A revolution in clock technology in England during the 1660s allowed people to measure time more accurately, attend to it more minutely, and possess it more privately than previously imaginable. In "Telling Time," Stuart Sherman argues that innovations in prose emerged simultaneously with this technological breakthrough, enabling authors to recount the new kind of time by which England was learning to live and work.
Through brilliant readings of Samuel Pepys's diary, Joseph Addison and Richard Steele's daily "Spectator," the travel writings of Samuel Johnson and James Boswell, and the novels of Daniel Defoe and Frances Burney, Sherman traces the development of a new way of counting time in prose--the diurnal structure of consecutively dated installments--within the cultural context of the daily institutions which gave it form and motion. "Telling Time" is not only a major accomplishment for seventeenth- and eighteenth-century literary studies, but it also makes important contributions to current discourse in cultural studies.

The book is a multidisciplinary space and serves as a platform to share and learn about the frontier knowledge between different areas related to "Recent trends in sustainable engineering." Sustainable engineering promotes the responsible use of resources and materials involved in the different manufacturing processes or the execution stages of a service. An interdisciplinary approach is required in all aspects of engineering. In this sense, engineers, researchers, and the academic community will play a fundamental role in developing new technologies that respect the environment, still, at the same time, that considers social and economic factors.

This book presents state-of-the-art coverage of synthesis of advanced functional materials. Unconventional synthetic routes play an important role in the synthesis of advanced materials as many new materials are metastable and cannot be synthesized by conventional methods. This book presents various synthesis methods such as conventional solid-state method, combustion method, a range of soft chemical methods, template synthesis, molecular precursor method, microwave synthesis, sono-chemical method and high-pressure synthesis. It provides a comprehensive overview of synthesis methods and covers a variety of materials, including ceramics, films, glass, carbon-based, and metallic materials. Many techniques for processing and surface functionalization are also discussed. Several engineering aspects of materials synthesis are also included. The contents of this book are useful for researchers and professionals working in the areas of materials and chemistry.

This book gathers the latest advances, innovations, and applications in the field of multibody and mechatronic systems. Topics addressed include the analysis and synthesis of mechanisms; modelling and simulation of multibody systems; railway and vehicle dynamics; mechatronic systems for energy harvesting; robot design and optimization; and mechatronic design. It gathers the second volume of the proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Multibody Systems and Mechatronics (MuSMe), virtually held in Cordoba, Argentina, on October 12-15, 2021, within the framework of the FEIbIM Commission for Robotics and Mechanisms and IFToMM Technical Committees for Multibody Dynamics and for Robotics and Mechatronics.

Resilience Engineering (RE) studies have successfully identified and described many instances of resilient performance in high hazard sectors as well as in the far more frequent cases where people and organisations cope with the uncertainties of daily operations. Since RE was first described in 2006, a steady accumulation of insights and efforts have provided the basis for practical tools and methods. This development has been documented by a series of texts in the Resilience Engineering Perspectives series as well as by a growing number of papers and reports. This book encapsulates the essential practical lessons learned from the use of Resilience Engineering (RE) for over ten years. The main contents are a series of chapters written by those who have been instrumental in these applications. To increase the value for the reader, each chapter will include: rationale for the overall approach; data sought and reason(s) for choosing; data sources used, data analyses performed, and how recommendations were made and turned into practice. Serving as a reference for practitioners who want to analyse, support, and manage resilient performance, this book also advances research into RE by inquiring why work goes well in unpredictable environments, to improve work performance, or compensate for deficiencies.

This textbook fills a gap to supply students with the fundamental principles and tools they need to perform the quantitative analyses of the neuroelectrophysiological approaches, including both conventional and emerging ones, prevalently used in neuroscience research and neuroprosthetics. The content grows out of a course on Neuroengineering and Neuroprosthetics, which the author has taught already several times. The key problems the author addresses include (1) the universal operating mechanisms of neuroelectrophysiological approaches, (2) proper configuration of each approach, and (3) proper interpretation of the resulting signals. Efforts are made both to extract the universal principles underlying this common class of approaches and discern the unique properties of each individual approach. To address these important problems, equivalent electrical circuit modeling and signal analysis are used to unravel the functioning mechanisms and principles and provide sound interpretations to the associated signals and phenomena. This book aims to derive analytical solutions to these equivalent circuits, which can offer clear and complete mechanistic insights to the underlying biophysics.

This book is a collection of papers presented at XIV International Scientific Conference "INTERAGROMASH 2021", held at Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia, during 24-26 February 2021. The research results presented in this book cover applications of unmanned aerial systems, satellite-based applications for precision agriculture, proximal and remote sensing of soil and crop, spatial analysis, variable-rate technology, embedded sensing systems, drainage optimization and variable rate irrigation, wireless sensor networks, Internet of things, robotics, guidance and automation, software and mobile apps for precision agriculture, decision support for precision agriculture and data mining for precision agriculture.

This book provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of the latest advances in nanomaterials for proteomics, both theoretical and practical. Consisting of seven chapters, it first covers the synthesis methods, characterization, principles, and performance of functional nanomaterials in various branches of proteomics in detail. This is followed by the applications of nanomaterials for the separation and analysis of various proteins and peptides. Given its scope, the book appeals to a broad readership, including those active in proteomics and materials science; it can also serve as a reference book for students majoring in proteomics analysis.

The block diagrams as engineering means for closed loop control, which have been established by classic control theory for decades, are replaced in the above mentioned book by networks, the signals are replaced by data. It corresponds to the "Industry 4.0" and to the structure of today's automatic control systems. Thereby a classic closed loop is treated not isolated from other elements of nowadays automation like bus communication and process logical control, and is completed in proposed book with new control elements, so called data stream managers (DSM). The proposed book treats the control theory systematically like it is done in classical books considering the new concept of data management. The theory is accompanied in the book with examples, exercises with solutions and MATLAB (R)-simulations.

The concepts represented in this textbook are explored for the first time in assistive and rehabilitation robotics, which is the combination of physical, cognitive, and social human-robot interaction to empower gait rehabilitation and assist human mobility. The aim is to consolidate the methodologies, modules, and technologies implemented in lower-limb exoskeletons, smart walkers, and social robots when human gait assistance and rehabilitation are the primary targets. This book presents the combination of emergent technologies in healthcare applications and robotics science, such as soft robotics, force control, novel sensing methods, brain-computer interfaces, serious games, automatic learning, and motion planning. From the clinical perspective, case studies are presented for testing and evaluating how those robots interact with humans, analyzing acceptance, perception, biomechanics factors, and physiological mechanisms of recovery during the robotic assistance or therapy. Interfacing Humans and Robots for Gait Assistance and Rehabilitation will enable undergraduate and graduate students of biomedical engineering, rehabilitation engineering, robotics, and health sciences to understand the clinical needs, technology, and science of human-robot interaction behind robotic devices for rehabilitation, and the evidence and implications related to the implementation of those devices in actual therapy and daily life applications.

This book presents state-of-the-art technologies, trends and applications with a focus on the healthcare domain for ultra-wideband (3.1-10.6 GHz) and 60 GHz (57-66 GHz) wireless communication systems. Due to various key features such as miniaturized antenna design, low power, high data rate, less effects on the human body, relatively less crowded spectrum, these technologies are becoming popular in various fields of biomedical applications and day-to-day life. The book highlights various aspects of these technologies related to body-centric communication, including antenna design requirements, channel modeling and characterization for WBANs, current fabrication and antenna design strategies for textile, flexible and implanted antennas. Apart from the general requirements and study related to these frequency bands, various application specific topics such as localization and tracking, physical activity recognition and assessment, vital sign monitoring and medical imaging are covered in detail. The book concludes with the glimpses of future aspects of the UWB and 60 GHz technology which includes IoT for healthcare and smart living, novel antenna materials and application of machine learning algorithms for overall performance enhancement.

This book presents cutting-edge research and developments in the field of biomedical engineering, with a special emphasis on achievements by Asian research groups. It covers machine learning and computational modeling methods applied to biomedical and clinical research, advanced methods for biosignal processing and bioimaging, MEMS applications, and advances in biosensors. Further topics include biomechanics, prosthetics, orthotics and tissue engineering. Other related (bio-) engineering applications, such as in ecosystem development, water quality assessment, and material research, are also covered. Gathering the proceedings of the 6th Kuala Lumpur International Conference on Biomedical Engineering, held online on July 28-29, 2021 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the book is intended to provide researchers and professionals with extensive and timely information on the state-of-the-art research and applications in biomedical engineering, and to promote interdisciplinary and international collaborations.

This book presents select proceedings of International Conference on Energy, Material Sciences and Mechanical Engineering (EMSME) 2020, held at National Institute of Technology Delhi. Various topics covered in this book include clean materials, solar energy systems, wind energy systems, power optimization, grid integration of renewable energy, smart energy storage technologies, artificial intelligence in solar and wind system, analysis of clean energy material in environment, converter topology, modelling and simulation. This book will be useful for researchers and professionals working in the areas of solar material science, electrical engineering, and energy technologies.

This book features selected papers presented at the 16th International Conference on Electromechanics and Robotics 'Zavalishin's Readings' - ER(ZR) 2021, held in St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 14-17, 2021. The contributions, written by professionals, researchers and students, cover topics in the field of automatic control systems, electromechanics, electric power engineering and electrical engineering, mechatronics, robotics, automation and vibration technologies. The Zavalishin's Readings conference was established as a tribute to the memory of Dmitry Aleksandrovich Zavalishin (1900-1968) - a Russian scientist, corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences, and founder of the school of valve energy converters based on electric machines and valve converters energy. The first conference was organized by the Institute of Innovative Technologies in Electromechanics and Robotics at the Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation in 2006. The 2021 conference was held with XV International Conference "Vibration-2021. Vibration technologies, mechatronics and controlled machines" and VI International Conference "Electric drive, electrical technology and electrical equipment of enterprises", and was organized by St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation (SUAI), St. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SPC RAS), Southwest State University (SWSU) and Ufa State Oil Technical University (USPTU).

This book includes selected peer-reviewed papers presented at third International Conference on Computational and Experimental Methods in Mechanical Engineering held in June 2021 at G.L. Bajaj Institute of Technology and Management, Greater Noida, U.P, India. The book covers broad range of topics in latest research including hydropower, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, advanced manufacturing, recycling and waste disposal, solar energy, thermal power plants, refrigeration and air conditioning, robotics, automation and mechatronics, and advanced designs. The authors are experienced and experts in their field, and all papers are reviewed by expert reviewers in respective field. The book is useful for industry peoples, faculties, and research scholars.

This book presents the basic and fundamental aspects of nanomaterials, its types, and classifications with respect to different factors. It contains methods of preparation and characterization of unique nanostructured materials. Consisting of six chapters, this book appeals to a wide readership from academia and industry professionals and is also useful to undergraduate and graduate students focusing on nanotechnology and nanomaterials, sustainable chemistry, energy conversion and storage, environmental protection, opto-electronics, sensors, and surface and interface science. It also appeals to readers who wish to know about the design of new types of materials with controlled nanostructures.

This book highlights the rapidly emerging field of solution-processed halide perovskite lasers. These amazing materials not only possess exceptional photovoltaic properties, but are also outstanding optical gain media. Halide perovskites are the latest member of solution-processed optical gain media, joining organics and traditional semiconductor colloidal quantum dots. Amplified spontaneous emission and lasing have been demonstrated in various halide perovskite configurations and nanostructures with wavelengths tunable over the visible and infrared wavelengths (400-1000 nm). This book provides comprehensive information on perovskite lasing, starting with some fundamentals of lasers and their basic operating principles. Unambiguous methods for identifying lasing light emission are presented, while the basic optoelectronic properties of perovskite materials are also discussed, with an emphasis on their photophysics, using ultrafast optical spectroscopy techniques. The viability of perovskites as a gain media within a suitable resonator, as well as the characterization methods for optical gain, are highlighted. The book closes with a discussion on the remaining challenges (such as electrical driven lasing and material stabilities) that need to be tackled, and the future of this new family of lasers.

This book contains high-quality papers presented in the conference Recent Advances in Mechanical Infrastructure (ICRAM 2020) held at IITRAM, Ahmedabad, India, from 21-23 August 2020. The topics covered in this book are recent advances in thermal infrastructure, manufacturing infrastructure and infrastructure planning and design.

This book presents a collection of cross-disciplinary research, with contributions addressing all key features of the plant/microbe/ENP nexus in agro-ecosystems. The uptake, transport and transformation of nanoparticles in plants have attracted more and more attention in the past several years. Especially, the impact of Engineered Nanoparticles (ENPs) on bioprocesses; low-, medium- and high-level dose responses in the microbial community of soil; and long-, medium- and short-term exposure responses, particularly microbial nitrogen transformations, are just a few of the aspects involved. Since ENPs are used in many industries, including cosmetics, agriculture, medicine, food technology and waste management, their transport through biogeochemical cycles is an important focus of many studies today. Specifically, ENP-microbe interaction has been analysed with regard to disease treatment for plants; it plays a vital role in disease inhibition by releasing metal ions that act through many pathways - e.g. reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA transformation and disruption of the cell cycle - to stop cell growth in the pathogen. Due to these properties, ENPs are also used as slow release or delayed release pesticides and fungicides, and as carrier systems for growth-promoting hormones. Despite their multiple uses in various industries, the negative effects of ENPs are still a major concern for the scientific community and consumers alike. For example, their transport to various food chains has been reported to have adverse effects. This raises a degree of doubt concerning a rapidly growing scientific field with major applications in many industries. From a sustainable development perspective and particularly to ensure food security in light of the uncertainty accompanying climate change, it is imperative to address this divergence by focusing on the plant/microbe/ENP nexus.

This book highlights the present scenario of energy demand and power generation technologies in tropical countries. The tropics are well known to receive direct sunlight. Furthermore, different than four-season countries, tropical countries have a continuous summer-like season, and therefore, they are rich in clean energy sources, like solar and biomass. Home to 40% of the world's population, the demand for energy in these countries keeps increasing. With the present serious global concern on the environment, the choice of power generation is no doubt the cleanest possible resources. This book delves into the opportunity that various tropical countries have in pursuing environmentally friendly power generation systems.

This book presents part of the iM3F 2020 proceedings from the Mechatronics track. It highlights key challenges and recent trends in mechatronics engineering and technology that are non-trivial in the age of Industry 4.0. It discusses traditional as well as modern solutions that are employed in the multitude spectra of mechatronics-based applications. The readers are expected to gain an insightful view on the current trends, issues, mitigating factors as well as solutions from this book.

This volume focuses on the fundamentals and advancements in micro and nanomanufacturing technologies applied in the biomedical and biochemical domain. The contents of this volume provide comprehensive coverage of the physical principles of advanced manufacturing technologies and the know-how of their applications in the fabrication of biomedical devices and systems. The book begins by documenting the journey of miniaturization and micro-and nano-fabrication. It then delves into the fundamentals of various advanced technologies such as micro-wire moulding, 3D printing, lithography, imprinting, direct laser machining, and laser-induced plasma-assisted machining. It also covers laser-based technologies which are a promising option due to their flexibility, ease in control and application, high precision, and availability. These technologies can be employed to process several materials such as glass, polymers: polycarbonate, polydimethylsiloxane, polymethylmethacrylate, and metals such as stainless steel, which are commonly used in the fabrication of biomedical devices, such as microfluidic technology, optical and fiber-optic sensors, and electro-chemical bio-sensors. It also discusses advancements in various MEMS/NEMS based technologies and their applications in energy conversion and storage devices. The chapters are written by experts from the fields of micro- and nano-manufacturing, materials engineering, nano-biotechnology, and end-users such as clinicians, engineers, academicians of interdisciplinary background. This book will be a useful guide for academia and industry alike.

Many clock repairers carry out excellent work but avoid cutting their own wheels and pinions, fearing it is too complicated and involved. This book, written by an experienced clock and tool maker, dispels those fears and gives a step-by-step guide to an extremely satisfying aspect of horology. This book is written for both the amateur and professional involved in the making and restoring of clocks, and for anyone who intends to start building up a workshop and requires a guide to the equipment and how to use it.

This book deals with existing technologies of solar energy conversion as well as novel methods under consideration in academic and commercial R&D sites. The experimental results presented in the work are well crafted by both analytical and first-principle numerical simulations. The book highlights the real potential for economically justified use of solar energy at every household and/or commercial solar farms. The ever-improving methods of thin-film epitaxial growth combined with a better understanding of the sun light absorption and antireflection are highlighted. While there was a period when the material quality was considered to be cornerstone of the conversion efficiency followed by substantial efforts to optimize multiple-cell architecture, it became clear that many old ideas such as variable band gap, multi-junction intrinsic region, as well as solar tracking mechanisms offer new possibilities for improved harvesting of energy. Amplifying the importance of materials selection efficient design of the photo-voltaic elements various aspects of the production cost and the impact on the environment are discussed. In addition, the eligibility of the proposed production technologies in the current photovoltaic market are evaluated and confirmed.

Sensors and Instrumentation, Aircraft/Aerospace and Energy Harvesting, Volume 7: Proceedings of the 39th IMAC, A Conference and Exposition on Structural Dynamics, 2021, the seventh volume of nine 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 Shock & Vibration, Aircraft/Aerospace, Energy Harvesting & Dynamic Environments Testing including papers on: Alternative Sensing & Acquisition Active Controls Instrumentation Aircraft/Aerospace & Aerospace Testing Techniques Energy Harvesting