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.

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.

This book highlights the application of Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) for high-resolution surface analysis and characterization of materials. While providing a brief overview of the principles of SIMS, it also provides examples of how dual-beam ToF-SIMS is used to investigate a range of materials systems and properties. Over the years, SIMS instrumentation has dramatically changed since the earliest secondary ion mass spectrometers were first developed. Instruments were once dedicated to either the depth profiling of materials using high-ion-beam currents to analyse near surface to bulk regions of materials (dynamic SIMS), or time-of-flight instruments that produced complex mass spectra of the very outer-most surface of samples, using very low-beam currents (static SIMS). Now, with the development of dual-beam instruments these two very distinct fields now overlap.

This book describes modern focused ion beam microscopes and techniques and how they can be used to aid materials metrology and as tools for the fabrication of devices that in turn are used in many other aspects of fundamental metrology. Beginning with a description of the currently available instruments including the new addition to the field of plasma-based sources, it then gives an overview of ion solid interactions and how the different types of instrument can be applied. Chapters then describe how these machines can be applied to the field of materials science and device fabrication giving examples of recent and current activity in both these areas.

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.

In machine tools, the designed systems include many components, such as sensors, actuators, joints and motors. It is required that all these components work properly to ensure safety. This book examines fault monitoring and control schemes in machine systems, as well as detecting machines whenever a failure occurs and accommodating the failures as soon as possible. Also discussed are centre-less grinding machines; improving machine tool performance through structural and process dynamics modelling and exploring the strength of the Japanese machine tool industry.

Experimental Methods for Engineers, 8/e, offers the broadest range of experimental measurement techniques available for mechanical and general engineering applications. Offering clear descriptions of the general behavior of different measurement techniques, such as pressure, flow, and temperature, the text emphasizes the use of uncertainty analysis and statistical data analysis in estimating the accuracy of measurements. Maintaining its thorough coverage of thermal-fluid measurement techniques, the text continues to emphasize experimental uncertainties as essential elements in experiment design, execution, and instrument selection.

The inclusion of an electrical measurement course in the undergraduate curriculum of electrical engineering is important in forming the technical and scientific knowledge of future electrical engineers. This book explains the basic measurement techniques, instruments, and methods used in everyday practice. It covers in detail both analogue and digital instruments, measurements errors and uncertainty, instrument transformers, bridges, amplifiers, oscilloscopes, data acquisition, sensors, instrument controls and measurement systems. The reader will learn how to apply the most appropriate measurement method and instrument for a particular application, and how to assemble the measurement system from physical quantity to the digital data in a computer. The book is primarily intended to cover all necessary topics of instrumentation and measurement for students of electrical engineering, but can also serve as a reference for engineers and practitioners to expand or refresh their knowledge in this field.

The Instrument and Automation Engineers' Handbook (IAEH) is the Number 1 process automation handbook in the world. The two volumes in this greatly expanded Fifth Edition deal with measurement devices and analyzers. Volume one, Measurement and Safety, covers safety sensors and the detectors of physical properties, while volume two, Analysis and Analysis, describes the measurement of such analytical properties as composition. Complete with 245 alphabetized chapters and a thorough index for quick access to specific information, the IAEH, Fifth Edition is a must-have reference for instrument and automation engineers working in the chemical, oil/gas, pharmaceutical, pollution, energy, plastics, paper, wastewater, food, etc. industries.

Measures are the subject of this unusual book, in which Robert Tavernor offers a fascinating account of the various measuring systems human beings have devised over two millennia. Tavernor urges us to look beyond the notion that measuring is strictly a scientific activity, divorced from human concerns. Instead, he sets measures and measuring in cultural context and shows how deeply they are connected to human experience and history.
The book explores changing attitudes toward measure, focusing on key moments in art, sculpture, architecture, philosophy, and the development of scientific thought. It encompasses the journey of Western civilization from the construction of the Great Pyramid to the first manned flight to the moon. Beginning with a review of early measuring standards that referred to the feet and inches of ideal bodies, the book then tracks how Enlightenment interest in a truly scientific system of measure led to the creation of the metric system. This "rational" approach to measure in turn has inspired artists, architects, writers, and others to seek a balance that takes the human story into account. Tavernor concludes with a discussion of measure in our own time, when space travel presents to humankind a direct encounter with the unfathomable measure of the universe.

Biosensors are becoming increasingly important bioanalytical tools in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food, and other consumer oriented industries. The technology, though well developed in Europe, is slowly developing and has begun to generate interest in the United States only over the past couple of years. Research is now being directed toward the development of biosensors that are versatile, economical, and simple to use.
Engineering Biosensors is a comprehensive introduction to biosensors that includes numerous illustrations to further explain the main concepts and practical examples from existing literature. It describes what biosensors are, where they are used, and how their performance is affected by existing surface characteristics.
A better understanding of biosensors, as provided by this book, will greatly assist in the design of new as well as the improvement of existing biosensors. Readers are also provided with invaluable and hard-to-find data on the economics of the biosensor market to assist them in better understanding the market and where it is heading.

This study guide has been written to assist individuals to prepare for certification as a Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing Professional (GDTP) through the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The objectives of the study guide are to: Introduce the purpose, history, and application process for obtaining Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing Professional Certification in accordance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) administrative procedures and the ASME Y14.5.2- 2000 Standard; Develop a systematic study strategy that will assist individuals preparing for the ASME Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing Professional Certification written examinations; Provide practice questions and answers that will assist individuals in preparing for the ASME Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing Professional Certification written examinations. Contents: Chapter 1 Introduction to ASME GCTD Certification: Purpose of Professional Certification; History of the ASME GDTP Certification Program; Professional Competencies; Technologist Level; Senior Level; Qualifications; Certification Process; Application Procedure; Test Locations and Dates; Certificat Examination Results; Recertification. Chapter 2 Personal Preassessment: Purpose of Personal Preassessment Examination; Answer Sheet; Evaluation of the Results; Answers to Questions; Overall Percentage Correct; Identified Strengths and Weaknesses; Technical Review of Answers. Chapter 3 Preparation Strategies: Body of Knowledge; Technologist Level; Senior Level; Examination Structure; Examination Requirements; Distribution of Questions; Technologist Level Examination; Senior Level Examination. Chapter 4 Study Strategies: Guidelines for Personal Study; Linking Topics; Topic Linking Form; Topic Linking Practice Session; Technologist Level Links; Senior Level Links; Examination Strategies; Multiple-Choice Questions; Writing Multiple-Choice Questions; Answering Multiple-Choice Questions; Topic Linking Exercises. Chapter 5 Technology Level Practice Examination: Purpose of the Examination; Administration of the Examination; Technologist Level Practice Examination; Answer Sheets; Answers, Links and Evaluation of Results; Answers and Links; Evaluation of Test Results; Technical Review of Answers. Chapter 6 Senior Level Practice Examination: Purpose of the Examination; Administration of the Examination; Senior Level Practice Examination; Answer Sheets; Answers, Links and Evaluation of Results; Answers and Links; Evaluation of Test Results; Technical Review of Answers. Chapter 7 Definition of Terms; Appendices: Appendix A - References; Appendix B - Topic Links.

Interest in the applications of ultrawideband (UWB) radar systems is increasing rapidly all over the world. This is evident from the number of monographs recently published on the subject and from the many papers presented at international conferences on the general problems involved in UWB radar and on its promising new applications. Conventional (classical) methods seem to have exhausted their potential and studies in the field are undergoing a profound change. This book presents some of the novel approaches to radar system analysis now being investigated. A good source of information on UWB signals is their structural analysis in the time domain. This allows a greater understanding of the specific features of UWB radar systems, such as the properties of receiving and transmitting antennas, and various characteristics of near- and far-range target scattering fields. It is shown how the systematic application of numerical procedures can provide new results in the evaluation of UWB radar target responses. The authors do not try to cover all of the possible solutions to the problem of multidimensional representation of target responses; rather they aim to give a general understanding of the techniques of confluent analysis, computer holography and adaptive synthesis of antenna apertures. These methods have great potential for solving conventional radar problems in target detection and recognition, and they are sure to stimulate the use of UWB signals in many fields such as subsurface probing and ecological monitoring.

Accuracy and consistency are essential to success in manufacturing, and the technology of precision measurement is fully explained and illustrated in this important book. Throughout, the author accompanies illustrations of the devices with descriptions of how they are used in industry. Both apprentice and practicing engineers will discover a vast amount of new material that can be applied to virtually any imaginable measurement or calibration task.

During the 1980s, the worldwide interest in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) grew rapidly with the introduction of legislation to control the growing interference problems generated by the increased use of electronic equipment in industry and in the home. The European directive harmonizing EMC measurements gave particular impetus to manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment in Europe to understand EMC design techniques and verification procedures. This book explains how equipment can be verified by testing. It discusses the nature of EMC standards world wide and describes in detail testing methods and their conduct and accuracy. In addition to standard EMC testing, topics including electrostatic discharge, nuclear electromagnetic pulse and lightning are also discussed. In the broad span of its subject matter, the interests of equipment manufacturers, EMC test engineers, project managers and company administrators are addressed. The testing of both military and commercial electronic equipment is covered. Particular emphasis is placed on the nature of EMC test equipment and how to use it to make reliable measurements.

This sourcebook offers all the information you need to understand and design biomedical instruments. Biomedical Instruments contains extensive analysis of signal processing electronic design for medical instruments, in-depth descriptions of design methods for medical transducers, and an introduction to medical imaging and tomographic algorithms. Transducers covered include variable R, L, and C, piezoelectric, electrodynamic and magnetostrictive, force balance, and fiber optic. Operational amplifiers, analog filters, biotelemetry, discriminators, phase-locked loops, and microprocessors are covered in a comprehensive section on circuitry. Exercises and problems accompany each chapter of the text.
This is the first paragraph of the preface...either the paragraph above, or this paragraph can be used for the blurb_
From the Preface:
The book aims at (a) presenting a physical explanation for the behavior of various transducer, (b) developing the mathematical theory applicable to these transducers, and (c) discussing the practical design of biomedical instruments. Our hope is that the book will serve as a text for biomedical engineering students who will be engaged in the design of instruments, as a reference book for medical instrument designers, and as a source of ideas for the large numbers of biomedical research workers who, at one time or another, must build a gadget to implement their research. Numerous examples of medical instrument design are presented in order to clarify the mathematical analyses.
Key Features
* Brings the volume up-to-date with new material on microprocessor applications, fiber optic instruments, and modern imaging systems
* Explains behavior of transducers
* Develops mathematical theory for transducers
* Discusses the design of biomedical instruments
* Serves as a text for biomedical engineers or a reference for medical instrument designers
* Provides suitable homework problems at the end of each chapter

RECENT CASTASTROPHIC STRUCTURAL FAILURES, OCCURING ACROSS MANY INDUSTRIES, HIGHLIGHT THE NEED FOR SOCIETY TO RELATE RISK MORE EXPLICITLY WITH INSPECTION PROGRAMS. THIS VOLUME DESCRIBES AND RECOMMENDS APPROPRIATE PROCESSES AND METHODS USING RISK-BASED INFORMATION TO ESTABLISH INSPECTION GUIDELINES FOR FACILITIES OR STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS.

The need to measure electrical power is common to many branches of science and engineering. This book presents a wide-ranging survey of the many types of radio-frequency and microwave power meter and the techniques which are used for calibrating and intercomparing them. The frequency range is 1 MHz to 200 GHz. The first of the sixteen chapters considers the fundamentals. Four chapters are then devoted to the subject of calorimetry, which forms the basis of the majority of primary standards for power measurement. A further five chapters describe the various types of non-calorimetric power meter, which include not only the commonly used thermistor, thermoelectric and diode types, but also force-operated instruments and a considerable number of miscellaneous devices. Calibration and intercomparison methods are covered in three closely linked chapters which treat respectively the basic techniques, the use of reflectometers for power meter calibration, and the problems associated with connectors and adapters. In the last three chapters a mixture of topics is covered. First a concise survey of pulsed power measurements is presented. Attention is then given to the topics of voltage and current measurement, which are closely related to power measurement. Finally, the subject of the international intercomparison of standards is discussed and the results of some of the more important intercomparison exercises are summarised.