Research on Product Core Component Acquisition Based on Patent Semantic Network

Patent data contain plenty of valuable information. Recently, the lack of innovative ideas has resulted in some enterprises encountering bottlenecks in product research and development (R&D). Some enterprises point out that they do not have enough comprehension of product components. To improve efficiency of product R&D, this paper introduces natural-language processing (NLP) technology, which includes part-of-speech (POS) tagging and subject–action–object (SAO) classification. Our strategy first extracts patent keywords from products, then applies a complex network to obtain core components based on structural holes and centrality of eigenvector algorism. Finally, we use the example of US shower patents to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the methodology. As a result, this paper examines the acquisition of core components and how they can help enterprises and designers clarify their R&D ideas and design priorities.     

Modeling and simulations of the cascading failure of multiple interdependent R&D networks under risk propagation

In this paper, we study the robustness of multiple interrelated R&D networks under risk propagation. Firstly, using a bi-partite graph to represent the interrelated R&D networks is emphasized and proposed. Secondly, a risk propagation model is built by defining risk load and risk capacity of each enterprise on a specific R&D network, Thirdly, we use simulations to study risk propagation in interrelated R&D networks. Our results indicate that there exist three critical thresholds to quantify the robustness of R&D networks. Risk propagation in R&D networks is highly affected by the heterogeneity of all enterprises' scales and risk capacities.     

Fusion at the crossroads towards ITER

The decision to build ITER in Europe, at Cadarache, as a joint enterprise of all major partners in international fusion research opens a new era for fusion and is expected to focus a strong world-wide effort towards ITER and ITER-related R&D in fusion physics and technology.ITER, the unique Next Step device in magnetic fusion, aims at demonstrating the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion. A solid basis exists for constructing ITER and physics scenarios, diagnostics and technologies are being developed for the desired operational features and performance.The ITER project will be the central priority of the European and international fusion programmes. It will be put in the context of a broader approach of supporting R&D and preparations of the following step, DEMO. A vigorous European accompanying programme must comprise support to ITER and DEMO oriented activities, in particular fusion reactor technologies, the investigation of concept improvements and the corroboration of the theoretical foundations of magnetic confinement and of relevant technologies. The domestic programme will have a crucial role for securing the human potential needed for ITER and for ensuring a leading position in the competitive developments for ITER and the further development of commercial fusion energy.     

New developments of the R&;D silicon tracking for linear collider on silicon trackers

The status of the R&D activity achieved so far within the SiLC (silicon tracking for the linear collider) collaboration is reported here. It includes the following items: present status of the collaboration, new developments on sensors, on mechanics (new directions for module construction, large support structure, cooling, and alignment and integration issues), new lab test bench results on electronics and sensors. The perspectives over a period of four years are presented with a detailed test beam schedule and the roadmap including the construction of new mechanical prototypes equipped with front end and readout chips in deep sub-micron CMOS technology are discussed. Combined tests with other sub-detectors are finally addressed. This test beam program is inserted in the framework of the EUDET European project. on behalf of the SiLC R&D Collaboration     

International Perspective on Government Nanotechnology Funding in 2005

The worldwide investment in nanotechnology research and development (R&D) reported by national government organizations and EC has increased approximately 9-fold in the last 8 years – from $432 million in 1997 to about $4,100 million in 2005. The proportion of national government investments for: academic R&D and education are between 20% (Korea, Taiwan) and 65% (US), industrial R&D – between 5% (US) and 60% (Korea, Taiwan), and core facilities and government laboratories – about 20–25% in all major contributing economies. This evaluation uses the NNI definition of nanotechnology (that excludes MEMS or microelectronics), and is based on direct information and analysis with managers of nanotechnology R&D programs in the respective countries.     

Photonic Engineering Group of the University of Cantabria: Recent R&D Contributions in Photonic Sensing Technology

The recent research and development results of the Photonic Engineering Group in the photonic sensing field are reported. This article includes a sample of contributions in several of the ongoing R&D lines: fiber sensing using Bragg grating technology; gas sensing, high temperature monitoring; optoelectronic instrumentation for laser welding monitoring; fiber active devices; and, finally, on sensing technology using plastic optical fiber.     

The emergence and policy implications of converging new technologies integrated from the nanoscale

Science based on the unified concepts on matter at the nanoscale provides a new foundation for knowledge creation, innovation, and technology integration. Convergent new technologies refers to the synergistic combination of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive sciences (NBIC), each of which is currently progressing at a rapid rate, experiencing qualitative advancements, and interacting with the more established fields such as mathematics and environmental technologies (Roco & Bainbridge, 2002). It is expected that converging technologies will bring about tremendous improvements in transforming tools, new products and services, enable human personal abilities and social achievements, and reshape societal relationships.After a brief overview of the general implications of converging new technologies, this paper focuses on its effects on R&D policies and business models as part of changing societal relationships. These R&D policies will have implications on investments in research and industry, with the main goal of taking advantage of the transformative development of NBIC. Introduction of converging technologies must be done with respect of immediate concerns (privacy, toxicity of new materials, etc.) and longer-term concerns including human integrity, dignity and welfare. The efficient introduction and development of converging new technologies will require new organizations and business models, as well as solutions for preparing the economy, such as multifunctional research facilities, integrative technology platforms, and global risk governance.     

The emergence and policy implications of converging new technologies integrated from the nanoscale

Science based on the unified concepts on matter at the nanoscale provides a new foundation for knowledge creation, innovation, and technology integration. Convergent new technologies refers to the synergistic combination of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive sciences (NBIC), each of which is currently progressing at a rapid rate, experiencing qualitative advancements, and interacting with the more established fields such as mathematics and environmental technologies (Roco & Bainbridge, 2002). It is expected that converging technologies will bring about tremendous improvements in transforming tools, new products and services, enable human personal abilities and social achievements, and reshape societal relationships.After a brief overview of the general implications of converging new technologies, this paper focuses on its effects on R&D policies and business models as part of changing societal relationships. These R&D policies will have implications on investments in research and industry, with the main goal of taking advantage of the transformative development of NBIC. Introduction of converging technologies must be done with respect of immediate concerns (privacy, toxicity of new materials, etc.) and longer-term concerns including human integrity, dignity and welfare. The efficient introduction and development of converging new technologies will require new organizations and business models, as well as solutions for preparing the economy, such as multifunctional research facilities, integrative technology platforms, and global risk governance.(*) This is an extension of the presentation made at the Converging Technologies Conference, February 26, 2004, New York.This revised version was published online in August 2005 with a corrected issue number.     

Quantum structure based infrared detector research and development within Acreo’s centre of excellence IMAGIC

Acreo has a long tradition of working with quantum structure based infrared (IR) detectors and arrays. This includes QWIP (quantum well infrared photodetector), QDIP (quantum dot infrared photodetector), and InAs/GaInSb based photon detectors of different structure and composition. It also covers R&D on uncooled microbolometers. The integrated thermistor material of such detectors is advantageously based on quantum structures that are optimised for high temperature coefficient and low noise. Especially the SiGe material system is preferred due to the compatibility with silicon technology. The R&D work on IR detectors is a prominent part of Acreo’s centre of excellence “IMAGIC” on imaging detectors and systems for non-visible wavelengths. IMAGIC is a collaboration between Acreo, several industry partners and universities like the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and Linköping University.     

BEPCⅡ Control System

The BEPCⅡ project is for upgrading the Beijing Electron Positron Collider to reach a higher luminosity.BEPCⅡ is designed as micro-β plus multi-bunches with double rings and has adopted cryogenic superconducting technology. The BEPCⅡ control system is a distributed system based on EPICS. In the past few years, we went through the design stage, R&D stage, development stage and the system will be installated. The BEPCⅡ machine commissioning with beam will start in October 2006. This paper describes the BEPCⅡ~control system and the progress of its development.     

Fiber optics R&D in China

Remarkable progress has been achieved in China in fiber optics technology during the past decade or more, with increasingly intensified support by the government. This article aims at reviewing some historical highlights in the Chinese R&D of fiber optics, as well as some typical aspects of the present status of this rapidly advancing technology.     

Process intensification—the U.K. programmes to encourage the development and use of intensified heat exchange equipment and technology

The Energy Efficiency Office of the U.K. Department of the Environment has ongoing programmes to encourage and stimulate the effecient use of energy. These programmes provide technical and financial support for energy efficiency R&D, for the use of new technology and for the further application of proven energy efficiency measures. Since 1989, the Energy Efficiency Office has had an increasing programme to encourage the development and use of intensified equipment and technology. The aim of this paper is to report a review of the scope for process intensification, to review the activities in the U.K. in key areas for intensification and to discuss activities on advanced heat exchanger technology.     

Patent citation network in nanotechnology (1976–2004)

The patent citation networks are described using critical node, core network, and network topological analysis. The main objective is understanding of the knowledge transfer processes between technical fields, institutions and countries. This includes identifying key influential players and subfields, the knowledge transfer patterns among them, and the overall knowledge transfer efficiency. The proposed framework is applied to the field of nanoscale science and engineering (NSE), including the citation networks of patent documents, submitting institutions, technology fields, and countries. The NSE patents were identified by keywords “full-text” searching of patents at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The analysis shows that the United States is the most important citation center in NSE research. The institution citation network illustrates a more efficient knowledge transfer between institutions than a random network. The country citation network displays a knowledge transfer capability as efficient as a random network. The technology field citation network and the patent document citation network exhibit a␣less efficient knowledge diffusion capability than a random network. All four citation networks show a tendency to form local citation clusters.     

Worldwide nanotechnology development: a comparative study of USPTO,EPO, and JPO patents (1976–2004)

To assess worldwide development of nanotechnology, this paper compares the numbers and contents of nanotechnology patents in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), European Patent Office (EPO), and Japan Patent Office (JPO). It uses the patent databases as indicators of nanotechnology trends via bibliographic analysis, content map analysis, and citation network analysis on nanotechnology patents per country, institution, and technology field. The numbers of nanotechnology patents published in USPTO and EPO have continued to increase quasi-exponentially since 1980, while those published in JPO stabilized after 1993. Institutions and individuals located in the same region as a repository’s patent office have a higher contribution to the nanotechnology patent publication in that repository (“home advantage” effect). The USPTO and EPO databases had similar high-productivity contributing countries and technology fields with large number of patents, but quite different high-impact countries and technology fields after the average number of received cites. Bibliographic analysis on USPTO and EPO patents shows that researchers in the United States and Japan published larger numbers of patents than other countries, and that their patents were more frequently cited by other patents. Nanotechnology patents covered physics research topics in all three repositories. In addition, USPTO showed the broadest representation in coverage in biomedical and electronics areas. The analysis of citations by technology field indicates that USPTO had a clear pattern of knowledge diffusion from highly cited fields to less cited fields, while EPO showed knowledge exchange mainly occurred among highly cited fields.     

Optical Fiber Sensor Technology in Portugal

Abstract

A general overview of the R&D activity in fiber optic sensing developed over the last fifteen years in Portugal is given. Different topics are addressed, including interferometric, intensity and Bragg grating based fiber optic sensors, signal processing and multiplexing techniques, optical current sensors, together with some references to field trials and applications. Possible guidelines for present and future national R&D activity on this subject are outlined.     

FAZIA: Prototyping a next-generation 4π array for nuclear reaction-dynamics studies

The international FAZIA (Four π A and Z Identification Array) Collaboration, presently involving researchers and institutions from France, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain, India, Canada and USA, is currently investigating the use of new detector types/configurations (nTD Si detectors, single chip telescope) and new electronics (charge/current preamplifiers, digital sampling and signal processing) in view of defining a next-generation detection array with improved particle identification capability to study nuclear reaction dynamics and thermodynamics exploiting the Radioactive Nuclear Beam (RNB) facilities. The present main R&D activities inside the Collaboration are brielfly described.     

Quantum Stream Cipher Based on Holevo–Yuen Theory

In this review paper, we first introduce the basic concept of quantum computer-resistant cryptography, which is the cornerstone of security technology for the network of a new era. Then, we will describe the positioning of mathematical cryptography and quantum cryptography, that are currently being researched and developed. Quantum cryptography includes QKD and quantum stream cipher, but we point out that the latter is expected as the core technology of next-generation communication systems. Various ideas have been proposed for QKD quantum cryptography, but most of them use a single-photon or similar signal. Then, although such technologies are applicable to special situations, these methods still have several difficulties to provide functions that surpass conventional technologies for social systems in the real environment. Thus, the quantum stream cipher has come to be expected as one promising countermeasure, which artificially creates quantum properties using special modulation techniques based on the macroscopic coherent state. In addition, it has the possibility to provide superior security performance than one-time pad cipher. Finally, we introduce detailed research activity aimed at putting the quantum stream cipher into practical use in social network technology.     

Process industry heat exchanger R&D with possible implications for aerospace technology

Important European co-ordinated research activities in heat exchanges are within the European Community Non-Nuclear Energy R&D Programme entitled JOULE, while national governments and a wide variety of industrial laboratories and companies also carry out work in these areas.This paper will cover the past and present JOULE activities in a number of ways. R&D projects within this programme include gas-gas, gas-liquid, gas-solid and liquid-liquid heat exchangers, with high, medium and low temperature terrestrial process applications. Examples of past projects which are described include compact plate heat exchangers, novel high capacity thermosyphons, the use of jet impingement to enhance heat transfer, fouling and complementary activities such as expert systems. Projects currently being studied within JOULE concentrate mainly on two-phase heat transfer enhancement and fouling of both gas-side and liquid-side heat transfer equipment.In order to maintain the competitiveness of industry, the paper underlines the necessity to continue the R&D activities in heat exchanger technologies.     

Research output in nanoscience and nanotechnology: Pakistan scenario

In this article, we present an overview of the research activity undertaken in Pakistan in the field of nanoscience and technology for the period 2001–2010. Starting with almost insignificant publications in this field in 2001, the number has risen steadily to 430 in 2010. A break up of organizations actively involved in research in this field suggests that most of these publications have emanated from universities. The contribution of R&D organizations that far outnumber the universities is about 10 percent of the total. Reasons for the increasing trend in publications, especially in the universities are discussed.     

40 MCi tritium source for experiments with low energy neutrino

The artificial tritium source of 40 MCi activity was developed for the scattering experiment to measure the electron antineutrino magnetic moment. We present R&D results which specify source design and physical parameters, its experimental effectiveness and guarantee safety during its life-cycle. Relevant technological issues are featured.