Acoustic Absorbers and Diffusers
This definitive guide covers the design and application of absorbers and diffusers. Surface diffusion is a relatively young subject area, and diffuser design, application and characterisation are often not well understood by practitioners. Although absorption is more widely understood, it is also informed by new research. This text details the evol
Mathematical Topics in Fluid Mechanics
This Research Note presents several contributions and mathematical studies in fluid mechanics, namely in non-Newtonian and viscoelastic fluids and on the Navier-Stokes equations in unbounded domains. It includes review of the mathematical analysis of incompressible and compressible flows and results in magnetohydrodynamic and electrohydrodynamic stability and thermoconvective flow of Boussinesq-Stefan type. These studies, along with brief communications on a variety of related topics comprise the proceedings of a summer course held in Lisbon, Portugal in 1991. Together they provide a set of comprehensive survey and advanced introduction to problems in fluid mechanics and partial differential equations.
Low-Complexity Arithmetic Circuit Design in Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor Techno
This book introduces readers to the emerging carbon nanotube field-effect transistor (CNTFET) technology, and examines the problem of designing efficient arithmetic circuits in CNTFET technology. Observing that CNTFETs make it possible to achieve two distinct threshold voltages merely by altering the diameter of the carbon nanotube used, the book begins by discussing the design of basic ternary logic elements. It then examines efficient CNTFET-based design of single and multiple ternary digit adders by judicious choice of unary operators in ternary logic, as well as the design of a ternary multiplier in CNTFET technology, and presents detailed simulation results in HSPICE. Lastly, the book outlines a procedure for automating the synthesis process and provides sample code in Python.
Pesticide Residues in Coastal Tropical EcosystemsDistribution, Fate and Effects
Coastal plains and river valleys, some of the most sensitive but understudied ecosystems in the world, are home to agriculture on a vast scale. Streams and rivers receive the majority of agricultural runoff, carrying insecticides, fungicides, and other pesticides into estuaries and coastal zones. This volume brings together toxicology experts to as
High-Intensity UltrasonicsTheory and Industrial Applications
Presents a comprehensive description of the theory and physics of high-intensity ultrasound, dealing with a wide range of problems associated with the industrial applications of ultrasound, mainly in the areas of metallurgy and mineral processing.
Handbook of Environmental ContaminantsA Guide for Site Assessment
This book assists in the completion and evaluation of the environmental site assessment process by presenting types of contaminants and specific compounds historically associated with various types of facilities, products and processes.
Gunboats, Empire and the China Station
Examining Britain's imperial outposts in 1920s East Asia, this book explores the changes and challenges affecting the Royal Navy's third largest fleet, the China Station, as its crews fought to hold back the changing tides of fortune. Bridging the gap between high level naval strategy and everyday imperial culture, Heaslip highlights the importance of the China Station to the British imperial system, foreign policy and East Asian geopolitics, while also revealing the lived experiences of these imperial outposts. Following their immersion into a new world and the challenges they encountered along the way, it considers how its naval officers were perceived by the Chinese populations of the ports they visited, how the two communities interacted and what this meant at a time of 'peace'. Against the changing nature of Britain's informal empire in the 1920s, Gunboats, Empire and the China Station highlights the complex nature of naval operations in-between major conflicts, and calls into question how peaceful this peacetime truly was.
Modeling, Synthesis and Fracture of Advanced Materials for Industrial and Medical Applicat
This book gathers papers presented at the international workshop PMSDAM'19. The respective contributions offer valuable insights for researchers working on numerical solutions to advanced materials problems. The problems concerning the remineralization of teeth are considered. Of particular interest are articles exploring topics at the interface of different disciplines.
Graphene-Based Electrochemical Sensors for Toxic Chemicals
Graphene-based nanocomposites are very useful in detecting toxic chemicals such as heavy metals, inorganic anions, phenolic compounds, pesticides, and chemical warfare agents. The book presents recent progress on relevant topics: Toxicity of chemicals, importance of electrochemical sensors, different types of graphene-based nanomaterials, Neurotoxins and electroanalytical detection of toxic chemicals. Keywords: Graphene-based Nanocomposites, Electrochemical Sensors, Toxic Chemicals, Sensors for Toxic Molecules, Graphene-Metal Oxides, Graphene-Metal Chalcogenides, Graphene-Polymer Nanocomposites, Graphene-Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene-Carbon Nitrides, Graphene-MOF Composites, Heavy Metals, Phenolic Compounds, Pesticides, Chemical Warfare Agents.
Phase Transformation in Metals
This textbook explains the physics of phase transformation and associated constraints from a metallurgical or materials science point of view, based on many topics including crystallography, mass transport by diffusion, thermodynamics, heat transfer and related temperature gradients, thermal deformation, and even fracture mechanics. The work presented emphasizes solidification and related analytical models based on heat transfer. This corresponds with the most fundamental physical event of continuous evolution of latent heat of fusion for directional or non-directional liquid-to-solid phase transformation at a specific interface with a certain geometrical shape, such as planar or curved front. Dr. Perez introduces mathematical and engineering approximation schemes for describing the phase transformation, mainly during solidification of pure metals and alloys. Giving clear definitions and explanations of theoretical concepts and full detail of derivation of formulae, this interdisciplinary volume is ideal for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students in applied science, and professionals in the metal making and surface reconstruction industries.
Strategy Strikes Back
The most successful film franchise of all time, Star Wars thrillingly depicts an epic multigenerational conflict fought a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. But the Star Wars saga has as much to say about successful strategies and real-life warfare waged in our own time and place. Strategy Strikes Back brings together more than thirty of today's top military and strategic experts, including generals, policy advisors, seasoned diplomats, counterinsurgency strategists, science fiction writers, war journalists, and ground-level military officers, to explain the strategy and the art of war by way of the Star Wars films. Each chapter of Strategy Strikes Back provides a relatable, outside-the-box way to simplify and clarify the complexities of modern military conflict. Strategy Strikes Back gives Star Wars fans and aspiring military minds alike an inspiring and entertaining means of understanding many facets of modern warfare in a book as captivating as Star Wars itself.
Mechanical Energy Storage Technologies
Mechanical Energy Storage Technologies presents a comprehensive reference that systemically describes various mechanical energy storage technologies. State-of-the-art energy storage systems are outlined with basic formulation, utility, and detailed dynamic modeling examples, making each chapter a standalone module on storage technology. Each chapter includes a detailed mathematical model of the given energy storage system along with solved and unsolved examples, case studies, and prospects among emerging technologies and solutions for future energy systems. Giving a detailed understanding of why mechanical energy storage systems are useful, this book is a beneficial reference for anyone researching and working in mechanical energy storage systems.
Application of Value Engineering for Affordable Housing Schemes
Affordable housing for all people is one of the important challenges faced by the developing countries. India is currently facing a big shortage house. Out Of which, 95% shortage pertains to houses for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and for Lower-Income Groups (LIG). The objective of this study is to apply value-engineering concept for affordable housing schemes and to achieve housing for all as well as to maintain the quality of house during the cost reduction. This study elaborate the work of determining the objective and scope of the study, literature review, major findings of literature review, study profile, data collection by surveying at two different affordable housing existing site at Surat city as study area, identification of the main critical components for the buildings, a various creative alternatives for various techniques and material. After that by using value engineering concept to evaluation of the valuable solution which fulfill the quality criteria as well as cost reduction for the taken housing project.
Microbially Induced Corrosion and Its Mitigation
This brief covers case studies on Microbial Induced Corrosion (MIC) and its mitigation. After reviewing the basics of corrosion, it focuses on MIC. MIC is a special type of electrochemical corrosion in which the presence of microbes and bacteria alters the chemistry of liquid media so as to make them more corrosive. These changes are harmful to metallic equipment, processing machinery, marine vessels, etc. in an environment that is host to a wealth of microorganisms. A 2007 US survey estimated corrosion-related damages to cost $276 billion a year, roughly 50% of which are due to MIC. The industries most affected by MIC are power production, oil exploration, transportation and storage, water distribution and more generally all industries involving marine environments. However, means for effectively preventing and controlling MIC are poorly understood. As such, the book's later chapters address various mechanisms/processes that show promise with regard to MIC mitigation. Lastly, the book discusses the strategies currently being explored to mitigate MIC using green technologies.
Rainwater Harvesting Potentials
Access to potable water (quantity and quality) is inadequate worldwide. Rainwater harvest as source of water supply in a selected housing estate (1000-housing estate) in Maiduguri, Nigeria was evaluated. The estate was selected based on it location, types of flats and average number of person per flat was recorded. Water demand of 120 l per capita per day (based on WHO standard) was used to compute water demand per flat in the estate. Rainfall data in the estate were collected (1979-2013) from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). The effective surface areas of various flats (1-bedroom 2-bedrooms, 3-bedrooms and 4-bedrooms) were calculated using standard method. Water yield per flats were calculated using rainfall intensity and effective surface area (Rational method). The water yields (Rain harvest) per flats were used in design, collection transportation and storage facilities for the flats. First and last rains were collected from various roofs types using standard procedures for laboratory analyzed to ascertain the water quality and selected water quality parameters (physical and chemical) were measured using standard procedures.
Biomaterials in Orthopaedics and Bone Regeneration
1. Alumina-titanium bio-composites for orthopedic applications.- 2. Manufacturing and characterization of nickel filled Co-30Cr-4Mo metal alloy for orthopedic applications.- 3. Development of Porous Hydroxyaptite scaffold for Bone Regeneration Applications .- 4. Current challenges and Blooms in 3D printing of biomedical devices.- 5. Development of Biodegradable Mg-Hydroxyapatite scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications.- 6. Current Advances and Future Pathways of 3-D Printing in Bone Tissue Engineering.- 7. Neurosurgical Bone Grinding.- 8. Surface Modification of metallic biomaterials for enhanced wear, corrosion, and bio-activity for Orthopedic Applications.- 9. Influence of machining induced surface integrity on corrosion resistance of Mg-alloy.- 10. Influence of spark plasma on corrosion behavior of Co-Cr implants.- 11. Fabrication of medical model/ implants.- 12. Surface Modification Approach to Bio-manufacturing: Enhancing Surface Integrity and Bio-mechanical Performance of Implants.- 13. Bioinformatics & Nanotechnology: Current Challenges and Pathways.- 14. Biomaterials in orthopaedics and bone regeneration: Design and Synthesis.- 15. Zinc Powder Mixed Electro-discharge Machining on Magnesium Alloy for Potential Biodegradable Implants Application.- 16. Smart Nano-Biomaterial in Orthopaedic Applications.
Troubleshooting Finite-Element Modeling with Abaqus
Introduction.- Analysis convergence guidelines.- Method to debug a model.- General prerequisites.- Materials.- Mesher and meshing.- Contact.- Troubleshooting in job diagnostic.- Numerical acceptance criteria.- Need some help?.- Hardware or software issues.- Index.
Progress in Engineering Technology
1. Study the Effect of Acetone as an Inhibitor for the Performance of Aluminium-Air Batteries.- 2. Performance Characteristics of Palm Oil Diesel Blends in a Diesel Engine.- 3. Optimization of Palm Oil Diesel Blends Engine Performance based on Injection Pressures and Timing.- 4. The Potential of Improving the Mg-alloy Surface Quality Using Powder Mixed EDM.
Austenitic Trip/Twip Steels and Steel-Zirconia Composites
This open access book presents a collection of the most up-to-date research results in the field of steel development with a focus on pioneering alloy concepts that result in previously unattainable materials properties. Specifically, it gives a detailed overview of the marriage of high-performance steels of the highest strength and form-ability with damage-tolerant zirconia ceramics by innovative manufacturing technologies, thereby yielding a new class of high-performance composite materials. This book describes how new high-alloy stainless TRIP/TWIP steels (TRIP: TRansformation-Induced Plasticity, TWIP: TWinning-induced Plasticity) are combined with zirconium dioxide ceramics in powder metallurgical routes and via melt infiltration to form novel TRIP-matrix composites. This work also provides a timely perspective on new compact and damage-tolerant composite materials, filigree light-weight structures as well as gradient materials, and a close understanding of the mechanisms of the phase transformations.With a detailed application analysis of state-of-the-art methods in spatial and temporal high-resolution structural analysis, in combination with advanced simulation and modelling, this edited volume is ideal for researchers and engineers working in modern steel development, as well as for graduate students of metallurgy and materials science and engineering.
Intelligent Home Energy Management Systems
The increasing demand for electricity and the emergence of smart grids have presented new opportunities for home energy management (HEM) systems for the purpose of reducing energy usage. With the deployment of smart meters, it is possible to perform load control using HEM system with DR enabled appliances. The objective is to develop an intelligent HEM system with DR enabled appliances considering, home occupancy, user comfort, and electricity price. Simulation models of four home appliances, namely, air conditioner, water heater, washing machine, and refrigerator were developed based on mathematical and measurement empirical models using the Matlab/Simulink software. In addition, hardware prototype smart sockets were designed and built to link the home appliances to the HEM controller. The intelligent HEM system can make accurate decision in scheduling and shifting the domestic load operation at the peak period by scheduling the electrical appliances at a specific time without affecting the comfort of customers.
Advances in Wastewater Treatment using Activated Sludge Process
This chapter reviewed the background of activated sludge wastewater treatment plants. It presented the importance of wastewater treatment, its history and the structure of a conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. The biochemistry and microbiology of the process are described. A review of the state of the art in modelling activated sludge wastewater treatment plants is also presented and discussed. The chapter concluded that the complexity of ASM1 and the detailed data required by microorganism's growth and decay means that it is not appealing to process operators. The ASM1 requires the determination of about 31 parameters, coefficients and variables, most of which are not routinely measured by large wastewater treatment plants. Furthermore, a certain number of simplifications and assumptions must be made in order to make a model of the WWT system practically useful. Some of these are associated with the physical system itself, while others concern the mathematical model.
Implementing construction site safety plan using BIM Model
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a advance technological tool that allows a project to be built virtually before being built physically. It creates and uses, coordinated, computable information, collaborate, about a building project. The use of digital information for a building can be used for production of high-quality construction documents, design decision-making, cost-estimating, construction planning and eventually for managing and operating the facility. The purpose of this project is to see the impact of BIM implementation on the traditional conventional building design methods. The BIM is extends this methodology into three dimensional (3D) drawings in the three primary dimensional width, height and depth with the time as the fourth dimension (4D) and cost as the fifth(5D). The case study presented in this project suggests that visualization of safety at site work becomes more powerful that the 2D documentary work
River Routing Using HEC-HMS
With the advent of computers and modeling techniques, complicated problems in hydrology are solved with speed and accuracy. In this book general principles of flood routing are given but greatest emphasis is given to two river routing methods i.e. Muskingum and Lag methods which have the widest practical applications. The book gives examples of using computer program HEC-HMS of Hydrologic Engineering Centre [1] in calibration, validation of the Muskingum and Lag methods and the derivation of downstream hydrographs using data of upstream location. Data used were obtained from two gauging stations of Klang river at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In short, the book emphasized more on practical aspects of using computer software in river routing and hydrograph design.It is hoped that this book will be useful for practical Engineers engaged in water related structure design and river basin studies. It is also recommended as a training document for water Engineers and University students.
Advanced Concrete Technology
This book demonstrates the various experiments involved in enhancing the advance concrete technology. This book provides the step by step details on the procedures to concrete technology. Moreover, the manual is prepared with smart and neat graphics. Thus, any kind of reader can understand the contents in easily manner.
River pollution analysis and finding water quality index
The degree of treatment or treatment efficiency of wastewater treatment plant depends primarily on the condition and best usage of the receiving stream. Work is carried out here for a city which is one of the highly industrialized cities and has number of small and medium scale textile units scattered all over the city. This city has waste water treatment plant which treats the waste water and dispose the effluent in the river. Last few years the river is facing lot of pollution problems. It is necessary to study the river assimilation capacity, possible modifications to the treatment efficiency of waste water treatment plant by studying river pollution parameters. Computer programming shall be used to study the effect of different parameters on pollution treatment efficiency. Present book deals with one of such approach; prime aim of which is having to find the sensitivity of river pollution parameters. This book also involves calculating Water Quality Index (wqi) of the river water.
Water Resources Management of the People’s Republic of China
This book explores water resources management issues in China and possible solutions. It analyzes a wide range of general and specific topics, providing case studies and a balanced review of the past and present situation as well as future developments. The book begins with a general introduction and an overview of hydrology, water resources, and development issues in China. It then presents a management framework, including a management system, management institutions, river basin management, water pricing, water rights, and groundwater management, and discusses its implementation, covering water resources allocation and regulation in the Yellow River, integrated water affair management reforms, and agricultural water management in northern China. The last section focuses on the current reforms and hot topics, with strong emphasis on stringent water resource strategies applied to the river and lake principle system, recycled water use and water resources asset management, as well as climate change impacts, and concludes with a summary of the many changes in the water sector in China and a look at the road ahead and the areas that still need to be reformed.
New Principles of War
Influenced in part by the writings of Sun Tzu, Carl von Clausewitz, Henri Jomini, and other strategists, most major militaries have adopted principles of war that are widely promulgated. Marvin Pokrant argues that these commonly accepted principles fail to reflect the ideas that led to them. Looking at the fundamental and enduring concepts behind the original principles of war, Pokrant presents nine new principles of war. To illustrate his points Pokrant uses numerous examples drawn from military history, including land, sea, and air warfare from ancient times to the present. By analyzing and reforming the principles of war, Pokrant provides a modern, relevant, and useful way to guide decisions made in times of war.
Nature Magic
Nature Magic is a toolkit of enchanting stories and proven solutions to engage people with biodiversity. From the Fairy Pig Walk to Wild Rose Workshops, we share strategies to help you connect anyone-whether a city slicker, a jet-setter, a toddler or a grandad-with nature.You will find a myriad of fun activities and magical stories to inspire environmental awareness. Plus, get access to a treasure trove of bonus material from seven years' experience of running the award-winning Burren Nature Sanctuary in Kinvara, County Galway, on the West Coast of Ireland.This book is your guide to engaging people with nature, the first step in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises. They will instinctively fall in love and gain an insatiable appetite for conservation."If you want to sow seeds, you have to prepare the ground."- Patrick McCormackMary Bermingham is an organic farmer who is passionate about animals, nature and the biodiversity of the Burren. She is the co-founder of Burren Nature Sanctuary and hosts the podcast Nature Magic.
Polyurethane Insulation Foams for Energy and Sustainability
This review book focuses on the structure-property relationships of polyurethane nanocomposite foams in comparison with those of conventional polyurethane composite foams. The thermal insulation properties of polyurethane foam nanocomposites are discussed along with other traits such as their morphology, mechanical and thermomechanical properties, thermal degradation and flammability, energy absorption and saving capability, recycling and recovery behavior. In turn, the book discusses potential applications of PU nanocomposite foams and outlines the main problems that remain to be solved with regard to this important topic.
Materials Kinetics
Materials Kinetics: Transport and Rate Phenomena provides readers with a clear understanding of how physical-chemical principles are applied to fundamental kinetic processes. The book integrates advanced concepts with foundational knowledge and cutting-edge computational approaches, demonstrating how diffusion, morphological evolution, viscosity, relaxation and other kinetic phenomena can be applied to practical materials design problems across all classes of materials. The book starts with an overview of thermodynamics, discussing equilibrium, entropy, and irreversible processes. Subsequent chapters focus on analytical and numerical solutions of the diffusion equation, covering Fick's laws, multicomponent diffusion, numerical solutions, atomic models, and diffusion in crystals, polymers, glasses, and polycrystalline materials. Dislocation and interfacial motion, kinetics of phase separation, viscosity, and advanced nucleation theories are examined next, followed by detailed analyses of glass transition and relaxation behavior. The book concludes with a series of chapters covering molecular dynamics, energy landscapes, broken ergodicity, chemical reaction kinetics, thermal and electrical conductivities, Monte Carlo simulation techniques, and master equations.
Advanced Biopolymeric Systems for Drug Delivery
This book discusses the recent innovations in the development of various advanced biopolymeric systems, including gels, in situ gels, hydrogels, interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs), polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), graft co-polymers, stimuli-responsive polymers, polymeric nanoparticles, nanocomposites, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, liposomes and scaffolds. It also examines their applications in drug delivery.
Metallurgy Fundamentals
Metallurgy deals with the study of the chemical and physical behavior of metallic elements, their inter-metallic compounds as well as their alloys. It falls under the domain of materials science and engineering. It is used for the separation of metals from their ore. Metallurgy also deals with the application of science to the production of metals and the engineering of metal components. Metallurgy is broadly divided into ferrous metallurgy and non-ferrous metallurgy. Ferrous metallurgy includes the processes and alloys that contain iron. Non-ferrous metallurgy deals with the processes involving metals and alloys such as aluminium, copper, lead, brass, etc. This textbook presents the complex subject of metallurgy in the most comprehensible and easy to understand language. Most of the topics introduced in this book cover new techniques and the applications of metallurgy. It will provide comprehensive knowledge to the readers.
Magnetocaloric Effect in Perovskite Manganites
For environmental concerns, it is highly desirable to replace gas-based refrigeration by magnetic refrigeration. Magnetic refrigeration has significant advantages such as small volume, chemical stability, low cost, non-toxicity and not causing sound pollution. Among the pertinent magnetocaloric materials, perovskite manganites are of special interest because they exhibit extremely large magnetic entropy and adiabatic temperature variations, a small thermal or magnetic hysteresis, high chemical stability. Further, the Curie temperature and saturation magnetization can be tailored by changing doping element and doping concentrations. The book references 289 original resources and includes their direct web link for in-depth reading.
Hybridized and Coupled Nanogenerators
Hybridized and coupled nanogenerators have received increasing attention due to their potential applications in multi-energy scavenging and sensor fields. This comprehensive reviews on them giving a good tool for related academics and professionals.
Lithium-ion Batteries
There is a great need to develop lithium-ion batteries with high power density. Much research is, therefore, devoted to designing high-performance electrode materials and electrolytes. The book reviews the fundamental concepts and recent advances in the areas of anodes, cathodes, electrolytes, separators, binders, fabrication of device assemblies and electrochemical performance.
Alloys: Metallurgy and Engineering
A combination of metals or a combination of one or more metals with non-metallic elements which retains the characteristics of a metal is known as an alloy. It is defined by a metallic bonding character. An alloy can be a mixture of metallic phases or a solid solution of metal elements. Alloys with a defined crystal structure and stoichiometry are intermetallic compounds. Alloys are used in a variety of applications. Steel alloys are used in automobiles and construction of buildings, aerospace industry uses titanium alloys and non-sparking tools are produced using beryllium-copper alloys. Sometimes, while preserving important properties, a combination of metals may reduce the overall cost of the material. In other cases, the combination of metals imparts synergistic properties to the constituent metal elements like mechanical strength or corrosion resistance. Steel, brass, solder, bronze, and amalgams are a few examples of alloy. This book contains some path-breaking studies on metallurgy and engineering related to alloys. It outlines the processes and applications of alloys in detail. This book includes contributions of experts and scientists which will provide innovative insights into the topic.
Asphalt: Materials Science and Technology
Asphalt is a semi-solid, black and sticky form of petroleum which is also known as bitumen. It may be found in natural deposits or it could be a refined product called pitch. Pitch is derived from petroleum, coal, plants and tar or it is manufactured. Asphalt is primarily used in road constructions as a binder or glue that is mixed with aggregate particles such as sand, gravel, recycled concrete and crushed stones to create asphalt concrete. The other main uses of asphalt include bituminous waterproofing systems that are designed to protect the commercial and residential buildings from water. This book includes some of the vital pieces of work being conducted across the world, on various topics related to asphalt material. Most of the topics introduced in this book cover new techniques and the applications of such material. It will provide comprehensive knowledge to the readers.
Private Militaries and the Security Industry in Civil Wars
Since the 1990s, private military and security companies (PMSCs) have intervened in civil wars around the globe. International, legally registered corporate actors have assisted governments with a myriad of tasks including combat support, logistics, army and police training, intelligence analysis, and guard services. However, reports that such contractors have been responsible for human rights abuses have spurred the need to evaluate the industry's impact on conflicts. Are these contractors effective in curbing violence or does emphasis on profit and lack of accountability get in the way? And how can governments improve PMSCs' commitment to contractual obligations, including adherence to international humanitarian laws? This book identifies two market forces that impact PMSCs' military effectiveness: local or conflict-level competition and global or industry-level competition. Specifically, Seden Akcinaroglu and Elizabeth Radziszewski challenge the assumption that interventions by profit-driven coporations are likely to destabilize areas engaged in war, and provide data that private contractors do contribute to conflict termination under certain circumstances. They argue that competitive market pressure creates a strong monitoring system and that the company's corporate structure and external competitive environment in a given conflict help to explain the variance in accountability to clients. Including an analysis of data on international PMSCs' interventions in civil wars from 1990-2008, Akcinaroglu and Radziszewski show the impact of competition on companies' contribution to the termination of different types of civil wars.
An Integrated Approach to Materials Science and Engineering
Materials science is a multi-disciplinary field that focuses on designing and discovering new materials. It uses concepts from physics, chemistry and engineering. Materials science is an interdisciplinary field which combines areas such as metallurgy, solid-state physics, ceramics and chemistry. It is concerned with the processing of any material and how it influences the structure, properties and performance of the material. This understanding of processing, structure and properties of the material is known as materials paradigm. This paradigm is helpful in getting a better understanding of various research areas such as metallurgy, nanotechnology and biomaterials. Materials science is an important part of forensic engineering and failure analysis which includes investing products, materials, components or structures that do not function as expected. This book is a valuable compilation of topics, ranging from the basic to the most complex advancements in the field of materials science and engineering. Different approaches, evaluations, methodologies and advanced studies in this discipline have been included in it. The book will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and postgraduate students.
Introduction to Materials Chemistry
The use of chemistry to design and synthesize materials with potentially useful physical attributes is known as materials chemistry. It is a subfield of materials science. It integrates concepts from physics and engineering. This field seeks to develop materials based on magnetic, structural, optical or catalytic properties. The processing, characterization and molecular-level understanding of these substances is also studied under this discipline. There are many applications of materials chemistry such as producing engineering ceramics, composite materials, polymers and metal alloys. This book provides comprehensive insights into the field of materials chemistry. It traces the progress of this field and highlights some of its key concepts. The extensive content of this book provides the readers with a thorough understanding of the subject.
Fundamentals of Ceramics
Ceramic is a material that consists of an inorganic compound of metal or non-metal atoms that are held in ionic and covalent bonds. Some of the physical properties which are generally associated with them are hardness, brittleness, resistance to chemical erosion and ability to withstand very high temperatures. They are broadly divided on the basis of their structure into crystalline ceramics and noncrystalline ceramics. They can also be classified as oxides, non-oxides and composite materials. Some of the modern ceramic materials are aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and tungsten carbide. There are numerous applications of ceramics such as in carbon-ceramic brake disks, ballistic armored vests and dental implants. The topics included in this book on ceramic materials are of utmost significance and bound to provide incredible insights to readers. Different approaches, evaluations and advanced studies on ceramic materials have been included in it. The coherent flow of topics, student-friendly language and extensive use of examples make this book an invaluable source of knowledge.
Assignment: Pentagon
Selected for the 2019 Commandant's Professional Reading List, Assignment: Pentagon takes the reader on an insider's tour of the Pentagon, describing how the headquarters for the world's largest multinational "corporation" functions. The reader gains insights into how this bureaucracy functions as well as the stresses and strains inherent to such a complex organization. Now in its fifth edition, Assignment: Pentagon remains the best practical guide for anyone who works for the Pentagon or any other large bureaucracy. Eminently readable, Assignment: Pentagon is the essential guide for the newly assigned military person, fresh civilian, or interested outsider to the Pentagon's informal set of arrangements, networks, and functions that operate in the service and joint service world. With updated information about jobs and Pentagon vernacular, this fifth edition delivers a wealth of practical advice and helpful hints about surviving the challenges of working in "the Building." If you've been assigned to the Pentagon or are starting work for any large company, you need to read Assignment: Pentagon.
Nanomaterials for Healthcare, Energy and Environment
This book highlights the various types of nanomaterials currently available and their applications in three major sectors: energy, health, and the environment. It addresses a range of aspects based on the fact that these materials' structure can be tailored at extremely small scales to achieve specific properties, thus greatly expanding the materials science toolkit. Further, the book pursues a holistic approach to nanomaterial applications by taking into consideration the various stakeholders who use them. It explores several applications that could potentially be used to improve the environment and to more efficiently and cost-effectively produce energy, e.g. by reducing pollutant production during the manufacture of materials, producing solar cells that generate electricity at a competitive cost, cleaning up organic chemicals that pollute groundwater, removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air, and so on. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable asset for a broad readership, including professionals, students, and researchers from materials science/engineering, polymer science, composite technology, nanotechnology, and biotechnology whose work involves nanomaterials and nanocomposites.
Management of Water Quality and Quantity
This book focuses on water pollution, water management and water structures. Presenting contributions on water quality and quantity issues from the engineering point of view, it discusses a variety of issues, from storm water management in urban areas and water quantity, to hydraulic structures, hydrodynamic modeling and flood protection. The book also provides state-of-the-art insights, which that can be used to effectively solve a variety of problems in integrated water resources management, and introduces the latest research advances. Edited and authored by pioneers in the field who have been at the forefront of water management development in the Czech Republic, this book is a valuable resource for environmental professionals, including scientists and policymakers, interested in water-related issues both in the Czech Republic and elsewhere.
Advances in Emerging Solar Cells
Photovoltaic (PV) cells, which directly convert sunlight into electricity, are renewable sources of energy that are sustainable and totally inexhaustible. Emerging classes of solar PV cells have drawn considerable attention because they provide significant advantages over traditional silicon solar cells, such as low cost and attractive designs (lightweight, flexible, and portable) while exhibiting promising performance. Despite these features, certain challenges restrict the possible commercialization of these technologies. The world's leading scientists are making numerous efforts focused on bringing these promising technologies closer to commercialization. Some of these scientists provided valuable research contributions to this Special Issue on "Advances in Emerging Solar Cells" published by Nanomaterials, MDPI. This Special Issue presents 12 excellent articles, 10 research and 2 review papers, covering perovskite solar cells, heterojunction solar cells, organic solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, and PV materials. We think that this Special Issue will attract significant attention from a broad research community including renewable energy, photovoltaic, emerging solar cells, material science and nanotechnology.
An Insight Into Metal Based Foams
The primary focus of this book, accordingly, is to provide insight into the fundamentals, applications, manufacturing aspects and properties (mechanical, thermal, electrical etc.) of metal foams. Their potential applications in various small- as well as large-scale industries are highlighted. The present book also focuses on aspects of designing simple structures by taking into account loading conditions under tensile, compressive or torsional stress for metals and their foams. In view of theoretical analysis, clear explanation is provided as how metal foams can exhibit better structural properties when compared to their parent metal. It is hoped that the present book, in view of significant application potential of metal foams in near future, will be extremely useful to students and academicians in tertiary institutes and researchers working in research labs who are attempting to find lightweight solutions.
Nanomaterials for Eco-Friendly Applications
This book presents a wide range of synthesis and characterization techniques to produce ceramic nanomaterials specially developed to be used in environmental applications. The book cover synthesis using hydrothermal, chemical vapor deposition, sol-gel, emulsification, magneto-sputtering, among other process and modern characterization techniques with detail. The use of the synthesized materials in eco-friendly approaches such as photocatalysis, solar energy efficiency improvement, absorbents, sensors, solar cells, biofuels and waste reuse are reported in detail.
