This book reviews efforts to produce chemicals and fuels from forest and plant products, agricultural residues and more. Algae can potentially capture solar energy and atmospheric CO2; the book details needed research and legislative initiatives.

Origami structures have the ability to be easily fabricated from planar forms, enable the deployment of large structures from small volumes, and are potentially reconfigurable. These characteristics have led to an increased interest in theoretical and computational origami among engineers from across the world. In this book, the principles of origami, active materials, and solid mechanics are combined to present a full theory for origami structures. The focus is on origami structures morphed via active material actuation and formed from sheets of finite thickness. The detailed theoretical derivations and examples make this an ideal book for engineers and advanced students who aim to use origami principles to develop new applications in their field.

This book covers the principles and applications of vehicle handling dynamics from an advanced perspective in depth. The methods required to analyze and optimize vehicle handling dynamics are presented, including tire compound dynamics, vehicle planar dynamics, vehicle roll dynamics, full vehicle dynamics, and in-wheel motor vehicle dynamics. The provided vehicle dynamic model is capable of investigating drift, sliding, and other over-limit vehicle maneuvers. This is an ideal book for postgraduate and research students and engineers in mechanical, automotive, transportation, and ground vehicle engineering.

This volume presents the outcome of the second forum to cable-driven parallel robots, bringing the cable robot community together. It shows the new ideas of the active researchers developing cable-driven robots. The book presents the state of the art, including both summarizing contributions as well as latest research and future options. The book cover all topics which are essential for cable-driven robots: Classification Kinematics, Workspace and Singularity Analysis Statics and Dynamics Cable Modeling Control and Calibration Design Methodology Hardware Development Experimental Evaluation Prototypes, Application Reports and new Application concepts.

Wide aspects of a university education address design: the conceptualization, planning and implementation of man-made artifacts. All areas of engineering, parts of computer science and of course architecture and industrial design all claim to teach design. Yet the education of design tends ot follow tacit practices, without explicit assumptions, goals and processes.

This book is premised on the belief that design education based on a cognitive science approach can lead to significant improvements in the effectiveness of university design courses and to the future capabilities of practicing designers. This applies to all professional areas of design. The book grew out of publications and a workshop focusing on design education. This volume attempts to outline a framework upon which new efforts in design education might be based.

The book includes chapters dealing with six broad aspects of the study of design education:
- Methodologies for undertaking studies of design learning
- Longitudinal assessment of design learning
- Methods and cases for assessing beginners, experts and special populations
- Studies of important component processes
- Structure of design knowledge
- Design cognition in the classroom

Electrical Machines and Drives play a vital role in industry with an ever increasing importance. This fact necessitates the understanding of machine and drive principles by engineers of many different disciplines. Therefore, this book is intended to give a comprehensive deduction of these principles. Special attention is given to the precise mathematical deduction of the necessary formulae to calculate machines and drives, and to the discussion of simplifications (if applied) with the associated limits. So the book shows how the different machine topologies can be deduced from general fundamentals, and how they are linked.

This book addresses graduate students, researchers and developers of Electrical Machines and Drives, who are interested in getting knowledge about the principles of machine and drive operation and in detecting the mathematical and engineering specialties of the different machine and drive topologies together with their mutual links. The detailed, but compact mathematical deduction, together with a distinct emphasis onto assumptions, simplifications and the associated limits, leads to a clear understanding of Electrical Machine and Drive topologies and characteristics.

This book sheds light on the shear behavior of Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) elements, presenting a thorough analysis of the most important studies in the field and highlighting their shortcomings and issues that have been neglected to date. Instead of proposing a new formula, which would add to an already long list, it instead focuses on existing design codes. Based on a comparison of experimental tests, it provides a thorough analysis of these codes, describing both their reliability and weaknesses. Among other issues, the book addresses the influence of flange size on shear, and the possible inclusion of the flange factor in design formulas. Moreover, it reports in detail on tests performed on beams made of concrete of different compressive strengths, and on fiber reinforcements to study the influence on shear, including size effects. Lastly, the book presents a thorough analysis of FRC hollow core slabs. In fact, although this is an area of great interest in the current research landscape, it remains largely unexplored due to the difficulties encountered in attempting to fit transverse reinforcement in these elements.

This book features selected papers presented at The International Science and Technology Conference "FarEastCon", which took place on October 2-4, 2018 in Vladivostok, Russian Federation. The conference represents an informational platform for accumulating expert opinion on projects and initiatives aimed at the implementation of farsighted scientific research and development; it also allows scientific and practical achievements to be shared with a wide circle of researchers. Sections of the conference are of interest for the broad range of experts involved in developing innovative solutions and organizing events that increase the efficiency of economic and innovative activities.

This book provides comprehensive coverage of stress and strain analysis of circular cylinders and pressure vessels, one of the classic topics of machine design theory and methodology. Whereas other books offer only a partial treatment of the subject and frequently consider stress analysis solely in the elastic field, Circular Cylinders and Pressure Vessels broadens the design horizons, analyzing theoretically what happens at pressures that stress the material beyond its yield point and at thermal loads that give rise to creep. The consideration of both traditional and advanced topics ensures that the book will be of value for a broad spectrum of readers, including students in postgraduate, and doctoral programs and established researchers and design engineers. The relations provided will serve as a sound basis for the design of products that are safe, technologically sophisticated, and compliant with standards and codes and for the development of innovative applications.

The "active image" refers to the operative nature of images, thus capturing the vast array of "actions" that images perform. This volume features essays that present a new approach to image theory. It explores the many ways images become active in architecture and engineering design processes and how, in the age of computer-based modeling, images play an indispensable role. The contributors examine different types of images, be they pictures, sketches, renderings, maps, plans, and photographs; be they analog or digital, planar or three-dimensional, ephemeral, realistic or imaginary. Their essays investigate how images serve as means of representing, as tools for thinking and reasoning, as ways of imagining the inexistent, as means of communicating and conveying information and how images may also perform functions and have an agency in their own. The essays discuss the role of images from the perspective of philosophy, theory and history of architecture, history of science, media theory, cognitive sciences, design studies, and visual studies, offering a multidisciplinary approach to imagery and showing the various methodologies and interpretations in current research. In addition, they offer valuable insight to better understand how images operate and function in the arts and sciences in general.

This book describes an effective framework for setting the right process parameters and new mold design to reduce the current plastic defects in injection molding. It presents a new approach for the optimization of injection molding process via (i) a new mold runner design which leads to 20 percent reduction in scrap rate, 2.5 percent reduction in manufacturing time, and easier ejection of injected part, (ii) a new mold gate design which leads to less plastic defects; and (iii) the introduction of a number of promising alternatives with high moldability indices. Besides presenting important developments of relevance academic research, the book also includes useful information for people working in the injection molding industry, especially in the green manufacturing field.

This book provides a broad overview of current research in optical interconnect technologies and architectures. Introductory chapters on high-performance computing and the associated issues in conventional interconnect architectures, and on the fundamental building blocks for integrated optical interconnect, provide the foundations for the bulk of the book which brings together leading experts in the field of optical interconnect architectures for data communication. Particular emphasis is given to the ways in which the photonic components are assembled into architectures to address the needs of data-intensive on-chip communication, and to the performance evaluation of such architectures for specific applications.

These are the proceedings of the International Conference on Design, Fabrication and Economy of Metal Structures held on 24-26 April 2013 in Miskolc, Hungary which contain 99 papers covering: Structural optimizationThin-walled structuresStabilityFatigue FramesFireFabricationWelding technologyApplicationsSteel-concrete compositeSpecial problems

The authors are from 23 different countries, ensuring that the themes covered are of worldwide interest and importance. The International Institute of Welding (IIW), the International Society of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization (ISSMO), the TAMOP 4.2.1.B-10/2/KONV-2010-0001 project entitled "Increasing the quality of higher education through the development of research - development and innovation program at the University of Miskolc supported by the European Union, co-financed by the European Social Fund" and many other sponsors helped organizers to collect these valuable studies, the results of which will provoke discussion, and provide an important reference for civil and mechanical engineers, architects, researchers and structural designers and fabricators, as well as managers in a range of industries including building, transport, shipbuilding, aircraft, chemical and offshore engineering.

As the main theme of "Improving Complex Systems Today" implies, this book is intended to provide readers with a new perspective on concurrent engineering from the standpoint of systems engineering. It can serve as a versatile tool to help readers to navigate the ever-changing state of this particular field.

The primary focus of concurrent engineering was, at first, on bringing downstream information as far upstream as possible by introducing parallel processing in order to reduce time to market and to prevent errors at a later stage which would sometimes cause irrevocable damage. Up to now, numerous new concepts, methodologies and tools have been developed, but over concurrent engineering's 20-year history the situation has changed extensively. Now, industry has to work in the global marketplace and to cope with diversifying requirements and increasing complexities. Such globalization and diversification necessitate collaboration across different fields and across national boundaries. Thus, the new concurrent engineering calls for a systems approach to gain global market competitiveness. "Improving Complex Systems Today" provides a new insight into concurrent engineering today.

This book offers a comprehensive introduction to intelligent control system design, using MATLAB simulation to verify typical intelligent controller designs. It also uses real-world case studies that present the results of intelligent controller implementations to illustrate the successful application of the theory. Addressing the need for systematic design approaches to intelligent control system design using neural network and fuzzy-based techniques, the book introduces the concrete design method and MATLAB simulation of intelligent control strategies; offers a catalog of implementable intelligent control design methods for engineering applications; provides advanced intelligent controller design methods and their stability analysis methods; and presents a sample simulation and Matlab program for each intelligent control algorithm. The main topics addressed are expert control, fuzzy logic control, adaptive fuzzy control, neural network control, adaptive neural control and intelligent optimization algorithms, providing several engineering application examples for each method.

This book provides engineers with the necessary information to design sustainable processes, products and value chains. It describes the current consensus on sustainable development for four context levels: Planet, Society, Business, and Engineers. It also presents all required design steps: from problem definition, via synthesis of potential solutions, analysis of solutions, improvements to the final solution evaluation. For each design step, methods and guidelines are provided in relation to the goal of obtaining a sustainable solution; a solution that meets both the needs of people and all specific context constraints with regard to the planet and prosperity.

Provides information on the current consensus on sustainable development for four context levels: Planet, Society, Business and EngineersOffers guidelines for analyzing problems and identifying the best solution for each problem as applicable to a specific situation Provides clear design procedures for implementation of a particular solution Helps engineers to come up with profitable designs which meet environmental constraints Presents the information that engineers need to meet energy, water, food, health, and other basic human needs

This thesis proposes novel designs of phononic crystal plates (PhPs) allowing ultra-wide controllability frequency ranges of guided waves at low frequencies, with promising structural and tunability characteristics. It reports on topology optimization of bi-material-layered (1D) PhPs allowing maximized relative bandgap width (RBW) at target filling fractions and demonstrates multiscale functionality of gradient PhPs. It also introduces a multi-objective topology optimization method for 2D porous PhPs allowing both maximized RBW and in-plane stiffness and addresses the critical role of considering stiffness in designing porous PhPs. The multi-objective topology optimization method is then expanded for designing 2D porous PhPs with deformation induced tunability. A variety of innovative designs are introduced which their maximized broadband RBW is enhanced by, is degraded by or is insensitive to external finite deformation. Not only does this book address the challenges of new topology optimization methods for computational design of phononic crystals; yet, it demonstrated the suitability and applicability of the topological designs by experimental validation. Furthermore, it offers a comprehensive review of the existing optimization-based approaches for the design of finite non-periodic acoustic metamaterial structures, acoustic metamaterial lattice structures and acoustic metamaterials under perfect periodicity.

These proceedings exchange ideas and knowledge among engineers, designers and managers on how to support real-world value chains by developing additive manufactured series products. The papers from the conference show a holistic, multidisciplinary view.

Since register transfer level (RTL) design is less about being a bright engineer, and more about knowing the downstream implications of your work, this book explains the impact of design decisions taken that may give rise later in the product lifecycle to issues related to testability, data synchronization across clock domains, synthesizability, power consumption, routability, etc., all which are a function of the way the RTL was originally written. Readers will benefit from a highly practical approach to the fundamentals of these topics, and will be given clear guidance regarding necessary safeguards to observe during RTL design.

Presenting the gradual evolution of the concept of Concurrent Engineering (CE), and the technical, social methods and tools that have been developed, including the many theoretical and practical challenges that still exist, this book serves to summarize the achievements and current challenges of CE and will give readers a comprehensive picture of CE as researched and practiced in different regions of the world. Featuring in-depth analysis of complex real-life applications and experiences, this book demonstrates that Concurrent Engineering is used widely in many industries and that the same basic engineering principles can also be applied to new, emerging fields like sustainable mobility. Designed to serve as a valuable reference to industry experts, managers, students, researchers, and software developers, this book is intended to serve as both an introduction to development and as an analysis of the novel approaches and techniques of CE, as well as being a compact reference for more experienced readers.

The broad and developing scope of ergonomics - the application of scientific knowledge to improve people's interaction with products, systems and environments - has been illustrated for 25 years by the books which make up the Contemporary Ergonomics series. This book presents the proceedings of the international conference on Ergonomics & Human Factors 2012. In addition to being the leading event in the UK that features ergonomics and human factors across all sectors, this is also the annual conference of the Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors. Individual papers provide insight into current practice, present new research findings and form an invaluable reference source. The volumes provide a fast track for the publication of suitable papers from international contributors, with papers being subject to peer review since 2009.A wide range of topics are covered in these proceedings, including transport, user centred design, safety culture, military, accidents, healthcare, manufacturing, human factors integration, education, the 24-hour society, sociotechnical systems and green ergonomics. As well as being of interest to mainstream ergonomists and human factors specialists, Contemporary Ergonomics and Human Factors will appeal to all those who are concerned with people's interactions with their working and leisure environment including designers, manufacturing and production engineers, health and safety specialists, occupational, applied and industrial psychologists, and applied physiologists.

This book presents a wealth of insights and new conceptualizations for the development of "Assistive Technologies for the Interaction of the Elderly." The book arranges the chaptersaccording to important aspects of maximizing the use value in innovation projects. Every chapter will include an executive summary reporting the main results, a storyline using everyday language, and scientific excursions, wherever useful.

The book shows how an innovation project should be structured towards maximum use value and how a project should be structured in order to make a difference. It describes the useful categorization of the large group of the elderly to maximize the focus of the innovation and demonstrates the user involvement into innovation activities. Of course, the assessment of such innovative projects is discussed as well as the lessons learned . The book also explores the business opportunities and the financial evaluation of aspects of assistive technology.

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Modelling for Business Improvement contains the proceedings of the First International Conference on Process Modelling and Process Management (MMEP 2010) held in Cambridge, England, in March 2010. It contains contributions from an international group of leading researchers in the fields of process modelling and process management. This conference will showcase recent trends in the modelling and management of engineering processes, explore potential synergies between different modelling approaches, gather and discuss future challenges for the management of engineering processes and discuss future research areas and topics. Modelling for Business Improvement is divided into three main parts: theoretical foundation of modelling and management of engineering processes, and achievements in theory; experiences from management practice using various modelling methods and tools, and their future challenges; and, new perspectives on modelling methods, techniques and tools. Based on the latest achievements in this and related fields, the editors aim to landmark the research map for modelling and management of engineering processes for 2020.

This volume contains papers that have been selected after review for oral presentation at ISRM 2015, the Fourth IFToMM International Symposium on Robotics and Mechatronics held in Poitiers, France 23-24 June 2015. These papers provide a vision of the evolution of the disciplines of robotics and mechatronics, including but not limited to: mechanism design; modeling and simulation; kinematics and dynamics of multibody systems; control methods; navigation and motion planning; sensors and actuators; bio-robotics; micro/nano-robotics; complex robotic systems; walking machines, humanoids-parallel kinematic structures: analysis and synthesis; smart devices; new design; application and prototypes. The book can be used by researchers and engineers in the relevant areas of robotics and mechatronics.

Unifying two decades of research, this book is the first to establish a comprehensive foundation for a systematic analysis and design of linear systems with general state and input constraints. For such systems, which can be used as models for most nonlinear systems, the issues of stability, controller design, additonal constraints, and satisfactory performance are addressed. The book is an excellent reference for practicing engineers, graduate students, and researchers in control systems theory and design. It may also serve as an advanced graduate text for a course or a seminar in nonlinear control systems theory and design in applied mathematics or engineering departments. Minimal prerequisites include a first graduate course in state-space methods as well as a first course in control systems design.