Explore the world of biocomposites with this one-stop resource edited by four international leaders in the field Bio-based Composites: Characterization, Properties, and Applications delivers a comprehensive treatment of all known characterization methods, properties, and industry applications of bio-based composites materials. This unique, one-stop resource covers all major developments in the field from the last decade of research into this environmentally beneficial area. The internationally recognized editors have selected resources that represent advances in the mechanical, thermal, tribological, and water sorption properties of bio-based composites, and cover new areas of research in physico-chemical analysis, flame retardancy, failure mechanisms, lifecycle assessment, and modeling of bio-based composites. The low weight, low cost, excellent thermal recyclability, and biodegradability of bio-based composites make them ideal candidates to replace engineered plastic products derived from fossil fuel. This book provides its readers with the knowledge they'll require to understand a new class of materials increasingly being used in the automotive and packaging industries, aerospace, the military, and construction. It also includes: An extended discussion of the environmental impact of bio-based composites using a lice cycle methodology A review of forecasts of natural fiber reinforced polymeric composites and its degradability concerns An analysis of the physical and mechanical properties of a bio-based composite with sisal powder A comprehensive treatment of the mechanical, thermal, tribological, and dielectric properties of bio-based composites A review of processing methods for the manufacture of bio-based composites Perfect for materials scientists in private industry, government laboratories, or engaged in academic research, Bio-Based Composites will also earn a place in the libraries of industrial and manufacturing engineers who seek a better understanding of the beneficial industrial applications of biocomposites in industries ranging from automobiles to packaging.

Lignocellulose for Future Bioeconomy discusses the conversion and utilization of lignocellulosic biomass. This book focuses on the utilization of lignocelluloses for various products, including biopolymers, bionanomaterials and bioproducts. Recent findings in scientific investigation, engineering, product development, economic and lifecycle analysis are discussed, as are current synthesis technologies and potential applications. The book progresses from a discussion of the potential sources of biomass, to the refinement and processing of materials. A sampling of various sustainability issues faced by industries in their production methods and a look at real world examples of the use of lignocellulose-based materials in the bioeconomy round out the discussion.

Dynamics of Advanced Sustainable Nanomaterials and Their Related Nanocomposites at the Bio-Nano Interface highlights the most recent research findings (conducted over the last 5-6 years) on the dynamics of nanomaterials, including their multifaceted, advanced applications as sustainable materials. In addition, special attributes of these materials are discussed from a mechanistic and application point-of-view, including their sustainability and interfacial interactions at the bio-nano interface and different applications. This book presents an important reference resource on advanced sustainable nanomaterials for chemical, nano-, and materials technologists who are looking to learn more about advanced nanocomposites with sustainable attributes. Finally, the book examines the emerging market for sustainable materials and their advanced applications, with a particular focus on the bio-nano interface and their future outlook.

Self-Cleaning of Surfaces and Water Droplet Mobility deals with the self-cleaning of hydrophobic surfaces. Chapters cover the basics of wetting states of fluids and surface characteristics in terms of texture topology and free energy. The self-cleaning aspects of surfaces, such as various synthesizing and fabrication processes are then introduced and discussed, along with environmental dust properties, including elemental compositions, particle sizes and shapes, and their chemo-mechanics characteristics. In addition, mud formation in humid air, as well as ambient and dry mud adhesion on optically transparent surfaces is explored, as is water droplet dynamics on hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces, amongst other topics. The book fills the gap between the physical fundamentals of surface energy and texture characteristics for practical applications of surface cleaning and provides a basic understanding of the self-cleaning of surfaces that will be idea for academics, researchers and students.

Polymer Blend Nanocomposites for Energy Storage Applications presents the latest developments in polymer blend-based nanocomposites for applications in energy storage, covering theoretical concepts, preparation methods, characterization techniques, properties and performance. The book begins by introducing polymer blend-based nanocomposites, preparation methods, mechanisms, requirements, theory, modeling, and simulation, with subsequent sections covering the use of specific base materials, including elastomers, thermoplastics, thermoset polymers, and biodegradable polymers. Final sections covers polymer blend nanocomposites with different fillers, both for conducting polymers and non-conducting polymers. Devices discussed include capacitors, supercapacitors, batteries, fuel cells, and solar cells. Finally, other key aspects are considered, including the conversion from laboratory to industry and recycling and lifecycle assessment of polymer blend nanocomposites used in energy devices.

High-Pressure Rheology for Quantitative Elastohydrodynamics, Second Edition, contains updated sections on scaling laws and thermal effects, including new sections on the importance of the pressure dependence of viscosity, the role of the localization limit of stress, and new material on the shear dependence of viscosity and temperature dependence viscosity. Since publication of the original edition, the experimental methods, the resulting property data and new correlations have resulted in a revolution in understanding of the mechanisms of film formation and the mechanical dissipation.

Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Volume 211, 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.

Nanomaterials from Clay Minerals: A New Approach to Green Functional Materials details the structure, properties and modification of natural nanoscale clay minerals and their application as the green constituent of functional materials. Natural nanomaterials from clay minerals have diverse morphologies, from 1D to 3D, including nanorods, nanofibers, nanotubes, nanosheets and nanopores. These structures show excellent adsorption, reinforcing, supporter, electronic, catalytic and biocompatible properties and are great as sustainable alternatives for toxic or expensive artificial materials. This book provides systematic coverage of clay nanomaterials as eco-friendly resources, emphasizing the importance of such materials in a range of industries, including biomedicine, energy and electronics. This book will provide an important reference for materials scientists and engineers who have an interest in sustainable material development.

Biocompatible Hybrid Oxide Nanoparticles for Human Health: From Synthesis to Applications explores the synthesis, structure, properties and applications of functionalized oxide nanoparticles. The books shows the applications of materials depending on their composition and structure, with a focus on silicon, titanium and iron oxides, each of which was chosen because of their unique features, including silica because it is chemically resistant to most organic solvents, harmless to living organisms, can thicken flowable formulations, and increase the strength of materials, titania for its unique chemical, optical, electrophysical and bactericidal properties, and iron-containing materials because they possess important magnetic properties.

Multi-robot Exploration for Environmental Monitoring: The Resource Constrained Perspective provides readers with the necessary robotics and mathematical tools required to realize the correct architecture. The architecture discussed in the book is not confined to environment monitoring, but can also be extended to search-and-rescue, border patrolling, crowd management and related applications. Several law enforcement agencies have already started to deploy UAVs, but instead of using teleoperated UAVs this book proposes methods to fully automate surveillance missions. Similarly, several government agencies like the US-EPA can benefit from this book by automating the process. Several challenges when deploying such models in real missions are addressed and solved, thus laying stepping stones towards realizing the architecture proposed. This book will be a great resource for graduate students in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Machine Learning and Mechatronics.

Creep and Fatigue in Polymer Matrix Composites, Second Edition, updates the latest research in modeling and predicting creep and fatigue in polymer matrix composites. The first part of the book reviews the modeling of viscoelastic and viscoplastic behavior as a way of predicting performance and service life. Final sections discuss techniques for modeling creep rupture and failure and how to test and predict long-term creep and fatigue in polymer matrix composites.

Advances in Nonvolatile Memory and Storage Technology, Second Edition, addresses recent developments in the non-volatile memory spectrum, from fundamental understanding, to technological aspects. The book provides up-to-date information on the current memory technologies as related by leading experts in both academia and industry. To reflect the rapidly changing field, many new chapters have been included to feature the latest in RRAM technology, STT-RAM, memristors and more. The new edition describes the emerging technologies including oxide-based ferroelectric memories, MRAM technologies, and 3D memory. Finally, to further widen the discussion on the applications space, neuromorphic computing aspects have been included. This book is a key resource for postgraduate students and academic researchers in physics, materials science and electrical engineering. In addition, it will be a valuable tool for research and development managers concerned with electronics, semiconductors, nanotechnology, solid-state memories, magnetic materials, organic materials and portable electronic devices.

Polylactic Acid: A Practical Guide for the Processing, Manufacturing, and Applications of PLA, Second Edition, provides a practical guide for engineers and scientists working in PLA and on the development of emerging new products. The current market situation for PLA and biodegradable polymers is described, along with applications across a range of market sectors. In addition, the mechanical, chemical, thermal, rheology and degradation properties are included. Updates include new chapters covering various processing methods, as well as recycling methods, and additives and processing aids. New applications cover a range of products (including 3D Printing), and an environmental assessment, including regulatory aspects. The book is not only a useful introduction to this topic, but also a practical, readily applicable reference book that will support decision-making in the plastics industry.

Materials for Biomedical Engineering: Bioactive Materials for Antimicrobial, Anticancer, and Gene Therapy offers an up-to-date perspective on recent research findings regarding the application and use of these materials for disease treatment and prevention. Various types of currently investigated bioactive materials, including therapeutic nanostructures and antimicrobial hydrogels are discussed, as are their properties, impact and future role in therapeutic applications. The book will be extremely useful for new researchers who want to explore more information on the use of bioactive materials or for more experienced researchers who are interested in new trends and specific applications.

Fundamentals and Sensing Applications of 2D Materials provides a comprehensive understanding of a wide range of 2D materials. Examples of fundamental topics include: defect and vacancy engineering, doping and advantages of 2D materials for sensing, 2D materials and composites for sensing, and 2D materials in biosystems. A wide range of applications are addressed, such as gas sensors based on 2D materials, electrochemical glucose sensors, biosensors (enzymatic and non-enzymatic), and printed, stretchable, wearable and flexible biosensors. Due to their sub-nanometer thickness, 2D materials have a high packing density, thus making them suitable for the fabrication of thin film based sensor devices. Benefiting from their unique physical and chemical properties (e.g. strong mechanical strength, high surface area, unparalleled thermal conductivity, remarkable biocompatibility and ease of functionalization), 2D layered nanomaterials have shown great potential in designing high performance sensor devices.

Polysaccharide Carriers for Drug Delivery presents the latest information on the selection of safe materials. Due to reported safety profiles on polysaccharides; they have been the natural choice for investigation. A wide variety of drug delivery and biomedical systems have been studied, however, the related information either concept-wise or application-oriented is scattered, therefore becoming difficult for readers and researchers to digest in a concise manner. This gathering of information will help readers easily comprehend the subject matter.

Ultra-wide Bandgap Semiconductors (UWBG) covers the most recent progress in UWBG materials, including sections on high-Al-content AlGaN, diamond, B-Ga2O3, and boron nitrides. The coverage of these materials is comprehensive, addressing materials growth, physics properties, doping, device design, fabrication and performance. The most relevant and important applications are covered, including power electronics, RF electronics and DUV optoelectronics. There is also a chapter on novel structures based on UWBG, such as the heterojunctions, the low-dimensional structures, and their devices. This book is ideal for materials scientists and engineers in academia and R&D searching for materials superior to silicon carbide and gallium nitride.

Titanium for Consumer Applications is the first book to tie together the metallurgical advantages of titanium in consumer applications. The book begins with a discussion of the metallurgy and properties of titanium that is followed by six distinct sections that look at the use of titanium in consumer products, the sports industry, buildings and architecture design, arts field, aerospace, automotive, and medical applications. This book is useful for individuals involved in the manufacturing of titanium components, as well as those looking to define new applications for this versatile metal.

Developments in Surface Contamination and Cleaning: Methods for Assessment and Verification of Cleanliness of Surfaces and Characterization of Surface Contaminants, Volume Twelve, the latest release in the Developments in Surface Contamination and Cleaning series, provides best practices on determining surface cleanliness. Chapters include an introduction to the nature and size of particles, a discussion of cleanliness levels, detailed coverage of measurement methods, characterization methods and analytical methods for evaluating surfaces, and an overview of analysis methods for various contaminants. As a whole, the series creates a unique and comprehensive knowledge base for those in research and development in a variety of industries. Manufacturing, quality control and procurement specification professionals in the aerospace, automotive, biomedical, defense, energy, manufacturing, microelectronics, optics and xerography industries will find this book to be very helpful. In addition, researchers in an academic setting will also find these volumes excellent source books.

Methods of Fundamental Solutions in Solid Mechanics presents the fundamentals of continuum mechanics, the foundational concepts of the MFS, and methodologies and applications to various engineering problems. Eight chapters give an overview of meshless methods, the mechanics of solids and structures, the basics of fundamental solutions and radical basis functions, meshless analysis for thin beam bending, thin plate bending, two-dimensional elastic, plane piezoelectric problems, and heat transfer in heterogeneous media. The book presents a working knowledge of the MFS that is aimed at solving real-world engineering problems through an understanding of the physical and mathematical characteristics of the MFS and its applications.