17,631 research outputs found
Nanotechnology, Industry Competitiveness and University Strategies: the Case of the UWS Nanotechnology Network in South-West Sydney
University-industry alliances have long been pursued by public funded programs hoping to boost innovation spillovers in a geographical or cognitive area of research-strength by universities. However, there is still a lack of industry-university cooperation in many fields while at the same time the benefits of universities to their regionsâ knowledge intensity is firmly advocated (Acs 2004, Martinez-Fernandez & Leevers 2004, Martinez-Fernandez 2004)). The issue is not limited to the dissemination of knowledge, a traditional role of universities, but to introducing change into the regionâs innovation system through activities that increase industry competitive advantage. Results from a project conducted in South-West Sydney from 2003 to 2005 shows that active industry engagement by Universities offering specific expertise in frontier technologies has a positive effect in university-industry cooperation if compared with other technologies well established in the private sector. The project results also show that the role of Universities as active facilitators of industry engagement in frontier technologies is a critical element in the regional/local innovation system where the university operates. The paper discusses first the context of the emergence of the UWS Nanotechnology Network as a sophisticated knowledge intensive service activity led by the University. Secondly the paper discusses the particular case of nanotechnology as a science in an early path and the role of universities at this particular stage. Thirdly, the paper discusses the use and barriers of firms to nanotechnology applications and the role played by UWS during the duration of the project. Finally policy issues arise in relation to the role of the public education sector in the early promotion of frontier technologies. References Acs, Z. (2002) Innovation and the Growth of Cities. Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. Martinez-Fernandez, M.C. (2004) âRegional Collaboration Infrastructure: Effects in the Hunter Valley of NSWâ, Australian Planner Vol 41(4); Planning Institute of Australia: Queensland. Martinez-Fernandez, M.C. and K. Leevers (2004) âKnowledge Creation, Sharing and Transfer as an Innovation Strategy: The Discovery of Nano-technology by South-West Sydneyâ. International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM), Volume 28 (3/4/5/6): 560-581.
Unitarity of the Leptonic Mixing Matrix
We determine the elements of the leptonic mixing matrix, without assuming
unitarity, combining data from neutrino oscillation experiments and weak
decays. To that end, we first develop a formalism for studying neutrino
oscillations in vacuum and matter when the leptonic mixing matrix is not
unitary. To be conservative, only three light neutrino species are considered,
whose propagation is generically affected by non-unitary effects. Precision
improvements within future facilities are discussed as well.Comment: Standard Model radiative corrections to the invisible Z width
included. Some numerical results modified at the percent level. Updated with
latest bounds on the rare tau decay. Physical conculsions unchange
Optical Absorption Spectra of Ag11 Isomers by First-Principles Theoretical Spectroscopy with Time-dependent Density Functional Theory
The optical absorption spectrum of the three most stable isomers of the Ag11
system was calculated using the time-dependent density functional theory, with
the generalized gradient approximation for the exchange and correlation
potential, and a relativistic pseudopotential parametrization for the modelling
of the ion-electron interaction. The computational scheme is based on a real
space code, where the photoabsorption spectrum is calculated by using the
formalism developed by Casida. The significantly different spectra of the three
isomers permit the identification of the ground-state configuration
predominantly present in the laboratory beams in base to a comparison between
the calculated photoabsorption spectrum of the most stable configuration of
Ag11 and the measured spectra of medium-size silver clusters trapped in noble
gas Ar and Ne matrices at different temperatures. This assignment is confirmed
by the fact that this isomer has the lowest calculated energy.Comment: 6 pages, 3 color figures, submitted to Chem. Phys. Let
Probing non-unitary mixing and CP-violation at a Neutrino Factory
A low energy non-unitary leptonic mixing matrix is a generic feature of many
extensions of the Standard Model. In such a case, the task of future precision
neutrino oscillation experiments is more ambitious than measuring the three
mixing angles and the leptonic (Dirac) CP-phase, i.e., the accessible
parameters of a unitary leptonic mixing matrix. A non-unitary mixing matrix has
13 parameters that affect neutrino oscillations, out of which four are
CP-violating. In the scheme of Minimal Unitarity Violation (MUV) we analyse the
potential of a Neutrino Factory for determining or constraining the parameters
of the non-unitary leptonic mixing matrix, thereby testing the origin of
CP-violation in the lepton sector.Comment: 21 pages, 8 eps figures, REVTeX
Magnetic transitions in Pr2NiO4 single crystal
The magnetic properties of a stoichiometric Pr2NiO4 single crystal have been examined by means of the temperature dependence of the complex ac susceptibility and the isothermal magnetization in fields up to 200 kOe at T=4.2 K. Three separate phases have been identified and their anisotropic character has been analyzed. A collinear antiferromagnetic phase appears first between TN = 325 K and Tc1 = 115 K, where the Pr ions are polarized by an internal magnetic field. At Tc1 a first modification of the magnetic structure occurs in parallel with a structural phase transition (Bmab to P42/ncm). This magnetic transition has a firstâorder character and involves both the outâofâplane and the inâplane spin components (magnetic modes gx and gxcyfz, respectively). A second magnetic transition having also a firstâorder character is also clearly identified at Tc2 = 90 K which corresponds to a spin reorientation process (gxcyfz to cxgyaz magnetic modes). It should be noted as well that the outâofâphase component of Ïac shows a peak around 30 K which reflects the coexistence of both magnetic configurations in a wide temperature interval. Finally, two fieldâinduced transitions have been observed at 4.2 K when the field is directed along the c axis. We propose that the highâfield anomaly arises from a metamagnetic transition of the weak ferromagnetic component, similarly to La2CuO4
Improving the effectiveness of green local development: The role and impact of public sector-led initiatives in renewable energy
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