This book provides a detailed overview of the theory of analytical and experimental modal analysis and its applications. Modal Analysis is the processes of determining the inherent dynamic characteristics of any system and using them to formulate a mathematical model of the dynamic behavior of the system. In the past two decades it has become a major technological tool in the quest for determining, improving and optimizing dynamic characteristics of engineering structures.
Its main application is in mechanical and aeronautical engineering, but it is also gaining widespread use in civil and structural engineering, biomechanical problems, space structures, acoustic instruments and nuclear engineering.

The only book to focus on the theory of modal analysis before discussing applications
A relatively new technique being utilized more and more in recent years which is now filtering through to undergraduate courses
Leading expert in the field

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.

The Symposium was held at the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel in Beijing, China in the period August 25-30, 1986. The decision to concentrate on the observational aspects of modern cosmology was taken in part because this conference has come in a period when there have been several international meetings on one aspect of modern cosmology, namely the early universe and its possible relationship to particle physics. While that approach is extremely exciting, it has the disadvantage that its connection with much of observational cosmology is very indirect. Thus there has been little opportunity to discuss critically the wealth of new data that are now becoming available which bear on the structure and evolution of the Universe but not always on its early history. This Symposium was planned to cover all aspects of observational cosmology, with only comparatively minor excursions into theory. Nearly 200 participants attended from 21 countries. A total of 26 invited papers and 73 contributed papers were given. This meant that everyone worked hard and long from 9 A.M. to about 5:30 P.M. for five of the six days of the conference. In addition to oral contributions, space was made available for poster papers and 56 of these were available for study for the duration of the conference.

.".. is a worthwhile elementary treatment of the cosmology of the early Universe written with a liveliness and simplicity that will surely encourage students to pursue the subject further.''
John D Barrow
Nature, 1989

.".. a superb guide to what is known about cosmology....The authors also leave you with a sense of anticipation and excitement.''
David Hughes
New Scientist, 1989

"The book is well written and interesting, particularly in its use of Chinese stories throughout ... The book contains all the standard material found in such texts. The chapters on the thermodynamics of the Universe are particularly good ... this is a first-rate book of its genre and is heartily recommended."
Kenneth Dunn
Mathematical Reviews, 1993

"The best popular account of the science that explains how the universe can be friendly to life is a book, 'Creation of the Universe', by the Chinese astronomers, Fang Li Zhi and Li Shu Xian. The book was translated into English and published by World Scientific Publishing in 1989. Fang Li Zhi is the famous dissident astronomer now living in exile in the United States. I particularly recommend Chapter 6, with the title 'How Order Was Born of Chaos'. This tells the same story that I am telling you today, but with more detail and more depth."
Freeman J Dyson
Oppenheimer lecture at University of California, Berkeley
Mar 2000

.".. is a worthwhile elementary treatment of the cosmology of the early Universe written with a liveliness and simplicity that will surely encourage students to pursue the subject further.''
John D Barrow
Nature, 1989

.".. a superb guide to what is known about cosmology....The authors also leave you with a sense of anticipation and excitement.''
David Hughes
New Scientist, 1989

"The book is well written and interesting, particularly in its use of Chinese stories throughout ... The book contains all the standard material found in such texts. The chapters on the thermodynamics of the Universe are particularly good ... this is a first-rate book of its genre and is heartily recommended."
Kenneth Dunn
Mathematical Reviews, 1993

"The best popular account of the science that explains how the universe can be friendly to life is a book, 'Creation of the Universe', by the Chinese astronomers, Fang Li Zhi and Li Shu Xian. The book was translated into English and published by World Scientific Publishing in 1989. Fang Li Zhi is the famous dissident astronomer now living in exile in the United States. I particularly recommend Chapter 6, with the title 'How Order Was Born of Chaos'. This tells the same story that I am telling you today, but with more detail and more depth."
Freeman J Dyson
Oppenheimer lecture at University of California, Berkeley
Mar 2000

In his first collection of writings to be published in English, Fang Lizhi, the world-reowned Chinese astrophysicist and human rights activist, speaks out on science, culture, and the future of democracy in China. Here is a rare glimpse into the intellect of one of the most courageously outspoken men of our time.

This book aims to introduce to the reader the main thread of development from Newton's laws to Einstein's theory of relativity. Limited by its scope and avoiding as much as possible the use of mathematical apparatus, the authors try to clarify the most fundamental ideas and concepts. Both authors hold a deep reverence for Galileo and Einstein, and this book is dedicated to these two great scientists.

This detailed survey comprises reprints on subjects related to the development of quantum cosmology. As an introduction, an overview is included.