This book is an up-to-date review of the most important plasma-based techniques for material modification, from microelectronics to biological materials and from fusion plasmas to atmospheric ones. Each its technical chapters is written by long-experienced, internationally recognised researchers. The book provides a deep and comprehensive insight into plasma technology and its associated elemental processes and is illustrated throughout with excellent figures and references to complement each section. Although some of the topics covered can be traced back several decades, care has been taken to emphasize the most recent findings and expected evolution. The first time the word 'plasma' appeared in print in a scientific text related to the study of electrical discharges in gases was 1928, when Irving Langmuir published his article 'Oscillations in Ionized Gases'. It was the baptism of the predominant state of matter in the known universe (it is estimated that up to 99% of matter is plasma), although not on earth, where the conditions of pressure and temperature make normal the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) which, in global terms, are exotic. It is enough to add energy to a solid (in the form of heat or electromagnetic radiation) to go into the liquid state, from which gas is obtained through an additional supply of energy. If we continue adding energy to the gas, we will partially or totally ionise it and reach a new state of matter, plasma, made up of free electrons, atoms and molecules (electrically neutral particles) and ions (endowed with a positive or a negative electric charge).

Addresses simple to advance microscopy techniques for the effective analyses of trace evidence Pairs chapters on a particular type of microscopy, explaining it fully, before delving into specific usage for forensic applications Presents theories and as well as the real-world applications outlining current standards and best practices Provides numerous micro-photographs from authors' and editors' collections, including graphical representations and flow charts to clearly illustrate concepts

Addresses simple to advance microscopy techniques for the effective analyses of trace evidence Pairs chapters on a particular type of microscopy, explaining it fully, before delving into specific usage for forensic applications Presents theories and as well as the real-world applications outlining current standards and best practices Provides numerous micro-photographs from authors' and editors' collections, including graphical representations and flow charts to clearly illustrate concepts

Thermoplastic matrix composites have attracted much attention in the composites industry due to their easy processibility and improved impact properties. Although there are many books on thermoplastic composites available, none emphasize flexible towpregs and their composite properties. This book discusses various methods of manufacturing flexible towpregs, their properties, their textile preforming behavior, the properties of textile preform, and the properties of final composites. FEATURES Gives readers a complete view of composite manufacturing Offers details on flexible prepregs that other books overlook, such as manufacturing methods, influence of processing parameters, and properties Includes explanations that cover all steps of manufacturing with examples Features case studies and homework exercises for all chapters to reinforce understanding Provides technological information, discussion, and analysis of problems related to all types of flexible towpregs, such as commingling, electrostatic powder coating, wrapped hybrid yarns, micro-braided hybrid yarns, core-spun hybrid yarns, and others This book is aimed at readers working with composite materials, industrial textiles, and related areas to understand the significance of thermoplastic composites made through textile performance of flexible towpregs.

Semiconducting polymers are of great interest for applications in electroluminescent devices, solar cells, batteries, and diodes. This volume provides a thorough introduction to the basic concepts of the photophysics of semiconducting polymers as well as a description of the principal polymerization methods for luminescent polymers. Divided into two main sections, the book first introduces the advances made in polymer synthesis and then goes on to focus on the photophysics aspects, also exploring how new advances in the area of controlled syntheses of semiconducting polymers are applied. An understanding of the photophysics process in this kind of material requires some knowledge of many different terms in this field, so a chapter on the basic concepts is included. The process that occurs in semiconducting polymers spans time scales that are unimaginably fast, sometimes less than a picosecond. To appreciate this extraordinary scale, it is necessary to learn a range of vocabularies and concepts that stretch from the basic concepts of photophysics to modern applications, such as electroluminescent devices, solar cells, batteries, and diodes. This book provides a starting point for a broadly based understanding of photophysics concepts applied in understanding semiconducting polymers, incorporating critical ideas from across the scientific spectrum.

In this book, the fundamentals of micro- and nanofabrication are described on the basis of the concept of "using gases as a fabrication tool." Unlike other books available on the subject, this volume assumes only entry-level mathematics, physics, and chemistry of undergraduates or high-school students in science and engineering courses. Necessary theories are plainly explained to help the reader learn about this new attractive field and enable further reading of specialized books. The book is an attractive guide for students, young engineers, and anyone getting involved in micro- and nanofabrication from various fields including physics, electronics, chemistry, and materials sciences.

With easily accessible oil reserves dwindling, petroleum engineers must have a sound understanding of how to access technically challenging resources, especially in the deepwater environment. These technically challenging resources bring with them complexities around fluid flow not normally associated with conventional production systems, and engineers must be knowledgeable about navigating these complexities. Practical Aspects of Flow Assurance in the Petroleum Industry aims to provide practical guidance on all aspects of flow assurance to offer readers a ready reference on how to ensure uninterrupted transport of processed fluids throughout the flow infrastructure by covering all practical aspects of flow assurance, being written in such a way that any engineer dealing with the oil and gas industry will be able to understand the material, containing solved examples on most topics, placing equal emphasis on experimental techniques and modeling methods, and devoting an entire chapter to the analysis and interpretation of published case studies. With its balance of theory and practical applications, this work provides petroleum engineers from a variety of backgrounds with the information needed to maintain and enhance productivity.

Provides insight about application of natural fibers in polymer and composite manufacturing Covers fundamental concepts for the characterization of natural fiber composites Describes extraction process of natural fibers with comparison Includes comparative study of different polymer matrices Discusses diverse applications and scope for commercialization and entrepreneurship

- New advancements of fractal analysis with applications to many scientific, engineering, and societal issues - Recent changes and challenges of fractal geometry with the rapid advancement of technology - Attracted chapters on novel theory and recent applications of fractals. - Offers recent findings, modelling and simulations of fractal analysis from eminent institutions across the world - Analytical innovations of fractal analysis - Edited collection with a variety of viewpoints

Mathematical biology remains a fast-growing topic within applied mathematics. The Mathematical Modeling course is a common and popular course. This book aims to tailor the modeling course to life science applications. It introduces an advanced concept, Sensitivity Analysis, at an undergraduate level. The book will be attractive to any mathematician teaching biology students in a modeling or mathematical biology course.

This book presents selected papers on statistical model development related mainly to the fields of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics. The coverage of the material falls squarely into the following categories: (a) Survival analysis and multivariate survival analysis, (b) Time series and longitudinal data analysis, (c) Statistical model development and (d) Applied statistical modelling. Innovations in statistical modelling are presented throughout each of the four areas, with some intriguing new ideas on hierarchical generalized non-linear models and on frailty models with structural dispersion, just to mention two examples. The contributors include distinguished international statisticians such as Philip Hougaard, John Hinde, Il Do Ha, Roger Payne and Alessandra Durio, among others, as well as promising newcomers. Some of the contributions have come from researchers working in the BIO-SI research programme on Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, centred on the Universities of Limerick and Galway in Ireland and funded by the Science Foundation Ireland under its Mathematics Initiative.

This book provides an overview of key current developments in the synthetic strategy of functional novel nanomaterials in various spectroscopic characterizations and evaluations and highlights possible future applications in nanotechnology and materials science. It illustrates the wide-ranging interest in these areas and provides a background to the later chapters, which address the novel synthesis of high-yield nanomaterials and their biomaterials, graphene, polymeric nanomaterials, green nanomaterials, green polyester, liquid crystal electro-optic switching applications, nanobiotechnology, transition metal oxides, response characteristics of exclusive spectroscopic investigation as well as electron microscopic study, flexible and transparent electrodes, optoelectronics, nanoelectronics, smart displays, switchable device modulation, health care, energy storage, solar/fuel cells, environmental and plant biology, social, ethical, and regulatory implications of various aspects of green nanotechnology, as well as significant foreseeable spectroscopic applications of key functional nanomaterials. Given appropriate regulation for and research on the topics covered, commercial production of manufactured novel composite materials can be realized. Furthermore, the many discoveries highlighted in the book can modulate spectroscopic performances with technical excellence in multidisciplinary research of high competence.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has drawn considerable attention as an attractive inorganic raw material for various applications due to its inexpensiveness, nontoxic nature, stability, and excellent photocatalytic activity. Photocatalysis is one of the most promising route for sustainable chemistry of the 21st century. It can contribute to solving environmental, global energy, and chemical problems, as well as to the sustainable production of commodities in the near future. This book presents the fundamentals of photocatalysis in nanostructured TiO2 and describes the factors affecting the photocatalytic activity, design, and synthesis of various forms of nanostructured TiO2. It highlights the use of ion-doping and inert-atmosphere annealing to extend the light-absorption range of photocatalysts and reduce recombination between electrons and holes. It discusses numerous applications in the fields of energy and environment, such as water purification, gas sensing, storage and delivery, and energy generation. The book is an invaluable resource and useful guide for a broad readership in various fields of catalysis, materials science, environment, and energy.

This book introduces acoustic wave theories using a reader-friendly matrix-based linear algebra approach. It will enable the reader to take advantage of software tools such as MATLAB (commercial codes) and OCTAVE (open-source codes) to gain better and deeper understanding of the underlying physics quickly. In this aspect, this text can be regarded as a practical introduction of the acoustic wave theories in an easy-to-follow linear algebra format using matrix manipulations instead of an abstract approach relying on tensor manipulations. The book also uses case studies to demonstrate how the fundamentals on acoustic waves discussed throughout the book are applied in device designs and analyses such that the connections and interdependences between the underlying sciences and the observed behavior and performances can be better appreciated by the reader. To achieve this, all problems for illustrations, examples, case studies, and device analyses are developed and solved based on the mathematical foundations laid out in the book.

It has been observed that rapid population expansion has raised the amount of anthropogenic activity, resulting in high levels of pollution in water, air, and solid waste as well as an increase in the pressure placed on agricultural lands. Bioaugmentation Techniques and Applications in Remediation provides detailed information on bioaugmentation approaches for the remediation of sediments, water, and soil polluted with organic and inorganic pollutants. Practical applications of bioaugmentation techniques performed in restricted systems under controlled conditions, laboratory investigations, and in the field are addressed. Special emphasis is placed on the applications of nanomaterials in combination with bioaugmentation techniques for enhanced bioremediation efficiency. FEATURES Explores abiotic and biotic factors that enhance and facilitate environmental remediation of contaminants Provides a primer on the elementary microbial processes entailed in bioaugmentation Summarizes methods and approaches for executing bioaugmentation technology Details commercially available products and instrumentation This book is an ideal resource for researchers, students, and engineers working in materials science and bioremediation.

Due to the increasing popularity of herbal-based drugs under the pandemic like COVID 19, the worldwide demand for medicinal plants has increased to aid the immune system. Very timely topic for working on or have an interest in the traditional as well as modern research of medicinal plants. The book can be a useful reference for students, pharmacists, pharmacognosists, chemists, phytochemists, and cosmetic chemists by providing information about fundamental chemical principles, modes of action, and product formulation of bioactive natural products for medical applications.

Due to the increasing popularity of herbal-based drugs under the pandemic like COVID 19, the worldwide demand for medicinal plants has increased to aid the immune system. Very timely topic for working on or have an interest in the traditional as well as modern research of medicinal plants. The book can be a useful reference for students, pharmacists, pharmacognosists, chemists, phytochemists, and cosmetic chemists by providing information about fundamental chemical principles, modes of action, and product formulation of bioactive natural products for medical applications.

This book is the first of its kind to bring basic notions of contemporary physics to bear on African cine-scapes. In this book, renowned African cinema scholar Kenneth W. Harrow presents unique new ways to think about space and time in film, with a specific focus on African and African diasporic cinema. Through a series of case studies, he explores how cinema creates and represents time and space and, more specifically, how a cinema centered in African landscapes and figures accomplishes this. He reflects on the issues and problems posed by scientists when faced with the basic questions of what space and time are and their solutions or conclusions, giving both film studies and African studies scholars access to new ways to formulate their thinking about African cine-scapes. Working beyond the limits of a framework based in a postcolonial and cultural understanding of time and space, Harrow demonstrates how a scientific understanding of time and space can open up new approaches to African cinema and cinema in general. A unique, interdisciplinary book that encourages brand new ways to approach cinematic texts and, specifically, African cine-scapes.

This book presents recent and important developments in the field of Photonics and Optoelectronics, with a particular focus on Laser Technology, Optical Communications, Optoelectronic Devices and Image Processing. At present, Photonics and Optoelectronics Technologies are pivotal to the future of laser, displays, sensors and communication technologies, and currently being developed at an extraordinary rate. This book details the theories underlying the mechanisms involved in the relevant Photonics and Optoelectronics. Devices such as laser diodes, photodetectors, and integrated optoelectronic circuits are investigated. The reviews by leading experts are of interest to researchers and engineers as well as advanced students.

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.

Nanosensors are innovative devices that exploit the unique properties exhibited by matter at the nanoscale. A growing and exciting field, nanosensors have recently spurred considerable research endeavors across the globe, driving a need for the development of new device concepts and engineering nanostructured materials with controlled properties. Nanosensors: Physical, Chemical, and Biological, Second Edition offers a panoramic view of the field and related nanotechnologies with extraordinary clarity and depth. Presenting an interdisciplinary approach, blending physics, chemistry and biology, this new edition is broad in scope and organised into six parts; beginning with the fundamentals before moving onto nanomaterials and nanofabrication technologies in the second part. The third and fourth parts provide a critical appraisal of physical nanosensors, and explore the chemical and biological categories of nanosensors. The fifth part sheds light on the emerging applications of nanosensors in the sectors of society, industry, and defense and details the cutting-edge applications of state-of-the-art nanosensors in environmental science, food technology, medical diagnostics, and biotechnology. The final part addresses self-powering and networking issues of nanosensors, and provides glimpses of future trends. This is an ideal reference for researchers and industry professionals engaged in the frontier areas of material science and semiconductor fabrication as well as graduate students in physics and engineering pursuing electrical engineering and electronics courses with a focus on nanoscience and nanotechnology. Key features: Provides an updated, all-encompassing exploration of contemporary nanosensors and highlights the exclusive nanoscale properties on which nanosensors are designed. Presents an accessible approach with a question-and-answer format to allow an easy grasp of the intricacies involved in the complex working mechanisms of devices. Contains clear, illustrative diagrams enabling the visualization of nanosensor operations, along with worked examples, end of chapter questions, and exhaustive up-to-date bibliographies appended to each chapter.

This book addresses important current and historical topics in astrobiology and the search for life beyond Earth, including the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). The first section covers the plurality of worlds debate from antiquity through the nineteenth century, while section two covers the extraterrestrial life debate from the twentieth century to the present. The final section examines the societal impact of discovering life beyond Earth, including both cultural and religious dimensions. Throughout the book, authors draw links between their own chapters and those of other contributors, emphasizing the interconnections between the various strands of the history and societal impact of the search for extraterrestrial life. The chapters are all written by internationally recognized experts and are carefully edited by Douglas Vakoch, professor of clinical psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies and Director of Interstellar Message Composition at the SETI Institute. This interdisciplinary book will benefit everybody trying to understand the meaning of astrobiology and SETI for our human society.

Are Amazon Alexa and Google Home limited to our bedrooms, or can they be used in hospitals? Do you envision a future where physicians work hand-in-hand with voice AI to revolutionize healthcare delivery? In the near future, clinical smart assistants will be able to automate many manual hospital tasks-and this will be only the beginning of the changes to come. Voice AI is the future of physician-machine interaction and this Focus book provides invaluable insight on its next frontier. It begins with a brief history and current implementations of voice-activated assistants and illustrates why clinical voice AI is at its inflection point. Next, it describes how the authors built the world's first smart surgical assistant using an off-the-shelf smart home device, outlining the implementation process in the operating room. From quantitative metrics to surgeons' feedback, the authors discuss the feasibility of this technology in the surgical setting. The book then provides an in-depth development guideline for engineers and clinicians desiring to develop their own smart surgical assistants. Lastly, the authors delve into their experiences in translating voice AI into the clinical setting and reflect on the challenges and merits of this pursuit. The world's first smart surgical assistant has not only reduced surgical time but eliminated major touch points in the operating room, resulting in positive, significant implications for patient outcomes and surgery costs. From clinicians eager for insight on the next digital health revolution to developers interested in building the next clinical voice AI, this book offers a guide for both audiences.

This new book is fully up to date with all the latest developments on both theoretical and experimental investigations of the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics with a particular emphasis on its historical development on both sides. It further stresses the cross-fertilisation between the two sub-disciplines of theoretical and experimental particle physics which has been instrumental in establishing the SM. In other words, the book develops a truly phenomenological attitude to the subject. In addition to emphasising the successes of the SM, this book also critically assesses its limitations and raises key unanswered questions for the purpose of presenting a new perspective of how to further our knowledge above and beyond it. It also contains both historical information from past experiments and latest results from the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. This book will be an invaluable reference to advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students, in addition to early-stage researchers in the field. Key Features: Provides a unique approach not found in current literature in developing and verifying the SM Presents the theory pedagogically but rigorously from basic knowledge of quantum field theory Brings together experimental and theoretical practice in one, cohesive text

Genesis, Pathophysiology Management of Venous Diseases is the must-have resource on venous disease. The book bridges the gap between basic science and clinical medicine, covering the history of venous surgery, the lymphatic system and anatomy, pathophysiology of various venous disease, etiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis, management, and medical and surgical treatment options. It also places attention on genetic studies and pharmacological analysis of various anticoagulants which are widely used in treating venous diseases and deep vein thrombosis and highlights the importance of microscopic venous valves and their pathology in both normal and disease condition. The breadth of topics covered makes this reference suitable for a range of professionals in phlebolymphology and cardiology, including medical students, practicing clinicians, surgeons, researchers, radiologists, bioengineers, and more.