The latest advances in several emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, privacy-preserving algorithms used in localization and positioning systems, cloud computing and computer vision all have great potential in facilitating social distancing. Benefits range from supporting people to work from home to monitoring micro- and macro- movements such as contact tracing apps using Bluetooth, tracking the movement and transportation level of a city and wireless positioning systems to help people keep a safe distance by alerting them when they are too close to each other or to avoid congestion. However, implementing such technologies in practical scenarios still faces various challenges. This book aims to lay the foundations of how these technologies could be adopted to realize and facilitate social distancing to better manage pandemics and future outbreaks. Starting with basic concepts, models and practical technology-based social distancing scenarios, the authors present enabling wireless technologies and solutions which could be widely adopted to encourage social distancing. They include symptom prediction, detection and monitoring of quarantined people and contact tracing. In the future, smart infrastructures for next-generation wireless systems should incorporate a pandemic mode in their standard architecture and design.

In recent decades, there has been a groundbreaking evolution in technology. Every year, technology not only advances, but it also spreads throughout industries. Many fields such as law, education, business, engineering, and more have adopted these advanced technologies into their toolset. These technologies have a vastly different effect ranging from these different industries. The Handbook of Research on Applying Emerging Technologies Across Multiple Disciplines examines how technologies impact many different areas of knowledge. This book combines a solid theoretical approach with many practical applications of new technologies within many disciplines. Covering topics such as computer-supported collaborative learning, machine learning algorithms, and blockchain, this text is essential for technologists, IT specialists, programmers, computer scientists, engineers, managers, administrators, academicians, students, policymakers, and researchers.

In its second, extensively revised second edition, Semiconducting Silicon Nanowires for Biomedical Applications reviews the fabrication, properties, and biomedical applications of this key material. The book begins by reviewing the basics of growth, characterization, biocompatibility, and surface modification of semiconducting silicon nanowires. Attention then turns to use of these structures for tissue engineering and delivery applications, followed by detection and sensing. Reflecting the evolution of this multidisciplinary subject, several new key topics are highlighted, including our understanding of the cell-nanowire interface, latest advances in associated morphologies (including silicon nanoneedles and nanotubes for therapeutic delivery), and significantly, the status of silicon nanowire commercialization in biotechnology. Semiconducting Silicon Nanowires for Biomedical Applications is a comprehensive resource for biomaterials scientists who are focused on biosensors, drug delivery, and the next generation of nano-biotech platforms that require a detailed understanding of the cell-nanowire interface, along with researchers and developers in industry and academia who are concerned with nanoscale biomaterials, in particular electronically-responsive structures.

Metal Oxides and Related Solids for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting reviews the fundamentals and strategies needed to design and fabricate metal oxide-based electrocatalysts. After an introduction to the key properties of transition metal oxides, materials engineering methods to optimize the performance of metal-oxide based electrocatalysts are discussed. Strategies reviewed include defect engineering, interface engineering and doping engineering. Other sections cover important categories of metal-oxide (and related solids) based catalysts, including layered hydroxides, metal chalcogenides, metal phosphides, metal nitrides, metal borides, and more. Each chapter introduces important properties and material design strategies, including composite and morphology design. There is also an emphasis on cost-effective materials design and fabrication for optimized performance for electrocatalytic water splitting applications. Lastly, the book touches on recently developed in-situ characterization methods applied to observe and control the material synthesis process.

The study of electromagnetic fields in the treatment of various diseases is not a new one; however, we are still learning how magnetic fields impact the human body and its organs. Many novel magnetic materials and technologies could potentially transform medicine. Magnetic Materials and Technologies for Medical Applications explores these current and emerging technologies. Beginning with foundational knowledge on the basics of magnetism, this book then details the approaches and methods used in the creation of novel magnetic materials and devices. This book also discusses current technologies and applications, as well as the commercial aspects of introducing new technologies to the field. This book serves as an excellent introduction for early career researchers or a reference to more experienced researchers who wish to stay abreast of current trends and developing technologies in the field. This book could also be used by clinicians working in medicine and companies interested in establishing new medical technologies. Each chapter provides novel tasks for future scientific and technology research studies.

Machine Learning Algorithms for Signal and Image Processing Enables readers to understand the fundamental concepts of machine and deep learning techniques with interactive, real-life applications within signal and image processing Machine Learning Algorithms for Signal and Image Processing aids the reader in designing and developing real-world applications using advances in machine learning to aid and enhance speech signal processing, image processing, computer vision, biomedical signal processing, adaptive filtering, and text processing. It includes signal processing techniques applied for pre-processing, feature extraction, source separation, or data decompositions to achieve machine learning tasks. Written by well-qualified authors and contributed to by a team of experts within the field, the work covers a wide range of important topics, such as: Speech recognition, image reconstruction, object classification and detection, and text processing Healthcare monitoring, biomedical systems, and green energy How various machine and deep learning techniques can improve accuracy, precision rate recall rate, and processing time Real applications and examples, including smart sign language recognition, fake news detection in social media, structural damage prediction, and epileptic seizure detection Professionals within the field of signal and image processing seeking to adapt their work further will find immense value in this easy-to-understand yet extremely comprehensive reference work. It is also a worthy resource for students and researchers in related fields who are looking to thoroughly understand the historical and recent developments that have been made in the field.

Cyber-Physical Systems: AI and COVID-19 highlights original research which addresses current data challenges in terms of the development of mathematical models, cyber-physical systems-based tools and techniques, and the design and development of algorithmic solutions, etc. It reviews the technical concepts of gathering, processing and analyzing data from cyber-physical systems (CPS) and reviews tools and techniques that can be used. This book will act as a resource to guide COVID researchers as they move forward with clinical and epidemiological studies on this outbreak, including the technical concepts of gathering, processing and analyzing data from cyber-physical systems (CPS). The major problem in the identification of COVID-19 is detection and diagnosis due to non-availability of medicine. In this situation, only one method, Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) has been widely adopted and used for diagnosis. With the evolution of COVID-19, the global research community has implemented many machine learning and deep learning-based approaches with incremental datasets. However, finding more accurate identification and prediction methods are crucial at this juncture.

Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE): A Practical Guide introduces readers to the topic, guiding them through fundamental concepts and the latest advances in applications. The book covers concepts, principles and working mechanisms of AIE in AIE-active luminogens, with different classes of AIE luminogens reviewed, including polymers, three-dimensional frameworks (MOFs and COFs) and supramolecular gels. Special focus is given to the structure-property relationship, structural design strategies, targeted properties and application performance. The book provides readers with a deep understanding, not only on the fundamental principles of AIE, but more importantly, on how AIE luminogens and AIE properties can be incorporated in material development.

Nanostructured Zinc Oxide covers the various routes for the synthesis of different types of nanostructured zinc oxide including; 1D (nanorods, nanowires etc.), 2D and 3D (nanosheets, nanoparticles, nanospheres etc.). This comprehensive overview provides readers with a clear understanding of the various parameters controlling morphologies. The book also reviews key properties of ZnO including optical, electronic, thermal, piezoelectric and surface properties and techniques in order to tailor key properties. There is a large emphasis in the book on ZnO nanostructures and their role in optoelectronics. ZnO is very interesting and widely investigated material for a number of applications. This book presents up-to-date information about the ZnO nanostructures-based applications such as gas sensing, pH sensing, photocatalysis, antibacterial activity, drug delivery, and electrodes for optoelectronics.

Intelligent Sensing and Communications for Internet of Everything introduces three application scenarios of enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), large-scale machine connection (mMTC) and ultra reliable low latency communication (URLLC). A new communication model, namely backscatter communication (BackCom), intelligent reflector surface (IRS) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology in Internet of Everything (IoE), is described in detail. Also focusing on millimeter wave, the book discusses the potential application of terahertz 6G network spectrum in the Internet of Things (IoT). Finally, the applications of IoE network in big data, artificial intelligence (AI) technology and fog/edge computing technology are proposed.

5G NR and Enhancements: From R15 to R16 introduces 5G standards, along with the 5G standardization procedure. The pros and cons of this technical option are reviewed, with the reason why the solution selected explained. The book's authors are 3GPP delegates who have been working on 4G/5G standardization for over 10 years. Their experience with the 5G standardization process will help readers understand the technology. Thousands of 3GPP papers and dozens of meeting minutes are also included to help explain how the 5G stand came into form.

Tactile Sensing, Skill Learning and Robotic Dexterous Manipulation focuses on cross-disciplinary lines of research and groundbreaking research ideas in three research lines: tactile sensing, skill learning and dexterous control. The book introduces recent work about human dexterous skill representation and learning, along with discussions of tactile sensing and its applications on unknown objects' property recognition and reconstruction. Sections also introduce the adaptive control schema and its learning by imitation and exploration. Other chapters describe the fundamental part of relevant research, paying attention to the connection among different fields and showing the state-of-the-art in related branches. The book summarizes the different approaches and discusses the pros and cons of each. Chapters not only describe the research but also include basic knowledge that can help readers understand the proposed work, making it an excellent resource for researchers and professionals who work in the robotics industry, haptics and in machine learning.

Now in its Third Edition, Fundamentals of Optical Waveguides continues to be an essential resource for any researcher, professional or student involved in optics and communications engineering. Any reader interested in designing or actively working with optical devices must have a firm grasp of the principles of lightwave propagation. Katsunari Okamoto continues to present this difficult technology clearly and concisely with several illustrations and equations. Optical theory encompassed in this reference includes coupled mode theory, nonlinear optical effects, finite element method, beam propagation method, staircase concatenation method, along with several central theorems and formulas. Silicon photonics devices such as coupled resonator optical waveguides (CROW), lattice-form filters, and AWGs are also fully described. This new edition gives readers not only a thorough understanding the silicon photonics devices for on-chip photonic network, but also the capability to design various kinds of devices.

The Beginnings of Electron Microscopy - Part 1, Volume 220 in the Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics series highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on Electron-optical Research at the AEG Forschungs-Institut 1928-1940, On the History of Scanning Electron Microscopy, of the Electron Microprobe, and of Early Contributions to Transmission Electron Microscopy, Random Recollections of the Early Days, Early History of Electron Microscopy in Czechoslovakia, Personal Reminiscences of Early Days in Electron, Megavolt Electron Microscopy, Cryo-Electron Microscopy and Ultramicrotomy: Reminiscences and Reflections, and much more.

5G IoT and Edge Computing for Smart Healthcare addresses the importance of a 5G IoT and Edge-Cognitive-Computing-based system for the successful implementation and realization of a smart-healthcare system. The book provides insights on 5G technologies, along with intelligent processing algorithms/processors that have been adopted for processing the medical data that would assist in addressing the challenges in computer-aided diagnosis and clinical risk analysis on a real-time basis. Each chapter is self-sufficient, solving real-time problems through novel approaches that help the audience acquire the right knowledge. With the progressive development of medical and communication - computer technologies, the healthcare system has seen a tremendous opportunity to support the demand of today's new requirements.

Renewable Polymers and Polymer-Metal Oxide Composites: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications serves as a reference on the key concepts of the advances of polymer-oxide composites. The book reviews knowledge on polymer-composite theory, properties, structure, synthesis, and their characterization and applications. There is an emphasis on coupling metal oxides with polymers from renewable sources. Also, the latest advances in the relationship between the microstructure of the composites and the resulting improvement of the material's properties and performance are covered. The applications addressed include desalination, tissue engineering, energy storage, hybrid energy systems, food, and agriculture. This book is suitable for early-career researchers in academia and R&D in industry who are working in the disciplines of materials science, engineering, chemistry and physics.

Dielectric Spectroscopy of Electronic Materials: Applied Physics of Dielectrics incorporates the results of four decades of research and applications of dielectric spectroscopy for solids, mostly for the investigation of materials used in electronics. The book differs from others by more detailed analysis of the features of dielectric spectra conditioned by specific mechanisms of electrical polarization and conductivity. Some original methods are presented in the simulation of frequency distributions (relaxers and oscillators), with methods proposed for various ferroelectrics frequency-temperature dielectric spectra. Also described are original methods for ferroelectrics on microwaves investigation, including the features of thin films study. The book is not burdened by complex mathematical proofs and should help readers quickly understand how to apply dielectric spectroscopy methods to their own research problems. More advanced readers may also find this book valuable as a review of the key concepts and latest advances on the topics presented.

Microsupercapacitors systematically guides the reader through the key materials, characterization techniques, performance factors and potential applications and benefits to society of this emerging electrical energy storage solution. The book reviews the technical challenges in scaling down supercapacitors, covering materials, performance, design and applications perspectives. Sections provide a fundamental understanding of microsupercapacitors and compare them to existing energy storage technologies. Final discussions consider the factors that impact performance, potential tactics to improve performance, barriers to implementation, emerging solutions to those barriers, and a future outlook. This book will be of particular interest to materials scientists and engineers working in academia, research and development.

Ternary Quantum Dots: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications reviews the latest advances in ternary (I-III-VI) chalcopyrite quantum dots (QDs), along with their synthesis, properties and applications. Sections address the fundamental key concepts of ternary quantum dots, progress in synthesis strategies (i.e., organic and aqueous synthesis), and characterization methods (i.e., transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, etc.). Properties of ternary quantum dots are comprehensively reviewed, including optical, chemical and physical properties. The factors and mechanisms of the cytotoxicity of ternary quantum dot-based nanomaterials are also described. Since ternary chalcopyrite quantum dots are less toxic and more environmentally benign than conventional binary II-VI chalcogenide quantum dots, they are being investigated to replace conventional quantum dots in a range of applications. Thus, this book reviews QDs in various applications, such as solar cells, photocatalytic, sensors and bio-applications.

Topological Insulator and Related Topics, Volume 108 in the Semiconductors and Semimental series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on topics such as Majorana modes at the ends of one dimensional topological superconductors, Optical/electronic properties of Weyl semimetals, High magnetic fields to unveil the electronic structure, magnetic field-induced transitions, and unconventional transport properties of topological semimetals, New aspects of strongly correlated superconductivity in the nearly flat-band regime, Anomalous transport properties in topological semimetals, Pseudo-gauge field and piezo-electromagnetic response in topological materials, Topological Gapped States Protected by Spatial Symmetries, and more.