This book is designed to help athletes and individuals interested in high sports performance in their journey towards the perfection of human sports abilities and achievements. It has two main goals: accelerating the acquisition of motor skills and preparing and vigilantly reducing the recovery time after training and competition. The Diamond Sports Protocol (DSP) presents state-of-the-art techniques for current sport and health technologies, particularly neuromuscular electrical stimulation (Sports Wave), oxygen infusion (Oxy Sports), infrared (Sports Infrared Dome) and lactic acid cleaning (Turbo Sports). The book suggest DSP as an essential part of every future athlete's training, competition and health maintenance. The book is for everyone interested in superior sports performance, fast and effective rehabilitation from training and competition and sports injury prevention.

The principle aim of the book is to present a self-contained, modern account of similarity and symmetry methods, which are important mathematical tools for both physicists, engineers and applied mathematicians. The idea is to provide a balanced presentation of the mathematical techniques and applications of symmetry methods in mathematics, physics and engineering. That is why it includes recent developments and many examples in finding systematically conservation laws, local and nonlocal symmetries for ordinary and partial differential equations. The role of continuous symmetries in classical and quantum field theories is exposed at a technical level accessible even for non specialists. The importance of symmetries in continuum mechanics and mechanics of materials is highlighted through recent developments, such as the construction of constitutive models for various materials combining Lie symmetries with experimental data. As a whole this book is a unique collection of contributions from experts in the field, including specialists in the mathematical treatment of symmetries, researchers using symmetries from a fundamental, applied or numerical viewpoint. The book is a fascinating overview of symmetry methods aimed for graduate students in physics, mathematics and engineering, as well as researchers either willing to enter in the field or to capture recent developments and applications of symmetry methods in different scientific fields.

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.

This is the first book to systematically review and summarize the recent rapid advances and varied results of multiphysics in nanoscale materials including elastic strain engineering. This book comprises topics on remarkable properties of multiphysics in low-dimensional nanoscale components from first-principles density-functional theory (or tight binding) calculations, which are essential for the nonlinear multiphysics couplings due to quantum mechanical effects. This volume provides a clear point of view and insight into the varied work done in diverse fields and disciplines and promotes a fundamental to state-of-the-art understanding of properties of multiphysics. Because the novelty and complexity of mechanical and multiphysical properties of low-dimensional nanostructures originate from combinations of outer shapes (e.g., films, wires, tubes, and dots) and inner understructures (e.g., grain boundaries, domain walls, vacancies, and impurities), the nanostructures are classified into fundamental elements, and the properties of each element and their interplay are reviewed for systematic, in-depth understanding. This book points out a new direction for multiphysics in nanostructures, which opens the door both to exploiting and to designing novel functionalities at the nanoscale. Readers will be interested in this rapidly expanding multidisciplinary work and will be motivated to enter this promising research area.

Fracture Mechanics of Fatigue of Structural Ceramics; I.W. Chen, et al. Fatigue Behavior of Sintered Al2O3 under Rotary Bending and Static Fatigue; H.N. Ko. Fatigue of Notched Alumina Specimens; D. Hertel, et al. Static and Cyclic Fatigue of Zirconia Materials Measured by Double Torsion; J. Chevalier, et al. The Fatigue Behavior of MgPSZ and ZTA Ceramics; M.M. Nagl, et al. The Influence of Processing Techniques on the Fatigue Properties of Yttria Stabilized Zirconia with Different Grain Sizes; R. Matt, G. Grathwohl. Fatigue Crack Initiation and Propagation in Ceramics; A. Ueno, H. Kishimoto. On Fatigue and Facture Behavior of SiAlloyed Pyrolytic Carbon; L. Ma, et al. An Analysis of Cyclic Fatigue Effects in Ceramic Matrix Composites; D. Koch, G. Grathwohl. Fatigue Life Predications of PZT Using Continuum Damage Mechanics and Finite Element Methods; T.J. Chuang, et al. Crack Growth in Ferroelectric Ceramics and Actuators under Mechanical and Electrical Loading; G.A. Schneider, et al. Effects of Residual Stress on Fracture Toughness and Subcritical Crack Growth of Indented Cracks in Various Glasses; M. Yoda, et al. Determination of Threshold Stress Intensity Factor for Subcritical Crack Growth in Ceramic Materials by Interrupted Static Fatigue Test; V.M. Sglavo, et al. 31 additional articles. Index.

Expand your design horizons with a thorough, integrated knowledge of laminate mechanics and design optimization techniques
Offering a thorough treatment of both contemporary design optimization techniques and the mechanics of composite laminates, Design and Optimization of Laminated Composite Materials broadens engineers' design horizons by providing them with the information they need to take full advantage of this important class of composite materials. Intended to serve as an undergraduate- to graduate-level course text or a professional reference for practicing engineers, it features a rational, integrated presentation, supplemented with case examples, practice exercises, and valuable programming tips. Important features include:
* An integrated approach to the analysis and design of laminated composites
* Selected optimization methods that are suited to the design of laminates with discrete thickness and orientation angles
* Guidelines on getting the most out of numerical and graphical software applications for laminate optimization problems
* A companion Web site containing valuable Mathematica(TM)-based programs and helpful tutorials: www.composite-design.vt.edu

This book provides a comprehensive summary of nanowire research in the past decade, from the nanowire synthesis, characterization, assembly, to the device applications. In particular, the developments of complex/modulated nanowire structures, the assembly of hierarchical nanowire arrays, and the applications in the fields of nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, quantum devices, nano-enabled energy, and nano-bio interfaces, are focused. Moreover, novel nanowire building blocks for the future/emerging nanoscience and nanotechnology are also discussed.Semiconducting nanowires represent one of the most interesting research directions in nanoscience and nanotechnology, with capabilities of realizing structural and functional complexity through rational design and synthesis. The exquisite control of chemical composition, morphology, structure, doping and assembly, as well as incorporation with other materials, offer a variety of nanoscale building blocks with unique properties.

This thesis introduces a figure of merit for light trapping with photonic nanostructures and shows how different light trapping methods compare, irrespective of material, absorber thickness or type of nanostructure. It provides an overview of the essential aspects of light trapping, offering a solid basis for future designs. Light trapping with photonic nanostructures is a powerful method of increasing the absorption in thin film solar cells. Many light trapping methods have been studied, but to date there has been no comprehensive figure of merit to compare these different methods quantitatively. This comparison allows us to establish important design rules for highly performing structures; one such rule is the structuring of the absorber layer from both sides, for which the authors introduce a novel and simple layer-transfer technique. A closely related issue is the question of plasmonic vs. dielectric nanostructures; the authors present an experimental demonstration, aided by a detailed theoretical assessment, highlighting the importance of considering the multipass nature of light trapping in a thin film, which is an essential effect that has been neglected in previous work and which allows us to quantify the parasitic losses.

The book presents the work of the RILEM Technical Committee 261-CCF, which organized the challenging International Round Robin Test (RRT) on the creep behaviour of Fibre Reinforce Concrete (FRC) cracked specimens. Although different creep test methodologies have been developed in recent years, the absence of a standardised creep methodology hindered general comparisons. Therefore, the RILEM TC 261-CCF launched an ambitious international RRT program to improve the knowledge on long-term behaviour of cracked sections of FRC and assess all the different testing methodologies, assuming the big variability of testing criteria among the scientific community. The participation of 19 laboratories across 20 institutions in 14 countries all over the world enabled the realisation of the largest experimental campaign on creep in the cracked state. As a result of the RRT, an extensive database of creep test results was created containing comprehensive information from 124 cracked FRC specimens tested using different creep testing procedures in agreed conditions. The book will benefit academics and practitioners interested in the long-term behaviour of FRC since it served as basis for the recently published RILEM Recommendation on creep testing procedure and represents the current knowledge on creep in cracked FRC specimens.

This volume provides a variety of standard protocols used to cryopreserve or freeze-dry different types of specimens. In addition, it provides chapters focused on the fundamental principles of cryopreservation, vitrification, and freeze-drying. Several state of the art microscopic, spectroscopic as well as calorimetric methods are highlighted that can be used to study cellular and macromolecular changes in response to freezing or drying. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Cryopreservation and Freeze-Drying Protocols, Third Edition serves as a practical guideline for studies on freezing and drying processes as well as preservation strategies for biological specimens.

The materials dealt with in this volume include wood, concrete, various metals, composites, ceramics, and porous geological media. Obviously, the properties and serviceability of such materials vary widely, and an almost universal theme in their testing is that the properties depend on the scale at which the analysis or observation is made. At each scale, "probability" plays an important role, where the word "probability" is used in a wider sense than the classical one. The book begins with a review of progress over recent years, identifying key questions that remain open. One point is how to observe/measure material properties at different scales, and whether a probabilistic approach, at each scale, is always applicable and advantageous. Obstacles to the identification of a universal approach include the wide range of materials and the diversity of applications. The hierarchical nature of materials and implications for modelling, testing and application are discussed extensively. Most contributions present both experimental and analytical/numerical results. A few are purely theoretical, and some are purely numerical.

This thesis demonstrates the first use of high-speed ultrasound imaging to non-invasively probe how the interior of a dense suspension responds to impact. Suspensions of small solid particles in a simple liquid can generate a rich set of dynamic phenomena that are of fundamental scientific interest because they do not conform to the typical behavior expected of either solids or liquids. Most remarkable is the highly counter-intuitive ability of concentrated suspensions to strongly thicken and even solidify when sheared or impacted. The understanding of the mechanism driving this solidification is, however, still limited, especially for the important transient stage while the response develops as a function of time. In this thesis, high-speed ultrasound imaging is introduced to track, for the first time, the transition from the flowing to the solidified state and directly observe the shock-like shear fronts that accompany this transition. A model is developed that agrees quantitatively with the experimental measurements. The combination of imaging techniques, experimental design, and modeling in this thesis represents a major breakthrough for the understanding of the dynamic response of dense suspensions, with important implications for a wide range of applications ranging from the handling of slurries to additive manufacturing.

This book explores new experimental phase diagrams of non-oxide ceramics, with a particular focus on the silicon nitride, silicon carbide and aluminum nitride, as well as the ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC) systems. It features more than 80 experimental phase diagrams of these non-oxide ceramics, including three phase diagrams of UHTC systems, constructed by the authors. Physical chemistry data covering the period since the 1970s, collected by the author Z.K.Huang, is presented in six tables in the appendixes. It also includes 301 figures involving about 150 material systems. Most of the phase diagrams have been selected from the ACerS-NIST database with copyright permission. The book methodically presents numerous diagrams previously scattered in various journals and conferences worldwide. Providing extensive experimental data, it is a valuable reference resource on ceramics development and design for academic researchers, R&D engineers and graduate students.

The book includes high-quality papers presented at the 4th International Conference on Smart Learning Ecosystems and Regional Development at Universita Roma Tor Vergata, Italy, from 22 to 24 May, 2019. Providing insights into the relevance of smart learning ecosystems (schools, campuses, the workplace, informal learning contexts, etc.) for regional development and social innovation, it also discusses how citizens' involvement with smart ecosystems can be increased and made more effective.

Composed of papers presented at the 10th conference on Multiphase flow this book presents the latest research on the subject. The research included in this volume focuses on using synergies between experimental and computational techniques to gain a better understanding of all classes of multiphase and complex flow. The presented papers illustrate the close interaction between numerical modellers and researchers working to gradually resolve the many outstanding issues in our understanding of multiphase flow. Recently multiphase fluid dynamics have generated a great deal of attention, leading to many notable advances in experimental, analytical and numerical studies. Progress in numerical methods has permitted the solution of many practical problems, helping to improve our understanding of the physics involved. Multiphase flows are found in all areas of technology and the range of related problems of interest is vast, including astrophysics, biology, geophysics, atmospheric process, and many areas of engineering. The papers in the book cover a number of topics, including: Experimental measurements; Numerical methods; Multiphase flows and Flow in porous media.

Fluid Power Dynamics is a 12-chapter book in two sections covering the basics of fluid power through hydraulic system components and troubleshooting. The second section covers pneumatics from basics through to troubleshooting.
This is the latest book in a new series published by Butterworth-Heinemann in association with PLANT ENGINEERING magazine. PLANT ENGINEERING fills a unique information need for the men and women who operate and maintain industrial plants: It bridges the information gap between engineering education and practical application. As technology advances at increasingly faster rates, this information service is becoming more and more important. Since its first issue in 1947, PLANT ENGINEERING has stood as the leading problem-solving information source for America's industrial plant engineers, and this book series will effectively contribute to that resource and reputation.

This text records the Proceedings of the IUTAM Symposium held in Cambridge in 1995. It contains 35 articles by leading authorities and addresses the modelling of fracture from a variety of perspectives, ranging over mechanics, material science, physics, geophysics, and nonlinear dynamics. The most important single practical question addressed is that of scale. This is considered in relation to nonlinear material behaviour, micromechanics and statistical variations, and the interaction of these aspects. Certain aspects of the subject have experienced significant advance, from one or other of the standpoints of physics, materials science or mechanics. This book is intended to contribute towards the wider dissemination of these advances and the development of a unified perspective. It will be useful to those active in research in fracture who wish to gain an overview of the subject, taking advantage of insights gained from the whole range of this expertise.

Databook of Surface Modification Additives, Second Edition contains data on 10 groups of additives, including anti-scratch and mar-preventing additives, additives for surface tension reduction and wetting, hydrophobization additives, gloss enhancement and surface matting additives, additives for formation of tack-free surface and tackifiers, and stain inhibiting additives. The information on each is divided into five sections, including General Information, Physical- chemical Properties, Health and Safety, Ecological Properties and Use and Performance. This data is provided for approximately 360 of the most important surface modification additives produced and used today. This databook will be an extremely useful resource for engineers, researchers and technicians interested in using additives to modify and improve the surface properties of materials.

This book entitled "Laser Additive Manufacturing of High-Performance Materials" covers the specific aspects of laser additive manufacturing of high-performance new materials components based on an unconventional materials incremental manufacturing philosophy, in terms of materials design and preparation, process control and optimization and theories of physical and chemical metallurgy. This book describes the capabilities and characteristics of the development of new metallic materials components by laser additive manufacturing process, including nanostructured materials, in situ composite materials, particle reinforced metal matrix composites, etc. The topics presented in this book, similar as laser additive manufacturing technology itself, show a significant interdisciplinary feature, integrating laser technology, materials science, metallurgical engineering and mechanical engineering. This is a book for researchers, students, practicing engineers and manufacturing industry professionals interested in laser additive manufacturing and laser materials processing. Dongdong Gu is a Professor at College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA), PR China.

The book covers various topics of heat transfer. It explains and analyzes several techniques and modes of heat transfer such as conduction in stationary media, convection in moving media and also by radiation. It is primarily a text book useful for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The book should also interest practicing engineers who wish to refresh their knowledge in the field. The book presents the various topics in a systematic way starting from first principles. The topics are developed to a fairly advanced level towards the end of each chapter. Several worked examples illustrate the engineering applications of the basic modeling tools developed in the text. The exercises at the end of the book are arranged chapter wise and challenge the reader to tackle typical real-life problems in heat transfer. This book will be of potential use for students of mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and metallurgy in most engineering colleges.

This textbook is ideal for mechanical engineering students preparing to enter the workforce during a time of rapidly accelerating technology, where they will be challenged to join interdisciplinary teams. It explains system dynamics using analogies familiar to the mechanical engineer while introducing new content in an intuitive fashion. The fundamentals provided in this book prepare the mechanical engineer to adapt to continuous technological advances with topics outside traditional mechanical engineering curricula by preparing them to apply basic principles and established approaches to new problems. This book also: * Reinforces the connection between the subject matter and engineering reality * Includes an instructor pack with the online publication that describes in-class experiments with minimal preparation requirements * Provides content dedicated to the modeling of modern interdisciplinary technological subjects, including opto-mechanical systems, high-speed manufacturing equipment, and measurement systems * Incorporates MATLAB (R) programming examples throughout the text * Incorporates MATLAB (R) examples that animate the dynamics of systems

Advanced Composite Materials for Aerospace Engineering: Processing, Properties and Applications predominately focuses on the use of advanced composite materials in aerospace engineering. It discusses both the basic and advanced requirements of these materials for various applications in the aerospace sector, and includes discussions on all the main types of commercial composites that are reviewed and compared to those of metals. Various aspects, including the type of fibre, matrix, structure, properties, modeling, and testing are considered, as well as mechanical and structural behavior, along with recent developments. There are several new types of composite materials that have huge potential for various applications in the aerospace sector, including nanocomposites, multiscale and auxetic composites, and self-sensing and self-healing composites, each of which is discussed in detail. The book's main strength is its coverage of all aspects of the topics, including materials, design, processing, properties, modeling and applications for both existing commercial composites and those currently under research or development. Valuable case studies provide relevant examples of various product designs to enhance learning.

This book presents the latest developments in noncontact atomic force microscopy. It deals with the following outstanding functions and applications that have been obtained with atomic resolution after the publication of volume 2: (1) Pauli repulsive force imaging of molecular structure, (2) Applications of force spectroscopy and force mapping with atomic resolution, (3) Applications of tuning forks, (4) Applications of atomic/molecular manipulation, (5) Applications of magnetic exchange force microscopy, (6) Applications of atomic and molecular imaging in liquids, (7) Applications of combined AFM/STM with atomic resolution, and (8) New technologies in dynamic force microscopy. These results and technologies are now expanding the capacity of the NC-AFM with imaging functions on an atomic scale toward making them characterization and manipulation tools of individual atoms/molecules and nanostructures, with outstanding capability at the level of molecular, atomic, and subatomic resolution. Since the publication of vol. 2 of the book Noncontact Atomic Force Microscopy in 2009 the noncontact atomic force microscope, which can image even insulators with atomic resolution, has achieved remarkable progress. The NC-AFM is now becoming crucial for nanoscience and nanotechnology.

This book summarizes the recent advances in applications of starch in state-of-the-art drug carriers (hydrogel, micro- and nano-particulate carriers) with stimulus-responsive and target-specific properties. It also highlights the role of starch and its derivatives in transmucosal administration to improve the bioavailability of drugs. Further, it outlines the principles of effective, advanced, starch-based drug delivery systems and illustrates how these principles are key to the development of future drug delivery strategies. This interesting reference resource is useful for students, researchers and engineers in the fields of carbohydrate chemistry, polymer sciences and drug delivery.

In this book advanced balancing methods for planar and spatial linkages, hand operated and automatic robot manipulators are presented. It is organized into three main parts and eight chapters. The main parts are the introduction to balancing, the balancing of linkages and the balancing of robot manipulators. The review of state-of-the-art literature including more than 500 references discloses particularities of shaking force/moment balancing and gravity compensation methods. Then new methods for balancing of linkages are considered. Methods provided in the second part of the book deal with the partial and complete shaking force/moment balancing of various linkages. A new field for balancing methods applications is the design of mechanical systems for fast manipulation. Special attention is given to the shaking force/moment balancing of robot manipulators. Gravity balancing methods are also discussed. The suggested balancing methods are illustrated by numerous examples.