University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy

About: University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy is a education organization based out in Sofia, Bulgaria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Finite element method & Beam (structure). The organization has 3808 authors who have published 3822 publications receiving 30736 citations. The organization is also known as: Sofia Polytechnic.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue on multiwalled carbon nanotubes–TiO2

Abstract: A visible-light photocatalyst of multiwalled carbon nanotubes decorated with TiO2 nanoparticles (MWCNT/TiO2) was synthesized by a two-step method, in which TiO2 was first mounted on MWCNT surfaces by hydrolysis of tetrabutyl titanate and further crystallized into anatase nanocrystal in a vacuum furnace at 500°C. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue over the ultraviolet (UV) and visible-light spectrum regions was investigated. The MWCNT/TiO2 was able to absorb a high amount of photo energy in the visible-light region, driving effectively photochemical degradation reactions. There were more OH radicals produced by the MWCNT/TiO2 (1:3) than by pure TiO2 under UV and visible-light irradiation. In the photodegradation of methylene blue, as a model reaction, a signification enhancement in the reaction rate was observed with the MWCNT/TiO2 (1:3), compared to bare TiO2 and the physical mixture of MWCNTs and TiO2. MWCNTs can improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 in two aspects, namely e(-) transportation and adsorption. This work provides new insight into the fabrication of MWCNT/TiO2 as a high performance visible-light photocatalyst and facilitates its application in photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds.

The uncertainty of valuation

Abstract: Valuation is often said to be “an art not a science” but this relates to the techniques employed to calculate value not to the underlying concept itself. Valuation is the process of estimating price in the market place. Yet, such an estimation will be affected by uncertainties. These input uncertainties will translate into an uncertainty with the output figure, the valuation. The degree of the uncertainties will vary according to the level of market activity; the more active a market, the more credence will be given to the input information. In the UK at the moment the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is considering ways in which the uncertainty of the valuation can be conveyed to the use of the valuation, but as yet no definitive view has been taken apart from a single Guidance Note (GN5). One of the major problems is that valuation models (in the UK) are based on comparable information and rely on single inputs. They are not probability‐based, yet uncertainty is probability driven. This paper discusses the issues underlying uncertainty in valuations and suggests a probability‐based model (using Crystal Ball) to address the shortcomings of the current model.