scholarly journals Alginate/porous silica matrices for the encapsulation of living organisms: tunable properties for biosensors, modular bioreactors, and bioremediation devices

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Perullini ◽  
Mariano Calcabrini ◽  
Matías Jobbágy ◽  
Sara A. Bilmes

Abstract:The encapsulation of living cells within inorganic silica hydrogels is a promising strategy for the design of biosensors, modular bioreactors, and bioremediation devices, among other interesting applications, attracting scientific and technological interest. These hostguest multifunctional materials (HGFM) combine synergistically specific biologic functions of their guest with those of the host matrix enhancing their performance. Although inorganic immobilization hosts present several advantages over their (bio)polymer-based counterparts in terms of chemical and physical stability, the direct contact of cells with silica precursors during synthesis and the constraints imposed by the inorganic host during operating conditions have proved to influence their biological response. Recently, we proposed an alternative two-step procedure including a pre-encapsulation in biocompatible polymers such as alginates in order to confer protection to the biological guest during the inorganic and more cytotoxic synthesis. By means of this procedure, whole cultures of microorganisms remain confined in small liquid volumes generated inside the inorganic host, providing near conventional liquid culture conditions.Moreover, the fact of protecting the biological guest during the synthesis of the host, allows extending the synthesis parameters beyond biocompatible conditions, tuning the microstructure of the matrix. In turn, the microstructure (porosity at the nanoscale, radius of gyration of particles composing the structure, and fractal dimension of particle clusters) is determinant of macroscopic parameters, such as optical quality and transport properties that govern the encapsulation material’s performance. Here, we review the most interesting applications of the two-step procedure, making special emphasis on the optimization of optical, transport and mechanical properties of the host as well as in the interaction with the guest during operation conditions.

1993 ◽  
Vol 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Canva ◽  
Patrick Georges ◽  
Jean-Fran^ois Perelgritz ◽  
Alain Brun ◽  
Fréddric Chaput ◽  
...  

AbstractPhotoresistant laser dyes were trapped in silica based xerogel host matrices to obtain solid state tunable lasers. For this purpose very dense xerogel samples with improved chemical and physical properties were prepared at room temperature by the sol-gel technology. The as-prepared materials were polished to obtain optical quality surfaces and were used as new lasing media.Lasing action of such different dyes as rhodamine, perylene and pyrromethene doping dense sol-gel matrices was demonstrated. Efficiencies of 30 % or lifetimes of more than 100,000 shots were achieved with different new ≤dye dopant/host matrix≥ couples. Their different performances are reviewed and discussed.


Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 581
Author(s):  
Yongbae Kim ◽  
Juyong Back ◽  
Jongweon Kim

A tachograph in a vehicle records the vehicle operating conditions, such as speed, distance, brake operation conditions, acceleration, GPS information, etc., in intervals of one second. For accidents, the tachograph records information, such as the acceleration and direction of a vehicle traveling in intervals of 1/100 s for 10 s before and after the accident occurs as collision data. A vehicle equipped with a tachograph is obliged to upload operation data to administrative organizations periodically via other auxiliary storage devices like a USB attached external memory or online wireless communication. If there is a problem with the recorded contents, data may be at risk of being tampered with during the uploading process. This research proposed tamper-resistant technology based on blockchain for data in online and offline environments. The suggested algorithm proposed a new data recording mechanism that operates in low-level hardware of digital tachographs for tamper-resistance in light blockchains and on/offline situations. The average encoding time of the proposed light blockchain was 1.85 ms/Mb, while the average decoding time was 1.65 ms/Mb. With the outliers in statistical tests removed, the estimated average encoding and decoding time was 1.32 ms/Mb and 1.29 ms/Mb, respectively, and the tamper verification test detected all the tampered data.


Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
Mirosław K. Szukiewicz ◽  
Krzysztof Kaczmarski

A dynamic model of the hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexane reaction in a real-life industrial reactor is elaborated. Transformations of the model leading to satisfactory results are presented and discussed. Operating conditions accepted in the simulations are identical to those observed in the chemical plant. Under those conditions, some components of the reaction mixture vanish, and the diffusion coefficients of the components vary along the reactor (they are strongly concentration-dependent). We came up with a final reactor model predicting with reasonable accuracy the reaction mixture’s outlet composition and temperature profile throughout the process. Additionally, the model enables the anticipation of catalyst activity and the remaining deactivated catalyst lifetime. Conclusions concerning reactor operation conditions resulting from the simulations are presented as well. Since the model provides deep insight into the process of simulating, it allows us to make knowledge-based decisions. It should be pointed out that improvements in the process run, related to operating conditions, or catalyst application, or both on account of the high scale of the process and its expected growth, will remarkably influence both the profits and environmental protection.


Pomorstvo ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergejus LebedevasPaulius ◽  
Paulius Rapalis ◽  
Rima Mickevicienė

In this study, we have investigated the efficiency of transport diesel engines CAT3512B-HD in transient braking and acceleration modes in 2M62M locomotives. A comparative analysis of the diesel engine performance has been performed at speeds of power increase and braking ranging from 4–5 kW/s to 17–18 kW/s. A decrease in the fuel economy occurred, and the main reason for it (compared with the steady-state operating condition at qcycl = idem) has been found to be the deterioration of the mechanical efficiency coefficient due to the loss of the additional equipment kinetic energy of the engine. The efficiency decreased by 3–3.5% under power increase operations and by 10–14% in the braking modes. The original methodology for the evaluation of the diesel engine parameters registered by the engine control units (ECU) in the engine operating conditions, mathematical modelling application AVL BOOST, and analytical summaries in artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been used. The errors in the obtained results have been 5–8% at a determination coefficient of 0.97–0.99.


2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 430-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Sous ◽  
Henrik Wünsch ◽  
Georg Jacobs ◽  
Christoph Broeckmann

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the applicability of the quadratic failure hypothesis (QFH) on journal bearings coated with a white metal sliding layer on the prediction of safe and unsafe operating conditions. The hypothesis covers operation conditions under static and dynamical loading. Design/methodology/approach Material tests and elastohydrodynamic, as well as structural, simulations were conducted to provide the required input data for the failure hypothesis. Component samples were tested to verify the results of the QFH. Findings The load bearing capacity of journal bearings was analysed for different operating conditions by the use of the QFH. Results allow for the identification of critical and non-critical loading conditions and are in accordance with component test results. Originality/value Today’s design guidelines for journal bearings do not consider a multi-axial stress state and actual stress distribution. The applied hypothesis enables consideration of multiaxiality inside the sliding surface layer, as well as determining the location of bearing fatigue due to material overload.


Author(s):  
Hwabhin Kwon ◽  
Heesung Park

Abstract A turboexpander for the propane de-hydrogenation process with blade and splitter has been numerically investigated. Since the turboexpander expands fluid from higher inlet pressure to lower discharge pressure, the kinetic energy of fluid is converted into useful mechanical energy. The efficiency and power generation with the designed turboexpander have been simulated with different operating conditions. The pressure ratio between inlet and outlet and rotational speed are varied to characterize the performance of the turboexpander as an electrical power generator. The numerical simulations have shown the vortex at the trailing edges of blade and splitter which decreases the efficiency. The rotational speed and the pressure ratio are parameterized to obtain operation conditions which achieve high power generation and efficiency. Consequently, the generated power from 614.12 kW to 693.45kW is obtained at the normal rotational speed and the pressure ratio between 1.75 to 2.22.


Author(s):  
Hector Hernandez Lopez ◽  
Javier Ortiz Villafuerte

Currently, at the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares (National Institute for Nuclear Research) in Mexico, it is being developed a computational code for evaluating the neutronic, thermal and mechanical performance of a fuel element at several different operation conditions. The code is referred as to MCTP (Multigrupos con Temperaturas y Potencia), and is benchmarked against data from the Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant (LVNPP). In the code, the neutron flux is approximated by six groups of energy: one group in the thermal region (E < 0.625 eV), four in the resonances region (0.625 eV < E < 0.861 MeV), and one group in the fast region (E > 0.861 MeV). Thus, the code is able to determine the damage to the cladding due to fast neutrons. The temperature distribution is approximated in both axial and radial directions taking into account the changes in the coolant density, for both the single and two-phase regions in a BWR channel. It also considerate the changes in the thermal conductivity of all materials involved for the temperature calculations, as well as the temperature and density effects in the neutron cross sections. In the code, fuel rod burnup is evaluated. Also, plutonium production and poison production from fission. In this work, the neutronic and thermal performance of fuel rods in a 10×10 fuel assembly is evaluated. The fuel elements have a content of 235U. The fuel assembly was introduced to the unit 1 of LVNPP reactor core in the cycle 9 of operation, and will stay in during three cycles. In the analysis of fuel rod performance, the operating conditions are those for the cycle 9 and 10, whereas for the current cycle (cycle 11) the reactor is projected to operate during 460 days. The analysis for cycle 11 uses the actual location of the fuel assembly that will have in the core. The results show that the fuel rods analyzed did not reach the thermal limits during the cycles 9 and 10, as expected, and for cycle 11 the same thermal limits are not predicted to be reached.


2020 ◽  
Vol 172 ◽  
pp. 22006
Author(s):  
Dimitri Guyot ◽  
Florine Giraud ◽  
Florian Simon ◽  
David Corgier ◽  
Christophe Marvillet ◽  
...  

The case study is the HIKARI project, the first net zero energy city block in Europe, gathering offices, housing and shops. The three mixed-use buildings composing the 12 000 m² block pool their energy through shared innovative energy production systems coupled with large capacity energy storage units. HIKARI is fully monitored with more than 10 000 measurement points collected for several years of operating conditions. Through the identification and analysis of an energy consumption drift caused by the malfunctioning of a particular system, we demonstrate the importance of adopting a global approach when conceiving a building, especially if low energy targets are to be reached. The analysis of the monitoring results also highlights the value of detailed monitoring for identifying malfunctions, for assessing the relevance of the technical choices made during the design phase, and as an essential tool for achieving the objective of energy performance under operating conditions.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 86-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail Ivanovich BALZANNIKOV

Considered run-of-river hydropower plants (HPP). Notes the importance of technical-economic calculations in the justifi cation of large water-conducting elements of the path these types of HPP. The methodology of economic substantiation of the expediency of increasing the length of the draft tube. Using the technique of the calculations for lowpressure hydroelectric run-of-river type. The results of the analysis of the influence of the operating conditions of the hydroelectric power station on basic geometrical parameters of draft tube.


Author(s):  
Alexander N. Arkhipov ◽  
Vladimir V. Karaban ◽  
Igor V. Putchkov ◽  
Guenter Filkorn ◽  
Andreas Kieninger

The evaluation of the blading clearance at the design stage is important for heavy duty gas turbine efficiency. The minimum clearance value at base load is limited by the pinch point clearance during startup and/or shutdown. Therefore, transient analysis is necessary for different operating conditions. 3D transient analysis of a whole engine is labor-intensive; however 2D axisymmetric analysis does not allow consideration of different 3D effects (e.g. twisting, bending, ovality, rotor alignment). In order to overcome these cost and time limitations, the combination of 2D, axisymmetric, whole-engine model results and the scaled deflections caused by different 3D effects is used for the axial and radial clearance engineering assessment during engine operation. The basic rotor and stator closures are taken from the transient analysis using a 2D finite element (FE) model composed of axisymmetric solid and plane stress elements. To take into account 3D effects of airfoil twisting and bending, the 3D FE displacements of the blade are included in the clearance evaluation process. The relative displacements of airfoil tip and reference point at the blade or vane hub are taken from 3D steady-state FE analyses. Then the steady-state displacements of the airfoils are scaled for transient conditions using the proposed technique. Different 3D rotor / stator effects (cold-build clearances and their tolerances, rotor position with respect to stator after assembly, casing bending, deformations of compressor and turbine vane carrier inducing of casing ovalization, exhaust gas housing movements, movements of the rotor in bearings and CVC and TVC support, etc.) are also included as a contributor to the clearances. The results of the calculations are analyzed and compared with good agreements to the clearances measured in engine testing under real operation conditions. The proposed methodology allows assessing the operating clearances between the stator and rotor during the design phase. Optimization of the running clearance is one key measure to upgrade and improve the engine performance during operating experience.


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