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Books in Physical sciences and engineering

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  • Polymer-Based Advanced Functional Composites for Optoelectronic and Energy Applications

    • 1st Edition
    • Nithin Kundachira Subramani + 2 more
    • English
    Polymer-Based Advanced Functional Composites for Optoelectronic and Energy Applications explains how polymer-based smart composites and nanocomposites can be prepared and utilized for novel optical, sensor and energy-related applications. The book begins with an introductory section on the fundamentals of smart polymer composites, including structure-property relationships and conjugated polymers. Other sections examine optical applications, including the use of polymer-based smart composites for luminescent solar concentrators, electro-chromic applications, light conversion applications, ultraviolet shielding applications, LED encapsulation applications, sensor applications, including gas-sensing, strain sensing, robotics and tactile sensors, with final sections covering energy-related applications, including energy harvesting, conversion, storage, vibrational energy harvesting, and more. This is an essential guide for researchers, scientists and advanced students in smart polymers and materials, polymer science, composites, nanocomposites, electronics and materials science. It is also a valuable book for scientists, R&D professionals and engineers working with products that could utilize smart polymer composites.

  • Analysis and Characterisation of Metal-Based Nanomaterials

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 93
    • English
    Analysis and Characterisation of Metal-Based Nanomaterials, Volume 93 in the Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry series, introduces recent developments in analytical methodologies for detection, characterization and quantification of metal-based nanomaterials and their applications to a variety of complex environmental, biological and food samples as well as different consumer products. Single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is highlighted as a powerful analytical tool for number-based concentration and size distribution, also from the metrological viewpoint. An emerging approach for the measurement of multi-metal nanoparticles by single-particle inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry is discussed. Imaging of metal-based nanoparticles by hyphenated inductively coupled plasma-based techniques is also introduced. The potential of different liquid chromatography and field flow fractionation separation techniques hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is emphasized as a powerful tool in particular for complex matrices and small particles sizes. The use of different microscopic techniques for the characterization of metal-based nanoparticles and characterization of metal-based nanoparticles as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging are presented. Moreover, occurrence, behaviour and fate of inorganic nanoparticles in the environment is overviewed. Finally, the need for quality control standards and reference nano-materials is emphasized throughout.

  • Moisture and Buildings

    Durability Issues, Health Implications and Strategies to Mitigate the Risks
    • 1st Edition
    • Arianna Brambilla + 1 more
    • English
    One in three homes, on average, suffer from excessive dampness and mould proliferation, with significant health and economic impacts. The combination of new construction methodologies, stricter airtightness requirements and the changing social and cultural context that influences the way we live inside buildings has created unprecedented challenges for the built environment. In modifying indoor and outdoor environments and the building envelopes that serve as a filter between the two, we are changing the physical parameters of the ways in which buildings behave and respond to climatic stimuli. Understanding and predicting the way in which buildings and moisture may interact should be an important step in the design process, aiming to minimise possible negative long-term consequences. Understanding and predicting the way in which buildings and moisture may interact is, today more than ever, essential yet difficult, as the experience of the past has lost its applicability. Moisture-related issues never have a simple solution, since they involve multiple factors, including design, construction, maintenance, materials, climate and occupation pattern. Thus, while the topic is attracting growing attention among researchers, designers and practitioners, the pace with which actual change is occurring is still too slow. Moisture and Buildings provides a critical overview of current research, knowledge and policy frameworks, and presents a comprehensive analysis of the implications of moisture and the importance of accounting for it during the design process. It responds to the urgent need for a systematic organization of the existing knowledge to identify research gaps and provide directions for future developments. The ultimate goal is to increase awareness of the multifaceted implications of hygrothermal phenomena and promote integrated design processes that lead to healthier and more durable constructions.

  • Introduction to Fracture Mechanics

    • 1st Edition
    • Robert O. Ritchie + 1 more
    • English
    Introduction to Fracture Mechanics presents an introduction to the origins, formulation and application of fracture mechanics for the design, safe operation and life prediction in structural materials and components. The book introduces and informs the reader on how fracture mechanics works and how it is so different from other forms of analysis that are used to characterize mechanical properties. Chapters cover foundational topics and the use of linear-elastic fracture mechanics, involving both K-based characterizing parameter and G-based energy approaches, and how to characterize the fracture toughness of materials under plane-strain and non plane-strain conditions using the notion of crack-resistance or R-curves. Other sections cover far more complex nonlinear-elastic fracture mechanics based on the use of the J-integral and the crack-tip opening displacement. These topics largely involve continuum mechanics descriptions of crack initiation, slow crack growth, eventual instability by overload fracture, and subcritical cracking.

  • Preparing a Workforce for the New Blue Economy

    People, Products and Policies
    • 1st Edition
    • Liesl Hotaling + 1 more
    • English
    Preparing a Workforce for the New Blue Economy: People, Products and Policies discusses the Blue Economy, how the industry will develop, and how to train the next generation. The book considers the use of big data, key skillsets, training undergraduate and graduate students, the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) in the US, economic opportunities in African coastal countries, and governmental agencies, non-profits and NGO’s. Finally, a broad range of case studies are provided, covering oil spills, commercial fishing, data protection and harvesting, sustainability and weather forecasting, all presented to highlight the educational requirements of the workforce and potential economic opportunities.

  • Membrane-based Hybrid Processes for Wastewater Treatment

    • 1st Edition
    • Maulin P. Shah + 1 more
    • English
    Membrane-Based Hybrid Processes for Wastewater Treatment analyzes and discusses the potential of membrane-based hybrid processes for the treatment of complex industrial wastewater, the recovery of valuable compounds, and water reutilization. In addition, recent and future trends in membrane technology are highlighted. Industrial wastewater contains a large variety of compounds, such as heavy metals, salts and nutrients, which makes its treatment challenging. Thus, the use of conventional water treatment methods is not always effective. Membrane-based hybrid processes have emerged as a promising technology to treat complex industrial wastewater.

  • Environmental Systems Science

    Theory and Practical Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • Daniel A. Vallero
    • English
    Environmental Systems Science: Theory and Practical Applications looks at pollution and environmental quality from a systems perspective. Credible human and ecological risk estimation and prediction methods are described, including life cycle assessment, feasibility studies, pollution control decision tools, and approaches to determine adverse outcome pathways, fate and transport, sampling and analysis, and cost-effectiveness. The book brings translational science to environmental quality, applying groundbreaking methodologies like informatics, data mining, and applications of secondary data systems. Multiple human and ecological variables are introduced and integrated to support calculations that aid environmental and public health decision making. The book bridges the perspectives of scientists, engineers, and other professionals working in numerous environmental and public health fields addressing problems like toxic substances, deforestation, climate change, and loss of biological diversity, recommending sustainable solutions to these and other seemingly intractable environmental problems. The causal agents discussed include physical, chemical, and biological agents, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), SARS-CoV-2 (the COVID-19 virus), and other emerging contaminants.

  • Sustainability of Life Cycle Management for Nuclear Cementation-Based Technologies

    • 1st Edition
    • Rehab O. Abdel Rahman + 1 more
    • English
    Sustainability of Life Cycle Management for Nuclear Cementation-Based Technologies, edited by Dr. Rahman and Dr. Ojovan, presents the latest knowledge and research on the management of cementitious systems within nuclear power plants. The book covers aging, development and updates on regulatory frameworks on a global scale, the development of cementitious systems for the immobilization of problematic wastes, and the decommissioning and decontamination of complex cementitious systems. The book's editors and their team of experts combine their practical knowledge to provide the reader with a thorough understanding on the sustainability of lifecycle management of cementitious systems within the nuclear industry. Sections provide a comparative tool that presents national regulations concerning cementitious systems within nuclear power plants, check international and national evaluation results of the sustainability of different systems, help in the development of performance test procedures, and provide a guide on aging nuclear power plants and the long-term behavior of these systems in active and passive safety environments.

  • Power to Fuel

    How to Speed Up a Hydrogen Economy
    • 1st Edition
    • Giuseppe Spazzafumo
    • English
    Power to Fuel: How to Speed Up a Hydrogen Economy highlights how the surplus of electricity from renewable sources can be usefully accumulated thanks to hydrogen overcoming the obstacles that can prevent the final use of hydrogen on a large scale. The book includes an introduction and sections on the production of hydrogen, conversion of hydrogen into synthetic fuel, the power-to-fuel concept, and renewable energy source descriptions. The second and third levels are structured identically with a standalone approach that covers established and commercial pathways, emerging pathways, and cost analysis sections within each subject specific chapter, making the content easily referenced and applied.Readers will find details on the state-of-the-art and emerging technologies of various power to fuels options suitable for different final uses of the stored energy, as well as figures and diagrams that illustrate and compare the different processes. The book contains examples of existing plants and pilot projects that will be useful for academics dealing with renewable energies and energy storage.

  • The Urban Heat Island

    • 1st Edition
    • Iain D. Stewart + 1 more
    • English
    The Urban Heat Island (UHI) is an area of growing interest for many people studying the urban environment and local/global climate change. The UHI has been scientifically studied for 200 years and, although it is an apparently simple phenomenon, there is considerable confusion around the different types of UHI and their assessment. The Urban Heat Island—A Guidebook provides simple instructions for measuring and analysing the phenomenon, as well as greater context for defining the UHI and the impacts it can have. Readers will be empowered to work within a set of guidelines that enable direct comparison of UHI effects across diverse settings, while informing a wide range of climate mitigation and adaptation programs to modify human behaviour and the built form. This opens the door to true global assessments of local climate change in cities. Urban planning and design strategies can then be evaluated for their effectiveness at mitigating these changes.

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