Do you know that black holes can affect time? that Stonehenge is a giant calendar? that the Oracle Bones of the North China Plain predict the phases of the moon? that the Pyramids are giant compasses? how Jonathan Swift knew that Mars had two moons when he wrote Gulliver's Travels? that the effects of black holes are described in the story of Alice in Wonderland? that an atomic reactor existed 2 billion years ago in Equatorial Africa? that an electron on the other side of the galaxy can deflect a billiard ball? that Schr dingers cat is both alive and dead? Derek York fathoms these and many other mysteries of time and space in In Search of Lost Time. A reflection of York's obsession with time and its measurement, the book discusses the mind-bending universe of the special and general theories of relativity, the ghostly world of quantum mechanics, and the unpredictable haunts of chaos. It explores the pyramids of Egypt, Stonehenge, and the South China plain; the universities of Cambridge, McGill, and Chicago; the Patent Office in Berne; and back to the Ethiopian desert on the banks of the Awash River. Companions to share and illuminate the path range from Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels and Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland to J.B. Priestley's Dangerous Corner. It also presents the father of master-spy Kim Philby in the Empty Quarter of Arabia, the fantasist Velikovsky in the clouds, and Newton, Darwin, Rutherford, Einstein and the great Earth scientists of this century who fathomed the depths of lost time and discovered the age of the Earth. Written in an engaging, nontechnical style, this book will delight and amaze all who encounter it.

The tenth anniversary edition of the dramatic human story of an epic scientific quest: the search for the solution of how to calculate longitude and the unlikely triumph of an English genius. With a new Foreword by the celebrated astronaut Neil Armstrong. 'Sobel has done the impossible and made horology sexy - no mean feat' New Scientist Anyone alive in the 18th century would have known that 'the longitude problem' was the thorniest scientific dilemma of the day - and had been for centuries. Lacking the ability to measure their longitude, sailors throughout the great ages of exploration had been literally lost at sea as soon as they lost sight of land. Thousands of lives, and the increasing fortunes of nations, hung on a resolution. The quest for a solution had occupied scientists and their patrons for the better part of two centuries when, in 1714, Parliament upped the ante by offering a king's ransom (GBP20,000) to anyone whose method or device proved successful. Countless quacks weighed in with preposterous suggestions. The scientific establishment throughout Europe - from Galileo to Sir Isaac Newton - had mapped the heavens in both hemispheres in its certain pursuit of a celestial answer. In stark contrast, one man, John Harrison, dared to imagine a mechanical solution. Full of heroism and chicanery, brilliance and the absurd, LONGITUDE is also a fascinating brief history of astronomy, navigation and clockmaking.

This book covers several futuristic computing technologies like quantum computing, quantum-dot cellular automata, DNA computing, and optical computing. In turn, it explains them using examples and tutorials on a CAD tool that can help beginners get a head start in QCA layout design. It discusses research on the design of circuits in quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) with the objectives of obtaining low-complexity, robust designs for various arithmetic operations. The book also investigates the systematic reduction of majority logic in the realization of multi-bit adders, dividers, ALUs, and memory.

This textbook is about economically competitive renewable energy sources (RES), including onshore and offshore wind, solar and small-hydro plants, and focusing on the electricity production from these sources. Clearly divided into sections discussing the different RES, the textbook begins with an introduction of AC electrical circuits, aimed at non-electrical engineers. It then offers an economic assessment of renewable energy projects, before discussing photovoltaic technologies and concentrated solar power. It explores the theory of wind to power conversion, electrical generator types and electrical part of offshore systems. Presenting theoretical concepts related to the electrical framework associated with RES, alongside examples and solved problems, this book will clearly introduce the topic of renewable power sources to graduate students, researchers and practitioners alike. After reading the book, readers will be equipped to make a preliminary techno-economic assessment of a RES.

The phenomena of Japan emerging as one of the most competitive industrial nations in the twentieth century and the general shift of competitiveness to East Asia since the 1980s have been widely studied by many scholars from different fields of the social sciences. Drawing on sources from Japanese, Swiss, and American archives, the historical analysis of this book tackles a wide range of actors and sheds light on the various processes that enabled Japanese watch companies to transfer technology and expand commercially starting in the second half of the nineteenth century. By exploring the case of the watch industry, this book serves to establish a better understanding of the origins of the competitiveness of Japanese manufacturing and its evolution until its decline in the post-bubble economy (in the 1990s and 2000s).

This book presents how metasurfaces are exploited to develop new low-cost single sensor based multispectral cameras. Multispectral cameras extend the concept of conventional colour cameras to capture images with multiple color bands and with narrow spectral passbands. Images from a multispectral camera can extract significant amount of additional information that the human eye or a normal camera fails to capture and thus have important applications in precision agriculture, forestry, medicine, object identifications, and classifications. Conventional multispectral cameras are made up of multiple image sensors each externally fitted with a narrow passband wavelength filters, optics and multiple electronics. The need for multiple sensors for each band results in a number of problems such as being bulky, power hungry and suffering from image co-registration problems which in turn limits their wide usage. The above problems can be eliminated if a multispectral camera is developed using one single image sensor.

Part I introduces the basic "Principles and Methods of Force Measurement" according to a classification into a dozen of force transducerstypes: resistive, inductive, capacitive, piezoelectric, electromagnetic, electrodynamic, magnetoelastic, galvanomagnetic (Hall-effect), vibrating wires, (micro)resonators, acoustic and gyroscopic. Two special chapters refer to force balance techniques and to combined methods in force measurement. Part II discusses the "(Strain Gauge) Force Transducers Components", evolving from the classical force transducer to the digital / intelligent one, with the incorporation of three subsystems (sensors, electromechanics and informatics). The elastic element (EE) is the "heart" of the force transducer and basically determines its performance. A 12-type elastic element classification is proposed (stretched / compressed column or tube, bending beam, bending and/or torsion shaft, middle bent bar with fixed ends, shear beam, bending ring, yoke or frame, diaphragm, axial-stressed torus, axisymmetrical and voluminous EE), with emphasis on the optimum place of the strain gauges. The main properties of the associated Wheatstone bridge, best suited for the parametrical transducers, are examined, together with the appropriate electronic circuits for SGFTs. The handbook fills a gap in the field of Force Measurement, both experts and newcomers, no matter of their particular interest, finding a lot of useful and valuable subjects in the area of Force Transducers; in fact, it is the first specialized monograph in this inter- and multidisciplinary field.

This book provides a powerful source to develop new, rapid and highly efficient materials for the application in various fields of oil and gas. It focuses on the synthesis, characterization and applications of various Nanomaterials, presenting the state-of-the-art in developments and innovations in nanocomposites. This book provides the complete practical and theoretical information about the synthesis of nanoparticles with potential use in the field of oil and gas.

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.

This book presents quantum phononics as an exciting new field of research, and introduces readers to the quantum nature of phonons and their application to quantum technologies. Both the theory of and recent experiments in "quantum phononics," involving e.g. coherent phonons, phonon squeezing, coherent control, and phonon quantum technologies, are presented. The theoretical background of the generation and detection of phonons is described in a way that will be easy to understand for graduate students and experimental scientists who are newcomers to the field. Moreover, the book focuses on coherent phonons produced by ultrafast laser pulses, which can be used for the coherent control of atomic motions in solids and phase transformation. The laser-matter interaction is treated using a density matrix formalism of the time-dependent Schroeedinger equation. In addition, the third-order nonlinear optical response of condensed matter is also described.

This book presents selected peer-reviewed contributions from the 2019 International Conference on "Physics and Mechanics of New Materials and Their Applications", PHENMA 2019 (Hanoi, Vietnam, 7-10 November, 2019), divided into four scientific themes: processing techniques, physics, mechanics, and applications of advanced materials. The book describes a broad spectrum of promising nanostructures, crystals, materials and composites with special properties. It presents nanotechnology approaches, modern environmentally friendly techniques and physical-chemical and mechanical studies of the structural-sensitive and physical-mechanical properties of materials. The obtained results are based on new achievements in material sciences and computational approaches, methods and algorithms (in particular, finite-element and finite-difference modeling) applied to the solution of different technological, mechanical and physical problems. The obtained results have a significant interest for theory, modeling and test of advanced materials. Other results are devoted to promising devices demonstrating high accuracy, longevity and new opportunities to work effectively under critical temperatures and high pressures, in aggressive media, etc. These devices demonstrate improved comparative characteristics, caused by developed materials and composites, allowing investigation of physio-mechanical processes and phenomena based on scientific and technological progress.

Today, biosensors are broadly applied in research, clinical diagnosis and monitoring, as well as in pharmaceutical, environmental or food analysis. In this work, the author presents the essentials that advanced students and researchers need to know in order to make full use of this technology. This includes a description of biochemical recognition elements, such as enzymes, antibodies, aptamers or even whole cells. Various signal transducers such as electrochemical and optical transducers, luminescence devices and advanced techniques such as quartz crystal microbalances and MEMS systems are covered as well. Current applications are introduced through various case studies, rounded out by a forward-looking chapter on the prospects for biosensor development offered by nanotechnology, lab-on-a-chip, and biomimetic systems.

Navitimer. A mysterious name at first glance. It is in fact a contraction of two words, which correspond to the two major functions of a revolutionary watch: NAVIgation and TIMER. A chronograph designed for airborne navigation. But much more than that, an exceptional destiny, shaped by extraordinary and visionary actors. From the very beginning of its existence, in 1884, Breitling specialised in time measurement, namely the design of timers and chronographs. It was in the 1930s that the foundations of a close relationship with the world of aviation and aeronautics were laid, under the aegis of Willy Breitling. These ties have remained unbroken ever since. In 1952, in collaboration with the AOPA, the largest aeronautical association of the time, Breitling launched the development of the Navitimer, which offered what no other watch manufacturer had ever proposed: a chronograph combined with a slide rule for aircraft pilots. The Navitimer was available only to AOPA members in 1954, and then marketed to the general public in 1955. For 70 years now, the Navitimer has enjoyed glory, flown into space and weathered crises, integrating numerous evolutions without ever losing its original DNA. It has appealed to several generations of professionals, celebrities and lovers of exceptional watches, undoubtedly earning its status as an icon of watchmaking history. This second book in the Watch Stories series, dedicated to the history of emblematic timepieces, traces its heroic and unique destiny from its creation to the current models.

This book includes both theoretical conceptualization and practical applications in the fields of product design, architecture, engineering, and materials. The book aimed to inspire scholars and professionals to look at nature as a source of inspiration for developing new project solutions. Moreover, being one of the literature's first direct associations of bionics with sustainability, the book can be used as a reference for those who seek to know more about the theory of bioinspired applications, as well as new technologies, methods, materials, and processes.

This book serves as a quick guide on the latest material systems including their synthesis, fabrication and characterization techniques. It discusses recent developments in different material systems and discusses their novel applications in various branches of science and engineering. The book briefs latest computational tools and techniques that are used to discover new material systems. The book also briefs applications of new emerging materials in various fields including, healthcare, sensors, opto-electronics, high power devices and nano-electronics. This book helps to create a synergy between computational and experimental research methods to better understand a particular material system.

This book analyzes the thermal characteristics of power electronic devices (PEDs) with a focus on those used in wind and solar energy systems. The authors focus on the devices used in such applications, for example boost converters and inverters under different operating conditions. The book explains in detail finite element modeling techniques, setting up measuring systems, data analysis, and PEDs' lifetime calculations. It is appropriate reading for graduate students and researchers who focus on the design and reliability of power electronic devices.

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 presents a range of low-dimensional superlattice thermoelectric materials based on physical vapor deposition (PVD) methods and explores various material types, thicknesses, and processing conditions. With the advances made in the performance of semiconductor thermoelectric materials and the efficiency of thermoelectric devices in recent years, thermoelectric power generation systems are likely to replace traditional mechanical heat engines, offering an environmentally friendlier alternative. The use of low-dimensional, nanostructured materials can significantly increase the density of states near the Fermi level and greatly improve the thermoelectric properties of materials. In addition, the book demonstrates that it is possible to influence thermoelectric performance, establish more accurate mathematical models through the regulation of relevant parameters, and ultimately improve the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT).

This book summarizes the application of linear algebra-based controllers (LABC) for trajectory tracking for practitioners and students across a range of engineering disciplines. It clarifies the necessary steps to apply this straight-forward technique to a non-linear multivariable system, dealing with continuous or discrete time models, and outlines the steps to implement such controllers. In this book, the authors present an approach of the trajectory tracking problem in systems with dead time and in the presence of additive uncertainties and environmental disturbances. Examples of applications of LABC to systems in real operating conditions (mobile robots, marine vessels, quadrotor and pvtol aircraft, chemical reactors and First Order Plus Dead Time systems) illustrate the controller design in such a way that the reader attains an understanding of LABC.

The book deals with intelligent control of mobile robots, presenting the state-of-the-art in the field, and introducing new control algorithms developed and tested by the authors. It also discusses the use of artificial intelligent methods like neural networks and neuraldynamic programming, including globalised dual-heuristic dynamic programming, for controlling wheeled robots and robotic manipulators,and compares them to classical control methods.

This book presents fabrication approaches that could be adapted for the high-throughput and low-cost manufacturing of the proposed transparent electrode. It proposes and demonstrates a new type of embedded metal-mesh transparent electrode (EMTE) that offers superior electrical, optical, and mechanical properties. The structure of the EMTE allows thick metal mesh to be used (for high conductivity) without sacrificing surface smoothness. In addition, the embedded structure improves the EMTE's mechanical stability under high bending stress, as well as its chemical stability in ambient environments. These design aspects are then shown to be suitable for larger electrode areas, narrower metal-mesh line widths, and a wide range of materials, and can easily be adapted to produce flexible and even stretchable devices. In closing, the book explores the practical applications of EMTEs in flexible bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells and transparent thin-film heaters, demonstrating their outstanding performance.

Have you ever puzzled over how to perform Boolean logic at the atomic scale? Or wondered how you can carry out more general calculations in one single molecule or using a surface dangling bond atomic scale circuit? This volume gives you an update on the design of single molecule devices, such as recitfiers, switches and transistors, more advanced semi-classical and quantum boolean gates integrated in a single molecule or constructed atom by atom on a passivated semi-conductor surface and describes their interconnections with adapted nano-scale wiring. The main contributors to the field of single molecule logic gates and surface dangling bond atomic scale circuits theory and design, were brought together for the first time to contribute on topics such as molecule circuits, surface dangling bond circuits, quantum controlled logic gates and molecular qubits. Contributions in this volume originate from the Barcelona workshop of the AtMol conference series, held from January 12-13 2012.

For all the interest that wireless sensor networks have created over the past decade, there are few examples to show that they are truly delivering on this promise and anticipation. What is missing? Deviating from the usual focus on routing and energy efficiency, Building Sensor Networks: From Design to Applications attempts to stitch together the path from conceptual development of applications, on one end, to actual complete applications at the other. With this change in perspective, the book examines important facets of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) that are not often discussed in the literature. From Design Practices to the Networking Protocols that Glue Applications Together Organized into three sections, the book presents insights from international experts representing both industry and academia. The first section, on design practices, explores alternative ways to approach the tasks of developing a suitable WSN solution to an application and assisting that development in a manner that is not necessarily tied to a particular application. The second section, on networking protocols, illustrates the impact of the intermediaries-the "glue" of putting applications together. Chapters look at ways to address traffic, delays in network clustering, and the coexistence of a WSN with other systems on a frequency band. The final section of the book delves into experiences with applications in chemical sensing, defense, global trade and security, and ecosystem monitoring. Although these applications may fail the purist definition of an ideal WSN, they offer valuable lessons for the future development and deployment of WSNs. Challenge Your Thinking about Designing WSN Applications Emphasizing the need to build applications, the contributors present examples of what applications of WSNs could look like and identify the constraints. Throughout, the book challenges and illuminates your thinking about how to tame the complexity of designing a WSN application. It is essential reading for anyone interested in future wireless technologies.

This book proposes a thorough introduction for a varied audience. The reader will master London theory and the Pippard equations, and go on to understand type I and type II superconductors (their thermodynamics, magnetic properties, vortex dynamics, current transport...), Cooper pairs and the results of BCS theory. By studying coherence and flux quantization he or she will be lead to the Josephson effect which, with the SQUID, is a good example of the applications. The reader can make up for any gaps in his knowledge with the use of the appendices, follow the logic behind each model, and assimilate completely the underlying concepts. Approximately 250 illustrations help in developing a thorough understanding. This volume is aimed towards masters and doctoral students, as well as advanced undergraduates, teachers and researchers at all levels coming from a broad range of subjects (chemistry, physics, mechanical and electrical engineering, materials science...). Engineers working in industry will have a useful introduction to other more applied or specialized material. Philippe Mangin is emeritus professor of physics at Mines Nancy Graduate School of Science, Engineering and Management of the University of Lorraine, and researcher at the Jean Lamour Institute in France. He is the former director of both the French neutron scattering facility, Leon Brillouin Laboratory in Orsay, and the Material Physics Laboratory in Nancy, and has taught superconductivity to a broad audience, in particular to engineering students. Remi Kahn is a retired senior research scientist of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA-Saclay). He worked at the Leon Brillouin Laboratory and was in charge of the experimental areas of INB 101 (the Orphee research reactor). This work responded to the need to bring an accessible account suitable for a wide spectrum of scientists and engineers.

The best-selling Distributed Sensor Networks became the definitive guide to understanding this far-reaching technology. Preserving the excellence and accessibility of its predecessor, Distributed Sensor Networks, Second Edition once again provides all the fundamentals and applications in one complete, self-contained source. Ideal as a tutorial for students or as research material for engineers, the book gives readers up-to-date, practical insight on all aspects of the field. Revised and expanded, this second edition incorporates contributions from many veterans of the DARPA ISO SENSIT program as well as new material from distinguished researchers in the field. Image and Sensor Signal Processing focuses on software issues and the history and future of sensor networks. The book also covers information fusion and power management. Readers of this book may also be interested in Distributed Sensor Networks, Second Edition: Sensor Networking and Applications (ISBN: 9781439862872).