Aplicación del plasma en la industria textil

El plasma, medio extremadamente reactivo con una mezcla de iones, electrones y radicales libres, permite hacer modificaciones en la estructura de los materiales poliméricos, sobretodo en la superficie, empleando solamente energía eléctrica (eventualmente con la adición de gases) sin necesitar de agua ni de productos químicos. Hay dos grandes tipos de posibilidades: tratamiento a baja presión (“glow discharge”), lo cual necesita todavía de una cámara cerrada dificultando el tratamiento en continuo, y el tratamiento a presión atmosférica (“Corona”), menos reactivo pero con la ventaje de permitir su inclusión en una línea continua de ennoblecimiento textil. El tratamiento plasma puede ahorrar una etapa de tratamiento convencional en húmedo, por ejemplo para mejorar las propiedades de humectabilidad y de adhesión de las superficies textiles, y también permite por si solo la obtención de efectos de acabado “tradicionales” (como por ejemplo la reducción del enfieltrado de los tejidos de lana) ó más innovadores (para textiles técnicos, como por ejemplo para filtraciones selectivas o el crecimiento de tejidos biológicos). En esta comunicación se presentan algunos resultados de proyectos desarrolhados en la Universidad de Miño con la descarga Corona en tejidos de algodón. Los resultados muestran que un tratamiento Corona de un tejido de algodón permite obtener efectos muy variados, tales como: eliminar el uso de humectantes en el desencolado, mercerizado, blanqueo, tintura, un mejor efecto de mercerizado e de acabado con resinas (en este caso con una reducción del formaldehído libre), un mejor rendimiento, penetración y solidez al frote de estampados con pigmentos, etc. En este momento está funcionando en una empresa de producción de textiles para el hogar un prototipo industrial integrado en la línea de pretratamiento, con interesantes resultados. El tratamiento plasma tiene grandes potencialidades de aplicación industrial en el ennoblecimiento textil, con vantages ecológicas, económicas y permitiendo la obtención de nuevos efectos en las superficies textiles. Es una de las tecnologías a considerar en la implementación de la Directiva Europeia sobre la Prevención y Control Integrado de la Polución en empresas textiles del ramo del agua

Light shutters from nanocrystalline cellulose rods in a nematic liquid crystal

This work reports a recently developed electro-optical (EO) device that can potentially be used as a light shutter or a privacy window. By using nanocrystalline cellulose rods, we were able to improve some of the most relevant parameters characterising the EO behaviour. A brief description of the proposed working mechanism for these devices is presented, and numerical simulations based on this mechanism of both the optical transmission and the cells' electrical capacitance are compared with the obtained results, validating the underlying working model considered

Light shutters from nanocrystalline cellulose rods in a nematic liquid crystal

This work reports a recently developed electro-optical (EO) device that can potentially be used as a light shutter or a privacy window. By using nanocrystalline cellulose rods, we were able to improve some of the most relevant parameters characterising the EO behaviour. A brief description of the proposed working mechanism for these devices is presented, and numerical simulations based on this mechanism of both the optical transmission and the cells' electrical capacitance are compared with the obtained results, validating the underlying working model considered

BIM-based energy analysis and sustainability assessment - application to Portuguese buildings

Buildings are responsible for several negative impacts on the environment, most of them related to nonrenewable energy consumption, increasing the concern regarding buildings energy efficiency. In this context, computer software has been used to estimate the energy needs of the built environment, and the Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology can be used to simplify this process. This study aims to validate a BIM-based framework to streamline the energy analysis of Portuguese buildings, based on the method of the national regulation for the thermal performance of residential buildings. Currently, designers need to spend considerable time assessing all the building characteristics and performing the mandatory calculations for energy performance analysis. It is also intended to link the results of the energy simulation with a Building Sustainability Assessment method—SBToolPT-H. The purpose is to demonstrate how it is possible to benefit from this approach to simultaneously improve building sustainability during the design stage. To do so, different case studies were modelled in Autodesk Revit and exported to a BIM energy tool to perform energy simulation analysis. The results were validated against the official assessment method of the Portuguese thermal regulation and were successfully used to assess the SBToolPT-H energy efficiency category. The research outcomes provide design teams with a reliable BIM-based framework to improve building energy performance and to develop thermal projects while enhancing building sustainability. It also increases the knowledge about the integration of sustainability assessment in the BIM environment, providing new insights for complete integration.This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology through the Regional Operation Programme of North (grant number SFRH/BD/145735/2019)

A systematic review of the role of BIM in building sustainability assessment methods

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is creating new opportunities for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry. One of them is the integration of the Building Sustainability Assessment (BSA) during the design process. Currently, an approach for using BIM to foster and optimise the application of BSA methods has not been clearly established yet, creating a knowledge gap on the application of BIM for sustainability assessment purposes. Thus, this paper analyses the current role of BIM to evaluate three BSA methods—LEED, BREEAM and SBTool. The current BIM applicability is assessed by performing a systematic review, where the criteria being assessed and the applied BIM software are identified. A comparison is made to determine which BSA method can currently take more advantage from BIM and to identify the number of assessed criteria from each one. Furthermore, the attractiveness of a BIM-based assessment for SBTool is analysed, facing the actual BIM scenario for LEED and BREEAM. Despite the restrictions, BIM use is increasing for sustainability purposes. Most of the analysed studies and identified software are still focused on the use of LEED for assessing sustainability during the design phase. However, BIM software capabilities can also support the assessment of the other BSA methods so that process replicability can happen. Among the most addressed criteria, the energy and material-related categories are the most eminent. Autodesk Revit is the most-used software. A BIM-based assessment for SBTool will have enough attractiveness. It can assess, at least, the same percentage of criteria as the other schemes, creating new opportunities to enhance building sustainability.This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, grant number SFRH/BD/145735/2019

Guidelines for analysing the building energy efficiency using BIM

Introduction The benefits of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for the construction industry are already known and proved. One of the applications of BIM is to estimate buildings energy demand and foster the introduction of more efficient design alternatives. BIM creates information to support designers' decision-making and to allow them to compare and select the best options, enhancing buildings energy efficiency. With the increasing use of BIM and energy simulation tools, there is a need to establish a common and valid procedure for buildings energy assessment. Material and Methods By carrying out a building simulation with BIM, this paper identifies and describes the fundamental stages and requirements to perform a reliable, concise and fast energy assessment. These guidelines will consider Autodesk Revit as a BIM platform to create and prepare the building 3D model. Results The proposed guidelines cover all the required tasks for a BIM energy assessment, as the building modulation details and requirements, the software interoperability modes and restrictions and the comparison and selection of improvement measures. Inputs and advice are given regarding the use of some of the existing energy simulation BIM tools. Conclusions With the increasing number of studies addressing energy simulations with BIM, it is essential to define a set of requisites to precisely perform them. By identifying the minimum requirements and tasks, the proposed guidelines will support future studies in achieving more reliable and comparable results. The possibility to estimate and improve the energy demand of a building during the initial project stages allows for the opportunity to build high performance and more sustainable buildings. BIM capabilities might be an essential support to effectively improve the built environment energy efficiency and accomplish environmental goals.FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(SFRH/BD/145735/2019

Rheo-NMR velocimetry characterisation of PBLG/m-cresol

NMR spectroscopy was used to characterise the velocity profile in nematic solutions of poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG) in m-cresol during the application of a simple shear-flow at constant shear-rate values. In this study, the rheo-NMR technique was used that allows an insight over the fluid dynamics during the application of a shear flow in the presence of an external magnetic field, in a perpendicular direction to the shear gradient. Using this Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) based technique, the velocity profile developed inside the system is accessed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

BIM-Based method for the verification of building code compliance

Urban planning is a valuable tool for growth control and city development, both to maintain the local urban identity and provide life quality for inhabitants. To regulate it, local governments have defined standards for a proper city’s growth through municipal and detailed urban plans. Such instruments identify a set of rules which constructions and buildings must fulfil for a careful and smooth integration within the urban areas. New projects are required to comply with such rules, and designers must adapt and guarantee that their projects fulfil all the local urban requirements. However, the verification process of construction projects is still a manual procedure and often a time-consuming process, with high possibilities for inaccurate measures. Thus, this paper aims to streamline the verification procedure of construction projects’ code compliance to enhance project design efficiency and save designers time. To do so, the Building Information Modelling (BIM) method will be used through the Dynamo programming software. By creating a Dynamo routine to check the building code and urban plan compliance from Brazilian municipalities, specific BIM models will be automatically analysed to detect and evaluate if it is according to local urban legislation. Results have provided a real-time decision support tool, where designers can assess if their buildings are complying with local urban codes at any time of the design stage, making it easy to innovate and integrate innovative design options, as well as to precisely communicate their buildings’ code compliance. Such a method can also support municipality authorities to verify project compliance, reducing assessment and calculation errors, as well as the required time and bureaucracy for project appraisal.This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, through the Regional Operation Programme of North (Grant number SFRH/BD/145735/2019)

La psicología en el reino de las lesiones deportivas: de qué se está hablando

Sport injuries are a constant in physical activity and sport and represent, to a greater or lesser degree, an obstacle that most athletes have to face and which could have an impact on economical, occupational and educational aspects, as well as on physical and psychological health. Traditionally, sport injury was deemed the result of biomechanical forces exerted on the body and sustained during participation in sport activity, under which perspective the athlete is considered merely as the container of a set of parts that break down and must be repaired. In contrast, Sport Psychology has brought the individual into a central active role, both when sustaining and recovering from an injury. This paper promotes a psychological perspective on sport injury and reviews the main psychological models posed for both the pre-injury and the post-injury phases. Finally, the paper addresses some of the main problems encountered by research on sport injury and sets out several guidelines for future research in the fieldLas lesiones deportivas son una constante en la actividad física y el deporte y representan, en mayor o menor grado, un obstáculo al que la mayor parte de los deportistas se tienen que enfrentar, pudiendo aquéllas tener consecuencias a nivel económico, laboral, educativo, además de a nivel físico y psicológico. Tradicionalmente, la lesión deportiva ha sido considerada como el resultado de la acción de fuerzas biomecánicas que ejercen sobre el cuerpo mientras se participa en una actividad deportiva. Esa perspectiva viene a considerar al deportista como un mero contendor de unas piezas que se han roto y deben ser reparadas. Al contrario, la Psicología del Deporte le concede al individuo un papel activo central tanto en el padecimiento de una lesión como en el proceso de recuperación de la misma. El presente artículo viene a promover una perspectiva psicológica de la lesión deportiva, revisando los principales modelos psicológicos que se han propuesto tanto para la fase de pre-lesión como para la fase de post-lesión. Finalmente, el artículo plantea los principales problemas de la investigación sobre lesiones deportivas y brinda una serie de líneas de actuación para llevar a cabo la investigación en este campoAs lesões desportivas são uma constante na actividade física e no desporto e representam, em maior ou menor grau, um obstáculo que a maioria dos atletas tem que enfrentar, podendo aquelas ter consequências a nível económico, laboral e educativo, bem como a nível físico e psicológico. Tradicionalmente, a lesão desportiva tem sido considerada como o resultado da acção de forças biomecânicas exercida sobre o corpo enquanto se participa numa actividade desportiva. Essa perspectiva tem vindo a considerar o atleta como um mero recipiente de peças que foram quebradas e devem ser reparadas. Pelo contrário, a Psicologia do Desporto reconhece ao sujeito um papel activo central tanto no padecimento da lesão como no processo de recuperação da mesma. O presente artigo procura promover uma perspectiva psicológica de lesão desportiva, revendo os principais modelos psicológicos que têm sido propostos tanto para a fase de pré-lesão como para a fase de pós-lesão. Por último, o artigo discute os principais problemas da investigação sobre lesões desportivas e oferece uma série de linhas de actuação para a realização de investigação neste âmbitoThe research leading to this paper has been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (currently Ministry of Economics and Competitiveness) research grant PSI2011-27000

Beneficios percibidos de las lesiones deportivas : estudio cualitativo en futbolistas profesionales y semiprofesionales

El objetivo del estudio fue identificar y analizar los beneficios percibidos asociados a la lesión deportiva, en 16 futbolistas profesionales y semiprofesionales que se habían lesionado durante su práctica deportiva. Para la recogida de datos se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas, siendo el análisis de contenido efectuado través del software QSR Nvivo 2.0. Los participantes reportaron 31 beneficios percibidos en todo su proceso de lesión, siendo el apoyo social y la educación deportiva los más referidos. Las conclusiones apuntan para la importancia de incluir aspectos positivos para una comprensión más clara y completa del impacto global de las lesiones deportivas.The aim of the study was to identify and analyze the perceived benefits associated with sports injury in 16 professional and semi-professional players who were injured during sports practice. For data collection semi-structured interviews were conducted, content analyses being performed through the QSR Nvivo 2.0 software. 31 participants reported perceived benefits throughout the injury process, with social support and sports education referrals. The findings point to the importance of including positive aspects for a clearer and more complete understanding of the overall impact of sports injuries.O objectivo do estudo foi identificar e analisar os benefícios percebidos associados à lesão desportiva em 16 jogadores profissionais e semiprofissionais que se lesionaram durante a prática desportiva. Para a recolha de dados foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas, sendo a análise de conteúdo efectuada através do software QSR Nvivo 2.0. Os participantes reportaram 31 benefícios percebidos durante todo o processo de lesão, sendo o suporte social e a educação desportiva os mais referidos. As conclusões apontam para a importância de incluir aspectos positivos para uma compreensão mais clara e mais completa do impacto global das lesões desportivas