This proceedings brings together one hundred and fifty two selected papers presented at the 2015 International Conference on Mechanics and Mechatronics (ICMM 2015), which was held in Changsha, Hunan, China, during March 13-15 2015.ICMM 2015 focuses on 7 main areas -- Applied Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Instrumentation, Automation, and Robotics, Computer Information Processing, and Civil Engineering. Experts in this field from eight countries, including China, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, contributed to the collection of research results and developments.ICMM 2015 provides an excellent international platform for researchers to share their knowledge and results in theory, methodology and applications of Applied Mechanics and Mechatronics. All papers selected to this proceedings were subject to a rigorous peer-review process by at least two independent peers. The papers are selected based on innovation, organization, and quality of presentation.

This book focuses on the three inevitable facets of e-government, namely policies, processes and technologies. The policies discusses the genesis and revitalization of government policies; processes talks about ongoing e-government practices across developing countries; technology reveals the inclusion of novel technologies.

This proceedings brings together one hundred and fifty two selected papers presented at the 2015 International Conference on Mechanics and Mechatronics (ICMM 2015), which was held in Changsha, Hunan, China, during March 13-15 2015.ICMM 2015 focuses on 7 main areas — Applied Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Instrumentation, Automation, and Robotics, Computer Information Processing, and Civil Engineering. Experts in this field from eight countries, including China, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, contributed to the collection of research results and developments.ICMM 2015 provides an excellent international platform for researchers to share their knowledge and results in theory, methodology and applications of Applied Mechanics and Mechatronics. All papers selected to this proceedings were subject to a rigorous peer-review process by at least two independent peers. The papers are selected based on innovation, organization, and quality of presentation.

This book presents a state-of-the-art analysis of energy efficiency as applied to mining processes. From ground fragmentation to mineral processing and extractive metallurgy, experts discuss the current state of knowledge and the nagging questions that call for further research. It offers an excellent resource for all mine managers and engineers who want to improve energy efficiency to boost both production efficiency and sustainability. It will also benefit graduate students and experienced researchers looking for a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge concerning energy efficiency in the minerals industry.

Hysterisis is a system property that is fundamental to a range of engineering applications as the components of systems with hysterisis are able to react differently to different forces applied to them. Control theory is used to model these complex systems and cause them to behave in the desired manner; the Bouc-Wen model is a well-known semi-physical model that is used extensively to describe the hysterisis of systems in the areas of smart structures and civil engineering. The Bouc-Wen model for system hysterisis has increased in popularity due to its capability of capturing in an analytical form a range of shapes of hysteretic cycles that match the behaviour of a wide class of hysteretic systems. “Systems with Hysterisis: Analysis, Identification and Control using the Bouc-Wen Model” deals with the analysis, identification and control of these systems, and offers a comprehensive and self-contained framework for the study of the Bouc-Wen model. Includes the latest techniques for modelling smart structures and materials Provides a rigorous mathematical treatment of the subject along with practical comments, numerical solutions and a case study of magentorheological (MR) dampers. Begins by analysing the compatibility of the Bouc-Wen model with the laws of physics, and continues to cover the relationship between the model parameters and hysterisis loop, identification of the model parameters and control of systems that include a hysteretic part described by the Bouc-Wen model. Includes case studies covering the identification and control of smart material transducers for use in automotive, aerospace and structural control Systems with Hysterisis: Analysis, Identification and Control using the Bouc-Wen Model offers an invaluable source of ideas, concepts and insights for engineers, researchers, lecturers and senior/ postgraduate students involved in the research, design and development of smart structures and related areas within civil and mechanical engineering. It will also be of interest to readers involved in the wider disciplines of electrical & control engineering, applied mathematics, applied physics and material science.

The mining sector, if carefully managed, presents enormous opportunities for advancing sustainable development particularly in low-income countries, the International Resource Panel says in its latest report

Abrasive technology is becoming increasingly important in precision manufacturing. This volume contains more than 70 refereed technical papers contributed by worldwide academic researchers and industrial practitioners, on the latest development in abrasive technology. Specifically, it covers the mechanics and mechanisms of abrasive processes as well as the technologies and applications related to abrasive jet machining, nano-machining, grinding, polishing, horning and lapping. It also includes topics on high- speed machining, eco-machining and laser micro-machining technologies. The discussion is on the practical applications of abrasive technology and the associated theories make this book very useful for academic researchers and industrial practitioners.

The DARPA Robotics Challenge was a robotics competition that took place in Pomona, California USA in June 2015. The competition was the culmination of 33 months of demanding work by 23 teams and required humanoid robots to perform challenging locomotion and manipulation tasks in a mock disaster site. The challenge was conceived as a response to the Japanese Fukushima nuclear disaster of March 2011. The Fukushima disaster was seen as an ideal candidate for robotic intervention since the risk of exposure to radiation prevented human responders from accessing the site. This volume, edited by Matthew Spenko, Stephen Buerger, and Karl Iagnemma, includes commentary by the organizers, overall analysis of the results, and documentation of the technical efforts of 15 competing teams. The book provides an important record of the successes and failures involved in the DARPA Robotics Challenge and provides guidance for future needs to be addressed by policy makers, funding agencies, and the robotics research community. Many of the papers in this volume were initially published in a series of special issues of the Journal of Field Robotics. We have proudly collected versions of those papers in this STAR volume.

Mobile Technologies charts the social, cultural, creative, and design aspects of mobiles as they are being incorporated into and changing the nature of media. It provides rigorous and timely analysis of the new area of mobile media and will be of interest to scholars, policy makers, industry, and general readers.