David E. Newton

An authoritative review of issues in waste management both in the United States and globally that measures the scope of the problem and examines the latest scientific and policy initiatives for addressing it. This urgent volume provides an up-to-date overview of waste management, outlining ways that individuals, groups, and governments can reduce waste through integrated strategies. From household trash to radioactive material, Waste Managementcovers the many types of waste humans produce, then looks at the latest scientific breakthroughs and policy initiatives focusing on the waste management problem. It provides a historical context for understanding the current garbage crisis and examines a number of important events and current issues, including the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository, managing the debris from Hurricane Katrina and the World Trade Center site, shipbreaking and human rights violations in Asia, the freecycling movement, and San Francisco's ban on plastic grocery bags. The book also looks at the problem globally, from the most developed country to cultures that rely on trash picking and scavenging.

Discusses the composition and properties of air and examines air's connection to a variety of topics in meteorology, biology, and the arts.

Water breaks rocks, levels mountains, and cuts canyons. It comes in many forms, from puddles, to icicles, to mist, to tidal waves. It covers most of the Earth and constitutes a majority of the human body. Too much water can destroy entire regions-so can too little. Life depends on it. We drink it, bathe in it, swim in it, drown in it, fish in it, heat up and cool off in it. One of the most versatile and familiar elements in the world, water is also one of the most mysterious.The 236 entries in this book comprise an A-Z overview of water's manifold roles in human society and the natural world throughout history. Topics include boats and ships, dams, groundwater, hydrology, ice, the Johnstown Flood, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, sea monsters, surface tension, and water wheels, and much more. Scientific and technical issues are explored, including the physical and chemical properties of water, steam, and ice; the uses to which water and steam are put; and the purification, transfer, and uses of water by communities. The hydrologic cycle is explained, with attention to the properties and distribution of ice masses, and the properties of oceans and rivers. Philosophical, mystical, metaphorical, and symbolic roles of water in literature, mythology, religion, the visual arts, and music are considered, as are individuals and organizations responsible for contributing to our understanding of water. This book includes a bibliography and a guide to related topics. Each entry concludes with a list of further readings.

Molecular nanotechnology involves the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules to produce materials and devices with very precise, predictable properties. This is the first volume to cover this new and exciting field. The book's 13 chapters feature:^L^DBLThe nature of nanotechnology^L^DBLDifferences between top-down and bottom-up research approaches^L^DBLPotential benefits and threats to society from future developments in nanotechnology^L^DBLCurrent nanotechnology research^L^DBLBrief biographical sketches of key individuals^L^DBLA chronology of important events^L^DBLSignificant documents^L^DBLCareers in nanotechnology^L^DBLData and statistics, especially in relation to President Clinton's National Nanotechnology Initiative of 2000^L^DBLA list of relevant organizations, research associations, corporations, and academic institutions^L^DBL A list of print and nonprint resources^L^DBLA glossary of commonly used terms

Fire! Few subjects are as fundamental to both nature and human civilization. This reference breaks new ground by going beyond a discussion of the scientific and technical aspects of fire to show how human societies in all parts of the world throughout history have incorporated images of fire into their philosophies, mythologies, religions, music, art, and other areas of human thought and action. Entries cover fire-related theories and concepts, cultural issues and allusions, industrial and military applications, political and social issues, as well as people, events, and organizations. This interdisciplinary treatment provides in one volume a quick look-up of specific information plus an opportunity to explore its broader significance. An excellent introduction and more than 200 A-to-Z entries-enhanced by a topic locator, illustrations, and suggestions for further reading-range over the entire subject to define and explain this fascinating natural phenomenon.Among the essay-length entries are discussions of the pollutants produced by combustion and their effect on the human and natural environment, the connection humans have made between natural fire and biological phenomena with fire-like properties, the use of fire-related language in aphorisms, the effects of natural fires on human societies and the types of governmental agencies designed to deal with fire, the use that humans have made of fire to shape the environment, and the ways in which religions have incorporated the properties of fire into their traditions.

A thought-provoking compendium exploring differing views, possible social impacts, and government policy decisions involving the impact of science and technology on human life.Social Issues in Science and Technology explores the controversies involving the impact of science and technology on human life. Each entry provides the basic scientific background needed to understand the issue involved and its social, political, and economic implications. The coverage presents an unbiased summary of differing views, possible social impacts, and government policy decisions.

Recent advances in pure and applied physics are explored by award-winning author David E. Newton. Among the topics covered are the top quark, carbon nanotubes, updates on black holes, and single molecule studies of DNA. Many of the topics covered are strongly interdisciplinary, reflecting the nature of much scientific research today.

Research chemists make important discoveries every year, and their colleagues in chemical engineering and technology use chemistry to develop innovative solutions to a wide range of everyday challenges. This book describes the major breakthroughs in chemistry and chemical technology that have occurred over the past several years. It provides an excellent, in-depth overview of current developments in the field of chemistry and a closer look at the brilliant and creative men and women who make them happen. Also included is a series of lively and interesting biographical sketches of current leaders in the field, including some recent Nobel Prize winners in chemistry. Diagrams, photos, and other illustrations enhance the text.

The Encyclopedia of Cryptology addresses the basic theoretical concepts and provides a broad overview of the writing, sending, protection, and decrypting of codes and ciphers. This volume also includes biographical sketches, important events in the history of cryptography, and discussions of the practical applications of codes in everyday life.Illustrations, bibliographic references, and cross-references, plus two indexes complement the text.Includes biographical sketches of important figures and events in the history of cryptologyContains illustrations, bibliographic references, cross references, and two indexes

This handbook presents the views of those who believe violence in the media causes violent behavior and those who remain unconvinced that any such relationship exists, and examines the results of studies on violence in the media and recommendations for its control.The controversial relationship between violent behavior in American society and violent acts portrayed in the media—motion pictures, television, pop music, and video games—forms the subject of this reference work.Violence and the Media provides a section on legal data, opinions, and documents, and provides a close-up look at the legislative issues surrounding violence and the media. It is a vital resource for high school and college students, legislators, and concerned laypersons.

This intriguing volume gives readers a thorough understanding of all sides of the ozone debate.A 190 year chronology tracks our growing understanding of the ozone layer