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An innovative approach for the passive cooling of batteries: An empirical investigation of copper deposition on polyurethane foam for the enhancement of phase change material
Get PDFA proof-of-concept utilising Copper-Plated Polyurethane Foam (CPPF) and Phase Change Material (PCM) for passive thermal management of lithium-ion batteries is demonstrated in this study. The aim of this research is to assess the effectiveness of CPPF when utilised as a constituent substance in PCM/Foam composites. Six distinct configurations of PCM/Foam composites are presented in this work using 10-pore-per-inch foam. A total of four deposition foam samples were produced. Of these, three were created by gradually increasing the immersion time in an electroless copper plating solution. For the fourth sample, an electroless plating technique was utilised for 80 min, followed by an electroplating procedure to deposit an additional layer of copper. The evaluation entails examining each plated sample in comparison to a copper foam that is commercially available with a purity level of 99.99 %. The findings reveal that the electroless-plated specimens exhibit improved effectiveness after being subjected to a prolonged plating period of 80 min. The electroplated sample exhibited the greatest degree of effectiveness, as evidenced by a 64.4 % reduction in battery cell surface temperature(10.98 °C), which is almost identical to the 64.5 % decrease in temperature (11.03 °C) observed with commercial foam but coupled with 88.1 % decrease in mass. The results suggest that the CPPF-PCM composites offer effective passive cooling properties for batteries
AI-Enhanced Digital Twin Framework for Cyber-Resilient 6G Internet of Vehicles Networks
Get PDFDigital twin technology is crucial to the development of the sixth-generation (6G) Internet of Vehicles (IoV) as it allows the monitoring and assessment of the dynamic and complicated vehicular environment. However, 6G IoV networks have critical challenges in network security and computational efficiency, which need to be addressed. Existing digital twin technologies in 6G IoV networks often suffer from limitations such as reliance on static models and high computational demands, leading to unstable attack detection and inefficiencies. Their results for attack detection performance metrics, precision, detection rate, and F1-Score are insufficient for 6G IoV. Moreover, these systems concentrate all computational processes within the digital twin’s service layer, leading to inefficiencies. To address these challenges, we introduce a novel artificial intelligence (AI) enhanced digital twin framework designed to significantly improve 6G IoV network security and computational efficiency under dynamic conditions. Our framework employs an advanced feature engineering module that uses feature selection methods and stacked sparse autoencoders (ssAE) to reduce feature dimensions within the cyber twin layer, effectively distributing the overall computational load. It also utilises an online learning module which enables a network-aware attack detection mechanism for precise attack detection. The proposed solution exhibits a stable performance of around 98% success rate regarding attack detection metrics against two datasets. Specifically, our solution reduces system latency by 12%, energy consumption by 15%, RAM usage by 20%, and improves packet delivery rates by 6.1%. These findings underscore the potential of our framework to enhance the robustness and responsiveness of 6G IoV systems, offering a significant contribution to vehicular network security and management
Parametric Study on PVDF Electrospun Nanofibers: Optical Characteristics, Piezoelectric Analysis, and Correlated Applications
Get PDFIn this study, both the optical and piezoelectric properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) electrospun nanofibers were investigated at different needle-to-collector distances of the electrospinning process at constant applied high voltage. For piezoelectric characterization, the fabricated nanofiber mats were subjected to applied forces, including cyclic force, variable frequency-based loads, and free-falling masses (impulse loading), along with power density analysis for different load resistance values. In addition, both optical absorbance and transmittance measurements were conducted to evaluate the optical properties of the fabricated nanofibers. The piezoelectric analysis demonstrated the best piezoresponse of the fabricated nanomats at a needle-to-collector distance of 15 cm and high voltage of 22 kV. However, a trade-off between piezoelectric response and optical transmissivity was observed based on the electrospinning distance parameter. The relatively higher optically transparent sample exhibited only moderate piezoelectric response, while the less transparent sample displayed the highest piezoelectric activity. Based on the optimized sample and piezoelectric analysis, the synthesized nanofiber mat was subjected to applied mechanical stress in the form of variable velocity and momentum loads. A maximum potential of approximately 16 V was harvested through velocity and momentum impact, especially with the addition of a double-layer PVDF membrane. Furthermore, the sensing effect of airflow pressure on single/double-layer PVDF was studied. The single-layer PVDF membrane generated 79 mV under an airflow speed of 21 km/h, while the double-layer membrane produced 114 mV potential under the same airflow. This study highlights the diverse applications of PVDF nanofiber mats as multifunctional sensors and energy harvesting applications from mechanical shocks and airflow impact
Pedagogical Approaches in Music and Audio Education for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students
Get PDFLearning about music, sound or audio can present significant challenges for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH). Given the advancements in technology and the increasing emphasis on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in education, this article proposes pedagogical approaches aimed at facilitating the learning process for DHH students in the areas of music and audio production. These approaches encompass sound visualisation, haptic feedback, automated transcription, tactics in non-linear editing and digital signal processing. Importantly, these approaches do not necessitate advanced technical skills or substantial additional resources, thus lowering barriers for DHH students to overcome challenges in music and audio production. Furthermore, these strategies would enable content creation and editing for individuals with DHH, who may have previously been excluded from participating in music and audio production. Recommendations are provided for the implementation of these approaches in diverse educational settings to promote the integration of EDI in music and audio education
Great Expectations! Work and Workplace Expectations, Realities, and Retention of Police Officers in Scotland
Get PDFThis research compares the work and workplace expectations of probationers (new recruits) and early career officers (with up to two years of experience) with the lived experiences of established police officers (with three or more years of experience). It examines the extent to which the expectations of early career officers are realistic, understood, and are being fulfilled for established officers. The wellbeing and retention of police officers are of key concern to Police Scotland. Providing an in-depth examination of the reasons behind turnover intention (desire to leave) and, importantly, the retention factors that might encourage officers to remain within Police Scotland is the driving force behind this research. The research is broadly structured around four antecedents, or themes: police culture and work environment; management and leadership; training and career progression; and wellbeing and work-life balance. Drawing on psychological contract theory as an analytical lens, it focuses on the implications and consequences for officers’ job satisfaction, engagement, and turnover intention (i.e., retention factors). All empirical data were collected within Police Scotland. The methodology consisted of a sequential mixed methods approach, with qualitative data firstly generated from 32 interviews (15 probationers and 17 established officers), followed by quantitative survey of 1,297 police officers. By comparing new and early career officers’ expectations with the lived experiences of established officers, this report shines a light on several areas of dissonance that Police Scotland should be cognisant of. Probationers’ hopes for the job were geared around having a challenging, rewarding, and varied role in which they can ‘make a difference’, where they are treated inclusively and with respect, and where they have opportunities to develop, grow and progress. Yet, on average, established officers reflected that their job has not fully measured up to the job they envisaged, and a substantial share of respondents (45%) indicated that with hindsight they would not choose to become a police officer again. Where the eventual job does not match up to high initial expectations, current probationers and early career officers are at greater risk of voluntary turnover. The report aims to inform future Human Resource policy and practices to shape the work and workplace expectations and lived experiences of police officers. Police Scotland should take account of the changing needs and work and workplace expectations of a new generation of police officers when developing the next iteration of its People Strategy, including its approach to strategic organisational and culture development. The report makes seven specific recommendations to Police Scotland
Can probiotics trigger a paradigm shift for cleaning healthcare environments? A narrative review
Get PDFBackground: The environment of healthcare institutions plays a major role in the transmission of multidrug resistant organisms (MDRO) and likely in subsequent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Probiotic cleaning products are a novel option for environmental cleaning. They represent a sustainable and biodegradable alternative to conventional chemical disinfectants for controlling microbial bioburden, and preventing pathogen transmission in hospital environments. High-quality studies including randomized clinical trials (RCT) triggered a summary with expert recommendations until further studies allow a critical review and meta-analysis of the data. Methods: Infection control experts from five European countries summarized available data as of June 2023. Authors presented their published RCTs, reviewed the existing literature on probiotic cleaning, summarized the results and identified knowledge gaps and subsequent research needs. Results: Probiotic cleaning was similarly effective for reducing HAI-related pathogens, enveloped viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and MDRO in environmental samples compared to conventional chemical disinfectants. More importantly, probiotic cleaning was non-inferior to disinfectants in terms of preventing HAI in a large RCT. In addition, probiotic cleaning has also been shown to reduce antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG), costs and antimicrobial consumption in other hospital trials. They are biodegradable, do not require any protection for chemical hazards, and are compliant with occupational health. A paradigm shift, however, requires a very strong evidence to justify for such a change. In the past, this evidence was limited by the heterogeneity of study design, products, protocols, and few studies on clinical outcomes used in the trials. Furthermore, the regulatory, safety, and quality aspects of probiotic cleaning products are not, yet, completely defined and require clearing by authorities. Conclusion: To date, probiotic cleaning is a breakthrough technology and a biological alternative for chemical disinfectant when treating hospital environment. It may also have a positive effect on MDRO transmission. However, the different compositions of probiotic products will require standardization, and more robust data should be generated to support these promising results on different compositions. This may trigger a paradigm shift in cleaning of healthcare institutions from chemical to biological control of the hospital environment
Towards sustainable agricultural development and food security in East Asia: The role of broad money and banking credits
Get PDFThe existing literature has extensively explored the role of financial development in boosting agricultural output. However, there is a lack of empirical research on the effects of broad money and banking credits on food production in East Asian countries. This study addresses this gap by examining the relationship between financial variables and agriculture in selected East Asian economies from 1995 to 2019, focusing on food security. Our findings indicate that increases in broad money and financial sector credit significantly enhance long-term food security by 0.216% and 0.846%, respectively. Additionally, we observed positive correlations between food security and agricultural inputs: a 1% increase in agricultural land, fertilizer use, and renewable energy adoption improves food security by 0.219%, 0.049%, and 0.146%, respectively. Robustness checks and Granger causality tests further validate these results. This study underscores the critical role of financial resources and agricultural inputs in food security and calls for a reassessment of credit systems to mitigate any adverse effects. These findings provide important insights for policymakers aiming to strengthen food security in East Asia
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