Recent advances in science and technology have made modern computing and engineering systems more powerful and sophisticated than ever. The increasing complexity and scale imply that system reliability problems not only continue to be a challenge but also require more efficient models and solutions. This is the first book systematically covering the state-of-the-art binary decision diagrams and their extended models, which can provide efficient and exact solutions to reliability analysis of large and complex systems. The book provides both basic concepts and detailed algorithms for modelling and evaluating reliability of a wide range of complex systems, such as multi-state systems, phased-mission systems, fault-tolerant systems with imperfect fault coverage, systems with common-cause failures, systems with disjoint failures, and systems with functional dependent failures. These types of systems abound in safety-critical or mission-critical applications such as aerospace, circuits, power systems, medical systems, telecommunication systems, transmission systems, traffic light systems, data storage systems, and etc. The book provides both small-scale illustrative examples and large-scale benchmark examples to demonstrate broad applications and advantages of different decision diagrams based methods for complex system reliability analysis. Other measures including component importance and failure frequency are also covered. A rich set of references is cited in the book, providing helpful resources for readers to pursue further research and study of the topics. The target audience of the book is reliability and safety engineers or researchers. The book can serve as a textbook on system reliability analysis. It can also serve as a tutorial and reference book on decision diagrams, multi-state systems, phased-mission systems, and imperfect fault coverage models.
A practical, step-by-step guide to designing world-class, high availability systems using both classical and DFSS reliability techniques Whether designing telecom, aerospace, automotive, medical, financial, or public safety systems, every engineer aims for the utmost reliability and availability in the systems he, or she, designs. But between the dream of world-class performance and reality falls the shadow of complexities that can bedevil even the most rigorous design process. While there are an array of robust predictive engineering tools, there has been no single-source guide to understanding and using them . . . until now. Offering a case-based approach to designing, predicting, and deploying world-class high-availability systems from the ground up, this book brings together the best classical and DFSS reliability techniques. Although it focuses on technical aspects, this guide considers the business and market constraints that require that systems be designed right the first time. Written in plain English and following a step-by-step «cookbook» format, Designing High Availability Systems: Shows how to integrate an array of design/analysis tools, including Six Sigma, Failure Analysis, and Reliability Analysis Features many real-life examples and case studies describing predictive design methods, tradeoffs, risk priorities, «what-if» scenarios, and more Delivers numerous high-impact takeaways that you can apply to your current projects immediately Provides access to MATLAB programs for simulating problem sets presented, along with PowerPoint slides to assist in outlining the problem-solving process Designing High Availability Systems is an indispensable working resource for system engineers, software/hardware architects, and project teams working in all industries.
Molecular typing of foodborne pathogens has become an indispensable tool in epidemiological studies. Thanks to these techniques, we now have a better understanding of the distribution and appearance of bacterial foodborne diseases and have a deeper knowledge of the type of food products associated with the major foodborne pathogens. Within the molecular techniques, DNA-based techniques have prospered for more than 40 years and have been incorporated in the first surveillance systems to monitor bacterial foodborne pathogens in the United States and other countries. However, DNA techniques vary widely and many microbiology laboratory personnel working with food and/or water face the dilemma of which method to incorporate. DNA Methods in Food Safety: Molecular Typing of Foodborne and Waterborne Bacterial Pathogens succinctly reviews more than 25 years of data on a variety of DNA typing techniques, summarizing the different mathematical models for analysis and interpretation of results, and detailing their efficacy in typing different foodborne and waterborne bacterial pathogens, such as Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, Listeria, Salmonella, among others. Section I describes the different DNA techniques used in the typing of bacterial foodborne pathogens, whilst Section II deals with the application of these techniques to type the most important bacterial foodborne pathogens. In Section II the emphasis is placed on the pathogen, and each chapter describes some of the most appropriate techniques for typing each bacterial pathogen. The techniques presented in this book are the most significant in the study of the molecular epidemiology of bacterial foodborne pathogens to date. It therefore provides a unique reference for students and professionals in the field of microbiology, food and water safety and epidemiology and molecular epidemiology.
Electronic devices based on oxide semiconductors are the focus of much attention, with crystalline materials generating huge commercial success. Indium–gallium–zinc oxide (IGZO) transistors have a higher mobility than amorphous silicon transistors, and an extremely low off-state current. C-axis aligned crystalline (CAAC) IGZO enables aggressive down-scaling, high reliability, and process simplification of transistors in displays and LSI devices. This original book introduces the CAAC-IGZO structure, and describes the physics and technology of this new class of oxide materials. It explains the crystallographic classification and characteristics of crystalline oxide semiconductors, their crystallographic characteristics and physical properties, and how this unique material has made a major contribution to the field of oxide semiconductor thin films. Two further books in this series describe applications of CAAC-IGZO in flat-panel displays and LSI devices. Key features: Introduces the unique and revolutionary, yet relatively unknown crystalline oxide semiconductor CAAC-IGZO Presents crystallographic overviews of IGZO and related compounds. Offers an in-depth understanding of CAAC-IGZO. Explains the fabrication method of CAAC-IGZO thin films. Presents the physical properties and latest data to support high-reliability crystalline IGZO based on hands-on experience. Describes the manufacturing process the CAAC-IGZO transistors and introduces the device application using CAAC-IGZO.
Presents the origins and evolution of the systems engineering discipline and helps readers gain a personal familiarity with systems engineering experts: their experience, opinions and attitudes in this field This book is based on a qualitative study that includes dozens of in-depth interviews with experts in the systems engineering field. This book is broken into three main parts. The first part is a general overview of the systems engineering field. The second part discusses the changes the systems engineering discipline has undergone with the analysis as case studies of two significant Israeli defence systems projects: the IAI Lavi project and the Iron Dome project. The third part of this book contains interviews with renowned experts in the systems engineering field. This part is divided into five sections: systems engineering as the answer to the challenges of a complex technological world – the aerospace industries; the development of systems engineering in the commercial and industrial worlds, and in complex civil systems; the impact of the accelerated development of the computing world on systems engineering processes; systems engineering and the academic world; and systems engineering in the world of training and consulting. This book presents the main insights derived from the interviews, and an analysis and discussion of the question of the relevance of systems engineering to the management world. Some highlights of this book are that it Integrates the technological aspects with the behavioural aspects of the field Serves managerial needs of engineering and management in general, so managers with no technical background can derive knowledge from this book Provides approaches for seeing beyond technology-understanding the mission Managing and Engineering Complex Technological Systems is a great resource on management for managers as well as systems engineers.
Liquid Crystal Devices are crucial and ubiquitous components of an ever-increasing number of technologies. They are used in everything from cellular phones, eBook readers, GPS devices, computer monitors and automotive displays to projectors and TVs, to name but a few. This second edition continues to serve as an introductory guide to the fundamental properties of liquid crystals and their technical application, while explicating the recent advancements within LCD technology. This edition includes important new chapters on blue-phase display technology, advancements in LCD research significantly contributed to by the authors themselves. This title is of particular interest to engineers and researchers involved in display technology and graduate students involved in display technology research. Key features: Updated throughout to reflect the latest technical state-of-the-art in LCD research and development, including new chapters and material on topics such as the properties of blue-phase liquid crystal displays and 3D liquid crystal displays; Explains the link between the fundamental scientific principles behind liquid crystal technology and their application to photonic devices and displays, providing a thorough understanding of the physics, optics, electro-optics and material aspects of Liquid Crystal Devices; Revised material reflecting developments in LCD technology, including updates on optical modelling methods, transmissive LCDs and tunable liquid crystal photonic devices; Chapters conclude with detailed homework problems to further cement an understanding of the topic.
Robust Optimization is a method to improve robustness using low-cost variations of a single, conceptual design. The benefits of Robust Optimization include faster product development cycles; faster launch cycles; fewer manufacturing problems; fewer field problems; lower-cost, higher performing products and processes; and lower warranty costs. All these benefits can be realized if engineering and product development leadership of automotive and manufacturing organizations leverage the power of using Robust Optimization as a competitive weapon. Written by world renowned authors, Robust Optimization: World’s Best Practices for Developing Winning Vehicles, is a ground breaking book whichintroduces the technical management strategy of Robust Optimization. The authors discuss what the strategy entails, 8 steps for Robust Optimization and Robust Assessment, and how to lead it in a technical organization with an implementation strategy. Robust Optimization is defined and it is demonstrated how the techniques can be applied to manufacturing organizations, especially those with automotive industry applications, so that Robust Optimization creates the flexibility that minimizes product development cost, reduces product time-to-market, and increases overall productivity. Key features: Presents best practices from around the globe on Robust Optimization that can be applied in any manufacturing and automotive organization in the world Includes 19 successfully implemented best case studies from automotive original equipment manufacturers and suppliers Provides manufacturing industries with proven techniques to become more competitive in the global market Provides clarity concerning the common misinterpretations on Robust Optimization Robust Optimization: World’s Best Practices for Developing Winning Vehicles is a must-have book for engineers and managers who are working on design, product, manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, process, quality area; all levels of management especially in product development area, research and development personnel and consultants. It also serves as an excellent reference for students and teachers in engineering.
Provides an overview of the different pathways to produce Synthetic Natural Gas Covers technological, and economic aspects of this Synthetic Natural Gas Details the most popular technologies and state-of-the-art of SNG technologies while also covering recent and future research trends Covers the main process steps during conversion of coal and dry biomass to SNG: gasification, gas cleaning, methanation and gas upgrading Describes a number of novel processes for the production of SNG with their specific combination of process steps as well as the boundary conditions Covers important technical aspects of Power-to-Gas processes
The expansion of carbon materials is multidisciplinary and is related to physics, chemistry, biology, applied sciences and engineering. The research on carbon materials has mostly focused on aspects of fundamental physics as they unique electrical, thermal and mechanical properties applicable for the range of applications. The electrons in graphene and other derived carbon materials behave as dirac fermions due to their interaction with the ions of the lattice. This direction has led to the discovery of new phenomena such as Klein tunneling in carbon based solid state systems and the so-called half-integer quantum Hall effect. Advanced Carbon Materials and Technology presents cutting-edge chapters on the processing, properties and technological developments of graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon fibers, carbon particles and other carbon based structures including multifunctional graphene sheets, graphene quantum dots, bulky balls, carbon balls, and their polymer composites. This book brings together respected international scholars writing on the innovative methodologies and strategies adopted in carbon materials research area including Synthesis, characterization and functionalization of carbon nanotubes and graphene Surface modification of graphene Carbon based nanostructured materials Graphene and carbon nanotube based electrochemical (bio)sensors for environmental monitoring Carbon catalysts for hydrogen storage materials Optical carbon nanoobjects Graphene and carbon nanotube based biosensors Carbon doped cryogel films Bioimpact of carbon nanomaterials Photocatalytic nature of carbon nanotube based composites Engineering behavior of ash fills Fly ash syntactic foams microstructure
This book presents correct-by-design control techniques for switching systems, using different methods of stability analysis. Switching systems are increasingly used in the electronics and mechanical industries; in power electronics and the automotive industry, for example. This is due to their flexibility and simplicity in accurately controlling industrial mechanisms. By adopting appropriate control rules, we can steer a switching system to a region centered at a desired equilibrium point, while avoiding “unsafe” regions of parameter saturation. The authors explain various correct-by-design methods for control synthesis, using different methods of stability and invariance analysis. They also provide several applications of these methods to industrial examples of power electronics. Contents 1. Control Theory: Basic Concepts. 2. Sampled Switched Systems. 3. Safety Controllers. 4. Stability Controllers. 5. Application to Multilevel Converters. 6. Other Issues: Reachability, Sensitivity, Robustness and Nonlinearity. About the Authors Laurent Fribourg is head of the LSV (Laboratoire Spécification et Vérification) and Scientific Coordinator of the Institut Farman, Institut Fédératif de Recherche CNRS, which brings together the expertise of five laboratories from ENS Cachan, in France, in the fields of modeling, simulation and validation of complex systems. He has published over 70 articles in international journals and reviewed proceedings of international conferences, in the domain of the theory of formal methods and their industrial applications. Romain Soulat is in the third year of his doctorate at the LSV at ENS Cachan in France, under the supervision of Laurent Fribourg. He is working on the modeling and verification of hybrid systems. In particular, his interests concern robustness in scheduling problems – especially as part of a collaborative project with EADS Astrium on the verification of a component in the launcher for the future Ariane 6 rocket. He has published 5 articles in reviewed proceedings of international conferences.