Mformation about a material can be gathered from its interaction with electromagnetic waves. The information may be stored in the amplitude, the phase, the polarisation, the angular distribution of energy transportation or the spectral characteristics. When re trieved from the wave, certain material properties may thus be determined indirectly. Compared on the one hand to direct material analysis, an indirect method requires calibration and is prone to interference from undesired sources. On the other hand, however, it permits the determination of features inaccessible by direct methods, such as non-destructive material interrogation, high measurement speed, or deep penetration depth. However, being a physical method, the use of electromagnetic waves is still handicapped by the lack of acceptance by many chemists, who are used to applying direct approaches. Historically, the first application of electromagnetic wave interaction with mat ter involved measurement of amplitude changes at a single frequency caused by material properties, and it is still used today by some systems. This approach was soon supplemented by single frequency phase measurements, in order to avoid distortions through amplitude instabilities or parasitic reflections. Such single pa rameter measurements of course require dependence only on one variable in the measured process and sufficient stability of all other ancillary conditions. If that is not the case, the single parameter measurement fails.

Electromagnetic moisture measurement technologies have proven to be valuable tools in diverse applications. This monograph covers basic aspects of nondestructive electromagnetic methods of water content determination and relates to the associated highly multidisciplinary field of research and development. It also presents a comprehensive selection of relevant field-tested methods and instruments. The fundamentals of electromagnetic field interactions with dipolar materials are briefly discussed, with special attention towards the dielectric properties of water and aqueous solutions. A tutorial and overview of electromagnetic measurement methods is presented, including dielectric spectroscopy in broad frequency and time domains, as well as dielectric imaging techniques. This review is complemented by a demonstration of successful real-world implementations for the moisture determination of soils, snow, buildings and building materials, food and agricultural goods, as well as various industrial products. The text is completed by a guide concerning the use of reference liquids for the calibration of sensors and instrumentation and by a bibliography of more than 850 references. The monograph is useful as a reference book for researchers and engineers and as a textbook for upper-level students interested in the water content determination of materials.

The idea of this book was born due to the rapid increase of the interest in excellence of agricultural production in the aspect of both – the quality of raw material for food production as well as in the aspect of environment protection. Agrophysics is a field of science that focuses on the quality of agriculture as a whole i.e. the interaction between human and environment, especially the interaction between soil, plant, atmosphere and machine. Physics with its laws, principles and rules is a good tool for description of the interactions, as well as of the results of these interactions. Some aspects of chemistry, biology and other fields of science are also taken under consideration. This interdisciplinary approach can result in holistic description of processes which should lead to improvement of the efficiency of obtaining the raw materials to ensure a sufficient amount of food, safe for human health. This book could be regarded as the contribution to this description. The reader can find some basic as well, as more particular aspects of the contemporary agriculture, starting with the soil characteristics and treatment, plant growth and agricultural products’ properties and processing.

Ranging from the theoretical basis of UWB sensors via implementation issues to applications, this much-needed book bridges the gap between designers and appliers working in civil engineering, biotechnology, medical engineering, robotic, mechanical engineering, safety and homeland security. From the contents: * History * Signal and systems in time and frequency domain * Propagation of electromagnetic waves (in frequency and time domain) * UWB-Principles * UWB-antennas and applicators * Data processing * Applications

Precision agriculture integrates new technologies with the agronomic experience to intelligently manage the high spatial variability of all agricultural variables and the time scales at which these variables change. The right application of this approach increases the size and quality of the agricultural production; saves resources; improves environmental quality; helps to achieve self-sufficiency, food security, and agricultural sustainability; increases exports; and more. Precision Agriculture Technologies for Food Security and Sustainability is an essential reference source that compiles a comprehensive, multidisciplinary review of current research in the field of precision agriculture. It also discusses cutting-edge tools and models that can help facilitate and improve the systems implementation. Featuring coverage of a wide range of topics including agronomy, public policy, and internet of things, this book is ideally designed for agriculturalists, government officials, economists, environmentalists, academicians, researchers, students, and engineers in the fields of electronics, ICT, and agriculture.

Dielectric Properties of Agricultural Materials and Their Applications provides an understanding of the fundamental principles governing dielectric properties of materials, describes methods for measuring such properties, and discusses many applications explored for solving industry problems. The information in this reference stimulates new research for solving problems associated with production, handling, and processing of agricultural and food products. Anyone seeking a better understanding of dielectric properties of materials and application of radio-frequency and microwave electromagnetic energy for solution of problems in agriculture and related fields will find this an essential resource. - Presents applications of dielectric properties for sensing moisture in grain and seed and the use of such properties in radio-frequency and microwave dielectric heating of agricultural materials - Offers information for finding correlations between dielectric properties and quality attributes such as sweetness in melons, or other desired characteristics of agricultural products - Identifies conditions for selective dielectric heating of materials such as insects in grain or biological organisms in soils - Provides a solid understanding of dielectric properties and the variables that influence these properties

Advances in Agronomy, Volume 182, the latest release in this leading reference on agronomy, contains a variety of updates and highlights new advances in the field, each written by an international board of authors. - Includes numerous, timely, state-of-the-art reviews on the latest advancements in agronomy - Features distinguished, well recognized authors from around the world - Builds upon this venerable and iconic review series - Covers the extensive variety and breadth of subject matter in the crop and soil sciences

The first book to address all theoretical and practical aspects of electromagnetic wave interaction with water and moist materials, this unique book features 29 full-length, peer-reviewed papers prepared by 69 of the world's experts in aquametry for a key Workshop held in conjunction with the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia, 1993. Collectively, the papers illustrate the physical background of microwave techniques used for moisture content determination, present stimulating examples of applications of microwaves for nondestructive and accurate measurements, and demonstrate successful implementation of techniques in a variety of industries.

Phenomena of Optical Metamaterials provides an overview of phenomena enabled by artificial and designed metamaterials and their application for photonic devices. The book explores the study of active metamaterials with tunable and switchable properties and novel functionalities, such as the control of spontaneous emission and enhancement. Topics addressed cover theory, modelling and design, applications in practical devices, fabrication, characterization, and measurement, thus helping readers understand and develop new artificial, functional materials. - Addresses disorder in metamaterials from the perspective of different viewpoints - Introduces basic metamaterial modelling approaches and phenomena enabled by metamaterials - Discusses the latest advances in metamaterials, including hyperbolic metamaterials, disorder in metamaterials, active metamaterials, quantum and atomic metamaterials

Materials Characterization Using Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Methods discusses NDT methods and how they are highly desirable for both long-term monitoring and short-term assessment of materials, providing crucial early warning that the fatigue life of a material has elapsed, thus helping to prevent service failures. Materials Characterization Using Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Methods gives an overview of established and new NDT techniques for the characterization of materials, with a focus on materials used in the automotive, aerospace, power plants, and infrastructure construction industries. Each chapter focuses on a different NDT technique and indicates the potential of the method by selected examples of applications. Methods covered include scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray microtomography and diffraction, ultrasonic, electromagnetic, microwave, and hybrid techniques. The authors review both the determination of microstructure properties, including phase content and grain size, and the determination of mechanical properties, such as hardness, toughness, yield strength, texture, and residual stress. - Gives an overview of established and new NDT techniques, including scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray microtomography and diffraction, ultrasonic, electromagnetic, microwave, and hybrid techniques - Reviews the determination of microstructural and mechanical properties - Focuses on materials used in the automotive, aerospace, power plants, and infrastructure construction industries - Serves as a highly desirable resource for both long-term monitoring and short-term assessment of materials