A drive is an adjustable speed device that regulates the speed and direction of motors. Adjustment is made by varying the current flow through the motor. Drives are classified into two broad categories based on the type of current: AC drives and DC drives. AC drives are used to control AC electric motors, while DC drives are used for DC electric motors. Drives are widely used in the Manufacturing industries to regulate and control electrical devices such as fans, conveyors, machine spindles, and pumps during the production process.

An analog IC is an integrated circuit that performs by processing continuous signals. It performs various functions such as demodulation, voltage regulation, amplification, and mixing. Analog ICs are very small in size and are developed on a semiconductor material.

A circuit breaker is an electrical switch that is used to protect an electric circuit from shortcircuiting and overloading. If there is an overloading problem, the circuit breaker detects it, and the supply is turned off automatically. Circuit breakers are preferred over fuses as fuses have to be replaced after each operation whereas a circuit breaker can be reset after each operation.

Electrical motors and actuators are an integral part of the Process Equipment industry, and are employed in pumps, compressors, and valves in order to drive and control the flow of the medium throughout the process line.

Electrolytes, nano-structuring and graphene nanoplatelets for electrodes, and current collectors in batteries and supercapacitors were investigated. The following results were obtained: (1) Nano-structuring of graphene nanoplatelets with and without conduct.

Electricity consumer demand response and load control are playing an increasingly important role in the development of a smart grid. Smart grid load management technologies such as Grid Friendly? controls and real-time pricing are making their way into the conventional model of grid planning and operations. However, the behavior of load both affects, and is affected by load control strategies that are designed to support electric grid planning and operations. This chapter discussed the natural behavior of electric loads, how it interacts with various load control and demand response strategies, what the consequences are for new grid operation concepts and the computing issues these new technologies raise.