The role of ceria-based nanostructured materials in energy applications

Ceria (CeO2) is enjoying increasing popularity in catalytic applications, and in some cases has established itself as an irreplaceable component. The reasons for such success stem from the intrinsic structural and redox properties of ceria. Reducing the ceria particles to the nanoscale has a profound impact on the catalytic behavior. The proliferation of improved synthetic methods that allow control over the final morphology and size of the nano-structures is opening new possibilities in terms of catalytic potential, particularly for energy-related applications

The electrifying effects of carbon-CeO2 interfaces in (electro)catalysis

Abstract The exceptional and unique properties of cerium dioxide have encouraged scientists to exploit this material beyond its traditional role as a promoter in automotive engines. Electrochemical processes relevant to fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors can be facilitated or even directly catalyzed by the CeO2, whose redox properties are ideal for electrochemistry. However, given the insulating nature of pure ceria, the inclusion of conductive materials at the boundary with the metal oxide is necessary to boost the catalytic activity. Carbon in its various forms and morphologies is a dominant component in ceria-based electrocatalysts, significantly facilitating electron transfers and providing high surface area and improved stability. Moreover, given the improved electronic conductivity of reduced CeO2 in the wake of the decreased grain boundary impedance, the combination with a conductive component, such as carbon, can facilitate a reduction of the ceria

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction: role of the cross-talk at nano-carbon interfaces

The electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is an interfacial process, involving a minimum of three phases at the contact point of gaseous CO2 with the electrodic surface and the liquid electrolyte. As a consequence, surface chemistry at composite interfaces plays a central role for CO2RR selectivity and catalysis. Each interface defines a functional boundary, where active sites are exposed to a unique environment, with respect to distal sites in the bulk of organic and inorganic domains. While the individual role of each component-type is hardly predictable "a-solo", the interface ensemble works via a strategic interplay of individual effects, including: (i) enhanced electrical conductivity, (ii) high surface area and exposure of the interfacial catalytic sites, (iii) favorable diffusion and feeding of reactants, (iv) complementary interactions for the "on/off" stabilization of cascade intermediates, (v) a secondary sphere assistance to lower the activation energy of bottleneck steps, (vi) a reinforced robustness and long-term operation stability. Selected CO2RR case studies are compared and contrasted to highlight how the organic domains of carbon nanostructures merge with metal and metal-oxide active sites to separate tasks but also to turn them into a cooperative asset of mutual interactions, thus going beyond the classic "Divide et Impera" rule

The Role of Structured Carbon in Downsized Transition Metal-Based Electrocatalysts toward a Green Nitrogen Fixation

Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (NRR) to ammonia is one of the most recent trends of research in heterogeneous catalysis for sustainability. The stark challenges posed by the NRR arise from many factors, beyond the strongly unfavored thermodynamics. The design of efficient heterogeneous electrocatalysts must rely on a suitable interplay of different components, so that the majority of research is focusing on development of nanohybrids or nanocomposites that synergistically harness the NRR sequence. Nanostructured carbon is one of the most versatile and powerful conductive supports that can be combined with metal species in an opportune manner, so as to guide the correct proceeding of the reaction and boost the catalytic activity

Carbon nanotubes and catalysis: the many facets of a successful marriage

Carbon nanotubes have emerged as unique carbon allotropes that bear very interesting prospects in catalysis. Their use is mostly related to that of supports for inorganic metal catalysts, including molecular catalysts, metal nanoparticles, metal oxides or even more complex hierarchical hybrids. However, several reports have shown that they can intriguingly act as metal-free catalysts, with performance often superior to that of other carbon materials, in particular when ad hoc organic functional groups are attached prior to catalytic screening. The range of catalytic reactions is quite wide, and it includes standard organic synthesis, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis as well as other important industrial processes. In the last few years, the energy sector has acquired a dominant role as one of the most sought-after fields of application, given its ever-increasing importance in society

Coincident onset of multiple sclerosis and herpes simplex virus 1 encephalitis. a case report

Background: Along with vitamin D, smoking, body mass index and others, Epstein Barr virus, other herpesviruses and human endogenous retroviruses represent plausible environmental risk factors for multiple sclerosis. However, it is difficult to obtain direct proof of their involvement in the etiology of this condition. Case presentation: In order to contribute further evidence of the importance of these viruses, and speculate about disease-relevant interactions between these agents and a predisposed genetic background of the host, we describe the temporal association between multiple sclerosis onset and Herpes simplex 1-encephalitis in a female patient. Conclusions: This case illustrates a possible relationship between HSV-1 encephalitis and multiple sclerosis. Bearing in mind that association does not imply causation, some speculations about the etiology and pathophysiology of the two diseases can be made. The hypothesis of a genetic background predisposing to HSV-1 encephalitis and to immune-mediated demyelination is supported by the coincidence of the two conditions in this patient, along with data from animal models and genetic studies

Clutter and rainfall discrimination by means of doppler-polarimetric measurements and vertical reflectivity profile analysis

The estimation of rainfall rate and other parameters from radar scattering volume is heavily affected by the presence of intense sea and ground clutter and echoes which appears in anomalous propagation condition. To deal with these non meteorological echoes we present a new clutter removal algorithm which combines the results of previous works. The algorithm fully exploits both the Doppler and polarimetric capabilities of the radar used and the analysis of vertical reflectivity profile in order to achieve the better identification of the meteorological and non-meteorological targets. The algorithm has been applied to the C-band radar of Monte Settepani (Savona, Italy), which runs in a high-topography environment. Preliminary results are presented

Spatial and temporal biochemical variation in the Norther Adriatic Sea during summer 2001

Nel giugno e nel settembre del 2001 sono state effettuate due crociere oceanografiche nel nord Adriatico, da Numana (An) a Chioggia (Ve), dall\u27Italia alla Croazia, con misurazioni di temperatura, salinit?, fluorescenza, irradianza, ossigeno disciolto e nutrienti. Nel lavoro vengono posti in relazione tra loro l\u27ossigeno disciolto, la fluorescenza, i nutrienti, l\u27irradianza e le portate del Po, con lo scopo di osservare le loro variazioni biochimiche nello spazio e nel tempo. Dallo studio risulta che gli inputs del Po e l\u27irradianza sono fattori importanti nella distribuzione della clorofilla a e dell\u27ossigeno disciolto in superficie, e che i processi di mineralizzazione determinano una marcata ipossia in un\u27ampia area al largo della foce del Po.Nel giugno e nel settembre del 2001 sono state effettuate due crociere oceanografiche nel nord Adriatico, da Numana (An) a Chioggia (Ve), dall\u27Italia alla Croazia, con misurazioni di temperatura, salinit?, fluorescenza, irradianza, ossigeno disciolto e nutrienti. Nel lavoro vengono posti in relazione tra loro l\u27ossigeno disciolto, la fluorescenza, i nutrienti, l\u27irradianza e le portate del Po, con lo scopo di osservare le loro variazioni biochimiche nello spazio e nel tempo. Dallo studio risulta che gli inputs del Po e l\u27irradianza sono fattori importanti nella distribuzione della clorofilla a e dell\u27ossigeno disciolto in superficie, e che i processi di mineralizzazione determinano una marcata ipossia in un\u27ampia area al largo della foce del Po

Collaborative networks: A pillar of digital transformation

UID/EEA/00066/2019 POCI-01-0247-FEDER-033926The notion of digital transformation encompasses the adoption and integration of a variety of new information and communication technologies for the development of more efficient, flexible, agile, and sustainable solutions for industrial systems. Besides technology, this process also involves new organizational forms and leads to new business models. As such, this work addresses the contribution of collaborative networks to such a transformation. An analysis of the collaborative aspects required in the various dimensions of the 4th industrial revolution is conducted based on a literature survey and experiences gained from several research projects. A mapping between the identified collaboration needs and research results that can be adopted from the collaborative networks area is presented. Furthermore, several new research challenges are identified and briefly characterized.publishe

Clutter and rainfall discrimination by means of doppler-polarimetric measurements and vertical reflectivity profile analysis

International audienceThe estimation of rainfall rate and other parameters from radar scattering volume is heavily affected by the presence of intense sea and ground clutter and echoes which appears in anomalous propagation condition. To deal with these non meteorological echoes we present a new clutter removal algorithm which combines the results of previous works. The algorithm fully exploits both the Doppler and polarimetric capabilities of the radar used and the analysis of vertical reflectivity profile in order to achieve the better identification of the meteorological and non-meteorological targets. The algorithm has been applied to the C-band radar of Monte Settepani (Savona, Italy), which runs in a high-topography environment. Preliminary results are presented