This book introduces a passivity-based approach which simplifies the controller design task for AC-motors. It presents the application of this novel approach to several classes of AC motors, magnetic levitation systems, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and rigid robot manipulators actuated by AC motors. The novel passivity-based approach exploits the fact that the natural energy exchange existing between the mechanical and the electrical subsystems allows the natural cancellation of several high order terms during the stability analysis. This allows the authors to present some of the simplest controllers proposed in scientific literature, but provided with formal stability proofs. These simple control laws will be of use to practitioners as they are robust with respect to numerical errors and noise amplification, and are provided with tuning guidelines. Energy-based Control of Electromechanical Systems is intended for both theorists and practitioners. Therefore, the stability proofs are not based on abstract mathematical ideas but Lyapunov stability theory. Several interpretations of the proofs are given along the body of the book using simple energy ideas and the complete proofs are included in appendices. The complete modeling of each motor studied is also presented, allowing for a thorough understanding. Advances in Industrial Control reports and encourages the transfer of technology in control engineering. The rapid development of control technology has an impact on all areas of the control discipline. The series offers an opportunity for researchers to present an extended exposition of new work in all aspects of industrial control.

This informative book compiles the most up-to-date applications of nanobiosensors in fields ranging from agriculture to medicine. The introductory section describes different types of nanobiosensors and use of nanobiosensors towards a sustainable environment. The applications are divided into four broad sections for easy reading and understanding. The book discusses how manipulation, control and integration of atoms and molecules are used to form materials, structures, devices and systems in nano-scale. Chapters in the book shed light on the use of nanosensors in diagnostics and medical devices. Application in food processing as well as in cell signaling is also described. Nanobiosensors have immense use, and this book captures the most important ones.

This book provides comprehensive coverage of the most recent progress and developments in the field of magnetic nanoparticles, with special emphasis on new materials design approaches for magnetic nanoarchitectures, advanced characterization techniques, and a wide range of applications areas including permanent magnets, biomedicine, and life sciences. The book also features an exhaustive section on fundamentals, covering single particle effects, surface effects, and interparticle interactions. The book delivers a strong focus throughout on the multidisciplinarity of the subject spanning physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, medicine, and environmental science. This forward-looking contributed volume highlights future perspectives and areas of emerging research, and will be of great interest to advanced undergraduates, as well as researchers in academia and industry.

Wireless Sensor Networks presents a comprehensive and tightly organized compilation of chapters that surveys many of the exciting research developments taking place in this field. Chapters are written by several of the leading researchers exclusively for this book. Authors address many of the key challenges faced in the design, analysis and deployment of wireless sensor networks. Included is coverage of low-cost sensor devices equipped with wireless interfaces, sensor network protocols for large scale sensor networks, data storage and compression techniques, security architectures and mechanisms, and many practical applications that relate to use in environmental, military, medical, industrial and home networks. The book is organized into six parts starting with basic concepts and energy efficient hardware design principles. The second part addresses networking protocols for sensor networks and describes medium access control, routing and transport protocols. In addition to networking, data management is an important challenge given the high volumes of data that are generated by sensor nodes. deals with security protocols and mechanisms for wireless sensor networks. Sensor network localization systems and network management techniques are covered in Part V. The final part focuses on target detection and habitat monitoring applications of sensor networks. This book is intended for researchers starting work in the field and for practitioners seeking a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of building a sensor network. It is also an invaluable reference resource for all wireless network professionals.

This book includes representative research from the state-of-the-art in the emerging field of soft robotics, with a special focus on bioinspired soft robotics for underwater applications. Topics include novel materials, sensors, actuators, and system design for distributed estimation and control of soft robotic appendages inspired by the octopus and seastar. It summarizes the latest findings in an emerging field of bioinspired soft robotics for the underwater domain, primarily drawing from (but not limited to) an ongoing research program in bioinspired autonomous systems sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. The program has stimulated cross-disciplinary research in biology, material science, computational mechanics, and systems and control for the purpose of creating novel robotic appendages for maritime applications. The book collects recent results in this area.

This book highlights a novel and holistic approach to multiscaled PVA bionanocomposite films used for electrical sensing, medical and packaging applications. With a combination of material characterization and modeling to understand the effect of nanoparticle size and shape, as well as 3D interphase properties and features such as interphase modulus and nanoscale dimensions, this book substantiates how excellent mechanical and thermal properties of these materials are achieved. Also it addresses the importance of using economical and ecofriendly bionanocomposites as potential green materials to support the goal of environmental sustainability with multifunctional properties.

This book covers remarkable contemporary nanomaterials such as carbon nanomaterials, nanoclays, quantum dots, MXene, and metal-organic frameworks. Each chapter discusses the synthesis techniques, characterization methods, properties, and the nanomaterials' use in different aspects of biomedical, energy, polymers, material construction, biosensors, coatings, and catalysis. Moreover, commercialization challenges and environmental risks of nanomaterials are also covered in depth. The book provides an understanding of the fundamental properties, limitations and challenges in nanomaterials synthesis, serving as a valuable resource for researchers, graduate students, academicians, and consultants working with nanomaterials for engineering applications.

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 provides a single-source reference on carbon nanotubes for interconnect applications. It presents the recent advances in modelling and challenges of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based VLSI interconnects. Starting with a background of carbon nanotubes and interconnects, this book details various aspects of CNT interconnect models, the design metrics of CNT interconnects, crosstalk analysis of recently proposed CNT interconnect structures, and geometries. Various topics covered include the use of semiconducting CNTs around metallic CNTs, CNT interconnects with air gaps, use of emerging ultra low-k materials and their integration with CNT interconnects, and geometry-based crosstalk reduction techniques. This book will be useful for researchers and design engineers working on carbon nanotubes for interconnects for both 2D and 3D integrated circuits.

This book gives an overview of nanostructures and nanomaterials applied in the fields of energy and organic electronics. It combines the knowledge from advanced deposition and processing methods of nanomaterials such as laser-based growth and nanopatterning and state-of-the-art characterization techniques with special emphasis on the optical, electrical, morphological, surface and mechanical properties. Furthermore it contains theoretical and experimental aspects for different types of nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanotubes and thin films for organic electronics applications. The international group of authors specifically chosen for their distinguished expertise belong to the academic and industrial world in order to provide a broader perspective. The authors take an interdisciplinary approach of physics, chemistry, engineering, materials science and nanotechnology. It appeals to researchers and graduate students.

This volume gathers the proceedings of the Joint International Conference of the XIII International Conference on Mechanisms and Mechanical Transmissions (MTM) and the XXIV International Conference on Robotics (Robotics), held in Timisoara, Romania. It addresses the applications of mechanisms and transmissions in several modern technical fields such as mechatronics, biomechanics, machines, micromachines, robotics and apparatus. In doing so, it combines theoretical findings and experimental testing. The book presents peer-reviewed papers written by researchers specialized in mechanism analysis and synthesis, dynamics of mechanisms and machines, mechanical transmissions, biomechanics, precision mechanics, mechatronics, micromechanisms and microactuators, computational and experimental methods, CAD in mechanism and machine design, mechanical design of robot architecture, parallel robots, mobile robots, micro and nano robots, sensors and actuators in robotics, intelligent control systems, biomedical engineering, teleoperation, haptics, and virtual reality.

This book is an effort to tether all the exuberant observations on adding nanomaterial in the TPE matrix. With an enhanced processing property along with amplified recyclability and reprocessing feature, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) proves to be one of the most significant polymeric materials till date. As the scientific world evolves, these advanced materials have attuned themselves with various anisotropic nanomaterials to induce an enhanced property effect on the final product. On an additional note, authors have done extensive research on graphene, the most multifaceted element in the filler family keeping TPE and its derivate as the matrix martial. Cogitating the idea of a multidimensional readership, authors have analyzed the synthesis, derivatization, and properties of graphene and its derivatives separately. Apart from reviewing the future prospects and the potential application of these nano-filled advanced materials, they have kept the structure-property relationship of graphene-based composites at the cynosure to provide firm understanding on the blossoming of these elastomeric composites. The authors believe this book is a potential content for both professionals and academicians.

This book brings together investigations which combine theoretical and experimental results related to such systems as flexure hinges and compliant mechanisms for precision applications, the non-linear analytical modeling of compliant mechanisms, mechanical systems using compliance as a bipedal robot and reconfigurable tensegrity systems and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) as energy efficient micro-robots, microscale force compensation, magnetoelectric micro-sensors, acoustical actuators and the wafer bonding as a key technology for the MEMS fabrication. The volume gathers twelve contributions presented at the 5th Conference on Microactuators, Microsensors and Micromechanisms (MAMM), held in Ilmenau, Germany in November 2020. The aim of the conference was to provide a special opportunity for a know-how exchange and collaboration in various disciplines concerning systems pertaining to micro-technology. The conference was organized under the patronage of IFToMM (International Federation for the Promotion of Mechanism and Machine Science).

Thin Film Magnetoresistive Sensors presents a comprehensive review of thin film magnetoresistive (MR) sensors, including the theory of MR effects as well as the design, fabrication, properties, and applications of MR sensors. With over 1,000 references, the book fully reviews the theory, development, and use of these sensors. It provides essential information about the performance of various kinds of sensors, including permalloy magnetoresistors, spin valve sensors, multilayer sensors, colossal effect sensors, spin dependent tunneling sensors, and magnetoimpedance sensors.
Divided into three independent parts, the book first concentrates on the most widely used sensors-anisotropic magnetoresistive sensors (AMR). The second part deals with giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors, including those still in development. In the third section, the book describes the applications of MR sensors, especially in data storage systems, industrial measurements, and nondestructive material testing systems.

This book presents new data on combustion processes for practical applications, discussing fire safety issues in the development of flame arresters and the use of noble metals in hydrogen recombiners for nuclear power plants. It establishes the basic principles of production of metal nanostructures, namely nanopowders of metals and compact products made of them, with the preservation of the unique properties of nanoproducts.

This book discusses the basic theoretical model and implementation method of intelligent machining technology and promotes the application of intelligent machining technology in the manufacturing of complex aviation components, such as aero-engine blisk, casing parts and blades. It not only presents the fundamental theory of intelligent machining, but also provides detailed examples of applications in the aviation industry.The topics covered include intelligent programming, intelligent processing models, process monitoring, machining process control, intelligent fixtures and applications in aviation components machining.This book is intended for researchers, engineers and postgraduate students in fields of manufacturing, mechatronics, mechanical engineering and related areas.

This book deals with the electro-chemo-mechanical properties characteristic of and unique to solid electrode surfaces, covering interfacial electrochemistry and surface science. Electrochemical reactions such as electro-sorption, electro-deposition or film growth on a solid electrode induce changes in surface stress or film stress that lead to transformation of the surface phase or alteration of the surface film. The properties of solid electrode surfaces associated with the correlation between electrochemical and mechanical phenomena are named "electro-chemo-mechanical properties". The book first derives the surface thermodynamics of solid electrodes as fundamentals for understanding the electro-chemo-mechanical properties. It also explains the powerful techniques for investigating the electro-chemo-mechanical properties, and reviews the arguments for derivation of surface thermodynamics of solid electrodes. Further, based on current experimental findings and theories, it discusses the importance of the contribution of surface stress to the transformation of surface phases, such as surface reconstruction and underpotential deposition in addition to the stress evolution during film growth and film reduction. Moreover, the book describes the nano-mechanical properties of solid surfaces measured by nano-indentation in relation to the electro-chemo-mechanical properties. This book makes a significant contribution to the further development of numerous fields, including electrocatalysis, materials science and corrosion science.

This book delves into the field of immobilizing biologically active and non-active molecules. It discusses the designing strategy of immobilization and the current state-of-the-art applications for advancing biomedical, agricultural, environmental and industrial practices. It focuses on aspects ranging from fundamental principles to current technological advances at multi-scale levels (macro, micro, and nano) which are suitable for cell, enzyme, and nano-catalyst based applications. Written by experts from across the globe, the contents deal with illustrated examples of molecular and cellular interactions with materials/scaffolds and discussions on factors that can affect the functionality and yield of the process. With its discussions on material science, design of delivery vehicles, separation science, additive manufacturing, agriculture and environmental science, this book will be a useful reference for researchers across multiple disciplines.

In 1933, the Ingersoll-Waterbury Company produced a round Mickey Mouse wristwatch that is considered to be the first comic character watch. It started a movement that has continued for ninety years and shows little sign of letting up. This new and delightful book covers the history of character timepieces from the earliest clocks to the present day quartz wristwatches. With hundreds of beautiful color photographs it is a celebration of American imagination and artistry. Nearly every character watch from 1933 to 1972 is included, with some that have never before been reproduced in print. From 1972 to the present a wide selection of some of the best and most desirable of the 5000+ watches produced will jump off the page at you. Also covered are packaging, advertisements, and some of the ephemera developed with the watches. Organized chronologically, the book is divided into nine chapters. While principally concerned with wristwatches, each chapter also deals with pocket watches and clocks. The examples in the chapter are arranged alphabetically for each reference. At the end of each chapter is a section of lists to help the collector start his collection. A value guide is included. This book is written to enlighten, illuminate, and induce others to enjoy the comic watch hobby. A fun but important book for serious collectors, watch dealers, and students of Americana.

The original role of RP was to confirm the shape and feel of concept design, but innovations in RP now allow for the development of sophisticated medical devices such as catheters, stents, drug delivery systems, syringes and cardio-vascular devices, and more. RP has moved beyond medical devices, as surgeons now regularly use RP models to brainstorm strategies for surgeries. This book presents new uses for rapid prototyping in state-of-the-art medical applications.

The many intriguing examples on the application of mechatronics reinforce the excitement of this creative field of technology. As a collection they present a stimulating resource to developers of future mechatronics technology, and to educators searching for interesting examples. From structured-light measurement of the build-up of detritus on railway bogies and detection of uncracked spores of Chinese medicine to a practical tractor vision guidance system embedded in a smart-phone application, the practical applications of mechatronics and machine vision abound. Fruits are counted on the tree, pasture biomass is measured and a robot collects camel dung as a resource. 3D printing is in vogue, but papers here discuss the construction and strategy of the printer itself. The measurement and analysis of myoelectric muscle signals enable a prosthesis to be controlled and a feeding robot is used for patient care. An exoskeleton has both soft and rigid links and an optical sensor analyses the tissue into which a surgical needle is being inserted. These are some of the papers in this collection from the 26th annual conference on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice, carefully selected to exclude papers that are merely theoretical and to highlight those that show practical verification. Papers have been contributed from China, New Zealand, the Philippines, Emirates, Germany and of course Australia.

Twenty-five years ago, micro- and nanotechnology were barely in their infancy. Today, technological advancements at the lower end of the nanoscale have radically changed the field of medicine, allowing for innovative and more personalized approaches to numerous pathologies. The initial cascade of advancements was triggered by the herculean efforts of a few pioneers in the field. Dr. Mauro Ferrari is one such visionary; his work over the past two decades has set the stage for medical innovation through nanotechnology. Written by world-renowned experts in the field, this book pays tribute to Dr. Mauro Ferrari's vast contribution to the field of nanotechnology and nanomedicine. It covers the multifaceted and fundamental aspects of biomedical research, including technological innovation, ethics, patient advocacy, and clinical translation, all areas where Dr. Ferrari's contribution has been and continue to be fundamental. Additionally, it presents recent advances in micro- and nanotechnologies. Chapter 2 and Chapters 9 through 27 were originally published in Biomedical Microdevices in the Topical Collection "Biomedical Micro-Nanotechnologies toward Translation"

This thesis builds on recent innovations in multi-phase emulsion droplet design to demonstrate that emulsion morphologies enable a useful variety of dynamic optical phenomena. Despite the highly dynamic nature of fluid morphologies and their utility for stimuli-responsive, dynamic optical materials and devices, fluid matter is underrepresented in optical technology. Using bi-phase emulsion droplets as refractive micro-optical components, this thesis realizes micro-scale fluid compound lenses with optical properties that vary in response to changes in chemical concentrations, structured illumination, and thermal gradients. Theoretical considerations of emulsions as optical components are used to explain a previously unrecognized total internal reflection-enabled light interference phenomenon in emulsion droplets that results in rich structural coloration. While this work is focused on the fundamental optics of emulsion droplets, it also facilitates the use of light-emitting emulsion morphologies as chemo-optical transducers for early-stage food-borne pathogen detection. This thesis beautifully demonstrates the virtue of fundamental interdisciplinary exploration of unconventional material systems at the interface of optics, chemistry, and materials science, and the benefits arising from translation of the acquired knowledge into specific application scenarios.

This book highlights the latest advances in bioMEMS for biosensing applications. It comprehensively reviews different detection methods, including colorimetric, fluorescence, luminescence, bioluminescence, chemiluminescence, biochemiluminescence, and electrochemiluminescence, and presents various bioMEMS for each, together with recent examples. The book also offers an overview of the history of BioMEMS and the design and manufacture of the first bioMEMS-based devices.

This book discusses key techniques of protection and fault ride-through in VSC-HVDC grids, including high-speed selective protection, DC fault current limitation, converter restarting, and DCCB reclosing strategies. It investigates how high-speed transient-variable-based protection can be used to improve grids' acting sensitivity, acting reliability, and ability to withstand high transition resistance compared with traditional protection. In addition, it discusses the applicability of the pilot protections, including the current differential protection and travelign-wave based protection, in the dc grid, as well as the improved methods. Furthermore, it proposes several DC FCL topologies, which are suitable for DC grids. Lastly, in the context of overhead line application conditions, it explores converter restarting and DCCB reclosing strategies, which not only identify the fault property, but also limit the secondary damage to the system, improving the system's operation security and reliability. As such, the book offers a comprehensive overview of original and advanced methods and techniques for the protection of VSC-HVDC grids.