151 research outputs found
Giant dielectric permittivity in ferroelectric thin films : domain wall ping pong
No full textThis study was supported by the National Key Basic Research Program of China (No. 2014CB921004), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 61225020 and 61176121), and the Program for Professor of Special Appointment (Eastern Scholar) in Shanghai. C.S.H. acknowledges the support of the Global Research Laboratory Program (2012040157) through the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea. Date of Acceptance: 02/09/2015The dielectric permittivity in ferroelectric thin films is generally orders of magnitude smaller than in their bulk. Here, we discover a way of increasing dielectric constants in ferroelectric thin films by ca. 500% by synchronizing the pulsed switching fields with the intrinsic switching time (nucleation of domain plus forward growth from cathode to anode). In a 170-nm lead zirconate titanate thin film with an average grain size of 850' this produces a dielectric constant of 8200 with the maximum nucleus density of 3.8 μ1-2, which is one to three orders of magnitude higher than in other dielectric thin films. This permits smaller capacitors in memory devices and is a step forward in making ferroelectric domain-engineered nano-electronics.Peer reviewe
Creation and Repair of Specific DNA Double-Strand Breaks in Vivo Following Infection with Adenovirus Vectors Expressing Saccharomyces cerevisiae HO Endonuclease
No full textAbstractTo study DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair in mammalian cells, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae HO endonuclease gene, or its recognition site, was cloned into the adenovirus E3 or E1 regions. Analysis of DNA from human A549 cells coinfected with the E3::HO gene and site viruses showed that HO endonuclease was active and that broken viral genomes were detectable 12 h postinfection, increasing with time up to ∼30% of the available HO site genomes. Leftward fragments of ∼30 kbp, which contain the packaging signal, but not rightward fragments of ∼6 kbp, were incorporated into virions, suggesting that broken genomes were not held together tightly after cleavage. There was no evidence for DSB repair in E3::HO virus coinfections. In contrast, such evidence was obtained in E1::HO virus coinfections of nonpermissive cells, suggesting that adenovirus proteins expressed in the permissive E3::HO coinfection can inhibit mammalian DSB repair. To test the inhibitory role of E4 proteins, known to suppress genome concatemer formation late in infection (Weiden and Ginsberg, 1994), A549 cells were coinfected with E3::HO viruses lacking the E4 region. The results strongly suggest that the E4 protein(s) inhibits DSB repair
UCD4SME: Small to Medium-sized Enterprises involving their users and clients for product innovation
No full textAn increasing number of Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) starts to realize the opportunities offered by User-centred Design (UCD). The issue is that our understanding of UCD either comes from large companies or is developed in an academic setting, without taking SMEs into account. This research project demonstrates that in order to make use of UCD in the context of SMEs, the strengths of SMEs play an important role (such as project-based development, involvement of different internal stakeholders and existing relations) by adding to the existing way of work and making SMEs aware of the opportunities that users and clients present. This dissertation provides understanding of how product innovation takes place different in SMEs in comparison to large companies and discusses the current state of applying UCD in SMEs. In ten different cases where SMEs were supported by design agencies UCD methods that are rather new and un-established within the SME practice are applied in design projects. These cases demonstrate that all UCD methods can be applied in SMEs, but require a different approach to implement them in the daily practice of SMEs. Furthermore, even though all cases started of with a product oriented design brief, many of the results had wide implications for the organization (such as for maintenance and marketing) and not only dealt with products but also with services. The outcome of my research is an approach that aims to support SMEs in applying UCD for product innovation in their daily practice. This approach is a combination of a design process commonly used by SMEs (based on impulses, work with great flexibility and iterations), and three challenges that are faced by SMEs when dealing with UCD (becoming aware of opportunities as they present themselves, learning to apply UCD methods and using UCD in the daily practice), the elements that enable SMEs to make use of UCD within their practice (an engaged entrepreneur, being supported by a UCD expert and how to use the gathered user insights within the organization) and has varying degrees of learning experiences. The resulting knowledge can be employed to inform and inspire SMES and UCD experts in applying UCD in SMEs in order to design new products that better fit the needs and desires of users and clients. This dissertation discusses the changing role for designers when working with SMEs. Due to their nature, SMEs are closely involved in projects and like to participate actively. Therefore, designers no longer act as provides of design solutions, but also as a coach or facilitator for SMEs in applying UCD.Industrial DesignIndustrial Design Engineerin
Customer Experience Strategy Turned into Hands‐On Actions Through a Design Approach
No full textCustomer experience (CX) is a differentiation strategy often chosen by companies. But several aspects can hinder the realization of this strategic change: Existing routines, strong silo thinking among departments, and other circumstances work against the creation of a holistic CX. There is very little guidance in the literature about becoming more customer centric in practice. Within design practice, customer‐centric thinking and working are key aspects. Therefore, this article addresses the question of how a design approach can facilitate a company's change process from the abstract strategic direction of focusing on CX to a way of working in practice. The article is based on a practice‐led case study of an airline company where the first author worked from within the company to test solutions directly in daily practice. We conclude that in order to move from the strategic direction of a CX focus to an applicable proposal, designers can support both top‐down and bottom‐up processes. A trial‐and‐error approach and boundary objects can be useful in finding emotional triggers for employees to reflect about their own rolesOLD Management and Organisatio
Gebruikers betrekken tijdens een kort ontwerptraject
No full textGebruikers betrekken in de beginfase van het ontwerpproces is op dit moment nog moeilijk. In dit artikel bespreken we de huidige status van het betrekken van gebruikers bij kleine ontwerpbureaus in Nederland. De focus ligt op deze bureaus, omdat deze veel moeilijkheden ondervinden om de gebruiker te betrekken tijdens het ontwerpproces: minste tijd, budget, kennis en mankracht. Aan de andere kant biedt de grootte van deze bureaus ook een aantal voordelen die grote internationale bedrijven niet hebben, bijvoorbeeld de samenhang in visie, mogelijkheid tot focus, en kennis van vaardigheden. Hierdoor zouden er andere methoden nodig kunnen zijn voor kleinere bedrijven dan op dit moment worden gebruikt bij grote internationale bedrijven. In dit artikel werpen we een blik op de huidige praktijk, welke methoden gebruikt worden, welke problemen verrijzen, en het soort informatie dat ontwerpers van gebruikers nodig hebben. Al deze informatie wordt gebruikt als een basis voor verder onderzoek naar methoden voor het betrekken van gebruikers.Product Innovatie ManagementIndustrial Design Engineerin
Ontwikkeling van een testmethode ter bepaling van het wrijvingsgedrag tussen geokunststoffen en grond
No full textGeokunststoffen worden voor verschillende doeleinden in civieltechnische constructies in de grond toegepast, vooral als wapening, filter, scheiding en scherm. Er bestaan een groot aantal geokunststoffen die de bovenstaande functies vervullen. De belangrijkste vier type geokunststof zijn weefsels, vliezen, geogrids en geomembranen. In veel toepassingen zijn de sterkte, de stabiliteit en het vervormingsgedrag van de grondconstructie afhankelijk van het wrijvingsgedrag van het geokunststof in de grond. De wrijvingsweerstand van geokunststoffen wordt in de praktijk volgens twee principes gemobiliseerd, afhankelijk van het bezwijkmechanisme van de grondconstructie. Als de grondconstructie volgens een aktief schuifvlak bezwijkt en de grond over het geokunststof schuift wordt er langs het geokunststof oppervlak aktieve wrijving opgewekt. Als de grondconstructie volgens een passief schuifvlak bezwijkt en het geokunststof tussen twee grondlagen uit wordt getrokken is er sprake van passieve wrijving. Analoog hieraan bestaan er twee typen testmethode namelijk de direct shear-test en de pull out-test weerstand. Het wrijvingsgedrag van geokunststoffen wordt gekarakteriseerd door middel van de relatie tussen de relatieve verplaatsing van het geokunststof ten opzichte van de grond en de daarbij opgewekte schuifspanning en tevens door de relatie tussen de maximale schuif spanning en de normaalspanning. Ook belangrijk is de efficëncy factor (C.O.I.), d.i. de verhouding tussen de schuifspanning tussen de grond en het geokunststof enerzijds, en de schuifsterkte van de grond zelf anderzijds. Vanwege de verschillende bezwijkmechanismen in de twee typen testmethode zijn de optredende schuifspanningen in het schuifvlak principiëel verschillend. In de direct shear-test is de gemobiliseerde schuifspanning en vervorming constant over de lengte van het geokunststof. In de pull out-test is de vervorming van het geokunststof een combinatie van de schuifvervorming en de verlenging van het geokunststof. Dit resulteert in een niet-uniforme verdeling van de schuifspanningen over de lengte van het geokunststof. Hierbij speelt de spanning-rek relatie van het geokunststof een bepalende rol. In dit afstudeerproject is een proefopstelling ontworpen en gebouwd en is een uitvoeringsprocedure opgesteld om het pull out-gedrag van geokunststoffen te onderzoeken. In de proefopstelling kunnen in principe alle mogelijke geokunststoffen en alle mogelijke grondsoorten onder alle voorkomende belastingsomstandigheden beproefd worden. Om het wrijvingsgedrag te bepalen worden tijdens de pull out-test de pull out-kracht, de vijzelverplaatsingen en de verplaatsingen over de lengte van het geokunststof gemeten en opgeslagen door middel van een data-acquisitie systeem. Hiermee kan voor verschillende normaalbelastingen de relatie tussen de pull out-kracht en de verplaatsing van de voorzijde van het geokunststof en tussen de pull out-kracht en de verankeringslengte bepaald worden. Tevens kan het verloop van de verplaatsing, trekkracht en schuifspanning over de lengte van het geokunststof bepaald worden. De invloed van de parameters van het geokunststof, de grond en de belastingstoestand op het wrijvingsgedrag van geokunststoffen in de grond is bepaald. De parameters die het wrijvingsgedrag beïnvloeden zijn de hoek van inwendige wrijving, de cohesie, de korrelgrootte verdeling of bijvoorbeeld Dx, de korrelvorm, de dichtheid, de E-modulus van de grond, de dwarscontractie-coëfficiënt van de grond, de hoek van dilatantie, het watergehalte, de normaalbelasting, gedraineerd of ongedraineerde omstandigheden, de afmetingen van de geometrie van het geokunststof, de hardheid van het geokunststof, de permeabiliteit en transmissiviteit van het geokunststof, de dikte, de E-modulus van het geokunststof, de treksterkte. Voor geogrids is tevens van belang de dwarsribsterkte, de dwarsribstijfheid en de knoopsterkte.Hydraulic EngineeringCivil Engineering and Geoscience
The SimBethel Simulator
No full textSimBethel Educational is a board game about the flood safety of Bethel Island, California. To check if the game meets the requirements of a serious game a simulator is created with which the game developer can simulate SimBethel Educational and investigate how the game really works without playing the game a thousand times. It is explained how the simulator is created and it is demonstrated how the simulator is used. Concluded is that the simulator is very useful for game developers to create a better serious game.In cooperation with Civil EngineeringComputer ScienceElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc
Building Design-led Ambidexterity in Big Companies
No full textOrganisational ambidexterity is considered a crucial capability for long term firm survival and development. However, adopting and successfully implementing it presents multiple challenges. Furthermore, despite being increasingly popular in the last two decades, the role design can play in achieving it is notably missing from the discussion. This paper analyses the attempts to accelerate the innovation pace of two large international companies in the consumer electronics and healthcare and airline industries. Both attempt to combine design and agile elements in fast-paced environments, while working in multidisciplinary teams early in the NPD process. However, one is guided by designers, the other by people with a background in operational functions. As such, they provide a good foundation to study design’s role and its implications in achieving ambidexterity in two large international companies. The collected insights helped us to define a new form of ambidexterity and devise a model for building ambidextrous organisations through design.OLD Management and Organisatio
Optical topography in psychiatry: A chip off the old block or a new look beyond the mind-brain frontiers?
No full text10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00074Frontiers in Psychiatry7APR7
Using Dynamic Capabilities in an actionable tool as a vehicle to initiate design-driven innovation
No full textIn order to become more innovative, corporations are increasingly turning to design-driven innovation capabilities. These capabilities are dynamic: they influence the way companies run their business and how companies create, capture and deliver value. Building design capabilities has proven difficult, given the tacit nature of design practice and the conflicting reasoning style of abduction that allows for the creative leap. However, if these enterprises don’t improve, they are in danger of losing theirability to add value to the market. This may result in loss of market-share, which may lead to job destruction and the loss of valuable knowledge as communities of practice fall apart. This paper describes an iterative design process in which a tool was developed to determine which design-driven innovation capabilities a company is lacking. The tool started as a theoretical framework and was subsequently developed by prototyping with innovation managers from several large corporates. This paper contributes a new ‘dynamic capabilities view’ on design and innovation and a practical approach to implementing design in large firms. Marketing and Consumer ResearchOLD Management and Organisatio
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