Electrical Phenomena at Interfaces and Biointerfaces. Fundamentals and Applications in Nano-, Bio-, and Environmental Sciences

Differential evolution is a very simple but very powerful stochastic optimizer. Since its inception, it has proved very efficient and robust in function optimization and has been applied to solve problems in many scientific and engineering fields. In Differential Evolution , Dr. Qing begins with an overview of optimization, followed by a state-of-the-art review of differential evolution, including its fundamentals and up-to-date advances. He goes on to explore the relationship between differential evolution strategies, intrinsic control parameters, non-intrinsic control parameters, and problem features through a parametric study. Findings and recommendations on the selection of strategies and intrinsic control parameter values are presented. Lastly, after an introductory review of reported applications in electrical and electronic engineering fields, different research groups demonstrate how the methods can be applied to such areas as: multicast routing, multisite mapping in grid environments, antenna arrays, analog electric circuit sizing, electricity markets, stochastic tracking in video sequences, and color quantization. Contains a systematic and comprehensive overview of differential evolution Reviews the latest differential evolution research Describes a comprehensive parametric study conducted over a large test bed Shows how methods can be practically applied to mobile communications grid computing circuits image processing power engineering Sample applications demonstrated by research groups in the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Turkey, China, and Eastern Europe Provides access to companion website with code examples for download Differential Evolution is ideal for application engineers, who can use the methods described to solve specific engineering problems. It is also a valuable reference for post-graduates and researchers working in evolutionary computation, design optimization and artificial intelligence. Researchers in the optimization field or engineers and managers involved in operations research will also find the book a helpful introduction to the topic.

Explores new applications emerging from our latest understanding of proteins in solution and at interfaces Proteins in solution and at interfaces increasingly serve as the starting point for exciting new applications, from biomimetic materials to nanoparticle patterning. This book surveys the state of the science in the field, offering investigators a current understanding of the characteristics of proteins in solution and at interfaces as well as the techniques used to study these characteristics. Moreover, the authors explore many of the new and emerging applications that have resulted from the most recent studies. Topics include protein and protein aggregate structure; computational and experimental techniques to study protein structure, aggregation, and adsorption; proteins in non-standard conditions; and applications in biotechnology. Proteins in Solution and at Interfaces is divided into two parts: Part One introduces concepts as well as theoretical and experimental techniques that are used to study protein systems, including X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, small angle scattering, and spectroscopic methods Part Two examines current and emerging applications, including nanomaterials, natural fibrous proteins, and biomolecular thermodynamics The book's twenty-three chapters have been contributed by leading experts in the field. These contributions are based on a thorough review of the latest peer-reviewed findings as well as the authors' own research experience. Chapters begin with a discussion of core concepts and then gradually build in complexity, concluding with a forecast of future developments. Readers will not only gain a current understanding of proteins in solution and at interfaces, but also will discover how theoretical and technical developments in the field can be translated into new applications in material design, genetic engineering, personalized medicine, drug delivery, biosensors, and biotechnology.

For the first time, this comprehensive handbook presents the emerging field of microwave technology for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Divided into three parts–fundamentals, methods, and applications–it covers topics including microwave theory, scale-up, microwave plasma synthesis, characterization, and more. This offers both an important volume for academic researchers, and a resource for those in industry exploring the applications of nanoparticles in semiconductors, electronics, catalysis, sensors, and more.

Micro-Cutting: Fundamentals and Applications comprehensively covers the state of the art research and engineering practice in micro/nano cutting: an area which is becoming increasingly important, especially in modern micro-manufacturing, ultraprecision manufacturing and high value manufacturing. This book provides basic theory, design and analysis of micro-toolings and machines, modelling methods and techniques, and integrated approaches for micro-cutting. The fundamental characteristics, modelling, simulation and optimization of micro/nano cutting processes are emphasized with particular reference to the predictabilty, producibility, repeatability and productivity of manufacturing at micro and nano scales. The fundamentals of micro/nano cutting are applied to a variety of machining processes including diamond turning, micromilling, micro/nano grinding/polishing, ultraprecision machining, and the design and implementation of micro/nano cutting process chains and micromachining systems. Key features • Contains contributions from leading global experts • Covers the fundamental theory of micro-cutting • Presents applications in a variety of machining processes • Includes examples of how to implement and apply micro-cutting for precision and micro-manufacturing Micro-Cutting: Fundamentals and Applications is an ideal reference for manufacturing engineers, production supervisors, tooling engineers, planning and application engineers, as well as machine tool designers. It is also a suitable textbook for postgraduate students in the areas of micro-manufacturing, micro-engineering and advanced manufacturing methods.

This is the first monograph to specifically focus on fundamentals and applications of polyelectrolytes, a class of molecules that gained substantial interest due to their unique combination of properties. Combining both features of organic semiconductors and polyelectrolytes, they offer a broad field for fundamental research as well as applications to analytical chemistry, optical imaging, and opto-electronic devices. The initial chapters introduce readers to the synthesis, optical and electrical properties of various conjugated polyelectrolytes. This is followed by chapters on the applications of these materials in optical sensing and imaging with emphasis on biological systems, while the final section addresses the emerging applications of conjugated polyelectrolytes in optoelectronic devices, concluding with an in-depth discussion of structure-property relationship. The editors and contributors are all pioneers and experts in this expanding field. This monograph is not only for chemists, materials scientists, and physicists, but also a unique source of knowledge for readers with scientific background interested in polyelectrolytes.

This new edition specifically addresses the most recent and relevant developments in the design and manufacture of OLED displays Provides knowledge of OLED fundamentals and related technologies for applications such as displays and solid state lighting along with processing and manufacturing technologies Serves as a reference for people engaged in OLED research, manufacturing, applications and marketing Includes coverage of white + color filter technology, which has become industry standard technology for large televisions

With emphasis on the physical and engineering principles, this book provides a comprehensive and highly accessible treatment of modern lasers and optoelectronics. Divided into four parts, it explains laser fundamentals, types of lasers, laser electronics & optoelectronics, and laser applications, covering each of the topics in their entirety, from basic fundamentals to advanced concepts. Key features include: exploration of technological and application-related aspects of lasers and optoelectronics, detailing both existing and emerging applications in industry, medical diagnostics and therapeutics, scientific studies and Defence. simple explanation of the concepts and essential information on electronics and circuitry related to laser systems illustration of numerous solved and unsolved problems, practical examples, chapter summaries, self-evaluation exercises, and a comprehensive list of references for further reading This volume is a valuable design guide for R&D engineers and scientists engaged in design and development of lasers and optoelectronics systems, and technicians in their operation and maintenance. The tutorial approach serves as a useful reference for under-graduate and graduate students of lasers and optoelectronics, also PhD students in electronics, optoelectronics and physics.

Optical waveguides take a prominent role in photonics because they are able to trap and to transport light efficiently between a point of excitation and a point of detection. Moreover, waveguides allow the management of many of the fundamental properties of light and allow highly controlled interaction with other optical systems. For this reason waveguides are ubiquitous in telecommunications, sensing, spectroscopy, light sources, and high power light delivery. Nanostructured and subwavelength waveguides have additional advantages; they are able to confine light at a length scale below the diffraction limit and enhance or suppress light-matter interaction, as well as manage fundamental properties of light such as speed and direction of energy and phase propagation. This book presents semi-analytical theory and practical applications of a large number of subwavelength and nanostructured optical waveguides and fibers operating in various regions of the electromagnetic spectrum including visible, near and mid-IR and THz. A large number of approximate, while highly precise analytical expressions are derived that describe various modal properties of the planar and circular isotropic, anisotropic, and metamaterial waveguides and fibers, as well as surface waves propagating on planar, and circular interfaces. A variety of naturally occurring and artificial materials are also considered such as dielectrics, metals, polar materials, anisotropic all-dielectric and metal-dielectric metamaterials. Contents are organized around four major themes: Guidance properties of subwavelength waveguides and fibers made of homogeneous, generally anisotropic materials Guidance properties of nanostructured waveguides and fibers using both exact geometry modelling and effective medium approximation Development of the effective medium approximations for various 1D and 2D nanostructured materials and extension of these approximations to shorter wavelengths Practical applications of subwavelength and nanostructured waveguides and fibers Nanostructured Subwavelengths and Waveguides is unique in that it collects in a single place an extensive range of analytical solutions which are derived in various limits for many practically important and popular waveguide and fiber geometries and materials.

Key features include: Self-assessment questions and exercises Chapters start with essential principles, then go on to address more advanced topics More than 1300 references to direct the reader to key literature and further reading Highly illustrated with 450 figures, including chemical structures and reactions, functioning principles, constructive details and response characteristics Chemical sensors are self-contained analytical devices that provide real-time information on chemical composition. A chemical sensor integrates two distinct functions: recognition and transduction. Such devices are widely used for a variety of applications, including clinical analysis, environment monitoring and monitoring of industrial processes. This text provides an up-to-date survey of chemical sensor science and technology, with a good balance between classical aspects and contemporary trends. Topics covered include: Structure and properties of recognition materials and reagents, including synthetic, biological and biomimetic materials, microorganisms and whole-cells Physicochemical basis of various transduction methods (electrical, thermal, electrochemical, optical, mechanical and acoustic wave-based) Auxiliary materials used e.g. synthetic and natural polymers, inorganic materials, semiconductors, carbon and metallic materials properties and applications of advanced materials (particularly nanomaterials) in the production of chemical sensors and biosensors Advanced manufacturing methods Sensors obtained by combining particular transduction and recognition methods Mathematical modeling of chemical sensor processes Suitable as a textbook for graduate and final year undergraduate students, and also for researchers in chemistry, biology, physics, physiology, pharmacology and electronic engineering, this bookis valuable to anyone interested in the field of chemical sensors and biosensors.

This book covers linear and nonlinear optics as well as optical spectroscopy at solid surfaces and at interfaces between a solid and a liquid or gas. The authors give a concise introduction to the physics of surfaces and interfaces. They discuss in detail physical properties of solid surfaces and of their interfaces to liquids and gases and provide the theoretical background for understanding various optical techniques. The major part of the book is dedicated to a broad review on optical techniques and topical applications such as infrared and optical spectroscopy or optical microscopy. Discussions of nonlinear optics, but also nano-optics and local spectroscopy complement this self-contained work. Helpful features include about 50 problems with solutions, a glossary and a thoroughly elaborated list of topical references. The book is suited as a text for graduate students but also for scientists working in physics, chemistry, materials or life sciences who look for an expert introduction to surface optical aspects of their studies.