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Books in Physical sciences and engineering

  • Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future

    Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment and Multi-Criteria Decision Making
    • 1st Edition
    • Jingzheng Ren + 3 more
    • English
    Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future: Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment and Multi-criteria Decision Making provides a comprehensive sustainability analysis of biofuels based on life cycle thinking and develops various multi-dimensional decision-making techniques for prioritizing biofuel production technologies. Taking a transversal approach, the book combines life cycle sustainability assessment, life cycle assessment, life cycle costing analysis, social life cycle assessment, sustainability metrics, triple bottom line, operations research methods, and supply chain design for investigating the critical factors and key enablers that influence the sustainable development of biofuel industry. This book will equip researchers and policymakers in the energy sector with the scientific methodology and metrics needed to develop strategies for viable sustainability transition. It will be a key resource for students, researchers and practitioners seeking to deepen their knowledge on energy planning and current and future trends of biofuel as an alternative fuel.
  • Fluid-Solid Interaction Dynamics

    Theory, Variational Principles, Numerical Methods, and Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • Jing Tang Xing
    • English
    Fluid-Solid Interaction Dynamics: Theory, Variational Principles, Numerical Methods and Applications gives a comprehensive accounting of fluid-solid interaction dynamics, including theory, numerical methods and their solutions for various FSI problems in engineering. The title provides the fundamental theories, methodologies and results developed in the application of FSI dynamics. Four numerical approaches that can be used with almost all integrated FSI systems in engineering are presented. Methods are linked with examples to illustrate results. In addition, numerical results are compared with available experiments or numerical data in order to demonstrate the accuracy of the approaches and their value to engineering applications. The title gives readers the state-of-the-art in theory, variational principles, numerical modeling and applications for fluid-solid interaction dynamics. Readers will be able to independently formulate models to solve their engineering FSI problems using information from this book.
  • Ecology of Desert Systems

    • 2nd Edition
    • Walter G. Whitford + 1 more
    • English
    Nearly one-third of the land area on our planet is classified as arid or desert. Therefore, an understanding of the dynamics of such arid ecosystems is essential to managing those systems in a way that sustains human populations. This second edition of Ecology of Desert Systems provides a clear, extensive guide to the complex interactions involved in these areas. This book details the relationships between abiotic and biotic environments of desert ecosystems, demonstrating to readers how these interactions drive ecological processes. These include plant growth and animal reproductive success, the spatial and temporal distribution of vegetation and animals, and the influence of invasive species and anthropogenic climate change specific to arid systems. Drawing on the extensive experience of its expert authors, Ecology of Desert Systems is an essential guide to arid ecosystems for students looking for an overview of the field, researchers keen to learn how their work fits in to the overall picture, and those involved with environmental management of desert areas.
  • High-Performance Elastomeric Materials Reinforced by Nano-Carbons

    Multifunctional Properties and Industrial Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • Luca Valentini + 1 more
    • English
    High-Performance Elastomeric Materials Reinforced by Nanocarbons: Multifunctional Properties and Industrial Applications provides detailed information on the latest techniques and state-of-the-art developments regarding elastomeric materials reinforced by nano-carbon. The book supports academic researchers and postgraduate students who are looking to further advance the research and study of high-performance, multifunctional materials. In addition, it enables those in industry to improve manufacture and end products by using these materials.
  • Modern Environmental Analysis Techniques for Pollutants

    • 1st Edition
    • Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain + 1 more
    • English
    Modern Environmental Analysis Techniques for Pollutants presents established environmental analysis methods, rapidly emerging technologies, and potential future research directions. As methods of environmental analysis move toward lower impact, lower cost, miniaturization, automation, and simplicity, new methods emerge and ultimately improve the accuracy of their analytical results. This book gives in-depth, step-by-step descriptions of a variety of techniques, including methods used in sampling, field sample handling, sample preparation, quantification, and statistical evaluation. Modern Environmental Analysis Techniques for Pollutants aims to deliver a comprehensive and easy-to-read text for students and researchers in the environmental analysis arena and to provide essential information to consultants and regulators about analytical and quality control procedures helpful in their evaluation and decision-making procedures.
  • Distributed Energy Resources in Microgrids

    Integration, Challenges and Optimization
    • 1st Edition
    • Rajeev Kumar Chauhan + 1 more
    • English
    Distributed Energy Resources in Microgrids: Integration, Challenges and Optimization unifies classically unconnected aspects of microgrids by considering them alongside economic analysis and stability testing. In addition, the book presents well-founded mathematical analyses on how to technically and economically optimize microgrids via distributed energy resource integration. Researchers and engineers in the power and energy sector will find this information useful for combined scientific and economical approaches to microgrid integration. Specific sections cover microgrid performance, including key technical elements, such as control design, stability analysis, power quality, reliability and resiliency in microgrid operation.
  • Superhydrophobic Polymer Coatings

    Fundamentals, Design, Fabrication, and Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • Sushanta Samal + 2 more
    • English
    Superhydrophobic Polymer Coatings: Fundamentals, Design, Fabrication, and Applications offers a comprehensive overview of the preparation and applications of polymer coatings with superhydrophobicity, guiding the reader through advanced techniques and scientific principles. Sections present detailed information on the fundamental theories and methods behind the preparation of superhydrophobic polymer coatings and demonstrate the current and potential applications of these materials, covering a range of novel and marketable uses across industry, including coatings with properties such as foul resistance and self-cleaning, anti-icing and ice-release, corrosion inhibition, antibacterial, anti-reflection, slip and drag reduction, oil-water separation, and advanced medical applications. This book is a highly valuable resource for academic researchers, scientists and advanced students working on polymer coatings or polymer surface modifications, as well as professionals across polymer science, polymer chemistry, plastics engineering, and materials science. The detailed information in this book will also be of great interest to scientists, R&D professionals, product designers and engineers who are looking to develop products with superhydrophobic coatings.
  • Future Directions in Silicon Photonics

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 101
    • English
    Future Directions in Silicon Photonics, Volume 101 in the Semiconductors and Semimetals series, highlights new advances in the field, with this updated volume presenting the latest developments as discussed by esteemed leaders in the field silicon photonics.
  • Solar Hydrogen Production

    Processes, Systems and Technologies
    • 1st Edition
    • Francesco Calise + 4 more
    • English
    Solar Hydrogen Production: Processes, Systems and Technologies presents the most recent developments in solar-driven hydrogen generation methods. The book covers different hydrogen production routes, from renewable sources, to solar harvesting technologies. Sections focus on solar energy, presenting the main thermal and electrical technologies suitable for possible integration into solar-based hydrogen production systems and present a thorough examination of solar hydrogen technologies, ranging from solar-driven water electrolysis and solar thermal methods, to photo-catalytic and biological processes. All hydrogen-based technologies are covered, including data regarding the state-of-the art of each process in terms of costs, efficiency, measured parameters, experimental analyses, and demonstration projects. In the last part of the book, the role of hydrogen in the integration of renewable sources in electric grids, transportation sector, and end-user applications is assessed, considering their current status and future perspectives. The book includes performance data, tables, models and references to available standards. It is thus a key-resource for engineering researchers and scientists, in both academic and industrial contexts, involved in designing, planning and developing solar hydrogen systems.
  • Nanomaterials from Clay Minerals

    A New Approach to Green Functional Materials
    • 1st Edition
    • Aiqin Wang + 1 more
    • English
    Nanomaterials from Clay Minerals: A New Approach to Green Functional Materials details the structure, properties and modification of natural nanoscale clay minerals and their application as the green constituent of functional materials. Natural nanomaterials from clay minerals have diverse morphologies, from 1D to 3D, including nanorods, nanofibers, nanotubes, nanosheets and nanopores. These structures show excellent adsorption, reinforcing, supporter, electronic, catalytic and biocompatible properties and are great as sustainable alternatives for toxic or expensive artificial materials. This book provides systematic coverage of clay nanomaterials as eco-friendly resources, emphasizing the importance of such materials in a range of industries, including biomedicine, energy and electronics. This book will provide an important reference for materials scientists and engineers who have an interest in sustainable material development.