This introduction to the philosophy of science, authored by Philipp Frank, a prominent figure in the Vienna Circle and biographer of Albert Einstein, offers insights into scientific thought and its evolution. Frank's work, now rediscovered, explores key philosophical concepts and the relationship between science and reality, providing a valuable perspective on the foundations of scientific inquiry.
Current studies predict that data traffic in mobile communication systems will exponentially increase in the next years. Consequently, mobile operators are confronted with enormous challenges, since the data capacity of future systems has to increase at a concurrent reduction of the costs per transported bit. It is clear that by extending the frequency spectrum alone the demand for higher data rates cannot be met, since the frequency spectrum is scarce as well as expensive. Therefore, a considerable increase in spectral efficiency will be indispensable for future mobile communication systems. In this book advanced transmission schemes for the fourth generation of mobile networks are proposed and their achievable performance is evaluated based on system level simulations, considering all relevant aspects of real systems. More precisely, enhanced multi-user (MU) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) schemes based on novel feedback methods for the downlink are studied, as well as various base station cooperation techniques for the uplink. It is demonstrated that with the proposed transmission schemes gains up to 60% in terms of average spectral efficiency may be achieved compared to the state-of-the art mobile communication standard Long Term Evolution (LTE).
Microfluidics exhibits great capability in various research fields such as biology, chemistry or medicine. The lab-on-a-chip technology brings tremendous advantages over the conventional methods as it increases reaction kinetics, reduces reagent consumption and provides high throughput and parallelization capability. The aspect of parallelization on a large scale requires a powerful control paradigm where a large number of devices need to be manipulated by a small number of inputs. Even though, microfluidics has produced a variety of different platform technologies utilizing the most different physical effects the majority of technologies lack the ability to act on direct feedback from the process liquid. This results in a sophisticated external control unit off-chip which directly hinders high degrees of parallelization respectively integration. This work presents a microfluidic platform concept, which utilizes the volume phase transition of stimuli-responsive hydrogels on-chip to actively switch between fluid streams in a discrete operating manner. The volume phase transition combines the sensing and acting functionality in one component. Smart hydrogels are utilized in a transistor-like device which is capable to autonomously make switching decision exclusively depending on the chemical content of a fluid. The content comprising molecules and ions that exist simultaneously in a solution is viewed as carrier of chemical information. Thus, the chemo-fluidic transistor couples the molecular content of the liquid with the fluidic behavior of the system. The combination of the chemo-fluidic transistor and the analogy between electronics and microfluidic allowed the development of discrete basic circuits such as the logic gates AND, OR, NOT, and their negated counterparts rendering a complete computation. By consequently following the electronic paradigm more sophisticated modules are demonstrated such as an RS flip-flop or a chemo-fluidic oscillator circuit. The chemo-fluidic oscillator exhibits an autonomous oscillation in flow rate and concentration. The system architecture and circuitry allows a decoupling of the excitation stimulus and the emission concentration enabling future biological and medical application. This work discusses a novel concept for the implementation of microfluidic integrated circuits. Main aspects are examined such as technological requirements, the theoretical background, the signal variability and biological application of the system.
Der vorliegende Band ist der erste monographische Beitrag zu einem von der Forschung lange vernachlässigten Thema. Im ersten Teil wird Fontanes Lyrik in Augenschein genommen, da der Dichter hier zu allen Leittechniken seiner Zeit Stellung bezogen und sein Technikbild kontinuierlich weiterentwickelt hat. Im Anschluss daran wendet sich die Untersuchung dem Journalisten und Reiseschriftsteller Fontane zu: zunächst während seiner Zeit in England, dann während seiner „Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg“. Denn auf der britischen Insel begegnete er dem technischen Fortschritt nicht nur in seiner konzentriertesten Form, sondern erlernte er außerdem eine neue Form der Wahrnehmung, die ihn fortan auch seine märkische Heimat anders erkennen liess: als aufstrebende Indu-strieregion. Im letzten Teil steht der Erzähler Fontane im Mittelpunkt. Gerade dessen Berliner Zeitromane spiegeln ein vielfältiges Bild der gesellschaftlichen Technikdebatte wider und belegen eindrucksvoll, wie die Technik im narrativen Zusammenhang immer wieder handlungsleitend funktionalisiert ist.
Joining the first 'Vienna Circle' in the first decade of the 20th century, with Hans Hahn, mathematician, and Otto Neurath, sociologist and economist, and deeply influenced by studies of Ernst Mach's critical conceptual histories of science and by the striking challenge of Poincare and Duhem, Frank continued his epistemological investigations.
The biography delves into the life of the renowned physicist, exploring his formative years, intellectual development, and groundbreaking theories. It covers his early education, the evolution of his revolutionary ideas on relativity, and his academic journey through cities like Bern, Prague, and Berlin. The book also highlights Einstein's role as a public figure, his political views, and his responses to anti-Semitism and global events. Rich in historical context, it provides insight into both his scientific contributions and personal experiences across various cultures.