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The paper aims to focus on microwave (2.45 GHz) assisted SHS (MA‐SHS) preparation of NiAl intermetallic coatings on titanium substrates conducted in single mode applicator in order to promote the formation of a complex Ni‐Al‐Ti interface. This enhances the NiAl coating adhesion to the Ti substrate and presents high hardness, high toughness and the capability of stopping the fracture propagation.

Numerical modelling, coupling electromagnetic and heat transfer, allowed to demonstrate that the interface cooling rate can be controlled immediately after SHS using microwave heating, benefiting from the possibility of conveying energy to the newly formed intermetallic compounds, despite an adverse temperature gradient which would negatively affect conventional heating techniques, based exclusively on heat transfer. Experimental validation of the modelling results confirmed that by altering the synthesis conditions (load geometry, microwave power, auxiliary microwave absorbers) the thickness of the Ni‐Al‐Ti layer can be controlled.

The growth of the interface layer can be ascribed to the formation of a liquid phase (ternary eutectic) which progressively consumes NiAl and Ti from the substrate. In case of MA‐SHS, the liquid phase presence can be prolonged during cooling, thus explaining the formation of the thick interface layer.

Microwave selective heating can be used to initiate the SHS without affecting the metallic substrate, which is only heated locally by the reaction products, thus preserving its properties.

Coupling numerical simulation and experimental activity demonstrated that the different microstructures obtained by MA‐SHS are a result of the peculiar temperature profile, favoured by microwave volumetric and selective heating of the reacting powders.

Using a case study approach, this chapter examines two primary changes to global health education prompted and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. First, is the acceleration of digital education into the typical global health classroom. Second, is the integration of transnational networks and partnerships between intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and higher education institutions (HEIs) to create, adapt, and disseminate digital materials in fast-changing information environments. The chapter examines the potential positive and negative impacts of the proliferation of digital content created by IGOs and international NGOs that is being rapidly integrated into use in HEIs for Global Health. The growth of tools and access through these new partnerships may lead to increased access to global health information for professionals. However, these changes may have long-term implications for global health regarding equitable access to culturally appropriate and accurate information. Furthermore, there may be additional implications for equity, as the proliferation of tools may still leave out the most vulnerable that do not have access to digital platforms.

Double pressing systems have recently been introduced to speed up and improve the pressing step of porcelain stoneware tiles. This paper aims to analyze double pressing systems using discontinuous pre‐compaction, both technically and economically. Two operative conditions are considered: the traditional forming of tiles during pressing is compared with the innovative production of a unique large‐sized slab, subsequently customized according to market requirements. Furthermore, manufacturing conditions are explored with infrequent or frequent production runs, due to increasingly smaller production batches, in order to evaluate which production process is more suitable when changing operative conditions are managed.

The analysis is carried out experimentally, by collecting data in existing pilot plants, producing batches of products of different size and colour. Details are provided concerning the technical characteristics of the systems, along with costs per manufactured square metre for investments, personnel, maintenance, spare parts and electric power. A case in which some production days are reserved for each manufactured batch is compared to a case in which production runs are repeated more frequently in a day.

Manufacturing large‐sized slabs and customization has shown to be an efficient solution for companies operating in changing markets.

Further research should study double pressing systems using continuous pre‐compaction.

The proposed analysis, by presenting an evaluation process and sharing data collected experimentally, provides innovative support for addressing decision makers when new pressing systems for porcelain stoneware tiles are selected.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance of fire protective materials in protecting steel section. A new indexing system is introduced, named as fire endurance index (FEI), which can be used to evaluate the performance of fire protective materials.

In this study, experiments were carried out using W4 × 13 steel section. Eight samples were prepared; one was a bare steel section without any coating material, and seven were prepared using four types of materials such as vermiculite-gypsum plaster, gypsum plaster, concrete cover and glass wool-concrete cover for fireproofing of the sections. An enclosed electric coiled furnace was used for heating the samples for a certain period. The duration of protection was determined, and the FEI of the materials was calculated. The higher the index value is, the better the performance.

The results demonstrate that the glass-wool-concrete cover offered the best performance at high temperature among the four types of materials. In the experiment with glass-wool-concrete cover, the furnace temperature reached 750°C, whereas the steel temperature reached only 100°C. The FEI of the coatings were calculated. Among the eight samples, glass wool-concrete cover also achieved the highest index value.

The experimental work was performed using a limited number of specimens. Furthermore, the robustness of the indexing system needs to be evaluated with other materials and a wide range of heating rate and temperature. This study sets the foundation for future work.

The findings of this research may contribute to a better understanding of the performance of the materials used as fire protective coatings. This might be helpful for the researchers and practitioners in their design and implementation of legislation of fire safety codes.

Understanding the performance of the fire protective coatings will help in evaluating the fire resistance capabilities of the materials to use for the structural steel members, which may protect collapses and disasters of buildings.

This paper deals with the performance of four types of materials, that can be used as fire protective coatings for structural steel members. Furthermore, the FEI explicitly indicated their performance with numerical values. In this study, the heating of the specimens was performed using a non-standard fire curve based on the concept that naturally occurring incidents of fire do not follow the standard fire curves.

This paper aims to present a method for the reduction of dielectric constant of low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) substrates with the use of controlled internal porosity.

A glass-ceramic green tape with addition of graphite as a pore former was developed. The green tapes were laminated and then sintered into multilayer structures with porous interior and thin external dense layers. Microstructure of green and fired structures was studied using optical and scanning microscopy. The behavior of the samples during heating was examined in a heating microscope. Impedance spectroscopy was applied for investigation of dielectric properties of the fabricated substrates.

Microstructure and dielectric properties of the fabricated LTCC structures were compared with the characteristics for non-porous samples with the similar composition. Introduction of 50 Wt.% admixture of graphite in the internal layers of the LTCC substrate was found to result in decrease in dielectric constant value down to about 3. Application of non-porous outer layers improved mechanical strength of the structure and smoothness of its surface, allowing screen printing of conductive pastes on both sides of the substrate.

The rapid growth of the wireless communication industry has created a great demand for the development of new and improved materials and devices operating properly at high frequencies. The fabricated materials can be useful for substrates of microwave devices.

The paper presents an innovative method of dielectric constant decrease of substrate materials. Getting insight into the phenomena responsible for formation of pores is crucial for designing materials for microwave electronics.

The paper aims to report on fabrication procedure and present microstructure and dielectric behavior of multilayer porous low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) structures based on glass-cordierite and glass-alumina.

The LTCC structures were created as multi-layered composites with dense external layers and inner layers with intentionally introduced porosity. Two preparation methods were applied – subsequent casting of both kinds of slurries and conventional isostatic lamination of dried green tapes arranged in the designed order. Optical microscope observations were carried out to analyze the microstructure of green and fired multilayer structures and pore concentration. To evaluate the adhesion strength of the composite layers, pull test was performed. Dielectric behavior of the composites was studied in the frequency range 50 kHz-2 MHz.

The fabricated porous LTCC structures showed dielectric constant of 3-5.6. The lowest dielectric constant was attained for glass-cordierite composite made by the conventional tape casting/lamination/firing method from slurry with 50 per cent graphite content. The samples prepared using multiple casting were of worse quality than those fabricated in conventional process, contained irregular porosity, showed tendency for deformation and delamination and exhibited a higher dielectric constant.

Search for new low dielectric constant materials applicable in LTCC technology and new methods of their fabrication is an important task for development of modern microwave circuits.

The review glances upon the colorants used for printing on ceramic substrates by ink jet technology and techniques, chemistry involved during the selection of the colorants.

The ink jet technology is an easy and a convenient technique, specially designed colorants are used for such applications with tailor made properties and features.

New developments in technology and chemistry of colorants to achieve successes in application studies of ceramic substrates.

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This review glances upon the history, development and practical approach of the current techniques with available dyes and pigments and the techniques involved during the synthesis and application.

The review paper provides information about the development of the inkjet technique on ceramics and available colorants with methods.

This paper analyses how entrepreneurs recognise and exploit entrepreneurial opportunities following a sustainable approach that respects the equilibrium among environmental, social and commercial purposes, and how their personality affects this process. The main personality traits focused in this study are narcissism, locus of control and sustainability orientation.

This single case study involves Essentia Dimora Rurale, a small agritourism business, located in Molise (Italy), characterised by a sustainable business model that generates value for the local environment, thus revitalising abandoned territories. Data are collected using qualitative and quantitative methods and are analysed using the Gioia methodology.

The Essentia Dimora Rurale's approach is rooted in the concept of sustainability and the development of tourism in the territory. The preservation of traditional values and the creation of a network allow the firm to prosper and survive. The personalities of the two sibling entrepreneurs fuel the process, and the authors show that each personality trait plays a different role in each phase of the firm's growth.

From a theoretical point of view, the study contributes to entrepreneurial, sustainability and personality literature. However, using a single case study can represent a limit for the research.

Various practical implications are recognised concerning several stakeholders, such as the owners and the entities linked to the regional promotion and tourism sectors.

The novelty of the research relies on the importance of entrepreneur opportunity identification, particularly in sustainable firms. Moreover, the authors fill the literature gap investigating the impact of three personality traits in this process.

This study aims at developing an understanding of action pathways when adverse events force micro-enterprises to change their operations.

This qualitative study draws upon empirical data collected from entrepreneurs facing the same adverse event—the COVID-19 pandemic—to build theory on different types of actions that micro-enterprises take and what leads up to these actions.

The findings suggest three types of action pathways. The first pathway is set off by losses stretched out over time and generates open-ended actions. The second pathway is set off by immediate losses and generates survival-oriented actions. The third pathway is set off by potential long-term losses and generates developmental-oriented actions.

This study offers novel insights into action pathways in response to adverse events, heterogeneity of such actions and processes that precede the choice of actions. It also expands the existing literature by showcasing actual actions instead of desired actions, which have already been extensively studied.