Investigation into the Use of Microfluidics in the Manufacture of Metallic Gold-Coated Iron Oxide Hybrid Nanoparticles

Hybrid iron oxide-gold nanoparticles are of increasing interest for applications in nanomedicine, photonics, energy storage, etc. However, they are often difficult to synthesise without experience or ‘know-how’. Additionally, standard protocols do not allow for scale up, and this is significantly hindering their future potential. In this study, we seek to determine whether microfluidics could be used as a new manufacturing process to reliably produce hybrid nanoparticles with the line of sight to their continuous manufacture and scaleup. Using a Precision Nano NanoAssemblr Benchtop® system, we were able to perform the intermediate coating steps required in order to construct hybrid nanoparticles around 60 nm in size with similar chemical and physical properties to those synthesised in the laboratory using standard processes, with Fe/Au ratios of 1:0.6 (standard) and 1:0.7 (microfluidics), indicating that the process was suitable for their manufacture with optimisation required in order to configure a continuous manufacturing plant.

Monitoring the continuous manufacture of a polymeric foam via a thermokinetic-informed acoustic technique

Polymer foams are difficult to characterise due to rapidly evolving physical features from liquid to porous solid. Swift changes in volume, porosity and moduli render many techniques challenging for the characterisation of the foam curing during a manufacturing process. A technique that employs the longitudinal speed of sound of an ultrasonic signal, informed by a thermokinetic model, is proposed as an in situ, in-line, non-destructive and continuous monitoring tool during the production of rigid polyurethane foams. This study demonstrates that speed of sound measurements are suitable for (a) continuous characterisation of different foaming stages in the polymer reaction and curing; (b) determining the degree of cure for the continuous monitoring of foams, and (c) predicting mechanical properties (i.e., stiffness and Poisson's ratio) of cured foam samples. The validity of this monitoring technique is confirmed by comparison with well-established methods that use physical characteristics (e.g., expansion rate, electrical properties), thermo-kinetic models and mechanical testing. This method positions itself as a monitoring tool and convenient method for determining material stiffness during production.

Continuous Manufacture and Scale-Up of Theophylline-Nicotinamide Cocrystals

The aim of the study was the manufacturing and scale-up of theophylline-nicotinamide (THL-NIC) pharmaceutical cocrystals processed by hot-melt extrusion (HME). The barrel temperature profile, feed rate and screw speed were found to be the critical processing parameters with a residence time of approximately 47 s for the scaled-up batches. Physicochemical characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffraction of bulk and extruded materials revealed the formation of high purity cocrystals (98.6%). The quality of THL-NIC remained unchanged under accelerated stability conditions.

Timbre of Trash

Late capitalist production is highly dependent upon the continuous manufacture of new goods to be brought to market. The idea of obsolescence plays a key role in this process, as more recent commodities replace older, presumably less-effective products. This process is especially prominent in the technological sector, which routinely encourages the deliberate replacement of older devices— even when still functional. Digital audio technologies fall in line with these practices, and are often produced using exploitative labor practices. A serious consideration of these effects poses a difficult question for sonic artists who use electronic and digital equipment in their practice. Specifically, how can sound practitioners begin to account for and push against their tacit contribution to the detrimental effects of obsolescence entailed by the tools of their craft? This article explores this question through the lens of new materialist discourse, which outlines modes of engaging with the physical world that reject the assumption that objects are static. Instead, they employ an understanding of objects as collective agents in constant active assemblage of shared material actions that include the presence of human bodies as part of a continuum of objects within larger systems of capital, labor, and politics. The electronic audio practices of American sonic artists who incorporate obsolete, broken, and discarded objects in their work will act as case studies for this exploration. Their work helps understand possible collaborative implementations of technological audio production that recognize the collective agency involved in their physical and aural production.

Single-Cell Technologies to Understand the Mechanisms of Cellular Adaptation in Chemostats

There is a growing interest in continuous manufacturing within the bioprocessing community. In this context, the chemostat process is an important unit operation. The current application of chemostat processes in industry is limited although many high yielding processes are reported in literature. In order to reach the full potential of the chemostat in continuous manufacture, the output should be constant. However, adaptation is often observed resulting in changed productivities over time. The observed adaptation can be coupled to the selective pressure of the nutrient-limited environment in the chemostat. We argue that population heterogeneity should be taken into account when studying adaptation in the chemostat. We propose to investigate adaptation at the single-cell level and discuss the potential of different single-cell technologies, which could be used to increase the understanding of the phenomena. Currently, none of the discussed single-cell technologies fulfill all our criteria but in combination they may reveal important information, which can be used to understand and potentially control the adaptation.

Production of fertiliser from wood ash

In 1995, at the central heating plant of Kalmar, Draken, a project aiming to manufacture a granular ash product for nutrient recycling to forest soils instead of depositing it in landfills was started. Prototype equipment for granule manufacturing was developed and built by Kalmar Energi & Miljö in co-operation with Kalmar University College. Production of fertiliser from wood ash comprises aspects of technology, ecology and economy. The composition of granules mostly complies with the requirements of The National Swedish Board of Forestry for nutrient content and heavy metal levels. When constructing an automatic and continuous manufacture process, the on-line measurement of percentage of unburned carbon present in the wood ash is most important for the overall granule properties. Granulation is a more expensive method of treating ash, but granulated ashes give very slow ecological effects and could make ash recycling more acceptable in ecologically sensitive areas.