These Proceedings contain the papers presented at the 1stAsian Pacific Congress on "Computational Mechanics" held in Sydney, on 20-23 November 2001.
The theme of the first Congress of the Asian-Pacific Association for Computational Mechanics in the new millennium is "New Frontiers for the New Millennium." The papers cover such new frontiers as micromechanics, contact mechanics, environmental geomechanics, chemo-thermo-mechanics, inverse techniques, homogenization, meshless methods, smart materials/smart structures and graphic visualization, besides the general topics related to the application of finite element and boundary element methods in structural mechanics, fluid mechanics, geomechanics and biomechanics.

The chapters in this monograph are contributions from the Advances in Quantum Monte Carlo symposium held at Pacifichem 2010, International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies. The symposium was dedicated to celebrate the career of James B. Anderson, a notable researcher in the field. Quantum Monte Carlo provides an ab initio solution to the Schroedinger equation by performing a random walk through configuration space in imaginary time. Benchmark calculations suggest that its most commonly-used variant, "fixed-node" diffusion Monte Carlo, estimates energies with an accuracy comparable to that of high-level coupled-cluster calculations. These two methods, each having advantages and disadvantages, are complementary "gold-standards" of quantum chemistry. There are challenges facing researchers in the field, several of which are addressed in the chapters in this monograph. These include improving the accuracy and precision of quantum Monte Carlo calculations; understanding the exchange nodes and utilizing the simulated electron distribution; extending the method to large and/or experimentally-challenging systems; and developing hybrid molecular mechanics/dynamics and Monte Carlo algorithms.

Flight dynamics create important research problems in the process of helicopter design. They involve advanced design ideas and engineering technology theories. This book concerns flight theory and research methods for helicopter flight science and technology. The contents include the fundamentals of rotor aerodynamics, helicopter trim, helicopter stability and control, and helicopter performance analyses. The book also lokks at the kinematics, dynamics, control, and aerodynamics of the helicopter during maneuvering flight. With an emphasis on the physical concepts, the characteristics of rotor flapping, theoretical analyses and numerical simulation methods for helicopter flight mechanics are detail described in detail. The book is primarily intended for senior undergraduates and postgraduates who major in aerospace engineering. It is also a good reference book for helicopter engineers interested design and operational engineering. It lays a foundation for the study of helicopter aeromechanics.

Monte Carlo methods are a class of computational algorithms for simulating the behavior of a wide range of various physical and mathematical systems (with many variables). Their utility has increased with general availability of fast computers, and new applications are continually forthcoming. The basic concepts of Monte Carlo are both simple and straightforward and rooted in statistics and probability theory, their defining characteristic being that the methodology relies on random or pseudo-random sequences of numbers. It is a technique of numerical analysis based on the approximate solution of a problem using repeated sampling experiments and observing the proportion of times a given property is satisfied.
The term Monte Carlo was first used to describe calculational methods based on chance in the 1940s, but the methods themselves preceded the term by as much as a century. Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) first appeared in 1982 and similarly was preceded by development of the related calculational methodology. The success of QMC methods over the past few decades has been remarkable, and this book will clearly demonstrate that success in its discussion of applications. For isolated molecules, the basic material of chemistry, QMC methods have produced exact solutions of the Schroedinger equation for very small systems and the most accurate solutions available for very large systems. The range of applications is impressive: folding of protein molecules, interactions in liquids, structure modeling in crystals and enzymes, quantum dots, designing heat shields and aerodynamic forms, architecture, design, business and economics, and even cinema and video games (3D modeling).
This booktakes a similar approach to Henry Schaefers classic book Quantum Chemistry (OUP, 1984 now a Dover edition), collecting summaries of some of the most important papers in the quantum Monte Carlo literature, tying everything together with analysis and discussion of applications. Quantum Monte Carlo is a reference book for quantum Monte Carlo applications, belonging near the desk of every quantum chemist, physicist, and a wide range of scientists and engineers across many disciplines, destined to become a classic.

This book begins with the history and fundamentals of optical fiber communications. Then, briefly introduces existing optical multiplexing techniques and finally focuses on spatial domain multiplexing (SDM), aka space division multiplexing, and orbital angular momentum of photon based multiplexing. These are two emerging multiplexing techniques that have added two new degrees of photon freedom to optical fibers.

The world of single-board computing puts powerful coding tools in the palm of your hand. The portable Raspberry Pi computing platform with the power of Linux yields an exciting exploratory tool for beginning scientific computing. Science and Computing with Raspberry Pi takes the enterprising researcher, student, or hobbyist through explorations in a variety of computing exercises with the physical sciences. The book has tutorials and exercises for a wide range of scientific computing problems while guiding the user through: Configuring your Raspberry Pi and Linux operating system Understanding the software requirements while using the Pi for scientific computing Computing exercises in physics, astronomy, chaos theory, and machine learning

This book demonstrates Microsoft EXCEL-based Fourier transform of selected physics examples. Spectral density of the auto-regression process is also described in relation to Fourier transform. Rather than offering rigorous mathematics, readers will "try and feel" Fourier transform for themselves through the examples. Readers can also acquire and analyze their own data following the step-by-step procedure explained in this book. A hands-on acoustic spectral analysis can be one of the ideal long-term student projects.

This book contains an extensive illustration of use of finite difference method in solving the boundary value problem numerically. A wide class of differential equations has been numerically solved in this book. Starting with differential equations of elementary functions like hyperbolic, sine and cosine, we have solved those of special functions like Hermite, Laguerre and Legendre. Those of Airy function, of stationary localised wavepacket, of the quantum mechanical problem of a particle in a 1D box, and the polar equation of motion under gravitational interaction have also been solved. Mathematica 6.0 has been used to solve the system of linear equations that we encountered and to plot the numerical data. Comparison with known analytic solutions showed nearly perfect agreement in every case. On reading this book, readers will become adept in using the method.

The Boundary Element Method for Engineers and Scientists: Theory and Applications is a detailed introduction to the principles and use of boundary element method (BEM), enabling this versatile and powerful computational tool to be employed for engineering analysis and design. In this book, Dr. Katsikadelis presents the underlying principles and explains how the BEM equations are formed and numerically solved using only the mathematics and mechanics to which readers will have been exposed during undergraduate studies. All concepts are illustrated with worked examples and problems, helping to put theory into practice and to familiarize the reader with BEM programming through the use of code and programs listed in the book and also available in electronic form on the book's companion website.

The Outside the Research Lab series is a testament to the fact that the physics taught to high school and university students IS used in the real world. This book explores the physics and technology inherent to a selection of sports which have caught the author's attention and fascination over the years. Outside the Research Lab, Volume 3 is a path to discovering how less commonly watched sports use physics to optimize performance, diagnose injuries, and increase access to more competitors. It covers Olympic and Paralympic fencing, show jumping horses, and arguably the most brutal of motorsports - drag racing. Stunning images throughout the book and clear, understandable writing are supplemented by offset detail boxes which take the physics concepts to higher levels. Outside the Research Lab, Volume 3 is both for the general interest reader and students in STEM. Lecturers in university physics, materials science, engineering and other sciences will find this an excellent basis for teaching undergraduate students the range of applications for the physics they are learning. There is a vast range of different areas that require expertise in physics...this third volume of Outside the Research Lab shows a few with great detail provided by professionals doing the work.

Today, air-to-surface vessel (ASV) radars, or more generally maritime surveillance radars, are installed on maritime reconnaissance aircraft for long-range detection, tracking and classification of surface ships (ASuW - Air to Surface Warfare) and for hunting submarines (ASW - anti-submarine warfare). Such radars were first developed in the UK during WWII as part of the response to the threat to shipping from German U-Boats. This book describes the ASV radars developed in the UK after WWII (1946-2000) and used by the RAF for long-range maritime surveillance.

Domain theory, a subject that arose as a response to natural concerns in the semantics of computation, studies ordered sets which possess an unusual amount of mathematical structure. This book explores its connection with quantum information science and the concept that relates them: disorder. This is not a literary work. It can be argued that its subject, domain theory and quantum information science, does not even really exist, which makes the scope of this alleged 'work' irrelevant. BUT, it does have a purpose and to some extent, it can also be said to have a method. I leave the determination of both of those largely to you, the reader. Except to say, I am hoping to convince the uninitiated to take a look. A look at what? Twenty years ago, I failed to satisfactorily prove a claim that I still believe: that there is substantial domain theoretic structure in quantum mechanics and that we can learn a lot from it. One day it will be proven to the point that people will be comfortable dismissing it as a 'well-known' idea that many (possibly including themselves) had long suspected but simply never bothered to write down. They may even call it "obvious!" I will not bore you with a brief history lesson on why it is not obvious, except to say that we have never been interested in the difficulty of proving the claim only in establishing its validity. This book then documents various attempts on my part to do just that.

Advances in Imaging & Electron Physics merges two long-running serials-Advances in Electronics & Electron Physics and Advances in Optical & 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.

Protected Metal Clusters: From Fundamentals to Applications surveys the fundamental concepts and potential applications of atomically precise metal clusters protected by organic ligands. As this class of materials is now emerging as a result of breakthroughs in synthesis and characterization that have taken place over the last few years, the book provides the first reference with a focus on these exciting novel nanomaterials, explaining their formation, and how, and why, they play an important role in the future of molecular electronics, catalysis, sensing, biological imaging, and medical diagnosis and therapy.

Today, air-to-surface vessel (ASV) radars, or more generally airborne maritime surveillance radars, are installed on maritime reconnaissance aircraft for long-range detection, tracking and classification of surface ships (ASuW--anti-surface warfare) and for hunting submarines (ASW--anti-submarine warfare). Such radars were first developed in the UK during WWII as part of the response to the threat to shipping from German U boats. This book describes the ASV radars developed in the UK and used by RAF Coastal Command during WWII for long-range maritime surveillance.

Renewable energy (RE) is a subject of great interest today. It is one of the two main means for implementing climate change mitigation programmes, and presently the only perceived means for replacing the declining global fossil fuel reserves. It also helps fight poverty and assists in the global quest for gender equity by taking clean energy where it is needed most for development. It is perhaps not surprising therefore that there is so much coverage of RE in both the conventional media and the internet by media and tech writers, economists and bloggers, many of who only have a partial understanding of the technology itself. The end result is mostly promotional rhetoric that says little about the true value of the technology, and leads to a confused picture for the serious individual or decision-maker who wants to know what the technology is really capable of doing. This book provides a clear and factual picture of the status of RE and its capabilities today. The need for such a book was first realized by the author when he was engaged in a renewable energy capacity-building project encompassing countries from Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Pacific. The book is largely non-technical in nature; it does however contain enough mention of the science and technology to enable readers to go further with their own investigations should they wish to. The book covers all areas of renewable energy (RE), starting from biomass energy and hydropower and proceeding to wind, solar and geothermal energy before ending with an overview of ocean energy. It begins with a simple introduction to the physical principles of the RE technologies, followed by an enumeration of the requirements for their successful implementation. The last two chapters consider how the technologies are actually being implemented today and their roles in climate change mitigation and poverty alleviation.

Electric glow discharges (glows) can be found almost everywhere, from atmospheric electricity to modern plasma technologies, and have long been the object of research. The main purpose of this book is to provide simple illustrations of the basic physical mechanisms and principles that determine the properties of electric glow discharges. It should enable readers to successfully participate in scientific and technical progress.