Speckle patterns in partially coherent light

Imperial Users onl

Understanding higher education in further education colleges

This summary presents the main findings from research undertaken for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to understand the current nature of higher education (HE) in further education colleges (FECs) in England. The study was carried out between March 2011 and March 2012 by a team from the University of Sheffield and the Institute of Education, University of London. The research involved a range of qualitative and quantitative approaches, including: a review of the relevant literature; an analysis of administrative data on provision and participation; fieldwork in case-study FECs; interviews with managers in colleges and their partner higher education institutions (HEIs); a questionnaire survey of students coupled with in-class discussion groups; and interviews with employers. An overview of the design and conduct of the study is given in Chapter 1, including its aims, sources, methods and timetable. Methods of data collection and analysis are also described in relevant chapters and appendices

SPECTROCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF WHOLE POWDERED COAL

The analysis of coal without sample dissolution was investigated by introducing coal slurries, into a variety of atom cells including electrothermal atomisation atomic absorption spectroscopy (ETAAAS), inductively coupled plasmas and direct current plasmas for atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES, DCP-AES) and inductively coupled mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). All the analyses were calibrated using aqueous standards. Slurries were injected into an electrothermal atomiser. The effects of furnace programme, background correction and air ashing were investigated. As, Se, Cd and Sb were successfully determined in a variety of certified reference material coals. For As the coal was slurried in nickel nitrate, magnesium nitrate, nitric acid and ethanol. Continuiun source and Smith-Hiefije background correction were compared for correction of a broadened Al line interference at the As (193.7 nm) line. Only the latter was effective. Smaller Se signals were obtained from coal compared to aqueous solutions. Iron coal produced structured background and hence overcorrection. The successful method introduced air into the ash stage. Both DCP and ICP techniques yielded good agreement with certificate values provided that the particle size was reduced to below 16 um and 10 um respectively. Simplex optimisation identified the critical parameters for aluminium determinations as being high injector flow rate and low observation height. Preliminary investigations of slurry atomisation using ICP-MS and 0.2% m/v slurried coal gave no blocking. Contamination from zirconia grinding elements used to comminute coal was investigated using laser ablation ICP-MS. Excitation temperature (Texc), ionisation temperature (Tion) rotational temperature (Trot) and electron number density (ng), were measured for different slurry concentrations (1-30% m/v) in the ICP. Depending on themometric species used, Texc may decrease with slurry concentration, but there were no similar decreases in Tion, T(rot) and ng. Observed decreases in analyte emission with increased sample loadings (> 10%) were shown to be caused by transport effects.National Coal Board Coal House Lyon Road HARROW Middlese

On symmetries of crystals with defects related to a class of solvable groups (S2)

We find the geometrical symmetries of discrete structures which generalize the perfect lattices of crystallography to account for the existence of continuous distributions of defects

Geometrical issues in the continuum mechanics of solid crystals

We shall outline geometrical and algebraic ideas which appear to lie at the foundation of the theory of defective crystals that was introduced by Davini [5] in 1986. The focus of the paper will be on the connection between continuous and discrete models of such crystals, approached by consideration of the symmetries inherent in these models. To begin with, we review briefy the results of analysis of variational problems where relevant functionals have the symmetry of perfect (as opposed to defective) crystals, in order to motivate the subsequent study of symmetry in the case when defects are present. In the body of the paper we indicate how the theory of Lie groups, and their discrete subgroups, relates to this geometrical theory of defects, and discuss types of symmetry that occur

The implementation of an environmentalmanagement system in the not-for-profit sector

PurposeThis paper examines the implementation of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) in a non-profit, small to medium sized enterprise (SME) in the UK.MethodologyA four year Participatory Action Research study is made upon Knowledge Transfer Partnerships between the University of the West of England and the Royal Bath and West Society. FindingsThrough the adoption of EMAS the organisation was able to identify operational improvements as well as make significant efforts to improve its environmental performance, reducing its carbon footprint by 30 tCO₂e per annum and gaining new business.Research LimitationsThe study is made upon a single not for profit organisation in the UK.Practical ImplicationsIt presents the costs, benefits and challenges that the organisation faced. Techniques that were used to successfully manage the EMS development are also discussed.The investigation identifies deficiencies in the materials that are provided to support companies that are seeking EMAS certification. To improve the uptake of these environmental management systems and assist companies in their successful pursuit of ISO14001 and EMAS, this supporting documentation requires enhancement.OriginalityThere has been relatively little empirical research around the development and benefits of organisational environmental management systems (EMS). Even less has focussed upon the specific constraints and opportunities that face non-profit organisations when implementing EMAS. This paper addresses this gap, identifying its costs and tangible benefits