Author: Julio B. Clempner
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031435753
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
This book considers a class of ergodic finite controllable Markov's chains. The main idea behind the method, described in this book, is to develop the original discrete optimization problems (or game models) in the space of randomized formulations, where the variables stand in for the distributions (mixed strategies or preferences) of the original discrete (pure) strategies in the use. The following suppositions are made: a finite state space, a limited action space, continuity of the probabilities and rewards associated with the actions, and a necessity for accessibility. These hypotheses lead to the existence of an optimal policy. The best course of action is always stationary. It is either simple (i.e., nonrandomized stationary) or composed of two nonrandomized policies, which is equivalent to randomly selecting one of two simple policies throughout each epoch by tossing a biased coin. As a bonus, the optimization procedure just has to repeatedly solve the time-average dynamic programming equation, making it theoretically feasible to choose the optimum course of action under the global restriction. In the ergodic cases the state distributions, generated by the corresponding transition equations, exponentially quickly converge to their stationary (final) values. This makes it possible to employ all widely used optimization methods (such as Gradient-like procedures, Extra-proximal method, Lagrange's multipliers, Tikhonov's regularization), including the related numerical techniques. In the book we tackle different problems and theoretical Markov models like controllable and ergodic Markov chains, multi-objective Pareto front solutions, partially observable Markov chains, continuous-time Markov chains, Nash equilibrium and Stackelberg equilibrium, Lyapunov-like function in Markov chains, Best-reply strategy, Bayesian incentive-compatible mechanisms, Bayesian Partially Observable Markov Games, bargaining solutions for Nash and Kalai-Smorodinsky formulations, multi-traffic signal-control synchronization problem, Rubinstein's non-cooperative bargaining solutions, the transfer pricing problem as bargaining.
Optimization and Games for Controllable Markov Chains
Author: Julio B. Clempner
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031435753
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
This book considers a class of ergodic finite controllable Markov's chains. The main idea behind the method, described in this book, is to develop the original discrete optimization problems (or game models) in the space of randomized formulations, where the variables stand in for the distributions (mixed strategies or preferences) of the original discrete (pure) strategies in the use. The following suppositions are made: a finite state space, a limited action space, continuity of the probabilities and rewards associated with the actions, and a necessity for accessibility. These hypotheses lead to the existence of an optimal policy. The best course of action is always stationary. It is either simple (i.e., nonrandomized stationary) or composed of two nonrandomized policies, which is equivalent to randomly selecting one of two simple policies throughout each epoch by tossing a biased coin. As a bonus, the optimization procedure just has to repeatedly solve the time-average dynamic programming equation, making it theoretically feasible to choose the optimum course of action under the global restriction. In the ergodic cases the state distributions, generated by the corresponding transition equations, exponentially quickly converge to their stationary (final) values. This makes it possible to employ all widely used optimization methods (such as Gradient-like procedures, Extra-proximal method, Lagrange's multipliers, Tikhonov's regularization), including the related numerical techniques. In the book we tackle different problems and theoretical Markov models like controllable and ergodic Markov chains, multi-objective Pareto front solutions, partially observable Markov chains, continuous-time Markov chains, Nash equilibrium and Stackelberg equilibrium, Lyapunov-like function in Markov chains, Best-reply strategy, Bayesian incentive-compatible mechanisms, Bayesian Partially Observable Markov Games, bargaining solutions for Nash and Kalai-Smorodinsky formulations, multi-traffic signal-control synchronization problem, Rubinstein's non-cooperative bargaining solutions, the transfer pricing problem as bargaining.
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031435753
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
This book considers a class of ergodic finite controllable Markov's chains. The main idea behind the method, described in this book, is to develop the original discrete optimization problems (or game models) in the space of randomized formulations, where the variables stand in for the distributions (mixed strategies or preferences) of the original discrete (pure) strategies in the use. The following suppositions are made: a finite state space, a limited action space, continuity of the probabilities and rewards associated with the actions, and a necessity for accessibility. These hypotheses lead to the existence of an optimal policy. The best course of action is always stationary. It is either simple (i.e., nonrandomized stationary) or composed of two nonrandomized policies, which is equivalent to randomly selecting one of two simple policies throughout each epoch by tossing a biased coin. As a bonus, the optimization procedure just has to repeatedly solve the time-average dynamic programming equation, making it theoretically feasible to choose the optimum course of action under the global restriction. In the ergodic cases the state distributions, generated by the corresponding transition equations, exponentially quickly converge to their stationary (final) values. This makes it possible to employ all widely used optimization methods (such as Gradient-like procedures, Extra-proximal method, Lagrange's multipliers, Tikhonov's regularization), including the related numerical techniques. In the book we tackle different problems and theoretical Markov models like controllable and ergodic Markov chains, multi-objective Pareto front solutions, partially observable Markov chains, continuous-time Markov chains, Nash equilibrium and Stackelberg equilibrium, Lyapunov-like function in Markov chains, Best-reply strategy, Bayesian incentive-compatible mechanisms, Bayesian Partially Observable Markov Games, bargaining solutions for Nash and Kalai-Smorodinsky formulations, multi-traffic signal-control synchronization problem, Rubinstein's non-cooperative bargaining solutions, the transfer pricing problem as bargaining.
Advances in Economics and Econometrics: Volume 1
Author: Bo Honoré
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108245668
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 350
Book Description
This is the first of two volumes containing papers and commentaries presented at the Eleventh World Congress of the Econometric Society, held in Montreal, Canada in August 2015. These papers provide state-of-the-art guides to the most important recent research in economics. The book includes surveys and interpretations of key developments in economics and econometrics, and discussion of future directions for a wide variety of topics, covering both theory and application. These volumes provide a unique, accessible survey of progress on the discipline, written by leading specialists in their fields. The first volume includes theoretical and applied papers addressing topics such as dynamic mechanism design, agency problems, and networks.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108245668
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 350
Book Description
This is the first of two volumes containing papers and commentaries presented at the Eleventh World Congress of the Econometric Society, held in Montreal, Canada in August 2015. These papers provide state-of-the-art guides to the most important recent research in economics. The book includes surveys and interpretations of key developments in economics and econometrics, and discussion of future directions for a wide variety of topics, covering both theory and application. These volumes provide a unique, accessible survey of progress on the discipline, written by leading specialists in their fields. The first volume includes theoretical and applied papers addressing topics such as dynamic mechanism design, agency problems, and networks.
Game Theory with Engineering Applications
Author: Dario Bauso
Publisher: SIAM
ISBN: 1611974283
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 298
Book Description
Engineering systems are highly distributed collective systems that have humans in the loop. Engineering systems emphasize the potential of control and games beyond traditional applications. Game theory can be used to design incentives to obtain socially desirable behaviors on the part of the players, for example, a change in the consumption patterns on the part of the ?prosumers? (producers-consumers) or better redistribution of traffic. This unique book addresses the foundations of game theory, with an emphasis on the physical intuition behind the concepts, an analysis of design techniques, and a discussion of new trends in the study of cooperation and competition in large complex distributed systems.
Publisher: SIAM
ISBN: 1611974283
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 298
Book Description
Engineering systems are highly distributed collective systems that have humans in the loop. Engineering systems emphasize the potential of control and games beyond traditional applications. Game theory can be used to design incentives to obtain socially desirable behaviors on the part of the players, for example, a change in the consumption patterns on the part of the ?prosumers? (producers-consumers) or better redistribution of traffic. This unique book addresses the foundations of game theory, with an emphasis on the physical intuition behind the concepts, an analysis of design techniques, and a discussion of new trends in the study of cooperation and competition in large complex distributed systems.
Revenue Management and Pricing Analytics
Author: Guillermo Gallego
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1493996061
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 346
Book Description
“There is no strategic investment that has a higher return than investing in good pricing, and the text by Gallego and Topaloghu provides the best technical treatment of pricing strategy and tactics available.” Preston McAfee, the J. Stanley Johnson Professor, California Institute of Technology and Chief Economist and Corp VP, Microsoft. “The book by Gallego and Topaloglu provides a fresh, up-to-date and in depth treatment of revenue management and pricing. It fills an important gap as it covers not only traditional revenue management topics also new and important topics such as revenue management under customer choice as well as pricing under competition and online learning. The book can be used for different audiences that range from advanced undergraduate students to masters and PhD students. It provides an in-depth treatment covering recent state of the art topics in an interesting and innovative way. I highly recommend it." Professor Georgia Perakis, the William F. Pounds Professor of Operations Research and Operations Management at the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. “This book is an important and timely addition to the pricing analytics literature by two authors who have made major contributions to the field. It covers traditional revenue management as well as assortment optimization and dynamic pricing. The comprehensive treatment of choice models in each application is particularly welcome. It is mathematically rigorous but accessible to students at the advanced undergraduate or graduate levels with a rich set of exercises at the end of each chapter. This book is highly recommended for Masters or PhD level courses on the topic and is a necessity for researchers with an interest in the field.” Robert L. Phillips, Director of Pricing Research at Amazon “At last, a serious and comprehensive treatment of modern revenue management and assortment optimization integrated with choice modeling. In this book, Gallego and Topaloglu provide the underlying model derivations together with a wide range of applications and examples; all of these facets will better equip students for handling real-world problems. For mathematically inclined researchers and practitioners, it will doubtless prove to be thought-provoking and an invaluable reference.” Richard Ratliff, Research Scientist at Sabre “This book, written by two of the leading researchers in the area, brings together in one place most of the recent research on revenue management and pricing analytics. New industries (ride sharing, cloud computing, restaurants) and new developments in the airline and hotel industries make this book very timely and relevant, and will serve as a critical reference for researchers.” Professor Kalyan Talluri, the Munjal Chair in Global Business and Operations, Imperial College, London, UK.
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1493996061
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 346
Book Description
“There is no strategic investment that has a higher return than investing in good pricing, and the text by Gallego and Topaloghu provides the best technical treatment of pricing strategy and tactics available.” Preston McAfee, the J. Stanley Johnson Professor, California Institute of Technology and Chief Economist and Corp VP, Microsoft. “The book by Gallego and Topaloglu provides a fresh, up-to-date and in depth treatment of revenue management and pricing. It fills an important gap as it covers not only traditional revenue management topics also new and important topics such as revenue management under customer choice as well as pricing under competition and online learning. The book can be used for different audiences that range from advanced undergraduate students to masters and PhD students. It provides an in-depth treatment covering recent state of the art topics in an interesting and innovative way. I highly recommend it." Professor Georgia Perakis, the William F. Pounds Professor of Operations Research and Operations Management at the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. “This book is an important and timely addition to the pricing analytics literature by two authors who have made major contributions to the field. It covers traditional revenue management as well as assortment optimization and dynamic pricing. The comprehensive treatment of choice models in each application is particularly welcome. It is mathematically rigorous but accessible to students at the advanced undergraduate or graduate levels with a rich set of exercises at the end of each chapter. This book is highly recommended for Masters or PhD level courses on the topic and is a necessity for researchers with an interest in the field.” Robert L. Phillips, Director of Pricing Research at Amazon “At last, a serious and comprehensive treatment of modern revenue management and assortment optimization integrated with choice modeling. In this book, Gallego and Topaloglu provide the underlying model derivations together with a wide range of applications and examples; all of these facets will better equip students for handling real-world problems. For mathematically inclined researchers and practitioners, it will doubtless prove to be thought-provoking and an invaluable reference.” Richard Ratliff, Research Scientist at Sabre “This book, written by two of the leading researchers in the area, brings together in one place most of the recent research on revenue management and pricing analytics. New industries (ride sharing, cloud computing, restaurants) and new developments in the airline and hotel industries make this book very timely and relevant, and will serve as a critical reference for researchers.” Professor Kalyan Talluri, the Munjal Chair in Global Business and Operations, Imperial College, London, UK.
Introduction to Mechanism Design
Author: Eric Constans
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1351727621
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 760
Book Description
Introduction to Mechanism Design: with Computer Applications provides an updated approach to undergraduate Mechanism Design and Kinematics courses/modules for engineering students. The use of web-based simulations, solid modeling, and software such as MATLAB and Excel is employed to link the design process with the latest software tools for the design and analysis of mechanisms and machines. While a mechanical engineer might brainstorm with a pencil and sketch pad, the final result is developed and communicated through CAD and computational visualizations. This modern approach to mechanical design processes has not been fully integrated in most books, as it is in this new text.
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1351727621
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 760
Book Description
Introduction to Mechanism Design: with Computer Applications provides an updated approach to undergraduate Mechanism Design and Kinematics courses/modules for engineering students. The use of web-based simulations, solid modeling, and software such as MATLAB and Excel is employed to link the design process with the latest software tools for the design and analysis of mechanisms and machines. While a mechanical engineer might brainstorm with a pencil and sketch pad, the final result is developed and communicated through CAD and computational visualizations. This modern approach to mechanical design processes has not been fully integrated in most books, as it is in this new text.
Robust Mechanism Design
Author: Dirk Bergemann
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 981437458X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 471
Book Description
Foreword by Eric Maskin (Nobel Laureate in Economics, 2007)This volume brings together the collected contributions on the theme of robust mechanism design and robust implementation that Dirk Bergemann and Stephen Morris have been working on for the past decade. The collection is preceded by a comprehensive introductory essay, specifically written for this volume with the aim of providing the readers with an overview of the research agenda pursued in the collected papers.The introduction selectively presents the main results of the papers, and attempts to illustrate many of them in terms of a common and canonical example, namely a single unit auction with interdependent values. It is our hope that the use of this example facilitates the presentation of the results and that it brings the main insights within the context of an important economic mechanism, namely the generalized second price auction.
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 981437458X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 471
Book Description
Foreword by Eric Maskin (Nobel Laureate in Economics, 2007)This volume brings together the collected contributions on the theme of robust mechanism design and robust implementation that Dirk Bergemann and Stephen Morris have been working on for the past decade. The collection is preceded by a comprehensive introductory essay, specifically written for this volume with the aim of providing the readers with an overview of the research agenda pursued in the collected papers.The introduction selectively presents the main results of the papers, and attempts to illustrate many of them in terms of a common and canonical example, namely a single unit auction with interdependent values. It is our hope that the use of this example facilitates the presentation of the results and that it brings the main insights within the context of an important economic mechanism, namely the generalized second price auction.
The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics
Author:
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1349588024
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 7493
Book Description
The award-winning The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics, 2nd edition is now available as a dynamic online resource. Consisting of over 1,900 articles written by leading figures in the field including Nobel prize winners, this is the definitive scholarly reference work for a new generation of economists. Regularly updated! This product is a subscription based product.
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1349588024
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 7493
Book Description
The award-winning The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics, 2nd edition is now available as a dynamic online resource. Consisting of over 1,900 articles written by leading figures in the field including Nobel prize winners, this is the definitive scholarly reference work for a new generation of economists. Regularly updated! This product is a subscription based product.
Dynamic Allocation and Pricing
Author: Alex Gershkov
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262028409
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 209
Book Description
A new approach to dynamic allocation and pricing that blends dynamic paradigms from the operations research and management science literature with classical mechanism design methods. Dynamic allocation and pricing problems occur in numerous frameworks, including the pricing of seasonal goods in retail, the allocation of a fixed inventory in a given period of time, and the assignment of personnel to incoming tasks. Although most of these problems deal with issues treated in the mechanism design literature, the modern revenue management (RM) literature focuses instead on analyzing properties of restricted classes of allocation and pricing schemes. In this book, Alex Gershkov and Benny Moldovanu propose an approach to optimal allocations and prices based on the theory of mechanism design, adapted to dynamic settings. Drawing on their own recent work on the topic, the authors describe a modern theory of RM that blends the elegant dynamic models from the operations research (OR), management science, and computer science literatures with techniques from the classical mechanism design literature. Illustrating this blending of approaches, they start with well-known complete information, nonstrategic dynamic models that yield elegant explicit solutions. They then add strategic agents that are privately informed and then examine the consequences of these changes on the optimization problem of the designer. Their sequential modeling of both nonstrategic and strategic logic allows a clear picture of the delicate interplay between dynamic trade-offs and strategic incentives. Topics include the sequential assignment of heterogeneous objects, dynamic revenue optimization with heterogeneous objects, revenue maximization in the stochastic and dynamic knapsack model, the interaction between learning about demand and dynamic efficiency, and dynamic models with long-lived, strategic agents.
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262028409
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 209
Book Description
A new approach to dynamic allocation and pricing that blends dynamic paradigms from the operations research and management science literature with classical mechanism design methods. Dynamic allocation and pricing problems occur in numerous frameworks, including the pricing of seasonal goods in retail, the allocation of a fixed inventory in a given period of time, and the assignment of personnel to incoming tasks. Although most of these problems deal with issues treated in the mechanism design literature, the modern revenue management (RM) literature focuses instead on analyzing properties of restricted classes of allocation and pricing schemes. In this book, Alex Gershkov and Benny Moldovanu propose an approach to optimal allocations and prices based on the theory of mechanism design, adapted to dynamic settings. Drawing on their own recent work on the topic, the authors describe a modern theory of RM that blends the elegant dynamic models from the operations research (OR), management science, and computer science literatures with techniques from the classical mechanism design literature. Illustrating this blending of approaches, they start with well-known complete information, nonstrategic dynamic models that yield elegant explicit solutions. They then add strategic agents that are privately informed and then examine the consequences of these changes on the optimization problem of the designer. Their sequential modeling of both nonstrategic and strategic logic allows a clear picture of the delicate interplay between dynamic trade-offs and strategic incentives. Topics include the sequential assignment of heterogeneous objects, dynamic revenue optimization with heterogeneous objects, revenue maximization in the stochastic and dynamic knapsack model, the interaction between learning about demand and dynamic efficiency, and dynamic models with long-lived, strategic agents.
Local Electricity Markets
Author: Tiago Pinto
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128226668
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 474
Book Description
Local Electricity Markets introduces the fundamental characteristics, needs, and constraints shaping the design and implementation of local electricity markets. It addresses current proposed local market models and lessons from their limited practical implementation. The work discusses relevant decision and informatics tools considered important in the implementation of local electricity markets. It also includes a review on management and trading platforms, including commercially available tools. Aspects of local electricity market infrastructure are identified and discussed, including physical and software infrastructure. It discusses the current regulatory frameworks available for local electricity market development internationally. The work concludes with a discussion of barriers and opportunities for local electricity markets in the future. - Delineates key components shaping the design and implementation of local electricity market structure - Provides a coherent view on the enabling infrastructures and technologies that underpin local market expansion - Explores the current regulatory environment for local electricity markets drawn from a global panel of contributors - Exposes future paths toward widespread implementation of local electricity markets using an empirical review of barriers and opportunities - Reviews relevant local electricity market case studies, pilots and demonstrators already deployed and under implementation
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128226668
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 474
Book Description
Local Electricity Markets introduces the fundamental characteristics, needs, and constraints shaping the design and implementation of local electricity markets. It addresses current proposed local market models and lessons from their limited practical implementation. The work discusses relevant decision and informatics tools considered important in the implementation of local electricity markets. It also includes a review on management and trading platforms, including commercially available tools. Aspects of local electricity market infrastructure are identified and discussed, including physical and software infrastructure. It discusses the current regulatory frameworks available for local electricity market development internationally. The work concludes with a discussion of barriers and opportunities for local electricity markets in the future. - Delineates key components shaping the design and implementation of local electricity market structure - Provides a coherent view on the enabling infrastructures and technologies that underpin local market expansion - Explores the current regulatory environment for local electricity markets drawn from a global panel of contributors - Exposes future paths toward widespread implementation of local electricity markets using an empirical review of barriers and opportunities - Reviews relevant local electricity market case studies, pilots and demonstrators already deployed and under implementation
Flexure Mechanism Design
Author: Simon Henein
Publisher: Epfl Press
ISBN: 9782940222568
Category : Flexure
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Mechanism constitute the mechanical organs of machines. They are generally composed of rigid segments connected to each other by articulated joints. The function of the joints is to act as bearings, i.e. to constraint the relative motion of the segments it connects, while leaving a freedom of motion in some specific directions. Conventional mechanisms rely on sliding or rolling motions between solid bodies in order to fulfill the bearing function. Consequently, these bearings exhibit friction forcers limiting the motion precision, they require lubrication, they undergo wear, they produce debris and they have a limited lifetime. Flexure mechanisms rely on a radically different physical principle to fulfill the bearing function : the elastic deformation of beams and membranes. This gets around the above-mentioned limitations. The rigid segments of the mechanism are connected to each other via elastically deformable joints called flexures which are springs whose stiffnesses are designed to be very high in the directions where the joint has to constrain relative motion and very flexile in the directions where freedom of motion is required. As a result, mechanisms can be manufactured monolithically and, by proper choice of materials and geometry of the flexures, lead to lifetimes of tens of millions of cycles without any wear or change in the geometry or forces of motion. Thanks to these unique properties flexure mechanisms have become an inescapable technology in all environments where friction, lubrication, wear, debris or mechanical backlash are forbidden : outer space, vacuum, cryogenics, high radiation, ultra-clean environments, etc. This book comes within the scope of this technological evolution. It gathers the knowledge of experts in flexure mechanisms design having worked in the key fields of high precision robotics, aerospace mechanisms, particle accelerators and watch making industry. It is dedicated to engineers, scientists and students working in these fields. The book presents the basic principles underlying flexure mechanism design, the most important flexures and the key formulas for their proper design. It also covers more general aspects of the kinematic design of multi-degrees of freedom mechanism exploiting the state of the art approaches of parallel kinematics. A wide variety of concrete examples of systems designed based on theses approaches are presented in details. in the directions where the joint has to constrain relative motion and very flexile in the directions where freedom of motion is required. As a result, mechanisms can be manufactured monolithically and, by proper choice of materials and geometry of the flexures, lead to lifetimes of tens of millions of cycles without any wear or change in the geometry or forces of motion. Thanks to these unique properties flexure mechanisms have become an inescapable technology in all environments where friction, lubrication, wear, debris or mechanical backlash are forbidden : outer space, vacuum, cryogenics, high radiation, ultra-clean environments, etc. This book comes within the scope of this technological evolution. It gathers the knowledge of experts in flexure mechanisms design having worked in the key fields of high precision robotics, aerospace mechanisms, particle accelerators and watch making industry. It is dedicated to engineers, scientists and students working in these fields. The book presents the basic principles underlying flexure mechanism design, the most important flexures and the key formulas for their proper design. It also covers more general aspects of the kinematic design of multi-degrees of freedom mechanism exploiting the state of the art approaches of parallel kinematics. A wide variety of concrete examples of systems designed based on theses approaches are presented in details.les underlying flexure mechanism design, the most important flexures and the key formulas for their proper design. It also covers more general aspects of the kinematic design of multi-degrees of freedom mechanism exploiting the state of the art approaches of parallel kinematics. A wide variety of concrete examples of systems designed based on theses approaches are presented in details.
Publisher: Epfl Press
ISBN: 9782940222568
Category : Flexure
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Mechanism constitute the mechanical organs of machines. They are generally composed of rigid segments connected to each other by articulated joints. The function of the joints is to act as bearings, i.e. to constraint the relative motion of the segments it connects, while leaving a freedom of motion in some specific directions. Conventional mechanisms rely on sliding or rolling motions between solid bodies in order to fulfill the bearing function. Consequently, these bearings exhibit friction forcers limiting the motion precision, they require lubrication, they undergo wear, they produce debris and they have a limited lifetime. Flexure mechanisms rely on a radically different physical principle to fulfill the bearing function : the elastic deformation of beams and membranes. This gets around the above-mentioned limitations. The rigid segments of the mechanism are connected to each other via elastically deformable joints called flexures which are springs whose stiffnesses are designed to be very high in the directions where the joint has to constrain relative motion and very flexile in the directions where freedom of motion is required. As a result, mechanisms can be manufactured monolithically and, by proper choice of materials and geometry of the flexures, lead to lifetimes of tens of millions of cycles without any wear or change in the geometry or forces of motion. Thanks to these unique properties flexure mechanisms have become an inescapable technology in all environments where friction, lubrication, wear, debris or mechanical backlash are forbidden : outer space, vacuum, cryogenics, high radiation, ultra-clean environments, etc. This book comes within the scope of this technological evolution. It gathers the knowledge of experts in flexure mechanisms design having worked in the key fields of high precision robotics, aerospace mechanisms, particle accelerators and watch making industry. It is dedicated to engineers, scientists and students working in these fields. The book presents the basic principles underlying flexure mechanism design, the most important flexures and the key formulas for their proper design. It also covers more general aspects of the kinematic design of multi-degrees of freedom mechanism exploiting the state of the art approaches of parallel kinematics. A wide variety of concrete examples of systems designed based on theses approaches are presented in details. in the directions where the joint has to constrain relative motion and very flexile in the directions where freedom of motion is required. As a result, mechanisms can be manufactured monolithically and, by proper choice of materials and geometry of the flexures, lead to lifetimes of tens of millions of cycles without any wear or change in the geometry or forces of motion. Thanks to these unique properties flexure mechanisms have become an inescapable technology in all environments where friction, lubrication, wear, debris or mechanical backlash are forbidden : outer space, vacuum, cryogenics, high radiation, ultra-clean environments, etc. This book comes within the scope of this technological evolution. It gathers the knowledge of experts in flexure mechanisms design having worked in the key fields of high precision robotics, aerospace mechanisms, particle accelerators and watch making industry. It is dedicated to engineers, scientists and students working in these fields. The book presents the basic principles underlying flexure mechanism design, the most important flexures and the key formulas for their proper design. It also covers more general aspects of the kinematic design of multi-degrees of freedom mechanism exploiting the state of the art approaches of parallel kinematics. A wide variety of concrete examples of systems designed based on theses approaches are presented in details.les underlying flexure mechanism design, the most important flexures and the key formulas for their proper design. It also covers more general aspects of the kinematic design of multi-degrees of freedom mechanism exploiting the state of the art approaches of parallel kinematics. A wide variety of concrete examples of systems designed based on theses approaches are presented in details.