Technology, Engineering & Agriculture Books
Nova Science Publishers Inc Industrial Biotechnology: Patenting Trends &
Book SynopsisThis book provides a profile of innovation in industrial biotechnology, an emerging field of biotechnology characterised by the use of enzymes, microorganisms, and other biocatalysts to create new processes and products. Industrial biotechnology is used to make biofuels, chemicals and other products in more sustainable and environmentally friendly ways by, for example, enabling the use of renewable resources rather than petroleum-based products, eliminating harmful by-products created by conventional chemical processes, reducing energy requirements and greenhouse gas emissions, and/or lowering manufacturing costs. Because of these positive attributes, the demand for industrial biotechnology products and processes is increasing. Patent data, survey results, and technology and firm level data is used from emerging sectors of industrial biotechnology to provide a detailed picture of innovation in the field. Furthermore, this book finds substantial evidence that the field of industrial biotechnology is diverse and growing, with new patent owners entering at a steady rate. Different companies, ranging from small to large in size, are dominant in different areas of industrial biotechnology and patent portfolios play an important role in their participation by facilitating the commercialisation of new products and processes.
£999.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Bioceramics: Properties, Preparation &
Book SynopsisCeramic materials that are specially developed for use as medical and dental implants are termed bioceramics. Bioceramics can have structural functions as joint or tissue replacements, can be used as coatings to improve the biocompatibility of metal implants, and can function as resorbable lattices which provide temporary structures and a framework that is dissolved, replaced as the body rebuilds tissue. Some ceramics even feature drug-delivery capability. This book presents current research and cutting edge thinking in this field. It begins with an overview of the significance of calcium orthophosphates for humankind, specifically for dental and bone grafting applications. The development of granulate systems of calcium phosphate-based drugs with controlled drug release kinetics is examined as well. This is an increasingly important area of research because of the prevalent rates of infection in bone and dental surgery. In order for bioactive glasses or ceramics to bond to living bone, the formation of a bone-like apatite layer on their surfaces must occur. This book also presents two different methods for the synthesis of these bioceramic materials.
£89.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Smaller Satellites Operations Near Geostationary
Book SynopsisWith the ongoing miniaturisation of components, the utility of smaller satellites is increasing. Many believe in the near future that small satellites will be able to perform all functions that larger satellites currently perform today. It has been suggested that these satellites will be less expensive, thus offer a lower risk to the consumer in case they fail before their mission design life. This book looks at the ability to build and operate smaller satellites with current technology to perform covert Space Control and Space Situational Awareness missions near geostationary orbit. The investigation determined if space qualified Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) components and current technology could be used to build covert smaller satellites. The largest satellite was sized to be undetectable from earth based sensors. Subsequent CubeSat sizes were selected to determine how small a satellite could be built with COTS components and current technology to perform the assigned missions. A comparative analysis was then performed to determine how these satellites could be cost effectively launched to orbit. A cost estimate was performed to determine the entire life cycle cost for each satellite size excluding launch and integration segments. Using that information, the best satellite size was determined.
£999.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Surface Coatings
Book SynopsisThis book presents current research on thin films and coatings. The mechanical properties of films and coatings, which are highly affected by their microstructure and their adhesion to substrates, are reviewed. Furthermore, electronic semiconductor devices and optical coatings, which are the main applications benefiting from thin film construction are looked at. This book discusses antimicrobial surface coatings as promising applications of advanced active food packaging systems. Ways in which they effectively control the microbial contamination of various foodstuffs are analysed. Research that has been done in the last decade using ultrasonic waves for coating surfaces is also examined. Finally, since coatings and films mechanical properties are highly affected by their microstructure, and their adhesion to substrates, this book includes research on interface microstructure and the important role that bond formation plays on coatings and films.
£999.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Carbon Capture & Storage including Coal-Fired
Book SynopsisNationally-recognised studies and our contacts with a diverse group of industry representatives, non-governmental organisations, and academic researchers show that key barriers to CCS deployment include (1) underdeveloped and costly CO2 capture technology and (2) regulatory and legal uncertainties over CO2 capture, injection, and storage. Among the key technological barriers are a lack of experience in capturing significant amounts of CO2 from power plants and the significant cost of capturing CO2, particularly from existing coal-fired power plants, which are the single largest source of CO2 emissions in the United States. Compounding these technological issues are regulatory and legal uncertainties, including uncertainty regarding liability for CO2 leakage and ownership of CO2 once injected. According to the IPCC, the National Academy of Sciences, and other knowledgeable authorities, another barrier is the absence of a national strategy to control CO2 emissions (emissions trading plan, CO2 emissions tax, or other mandatory control of CO2 emissions), without which the electric utility industry has little incentive to capture and store its CO2 emissions. Moreover, according to key agency officials, the absence of a national strategy has also deterred their agencies from addressing other important practical issues, such as resolving how stored CO2 would be treated in a future CO2 emissions trading plan.
£107.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Effects of Liberalizing World Agricultural Trade
Book SynopsisA major issue on the agenda of the ongoing Doha Round of multilateral negotiations by members of the World Trade Organization concerns how and to what extent policies that affect agricultural trade should be liberalised. This book reviews the current status of agricultural negotiations for domestic support, market access, and export subsidies, and their potential implications for U.S. agriculture. This book gives a more complete presentation of the numerical results as well as additional explanation concerning their interpretation.
£67.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Nuclear Power's Role in Generating Electricity
Book SynopsisThis book is concerned about the adequacy of electricity supply and the impact of greenhouse-gas emissions on the environment have prompted policymakers to reevaluate the role that nuclear power might play in the future in meeting the nation''s demand for electricity. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) offers incentives for expanding utilities'' capacity to generate electricity using innovative fossil-fuel technologies and a new generation of nuclear reactors that are designed to decrease costs and enhance safety. In addition, policymakers are considering various proposals that would impose charges on entities that emit carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas. Such policies could further encourage the use of nuclear power, which emits no such gases, by increasing the cost of generating electricity with competing fossil-fuel technologies.
£999.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Hired Farmworkers: Profile & Labor Issues
Book SynopsisThis book looks at hired farmworkers who make up a third of the total agricultural labor force and are critical to U.S. agricultural production, particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as fruits and vegetables. The hired farmworker labor market is unique because it includes a large population of relatively disadvantaged and often unauthorized workers, a portion of whom migrate to, and within, the United States. Recent economic and demographic trends are discussed in this book, such as changing agricultural production methods that permit year-round employment, expanding immigrant populations in nonmetropolitan counties, and growing concerns over U.S. immigration policies. This 2008 profile serves as an update to the 2000 Economic Research Service analysis using current data with expanded sections on legal status, poverty, housing and use of social services. Consequently, as examined in this book, hired farmworkers remain among the most economically disadvantaged working groups in the U.S., despite their critical importance to many agricultural sectors.
£67.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Power Plant Characteristics & Costs
Book SynopsisThis book analyses the factors that determine the cost of electricity from new power plants. These factors, including construction costs, fuel expense, environmental regulations, and financing costs can all be affected by government energy, environmental, and economic policies. Government decisions to influence or not influence these factors can largely determine the kind of power plants that are built in the future. This book provides projections of the possible cost of power from new fossil, nuclear, and renewable plants built in 2015, illustrating how different assumptions, such as the availability of federal incentives, change the cost rankings of technologies. None of the projections are intended to be a "most likely" case. Future uncertainties preclude firm forecasts. The rankings of the technologies by cost are therefore also an approximation and should not be viewed as definitive estimates of the relative cost-competitiveness of each option. The value of this book is not as a source of point estimates of future power costs, but as a source of insight into the factors that can determine future outcomes, including factors that can be influenced by Congress.
£60.79
Nova Science Publishers Inc Clean Fuels in the Marine Sector
Book Synopsis
£129.74
Nova Science Publishers Inc Astrobiology: Physical Origin, Biological
Book SynopsisAstrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. This book offers an analysis undertaken from the perspective of science education, to discuss the nature of the particular challenges faced by those seeking to facilitate public education in the field of astrobiology. The authors also address the question of the formation of a protocell and its function at the system level. It will further deal with the environmental pressures likely present on the early Earth, as they would have influenced the lifetime of unstable or reactive components needed for the start of life. In addition, the method of the transition from prebiotic organic microsystems to the primordial communities of prokaryotes is explored. The authors also explain some aspects related to aqueous interfacial processes in the context of prebiotic chemistry under the point of view of our current experimental results. Moreover, there is considerable interest in astrobiology in investigating icy worlds and the microbial forms that thrive in extreme environments, especially under those cold conditions that can provide a model for some extraterrestrial environments. This book reviews the general trends concerning the biodiversity and ecology of psychrophilic microorganisms and their molecular mechanisms of adaptation and evolution, as well as summarise the latest results on this topic in samples from icy environments. Other chapters summarise the morphological signatures of flowing water, the astrobiological potential of the dunes, and the theoretical modelling background of the presence of liquid water on Mars today.
£176.24
Nova Science Publishers Inc Green Composites: Properties, Design & Life Cycle
Book SynopsisGreen composites can be prepared by conventional blending wheat gluten (WG) and other organic or inorganic components using conventional plastic processing equipments followed by thermo-moulding of the mixture at elevated temperatures to crosslinking the matrix. In recent years, great attention has been dedicated to the exploitation of natural fibres as reinforcement for plastics, replacing fibres synthetic materials. This book examines the methods for surface modification, which can be physical or chemical, according to superficial modification approach of the fibre. This book also gives a survey about the chemical composition, various mechanical processes for the separation of flax fibre, mechanical properties, physical and chemical treatment methods that improve the flax fibre matrix adhesion, their results and special effects on the various properties of composites. The authors also investigated the preparation and characterisation of Mater-Bi/wood flour green composites. The investigation was completed by performing biodegradation tests which allowed assessing the actual biodegradability of the prepared green composites. Other chapters in this book examine the effects of accelerated exposure to seawater on the flexural and impact properties of composites. Densified wood, which can be effectively used as raw material in the production of wood-base green composites, is discussed as well.
£185.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Carbon Nanotubes: A New Alternative for
Book SynopsisThe goal of this book is to summarise the recent advances in carbon nanotubes as a new material for electrochemical sensors. Since their discovery in 1991, carbon nanotubes have received considerable attention in different fields. Their special geometry and unique electronic, mechanical, chemical and thermal properties make them a very attractive material for the design of electrochemical biosensors. The first application of carbon nanotubes in the preparation of a sensor was reported by Britto in 1996. Since then, an increasing number of publications involving sensors based on carbon nanotubes (either single or multi-wall) for substrates like glucose, lactate, alcohols, phenols, neurotransmitters, aminoacids, proteins, carbohydrates among others, have been reported. This fact demonstrates the usefulness of carbon nanotubes for the development of electrochemical sensors. The advantages of carbon nanotubes for promoting electron transfer reactions -with special emphasis in those involving biomolecules, the different methodologies for incorporating carbon nanotubes in sensors (either suspended in solutions, in polymeric films or in composite matrices), the analytical performance of the resulting biosensors as well as future prospects are discussed in this book.
£999.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Solar Energy Technologies: From Research to
Book SynopsisEnergy is essential to our Nation and our lives; we use energy to power homes and businesses and to transport people and goods, making it an important component of our economy. Reliable, clean and affordable energy is critical to energy security and our economy. Furthermore, we can reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy by diversifying our energy mix using domestic resources. The U.S. Department of Energy is committed to "discovering the solutions to power and secure America''s future, which include clean energy technologies that not only enhance energy independence but also can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and criteria air pollutants." The Department''s robust activities to support the development of solar energy technologies include applied research in support of the Solar America Initiative in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program as well as important exploratory research in the Office of Science. The support of Congress as well as incentives and support from state governments, will be critical to achieving the SAI goals. This book consists of public documents which have been located, gathered, combined, reformatted, and enhanced with a subject index, selectively edited and bound to provide easy access.
£107.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Non-Ionic Surfactants
Book SynopsisNon-ionic surfactants are chemically potent molecular species that are becoming increasingly important as an excipient component used in the formulation and delivery of drugs and vaccines. These chemicals do not have charge in their predominant working range of pH, yet interact strongly with high energy structures such as interfacial regions, phase boundaries and surfaces and can cause dramatic changes in crucial properties of molecular mixtures including solubility, dispersion uniformity, viscosity, miscibility, phase and transport. Non-ionic surfactants are used extensively in the chemical industry in such areas as detergents, health and personal care, coatings and polymers. Furthermore, non-ionic surfactants, or surface active wetting agents, reduce the surface tension of water, allowing the water molecules to spread out. When applied to water-repellent soils in high concentrations, surfactants can improve the ability of the water to penetrate the soil surface and thus increase the infiltration rate. This new book gathers the latest research from around the globe in this field.
£176.24
Nova Science Publishers Inc Oil Shale Developments
Book SynopsisThis book looks at developments in oil shale which is the largest untapped domestic resource with the greatest potential to decrease our dependence on foreign oil. Over 70% of the world''s oil shale resources occur in the United States. These deposits contain over 1.5 trillion barrels of shale oil. If only 800 billion of this can be recovered, that alone would supply all of our current domestic petroleum needs for the next 100 years or more. The 2005 Energy Security Act demonstrated that the US government might finally encourage the development of these valuable oil shale resources. The nation''s production of crude oil has been declining since the 1970s while its demand has continued to increase, making the country increasingly dependent on imported oil. However, there are lingering questions about our ability to produce shale oil in this country. Most of these questions discussed in this book, centre on key issues such as: (1) is the technology available and will it work on a large scale?; (2) can shale oil be produced profitably?; (3) can shale oil be produced in an environmentally responsible manner?; and (4) what are the socio-economic impacts going to be on the local regions where these developments occur? Oil shale requires an expensive, high-risk, long-lead time development program and the federal government controls most of the resource. They will therefore ultimately determine whether or not shale oil is ever produced at a level sufficient to improve our economic and national security.
£999.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Thermal Engineering Research Developments
Book SynopsisDifferent thermal engineering calculations can be useful tools to solve complex issues nowadays in thermal equipment design for several industrial applications. In this book, the Boltzmann Transport Equations (BTE) is examined to formulate the transport laws for equilibrium and irreversible thermodynamics. Particular attention is paid to the energetic processes in adsorption phenomena as well as in semiconductors from the view point of irreversible thermodynamics. The problems of heat exchange in laser medium and pump DLAs, as well as the associated thermal stress and thermal strain are also studied to seek the methods for enhancing heat transfer, lowering the device temperature and improving temperature uniformity and reducing thermal stress. The authors of this book also discuss the design, retrofit and the thermal performance analysis of industrial cooling systems. Other chapters include a proposal for a methodology to predict the heat transfer during the cutting process, an analysis of an optimisation process for a reverse cycle machine, and numerical results concerning the simulation of semiconductors melts with free capillary surfaces.
£262.49
Nova Science Publishers Inc Strength of Materials
Book SynopsisThe strength of a material refers to the material''s ability to withstand an applied stress without failure. The applied stress may be tensile, compressive, or shear. A material''s strength is dependent on its microstructure. The engineering processes to which a material is subjected can alter this microstrucure. This book provides a variety of material strength research including an extensive overview on the state of the art ceramic composite material BIOLOX delta which, since 2001, has successfully implanted more than 500,000 artificial hip joints. Due to the unique strength and toughness of this material, the risk of fracture has been substantially reduced when compared to conventional ceramic materials. Several different aspects of ionomer research from a physical property standpoint is discussed as well, including the history and current trends in ionomer research and a discussion on the immediate needs in this field. Furthermore, particle modelling (PM) as an innovative particulate dynamics based modelling approach is examined as a robust tool for simulating fracture problems of solids under extreme loading conditions, including situations of collapse, impact, blasting or high strain rate tension/compression. This book includes research on the ability of particle modelling to correctly predict dynamic fragmentation of materials with good accuracy.
£129.74
Nova Science Publishers Inc Geothermal Energy: The Resource Under Our Feet
Book SynopsisThe Earth houses a vast energy supply in the form of geothermal resources. Domestic resources are equivalent to a 30,000 year energy supply at our current rate for the United States. Geothermal energy is used in all 50 U.S. states today. But, geothermal energy has not reached its full potential as a clean secure energy alternative because of issues with resources, technology, historically low natural gas prices, and public policies. These issues affect the economic competitiveness of geothermal energy. This book explores geothermal energy''s viability, risk and cost analysis.
£129.74
Nova Science Publishers Inc Poisoning & Acidification of the Earth's Oceans
Book SynopsisWith increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, the extent of effects on the ocean and marine resources is an increasing concern. One aspect of this issue is the potential for seawater to become increasing acidic (i.e., ocean acidification). Scientists are concerned that increasing acidity could result in reduced growth or even death of shell-forming animals as well as disruption of marine food webs and reproductive physiology. Congress is beginning to focus attention on better understanding this issue and determining how it might be addressed. As well as examining the above issues, this book also presents an overview of the causes of hypoxia, the U.S. areas of most concern, federal legislation, and relevant research programs. In addition, this book reviews the history and oil spills in the United States; identifies the legal authorities governing oil spill prevention, response and cleanup; and examines the threats of future oil spills in U.S. coastal waters. This book consists of public documents which have been located, gathered, combined, reformatted, and enhanced with a subject index, selectively edited and bound to provide easy access.
£107.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Composite Laminates: Properties, Performance &
Book SynopsisIn materials science, composite laminates are assemblages of layers of fibrous composite materials which can be joined to provide required engineering properties, including in-plane stiffness, bending stiffness, strength, and thermal expansion. The individual layer consists of high-modulus, high-strength fibers in a polymeric, metallic, or ceramic matrix material. Most fibers in use include graphite, glass, boron, and silicon carbide, and most of the matrix materials are epoxies, polyimides, aluminum, titanium, and alumina. With the ongoing development of the high-tech industry, demand for advanced materials has led to the development of substitutes for traditional engineering materials (i.e., wood, aluminium, steel, concrete). Composite materials have emerged as superior engineering materials due to attributes that are not attainable with existing engineering materials. Due to these advantages, composite materials provide an opportunity for cost-efficient high performance in many weight-critical applications in spite of a product cost impediment compared with traditional materials. This new book gathers the latest research from around the globe in this dynamic field in relation to the properties, performance and application of composite materials.
£999.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Fly Ash: Reuse, Environmental Problems & Related
Book SynopsisFly ash is one of the residues generated in the combustion of coal. Fly ash is generally captured from the chimneys of coal-fired power plants, and is one of two types of ash that jointly are known as coal ash; the other, bottom ash, is removed from the bottom of coal furnaces. Depending upon the source and makeup of the coal being burned, the components of fly ash vary considerably, but all fly ash includes substantial amounts of silicon dioxide (SiO2) (both amorphous and crystalline) and calcium oxide (CaO). Toxic constituents include arsenic, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, chromium VI, cobalt, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, selenium, strontium, thallium, and vanadium, along with dioxins and PAH compounds. In the past, fly ash was generally released into the atmosphere, but pollution control equipment mandated in recent decades now require that it be captured prior to release. In the US, fly ash is generally stored at coal power plants or placed in landfills. About 43 percent is recycled, often used to supplement Portland cement in concrete production. It is increasingly finding use in the synthesis of geopolymers and zeolites.
£185.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Freshwater Ecosystems & Aquaculture Research
Book SynopsisFreshwater ecosystems, such as lakes, rivers, ponds and wetlands are a precious and critically important form of natural resource. This book highlights the need for a strong scientific approach to biomonitoring and conservation of fresh waters and identifies key shortcomings in the present approach. Pertinent examples of this come from the rapid advances made recently on the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem processes and in food web research, neither of which have so far informed monitoring and management practices. This book also reviews and describes the morphology and material translocation of emergent plants under a set of different environmental conditions, namely, seasonal, spatial, sediment, water depth and harvesting. Furthermore, the environmental impact of phosphorus (P) waste from the aquaculture industry is increasingly a matter of concern in Japan and elsewhere around the world. This book provides nutritional approaches for the reduction of phosphorus waste from yellowtail, one of the highest of any farmed fish species. Other chapters in this book include a review of the benefits of fish embryo cryopreservation for aquaculture and conservation purposes, a discussion of the position of life-history strategies in community ecology, a comparison of the top-down and bottom-up control philosophies for the food chain model so that the most effective management can be identified, the role of systems theory in sustainable management of freshwater systems and ecosystems and a discussion of the present problems that are related to water and sanitation in Sudan.
£176.24
Nova Science Publishers Inc Advances in Nanotechnology: Volume 1
Book SynopsisNanotechnology is a multidisciplinary field and has achieved breakthroughs in bioengineering, molecular biology, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Nanotechnology is the study of the control of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally nanotechnology deals with structures of the size 100 nanometres or smaller, and involves developing materials or devices within that size. Nanotechnology is very diverse, ranging from novel extensions of conventional device physics, to completely new approaches based upon molecular self-assembly, to developing new materials with dimensions on the nanoscale, even to speculation on whether we can directly control matter on the atomic scale. There has been much debate on the future of implications of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has the potential to create many new materials and devices with wide-ranging applications, such as in medicine, electronics, and energy production. On the other hand, nanotechnology raises many of the same issues as with any introduction of new technology, including concerns about the toxicity and environmental impact of nanomaterials, and their potential effects on global economics, as well as speculation about various doomsday scenarios. These concerns have led to a debate among advocacy groups and governments on whether special regulation of nanotechnology is warranted. This new important book gathers the latest research from around the globe in this dynamic field.
£185.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Farm Bill of 2008: Major Provisions & Legislative
Book Synopsis
£92.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc America's Family Farms
Book SynopsisThis book explores America''s family farms today. Farmers face many challenges like making daily decisions on when to plow, till, plant, fertilise, and harvest, or management decisions involving their sizeable assets, numerous employees, a multitude of rules and regulations and a market place that changes every day. In addition to these challenges, competition from foreign markets, environmental concerns, low prices and many global factors also make the future uncertain. We are at a critical stage in planning for the future of agriculture; recruiting and training the next generation of farmers and ensuring farms will continue to be viable, healthy operations. Every family owned business has to deal with transitions, but it seems to be reaching crisis proportions in agriculture.
£92.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Million Dollar Farms in the New Century
Book SynopsisBy 2006, million dollar farms, accounting for 2 percent of all U.S. farms, dominated U.S. production of high-value crops, milk, hogs, poultry, and beef. The shift to million-dollar farms is likely to continue because they tend to be more profitable than smaller farms, giving them a competitive advantage. Most million dollar farms (84 percent) are family farms, that is, the farm operator and relatives of the operator own the business. This book examines the growth of production from million-dollar farms since the 1980''s and explores the current role of these farms in U.S. commercial agriculture, including their share of farms, their production of specific commodities, and their receipt of Government payments.
£49.59
Nova Science Publishers Inc Solid Waste Management & Environmental
Book Synopsis
£999.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Advances in Environmental Research: Volume 2
Book SynopsisThe environment consists of the surroundings in which an organism operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans and their interrelation. It is this environment which is both so valuable, on the one hand, and so endangered on the other. It is people which are by and large ruining the environment both for themselves and for other organisms. This series covers leading-edge research in a cross-section of fields centring on the environment.
£232.49
Nova Science Publishers Inc Handbook of Material Science Research
Book SynopsisThis book reviews the four classes of materials science, the study of each of which are also considered separate fields: metals, ceramics, polymers and composites. The application of materials science in energetic materials, like explosives and oxidisers, is also an important topic, and thus is extensively reviewed in this book. Furthermore, the microhardness of steel and the various testing methods in polymers is analysed. Specifically, the Vickers microhardness of iron, carbon steels and high-alloyed steels are reviewed. Other chapters in this book explore the process of percolation in cuprate composites. Recently, extensive interest has been focused on the percolation processes in superconducting cuprates, of which physical properties are strongly characterised by the low-dimensional aspects of the crystal structures. Bulk metal glasses (BMGs) are also examined, which are currently the focus of intense research in the world because of their excellent properties and potential applications as engineering materials and functional devises. Other chapters in this book focus on electrodeposition and corrosion properties of zinc-cobalt and zinc-cobalt-iron, the structure and morphology of electrodeposited nickel-cobalt alloy powders, the control of microstructures by heat treatments and high-temperature properties, and the evaluation of fatigue strength methods for machine designs.
£232.49
Nova Science Publishers Inc Environmental Cost Management
Book SynopsisOver the last three decades environmental issues have had a direct impact on technology assessment and policy decisions. One of the difficulties with measuring environmental performance is a lack of consensus on evaluation of relevant aspects, including materials and energy use, air emissions, solid and hazardous waste and water pollution. Eco-efficiency refers to the paradigm that firms can achieve long-run economic gains as a consequence of strategically managing environmental efficiencies. Environmental cost strategies involve management of the cost of production while minimising the impact on the environment. In an efficient cost management system, inefficient use of environmental inputs and/or outputs, including pollution and waste, are reduced or eliminated through process improvements and innovation. By incorporating the efficient use of the environment into the firm''s strategic planning, management establishes a direct link between the firm''s environmental goals and its profitability and firm value. This new and important book gathers information from around the globe in this field.
£86.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Food Science Research & Technology
Book SynopsisThe book explores the central elements of a theoretically optimal human diet. The scientific studies and basic biochemical and physiological principles that form the theoretical and empirical bases of such a diet are reviewed. This book also examines the issue of food safety, which is a subject of international concern. In particular, food spoilage and pathogenicity are discussed as they are major issues of every food processing industry. Furthermore, non-thermal properties, such as high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric field, ionising radiation and the use of natural antimicrobial additives, which have shown great potential to control food-borne pathogens, are explored. A range of promising directions and hypotheses of how to prevent, reduce and valorise food and packaging waste (sustainability oriented scenarios and system concept)- within supermarkets, fruit and vegetable markets and family homes are also outlined in this book. The effects of certain kinds of foods on health is an important topic and one that is a major focus of this book. The evidence for the health effects of omega-3 fatty acids (i.e., in fish oil) on asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness are discussed and analysed. The nutritional aspects that may influence Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 (T1D) are also looked at, as well as the effects of food allergies in the diet of children.
£129.74
Nova Science Publishers Inc Wind Turbines: Types, Economics & Development
Book SynopsisA wind turbine is a rotating machine which converts the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical energy. World-wide interest in renewable energy systems such as wind turbines has increased dramatically, due to environmental concerns like climate change and other factors. Wind power is a major source of sustainable energy, and can be harvested using both horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines. This book addresses wind turbines and provides theoretical background and rationale for these developments. The required guidelines to make wind farms environmentally friendly are addressed, as well as the impact that wind turbines may have on benthic biomass and diversity. Ideas about future developments of wind turbines are also reviewed in this book.
£176.24
Nova Science Publishers Inc Agriculture Research & Technology
Book SynopsisThis book presents the latest research from around the world in the field of agriculture. Agricultural fungicides, for example, are considered with particular reference to mode of action and selectivity. The aspects of biological control are also illustrated, especially the bioherbicide strategy along with the commercial prospects, potentials, considerations, formulations, advances, disadvantages and research priorities with regard to bioherbicide development and/or usage for eco-friendly weed management. The present stage of knowledge of the nutritional and safety assessment of feed/food from genetically modified plants (GMP) are summarised as well. Additionally, the use of transgenic plants as hosts for producing recombinant therapeutic proteins and technical enzymes has been established over the past decade. Thus the transitivity observed in transgenic plants is also examined. Other chapters in this book present an analysis of the specific functions that are involved in land application systems for organic fertilisers and a review of available and emerging technologies in light of this analysis. The uses of green fluorescent protein (GFP) throughout the development of transgenic crops are also outlined, including its possible application in the selection of elite individuals, as well as its ecological studies aimed at GM crop safety.
£232.49
Nova Science Publishers Inc Advances in Laser & Optics Research: Volume 4
Book SynopsisOver 20 years ago, world-wide optical communications was not possible; critical pieces of technology in both computing and communication were just emerging. The new communication technology has fuelled the exponential growth of the phenomenon known as the Internet. The exploding demand for Internet access, telecommunications, and broadband services has led to a push for greater light-wave transmission capacity. Optical fibre networks now carry a large amount of voice and data traffic all over the world. This new and important book gathers the latest research from around the globe on the subject of lasers and optics research with related topics such as: low-energy lasers in orthodontics, semiconductor lasers in endoscopy, cooling and manipulating atoms by semiconductor lasers, and others.
£185.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Synergetics & Fractal Analysis of Polymer
Book Synopsis
£179.24
Nova Science Publishers Inc Ceramic & Polymer Matrix Composites: Properties,
Book SynopsisIn general, the strength of ceramic materials is influenced by the presence of flaws, originating during the material processing and representing fracture origins to be accordingly a reason of material fracture. In this book, fabrication processes of particle reinforced ceramic are introduced, which provide a useful set of variables for model experimental and theoretical studies. Toughening mechanisms of particle dispersion reinforced ceramic matrix composites are also discussed, and the practice of the composites containing the latest research results are introduced. In addition, the authors discuss the application of the contact and four-point bending tests on monolithic ceramic materials at room temperature to determine the strength of ceramic materials. Other chapters in this book examine fibre reinforced plastics, which are used world-wide in various applications. A novel nanofabrication strategy to develop high dielectric constant nanocomposite is also introduced, as well as a novel approach for systematic investigation of polymer nanocomposites.
£999.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Industrial Biotechnology & the U.S. Chemical &
Book SynopsisThe Committee on Finance of the United States Senate requested the Commission to examine the competitive conditions affecting certain industries that are developing and adopting new industrial biotechnology (IB) processes and products. IB was defined as the manufacture of liquid fuel and chemical products using enzymes, micro-organisms, or renewable resources. The application of IB can improve the efficiency of the industries and lead to the development of new products. Thus, this book focuses on U.S. liquid biofuel producers and firms in the U.S. chemical industry. An analysis of the current impact of IB on the U.S. economy is also provided. Industrial biotechnology (IB) activities in the U.S. by the chemical and liquid fuel industries increased substantially during the 2004-2007 period. Sales of U.S. produced bio-based products, for example, increased by over 30% during the period. As discussed in this book, much of this growth is accounted for by the ethanol and biodiesel industries, which are strongly supported by government tax incentives or mandatory use regulations, or both.
£73.49
Nova Science Publishers Inc Nanofibers: Fabrication, Performance &
Book SynopsisNanofibers are defined as fibres with diameters on the order of 100 nanometers. They can be produced by interfacial polymerisation and electrospinning. Contrastly, carbon nanofibers are graphitised fibres produced by catalystic synthesis. Nanofibers are included in garments, insulation and in energy storage. They are also used in medical applications, which include drug and gene delivery, artificial blood vessels, artificial organs and medical facemasks. This book presents new research in this dynamic field.
£999.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Barrier Properties of Polymer Clay Nanocomposites
Book SynopsisPolymer nanocomposites are organic-inorganic hybrids where the high aspect ratio inorganic filler can be delaminated in the organic matrix at the nanometer scale, thus leading to significant enhancement of composite properties at very low filler volume fractions. With the advancement of polymer nanocomposites technology, significant enhancements in mechanical and thermal properties of the composites could be achieved. However, other important properties like gas barrier properties, which form an absolutely necessary requirement for the use of materials in packaging and storage applications, were relatively neglected. By improving the barrier performance of the materials by incorporation of high aspect ratio nano platelets, one can expect to reduce the thickness of the commercial packaging laminates and other materials where thick material is required to be used to provide barrier to various gases. This can thus lead to significant amount of savings in the material costs and can make the polymer materials more light and also transparent as the nano scale dispersed filler would not scatter light. This book examines the factors affecting barrier properties enhancement in polar polymer matrices, which are different from case when non polar polymers are involved, thus indicating that the performance has to be quantised by case-by-case basis. The commonly used conventional models for prediction of permeation reduction are also less representative of the true microstructure of the nanocomposites. Thus the barrier performance of the polymer nanocomposite materials is also explored, separate from the more bulk based mechanical properties.
£185.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Monomers, Oligomers, Polymers, Composites, &
Book SynopsisThis volume presents interesting results in the field of physico-chemical criteria for estimating the efficiency of burn dressings, antimicrobical packaging materials, reinforced materials, nanofibres, natural polymers, conducting polymers and composites, application of electron spin resonance technique for investigation of radical reactions, synthesis of stabilisers for polymers, and the effect of flame retardants on combustion of polymers and processing.
£262.49
Nova Science Publishers Inc Computational Methods in Applied Science &
Book SynopsisComputational and applied methods in science and engineering is an emerging and promising discipline in shaping future research and development activities in both academia and industry, in fields ranging from engineering, science, finance, and economics, to arts and humanities. New challenges arise in the modelling of complex systems, sophisticated algorithms, advanced scientific and engineering computing and associated (multidisciplinary) problem-solving environments. Because the solution of large and complex problems must cope with tight timing schedules, powerful algorithms and computational techniques are inevitable. This book covers new research activities and development in the field of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology.
£232.49
Nova Science Publishers Inc Ethanol Economics & Ethanol's Impact on Food
Book SynopsisEthanol production in the United States totalled almost 5 billion gallons in 2006, about 1 billion gallons more than in 2005. While this was a significant increase, further expansion in the industry is continuing, with production expected to exceed 10 billion gallons by 2009. This large and rapid expansion of U.S. ethanol production affects virtually every aspect of the field crops sector, ranging from domestic demand and exports to prices and the allocation of acreage among crops. Many aspects of the livestock sector are affected too. As a consequence of these commodity market impacts, farm income, government payments, and food prices also change. This book examines the economics of ethanol production and its impact on food prices and greenhouse gas emissions.
£129.74
Nova Science Publishers Inc Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials & Nanotechnology
Book Synopsis
£107.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Physics of Nanostructured Solar Cells
Book SynopsisThe world of nanotechnology has opened a vast array of novel frontiers in materials science, by the exploitation of the properties and phenomena at the nanometer scale. After transistors, also other devices will enter the nanoscale era. Technologies based on semi-conducting and/or organic materials have moved from a few empirical examples to a booming science-based activity. Physics at nanoscale becomes the science used for new device improvements. Solar cells are no exception to that. This book on nanophysics of photovoltaic cells thus comes at the right moment. Such a book will support research efforts in numerous laboratories where the solar cells of tomorrow are designed. The reader will be happy to find chapters on various topics, such as thermodynamics, photonics and electronics of dye-sensitised, electrochemical, nanostructured, polymer and organic materials. Light concentration, photoluminescence, intermediate-band absorption, photon conversion, and quantum confinement are discussed. The present book will surely be of great value for all scientists and engineers involved in the development of future solar cells.
£999.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Cool Power: Natural Ventilation Systems in
Book SynopsisNatural ventilation in buildings, generally belongings to bio climatic design, can provide a comfortable indoor climate and major possibilities for energy saving and reducing energy consumption due to mechanical ventilation and air conditioning systems. Natural ventilation is the most efficient passive cooling systems, which was also used in traditional, historic architecture to improve thermal efficiency and indoor building comfort. Many historic buildings in Italy were split between summer and winter apartments. the summer apartment was located on the ground floor and frescoed. Its cool indoor climate was due to the presence of surrounding gardens and to the high thermal inertia of the ground and wall. Sometimes these rooms benefited from effective natural air-conditioning systems with air channels, gratings. underground openings and rooms and basins for rain water storage. Some architectural structures inside historical buildings are often interpreted as cooling systems. The problem is the knowledge about the real functioning of these systems during the past and at the present.
£999.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Advances in Environmental Research: Volume 3
Book SynopsisThe environment consists of the surroundings in which an organism operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans and their interrelation. It is this environment which is both so valuable, on the one hand, and so endangered on the other. It is people which are by and large ruining the environment both for themselves and for other organisms. This series covers leading-edge research in a cross-section of fields centring on the environment.
£179.24
Nova Science Publishers Inc Advances in Nanotechnology: Volume 2
Book SynopsisThe terms "nanoscience and nanotechnology" refer to the synthesis, characterisation, exploration and application of nanostructured materials. There is an increasing awareness that the nanomechanical properties of living cells and the extracellular microenvironment are intimately linked to their underlying physiology in health and disease. The recent literature on cell nanomechanics is reviewed in this book and the relevance of this science to the development of nanomedicine is discussed. Furthermore, the data on the 2-line ferrihydrite structure and texture is analysed, as well as its methods for preparation and catalytic properties. In addition, a simple method to initiate polymerisation by irradiation, without any added initiators, is reviewed. The authors of this book also discuss the perspectives of future development of the photocatalytic systems based on nanostructured semiconductors, and the ways for their further perfection are outlined, broadening the number of known nanophotocatalysts and photocatalytic processes, as well as the benefits of the utilisation of such systems in modern nanotechnologies. Other chapters in this book discuss the results of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy for SnO2, TiO2 and CeO2 nanocrystals. The applications of amorphous metal alloys, as well as its benefits and disadvantages are also discussed.
£185.99
