ORCID Profile
0000-0001-5793-2202
Current Organisations
University of Birmingham
,
Riga Technical University
,
University of Oxford
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-04-2022
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-01-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-021-27668-9
Abstract: Changing collective behaviour and supporting non-pharmaceutical interventions is an important component in mitigating virus transmission during a pandemic. In a large international collaboration (Study 1, N = 49,968 across 67 countries), we investigated self-reported factors associated with public health behaviours (e.g., spatial distancing and stricter hygiene) and endorsed public policy interventions (e.g., closing bars and restaurants) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). Respondents who reported identifying more strongly with their nation consistently reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies. Results were similar for representative and non-representative national s les. Study 2 ( N = 42 countries) conceptually replicated the central finding using aggregate indices of national identity (obtained using the World Values Survey) and a measure of actual behaviour change during the pandemic (obtained from Google mobility reports). Higher levels of national identification prior to the pandemic predicted lower mobility during the early stage of the pandemic ( r = −0.40). We discuss the potential implications of links between national identity, leadership, and public health for managing COVID-19 and future pandemics.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 24-02-2017
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 09-09-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-02-2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-08-2023
Abstract: Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) devices are exemplar systems for mechanical‐to‐electrical energy conversion due to their simplicity and promising performance. However, little attention has been paid to recycling or reusing TENG devices. Indeed, most TENG devices are based on non‐biodegradable polymers, and thus end up in a landfill. Developing biodegradable triboelectric materials is crucial to mitigate negative environmental impacts from their growing use, however, it is challenging to identify such a materials that generate an applicable charge. Herein, such a biodegradable polymer triboelectric pair is demonstrated, by combining poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) films with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) filler. A power density of 143 mW m −2 and a charge density of 1.36 nC cm −2 is measured when contacting pristine PBS with 70 wt% MCC/PBS composite film, which is comparable to polydimethylsiloxane‐based TENGs under identical testing conditions. These devices are shown to degrade via composting at 58 °C over 70 days, enabling long‐term ( 000 cycle) performance and degradation upon disposal. It is suggested that this approach can be extended to control triboelectric properties for other biodegradable polymers. The technology and concepts developed herein directly address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for Responsible Consumption & Production and Affordable and Clean Energy.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-08-2018
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-018-30220-3
Abstract: Effort can be perceived both cognitively and physically, but the computational mechanisms underlying the motivation to invest effort in each domain remain unclear. In particular, it is unknown whether intensive physical training is associated with higher motivation specific to that domain, or whether it is accompanied by corresponding changes in cognitive motivation. Here, we tested a group of elite Oxford University rowers, and compared their behaviour to matched non-athletic controls. We trained participants on two tasks involving cognitive or physical effort. They then decided between a baseline low level of effort for low reward, versus higher levels of effort for higher rewards. Separate choices were made for the cognitive and physical tasks, which allowed us to computationally model motivation in each domain independently. As expected, athletes were willing to exert greater amounts of physical effort than non-athletes. Critically, however, the nature of cognitive effort-based decisions was different between groups, with a concave pattern of effort discounting for athletes but a convex pattern for non-athletes. These data suggest that the greater physical drive in athletes is accompanied by fundamentally different patterns of cognitive effort discounting, and suggests a complex relationship between motivation in the two domains.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-04-2022
Abstract: Triboelectrification of polymers enables mechanical energy harvesting in triboelectric generators, droplet generators, and ferroelectrets. Herein, triboelectric polymers, inspired by the ordering in spider‐silk, with strongly enhanced contact electrification are presented. The ordering in polyether block amide (PEBA) is induced by the addition of inorganic goethite (α‐FeOOH) nanowires that form H‐bonds with the elastomeric matrix. The addition of as little as 0.1 vol% of α‐FeOOH into PEBA increases the surface charge by more than order of magnitude (from 0.069 to 0.93 nC cm –2 ). The H‐bonds between α‐FeOOH and PEBA promote the formation of inclusions with higher degree of macromolecular ordering, analogous to the structure of spider silk. The formation of these inclusions is proven via nanoindentation hardness measurements and correlated with H‐bond‐induced chemical changes by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and direct scanning calorimetry. Theoretical studies reveal that the irregularity in hardness provides stress accumulation on the polymer surface during contact‐separation. Subsequent molecular dynamic studies demonstrate that stress accumulation promotes the mass‐transfer mechanism of contact electrification. The proposed macromolecular structure design provides a new paradigm for developing materials for applications in mechanical energy harvesting.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Matthew Apps.