Page 16 - Biosystems Engineering

Preface

iosystem engineering is pioneering innovations in academics
as well as in global industry. New technologies include preci-
Bsion systems for irrigation, production, and harvesting; a new
system for bioenergy production; advanced packaging systems to
maximize product quality; recycling of materials and prevention of
emissions to protect the environment; and information technologies
to optimize bioprocess strategies.
Chapter 1 has a discussion on microarray technology. Using this
technology, we can now classify genes based on their expression pro-
file, infer their physiological role, and construct databases of genes
involved in specific functions.
Chapter 2 discusses application of systems analysis to biologi-
cally related problems. It will be helpful for model building, system
analysis through computer simulations, system identification, and
optimization methods.
As soil and water are in constant interaction, a proficient conser-
vation strategy should consider their complex interaction. Those
processes, relevant theories, and recent advancements are presented
in Chapter 3.
Soil temperature affects water availability to the plant. Tempera-
ture affects plant growth and development to such an extent that
plant growth has often been described by a linear approximation
dependent on temperature and time (thermal time). Chapter 4
describes different factors for heat transfer that influence physical,
chemical, and biological processes in soil and plants.
Agricultural, urban, forest, and mining nonpoint source (NPS)
pollutants continue to impact and degrade surface and groundwater
quality. Chapter 5 describes geographic information systems based
on watershed modeling. This chapter will be helpful for designing
soil conservation practices, water table management, prevention of
chemical pollution of surface water bodies and groundwater, and
protection of aquatic biota.
The design of sustainable water management systems is one of
the major areas within biosystems engineering. Chapter 6 discusses

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