Fabrication of a Flexible Micro CO Sensor for Micro Reformer Applications

Integration of a reformer and a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is problematic due to the presence in the gas from the reforming process of a slight amount of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisons the catalyst of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell subsequently degrading the fuel cell performance, and necessitating the sublimation of the reaction gas before supplying to fuel cells. Based on the use of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology to manufacture flexible micro CO sensors, this study elucidates the relation between a micro CO sensor and different SnO2 thin film thicknesses. Experimental results indicate that the sensitivity increases at temperatures ranging from 100–300 °C. Additionally, the best sensitivity is obtained at a specific temperature. For instance, the best sensitivity of SnO2 thin film thickness of 100 nm at 300 °C is 59.3%. Moreover, a flexible micro CO sensor is embedded into a micro reformer to determine the CO concentration in each part of a micro reformer in the future, demonstrating the inner reaction of a micro reformer in depth and immediate detection

THE EFFECT OF APPLIED DIRECTION OF KINESIO TAPING IN ANKLE MUSCLE STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of applied direction of Kinesio taping (KT) in ankle range of motion and calf muscle strength. Twenty healthy subjects voluntarily participated in this study. The ankle plantar flexor muscle strength and ankle dorsiflexion ROM were assessed in knee flexion and knee extension before and after taping applied. Two applied directions, heel to posterior of knee cap (insertion to origin of calf muscles) and posterior of knee cap to heel (origin to insertion of calf muscles) were applied over both side of calf muscles, respectively. The results had not showed significantly difference in any of the results. The beneficial effects of applied direction of KT has not provided scientific evidence in this study. Future study may be able to seek other methods to identify the effect on strength or flexibility while KT applied

How University Departmens respond to the Rise of Academic Entrepreneurship? The Pasteur's Quadrant Explanation

This paper examines how universities can develop a new organizational structure to cope with the rise of academic entrepreneurship. By deploying the Pasteurian quadrant framework, knowledge creation and knowledge utilization in universities are measured. The relationships between university antecedents, Pasteurian orientation, and research performance are analyzed. A survey of university administrators and faculty members collected 634 responses from faculty members in 99 departments among 6 universities. The findings indicate that university antecedents of strategic flexibility and balancing commitment contribute to a greater Pasteurian orientation in university departments. The higher degree of Pasteurian orientation has significantly positive impacts on the performance both of knowledge creation and knowledge utilization. Moreover, the Pasteurian orientation acts as a mediator between university antecedents and research performance. Using cluster analysis, the departments are categorized into four groups. The differences between university- and department- factors in these four groups are examined and discussed. We conclude that not all university departments should move toward the Pasteurian group, and there are specific organizational and disciplinary factors resulting in mobility barriers among groups. Policies to encourage academic entrepreneurship should consider these mobility barriers, along with this new governance of science.Academic entrepreneurship, Pasteur’s quadrant, research excellence, research commercialization

Electrical and Optical Characterization of Nanoscale Materials for Electronics

Due to a lack of fundamental knowledge about the role of molecular structures in molecular electronic devices, this research is focused on the development of instruments to understand the relation between device design and the electronic properties of electroactive components. The overall goal is to apply this insight to obtain a more efficient and reliable scheme and greater functional control over each component. This work developed a fabrication method for porphyrinoids on graphene-based field effect transistors (FETs), and a chemical sensing platform under an ambient environment by integrating a tip-enhanced Raman spectroscope (TERS), atomic force microscope (AFM), and electronic testing circuit. The study is divided into three aspects. The first is aimed at demonstrating fabrication processes of nanoscale FETs of graphene and porphyrinoid composites based entirely on scanning probe lithography (SPL). A nanoshaving mechanism was used to define patterns on octadecanethiol self-assembled monolayers on gold film evaporated on graphene flakes, followed by metal wet etching and/or oxygen plasma etching to develop patterns on Au films and graphene, respectively. The integrity and optoelectronic properties were examined to validate the processes. The second area of study focused on the development of the chemical sensing platform, enabling chemical changes to be monitored during charge transports under an ambient environment. The localized Raman enhancement was induced by exciting surface plasmon resonance in nanoscale silver enhancing probes made by thermal silver evaporation on sharp AFM tips. As the system was designed along an off-axis illumination/collection scheme, it was demonstrated that it was capable of observing molecular decomposition on opaque and conductive substrates induced by an electric bias. The third line of work proposed a novel TERS system and a probe preparation method. Silver nanowires mounted on AFM tips were used to locally enhance the Raman scattering. The observed Raman enhancement allows quick chemical analysis from a nanoscale region, and thus enables chemical mapping beyond the diffraction limit. Compared with other TERS geometries, the new optical design not only allows analysis on large or opaque samples, but also simplifies the design of the optical components and the alignment processes of the setup

Cross-Domain Employability Related to E-Business in Printing Industry

The study aims at introducing the cross-domain employability of Electronic Business (E-Business) that the printing industry professionals should have in Taiwan. The pilot study aims at confirming and developing a questionnaire based on indicator of employability on E-Business in Printing Industry. Secondly, designing Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) questionnaire and builds its weight. The study presents the cross-domain employability indicators related to E-Business. The contribution can benefit the printing industry when recruiting human resources, and to serve as reference for the printing related departments in higher education

Is presidential popularity a threat or encouragement for investors?

The economic situation of the post-epidemic is facing huge downward risks, and the government actively introduces stimulus measures to improve the current economic situation. In this crisis, the president’s role in asset price gradually deepened. Hence, we utilise a wavelet-based quantile-on-quantile approach to uncover the complex and unstable relationships between presidential popularity and the currency performance of asset price. We find the significant negative impact of the government popularity on the stock market and oil prices, especially in the medium quantile. This suggests that political stalemates will not always be suitable for financial markets. Instead, this will hinder the investment because it expresses the uncertainty of the direction. On the contrary, the U.S. dollar presents a highly positive relationship with the government popularity. Investors can avoid the trust risk of the president through the adjustment of the asset portfolio. The result is consistent with the asset pricing model, suggesting that investor sentiments significantly influence the performance of assets. Meanwhile, the duration of impacts caused by short-term shock will eventually be repaired for a long time. The approval ratings will harm the investor sentiment in the short term, but the market will digest this over tim

A discussion of a luxury apparel brand strategy in an emerging market: Conceptual model with network perspectives

This study explores the Burberry apparel brand’s position and its strategic behaviour seeking new customers in the new market. This exploratory research pays particular attention to business potential and opportunities in an emerging market, Vietnam. To evaluate Burberry’s strategies and the potential, the collaborative network relationships are discussed in details, that is followed by the discussion of the key themes for Burberry to consider in the Vietnamese market, where Burberry has recently begun expanding its businesses. The outcome of the study suggests that the Western luxury brand apparel needs to understand the targeted markets’ systems and consumer behaviour, from there it is inevitable to design strategic plan how to engage the stakeholders in the ubiquitous supply chain relationships. In the end, a conceptual model with network perspectives is proposed: The model will be an analytical framework with key agenda items for the luxury brand which aims to enter the new market, and also the research limitations and further research opportunities are discussed