Soft robotics is a subfield of robotics that encompasses the design and fabrication of robots with soft and compliant materials. Soft robots represent components like human prosthetics or biomimicking systems. Soft robotics relies on technically astute designs based on the correct choice of materials to enable a level of dexterity not possible with rigid components alone. The basic prime movers (actuators) and perception (sensors) require control systems capable of accommodating imprecise feedback data and often unpredictable reaction times. Mobility in such robots is more akin to entomological or marine systems than conventional guided vehicles. This reference is a guide to materials and systems used in soft robotics. If features 6 chapters contributed by robotics experts that review fundamental and applied topics that are important for understanding the requirements of soft robotics design projects and the physics of the polymers involved. Chapters are organized for easy reading and include references. The topics include: - Aspects of materials processing and engineering for the development of soft robotic devices - A review on biological gripping principles and their application to robotics - Information about self-sensing electroadhesive polymer grippers with magnetically controllable surface geometry - Theoretical and experimental investigations of magnetic hybrid materials - Modeling and dynamic analysis of a novel rotary soft robotic arm by transfer matrix method - Design and control of a portable continuum robot for pipe inspection assisted by a rigid manipulator This book is a suitable reference for scholars and engineers who are seeking knowledge about materials and design principles in soft robotics with its practical applications.

This book is a guide to the application of ionic liquids (ILs) in the oil industry. It includes ten chapters that review basic and advanced topics. Starting with a general introduction to IL structure and properties, the book comprehensively explains the use of ILs in key petroleum extraction processes such as pollutant removal, demulsification, crude oil transport and oil recovery. Additional applications that are important for the sustainability management of petrochemical operations such as deepwell hydrate inhibition, CO2 capture, corrosion engineering, catalysis, hydrocarbon separation, bitumen extraction and stabilization are also included. Each chapter also provides bibliographic references for further reading. The wide range of topics makes this an informative reference to students and professionals in petroleum engineering, chemical engineering programs and any other training course that requires reading material for an understanding of the oil industry. General readers and researchers interested in the fascinating chemistry of ionic liquids will also enjoy this book.

This e-book focuses on the application of artificial intelligence resources in fields related to Control and Automation Engineering. Techniques such as neural networks, fuzzy logic and expert systems are a key tool for researchers and engineers requiring powerful solutions to a wide range of problems. The e-book should be a useful guide for these engineers and presents practical examples of real cases where these techniques have been successfully applied.

Risk management is a process through which an organization methodically analyses risks inherent in all of its operational activities with the aim of minimizing damage to physical assets or occupational health hazards. Risk Management, therefore, should be a central element in the management strategy of any organization as it plays a crucial role in giving the organization a sustainable operational advantage. Safety Science: Methods to Prevent Incidents and Worker Health Damage at the Workplace is a handbook for management students and working professionals (safety professionals, human resource managers, insurance officers etc.) interested in the science of risk management and methods to implements safety standards at the workplace. The book introduces readers to the concept of occupational risk and occupational health management. It explains the concepts relevant to these topics such as safety economy valuation and asset integrity management. Assessment tools related to qualitative and quantitative risk management, incident and vulnerability analysis are also provided. Additionally, readers will find information on the human factors and methods to improve human engagement in risk management as well as information about current safety standards and systems in organizations around the world.

Continuous efforts to develop new semiconductor devices enable device manufacturers to make significant improvements in the information technology sector. Bipolar transistors and MOSFETS are two special electronic device components that are used to construct very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits, allowing engineers to create powerful machines that are power efficient. VLSI device characterization depends largely on semiconductor device modeling which is based on physical and electronic principles. Bipolar transistor and MOSFET device models is a textbook that describes basic functions and characterization models of these two types of transistors. Readers will learn about the processes employed to derive these models which will help them understand the modeling process. Chapters in this text cover the fundamentals of semiconductor devices, the pn junction, high and low injection region models for bipolar transistors, and different MOSFET models such as channel doping models and gated SOI models. Key features of this book include: - step by step, easy to understand presentation of model information on innovative semiconductor devices - an overview of model derivation, assumptions, approximations and limitations - novel experimental information on semiconductor parameters such as gate fringe capacitance, silicided source/drain resistance, and threshold voltage shift Bipolar transistor and MOSFET device models is an essential learning resource for advanced students and professional engineers involved in semiconductor device modeling and fabrication divisions.

This reference is a comprehensive guide to carbon quantum/ dots (CQDs) for researchers. The book includes ten chapters that explain the synthesis of CQDs, their chemical properties and their application in the field of nanotechnology. The content starts with a detailed introduction to CQDs, followed by the synthesis, chemical properties, and characterization of quantum dots. Subsequent chapters cover CQD application in the fabrication of biomedical materials, chemical sensing, wastewater treatment, toxicology, and energy storage. The final chapter of the book explores the future prospects of these quantum dots which gives a glimpse of new horizons in research and development. This book provides guidance to students and researchers who require an understanding of carbonaceous quantum dots. It also serves as a handbook for professionals, researchers and students working in chemical technology sectors.

Bridges’ Dynamics covers the historical review of research and introductory mathematical concepts related to the structural dynamics of bridges. The e-book explains the theory behind engineering aspects such as 1) dynamic loadings, 2) mathematical concepts (calculus elements of variations, the d’ Alembert principle, Lagrange’s equation, the Hamilton principle, the equations of Heilig, and the δ and H functions), 3) moving loads, 4) bridge support mechanics (one, two and three span beams), 5) Static systems under dynamic loading 6) aero-elasticity, 7) space problems (2D and 3D) and 8) absorb systems (equations governing the behavior of the bridge-absorber system). The e-book is a useful introductory textbook for civil engineers interested in the theory of bridge structures.

Catalysis is an area of chemical sciences which has fascinated a wide range of academicians, researchers, chemical technologists and industries throughout the world. Progress in this field has been made owing to the thrust provided by this research and commercial interest. The field of catalysis is interdisciplinary by its nature, as it requires knowledge of organic synthesis, coordination and organometallic chemistry, reaction kinetics and mechanisms, stereochemical concepts and materials science. Fundamentals and Prospects of Catalysis highlights many important topics and sub-disciplines in catalysis by presenting 7 chapters on different but varied catalytic processes. This volume presents the following topics: · Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Spiroacetals and Bridged Acetals · Design and Development of Bimetallic Enantioselective Salen Co Catalysts for The Hydrolytic Kinetic Resolution of Terminal Epoxides · Recent Trend in Asymmetric Heterogeneous Flow Catalysis · Ball Milling: A Green Tool in Synthetic Organic Chemistry · Recent Advances in the Developments of Enantioselective Electrophilic Fluorination Reactions via Organocatalysis · Green and Sustainable Biocatalytic Routes to Prepare Biobased Polyols as Precursors for Polyurethanes with Comparison of Existing Biobased Polyol Technology · Polymers Used as Catalysts <p> Catalysis: Current and Future Developments is a book series that covers theoretical, experimental and applied research on catalysis and their role in enhancing the rate of chemical reactions. The scope of topics covered by volumes in the series include heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous catalysis, bio-catalysis, aspects of catalyst preparation, activation, aging, deactivation, rejuvenation, adsorption, synthesis and catalytic functions of new catalysts (which include novel inorganic solids and metal complexes). The series also presents reviews on surface chemistry, and commercially important model catalysts and catalytic processes.

Focusing on reducing emissions and improving fuel economy, automotive manufacturers are developing electric vehicles (EV) to replace fuel and diesel vehicles starting in 2030 onwards. The EVs, with their green power supplies maximize environmental benefits with zero emissions thereby lowering air pollution levels. There is now an increased demand for stable electric storage systems (ESS) that are part of the design of new electric vehicles. This timely reference gives an overview of modern electrical power systems applied in the current generation of electric vehicles which require an ESS, and how these can be utilized for simultaneous power and data communication. The book starts with an introduction to the topic, before giving a summary of the green power trend for the electric vehicle market. The book then delves into the theoretical and analytical framework required to understand adaptive compensation of the magnetic inductive system (ACMIS), based on zero voltage switch (ZVS). The chapters demonstrate how these systems are used for transmitting electric power from a single-end inverter combined with a compensated network of parallel to parallel (P-P) type and an auto-tuning impedance of LC tank. The book also covers the experimental method for a multifunctional contactless power flow of the G2V mode and bidirectional outer communication and inner communication with giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect for car parking guidance. The experiment shows how to analyze data transferring performance including the current trimming method and how to evaluate data transmission quality according to the relevant parameters. Overall the book serves to familiarize automotive engineers and industry professionals involved in the electric vehicle market with the issues that surround wireless power charging and data transfer systems for electric vehicles, and introduces them to more coherent designs.