Structured Light for Optical Communication highlights principles and applications in the rapidly evolving field of structured light in wide-ranging contexts, from classical forms of communication to new frontiers of quantum communication. Besides the basic principles and applications, the book covers the background of structured light in its most common forms, as well as state-of-the-art developments. Structured light has been hailed as affording outstanding prospects for the realization of high bandwidth communication, enhanced tools for more highly secure cryptography, and exciting opportunities for providing a reliable platform for quantum computing. This book is a valuable resource for graduate students and other active researchers, as well as others who may be interested in learning about this cutting-edge research field.

Green Biocomposites for Biomedical Engineering: Design, Properties, and Applications combines emergent research outcomes with fundamental theoretical concepts relevant to processing, properties and applications of advanced green composites in the field of biomedical engineering. The book outlines the design elements and characterization of biocomposites, highlighting each class of biocomposite separately. A broad range of biomedical applications for biocomposites is then covered, with a final section discussing the ethics and safety regulations associated with manufacturing and the use of biocomposites. With contributions from eminent editors and recognized authors around the world, this book is a vital reference for researchers in biomedical engineering, materials science and environmental science, both in industry and academia.

Advancements in Intelligent Gas Metal Arc Welding Systems: Fundamentals and Applications presents the latest on gas metal arc welding which plays a significant role in modern manufacturing industries and accounts for about 70% of welding processes. The importance of advancements in GMAW cannot be underestimated as they can lead to more efficient production strategies, resource savings and quality improvements. This book provides an overview of various aspects associated with GMAW, starting from the theoretical basis and ending with characteristics of industrial applications and control methods. Additional sections cover processes associated with welding and welding control, such as fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, and others.

Plant and Algal Hydrogels for Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine offers a materials-focused and systematic overview of biopolymeric hydrogels utilized for biomedical applications. The book details the synthesis and characterization of plant and algal-based hydrogels, with each chapter addressing a separate polysaccharide hydrogel type. Specific applications in drug delivery and regenerative medicine are also discussed, highlighting the efficacy, biocompatibility, benefits and challenges for each polysaccharide hydrogel subtype. There is increasing demand for biomaterials which reduce/prevent the host response, inflammation and rejection, hence this book provides a timely resource. Biopolymeric hydrogels have skyrocketed because of their necessity in in vivo applications. They create an environment similar to living tissue, which is both biocompatible and biodegradable. Plant and algal polysaccharides in particular are well-equipped with functional groups that are easily modified for beneficial results.

In the recent decades, efficiency enhancement of refineries and chemical plants has been become a focus of research and development groups. Use of nanofluids in absorption, regeneration, liquid-liquid extraction and membrane processes can lead to mass transfer and heat transfer enhancement in processes which results in an increased efficiency in all these processes. Nanofluids and Mass Transfer introduces the role of nanofluids in improving mass transfer phenomena and expressing their characteristics and properties. The book also covers the theory and modelling procedures in details and finally illustrates various applications of Nanofluids in mass transfer enhancement in various processes such as absorption, regeneration, liquid-liquid extraction and membrane processes and how can nanofluids increase mass transfer in processes.

Polymer-Based Advanced Functional Composites for Optoelectronic and Energy Applications explains how polymer-based smart composites and nanocomposites can be prepared and utilized for novel optical, sensor and energy-related applications. The book begins with an introductory section on the fundamentals of smart polymer composites, including structure-property relationships and conjugated polymers. Other sections examine optical applications, including the use of polymer-based smart composites for luminescent solar concentrators, electro-chromic applications, light conversion applications, ultraviolet shielding applications, LED encapsulation applications, sensor applications, including gas-sensing, strain sensing, robotics and tactile sensors, with final sections covering energy-related applications, including energy harvesting, conversion, storage, vibrational energy harvesting, and more. This is an essential guide for researchers, scientists and advanced students in smart polymers and materials, polymer science, composites, nanocomposites, electronics and materials science. It is also a valuable book for scientists, R&D professionals and engineers working with products that could utilize smart polymer composites.

Thermoelectricity and Advanced Thermoelectric Materials reviews emerging thermoelectric materials, including skutterudites, clathrates, and half-Heusler alloys. In addition, the book discusses a number of oxides and silicides that have promising thermoelectric properties. Because 2D materials with high figures of merit have emerged as promising candidates for thermoelectric applications, this book presents an updated introduction to the field of thermoelectric materials, including recent advances in materials synthesis, device modeling, and design. Finally, the book addresses the theoretical difficulties and methodologies of computing the thermoelectric properties of materials that can be used to understand and predict highly efficient thermoelectric materials. This book is a key reference for materials scientists, physicists, and engineers in energy.

Polymer Hybrid Materials and Composites: Fundamentals and Applications presents an introduction to the principles behind polymeric hybrid materials, providing both theoretical and practical information on the synthesis and application of these materials. It documents the latest innovations, ranging from materials development and characterization of properties, to applications. Sections cover the route from laboratory to industry, providing practical, actionable guidance to assist the scaling up process for applications in areas including energy technology, solar cells, water purification, medical devices, optical and electrical devices, and more. It is an essential introduction to the emerging technologies that are made possible by these advanced materials.

Fundamentals and Properties of Multifunctional Nanomaterials outlines the properties of highly intricate nanosystems, including liquid crystalline nanomaterials, magnetic nanosystems, ferroelectrics, nanomultiferroics, plasmonic nanosystems, carbon-based nanomaterials, 1D and 2D nanomaterials, and bio-nanomaterials. This book reveals the electromagnetic interference shielding properties of nanocomposites. The fundamental attributes of the nanosystems leading to the multifunctional applications in diverse areas are further explored throughout this book. This book is a valuable reference source for researchers in materials science and engineering, as well as in related disciplines, such as chemistry and physics.

Nanomaterials for Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells explains nanomaterials and nanocomposites as well as the characterization, manufacturing, and design of alcohol fuel cell applications. The advantages of direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) are significant for reliable and long-lasting portable power sources used in devices such as mobile phones and computers. Even though substantial improvements have been made in DAFC systems over the last decade, more effort is needed to commercialize DAFCs by producing durable, low-cost, and smaller-sized devices. Nanomaterials have an important role to play in achieving this aim. The use of nanotechnology in DAFCs is vital due to their role in the synthesis of nanocatalysts within the manufacturing process. Lately, nanocatalysts containing carbon such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanocoils have also attracted much attention. When compared to traditional materials, carbon-based materials have unique advantages, such as high corrosion resistance, better electrical conductivity, and less catalyst poisoning. This book also covers different aspects of nanocomposites fabrication, including their preparation, design, and characterization techniques for their fuel cell applications. This book is an important reference source for materials scientists, engineers, energy scientists, and electrochemists who are seeking to improve their understanding of how nanomaterials are being used to enhance the efficiency and lower the cost of DAFCs.

Thin Film Nanophotonics: Conclusions from the Third International Workshop on Thin Films for Electronics, Electro-Optics, Energy and Sensors (TFE3S) provides up-to-date coverage of the properties and photonic applications of nanostructured thin films, including discussions on optical waveguides, photonic lattices for wideband reflectors, polarizers, bandpass filters, meta surfaces, plasmonic resonance sensors, smart windows, optical switches, photovoltaics, and many more. This is an important reference source for materials scientists, engineers and physicists working in the areas of nanomaterials and photonics. New thin film applications such as thin-film topological insulators and 2D materials are gaining attention and growing exponentially, hence this book is an ideal reference on how engineered thin films for various nano-photonics applications present exponential growth in a wide array of areas.

Mechanical and Electro-chemical Interactions under Tribocorrosion: From Measurements to Modelling for Building a Relevant Monitoring Approach looks at progress in the field of tribocorrosion. The work is a result of the efforts of the European tribocorrosion community gathered under the auspices of the European Corrosion Federation (EFC) within WP18 Tribocorrosion. In addition to the handbook, Testing Tribocorrosion of Passivating Materials Supporting Research and industrial Innovation published in 2012, this release describes the latest scientific approaches recognized and validated experimentally to address tribocorrosion. Sections look at the phenomena of coupling through an understanding of the associated mechanisms and how to identify variables. Final sections cover strategies to control and/or extend the life of structures in a multi-process coupling situation and an in-depth description of the current state-of-the-art on modeling approaches of tribocorrosion.

Green nanomaterials are classed as nanomaterials with no environmentally harmful, toxic, properties. The photocatalysis of nanomaterials involves photo-conduction value in efficient removal/degradation of noxious pollutants. Green nanotechnology has objectives for the development of products and processes which are environmentally friendly, economically sustainable, safe, energy-efficient, and produce little waste or emissions. Such products and processes are based on renewable materials and/or have a low net impact on the environment. Green functionalized nanomaterials, formed by a combination of nanomaterials with natural materials or are derived through a green source, are the new trends in the remediation of pollutants in environmental industries. This has the effect of making photoactive nanomaterials work under UV/sunlight radiation in order to produce reactive radical species that rapidly remove pollutants by redox mechanism. Green Functionalized Nanomaterials for Environmental Applications focuses on recent developments in the area of fabrication of green nanomaterials and their properties. It also looks at ways of lowering the risk of exposure of green functionalized nanomaterials. This needs to be pursued in the future for investigating and assessing health risks, which may be due to exposure to green nanomaterials. It is an important reference source for all those seeking to improve their understanding of how green functionalized nanomaterials are being used in a range of environmental applications, as well as considering potential toxicity implications.

Nanocarriers for the Delivery of Combination Drugs focuses on the role of nanocarriers in the delivery of combination drugs for the management and treatment of various diseases. Nanocarriers belonging to the category of polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, lipidic nanocarriers (like nanoemulsions), liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers are now being used in the drug delivery of combination drugs. This book helps readers assimilate all the information available surrounding the application of various nanocarrier technologies for the delivery of combination drugs of synthetic and natural origin, including small and large molecules. This is an important reference source for pharmaceutical scientists and biomaterials scientists who are looking to gain an increased understanding on how nanotechnology is improving the efficiency of combination drug delivery.

Quantum dots (QDs) are hybrid organic/inorganic nanoparticles with novel physical properties. QDs have two components: an inorganic core and an optically active coated shell. Moreover, surface coatings can be applied to QDs to modify the particle as needed for experiments. Hydrophilic coatings prevent leaking of metal cargo from the core, enhancing the solubility in biological contexts and bind molecules, such as receptor-ligands, antibodies, therapeutic, and diagnostic macromolecules for enhanced effects. Their high surface-to-volume ratio allows multiple functional groups to attach onto the surface of the particles at constant surface volume. Silicon-, gallium-, indium-, or germanium-based; cadmium-based; and carbon-based QDs have already been used in many applications, such as imaging probes for the engineering of multifunctional nanodevices. Superior properties of QDs make them an excellent system in technology and biotechnology. This book describes electroanalytical applications of QD-based nanobiosensors, including brief information about the synthesis and characterization of QDs and basics of electroanalytical methods, followed by QDs in electrochemical biomimetic sensors, QDs in microchips, inorganic materials doped QDs, QD-based electrochemical DNA biosensors, electroluminescence for biomarker analysis using aptamer-based QDs, QD-based photoelectrochemical techniques, enzyme-based nanobiosensors using QDs, QD-based electrochemical immunosensors, and QD-modified nanosensors in drug analysis.

Dielectric Metamaterials and Metasurfaces in Transformation Optics and Photonics addresses the complexity of electromagnetic responses from arrays of dielectric resonators, which are often omitted from consideration when using simplified metamaterials concepts. The book's authors present a thorough consideration of dielectric resonances in different environments which is needed to design optical and photonic devices. Dielectric metamaterials and photonic crystals are compared, with their effects analyzed. Design approaches and examples of designs for invisibility cloaks based on artificial media are also included. Current challenge of incorporating artificial materials into transformation optics-based and photonics devices are also covered.

High-strength materials offer alternatives to frequently used materials for high-rise construction. A material of higher strength means a smaller member size is required to resist the design load. However, high-strength concrete is brittle, and high-strength thin steel plates are prone to local buckling. A solution to overcome such problems is to adopt a steel-concrete composite design in which concrete provides lateral restraint to steel plates against local buckling, and steel plates provide confinement to high-strength concrete. Design of Steel-Concrete Composite Structures Using High Strength Materials provides guidance on the design of composite steel-concrete structures using combined high-strength concretes and steels. The book includes a database of over 2,500 test results on composite columns to evaluate design methods, and presents calculations to determine critical parameters affecting the strength and ductility of high-strength composite columns. Finally, the book proposes design methods for axial-moment interaction curves in composite columns. This allows a unified approach to the design of columns with normal- and high-strength steel concrete materials. This book offers civil engineers, structural engineers, and researchers studying the mechanical performance of composite structures in the use of high-strength materials to design and construct advanced tall buildings.

Nanostructured Zinc Oxide covers the various routes for the synthesis of different types of nanostructured zinc oxide including; 1D (nanorods, nanowires etc.), 2D and 3D (nanosheets, nanoparticles, nanospheres etc.). This comprehensive overview provides readers with a clear understanding of the various parameters controlling morphologies. The book also reviews key properties of ZnO including optical, electronic, thermal, piezoelectric and surface properties and techniques in order to tailor key properties. There is a large emphasis in the book on ZnO nanostructures and their role in optoelectronics. ZnO is very interesting and widely investigated material for a number of applications. This book presents up-to-date information about the ZnO nanostructures-based applications such as gas sensing, pH sensing, photocatalysis, antibacterial activity, drug delivery, and electrodes for optoelectronics.

Advances are continuously being made in applying the coatings and surface treatments by different techniques to reduce the damages from tribology. Engineers need more detailed information to compare the capability of each coating process in wear resistant and lubrication applications. It is also important to focus on the concepts of tribology in various applications such as the manufacturing process, bio implants, machine elements, and corrosive environments. The need for a comprehensive resource addressing these findings in order to improve wear resistance is unavoidable. Tribology in Coatings and Surface Treatment: Technology, Properties, and Applications evaluates the latest advances the fabrication of wear-resistant and lubricant coatings by different techniques and investigates wear-resistant coatings and surface treatments in various applications such as the automobile industry. Covering a wide range of topics such as lubricant coatings and wearable electronic devices, it is ideal for engineers, industry professionals, researchers, academicians, scholars, practitioners, instructors, and students.

Fundamentals and Applications of Supercapacitor 2D Materials covers different aspects of supercapacitor 2D materials, including their important properties, synthesis, and recent developments in supercapacitor applications of engineered 2D materials. In addition, theoretical investigations and various types of supercapacitors based on 2D materials such as symmetric, asymmetric, flexible, and micro-supercapacitors are covered. This book is a useful resource for research scientists, engineers, and students in the fields of supercapacitors, 2D nanomaterials, and energy storage devices. Due to their sub-nanometer thickness, 2D materials have a high packing density, which is suitable for the fabrication of highly-packed energy supplier/storage devices with enhanced energy and power density. The flexibility of 2D materials, and their good mechanical properties and high packing densities, make them suitable for the development of thin, flexible, and wearable devices.