Solid‐State Structure and Mechanical Properties of Blends of an Amorphous Polyamide and a Poly(amino‐ether) Resin

Summary: Finely dispersed blends of an amorphous polyamide (AP) and a poly(amino‐ether) (PAE) resin were obtained by direct injection moulding. The blend components reacted slightly, mainly in PAE‐rich compositions, as seen by torque increases and FT‐IR. Both negative volumes of mixing and preferential orientation were observed in blends with very high AP contents, leading to synergisms in both the modulus of elasticity and the yield stress. In PAE‐rich blends, the effects of these two structural characteristics were negative, but the higher presence of reacted products also led to an overall synergistic modulus of elasticity. With the exception of blends very rich in PAE, in which the more extensive reactions led to brittle materials, the reactions compatibilized the blends due to the presence of small amounts of reacted copolymers, probably at the interface.

Cryogenically fractured surface of the skin of the AP/PAE 80/20 w/w blend.     

Current practice in biodiversity impact assessment and prospects for developing an integrated process

Irish guidance for Integrated Biodiversity Impact Assessment provides a methodological approach for integrating impact assessment requirements, with regard to biodiversity, under EU and Irish legislation. Preparation of the guidance was supported by extensive consultation, including international and national surveys. These offered insights into the issues affecting the treatment of biodiversity in impact assessment practice as well as expert opinion on factors affecting and supporting the development of a more integrated and adaptive approach. This paper contrasts the international literature with the consultation feedback. Among other aspects, the results highlight the requirement for an improved application of evidence-based assessment techniques, continuity in monitoring, enhanced information exchange between scientists, assessors and proponents, as well as increased awareness amongst stakeholders for inclusion of appropriate biodiversity protection objectives and mitigation in final planning decisions. Comparative analysis of results indicates that current practice is characterized by limited information exchange and the use of in-house databases in assessments. A central spatial data repository is identified as key for quantitatively assessing (cumulative) effects through Geographic Information Systems, and thus supporting evidence-informed decision-making towards biodiversity conservation.     

Performance analysis of a 7‐kW crystalline silicon generator after 17 years of operation in Madrid

The degradation observed on a 7‐kWp Si‐x photovoltaic array after 17 years of exposure on the roof of the Solar Energy Institute of the Polytechnic University of Madrid is presented. The mean peak power degradation has been 9% over this time, or an equivalent to 0.53% per year, whereas peak power standard deviation has remained constant. The main visual defects are backsheet delamination at the polyester/polyvinyl fluoride outer interface and cracks in the terminal boxes and at the joint between the frame and the laminate. Insulation resistance complies well with the requirements of the International Electrotechnical Commission 61215 tests. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Compatible polycarbonate/polyamide 6,6 blends with fibrillar morphology

Blends of bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC) and polyamide 6,6 (PA6,6) were prepared directly during the plasticization step of an injection molding process in an attempt to attain both (i) the reinforcement of the blends through fibrillar morphology, and (ii) an adequate compatibilization despite the short processing procedure used. Differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic‐mechanical analysis indicated that the blends were made up of a PC‐rich phase where some PA6,6 was present and, ruling out a possible degradation, of an almost pure PA6,6‐phase. The cryogenically fractured surfaces observed by scanning electron microscopy showed both rather fine particles and larger particles with occluded subparticles. This complex morphology indicates low interphase tension and, therefore, compatibilization, which can be attributed to the presence of PA6,6 in the two phases of the blends. The values of Young's modulus, determined by means of tensile tests, were always synergistic and, in the case of the 25/75 blend, the modulus was even higher than those of any of the two pure components. It appears this could be due to both the highly fibrillar morphology of the dispersed phase, and the significant decrease observed in specific volume. The blends remained ductile throughout the full composition range, which also indicates compatibilization. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Effect of Fish and Oil Nature on Frying Process and Nutritional Product Quality

ABSTRACT: The modifications on a lean fish (cod—Gadus morhua) and a fatty fish (farmed salmon—Salmo salar) after the application of pan-frying using 2 types of oil with different lipid profile (extra virgin olive oil and sunflower oil) was the aim of this study. Fat content and total energetic value increased significantly after the frying process only in the lean fish, without relevant changes in the fatty fish. Extra virgin olive oil led to a higher fat absorption rate than sunflower oil in both fish. Frying hardly affected the lipid profile of farmed salmon regardless the oil used, however it drastically changed in fried cod compared to raw cod. Omega-6/omega-3 ratio increased from 0.08 in raw cod to 1.01 and 6.63 in fried cod with olive oil and sunflower oil, respectively. In farmed salmon, the omega-6/omega-3 ratio was 0.38 (raw), and 0.39 to 0.58 in fried salmon. The amount of EPA + DHA slightly decreased with frying in salmon, and increased in cod. The type of oil has more influence in the nutritional fish quality for the lean fish compared to that of the fatty fish. The use of extra virgin olive oil was efficient to avoid a significant increase of the lipid oxidation intensity during frying in cod but not in salmon. Practical Application: Food modifies its composition and nutritional value with the application of cooking technologies. As most food table composition tables are based on raw food products, this article contributes with interesting data on pan-fried fish composition, which may improve the approach to achieve a real intake of healthy nutrients as omega 3 fatty acids.     

A Porphyrin Spin Qubit and Its 2D Framework Nanosheets

Molecular spin qubits have been shown to reach sufficiently long quantum coherence times to envision their use as hardware in quantum processors. These will however require their implementation in hybrid solid‐state devices for which the controlled localization and homogeneous orientation of the molecular qubits will be necessary. An alternative to isolated molecules that can ensure these key aspects is 2D framework in which the qubit would act as node. In this work, it is demonstrated that the isolated metalloporphyrin [Cu(H₄TCPP)] molecule is a potential spin qubit, and maintains similar quantum coherence as node in a 2D [{CuTCPP}Zn₂(H₂O)₂] metal–organic framework. Mono‐ and multilayer deposits of nanosheets of a similar 2D framework are then successfully formed following a modular method based on Langmuir–Schaefer conditions. The orientation of the {CuTCPP} qubit nodes in these nanosheets is homogeneous parallel to the substrate. These nanosheets are also formed with a control over the qubit concentration, i.e., by dilution with the unmetallated porphyrin. Eventually, 2D nanosheets are formed in situ directly on a substrate, through a simple protocol devised to reproduce the Langmuir–Schaefer conditions locally. Altogether these studies show that 2D spin qubit frameworks are ideal components to develop a hybrid quantum computing architecture.     

SEA effectiveness in Spain: insights from practice

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is fairly well-established in Spain, informing decision-makers on the likely environmental consequences of their plans and policies. However, limited attention has been paid to the study of SEA effectiveness in Spain, particularly with regards to practitioner and stakeholder views. This paper aims to bridge this knowledge gap by gathering and examining views on SEA’s participatory aspects, the performance of the procedural elements and the overall role of SEA in decision-making. The paper describes the legal implementation of SEA in Spain, and discusses current views on its effectiveness, grounded on the authors’ own experiences.