Identifying cooperation for innovation―a comparison of data sources

ABSTRACT

The value of social network analysis is critically dependent on the comprehensive and reliable identification of actors and their relationships. We compare regional knowledge networks based on different types of data sources, namely, co-patents, co-publications, and publicly subsidized collaborative R&D projects. Moreover, by combining these three data sources, we construct a multilayer network that provides a comprehensive picture of intraregional interactions. By comparing the networks based on the data sources, we address the problems of coverage and selection bias. We observe that using only one data source leads to a severe underestimation of regional knowledge interactions, especially those of private sector firms and independent researchers.     

Comparative analysis of energy absorption behavior of tapered and grooved thin-walled tubes with the various geometry of the cross section

ABSTRACT

In this paper, Crush force efficiency (CFE), Specific Energy Absorption (SEA), Energy Absorption per Crush Length (E_cl), Maximum and average crush forces of straight and grooved tapered thin-walled tubes with various cross-section shapes (circle, ellipse, square, rectangle, hexagon, and octagon) have been studied. The effects of taper, the groove (as initiator) and their interaction have been presented in the current study using Finite Element Method as a numerical method. The tubes have the same volume, height, average cross-section area, thickness and material and have been subjected to axial and oblique dynamic loading. The results of simulations show that the section's geometry, taper and groove addition have a significant effect on energy absorption behavior and the hexagon cross section have better energy absorption behavior compared with other considered geometries. On the other hand, it was found that the behavior of these structures could improve against dynamic axial and oblique impact loading with the cost-effective geometry modifications. These results could help to improve and choose appropriate energy absorber structure based on desirable crush force and energy absorbing characteristics.     

Atomic Modulation Triggering Improved Performance of MoO3 Nanobelts for Fiber‐Shaped Supercapacitors

Asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) are emerging as a new class of energy storage devices that could potentially meet the increasing power and energy demand for next‐generation portable and flexible electronics. Yet, the energy density of ASC is severely limited by the low capacitance of the anode side, which commonly uses the carbon‐based nanomaterials. Here, the demonstration of sulfur‐doped MoO_3?x nanobelts (denoted as S‐MoO_3?x) as the anode for high‐performance fiber‐shaped ASC are reported. The Mo sites in MoO₃ are intentionally modulated at the atomic level through sulfur doping, where sulfur could be introduced into the MoO₆ octahedron to intrinsically tune the covalency character of bonds around Mo sites and thus boost the charge storage kinetics of S‐MoO_3?x. Moreover, the oxygen defects are occurring along with sulfur‐doping in MoO₃, enabling efficient electron transport. As expected, the fiber‐shaped S‐MoO_3?x achieves outstanding capacitance with good rate capability and long cycling life. More impressively, the fiber‐shaped ASC based on S‐MoO_3?x anode delivers extremely high volumetric capacitance of 6.19 F cm^?3 at 0.5 mA cm^?1, which makes it promising as one of the most attractive candidates of anode materials for high‐performance fiber‐shaped ASCs.     

Redox‐Active Polymers Connecting Living Microbial Cells to an Extracellular Electrical Circuit

Microbial electrochemical systems in which metabolic electrons in living microbes have been extracted to or injected from an extracellular electrical circuit have attracted considerable attention as environmentally‐friendly energy conversion systems. Since general microbes cannot exchange electrons with extracellular solids, electron mediators are needed to connect living cells to an extracellular electrode. Although hydrophobic small molecules that can penetrate cell membranes are commonly used as electron mediators, they cannot be dissolved at high concentrations in aqueous media. The use of hydrophobic mediators in combination with small hydrophilic redox molecules can substantially increase the efficiency of the extracellular electron transfer process, but this method has side effects, in some cases, such as cytotoxicity and environmental pollution. In this Review, recently‐developed redox‐active polymers are highlighted as a new type of electron mediator that has less cytotoxicity than many conventional electron mediators. Owing to the design flexibility of polymer structures, important parameters that affect electron transport properties, such as redox potential, the balance of hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity, and electron conductivity, can be systematically regulated.