The thermochemistry of alloys has interested generations of scientists and the subject was treated in classical textbooks long ago, e.g. by Hume-Rothery, by Wagner, and by Kubaschewski and Alcock. Nevertheless, the appearance of new materials and the desire to improve traditional materials and metallurgical processes has kept up demand for more information on the thermodynamics of these systems. The advent of computing power has created new opportunities to tie various aspects and properties together, such as phase diagrams and thermodynamic functions, that are in principle thermodynamically inter related but were too cumbersome to work out before. The computer has also been a powerful tool in buUding and testing models that help to explain the underlying causes of non-ideal behavior. At the same time, these calculations have pinpointed areas, where additional and more accurate data are needed. In the laboratory, new methods, improved materials, and sophistica ted instrumentation have gradually changed the way in which experiments are done. Within the time span of perhaps thirty years, the development went from jotting down individual readings of data points to strip chart recording to automatic digital data acquisition. Scholars and students active in the field of "Thermochemistry of Alloys" convened for a NATO Advanced Study Institute at Kiel in August 1987 to discuss these developments. This book collects most of the lectures and seminar papers given at the Institute.

Mathematical Analysis of Evolution, Information, and Complexity deals with the analysis of evolution, information and complexity. The time evolution of systems or processes is a central question in science, this text covers a broad range of problems including diffusion processes, neuronal networks, quantum theory and cosmology. Bringing together a wide collection of research in mathematics, information theory, physics and other scientific and technical areas, this new title offers elementary and thus easily accessible introductions to the various fields of research addressed in the book.

This resource covers all areas of interest for the practicing engineer as well as for the student at various levels and educational institutions. It features the work of authors from all over the world who have contributed their expertise and support the globally working engineer in finding a solution for today‘s mechanical engineering problems. Each subject is discussed in detail and supported by numerous figures and tables.

This book covers the fundamentals of thermodynamics required to understand electrical power generation systems, honing in on the application of these principles to nuclear reactor power systems. It includes all the necessary information regarding the fundamental laws to gain a complete understanding and apply them specifically to the challenges of operating nuclear plants. Beginning with definitions of thermodynamic variables such as temperature, pressure and specific volume, the book then explains the laws in detail, focusing on pivotal concepts such as enthalpy and entropy, irreversibility, availability, and Maxwell relations. Specific applications of the fundamentals to Brayton and Rankine cycles for power generation are considered in-depth, in support of the book’s core goal- providing an examination of how the thermodynamic principles are applied to the design, operation and safety analysis of current and projected reactor systems. Detailed appendices cover metric and English system units and conversions, detailed steam and gas tables, heat transfer properties, and nuclear reactor system descriptions.

The fourth edition of this well-known text provides students, researchers and technicians in the area of medicine, genetics and cell biology with a concise, understandable introduction to the structure and behavior of human chromosomes. This new edition continues to cover both basic and up-to-date material on normal and defective chromosomes, yet is particularly strengthened by the complete revision of the material on the molecular genetics of chromosomes and chromosomal defects. The mapping and molecular analysis of chromosomes is one of the most exciting and active areas of modern biomedical research, and this book will be invaluable to scientists, students, technicians and physicians with an interest in the function and dysfunction of chromosomes.