Inspirational perspectives and principles on the use of catalysts to create sustainability

Producción CientíficaMost of the products on which our welfare state is based are composed of chemicals. The growth of the world's population, its ageing and the continuous improvement of welfare state aspirations augur an increase in the needs for all these everyday products in our lives. A high percentage of these chemicals are synthesised using catalysis. In this perspective paper, we highlight the importance of catalysis, which is at the heart of chemical processes, and therefore one of the tools for creating products that drive sustainability. We have compiled twelve methodological best practices in catalyst design and conception that can serve as inspiration for the creation and improvement of catalysts. We include some application examples to illustrate this.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades - Agencia Estatal de Investigación - Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (project PID2019-105975GB-I00

Factors to consider from education to promote an image of science and technology with a gender perspective

The image of science influences on the decision of girls when opting for studies related to STEM disciplines, since in many cases they are perceived as masculine, due to the image promoted from different areas of society, including the education system. Consequently, women do not feel identified with these disciplines, and prejudices and beliefs are generated that promote the well-known gender gap that exists in these areas. Therefore, this article sets out the considerations to be taken into account from science and technology education to avoid showing an image of science as individual, stereotyped and elitist, among other aspects, and, ultimately, to promote an image of science and technology with a gender perspective. It is necessary to transform curricular content and teacher training following these considerations, so that students perceive a realistic image of science and technology. This will have a positive influence by minimising the Pygmalion effect that occurs in girls and helping to combat social inequality that generates the under-representation of women in scientific-technological fields.This work was supported by Ministery of Science, Innovation and Universities of Spain Goverment [PGC2018-094114-A-I00]. // Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Desarrollo de un instrumento para el análisis de libros de texto de ciencia y tecnología desde una perspectiva de género

Se presenta el proceso seguido para el desarrollo de un instrumento para el análisis de libros de texto de áreas científico-tecnológicas desde una perspectiva de género. Para el diseño del instrumento se utilizó un enfoque de investigación cualitativo, centrado en el análisis de contenido para extraer de la literatura las causas de la baja elección de estas materias por parte de las estudiantes. El diseño inicial partió del marco teórico desarrollado y fue depurándose conforme se avanzó en el análisis preliminar de varias unidades de libros de texto. El diseño final del instrumento se obtuvo tras un proceso de validación externa, una vez incorporadas las observaciones de las expertas colaboradoras.Este estudio forma parte del proyecto “Análisis didáctico de unidades de enseñanza y aprendizaje en libros de texto de matemáticas y ciencias desde una perspectiva de género” (PGC2018-094114-A-I00) financiado por Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades del Gobierno de España. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Stability and regeneration of Cu-ZrO2 catalysts used in glycerol hydrogenolysis to 1,2-propanediol

A series of Cu–ZrO2 catalysts with different copper contents have been prepared by the coprecipitation method. Their catalytic behavior was studied for glycerol hydrogenolysis reaction to obtain 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) joint to deactivation mechanism and regeneration protocols. A number of physical chemical techniques as X-ray diffraction (XRD), evolved gas analysis by mass spectrometry (EGA-MS), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and chemical analysis have been used to characterize the precursors, activated and spent catalysts. Cu–ZrO2 catalysts with higher atomic ratio Cu/Zr showed higher selectivity while glycerol conversion values were not significantly changed. In terms of stability a decreasing of yield to 1,2-PDO due to a decrease of its selectivity was observed with the number of cycles. The main cause of deactivation was associated to the progressive formation of organic deposits on the surface of catalyst. A regeneration process highly efficient, where almost complete recovery of yield to 1,2-PDO shown by the fresh catalyst was reached, has been identified.Financial support from Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (ENE2009-12743-C04-01 and RYC-2010-06067) and Autonomous Government of Madrid (S2009/ENE-1660, CARDENER-CM partly funded by FSE funds) is gratefully acknowledged. D.D.M. thanks the Spanish Ministry of Education for her FPU fellowship.Peer Reviewe