This volume provides an overview of current research and recent advances in the area of energetic materials, focusing on decomposition, crystal and molecular properties. The contents and format reflect the fact that theory, experiment and computation are closely linked in this field. Since chemical decomposition is of fundamental importance in energetic performance, this volume begins with a survey of the decomposition processes of a variety of energetic compounds. This is followed by deta...

This volume provides an overview of current research and recent advances in the area of energetic materials, focusing on explosives and propellants. The contents and format reflect the fact that theory, experiment and computation are closely linked in this field. The challenge of developing energetic materials that are less sensitive to accidental stimuli continues to be of critical importance. This volume opens with discussions of some determinants of sensitivity and its correlations with...

In a wonderful synthesis of science, history, and imagination, Gino Segrè, an internationally renowned theoretical physicist, embarks on a wide-ranging exploration of how the fundamental scientific concept of temperature is bound up with the very essence of both life and matter. Why is the internal temperature of most mammals fixed near 98.6°? How do geologists use temperature to track the history of our planet? Why is the quest for absolute zero and its quantum mechanical significance the...

What promise did Sequoia Capital recognize in SKS microfinance (India) that it had also seen in Apple, Oracle, and Google?Why would Vodafone help distribute money via cell phones for millions of Kenyans?How did a Mexican retailer create a financial-services empire, Banco Azteca, that would serve eight million borrowers in five years?From its origins as a nonprofit poverty alleviation strategy, microfinance has become a viable business model for providing financial s...

Thermodynamics is a well-established discipline of physics for properties of matter in thermal equilibrium with the surroundings. Applying to crystals, however, the laws encounter undefined properties of crystal lattice, which therefore need to be determined for a clear and well-defined description of crystalline states. Thermodynamics of Crystalline States explores the roles played by order variables and dynamic lattices in crystals in a wholly new way.The book begins by ...

Originated from studies on steam engines, thermodynamics is formulated traditi- ally for homogeneous materials. Applying to condensed matters however, laws of thermodynamics have to be evaluated with respect to the structural detail. Foll- ing after Kirkwood’s chemical thermodynamics, the author’s attempt is to discuss lattice dynamics in crystalline states in light of the traditional laws. It is noted that lattice symmetry remains as implicit in crystalline states if assumed as homo- neou...

Urea-SCR Technology for deNOx After Treatment of Diesel Exhausts presents a complete overview of theselective catalytic reduction of NOx by ammonia/urea. The book starts withan illustration of the technology in the framework of the current context (legislation,market, system configurations), covers the fundamental aspects of the SCR process(catalysts, chemistry, mechanism, kinetics) and analyzes its application to useful topicssuch a...

A complete, up-to-date, introductory guide to fuel cell technology and applicationFuel Cell Fundamentals provides a thorough introduction to the principles and practicalities behind fuel cell technology. Beginning with the underlying concepts, the discussion explores fuel cell thermodynamics, kinetics, transport, and modeling before moving into the application side with guidance on system types and design, performance, costs, and environmental impact. This...

Conventional economic theory assumes that consumers are fully rational, that they have well-defined preferences and easily understand the market environment. Yet, in fact, consumers may have inconsistent, context-dependent preferences or simply not enough brain-power to evaluate and compare complicated products. Thus the standard model of consumer behavior-which depends on an ideal market in which consumers are boundlessly rational-is called into question. While behavioral economists have ...

Hurricane Katrina, the internet stock bubble, disease outbreaks -- are these predictable, preventable events, or are we merely the playthings of chaos? A compelling, irreverent, elegantly written history of our future that addresses the most important issues of our time, Apollo's Arrow examines such questions as: How well can we predict the future? Can past discoveries help us understand tomorrow's weather patterns, or tell us what our financial future will look like? Will scientists ever ...

This thesis represents a decisive breakthrough in our understanding of the physics of universal quantum-mechanical three-body systems.The Efimov scenario is a prime example of how fundamental few-body physics features universally across seemingly disparate fields of modern quantum physics. Initially postulated for nuclear physics more than 40 years ago, the Efimov effect has now become a new research paradigm not only in ultracold atomic gases but also in molecular, biological and ...

"Winner of the 2014 Kulp-Wright Book Award Presented by the American Risk and Insurance Association".More information can be found here:http://www.aria.org/awards/bookawards.htmInsurance Economics brings together the economic analysis of decision making under risk, risk management and demand for insurance by individuals and corporations, objectives pursued and management tools used by insurance companies, the regulation of insurance, and the divisio...