Visual quality assessment is an interdisciplinary topic that links image/video processing, psychology and physiology. Many engineers are familiar with the image/video processing; transmission networks side of things but not with the perceptual aspects pertaining to quality. Digital Video Quality first introduces the concepts of human vision and visual quality. Based on these, specific video quality metrics are developed and their design is presented. These metrics are then evaluated and used in a number of applications, including image/video compression, transmission and watermarking. Introduces the concepts of human vision and vision quality. Presents the design and development of specific video quality metrics. Evaluates video quality metrics in the context of image/video compression, transmission and watermarking. Presents tools developed for the analysis of video quality
Comprehensive in coverage, written and edited by leading experts in the field, this Handbook is a definitive, up-to-date reference work. The Volumes Methods I and Methods II detail the physico-chemical basis and capabilities of the various microscopy techniques used in materials science. The Volume Applications illustrates the results obtained by all available methods for the main classes of materials, showing which technique can be successfully applied to a given material in order to obtain the desired information. With the Handbook of Microscopy, scientists and engineers involved in materials characterization will be in a position to answer two key questions: «How does a given technique work?», and «Which techique is suitable for characterizing a given material?»
The present text offers a graduate level treatment of time dependent phenomena in condensed matter physics. Conventional ideas of linear response theory and kinetic theory are treated in detail. The general emphasis, however, in on the development of generalized Langevin equations for treating nonlinear behaviour in a wide variety of systems. A full treatment is given for the underpinnings of hydrodynamics for fluids. This is the third volume of a four volume set of texts by the same author, two of which have already been published («Fluctuations, Order, and Defects» 0-471-32840-5, «Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics» 0-471-32839-1). While the preceding volume contains material that is a prerequisite for fully understanding the material presented here, this volume is self-contained and can stand alone from the preceding volume.
Nuclear fusion has the potential to become the most important energy source of the new century. But still many problems, as e.g. the confinement of the plasma, are not yet solved. Thus they are subject to intense research which drives a rapid evolvement of this field of nuclear physics, and generates the need for an up-to-date textbook for graduate students. This state-of-the-art textbook assembles the material for a modern course, and is aimed at graduate and advanced undergraduate students. It both introduces the fundamental principles and theories of fusion plasma physics, and presents the most recent topics from various sources in a systematic and concise way. Each chapter is rounded off with a set of exercises.
This much-needed book presents a clear and very practice-oriented overview of thermal separation processes. An extensive introduction elucidates the physical and physicochemical fundamentals of different unit operations used to separate homogenous mixtures. This is followed by a concise text with numerous explanatory figures and tables referring to process and design, flowsheets, basic engineering and examples of separation process applications. Very helpful guidance in the form of process descriptions, calculation models and operation data is presented in an easy-to- understand manner thereby assisting the practicing engineer in the choosing and evaluation of separation processes and facilitating the modeling and design of innovative equipment. A comprehensive reference list provides further opportunity for the following up of special separation problems. Chemical and mechanical engineers, chemists, physicists and biotechnologists in research and development, plant design and environmental protection, as well as students in chemical engineering and natural sciences will find this all-embracing reference guide of tremendous value and practical use.
A classroom-tested textbook providing a fundamental understanding of basic kinetic processes in materials This textbook, reflecting the hands-on teaching experience of its three authors, evolved from Massachusetts Institute of Technology's first-year graduate curriculum in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. It discusses key topics collectively representing the basic kinetic processes that cause changes in the size, shape, composition, and atomistic structure of materials. Readers gain a deeper understanding of these kinetic processes and of the properties and applications of materials. Topics are introduced in a logical order, enabling students to develop a solid foundation before advancing to more sophisticated topics. Kinetics of Materials begins with diffusion, offering a description of the elementary manner in which atoms and molecules move around in solids and liquids. Next, the more complex motion of dislocations and interfaces is addressed. Finally, still more complex kinetic phenomena, such as morphological evolution and phase transformations, are treated. Throughout the textbook, readers are instilled with an appreciation of the subject's analytic foundations and, in many cases, the approximations commonly used in the field. The authors offer many extensive derivations of important results to help illuminate their origins. While the principal focus is on kinetic phenomena in crystalline materials, select phenomena in noncrystalline materials are also discussed. In many cases, the principles involved apply to all materials. Exercises with accompanying solutions are provided throughout Kinetics of Materials, enabling readers to put their newfound knowledge into practice. In addition, bibliographies are offered with each chapter, helping readers to investigate specialized topics in greater detail. Several appendices presenting important background material are also included. With its unique range of topics, progressive structure, and extensive exercises, this classroom-tested textbook provides an enriching learning experience for first-year graduate students.
A guide to common control principles and how they are used to characterize a variety of physiological mechanisms The second edition of Physiological Control Systems offers an updated and comprehensive resource that reviews the fundamental concepts of classical control theory and how engineering methodology can be applied to obtain a quantitative understanding of physiological systems. The revised text also contains more advanced topics that feature applications to physiology of nonlinear dynamics, parameter estimation methods, and adaptive estimation and control. The author—a noted expert in the field—includes a wealth of worked examples that illustrate key concepts and methodology and offers in-depth analyses of selected physiological control models that highlight the topics presented. The author discusses the most noteworthy developments in system identification, optimal control, and nonlinear dynamical analysis and targets recent bioengineering advances. Designed to be a practical resource, the text includes guided experiments with simulation models (using Simulink/Matlab). Physiological Control Systems focuses on common control principles that can be used to characterize a broad variety of physiological mechanisms. This revised resource: Offers new sections that explore identification of nonlinear and time-varying systems, and provide the background for understanding the link between continuous-time and discrete-time dynamic models Presents helpful, hands-on experimentation with computer simulation models Contains fully updated problems and exercises at the end of each chapter Written for biomedical engineering students and biomedical scientists, Physiological Control Systems, offers an updated edition of this key resource for understanding classical control theory and its application to physiological systems. It also contains contemporary topics and methodologies that shape bioengineering research today.
This book presents the basic tools required to obtain the dynamical models for aerial vehicles (in the Newtonian or Lagrangian approach). Several control laws are presented for mini-helicopters, quadrotors, mini-blimps, flapping-wing aerial vehicles, planes, etc. Finally, this book has two chapters devoted to embedded control systems and Kalman filters applied for aerial vehicles control and navigation. This book presents the state of the art in the area of UAVs. The aerodynamical models of different configurations are presented in detail as well as the control strategies which are validated in experimental platforms.
Learn how to study, analyze, select, and design a successful mechatronic product This innovative, cutting-edge publication presents the essential nature of mechatronics, a field at the crossroads of information technology and mechanical and electrical engineering. Readers learn how to blend mechanisms, electronics, sensors, control strategies, and software into a functional design. Given the breadth that the field of mechatronics draws upon, this publication provides a critical service to readers by paring down the topics to the most essential ones. A common thread throughout the publication is tailoring performance to the actual needs of the user, rather than designing «by the book.» Practical methods clarify engineering trade-offs needed to design and manufacture competitive state-of-the-art products and systems. Key features include: * Easy-to-construct set of laboratory experiments to give readers practice in controlling difficult systems using discrete-time algorithms * Essentials of control theory, concentrating on state-space and easily constructed simulations in JavaScript, including typical mechatronic systems with gross nonlinearities where linear methods give the «wrong answer» * Hot topics that include advances in the automotive, multimedia, robotics, defense, medical, and consumer industries * Author-provided Web site at www.EssMech.com offers additional resources, including videos, dynamic simulation examples, software tools, and downloads There are hundreds of choices involved in all but the simplest of mechatronic design tasks. Using this publication as a reference, electrical, mechanical, and computer designers and engineers can find the most efficient, cost-effective methods to transform their goals into successful commercial products. With its use of laboratory experiments, this publication is also recommended as a graduate-level textbook. Author Web site located at www.EssMech.com provides in-depth support material that includes links to simulations for modeling dynamic systems with real-time interactions, image processing examples, and 3D robot modeling software, enabling readers to «construct» and manipulate their own mechanism as well as other useful links.
Modelling and analysis of dynamical systems is a widespread practice as it is important for engineers to know how a given physical or engineering system will behave under specific circumstances. This text provides a comprehensive and systematic introduction to the methods and techniques used for translating physical problems into mathematical language, focusing on both linear and nonlinear systems. Highly practical in its approach, with solved examples, summaries, and sets of problems for each chapter, Dynamics for Engineers covers all aspects of the modelling and analysis of dynamical systems. Key features: Introduces the Newtonian, Lagrangian, Hamiltonian, and Bond Graph methodologies, and illustrates how these can be effectively used for obtaining differential equations for a wide variety of mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical systems. Develops a geometric understanding of the dynamics of physical systems by introducing the state space, and the character of the vector field around equilibrium points. Sets out features of the dynamics of nonlinear systems, such as like limit cycles, high-period orbits, and chaotic orbits. Establishes methodologies for formulating discrete-time models, and for developing dynamics in discrete state space. Senior undergraduate and graduate students in electrical, mechanical, civil, aeronautical and allied branches of engineering will find this book a valuable resource, as will lecturers in system modelling, analysis, control and design. This text will also be useful for students and engineers in the field of mechatronics.