Inductive activation of magnetite filled shape memory polymers

Thermally activated shape memory polymers are a desirable material for use in dynamic structures due to their large strain recovery, light weight, and tunable activation. The addition of ferromagnetic susceptor particles to a polymer matrix provides the ability to heat volumetrically and remotely via induction. Here, remote induction heating of magnetite filler particles dispersed in a thermoset matrix is used to activate shape memory polymer as both solid and foam composites. Bulk material properties and performance are characterized and compared over a range of filler parameters, induction parameters, and packaging configurations. Magnetite filler particles are investigated over a range of power input, in order to understand the effects of particle size and shape on heat generation and flux into the matrix. This investigation successfully activates shape memory polymers in 10 to 20 seconds, with no significant impact of filler particles up to 10wt% on mechanical properties of shape memory foam. Performance of different particle materials is dependent upon the amplitude of the driving magnetic field. There is a general improvement in heating performance for increased content of filler particles. Characterization indicates that heat transfer between the filler nanoparticles and the foam is the primary constraint in improved heating performance. The use of smaller, acicular particles as one way to improve heat transfer, by increasing interfacial area between filler and matrix, is further examined.M.S.Committee Chair: Garmestani, Hamid; Committee Member: Gall, Ken; Committee Member: Thadhani, Nares

Analysis of google entry in unified communications from a resource and competence perspective

The business communications market has been deeply transformed by technological and product convergence, due to the progressive substitution of traditional TDM-based voice products and services by ToIP (Telephony over IP) based products and services. The adoption of IP and the management of voice applications in the same way as data application has given rise to convergence offerings under the name of Unified Communications, and allowed the entry of data communications vendors, such as Cisco, in a market initially dominated by TDM-based product vendors. The increasing dissociation between hardware and software and the virtualisation of services have induced the entry of new players relying on their position in software and web services, among which Microsoft and Google. In this paper, drawing on the resource-based perspective, we analyse the patterns of entry of Google in this market. In particular, we highlight how Google relies on current specific resources, acquire and/or develop complementary resources in order to be able to compete on this market. In this work in progress paper, we put emphasis on the acquisition strategy of Google --

Impact of carwash discharge on stormwater quality (Toulouse, France)

The contribution of discharge from carwashes to pollutant levels in stormwater was evaluated. Five carwashes and two outlets in the city of Toulouse (France) were selected. Water samples were collected from December 2006 to December 2007. Concentrations and loadings of classical water quality parameters (conductivity, pH, turbidity, chemical oxygen demand, nitrogen, phosphorus, ammonium, nitrate, suspended solid and volatile suspended solid) and five groups of organic compounds (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, lauryl alkyl benzene sulphonates, methyl tert-butyl ether and total hydrocarbons) were determined. The results suggest that the wastewater derived from carwashes was negligible compared to the volume and flow rates within the stormwater network. However, high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phosphorus and lauryl alkyl benzene sulphonates in liquid waste from carwashes, and the impact of these pollutants on stormwater quality could not be neglected

Monitoring optimistic agents

Monitoring is typically included in economic models of crime thanks to a probability of detection, constant across individuals. We build on recent results in psychology to argue that comparative optimism deeply affects this standard relation. To this matter, we introduce an experiment involving proper incentives that allow a measurement of optimism bias. Our experiments support the relevance of so-called comparative optimism in decision under risk. In the context of illegal activities, our results provide a guide into costless devices to undermine fraud, through well-designed information campaigns.Optimism; Risk aversion; Monitoring design; Illegal activity; Experimental economics

High energy cosmic gamma ray detection with the AMS02 experiment

The AMS02 detector, designed for the accurate measurement of charged cosmic ray fluxes, can detect and measure accurately cosmic gamma rays in the GeV to TeV range. Its performances and expected physics results, based on Monte-Carlo simulations, are presented

The role of school counsellors in fostering giftedness: The Australian experience.

An African proverb that resonates strongly with educators is that it takes a whole village to raise a child . The proverb has been the inspiration for at least two books (Cowen-Fletcher 1994; Rodham Clinton, 1996) and countless t-shirt and greeting card designs, but, more importantly, its sentiment acknowledges the collective responsibility we bear for educating our children. Franz Monks has dedicated his long academic career to the field of gifted education and his wide-ranging contributions have epitomized this shared responsibility for ensuring that the gifts and talents of our young people are nurtured. Like many educators who have interacted with him over the course of his career, I have appreciated the countless conversations that I have had with Franz on the developmental needs of young people. In particular, he stimulated my research on the characteristics of effective teaching according to the perspectives of young people identified as gifted. Subsequently, that work has led to an interest in the role of school counsellors in fostering giftedness, which is the topic of this contribution

The \u27Tiger Mother\u27 factor: Curriculum, schooling and mentoring of Asian students in an Australian context

There is evidence from a range of sources that indicates that South and East Asian background students are academically outperforming their peers in Australian primary and secondary schools (see, for example, Khoo and Birrell, 2002; Marks et al., 2000; Mcinerney, 2008; Paar and Mok, 1995). This evidence ranges from tertiary enrolment figures and the enrolment statistics of academically selective programs, through to school achievement records and research studies. Several explanations for the superior academic outcomes have been posited by researchers. These have included their work ethic, motivation and aspirations, and the support and expectations of their parents. While these explanations have some appeal for educators, they have not been brought together into one theoretical construct. Therefore, this chapter will examine these differences between the South and East Asian background students and their peers in Australian schools through the analytical lenses of the actiotope model of giftedness (Ziegler, 2005) and its logical companion, a systemic approach to giftedness (Ziegler and Phillipson, 2012)