Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Civil Engineering Structures at Multiple Scales: From Single Buildings to Large-Scale Assessment provides an integrated, multiscale platform for fundamental and applied studies on the seismic vulnerability assessment of civil engineering structures, including buildings with different materials and building typologies. The book shows how various outputs obtained from different scales and layers of assessment (from building scale to the urban area) can be used to outline and implement effective risk mitigation, response and recovery strategies. In addition, it highlights how significant advances in earthquake engineering research have been achieved with the rise of new technologies and techniques. The wide variety of construction and structural systems associated with the complex behavior of their materials significantly limits the application of current codes and building standards to the existing building stock, hence this book is a welcomed guide on new construction standards and practices.

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 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.

Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Volume 219, merges two long-running serials, Advances in Electronics and Electron Physics and Advances in Optical and Electron Microscopy. The series features extended articles on the physics of electron devices (especially semiconductor devices), particle optics at high and low energies, microlithography, image science, digital image processing, electromagnetic wave propagation, electron microscopy and the computing methods used in all these domains.

Summarizing the latest advances in experimental impact mechanics, this book provides cutting-edge techniques and methods for designing, executing, analyzing, and interpreting the results of experiments involving the dynamic responses of materials and structures. It provides tailored guidelines and solutions for specific applications and materials, covering topics such as dynamic characterization of metallic materials, fiber-like materials, low-impedance materials, concrete and more. Damage evolution and constitutive behavior of materials under impact loading, one-dimensional strain loading, intermediate and high strain rates, and other environmental conditions are discussed, as are techniques using high temperature testing and miniature Kolsky bars.

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.

Organic Ferroelectric Materials and Applications aims to bring an up-to date account of the field with discussion of recent findings. This book presents an interdisciplinary resource for scientists from both academia and industry on the science and applications of molecular organic piezo- and ferroelectric materials. The book addresses the fundamental science of ferroelectric polymers, molecular crystals, supramolecular networks, and other key and emerging organic materials systems. It touches on important processing and characterization methods and provides an overview of current and emerging applications of organic piezoelectrics and ferroelectrics for electronics, sensors, energy harvesting, and biomedical technologies. Organic Ferroelectric Materials and Applications will be of special interest to those in academia or industry working in materials science, engineering, chemistry, and physics.

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.

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.

Advances in Inorganic Chemistry, Volume 78 presents timely and informative summaries on current progress in a variety of subject areas. Chapters in this new release include Catching reactive species in manganese oxidation catalysis, Mechanistic Puzzles from Iron(III) TAML Activators Including Substrate Inhibition, Zero-Order and Dual Catalysis, Stepping towards C-circular economy: Integration of solar chemistry and biosystems for efficient CO2 conversion into added value chemicals and fuels, Highlighting recent work on metal-coordinated and metallic nanoparticles as NIR imaging probes for biosensing application in living cells, and more. Users will find this to be a comprehensive overview of recent findings and trends from the last decade that covers various kinds of inorganic topics, from theoretical oriented supramolecular chemistry, to the quest for accurate calculations of spin states in transition metals.

Foaming with Supercritical Fluids, Volume Nine provides a comprehensive description of the use of supercritical fluids as blowing agents in polymer foaming. To this aim, the fundamental issues on which the proper design and control of this process are rooted are discussed in detail, with specific attention devoted to the theoretical and experimental aspects of sorption thermodynamics of a blowing agent within a polymer, the effect of the absorbed blowing agent on the thermal, interfacial and rheological properties of the expanding matter, and the phase separation of the gaseous phase, and of the related bubble nucleation and growth phenomena. Several foaming technologies based on the use of supercritical blowing agents are then described, addressing the main issues in the light of the underlying chemical-physical phenomena.

Upconversion Nanophosphors provides detailed information about various lanthanide-based upconversion nanoparticles and their application in different fields. It will also help solve fundamental and applied problems of inorganic phosphor materials showing upconversion behavior, as well as generate innovative ideas related to the application of inorganic phosphor materials. This book will prove to be an invaluable reference work for scientists, engineers, industrial experts, and masters and PhD students working in the field of upconversion and materials science.

Mid-Infrared Fibre Photonics: Glass Materials, Fibre Fabrication and Processing, Laser Sources and Devicess combines the latest glass chemistry, fibre fabrication and post processing techniques to provide a comprehensive reference on the fundamental science and latest research in fibre photonics for the mid-infrared range. The book systematically reviews the key glass materials systems including fluorides, chalcogenides, and oxides. Each materials chapter includes discussion of composition, structure, thermal, optical and mechanical properties, extrinsic and intrinsic loss mechanisms, materials preparation and purification techniques. Then Mid-Infrared Fibre Photonics: Glass Materials, Fibre Fabrication and Processing, Laser Sources and Devicess covers the most relevant fabrication, post-processing, and spectroscopy techniques. Fibre sources are also addressed including fibre sources for continuous wave emission, pulsed emission, and broadband emission. The book concludes with a brief overview of important medical, sensing and defence applications.

Geographical and Fingerprinting Data for Positioning and Navigation Systems: Challenges, Experiences and Technology Roadmap explores the state-of-the -art software tools and innovative strategies to provide better understanding of positioning and navigation in indoor environments using fingerprinting techniques. The book provides the different problems and challenges of indoor positioning and navigation services and shows how fingerprinting can be used to address such necessities. This advanced publication provides the useful references educational institutions, industry, academic researchers, professionals, developers and practitioners need to apply, evaluate and reproduce this book's contributions. The readers will learn how to apply the necessary infrastructure to provide fingerprinting services and scalable environments to deal with fingerprint data.

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.

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.

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.