This book is a comprehensive source of the fundamentals, process parameters, instrumental components and applications of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The effect of multiple pulses on material ablation, plasma dynamics and plasma emission is presented. A heuristic plasma modeling allows to simulate complex experimental plasma spectra. These methods and findings form the basis for a variety of applications to perform quantitative multi-element analysis with LIBS. These application potentials of LIBS have really boosted in the last years ranging from bulk analysis of metallic alloys and non-conducting materials, via spatially resolved analysis and depth profiling covering measuring objects in all physical states: gaseous, liquid and solid. Dedicated chapters present LIBS investigations for these tasks with special emphasis on the methodical and instrumental concepts as well as the optimization strategies for a quantitative analysis. Requirements, concepts, design and characteristic features of LIBS instruments are described covering laboratory systems, inspections systems for in-line process control, mobile systems and remote systems. State-of-the-art industrial applications of LIBS systems are presented demonstrating the benefits of inline process control for improved process guiding and quality assurance purposes.

Semiconductor nanostructures such as nanowires are promising building blocks of future nanoelectronic, nanophotonic and nanosensing devices. Their physical properties are primarily determined by the epitaxy process which is rather different from the conventional thin film growth. This book shows how the advanced nucleation theory can be used in modeling of growth properties, morphology and crystal phase of such nanostructures. The book represents a systematic account of modern nucleation theory in open systems, nanostructure nucleation and growth mechanisms, and possibilities for tuning the nanostructure properties to the desired values.

"Surface Integrity in Machining" describes the fundamentals and recent advances in the study of surface integrity in machining processes.

"Surface Integrity in Machining" gathers together research from international experts in the field. Topics covered include: the definition of surface integrity and its importance in functional performance; surface topography characterization and evaluation; microstructure modification and the mechanical properties of subsurface layers; residual stresses; surface integrity characterization methods; and surface integrity aspects in machining processes.

A useful reference for researchers in tribology and materials, mechanical and materials engineers, and machining professionals, "Surface Integrity in Machining" can be also used as a textbook by advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students.

This book explores the application of deep learning techniques within a particularly difficult computational type of computer vision (CV) problem super-resolution (SR). The authors present and discuss ways to apply computational intelligence (CI) methods to SR. The volume also explores the possibility of using different kinds of CV techniques to develop and enhance the tools/processes related to SR. The application areas covered include biomedical engineering, healthcare applications, medicine, histology, and material science. The book will be a valuable reference for anyone concerned with multiple multimodal images, especially professionals working in remote sensing, nanotechnology and immunology at research institutes, healthcare facilities, biotechnology institutions, agribusiness services, veterinary facilities, and universities.

This book presents nanomaterials as predicted by computational modelling and numerical simulation tools, and confirmed by modern experimental techniques. It begins by summarizing basic theoretical methods, then giving both a theoretical and experimental treatment of how alkali metal clusters develop into nanostructures, as influenced by the cluster's "magic number" of atoms. The book continues with a discussion of atomic clusters and nanostructures, focusing primarily on boron and carbon, exploring, in detail, the one-, two-, and three-dimensional structures of boron and carbon, and describing their myriad potential applications in nanotechnology, from nanocoating and nanosensing to nanobatteries with high borophene capacity. The broad discussion of computational modelling as well as the specific applications to boron and carbon, make this book an essential reference resource for materials scientists in this field of research.

The importance of surface metrology has long been acknowledged in manufacturing and mechanical engineering, but has now gained growing recognition in an expanding number of new applications in fields such as semiconductors, electronics and optics. Metrology is the scientific study of measurement, and surface metrology is the study of the measurement of rough surfaces. In this book, Professor David Whitehouse, an internationally acknowledged subject expert, covers the wide range of theory and practice, including the use of new methods of instrumentation.
- Written by one of the world's leading metrologists
- Covers electronics and optics applications as well as mechanical
- Written for mechanical and manufacturing engineers, tribologists and precision engineers in industry and academia

This volume is based on some representative contributions presented in the wo- shop: "Trends in nanophysics: theory, experiment, technology," which took place in Sibiu, Romania, 23-29 August 2009, being organized by ICTP-Trieste, IAEA, IFIN-HH - Bucharest and ULB - Sibiu. The aim of this workshop was to faci- tate experts and active researchers to exchange ideas and information on the most recent results in nanophysics and nanotechnology. It was also an opportunity for young researchers and for researchers from developing countries to enlarge their knowledge and to approach new themes in this area. In fact, the articles contained in this book represent written and enriched versions of the workshop oral presentations. The topics covered by them are the following: 1. Ordered atomic-scale structures 2. Nanowires: growth and properties 3. Transport phenomena in nanostructures 4. Optical properties of nanostructures 5. Magnetic nanophases; magnetic and non-magnetic nanocomposites 6. Nano uids and ows at nanoscale 1 Ordered Atomic-Scale Structures The quest of a reliable method for fabricating ordered atomic-scale structures is a prerequisite for future atomic-scale technology - the ultimate goal of nanosciences.

The application of circuits and systems and engineering principles to problems in the medicine has led to the emergence of biomedical circuits and systems as an exciting and rapidly growing area of research. Nanotechnology provides new nano-structured materials with amazing properties. The properties offered by nanomaterials can be applied to develop advanced instrumentation for biomedical diagnostics and personalized therapy, as well as bio-sensing in the environment. Biotechnology provides new biochemical materials with novel properties to be applied to develop new performances in sensing techniques. These advancements in Nano- and Bio- technologies will lead to new concepts and applications for nano-bio-sensing systems. This book offers an invaluable reference to the state-of-the-art applications of nano-bio-sensing. It brings together expertise of researchers from the fields of nano-electronics and bio-technology, providing multidisciplinary content from nano-structures fabrication to bio-sensing applications.

This book comprehensively discusses the basic principles and working mechanism of all kind of batteries towards clean energy storage devices. In addition, it focuses on the synthesis of various electrode materials with 1D architecture via electrospinning technique. This book will give a clear idea about recent synthetic strategy towards nanofibers and nanocomposites for alkali-ion storage applications. The reader could understand the formation mechanism of nanofibers and their potential application in the future energy storage system.

This book presents the proceedings of the International Conference on Recent Trends in Materials and Devices (ICRTMD 2019) held in India. It brings together academicians, scientists and industrialists from various fields for the establishment of enduring connections to solve the common global challenges across a number of disciplines. The conference provides a platform to tackle complex problems from a range of perspectives, thereby modeling integrated, solution-focused thinking and partnerships.

This book is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary resource for the latest information on implantable medical devices, and is intended for graduate students studying electrical engineering, electronic instrumentation, and biomedical engineering. It is also appropriate for academic researchers, professional engineers, practicing doctors, and paramedical staff. Divided into two sections on Basic Concepts and Principles, and Applications, the first section provides an all-embracing perspective of the electronics background necessary for this work. The second section deals with pacing techniques used for the heart, brain, spinal cord, and the network of nerves that interlink the brain and spinal cord with the major organs, including ear and eye prostheses. The four main offshoots of implantable electronics, which this book discusses, are: The insertion of an implantable neural amplifier for accurate recording of neural signals for neuroengineering studies The use of implantable pulse generators for pacing the activities of diseased organs The use of implantable sensors for observing the influence of therapy and monitoring a patient's biological parameters The use of drug delivery systems to supervise the supply of accurate doses of medicine to affected parts Readers will also find chapters on the essentials of clocking and timing circuits, pulse generator circuits, neural amplifiers, batteries, biomaterials and biocompatibility, and more. Unique to this book is also a chapter on cyber security and confidentiality concerns with implants. End-of-chapter questions and exercises help readers apply the content to practical use, making this an ideal book for anyone wishing to learn more about implantable devices.

This proceeding book consists of 10 topical areas of selected papers like: telecommunication, power systems, robotics, control system, renewable energy, power electronics, computer science and more. All selected papers represent interesting ideas and state of the art overview. Readers will find interesting papers of those areas about design and implement of dynamic positioning control system for USV, scheduling problems, motor control, backtracking search algorithm for distribution network and others. All selected papers represent interesting ideas and state of art overview. The proceeding book will also be a resource and material for practitioners who want to apply discussed problems to solve real-life problems in their challenging applications. It is also devoted to the studies of common and related subjects in intensive research fields of modern electric, electronic and related technologies. For these reasons, we believe that this proceeding book will be useful for scientists and engineers working in the above-mentioned fields of research applications.

* Covers all aspects of the data acquisition system from design and specification to programming, installation and configuration
* Gives both the novice and experienced user a solid understanding of interfacing the PC and standalone instruments to real-world signals from the laboratory to the industrial plant
* Provides a thorough grasp of PC data acquisition systems and the ability to design, specify, install and configure and program data acquisition systems quickly and effectively
This book focuses on data acquisition and control using the PC and standalone instruments. The PC has made a dramatic impact in the ease with which the technician, scientist and engineer today can set up their own test and measurement system at a remarkably low cost. And this book aims to show you how easy it is with plenty of carefully researched information. The popular IEEE 488 interface is also covered. All aspects of the data acquisition system are included from design and specification to programming, installation and configuration. This book gives both the novice and experienced user a solid grasp of the principles and practical implementation of interfacing the PC and standalone instruments to real-world signals from the laboratory to the industrial plant. Once you have read the book, you will have a thorough grasp of PC data acquisition systems and will be able to design, specify, install and configure and program data acquisition systems quickly and effectively.
* Covers all aspects of the data acquisition system from design and specification to programming, installation and configuration
* Gives both the novice and experienced user a solid understanding of interfacing the PC and standalone instruments to real-world signals from the laboratory to the industrial plant
* Provides a thorough grasp of PC data acquisition systems and the ability to design, specify, install and configure and program data acquisition systems quickly and effectively

This beautifully illustrated volume presents an in-depth look at horology, the scientific study of time and timekeeping. Brimming with more than 150 detailed and full-color images, illustrations, charts, and technical drawings, it's a must-have for anyone interested in the art of watchmaking and watch design. But it's also much more. If you've ever wondered how watches work, or thought about how time influences our lives, then this book is also for you. It offers a comprehensive overview of watch styles, movements, complications, and parts, as well as the basics of starting and caring for a watch collection. A multifaceted study, it discusses the philosophy and measurement of time, the possibility of time travel, and the emergent smartwatch industry. A behind-the-scenes peek into the watch industry, plus pricing and market data, rounds out the contents. Readers will leave these pages with a newfound, renewed, or enhanced love of watchmaking, as well as an increased appreciation for the value of time.

This book provides an up-to-date review of nanometer-scale magnetism and focuses on the investigation of the basic properties of magnetic nanostructures. It describes a wide range of physical aspects together with theoretical and experimental methods. A broad overview of the latest developments in this emerging and fascinating field of nanostructured materials is given with emphasis on the practical understanding and operation of submicron devices based on nanostructured magnetic materials.

This text examines all aspects of constructing and using SQUID magnetic sensors that operate at either liquid helium or liquid nitrogen temperatures (4 or 77 K, respectively). There is comprehensive coverage of a range of established and emerging applications: biomagnetism, geophysics, nondestructive evaluation, detection of unexploded ordnance, and gravity gradiometry. The principles of both dc and rf SQUIDS are discussed extensively, as are the geometries, electronic circuitry and analysis techniques required to maximize performance. A major chapter of SQUID gradiometers in real environments presents original information on how to minimize noise from external sources. The discussions of biomagnetism describe the growing importance of neuromagnetometry with systems employing over 100 SQUID sensors, as well as the emergence of magnetocardiography and foetal heartbeat monitoring. Analysis techniques relevant to both biomagnetism and nondestructive evaluation are presented in depth.

This book considers the design and development of nanoelectronic computing circuits, systems and architectures focusing particularly on memristors, which represent one of today's latest technology breakthroughs in nanoelectronics. The book studies, explores, and addresses the related challenges and proposes solutions for the smooth transition from conventional circuit technologies to emerging computing memristive nanotechnologies. Its content spans from fundamental device modeling to emerging storage system architectures and novel circuit design methodologies, targeting advanced non-conventional analog/digital massively parallel computational structures. Several new results on memristor modeling, memristive interconnections, logic circuit design, memory circuit architectures, computer arithmetic systems, simulation software tools, and applications of memristors in computing are presented. High-density memristive data storage combined with memristive circuit-design paradigms and computational tools applied to solve NP-hard artificial intelligence problems, as well as memristive arithmetic-logic units, certainly pave the way for a very promising memristive era in future electronic systems. Furthermore, these graph-based NP-hard problems are solved on memristive networks, and coupled with Cellular Automata (CA)-inspired computational schemes that enable computation within memory. All chapters are written in an accessible manner and are lavishly illustrated. The book constitutes an informative cornerstone for young scientists and a comprehensive reference to the experienced reader, hoping to stimulate further research on memristive devices, circuits, and systems.

A successful cyber-physical system, a complex interweaving of hardware and software with some part of the physical environment, depends on proper identification of the, often pre-existing, physical element. A bespoke "cyber" part of the system may then be designed from scratch. Optimal Mobile Sensing and Actuation Strategies in Cyber-physical Systems focuses on distributed-parameter systems the dynamics of which can be modelled with partial differential equations. These are very challenging to observe, their states and inputs being distributed throughout a spatial domain. Consequently, systematic approaches to the optimization of sensor location have to be devised for parameter estimation. The text begins by reviewing the field of cyber-physical systems and introducing background notions of distributed parameter systems and optimal observation theory. New research problems are then defined within this framework. Two important problems considered are optimal mobile sensor trajectory planning and the accuracy effects and allocation of remote sensors. These are followed up with a solution to the problem of optimal robust estimation. Actuation policies are then introduced into the framework with the purpose of improving estimation and optimizing the trajectories of both sensors and actuators simultaneously. The large number of illustrations within the text will assist the reader to visualize the application of the methods proposed. A group of similar examples are used throughout the book to help the reader assimilate the material more easily. The monograph concentrates on the use of methods for which a cyber-physical-systems infrastructure is required. The methods are computationally heavy and require mobile sensors and actuators with communications abilities. Application examples cover fields from environmental science to national security so that readers are encouraged to link the ideas of cyber-physical systems with their own research.

This thesis describes a new approach for cell analysis by the rapid developing microfluidic technology. The nominee has made great contributions to develop a new analysis platform which combined microfluidic devices with mass spectrometry to determine the trace compounds secreted by cells. Based on this analysis platform, she studied the specific cell secreting behaviors under controlled microenvironment, of which the secretion compounds were qualified and semi-quantified by mass spectrometry. A novel cell sorting device integrated homogenous porous PDMS membrane was invented to classify cells from real samples based on the size difference. The nominee further studied the signal transmission between different cells, and the signal chemicals were qualitative and quantitative monitored by the analysis platform. This indicates the potential significant application of the new cell analysis platform in medicine screening and early diagnosis.

This carefully edited book introduces the latest achievements of the scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the field of theory and practice of Smart Electromechanical Systems (SEMS). The book also focuses on methods of designing and modeling of SEMS based on the principles of adaptability, intelligence, biomorphism of parallel kinematics and parallelism in information processing and control computation. The book chapters are dedicated to the following points of interest: - methods of design of SEMS modules and intelligent robots based on them; - synthesis of neural systems of automatic control over SEMS modules; - mathematical and computer modeling of SEMS modules and Cyber Physical Systems based on them; - vitality control and reliability analysis based on logic-and-probabilistic and logic-and-linguistic forecasting; - methods of optimization of SEMS control systems based on mathematical programming methods in ordinal scale and generalized mathematical programming; - information-measuring software of SEMS modules and CPS based on them. This book is intended for students, scientists and engineers specializing in the field of SEMS and robotics, and includes many scientific domains such as kinematics, dynamics, control theory.

Soft sensors are inferential estimators, drawing conclusions from process observations when hardware sensors are unavailable or unsuitable; they have an important auxiliary role in sensor validation when performance declines through senescence or fault accumulation.

The non-linear behaviour exhibited by many industrial processes can be usefully modelled with the techniques of computational intelligence: neural networks; fuzzy systems and nonlinear partial least squares.

Soft Sensors for Monitoring and Control of Industrial Processes underlines the real usefulness of each approach and the sensitivity of the individual steps in soft-sensor design to the choice of one or the other. Design paths are suggested and readers shown how to evaluate the effects of their choices. All the case studies reported, resulting from collaborations between the authors and a number of industrial partners, raised challenging soft-sensor-design problems. The applications of soft sensors presented in this volume are designed to cope with the whole range from measuring system backup and what-if analysis through real-time prediction for plant control to sensor diagnosis and validation. Some of the soft sensors developed here are implemented on-line at industrial plants.

Features:

• soft-sensor design;
• advice on data selection and choice of model structure;
• model validation;
• strategies for the improvement of soft-sensor performance;
• uses of soft sensors in fault detection and sensor validation;
• soft sensors in use in industrial applications such as a debutanizer column and a sulfur recovery unit.

This monograph guides interested readers a"researchers, graduate students and industrial process technologists a" through the design of their own soft sensors. It is self-contained with full references and appraisal of existing literature and data sets for some of the case studies can be downloaded from springer.com.

First compiled in 1929 as a pioneer work by the late G.H. Baillie, this directory of watchmakers and clock makers of the past soon established itself as the standard reference source and has been used ever since by watchmakers and clockmakers, collectors, dealers, museums, historians, and libraries the world over. The list of makers has more than doubled, having been thoroughly updated and revised by Brian Loomes in this twenty-first century edition, and now contains information on about 90,000 makers working between the late 16th and early 20th centuries. As well as the makers and retailers of clocks and watches, the list includes makers of scientific instruments, sundials, and barometers. Working dates include dates and places of birth, apprenticeship, freedom, marriage and death, as well as movement between different locations, and monograms. It is a unique and essential work of reference.

This book introduces physical effects and fundamentals of piezoelectric sensors and actuators. It gives a comprehensive overview of piezoelectric materials such as quartz crystals and polycrystalline ceramic materials. Different modeling approaches and methods to precisely predict the behavior of piezoelectric devices are described. Furthermore, a simulation-based approach is detailed which enables the reliable characterization of sensor and actuator materials. One focus of the book lies on piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers. An optical approach is presented that allows the quantitative determination of the resulting sound fields. The book also deals with various applications of piezoelectric sensors and actuators. In particular, the studied application areas are * process measurement technology, * ultrasonic imaging, * piezoelectric positioning systems and * piezoelectric motors. The book addresses students, academic as well as industrial reseachers and development engineers who are concerned with piezoelectric sensors and actuators.

This book addresses reliability and energy efficiency of on-chip networks using cooperative error control. It describes an efficient way to construct an adaptive error control codec capable of tracking noise conditions and adjusting the error correction strength at runtime. Methods are also presented to tackle joint transient and permanent error correction, exploiting the redundant resources already available on-chip. A parallel and flexible network simulator is also introduced, which facilitates examining the impact of various error control methods on network-on-chip performance.

3D Printing in Podiatric Medicine compiles an interdisciplinary range of scientific literature, laboratory developments, industrial implications and futuristic avenues in this field. The book provides recent developments and research breakthroughs in 3D printing in podiatric medicine, such as functionalized feedstock systems, smart products, process characteristics, modeling and optimization of printed systems and products, and industrial applications. It covers best practices for 3D printing methods to capture, document and validate challenges at the early stage of the design process. The book's content then goes into mitigating design strategies to address these challenges without compromising the cost, safety and quality of the device. This book supports new and emerging specializations and provides a comprehensive collection of technical notes, research designs, design methods and processes and case studies.