The use of life cycle tools to support decision making for sustainable nanotechnologies

Nanotechnology is a broad-impact technology with applications ranging from materials and electronics to analytical methods and metrology. The many benefits that can be realized through the utilization of nanotechnology are intended to lead to an improved quality of life. However, numerous concerns have been expressed regarding the unchecked growth of nanotechnology and the unforeseen consequences it may bring. To address the concerns, nanotechnology must be examined under the microscope of sustainability. This work applies the life cycle perspective to provide an understanding of the challenges facing the development of sustainable nanotechnology. A discussion of the holistic tools used to assess the components of sustainability serves as the basis to examine how a harmony between policy and product development can be maintained using decision making for sustainability. This harmony will be most readily achieved using an enhanced risk management strategy for sustainability that combines sustainability assessment with sustainable chemical design.     

The role of life cycle assessment as a decision support tool for packaging

Emerging environmental pressures over the last two decades have urged the development of sophisticated tools to evaluate the environmental burdens and impacts of products and processes. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was first used some 30 years ago and has now developed into a valuable tool for businesses to support their decision making in packaging development and application. This paper outlines the concept of LCA and how it can be applied to support strategic business development. The paper also describes the integration of the LCA concept in an existing Code of Practice, as well as future developments in furthering the integration with economical and social decision parameters. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The contribution of ion plasma sprayed coatings to performance of diamond dressing tools

The paper addresses the effect of ion plasma sprayed coatings on performance of diamond dressing tools under diamond abrasive machining conditions. The use of thick wear-resistant titanium nitride and carbide coatings with a compensating interlayer of a plastic metal (cobalt) is demonstrated to be a promising method for improving efficiency of dressing tools manufactured by electroplating and electroforming.     

The financial and operating performance of Chinese family-owned listed firms

Abstract and Key Results

A decision support framework for global supply chain modelling: an assessment of the impact of demand,supply and lead-time uncertainties on performance

We developed a decision support framework for a global manufacturer of specialty chemicals to study the relative impact of demand, supply and lead-time uncertainties on cost and customer service performance. Our approach combines optimisation and simulation methodologies as follows: mathematical models provide optimal plans via a novel approach to the supply chain planning mechanism of the Company. Simulation models execute the supply chain plans so as to allow the examination of the outcomes under the various sources of uncertainty. The iterative use of optimisation and simulation methodologies allows the user the benefit of obtaining optimal solutions while revealing the impact of uncertainties on system performance. Our results indicate that demand uncertainty has the greatest negative impact on performance for the supply chain that we modelled in this study, emphasising the importance of effective forecasting. The relative importance of supply and lead-time uncertainties varies according to the performance measures. While our results are valid for the specific supply chain and the operating environment we modelled, our study emphasises the importance of the ability to model supply chains realistically to obtain valid and useful results.     

The impact of lean methods and tools on the operational performance of manufacturing organisations

Evidence suggests that lean methods and tools have helped manufacturing organisations to improve their operations and processes. However, the real effect of these methods and tools on contemporary measures of operational performance, i.e. cost, speed, dependability, quality and flexibility, is still unclear. This paper investigates the impact of five essential lean methods, i.e. JIT, autonomation, kaizen, total productive maintenance (TPM) and value stream mapping (VSM), on these measures. A linear regression analysis modelled the correlation and impact of these lean practices on the operational performance of 140 manufacturing organisations around the world. In addition, structural equation modelling (SME) was used to cross verify the findings of the regression and correlation analyses. The results indicate that JIT and automation have the strongest significance on operational performance while kaizen, TPM and VSM seem to have a lesser, or even negative, effect on it. This paper provides further evidence regarding the effects that lean practices have on the performance of organisations and thus the research offers companies, and their managers, a better understanding of the relationship between the lean strategy and the performance of their operations.     

Domain size-induced heterogeneity as performance limitation of small-domain monolithic columns and other LC support types

We have computed the band broadening and the flow resistance in a series of apparently self-similar porous LC support structures, all having the same mean geometric ratios and external porosity, but with a decreasing scale and disturbed by a scale-independent variance on the size and position of the porous solid zone elements. The study shows in a general and qualitative way that each type of LC support that is produced using a manufacturing process displaying a fixed (i.e., domain-size independent) variance on the size and position of the produced solid zone elements will eventually encounter a limit beyond which a further reduction of the domain size can no longer be expected to yield a significant gain in separation speed. This is currently observed in practice for silica monoliths and could also compromise the performance of photolithographically etched columns.     

Comparison of DRP and TOC financial performance within a multi-product,multi-echelon physical distribution environment

This paper propositioned and tested whether a heuristic based on Theory of Constraints logic could improve system financial performance beyond traditional supply chain methods in a multi-product, multi-echelon physical distribution environment exhibiting seasonality and partial lost sales. A review of the literature was conducted about current distribution management and Theory of Constraints techniques. Next, field research was conducted with a major US manufacturer in order to capture the structure of its multi-product, multi-echelon physical distribution system. The field research facilitated the development of a baseline computer simulation of a fully distributed inventory system with orders planned by Distribution Resource Planning. That model served as the basis for development of comparative multi-echelon distribution models, one employing partial centralization of inventory with orders planned by Distribution Resource Planning, the other two models employing a Theory of Constraints-based heuristic for buffering and inventory replenishment. Simulation results show the Theory of Constraints-based systems are more effective on a financial basis when considering inventory carrying costs, retail-level transhipment and obsolescence expenses than either the existing distributed inventory system or the partially centralized system when orders are based on Distribution Resource Planning logic.     

The morbidity and cost implications of hemodialysis clinical performance measures

Clinical performance measures, including dialysis dose, hemoglobin, albumin, and vascular access, are the focus of monitoring and quality improvement activities. However, little is known about the implications of clinical performance measures for hospital utilization and health care costs. We obtained clinical performance measures and hospitalization records for a national random sample of 10,650 hemodialysis patients and analyzed the relationship between changes in clinical performance measures and hospital utilization after adjustment for patient demographic and medical characteristics. Higher hemoglobin, higher albumin, and fistula or graft use were independently associated with fewer hospitalizations, fewer hospital days, and decreased Medicare inpatient reimbursement. For example, a 0.5 g/dL higher hemoglobin, a 0.25 g/dL higher albumin, fistula use, and graft use were associated with hospitalization rate ratios of 0.90 (95% confidence interval 0.85, 0.96), 0.64 (0.53, 0.77), 0.60 (0.52, 0.69), and 0.79 (0.71, 0.89), respectively. Moreover, there was a 2-3-fold variation in hospital utilization across end-stage renal disease networks that was still evident after adjustment for patient characteristics and clinical performance measures. Clinical performance measures, especially albumin and vascular access, are strongly associated with hospital utilization and health care costs. These results highlight the importance of targeting nutrition and vascular access in quality improvement efforts. The marked variation in hospital utilization across networks deserves further examination.     

超声波对电镀金刚石工具镀层性能及上砂密度的影响

研究了超声波对电镀金刚石工具制备过程的影响。采用在传统瓦特镀液中引入超声波,研究不同超声波功率对镀层组织、镀层厚度及镀层硬度等性能的影响,确定镀层获得良好的综合性能时超声波功率。利用金相显微镜观察镀层组织结构和测量镀层厚度,利用显微硬度计测量镀层硬度,实验表明超声波功率为200W时,镀层有良好的综合性能。在此基础上利用金相显微镜研究了加厚过程应用超声波对金刚石工具上砂密度的影响。     

Use of decision criteria based on expected values to support decision-making in a production assurance and safety setting

We consider decision problems related to production assurance and safety. The issue is to what extent we should use decision criteria based on expected values, such as the expected net present value (E[NPV]) and the expected cost per expected number of saved lives (ICAF), to guide the decision. Such criteria are recognised as practical tools for supporting decision-making under uncertainty, but is uncertainty adequately taken into account by these criteria? Based on the prevailing practice and the existing literature, we conclude that there is a need for a clarification of the rationale of these criteria. Adjustments of the standard approaches have been suggested to reflect risks and uncertainties, but can cautionary and precautionary concerns be replaced by formulae and mechanical procedures? These issues are discussed in the present paper, particularly addressing the company level. We argue that the search for such formulae and procedures should be replaced by a more balanced perspective acknowledging that there will always be a need for management review and judgment beyond the realm of the analyses. Most of the suggested adjustments of the E[NPV] and ICAF approaches should be avoided. They add more confusion than value.     

Pay as You Speed,ISA with incentives for not speeding: Results and interpretation of speed data

To simulate a market introduction of Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) and to study the effect of a Pay as You Speed (PAYS) concept, a field trial with 153 drivers was conducted during 2007–2009. The participants drove under PAYS conditions for a shorter or a longer period. The PAYS concept consisted of informative ISA linked with economic incentive for not speeding, measured through automatic count of penalty points whenever the speed limit was exceeded. The full incentive was set to 30% of a participant's insurance premium. The participants were exposed to different treatments, with and without incentive crossed with informative ISA present or absent. The results showed that ISA is an efficient tool for reducing speeding particularly on rural roads. The analysis of speed data demonstrated that the proportion of distance driven above the speed where the ISA equipment responded (PDA) was a sensitive measure for reflecting the effect of ISA, whereas mean free flow speed and the 85th percentile speed, were less sensitive to ISA effects. The PDA increased a little over time but still remained at a low level; however, when ISA was turned off, the participants’ speeding relapsed to the baseline level. Both informative ISA and incentive ISA reduced the PDA, but there was no statistically significant interaction. Informative reduced it more than the incentive.     

To patent or not to patent? A survey of Italian inventors on motivations,incentives, and obstacles to university patenting

This paper reports results from a survey of 208 Italian faculty members, inventors of university-owned patents, on their motivation to get involved in university patenting activities, the obstacles that they faced, and their suggestions to foster the commercialization of academic knowledge through patents. Findings show that respondents get involved in patenting activities to enhance their prestige and reputation, and look for new stimuli for their research; personal earnings do not represent a main incentive. University-level patent regulations reduce the obstacles perceived by inventors, as far as they signal universities’ commitment to legitimate patenting activities. Implications for innovation policies are discussed.     

New bibliometric tools for the assessment of national research performance: Database description,overview of indicators and first applications

This paper gives an outline of a new bibliometric database based upon all articles published by authors from the Netherlands, and processed during the time period 1980–1993 by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) for theScience Citation Index (SCI),Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) andArts & Humanities Citation Index (A&HCI). The paper describes various types of information added to the database: data on articles citing the Dutch publications; detailed citation data on ISI journals and subfields; and a classification system of publishing main organizations, appearing in the addresses. Moreover, an overview is given of the types of bibliometric indicators that were constructed. Their relationship to indicators developed by other researchers in the field is discussed. Finally, two applications are given in order to illustrate the potentials of the database and of the bibliometric indicators derived from it. The first represents a synthesis of ‘classical’ macro indicator studies at the one hand, and bibliometric analyses of research groups or institutes at the other. The second application gives for the first time a detailed analysis of a country's publication output per institutional sector.     

The performance of lateritic stones as concrete aggregates and road chippings

Laterites and Lateritic Stones abound in the tropical and semi-tropical areas of the world, more than the igneous and other standard rocks which are used as concrete aggregates and road chippings. The paper studies the properties relevant to the use of lateritic aggregate as road chippings and concrete aggregates, and compares the results to those obtained by the use of an igneous control aggregate. The strength growth pattern of concrete made with lateritic stones, the variation of the tensile strength of the concrete (both flexural and split); the reproducibility of the strength pattern, despite the known variability in the properties of the lateritic aggregates; the influence of the iron and aluminium oxide contents of the aggregates on concrete made with them etc., are some of the parameters investigated in detail to assess the suitability of lateritic stones and crusts as concrete aggregates and road chippings. The results show that lateritic aggregates are good materials for road chippings and concrete aggregates although they give results slightly inferior to those obtained from igneous aggregates. There does not appear to be any simple relation between the iron and aluminium oxide contents or the sesquioxide contents of lateritic aggregates and the properties of the resulting concrete, although the sesquioxide contents of the lateritic stones give very broad indications of their quality.

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Résumé Les latérites et les pierres latéritiques abondent dans les zones tropicales et semi-tropicales. Leur utilisation comme matériau de construction a été contrariée dans le passé par un manque de définition valable. Dans ce rapport qui utilise une définition internationale récemment admise d'après la composition chimique du béton, on examine et on évalue, par rapport à celles d'un granulat igné, les propriétés, qui les rendent aptes à la construction, de sept échantillons de pierres latériques. On étudie l'influence des propriétés chimiques des latérites sur leur performance en tant que granulats du béton et produits de concassage routiers. Les résultats concordants sont soumis à des tests statistiques pour éviter des conclusions erronées. En outre, on a coulé des éprouvettes de béton pour étudier le développement de la variation des propriétés de bétons confectionnés avec des pierres latéritiques. On s'est efforcé d'étudier la variation de la résistance à la compression, à la flexion, à la traction, etc.; les indices obtenus à partir de rapports tels que résistance à l'écrasement de cubes/résistance à la traction par fendage, résistance de 7/28 jours, résistance à la flexion/résistance à la traction par fendage; les équations correspondant à ces rapports; la comparaison entre les relations les équations, etc, et les résultats obtenus pour des granulats de roche ignés. On a également fait des essais sur la reproductibilité du béton de pierres latéritiques et l'aptitude de ces pierres à produire des bétons de moyenne et haute résistance en utilisant deux méthodes de calcul du dosage. Les résultats montrent que, d'une manière générale, quelques unes des propriétés des pierres latéritiques dépendent de leur contenu en sesquioxyde, et que le béton et les matériaux routiers résultants sont de bonne qualité mais ne conviennent pas pour des constructions de grande qualité, des environnements abrasifs, etc. où il convient de considérer leur dureté, leur densité et leur contenu en sesquioxyde pour éviter des revêtements très médiocres. Les résultats montrent essentiellement que, dans le béton produit, le développement de la variation de la résistance, comme les rapports résistance/autres propriétés à des ages variables est semblable à celui rencontré dans des bétons obtenus à partir des granulats courants.

     

The study of charge transport through organic thin films: mechanism, tools and applications

In this paper, we discuss the current state of organic and molecular-scale electronics, some experimental methods used to characterize charge transport through molecular junctions and some theoretical models (superexchange and barrier tunnelling models) used to explain experimental results. Junctions incorporating self-assembled monolayers of organic molecules - and, in particular, junctions with mercury-drop electrodes - are described in detail, as are the issues of irreproducibility associated with such junctions (due, in part, to defects at the metal-molecule interface).