A partially-auxetic metamaterial is introduced, inspired by the Maltese cross. Each unit of this metamaterial consists of a pair of counter-rotating equal-armed crosses, which is interconnected to neighboring units via hinge rods and connecting rods. Based on linkage theory, the on-axes Poisson's ratio was established considering a two-fold symmetrical mechanism, while the (anti)tetrachiral mechanisms were identified for on-axes uniaxial compression. A shearing mechanism is suggested for pure shearing and diagonal loading of the metamaterial with square array. Results suggest that the approximated infinitesimal models are valid for the Poisson's ratio of the two-fold symmetrical and the (anti)tetrachiral mechanisms under on-axis tension and compression, respectively; however, the finite model is recommended for quantifying the Poisson's ratio under pure shear and off-axis loading. This metamaterial manifests microstructural trinity, in which three different loading modes result in three different groups of deformation mechanisms. Finally, suggestions are put forth for some unsolved predictive problems.

Therapeutic Engineering (TE) is a cutting-edge domain in today's era of medical technology research. Through engineering algorithms that provide technological solutions, it aims to elevate the quality of life of disabled individuals. Advances in Therapeutic Engineering describes various therapeutic processes and mechanisms currently applied to the field of healthcare in a range of areas, including mobility, communications, hearing, vision, and mental health and cognition. The book explores research and advances in the areas of hand-eye coordination, motor function, the biomechanics of lower limbs, and treatment of spinal diseases and neural plasticity. It discusses electrical stimulation methodologies for improving human gait. It also examines prosthetic devices and assistive technology, induction heater-based treatment, and inclusive user modelling and simulation. Additional chapters cover automated asthma detection using clinico-spirometric information, computer-aided diagnostic modules for malaria screening, and various data mining techniques that have been developed and successfully implemented in healthcare management. The contributors also examine semantic interoperability issues in e-health systems and clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) Ranging from prosthetics to sensory substitution and medical robotics, the book will prove enlightening to researchers and practitioners in a host of disciplines who want to understand the recent advances achieved globally in the field of therapeutic engineering.

This book discusses bulk solids that derive their mechanical properties not from those of their base materials, but from their designed microstructures. Focusing on the negative mechanical properties, it addresses topics that reveal the counter-intuitive nature of solids, specifically the negativity of properties that are commonly positive, such as negative bulk modulus, negative compressibility, negative hygroexpansion, negative thermal expansion, negative stiffness phase, and negative Poisson's ratio. These topics are significant not only due to the curiosity they have sparked, but also because of the possibility of designing materials and structures that can behave in ways that are not normally expected in conventional solids, and as such, of materials that can outperform solids and structures made from conventional materials. The book includes illustrations to facilitate learning, and, where appropriate, reference tables. The presentation is didactic, starting with simple cases, followed by increasingly complex ones. It provides a solid foundation for graduate students, and a valuable resource for practicing materials engineers seeking to develop novel materials through the judicious design of microstructures and their corresponding mechanisms.

This book discusses bulk solids that derive their mechanical properties not from those of their base materials, but from their designed microstructures. Focusing on the negative mechanical properties, it addresses topics that reveal the counter-intuitive nature of solids, specifically the negativity of properties that are commonly positive, such as negative bulk modulus, negative compressibility, negative hygroexpansion, negative thermal expansion, negative stiffness phase, and negative Poisson's ratio. These topics are significant not only due to the curiosity they have sparked, but also because of the possibility of designing materials and structures that can behave in ways that are not normally expected in conventional solids, and as such, of materials that can outperform solids and structures made from conventional materials. The book includes illustrations to facilitate learning, and, where appropriate, reference tables. The presentation is didactic, starting with simple cases, followed by increasingly complex ones. It provides a solid foundation for graduate students, and a valuable resource for practicing materials engineers seeking to develop novel materials through the judicious design of microstructures and their corresponding mechanisms.

This book lays down the foundation on the mechanics and design of auxetic solids and structures, solids that possess negative Poisson's ratio. It will benefit two groups of readers: (a) industry practitioners, such as product and structural designers, who need to control mechanical stress distributions using auxetic materials, and (b) academic researchers and students who intend to produce unique mechanical and other physical properties of structures using auxetic materials.

This book lays down the foundation on the mechanics and design of auxetic solids and structures, solids that possess negative Poisson's ratio. It will benefit two groups of readers: (a) industry practitioners, such as product and structural designers, who need to control mechanical stress distributions using auxetic materials, and (b) academic researchers and students who intend to produce unique mechanical and other physical properties of structures using auxetic materials.

Therapeutic Engineering (TE) is a cutting-edge domain in today's era of medical technology research. Through engineering algorithms that provide technological solutions, it aims to elevate the quality of life of disabled individuals. Advances in Therapeutic Engineering describes various therapeutic processes and mechanisms currently applied to the field of healthcare in a range of areas, including mobility, communications, hearing, vision, and mental health and cognition. The book explores research and advances in the areas of hand-eye coordination, motor function, the biomechanics of lower limbs, and treatment of spinal diseases and neural plasticity. It discusses electrical stimulation methodologies for improving human gait. It also examines prosthetic devices and assistive technology, induction heater-based treatment, and inclusive user modelling and simulation. Additional chapters cover automated asthma detection using clinico-spirometric information, computer-aided diagnostic modules for malaria screening, and various data mining techniques that have been developed and successfully implemented in healthcare management. The contributors also examine semantic interoperability issues in e-health systems and clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) Ranging from prosthetics to sensory substitution and medical robotics, the book will prove enlightening to researchers and practitioners in a host of disciplines who want to understand the recent advances achieved globally in the field of therapeutic engineering.

Nanosensors are rapidly becoming a technology of choice across diverse fields. They offer effective and affordable options for detecting and measuring chemical and physical properties in difficult-to-reach biological and industrial systems operating at the nanoscale. However, with nanosensor development occurring in so many fields, it has become difficult to stay current with the latest research and emerging applications. NANOSENSORS: Theory and Applications in Industry, Healthcare and Defense answers the need for a comprehensive resource on advances in this area. Dr. Teik-Cheng Lim, a highly regarded expert in novel materials and nanosensors crosses disciplines to bring together 17 pioneering experts who address the fundamental principles of nanosensors and their diverse applications. Serving to stimulate a convergence of information across otherwise isolated disciplines, this volume covers - Carbon-nanotube (CNT)-based sensors and their uses with a range of analytes, including gaseous molecules, organic charge transfer complexes, proteins, DNA, and antibodies CNT-based fluidic sensors for studying the shear stress of blood vessels and cells, useful in diagnosing many diseases Nanomechanical cantilever sensors, which offer low cost, fast response, and high specificity without the need for pre-analysis labeling Layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly and the Langmuir- Blodgett (LB) technique, highly efficient approaches when working with expensive biological compounds Fluorescence resonance energy for intracellular glucose monitoring Noble metal nanoparticles with their unique optical properties as colorimetric probes for biological analysis Optical capillary sensors as an affordable tool for classifying liquid samples Nanosensors in bioinformatics and their role in a much needed systems approach to healthcare With so much activity occurring in so many fields, further progress in the area of nanosensors is certain. Through the convergence of findings across many fields, as exemplified by this book, that progress can be accelerated.

How can non-windy places make use of wind power for electricity generation? Advanced Wind Turbines provides detailed information that is of great practical importance to wind turbine practitioners from small and congested city-states, where the lack of vast land and high wind speed render the conventional wind turbine less effective. It introduces the non-conventional Darrieus and Savonius wind turbines, as well as their hybrid version, covering basic concepts, computational modelling and recent advances in experimental optimization.What about those who prefer wind turbines in faraway oceans to take advantage of high wind speed, or who come from countries with a lack of shallow seabed? Floating offshore wind turbines are also discussed, and the dynamics of floating vis-à-vis grounded wind turbines are thoroughly expounded upon to aid practitioners in achieving more accurate performance modelling. This is a work of paramount usefulness for areas which have long wanted to jump on the renewable energy bandwagon, but have thus far been hampered by their natural geographical limitations.

The research and development of nanofibers has gained much prominence in recent years due to the heightened awareness of its potential applications in the medical, engineering and defense fields. Among the most successful methods for producing nanofibers is the electrospinning process. In this timely book, the areas of electrospinning and nanofibers are covered for the first time in a single volume.The book can be broadly divided into two parts: the first comprises descriptions of the electrospinning process and modeling to obtain nanofibers while the second describes the characteristics and applications of nanofibers. The material is aimed at both newcomers and experienced researchers in the area.

The research and development of nanofibers has gained much prominence in recent years due to the heightened awareness of its potential applications in the medical, engineering and defense fields. Among the most successful methods for producing nanofibers is the electrospinning process. In this timely book, the areas of electrospinning and nanofibers are covered for the first time in a single volume.The book can be broadly divided into two parts: the first comprises descriptions of the electrospinning process and modeling to obtain nanofibers while the second describes the characteristics and applications of nanofibers. The material is aimed at both newcomers and experienced researchers in the area.