This volume gathers the latest fundamental research contributions, innovations, and applications in the field of design and analysis of complex robotic mechanical systems, machines, and mechanisms, as presented by leading international researchers at the 2nd USCToMM Symposium on Mechanical Systems and Robotics (USCToMM MSR), held in Rapid City, South Dakota, USA on May 19-21, 2022. It covers highly diverse topics, including soft, wearable and origami robotic systems; applications to walking, flying, climbing, underground, swimming and space systems; human rehabilitation and performance augmentation; design and analysis of mechanisms and machines; human-robot collaborative systems; service robotics; mechanical systems and robotics education; and the commercialization of mechanical systems and robotics. The contributions, which were selected by means of a rigorous international peer-review process, highlight numerous exciting and impactful research results that will inspire novel research directions and foster multidisciplinary research collaborations among researchers from around the globe.

Complex illumination and meteorological conditions can significantly limit the robustness of robotic vision systems. This book focuses on image pre-processing for robot vision in complex illumination and dynamic weather conditions. It systematically covers cutting-edge models and algorithms, approaching them from a novel viewpoint based on studying the atmospheric physics and imaging mechanism. It provides valuable insights and practical methods such as illumination calculations, scattering modeling, shadow/highlight detection and removal, intrinsic image derivation, and rain/snow/fog removal technologies that will enable robots to be effective in diverse lighting and weather conditions, i.e., ensure their all-weather operating capacity. As such, the book offers a valuable resource for researchers, graduate students and engineers in the fields of robot engineering and computer science.

This book discusses blind investigation and recovery of digital evidence left behind on digital devices, primarily for the purpose of tracing cybercrime sources and criminals. It presents an overview of the challenges of digital image forensics, with a specific focus on two of the most common forensic problems. The first part of the book addresses image source investigation, which involves mapping an image back to its camera source to facilitate investigating and tracing the source of a crime. The second part of the book focuses on image-forgery detection, primarily focusing on "copy-move forgery" in digital images, and presenting effective solutions to copy-move forgery detection with an emphasis on additional related challenges such as blur-invariance, similar genuine object identification, etc. The book concludes with future research directions, including counter forensics. With the necessary mathematical information in every chapter, the book serves as a useful reference resource for researchers and professionals alike. In addition, it can also be used as a supplementary text for upper-undergraduate and graduate-level courses on "Digital Image Processing", "Information Security", "Machine Learning", "Computer Vision" and "Multimedia Security and Forensics".

This book continues first one of the same authors "Adaptive Image Processing Algorithms for Printing" and presents methods and software solutions for copying and scanning various types of documents by conventional office equipment, offering techniques for correction of distortions and enhancement of scanned documents; techniques for automatic cropping and de-skew; approaches for segmentation of text and picture regions; documents classifiers; approach for vectorization of symbols by approximation of their contour by curves; methods for optimal compression of scanned documents, algorithm for stitching parts of large originals; copy-protection methods by microprinting and embedding of hidden information to hardcopy; algorithmic approach for toner saving. In addition, method for integral printing is considered. Described techniques operate in automatic mode thanks to machine learning or ingenious heuristics. Most the techniques presented have a low computational complexity and memory consumption due to they were designed for firmware of embedded systems or software drivers. The book reflects the authors' practical experience in algorithm development for industrial R&D.

This introductory, yet in-depth, book explains the physical principles of electronic imaging and sensing and provides the reader with the information necessary to understand the design, operation, and practical applications of contemporary electronic imaging and sensing systems. The text has strong practical focus and contains examples of biomedical applications of optical electronic imaging and sensing. Each chapter draws upon the authors' extensive research, teaching, and industrial experience and provides a useful resource for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as a convenient reference for scientists and engineers working in the field of electronic imaging and sensing.

This book provides an overview of the design, synthesis, and characterization of different photoactive hybrid organic-inorganic materials, based on the combination of mainly organic molecules and inorganic nanostructures, tackling their uses in different scientific fields from photonics to biomedicine. There are many examples extensively describing how the confinement of organic compounds (i.e. chromophores, photochromic molecules or photoreactants), or other photoactive compounds (i.e.metal clusters) into several microporous systems can modulate the photophysical properties and photochemical reactions leading to interesting applications. Among (ordered)-hosts, different systems of diverse nature are widely used, such as the, the 1D- or 3D- channels of zeolitic frameworks, interlayer space of 2D-clays, the organic nanospace of curcubituril and cyclodextrins or the organo-inorganic porous crystalline MOFs systems. This volume highlights the advances of these photoactive materials and aims to be an inspiration for researchers working in materials science and photochemistry, including chemists, material engineers, physicists, biologists, and medical researchers.

In this book we analyze relaxation oscillations in models of lasers with nonlinear elements controlling light dynamics. The models are based on rate equations taking into account periodic modulation of parameters, optoelectronic delayed feedback, mutual coupling between lasers, intermodal interaction and other factors. With the aim to study relaxation oscillations we present the special asymptotic method of integration for ordinary differential equations and differential-difference equations. As a result, they are reduced to discrete maps. Analyzing the maps we describe analytically such nonlinear phenomena in lasers as multistability of large-amplitude relaxation cycles, bifurcations of cycles, controlled switching of regimes, phase synchronization in an ensemble of coupled systems and others. The book can be fruitful for students and technicians in nonlinear laser dynamics and in differential equations.

The field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has developed rapidly over the past decade, benefiting greatly from the newly developed framework of compressed sensing and its ability to drastically reduce MRI scan times. MRI: Physics, Image Reconstruction, and Analysis presents the latest research in MRI technology, emphasizing compressed sensing-based image reconstruction techniques. The book begins with a succinct introduction to the principles of MRI and then: Discusses the technology and applications of T1rho MRI Details the recovery of highly sampled functional MRIs Explains sparsity-based techniques for quantitative MRIs Describes multi-coil parallel MRI reconstruction techniques Examines off-line techniques in dynamic MRI reconstruction Explores advances in brain connectivity analysis using diffusion and functional MRIs Featuring chapters authored by field experts, MRI: Physics, Image Reconstruction, and Analysis delivers an authoritative and cutting-edge treatment of MRI reconstruction techniques. The book provides engineers, physicists, and graduate students with a comprehensive look at the state of the art of MRI.

Plastic Optical Fiber Sensors cover the fundamentals and applications of a new class of fiber sensors. With contributions from leading academics in the area, this book covers the theory of plastic optical fiber sensors or (POFs), as well as applications in oil, gas, biotechnology, and energy fields. Using multiple examples, the editors showcase the advantageous characteristics of POFs, such as ease of handling, large diameter, inexpensive peripheral components and simple termination tools. By doing so, the editors assert that there has been a proliferation of the use of POFs in new consumer products. The book also highlights uses for building various products, such as a POF sensor for oil trucker valve monitoring, a monitoring system for high voltage substation switch, an oil leaking sensor for offshore platforms and a solar tracker for illumination. Including over 300 black and white images, this book would be highly beneficial for professionals in manufacturing as well as academics in universities, particularly those who use optical fiber sensors on a regular basis.

"Advanced Technologies in Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks "collects selected papers from the 7th China Conference on Wireless Sensor Networks (CWSN2013) held in Qingdao, October 17-19, 2013. The book features state-of-the-art studies on Sensor Networks in China with the theme of Advances in wireless sensor networks of China . The selected works can help promote development of sensor network technology towards interconnectivity, resource sharing, flexibility and high efficiency. Researchers and engineers in the field of sensor networks can benefit from the book.

Xue Wang is a professor at Tsinghua University; Li Cui is a professor at Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Zhongwen Guo is a professor at Ocean University of China."

This book examines research topics in IoT and Cloud and Fog computing. The contributors address major issues and challenges in IoT-based solutions proposed for the Cloud. The authors discuss Cloud smart and energy efficient services in applications such as healthcare, traffic, and farming systems. Targeted readers are from varying disciplines who are interested in designing and deploying the Cloud applications. The book can be helpful to Cloud-based IoT service providers, Cloud-based IoT service consumers, and Cloud service developers in general for getting the state-of-the-art knowledge in the emerging IoT area. The book also provides a strong foundation for researchers to advance further in this domain. Presents a variety of research related to IoT and Cloud computing; Provides the industry with new and innovative operational ideas; Pertinent to academics, researchers, and practitioners around the world.

This book provides a reference guide for researchers, scientists and industrialists working in the area of soft computing, and highlights the latest advances in and applications of soft computing techniques in multidisciplinary areas. Gathering papers presented at the International Conference on Soft Computing: Theories and Applications (SoCTA 2016), which was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on December 28-30, 2016, it focuses on applying soft computing to solve real-life problems arising in various domains, from medical and healthcare to supply chain management, image processing and cryptanalysis. The term soft computing represents an umbrella term for computational techniques like fuzzy logic, neural networks and nature inspired algorithms. In the past few decades, there has been an exponential rise in the application of soft computing techniques to address complex and intricate problems in diverse spheres of life. The versatility of these techniques has made them a favourite among scientists and researchers alike.

This book proposes tools for analysis of multidimensional and metric data, by establishing a state-of-the-art of the existing solutions and developing new ones. It mainly focuses on visual exploration of these data by a human analyst, relying on a 2D or 3D scatter plot display obtained through Dimensionality Reduction. Performing diagnosis of an energy system requires identifying relations between observed monitoring variables and the associated internal state of the system. Dimensionality reduction, which allows to represent visually a multidimensional dataset, constitutes a promising tool to help domain experts to analyse these relations. This book reviews existing techniques for visual data exploration and dimensionality reduction such as tSNE and Isomap, and proposes new solutions to challenges in that field. In particular, it presents the new unsupervised technique ASKI and the supervised methods ClassNeRV and ClassJSE. Moreover, MING, a new approach for local map quality evaluation is also introduced. These methods are then applied to the representation of expert-designed fault indicators for smart-buildings, I-V curves for photovoltaic systems and acoustic signals for Li-ion batteries.

The purpose of Numerical Linear Algebra in Signals, Systems and Control is to present an interdisciplinary book, blending linear and numerical linear algebra with three major areas of electrical engineering: Signal and Image Processing, and Control Systems and Circuit Theory. Numerical Linear Algebra in Signals, Systems and Control will contain articles, both the state-of-the-art surveys and technical papers, on theory, computations, and applications addressing significant new developments in these areas. The goal of the volume is to provide authoritative and accessible accounts of the fast-paced developments in computational mathematics, scientific computing, and computational engineering methods, applications, and algorithms. The state-of-the-art surveys will benefit, in particular, beginning researchers, graduate students, and those contemplating to start a new direction of research in these areas. A more general goal is to foster effective communications and exchange of information between various scientific and engineering communities with mutual interests in concepts, computations, and workable, reliable practices.

Currently, light waves are ready to come into boxes of computers in high-performance computing systems like data centers and super computers to realize intra-box optical interconnects. For inter-box optical interconnects, light waves have successfully been introduced by OE modules, in which discrete bulk-chip OE/electronic devices are assembled using the flip-chip-bonding-based packaging technology. OE modules, however, are not applicable to intra-box optical interconnects, because intra-box interconnects involve "short line distances of the cm-mm order" and "large line counts of hundreds-thousands." This causes optics excess, namely, excess components, materials, spaces, fabrication efforts for packaging, and design efforts. The optics excess raises sizes and costs of intra-box optical interconnects enormously when they are built using conventional OE modules. This book proposes the concept of self-organized 3D integrated optical interconnects and the strategy to reduce optics excess in intra-box optical interconnects.

Image processing algorithms based on the mammalian visual cortex are powerful tools for extraction information and manipulating images. This book reviews the neural theory and translates them into digital models. Applications are given in areas of image recognition, foveation, image fusion and information extraction. The third edition reflects renewed international interest in pulse image processing with updated sections presenting several newly developed applications. This edition also introduces a suite of Python scripts that assist readers in replicating results presented in the text and to further develop their own applications.

This book presents the topic of underwater real-time 3-D acoustical imaging covering the theory, algorithms and system design. It summarizes recent advances in wideband and ultra-wideband underwater real-time 3-D acoustical imaging, which will be very useful for developing next-generation systems. Through simulation techniques, readers are able to quickly learn and develop practical underwater real-time 3-D acoustical imaging systems of their own.

The era of Sustainable and Energy Efficient Nanoelectronics and Nanosystems has come. The research and development on Scalable and 3D integrated Diversified functions together with new computing architectures is in full swing. Besides data processing, data storage, new sensing modes and communication capabilities need the revision of process architecture to enable the Heterogeneous co integration of add-on devices with CMOS: the new defined functions and paradigms open the way to Augmented Nanosystems. The choices for future breakthroughs will request the study of new devices, circuits and computing architectures and to take new unexplored paths including as well new materials and integration schmes. This book reviews in two sections, including seven chapters, essential modules to build Diversified Nanosystems based on Nanoelectronics and finally how they pave the way to the definition of Nanofunctions for Augmented Nanosystems.

Solid-state lasers which offer multiple desirable qualities, including enhanced reliability, robustness, efficiency and wavelength diversity, are absolutely indispensable for many applications. The Handbook of solid-state lasers reviews the key materials, processes and applications of solid-state lasers across a wide range of fields.
Part one begins by reviewing solid-state laser materials. Fluoride laser crystals, oxide laser ceramics, crystals and fluoride laser ceramics doped by rare earth and transition metal ions are discussed alongside neodymium, erbium and ytterbium laser glasses, and nonlinear crystals for solid-state lasers. Part two then goes on to explore solid-state laser systems and their applications, beginning with a discussion of the principles, powering and operation regimes for solid-state lasers. The use of neodymium-doped materials is considered, followed by system sizing issues with diode-pumped quasi-three level materials, erbium glass lasers, and microchip, fiber, Raman and cryogenic lasers. Laser mid-infrared systems, laser induced breakdown spectroscope and the clinical applications of surgical solid-state lasers are also explored. The use of solid-state lasers in defense programs is then reviewed, before the book concludes by presenting some environmental applications of solid-state lasers.
With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, the Handbook of solid-state lasers is an authoritative guide for all those involved in the design and application of this technology, including laser and materials scientists and engineers, medical and military professionals, environmental researchers, and academics working in this field.
Reviews the materials used in solid-state lasersExplores the principles of solid-state laser systems and their applicationsConsiders defence and environmental applications

This book gathers full papers presented at the VipIMAGE 2019-VII ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Computational Vision and Medical Image Processing-held on October 16-18, 2019, in Porto, Portugal. It discusses cutting-edge methods, findings, and applications related to 3D vision, bio- and medical imaging, computer-aided diagnosis, image enhancement, image processing and analysis, virtual reality, and also describes in detail advanced image analysis techniques, such as image segmentation and feature selection, as well as statistical and geometrical modeling. The book provides both researchers and professionals with extensive and timely insights into advanced imaging techniques for various application purposes.

MXene, a two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbide, nitride, and carbonitride, was discovered in 2011. MXene has great potential as a cocatalyst in the field of photocatalysis due to its unique properties and structure. MXene-Based Photocatalysts: Fabrication and Applications introduces readers to the fundamentals, preparation, microstructure characterization, and a variety of applications of MXene-based photocatalysts. The book is a comprehensive reference for MXene materials and provides an overview of the current literature on MXene-based photocatalysts. FEATURES Discusses preparation methods of MXenes Describes the morphology and microstructure of MXenes Offers strategies for fabricating MXene-based photocatalysts Details the reaction mechanism of MXene-based photocatalysts Covers applications in photocatalytic water-splitting, photocatalytic CO2 reduction, photocatalytic degradation, photocatalytic nitrogen fixation, and photocatalytic H2O2 production This book serves as an invaluable guide for advanced students, industry professionals, professors, and researchers in the field of materials science and engineering, photocatalysis, energy, and environmental applications.

In recent years, optical properties of the unique atomic and molecular structures of materials have drawn great scientific interest. Linear optical properties of materials such as metals, metal oxides, magnetic oxides, and organic materials are based on energy transfer and find applications in wastewater treatment, forensic science, biomedical science, photovoltaics, nuclear technology, and LED displays. Nonlinear optical properties of materials are based on the nonlinear medium and find more advanced applications in frequency mixing generations and optical parametric oscillations. This book presents the underlying principles, implementation, and applications of the linear and nonlinear optical properties of materials and has been divided into two parts emphasizing these properties. The first part of the book, Linear Optics, discusses bimetallic nanoparticles in dielectric media and their integration to dye molecules to detect trace amounts of heavy metals at the nanometer level, as well as to enhance luminescence and image contrasts in forensic inspection and biomedical diagnosis. It shows how the integration of bimetallic nanoparticles into a ZnO matrix promotes broadening of the absorption spectrum from the ultraviolet to the visible wavelength. It explains the role of surface adsorption and photocatalytic degradation in dye-removal kinetics by Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles under pulsed white light. It also discusses the double-layer shielding tank design to safely store radioactive waste and photon propagation through the multilayer structures of a human tissue model. The second part of the book, Nonlinear Optics, presents general concepts such as electromagnetic theory, nonlinear medium, and wave propagation, as well as more advanced concepts such as second harmonic generation, phase matching, optical parametric interactions, different frequency generation, sum frequency generation, tunable laser, and optical resonant oscillator.