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Does identity influence how learners seek support?
No full textThis article presents a research case study of learners attending a university in the North West of England. This university attracts learners of all ages from diverse backgrounds; many fall into the classification of ‘non-traditional’ students who do not possess the identity associated with those who typically progress to university. Compared to middle-class social agents who see progression to University as natural, students from low participation groups may feel that their background influences upon their university experience. Their perceived social class may direct their friendship groups, engagement with university activities and academic literacy and study skills acquisition (Bourdieu & Passeron, 1990). For these learners, the support services encountered during their early experiences of university can play a significant part in their retention and long-term outcomes.The primary aim of this study explores the use of support facilities at university and examines any obstacles there are to their use; investigating the need for support is a secondary aim. The study investigates social class, habitus and learner identity and scrutinises the role these factors play in the acquisition of academic literacy and study skills. It evaluates research into the effective academic literacy models and considers what inventions have been implemented in other universities. It seeks to offer valuable insight into the individual student learning experience at one university through evaluating how learners identify themselves and how this may impact upon their academic literacy and study skills acquisition. Predominantly qualitative data has been used to investigate the social, economic and educational backgrounds of students and whether students feel prepared when arriving at university. Through a thematic analysis of topics raised during a series of focus groups, the support mechanisms that students have engaged with and possible links between social background and skills competency have been explored. Conclusions indicate that although many students do successfully engage with the current services on offer at this university, considering perceived identity and an academic literacies approach may increase engagement and positive outcomes
A novel atmospheric plasma/UV technology for developing durable flame retardant textiles
No full textConventional flame retardant (FR) application processes for textiles involve aqueous processing, which for the creation of durability to laundering, often requires conventional functional group chemistry. Recently reported research using sol-gel and layer-by-layer chemistries, while claimed to be based on superior, more environmentally-sustainable chemistry, still require aqueous media with the continuing problem of water management and drying processes being required.This paper outlines the initial work to confer durable flame retardant treatments to cellulosic textiles using a novel process utilizing high frequency high power electrical discharge atmospheric plasma and high powerUV laser facility for processing textiles with the formal name - Multiplexed Laser Surface Enhancement (MLSE) system. This patented system (MTIX Ltd., UK), offers the means of directly bonding flame retardant precursor species introduced into the fabric before plasma/UV exposure or into the plasma/UV reaction zone itself, thereby eliminating a number of wet processing cycles compared to conventional methods.Exploratory work to date based entirely on trial and error processing has managed to achieve reasonable levels of durable flame retardant on cellulosic and wool textiles. Initial studies undertaken on upholstery quality, cellulosic blended fabrics (e.g. 80% viscose/20% linen) are described in this paper
Enhancement of β-phase in PVDF films embedded with ferromagnetic Gd5Si4 nanoparticles for piezoelectric energy harvesting
No full textSelf-polarized Gd5Si4-polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposite films have been synthesized via a facile phase-inversion technique. For the 5 wt% Gd5Si4-PVDF films, the enhancement of the piezoelectric β-phase and crystallinity are confirmed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy (phase fraction, Fβ, of 81% as compared to 49% for pristine PVDF) and differential scanning calorimetry (crystallinity, ∆Xc of 58% as compared to 46% for pristine PVDF), respectively. The Gd5Si4 magnetic nanoparticles, prepared using high-energy ball milling were characterized using Dynamic Light Scattering and Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM) to reveal a particle size of β470 nm with a high magnetization of 11 emu/g. The VSM analysis of free-standing Gd5Si4-PVDF films revealed that while the pristine PVDF membrane shows weak diamagnetic behavior, the Gd5Si4-PVDF films loaded at 2.5 wt% and 5 wt% Gd5Si4 show enhanced ferromagnetic behavior with paramagnetic contribution from Gd5Si3 phase. The interfacial interactions between Gd5Si4 and PVDF results in the preferential crystallization of the β-phase as confirmed via the shift in the CH2 asymmetric and symmetric stretching vibrations in the FTIR. These results confirm the magnetic Gd5Si4 nanoparticles embedded in the PVDF membrane lead to an increased β-phase fraction, which paves the way for future efficient energy harvesting applications using a combination of magnetic and piezoelectric effects
Commentary: CrISPr–Cas encoding of a Digital movie into the Genomes of a Population of living Bacteria
No full textCompetitiveness and synergy between three flame retardants in poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)
No full textThis work seeks to address the effect of simultaneous use of three flame retardants, having three different modes of action, (magnesium hydroxide, expanded and expandable graphite) on the thermal degradation and flame retardancy of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate). Thermal conductivity of samples was measured in order to investigate the effect of the use of expanded and expandable graphite on the time-to-ignition and the peak of heat release rate in cone calorimeter test. Thermal shielding performances of chars were studied as well. It was found that there is an optimum ratio between expanded and expandable graphite in order to control thermal conductivity and therefore fire properties. Some correlations were also found between the char thickness and the first peak of heat release rate
Conclusions and afterthoughts
No full textThe impact on the nature of happiness of technological and social changes from 1938 to 2014 is explored. It outlines the advantages of the “consumer society”, but also the downsides, for some, of problem debt and discontent. The influence of the Internet age on community identification and the greater individualization and importance of leisure is discussed. Reported happiness levels are similar in both periods confirming the Easterlin Paradox. In 2014, happiness may be more materialistic with less inner peace and contentment. Family remains highly valued with chosen friendships replacing “giving to/helping others”. How much is enhanced happiness within the control of the individual or due to circumstances? As the link between health and happiness is recognized should the growth of GNP remain the primary government policy
A self-powered high-performance graphene/silicon ultraviolet photodetector with ultra-shallow junction: breaking the limit of silicon?
No full textWe present a self-powered, high-performance graphene-enhanced ultraviolet silicon Schottky photodetector. Different from traditional transparent electrodes, such as indium tin oxides or ultra-thin metals, the unique ultraviolet absorption property of graphene leads to long carrier life time of hot electrons that can contribute to the photocurrent or potential carrier-multiplication. Our proposed structure boosts the internal quantum efficiency over 100%, approaching the upper-limit of silicon-based ultraviolet photodetector. In the near-ultraviolet and mid-ultraviolet spectral region, the proposed ultraviolet photodetector exhibits high performance at zero-biasing (self-powered) mode, including high photo-responsivity (0.2 AW(-1)), fast time response ( 5 ns), high specific detectivity (1.6 x 10(13) Jones), and internal quantum efficiency greater than 100%. Further, the photo-responsivity is larger than 0.14 AW(-1) in wavelength range from 200 to 400 nm, comparable to that of state-of-the-art Si, GaN, SiC Schottky photodetectors. The photodetectors exhibit stable operations in the ambient condition even 2 years after fabrication, showing great potential in practical applications, such as wearable devices, communication, and "dissipation-less" remote sensor networks
Evaluation of 3-Level 4-Leg Inverter with Harmonic Injection for Smart Grid Regulator RENEWABLE ENERGY IMPACT
No full textAs the amount of decentralized generation is continuously increasing the controlling and maintaining of grid stability becomes more complex. This is caused by a change of production capacities from the high voltage area into the distribution network. In order to ensure stability of future smart grids a new 3-Level 4-Leg inverter as a part of a power electronic regulator is introduced. This topology is compared to a 3-Leg 4-Wire (3L4W) operation mode with focus on harmonic injection method. The difference between THD and efficiency is evaluated. As a result the 4L4W operation with harmonic injection can increase efficiency in most operation points. The THD is reduced in all test cases compared to the 3L4W operation. Additionally the overall flexibility is increased by an increased DC-Link voltage operation range