Commercialization Activities Research Articles

Integrated Management of Meloidogyne incognita on Tomato Using Combinations of Commercial Abamectin and Plant Activator

The effect of abamectin (Streptomyces avermitilis, Abamax®) and plant activators (harpin and Lactobacillus acidiophilus) singly or in combination was tested against Meloidogyne incognita on tomato under controlled conditions. The experiment was established 5 days after transplanting of 35 days of tomatoes. ProAct Plus® (Harpin, 0.15 g/l), ISR-2000® (L. acidophilus, 1 ml/l) and Crop-Set® (L. acidophilus, 0.6 ml/l) were applied to the leaves by spraying, while Abamax® was applied to the soil. Nematode inoculation (1000 second juvenile larvae (J2)) was planned 72 hours after the first application of activators. The activators were applied to tomatoes 2 more times with 14 days intervals. After sixty days, plant height and weight, root height and wet weight, number of galls and egg masses, gall index, J2 soil density and lignification of leaves, stem and roots were evaluated. While the gall index was 4/0-5 index in plants treated only with nematodes, it was found to be 1.2/0-5 index in Abamax®. While 1.6 was found in Proact Plus®, 2.0 was detected in ISR2000® and Cropset®. No galls or egg masses were found in ProAct Plus®+Abamax®, ISR-2000®+Abamax® and Crop-Set®+Abamax®. The positive effect of abamectin alone on plant development was found to be higher than plant activators. Root wet weight increased significantly in Abamectin and plant activator combinations. Plant activators caused an increase in lignification and the highest level was found in Proact Plus®. Lignification was higher in combinations with Abamectin. The highest lignification was in Abamax®+Proact Plus®. The combinations of activators with abamectin may be a potential antagonism strategy against root knot nematodes.

Mechanical strength, hydration products, and microstructure of waste-derived composite-activated cementitious materials by varying titanium gypsum phase composition

The high carbon footprint of commercial chemical activators has hindered the industrial application of alkali-activated cementitious materials as a substitute for Portland cement, leading to substantial pollution and carbon emissions. This study aims to investigate the effect of the Titanium Gypsum (TiG) phase composition on the mechanical strength, hydration products, and microstructure of Red Mud (RM)-Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GBFS)-based waste-derived composite-activated cementitious Materials (GRGM). The properties were characterized through flexural and compressive strength measurements, XRD, FTIR, TG-DTG, MIP, and SEM-EDS. The results revealed that GRGM mortars, prepared by combining dihydrate gypsum and hemihydrate gypsum in specific proportions as a waste-derived sulphate activator, exhibited flexural and compressive strengths of 8.9 MPa and 56.5 MPa at 28 d, respectively. It was observed that the presence of hemihydrate gypsum played a crucial role in promoting the transformation of C(N)-A-S-H gel to C-S-H gel, enhancing the growth of ettringite and influencing its degree of polymerization. A hemihydrate gypsum content of at least 15 % significantly accelerated this transformation process, resulting in a broader range of hydration products. This diversification ultimately led to the densification of the pore structure in GRGM paste, thereby improving the mechanical strength of the specimens. Additionally, a hemihydrate gypsum content of less than 15 % resulted in a significant reduction in mechanical strength. Furthermore, the production energy consumption of GRGM was calculated to be 89.388 MJ/t, much lower than the energy consumption and carbon emissions typically associated with cement manufacturing. This paper elucidates the mechanisms by which various single-phase and double-phase waste-derived sulphate activators influence several critical physicochemical properties of waste-derived composite-activated cementitious materials. The study further explores the potential of TiG as a waste-derived activator for the design of waste-derived composite-activated cementitious materials, thereby strengthening the theoretical framework supporting their applications.

Harnessing waste for sustainable construction: A novel synthesizing activators from waste for one-part geopolymer concrete and evaluating its fracture toughness

Geopolymer concrete garners significant attention due to its potential to mitigate pressing global challenges, such as CO2 emissions and waste management for disposal. However, using more expensive commercial activators has posed a significant obstacle to practical implementation. Therefore, scientists want to develop methods to extract powdered activators from agricultural and industrial waste materials. To this end, the study has sought to create innovative activators derived from waste glass powder (WGP) and silica-rich rice husk ash (RHA) to create one-part geopolymer concrete (OPGC). Ground granulated blast-furnace slag is utilized as a precursor material for preparing binder, with varying ratios of WGP/RHA to sodium hydroxide (NaOH) from 0.50 to 1.75 at 0.25 intervals. Twenty-four distinct mixtures of OPGC were prepared using the materials mentioned above and evaluated for their compressive strength and fracture toughness. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the mode I, III, and I/III fracture toughness of OPGC using edge-notched disc bend specimens. Additionally, a 1 % steel fiber dosage was introduced into the OPGC to reduce brittleness. The microstructural characteristics were examined through X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Findings reveal that the fracture toughness of OPGC improves with the RHA to NaOH ratio up to 1.0, peaking at 1.09 MPa·m^0.5. Likewise, the fracture toughness increases with the WGP to NaOH ratio up to 0.75, reaching a peak value of 1.20 MPa·m^0.5. Beyond these respective ratios, a decrease in fracture toughness was observed. Nonetheless, incorporating fibers into OPGC consistently improved the fracture toughness across all mixtures. Mode I fracture toughness is greater than I/III and III, emphasizing the significance of Mode III compared to other fracture modes.

Recycling pulverized concrete as cementitious precursor in alkaline one-part cements, with a waste glass-based sodium silicate

This study investigates the recycling of pulverized hardened concrete (PHC) as a cementitious precursor in one-part alkali-activated cements. Two sodium silicate activators were compared: a commercially available option and an alternative derived from waste glass. Pastes with varying PHC:activator ratios (70:30 to 90:10) were cured for 24h at 20, 60 and 80 °C, then completed 28-days at 20 °C in air and underwater. Higher initial curing temperatures promoted early strength, but all pastes exhibited continued hydration and strength gains at 20 °C. All pastes displayed hydraulic characteristics. The PHC with the waste glass-based activator achieved 28-day compressive strengths up to 20 MPa for 70–80% PHC. These cements showed significantly lower CO2 emissions, embodied energy, and cost compared to those prepared with the commercial activator and a Portland cement. This research lays the groundwork for further investigations on sustainable precursors and activators in alkali-activated cements, aiming to optimize binder properties for broader applications.

Differences in human and commercial hybrid pig platelet activation induced by borosilicate glass beads in a modified chandler loop-system.

The pig (Sus scrofa) is the most widely used large animal model in Europe, with cardiovascular research being one of the main areas of application. Adequate refinement of interventional studies in this field, meeting the requirements of Russell and Burch's 3 R concept, can only be performed if blood-contacting medical devices are hemocompatible. Because most medical devices for cardiovascular interventional procedures are developed for humans, they are tested only for compatibility with human blood. The aim of this study was therefore to determine whether there are differences in behavior of human and porcine platelets from commercial hybrid pigs when they come into contact with borosilicate glass, which was used as an exemplary thrombogenic material. For this purpose, changes in platelet count, platelet volume and platelet expression of the activation markers CD61, CD62P and CD63 were measured using a modified chandler loop-system simulating the fluidic effects of the bloodflow. Commercial hybrid pig and human platelets showed significant adhesions to borosilicate glass but the commercial hybrid pigs platelets showed a significantly higher tendency to adhere to borosilicate glass. In contrast to human platelets the platelets of commercial hybrid pigs showed significant activation after 4 to 8 minutes exposure to borosilicate glass and there were differences among the ratios of surface and activation markers in between the platelets of both species.

Alkali activation of blast furnace slag using Bayer red mud as an alternative activator to prepare cemented paste backfill

Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) are increasingly used in mine backfilling as substitutes for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) due to their superior performance and environmental advantages. However, the high cost of commercially available alkaline activators such as sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate limit the widespread use of AAMs. This study investigates the use of Bayer red mud (RM) as an alternative activator to sodium hydroxide (SH), with blast furnace slag (BFS) as the precursor. Cemented paste backfill (CPB) was prepared by replacing 75 % of OPC with these AAMs, combined with tailings and water. The results showed that CPB made with AAMs exhibited significantly better mechanical properties, with a 57–94 % increase in uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) at 28 days compared to CPB made with OPC. Even with an RM-to-SH ratio of 2:1, UCS improved by 3 % over SH-only samples. Analysis of hydration products and microstructure revealed that RM provides more alkaline ions, enhancing the formation of calcium-alumino-silicate-hydrate (C-A-S-H) and effectively filling capillary pores. This study demonstrates a cost-effective, environmentally friendly approach for producing AAMs, highlighting RM's potential as a sustainable alternative to commercial activators for CPB applications.

A critical review of activated carbon for CDI electrodes, emphasizing its biomass and commercial sources, activation methods, performance analysis, and future advancements

A critical review of activated carbon for CDI electrodes, emphasizing its biomass and commercial sources, activation methods, performance analysis, and future advancements

The Past, Present, and Future of Plant Activators Targeting the Salicylic Acid Signaling Pathway.

Plant activators have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional crop protection chemicals for managing crop diseases due to their unique mode of action. By priming the plant's innate immune system, these compounds can induce disease resistance against a broad spectrum of pathogens without directly inhibiting their proliferation. Key advantages of plant activators include prolonged defense activity, lower effective dosages, and negligible risk of pathogen resistance development. Among the various defensive pathways targeted, the salicylic acid (SA) signaling cascade has been extensively explored, leading to the successful development of commercial activators of systemic acquired resistance, such as benzothiadiazole, for widespread application in crop protection. While the action sites of many SA-targeting activators have been preliminarily mapped to different steps along the pathway, a comprehensive understanding of their precise mechanisms remains elusive. This review provides a historical perspective on plant activator development and outlines diverse screening strategies employed, from whole-plant bioassays to molecular and transgenic approaches. We elaborate on the various components, biological significance, and regulatory circuits governing the SA pathway while critically examining the structural features, bioactivities, and proposed modes of action of classical activators such as benzothiadiazole derivatives, salicylic acid analogs, and other small molecules. Insights from field trials assessing the practical applicability of such activators are also discussed. Furthermore, we highlight the current status, challenges, and future prospects in the realm of SA-targeting activator development globally, with a focus on recent endeavors in China. Collectively, this comprehensive review aims to describe existing knowledge and provide a roadmap for future research toward developing more potent plant activators that enhance crop health.

Challenges and Barriers to Commercialization of Health Sciences Research Results: A Qualitative Study

Background: In today's world, due to intense competition and the rapid pace of production, exploiting knowledge and converting it into economic returns has become a critical management issue for academics and capital owners. Commercialization activities can impact the educational and research programs of universities, potentially leading to resistance against them. Objectives: The current study was conducted to identify the challenges of the commercialization process in health science research. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted between June and December 2022 in Tehran province, Iran. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 22 key individuals, including university management and technology experts, as well as CEOs and experts from knowledge-based companies, selected through purposive sampling. The interview guide was designed based on four in-depth interviews, theoretical foundations, and comparative study findings. The obtained data were analyzed using the conventional content analysis method in MAXQDA 10 software. Results: The challenges of the commercialization process for health sciences research results were categorized into six main themes and 16 sub-themes. The main themes identified in this study were rules and regulations, societal culture, university management and infrastructure, human resources, financial systems, and organizational cooperation with industry. Conclusions: Policymakers, especially senior health managers, can create a suitable platform for the optimal use of resources and the expansion of targeted relationships between universities and industries by incorporating economic insight into academic services. By compiling relevant laws and guidelines, optimizing resource management, achieving financial independence for universities, and increasing the productivity of health research, the high costs associated with the commercialization of academic research projects can be reduced.

On-Demand Production of Two Commercial Plant Activators, Tiadinil and Methiadinil, under an Integrated Continuous Flow System

On-Demand Production of Two Commercial Plant Activators, Tiadinil and Methiadinil, under an Integrated Continuous Flow System

Insulin-Mimetic Activity of Herbal Extracts Identified with Large-Scale Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy.

Diabetes mellitus is a spreading global pandemic. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the predominant form of diabetes, in which a reduction in blood glucose uptake is caused by impaired glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation to the plasma membrane in adipose and muscle cells. Antihyperglycemic drugs play a pivotal role in ameliorating diabetes symptoms but often are associated with side effects. Hence, novel antidiabetic compounds and nutraceutical candidates are urgently needed. Phytogenic therapy can support the prevention and amelioration of impaired glucose homeostasis. Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), 772 plant extracts of an open-access plant extract library were screened for their GLUT4 translocation activation potential, resulting in 9% positive hits. Based on commercial interest and TIRFM assay-based GLUT4 translocation activation, some of these extracts were selected, and their blood glucose-reducing effects in ovo were investigated using a modified hen's egg test (Gluc-HET). To identify the active plant part, some of the available candidate plants were prepared in-house from blossoms, leaves, stems, or roots and tested. Acacia catechu (catechu), Pulmonaria officinalis (lungwort), Mentha spicata (spearmint), and Saponaria officinalis (common soapwort) revealed their potentials as antidiabetic nutraceuticals, with common soapwort containing GLUT4 translocation-activating saponarin.

Solar-driven high-performance biomass porous carbon for efficient CO2 capture

Temperature swing adsorption (TSA) based on solid adsorbents is an efficient CO2 capture technology, but the temperature swing process is energy-intensive. Utilizing solar energy to regenerate adsorbents during the CO2 swing adsorption process can decrease energy consumption. This work reports a novel high-performance biomass porous carbon for efficient CO2 capture and separation in the solar-driven TSA process. Inspired by the distinctive internal expansion structure of succulents, the adsorbent is synthesized using succulents as precursors with a large specific surface area (1715 m2/g) and high solar absorbance (90.38 %), resulting in high CO2 adsorption capacity and solar thermal conversion capacity. It achieves a remarkable working capacity of 30.94 mg/g at a low desorption temperature (60 °C) in the solar-driven TSA process with a light intensity of 600 W/m2, 80.7 % higher than commercial activation carbon. The proposed biomass porous carbon derived from succulent plants has substantial potential for application in the solar-driven TSA process.

Compressive Strength and Microstructure of Carbide Slag and Alkali-Activated Blast Furnace Slag Pastes in China

The alkali-activated blast furnace slag is attracting significant attention in replacing Portland cement due to several characteristics similar to cement hydration. However, there are a few practical problems with commercial alkali activators, such as the fast setting time, relatively high costs, and significant CO2 emissions during preparation. Thus, discovering industrial residues possessing inherent alkalinity are urgent. This study proposes the use of carbide slag at levels of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 30% and alkali at levels of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 8%, and 10% activated blast furnace slag. The compressive strength and microstructure of carbide slag and alkali-activated blast furnace slag (CAB) pastes were examined using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry/Thermogravimetric Analysis (DSC/TG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that the addition of carbide slag produced more hydrotalcite-like phase as well as decreased the content of ettringite (AFt) and the calcium–silicate–hydrate (C-S-H) gel, which decreased the compressive strength of the CAB pastes. At the age of 28 days, when the dosage was 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 30%, the compressive strength of CAB mixes decreased by 2.1%, 7.1%, 9.2%, 9.8%, and 28.1%, respectively. The addition of NaOH promoted the formation of AFt, and there was an optimum level of NaOH corresponding to the high compressive strength of paste. At the age of 3 days and 7 days, the compressive strength reached its maximum at the dosage of 6% NaOH, which was 24.8 MPa and 36.3 MPa, respectively. However, at the ages of 14 days and 28 days, the compressive strength increased as the dosage of NaOH increased to 5%, which was 43.3 MPa and 44.5 MPa, respectively. The water curing could both enhance the early and later strength, the compressive strength of 23.3 MPa was gained at 3 days, and this increased by 16.3%, 24.0% and 36.9% at 7 days, 14 days and 28 days, respectively. Therefore, water curing was suitable for the strength development of CAB pastes.

Synthesis of solid sodium silicate from waste glass and utilization on one-part alkali-activated materials based on spent oil filtering earth.

Alkali activated materials (AAMs) commonly known as geopolymers are considered ecofriendly substitutes for Portland cement. However, these materials still have a significant environmental impact, owing mainly to the use of activators based on commercial chemical products. In this sense, this research focuses on the production and use of waste glass-derived activators AAMs as an alternative to commercial activators. Using a thermochemical synthesis method, activator compositions were systematically designed to achieve predefined activator modulus (Ms = SiO2/Na2O = 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5). These alternative activators were studied by XRD, FTIR and SEM techniques. Additionally, one-part AAMs were manufactured using spent oil filtration earth (SOFE) as precursor and activator with optimum modulus Ms = 1.0. The influence of the Na2O dosage was studied (10; 20 and 30g of Na2O per every 100g of SOFE) as well as the influence of the activator modulus maintaining the optimum dosage of 20g Na2O per 100g of SOFE. As a control, two-part AAMs were also synthetized with the optimum dosage and modulus employing commercial activators (NaOH + Na2SiO3 solution). Results indicate that the modulus of the alternative activator and especially the Na2O dosage have a significant influence on the technological properties of AAMs based in SOFE, with an optimum compressive strength (35.8MPa) for the addition of 20g of Na2O per every 100g of SOFE using activator with modulus Ms = 1.0. This research embodies a sustainable approach to AAM production and suggests waste glass as a valuable raw material for sodium silicate synthesis intended for the one-part activation of spent filtering earth from the agri-food industry, aligning with the principles of circular economy and sustainable development goals.

Sustainable alternative activators from the textile mercerizing water for the durable and cost-effective flyash-GGBS based geopolymer concrete

By considering the current global challenges such as greenhouse gas emission and waste disposal management, the exploration of geopolymer concrete is highly focused now-a-days. On the other hand, the use of costlier commercial activators acted as the major drawback for the practical existence. Although the recent geopolymer researchers suggested the use of alternative activators from various resources such as palm oil ash, olive ash etc, the application of which are not appreciably promoted due to the complex derivation process. To overcome these effects, in this paper, first time, an attempt is initiated to develop a cost-effective geopolymer concrete by using textile mercerizing water as an alternate activator system. The viability of using mercerizing water instead of commercial sodium hydroxide activator was studied initially. By conducting the pH electrode test and Infrared Analysis, the alkalinity and the presence of sodium metal cations responsible for the reaction kinematics were confirmed. Also, the molar concentration of sodium cations in the mercerizing water was quantified using chemical titration analysis. The feasibility of using mercerizing water in the preparation of geopolymer was assessed using workability, mechanical strength and sustainability. From the results, it was inferred that the developed geopolymer concrete with 100 % textile mercerizing water exhibited the maximum strength of 46.9 MPa, 5.16 MPa and 5.81 MPa respectively under compression, tension and flexure which are almost equivalent and slightly better than the control geopolymer concrete. Also, the developed geopolymer concrete using 100 % textile mercerizing water and the combined flyash-GGBS binder system showcases the highest post-fire residual strength and 48 % reduced water absorption. The cost of construction of geopolymer concrete was significantly reduced by 58.43 % and showed 10.28 % reduced carbon footprint due to the complete replacement of sodium hydroxide solution using textile mercerizing water. The findings of this research work will lead to the development of equivalent molar sustainable activator from the textile mercerizing water and the exploration of eco-friendly and durable geopolymer concrete in an affordable price.

Innovative use of hazelnut shell ash as an alkali activator: A comparative analysis with commercial activators

The selection of alkali activators is crucial in determining the characteristics of alkali-activated materials (AAMs). The activators are typically derived from commercial sources and significantly affect the ecological impact of AAMs across different life cycle categories. Hence, this study investigated the utilization of hazelnut shell ash (HNA) as an alternative activator in the synthesis of AAMs for the first time. HNA is evaluated as a green waste-derived option in place of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) in blast furnace slag (BFS) activation. A comparative investigation was conducted on the fresh, mechanical, and microstructural properties of AAMs activated with HNA, NaOH, or KOH. The experimental results showed that the compressive strength of HNA-activated AAM specimens can reach up to 26.8 MPa at 28th days, equivalent to mixtures activated with 2.0 M NaOH and 2.2 M KOH. It was observed that HNA alleviates the early-stage reactions by providing sufficient alkalinity due to its K2O content, contributes to gel formation with its calcium and silicon rich chemical composition, and also improves the compressive strength by acting as micro-aggregate.

Improved macro-microscopic characteristic of gypsum-slag based cementitious materials by incorporating red mud/carbide slag binary alkaline waste-derived activator

The expensive cost and high carbon footprint of commercial alkaline activators hindered the promotion and industrialization of geopolymers. The rising demand for geopolymer as low carbon and excellent building materials will lead to enormous research works towards to low carbon alkaline activator. This study aimed to explore the impact of red mud (RM)/carbide slag (CS) binary alkaline wasted-derived activator (RCA) on the macroscopic and microscopic properties of RCA activated cementitious materials (RCM) prepared with titanium gypsum (TiG) and granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS). It is proposed to adjust the pH value of solid waste powder for calibrating the waste-derived activator, prepare RCM and explore the relationship between its mechanical properties and hydration products. The research showed that the highest flexural and compressive strengths at 28 days occurred with a dosage of 0.8 wt% CS, meeting the strength requirements of 52.5 R Portland cement. It is worth noting that RCM with binary alkaline waste-derived activators with appropriate pH values can exhibit excellent early mechanical properties. Raising the pH of RCA significantly improves the compressive and flexural strength, increasing them to 30.7 MPa and 6.3 MPa at 3 d, and to 60.7 MPa and 10.8 MPa at 28 d. The primary hydration products of RCM include C(N)-A-S-H gels, ettringite, and gypsum crystal phase, which contribute to the development of mechanical strength. Due to the difference in the alkaline environment required for the growth of C(N)-A-S-H gel and ettringite crystal, the increase in RCA pH value has been found to both inhibit the growth of ettringite to a certain extent and promote the precipitation of C(N)-A-S-H gels, improving the chemical structure of the hydration products and the pore distribution characteristics of the RCM. Furthermore, the research has been successfully applied in a pilot test in Jiaozuo, China. RCM introduces a novel concept for the efficient and industrial-scale utilization of solid waste. This study can provide a fundamental academic and industrialized support and a novel concept for the whole solid waste cementitious materials especially from alkaline industrial solid wastes such as RM and CS.

Production of cleaner binders by reusing agricultural by-products: An approach towards zero cement concrete for sustainable future infrastructure

Alkali-activated binders are considered a low carbon alternative for cement. However, it is important to address the carbon dioxide emission and high cost associated with the currently used commercial activators. Hence, recent studies focus on developing sustainable, low-cost alternative activators. Although rice husk ash derived activator is a potential alternative to commercial activators, studies on rice husk ash derived activator is highly limited. Hence, the present study focuses on the performance evaluation of alkali-activated binders using rice husk ash derived activators. The effect of activators is studied for bagasse based binary and ternary alkali-activated binders. Moreover, the influence of rice husk ash derived activators is meticulously compared with commercial sodium silicate derived activators. In addition, the influence of heat and ambient curing was also investigated. Mechanical, durability and microstructural properties of bagasse ash based alkali-activated binders were assessed. Bagasse ash-fly ash based binders activated using rice husk derived activators yielded the maximum compressive strength. However, bagasse ash-slag based binders with commercial sodium silicate activators exhibited higher performance than rice husk ash derived activators. In the case of bagasse ash-slag-fly ash based ternary binders, specimens activated using the rice husk ash derived activator had better performance than specimens activated using the other conventional activators. Even though the addition of 10% bagasse ash increased the performance of fly ash based binders, the incorporation of bagasse ash reduced the performance of slag and ternary alkali-activated binders. The results also showed that the rice husk ash based activator is a feasible alternative for the activation of bagasse based precursors to generate desirable mechanical strengths and durability.

Innovative one-part Alkali activated binder from activator derived from agricultural waste: Synthesis and application for sustainable construction

Commercial powder activators are commonly used to produce one-part alkali-activated binders (AAB) despite their manufacturing method using more energy and generating more CO2 emissions. To address this concern, the study employed a mechanical process to synthesize an agricultural waste-based powder activator, derived from rice husk ash (RHA) and NaOH powder at six different ratios. Paste samples were prepared by blending the derived activator with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) precursor in a 1:4 ratio. Fresh properties and compressive strength (range of 33–77 MPa) was evaluated. Besides, microstructural analysis and ecological factors were estimated, including embodied CO2 emissions and energy analysis, and the approach employed in this investigation significantly reduced both embodied CO2 emissions and embodied energy requirements compared to conventional practices. The result indicates that the activator powder synthesized in this study can produce AAB with qualities comparable to Portland cement.

Not seeing the forest for the trees? A systems approach to the entrepreneurial university

The idea and practice of the entrepreneurial university has emerged in response to growing expectations of universities contributing to economic development and has, in turn, been subject to a growing body of research. However, much of the work is focused on individual activities or institutions, typically overemphasising commercialisation activities and certain types of universities. Furthermore, much of this research is de-contextualised and does not consider the systems in which universities operate. As a result, we have a variety of unit theories of constituent parts of the entrepreneurial university without considering the wider (feedback) effects and implications — in other words: we are, in effect, not seeing the forest for the trees. Drawing on in-depth quantitative and qualitative field work and the literature, we develop a programmatic theory of the entrepreneurial university and the institutionalised entrepreneurial activities. Using causal loop diagrams, we capture the systemness and the interdependencies between universities’ entrepreneurial activities and their dynamic capabilities. The model highlights how universities are part of a larger system and how this influences their external engagement activities. The result is a more holistic understanding of entrepreneurial universities that reconciles existing work and guides future research. We discuss practical implications and policy levers derived from this systemic perspective.