This review paper provides a recent overview of current international research that is being conducted into the functional properties of cellulose as a nanomaterial. A particular emphasis is placed ...on fundamental and applied research that is being undertaken to generate applications, which are now becoming a real prospect given the developments in the field over the last 20 years. A short introduction covers the context of the work, and definitions of the different forms of cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs) that are most widely studied. We also address the terminology used for CNMs, suggesting a standard way to classify these materials. The reviews are separated out into theme areas, namely healthcare, water purification, biocomposites, and energy. Each section contains a short review of the field within the theme and summarizes recent work being undertaken by the groups represented. Topics that are covered include cellulose nanocrystals for directed growth of tissues, bacterial cellulose in healthcare, nanocellulose for drug delivery, nanocellulose for water purification, nanocellulose for thermoplastic composites, nanocellulose for structurally colored materials, transparent wood biocomposites, supercapacitors and batteries.
The project Modelling of Interface evolution in advanced Welding (MIntWeld) is a 4-year international research project funded by the European Commission under their FP7 programme. Its main target is ...to develop a numerical toolbox which can be used to predict the evolution of interfaces during welding. There are various interfaces involving multiple phenomena and different spatial scales, which can be simulated using corresponding numerical modelling methods respectively. The modelling methods include quantum dynamics, molecular dynamics, phase field, phase field crystal, computational fluid dynamics, phase transformation and heat transfer, thermodynamics, continuum mechanics and life and defects prediction. Although each modelling method is based on different physical theories and involves different scales, they are not isolated. Therefore, this project aims to design a common framework which couples each model with the upstream and/or downstream model at the relevant neighbouring length scales. The data exchange framework which underpins the coupling of the models is described, and typical examples addressing the solution to the challenges faced, such as those of data interpolation between one discretisation of the computational domain and another, are discussed. Initial successes from the model-linking efforts of the authors are also presented.
This paper reports recent findings from IEA Wind TCP Task 25, which compiles international experiences and research related to large-scale integration of wind and other renewable energy. In the ...paper, we address the main challenges for market integration of variable renewable energy, relating to price formation, cost recovery, balancing and other grid services. The paper gives an overview of recent scenario studies on electricity price impacts of (1) various generation, energy storage and demand types in different markets, and (2) different market designs and energy/climate policies. Studying markets with very high shares of variable renewable energy requires an improved set of analysis tools for forecasting market outcomes, estimating flexibility needs and sources, and assessing resource adequacy. Key market features need to be investigated within these improved analytical capabilities for systems transitioning to high shares of variable renewable energy, storage and flexible demand. System services that can be supported by markets will likely need to be revisited. Finally, this paper identifies open questions and suggested future market design work for supporting systems with very high shares of variable renewable energy, which are to be addressed in follow-up work of Task 25 collaborative research.
Synchronized phasor measurement based Wide Area Monitoring and Control (WAMC) system is becoming a reality within international research and development both in academia and industry. Timely and ...accurate data with high resolutions holds great promise for more responsible and advanced grid control and operation. Currently, most of the research focuses on the different control schemes and applications. A relatively less addressed aspect is the dependency of the WAMC system on the performance of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, without whose support the projected functionalities of the WAMC systems will be not achieved. Possible delays brought by the complex data transfer and processing processes in WAMC systems are addressed in the first part of this paper. Thereafter, simulations where delayed Phasor measurements are fed to the Static Var Compensator (SVC) are conducted iteratively to detect its maximum tolerated delay. Furthermore, performance requirements for the centralized computation and control actuation are researched and analyzed based on simulation results. It also includes a study on feasibility of compensations using local signal based Power System Stabilizers (PSS) in situations with much phasor data delay. The paper is concluded by suggesting ICT architecture for WAMC systems aiming to improve its robustness.
International Security Studies (ISS) has changed and diversified in many ways since 1945. This book provides the first intellectual history of the development of the subject in that period. It ...explains how ISS evolved from an initial concern with the strategic consequences of superpower rivalry and nuclear weapons, to its current diversity in which environmental, economic, human and other securities sit alongside military security, and in which approaches ranging from traditional Realist analysis to Feminism and Post-colonialism are in play. It sets out the driving forces that shaped debates in ISS, shows what makes ISS a single conversation across its diversity, and gives an authoritative account of debates on all the main topics within ISS. This is an unparalleled survey of the literature and institutions of ISS that will be an invaluable guide for all students and scholars of ISS, whether traditionalist, 'new agenda' or critical.
•This paper studies the intellectual base, main research trajectories and intellectual communities of the IRC domain.•It integrates qualitative review and three quantitative analyses of author, ...co-authorship and citation networks.•The IRC research has gone through the “emergence” (1957–1991), “fermentation” (1992–2005) and “take-off” (2006–2015) phases.•IRC domain has been under the influence of bibliometric research and co-authorship analysis has been a main methodology.•The field includes five distinct intellectual areas: drivers of IRC, IRC patterns, effects, networks and measurement.
International research collaboration (IRC) has been increasingly important as an emerging area of innovation studies. This study reviews the intellectual base, main research trajectories and intellectual communities of the IRC research domain over the period 1957–2015. It integrates qualitative review and three quantitative analyses including co-citation network analysis, main path analysis and bibliographic coupling analysis. The results show that the IRC research has gone through three phases, namely, “emergence” (1957–1991), “fermentation” (1992–2005) and “take-off” (2006–2015) phases. The co-citation network analysis confirms that the IRC research field has been developed under the influence of two pioneering studies related to bibliometrics research. The main research trajectories in IRC studies over the three development phases and over the whole period are identified based on the main path analysis, which shows that co-authorship analysis is the main research method in IRC studies. A bibliographic coupling analysis suggests that the whole IRC research domain can be classified into five distinct intellectual areas: drivers of IRC, IRC patterns, IRC effects, IRC networks and IRC measurement. Seven topics for future research are also identified.
Cellulose nanofibrils can be obtained from trees and have considerable potential as a building block for biobased materials. In order to achieve good properties of these materials, the nanostructure ...must be controlled. Here we present a process combining hydrodynamic alignment with a dispersion-gel transition that produces homogeneous and smooth filaments from a low-concentration dispersion of cellulose nanofibrils in water. The preferential fibril orientation along the filament direction can be controlled by the process parameters. The specific ultimate strength is considerably higher than previously reported filaments made of cellulose nanofibrils. The strength is even in line with the strongest cellulose pulp fibres extracted from wood with the same degree of fibril alignment. Successful nanoscale alignment before gelation demands a proper separation of the timescales involved. Somewhat surprisingly, the device must not be too small if this is to be achieved.
The ever increasing fossil fuel usage and cost, environmental concern has forced the world to look for alternatives. Straight vegetable oils in compression ignition engine are a ready solution ...available, however, with certain limitations and with some advantages as reported by many researchers. A comprehensive and critical review is presented specifically pertaining to straight vegetable oils usage in diesel engine. A detailed record of historical events described. Research carried out specifically under Indian conditions and international research work on the usage of straight vegetable oils in the diesel engine is separately reviewed. Many researchers have reported that straight vegetable oils in small percentage blends with diesel when used lower capacity diesel engines have shown great promise with regards to the thermal performance as well exhaust emissions. This has been explained in detail. Finally based on the review of international as well as Indian research a SWOT analysis is carried out. The review concludes that there is still scope for research in this area.
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