In this book, not only are mathematical abstractions discussed in a lucid manner, but also several practical applications are given particularly for system identification, description and then efficient controls. The reader gets a feeling of the wide applicability of fractional calculus in the field of science and engineering. With this book, a starter can understand the concepts of this emerging field with a minimal effort and basic mathematics.
This book discusses selected topics in various aspects of management with real life examples from the food industry, especially from the innovation and R&D. The examples are mostly based on author s experience gathered over fifteen years in various roles in the food industry. This book is written from a practitioner s point of view and targeted to the people working in the research, development, innovation and related areas in the food industry, especially the professionals without formal management training. Chapter 1 and 2 discuss aspects of leadership and management, focusing on the impact of the environment and experience. Examples from various food companies have been presented to explain the concepts. Chapter 3 discusses two contemporary organisation structures - professional bureaucracy and adhocracy with examples from food R&D in industry and academia. Chapter 4 discusses aspects of management communication focusing on two important concepts - communication audit (Chapter 4.1) and community of practice (Chapter 4.2). The concepts have been explained using a scenario of the R&D department in an imaginary multinational food company.
When a new and extraordinary theory emerges, it often faces skepticism due to its divergence from conventional concepts. Fractional calculus, though not new, has remained underexplored, primarily due to its limited application to real-world problems. It stands out because it transcends ordinary differential calculus, offering solutions where existing theories fall short. This work discusses mathematical abstractions clearly, supplemented by physical and geometrical explanations, alongside practical applications in system identification, description, and control. Traditional physical laws, such as transport theory and electrodynamics, are reinterpreted within the framework of fractional calculus, addressing complexities like heterogeneity in transport, charge distribution, and material properties. The book elaborates on fractional and complex order differentiation and integration, providing mathematical, physical, and geometrical insights with examples. It explores the practical utility of local fractional differentiation in characterizing phase transitions and response irregularities. Additionally, it discusses viscoelastic experiments, fractional control designs, and circuit synthesis. The text connects classical integer order differential equations to fractional contexts, addressing initialization challenges. It presents a modern approach to solving fractional and other differential equations using the principle of action-an
