The search for alternative sources of energy is an attempt to solve two of the main problems facing the modern world. Today's resources are mainly based on fossil flammable substances such as coal, oil, and natural gas. The first problem is related to the expected and observed depletion of deposits, not only those available but also less accessible. Another is related to global warming from emi…
Global energy demand is expected to grow 47% by 2050, with oil remaining the number one source of energy. Renewables make up 27% of the global energy mix, as predicted by the International Energy Agency (IEA). To achieve IEA's 2050 Net Zero targets, the electricity sector needs to reduce global emissions by nearly three-quarters. Even though renewables installations are expanding quickly, there…
'Thank you for your order, Mr Mainframe Customer. The cost is £5 million and the lead-time for manufacture will be two years. In the meantime you will have to build a special computer centre to our specification. For our part, our project team will help you recruit and train potential programmers and we shall advise on how you might use the system.' How different from today when the customer…
The sections in this book are devoted to new approaches and usages of stainless steels, the influence of the environments on the behavior of certain classes of steels, new structural concepts to understand some fatigue processes, new insight on strengthening mechanisms, and toughness in microalloyed steels. The kinetics during tempering in low-alloy steels is also discussed through a new set-up…
This book aims to provide a new vision of how algorithms are the core of decision support systems (DSSs), which are increasingly important information systems that help to make decisions related to unstructured and semi-unstructured decision problems that do not have a simple solution from a human point of view. It begins with a discussion of how DSSs will be vital to improving the health of th…
Due to the increasing demand for security and reliability in manufacturing and mechatronic systems, early detection and diagnosis of faults are key points to reduce economic losses caused by unscheduled maintenance and downtimes, to increase safety, to prevent the endangerment of human beings involved in the process operations and to improve reliability and availability of autonomous systems. T…
This work has arisen out of the strong demand for a superior power-added efficiency (PAE) of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) high-power amplifiers (HPAs) that are part of any advanced wireless multifunctional RF-system with limited prime energy. Different concepts and approaches on device and design level for PAE improvements are analyzed, e.g. structural and layout changes o…
The air pollution problem inevitably accompanies our human activities. Severe air pollution situations have been reported, especially in emerging countries, and satisfying the air quality standards fully remains an underlying issue. Today, modeling research is one of the more valuable approaches to understanding the behavior of air pollutants, and is useful for regulation-, policy- and decision…
This study is the first to analyse the manifold interrelations between armed conflicts and the human and natural environments both historically and sociologically. While most research to date has dealt with this topic primarily with regard to environmental destruction caused by acts of war or armament in peacetime, this publication goes one step further by highlighting the historical changes to…
The purpose of this Special Issue is to create an an academic platform whereby high-quality research papers are published on the applications of innovative AI algorithms to transportation planning and operation. The authors present their original research articles related to the applications of AI or machine-learning techniques to transportation planning and operation. The topics of the article…