C. U. Chisholm

Analysis and evaluation of factors relating to accrediting 100% of prior experiential learning in UK work‐based awards

This theoretical paper examines current practice in work‐based studies where recognition of prior unaccredited work is normally limited to around 50% of the total programme. The basis of this limiting concept is challenged and consideration is given to a number of factors that have contributed to it. Comparison is made with the current practice of awarding Ph.D.s by previously published work and a model is proposed to facilitate the creation of a postgraduate work‐based award completely by previously completed practice in the workplace. A number of key points are examined in relation to evaluating the model and to illuminating assessment and measurement of the previous work for 100% recognition within a work‐based programme.

Achieving Engineering Competencies in the Global Information Society through the Integration of On-Campus and Workplace Environments.

Engineering organizations are increasingly under pressure to perform more efficiently with fewer people. To manage this, organizations need to understand what skills, knowledge and behaviours they need from engineers who have to practise in a global information society. Engineering educators, in collaboration with employers, therefore now need to think of how to place competencies for engineers in this new context. A model for preparing the educators and employers to face this challenge is proposed. This takes into account the change in mindset required to address the development of competencies for engineers when often the approach has to be context-driven to address global working. The model is based on developing a methodology by which a set of learning outcomes supported by aims and objectives may best be achieved. These learning outcomes are informed by the consideration of international frameworks and agreements which specify engineering professional competencies together with the corresponding graduate attributes. The core concept of the model is discussed and related to specific outcomes for educator and employer to facilitate and students to achieve. While consideration is given to what competencies are needed for tomorrows engineering education, it is concluded that more relevant is the need to reconsider existing competencies in the context of engineers in global practice. This will require educators to be more responsive and prepared to support the development and evolution of competencies that are sustainable and robust in global sociological, political and economic systems. Central to the success of the model is the need to establish a learning equilibrium between on-campus and work-based experiential studies using globally-based industries.

Electrochemical behavior of electrodeposited strongly disordered Fe-Ni-Cr alloys

Potentiodynamic and chronoamperometric polarization measurements, 57Fe conversion electron Mossbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and electron microprobe measurements were performed on amorphous and microcsrystalline Fe–25Ni–25Cr alloys coatings electrochemically deposited at varying times in comparison with a thermally prepared alloy of the same composition. Significant differences were found among the Mossbauer spectra of electrodeposited alloys reflecting differences in the short range ordering of the dominant ferromagnetic phases. The potentiodynamic polarization curves revealed a higher ability to spontaneous passivation for the more disordered deposit while anodic dissolution was characteristic for the more ordered electrodeposits and for the crystalline thermally prepared alloy. The onset of the passivation of amorphous alloy was enhanced either by the decreased anodic dissolution or the increased hydrogen evolution rate. At the early stage of passivation, consistent passivation characterization was found both by chronoamperometric and potentiodynamic curves and by polarization resistance measurements performed at open circuit potential.

CONVERSION ELECTRON MOSSBAUER STUDY OF SHORT RANGE ORDERING IN ELECTROCHEMICALLY DEPOSITED Fe-Ni-Cr ALLOYS

Abstract57Fe Conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and electron microprobe measurements were performed on Fe−Ni−Cr alloys coatings electrochemically deposited at different times (from 1 to 29 minutes). Significant differences have been found among the Mössbauer spectra of samples examined. The changes are also reflected by the hyperfine field distribution derived from the spectra. The observed changes can be associated with changes in the magnetic anisotropy and in the short range ordering in correlated to the duration of electrochemical deposition.

Mössbauer Investigation of Electrodeposited Sn–Zn, Sn–Cr, Sn–Cr–Zn and Fe–Ni–Cr Coatings

Abstract57Fe and 119Sn CEMS, XRD and electrochemical measurements were used to investigate the effect of the preparation parameters and the components on the structure and phase composition of electrodeposited Fe-Ni-Cr alloys in connection with their corrosion behavior. XRD of the electrodeposits reflect an amorphous-like character. 57Fe CEM spectra of Fe-Ni-Cr electrodeposited samples, prepared in a continuous flow plating plastic circulation cell with variation of current density, electrolyte velocity and temperature, can be evaluated as a doublet associated with a highly disordered paramagnetic solid solution phase. This phase was identified earlier in Fe-Ni-Cr electrodeposits that were prepared by another plating method and contained both ferromagnetic and paramagnetic metastable phases [1]. This is the first time that we have succeeded to prepare Fe-Ni-Cr alloys containing only the metastable paramagnetic phase. The effect of the plating parameters on the structure is also analysed by the quadrupole splitting distribution method. 119Sn CEM spectra of all Sn-containing plated alloys show a broad line envelop which can be decomposed at least into two components. One can be associated with β-tin. The other one can be assigned to an alloy phase. The structure and distribution of microenvironments of these phases depends on the plating parameters especially on the parameters of the reverse pulse applied.

Electrodeposited, Ion Beam Mixed and Ball Milled FeCrNi Alloys

Conversion electron and transmission Mossbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and electron microprobe analysis were used to perform comparative study of Fe-Cr-Ni electrodeposited, ion beam mixed vacuum deposited and ball milled alloys of same composition around 50%Fe-25%Cr-25%Ni. The main phase of the electroformed Fe-CrNi microcrystalline samples is ferromagnetic contrary to the paramagnetic character of thermally prepared alloys of equivalent composition. Metastable phases have been shown in Fe-Cr-Ni multilayers, consisting of a few atomic layers of iron and nickel as well as chromium, prepared by high vacuum deposition and ion beam or laser irradiation. The main phase of evaporated and ion beam mixed Fe-Cr-Ni films has been found to be ferromagnetic similarly to that observed in the case of electrodeposited alloys. It was shown that transformation of metastable phases into the stable one occurs in high vacuum evaporated and ion beam mixed or laser irradiated Fe-Cr-Ni films due to appropriate heat treatment in vacuum. Transformation of metastable phases in electrodeposited Fe-Cr-Ni alloys was achieved by irradiation with energetic heavy ions at room temperature. Metastable phases, including the ferromagnetic one, were found in Fe-Cr-Ni alloys prepared by ball milling method, too.

Using the Knowledge Transfer Partnership Approach in Undergraduate Education and Practice-Based Training to Encourage Employer Engagement.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual viewpoint which proposes the use of the post graduate Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) approach to learning in undergraduate education and practice‐based training.Design/methodology/approach – This is an examination of the KTP approach and how this could be used effectively in undergraduate education and training to encourage and increase practice‐based learning and employer engagement. The methodology consists of a literature review, and a case study of the KTP approach. The literature reviewed examines the KTP approach, employer engagement in education and strategic government approaches to stimulate investment in knowledge and skills for workforce development, and the development of practice‐based learning in the UK. The KTP provides a case study to illustrate a successful model of employer engagement, which benefits all parties to it, and assists with the strategic development required by successive governments.Findings – The suggestio...

Mössbauer Studies of Electrodeposited and Ion Beam Mixed Alloy Coatings

CEMS, XMS, XRD and electron microprobe analysis were applied to study electrodeposited and ion beam mixed Fe–Cr–Ni as well as electrodeposited and ball-milled Sn–Cr alloys. In Fe–Cr–Ni alloys with composition 40% Cr and 20–30% Ni a metastable ferromagnetic phase has been found beside a metastable paramagnetic and an equilibrium phase in all deposits. The relative occurrence of the ferromagnetic phase exhibits an increase in the plating temperature range: 30–40°C. With plating temperature an increase of the short-range order in the ferromagnetic phase was observed. The highenergy heavy ion irradiation of Fe–Ni–Cr multilayer produces ferromagnetic and paramagnetic metastable phases. The electrodeposition of Sn–Cr alloys results in metastable Sn–Cr phases. In the case of ball-milling preparation the equilibrium Sn3Cr2 phase (δ=2.3 mm/s, Δ=1.2 mm/s) appears in Sn–Cr alloys. The quantity of the Sn3Cr2 phase increases with the milling time.

Initial 119Sn Mössbauer Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffractometry Investigations of Electrodeposited Tin-Chromium and Tin-Zinc-Chromium Alloys

Abstract119Sn conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) were employed to investigate microstructure, composition and phases present in as-electroplated Sn-Cr and Sn-Cr-Zn alloys deposited on copper substrates. In the Sn-Cr deposits Cu, β-Sn, Cr-Sn phases can be identified by X-ray diffractometry. The phase composition is significantly different between the samples prepared with relatively higher and lower current densities. In the diffractograms of Sn-Cr-Zn deposits Cu, β-Sn, Zn phases can be well identified. A small intensity amorphous peak is also present, which can perhaps be associated with the presence of some amorphous Zn and Sn alloy. 119Sn Mössbauer spectra of Sn-Cr deposits exhibit an asymmetric broad main line centered near the isomer shift characteristic of β-Sn as well as they contain a small component near the zero velocity which can be attributed to a SnO2 phase based upon its characteristic. 119Sn Mössbauer spectra of Sn-Cr-Zn deposits are roughly similar to those of Sn-Cr deposits although the Mössbauer parameters of the third phase are different and vary with the Zn content. The presence of SnO2 on the surface mainly in the Sn-Cr samples can be attributed to the corrosion process in the air.

Comparative study of electrodeposited and ion beam mixed Fe-Ni-Cr alloys

Electrodeposited Fe-Ni-Cr alloys irradiated with 209 MeV energy 84Kr ions were investigated by conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe analysis. Significant dose dependent changes were found between Mössbauer spectra of the irradiated and non-irradiated deposits. These changes reflect the dose dependent transformation of the metastable ferromagnetic phase to the paramagnetic one.