4101 research outputs found
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Fire-resistant flax - reinforced polypropylene / polylactic acid composites with optimised fire and mechanical performances
No full textFabrics from commingled natural (flax) –thermoplastic (polypropylene (PP) / poly lactic acid (PLA) polymeric fibres were fire retarded with an oragnophosphonate flame retardant (FR). The fire retarded flax/PP and flax/PLA fabrics were melt pressed to prepare respective thermoplastic composites. The effect of FR concentration on the fire and mechanical properties of composites were studied and the results analysed in terms of concentration of FR elements in the composites.While the UL-94 test was used as a benchmark to achieve a V-0 rating, cone calorimetric parameters were used for in-depth analysis of fire performance. The results show that flax/PP and flax/PLA composites require a minimum 0.9 and 0.6 % phosphorus (P), respectively to achieve a V-0 rating in the UL-94 test. Mechanical properties, evaluated in tensile and flexural modes are however slightly impaired, most probably due to the acidity of the FR solution (pH = 3.2). In order to improve the mechanical properties, a buffer solution was used to change the pH to 6.0, which while having a minimal effect on mechanical properties of flax/PP, significantly reduced those of flax/PLA, and increased flammability of both composites and hence overall showed no benefit
Development of an enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) adoption model in Higher Education Institutions
No full textThis research investigates and identifies some of the major factors affecting the adoption of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Saudi Arabia. ERP has become a significant computer system in organisations; therefore, this study was motivated by the lack of comprehensive research on the adoption of ERP systems by HEIs.The present study has extended previous research by examining factors that may affect the adoption of ERP systems, based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). HEIs must utilise information systems to achieve a competitive advantage; therefore, extra knowledge of the factors that affect their adoption is required to understand and facilitate acceptance.The study employed a quantitative approach and was conducted on six HEIs located in different cities in Saudi Arabia. The proposed model was validated by a survey of 394 ERP users and was estimated using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). A path model was developed to analyse the relationships between the factors in order to explain the adoption of ERP systems by HEIs. The results have shown that both organisational factors (top management support and user training) and individual factors (computer self-efficacy and computer anxiety) have significant effects on ERP adoption in HEIs.The current study provides both theoretical and practical contributions. The development of a new model extends the body of knowledge of the existing literature and research related to technology acceptance and, more specifically, to the adoption of ERP by HEIs. Along with these academic contributions, practical contributions are anticipated from this current study because HEIs need to enhance performance in the current competitive setting. This conceptual basis is aimed at providing an insight on the possible management procedures and activities that managers might utilise for examining the complexity of the ERP, thus equipping them with an instrument for exploiting its potential. This is critical because HEIs face challenges when applying ERPs through mechanisms that enable them produce the anticipated benefits.This research also provides useful insights into the relationship between the factors and the actual use of ERP systems, enabling the HEI adoption teams and technology developers to better understand the key determinants of user acceptance and how different decisions may influence the success of the new systems they produce. Therefore, the proposed model serves as a framework for thinking through and establishing the different requirements and development criteria for the new system
Efficient removal of arsenic from water by dielectrophoresis-assisted adsorption
No full textAdsorption (ADS) and dielectrophoresis (DEP) techniques were combined (ADS/DEP) to efficiently remove As(V) in industrial wastewater. Fly ash, activated carbon, corncob and plant ash were tested to determine the best adsorbent by their adsorption capacity. Plant ash showed the highest adsorption capacity compared with the others. Different parameters such as solution pH and adsorbent dose were explored. The maximum As(V) removal efficiency was 91.4% at the optimized conditions (pH 9.0, adsorbent dose 5 g/L) when the initial concentration of As(V) was 15 mg/L. With the ADS/DEP technique, the plant ash particles with adsorbed As(V) were trapped on the electrodes in a DEP device. The ADS/DEP process could increase the removal efficiency of As(V) to 94.7% at 14 V even when the initial concentration of As(V) was 15 mg/L. And the residual concentration of As(V) decreased to 0.34 mg/L after two series of the ADS/DEP process. The adsorbents before and after DEP were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. After the DEP process, the weight percentage of As(V) on the adsorbent surface increased to 0.96% from 0.5%. The ADS/DEP process could be a new efficient way to remove arsenic pollutant at high concentrations
Peukert Effects on Domestic Energy Storage in Virtual Power Plants
No full textIn residential homes, domestic energy storage in batteries have been proposed by many to support the grid. To foster its integration into the grid, virtual power plant (VPP) technology is used. In this paper, we evaluate Peukert condition of domestic battery storage within a given distribution level market. An evolutionary algorithm is applied to optimize the social welfare of stakeholders in a community VPP at different levels of Peukert conditions. The dynamic load performance of the VPP with respect to the grid requirements for demand-side management (DSM) is also presented to evaluate the impact of the Peukert effect on DSM. The results show that the social welfare of the VPP stakeholders decreases as Peukert effects increase
Ultra-thin atom layer deposited alumina film enables the precise lifetime control of fully biodegradable electronic devices
No full textAtomic layer deposited (ALD) ultra-thin alumina film is proposed to control the operational lifetimes of fully biodegradable (FB-) surface sensitive surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. SAW devices encapsulated with conventional thick organic materials fail to function effectively, while devices with an ultra-thin alumina encapsulation layer (AEL) function normally with high performance. After being subjected to degradation in water, a FB-SAW device with no AEL starts to degrade immediately and fails within 8 h, due to dissolution of the tungsten electrode and piezoelectric material (ZnO). The coating of an ultra-thin AEL on the surfaces prevents SAW devices from undergoing degradation in water and enables SAW devices to perform normally before the AEL is dissolved. The stable operation lifetimes of SAW devices are linearly dependent on the AEL thickness, thus allowing for the design of devices with precisely controlled operational lifetimes and degradation times. The results show that all the materials used could be degraded; also, in vitro cytotoxicity tests indicate that the encapsulated FB-SAW devices are biocompatible, and cells can adhere and proliferate on them normally, demonstrating great potential for broader biodegradable electronic device applications
Teaching Intensive Research Informed [TIRI] Conference 2019 Programme & Book of Abstracts
No full textThe impact of teacher training processes on the professional practices of university lecturers : a review of policy and practice
No full textThe emphasis on the teaching quality of university lecturers in the UK has become an emergent theme in UK education policy over the last 40 years. Prior to this shift in emphasis, it was seen as acceptable for an academic to be solely an expert in their particular subject area. A key theme to emerge from the policy interventions regarding teaching quality is the issue of teacher training processes for university lecturers. The purpose of this paper is to examine these policy developments against the research evidence regarding the subsequent impact of the policy on academics at both practitioner and institutional level. The paper finds that policy rhetoric would indicate an enthusiasm of successive governments to ensure meaningful training programmes for academics, e.g. Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCEHE); this has been further supported by the introduction of professional bodies during this time period, e.g. Higher Education Academy (HEA). When contextualised against practitioner experiences and institutional interpretations of government policy the paper concludes that this is a problematic task due to the fragmented approach of UK higher education institutions in adopting these policies but also the varying research methods used to examine the topic area
Liquid metal-based electrical interconnects and interfaces with excellent stability and reliability for flexible electronics
No full textStable and reliable electrical properties of interconnects and interfaces between flexible/stretchable and rigid materials/components are essential for the practical applications of flexible electronic devices and systems; traditional metal thin films and hard solder interconnects and interfaces can no longer meet these requirements. As an emerging soft conductive material, liquid metal has the advantages of high stretchability, flexibility, etc. over other soldering materials, and it has been used in interconnects and interfaces for some flexible electronics. In this study, we report a detailed investigation on the reliability and stability of liquid metal-based interconnects/interfaces under various mechanical deformations, including extension, bending, torsion, high frequency vibration and high temperature operation; we also compared the results with those of interconnects and interfaces using silver paste, the most commonly used solder for flexible electronics. The results show that liquid metal interconnects and interfaces maintain high conductivity under severe elongation up to 95% and 130%, upon bending with a curvature radius as low as ∼1.5 mm, and upon twisting up to 360°; meanwhile, interconnects and interfaces with silver paste filler lose electrical conductivity at elongations of 0.6% and 60%, respectively. Liquid metal interconnects and interfaces show superior performance to silver paste interconnects and interfaces because liquid metal can be re-shaped to make good contact with objects, while the silver paste becomes solid and rigid once dried and thus loses contact with other objects under deformation
Impacts of I4.0 on sustainable manufacturing to achieve competitive advantage
No full textResearch studies highlights that Industry 4.0 plays a vital role in different areas of manufacturing industries and requires constant research and improvements due to high demand to meet the global competitive markets in an efficient and economical method. The current industrialisation is facing great challenges in ensuring the sustainability balance of its social, economic and environmental dimensions while they strive to achieve the product demands in competitive market space. As part of achieving these high demands, different studies focus towards developing the understanding of industry 4.0 implementation practices to attain a sustainable manufacturing process that incorporates advanced technological tools for increasing efficiency, financial gains and competitiveness in the market. This paper aims to examine the interrelationship of sustainability practices, the key factors affecting sustainability within manufacturing, and finally the advancements of industry 4.0 and different technologies to achieve sustainable manufacturing that focuses on KPI’s of environmental and social dimensions