THE SERIES: ADVANCED MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Currently, it is possible to defi ne mechanical engineering as the branch of engineering that “involves the application of principles of physics and engineering for the design, manufacturing, automation and maintenance of mechanical systems”. Mechanical Engineering is closely related to a number of other engineering disciplines. This series fosters information exchange and discussion on all aspects of mechanical engineering with a special emphasis on research and development from a number of perspectives including (but not limited to) materials and manufacturing processes, machining and machine tools, tribology and surface engineering, structural mechanics, applied and computational mechanics, mechanical design, mechatronics and robotics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer, renewable energies, biomechanics, nanoengineering and nanomechanics. In addition, the series covers the full range of sustainability aspects related with mechanical engineering. Advanced Mechanical Engineering is an essential reference for students, academics, researchers, materials, mechanical and manufacturing engineers and professionals in mechanical engineering.