A multi-paradigm language for reactive synthesis

This paper proposes a language for describing reactive synthesis problems that integrates imperative and declarative elements. The semantics is defined in terms of two-player turn-based infinite games with full information. Currently, synthesis tools accept linear temporal logic (LTL) as input, but this description is less structured and does not facilitate the expression of sequential constraints. This motivates the use of a structured programming language to specify synthesis problems. Transition systems and guarded commands serve as imperative constructs, expressed in a syntax based on that of the modeling language Promela. The syntax allows defining which player controls data and control flow, and separating a program into assumptions and guarantees. These notions are necessary for input to game solvers. The integration of imperative and declarative paradigms allows using the paradigm that is most appropriate for expressing each requirement. The declarative part is expressed in the LTL fragment of generalized reactivity(1), which admits efficient synthesis algorithms, extended with past LTL. The implementation translates Promela to input for the Slugs synthesizer and is written in Python. The AMBA AHB bus case study is revisited and synthesized efficiently, identifying the need to reorder binary decision diagrams during strategy construction, in order to prevent the exponential blowup observed in previous work.Comment: In Proceedings SYNT 2015, arXiv:1602.0078

Monolithic Solid Based on Single-Walled Carbon Nanohorns: Preparation, Characterization, and Practical Evaluation as a Sorbent

A monolithic solid based solely on single walled carbon nanohorns (SWNHs) was prepared without the need of radical initiators or gelators. The procedure involves the preparation of a wet jelly-like system of pristine SWNHs followed by slow drying (48 h) at 25 C. As a result, a robust and stable porous network was formed due to the interaction between SWNHs not only via - and van der Waals interactions, but also via the formation of carbon bonds similar to those observed within dahlia aggregates. Pristine SWNHs and the SWNH monolith were characterized by several techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nitrogen intrusion porosimetry. Taking into account the efficiency of carbon nanoparticles in sorption processes, the potential applicability of the SWNH-monolith in this research field was explored using toluene; m-, p-, and o-xylene; ethylbenzene; and styrene, as target analytes. Detection limits were 0.01 g L�����1 in all cases and the inter-day precision was in the interval 7.4–15.7%. The sorbent performance of the nanostructured monolithic solid was evaluated by extracting the selected compounds from different water samples with recovery values between 81.5% and 116.4%

Synthetic routes toward MOF nanomorphologies.

As metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are coming of age, their structural diversity, exceptional porosity and inherent functionality need to be transferred into useful applications. Fashioning MOFs into various shapes and at the same time controlling their size constitute an essential step toward MOF-based devices. Moreover, downsizing MOFs to the nanoscale triggers a whole new set of properties distinguishing nanoMOFs from their bulk counterparts. Therefore, dimensionality-controlled miniaturization of MOFs enables the customised use of nanoMOFs for specific applications where suitable size and shape are key prerequisites. In this feature article we survey the burgeoning field of nanoscale MOF synthesis, ranging from classical protocols such as microemulsion synthesis all the way to microfluidic-based techniques and template-directed epitaxial growth schemes. Along these lines, we will fathom the feasibility of rationally designing specific MOF nanomorphologies—zero-, one- and two-dimensional nanostructures—and we will explore more complex “second-generation” nanostructures typically evolving from a high level of interfacial control. As a recurring theme, we will review recent advances made toward the understanding of nucleation and growth processes at the nanoscale, as such insights are expected to further push the borders of nanoMOF science

Synthesis of Mesoporous Carbon for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Sequestration

The growing evidence and concern over global climate change has presented the relevant nature and urgency for carbon dioxide CO2 emission regulations. With the economical gap between fossil fuel based energy and renewable energy sources’ slowly gradually closing with the technological innovations, the current need exists for a cost-effective solution to CO2 sequestration. This examination of synthesis techniques for activated porous carbon as CO2 adsorbents provides a non-contradictory approach, via “green” synthesis, for selective and energy efficient capture. In this work, the “green” synthesis is approached through the established techniques and activation of monolithic carbon, establishing a templating approach, and using biomass as a carbon precursor. A soft-templating synthesis is used where phenolic-formaldehyde (PF) resin is polymerized in the presences of an amphiphilic triblock copolymer where, upon calcination, the elimination of the triblock copolymer reveals an inverse carbon replica. For hierarchical mesomacroporous carbon monoliths, dual phase separation of the phloroglucinol-formaldehyde (PF) - triblock copolymer gel in glycolic solvent separates into macroporous domains to form a rod. The porosity of the porous carbon monoliths and the relationship to CO2 capture capacity was examined as a function of the calcination temperature and subsequent activation with potassium hydroxide and CO2. By using soft-templating, green reactants can be used to further pursue our means-end product. In lieu of the triblock copolymer, using linear poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) reduces the cost and increases the tunability of the synthesis. Polymerization induced phase separation of the PF-PEG blend occurs through spinodal decomposition and, upon calcination, results in mesoporous carbon. The mesoporosity can be tuned through both the ratio of precursors and the molecular weight of the linear PEG, and activated for microporosity for CO2 adsorption. Interchanging the phenolic moiety with biomass eliminates the need for further refinement of precursors and accessibility to large-scale synthesis. Chestnut tannin, a hydrolysable polyphenolic, was used and with a triblock copolymer, which resulted in the morphology tunability with weight ratio. Moreover, the tunable structures were only found without the addition of acid. Upon high temperature activation with ammonia, increased microporosity and the addition of nitrogen functionality attributed to increased CO2 uptake capacity

Evaluación del potencial de sólidos monolíticos modificados con nanopartículas en técnicas de microextracción

1. Introducción o motivación de la tesis La Química Analítica es la ciencia que desarrolla, optimiza y aplica procesos de medida para obtener información sobre la composición y la naturaleza (bio)química de la materia. La etapa de tratamiento de la muestra es la que más afecta a la calidad de la información analítica, ya que se considera la principal fuente de error del proceso analítico. En general, las técnicas de tratamiento de muestra juegan un papel importante en la mejora de la sensibilidad, a través de la preconcentración de los analitos, y de la selectividad, por su aislamiento de la matriz de la muestra. La simplificación, automatización y miniaturización de esta etapa han sido tendencias clave que han marcado la evolución de esta disciplina en la última década. En este contexto, es necesario el desarrollo de nuevas fases extractantes más eficientes para que la reducción de dimensiones no afecte negativamente a las propiedades analíticas básicas [1, 2]. Los logros alcanzados en las técnicas de microextracción en fase sólida están en gran parte marcados por el empleo de nanopartículas y polímeros nanoestructurados [3-5]. Los sólidos monolíticos se han empleado con excelentes resultados como fases estacionarias en técnicas de separación debido a las excepcionales propiedades que les confiere su estructura continua, porosa y homogénea [6, 7]. Además, el proceso de fabricación es relativamente simple. En este contexto, la posibilidad de incorporar micro y nanomateriales permite combinar su elevada superficie específica con la alta porosidad y variabilidad funcional de los materiales monolíticos, favoreciendo la interacción con un determinado tipo de analitos [8].Teniendo en cuenta lo anteriormente expuesto, la Tesis Doctoral ha tenido como objetivo general la evaluación del potencial de los sólidos monolíticos modificados con nanoestructuras de carbono como material sorbente en técnicas de microextracción en fase sólida, culminando con el desarrollo de estructuras monolíticas formadas únicamente por nanopartículas. En concreto, se han llevado a cabo diferentes síntesis y estrategias para incorporar las nanopartículas en la matriz polimérica y, se han evaluado distintos formatos de microextracción para la resolución de problemas medioambientales, clínicos y/o de alimentos. Por último, se ha extendido el uso de estos materiales híbridos al ámbito de las separaciones cromatográficas. 2. Contenido de la investigación De acuerdo con el objetivo general, surgen diferentes objetivos específicos que se presentan a continuación: • Estudio bibliográfico como primera toma de contacto con el campo en el que se desarrolla la investigación. Esto se ha materializado en la publicación de una revisión crítica que constituye la Introducción de esta Tesis Doctoral. • Estudio de los procesos de inclusión de las nanopartículas en la matriz polimérica. Así, se estudiarán diferentes estrategias de introducción de las nanopartículas, tales como anclaje químico y fotoquímico a la superficie del polímero, así como atrapamiento de las nanopartículas en la estructura monolítica, que son ampliamente discutidas en el Bloque I. • Evaluación de diferentes formatos de microextracción, tal como se muestra en el Bloque II de esta Memoria. • Desarrollo de nuevas estrategias de síntesis que permitan obtener estructuras monolíticas formadas exclusivamente por nanopartículas de carbono. Esta investigación se recoge en el Bloque III. • Caracterización de los sólidos sintetizados mediante diversas técnicas instrumentales. Esto se ha llevado a cabo a lo largo de la Tesis Doctoral. • Aplicación de las unidades de extracción desarrolladas a la resolución de problemas medioambientales, clínicos y/o de alimentos, de manera transversal en el conjunto de publicaciones de esta Memoria. • Utilización de los sólidos sintetizados como fases estacionarias en separaciones cromatográficas, tal como se muestra en el Capítulo 2 de esta Memoria. 3. Conclusión El objetivo general y los objetivos específicos planteados en la presente Tesis Doctoral se han alcanzado con éxito. De este modo, se ha llevado a cabo la síntesis de nuevos materiales sorbentes que combinan polímeros monolíticos con nanopartículas de carbono, los cuales se han empleado como sorbentes en distintas técnicas de microextracción en fase sólida. Además, se ha realizado la caracterización de dichos materiales mediante técnicas tanto espectroscópicas como microscópicas. Las unidades de microextracción desarrolladas se han aplicado a la resolución de problemas en los ámbitos medioambientales, clínico y/o de alimentos

Experimental Aspects of Synthesis

We discuss the problem of experimentally evaluating linear-time temporal logic (LTL) synthesis tools for reactive systems. We first survey previous such work for the currently publicly available synthesis tools, and then draw conclusions by deriving useful schemes for future such evaluations. In particular, we explain why previous tools have incompatible scopes and semantics and provide a framework that reduces the impact of this problem for future experimental comparisons of such tools. Furthermore, we discuss which difficulties the complex workflows that begin to appear in modern synthesis tools induce on experimental evaluations and give answers to the question how convincing such evaluations can still be performed in such a setting.Comment: In Proceedings iWIGP 2011, arXiv:1102.374