Examines different forms of energy and their uses in powering various human activities.

Nuclear Fusion and Fission delves into nuclear physics and the scientists responsible for the discovery of splitting and fusing an atom. The book begins with the very basic building blocks of science, breaking down the different types of energy and how we use them, the materials that make up an atom, and our search for the perfect renewable energy source. Set against the cultural backdrop of World War II, later chapters follow each significant theory that led to the creation of the world’s most dangerous weapon as well as some of its most widely used medical and food production processes today.

There has been an increase in interest worldwide in fusion research over the last decade and a half due to the recognition that a large number of new, environmentally attractive, sustainable energy sources will be needed to meet ever increasing demand for electrical energy. Based on a series of course notes from graduate courses in plasma physics and fusion energy at MIT, the text begins with an overview of world energy needs, current methods of energy generation, and the potential role that fusion may play in the future. It covers energy issues such as the production of fusion power, power balance, the design of a simple fusion reactor and the basic plasma physics issues faced by the developers of fusion power. This book is suitable for graduate students and researchers working in applied physics and nuclear engineering. A large number of problems accumulated over two decades of teaching are included to aid understanding.

Reissuing works originally published between 1964 and 1994, this set of ten volumes is an excellent collection of works on energy – production and consumption, economics and policy, conservation and the crisis. International in scope, the volumes look at household energy conditions, energy in the developing world, political history and various other issues within the world of fuel and power. This set is a resource for environment studies, economics, policy and politics, sociology, geography and other studies considering the use of energy in our world.

Originally published in 1981. Every aspect of Energy – production, conversion and use - is discussed and explained in this unique dictionary. Comprehensive and well-illustrated entries cover fossil and other types of chemical fuel; hydro-electric and nuclear power; energy conservation; solar energy of every kind; wind, wave and tidal power. Every type of nuclear reactor is described, with emphasis on the energy technologies that have the greatest relevance and future promise. The first section is devoted to a careful explanation of the units used, with conversion tables; key concepts are precisely defined. The closing sections comprise tables of international energy statistics and a short bibliography. This is an excellent introduction and invaluable reference work for general readers, students and all workers in energy and energy-related fields.

This book provides a critical examination of all aspects of modern energy production.

This carefully researched book presents facts and arguments showing, beyond a doubt, that nuclear fusion power will not be technically feasible in time to satisfy the world's urgent need for climate-neutral energy. The author describes the 70-year history of nuclear fusion; the vain attempts to construct an energy-generating nuclear fusion power reactor, and shows that even in the most optimistic scenario nuclear fusion, in spite of the claims of its proponents, will not be able to make a sizable contribution to the energy mix in this century, whatever the outcome of ITER. This implies that fusion power will not be a factor in combating climate change, and that the race to save the climate with carbon-free energy will have been won or lost long before the first nuclear fusion power station comes on line. Aimed at the general public as well as those whose decisions directly affect energy policy, this book will be a valuable resource for informing future debates.

During the past 20 years, the field of mechanical engineering has undergone enormous changes. These changes have been driven by many factors, including: the development of computer technology worldwide competition in industry improvements in the flow of information satellite communication real time monitoring increased energy efficiency robotics automatic control increased sensitivity to environmental impacts of human activities advances in design and manufacturing methods These developments have put more stress on mechanical engineering education, making it increasingly difficult to cover all the topics that a professional engineer will need in his or her career. As a result of these developments, there has been a growing need for a handbook that can serve the professional community by providing relevant background and current information in the field of mechanical engineering. The CRC Handbook of Mechanical Engineering serves the needs of the professional engineer as a resource of information into the next century.