Differences in lifestyle between students of medical and biological fields of study in Poland

Students are a specific social group characterized by different lifestyle behaviours.The aim of the study was to determine whether there are lifestyle differences between students of medical and biological fields from three different universities in Poland.The research material consisted of answers from 1163 students (781 women and 382 men), aged 17.5– 26.0 from the medical faculty of the Wroclaw Medical University, biological faculties of the Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw and the University of Lodz. The survey included questions regarding gender, socio-demographic situation, lifestyle and eating habits. Students also provided height and weight data, which was used for BMI calculation. Chi-square test and one-way ANOVA were used to indicate differences in BMI between students and to estimate differences in lifestyle between students from three different university centres.Medical students exhibited significantly lower BMI values compared to students from other academic centres. They also more often reported doing additional sports and assessed their overall level of physical activity significantly higher compared to students from other academic centres. Biology students reported to sleep longer and being more exhausted compared to medical students. Biology students tended to drink sugar-sweetened beverages and eat fast-food significantly more often than medical students. Students from the medical faculty in Wroclaw reported to smoke cigarettes less often compared to students from non-medical study. There were no significant differences in other studied factors, such as the use of alcohol, snacking between the meals and consumption of energy drinks.Overall, students of medical fields reported a healthier lifestyle compared to their peers from biological faculties, although this was not consistent for all examined factors

The Electrochemical Stability of Starch Carbon as an Important Property in the Construction of a Lithium-Ion Cell

This paper shows use of starch-based carbon (CSC) and graphene as the anode electrode for lithium-ion cell. To describe electrochemical stability of the half-cell system and kinetic parameters of charging process in different temperatures, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement was adopted. It has been shown that smaller resistances are observed for CSC. Additionally, Bode plots show high electrochemical stability at higher temperatures. The activation energy for the SEI (solid–electrolyte interface) layer, charge transfer, and electrolyte were in the ranges of 24.06–25.33, 68.18–118.55, and 13.84–15.22 kJ mol−1, respectively. Moreover, the activation energy of most processes is smaller for CSC, which means that this electrode could serve as an eco-friendly biodegradable lithium-ion cell element

Modern Nanocomposites and Hybrids as Electrode Materials Used in Energy Carriers

Over the past decades, the application of new hybrid materials in energy storage systems has seen significant development. The efforts have been made to improve electrochemical performance, cyclic stability, and cell life. To achieve this, attempts have been made to modify existing electrode materials. This was achieved by using nano-scale materials. A reduction of size enabled an obtainment of changes of conductivity, efficient energy storage and/or conversion (better kinetics), emergence of superparamagnetism, and the enhancement of optical properties, resulting in better electrochemical performance. The design of hybrid heterostructures enabled taking full advantage of each component, synergistic effect, and interaction between components, resulting in better cycle stability and conductivity. Nowadays, nanocomposite has ended up one of the foremost prevalent materials with potential applications in batteries, flexible cells, fuel cells, photovoltaic cells, and photocatalysis. The main goal of this review is to highlight a new progress of different hybrid materials, nanocomposites (also polymeric) used in lithium-ion (LIBs) and sodium-ion (NIBs) cells, solar cells, supercapacitors, and fuel cells and their electrochemical performance

Fuel Cells Based on Natural Polysaccharides for Rail Vehicle Application

This manuscript shows the use of natural polysaccharides such as starch and cellulose as a carbon source for fuel cells. To achieve this, two innovative methods of obtaining hydrogen have been shown: by adsorption and by enzyme. The carbonization path of the material results in excellent sorption properties and allows gas with high efficiency to be obtained. The enzymatic method for the degradation of the compound is more expensive because specific enzymes (such as laccase, tyrosinase) must be used, but it allows greater control of the properties of the obtained material. A scientific novelty is the use of natural raw materials, the use of which increases the biodegradability of the electrochemical system and also reduces the cost of raw materials and increases the range of their acquisition. Energy should be generated where it is used. Another goal is decentralization, and thanks to the proposed solutions, hydrogen cells represent an innovative alternative to today’s energy giants—also for independent power supply to households. The proposed harvesting paths are intended to drive rail vehicles in order to reduce emissions and secondary pollution of the environment. The goals of both methods were easy recycling, high efficiency, increased environmental friendliness, low cost and a short hydrogen production path

Analysis of the Possibilities of Reduction of Exhaust Emissions from a Farm Tractor by Retrofitting Exhaust Aftertreatment

The paper evaluates particulate matter emissions and exhaust gas components from retrofitted engines of non-road vehicles measured under actual operating conditions. The content is divided into three main parts: formation of guidelines, production of the filter and emission tests. The obtained results clearly indicate excess PM and PN emissions from the engine under actual operating conditions when compared to the limits outlined in the type approval standards. Moreover, it was observed that the actual conditions are reflected to a very small extent at the points included in the stationary homologation test cycle. Based on these observations, the authors decided to modify the stationary test cycle. The measured exhaust gas compositions and their mass flow rates were used to create the geometry of the newly developed filter. The paper contains detailed results of the relative specific exhaust emissions of particulate matter and gaseous components at individual engine operating points. The exhaust emissions analysis made it possible to draw conclusions regarding the operation of the newly designed system. One of them is that fitting a metal-support particulate filter in the exhaust system significantly contributes to reducing the exhaust emissions

Functional Hybrid Materials Based on Manganese Dioxide and Lignin Activated by Ionic Liquids and Their Application in the Production of Lithium Ion Batteries

Kraft lignin (KL) was activated using selected ionic liquids (ILs). The activated form of the biopolymer, due to the presence of carbonyl groups, can be used in electrochemical tests. To increase the application potential of the system in electrochemistry, activated lignin forms were combined with manganese dioxide, and the most important physicochemical and morphological-microstructural properties of the novel, functional hybrid systems were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis (EA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential analysis, thermal stability (TGA/DTG) and porous structure analysis. An investigation was also made of the practical application of the hybrid materials in the production of lithium ion batteries. The capacity of the anode (MnO2/activated lignin), working at a low current regime of 50 mA·g−1, was ca. 610 mAh·g−1, while a current of 1000 mA·g−1 resulted in a capacity of 570 mAh·g−1. Superior cyclic stability and rate capability indicate that this may be a promising electrode material for use in high-performance lithium ion batteries

Challenges for Safe Electrolytes Applied in Lithium-Ion Cells—A Review

The aspect of safety in electronic devices has turned out to be a huge challenge for the world of science. Thus far, satisfactory power and energy densities, efficiency, and cell capacities have been achieved. Unfortunately, the explosiveness and thermal runaway of the cells prevents them from being used in demanding applications such as electric cars at higher temperatures. The main aim of this review is to highlight different electrolytes used in lithium-ion cells as well as the flammability aspect. In the paper, the authors present liquid inorganic electrolytes, composite polymer–ceramic electrolytes, ionic liquids (IL), polymeric ionic liquids, polymer electrolytes (solvent-free polymer electrolytes (SPEs), gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs), and composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs)), and different flame retardants used to prevent the thermal runaway and combustion of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Additionally, various flame tests used for electrolytes in LIBs have been adopted. Aside from a detailed description of the electrolytes consumed in LIBs. Last section in this work discusses hydrogen as a source of fuel cell operation and its practical application as a global trend that supports green chemistry

Crystallization of TiO2-MoS2 Hybrid Material under Hydrothermal Treatment and Its Electrochemical Performance

Hydrothermal crystallization was used to synthesize an advanced hybrid system containing titania and molybdenum disulfide (with a TiO2:MoS2 molar ratio of 1:1). The way in which the conditions of hydrothermal treatment (180 and 200 °C) and thermal treatment (500 °C) affect the physicochemical properties of the products was determined. A physicochemical analysis of the fabricated materials included the determination of the microstructure and morphology (scanning and transmission electron microscopy—SEM and TEM), crystalline structure (X-ray diffraction method—XRD), chemical surface composition (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy—EDS) and parameters of the porous structure (low-temperature N2 sorption), as well as the chemical surface concentration (X-ray photoelectron spectroscop—XPS). It is well known that lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) represent a renewable energy source and a type of energy storage device. The increased demand for energy means that new materials with higher energy and power densities continue to be the subject of investigation. The objective of this research was to obtain a new electrode (anode) component characterized by high work efficiency and good electrochemical properties. The synthesized TiO2-MoS2 material exhibited much better electrochemical stability than pure MoS2 (commercial), but with a specific capacity ca. 630 mAh/g at a current density of 100 mA/g