Solar Energy Advancements in Agriculture and Food Production Systems aims to assist society and agricultural communities in different regions and scales to improve their productivity and sustainability. Solar energy, with its rapidly growing technologies and nascent market, has shown promise for integration into a variety of agricultural activities, providing an alternative, sustainable solution to current practices. To meet the future demands of modern sustainable agriculture, this book addresses the major existing problems by providing innovative, effective, and sustainable solutions using environment-friendly, advanced, energy-efficient, and cost-optimized solar energy technologies. This comprehensive book is intended to serve as a practical guide for scientists, engineers, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in agriculture and related primary industries, as well as sustainable energy development, and climate change mitigation projects. By including globally implemented solar-based agriculture projects in each chapter and highlighting the key associated challenges and benefits, it aims to bridge the knowledge gap between the market/real-world applications and research in the field.

Rheology: Concepts, Methods, and Applications, Fourth Edition provides a thorough historical and theoretical grounding in the field and introduces rheology as the method for solving many practical problems in materials science and engineering. This new edition has been updated to include new evidence-based methods and applications, coverage of non-Newtonian properties and their effect on material processing, heterogeneity in flow, rheology of highly concentrated emulsions and suspensions, viscosity and viscoelastic behavior of nanocomposites, the behavior of supramolecular solutions, rheology of gels, deformation-induced anisotropy, conformation changes during flow and molecular orientation. The book is practical and relevant for industry, but also consistent with rheology courses in academia, making it relevant to both academics and accomplished rheologists in industry.

Protective Textiles from Natural Resources provides systematic coverage of the fundamentals, production methods, processing techniques, characterization techniques, properties and applications of natural textile products for protective purposes. The subject of this book is an important kind of technical textile designed to protect the wearer from injuries, illness and death. They offer enhanced protection against phenomena including heat, cold, flame, chemical, biological, nuclear agents, radiation, disaster and even ballistics. As no single type of clothing can be adequate for all kinds of protection, extensive research is carried out to develop protective clothing for specialized civilian and military applications. The latest research on the use of natural fibres in PPE is also covered, which could make a significant contribution to the fight against the spread of COVID-19. This comprehensive guide explores a wide variety of themes from material processing and design to finished products, through protection against specific hazards to specific applications, including all significant new developments on natural materials for protective textiles.

Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: Materials, Challenges, and Applications presents the advantages of lithium-sulfur batteries, such as high theoretical capacity, low cost, and stability, while also addressing some of the existing challenges. Some of the challenges are low electrical conductivity, the possible reaction of sulfur with lithium to form a soluble lithium salt, the formation of the dendrimer, large volume variation of cathode materials during the electrochemical reaction, and shuttle behavior of highly soluble intermediate polysulfides in the electrolyte. This book provides some possible solutions to these issues through novel architecture, using composite materials, doping to improve low conductivity, etc., as well as emphasizing novel materials, architectural concepts, and methods to improve the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries.

Handbook of Rheological Additives covers how these additives are commonly applied in a wide range of industries, providing readers with information on over 300 organic and inorganic additives. This information is presented in individual tables for each product, whether commercial or generic. Data is divided into General Information, Physical Properties, Health and Safety, Ecological Properties, Use and Performance. Sections cover their state, odor, color, bulk density, density, specific gravity, relative density, boiling point, melting point, pour point, decomposition temperature, glass transition temperature, refractive index, vapor pressure, vapor density, volume resistivity, relative permittivity, ash content, pH, viscosity, rheological behavior, and more. Other notations include updates on NFPA classification, HMIS classification, OSHA hazard class, UN Risk phrases, UN Safety phrases, UN/NA class, DOT class, ADR/RIC class, ICAO/IATA class, IMDG class, packaging group, shipping name, food approvals, autoignition temperature, self-accelerating decomposition temperature, flash point, TLV ACGIH, NIOSH and OSHA, maximum exposure concentration IDLH, animal testing oral-rat, rabbit-dermal, mouse-oral, guinea pig-dermal, rat-dermal, rat-inhalation, mouse-inhalation, ingestion and skin and eye irritation.

Handbook of Polymers, Third Edition represents an update on available data, including new values for many commercially available products, verification of existing data, and removal of older data where it is no longer useful. Polymers selected for this edition include all primary polymeric materials used by the plastics and chemical industries and specialty polymers used in the electronics, pharmaceutical, medical and aerospace fields, with extensive information also provided on biopolymers. The book includes data on all polymeric materials used by the plastics industry and branches of the chemical industry, as well as specialty polymers in the electronics, pharmaceutical, medical and space fields. The entire scope of the data is divided into sections to make data comparison and search easy, including synthesis, physical, mechanical, and rheological properties, chemical resistance, toxicity, environmental impact, and more.

Advances in Inorganic Chemistry, Volume 79, the latest release in an esteemed series that highlights new advances in the field of inorganic chemistry, presents new and interesting topics authored by an international field of experts.

Recycling and Reusing of Engineering Materials: Recycling for Sustainable Developments covers the latest research and developments in recycling and reusing processes, including new fundamental concepts, techniques, methods and process flows. The book provides applications of these novel technologies to recycling processes and analyzes new and modern ways of recycling techniques. It provides a comprehensive literature review on fundamental aspects of recycling processes, recycling goals, characterization of waste streams, legislative policies and evaluation, electronic recycling, aircraft recycling, recycling processes, energy savings and issues, environmental issues, societal issues, recycled materials, market development for recycling, processing facilities, and awareness and importance of recycling safety. The book is an indispensable reference for researchers in academia and industry. Scientists can use this book for literature reviews and experimental details, and the industry can use its comprehensive detail for literature reviews and to upgrade their processes and systems.

Quantum Materials, Devices, and Applications covers the advances made in quantum technologies, both in research and mass production for applications in electronics, photonics, sensing, biomedical, environmental and agricultural applications. The book includes new materials, new device structures that are commercially available, and many more at the advanced research stage. It reviews the most relevant, current and emerging materials and device structures, organized by key applications and covers existing devices, technologies and future possibilities within a common framework of high-performance quantum devices. This book will be ideal for researchers and practitioners in academia, industry and those in materials science and engineering, electrical engineering and physics disciplines.

Rheological additives are commonly applied in a wide range of industries and this databook provides readers with information on over 300 organic and inorganic additives. This information is presented in individual tables tor each product, whether commercial or generic. The data are divided into five groups, those being General Information, Physical Properties, Health and Safety, Ecological Properties, and Use & Performance. The following information is included in each section: General Information: name, CAS #, EC #, IUPAC name, common name, common synonyms, acronym, biobased, cellulose functionality, charge, degree of substitution, empirical formula, chemical structure, molecular mass, RTECS number, chemical category, product class, product composition, moisture content, and solids content. Physical Properties: state, odor, color, bulk density, density, specific gravity, relative density, boiling point, melting point, pour point, decomposition temperature, glass transition temperature, refractive index, vapor pressure, vapor density, volume resistivity, relative permittivity, ash content, pH, viscosity, rheological behavior, absolute viscosity, surface tension, hydration time, solubility in solvents, solubility in water, the heat of combustion, the heat of decomposition, specific heat, thermal conductivity, Henry's law constant, particle size, and volatility. Health & Safety: NFPA classification, HMIS classification, OSHA hazard class, UN Risk phrases, UN Safety phrases, UN/NA class, DOT class, ADR/RIC class, ICAO/IATA class, IMDG class, packaging group, shipping name, food approvals, autoignition temperature, self-accelerating decomposition temperature, flash point, TLV ACGIH, NIOSH and OSHA, maximum exposure concentration IDLH, animal testing oral-rat, rabbit-dermal, mouse-oral, guinea pig-dermal, rat-dermal, rat-inhalation, mouse-inhalation, ingestion, skin irritation, eye irritation, inhalation, first aid eye, skin, and inhalation, carcinogenicity IARC, NTP, OSHA, ACGIH, and mutagenicity. Ecological Properties: biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, theoretical oxygen demand, biodegradation probability, aquatic toxicity algae, Rainbow trout, Sheepshead minnow, Fathead minnow, and Daphnia magna, and partition coefficient. Use & Performance: manufacturer, product feature, recommended for polymers, recommended for products, outstanding properties, compatibility, limitations, a typical reason for use, processing methods, the concentration used, storage temperature, and food approval.

Databook of Impact Modifiers provides key information on how to modify structure and morphology, improve mechanical performance, and prevent changes during the use of polymeric products through proper selection of impact modifiers. The book brings analyses of important publications found in open and patent literature, with special attention given to recent findings that have brought many new essential developments. Sections cover an analysis of chemical origin and related properties of impact modifiers, which are analyzed in general terms to highlight the differences in their properties. This handbook contains the essential theoretical knowledge required for proper selection and use of impact modifiers, including their morphological structure and distribution in a polymer matrix, the effect of polymer crystallization in the presence of and without impact modifiers, important influences on impact modification, mechanisms of modification, and effective methods of incorporation of impact modifiers.

Atlas of Material Damage, Third Edition provides a systematic analysis of modes of damage and morphology of damaged material and compares the experiences of different industries to provide insights into the most frequently encountered failures, reasons for these failures, and potential improvements to prevent future failure. The book covers defect formation, material damage, and how structure of materials impacts designed function. The effects of composition, processing conditions, and singular and combined actions of different degradants on industrial products are discussed at length. Technological steps required to obtain specifically designed morphology for specific performance are outlined, and numerous examples of how this special morphology can be achieved and deployed in electronics, plastics, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, automotive, medical, dental and a range of other fields and applications is also covered.

Advances in Metal Oxides and their Composites for Emerging Applications reviews key properties of metal-oxide based composites, including their structural, physicochemical, optical, electrical components and resulting performance in a wide range of diverse applications. Synthetic protocols used to create metal oxides with desirable morphologies, properties and performance for applications in solar energy harvesting, energy storage and environmental remediation are emphasized. Emerging technologies that address important global challenges such as energy shortage, the hazardous effects of non-renewable energy sources, unaffordable energy technologies, and the contaminants present in air and water are also covered. This book is an ideal resource for materials scientists and engineers working in academia and R&D. In addition, it's appropriate for those who either need an introduction to potential research directions or for experienced researchers and practitioners looking for a key reference on the latest advances.

Bio-Based Flame Retardants for Polymeric Materials provides a comprehensive overview of flame retardants derived directly and indirectly from plant sources, drawing on cutting-edge research and covering preparation methods, testing and evaluation techniques, enhanced properties, and end applications. Chapters introduce bio-based materials in the context of additives for flame retardancy, explaining fundamentals and testing methods and analyzing synthetic approaches and the potential advantages of pursuing a bio-based approach. This is followed by detailed coverage of bio-based retardants, with each chapter covering a specific source and guiding the reader systematically through preparation techniques, evaluation methods, properties and applications. Throughout the book, the latest progress in the field is critically reviewed, and there is a continual emphasis on novel approaches to achieve enhanced properties and performant materials. This is an essential guide for all those with an interest in innovative, sustainable flame retardant additives for polymeric materials, including researchers, scientists, advanced students, and more.

Applied Mechanics of Polymers: Properties, Processing, and Behavior provides readers with an overview of the properties, mechanical behaviors and modeling techniques for accurately predicting the behaviors of polymeric materials. The book starts with an introduction to polymers, covering their history, chemistry, physics, and various types and applications. In addition, it covers the general properties of polymers and the common processing and manufacturing processes involved with them. Subsequent chapters delve into specific mechanical behaviors of polymers such as linear elasticity, hyperelasticity, creep, viscoelasticity, failure, and fracture. The book concludes with chapters discussing electroactive polymers, hydrogels, and the mechanical characterization of polymers. This is a useful reference text that will benefit graduate students, postdocs, researchers, and engineers in the mechanics of materials, polymer science, mechanical engineering and material science. Additional resources related to the book can be found at polymersmechanics.com.

The Structural Integrity of Recycled Aggregate Concrete Produced with Fillers and Pozzolans presents a review on the use of by-products, fillers and pozzolanic materials in the development of concrete, with an emphasis on structural integrity. The volume is broken down into key sections, including a review of the types of materials that are used as latent hydraulic supplements, fillers and pozzolans for making recycled aggregate concrete, rheology and hydration phenomenon, the mechanical and microscale nature of concrete, and the impact of fillers and pozzolans on the workability of concrete with case studies. Durability and strength development are also discussed. The final section looks at issues such as performance effect, LCA, environmental impact, sustainability and cost benefit analysis. With detailed case studies throughout, this volume will provide useful information for all stakeholders involved in the built environment, including materials scientists, civil engineers, builders, architects and policymakers.

Thermofluids: From Nature to Engineering presents the fundamentals of thermofluids in an accessible and student-friendly way. Author David Ting applies his 23 years of teaching to this practical reference which works to clarify phenomena, concepts and processes via nature-inspired examples, giving the readers a well-rounded understanding of the topic. It introduces the fundamentals of thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics which underpin most engineering systems, providing the reader with a solid basis to transfer and apply to other engineering disciplines. With a strong focus on ecology and sustainability, this book will benefit students in various engineering disciplines including thermal energy, mechanical and chemical, and will also appeal to those coming to the topic from another discipline.

Feedback Control for Personalized Medicine provides ideas on ongoing efforts and obstacles by members of the control engineering community in different biological and medical applications. In addition, the book presents key challenges, insights, tools and theoretical developments that arise from personalized medicine, along with medical concepts that are explained by engineers to help non-experts follow research topics. Several clinical trials have tried to find therapeutic approaches to achieve eradication or at least lifelong, therapy-free, host control of the infection. This has been performed integrating clinical observations, empirical knowledge and information from medical tests to treat patients. As this "trial and error" approach is becoming more challenging and unfeasible by the steep increase in the number of different pieces of information and the complexity of large datasets, a systematic and tractable approach that integrates a variety of biological and medical research data into mathematical models and computational algorithms is crucial to harness knowledge and to develop new therapies towards personalized medicine.

Metal Oxides for Biomedical and Biosensor Applications gives an in-depth overview of the emerging research in the biomedical and biosensing applications of metal oxides, including optimization of their surface and bulk properties. Sections cover biomedical applications of metal oxides for use in cell cultures, antibacterial and antimicrobial treatments, dental applications, drug delivery, cancer therapy, immunotherapy, photothermal therapy, tissue engineering, and metal oxide-based biosensor development. As advanced and biofunctionalized nano/micro structured metal oxides are finding applications in microfluidics, optical sensors, electrochemical sensors, DNA-based biosensing, imaging, diagnosis and analysis, this book provides a comprehensive update on the topic. Additional sections cover research challenges, technology limitations, and future trends in metal oxides and their composites regarding their usage in biomedical applications.

Humidity and Electronics: Corrosion Reliability Issues and Preventive Measures provides comprehensive information on humidity related corrosion reliability issues surrounding electronics and how to tackle potential issues from a pro-active-design-prevention perspective. The book contains a mix of academic and industrial relevance, making it suitable for a detailed understanding on humidity issues on electronics, both for materials and corrosion experts and electronics and electrical experts. It will be useful for researchers, academics, and industrial personals involved in materials, corrosion, and electronics reliability aspects.

Modern Permanent Magnets provides an update on the status and recent technical developments that have occurred in the various families of permanent magnets produced today. The book gives an overview of the key advances of permanent magnet materials that have occurred in the last twenty years. Sections cover the history of permanent magnets, their fundamental properties, an overview of the important families of permanent magnets, coatings used to protect permanent magnets and the various tests used to confirm specifications are discussed. Finally, the major applications for each family of permanent magnets and the size of the market is provided. The book also includes an Appendix that provides a Glossary of Magnetic Terms to assist the readers in better understanding the technical terms used in other chapters. This book is an ideal resource for materials scientists and engineers working in academia and industry R&D.