Electrocatalysis for direct alcohol–alkaline fuel cells

Due to the limited supply of fossil fuels and the increased concern for carbon emissions and global warming, Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) have been identified as promising potential candidates. With advances in alkaline direct alcohol fuel cells, direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) have currently garnered a lot of attention. In this thesis, the temperature effect and the mechanism of Pd electrocatalyst towards alcohol (methanol, ethanol butanol and glycerol) electrooxidation reaction in alkaline media were compared and explored. Pd-based electrocatalysts with high activity and stability performance were designed for ethanol electrooxidation reaction(EOR) in alkaline media and were further characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry(CA). Moreover, the kinetics of alcohol oxidation reaction on Pd-based electrocatalysts were obtained from the activation energy calculated by Arrhenius plots and compared. For all the alcohol electrooxidation reactions, the catalyst actives and kinetic were facilitated with increasing temperature from 25 to 60 ºC. In comparison of the different alcohols electrooxidation reactions, the positive peak current densities(Jp) at 30 ˚C are following such order: JGlycerol > JButanol > JEthanol > JMethanol while the activation energy(Ea) are following order: EaGlycerol < EaButanol < EaMethanol < EaEthanol. For Ethanol Electrooxidation Reaction(EOR) in alkaline media, the catalytic reactivity of bulk Pd is significant enhanced by being decorated with a second metal(Pb, Ag, AuNPs, Sb). Activation energy(Ea) of X/Pd(X= Pb, Ag, AuNPs, Sb) at an optimal coverage of X is following the order: EaSb(θ=20%)/Pd JAuNPs(3nm) (θ=16%)/Pd ≈ JAg(θ=37%)/Pd > JPb(θ=29%)/Pd > JAuNPs(30nm) (θ=45%)/Pd > Jabulk Pd. Among all these catalyst, Sb(θ=20%)/Pd and Ag(θ=37%)/Pd contribute much more than others with the relative lowest Activation energy and highest peak current density

Ink Animation Art in the Digital Age

AbstractThe Ink animation is entirely a Chinese-style animation, the ancient art of Oriental ink was used in animation creation, in order to achieve the novel prospect of indifferent and quiet. It can be described as a great creation by the Chinese animation artists. As time went on, the three-dimensional ink animation has became a product of the digital age, which was based on the tradition of bold ink painting and formed a strong artistic trends. The article describes the features of the Ink animation art with the development of the Digital Age

The risk or fun: Identifying the motivations and barriers to clothing swap for Chinese consumers

The purpose of this study is expected to fill this research gap, and to determine the factors that influence Chinese consumers’ intention to swap clothing among family or friends and by attending swap events. Evidence from the study indicates that consumer being interested in clothing swapping is encouraged by obtaining new items with free of charge and the enjoyment of the social interaction with people who have the same interest. However, having concerns about the performance of exchanged clothing and social influence on their personal image may impede their intention. This study contributes to existing literature by identifying the motivations and barriers for clothing swapping among Chinese consumers

A shift from traditional ownership to access-based consumption: Identifying Chinese consumers’ responses to fashion renting business

The objectives of this study are to 1) propose a conceptual model to explore Chinese consumers renting consumption behaviors; 2) determine motivational factors\u27 effects on acquisition in renting; 3) examine psychological antecedents, such as perceived risks and attitude\u27s effects on renting, and 4) provide suggestions for consumers and companies to respond to the upcoming trend of renting economy. The questionnaire was sent up in a Chinese online marketing research website. WeChat, a major Chinese social media platform, was used to recruit participants. Data cleaning yielded 322 usable samples. This study confirmed that the importance of hedonic social shopping motivation, attitude, and performance risk directly influence the intention to rent. Fashion retailers who concentrate on the access-based business model should guarantee excellent product maintenance. Stimulating a social shopping environment in the online/offline platforms would encourage consumers’ engagement in renting. Achievement and social shopping motivation have positive weight on attitude to rent. This finding infers that consumers\u27 attitude towards clothing renting can be positively influenced by if companies provide the right targeted and suitable products and services

User-centered design and niche-market development: Engaging Students in the design and merchandising

Understanding customer\u27s needs is a prerequisite for effective design and market development in fashion industry. In common fashion curriculum, future fashion designers and merchandisers acquire market research methods focused on the target market\u27s geographical and demographical characteristics as a means to identify customer\u27s needs. However, the conventional market studies overlook customer\u27s unconscious needs since customers often do not recognize what they want or even can expect from apparel product. In order to identify customer\u27s conscious and latent needs, a relatively newer user-centered approach called empathic design employs close observation and systematic analysis of customer\u27s experiences in their own environments (Leonard & Rayport, 1997). This approach\u27s unique properties including close observation and deep empathy for customers\u27 experiences has great potential to provide fashion students opportunities to practice for user-centered design and niche-market development. Thus the purpose of this study is to apply the empathic design approaches, serving as a pedagogical method, into practicing critical thinking process to develop adaptive wear and identify potential niche-market for the customers in special needs