Time domain electrometry (TDE) is a general term which includes time domain reflectrometry and time domain transmissiometry. It is a commercially-viable technique for leak detection, contaminant monitoring, and moisture content determination in contaminant transport modelling. Under demographic pressure, contaminated sites are increasingly being re-developed for domestic and industrial use; and this presents an urgent need for reliable, non-intrusive and integrated methods of subsurface characterization, detection and monitoring of organic and inorganic pollutants, soil moisture content and salinity. This book provides an overview of the potential application of TDE in geoenvironmental engineering and describes the geophysical methods used.
Fundamentals of Geoenvironmental Engineering: Understanding Soil, Water, and Pollutant Interaction and Transport examines soil-water-pollutant interaction, including physico-chemical processes that occur when soil is exposed to various contaminants. Soil characteristics relevant to remedial techniques are explored, providing foundations for the correct process selection. Built upon the authors' extensive experience in research and practice, the book updates and expands the content to include current processes and pollutants. The book discusses propagation of soil pollution and soil characteristics relevant to remedial techniques. Practicing geotechnical and environmental engineers can apply the theory and case studies in the book directly to current projects. The book first discusses the stages of economic development and their connections to the sustainability of the environment. Subsequent chapters cover waste and its management, soil systems, soil-water and soil-pollutant interactions, subsurface transport of pollutants, role of groundwater, nano-, micro- and biologic pollutants, soil characteristics that impact pollution diffusion, and potential remediation processes like mechanical, electric, magnetic, hydraulic and dielectric permittivity of soils. Presents a clear understanding of the propagation of pollutants in soils Identifies the physico-chemical processes in soils Covers emerging pollutants (nano-, micro- and biologic contaminants) Features in-depth coverage of hydraulic, electrical, magnetic and dielectric permittivity characteristics of soils and their impact on remedial technologies
Microsystems technologies have found their way into an impressive variety of applications, from mobile phones, computers, and displays to smart grids, electric cars, and space shuttles. This multidisciplinary field of research extends the current capabilities of standard integrated circuits in terms of materials and designs and complements them by creating innovative components and smaller systems that require lower power consumption and display better performance. Novel Advances in Microsystems Technologies and their Applications delves into the state of the art and the applications of microsystems and microelectronics-related technologies. Featuring contributions by academic and industrial researchers from around the world, this book: Examines organic and flexible electronics, from polymer solar cell to flexible interconnects for the co-integration of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) with complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS) Discusses imaging and display technologies, including MEMS technology in reflective displays, the fabrication of thin-film transistors on glass substrates, and new techniques to display and quickly transmit high-quality images Explores sensor technologies for sensing electrical currents and temperature, monitoring structural health and critical industrial processes, and more Covers biomedical microsystems, including biosensors, point-of-care devices, neural stimulation and recording, and ultra-low-power biomedical systems Written for researchers, engineers, and graduate students in electrical and biomedical engineering, this book reviews groundbreaking technology, trends, and applications in microelectronics. Its coverage of the latest research serves as a source of inspiration for anyone interested in further developing microsystems technologies and creating new applications.
This book offers a comprehensive review of innovative measurement and monitoring solutions based on time domain reflectometry (TDR). This technique has numerous applications in several fields, ranging from the characterization of electronic devices to quality control of vegetable oils. However, most of the well-established TDR-based monitoring solutions rely on local or punctual probes; therefore, typically, to monitor large areas/volumes, a high number of probes must be employed, with the consequent maintenance and management requirements. On such bases, in the last few years, the authors have carried out extensive research on the use of diffused wire-like sensing elements to be used as probes for TDR measurements. The basic idea has been to extend the principles of punctual TDR-based monitoring to multi-purpose networks of diffused, sensing elements (SE's), embedded permanently within the systems to be monitored (STBM's). These SEs can be tens of meters long, and can follow any desired path inside the STBM.; in fact, they are inactive inside the STBM. Additionally, these SE's are passive (i.e., they do not require batteries) and their sensing ability is activated, by the TDR signal, when they are connected to the measurement instrument. In addition to this, these SE's are completely maintenance-free. Starting from these considerations, this book addresses the use of low-cost, passive, flexible, wire-like SE's to be used in conjunction with TDR. This book also provides several application test cases, with hints for practical implementation of the described monitoring systems.
This is a detailed and accessible examination of the properties, behaviour, and uses of sulfur cement and concrete in the construction industry. It discusses the basic properties and behaviour of sulfur cement and concrete materials, evaluates new sulfur market applications, and much more.
Sensor technologies are a rapidly growing area of interest in science and product design, embracing developments in electronics, photonics, mechanics, chemistry, and biology. Their presence is widespread in everyday life, where they are used to sense sound, movement, and optical or magnetic signals. The demand for portable and lightweight sensors is relentless in several industries, from consumer electronics to biomedical engineering to the military. Smart Sensors for Industrial Applications brings together the latest research in smart sensors technology and exposes the reader to myriad applications that this technology has enabled. Organized into five parts, the book explores: Photonics and optoelectronics sensors, including developments in optical fibers, Brillouin detection, and Doppler effect analysis. Chapters also look at key applications such as oxygen detection, directional discrimination, and optical sensing. Infrared and thermal sensors, such as Bragg gratings, thin films, and microbolometers. Contributors also cover temperature measurements in industrial conditions, including sensing inside explosions. Magnetic and inductive sensors, including magnetometers, inductive coupling, and ferro-fluidics. The book also discusses magnetic field and inductive current measurements in various industrial conditions, such as on airplanes. Sound and ultrasound sensors, including underwater acoustic modem, vibrational spectroscopy, and photoacoustics. Piezoresistive, wireless, and electrical sensors, with applications in health monitoring, agrofood, and other industries. Featuring contributions by experts from around the world, this book offers a comprehensive review of the groundbreaking technologies and the latest applications and trends in the field of smart sensors.
The new social and economic era calls for integration of ecology and economy in a system of cause and effect. The central element in this shift is sustainable development. Fundamental to the achievement of sustainable development is the requirement for environmentally responsible waste management and restoration of the environment. Solutions to the complex problems confronted by waste management and environmental restoration industry are currently handled by the geoenvironmental engineering profession that needs a good background in soil biology, chemistry, mechanics, mineralogy, and physics. In recognition of this need, this book summarizes relevant aspects of various soil physics, mineralogy, and chemistry as well as the chemistry of pollutants. This treatment will provide sufficient background to students and practicing engineers to enable them to think about how to approach waste management and environmental restoration problems.
Innovation in Near-Surface Geophysics: Instrumentation, Application, and Data Processing Methods offers an advanced look at state-of-the-art and innovative technologies for near surface geophysics, exposing the latest, most effective techniques in an accessible way. By addressing a variety of geophysical applications, including cultural heritage, civil engineering, characteristics of soil, and others, the book provides an understanding of the best products and methodologies modern near surface geophysics has to offer. It proposes tips for new ideas and projects, and encourages collaboration across disciplines and techniques for the best implementation and results. Clearly organized, with contributions from leaders from throughout geophysics, Innovation in Near-Surface Geophysics is an important guide for geophysicists who hope to gain a better understanding of the tools and techniques available. Addresses a variety of applications in near-surface geophysics, including cultural heritage, civil engineering, soil analysis, etc. Provides insight to available products and techniques and offers suggestions for future developments Clearly organized by techniques and their applications
During the last twenty years the lifestyle of a large portion of the inhabitants of our planet has changed dramatically. This would never have been possible without the massive use of electronic and photonic technology, telecommuni cations, and computers. These disciplines are designed to code, transmit, detect, decode, and process signals and related information, and can be broadly addressed as information science and technology. In the sophisticated society in which we live and operate, this science is diffused transversely and plays a major role in almost every human activity. Information science and technology is the basis of a powerful industry that does not suffer the shortcomings of more traditional human enterprises. Information is a renewable source and its control and processing rely on software codes, which are a creation of the mind, and on related hardware, incredibly sophisticated but made out of simple, abundant materials. The rate of change and transformation of this industry is the highest mankind has ever experienced, and it requires not only the replacement of technologies but also a continuous updating of expertise to keep up with the rapid transformation. There is no doubt that this calls for a change in university training, to avoid students graduating at an already obsolete level.
