The chemistry of ceramic glazes

The development of ideas and theories concerning the structure of glazes, as one of the glassy materials, are reviewed in the general introduction. The raw materials and the manufacturing process for glazes are described (Chapter One). A number of new vanadyl(IV) dipyridylamine and tripyrldylamine complexes have been prepared, various spectroscopic techniques are used in the investigation of the vanadyl ion in a weak ligand field, the situation of those found in a glaze environment (Chapter Three). In glaze recipes containing silica, potash feldspar, china clay, MO(M= Ca, Sr, Sa, Ti and Zn) and NiO, the ligand field theory is used in the elucidation of the effect of M (in MO) on the absorption spectra and coordination behaviour of Ni(II) in glazes. The magnetic and visible spectral results are reviewed in terms of Dietzel's idea of field strength of M and also in terms of Shteinberg's theory of glaze structure. X-ray diffraction is used for the identification of various species that formed after the firing process of glazes (Chapter Four). In Chapter Five, [] Mossbauer spectroscopy, supplemented by E.S.R., X-ray and visible spectral measurements are used in the investigation of iron in a glaze composition similar to that used in Chapter Four. The Mossbauer results are used in following the influence of; M in MO (M= Sr, Ca and Ba), oxides of titanium(IV) and vanadium(V ), and firing conditions on the chemistry of iron. Generally the iron(II) and iron(III) in the fired glazes are in octahedral sites although there are a range of similar, though not identical environments. A quite noticable influence of M (in MO) on the resonance line width is seen. In one case evidence is found for iron(IV) in an iron/vanadium glaze. E.S.R. of vanadium containing glazes indicate that vanadium is present as V02+ in a highly distorted tetragonal environment .

General-purpose autonomic computing

The success of mainstream computing is largely due to the widespread availability of general-purpose architectures and of generic approaches that can be used to solve real-world problems cost-effectively and across a broad range of application domains. In this chapter, we propose that a similar generic framework is used to make the development of autonomic solutions cost effective, and to establish autonomic computing as a major approach to managing the complexity of today’s large-scale systems and systems of systems. To demonstrate the feasibility of general-purpose autonomic computing, we introduce a generic autonomic computing framework comprising a policy-based autonomic architecture and a novel four-step method for the effective development of self-managing systems. A prototype implementation of the reconfigurable policy engine at the core of our architecture is then used to develop autonomic solutions for case studies from several application domains. Looking into the future, we describe a methodology for the engineering of self-managing systems that extends and generalises our autonomic computing framework further.

Volunteering for success? An Analysis of Student Perceptions of the Pedagogical and Social Outcomes of Peer Mentoring in Higher Education

Previous studies into student volunteering have shown how formally organized volunteering activities have social, economic and practical benefits for student volunteers and the recipients of their volunteerism (Egerton, 2002; Vernon & Foster, 2002); moreover student volunteering provides the means by which undergraduates are able to acquire and hone transferable skills sought by employers following graduation (Eldridge & Wilson, 2003; Norris et al, 2006). Although much is known about the benefits of student volunteering, few previous studies have focused on the pedagogical value of student mentoring from the perspectives of both student mentee and mentor. Utilising grounded theory methodology this paper provides a critical analysis of an exploratory study analysing students’ perceptions of the pedagogical and social outcomes of student mentoring. It looks at students’ perceptions of mentoring, and being mentored, in terms of the learning experience and development of knowledge and skills. In doing so the paper considers how volunteering in a mentoring capacity adds ‘value’ to students’ experiences of higher education. From a public policy perspective, the economic, educational, vocational and social outcomes of student volunteering in general, and student mentoring in particular, make this an important subject meriting investigation. In terms of employability, the role of mentoring in equipping mentors and mentees with transferable, employability competencies has not been investigated. By critiquing the mentoring experiences of undergraduates within a single institution, this paper will make an important contribution to policy debates with regards to the pedagogical and employability related outcomes of student volunteering and mentoring.

A study into the effectiveness of quality management training:a focus on tools and critical success factors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of quality management training by reviewing commonly used critical success factors and tools rather than the overall methodological approach. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology used a web-based questionnaire. It consisted of 238 questions covering 77 tools and 30 critical success factors selected from leading academic and practitioner sources. The survey had 79 usable responses and the data were analysed using relevant statistical quality management tools. The results were validated in a series of structured workshops with quality management experts. Findings – Findings show that in general most of the critical success factor statements for quality management are agreed with, although not all are implemented well. The findings also show that many quality tools are not known or understood well; and that training has an important role in raising their awareness and making sure they are used correctly. Research limitations/implications – Generalisations are limited by the UK-centric nature of the sample. Practical implications – The practical implications are discussed for organisations implementing quality management initiatives, training organisations revising their quality management syllabi and academic institutions teaching quality management. Originality/value – Most recent surveys have been aimed at methodological levels (i.e. “lean”, “Six Sigma”, “total quality management” etc.); this research proposes that this has limited value as many of the tools and critical success factors are common to most of the methodologies. Therefore, quite uniquely, this research focuses on the tools and critical success factors. Additionally, other recent comparable surveys have been less comprehensive and not focused on training issues.

A general route to synthesize supported isolated oxide and mixed-oxide nanoclusters at sizes below 5 nm

A simple and efficient route to prepare supported nanocrystalline oxides is presented. The synthesis procedure, i.e. in situ autocombustion of a glycine complex, allows the production of nanocrystals in a porous matrix presenting larger pore size. An example of successful formation of 2-5 nm nanocrystals is given for a single oxide (Fe2O3), a mixed-oxide structure (LaCoO3 perovskite-type) and a nickel-doped oxide. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Pd/C catalysts based on synthetic carbons with bi- and tri-modal pore-size distribution:applications in flow chemistry

Two new types of phenolic resin-derived synthetic carbons with bi-modal and tri-modal pore-size distributions were used as supports for Pd catalysts. The catalysts were tested in chemoselective hydrogenation and hydrodehalogenation reactions in a compact multichannel flow reactor. Bi-modal and tri-modal micro-mesoporous structures of the synthetic carbons were characterised by N2 adsorption. HR-TEM, PXRD and XPS analyses were performed for characterising the synthesised catalysts. N2 adsorption revealed that tri-modal synthetic carbon possesses a well-developed hierarchical mesoporous structure (with 6.5 nm and 42 nm pores), contributing to a larger mesopore volume than the bi-modal carbon (1.57 cm3 g-1versus 1.23 cm3 g-1). It was found that the tri-modal carbon promotes a better size distribution of Pd nanoparticles than the bi-modal carbon due to presence of hierarchical mesopore limitting the growth of Pd nanoparticles. For all the model reactions investigated, the Pd catalyst based on tri-modal synthetic carbon (Pd/triC) show high activity as well as high stability and reproducibility. The trend in reactivities of different functional groups over the Pd/triC catalyst follows a general order alkyne ≫ nitro > bromo ≫ aldehyde.