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A multidisciplinary approach covering synthetic, physical, and analytical chemistry, high-throughput experimentation and experimental design, process engineering, and solid-state chemistry is used to develop a large-scale (kilomole) Suzuki–Miyaura process. Working against clear criteria and targets, a full process investigation and optimization package is described highlighting how and why key decisions are made in the development of large-scale pharmaceutical processes.

Interest in the use of collaborative learning strategies in higher education is growing as educators seek better ways to prepare students for the workplace. In design education, teamwork and creativity are particularly valued; successful collaborative learning depends on knowledge sharing between students, and there is increasing recognition that the goals of individuals affect their perception of the costs and benefits of knowledge sharing. In a team that is functioning well, members commit to the collaborative achievement of the group's goals; however, students see knowledge as a personal resource that is often used to assess their performance and this may affect their goals. In this paper the authors describe a learning intervention, developed to support creative design by collaborative processes, which has been modelled on the knowledge-sharing practices of design experts. A design-based research methodology, which blends empirical data with the theory-driven design of learning, has been adopted; real-world evidence from experts has also been considered. In evaluating this intervention, iterative cycles have been applied and the motivations and goals of students have been considered. The patterns and principles that characterize this educational intervention are described.

This paper presents an analysis of the cost of utilizing battery electric vehicle (BEV) batteries as energy storage in power grids [also known as vehicle-to-grid (V2G)] associated with lessening battery cycle life due to more frequent charging and discharging activities and utilization in elevated ambient temperature. Comparison is made between V2G in the U.K., where annual electricity peak demand is reached in winter, and in China, where peak demand is reached in summer due to the air conditioning load. This paper presents mathematical correlations between charging-discharging, ambient temperature, depth of discharge (DoD), and the degradation of electric vehicle batteries based on manufacturer's data. Simulation studies were carried out for V2G in both the U.K. and China. Numerical results show that ambient temperature and DoD of a BEV battery play a crucial role in the cost of battery wear. Lead-acid and NiMH battery powered BEVs are not cost effective in V2G use due to the present electricity tariff. Under the present electricity tariff structure, no vehicles would be cost effective for the peak power sources in China. However, lithium-ion battery powered BEVs are cost effective in the U.K. due to a much longer cycle life.

Distributed Generation (DG) is gaining in significance due to the keen public awareness of the environmental impacts of electric power generation and significant advances in several generation technologies which are much more environmentally friendly (wind power generation, micro-turbines, fuel cells, and photovoltaic) than conventional coal, oil and gas-fired plants. Accurate assessment of energy losses when DG is connected is gaining in significance due to the developments in the electricity market place, such as increasing competition, real time pricing and spot pricing. However, inappropriate modelling can give rise to misleading results. This paper presents an investigation into the effect of load models on the predicted energy losses in DG planning. Following a brief introduction the paper proposes a detailed voltage dependent load model, for DG planning use, which considers three categories of loads: residential, industrial and commercial. The paper proposes a methodology to study the effect of load models on the assessment of energy losses based on time series simulations to take into account both the variations of renewable generation and load demand. A comparative study of energy losses between the use of a traditional constant load model and the voltage dependent load model and at various load levels is carried out using a 38-node example power system. Simulations presented in the paper indicate that the load model to be adopted can significantly affect the results of DG planning.

This paper presents a methodology for modeling and analyzing the load demand in a distribution system due to electric vehicle (EV) battery charging. Following a brief introduction to the common types of EV batteries and their charging characteristics, an analytical solution for predicting the EV charging load is developed. The method is stochastically formulated so as to account for the stochastic nature of the start time of individual battery charging and the initial battery state-of-charge. A comparative study is carried out by simulating four EV charging scenarios, i.e., uncontrolled domestic charging, uncontrolled off-peak domestic charging, “smart” domestic charging and uncontrolled public charging-commuters capable of recharging at the workplace. The proposed four EVs charging scenarios take into account the expected future changes to the electricity tariffs in the electricity market place and appropriate regulation of EVs battery charging loads. A typical U.K. distribution system is adopted as an example. The time-series data of EV charging loads is taken from two commercially available EV batteries: lead-acid and lithium-ion. Results show that a 10% market penetration of EVs in the studied system would result in an increase in daily peak demand by up to 17.9%, while a 20% level of EV penetration would lead to a 35.8% increase in peak load, for the scenario of uncontrolled domestic charging-the “worst-case” scenario.

The paper presents a case study in Oman to reduce the CO2 emission by diesel-photovoltaic based distributed power system feeding to a house located in remote area. Model of a hybrid power system comprising of a photovoltaic module, along with a diesel generator and essential auxiliary devices is proposed. The actual average solar radiation and residential load data, collected from the meteorological department and local utility office are used in this case study. The simulation results carried out using HOMER software indicate that the proposed hybrid system is attractive to reduce CO2 emission by 38% when compared to the diesel system alone, and by 2.67 % compared to the main interconnected system. The study also includes operational and per unit energy cost estimates. It is seen that the diesel-photovoltaic hybrid system is attractive in terms of operational costs, which is lower by 29.44% compared to the diesel system; while per unit energy cost is 12.08% lower. It may be noted that the cost estimates arrived at for main interconnected system are better in terms of per unit energy cost, which is lower by 8.43 % compared to the proposed hybrid system, while it is not attractive in terms of CO2 emissions. The Kyoto Protocol provides various mechanisms like joint implementation, clean development mechanism and international emission trading that enable countries to acquire GHG reduction credits. The evaluation and deployment of carbon credit is a key component to mitigate the growth in concentration of GHG. Prabhakant and Tiwari (2) have carried out an analysis to determine the carbon credits earned using standalone solar PV system which is encouraging and cost effective than conventional power generation. The other viable option to curb the carbon emission is substantial use of renewable energy along with the conventional resources. The paper presents a case study to reduce the GHG by proposing a Diesel-Photovoltaic Hybrid System (D-PVHS) feeding to a house located in remote area. The reminder of this paper is organised as follows. Second section presents the historical data of CO2 emission and daily residential power demand. Section III estimates the emission factor and energy cost of Main Interconnected System (MIS) feeding to the residential sector. Section IV describes the potential of renewable energy in the Oman. The model development is described in Section V. The application of this case study is explained in section VI. Results and discussion are described in section VII while conclusions of the study are presented in section VIII.

The authors report the results of a European project, Lifelearn, and discuss how lifeplace learning (LPL) can be used to effect appropriate learning opportunities for all. The project tested the concept of valuing and accrediting learning from life experiences in higher education in Europe, and its conclusions suggest that LPL is valuable for both students and tutors. While the results indicate various successful elements, including high pass rates, increased student motivation, response to student needs and flexible assessment, issues such as national barriers, the understanding of LPL and academics' ingrained negative attitudes still need to be overcome. The authors also discuss the potential benefits of LPL in providing learning opportunities for future careers in industry or business or for personal and professional development. In this current environment of rapid change, competition and global economic downturn, industry and businesses require skilled workers, critical thinkers and innovative and entrepreneurial movers who can make a difference to an organization's development. The LPL concept can encourage such traits, the authors argue, by using past, current or future life experiences within discipline-based or stand-alone courses to enable independent learning and to encourage advanced life and business skills, which are then easily transferable as benefits to the business world.

Creativity can be described as the ability to generate new ideas and combine existing ideas in new ways to find novel solutions to problems. Creativity is enhanced by a free flow of knowledge and through social contact. On this basis, the authors argue that knowledge sharing is central to creativity in design and present preliminary evidence to support that view. Design education should therefore include learning and teaching approaches that encourage knowledge sharing. The authors suggest that these approaches should be based on the patterns of knowledge sharing of designers from the creative industries so that students are appropriately prepared for future employment. The paper presents an analysis of the practices of designers in the creative industries in Scotland. The data were gathered through a structured questionnaire distributed to a wide range of companies and from final-year students in design programmes, and the two data sets compared. In practice, employees in the creative industries consume and create knowledge by making use of a variety of distributed resources. Creativity is an important aspect of their practice and all the respondents believed that creativity was enhanced by knowledge sharing collaborative practices. Differences in the practices of students and employees are identified, and the findings are now being used to inform the development of innovative approaches to learning and teaching at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Engineering organizations are increasingly under pressure to perform more efficiently with fewer people. To manage this, organizations need to understand what skills, knowledge and behaviours they need from engineers who have to practise in a global information society. Engineering educators, in collaboration with employers, therefore now need to think of how to place competencies for engineers in this new context. A model for preparing the educators and employers to face this challenge is proposed. This takes into account the change in mindset required to address the development of competencies for engineers when often the approach has to be context-driven to address global working. The model is based on developing a methodology by which a set of learning outcomes supported by aims and objectives may best be achieved. These learning outcomes are informed by the consideration of international frameworks and agreements which specify engineering professional competencies together with the corresponding graduate attributes. The core concept of the model is discussed and related to specific outcomes for educator and employer to facilitate and students to achieve. While consideration is given to what competencies are needed for tomorrow's engineering education, it is concluded that more relevant is the need to reconsider existing competencies in the context of engineers in global practice. This will require educators to be more responsive and prepared to support the development and evolution of competencies that are sustainable and robust in global sociological, political and economic systems. Central to the success of the model is the need to establish a learning equilibrium between on-campus and work-based experiential studies using globally-based industries.

This paper examines trends in European higher education, particularly in the area of harmonizing quality and standards across Europe. It examines these trends in the context of their influence on the challenges facing the European higher education sector, as outlined in the Bologna Declaration, in developing a world-class higher education system. The response of the UK to this initiative is examined in detail as an exemplar of a national response to these European aspirations. The paper concludes that, although significant progress has been made at national and institutional level, a further overarching effort at European level is required to ensure that the objective of harmony within the context of quality and transparency is realized. It also concludes that significant recent developments in the UK should be observed by the sector in general to inform European-wide debate and further development.

Healthcare associated infections (HCAI) are a significant problem facing modern healthcare settings; therefore it is important to develop strategies aimed at reducing the number of patients contracting HCAIs. This study investigates the use of essential oils (EO) as antimicrobial additives for polymer materials, including surface coatings (paints), silicone elastomer and a thermoplastic. Conferring antimicrobial properties to surfaces made from such materials, would help to reduce the number of bacteria, reduce the risk of cross infection and therefore limit the number of HCAIs. The antimicrobial efficacies of five EOs (manuka (MO), oregano (OO), rosewood (RO), lavender (LO) and geranium (GO)) were examined individually against three microorganisms associated with HCAI (MRSA, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Oregano oil provided the highest level of antimicrobial activity, inhibiting the growth of all three bacteria at 2.5 % (v/v). In an attempt to reduce the concentration of oil required for inhibition of growth, blends of the EO have been explored. A blend of oregano oil and rosewood oil exhibited the strongest synergistic antimicrobial effect at a ratio of 3:1, and was selected as the antimicrobial to be added to the polymer materials. EOs are volatile, direct addition to polymers may allow the EO to bloom to the surface and rapidly evaporate from the polymer, resulting in loss of antimicrobial activity. Furthermore thermoplastics are processed at high temperatures which can result in degradation of the EO. Encapsulation strategies for the EO were therefore investigated in order to promote both sustained release of the EO and protection against degradation / volatilisation during blending in to thermoplastic materials. Considering the latter in particular, inorganic adsorbents were selected and the adsorption characteristics of the EOs onto a range of natural and synthetic montmorillonite type layered silicates were investigated. Using gas chromatography and flow micro-calorimetry their suitability as controlled release reservoirs was investigated. Rockwood Additives Laponite® RD provided the highest levels of adsorption, achieving approximately 170 mg.g-1 for oregano oil and 140 mg.g-1 for rosewood oil. Organic modification (via cation exchange) of the layered silicates with alkyl ammonium surfactants did not give the anticipated increase in the level of EO adsorption from solution. However the strength of adsorption was in some cases increased. Laponite® RD with 50 % 2HT2M organic modification (modified via cation exchange using dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride) was selected as the adsorption substrate for the EO based antimicrobial. Samples of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), silicone elastomer (SE) and a solvent based paint were formulated containing the oregano oil:rosewood oil blend pre-adsorbed onto Laponite® RD with 50 % 2HT2M organic modification. These materials were tested for antimicrobial efficacy against MRSA and A. baumannii, and the results were compared to control polymers where the EO blend had been added directly. P. aeruginosa was found to be unsuitable as a test organism for the polymer samples. All of the polymer samples containing the EO blend exhibited antimicrobial activity, with SE containing the pre-adsorbed EO blend performing the best achieving a 3 log reduction in MRSA cells. The SE and paint materials containing the preadsorbed EO blend outperformed the directly added EO controls; however the reverse was true for LLDPE. The release rates of the EO molecules from the polymers were investigated using headspace gas chromatography, and it was found that pre-adsorption of the EO onto the organically modified Laponite® RD more than doubled the time the EO molecules were retained in comparison to the directly added controls. It has been shown that EO can be used to obtain antimicrobials with broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, and that said activity can be successfully conferred onto polymer materials. Adsorption of the EO onto layered silicates before addition to polymers improved the retention of the EO molecules, thereby increasing the antimicrobial lifetime. Further work will be undertaken to optimise the EO polymer formulations, to combine the best possible antimicrobial activity with EO molecule retention that will make the materials a viable commercial product. The mechanical properties of the polymers; such as hardness, strength and toughness, will be optimised to ensure commercial viability.

Increasing environmental concerns, the decarbonisation of future auto industry, the consequent regulatory requirements and the depletion of oil have made the fuel independent battery electric vehicle (EV), with zero emission increasingly more attractive as practical and economical alternative to the gasoline fuelled car. The expected increasing number of EV connected to power systems for charging will have significant impact on power systems, such as generation capacity, transformer loading level, line congestion level and load profile, among which, the impact of EV charging load on the system load profile claims most attention. This paper develops a methodology to determine the EV battery charging load on the power system load profile. Three scenarios were simulated, comprising uncontrolled charging, controlled off-peak charging and smart charging. The proposed method in this paper takes into account the initial state of charge and start time of EV battery charging. Results show that uncontrolled charging will impose a new peak to the system and may cause congestion issues to local network. Controlled off-peak charging can shift EVs charging load to an off-peak time, however, EV can also introduce a new peak or near peak in early off-peak time. Smart charging method which optimises the start time of EVs charging is the most beneficial charging method to both distribution network operator and EV users.

In this paper, we describe the development of a support tool based on voice recognition technology for deaf students in the lecture environment. The successful prototype is then extended in a pilot scheme to provide additional material for the entire student body. Based on the feedback from the pilot scheme a proposal for a framework to support student interaction with captured lecture content is developed. The work is placed in the context of other developments and issues in the fields of deaf studies and e-learning.

Increasing the penetration level of Distributed Generation (DG) into the distribution system is a new challenge for traditional electric power systems. Although it is generally recognised that DG has the potential of reducing energy losses in power systems, inappropriate modelling can lead to a misleading predictions for power loss reduction in DG planning. This paper presents an investigation into the impact of load models on the calculation of energy loss. Following a brief introduction the paper proposes detailed modelling of load in DG planning. Load is divided into three categories: residential, industrial and commercial rather than characterised as the traditional constant PQ. A comparative study of real and reactive power losses for various load models and load levels is carried out using the methodology proposed in this paper. In addition, a long term forecasting model is developed to forecast the future customer demand for residential, commercial and industrial sectors in 2020 for the UK, allowing consideration of various factors and aspects, such as, historical load demand, weather data, economic growth and demographic information. A sample power system is adopted to analyse the system performance under various DG scenarios and at various load levels. Simulation results indicate that load models can significantly affect the load losses calculation in DG planning.

This paper presents the cost reduction of electricity generation using a hybrid system on an Island network in the Sultanate of Oman. A case study has been carried out for Masirah Island having an installed capacity of about 9 MW of diesel generators. Load characteristics of the island are considered to determine the necessary demand to be met by the hybrid system. A wind turbine model is developed to determine the potential of mechanical power available for wind generators at Masirah Island based on its daily wind speed profile. The cost of wind and diesel power generation is determined by considering three factors viz. capital cost, running cost and maintenance cost. Ten 900-kW wind turbine units are considered for wind power generation. The case study shows that overall cost of electricity generation by the proposed hybrid system is considerably less compared to the cost of diesel generation alone. The paper also addresses the benefits of the wind-diesel hybrid system in terms of the reduction in carbon emission, and outlines other benefits of the proposed scheme relating to providing power to isolated communities as verified by Masirah Island.

This paper describes traditional methods of production of videos of lecture presentations and argues that these are suitable only for a limited number of presentations due to the high cost of capture and post-production. The concept of making every presentation of every class available as a podcast is discussed, and methods of utilising low-cost technologies and applications to allow this to be achieved are compared. Experiences of pilot schemes utilising a variety of devices and commercial, freeware and self-written production methods will be presented, with comment on the usability of each approach at both capture and production stages.

The promotion of distributed generation (DG) is a direct consequence of an international drive for sustainable development and advances in technology. At present, the development of environmentally friendly (renewable energy sources) and high efficiency power generation (combined heat and power) has attracted significant attention all over the world. However, traditional supervision and management systems in the power industry prevent a full understanding of the benefits of DG, especially those impacting on the environment, by the policy maker and policy executor. This has therefore, hindered the realisation of the full environmental benefits of DG. In this paper, some indices are introduced to quantitatively analyse the value of the environmental benefits of DG in China. In addition, a new mathematical model for calculating the true generation cost of DG was established based on the environmental benefits indices. In this model, a penalty mechanism was introduced for the pollutant emissions of power generation and the environmental value of pollutant emissions was also considered. Simulation results show that the indices and the new model can correctly reflect the environmental benefits and their application should accelerate the development of DG in China.

Overgrazing and its effects has been the subject of controversy and debate in North America for over half a century. It has been referred to as such and in connection with other work in annual reports, editorials, farmers' bulletins, livestock journals, technical papers and political debates. While there are numerous papers dealing totally or in part with one or more of the aspects of overgrazing, few if any deal with the combined effects of overgrazing on the native vegetation, the domestic livestock, the soil, and the wildlife of the west. A study has been made of its effects on rangelands of the west with the intention of encouraging a system of range utilization in British Columbia which will enable the ranchers to derive the greatest possible benefits from the interior range lands without suffering the harmful effects that overgrazing exerts on the grazing environment.