Simulation of transverse and longitudinal magnetic ripple structures induced by surface anisotropy

Micromagnetic ripple structures on the surfaces of thick specimens of ultra-soft magnetic material having strong surface anisotropy Ks favouring out-of-surface magnetization have been calculated. These ripples have wavelengths of the order of 0.1 μm and extend to a depth ∼ √A/Ms, where A is the exchange constant and Ms is the saturation magnetization. The wave-vectors of the ripple structures are either transverse or parallel to the bulk magnetization. Both structures have lower energy than the one-dimensional structure discussed by O'Handley and Woods, and they exhibit stronger normal magnetization. The transverse structure requires a surface anisotropy Ks ≥ 0.80K0, where is that required for the one-dimensional structure. The threshold for longitudinal ripples is 0.84K0. It is suggested that the transverse structure probably constitutes the ground state. The magnitudes of Ks and A should be obtainable from measurements of the ripple wavelength and amplitude, and Ms.

Accelerating innovation in the built environment by research and education

Awareness of climate change and adaptations of building stock play a key role in the UK government’s environmental agenda. While some European countries and countries like Japan move forward by bringing their sustainability agenda to the public sector, the UK seems to be slow in embracing these ideas and long term sustainability in improved products and processes for better performance, efficiency and innovative application of renewable technology is yet to come. While funding remains a major constraint research show that a number of detrimental issues including; organisation, risk, mind sets of the stakeholders, planning constraints, reluctance to accept change and the unexploited markets are major contributing factors. Most of these barriers can be overcome with research, development and information and knowledge transfer techniques. Educating all stakeholders can act as an accelerator for innovation. This paper examines innovation in the built environment and how research and education can stimulate this process. It explores drivers and barriers for innovation and how research and education in construction, design, engineering and project management can enhance this process. It presents and discusses lessons learnt from two action research projects in relation to innovation.