The Richard Review of Apprenticeships

In his independent report Doug Richard calls on the government calls to improve the quality of apprenticeships and make them more focused on the needs of employers. His recommendations include: Redefining apprenticeships: They should be targeted only at those who are new to a job or role that requires sustained and substantial training. Focusing on the outcome of an apprenticeship - what the apprentice can do when they complete their training - and freeing up the process by which they get there. Trusted, independent assessment is key. Recognised industry standards should form the basis of every apprenticeship. All apprentices should reach a good level in English and maths before they can complete their apprenticeship. Government funding must create the right incentives for apprenticeship training. The purchasing power for investing in apprenticeship training should lie with the employer. Greater diversity and innovation in training - with employers and government safeguarding quality

Richard Review of Apprenticeships : call for evidence

Richard Review of Apprenticeships : call for evidence URN 12/915 - Richard Review of Apprenticeships : background evidence RICHARD REVIEW OF APPRENTICESHIPS : CALL FOR EVIDENCE BACKGROUN

Phosphonium based poly(ionic liquid)/ ionic liquid membranes for high temperature ion conductance: Influence of ionic liquid structure and loading on membrane stability and performance

Ionic liquids are novel materials for use in catalysis, electrochemistry, and energy storage due to their high thermal and chemical stability as well as high ion conductivity. Development of ionic liquid monomers allows the production of polymeric ionic liquid materials which combine the versatility of ionic liquid materials with the mechanical stability of traditional polymeric membranes. Previous research has shown that inclusion of non-polymerizable free-ionic liquid in polymer and ionic liquid monomer formulations allows an increase in mechanical stability and ionic liquid properties. Further, free-ionic liquid loading improves the flexibility of membrane materials through hybridization of material properties. This research focused on the influence of ionic liquid structure and loading in poly(ionic liquid)/ionic liquid materials with regards to ion conductivity and mechanical stability. This material complex has been successful at the development of free-standing membranes with thicknesses down to 10 μm. Reduction of ionic liquid alkyl chain length resulted in increased thermal stability of membrane materials with negligible changes in ion conductivity performance at high temperatures. Further, an increase of free-ionic liquid loading resulted in an increase in overall ion conductivity and membrane mechanical stability. However, at ionic liquid loadings greater than 40 wt%, mechanical stability diminishes due to ionic liquid leakage. Through the use of poly(ionic liquid)/ionic liquid composite materials, novel membranes can be developed for a multitude of applications with greater flexibility, tunability, and performance. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Custom, Integrated, Pneumatic, Rotary Actuator for an Active Ankle-Foot Orthosis

End-use objects produced via additive manufacturing (AM) are on the rise and new applications in the fluid power industry are emerging. Recently, a custom, pneumatic, rotary actuator was been designed and additively manufactured for integration into an active ankle-foot orthosis that is being developed in the National Science Foundation’s Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power. All necessary plumbing, between the valves and vanes, is integrated into the additively-manufactured housing of the actuator; and, the silicone translating seals were vacuum-transfer molded using additively-manufactured molds and inserts. This nonconventional actuator has more theoretical torque, and weighs less, than the off-the-shelf component that it replaced. Further development will reduce seal leakage, and optimize designs for additional mass reduction. Results-to-date are presented, in addition to several other examples of the growing use of AM in the fluid-power industry.Mechanical Engineerin

Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer Advancing from Conceptual Design

The Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) project has completed its Conceptual Design Phase. This paper is a status report of the MSE project regarding its technical and programmatic progress. The technical status includes its conceptual design and system performance, and highlights findings and recommendations from the System and various subsystems design reviews. The programmatic status includes the project organization and management plan for the Preliminary Design Phase. In addition, this paper provides the latest information related to the permitting process for Maunakea construction.Comment: 15 pages; Proceedings of SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation 2018; Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VI

Summer and Winter Spatial Habitat Use by the Lake Erie Watersnake

In an effort to provide information to guide habitat management for the Lake Erie watersnake Nerodia sipedon insularum, a federally threatened and Ohio state endangered species, we used radiotelemetry to obtain spatial habitat data for adult snakes during the summer active season and during winter hibernation. During the summer active season, terrestrial habitat use was limited to a narrow band of shoreline. Among individuals, maximum distance inland from shore ranged from 1 to 50 m (mean = 8 m) and linear extent of shoreline ranged from 30 to 1,360 m (mean = 261 m). Winter hibernation occurred at varying distances inland with individual hibernation sites ranging from 1 to 580 m (mean = 29 m) from shore. Habitat use did not differ between males and females. Existing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service habitat management guidelines suggest that ground-disturbing activities within potential hibernation areas (defined as terrestrial habitat within 161 m of shore) should be avoided in winter to prevent harm to hibernating snakes. They suggest further that excavation and removal of shrubs, standing or downed trees, root masses, animal burrows, piled rocks, cliffs, or bedrock within 21 m of shore should be avoided in summer to prevent harm to active snakes. Given that Lake Erie watersnakes have recovered to the point where delisting is being proposed, these habitat guidelines appear to be sufficient. However, maintaining voluntary compliance with habitat guidelines and meeting the need for continued public outreach will be vital to ensure long-term persistence