Near-Infrared Laser Direct Writing of Conductive Patterns on the Surface of Carbon Nanotube Polymer Nanocomposites.

Near-infrared (NIR) laser annealing is used to write conductive patterns on the surface of polypropylene/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposite (PP/MWCNT) plates. Before irradiation, the surface of the nanocomposite is not conductive due to the partial alignment of the MWCNT, which occurs during injection molding. We observe a significant decrease in the surface sheet resistance using NIR laser irradiation, which we explain by a randomization of the orientation of MWCNTs in the PP matrix melt by NIR laser irradiation.

Near-Infrared Laser-Annealed IZO Flexible Device as a Sensitive HS Sensor at Room Temperature.

A metal-oxide material (indium zinc oxide [IZO]) device with near-infrared (NIR) laser annealing was demonstrated on both glass and bendable plastic substrates (polycarbonate, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate). After only 60 s, the sheet resistance of IZO films annealed with a laser was comparable to that of thermal-annealed devices at temperatures in the range of 200-300 °C (1 h). XPS, ATR, and AFM were used to investigate the changes in the sheet resistance and correlate them to the composition and morphology of the thin film.

Assessing the Relative Influence and Efficacy of Public and Private Food Safety Regulation Regimes: Comparing Codex and Global G.A.P. Standards.

An extensive global system of private food regulation is under construction, one that exceeds conventional regulation thought of as being driven by public authorities like FDA and USDA in the U.S. or the Food Standards Agency in the UK.

Outsource Power, Import Safety? Challenges and Opportunities of the U.S.-China Food Safety Regulatory Cooperation.

The United States has a high stake in China’s serious food safety problem, as food products of Chinese origin have dominated the U.S. food market in numerous areas and continue to grow.

Public-private interactions in global food safety governance.

In response to an apparent decline in global food safety, numerous public and private regulatory initiatives have emerged to restore public confidence. This trend has been particularly marked by the growing influence of private regulators such as multinational food companies, supermarket chains and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), who employ private standards, certification protocols, third-party auditing, and transnational contracting practices. This paper explores how the structure and processes of private food safety governance interact with traditional public governance regimes, focusing on Global Good Agricultural Practices (GlobalGAP) as a primary example of the former.