Life is business as usual for two families in very different parts of the United States. Peter Dexter and his wife, Judy, raise a family and run a successful farm in North Dakota, while Dan and Nora Justin do their best to keep their kids in line in California. The families have been friends for years and face different challenges when a Corona Mass Ejection from the sun cuts off all electrical power across the nation. The loss of power in America generates chaos throughout the country. Electricity? Gone. Mass transit? Out of service. Emergency services? Unavailable. The United States is cast into a new Dark Age, and the Dexter and Justin families struggle to survive despite danger and difficulty. Meanwhile in a distant land, enemy forces plot revenge. Radical Islamic terrorists see the power outage as a divine gift. Now, they have their chance to destroy America and replace it with an Islamic government. Threatening the use of atom bombs, the terrorists try to gain control of the weakened American government. They strive to establish a caliphate on American soil, while civilians are busy avoiding violence and food shortages. Is there any hope for our powerless country? As the two families struggle to survive, a teenager will courageously fight to save the lives of thousands and become the object of a jihad.

This book presents a collection of studies on state-of-art techniques for converting biomass to chemical products by means of pyrolysis, which are widely applicable to the valorization of biomass. In addition to discussing the fundamentals and mechanisms for producing bio-oils, chemicals, gases and biochar using pyrolysis, it outlines key reaction parameters and reactor configurations for various types of biomass. Written by leading experts and providing a broad range of perspectives on cutting-edge applications, the book is a comprehensive reference guide for academic researchers and industrial engineers in the fields of natural renewable materials, biorefinery of lignocellulose, biofuels, and environmental engineering, and a valuable resource for university students in the fields of chemical engineering, material science and environmental engineering.

Conversion of biomass into chemicals and biofuels is an active research and development area as trends move to replace traditional fossil fuels with renewable resources. By integrating processing methods with ultrasound and microwave irradiation into biorefineries, the time-scale of many operations can be greatly reduced while the efficiency of the reactions can be remarkably increased so that process intensification can be achieved. "Production of Biofuels and Chemicals with Ultrasound" and "Production of Biofuels and Chemicals with Microwave" are two independent volumes in the Biofuels and Biorefineries series that take different, but complementary approaches for the pretreatment and chemical transformation of biomass into chemicals and biofuels. The volume "Ultrasound" provides current research advances and prospects in mechanistic principles of acoustic cavitation in sonochemistry, physical and chemical mechanisms in biofuel synthesis, reactor design for transesterification and esterification reactions, lipid extraction from algal biomass, microalgae extraction, biodiesel and bioethanol synthesis, practical technologies and systems, pretreatment of biomass waste sources including lignocellulosic materials, manures and sludges for biogas production, vibration-assisted pelleting, combined chemical-mechanical methods, valorization of starch-based wastes and techno-economic methodology. Each of the 12 chapters has been peer-reviewed and edited to improve both the quality of the text and the scope and coverage of the topics. Both volumes "Ultrasound" and "Microwave" are references designed for students, researchers, academicians and industrialists in the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering and include introductory chapters to highlight present concepts of the fundamental technologies and their application. Dr. Zhen Fang is Professor in Bioenergy, Leader and founder of biomass group, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden and is also adjunct Professor of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China. Dr. Richard L Smith, Jr. is Professor of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Research Center of Supercritical Fluid Technology, Tohoku University, Japan. Dr. Xinhua Qi is Professor of Environmental Science, Nankai University, China.

Conversion of biomass into chemicals and biofuels is an active research and development area as trends move to replace traditional fossil fuels with renewable resources. By integrating processing methods with microwave and ultrasound irradiation into biorefineries, the time-scale of many operations can be greatly reduced while the efficiency of the reactions can be remarkably increased so that process intensification can be achieved. "Production of Biofuels and Chemicals with Microwave" and "Production of Biofuels and Chemicals with Ultrasound" are two independent volumes in the Biofuels and Biorefineries series that take different, but complementary approaches for the pretreatment and chemical transformation of biomass into chemicals and biofuels. The volume "Microwave" provides current research advances and prospects in theoretical and practical aspects of microwave irradiation including properties, effects and temperature monitoring, design of chemical reactors, synergistic effects on combining microwave, ultrasound, hydrodynamic cavitation and high-shear mixing into processes, chemical and catalytic conversion of lignin into chemicals, pyrolysis and gasification, syngas production from wastes, platform chemicals, algal biodiesel, cellulose-based nanocomposites, lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment, green chemistry metrics and energy consumption and techno-economic analysis for a catalytic pyrolysis facility that processes pellets into aromatics. Each of the 12 chapters has been peer-reviewed and edited to improve both the quality of the text and the scope and coverage of the topics. Both volumes "Microwave" and "Ultrasound" are references designed for students, researchers, academicians and industrialists in the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering and include introductory chapters to highlight present concepts of the fundamental technologies and their application. Dr. Zhen Fang is Professor in Bioenergy, Leader and founder of biomass group, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden and is also adjunct Professor of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China. Dr. Richard L Smith, Jr. is Professor of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Research Center of Supercritical Fluid Technology, Tohoku University, Japan. Dr. Xinhua Qi is Professor of Environmental Science, Nankai University, China.

This book presents a collection of studies on state-of-art techniques developed specifically for lignocellulose component derivation, and for the production of functional materials, composite polymers, carbonaceous biocatalysts, and pellets from lignocellulosic biomass, with an emphasis on using sustainable chemistry and engineering to develop innovative materials and fuels for practical application. Technological strategies for the physical processing or biological conversion of biomass for material production are also presented. All chapters were contributed by respected experts in the field from around the globe, providing a broad range of perspectives on cutting-edge applications. The book offers an ideal reference guide for academic researchers and industrial engineers in the fields of natural renewable materials, biorefinery of lignocellulose, biofuels and environmental engineering. It can also be used as a comprehensive reference source for university students in chemical engineering, material science and environmental engineering.

Trade and commerce are among the oldest, most pervasive, and most important of human activities, serving as engines for change in many other human endeavors. This far-reaching study examines the key theme of trading in world history, from the earliest signs of trade until the long-distance trade systems such as the famous Silk Road were firmly established. Beginning with a general background on the mechanism of trade, Richard L. Smith addresses such basic issues as how and why people trade, and what purpose trade serves. The book then traces the development of long-distance trade, from its beginnings in the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods through early river valley civilizations and the rise of great empires, to the evolution of vast trade systems that tied different zones together. Topics covered include: * products that were traded and why; * the relationship between political authorities and trade; * the rise and fall of Bronze Age commerce; * the development of a maritime system centered on the Indian Ocean stretching from the Mediterranean to the South China Sea; * the integration of China into the world system and the creation of the Silk Road; * the transition to a modern commercial system. Complete with maps for clear visual illustration, this vital contribution to the study of World History brings the story of trade in the premodern period vividly to life.

This unique volume presents chapters written on the areas of life-testing and reliability by many well-known researchers who have contributed significantly to these two areas over the years. Chapters cover a wide range of topics such as inference under censoring and truncation, reliability growth models, designs to improve quality, prediction techniques, Bayesian analysis of reliability, multivariate methods, accelerated testing, and more. The book is written in an easy-to-follow style, first presenting the necessary theoretical details and then illustrating the methods with a numerical examples wherever possible. Many tables and graphs that are essential for the use of some of the new methodologies are presented throughout the volume. Numerous examples provide the reader with a clear understanding of the methods presented as well as with insight into the applications of these results.

This unique volume presents chapters written on the areas of life-testing and reliability by many well-known researchers who have contributed significantly to these two areas over the years. Chapters cover a wide range of topics such as inference under censoring and truncation, reliability growth models, designs to improve quality, prediction techniques, Bayesian analysis of reliability, multivariate methods, accelerated testing, and more. The book is written in an easy-to-follow style, first presenting the necessary theoretical details and then illustrating the methods with a numerical examples wherever possible. Many tables and graphs that are essential for the use of some of the new methodologies are presented throughout the volume. Numerous examples provide the reader with a clear understanding of the methods presented as well as with insight into the applications of these results.

This book presents a collection of studies on state-of-art techniques for converting biomass to chemical products by means of pyrolysis, which are widely applicable to the valorization of biomass. In addition to discussing the fundamentals and mechanisms for producing bio-oils, chemicals, gases and biochar using pyrolysis, it outlines key reaction parameters and reactor configurations for various types of biomass. Written by leading experts and providing a broad range of perspectives on cutting-edge applications, the book is a comprehensive reference guide for academic researchers and industrial engineers in the fields of natural renewable materials, biorefinery of lignocellulose, biofuels, and environmental engineering, and a valuable resource for university students in the fields of chemical engineering, material science and environmental engineering.

The application of ionic liquids to biomass for producing biofuels and chemicals will be one of the hot research areas during the next decade due to the fascinating properties of these versatile group of solvents that allow them to dissolve lignocellulosic materials. The present text provides up-to-date fundamentals, state-of-the-art reviews, current assessments and prospects in this area, including aspects of pretreatment, fermentation, biomass dissolution, cellulose transformation, reaction kinetics and physical properties, as well as the subsequent production of biofuels and platform chemicals such as sugars, aldehydes and acids. Auxiliary methods such as catalysis, microwave and enzymatic techniques used in the transformations are covered. Both researchers and practitioners are certain to find a wealth of information in the individual chapters, which were written by experts in the field to provide an essential basis for assessing possible pretreatment and transformation routes of biomass using ionic liquids, and for developing new methods and chemical processes. Dr. Zhen Fang is Professor of Bioenergy, head of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Biomass Group, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden and is also an Adjunct Professor of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China. Dr. Richard L Smith, Jr. is Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Research Center of Supercritical Fluid Technology, Tohoku University, Japan. Dr. Xinhua Qi is Professor of Environmental Science at Nankai University, China.

The application of ionic liquids to biomass for producing biofuels and chemicals will be one of the hot research areas during the next decade due to the fascinating properties of these versatile group of solvents that allow them to dissolve lignocellulosic materials. The present text provides up-to-date fundamentals, state-of-the-art reviews, current assessments and prospects in this area, including aspects of pretreatment, fermentation, biomass dissolution, cellulose transformation, reaction kinetics and physical properties, as well as the subsequent production of biofuels and platform chemicals such as sugars, aldehydes and acids. Auxiliary methods such as catalysis, microwave and enzymatic techniques used in the transformations are covered. Both researchers and practitioners are certain to find a wealth of information in the individual chapters, which were written by experts in the field to provide an essential basis for assessing possible pretreatment and transformation routes of biomass using ionic liquids, and for developing new methods and chemical processes. Dr. Zhen Fang is Professor of Bioenergy, head of the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Biomass Group, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden and is also an Adjunct Professor of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China. Dr. Richard L Smith, Jr. is Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Research Center of Supercritical Fluid Technology, Tohoku University, Japan. Dr. Xinhua Qi is Professor of Environmental Science at Nankai University, China.

This book provides state-of-the-art reviews, current research and prospects of producing hydrogen using bio, thermal and electrochemical methods and covers hydrogen separation, storage and applications. Hydrogen produced from biomass offers a clean and renewable energy source and a promising energy carrier that will supplement or replace fossil fuels in the future. The book is intended as a reference work for researchers, academics and industrialists working in the chemical and biological sciences, engineering, renewable resources and sustainability. Readers will find a wealth of information in the text that is both useful for the practical development of hydrogen systems and essential for assessing hydrogen production by bioelectrochemical, electrochemical, fermentation, gasification, pyrolysis and solar means, applied to many forms of biomass. Dr. Zhen Fang is Professor in Bioenergy, Leader and founder of biomass group, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden and is also adjunct Professor of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China. Dr. Richard L Smith, Jr. is Professor of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Research Center of Supercritical Fluid Technology, Tohoku University, Japan. Dr. Xinhua Qi is Professor of Environmental Science, Nankai University, China.

Conversion of biomass into chemicals and biofuels is an active research and development area as trends move to replace traditional fossil fuels with renewable resources. By integrating processing methods with ultrasound and microwave irradiation into biorefineries, the time-scale of many operations can be greatly reduced while the efficiency of the reactions can be remarkably increased so that process intensification can be achieved. "Production of Biofuels and Chemicals with Ultrasound" and "Production of Biofuels and Chemicals with Microwave" are two independent volumes in the Biofuels and Biorefineries series that take different, but complementary approaches for the pretreatment and chemical transformation of biomass into chemicals and biofuels. The volume "Ultrasound" provides current research advances and prospects in mechanistic principles of acoustic cavitation in sonochemistry, physical and chemical mechanisms in biofuel synthesis, reactor design for transesterification and esterification reactions, lipid extraction from algal biomass, microalgae extraction, biodiesel and bioethanol synthesis, practical technologies and systems, pretreatment of biomass waste sources including lignocellulosic materials, manures and sludges for biogas production, vibration-assisted pelleting, combined chemical-mechanical methods, valorization of starch-based wastes and techno-economic methodology. Each of the 12 chapters has been peer-reviewed and edited to improve both the quality of the text and the scope and coverage of the topics. Both volumes "Ultrasound" and "Microwave" are references designed for students, researchers, academicians and industrialists in the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering and include introductory chapters to highlight present concepts of the fundamental technologies and their application. Dr. Zhen Fang is Professor in Bioenergy, Leader and founder of biomass group, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden and is also adjunct Professor of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China. Dr. Richard L Smith, Jr. is Professor of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Research Center of Supercritical Fluid Technology, Tohoku University, Japan. Dr. Xinhua Qi is Professor of Environmental Science, Nankai University, China.

Entrepreneurial Finance: Venture Capital, Deal Structure & Valuation, Second Edition illustrates how the theory and methods of finance and economics can be used to guide strategic decision-making. This text prepares readers for a variety of situations that confront stakeholders in the rapidly evolving fields of entrepreneurial finance and venture capital, outlining ways to think from the investor's and entrepreneur's perspectives. Readers will find a unique and direct focus on value creation as the objective of each strategic and financial choice. The authors specifically address the influences of risk and uncertainty on new venture success and investment performance, devoting substantial attention to methods of financial modeling and contract design. Finally, they provide a comprehensive survey of approaches to new venture valuation, with an emphasis on applications. The second edition is thoroughly revised to reflect new data, research, and changes in practice in this fast-moving field. It has an increased focus on venture capital, while maintaining its hallmark coverage of the financial aspects of entrepreneurship. Updates throughout address technological changes that have the potential to dramatically change the landscape for finance, such as recent innovations in contracting for early-stage ventures, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and Internet connectivity. Lastly, the book offers a companion website with a useful suite of resources for students and instructors alike, including spreadsheets, templates, simulation applications, and interactive cases and tutorials.

This book covers sustainable recycling processes (e.g. physical, biological, chemical, and thermo-chemical) of multiple organic solid wastes, provides methods for material recycle of wastes into value-added products including fuels and commodity chemicals that are able to be directly applied to promote manufacturing processes.  Aimed at improving the awareness of effective conversion protocols and for developing innovative biomass conversion processes, this text was conceived as a collection of studies on state-of-art techniques and know-how for production of biofuels and chemicals from sustainable recycling of organic solid wastes.  Topics in the text are discussed in terms of addressing recent advances, assessing and highlighting promising new methods or new technological strategies and direct conversion of organic solid wastes to process feeds. Highly-recognized authorities, experts and professionals have contributed individual chapters in selected areas to cover the overall topic in a comprehensive manner.  

Trade and commerce are among the oldest, most pervasive, and most important of human activities, serving as engines for change in many other human endeavors. This far-reaching study examines the key theme of trading in world history, from the earliest signs of trade until the long-distance trade systems such as the famous Silk Road were firmly established. Beginning with a general background on the mechanism of trade, Richard L. Smith addresses such basic issues as how and why people trade, and what purpose trade serves. The book then traces the development of long-distance trade, from its beginnings in the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods through early river valley civilizations and the rise of great empires, to the evolution of vast trade systems that tied different zones together. Topics covered include: * products that were traded and why; * the relationship between political authorities and trade; * the rise and fall of Bronze Age commerce; * the development of a maritime system centered on the Indian Ocean stretching from the Mediterranean to the South China Sea; * the integration of China into the world system and the creation of the Silk Road; * the transition to a modern commercial system. Complete with maps for clear visual illustration, this vital contribution to the study of World History brings the story of trade in the premodern period vividly to life.

Life is business as usual for two families in very different parts of the United States. Peter Dexter and his wife, Judy, raise a family and run a successful farm in North Dakota, while Dan and Nora Justin do their best to keep their kids in line in California. The families have been friends for years and face different challenges when a Corona Mass Ejection from the sun cuts off all electrical power across the nation. The loss of power in America generates chaos throughout the country. Electricity? Gone. Mass transit? Out of service. Emergency services? Unavailable. The United States is cast into a new Dark Age, and the Dexter and Justin families struggle to survive despite danger and difficulty. Meanwhile in a distant land, enemy forces plot revenge. Radical Islamic terrorists see the power outage as a divine gift. Now, they have their chance to destroy America and replace it with an Islamic government. Threatening the use of atom bombs, the terrorists try to gain control of the weakened American government. They strive to establish a caliphate on American soil, while civilians are busy avoiding violence and food shortages. Is there any hope for our powerless country? As the two families struggle to survive, a teenager will courageously fight to save the lives of thousands and become the object of a jihad.

Can I challenge your imagination and whisk you into the future, a future filled with challenge, mysteries and discovery? Travel with me to a distant time, a future where survival and exploration are unique challenges that will eventually decide the existence or extinction of humans on this planet.

Our story begins with a planeload of passengers and crew bound for San Francisco. Abducted and thrust one-hundred and twenty-five thousand years into the future, the travelers find themselves in an improbable world, a world ruled by evolution and change, a world designed for their survival. Slowly they come to realize where they have landed and must deal with the fact that they are alone, alone in this New Eden. Someone or something abducted them for a purpose, an unidentified and enigmatic purpose that demands answers. Nevertheless New Eden will not easily surrender its secrets. It will take all their skill, grit and determination to survive and explore this land and discover the truth of human evolution, a truth they must struggle to understand and one we can only imagine.

This book covers sustainable recycling processes (e.g. physical, biological, chemical, and thermo-chemical) of multiple organic solid wastes, provides methods for material recycle of wastes into value-added products including fuels and commodity chemicals that are able to be directly applied to promote manufacturing processes. Aimed at improving the awareness of effective conversion protocols and for developing innovative biomass conversion processes, this text was conceived as a collection of studies on state-of-art techniques and know-how for production of biofuels and chemicals from sustainable recycling of organic solid wastes. Topics in the text are discussed in terms of addressing recent advances, assessing and highlighting promising new methods or new technological strategies and direct conversion of organic solid wastes to process feeds. Highly-recognized authorities, experts and professionals have contributed individual chapters in selected areas to cover the overall topic in a comprehensive manner.