Management information system Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Management information system - Assignment Example This has direct impacts on the business by touching on such aspects as finance, sales, marketing, accounting, customer service as well as the human resource aspects. It is the postulation of this paper that the adoption of e-commerce strategies is an effective tool towards reforming the cafà © especially in the modern day era of technological advancement. The Broadway cafà © would be more suited in adoption of electronic marketing strategies, computerized information management as well as adoption of an online system of ordering and correspondences. These are among other emerging features especially within the food industry such as in which the Broadway cafà © operates in. e-marketing strategies are not only convenient and efficient in saving costs of marketing but they increase the capacity of the advert to reach large number of target audiences easily (Baltzan, 2012). The internet has eased the mechanisms of advertisement and as such, the Broadway cafà © would have itself to blame in the event of failure to exploit the great opportunities brought about by internet and technological advancement in general. Information management as well as data handling is poorly done in the cafà © hence necessitating the adoption of the more improved systems of data/information management through computerized systems. Though the initial costs o f installing computers systems in the cafà © may be considered high, the efficiency realized through the system by far outweighs the costs incurred in installation. This would equally enable the management of the cafà © to adopt advanced services of data handling such as cloud computing. Moreover, this system would enable easy correspondences with customers through social media platforms among other improvements. This would be effective in business transactions of ordering and reservation placements as well as

Classical Era Reflection Paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Classical Era Reflection Paper - Assignment Example As the theories discussed herein have been widely used worldwide and through a number of decades, it could be said that it is an established material we can rely on when it comes to managing, great or small agencies. Furthermore, the loopholes of the theories have been determined, helping every manager to anticipate difficulties with solutions on hand instead of being taken aback with unexpected problems that could result from the strategies a manager engages with. Management was not born yesterday. Even during the olden times, management already existed and brought about successes like the construction of the Egyptian pyramids, the Great Wall of China and even on great wars. However, when it comes to the written concepts of these ancient successes, there were not found one, leaving the earlier managers groping in the dark for help as they faced problems and issues that seemed to have no solution. Some managers nevertheless refused to stay in the dark and struggle in their fate. Systematic management was introduced in the 1900s to meet the needs of managers as they face the demands of laborers and consumers. Although management was improved, the theory did not give a satisfactory solution to both managers and laborers (Russell & Taylor, 2006). This flaw in systematic management led to the birth of Scientific Management aiming to patch the loopholes of its predecessor. Frederick Taylor proposed the analysis of work methods which eventually came to be popularly known as scientific management making him the father of the science (Daft, 2002). He established four basic principles namely; scientific management, scientific selection of workers, scientific education and development of workers and unity and camaraderie among workers and managers (Bateman & Zeithaml, 1990). With the positive impact of Taylor’s philosophies on productions, his contemporaries rose to further improve the established principles. Among them was Henry L. Gantt

Midterm Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Midterm - Essay Example To this end, the paper will critically examine the concept of philosophy and what it actually means in the general sense. From there, the Indian philosophy will be examined in-depth. This will involve the critical review of elements and aspects of Indian thought and what really matters to the Indian people in terms of philosophy. Afterwards, the paper will examine traditional Greek philosophy, which forms the basis of Western philosophical thought. This will lead to a comparison between the Greek and Indian philosophical ethos. This discussion will make way for an introduction of Chinese philosophical worldview. This will involve the reconciling of Chinese philosophy and Indian philosophy as the Eastern or Oriental school of philosophical thought and the assessment of their differences. The discussion will also compare how the two philosophies differ from each other. In order to analyze and evaluate the core concepts and ideas of this study, there is the need to make meaning of the world "philosophy". This will provide an answer to the central features and concepts in the discussion to be undertaken. There are various definitions of philosophy that can be used to describe the concept. Philosophy can be viewed as the fundamentals related to the study of human thought and a conception of things around human beings. In other words, philosophy is about how to provide a documentation and definition of various ideas and principles that describe things that exist and things that happens around people in the

English literature on Educating Rita Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

English literature on Educating Rita - Essay Example The system failed to tame me. However, it certainly turned me into a failed poet, a frustrated teacher and an unreliable husband, carrying on with life from one drink to the next. In that context, the entering of Rita in the scheme of things was like the gushing in of a waft of fresh air into a room that had been sealed and locked for centuries. Rita reminds me of something that had been since ages considered being patently British and which the current education system badly needs- ‘COMMONSENSE’! The system is still carrying on with the moth eaten and anachronistic canons and way of doing things set in concrete by the prophets of the yore. In Rita I found the flickering remnants of the essential British spirit of challenging the old norms, the raw courage of our hearty and robust, seafaring and blasphemous ancestors. Her referring to ‘assonance’ as â€Å"getting the rhyme wrong†, her irreverent aversion for Forster, her street smart solution to the s taging problems marring Ibsen’s Peer Gynt, her delight at connecting with the essentially universal appeal and humanness of Macbeth, her sense of stifling abhorrence for and a congenital allegiance to the British working class culture, her innocent fascination with Rubyfruit Jungle, her differences with Denny, her uninformed feminism, her inferiority infested sense of inability to fit in with my so called cultured guests and above all her deep ingrained belief in her ability to become something more and better than what she is†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.., raw, yes, common, yes, unrefined, yes, unsophisticated, yes, upstart, yes, but, certainly not devoid of ingenuity, gumption and hope. The system needs more Ritas. Second Dairy Entry Rita fascinates me†¦, or is it something else. My feelings towards Rita are getting confused, jumbled up and rather intense with each passing day. I dejectedly wait for her in my office, and the minute she enters the room, my heart starts beating with the intensity of a herd of buffalos thundering across some plane. Am I in love with her or is it just an attraction between the opposites? By Jove†¦, I am confused like some bleeding idiot! What do I want from her? What do I intend her to do? Why do I have a feeling of intense guilt, lurking behind my mind? When I first met Rita, she wanted to get cultured†¦, get cultured as the world understands culture. The bumbling idiot simply had no idea of her innate originality, appeal and charm. Then I decided to educate her so as to give her a voice, not to make her somebody, but to make her realize that she was already somebody. I wanted to teach her a way of expressing herself that the world could understand, a way of conveying ideas that could make people appreciate and understand her effortless humour and wit. I wanted her to be a woman in her own right. I wanted her to be able to make choices for herself. I think I have succeeded beyond my wildest expectations. Rita is now moving in the world with confidence and poise. She is meeting people and making friends. She has changed her job, though without telling me. She has moved into a flat with a flat mate. And, yes, I think boys find her attractive. They want to be with her. Why this makes me angry and drink profusely. Did I want her to make choices so as to eventually be her inevitable choice? IS IT SO? NO, NO, NO†¦

Rectorseal in India Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Rectorseal in India - Research Paper Example The paper tells that companies venture into the international market with various aims and objectives. Expanding the market for the company’s products and gaining international recognition are obvious reasons why businesses engage in international businesses. Businesses however venture into the international market with specific objectives and intention. From this relation Rectorseal has its specific motives of venturing into the international market. Firstly, Rectorseal has succeeded in the marketing of competent products in the US market. This implies that the company looked forward towards a success in the international market. Anticipation of success and increased revenue for the international market was the first reason that led Rectorseal to venture into the international market. Rectorseal Company produces a variety of chemical products such as sealants and adhesives. The company is also involved in the production of variety of equipments for domestic and industrial usa ge. This implies that the company requires a wider variety of raw materials and expertise. The step towards international market is a positive step for the company since it will enable the company to establish additional suppliers. This will ensure that the company does not suffer from the high power of suppliers that currently characterize the industry. Rectoseal Company has been existence for the last 75 years. The company has achieved a lot of success in the production and marketing of its high quality products. The company produces a wide range of products for both industrial and domestic uses. The company has also enjoyed a lot of support from local trade’s men who form a greater percentage of its consumers. The company deals with the production of firefighting equipment and chemicals, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, cleaning agents, plumbing products, soldering products and sealants (Bloomberg web). The company considers sealants as its main product and th roughout the 75 year of operation, the company has produced the product successfully. This does not imply that the company has not achieved success in the production and marketing of the other stated products. The success of the company can be attributed to its dedicated and skilled team of employees. Throughout the 75 years of operation, Rectorseal has attracted and retained high caliber employees from all field and professionals. This can be attributed to a good working environment in the company and an attractive payment package for the staff. The company has maintained between 100 and 249 employees who have helped the company to reach its current position (Bloomberg web). Due to its expansion needs, the company considers hiring its staff from a varied background. Since its formation, the company has always given equal employment opportunity to all people regardless of their nationality or race. Existence of highly dedicated team of employees and quality products has enabled the company to have a high degree of control on both the domestic and international market. Currently the company’s annual revenue stands at 50 million US dollars (Bloomberg web). This is high a revenue compared to the duration that the company has been in operation and diversification of its products. This high revenue can be attributed to high sale that the company expects in every financial year. Although the company has always tried to maintain a balanced sale from all its products, Sealant products have proved to have a good sale for the company. Sealant products account for nearly 50% of the company’s annual sale (Bloomberg web). This sale pattern is reflected in both international and domestic market where the company markets its products. Due to its success in the regional and domestic Rectorseal Company hopes to achieve similar success in the international market. The three strategies are the most appropriate for Rectorseal Company in its international expansion. This does not nullify the existence of other useful strategies that the company can

Organization Behavior Essay Example for Free

Organization Behavior Essay âž ¢ Anne Mulcahy at the age of 23 she was the director of human resources, head of the Xerox âž ¢ She spent her first 16 years companys fledging desktop computer business, and chief in sales, then eight years in an assortment of management of staff to Xeroxs CEO. âž ¢ She never aspired to run Xerox nor she was groomed to be CEO. In 2001 she became the CEO of Xerox. âž ¢ She accepted the position when the company was in horrible financial shape. It had $17.1 billion in debt and only $154 million in cash. It was about to begin seven straight quarters of losses. âž ¢ Mulcahy felt a deep loyalty to the company. She felt an obligation to do everything in her power to save Xerox. Duty and loyalty compelled her to take a job that nobody else really wanted, despite the fact that she had zero preparation. âž ¢ She didnt know financial analysis. She had no MBA and her undergraduate degree was in English/journalism. So she asked the companys director of corporate finance to give her a cram course in Balance Sheet 101. He helped her to understand debt structure, inventory trends, and the impact of taxes and currency rates. âž ¢ This allowed her to see what would generate cash and how each of her decisions would affect the balance sheet. Mulcahy says now that her lack of training had its advantages. She had no preconceived notions, no time to develop bad habits. âž ¢ She appealed to employees with missionary zeal, in videos and in person to save each dollar as if it were your own. In 2002, for instance, she gave all employees their birthdays an off. The gentle pressure was vintage Mulcahy: Work hard, measure the results, tell the truth, and be brutally honest. âž ¢ After less than two years as CEO, Mulcahy has made startling progress in turning Xerox around. Employees appreciated her truthful and straightforward style. They also liked the fact that she was willing to work shoulder to shoulder with subordinates âž ¢ She was working hard, people felt obligated to work harder too. But Mulcahy is no softy. Shes smart, energetic, tough but passionate. âž ¢ She showed the ability to make hard decisions. For instance, she slashed costs in part by cutting Xeroxs workforce by 30 percent and she shut down desktop division. She oversaw the streamlining of production, new investment in research and development, and restructured the sales force so vague lines of authority became clear. She met with bankers and customers. âž ¢ In 2003, Xerox had had four straight quarters of operating profits. The companys stock was up to $11 a share. And while Xeroxs future was still far from secure, at least it was beginning to look like the company would have future. 1. How did Anne Mulcahy create trust with employees after becoming CEO? âž ¢ We see that Anne Mulcahy is the ultimate loyal employee in Xerox. She represented herself as a Savior who would deliver them from the storm though she didn’t have any vision nor she was trained but she was determined in doing her task. Duty and loyalty compelled her to take a job that nobody else really wanted. âž ¢ Though she didn’t have any knowledge in financial aspects she learned in the short span of time and took initiative to cut costs by using strategies like reducing the work force, which was a smart move of cutting cost, and she restructured sales force, etc. âž ¢ She appealed to employees with missionary zeal, in videos and in person to save each dollar as if it were your own† âž ¢ She believed in these words that it is an era to work hard, measure the results, tell the truth, and be brutally honest. âž ¢ That is how employees, appreciated her truthful and straightforward style. They also liked the fact that she was willing to work shoulder to shoulder with subordinates 2.Did Mulcahy have a vision for Xerox? Explain. Anne Mulcahy had no vision or any aspiration to run Xerox. We can see this as initially when the Xeroxs board chose her as CEO of Xerox. She was neither groomed nor aspired for this position. But she accepted the position with a mixed feeling. She took the position when the company was dooming. She had a deep loyalty to the company and she realized her responsibility to save Xerox although she was not prepared. But she had a determination to save Xerox. 3. What qualities do you think helped Mulcahy to affect the turnaround at Xerox? âž ¢ Charismatic quality: She has an inborn quality to stand in any kind of situation that is a special quality of determination to serve her company. âž ¢ She also had inner qualities like self-confidence, Problem-solving ability. When she took the position of CEO the company was in horrible financial shape. A leader needs lots of self-confidence in such situation, which Anne Mulcahy had. âž ¢ She stood to save her company and sole the crisis. Mulcahy wasnt groomed for the CEO position is a true understatement. For instance, she didnt know financial analysis. She had no MBA and her undergraduate degree was in English/journalism. So she asked the companys director of corporate finance to give her a cram course in Balance Sheet 101. He helped her to understand debt structure, inventory trends, and the impact of taxes and currency rates. This allowed her to see what would generate cash and how each of her decisions would affect the balance sheet. Mulcahy says now that her lack of training had its advantages. She had no preconceived notions, no time to develop bad habits. âž ¢ Passionate: She was passionate in doing her work and also influenced others to follow her and she believed that employees should â€Å"Work hard, measure the results, tell the truth, and be brutally honest.† âž ¢ She also had other qualities like smartness, energetic, tough but passionate 4.What does this case say about leadership experience? Through this case we can see that Anne Mulcahy is a successful leader. Why a leader? Because she was a shepherd to her company leading her sheep’s. And Anne Mulcahy is said to be a leader as she lead her people to follow her. A Leader is an individual person who initiates and implements that is what Anne Mulcahy did. She can be called a Transformational leader as she implemented changes. For instance she slashed costs in part by cutting Xeroxs workforce by 30 percent and she shut down desktop division. She oversaw the streamlining of production, new investment in research and development, an restructured the sales force so vague lines of authority became clear. She met with bankers and customers. Most importantly, she traveled. She galvanized the troops visiting Xerox offices—sometimes hitting three cities a day—and inspiring employees. This is what matters as a leader to influence people to follow them. And she led her company from â€Å"rags to riches†

Pellet Catalyst Development using Ferroxcube Process

Pellet Catalyst Development using Ferroxcube Process Pellet catalyst development using the Ferroxcube process The pellet preparation followed the classic routine of the powder metallurgy industry (NTUA): hematite (Fe2O3) or magnetite (Fe3O4) powders were homogenized in a plasticizer and greasing environment, within a rotating pan (Figure 7). Consequently, disks were pressed in a 150 bar hydraulic press (Figure 8). NTUA used the experience of CERTH (coordinators of the HYDROSOL projects to proceed in the proper preparation of the pellets). Figure 7. Rotating panFigure 8. The 150 bar hydraulic press After the initial pelletization by the hydraulic press, the pellets were undergone sintering and reduction in a controlled atmosphere (oxygen-reduced atmosphere) oven as shown in Figure 9, in order to obtain the magnetite phase certified by XRD, as shown in Figure 10. Figure 9. The sintering oven.Figure 10. XRD response of the sintered pellet, certifying the magnetite phase The porosity of the pellet and the neck development, offering substantial mechanical properties, have been monitored by SEM, as shown in Figure 11, as well as by the classic pressurizing methods. This way, the magnetite pellets have been stabilized in mechanical, electric and magnetic properties, offering mechanical robustness and electric resistivity below 10 Ohm or 3 à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ­Ohm.m (non-used pellet). Furthermore, an advanced manufacturing process has been proposed by the SUN Unit to the above-mentioned industrial technique. During sintering and reduction process, magnetic field can be added externally to the sintering and reducing ovens to magnetically orient the magnetite dipoles in the desired direction, allowing for advanced Lorentz force control. 2.2. A thin-film catalyst We have conceived and developed a thin film device for the hydrogen production which can be integrated in an automated system. The device can also be used for the reduction and oxidation process in oxide semiconducting films supported by metal substrates-wafers, even if they do not exhibit coherent magnetic order. The method is based on the Lorentz forces acted on the reducing oxidizing conducting electrons in the said oxide semiconducting films. Hence, this device can trap oxygen and hydroxyl from transmitted water, thus producing hydrogen. This such reduction and oxidation process in open air, as well as controlled atmosphere conditions. A particular application, useful for the HELENIC REF project refers to the three-layer depicted in Figure 15. The upper layer consists of a magnetite film not thicker than 500 nm, an insulating thin film supporting the magnetite film, not thicker than 500 nm and finally a metallic wafer made of Al or other metal, supporting the insulating and the magnetite thin film. Figure 15. Schematic of the catalyst Possible manufacturing methods include electrodeposition, physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition as well as lithography and masking methods for the generation of electric contacts on the upper thin film. Concerning Fe3O4 (magnetite) film, a preferable but not obligatory condition is to be able to provide magnetic order in all grains of the ferrimagnetic cells of the oxide. This is achieved by magnetic field during deposition or by post-processing magnetic field annealing with subsequent field cooling. The desired properties of the Fe3O4 (magnetite) film are indicatively as follows: Structure of the magnetite phase, which can be certified by X-ray powder diffraction Multi-grained microstructure with small necks between grains, monitored by Electron Microscopy Resistivity below 10 kOhm, indicative of semiconducting phase Magnetic order, observed by monitoring the magnetic hysteresis loop Mechanical robustness observed by hardness and wear measurement Applying electric current through the metallic support of the film results in magnetic field parallel to the surface of the film and vertical to the applied electric current. The amplitude of this field is: Where I is the applied electric current and a the thickness of the film. If the thickness a (sum of the magnetite film and the insulating thin film) are less than 1 à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ­m and the current I is C Amperes, then the applied field is: Thus, the applied field is controllable by the applied electric current through the metallic support. This current can easily be in the order of one Amperes in dc mode or several tens of Amperes in pulsed mode, if the thickness of the metallic support is in the order of 100 à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ­m, thus allowing the transmission of magnetic field larger than 1 T in the vicinity of the oxide semiconducting film. Therefore, passing electric current through metallic support, one can simulate the magnetic field vertical to the direction of electric current passing through the magnetite thin film. The directions of these two electric currents characterizes the direction of the Lorentz force on the conducting electrons of the magnetite film. Parallel currents result in forcing the electrons towards the insulating thin film, while anti-parallel currents force them towards the surface of the magnetite film. These two different directions of Lorentz forces have a different effect on the operation of the magnetite thin film, acting as catalyst for the production of hydrogen. Passing electric current along the magnetite film, independent on the electric current passing through the metallic substrate of the magnetite film, (i.e. from another source), along the same direction of the current transmitted to the metallic substrate, results in a Lorentz force acting on the charge carriers (electrons) moving them from the surface towards the insulating thin film. Thus, the surface of the magnetite film becomes activated, in other words is reduced due to the removal of the mentioned Lorentz electrons. Activation is the generation of electron vacancies, offering the generation of new oxygen vacancies (excess of oxygen vacancies). Thus, the resistivity drops, and the applied voltage results in higher current, which increases the local temperature to 280 320C. Such temperature increase is observable by any kind of pyrometer. The temperature increase is dependent on the combination of the electric current passing through the oxide semiconducting film and the magnetic field transmitted to it due to the electric current passing through the metallic support. The effect is reversible and un-hysteretic: increase or decrease of the amplitude of I x H product, where I is the applied current on the oxide film and H the field resulting from the current on the metallic substrate, results in un-hysteretic and reversible increase or decrease of the temperature and reduction of the oxide film respectively. Such activation can be maintained even in open air: the competition between the Lorentz electrons based reduction and the free air oxidation finally results in oxidation which can also be macroscopically observed by the decrease of the activated (reduced) area on the free surface of the film. Having limited the current passing through the metallic support may result in activation (reduction) shrinkage. In this case, increasing the current transmitted to the metallic substrate before the radiation disappears, or before oxygen vacancy excess disappears, the oxygen vacancy excess is rejuvenated. Such rejuvenation is completely reversible by using the magnetic field produced by the current passing through the metallic support (in the order of 1 T). After complete oxidation (phase transformation of all the Fe3O4 film to Fe2O3) such oxygen vacancy excess and consequent reduction of the compound is impossible with magnetic fields of this order. The reduction and oxidation process can be monitored by measuring the surface resistivity of the magnetite film. Such resistivity depicts the increase or decrease of oxygen vacancies on the surface and consequently the bulk of the oxide pellet. Increase and decrease of this resistivity is equivalent to the oxidation and reduction of the resistivity of the surface respectively. This effect is observable in all types of oxide semiconducting films even in the absence of coherent magnetic order in them. To be able to observe this effect in oxide semiconducting films, they should be in a continuous solid state form, exhibiting even a small electric conductivity, and provided that magnetic field and electric current of proper waveform and amplitude are simultaneously applied on the semiconducting oxide film and the conducting (metallic) support. Such reduction mechanism can be used in the reduction of compounds passing on or through the film surface. Our focus is the reduction of pure vapor water to H2, by means of trapping the oxygen or the hydroxyl of the water molecule to the reduced (or activated) magnetite. Such oxidation with consequent hydrogen production can be reversed back to oxide reduction (activation) by means of stopping the water vapor transmission. This way, the two electric currents will reduce (activate) again the surface of the oxide film, provided that no water vapors are transmitted to the pellet surface or body. A certain application of such effect is the use of the said pair of Fe3O4 (magnetite) film with its metallic support for the production of hydrogen and oxygen from water vapors, using the following algorithm: Independent electric currents pass through the metallic support and the oxide semiconducting film in the same direction. Thus, the surface of the oxide semiconducting film is reduced (activated). Then, water vapor is transmitted on the surface of the oxide semiconducting film, resulting in oxygen trapping, hydrogen production and oxidation of the surface of the oxide semiconducting film. As soon as the resistance of the surface of the oxide semiconducting film exceeds a certain threshold, indicating reach to a critical level of oxide film surface reduction, the water vapor transmission is stopped. Thus, the oxide film surface is re-activated, followed by consequent oxygen release, until the resistance of the oxide film surface reaches a minimum threshold, indicating proper reduction (activation), which is proper for oxygen trapping. Then, water vapor is re-transmitted to the re-activated oxide film surface for hydrogen production. The production of hydrogen and oxygen is followed by an automatic storage of these two gases in different chambers to be used for any scope, like thermal combustion or fuel cell operation or other purpose. Development of the thin film catalysts The Dynamic Hydrogen Bubble Template (DHBT) is an excellent method for the fabrication of macrostructures with nanoporous side walls. The method has been named from the phenomena when a series of hydrogen-bubbles generated on the surface of the substrae act like a dynamic negative template. Figure 1 demonstrates the theoretical approach of the technique. Figure 1(a) illustrates the hydrogen-evolution taking place on the surface there is no metal/metal-oxide deposition. The size of the bubbles increasing along the distance from the substrate surface. Fig 1(b) shows the SEM-image of copper nanofoams prepared by DHBT. Figure 1. (a) Simplified description of DHBT generated metal/metal-based foams; (b) Honeycomb-like Cu-deposit structure made by DHBT. The electrochemical deposition procedure of the development of the catalyst is divided in two main parts. At first preliminary experiments on deposition of magnetite film were carried out in order to determine the orders of amplitude of the different involved parameters (current density, geometry etc.). , the electrochemical deposition of iron-oxide films was carried out as a preliminary approach. Based on the results of the characterization, the parameters of the deposition were varied in a high range in order to obtain 3D-structured porous nanofoams. The films were electrodeposited onto copper substrates (purity: 99.5%). The substrates were mechanically polished with 800 and 2000 emery papers, respectively. Henceforward, the polished substrates were ultrasonically cleaned in deionized water, ethanol and acetone, respectively. The 2 cm2 active surface area of the substrate was ensured by commercial nail-polish and insulating tape. The galvanostatic deposition was carried out in a two-electrode cell using a DC Power Supply. Platinum-mesh was used as counter electrode. Two different arrangement of the working electrode have been tested as shown in Figure 2. The electrolytic bath was a strongly alkaline solution with pH 12.5 made of 0.037 M Fe2(SO4)3.x H2O, 0.1 M triethanolamine (TEA) and 2 M NaOH. After mixing the components at T = 80 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C the solution had greyish-green color and no turbidity was observed. The parameters of the deposition process were varied in the terms of current density, bath temperature and deposition time. The range of cathodic current density was chosen j = 5-15 mA.cm-2, the depostion time was given from 5 min to 6 hours and the bath temperature was adjusted T = 60-90 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C. The nominal thicknesses of the prepared structures were calculated by using the Faraday-law. The surface morphology of the deposited film-layers were studied by scanning electron microscope (Nova NanoSEM 230) and the crystallographic characterization was determined by X-ray diffraction (Bruker D8 Advance, Cu radiation-40kV, 35mA). Figure 16. a) copper triangle used as working electrode (W) by turning the active surface towards the surface of the electrolyte b) copper-plate (W) used as working electrode by immersing it totally and by turning the active surface towards the counter electrode (C). Concerning the development of 3D-structured porous films, the substrate deposition was not changed (Cu-foil, purity: 99.5%). SiC polishing papers were used in grade of 800, 1500, 2500 and 4000, respectively as a surface pre-treatment. All the pre-treated samples were ultrasonically cleaned in deionized water, ethanol and acetone, respectively. In that case, the active surface area of the substrates was reduced to 0.5 cm-2 and fixed with nail-polish and insulating tape. The galvanostatic deposition was carried out in a two electrode cell using a BioLogic SP 300 potentiostat. Platinum-wire was used as counter electrode. Concerning the result of the film-deposition the arrangement of the working electrode was set in vertical position. The electrolytic bath, concentrations and its properties were the same as described above. The cathodic current density was varied in the range ofj = 0.075-1 A.cm-2, the depostion time was changed between 30 sec to 180 s and the bath temperature was adjusted T = 90 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C. Similar films have also been developed by using sputtering deposition and electron-gun aided deposition (Figure 17). Apart from the electrolytic method, thin magnetite films were also deposited onto insulating films by usign spuutering and electron gun physical evaporation at the NTUA. However, the obtained results on the porosity of the magnetite films are not comparable with the DHBT method and therefore they are not demonstratable at their current stage. Nevertheless, experiments are under way to obtain PVD films of the quality observed in the electrodeposited films. Characterization of catalysts Structural analysis The catalyst pellets were prepared by a proprietary process from Fe3O4 powders. IP SAS used Fe3O4 powder with declared purity better than 99% and nominal grain size of 2-4um supplied by chemicalstore.com, product code FE3O4M1. The phase composition determined by XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) is shown in Figure 38. Minor traces of Hematite can be observed at 32.8 ° 2Theta for the sample produced at IP SAS. Figure 38. XRD patterns from pellets prepared by SUN (red) and IP SAS (blue). Marked constituent phases are Magnetite (blue lines) and Hematite (black lines) A typical XRD response in the bulk SUN pellets and in bulk CERTH pellets is illustrated in Figure 1, demonstrating exclusive magnetite presence. Figure 1. XRD response of bulk pellets from SUN (left) and CERTH (right) illustrating exclusive presence of magnetite Phase transformations were studied by the means of in-situ XRD presented in Figure 41. Samples were mortar milled to obtain a fine powder that could be spread on the sample holder of the furnace. Milling force was kept minimal to preserve the structure of the pellet parts. Linear heating with indicated rate was used to obtain well-defined diffraction maxima with respect to the signal to noise ratio. Diffractometer was configured for parallel beam illumination with a secondary LiF monochromator to supress fluorescence from the Fe containing pellets. Formerly purely magnetite pellets are transforming to hematite in the vicinity of 300 °C. After the transformation no other phase change was observed. Pellets supplied by SUN exibit the transformation at higher temparature than the pellets prepared at IP SAS. This can be atributed to the smaller size of the Fe3O4 crystallites in the SUN pellets. Detailed pattern examination is shown in Figure 42. The studied powdered pellets exhibit only presence of magnetite and hematite respectively. Diffraction maxima at 26 ° 2Theta corresponds to SiO2 present as a thin layer grown on the non-reflective Si sample holder. Figure 41. In-situ XRD patterns of catalysts in air atmosphere with indicated heating rate Figure 42. In-situ XRD patterns of annealed catalyst pellets at indicated temperatures. Marked constituent phases Magnetite (blue lines) and Hematite (black lines).Catalyst prepared at SUN left, IP SAS right. Crystallographic study of the iron-oxide thin films samples was also realized. Figure 4 represents the identification of the observed peaks. Figure 4(a) shows the results of sample prepared in 3300 s in 70 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C bath with -5 mA.cm-2 current density. Grazing incidence XRD patterns of this sample indicate the presence of magnetite (blue lines) and copper substrate (green lines). Grazing angle was 2 (red curve) and 6 degrees (blue curve), respectively. In Figure 4(b) the results of sample with same conditions as in Figure 4(a) can be seen, but in this case the current density was -9 mA.cm-2. Here, grazing incidence XRD patterns indicate iron (grey lines) and copper (green lines). Grazing angle was 2 (red curve) and 6 degrees (blue curve), respectively. Figure 4(c/1) and (c/2) show the results of XRD taken from the same sample with deposition conditions of 2 hours deposition time in 85 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C bath and -12.5 mA.cm-2 current density. Figure 4. X-ray diffractograms of the iron-oxide electrodeposited samples prepared under different conditions. a, Άt=3300 s,T = 70  °C, j= -5 mA cm-2; b, Άt=3300 s, T= 70 °C, j= -9 mA cm-2; c/1, Άt=7200 s, T= 85 °C, j = -12.5 mA cm-2; c/2, powder scratched from the surface of sample c/1 In Figure 4(c/1) the grazing incidence XRD patterns were done on the sample with the substrate. Clear evidence of magnetite (blue lines), iron (grey lines) and copper as substrate (green lines). Grazing angle was 2 (red curve) and 6 degrees (blue curve), respectively. Figure 4(c/2) demonstrates grazing incidence XRD pattern of loose powder from the same sample as (c/1). Only magnetite phase (blue lines) is detected. Grazing angle was 2 degrees. The XRD results show clear evidence of magnetite if the current density does not exceed 8 mA.cm-2 cathodic current density (see Figures 4(a) and (b). Apart from that, XPS studies have also been performed after the check meeting. For integration reasons, they are demonstrated only in the Milestone 1 document. Microstructural analysis Morphology of pellets after preparation was studied by the means of SEM (scanning electron microscopy) shown in Fig. 39. The particle size is larger for the catalyst prepared by SUN. The particle size of sample prepared at IP SAS is in good agreement with the manufacturer specification and is rather homogenous in size distribution. Sample prepared at SUN is exhibiting a different size distribution ranging from very fine sub-micron particles up to particles with size increasing 50um shown in Fig. 39 and 40. As can be seen the porosity of the prepared pellets is higher for the pellet prepared at IP SAS. The grid shown in Fig. 40 is protecting the sample from being destroyed by the magnetic field in the microscope and thus contaminating the microscope system by fine magnetic dust in the pole-piece, lens and detector system. It is worth to mention that the particle size is not directly explaining the diffraction maxima broadening shown in inset in Fig. 38. This is due to the fact that the diffraction domain size is rather different than the grain size of a particle. We can surely state that the diffraction domain size is smaller in the pellet prepared at SUN rather than at IP SAS despite the observed grain-size distribution. Figure 39. SEM micrographs of catalysts prepared by SUN (left) and IP SAS (right) Figure 40. Low magnification micrographs of catalyst prepared by SUN (left) and IP SAS (right) Micrographs from the CERTH pellets (Figure 41) illustrate a clear evidence of necks, responsible for the significant reduction of temperature. Figure 41. Micrographs of the CERTH pellets, illustrating the presence of micro-necks, responsible for the improvement of the electric and mechanical properties Concerning the thin film catalysts, SEM analysis was performed. Figure 3 demonstrates 4 different SEM-images of the prepared samples. Fig 3(a) was taken on a sample prepared in 300 s deposition period in 60 °C bath with -7.5 mA cm-2 current density, and the nominal thickness was 2.24 ÃŽÂ ¼m. In Fig 3(b) can be seen the morphology of the sample prepared in 300 s at 70 °C with-5 mA cm-2 current densitywith nominal thickness of 23.55 ÃŽÂ ¼m. Fig 3(c) shows the SEM-result of the sample deposited with the same bath temperature and current density as 3(b) but extended deposition time: Άt = 900 s (dn = 30.28 ÃŽÂ ¼m). Fig 3(d) represents the SEM-image of the sample prepared in the highest bath temperature 90 °C with 5 min deposition time, -7.5 mA cm-2 current density (dn = 4.42 ÃŽÂ ¼m). The SEM-images clearly show the structural changes by increasing the bath-temperature. Filamentous deposit structure has been observed at 90 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C. Due to the galvanostatic deposition mode the potential values have been not recorded. For better understanding of the structural formations potentiostatic deposition mode should be done. Figure 3. SEM-images of the electrodeposited iron-oxide samples with different deposition parameters (a) Άt=300 s,T= 60 °C, j= -7.5 mA cm-2 at 30000X magnification (b) Άt=300 s, T= 70 °C, j = -5 mA cm-2 at 15 000X magnification(c) Άt=900 s, T= 70 °C, j= -5 mA cm-2at 10000X magnification (d) Άt=300 s, T= 90 °C, j= -7.5 mA cm-2 at 10000X magnification. Concerning nano-foam, due to the fact that the experiments were done in the close past the characterization of the prepared nanostructures was done only by scanning electron microscope. Figure 5 demonstrates the first promising results of the electrochemical deposition of iron-based 3D structures by using hydrogen generation on the surface as a negative template. Such a structure was a result of applying -0.375 A.cm-2 and more negative current density, namely -1 A.cm-2 with different depositing times. Fig 5(a) to Fig 5 (c) represents a possible building process of the 3D networks with pore size range in 2-6 ÃŽÂ ¼m. Other type of deposit can be observed at Fig 5(d) to Fig 5(e) with numerous dendrites along the pore-sides by using current density -0.375 A.cm-2 with different deposition times. The formation of porous layer is not so obvious like in the previous case, but the size of pores are close in the same range than the pores formed at -1 A.cm-2.