Handbook of Fractional Calculus with Applications, Volume 7: Applications in Engineering, Life, and Social Sciences, Part A

Fractional calculus (FC) originated in 1695, nearly at the same time as conventional
calculus. However, FC attracted limited attention and remained a purely mathemati-
cal exercise in spite of the original contributions of important mathematicians, physi-
cists, and engineers. FC underwent a rapid development during the last few decades,
both in mathematics and applied sciences, being nowadays recognized as an excel-
lent tool for describing complex systems and phenomena involving long-range mem-
ory e䭋ects and non-locality. A huge number of research papers and books devoted to
this subject have been published, and each year several specialized conferences and
workshops are organized. The popularity of FC in all 倀elds of science is due to its suc-
cessful application in mathematical models, namely, in the form of FC operators and
fractional integral and di䭋erential equations. Presently, we are witnessing consider-
able progress both in theoretical aspects and in applications of FC in areas such as
physics, engineering, biology, medicine, economy, and 倀nance.