This volume contains 20 manuscripts presented during the Materials Science & Technology 2017 Conference (MS&T’17), held October 8-12, 2017 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA. Papers from the following symposia are included in this volume: • 9th International Symposium on Green and Sustainable Technologies for Materials Manufacturing and Processing • Advances in Dielectric Materials and Electronic Devices • Construction and Building Materials for a Better Environment • Innovative Processing and Synthesis of Ceramics, Glasses and Composites • Materials Issues in Nuclear Waste Management in the 21st Century • Materials Development for Nuclear Applications and Extreme Environments • Materials for Nuclear Energy Applications • Nanotechnology for Energy, Healthcare and Industry • Processing and Performance of Materials Using Microwaves, Electric and Magnetic Fields, Ultrasound, Lasers, and Mechanical Work – Rustum Roy Symposium These symposia provided a forum for scientists, engineers, and technologists to discuss and exchange state-of-the-art ideas, information, and technology on advanced methods and approaches for processing, synthesis, characterization, and applications of ceramics, glasses, and composites. Each manuscript was peer-reviewed using The American Ceramic Society’s review process. The editors wish to extend their gratitude and appreciation to their symposium co-organizers, to all of the authors for their valuable submissions, to all the participants and session chairs for their time and effort, and to all the reviewers for their comments and suggestions. We hope that this volume will serve as a useful reference for the professionals working in the field of materials science.
An invaluable academic reference for the area of high-power converters, covering all the latest developments in the field High-power multilevel converters are well known in industry and academia as one of the preferred choices for efficient power conversion. Over the past decade, several power converters have been developed and commercialized in the form of standard and customized products that power a wide range of industrial applications. Currently, the modular multilevel converter is a fast-growing technology and has received wide acceptance from both industry and academia. Providing adequate technical background for graduate- and undergraduate-level teaching, this book includes a comprehensive analysis of the conventional and advanced modular multilevel converters employed in motor drives, HVDC systems, and power quality improvement. Modular Multilevel Converters: Analysis, Control, and Applications provides an overview of high-power converters, reference frame theory, classical control methods, pulse width modulation schemes, advanced model predictive control methods, modeling of ac drives, advanced drive control schemes, modeling and control of HVDC systems, active and reactive power control, power quality problems, reactive power, harmonics and unbalance compensation, modeling and control of static synchronous compensators (STATCOM) and unified power quality compensators. Furthermore, this book: Explores technical challenges, modeling, and control of various modular multilevel converters in a wide range of applications such as transformer and transformerless motor drives, high voltage direct current transmission systems, and power quality improvement Reflects the latest developments in high-power converters in medium-voltage motor drive systems Offers design guidance with tables, charts graphs, and MATLAB simulations Modular Multilevel Converters: Analysis, Control, and Applications is a valuable reference book for academic researchers, practicing engineers, and other professionals in the field of high power converters. It also serves well as a textbook for graduate-level students.
In-depth knowledge on tribological applications of hybrid composites Synthesis and Tribological Applications of Hybrid Materials provides a comprehensive overview of tribological properties of hybrid composites. The book offers an understanding of the processes, materials, techniques and mechanisms related to the tribological concepts and includes information on the most recent developments in the field. With contributions from an international panel of experts, the book discusses the synthesis and characterization of hybrid materials, as well as their applications in biotechnological and biomedical fields. The book covers a wide-range of versatile topics such as: Tribological assessment on accelerated aging bones in polymeric condition; Nano fracture and wear testing on natural bones; Tribological behaviour of glass fiber with fillers reinforced hybrid polymer composites and jute/glass hybrid composites; Wear properties of glass fiber hybrid, and acid- and silane-modified CNT filled hybrid glass/kenaf epoxy composites; Hybrid natural fibre composites as a friction material; and much more. This important resource: -Discusses recent advancements in the field of tribology and hybrid materials -Offers a guide for professionals in the fields of materials science, mechanical engineering, biomaterials, chemistry, physics and nanotechnology -Integrates theory, synthesis and properties of nybrid materals as well as their applications -Offers an outlook to the future of this burgeoning technology Written for materials scientists, surface chemists, bioengineers, mechanical engineers, engineering scientists and chemical industry professionals, Synthesis and Tribological Applications of Hybrid Materials is a comprehensive resource that explores the most recent developments in the field.
Algebraic Identification and Estimation Methods in Feedback Control Systems presents a model-based algebraic approach to online parameter and state estimation in uncertain dynamic feedback control systems. This approach evades the mathematical intricacies of the traditional stochastic approach, proposing a direct model-based scheme with several easy-to-implement computational advantages. The approach can be used with continuous and discrete, linear and nonlinear, mono-variable and multi-variable systems. The estimators based on this approach are not of asymptotic nature, and do not require any statistical knowledge of the corrupting noises to achieve good performance in a noisy environment. These estimators are fast, robust to structured perturbations, and easy to combine with classical or sophisticated control laws. This book uses module theory, differential algebra, and operational calculus in an easy-to-understand manner and also details how to apply these in the context of feedback control systems. A wide variety of examples, including mechanical systems, power converters, electric motors, and chaotic systems, are also included to illustrate the algebraic methodology. Key features: Presents a radically new approach to online parameter and state estimation. Enables the reader to master the use and understand the consequences of the highly theoretical differential algebraic viewpoint in control systems theory. Includes examples in a variety of physical applications with experimental results. Covers the latest developments and applications. Algebraic Identification and Estimation Methods in Feedback Control Systems is a comprehensive reference for researchers and practitioners working in the area of automatic control, and is also a useful source of information for graduate and undergraduate students.
Professor Woodall’s essay shows that this book represents a remarkable contribution, even by today’s standards, because of its contemporary thinking about the relationship between the specific topic of SQC and the broader company context of Quality Management. It also demonstrates the remarkable awareness of at least some young US engineers in the post-war period about the vital role of Statistical Quality Control in establishing and maintaining a competitive position. The book reveals that there was unsuspected knowledge extant immediately post-war, about the importance of Statistical Quality Control when appropriately applied in an industrial setting. It also helps to correct wide-spread historical misconceptions about who specifically was responsible for helping Japanese industry get back on its feet post-war, a task assigned to General Douglas Macarthur by President Truman and how Macarthur was indebted to Sarasohn.
Formation Control of Multi-Agent Systems: A Graph Rigidity Approach Marcio de Queiroz, Louisiana State University, USA Xiaoyu Cai, FARO Technologies, USA Matthew Feemster, U.S. Naval Academy, USA A comprehensive guide to formation control of multi-agent systems using rigid graph theory This book is the first to provide a comprehensive and unified treatment of the subject of graph rigidity-based formation control of multi-agent systems. Such systems are relevant to a variety of emerging engineering applications, including unmanned robotic vehicles and mobile sensor networks. Graph theory, and rigid graphs in particular, provides a natural tool for describing the multi-agent formation shape as well as the inter-agent sensing, communication, and control topology. Beginning with an introduction to rigid graph theory, the contents of the book are organized by the agent dynamic model (single integrator, double integrator, and mechanical dynamics) and by the type of formation problem (formation acquisition, formation manoeuvring, and target interception). The book presents the material in ascending level of difficulty and in a self-contained manner; thus, facilitating reader understanding. Key features: Uses the concept of graph rigidity as the basis for describing the multi-agent formation geometry and solving formation control problems. Considers different agent models and formation control problems. Control designs throughout the book progressively build upon each other. Provides a primer on rigid graph theory. Combines theory, computer simulations, and experimental results. Formation Control of Multi-Agent Systems: A Graph Rigidity Approach is targeted at researchers and graduate students in the areas of control systems and robotics. Prerequisite knowledge includes linear algebra, matrix theory, control systems, and nonlinear systems.
Offers timely and comprehensive coverage of dynamic system reliability theory This book focuses on hot issues of dynamic system reliability, systematically introducing the reliability modeling and analysis methods for systems with imperfect fault coverage, systems with function dependence, systems subject to deterministic or probabilistic common-cause failures, systems subject to deterministic or probabilistic competing failures, and dynamic standby sparing systems. It presents recent developments of such extensions involving reliability modelling theory, reliability evaluation methods, and features numerous case studies based on real-world examples. The presented dynamic reliability theory can enable a more accurate representation of actual complex system behavior, thus more effectively guiding the reliable design of real-world critical systems. Dynamic System Reliability: Modelling and Analysis of Dynamic and Dependent Behaviors begins by describing the evolution from the traditional static reliability theory to the dynamic system reliability theory, and provides a detailed investigation of dynamic and dependent behaviors in subsequent chapters. Although written for those with a background in basic probability theory and stochastic processes, the book includes a chapter reviewing the fundamentals that readers need to know in order to understand contents of other chapters which cover advanced topics in reliability theory and case studies. The first book systematically focusing on dynamic system reliability modelling and analysis theory Provides a comprehensive treatment on imperfect fault coverage (single-level/multi-level or modular), function dependence, common cause failures (deterministic and probabilistic), competing failures (deterministic and probabilistic), and dynamic standby sparing Includes abundant illustrative examples and case studies based on real-world systems Covers recent advances in combinatorial models and algorithms for dynamic system reliability analysis Offers a rich set of references, providing helpful resources for readers to pursue further research and study of the topics Dynamic System Reliability: Modelling and Analysis of Dynamic and Dependent Behaviors is an excellent book for undergraduate and graduate students, and engineers and researchers in reliability and related disciplines.
With the increasing worldwide trend in population migration into urban centers, we are beginning to see the emergence of the kinds of mega-cities which were once the stuff of science fiction. It is clear to most urban planners and developers that accommodating the needs of the tens of millions of inhabitants of those megalopolises in an orderly and uninterrupted manner will require the seamless integration of and real-time monitoring and response services for public utilities and transportation systems. Part speculative look into the future of the world’s urban centers, part technical blueprint, this visionary book helps lay the groundwork for the communication networks and services on which tomorrow’s “smart cities” will run. Written by a uniquely well-qualified author team, this book provides detailed insights into the technical requirements for the wireless sensor and actuator networks required to make smart cities a reality.
As critically important as welding is to a wide spectrum of manufacturing, construction, and repair, it is not without its problems. Those dependent on welding know only too well how easy it is to find information on the host of available processes and on the essential metallurgy that can enable success, but how frustratingly difficult it can be to find guidance on solving problems that sooner or later arise with welding, welds, or weldments. Here for the first time is the book those that practice and/or depend upon welding have needed and awaited. A Practical Guide to Welding Solutions addresses the numerous technical and material-specific issues that can interfere with success. Renowned industrial and academic welding expert and prolific author and speaker Robert W. Messler, Jr. guides readers to the solutions they seek with a well-organized search based on how a problem manifests itself (i.e., as distortion, defect, or appearance), where it appears (i.e., in the fusion zone, heat-affected zone, or base metal), or in which materials or situations. True to form, Dr. Messler makes readers feel he is speaking directly to them with his clear conversational but unambiguous writing style. Figures, tables and footnotes complement and augment the text suited to welding neophytes and veterans alike.