Efficient production of solid dispersions by spray drying solutions of high solid content using a 3-fluid nozzle

To evaluate the feasibility of producing solid dispersions with 3-fluid nozzle spray drying to improve the dissolution behavior of lipophilic drugs, 60 experiments were performed based on a Design of Experiment. Solid dispersions with mannitol as a hydrophilic matrix and diazepam as a model drug with a drug load of 20 wt-% were produced. The variables of the experiments were the water/organic solvent ratio, liquid feed flow, total solid content, atomizing airflow and type of organic solvent (ethanol or ethyl acetate). The responses measured were dissolution rate, yield, actual drug load, particle size and crystallinity of diazepam and mannitol. Increasing water/organic solvent ratio was found to be the main factor for enhancing the dissolution rate. The total solid content of the solutions to be spray dried did not affect any of the responses, which means that processing solutions of high concentrations is possible. The choice of organic solvent did not affect the responses as well, i.e. both the fully water miscible solvent ethanol and the poorly water miscible solvent ethyl acetate could be used which makes this production method highly versatile

D3.11: New citizens' engagement strategies in Groningen (Update M36)

From past experience, the municipality of Groningen (GRO) knows that citizen engagement is an essential aspect to execute any plans that imply change. In particular, district energy plans need citizen engagement the most to ensure successful execution. Both GRO and Grunneger Power (GPO) have first-hand experience in this field, collaborating with citizens in a variety of districts. These experiences have respectively been documented in the District Energy Approach (GRO) and the Cooperative Approach (GPO), two overall approaches to engage citizens in the energy transition in their own district. Herein, all possible barriers encountered in practice (technical and economic, but also social, legal and governmental) are taken into account. Together with the other local partners in Groningen, the Hanze University of Applied Sciences (HUAS) and the research organization Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek (TNO), the Unified Citizen Engagement Approach was developed. This strategy combines elements from the above two practical approaches as well various new process descriptions, tools and methods researched and developed by TNO and HUAS aimed at increasing citizen engagement on different levels. This new strategy will not only focus on the development of energy communities, but communities within districts as well, and is aligned to several of the Work Packages (WPs). New and/or improved tools and methods will be linked directly to different steps within the strategy and their effectiveness will be tested and evaluated. The results will then be used to iteratively develop the new universal citizen engagement strategy, which consists of a toolkit that can be utilised in any district in both the lighthouse and follower cities