Effect of anion type in the performance of ionic liquid/poly(vinylidene fluoride) electromechanical actuators

Low voltage actuators based on poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF)with 10, 25 and 40 % 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C6mim][Cl])and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C6mim][NTf2]) are prepared by solvent casting in order to evaluate the effect of anion size in the bending properties. Independently of the ionic liquid type and content, its presence leads to the crystallization of PVDF in the -phase. The addition of ionic liquid into the polymer matrix decreases significantly its degree of crystallinity and the elastic modulus. It is also confirmed the good miscibility between PVDF and IL,determinedby the interaction of the CF2groups from the PVDF chains with the imidazolium ring in the ionic liquid (IL). The AC conductivity of the composites depends both on the amount of ionic liquid content and anion size. The bending movement of the IL/PVDF composites is correlated to theirdegree of crystallinity, mechanical properties and ionic conductivity value and the best value of bending response (0.53 %) being found for IL/PVDF composite with40 wt% of [C6mim][Cl] at an applied voltage of 10 volts square signal.The authors thank the FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia-for financial support in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013, projects PTDC/EEI-SII/5582/2014 and PTDC/CTM-ENE/5387/2014,and grants SFRH/BD/90215/2012 (J.C.D.), SFRH/BPD/112547/2015 (C.M.C.). The authors thank Solvay for kindly supplying the high quality materials. Financial support from the Basque Government Industry Department under the ELKARTEK Program is also acknowledged.The authorsexpress their gratitude to the Ministry of the Higher Education and Scientific Research of Tunisiafor a research fellowship

Examining the information value of virtual communities: Factual versus opinion-based message content

Social customer relationship management (SCRM) is an evolving discipline which uses technology as a communication channel. It is under-researched and is lacking in its use of traditional marketing principles to inform practice. We shed light on the type of content that is most valued in virtual communities (VCs), where search for information is a primary source of gratification. Contrary to findings from advertising research, our findings indicate that informational content is more highly valued. This is the first time such measures have been used to evaluate effectiveness of new media techniques. We discuss critical implications for brands hoping to develop or enhance customer relationships in these increasingly important channels. Specifically, we offer practical advice on how best to create content which may be valued by consumers seeking information. © 2013 Copyright 2013 Westburn Publishers Ltd

Providing Trustworthy Advice Online

Part 2: Full PapersInternational audienceThe Internet serves as an important source for people who are looking for information and advice from peers. Within search behavior a central role is reserved for trust; it will guide the decision to participate online, to share experiences or to pick up information. This paper explores insights from discursive psychology as a potentially interesting approach for trust research in online peer environments. This allows for a certain shift of focus. Instead of looking at the information seeker, we focus on the information provider: How does he try to present himself – and the information sources he refers to in his arguments – as trustworthy and authoritative? Within this theoretical perspective trust is being studied as something that is highly negotiable depending on context and the effect the information provider tries to achieve. Throughout the paper conversation fragments - collected from an online forum on home-improvement - are incorporated to clarify and illustrate some central concepts of discursive psychology