Geology and pyrite-polymetallic mineralization of the forecasted Limonite deposit, Rassokhinsky ore cluster (Yenisei ridge)

The development of Russia’s largest Gorevskoye leadzinc deposit (Gorevsky GOK, Novoangarsky OK) will depend on promising deposits of the Angara polymetallic ore region, in particular, those of the Rassokhinsky ore cluster. Based on the analysis of geological and geophysical information of previous and current studies, a major Limonite pyrite-polymetallic (massive sulfide) deposit is forecasted within it. The main lithological and stratigraphic criterion for the localization of ores is determined by their confinement to high-carbon black quartz-sericite schists of the upper subformation of the Potoskuy suite of the Upper Riphean. In the top of this pack, layered and massive pyrite-polymetallic ores, 70– 140 m thick, are localized. Based on PPA data, lead and zinc content in core varies from fractions of a percent to several percent, based on the ICP-AES method: 0,1– 3,7 % Pb, 0,1–6,4 % Zn, Pb : Zn ratio is 1 : (1–10).

Heterologous Production of Glycine Betaine Using Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803-Based Chassis Lacking Native Compatible Solutes

Among compatible solutes, glycine betaine has various applications in the fields of nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Currently, this compound can be extracted from sugar beet plants or obtained by chemical synthesis, resulting in low yields or high carbon footprint, respectively. Hence, in this work we aimed at exploring the production of glycine betaine using the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 as a photoautotrophic chassis. Synechocystis mutants lacking the native compatible solutes sucrose or/and glucosylglycerol—∆sps, ∆ggpS, and ∆sps∆ggpS—were generated and characterized. Under salt stress conditions, the growth was impaired and accumulation of glycogen decreased by ∼50% whereas the production of compatible solutes and extracellular polymeric substances (capsular and released ones) increased with salinity. These mutants were used as chassis for the implementation of a synthetic device based on the metabolic pathway described for the halophilic cyanobacterium Aphanothece halophytica for the production of the compatible solute glycine betaine. Transcription of ORFs comprising the device was shown to be stable and insulated from Synechocystis’ native regulatory network. Production of glycine betaine was achieved in all chassis tested, and was shown to increase with salinity. The introduction of the glycine betaine synthetic device into the ∆ggpS background improved its growth and enabled survival under 5% NaCl, which was not observed in the absence of the device. The maximum glycine betaine production [64.29 µmol/gDW (1.89 µmol/mg protein)] was reached in the ∆ggpS chassis grown under 3% NaCl. Taking into consideration this production under seawater-like salinity, and the identification of main key players involved in the carbon fluxes, this work paves the way for a feasible production of this, or other compatible solutes, using optimized Synechocystis chassis in a pilot-scale.

Starch Reinforcement of Raw Earth Constructions

The restoration, the protection, or the creation of earthen buildings require improving the mechanical strength of the material. The first way to do that is to use inorganic additives, but these additives change the structural properties of earth and have a high carbon footprint. In contrast, the other way to consolidate is the use of organic additives such as vegetal derivatives that rearrange the minerals in the earth, with the lowest carbon footprint as they are from waste management. After preliminary tests with ten different organic additives from traditional recipes, we found that wheat starch improves the earth strength up to 50 %. In this study, we related the mechanical strengthening to the physicochemical interactions between clays and starch. We focus on three clays that represent the three main groups of clays: kaolinite, illite and montmorillonite. For this study, we mainly focused on compressive test and rheological tests. We showed that the improvement of the mechanical strength with starch is depending on clay nature and their chemistry. Then, we can recommend formulations based on the earth nature for new sustainable buildings. Furthermore, we can understand why it was an interesting way to use starch as a strengthening agent in traditional recipes and how it could be used to repair and protect buildings made of earthen material.

A Freestanding Chitin-Derived Hierarchical Nanocomposite for Developing Electrodes in Future Supercapacitor Industry

Crustacean cuticles are receiving extensive attention for its potential in developing environmentally friendly and high energy density electrodes for supercapacitor applications. In the current work, the demineralized tergite cuticle of mantis shrimp was employed as a precursor for the fabrication porous biochar. The structural benefits of the cuticle, including the hierarchical nanofiber networks, and the interpenetrating pore systems were maximumly retained, providing a high carbon content and specific surface area scaffold. Graphene oxide sheets were deposited across the biochar through the pore canal systems to further increase the conductivity of the biochar, forming a novel freestanding carbon composite. Throughout the modification process, the material products were examined by a range of methods, which showed desired structural, chemical and functional properties. Our work demonstrates that high performance carbon materials can be manufactured using a simple and green process to realize the great potential in energy storage applications.

Continuous Cooling Transformation Behavior of High Carbon Pearlitic Steel

The continuous cooling transformation behavior of high-carbon pearlitic steel was studied by employing optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and the Vickers hardness test. The results show that the microstructure of the test steel is composed of proeutectoid cementite and lamellar pearlite in the cooling rate range of 0.05–2 °C/s and lamellar pearlite in the range of 2–5 °C/s. Further, martensite appears at 10 °C/s. With the increase in the cooling rate, the Vickers hardness of the test steel first decreases and then increases. In the industrial production of high-carbon pearlite steel, the formation of proeutectoid cementite at a low cooling rate needs to be avoided, and at the same time, the formation of martensite and other brittle-phase at a high cooling rate needs to be avoided.

Enterprise Innovation, Executive Experience and Internationalization Strategy: Evidence From High-Carbon Industrial Enterprises Versus Low-Carbon Industrial Enterprises in China

Industrial enterprises are the core subjects to reduce carbon emissions. Their innovations for low-carbon production are the key to determine the effect of carbon emission reduction. This paper examines the impact of executive experience, especially the overseas experience, on enterprise innovations across 3559 enterprises in low-carbon, medium-carbon and high-carbon industries respectively. Interestingly, it shows that the executive experience has only played a significant role in enterprise innovations of high-carbon industrial enterprises, indicating that the executive’s international vision might help to promote innovation in high-carbon industry. Then, it’s also discovered that there is a mediating effect of international strategy which helps to better understand the impact mechanism of executive experience on enterprise innovation in high-carbon industry.

A Novel Approach to Charcoal Fine Waste: Sustainable Use as Filling of Polymeric Matrices

This study aims to evaluate charcoal fines as potential reinforcing agents in biocomposites. Charcoal has both high carbon content and surface area depending on the manufacturing temperatures. Charcoal is a common residue in the coal industry that we propose using it to reinforce filling agents in several matrices in order to add value to this residue. This study investigated charcoal fines when using three pyrolysis temperatures (400, 600, and 800°C) to identify the most suitable charcoal to be used as raw materials in producing carbon biocomposites. We evaluated apparent density, porosity, morphology, and immediate chemical composition, and then performed a Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Charcoal fines produced at 800°C showed promising results as a polymeric matrix filling due to their higher porosity (81.08%), fixed carbon content (96.77%), and hydrophobicity.

High Temperature Continuous Gas Purification and Graphitization System and Process for Carbon Particulate Materials

With the continuous development of modern science and technology, more and more new materials have been applied to production and life. As a new material, carbon granular material is made of carbon, graphite materials and other various raw materials with high carbon content through a series of processing technologies. China is one of the most widely used carbon materials in the world. The purpose of this paper is to optimize and enhance the application effect of carbon materials and promote the construction of a new economic model of energy conservation and emission reduction in China. The specific research is as follows: