This book aims to comprehensively summarize the current research status of nanomaterials and cell biology. It highlights the biological effects and biomedical applications of nanomaterials for specific diseases, bone tissue engineering, and skeletal muscle regeneration. It also provides the details of the biomedical applications of nucleic acid nanomaterials in drug delivery carriers, antimicrobial therapy, vaccine, and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, this book renders the audience a better understanding of nanomaterials along with the diverse applications in the cell biology field from recent works to perspectives.

This book presents the latest advances in manufacturing from both the experimental and simulation point of view. It covers most aspects of manufacturing engineering, i.e. theoretical, analytical, computational and experimental studies. Experimental studies on manufacturing processes require funds, time and expensive facilities, while numerical simulations and mathematical models can improve the efficiency of using the research results. It also provides high level of prediction accuracy and the basis for novel research directions.

This book gathers contributions by researchers from several countries on all major areas of robotic research, development and innovation, as well as new applications and current trends. The topics covered include: novel designs and applications of robotic systems, intelligent cooperating and service robots, advanced robot control, human-robot interfaces, robot vision systems, mobile robots, humanoid and walking robots, bio-inspired and swarm robotic systems, aerial, underwater and spatial robots, robots for ambient assisted living, medical robots and bionic prostheses, cognitive robots, cloud robotics, ethical and social issues in robotics, etc. Given its scope, the book offers a source of information and inspiration for researchers seeking to improve their work and gather new ideas for future developments. The contents reflect the outcomes of the activities of RAAD (International Conference on Robotics in Alpe-Adria-Danube Region) in 2020.

This book presents recent advances in the use of ionic liquids in medicine and pharmaceutics with particular emphasis on addressing critical pharmaceutical challenges, including the low solubility, polymorphism, and bioavailability of drugs. It also provides insights into the development of the biologically functionalized ionic liquids suitable for medical and pharmaceutical applications. Ionic liquids have been used as potential solvents or materials in the fields of pharmaceutical drug delivery and formulations because of their unique and tunable physicochemical and biological properties. Readers find explanations of the diverse approaches to the application of ionic liquids in drug solubility, active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) formulation, and drug delivery systems, such as topical, transdermal, and oral delivery, with particular emphasis on recent developments. Particular attention is given to the development of ionic liquid-assisted effective drug delivery techniques for sparingly soluble or insoluble drug molecules. This book also discusses the biological activities of ionic liquids for possible applications in drug formulation and drug delivery systems. Scientists in disciplines such as chemistry, biology, and pharmaceutics find this book instructive and informative for developing ionic liquid-based drug formulations or drug delivery systems.

Applied Thermodynamics for Engineering Technologists provides a complete introduction to the principles of thermodynamics for degree level students on courses in mechanical, aeronautical, chemical, environmental and energy engineering and engineering science courses.

The fifth edition of this classic text for applied courses has been completely revised and updated to take account of modern teaching methods and perspectives, with the emphasis placed on the application of theory to real processes and plant. New for this edition is a section on energy recovery, including pinch technology and a discussion of the thinning of the ozone layer due to the use of CFCs. Examples and problems using the refrigerant 134A replace the previous references to CFC R12. In addition, the discussion of energy sources, their uses and management, has been expanded and improved and there is now extensive coverage of the combined heat and power section. The material on turbines, compressors, nozzles and propulsion is presented in a more logical sequence but retains important information on the differences between gas and steam turbines. Finally the section on refrigeration gives more prominence to the heat pump and vapour absorption plant.

This book explores the evolution of products from the beginning idea through mass-production. Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all process, the authors explain the theory behind product development and challenge readers to develop their own customized development process uniquely suited for their individual situation. In addition to theory, the book provides development case studies, exercises and self-evaluation criteria at the end of each chapter, and a product development reference that introduces a wide variety of design tools and methods. Class-tested for three consecutive years by hundreds of students in four different courses, the book is an ideal text for senior design classes in mechanical engineering and related disciplines as well as a reference for practicing engineers/product designers.

Based on "The Virtual Conference on Chemistry and its Applications (VCCA-2020) - Research and Innovations in Chemical Sciences: Paving the Way Forward" held in August 2020 and organized by the Computational Chemistry Group of the University of Mauritius. The chapters reflect a wide range of fundamental and applied research in the chemical sciences and interdisciplinary subjects.

This book presents the proceedings of the 5th IFToMM Symposium on Mechanism Design for Robotics, MEDER 2021, held in Poitiers, France, 23-25 June 2021. It gathers contributions by researchers from several countries on all major areas of robotic research, development and innovation, as well as new applications and current trends. The topics covered include: theoretical and computational kinematics, mechanism design, experimental mechanics, mechanics of robots, control issues of mechanical systems, machine intelligence, innovative mechanisms and applications, linkages and manipulators, micro-mechanisms, dynamics of machinery and multi-body systems. Given its scope, the book offers a source of information and inspiration for researchers seeking to improve their work and gather new ideas for future developments.

This book discusses systematically the theoretical research and the applications of electrochemical oxygen reduction. Oxygen reduction reaction is a common issue in electrochemistry, but is also an important process involved in the field of energy, cryogenic fuel cells, metal-air cells, oxygen sensors and hydrogen peroxide preparation. This book is divided into 6 chapters; it starts with a description of dynamic mechanisms, followed by a detailed introduction on the related experimental methods and related catalyst preparation technology. By providing the basic methods and testing techniques, and by demonstrating their applications, it helps readers gain a better understanding of oxygen reduction reactions, making it a valuable resource for the industrialization of scientific research achievements. Accordingly, the book appeals to a broad readership, particularly graduate students, those working at universities and research organizations, and industrial researchers.

This book is intended to raise awareness about the use of sustainable Textile-Reinforced Mortar (TRM) composite systems, including plant fibers, for civil engineering applications. It presents a comprehensive characterization of the mechanical properties of Flax-TRM composite systems when used for strengthening masonry elements. Moreover, it reports on a physical and mechanical characterization of the single components, such as the textile and mortar one. In turn, it describes tensile tests on the composite and shear bond tests on Flax-TRM-to-masonry substrate elements, carried out for the purpose of analyzing the composite material and its adherence behavior with a brick masonry element. It also reports on the analysis of the contribution of the reinforcement system on the shear capacity of masonry elements, carried out via diagonal compression tests. Last but not least, the book reports on some innovative solutions for improving the mechanical performance of the reinforcement system, e.g., by treating the fiber or modifying the matrix mix design, discussing the experimental findings in detail. All in all, this book offers extensive information on the use of plant fibers as reinforcement in TRM systems, specifically highlighting the potential of this composite as strengthening strategy for various civil engineering applications. Moreover, it defines key mechanical aspects of the composite that must be taken into consideration for increasing the efficiency of the reinforcing system. Last but not least, the book describes some technical solutions aimed at an overall improvement of the structural performance of sustainable textile-reinforced composite.

This book focuses on multi-model systems, describing how to apply intelligent technologies to model complex multi-model systems by combining stochastic jumping system, neural network and fuzzy models. It focuses on robust filtering, including finite-time robust filtering, finite-frequency robust filtering and higher order moment robust filtering schemes, as well as fault detection problems for multi-model jump systems, such as observer-based robust fault detection, filtering-based robust fault detection and neural network-based robust fault detection methods. The book also demonstrates the validity and practicability of the theoretical results using simulation and practical examples, like circuit systems, robot systems and power systems. Further, it introduces readers to methods such as finite-time filtering, finite-frequency robust filtering, as well as higher order moment and neural network-based fault detection methods for multi-model jumping systems, allowing them to grasp the modeling, analysis and design of the multi-model systems presented and implement filtering and fault detection analysis for various systems, including circuit, network and mechanical systems.

Structural Equation Modeling provides a conceptual and mathematical understanding of structural equation modelling, helping readers across disciplines understand how to test or validate theoretical models, and build relationships between observed variables. In addition to a providing a background understanding of the concepts, it provides step-by-step illustrative applications with AMOS, SPSS and R software programmes. This volume will serve as a useful reference for academic and industry researchers in the fields of engineering, management, psychology, sociology, human resources, and humanities.

This book reports the most recent, advanced, successful, and real applications of ergonomics in order to improve the human well-being and performance in a short term, as well as the organizational performance in a long term. The book is organized as follows: Physical Ergonomics. This section reports case studies where physical risk factors are presented in the workplace, such as physical risk factors including uncomfortable body postures, repetitive movements, force application, manual material handling, and physical environmental conditions. In addition, case studies must report applications from physical ergonomics methods, for instance, RULA, REBA, OWAS, NIOSH, JSI, Suzane Rodgers, ERIN, among others. Cognitive Ergonomics. This section reports the implementation of ergonomic tools, techniques, and methods in real case studies. These applications are aimed to know, decrease, and control cognitive and psychological risk factors, such as mental workload, information processing, situation awareness, human error identification, and interface analysis. These applications may include the following methods NASA-TLX, SWAT, CWA, SHERPA, HET, TAFEI, SAGAT, SART, SACRI, QUIS, SUMI, to mention a few of them. Macro-ergonomics. This section is focused on the analysis, design, and evaluation of work systems. It reports case studies where risk factors are beyond a specific workstation. These risk factors may include supervision styles, teamwork management, task variety, social relationships, organizational culture, organizational communication, technology, work schedules, and motivation, among others. In addition, case studies report the application of macro-ergonomic methods, such as MOQS, focus group, participatory ergonomics, HITOP, MAS, and MEAD, among others.

This book introduces the concept of unsteady aerodynamics and its underlying principles. The author provides the readers with a comprehensive review of the fundamental physics of free and forced unsteadiness, the terminology and basic equations of aerodynamics ranging from incompressible flow to hypersonics. The book also covers modern topics related to the developments made in recent years, especially in relation to wing flapping for propulsion. The book is written for graduate and senior year undergraduate students in aerodynamics and also serves as a reference for experienced researchers. Each chapter includes ample examples, questions, problems and relevant references. This 3rd edition includes a new chapter about unsteady applications related to the thrust optimization, aerodynamic stability and trim because there has been much progress in unsteady applications of the flapping wing technology. In addition, further material is presented in Appendix for evaluating the stability derivatives so that no derivation of equations is left incomplete but not overdone in the text.

This textbook presents the classical treatment of the problems of heat transfer in an exhaustive manner with due emphasis on understanding of the physics of the problems. This emphasis will be especially visible in the chapters on convective heat transfer. Emphasis is also laid on the solution of steady and unsteady two-dimensional heat conduction problems. Another special feature of the book is a chapter on introduction to design of heat exchangers and their illustrative design problems. A simple and understandable treatment of gaseous radiation has been presented. A special chapter on flat plate solar air heater has been incorporated that covers mathematical modeling of the air heater. The chapter on mass transfer has been written looking specifically at the needs of the students of mechanical engineering. The book includes a large number and variety of solved problems with supporting line diagrams. A number of application-based examples have been incorporated where applicable. The end-of-chapter exercise problems are supplemented with stepwise answers. Though the book has been primarily designed to serve as a complete textbook for undergraduate and graduate students of mechanical engineering, it will also be useful for students of chemical, aerospace, automobile, production, and industrial engineering streams. The book fully covers the topics of heat transfer coursework and can also be used as an excellent reference for students preparing for competitive graduate examinations.

This book reports on an original approach to problems of loci. It shows how the theory of mechanisms can be used to address the locus problem. It describes the study of different loci, with an emphasis on those of triangle and quadrilateral, but not limited to them. Thanks to a number of original drawings, the book helps to visualize different type of loci, which can be treated as curves, and shows how to create new ones, including some aesthetic ones, by changing some parameters of the equivalent mechanisms. Further, the book includes a theoretical discussion on the synthesis of mechanisms, giving some important insights into the correlation between the generation of trajectories by mechanisms and the synthesis of those mechanisms when the trajectory is given, and presenting approximate solutions to this problem. Based on the authors' many years of research and on their extensive knowledge concerning the theory of mechanisms, and bridging between geometry and mechanics, this book offers a unique guide to mechanical engineers and engineering designers, mathematicians, as well as industrial and graphic designers, and students in the above-mentioned fields alike.

The book provides background information about technical solutions, processes and methodology to develop future automated mobility solutions. Beginning from the legal requirements as the minimum tolerable risk level of the society, the book provides state-of-the-art risk-management methodologies. The system engineering approach based on todays engineering best practices enhanced by principles derived from cybernetics. The approach derived from the typical behaviour of a human driver in public road traffic to a cybernetical based system engineering approach. Beyond the system engineering approach, a common behaviour model for the operational domain will show aspects how to extend the system engineering model with principles of cybernetics. The role and the human factors of road traffic participants and drivers of motor vehicles are identified and several viewpoints for different observers show how such mixed traffic scenarios could be assessed and optimised. The influence of the changing mobility demands of the society and the resulting changes to the origination of producer, owner, driver and supplier show aspects for future liability and risk share option for new supply chains. Examples from various industries provide some well-proven engineering principles how to adapt those for the future mobility for the benefit of the users. The aim of the book is to raise awareness that the safety provided by a product, a means of transport or a system up to an entire traffic system depends on the capabilities of the various actors. In addition to the driver and passengers, there are also other road users, maintenance personnel and service providers, who must have certain abilities to act safely in traffic. These are also the capabilities of the organisation, not only the organisation that develops or brings the product to market, but also the organisation that is responsible for the operation and the whole lifecycle of the products. The book is for people who want to get involved in the mobility of the future. People, that have ideas to become a player who want to help shape the future mobility of society and who want to bring responsible solutions for users into the market.

This book reviews the current knowledge on tunable hydrogels, including the range of different materials and applications, as well as the existing challenges and limitations in the field. It covers various aspects of the material design, particularly highlighting biological responsiveness, degradability and responsiveness to external stimuli. In this book, readers will discover original research data and state-of-the-art reviews in the area of hydrogel technology, with a specific focus on biotechnology and medicine. Written by leading experts, the contributions outline strategies for designing tunable hydrogels and offer a detailed evaluation of the physical and synthetic methods currently employed to achieve specific hydrogel properties and responsiveness. This highly informative book provides important theoretical and practical insights for scholars and researchers working with hydrogels for biomedical and biotechnological applications.

This book presents different thermodynamic approaches in the area of constitutive theory: thermodynamics of irreversible processes, rational thermodynamics, and extended thermodynamics. These different approaches are analyzed with respect to their presuppositions, as well as to their results, and each method is applied to several important examples. In many cases these examples are archetypes for numerous technologically important materials; i.e. complex materials having an internal structure. Some of the examples dealt with in this book are liquid crystals, colloid suspensions, ans fiber suspensions. The book well serves students and researchers who have basic knowledge in continuum mechanics and thermodynamics. It provides a systematic overview of the vast field of thermodynamic constitutive theory, beginning from a historical perspective and concluding with outstanding questions in recent research.