This book provides an up-to-date overview of the foundations of spacetime physics. It features original essays written by world-class experts in the physics and philosophy of spacetime. The foundational questions regarding the origin and nature of spacetime are branching into new and exciting directions. These questions are not restricted to the quantum gravity program but also arise in the context of a well-established theory like general relativity. Against the background of these quick and diverse developments, this volume features a broad range of perspectives on spacetime. Part I focuses on the nature of spacetime in non-quantum theories, such as Newtonian mechanics and relativity. Part II explores some intriguing conceptual implications of developing a quantum theory of spacetime. The Foundations of Spacetime Physics is an essential resource for scholars and advanced students working in philosophy of physics, philosophy of science, and scientific metaphysics.

Covers the challenges and obstacles involved in using nano-materials for actual applications. Discusses the latest advancements in the synthesis of various carbon based nano-materials. Self-contained source dedicated to understanding of Carbon nano-materials. Explores the area that satisfy needs of a diverse group of researchers, industrialists, educators and students. Interdisciplinary nature of book content makes it effective to connect the gap between disciplines.

- integrates contemporary science, philosophy, and psychoanalysis - first book on the market to discuss more than one area of contemporary science in relation to psychoanalysis

Includes prospective cost effective, eco-friendly, and safe nanomaterials, synthesized through a facile path Covers synergistic effect of phytochemicals and nano-Ag antimicrobial agents from an antiviral perspective Includes surface coating systems and super absorbent materials for biomedical purposes Discusses nanobiotechnological applications for generating nanoalloys with synchronized nanostructural arrangement of alkaline earth metals and nanoscale dots of transition metal Explores life cycle assessment of the synthesized nanomaterials

Covers all emergent materials (natural and artificial) that are promising for optical, infrared, and terahertz applications Comparatively analyzes these materials, elucidating their unique advantages, limitations, and application scopes Provides an up-to-date record on achievements and progress in cutting-edge optical, infrared, and terahertz applications Offers a comprehensive overview to connect multidisciplinary fields, such as materials, physics, and optics, to serve as a basis for future progress

- written by world leading experts in the field - contains many worked-out examples, taken from daily life fire related practical problems - covers the entire range from basics up to state-of-the-art computer simulations of fire and smoke related fluid mechanics aspects, including the effect of water - provides extensive treatment of the interaction of water sprays with a fire-driven flow - contains a chapter on CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), the increasingly popular calculation method in the field of fire safety science

Include advance knowledge and detailed developments in natural product science Discusses about the most important phytopharmaceuticals used in pharmaceutical industries Explores the analysis and classification of novel plant-based medicinal compounds Includes standardization, quality control, global trade of natural products Gives a deep understanding related to recent advances in the herbal medicines to treat various ailments Discusses about national and WHO regulations and policies related to herbal medicine Covers the complete profile of some important traditional medicinal plants especially their historical background, biology and chemistry

Guides the reader into the mysteries of water. Provides a state-of-the-art overview in computer simulations and experiments on water. Brings together leading scientists in the field of water.

This new volume offers a state-of-the-art report on various recent scientific developments in the theory of engineering materials. It addresses the close connection between modeling and experimental methods for studying a wide range of nanomaterials and nanostructures.Focusing on practical applications and industry needs, and supported by a solid outlining of theoretical background, the volume provides an overview of approaches that have been developed for designing nanostructured materials. It also covers several aspects of the simulation and design of nanomaterials, analyzed by a selected group of active researchers in the field. The volume also looks at how the advancement of computational tools have enabled nanoscopic prediction of physical and chemical properties and how they can be used to simulate and analyze nanostructures.Materials Modeling for Macro to Micro/Nano Scale Systems is addressed to a wide readership and will be useful for undergraduate and graduate students and as a reference source for professionals including engineers, applied mathematicians, and others working on different application of nanomaterials in engineering.

Suspension Plasma Spray Coating of Advanced Ceramics presents the significance of suspension plasma spray coating of ceramics for thermal barrier applications. It covers suspension formation and optimization in different oxide and non-oxide mixtures and ceramic matrix composites (CMC) of sub-micron and nanosized powders. Enabling readers to understand the importance of thermally inert and insulating ceramic coatings on metals and alloys, the book explains how to improve their utilization in applications, such as turbine blades or diesel engines, gas turbines, and coating methods. This book also discusses advanced topics on nanomaterials coatings in monolithic or composite forms as thermal barriers through organic and non-organic based suspensions using high energy plasma spray methods. Features: Presents significant thermal barrier properties using high energy plasma spray methods. Explores advanced surface modification techniques. Covers monolithic, composite, and solid solution ceramics coating. Discusses high precision coating methods. The book will be useful for professional engineers working in surface modification and researchers studying materials science and engineering, corrosion, and abrasion.

In light of increasing human-induced global climate change, there is a greater need for clean energy resources and zero carbon projects. This new volume offers up-to-date coverage of the fundamentals as well as recent advancements in energy efficient thermal energy storage materials, their characterization, and technological applications. Thermal energy storage (TES) systems offer very high-energy savings for many of our day-to-day applications and could be a strong component for enhancing the usage of renewable/clean energy-based devices. Because of its beneficial environmental impact, this technology has received wide attention in the recent past, and dedicated research efforts have led to the development of novel materials, as well to innovative applications in very many fields, ranging from buildings to textile, healthcare to agriculture, space to automobiles. This book offers a valuable and informed systematic treatment of latent heat-based thermal energy storage systems, covering current energy research and important developmental work.

The global lubricants market exceeds $110 billion, with strong future-estimated annual growth projections. While much has been written about the technical aspects of lubricant development, Lubricant Marketing, Selling, and Key Account Management fills a need for a comprehensive guide on the important commercial aspects of the business, offering unique and valuable insights from a veteran of the industry. It answers questions and offers insights on how to effectively market and sell all types of lubricants, including automotive, industrial, mining, marine, agricultural and aerospace, among others. Covers how and why people and companies buy lubricants. Instructs readers how to research and analyze markets and use the results to plan marketing and sales campaigns and activities. Details how to identify specific target market segments and sell to key lubricant accounts. Discusses how to forecast future demand for lubricants in all types of global markets. This practical book is written for technical and non-technical readers involved in the sale and management of lubricant products and offers hands-on guidance for how to successfully navigate and grow your profitability in this vitally important product sector.

With contributions from experts from both academia and industry, this book provides up-to-date reviews and promising approaches for corrosion control of metals and alloys via sustainable biopolymers and carbon nanomaterials coatings, focusing on the wonder material "graphene" which is more solid than steel. This book delivers essential information for improving the environmental and economic viability of current coating technologies. It is also a valuable reference for those who are interested in corrosion science and corrosion protection including professionals from the industry as well as academia.

Covers important supramolecules. Contains compilation of the different threads of supramolecular chemistry. Covers important supramolecules. Covers important environmental and biological applications. Covers important techniques at relevant places.

Scientists have long been looking for alternative methods for the cleaning of historical and cultural museum objects as conventional methods often fail to completely remove surface films, leaving contamination and surface residues behind. Low-temperature plasmas have recently been found to provide a new, efficient and durable approach that maintains the safety of both the materials and personnel. This book is the first to introduce the emerging use of low-temperature plasmas in the cleaning and decontamination of cultural heritage items. It provides a comprehensive exploration of the new possibilities of cleaning objects with plasma, before providing a practice guide to the individual cleaning methods and an overview of the technologies and conditions used in the different cleaning regimes. It is an ideal reference for researchers in plasma physics, in addition to professionals working in the field of historical and cultural conservation. Features: Provides a thorough overview of the cleaning potential of emerging plasma technologies in accessible language for professional restorers and conservators without a scientific background Includes the latest case studies from the field, which have not been published elsewhere yet Authored by a team of experts in the field About the Authors: Dr. Radko Tino is an Associate Professor at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia. Dr. Katarina Vizarova is an Associate Professor at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia. Dr. Frantisek Krcma is an Associate Professor at Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic. Dr. Milena Rehakova is an Associate Professor at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia. Dr. Viera Jancovicova is an Associate Professor at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia. Dr. Zdenka Kozakova is an Associate Professor at Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic.

Spreading to every corner of the Earth, the COVID-19 virus has had an unparalleled impact on all aspects of our lives. This book explores in detail how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected clinical practice, education, and research in medical physics, and how colleagues on the frontline dealt with this unpredictable and unprecedented pandemic. It tackles key questions such as: How did medical physicists first respond to the situation? What innovative strategies were taken and how effective were they? How are medical physicists preparing for the future? There will be a focus on the different experiences of regional medical physicists and the responses and outlooks in clinical practice, education, and research in the affected continents, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and North and Latin America. With over 91 contributors from 39 countries, this unique resource contains key perspectives from teams from each territory to ensure a global range of accounts. The collective opinion and wisdom from the major medical physics journal editors-in-chief are also explored, alongside how the pandemic has affected the quantity and quality of publications. Voices of early-career researchers and students of medical physics will be included, with narratives of their experiences coping with life during the pandemic. Lastly, communicating leadership in times of adversity is highlighted. This book will be a historic account of the impact of the COVID-19 virus on the field of medical physics. It will be an ideal reference for medical physicists, medical physics trainees and students, hospital administrators, regulators, and healthcare professionals allied with medical physics. Key features: The first book to cover the impact of COVID-19 on the field of medical physics Edited by two experts in the field, with chapter contributions from subject area specialists around the world Broad, global coverage, ranging from the impact on teaching, research, and publishing, with unique perspectives from journal editors and students and trainees

This comprehensive and extensively classroom-tested biophysics textbook is a complete introduction to the physical principles underlying biological processes and their applications to the life sciences and medicine. The foundations of natural processes are placed on a firm footing before showing how their consequences can be explored in a wide range of biosystems. The goal is to develop the readers' intuition, understanding, and facility for creative analysis that are frequently required to grapple with problems involving complex living organisms. Topics cover all scales, encompassing the application of statics, fluid dynamics, acoustics, electromagnetism, light, radiation physics, thermodynamics, statistical physics, quantum biophysics, and theories of information, ordering, and evolutionary optimization to biological processes and bio-relevant technological implementations. Sound modeling principles are emphasized throughout, placing all the concepts within a rigorous framework. With numerous worked examples and exercises to test and enhance the reader's understanding, this book can be used as a textbook for physics graduate students and as a supplementary text for a range of premedical, biomedical, and biophysics courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It will also be a useful reference for biologists, physicists, medical researchers, and medical device engineers who want to work from first principles.

The self-contained properties of discotic liquid crystals (DLCs) render them powerful functional materials for many semiconducting device applications and models for energy and charge migration in self-organized dynamic functional soft materials. The past three decades have seen tremendous interest in this area, fueled primarily by the possibility of creating a new generation of organic semiconductors and wide viewing displays using DLCs. While a number of books on classical calamitic liquid crystals are available, there are, as yet, no books that are dedicated exclusively to the basic design principles, synthesis, and physical properties of DLCs. The first reference book to cover DLCs, Chemistry of Discotic Liquid Crystals: From Monomers to Polymers highlights the chemistry and thermal behavior of DLCs. Divided into six chapters, each with a general description, background, and context for the concepts involved, the book begins with a basic introduction to liquid crystals, describing molecular self-assembly and various types of liquid crystals. It outlines their classification, covers their history and general applications, and focuses on DLCs and their discovery, structure, characterization, and alignment. The book goes on to examine the chemistry and physical properties of various monomeric DLCs, including 25 sections describing the synthesis and mesomorphic properties of monomeric DLCs formed by different cores. The bulk of the book covers the chemistry and mesomorphism of discotic dimers, oligomers, and polymers and concludes with a look at some applicable properties of DLCs. A comprehensive and up-to-date resource, this book is designed to be accessible and of value not just for students and researchers but also to the directors and principal investigators working in this field, providing the foundation and fuel to advance this fast-growing technological field.

Features Presents an interdisciplinary approach, applicable to a wide range of researchers in waste treatment companies, authorities, and energy and environmental policymakers. Authored by authorities in the field. Up to date with the latest developments and technologies.

Provides a comprehensive environmental assessment of advanced nanocatalyst for biodiesel production in world's energy demand supply. Discusses the green platform based nanocatalyst like metal oxides/sulphides, 2D-dimensional layered material synthesis and their relevance for biodiesel production. Presents pathway for a cheaper, cleaner and environmentally friendly processing techniques for biodiesel production

This volume provides basic and cutting-edge methods and protocols to study the major characteristics of eukaryotic cells. Chapters detail the different pathways of endocytosis in vivo, real time imaging of endocytic steps, endocytosis in model organisms, super-resolution methods to follow proteins involved in exocytosis, specific protocols for exocytosis in specialized cells such as neutrophils or neuroendocrine cells, as well as secretion of exosomes. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and clearly written, Exocytosis and Endocytosis: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for researchers in the fields of cell biology, neurology, immunology, oncology, and those interested in studying protein trafficking and signal regulation.

"Biodegradable Composites for Packaging Applications" describes design, processing, and manufacturing of advanced biodegradable composites in packaging industry applications. It covers fundamentals of biodegradable polymers followed by introduction to biodegradable materials for food packaging industry and its processing mechanisms. Pertinent applications are explained across different chapters including intelligent packaging, applied technologies, degradation problems and its impact on environment and associated challenges. Features Covers biodegradable composites and targeted applications in packaging for industrial applications. Includes exhaustive processing and characterizations of biodegradable composites. Discusses innovative commodities packaging applications. Reviews advanced integrated design and fabrication problems for conductive and sensors applications. Explores various properties and functionalities through extensive theoretical and experimental modeling. This volume is aimed at researchers and graduate students in sustainable materials, composite technology, biodegradable plastics, and food technology and engineering.

- integrates contemporary science, philosophy, and psychoanalysis - first book on the market to discuss more than one area of contemporary science in relation to psychoanalysis

- Offers an abundance of explanations in a simple and clear manner without requiring mathematical knowledge above high school level - Presents thorough and detailed explanations of both General Relativity and Special Relativity - Presents simple demonstrations that are physically oriented and include complete explanations - Gives demonstrations of Special Relativity, including E=mc(2), and General Relativity, including the covariant derivative, the geodesic equation and the relativistic Maxwell laws

Due to efficacy and optimization potential of genetic and evolutionary algorithms, they are used in learning and modeling especially with the advent of big data related problems. This book presents the algorithms and strategies specifically associated with pertinent issues in materials science domain. It discusses the procedures for evolutionary multi-objective optimization of objective functions created through these procedures and introduces available codes. Recent applications ranging from primary metal production to materials design are covered. It also describes hybrid modeling strategy, and other common modeling and simulation strategies like molecular dynamics, cellular automata etc. Features: Focuses on data-driven evolutionary modeling and optimization, including evolutionary deep learning. Include details on both algorithms and their applications in materials science and technology. Discusses hybrid data-driven modeling that couples evolutionary algorithms with generic computing strategies. Thoroughly discusses applications of pertinent strategies in metallurgy and materials. Provides overview of the major single and multi-objective evolutionary algorithms. This book aims at Researchers, Professionals, and Graduate students in Materials Science, Data-Driven Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Computational Materials Science, Structural Materials, and Functional Materials.