This textbook bridges the gap between introductory and advanced numerical methods for engineering students. The book initially introduces readers to numerical methods before progressing to linear and nonlinear equations. Next, the book covers the topics of interpolation, curve fitting and approximation, integration, differentiation and differential equations. The book concludes with a chapter on advanced mathematical analysis which explains methods for finite difference, method of moments and finite elements. The book introduces readers to key concepts in engineering such as error analysis, algorithms, applied mathematics with the goal of giving an understanding of how to solve engineering problems using computational methods. Each of the featured topics is explained with sufficient detail while retaining the usual introductory nuance. This blend of beginner-friendly and applied information, along with reference listings makes the textbook useful to students of undergraduate and introductory graduate courses in mathematics and engineering.

A smart city uses technology to provide services and solve problems to improve urban policy efficiency, reduce waste, improve quality of life, and maximize social inclusion. By 2050, 66% of the world's population is expected to be urban, which is a key driver of a global trend toward the creation of smart cities. This trend creates many opportunities for urban planning committees to learn how to design, modernize, and operate smart cities intelligently and effectively. Facets of a Smart City: Computational and Experimental Techniques for Sustainable Urban Development is a collection of topics that are relevant to the design of a smart city. This book aims to complement technical journal articles that require advanced knowledge of the subject of smart cities and applications for readers. It aims to bridge knowledge gaps in sustainable urban design by providing background information via case studies to facilitate students, recent graduates and new practitioners in urban design and planning. Key Features: - This book features 9 chapters that cover 6 major domains, which include (i) information modelling, (ii) internet of things, (iii) intelligent transportation systems, (iv) water supply, (v) waste management and (vi) sustainable environment - Computational techniques are included in the book. These include artificial neural networks, stochastic models, particle swarm optimization, machine learning, and adaptive neuro-fuzzy Inference systems. - Goals of case studies presented in this book use computational techniques to offer readers examples of supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning strategies in the context of smart city applications - References are provided for further reading

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 reference is an accessible update on combustion synthesis and the chemical technology for synthesizing composite materials. Nine chapters offer an overview of the subject with recent references, giving the reader an informed perspective. The book starts with an introduction to thermodynamic models used in combustion synthesis. Subsequent chapters explain the application of combustion synthesis to manufacture different materials such as nanostructured non-ferrous alloys, ceramic powders, functionally graded materials, boron carbide-based superhard materials, shape memory alloys, biomaterials, high-entropy alloys and rare earth phosphates. The range of topics makes this book a useful guide for students, scientists and industrial professionals in the field of chemical engineering, metallurgy and materials science.

Applications of Modern Mass Spectrometry, Volume 2, covers the latest advances in mass spectrometry in scientific research. The series presents readers with information on the broad range of mass spectrometry techniques and configurations, data analysis, and practical applications. Each volume contains contributions from eminent researchers who present their findings in an easy-to-read format. The multidisciplinary nature of the works presented in each volume of this book series makes it a valuable reference on mass spectrometry to academic researchers and industrial R&D specialists in applied sciences, biochemistry, life sciences, and allied fields. The second volume of the series presents 6 reviews: Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry for Macromolecule Analysis - Recent Advancements in Detection of Organic Contaminants in Wastewater Using Advanced Mass Spectrometry - Poisonous Substances in Tropical Medicinal and Edible Plants: Traditional Uses, Toxicology, and Characterization by Hyphenated Mass Spectrometry Techniques - LC-MS Analysis of Endogenous Neuropeptides from Tissues of Central Nervous System: An Overview - Advances in Structural Proteomics Using Mass Spectrometry and Recent Trends of Modern Mass Spectrometry: Application towards Drug Discovery and Development Process.

This reference presents a collection of studies which highlight new developments in improving manufacturing processes and performance. The book includes 11 chapters which cover unique topics of interest to production engineers. These topics include the production of advanced composite materials and alloys to the use of sensors to evaluate production processes, product testing and evaluation (in production and storage environments), and the development and testing of an unmanned aerial vehicle. Chapters have been contributed by several scholars, who give a unique perspective on specific aspects of manufacturing and industrial production. The book also covers recent technologies such as additive manufacturing. Each chapter presents the study in an experimental manner highlighting the theory, methods, and results, where applicable. References for further reading are also provided. This book is intended to provide researchers and engineers with new data and cases for industrial manufacturing processes which may be applied in different industrial sectors.

Graphene-Based Nanomaterial Catalysis compiles knowledge about catalytic graphene-based nanomaterials in a single easy-to-read volume. The text serves to familiarize scholars and professionals with the methods of fabrication of both functionalized and non-functionalized graphene nanomaterials suitable for use in a variety of applications such as electrochemical sensors, oxygen and hydrogen production, fuel cells and organic transformations. Key Features - systematic chapters which present the topic in an accessible way that is targeted towards learners - Accessible information about the fabrication of graphene-based catalysts - updated knowledge about catalytic applications of graphene-based nanomaterials in electro- and organic catalysis. - delivers information about recent trends in industry and research. - covers sophisticated green technologies such as carbon dioxide conversion and solar powered water splitting - references for further reading Interested students in material science at undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels in the disciplines of chemical engineering and materials science will highly benefit from the information in this reference. The reference also gives researchers in both industry and academia an opportunity to update their knowledge of graphene-based nanomaterials useful for catalysis.

Applications of NMR Spectroscopy is a book series devoted to publishing the latest advances in the applications of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in various fields of organic chemistry, biochemistry, health and agriculture. The ninth volume of the series features reviews that highlight NMR spectroscopic techniques in microbiology, food science, pharmaceutical analysis and cancer diagnosis. The reviews in this volume are: - NMR spectroscopy for the characterization of photoprotective compounds in cyanobacteria - Coffee assessment using 1H NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis: a review - Evaluation of structure-property relationship of coconut shell lignins by NMR spectroscopy: from biorefinery to high-added value products - Application of NMR spectroscopy in chiral recognition of drugs - NMR-based metabolomics: general aspects and applications in cancer diagnosis

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a technique applied in multidisciplinary research. Its use has tremendously grown in the last 40 years owing to improved nanofabrication, biomolecules extraction and sensitive signal acquisition techniques. This book focuses on the underlying principles of SERS by emphasizing on basic concepts and background information about the subject. Chapters explain the physics of Raman spectroscopy while also indicating its relevance to designing protocols and methodologies for biosensing and imaging. The book gives updated and recent details on colloids and nanostructures, their fabrication, surface engineering and immobilization methods, all in context to SERS based biosensing. Key Features: - Covers basic knowledge and new research about surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) - Provides a complete framework on SERS based biosensing with concise chapters - Focuses on different active molecules critical to SERS and associated developed nanoassemblies - Presents information about ongoing research on SERS imaging applications - Highlights bottlenecks of SERS technique in biosensing - Includes references for further reading This book serves as a reference book for researchers and academicians and will also provide a reasonable understanding on the topic of SERS to newcomers irrespective of their background in a simple manner. The book is of interest to all readers within the scientific community involved with Raman spectroscopy, including chemists, physicists, biologists, material scientists as well as biomedical engineers.

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing is the construction of an object using CAD models. The technology for additive manufacturing s gaining traction in recent times due to its accessibility for both personal and industrial use, as well as its usefulness in quick prototyping (either of a whole object or its components) and meeting the needs of small commercial workloads. Advances in Additive Manufacturing Processes informs readers about the breadth of 3D printing processes. Chapters cover the basic knowledge of additive techniques and their industrial applications with relevant examples. The improvements in each method and their recent technical achievements with practical experimental data are highlighted. The book presents eight types of 3D printing processes, covering a diverse range of technologies which represent the industry. The contents also cover selected topics of relevance to additive manufacturing which include the formation of defects and factors that affect the mechanical properties of the additively manufactured components. Chapters also provide recent guidelines for adapting additive manufacturing processes to increase productivity and reduce manufacturing cost. Advances in Additive Manufacturing Processes is a handy reference for scholars and professionals involved in manufacturing industries and process engineering as well as hobbyists who are interested in the current state-of-the-art in 3D printing.