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The prime design considerations for modern nickel based superalloys for use in aero gas-turbine engines, are those of mechanical performance, namely good resistance to creep and fatigue with good toughness and microstructural phase stability. Design of the current generation of superalloys has attained these properties at the expense of environmental resistance. This design philosophy has lead to the widespread use of surface coatings technology to protect hot-section componentry from the harsh operating environment. The ongoing drive towards higher operating temperatures has lead to an interest, over the last few years, in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). TBCs are duplex coating systems consisting of a thin, insulating, ceramic layer over a metallic bondcoat. The bondcoat provides both environmental protection and the necessary adhesive interface to maintain the adherence of the ceramic during the rigours of operation. Central to the performance of a TBC system is the integrity and adherence of the alumina scale promoted by the bondcoat. This study aimed to design and optimise a novel bondcoat system that was capable of out-performing the current generation of bondcoats and progress the resultant coating into a production ready status. This was achieved by comparing the performance of a range of bondcoats of both novel and standard compositions, using the modified scratch test in conjunction with hot isothermal and cyclic furnace tests. The down selected system was then analysed using a range of techniques including optical and electron microscopy, XRD, WDS and SIMS in order to understand the failure mechanisms. The results of the testing programme lead to bondcoat chemistry changes and processing improvements that enabled better performance to be achieved. The bondcoat was optimised and taken to a production standard by using the Taguchi Method of fractional factorial experimental design. The resultant coating system offered a higher TBC/bondcoat interface temperature capability and extended the life of the system at more moderate temperatures, beyond that offered by systems currently available. The coating system has subsequently been run as a bondcoat for EB-PVD TBCs and has successfully completed the duty cycles on a number of development and test engines.

During the last decade, the theory of competence-based competition has drawn a considerable amount of attention from the academic and practitioners alike. The theory asserts that corporate and business strategies should be built upon the strengths of the core competencies of a firm. The aim of this research is to construct a structured and practical framework for core competence evaluation. The thesis begins with the introduction of the basic concept of core competencies through presenting three core competence-based approaches. Research methodology is described in detail. Two data collection methods are used for this study: case study and questionnaire survey. By reviewing the literature, six competence identification models are identified and analysed. The strengths and limitations of these models are discussed. Having provided working definitions for firm tangible and intangible assets, a relationship between resource and capability is developed and examined. Using financial and non-financial performance measures, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique is employed to determine the key capabilities of firms. Subsequently using "C llecti enc s" and "uniqueness" attributes, a comprehensive method for evaluating competencies is provided. The attribute 'collectiveness' is introduced for determining the 'universal usefulness' of these candidates in the scope of a business. The attribute 'uniqueness' is employed for assessing the distinctiveness of the potential competence candidates in competition. Competencies are evaluated by subjectively assigning relevant scores to these characteristics. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated through to case studies The author believes that being unique in competition is not sufficient for core competencies to keep their strategic values in dynamic competitive environment. A true core competence should be able to continuously create new business options for the firm Therefore, this thesis emphases that to be core competence, the candidates must be strategically flexible. By employing "strategic flexibility" as the main criterion, this study has presented a distinctive mechanism to differentiate core competencies from the competencies. The dynamic nature of the core competencies is evaluated using characteristics such as resource re-deployment and routine re-organisation. The generic nature of this framework is tested through conducting two case studies and a questionnaire survey This thesis makes three main contributions to the existing body of knowledge. Firstly the thesis provides a systematic and practical core competence architecture which can be used for firms to accurately understand the concept of core competence. Secondly the thesis gives a detailed and structured core competence evaluation framework which can be used for firms to identify their business strengths and weaknesses systematically. Thirdly by conducting a questionnaire survey, the thesis presents a snapshot of the UK manufacturing and service industry core competencies, and bridges the gap between theory and practice The framework may be viewed as a practical, robust and generic tool to benchmark a service, manufacturing or public sector organisation. The outcome of this study would help companies in strategic decision-making with regards to diversification, focusing and investment in competence building activities.

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A Thesis submitted to The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Medicine. / Case based instruction (CBI) in medical education is a well established alternative to lecture format in the training of first and second year medical students. There have been previous documented attempts to include technology in CBI that have received positive feedback from students. Electronic health records are now being mandated by 2014 and historically there have been many barriers to adoption including lack of EHR technical skills by physicians. As a result, biomedical informatics education is being integrated into medical school curriculum with hope that better understanding of medical applications will prepare future physicians to utilize them. There has been no documented evidence of successful utilization of a commercial grade EHR within CBI despite many potential benefits in doing so. Previous attempts at accomplishing this task have been discovered but multiple challenges were encountered in developing a suitable educational EHR and as a result the attempt was unsuccessful. The following is a design project with the aim of highlighting specific design requirements, as well as, a theoretical usage scenario of a commercial grade EHR in CBI. Outlined as well is experimental design for future evaluation of such a system. There will be many 4 technological challenges that will need to be overcome and numerous resource requirements to get such a project functional. Despite this, all aspects of such a system are technologically feasible. Completion of such a system could result in potential commercial benefit and provide a platform for further investigation of early EHR training effect on physician-EHR acclimation.

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