This book provides a basic understanding of piezoelectricity, a form of energy conversion which has earned considerable attention due to its application in useful devices such as ultrasonic generators, filters, and actuators. Because an understanding of the piezoelectric interaction process depends on knowledge of both crystallographic phenomena and the electronic fundamentals of electromechanical transducers, this book covers these areas in considerable detail. The method of analysis is general and macroscopic, and can be extended to the discussion of electromechanical interactions in solid state physics. Details of electromechanical measurements are illustrated and recent applications reviewed.

Sol-Gel Techniques for Glass Producers and Users provides technological information, descriptions and characterizations of prototypes, or products already on the market, and illustrates advantages and disadvantages of the sol-gel process in comparison to other methods. The first chapter entitled "Wet Chemical Technology" gives a summary of the basic principles of the sol-gel chemistry. The most promising applications are related to coatings. Chapter 2 describes the various "Wet Chemical Coating Technologies" from glass cleaning to many deposition and post-coating treatment techniques. These include patterning of coatings through direct or indirect techniques which have became very important and for which the sol-gel processing is particularly well adapted. Chapter 3 entitled "Bulk Glass Technologies" reports on the preparation of special glasses for different applications. Chapter 4 entitled "Coatings and Materials Properties" describes the properties of the different coatings and the sol-gel materials, fibers and powders. The chapter also includes a section dedicated to the characterization techniques especially applied to sol-gel coatings and products.

This book gathers papers presented during the 4th International Conference on Electrical Engineering and Control Applications. It covers new control system models, troubleshooting tips and complex system requirements, such as increased speed, precision and remote capabilities. Additionally, the papers discuss not only the engineering aspects of signal processing and various practical issues in the broad field of information transmission, but also novel technologies for communication networks and modern antenna design. This book is intended for researchers, engineers and advanced postgraduate students in the fields of control and electrical engineering, computer science and signal processing, as well as mechanical and chemical engineering.

The papers contained herein were presented at the Sixth International Conference on Composite Structures (ICCS/6) held at Paisley College, Scotland in September 1991. The Conference was organised and sponsored by Paisley College. It was co-sponsored by Scottish Enterprise, the National Engineering Laboratory, the US Army Research, Development and Standardisation Group-UK, Strathclyde Regional Council and Renfrew District Council. It forms a natural and ongoing progression from the highly successful ICCS/1/2/3/4 and 5 held at Paisley in 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1989 respectively. As we enter the final decade of this century many organisations throughout the world are adopting a prophetic role by attempting to forecast future scientific advances and their associated impact on mankind. Although some would argue that to do so is folly, without such futuristic visionaries the world would be that much poorer. IntelJigent speculation based on research trends and historical advances, rather than fanciful theories, breathes a healthy air of enthusiasm into the scientific community. Surely this is the very oxygen necessary to ignite the fir~s of innovation and invention amongst pioneers of research.

Timely information on scientific and engineering developments occurring in laboratories around the world provides critical input to maintaining the economic and technological strength of the United States. Moreover, sharing this information quickly with other countries can greatly enhance the productivity of scientists and engineers. These are some of the reasons why the National Science Foundation (NSF) has been involved in funding science and technology assessments comparing the United States and foreign countries since the early 1980s. A substantial number of these studies have been conducted by the World Technology Evaluation Center (WTEC) managed by Loyola College through a cooperative agreement with NSF. The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Committee on Technology's Interagency Working Group on NanoScience, Engineering and Technology (CT/IWGN) worked with WTEC to develop the scope of this Nanostucture Science and Technology report in an effort to develop a baseline of understanding for how to strategically make Federal nanoscale R&D investments in the coming years. The purpose of the NSTC/WTEC activity is to assess R&D efforts in other countries in specific areas of technology, to compare these efforts and their results to U. S. research in the same areas, and to identify opportunities for international collaboration in precompetitive research. Many U. S. organizations support substantial data gathering and analysis efforts focusing on nations such as Japan. But often the results of these studies are not widely available. At the same time, government and privately sponsored studies that are in the public domain tend to be "input" studies.

This volume highlights the latest advances, innovations, and applications in the field of asphalt pavement technology, as presented by leading international researchers and engineers at the 5th International Symposium on Asphalt Pavements & Environment (ISAP 2019 APE Symposium), held in Padua, Italy on September 11-13, 2019. It covers a diverse range of topics concerning materials and technologies for asphalt pavements, designed for sustainability and environmental compatibility: sustainable pavement materials, marginal materials for asphalt pavements, pavement structures, testing methods and performance, maintenance and management methods, urban heat island mitigation, energy harvesting, and Life Cycle Assessment. The contributions, which were selected by means of a rigorous international peer-review process, present a wealth of exciting ideas that will open novel research directions and foster multidisciplinary collaboration among different specialists.