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Elsevier

Books in Physical sciences and engineering

  • Energy Democracies for Sustainable Futures

    • 1st Edition
    • Majia Nadesan + 2 more
    • English
    Energy Democracies for Sustainable Futures explores how our dominant carbon and nuclear energy assemblages shape conceptions of participation, risk, and in/securities, and how they might be reengineered to deliver justice and democratic participation in transitioning energy systems. Chapters assess the economies, geographies and politics of current and future energy landscapes, exposing how dominant assemblages (composed of technologies, strategies, knowledge and authorities) change our understanding of security and risk, and how they these shared understandings are often enacted uncritically in policy. Contributors address integral relationships across the production and government of material and human energies and the opportunities for sustainable and democratic governance. In addition, the book explores how interest groups advance idealized energy futures and energy imaginaries. The work delves into the role that states, market organizations and civil society play in envisioned energy change. It assesses how risks and security are formulated in relation to economics, politics, ecology, and human health. It concludes by integrating the relationships between alternative energies and governance strategies, including issues of centralization and decentralization, suggesting approaches to engineer democracy into decision-making about energy assemblages.

  • Protein-Based Biopolymers

    From Source to Biomedical Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • Susheel Kalia + 1 more
    • English
    Protein-Based Biopolymers: From Source to Biomedical Applications provides an overview on the development and application of protein biopolymers in biomedicine. Protein polymers have garnered increasing focus in the development of biomedical materials, devices and therapeutics due to their intrinsic bioactivity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. This book comprehensively reviews the latest advances on the synthesis, characterization, properties and applications of protein-based biopolymers. Each chapter is dedicated to a single protein class, covering a broad range of proteins including silk, collagen, keratin, fibrin, and more. In addition, the book explores the biomedical potential of these polymers, from tissue engineering, to drug delivery and wound healing. This book offers a valuable resource for academics and researchers in the fields of materials science, biomedical engineering and R&D groups working in pharmaceutical and biomedical industries.

  • Design and Fabrication of Large Polymer Constructions in Space

    • 1st Edition
    • Alexey Kondyurin
    • English
    Design and Fabrication of Large Polymer Constructions in Space is a ground-breaking study of the polymeric materials, advanced chemical processes, and cutting-edge technology required in the construction of large polymer-based structures for space, when all steps in the process are carried out in the space environment, whether in orbit, in deep space, or on the surface of a moon, asteroid, or planet.The book begins by introducing the fundamentals and requirements of large constructions and inflatable structures for space. The next section of the book focuses on the utilization of polymeric materials within the space environment, examining the effects on materials (vacuum, plasma, temperature), the possible approaches to polymerization both in space and in orbit, the preparation and structure of polymer composites, and the methods for testing materials and structures in terms of strength, defects, and aging. Three chapters then cover how these materials and techniques might be applied to specific categories of construction, including larger space habitats, supporting space structures, and ground infrastructure. Finally, the financial aspects, the consequences for human space exploitation, and the possible future developments are discussed.Using materials science to push the boundaries of construction for space exploration and exploitation, this book is a unique resource for academic researchers and advanced students across polymer science, advanced materials, chemical engineering, construction, and space engineering, as well as for researchers, scientists and engineers at space agencies, companies and laboratories, involved in developing materials or technology for use in space. This is also of great interest to anyone interested in the role of materials science in the building of large space stations, spacecraft, planetary bases, large aperture antenna, radiation and thermal shields, and repairmen sets.

  • Decision Science and Operations Management of Solar Energy Systems

    • 1st Edition
    • Vikas Khare + 3 more
    • English
    Decision Science and Operations Management of Solar Energy System looks beyond developing a solar power plant by also considering the requirements necessary to manage effective power plant operation for the long-term. This book includes data of solar power plants and quantitative techniques of statistical analysis used to inform decision-making for solar energy systems, thus enabling readers to predict future individual solar power system forecasts using different technical and financial parameters. Including data visualization, descriptive statistics, sampling techniques, plant layout, manufacturing economics, inventory management and total quality management of solar energy system, this book covers new insights as well as established fundamentals. The detailed information in this reference bridges the gap between theory and practice in the operation of solar energy systems for researchers, professionals and students working in the area of solar and renewable energy.

  • Radioactivity

    History, Science, Vital Uses and Ominous Peril
    • 3rd Edition
    • Michael F. L'Annunziata
    • English
    Radioactivity: History, Science, Vital Uses and Ominous Peril, Third Edition provides an introduction to radioactivity, the building blocks of matter, the fundamental forces in nature, and the role of quarks and force carrier particles. This new edition adds material on the dichotomy between the peaceful applications of radioactivity and the threat to the continued existence of human life from the potential use of more powerful and sophisticated nuclear weapons. The book includes a current review of studies on the probability of nuclear war and treaties, nonproliferation and disarmament, along with historical insights into the achievements of over 100 pioneers and Nobel Laureates. Through multiple worked examples, the book answers many questions for the student, teacher and practitioner as to the origins, properties and practical applications of radioactivity in fields such as medicine, biological and environmental research, industry, safe nuclear power free of greenhouse gases and nuclear fusion. Ratings and Reviews of Previous Editions: CHOICE Magazine, July 2008: "This work provides an overview of the many interesting aspects of the science of radioactive decays, including in-depth chapters that offer reminiscences on the history and important personalities of the field...This book can be useful as supplemental reading or as a reference when developing course material for nuclear physics, nuclear engineering, or health physics lectures. Special attention　has been given to a chapter on the role radioactivity plays in everyday　life applications...Gener... the book is well produced and will be a valuable resource...Many lectures can be lightened up by including material from this work. Summing up: RECOMMENDED. Upper division undergraduates through professionals; technical program students." U. Greife, Colorado School of Mines, USA "I found the biographical accounts of the various stalwarts of Physics inspirational. Most of them, if not all, had to overcome economic hardships or p[ersonal tragedies or had to do their groundbreaking　work in the face of tyranny and war. The biographies also highlighted the high standards of moral convictions that the scientists had as they realized the grave implications of some of their work and the potential threats to humanity. This ought to inspire and motivate young men and women aspiring to be physicists. Even people who have been in the field for a while should find your book re-energizing. It certainly had that effect on me." -- Dr. Ramkumar Venkataraman, Canberra Industries, Inc., Meriden, CT, USA Winner of an Honorable Mention in the 2017 PROSE Awards in the category of Chemistry and Physics (https://proseawards... )

  • Design of Control Laws and State Observers for Fixed-Wing UAVs

    Simulation and Experimental Approaches
    • 1st Edition
    • Arturo Tadeo Espinoza-Fraire + 3 more
    • English
    Design of Control Laws and State Observers for Fixed-Wing UAVs: Simulation and Experimental Approaches provides readers with modeling techniques, simulations, and results from real-time experiments using linear and nonlinear controllers and state observers. The book starts with an overview of the history of UAVs and the equations of motion applied to them. Following chapters analyze linear and nonlinear controllers, state observers, and the book concludes with a chapter discussing testbed development and experimental results, equipping readers with the knowledge they need to conduct their own stable UAV flights whether in simulation or real-time.

  • Chemical Engineering Process Simulation

    • 2nd Edition
    • Dominic Foo
    • English
    Chemical Engineering Process Simulation, Second Edition guides users through chemical processes and unit operations using the main simulation software used in the industrial sector. The book helps predict the characteristics of a process using mathematical models and computer-aided process simulation tools, as well as how to model and simulate process performance before detailed process design takes place. Content coverage includes steady-state and dynamic simulation, process design, control and optimization. In addition, readers will learn about the simulation of natural gas, biochemical, wastewater treatment and batch processes.

  • Immersive Video Technologies

    • 1st Edition
    • Giuseppe Valenzise + 3 more
    • English
    Get a broad overview of the different modalities of immersive video technologies—from omnidirectional video to light fields and volumetric video—from a multimedia processing perspective. From capture to representation, coding, and display, video technologies have been evolving significantly and in many different directions over the last few decades, with the ultimate goal of providing a truly immersive experience to users. After setting up a common background for these technologies, based on the plenoptic function theoretical concept, Immersive Video Technologies offers a comprehensive overview of the leading technologies enabling visual immersion, including omnidirectional (360 degrees) video, light fields, and volumetric video. Following the critical components of the typical content production and delivery pipeline, the book presents acquisition, representation, coding, rendering, and quality assessment approaches for each immersive video modality. The text also reviews current standardization efforts and explores new research directions. With this book the reader will a) gain a broad understanding of immersive video technologies that use three different modalities: omnidirectional video, light fields, and volumetric video; b) learn about the most recent scientific results in the field, including the recent learning-based methodologies; and c) understand the challenges and perspectives for immersive video technologies.

  • Advanced Technologies and Polymer Materials for Surgical Sutures

    • 1st Edition
    • Sabu Thomas + 4 more
    • English
    Polymeric materials offer a high level of versatility due to the range of applications possible within the biomedical and clinical fields – including wound closure - particularly in comparison to metals or ceramics. These specialised materials also allow for a diverse array of therapeutic effects. Although there have been advances in improving polymeric materials for surgical sutures, there is little information available regarding improving the therapeutic value of sutures, and advanced technologies used to implement this improvement. Advanced Technologies and Polymer Materials for Surgical Sutures provides thorough coverage on suture materials with improved mechanical and therapeutic properties that can improve quality of life; chapter topics include drug-releasing kinetics of sutures, shape memory polymer sutures and future trends.This book is a useful resource for academics and researchers in the materials science and biomedical engineering fields, as well as professionals in biomaterials and biotextiles development and clinicians looking to learn more about suture material properties and suture/body interactions.

  • Computational Methods for Nonlinear Dynamical Systems

    Theory and Applications in Aerospace Engineering
    • 1st Edition
    • Xuechuan Wang + 4 more
    • English
    Computational Methods for Nonlinear Dynamical Systems: Theory and Applications in Aerospace Engineering proposes novel ideas and develops highly-efficient and accurate methods for solving nonlinear dynamic systems, drawing inspiration from the weighted residual method and the asymptotic method. Proposed methods can be used both for real-time simulation and the analysis of nonlinear dynamics in aerospace engineering. The book introduces global estimation methods and local computational methods for nonlinear dynamic systems. Starting from the classic asymptotic, finite difference and weighted residual methods, typical methods for solving nonlinear dynamic systems are considered. In addition, new high-performance methods are proposed, such as time-domain collocation and local variational iteration. The book summarizes and develops computational methods for strongly nonlinear dynamic systems and considers the practical application of the methods within aerospace engineering.

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