565 research outputs found
On the Nature of Trapped-Hole States in CdS Nanocrystals and the Mechanism of their Diffusion
Recent transient absorption experiments on CdS nanorods suggest that
photoexcited holes rapidly trap to the surface of these particles and then
undergo diffusion along the rod surface. In this paper, we present a
semiperiodic DFT model for the CdS nanocrystal surface, analyze it, and comment
on the nature of both the hole-trap states and the mechanism by which the holes
diffuse. Hole states near the top of the valence band form an energetic near
continuum with the bulk, and localize to the non-bonding sp orbitals on
surface sulfur atoms. After localization, the holes form nonadiabatic small
polarons that move between the sulfur orbitals on the surface of the particle
in a series of uncorrelated, incoherent, thermally-activated hops at room
temperature. The surface-trapped holes are deeply in the weak-electronic
coupling limit and, as a result, undergo slow diffusion.Comment: 4 figure
Operando Label-free Optical Imaging of Solution-Phase Ion Transport and Electrochemistry
Ion transport is a fundamental process in many physical, chemical, and
biological phenomena, and especially in electrochemical energy conversion and
storage. Despite its immense importance, demonstrations of label-free,
spatially and temporally resolved ion imaging in the solution phase under
operando conditions are not widespread. Here we spatiotemporally map ion
concentration gradient evolution in solution and yield ion transport parameters
by refining interferometric reflection microscopy, obviating the need for
absorptive or fluorescent labels. As an example, we use an electrochemical cell
with planar electrodes to drive concentration gradients in a ferricyanide-based
aqueous redox electrolyte, and we observe the lateral spatiotemporal evolution
of ions via concentration-dependent changes to the refractive index. Analysis
of an evolving spatiotemporal ion distribution directly yields the diffusivity
of the redox-active species. The simplicity of this approach makes it amenable
to probing local ion transport behavior in a wide range of electrochemical,
bioelectronic, and electrophysiological systems.Comment: includes supporting informatio
Geographical interdependence, international trade and economic dynamics: the Chinese and German solar energy industries
The trajectories of the German and Chinese photovoltaic industries differ significantly yet are strongly interdependent. Germany has seen a rapid growth in market demand and a strong increase in production, especially in the less developed eastern half of the country. Chinese growth has been export driven. These contrasting trajectories reflect the roles of market creation, investment and credit and the drivers of innovation and competitiveness. Consequent differences in competiveness have generated major trade disputes
Exploration and exploitation in the presence of network externalities
This paper examines the conditions under which exploration of a new, incompatible technologyis
conducive to firm growth in the presence of network externalities. In particular,
this studyis motivated bythe divergent evolutions of the PC and the workstation markets in
response to a new technology: reduced instruction set computing (RISC). In the PC market,
Intel has developed new microprocessors bymaintaining compatibilitywith the established
architecture, whereas it was radicallyr eplaced byRISC in the workstation market. History
indicates that unlike the PC market, the workstation market consisted of a large number
of power users, who are less sensitive to compatibilitythan ordinaryusers. Our numerical
analysis indicates that the exploration of a new, incompatible technologyis more likelyto
increase the chance of firm growth when there are a substantial number of power users or
when a new technologyis introduced before an established technologytakes off.
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Responsible Innovation in Business
This chapter introduces responsible innovation in a business context. The first part explains the basic terms that constitute responsible innovation from a busi-ness perspective. The second part presents tangible business practices that opera-tionalise responsible innovation and introduces two good practice examples that hint at the variety of ways in which responsible innovation can be implemented in companies
Dust detection by the wave instrument on STEREO: nanoparticles picked up by the solar wind?
The STEREO/WAVES instrument has detected a very large number of intense
voltage pulses. We suggest that these events are produced by impact ionisation
of nanoparticles striking the spacecraft at a velocity of the order of
magnitude of the solar wind speed. Nanoparticles, which are half-way between
micron-sized dust and atomic ions, have such a large charge-to-mass ratio that
the electric field induced by the solar wind magnetic field accelerates them
very efficiently. Since the voltage produced by dust impacts increases very
fast with speed, such nanoparticles produce signals as high as do much larger
grains of smaller speeds. The flux of 10-nm radius grains inferred in this way
is compatible with the interplanetary dust flux model. The present results may
represent the first detection of fast nanoparticles in interplanetary space
near Earth orbit.Comment: In press in Solar Physics, 13 pages, 5 figure
Churn, Baby, Churn: Strategic Dynamics Among Dominant and Fringe Firms in a Segmented Industry
This paper integrates and extends the literatures on industry evolution and dominant firms to develop a dynamic theory of dominant and fringe competitive interaction in a segmented industry. It argues that a dominant firm, seeing contraction of growth in its current segment(s), enters new segments in which it can exploit its technological strengths, but that are sufficiently distant to avoid cannibalization. The dominant firm acts as a low-cost Stackelberg leader, driving down prices and triggering a sales takeoff in the new segment. We identify a “churn” effect associated with dominant firm entry: fringe firms that precede the dominant firm into the segment tend to exit the segment, while new fringe firms enter, causing a net increase in the number of firms in the segment. As the segment matures and sales decline in the segment, the process repeats itself. We examine the predictions of the theory with a study of price, quantity, entry, and exit across 24 product classes in the desktop laser printer industry from 1984 to 1996. Using descriptive statistics, hazard rate models, and panel data methods, we find empirical support for the theoretical predictions
Innovation in technology-enhanced assessment in the UK and the USA: future scenarios and critical considerations
This paper uses methods derived from the field of futures studies to explore the future of technology-enhanced assessment. Drawing on interviews and consultation activities with experts, the paper aims to discuss the conditions that can impede or foster ‘innovation’ in assessment and education more broadly. Through a review of relevant research, the paper suggests an interpretive model of the factors sustaining the conservatism of educational assessment: the utilitarian view of education, dominant beliefs about academic excellence, and market or quasi-market dynamics. In the central section of the paper, three scenarios of innovation in assessment are described, developed through an iterative process involving researchers, representatives from the e-assessment industry, and experts from British awarding organisations. In the final section, a critical discussion draws attention to the implications that data pervasiveness and computer-generated predictive models may have for the future of education
A gaming simulation approach to understanding blue ocean strategy development as a transition from traditional competitive strategy
Blue Ocean Strategy (BOS) has attracted a resurgence of interest following various market discontinuities, including digital disruption, the growth of the sharing economy and the development of ecosystems. BOS is a combination of value innovation and new markets, driving sustained higher performance through specific marketing activities, but it is difficult to conceive and implement.
We outline five cases that use various transition paths to BOS through white spaces - with product extensions in the existing market. An important part of this transition are ‘blue ocean droplets’ which drive profitable growth through the transition and then onto a successful deployment of a blue ocean strategy. Blue ocean droplets drive profitable growth - simultaneously increasing volume sales, maintaining/increasing prices and maintaining/decreasing costs.
We then use an inductive qualitative approach in a multi-team gaming simulation to examine drivers of firm performance. Higher than average performance is driven by repositioning in white spaces and execution of the three blue ocean droplets.
Finally, we discuss implications for firms: execute a number of real options to follow one of several transition paths to a full BOS. This approach involves less downside risk than a full BOS approach, but can still be sustainably profitable, while also breaking the traditional value/cost trade-off
Harnessing the ‘Essential Tension’ of Design: The Complex Relationship between the Firm and Designer Consultants
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