In a large and complex system, such as a railway network, it is often not an option to stop operation at any time. Even if a part of the system fails, is being repaired or modified, the system has to keep functioning. This leads to many requirements for on-line expansion, on-line maintenance, and fault-tolerance. Dynamic changes demand next-generation control, information and service systems to be based on adaptive, reliable and reusable technologies and applications. Such systems are expected to have the characteristics of living systems composed of largely autonomous and decentralized components. Hence they are called Autonomous Decentralized Systems (ADS).

The rheological properties of magnetorheological (MR) materials, such as their viscosity and dynamic modulus, can be tuned or controlled by changing the intensity of the magnetic field using appropriate control schemes. Thanks to their robustness, performance and smart properties, numerous studies have been undertaken on the development of new MR materials, and microscopic and macroscopic modelling approaches. Novel applications include engine mounts and clutch systems in the automotive industry, shock absorbing safety devices for cockpit seats in aerospace, and shock absorption from movement in semi-active human prosthetic legs.

This book covers the progress made in the area of wide bandgap semiconductor (WBG) technologies, in particular SiC, with a strong emphasis on their applications torapidly progressing areas such as automotive, aerospace and the whole electrical energy sector. The book is unique in its blend of device functionality and capabilities, technology road maps, as well as addressing the important aspects of real-life applications of these emerging devices. The benefits offered by wide bandgap material devices is enormous, and in the era of more electrification of transport and reformation of the whole energy supply chain this is set to be one of the key defining technologies over the next few decades that will support the whole eco-structure of society in the 21st century, much as silicon has done over the last half of the 20th century.