Optical and electrical properties of transparent conducting ZnO films prepared by spray pyrolysis

Transparent conducting zinc oxide (unintentionally doped) films were prepared by spray pyrolysis using air as the carrier gas. The optical and electrical properties of the films are presented and discussed as a function of the substrate temperature. The optical properties were studied in the ultraviolet (u.v.) visible and near infrared (i.r.) regions. The transmittance data were used to determine the optical constants, the refractive index, n, the extinction coefficient, k, and the absorption coefficient, . The reflectivity of the films was calculated and found to be very small in the wavelengths investigated, showing a tendency to increase in the i.r. range in order to act as a host reflector.     

The advantages of information management through building information modelling

As building information modelling (BIM) is positioned by governments and construction professionals as a solution to the problems in the construction industry, research is needed into the benefits BIM actually confers. The focus here is on the effectiveness of BIM as a medium for communicating information within a construction team. A case study of an offsite precast concrete fabrication facility was conducted. At the time of the study, the facility was supplying precast units for four public sector projects, and using four information management systems: e-mail, a construction project extranet tool, an Enterprise Resource Planning system and a new BIM-based system. The flow of information through the four media was measured and visualized as the projects progressed. This quantitative measurement of information flow was combined with qualitative data from interviews with facility staff. It was found that the introduction of the BIM-based system diverted information flow through the building model and away from the extranet system. The use of e-mail was largely unaffected. BIM allowed considerably more accurate, on-time and appropriate exchange of information. It is concluded it is possible to quantify some of the benefits of BIM to information management. This research paves the way for future research into the management of more construction project information linked more closely to building models.     

Direct plant tissue analysis and imprint imaging by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The ambient mass spectrometry technique, desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS), is applied for the rapid identification and spatially resolved relative quantification of chlorophyll degradation products in complex senescent plant tissue matrixes. Polyfunctionalized nonfluorescent chlorophyll catabolites (NCCs), the "final" products of the chlorophyll degradation pathway, are detected directly from leaf tissues within seconds and structurally characterized by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and reactive-DESI experiments performed in situ. The sensitivity of DESI-MS analysis of these compounds from degreening leaves is enhanced by the introduction of an imprinting technique. Porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is used as a substrate for imprinting the leaves, resulting in increased signal intensities compared with those obtained from direct leaf tissue analysis. This imprinting technique is used further to perform two-dimensional (2D) imaging mass spectrometry by DESI, producing well-resolved images of the spatial distribution of NCCs in senescent leaf tissues.     

Steigerung der Verschleißbeständigkeit von Schmiedegesenken durch PVD-abgeschiedene Hartstoffschichten auf Titanbasis

Forschung im Ingenieurwesen - Die Steigerung der Standmenge von Schmiedegesenken stellt eine vielversprechende Möglichkeit zur Verbesserung der Wirtschaftlichkeit von Schmiedeprozessen dar....     

Photoluminescence and optical properties of Mg x Zn1−x Te alloys

The photoluminescence and optical properties of Mg _x Zn_1–x Te alloys have been studied in the composition range 0<x<0.48. The results are discussed taking into account the formation of band tails due to the alloying effect or random distribution of impurities. The role of residual defects in magnesium-rich alloys is emphasized. On the other hand, a preliminary investigation showed that it is possible to incorporate lithium by high-temperature diffusion in Mg _x Zn_1–x Te alloys without altering the magnitude or the homogeneity of the magnesium concentration. Evidence is obtained for an increased quantum efficiency after lithium doping.     

Using BIM to integrate and achieve holistic future-proofing objectives in healthcare projects

Future-proofing (FP) as a proactive initiative for asset management is an urgent need against uncertainty, particularly in health care due to unforeseeable demographic shifts and rapid advances in medical technology. Building information modelling (BIM) is a data-driven initiative, but a rigorous analysis between them will indicate that a synergy exists. The aim of this study is to develop a classification ontology of the interactions between FP and BIM by considering the perceptions of health care construction experts. Interviews with 13 senior managers were conducted adopting the method of interpretative phenomenological analysis and an interaction matrix of BIM capabilities for implementing holistic FP objectives has been developed. The outcome is a taxonomy analysis of 30 interactions with supporting empirical evidence which was further measured quantitatively. For benefits realization in the context of BIM and FP, the industry experts recognize FP as a strategy that supports organizational and building performance. BIM drives towards life cycle operation information and data maintainability via communicating the FP strategy from a whole-life perspective and ensuring knowledge transfer across all stages. Health care Operators and construction experts should be able to benefit from this taxonomy analysis as an aid to planning for FP throughout their BIM processes.     

An ethnographic study of design knowledge reuse in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry

This paper presents an ethnographic study of knowledge reuse in the architecture/engineering/construction industry. Reuse occurs largely through social knowledge networks. Even when reuse from an external repository occurs, a human expert is needed to provide input on what to reuse and contextual information about the designs being reused. This is attributed to the effectiveness of internal knowledge reuse, the reuse of knowledge from one’s personal experiences. Internal knowledge reuse is effective because the designer can find items to reuse, and can recall the context of these items and can therefore understand them. This ethnographic study was used to develop a corporate memory, a rich, detailed repository of knowledge in context. The corporate memory will support finding and understanding. Understanding can be brought about by enabling the designer to explore the item’s context. This helps the designer to manage the tradeoff between productivity and creativity in deciding what to reuse.     

Methodology for Usability Evaluation of Corporate Memory Design Reuse Systems

Improving and supporting the process of design knowledge reuse in engineering design can increase productivity, improve the quality of designs, and lead to greater corporate competitive advantage. Whereas internal knowledge reuse from one’s personal experiences is very effective, external knowledge reuse from an external digital or paper archive often fails. Based on a formalization of the internal reuse process from ethnographic studies, a prototype system, CoMem (corporate memory) is presented, which supports the reuse process, particularly the steps of finding and understanding. This paper presents a usability testing framework and methodology for the evaluation of reuse systems such as CoMem. The two pertinent variables are (1) the type of finding task; and (2) the size of the repository. Preliminary results from the evaluation of CoMem are presented as an example of the application of this framework for studying and assessing corporate memory design reuse systems.     

Transferring architectural management into practice: A taxonomy framework

This research aimed to develop a unique framework to help architects understand and apply architectural management (AM) in their practices. A comprehensive literature review identified several components belonging to different specialist fields. A pragmatic methodology for developing the framework was adopted by combining the methodology of Japareen for building conceptual frameworks with the Concept Mapping and Qualitative Met-Synthesis techniques. The resulting framework underwent a series of testing stages aimed at refining the framework further. The testing process targeted two groups (researchers and professionals) by adopting a mixed method approach, which included a facilitated workshop, interviews, and a questionnaire survey. The feedback from the testing phase was used to create the final AM Taxonomy Framework (AMTF), and served as an original and practical guide for practitioners, further extending their understanding of AM. Further validation and refinement are planned in the long term by applying the framework to selected architectural practices.