Abstract
Purpose
Strain sensors have been widely used to measure the strain of the structure. However, the ordinary sensing elements are not suitable for measuring large deformation on an irregular surface, which limits their applications. Recently, flexible sensors have attracted extensive interest because they can overcome the shortage of the ordinary sensing elements. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the whole measurement process of strain sensing behavior and the dimension design of fle3xible strain sensing system use the macroscopic measurement method of material tensile test to accurately measure the resistance change with strain. Afterwards, combining electrical components, the flexible strain sensors are produced for two biomedical applications: the wearable data-collecting gloves and rehabilitation training system.
Findings
The results show that the developed conductive fabric can exhibit high sensitivity, large workable strain range (>50 percent) under simple and repeated tension and good stability. Both applications demonstrate that the polypyrrole-coated fabric sensor can successfully measure the large and repeat strain, capture the motion of body and display corresponding information almost in real time.
Originality/value
The limitation lies in the lack of a holistic strain sensing mechanism study, and the lack of a corresponding theoretical model to explain the experimental results.
Details
Keywords
Yubo Guo, Jinchan Liu, Chuan Chen, Xiaowei Luo and Igor Martek
Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) are crucial to the procurement of global infrastructure projects. Moreover, a price mode based on a cluster of core concessionary items is key…
Abstract
Purpose
Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) are crucial to the procurement of global infrastructure projects. Moreover, a price mode based on a cluster of core concessionary items is key to the delivery of value-for-money and successful project outcomes. However, existing research has yet to fully identify PPP concessionary items, nor yet described the range of practical price modes. This study provides taxonomy of core concessionary items impacting PPP projects, systematically classifies price modes, and assesses the applicability and risk impacts of those price modes on PPP projects.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a comparative case study method in analyzing core concessionary items and alternative price modes. China is taken as the context, as it is one of the world’s largest PPP markets. In ensuring research validity and reliability, diverse data sources are utilized, with a graphic content analysis tool developed to capture the structure of price modes.
Findings
Eight PPP price modes are identified. These are: (1) UP (Unit Price) mode, (2) ALS (Annual Lump Sum) mode, (3) IRR (Internal Rate of Return) mode, (4) RP (Return for Investing Capital (RIC) - Profit Rate of O&M (PROM)) mode, (5) RFP (RIC - Financing Interest Rate (FR) - PROM) mode, (6) RFPL (RIC - FR - PROM - Lower Limit of User Charge (LLoUC)) mode, (7) RFL (RIC - FR - Lump Sum/Fixed Unit Price O&M Contract (LSOM/FUP)) mode, and (8) RFLL (RIC - FR - LSOM/FUP - LLoUC) mode. Other main findings are as follows: (1) Five risk allocation configurations can be achieved via these price modes. Yet while different price modes enable the allocation of specific risks, these do not always align with contracting parties’ original intentions. (2) IRR and RP modes may be less applicable in general because of their vulnerability in allocating critical risks and capacity for spurring opportunistic behavior.
Originality/value
By depicting the paths by which concessionary items in price modes affect cash flow, a systematic analysis of price modes was conducted exposing structural characteristics, along with risk allocation choice implications. The study is unique in: (1) Providing a systematic classification of PPP price modes used in PPP projects, (2) Presenting a comprehensive identification and streamlining of concessionary items in PPP practice, and (3) Analyzing the risk effects of different price modes. Together, these outcomes offer a hitherto unavailable perspective on PPP project risk management. The value of the study lies in the following: (1) Existing studies employ diverse concessionary items, but their applicability varies. This study offers an overarching framework facilitating decision-making in selecting appropriate PPP price modes and in determining concessionary items. (2) This study adds to the understanding of PPP price modes in significant ways that will aid local governments and potential sponsors in crafting and administrating more workable contract designs.
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Keywords
Yuchun Huang, Haishu Ma, Yubo Meng and Yazhou Mao
This paper aims to study the synergistic lubrication effects of Sn–Ag–Cu and MXene–Ti3C2 to improve the tribological properties of M50 bearing steel with microporous channels.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the synergistic lubrication effects of Sn–Ag–Cu and MXene–Ti3C2 to improve the tribological properties of M50 bearing steel with microporous channels.
Design/methodology/approach
M50 matrix self-lubricating composites (MMSC) were designed and prepared by filling Sn–Ag–Cu and MXene–Ti3C2 in the microporous channels of M50 bearing steel. The tribology performance testing of as-prepared samples was executed with a multifunction tribometer. The optimum hole size and lubricant content, as well as self-lubricating mechanism of MMSC, were studied.
Findings
The tribological properties of MMSC are strongly dependent on the synergistic lubrication effect of MXene–Ti3C2 and Sn–Ag–Cu. When the hole size of microchannel is 1 mm and the content of MXene–Ti3C2 in mixed lubricant is 4 wt.%, MMSC shows the lowest friction coefficient and wear rate. The Sn–Ag–Cu and MXene–Ti3C2 are extruded from the microporous channels and spread to the friction interface, and a relatively complete lubricating film is formed at the friction interface. Meanwhile, the synergistic lubrication of Sn–Ag–Cu and MXene–Ti3C2 can improve the stability of the lubricating film, thus the excellent tribological property of MMSC is obtained.
Originality/value
The results help in deep understanding of the synergistic lubrication effects of Sn–Ag–Cu and MXene–Ti3C2 on the tribological properties of M50 bearing steel. This work also provides a useful reference for the tribological design of mechanical components by combining surface texture with solid lubrication.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-12-2023-0381/
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Keywords
Juliang Xiao, Yunpeng Wang, Sijiang Liu, YuBo Sun, Haitao Liu, Tian Huang and Jian Xu
The purpose of this paper is to generate grinding trajectory of unknown model parts simply and efficiently. In this paper, a method of grinding trajectory generation of hybrid…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to generate grinding trajectory of unknown model parts simply and efficiently. In this paper, a method of grinding trajectory generation of hybrid robot based on Cartesian space direct teaching technology is proposed.
Design/methodology/approach
This method first realizes the direct teaching of hybrid robot based on 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse (3DMouse) sensor, and the full path points of the robot are recorded in the teaching process. To reduce the jitter and make the speed control more freely when dragging the robot, the sensor data is processed by Kalman filter, and a variable admittance control model is established. And the joint constraint processing is given during teaching. After that, the path points are modified and fitted into double B-splines, and the speed planning is performed to generate the final grinding trajectory.
Findings
Experiment verifies the feasibility of using direct teaching technology in Cartesian space to generate grinding trajectory of unknown model parts. By fitting all the teaching points into cubic B-spline, the smoothness of the grinding trajectory is improved.
Practical implications
The whole method is verified by the self-developed TriMule-600 hybrid robot, and it can also be applied to other industrial robots.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this paper is to realize the direct teaching and trajectory generation of the hybrid robot in Cartesian space, which provides an effective new method for the robot to generate grinding trajectory of unknown model parts.
Details
Keywords
Qiuping Yang, Huizhi Li, Yubo Zhai, Xiaofeng Li and Peizhi Zhang
To prepare a new type of composite for selective laser sintering 3D printing, the surface of Al2O3 nanoparticles was modified by the coupling agent…
Abstract
Purpose
To prepare a new type of composite for selective laser sintering 3D printing, the surface of Al2O3 nanoparticles was modified by the coupling agent (3-methacryloxypropyl)-trimethoxy silane (KH570) before coated with thermoplastic epoxy resin (TER).
Design/methodology/approach
Laser diffraction confirmed that the size distribution of prepared powder materials in this study ranged between 20 to 80 µm. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the loading of organic matter was below 5 per cent. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that the silane coupling agent molecule bound strongly with the alumina. X-ray diffraction confirmed the prepared powder materials to be α-alumina. Through the angle of repose (AOR) test, the AOR = 18.435º was obtained, suggesting the high flowability of prepared powder materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation demonstrated that the shape of the prepared powder materials was sphere-like grains.
Findings
Molding properties of prepared powder materials were studied on the basis of particle size distribution, particle size, sphericity, crystal structure and the reaction mode of the TER. This prepared powder materials can be well applied to the production of epoxy resin-coated Al2O3 composite parts with high precision and good mechanical performance.
Originality/value
This composite can be well applied to the production of epoxy resin-coated Al2O3 composite parts with high precision and good mechanical performance.
Details
Keywords
Yubo Yang, Xiuhua Guo, Kexing Song, Fei Long, Xu Wang, Shaolin Li and Zhou Li
Copper matrix composites are widely used in high-voltage switches, electrified railways and other electric friction fields. The purpose of this study is to improve its wear…
Abstract
Purpose
Copper matrix composites are widely used in high-voltage switches, electrified railways and other electric friction fields. The purpose of this study is to improve its wear resistance and investigate the effect of hybrid carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and titanium diboride (TiB2) particles reinforced copper matrix composites on electrical wear performance.
Design/methodology/approach
CNTs and TiB2 particles were introduced into copper matrix simultaneously by powder metallurgy combined with electroless copper plating. Electrical wear performance of the composites was studied on self-made pin on disk electrical wear tester.
Findings
The results show that the friction coefficient and wear rate of (1CNTs–4TiB2)/Cu composite are respectively reduced by 40% and 25.3%, compared with single TiB2/Cu composites. The micron-sized TiB2 particles can hinder the plastic deformation of composites, and bear part of the load to weaken the wear rate of composites. CNTs with the self-lubricating property can form lubricating layer to reduce the friction coefficient of composites.
Originality/value
This work can provide a design method for further improving the wear properties of TiB2/Cu composites.
Details
Keywords
Praveen Kulkarni, Rohit Mutkekar and Sanjeev Ingalagi
Start-ups are the new avenues for innovation and employment. Strategic management is critical for employee engagement and skill development of start-ups. This study aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
Start-ups are the new avenues for innovation and employment. Strategic management is critical for employee engagement and skill development of start-ups. This study aims to understand the impact of strategic management on employee engagement and skill development.
Design/methodology/approach
The study attempts to identify principal factors of strategic management influencing employee engagement and skill development. Structural equation modeling has been used to understand effects of the study.
Findings
The study results have shown the challenges concerning employee skill development and reflected on importance of the employee engagement programmes for the growth of the human resource in the start-ups.
Research limitations/implications
The study has confined to strategic management for employee engagement and skill development. However, studies related to challenges encountered by start-ups in the specific areas of marketing, operations and finance, etc. would provide more detailed impact on the growth of start-ups.
Practical implications
This study provides an insight into strategic management for employee engagement and skill development. The results would provide directions for improving strategy management from the perspective of employee engagement and skill development.
Social implications
The study on start-ups provides a direction to the owners of start-ups to understand the importance of strategic management and human resource management for building strong enterprising which can provide employment opportunity for the youth of the nation and improve the society at large.
Originality/value
This paper is an attempt to provide directions for managing challenges from the perspective of employees’ engagement and skill development, which is essential for growth and sustainability in the future.
Details
Keywords
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.
Details
Keywords
Zongshui Wang, Wei Liu, Zhuo Sun and Hong Zhao
Building on social media and destination brand-related literature, this study aims to explore World Heritage Sites’ (WHSs) brand diffusion and formation process from long-term and…
Abstract
Purpose
Building on social media and destination brand-related literature, this study aims to explore World Heritage Sites’ (WHSs) brand diffusion and formation process from long-term and short-term perspectives, which includes brand diffusion, user-generated content (UGC), opinion leaders and brand events’ impact.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a mixed-method including text mining, keyword analysis and social network analysis to explore the brand formation process of four popular WHSs in Beijing, namely, the Palace Museum, Great Wall, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven and more than 10,000,000 users’ data on Sina Weibo has been implemented to uncover the underlying social media branding mechanism.
Findings
The results show that the number of postings keeps in a stable range in most months, but, in general, there are no common rules for changing trends among the four WHSs; long-term high-frequency keywords related to history and culture account for a higher percentage; different kinds of accounts have varying impacts on information diffusion, in which media accounts lead to a bigger influence. However, more followers do not necessarily mean more interactions and most of the interaction ratio is much lower than 0.01000; brand events facilitate brand dissemination and have an impact on the creation of UGC.
Practical implications
This study is valuable for destination marketers to deeper understand brand diffusion and formation and provides valuable insights for developing effective destination marketing strategies.
Originality/value
Unlike previous studies that only concern a few parts of destination brand formation via social media (e.g. brand diffusion, brand events or opinion leaders’ impact), this study takes a more comprehensive perspective by systematically analyzing the brand formation process of WHSs on social media. By considering both long-term diffusion and short-term representative events, this study provides a more holistic understanding of the branding mechanism.
Details
Keywords
Zhifeng Shen, Xiangdong Wei, Ahsan Siraj, Shilpa Taneja, Linyan Fang and Zhihui Li
The aim of this study is to find the governance mechanism that matches the EPC project governance model as well as the performance criteria for measuring the quality governance of…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to find the governance mechanism that matches the EPC project governance model as well as the performance criteria for measuring the quality governance of EPC projects so as to improve the level of quality of EPC project delivery.
Design/methodology/approach
An in-depth questionnaire survey of 199 EPC engineering practitioners and quality control units was conducted and the survey data was analysed using SPSS 24.0 software.
Findings
The results show that administrative governance, industry governance and internal project governance have direct effects on the quality governance performance of EPC projects. Administrative governance has a positive impact on the quality governance performance of EPC projects through industry governance and project internal governance.
Research limitations/implications
This study enriches the research on engineering quality governance in the context of EPC projects, discusses how to improve the performance of EPC engineering quality governance and will provide certain reference and information for other EPC projects to establish an adapted engineering quality governance mechanism.
Originality/value
This paper exploratively proposes EPC administrative governance mode, industry governance mode and internal project governance mode and analyzes the logical relationship between them and EPC project quality governance performance and constructs a theoretical model influencing the improvement of EPC project quality governance performance.