Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles 2006

Chemistry Top

The second 2 of Hazardous Materials Chemistry explores basic principles of chemistry and toxicology so that first responders can efficiently identify a chemical hazard, anticipate potential outcomes, and make safe and informed decisions. Step-by-step coverage of the names of chemical families and their general categorical hazards and incompatibilities enable readers to not only g.php the science behind the chemicals and reactions but also apply principles to actual incidents. An all-new chapter on infrared spectroscopy brings the book up to date with the latest detection technology used in fire departments today.

Fully revised and expanded, this new 2 of A. Blythe's successful Electrical Properties of Polymers on electrical properties of polymers covers both the fundamental and recent developments in this growing area. This book provides a broad and comprehensive account on the topic, describing underlying physical principles and synthesis through to emerging technologies. The new 2 provides particular emphasis to the new generation of conductive polymers. Emerging uses of polymers in industrial applications are described and cover topics such as light emitting diodes, flexible polymers and soft electronics. Written in an accessible style, without complicated theory, this book combines key concepts with applications. With the inclusion of further reading material provided at the end of each chapter for interested readers, this book is an authoritative guide to advanced level undergraduates and graduates studying polymer, materials and physical sciences. It will also be of significant interest to researchers working in this evolving field.

Chemical data analysis, with.phpects of metrology in chemistry and chemometrics, is an evolving discipline where new and better ways of doing things are constantly being developed. This book makes data analysis simple by demystifying the language and whenever possible giving unambiguous ways of doing things.Based on author D. Brynn Hibberts lectures on data analysis to undergraduates and graduate students, Data Analysis for Chemistry covers topics including measurements, means and confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, and calibration models. The end result is a compromise between recipes of how to perform different.phpects of data analysis, and basic information on the background principles behind the recipes to be performed. An entry level book targeted at learning and teaching undergraduate data analysis, Data Analysis for Chemistry makes it easy for readers to find the information they are seeking to perform the data analysis they think they need.

Kurti and Czako have produced an indispensable tool for specialists and non-specialists in organic chemistry. This innovative reference work includes 250 organic reactions and their strategic use in the synthesis of complex natural and unnatural products. Reactions are thoroughly discussed in a convenient, two-page layout--using full color. Its comprehensive coverage, superb organization, quality of presentation, and wealth of references, make this a necessity for every organic chemist. * The first reference work on named reactions to present colored schemes for easier understanding * 250 frequently used named reactions are presented in a convenient two-page layout with numerous examples * An opening list of abbreviations includes both structures and chemical names * Contains more than 10,000 references grouped by seminal papers, reviews, modifications, and theoretical works * Appendices list reactions in order of discovery, group by contemporary usage, and provide additional study tools * Extensive index quickly locates information using words found in text and drawings

Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) is a modern, reliable tool that complements other chromatographic techniques. This book provides a practical guide to the basic principles, procedures, and pitfalls on the practical application of TLC. Thin Layer Chromatography: A Modern Practical Approach offers a sequence of chapters following the steps of the technique as the chromatographer would follow them. The chapters provide a choice of sorbent best suited to the separation intended, followed by pre-treatment required for the sample, applying the sample to the sorbent layer, development procedure, visualisation and detection, and finally quantification. Imaging and hyphenation techniques are described. The reasons why recommendations are made for specific and more general methods are covered. The book also provides an overview of some recent developments in the field. This practical guide is an invaluable introduction to Thin-Layer Chromatography, and will be welcomed by undergraduate students and the practising chromatographer in industry and academia.

A fascinating scientific study of one of the world's most remarkable dinosaur sites.

Some 250 million years ago, the earth suffered the greatest biological crisis in its history. Around 95% of all living species died out--a global catastrophe far greater than the dinosaurs' demise 65 million years ago. How this happened remains a mystery. But there are many competing theories. Some blame huge volcanic eruptions that covered an area as large as the continental United States; others argue for sudden changes in ocean levels and chemistry, including burps of methane gas; and still others cite the impact of an extraterrestrial object, similar to what caused the dinosaurs' extinction.Extinction is a paleontological mystery story. Here, the world's foremost authority on the subject provides a fascinating overview of the evidence for and against a whole host of hypotheses concerning this cataclysmic event that unfolded at the end of the Permian.After setting the scene, Erwin introduces the suite of possible perpetrators and the types of evidence paleontologists seek. He then unveils the actual evidence--moving from China, where much of the best evidence is found; to a look at extinction in the oceans; to the extraordinary fossil animals of the Karoo Desert of South Africa. Erwin reviews the evidence for each of the hypotheses before presenting his own view of what happened.Although full recovery took tens of millions of years, this most massive of mass extinctions was a powerful creative force, setting the stage for the development of the world as we know it today.

A fascinating look at the California coastline's geological development, the processes that shape it, the hazards it can present, and what all these things mean for the large and growing number of people who make their homes along the shore.

Fundamentals of Structural Geology provides a new framework for the investigation of geological structures by integrating field mapping and mechanical analysis. Assuming a basic knowledge of physical geology, introductory calculus and physics, it emphasizes the observational data, modern mapping technology, principles of continuum mechanics, and the mathematical and computational skills, necessary to quantitatively map, describe, model, and explain deformation in Earth's lithosphere. By starting from the fundamental conservation laws of mass and momentum, the constitutive laws of material behavior, and the kinematic relationships for strain and rate of deformation, the authors demonstrate the relevance of solid and fluid mechanics to structural geology. This book offers a modern quantitative approach to structural geology for advanced students and researchers in structural geology and tectonics. It is supported by a website hosting images from the book, additional colour images, student exercises and MATLAB scripts. Solutions to the exercises are available to instructors.

This comprehensive work on all.phpects of soils includes introductory chapters on soil morphology, physics, mineralogy and organisms in anticipation of the more advanced analysis of the subject that follows. Replete with hundreds of high-quality figures and a large glossary, its global perspective makes it an invaluable text for anyone studying soils, landforms and landscape change in middle to upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses.

The plates in this book capture incredibly detailed impressions and castsof ancient life, contrasting them with forms, such as the horseshoe crab and the chamberednautilus, that persist today virtually unchanged. Paul D. Taylor and David N. Lewis, both of theNatural History Museum, London, have written a comprehensive and accessible resource, one thatprovides undergraduates and amateur fossil enthusiasts with a means to understand and interpretthis rich fossil record.

The monographnbsp;proffers a comprehensive discussion of the role of evaporites in hydrocarbon generation and trapping. For the first time, diverse knowledge on exploitable salts has been assembled and organized,nbsp;along with a summary of evaporate karst hazards as well as a summary of exploitative methods and pitfalls in dealing with evaporites in conventional and solution mining. Evaporites, written by a field specialist in research and exploration, presentsnbsp;a comprehensive synthesis of the low temperature realm of evaporite evolution. It is aimed for earth science professionals, sedimentologists, oil and gas explorers, mining geologists, as well as and environmental geologists.

Energy Storage: A Nontechnical Guide, by Richard Baxter, is a complete resource on the operation of energy storage technologies and how they interact in the marketplace today. Baxter explains new opportunities for these technologies, detailed descriptions of the technologies and their market applications, and business opportunities energy storage technologies can expect throughout the industry. The book explains how, and under what conditions, energy storage technologies can become a vital component of the electric power industry.

Magnetic actuators and sensors are needed to enable computer and manual control of motion.  Magnetic actuators allow a small electrical signal to move small or large objects. To sense the amount of motion, magnetic sensors are frequently used. This book provides the most up-to-date coverage of topics important to modern engineers, both electrical and mechanical. The author includes the latest findings and design techniques from computer models. The latest software tools are used.

Water Quality Engineering in Natural Systems details the fundamentals and the practical applications for fate and transport of contaminants in the environment by stressing system design, environmental impact, and regulatory constraints. Environmental engineers must be able to understand the impact and design of these systems, making this book an excellent reference and educational source.

Fundamentals of Renewable Energy Processes contains the technical detail necessary to understand the engineering principles that govern renewable energy application at many different levels. Focused on the fundamental mechanisms and processes that underpin energy management, it provides students with the foundation for all energy process courses. This text is organized according to the main forms of energy - heat engines, hydrogen energy, energy from the sun, and wind and water energy - with an introductory chapter of basic energy terms. From fuel cells, electrolyzers and processes for hydrogen production to biomass and windmills the author provides the most thorough examination of all.phpects of renewable energy processes. * Examines the fundamentals of some non-traditional energy processes and illustrates the best way to implement these processes in our modern world. * Appropriate for all students and professionals studying the basic mechanisms of renewable energies. * Clear theory and physical examples of all principles relevant to the study of renewable energy. * Author is an internationally recognized pioneer researcher

Focusing on the technology involved, this handbook describes the principles as well as the equipment used and the changes - physical, chemical, microbiological and organoleptic - that occur during food preservation. In doing so the text covers in detail such techniques as post-harvest handling, thermal processing, evaporation and dehydration, freezing, irradiation, high pressure processing, emerging technologies, baking, extrusion, frying and packaging. In addition current concerns about the safety of processed foods and control of food processes are addressed, as are the impact of processing on the environment and separation and conversion operations widely used in the food industry. Scientists and engineers involved in food manufacture, research and development in both industry and academia will benefit greatly from the contents as will students studying food related topics at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

This reference work targets researchers who have chosen a career in this complex but essential industry as well as people who are new in the industry and are looking for easy references to the work in which they are involved. This book is an essential addition to the libraries of universities which contain a chemical engineering faculty as well as to the libraries of engineering construction companies, and oil refineries. This Handbook describes and discusses the features that make up the petroleum refining industry. It begins with a description of the crude oils and their nature. It continues with the saleable products from the refining processes, with a review of the modern day environmental impact. There is a complete overview of the processes that make up the refinery with a brief history of the processes. It also describes design technique, operation, and, in the case of catalytic units, the chemistry of the reaction routes. These discussions are supported by calculation procedures and examples, sufficient to enable good input to modern computer simulation packages. The Handbook also covers off-sites and utilities, as well as environmental and safety.phpects relevant to the industry. The chapter on refinery planning covers both operational planning and the decision making procedures for new or revamped processes. Finally, to complete Part 1 of the work, the major items of equipment used in the industry are reviewed. This chapter gives a detail of the equipment with examples of the process specifications for these items. Part 2 is in part a glossary and in part a dictionary of the terms and expressions used in Petroleum Refining. This part of the book also includes an appendix section with an item on much used data such as converging factors, selected crude oil assays and an example of optimising a refinery configuration using linear programming.

This nontechnical treatment is a great introduction to oil and gas production for anyone from beginning petroleum engineering and geology students to accountants, salespersons, and other professionals interested in the industry. Co-authored by William Leffler, one of the top petroleum nontechnical writers, it is an easy-to-read reference for those who deal with petroleum industry personnel and production issues in their jobs, but need a quick overview of the technical and business issues. Complete with helpful charts and diagrams, this book covers everything from production equipment and processes to theory, business operations, and strategies.

"This book is a great demonstration of this powerful approach and how it can make a meaningful difference in any type of business. It takes a dedicated engineering approach to implement, but the payback in customer satisfaction and growth is dramatic."-Lou Giuliano, chairman, president, and CEO, ITT Industries No other single volume presents the full breadth of founding beliefs behind the successful engineering practices used by today's leading companies. Helpful to companies in both manufacturing and service industries, Taguchi's Quality Engineering Handbook provides accessible material on such topics as: Quality loss function * On-line quality engineering * Signal-to-noise ratio * Robust engineering * Design of experiments (known as the "Taguchi method") * Mahalanobis-Taguchi Systems (MTS) * and more.