Correlation between Simulations and Experimentation: Simple Approach for Technological Teaching / Correlação Entre Simulação e Experimentação: Abordagem Simples Para o Ensino Tecnológico

Technological education requires high-cost equipment that, in most cases, does not favor a good understanding of the phenomenon occurring during its use. A possible solution is simulation; however, without the corresponding experimentation, it does not contribute for elucidation of real problems when using such equipment. A critical problem for Chemical Engineering and Chemistry is heating of fluids in small dimensions, as occurs in chromatographic columns and distillation tower. Therefore, this work aims the manufacturing of a prototype and corresponding simulation, for such learning process. The obtained product was manufactured with low-cost materials and conventional machining instruments. Simulation used FEMLAB® program and was carried out in 1D. The device is miniaturized and suitable for classroom demonstrations. Moreover, it allows an easy understanding between temperature programming and the corresponding chromatographic peak profile, essential parameter in performance measurement. Thus, simple ways of manufacturing were developed with low costs but accurate equipment.

Plasma polymerized acetaldehyde thin films for retention of volatile organic compounds

The aim of this work is the production and characterization of plasma polymerized acetaldehyde thin films. These films show highly polar species, are hydrophilic, organophilic and easily adsorb organic reactants with CO radicals but only allow permeation of reactants with OH radicals. The good step coverage of films deposited on aluminum trenches is useful for sensor development. Films deposited on hydrophobic substrates may result in a discontinued layer, which allows the use of preconcentration in sample pretreatment. Deposition on microchannels showed the possibility of chromatographic columns and/or retention system production to selectively detect or remove organic compounds from gas flows.FAPESPCNPqUniversity of Puerto Rico - Advance it Progra

Production of composite thin films using tetraethylortosilicate for application in miniaturized structures and VOCs/humidity detection.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo a produção de material compósito e utilização deste em 1) estrutura miniturizada que possibilitasse a mistura de fluidos sem uso de partes móveis, ou seja, fosse um misturador passivo, e, 2) em sistemas de detecção de compostos orgânicos voláteis (VOCs) ou água. Para obter-se tal material, este trabalho optou pela polimerização por plasma de tetraetilortossilicato (TEOS). A escolha de TEOS para a polimerização por plasma decorre da possibilidade de gerar polímeros com características de silicone e que são úteis em sensores de umidade. Além disso, a exposição à radiação ultravioleta pode modificar o caráter hidrofílico/hidrofóbico do filme, já que em micromisturadores passivos, a mistura pode depender da propriedade de hidrofilicidade/hidrofobicidade das superfícies. A produção de compósito corresponde à formação de heterogeneidades, ou clusters, e foi obtida por duas estratégias distintas: a) em uma única etapa, pela formação durante processo de deposição dos filmes e com um único reagente ou pela co-deposição de filme fluorado, obtido a partir de metil-nonafluoro(iso)butil-éter (HFE 7100®); b) pela exposição dos filmes obtidos a duas radiações de natureza distintas - radiação ultravioleta (UVC) ou radiação beta (feixe de elétrons: 2MeV, 10-100 nA, 10-60 s) e eventualmente ambas estratégias. Estes filmes foram avaliados por uma série de técnicas de caracterização químicas ou físicas: perfilometria e elipsometria para avaliação da taxa de deposição e índice de refração; Microscopia Raman e espectroscopias de infravermelho (FTIR) e por fotoelétrons de raios-X (XPS) para avaliação do ambiente químico; Microscopias óptica e eletrônica por varredura (MEV) para análise do aspecto superficial e a formação de clusters, esta última com o auxílio do software ImageJ®; medidas de ângulo de contato com água e reagentes orgânicos em ampla faixa de polaridade, em um equipamento proposto e testado neste trabalho, para avaliar as características de adsorção. Foi possível produzir filmes finos compósitos a partir de um único reagente (TEOS) e também por mistura deste com reagente HFE. Microscopia Raman indicou que estas desuniformidades têm estruturas semelhantes a silicone ou grafite. Dependendo dos parâmetros de processo, é possível a obtenção de várias fases distintas, como filmes sem desuniformidades, somente com clusters de carbono ou silicone ou ambos, numa ampla gama de possibilidades, sem, no entanto, que a dependência dos parâmetros de processo seja clara. O filme obtido é hidrofóbico, com ângulos por volta de 90º, mas podem variar ligeiramente nas amostras obtidas com inserção de HFE ou com o tipo de cluster formado na superfície e sua distribuição. Naquelas com grande concentração de clusters de grafite, o ângulo pode ser levemente menor provavelmente devido à adsorção. Os clusters apresentaram dimensões médias de 1-5 µm² e a dispersão ao longo da superfície variou grandemente entre as amostras. Os índices de refração dos filmes variaram de 1,4 a 1,7; a taxa de deposição pode variar significativamente, até um máximo de 30 nm/min; espectroscopias de infravermelho e por fotoelétrons de raios-X detectaram espécies Si-O-Si e CHn. A exposição à radiação UVC causou alterações químicas e físicas nos filmes expostos. Observou-se alteração na coloração (espessura), mas não se observaram mudanças na densidade nem na dimensão dos clusters (de carbono e silicone). Análises por FTIR mostraram alterações sutis na banda com pico em 1100 cm-¹ nas amostras expostas à UVC, um indicativo da alteração nas ligações químicas. Também ocorreu alteração moderada nos valores de ângulos de contato para água e soluções aquosas. O uso de radiação ultravioleta criou regiões com adsorção preferencial de reagentes orgânicos mas não água. O mesmo não se pode dizer do uso de radiação beta, pois não foi detectada alteração significativa, mesmo para as maiores doses eletrônicas utilizadas (100 nA, 60 s). Portanto, estes filmes provavelmente são úteis como barreiras protetoras contra a radiação beta. Misturadores passivos, a partir de canais tridimensionais e variação das propriedades hidrofóbica/hidrofílica da superfície, foram projetados e simulados utilizando-se o software FemLab 3.2®. Aqueles que mostraram maior probabilidade de promover mistura foram construídos utilizando-se uma máscara mecânica e testados para a formação de spray e/ou de emulsão água/óleo, em fase líquida, e mistura de VOCs, em fase gasosa. Nesse caso, o uso de filmes a base de TEOS/HFE é indicado devido ao caráter oleofóbico do filme a base de HFE, o que aumenta a proteção da superfície à exposição aos compostos orgânicos. Os filmes são moderadamente resistentes a ácidos e bases, muito embora inicialmente reajam com água e percam radicais carbônicos. Assim, após condicionamento do filme por cinco dias, a exposição à solução aquosa de cloreto de sódio 0,9% não mostrou alteração significativa no potencial eletroquímico. Além disso, todos os filmes analisados apresentaram sensibilidades semelhantes a reagentes orgânicos em solução aquosa, com o ângulo de contato diminuindo sensivelmente e se aproximando de zero. Portanto, tais filmes provavelmente são indicados no desenvolvimento de microeletrodos, tanto para formação de eletrodo de trabalho como para proteção do eletrodo de referência. Testes com microbalança de quartzo, e eletrodos interdigitados, usando câmara para controle de umidade indicaram que filmes a base de TEOS, obtidos em uma única etapa, são úteis para medida de umidade na faixa de 25% a 85%. Para VOCs, contudo, a sensibilidade é baixa, na ordem de fração de porcentagem. As curvas CV mostraram que o comportamento dos filmes é reprodutível sobre silício, portanto, seu uso no desenvolvimento de sensores não pode ser descartado. Assim, os resultados apontam o uso destes filmes em sensores de umidade ou como camadas passivas em misturadores.The aim of this work was the production of a composite material and its use in 1) miniaturized structure useful as passive mixer and 2) system for volatile organic compounds (VOCS) or water detection. This material was obtained by tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) plasma polymerization. TEOS choice is due its ability in forming silicone-like polymeric structures, useful for humidity detection. Moreover, exposition to ultraviolet light can change the hydrophilic/hydrophobic character of the film surface, an important feature since mixing can rely on surfaces changes inside passive mixers. The obtaining of composite material corresponds to the production of clustered films and it can be accomplished by two different strategies: a) in a single step, using just one reactant (TEOS) or by co-deposition with methylnonafluoro(iso)buthylether (HFE 7100®); b) film production and exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVC) or beta radiation (e-beam: 2MeV, 10-100 nA, 10-60 s) or even the combination of these two strategies. Films were chemically and physically evaluated using several techniques. Profilometer and elipsometer were used to determine deposition rate and refractive index; Raman microscopy and infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy evaluated the chemical environment. Optical and secondary electron microcopies aside with ImageJ® software were applied for understanding cluster formation. Contact angle measurement with water and several organic compounds were obtained in a setup developed in this work. These data give insights on adsorption behavior. Composite were obtained using a single reactant (TEOS) or a mixture (TEOS+HFE). Raman microscopy revealed clusters made of silicone or graphite. Production of such structures is dependent of process parameters; therefore, it is possible to obtain several distinct phases, such as uniform films, with carbon only or silicone only clusters, or even both carbon and silicone at the same sample. However, it is not clear the interdependence among these parameters. Films are hydrophobic, with water contact angle approximately 90º, but slightly varying by HFE inclusion or according to the cluster formed and its distribution on the surface. High surface density of carbon nodules can lead to lower angles, probably due to adsorption. Clusters dimensions are 1-5 µm² but cluster density varies significantly among samples. Refractive index can vary from 1,4 to 1,7 and deposition rates up to 30 nm/min can be achieved. Infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy detected Si-O-Si e CHn species. Ultraviolet exposure caused physical and chemical variations. Thus, it was observed thickness variation but not changes on clusters density or dimensions. Due to chemical changes after UVC exposure, slight variations were observed on 1100 cm-¹ band with infrared analysis and in contact angles, with water and aqueous solutions. UVC determined preferential adsorption for organic compounds but the same did not occur with water. On the other hand, beta radiation was not effective in promoting alterations, even with large doses (100 nA, 60 s). Therefore, these are probably useful as barrier to this radiation. Passive mixers based in three-dimensional microchannels were designed and simulated, regarding hydrophobic/hydrophilic character, using FemLab 3.2® software. The best simulated result response for mixing was produced using just a mechanical mask and tested for emulsion and spray formation, in liquid phase, or mixing of VOCs, in gas phase. TEOS/HFE films are the best choice due to the oleophobic character of HFE films, which increases surface protection to organic compounds exposure. Films are reasonably resistant to acid and basic solutions, although chemical reaction will occur immediately after water exposure and will lead to removal of carbon radicals. Thus, after water conditioning processed constantly during five days, exposition to 0.9% of sodium chloride aqueous solution does not alter significantly the electrochemical potential. Furthermore, for all films contact angle with organic aqueous solutions diminish and even tend to zero. Thus, such films probably can be used on the development of microelectrodes, not only as work electrode but also as protection for reference electrode. Quartz crystal measurements and interdigitated electrodes inside a weathering test chamber indicate that TEOS films could be used for humidity detection in a range of 25% to 85%. However, VOCS showed low sensibility, i.e., percentage fraction. CV curves showed a reproducible behavior in silicon, which seems adequate for sensors development. Therefore, the results pointed out that these films could be used in humidity sensors or as passive layers in mixers

Prototype for chemical analysis and process intensification that is useful for research and teaching

This work describes the design, manufacturing and testing of a detection system useful to be applied with microTAS or other compact equipment, such as those needed for Process Intensification in Chemical Engineering. The detection is carried out by a Quartz Microbalance (QCM), based on Piezoelectric Quartz Crystals (PQC) of multiple frequencies, from tens of kHz to almost GHz. With this instrument, it is possible to detect particles and droplets in a gaseous flow, as well as vapors of volatile organic compounds. The system allows simultaneous measurement at five different points, and due to its modularity, such points can be positioned several centimeters apart from each other. The use in teaching is favored not only because of its low cost and modularity, and also due to its portability, i.e., its small size

Tetraethylortossilicate plasma thin film with hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristics: Use on passive mixers

This work aims to obtain plasma thin film composites with hydrophobic/hydrophilic alternated regions, which are useful for the production of miniaturized mixers. These regions were acquired by two different strategies: either the codeposition of TEOS and HFE plasma thin films or the exposition of TEOS plasma films to ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVC). These films were characterized by several chemical and physical techniques. The refractive indexes vary from 1.4 to 1.7; infrared and photoelectron spectroscopy detect Si-O-Si and CHn species. Silicone-like structures with high or low number of amorphous carbon microparticles and with fluorinated organic clusters were produced. Cluster dimensions were in the 1-5 mm range and they are made of graphite or COF (carbon/oxygen/fluorine) compounds. Scanning electron and optical microscopy showed rough surfaces. Water contact angles were 90º; however, for TEOS films that value changed after 6 hr of UVC exposure. Moreover, after UV exposure, organic polar compounds could be adsorbed in those films and water was not. The passive mixer performance was simulated using the FemLab 3.2® program and was tested with 20 nm thick films on a silicon wafer, showing the capacity of these films to be used in such devices

Delayed colorectal cancer care during covid-19 pandemic (decor-19). Global perspective from an international survey

Background The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer (CRC) care during the pandemic. Methods The impact of COVID-19 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of CRC patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in CRC care. Respondents were divided into two comparator groups: 1) ‘delay’ group: CRC care affected by the pandemic; 2) ‘no delay’ group: unaltered CRC practice. Results A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the ‘delay’ (745, 70.9%) and ‘no delay’ (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to COVID-19 units, units fully dedicated to COVID-19 care, personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the ‘delay’ group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of CRC care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in COVID-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to COVID-19 units were statistically associated with unaltered CRC care in the ‘no delay’ group, while the geographical distribution was not. Conclusions Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic CRC practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health-care delivery systems, hospital’s preparedness, resources availability, and local COVID-19 prevalence rather than geographical factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize CRC care