The Round Table : University, knowledge and apprenticeship

El text que es presenta a continuació és una resposta possible al repte d’experimentar amb l’escriptura en el territori acadèmic. En aquest cas es tracta de comunicar, per la via de la narració lliure, l’informe d’una recerca. En aquest cas, es tracta de la lectura-escolta d’un programa de radio imaginari en el que es debaten temes setmanalment de la mà de tres protagonistes, que són convidats al programa, i dels seus col·laboradors habituals. Durant la narració s’ha tractat de mantenir un equilibri entre els requisits del gènere i els del material propi de la recerca, intentant passar per cadascun dels apartats propis d’un informe de recerca, utilitzant un llenguatge més planer, una estructura més de tipus conversacional i alhora imprimint un ritme narratiu que remeti al llenguatge radiofònic. D’altra banda, pel què fa al material que s’ha pres com a base per a la construcció de la narració, correspon a un modest treball de recerca elaborat durant el curs 2004-2005 en el marc d’una assignatura de lliure elecció, d’introducció al món de la recerca qualitativa en Psicologia Social, a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Els objectius del treball consistien en conèixer les explicacions sobre el valor que s’assigna al coneixement universitari entre els estudiants de la UAB, en el context universitari i en la societat en general, i els processos d’aprenentatge que s’hi despleguen. El treball de camp va consistir en la realització de tres entrevistes semi-estructurades a estudiants de la UAB, la transcripció de les quals ha estat adaptada per a construir les seves intervencions en la narració.This article is an experiment in academic writing: I shall give a research report in free narrative. The narrative vehicle is an (imaginary) radio programme in which three presenters, and their customary guests, discuss topics on a weekly basis. I shall try to keep a balance between the needs of narration on the one hand, and the requirements of a research report on the other. The language will be plainer, and the structure will be more conversational. The topic of the report is a study (originally done as part of the qualitative methods course at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) of students' perceptions of academic knowledge and academic learning. The data were three semi-structured interviews, whose transcripts have been adapted so as better to serve the requirements of the narration

Erosion caused by propeller jets in a low energy harbour basin

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Journal of Hydraulic Research on January, 2017, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/00221686.2016.1252801Field data of a harbour basin are compared with analytical formulations for predicting maximum scouring depth due to propeller jets. Spatial data analysis of seven-year biannual bathymetries quantifies the evolution of the scouring hole along with the sedimentation process within a harbour basin. The maximum scouring depth is found to be of the order of the propeller diameter with a maximum scouring rate within the first six months of docking manoeuvring. Three of the analysed expressions yielded realistic results while observed discrepancies between the theoretical predictions and field data are related to scaling factors. The outcomes of this analysis can be extrapolated to other harbours to improve their management. The obtained results highlight the importance of field data in developing combined physical and numerical models.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Generic Battery Model based on a Parametric Implementation

Batteries are a common element used in many electronic applications. Therefore, the analysis and simulation of these applications requires a battery model in order to validate the behavior of the whole system. Since batteries are based on different technologies, a modeling approach valid for any technology is a potential good alternative. Since there are similarities among the different technologies, it is possible to address the modeling of batteries as generic energy storage elements with particular differences. This work presents a battery model valid for different technologies based on a parametric implementation

Transport properties across the La2/3Ca1/3MnO3/SrTiO3 heterointerface

The transport properties across La2/3Ca1/3MnO3/SrTiO3 (LCMO/STO) heterostructures with different thicknesses of the STO insulating barrier have been studied by using atomic force microscopy measurements in the current sensing (CS) mode. To avoid intrinsic problems of the CS method we have developed a nanostructured contact geometry of Au dots. The conduction process across the LCMO/STO interface exhibits the typical features of a tunneling process

Manejo de cuencas en Argentina : conceptos, diagnóstico y aspectos institucionales

Fil: Vich, Alberto I. J.Fil: Cobos, Daniel R..Fil: Lenzano, Luis E.

Nucleation and growth of GaN nanorods on Si (111) surfaces by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy - The influence of Si- and Mg-doping

The self-assembled growth of GaN nanorods on Si (111) substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy under nitrogen-rich conditions is investigated. An amorphous silicon nitride layer is formed in the initial stage of growth that prevents the formation of a GaN wetting layer. The nucleation time was found to be strongly influenced by the substrate temperature and was more than 30 min for the applied growth conditions. The observed tapering and reduced length of silicon-doped nanorods is explained by enhanced nucleation on nonpolar facets and proves Ga-adatom diffusion on nanorod sidewalls as one contribution to the axial growth. The presence of Mg leads to an increased radial growth rate with a simultaneous decrease of the nanorod length and reduces the nucleation time for high Mg concentrations

Metal island film-based structures for sensing using spectrophotometry and ellipsometry

Metal island films (MIF) are good candidates for sensors due to the strong sensitivity of the localised surface plasmon resonance to the environment refractive index. The strong near field enhancement in the vicinity of the island surface can be even higher if a metal layer (ML) is placed close to a MIF. Structures containing MIF with and without ML are prepared and sensitivities of spectrophotometric and ellipsometric features of the measurements are compared. It is shown that simple MIF is preferable for ellipsometry-based sensing and the one including ML in the case of spectrophotometric measurements

Experiments on a scale model of a monolithic concrete spar for floating wind turbines

Preliminary studies of a concept consisting of a monolithic concrete SPAR platform were presented in 2014. The studies were performed in the framework of the AFOSP KIC-InnoEnergy project (Alternative Floating Platform Designs for Offshore Wind Towers using Low Cost Materials) showing significant costs reduction. The experimental phase of the project was developed during 2014. The experiments comprised a set of hydrodynamic tests performed in the CIEM wave flume facility at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), with a 1:100 scale model assuming Froude similitude. The complete experimental campaign included free decay tests, a set of 22 regular wave trains of different periods to determine the RAO’s and another set of 21 regular and irregular wave trains in conjunction with a mechanical wind device, simulating the mean thrust force exerted by the wind turbine. To adjust the weight of the whole system, a set of adjustable weights inside de scale model were designed assuring such properties, particularly the pitch/roll inertia. The scaled model of the mooring system was carefully studied because the constraints in width of the flume facility. A mechanical wind device was also specifically designed to ensure an averaged force at the top of the model, simulating the effect of the mean rotor thrust force. A detailed description of the methodology for the experimental campaign and a summary of the experimental results are presented.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author’s final draft

Structure and magnetic properties of Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles

In this work we carefully analyze the role of the microstructure on the magnetic properties of Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared by the vaporization-condensation method in a solar reactor. We show that a close correlation exists between microstructural features and the appearance of ferromagnetism. Both shape and size of the particles, as well as the microstructure, can be controlled by changing the pressure inside the evaporation chamber, as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy micrographs and high resolution electron microscopy HREM. X-ray diffraction patterns and HREM make evident the absence of any significant Co segregation or any other phase different from würtzite type ZnO. On the other hand, electron energy loss spectroscopy analyses performed on several particles of würtzite type ZnO yielded an average Co concentration in good agreement with the nominal composition. Samples prepared in low pressure 10 Torr exhibit a very homogeneous microstructure and are ferromagnetic at low temperature but they have a very small saturation moment, well below that expected for a Co2+ ion. Conversely, samples prepared at higher pressure conditions 70–100 Torr show a defective microstructure and are paramagnetic and increasing the Co content does not induce ferromagnetism