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Article
Publication date: 11 January 2019

Qianqian Zhang and Huichen Zhang

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of micro-nano mixed super-hydrophobic structure on corrosion resistance and mechanism of magnesium alloys.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of micro-nano mixed super-hydrophobic structure on corrosion resistance and mechanism of magnesium alloys.

Design/methodology/approach

A super-hydrophobic surface was fabricated on AZ91 and WE43 magnesium alloys by laser etching and micro-arc oxidation (MAO) with SiO2 nanoparticles coating and low surface energy material modification. The corrosion resistance properties of the prepared super-hydrophobic surfaces were studied based on polarization curves and immersion tests.

Findings

Compared with bare substrates, the corrosion resistance of super-hydrophobic surfaces was improved significantly. The corrosion resistance of super-hydrophobic surface is related to micro-nano composite structure, static contact angle and pretreatment method. The more uniform the microstructure and the larger the static contact angle, the better the corrosion resistance of the super-hydrophobic surface. The corrosion resistance of super-hydrophobic by MAO is better than that of laser machining. Corrosion of super-hydrophobic surface can be divided into air valley action, physical shielding, pretreatment layer action and substrate corrosion.

Originality/value

The super-hydrophobic coatings can reduce the contact of matrix with water so that a super-hydrophobic coating would be an effective way for magnesium alloy anti-corrosion. Therefore, the corrosion resistance properties and mechanism of the prepared super-hydrophobic magnesium alloys were investigated in detail.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 66 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 May 2022

Junlin Cheng, Peiyu Ma, Qiang Ruan, Yezhuo Li and Qianqian Zhang

The purpose of this paper is to propose an overall deformation rolling mechanism based on double four-link mechanism. The double quadrilateral mobile mechanism (DQMM) has two…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an overall deformation rolling mechanism based on double four-link mechanism. The double quadrilateral mobile mechanism (DQMM) has two switchable working modes which can be used to traverse different terrains or climb over obstacles.

Design/methodology/approach

The main body of the DQMM is composed of a double four-link mechanism which sharing a public link and two symmetrical steering platforms which placed at both ends of the four-link mechanism. The steering platforms give the DQMM not only steering ability but also reconnaissance ability which can be achieved by carrying sensors such as cameras on steering platforms. By controlling the deformation of the DQMM, it can switch between two working modes (tracked rolling mode and obstacle-climbing mode) to achieve the functions of rolling and obstacle-climbing. Dynamic simulation model was established to verify the feasibility.

Findings

Based on the kinematics analysis and simulation results of the DQMM, its moving function is realized by the tracked rolling mode, and the obstacle-climbing mode is used to climb over obstacles in structured terrains such as continuous stairs. The feasibility of the two working modes is verified on a physical prototype.

Originality/value

The work of this paper is a new exploration of applying “overall closed moving linkages mechanism” to the area of small mobile mechanisms. The adaptability of different terrains and the ability of obstacle-climbing are improved by the combination of multi-modes.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 49 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 January 2020

Qianqian Zhang, Yezhuo Li, Yan-An Yao and Ruiming Li

The purpose of this paper is to propose a deformable two-wheel-like mobile mechanism based on overconstrained mechanism, with the abilities of fast rolling and obstacle…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a deformable two-wheel-like mobile mechanism based on overconstrained mechanism, with the abilities of fast rolling and obstacle surmounting. The drive torque of the multi-mode motions is generated by self-deformation. Moreover, the analyses of feasibility and locomotivity of two mobile modes are presented.

Design/methodology/approach

The main body of the two-wheel-like mobile mechanism is a kind of centrally driven 4 R linkages. The mobile mechanism can achieve the capabilities of fast rolling and obstacle surmounting through integrating two mobile modes (spherical-like rolling mode and polyhedral-like obstacle-surmounting mode) and can switch to the corresponding mode to move or surmount obstacles. The mobility and kinematics of the mobile modes are analyzed.

Findings

Based on the results of kinematics analysis and dynamics analysis of the wheel-like mechanism, the spherical-like rolling mode has the capability of fast rolling, and the polyhedral-like obstacle-surmounting mode has the capability of surmounting different obstacle heights by two submodes (quasi-static obstacle-surmounting submode and dynamic obstacle-surmounting submode). The proposed concept is verified by experiments on a physical prototype.

Originality/value

The work presented in this paper is a novel exploration to apply bar linkages in the field of scout. The two-wheel-like mobile mechanism improves the torque imbalance of bar linkages by centrally driven method, removes the rear support structures of the traditional two-wheeled mechanisms by self-deformation and increases the height of obstacle surmounting by mode switching angle.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 47 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 October 2018

Yuan Zhao, Zhennan Han, Yali Ma and Qianqian Zhang

The purpose of this paper is to establish a new dynamic coupled discrete-element contact model used for investigating fresh concrete with different grades and different motion…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a new dynamic coupled discrete-element contact model used for investigating fresh concrete with different grades and different motion states, and demonstrate its correctness and reliability according to the rheological property results of flow fresh concrete in different working states through simulating the slump process and mixing process.

Design/methodology/approach

To accurately express the motion and force of flowing fresh concrete in different working states from numerical analysis, a dynamic coupled discrete-element contact model is proposed for fresh concrete of varying strength. The fluid-like fresh concrete is modelled as a two-phase fluid consisting of mortar and aggregate. Depending on the contact forms of the aggregate and mortar, the model is of one of the five types, namely, Hertz–Mindlin, pendular LB contact, funicular mucous contact, capillary LB contact or slurry lift/drag contact.

Findings

To verify the accuracy of this contact model, concrete slump and cross-vane rheometer tests are simulated using the traditional LB model and dynamic coupled contact model, for five concrete strengths. Finally, by comparing the simulation results from the two different contact models with experimental data, it is found that those from the proposed contact model are closer to the experimental data.

Practical implications

This contact model could be used to address issues such as (a) the mixing, transportation and pumping of fresh concrete, (b) deeper research and discussion on the influence of fresh concrete on the dynamic performance of agitated-transport vehicles, (c) the behaviour of fresh concrete in mixing tanks and (d) the abrasion of concrete pumping pipes.

Originality/value

To accurately express the motion and force of flowing fresh concrete in different working states from numerical analysis, a dynamic coupled discrete-element contact model is proposed for fresh concrete of varying strength.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 35 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 December 2019

Liyan Yang, Yuan Jiang, Wei Zhang, Qian Zhang and Hao Gong

The purpose of this paper is to verify and extend the application of the policy acceptance model (PAM) in the field of green behavior. Under the PAM framework, the authors develop…

1061

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to verify and extend the application of the policy acceptance model (PAM) in the field of green behavior. Under the PAM framework, the authors develop and empirically examine on how employee perception of corporate green policy (perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness) increases the acceptance of corporate green policy, which further leads to two types of employee green behavior. The authors also test the moderating roles of moral reflectiveness and performance orientation on these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected complete survey data from 223 work professionals in this study. Multiple regression method was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that there were significant positive impacts of two types of employee perceptions of corporate green policy (perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness) on their attitudes toward corporate green policy. Second, this study reported positive relationships between employees’ attitudes toward corporate green policy and their two types of green behavior. Finally, supplemental analyses supported moderated mediation models, that is, moral reflectiveness and performance orientation, respectively, and moderated indirect effects of employee perceptions on green behaviors through attitude toward corporate green policy.

Research limitations/implications

The data came from a narrow demographic population, which restricts the generalizability of the findings and also raises questions about the specificity of green behaviors manifest in different industries. Besides, this study used cross-sectional, self-reported data, which limits our ability to draw causal conclusions.

Practical implications

Companies can shape employee perceptions regarding the usefulness and ease of corporate green policy to induce and consolidate employees’ task-related and proactive green behaviors.

Social implications

This research will help companies to pay more attention to employees’ reflections and attitudes toward green policies, thus effectively promoting employees’ green behavior in the workplace. These actions will further promote the green development of the economy and society.

Originality/value

The authors extend the PAM framework to the area of green behavior. The PAM is applied to a more micro level of corporate green policy. Further, this paper points out that employees’ instrumental value (performance orientation) and moral trait (moral reflectiveness) moderate the impact of employees’ policy perceptions on their green behaviors.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 41 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 July 2022

Liqian Yang, Qian Zhang, Hao Gong and Yanyuan Cheng

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between union practices and two types of employees’ extra-role behaviors, namely, union citizenship behavior (UCB) and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between union practices and two types of employees’ extra-role behaviors, namely, union citizenship behavior (UCB) and employee voice (EV), and the mechanisms that mediate this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Using matched data from 46 union leaders and 279 union members of 33 workplaces in China, this study utilized multilevel structural equation modeling to test the cross-level influences of union practices on employees’ extra-role behaviors and the mediation effects.

Findings

The results show that (1) union practices have a positive impact on employees’ UCB and EV, and (2) union practices increase UCB and EV through the improvement of industrial relations (IR) climate at the workplace level, as well as union commitment (UC) and union instrumentality (UI) at the individual level.

Research limitations/implications

Although the authors collected data from multi-sources (i.e. union leaders and members), the cross-sectional data of this study limited the ability to make casual inferences.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by providing theoretical explanation and empirical evidence to illustrate the role of union practices in increasing the extra-role behaviors of employees (i.e. UCB and EV). This is of particular importance in elaborating the effectiveness of enterprise unions under the recent reforms in China. In addition, the authors also unpacked the antecedents of extra-role behaviors in the union context by investigating how IR climate, UC and UI mediate the relationship between union practices and extra-role behaviors of employees.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 44 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 July 2021

Alan M. Saks, Jamie A. Gruman and Qian Zhang

Employee engagement has received a considerable amount of research attention over the last decade. However, most of the research has been on job or work engagement. Much less…

2393

Abstract

Purpose

Employee engagement has received a considerable amount of research attention over the last decade. However, most of the research has been on job or work engagement. Much less attention has been given to organization engagement, which is a distinct but related target of employee engagement. In this paper, we review the research on organization engagement and identify how it has been measured, its antecedents and consequences and how it compares to job engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a narrative review of 40 studies that have measured organization engagement. Most of these studies have been published in the last five years, and they come from 20 different countries. The majority of studies also measured job or work engagement.

Findings

Most studies used Saks' (2006) measure of organization engagement. Many antecedents have been found to be related to organization engagement; however, those most often studied and consistently related to organization engagement are organizational-related resources such as perceived organizational support (POS), justice perceptions, corporate social responsibility (CSR), organizational structural factors, organizational climate and HR practices. Organization engagement has been found to be positively related to job satisfaction, organizational commitment, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), job performance and organizational performance and negatively related to intention to quit. Organization engagement has also been found to partially or fully mediate the relationship between antecedents and consequences. In comparison to job engagement, organization engagement scores tend to be lower, and there are meaningful differences in the antecedents and consequences of organization engagement and job engagement. A number of studies found that organization engagement was more strongly related to several of the consequences than job engagement.

Practical implications

The results of this review indicate that organization engagement is as important if not more important than job engagement when it comes to its relationship to some of the consequences of employee engagement. Organizations should include a measure of organization engagement in employee surveys and focus on improving organization engagement by providing a supportive work environment, ensuring that employees have positive perceptions of justice, increasing CSR initiatives, providing a variety of human resources (HR) practices and improving organizational climate.

Originality/value

This paper provides the first comprehensive review of research on organization engagement and offers a new model of the antecedents and consequences of organization engagement and compares organization engagement to job engagement.

Details

Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2051-6614

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 December 2021

Jun Zhang, Xiaojian Ou, Lin Li, Qianqian Chen, Zifan Zhang, Ting Huo, Xiaoyu Lin, Fangfang Niu, Shengyuan Zhao, Fang We, Hui Li, Chunli Liu, Zhenbin Chen, Sujun Lu, Peng Zhang and Jinian Zhu

A novel grafted temperature-responsive ReO4 Imprinted composite membranes (Re-ICMs) was successfully prepared by using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin membranes as…

Abstract

Purpose

A novel grafted temperature-responsive ReO4 Imprinted composite membranes (Re-ICMs) was successfully prepared by using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin membranes as substrates, this study aimed to separate and purify ReO effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

Re-ICMs were synthesized by PVDF resin membranes as the substrate, acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AM), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were functional monomers. The morphology and structure of Re-ICMs were characterized by scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Findings

The maximum adsorption capacity toward ReO4 was 0.1,163 mmol/g and the separation decree had relation to MnO4 was 19.3. The optimal operation conditions were studied detailedly and the results as follows: the molar ratios of AA, AM, EGDMA, ascorbic acid, NH4ReO4, were 0.8, 0.96, 0.02, 0.003 and 0.006. The optimal time and temperature were 20 h and 40°C, respectively. The Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models were fit these adsorption characteristics well.

Practical implications

Rhenium (Re) is mainly used to chemical petroleum and make superalloys for jet engine parts. This study was representing a technology in separate and purify of Re, which provided a method for the development of the petroleum and aviation industry.

Originality/value

This contribution provided a novel method to separate ReO4 from MnO4. The maximum adsorption capacity was 0.1163 mmol/g at 35°C and the adsorption equilibrium time was within 2 h. Meanwhile, the adsorption selectivity rate ReO4/MnO4 was 19.3 and the desorption rate was 78.3%. Controlling the adsorption experiment at 35°C and desorption experiment at 25°C in aqueous solution, it could remain 61.3% of the initial adsorption capacity with the adsorption selectivity rate of 13.3 by 10 adsorption/desorption cycles, a slight decrease, varied from 78.3% to 65.3%, in desorption rate was observed.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 52 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 October 2022

Jianbo Zhu, Qianqian Shi, Ce Zhang, Jingfeng Yuan, Qiming Li and Xiangyu Wang

Promoting low-carbon in the construction industry is important for achieving the overall low-carbon goals. Public–private partnership is very popular in public infrastructure…

Abstract

Purpose

Promoting low-carbon in the construction industry is important for achieving the overall low-carbon goals. Public–private partnership is very popular in public infrastructure projects. However, different perceptions of low-carbon and behaviors of public and private sectors can hinder the realization of low-carbon in these projects. In order to analyze the willingness of each stakeholder to cooperate towards low-carbon goals, an evolutionary game model is constructed.

Design/methodology/approach

An evolutionary game model that considers the opportunistic behavior of the participants is developed. The evolutionary stable strategies (ESSs) under different scenarios are examined, and the factors that influence the willingness to cooperate between the government and private investors are investigated.

Findings

The results illustrate that a well-designed system of profit distribution and subsidies can enhance collaboration. Excessive subsidies have negative impact on cooperation between the two sides, because these two sides can weaken income distribution and lead to the free-riding behavior of the government. Under the situation of two ESSs, there is also an optimal revenue distribution coefficient that maximizes the probability of cooperation. With the introduction of supervision and punishment mechanism, the opportunistic behavior of private investors is effectively constrained.

Originality/value

An evolutionary game model is developed to explore the cooperation between the public sector and the private sector in the field of low-carbon construction. Based on the analysis of the model, this paper summarizes the conditions and strategies that can enable the two sectors to cooperate.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 17 October 2022

Qianqian Li, Bo Zhang, Tao Yang, Qingwen Dai, Wei Huang and Xiaolei Wang

The purpose of this paper is to artificially construct a functional surface with self-propulsion flow characteristics for the directional transportation of propellant in surface…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to artificially construct a functional surface with self-propulsion flow characteristics for the directional transportation of propellant in surface tension tanks.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a method to enhance the propulsion efficiency by using functional surfaces of self-propulsion performance was proposed. Superhydrophilic wedged-groove with the superhydrophobic background was fabricated and the self-propulsion capacity was verified.

Findings

It is found that the self-propulsion capacity is related to the divergence angle of the wedged-groove in the hydrophilic area, and the velocity of the droplets on the deflector plate is the largest with the divergence angle of 4°; the temperature gradient field formed by the condensing device at the nozzle can accelerate the droplet outflow from the tank.

Originality/value

Realization of this idea provides an accurate control strategy for the complex flow process of propellant in plate surface tension tanks, which could enhance the efficiency of the tension tank significantly.

Details

Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing and Special Equipment, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2633-6596

Keywords

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