The IFAC Workshop on Intelligent Components for Vehicles (ICV'98) was held in Seville (Spain), on March 23-24 1998. The event follows the Workshop on Intelligent Components for Autonomous and Semiautonomous Vehicles (ICASAV'95) held in Toulouse (France, October 1995).

The main objective of ICV'98 was to bring together specialists on components and instruments for automotive systems, mobile robots and vehicles in general to enhance the value of their experience in both hardware and software intelligent components.

Future vehicles will deal more and more with autonomous functions to improve safety and traffic management and to reduce consumption and pollution. Numerous on-board decision systems will replace the driver in critical running phases. The problems and solutions experienced, by adopting this new technology, will bring out many common points with other transportation systems and mobile robots.

Research and Developments on Mobile Robotics have produced many components for perception, control and planning that can be used in vehicles for collision detection and avoidance, position estimation, guidance and manoeuvering aids for drivers, advanced teleoperation, and other applications.

The topics of the Workshop are in an emerging field in which the research is quickly being converted into industrial products. Several applications in the automotive domain, marine vehicles, agricultural and others were included in the program.

In addition to the presentation of the papers, ICV also included a plenary talk and a round table about intelligent components for future vehicles with the participation of several industrial companies.

Every bit of information that circulates the internet across the globe is a pulse of light, that at some point will need to be converted to an electric signal in order to be processed by the electronic circuitry in our data centers, computers, and cell phones. Photodetectors (PD's) perform this conversion with ultra high speed and efficiency, in addition to being ubiquitously present in many other devices ranging from the mundane TV remote controls, to ultra high resolution instrumentation used in Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) that reach the edge of the universe and measure gravitational waves. The second edition of "Photodetectors" fully updates the popular first edition with updated information covering the state-of-the-art in modern photodetectors. The 2nd edition starts with basic metrology of photodetectors and common figures-of-merit to compare various devices. It follows with chapters that discuss single-photon detection with Avalanche Photodiodes; organic photodetectors that can be inkjet printed; and silicon-germanium PDs popular in burgeoning field of Silicon Photonics. Internationally recognized experts contribute chapters on one-dimensional, nanowire, PDs as well as high speed zero-dimensional, quantum dot, versions that increase the spectral span as well as speed and sensitivity of PDs and can be produced on various substrates. Solar-blind PDs that operate in harsh environments such as deep space, or rocket engines, are reviewed and new devices in GaN technology . Novel Plasmonic PDs, as well as devices which employ micro-plasma of confined charge in order to make devices that overcome speed limitation of transfer of electronic charge, are covered in other chapters. Using different, novel technologies, CMOS compatible devices are described in two chapters, and ultra high speed PDs that use low-temperature-grown GaAs (LT-GaAs) to detect fast THz signals are reviewed in another chapter. Photodetectors used in application areas of Silicon-Photonics and Microwave-Photonics are reviewed in final chapters of this book. All chapters are of a review nature, providing a perspective of the field before concentrating on particular advancements. As such, the book should appeal to a wide audience that ranges from those with general interest in the topic, to practitioners, graduate students and experts who are interested in the state-of-the-art in photodetection.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device applications are common in many areas. Micromirror arrays are used as video projectors; microsensors find their application for measuring acceleration, temperature, and pressure; and they can also be used in the medical field for measuring blood pressure. Microfluidics have also been widely employed in life sciences applications, such as drug development and administration, point-of-care devices, and more. To use these technologies to their fullest extent, further research is needed. Advances in MEMS and Microfluidic Systems explores the emerging research and advances in MEMS devices and microfluidic systems applications. It features in-depth chapters on microfluidic device design and fabrication as well as on the aspects of devices/systems, characterization, and comparative research findings. Covering topics such as biosensors, lab-on-a-chip, and microfluidic technology, this premier reference source is an indispensable resource for engineers, health professionals, students and educators of higher education, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

Nanoemulsions are produced by mixing an oil phase with an aqueous phase under shear pressure. This procedure yields uniform populations of oil droplets ranging in diameter from 200 to 8 nm that are kinetically stable colloidal substances with enhanced properties compared to the conventional emulsion substances. Nanoemulsions have broad potential applications in agriculture, food, health, and biomedical sciences. Nanoemulsion Applications in Agriculture, Food, Health, and Biomedical Sciences focuses on the aspects of nanoemulsion-like synthesis, characterization, and more and examines recent trends in their applications within a variety of relevant fields. Nanoemulsions have broad application in many different fields; without emulsification, process product development would not be possible. Covering topics such as cancer treatment, healthcare applications, and food manufacturing, this book is essential for scientists, doctors, researchers, post-graduate students, medical students, government officials, hospital directors, professors, and academicians.

With recent advancements in electronics, specifically nanoscale devices, new technologies are being implemented to improve the properties of automated systems. However, conventional materials are failing due to limited mobility, high leakage currents, and power dissipation. To mitigate these challenges, alternative resources are required to advance electronics further into the nanoscale domain. Carbon nanotube field-effect transistors are a potential solution yet lack the information and research to be properly utilized. Major Applications of Carbon Nanotube Field-Effect Transistors (CNTFET) is a collection of innovative research on the methods and applications of converting semiconductor devices from micron technology to nanotechnology. The book provides readers with an updated status on existing CNTs, CNTFETs, and their applications and examines practical applications to minimize short channel effects and power dissipation in nanoscale devices and circuits. While highlighting topics including interconnects, digital circuits, and single-wall CNTs, this book is ideally designed for electrical engineers, electronics engineers, students, researchers, academicians, industry professionals, and practitioners working in nanoscience, nanotechnology, applied physics, and electrical and electronics engineering.

Industry wastewater is a major contributor to environmental pollution with chemicals such as dyes, acids, fungicides, and more creating a threat to the environment. Nanocomposites of heterogeneous photocatalysis can be used to cure such problems due to its efficiency and ease of use, as well as the fact that it turns toxic chemicals completely to carbon dioxide and inorganic acids. With toxic chemicals posing a tremendous threat to ecological wellbeing and human health, it is integral that a variety of nanocomposites are studied for their use in the degradation of toxic and hazardous chemicals. Innovative Nanocomposites for the Remediation and Decontamination of Wastewater describes the synthesis of nanomaterials and its application for the protection of the environment. It presents studies on the photodegradation of the various toxic and hazardous chemicals by different nanocomposites, as well as the decontamination of bodies of water through the use of various nanocomposites. Covering topics such as dye degradation, novel biomaterials, and structural modification, this premier reference source is a vital resource for environmental scientists, construction managers, compliance officers, biochemists, biophysicists, conservation scientists, hydrologists, microbiologists, libraries, students and educators of higher education, researchers, and academicians.

Power Plant Instrumentation and Control Handbook, Second Edition, provides a contemporary resource on the practical monitoring of power plant operation, with a focus on efficiency, reliability, accuracy, cost and safety. It includes comprehensive listings of operating values and ranges of parameters for temperature, pressure, flow and levels of both conventional thermal power plant and combined/cogen plants, supercritical plants and once-through boilers. It is updated to include tables, charts and figures from advanced plants in operation or pilot stage. Practicing engineers, freshers, advanced students and researchers will benefit from discussions on advanced instrumentation with specific reference to thermal power generation and operations. New topics in this updated edition include plant safety lifecycles and safety integrity levels, advanced ultra-supercritical plants with advanced firing systems and associated auxiliaries, integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) and integrated gasification fuel cells (IGFC), advanced control systems, and safety lifecycle and safety integrated systems.

Geographic information systems (GIS) provide information that can be useful across many disciplines. One of these disciplines is the travel and hospitality industry. GIS Applications in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry is a vital scholarly publication that explores the applications of GIS to the leisure travel industry, specifically the importance of GIS in trip planning, online bookings, and location-based services. Highlighting coverage on a wide range of topics such as cultural heritage tourism, geospatial collaborative tourism recommender systems, and decision support systems, this book is geared toward business managers, academicians, researchers, graduate-level students, and professionals looking for current research on the impact of GIS on recreational travel.

To understand the catastrophic processes of forest fire danger, different deterministic, probabilistic, and empiric models must be used. Simulating various surface and crown forest fires using predictive information technology could lead to the improvement of existing systems and the examination of the ecological and economic effects of forest fires in other countries. Predicting, Monitoring, and Assessing Forest Fire Dangers and Risks provides innovative insights into forestry management and fire statistics. The content within this publication examines climate change, thermal radiation, and remote sensing. It is designed for fire investigators, forestry technicians, emergency managers, fire and rescue specialists, professionals, researchers, meteorologists, computer engineers, academicians, and students invested in topics centered around providing conjugate information on forest fire danger and risk.

The concept of smart drug delivery vehicles involves designing and preparing a nanostructure (or microstructure) that can be loaded with a cargo, this can be a therapeutic drug, a contrast agent for imaging, or a nucleic acid for gene therapy. The nanocarrier serves to protect the cargo from degradation by enzymes in the body, to enhance the solubility of insoluble drugs, to extend the circulation half-life, and to enhance its penetration and accumulation at the target site. Importantly, smart nanocarriers can be designed to be responsive to a specific stimulus, so that the cargo is only released or activated when desired. In this volume we cover smart nanocarriers that respond to externally applied stimuli that usually involve application of physical energy. This physical energy can be applied from outside the body and can either cause cargo release, or can activate the nanostructure to be cytotoxic, or both. The stimuli covered include light of various wavelengths (ultraviolet, visible or infrared), temperature (increased or decreased), magnetic fields (used to externally manipulate nanostructures and to activate them), ultrasound, and electrical and mechanical forces. Finally we discuss the issue of nanotoxicology and the future scope of the field.

In the last few years, several "bottom-up" and "top-down" synthesis routes have been developed to produce tailored hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs). This book provides a new insight into one of the most promising "bottom-up" techniques, based on a practical magnetron-sputtering inert-gas-condensation method. A modified magnetron-sputtering-based inert-gas-condensation (MS-IGC) system is presented, and its performances under different conditions are evaluated. Designed for graduate students, researchers in physics, materials science, biophysics and related fields, and process engineers, this new resource fills a critical need to understand the fundamentals behind the design and tailoring of the nanoparticles produced by the MS-IGC method. It shows that the morphology, the size and the properties of the nanoparticles can be modulated by tuning the deposition parameters such as the energy, the cooling rate, and the collision and coalescence processes experienced by the nanoparticles during their formation. The mechanisms of formation of different HNPs are suggested, combining the physico-chemical properties of the materials with the experimental conditions. This book illustrates the potential of MS-IGC method to synthesize multifunctional nanoparticles and nanocomposites with accurate control on their morphology and structure. However, for a better understanding of HNPs formation, further improvements in characterization methods of aggregation zone conditions are needed. In addition, the optimization of the yield and harvesting process of HNPs is essential to make this method sufficiently attractive for large-scale production.

Hyperbolic metamaterials were originally introduced to overcome the diffraction limit of optical imaging. Soon thereafter it was realized that hyperbolic metamaterials demonstrate a number of novel phenomena resulting from the broadband singular behavior of their density of photonic states. These novel phenomena and applications include super resolution imaging, new stealth technologies, enhanced quantum-electrodynamic effects, thermal hyperconductivity, superconductivity, and interesting gravitation theory analogs. Here I review typical material systems, which exhibit hyperbolic behavior and outline important new applications of hyperbolic metamaterials, such as imaging experiments with plasmonic hyperbolic metamaterials and novel VCSEL geometries, in which the Bragg mirrors may be engineered in such a way that they exhibit hyperbolic properties in the long wavelength infrared range, so that they may be used to efficiently remove excess heat from the laser cavity. I will also discuss potential applications of self-assembled photonic hypercrystals. This system bypasses 3D nanofabrication issues, which typically limit hyperbolic metamaterial applications. Photonic hypercrystals combine the most interesting features of hyperbolic metamaterials and photonic crystals.

With the emergence of nanoscience and technology in the 21st century, research has shifted its focus on the quantum and optical dynamical properties of matter such as atoms, molecules, and solids which are properly characterized in their dynamic state. Quantum and Optical Dynamics of Matter for Nanotechnology carefully addresses the general key concepts in this field and expands to more complex discussions on the most recent advancements and techniques related to quantum dynamics within the confines of physical chemistry. This book is an essential reference for academics, researchers, professionals, and advanced students interested in a modern discussion of the niche area of nanotechnology.

This book provides an introduction to topological matter with a focus on insulating bulk systems. A number of prerequisite concepts and tools are first laid out, including the notion of symmetry transformations, the band theory of semiconductors and aspects of electronic transport. The main part of the book discusses realistic models for both time-reversal-preserving and -violating topological insulators, as well as their characteristic responses to external perturbations. Special emphasis is given to the study of the anomalous electric, thermal, and thermoelectric transport properties, the theory of orbital magnetisation, and the polar Kerr effect. The topological models studied throughout this book become unified and generalised by means of the tenfold topological-classification framework and the respective systematic construction of topological invariants. This approach is further extended to topological superconductors and topological semimetals. This book covers a wide range of topics and aims at the transparent presentation of the technical aspects involved. For this purpose, homework problems are also provided in dedicated Hands-on sections. Given its structure and the required background level of the reader, this book is particularly recommended for graduate students or researchers who are new to the field.

With the emergence of smart technology and automated systems in today's world, big data is being incorporated into many applications. Trends in data can be detected and objects can be tracked based on the real-time data that is utilized in everyday life. These connected sensor devices and objects will provide a large amount of data that is to be analyzed quickly, as it can accelerate the transformation of smart technology. The accuracy of prediction of artificial intelligence (AI) systems is drastically increasing by using machine learning and other probability and statistical approaches. Big data and geospatial data help to solve complex issues and play a vital role in future applications. Emerging Trends, Techniques, and Applications in Geospatial Data Science provides an overview of the basic concepts of data science, related tools and technologies, and algorithms for managing the relevant challenges in real-time application domains. The book covers a detailed description for readers with practical ideas using AI, the internet of things (IoT), and machine learning to deal with the analysis, modeling, and predictions from big data. Covering topics such as field spectra, high-resolution sensing imagery, and spatiotemporal data engineering, this premier reference source is an excellent resource for data scientists, computer and IT professionals, managers, mathematicians and statisticians, health professionals, technology developers, students and educators of higher education, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

Research on nanotechnology has mainly focused on the aspects of synthesis of nanomaterials that have unique chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties applicable to a wide range of applications. A variety of properties and phenomena have been investigated, and many of the studies have been directed toward understanding the properties and applications of nanomaterials. Nanomaterials have properties that are useful for enhancing surface-to-volume ratio, reactivity, strength, and durability. Due to their enhanced chemical and mechanical properties, the nanomaterials play promising roles in enhancing the desulfurization. Nanocomposites for the Desulfurization of Fuels is an essential reference source that discusses the synthesis, properties, and technological developments of nanomaterials and their applications in petroleum. Featuring research on topics such as hybrid materials, catalytic properties, and environmental concerns, this book is ideally designed for chemical engineers, scientists, researchers, academicians, and students in fields that include chemistry, petroleum, materials science, physics, and engineering.

The concept of smart drug delivery vehicles involves designing and preparing a nanostructure (or microstructure) that can be loaded with a cargo. This can be a therapeutic drug, a contrast agent for imaging, or a nucleic acid for gene therapy. The nanocarrier serves to protect the cargo from degradation by enzymes in the body, to enhance the solubility of insoluble drugs, to extend the circulation half-life, and to enhance its penetration and accumulation at the target site. Importantly, smart nanocarriers can be designed to be responsive to a specific stimulus, so that the cargo is only released or activated when desired. In this volume we cover smart nanocarriers that respond to internal stimuli that are intrinsic to the target site. These stimuli are specific to the cell type, tissue or organ type, or to the disease state (cancer, infection, inflammation etc). pH-responsive nanostructures can be used for cargo release in acidic endosomal compartments, in the lower pH of tumors, and for specific oral delivery either to the stomach or intestine. Nanocarriers can be designed to be substrates of a wide-range of enzymes that are over-expressed at disease sites. Oxidation and reduction reactions can be taken advantage of in smart nanocarriers by judicious molecular design. Likewise, nanocarriers can be designed to respond to a range of specific biomolecules that may occur at the target site. In this volume we also cover dual and multi-responsive systems that combine stimuli that could be either internal or external.

This book discusses the theory of quantum effects used in metrology, and presents the author's research findings in the field of quantum electronics. It also describes the quantum measurement standards used in various branches of metrology, such as those relating to electrical quantities, mass, length, time and frequency. The first comprehensive survey of quantum metrology problems, it introduces a new approach to metrology, placing a greater emphasis on its connection with physics, which is of importance for developing new technologies, nanotechnology in particular. Presenting practical applications of the effects used in quantum metrology for the construction of quantum standards and sensitive electronic components, the book is useful for a broad range of physicists and metrologists. It also promotes a better understanding and approval of the new system in both industry and academia. This second edition includes two new chapters focusing on the revised SI system and satellite positioning systems. Practical realization (mise en pratique) the base units (metre, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, candela, and mole), new defined in the revised SI, is presented in details. Another new chapter describes satellite positioning systems and their possible applications. In satellite positioning systems, like GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo, quantum devices - atomic clocks - serve wide population of users.

With the advancement of new technologies, existing wastewater treatment units need to be reexamined to make them more efficient and to release the load currently placed on them. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop and adopt the latest design methodology to determine and remove harmful impurities from water sources. Advanced Design of Wastewater Treatment Plants: Emerging Research and Opportunities is a critical scholarly resource that explores the design of various units of wastewater treatment plants and treatment technologies that can produce reusable quality water from wastewater. The book covers topics that include the basic philosophy of wastewater treatment, designing principles of various wastewater treatment units, conventional treatment systems, and advanced treatment processes. It is an integral reference source for engineers, environmentalists, waste authorities, solid waste management companies, landfill operators, legislators, researchers, and academicians.

This book describes for readers various technical outcomes from the EU-project IoSense. The authors discuss sensor integration, including LEDs, dust sensors, LIDAR for automotive driving and 8 more, demonstrating their use in simulations for the design and fabrication of sensor systems. Readers will benefit from the coverage of topics such as sensor technologies for both discrete and integrated innovative sensor devices, suitable for high volume production, electrical, mechanical, security and software resources for integration of sensor system components into IoT systems and IoT-enabling systems, and IoT sensor system reliability. Describes from component to system level simulation, how to use the available simulation techniques for reaching a proper design with good performance; Explains how to use simulation techniques such as Finite Elements, Multi-body, Dynamic, stochastics and many more in the virtual design of sensor systems; Demonstrates the integration of several sensor solutions (thermal, dust, occupancy, distance, awareness and more) into large-scale system solutions in several industrial domains (Lighting, automotive, transport and more); Includes state-of-the-art simulation techniques, both multi-scale and multi-physics, for use in the electronic industry.

This authoritative new book focuses on recent developments in the instrumentation for sending voltages and currents. It covers new trends and challenges in the field, such as measurements of biocurrents, the increased speed of the components for data taking, testing of computers and integrated circuits where the measurement of rapid voltage and current variations on a very small geometrical scale is necessary. The first chapter concentrates on recent methods to sense voltages and currents, while the rest of the book investigates the applied side, covering for instance electrical power and energy measurements. The main purpose of this volume is to illustrate commonly employed techniques rather than track the scientific evolution and merits and therefore mainly covers patent literature aimed at industrial applications. It is an exciting addition, justifying the series' claim to cover state-of-the-art developments in both the applied and theoretical fields of sensors and actuators.

The measurement of voltages and currents is a common task in the field of electricity and electronics. From a technical point of view it is useful to identify schematically different steps of such a measurement. In a first step a voltage or a current is sensed, intermediate steps such as amplification, transmission and further treatment may follow to yield the result in the final step. Today in most cases microprocessors perform the final steps of such measurements. Analog-to digital converters digitise a voltage that is proportional to the value to be measured and a processor performs further computations and handles the storage and the display of the results. The prerequisite for such measurements are sensors or transducers that respond in a known way to the voltage or current to be measured. The emphasis of this book is put on recent developments of the instrumentation for sensing voltages and currents.

Aside from the general trend towards smaller, cheaper and more reliable instrumentation, new demands have arisen. New applications, like measurements of biocurrents, ask for higher sensitivities. Computers and integrated circuits pose new challenges. To exploit the increased speed of the components for data taking, suitable sensors are required. The accuracy that can be achieved depends more than ever on the first step, the acquisition of the raw data. The influence of the measurement process on the results becomes more crucial. Testing of integrated circuits themselves is a completely new application. For such tests one has to measure rapid voltage and current variations on very small geometrical scales. Here, as well as in the traditional high voltage applications, contactless measurements play an important role.

The organisation of this book is as follows: In the first chapter different methods to sense voltages and currents are described. For the sake of completeness most commonly used methods are mentioned, we concentrate, however, on those developed recently. The chapters address the subject from the side of different applications in which voltages and currents are sensed.

Since the main purpose of this publication is to illustrate commonly employed techniques rather than to track the scientific evolution and merits in particular fields, in general those publications that illustrate a particular measurement principle best have been cited. The citation of a particular reference does therefore not imply that this is the first or most pertinent publication in the respective field.

Recent important discoveries and developments in nanotechnology have had a remarkable and ever-increasing impact on many industries, especially materials science, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Nanocarriers have been investigated for a wide variety of different medical applications. Some examples of these nanocarriers include polymersomes, liposomes, micelles and carbon-based nanomaterials. Within this book, the authors describe different features of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), survey the properties of both the multi-walled and single-walled varieties, and cover their applications in drug and gene delivery. In addition, the book explains the structure and properties of CNTs prepared by different method, and discussed their isolation and purification. The future of CNTs in the field of biomedical science will depend on minimizing their adverse effects by careful study of their structure and properties.

This is an overview of different models and mechanisms developed to describe the capture and relaxation of carriers in quantum-dot systems. Despite their undisputed importance, the mechanisms leading to population and energy exchanges between a quantum dot and its environment are not yet fully understood. The authors develop a first-order approach to such effects, using elementary quantum mechanics and an introduction to the physics of semiconductors. The book results from a series of lectures given by the authors at the Master's level.

* Focuses only on elastic lidars and directly related topics.
* Evaluates all of the major inversion and analysis methods.
* Covers an emerging field that is generating a lot of interest.