Minds and Machines

The miniaturization of bulky devices and machines is a process that confronts us on a daily basis. However, nanoscale machines with varied and novel characteristics may also result from the enlargement of extremely small building blocks, namely individual molecules. This bottom-up approach to nanotechnology is already being pursued in information technology, with many other branches about to follow. – Written by a team of experienced authors headed by Vincenzo Balzani, one of the pioneers in the development of molecular machines – Covers such diverse aspects as sensors, memory components, solar energy conversion, biomolecules as molecular machines, and much more – Presented in a lucid style and didactically structured, with both the expert and the newcomer in mind – Includes a glossary of terms and numerous references to the recent literature Be among the first to explore the fascinating possibilities of this future-oriented technology! A must-have for every chemist and materials scientist with an interest in nanotechnology.

Targeted at a broad audience ranging from chemists and biochemists to physicists and engineers, this book covers advanced research while being written in an easily understandable language accessible to any interested researcher or graduate student. Following an introduction to the general concepts, the authors go on to discuss devices for processing electrons and electronic energy, memories, logic gates and related systems, and, finally, molecular-scale machines.

A timely comprehensive reference consolidates the research and development of electric vehicle machines and drives for electric and hybrid propulsions • Focuses on electric vehicle machines and drives • Covers the major technologies in the area including fundamental concepts and applications • Emphasis the design criteria, performance analyses and application examples or potentials of various motor drives and machine systems • Accompanying website includes the simulation models and outcomes as supplementary material

Fault Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Reliability for Electrical Machines and Drives An insightful treatment of present and emerging technologies in fault diagnosis and failure prognosis In Fault Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Reliability for Electrical Machines and Drives, a team of distinguished researchers delivers a comprehensive exploration of current and emerging approaches to fault diagnosis and failure prognosis of electrical machines and drives. The authors begin with foundational background, describing the physics of failure, the motor and drive designs and components that affect failure and signals, signal processing, and analysis. The book then moves on to describe the features of these signals and the methods commonly used to extract these features to diagnose the health of a motor or drive, as well as the methods used to identify the state of health and differentiate between possible faults or their severity. Fault Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Reliability for Electrical Machines and Drives discusses the tools used to recognize trends towards failure and the estimation of remaining useful life. It addresses the relationships between fault diagnosis, failure prognosis, and fault mitigation. The book also provides: A thorough introduction to the modes of failure, how early failure precursors manifest themselves in signals, and how features extracted from these signals are processed A comprehensive exploration of the fault diagnosis, the results of characterization, and how they used to predict the time of failure and the confidence interval associated with it A focus on medium-sized drives, including induction, permanent magnet AC, reluctance, and new machine and drive types Perfect for researchers and students who wish to study or practice in the rea of electrical machines and drives, Fault Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Reliability for Electrical Machines and Drives is also an indispensable resource for researchers with a background in signal processing or statistics.

The discipline of neurodesign is a highly interdisciplinary one, while at the same time in the process of maturing towards real-life applications. The breakthrough about to be achieved is to close the loop in communication between neural systems and electronic and mechatronic systems and actually let the nervous system adapt to the feedback from the man-made systems. To master this loop, scientists need a sound understanding of neurology, from the cellular to the systems scale, of man-made systems and how to connect the two. These scientists comprise medical scientists, neurologists and physiologists, engineers, as well as biophysicists. And they need the topics in a coherently written work with chapters building upon another.

Modeling and High Performance Control of Electric Machines introduces you to both the modeling and control of electric machines. The direct current (DC) machine and the alternating current (AC) machines (induction, PM synchronous, and BLDC) are all covered in detail. The author emphasizes control techniques used for high-performance applications, specifically ones that require both rapid and precise control of position, speed, or torque. You'll discover how to derive mathematical models of the machines, and how the resulting models can be used to design control algorithms that achieve high performance. Graduate students studying power and control as well as practicing engineers in industry will find this a highly readable text on the operation, modeling, and control of electric machines. An Instructor's Manual presenting detailed solutions to all the problems in the book is available from the Wiley editorial department. An Instructor Support FTP site is also available.

Introduces the latest innovations in thermoforming materials, processes, and applications Advanced Thermoforming brings readers fully up to date with the latest standards, processes, materials, and applications in the field. From forming to filling to sealing processes, the author explains everything that can now be accomplished using the most advanced thermoforming technologies available. Moreover, readers learn how to fully leverage these technologies in order to design and manufacture products that meet all specifications at minimum cost and maximum efficiency. Emphasizing the application of advanced thermoforming for the production of technical parts and packaging, the book: Guides readers through all facets of development, design, and machine and mold technology Recommends new technologies that offer higher productivity, better quality, and lower costs Describes common raw materials used in thermoforming, including how specific materials affect the production process Explains the proper handling of semi-finished products and formed parts Sets forth the basic principles of extrusion, an essential process underlying thermoforming Introduces the latest software techniques to simulate the thermoforming of new products Throughout the book, readers learn about the latest innovations in thermoforming, from thermoformed automobile body parts to fully automated packaging assembly lines. The author offers valuable content from his interviews with leading industrial thermoformers, sharing insights and tips from their years of hands-on experience with readers. With Advanced Thermoforming as their guide, polymer and plastics engineering professionals and students can now explore and exploit the full range of possibilities that thermoforming technology offers.

Introduces the latest innovations in thermoforming materials, processes, and applications Advanced Thermoforming brings readers fully up to date with the latest standards, processes, materials, and applications in the field. From forming to filling to sealing processes, the author explains everything that can now be accomplished using the most advanced thermoforming technologies available. Moreover, readers learn how to fully leverage these technologies in order to design and manufacture products that meet all specifications at minimum cost and maximum efficiency. Emphasizing the application of advanced thermoforming for the production of technical parts and packaging, the book: Guides readers through all facets of development, design, and machine and mold technology Recommends new technologies that offer higher productivity, better quality, and lower costs Describes common raw materials used in thermoforming, including how specific materials affect the production process Explains the proper handling of semi-finished products and formed parts Sets forth the basic principles of extrusion, an essential process underlying thermoforming Introduces the latest software techniques to simulate the thermoforming of new products Throughout the book, readers learn about the latest innovations in thermoforming, from thermoformed automobile body parts to fully automated packaging assembly lines. The author offers valuable content from his interviews with leading industrial thermoformers, sharing insights and tips from their years of hands-on experience with readers. With Advanced Thermoforming as their guide, polymer and plastics engineering professionals and students can now explore and exploit the full range of possibilities that thermoforming technology offers.