If you build it, will they come? How researchers perceive and use web 2.0

Over the past 15 years, the web has transformed the way we seek and use information. In the last 5 years in particular a set of innovative techniques – collectively termed ‘web 2.0’ – have enabled people to become producers as well as consumers of information. It has been suggested that these relatively easy-to-use tools, and the behaviours which underpin their use, have enormous potential for scholarly researchers, enabling them to communicate their research and its findings more rapidly, broadly and effectively than ever before. This report is based on a study commissioned by the Research Information Network to investigate whether such aspirations are being realised. It seeks to improve our currently limited understanding of whether, and if so how, researchers are making use of various web 2.0 tools in the course of their work, the factors that encourage or inhibit adoption, and researchers’ attitudes towards web 2.0 and other forms of communication. Context: How researchers communicate their work and their findings varies in different subjects or disciplines, and in different institutional settings. Such differences have a strong influence on how researchers approach the adoption – or not – of new information and communications technologies. It is also important to stress that ‘web 2.0’ encompasses a wide range of interactions between technologies and social practices which allow web users to generate, repurpose and share content with each other. We focus in this study on a range of generic tools – wikis, blogs and some social networking systems – as well as those designed specifically by and for people within the scholarly community. Method: Our study was designed not only to capture current attitudes and patterns of adoption but also to identify researchers’ needs and aspirations, and problems that they encounter. We began with an online survey, which collected information about researchers’ information gathering and dissemination habits and their attitudes towards web 2.0. This was followed by in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a stratified sample of survey respondents to explore in more depth their experience of web 2.0, including perceived barriers as well as drivers to adoption. Finally, we undertook five case studies of web 2.0 services to investigate their development and adoption across different communities and business models. Key findings: Our study indicates that a majority of researchers are making at least occasional use of one or more web 2.0 tools or services for purposes related to their research: for communicating their work; for developing and sustaining networks and collaborations; or for finding out about what others are doing. But frequent or intensive use is rare, and some researchers regard blogs, wikis and other novel forms of communication as a waste of time or even dangerous. In deciding if they will make web 2.0 tools and services part of their everyday practice, the key questions for researchers are the benefits they may secure from doing so, and how it fits with their use of established services. Researchers who use web 2.0 tools and services do not see them as comparable to or substitutes for other channels and means of communication, but as having their own distinctive role for specific purposes and at particular stages of research. And frequent use of one kind of tool does not imply frequent use of others as well

Characterisation of the cold metal transfer (CMT) process and its application for low dilution cladding

The process characteristics of the synergic cold metal transfer (CMT) process have been examined for welding aluminium alloy. Utilising a simple backlighting system and through the arc monitoring the droplet transfer modes were identified. Whilst the modified short circuit mode was evident for the lower parameter range, a two part transfer mode based upon a combination of spray and short circuit transfer was observed for the mid to upper parameter range. The technology was also explored as a cladding process for applying to ternary alloyed (Al–Cu–Mg) aluminium plate. This alloy system is known to be susceptible to solidification cracking when MIG welded using the binary Al-2319 (Al–Cu) filler wire, this being due to the wide element freezing range of the weld resulting from mixing with the base material. Utilising this filler, weld dilution ratios for both CMT and pulsed welding were identified across the examined parameter range. The CMT process exhibited greater control of dilution that enabled deposition of a quasi-binary (Al–Cu) layer exhibiting a less crack susceptible composition. Onto this layer conventional MIG welding could be applied which could potentially eradicate cracking using a binary fi

Microstructure of interpass rolled wire + arc additive manufacturing Ti-6Al-4V components

Mechanical property anisotropy is one of the issues that are limiting the industrial adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) Ti-6Al-4V components. To improve the deposits’ microstructure, the effect of high-pressure interpass rolling was evaluated, and a flat and a profiled roller were compared. The microstructure was changed from large columnar prior beta grains that traversed the component to equiaxed grains that were between 56 and 139 μm in size. The repetitive variation in Widmanstätten alpha lamellae size was retained; however, with rolling, the overall size was reduced. A “fundamental study” was used to gain insight into the microstructural changes that occurred due to the combination of deformation and deposition. High-pressure interpass rolling can overcome many of the shortcomings of AM, potentially aiding industrial implementation of the process.EPSRC, AirBu

Investigation of low current gas tungsten arc welding using split anode calorimetry

Most previous split anode calorimetry research has applied high weld currents which exhibit pseudo Gaussian distributions of arc current and power density. In this paper we investigate low current arcs and show that both the current and power distributions have minima in the centre – varying significantly from the expected Gaussian profile. This was postulated due to the formation of the arc with the copper anode and the tungsten cathode. Furthermore, a number of parameters were varied including the step size between measurements, anode thickness and anode surface condition as well as cathode type and tip geometry. The step size between measurements significantly influenced the distribution profile and the anode thickness needed to be above 7 mm to obtain consistent results

Morphology investigation on direct current pulsed gas tungsten arc welded additive layer manufactured Ti6Al4V alloy

The effects of pulsed gas tungsten arc weldingparameters on the morphology of additive layer manufacturedTi6Al4V has been investigated in this study. Thepeak/ base current ratio and pulse frequency are found tohave no significant effect on the refinement of prior betagrain size. However, it is found that the wire feed ratehas a considerable effect on the prior beta grainrefinement at a given heat input. This is due to the extrawire input being able to supply many heterogeneousnucleation sites and also results in a negative temperaturegradient in the front of the liquidus which blocks thecolumnar growth and changes the columnar growth toequiaixal growth

Design for Wire + Arc Additive Manufacture: design rules and build orientation selection

Wire + Arc Additive Manufacture (WAAM) is an additive manufacturing technology that can produce near net-shape parts layer by layer in an automated manner using welding technology controlled by a robot or CNC machine. WAAM has been shown to produce parts with good structural integrity in a range of materials including titanium, steel and aluminium and has the potential to produce high value structural parts at lower cost with much less waste material and shorter lead times that conventional manufacturing processes. This paper provides an initial set of design rules for WAAM and presents a methodology for build orientation selection for WAAM parts. The paper begins with a comparison between the design requirements and capabilities of WAAM and other additive manufacturing technologies, design guidelines for WAAM are then presented based on experimental work. A methodology to select the most appropriate build orientation for WAAM parts is then presented using a multi attribute decision matrix approach to compare different design alternatives. Two aerospace case study parts are provided to illustrate the methodology

Dissimilar metal joining of stainless steel and titanium using copper as transition metal

Joining of stainless steel and titanium dissimilar metal combination has a specific interest in the nuclear industry. Due to the metallurgical incompatibility, it has been very difficult to produce reliable joints between these metals due to the formation of FeTi and Fe2Ti types of intermetallic compounds. The metallurgical incompatibility between both materials is enhanced by the time–temperature profile of the welding process used. Brittle intermetallics (IMCs) are formed during Fe–Ti welding (FeTi and Fe2Ti). The present study uses the low thermal heat input process cold metal transfer (CMT), when compared with conventional GMAW, to deposit a copper (Cu) bead between Ti and stainless steel. Cu is compatible with Fe, and it has a lower melting point than the two base materials. The welds were produced between AMS 4911L (Ti-6Al-4V) and AISI 316L stainless steel using a CuSi-3 welding wire. The joints produced revealed two IM layers located near the parent metals/weld interfaces. The hardness of these layers is higher than the remainder of the weld bead. Tensile tests were carried out with a maximum strength of 200 MPa, but the interfacial failure could not be avoided. Ti atomic migration was observed during experimental trials; however, the IMC formed are less brittle than FeTi, inducing higher mechanical properties.EPSR

Bulletin No. 290 - Phosphate in Utah

Agitation for the development of the western phosphate field as part of the national program of conservation and economic rehabilitation has, in the last three years, focused public attention on the phosphate reserves of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah. In every conference or discussion on this subject, the minds of Utah\u27s representatives have naturally turned to the question, What is Utah\u27s share in this great natural resource? Obviously nature pays no heed to political boundaries, and neither does the prosperity of Utah\u27s citizens depend solely upon that which is circumscribed within the state\u27s boundaries. Nonetheless, it is necessary for Utahns to measure their own natural resources, that they may be prepared to participate in any possible future development that will benefit not only their state, but the whole Rocky Mountain region