Metaheuristic optimization has become a prime alternative for solving complex optimization problems in several areas. Hence, practitioners and researchers have been paying extensive attention to those metaheuristic algorithms that are mainly based on natural phenomena. However, when those algorithms are implemented, there are not enough books that deal with theoretical and experimental problems in a friendly manner so this book presents a novel structure that includes a complete description of the most important metaheuristic optimization algorithms as well as a new proposal of a new metaheuristic optimization named earthquake optimization. This book also has several practical exercises and a toolbox for MATLAB (R) and a toolkit for LabVIEW are integrated as complementary material for this book. These toolkits allow readers to move from a simulation environment to an experimentation one very fast. This book is suitable for researchers, students, and professionals in several areas, such as economics, architecture, computer science, electrical engineering, and control systems. The unique features of this book are as follows: Developed for researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, and practitioners A friendly description of the main metaheuristic optimization algorithms Theoretical and practical optimization examples A new earthquake optimization algorithm Updated state-of-the-art and research optimization projects The authors are multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary lecturers and researchers who have written a structure-friendly learning methodology to understand each metaheuristic optimization algorithm presented in this book.

Smart grids are linked with smart homes and smart meters. These smart grids are the new topology for generating, distributing, and consuming energy. If these smart devices are not connected in a smart grid, then they cannot work properly; hence, the conventional power systems are swiftly changing in order to improve the quality of electrical energy. This book covers the fundamentals of power systems-which are the pillars for smart grids -with a focus on defining the smart grid with theoretical and experimental electrical concepts. Power System Fundamentals begins by discussing electric circuits, the basic systems in smart grids, and finishes with a complete smart grid concept. The book allows the reader to build a foundation of understanding with basic and advanced exercises that run on simulation before moving to experimental results. It is intended for readers who want to comprehensively cover both the basic and advanced concepts of smart grids.

Agricultural production is one of the main keys to the development of healthy societies. It is anticipated that agricultural systems will increasingly have to contend with temperature, humidity and water stress in the near future. This makes the need to increase the efficiency of land and water use ever more urgent. The control and design of greenhouses allows to increase dramatically the quality of crops and extend the cultivation period year-round. A properly designed autonomous greenhouse based on hydroponics can greatly reduce the amounts of nutrients and energy expended in agricultural production.

This book deals with different types of greenhouses, materials, structures, advanced control techniques and tendencies that are needed for designing and controlling an advanced greenhouse. The control system is presented as an integral system which covers the explanation of basic and advanced concepts for a real time controller. Also, structural analysis is introduced, whereby mechanical design is regarded as a key factor. The book incorporates simulations and experimental results, and utilizes LabVIEW and ADAMS software. Finally, it provides a perspective on the present state and future of greenhouses globally.

Written in a highly accessible manner, this book will prove useful to horticulturalists, agricultural engineers, greenhouse engineers and designers. Its easy-to-absorb contents are also suitable for (under)graduate students and researchers in agricultural and electronic engineering, horticulture, crop cultivation and soft computing.

This book introduces the concept of sensing, smart and sustainable systems (S3 systems) to support the design and redesign of products, services, business and manufacturing processes, manufacturing systems, and enterprises. The concept of S3 systems theory is introduced and explained in detail to support designers and engineers in their development task. This approach is embraced in the implementation of emergent Information and communication technologies and artificial intelligence techniques. The text helps the reader to understand the relationship between intelligent manufacturing, S3 systems and Industry 4.0. It presents a review of current approaches to design and development of technology-based products. Finally, it enlarges on the sensing, smart and sustainable systems theory to give examples of S3 systems as case studies.

This book introduces the concept of sensing, smart and sustainable systems (S3 systems) to support the design and redesign of products, services, business and manufacturing processes, manufacturing systems, and enterprises. The concept of S3 systems theory is introduced and explained in detail to support designers and engineers in their development task. This approach is embraced in the implementation of emergent Information and communication technologies and artificial intelligence techniques. The text helps the reader to understand the relationship between intelligent manufacturing, S3 systems and Industry 4.0. It presents a review of current approaches to design and development of technology-based products. Finally, it enlarges on the sensing, smart and sustainable systems theory to give examples of S3 systems as case studies.

Metaheuristic optimization has become a prime alternative for solving complex optimization problems in several areas. Hence, practitioners and researchers have been paying extensive attention to those metaheuristic algorithms that are mainly based on natural phenomena. However, when those algorithms are implemented, there are not enough books that deal with theoretical and experimental problems in a friendly manner so this book presents a novel structure that includes a complete description of the most important metaheuristic optimization algorithms as well as a new proposal of a new metaheuristic optimization named earthquake optimization. This book also has several practical exercises and a toolbox for MATLAB (R) and a toolkit for LabVIEW are integrated as complementary material for this book. These toolkits allow readers to move from a simulation environment to an experimentation one very fast. This book is suitable for researchers, students, and professionals in several areas, such as economics, architecture, computer science, electrical engineering, and control systems. The unique features of this book are as follows: Developed for researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, and practitioners A friendly description of the main metaheuristic optimization algorithms Theoretical and practical optimization examples A new earthquake optimization algorithm Updated state-of-the-art and research optimization projects The authors are multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary lecturers and researchers who have written a structure-friendly learning methodology to understand each metaheuristic optimization algorithm presented in this book.

This monograph describes the synthesis and use of biologically-inspired artificial hydrocarbon networks (AHNs) for approximation models associated with machine learning and a novel computational algorithm with which to exploit them. The reader is first introduced to various kinds of algorithms designed to deal with approximation problems and then, via some conventional ideas of organic chemistry, to the creation and characterization of artificial organic networks and AHNs in particular.

The advantages of using organic networks are discussed with the rules to be followed to adapt the network to its objectives. Graph theory is used as the basis of the necessary formalism. Simulated and experimental examples of the use of fuzzy logic and genetic algorithms with organic neural networks are presented and a number of modeling problems suitable for treatment by AHNs are described:

. approximation;

. inference;

. clustering;

. control;

. classification; and

. audio-signal filtering.

The text finishes with a consideration of directions in which AHNs could be implemented and developed in future. A complete LabVIEW toolkit, downloadable from the book s page at springer.com enables readers to design and implement organic neural networks of their own.

The novel approach to creating networks suitable for machine learning systems demonstrated in "Artificial Organic Networks" will be of interest to academic researchers and graduate students working in areas associated with computational intelligence, intelligent control, systems approximation and complex networks."

This handbook focuses on a series of concepts, models and technologies which can be used to improve current practice in life cycle engineering in manufacturing companies around the world. Experts on the main issues relating to life cycle engineering have produced a superb collection of chapters. All the contributing authors are researchers and engineers in the fields of manufacturing paradigms, enterprise integration, product life cycle and technologies for life cycle engineering. Academics and researchers will find this book to be a valuable reference tool. The book illustrates those key factors that ensure successful enterprise and product life cycle integration. Due to the book being developed as a joint industry and university project, its approach should be helpful to both practising professionals and academics. An overview of life cycle engineering concepts, models, methodologies and practices that have been proved to significantly improve the integration and productivity of manufacturing companies have been clearly explained in this handbook. This book will be essential for engineers, designers, product support personnel dealing with enterprise engineering projects. It will also be of immense use to lecturers and senior lecturers working in the fields of enterprise integration, product development, concurrent engineering and integrated manufacturing systems.

Challenge-based research focuses on addressing societal and environmental problems. One way of doing so is by transforming existing businesses to profitable ventures through co-creation and co-evolution. Drawing on the resource-based view, this book discusses how social challenges can be linked with the industrial value-chain through collaborative research, knowledge sharing, and transfer of technology to deliver value.  The work is divided into three sections: Part 1 discusses social challenges, triple bottom line, and entrepreneurship as drivers for research, learning, and innovation while Part 2 links challenge-based research to social and industrial development in emerging markets. The final section considers research-based innovation and the role of technology, with the final chapter bridging concepts and practices to shape the future of society and industry. The authors present the RISE paradigm, which integrates people (society), planet (sustainability), and profit (industry and business) as critical constructs for socio-economic and regional development.  Arguing that the converging of society and industry is essential for the business ecosystem to stay competitive in the marketplace, this book analyzes possible approaches to linking challenge-based research with social and industrial innovations in the context of sectoral challenges like food production, housing, energy, biotechnology, and sustainability. It will serve as a valuable resource to researchers interested in topics such as social challenges, innovation, technology, sustainability, and society-industry linkage. 

Without energy, there is no well-functioning economy, besides facing social risks. This book provides a systemic approach to energy in Mexico and its relations to the USA arising from the energy reform of the former. It covers the transition from fossil fuels to a low-carbon economy, relying heavily on renewable sources and mitigating climate change risks. Several human knowledge disciplines and topics are covered in the book, including public policy, economics, transboundary issues, electricity and thermal energy, residual biomass use, distributed energy systems and its management, and decision-making tools. An analysis is considered regarding energy issues interaction in the Mexican-USA border, which differ in both countries from pricing and policy, and the work and research that has been developed for transboundary energy trade.

Without energy, there is no well-functioning economy, besides facing social risks. This book provides a systemic approach to energy in Mexico and its relations to the USA arising from the energy reform of the former. It covers the transition from fossil fuels to a low-carbon economy, relying heavily on renewable sources and mitigating climate change risks. Several human knowledge disciplines and topics are covered in the book, including public policy, economics, transboundary issues, electricity and thermal energy, residual biomass use, distributed energy systems and its management, and decision-making tools. An analysis is considered regarding energy issues interaction in the Mexican-USA border, which differ in both countries from pricing and policy, and the work and research that has been developed for transboundary energy trade.

Smart grids are linked with smart homes and smart meters. These smart grids are the new topology for generating, distributing, and consuming energy. If these smart devices are not connected in a smart grid, then they cannot work properly; hence, the conventional power systems are swiftly changing in order to improve the quality of electrical energy. This book covers the fundamentals of power systems-which are the pillars for smart grids -with a focus on defining the smart grid with theoretical and experimental electrical concepts. Power System Fundamentals begins by discussing electric circuits, the basic systems in smart grids, and finishes with a complete smart grid concept. The book allows the reader to build a foundation of understanding with basic and advanced exercises that run on simulation before moving to experimental results. It is intended for readers who want to comprehensively cover both the basic and advanced concepts of smart grids.

Con este cuento pretendo que, divirtiendose nuestros ninos en los misterios de la quimica y la introduccion a la conservacion del medio ambiente, encuentren moralejas utiles que se conviertan en principios de vida.