This book is constructed around the work of Manuel Castells on the space of places, the space of flows and the networked city. Following an introduction by Castells, in which he sets out the theoretical and empirical framework to be followed, the book features nine contributions focusing on the transformation of the fabric of the networked city in terms of policies and social practices. The book aims to rethink sociological perspectives on urban phenomena through a dynamic exploration of the links between infrastructural and technological aspects of urban order, power relations and everyday life experiences. This reappraisal is based on contemporary trends in social theory. The proposed perspective also avoids the immaterialisation of post-modern urban analysis and the material determinism of the structural approach to the city. Without elaborating on the artificial dimensions between technology and society; between nature and culture; or between science and politics, the texts eevaluate the role of objects and conventional elements (such as codes and regulations) in the transformation of the city.

The Networked City - The Social Fabric of the Networked City - Skating over Thin Ice - Spatial Patterns and Social Inequality in Switzerland-Modern or Post-modern? - Public Space Management and Public Transport Quality-Vectors of Gentrification: Six Parisian Case Studies - Architechture and Reflexivity - Building Development in the 19th Century: between Planning Procedures and Local Action - Innovation in "Urbanism" Thinking : Spectrum and Limit - Urban planning in France in the 1960s: an affair of state (A state business?) - Planning, power and policy change in the networked city : the politics of a new tramway in the city of Bern - Towards a Regulation of the Space of Flows via Environmental Conflicts: Airports and Airport Areas as Laboratories of Urban Sustainability ? - Conclusions : The Revenge of Places - About the authors.

Photovoltaic technology has now developed to the extent that it is close to fulfilling the vision of a “solar-energy world,” as devices based on this technology are becoming efficient, low-cost and durable. This book provides a comprehensive treatment of thin-film silicon, the most prevalent PV material, in terms of its semiconductor nature, starting out with the physical properties, but concentrating on device applications.

The use of neural implants for stimulation and recording show excellent promise in restoring certain functions to the central nervous system; and neuroprostheses remain one of the most important tools of neuroscientists for the elucidation of the brain’s function.

The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) is a photovoltaic converter that mimics natural photosynthesis. Like green plants and algae it uses a molecular absorber, the dye, to harvest sunlight and generate electric charges.

Cellulose is the world’s most common biopolymer, and as such will play a growing role as our society confronts the problems of climate change and declining stocks of fossil fuels.