Engineering Autonomous Vehicles and Robots

Providing a detailed overview of the fundamentals and latest developments in the field of energy autonomous microsystems, this book delivers an in-depth study of the applications in the fields of health and usage monitoring in aeronautics, medical implants, and home automation, drawing out the main specifications on such systems. Introductory information on photovoltaic, thermal and mechanical energy harvesting, and conversion, is given, along with the latest results in these fields. This book also provides a state of the art of ultra-low power sensor interfaces, digital signal processing and wireless communications. In addition, energy optimizations at the sensor node and sensors network levels are discussed, thus completing this overview. This book details the challenges and latest techniques available to readers who are interested in this field. A major strength of this book is that the first three chapters are application orientated and thus, by setting the landscape, introduce the technical chapters. There is also a good balance between the technical application, covering all the system-related aspects and, within each chapter, details on the physics, materials and technologies associated with electronics. Contents Introduction. Introduction to Energy Autonomous Micro
and Nano Systems and Presentation of Contributions, Marc Belleville and Cyril Condemine. 1. Sensors at the Core of Building Control, Gilles Chabanis, Laurent Chiesi, Hynek Raisigel,
Isabelle Ressejac and V?ronique Boutin. 2. Toward Energy Autonomous MedicalImplants, Raymond Campagnolo and Daniel Kroiss. 3. Energy Autonomous Systems in Aeronautic Applications, Thomas Becker, Jirka Klaue and Martin Kluge. 4. Energy Harvesting by Photovoltaic Effect, Emmanuelle Rouvi?re, Simon Perraud, Cyril Condemine and
Guy Waltisperger. 5. Mechanical Energy Harvesting, Ghislain Despesse, Jean Jacques Chaillout,
S?bastien Boisseau and Claire Jean-Mistral. 6. Thermal Energy Harvesting, Tristan Caroff, Emmanuelle Rouvi?re and J?r?me Willemin. 7. Lithium Micro-Batteries, Rapha?l Salot. 8. Ultra-Low-Power Sensors, Pascal Nouet, Norbert Dumas, Laurent Latorre and
Fr?d?rick Mailly. 9. Ultra-Low-Power Signal Processing in Autonomous Systems, Christian Piguet. 10. Ultra-Low-Power Radio Frequency Communications and Protocols, Eric Mercier. 11. Energy Management in an Autonomous Microsystem, Jean-Fr?d?ric Christmann, Edith Beigne, Cyril Condemine, J?r?me Willemin and Christian Piguet. 12. Optimizing Energy Efficiency of Sensor Networks, Olivier Sentieys and Olivier Berder.

Morphing Aerospace Vehicles and Structures provides a highly timely presentation of the state-of-the-art, future directions and technical requirements of morphing aircraft. Divided into three sections it addresses morphing aircraft, bio-inspiration, and smart structures with specific focus on the flight control, aerodynamics, bio-mechanics, materials, and structures of these vehicles as well as power requirements and the use of advanced piezo materials and smart actuators. The tutorial approach adopted by the contributors, including underlying concepts and mathematical formulations, unifies the methodologies and tools required to provide practicing engineers and applied researchers with the insight to synthesize morphing air vehicles and morphing structures, as well as offering direction for future research.

Presents simulation techniques that substantially increase designers' control over the oscillationin autonomous circuits This book facilitates a sound understanding of the free-running oscillation mechanism, the start-up from the noise level, and the establishment of the steady-state oscillation. It deals with the operation principles and main characteristics of free-running and injection-locked oscillators, coupled oscillators, and parametric frequency dividers. Analysis and Design of Autonomous Microwave Circuits provides: An exploration of the main nonlinear-analysis methods, with emphasis on harmonic balance and envelope transient methods Techniques for the efficient simulation of the most common autonomous regimes A presentation and comparison of the main stability-analysis methods in the frequency domain A detailed examination of the instabilization mechanisms that delimit the operation bands of autonomous circuits Coverage of techniques used to eliminate common types of undesired behavior, such as spurious oscillations, hysteresis, and chaos A thorough presentation of the oscillator phase noise A comparison of the main methodologies of phase-noise analysis Techniques for autonomous circuit optimization, based on harmonic balance A consideration of different design objectives: presetting the oscillation frequency and output power, increasing efficiency, modifying the transient duration, and imposing operation bands Analysis and Design of Autonomous Microwave Circuits is a valuable resource for microwave designers, oscillator designers, and graduate students in RF microwave design.

An expert overview of new technologies guiding the construction of a sustainable society This compendium of important insights from sixty distinguished international scholars looks at the significant advances in progressive environmental technology—especially the molecular engineering used on plants, animals, and microorganisms—as the game changer in the high-stakes race to reverse earth-damaging practices. Biocatalysis and Biomolecular Engineering covers subject matter on the latest developments in eco-friendly and energy-saving manufacturing processes with the emphasis on agricultural technology and bio-based products. Focusing its study on remedies that show promise in curing food and energy ills, this book examines groundbreaking work in various fields, such as nutraceuticals, genetic engineering of agricultural products, and bioenergy. Biocatalysis and Biomolecular Engineering: Can be used as a reference by teachers, graduate students, and industrial scientists who conduct research in bioscience and biotechnology Serves as the first book to bring together fundamentals and leading-edge technologies for the development of bio-based industrial products through biocatalysis; for example, it discusses the preparation of biofunctional micro- and nanoparticles Contains chapters by international experts from academia, industry, and government research institutes Biocatalysis and Biomolecular Engineering builds a cohesive, well thought out case for nurturing new discoveries in eco-technology by inviting critical discussion on devising viable solutions to sustaining the future wellness of humankind.

This book discusses management and engineering innovation with a particular emphasis on human resource management (HRM) and production engineering. In an innovation context, the disciplines of management and engineering are linked to promote sustainable development, seeking cultural and geographical diversity in the studies of HRM and engineering, applications that can have a particular impact on organizational communications, change processes and work practices. This connection reflects the diversity of societal and infrastructural conditions. The authors mainly analyze research on important issues that transcend the boundaries of individual academic subjects and managerial functions. They take into account interdisciplinary scholarship and commentaries that challenge the paradigms and assumptions of individual disciplines or functions, which are based on conceptual and/or empirical literature. The book is designed to increase the knowledge and effectiveness of all those involved in management and engineering innovation whether in the profit or not-for-profit sectors, or in the public or private sectors. Contents 1. We the Engineers and Them the Managers, Teresa Carla Oliveira and Joao Fontes Da Costa. 2. Strategic Capabilities for Successful Engagement in Proactive CSR in Small and Medium Enterprises: A Resource-Based View Approach, Nuttaneeya (Ann) Torugsa and Wayne O’Donohue. 3. Innovative Management Development in the Automotive Supply Industry – A Preliminary Case Study for the Development of an Innovative Approach to Innovation Management, Frank E.P. Dievernich and Kim Oliver Tokarski. 4. Innovative Product Design and Development through Online Customization, M. Reza Abdi and Vipin Khanna. 5. Struggling for Survival and Success: Can Brazil’s Defense Industry Help Foster Innovation?, Alex L?bo Carlos and Regina Maria de Oliveira Leite. 6. Knowledge Management Fostering Innovation: Balancing Practices and Enabling Contexts, Maria Joao Santos and Raky Wane. 7. Institutional Logics Promoting and Inhibiting Innovation, Teresa Carla Trigo Oliveira and Stuart Holland. 8. HRM in SMEs in Portugal: An Innovative Proposal of Characterization, Pedro Ribeiro Novo Melo and Carolina Machado. About the Authors Carolina Machado has been teaching Human Resource Management since 1989 at the School of Economics and Management, University of Minho, Portugal, becoming Associate Professor in 2004. Her research interests include the fields of Human Resource Management, International Human Resource Management, Training and Development, Management Change and Knowledge Management. J. Paulo Davim is Aggregate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Aveiro, Portugal. He has more than 25 years of teaching and research experience in production and mechanical engineering.

Comprehensive guide to the fundamentals and advanced engineering of the Beidou satellite system • The first book specifically describing the Chinese Beidou timing/navigation system – an increasingly important contributor to the GNSS • Introducing the ‘user location information sharing’ demands, technologies and development trends • Highlights the technical features and broad application prospects of navigation, positioning and short message communication of the Beidou satellite system • Enhances understanding of the fundamentals and theories of radio navigation and positioning satellite systems • Offers guidelines as to how to implement their design and construction • A comprehensive reference on the subject for those who are doing scientific or engineering research in this area