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1 – 10 of 94Shicheng Yan, Yahong Xue, Liming Wei and Zhanchao Wang
This paper aims to elucidate the effects of lubricant groove shape, vertical load, swing angle and grease injection cycle on the friction and wear performances of journal bearings…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to elucidate the effects of lubricant groove shape, vertical load, swing angle and grease injection cycle on the friction and wear performances of journal bearings under the grease lubrication condition.
Design/methodology/approach
Three different types of lubricant grooves, namely, numeral eight-shaped, axial straight line-shaped and circular blind hole-shaped, were designed and machined in the bearing bush of journal bearings. The tribological behaviors of these journal bearings were investigated on the self-developed reciprocating swing friction and wear tester. Experimental data including the friction coefficient, the friction temperature, the wear loss and wear time were analyzed in detail. The wear morphologies of friction pairs were observed by scanning electron microscope and confocal laser scanning microscope.
Findings
The load carrying capacity and service life of the journal bearing with circular blind hole-shaped lubricant grooves are not affected. However, the load carrying capacities of journal bearings with numeral eight-shaped and axial straight line-shaped lubricant grooves are declined. The coverage areas of lubricating grease in the bearing bush are associated with the swing angle. The smaller the swing angle is, the more limited the coverage areas of lubricating grease get. Among these journal bearings, the maintenance-free time of journal bearing with circular blind hole-shaped lubricant grooves is the longest because of its large grease storage capacity.
Originality/value
The journal bearing with circular blind hole-shaped lubricant grooves exhibits the excellent antifriction and wear-resistant properties, making it suitable for the application in the low-speed and heavy-load engineering conditions.
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China is among one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The massive land mass of China also means that the Chinese people are subject to weather extremes as well as…
Abstract
China is among one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The massive land mass of China also means that the Chinese people are subject to weather extremes as well as topographical variety in a country which cuts across alpine heights, treacherous deserts, lush valleys, dusty plains and lengthy rivers. With these weather extremes as the backdrop, it is crucial for the Chinese people to develop appropriate environmental control techniques for their dwellings as well as to ensure the structural integrity of their buildings. This paper discusses the protection, heating, anti‐seismic and dampness techniques developed and implemented in ancient China. It also documents the measures taken by the ancient Chinese to ensure the structural integrity of their buildings. The examples highlighted in this paper suggest that the building science principles adopted in ancient China remain relevant in the construction industry today.
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Wei Yang and Basil Sharp
The New Zealand (NZ) dairy industry faces the challenge of increasing productivity and dealing with public concerns over nutrient pollution. The effective policy needs to address…
Abstract
Purpose
The New Zealand (NZ) dairy industry faces the challenge of increasing productivity and dealing with public concerns over nutrient pollution. The effective policy needs to address regional differences in productivity and fertilizer use. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how spatial effects influence the relationship between dairy yields and intensive farming practices across regions in NZ.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper employs spatial panel data models to establish whether unobserved spatial effects exist in the relationship between dairy yields and nutrient inputs regionally and nationally using 2002, 2007 and 2012 data from Statistics NZ and DairyNZ.
Findings
The results show positive spatial spillovers for most intensive inputs. The high level of effluent use and estimated negative yield response to nitrogen suggests that an opportunity exists for greater use of effluent as a substitute for nitrogenous fertilizer. Substitution has the potential to reduce dependence on fertilizer and contribute to a reduction in the nutrient pollution.
Originality/value
This paper is the first empirical application of spatial econometric methods to examine the spatial relevance of dairy yields and intensive farming in NZ. In particular, the spatial panel data model accounts for cross-sectional dependence and controls for heterogeneity. The results contribute to an understanding of how farmers can improve their management of intensive inputs and contribute to the formation of regional environmental policy that recognizes regional heterogeneity.
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Construction works, which contributed to the built environment of the primitive, slave and feudal societies in ancient China, constitute an important component of Chinese history…
Abstract
Construction works, which contributed to the built environment of the primitive, slave and feudal societies in ancient China, constitute an important component of Chinese history. This paper discusses the nest and cave dwellings as well as the tools used in the primitive society (before 2100 BC) of China. Construction works in the Slave Society (2100‐500 BC) encompassed the construction of city walls as well as wood and earth structures, covering roofs, wall and floor facing, and drainage facilities. The invention of new building materials and construction tools as well as standardization in working procedures and material consumption are discussed in “Feudal society” (221 BC‐AD 1840). The paper suggests that the more than 5,000 years of rich history of construction works in China should not be ignored.
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Liming Chen, Enying Li and Hu Wang
Reflow soldering process is an important step of the surface mount technology. The purpose of this paper is to minimize the maximum warpage of shielding frame by controlling…
Abstract
Purpose
Reflow soldering process is an important step of the surface mount technology. The purpose of this paper is to minimize the maximum warpage of shielding frame by controlling reflow soldering control parameters.
Design/methodology/approach
Compared with other reflow-related design methods, both time and temperate of each extracted time region are considered. Therefore, the number of design variable is increased. To solve the high-dimensional problem, a surrogate-assisted optimization (SAO) called adaptive Kriging high-dimensional representation model (HDMR) is used.
Findings
Therefore, the number of design variable is increased. To solve the high-dimensional problem, a surrogate-assisted optimization (SAO) called HDMR is used. The warpage of shield frame is significantly reduced. Moreover, the correlations of design variables are also disclosed.
Originality/value
Compared with the original Kriging HDMR, the expected improvement (EI) criterion is used and a new projection strategy is suggested to improve the efficiency of optimization method. The application suggests that the adaptive Kriging HDMR has potential capability to solve such complicated engineering problems.
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Kindness A.M. Uyanga, Modestus Okechukwu Okwu, A.O. Adeoye and S.E. Ogbeide
The study aims to carry out the production of a bulk heterojunction organic solar cell in a laboratory scale using a blend of poly (3-hexylthiopene) (P3HT) and [6, 6]-phenyl (C61…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to carry out the production of a bulk heterojunction organic solar cell in a laboratory scale using a blend of poly (3-hexylthiopene) (P3HT) and [6, 6]-phenyl (C61) butyric acid methyl ether (PCBM).
Design/methodology/approach
Four inverted geometry organic solar cells were prepared based on 1:1 ratio of P3HT to PCBM and subjected to post annealing at different temperatures of 32, 120, 130 and 140°C. Solar cells were fabricated with structure glass/ITO/P3HT:PCBM/PEDOT:PSS/Au and characterized using Keithley 2400 series sourcemeter and a multimeter interfaced to a computer system with a LabVIEW software, which showed both dark and illumination current–voltage characteristic curves. Four reference cells were also fabricated with structure soda lime glass/P3HT:PCBM and annealed at different temperatures of 32, 120, 130 and 140°C.
Findings
The third organic solar cell prepared, Sample CITO, had the best performance with power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.0281 per cent, fill factor (FF) of 0.392, short circuit current of −0.0133 A and open circuit voltage of 0.389 V. Annealing of active layer was found to improve cell morphology, FF and PCE. Annealing of the active layer at 140°C resulted in a decrease of the PCE to 2.01 per cent.
Research limitations/implications
These findings are in good agreement with previous investigation in literature which reported that best annealing temperature for a 1:1 ratio blend of active material is 130°C. Ultraviolet–visible spectra on reference cells showed that sample CITO had wider absorption spectra with peak absorbance at a wavelength of 508 nm.
Originality/value
This research is purely original.
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Wenhao Wang, Rujing Shi, Wei Zhang, Haibin Sun, Xiaolu Ge and Chengfeng Li
The purpose of this paper is to improve the generation efficiency of singlet oxygen of methylene blue molecules through finely controlling their aggregation states in drug…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to improve the generation efficiency of singlet oxygen of methylene blue molecules through finely controlling their aggregation states in drug carriers.
Design/methodology/approach
As a photosensitiser in photodynamic therapy, methylene blue (MB) was loaded on citrate-modified hydroxyapatite (HAp) through an electrostatic interaction and followed by encapsulation of coordination complexes of tannic acid (TA) and Fe(III) ions. Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum of the supernatant after incubation of samples was recorded at certain time interval to investigate the release behaviour of MB. Photodynamic activity of MB was determined by the oxidation reaction of uric acid by singlet oxygen generated by MB under illumination.
Findings
Almost all MB molecules were immediately released from HAp-MB, whilst an initial burst release of MB from HAp-MB@TA was followed by a sustainable and pH-sensitised release. In comparison with HAp-MB, photocatalystic reduction of HAp-MB@TA by titanium dioxide hardly occurred under illumination, indicating the stability against reduction to leukomethylene blue in vitro. Generation efficiency of singlet oxygen by MB released from HAp-MB@TA was significantly higher than that from HAp-MB because of the control of TA and Fe(III) ions complexes on molecular structures of released MB.
Originality/value
A facile method was herein demonstrated to optimise the generation efficiency of singlet oxygen by controlling aggregation states of PS molecules and improve PDT efficiency to damage tumour tissues.
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Xun Wang, Yongchang Liu, Liming Yu, Zhizhong Dong and Zhiming Gao
The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties of Sn‐4.0Bi‐3.7Ag‐0.9Zn (in wt%) solder, and the structural evolution of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties of Sn‐4.0Bi‐3.7Ag‐0.9Zn (in wt%) solder, and the structural evolution of the soldered interfaces.
Design/methodology/approach
The solder was prepared by a vacuum arc furnace. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction were used to identify the microstructure and composition. The melting temperature, microhardness and tensile strength were measured. Solder joints were prepared by reflowing at 250°C for 1 min in a vacuum oven and the soldered interfaces were observed by using SEM.
Findings
The microstructure of the slowly cooled Sn‐4.0Bi‐3.7Ag‐0.9Zn specimen is composed of bulk Ag3Sn, AgZn intermetallic compounds (IMCs), Bi precipitates and a β‐Sn phase. The developed solder exhibits good comprehensive properties, such as low‐melting temperature, high microhardness and ultimate tensile strength. A complicated IMC layer forms at the interface with Cu pads and it turns into a thinner Ni3Sn4 layer with Ni/Cu substrates.
Originality/value
The paper shows how a high performance, lead‐free solder was developed.
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The Chinese civilization is an important part of the history of mankind. The purpose of this paper is to show that there are project management lessons to be learned from Chinese…
Abstract
Purpose
The Chinese civilization is an important part of the history of mankind. The purpose of this paper is to show that there are project management lessons to be learned from Chinese history, including that relating to the management of the building process in ancient China.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a review of the literature, this paper discusses the key management and economic practices in the building process of ancient China and highlights these practices from an important document, the Yingzao Fashi or (“Treatise on Architectural Methods”), that was compared with the modern‐day project management framework.
Findings
This paper explains the official systems instituted for public projects; the management of labour, design and planning of construction works; quantity surveying practices; the use, control and recycling of building materials; and inspection of building elements in ancient China.
Practical implications
The study suggests that lessons in the principles of construction project management in ancient China bear many similarities with the nine areas of modern‐day project management body of knowledge relating to integration, scope, time, cost, quality, human resource, communications, risk, and procurement management. An area for future research would be to compare the Yingzao Fashi with modern‐day codes of practice for building works to determine which of its “ancient” provisions relating to quality management are still relevant today.
Originality/value
It was found that much emphasis was placed by the ancient Chinese on the quality aspects of prominent building projects. This is one facet from which modern‐day project managers and clients can draw lessons.
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Pornpen Panjapiyakul, Tongsuk Srinin and Kamolnate Kitsawad
The purpose of this paper is to study for the product development of Sai Krok Isan or Thai fermented sausage with Tomyum ingredients (TFS-TY) such as kaffir lime leaves, lemon…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study for the product development of Sai Krok Isan or Thai fermented sausage with Tomyum ingredients (TFS-TY) such as kaffir lime leaves, lemon grass, galangal root and chili.
Design/methodology/approach
To study the proper formula of TFS-TY in order to obtain certain characteristics of both fermented sausage and Tomyum attributes by varying the ratio of cooked glutinous rice to cooked rice of total rice content and Tomyum ingredients content. The nine-point hedonic preference method was conducted to evaluate TFS-TY with 30 untrained panelists. Consumer survey from 200 respondents were asked about their behaviors on fermented sausage and opinions to the new products.
Findings
The preference score of the 3:1 (cooked glutinous rice: cooked rice) gained the highest score in all sensory attributes as same as 16 percent of Tomyum ingredients. According to the consumer survey, the TFS-TY was accepted by 90 percent of the total 200 respondents and gained an overall score equal to 7.30±1.11.
Research limitations/implications
The varied preference of Thai respondents has affected on the acceptance of the new products. For example, some preferred very strong tastes either in sourness or spiciness, and some may be disliked.
Originality/value
The balancing characteristics of both products were very important. The new product should be identified by certain attributes in Thai fermented sausage and Tomyum. Over or less in any products gained lower preference attributes scores.
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