Closing the Gap is an accessible overview of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and the impact it is set to have on various sectors in South Africa and Africa. It explores the previous industrial revolutions that have led up to this point and outlines South Africa’s position been through each one.

With a focus on artificial intelligence as a core concept in understanding the 4IR, this book uses familiar concepts to explain artificial intelligence, how it works and how it can be used in banking, mining, medicine and many other fields.

Written from an African perspective, Closing the Gap addresses the challenges and fears around the 4IR by pointing to the opportunities presented by new technologies and outlining some of the challenges and successes to date

Introduction to Communication Studies is an introductory textbook on the theories of and approaches to communication studies for first -year students. It reflects the dynamic evolution of communication studies in the recent past, introducing new insights and approaches to communication media and digital communication.

Acknowledging the unique requirements of the African communication environment, the text is illuminated with a range of uniquely South and southern African examples to contextualise the theory, with chapters written by leading academic authors from East and Southern Africa.

Apple isn’t just a brand; it’s the world’s most valuable company and creator of the 21st century’s defining product. The iPhone has revolutionized the way we live, work and connect. But Apple is now a victim of its own success, caught in the middle of a new Cold War between two superpowers.

On the brink of bankruptcy in 1996, Apple shifted its operations offshore. By 2003 it was lured to China by the promise of affordable, ubiquitous labour. As the iPod and iPhone transformed Apple’s fortunes, their sophisticated production played a seminal role in financing, training, supervising, and supplying Chinese manufacturers – skills Beijing is now weaponizing against the West.

Investigative journalist Patrick McGee draws on 200 interviews with former Apple executives and engineers to reveal how Cupertino’s choice to anchor its supply chain in China has increasingly made it vulnerable to the regime’s whims. Both an insider’s historical account and a cautionary tale, Apple in China is the first history of Apple to go beyond the biographies of its top executives and set the iPhone’s global domination within an increasingly fraught geopolitical context.

On April 1, 1976, two scruffy twentysomethings, both named Steve, founded a startup. Their goal: To bring the revolutionary power of computers to everyone.

Over the next five decades, Apple reshaped the technology and cultural landscapes, introducing the public to breakthroughs like the mouse, laser printing, CD-ROM, WiFi, digital video, home networking, touchscreen phones, and tablets. Jobs’s obsessive eye for detail set the stage for products―Mac, iMac, iPod, iTunes, iPhone, iPad, AirPods, Apple Watch―that married advanced technology with beauty, simplicity, and fine design.

Deeply researched and lavishly illustrated, Apple: The First 50 Years includes new interviews with 150 key people who made the journey, including Steve Wozniak, John Sculley, Jony Ive, and many current designers, engineers, and executives. The book busts long-held myths; goes backstage for both the titanic successes (450 million iPods, 700 million iPads, 2.2 billion iPhones) and the instructive failures (Lisa, Apple III, MobileMe); and assesses the forces that challenge Apple’s dominance as it enters its second half century.

Bursting with tales of frenetic all-nighters, engineering genius, and creative rebellion, this book is a true testament to Apple’s unique and innovative vision, and a must read for anyone whose life Apple has touched.

Mechatronic Components: Roadmap to Design explains the practical application of mechatronics, including sections on adaptive structures, robotics and other areas where mechanics and electronics converge. Professional engineers in a variety of areas will find this textbook to be extremely helpful with its in-depth use of flow diagrams and schemes that help readers understand the logic behind the design of such systems. Using approximately 130 different components with diagrams and flowcharts that help engineers from different fields understand the general properties and selection criteria of a component, this book presents a comprehensive resource on mechatronic components.

Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT) is a subset of a wider range of products and services known as Assistive Technology (AT). AT is designed to support and enable people with disabilities, either acquired or congenital, to participate in activities with greater independence and safety. With a global aging population, it has an important role to play in enabling and supporting those with disability and their carers. Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology discusses a range of commonly available or emerging electronic assistive technologies. It provides historical background, advice when assessing for these devices and references different models of provision. It includes both medical and engineering aspects of provision. It is anticipated that the book will support students, trainees, and newly qualified Assistive Technology Practitioners to develop their understanding of the field, by considering the variables that could potentially influence the decision-making process when assessing for and providing this equipment. It also provides a reference point for those already practicing in this field and offers coverage of a broader range of technologies than clinicians may be exposed to, in their daily work This is the first reference book to focus on a comprehensive set of electronic assistive technologies and discuss their clinical application.

Nonlinear Kalman Filter for Multi-Sensor Navigation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles covers state estimation development approaches for Mini-UAV. The book focuses on Kalman filtering technics for UAV design, proposing a new design methodology and case study related to inertial navigation systems for drones. Both simulation and real experiment results are presented, thus showing new and promising perspectives.

Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Volume 208, merges two long-running serials, Advances in Electronics and Electron Physics and Advances in Optical and Electron Microscopy. The series features extended articles on the physics of electron devices (especially semiconductor devices), particle optics at high and low energies, microlithography, image science, digital image processing, electromagnetic wave propagation, electron microscopy and the computing methods used in all these domains.

Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Volume 207, merges two long-running serials, Advances in Electronics and Electron Physics and Advances in Optical and Electron Microscopy. The series features extended articles on the physics of electron devices (especially semiconductor devices), particle optics at high and low energies, microlithography, image science, digital image processing, electromagnetic wave propagation, electron microscopy and the computing methods used in all these domains.

An informal and highly accessible writing style, a simple treatment of mathematics, and clear guide to applications have made this book a classic text in electrical and electronic engineering. The fundamental ideas relevant to the understanding of the electrical properties of materials are emphasized; in addition, topics are selected in order to explain the operation of devices having applications (or possible future applications) in engineering. The mathematics, kept deliberately to a minimum, is well within the grasp of undergraduate students. This is achieved by choosing the simplest model that can display the essential properties of a phenomenom, and then examining the difference between the ideal and the actual behaviour. The whole text is designed as an undergraduate course. However most individual sections are self contained and can be used as background reading in graduate courses, and for interested persons who want to explore advances in microelectronics, lasers, nanotechnology, and several other topics that impinge on modern life.

Silicon Photonics, Volume 99 in the Semiconductors and Semimetals series, highlights new advances in the field, with this updated volume presenting interesting chapters on Transfer printing in Silicon Photonics, Epitaxial integration of antimonide-based semiconductor lasers on Si, Photonic crystal lasers and nanolasers on Si, the Evolution of monolithic quantum-dot light source for silicon photonics, III-V on Si nanocomposites, the Heterogeneous integration of III-V on Si by bonding, the Growth of III-V on Silicon compliant substrates and lasers by MOCVD, Photonic Integrated Circuits on Si, Integrated Photonics for Bio- and Environmental sensing, Membrane Lasers/Photodiodes on Si, and more.

Dark Silicon and the Future of On-chip Systems, Volume 110, the latest release in the Advances in Computers series published since 1960, presents detailed coverage of innovations in computer hardware, software, theory, design and applications, with this release focusing on an Introduction to dark silicon and future processors, a Revisiting of processor allocation and application mapping in future CMPs in the dark silicon era, Multi-objectivism in the dark silicon age, Dark silicon aware resource management for many-core systems, Dynamic power management for dark silicon multi-core processors, Topology specialization for networks-on-chip in the dark silicon era, and Emerging SRAM-based FPGA architectures.

Amplifiers and Oscillators Optimization by Simulation provides a comprehensive resource on the topic, including theory and simulation. The book presents a panorama of electronic patterns, from the simple, to the more complicated. Comparisons of different structures and their advantages and disadvantages are included, making this the go-to book for engineers who need to quickly find the characteristics of a circuit and the method of calculation and dimensioning of components that fit a particular design.

Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Volume 205 is the latest release in this series that merges two long-running serials, Advances in Electronics and Electron Physics and Advances in Optical and Electron Microscopy. The series features extended articles on the physics of electron devices (especially semiconductor devices), particle optics at high and low energies, microlithography, image science, and digital image processing, electromagnetic wave propagation, electron microscopy, and the computing methods used in all these domains.

Smart Sensors and MEMS: Intelligent Devices and Microsystems for Industrial Applications, Second Edition highlights new, important developments in the field, including the latest on magnetic sensors, temperature sensors and microreaction chambers. The book outlines the industrial applications for smart sensors, covering direct interface circuits for sensors, capacitive sensors for displacement measurement in the sub-nanometer range, integrated inductive displacement sensors for harsh industrial environments, advanced silicon radiation detectors in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectral range, among other topics. New sections include discussions on magnetic and temperature sensors and the industrial applications of smart micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). The book is an invaluable reference for academics, materials scientists and electrical engineers working in the microelectronics, sensors and micromechanics industry. In addition, engineers looking for industrial sensing, monitoring and automation solutions will find this a comprehensive source of information.

Design of Nanostructures for Versatile Therapeutic Applications focuses on antimicrobial, antioxidant and nutraceutical applications of nanostructured materials. Many books discuss these subjects, but not from a pharmaceutical point-of-view. This book covers novel approaches related to the modulation of microbial biofilms, antimicrobial therapy and encapsulate polyphenols as antioxidants. Written by an internationally diverse group of academics, this book is an important reference resource for researchers, both in biomaterials science and the pharmaceutical industry.

Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Volume 199, the latest release in a series that merges two long-running serials, Advances in Electronics and Electron Physics and Advances in Optical and Electron Microscopy features extended articles on the physics of electron devices (especially semiconductor devices). Specific topics include discussions on Micro-XRF in scanning electron microscopes, and an interesting take on the variational approach for simulation of equilibrium ion distributions in ion traps regarding Coulomb interaction, amongst others. Users will find a comprehensive resource on the most important aspects of particle optics at high and low energies, microlithography, image science and digital image processing. In addition, topics of interest, including electromagnetic wave propagation, electron microscopy, and the computing methods used in all these domains are presented and discussed.

Microbiorobotics: Biologically Inspired Microscale Robotic Systems, Second Edition presents information on a new engineering discipline that takes a multidisciplinary approach to accomplish precise manipulation of microscale spaces. Microorganisms have evolved various mechanisms to thrive in microscale environments and are therefore a useful tool for use in many applications, ranging from micromanufacturing techniques, to cellular manipulation. In the context of microrobotics, biological microrobots can directly harness the microorganisms for propulsive and sensing power and synthetic microrobots can mimic the microorganisms' motions for effective locomotion. This second edition covers new advances and insights that have emerged in recent years. Several new chapters have been added on important new research areas, with existing chapters thoroughly revised. In particular, increased coverage is given to fluid dynamics of microswimmers in nature.

A Generalized Framework of Linear Multivariable Control proposes a number of generalized models by using the generalized inverse of matrix, while the usual linear multivariable control theory relies on some regular models. The book supports that in H-infinity control, the linear fractional transformation formulation is relying on the inverse of the block matrix. If the block matrix is not regular, the H-infinity control does not apply any more in the normal framework. Therefore, it is very important to relax those restrictions to generalize the classical notions and models to include some non-regular cases. This book is ideal for scholars, academics, professional engineer and students who are interested in control system theory.

Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics merges two long-running serials, Advances in Electronics and Electron Physics and Advances in Optical and Electron Microscopy. The series features extended articles on the physics of electron devices (especially semiconductor devices), particle optics at high and low energies, microlithography, image science, digital image processing, electromagnetic wave propagation, electron microscopy, and the computing methods used in all these domains.

This book teaches the necessary knowledge and skills required by today s RF and microwave engineer in a concise, structured and systematic way. Reflecting modern developments in the field, the book focuses on active circuit design covering the latest devices and design techniques. It is an ideal textbook, containing full instructor support, for a one or two semester course on RF and microwave circuit design and analysis.

Structure: The book is uniquely structured in the form of 24 modular chapters, each covering a specific topic. The chapters are grouped into 8 broad subject areas. Each lecture is designed to be self-contained and builds on its predecessors.

Coverage: from electromagnetic and transmission line theory and S-parameters through amplifier and oscillator design including special techniques for low noise and broadband design.

Focus: The focus is on active circuit analysis and design including up to date material on MMIC design techniques.

Style: Each lecture develops the material from concept through theoretical principles to practical design methodology, supported by numerous examples.

Each chapter contains tutorial questions and problems to allow the reader to test their knowledge.

Website: contains supporting material in the form of slides and software (Matlab) listings "

If the operation of electronic components switching scheme to reduce congestion and losses (in power converters in general and switching power supplies in particular), it also generates electromagnetic type of pollution in its immediate environment. Power Electronics for Industry and Transport, Volume 4 is devoted to electromagnetic compatibility. It presents the sources of disturbance and the square wave signal, spectral modeling generic perturbation. Disturbances propagation mechanisms called "lumped" by couplings such as a common impedance, a parasitic capacitance or a mutual and "distributed constant", for which the spatial-temporal character must be taken into account, are also covered. This book also provides spectral analysis among other items that contain inequality Heisenberg-Gabor, very useful for understanding the spread spectrum PWM type signals.

This book is a simple and didactic account of the developments and practical applications of predictive, adaptive predictive, and optimized adaptive control from a perspective of stability, including the latest methodology of adaptive predictive expert (ADEX) control. ADEX Optimized Adaptive Control Systems is divided into six parts, with exercises and real-time simulations provided for the reader as appropriate. The text begins with the conceptual and intuitive knowledge of the technology and derives the stability conditions to be verified by the driver block and the adaptive mechanism of the optimized adaptive controller to guaranty the desired control performance. The second and third parts present strategic considerations of predictive control and related adaptive systems necessary for the proper design of driver block and adaptive mechanism and thence their technical realization. The authors then proceed to detail the stability theory that supports predictive, adaptive predictive and optimized adaptive control methodologies. Benchmark applications of these methodologies (distillation column and pulp-factory bleaching plant) are treated next with a focus on practical implementation issues. The final part of the book describes ADEX platforms and illustrates their use in the design and implementation of optimized adaptive control systems to three different challenging-to-control industrial processes: * waste-water treatment;* sulfur recovery; and* temperature control of superheated steam in coal-fired power generation. The presentation is completed by a number of appendices containing technical background associated with the main text including a manual for the ADEX COP platform developed by the first author to exploit the capabilities of adaptive predictive control in real plants. ADEX Optimized Adaptive Control Systems provides practicing process control engineers with a multivariable optimal control solution which is adaptive and resistant to perturbation and the effects of noise. Its pedagogical features also facilitate its use as a teaching tool for formal university and Internet-based open-education-type graduate courses in practical optimal adaptive control and for self-study.