Two classes of micromechanics-based models of void enlargement are presented succinctly with their fundamental hypotheses and synopsis of derivation highlighted. The first class of models deals with conventional void growth, i.e., under conditions of generalized plastic flow within the elementary volume. The second class of models deals with void coalescence, i.e., an accelerated void growth process in which plastic flow is highly localized. The structure of constitutive relations pertaining to either class of models is the same but their implications are different. With this as basis, two kinds of integrated models are presented which can be implemented in a finite-element code and used in ductile fracture simulations, in particular for metal forming processes. This chapter also describes elements of material parameter identification and how to use the integrated models.

In the 1980s Donald Kessler of NASA noted the continuing buildup of space debris and projected that if not mitigated, it would severely limit future safe access to space. In particular, he noted that at some stage the accumulation of orbital space debris would begin to create new debris due to collisions and that this cascading process would threaten the long-term sustainability of human activities in space, including key space applications for communications, navigation, remote sensing, and weather monitoring. This concern, which today is quite real, has become known as the Kessler syndrome Kessler syndrome . Today there are international guidelines to control the debris population by deorbiting the upper stages of launch vehicles and other preventive measures. These include the 25 year rule for active or passive deorbiting of debris and the degassing of excess fuel that can lead to explosions in space. But these guidelines are insufficient to prevent the buildup of additional debris, particularly in low earth orbit and polar orbits, where the problem is more severe. There is increasing international agreement that a process for active removal of orbital debris elements – once they are clearly defined – will become necessary to address this problem that continues to grow worse over time despite the guidelines to minimize new debris.

This orbital debris problem is a difficult one for many reasons. The cost of active debris removal is very high and the appropriate technology that would be ideal for this purpose remains elusive. Nevertheless, many proposals regarding various debris mitigation methodologies are being pursued. The launch of many small satellites with many of them lacking either an active or passive deorbit capability complicates the orbital debris problem even further. In addition to the technical and prohibitive cost associated with active orbital debris mitigation, there are legal issues as well. The current space law regime has no formal definition of space debris in that all elements in space are simply known as “space objects” despite whether they are functional or not. Current legal liability provisions that place all liability with the launching State do not help to facilitate any active removal activity. In short there are no incentives to remove debris from space at this time. This chapter addresses the threats to the long-term sustainability of space posed by the continuing buildup of space debris. In particular, it addresses current efforts and plans around the world to address the space debris problem with active removal and mitigation techniques and possible international legal changes or agreements that might facilitate these actions.

The application of domotics in what is often referred to as “smart homes” has encountered an odd obstacle. Many people agree that domotics are a highly promising development. They make life easier, can help the elderly continue living at home for a longer period of time, and can reduce the involvement of professional care providers and case managers, causing healthcare costs to go down. You’d expect to see massive growth in domotics applications. However, that is not the case as of yet, particularly not in extramural healthcare in the Netherlands (Nivel 2011). Applications in intramural institutions regularly involve infrared sensors, noise-level sensors, bed mats, door locks, cameras, speaker-microphone systems, alarm buttons, and chips in clothing. Figures on the amount of extramural application of domotics do not appear to be available in the Netherlands. Applications in the extramural setting appear to primarily involve the personal alarm button (RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment 2013).

The Cluster mission has been operated successfully for 14 years. As the first science mission comprising four identical spacecraft, Cluster has faced many challenges during its lifetime. Initially, during the selection process where strong competition with SOHO was almost fatal to one of them, finally both missions were merged into the Solar Terrestrial Science Programme with strong support from NASA. The next challenge came during the manufacturing process where the task to produce four spacecraft in the time usually allocated to one demanded considerable flexibility in the production process. The first launch of Ariane V was not successful, and the rocket exploded 40s after takeoff. The great challenge for the Cluster scientists was to convince ESA, the National Agencies, and the science community that Cluster should be rebuilt identical to the original one. The fast rebuilding phase, in 3 years, and the 2nd launch on two Soyuz rockets, paved the way to numerous ESA launches afterward. Finally in the operational phase, the challenge was to operate four spacecraft with the funding for one, to solve serious anomalies, and to extend the spacecraft lifetime, now seven times its initial duration with some vital elements such as batteries not working at all. After the technical challenges, the key scientific achievements will be presented. The main goal of the Cluster mission is to study in three dimensions small-scale plasma structures in key plasma regions of the Earth’s geospace environment: solar wind and bow shock, magnetopause, polar cusps, magnetotail, plasmasphere, and auroral zone. Science highlights are presented such as ripples on the bow shock, 3D current measurements and Kelvin-Helmholtz waves at the magnetopause, bifurcated current sheet in the magnetotail, and the first measurement of the electron pressure tensor near a site of magnetic reconnection. In addition, Cluster results on understanding the impact of coronal mass ejections (CME) on the Earth’s environment will be shown. Finally, how the mission solved the challenge of distributing huge quantity of data through the Cluster Science Data System (CSDS) and the Cluster Archive will be presented. Those systems were implemented to provide, for the first time for a plasma physics mission, a permanent and public archive of all the high-resolution data from all instruments.