The Handbook of Natural Fibres, Second Edition, Volume One: Types, Properties and Factors Affecting Breeding and Cultivation covers every aspect of natural fibers, their breeding, cultivation, processing and applications. This volume features fundamental discussions of each fiber, covering different stages of breeding and cultivation. Natural fibrous resources, both lignocellulosic and protein ones, are renewable, biodegradable, and nontoxic, making them an important source of sustainable textile solutions. A broad range of natural fibers are covered in this book, including cotton, jute, kenaf, flax, hemp, sisal, ramie, curaua, pineapple, bamboo, coir, sheep wool, and more.

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.

The Mechanics of Inhaled Pharmaceutical Aerosols: An Introduction, Second Edition provides a concise, but thorough exposition of fundamental concepts in the field of pharmaceutical aerosols. This revised edition will allow researchers in the field to gain a thorough understanding of the field from first principles, allowing them to understand, design, develop and improve inhaled pharmaceutical aerosol devices and therapies. Chapters consider mechanics and deposition, specifically in the respiratory tract, while others discuss the mechanics associated with the three existing types of pharmaceutical inhalation devices. This text will be very useful for academics and for courses taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of this book, it will also serve a wide audience that includes engineers and scientists involved with inhaled aerosol therapies.

Advances in Heat Transfer, Volume 55, the newest release in this series, highlights advances in the field with this new volume presenting interesting chapters written by an international board of authors. Topics discussed in this release include Mesoscopic Scale Simulations of Heat Transport in Porous Structures, Advancements in Single-Phase Enhanced Heat Transfer in Microchannels, and more.

ASM Handbook Volume 4D is packed with information and knowledge for anyone who uses or works with heat treated steels or cast irons. Written and reviewed by recognized authorities, this new handbook gives you in-depth articles with details on the processing and properties for all significant applications and types of heat treated ferrous alloys. New content includes not only updates on new alloys, but also expanded coverage on the effects of heat treating on the properties for more carbon and low-alloy steels, tool steels, stainless steels, and other high-alloy grades. New articles also describe important topics such as stainless steel surface hardening, heat treatment of steel gears, bearings, boron steels, and precipitation hardening copper steels, and more. From the basic principles of design, steel selection, and the importance of metallurgical structure on properties, this new handbook can help you work out heat treating solutions.

Exposure to Engineered Nanomaterials in the Environment provide a new, holistic framework for testing and evaluating the potential benefits and risks of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), including their potential socioeconomic impacts, ethical issues and consumers' expectations and fears. The book covers nanomaterial presence in various environments, agroecosystems and other areas within the human sphere of actions. The book includes sections on (i) Chemical, physical and biological properties, (ii) Presence and diffusion of ENMs in human environments, agriculture, food and drug products, (iii) ENMs as a pillar in biological and medical research, and (iv) Social and regulatory issues emerging from years of application. The book is designed to increase awareness to key end-users and stakeholders, including food producers and processors, industry, representatives of society and consumers, and those looking to implement an accurate and effective risk analysis procedure that promotes the sustainable use of nanotechnology.

Troubleshooting Centrifugal Pumps and Their Systems, Second Edition, begins by discussing pump characteristics that can be reconfigured to suit changing conditions. Next, it provides guidance on when to withdraw a pump from service for repair and how it should be subsequently treated. It is an ideal resource for those who feel ill-equipped to analyze unsatisfactory pump system behavior, and is also a great reference for pump engineers, pump hydraulic designers, and graduate students who need systemic knowledge on centrifugal pumps and their systems.

Metals for Biomedical Devices, Second Edition, has been fully updated and builds upon the success of its first edition, discussing the latest techniques in metal processing methods and the behavior of this important material. Initial chapters review the current status and selection of metals for biomedical devices. Subsequent chapters cover mechanical behavior, degradation and testing, corrosion, wear testing and biocompatibility, the processing of metals for biomedical applications, including topics such as forging metals and alloys, surface treatment, coatings and sterilization. Chapters in the final section discuss the clinical applications of metals, such as cardiovascular, orthopedic and new generation biomaterials. With its distinguished editor and team of expert contributors, this book is a standard reference for materials scientists, researchers and engineers working in the medical devices industry and academia.

Hydrogels Based on Natural Polymers presents the latest research on natural polymer-based hydrogels, covering fundamentals, preparation methods, synthetic pathways, advanced properties, major application areas, and novel characterization techniques. The advantages and disadvantages of each natural polymer-based hydrogel are also discussed, enabling preparation tactics for specific properties and applications. Sections cover fundamentals, development, characteristics, structures and properties. Additional chapters cover presentation methods and properties based on natural polymers, including physical and chemical properties, stimuli-responsive properties, self-healing properties, and biological properties. The final section presents major applications areas, including the biomedical field, agriculture, water treatments, and the food industry. This is a highly valuable resource for academic researchers, scientists and advanced students working with hydrogels and natural polymers, as well as across the fields of polymer science, polymer chemistry, plastics engineering, biopolymers and biomaterials. The detailed information will also be of great interest to scientists and R&D professionals, product designers, technicians and engineers across industries.

Model-Based Reinforcement Learning Explore a comprehensive and practical approach to reinforcement learning Reinforcement learning is an essential paradigm of machine learning, wherein an intelligent agent performs actions that ensure optimal behavior from devices. While this paradigm of machine learning has gained tremendous success and popularity in recent years, previous scholarship has focused either on theory--optimal control and dynamic programming - or on algorithms--most of which are simulation-based. Model-Based Reinforcement Learning provides a model-based framework to bridge these two aspects, thereby creating a holistic treatment of the topic of model-based online learning control. In doing so, the authors seek to develop a model-based framework for data-driven control that bridges the topics of systems identification from data, model-based reinforcement learning, and optimal control, as well as the applications of each. This new technique for assessing classical results will allow for a more efficient reinforcement learning system. At its heart, this book is focused on providing an end-to-end framework--from design to application--of a more tractable model-based reinforcement learning technique. Model-Based Reinforcement Learning readers will also find: A useful textbook to use in graduate courses on data-driven and learning-based control that emphasizes modeling and control of dynamical systems from data Detailed comparisons of the impact of different techniques, such as basic linear quadratic controller, learning-based model predictive control, model-free reinforcement learning, and structured online learning Applications and case studies on ground vehicles with nonholonomic dynamics and another on quadrator helicopters An online, Python-based toolbox that accompanies the contents covered in the book, as well as the necessary code and data Model-Based Reinforcement Learning is a useful reference for senior undergraduate students, graduate students, research assistants, professors, process control engineers, and roboticists.

Biobased Polymers: Properties and Applications in Packaging looks at how biopolymers may be used in packaging as a potential green solution. The book addresses bio-based feedstocks, production processes, packaging types, recent trends in packaging, the environmental impact of bio-based polymers, and legislative demands for food contact packaging materials. Chapters explore opportunities for biopolymers in key end-use sectors, the penetration of biopolymer based concepts in the packaging market, and barriers to widespread commercialization. As the development of bio-based material is an important factor for sustainably growing the packaging industry, these recent trends in consumer markets are extremely important as we move towards greener packaging. Hence, this resource is an invaluable addition on the topic.

An Introduction to Nuclear Waste Immobilisation, Third Edition examines nuclear waste issues, including natural levels of radionuclides in the environment, the geological disposal of waste-forms, and their long-term behavior. It covers all-important aspects of processing and immobilization, including nuclear decay, regulations, new technologies and methods. The book has been updated to include a discussion of the disposal of nuclear waste from non-energy sources, also adding a chapter on the nuclear fuel cycle. Significant focus is given to the analysis of the various matrices used, especially cement and glass, with further discussion of other matrices, such as bitumen. The book's final chapter concentrates on the performance assessment of immobilizing materials and safety of disposal, providing a full range of resources needed to understand and correctly immobilize nuclear waste.

Recycling of Flexible Plastic Packaging presents thorough and detailed information on the management and recycling of flexible plastic packaging, focusing on the latest actual/potential methods and techniques and offering actionable solutions that minimize waste and increase product efficiency and sustainability. Sections cover flexible plastic packaging and its benefits, applications and challenges. This is followed by in-depth coverage of the materials, types and forms of flexible packaging. Other key discussions cover collection and pre-treatment, volume reduction, separation from other materials, chemical recycling, post-processing and reuse, current regulations and policies, economic aspects and immediate trends. This information will be highly valuable to engineers, scientists and R&D professionals across industry. In addition, it will also be of great interest to researchers in academia, those in government, or anyone with an interest in recycling who is looking to further advance and implement recycling methods for flexible plastic packaging.

Nature-inspired Optimization Algorithms for Fuzzy Controlled Servo Systems explains fuzzy control in servo systems in a way that doesn't require any solid mathematical prerequisite. Analysis and design methodologies are covered, along with specific applications to servo systems and representative case studies. The theoretical approaches presented throughout the book are validated by the illustration of digital simulation and real-time experimental results. This book is a great resource for a wide variety of readers, including graduate students, engineers (designers, practitioners and researchers), and everyone who faces challenging control problems.

Functional Nanostructured Interfaces for Environmental and Biomedical Applications provides an overview on the characteristics of nanostructured interfaces and their processing technologies for a wide range of applications in the sensing, photocatalytic and bioengineering areas. The book focuses on the fundamentals of multifunctional nanostructured interfaces and their associated technologies, including versatile technologies, such as colloidal lithography, scanning probe techniques and laser nanostructuring, which can be used to obtain multifunctional 2D and 3D nanotextured interfaces. The book provides multidisciplinary chapters, summarizes the current status of the field, and covers important scientific and technological developments made over past decades. As such, it is an invaluable reference to those working in the design of novel nanostructured materials.

Graphene: Important Results and Applications provides an overview on the latest research in graphene production and applications. The most advanced methods of production, including chemical vapor deposition, reduction of graphene oxide, and detonation reaction are explored, as is current research results on the unique nature of graphene and its types, including morphology and thickness, mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, elastic properties of 2D and 3D structures, and more. Chapters covering the dispersion of graphene into the polymer matrix and chemical modifications and their potential applications are also featured. The book concludes with sections focusing on current and future applications.

Size Effects in Plasticity: From Macro to Nano provides concise explanations of all available methods in this area, from atomistic simulation, to non-local continuum models to capture size effects. It then compares their applicability to a wide range of research scenarios. This essential guide addresses basic principles, numerical issues and computation, applications and provides code which readers can use in their own modeling projects. Researchers in the fields of computational mechanics, materials science and engineering will find this to be an ideal resource when they address the size effects observed in deformation mechanisms and strengths of various materials.