This book describes a robust, low-cost electrochemical sensing system that is able to detect hormones and phthalates - the most ubiquitous endocrine disruptor compounds - in beverages and is sufficiently flexible to be readily coupled with any existing chemical or biochemical sensing system. A novel type of silicon substrate-based smart interdigital transducer, developed using MEMS semiconductor fabrication technology, is employed in conjunction with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to allow real-time detection and analysis. Furthermore, the presented interdigital capacitive sensor design offers a sufficient penetration depth of the fringing electric field to permit bulk sample testing. The authors address all aspects of the development of the system and fully explain its benefits. The book will be of wide interest to engineers, scientists, and researchers working in the fields of physical electrochemistry and biochemistry at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and research levels. It will also be highly relevant for practitioners and researchers involved in the development of electromagnetic sensors.

Materials that can mold the ?ow of elastic waves of certain energy in certain directions are called phononic materials. The present thesis deals essentially with such phononic systems, which are structured in the mesoscale (\1 lm), and with their individual components. Such systems show interesting phononic properties in the hypersonic region, i.e., at frequencies in the GHz range. It is shown that colloidal systems are excellent model systems for the realization of such phononic materials. Therefore, different structures and particle architectures are investigated by Brillouin light scattering, the inelastic scattering of light by phonons. Both the mechanical properties of the individual colloidal particles, which manifest in their resonance vibrations (eigenmodes), as well as the acoustic propagation in colloidal structures have been investigated. The measurement of the eigenmodes allows for new insights into physical properties at the mesoscale, e.g., con?nement effects, copolymer behavior, or the non-destructive determination of nanomechanical properties of core-shell particles, supporting the working groups aim to achieve a deeper understanding of 'soft mechanics' at small length scales. Another novel contribution assigned to this thesis is the ?rst experimental rea- zation of a phononic band gap arising from the interaction of these particle - genmodes with the effective medium band (hybridization gap). This ?nding already gave new impulses to the whole ?eld of phononics.

This book presents best selected research papers presented at the Thirteenth International Conference on Applied Mathematics and Mechanics in the Aerospace Industry (AMMAI 2020), held from September 6 to September 13, 2020, at the Alushta Health and Educational Center (The Republic of Crimea). The book is dedicated to solving actual problems of applied mechanics using modern computer technology including smart paradigms. Physical and mathematical models, numerical methods, computational algorithms, and software complexes are discussed, which allow to carry out high-precision mathematical modeling in fluid, gas, and plasma mechanics, in general mechanics, deformable solid mechanics, in strength, destruction and safety of structures, etc. Technologies and software systems that provide effective solutions to the problems at various multi-scale levels are considered. Special attention is paid to the training of highly qualified specialists for the aviation and space industry. The book is recommended for specialists in the field of applied mathematics and mechanics, mathematical modeling, information technologies, and developers of modern applied software systems.

The ambitious objectives of future road mobility, i.e. fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and zero accidents, imply a paradigm shift in the concept of the car regarding its architecture, materials, and propulsion technology, and require an intelligent integration into the systems of transportation and power. ICT, components and smart systems have been essential for a multitude of recent innovations, and are expected to be key enabling technologies for the changes ahead, both inside the vehicle and at its interfaces for the exchange of data and power with the outside world. It has been the objective of the International Forum on Advanced Microsystems for Automotive Applications (AMAA) for almost two decades to detect novel trends and to discuss technological implications and innovation potential from day one on. In 2012, the topic of the AMAA conference is "Smart Systems for Safe, Sustainable and Networked Vehicles". The conference papers selected for this book address current research, developments and innovations in the field of ICT, components and systems and other key enabling technologies leading to the automobile and road transport of the future. The book focuses on application fields such as electrification, power train and vehicle efficiency, safety and driver assistance, networked vehicles, as well as components and systems. Additional information is available at www.amaa.de

This book presents the most important aspects of analysis of dynamical processes taking place on the human body surface. It provides an overview of the major devices that act as a prevention measure to boost a person's motivation for physical activity. A short overview of the most popular MEMS sensors for biomedical applications is given. The development and validation of a multi-level computational model that combines mathematical models of an accelerometer and reduced human body surface tissue is presented. Subsequently, results of finite element analysis are used together with experimental data to evaluate rheological properties of not only human skin but skeletal joints as well. Methodology of development of MOEMS displacement-pressure sensor and adaptation for real-time biological information monitoring, namely "ex vivo" and "in vitro" blood pulse type analysis, is described. Fundamental and conciliatory investigations, achieved knowledge and scientific experience about biologically adaptive multifunctional nanocomposite materials, their properties and synthesis compatibility, periodical microstructures, which may be used in various optical components for modern, productive sensors' formation technologies and their application in medicine, pharmacy industries and environmental monitoring, are presented and analyzed. This book also is aimed at research and development of vibrational energy harvester, which would convert ambient kinetic energy into electrical energy by means of the impact-type piezoelectric transducer. The book proposes possible prototypes of devices for non-invasive real-time artery pulse measurements and micro energy harvesting.

Nanorobots represent a nanoscale device where proteins such as DNA, carbon nanotubes could act as motors, mechanical joints, transmission elements, or sensors. When these different components were assembled together they can form nanorobots with multi-degree-of-freedom, able to apply forces and manipulate objects in the nanoscale world. Design, Modeling and Characterization of Bio-Nanorobotic Systems investigates the design, assembly, simulation, and prototyping of biological and artificial molecular structures with the goal of implementing their internal nanoscale movements within nanorobotic systems in an optimized manner.

This thesis presents various applications of graphene-based nanomaterials, especially in biomedicine. Graphene and its derivatives have gained enormous attention from scientists in all fields of study due to many unprecedented properties. The initial scientific attention was focused on the development of transparent flexible electrodes by exploiting two-dimensional graphene film's extraordinary electrical and physical properties. Recently, given an increasing evidence of dispersed graphene-based nanomaterials' biocompatibility, researchers have endeavored to employ these materials in other studies relevant to biomedical technologies. In this respect, the thesis provides a comprehensive review on the synthesis, toxicity, and a few of the key biomedical applications in the first chapter. The following chapter discusses the use of a graphene film as a novel catalyst to oxidatively destroy phenols, which are known to be potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic. Finally, and most importantly, the last chapter introduces the therapeutic role of graphene quantum dots, the smallest graphene-based nanomaterials, for Parkinson's disease. The results are promising for the use of graphene quantum dots as the basis of future clinical drug candidates for neurodegenerative disorders.

This book presents bond graph model-based fault detection with a focus on hybrid system models. The book addresses model design, simulation, control and model-based fault diagnosis of multidisciplinary engineering systems. The text beings with a brief survey of the state-of-the-art, then focuses on hybrid systems. The author then uses different bond graph approaches throughout the text and provides case studies.

The sense of touch is fundamental during the interaction between humans and their environment; in virtual reality, objects are created by computer simulations and they can be experienced through haptic devices. In this context haptic textures are fundamental for a realistic haptic perception of virtual objects.

This book formalizes the specific artefacts corrupting the rendering of virtual haptic textures and offers a set of simple conditions to guide haptic researchers towards artefact-free textures. The conditions identified are also extremely valuable when designing psychophysical experiments and when analyzing the significance of the data collected.

"The Synthesis of Three Dimensional Haptic Textures, Geometry, Control, and ""Psychophysics "examines the problem of rendering virtual haptic textures with force feedback devices. The author provides an introduction to the topic of haptic textures that covers the basics of the physiology of the skin, the psychophysics of roughness perception, and the engineering challenges behind haptic textures rendering. The book continues with the presentation of a novel mathematical framework that characterizes haptic devices, texturing algorithms and their ability to generate realistic haptic textures. Finally, two psychophysical experiments link the perception of roughness with the parameters of the haptic rendering algorithms.

This book formalizes the specific artefacts corrupting the rendering of virtual haptic textures and offers a set of simple conditions to guide haptic researchers towards artefact-free textures. The conditions identified are also extremely valuable when designing psychophysical experiments and when analyzing the significance of the data collected.

The two volumes of Handbook of Gas Sensor Materials provide a detailed and comprehensive account of materials for gas sensors, including the properties and relative advantages of various materials. Since these sensors can be applied for the automation of myriad industrial processes, as well as for everyday monitoring of such activities as public safety, engine performance, medical therapeutics, and in many other situations, this handbook is of great value. Gas sensor designers will find a treasure trove of material in these two books.

Grain boundaries are a main feature of crystalline materials. They play a key role in determining the properties of materials, especially when grain size decreases and even more so with the current improvements of processing tools and methods that allow us to control various elements in a polycrystal.
This book presents the theoretical basis of the study of grain boundaries and aims to open up new lines of research in this area. The treatment is light on mathematical approaches while emphasizing practical examples; the issues they raise are discussed with reference to theories. The general approach of the book has two main goals: to lead the reader from the concept of 'ideal' to 'real' grain boundaries;
to depart from established knowledge and address the opportunities emerging through "grain boundary engineering," the control of morphological and crystallographic features that affect material properties.

The book is divided in three parts:
I 'From interganular order to disorder' deals with the concept of the perfect grain boundary, at equilibrium, and questions the maintenance of its crystalline state.
II 'From the ideal to the real grain boundary' deals with the concept of the faulted grain boundary. It attempts to reveal the influence of the grain boundary structure on its defects, their formation and their accommodation.
III 'From free to constrained grain boundaries' is devoted to grain boundary ensembles starting from the triple junction (the elemental configuration) to real grain boundary networks in polycrystals

This part covers a new and topical development in the field. It presents for the first time an avenue for researchers working on macroscopic aspects, to approach the scale of description of grain boundaries.

Audience: graduate students, researchers and engineers in Materials Science and all those scientists pursuing grain boundary engineering in order to improvematerials performance.

This book comprehensively and systematically introduces readers to the theories, structures, performance and applications of non-driven mechanical and non-driven micromechanical gyroscopes. The book is divided into three parts, the first of which mainly addresses mathematic models, precision, performance and operating error in non-driven mechanical gyroscopes. The second part focuses on the operating theory, error, phase shift and performance experiments involving non-driven micromechanical gyroscopes in rotating flight carriers, while the third part shares insights into the application of non-driven micromechanical gyroscopes in control systems for rotating flight carriers. The book offers a unique resource for all researchers and engineers who are interested in the use of inertial devices and automatic control systems for rotating flight carriers. It can also serve as a reference book for undergraduates, graduates and instructors in related fields at colleges and universities.

This volume documents the first International Workshop on Atomic Scale Interconnection Machines organised by the European Integrated Project AtMol in June 2011 in Singapore. The four sessions, discussed here in revised contributions by high level speakers, span the subjects of multi-probe UHV instrumentation, atomic scale nano-material nanowires characterization, atomic scale surface conductance measurements, surface atomic scale mechanical machineries. This state-of-the-art account brings academic researchers and industry engineers access to the tools they need to be at the forefront of the atomic scale technology revolution.

This cutting-edge book explores recent progress in the microelectronics arena. It examines the resultant miniaturization of component device features to nanometer size particles, and the ensuing growth in the development and use of microchip-based techniques in leading laboratories around the world. In the sixteen chapters of this volume, leading scientists present technically precise microchip-based assays for a variety of applications.

Quantum dots as nanomaterials have been extensively investigated in the past several decades from growth to characterization to applications. As the basis of future developments in the field, this book collects a series of state-of-the-art chapters on the current status of quantum dot devices and how these devices take advantage of quantum features. Written by 56 leading experts from 14 countries, the chapters cover numerous quantum dot applications, including lasers, LEDs, detectors, amplifiers, switches, transistors, and solar cells. "Quantum Dot Devices" is appropriate for researchers of all levels of experience with an interest in epitaxial and/or colloidal quantum dots. It provides the beginner with the necessary overview of this exciting field and those more experienced with a comprehensive reference source."

This book summarizes the current status of theoretical and experimental progress in 2 dimensional graphene-like monolayers and few-layers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). Semiconducting monolayer TMDCs, due to the presence of a direct gap, significantly extend the potential of low-dimensional nanomaterials for applications in nanoelectronics and nano-optoelectronics as well as flexible nano-electronics with unprecedented possibilities to control the gap by external stimuli. Strong quantum confinement results in extremely high exciton binding energies which forms an interesting platform for both fundamental studies and device applications. Breaking of spatial inversion symmetry in monolayers results in strong spin-valley coupling potentially leading to their use in valleytronics. Starting with the basic chemistry of transition metals, the reader is introduced to the rich field of transition metal dichalcogenides. After a chapter on three dimensional crystals and a description of top-down and bottom-up fabrication methods of few-layer and single layer structures, the fascinating world of two-dimensional TMDCs structures is presented with their unique atomic, electronic, and magnetic properties. The book covers in detail particular features associated with decreased dimensionality such as stability and phase-transitions in monolayers, the appearance of a direct gap, large binding energy of 2D excitons and trions and their dynamics, Raman scattering associated with decreased dimensionality, extraordinarily strong light-matter interaction, layer-dependent photoluminescence properties, new physics associated with the destruction of the spatial inversion symmetry of the bulk phase, spin-orbit and spin-valley couplings. The book concludes with chapters on engineered heterostructures and device applications such as a monolayer MoS2 transistor. Considering the explosive interest in physics and applications of two-dimensional materials, this book is a valuable source of information for material scientists and engineers working in the field as well as for the graduate students majoring in materials science.

Microbial Nanobionics: Volume 2, Basic Research Applications continues the important discussion of microbial nanoparticle synthesis with a focus on the mechanistic approach of biosynthesis towards nanobionics. This volume also explores the toxicity of nanomaterials in microbes and their effect on human health and the environment. Special Emphasis is given to the use of polymeric nanomaterials in smart packing for the food industry and agricultural sector. The future of nanomaterials for detection of soil microbes and their interactions and tools for environmental remedies is also comprehensively covered. The rich biodiversity of microbes make them excellent candidates for potential nanoparticle synthesis biofactories. Through a better understanding of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of the microbial biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles, the rate of synthesis can be better developed and the monodispersity of the product can be enhanced. The characteristics of nanoparticles can be controlled via optimization of important parameters, such as temperature, pH, concentration and pressure, which regulate microbe growth conditions and cellular and enzymatic activities. Large scale microbial synthesis of nanoparticles is a sustainable method due to the non-hazardous, non-toxic and economical nature of these processes. The applications of microbial synthesis of nanoparticles are wide and varied, spanning the industrial, biomedical and environmental fields. Biomedical applications include improved and more targeted antimicrobials, biosensing, imaging and drug delivery. In the environmental fields, nanoparticles are used for bioremediation of diverse contaminants, water treatment, catalysis and production of clean energy. With the expected growth of microbial nanotechnology, this volume will serve as a comprehensive and timely reference.

This book presents the latest research on mechatronic systems engineering. By bringing together the most important papers from the 2018 Mechatronics Forum Conference 'Reinventing Mechatronics,' it outlines key trends in research and applications that will define mechatronics for the next 50 years. Mechatronics was established as an engineering discipline over 50 years ago, as the integration of electronics and information technology with mechanical design. Given major technological advances and the growth of systems-level concepts such as Cyber-Physical Systems and the Internet of Things, along with Cloud Technologies and Big Data, it's now high time to reconsider the role of mechatronics, particularly within engineering design. Past and ongoing technological changes are impacting how systems are designed and configured in ways that could never have been envisaged when the field of mechatronics was first introduced.

This volume contains the Proceedings of MUSME 2014, held at Huatulco in Oaxaca, Mexico, October 2014. Topics include analysis and synthesis of mechanisms; dynamics of multibody systems; design algorithms for mechatronic systems; simulation procedures and results; prototypes and their performance; robots and micromachines; experimental validations; theory of mechatronic simulation; mechatronic systems; and control of mechatronic systems. The MUSME symposium on Multibody Systems and Mechatronics was held under the auspices of IFToMM, the International Federation for Promotion of Mechanism and Machine Science, and FeIbIM, the Iberoamerican Federation of Mechanical Engineering. Since the first symposium in 2002, MUSME events have been characterised by the way they stimulate the integration between the various mechatronics and multibody systems dynamics disciplines, present a forum for facilitating contacts among researchers and students mainly in South American countries, and serve as a joint conference for the IFToMM and FeIbIM communities.

Due to their rare combination of high chemical stability, exceptional optical and electrical properties, high surface-to-volume ratio, and high aspect ratio, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have made an enormous impact on materials science, molecular biology, biomedicine, and bioanalytical chemistry. Carbon Nanotubes: Methods and Protocols provides reliable, consistent protocols on the application of CNTs in molecular biology-related fields. These are of vital importance, as the commercially available CNTs differ in purity, agglomeration state, as well as length and diameter distribution, all of which have a profound influence on the dispersability and surface properties of the tubes. The volume contains detailed sections on functionalization, toxicity, trafficking, scaffolds, and biosensors, provided by expert researchers from various fields. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Carbon Nanotubes: Methods and Protocols serves to contribute to the achievement of common standards and helps researchers to avoid discrepancies in future biology-related CNT studies.

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 novel and advanced technologies for medical sciences in order to solidify knowledge in the related fields and define their key stakeholders. The fifteen papers included in this book were written by invited experts of international stature and address important technologies for medical sciences, including: computational modeling and simulation, image processing and analysis, medical imaging, human motion and posture, tissue engineering, design and development medical devices, and mechanic biology. Different applications are treated in such diverse fields as biomechanical studies, prosthesis and orthosis, medical diagnosis, sport, and virtual reality. This book is of interest to researchers, students and manufacturers from a wide range of disciplines related to bioengineering, biomechanics, computational mechanics, computational vision, human motion, mathematics, medical devices, medical image, medicine and physics.

Intensive investigations on nanoscale magnetism have promoted remarkable progressintechnologicalapplicationsofmagnetisminvariousareas.Thete- nical progress of recent years in the preparations of multilayer thin ?lms and nanowires led to the discovery of Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR), imp- ing an extraordinary change in the resistivity of the material by varying the applied external magnetic ?eld. The Nobel Prize for Physics in 2007 was awardedtoAlbertFertandPeterGrun ] bergfortheirdiscoveryofGMR.App- cations of this phenomenon have revolutionizedtechniques for retrieving data fromharddisks.Thediscoveryalsoplaysamajorroleinvariousmagnetics- sors as well as the development of a new generation of electronics. The use of GMRcanberegardedasoneofthe?rstmajorapplicationsofnanotechnology. The GMR materials have already found applications as sensors of low magnetic ?eld, a key component of computer hard disk heads, magnetores- tive RAM chips etc. The "read" heads for magnetic hard disk drives have allowed us to increase the storage density on a disk drive from 1 to 20 Gbit per square inch, merely by the incorporation of the new GMR materials. On the other hand, recently discovered giant magneto-impedance (GMI) mate- als look very promising in the development of a new generation of microwave band electronic devices (such as switches, attenuators, and antennas) which could be managed electrically."

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.

Optoelectronics--technology based on applications light such as micro/nano quantum electronics, photonic devices, laser for measurements and detection--has become an important field of research. Many applications and physical problems concerning optoelectronics are analyzed in Optical Waveguiding and Applied Photonics. The book is organized in order to explain how to implement innovative sensors starting from basic physical principles. Applications such as cavity resonance, filtering, tactile sensors, robotic sensor, oil spill detection, small antennas and experimental setups using lasers are analyzed. Innovative materials such as nanocomposites are characterized, designed, and applied in order to provide new ideas about detection principles. As with many electric circuitries, light applications and architectures suffer from noising due to physical and transmission connections. The book illustrates some examples for practical issues. The theory and the nanotechnology facilities provide important tools for researchers working with sensing applications.