This reference distills information about emerging technologies and applications for smart city design and sustainable urban planning. Chapters present technology use-cases that have radical novelty and high scalability with a prominent impact on community living standards. These technologies prepare urban and rural dwellings for the transformation to the smart world. Applications and techniques highlighted in the book use a combination of artificial intelligence and IoT technologies in areas like transportation, energy, healthcare, education, governance, and manufacturing, to name a few. The book serves as a learning resource for smart city design and sustainable infrastructure planning. Scholars and professionals who are interested in understanding ways for transforming communities into smart communities can also benefit from the cases presented in the book.

This book encapsulates current information about the science behind solar energy and the solar thermal systems available to meet domestic needs. Several scholars have contributed to the chapters in the text in an effort to distill research-oriented topics for learners. The book starts with an explainer on the fundamentals of thermodynamics, heat transfer and solar energy in the first 2 chapters. The basics of some solar thermal devices along with their thermal modeling are covered in the next few chapters, along with solar distillation systems. This is followed by information about the design, development and applications of solar cookers along with their thermal modeling. Thermal modeling of semi-transparent PVT systems and their applications are discussed in Chapter 9. Chapter 10 covers the development in solar photovoltaic technology. Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 discusses thermal modeling of greenhouse solar dryers and presents a case study on a hybrid active greenhouse solar dryer. Chapter 13 covers the thermal analysis of photovoltaic thermal (PVT) air heaters employing thermoelectric modules (TEM). The applications of various solar systems in building sectors and the development in this field are covered in Chapter 14. Chapter 15 deals with energy and environ- economics analysis of bio-gas integrated semi-transparent photo-voltaic thermal (Bi-iSPVT) systems for Indian climates. The book has a broad scope and is intended as a resource for students, researchers and teachers in universities, industries, and national and commercial laboratories to help learn the fundamentals and in-depth knowledge of thermal modeling and recent developments in solar heating systems.

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

Long-standing artworks and monuments show the wisdom and cultural identity of an ancient society along with the educational, material and spiritual merits of the people of that time. However, many historical artifacts and cultural monuments have been eroded over time and are in danger of deterioration beyond repair. There is a need to protect and conserve these artifacts. Restoration and preservation requires a multidisciplinary understanding of the inherent properties of these works based on the type of material and sufficient information in the properties of protective and conservation materials and research methods. Protective Material Coatings For Preserving Cultural Heritage Monuments and Artwork aims to familiarize students with the recent practices in conservation and restoration science in recent years by presenting a modern orientation on the subject focused on material coatings. Readers will be able to understand the properties of different materials in antique objects and how to adopt appropriate treatment methods based on these properties. This book consists of 5 chapters. In the first chapter, materials analysis techniques are described for historical monuments along with coatings used to preserve them. The second chapter introduces the properties of metals, alloys, and their common corrosion and explains protection strategies for metal monuments. An emphasis is given to nanocomposite coatings to prevent decay, especially through electrochemical corrosion. Chapter 3 is devoted to studying natural leather and parchments and their conservation from damage by environmental factors such as UV radiation, temperature, and humidity. The fourth chapter deals with stone works, which are in many historical objects. Chapter 5 introduces the reader to additional preservation materials and innovative methods employed to protect historical monuments and cultural heritage sites. Information about the removal of materials, cleaning of improper prior repairs is also given. Protective Material Coatings For Preserving Cultural Heritage Monuments and Artwork is an ideal book for students of archeology, architecture, materials science and contemporary arts courses who are required to learn about the techniques of preserving antique buildings and works of art. It also serves as a handy reference for professionals and general readers interested in the curation of museums and the conservation of buildings, and cultural heritage sites.

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.

Voltammetry for Sensing Applications familiarizes readers with recent advancements in the field of electrochemical analysis. The book features 16 chapters which cover many applications of voltammetric analysis such as drug testing and analysis, sensors for point-of-care devices, sensors for diverse analysis, advanced energy storage devices, clinical sample analysis, sensors for the detection of heavy metals, nanomaterials, disease detection, immune sensors, food sample analysis, and anti-inflammatory and anticancer drug detection. Many of the current methods of voltammetry offer increased stability, repeatability, high performance, cost-effectiveness, time-saving, sensitivity, and the chapters also cover appropriate applications for the sensing tools and methodologies which are imperative in electrochemical, environment, biological, medicinal, and food safety analysis. This informative reference serves as a timely and comprehensive update on voltammetry and sensing materials for chemistry scholars and industrial chemists alike.

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.