This book discusses the tribological, rheological and optical properties of liquid-crystal nanomaterials as well as lubricant media. It also describes the formation of liquid-crystal materials and the application of cholesteric liquid-crystal compounds in technical friction units and in human and animal joints. Further, it shows the connection between the tribological and other physical properties of liquid-crystal cholesterol compounds and develops a lubricity conceptual model of cholesteric-nematic, liquid-crystalline nanostructures on the basis of physical and energetic interpretations. This general model is valid for all surfaces and friction pairs, including biopolymers, and could lead to applications of cholesteric liquid-crystalline nanomaterials in different friction units and tribosystems as well as in the treatment of joint diseases.

Based on the actual program developed at a leading high-tech company, Practical TPM: Successful Equipment Management at Agilent Technologies recounts the challenges confronted -- and conquered -- by the Agilent TPM team in the implementation process. In so doing, it provides a close-up, first-hand look at a comprehensive TPM system.

Agilent Technologies, formerly Hewlett-Packard's Test and Measurement Division, operates an integrated circuit fabrication plant in Fort Collins, Colorado. Guided by Masaji Taijiri, the author of 7 Steps to Autonomous Maintenance, author Jim Leflar and his team at Agilent developed a complete TPM program for the complex equipment on their shop floor. Drawn from these experiences, Practical TPM is a must read for anyone who wants to begin successful TPM implementation.

Part I explains the fundamental concepts of TPM, including the six basic principles of TPM, the goals of TPM, cultural changes resulting from TPM, and the keys to successful implementation. Part II -- the heart of the book -- describes, in step-by-step detail, the evolution of Agilent's TPM program. Each phase is clearly defined and demonstrated; the working tools and systems developed by the Agilent TPM team in the process are discussed at length. To conclude, Part III focuses on developing a vision and a strategy for your own successful TPM program.

Replete with annotated photographs and illustrations documenting Agilent's successful program, Practical TPM: Successful Equipment Management at Agilent Technologies offers an invaluable roadmap to TPM implementation.

The book covers:
-- A step-by-step TPM program as implemented at a major US corporation
-- The 5-why analysismethod
-- Examples of one-point lessons
-- Using visual controls in a TPM program
-- Tools for understanding equipment failures
-- Improving machine productivity
-- Improvement metrics
-- Master checklists and forms
-- Developing activity boards
-- Appendices containing examples of maintenance training materials

Biology and Engineering of Stem Cell Niches covers a wide spectrum of research and current knowledge on embryonic and adult stem cell niches, focusing on the understanding of stem cell niche molecules and signaling mechanisms, including cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions. The book comprehensively reviews factors regulating stem cell behavior and the corresponding approaches for understanding the subsequent effect of providing the proper matrix molecules, mechanical cues, and/or chemical cues. It encompasses a variety of tools and techniques for developing biomaterials-based methods to model synthetic stem cell niches in vivo, or to enhance and direct stem cell fate in vitro. A final section of the book discusses stem cell niche bioengineering strategies and current advances in each tissue type.

This book presents the principles, methods and techniques to characterize materials and technical systems. The book is organized with concise text-graphics compilations in three parts: The first part describes the fundamentals of measurement, testing and sensor technology, including a survey of sensor types for dimensional metrology, kinematics, dynamics, and temperature. It describes also microsensors and embedded sensors. The second part gives an overview of materials and explains the application of measurement, testing and sensor technology to characterize composition, microstructure, properties and performance of materials as well as deterioration mechanisms and reliability. The third part introduces the general systems theory for the characterization of technical systems, exemplified by mechatronic and tribological systems. It describes technical diagnostics for structural health monitoring and performance control.

This book reviews the work in the field of nanoadsorbents derived from natural polymers, with a special emphasis on materials finding application in water remediation. It includes natural materials both with an organic or an inorganic skeleton, from which the nanomaterials can be made. Those nanomaterials can therefore be used to reinforce other matrices and in their pristine form have an extraordinary adsorption efficiency. Being of natural or biological origin, the materials described in this book distinguish themselves as eco-friendly and non-toxic. The book describes how these benefits of the described materials can be combined and exploited. It will thus appeal to chemists, nanotechnologists, environmental engineers and generally all scientist working in the field of water pollution and remediation as an inspiration for the innovation toward new technologies.

Metallic quantum clusters belonging to intermediate size regime between two and few hundred of atoms, represent unique building blocks of new materials. Nonlinear optical (NLO) characteristics of liganded silver and gold quantum clusters reveal remarkable features which can be tuned by size, structure and composition. The two-photon absorption cross sections of liganded noble metal quantum clusters are several orders of magnitude larger than that of commercially-available dyes. Therefore, the fundamental photophysical understanding of those two-photon processes in liganded clusters with few metal atoms deserve special attention, in particularly in context of finding the mechanisms responsible for these properties. A broad range of state-of-the-art experimental methods to determine nonlinear optical properties (i.e. two-photon absorption, two-photon excited fluorescence and second harmonic generation) of quantum clusters are presented. The experimental setup and underlying physical concepts are described. Furthermore, the theoretical models and corresponding approaches are used allowing to explain the experimental observations and simultaneously offering the possibility to deduce the key factors necessary to design new classes of nanoclusters with large NLO properties. Additionally, selected studied cases of liganded silver and gold quantum clusters with focus on their NLO properties will be presented as promising candidates for applications in imaging techniques such as fluorescence microscopy or Second-Harmonic Generation microscopy.

The organizational principles of Shigeo Shingo have been the foundation of an international revolution towards enterprise excellence. His efforts with the Toyota Production System transformed productivity, quality, and customer focus. The Shingo Model is not an additional program or another initiative to implement; rather, it introduces Shingo Guiding Principles on which to anchor your current initiatives and to fill the gaps in your efforts towards ideal results and enterprise excellence. This book introduces the concept of "enterprise alignment," which is founded on the principles of "create consistency of purpose," "think systemically," and "create value for the customer."

This comprehensive guide offers authoritative answers on flow measurement from dozens of leading experts. Fully illustrated with diagrams, tables, and formulas, Flow Measurement covers virtually every type of flow meter in use today, including those for heat exchangers and gaseous fuels, and laminar, magnetic and mass flow meters. Valuable information on applications and selection criteria.

This book presents the principles, methods and techniques to characterize materials and technical systems. The book is organized with concise text-graphics compilations in three parts: The first part describes the fundamentals of measurement, testing and sensor technology, including a survey of sensor types for dimensional metrology, kinematics, dynamics, and temperature. It describes also microsensors and embedded sensors. The second part gives an overview of materials and explains the application of measurement, testing and sensor technology to characterize composition, microstructure, properties and performance of materials as well as deterioration mechanisms and reliability. The third part introduces the general systems theory for the characterization of technical systems, exemplified by mechatronic and tribological systems. It describes technical diagnostics for structural health monitoring and performance control.

There have been many developments in pressure equipment technology over the last 30 years culminating in the development of new standards and legislation. The aim of this collection of papers is not only to document views of leading professionals in various fields of pressure equipment technology, but also to look into the future and identify the next areas for development. "Developments in Pressure Equipment: Where to Next?" brings together international authors to provide an invaluble and comprehensive insight into the latest innovations in the field. The topics include: Legislation and standardization; Design and materials; Manufacture and inspection; Integrity and life assessment; and, Towards the future.

"Challenges in Mechanics of Time-Dependent Materials and Processes in Conventional and Multifunctional Materials"," Volume 2: ""Proceedings of the 2013 SEM Annual Conference& Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics," the second volume of eight from the Conference, brings together contributions to this important area of research and engineering. The collection presents early findings and case studies on fundamental and applied aspects of Experimental Mechanics, including papers in the following general technical research areas:

Metallic, Polymeric and Composite Materials

Effects of Extreme Environments including Radiation Resistance, Damage, and Aging

Challenges in Time-dependent Behavior Modeling of Low, Moderate and High Strain Rates

Effects of Frequency and Hysteretic Heating

Effects of Inhomogeneities on the Time-Dependent Behavior

Composite, Hybrid and Multifunctional Materials

Challenges in Time-dependent Behavior Modeling Viscoelastoplasticity and Damage

Effects of Interfaces and Interphases on the Time-Dependent Behavior

Environmental and Reactive Property Change Effects on Thermomechanical and Multifunctional Behaviors

Modeling and Characterization of Fabrication Processes of Conventional and Multifunctional MaterialsTime-dependent and Small-scale Effects in Micro/Nano-scale Testing

Time-dependent Processes in Biomaterials

"

This book provides a broad overview on the relationship between structure and mechanical properties of carbon nanomaterials from world-leading scientists in the field. The main aim is to get an in-depth understanding of the broad range of mechanical properties of carbon materials based on their unique nanostructure and on defects of several types and at different length scales. Besides experimental work mainly based on the use of (in-situ) Raman and X-ray scattering and on nanoindentation, the book also covers some aspects of multiscale modeling of the mechanics of carbon nanomaterials.

This title demystifies building kitchen cabinets for the dedicated do-it-yourselfer. It includes multimedia approach that offers a thorough and complete instruction. It covers everything from planning to installation. In this multi-media (book and DVD) guide, a professional cabinetmaker, bestselling author and popular woodworking teacher demystifies building kitchen cabinets. Cabinets come in many styles and finishes, but the one thing they have in common is how much they can influence the overall appearance of a kitchen. A run of new cabinets can completely transform a space and add significantly to the value of a home. It's no wonder they can cost so much. But now they don't have to. "Kitchen Cabinets Made Simple" demystifies kitchen cabinet construction and makes it possible for the dedicated do-it-yourselfer to build new cabinets for a fraction of the cost of buying them. This multi-media approach completely instructs woodworkers throughout the process of building sturdy face-frame cabinets with frame-and-panel doors. It's all in here, from drawing out a plan and constructing the cabinet boxes to finishing and installation.

This tutorial book offers an in-depth overview of the fundamental principles of micro/nano technologies and devices related to sensing, actuation and diagnosis in fluidics and biosystems. Research in the MEMS/NEMS and lab-on-chip fields has seen rapid growth in both academic and industrial domains, as these biodevices and systems are increasingly replacing traditional large size diagnostic tools. This book is unique in describing not only the devices and technologies but also the basic principles of their operation. The comprehensive description of the fabrication, packaging and principles of micro/nano biosystems presented in this book offers guidance for researchers designing and implementing these biosystems across diverse fields including medical, pharmaceutical and biological sciences. The book provides a detailed overview of the fundamental mechanical, optical, electrical and magnetic principles involved, together with the technologies required for the design, fabrication and characterization of micro/nano fluidic systems and bio-devices. Written by a collaborative team from France and Korea, the book is suitable for academics, researchers, advanced level students and industrial manufacturers.

Here is a great introduction to the remarkable mind of Shigeo Shingo, indisputably one of the great forces in manufacturing. In this soft cover book, Dr. Shingo describes his approach to manufacturing improvements, developed and refined over the course of a brilliant career. He called it the Scientific Thinking Mechanism (STM). The Sayings of Shigeo Shingo leads you through the five stages of STM, with appropriate examples taken from notes Dr. Shingo collected during his consulting trips to American and Japanese plants. It shows how, in many cases, the most brilliant ideas are often so simple they're overlooked. Or they're dismissed because they seem ridiculous: - A Japanese plant, after first rejecting the idea as too silly, finds that unhulled rice is ideal for smoothing the rough surfaces on pressure-formed ebonite switches - Granville-Phillips, in Boulder, Colorado, reduced defects to zero in one process after Dr. Shingo suggested illuminating circuit boards from below to reduce errors involved in the insertion of diodes and resistors The Sayings of Shigeo Shingo is must reading for plant managers and engineers. It formalizes the powerful and creative way of thinking that Shingo himself used time and again to overcome problems that seemed virtually insurmountable.

"Micro-Cutting: Fundamentals and Applications" comprehensively covers the state of the art research and engineering practice in micro/nano cutting: an area which is becoming increasingly important, especially in modern micro-manufacturing, ultraprecision manufacturing and high value manufacturing.

This book provides basic theory, design and analysis of micro-toolings and machines, modelling methods and techniques, and integrated approaches for micro-cutting. The fundamental characteristics, modelling, simulation and optimization of micro/nano cutting processes are emphasized with particular reference to the predictabilty, producibility, repeatability and productivity of manufacturing at micro and nano scales.

The fundamentals of micro/nano cutting are applied to a variety of machining processes including diamond turning, micromilling, micro/nano grinding/polishing, ultraprecision machining, and the design and implementation of micro/nano cutting process chains and micromachining systems.

Key features- Contains contributions from leading global experts- Covers the fundamental theory of micro-cutting- Presents applications in a variety of machining processes- Includes examples of how to implement and apply micro-cutting for precision and micro-manufacturing

"Micro-Cutting: Fundamentals and Applications" is an ideal reference for manufacturing engineers, production supervisors, tooling engineers, planning and application engineers, as well as machine tool designers. It is also a suitable textbook for postgraduate students in the areas of micro-manufacturing, micro-engineering and advanced manufacturing methods.

This book examines mechatronics and automatic control systems. The book covers important emerging topics in signal processing, control theory, sensors, mechanic manufacturing systems and automation. The book presents papers from the second International Conference on Mechatronics and Automatic Control Systems held in Beijing, China on September 20-21, 2014. Examines how to improve productivity through the latest advanced technologies Covering new systems and techniques in the broad field of mechatronics and automatic control systems

This book offers detailed insights into spin transfer torque (STT) based devices, circuits and memories. Starting with the basic concepts and device physics, it then addresses advanced STT applications and discusses the outlook for this cutting-edge technology. It also describes the architectures, performance parameters, fabrication, and the prospects of STT based devices. Further, moving from the device to the system perspective it presents a non-volatile computing architecture composed of STT based magneto-resistive and all-spin logic devices and demonstrates that efficient STT based magneto-resistive and all-spin logic devices can turn the dream of instant on/off non-volatile computing into reality.

This book explains the importance of employee engagement - It defines what it is, what it will do for your business, and how you can achieve it as well as sustain it. It covers the history of employee engagement along with why employees were formerly much more engaged with their work and company than they are currently. The author explains, in depth, why employees want to be engaged but are not. He discusses the emotional, psychological and social forces that make engagement, the state that people naturally and continually attempt to achieve. Furthermore, he makes a compelling case that engagement is not only natural, but, when achieved, it also creates a happy and productive workforce where employees are not only emotionally but also physically more healthy. You will learn exactly how a business can not only cause this engagement to surface, but also how to sustain it. He presents a complete discussion of the "basics and beyond" that are required to support a system of engagement. He explains engagement as a system and how to interpret and utilize a system diagram using the "high leverage points" to further fuel and sustain engagement. The book then provides a critical and comprehensive series of discussions of precisely what management must do to unlock the power of a fully engaged workforce. In addition to learning how to measure engagement, there are detailed discussions, along with two confirming case studies, of how to improve your levels of engagement. Essentially, the author examines engagement from top to bottom integrating the theories of the scholars, with the experiences of the practitioners. In so doing he can explain, in simple terms, how engagement can be achieved and why people try so hard to create a fully engaged workforce with both the best of intentions and a true passion to achieve it ... yet fall short. There is a simple reason -- achieving engagement is all about management and the many changes that must be made, and that raises the crucial question: Is management both willing and able to recognize, accept, and execute the needed paradigm shifts? The stark reality is that the changes that must first occur are in the thoughts, beliefs, and actions of the management team. This book gives you a path to follow that may achieve just that. And the remaining question for the senior management is: What are you prepared to do? The mystery of achieving engagement is known, the science is known, the answers are not technically complicated, and now it comes down to a simple choice: Are you or are you not willing to change? And with that choice, there are resultant consequences. It is no more complicated than that.

Presented here in lively text and over 650 color photographs are the toys that have been played with and collected by ardent fans of George Lucas's Star Wars Trilogy for twenty years. The action figures, playsets, and spacecraft of the Rebellion and the Empire are displayed in a colorful and easily referenced format. The gaming equipment, model kits, playthings, promotional items, puzzles, and weapons produced from 1977 though 1997 are examined as well. Not stopping there, this sweeping survey includes an overview of the most popular items from the rest of the ever-expanding Star Wars collectibles universe. Prices are included in the captions; listings for toys both loose and mint in the package are provided whenever appropriate. Rounding out this practical guide are a short history of science fiction films, an examination of action figures, and a bibliography.