Book Description

The book is a detailed history of the evolution of the U.S. civil space program from the February 1, 2003 space shuttle Columbia accident to the release of the Presidential Commission report on Moon, Mars, and Beyond on June 2, 2004. During these extraordinary 16 months, nearly every element of NASA’s leadership was placed under a political microscope, with the result that the space agency set upon a new course of reorganization, resulting withPresident George W. Bush’s announcement of an entirely new space policy for the U.S.

The book begins with a comparison of all of the previous U.S. space policies, beginning with President John F. Kennedy’s selection of a manned lunar landing goal in May, 1961. Using declassified tapes and records from the Kennedy Library, his administration’s internal debates over what would become the Apollo project are detailed. President Richard M. Nixon’s decision to build a reusable space shuttle, and the placing of the shuttlecraft at the center of NASA’s programs, are also detailed. How and why President Ronald Reagan chose a permanent space station as his major civil space goal is recounted as well, as is the failure of President Bush’s father to launch a return-to-the-Moon and Mars initiative in 1989.

With this as the backdrop, the book describes the last decade of space policy under President Bill Clinton, and the inside story of the leadership of NASA by administrator Daniel S. Goldin. Using previously unreported stories of the inner workings of Goldin’s NASA, the book shows how the once proud space agency fell into disarray during the 1990s decade.

With the election of President George W. Bush in 2000, the book takes the reader into the inner councils of the new Bush presidency in the months after the September 11, 2001 attacks as Bush himself chooses a long-time family friend to head up NASA-Sean O’Keefe. For the first time, the private conversations between Bush and his senior staff over NASA’s future are told, including Bush’s charge that O’Keefe transform the broken space agency. O’Keefe’s internal battles within NASA to institute reforms are told, ending with an agency on the mend-on the morning of February 1, 2003 when space shuttle Columbia fell from the skies above Texas. In a virtual minute-by-minute recounting, the events of that tragic day are told from the inside of O’Keefe’s inner circle for the first time. Based on extensive, on-the-record interviews with O’Keefe and his top managers and leaders, the book gives the reader the feeling of being present as the details of the space disaster unfold. In the weeks and months following the event, the reader learns of how NASA struggled to reform its failed safety program, and what the secret debates were inside the Bush administration on how to accept the recommendations of the Columbia accident board-or to fight them publicly.

While NASA struggles to reform itself to continue human space exploration and repair the damaged shuttles, a quiet and largely unknown review begins at the White House as to what the nation’s purpose in space should really be. Working independent from NASA for many months, the story of how a handful of young staffers, supporters of space, work in secret to devise a series of potential space policy pathways. Others, outside the space program are solicited for their views as well. As the cause of the Columbia accident becomes clear, Bush moves to forge a new framework for an expansive space vision. The book brings the reader into these deliberations as a ‘fly-on-the-wall’, as one-by-one options for space exploration are studied-and rejected as either too expensive or too risky. As the summer of 2003 draws to a close, the policy process appears to be headed towards recommending manned lunar exploration as the new goal for the U.S. space program. But as the process draws towards a conclusion and a recommendation, Bush himself enters the picture, ordering the space vision reshaped to include other destinations in the solar system beyond the moon. Thus the moon becomes a location to craft new technologies that would provide a technology boost to industry as well as open space beyond earth orbit to traversing astronauts.

But beside the debate on where to go in space was another debate on how to pay for it. The book brings the reader into the deliberations on how to retire the fleet of winged space shuttles, exit the space station, and virtually reform the space agency to free up billions to pay for the new space plan. By fall, 2003 planners are ready to propose to Bush a bold space exploration agenda, blending new generations of space robots with space voyaging astronauts and a new series of manned spaceships resembling Wernher Von Braun’s original space goals.

The book takes the reader inside the Bush White House on December 19, 2003 when, in secret, the President adopts the new space plan for America. Then, the book reconstructs January 14, 2004 when Bush makes his speech announcing his vision for NASA-as Vice president Dick Cheney speaks in California at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. But no sooner does the new plan become public waves of criticisms roll over NASA about another policy decision- abandon the Hubble Space Telescope. The book gives previously unreported details on how the Hubble decision was reached-and how NASA scrambled to defend its choice. The book also takes readers to Capitol Hill as the new policy faces withering criticisms from Republicans and Democrats alike. While the plan supporters battle for its survival in a crucial election year, the book also takes the reader into NASA headquarters, as the first contracts and studies on what would be called 'Project Constellation'aredeveloped, giving readers a first look at possible designs for the new ships. The book also tells how NASA gained the crucial support of former moonwalker Neil Armstrong, and why the reclusive American space hero agreed to come forward to help rescue the plan from political defeat.

The book ends with the June 2, 2004 report of the Presidential Commission appointed by Bush to vet the NASA plan. Calling for a massive restructuring of the civil space program, the book ends with how NASA was secretly planning to ‘one up’ the commission-by announcing a new plan of its own to redesign the American space program to get back to the moon-and to go to worlds beyond.

Main Points

The inside story of how NASA responded to the 2003 Columbia accident in never-before-reported detail

The secret deliberations within NASA on how to make way for a new goal such as manned lunar and Mars flight

The story of the major U.S. political figure who came to NASA’s aid during the debates, and whose support became crucial to helping get Bush on board

The role of the president himself in shaping-and reshaping-the space plan

How NASA reached the decision to abandon the space shuttle and station to free up funds to pay for the new plan

How the Sean O’Keefe administration built a quiet political coalition to support the proposal-and why it almost came undone during the critical weeks following the Bush announcement

What it was like at the helm of U.S. civil space as tragedy gave way to an unexpected opportunity, told from the insider’s unique perspective in a you-are-there- in- the- room style with Sean O’Keefe and his inner circle, battling over options to save NASA-and what President George W. Bush really believed the space program should do for America.

Note:
This book was written with the full cooperation of NASA and the Bush administration, but has not been and will not be reviewed by them or pre-approved in any way. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Review From An Alt.Spacer
The book chronicles the processes around the evolution of the new vision for space that has been presented over the past year. But it isn't presented as a chronological history. Instead it follows themes and particular actors (O'Keefe to a great degree) that make it difficult at times to understand which events coincide with others. I've personally been paying close attention to this history so I know some of the context. If you don't know that context there are sections that will be very confusing. It delves deeply into NASA from the late Clinton administration straight through to post CAIB. At times it almost feels as though it were two books: the first half being a history of NASA and its reactions to Columbia and the other being a history of the Bush administrations efforts to reform an agency.

Often books that have multiple authors feel disjointed as prose shifts from one style to another. The book suffers from that to a certain degree but not to the point of distraction. It is fairly to easy to determine who wrote particular sections. Frank adds color and description. Keith's sections have the same feel as NASA Watch itself: fact filled paragraphs listed in sections roughly associated with a theme but which often don't relate to each other directly. One almost expects to find permalinks and posting dates next to each individual paragraph in each subheading. But overall the flow works and it doesn't distract from the narrative and the analysis. A graphical timeline in an appendix would have helped immensely.

I did find it rather amazing at how recent some of the text was. The section that mentioned the Space Exploration Alliance's Moon-Mars Blitz sounded almost as if it was about to discuss how the actual event went even though it happened only 6 days ago. Book printing must be an insanely fast process these days. The book did seem to be a bit rushed since there were some obvious typos and printing errors that a final read by someone could have caught. But that's just the old typesetter in me trying to get out of its cold dark cage.

I was fairly disappointed in the fact that the book seemed to focus almost exclusively on NASA. Burt Rutan received one paragraph. The sections of the Aldridge Commission report on changing the way NASA approaches contracting seems to have been misunderstood. Indeed, the entire analysis of the Commission's report seems to have been done without actually consulting anyone on the commission and to have been compiled completely from publicly available information. The Space Exploration Alliance received almost a page but there seemed to be no reporting on anything any of the member organizations were saying through SEA. As I neared the end of the book I found myself actively skipping whole pages attempting to find some mention of the more wide ranging policy suggestions that the Commission had made. Sure, I'm biased since I consider myself part of the "alt.space" crowd, but the laser-like focus on NASA and nothing but NASA was disappointing.

What will be interesting is to see whether or not this book dispels some of the "Bush just did this for a publicity stunt. He doesn't really care about space" nonsense that seems to come from "left" field. I'm sure some will accuse Frank and Keith of carrying water for the Administration but the level of verifiable detail will make it obvious that those accusations are marginal at best. One never gets a hint of "infatuation" that being around power can create.

I would recommend the book, but don't expect it to be as comprehensive as the dust jacket makes it sound. I would hope that both Frank and Keith take the opportunity to round out their analysis and coverage by looking at how the entire space industry, "alt" or otherwise, had input into and is being affected by the new vision.

Interesting book, shame about the cover.
This is a very interesting book with much in the way of unique insight into what could be an historic moment in the space program, or not, depending on what happens next.

The book is really let down by the cover though, which is an almost identical copy of Doolan and Burgess's space book "Fallen Astronauts" . This is going to cause no end of confusion on book shelves in the science section of book stores, and perhaps even online if Amazon pair them as a 2-for-1 special buy. What a shame the publishers could not pick a new image that has not already been used on another recently published space book. ... Read more

Book Description

Mesoscopic physics refers to the physics of structures larger than a nanometer (one billionth of a meter) but smaller than a micrometer (one millionth of a meter). This size range is the stage on which the exciting new research on submicroscopic and electronic and mechanical devices is being done. This research often crosses the boundary between physics and engineering, since engineering such tiny electronic components requires a firm grasp of quantum physics. Applications for the future may include such wonders as microscopic robot surgeons that travel through the blood stream to repair clogged arteries, submicroscopic actuators and builders, and supercomputers that fit on the head of a pin. The world of the future is being planned and built by physicists, engineers, and chemists working in the microscopic realm. This book can be used as the main text in a course on mesoscopic physics or as a supplementary text in electronic devices, semiconductor devices, and condensed matter physics courses. For this new edition, the author has substantially updated and modified the material especially of chapters 3: Dephasing, 8: Noise in mesoscopic systems, and the concluding chapter 9. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A terrible book
This book is definitely not written for grad students or anyone who is just interested in the field and wants to get an general idea of it. I'm sure the author could make the book little easier to read, but it seems he just did not want it that way.

Mesoscopic jargong
If you need the vocabulary, the names, and the important references in the field of mesoscopic physics this is the book for you. If you want physical insight and understanding you must look elsewhere (god knows where?). All derivations start with some random non-fundamental formula and ends in another. Clarity and coherence seem far away. ... Read more

Book Description

This second edition of a best selling title by a well know authority on the subject. The book presents the theory of mechanical surface interactions to explain the observed laws of friction, wear, adhesion, and boundary lubrication; also covers the properties of materials and the effect of varying conditions on those materials to facilitate the proper choice in design considerations. Updated to include recent and significant research findings of the last twenty years. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great text for learning and reference
As a student in materials science, this is one of best books I have ever read in materials science. The text is kept to a minimum and is easy to read. The figures are large and easy to understand, and the equations are all well explained. Just about every topic in friction and wear is given at least a cursory glance along with listings of more focused literature. This book should be read by all who deal with friction and wear as part of their work or education. ... Read more

Book Description

This text provides a clear, comprehensive presentation of both the theory and applications of mechanics of materials. It examines the physical behavior of materials under load, then proceeds to model this behavior to development theory.Stress. Strain. Mechanical Properties of Materials. Axial load. Torsion. Bending. Transverse Shear. Combined Loadings. Stress Transformation. Strain Transformation. Design of Beams and Shafts. Deflections of Beams and Shafts. Buckling of Columns. Energy Methods.For engineers interested in updating their knowledge of mechanics of materials. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

useful and practical book
I was a pre-engineering student in Seattle. This book have plenty of examples in which I can follow step by step. The homework problems are useful, practical and innovative in this book. It help us to visualize the practical problems outside the school. Thus, this is very helpful for the engineering students, especially Civil and structral, to build up the fundamental concept of materials.

Nevertheless, this class is not easy. It is hard to undersatnd the concept of Materials for the beginner. It is very helpful for students to have peer group or ask for your professor to have further explanations or examples.

Overall good book
This is a good book on a very difficult subject. It was the text book for one of my harder engineering classes. The book does a pretty decent job of explaining theroies, and the worked example problems are done pretty good. My only complaint is that the worked examples are quite easy compared to the homework problems. Homework problems require lots of time, thinking, and MORE time. Overall i thought the material was pretty interesting. Good Luck

Hard to Follow and Needs More Examples
I'm a pre-engineering student taking a mechanics of materials course at a local community college. I find this book tough to follow along and understand. I read through a section, and ask myself what I read, and I dunno.

I have found it easier to understand in other textbooks with many more examples, but simple ones. With a half-dozen or so examples for each chapter, it makes the later problems way more difficult. Difficult is good, sometimes, if a student can understand more than just the basics in that section.

I believe why many textbooks (engineering and physics [see Haliday and Resnick]) are tough to follow and understand is to "weed out" many students. Letting the ones who adapt well to the writing/teaching style of the text go on. I myself really want to understand this material, and go on in engineering.

I agree with another reviewer somewhere, which says that having more than one text helps your understanding. I had to buy another book when I was learning C++ and I understood a lot more. In this case, I will buy another textbook, because I'm having a hard time (and so are many of my classmates) reading this book. On a side note, nor does it help to have an instructor who's teaching style does not work for you.

And at least a partial Solution Manual would be extremely helpful to students, 'cause, the examples are not extensive enough.

Thanks and God Bless!

An excellent book
Having read and used several books in this area, my favorite one is this book. While studying for my PE last year in Mechanical Engineering, I tried to use Gere and Timoshenko, but found it to be difficult to read. I was familiar with R.C. Hibbeler's Engineering Mechanics books, and liked his writing style and resulting "ease of presenting technical engineering topics in a readable format with many examples and practical problems." So I got a copy of this book and found it to be very well organized, very readable, very good figures and illustrations, and very practical and useful. So I would highly recommend this book to all, along with R.C. Hibbeler's other books.

Mechanics of Materials
Average or below average book. Examples are somewhat useful. Often incorrect answers in the back. Have used 3rd and 4th edition. Not much has changed expect for the problems. ... Read more

Book Description

The seventh edition of this classic text illustrates the fundamentals of the electrical properties of materials in the context of contemporary engineering applications.Written in an informal, accessible style, it emphasizes the core ideas relevant to understanding the subject and deliberately keeps the mathematical treatment simple. The book presents the simplest model that can display the essential properties of a phenomenon and examines it, showing the difference between ideal and actual behavior. Topics are selected so that the operation of devices having applications (or possible future applications) in engineering can be explained. Problems and worked examples are included throughout. Features of the Seventh Edition BLPresents a comprehensive treatment of light emitting diodes, which are rapidly replacing classical lighting sources BLCovers new topics such as organic material (including various polymers) and artificial materials (including photonic gap materials and metamaterials) BLProvides insight into cutting-edge fields such as amorphous semiconductors and nanotechnology BLDiscusses new devices including nanotube transistors, single electron transistors, magnetic tunnel junctions, quantum cascade lasers, and ferroelectric and superconducting memories. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Witty and Informative
This work demonstrates that scientists are people too! Solymar and Walsh offer a survey of a difficult subject in a manner that is easy to follow, and sometimes funny. The quantum mechanics of electronics are explained in sufficient depth to be useful, but not overdone enough to be boring. I especially loved the section on superconductivity! The book offer may not be the most in-depth on individual subjects, but it presents each subject in a clear, understandable way. Wonderful for the student. ... Read more

Book Description

If you want top grades and thorough understanding of strength of materials, this powerful study tool is the best tutor you can have! It takes you step-by-step through the subject and gives you accompanying related problems with fully worked solutions. You also get hundreds of additional problems to solve on your own, working at your own speed. (Answers at the back show you how youÕre doing.) This superb study guide features clear explanations of the strengths of systems subject to static as well as dynamic loadings. And it's the only guide to this subject with complete programs in FORTRAN for difficult geometries of structural members, including numerical examples. It also offers simpler computer programs for less complex problems. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Well written book
I have already finished courses in strength of materials etc., and am using this book as a reference, instead of those voluminous handbooks. The book is very well written and William Nash has an excellent, straight forward way of putting forth the key points. The book has all the information you might need for a first course in strength of materials. I also use this book in conjunction with a finite element text to give me the theoretical values for comparison. In summary, if you need a solid backup for your textbook and a useful reference, you won't go wrong with this one.

An excellent book for first course.
This book is very good. First year students will find it very user friendly. Even a graduate engineer may need it to brush up previouly learned skills. All topics - e.g. material properties, stress, beam deflection, bending moments, columns, etc. are covered in very lucid manner. A must book for EVERY engineer. ... Read more

Book Description

This volume is a researcher's reference handbook to the many aspects of nanometer structures. Although intended as a source for the serious researcher, novices will find a great deal of interesting content. The theories covered include nanostructured thin films, photonic bandgap structures, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, atomistic techniques, nanomechanics, nanofluidics, and quantum information processing. Modeling and simulation research on these topics have now reached a stage of maturity to merit inclusion as well. ... Read more

Book Description

This handbook is intended for engineers and designers of tools and scientific equipment intended for operation in environments where radiation is present, for example in uranium mines or in outer space, or at the site of nuclear weapons testing, radiation therapy, or industrial sterilization processes involving radioactive energy sources. The Handbook of Radiation Effects lucidly covers radiation physics and its impact on solid-state physics structures and electronics, with explanations that are accessible to readers without advanced scientific training. The book should serve as a valuable reference tool and introduction to the plentiful, if often baffling, treatises on radiation effects for engineers and students interested in practical applications. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must reference/text book for everyone in Space Radiation.
This text details nearly everything one need to know for a basic understanding of radiation effects on electronic components and systems. Lots of very useful tables and graphs that are needed nearly daily by the radiation experts as well as the beginners in the field. Andy & Len have done a great job putting all this information in a very understandable format. A must reference/test for everyone in the Space Radiation business. Dr. Michael K. Gauthier, ICS RADIATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nondestructive Evaluation 101 and why I like it so much!
It takes a village to raze a barn, and Mr. Shull proves it! I've be destroying things for the majority of my life and Mr. Shulls' techniques have been invaluable. I almost broke my keyboard while typing this review. Luckily his book is holding up half my computer table. The lush illustrations remind me of a warm, wet forest caught between two antlers. I couldn't remember. This story provides the impetus for supplying every 4-year old with razor/hammer/screwdrivers for building a special place beyond the magic world of the abandoned refrigerator. Aboriginally speaking, Nondestructive Evaluation: Theory, Techniques, and Applications is worth every penny of... (what) it costs. ... Read more

Book Description

This is an introductory, yet comprehensive book, which provides in-depth coverage of both statics and strength of materials. A clear writing style and "Application Sidebars", illustrated with photos and line art appeal to readers, help readers understand theoretical concepts and related practices in selected areas of construction and manufacturing. Chapter on statics begins with a review of basic mathematics. The graphical method, together with trigonometric formulas and the component method, is employed to solve concurrent force problems. A discussion of the resultant and equilibrium of nonconcurrent forces follow—with special emphasis on theorem of moments. The force analysis of structures and machines and concurrent and nonconcurrent force systems in space is presented. Chapters on strength of materials begin with the study of stress and strain in axially loaded members. Also, discusses sheer stresses and strains in torsion members, bending and deflection of beams, combined stress using Mohr's circle, columns and structural connections. A self-study and resource for those in materials, material testing, machine design, and structural design. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Poorly written textbook
I find it hard to believe that whoever gave this book five stars has actually read it and gone through the problems. The solutions in the back are often wrong. At first, I thought I was making mistakes in solving the systems, but after I approached my instructor and solved them together, we found that a lot of the author's solutions are incorrect. The text also lacks continuity and quality examples. After going through my statics and strengths class, I have a sneaking suspicion that the author had an undergrad formulate the problems. One star is too generous.

Poorly written
Although many of the examples in the book were sufficient, there were so many mistakes that it was easy to lose confidence in the material (especially the first time through it). There were problems in some of the chapters that included concepts not covered until later chapters, and there is no student solutions manual available. Overall, I'd say thanks but no thanks.

Excellent to re-cap your fundamentals
The solved problems are terrific and classic examples encountered.The text is well written and understandble.

Bad example problems and lack of continuity
The book was very difficult to follow in some chapters. The example problems and explanations of the subject area were very confusing at times. Some example problems allowed for assumptions by the student because the author didn't show cause for the results. I acknowledge the subject and course of study is for more advanced students. This does not condone the assumption that certain things are to be intuitively deduced. Also; as the book moves through the chapters there is a lack of continuity of usage of identifiers. Sometimes up is + and sometimes down is +. In the discussion of moments the derictions are defined, but later on the ups and downs used by the authors have no rhyme or reason because of a lack of explaination. The use of or the explanation as to the best points to use for reference in diagraming problems in the later chapters was not explained. A general consensus as to a point of reference for diagraming a problem should be announced so each person approaching the problem would come to the same conclusion (correct, I hope), following the same procedures. Several persons solving the same problem would have the same model and values determined. ... Read more

Book Description

Exceptionally clear text treats elasticity from both engineering and mathematical viewpoints. Comprehensive coverage of stress, strain, equilibrium, compatibility, Hooke’s law, plane problems, torsion, energy, stress functions, more. Prerequisites are a working knowledge of statics and strength of materials plus calculus and vector analysis. Extensive problems. Bibliography. 114 illustrations. 1967 edition.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

review on Elasticity book
It is really a good book for this prize. Though there are plenty of books on theory of elasticity subject, there is no book concisely explains the subject like this one. It is meant for a first time learner also helps little bit to understand the complex notations in tensor, dyadic approach for elasticity problems. Overall it is a good buy for a beginner who ants to learn the elasticity subject from the scratch. I would strongly suggest this book for both senior and graduate students who are interested in theory of elasticity. ... Read more

Book Description

An understanding of the mechanical behavior of materials is crucial to the success of many technological endeavors, yet few researchers master both mechanics and materials science. This unique volume helps bridge the important gap between the two disciplines. Bringing together contributions by some of the foremost authorities in these fields, this practical work introduces materials scientists to the quantitative aspects of analysis and computation, and members of the mechanics community to the tools and applications of materials science and testing and characterization methods. The authors present diverse methodologies, practices, and nomenclature-pointing out the many shared and related concepts and helping readers tackle cross-disciplinary problems with ease. In two major parts dealing with the basics and microstructural phenomena, Mechanics and Materials: Fundamentals and Linkages features:
* An easy-to-understand introduction to each discipline
* Survey of the most useful analytical techniques available to materials scientists and engineers today
* Broad coverage of mechanics-materials problems, from intrinsic properties to environmental influences
* Mechanics topics ranging from continuum mechanics to micromechanics, encompassing elasticity, plasticity, and fracture
* Materials topics such as creep, thermal activation, fatigue, polycrystallinity, dislocations, dynamic effects, and characterization methods

Complete with more than 300 figures and charts, and drawing on course material from the prestigious Institute for Mechanics and Materials' summer schools, Mechanics and Materials: Fundamentals and Linkages is an indispensable guide for students and professionals seeking to expand and integrate their knowledge of these fields. ... Read more

Book Description

Carbon nanotubes are exceptionally interesting from a fundamental research point of view. Many concepts of one-dimensional physics have been verified experimentally such as electron and phonon confinement or the one-dimensional singularities in the density of states; other 1D signatures are still under debate, such as Luttinger-liquid behavior. Carbon nanotubes are chemically stable, mechanically very strong, and conduct electricity. For this reason, they open up new perspectives for various applications, such as nano-transistors in circuits, field-emission displays, artificial muscles, or added reinforcements in alloys.

This text is an introduction to the physical concepts needed for investigating carbon nanotubes and other one-dimensional solid-state systems. Written for a wide scientific readership, each chapter consists of an instructive approach to the topic and sustainable ideas for solutions. The former is generally comprehensible for physicists and chemists, while the latter enable the reader to work towards the state of the art in that area. The book gives for the first time a combined theoretical and experimental description of topics like luminescence of carbon nanotubes, Raman scattering, or transport measurements. The theoretical concepts discussed range from the tight-binding approximation, which can be followed by pencil and paper, to first-principles simulations. We emphasize a comprehensive theoretical and experimental understanding of carbon nanotubes including

- general concepts for one-dimensional systems
- an introduction to the symmetry of nanotubes
- textbook models of nanotubes as narrow cylinders
- a combination of ab-initio calculations and experiments
- luminescence excitation spectroscopy linked to Raman spectroscopy
- an introduction to the 1D-transport properties of nanotubes
- effects of bundling on the electronic and vibrational properties and
- resonance Raman scattering in nanotubes. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Does the world need yet another carbon nanotube book?
Maybe, but I'm not sure this is it. It comes VERY close though. My complaint (which prevents me from buying my own copy) is that far too many important concepts are mentioned in passing with the reader sent to the literature for the details. For $130, a bit more completeness would be nice. I realize "serious" workers in the field will call me lazy for wanting a $130 book to be as self-contained as possible. So be it... ... Read more

Book Description

Flying cars, space travel for everyone, the elimination of poverty and hunger, and powerful new tools to combat disease, and even aging. These are some of the amazing predicted developments of nanotechnology, the coming science of designing and building machines at the molecular and atomic levels. Will this new scientific revolution be for better or worse? Some commentators have described utopias; others have prophesied disaster. Find out the likely reality from an expert, Dr. J. Storrs Hall, in this absorbing insider’s guide to the near future. Dr. Hall—a leading researcher on the frontiers of nanotechnology who has designed for NASA—describes nanotechnology in a very accessible way, so that anyone can understand what it’s about, what it could do, and what it can’t do. He puts it into historical context, explaining how previous technological developments have affected us, how nanotechnology fits into the historical trends for technologies ranging from motors to medicine, and how the continuation of these trends, with nanotechnology as a strong determining factor, will have a profound impact on the future.In addition to describing his famous invention utility fog, Hall explains how nanotechnology will make possible many of the science fiction dreams of the past. But what hurdles, technological, political, or social, stand in the way? What dangers will this powerful new technology pose? How will it impact the environment? Can we afford to develop it? Can we afford not to? The true dangers are not what you may think, and are far different from the fears of today’s alarmists. In a straightforward, balanced manner, Dr. Hall analyzes the benefits as well as the potential risks. Together with its sister science of biotechnology, nanotechnology has the potential to alter the very human race, change who we are. Can this possibly be good? Should it be encouraged or opposed? No one knows for sure, but the basis for informed thought can be found in these exciting, stimulating pages, which will open the doors of the future to you. ... Read more

Book Description

Concentrates on chemically synthesized nanoparticles known as nanocrystal semiconductor quantum dots. Discusses applications include photovoltaic devices, electroluminescent devices, optical switching, optical amplification, and bio-labeling. ... Read more

Book Description

Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) inspection schemes are important in design, manufacturing, and maintenance. By correctly applying techniques of NDE, we can reduce machine and system failures and increase reliability of operating systems over an extended lifetime. Nondestructive Evaluation: A Tool in Design, Manufacturing, and Service introduces and discusses primary techniques used in the field, including ultrasonics, acoustic emission, magnetics, radiography, penetrants, and eddy currents. Examples of each of these techniques are included, demonstrating typical applications. With the information in this book, NDE inspection schemes and results can be proposed and evaluated with confidence. Practicing engineers and scientists will find the material in Nondestructive Evaluation: A Tool in Design, Manufacturing, and Service useful, interesting, and easy to read. It's also a great textbook for senior undergraduate and first-year graduate courses that focus on calculus and engineering materials. The problems and suggested experiments make this the ideal teaching tool. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Missing Motivator
The work's field is nondestructive evaluation (NDE). NDE contains the instruments which engineers use to detect flaws in structures which function under mechanical stress.

The work starts off well enough. However,in Chapter 2 it ventures into one's motivation for using NDE. Here, the work founders.

Why would one use NDE? Because, the authors suggest, a sufficiently small false negative error probability reduces the inspected structure's probability of collapse.

However, to state the issue this way is to ignore one-half of the requirements of the user of any diagnostic instrument. The full requirement is for sufficiently small false positive and false negative error probabilities.

However, the reader who searches the literature of NDE for knowledge of the two probabilities will search in vein. This can be said with confidence, for a recent paper demonstrates that NDE violates an axiom of probability theory in relationship to the two probabilities (see "Erratic Measure" (in NDE in the Energy Industry 1995, pp. 1-6. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York, NY). ... Read more

Book Description

Thermal Stresses, 2nd Edition is the first book comprehensive volume on thermal stresses. It provides a sound grounding in the fundamental theory of thermal stresses as well as including a multitude of applications. Many solved examples are included in the text, with numerous problems at the end of each chapter.
The book starts with an introduction to the elementary theory, at the undergraduate level, and then progresses with the exposition of more advanced methods. The authors introduce the topics in a clear fashion, easy to grasp by students, engineers and scientists.
While primarily textbook, Thermal Stresses, 2nd Edition will also satisfy the needs of practicing scientists and engineers. The development of the material guides the user gradually from elementary methods and simple problems to sophisticated methods and difficult problems. This volume is suitable for senior undergraduates and first year graduate students. ... Read more

Book Description

This is an introductory textbook for graduate students and researchers from various fields of science who wish to learn about carbon nanotubes. The field is still at an early stage, and progress continues at a rapid rate. This book focuses on the basic principles behind the physical properties and gives the background necessary to understand the recent developments. Some useful computational source codes which generate coordinates for carbon nanotubes are also included in the appendix. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Physical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes
This book of renowned scholars from MIT and from the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo provides a systematic description of the structure of carbon nanotubes and of their physical nature. The volume starts from background information on the structure and properties of graphite and related carbon materials. Based on the geometric structure of carbon nanotubes, the electronic properties and phonon dispersion relations are explained on simple physical models. The book starts from the first principles and through the physical models explains and interprets numerous experiments.

After twobackground chapters the book continues with nine specialized topics. The geometrical structure of nanotubes is described and linked to their electronic features. A comprehensive article deals with synthesis of carbon nanotubes. The following chapter concentrates on quantization produced by confinement of electrons in one-dimensional nanotubes. Physical connections of carbon nanotubes are then discussed - their geometry and electrical conductance. Transport properties of nanotubes are analyzed in the next chapter, using quantum transport in a one-dimensional wire. Phonon modes of nanotubes follow and are treated by the zone-folding technique. Raman spectra of nanotubes are then surveyed. The volume ends with a chapter on elastic properties of nanotubes.

The book is a well organized systematic treatise that should be enjoyed by any researcher in the field as well as by graduate students. Theories and experiments are truly organically linked in the text and this is its unique feature. The volume has 259+xii pages, lists 238 references, and also includes some useful Fortran computer codes for geometry generations. The book is published by Imperial College Press and distributed by World Scientific Publ. Co.

ISBN: 1-86094-093-5

Not for the beginner
This book gives a detailed treatment of the theory behind the physical properties of carbon nanotubes, and is written by some of the leading scientists in the field. However it cannot be recommended as an introduction to the subject of carbon nanotubes, as much of the mathematics will be beyond those without specialist knowledge of solid state physics. Also the illustrations are very poor quality. In its favour, the book is quite cheap.

A must for all who consider doing research in the field.
This is a very good introductory book for all those who are thinking of doing research in the (constantly evolving) field of carbon nanotubes. It is a very didactic book and contains essential information which are very useful. Since it was written in an early stage of the research on carbon nanotubes, some of its material may look outdated, but is simply basic information over which the present knowledge on carbon nanotubes was built. I have used the information from the book heavily in my PhD. thesis, on which I am currently working.

The book begins from the very basics: a review of the types of carbon bonds and hybridizations. Being a theorist, one of my favorite chapters is the one on the early tight-binding calculations for the electronic structure of carbon nanotubes. These calculations are immensely useful for understanding the electronic structure of carbon nanotubes. It also presents a review of the elastic properties of carbon nanotubes and of the phonon properties, as well as the group theory involved in understanding carbon nanotubes' properties.

However, this field could not have progressed without the huge mass of experimental work done in the area. Therefore, the book contains lots of material on the experimental aspects of research in the area, like synthesis of carbon nanotubes, Raman scattering (a whole chapter is devoted to the subject) and transport experiments. This probably is the part in which the material is most outdated, since new experimental techniques and new experiments are always being devised and performed. However, the experiments described in the book provide a good starting point for having a general idea of what has been going on in the experimental area.

Many topics, like Coulomb blockade, Luttinger liquid behavior and mechanical effects on the electronic structure are lacking since only two years since the launching of the book were enough to allow these topics to be discovered or become of interest in research. Nevertheless, the books remains (and perhaps will always be) basic reference and an almost mandatory citation in articles published on the subject in the most important scientific research magazines in the world.

ghaffar
I am not sure wethere or not that I have come this way successivelly,since I want to buy this excellent book since I have interested to this book because of my project.since I am graduate student of physics in IRAN and we have not any bankcard system.If I wrong please guide me.thank very much. ... Read more

Book Description

Pioneering book presents basic theory, experimental methods and results, solution of boundary value problems. Topics include creep, stress and strain, deformation analyses, multiple integral representation of nonlinear creep and relaxation, much more. Appendices. Bibliography.
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Reviews (1)

Non-linear Materials
It is not easy to find a good book about any kind of non-linear phenomena, such as plasticity or viscous-elasticity. I found this book very complete and clear. It has a brief introduction to elasticity and plasticity, followed by the theory of viscous-elastic materials. I gave four stars to it because it is a reprint and not a new book. For this reason some more recent concepts of viscous-elastic materials are not shown, but it steal is an excellent introductory book. ... Read more

Book Description

This book presents the foundations and applications of statics and mechanics of materials by emphasizing the importance of visual analysis of topics—especially through the use of free body diagrams. It also promotes a problem-solving approach to solving examples through its strategy, solution, and discussion format in examples. The authors further include design and computational examples that help integrate these ABET 2000 requirements.Chapter topics include vectors, forces, systems of forces and moments, objects in equilibrium, structures in equilibrium, centroids and centers of mass centroids, moments of inertia, measures of stress and strain, states of stress, states of strain and the stress-strain relations, axially loaded bars, torsion, internal forces and moments in beams, stresses in beams, deflections of beams, buckling of columns, energy methods, and introduction to fracture mechanics.For civil/aeronautical/engineering mechanics. ... Read more