In this book, a generic model in as far as possible mathematical closed-formis developed that predicts the behavior of large self-organizing robot groups (robot swarms) based on their control algorithm. In addition, an extensive subsumption of the relatively young and distinctive interdisciplinary research field of swarm robotics is emphasized. The connection to many related fields is highlighted and the concepts and methods borrowed from these fields are described shortly.

This book provides an up-to-date introduction to information theory. In addition to the classical topics discussed, it provides the first comprehensive treatment of the theory of I-Measure, network coding theory, Shannon and non-Shannon type information inequalities, and a relation between entropy and group theory. ITIP, a software package for proving information inequalities, is also included. With a large number of examples, illustrations, and original problems, this book is excellent as a textbook or reference book for a senior or graduate level course on the subject, as well as a reference for researchers in related fields.

This book highlights the Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA) of the agri-sector for rice, sugarcane, and cassava in Thailand and the food sector. It also presents a range of models, indices, impact categories, etc. for SLCA that are currently being developed for industrial applications. Though SLCA was introduced in 2010, it is still relatively new compared to environmental life cycle assessment (ELCA).

The emission of electrons from solid surfaces bombarded by slow neutral and ionized heavy particles (atoms, molecules) is reviewed both theoretically and in the light of recent experimental studies by leading groups in the field. The book integrates physics of ion beams, surfaces and chemical physics, and serves both as a reference work for researchers and a textbook for graduate students.

Structure-Borne Sound" is a thorough introduction to structural vibrations with emphasis on audio frequencies and the associated radiation of sound. The book presents in-depth discussions of fundamental principles and basic problems, in order to enable the reader to understand and solve his own problems. It includes chapters dealing with measurement and generation of vibrations and sound, various types of structural wave motion, structural damping and its effects, impedances and vibration responses of the important types of structures, as well as with attenuation of vibrations, and sound radiation from structures. For the third edition, the author fundamentally revised and newly organized the contents of the work. Nevertheless, the intention has been to preserve the style of the previous editions, namely to focus on the fundamentals enabling the reader to analyse further problems.

1 Grundlagen der Dynamik regelungstechnischer Systeme.- 1.1 Allgemeine Zielsetzung der Regelungstechnik.- 1.2 Regelkreis.- 1.3 Voraussetzungen fur Blockorientierung und Regelkreisbildung.- 1.4 Aufgaben der Regelungstechnik.- 1.5 UEbertragungsfunktion und Regelungssystemtheorie.- 1.6 Anfangsbedingungen und Nullstellen der UEbertragungsfunktion.- 1.7 Ausgangssignal Xa(s) bei x a(k)(0?)=0.- 1.8 Nichtverschwindende Vorgeschichte xa(k)(0?)?0.- 1.9 Analyse im Spektralbereich. Verknupfung mehrerer Elemente.- 1.10 Regelstrecke und Stoergroessen.- 1.11 Einschleifiger Standardregelkreis.- 1.12 Sensitivitat.- 1.13 Differentielle Sensitivitat fur den Standardregelkreis.- 1.14 Linearisierung.- 1.15 Regelkreis im Signalflussdiagramm.- 1.16 Spezielle Elemente regelungstechnischer Systeme.- 1.16.1 Rationale UEbertragungselemente.- 1.16.2 Totzeit-Elemente.- 1.16.3 Allpass-Elemente.- 1.16.4 Laufzeitelemente.- 2 Regelkreisanalyse im Zeitbereich.- 2.1 Regelkreis-Reaktion auf einfache Signale.- 2.2 Mehrfache Polstellen von Xa(s).- 2.3 Naherung fur kleine Zeitwerte.- 2.4 Naherung fur grosse Zeitwerte.- 2.5 Faltungsintegral und Naherung durch Faltungssumme.- 2.6 Regelungen mit Totzeitelementen.- 3 Formulierung kontinuierlicher Regelungssysteme im Zustandsraum.- 3.1 Grundlagen.- 3.2 Transitionsmatrix (Fundamentalmatrix).- 3.3 Potenzreihenentwicklung der Transitionsmatrix.- 3.4 Zustandsregler. Fuhrungs- und Stoerungsverhalten.- 3.5 Vorfilterbemessung.- 4 Analyseverfahren im Frequenzbereich.- 4.1 Frequenzgang.- 4.2 Ortskurven des Frequenzgangs.- 4.3 Ortskurven von typischen stabilen Regelkreis-Element en.- 4.4 Ortskurven instabiler Regelkreiselemente.- 4.5 Frequenzgangsortskurve des Regelkreises.- 4.6 Ermittlung von Zeitbereichssignalen aus dem Frequenzbereich.- 4.7 Ermittlung des Frequenzganges aus der gemessenen Systemantwort.- 4.8 Bode-Diagramm.- 4.9 Phasenminimum-Beziehungen.- 4.10 Knickstellen der Regelschleife und des Regelkreises.- 4.11 H?-Norm einer UEbertragungsfunktion.- 5 Regelstrecken im Regelkreis.- 5.1 Antriebe. Allgemeines.- 5.2 Stromrichtergespeiste Gleichstromantriebe.- 5.3 Stromleitverfahren.- 5.4 Begrenzungsregelung.- 5.5 Kupplungselastizitat.- 5.6 Umrichtergespeiste Asynchronmaschine.- 5.7 Thermische Regelstrecken.- 5.7.1 Durchlauferhitzer, Warmetauscher.- 5.7.2 Kessel und Turbine.- 5.8 Hydraulische Regelstrecken.- 5.9 Pneumatische Regelstrecke.- 5.10 Mechanische Positionsregelstrecken.- 5.10.1 Einfache Fahrzeuglenkung.- 5.10.2 Balancierung.- 5.10.3 Passagierflugzeug.- 5.10.4 Raketenantrieb.- 5.11 Verfahrenstechnische Regelstrecken.- 5.12 Elektronische und nachrichtentechnische Regelstrecken.- 5.12.1 Verstarkungsausgleich.- 5.12.2 Scharfabstimmung.- 5.12.3 Zeilensynchronisierung.- 5.12.4 Rauschunterdruckung.- 5.13 Phase-Locked Loops (PLL).- 5.13.1 Phase-Locked Loop in analoger Ersatzrechnung.- 5.13.2 Regelungen an einem CD-Player.- 5.14 Schaltzeichen (Sinnbilder) fur technische Regelstrecken.- 5.15 Volkswirtschaftliche Regelungen.- 5.16 Physiologische und psychische Regelkreise.- 5.17 Soziologische Regelungen.- 6 Stellglieder und Verstarker.- 6.1 Stromrichterstellglieder.- 6.2 Umrichter fur Drehfeldmaschinen.- 6.3 Stellmotoren fur mechanische Positionierung.- 6.4 Stellglieder fur Flussigkeits-, Gasstroeme u. koernige Stoffe.- 6.5 Schaltzeichen fur Stellglieder und Verstarker.- 7 Regelungstechnischer Einsatz von Sensoren und Messumformern.- 7.1 Anforderungen.- 7.2 Messrauschen.- 7.3 Leistung eines Rauschsignales.- 8 Identifikationsverfahren.- 8.1 Auswertung der Sprungantwort von PDT1-Elementen.- 8.2 Auswertung der Sprungantwort von PT2-Elementen.- 8.3 Wendetangentenmethode bei PT2-Elementen.- 8.4 Auswertung der Sprungantwort von IT1-Elementen.- 8.5 Momentenmethode an der Gewichtsfunktion.- 8.6 Identifikation mit Hilfsregler.- 8.7 Identifikation mit fiktivem Serienelement.- 8.8 Regressionsanalyse. Quadratische Ausgleichsrechnung.- 9 Regler. Ausfuhrung und Dimensionierung.- 9.1 Operationsverstarker.- 9.2 Elektr

This contributed volume combines conceptual and strategic research articles dealing with the "why" and "to what end" of sustainable operations in humanitarian logistics, as well as operational research contributions regarding the "how" from the United Nations as well as from researchers and organizations from different countries (Germany, Australia, Singapore, Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Jordan). The target audience primarily comprises research experts, decision makers and practitioners in the field, but the book may also be beneficial for graduate students.

This book reports a literature review on kaizen, its industrial applications, critical success factors, benefits gained, journals that publish about it, main authors (research groups) and universities. Kaizen is treated in this book in three stages: planning, implementation and control. The authors provide a questionnaire designed with activities in every stage, highlighting the benefits gained in each stage. The study has been applied to more than 400 managers and leaders in continuous improvement in Mexican maquiladoras. A univariate analysis is provided to the activities in every stage. Moreover, structural equation models associating those activities with the benefits gained are presented for a statistical validation. Such a relationship between activities and benefits helps managers to identify the most important factor affecting their benefits and financial income.

PREFACE: With the readers indulgence, we will explain just what this small book is by first defining what it is not. It is not a compendium of statistics. Neither is it a record of the actual performance of specific dredges of all kinds and under all conditions nor yet a compilation of dredging cost data. Such information is already minutely available in the Annual Reports of the Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, and in the records of the various departments of commonwealths and municipalities controlling dredging operations in their respective localities. It has been the authors intention first to describe the principal types of dredge in such manner as to impart a fundamental working knowledge of their construction and operation, and then to consider, in concise form, the usual problems confronting the engineer in the conception and accomplishment of dredging projects. Because of the fact that most literatureupon the subject, having been presented in the form of papers and articles in the technical periodicals, isnot onlynot readily available, but incomplete, in that each as a rule treats only of one particular phase of the subject, it is thought that a need exists for a comprehensive treatise, which should be helpful alike to the student and engineer. To fill thiswant hasbeen the authors objective. The importance of the subject, while not always ap- parent to the layman, is obviously paramount, involving the expenditure of many millions of dollars annually for the necessities of commercial life. BALTIMOEE, MD., April, 1920. Content includes: PREFACE CONTENTS PAGE ..- v ., ., .., ., . vii CHAPTER I. DEFINITION AND CLASSIFICATION 1 CHAPTER II. GRAPPLE DREDGES 4 General Description 4 6The Bucket The Common Grab Bucket Axioms . The Sliding Cross-head Bucket Other Types Grab Bucket Details and Appurtenances Boom, A Frame and Back Guys Spuds, Spud-wells and Gallows-frame The Machinery The House The Hull Operation H CHAPTER III. DIPPER DREDGES 29 General Description 29 The Bucket 29 Boom, Dipper-stick, A. Frame and Back Guys 31 The Spuds ..... 37 The Machinery The Hull Operation 39 ..., ....... 40 ............. 41 Application of the Type 12 High-powered Dipper Dredges 44 CHAPTER IV. LADDER DREDGES 46 Historical 46 General Description 50 Stationary Type 52 Sea-going Hopper Type 52 CHAPTER V. Scows 54 CHAPTER VI. HYDRAULIC DREDGES OF THE RIVER TYPE 58 Radial Feeding Dredge with Spud-anchorage ......... 58 General Description ..... 58 Cutter Head and Ladder . . .... . . .... .... 61 Feeding v ......... 64 Boom, A Frame and Back . . Legs V . 66 The Pipe Line . 67 The Pump . . 71 ix 6 12 13 15 16 20 22 24 24 26 X CONTENTS PAGE Power 78 Method of Design ........ 79 The Machinery 81 Operation . 83 Booster or Relay Pumps 83 Forward-feeding or Mississippi River Type .......... 86 General Description CHAPTER Vll. HYDRAULIC DREDGES OF THE SEA-GOING HOPPER 86 TYPE., 89 Historical . . . . 89 General Description Advantages of the Type Typical Examples . . v . . . 91 PART II DREDGING CHAPTER VIII. OBJECTS AND PHASES OF THE SUBJECT 95 CHAPTER IX. PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING 97 Exploration of Site 97 Estimating the Quantities 100 Choice of Plant and Method of Disposal of Dredgings 107 Plans, Specifications and Contracts 118 Scheduling 121 Estimating the Cost 123 CHAPTER X...

Quality control is a constant priority in electrical, mechanical, aeronautical, and nuclear engineering - as well as in the vast domain of electronics, from home appliances to computers and telecommunications. Quality Control Applications provides guidance and valuable insight into quality control policies; their methods, their implementation, constant observation and associated technical audits. What has previously been a mostly mathematical topic is translated here for engineers concerned with the practical implementation of quality control. Once the fundamentals of quality control are established, Quality Control Applications goes on to develop this knowledge and explain how to apply it in the most effective way. Techniques are described and supported using relevant, real-life, case studies to provide detail and clarity for those without a mathematical background. Among the many practical examples, two case studies dramatize the importance of quality assurance: A shot-by-shot analysis of the errors made in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster; and the engineering failure with new technology due to the absence of quality control in an alternative energy project. This clear and comprehensive approach makes Quality Control Applications an essential reference for those studying engineering as well industry professionals involved in quality control across product and system design.

This monograph originates from my work on the HAPTEX project. In - cember 2004 Prof. Franz-Erich Wolter, the head of the Institute of Man- Machine Communication of the Leibniz Universit. at Hannover, o?ered me the opportunity to participate in that EU funded project. Being a mat- matician I had only very little experience in the ?eld of haptic simulation in those days, but Prof. Wolter trusted in my ability to become acquainted with new ?elds of research in a very short time. I am still thankful for the con?dence he has shown me. Since then I indeed learned and found out a lot. With this monograph I try to pass on the knowledge I gained. Having a reader in mind who-like me at the beginning of the project-has no background in psychophysics, neurophysiologyortextileengineeringIwillprovidethenecessarybasics.The skilled reader may safely skip these parts. Nevertheless I presume some basic knowledge in mathematics. I hope that this thesis might help a newcomer to discover the fascinating ?eld of tactile simulation. This workwouldnot havebeen possible without the funding of the project "HAPtic sensing of virtual TEXtiles" (HAPTEX) under the Sixth Fra- work Programme (FP6) of the European Union (Contract No. IST-6549).

This book comprises select proceedings of the 43rd National Systems Conference on Innovative and Emerging Trends in Engineering Systems (NSC 2019) held at the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India. The contents cover latest research in the highly multidisciplinary field of systems engineering, and discusses its various aspects like systems design, dynamics, analysis, modeling and simulation. Some of the topics covered include computing systems, consciousness systems, electrical systems, energy systems, manufacturing systems, mechanical systems, literary systems, social systems, and quantum and nano systems. Given the scope of the contents, this book will be useful for researchers and professionals from diverse engineering and management background.

Discovered in 1880, piezoelectric materials play a key role in an innovative market of several billions of dollars. Recent advances in applications derive from new materials and their development, as well as to new market requirements. With the exception of quartz, ferroelectric materials are used for they offer both high efficiency and sufficient versatility to meet adequately the multidimensional requirements for application. Consequently, strong emphasis is placed on tailoring materials and technology, whether one deals with single crystals, ceramics or plastic materials. Tailoring requires a basic understanding of both physical principles and technical possibilities and limitations. This report elucidates these developments by a broad spectrum of examples, comprising ultrasound in medicine and defence industry, frequency control, signal processing by SAW-devices, sensors, actuators, including novel valves for modern motor management. It delivers a mutual fertilization of technology push and market pull that should be of interest not only to materials scientists or engineers but also to managers who dedicate themselves to a sound future-oriented R&D policy.

Location analysis has matured from an area of theoretical inquiry that was designed to explain observed phenomena to a vibrant field which can be and has been used to locate items as diverse as landfills, fast food outlets, gas stations, as well as politicians and products in issue and feature spaces. Modern location science is dealt with by a diverse group of researchers and practitioners in geography, economics, operations research, industrial engineering, and computer science. Given the tremendous advances location science has seen from its humble beginnings, it is time to look back. The contributions in this volume were written by eminent experts in the field, each surveying the original contributions that created the field, and then providing an up-to-date review of the latest contributions. Specific areas that are covered in this volume include: * The three main fields of inquiry: minisum and minimax problems and covering models * Nonstandard location models, including those with competitive components, models that locate undesirable facilities, models with probabilistic features, and problems that allow interactions between facilities * Descriptions and detailed examinations of exact techniques including the famed Weiszfeld method, and heuristic methods ranging from Lagrangean techniques to Greedy algorithms * A look at the spheres of influence that the facilities generate and that attract customers to them, a topic crucial in planning retail facilities * The theory of central places, which, other than in mathematical games, where location science was born

Surfaces are the bounding faces of solids. The interaction of component surface with the working environment results in wear and corrosion. Estimated loss due to wear and corrosion in the USA is around $500 billion. Engineered surfaces are the key to the reduction of losses due to wear and corrosion.
There are surface engineering books on specific processes such as thermal spraying and vapor phase deposition or about specific heat sources such as plasma or laser. However, there are few, if any, covering the whole range of advanced surface engineering processes. Advanced Thermally Assisted Surface Engineering Processes has been structured to provide assistance and guidance to the engineers, researchers and students in choosing the right process from the galaxy of newer surface engineering techniques using advanced heat sources.

Modern logistics comprises operative logistics, analytical logistics and management of logistic networks. Central task of operative logistics is the efficient supply of required goods at the right place within the right time. Tasks of analytical logistics are designing optimal networks and systems, developing strategies for planning, scheduling and operation, and organizing efficient order and performance processes. Logistic management plans, implements and operates logistic networks and schedules orders, stocks and resources.

This reference-book offers a unique survey of modern logistics. It contains proven strategies, rules and tools for the solution of a multitude of logistic problems. The analytically derived algorithms and formulas can be used for the computer-based planning of logistic systems and for the dynamic scheduling of orders and resources in supply networks. They enable significant improvements of performance, quality and costs. Their application is demonstrated by several examples from industry, trade and service providers.

Apart from corrections and modifications the second edition contains a new chapter on "maritime logistics." It demonstrates how the methods of this book can be used to solve complex logistic problems of practical relevance for economy, society and environment.

The book is written for professionals, scientists, teachers and graduate students. An extensive index makes it a dictionary of modern logistics.

This book has been written on the basis of the research done between 2008 and 2010 as part of the European Commission funded FREIGHTVISION project. The "FREIGHTVISION - Freight Transport 2050 Foresight" project was funded by the Directorate General MOVE to design a long term vision for European freight transport in 2050 and to identify actions and research to progress appropriate freight transport measures in Europe. The project was carried out as a foresight process encompassing four conferences in which the project team identified and developed with the aid of more than 100 experts an action plan for securing long term freight transport in Europe. The book provides insights into the freight transport visions and Backcasts identified for 2035 and 2050, issues which need to be addressed and measures which were assessed to be part of future paths to assure an economical, environmental, and social freight transport system.

Engineering practice often has to deal with complex systems of multiple variable and multiple parameter models almost always with strong non-linear coupling. The conventional analytical techniques-based approaches for describing and predicting the behaviour of such systems in many cases are doomed to failure from the outset, even in the phase of the construction of a more or less appropriate mathematical model. These approaches normally are too categorical in the sense that in the name of modelling accuracy they try to describe all the structural details of the real physical system to be modelled. This can significantly increase the intricacy of the model and may result in a enormous computational burden without achieving considerable improvement of the solution. The best paradigm exemplifying this situation may be the classic perturbation theory: the less significant the achievable correction, the more work has to be invested to obtain it.

A further important component of machine intelligence is a kind of structural uniformity giving room and possibility to model arbitrary particular details a priori not specified and unknown. This idea is similar to the ready-to-wear industry, which introduced products, which can be slightly modified later on in contrast to tailor-made creations aiming at maximum accuracy from the beginning. These subsequent corrections can be carried out by machines automatically. This learning ability is a key element of machine intelligence.

The past decade confirmed that the view of typical components of the present soft computing as fuzzy logic, neural computing, evolutionary computation and probabilistic reasoning are of complementary nature and that the best results can be applied by their combined application.

Today, the two complementary branches of Machine Intelligence, that is, Artificial Intelligence and Computational Intelligence serve as the basis of Intelligent Engineering Systems. The huge number of scientific results published in Journal and conference proceedings worldwide substantiates this statement. The present book contains several articles taking different viewpoints in the field of intelligent systems. "