Light Driven Alignment

This book deals with influencing the properties of solids by light-driven electron transport. The theoretical basis of these effects, light-driven ordering and self-organisation, as well as optical motors are presented. With light as a tool, new ways to produce materials are opened.

In Light Driven Micromachines, the fundamental principles and unique characteristics of light driven material structures, simple mechanisms and integrated machines are explored. Very small light driven systems provide a number of interesting features and unique design opportunities because streams of photons deliver energy into the system and provide the control signal used to regulate the response of the micron sized device. Through innovative material design and clever component fabrication, these optically powered tiny machines can be created to perform mechanical work when exposed to varying light intensity, wavelength, phase, and/or polarization. The book begins with the scientific background necessary to understand the nature of light and how light can initiate physical movement by inducing material deformation or altering the surrounding environment to impose micro-forces on the actuating mechanisms. The impact of physical size on the performance of light driven mechanisms and machines is discussed, and the nature of light–material interactions is reviewed. These interactions enable very small objects and mechanical components to be trapped and manipulated by a focused light beam, or produce local temperature gradients that force certain materials to undergo shape transformation. Advanced phase transition gels, polymers, carbon-based films and piezoelectric ceramics that exhibit direct light-to-mechanical energy conversion are examined from the perspective of designing optically driven actuators and mechanical systems. The ability of light to create photothermal effects that drive microfluidic processes and initiate the phase transformation of temperature sensitive shape memory materials are also explored in the book. This compendium seeks to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers by presenting the fundamental principles of this emerging interdisciplinary technology and exploring how the properties of light can be exploited for microfluidic, microrobotic, biomedical and space applications.

Rotating machinery is the heart of many industrial operations, but many engineers and technicians perform shaft alignment by guesswork or with limited knowledge of the tools and methods available to accurately and effectively align their machinery. Two decades ago, John Piotrowski conferred upon the field an unprecedented tool: the first edition of

Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop, Menton, France, 26-31 August, 1999

Channeled discussion of the energies now affecting our planet and how we can work with them to raise our consciousness.

This book presents a collection of selected reviews from PLMMP 2018 that address modern problems in the fields of liquids, solutions and confined systems, critical phenomena, as well as colloidal and biological systems. The papers focus on state-of-the-art developments in the contemporary physics of liquid matter, and are divided into four parts: (i) water and water systems, (ii) physical–chemical properties of liquid systems, (iii) aggregation in liquid systems, and (iv) biological aspects of liquid systems, irradiation influences on liquid systems. Taken together, they cover the latest developments in the broader field of liquid states, including interdisciplinary problems.

Carbon-based nanomaterials are rapidly emerging as one of the most fascinating materials in the twenty-first century. Chemical Functionalization of Carbon Nanomaterials: Chemistry and Applications provides a thorough examination of carbon nanomaterials, including their variants and how they can be chemically functionalized. It also gives a comprehe

Adopting an integrated approach, this book covers experiments, theory, and emerging applications. In the first part surfaces are described that change from flat to either a random corrugated or to a well-structured structure, while the second part deals with those surface structures integrated in the coating surface where the structures change their shape or dimension when addressed by an external trigger. A variety of materials are addressed, including liquid crystal polymers, hydrogels, hard acrylates, and soft silicones. The whole is rounded off by a discussion of various applications, including surface controlled flows in microfluidic systems. Of interest to chemists and engineers, researchers in industry and academia, as well as those working in the paint industry and hydrodynamics.

The past two decades have seen rapid development of micro-/nanotechnologies with the integration of chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, chemistry, and life sciences to form bio-MEMS or lab-on-chip devices that help us perform cellular analysis in a complex micro-/nanoflluidic environment with minimum sample consumption and have potential biomedical applications. To date, few books have been published in this field, and researchers are unable to find specialized content. This book compiles cutting-edge research on cell manipulation, separation, and analysis using microfluidics and bio-MEMS devices. It illustrates the use of micro-robots for biomedical applications, vascularized microfluidic organs-on-a-chip and their applications, as well as DNA gene microarray biochips and their applications. In addition, it elaborates on neuronal cell activity in microfluidic compartments, microvasculature and microarray gene patterning, different physical methods for drug delivery and analysis, micro-/nanoparticle preparation and separation in a micro-/nanofluidic environment, and the potential biomedical applications of micro-/nanoparticles. This book can be used by academic researchers, especially those involved in biomicrofluidics and bio-MEMS, and undergraduate- and graduate-level students of bio-MEMS/bio-nanoelectromechanical systems (bio-NEMS), biomicrofluidics, biomicrofabricatios, micro-/nanofluidics, biophysics, single-cell analysis, bionanotechnology, drug delivery systems, and biomedical micro-/nanodevices. Readers can gain knowledge of different aspects of microfluidics and bio-MEMS devices; their design, fabrication, and integration; and biomedical applications. The book will also help biotechnology-based industries, where research and development is ongoing in cell-based analysis, diagnosis, and drug screening.