Microencapsulation Yield Assessment Using TGA

In this study, microcapsules containing different contents of different kinds of fragrances and with a regular spherical shape, 2,0–8,0 µm diameter, were synthesized in various core:shell ratios. Mint and cuir fragrances were successfully encapsulated in poly(urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) shell via in-situ polymerization. This was confirmed by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies. By observation from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), it was found a relation between thermal gravimetric curves and the amount of fragrance encapsulated, which was later contrasted by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. In this way, comparatively, the yield percentage values can be quantitatively defined with a sufficient degree of accuracy by TGA methodPostprint (author's final draft

Protección de circuitos para aplicaciones espaciales contra los efectos de rayos cósmicos

Los dispositivos implementados con tecnologías de última generación son cada vez más vulnerables a alteraciones en su comportamiento debido a la radiación cósmica. El objetivo de este trabajo es controlar esa posible vulnerabilidad. Esto sucede fundamentalmente en circuitos embarcados en aviones, satélites o cohetes. Nuestro trabajo consiste en adaptar una herramienta de inyección de errores que sólo funcionaba para tecnologías basadas en FPGA para que pueda ser usada sobre ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Esta herramienta llamada Nessy fue desarrollada por otros compañeros en esta facultad en proyectos de SSII durante los cursos académicos 2009/2010 y 2010/2011. Para ello se ha necesitado modificar la herramienta y los ficheros de tal forma que permita inyectar errores sobre FlipFlops y de esta forma lograr emular errores en ASIC. Una de las principales diferencias entre una FPGA y un ASIC es que la primera se puede reconfigurar e implementar nuevas funcionalidades, mientras que los ASIC, al no tener una memoria de configuración no permiten, una vez implementado, tener un uso distinto, es decir no permiten ser reconfigurado. Sólo permite resetear su circuito, con lo que los fallos no lo desconfiguran, sólo alteran su funcionamiento. Por otro lado, se ha querido ampliar la herramienta para que también permita proteger automáticamente los circuitos. El método utilizado es la triplicación del circuito (situando cada uno de los tres elementos en regiones distintas para que en el caso de que una partícula colisione, no dañe dos elementos a la vez), por medio del cual obtenemos tres señales iguales. En el momento en el que un circuito es dañado y crea una salida errónea, el sistema la detecta y saca una de las salidas correctas para que el resto de componentes no sufran ese fallo

Inclusion complexes of citronella oil with ß-Cyclodextrin for controlled release in biofunctional textiles

Biofunctional textiles with integrated drug-delivery systems can help in the fight against vector-borne diseases. The use of repellent agents derived from plants and oils is an alternative to DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-methylbenzamide), which has disadvantages that include toxic reactions and skin damage. However, some researchers report that oils can be ineffective due to reasons related to uncontrolled release. In this work, the mechanism of control of citronella oil (OC) complexed with b-cyclodextrin (bCD) on cotton (COT) and polyester (PES) textiles was investigated. The results obtained reveal that finishing cotton and polyester with b-cyclodextrin complexes allows for control of the release mechanism of the drug from the fabric. To assess the complexes formed, optical microscopy, SEM, and FTIR were carried out; the yield of complex formation was obtained by spectroscopy in the ultraviolet region; and controlled release was performed in vitro. Oil complexation with bCD had a yield of 63.79%, and it was observed that the release, which was in seconds, moved to hours when applied to fabrics. The results show that complexes seem to be a promising basis when it comes to immobilizing oils and controlling their release when modified with chemical crosslinking agentsPostprint (published version

Biofunctional textiles with inclusion complexes of citronella oil with ß-Cyclodextrin

Integrated medication delivery systems in biofunctional textiles can aid in the battle against vector-borne illnesses. Instead of using DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-methylbenzamide), which has drawbacks such toxic responses and skin damage, you can utilize repellents made from plants and oils. However, according to some experts, there are instances where essential oils are useless because of issues with uncontrolled release. This study looked at how citronella oil (OC) complexed with -cyclodextrin (CD) controlled the behavior of cotton (COT) and polyester (PES) textiles. The findings show that coating cotton and polyester with -cyclodextrin complexes enables control over the essential oil's release mechanism from the fabric. Optical microscopy, SEM, and FTIR were used to evaluate the complexes created; UV spectroscopy was used to determine the yield of complex formation; and controlled release was carried out in vitro. Oil complexation with CD had a yield of 63.79%, and it was found that when applied to textiles, the release, which had previously been measured in seconds, had changed to hours. The findings indicate that complexes, when modified with chemical crosslinking agents, appear to offer a potential basis for immobilizing oils and regulating their releasePostprint (published version

Gestión, tramitación y documentación para la habilitación de uso y establecimiento de actividad de hotel y restaurante en el centro histórico de la ciudad de Valencia. Proyecto básico para habilitación de edificio sujeto al PEPRI Universitat-Sant Francesc con uso comercial

[ES] El objeto de este Trabajo Final de Grado, es la adecuación, elaboración y preparación de trámites para el establecimiento de un restaurante compuesto por planta baja y entresuelo y un hotel de tres plantas más ático, con la obtención de la documentación necesaria para la autorización de la actividad y permisibilidad de obras por el Ayuntamiento de Valencia. El inmueble con las futuras explotaciones económicas, tiene la particularidad de encontrarse en el centro histórico de Valencia, más concretamente afectado por el PEPRI del Barrio Universitat‐San Francesc. Debiendo poner una especial atención a todos los requerimientos técnicos y legislativos que rigen ese sector de la ciudad. Para ello se elaborará un Proyecto Básico y Memoria para la obtención de Licencia Ambiental, bajo la normativa esencial que debe contemplarse y con la obtención de los documentos fundamentales para una correcta determinación de la actuación que se plantea y así poder llevar a cabo la actividad y la propuesta del inmueble objeto del Proyecto.[EN] The purpose of this Final Project is the adaptation, processing and preparation procedures for the establishment of a restaurant comprising ground floor ,mezzanine and three floors plus attic with obtaining the necessary documentation for the authorization activity and permissibility of works by the city of Valencia. The property with future economic activity, has the distinction of being at the historical district of Valencia, more specifically affected by the PEPRI Barrio University‐San Francesc. Must pay special attention to all the technical and legislative requirements governing the sector of the city. To do a Basic and Memory Project for obtaining environmental permit under the essential rules that should be considered and obtaining key documents for proper determination of the action that arises will be prepared and be able to carry out the activity and the proposed immovable object of project.García Carmona, C. (2017). Gestión, tramitación y documentación para la habilitación de uso y establecimiento de actividad de hotel y restaurante en el centro histórico de la ciudad de Valencia. Proyecto básico para habilitación de edificio sujeto al PEPRI Universitat-Sant Francesc con uso comercial. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/89315.TFG

Desarrollo de microcápsulas rígidas de fragancia y de técnicas que permitan la cuantificación de la eficiencia de encapsulación

From a long time, finishes have been developed with fragances; despite this fact, whatever the technology used to obtain the fragrance formulation, the final effect on the odor is very low. The smell usually disappears quickly because the volatile compounds responsible for this sensation evaporate uncontrollably, depending on their volatility or properties related to their molecular weight. On the other hand, the technology of the microencapsulation of fragrances has also been known for years and, since then, it has not stopped being investigated, since it allows to: • Stabilize and protect the fragrance during storage. • Reduce the losses of the first fragrance notes in a short time with the opening and dosing process. • Reduce the evaporation rate of the fragrance and control it. • Reduce the reactivity of the fragrance with the external environment. • Allow a better dispersion of the aromatic active ingredient. • Extend the life of use of the fragrance. • Allow a controlled and gradual release at the time and place chosen. In the same way that microencapsulation research technology has advanced in recent years, so have analytical techniques that allow the characterization of the product obtained through it. In this sense, as well as the size, morphology, or release of active principle have been controlled and determined with existing techniques and analytics, it has not been so with the efficiency of encapsulation, for which, although techniques have been developed that provide an approximation or a qualitative value of this parameter, these are not sufficiently precise yet. Taking into account the aforementioned premises, the main objective of this thesis is the development of rigid fragrance microcapsules for indirect application in textile substrates and techniques that allow the quantification of the encapsulation efficiency carried out. Therefore, it is sought that the obtained fragrance microparticles are fixed in the garments and textile substrates, and break by friction or mechanical stress, thus releasing the fragrance they contain. However, the application of the microcapsules in tissue will not be carried out directly -incorporating the microcapsules in the fiber during the spinning process or added in the finishing process-, but it will be carried out indirectly, making it the final consumer who makes the application by means of a fabric softener, through a washing cycle.La utilización de acabados con fragancias hace ya mucho tiempo que se viene desarrollando; a pesar de ello, sea cual sea la tecnología utilizada para obtener la formulación de la fragancia, el efecto final en el olor es muy bajo. El olor suele desaparecer rápidamente ya que los compuestos volátiles responsables de dicha sensación se evaporan de forma descontrolada, atendiendo a su volatilidad o a propiedades relacionadas con su peso molecular. Por otro lado, la tecnología de la microencapsulación de fragancias también hace años que se conoce y, desde entonces, no se ha dejado de investigar, ya que permite: Estabilizar y proteger la fragancia durante su almacenamiento. Reducir las pérdidas de las primeras notas de fragancia en poco tiempo con el proceso de apertura y dosificación. Reducir la velocidad de evaporación de la fragancia y control de la misma. Reducir la reactividad de la fragancia con el ambiente exterior. Permitir una mejor dispersión del principio activo aromático. Extender la vida de uso de la fragancia. Permitir una liberación controlada y gradual en el momento y lugar elegido. De la misma manera que la investigación en la tecnología de microencapsulación ha avanzado en estos últimos años, lo han hecho también las técnicas analíticas que permiten la caracterización del producto obtenido a través de ésta. En este sentido, así como el tamaño, la morfología, o la liberación de principio activo se han conseguido controlar y determinar con las técnicas y analíticas existentes, no ha sido así con la eficiencia de encapsulación, para la cual, si bien se han desarrollado técnicas que aportan una aproximación o un valor cualitativo de este parámetro, no se ha conseguido todavía ser lo suficientemente preciso. Teniendo en cuenta las premisas mencionadas, el objetivo principal de la presente tesis radica en el desarrollo de microcápsulas rígidas de fragancia para aplicación indirecta en sustratos textiles y de técnicas que permitan la cuantificación de la eficiencia de encapsulación llevada a cabo. Por tanto, se busca que las micropartículas de fragancia obtenidas se fijen en las prendas y sustratos textiles, y se rompan por fricción o por esfuerzo mecánico, liberando así la fragancia que contienen. Sin embargo, la aplicación de las microcápsulas en tejido no se llevará a cabo de manera directa -incorporando las microcápsulas en el seno de la fibra durante el proceso de hilatura o agregadas en el proceso de acabado-, sino que se llevará a cabo de manera indirecta, haciendo que sea el consumidor final quien realice la aplicación por medio de un suavizante, a través de un ciclo de lavado.Postprint (published version

Biofunctional wool using ß-cyclodextrins as vehiculizer of citronella oil

The use of biopolymers such as cyclodextrin in textiles for the development of biofunctional fabrics is an alternative for the development of eco-friendly textiles. Cyclodextrins can create covalent interactions with the chemical groups available in wool, allowing the sorption of active molecules that will be released, such as the citronella oil. Therefore, this work investigates the formation of cyclodextrin complex oil applied in wool and its release mechanism. The complexes obtained and grafted to the fabric. New microstructures formed have been characterized using instruments as TGA, DLS, FTIR-ATR and SEM, besides the verification of the durability of the finish and the cytotoxicity of the obtained fabric. The release of citronella oil was, also analyzed and mathematical adjustments were performed using the approach proposed by Korsmeyer-Peppas in order to verify the release mechanisms. Results have indicated the formation of the complex and its fixation by covalent bonding, according to the FTIR-ATR specter and SEM images, have shown an non-fickian, but controlled, release profile. For this reason, the application of the complexes in wool fabrics shows promising options for the design and production of eco-friendly biofunctional materials for controlled release, allowing the oil properties to be used in textile matricesPostprint (author's final draft

A Multi-User Interactive Coral Reef Optimization Algorithm for Considering Expert Knowledge in the Unequal Area Facility Layout Problem

The problem of Unequal Area Facility Layout Planning (UA-FLP) has been addressed by a large number of approaches considering a set of quantitative criteria. Moreover, more recently, the personal qualitative preferences of an expert designer or decision-maker (DM) have been taken into account too. This article deals with capturing more than a single DM’s personal preferences to obtain a common and collaborative design including the whole set of preferences from all the DMs to obtain more complex, complete, and realistic solutions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the preferences of more than one expert designer have been considered in the UA-FLP. The new strategy has been implemented on a Coral Reef Optimization (CRO) algorithm using two techniques to acquire the DMs’ evaluations. The first one demands the simultaneous presence of all the DMs, while the second one does not. Both techniques have been tested over three well-known problem instances taken from the literature and the results show that it is possible to obtain sufficient designs capturing all the DMs’ personal preferences and maintaining low values of the quantitative fitness function

Vehiculation of active principles as a way to create smart and biofunctional textiles

In some specific fields of application (e.g., cosmetics, pharmacy), textile substrates need to incorporate sensible molecules (active principles) that can be affected if they are sprayed freely on the surface of fabrics. The effect is not controlled and sometimes this application is consequently neglected. Microencapsulation and functionalization using biocompatible vehicles and polymers has recently been demonstrated as an interesting way to avoid these problems. The use of defined structures (polymers) that protect the active principle allows controlled drug delivery and regulation of the dosing in every specific case. Many authors have studied the use of three different methodologies to incorporate active principles into textile substrates, and assessed their quantitative behavior. Citronella oil, as a natural insect repellent, has been vehicularized with two different protective substances; cyclodextrine (CD), which forms complexes with it, and microcapsules of gelatin-arabic gum. The retention capability of the complexes and microcapsules has been assessed using an in vitro experiment. Structural characteristics have been evaluated using thermogravimetric methods and microscopy. The results show very interesting long-term capability of dosing and promising applications for home use and on clothes in environmental conditions with the need to fight against insects. Ethyl hexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC) and gallic acid (GA) have both been vehicularized using two liposomic-based structures: Internal wool lipids (IWL) and phosphatidylcholine (PC). They were applied on polyamide and cotton substrates and the delivery assessed. The amount of active principle in the different layers of skin was determined in vitro using a Franz-cell diffusion chamber. The results show many new possibilities for application in skin therapeutics. Biofunctional devices with controlled functionality can be built using textile substrates and vehicles. As has been demonstrated, their behavior can be assessed using in vitro methods that make extrapolation to their final applications possiblePostprint (published version

Rheological and microstructural study of concentrated sunflower oil in water emulsions stabilized by food proteins

Se ha realizado un estudio de la distribución del tamaño de gotas y de las propiedades viscoelásticas lineales de emulsio- nes concentradas de aceite en agua, estabilizadas con dife- rentes proteínas (cangrejo, gluten y soja). Los sistemas estu- diados siempre presentan un comportamiento típico de emulsiones altamente concentradas con un alto grado de flo- culación. Se ha observado que un incremento de la velocidad de agitación empleada durante la preparación o de la concen- tración de emulsionante dan lugar a un aumento de los módu- los viscoelásticos (G’ y G’’) y a una disminución del tamaño de gotas. Por tanto se produce un reforzamiento del entramado formado por asociación de las gotas de fase dispersa y como consecuencia, un aumento en la estabilidad de las emulsiones.Droplet Size Distribution (DSD) and linear viscoelastic properties of concentrated o/w emulsions stabilized by different proteins (crayfish, gluten and soybean) have been studied. A typical behaviour of highly concentrated emulsions with a high degree of flocculation has been found. An increase in energy input for the emulsification process or in emulsifier concentration leads to an increase in both viscoelastic moduli (G’, G’’) as well as to a decrease in droplet size. Thus, an enhancement of the entanglement network produced by association of protein molecules that are surrounding oil droplets or are present in the continuous phase takes place, leading to a significant improvement of emulsion stabilit