9 research outputs found
POLYMER MODIFIED ASPHALT NANOCOMPOSITES
No full textAsphalt one of the versatile materials of antique, inspite of its compositional
variations and complexities, widely employed in various applications like water
proofing, paving etc. Due to the complex physical and chemical nature, Asphalt
seldom performs well, without any modification. Amidst other materials, polymers
found to be most suitable for modifying asphalt to suit the application demands.
Nanomaterials, particularly invention of nanoclays, have enhanced the properties
of polymers manifold when introduced in polymer. Polymer Nanocomposites thus
obtained emerge with innovative properties which are not available with existing
polymers. Similar to the effect of nanoclay in polymer, polymers improve the
properties of asphalt. The hypothesis behind this work is to combine the
advantages of nanoclay in polymer and polymer in asphalt by introducing, polymer
and nanoclay in asphalt. Two different nanoclays, Cloisite 20A and Dellite 43B,
were introduced along with EVA by different methods such as Physical Mixing and
Melt Blending. This gave rise to Polymer Modified Asphalt Nanocomposites
(PMAN) a new class of material. Thermal, morphological, structural and
rheological properties were studied. Based on the above studies, fuel resistance
PMAN with EMA, EVA and SBS developed. Also, flammability of PMAN was
studied by developing new test method using Limiting Oxygen Index equipment.
From this research work, new class of materials (PMAN) based on polymer and
nanoclay with improved rheological and performance properties, fuel resistance
were developed
Internal structure and linear viscoelastic properties of EVA/asphalt nanocomposites
No full textThe effect of the addition of two different organoclays as a third component in polymer modified asphalts has been investigated. Ternary mixtures were prepared by adding clay and poly(ethylene-co-vinylacetate) to the asphalt, either separately, or in the form of a premixed master batch. The performed characterizations allowed the determination of how the two methods of mixing influence the interactions between asphalt and polymer and therefore the final rheological properties. In particular, it was shown that the clay had a compatibilizing effect on asphalt and polymer and that a high compatibility between clay and polymer led to a better dispersion of the polymer in the asphalt, thus influencing the final rheological properties of the studied systems
Rheology and microstructure of polymer-modified asphalt nanocomposites
No full textAsphalt modification with polymers has utilized the advantages of nanotechnology including nanoclays as one of the components in addition to polymers. This led to the metamorphosis of polymer-modified asphalts into a new class of material called polymer-modified asphalt nanocomposites which offer the cumulative characteristic features obtained by the polymer modification of asphalt as well as the innovative properties experienced from polymer nanocomposites. Polymer-modified asphalt nanocomposites including styrene butadiene and ethylene vinyl acetate have revealed additional features which were not available in polymer-modified asphalts. The compositional complexity provides a great challenge in addressing the structure property relations prevailing in these materials. This paper describes microstructural features as determined by Qwin Plus Software analysis and the rheological properties on compositional changes
The power of impact framing and experience for determining acceptable levels of climate change-induced flood risk: a lab experiment
No full textThis study explores how individuals, when assuming the role of policymakers, determine acceptable levels of risk in response to (a) different framings of flood risk information and (b) after experiencing economic losses from a hypothetical flood event in Zarautz (Basque Country, Spain). An incentivised lab experiment is conducted on a representative sample in the neighbouring region of Bilbao. A 2 × 2 factorial between-subject design is used to measure risk acceptability in response to visual and economic impact framings, and the effect of experience is measured using a 2-period repeated game within-subject design. Results from the experiment teach us that photos of climate impacts can be an effective medium for provoking visceral feelings about climate change. When used in conjunction with simple numerical risk information, photos can help the public to engage more deeply with climate issues and in turn encourage them to take precautionary measures to limit losses in the future. Experiencing economic losses leads to reductions in levels of acceptable risks, but decision-making is characterised by little emotional or logical reasoning, signalling a use of heuristics such as ‘gut impulse’, which may be prone to cognitive bias. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.This research was supported by the Horizon 2020 COACCH Project (grant agreement no. 776479). Additionally, it was also supported by the Basque Government through the BERC 2018–2021 programme and by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness MINECO through BC3 María de Maeztu excellence accreditation MDM-2017–0714
An Analysis of Confucianism's Influence on China's Social Credit System
No full textabstract: There are two main motivations for conducting this analysis. The first motivation is to understand the Social Credit System (SCS) itself: what it is, why it’s being developed, and what implications it may have for China and the rest of the world. The Social Credit System is a novel idea—it’s the first ever use of AI and machine learning technology by a government for the purposes of social engineering. The long-term consequences of this technology will have a monumental impact on the Chinese peoples’ well-being. Potential implications of the system range from impacts on privacy and activism to whether other countries are inspired to develop a similar technology. There are also many different implementations for this system, each with its own outcome. This system is a consequence of the increasing capabilities of technology and an experimental approach influenced heavily by China’s culture and history, which leads to the second motivation.
Confucianism’s historical influence on China’s culture has made the Social Credit System seem like a good solution to many of China’s major societal problems. As such, the second motivation is to evaluate the impact Confucianism has on the development of the system; this involves understanding what Confucianism is, identifying parallels between it and the SCS, and analyzing how it may affect the Chinese people reaction to a full-fledged SCS. Understanding Confucianism may also illuminate why the government believes this is a good idea, what direction it may want to take this, and what boundaries, if any, the Chinese citizens have. We chose to analyze the SCS from a Confucian perspective because it has played a large role in influencing Chinese culture and history for over 2000 years. The Chinese people have been especially drawn to it in recent years due to increasing corruption, increasing inequality, decreasing trust, and increased social instability.
Although Confucianism may have a significant influence on the development of the SCS, there are also other influences in the mix. One of these influences is China’s AI competition with the US; relaxing privacy protections has given China an enormous amount of data to feed its AI. This system is also another avenue for China to develop their algorithms. There are also the motivations of the Communist party of China. These motivations include market reform, governmental reform, authoritarian interests and bureaucratic interests
Accounting for the effects of employment, equity, and risk aversion in cost-benefit analysis: An application to an adaptation project
No full textThis paper sets out to explore to what extent integrating employment effects, equity, and risk aversion within cost-benefit analysis (CBA) affect the economic appraisal of a climate change adaptation project designed to protect against flood risk in a region of Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain). Four CBAs are conducted: (i) a standard CBA; (ii) a standard CBA considering equity; (iii) a standard CBA considering equity and employment; and (iv) a standard CBA considering equity, employment and risk aversion. All CBAs are conducted using a time frame of 2014- 2080 and considering a 100-year return period under a middle of the road emission scenario (RCP4.5). A sensitivity analysis is also undertaken. Results suggest that the economic efficiency of the adaptation investment is contingent on what types of considerations are included within CBA. Integrating elements of employment, equity and risk aversion can strengthen or weaken the case for action (leading to higher or lower net-present values) and (depending on the discount rate chosen) may even be the deciding factor for determining whether a particular action should be carried out or not (whether the net-present value is positive or negative). © The Author(s), 2021.Acknowledgments: The funding for this work was provided by the European Commission 7th Framework Programme ECONADAPT project on the “Economics of climate change adaptation in Europe” under the grant agreement No. 603906. This research is also supported by the Basque Government through the BERC 2018-2021 program and by Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness MINECO through BC3 María de Maeztu excellence accreditation MDM-2017-0714.BERC, MINECO, European Commission 7th Framework Programm
