Thermal and Optical Properties of the Sunspace Casing as Factors Influencing Temperature Rise in Greenhouse Systems

In sunspaces, there is an observable temperature rise above the external air temperature, caused by solar gains and the buffering effect of their enclosure. In addition, their external partitions form a barrier preventing the direct influence of the external environment and delaying the natural deterioration of elevation surface. In the paper, the temperature rise in a glazed balcony attached to a typical flat in a multifamily building, together with the energy demand in the living zone, were assessed with the use of dynamic computer simulations. Ten variants of the sunspace casing were analysed, with different thermal and solar energy transmittance of the glazing (which is a novel subject in the research area). This enabled us to evaluate average values of the temperature reduction factor during the year and to choose the most efficient variant of the sunspace external partitions. It turned out to be an insulated, double-glazed casing with a spectrally selective coating (type O 21), combining high insulative properties with high solar transmittance. These features allowed the temperature in the sunspace to rise by almost 10°C (compared with the external air) and lower total energy demand in the flat by 33% (compared with a flat with an open balcony).

Interactions of Coated-Gold Engineered Nanoparticles with Aquatic Higher Plant Salvinia minima Baker

The study investigated the interactions of coated-gold engineered nanoparticles (nAu) with the aquatic higher plant Salvinia minima Baker in 2,7, and 14 d. Herein, the nAu concentration of 1000 µg/L was used; as in lower concentrations, analytical limitations persisted but >1000 µg/L were deemed too high and unlikely to be present in the environment. Exposure of S. minima to 1000 µg/L of citrate (cit)- and branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI)-coated nAu (5, 20, and 40 nm) in 10% Hoagland’s medium (10 HM) had marginal effect on biomass and growth rate irrespective of nAu size, coating type, or exposure duration. Further, results demonstrated that nAu were adsorbed on the plants’ roots irrespective of their size or coating variant; however, no evidence of internalization was apparent, and this was attributed to high agglomeration of nAu in 10 HM. Hence, adsorption was concluded as the basic mechanism of nAu accumulation by S. minima. Overall, the long-term exposure of S. minima to nAu did not inhibit plant biomass and growth rate but agglomerates on plant roots may block cell wall pores, and, in turn, alter uptake of essential macronutrients in plants, thus potentially affecting the overall ecological function.

Active Edible Films Fortified with Natural Extracts: Case Study with Fresh-Cut Apple Pieces

The main aim of the study was to prepare the edible films based on carrageenan/chitosan and incorporate them into the following matrices: the natural extracts of Clitoria ternatea, Brassica oleracea, and Ipomea batatas. The films were characterized by TPC (total polyphenols content), antioxidant activity, and textural properties. Experimentally produced films were added in the packaging of freshly cut apple pieces, and the apple pieces were dipped into the films produced from carrageenan and chitosan. The appearance of the samples was monitored, as were antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content. The intelligent properties of films were evaluated too. The polymer type used for the preparation had the highest impact on the prepared films, and CHLCZ (red cabbage extract—Brassica oleracea) featured the best antioxidant activity. The intelligent properties were slightly confirmed in samples with the addition of red cabbage. The main finding was that the coating of fresh-cut apples emphasized the possibility to use a carrageenan matrix with the addition of extracts. The samples immersed in this coating type showed higher antioxidant activity as well as a superior color when compared to that of chitosan coated apple samples.

Mechanism of Fracture in Pre-Cracked Single-Edged Notched Bars With AI2O3-TiO2 and WC-CO Coatings

Experimental analysis is made to investigate the most significant fracture characterizing parameters in plasma sprayed substrate-coating composite. The experiments were conducted on the single edge notched bars (SENB) made with 7075 series aluminum alloy, with plasma sprayed Al2O3-TiO2 and WC-Co top coats. The pre-cracked bars were fractured in computerized universal testing machine in controlled conditions. The material has been tested under age-hardened and coated conditions also. The results have revealed that the age hardening and type of coating have a much influence on strain energy release rate. The experimental results have shown that WC-Co coated normal materials possess higher strength whereas uncoated normal materials possess lower strength. It is also found that Al2O3-TiO2 coated material possess better coating bond strength and moderate load bearing capacity. The SEM fractographic analysis has been made to analyze the fracture behavior as a function of coating type and the material conditions.

Marine biofilms on different fouling control coating types reveal differences in microbial community composition and abundance

Marine biofouling imposes serious environmental and economic impacts on marine applications, especially in the shipping industry. To combat biofouling, protective coatings are applied on vessel hulls which are divided into two major groups: biocidal and non-toxic fouling-release. The aim of the current study was to explore the effect of coating type on microbial biofilm community profiles to better understand the differences between the communities developed on fouling control biocidal antifouling and biocidal-free coatings. Biocidal (Intersmooth(R) 7460HS SPC), fouling-release (Intersleek(R) 900), and inert surfaces were deployed in the marine environment for 4 months and the biofilms that developed on these surfaces were investigated using Illumina NGS sequencing, targeting the prokaryotic 16S rRNA gene. The results confirmed differences in the community profiles between coating types. The biocidal coating supported communities dominated by Alphaproteobacteria (Loktanella, Sphingorhabdus, Erythrobacter) and Bacteroidetes (Gilvibacter), whilst other taxa such as Portibacter and Sva0996 marine group, proliferated on the fouling-release surface. Knowledge of these marine biofilm components on fouling control coatings will serve as a guide for future investigations of marine microfouling as well as informing the coatings industry of potential microbial targets for robust coating formulations.

The Effect of Edible Coatings on Selected Physicochemical Properties of Cassava Chips

The objective of this research was to study the effect of edible coatings on the physicochemical properties of cassava chips. The oil and moisture absorption in fried cassava chips that were not coated and in chips that were coated with pectin and whey protein films were determined using a completely randomized experiment design with a 33 factorial arrangement. The multifactorial ANOVA analysis of variance showed that all factors had significant statistical differences for moisture loss and oil absorption (p < 0.05). The coating type, the control, and the whey protein-coated chips presented a 321% greater oil content on average at 180 °C and 180 s than the pectin-coated chips. The density, heat capacity, and thermal diffusivity had statistical differences at all temperatures (p < 0.05). The sensory analysis showed that the coating type affected all sensory parameters, except crispness, as indicated by significant statistical differences (p < 0.05). The temperature only influenced the color of the control chips, with statistical differences (p < 0.05) at all temperatures.