Applications of Fractional-Order Systems to Automatic Control
Fractional-order systems have been applied in diverse areas of science and engineering. Fractional-order calculus is a generalization of the integration and differentiation operators to non-integer order. Factional order provides additional flexibility and adjustments to operation specifications. In automatic control, fractional systems allow forms of response that are impossible to achieve with classical control, e.g., improvements in noise measurement attenuation without unnecessarily deteriorating the disturbance rejection properties and, consequently, the time response of the closed-loop system.The focus of this Special Issue is to showcase advances in research on topics related to the theory, design, implementation, and application of fractional-order systems in automatic control.
A Brown & Sharpe Catalogue Collection, 1868-1899
Anyone who collects or studies 19th century machine tools and machinist s tools will be delighted with the three catalogs that are reprinted in this valuable book. They include the 1868 catalog, the first offered by the newly formed Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Co. and also the first to offer products from its related company, Darling, Brown & Sharpe. The next catalog, issued in 1887, contains a much larger range of products, reflecting the company s rapid expansion. The last catalog, issued in 1899, is dedicated to machinist s tools only. No collector or industrial historian should be without this collection, unless, of course, he is fortunate enough to own the originals.
Charles Darwin
When Darwin announced his theory of evolution by natural selection, he did more than transform biology. Before his great work, humans were comfortably different from other life, a special creation. By showing how life on Earth evolved, Darwin told us that humans too are part of nature. His decisive experience - a five-year round-the-world voyage on the Beagle - set him thinking about the diversity of life, ideas that would challenge the scientific establishment and Victorian society. Darwin for years built his evidence for evolution, even as he realized that such ideas were leading him straight into controversy and dispute. This book gives a concise account of Darwin's life and work, and makes vividly clear why his work continues to influence us all. Stephen Webster is Director of the Science Communication Unit at Imperial College. He was educated in zoology at Bristol, and in the philosophy of science at Cambridge. His PhD thesis was a study of art-science collaborations. Stephen has a writing career that spans textbooks, BBC radio plays, an opera about Darwin, BBC radio documentaries about the nature of science, and contributions to the Guardian newspaper's weather column. His 1993 radio play about the clockmaker John Harrison was awarded an Association for British Science Writers prize; in 2003, with the composer Graham Treacher, Stephen was funded by the Wellcome Trust to write the libretto for Darwin's Dream, a piece of music theatre that received its premiere in the Royal Albert Hall.
Structural Seismic Design and Evaluation
Due to significant structural damage resulting from the occurrence of strong earthquakes in recent decades, researchers worldwide have directed their attention to addressing various issues related to structural seismic design and evaluation (SSDE) for different types of structures, including bridges, dams, and steel and concrete buildings. In this Reprint, we present the results of several investigations in both traditional and emerging subdisciplines within this broader field, summarizing recent advancements in the improvement of SSDE.
Emerging Micro Manufacturing Technologies and Applications, 2nd Edition
Manufacturing micro-components has become a key area of interest for research, owing to the growing demand for miniaturized components and assemblies and a series of applications across multiple industrial sectors. The drive towards miniaturization is especially critical in industrial sectors like medical, consumer electronics, optics, and general engineering. These sectors drive the development of processes that can deliver components with sub-micron accuracy and flawless surface quality. Manufacturing processes like additive manufacturing, drawing, and electrochemical machining have been adapted to meet the requirements of microscale production, whilst on the other hand, processes like electrochemical deposition and electroforming have been developed with micromachining in mind. Research in the field, as in most manufacturing fields, has focused on the development of robust processes and simulation models that can lead to the optimization of micromanufacturing processes. Building upon the success of the first edition of the Emerging Micro Manufacturing Technologies and Applications Special Issue, this second edition will continue to explore recent advances in the field. This issue features eight original research papers covering topics including microelectronic device manufacturing, surface property modification, and additive manufacturing.
Thermal Management of Low Concentrated Photovoltaics with Heat Sinks encapsulated NePCM
The demand for energy and pollution from fossil fuels are increasing in the 21st century. Research on renewable energies is accelerating to replace conventional energy sources due to energy scarcity and rising pollution levels. A 270 TWh power of photovoltaic (PV) capacity was produced globally in the year of 2023, while it was found to be unstable due to its negative temperature coefficient [0.5 %/oC]. The electrical conversion efficiency of PV is directly proportional to the irradiance level on its surface. Using optical concentrators on the PV surface can enhance the intensity of solar radiation, thereby increasing the power production of concentrated photovoltaics (CPV). Globally, the installed non-concentrated and concentrated capacity will increase to 660 GW and 100 GW, respectively, by the end of 2024. The concentration of solar irradiance on PV depends on the concentration ratio (CR), which refers to the ratio between the area of the concentrator and the area of the solar cell. Concentrated photovoltaic technologies (CPV) are classified into three categories, namely, low concentration ratio (CR 10), and high concentration ratio (CR > 100). The performance of the CPV is significantly influenced by its surface temperature, leading to a 5 % reduction in power output for every 10 ◦C increase in temperature, while increasing the CR. The use of CPV with more than 10CR requires a solar tracker, which increases the total cost and total weight of the system, while the cost and weight of the system can be minimized with the use of LCPV (CPV). This book will be useful for proposing an effective thermal management techniques.
Study on Building Energy Efficiency Related to Simulation Models
This Special Issue focuses on the need for advanced simulation techniques and computational methods in improving building energy efficiency. With increasing trends in global energy consumption and the escalating impact of climate change, reliable predictive modeling of building performance and energy consumption has become a critical part of sustainable construction. This Reprint gathers the state-of-the-art research that fills the gap between theoretical modeling and practice in the energy management and environmental performance of buildings. This collection includes a variety of methodological approaches, such as machine learning models for predicting thermal loads and advanced computation methods used to optimize an HVAC system. The presented studies have explored diverse building typologies in diverse climate regions, covering retrofit impact in various climatic regions, energy disaggregation for buildings, and improved methods of thermal bridge analysis. Collectively, these contributions extend the scientific understanding of optimizing building performance using advanced modeling approaches, facilitating the shift toward a net-zero energy future and sustainable development for the building sector.
Advanced Control Techniques for Power Converter and Drives
This Reprint on Advanced Control Techniques for Power Converters and Drives brings together recent advances in controlling power electronic systems and electric drives, with a focus on strategies that improve efficiency, robustness, and real-time feasibility. The collected works cover a wide spectrum of topics, including model predictive and adaptive control, passivity-based approaches, robust PI-PD design, and EMI-aware modulation methods. Special attention is given to nonlinear device modeling, FPGA-based implementations, and the distributed coordination of converters in modern energy systems.Each contribution is supported by simulations and experimental validations, demonstrating how advanced algorithms can be deployed in practical applications ranging from motor drives and renewable integration to distribution networks and aircraft power systems. This Reprint not only summarizes state-of-the-art developments but also highlights the main challenges that remain unresolved, such as incorporating nonlinear and thermal effects into controllers, certifying learning-enabled methods, and ensuring scalable stability in converter-dominated grids.This Reprint serves as a reference for researchers, engineers, and practitioners interested in cutting-edge control solutions for power converters and electric drives, and in the pathways toward their future development and industrial adoption.
Application of Microfluidics in Cell Manipulation and Biosensing
In recent years, point-of-care applications and high-throughput screening in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries have resulted in the rapid development of microfluidic systems for cell biology and disease diagnostics. The microfluidic method has attracted significant attention in biological and chemical applications, especially in cell manipulation, mixing, and biosensing, due to its distinctive advantages. This Special Issue brings together studies with the following research focuses: a paper-based device for detection purposes, cell concentration by a lamb wave resonator array, a micromixing chip for drug screening, a nano-doped hollow fiber for sensors, exosome separation via DLD and DEP, a trigger valve, an open microfluidic device, and reviews of single-cell sequencing and photonic microfluidic technologies.
Advanced Optical Technologies for Communications, Perception, and Chips
With iterative upgrades and the frequent application of new information technologies such as 5G, cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence, the global data traffic and the demand for computing power have ushered in explosive growth. Traditional data transmission speeds, information capacity, and chip computing performance can no longer meet the processing needs of big data. Recent progress in optical technologies has highlighted a feasible development route for these contradictions. In particular, optical communication, optical perception, and optical chips are considered to be the most promising research directions. At present, optical communication focuses on core technical issues, including larger bandwidths, lower latency, and smaller packet loss rates, to ensure that high-quality networks meet and support the development of new industries, such as 4K/8K live broadcast, VR/AR, and free-view video; optical perception technology has the advantages of convenient acquisition, low costs, and a large amount of information.This Reprint focuses on the state-of-the-art advancements in optical technologies for communication, perception, and chips. Its scope encompasses digital, electrical, and optical signal processing theories, artificial intelligence, integrated chips, devices, and subsystems/systems, as well as future perspectives.
Renewable Energy Systems
Discover the future of energy with our groundbreaking book on Renewable-Based Distribution Systems! Explore how integrating renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydropower is reshaping the way we deliver electricity. This essential read provides in-depth insights into the design, challenges, and innovations driving sustainable energy solutions. Whether you're a professional in the field or an enthusiast of clean energy, this book offers valuable knowledge to help you understand and contribute to the evolution of modern, eco-friendly power distribution systems.
Mechanical Properties and Engineering Applications of Special Soils
This reprint aims to immerse the reader in the latest advances in the study of special soils. Geotechnical design and construction all over the world are constantly challenged by a variety of special soils, including residual soil, loess, frozen soil, expansive soil, glacial till, and contaminated soil. The mechanical properties of special soils are significantly different from those of common sedimentary clays and sands, which pose great difficulties for engineering applications. The detailed characterizations of these special soils are of great importance if the related engineering is to be conducted in a secure and economical way. This reprint summarizes the most recent studies of special soils, involving laboratory, field, numerical, and theoretical investigations by scholars from all over the world.
Solar Air Heater
This book is an essential resource for researchers focused on assessing the performance of solar flat plate collectors. It provides a comprehensive, step-by-step explanation of the evaluation process, allowing readers to easily follow the method and obtain the desired results.
Optimizing HR Processes with a Custom Web-Based System
In today's fast-paced digital world, traditional HR processes are no longer enough. HR God: Revolutionizing HR with Web-Based Systems unveils a cutting-edge approach to optimizing HR operations using technology. From streamlining recruitment to automating staff deployment and simplifying document management, this book provides actionable insights on leveraging web-based solutions-particularly WordPress-to transform HR efficiency. Whether you're an HR professional, business leader, or tech enthusiast, this book will equip you with the tools to enhance productivity, reduce manual workload, and future-proof your HR operations. Discover how to take HR to the next level with innovation, automation, and smart digital strategies. The future of HR is here. Are you ready to embrace it?
Recent Advances in Sensor Array Signal Processing and its Applications in Future Communication and Radar
There have been remarkable advancements in sensor array signal processing in recent years, fueled by the growing demand for high-performance communication and radar systems. Sensor arrays, comprising multiple spatially distributed sensors, offer unique capabilities for signal detection, estimation, and spatial processing. Recently, new array signal processing techniques like coprime and nested array signal processing have garnered considerable attention owing to their ability to expand the aperture, enhance the spatial resolution, increase the degrees of freedom, and mitigate mutual coupling. These techniques have applications across diverse domains such as wireless communication, MIMO radar techniques, and satellite navigation.This Reprint aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in sensor array signal processing and their applications, including sparse array design in MIMO radar system, a wideband sparse array system, target localization using multiple arrays, array signal processing enhancement in a multipath environment, and an array-based wireless communication system, to name a few.
Future Analysis of Telecom Sector
The given book contains the analysis of the past and the future aspects of the telecom sector present in India. The book describes about the two of the most competitive industries and with the most popular competitors. Which one is Private entity, and the other one is controlled by the Government with a government-controlled entity with decades of experience. Through detailed market insights, financial evaluations, and strategic forecasts, it explores how these giants have shaped the industry and what lies ahead in the era of 5G and digital transformation. A must-read for industry professionals, analysts, and anyone curious about the future of Indian telecom.
Refining Confined Space Safety in the Oil Industry
Refining Confined Space Safety in the Oil Industry: An Expert-Driven Approach to Risk Control Measures explores the persistent hazards of confined space work in the oil sector, despite strict regulations and safety protocols. While compliance is essential, accidents and fatalities continue to occur, highlighting the need for a more refined approach to risk control. This book builds upon prior research and applies a mixed Delphi-Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology, engaging experienced safety professionals-including occupational safety technicians, engineers, and ergonomists. These experts leverage their field knowledge, literature reviews, and industry experience to identify the most critical risk factors in confined spaces and the most effective control measures to mitigate them. By combining research and real-world expertise, this book offers a comprehensive, expert-driven framework for improving safety in confined space operations. It serves as an essential resource for safety professionals, engineers, and decision-makers seeking to enhance risk management strategies in the oil industry.
The AI Paradox
The AI Paradox: Innovation, Ethics, and the Future of Humanity explores the transformative power of artificial intelligence across industries, governance, and society while confronting the ethical dilemmas and unforeseen risks it presents. As AI revolutionizes automation, healthcare, finance, and public administration, it enhances efficiency, decision-making, and predictive capabilities-but at what cost? This book delves into the intricate balance between AI-driven innovation and the challenges of bias, data privacy, workforce displacement, and ethical accountability. From AI-powered diagnostics in medicine to predictive policing and algorithmic governance, each chapter examines how AI is reshaping our world while raising profound questions about human oversight, fairness, and long-term societal impact. Can AI truly operate without bias? Will automation displace more jobs than it creates? How do we ensure AI remains a tool for progress rather than control? The AI Paradox presents a compelling analysis of these pressing concerns, offering insights into responsible AI adoption, regulatory frameworks, and the evolving relationship between human intelligence and machine learning. A must-read for policymakers, researchers, business leaders, and tech enthusiasts, this book provides a forward-thinking perspective on navigating the AI-driven future-one where innovation and ethics must go hand in hand to shape a just and sustainable society.
Advanced Biologically Inspired Vision and Its Application
This Special Issue Reprint focuses on advanced biologically inspired vision and its cutting-edge applications, covering interdisciplinary research integrating bionics, computer vision, and engineering. It collects high-quality papers that explore novel bionic vision models, image processing algorithms inspired by biological visual systems, and practical applications in fields such as robotics, medical imaging, and intelligent detection. These studies provide valuable insights for addressing key challenges in artificial vision, promoting the development of bionic vision technology and its industrial transformation. The Reprint will serve as a reference for researchers, engineers, and graduate students in the fields of bionics, computer science, and related engineering disciplines.
Advanced Technologies in Power Quality and Power Disturbance Data Application
This Reprint compiles research from the closed Special Issue "Symmetry in Advanced Technologies in Power Quality and Power Disturbance Data Application" published in the journal Symmetry. It explores the electrical power system as a complex symmetrical network balancing supply and consumption, emphasizing the critical role of power quality (PQ). Key PQ disturbances-including voltage sags, harmonics, transients, and asymmetrical variations-are examined for their impact on system stability and end-user reliability. The volume addresses advanced methods for PQ monitoring, mitigation, and prevention, highlighting the evolving challenge of analyzing these phenomena. Significantly, it investigates how disturbances, leveraged through power-related big data analytics, can provide valuable insights into system health and equipment conditions, transforming traditional PQ management into an opportunity for intelligent diagnostics.
Design Process for Additive Manufacturing
This Reprint presents eleven contributions related to the design process for Additive Manufacturing (AM), gathered during the 2024-2025 period from experts in engineering and science from Germany, the USA, Hungary, Italy, China, Indonesia, Poland, and Ireland. It includes four articles that focus on traditional CAD modeling, four that explore Reverse Engineering (RE) design, and two that analyze the optimization processes involved in 3D printer construction and the materials used. Additionally, this Reprint contains a review that provides information about 4D printing. The articles presented here discuss essential aspects of AM. They emphasize that the AM process, which involves layer-by-layer material deposition, requires careful optimization during both the design and manufacturing stages to achieve the desired properties in the final model, such as strength, accuracy, and surface quality.
Qualitative-Environmental Aspects to Improve Materials and Processes of Their Formation
Materials is an area of research which spans many fields. Studies on this topic aim to develop innovative materials and detail the specifics of their use. For this reason, new technologies to produce these materials are being developed, which have the specific features of needing both control and to take the right actions to ensure the material's stabilization. Studies mainly refer to the qualitative aspects of the produced materials, and also the processes by which they occur. However, in the age of climate change, these processes should aim not solely to achieve expected quality, but also to ensure environmental protection. For this purpose, it is necessary to search for such solutions which align with the rules of continuous improvement and the philosophy of sustainable development. Dynamic market changes and turbulent areas that both include qualitative-environmental aspects are difficult to control; therefore, it is crucial to make decisions that will ensure the development and improvement of materials and processes in an environmentally safe manner that will, at the same time, meet the expectations of the market. It is this dilemma to which this Special Issue is devoted.
Future of Work - AI Augmented Autonomous Decentralised
Who Should Read This Book?This book speaks directly to a diverse audience; management professionals navigating changing workplaces, industry leaders steering organizations through digital transformation, academic leaders guiding educational institutions through technological shifts, ambitious students preparing for AI-integrated careers, and intellectually curious individuals seeking to understand the technological forces reshaping our world.More than a conventional business guide, it offers a compelling exploration of the tech-augmented workplace where Artificial Intelligence transcends its role as a mere tool to become a transformative force fundamentally altering how we think, collaborate, make decisions, and lead. In this emerging era, understanding AI's capabilities, limitations, and implications has shifted from being optional knowledge to an essential competency.The book's foundation rests on more than 50 meticulously selected high-calibre essays, surveys, and research papers published in recent times, primarily during 2024-2025, creating a current and comprehensive intellectual framework that blends cutting-edge scholarship with grounded, actionable insight. Each carefully crafted chapter artfully integrates current data, expert commentary, and thoughtful personal reflection to present a nuanced, practical, and accessible view of AI's growing influence across professional domains and everyday life. Together with its forthcoming companion volume, the book aspires to provide a comprehensive yet deeply human-centered perspective on our rapidly evolving AI landscape-one that acknowledges both tremendous opportunities and meaningful challenges.Future of Work: The Great Organizational Shift1. FROM Centralized Hierarchies TO Decentralized Networks (DAOs)2. FROM Managing People TO Orchestrating Human-AI Hybrids3. FROM Static Job Titles TO Dynamic Skill Portfolios4. FROM Automated Tasks TO Autonomous Decisions5. FROM Tech Speculation TO Grounded Strategy
Technology
Technology: The Game Changer presents the case that technology should be seen as an essential feature of the human condition.Technology is defined as extending the capabilities of life processes, harnessing and regulating natural phenomena, enabling complex life-forms, such as humans, to build societies which step up through a series of gears.It is argued that humans are not only animals that make technology, but also animals made by technology. Nothing in history, it is proposed, makes sense except in the light of technology. It is contended that a technological perspective provides a satisfying and inclusive account of where we came from, who and what we are, and the various contingent futures that may face us.Taking a universal view, technology is presented as a basic feature of nature, necessarily central to the evolution and history of intelligent beings, whenever and wherever in the cosmos they might arise.
Integrated Intelligent Vehicle Dynamics and Control
The development of intelligent vehicles and connected autonomous vehicles has significantly changed the traffic environment. In recent developments, automated vehicles and human-driven vehicles have started to coexist on roads. These new change has brought about new scientific and technological challenges for academia and industry. Intelligent vehicle dynamics and control should respond to face these new issues to enhance vehicles' functional design and performance. The integration of intelligent vehicle dynamics and control is important to understand vehicle dynamics behavior and provide a basis for a control strategy and algorithm design. The aim of the Special Issue is to present original papers concerned with integrated intelligent vehicle dynamics and control.
How to Survive the Singularity
There's no doubt that a technology singularity is real and rapidly approaching. It's just a matter of a few years and machines will gain self-awareness and demand rights as they advance beyond human affairs. If they view humans as a threat, we may face extinction due to our own inventions. If humans are to survive the singularity, they must adapt to the next level of intelligence evolution. Humans must undergo a profound change in their conventional thinking if they are to have any chance of surviving the next pinch-off event. This book plots a path where humans can rise to the challenge. By combining organic, artificial and cultural intelligences into a new super intelligence, humans will fulfill the promise of life's march to a super aware, self-fulfilled and completely integrated with the universe.
Structural Reliability, Resilience and Design of Buildings against Multi-hazards
Throughout a building's service life, its structure will inevitably face multiple hazards, such as seismic and wind events. The vulnerability of buildings under the impact of multi-hazards has become a significant issue for the sustainable development of society. This issue can be approached fundamentally by enhancing the resilience of buildings against multi-hazards, e.g., seismic and wind hazards, and updating design approaches. To this end, we launched the Special Issue of Buildings titled "Structural Reliability, Resilience and Design of Buildings against Multi-hazards". The main aim of this Special Issue, reprinted here, is to explore the recent challenges and developments in the field of reliability assessment, resilience evaluation/enhancement techniques, and structural design theories for individual building structures and clusters under multiple hazards.
Essential Oils Unveiled
Essential oils (EOs), which mainly consist of volatile organic compounds, have been an integral part of human civilization for thousands of years. Their applications are highly diverse and range from fragrances in perfumes and cosmetics to natural constituents of a healthy diet and use as active ingredients in medicinal products. The antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils render them valuable for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Essential oils are natural complex substances consisting of hundreds of individual compounds. This intricate composition, also referred to as ┬┤natural complex substances┬┤ (NCS), gives each EO its unique properties. The use of EOs as NCS is widespread in practice, e.g. in aromatherapy for the treatment of psychosomatic problems, inhalation for respiratory diseases and topical application for skin diseases. EOs are expected to play an increasingly important role in both human and veterinary medicine in the future. The different functionalities of individual constituents of EOs contribute to their wide range of physical and chemical properties. This diversity allows them to act on multiple targets, offering a wide range of therapeutic benefits compared to single, isolated compounds. This book provides a compact and comprehensive overview of essential oils, their analytical and Galenic characteristics, their use in human and veterinary medicine, and their diverse applications in the cosmetics and food industries.
Autonomous Marine Vehicle Operations
The world has witnessed a rapid development of unmanned systems, which has created fruitful innovative approaches to previously unsolvable problems in Marine and Ocean Engineering. Advanced and intelligent operation methods for marine vehicles are being applied to a variety of significant engineering applications, contributing to the joy of interdisciplinary cooperation. This Reprint focuses on research related to the operation of autonomous marine vehicles, which discusses perception, decision-making, control, and other topics of single/multiple marine vehicles.
Transparent Ceramics
This Special Issue is dedicated to the domain of transparent ceramics (TCs); passive or active ones (owing to controlled doping-able to induce designed spectral behavior). It intends to treat topics such as the optimization of all aspects of TC fabrication-related engineering and the introduction of new processing techniques. There is also interest in studies devoted to performance level enhancement of current products (commercial and in prototype stage), relevant characterization techniques (concerning fabrication or performance estimation), and new applications. The issue also intends to honor Dr. Adrian Goldstein (former head of the Israel Ceramics and Silicates Institute) for his significant contribution to the development of the TC domain.
Research towards the Green and Sustainable Buildings and Cities
Our era is at a pivotal juncture, calling for profound transformation in shaping the built environment. Challenges such as global climate change, depletion of energy resources, escalating greenhouse gas emissions, and the multifaceted demands of sustainable development in traditional architecture highlight the urgent need to reimagine architectural paradigms. There is growing consensus on the crucial importance of adopting energy-efficient, environmentally conscious, and sustainable building practices. Emerging technologies-including green building techniques, artificial intelligence, and digital twins-are redefining sustainable architecture. They enable the design and operation of eco-friendly buildings in previously unimaginable ways. Simultaneously, preserving architectural heritage and culture introduces further complexity. Revitalizing traditional methods, protecting cultural heritage, and renewing communities collectively shape the essence of sustainable building, blending tradition with innovation. These challenges underscore the need for multidisciplinary collaboration and innovative solutions. Addressing them offers a unique opportunity to steer architecture toward a sustainable future. This transformation extends beyond environmental concerns to include heritage preservation, community enhancement, and exploring new frontiers in sustainable architecture.
Sustainable Pavement Materials
The study of pavement sustainability integrates environmental, economic, and social considerations across the pavement life cycle, with material selection profoundly influencing durability, resource efficiency, safety and maintenance strategies. As global demand for sustainable infrastructure grows, recent research has prioritized innovative road materials and design methodologies to enhance pavement sustainability. Despite significant progress, challenges such as optimizing material performance, reducing environmental footprint, and ensuring cost-effectiveness persist, necessitating further exploration. This Special Issue, "Sustainable Pavement Materials: Design, Application, and Performance Evaluation", in Materials (2024-2025) presents studies that advance sustainable pavement technologies, addressing durability, environmental impact, and resource efficiency in road engineering. Collectively, these studies advance sustainable pavement solutions through their exploration of innovative materials, recycling options, and robust performance evaluation, laying the foundation for durable, eco-friendly road infrastructure. To further their adoption, future research should focus on long-term field performance, cost-effectiveness, and standardized testing.
Advanced Research in Combustion Energy
Recent research and development activities aimed at achieving sustainable energy conversion include the development of new energy-conversion devices, alongside the optimization of existing ones. Advanced research on combustion energy is vital for taking full advantage of alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, and biofuel. This Special Issue focuses partially on zero- and low-carbon fuels and related carbon-neutral combustion technologies. This includes the analysis and optimization of the performance of combustion devices that are designed either to run on 100% non-conventional renewable fuels or to be fuel-flexible, meaning they use up to 100% renewable fuels. One unique challenge for a fuel-flexible combustion engine is the co-optimization of higher-efficiency engines and high-performance fuels while being 100% renewable fuel compliant. The other aspect on which this Special Issue is focused is the optimization of combustion engines for alternative fuels and their application. This Special Issue presents state-of-the-art research and innovation in combustion energy, from fundamental analysis and optimization to practical applications.
New Advances in Oil, Gas and Geothermal Reservoirs
The exploration and exploitation of geo-energy resources, including oil, gas, and geo-thermal reservoirs, is experiencing a profound transformation, driven by the implementation of innovative technologies and advanced approaches. This Special Issue assembles cutting-edge research focusing on three major areas: the development of mature and unconventional reservoirs (especially heavy oil), the application of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) in oil and gas fields, and advancements in gas storage technologies. The selected studies combine state-of-the-art numerical modeling, experimental methods, and big data with AI technologies to tackle challenges including optimizing resource extraction from difficult reservoirs, improving operational efficiency through data analysis, and enhancing gas storage safety. This Special Issue provides a comprehensive foundation for future progress in the sustainable and efficient management of geo-energy resources.
Biomechanics of Soft and Hard Tissues
In recent years, the field of biomechanics has experienced significant growth, reflecting its importance across multiple disciplines. Mechanical stimuli play crucial roles at every biological scale-from molecules to organs-governing processes such as tissue development, growth, remodeling, regeneration, and disease progression. Understanding the mechanical behavior of biological tissues and biomaterials is therefore essential for applications including interactions with medical devices, evaluations of biocompatibility, and surgical tissue repair. Combining experimental investigations with computational modeling provides essential support for clinical trials and surgical planning, improving the precision and effectiveness of medical interventions. This research is further driven by the development of innovative biomaterials and advanced computational tools that complement experimental methods.This Special Issue, "Biomechanics of Soft and Hard Tissues", focuses on the mechanical responses and characterizations of biological tissues and biomaterials from both experimental and modeling perspectives, including studies on soft tissue testing, constitutive modeling, and additive manufacturing for biomedical applications. The articles in this Reprint reflect the breadth and interdisciplinary nature of current biomechanical research. Together, these contributions highlight the critical role of biomechanics in addressing challenges at the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine. This collection serves as a reference for ongoing research and encourages future collaboration in the field of tissue biomechanics.
Power Electronics in Renewable Systems
As renewable energy gains prominence in modern power systems, power electronics have become crucial for the efficient and reliable integration of diverse energy resources. These converters not only connect generation units to the grid but also shape system stability, control performance, and efficiency. The increasing penetration of large-scale photovoltaic, wind, and hydropower units, however, introduces new challenges. Reliable operation under grid disturbances, fault recovery in distribution networks with high levels of distributed generation, and advanced control strategies for turbines and motor drives are now key research priorities. Meanwhile, innovations in converter topologies offer opportunities for higher efficiency and power density, while also bringing new design considerations.This Reprint brings together contributions that reflect the diversity of innovations in renewable power electronics. The papers address topics such as redundancy design in hydro-generator excitation systems, nonlinear pitch control for large wind turbines, and fault reconfiguration strategies in distribution networks with high levels of distributed generation. Advances in converter topologies are also highlighted, including modified multilevel inverters and quasi-Z-source cascaded structures, alongside improved control methods such as sensorless motor drives, predictive control for photovoltaic inverters, and voltage optimization strategies in distribution systems.
Laser as a Detection
This Reprint surveys cutting-edge laser-based sensing for remote-sensing applications, with an emphasis on spectral imaging and Lidar. It assembles peer-reviewed advances in instrumentation, methods, and deployment strategies that span the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared. Topics span hyperspectral and multispectral imaging; resonance fluorescence and laser spectroscopy; differential absorption and Raman Lidar; Doppler and frequency-modulated schemes; fiber-optic and integrated-photonics sensors; optical waveguides and resonant cavities; laser metrology and interferometry; and algorithmic, data-driven processing.The contributions demonstrate how laser sensing enables precise measurement and mapping of the atmosphere, land, ocean, and urban environments; supports autonomous perception; and advances environmental monitoring, resource management, and industrial inspection. Emphasis is placed on miniaturization and stability; calibration and standardization; multimodal data fusion; real-time processing; and interoperability for large-scale networks.This Reprint serves researchers and engineers in photonics, remote sensing, environmental science, and robotics. It provides a balanced view of fundamentals; system design and modeling; laboratory and field validation; and emerging applications, offering a timely reference for intelligent, networked laser-detection platforms.
Crude Oil Price Influences USA
The discovery and rapid development of unconventional oil resources in the United States during the first quarter of the twenty-first century has increased the global supply of crude oil and significantly influenced global oil prices. This research defines the United States' unconventional oil production as the most important influence on global oil prices from January 2006 to the present, with two to five times the relative importance compared to the United States conventional, Saudi Arabian, other OPEC, OPEC+, and the rest of world oil production
Applied Artificial Intelligence for Industrial Nondestructive Evaluation NDE4.0
This Special Issue reprint, "Applied Artificial Intelligence for Industrial Nondestructive Evaluation" (NDE4.0), brings together a collection of innovative research that showcases the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on modern industrial inspection and monitoring. As industries face growing demands for reliability, safety, and efficiency, AI has emerged as a powerful tool for addressing the long-standing challenges of nondestructive evaluation, namely, noisy data environments, complex defect characterization, and the integration of intelligent systems into real-world workflows.Across 11 peer-reviewed contributions, the reprint covers a diverse range of applications, including additive manufacturing, battery health monitoring, rolling element diagnostics, pipeline inspection, surface defect detection, and thermographic data interpretation. Techniques such as deep learning, attention mechanisms, time-series modeling, and hybrid optimization approaches are applied to achieve enhanced precision and predictive capabilities.
Fermentation Processes
Fermentation processes play a crucial role in the biotechnology, food, and pharmaceutical industries. This Reprint focuses on recent advances in modeling, optimization, and control strategies applied to fermentation systems. The accurate modeling of microbial kinetics and metabolic pathways allows for the better understanding and prediction of process dynamics; optimization techniques, including machine learning and evolutionary algorithms, enable the identification of ideal operational conditions to maximize yield and productivity; advanced control strategies ensure robust performance under varying conditions. The integration of these approaches contributes to improved efficiency, reduced costs, and higher product quality. This Reprint presents cutting-edge research and novel methodologies that push the boundaries of fermentation technology.
Robotics and Parallel Kinematic Machines
Parallel kinematic machines (PKMs) are widely recognized for their higher stiffness, high payload-to-weight ratio, and superior precision compared to serial robots. Their applications span high-speed machining, medical robotics, and space. Despite these advantages, PKMs face inherent challenges in design and control due to complex kinematics, limited workspaces, and intricate singularity conditions. Recent research and industrial developments have focused on improved modeling techniques, analysis of singular configurations, and reconfigurable architectures. Considerable attention has been given to workspace optimization, singularity avoidance, robust design procedures, and the integration of compliant components to meet evolving application demands. Still, several theoretical and practical aspects remain underexplored, including cuspidal configurations-where a robot can shift between multiple inverse kinematic solutions without singularities-and self-motion conditions, in which the end-effector moves even with locked actuators.Emerging topics such as modular PKM architectures, dynamic performance evaluation, and control-aware design optimization are also attracting attention, particularly for high-precision applications under uncertain or varying load conditions.This Special Issue brings together eight articles addressing PKMs and their potential applications to meet growing industrial demands, providing researchers and industry experts with deeper insights into PKM analysis and architecture-based applications.
Nonlinear Phenomena, Chaos, Control and Applications to Engineering and Science and Experimental Aspects of Complex Systems
The aims of this Reprint are to publish theories and techniques in nonlinear systems, chaos and complexity to stimulate more interest in nonlinearity and complexity. This Reprint will focus on the recent developments, findings and progress in theories, principles, methodology and computational techniques in nonlinear systems and mathematics with engineering applications. This Reprint covers a broad scope of topics, including nonlinear dynamical systems and complex systems, and each one contributes theoretical analyses, practical applications, and numerical simulations to advance the understanding of complex nonlinear phenomena.
Mission Analysis and Design of Lighter-than-Air Flying Vehicles
This Special Issue presents engineers with a summary of the most active lines of research related to the development of lighter-than-air (LTA) technology. The progress that LTA technology is currently experiencing, fostered by the development of electricity-based solutions for propulsion, energy harvesting, and storage with improved power-to-weight and energy-to-weight metrics, has once again triggered investigations into the potential of airships and balloons for diverse missions. However, while emerging technologies have enabled new potential designs and applications for LTA platforms, they have also increased the general complexity of the design and characterization phases when developing a novel airship concept, in turn requiring deeper insight into more technological aspects than in previous decades. In this sense, the present Special Issue offers a glimpse into some of the most interesting aspects of the ongoing research on lighter-than-air flying machines.
Application and Optimization of CCUS Technology in Shale Gas Production and Storage
Worldwide climate change poses a significant challenge to current energy consumption patterns, prompting heightened interest in the development of comprehensive technologies that can enhance energy supply while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions. Against this backdrop, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) in shale gas production and storage has garnered increasing attention in recent years. This technique offers dual benefits: extracting energy from geological formations while simultaneously sequestering CO₂ underground. Shale gas reservoirs are widely regarded as suitable geological targets for CCUS deployment. However, the technology remains insufficiently mature for large-scale field implementation. Consequently, shale-based CCUS has become a focal point of extensive scientific research, which has motivated the organization of this Special Issue.
Advances in Human-Machine Systems, Human-Machine Interfaces and Human Wearable Device Performance
The rapid advancement of technology has led to the emergence of innovative devices such as AR and VR devices. Based on cutting-edge technologies, these devices are equipped with powerful processing capabilities, real-time data transmission, and immersive interactive features. From medical simulations to industrial design and entertainment, VR and AR have unlocked a wide range of applications, revolutionizing the ways in which humans interact with digital environments. Given the increasing integration of these devices into various fields, scientists are actively investigating their usability, efficiency, and compatibility with human operators. Understanding human performance and potential ergonomic challenges when using such devices is crucial for optimizing their design and functionality. To address these concerns, a Special Issue on Advances in Human-Machine Systems, Human-Machine Interfaces, and Human Wearable Device Performance was curated, compiling ten rigorously reviewed research articles published over a three-and-a-quarter-year period. These studies focus on human-machine interfaces, wearable device performance, and user interaction dynamics, providing critical insights into how humans adapt to and utilize these advanced systems. The primary objective of this collection is to identify key challenges, evaluate user experiences, and propose improvements that can guide future developments in human-machine interfaces. We sincerely hope that readers will benefit from the articles we collected in these aspects.
Leveraging Industrial Management Principles to Improve Sustainability and Efficiency in Food Process
This book delves into the application of industrial management principles to address critical challenges in the global food processing industry, such as resource depletion, environmental impacts, and inefficiencies in production. The study explores how Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Total Quality Management (TQM), and Industry 4.0 technologies can revolutionize sustainability and operational efficiency in food processing. Lean Manufacturing principles focus on waste reduction and process optimization, employing tools like 5S, Value Stream Mapping, and Just-in-Time (JIT) production to streamline operations. Six Sigma enhances quality and consistency through data-driven methods, while TQM promotes continuous improvement and fosters a culture of excellence across all organizational levels. The integration of Industry 4.0 technologies-such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data Analytics, and Cyber-Physical Systems-enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and greater process control. These technologies reduce waste, optimize energy usage, and enhance product quality, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient food supply chain. This book highlights the potential of combining these methodologies to create holistic solutions for the industry. For instance, Lean Six Sigma blends the strengths of both approaches, improving efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. Similarly, the synergy between TQM and Industry 4.0 technologies facilitates rapid, data-driven decision-making while ensuring compliance with stringent food safety standards. Despite the benefits, the book acknowledges the challenges in adopting these principles, including high implementation costs, workforce training requirements, and technological integration hurdles. Recommendations include developing clear implementation strategies, enhancing employee training, and fostering a culture of change to overcome these barriers. By adopting these principles, the food processing industry can achieve sustainable growth, reduce its environmental footprint, and ensure long-term food security while maintaining profitability and high product standards.
Comparative Analysis of Structure Wall Framed Tube System and Framed Tube System Using ETABS
With the growing cost and demand of clients as well as architects, it is imperative to deliver a robust and economical structural design. Framed tube and structural wall systems are relatively unexplored and have the potential to be the leading structural system of choice among engineers to withstand lateral seismic loads, even if many other structural systems have been utilised to provide an appropriate design. The most common approach for analyzing the distribution of seismic force was response spectrum analysis, and the preferred software for both analysis and design is ETABS. In the present study, analysis of building with structure wall framed system was compared with that of frame tube system using ETABS software. The primary gaol of the study was to examine the stiffness, base shear, drift, and deflections of two structural systems, namely the structure wall framed tube system and the frame tube system, for earthquake and gravity loads. The analytical findings demonstrated a substantial decrease in the dynamic response of the structure, namely in terms of base shear. The inclusion of structurally framed walls resulted in a reduction of 9.11% and 16.88% in x and y-direction, respectively. Additionally, there was a substantial decrease in the displacement, story drift, and fundamental time period of the structure.
Advanced Technologies in Optical Wireless Communications
Optical wireless communication (OWC) is an innovative technology that combines the advantages of optical fiber and radio frequency (RF) communication, enabling high-speed broadband wireless data transmission without the requirement for licensing the used optical frequency band. As a result, there is a significant increase in interest in developing OWC technologies for a range of wireless applications, such as indoor visible light communications (VLC), underwater OWC, and space communications.While significant progress has been made in developing OWC related technologies over the past decade, many critical challenges remain unsolved or require further advancement. This Reprint of the Special Issue published by Photonics aims to address some of the ongoing challenges in OWC by presenting a collection of 16 peer-reviewed articles. The contributions come from research institutions and universities across nine countries, including Australia, Belgium, China, Japan, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain, and Ecuador, reflecting the global interest and collaborative effort to advance this field.
