Xin Li, Jianzhong Shang and Zhuo Wang
The paper aims to promote the development of intelligent materials and the 4D printing technology by introducing recent advances and applications of additive layered manufacturing…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to promote the development of intelligent materials and the 4D printing technology by introducing recent advances and applications of additive layered manufacturing (ALM) technology of intelligent materials and the development of the 4D printing technology. Also, an arm-type ALM technology of shape memory polymer (SMP) with thermosetting polyurethane is briefly introduced.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper begins with an overview of the development and applications of intelligent materials around the world and the 4D printing technology. Then, the authors provide a brief outline of their research on arm-type ALM technology of SMP with thermosetting polyurethane.
Findings
The paper provides the recent developments and applications of intelligent materials and 4D printing technology. Then, it is suggested that intelligent materials mixed with different functional materials will be developed, and these types of materials will be more suitable for 4D printing.
Originality/value
This paper overviews the current developments and applications of intelligent materials and its use in 4D printing technology, and briefly states the authors’ research on arm-type ALM technology of SMP with thermosetting polyurethane.
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The purpose of this study is to identify and discuss the role of intelligent materials in the emergence of new business models based on the Internet of Things (IoT). The study…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify and discuss the role of intelligent materials in the emergence of new business models based on the Internet of Things (IoT). The study suggests new areas for further research to better understand the influences of material intelligence on the business models in industry-wide service ecosystems.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses data from an earlier study of intelligent materials in the steel industry networks. The insights are based on 34 qualitative interviews among 15 organizations in the industry. The data are reanalyzed for this study.
Findings
The observations from the steel industry show how material intelligence can be harnessed for value creation in IoT-based business ecosystems. The results suggest that not all “things” connected to the IoT need to be intelligent, if information related to the things are collected, stored and shared for collaborative value creation among the actors involved in the business ecosystem.
Research limitations/implications
The study discusses how IoT deployments allow businesses to benefit from the velocity and variety of information associated with things and guides future research to study the ways in which value is created through IoT-enabled business models.
Practical implications
Rather than focusing on improving the efficiency of the supply network, the study presents new paths for competitive advantages in the new IoT ecosystems.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the mounting research on the IoT by identifying and discussing the critical aspects of how IoT can transform business models and supply networks within end-to-end ecosystems.
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Archie MacDonald and David McMenemy
This study seeks to investigate the availability of creationist and intelligent design (ID) books in UK public libraries, whether any materials held are obtained as a result of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to investigate the availability of creationist and intelligent design (ID) books in UK public libraries, whether any materials held are obtained as a result of donation or purchase, and whether such materials, if available, are classified as religion or science.
Design/methodology/approach
A Freedom of Information Request (FOI) was sent to a subset of all the public library authorities in the UK. The FOI requests took the form of three queries/questions asked of the library service of each local authority. From a list of 218 library authorities, 68 were contacted either by email or by online contact form.
Findings
There was a relatively low level of reported donations of creationist and ID materials in UK public libraries. However, a high number of library authorities did have creationist and intelligent design materials on their catalogues via their own procurement mechanisms. There was no consistent nationwide pattern with regards to how these materials were classified and there was a wide geographic variation reported, with difficulties evidenced in whether to present creationist and intelligent design texts to the public as religious texts or science texts.
Research limitations/implications
The paper presents results from a subset of local authorities in the UK, thus cannot claim to be anything more than indicative of the sample.
Practical implications
The paper suggests that library authorities may need to be more consistent in how they present controversial materials to users.
Originality/value
The paper is the first to examine the issue of creationist materials in UK public libraries and how they are processed.
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Examines the seventeenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects…
Abstract
Examines the seventeenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.
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Dan Qiu, Noshir A. Langrana, Stephen C. Danforth, Ahmad Safari and Mohsen Jafari
To fabricate high quality parts, and to make the development generic yet compatible with the in‐house hardware, a virtual simulation system has been developed, and an in‐house…
Abstract
To fabricate high quality parts, and to make the development generic yet compatible with the in‐house hardware, a virtual simulation system has been developed, and an in‐house intelligent multi‐material toolpath generation system has been under development. This new development includes the issues such as multiple fill‐toolpaths for the same material, interface mismatch between adjacent materials and the intelligent toolpath features for machine control. After the multi‐material toolpath file generated by the in‐house software, the existing virtual graphical simulation as well as well selected part fabrication experiments were used to validate it. Based on the authors’ ongoing research about multi‐material layered manufacturing, it was determined that the build characteristic was heavily dependent on the material being used. Therefore, it was important to develop the hardware/software that will accommodate this requirement.
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Outlines the current research work on intelligent sensors andintelligent transducers which will be required in complex systems. Discussesthe elements of an intelligent sensor and…
Abstract
Outlines the current research work on intelligent sensors and intelligent transducers which will be required in complex systems. Discusses the elements of an intelligent sensor and concludes that these require analogue filtering, data conversion and compensation, and a digital communication link to a common signal bus. Explains what is meant by a systems approach to intelligent sensors with layered information processing. Concludes that unless a deeper understanding of the basics of sensor systems is acquired new intelligent sensor design will be very difficult.
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Discusses intelligent materials, intelligent material‐based sensors, their transducing methods, and different kinds of transducers used with smart material‐based sensors. Assumes…
Abstract
Discusses intelligent materials, intelligent material‐based sensors, their transducing methods, and different kinds of transducers used with smart material‐based sensors. Assumes that the future of intelligent sensors will almost totally depend on intelligent chemistry and intelligent instrumentation. Molecular recognition will widen the horizons of smart systems with the help of VLSI‐based design and fabrication. Discusses different sensor mechanisms, such as ENFETs, immunoFETs, ISFETs and chemFETs and takes a detailed look at potentiometric, amperometric and optical biosensors.
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Lei Shen, Qing Liu, Zhebin Xue and Li Zhang
With the application and development of intelligent clothing and wearable technology, the term “micro-interaction” has gradually entered people’s lives. The paper aims to discuss…
Abstract
Purpose
With the application and development of intelligent clothing and wearable technology, the term “micro-interaction” has gradually entered people’s lives. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper takes the concept of “micro-interaction” as the design principle, starting from the consumer demand, combing the realization mode of the intelligent safety clothing in recent years, and finds out the existing problems in the design of the intelligent safety clothing.
Findings
Under the concept of micro-interaction, a new theoretical model has been proposed to study intelligent safety clothing. Finally, the paper also emphasizes the importance of the industrialization of the proposed model.
Originality/value
The paper proposes a new research and development mode for intelligent clothing in safety protection area which is a pioneering study and can be valuable for safety clothing manufacturers to produce more functional and attractive products.
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The purpose of this paper is to report on the results of a study carried out to identify and analyse which potential subject areas may have impact on developments in the field of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on the results of a study carried out to identify and analyse which potential subject areas may have impact on developments in the field of building maintenance (BM). That is, it is intended to contribute to the integration of new approaches so that building maintenance management (BMM) becomes as automated, digital and intelligent or smartness as possible in the near future.
Design/methodology/approach
The research approach has resulted in a theory that is essentially based on a qualitative design. The route followed was a literature review, involving the collection, analysis and interpretation of carefully selected information, mostly from recently published records. The data assembled and the empirical experience itself made it possible to present a comprehensive viewpoint and some future outlooks.
Findings
Five thematic areas considered as potentially impactful for BM developments have been highlighted, analysed and generically labelled as thematic base words, which are monitoring, automation, digitalisation, intelligence and smart. It is believed that these may be aspects that will lay the groundwork for a much more advanced and integrated agenda, featured by a high-tech vision.
Originality/value
This is thought to be a different way of looking at the problem, as it addresses five current issues together. Trendy technological aspects are quite innovative and advantageous for BMM, providing opportunities not yet widely explored and boosting the paradigm shift.
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Smart materials also called intelligent materials are gaining importance continuously in many industries including aerospace one. It is because of the unique features of these…
Abstract
Purpose
Smart materials also called intelligent materials are gaining importance continuously in many industries including aerospace one. It is because of the unique features of these materials such as self-sensing, self-adaptability, memory capabilities and manifold functions. For a long time, there is no review of smart materials. Therefore, it is considered worthwhile to write a review on this subject.
Design/methodology/approach
A thorough search of the literature was carried out through SciFinder, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Wiley Online Library and reputed and peer-reviewed journals. The literature was critically analyzed and a review was written.
Findings
This study describes the advances in smart materials concerning their applications in aerospace industries. The classification, working principle and recent developments (nano-smart materials) of smart materials are discussed. Besides, the future perspectives of these materials are also highlighted. Much research has not been done in this area, which needs more extensive study.
Originality/value
Certainly, this study will be highly useful for academicians, researchers and technocrats working in aerospace industries.