Properties of biocomposites from waste seashells and poly(methyl methacrylate)

The paper presents the preparation of biocomposites from waste seashells as reinforcement and poly(methyl methacrylate), abbreviated as PMMA as the matrix. The used seashells belong to the snow‐white Bahamian species of tiger lucine (Codakia orbicularis) from the Island of Coco Cay. Seashells were grinded and homogenized with poly(methyl methacrylate) powder, with the seashell powder content ranging between 2 and 14 wt%, and finally hot pressed. Morphology of prepared composites was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, and it was determined that the particle distribution was homogenous with no agglomeration. Mechanical properties (microhardness, compressive strength, Young's modulus) of biocomposite materials produced from different amount of waste seashells in poly (methyl methacrylate) were determined and analyzed. The best overall combination of mechanical properties was achieved when 6 wt% of seashell particles below 50 μm size were added to poly (methyl methacrylate).     

Experimental validation of variable temperature flow field concept for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Variable temperature flow field concept allows maintaining close to 100% relative humidity along the entire flow field of the anode and the cathode side without external humidification using water generated during fuel cell operation for internal reactant humidification. This work deals with the experimental validation of the variable temperature flow field concept on a five-segment single cell. The experimental setup provides insight into the membrane water transport, temperature distribution on the current collectors and inside the channels, and the current density distribution along the cell. Variable temperature flow field operation with dry reactants is compared to isothermal operation with partially and fully humidified reactants. The polarization curve comparison shows that the variable temperature flow field operating efficiency is similar or better than the commonly used isothermal configuration with fully humidified reactants. The main contribution of the variable temperature flow field concept, when compared to isothermal operation, is the reduction of the mass transport losses at higher currents, since the generated water is evaporated in the stream of reactants, thereby minimizing the problem of liquid water removal from the cell.     

Radon in indoor air of primary schools: a systematic survey to evaluate factors affecting radon concentration levels and their variability

In order to optimize the design of a national survey aimed to evaluate radon exposure of children in schools in Serbia, a pilot study was carried out in all the 334 primary schools of 13 municipalities of Southern Serbia. Based on data from passive measurements, rooms with annual radon concentration >300 Bq/m³ were found in 5% of schools. The mean annual radon concentration weighted with the number of pupils is 73 Bq/m³, 39% lower than the unweighted 119 Bq/m³ average concentration. The actual average concentration when children are in classrooms could be substantially lower. Variability between schools (CV = 65%), between floors (CV = 24%) and between rooms at the same floor (CV = 21%) was analyzed. The impact of school location, floor, and room usage on radon concentration was also assessed (with similar results) by univariate and multivariate analyses. On average, radon concentration in schools within towns is a factor of 0.60 lower than in villages and at higher floors is a factor of 0.68 lower than ground floor. Results can be useful for other countries with similar soil and building characteristics.     

Semantic-aided automation of interface mapping in enterprise integration with conflict detection

In enterprise integration, one of the most complex tasks is to map elements of various interfaces to each other. These interfaces often transport data in different ways. This means that some form of data transformation is needed. We present an approach where structural and semantic models of the interfaces can be used together to automate or semi-automate this otherwise tedious and error prone manual process. Some of the possible criteria for interface element mapping are shown, along with semantic conflicts and how they are detected and resolved. We also present a prototype tool, including an overview of its architecture, that enables us to test our approach and have a real-world runnable implementation that is deployable on an enterprise service bus runtime. Finally, we show how some of the steps in the mapping and conflict resolution process could be made configurable by the user, making the integration developer agnostic with respect to the technical implementation of the involved systems.     

Influence of weathering processes on the shear strength of siltstones from a flysch rock mass along the northern Adriatic coast of Croatia

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment - Weathering processes cause significant changes in the engineering properties of rocks. Slope instability in flysch rock formations along the...     

Graphene supported platinum–cobalt nanocomposites as electrocatalysts for borohydride oxidation

In the study presented herein a rapid microwave heating method was used to prepare the graphene supported PtCo catalysts with Pt:Co molar ratio 1:7, 1:22 and 1:44. The transmission electron microscopy was employed to characterize the catalysts. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used for estimation of Pt and Co metal loadings. The electrocatalytic activity of the synthesized catalysts towards the oxidation of borohydride was investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The kinetics of the catalytic hydrolysis of NaBH₄ in the presence of the synthesized catalysts was investigated.