X-ray computed tomography has been used for several decades as a tool for measuring the three-dimensional geometry of the internal organs in medicine. However, in recent years, we have seen a move in manufacturing industries for the use of X-ray computed tomography; first to give qualitative information about the internal geometry and defects in a component, and more recently, as a fully-quantitative technique for dimensional and materials analysis. This trend is primarily due to the ability of X-ray computed tomography to give a high-density and multi-scale representation of both the external and internal geometry of a component, in a non-destructive, non-contact and relatively fast way. But, due to the complexity of X-ray computed tomography, there are remaining metrological issues to solve and the specification standards are still under development. This book will act as a one-stop-shop resource for students and users of X-ray computed tomography in both academia and industry. It presents the fundamental principles of the technique, detailed descriptions of the various components (hardware and software), current developments in calibration and performance verification and a wealth of example applications. The book will also highlight where there is still work to do, in the perspective that X-ray computed tomography will be an essential part of Industry 4.0.

Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and dis· seminated by the Center for Information and Numerical Data Analysis and Synthesis (CINDAS) *at Purdue University in 1957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dissemination phases of the ac· tivity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thought that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of all concerned if the printing and distribution of the volume were handled by an international publishing house to assure improved service and broader dissemination. Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Corporation of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 20 (thesis year 1975) a total of 10,374 theses titles from 28 Canadian and 239 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base for theses titles reported will greatly enhance the value of this important annual reference work. The organization of Volume 20 is identical to that of past years. It consists of theses titles arranged by discipline and by university within each discipline.

This book provides a unified view of tomographic techniques and an in-depth treatment of reconstruction algorithms.

We wrote Sedimentology of Shale primarily because we lacked a handy, reasonably comprehensive source of information and ideas about shales for students in our sedimentology program. It was also our feeling that the time for shales to receive more study had finally arrived. Sedimentology of Shale also seems very timely because today more sedimentologists are interested in shales. Certainly in the last five years the pace of shale research has no ticeably quickened because the role of shales as important sources of oil, gas, heavy metals and as a long understudied part of the earth's geologic his tory has been recognized. Noteworthy developments include the elucida tion of the importance of trace fossils in shales, the discovery of thick sequences of overpressured shales in regions such as the Gulf Coast (which have important implications for hydrocarbon migration and faulting), the ex tension of the principles of metamorphic facies to the realm of low tempera ture diagenesis by study of the organic matter in shales, and shales as ul timate sources for mineral deposits. Accordingly, we decided it was timely to write a book on shales. In one respect, however, ours is an unusual book. Most books in geology are produced after one or two decades of progress have been made in a field and attempt to summarize and evaluate that progress.

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a technique that allows non-destructive imaging and quantification of internal features of objects. X-ray CT reveals differences in density and atomic composition and can therefore be used for the study of porosity, the relative distribution of contrasting solid phases and the penetration of injected solutions. In this book, various applications of X-ray CT in the geosciences are illustrated by papers covering a wide range of disciplines, including petrology, soil science, petroleum geology, geomechanics and sedimentology.

Clear writing and analysis of the broad spectrum of processes that produce shale are coupled with well-captioned 150 illustrations, 40 tables, boxed technical details, glossary and appendices. Recounts the step-by-step evolution and stages of shal, enabling readers to master the basics and to dig yet deeper into their origin, practical implications and relationship to earth history. Background information appears in appendices (Clay Mineralogy, Isotopes, Petrology, etc.); technicial details in high-lighted boxes, and definitions of 300+ terms in the Glossary.

Salinity gradient energy, also known as blue energy and osmotic energy, is the energy obtainable from the difference in salt concentration between two feed solutions, typically sea water and river water. It is a large-scale renewable resource that can be harvested and converted to electricity. Efficient extraction of this energy is not straightforward, however. Sustainable Energy from Salinity Gradients provides a comprehensive review of resources, technologies and applications in this area of fast-growing interest. Key technologies covered include pressure retarded osmosis, reverse electrodialysis and accumulator mixing. Environmental and economic aspects are also considered, together with the possible synergies between desalination and salinity gradient energy technologies. Sustainable Energy from Salinity Gradients is an essential text for R&D professionals in the energy & water industry interested in salinity gradient power and researchers in academia from post-graduate level upwards. For more than ten years the Editors have been sharing substantial research activities in the fields of renewable energy and desalination, successfully participating to a number of European Union research projects and contributing to the relevant scientific literature with more than 100 papers and 2 books on Desalination technologies and their coupling with Renewable Energy. They are intensely working in the field of Salinity Gradient Power, carrying out research with specific focus o.n open-loop and closed-loop reverse electrodialysis and pressure retarded osmosis. - Covers applications of pressure retarded osmosis, reverse electrodialysis, and capacitive mixing for salinity gradient power in one convenient volume - Presents the environmental aspects and economics of salinity gradient energy - Explores possible synergies between desalination and salinity gradient energy