Thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of a synthetic mixture representative of packaging plastics residue

A synthetic mixture of real waste packaging plastics representative of the residue from a material recovery facility (plasmix) was submitted to thermal and catalytic pyrolysis. Preliminary thermogravimetry experiments coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were performed to evaluate the effects of the catalysts on the polymers’ degradation temperatures and to determine the main compounds produced during pyrolysis. The thermal and catalytic experiments were conducted at 370°C, 450°C and 650°C using a bench scale reactor. The oil, gas, and char yields were analyzed and the compositions of the reaction products were compared. The primary aim of this study was to understand the effects of zeolitic hydrogen ultra stable zeolite Y (HUSY) and hydrogen zeolite socony mobil-5 (HZSM5) catalysts with high silica content on the pyrolysis process and the products’ quality. Thermogravimetry showed that HUSY significantly reduces the degradation temperature of all the polymers—particularly the polyolefines. HZSM5 had a significant effect on the degradation of polyethylene due to its smaller pore size. Mass balance showed that oil is always the main product of pyrolysis, regardless of the process conditions. However, all pyrolysis runs performed at 370°C were incomplete. The use of either zeolites resulted in a decrease in the heavy oil fraction and the prevention of wax formation. HUSY has the best performance in terms of the total monoaromatic yield (29 wt-% at 450°C), while HZSM5 promoted the production of gases (41 wt-% at 650°C). Plasmix is a potential input material for pyrolysis that is positively affected by the presence of the two tested zeolites. A more effective separation of polyethylene terephthalate during the selection process could lead to higher quality pyrolysis products.     

Synthesis and characterization of catalytic metal semiconductor-doped siliceous materials with ordered structure for chemical sensoring

Sensing materials based on doped mesoporous silica of SBA-15 type were obtained by repeated wet impregnation of the solid with semiconductive oxides (Sn and In) and noble metal (Pt). The mesoporous structure of SBA was preserved during the doping and calcination of the solid, although slight pore size narrowing occurred as shown by the BET adsorption analysis. The solid was deposited by the casting technique as a thin layer on a finger structure. The modifications of its electrical resistance values in the presence of hydrogen and propene (50–400 ppm), at temperature values of 450 °C was used as sensing parameter, in the presence of propene and hydrogen. The sensitivity to propene was higher than that to hydrogen.     

Macromolecular assemblies of segmented poly(ester urethane)s and poly(ether urethane)s

Polyurethanes containing different soft and hard segments were investigated by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. The polarity dependence of the vibrational structure of the pyrene emission spectrum indicated the formation of aggregates at concentrations, which are significantly below the critical concentrations, which define the separation of dilute‐semidilute domains. Unlike the samples with 4,4′‐methylene diphenylene diisocyanate, the samples with 2,4‐tolylene diisocyanate in hard segments give the fluorescence spectra in which the pyrene excimer appears. The supermolecular structures associated with the form of spherulites or of spherical micelles were detected by scanning electron microscopy. The results were compared with previous reports concerning viscometric data. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Segmented biopolyurethanes for medical applications

Polyurethanes are one of the most popular groups of biomaterials applied for medical devices. Their segmented block copolymeric character endows them a wide range of versatility in terms of tailoring their physical properties, blood and tissue compatibility. Polyester- and polyether-urethanes have been modified with hydroxypropyl cellulose aiming the change of their surface and bulk characteristics to confer them biomaterial qualities. In this respect, dynamic contact angle measurements, dynamic mechanical analyses accompanied by mechanical testing have been done. Platelet adhesion test has been carried out in vitro and the use of hydroxypropyl cellulose in the polyurethane matrix reduces the platelet adhesion and therefore recommends them as candidates for biocompatible materials.     

Characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of polyethylene adipate/cholesteryl palmitate blends

FT‐IR spectroscopy has been employed to study compatibility, melting, and crystallization of the polyethylene adipate (PEA)/cholesteryl palmitate (CP) blends. The changes in FT‐IR spectra were followed by controlled rate of heating and cooling. The bands corresponding to the crystalline structure have been assigned. The accuracy of the transition temperature determination has been improved by fitting the curve of the integral absorbance dependence on temperature with a Boltzmann function. From dependence of the transition temperatures on the composition of the blend, it has been established that for each mixing ratio a certain mass fraction of CP should be dissolved in the PEA matrix. The PEA/CP blends behave as a phase‐separated system with partial miscibility. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1156–1163, 2004     

On the Tactile Sensing Based on the Smart Materials

A flexible finger with muscles made of Nitinol wires and the skin made of auxetic material is analyzed from the tactile sensing point of view. The recognizing of the shape and texture of 3D objects is performed by simulation the action of an array of nanopiezotronic transistors integrated into the skin. The array of nanopiezotronic transistors makes possible the detection of the pressure-induced changes in the auxetic skin. The shape and texture of the objects is best estimated by determining the surface and texture as an n-ellipsoid defined by 12 parameters. An inverse problem is solved in order to find these parameters from the condition that the n-ellipsoid best fits the set of data points probed by touch with the finger.     

New hybrid materials based on layered double hydroxides and antioxidant compounds. Preparation, characterization and release kinetic studies

New hybrid materials were obtained by intercalation of the antioxidant compounds vanillic acid and gallic acid in layered double hydroxides (LDHs) resulting formulations with controlled release and antioxidant activity. The hybrid materials were prepared by using two methods: coprecipitation and ion exchange. X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that the antioxidant molecules were intercalated into interlayer spaces of LDHs. The release of the antioxidant compounds was investigated in simulated gastrointestinal solution at 37?°C and monitored using a spectrophotometric method. The results prove that these hybrid biocomposites can be classified as controlled release formulations for the antioxidant compounds under study.     

An active hybrid parallel robot for minimally invasive surgery

During the last years, there has been an increase in research in the field of medical robots. This trend motivated the development of a new robotics field called “robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery”. The paper presents the kinematic and dynamic behavior of a parallel hybrid surgical robot PARASURG-9M. The robot consists of two subsystems: a surgical robotic arm, PARASURG 5M with five motors, and an active robotized surgical instrument PARASIM with four motors. The methodology for the robot kinematics is presented and the algorithm for robot workspace generation is described. PARASURG-9M inverse dynamic simulation is performed using MSC Adams and finally some numerical and simulation results of the developed experimental model with its system control are also described.