Three-dimensional core-shell hybrid solar cells via controlled in situ materials engineering

Three-dimensional core-shell organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells with tunable properties are demonstrated via electropolymerization. Air-stable poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) shells with controlled thicknesses are rapidly coated onto periodic GaAs nanopillar arrays conformally, preserving the vertical 3D structure. The properties of the organic layer can be readily tuned in situ, allowing for (1) the lowering of the highest occupied molecular orbital level (|ΔE| ～ 0.28 eV), leading to the increase of open-circuit voltage (V(OC)), and (2) an improvement in PEDOT conductivity that results in enhanced short-circuit current densities (J(SC)). The incorporation of various anionic dopants in the polymer during the coating process also enables the tailoring of the polymer/semiconductor interface transport properties. Systematic tuning of the device properties results in a J(SC) of 13.6 mA cm(-2), V(OC) of 0.63 V, peak external quantum efficiency of 58.5%, leading to a power conversion efficiencies of 4.11%.     

Dehydroacetic acid in cheese and cheese coating,results of official control in Italy

This paper reports the occurrence of dehydroacetic acid in cheese and cheese coatings collected in Italy during Agricultural Ministry Official control. Dehydroacetic acid is an antimicrobial substance not allowed to be used in EU countries as a food additive, with unknown effects on human health. Dehydroacetic acid was measured by a validated HPLC method according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC criteria in terms of specificity, linearity, precision and accuracy, limit of detection, and limit of quantification. The method was successfully applied to 129 samples of commercial cheese coatings and related treated cheeses collected in Italy during 2017. The overall results demonstrated that about 40% of the investigated cheese coatings contained dehydroacetic acid, ranging from 0.010% to 2.5% w/w, evidencing illicit employment of this substance. Moreover, about 25% of treated cheeses contained dehydroacetic acid, from 5 to 250 mg/Kg, proving transfer of this substance from crust to cheese.     

Antioxidant activity,color chromaticity coordinates,and chemical characterization of monofloral honeys from Morocco

The bioprospecting of several monofloral Moroccan honeys was carried out. The antiradical activity expressed as mmol Trolox equivalents/kg of honey and evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, ranged from 0.15 for euphorb honey to 1.08 for citrus honey. The antioxidant activity expressed as mmol Fe²⁺/kg and evaluated by ferric ion reducing antioxidant power assay, ranged from 0.96 for euphorb honey to 4.74 for orange honey. The total phenol content was evaluated by colorimetric assay, while the color attributes were evaluated as transmittance data. Significant Pearson correlation factors were found between total polyphenol amount and antioxidant activity and between color attributes and antioxidant activity. Furthermore the chemical composition of volatile organic compounds was determined. The volatile organic compounds chemical composition of the studied honeys was mainly represented by terpene and benzene derivatives, Maillard reaction products, isoprenoids, and hydrocarbons. The volatiles fingerprint, as well as a targeted high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of the polar components, was used to tentatively confirm the declared botanical origin of the samples studied.     

Innovative lay-up system in plywood manufacturing process

In the traditional plywood manufacturing process, the lay-up stage absorbs approximately 24% of the total manufacturing costs. It usually requires a large amount of manpower and produces a significant amount of waste material. Therefore, the authors have developed an innovative system based on a new idea that reduces these values drastically. The solution is characterized by intensive use of flexible automation, and this breakthrough lay-up system technology is specifically discussed in relation to plywood manufacture. Since the new system was tested, it has been adopted and used by the European leader in poplar plywood manufacturing. Interesting results include productivity increases of up to 20%, a decrease in lay-up costs of approximately 19% and a consumption of area reduced about 42%. Moreover, by reducing manpower requirements, the new system generates a significant reduction in the number of problems relating to product quality and operator safety, which is certainly not a trivial question in the traditional lay-up system.     

Induction of grape botrytization during withering affects volatile composition of Recioto di Soave, a “passito”-style wine

The influence of noble rot on the quality of Recioto di Soave, a “passito” sweet white wine, is greatly variable depending on the occurrence of favourable seasonal conditions for the mould infection. Botrytized wines were produced from grapes inoculated with conidia suspensions to evaluate the effects of noble rot on volatile compounds profile of Recioto di Soave wine. Different development stages of Botrytis cinerea and degree of grape withering were ascertained by must analysis. Several volatile components were involved in marked changes depending on the infection and grape withering level. Fruity esters, carbonyl compounds, phenols, lactones and acetamides greatly changed among botrytized wines. The results demonstrated that the level of B. cinerea infection and the degree of grape withering exert considerable influence on the volatile composition of this sweet wine. Strain-dependent effects were also preliminary ascertained. The process of induction of grape botrytization presented in this study could be recommendable for the industrial production of botrytized Recioto di Soave wine.