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1 – 10 of over 3000Lei Guo, Lien Zhu, Lei Ma, Jian Zhang, QiuYu Meng, Zheng Jin, Meihua Liu and Kai Zhao
The purpose of this paper is to prepare a spherical modifier-modified activated carbon fiber of high specific capacitance intended for electrode materials of supercapacitor.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to prepare a spherical modifier-modified activated carbon fiber of high specific capacitance intended for electrode materials of supercapacitor.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, phenolic-based microspheres are taken as modifiers to prepare PAN-based fiber composites by electrospinning, pre-oxidation and carbonization. Pearl-chain structures appear in RFC/ACF composites, and pure polyacrylonitrile fibers show a dense network. The shape and cross-linking degree are large. After the addition of the phenolic-based microspheres, the composite material exhibits a layered pearlite chain structure with a large porosity, and the RFC/ACF composite material is derived because of the existence of a large number of bead chain structures in the composite material. The density increases, the volume declines and the mass after being assembled into a supercapacitor as a positive electrode material decreases. The specific surface area of RFC/ACF composites is increased as compared to pure fibers. The increase in specific surface area could facilitate the diffusion of electrolyte ions in the material. Owing to the large number of bead chains, plenty of pore channels are provided for the diffusion of electrolyte ions, which is conducive to enhancing the electrochemical performance of the composite and improving the RFC/ACF composite and the specific capacitance of the material. The methods of electrochemical testing on symmetric supercapacitors (as positive electrodes) are three-electrode cyclic voltammetry, alternating current impedance and cycle stability.
Findings
The specific capacitance value of the composite material was found to be 389.2 F/g, and the specific capacitance of the electrode operating at a higher current density of 20 mA/cm2 was 11.87 F/g (the amount of the microsphere modifier added was 0.3 g). Using this material as a positive electrode to assemble into asymmetrical supercapacitor, after 2,000 cycles, the specific capacitance retention rate was 87.46 per cent, indicating excellent cycle stability performance. This result can be attributed to the fact that the modifier embedded in the fiber changes the porosity between the fibers, while improving the utilization of the carbon fibers and making it easier for electrolyte ions to enter the interior of the composites, thereby increasing the capacitance of the composites.
Originality/value
The modified PAN-based activated carbon fibers in the study had high specific surface area and significantly high specific capacitance, which makes it applicable as an efficient and environment-friendly absorbent, as well as an advanced electrode material for supercapacitor.
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Lei Ma, Ben Zhang, Kaitong Liang, Yang Cheng and Chaonan Yi
The embedding of digital technology and the fuzzy organizational boundary have changed the operation of platform innovation ecosystem (PIE). Specifically, as an important energy…
Abstract
Purpose
The embedding of digital technology and the fuzzy organizational boundary have changed the operation of platform innovation ecosystem (PIE). Specifically, as an important energy of PIE, the internal logic of knowledge flow needs to be reconsidered in the context of digital age, which will be helpful to select the cultivation and governance strategy of PIE.
Design/methodology/approach
A dual case-analysis is applied to open the “black box” of knowledge flow in the PIE from the perspective of enabled by digital technology, by taking the intellectual property (IP) operation platform as cases.
Findings
The research findings are as follow: (1) The knowledge flow mechanism of PIE is mainly demonstrated through the processes of knowledge acquisition, knowledge integration and knowledge spillover. During this process, connectivity empowerment and scenario empowerment realize the digital empowerment of the platform. (2) Connectivity empowerment provides a channel of knowledge acquisition for the digital connection between participants in PIE. In the process of knowledge integration, scenario empowerment improves the opportunities for accurate matching and collaborative innovation between knowledge supplier and demander, and enhance the value of knowledge. The dual effect of connectivity empowerment and scenario empowerment has accelerated the knowledge spillover in PIE. Particularly, connectivity empowerment expands the range of knowledge spillover, and scenario empowerment affects the generativity of the platform, resulting in the enhancement of platform’s capability to embed and expand its value network. (3) Participants have been benefitted from the PIE enabled by digital technology through three key modules (knowledge acquisition, knowledge integration and knowledge spillover), as the result of knowledge flow.
Originality/value
This study focuses on the knowledge flow mechanism of PIE enabled by digital technology, which enriches the PIE theory, and has enlightenments for the cultivation of digital platform ecosystem.
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Meixian Zhang, Hanbo Shi, Siyuan Ding and Lei Ma
The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of braking speed at –20 °C on the wear property of high-speed railway braking materials and the temperature also stress…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of braking speed at –20 °C on the wear property of high-speed railway braking materials and the temperature also stress analyses of brake disc friction surface.
Design/methodology/approach
Friction brake tester was used to simulate the wear test of high-speed railway braking materials at diverse braking speeds (2,100, 2,400, 2,700 and 3,000 rad/min) at –20 °C and the stress and temperature analyses of brake disc friction surface were carried out by COMSOL.
Findings
Compared with 20°C, there is initial stress of brake disc friction surface before brake starting; also, the maximum wear depth is larger at –20°C. Besides, at –20 °C, with the rising of braking speed, the graphite particles on the friction surface of brake pad significantly reduce. And scratches and cracks are formed on brake pad friction surface. Besides, the abrasive wear, adhesive wear and thermal cracks of brake disc friction surface are aggravated. Moreover, the maximal worn depth also increase. Meanwhile, the highest temperature and the maximum thermal stress of brake disc friction surface both raise. Furthermore, the temperature and thermal stress gradients at radial direction of brake disc friction surface aggrandize, which makes the thermal cracks on brake disc friction surface further exacerbated.
Research limitations/implications
In this paper, the wear property of the high-speed railway braking materials is studied by combining experiment and simulation. However, due to the low-speed traveling of high-speed railway was mainly studied in this paper, there may be no comprehensive simulation of the real running condition of high-speed railway. At the same time, the working condition of low-temperature environment cannot be completely simulated and controlled.
Practical implications
The research results of this paper provide a basic instruction for other researchers and also provide an important reference for relevant personnel to choose the braking speed of high-speed railway at –20 °C.
Social implications
The research of this paper provides a brick for the study of high-speed railway braking materials and also provides some references for the safe service of trains in low-temperature environment.
Originality/value
This paper studied the wear property and carried out the simulation analysis of braking materials at –20 °C at diverse braking speed. The research findings provide an important reference for the selection of braking speed of high-speed railway at –20 °C.
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Meixian Zhang, Yiding Ou, Haibing Yuan, Junlin Pan and Lei Ma
The purpose of this paper is to examine the practicability of the self-designed ambient humidity controllable pin-disc/rolling multifunctional friction and wear test device and to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the practicability of the self-designed ambient humidity controllable pin-disc/rolling multifunctional friction and wear test device and to evaluate the friction and wear characteristics of materials under diverse ambient humidity conditions in different contact forms.
Design/methodology/approach
The practicability of the self-designed multifunctional friction tester was examined by the friction and wear tests of materials under different ambient humidity conditions [65%RH, 98%RH (relative humidity)] in diverse contact forms (pin/disc and rolling). Meanwhile, the friction and wear properties of pin/disc samples also rolling samples were assessed from three aspects: average friction coefficient, wear mass and wear morphology.
Findings
The results prove that the self-designed multifunctional friction tester has practicability. Therefore, it can be used to simulate the friction and wear tests of materials under diverse ambient humidity conditions in different contact forms. Besides, it is evident that the wear damage of pin/disc and rolling samples are greatly improved under high ambient humidity conditions. And when other conditions are identical, the higher the ambient humidity, the smaller the average friction coefficient, wear mass and wear damage degree of pin/disc also rolling samples.
Originality/value
This paper offers a self-designed multifunctional friction and wear test device. And the tester not only can realize the control of test ambient humidity, but also achieve the wear test of pin/disc or rolling contact forms. The design and production of the tester can offer convenience for the research of tribology, and provide fundamental guidance for the study of materials under high humidity condition in diverse contact forms.
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Lei Ma, Hanbo Shi, Siyuan Ding, Chao Zhang, Haibing Yuan and Junlin Pan
The purpose of this paper is to study the wear of railway brake disc/pad in low-temperature environment and to explore the damage form of brake disc/pad materials and the law of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the wear of railway brake disc/pad in low-temperature environment and to explore the damage form of brake disc/pad materials and the law of temperature rise in braking process and its influence on friction pair material damage.
Design/methodology/approach
The influence of ambient temperature on tribological properties of brake materials was studied by using low-temperature environment simulation device and MM-1000 high-speed brake testing machine. The law of temperature rise in the braking process was simulated by temperature field module of COMSOL.
Findings
The damage of disc sample increases with the decrease of ambient temperature, and the main damage form is furrow. With the decrease of ambient temperature, pitting corrosion, wear, spalling and cracks appear successively. The maximum temperature of brake disc decreases linearly with the decrease of ambient temperature. However, when the ambient temperature is 0 in the experiment, the surface temperature of the disc will increase abnormally because of the increase of abrasive particles caused by the toughening and brittleness transformation of the material.
Originality/value
In this paper, through the study of train braking in low-temperature environment, the damage mechanism and law of train braking pair in low-temperature environment are found, which provide some basis for the development of high-speed railway in low-temperature environment.
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Xu Wang, Lei Ma, Qun Niu and Yong Zhang
In era of industry 4.0 all the organizations are investing their resources so they can adopt the latest technologies with no exception of supply chain. Accordingly, the present…
Abstract
Purpose
In era of industry 4.0 all the organizations are investing their resources so they can adopt the latest technologies with no exception of supply chain. Accordingly, the present study attempted to examine the influence of digitalization of supply chain and performance in context of Chinese sports industry. Additionally, it has considered the supply chain integration and time management as a mechanism along with boundary condition of supply chain resilience.
Design/methodology/approach
The study followed positivism philosophy and adopted quantitative methods. The data were collected by using the questionnaire from the Chinese sport industry organizations’ professionals related to logistics and supply chain. A total 746 questionnaires were distributed and 570 of them subjected to SPSS and Smart PLS for data analysis. Hypotheses were tested using PLS-SEM through the Smart-PLS 4.
Findings
The results of the study revealed that supply chain digitalization positively influences the both internal and external supply chain integration. Moreover, supply chain planning and scheduling influenced by both internal and external supply chain integration lead by supply chain digitalization. Ultimately resulting in improved sports industry performance. However, the supply chain resilience did not found as a significant moderator.
Originality/value
The study is few of the attempts that have tested a comprehensive mechanism through which the supply chain digitalization lead towards the higher performance. Also, the study results signify that the digitization can help the organizations to accomplish superior performance specifically in sports industry.
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Julius T. Nganji, Lamis F. Al-Qora’n and Kfukfu Nsangong
Although artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing in influence across different fields, the subject of AI literacy in higher education (HE) remains inadequately explored…
Abstract
Although artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing in influence across different fields, the subject of AI literacy in higher education (HE) remains inadequately explored. Through a systematic review of 19 peer-reviewed journal articles, this chapter fills that gap.
The findings of this study highlight the advancements in AI literacy education across different subject disciplines. It emphasises the importance of critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and practical skills in managing the increasingly complicated world driven by AI.
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Irene Hau‐siu Chow and Daniel Z.Q. Ding
This paper describes a study which investigated the relationship between stage of moral development and conflict handling styles in Chinese societies. A total of 996 undergraduate…
Abstract
This paper describes a study which investigated the relationship between stage of moral development and conflict handling styles in Chinese societies. A total of 996 undergraduate business students and 294 MBA students in Hong Kong and China participated in the study. The defining issue test was used to assess stage of moral development. Conflict handling styles were identified by Rahim’s organizational conflict inventory. Results showed a significant association between stage of moral development and the use of integrating conflict‐handling approach. The extent to which the Chinese culture and psychology influenced moral reasoning and conflict handling styles is discussed.
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Bartosz Sawik, Javier Faulin and Elena Pérez-Bernabeu
The purpose of this chapter is to optimize multi-criteria formulation for green vehicle routing problems by mixed integer programming. This research is about the road freight…
Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to optimize multi-criteria formulation for green vehicle routing problems by mixed integer programming. This research is about the road freight transportation of a Spanish company of groceries. This company has more power in the north of Spain and hence it was founded there. The data used for the computational experiments are focused in the northern region of Spain. The data have been used to decide the best route in order to obtain a minimization of costs for the company. The problem focused on the distance traveled and the altitude difference; by studying these parameters, the best solution of route transportation has been made. The software used to solve this model is CPLEX solver with AMPL programming language. This has been helpful to obtain the results for the research and some conclusions have been obtained from them.
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This study aims to explore the role of ChatGPT literacy within the technology acceptance model (TAM) framework and its potential for learners of English as a foreign language…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the role of ChatGPT literacy within the technology acceptance model (TAM) framework and its potential for learners of English as a foreign language (EFL), whereby ChatGPT is integrated into their informal digital learning of English activities.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from 543 Chinese EFL learners were collected using a cross-sectional quantitative method. The relationships between six factors, namely, ChatGPT literacy, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, behavioral intention and actual use, were conceptualized and tested based on the TAM framework. The conceptualized model was verified using partial least squares structural equation modeling.
Findings
The findings indicated that ChatGPT literacy is a significant predictor of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, which were the two core variables with a significant impact on attitude. Perceived ease of use positively influenced perceived usefulness, indicating the mediating role of perceived usefulness in this path. Attitude significantly and positively influenced behavioral intention, which positively predicted actual use. Moreover, ChatGPT literacy moderated the relationship between behavioral intention and actual use.
Originality/value
This study extends the TAM framework by incorporating ChatGPT literacy as a predictor and moderator between behavioral intention and actual use. Empirical evidence is further offered for including ChatGPT as a language-learning instrument with great potential for EFL learners in extramural EFL learner settings.
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