Innovative solutions need an innovative approach - 3D printing technology, example of use and conclusion from implementation in an organization

[EN] 3D printing is a very popular technology for rapid production and prototyping. The rapid development of various 3D printing techniques began at the beginning of the 21st century. The concepts of rapid manufacturing and prototyping have gained new meaning due to unlimited shaping possibilities and the wide range of printing materials available. The possibility of obtaining a material object in accordance with the documentation relatively quickly, redefined the production process, especially in the case of a unit or small-lot production. One of the variants of 3D printing - FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) technology has become the most popular, thanks to the wide possibilities of hardware modification and the low price of printing devices. 3D printing is used in almost all industries. The article presents examples of 3D printing applications in various areas of engineering activities, including medical applications. An example of an approach to implementing 3D printing technology in an organization was also presented. A description of the developed training resources is provided to quickly train all process participants - the people responsible for the 3D printing process itself and potential recipients. The implementation of 3D printing technology in an organization is not only associated with the purchase of appropriate equipment, but it is also necessary to ensure an appropriate level of knowledge, which avoids confusion and makes the expectations of potential technology recipients real.Michalak, D.; Gómez Herrero, JA. (2020). Innovative solutions need an innovative approach - 3D printing technology, example of use and conclusion from implementation in an organization. Mining Machines. (2):48-57. https://doi.org/10.32056/KOMAG2020.2.5S4857

Design with use of 3D printing technology

[EN] Dynamic development of 3D printing technology contributes to its wide applicability. FDM (Fused Deposition Method) is the most known and popular 3D printing method due to its availability and affordability. It is also usable in design of technical objects-to verify design concepts with use of 3D printed prototypes. The prototypes are produced at lower cost and shorter time comparing to other manufacturing methods and might be used for a number of purposes depending on designed object's features they reflect. In the article, usability of 3D printing method FDM for designing of technical objects is verified based on sample functional prototypes. Methodology applied to develop these prototypes and their stand tests are covered. General conclusion is that 3D printed prototypes manufactured with FDM method proved to be useful for verifying new concepts within design processes carried out in KOMAG.Rozmus, M.; Dobrzaniecki, P.; Siegmund, M.; Gómez Herrero, JA. (2020). 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Estimación de la abundancia de la cabra montés en un hábitat forestal de montaña de gran superficie

The aim of the study was to estimate the distribution and density of Iberian wild goat Capra pyrenaica in Castellón province, Spain. We asked the rangers of the Environmental Agency of Valencia to estimate the distribution of the species within the province using a 2.5 x 2.5 km2 grid and identified 130 vantage points for fixedpoint surveys throughout the area. Survey was undertaken in two periods (June and July, post-partum period, and November and December, during the rut). The animals were counted from those fixed points during 3 hours observation periods in the morning or evening, and, to calculate the population density, we used the Distance Sampling (DS) procedure. We counted 1,157 goats at 77% of the vantage points in the post-partum period and 1,994 at 82% of the vantage points during the rut. During the rut, the population density was 11.7 goats km-2 (95% CI = 8.9-15.4). Fifteen per cent of the males were >10 years old, the sex ratio was near unity (0.98 males per female), the productivity of the population was 0.75 kids per female, and the estimated minimum population size was 24,030 individuals. In the rugged, mountainous forests, the DS produced reasonable results, which supports the use of this procedure to estimate populations of Iberian wild goats in such environments where the visibility is restricted.El objetivo del estudio fue estimar la distribución y densidad de la cabra montés en la provincial de Castellón, España. Pedimos a los agentes medioambientales del Departamento de Medio Ambiente de la Generalitat de Valencia que estimaran su distribución utilizando cuadrículas de 2,5 x 2,5 km2 e identificaran 130 puntos de observación fijos con buena visibilidad en toda el área. El seguimiento se hizo en dos periodos: junio y julio, tras los partos y noviembre-diciembre, durante el celo. El conteo se realizó tras el amanecer o antes del atardecer durante periodos de 3 horas y para calcular la densidad utilizamos el procedimiento Distance Sampling (DS). Detectamos 1.157 cabras en el 77% de los puntos fijos tras los partos y 1.994 en el 82% de los puntos durante el celo. En el celo la densidad fue de 11,7 cabras km-2 (ICM 95% = 8,9-15,4). El 15% de los machos resultó ser mayor de 10 años, la proporción de sexos en la edad adulta de 0,98 machos por hembra, la productividad 0,75 cabritos por hembra adulta y el tamaño mínimo poblacional de 24.030 individuos. En terrenos forestales rugosos, el procedimiento del DS produce resultados razonables que apoyan su uso para estimar tamaños poblacionales de cabras monteses en estos ambientes de visibilidad reducida

Semen parameters can be predicted from environmental factors and lifestyle using artificial intelligence methods

Fertility rates have dramatically decreased in the last two decades, especially in men. It has been described that environmental factors as well as life habits may affect semen quality. In this paper we use artificial intelligence techniques in order to predict semen characteristics resulting from environmental factors, life habits, and health status, with these techniques constituting a possible decision support system that can help in the study of male fertility potential. A total of 123 young, healthy volunteers provided a semen sample that was analyzed according to the World Health Organization 2010 criteria. They also were asked to complete a validated questionnaire about life habits and health status. Sperm concentration and percentage of motile sperm were related to sociodemographic data, environmental factors, health status, and life habits in order to determine the predictive accuracy of a multilayer perceptron network, a type of artificial neural network. In conclusion, we have developed an artificial neural network that can predict the results of the semen analysis based on the data collected by the questionnaire. The semen parameter that is best predicted using this methodology is the sperm concentration. Although the accuracy for motility is slightly lower than that for concentration, it is possible to predict it with a significant degree of accuracy. This methodology can be a useful tool in early diagnosis of patients with seminal disorders or in the selection of candidates to become semen donors.This study was partially funded by Vicerrectorado de Investigación, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain (Vigrob-137)

Synthesis and characterization of polysulfone/layered double hydroxides nanocomposite membranes for fuel cell application

In the present study, sulfonated polysulfone (SPSU)/layered double hydroxide (LDH) composite membranes for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) were investigated. Polysulfone (PSU) was sulfonated with trimethylsilyl chlorosulfonate in 1,2 dichloroethane at room temperature. Composite membranes were prepared by blending different amount (0, 1, 2, and 5%) of LDH nanoparticles with SPSU in dimethylacetamide (DMAc). The membranes were prepared by the casting method and the samples obtained were characterized by XRD, FTIR spectroscopy. The thermal behavior for all samples was evaluated by thermogravimetrical analysis (TGA). Finally electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to study the membranes electrical properties. The EIS measurements were carried out with the membranes in contact with HCl solutions at different concentrations (103 ≤ c ≤101). Results show a clear dependence of the membrane electrical resistance with the sulfonation degree and the amount of the LDH addedAuthors thanks financial support received from the regional government (Comunidad de Madrid through MATERYENER S2009 PPQ-1626), and Spanish Government,MICINN (MAT2010-19837-CO6)

Metodología de diseño, observación y cálculo de redes geodésicas interiores en túneles de ferrocarril de alta velocidad

El guiado de las Tuneladoras durante su avance debe apoyarse en los puntos determinados inmediatamente detrás de ellas. Conseguir las precisiones requeridas presentaría algunas dificultades en condiciones normales con respecto al exterior, pero en el interior de un túnel se plantean ciertos factores que ensombrecen el panorama. El más importante y difícil de tratar es el de la refracción lateral. El diseño de redes interiores es uno de los principales problemas, desde el punto de vista geodésico y topográfico, el cual tiene unas características tales que todos los textos de topografía de precisión aconsejan evitar. Con estas redes se va guiando la tuneladora y en ningún momento dicha red vuelve a tener comprobación sobre otros puntos de control. A medida que la red va avanzando, las precisiones obtenidas de sus coordenadas van empeorando de forma exponencial. Este trabajo establece una metodología para el diseño de redes planimétricas interiores. ABSTRACT The guiding of TBMs (Tunnel Boring Machines) along their advance must be based on points placed immediately behind them. Achieving good accuracies results would present some difficulties for normal exterior conditions, but inside a tunnel certain factors clouding the outlook arise. The most important and difficult factor to deal with, has to do with lateral refraction. Internal geodetic networks design is one of the more challenging problems from the geodetic and topographic point of view, as the bibliographical review dealing with this subject, advises to avoid this practice. This network allows only guiding the TBM, so that it is not used for further checking or quality control. As the network progresses, the reached coordinate accuracies deteriorate exponentially. This work establishes a methodology for the design of internal horizontal networks

Removal of imidazolium-based ionic liquid by coupling Fenton and biological oxidation

In this work, we assessed the potential of combining Fenton´s reagent and biological oxidation for removing the imidazolium-based ionic liquid 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EmimCl). Fenton-like oxidation was conducted at variable H2O2 doses from 20 to 100% the stoichiometric value as calculated from the theoretical chemical oxygen demand (COD). The stoichiometric H2O2 dose afforded Total Organic Carbon (TOC) conversion and COD removal of 50 and 62%, respectively. Identifying the reaction by-products formed at low hydrogen peroxide doses allowed a plausible pathway for EmimCl oxidation to be proposed. The effluents from Fenton-like oxidation at substoichiometric H2O2 doses were less ecotoxic and more biodegradable than was the parent ionic liquid. The effluent from Fenton-like oxidation with the 60% H2O2 dose (TOC conversion ≅ 41%, COD removal ≅ 31%) was subsequently subjected to an effective biological treatment that allowed complete removal of the starting compound, increased its ecotoxicity to a low–moderate level and rendered it acceptably biodegradable. Biological oxidation was performed in 8-h and 12-h cycles in a sequencing batch reactor. Combining Fenton and biological oxidation of EmimCl afforded TOC conversion and COD removal of around 90%The authors wish to thank Spain’s MINECO and the Madrid Regional Government for funding this work through Projects CTM2016-76564-R and S2013/MAE-2716, respectively

Evaluation of the degradation of the graphene-polypropylene composites of masks in harsh working conditions

The recent COVID-19 outbreak has led health authorities to recommend at least the use of surgical masks, most preferably respirators (FFP2 or KN95), to prevent the spread of the virus. Non-woven fabrics have been chosen as the best option to manufacture the face masks, due to their filtration efficiency, low cost, and versatility. Modifying the mask filters with graphene has been of great interest due to its potential use as antibacterial and virucidal properties. Indeed, some companies have commercialized face masks in which graphene is coated and/or embedded. However, the Canadian sanitary authorities advised against using the Shandong Shengquan New Materials Co. graphene masks because of the possibility of pulmonary damage produced by graphene inhalation. Thus, we have analyzed the stability of the graphene filter of these masks and compared it with two other commercially available graphene mask filters, evaluating the morphological and spectroscopical change of the fibers, as well as the particles released during the endurance tests. Our work introduces the necessary tools and methodology to evaluate the potential degradation of face masks under extreme working conditions. These methods complement the present standard tests ensuring the security of the new filters based on composites or nanomaterialsWe thank Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (projects PID2019- 106268GB-C31 and PID2019-106268GB-C32), the financial support through the “María de Maeztu” Programme for Units of Excellence in R&D (CEX2018-000805-M) and Banco de Santander CRUE (Fondo Supera COVID-19

Activation of stylolites as conduits for overpressured fluid flow in dolomitized platform carbonates

This study investigates the Late Aptian-earliest Albian platform carbonates of the Benicàssim area (Maestrat Basin, Spain) in order to assess the relationship between bed-parallel stylolites and the flow of diagenetic fluids during dolomitization and subsequent hydrothermal alteration. Dolostones and burial dolomite and calcite cements were studied by a combination of field geology and standard petrographic and isotope analysis. Field data indicate that dolostones are closely associated with seismic-scale synsedimentary faults, preferentially replace grain-dominated facies and typically show wavy dolomitizing fronts that mostly correspond to bed-parallel stylolites. The dolostones are corroded and contain bed-parallel pores that are filled with hydrothermal saddle dolomite and blocky calcite cements. This late calcite cement frequently engulfs clasts of the host dolostones, suggesting that hydraulic brecciation likely associated with overpressured fluid occurred. Results indicate that stylolites play a key role in the distribution of dolostones and subsequent hydrothermal mineralization. During the replacement stage, stylolites acted as baffles for the dolomitzing fluids controlling lateral fluid flow and resulting in the stratabound dolostone distribution. During the post-dolomitization stage, stylolites became preferred pathways for overpressured hydrothermal corrosive and mineralizing fluids that likely came from the underlying basement, and increased bed-parallel stylolitic porosity and probably also permeability