Optical and Molecular Physics: Theoretical Principles and Experimental Methods addresses many important applications and advances in the field. This book is divided into 5 sections: Plasmonics and carbon dots physics with applications Optical films, fibers, and materials Optical properties of advanced materials Molecular physics and diffusion Macromolecular physics Weaving together science and engineering, this new volume addresses important applications and advances in optical and molecular physics. It covers plasmonics and carbon dots physics with applications; optical films, fibers, and materials; optical properties of advanced materials; molecular physics and diffusion; and macromolecular physics. This book looks at optical materials in the development of composite materials for the functionalization of glass, ceramic, and polymeric substrates to interact with electromagnetic radiation and presents state-of-the-art research in preparation methods, optical characterization, and usage of optical materials and devices in various photonic fields. The authors discuss devices and technologies used by the electronics, magnetics, and photonics industries and offer perspectives on the manufacturing technologies used in device fabrication.

Provides description of functional foams, their manufacturing methods, properties, and applications Covers various blowing agents, greener methods for foaming, and emerging applicability Illustrates comparative information regarding polymeric foams and recent developments with polymer nanocomposite foams Includes applications in mechanical, civil, biomedical, food packaging, electronics, health care industry, and acoustics fields Reviews elastomeric foams and their nanocomposite derivatives

Explains theory and practical applications of nanomaterials as antiviral agents Reviews upscaling of nanomaterials from laboratory to fabrication stage Illustrates nanocurcumin, silver nanoparticles, and carbon nanoparticles for biomedical applications Highlights role of nanotechnology in effectively combating viral infections and pandemics Includes case studies of specific pharma companies

This new book, Carbon Nanotubes for Energy and Environmental Applications, covers the timely issue of green applications of carbon nanotubes. It covers the diverse usages of carbon nanotubes for the sensing of environmentally hazardous chemicals, for water purification, for the protection of the environment, and for new energy applications. The development of highly sensitive CNT-based gas sensors for air pollution monitoring, for green synthesis of carbon nanotubes, and for green energy applications are discussed in this volume. The diverse topics in the volume include nanodiamonds for energy storage, new lubricant additives that enhance energy efficiency, how carbon nanotubes can be applied in the food and agricultural sectors, the use of CNTs in water purification and desalination, carbon nanotubes-based electrochemical sensors for environmentally hazardous chemicals, and much more. This timely book addresses a need of the hour and will provide valuable for environmentally conscious industry professionals, faculty and students, and researchers in materials science, engineering, physics, and chemistry with interest in nanomaterials.

Covers the synthesis and properties of polymer nanocomposites for varied usage Explains role of different types of nanofillers in polymeric systems for developing supercapacitor Highlights theory, modelling and simulation of polymeric supercapacitors Gives an illustrative overview of the multiple applications of polymers and their nanocomposites Includes graphene, CNT, nanoparticle, carbon and nano-cellulose based supercapacitors

This new book presents a selection of advanced topics on carbon nanotubes-their extraordinary properties, structure, design, fabrication, development, engineering, functionalization, carbon nanotube enabled nanocomposites, characterization, and, moreover, their utility in many applications. The volume highlights the amazing potential of advanced CNT composites in automotive, aeronautics, spacecrafts, transistors replacing Si electronics, energy, purification, hydrogen storage, tissue regeneration, electrochemical supercapacitor, sensing, biomedical applications, agriculture, energy, and technical applications. The book specifically discusses the applications of carbon nanotubes for a greener environment, as well as applications for biomedical uses, in drug delivery, and in display technology. It also explores the used of CNTs in the energy and aerospace industries, such as for solar energy conversion, as a lubricant additive for enhancing energy efficiency, and more. Other chapters explore the potential of carbon nanotubes in hydrogen storage and carbon nanotube electronics. Carbon Nanotubes: Functionalization and Potential Applications offers an informative review of research advancements on the many application aspects of carbon nanotubes and will be a valuable resource for researchers, scientists, faculty and students, and industry professionals.

Optical and Molecular Physics: Theoretical Principles and Experimental Methods addresses many important applications and advances in the field. This book is divided into 5 sections: Plasmonics and carbon dots physics with applications Optical films, fibers, and materials Optical properties of advanced materials Molecular physics and diffusion Macromolecular physics Weaving together science and engineering, this new volume addresses important applications and advances in optical and molecular physics. It covers plasmonics and carbon dots physics with applications; optical films, fibers, and materials; optical properties of advanced materials; molecular physics and diffusion; and macromolecular physics. This book looks at optical materials in the development of composite materials for the functionalization of glass, ceramic, and polymeric substrates to interact with electromagnetic radiation and presents state-of-the-art research in preparation methods, optical characterization, and usage of optical materials and devices in various photonic fields. The authors discuss devices and technologies used by the electronics, magnetics, and photonics industries and offer perspectives on the manufacturing technologies used in device fabrication.

Carotenoids are a large class of isoprenoid pigments produced by plants and certain microbes. More than 700 naturally occurring carotenoids have been identified. Apocarotenoids are tailored from carotenoids by oxidative enzymes. Apocarotenoids act as visual or volatile signals to attract pollinating and seed dispersal agents. They are also the key players in allelopathic interactions and plant defense. Biology, Chemistry and Applications of Apocarotenoids provides detailed account of the fundamental chemistry of apocarotenoids and the basic methods used in carotenoid research, and critical discussions of the biochemistry, functions, and applications of these important compounds. Topics covered in the proposed book include various aspects of the roles of apocarotenoids in colour and colouration, photosynthesis and other photofunctions and protection. The formation and roles of carotenoid metabolites and breakdown products as perfume/aroma compounds are also be outlined. Features: Provides an organized overview of apocarotenoids and their chemistry and biological functions Focuses on recent discoveries on apocarotenoids, their nature and functions. Details potential uses of apocarotenoids in agriculture, pharmacy, food industry, and apocarotenoid production at industrial level This book has been written by leading experts in apocarotenoid research and gives a comprehensive overview on the diversity of apocarotenoid compounds and would serve as a reference book for researches in Plant Physiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Medicine.

Presents exclusive material on MXene based polymer nanocomposites Highlights properties and potential applications of polymers upon addition of MXenes Discusses effect of MXenes on various thermoplastic and elastomer polymers Focusses on the properties, fabrications methods, and applications of relevant polymer matrices Extensively deals with role of MXene in polymers

What Is Combinatorics Anyway? Broadly speaking, combinatorics is the branch of mathematics dealing with different ways of selecting objects from a set or arranging objects. It tries to answer two major kinds of questions, namely, counting questions: how many ways can a selection or arrangement be chosen with a particular set of properties; and structural questions: does there exist a selection or arrangement of objects with a particular set of properties? The authors have presented a text for students at all levels of preparation. For some, this will be the first course where the students see several real proofs. Others will have a good background in linear algebra, will have completed the calculus stream, and will have started abstract algebra. The text starts by briefly discussing several examples of typical combinatorial problems to give the reader a better idea of what the subject covers. The next chapters explore enumerative ideas and also probability. It then moves on to enumerative functions and the relations between them, and generating functions and recurrences., Important families of functions, or numbers and then theorems are presented. Brief introductions to computer algebra and group theory come next. Structures of particular interest in combinatorics: posets, graphs, codes, Latin squares, and experimental designs follow. The authors conclude with further discussion of the interaction between linear algebra and combinatorics. Features Two new chapters on probability and posets. Numerous new illustrations, exercises, and problems. More examples on current technology use A thorough focus on accuracy Three appendices: sets, induction and proof techniques, vectors and matrices, and biographies with historical notes, Flexible use of MapleTM and MathematicaTM

What Is Combinatorics Anyway? Broadly speaking, combinatorics is the branch of mathematics dealing with different ways of selecting objects from a set or arranging objects. It tries to answer two major kinds of questions, namely, counting questions: how many ways can a selection or arrangement be chosen with a particular set of properties; and structural questions: does there exist a selection or arrangement of objects with a particular set of properties? The authors have presented a text for students at all levels of preparation. For some, this will be the first course where the students see several real proofs. Others will have a good background in linear algebra, will have completed the calculus stream, and will have started abstract algebra. The text starts by briefly discussing several examples of typical combinatorial problems to give the reader a better idea of what the subject covers. The next chapters explore enumerative ideas and also probability. It then moves on to enumerative functions and the relations between them, and generating functions and recurrences., Important families of functions, or numbers and then theorems are presented. Brief introductions to computer algebra and group theory come next. Structures of particular interest in combinatorics: posets, graphs, codes, Latin squares, and experimental designs follow. The authors conclude with further discussion of the interaction between linear algebra and combinatorics. Features Two new chapters on probability and posets. Numerous new illustrations, exercises, and problems. More examples on current technology use A thorough focus on accuracy Three appendices: sets, induction and proof techniques, vectors and matrices, and biographies with historical notes, Flexible use of MapleTM and MathematicaTM

Most industrial robots today have little or no sensory capability. Feedback is limited to information about joint positions, combined with a few interlock and timing signals. These robots can function only in an environment where the objects to be manipulated are precisely located in the proper position for the robot to grasp (i. e. , in a structured environment). For many present industrial applications, this level of performance has been adequate. With the increasing demand for high performance sensor-based robot manipulators in assembly tasks, meeting this demand and challenge can only be achieved through the consideration of: 1) efficient acquisition and processing of intemaVextemal sensory information, 2) utilization and integration of sensory information from various sensors (tactile, force, and vision) to acquire knowledge in a changing environment, 3) exploitation of inherent robotic parallel algorithms and efficient VLSI architectures for robotic computations, and finally 4) system integration into a working and functioning robotic system. This is the intent of the Workshop on Sensor-Based Robots: Algorithms and Architectures - to study the fundamental research issues and problems associated with sensor-based robot manipulators and to propose approaches and solutions from various viewpoints in improving present day robot manipula tors in the areas of sensor fusion and integration, sensory information processing, and parallel algorithms and architectures for robotic computations.

This book presents a guide for research methodology and scientific writing covering various elements such as finding research problems, writing research proposals, obtaining funds for research, selecting research designs, searching the literature and review, collection of data and analysis, preparation of thesis, writing research papers for journals, citation and listing of references, preparation of visual materials, oral and poster presentation in conferences, and ethical issues in research . Besides introducing library and its various features in a lucid style, the latest on the use of information technology in retrieving and managing information through various means are also discussed in this book. The book is useful for students, young researchers, and professionals.

Volume 191 in the North Carolina Studies in the Romance Languages and Literatures series.

Bangkok is one of the world's most vibrant cities. People flock here for various reasons, whether for tourism or to settle and build a life. Expats from all over the world call Bangkok home and many of them are women.

Follow the lives, trials and tribulations of some of them with this compilation of short stories that covers life, love and transformation in the city of Angels.

The authors of Process Improvement and Quality Management in the Retail Industry discuss quality management through the examination of several companies that won the esteemed Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Authors George, Thomas, and Weimerskirch believe that Baldrige criteria define a management model because they provide one of the most comprehensive guides to understanding, assessing, controlling, and improving an organization for quality management. The authors also discuss many of the business-related problems of modern times, such as financial scandals, controversial social activism morale, and the impact of outsourcing to other countries. Overall, the book stresses the importance of good quality management to a company's success.

Tribology of Polymers, Polymer Composites, and Polymer Nanocomposites combines fundamental knowledge with the latest findings in the area of polymer tribology. From testing of property-related mechanisms to prediction of wear using artificial neural networks, the book explores all relevant polymer types, including elastomers, epoxy-based, nylon, and more while also discussing their different types of reinforcement, such as particulates, short fibers, natural fibers, and beyond. New developments in sustainable materials, environmental effects, nanoscaled fillers, and self-lubrication are each discussed, as are applications of these materials, guidelines for when to use certain polymer systems, and functional groups of polymers. Experimental methods and modeling and prediction techniques are also outlined. The tribology of graphene-based, biodegradable, hybrid nanofiller/polymer nanocomposites and other types of polymers is discussed at length.

This book presents a guide for research methodology and scientific writing covering various elements such as finding research problems, writing research proposals, obtaining funds for research, selecting research designs, searching the literature and review, collection of data and analysis, preparation of thesis, writing research papers for journals, citation and listing of references, preparation of visual materials, oral and poster presentation in conferences, and ethical issues in research . Besides introducing library and its various features in a lucid style, the latest on the use of information technology in retrieving and managing information through various means are also discussed in this book. The book is useful for students, young researchers, and professionals.

Transport Properties of Polymeric Membranes is an edited collection of papers that covers, in depth, many of the recent technical research accomplishments in transport characteristics through polymers and their applications. Using the transport through polymer membranes method leads to high separation efficiency, low running costs, and simple operating procedures compared to conventional separation methods. This book provides grounding in fundamentals and applications to give you all the information you need on using this method. This book discusses the different types of polymer, their blends, composites, nanocomposites and their applications in the field of liquid, gas and vapor transport. Some topics of note include modern trends and applications of polymer nanocomposites in solvent, vapor and gas transport; fundamentals and measurement techniques for gas and vapor transport in polymers; and transport properties of hydrogels. This handpicked selection of topics, and the combined expertise of contributors from global industry, academia, government and private research organizations, make this book an outstanding reference for anyone involved in the field of polymer membranes.