This book presents an unbiased, comprehensive examination of the state of knowledge for life cycle assessments (LCAs) of natural gas-fired electricity, covering a suite of environmental impact categories. An exploration of the life cycle environmental impacts of gas-fired electricity is used to introduce the field of LCA, advancements in methods and data, and the limitations thereof. Natural gas, particularly as a fuel for electricity generation, serves as a dichotomy within energy and environmental systems analysis. While the cleanest burning fossil fuel, it is not without impacts, making it an excellent case study for introducing life cycle assessment. This book introduces readers to the field of LCA using natural gas-fired electricity as a case study, as well as providing a comprehensive review of the state of the art in life cycle data, research, and scientific debate related to this product system. The author also elucidates data and methodological challenges inherent to the field of LCA, exemplified using published research. The text explores how to conduct LCA, describing the analysis from the perspective of a numerator and denominator. With each chapter, the complexity of undertaking a LCA of gas-fired power is unravelled beyond a simple fraction to the expansive network of infrastructure examined in this type of research. Students, instructors, LCA practitioners, and energy professionals will benefit from not only the introduction to data and methods, but also this useful summary of the state of the art in the field. Policymakers and the interested public can learn more about the implications of LCA results for decision-support and the commentary about the economics of natural gas and its role as a bridge fuel. This book provides not only a useful reference, but also a springboard for researchers and experts interested in specializing in LCA, natural gas, or both.

This book provides a comprehensive reference for everything that has to do with digital circuits. The author focuses equally on all levels of abstraction. He tells a bottom-up story from the physics level to the finished product level. The aim is to provide a full account of the experience of designing, fabricating, understanding, and testing a microchip. The content is structured to be very accessible and self-contained, allowing readers with diverse backgrounds to read as much or as little of the book as needed. Beyond a basic foundation of mathematics and physics, the book makes no assumptions about prior knowledge. This allows someone new to the field to read the book from the beginning. It also means that someone using the book as a reference will be able to answer their questions without referring to any external sources.

The detailed and comprehensive presentation is unique in that it encourages the reader to consider different semiconductor lasers from different angles. Emphasis is placed on recognizing common concepts such operating principles and structure, and solving problems based on individual situations. The treatment is enhanced by an historical account of advances in semiconductor lasers over the years, discussing both those ideas that have persisted over the years and those that have faded out.

Introduction Dressings can transport you through every season and carry you to far-off places and cultures through their many diverse ingredients and surprising combinations of color, texture, flavor, and temperature. Oils and vinegars are the star players. Get to know the different vinegars and oils by tasting them. Extra virgin olive oil, canola, sunflower seed, grapeseed, walnut, and hazelnut oils, balsamic vinegar, apple cider, rice, sherry, red wine, and white wine vinegars - each one has its own distinctive personality and character. Given the dozens of commercial salad dressings available, it’s so easy to simply open a bottled dressing without thinking about it. In fact, I have a handful of favorites that I use in combination with other ingredients to give them a lift. But making your own homemade salad dressing is the idea I want to put into your mind. It is so delicious, fast, and fun! Plus, you control the ingredients, all healthy and fresh. As you go through the recipes, watch for these icons at the top of the page: I hope that you find a dressing or vinaigrette - or many - that you really like and will incorporate into your own cooking repertoire.