Transmission-Based Signaling Systems

In this chapter, we describe the principal communication systems applied to the transmission-based signaling (TBS) systems for railways. Typical examples are communication-based train control (CBTC), European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), and distance to go (DTG). Moreover, to properly address some of the challenges that need to face these systems, we will provide a deep insight on propagation issues related to all the environments (urban, suburban, rural, tunnel, etc.). We will highlight all the communication-related issues and the operational as well. Finally, a detailed survey on the directions of research on all these topics is provided, in order to properly cover this interesting subject. In this research, hot topics like virtual coupling are explained as well

Dirac materials in parallel non-uniform electromagnetic fields generated by SUSY: A new class of chiral Planar Hall Effect?

Within a Supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics (SUSY-QM) framework, the (3+1) Dirac equation describing a Dirac material in the presence of external parallel electric and magnetic fields is solved. Considering static but non-uniform electric and magnetic profiles with translational symmetry along the y-direction, the Dirac equation is transformed into two decoupled pairs of Schr\"odinger equations, one for each chirality of the fermion fields. Taking trigonometric and hyperbolic profiles for the vector and scalar potentials, respectively, we arrive at SUSY partner P\"oschl-Teller-like quantum potentials. Restricting to the conditions of the potentials that support an analytic zero-mode solution, we obtain a nontrivial current density in the same plane where the electric and magnetic fields lie, but perpendicular to both of them, indicating the possibility of realizing the Planar Hall Effect. Furthermore, this non-vanishing current density is the sum of current densities for the left- and right-chiralities, suggesting that the net current is a consequence of chiral symmetry.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

New Perspectives for Electrodialytic Remediation

Electrodialytic remediation has been widely used for the recovery of different contaminants from numerous matrices, such as, for example, polluted soils, wastewater sludge, fly ash, mine tailing or harbour sediments. The electrodialytic remediation is an enhancement of the electrokinetic remediation technique, and it consists of the use of ion-exchange membranes for the control of the acid and the alkaline fronts generated in the electrochemical processes. While the standard electrodialytic cell is usually built with three-compartment configuration, it has been shown that for the remediation of matrices that require acid environment, a two-compartment cell has given satisfactory removal efficiencies with reduced energy costs. Recycling secondary batteries, with growing demand, has an increasing economic and environmental interest. This work focusses on the proposal of the electrodialytic remediation technique as a possible application for the recycling of lithium-ion cells and other secondary batteries. The recovery of valuable components, such as lithium, manganese, cobalt of phosphorous, based on current recycling processes and the characterization of solid waste is addressed.This work has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 778045. Paz-Garcia acknowledges the financial support from the University of Malaga, project: PPIT.UMA.B5.2018/17. Villen-Guzman acknowledges the funding from the University of Malaga for the postdoctoral fellowship PPIT.UMA.A.3.2.2018. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Electrodialytic Recovery of Cobalt from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries

Contribución en congreso científicoRecycling lithium-ion batteries has an increasing interest for economic and environmental reasons. Disposal of lithium-ion batteries imposes high risk to the environment due to the toxicity of some of their essential components. In addition to this, some of these components, such as cobalt, natural graphite and phosphorus, are included in the list of critical raw materials for the European Union due to their strategic importance in the manufacturing industry. Therefore, in the recent years, numerous research studies have been focused on the development of efficient processes for battery recycling and the selective recuperation of these key components. LiCoO2 is the most common material use in current lithium-ion batteries cathodes. In the current work, an electrodialytic method is proposed for the recovery of cobalt from this kind of electrode. In a standard electrodialytic cell, the treated matrix is separated from the anode and the cathode compartments by means of ion-exchange membranes. A cation-exchange membrane (CEM) allows the passage of cations and hinders the passage of anions, while the behaviour of anion-exchange membrane (AEM) does the opposite. A three-compartment electrodialytic cell has been designed and assembled, as depicted in the figure. In the central compartment, a suspension of LiCoO2 is added. Different extracting agents, such as EDTA, HCl and HNO3, are tested to enhanced the dissolution and the selective extraction of the target metal. Dissolved cobalt-containing complexes migrate towards the cathode or the anode compartments depending on the ionic charge of the complexes. While cobalt extraction via extracting agents is an expensive treatment, as it requires the constant addition of chemicals, an efficient electrodialytic cell could allow the recirculation of the extracting agents and the economical optimization of the process.This work has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 778045. Paz-Garcia acknowledges the financial support from the University of Malaga, project: PPIT.UMA.B5.2018/17. Villen-Guzman acknowledges the funding from the University of Malaga for the postdoctoral fellowship PPIT.UMA.A.3.2.2018. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Diseño de una roladora industrial metalmecánica de tres rodillos con dispositivo para medir diámetro por procesamiento de imagen

En el siguiente informe se describe una propuesta para la fabricación de una roladora con un dispositivo para medir diámetros y un sistema eléctrico con protección cableada para que el operario técnico conserve su integridad. Inicialmente se realiza un diseño con sus cálculos pertinentes de los sistemas mecánicos, donde entran algunos sistemas de transmisión, sistemas de potencia y sujeción, selección de motores y reductores de velocidad; seguidamente se ilustra por medio de planos técnicos la fabricación, ensamble y soldadura de sus componentes, además, se habla desde la selección del software de diseño mecánico a utilizar; Para la instalación del diseño eléctrico se propone una conexión para sus instrumentos por medio de planos eléctricos; Por último se realiza un algoritmo para el procesamiento de imágenes y de esta forma poder medir los diámetros en los silos a fabricar. La propuesta del proyecto se presenta hasta la etapa del diseño, pero contempla una verificación rigurosa y detallada en la fabricación y composición de sus accesorios. Al finalizar este proyecto cada empresa tiene acceso a la implementación de su propia maquinaria sofisticada sin depender de un ente terciario, teniendo presente que empresa puede ser tanto una industria metalmecánica o una institución académica para su uso en los laboratoriosIngeniero Mecatrónicopregrad

Factibilidad técnica y de salud pública de la recolección de aguas nieblas: estudio de caso

Objetivos Evaluación para consumo humano de la captación de aguas nieblas en el municipio de San Antonio (Cundinamarca).Método Se recolectó agua niebla mediante un prototipo de captador de 6 m2, que se instaló en el área durante 53 días consecutivos y se analizó el agua recolectada para evaluar su viabilidad para consumo humano.Resultados El volumen promedio diario de captación en la zona fue de 43,26 L/día y los parámetros de potabilidad evaluados cumplen con los valores mínimos establecidos en el Reglamento de Agua Potable y Saneamiento Básico RAS 2000, con excepción del pH.Conclusión Esta alternativa para captación y uso de agua plantea opciones alternativas y puede escalarse para producir las cantidades necesarias en comunidades asentadas en zonas de baja precipitación, adicionalmente, la calidad del agua recolectada en esta zona es adecuada para consumo humano, por lo que mejora las condiciones de salud de la población. Se sugiere realizar una evaluación de factibilidad económica para su aplicación y sostenibilidad

Similitud teórica de la cinética de crecimiento biológico aeróbico para la estabilización de materia orgánica en el tratamiento de aguas residuales

To achieve the stabilization of organic matter in wastewaters treatment, it is not only significant to establish the microbial growth kinetics, but also the interrelation of the removal of nutrients such as nitrogen, given the similitude of coefficients, specific growth rate and the adjustments for water temperature, which represents it for both the removal of organic matter as well as for the nitrification and denitrification processes present in the biological wastewaters treatment. Therefore, this theoretic similitude between microbial growth kinetics and nitrogen removal processes constitutes concise considerations for the dimensioning process of wastewater biological treatment systems, which contribute in the understanding of the simultaneous process of removing organic matter and nutrients from raw wastewater. Para la estabilización de la materia orgánica en el tratamiento de las aguas residuales no solo es significativo establecer la cinética de crecimiento microbiano sino la  interrelación de la remoción de nutrientes como el nitrógeno, dada la similitud de coeficientes, tasa de crecimiento específica y los ajustes por temperatura del agua, que lo representa tanto para la remoción de la materia orgánica como para los procesos de nitrificación y denitrificación presentes en el tratamiento biológico de las aguas residuales.  Por ello, esta similitud teórica de las cinéticas de crecimiento microbiano y de los procesos de remoción de nitrógeno constituye consideraciones concisas para el proceso de dimensionamiento de sistemas de tratamiento biológicos de tratamiento de aguas residuales, que ayudan a entender el proceso simultáneo de remover materia orgánica y nutrientes del agua residual cruda.

Investigating mutations in the genes GDF9 and BMP15 in Pelibuey sheep through the amplification-refractory mutation system with tetra-primers

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) or mutations are variations with a broad distribution in the genome and, as part of genetic studies, SNP allow the identification of allelic variants related to characteristics of economic importance in sheep production. However, the identification of SNP and their genotypes through sequencing is expensive, as it requires specialized materials and equipment. The objective of this study was to identify polymorphisms and their genotypes in the growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) genes in Pelibuey sheep using the tetra-primer amplification-refractory mutation system through polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR). DNA extraction and amplification of BMP15 and GDF9 were conducted from blood samples contained in WhatmanTM FTATM cards from 60 multiparous Pelibuey ewes with reproductive records. The T-ARMS-PCR methodology allowed the identification of wild-type genotypes and mutated homozygous genotypes in polymorphisms G4 and G6 of GDF9, whereas mutations in the BMP15 gene were not found. These results were confirmed by sequencing. In conclusion, the T-ARMS-PCR methodology allowed the identification of mutated and wild-type genotypes in SNP G4 and G6 of GDF9, although no mutations were found in BMP15 in Pelibuey sheep. This technique was found to be reliable, rapid, and easily applied to identify polymorphic genotypes