This paper explores the relation between creativity, innovation and new product development in multidisciplinary and multisectoral settings. We claim that the development of innovative products benefits from the generation of a high number of creative ideas. Moreover, we argue that the idea generation process can be particularly fruitful within collaborative multidisciplinary environments, where firms and Science and Technology institutions coexist and cooperate. Our approach draws on existing literature to investigate the creativity and idea generation process within the frame of multisectoral and multidisciplinary cooperation initiatives, involving firms and Science and Technology related institutions. We then call upon our own empirical work to identify conditions favourable to those processes and some issues that affect the fulfilment of the creative potential that exists in multidisciplinary groups.

The effect of ion implantation surface treatment in an austenitic stainless steel, AISI 304, with nitrogen and argon ions is presented in this work. The study concerns phase analysis, crystallographic texture, and in depth residual stress profile characterization by X-ray diffraction. In order to determine the residual stress depth profiles, a combination of the conventional X-ray diffraction technique, with several wavelengths radiation, and the pseudograzing incidence X-ray diffraction are used. Experimental data leads to the conclusion that the ion implantation did not create any new phase and did not influence the crystallographic texture observed before the implantation. However, concerning the residual stresses study, the results show that the initial compression residual stress profile observed in the nonimplanted surface samples changes to a tensile residual stress profile after implantation. A very important residual stress gradient is induced in the implanted surfaces and becomes more significant with the increase of ion beam fluence. In this surface layer, the tensile residual stress average value increases with the total fluence of ion beam. Ar ions seem to increase the residual stress profile more than N ions. The diffraction peak width evolution with depth is similar in nonimplanted and in implanted zones for both types of implanted ions. The peak width is much larger in the first micron of the surface layer, decreasing at a greater depth, reaching the corresponding peak value of the recrystallized material (6000-7000 nm).

In this study local texture of process vessels made of carbon steel cladded by protective layers of stainless steel by submerged arc welding (SAW) were investigated by neutron diffraction using the diffractometer STRESSSPEC at FRM 2 (Garching, Germany). Different samples were prepared: as welded and as welded plus relevant industrial heat treatment. Local texture measurements with a gauge volume of 3 x 3 x 2 mm3 of the three cladding layers (at depths of 2 mm, 5 mm and 7.5 mm) for each sample were determined. Texture results indicated that there exists an annealed cube component in all the studied samples. Based on the measured pole figures at each depth and sample, the calculated orientation distribution functions data were used to calculate the Young's modulus with respect to the main welding directions. The calculated local and bulk anisotropic Young’s modulus in depth is presented and discussed.

No abstract

This paper explores, after a brief review of the relevant literature, the characteristics of a co-ownership active interface in which the authors are involved. It is asserted that this interface, creative and idiosyncratic by its learning-by-doing outlook, provides a new cooperation platform for technological co-development and knowledge sharing. Linkages between academia and industry lack vitality and they are hampered by unequal expectations. Cooperation between the two sides faces dissimilar mind frames and objectives, and lacks mutual confidence built upon long-term, regular partnerships. Various approaches to university-industry collaboration are called for, desirably rooted in regional characteristics and allowing for cultural idiosyncrasies. In this paper, we claim that the case under analysis, where both strategic and tactical aspects are agreed upon jointly by academics and firms, provides a sound solution for efficient universityindustry cooperation initiatives.

A modification of the geometry used in the sin 2 technique of X-ray diffraction is described. A modified equation for residual stress determination, including geometric adapted F ij , is presented. This method allows near surface stress gradients determination and is called pseudo-grazing incidence method. The limits of the new technique were first tested on different powder materials with X-ray radiation produced by conventional tubes and by a synchrotron radiation source. The technique was finally applied for the determination of a residual stress profile in a polished molybdenum surface before and after the deposition of a PVD chromium film.

Abstract. The major challenge of the Mg alloys has been their unsatisfactory corrosion resistance, which can be enhanced by improving the surface integrity. Cryogenic machining, where liquid nitrogen was used during machining, has been reported to improve the surface integrity of machined components, including compressive residual stresses. This paper analyses the influence of several cutting parameters, tool geometry and cryogenic conditions on the surface and subsurface residual stresses distribution.

The quality of a mechanical component such as its geometrical accuracy stability and fatigue life are significantly affected by the surface integrity generated by machining process. Residual stresses are a major part of the mechanical state of a machined layer and they can be beneficial or detrimental depending of their nature and magnitude. This study concerns phase analysis and residual stress profile characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and microhardness profile of AISI H13 ESR mould steel, milled using carbide and CBN tools. Analysis of the cross-section of the AISI H13 ESR samples, milled using both tools, reveal a martensitic microstructure, with a very thin layer heavily deformed due to the machining process. However, no phase transformation was detected by XRD. Concerning the residual stresses, the results show that they are predominantly compressive at the samples surface. However, depending of the cutting tools, the in-depth residual stresses profiles present different evolutions. This difference in the in-depth residual stresses profiles between the two kind of cutting tools is attributed to the different cutting tool parameters, including the tool geometry.