The Production of Pyrolytic Biochar for Addition in Value-Added Composite Material

Pyrolytic biochar has recently gained attention for its potential value as a carbon sequestering by-product that can be used in industrial applications. While biochar is typically targeted for soil amendment applications, higher value applications such as addition in consumer products and building materials needs to be investigated. In this study, biochar is produced from three different Canadian feedstocks using three different pyrolysis methods. The biochar is characterized to determine the effects that feedstock selection and pyrolysis conditions has on biochar properties. The biochar is also incorporated into concrete at varying concentrations to create a lightweight and sustainable material. The effect of biochar addition on the mechanical strength, as well as the thermal and acoustic properties of the concrete is studied. Biochar was also added to polymer composites. The carbon microstructure was analyzed, and the effects of biochar on the dielectric properties of the composite material was determined

Development of a dual flow microfluidic device for the study of barrier systems

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are chronic conditions characterised by inflammation of the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD has also been shown to have systemic impacts including on the central nervous system. Traditional models including the animal systems provide only limited information due to a lack of clinical relevance. Microfluidic technology offers a solution, allowing for the creation of human models which better consider the biophysical properties seen within an organ. This study aimed to develop and optimise a dual flow microfluidic device for the study of the gut and blood-brain-barrier (BBB) systems.Devices were designed in-house and consisted of two channels separated by a semi-permeable membrane. A series of iterations of the device were examined for gut-chip studies, with the device refined and optimised to allow a culture of colonic epithelial cells to be maintained for 7 days. Permeability studies and visualisation of ZO-1 expression showed the maintenance of barrier properties during this time. Following optimisation of the gut-chip, the inflammatory effects of bacterial products on epithelial cells were examined. Treatment with bacterial products induced an inflammatory response in the model, however this was lowered in comparison with a static model.Adaption of the device to culture endothelial cells and astrocyte cells in a BBB model was also carried out. Viability tests showed the device could maintain a variety of cell lines for at least 96 h on chip. The gut and BBB-chip were then connected in series, creating a dual model. This platform could maintain a co-culture of epithelial cells within the gut-chip and endothelial cells within a BBB-chip for at least 48 h, showing the potential of the dual flow device to allow for more systemic studies. Preliminary studies were undertaken using a modification of the gut-chip for the maintenance of full thickness gut tissue biopsies for up to 72 h on chip, however morphology of the tissue was not well-preserved.In summary, this study examined the development and optimisation of a dual flow microfluidic device for the study of barrier systems. The final iterations of the device were both robust and reliable and are suitable for investigating a wide variety of physiological and pathological barriers and potentially provide an alternative to existing animal and cellular models

Combining Microfluidics, Optogenetics and Calcium Imaging to Study Neuronal Communication In Vitro

International audienceIn this paper we report the combination of microfluidics, optogenetics and calcium imaging as a cheap and convenient platform to study synaptic communication between neuronal populations in vitro. We first show that Calcium Orange indicator is compatible in vitro with a commonly used Channelrhodopsine-2 (ChR2) variant, as standard calcium imaging conditions did not alter significantly the activity of transduced cultures of rodent primary neurons. A fast, robust and scalable process for micro-chip fabrication was developed in parallel to build micro-compartmented cultures. Coupling optical fibers to each micro-compartment allowed for the independent control of ChR2 activation in the different populations without crosstalk. By analyzing the post-stimuli activity across the different populations, we finally show how this platform can be used to evaluate quantitatively the effective connectivity between connected neuronal populations

Variability and community organization in moderately exposed tropical rocky shore algal communities as influenced by different consumer groups

Tropical rocky shores have been described as diverse and having a complex variety of consumers. This wide array of consumers has been studied to shed light on the different roles of consumers, particularly grazers on rocky shores and how they affect the relative abundance and distribution of sessile algal prey. One of the aims of ecology is to clarify factors that regulate and structure the abundance, growth and relationship of predators and preys in each habitat. Grazing is known as one of the most important determinants of growth and distribution of rocky shore communities. In this study a comparison between the different effects of fishes, crabs and molluscan herbivores on the relative abundances of microalgae and macroalgae from micro (hundreds of microns) to medium (tens of meters to kilometers) scales of spatial variability was conducted. At the start of the experiment several hypotheses were forwarded: 1) that herbivores will reduce the density of microalgae and macroalgal cover causing a barren appearance and ultimately reducing algal diversity where grazing intensity is highest across treatments, sites and shores; 2) and where grazing pressure is low, algal cover and diversity will be high; 3) and that fishes and crabs contribute significantly to maintaining a high grazing pressure in the area and that fishes control the algal assemblage in benign environments. These were evaluated by exclusion experiments and quadrat counts to determine the effects of grazers on different functional groups of algae. Microalgal density was assessed indirectly by measuring chlorophyll a from rock chips taken from the treatment plots. Microspatial variability of different sites was assessed by scoring digital micrographs of rock chips also taken from treatment plots. Algal cover of treatment plots was assessed by using digital photos taken during forthnightly visits in all sites. The univariate and multivariate results show significant differences across treatments, sites and shores and even significant temporal differences. Microalgal abundance and erect algal cover in fenced plots were significantly different compared to the other treatments. Grazer removal effectively caused a completely different algal assemblage to develop through time in cage and fenced treatments while maintaining a mostly barren cover in most open and control set-ups. Species which are not typically present in shores have grown inside cage and fenced treatments during the period of manipulation. Molluscan herbivores are the most effective grazers in these shores and control the relative distribution of algae by restricting the recruitment success of algal sporelings particularly erect macroalgae. Herbivorous fishes and crabs do not directly influence algal sporelings since the early stages of algae are too small for them to handle. But both consumers complement the removal of turf forming algae. The observed over all grazing effects show that molluscs have greater impact than fishes and crabs combined; the effect of either fishes or crabs are equal. Hence, the impact of crabs and fishes on these shores are minimal, mainly affecting turf forming algae. Moreover, the observed spatial variability in algal assemblage from micro to medium scales is mainly driven by high grazing intensity. Thus, grazing acts as a highly effective top down control mechanism in these shores during the cool winter season.



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European Union Timber Regulation Impact on International Timber Markets

The trade of illegal timber, often from illegal logging, has severe environmental, social and economic consequences. The EU’s response to this problem came with the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan, with its specific goal to end illegal logging, thereby improving sustainability of forest resources. In March 2013, an additional step was taken by implementing the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR). The EUTR requires proof of timber’s origin and legality to ensure that no illegal timber is imported into the EU. To this end the EU intends to block imports of any wood or wood product which comes from unknown sources. Certification of sustainable forest management will help EU importers minimize risk, which is an essential part of their required due diligence system. Monitoring organizations are established to assist trade associations and businesses to construct comprehensive due diligence systems. National competent authorities are designated to follow the trade of the new FLEGT-licensed timber and timber products. In the first year of the EUTR there are positive impacts, of which the most important is awareness of the disastrous situation with illegal logging, driven by exports of illegal timber. Another positive development is tropical timber exporters documenting the legality of their wood exports. Yet another positive feature is establishment of due diligence systems by EU importers. However, there are considerable problems for ensuring legal trade; for example the lack of comprehensive documentation of origin and legality. Analysis of recent trends establishes changes in the European timber trade in terms of sourcing, substitution, diversion to less-demanding countries. Short-term forecasts of market trends and changes will enable further policy assessment to achieve the objectives of improved legality in international timber markets.JRC.H.3-Forest Resources and Climat

Renewable Energy Production from Energy Crops and Agricultural Residues

Energies is open to submissions for a Special Issue on “Renewable Energy Production from Energy Crops and Agricultural Residues”. Biomass represents an important source of renewable and sustainable energy production. Its increasing consumption is mainly related to the increase in global energy demand and fossil fuel prices, but also to a lower environmental impact compared to non-renewable fuels. These factors take RED II directives into consideration. In the past, forestry interventions were the main supply source of biomass, but in recent decades two others sources have entered the international scene. These are dedicated energy crops and agricultural residues, which are important sources of biomass for biofuel and bioenergy. Below, we consider four main value chains: • Oil crops: Oil production from non-food oilseed crops (such as camelina, Crambe, safflower, castor, cuphea, cardoon, etc.), oil extraction, and oil utilization for fuel production. • Lignocellulosic crops: Biomass production from perennial grasses (miscanthus, giant reed, switchgrass, reed canary grass, etc.), woody crops (willow, poplar, Robinia, eucalyptus, etc.), and agricultural residues (pruning, maize cob, maize stalks, wheat chaff, sugar cane straw, etc.), considering two main transformation systems: 1. Electricity/heat production 2. Second-generation ethanol production • Carbohydrate crops (cereals, sweet sorghum, sugar beets, sugar cane, etc.) for ethanol production. • Fermentable crops (maize, barley, triticale, Sudan grass, sorghum, etc.) and agricultural residues (chaff, maize stalks and cob, fruit and vegetable waste, etc.) for production of biogas and/or biomethane

Advances in Food Processing (Food Preservation, Food Safety, Quality and Manufacturing Processes)

This e-book aims to compile advances in the area of food manufacturing including packaging to address issues of food safety, quality, fraud, and how these processes (new or old) could affect the organoleptic characteristics of foods, with the aim to promote consumers’ satisfaction. Moreover, food supply issues are explored. New and improved technologies are employed in the area of food manufacturing to address consumer needs in terms of quality and safety. The issues of research and development should be taken into account seriously before launching a new product onto the market. Finally, food fraud and authenticity are very important issues, and the food industry should focus on addressing them

Complementary 2D/3D Imaging of Functional Materials using X-ray & Electron Microscopy

Catalysts and other functional materials are generally hierarchically structured materials. Hence, the detailed characterization at different length scales, and especially under reaction conditions, are necessary to unravel their mechanisms and to improve their performance and catalytic activities. Besides, a combination of several techniques is required to acquire complementary information owing to the lack of a single technique able to cover all the length scales. With respect to length, the best way to investigate is by microscopy either in 2D or more preferably in 3D. The work began with an exploration of three different 3D imaging techniques, i.e. ptychographic X-ray computed tomography, electron tomography, and focused ion beam slice-and view. Using nanoporous gold as the model, this study aimed to exhibit the versatility of 3D microscopy as a method beyond imaging as well as to confirm the necessity of complementary nature between them, where electron offers better spatial resolution and X-ray provides larger field of view. The study then continued by utilizing ptychographic X-ray computed tomography for quasi in situ thermal treatment of the same materials under atmospheric pressure. This study highlighted its ease of use of implementing in situ studies, complemented by electron tomography to prove its powerful ability to resolve what ptychographic tomography cannot. The resulting 3D volumes were then used for air permeability and CO2 diffusion simulations, along with material’s electrical and thermal conductivity simulations in order to further expose another excellent benefit from 3D microscopy. Ultimately, the work proceeded into developing two cells in order to perform full in situ investigations under controlled temperatures and atmospheres, where one cell was built for 2D only (X-ray) ptychography experiments with simultaneous X-ray fluorescence mapping, and the other was constructed with an additional capability for 3D limited-angle ptychographic tomography experiments. The feasibility tests were conducted using several functional materials, i.e. nanoporous gold, zeolite, and cobalt-manganese-oxides hollow sphere, as the models for thermal annealing process under specific atmospheres. This work eventually attests the importance of in situ studies in precisely determining the onset annealing temperatures under particular environments, to visualize the morphology online either in 2D or 3D, and to simultaneously map elemental distributions live. Moreover, a complementary technique via transmission electron microscopy was also demonstrated on the same sample, adding up another advantage in using the cells. Despite the preliminary results from in situ limited-angle ptychographic tomography experiments for limitation in data reconstruction, a new tomographic reconstruction technique was recently developed as a solution to acquire 3D images with shortened acquisition times. In conclusions, the work here converges into the ideal case of performing all-around in situ 3D imaging of functional materials for quantitative analysis and simulation