This book explores the scientific basis of the photovoltaic effect, solar cell operation, various types of solar cells, and the main process used in their manufacture. It addresses a range of topics, including the production of solar silicon; silicon-based solar cells and modules; the choice of semiconductor materials and their production-relevant costs and performance; device structures, processing, and manufacturing options for the three major thin-film PV technologies; high-performance approaches for multi-junction, concentrator, and space applications; and new types of organic polymer and dye-sensitized solar cells. The book also presents a concept for overcoming the efficiency limit of today's solar cells. Accessible for beginners, while also providing detailed information on the physics and technology for experts, the book is a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and graduate students in fields such as physics, materials, energy, electrical and electronic engineering and microelectronics.

Terahertz (THz) radiation, which is electromagnetic radiation in a frequency int- val from 0.3 to 10 THz (1 mm-30 ?m wavelength), is the next frontier in science and technology. This band occupies a large portion of the electromagnetic sp- trum between the infrared and microwave bands. Basic research, new initiatives, and developments in advanced sensing and imaging technology with regard to the THz band remain unexplored compared to the relatively well-developed science and technology in the microwave and optical frequencies. Historically, THz technologies were used mainly within the astronomy c- munity for studying the background of cosmic far-infrared radiation, and by the laser-fusion community for the diagnostics of plasmas. Since the ?rst demonstration of THz wave time-domain spectroscopy in the late 1980s, there has been a series of signi?cant advances (particularly in recent years) as more intense THz sources and higher sensitivity detectors provide new opportunities for understanding the basic science in the THz frequency range.

The overall aim of this book, an outcome of the European FP7 FET Open NESS project, is to contribute to the ongoing effort to put the quantitative social sciences on a proper footing for the 21st century. A key focus is economics, and its implications on policy making, where the still dominant traditional approach increasingly struggles to capture the economic realities we observe in the world today - with vested interests getting too often in the way of real advances. Insights into behavioral economics and modern computing techniques have made possible both the integration of larger information sets and the exploration of disequilibrium behavior. The domain-based chapters of this work illustrate how economic theory is the only branch of social sciences which still holds to its old paradigm of an equilibrium science - an assumption that has already been relaxed in all related fields of research in the light of recent advances in complex and dynamical systems theory and related data mining. The other chapters give various takes on policy and decision making in this context. Written in nontechnical style throughout, with a mix of tutorial and essay-like contributions, this book will benefit all researchers, scientists, professionals and practitioners interested in learning about the 'thinking in complexity' to understand how socio-economic systems really work.

Traditionally, Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools have been used to create the nominal design of an integrated circuit (IC), such that the circuit nominal response meets the desired performance specifications. In reality, however, due to the disturbances ofthe IC manufacturing process, the actual performancesof the mass produced chips are different than those for the nominal design. Even if the manufacturing process were tightly controlled, so that there were little variations across the chips manufactured, the environmentalchanges (e. g. those oftemperature, supply voltages, etc. ) would alsomakethe circuit performances vary during the circuit life span. Process-related performance variations may lead to low manufacturing yield, and unacceptable product quality. For these reasons, statistical circuit design techniques are required to design the circuit parameters, taking the statistical process variations into account. This book deals with some theoretical and practical aspects of IC statistical design, and emphasizes how they differ from those for discrete circuits. It de scribes a spectrum of different statistical design problems, such as parametric yield optimization, generalized on-target design, variability minimization, per formance tunning, and worst-case design. The main emphasis of the presen tation is placed on the principles and practical solutions for performance vari ability minimization. It is hoped that the book may serve as an introductory reference material for various groups of IC designers, and the methodologies described will help them enhance the circuit quality and manufacturability. The book containsseven chapters."

These proceedings highlight the fundamental researches and up-to-data developments on energy conversion and high-voltage application by means of low temperature and atmospheric pressure plasma. In recent years, plasma-assisted energy conversion gains increasing attention as an alternative to thermal-catalysis or electro-catalysis. These proceedings discuss and exchange cutting-edge scientific innovations and technological advances in fields like plasma-enabled synthesis of chemicals and fuels, plasma-enabled the environmental clean-up, plasma-enabled catalysis treatment, in-situ probing of plasma-catalyst interactions and its high-voltage applications, which show great potentials in industrial demands like CO2 hydrogenation, CH4 reforming and nitrogen fixation, plasma deposition, chemical synthesis, VOC abatement and high-voltage insulation. This collection of papers presents the main applications of plasma-induced energy conversion and high-voltage discharge in the form of separate chapters, including cutting-edge studies on conversion technology, complex mechanism simulation, in-situ detection and converged applications by artificial intelligence.   These proceedings are suitable for researchers engaged in fields like plasma-catalysis, discharge diagnosis and modelling, chemical modelling and high-voltage applications. The major topics covered in the conference proceedings are: 1)     Advanced plasma-catalysis conversion technology; 2)     Advanced in-situ discharge diagnosis technology; 3)     Advanced in-situ plasma-catalysis characterization; 4)     Multi-scale or innovative modelling technology; 5)     High-voltage discharge and application.

As a bridge between electronics and photonics, terahertz science and technology has made tremendous progress in the past decades. While terahertz wave generation from gas, solid and plasma with femtosecond laser excitation has been widely used, terahertz liquid photonics is a newly emerging topic in recent years. This book includes the most recent experimental results, theoretical analysis, and simulated calculations on terahertz emission and detection from liquid materials under ultrashort-pulse laser excitation, providing readers a comprehensive understanding of current developments in terahertz liquid photonics. By comparing with traditional sources, distinctive properties of terahertz wave generation from liquids are discussed in detail, which provides a new perspective in exploring laser-matter interactions.

This book focuses on the administration streamlining aligned with the market-oriented reform process in China. The book is divided into two parts. The first part clarifies why administration is necessary and important, what it covers, and how to deal with the relation between the central and the local governments. The second part presents empirical analysis in specific areas, including agricultural reform, fiscal reform, government reform and education reform, and a series of decentralization reforms. This book is a collective wisdom from Peking University and is edited by Chinese economist Yining Li.

This book systematically introduces physical characteristics and implementations of III-nitride wide bandgap semiconductor materials and electronic devices, with an emphasis on high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs). The properties of nitride semiconductors make the material very suitable for electronic devices used in microwave power amplification, high-voltage switches, and high-speed digital integrated circuits.

This book systematically introduces physical characteristics and implementations of III-nitride wide bandgap semiconductor materials and electronic devices, with an emphasis on high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs). The properties of nitride semiconductors make the material very suitable for electronic devices used in microwave power amplification, high-voltage switches, and high-speed digital integrated circuits.

This book explores the scientific basis of the photovoltaic effect, solar cell operation, various types of solar cells, and the main process used in their manufacture. It addresses a range of topics, including the production of solar silicon; silicon-based solar cells and modules; the choice of semiconductor materials and their production-relevant costs and performance; device structures, processing, and manufacturing options for the three major thin-film PV technologies; high-performance approaches for multi-junction, concentrator, and space applications; and new types of organic polymer and dye-sensitized solar cells. The book also presents a concept for overcoming the efficiency limit of today's solar cells. Accessible for beginners, while also providing detailed information on the physics and technology for experts, the book is a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and graduate students in fields such as physics, materials, energy, electrical and electronic engineering and microelectronics.

To understand the bewildering complexities of consumer markets and financial markets, you'll need to look beyond traditional textbooks. This book aims to better understanding of current markets through studying the implications of living in an information age. It examines the impacts that information has on how markets function, and presents a novel market theory in which information takes centre stage when analyzing how the economy functions and evolves. It depicts markets with three categories of actors (consumers, businesses, and information intermediaries), and predicts the growing importance of the role of information intermediaries, or 'matchmakers', as facilitators of transactions between consumers and businesses. Matchmakers and Markets will guide readers to reflect on their own role in the economy. It provides numerous scenarios and examples from the real-world economy, enabling readers to ask new questions and draw their own conclusions. The aim of this book is to stimulate the reader's own thinking, whether a consumer on the high street, or an investor on Wall Street, a policy maker in the government armchair, or an entrepreneur dreaming to make the next big thing in the world. This book will stir up discussion and debate as the claims and conclusions move away from mainstream theories.

The overall aim of this book, an outcome of the European FP7 FET Open NESS project, is to contribute to the ongoing effort to put the quantitative social sciences on a proper footing for the 21st century. A key focus is economics, and its implications on policy making, where the still dominant traditional approach increasingly struggles to capture the economic realities we observe in the world today - with vested interests getting too often in the way of real advances. Insights into behavioral economics and modern computing techniques have made possible both the integration of larger information sets and the exploration of disequilibrium behavior. The domain-based chapters of this work illustrate how economic theory is the only branch of social sciences which still holds to its old paradigm of an equilibrium science - an assumption that has already been relaxed in all related fields of research in the light of recent advances in complex and dynamical systems theory and related data mining. The other chapters give various takes on policy and decision making in this context. Written in nontechnical style throughout, with a mix of tutorial and essay-like contributions, this book will benefit all researchers, scientists, professionals and practitioners interested in learning about the 'thinking in complexity' to understand how socio-economic systems really work.

Science and Principles of Biodegradable and Bioresorbable Medical Polymers: Materials and Properties provides a practical guide to the use of biodegradable and bioresorbable polymers for study, research, and applications within medicine. Fundamentals of the basic principles and science behind the use of biodegradable polymers in advanced research and in medical and pharmaceutical applications are presented, as are important new concepts and principles covering materials, properties, and computer modeling, providing the reader with useful tools that will aid their own research, product design, and development. Supported by practical application examples, the scope and contents of the book provide researchers with an important reference and knowledge-based educational and training aid on the basics and fundamentals of these important medical polymers.

Terahertz (THz) radiation, which is electromagnetic radiation in a frequency int- val from 0.3 to 10 THz (1 mm-30 ?m wavelength), is the next frontier in science and technology. This band occupies a large portion of the electromagnetic sp- trum between the infrared and microwave bands. Basic research, new initiatives, and developments in advanced sensing and imaging technology with regard to the THz band remain unexplored compared to the relatively well-developed science and technology in the microwave and optical frequencies. Historically, THz technologies were used mainly within the astronomy c- munity for studying the background of cosmic far-infrared radiation, and by the laser-fusion community for the diagnostics of plasmas. Since the ?rst demonstration of THz wave time-domain spectroscopy in the late 1980s, there has been a series of signi?cant advances (particularly in recent years) as more intense THz sources and higher sensitivity detectors provide new opportunities for understanding the basic science in the THz frequency range.

Traditionally, Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools have been used to create the nominal design of an integrated circuit (IC), such that the circuit nominal response meets the desired performance specifications. In reality, however, due to the disturbances ofthe IC manufacturing process, the actual performancesof the mass produced chips are different than those for the nominal design. Even if the manufacturing process were tightly controlled, so that there were little variations across the chips manufactured, the environmentalchanges (e. g. those oftemperature, supply voltages, etc. ) would alsomakethe circuit performances vary during the circuit life span. Process-related performance variations may lead to low manufacturing yield, and unacceptable product quality. For these reasons, statistical circuit design techniques are required to design the circuit parameters, taking the statistical process variations into account. This book deals with some theoretical and practical aspects of IC statistical design, and emphasizes how they differ from those for discrete circuits. It de scribes a spectrum of different statistical design problems, such as parametric yield optimization, generalized on-target design, variability minimization, per formance tunning, and worst-case design. The main emphasis of the presen tation is placed on the principles and practical solutions for performance vari ability minimization. It is hoped that the book may serve as an introductory reference material for various groups of IC designers, and the methodologies described will help them enhance the circuit quality and manufacturability. The book containsseven chapters.

The Minority Game is a physicist's attempt to explain market behaviour by the interaction between traders. With a minimal set of ingredients and drastic assumptions, this model reproduces market ecology among different types of traders. Its emphasis is on speculative trading and information flow. The book first describes the philosophy lying behind the conception of the Minority Game in 1997, and includes in particular a discussion about the El Farol bar problem. It then reviews the main steps in later developments, including both the theory and its applications to market phenomena. 'Minority Games' gives a colourful and stylized, but also realistic picture of how financial markets operate.

The Minority Game is a physicist's attempt to explain market behaviour by the interaction between traders. With a minimal set of ingredients and drastic assumptions, this model reproduces market ecology among different types of traders. Its emphasis is on speculative trading and information flow. The book first describes the philosophy lying behind the conception of the Minority Game in 1997, and includes in particular a discussion about the El Farol bar problem. It then reviews the main steps in later developments, including both the theory and its applications to market phenomena. 'Minority Games' gives a colourful and stylized, but also realistic picture of how financial markets operate.

This three-volume set constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Knowledge Science, Engineering and Management, KSEM 2021, held in Tokyo, Japan, in August 2021.The 164 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 492 submissions. The contributions are organized in the following topical sections: knowledge science with learning and AI; knowledge engineering research and applications; knowledge management with optimization and security.

This three-volume set constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Knowledge Science, Engineering and Management, KSEM 2021, held in Tokyo, Japan, in August 2021.The 164 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 492 submissions. The contributions are organized in the following topical sections: knowledge science with learning and AI; knowledge engineering research and applications; knowledge management with optimization and security.

This three-volume set constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Knowledge Science, Engineering and Management, KSEM 2021, held in Tokyo, Japan, in August 2021.The 164 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 492 submissions. The contributions are organized in the following topical sections: knowledge science with learning and AI; knowledge engineering research and applications; knowledge management with optimization and security.