Latest Publications & Patents on Biomaterials

Solid-state batteries replace the liquid or polymer gel electrolyte of conventional batteries with a solid, ion-conducting material, such as a ceramic or solid polymer. This design aims to improve safety by eliminating flammable liquid electrolytes and to increase energy density and lifespan by enabling the use of high-capacity anodes, particularly pure lithium metal.

The ISO 5725 standard defines accuracy as the combination of trueness and precision. Trueness is the closeness of the mean of a large series of measurements to the accepted reference value, quantifying systematic error or bias. Precision is the closeness of agreement among a set of results, quantifying random error. Thus, accuracy requires both high trueness and high precision.

The C2C model has two primary implementations: online marketplaces and classifieds. Marketplaces, like eBay, are highly integrated, providing payment processing, structured listings, and reputation systems. They are active intermediaries. In contrast, classifieds platforms, like Craigslist, act more as simple connectors, providing a venue for listings but typically leaving the payment and transaction logistics entirely up to the users themselves.

Biomimicry is an innovation approach that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature's time-tested patterns and strategies. The core idea is that nature, through 3.8 billion years of evolution, has already solved many of the problems we are grappling with. It involves observing and learning from the designs and processes of organisms and ecosystems to create more sustainable designs.

A Carbon Nanotube Field-Effect Transistor (CNTFET) utilizes a single carbon nanotube (CNT) or an array of CNTs as the channel material instead of bulk silicon. Depending on its chirality (the arrangement of its graphene lattice), a CNT can be either metallic or semiconducting, making it a versatile building block for nanoelectronic devices with superior performance potential.

The Peer-to-Peer (P2P) platform model is a technological and business framework that directly connects individuals to transact with each other, bypassing traditional intermediaries. In the sharing economy, these platforms facilitate the exchange of goods, services, or capital. They typically provide the underlying infrastructure, including search functionalities, payment processing systems, and crucial reputation and trust-building mechanisms.

Malcolm Gladwell's "Tipping Point" theory posits that social epidemics are driven by three key types of people: Mavens, who are information specialists; Connectors, who have vast social networks; and Salesmen, who are persuasive communicators. The spread of an idea, product, or message reaches a critical mass or "tipping point" when these three archetypes are effectively engaged.

LCA system boundaries define which life cycle stages are included in the assessment. A "cradle-to-grave" analysis covers the entire product life, from raw material extraction through manufacturing, use, and final disposal. In contrast, a "cradle-to-gate" assessment is a partial LCA that ends when the product leaves the factory gate, excluding the use and disposal phases.

The three pillars of sustainability, also known as the triple bottom line, is a framework that posits true sustainability requires balancing three main dimensions: environmental, social, and economic. Environmental sustainability focuses on preserving natural resources and ecosystems. Social sustainability addresses equity, community well-being, and human rights. Economic sustainability ensures long-term financial viability without compromising the other two pillars.

Customer-to-customer (C2C) is a business model where consumers trade directly with each other, typically facilitated by a third-party online platform. This model contrasts with business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) models. The platform provider is not the seller but an intermediary that enables the transaction, creating a market for second-hand goods, handmade items, or collectibles.

Viral marketing describes any marketing strategy that encourages individuals to pass on a marketing message to others, creating the potential for exponential growth in the message's exposure and influence. Like viruses, such strategies take advantage of rapid multiplication to explode the message from person to person. It is a form of amplified word-of-mouth, often facilitated by the internet.

The functional unit is a critical concept in LCA that defines the quantified performance of a product system for use as a reference unit. It ensures that comparisons between different systems are made on a fair and equivalent basis. For example, when comparing paint, the functional unit might be 'to protect 1 square meter of wall for 10 years'.

ISO 14644-1 classifies cleanroom air cleanliness by the maximum allowable concentration of airborne particles. The classification, from ISO 1 to ISO 9, is determined by the formula \(C_N = 10^N \times (\frac{0.1}{D})^{2.08}\), where \(C_N\) is the max concentration of particles/m³, N is the ISO class number, and D is the particle size in µm.

Digital trust and reputation systems are critical mechanisms that facilitate cooperation between strangers in online P2P platforms. They quantify and display the past behavior of users, typically through ratings, reviews, and endorsements. This creates a form of social collateral, reducing transaction uncertainty and risk, which is essential for the functioning of the sharing economy where traditional trust indicators are absent.

A fundamental distinction in word-of-mouth marketing (WOMM) is between "organic" and "amplified" WOM. Organic WOM occurs naturally when customers become advocates simply because they are happy with a product and have a natural desire to share their support. Amplified WOM occurs when marketers launch campaigns designed to encourage or accelerate WOM, such as through influencer outreach or referral programs.