Compression-after-impact (CAI) performance of epoxycarbon fibre-reinforced nanocomposites using nanosilica and rubber particle enhancement.

One of the problems in the design of automotive structures and body parts made by fibre reinforced composites is that these materials are susceptible to a small energy impact caused by for instance, accidental tool drop during maintenance or stone strike while in operation. This often lead to a barely visible impact damage which causes reduction in compressive strength of the composite part. To increase the impact tolerance of the composites, toughening agents like silica nanoparticles and rubber particles can be utilized to toughen the resin. To understand the effect of the particles enhancement, the impact tolerance was evaluated utilizing Compression After Impact (CAI) test after the impact induced by gas-gun impacting equipment. The results from CAI test after 20 J impact (high energy stone strike) shows about 30% improvement in residual compressive strength for the nanosilica enhanced composite compared to unmodified CFRP. Also C-scan results after 7 J impact shows about 50% smaller delamination area for the nano-enhanced composite

Dispensing with the consent of a non-entitled spouse.

Discusses the right given to a non-owning spouse to occupy the matrimonial home under the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981 and in particular s.7 which allows the court to dispense with the non-owning spouse's consent to dealings with the matrimonial home. Draws attention to problems associated with s.7 and attempts to resolve them by the amendments in the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006

Optoelectronics in Scotland: network reconfiguration in a sectoral system of innovation.

Optoelectronics (or photonics) has developed as a significant enabling technology central to the operation of a wide range of artefacts evident in telecommunications, consumer electronics, medical devices and defence. Policy makers in several nation states and regions have been keen to develop capability in optoelectronics given that these technologies may be widely leveraged in such high-value sectors. The paper explains reasons for the emergence of optoelectronics activity in Scotland. A sectoral system of innovation approach is used to explain the activities of optoelectronics actors in Scotland. The Scottish optoelectronics sector has survived significant exogenous shocks and there is evidence of enduring local geographic connections within the network coupled with international interactions. Reactive and proactive strategies of firms and other actors within the cluster have enhanced articulation to international value chains of knowledge and technology production. As in many other locations with significant optoelectronics activity, Scottish firms tend to be geographically clustered. The use of value chain and industry architecture frameworks has been applied to the sectoral systems of innovation construct in order to bring additional explanatory power to the dynamics and power asymmetries in the cluster. Distinct patterns are evident between the set of firms which engage in final products (essentially acting as system integrators) positioned towards the end of the value chain, compared with the set of firms positioned earlier in the value chain (predominantly reflecting producers of materials and components). Firms positioned early in the value chain have experienced significant shake-out and attrition with survivors displaying dynamic capabilities as part of a network reconfiguration which maintains local interactions while permitting new non-local interactions

Innovative cyclical development of the Russian pipeline system.

This paper examines the identification of patterns of innovative development in the Russian pipeline system. An evaluation system based on the theory of technological innovation cycles is proposed. The innovation cycles identification scheme, in terms of innovation objects, is designed; the innovation dynamics are analyzed on the basis of chronological maps and a comparative evaluation of the waves of innovations in oil transportation is conducted. The influence of industrial specificity of groups of elements on the rate of innovative change is revealed. A forecast of pipeline system elements' innovative renewal is produced using Foresight assessments of priority technologies 2030

Embedded entrepreneurship in the creative re-construction of place.

This paper focuses on ways in which entrepreneurs engage with place and community. Drawing on the ideas of embeddedness and transferring value across spheres, we develop insight about how the relationship between entrepreneurs and communities influences entrepreneurial practices and outcomes. Employing an ethnographic perspective including participant observation, we explored the situated practices of entrepreneurs in two depleted communities in the Northwest of Ireland. We found that entrepreneurs not only drew on the community in running their business, but were also involved in a wide range of 'other' activities that engaged, involved and worked with the community. This entrepreneurship produced a range of projects that addressed social and economic issues (unemployment, employability and emigration) and the depleted sense of place which was adversely affecting these communities. We show how social bonds and an affinity to community enable entrepreneurship to create, renew and reify a positive identity of place by combining understanding with entrepreneurial purpose

Nanoindentation of polysilicon and single crystal silicon: molecular dynamics simulation and experimental validation.

This paper presents novel advances in the deformation behaviour of polycrystalline and single crystal silicon using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and validation of the same via nanoindentation experiments. In order to unravel the mechanism of deformation, four simulations were performed: indentation of a polycrystalline silicon substrate with a (i) Berkovich pyramidal and a (ii) spherical (arc) indenter, and (iii and iv) indentation of a single crystal silicon substrate with these two indenters. The simulation results reveal that high pressure phase transformation (HPPT) in silicon (Si-I to Si-II phase transformation) occurred in all cases; however, its extent and the manner in which it occurred differed significantly between polycrystalline silicon and single crystal silicon, and was the main driver of differences in the nanoindentation deformation behaviour between these two types of silicon. Interestingly, in polycrystalline silicon, the HPPT was observed to occur more preferentially along the grain boundaries than across the grain boundaries. An automated dislocation extraction algorithm (DXA) revealed no dislocations in the deformation zone, suggesting that HPPT is the primary mechanism in inducing plasticity in silicon

Virtual embedded librarianship for information literacy teaching.

This paper, reports on the planning and preliminary results of an action research project undertaken for the redesign of an online distance learning information literacy (IL) module on the basis of virtual 'embedded librarianship'. The research project, which followed an action research design, brought together the IL module coordinator and an Academic Liaison Librarian, working at different institutions to collaboratively redesign the assessment and teaching of the module. Data were collected via a qualitative analysis of students' work and a series of open-ended questions addressed to students on the value of the approach followed. Students reacted positively to the embedded librarianship design and engaged constructively in situated learning. Challenges included time-zones differences, the contribution level of students and lack of confidence. The paper puts emphasis on educating future information professionals as embedded information literacy partners, promoting the development of transferable skills and a collaborative/sharing online working ethos

Finding and resolving security misusability with misusability cases.

Although widely used for both security and usability concerns, scenarios used in security design may not necessarily inform the design of usability, and vice-versa. One way of using scenarios to bridge security and usability involves explicitly describing how design decisions can lead to users inadvertently exploiting vulnerabilities to carry out their production tasks. This paper describes how misusability cases, scenarios that describe how design decisions may lead to usability problems subsequently leading to system misuse, address this problem. We describe the related work upon which misusability cases are based before presenting the approach, and illustrating its application using a case study example. Finally, we describe some findings from this approach that further inform the design of usable and secure systems

Rheological behaviour of single-phase non-Newtonian polymer solution in complex pore geometry: a simulation approach.

One of the most important criteria for evaluating chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes that use polymers is its rheological behaviour which in turn account for other physical effects of adsorption and resistance factors during polymer-rock interactions. However, complete knowledge of behaviour of polymer solution in porous media has not yet been fully gained. A computational fluid dynamics simulations implemented in COMSOL Multiphysics is used to simulate 1-D single-phase, non-elastic xanthan gum flow in geometries approximating formation pore throats. Simulation results show the degree of solution viscosity degradation at different inlet pressures and shear rates at varying pore constriction diameters. Results also show that numerical techniques can predict the performances of polymer solution applications in actual field operational conditions

Researching rural enterprise.

This chapter is concerned with the topic of researching rural enterprise. As a subset of the literature of entrepreneurship, rural entrepreneurship and in particular rural enterprise is an emerging area of study. Bryant (1989) makes an important point when he argues that the entrepreneur (and the entrepreneurial activity of other people) in the rural environment is crucial in sustaining the vitality of rural areas. Entrepreneurship in rural areas is influenced by the evolution of rural territories expressed by demographic, economic, cultural, infrastructure changes, as reflected for example by a continual decline of new entrants into farming, and population movements into or out of rural places. This distinction between entrepreneurship and enterprise is of importance because, as we have shown elsewhere (McElwee and Smith, 2011), not all examples of enterprising behaviour actually constitute entrepreneurship per se. At a policy level, there is broad consensus that enterprise generates economic growth and vitality within an economy, and is fundamental to coping with and responding to broader changes in the organization and dynamics of economic activity and interaction (McElwee and Smith, 2011). Although regional and national economies consist of urban and rural components, much of the literature on entrepreneurship has an urban-centric focus which necessitates asking whether rural enterprise is a distinctive category of entrepreneurship in its own right