Monte Carlo Data Envelopment Analysis with Genetic Algorithm for Knowledge Management performance measurement

The paper targets to devise a genuine Knowledge Management (KM) performance measurement model in a stochastic setting based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Monte Carlo simulation and Genetic Algorithm (GA). The proposed model evaluates KM using a set of proxy measures correlated with the major KM processes. Data Collection Budget Allocation (DCBA) that maximizes the model accuracy is determined using GA. Additional data are generated and analyzed using a Monte-Carlo-enhanced DEA model to obtain the overall KM efficiency and KM processes’ efficiency scores. An application of the model has been carried out to evaluate KM performance in higher educational institutions. It is found that with GA, the accuracy of the model has been greatly improved. Lastly, comparing with a conventional deterministic DEA model, the results from the proposed model would be more useful for managers to determine future strategies to improve their KM.     

Measuring hydraulic properties of geotextiles after installation damage

Since geotextiles have been progressively incorporated into coastal protection structures, the influence of installation damage on them has been the primary concern. During installation/construction, geotextiles are repeatedly subjected to high mechanical stresses which often exceed service stress. It is therefore vital to evaluate the mechanical and hydraulic damage and determine the consequences of these damages to better develop criteria for selection of suitable products. As these damages could reduce the material's mechanical strength and hydraulic efficiency, or in the severest form of damage, puncturing, would end the separation function. The properties investigated in this paper include the permittivity and apparent opening size (AOS) of geotextiles. Generally, the greater the drop energy of armour units applied to geotextiles, the greater the potential for damage. Findings show that the residual permittivity could increase significantly, 45% during installation. The preliminary design of coastal structures will be optimised as engineers and designers can better estimate the amount of damage on geotextiles upon installation.     

Inverted polymer solar cells with a solution-processed cesium halide interlayer

We demonstrate the utility of a low-cost cesium iodide interlayer spun from an aqueous or 2-ethoxyethanol solution on ITO in inverted polymer solar cells of the structure ITO/CsI/P3HT:PCBM/MoO₃/Al, where P3HT is poly(3-hexylthiophene) and PCBM is [6,6]-phenyl-C₆₀-butyric acid methyl ester. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of optimized cells was ～3.4%, comparable to that we obtained for inverted cells with Cs carbonate. The thickness of the CsI film was adjusted by varying the solution concentration. The concentration affected the surface morphology of P3HT:PCBM and the density of fractal-like aggregates (possibly related to the presence of Cs and film fabrication conditions) formed near the anode, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Auger analysis indicated a P3HT-rich surface. Optimization of the cells was achieved also by varying the thickness of the MoO₃ and the drying/annealing conditions of the active layer, as was evident from the current–voltage characteristics, external quantum efficiency spectra, and PCE. The cells with the CsI interlayer were compared additionally to cells with CsCl or CsF interlayers (with a PCE of up to ～2.7%), which were inferior to the comparable cells with Cs₂CO₃ or CsI. The surface concentrations of Cs and the halide on ITO were monitored using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The iodine level was low with the Cs:I ratio exceeding 8:1. In contrast, the Cs:Cl ratio was ～1.4:1 and the Cs:F ratio was ～1:1; the Cs₂CO₃ decomposed partially, as expected. Therefore, for CsI, as is the case for Cs₂CO₃ but not for CsF, Cs–O bonds are formed at the surface. Such bonds on ITO are important in modifying the ITO work function, improving the cell performance. The results indicate that spin coating solutions of the high polarity CsI is a promising and easy approach to introduce Cs–O on ITO in inverted structures for increased electron extraction from PCBM and possibly hole extraction from the P3HT-rich surface at the anode.     

A side-sensitive synthetic coefficient of variation chart

Control charts for monitoring the coefficient of variation (γ) are useful for processes with an inconsistent mean (μ) and a standard deviation (σ) which changes with μ, by monitoring the consistency in the ratio σ over μ. The synthetic-γ chart is one of the charts proposed to monitor γ, and its attractiveness lie in waiting until a second point to fall outside the control limits before a decision is made. However, existing synthetic-γ charts do not differentiate between the points falling outside the upper control limit (UCL) and lower control limit (LCL). Hence, this paper proposes a side-sensitive synthetic-γ chart, where successive nonconforming samples must either fall above the UCL or below the LCL. Formulae to compute the average run length (ARL), the standard deviation of the run length (SDRL) and expected average run length (EARL) are derived using the Markov chain approach, and the algorithms to obtain the optimal charting parameters are proposed. Subsequently, the optimal charting parameters, ARL, SDRL and EARL values for various numerical examples are shown. Comparisons show that the side-sensitive synthetic-γ chart consistently outperforms the existing synthetic-γ chart, especially for small shifts. The proposed chart also consistently outperforms the Shewhart-γ chart, while showing comparable or better performance than the Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) chart for most shift sizes, except for very small shifts. Finally, this paper shows the implementation of the proposed chart on an industrial example.     

Low-defect graphene–polyamide-6 composites and modeling the filler–matrix interface

Low-defect graphene (G) was prepared via the thermal reduction of expanded graphite in a carbon monoxide environment. G exfoliated and suspended in p-xylene was compounded in polyamide-6 (PA6) with filler content ranging from 0.1 to 6%·w/w. Interactions between G and PA6 were characterized via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Elastic modulus (E) had increased with increasing G content, and had exceeded idealized Halpin–Tsai predictions at 0.1–1.0%·w/w G content, indicating good dispersion and filler–matrix interactions. However, further analysis with a modified rule-of-mixtures (RoM) mathematical model indicate that the quality of filler–matrix interface had been suboptimal and had deteriorated drastically with increasing G content. The evaluation of interface quality is in agreement with observed changes in thermal behavior trends. The modified RoM can be applied as a useful tool toward interpreting the mechanical properties of graphene-reinforced composites. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48630.     

α-Alumina and spinel react into single-phase high-alumina spinel in <3 seconds during flash sintering

In situ X-ray diffraction measurements at the Advanced Photon Source show that α-Al₂O₃ and MgAl₂O₄ react nearly instantaneously and completely, and nearly completely to form single-phase high-alumina spinel during voltage-to-current type of flash sintering experiments. The initial sample was constituted from powders of α-Al₂O₃, MgAl₂O₄ spinel, and cubic 8 mol% Y₂O₃-stabilized ZrO₂ (8YSZ) mixed in equal volume fractions, the spinel to alumina molar ratio being 1:1.5. Specimen temperature was measured by thermal expansion of the platinum standard. These measurements correlated well with a black-body radiation model, using appropriate values for the emissivity of the constituents. Temperatures of 1600-1736°C were reached during the flash, which promoted the formation of alumina-rich spinel. In a second set of experiments, the flash was induced in a current-rate method where the current flowing through the specimen is controlled and increased at a constant rate. In these experiments, we observed the formation of two different compositions of spinel, MgO•3Al₂O₃ and MgO•1.5Al₂O₃, which evolved into a single composition of MgO•2.5Al₂O₃ as the current continued to increase. In summary, flash sintering is an expedient way to create single-phase, alumina-rich spinel.     

Influence of the characteristics of a water-in-CO2 microemulsion on the separation of metal species

In this study, AOT [sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate] combined with fluorinated cosurfactant or alcohol was used to form a water-in-CO₂ (W/C) microemulsion. The amount of water uptake in the microemulsion was closely related to the PFPE-PO₄/AOT (P/A) ratio. The stability of the microemulsion decreased with the amount of water. Lower temperature and higher pressure stabilize W/C microemulsions. The extraction efficiencies of metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Zn), when this W/C microemulsion method was used, exceeded 90% (AOT + octanol). The efficiencies for the extraction of Eu, La, and Sr could exceed 94% (AOT + PFPE-PO₄) in sc-CO_2.     

Attrition of Victorian brown coal during drying in a fluidized bed

Analyzing the attrition of Victorian brown coal during air and steam fluidized bed drying, the change in particle size distribution over a range of initial moisture contents (60% to 0%) and residence times (0 to 60 minutes) was determined. Dried at a temperature of 130°C with a fluidization velocity 0.55 m/s and an initial particle size of 0.5–1.2 mm, both fluidization mediums show a shift in the particle size distribution between three and four minutes of fluidization, with a decrease in mean particle size from 665 µm to around 560 µm. Using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the change in particle size has been attributed to the transition between bulk and non-freezable water (approximately 55% moisture loss) and can be linked to the removal of adhesion water, but not to fluidization effects. This is proved through the comparison of air fluidized bed drying, steam fluidized bed drying, and fixed bed drying—the fixed bed drying is being used to determine the particle size distribution as a function of drying. The results show the three drying methods produce similar particle size distributions, indicating that both fluidization and fluidization medium have no impact upon the particle size distribution at short residence times around ten minutes. The cumulative particle size distribution for air and steam fluidized bed dried coal has been modeled using the equation P_d = A₂ + (A₁ ? A₂)/(1 + (d/x₀)^p), with the resultant equations predicting the effects of moisture content on the particle size distribution. Analyzing the effect of longer residence times of 30 and 60 minutes, the particle size distribution for steam fluidized bed dried coal remains the same, while air fluidized bed dried coal has a greater proportion of smaller particles.     

Effects of Ta Content on Thermodynamic Properties and Transformation Temperatures of Shape Memory NiTi Alloy

Metals and Materials International - In the present work, Ni32-x-Ti-Ta18+x (x?=?0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) shape memory alloys, produced by arc-melting method. Then, differential scanning...