Conducting polymers: Influence on the anticorrosive properties of marine paints

 This work compares the resistance against marine corrosion of several paints before and after being modified by adding a conducting polymer. The physical properties of the paints were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermal analyses and mechanical assays. Corrosion experiments were carried out by immersion of metallic substrates in a 3.5% NaCl solution. The effects of the degradation on the coating surfaces were analyzed using both optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. An important improvement in the protection was found after adding a small amount of conducting polymer to the epoxy resin paint

Optimizing the solar photo-fenton process in the treatment of contaminated water. Determination of intrinsic kinetic constants for scale-up

The elimination of aromatic compounds present in surface water by photo-Fenton with sunlight as the source of radiation was studied. The concentrations of Fe3+ and H2O2 are key factors for this process. A solar simulator and a prototype parabolic collector were used as laboratory-scale reactors to find the parameters of those key factors to be used in the CPC (compound parabolic collector) pilot plant reactor. The initial mineralization rate constant (kobs) was determined and evaluated at different Fe3+ and H2O2 concentrations to find the best values for maximum efficiency. In all the experiments the mineralization of an aqueous phenol solution was described by assuming a pseudo-first-order reaction. The intrinsic kinetic constants not dependent on the lighting conditions were also estimated for scale-up

ADMIRA project: teaching particle physics at high school with Timepix detectors

This paper presents the case for how students can be helped to increase their scientific vocation by experimental work and the introduction of particle physics into pre-university studies. These two ideas are the two main lines of work of the ADMIRA initiative, which has been created by individuals belonging to different and complementary educational and research institutions. The initiative consists of a network of schools that share Minipix devices, a readout system for the Timepix detector designed at CERN in the framework of the Medipix2 Collaboration. The schools receive logistical and technical support from the local University (the University of Barcelona) and from CERN. The centres involved and the objectives, as well as the characteristics of the project are presented. The technical and didactic materials available are also shown. Finally, some initiative data has been analysed to show its rapid growth, and some students’ research is presented showing the diversity of tasks that can be done with such detectors