Best of
Engineering

2008

Cracking the Coding Interview: 150 Programming Questions and Solutions


Gayle Laakmann McDowell - 2008
    This is a deeply technical book and focuses on the software engineering skills to ace your interview. The book is over 500 pages and includes 150 programming interview questions and answers, as well as other advice.The full list of topics are as follows:The Interview ProcessThis section offers an overview on questions are selected and how you will be evaluated. What happens when you get a question wrong? When should you start preparing, and how? What language should you use? All these questions and more are answered.Behind the ScenesLearn what happens behind the scenes during your interview, how decisions really get made, who you interview with, and what they ask you. Companies covered include Google, Amazon, Yahoo, Microsoft, Apple and Facebook.Special SituationsThis section explains the process for experience candidates, Program Managers, Dev Managers, Testers / SDETs, and more. Learn what your interviewers are looking for and how much code you need to know.Before the InterviewIn order to ace the interview, you first need to get an interview. This section describes what a software engineer's resume should look like and what you should be doing well before your interview.Behavioral PreparationAlthough most of a software engineering interview will be technical, behavioral questions matter too. This section covers how to prepare for behavioral questions and how to give strong, structured responses.Technical Questions (+ 5 Algorithm Approaches)This section covers how to prepare for technical questions (without wasting your time) and teaches actionable ways to solve the trickiest algorithm problems. It also teaches you what exactly "good coding" is when it comes to an interview.150 Programming Questions and AnswersThis section forms the bulk of the book. Each section opens with a discussion of the core knowledge and strategies to tackle this type of question, diving into exactly how you break down and solve it. Topics covered include• Arrays and Strings• Linked Lists• Stacks and Queues• Trees and Graphs• Bit Manipulation• Brain Teasers• Mathematics and Probability• Object-Oriented Design• Recursion and Dynamic Programming• Sorting and Searching• Scalability and Memory Limits• Testing• C and C++• Java• Databases• Threads and LocksFor the widest degree of readability, the solutions are almost entirely written with Java (with the exception of C / C++ questions). A link is provided with the book so that you can download, compile, and play with the solutions yourself.Changes from the Fourth Edition: The fifth edition includes over 200 pages of new content, bringing the book from 300 pages to over 500 pages. Major revisions were done to almost every solution, including a number of alternate solutions added. The introductory chapters were massively expanded, as were the opening of each of the chapters under Technical Questions. In addition, 24 new questions were added.Cracking the Coding Interview, Fifth Edition is the most expansive, detailed guide on how to ace your software development / programming interviews.

Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air


David J.C. MacKay - 2008
    In case study format, this informative reference answers questions surrounding nuclear energy, the potential of sustainable fossil fuels, and the possibilities of sharing renewable power with foreign countries. While underlining the difficulty of minimizing consumption, the tone remains positive as it debunks misinformation and clearly explains the calculations of expenditure per person to encourage people to make individual changes that will benefit the world at large.

MAKE: Electronics: Learning Through Discovery


Charles Platt - 2008
    I also love the sense of humor. It's very good at disarming the fear. And it's gorgeous. I'll be recommending this book highly." --Tom Igoe, author of Physical Computing and Making Things TalkWant to learn the fundamentals of electronics in a fun, hands-on way? With Make: Electronics, you'll start working on real projects as soon as you crack open the book. Explore all of the key components and essential principles through a series of fascinating experiments. You'll build the circuits first, then learn the theory behind them!Build working devices, from simple to complex You'll start with the basics and then move on to more complicated projects. Go from switching circuits to integrated circuits, and from simple alarms to programmable microcontrollers. Step-by-step instructions and more than 500 full-color photographs and illustrations will help you use -- and understand -- electronics concepts and techniques.Discover by breaking things: experiment with components and learn from failureSet up a tricked-out project space: make a work area at home, equipped with the tools and parts you'll needLearn about key electronic components and their functions within a circuitCreate an intrusion alarm, holiday lights, wearable electronic jewelry, audio processors, a reflex tester, and a combination lockBuild an autonomous robot cart that can sense its environment and avoid obstaclesGet clear, easy-to-understand explanations of what you're doing and why

Digital Apollo: Human and Machine in Spaceflight


David A. Mindell - 2008
    Neil Armstrong responded by switching off the automatic mode and taking direct control. He stopped monitoring the computer and began flying the spacecraft, relying on skill to land it and earning praise for a triumph of human over machine. In Digital Apollo, engineer-historian David Mindell takes this famous moment as a starting point for an exploration of the relationship between humans and computers in the Apollo program. In each of the six Apollo landings, the astronaut in command seized control from the computer and landed with his hand on the stick. Mindell recounts the story of astronauts' desire to control their spacecraft in parallel with the history of the Apollo Guidance Computer. From the early days of aviation through the birth of spaceflight, test pilots and astronauts sought to be more than "spam in a can" despite the automatic controls, digital computers, and software developed by engineers.Digital Apollo examines the design and execution of each of the six Apollo moon landings, drawing on transcripts and data telemetry from the flights, astronaut interviews, and NASA's extensive archives. Mindell's exploration of how human pilots and automated systems worked together to achieve the ultimate in flight -- a lunar landing -- traces and reframes the debate over the future of humans and automation in space. The results have implications for any venture in which human roles seem threatened by automated systems, whether it is the work at our desktops or the future of exploration.

Security Engineering: A Guide to Building Dependable Distributed Systems


Ross J. Anderson - 2008
    Spammers, virus writers, phishermen, money launderers, and spies now trade busily with each other in a lively online criminal economy and as they specialize, they get better. In this indispensable, fully updated guide, Ross Anderson reveals how to build systems that stay dependable whether faced with error or malice. Here's straight talk on critical topics such as technical engineering basics, types of attack, specialized protection mechanisms, security psychology, policy, and more.

Reflections of Christ


Mark Mabry - 2008
    From the Nativity to His miracles to His deatha nd resurrection, these unique portrayals, accompanied by New Testament scripture, offer a powerful witness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Car Science


Richard Hammond - 2008
    Help your child discover all about the science of cars in this explosive tour.

Building Structures Illustrated: Patterns, Systems, and Design


Francis D.K. Ching - 2008
    Taking a new approach to strucural design, Ching and his co-authors show how structural systems of a building -- as an integrated assembly of elements with pattern, proportions, and scale -- are related to the essential aspects of architectural design: formal and spatial composition, program fit, coordination with other building systems such as enclosure and mechanical systems, code compliance, etc.No other work by Francis D.K. Ching brings together so many aspects of architectural design as an integrated reference. Designers, builders, and students alike will gain a new understanding of structural principles and planning, without the need for mathematics.Using Ching's trademark presentation, Structural Patterns is illustrated throughout with line drawings to present the essential presence of structural systems in buildings, but also helps the reader make informed decisions for architectural design.

Practical Finite Element Analysis


Nitin S.Gokhale - 2008
    Often they want to update themselves with latest available volume of books. This excellent book, coloured on very expensive paper with beautiful full-colour printing, is a one-stop book for any mechanical engineer on the complex subject of `Finite Element Analysis`.

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution


S. Sivanagaraju - 2008
    A part of the electrical engineering curriculum, it caters to elementary courses in electri

Springer Handbook of Robotics


Bruno Siciliano - 2008
    Having broken free from its origins in industry, robotics has been rapidly expanding into the challenging terrain of unstructured environments. Unlike other handbooks that focus on industrial applications, the Springer Handbook of Robotics incorporates these new developments. Just like all Springer Handbooks, it is utterly comprehensive, edited by internationally renowned experts, and replete with contributions from leading researchers from around the world. The handbook is an ideal resource for robotics experts but also for people new to this expanding field.

The High Performance HMI Handbook


Bill Hollifield - 2008
    Poorly designed and poorly performing Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) are rampant throughout the process industries. They can degrade safety, production, quality, and profitability. Time after time, they are cited as contributing factors to major industrial accidents. The book contains experience and intellectual property that has never before been released, It is jointly authored by 2 companies, PAS and User Centered Design Services (UCDS), who have decades of experience in process control, HMI design, and human factors. The book reveals many poor yet common HMI practices, provides the justification for change, and shows in great detail the best way to design and implement a truly High Performance HMI. It contains over 90 color illustrations, plus many relevant real world examples, anecdotes, and surprises. This is not your usual boring engineering text! The HMI principles covered in this book apply to petrochemical, refining, power generation, pharmaceutical, and other industries where operators use modern control systems with computer-based control displays. Whether you are a project engineer designing or improving a control system or a manager looking to improve process safety, productivity, and profitability, you will find tremendous value in The High Performance HMI Handbook.

Aircraft Propulsion


Saeed Farokhi - 2008
    The book covers aircraft gas turbine engine and rocket propulsion from its basic principles to more advanced treatments in engine components. Propulsion system integration with aircraft plays an important role in understanding propulsion and is thus addressed in the book. Extensive review material and derivations are intended to help students navigate through the subject with more ease. Over 100 examples and 300 problems are designed to practice the principles learned in jet propulsion and compliment learning through applications. In every engine component, issues related to manufacturing, material properties, temperature limitations and cooling are included to give students an appreciation for the broader scope of propulsion engineering than just aero-thermodynamics. Component matching and off-design analysis is detailed in a separate chapter to provide the physical and performance linkage between the components and their impact on aircraft engines. Principles of chemical rocket propulsion are presented in the context of single-stage to orbit propulsion needs of a rocket-based combined cycle vehicle. The broad treatment of the gas turbine engine cycles and components makes the book suitable as a reference for propulsion and turbomachinery engineers, gas turbine industry and professional development courses.

First Science Encyclopedia


D.K. Publishing - 2008
    With spectacular close-up photography and full-color illustrations, children can set out on a journey of discovery and take a truly comprehensive look at the forces and elements that make up our amazing world.

Sams Teach Yourself C++ in One Hour a Day


Siddhartha Rao - 2008
    Master the fundamentals of C++ and object-oriented programming Understand how C++11 features help you write compact and efficient code using concepts such as lambda expressions, move constructors, and assignment operators Learn the Standard Template Library, including containers and algorithms used in most real-world C++ applications Test your knowledge and expertise using exercises at the end of every lesson Learn on your own time, at your own pace: No previous programming experience required Learn C++11, object-oriented programming, and analysis Write fast and powerful C++ programs, compile the source code with a gcc compiler, and create executable files Use the Standard Template Library's (STL) algorithms and containers to write feature-rich yet stable C++ applications Develop sophisticated programming techniques using lambda expressions, smart pointers, and move constructors Learn to expand your program's power with inheritance and polymorphism Master the features of C++ by learning from programming experts Learn C++11 features that allow you to program compact and high-performance C++ applications TABLE OF CONTENTSPART I: THE BASICS LESSON 1: Getting Started with C++11 LESSON 2: The Anatomy of a C++ Program LESSON 3: Using Variables, Declaring Constants LESSON 4: Managing Arrays and Strings LESSON 5: Working with Expressions, Statements, and Operators LESSON 6: Controlling Program Flow LESSON 7: Organizing Code with Functions LESSON 8: Pointers and References Explained PART II: FUNDAMENTALS OF OBJECT-ORIENTED C++ PROGRAMMING LESSON 9: Classes and Objects LESSON 10: Implementing Inheritance LESSON 11: Polymorphism LESSON 12: Operator Types and Operator Overloading LESSON 13: Casting Operators LESSON 14: An Introduction to Macros and Templates PART III: LEARNING THE STANDARD TEMPLATE LIBRARY (STL) LESSON 15: An Introduction to the Standard Template LibraryLESSON 16: The STL String ClassLESSON 17: STL Dynamic Array ClassesLESSON 18: STL list and forward_listLESSON 19: STL Set ClassesLESSON 20: STL Map ClassesPART IV: MORE STL LESSON 21: Understanding Function ObjectsLESSON 22: C++11 Lambda ExpressionsLESSON 23: STL AlgorithmsLESSON 24: Adaptive Containers: Stack and QueueLESSON 25: Working with Bit Flags Using STLPART V: ADVANCED C++ CONCEPTS LESSON 26: Understanding Smart PointersLESSON 27: Using Streams for Input and OutputLESSON 28: Exception HandlingLESSON 29: Going Forward APPENDIXES A: Working with Numbers: Binary and Hexadecimal B: C++ Keywords C: Operator Precedence D: Answers E: ASCII Codes

Wow!: The Visual Encyclopedia of Everything


Julie Ferris - 2008
    It is grouped into sections on nature, the human body, science and technology, space, earth, people and places, history, and art and culture.

Robotics: Modelling, Planning and Control


Bruno Siciliano - 2008
    It has been expanded to include coverage of mobile robots, visual control and motion planning. A variety of problems is raised throughout, and the proper tools to find engineering-oriented solutions are introduced and explained.The text includes coverage of fundamental topics like kinematics, and trajectory planning and related technological aspects including actuators and sensors.To impart practical skill, examples and case studies are carefully worked out and interwoven through the text, with frequent resort to simulation. In addition, end-of-chapter exercises are proposed, and the book is accompanied by an electronic solutions manual containing the MATLAB(r) code for computer problems; this is available free of charge to those adopting this volume as a textbook for courses.

A Year at a Construction Site


Nicholas Harris - 2008
    Check out these eight action-packed scenes for a bird's-eye view of the whole process. See how the workers make the foundation, add the walls, and put on the roof. Keep your eye on the calendar too. By spending a whole year at the building site, you can watch events unfold until the school is ready for students and teachers.

Student Solutions Manual for Probability, Statistics, and Random Processes for Electrical Engineering


Alberto León García - 2008
    

Feedback Systems: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers


Karl Johan Åström - 2008
    It is an ideal textbook for undergraduate and graduate students, and is indispensable for researchers seeking a self-contained reference on control theory. Unlike most books on the subject, Feedback Systems develops transfer functions through the exponential response of a system, and is accessible across a range of disciplines that utilize feedback in physical, biological, information, and economic systems.Karl Åström and Richard Murray use techniques from physics, computer science, and operations research to introduce control-oriented modeling. They begin with state space tools for analysis and design, including stability of solutions, Lyapunov functions, reachability, state feedback observability, and estimators. The matrix exponential plays a central role in the analysis of linear control systems, allowing a concise development of many of the key concepts for this class of models. Åström and Murray then develop and explain tools in the frequency domain, including transfer functions, Nyquist analysis, PID control, frequency domain design, and robustness. They provide exercises at the end of every chapter, and an accompanying electronic solutions manual is available. Feedback Systems is a complete one-volume resource for students and researchers in mathematics, engineering, and the sciences. Covers the mathematics needed to model, analyze, and design feedback systems Serves as an introductory textbook for students and a self-contained resource for researchers Includes exercises at the end of every chapter Features an electronic solutions manual Offers techniques applicable across a range of disciplines

How Spacecraft Fly: Spaceflight Without Formulae


Graham Swinerd - 2008
    Chapter 2 provides the historical context upon which the current developments in spaceflight have been built. Orbital motion will be introduced in Chapter 3, and how to get there using launch vehicles is addressed in Chapter 4. Chapters 5 and 6 look at how spacecraft are designed, and Chapter 7 addresses the additional design constraints imposed if the spacecraft has a human crew on board. Chapter 8 gives examples of current and proposed spacecraft missions, both Earth orbiting and interplanetary. Chapter 9 will look at near future manned flight developments - for example, a mission to Mars and/or space tourism. The book closes with a concluding chapter, which reflects on prospects for the future of robotic and manned space exploration.

Planning and Design of Airports


Robert M. Horonjeff - 2008
    Planning and Design of Airports, Fifth Edition, includes complete coverage of the latest aircraft and air traffic management technologies, passenger processing technologies, computer-based analytical and design models, new guidelines for estimating required runway lengths and pavement thicknesses, current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, and more.Widely recognized as the field's standard text, this time-tested, expertly written reference is the best and most trusted source of information on current practice, techniques, and innovations in airport planning and design.COVERAGE INCLUDES: Designing facilities to accommodate a wide variety of aircraftAir traffic managementAirport planning studiesForecasting for future demands on airport system componentsGeometric design of the airfieldStructural design of airport pavementsAirport lighting, marking, and signagePlanning and design of the terminal areaAirport security planningAirport airside capacity and delayFinance strategies, including grants, bonds, and private investmentEnvironmental planningHeliports

Nissan GT-R: Legendary Performance, Engineering Marvel


Alex Gorodji - 2008
    This book explains why. Along with an overview of Skylines since their debut in 1957, Author Alex Gorodji gives in-depth reviews of the last four generations of GT-Rs, including the new-for-2008 V35 – the first iteration of the car to be sold in the U.S. Paying special attention to technical aspects such as the all-wheel steering and drive systems, the chassis, and the legendary six-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine, his work explains the GT-R to those who already admire the car, and to those who wonder what the excitement is all about.

Refactoring SQL Applications


Stephane Faroult - 2008
    Refactoring SQL Applications provides a set of tested options for making code modifications to dramatically improve the way your database applications function. Backed by real-world examples, you'll find quick fixes for simple problems, in-depth answers for more complex situations, and complete solutions for applications with extensive problems. Learn to: Determine if and where you can expect performance gainsApply quick fixes, such as limiting calls to the database in stored functions and proceduresRefactor tasks, such as replacing application code by a stored procedure, or replacing iterative, procedural statements with sweeping SQL statementsRefactor flow by increasing parallelism and switching business-inducted processing from synchronous to asynchronousRefactor design using schema extensions, regular views, materialized views, partitioning, and moreCompare before and after versions of a program to ensure you get the same results once you make modificationsRefactoring SQL Applications teaches you to recognize and assess code that needs refactoring, and to understand the crucial link between refactoring and performance. If and when your application bogs down, this book will help you get it back up to speed.

Mathematics For Engineers: A Modern Interactive Approach


Tony Croft - 2008
    Understanding key mathematical concepts and applying them successfully to solve problems are vital skills every engineering student must acquire. This text teaches, applies and nurtures those skills.

Numerical Methods for Ordinary Differential Equations


John C. Butcher - 2008
    This second edition of the author's pioneering text is fully revised and updated to acknowledge many of these developments.  It includes a complete treatment of linear multistep methods whilst maintaining its unique and comprehensive emphasis on Runge-Kutta methods and general linear methods. Although the specialist topics are taken to an advanced level, the entry point to the volume as a whole is not especially demanding.  Early chapters provide a wide-ranging introduction to differential equations and difference equations together with a survey of numerical differential equation methods, based on the fundamental Euler method with more sophisticated methods presented as generalizations of Euler. Features of the book include Introductory work on differential and difference equations. A comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of solving ordinary differential equations numerically. A detailed analysis of Runge-Kutta methods and of linear multistep methods. A complete study of general linear methods from both theoretical and practical points of view. The latest results on practical general linear methods and their implementation. A balance between informal discussion and rigorous mathematical style. Examples and exercises integrated into each chapter enhancing the suitability of the book as a course text or a self-study treatise. Written in a lucid style by one of the worlds leading authorities on numerical methods for ordinary differential equations anddrawing upon his vast experience, this new edition provides an accessible and self-contained introduction, ideal for researchers and students following courses on numerical methods, engineering and other sciences.

The Circuit Designer's Companion


Peter Wilson - 2008
    It looks at best practices, design guidelines, and engineering knowledge gained from years of experience, and includes practical, real-world considerations for components and printed circuit boards (PCBs) as well as their manufacturability, reliability, and cost. Organized into nine chapters, the book begins with a discussion of grounding and wiring of electronic or electrical circuits, when to consider grounding, and the main factors that must be taken into account when designing a new PCB. It then introduces the reader to passive components such as resistors and capacitors, potentiometers and inductors, and crystals and resonators, as well as active components like diodes, thyristors and triacs, bipolar transistors, junction field-effect transistors, metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), and insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). It also describes high-speed digital circuit design and analog integrated circuits, including operational amplifiers and comparators, and power supplies such as batteries. The final two chapters focus on electromagnetic compatibility and the latest advances in electronics, along with safety considerations in the design of electronic equipment. This book is an invaluable resource for circuit designers and practicing electronics engineers, electronic engineering students, and professors.

Circuit Design: Know It All


Darren Ashby - 2008
    Guaranteed not to gather dust on a shelf!Electronics Engineers need to master a wide area of topics to excel. The Circuit Design Know It All covers every angle including semiconductors, IC Design and Fabrication, Computer-Aided Design, as well as Programmable Logic Design.

Switch-Mode Power Supplies Spice Simulations and Practical Designs


Christophe P. Basso - 2008
    This book uniquely bridges analysis and market reality to teach the development and marketing of state-of-the art switching converters. Invaluable to both the graduating student and the experienced design engineer, this guide explains how to derive founding equations of the most popular converters...design safe, reliable converters through numerous practical examples...and utilize SPICE simulations to virtually breadboard a converter on the PC before using the soldering iron.Filled with more than 600 illustrations, "Switch-Mode Power Supplies: SPICE Simulations and Practical Designs" enables you to: Derive founding equations of popular converters Understand and implement loop control via the book-exclusive small-signal models Design safe, reliable converters through practical examples Use SPICE simulations to virtually breadboard a converter on the PC Access design spreadsheets and simulation templates on the accompanying CD-ROM, with numerous examples running on OrCADE, ICAPSE, CapE, TINAE, and moreInside This Powerful SPICE Simulation and Design Resource - Introduction to Power Conversion - Small-Signal Modeling - Feedback and Control Loops - Basic Blocks and Generic Models - Simulation and Design of Nonisolated Converters - Simulation and Design of Isolated Converters-Front-End Rectification and Power Factor Correction - Simulation and Design of Isolated Converters-The Flyback - Simulation and Design of Isolated Converters-The Forward

Principles of Digital Communication


Robert G. Gallager - 2008
    With the clarity and insight that have characterized his teaching and earlier textbooks, he develops a simple framework and then combines this with careful proofs to help the reader understand modern systems and simplified models in an intuitive yet precise way. A strong narrative and links between theory and practice reinforce this concise, practical presentation. The book begins with data compression for arbitrary sources. Gallager then describes how to modulate the resulting binary data for transmission over wires, cables, optical fibers, and wireless channels. Analysis and intuitive interpretations are developed for channel noise models, followed by coverage of the principles of detection, coding, and decoding. The various concepts covered are brought together in a description of wireless communication, using CDMA as a case study.

Capitalism at Work: Business, Government, and Energy


Robert L. Bradley Jr. - 2008
    Bradley, Jr. at Reason.com Capitalism took the blame for Enron although the company was anything but a free-market enterprise, and company architect was hardly a principled capitalist. On the contrary, Enron was a politically dependent company and, in the end, a grotesque outcome of America's mixed economy. That is the central finding of Robert L. Bradley's "Capitalism at Work": The blame for Enron rests squarely with "political capitalism"--a system in which business firms routinely obtain government intervention to further their own interests at the expense of consumers, taxpayers, and competitors. Although Ken Lay professed allegiance to free markets, he was in fact a consumate politician. Only by manipulating the levers of government was he able to transform Enron from a $3 billion natural gas company to a $100 billion chimera, one that went in a matter of months from seventh place on Fortune's 500 list to bankruptcy. But "Capitalism at Work" goes beyond unmasking Enron's sophisticated foray into political capitalism. Employing the timeless insights of Adam Smith, Samuel Smiles, and Ayn Rand, among others, Bradley shows how fashionable anti-capitalist doctrines set the stage for the ultimate business debacle. Those errant theories, like Enron itself, elevated form over substance, ignored legitimate criticism, and bypassed midcourse correction. Political capitali

Hardrock Tunnel Boring Machines


Bernhard Maidl - 2008
    It treats methods of rock classification for the machinery concerned as well as legal issues, using numerous example projects to reflect the state of technology, as well as problematic cases and solutions. The work is structured such that readers are led from the basics via the main functional elements of tunneling machinery to the different types of machine, together with their areas of application and equipment. The result is an overview of current developments. Close cooperation among the authors involved has created a book of equal interest to experienced tunnelers and newcomers.

The 8051 Microcontroller And Embedded Systems: Using Assembly And C


Muhammad Ali Mazidi - 2008
    The first uses high-performance microprocessors while in the second category, issues of space, power and rapid development are more critical. Intended for those with no background as well as those with prior Assembly language experience, this book looks at Assembly language programming.

Energy for Sustainability: Technology, Planning, Policy


John Randolph - 2008
    Written by two of the foremost experts in the field, it is a pedagogically complete treatment of energy sources and uses. It examines the full range of issues—from generating technologies to land use planning—in making the transition to sustainable energy.The book begins by providing a historical perspective on energy use by human civilizations and then covers energy fundamentals and trends; buildings and energy; sustainable electricity; sustainable transportation and land use; and energy policy and planning. Included in these topical areas are in-depth discussions of all of the most promising sources of renewable energy, including solar photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, and biofuels. In addition, the authors offer a thorough presentation of “green” building design, the impact of land use and transportation patterns on energy use, and the policies needed to transform energy markets at the local, state, and national levels. Throughout, the authors first provide the necessary theory and then demonstrate how it can be applied, utilizing cutting-edge practices and technologies, and the most current available data.Since the dawn of the industrial age, the explosive growth in economic productivity has been fueled by oil, coal, and natural gas. World energy use nearly doubled between 1975 and 2005. China’s energy use has been doubling every decade. The implications for the environment are staggering. One way or another, our reliance on fossil fuels will have to end. Energy for Sustainability evaluates the alternatives and helps students understand how, with good planning and policy decisions, renewable energy and efficiency can support world demands at costs we can afford—economically, environmentally, and socially.

Niebel's Methods, Standards, and Work Design


Andris Freivalds - 2008
    This book emphasizes on both the manual components and the cognitive aspects of work, recognizing the gradual decline of the manufacturing sector and the growth of the service sector.

Analysis Techniques for Racecar Data Acquisition


Jorge Segers - 2008
    Today the cost of electronics has decreased dramatically making them available to everyone. But the cost of any data acquisition system is a waste of money if the recorded data is not interpreted correctly. This book updated from the best-selling 2008 edition contains techniques for analyzing data recorded by any vehicle's data acquisition system. It details how to measure the performance of the vehicle and driver what can be learned from it and how this information can be used to advantage next time the vehicle hits the track. Such information is invaluable to racing engineers and managers race teams and racing data analysts in all motorsports. Whether measuring the performance of a Formula One racecar or that of a road-legal street car on the local drag strip the dynamics of vehicles and their drivers remain the same. Identical analysis techniques apply. Some race series have restricted data logging to decrease the teama's running budgets. In these cases it is extremely important that a maximum of information is extracted and interpreted from the hardware at hand.A team that uses data more efficiently will have an edge over the competition. However the ever-decreasing cost of electronics makes advanced sensors and logging capabilities more accessible for everybody. With this comes the risk of information overload. Techniques are needed to help draw the right conclusions quickly from very large data sets. In addition to updates throughout this new edition contains three new chapters: one on techniques for analyzing tire performance one that provides an introduction to metric-driven analysis a technique that is used throughout the book and another that explains what kind of information the data contains about the track.

Microbial Fuel Cells


Bruce E. Logan - 2008
    Not only do MFCs clean wastewater, but they also convert organics in these wastewaters into usable energy. Given the world's limited supply of fossil fuels and fossil fuels' impact on climate change, MFC technology's ability to create renewable, carbon-neutral energy has generated tremendous interest around the world. This timely book is the first dedicated to MFCs. It not only serves as an introduction to the theory underlying the development and functioning of MFCs, it also serves as a manual for ongoing research. In addition, author Bruce Logan, a leading pioneer in MFC research and development, provides practical guidance for the effective design and operation of MFCs based on his own firsthand experience. This reference covers everything you need to fully understand MFCs, including: * Key topics such as voltage and power generation, MFC materials and architecture, mass transfer to bacteria and biofilms, bioreactor design, and fundamentals of electron transfer * Applications across a wide variety of scales, from power generation in the laboratory to approaches for using MFCs for wastewater treatment * The role of MFCs in the climate change debate * Detailed illustrations of bacterial and electrochemical concepts * Charts, graphs, and tables summarizing key design and operation variables * Practice problems and step-by-step examples Microbial Fuel Cells, with its easy-to-follow explanations, is recommended as both a textbook for students and professionals interested in entering the field and as a complete reference for more experienced practitioners.

Information Geometry: Near Randomness and Near Independence


Khadiga Arwini - 2008
    Our approach uses information geometry to provide a c- mon context but we need only rather elementary material from di?erential geometry, information theory and mathematical statistics. Introductory s- tions serve together to help those interested from the applications side in making use of our methods and results. We have available Mathematica no- books to perform many of the computations for those who wish to pursue their own calculations or developments. Some 44 years ago, the second author ?rst encountered, at about the same time, di?erential geometry via relativity from Weyl's book [209] during - dergraduate studies and information theory from Tribus [200, 201] via spatial statistical processes while working on research projects at Wiggins Teape - searchandDevelopmentLtd-cf. theForewordin[196]and[170,47,58]. H- ing started work there as a student laboratory assistant in 1959, this research environment engendered a recognition of the importance of international c- laboration, and a lifelong research interest in randomness and near-Poisson statistical geometric processes, persisting at various rates through a career mainly involved with global di?erential geometry. From correspondence in the 1960s with Gabriel Kron [4, 124, 125] on his Diakoptics, and with Kazuo Kondo who in?uenced the post-war Japanese schools of di?erential geometry and supervised Shun-ichi Amari's doctorate [6], it was clear that both had a much wider remit than traditionally pursued elsewhere.

Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers


David A.B. Miller - 2008
    Students will appreciate the book's applied emphasis, which illustrates theoretical concepts with examples of nanostructured materials, optics, and semiconductor devices. The many worked examples and more than 160 homework problems help students to problem solve and to practice applications of theory. Without assuming a prior knowledge of high-level physics or classical mechanics, the text introduces Schrodinger's equation, operators, and approximation methods. Systems, including the hydrogen atom and crystalline materials, are analyzed in detail. More advanced subjects, such as density matrices, quantum optics, and quantum information, are also covered. Practical applications and algorithms for the computational analysis of simple structures make this an ideal introduction to quantum mechanics for students of engineering, physics, nanotechnology, and other disciplines. Additional resources available from www.cambridge.org/9780521897839.

The Human Contribution: Unsafe Acts, Accidents and Heroic Recoveries


James Reason - 2008
    Usually the human is considered a hazard - a system component whose unsafe acts are implicated in the majority of catastrophic breakdowns. However there is another perspective that has been relatively little studied in its own right - the human as hero, whose adaptations and compensations bring troubled systems back from the brink of disaster time and again. What, if anything, did these situations have in common? Can these human abilities be 'bottled' and passed on to others? The Human Contribution is vital reading for all professionals in high-consequence environments and for managers of any complex system. The book draws its illustrative material from a wide variety of hazardous domains, with the emphasis on healthcare reflecting the author's focus on patient safety over the last decade. All students of human factors - however seasoned - will also find it an invaluable and thought-provoking read.

Augmented Reality


Stephen Cawood - 2008
    With video-see-through technology, AR handheld devices such as tablet PC ™s, PDA ™s, or camera cell phones, (or in many cases just a webcam and our standard computer monitor), you hold the device up and see through the display to view both the real world and the superimposed virtual object. You can move around and see the virtual object, model, animation, or game from different views as the AR system performs alignment of the real and virtual cameras automatically.This book will introduce you to Augmented Reality (AR), provide detailed explanations of how the technology works, and provide samples for you to try on your own. Code samples using the freely downloadable ARTag software SDK in C++ and C# are included; all you need is a computer, printer, and a webcam. Create something new today!

The Elements of Mechanical Design


James G. Skakoon - 2008
    In this handy and unique volume the author uses his own experience, along with input from other expert designers, to explicitly state design principles and practices. Readers will not have to discover these principles on their own and will be able to apply these fundamental concepts throughout their designs.

1,000 Days in Shanghai: The Volkswagen Story - The First Chinese-German Car Factory


Martin Posth - 2008
    He navigated a steep learning curve, achieved his goals and now shares an insightful, first-hand account of an intriguing journey that included bumps and highlights. 1,000 Days in Shanghai is a breathtaking manual for anyone contemplating a business career in the increasingly vibrant arena of today's China. It is also a personal account, done with great sensitivity, revealing between the lines a deep respect for the spirit that propels China's social and industrial revolution today. --Hans Michael Jebsen, Chairman, Jebsen and Co., Ltd. To really understand China's economic development, one needs to look at the history of individual projects. This applies in particular to those who are considering a venture on site. This book by Martin Posth is a unique document on the subject: evidence of profound knowledge, didactically sound, with comprehensible conclusions--simply readable! --Prof. Heinrich v. Pierer, Former Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Siemens AG, Former Chairman of the German Asian-Pacific Business Commission, Co-Chairman of the German-Chinese Dialog ForumThis book is a must-read for anyone seeking to work in or via China. The personal experiences of a pioneering manager can also help management to see the transformation of China in a new light. Anybody wanting to be successful in China should heed the practical lessons that Martin Posth draws. --Prof. Dr. Eberhard Sandschneider, Otto-Wolff-Director, Research Institute, Executive Officer, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)In establishing the Volkswagen works in Shanghai at the beginning of Deng Xiaoping's reform era, Martin Posth made a breach in the wall behind which the People's Republic of China had dug its trenches up until then. His experiences are useful for anyone wanting to work the Chinese market with any degree of success. The fascinating reading that his report makes, and heeding his lessons, can help any entrepreneur to avoid costly mistakes. --Dr. Theo Sommer, DIE ZEIT, Editor-at-LargeFor the Chinese, this book by Martin Posth is a historic document on the Open Door Policy for foreign investors. It is a must-read. --Prof. Xu Kuangdi, Mayor of Shanghai 1995-2001; Chairman, China Federation of Industrial Economics (CFIE); Co-Chairman of the German-Chinese Dialog Forum

Dawn of the Electronic Age: Electrical Technologies in the Shaping of the Modern World, 1914 to 1945


Frederik Nebeker - 2008
    It was during these years that the capabilities of traditional electrical engineering--generators, power transmission, motors, electric lighting and heating, home appliances, and so on--became ubiquitous. Even more importantly, it was during this time that a new type of electrical engineering--electronics--emerged. Because of its applications in communications (both wire-based and wireless), entertainment (notably radio, the phonograph, and sound movies), industry, science and medicine, and the military, the electronics industry became a major part of the economy.Dawn of the Electronic Age?explores how this engineering knowledge and its main applications developed in various scientific, economic, and social contexts, and explains how each was profoundly affected by electrical technologies. It takes an international perspective and a narrative approach, unfolding the story chronologically.Though a scholarly study (with sources of information given in endnotes for engineers and historians of science and technology), the book is intended for the general public.?Ultimately, it tells the story of the development of a new realm of engineering and its widespread applications during the remarkable and tragic period of two world wars and the decades in between.