This textbook is written specifically for those studying and working in an engineering discipline. It will be an invaluable tool for the existing or aspirant engineer and engineering manager.

The text introduces the reader to management and related issues (for example law and economics), which are essential when dealing with customers, suppliers, contractors, accountants, lawyers, economists and managers, either inside or outside an organisation.

A book of business advice for small and medium sized companies engaged in the business of plastics injection molding. The custom injection molding business offers as many challenges as opportunities. It's a relatively modern manufacturing technology that has evolved extremely quickly from the 1940s to the present day. The technology is fraught with many variables in the process and materials used, and the direction of the industry will always be influenced by its diverse customer base. There are many books on the market which examine the technology, materials and markets. However, perhaps the biggest challenges for those in the business of injection molding are the "business" issues. One typical problem is that of creating a brand, to raise market awareness of your company when you don't essentially have a specific "product" that you sell directly to consumers. It can also be hard to know which customers are the "right" customers and how to sell to those customers. Molding companies are frequently small, and focused on getting today's order out through the door, rather than thinking about tomorrow or next year. This book examines these business issues and many more like them. History confirms that it's not easy. The author has thirty years experience of molding, having started in the industry before moving into trade journalism and also advising molders on sales and marketing. She has watched many companies come and go, but also observed the successes. In this concise and readable book she draws on all this experience, together with the advice she has received and provided. 17 chapters cover Managing Your Business, Understanding the Industry, Technological Challenges and Opportunities, and Planning for the Future. The book includes useful examples and case histories, together with information resources, practical suggestions, tools and action plans which can be adapted and applied in the reader's own business.

A practical study of the production and potential of multilayered plastic films This book is written for the industry professional engaged in the development, production or specification of multilayered films for packaging and other industrial applications. It will enable the reader to optimize product performance and evaluate the most cost effective solutions, with useful information on the key polymers and substrates used. Multilayer film structures provide properties and performance which could not be achieved by a single material, whilst also exploiting cheap and easily processed polymers. All three processes described can be used in their manufacture, and in combination they provide yet more options and benefits. One role of this book is to explain when each should be used. This is a practical process manual filled with useful advice for the processor seeking the optimum product, describing the effects of machine design, process variables and materials selection. There is sufficient theory for the student or industry newcomer who wishes to understand how the processes work. Designers and end-users will also find plenty of information on the properties and performance that can be obtained.

"Plastics - they are everywhere." The first sentence of this book hints at the problem it seeks to address. The shear diversity of plastics materials has led to their use in products as varied as disposable packaging, life-saving medical devices, giant wind-turbine blades and tiny electronic components. Their prices and properties vary as widely, and they can be moulded, extruded, blown, formed, and shaped in many other ways. Traditionally made from petrochemicals, designers can now also choose from a range of natural materials. Performance will depend on chemical constitution, but also on the selection of processing aids and property modifiers which can be added to the basic material. For years, people have asked for a simple book to help them understand this complex subject. This is that book Managers, sales personnel, industry newcomers, designers and end-users are all confronted with a bewildering range of technology and terminology by their colleagues, customers and suppliers. The Instant Expert: Plastics, Processing and Properties provides clear descriptions of the wide range of plastic materials, and explanations of the basic shaping and finishing processes. The author also talks about materials properties and testing, and provides some simple examples of why particular plastics are used in common or more challenging applications. Common abbreviations are explained. Readable from cover-to-cover, or easily referred to when questions arise, this book will be indispensible.

Unconventional Oilseeds and New Oil Sources: Chemistry and Analysis is presented in three parts, with each section dedicated to different types of oil sources. Part One deals with plants (vegetable, herbs, shrubs), such as Hibiscus, Mexican Poppy, Cucumber, Squashes, Sesame, etc. Part Two presents unconventional oils found in trees (like Balanites aegyptiaca, Annona squamosal and Catunaregam nilotica), and Part Three deals with new oils found in insects, as in the water melon bug and sorghum bug. This book will be of interest to researchers in oilseed production, research and development personnel, food scientists, plant breeders, product development personnel, and government agency personnel involved in the production, transportation, distribution, and processing of oilseeds.

Advances in Agronomy, Volume 143 continues to be recognized as a leading reference and first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. This latest release brings new and updated information on Soil: The Forgotten Piece of the Water, Food, Energy Nexus, Humin: Its Composition and Importance in Soil Organic Matter, the Effects of Drought Stress on Morpho-Physiological Traits, Biochemical Characteristics, Yield and Yield Components in Different Ploidy Wheat: A Meta-Analysis, and a section on the Delineation of Soil Management Zones for Variable Rate Fertilization - A Review. Each volume in this series contains an eclectic group of reviews by leading scientists throughout the world. As always, the subjects covered are rich, varied, and exemplary of the abundant subject matter addressed by this long-running serial.

Methods in Chemical Process Safety, Volume One publishes fully commissioned reviews across the field of process safety, risk assessment, and management and loss prevention, with this volume focusing on the process of learning from experience, elements of process safety management, human factors in the chemical process industries, and the regulation of chemical process safety, including current approaches and their effectiveness. Users will find an informative tool and user manual for process safety for both engineering researchers and practitioners that details the latest methods in the field of chemical process safety.

Handbook of Grape Processing By-Products explores the alternatives of upgrading production by-products, also denoting their industrial potential, commercial applications and sustainable solutions in the field of grape valorization and sustainable management in the wine industry. Covering the 12 top trending topics of winery sustainable management, emphasis is given to the current advisable practices in the field, general valorization techniques of grape processing by-products (e.g. vermi-composting, pyrolysis, re-utilization for agricultural purposes etc.), the newly introduced biorefinery concept, different techniques for the separation, extraction, recovery and formulation of polyphenols, and finally, the healthy components of grape by-products that lead to target applications in the pharmaceutical, enological, food and cosmetic sectors.

Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Volume 199, the latest release in a series that merges two long-running serials, Advances in Electronics and Electron Physics and Advances in Optical and Electron Microscopy features extended articles on the physics of electron devices (especially semiconductor devices). Specific topics include discussions on Micro-XRF in scanning electron microscopes, and an interesting take on the variational approach for simulation of equilibrium ion distributions in ion traps regarding Coulomb interaction, amongst others. Users will find a comprehensive resource on the most important aspects of particle optics at high and low energies, microlithography, image science and digital image processing. In addition, topics of interest, including electromagnetic wave propagation, electron microscopy, and the computing methods used in all these domains are presented and discussed.

Gibbs' Entropic Paradox and Problems of Separation Processes reviews the so-called Gibb's Paradox observed during the mixing of two systems. During the last 150 years, many physicists and specialists in thermodynamics, statistical and quantum mechanics been engaged in the solution of the Gibbs paradox. Many books and journal articles have written on this topic, but a widely accepted answer is still lacking. In this book, the author reviews and analyzes all this data. Based on findings, the book formulates a different approach to this paradox and substantiates it on the basis of physical and statistical principles. The book clearly shows that entropy consists of two parts, static and dynamic. Up to now, entropy has been connected only with the process dynamics. However, the Gibbs paradox is caused by the change in the static component of entropy. Finally, the book includes examples of separation processes and how to optimize them in various fields, including biology, cosmology, crystallography and the social sciences.

Now you can learn core concepts and applications of foundation analysis and design with Das/Sivakugan's best-selling PRINCIPLES OF FOUNDATION ENGINEERING, 9th Edition. Written specifically for undergraduate civil engineering students by renowned authors in the field of geotechnical engineering, this outstanding text provides an ideal balance between today's most current research and practical field applications. A wealth of worked-out examples and figures clearly illustrate the work of today's civil engineer, while timely information and insights help you develop the critical skills you need to properly apply theories and analysis as you evaluate soils and foundation design.

In the last few years the subject of polymer nanocomposites has become a major field of materials research, aiming to study and control the properties of materials at dimensions of a few hundred nanometres, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. Both academia and industry are investigating these materials for many potential applications. Polymer nanocomposites under optimum nanostructuring conditions have shown great improvements in mechanical, thermal, flame retardancy, gas barrier and other properties. In a rapidly advancing field there are already a number of books that examine the theory and developments in particular areas, but no book to date has addressed the current state of knowledge and diversity of applications from an industrial viewpoint. This new book from Plastics Information Direct aims to fill this gap, and demonstrate to an industrial audience the current scope and potential benefits of polymeric nanocomposite applications. The book focuses on the development of polymer nanocomposites for commercial applications, and there are contributions from the industry and academia, which will enable the reader to understand why nanocomposites are already finding applications in the automotive area, the army, aerospace applications, the wire and cable industry and other market segments. The fillers for nanocomposites, their processing and toxicology are also reviewed.

Microbiorobotics: Biologically Inspired Microscale Robotic Systems, Second Edition presents information on a new engineering discipline that takes a multidisciplinary approach to accomplish precise manipulation of microscale spaces. Microorganisms have evolved various mechanisms to thrive in microscale environments and are therefore a useful tool for use in many applications, ranging from micromanufacturing techniques, to cellular manipulation. In the context of microrobotics, biological microrobots can directly harness the microorganisms for propulsive and sensing power and synthetic microrobots can mimic the microorganisms' motions for effective locomotion. This second edition covers new advances and insights that have emerged in recent years. Several new chapters have been added on important new research areas, with existing chapters thoroughly revised. In particular, increased coverage is given to fluid dynamics of microswimmers in nature.

Handbook of Solid State Diffusion, Volume 2: Diffusion Analysis in Material Applications covers the basic fundamentals, techniques, applications, and latest developments in the area of solid-state diffusion, offering a pedagogical understanding for students, academicians, and development engineers. Both experimental techniques and computational methods find equal importance in the second of this two volume set. Volume 2 covers practical issues on diffusion phenomena in bulk, thin film, and in nanomaterials. Diffusion related problems and analysis of methods in industrial applications, such as electronic industry, high temperature materials, nuclear materials, and superconductor materials are discussed.

Enzymes as Sensors, Volume 589, the latest release in the Methods in Enzymology series, covers a variety of topics, including advances in genetically coded fluorescent sensors, enzymes as sensors, and bioapplications of electrochemical sensors and biosensors. Users will find a comprehensive discussion of timely topics that presents a micro-level delivery of specific content related to the study of enzymes in sensors. New to this edition are highly specialized chapters on integrated strategies for gaining a systems level view of dynamic signaling networks, sensitive protein detection and quantification in paper-based microfluidics for point-of-care, and microneedle enzyme sensor arrays for continuous in vivo monitoring. This state-of-the-art series is ideal for those interested in the latest information on enzymology, with this edition focusing on sensors and their role in enzymes.

Sweet Potato Processing Technology systematically introduces processing technologies of sweet potato starch and its series products including sweet potato protein, dietary fibers, pectin, granules, anthocyanins and chlorogenic acids. The book provides a detailed and comprehensive account of physicochemical and functional properties of sweet potato products, the nutritional components extracted from sweet potato, as well as their utilization in food, medicine and cosmetic fields. This book can provide the scientific basis and technical support for virtuous circle promotion and structure upgrade of sweet potato processing industry. This book will be a valuable reference for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as specialists and enterprise research staff in the field of food technology.

Quantifying and Managing Soil Functions in Earth's Critical Zone: Combining Experimentation and Mathematical Modelling, Volume 142, the latest in the Advances in Agronomy series continues its reputation as a leading reference and first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. Each volume contains an eclectic group of reviews by leading scientists throughout the world. Five volumes are published yearly, ensuring that the authors' contributions are disseminated to the readership in a timely manner. As always, the subjects covered are varied and exemplary of the myriad of subject matter dealt with by this long-running serial.

A Generalized Framework of Linear Multivariable Control proposes a number of generalized models by using the generalized inverse of matrix, while the usual linear multivariable control theory relies on some regular models. The book supports that in H-infinity control, the linear fractional transformation formulation is relying on the inverse of the block matrix. If the block matrix is not regular, the H-infinity control does not apply any more in the normal framework. Therefore, it is very important to relax those restrictions to generalize the classical notions and models to include some non-regular cases. This book is ideal for scholars, academics, professional engineer and students who are interested in control system theory.

Ticks of Trinidad and Tobago: An Overview explores tick species prevalent in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), their distribution, associated pathogens, their effects on the host, and control methods. The book also reviews the basic biology of ticks. Ticks are known to parasitize a wide range of hosts including mammals, reptiles and birds. These parasites are of veterinary and public health significance since they are responsible for the spread of a number of pathogens to humans and animals. Worldwide, ticks are responsible for billions of dollars in losses in the livestock industry annually due to the effects of these pathogens. Based on review of the literature from more than five decades, twenty-three species of both hard and soft tick have been discovered on the twin-island republic with a greater number of species in Trinidad. Tick genera observed and recorded included Argas, Ornithodoros, Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Ixodes, and Rhipicephalus species. The tick species found in Trinidad and Tobago parasitize both wild and domestic species. Hosts include bats, fowl, equids, wild and domestic ruminants, birds, rodents, marsupials, and a variety of reptiles such as toads, tortoises, and snakes. Based on geographical location, most tick species discovered in T&T have also been recorded in other Caribbean islands in the archipelago, North, Central and South America. Both soft and hard tick species found in T&T have also been implicated in a number of blood-borne pathogens including Borrelia, Ehrlichia, Babesia, Hepatozoon, Rickettsia, and Anaplasma.

More Best Practices for Rotating Equipment follows Forsthoffer's multi-volume Rotating Equipment Handbooks, addressing the latest best practices in industrial rotating machinery and also including a comprehensive treatment of the basics for reference. The author's famous troubleshooting approach teaches the reader proven methodologies for installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment, and covers all phases of work with rotating equipment. Reliability optimization is also addressed for the first time. The book is ideal for engineers working in the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of power machinery. It is also an essential source of information for postgraduate students and researchers of mechanical and industrial engineering.

Emerging Nanotechnologies in Rechargeable Energy Storage Systems addresses the technical state-of-the-art of nanotechnology for rechargeable energy storage systems. Materials characterization and device-modeling aspects are covered in detail, with additional sections devoted to the application of nanotechnology in batteries for electrical vehicles. In the later part of the book, safety and regulatory issues are thoroughly discussed. Users will find a valuable source of information on the latest developments in nanotechnology in rechargeable energy storage systems. This book will be of great use to researchers and graduate students in the fields of nanotechnology, electrical energy storage, and those interested in materials and electrochemical cell development.

Green Composites: Waste-based Materials for a Sustainable Future, Second Edition presents exciting new developments on waste-based composites. New, additional, or replacement chapters focus on these elements, reflecting on developments over the past ten years. Authors of existing chapters have brought these themes into their work wherever possible, and case study chapters that connect materials engineering to the topic's social context are included in this revised edition. Professor Baillie believes that the new 'green' is the "what and who" composites are being designed for, "what" material needs we have, and "what" access different groups have to the technical knowledge required, etc. Industry is now showing concerns for corporate social responsibility and social impact. Recent conversations with prestigious materials institutions have indicated a growing interest in moving into areas of research that relate their work to beneficial social impacts. The book's example of Waste for Life demonstrates the genre proposed for the case study chapters. Waste for Life adopts scientific knowledge and low-threshold/high-impact technologies.

Origins of the Earth, Moon, and Life: An Interdisciplinary Approach presents state-of-the-art knowledge that is based on theories, experiments, observations, calculations, and analytical data from five astro-sciences, astronomy, astrobiology, astrogeology, astrophysics, and cosmochemistry. Beginning with the origin of elements, and moving on to cover the formation of the early Solar System, the giant impact model of the Earth and Moon, the oldest records of life, and the possibility of life on other planets in the Solar System, this interdisciplinary reference provides a complex understanding of the planets and the formation of life. Synthesizing concepts from all branches of astro-sciences into one, the book is a valuable reference for researchers in astrogeology, astrophysics, cosmochemistry, astrobiology, astronomy, and other space science fields, helping users better understand the intersection of these sciences.

Power Supplies for LED Driving, Second Edition explores the wide use of light-emitting diodes due to their efficient use of power. The applications for power LEDs include traffic lights, street lamps, automotive lighting, architectural lights, theatre lighting, household light replacements, signage lighting (replacing neon strip lights and fluorescent tubes), LCD display backlighting, and many more. Powering (driving) these LED's is not always simple. Linear driving is inefficient and generates far too much heat. With a switching supply, the main issues are EMI, efficiency, and of course cost. This book covers the design trade-offs involved in LED driving applications, from low-power, to UB-LEDs and beyond.

The Competitiveness of Tropical Agriculture: A Guide to Competitive Potential with Case Studies describes and synthesizes existing methodologies for evaluating competitiveness in agriculture, introduces extensions and refinements, and provides a novel approach based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. As exports of tropical fruit, nuts, and other high-value crops have been growing very rapidly from developing countries, but often encounter serious obstacles in their value chains, this book demonstrates how national agricultural policy is oftentimes not guided by considerations of inherent competitiveness. In addition, the book presents case studies that illustrate the application of these approaches using quantitative frameworks. A concluding chapter introduces policy considerations for competitiveness from work in Jordan, Colombia, Estonia, Peru, and elsewhere, also discussing the role of specific policies in raising competitiveness sustainably and its role in reducing rural poverty.