Introduction

A quick introduction is given as to the focus, rationale, and scope of the book. The reliability science and engineering fundamentals are addressed first of all where it is emphasized that the purpose of such science is to acquire a fuller understanding of the system under development. The first three chapters from the invited authors are introduced relating to reliability and stupidity, physics-of-failure thinking, and means for acquiring observational evidence. Cause-and-effect is underlined. The next series of chapters from invited authors are introduced relating to methods in reliability for developing components and systems. These chapters have been presented in the sequence of addressing (1) components and devices, (2) micro- and nanointegrated circuits, and (3) more complex systems. The final series of chapters in the book are introduced, which address the reliability in specific applications. Several example applications are described in detail. Also, verification techniques, block modelling, and accelerated life testing are discussed in detail.