This book focuses on the importance of human factors in the development of safe and reliable robotic and unmanned systems. It discusses current challenges, such as how to improve the perceptual and cognitive abilities of robots, develop suitable synthetic vision systems, cope with degraded reliability in unmanned systems, and predict robotic behavior in relation to human activities. Further, it highlights potential future human-robot and human-agent collaboration, suggesting real-world implications of and approaches for improving human-machine interaction across unmanned systems. Based on the AHFE 2020 Virtual Conference on Human Factors in Robots, Drones and Unmanned Systems, held on July 16-20, 2020, this book is intended to foster discussion and collaborations among researchers and practitioners, thus stimulating new solutions for the development of reliable and safe, human-centered, highly functional devices to perform automated and concurrent tasks.

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices are recognized for their versatility and efficiency in controlling and processing electrical signals. This has resulted in a multitude of device concepts for a wide range of signal processing functions, such as delay lines, filters, resonators, pulse compressors, convolvers, and many more. As SAW technology has found its way into mass market products such as TV receivers, pagers, keyless entry systems and cellular phones, the production volume has risen to millions of devices produced every day. At the other end of the scale, there are specialized high performance signal processing SAW devices for satellite communication and military applications, such as radar and electronic warfare.

This volume, together with Volume 2, presents an overview of recent advances in SAW technology, systems and applications by some of the foremost researchers in this exciting field.

This conference proceeding presents contributions to the 59th International Conference of Machine Design (ICMD 2018), organized by the University of Zilina, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Design and Mechanical Elements. Discussing innovative solutions applied in engineering, the latest research and developments, and guidance on improving the quality of university teaching, it covers a range of topics, including: machine design and optimization engineering analysis tribology and nanotechnology additive technologies hydraulics and fluid mechanisms modern materials and technology biomechanics biomimicry; and innovation

This book arises from the NATO Advanced Study Institute (ASI) titled "Functionalized Nanoscale Materials, Devices, and Systems for chem.-bio Sensors, Photonics, and Energy Generation and Storage" held in Sinaia, Romania in June 2007. It comprises a variety of invited contributions by highly experienced educators, scientists, and industrialists, and is structured to cover important aspects of the field, from underlying principles, synthesis routes, characterizations, applications, and detailed considerations of commercial viability. In addition, the book consists of a selection of contributed articles describing various aspects of their current research and development activities. Several related topics ranging from nanomaterial in chemical-biological sensors, to energy storage and generation devices, and to environmental protection and pollution remediation. Several top-down (attrition) and bottoms-up (self-assembly) approaches to prepare nanomaterials are discussed. In addition, several synthesis routes, viz. synthesis using new laser systems generating ultra-short (ns, ps, fs, and very recently, as pulses) with very high quality beams that allow very accurate focusing, provide unique tools for handling and processing nanomaterials in the form of nanocoatings, nanopowders, nanotubes, and other advanced structures are also included in the book. It will be of considerable interest and value to those already pursuing or considering careers in the field of nanostructured materials and nanotechnology, in general. It also serves as a valuable source of information for those interested in related aspects of the field, such as science and technology of thin film materials and devices.

Learn to correct icing and pollution problems in electrical line insulation

Written by prominent experts in the field, this book takes an in-depth look at the issues of electrical insulators for icing and polluted environments. It shows:

Engineers and environmental specialists how to carry out appropriate insulator contamination measurements, understand how these readings change with time and weather, and work out how the readings compare with the upper limits set by insulator dimensions in their existing stations

Design engineers how to assess the likely maximum pollution and icing limits at a substation or along an overhead line, and then select insulators that have appropriate withstand margins

Regulators why modest ice accretion at a moderate 0oC temperature on one occasion can qualify as a major reliability event day, while many similar days pass each winter without power system problems

Educators why the ice surface flashover is well behaved compared to the conventional pollution flashover, making it much more suitable for demonstrations, modeling, and analysis

The book is complemented with case studies and design equations to help readers identify the most appropriate insulators, bushings, and maintenance plans for their local conditions. Additionally, readers may download supplemental materials supporting evaluation of local climate and contamination.

"Insulators for Icing and Polluted Environments" is indispensable reading for any professional who needs reliable electrical supply from networks exposed to sources of wetting and pollution. It also serves as an excellent introduction to the subjects of high-voltage surface flashover, environmental electrochemistry, and insulation coordination for researchers, professors, and students.

This book offers a complete revision for its introduction to the quantum theory of light, including notable developments as well as improvements in presentation of basic theory and concepts, with continued emphasis on experimental aspects. The author provides a thorough overview on basic methods of classical and quantum mechanical measurements in quantum optics, enabling readers to analyze, summarize, and resolve quantum optical problems. The broad coverage of concepts and tools and its practical, experimental emphasis set it apart from other available resources. New discussions of timely topics such as the concept of the photon and distinguishability bring the entire contents up to date. Key Features: Provides a complete update of a classic textbook for the field. Features many new topics, including optical coherence, coherent and incoherent imaging, turbulence-free interferometry. Includes new chapters for intensity fluctuation correlation and thermal light ghost imaging, and biphoton imaging. Offers a complete overhaul of the introductory theory to give a more coherent and thorough treatment. Expands on discussions of optical tests of quantum theory, Popper's experiment, Einstein's locality questions, and the delayed choice quantum eraser.

How can you design good thermoelectric materials? This book covers thermoelectric material concepts and synthesis techniques in particular focusing methods for enhancing current materials designs to achieve the greatest thermoelectric efficiencies. This book is ideal for researchers and advanced students of materials science, physics, and energy.

This book provides an in-depth introduction to the sol to gel transition in inorganic and hybrid organic-inorganic systems, one of the most important chemical-physical transitions and the basis of the sol-gel process. Familiarity with the fundamental chemistry and physics of this transition is essential for students in chemistry and materials science through academic and industry researchers working on sol-gel-related applications. The book features a didactic approach, using simple and clear language to explain the sol to gel transition and the accompanying processes. The text is also suitable for use in short courses and workshops for graduate students as well as professionals.This fully revised and updated new edition contains a wealth of new content. In particular, it includes a detailed discussion of the chemistry of transition metal alkoxides and organosilanes, and an extended discussion of the sol to gel transition models.

A major global issue that the world is facing today is the upcoming depletion of fossil fuels and the energy crisis. In 1998, the global annual energy consumption was 12. 7 TW; of which 80% was generated from fossil fuels. This also translates into huge annual emissions of CO that leads to massive environmental problems, 2 particularly the global warming, which could be disastrous. Future global annual energy needs are also estimated to rise dramatically. A major challenge confronting the world is to ?nd an additional 14-20 TW by 2050 when our energy reserves based on fossil fuels are vanishing. The massive demand for energy would require materials and/or processes that would help to provide new sources of clean ren- able energy or to develop processes that would harvest energy or to better utilize energy in an ef?cient manner. The present monograph, WOLEDs and Organic Photovoltaics - Recent Advances and Applications, focuses on a very important and timely subject of topical interest that deals with the more ef?cient use of energy through white organic light-emitting diodes (WOLEDs) for solid-state lighting and the development of clean sources of renewable energy through the harvesting of light energy for conversion into electrical energy in organic photovoltaics. While LED solid-state lighting and photovoltaics have been dominated by inorganic semiconductor materials and silicon-based solar cells, there have been growing interests in the development of WOLEDs and organic photovoltaics.

Porous silicon is rapidly attracting increasing interest from various fields, including optoelectronics, microelectronics, photonics, medicine, sensor and energy technologies, chemistry, and biosensing. This nanostructured and biodegradable material has a range of unique properties that make it ideal for many applications. This book, the third of a three-volume set covering all aspects of porous silicon formation and applications, focuses on applications of porous silicon in optoelectronics, microelectronics, and energy technologies. The book highlights the features of fabrication and performance of several forms of technology that incorporate porous silicon, including: Photonic crystals Fuel cells Elements of integral optoelectronics Solar cells Electroluminescence devices (LEDs) Batteries Supercapacitors Cold cathodes Hydrogen generation and storage Porous silicon-based composites Porous Silicon: From Formation to Applications: Optoelectronics, Microelectronics, and Energy Technology Applications, Volume Three is an indispensable resource for scientists and engineers in industries and laboratories. It provides an updated, comprehensive, single source of information that was previously scattered across numerous journal articles. It contains a wealth of insights for designing and improving the performance of various porous silicon-based devices, and is also a significant reference for those interested in learning more about the unusual properties of porous materials and possible areas for their application.

Stressing common characteristics and real applications of the most used microcontrollers, this practical guide provides readers with hands-on knowledge of how to implement three families of microcontrollers (HC11, AVR, and 8051). Unlike the rest of the ocean of literature on individual chips, Microcontrollers in Practice supplies side-by-side comparisons and an overview that treats the systems as resources available for implementation. Packed with hundreds of practical examples and exercises to foster mastery of concepts and details, the guide also includes several extended projects. By treating the less expensive 8-bit and RISC microcontrollers, this information-dense manual equips students and home-experimenters with the know-how to put these devices into operation.

This book introduces a variety of basic sciences and applications of the nanocomposites and heterostructures of functional oxides. The presence of a high density of interfaces and the differences in their natures are described by the authors. Both nanocomposites and heterostructures are detailed in depth by researchers from each of the research areas in order to compare their similarities and differences. A new interfacial material of heterostructure of strongly correlated electron systems is introduced.

The intersection of nanostructuredmaterials with photonics and electronics shows greatpotential for clinical diagnostics, sensors, ultrafast telecommunication devices, and a new generation of compact and fast computers. Nanophotonics draws upon cross-disciplinary expertise from physics, materials science, chemistry, electrical engineering, biology, and medicine to create novel technologies to meet a variety of challenges. This is the first book to focus onnovel materials and techniques relevant to the burgeoning areaofnanoscale photonics and optoelectronics, including novel-hybrid materials with multifunctional capabilities andrecent advancements in the understanding of optical interactions in nanoscale materials and quantum-confined objects. Leading experts provide a fundamental understanding of photonics and the related science and technology of plasmonics, polaritons, quantum dots for nanophotonics, nanoscale field emitters, near-field optics, nanophotonic architecture, and nanobiophotonic materials. "

The primary aim of this book is to discuss various aspects of nanoscale device design and their applications including transport mechanism, modeling, and circuit applications. . Provides a platform for modeling and analysis of state-of-the-art devices in nanoscale regime, reviews issues related to optimizing the sub-nanometer device performance and addresses simulation aspect and/or fabrication process of devices Also, includes design problems at the end of each chapter

Introduces the physical principles and operational characteristics of high speed semiconductor devices. Intended for use by advanced students as well as professional engineers and scientists involved in semiconductor device research, it includes the most advanced and important topics in high speed semiconductor devices. Initial chapters cover material properties, advanced technologies and novel device building blocks, and serve as the basis for understanding and analyzing devices in subsequent chapters. The following chapters cover a group of closely related devices that includes MOSFETs, MESFETs, heterojunction FETs and permeable--base transistors, hot electron transistors, microwave diodes and photonic devices, among others. Each chapter is self--contained and features a summary section, a discussion of future device trend, and an instructional problem set.

Defects in Nanocrystals: Structural and Physico-Chemical Aspects discusses the nature of semiconductor systems and the effect of the size and shape on their thermodynamic and optoelectronic properties at the mesoscopic and nanoscopic levels. The nanostructures considered in this book are individual nanometric crystallites, nanocrystalline films, and nanowires of which the thermodynamic, structural, and optical properties are discussed in detail. The work: Outlines the influence of growth processes on their morphology and structure Describes the benefits of optical spectroscopies in the understanding of the role and nature of defects in nanostructured semiconductors Considers the limits of nanothermodynamics Details the critical role of interfaces in nanostructural behavior Covers the importance of embedding media in the physico-chemical properties of nanostructured semiconductors Explains the negligible role of core point defects vs. surface and interface defects Written for researchers, engineers, and those working in the physical and physicochemical sciences, this work comprehensively details the chemical, structural, and optical properties of semiconductor nanostructures for the development of more powerful and efficient devices.

This book is an introduction to a rapidly developing field of modern theoretical physics - the theory of quantum transport at nanoscale. The theoretical methods considered in the book are in the basis of our understanding of charge, spin and heat transport in nanostructures and nanostructured materials and are widely used in nanoelectronics, molecular electronics, spin-dependent electronics (spintronics) and bio-electronics. The book is based on lectures for graduate and post-graduate students at the University of Regensburg and the Technische Universitat Dresden (TU Dresden). The first part is devoted to the basic concepts of quantum transport: Landauer-Buttiker method and matrix Green function formalism for coherent transport, Tunneling (Transfer) Hamiltonian and master equation methods for tunneling, Coulomb blockade, vibrons and polarons. The results in this part are obtained as possible without sophisticated techniques, such as nonequilibrium Green functions, which are considered in detail in the second part. A general introduction into the nonequilibrium Green function theory is given. The approach based on the equation-of-motion technique, as well as more sophisticated one based on the Dyson-Keldysh diagrammatic technique are presented. The main attention is paid to the theoretical methods able to describe the nonequilibrium (at finite voltage) electron transport through interacting nanosystems, specifically the correlation effects due to electron-electron and electron-vibron interactions.

This book offers a review of the use of extended ablation plasmas as nonlinear media for HHG of high-order harmonic generation (HHG). The book describes the different experimental approaches, shows the advantages and limitations regarding HHG efficiency and discusses the particular processes that take place at longer interaction lengths, including propagation and quasi-phase matching effects. It describes the most recent approaches to harmonic generation in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) range with the use of extended plasma plumes, and how these differ from more commonly-used gas-jet sources. The main focus is on studies using extended plasmas, but some new findings from HHG experiments in narrow plasma plumes are also discussed. It also describes how quasi-phase-matching in modulated plasmas, as demonstrated in recent studies, has revealed different means of tuning enhanced harmonic groups in the XUV region. After an introduction to the fundamental theoretical and experimental aspects of HHG, a review of the most important results of HHG in narrow plasmas is presented, including recent studies of small-sized plasma plumes as emitters of high-order harmonics. In Chapter 2, various findings in the application of extended plasmas for harmonic generation are analyzed. One of the most important applications of extended plasmas, the quasi-phase-matching of generated harmonics, is demonstrated in Chapter 3, including various approaches to the modification of perforated plasma plumes. Chapter 4 depicts the nonlinear optical features of extended plasmas produced on the surfaces of different non-metal materials. Chapter 5 is dedicated to the analysis of new opportunities for extended plasma induced HHG. The advantages of the application of long plasma plumes for HHG, such as resonance enhancement and double-pulse method, are discussed in Chapter 6. Finally, a summary section brings together all of these findings and discuss the perspectives of extended plasma formations for efficient HHG and nonlinear optical plasma spectroscopy. The book will be useful for students and scholars working in this highly multidisciplinary domain involving material science, nonlinear optics and laser spectroscopy. It brings the new researcher to the very frontier of the physics of the interaction between laser and extended plasma; for the expert it will serve as an essential guide and indicate directions for future research.

Magnetic perovskite with multi functional properties (magneto-resistive, magneto-dielectric, multiferroics, spintronics, etc.) have attracted increasing attention due to their possible applications towards storage materials and intriguing fundamental Physics. Despite the numerous investigations on multi functional materials in the past few years, a very few magnetic perovskites have been known to realize as ferromagnetic-insulators. In perovskites centred transition metal oxides strong interplay between lattice, charge, spin and/or orbital degrees of freedom provide a fantastic playground to tune their physical properties. The main purpose of this book is to introduce the phenomenon and physics of complex magnetism (phase separation, spin glass, frustrations, etc.) in perovskite manganites and cobaltites via an experimental approach. The book is organized into four chapters; Chap. 1 gives a brief introduction of various interesting phenomena in magnetic perovskites. Chapter 2 describes the results of the investigations on electronic phase separation and glassy ferromagnetism of the hole-doped perovskite manganites and cobaltites. Ordered and disordered effects and related aspects in hole-doped perovskite cobaltites are described in Chap. 3. Finally, in Chap. 4 the bismuth based magnetic perovskite is discussed.

"Eco- and Renewable Energy Materials" provides a survey of the current topics and the major developmental trends in the rapidly growing research area of clean energy materials. This book covers, but is not limited to, photochemical materials (fuels from light), fuel cells (electricity from fuels), batteries (electricity storage), and hydrogen production and storage. This book is intended as a vehicle for the dissemination of research results on energy-based material science in the form of commissioned reviews and commentaries. This book is for scientists and engineers interested in energy-related materials, compounds and electronic devices. Prof. Yong Zhou is currently serving as a full professor at the Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Nanjing University, China.

This thesis examines electrode materials such as mesoporous carbons, manganese oxides, iron oxides and their nanohybrids with graphene. It also explores several of the key scientific issues that act as the governing principles for future development of supercapacitors, which are a promising class of high-efficiency energy storage devices for tackling a key aspect of the energy crisis. However, critical technical issues, such as the low energy density and reliability, need to be addressed before they can be extended to a wide range of applications with much improved performance. Currently available material candidates for the electrodes all have their disadvantages, such as a low specific capacitance or poor conductivity for transition metal oxide/hydroxide-based materials. This thesis addresses these important issues, and develops a high-performance, flexible asymmetric supercapacitor with manganese oxides/reduced graphene oxide as the positive electrode and iron oxide/reduced graphene oxide as the anode, which delivers a high energy density of 0.056 Wh cm-3.

This book presents the most important advances in the class of topological materials and discusses the topological characterization, modeling and metrology of materials. Further, it addresses currently emerging characterization techniques such as optical and acoustic, vibrational spectroscopy (Brillouin, infrared, Raman), electronic, magnetic, fluorescence correlation imaging, laser lithography, small angle X-ray and neutron scattering and other techniques, including site-selective nanoprobes. The book analyzes the topological aspects to identify and quantify these effects in terms of topology metrics. The topological materials are ubiquitous and range from (i) de novo nanoscale allotropes of carbons in various forms such as nanotubes, nanorings, nanohorns, nanowalls, peapods, graphene, etc. to (ii) metallo-organic frameworks, (iii) helical gold nanotubes, (iv) Moebius conjugated polymers, (v) block co-polymers, (vi) supramolecular assemblies, to (vii) a variety of biological and soft-matter systems, e.g. foams and cellular materials, vesicles of different shapes and genera, biomimetic membranes, and filaments, (viii) topological insulators and topological superconductors, (ix) a variety of Dirac materials including Dirac and Weyl semimetals, as well as (x) knots and network structures. Topological databases and algorithms to model such materials have been also established in this book. In order to understand and properly characterize these important emergent materials, it is necessary to go far beyond the traditional paradigm of microscopic structure-property-function relationships to a paradigm that explicitly incorporates topological aspects from the outset to characterize and/or predict the physical properties and currently untapped functionalities of these advanced materials. Simulation and modeling tools including quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, 3D visualization and tomography are also indispensable. These concepts have found applications in condensed matter physics, materials science and engineering, physical chemistry and biophysics, and the various topics covered in the book have potential applications in connection with novel synthesis techniques, sensing and catalysis. As such, the book offers a unique resource for graduate students and researchers alike.

The series Topics in Current Chemistry Collections presents critical reviews from the journal Topics in Current Chemistry organized in topical volumes. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience. Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field.

This book reports on the design, synthesis and characterization of new small molecule electron acceptors for polymer solar cells. Starting with a detailed introduction to the science behind polymer solar cells, the author then goes on to review the challenges and advances made in developing non-fullerene acceptors so far. In the main body of the book, the author describes the design principles and synthetic strategy for a new family of acceptors, including detailed synthetic procedures and molecular modeling data used to predict physical properties. An indepth characterization of the photovoltaic performance, with transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS), photo-induced charge extraction, and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) is also included, and the author uses this data to relate material properties and device performance. This book provides a useful overview for researchers beginning a project in this or related areas.

This book, now in its second edition, introduces readers to quantum rings as a special class of modern high-tech material structures at the nanoscale. It deals, in particular, with their formation by means of molecular beam epitaxy and droplet epitaxy of semiconductors, and their topology-driven electronic, optical and magnetic properties. A highly complex theoretical model is developed to adequately represent the specific features of quantum rings. The results presented here are intended to facilitate the development of low-cost high-performance electronic, spintronic, optoelectronic and information processing devices based on quantum rings. This second edition includes both new and significantly revised chapters. It provides extensive information on recent advances in the physics of quantum rings related to the spin-orbit interaction and spin dynamics (spin interference in Rashba rings, tunable exciton topology on type II InAs/GaAsSb quantum nanostructures), the electron-phonon interaction in ring-like structures, quantum interference manifestations in novel materials (graphene nanoribbons, MoS2), and the effects of electrical field and THz radiation on the optical properties of quantum rings. The new edition also shares insights into the properties of various novel architectures, including coupled quantum ring-quantum dot chains and concentric quantum rings, topologic states of light in self-assembled ring-like cavities, and optical and plasmon m.odes in Moebius-shaped resonators.