Eco-friendly dehydrogenation of dimethylamine-borane catalyzed by core-shell-looking tri-metallic RuNiPd nanoclusters loaded on white-flowering horse-chestnut seed

Generally, white-flowering horse-chestnut seed (WFHC) found in roadsides, parks and gardens, which spills around and causes environmental pollution, is defined as waste-bio material. This study is quite remarkable as it gives WFHC a new field of usage and literally prioritizes the environment. Here, waste-bio WFHC was tested as supporter for tri-metallic RuNiPd nanoclusters in the eco-friendly dehydrogenation of dimethylamine-borane (DMAB). Core-shell-looking tri-metallic RuNiPd@WFHC, with 264.09 ± 45.55 nm particle size, were in-situ synthesized throughout dehydrogenation of DMAB at 35.0 ± 0.1 °C. The WFHC and tri-metallic Ru_2.00Ni_1.86Pd_1.00@WFHC NCs were characterized by advanced analysis and their surface morphologies were studied in detail using adsorption models. The N₂ adsorption-desorption and logarithmic-Freundlich plots indicated that surface morphologies have heterogeneous multi-layer and typical Type-III isotherm with mesoporous surfaces. Also, detailed kinetic studies were actualized on the dehydrogenation of DMAB catalyzed by tri-metallic Ru_2.00Ni_1.86Pd_1.00@WFHC NCs with 158 h^?1 TOF value.     

Quaternäre Metall/Metalloxid‐Katalysatoren als Wandkatalysatoren in Mikroreaktoren für Power‐to‐Gas‐Applikationen mittels kombinatorischer Hochdurchsatzmethoden

Catalysts of quaternary composition have been prepared and tested for the Sabatier process. For catalyst syntheses the following techniques have been used: sol‐gel methods, wet impregnation and incipient wetness impregnation. The Sabatier reaction was carried out at temperatures between 520 K and 670 K, pressures of 15 bar and 30 bar using a mixture H₂:CO₂ of 4:1. Activity screening of the microscale wall catalysts was performed by a custom‐built 10‐fold parallel gas‐flow microreactor setup in sequential operating mode. To analyze the gas phase compositions GC‐FID was used.     

Review and analysis of the hydrogen production technologies from a safety perspective

Hydrogen can be produced via many different technologies; however, from a safety standpoint there exists no framework for selecting the right technology. Here, we provide a structured framework for assessment of the most desirable hydrogen production technology based on efficiency, safety, and infrastructure, by using a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) integrated Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and life-cycle index (LInX) approach. We apply this modified MCDM approach to steam methane reforming (SMR), autothermal reforming, partial oxidation, alkaline electrolysis, polymer electrode membrane electrolysis, and solid oxide electrolyzer cell processes. Our results show that SMR is the most desirable technology based on the efficiency, safety, and infrastructure criteria. We employ fuzzy set theory to address subjectivity and uncertainty challenges in the data and found that although the technologies based on electrolysis have an environmental advantage, they exhibit higher uncertainties than non-renewable technologies such as SMR. Overall, this new framework addresses the challenge to find the most desirable and safer technology for hydrogen production.     

Supporting hydrogen technologies deployment in EU regions and Member States: The Smart Specialisation Platform on Energy (S3PEnergy)

In order to maximise European, national and regional research and innovation potential the European Union is investing in these fields through different funding mechanisms such as the ESIF or H2020 programme. This investment plan is part of the European 2020 strategy, where the concept of Smart Specialisation is also included.Smart Specialisation is an innovation policy concept designed to promote the efficient and effective use of public investment in regional innovation in order to achieve economic growth. The Smart Specialisation Platform was created to support this concept by assisting regions and Member States in developing, implementing and reviewing their research and innovation Smart Specialisation strategies.The Smart Specialisation Platform comprises several thematic platforms. The thematic Smart Specialisation Platform on energy (S3PEnergy) is a joint initiative of three European Commission services: DG REGIO, DG ENER, and the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The main objective of the S3PEnergy is to support the optimal and effective uptake of the Cohesion Policy funds for energy, and to better align energy innovation activities at national, local and regional level through the identification of the technologies and innovative solutions that support in the most cost-effective way the EU energy policy priorities.In the particular case of hydrogen technologies, the activities of the platform are mainly focused on supporting the new Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) initiative involving regions and cities. To date, more than 80 European cities and regions have committed to participate in this initiative through the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding, and more participants are expected to join. S3PEnergy is helping in the identification of potential combination of H2020 funding (provided through FCH JU) and ESIF.To identify potential synergies among these two funding sources, a mapping of the different ESIF opportunities has been performed. In order to map these opportunities, Operational Programmes (OPs) and research and innovation strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) of the different European regions and Member States were analysed. The results of this mapping and analysis are presented in this paper.     

Identification of digital technologies and digitalisation trends in the mining industry

Digitalisation in mining refers to the use of computerised or digital devices or systems and digitised data that are to reduce costs, improve business productivity, and transform mining practices. However, it remains increasingly difficult for mining companies to decide which digital technologies are most relevant to their needs and individual mines. This paper provides an overview of digital technologies currently relevant to mining companies as presented and discussed by mining journals, the media and insight reports of leading consultancy agencies. Relevant technologies were systematically identified using text-mining techniques, and network analyses established the relations between significant technologies. Results demonstrated that currently 107 different digital technologies are pursued in the mining sector. Also, an analysis of the actual implementation of digital technologies in 158 active surface and underground mines reveals a limited uptake of digital technologies in general and that the uptake increases with the run-of-mine production. Large-scale mining operations appear to select and apply digital technologies suitable to their needs, whereas operations with lower production rates do not implement the currently available digital technologies to the same extent. These minor producers may require other digital transformation solutions tailored to their capabilities and needs and applicable to their scale of operations.     

Identification of potential technologies for 1,4-Butanediol production using prospecting methodology

1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BDO) is a four-carbon diol used for industrial applications such as organic solvents, and the production of adhesives, fibers and polyurethanes. 1,4-BDO currently is produced through several petrochemical routes: hydrogenation of maleic anhydride, isomerization of propylene oxide, acetoxylation of butadiene, and the reaction between formaldehyde and acetylene. The current trends in 1,4-BDO production involve the utilization of renewable sources such as biomass. In this context, the present study aimed to identify promising technologies of 1,4-BDO production through prospecting methodology based on the analyses of patents and scientific article, describing the most relevant aspects of those emerging technologies. An increasing amount of 1,4-BDO production focused on biotechnological routes has been reported, with the US heavily involved in the development of new technologies. This study tracked three promising technologies which have potential for application in a biorefinery context because those processes involve (i) production of 1,4-BDO from sugars, classified herein as the biotechnological route; (ii) production of intermediates from sugar fermentation followed by catalytic conversion into 1,4-BDO, classified herein as the hybrid route, and (iii) furan/furfural conversion into 1,4-BDO. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry     

硅烷自交联聚乙烯的制备与性能研究

通过熔融共混将产水剂加入到硅烷交联聚乙烯中,制备出室温下可进行自交联的硅烷交联聚乙烯材料。采用热重分析仪、平板流变仪、万能试验机对硅烷自交联聚乙烯的结构、性能进行表征。结果表明,产水剂的加入可以在自然放置的条件下逐步提高材料的凝胶含量,最终达到水煮工艺处理同样的效果;乙酸锌的促进效果最好,兼具高凝胶含量的同时,使材料的力学性能、热稳定性、储能模量提高。     

Valorisation of potato wastes

Potato processing industry has a high degree of discarding, which currently has low added value being used primarily for animal feed. However, potato wastes offer a broad range of interesting components such as antioxidants, starch, protein or fibre with potential applications in the food and non-food industries. The recovery of these high valuable fractions using efficient multistage and multiproduct processes could be of great interest. This short review provides a general overview on the integral valorisation of potato wastes, offering an updated vision of the main residual parts generated during potato harvesting and processing, the high valuable obtained components focusing on the bioactive ones and the potential of the emerging extraction techniques over conventional ones. In addition, innovative applications are discussed to highlight the scientific and applied interest of these underutilised and undervalued fractions and to emphasise the integral valorisation of raw materials.     

The role of smart packaging system in food supply chain

Food supply chain is a rapidly growing integrated sector and covers all the aspects from farm to fork, including manufacturing, packaging, distribution, storing, as well as further processing or cooking for consumption. Along this chain, smart packaging could impact the quality, safety, and sustainability of food. Packaging systems have evolved to be smarter with integration of emerging electronics and wireless communication and cloud data solutions. Although there are many factors causing the loss and waste issues for foods throughout the whole supply chain of food and there have been several articles showing the recent advances and breakthroughs in developing smart packaging systems, this review integrates these conceptual frameworks and technological applications and focuses on how innovative smart packaging solutions are beneficial to the overall quality and safety of food supply by enhancing product traceability and reducing the amount of food loss and waste. We start by introducing the concept of the management for the integrated food supply chain, which is critical in tactical and operational components that can enhance product traceability within the entire chain. Then we highlight the impact of smart packaging in reducing food loss and waste. We summarize the basic information of the common printing techniques for smart packaging system (sensor and indicator). Then, we discuss the potential challenges in the manufacturing and deployment of smart packaging systems, as well as their cost-related drawbacks and further steps in food supply chain.     

Ageing workforce management in manufacturing systems: state of the art and future research agenda

The workforce ageing phenomenon is recently affecting most of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries, due to a general ageing of their populations and a higher average retirement age of the workforce. In this paper, the topic of ageing workforce management is addressed from a production research standpoint, with the aim of understanding how older workers can be supported and involved in a manufacturing system. First, the current state of the art related to the ageing workforce in production systems is presented. This is structured according to four main topics: (1) analysis and evaluation of ageing workers’ functional capacities, (2) consideration of ageing workers’ capacities in industrial system modelling and management, (3) analysis and exploitation of ageing workers’ expertise, (4) acknowledgement, analysis, design and integration of supporting technologies. Next, the discussion on the impact of the ageing workforce on manufacturing systems’ performances leads to the comparison of some technological advances that are related to the Industry 4.0 paradigms. Finally, a future research agenda on this topic is proposed, based on the same topics classification proposed for the literature analysis. Five different research areas are derived, suggesting future directions for appropriate research concerning the employ of older workers in production environments.