This book focuses on structure-preserving numerical methods for flexible multibody dynamics, including nonlinear elastodynamics and geometrically exact models for beams and shells. It also deals with the newly emerging class of variational integrators as well as Lie-group integrators. It discusses two alternative approaches to the discretization in space of nonlinear beams and shells. Firstly, geometrically exact formulations, which are typically used in the finite element community and, secondly, the absolute nodal coordinate formulation, which is popular in the multibody dynamics community. Concerning the discretization in time, the energy-momentum method and its energy-decaying variants are discussed. It also addresses a number of issues that have arisen in the wake of the structure-preserving discretization in space. Among them are the parameterization of finite rotations, the incorporation of algebraic constraints and the computer implementation of the various numerical methods. The practical application of structure-preserving methods is illustrated by a number of examples dealing with, among others, nonlinear beams and shells, large deformation problems, long-term simulations and coupled thermo-mechanical multibody systems. In addition it links novel time integration methods to frequently used methods in industrial multibody system simulation.

This volume describes the most recent findings on the structure of ILs interpreted through cutting-edge experimental and theoretical methods. Research in the field of ionic liquids (ILs) keeps a fast and steady pace. Since these new-generation molten salts first appeared in the chemistry and physics landscape, a large number of new compounds has been synthesized. Most of them display unexpected behaviour and possess stunning properties. The coverage in this book ranges from the mesoscopic structure of ILs to their interaction with proteins. The reader will learn how diffraction techniques (small and large angle X-Ray and neutron scattering, powder methods), X-Ray absorption spectroscopies (EXAFS/XANES), optical methods (IR, RAMAN), NMR and calorimetric methods can help the study of ILs, both as neat liquids and in mixtures with other compounds. It will enable the reader to choose the best method to suit their experimental needs. A detailed survey of theoretical methods, both quantum-chemical and classical, and of their predictive power will accompany the exposition of experimental ones. This book is a must read for postgraduate students, for post-docs, and for researchers who are interested in understanding the structural properties of ILs.

This book presents essential studies and applications in the context of sliding mode control, highlighting the latest findings from interdisciplinary theoretical studies, ranging from computational algorithm development to representative applications. Readers will learn how to easily tailor the techniques to accommodate their ad hoc applications. To make the content as accessible as possible, the book employs a clear route in each paper, moving from background to motivation, to quantitative development (equations), and lastly to case studies/illustrations/tutorials (simulations, experiences, curves, tables, etc.). Though primarily intended for graduate students, professors and researchers from related fields, the book will also benefit engineers and scientists from industry.

This book provides state-of-the-art results and theories in homogeneous turbulence, including anisotropy and compressibility effects with extension to quantum turbulence, magneto-hydodynamic turbulence and turbulence in non-newtonian fluids. Each chapter is devoted to a given type of interaction (strain, rotation, shear, etc.), and presents and compares experimental data, numerical results, analysis of the Reynolds stress budget equations and advanced multipoint spectral theories. The role of both linear and non-linear mechanisms is emphasized. The link between the statistical properties and the dynamics of coherent structures is also addressed. Despite its restriction to homogeneous turbulence, the book is of interest to all people working in turbulence, since the basic physical mechanisms which are present in all turbulent flows are explained. The reader will find a unified presentation of the results and a clear presentation of existing controversies. Special attention is given to bridge the results obtained in different research communities. Mathematical tools and advanced physical models are detailed in dedicated chapters.

This book provides a modern introduction to the growth, characterization, and physics of iron-based superconducting thin films. Iron pnictide and iron chalcogenide compounds have become intensively studied key materials in condensed matter physics due to their potential for high temperature superconductivity. With maximum critical temperatures of around 60 K, the new superconductors rank first after the celebrated cuprates, and the latest announcements on ultrathin films promise even more. Thin film synthesis of these superconductors began in 2008 immediately after their discovery, and this growing research area has seen remarkable progress up to the present day, especially with regard to the iron chalcogenides FeSe and FeSe1-xTex, the iron pnictide BaFe2-xCoxAs2 and iron-oxyarsenides. This essential volume provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art coverage of iron-based superconducting thin films in topical chapters with detailed information on thin film synthesis and growth, analytical film characterization, interfaces, and various aspects on physics and materials properties. Current efforts towards technological applications and functional films are outlined and discussed. The development and latest results for monolayer FeSe films are also presented. This book serves as a key reference for students, lecturers, industry engineers, and academic researchers who would like to gain an overview of this complex and growing research area.

Now in its second edition, this book continues to give readers a broad mathematical basis for modelling and understanding the wide range of wave phenomena encountered in modern applications. New and expanded material includes topics such as elastoplastic waves and waves in plasmas, as well as new exercises. Comprehensive collections of models are used to illustrate the underpinning mathematical methodologies, which include the basic ideas of the relevant partial differential equations, characteristics, ray theory, asymptotic analysis, dispersion, shock waves, and weak solutions. Although the main focus is on compressible fluid flow, the authors show how intimately gasdynamic waves are related to wave phenomena in many other areas of physical science. Special emphasis is placed on the development of physical intuition to supplement and reinforce analytical thinking. Each chapter includes a complete set of carefully prepared exercises, making this a suitable textbook for students in applied mathematics, engineering, and other physical sciences. Reviews of the first edition: "This book ... is an introduction to the theory of linear and nonlinear waves in fluids, including the theory of shock waves. ... is extraordinarily accurate and free of misprints ... . I enjoyed reading this book. ... most attractive and enticing appearance, and I'm certain that many readers who browse through it will wish to buy a copy. The exercises ... are excellent. ... A beginner who worked through these exercises would not only enjoy himself or herself, but would rapidly acquire mastery of techniques used...in JFM and many other journals..." (C. J. Chapman, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 521, 2004) "The book targets a readership of final year undergraduates and first year graduates in applied mathematics. In the reviewer's opinion, it is very well designed to catch the student's interest ... while every chapter displays essential features in some important area of fluid dynamics. Additionally, students may practice by solving 91 exercises. This volume is mainly devoted to inviscid flows. ... The book is very well written." (Denis Serre, Mathematical Reviews, 2004)

The book celebrates the 65th birthday of Prof. Alexander K. Belyaev-a well-known expert in the field of Dynamics of Mechanical Systems. In addition to reflecting Prof. Belyaev's contributions, the papers gathered here address a range of current problems in Dynamics and Continuum Mechanics. All contributions were prepared by his friends and colleagues, and chiefly focus on theory and applications.

The sea is steadily rising, presently at ~3.4 mm/y, already costing Billions in Venice, on the Thames River and in New York City, to counter sea-level-related surges. Experts anticipate an accelerated rise, and credible predictions for sea level rise by the year 2100 range from 12 inches to above 6 feet. Study of the Earth's geologic history, through ice-core samples, links sea level rise to temperature rise. Since the lifetime of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is measured in centuries, and it has upset the balance of incoming and outgoing energy, the Earth's temperature will continue to rise, even if carbon burning ceases. Engineering the Earth's solar input appears increasingly attractive and practical as a means to lower Earth's temperature, and thus, to lower sea level. The cost of engineering the climate appears small, comparable, even, to the already-incurred costs of sea level rise represented by civil engineering projects in London, Venice and New York City. Feasible deployment of geoengineering, accompanied by some reduction in carbon burning, is predicted to lower the sea level by the order of one foot by 2100 AD, negating the expected rise, to provide an immense economic benefit. The accompanying lower global temperature would reduce the severity of extreme weather, and restore habitability to lethally hot parts of the world. This book is primarily conceived to aid and inform the educated citizen: aspects may also interest climate workers.

The operation of everything in the universe needs a special "material"-energy. The earth is no exception. There are many kinds of energy sources on earth. But where does the earth's energy come from? The answer is that everything grows under the sun. Developing renewable energy is of strategic importance to achieve sustainable energy supply. Simulating natural photosynthesis is the ultimate goal of effi cient solar energy conversion. Photovoltaic technology has been widely used in industry and will be one of the major energy sources in the future. Developing new materials and structures, the photoelectric conversion effi ciency of solar cells will be improved day by day, and solar cells will attract more and more attention. This book presents principles of solar photovoltaic conversion, and introduces the physical and chemical processes involved. Mechanisms which affect solar cell performance are also discussed.

This book presents contributions to the 19th biannual symposium of the German Aerospace Aerodynamics Association (STAB) and the German Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics (DGLR). The individual chapters reflect ongoing research conducted by the STAB members in the field of numerical and experimental fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, mainly for (but not limited to) aerospace applications, and cover both nationally and EC-funded projects. Special emphasis is given to collaborative research projects conducted by German scientists and engineers from universities, research-establishments and industries. By addressing a number of cutting-edge applications, together with the relevant physical and mathematics fundamentals, the book provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the current research work in the field. Though the book's primary emphasis is on the aerospace context, it also addresses further important applications, e.g. in ground transportation and energy.

This book gives the basic analytical framework for the description of turbulent flows and discusses various types encountered by civil engineers involved in hydraulic analysis and design, as well as environmental engineers. It also presents a detailed exposition of the various dimensions of turbulent flow. The book is extremely useful for practising engineers, particularly in the field of hydraulic analysis and design, building dynamics and environmental engineering.

This book provides essential information on the higher mathematical level of approximation over the gradually varied flow theory, also referred to as the Boussinesq-type theory. In this context, it presents higher order flow equations, together with their applications in a broad range of pertinent engineering and environmental problems, including open channel, groundwater, and granular material flows.

This book presents the proceedings of one of the major conferences in fatigue, fracture and structural integrity (NT2F). The papers are organized and divided in five different themes: fatigue and fracture mechanics of structures and advanced materials; fatigue and fracture in pressure vessels and pipelines: mechanical behavior and structural integrity of welded, bonded and bolted joints; residual stress and environmental effects on the fatigue behavior; and simulation methods, analytical and computation models in fatigue and fracture.

This thesis presents a combination of material synthesis and characterization with process modeling. In it, the CO2 adsorption properties of hydrotalcites are enhanced through the production of novel supported hybrids (carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide) and the promotion with alkali metals. Hydrogen is regarded as a sustainable energy carrier, since the end users produce no carbon emissions. However, given that most of the hydrogen produced worldwide comes from fossil fuels, its potential as a carbon-free alternative depends on the ability to capture the carbon dioxide released during manufacture. Sorption-enhanced hydrogen production, in which CO2 is removed as it is formed, can make a major contribution to achieving this. The challenge is to find solid adsorbents with sufficient CO2 capacity that can work in the right temperature window over repeated adsorption-desorption cycles. The book presents a highly detailed characterization of the materials, together with an accurate measurement of their adsorption properties under dry conditions and in the presence of steam. It demonstrates that even small quantities of graphene oxide provide superior thermal stability to hydrotalcites due to their compatible layered structure, making them well suited as volume-efficient adsorbents for CO2. Lastly, it identifies suitable catalysts for the overall sorption-enhanced water gas shift process.

This monograph addresses the foundations of mechanothermodynamics and analyzes two of its key principles-damage of everything that exists has no conceivable limits, and effective energy (entropy) flows caused by loads of a different nature do not have a cumulative property; they interact dialectically. The authors examine a generalized model of energy and entropy states of a mechanothermodynamical medium, which generally is a continuum (liquid, gaseous) containing distributed solid deformable, and, therefore, damageable bodies, as a problem of information states of movable and damageable systems and express a solution in the first approximation. The book goes on to analyze some directions of further research in its conclusion. It is ideal for scientists, engineers, post graduate and master students of mechanics, mathematics and physics.

Dynamical Systems: Discontinuous, Stochasticity and Time-Delay provides an overview of the most recent developments in nonlinear dynamics, vibration and control. This book focuses on the most recent advances in all three areas, with particular emphasis on recent analytical, numerical and experimental research and its results. Real dynamical system problems, such as the behavior of suspension systems of railways, nonlinear vibration and applied control in coal manufacturing, along with the multifractal spectrum of LAN traffic, are discussed at length, giving the reader a sense of real-world instances where these theories are applied. Dynamical Systems: Discontinuous, Stochasticity and Time-Delay also contains material on time-delay systems as they relate to linear switching, dynamics of complex networks, and machine tools with multiple boundaries. It is the ideal book for engineers and academic researchers working in areas like mechanical and control engineering, as well as applied mathematics.

This book presents a selection of new insights in understanding and mitigating impacts on wildlife and their habitats. Topics such as, species behaviour and responses; collision risk and fatality estimation; landscape features and gradients, are considered. Other chapters in the book cover the results of current research on mitigation; compensation; effectiveness of measures; monitoring and long-term effects; planning and siting. Examples are given of current research on shutdown on demand and curtailment algorithms. By identifying what we have learned so far, and which predominate uncertainties and gaps remain for future research, this book contributes to the most up to date knowledge on research and management options. This book includes presentations from the Conference on Wind Energy and Wildlife impacts (CWW15), March 2015, hosted by the Berlin Institute of Technology, which offered a platform to national and international participants to showcase the current state of knowledge in wind energy's wildlife implications.

This book presents a finite and instantaneous screw theory for the development of robotic mechanisms. It addresses the analytical description and algebraic computation of finite motion, resulting in a generalized type synthesis approach. It then discusses the direct connection between topology and performance models, leading to an integrated performance analysis and design framework. The book then explores parameter uncertainty and multiple performance requirements for reliable, optimal design methods, and describes the error accumulation principle and parameter identification algorithm, to increase robot accuracy. It proposes a unified and generic methodology, and appliesto the invention, analysis, design, and calibration of robotic mechanisms. The book is intended for researchers, graduate students and engineers in the fields of robotic mechanism and robot design and applications.

Polycrystalline SiGe has emerged as a promising MEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems) structural material since it provides the desired mechanical properties at lower temperatures compared to poly-Si, allowing the direct post-processing on top of CMOS. This CMOS-MEMS monolithic integration can lead to more compact MEMS with improved performance. The potential of poly-SiGe for MEMS above-aluminum-backend CMOS integration has already been demonstrated. However, aggressive interconnect scaling has led to the replacement of the traditional aluminum metallization by copper (Cu) metallization, due to its lower resistivity and improved reliability. Poly-SiGe for MEMS-above-CMOS sensors demonstrates the compatibility of poly-SiGe with post-processing above the advanced CMOS technology nodes through the successful fabrication of an integrated poly-SiGe piezoresistive pressure sensor, directly fabricated above 0.13 m Cu-backend CMOS. Furthermore, this book presents the first detailed investigation on the influence of deposition conditions, germanium content and doping concentration on the electrical and piezoresistive properties of boron-doped poly-SiGe. The development of a CMOS-compatible process flow, with special attention to the sealing method, is also described. Piezoresistive pressure sensors with different areas and piezoresistor designs were fabricated and tested. Together with the piezoresistive pressure sensors, also functional capacitive pressure sensors were successfully fabricated on the same wafer, proving the versatility of poly-SiGe for MEMS sensor applications. Finally, a detailed analysis of the MEMS processing impact on the underlying CMOS circuit is also presented.

This volume consists of a collection of chapters by recognized experts to provide a comprehensive fundamental theoretical continuum treatment of constitutive laws used for modelling the mechanical and coupled-field properties of various types of solid materials. It covers the main types of solid material behaviour, including isotropic and anisotropic nonlinear elasticity, implicit theories, viscoelasticity, plasticity, electro- and magneto-mechanical interactions, growth, damage, thermomechanics, poroelasticity, composites and homogenization. The volume provides a general framework for research in a wide range of applications involving the deformation of solid materials. It will be of considerable benefit to both established and early career researchers concerned with fundamental theory in solid mechanics and its applications by collecting diverse material in a single volume. The readership ranges from beginning graduate students to senior researchers in academia and industry.

This book summarizes the main methods of experimental stress analysis and examines their application to various states of stress of major technical interest, highlighting aspects not always covered in the classic literature. It is explained how experimental stress analysis assists in the verification and completion of analytical and numerical models, the development of phenomenological theories, the measurement and control of system parameters under operating conditions, and identification of causes of failure or malfunction. Cases addressed include measurement of the state of stress in models, measurement of actual loads on structures, verification of stress states in circumstances of complex numerical modeling, assessment of stress-related material damage, and reliability analysis of artifacts (e.g. prostheses) that interact with biological systems. The book will serve graduate students and professionals as a valuable tool for finding solutions when analytical solutions do not exist.

This book discusses several mechanical and material problems that are typical for gas turbine components. It discusses accelerated tests and other methods for increasing the reliability of gas turbine engines. Special attention is given to non-traditional methods for calculating the strength characteristics and longevity of the main components. This first volume focuses on the selection of materials, deformation and destruction mechanisms in connection with stationary and non-stationary loading, and types of material damage such as the thermal fatigue. Particular attention is paid to the issues of the properties of single crystal alloys, the relationship between structure and properties, the influence of technological factors and long-term operation. The characteristics of creep resistance, crack resistance, and resistance to cyclic deformation of different alloys are given.

This handbook is a valuable resource for scientists, engineers, graduate students, managers, decision makers, and those who are interested in ionic liquids. Many industrial applications rely on the use of Ionic Liquid Mixtures, as in solar energy storage, waste recycling or batteries.Physicochemical Properties of Ionic Liquid Mixtures is a useful handbook that contains the following features: - the physicochemical properties and property models of mixtures containing ionic liquids - supplemented by a comprehensive database of properties listing ionic liquid systems collected from more than 800 dependable literature sources - over 60,000 data entries on 39 types of physicochemical properties for 1388 mixtures, including binary, ternary, quaternary and other mixtures.

This comprehensive collection provides an unprecedented extensive bilingual dictionary on the subject of solar energy and helps users understand all the terms, abbreviations, phrases, and synonyms of solar energy and technology. Over 8000 entries also include subjects like solar infrastructures, components and other alternative energy technologies due to recent solar hybrid technology developments. See also: Vol. 2, the accompanying encyclopedia.

This thesis addresses the introduction of redox mediator into lithium-oxygen batteries to improve their electrochemical performance especially in terms of practical energy density and round-trip efficiency. In chapter 1, basic electrochemistry regarding lithium-oxygen batteries and redox mediators are introduced. In chapter 2 to 4, comprehensive researches including the discovery of a new redox mediator inspired by biological system, the investigation on kinetic property of redox mediator, and the prevention of shuttle phenomenon are introduced, followed by chapter 5 summarizing the contents. This thesis is targeted to students and researchers interested in electrochemistry and energy storage systems.