Coupling hydrothermal liquefaction and aqueous phase reforming for integrated production of biocrude and renewable H2

Lignin-rich stream from lignocellulosic ethanol production was converted into biocrude by continuous hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) while hydrogen was produced by aqueous phase reforming (APR) of the HTL aqueous by-product. The effects of Na₂CO₃ and NaOH were investigated both in terms of processability of the feedstock as well as yield and composition of the obtained products. A maximum biocrude yield of 27 wt% was reached in the NaOH-catalyzed runs. A relevant amount of dissolved phenolics were detected in the co-produced aqueous phase (AP), and removed by liquid–liquid extraction using butyl acetate or diethyl ether, preserving the APR catalyst stability and reaching an hydrogen yield up to 146 mmol H₂ L⁻¹ AP. Preliminary mass balances integrating HTL and APR showed that the hydrogen provided by APR may account for up to 46% of the hydrogen amount theoretically required for upgrading the HTL biocrude, thus significantly improving the process performance and sustainability.     

Determination of Lutein from Fruit and Vegetables Through an Alkaline Hydrolysis Extraction Method and HPLC Analysis

A simple and rapid analytical method for the determination of lutein content, successfully used for cereal matrices, was evaluated in fruit and vegetables. The method involved the determination of lutein after an alkaline hydrolysis of the sample matrix, followed by extraction with solvents and analysis by normal phase HPLC. The optimized method was simple, precise, and accurate and it was characterized by few steps that could prevent loss of lutein and its degradation. The optimized method was used to evaluate the lutein amounts in several fruit and vegetables. Rich sources of lutein were confirmed to be green vegetables such as parsley, spinach, chicory, chard, broccoli, courgette, and peas, even if in a range of variability. Taking into account the suggested reference values these vegetables can be stated as good sources of lutein.     

The application of virtual reality technology in rehabilitation.

Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology with a variety of potential benefits for many aspects of rehabilitation assessment, treatment, and research. Through its capacity to allow the creation and control of dynamic 3-dimensional, ecologically valid stimulus environments within which behavioral responding can be recorded and measured, VR offers clinical assessment and rehabilitation options that are not available with traditional methods. Initial applications of VR in other aspects of medicine and psychology have yielded encouraging results, but continued research and understanding of this evolving technology will be crucial for its effective integration into rehabilitation. This article provides a brief introduction to VR technology, examines the specific benefits VR offers consumers and providers of rehabilitation services and discusses potential areas of application and important considerations in applying this technology. Finally, 2 examples of current Vr applications are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Crop Reference Evapotranspiration: A Discussion of the Concept,Analysis of the Process and Validation

The study at first recalls the concept of “potential evapotranspiration” (PET), originally considered equal to the evaporation climatic demand; then, it reminds the steps of its progressive evolution toward the concept of “reference crop evapotranspiration” (ET₀) determined on irrigated grass. A physical analysis conducted on the evaporation process is subsequently reported to help clarifying the links between ET₀ and evaporation climatic demand. This analysis clearly demonstrates that the equivalence of ET₀ to evaporation climatic demand is not correct, although still common assumption in recent scientific literature, particularly in hydrology. The study also identifies two processes acting in opposite directions in the dynamics of ET₀: (1) the climatic variables determining the evaporation demand, and (2) the canopy resistance which slows down the response of irrigated grass to such demand. The analysis of the respective impact of these two processes on ET₀ dynamics shows that the available energy is the dominant process. This variable takes into account the 60–70% of the variation of ET₀, both at hourly and daily scales, while canopy resistance only explains 10–20% of ET₀ variation of irrigated grass. The study regards different climatic situations. Possible effects on practical applications were also discussed in the conclusions, together with comments on the correct canopy resistance modelling.     

Effect of temperature on thermo-mechanical properties of Macro-Defect-Freecement-polymer composite

In this work thermo-mechanical properties of MDF cements have been analyzed under complex thermal hystories. In particular the temperature sensitivity of the material has been investigated using dynamical-mechanical analysis. Several tests have been performed to investigate the behaviour of the material from room temperature to 250 °C at a fixed frequency (1 Hz). The viscoelastic behaviour of the composite was then analyzed at different frequencies: it was observed that the material exhibits two main transitions, around 60 °C and 160 °C. For comparison with differential scanning calorimeter analysis the first peak was attributed to the glass transition of the PVAAc while the second one was associated to the melting of the crystalline part of the polymer. In addition, dynamical-mechanical analysis that included complex thermal hystories, were performed both on pure polymer films, and on the MDF cements, confirming that the drop of mechanical properties with temperature is essentially due to the nature of the viscoelastic component. Results obtained are in agreement with the picture of a composite in which a polymeric thermoplastic matrix surrounds partially hydrated cement particles.     

Fundamentals of MRAM Technology

Developments in portable communication and computing systems are creating a growing demand for nonvolatile random access memory that is dense and fast. None of the existing solid-state memories can provide all the needed attributes in a single memory solution. Therefore, to achieve the required multiple functionality requirements, a number of different memories are being used while compromising performance and adding cost to the system. Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) has the potential to replace these memories in various systems with a single, universal memory solution. Key attributes of MRAM technology are nonvolatility and unlimited read and write endurance. In addition, MRAM can operate at high-speed and is expected to have competitive densities. In this paper we describe several fundamental technical and scientific aspects of MRAM with emphasis on recent accomplishments that enabled our successful demonstration of a 256 kbit memory chip.     

Phase transformations during the cure of unsaturated polyester resins

The phase transformations occurring during the cure of an unsaturated polyester resin have been investigated by different techniques, including high frequency dynamic–mechanical analysis by ultrasonic wave propagation. The increase of longitudinal sound velocity can be attributed to the increase of longitudinal modulus L′ while irreversible viscous losses are responsible for the increase of sound attenuation. A correspondence between the changes in the velocity and attenuation and the phase transformations (gelation and vitrification) can be observed. The ultrasonic properties have been compared with the gel time values obtained from parallel-plate rheological measurements. Finally, a DSC analysis has been carried out to compare the evolution of degree of reaction with that of the ultrasonic modulus.