Chapter 1 of this book is open access under a CC BY license. This is a chapter from Absence in Science, Security and Policy edited by Brian Rappert and Brian Balmer. This chapter is available open access under a CC BY license. Part reflection on the forthcoming chapters, part analysis of academic literature, and part programmatic agenda setting, this introduction chapter forwards the importance of questioning taken for granted assumptions in sensing what is absent as a concern. It undertakes this through initially examining what it means to characterize concern as absent or present in the first place. While absence and presence are often treated as binary opposites, it will be argued this distinction is difficult to sustain and unhelp for analysis. On the back of an appreciation of the inter-relation of absence and presence, this chapter then reviews the literature in sociology, ethics, STS and elsewhere relevant to the themes of the volume. A goal is to outline the methodological and epistemological possibilities and problematics of studying what is missing. By way of then proposing what is required, and to set the stage for the other chapters in Part 1, this chapter ends by asking how autostereograms provide a metaphor for viewing that can guide the study of absence.

‘Feeble Creature’ is arrested and charged with committing a crime under several penal codes for causing disruption and chaos by inflicting unfounded fear among the masses. His crime is writing and circulating four articles taking an extreme contrarian view that humankind is suffering from ‘progeria’, the rarest of rare diseases known to medical science. In his defense before the court of justice, he says- “I sincerely desired to infuse the real meaning of ‘living’ in the psyche of mankind so that they may battle out the death inflicted by this metaphysical ailment I conveniently call ‘Progeria’. I haven’t committed any crime in doing so by expressing my conviction, cautioning and alerting the commoners to take notice. It is up to them to take notice, realize and act or ignore the warning” This novel depicts the very cause that has led mankind to this lethal metaphysical ailment, the author termed as ‘metaphysical progeria’. The author has also ventured to present a possible remedy, who only the rarest of the rare may chance to put into application. He does this by taking readers on a short journey aboard a train, a perfect analogy for the journey of life as passengers seems ever waiting for the next, an assumed time, projecting data internalized from dead past. The author dares to write an obituary of the metaphysical demise of mankind, unravelling how he arrives at this conclusion. The author believes, however, that those who choose themselves still have a chance to rise from their metaphysical graves.

Graphene-Based Nanomaterial Catalysis compiles knowledge about catalytic graphene-based nanomaterials in a single easy-to-read volume. The text serves to familiarize scholars and professionals with the methods of fabrication of both functionalized and non-functionalized graphene nanomaterials suitable for use in a variety of applications such as electrochemical sensors, oxygen and hydrogen production, fuel cells and organic transformations Key Features - systematic chapters which present the topic in an accessible way that is targeted towards learners - Accessible information about the fabrication of graphene-based catalysts - updated knowledge about catalytic applications of graphene-based nanomaterials in electro- and organic catalysis. - delivers information about recent trends in industry and research. - covers sophisticated green technologies such as carbon dioxide conversion and solar powered water splitting - references for further reading Interested students in material science at undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels in the disciplines of chemical engineering and materials science will highly benefit from the information in this reference. The reference also gives researchers in both industry and academia an opportunity to update their knowledge of graphene-based nanomaterials useful for catalysis.

Sensor Technologies: Healthcare, Wellness and Environmental Applications explores the key aspects of sensor technologies, covering wired, wireless, and discrete sensors for the specific application domains of healthcare, wellness and environmental sensing. It discusses the social, regulatory, and design considerations specific to these domains. The book provides an application-based approach using real-world examples to illustrate the application of sensor technologies in a practical and experiential manner. The book guides the reader from the formulation of the research question, through the design and validation process, to the deployment and management phase of sensor applications. The processes and examples used in the book are primarily based on research carried out by Intel or joint academic research programs. “Sensor Technologies: Healthcare, Wellness and Environmental Applications provides an extensive overview of sensing technologies and their applications in healthcare, wellness, and environmental monitoring. From sensor hardware to system applications and case studies, this book gives readers an in-depth understanding of the technologies and how they can be applied. I would highly recommend it to students or researchers who are interested in wireless sensing technologies and the associated applications.” Dr. Benny Lo Lecturer, The Hamlyn Centre, Imperial College of London “This timely addition to the literature on sensors covers the broad complexity of sensing, sensor types, and the vast range of existing and emerging applications in a very clearly written and accessible manner. It is particularly good at capturing the exciting possibilities that will occur as sensor networks merge with cloud-based ‘big data’ analytics to provide a host of new applications that will impact directly on the individual in ways we cannot fully predict at present. It really brings this home through the use of carefully chosen case studies that bring the overwhelming concept of 'big data' down to the personal level of individual life and health.” Dermot Diamond Director, National Centre for Sensor Research, Principal Investigator, CLARITY Centre for Sensor Web Technologies, Dublin City University "Sensor Technologies: Healthcare, Wellness and Environmental Applications takes the reader on an end-to-end journey of sensor technologies, covering the fundamentals from an engineering perspective, introducing how the data gleaned can be both processed and visualized, in addition to offering exemplar case studies in a number of application domains. It is a must-read for those studying any undergraduate course that involves sensor technologies. It also provides a thorough foundation for those involved in the research and development of applied sensor systems. I highly recommend it to any engineer who wishes to broaden their knowledge in this area!" Chris Nugent Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Ulster