Great interest is now focused on distributed autonomous robotic systems (DARS) as a new strategy for the realization of flexible, robust, and intelligent robots. Inspired by autonomous, decentralized, and self-organizing biological systems, the field of DARS encompasses broad interdisciplinary technologies related not only to robotics and computer engineering but also to biology and psychology. The rapidly growing interest in this new area of research was manifest in the first volume of Distributed Autonomous Robotic Systems, published in 1994. This second volume in the series presents the most recent work by eminent researchers and includes such topics as multirobot control, distributed robotic systems design, self-organizing systems, and sensing and navigation for cooperative robots. Distributed Autonomous Robotic Systems 2 is a valuable source for those whose work involves robotics and will be of great interest to those in the fields of artificial intelligence, self-organizing systems, artificial life, and computer science.

Part I The Nano-Scale Biological Systems in Nature; Molecular bio-motors in living cells - by T. Nishizaka; The form designed by viral genome - by K. Onodera; Part II Detection and Characterization Technology; Atomic force microscopy applied to nano-mechanics of the cell - by A. Ikai; Design, synthesis and biological application of fluorescent sensor molecules for cellular imaging - by K. Kikuchi; Dynamic visualization of cellular signaling - by Q. Ni and J. Zhang; Part III Fabrication Technology; Surface acoustic wave atomizer and electrostatic deposition - by Y. Yamagata; Electrospray deposition of biomolecules by V.N. Morozov; Part IV Processing Technology; Droplet handling - by T.Torii; Integrated microfluidic systems - by S. Kaneda and T. Fujii; Part V Applications; A novel non-viral gene delivery system: Multifunctional envelope-type nano device - by H. Hatakeyama, H. Akita, K. Kogure, and H. Harashima; Biosensors - by M. Saito, H.M. Hiep, N. Nagatani, and E.Tamiya; Micro bioreactors - by Sato and T. Kitamori

As a new strategy to realize the goal of flexible, robust, fault-tolerant robotic systems, the distributed autonomous approach has quickly established itself as one of the fastest growing fields in robotics. This book is one of the first to devote itself solely to this exciting area of research, covering such topics as self-organization, communication and coordination, multi-robot manipulation and control, distributed system design, distributed sensing, intelligent manufacturing systems, and group behavior. The fundamental technologies and system architectures of distributed autonomous robotic systems are expounded in detail, along with the latest research findings. This book should prove indispensable not only to those involved with robotic engineering but also to those in the fields of artificial intelligence, self-organizing systems, and coordinated control.

Biochemical engineering forms a bridge between fundamental biochemical research and large scale biotechnology processes. It covers genetic and protein engineering, cell culture, bioprocess and reactor design, separation and modelling. Research work in biochemical engineering is an investment in the future, when conventional resources will have to be replaced with renewable ones. In this book the papers presented at the Asia-Pacific Biochemical Engineering Conference (Yokohama, Japan 1992) are collected. This collection is unique in its wide coverage of topics and it gives an overview of the current trends of research in an important area.

Part I The Nano-Scale Biological Systems in Nature; Molecular bio-motors in living cells - by T. Nishizaka; The form designed by viral genome - by K. Onodera; Part II Detection and Characterization Technology; Atomic force microscopy applied to nano-mechanics of the cell - by A. Ikai; Design, synthesis and biological application of fluorescent sensor molecules for cellular imaging - by K. Kikuchi; Dynamic visualization of cellular signaling - by Q. Ni and J. Zhang; Part III Fabrication Technology; Surface acoustic wave atomizer and electrostatic deposition - by Y. Yamagata; Electrospray deposition of biomolecules by V.N. Morozov; Part IV Processing Technology; Droplet handling - by T.Torii; Integrated microfluidic systems - by S. Kaneda and T. Fujii; Part V Applications; A novel non-viral gene delivery system: Multifunctional envelope-type nano device - by H. Hatakeyama, H. Akita, K. Kogure, and H. Harashima; Biosensors - by M. Saito, H.M. Hiep, N. Nagatani, and E.Tamiya; Micro bioreactors - by Sato and T. Kitamori