phase of their reconsideration and redesign.
Black Herefords
In the beef industry, new cattle breeds are rare. Only five have originated in America. This is the story of a couple who drew upon their heritage and life experiences to create the uniquely American Black Hereford cattle breed. Their lives in politics, beauty pageants, professional sports, advertising, international business, and law all played a role in this unusual story.
Unnatural Selection: Technology, Politics, and Plant Evolution
Seeds and planting materials are central to the agricultural system that feeds us all. Yet there has been surprisingly little interest in seriously analyzing the legal and political processes through which intellectual property rights and policy are constructed for this all-important biological diversity. Concentrating on the American experience, Unnatural Selection offers a comprehensive history and insightful sociological analysis of the struggle to own, control, and benefit from agriculture's plant diversity. Unnatural Selection elucidates the seldom-told story of how the United States acquired seeds of non-native crops from abroad in the 1800s and multiplied and distributed them to farmers to encourage experimentation and crop adaptation to local conditions, thus promoting the spread of agriculture on the continent. It was one of the largest and most consequential agricultural experiments in human history. In the United States it also gave rise to the modern seed and nursery industry which began to push for legal mechanisms to protect and advance their interests in the marketplace. Cary Fowler provides the most complete history to date of the origins of the Plant Patent Act of 1930 and the Plant Variety Protection Act of 1970. He examines how Congress and the Courts expanded these intellectual property rights, and then how and with what effect these issues of control and ownership became international controversies in the 1980s--controversies that continue, largely unresolved, to this day. Features a new preface by the author.
God bless you!
'This little essay was written with the intention to share to my fellow men and women, some good ideas that I have had about technique, sustainability, and development.I hope that it might help you implement some new concepts, and remember some good old ways, in order to help you for preparing together a better human civilization.At my measure, this is how I can now contribute to tomorrow...T.B.
The Pacific Circuit
Alexis Madrigal reveals how understanding Oakland explains the modern world. The award-winning journalist Alexis Madrigal sculpts an intricate tableau of the city of Oakland that is at once a groundbreaking big-idea book, a deeply researched work of social and political history, and a vivid rendering of the defining themes of the twenty-first century. The Pacific Circuit holds a magnifying glass to the legacies etched by generations of systemic segregation and the ceaseless march of technological advancement. These are not just abstract concepts; they are embedded in the very fabric of Oakland and its people, from dockworkers and community organizers to real estate developers and businesspeople chasing the highest possible profits. Madrigal delves into city hall politics, traces the intertwining arcs of venture capital and hedge funds, and offers unprecedented insight into Silicon Valley's genesis and growth, all against the backdrop of Oakland--a city vibrating with untold stories and unexplored connections that can, when read carefully, reveal exactly how our markets and our world really function.
Advances in Structural Design and Numerical Modelling of Composite Materials
This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for researchers and practitioners to share their state-of-the-art findings, novel concepts, and innovative solutions addressing the challenges associated with the design and modelling of composite materials. Contributions are solicited on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to composite materials characterization, failure analysis, modeling techniques, multiscale modeling, and experimental validation.
Development of Light Alloys and Their Applications
This Reprint focuses on light alloys. Magnesium, aluminium, and titanium are often classified as light alloys because of their high strength-to-weight ratio and/or high stiffness-to-weight ratio. These light alloys have significant commercial importance. The most commonly used of the light alloys are aluminium alloys, not only in automotive and aerospace applications but also for cans and foils. Today, titanium alloys and magnesium alloys are becoming more widely used. Titanium alloys are mostly used in the aerospace industry due to their low density and high strength, especially at high temperatures. Other applications of titanium alloys include marine and petrochemical applications due to their excellent corrosion resistance. Magnesium alloys, however, are used when further savings in weight are required, for example, in components for aircraft, material-handling equipment, and portable power tools. Although light alloys have been successfully applied in various fields, there are still some shortcomings to overcome. Research on light alloys is still in progress.
Theory and Technology of Water-Induced Geological Disaster Prevention and Water Resource Utilization in Mines
Deep underground mining and surface slope operations face complex geology, making them prone to water-related disasters like landslides and water inrush during extreme rainfall or intense mining activity. These disasters threaten safety, operational stability, and resource efficiency, often causing economic losses and environmental damage. Sustainable mining requires understanding disaster mechanisms, predictive methods, and prevention strategies to reduce waste.Modern technology is vital for disaster prevention and water management. Researchers use interdisciplinary methods to analyze risks. For example, studies on retaining structures in cold regions show prestressed concrete designs reduce dynamic loads, aiding debris flow prevention. Remote sensing and geospatial analysis monitor post-mining land movement and groundwater rebound, revealing links between climate-driven subsidence and mining-induced uplift. This informs environmental management in reclaimed areas. Research also explores groundwater seepage and uneven loading's effects on roadway stability. Scaled physical modeling, acoustic emission monitoring, and numerical simulations clarify deformation stages and failure mechanisms in waterlogged rock masses, helping predict failure zones and guide targeted reinforcement. Additionally, studies on external factors like impact speed and projectile shape quantify their effects on structural response, offering guidelines for protective designs.
Seismic Analysis and Design of Building Structures
This reprint synthesizes contemporary advancements in seismic analysis and design methodologies for civil infrastructures, encompassing buildings, bridges, and associated structural systems. The contributions compiled herein address a spectrum of cutting-edge topics, including base isolation systems, energy dissipation dampers, soil-structure interaction, and corrosion-induced degradation. Methodologically, the studies employ multidisciplinary approaches spanning theoretical frameworks, finite element-based numerical simulations, and experimental investigations under quasi-static and shaking table testing.
Step By Step In Plant Maintenance And Works Services
Step-By-Step in Plant Maintenance and Works Services is a practical and comprehensive guide designed to support students, technicians, and practicing engineers in understanding the fundamentals of industrial plant maintenance and works services. The book presents maintenance concepts in a clear, systematic manner, covering key areas such as preventive and corrective maintenance, equipment servicing, fault diagnosis, lubrication practices, and utilities management within industrial plants. Emphasis is placed on real-world applications, making the content particularly relevant to technical institutions and industry practitioners. The authors integrate theoretical principles with hands-on experience, enabling readers to develop problem-solving skills and practical competence. Written in simple and accessible language, the book serves as both a learning resource and a reference manual for workshops, factories, and training centers. Overall, Step-By-Step in Plant Maintenance and Works Services contributes significantly to capacity building in mechanical and plant engineering by promoting efficient maintenance practices, improved equipment reliability, and sustainable industrial operations.
Water Justice
Water Confidential, Susan's first memoir, was selected by the Congress of Humanities and is now included in Indigenous Studies in universities across Canada. Water Confidential was also selected by BC Education to be included in curriculum for grades ten through twelve Science and Social Studies classes in BC.In this sequel, Water Justice: What You Don't Know Could Kill You, Susan gives readers a current account of issues threatening safe drinking water in Canada, highlighting the degree of government negligence surrounding both safe drinking water and source water protection. Showing how urban and rural Canadians are also at risk of severe health implications, that access to safe drinking water is not only an Indigenous issue, mostly due to polluted source waters that have no boundaries.Sharing many instances of apparent denial, or perhaps indifference, by politicians of all colours, Susan compares the lax Canadian guidelines for drinking water to more robust regulations existing in all other G7 countries. Susan compares the failing state of drinking water, combined with both quality and quantity of source waters, to the failing state of democracy and how corporations and their lobbyists are really the people governing Canada. The big dilemma, what are Canadians supposed to do when politicians are deaf to citizens' voices, when petitions are ignored as irrelevant, when elected politicians refuse to consider their constituents opinions and continue to listen to lobbyists instead.Water Justice is a call to action, essential reading for anyone who cares about future generations and believes in protecting source waters as the most critical component of ensuring access to truly safe drinking water. What You Don't Know Could Kill You. Please join us to take back control of our water and our democracy. Together we can make a difference.
Writing the Engineering Research Article
What do published engineering researchers actually do when they write? What they really do, sentence by sentence, section by section, across an entire paper.This book answers that question using a corpus of 163 engineering research articles comprising approximately 610,000 words; it reveals the patterns that define good engineering papers. One problem is most academic writing guides are built around the IMRDC model (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion) borrowed from the social sciences. But engineering papers don't work that way. Only 1.2% of the articles in this corpus follow a full IMRDC structure. The vast majority organise their content under technical headings such as Finite Element Analysis, Computational Domain, Experimental Programme. They blend methods, results, and interpretation into a single integrated flow. The corpus analysis spans nine engineering sub-disciplines, from aerospace to chemical engineering, and identifies five distinct paper structures (Theory + Experiment, Theory/Simulation, Experimental, Analysis/Evaluation, and Thematic), each with its own logic, its own section balance, and its own rhetorical demands. Whether you're writing a computational fluid dynamics paper or a structural testing study, you'll find your paper type here, along with specific, data-driven guidance for every section you need to write.Across 16 units, the book covers every stage of the engineering research article: macrostructure and headings, abstracts, introductions, mathematical and theoretical development, experimental and computational methods, results and interpretation, the validation move unique to engineering, discussion, and conclusions. It also examines cross-paper features that most writing guides ignore entirely - how tense shifts from section to section, where figure references cluster and why, how citation density changes across the paper, how hedging gives way to boosting as the argument builds, and how authorial presence strengthens from Introduction to Conclusion.This book is for graduate students writing their first journal article, postdocs refining their publication strategy, and experienced researchers who want to understand the conventions they've absorbed intuitively. It is also invaluable for non-native English speakers navigating the rhetorical expectations of international engineering journals. The approach is descriptive, not prescriptive: the corpus shows you what is common so you can decide what is right for your study.
4D Printing in Healthcare
4D Printing is revolutionizing healthcare by enabling adaptive, patient-specific medical devices and advanced treatment options. 4D Printing in Healthcare provides a comprehensive exploration of 4D printing in healthcare, detailing how this innovative technology enhances the diagnosis and treatment of various health issues. It covers the principles and algorithms behind 4D-based printing, highlighting its transformative impact on healthcare. By adding the dimension of time to traditional 3D printing, 4D printing enables the creation of dynamic, self-transforming medical devices and structures. The book discusses the customization of medical implants, prosthetics, and drug delivery systems, emphasizing how personalization can greatly improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Each chapter explores the potential of 4D printing in different healthcare sectors, such as orthopedics, dentistry, tissue engineering, and more. Additionally, it underscores the potential cost savings in healthcare by using smart materials that adapt to environmental conditions or patient needs, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing waste. The book offers a multidisciplinary perspective, bringing together insights from engineering, biomedical science, materials science, and medicine to showcase the innovations and possibilities of 4D printing in healthcare.
The Cognitive War
Before the bombs, before the hacks, before the headlines-there is the model.Every modern war begins in the mind. Today, powerful algorithms decide what you see, what you believe, and how entire societies respond to truth and lies. This is the cognitive domain, the new battlefield where perception is shaped long before missiles are launched or sanctions imposed.In The Cognitive War, you'll discover how authoritarian regimes, especially the Chinese Communist Party, are weaponizing AI, social media, and data to infiltrate daily life, manipulate elections, fracture societies, and rewrite the very meaning of truth.This is not a theory. It is happening now. While the West debates regulations, adversaries are building machines designed to control how the world thinks.Your safety, your freedom, and your family's future depend on understanding this war. Because if we do not define and defend the cognitive domain, someone else will. And they will own the future.
Zone Policeman 88
Zone policeman 88: A close range study of the Panama Canal and its workers is a vivid exploration of one of the greatest engineering achievements of the modern age and the human stories behind it. The book provides an intimate portrayal of life in the Canal Zone, capturing the diversity, discipline, and determination that defined the workers who built the Panama Canal. Through firsthand observation, it reveals the social and cultural intersections that shaped the community, blending technical insight with the realities of daily labor and adaptation. The narrative examines the coexistence of ambition and hardship, showing how individuals from different nations contributed to a shared vision of progress. It reflects on the complexity of order, authority, and personal purpose within a rigid yet dynamic environment. Combining historical documentation with personal experience, the work offers both a record of human endurance and a meditation on cooperation, ambition, and the pursuit of monumental goals amid challenging circumstances.
Bramble-Bees And Others
Bramble-bees and others introduces a carefully observed world in which the rhythms of nature reveal complex patterns of survival and adaptation. The collection opens with an exploration of insects that make their homes within old bramble stems, using these hollow spaces as shelters shaped by chance and instinct. Rather than centering on specific species as characters, the narrative emphasizes the broader workings of behavior, environment, and resourcefulness that define life among wild bees. Detailed observations illustrate how some insects build their own structures while others occupy abandoned spaces, creating an intricate cycle of use and renewal. The habits of certain bees, including their methods of gathering materials and preparing nesting chambers, highlight the quiet intelligence that guides their actions. Through descriptions of foraging, construction, and seasonal change, the work reflects on how living beings adapt to conditions that require efficiency and resilience. This opening section establishes a thoughtful foundation for examining the interconnectedness of habitat, instinct, and ecological balance within the wider natural world.
Dry-Farming A System Of Agriculture For Countries Under A Low Rainfall
Dry-farming: A system of agriculture for countries under a low rainfall examines how crop production can succeed in regions where moisture is scarce and growing conditions demand careful planning. The book explains how understanding soil behavior, conserving available water, and adopting precise cultivation methods can transform dry regions into productive farmland. It outlines how moisture retention, soil structure, and climate awareness intersect to influence agricultural outcomes, showing how land can be managed to support plant growth without relying on irrigation. The discussion highlights the importance of adapting practices to local conditions, using observation and experimentation to determine which methods yield the greatest stability and resilience. The narrative also reflects on the broader relevance of sustainable land use, emphasizing how thoughtful approaches to cultivation can protect natural resources while supporting long term productivity. Through a blend of scientific reasoning and practical guidance, the book presents dry-farming as both a method and a philosophy grounded in efficiency, environmental awareness, and strategic decision making.
Downstream
Downstream is an investigative look at the environmental systems shaping life and health in the Rio Grande Valley, one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States.Drawing on public data, scientific research, and investigative reporting, the book connects water quality, flooding, air pollution, infrastructure, and public health to show how cumulative environmental exposure develops over time in a region uniquely vulnerable to contamination.Without assigning blame, Downstream focuses on documented conditions and population-level trends, asking a question many residents quietly carry: Why does illness feel so common here? Written with clarity and restraint, it offers readers a deeper understanding of how water, air, and land use shape the Valley's present-and its future.
