Applications from mechanics and material sciences have been simplified so that prerequisite knowledge in those areas is not required

Methods described are useful for researchers working with reticulated—or networked—systems, including chemical and civil engineers and materials scientists

Synthesizes previous results of the authors with those of scientists across the discipline to provide a fresh look at the subject

Can be used as an advanced textbook on abstract optimal control problems, while the second part of the book serves as a research monograph where stratified applications are discussed