Reactive phase change materials for enhanced thermal energy storage

Effective storage and release of low-to-moderate temperature thermal energy (e.g. solar thermal or geothermal) could be transformational for applications such as space heating/cooling, domestic hot water, or off-grid cooking. Good candidates for thermal energy storage in this temperature range include latent heat storage (LHS) systems and thermochemical energy storage (TCES) systems using reversible salt-hydrate dehydration reactions. Here we propose that an energy storage system by use of magnesium nitrate hexahydrate can potentially improve upon independent TCES or LHS systems by utilizing both the thermochemical hydration reaction and the latent heat available through the solid-liquid phase change of one magnesium nitrate hydrate eutectic. This chemistry is investigated through TGA/DSC analysis and shows a total energy density of approximately 1170±94 kJ/kg when dehydrating the material up to 145°C. Reversible latent heat cycling at a eutectic melting temperature of 130°C is shown by the DSC signal and estimated to be on the order of 115±9.2 kJ/kg—a 10% increase over the thermochemical energy storage alone. Although the latent energy release was found to decrease slightly over several cycles, the mass was found to stabilize near an asymptotic value corresponding to the published eutectic composition. These results suggest the concept of reactive phase change materials could be a promising solution to increasing volumetric stored energy density

Physiological quality, initial establishment and yield of wheat according to the seed treatment method

New technologies are being incorporated to the seed treatment process, such as the use of products on industrial scale. This study aimed at evaluating the seed quality of wheat cultivars, as well as the influence of the seed treatment method on the establishment and yield of this crop. Seeds of the cultivars Jadeite 11, Quartzo and Tec Frontale were treated with the Spectro® fungicide (difenoconazole - 200 mL 100 kg-1 of seeds), Cruiser Opti® insecticide (thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin - 200 mL 100 kg-1 of seeds) and Polifix G4 polymer (100 mL 100 kg-1 of seeds). A completely randomized design, with four replicates, was used. The treatments consisted of industrial treatment, on farm treatment with the same products and control. Germination, first germination count and moisture content tests were carried out immediately after the seed treatment and at 30, 90 and 150 days of storage. Seedling emergence in beds was evaluated at 30, 60 and 120 days of storage. Under a randomized block design, seedling emergence and grain yield were evaluated in the field in two sowing seasons. The conventional or industrial seed treatment methods do not reduce the physiological quality and emergence of high-vigor seeds stored for 150 days, under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity. The conventional or industrial seed treatment with diphenoconazole + thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin + polymer does not increase the wheat crop plant stand and grain yield

Intensification of Solvent Extraction in an Additively Manufactured Microfluidic Separator

Solvent extraction is an integral chemical and biochemical separation process that is drastically intensified in microfluidic systems. A novel high-throughput micro-separator was additively manufactured for the intensification of liquid–liquid separation. The micro-posts array within the flow plate generated a capillary pressure gradient on the non-wetting organic phase, enabling continuous, membrane-free, and density-independent phase separation. The device was integrated with an upstream micromixer for aqueous isobutanol extraction, allowing equilibrium extraction levels within 0.25 s. By capitalizing on the high depth-to-width aspect ratio of binder jetting, hydraulic pressure drops were substantially reduced, avoiding a detrimental effect on separation observed in current micro-separators. This novel architecture also enabled the rare ability to separate both “slug flow” and the highly effective but challenging “dispersed droplet flow”. Near-complete separation of the aqueous and organic phases was attained at flow rates up to 15 ml/min, under interfacial tensions of 48.9 and 10.9 mN/m, and aqueous:organic inlet flow ratios of 1:1 and 2:1. Separation performance deteriorated at 20 ml/min due to an increase of velocity gradients near the outlets, leading the wetting aqueous phase to exit from the organic outlet. Owing to its simplicity, manufacturing merits, and robust separation performance, this device addresses key requirements for achieving industrial-level throughputs using a “scale-up via number-up” approach

Discrepancy between prevalence and perceived effectiveness of treatment methods in myofascial pain syndrome: Results of a cross-sectional, nationwide survey

Background: Myofascial pain is a common dysfunction with a lifetime prevalence affecting up to 85% of the general population. Current guidelines for the management of myofascial pain are not available. In this study we investigated how physicians on the basis of prescription behaviour evaluate the effectiveness of treatment options in their management of myofascial pain. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, nationwide survey with a standardized questionnaire among 332 physicians (79.8% male, 25.6% female, 47.5 +/- 9.6 years) experienced in treating patients with myofascial pain. Recruitment of physicians took place at three German meetings of pain therapists, rheumatologists and orthopaedists, respectively. Physicians estimated the prevalence of myofascial pain amongst patients in their practices, stated what treatments they used routinely and then rated the perceived treatment effectiveness on a six-point scale (with 1 being excellent). Data are expressed as mean +/- standard deviation. Results: The estimated overall prevalence of active myofascial trigger points is 46.1 +/- 27.4%. Frequently prescribed treatments are analgesics, mainly metamizol/paracetamol (91.6%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/coxibs (87.0%) or weak opioids (81.8%), and physical therapies, mainly manual therapy (81.1%), TENS (72.9%) or acupuncture (60.2%). Overall effectiveness ratings for analgesics (2.9 +/- 0.7) and physical therapies were moderate (2.5 +/- 0.8). Effectiveness ratings of the various treatment options between specialities were widely variant. 54.3% of all physicians characterized the available treatment options as insufficient. Conclusions: Myofascial pain was estimated a prevalent condition. Despite a variety of commonly prescribed treatments, the moderate effectiveness ratings and the frequent characterizations of the available treatments as insufficient suggest an urgent need for clinical research to establish evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome

Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome in Older Adults

Improved survival with combination antiretroviral therapy has led to a dramatic increase in the number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals 50 years of age or older such that by 2020 more than 50% of HIV-infected persons in the United States will be above this age. Recent studies confirm that antiretroviral therapy should be offered to all HIV-infected patients regardless of age, symptoms, CD4+ cell count, or HIV viral load. However, when compared with HIV-uninfected populations, even with suppression of measurable HIV replication, older individuals are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, malignancies, liver disease, and other comorbidities