Modulating Flow Topology in Microdroplets to Control Reaction Kinetics

In traditional reaction flasks, the reaction rate of macromolecular compounds is dictated by the concentrations and distribution of reactants along with their intrinsic reaction kinetics. Controlling reaction kinetics in microfluidic droplets has been proposed through the regulation of flow dynamics, but is yet to be demonstrated experimentally. Here, this hypothesis is verified by accelerating or suppressing macromolecular reactant mixing in microfluidic droplets. The control of reaction kinetics through the modulation of flow topology in microdroplets may enable further developments in modeling macromolecular systems

Carbohydrates as enantioinduction components in stereoselective catalysis

Carbohydrate derivatives are readily available chiral molecules, yet they are infrequently employed as enantioinduction components in stereoselective catalysis. In this review, synthetic approaches to carbohydrate-based ligands and catalysts are outlined, along with example applications in enantioselective catalysis. A wide range of carbohydrate-based functionality is covered, and key trends and future opportunities are identified

Production of belite calcium sulfoaluminate cement using sulfur as a fuel and as a source of clinker sulfur trioxide : pilot kiln trial

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD), Qatar, through research grant number ENG016RGG11757. The authors would also like to acknowledge Thomas Matschei and Guanshu Li for the stimulating and fruitful discussions concerning the development of this work. The continuous support prior to, during and after the pilot kiln trial from Vadym Kuznietsov and the entire team at IBU-tec is also greatly appreciated.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The nitrogen cycle in the Seine and Scheldt estuaries

The Seine and Scheldt estuaries are both located in the same geographical area and they represent important tributaries of the North Sea. Due to their high population density and large agricultural areas, the Seine and Scheldt estuaries receive extremely high nitrogen loads, mainly originating from wastewater and land fertilisers. The way this nitrogen is transformed in the system and exported to the North Sea depends on the characteristics of each system. The Seine and Scheldt estuaries are the outlet of river systems with respectively 78600 km² and 21500 km² watershed area, 420 and 108 m³/s average discharge, 46 and 40 % of agriculture area, and 195 and 425 inh./km² population density. Major difference between the estuaries lays in their hydrological characteristics. While the Seine estuary is typically channelled over most of its length with very reduced intertidal areas and short residence times (in the order of 1 week on the average), the Scheldt estuary has a typical funnel shape with large intertidal areas and long residence times (in the order of 1 month). The influence of these characteristics on major N-transformation processes (inorganic N assimilation by plankton, organic N mineralisation, nitrification, and denitrification) is presented and discussed, and the importance of both estuaries as sources of N for the North Sea is be evaluated

Stereoselective synthesis of glycosides using (salen)Co catalysts as promoters

The use of (salen)Co catalysts as a new class of bench-stable stereoselective glycosylation promoters of trichloroacetimidate glycosyl donors at room temperature is described.</p