Critical issues of double-metal layer coating on FBG for applications at high temperatures

Use of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) to monitor high temperature (HT) applications is of great interest to the research community. Standard commercial FBGs can operate up to 600 ∘ C. For applications beyond that value, specific processing of the FBGs must be adopted to allow the grating not to deteriorate. The most common technique used to process FBGs for HT applications is the regeneration procedure (RP), which typically extends their use up to 1000 ∘ C. RP involves a long-term annealing of the FBGs, to be done at a temperature ranging from 550 to 950 ∘ C. As at that temperature, the original coating of the FBGs would burn out, they shall stay uncoated, and their brittleness is a serious concern to deal with. Depositing a metal coating on the FBGs prior to process them for RP offers an effective solution to provide them with the necessary mechanical strengthening. In this paper, a procedure to provide the FBG with a bimetallic coating made by copper and nickel electrodeposition (ED) is proposed, discussing issues related to the coating morphology, adherence to the fiber, and effects on the grating spectral response. To define the processing parameters of the proposed procedure, production tests were performed on dummy samples which were used for destructive SEM-EDS analysis. As a critical step, the proposed procedure was shown to necessitate a heat treatment after the nickel ED, to remove the absorbed hydrogen. The spectral response of the FBG samples was monitored along the various steps of the proposed procedure and, as a final proof test for adherence stability of the bimetallic coating, along a heating/cooling cycle from room temperature to 1010 ∘ C. The results suggest that, given the emergence of Kirkendall voids at the copper-nickel interface, occurring at the highest temperatures (700-1010 ∘ C), the bimetallic layer could be employed as FBG coating up to 700 ∘ C

How do you frame ill-defined problems? A study on creative logics in action

Problem framing is pivotal to fostering knowledge and innovation, especially in the modern environment where problems are often ill defined. However, the managerial literature has thus far mainly addressed problem framing from an outcome perspective, overlooking the processes that lead to the outcomes. A common view is that the complexity, ambiguity and uncertainty of ill-defined problems call for a creative process. Therefore, through ethnographically observing six design thinking workshops, this study adopts a qualitative approach to explore the problem framing creative process. Specifically, we unpack three thinking modalities involved in the creative process (i.e. creative logics) of problem framing: analogical reasoning, associative thinking and abductive reasoning. We suggest that individuals enact these through seven creative operations. In addition, we link these creative operations to two types of problem framing outcomes: referenced frames and crafted frames. From a practitioner perspective, this study casts new light on the importance of problem framing for creativity and innovation, highlighting the ways in which individuals operationalize the creative logics to frame ill-defined problems as original problems worth solving

Data in design: How big data and thick data inform design thinking projects

Scholars and practitioners have recognized that making innovation happen today requires renewed approaches focused on agility, dynamicity, and other organizational capabilities that enable firms to cope with uncertainty and complexity. In turn, the literature has shown that design thinking is a useful methodology to cope with ill-defined and wicked problems. In this study, we address the question of the little-known role of different types of data in innovation projects characterized by ill-defined problems requiring creativity to be solved. Rooted in qualitative observation (thick data) and quantitative analyses (big data), we investigate the role of data in eight design thinking projects dealing with ill-defined and wicked problems. Our findings highlight the practical and theoretical implications of eight practices that differently make use of big and thick data, informing academics and practitioners on how different types of data are utilized in design thinking projects and the related principles and practices

Design and competitive advantage: collaborative strategies enabling radical innovations of meanings

This seminar was delivered on 30th April 2012 by Dr Claudio Dell'Era, Assistant Professor in the Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering at the Politecnico di Milano, where he also serves as Co-Director of MaDe In Lab, the Laboratory of Management of Design and Innovation of MIP Politecnico di Milano. Research activities developed by Claudio Dell’Era are concentrated in the area of Management of Innovation. Specifically research interests are about two main streams: the former concentrates on innovation strategies developed by leading companies that operate in design-intensive industries where symbolic and emotional values represents critical success factors to generate competitive advantage (Management of Design-Driven Innovation); while the latter analyzes approaches and practices adopted during innovation processes by high-tech companies that face turbulent environments (Management of Technological Innovations in Turbulent Environments). He has published in relevant international journals, such as the Journal of Product Innovation Management, Long Range Planning, R&D Management, International the Journal of Operations & Production Management, Industry & Innovation and the International Journal of Innovation Management. The presentation was hosted at Brunel University as part of the Human Centred Design Institute (HCDI) Research Seminar Series. HCDI is a University Research Centre (URC) that brings together expertise in Human-centred Design which combines methodologies and technologies from design, engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence and philosophy. Human-centred Design leads to machines, systems and products which are physically, cognitively and emotionally intuitive to their users. The Human Centre Design seminar series are events designed to encourage communication and teamwork with colleagues across the university and experts leaders in human-centred related topics.Customers are paying increasing attention to product design, whether the aesthetic, symbolic or emotional meanings of products. Designers can support companies in exploring customers’ needs and the appropriate signs (such as form, colours, materials, etc) that give meaning to products. Managing collaborations with designers is therefore a critical issue for companies that operate in design-intensive industries. The seminar discusses how a company may develop a proper collaborative strategy by identifying an effective portfolio of designers. It shows that companies that innovate collaborate with a broad range of external designers. Most important, innovativeness does not depend on diversity brought by an individual designer, but on diversity brought by the entire portfolio of designers of a firm. The implication is that companies should not focus only on the characteristics of single external parties when developing a collaborative innovation strategy, but, rather, manage carefully a balanced portfolio of collaborators

Innovative nanomaterials for fuel cells fed with biogas

Challenges on sustainability promote research policy focused on renewable-energy technology development in order to enhance global energy security, local energy independence, environmental protection and economic growth. Biomass resources offer renewable energies that can play a key role in the current global strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by partially replacing fossil fuels. The conversion of biomass chemical energy into electrical energy and cogenerated heat can be obtained by fuel cells. In particular, molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) is the most suitable device for bioenergy production because it can be fed directly with biogas, whose primary constituents all improve the performance of the cell. However hydrogen sulfide, which is the main biogas impurity, poisons the traditional nickel based anode, affecting the power and the endurance of the cell. In order to overcome this problem, an innovative anode material that resists against the sulfide corrosions has been developed. This material, made of a nanostructured and porous nickel support covered with a thin layer of ceria, exhibits high sulfur tolerance and recovering capability

Innovative nanomaterials for fuel cells fed with biogas

Challenges on sustainability promote research policy focused on renewable-energy technology development in order to enhance global energy security, local energy independence, environmental protection and economic growth. Biomass resources offer renewable energies that can play a key role in the current global strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by partially replacing fossil fuels. The conversion of biomass chemical energy into electrical energy and cogenerated heat can be obtained by fuel cells. In particular, molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) is the most suitable device for bioenergy production because it can be fed directly with biogas, whose primary constituents all improve the performance of the cell. However hydrogen sulfide, which is the main biogas impurity, poisons the traditional nickel based anode, affecting the power and the endurance of the cell. In order to overcome this problem, an innovative anode material that resists against the sulfide corrosions has been developed. This material, made of a nanostructured and porous nickel support covered with a thin layer of ceria, exhibits high sulfur tolerance and recovering capability

Synthesis and characterization of a Mg–Ni-RE alloy for hydrogen storage

The synthesis and characterization of a Mg–Ni alloy having La and Ce as catalysts, have been performed. The alloy behavior was studied at given fixed temperature and pressure during hydrogen absorption/desorption tests. The La and Ce addition was carried out starting from a commercial alloy, named “Firesteel”. The alloy synthesized has the following formula Mg68Ni26M5X, where X represents Si and Fe impurities and M stands for the mixture of rare earths metals. The alloy has been prepared by a melting process in an induction furnace equipped with a centrifugal casting system and then grinded, by both hydraulic press and ball milling. The alloy has been characterized by SEM, BET, XRD, DSC-TGA analysis and by a mass flow measurement apparatus. The experiments on alloy sample showed that, after activation, hydrogenation occurs at 300 °C in three stages at three different pressures: 3, 4 and 7 atm, involving respectively 0.15 wt%, 0.4 wt% and 2.2 wt% of hydrogen absorbed. Reversible hydride dehydrogenation, inside the mass flow measurement apparatus, requires a working temperature of 350 °C to obtain, with remarkable reaction rate, about 2.7%, hydrogen desorption

Comparative analysis of mesenchymal stromal cells biological properties

The stromal progenitors of mesodermal cells, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), are a heterogeneous population of plastic adherent fibroblast-like cells with extensive proliferative capacity and differentiation potential. Human MSCs have now been isolated from various tissues including bone marrow, muscle, skin, and adipose tissue, the latter being one of the most suitable cell sources for cell therapy, because of its easy accessibility, minimal morbidity, and abundance of cells. Bone marrow and subcutaneous or visceral adipose tissue samples were collected, digested with collagenase if needed, and seeded in Iscove's medium containing 5% human platelet lysate. Nonadherent cells were removed after 2-3 days and the medium was replaced twice a week. Confluent adherent cells were detached, expanded, and analyzed for several biological properties such as morphology, immunophenotype, growth rate, senescence, clonogenicity, differentiation capacity, immunosuppression, and secretion of angiogenic factors. The results show significant differences between lines derived from subcutaneous fat compared to those derived from visceral fat, such as the higher proliferation rate of the first and the strong induction of angiogenesis of the latter. We are convinced that the identification of the peculiarities of MSCs isolated from different tissues will lead to their more accurate use in cell therapy