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In his bestselling E=mc2, David Bodanis led us, with astonishing ease, through the world’s most famous equation. Now, in Electric Universe, he illuminates the wondrous yet invisible force that permeates our universe—and introduces us to the virtuoso scientists who plumbed its secrets.

For centuries, electricity was seen as little more than a curious property of certain substances that sparked when rubbed. Then, in the 1790s, Alessandro Volta began the scientific investigation that ignited an explosion of knowledge and invention. The force that once seemed inconsequential was revealed to be responsible for everything from the structure of the atom to the functioning of our brains. In harnessing its power, we have created a world of wonders—complete with roller coasters and radar, computer networks and psychopharmaceuticals.

A superb storyteller, Bodanis weaves tales of romance, divine inspiration, and fraud through lucid accounts of scientific breakthroughs. The great discoverers come to life in all their brilliance and idiosyncrasy, including the visionary Michael Faraday, who struggled against the prejudices of the British class system, and Samuel Morse, a painter who, before inventing the telegraph, ran for mayor of New York City on a platform of persecuting Catholics. Here too is Alan Turing, whose dream of a marvelous thinking machine—what we know as the computer—was met with indifference, and who ended his life in despair after British authorities forced him to undergo experimental treatments to “cure” his homosexuality.

From the frigid waters of the Atlantic to the streets of Hamburg during a World War II firestorm to the interior of the human body, Electric Universe is a mesmerizing journey of discovery by a master science writer

Reviews (1)

Electricity made simple (and fun)
This audio is an entertaining look at how electricity works and affects our daily lives. Bodanis's uses analogies that make this subject understandable. He examines electricity's development along with providing short biographies of Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Guglielmo Marconi, Heinrich Herz and other pioneers. Bodanis also describes early failures and setbacks that resulted in eventual breakthroughs. A superb storyteller, Bodanis includes tales of romance, hard work, and fraud in the development of modern electrical applications. Bodanis taught at the University of Oxford for many years. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Tesla experiments described in Tesla's own words
Here is an AUTHENTIC source of Tesla's work. It is a reprint of the original edition. "Experiments with Alternate Currents of High Potential and High Frequency" which is a lecture Tesla presented at the Institution Of Electrical Engineers, London. Included with this lecture is an appendix on the "Transmission of Electric Energy Without Wires" by Nikola Tesla. If you want to understand how Tesla thought & worked; this book will allow you to gain real insight into his mind. The future he envisioned can largely be seen in our everyday lives. But this was over a hundred years ago!

Nikola Tesla is a craftsman with an intimate relationship of his work and materials. He innately grasps the nature of electricity. Dubbed the "Electric Magician" by the public, he amazed even engineers & scientists of his day. Henry Ford & Thomas Edison did their best to see that Tesla was forgotten. Neither the Ford Foundation nor the Smithsonian can silence history. Ford & Edison were great entrepreneurs. Tesla was a true genius and humanitarian! This book stands as a testament to his brilliance. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Necessary evil
In the lack of a good books on Geometric algebra and calculus (in David Hestenes' style) for physicists, the book on electrodynamics by W. Baylis looks like a Necessary evil.

The publishers did thier best to make the book at least look good. Unfortunately, the author could do better.

The annoying 'americanisms' and often inappropriate 'pseudo-scientific jargon' did not help the book.

Poor understanding of physics (not saying the geometrica algebra and analysis) is very surprising and unfortunate for the university professor.

However, with some work on the part of the reader, the book could be somewhat useful. A lot of examples and exercises is also helpful.

Highly recommend to compare Mr. Baylis' style with clear and thoughtful style of David Hestenes (see his "New foundations for physics". Unfortunately the price for that is VERY high ~ $250 )

Again, the book could be much better, but in the said vacuum, is a Necessary evil. Buy it ! ( if you have some spare money and not afraid of the strangers with professor titles)

It's about time!
Maxwell's theory of Electrodynamics is considerably more complicated than Newton's Mechanics. The latter deals with concrete objects (particles, rigid bodies, etc.) while the former deals with intangible "fields" distributed in space, a concept that took many years to evolve and gain acceptance. It is therefore not surprising that Electrodynamics has motivated a variety of important scientific developments, designed either to simplify it conceptually or to make it consistent with Mechanics. In physics, fundamental contradictions between Electrodynamics and Mechanics spurred Einstein to develop Special Relativity. In mathematics, the most well-known development is vector analysis, introduced by Gibbs to simplify Maxwell's equations. Unfortunately, the even deeper simplifications introduced by Hamilton (based on quaternions) and Clifford (based on Clifford algebra) have not gained wide acceptance because they are somewhat more technically demanding. Thus almost all physics and engineering textbooks on electrodynamics use vector analysis, and very few students and researchers are even aware of the tremendous power offered by quaternionic and Clifford analysis.

In this regard, the book by Baylis is a real blessing. By choosing the simplest geometric algebra (complex quaternions, known in quantum mechanics as the Pauli algebra), Baylis manages to use the full power of Clifford algebra without giving up the familiar notation of vector analysis (gradient, curl, divergence). The only new ingredient is the associative product of two vectors, which unifies their inner product and their cross product and leads to tremendous new possibilities. Students and workers in the field will love the resulting beauty and simplicity, and especially the continuity of notation and concepts with the mainstream literature. Although the Pauli algebra is usually associated with nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, Baylis amply demonstrates that it is equally able to handle relativistic aspects (such as the unified electromagnetic field and Lorentz transformations) when the concept of three-dimensional vectors is replaced by four-dimensional (space-time) "paravectors." Well done! ... Read more

Book Description

Electromagnetic Noise and Quantum Optical Measurements is the result of more than 40 years of research and teaching. The first three chapters provide the background necessary to understand the basic concepts. Then shot noise and thermal noise are discussed, followed by linear noisy multiparts, the quantum theory of waveguides and resonators, an analysis of phase-insensitive systems, detection, photon probability distributions, solitons, phase-sensitive amplification, squeezing, the quantum theory of solitons and squeezing, and quantum non-demolition measurements. Rich appendices give additional information. The book is intended for graduate students and scientists in physics and engineering. Numerous problems and selected solutions will help readers to deepen their knowledge. ... Read more

Book Description

Employed in a large number of commercial electromagnetic simulation packages, the finite element method is one of the most popular and well-established numerical techniques in engineering. This book covers the theory, development, implementation, and application of the finite element method and its hybrid versions to electromagnetics. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD FOR ELECTROMAGNETICS begins with a step-by-step textbook presentation of the finite method and its variations then goes on to provide up-to-date coverage of three dimensional formulations and modern applications to open and closed domain problems. Worked out examples are included to aid the reader with the fine features of the method and the implementation of its hybridization with other techniques for a robust simulation of large scale radiation and scattering. The crucial treatment of local boundary conditions is carefully worked out in several stages in the book.

Sponsored by:
IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society. ... Read more

Book Description

The behavior and dynamics of magnetic fluids receive a coherent, comprehensive treatment in this high-level study, encompassing electromagnetism and fields, magnetocaloric energy conversion, ferrohydrodynamic instabilities, and related subjects. Geared toward graduate students and researchers in physics, engineering, and applied mathematics. Preface. Appendixes. References. Indexes.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fantastic book
I cannot recommend this book more highly. Difficult aspects are presented thoroughly for what often seems a cryptic field of study for those new to the science. Nearly all aspects of particle interaction are detailed from magnetic repulsion to quasi-stable equilibriums. Also detailed in the text is an excellent overview of Earnshaw's Theorem as applied to magnetostatics. ... Read more

Book Description

This introduction to the physics of silicon solar cells focuses on thin cells, while reviewing and discussing the current status of the important technology. An analysis of the spectral quantum efficiency of thin solar cells is given as well as a full set of analytical models. This is the first comprehensive treatment of light trapping techniques for the enhancement of the optical absorption in thin silicon films. ... Read more

Book Description

Rock Magnetism is a comprehensive treatment of fine particle magnetism and the magnetic properties of rocks. Starting from atomic magnetism and magnetostatic principles, the authors explain why domains and micromagnetic structures form in ferromagnetic crystals and how these lead to magnetic memory in the form of thermal, chemical and other remanent magnetizations. The phenomenal stability of these magnetizations, providing a record of plate tectonic motions over millions of years, is explained by thermal activation theory. One chapter is devoted to practical tests of domain state and paleomagnetic stability; another deals with pseudo-single-domain magnetism. The final four chapters place magnetism in the context of igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic, and extraterrestrial rocks. This book will be of great value to graduate students and researchers in geophysics and geology, particularly in paleomagnetism and rock magnetism, as well as physicists and electrical engineers interested in fine-particle magnetism and magnetic recording. ... Read more

Book Description

* The first book on the subject.
* Written by an acknowledged expert in the field.
* The techniques discussed have important applications to wireless engineering. ... Read more

Book Description

The material for these volumes has been selected from the past twenty years' examination questions for graduate students at University of California at Berkeley, Columbia University, the University of Chicago, MIT, State University of New York at Buffalo, Princeton University and University of Wisconsin.

This volume comprises 440 problems and is divided into five parts:

(I) Electrostatics;
(II) Magnetostatic Field and Quasi-Stationary Electromagnetic Field;
(III) Circuit Analysis;
(IV) Electromagnetic Waves;
(V) Relativistic Particle-Field Interactions. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Studying for your PhD exams? If so, buy this book!
If you work and understand every problem in this book, you will pass your Electrodynamics Ph.D. qualifying exams! That's was my experience!

One of the most useful books I have ever purchased
I purchased this book to assist me in my graduate courses using Jackson's text. Many of the homework assignments were actually problems taken from qualifying exams at different universites, so this book was very helpful for those problems. As for the Jackson problems, one will be lucky to find any help at all (too bad). I strongly recommend this to anyone who is pursuing a graduate physics degree, not only because it is an excellent handbook for the qualifying exam and homework assignments, but also because it is a very well organized source of information on the subject of Electromagnetism.

In addition to this text, I have also purchased the volumes on Quantum Mechanics and Mechanics. Both are as useful as this text, though I have to say that all of them lack a comprehensive index. There are also some errors, but they are few and far between. Also, these books do not provide background on any equations used. They may say something like "With the application of Schrodinger's Equation, this becomes...", yet in the same problem there may have been a step where De Moivre's theorem was applied and the authors have neglected to mention it. I suppose this is useful because if one is using the book as a study guide, it would not be instructive unless one was actually working out the problem, so it is up to the reader to uncover the little details.

A real gem!!!
The entire series is my savior. Each volume covers the material needed in the junior/senior level of physics. It truly has an emense selection of problems. I found that nearly all of my homework/exams were either exactly the same or merely a slight variation from one contained. I also have yet to find a single error, not even a sign error. One important thing is that it does need to be a supplement, as formulas are sometimes used without explicit reference to why. In general the reasons need to be found in an assigned text. My only gripe (and it is minor) is with the index...the index does not, in general, lead one to a relevent problem. For example, uses of Biot/Savart to solve this problem or that... The reason this is not a serious problem is that each topic has so many variations on the method/technique that it is simple enough to find at least a couple that are completely relevent. (given you know which section to look in) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent reference of FIB technology
Excellent reference with good balance between theoretical discussion and practical data, very thorough bibliography. The best single source of concentrated information for anyone using or building FIB systems.

Section on Applications of Focused Ion Beams could be significantly expanded in future editions, as the industrial applications of the FIB advance rapidly.

Mark Utlaut is the sexiest man alive
As a researcher working in the field of focused ion beams for almost thirty years, I can honestly say that this is the finest book ever written on the subject. Their treatment of the Fowler-Nordheim equation is particularly noteworthy.

More importantly, their use of rhyme, ala Dr. Seuss, makes for an easy read. Here's a short excerpt from the book's introduction which illustrates my point.

"An ion is so very small
You'll never see one in the hall
You'll never see one at the mall

You'll never see one at your house
You'll never see one with a mouse

These tiny things you'll never see
Are still very useful to you and me
They're also useful to industry." ... Read more

Book Description

Semiconductor Surfaces and Interfaces deals with structural and electronic properties of semiconductor surfaces and interfaces. The first part introduces the general aspects of space-charge layers, of clean-surface and adatom-induced surfaces states, and of interface states. It is followed by a presentation of experimental results on clean and adatom-covered surfaces which are explained in terms of simple physical and chemical concepts. Where available, results of more refined calculations are considered. This third edition has been thoroughly revised and updated. In particular it now includes an extensive discussion of the band lineup at semiconductor interfaces. The unifying concept is the continuum of interface-induced gap states. ... Read more

Book Description

This volume documents the proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Contact Angle, Wettability and Adhesion held in Newark, NJ, June 21-23, 2000. Since the first symposium, held in 1992, there had been tremendous research activity on many ramifications of wettability phenomena. This volume contains a total of 33 papers, which were all properly peer reviewed, revised and edited before inclusion. Therefore, this book is not merely a collection of unreviewed manuscripts, but rather represents information which has passed peer scrutiny. Furthermore, the authors were asked to update their manuscripts, so the information contained in this book should be current and fresh. ... Read more

Book Description

Electrical Engineering/Electromagnetics Singular Electromagnetic Fields and Sources A volume in the IEEE Series on Electromagnetic Wave Theory Donald D. Dudley, Series Editor ‘I will cherish my copy of this gem.’—James R. Wait This is a companion volume to the many available graduate textbooks on electromagnetic theory. It is devoted to a study of the infinities in electromagnetic fields and in their sources. Three types of singularities are investigated: (1) Those associated with strongly concentrated sources of charge and current, the relevant densities are expressed in terms of delta-functions and derivatives. (2) Those associated with the fields resulting from strongly concentrated sources. (3) Those which occur at sharp edges and vertices of cones and sectors. The approach is both theoretical and numerical. The information presented, far from being purely formal, is of importance for practical work. It can be used, for example, to accelerate significantly the convergence of a numerical algorithm. The book is written for electrical engineers and applied physicists who have an interest in the general topic of ‘Maxwell’s equations’ and more particularly for those who are engaged in the actual solution of electromagnetic problems. The mathematical level of the text is that of the ‘applied’ mathematician. An introductory chapter on ‘Distribution Theory’ has been written in that spirit. Also in the series… Mathematical Foundations for Electromagnetic Theory Donald D. Dudley, University of Arizona, Tucson 1994 Hardcover 256 pp Methods for Electromagnetic Field Analysis Ismo V. Lindell, Helsinki University of Technology 1992 Hardcover 320 pp The Transmission Line Modeling Method: TLM Christos Christopoulos, University of Nottingham 1995 Hardcover 232 pp ... Read more

Book Description

This advanced textbook on epitaxy is intended for undergraduate students, PhD students, reseach scientists, lecturers and practicing engineers interested in material science, solid state electronics and crystal growth, with emphasis put on thin film technology. It provides these readers with a comprehensive, updated knowledge on models and modifications of epitaxy, together with the relevant experimental framework. The technical implementations of epitaxy whcih are presented in this book concern all important expitaxial growth techniques, namely solid phase epitaxy, liquid phase epitaxy, vapor phase epitaxy, including metal organic vapor phase epitaxy and molecula beam epitaxy. ... Read more

Book Description

Over the last 25 years, the performances of semiconductor devices have improved greatly; this book describes the science and technology that have made these advances possible. While mainstream silicon memory and microprocessor chips still work with uniform silicon as the starting point, the whole of both electronic and optical communication relies on multilayer semiconductor structures.The book provides a unified overview of the quantum physics behind these devices, advances with materials and technology, and the devices themselves; it is suitable as a text for undergraduates and graduates in physics, materials sciences, or electronics, as well as researchers in the field. ... Read more