Academic literature on the topic 'Alumni startups'

The entrepreneurial ecosystem has been ingrained with the mutual support of educational institutions, mobile operators, supporting networks, and other government organizations. These joint initiatives unlock the huge opportunities, but there is an urge to accelerate digital entrepreneurship. However, this is an exploratory study, and the motive is to explore the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in promoting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Pakistan. It has been found that there are several contributors to develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem system in the country. Universities offer business education to educate and train the students whereas the business incubators established by the universities provide an opportunity to the students and alumni to pursue entrepreneurial career. In this regard, ICT plays a revolutionary role for the new startups.

Abstract Startup assistance organizations, and especially business accelerators have gained a lot of traction in the last years, captioning not only the attention of the public, but most importantly that of investors and other stakeholders. It has become a challenge for many all around the world to develop such programs, but many have failed or did not have their expected results, meaning medium to long-term sustainable and profitable alumni start-ups. As high amounts of resources, both human and financial, are being invested in the design and development of such programs, it is important to understand what sets apart the successful business acceleration programs from the ones that fail. The current paper is reviewing the up-to-date theoretical literature and studies on the matter at hand, in order to identify the most relevant factors influencing startup assistance organizations’ performance. The objective behind identifying these factors is to get a better understanding of best practices of such successful programs and set the basis for future research regarding the development of a set of metrics for more accurately measuring their performance.

Purpose This paper aims to provide students with a career edge, business students require more than concepts and calculations to be successful in their future career. They require professional skill sets, mentors, relationship guides and as much real industry experience as they can gather before graduation. This study sheds some light on how a small business school (SBS) in a nonprofit private academic institution (NPAI) located in an isolated rural area of the USA has been able to tap its strong alumni relationships to provide mentoring and experiential learning opportunities to students using its student-managed investment funds (SMIFs) as the vehicle. Although this study uses a small, geographically isolated institution, the authors believe that the approach taken by this particular school can be replicated by any academic institution that strives to enhance student learning experience by promoting mentorship and experiential learning. Design/methodology/approach This study starts with a brief introduction (Section 1) and a short review of literature (Section 2) to highlight the numerous benefits of alumni engagement and student mentorship. Section 2 shows institutional background on the NPAI, the SBS and the SMIF. The major part of the study starts with a discussion on the set of rules to guide in the construction of a student-alumni relationship framework that could be easily modified to the unique characteristics of the institution. Next, the role and responsibility of the investment advisory board (IAB) and its members’ engagement with students are discussed. In the last part of the study, SBS is used as a case study to show how alumni contribute to SBS and enhance students’ experiential learning by contributing as mentor, IAB member, advisors to the FMIF and career mentorship. This study concludes with a discussion on potential areas of conflict and friction for alumni involvement. Findings This study shows that SBS in a NPAI has been able to tap its strong alumni relationship to provide mentoring and experiential learning opportunities to students using its SMIF as the vehicle. The authors believe that the approach taken by this particular school can be replicated by any academic institution that strives to promote mentorship and experiential learning. Research limitations/implications This case study is focused on a SBS in a NPAI that has a strong alumni relationship and enough resources to successfully tap on its alumni. It would be interesting to learn how this approach can be used in resource-limited public institutions. Practical implications As the case study shows, any business school that values experiential learning can rely on its alumni to enhance student learning experience by properly using its alumni resources. Social implications The results of this study show that business schools’ outreach opportunities and student experiential learning experience can be enhanced and business schools’ academic qualification and ranking, which leads to improvement in student enrollment, can be improved. Overall, the major beneficiary would be the business schools’ immediate and larger community. Originality/value The authors are positive that multiple universities are properly taking advantage of using their alumni relationship.

En la docencia de una disciplina tan específica, como lo es la fotogrametría terrestre y aérea, es común mostrar al alumno programas con los que realizar las tareas encomendadas en clase. Usualmente, estos programas de pago tienen un coste muy elevado, tanto para la universidad como para el alumno, que no permite acceder más que a demos limitadas en el tiempo y en la exportación de resultados. Con el presente trabajo, ponemos de manifiesto que es relativamente sencillo implementar un método de docencia basado en los softwares libres, que mostraran al alumno el camino para iniciarse en la fotogrametría y resolver todas las tareas de su formación como profesional.AbstractIn the teaching a specific discipline, such as terrestrial and aerial photogrammetry, it is common to show the student programs with which to perform the tasks entrusted to the class. Usually, these payment programs have a very high cost, both for the university and for the student, who cannot access more than demos limited in time and in the export of results. With the present work, we show that it is relatively easy to implement a teaching method based on free software, which will show the student the path he starts in photogrammetry, and with whose use he can start and solve all the tasks of his training as engineer

Al2(WO4)3was synthesized by co-precipitation using Na2WO4and Al (NO3)3as precursors. After drying the precipitate, it was calcined at different temperatures between 500°C and 800°C. The crystallization and degradation temperatures of the samples were evaluated by means of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetry (TG) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). It was observed that the crystallization starts at around 600°C, however Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that at this temperature the sample is partially amorphous. The degradation of the material starts at around 1200°C and at 1400°C the tungsten oxide has almost completely evaporated and the material is transformed mainly in alpha-alumina.

Nano-fibres of amorphous aluminium oxide/hydroxide have been obtained via reaction of amalgamated aluminium with moist air. Thermal transformation of the as prepared sample was followed by X-ray powder diffraction and electron microscopy techniques. Crystallisation of γ -Al2O3 nanocrystals inside the amorphous fibres starts at 400 °C and the maximum crystal size is achieved at 700 - 800 °C. The fibrous transition alumina matrix transforms into a sponge-like morphology between 800 and 900 °C. Annealing at higher temperature results in the condensation into large globular α-Al2O3 crystals. The entire γ - to α-Al2O3 transformation occurs via two consecutive steps of coalescence and explosive character, respectively. The direct contact between transition alumina crystals governs the transformation. The presence of some other transition alumina is inferred from high resolution electron microscopy studies, and antiphase boundaries in {111} of the spinel type structure for γ -Al2O3 obviously determine the crystallographic path between them

The oxidation in air of NiAl(110) was investigated in the temperature range from 870 °C–1200 °C by in situ x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Oxidation at 870 °C and 1 bar oxygen leads to the formation of an epitaxial layer of γ-alumina showing an R30° orientation relationship with respect to the underlying substrate. At oxidation temperatures between 950 °C and 1025 °C, we observed a coexistence of epitaxial γ- and polycrystalline δ-Al2O3. The α-Al2O3 starts to form at 1025 °C and the complete transformation of metastable phases to the stable α-alumina phase takes place at 1100 °C. The fcc-hcp martensitic-like transformation of the initial γ-Al2O3 to epitaxial α-Al2O3 was observed. X-ray diffraction and cross-section transmission electron microscopy proved the existence of a continuous epitaxial α-Al2O3 layer between the substrate and the polycrystalline oxide scale, having a thickness of about 150 nm. The relative orientation relationship between the epitaxial alumina and the underlying substrate was found to be NiAl(110) || α-Al2O3 (0001) and [110] NiAl || [1120].

Ceramics have long been known for their refractoriness, or ability to bear loads at elevated temperatures. However, until the 1960s, the predominant refractory ceramics were oxide-based materials such as silica, zirconia, alumina, mullite, magnesia, and their combinations, including silicates. These ceramics were, and still are, used for firebrick furnace linings, crucibles and liquid metal carrier liners, regenerators, and recuperators.However, these materials all possess some characteristic which precludes their use for very high stress, high temperature applications. Typically, the silicates form viscous liquids which allow creep, while zirconia and alumina suffer from poor thermal shock resistance, and magnesia possesses a large thermal expansion coefficient. Consequently, for heat engine applications which involve high temperatures, high stresses, sudden temperature changes (e.g., startup), and may involve the maintenance of tight operating tolerances, a new family of materials is required. The requisite properties for heat engine applications may be found in certain non-oxide materials, namely silicon nitride and silicon carbide. They possess high strength even at high temperatures, low thermal expansion coefficient, and excellent thermal shock resistance. These materials are not thermodynamically stable in air at elevated temperatures and will eventually react to form oxides. Nonetheless, they possess excellent oxidation resistance by virtue of protective silica-based glass oxidation layers.

Purpose This paper aims to outline work to support the employability agenda in the Library at the University of Sheffield, set in the context of debates about the nature of employability, employability skills and information literacy in the workplace. Design/methodology/approach The paper starts with a brief review of literature on employability and student skills in the UK higher education sector, the place of information literacy as an employability attribute and information literacy in the workplace. It goes on to outline work done in the Library at the University of Sheffield to support the employability agenda. This includes the development of a commercial awareness workshop in collaboration with other services and the incorporation of student and alumni voices in an employability guide. Findings The literature reviewed highlights the differences between information literacy in the workplace and academia. This could present challenges and opportunities in promoting information literacy as an employability attribute. The case study highlights the benefits of working in collaboration with students and services beyond the library in the employability arena. Originality/value The approaches taken in Sheffield may be of interest to other institutions looking to develop support for the employability agenda.

A tensile test is proposed for evaluating the stress enhanced corrosion-coefficient of ceramics with open porosity. The analysis of load at fixed grip conditions bases on the assumption that stress corrosion results in a spread of pre-existing generalised damage seen as micro-crack starter due to open porosity. Sub-critical crack extension of microcracks departs from pores and provokes a time dependant diminution of the Young’s modulus, and of the stiffness, of the tested sample. The description derives the number and the size of pre-existing micro-cracks with respect to time. The density of microcrack-nuclei results from the process and belongs to the microstructure, i.e., the number of channels or crack starters, and is considered to remain constant. The rate of diminution of the load is considered, either with respect to the initial one or to a deduced stress intensity factor. Simple relationships yield then an approximate diagram for stress enhanced corrosion. Samples resulting from sintering a mixture of alumina and titania powders were tested under tempered water flow. A stress corrosion exponent, n = 16, near to that of alumina was obtained.

[EN] Entrepreneurship from the university is a system very frequently observed in the international environment, to commercialize the research and to contribute to the society and to the growth in general. This thesis researches the capacities of a university to promote said entrepreneurship, as part of the third mission, focusing on the Architectural Entrepreneurship Organization (AOE) of some universities. Our goal is to see the influence of that entrepreneurship architecture in the birth of new companies within the university. We define AOE as the structure or organization context of the University that, as part of the third mission, is focused in promoting the entrepreneurship within the students, completing thus the transfer of knowledge task existing from the academicians in their spin-offs (to commercialize licenses, patents or other intellectual property registered). This thesis centers in the study of the entrepreneurship phenomenon, dealing with the promoting of the creation of new companies from faculty and/or students that are part of the University, in the (physical) context of the University, in a broad meaning. We use a bibliographic methodology on references about entrepreneurship, university spin-offs and third mission; and a qualitative approach interviewing 54 persons from 9 different universities, 1 from the United States and 8 from Spain, including the 5 public Valencian universities to produce a qualitative research using the case study method (complemented with secondary sources). It is interesting to think that the entrepreneurial university, in Audretsch (2014) meaning must generate and create entrepreneurship attitudes, accumulating entrepreneur capital and, as a consequence, change mentalities related to entrepreneurship, mainly amongst students (considering this factor even in mid and high school teaching). Integrating entrepreneurial attitudes, by including entrepreneurship topics (patents and company projects, etc.) in the curriculum of the studies of the students and in the DNA of the course descriptions, should be the first priority within an AOE.<br>[ES] El emprendimiento desde la universidad es una forma cada vez más observada en el plano internacional, para comercializar la investigación y contribuir a la sociedad y al crecimiento. Esta tesis ha investigado las capacidades de la universidad para fomentar dicho emprendimiento, dentro de la llamada tercera misión, centrándose en la arquitectura organizativa emprendedora (AOE) de diversas universidades. Nuestro objetivo es ver cómo influye dicha arquitectura emprendedora en la creación de nuevas empresas desde la propia universidad. Definimos la AOE como la estructura o contexto organizativo de la Universidad que, dentro de la tercera misión, está enfocada a promover el emprendimiento en los alumnos, completando así el papel de la transferencia por parte de los académicos en sus spinoffs (para explotar licencias, patentes u otro conocimiento no registrado). La presente tesis se centra en el estudio del fenómeno de emprendimiento, tratando en este caso el fomento a la creación de empresas nuevas por parte de profesores y/o alumnos vinculados a la Universidad, en el ámbito y contexto (físico) de la Universidad, de una manera amplia. Utilizamos metodología bibliométrica sobre referencias en el campo del emprendimiento, spin-off universitarias y tercera misión; y cualitativa entrevistando a un total de 54 personas de 9 universidades diferentes, 1 estadounidense y 8 españolas, incluyendo las 5 universidades públicas valencianas para realizar un estudio cualitativo sobre el método del caso (complementado con fuentes secundarias). Resulta relevante el plantearnos que la entrepreneurial university (Universidad Emprendedora) en el sentido de Audretsch (2014) debe generar y crear actitudes de emprendimiento, acumular capital emprendedor y, en consecuencia, cambiar mentalidades en lo que respecta al emprendimiento, sobre todo en los estudiantes (considerando dicho factor incluso en enseñanzas secundarias). El integrar actitudes emprendedoras, el introducir el emprendimiento y sus temas (generaciones de patentes, proyectos empresariales, etc.) en el currículo de los estudiantes y en el ADN de los temarios y cursos debería ser la primera prioridad dentro de una AEO.<br>[CAT] L'empreniment desde la universitat és una forma cada volta més observada en el pla internacional, per a comercialitzar la investigació i contribuir a la societat i al creixement. Esta tesis ha investigat les capacitats de la universitat per a fomentar l'anomenat empreniment, dins de la tercera missió, centrant-se en l'arquitectura organitzativa emprenedora (AOE) de diverses universitats. El nostre objectiu és vore com influeix esta arquitectura emprenedora en la creació de noves empreses des de la pròpia universitat. Definim la AOE com l'estructura o context organitzatiu de la Universitat que, dins de la tercera missió, està focalitzada en promoure l'empreniment entre els alumnes, completant així el paper de la transferència per part dels acadèmics amb els seus spinoffs (per a explotar llicències, patents o altre coneixement no registrat). La present tesi aborda la tercera missió de la Universitat en el seu rol de transferència de coneixement a la societat i, en particular, es centra en l'estudi del fenomen d'empreniment, tractant el foment a la creació d'empreses noves per part de professors i/o alumnes vinculats a la Universitat, en seu àmbit i context d'una manera àmplia. Utilitzem metodologia qualitativa bibliomètrica sobre referències en el camp del empreniment, spin-off universitàries i tercera missió; i qualitativa entrevistant a un total de 54 persones de 9 universitats diverses, 1 americana i 8 espanyoles, incluint les 5 universitats públiques valencianes per a realitzar un estudi qualitatiu sobre el mètode del cas (complementat amb fonts secundàries). Resulta relevant el plantejar-nos que l'entrepreneurial university (Universitat Emprenedora), en el sentit de Audretsch (2014) ha de generar i crear actituds d'empreniment, acumular capital emprenedor i, en conseqüència, canviar mentalitats en allò que respecta a l'empreniment, sobre tot entre els estudiants (considerant eixe factor fins i tot en l'ensenyança secundària). El integrar actituds emprenedores, el introduir l'empreniment i els seus temes (generacions de patents, projectes empresarials, etc.) en el currículum dels estudiants i en l'ADN dels temaris i cursos hauria de ser la primera prioritat dins de una AEO.<br>Messana Salinas, I. (2015). La Entrepreneurial University y el constructo de Arquitectura Organizativa Emprendedora: las bases del emprendimiento universitario en la Universidad Española como componente de la tercera misión [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/59067<br>TESIS

Abstract A numerical model has been developed to study the rapid solidification of an alumina splat in thermal spray deposition. The model focuses on the melt undercooling, the selection of the various phases of Al2O3, and the subsequent non-equilibrium rapid solidification process. A thin molten layer is assumed to be brought into contact with the substrate at time t = 0. One-dimensional heat transfer is considered through splat and substrate along with a thermal contact resistance between them. The classical theory of nucleation kinetics is used to determine the nucleation temperature, assuming that nucleation takes place heterogeneously on the substrate surface. The most likely nucleated crystalline phase is investigated, based on the nucleation kinetics of various phases. Once the particular phase is identified and the nucleation temperature is calculated, the solidification starts assuming a planar interface between the solid and the liquid. Non-equilibrium kinetics of the chosen phase is applied at the moving interface to calculate the interface velocity from the interface melt undercooling. In this paper, the effect of splat variables on the solidification and cooling process of the splat are analyzed. Special attention is paid to the value of the wetting angle between the growing nucleus and the substrate, which affects greatly the nucleation temperature.

A Hybrid Oxide CMC Liner was evaluated in field testing of a Solar Turbines Incorporated Centaur® 50S engine for 25,404 hours and 109 starts between 2003 and 2006. The Hybrid Oxide CMC configuration consisted of a Nextel 720 aluminosilicate fiber/alumina matrix CMC and overlaying Friable Graded Insulation (FGI). The liner remained functional throughout the engine test. Borescoping during the first half of the field testing revealed little visual damage to the CMC liner, but erosion, affecting about 1–2 mm of the initial ∼ 5mm FGI thickness was noticed upon inspection of the liner after the midpoint of the field test. The erosion correlated with the hottest areas of the liner surface. Field testing was continued after minor liner repair. Damage to one area of the liner surface was observed in borescoping during the second half of the field test. Visual inspection after completion of the engine test indicated large areas of considerable CMC porosity/delamination within a few plies from the OD surface. Residual thickness measurements following the engine field testing indicated that of the original thickness, 2.0 – 2.6 mm of FGI had been lost. The surface recession is in the range expected based on a degradation model for alumina-based CMCs.

This paper provides a mathematical model of combustion of a nanodispersed aluminum-air suspension (NAAS). The main feature of the model is the local approach for oxidant diffusion which implies the diffusion of oxidizer through alumina layer on the particle surface and its reaction with aluminum. The oxidation rate of aluminum particles and the rate of heat release for the whole assembly of particles are determined from the solution of local combustion problems for each Al nanoparticle. The parameters of the NAAS are determined from the solution of the system of equations which include the energy conservation equations for gas and particles and the mass conservation equations for the components of the gas-dispersion mixture. The developed model does not require setting the ignition temperature of Al nanoparticles. The system of equations is solved numerically. The problem of combustion front propagation is solved with the following formulation: NAAS is placed in a tube of large diameter and length with a closed left end and open right end. The initial mass concentration of Al powder in the air is uniform and less than the stoichiometric value. Since a high-temperature ignition source on the left end of the tube ignites the NAAS, a combustion wave occurs and starts propagating along the tube. In the present study, the dependences of the combustion-front propagation velocity on the Al mass concentration and initial temperature of the NAAS have been determined. With increasing the initial temperature and mass concentration of Al powder, the propagation velocity of the combustion front increases.

Abstract Grinding swarf is conventionally of secondary interest to the process engineer. However, it has long been recognized that it is a useful indicator of process performance — the exact particle morphologies occurring in the swarf contain a wealth of information about the abrasive-workpiece interaction mechanics. In this work, we study the generation of perfectly spherical particles when grinding two plain carbon steels and a grade of stainless steel with an alumina wheel. Similar particles have also been reported in the wear community and several possible formation mechanisms have been discussed including chip curl resulting from electronic charge distributions; melting due to local flash temperatures in the grinding zone; and repeated abrasive wear of the workpiece surface. We postulate that the particles are likely formed as a result of an oxidation-melting-solidification route with small grinding chips. We present spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction data in support of this hypothesis — significant oxygen content, in the form of Fe3O4 was detected on the surface of the spheres. Electron micrographs also show remarkably robust dendrite-like structures on the surface of the particles, indicative of rapid solidification from the melt. Motivated by these results, we present model calculations to support our hypothesis. We first evaluate the initial temperature of chips exiting the grinding zone using a three-way heat partition model for dry grinding. An upper bound for the chip temperature is ∼ 600°C, well-below the melting point for the metal. Next, we show that the oxidation kinetics at this elevated temperature are such that the formation of a thin oxide layer (∼ 2μm) on the surface of an initially curled up chip, with size ∼ 50 μm comparable to the observed spheres, is enough to melt the entire chip on a timescale of 10−6 seconds. Surface tension then brings the molten chip into a perfectly spherical shape, followed by rapid solidification. We present a preliminary calculation of this solidification process, using a coupled heat conduction model along with a moving interphase interface. By making suitable approximations, we derive an ordinary differential equation describing the temporal evolution of the interface location. Coupling the interface velocity with a Mullins-Sekerka type instability analysis, we argue that solidification of these drops likely starts from a nucleated core in the drop interior, resulting in dendrite-type patterns on the outer surface. Our work is a preliminary attempt to put decades old observations of grinding swarf on a firm quantitative footing. The experimental evidence and related analysis presented here make a strong case for the oxidation-melting-solidification hypothesis for the formation of spherical particles in grinding swarf.