Material Prices Research Articles

Intermetallic Materials for High-Capacity Hydrogen Storage Systems.

In this article, we provide an overview of hydrogen storage materials, taking our previous results as examples. Towards the end of the paper, we present a case study in order to highlight the effects of substitutional alloying, compositional additives, and nanostructuring on the hydrogen sorption properties of magnesium-based intermetallics. Specifically, partial substitution of Mg by Li and d-elements by p-elements leads to structural changes, inducing disorder and the formation of high-entropy alloys. Our approach showcases the methodology to enhance the H2-capacity and to provide a positive boost to the H2-storage performance, including lower temperatures of H2 desorption, better thermodynamics and kinetics, lower temperatures of hydrogen uptake/ release for Metal-Hydride Hydrogen Storage (MHHS) systems and higher capacity of anodes for Metal-Hydride batteries (MHB) together with lower prices of raw materials.

ANALISIS STRATEGI PT BUMYANG GLOVE DI YOGYAKARTA DALAM PENINGKATAN DAYA SAING

PT Bumyang Glove Prime was established in 2021, with its main product being golf gloves. The company produces and distributes more than 10 types of gloves, including golf gloves, hiking gloves, riding gloves, and winter gloves. This research aims to analyze the strategies adopted by PT Bumyang Glove in Yogyakarta to enhance the company's competitiveness in the glove industry. The research method used is a qualitative approach with SWOT analysis, considering internal and external factors affecting the company. Data were obtained through interviews, field observations, and analysis of relevant documents. The results show that PT Bumyang Glove has successfully strengthened its position in the market through product diversification strategies, improving production quality, and investing in research and development. The company is also active in expanding its distribution network and forming partnerships with suppliers and potential customers. However, challenges such as intense competition, fluctuations in raw material prices, and changes in product quality standard regulations are also identified.

Surrogate-assisted optimization under uncertainty for design for remanufacturing considering material price volatility

Remanufacturing is a well-established end-of-life (EOL) strategy that promises significant savings in energy and carbon emissions. However, the current design practices are not remanufacturing-inclusive, i.e., the majority of products are designed for a single life cycle. As a result, potential products that can sustain multiple life cycles are deprived of additional benefits of being designed for remanufacturing, such as reduced material usage, lower cost, and improved environmental impact. Moreover, the uncertainty in design, material selection, and economics are not considered to produce remanufacturable designs. Accordingly, this research proposes a design for remanufacturing (DfRem) framework that accounts for design uncertainty and material price volatility. The framework systematically explores the design space, performs design optimization under uncertainty, followed by topology optimization to provide additional mass savings, and finally, a price volatility analysis for plausible design material choices. The candidate designs are evaluated based on their design mass, material price volatility, failure mode characteristics, carbon footprint, and embodied energy impacts. The proposed framework's utility is demonstrated via the use of an engine cylinder head case study subjected to thermo-mechanical loads along with fatigue and wear failure. Considering grey cast iron and aluminum alloy as the design material choices, it was found that the cast iron design reduced the initial design mass by 6% as opposed to a 5% decrease for aluminum. On the other hand, about 8% area of the cast iron design failed due to fatigue, compared to 3% for aluminum. We further observed that although the aluminum design provided better mechanical performance than the cast iron design, this material was more expensive and volatile in price.

The impact of economic sanctions on cancer diagnosis and treatment in Iran: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe economic sanctions imposed on Iran have had a significant impact on the country’s healthcare system. The sanctions have affected the availability and affordability of cancer diagnosis and treatment services, leading to a range of challenges for patients with cancer. This study aimed to explore these challenges and gain a deeper understanding of the impact of economic sanctions on cancer care in Iran.MethodsThe research method involved qualitative in-depth interviews with 53 experts, including clinical and basic sciences specialists, who were selected through purposeful sampling. The data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis using MAXQDA 2020.ResultsA total of 900 codes were identified, categorized into three primary groups—input, process, and output—and further divided into 13 subcategories. Within the input category related to health systems providing cancer care to patients, several critical issues emerged. These included instability in financing mechanisms and regulations, shortages of materials, low-quality imported materials, high material prices, and loss of human resources. Meanwhile, in the process of delivering diagnostic and treatment procedures to cancer patients, concerns centered around delayed and inadequate care, non-adherence to guidelines, limited international collaborations, and reduced provider satisfaction. Finally, during the output phase, the main subcategories extracted were lower effectiveness, increased adverse events, and increased equity gaps.ConclusionsAlthough economic sanctions against Iran have not officially targeted healthcare and access to drugs, they have restricted access to standard equipment and modern technologies, leading to increased delays, misdiagnosis, and diagnostic and therapeutic side effects in cancer patients to the point of death.

Developing Competitive Advantage Strategies for MSMEs: A Case Study of Aroma Khas Poncokusumo Tempe Chips in Malang Regency

This research utilizes Porter's Five Forces analysis to assess the development strategies for the competitive advantage of the Aroma Khas Poncokusumo Tempe Chip MSMEs. The primary advantages of these MSMEs are their unique fermentation process, consistent product quality, and high traditional value. Challenges such as the threat of substitute products, supplier dependency, and raw material price fluctuations require innovative approaches. Product diversification, branding enhancement, digital marketing, and customer loyalty programs are identified as effective solutions. These strategies are supported by workforce training and production optimization to ensure business sustainability. This holistic approach enables MSMEs to thrive in a competitive market and contribute to the local economy.

Vulnerability Analysis: A Tool for SMEs’ Business Resilience

This study is aimed at examining the vulnerability levels of businesses and assessing the influence of vulnerability on business resilience. This study was undertaken in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. The sample selection method utilizes purposive random sampling. Data is gathered through structured interviews. The vulnerability level of businesses is gauged using an index. The vulnerability index was formulated based on three pivotal variables: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. The vulnerability index was ascertained through the aggregation of values derived from all vulnerability indicators. The impact of vulnerability on changes in the external business environment resilience is analyzed through multinomial logistic regression. The research outcomes indicate that SMEs in the food and beverage sector fall within the bracket of moderate vulnerability. Sensitivity emerges as the most pivotal factor influencing the vulnerability index of business units, closely followed by adaptive capacity and exposure. These variables demonstrate a robust impact on SMEs resilience. The critical need for both government and business manager to prioritize ensuring access to suppliers and raw materials, manage raw material pricing, optimize product pricing strategies, and maintain market reach after macro-environmental uncertainty (disaster). This study emphasizes the importance of the durability of SMEs the nimble external environment, where access to suppliers and the price of raw materials, product prices, and market reach often change. It also reveals that sensitivity is a vital variable that affects the durability of SMEs.

Assessment of the Relationship Between Cost of Building Materials and Property Development in Abia State, Nigeria: Evidence from Trends in Cost of Building Materials and Property Development

Building materials contribute immensely to the quality and cost of any construction project. It is therefore pertinent for stakeholders in the construction industry to understand the implication of the rise in price of building materials and its influence on property development. The poor performance of the construction industry in terms of project delay and abandonment has been linked to incessant increase in the price of building materials. This study therefore, aims to assess the relationship between cost of building materials and property development in Abia State in order to address the challenges of building deficits in Nigeria. The study employed a quantitative research approach through a questionnaire survey that was conducted among the various construction professionals and material dealers. A total of one hundred (100) questionnaires were distributed, resulting in 77 valid responses, which is considered adequate for analysis. The study revealed that cost of building materials has a positive and statistically significant relationship with property development, with a p-value of <.022. This indicate that cost of building materials determines the level of property development. Thus, in order to overcome the challenges of project delay, project abandonment and housing deficits resulting from the incessant rise in cost of building materials, the study recommended that urgent attention should be given to the various factors influencing the cost of building materials. Also, adequate and functional price control agencies and policy should be put in place in order to regulate and checkmate the unnecessary price hike on building materials in the country.

Prediction of China’s Polysilicon Prices: A Combination Model Based on Variational Mode Decomposition, Sparrow Search Algorithm and Long Short-Term Memory

Given the non-stationarity, nonlinearity, and high complexity of polysilicon prices in the photovoltaic (PV) industry chain, this paper introduces upstream and downstream material prices of the PV industry chain and macroeconomic indicators as influencing factors. The VMD–SSA–LSTM combination model is constructed to predict polysilicon prices, which is based on Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) and utilizes the Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA) to optimize the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network. The research shows that decomposing the original polysilicon time series using the VMD algorithm effectively extracts the main features of polysilicon price data, reducing data instability. By optimizing the learning rate, hidden layer nodes, and regularization coefficients of the LSTM model using the Sparrow Search Algorithm, the model achieves higher convergence accuracy. Compared to the traditional LSTM model and VMD–LSTM model, the VMD–SSA–LSTM model exhibits the smallest error and the highest goodness-of-fit on the polysilicon dataset, demonstrating higher predictive accuracy for polysilicon prices, which provides more accurate reference data for market analysis and pricing decisions of the polysilicon industry.

Structural performance of boards through nanoparticle reinforcement: An advance review

Abstract Under the turbulence of global change, the production of boards has been influenced by the rising demand and price of wood-based materials. To improve the structural performance of boards, reinforcement materials have been added, such as nanoparticles. The purpose of this review is to explore the application of nanomaterials, including nano-SiO2, nano-Al2O3, nano-ZnO, nano-Fe2O3, nano-cellulose, nano-lignin, and nano-chitosan, to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of particleboards. These nanoparticles have demonstrated their ability to reduce formaldehyde emissions, enhance the dimensional stability, bending strength, bending stiffness, fire resistance, and resistance to thermal conductivity in board production. For example, the addition of nano-SiO2, known for its hydrophilicity, attracts and holds water molecules and acts as a thermal barrier due to its high melting point and low thermal conductivity. In contrast, nano-Al2O3 is known for its high compressive strength (up to 3 GPa), hardness strength (9 Mohs scale), and high thermal conductivity, which helps to dissipate heat more effectively. This comprehensive evaluation brings together recent advances in producing particleboards and medium density fiberboard reinforced with nanoparticles, which are essential for future research and industry applications. The study emphasizes how innovative nanoparticles can contribute to sustainable urban development and construction practices, reduce deforestation, preserve natural habitats, and provide affordable housing. The research indicates that nanoparticle boards meet (e.g., nanoclay and nanoalumina panels) and in some cases exceed the minimum requirement for general-purpose panels set standards such as the ANSI/A208.1-1999, including water absorption of 8%, thickness swelling of 3% and EN 312 for the bending strength (15–16 MPa) and bending stiffness (2.2–2.4 GPa) for P4 and P6 boards, respectively. These results support the transformative power of nanomaterials in promoting a more sustainable and future solution for boards in the building construction industry.

Structural Reliability Studies on Pulverized Glass Powder Concrete Subjected to Bending Forces with Natural Aggregate

The shortage of housing and basic infrastructure in Nigeria is assuming increasing dimension with continuous rise in the price of construction materials. Cement is a major component in concrete production, its production however is accompanied by huge carbon dioxide emissions. This research presents the results of structural reliability analysis conducted on reinforced concrete beam subjected to bending forces produced with pulverized glass powder as partial replacement for cement with Natural aggregate (NA) as coarse aggregate. First order reliability method (FORM) was employed to determine the level of safety of the beam. The result of the sensitivity analysis showed that the pulverized glass powder beam with NA as coarse aggregate is structurally safe at a span of 3000 mm and depth of 600 mm with probabilities of failure of 1.00 × 10-3 and 1.04 × 10-3 respectively.

Financial Statement Analysis of BYD Company Limited

This paper takes BYD as an example to analyze its financial indicators and conduct a comprehensive DuPont analysis for the period from 2019 to 2023. The analysis reveals that the company achieved significant financial growth during this period. Both operating revenue and net profit showed an upward trend, with particularly strong growth momentum in 2022 and 2023, as net profit increased substantially. The gross profit margin and net profit margin also improved, indicating enhanced operational efficiency and effective cost control. At the same time, BYD's continuous increase in R&D investment has driven technological innovation and product upgrades. The total assets have continued to grow, reflecting the company's business expansion and strengthened capabilities. The cash flow position remains healthy, with net operating cash flow steadily increasing, providing stable financial support for the company. However, BYD faces challenges such as intensified market competition and fluctuations in raw material prices, which necessitate ongoing optimization of business strategies and operational models to maintain its leading position and competitiveness. Overall, BYD has performed outstandingly in the new energy vehicle sector, with promising prospects for future development.

Impact of External Shocks on Peru's Economic Growth, 2000-2021

Objective: To analyze the impact of China's GDP growth and an international oil price shock (external shocks) on Peru's growth rate, terms of trade, private investment, exports and unemployment for the period analyzed. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature on the dependence of a small economy on external factors, verifying through an econometric analysis the implications of an external shock that will be relevant for economic policy decision makers, academia and globalized economic culture. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by quantifying the impacts of a large economy like China on variables such as terms of trade, private investment and Peru's GDP growth rate. Method: It is quantitative and exploratory with 4 variables, China's GDP growth rate, terms of trade, private investment and Peru's GDP growth rate; It is exploratory because it will give us an overview or knowledge of the behavior of China's GDP growth rate, terms of trade and private investment and their impact on Peru's growth rate from 2000 to 2021. The variables explained are: China's GDP growth rate (tCreChin), terms of trade (tInt), private investment (inv Priva). Explanatory variable: Peru's GDP growth rate (tCrePerú). The design is non-experimental of a correlational type, the population includes data from the 04 variables for the years 2000-2021, each with 22 observations that were extracted from the 21 years analyzed, extracted from institutional secondary sources BCRP and World Bank (WB). Subsequently, tests will be carried out to verify correlation, stationarity and heteroscedasticity in the variables and the estimation of the model parameters for several alternatives or possible combinations of factors. In each case, the “t” test, the “F” test will be performed and the coefficient of determination R2 will be calculated, to determine the best fit. And finally, the best model will be selected for forecasting purposes. Results: The response of GDP to a shock of the GDP variable of China has a positive impact from period 1-3, on the other hand the IT variable has a positive impact from period 1. Another relevant aspect achieved is that in 10 years, 51% of the variability of Peru's economic growth depends on the variability of China's growth, 2.20% of the variability of Peru's economic growth depends on the variability of the IT variance and 1.48% of the variability of Peru's economic growth depends on the variability of private investment. Discussion: Our results find similarity with studies by Guevara and Yamaca (2021) and Chávez (2020) et.al., since an external shock is positive and explains a high percentage of historical variability. A shock to China's GDP growth has a greater effect on Peru's GDP growth; and financial shocks reduce domestic GDP growth. On the other hand, Peruvian monetary policy is synchronized with the behavior of the American FED to mitigate the adverse effects of external factors. In our study we use a VAR demonstrating the influence of China's economic growth, the terms of trade, Peruvian GDP and private investment. Finally, the findings indicate that the impacts of external shocks on economic growth are more long-term than short-term, and also reveal the existence of fragility in the international economy that can be opportunities on the side of raw material prices.

Nanotechnology in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: Addressing the Challenges in Battery Cycle Life and Safety

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, with their high energy density and affordable material prices, are a viable alternative to ordinary lithium-ion batteries, especially for electric cars. Their actual application is limited by challenges such as substantial volume expansion, low electrical conductivity, and the polysulfide shuttle effect, despite their advantages. This research investigates how incorporating nanomaterials into Li-S battery cathodes, anodes, and electrolytes might improve battery performance and analyzes the potential of nanotechnology to address these problems. The application of metal oxides, graphene oxide, and carbon nanofibers to improve the stability and conductivity of sulfur cathodes is covered. Additionally, it examines anode protection strategies using nanocoating and protective layers to inhibit dendrite growth and improve safety. The incorporation of nanoparticles in electrolytes to improve ionic conductivity and reduce side reactions is also analyzed. Despite the progress, challenges such as the polysulfide shuttle effect and volume changes remain. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research to develop commercially viable Li-S batteries with higher capacity, longer lifespan, and improved safety.

Analisis Pendapatan dan Faktor-Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Pendapatan Usaha Emping Melinjo

This study aims to find out: (1) The cost of emping melinjo business. (2) Business income emping melinjo. (3) What factors affect the business income of emping melinjo. The method used in this study is quantitative research method. The population in this study is emping melinjo business actors in Tuk Village, Kedawung District, Cirebon Regency. The sampling technique in this study was to use a simple random sampling technique as many as 52 business actors were sampled. The data analysis technique used are classical assumption test and multiple linear regression using SPSS 22 aplication. The results showed that: (1) The costs incurred for fixed costs and variable costs were RP 85,531/month and RP 16.302.433/month respectively with total costs of Rp 16.387.964/month and average receipts of Rp 19.119.519/month. (2) Average income of Rp 2.731.556/month and worth working on with an R/C ratio of 1.18. (3) Factors that affect emping melinjo business income are selling price, raw material price, and length of business. The results of this study are useful for emping melinjo business actors in order to increase business income.

Robust optimization model for traceable procurement of construction materials considering contract claims

In claim contracts, project owners and contractors set negotiated prices and exemption amounts for price adjustments to deal with the uncertainty of material prices, which is often overlooked in the optimization of procurement strategies. Therefore, considering contract claims, this paper constructs an optimization model for contractors’ traceable procurement strategies to address the multi-stage, multi-source procurement issue. A robust optimization model is used to consider the uncertainty of procurement prices, and the robust parameter is set to flexibly control the robustness of the solutions. The results indicate that contractors with different risk attitudes have the same preference for the exemption amount, but they exhibit varying sensitivities to the exemption amount and also have different preferences regarding the negotiated price. Furthermore, the study reveals that negotiated price exerts an anchoring effect on the procurement strategies of contractors.

Pengendalian Biaya Kedelai Home Industry Tahu-Tempe Mbak Sri

This study aims to analyze the material cost control in Mbak Sri's home industry of tofu and tempeh production. Material costs constitute a significant portion of the total production costs, and effective control measures are crucial for ensuring profitability. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing observation and in-depth interviews to gather data. The findings reveal that Mbak Sri implements several cost control strategies, including careful material selection, efficient utilization, and waste minimization. However, challenges arise due to fluctuating raw material prices and limited bargaining power. The study recommends implementing a comprehensive material management system, establishing strategic supplier relationships, and exploring alternative sourcing options to enhance cost control measures. By addressing these recommendations, Mbak Sri's home industry can improve its overall operational efficiency and profitability.

Enhancing profitability in p-xylene production via toluene methylation

To address the growing industrial demand for para-xylene (PX), this study explores an alternative approach by employing toluene methylation (TM) to convert low-cost methanol into high-value PX. This study investigates the direct benefits of integrating TM with PX production. This study quantitatively evaluated the economic benefits of PX production and the investment costs of adding the TM process, considering the lack of toluene saleability. The process flow with a purity of 99.7% was simulated using Aspen Plus; the Aspen Energy Analyzer was used for heat integration (HI). The standalone PAREX process, PAREX integrated with TM, and PAREX with TM and HI showed levelized costs of 2,380, 2,341, and 2,325 USD/ton-PX, respectively. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis confirmed the price of the feed material (mixed xylene) to be the main factor influencing the process cost. This approach offers a promising pathway to enhance PX production capacity efficiently.

Analysis of Micro Business Marketing Strategy in Facing Competition

This study is motivated by the challenges faced in the development of micro-enterprises at Bukit Sion Market, largely due to the high level of competition. Many businesses struggle to determine appropriate financing models and product offerings, as the market is saturated with similar products offered by competitors. The objective of this research is to analyze the marketing strategies employed by micro-enterprises and identify the obstacles they face in dealing with competition at Bukit Sion Market, Lahomi District. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method. The findings reveal that all food stalls adopt marketing strategies that include market selection, product planning, pricing, distribution systems, and marketing communication. Effective marketing strategies, such as offering discounts, special promotions, or hosting promotional events, have been shown to significantly boost sales. However, the food stalls encounter several challenges, including intensified competition due to the emergence of similar businesses offering comparable products, a lack of product innovation and promotion, fluctuations in raw material prices, as well as issues with product quality consistency, customer service, and overall customer experience.

Optimal forward contract design in a supply chain with asymmetric cost information

In a buyer-led supply chain, the buyer utilizes a forward contract to effectively cope with the risk brought by uncertainty in demand and raw material prices. However, the production cost, as private information of the supplier, will inevitably affect the formulation of a forward contract. This study constructs a procurement system consisting of a buyer, a supplier, and an imperfect spot market to explore how the buyer designs the forward contract under asymmetric cost information. By applying the principal-agent theory, this study allows the buyer to maximize profits while disclosing the supplier's cost information. The results obtained indicate that in order to screen the cost type, the forward order quantity from the high-cost supplier is downward distorted. Asymmetric cost information will reduce the buyer's profits, but bring additional information rent to the supplier. Interestingly, it is also observed that asymmetric material cost information can discourage the buyer from engaging in speculative activities in the spot market. While the existence of a well-developed raw material spot market with a reduced price provides the buyer with an alternative way to make procurement, which mitigates the negative impacts of his cost information disadvantages.

Developing a robust indicator to evaluate circular economy through reuse strategy: A case study of using water treatment sludge as a coagulant for dewatering of iron ore tailings slurry

Due to the lack of tools, which are simple enough to assess the reuse strategy in the concept of circular economy (CE), in the present paper, reuse efficiency index (REI) was introduced as a new indicator, inspired by previously developed indexes, namely circular economy index (CEI) and value-based resource efficiency (VRE). The REI, as a measure of economic efficiency of reuse strategy, is the ratio of the net value obtained from the reuse of end of life (EOL) product instead of using a new product over the value of materials and energy inputs required to reproduce the EOL product. To calculate REI for any specific EOL product, information regarding mass, physicochemical properties and operational data on the consumption of energy, which are mainly available in the financial archives of companies, is crucial and the market price of EOL product must also be predicted. In another part of the study, the reuse of ferric chloride-based water treatment sludge (FCS) as a coagulant, instead of using high cost polymeric coagulant, for iron ore tailings slurry dewatering was evaluated through REI. The results showed that depending on the market prices of energy and materials as well as the iron (FeCl3) content in the FCS, the REI could vary between 0.51 and 1.04, corresponding to 51–104% added value. Overall, REI is based on accessible information and its simplicity and comprehensibility makes it applicable for managers and policymakers to invest and create technologies for reaching closed-loop cycles in the concept of CE through reuse action.