The Materials Book

This book is the definitive reference source for professionals involved in the conception, design and specification stages of a construction project. The theory and practical aspects of each material is covered, with an emphasis being placed on properties and appropriate use, enabling broader, deeper understanding of each material leading to greater confidence in their application. Containing fifty chapters written by subject specialists, Construction Materials Reference Book covers the wide range of materials that are encountered in the construction process, from traditional materials such as stone through masonry and steel to advanced plastics and composites. With increased significance being placed on broader environmental issues, issues of whole life cost and sustainability are covered, along with health and safety aspects of both use and installation.

"Provides a broad synopsis of the state of technological advances in materials today, with a special emphasis on new developments in the field of biopolymers and various agriculturally derived products; biomimetic products, systems, and processes that seek to emulate natural examples, including low-embodied-energy and biochemically manufactured products; "grown" materials; nanoscale marvels; renewable energy technologies; "second-life" materials derived from repurposed waste; and responsive, interactive, and transformational digital interfaces that harness pervasive communication networks and are powered by low-energy illumination sources."--P. [4] of cover.

How much further should the affluent world push its material consumption? Does relative dematerialization lead to absolute decline in demand for materials? These and many other questions are discussed and answered in Making the Modern World: Materials and Dematerialization. Over the course of time, the modern world has become dependent on unprecedented flows of materials. Now even the most efficient production processes and the highest practical rates of recycling may not be enough to result in dematerialization rates that would be high enough to negate the rising demand for materials generated by continuing population growth and rising standards of living. This book explores the costs of this dependence and the potential for substantial dematerialization of modern economies. Making the Modern World: Materials and Dematerialization considers the principal materials used throughout history, from wood and stone, through to metals, alloys, plastics and silicon, describing their extraction and production as well as their dominant applications. The evolving productivities of material extraction, processing, synthesis, finishing and distribution, and the energy costs and environmental impact of rising material consumption are examined in detail. The book concludes with an outlook for the future, discussing the prospects for dematerialization and potential constrains on materials. This interdisciplinary text provides useful perspectives for readers with backgrounds including resource economics, environmental studies, energy analysis, mineral geology, industrial organization, manufacturing and material science.

There are books aplenty on materials selection criteria for engineering design. Most cover the physical and mechanical properties of specific materials, but few offer much in the way of total product design criteria. This innovative new text/reference will give the “Big picture view of how materials should be selected—not only for a desired function but also for their ultimate performance, durability, maintenance, replacement costs, and so on. Even such factors as how a material behaves when packaged, shipped, and stored will be taken into consideration. For without that knowledge, a design engineer is often in the dark as to how a particular material used in particular product or process is going to behave over time, how costly it will be, and, ultimately, how successful it will be at doing what is supposed to do. This book delivers that knowledge. * Brief but comprehensive review of major materials functional groups (mechanical, electrical, thermal, chemical) by major material categories (metals, polymers, ceramics, composites)* Invaluable guidance on selection criteria at early design stage, including such factors as functionality, durability, and availability* Insight into lifecycle factors that affect choice of materials beyond simple performance specs, including manufacturability, machinability, shelf life, packaging, and even shipping characteristics* Unique help on writing materials selection specifications

This book provides a self-contained undergraduate course on quantum computing based on classroom-tested lecture notes. It reviews the fundamentals of quantum mechanics from the double-slit experiment to entanglement, before progressing to the basics of qubits, quantum gates, quantum circuits, quantum key distribution, and some of the famous quantum algorithms. As well as covering quantum gates in depth, it also describes promising platforms for their physical implementation, along with error correction, and topological quantum computing. With quantum computing expanding rapidly in the private sector, understanding quantum computing has never been so important for graduates entering the workplace or PhD programs. Assuming minimal background knowledge, this book is highly accessible, with rigorous step-by-step explanations of the principles behind quantum computation, further reading, and end-of-chapter exercises, ensuring that undergraduate students in physics and engineering emerge well prepared for the future.

This pupil book, written specifically to cover Key Stage 3 curriculum needs, helps pupils acquire knowledge and understanding of resistant materials and the products made from them. Full instructions are given to give pupils practice in using different tools and processes.

Addressing the growing global concern for sustainable engineering, this title is devoted exclusively to the environmental aspects of materials.

Materials and Design: The Art and Science of Material Selection in Product Design, Second Edition, discusses the role of materials and processes in product design. The book focuses on the materials that designers need, as well as on how and why they use them. The book’s 10 chapters cover topics such as function and personality, factors influencing product design, the design process, materials selection, and case studies in materials and design. Appendices for each chapter provide exercises for readers, along with detailed charts of technical attributes of different materials for reference. This book will be particularly useful to both students and working designers. Students are introduced to the role of materials in manufacturing and design, with the help of familiar language and concepts. Working designers can use the book as a reference source for materials and manufacturing. The best guide ever published on the on the role of materials, past and present, in product development, by noted materials authority Mike Ashby and professional designer Kara Johnson--now with even better photos and drawings on the Design Process Significant new section on the use of re-cycled materials in products, and the importance of sustainable design for manufactured goods and services Enhanced materials profiles, with addition of new materials types like nanomaterials, advanced plastics and bio-based materials