Strategy for the development on science and technology in the CDCC member countries

Contiene las políticas de desarrollo de la ciencia y la tecnología en los países del Caribe para obtener un mayor desarrollo de la investigación pura y aplicada; mayor unión entre las investigaciones y las elaboraciones de políticas; mejor relación entre enseñanza e investigación; creación de una mejor estructura horizontal donde un mayor número de científicos y tecnólogos puedan emplearse disminuyendo así la fuga de cerebros, y una real colaboración con los científicos e instituciones superiores tanto en el Caribe como con el resto de América Latina y otras partes del mundo.

Science and technology, sustainability and sustainable development

Includes bibliography

Promotion of technical and economic co-operation between Africa and Latin America in the field of science and technology

Includes bibliography

Science and technology in Latin America: trends and aspirations

Information Document, No 1

Science and technology, ICT and profitability in the manufacturing sector in Peru

Includes bibliography

Latin American plan of action for the application of science and technology to development

Includes bibliography

Causes and consequences of low rates of specialisation in science and technology in CDCC member countries

The importance of science and technology (S&T) in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is clearly articulated in Chapter XI, paragraphs 57, 58, 61 and 62 of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (MSI). At the regional level, the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) noted the challenge that CARICOM member States face in competing in this new international economic environment in which the impact of scientific and technological change has created a knowledge-based global economy. Given the importance of S&T to development of Caribbean SIDS, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean embarked on a study to determine the causes and consequences of low rates of specialisation in S&T with a view to making recommendations for development of strategies for addressing these challenges. Data on postgraduate (Master of Science, Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy) enrolment and graduation in agriculture, engineering and the sciences from the three campuses of the University of the West Indies (UWI) as well as from the University of Technology in Jamaica and the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) were examined and analysed. Face-to-face interviews were also held with key personnel from these institutions and a questionnaire was also served to individuals in key institutions. Results of the study revealed that although the number of students enrolled in higher degree programmes has increased in absolute terms, they are decreasing in relative terms. However, enrolment in agriculture has indeed declined while enrolment rates in engineering, although increasing, were not significantly high. Market forces have proved to be a main reason for this trend while facilities for the conduct and supervision of cutting-edge research, the disconnect between science and industry and societal labelling of scientists as “misfits” are also contributing to the situation. This has resulted in a reduced desire by students at all levels of the school system and faculty to be involved in S&T; lack of innovation; a better staffed private, as compared with public, sector; and poor remuneration in science-based employment. There also appears to be a gender bias in enrolment with more males than females being enrolled in engineering while the opposite is apparent in agriculture and the sciences. Recommendations for remedying this situation range from increasing investment in S&T, creating linkages between science and industry as well as with the international community, raising awareness of the value of S&T at all levels of the education system to informing policy to stimulate the science – innovation interface so as to promote intellectual property rights.

Effects of substituting ytterbium for scandium on the microstructure and age-hardening behaviour of Al-Sc alloy

In order to reduce the cost of Al-Sc alloys and maintain their mechanical properties, the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-0.24 wt% Sc-0.07 wt% Yb in comparison with Al-0.28 wt% Sc alloys were studied. The aging behaviour, precipitate morphologies, precipitate coarsening and precipitation hardening of both alloys were investigated. The average diameter and the size distribution of nanoscale Al3Sc and Al-3(Sc,Yb) precipitates at various aging conditions were measured. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM were used to deeply understand the precipitate evolution. A maximum hardness around 73 (HV30) was obtained with a precipitate diameter from 4.3 to 5.6 nm for both alloys. (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

MICROSTRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF DUAL AND MULTIPHASE STEELS APPLIED TO AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

TRIP (Transformation Induced Plasticity) and DP (Dual-Phase) steels are written in a new series of steels which present excellent mechanical properties. As for microstructure aspect, TRIP steels consist on a ferrite matrix with a second phase dispersion of other constituents, such as bainite, martensite and retained austenite, while dual-phase steels consist on martensite dispersion in a ferrite matrix. In order to identify the different microconstituents present in these materials, microstructure characterization techniques by optical microscopy (using different etchants: LePera, Heat-Tinting and Nital) and scanning electron microscopy were carried out. This being so, microstructures were correlated with mechanical properties of materials, determined by means of tensile tests. It is concluded that steels assisted by TRIP effect have a strength and elongation relation higher than the dual-phase one. With microstructure characterization, it was observed phases present in these materials microstructure.

Investigation of the structural, optical and dielectric properties of highly (100)-oriented (Pb0.60Ca0.20Sr0.20)TiO3 thin films on LaNiO3 bottom electrode

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A COMPOSITE OBTAINED THROUGH Ti (IV) AND PHOSPHORIC ACID

This paper describes the preparation and complementary characterization of a composite formed from the activation of titanium isopropoxide by phosphoric acid and deionized water (TiP). Techniques such as, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, electronic (UV-vis) and Scanning electron microscopies (SEM) were used for characterization of this new composite formed. In the X-ray diffractogram of TIP was observed four intense peaks. A strong absorption was observed in the region 362-445 nm. The scanning electron microscopy of TiP, shows that the prepared material consists mostly of a cluster of spherical particles with diameters ranging from 2.35 to 2.60 mu m.