Promising Technological Innovations Research Articles

An RFID-Driven Graphical Formalized Deduction for Describing the Time-Sensitive State and Position Changes of Work-in-Progress Material Flows in a Job-Shop Floor

As a key advanced manufacturing technology in next generation manufacturing systems, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is considered to be one of the most promising technological innovations with the potential to increase visibility and improve efficiency. Therefore, research about RFID and its applications are increasing by blasting with all kinds of RFID models in various fields, especially in manufacturing. By introducing RFID technology into the job-shop floor, this paper proposes a systematic RFID-driven graphical formalized deduction model (rfid-GFDM) for describing the time-sensitive state and position changes of work-in-progress (WIP) material flows and guiding where to deploy RFID devices and how to use them for collecting real-time on-site data. Four steps including RFID configuration based on the process flow model, state blocks model, automatic event generation, and extended event-driven model are proposed one by one to support the implementation of rfid-GFDM. The nature of RFID technology is revealed, too. A use case about a computer numerical control (CNC) milling system is studied, and it demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed model. Finally, the possibility of popularizing the model to other field is discussed, too. It is expected to establish a normative RFID modeling method that will facilitate the convenience of RFID applications in a broad scope.

Exploring determinants of adoption intentions towards Enterprise 2.0 applications: an empirical study

Enterprise 2.0 is identified as one of the most promising technological innovations in the business domain, with immense potential for enriching communication, enabling collaboration and facilitating learning. Although organisations are increasingly implementing Enterprise 2.0 as a useful means of knowledge sharing and collaboration, no empirical research has been performed to identify individuals’ motivations to participate in Enterprise 2.0 activities. The high practical relevance and dearth of research indicate the importance of the present study. This study aims to apply the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology to propose a research model that incorporates context-specific variables as enhancing constructs to predict individuals’ adoption intentions towards Enterprise 2.0 applications. We also categorise Enterprise 2.0 users into silent and social users and conduct a comparative analysis to examine whether differences exist in factors predicting users’ adoption intentions towards Enterprise 2.0 applications. To test the model, structural equation modelling is employed to analyse data collected from respondents working in seven Chinese companies conducting trial operations of an Enterprise 2.0 platform. The findings of this research provide managers with effective methods to promote individuals’ participation in Enterprise 2.0 activities. This research also provides a theoretical foundation for academics and practical implications for the development of Enterprise 2.0.

Adoption analysis of resource-conserving technologies in rice (Oryza sativa)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system of South Asia

The bread and rice baskets of South Asia feeding 20% of world population are showing stalled production due to fatigued natural resource bases. The present survey assesses the constraints in adoption of integrated crop and resource management practices in rice (Oryza Sativa L.) wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) systems of Indo- Gangetic plains. The research and developmental activities have a positive impact on resource-conserving technology (RCT) explain first then use RCT use rates. Further, study confirmed that RCTs generally are cost reducing without yield loss, thereby enhancing farmers’ income. The village surveys do however, highlight that the better endowed farmers tend to be the first adopters of RCTs. Purposive efforts are therefore needed to ensure that access to and uptake of RCTs is more inclusive. The marked regional variation also emphasizes the need for local adaptation – giving further impetus to the need for on-farm R and D initiatives to help adapt promising technological innovations to the local and diverse circumstances faced by resource poor farmers.

Investigation on the Dynamic Behavior of the Fiber in the Vortex Spinning Nozzle and Effects of Some Nozzle Structure Parameters

Vortex spinning, which adopts high speed airflow to insert twist into the yarn, is one of the most promising technological innovations in the textile industry. In vortex spinning, the dynamic behavior of the fiber inside the nozzle, which involves fiber-airflow interaction and fiber-wall contact, plays an important role in the twist insertion process. This paper investigates the airflow characteristics and the fiber dynamic behavior inside the vortex spinning nozzle via a two-dimensional numerical model with the fiber-airflow interaction and fiber-wall contact included. The fiber is assumed to be isotropic, elastic material. The airflow inside the nozzle is assumed to be turbulent, viscous and incompressible. The numerical results show that two vortices with momentarily changed sizes are created upstream of the jet orifice outlets. The imbalance of the pressure around the fiber causes the fiber to move and deform. The trailing end of the fiber rotates with wave shape within the nozzle chamber for several periods to insert twist into the yarn. Based on the model, the effects of three nozzle structure parameters – the jet orifice angle, jet orifice diameter, distance between the nozzle inlet and the hollow spindle, on the dynamic behavior of the fiber, and in turn, the yarn structure and tensile property are investigated. The results show that the appropriate jet orifice angle for obtaining the best yarn tenacity is 70°. The optimal jet orifice diameter is 0.4 mm. The spun yarn has the highest tenacity when the distance between the nozzle inlet and the hollow spindle is 14 mm.

New developments and emerging trends in high-throughput screening methods for lead compound identification

New developments and emerging trends in high-throughput screening methods for lead compound identification James W NoahDrug Discovery Division, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, Alabama, USAAbstract: High-throughput screening (HTS) campaigns have become a starting point for many drug discovery programs and are being conducted not only by large pharmaceutical companies but increasingly by smaller biotechnology companies, university research laboratories, and not-for-profit organizations. The underlying theme of any HTS campaign is the inventive application of brute force, and the pace and variety of invention strategies that have increased as HTS has evolved from a specialty capability to a standardized technology. Incorporation of HTS elements into the earliest phases of assay development supports the most economic and logistically feasible transition into a HTS campaign and subsequent lead compound discovery. There is a constant dilemma, however, when considering whether well-established, mature technologies should be replaced by new methods that promise to deliver spectacular economic, temporal, or logistical advantages. This is a review of some of the more novel and promising HTS technological and conceptual innovations that are currently being successfully used in the field.Keywords: HTS, technologies, innovations, lead identification

Understanding the determinants of RFID adoption in the manufacturing industry

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is one of the most promising technological innovations, with the potential to increase supply chain visibility and improve process efficiency. It allows remote identification of an object using a radio link. However, it has yet to see high rates of adoption in the manufacturing industry. Thus, effort is required to identify determinants affecting RFID adoption in the manufacturing industry. Based on the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework of Tornatzky and Fleischer (L.G. Tornatzky, M. Fleischer, The processes of technological innovation, Lexington Books, 1990), nine variables (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, top management support, firm size, technology competence, information intensity, competitive pressure, and trading partner pressure) are proposed to help predict RFID adoption. Data collected from 133 manufacturers in Taiwan is tested against the proposed research model using logistic regression. The results and implications included in our study contribute to an expanded understanding of the determinants that affect RFID adoption in the manufacturing industry.

Determinants Affecting Consumer Adoption of Contactless Credit Card: An Empirical Study

The contactless credit card is one of the most promising technological innovations in the field of electronic payments. It provides consumers with greater control of payments, convenience, and transaction speed. However, contactless credit cards have yet to gain significant rates of adoption in the marketplace. Thus, effort must be made to identify factors affecting consumer adoption of contactless credit cards. Based on the technology acceptance model, innovation diffusion theory, and the relevant literature, seven variables (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, compatibility, perceived risk, trust, consumer involvement, availability of infrastructure) are proposed to help predict consumer adoption of contactless credit cards. Data collected from 312 respondents in Taiwan is tested against the proposed prediction model using the logistic regression approach. The results and implications of our study contribute to an expanded understanding of the factors that affect consumer adoption of contactless credit cards.

Smartcard implementation in Bahrain: public acceptance and readiness

The Smartcard is one of the most promising technological innovations in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Its ability to store relatively large amounts of data in a credit card-sized card has enabled and enhanced the development of many beneficial applications for both society and businesses. The ability to store and process large amounts of data and the portability of this small card makes it a state-of-the-art authentication device. This paper discusses the Smartcard technology in the light of the Kingdom of Bahrain National Personal Smartcard (KOBNPS) Project. This project is part of the Bahraini overall IT strategy and e-government initiative. The KOBNPS project has many objectives, but perhaps the most important one is to improve the efficiency, security and integrity of government data and processes. The Smartcard will have an early implementation phase comprising the Central Population Register (personal data); Traffic (driving licence); Immigration (visa and travel); a Public Key Infrastructure identification and authentication application (authentication and digital signature); Health (health data); and e-purse. Later on, extra applications of a business nature will be added to expand and improve the project. This paper will present a brief introduction of Smartcard technology as an effective user-authentication tool and will explore the KOBNPS project: its objectives, pros and cons, and applications. Finally, it will present results of a survey conducted on the Bahraini environment to study the feasibility in terms of public acceptance and understanding of the KOBNPS project.

Issues in Component Computing: A Synthetic Review

This paper provides a review of the rhetoric behind the component movement in educational software, and a critical analysis and synthesis of issues underlying the movement. We draw on case studies of several significant recent component projects in order to assess claims and to uncover and examine issues that are less often considered. While our empirical base cannot definitively answer all the questions raised, we hope to bring some clarity and some empirically based judgments to bear on how a promising technological innovation can best serve educational ends. Our study led to a focus on three critical issues: (1) the nature of the environment in which components are configured and used; (2) the extent of modifiability that is necessary for effective re-use of components; (3) how the work of designing components and component configurations is distributed among people with different competencies.

Strategies for European innovation policy in the transport field

Technology offers opportunities to realise policy goals. The FANTASIE project, executed for the European Commission, has done a search for promising technological innovations in transport and has assessed their possible impacts on the goals of the Common Transport Policy. Individual policy measures that could foster these promising technological innovations have been identified. Beyond individual measures, robust and adaptive strategies need to be developed that can be adjusted to changing circumstances in order to cope with the complexity and high level of uncertainty involved. In addition, the balance between national and European policy measures deserves particular attention. This leads us to suggest a number of policy packages that reflect the aforementioned principles of transport innovation policy design, as well as the specific constraints of the European policy context.