Combining robotics with nanotechnology, this ready reference summarizes the fundamentals and emerging applications in this fascinating research field. This is the first book to introduce tools specifically designed and made for manipulating micro- and nanometer-sized objects, and presents such examples as semiconductor packaging and clinical diagnostics as well as surgery. The first part discusses various topics of on-chip and device-based micro- and nanomanipulation, including the use of acoustic, magnetic, optical or dielectrophoretic fields, while surface-driven and high-speed microfluidic manipulation for biophysical applications are also covered. In the second part of the book, the main focus is on microrobotic tools. Alongside magnetic micromanipulators, bacteria and untethered, chapters also discuss silicon nano- and integrated optical tweezers. The book closes with a number of chapters on nanomanipulation using AFM and nanocoils under optical and electron microscopes. Exciting images from the tiniest robotic systems at the nano-level are used to illustrate the examples throughout the work. A must-have book for readers with a background ranging from engineering to nanotechnology.

This book covers the state-of-the-art technologies for positioning with nanometer resolutions and accuracies, particularly those based on piezoelectric actuators and MEMS actuators. The latest advances are described, including the design of nanopositioning devices, sensing and actuation technologies and control methods for nanopositioning. This is an ideal book for mechanical and electrical engineering students and researchers; micro and nanotechnology researchers and graduate students; as well as those working in the precision instrumentation or semiconductor industries.

This book covers the state-of-the-art technologies for positioning with nanometer resolutions and accuracies, particularly those based on piezoelectric actuators and MEMS actuators. The latest advances are described, including the design of nanopositioning devices, sensing and actuation technologies and control methods for nanopositioning. This is an ideal book for mechanical and electrical engineering students and researchers; micro and nanotechnology researchers and graduate students; as well as those working in the precision instrumentation or semiconductor industries.

Micro and Nano Systems for Biophysical Studies of Cells and Small Organisms provides a comprehensive introduction to the state-of-the-art micro and nano systems that have recently been developed and applied to biophysical studies of cells and small organisms. These micro and nano systems span from microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and microfluidic devices to robotic micro-nanomanipulation systems. These biophysical studies range from cell mechanics to the neural science of worms and Drosophila. This book will help readers understand the fundamentals surrounding the development of these tools and teach them the most recent advances in cellular and organismal biophysics enabled by these technologies.

Chalcogenide: From 3D to 2D and Beyond reviews graphene-like 2D chalcogenide systems that include topological insulators, interesting thermoelectric structures, and structures that exhibit a host of spin phenomena that are unique to 2D and lower-dimensional geometries. The book describes state-of-the-art materials in growth and fabrication, magnetic, electronic and optical characterization, as well as the experimental and theoretical aspects of this family of materials. Bulk chalcogenides, chalcogenide films, their heterostructures and low-dimensional chalcogenide-based quantum structures are discussed. Particular attention is paid to findings that are relevant to the continued search for new physical phenomena and new functionalities. Finally, the book covers the enormous opportunities that have emerged as it has become possible to achieve lower-dimensional chalcogenide structures by epitaxial techniques.

This study, based on the theory of participatory governance, takes public hearings on water pricing in Chengdu as the research case. Through qualitative field research, I present the problems centred on urban water provision and some limitations of public participation in the hearings. The study reveals that the local government is stepping back into the management of urban water provision for its own benefit, and the water companies are taking a dominant position due to slack regulation and their monopolistic nature, so the public is at a disadvantage owing to the lack of empowerment, information asymmetry, transparency and equity. The study criticises water pricing hearings for being merely a formality of participatory governance but without practical and constructive meaning at this stage. Furthermore, the study and the associated problems explored, provide pertinent recommendations for the improvement of water pricing hearings and more rational management in urban water provision.

1, 3-Butadiene is a cigarette smoke constituent with great contributions to smoke cancer risk. 1, 3- Butadiene is also an important chemical used in the production of synthetic rubber. 1,3-Butadiene has been categorized as a human carcinogen by the International Agency of Research on Cancer. Crotonaldehyde is an ubiquitous chemical that exists in the environment and endogenously, and is one of the most important aldehydes of human health concern. Crotonaldehyde has been shown to cause adverse biological effects in cell culture and animal studies, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, reacting with DNA and protein, mutation induction, and carcinogenicity. Studies have demonstrated that Crotonaldehyde is involved in human diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Alzheimer's disease, etc. This book reviewed the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of 1, 3-butadiene and crotonaldehdye and evaluated their toxicological effects in cell cultures and in experimental animals.