Preparing for future e-waste from photovoltaic modules: a circular economy approach

[EN] The increasing adoption rate of photovoltaic power generation shows that renewable energies have a bright future. Yet, this could be overshadowed by the unintended consequence of increased generation of Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) at the installations End-of-Life (EoL) stage. As countries find themselves dealing with the increasing WEEE issue, they may adopt different practices which, if wrongly implemented, could potentially backfire, creating additional issues especially among vulnerable social groups. This work proposes improving the WEEE management system by including the Informal Recyclers in the equation, benefitting social groups and material recovery through by delivering materials along different streams in the closed-loop supply chain. The proposed model intends to support the circular economy approach on waste management systems.The authors would like to thank the Instituto Brasileiro de Desenvolvimento e Sustentabilidade (IABS) for their interest and support on our research. Additionally, we would like to thank the projects funding David Hidalgo-Carvajal’s research: the WEDISTRICT project [founded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N°857801], the “Campus UPM Circulares” project within the UPM Research Program [Programa Propio UPM 2020. Acción Estratégica en Ciencia y Tecnología], and “The Circular and Regenerative Campus” community from the EELISA European University Alliance.Hidalgo-Carvajal, D.; Carrasco-Gallego, R. (2022). Preparing for future e-waste from photovoltaic modules: a circular economy approach. International Journal of Production Management and Engineering. 10(2):131-141. https://doi.org/10.4995/ijpme.2022.16712OJS13114110

Guía de apoyo y orientación para padres de niños con discapacidad visual

Esta guía tiene la finalidad de ayudar a los padres de los niños con discapacidad visual a alcanzar el desarrollo armónico de sus hijos. A través de las diferentes actividades que propone quiere potenciar la relación padres-hijos, pero sobretodo, aspira que el niño con discapacidad visual alcance un desarrollo pleno de sus capacidades, logrando con ello una vida normal

Technical Evaluation of Mechanical Recycling of PLA 3D Printing Wastes

The importance of 3D printing is growing rapidly. A recent example of this increasing importance involves the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, in which 3D printing has helped to overcome the shortage of critical supplies. However, 3D printing generates large amounts of plastic waste that could pose an environmental problem, thus making it necessary to find methods for the correct management of such wastes. The combination of additive manufacturing and distributed mechanical recycling can contribute to the development of a more circular economy. The main goals of this work were to characterize the poly(lactic acid) (PLA) wastes generated in 3D printing processes and evaluate the effect of their heterogeneity on the technical feasibility of mechanical recycling. Two PLA 3D printing wastes were used: waste coming from a well-known PLA grade, and a mixture of PLA 3D printing residues coming from an association of coronamakers in Madrid. Recycled material obtained from the waste of a well-known PLA grade shows good properties, similar to those for non-used material. However, the recycled material obtained from mixed PLA waste shows lower viscosity values, higher crystallization ability and less transparency. These results highlight that special attention should be paid to the sorting and characterization of the 3D wastes, to obtain recycled materials with good properties

A colorectal cancer susceptibility new variant at 4q26 in the Spanish population identified by genome-wide association analysis

BACKGROUND: Non-hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex disorder resulting from the combination of genetic and non-genetic factors. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are useful for identifying such genetic susceptibility factors. However, the single loci so far associated with CRC only represent a fraction of the genetic risk for CRC development in the general population. Therefore, many other genetic risk variants alone and in combination must still remain to be discovered. The aim of this work was to search for genetic risk factors for CRC, by performing single-locus and two-locus GWAS in the Spanish population. RESULTS: A total of 801 controls and 500 CRC cases were included in the discovery GWAS dataset. 77 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)s from single-locus and 243 SNPs from two-locus association analyses were selected for replication in 423 additional CRC cases and 1382 controls. In the meta-analysis, one SNP, rs3987 at 4q26, reached GWAS significant p-value (p = 4.02×10(-8)), and one SNP pair, rs1100508 CG and rs8111948 AA, showed a trend for two-locus association (p = 4.35×10(-11)). Additionally, our GWAS confirmed the previously reported association with CRC of five SNPs located at 3q36.2 (rs10936599), 8q24 (rs10505477), 8q24.21(rs6983267), 11q13.4 (rs3824999) and 14q22.2 (rs4444235). CONCLUSIONS: Our GWAS for CRC patients from Spain confirmed some previously reported associations for CRC and yielded a novel candidate risk SNP, located at 4q26. Epistasis analyses also yielded several novel candidate susceptibility pairs that need to be validated in independent analyses

Guía de ajuste y orientación emocional para padres de niños con deficiencia visual, en condición de vulnerabilidad, en el Instituto Especial de Invidentes y Sordos del Azuay

Al realizar un análisis sobre la bibliografía en deficiencia visual, se ha podido comprobar que no existe una guía con fines educativos para que sea utilizada por los padres de niños con esta discapacidad, al igual que por los maestros dedicados a la atención de este tipo de infantes; este trabajo ofrece un aporte importante para la intervención temprana de los niños en su etapa inicial. En la presente tesis, se explica que es la deficiencia visual, que es ser ciego y de baja visión, el funcionamiento de la visión y sus condiciones para estimularlo, los orígenes de las alteraciones visuales que llegan a producir severas alteraciones en el funcionamiento del ojo, las habilidades que tienen estos niños para la comprensión del mundo, las condiciones del niño con baja visión, sus problemas emocionales y sus necesidades específicas, la importancia de la intervención de los padres en el aprendizaje y cómo se les puede guiar para un mejor desenvolvimiento en su labor... El objetivo general de esta investigación es, la de diseñar una guía de apoyo y orientación a los padres de niños con discapacidad visual, esperando que los padres no solamente tengan una idea de la discapacidad visual de sus hijos, sino también conozcan de la importancia de la estimulación a los niños en etapas tempranas, razón por la cual se piensa que no solamente sea útil no solamente para los padres, sino para aquellos profesionales interesados en la educación de los niños con discapacidad visual

Evaluation of the Circularity of Recycled PLA Filaments for 3D Printers

The circular economy model offers great opportunities to companies, as it not only allows them to capture additional value from their products and materials, but also reduce the fluctuations of price-related risks and material supply. These risks are present in all kind of businesses not based on the circular economy. The circular economy also enables economic growth without the need for more resources. This is because each unit has a higher value as a result of recycling and reuse of products and materials after use. Following this circular economics framework, the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, UPM) has adopted strategies aimed at improving the circularity of products. In particular, this article provides the result of obtaining recycled PLA filament from waste originating from university 3D FFF (fused filament fabrication) printers and waste generated by “Coronamakers” in the production of visors and parts for PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) during the lockdown period of COVID-19 in Spain. This filament is used in the production of 3D printed parts that university students use in their classes, so the circular loop is closed. The obtained score of Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) of this material has been calculated, indicating its high level of circularity

Introduciendo los ODS y la circularidad a la educación en ingeniería a través de actividades para el reciclado de plásticos en un campus universitario

[ES] Atendiendo a la vinculación directa de los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible (ODS) con el mundo ingenieril, en este trabajo se plantea una actividad docente centrada en fomentar la economía circular de la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, mediante la revalorización de residuos plásticos generados en la Escuela mediante reciclado mecánico. La actividad consiste en la fabricación de filamento 3D empleando residuos de piezas impresas defectuosas que han sido fabricadas en la escuela utilizando un plástico biobasado y biodegradable, el poli(ácido láctico) (PLA), para la generación de nuevos productos por impresión 3D y, posteriormente, comprobar la compostabilidad de dichos productos demostrando que se integran completamente en la economía circular. Los estudiantes conocen de primera mano un entorno FabLab y un Living Lab, ejemplos de innovación educativa que sirven como escenarios perfectos para el desarrollo de ofertas formativas orientadas a la implementación de los ODS. Así, se demuestran la importancia de integrar los ODS en la educación superior y la relevancia de involucrar a los estudiantes en el proceso de aprendizaje activo en espacios comunes de trabajo que fomentan el sentido de autoeficacia y facilitan la adquisición y retención de conocimiento en el proceso educativo.[EN] Due to the strong relationship between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the engineering world, this paper proposes a teaching activity focused on promoting the circular economy of the Higher Technical School of Industrial Engineers of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (ETSII-UPM) through the revaluation of plastic waste, which it was generated at the School. This revaluation consists of mechanical recycling to manufacture 3D filament using waste from defective printed parts that have been produced at the school. This activity is focused on a biobased and biodegradable plastic, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), for the generation of new products by 3D printing and, subsequently, corroborating its compostability. This represents a good demonstration of the full integration of the circular economy in a productive process. Students get to know first-hand a FabLab and Living Lab environment, which are examples of educational innovation that serve as a perfect frame for development training offers aimed at implementing the SDGs. Thus, the importance of integrating the SDGs in higher education, and the relevance of involving students in the active learning process in common workspaces, which foster a sense of self-efficacy and facilitate the acquisition and retention of knowledge in the educative process, are demonstrated.Este trabajo es parte de los proyectos de I+D+i PID2021-123753NA-C32 y TED2021-129920A-C43, financiado por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 así como también por “FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa” y por la “Unión Europea NextGenerationEU/PRTR”, respectivamente. Ángel Agüero Rodríguez y Diego Lascano agradecen su contrato postdoctoral Margarita Salas con la Universitat Politècnica de València, financiado, a través del Ministerio de Universidades, por la Unión Europea-Next generation EU. Javiera Sepúlveda agradece al proyecto de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid “SDGine for Healthy People and Cities” el cual ha recibido financiación del Programa de Investigación e Innovación Horizonte 2020 de la Unión Europea en el marco del acuerdo de subvención Marie Skłodowska-Curie No 945139 y de ECOEMBALAJES ESPAÑA, S.A. (Ecoembes). David Hidalgo-Carvajal agradece al proyecto WEDISTRICT financiado por el programa de investigación e innovación Horizon 2020 de la Unión Europea con acuerdo N°857801 y al proyecto de investigación “Campus UPM Circulares” de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Finalmente, los autores recalcan que este trabajo es parte de la comunidad “The Circular and Regenerative Campus” perteneciente a la comunidad EELISA European University Alliance.Agüero Rodríguez, Á.; Hidalgo-Carvajal, D.; Lascano, D.; Sepúlveda, J.; Arrieta, MP.; Carrasco-Gallego, R.; M. Muneta, ML. (2023). Introduciendo los ODS y la circularidad a la educación en ingeniería a través de actividades para el reciclado de plásticos en un campus universitario. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 75-86. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2023.2023.16572758

Evaluation of the Technical Viability of Distributed Mechanical Recycling of PLA 3D Printing Wastes

3D printing PLA wastes were recovered from a well-known reference grade and from different sources. The recovered wastes were subjected to an energic washing step and then reprocessed into films by melt-extrusion, followed by compression molding to simulate the industrial processing conditions. The obtained materials were characterized and the optical, structural, thermal and crystallization behavior are reported. The mechanical recycling process leads to an increase of the crystallinity and a decrease of the intrinsic viscosity of the formulations, particularly in the sample based on blends of different 3D-PLA wastes. Moreover, the obtained films were disintegrated under composting conditions in less than one month and it was observed that recycled materials degrade somewhat faster than the starting 3D-PLA filament, as a consequence of the presence of shorter polymer chains. Finally, to increase the molecular weight of the recycled materials, the 3D-PLA wastes were submitted to a solid-state polymerization process at 110, 120, and 130 °C, observing that the recycled 3D-wastes materials based on a well-known reference grade experiences an improvement of the intrinsic viscosity, while that coming from different sources showed no significant changes. Thus, the results show that 3D printing PLA products provides an ideal environment for the implementation of distributed recycling program, in which wastes coming from well-known PLA grades can successfully be processed in films with good overall performance

Evaluation of the Technical Viability of Distributed Mechanical Recycling of PLA 3D Printing Wastes

3D printing PLA wastes were recovered from a well-known reference grade and from different sources. The recovered wastes were subjected to an energic washing step and then reprocessed into films by melt-extrusion, followed by compression molding to simulate the industrial processing conditions. The obtained materials were characterized and the optical, structural, thermal and crystallization behavior are reported. The mechanical recycling process leads to an increase of the crystallinity and a decrease of the intrinsic viscosity of the formulations, particularly in the sample based on blends of different 3D-PLA wastes. Moreover, the obtained films were disintegrated under composting conditions in less than one month and it was observed that recycled materials degrade somewhat faster than the starting 3D-PLA filament, as a consequence of the presence of shorter polymer chains. Finally, to increase the molecular weight of the recycled materials, the 3D-PLA wastes were submitted to a solid-state polymerization process at 110, 120, and 130 °C, observing that the recycled 3D-wastes materials based on a well-known reference grade experiences an improvement of the intrinsic viscosity, while that coming from different sources showed no significant changes. Thus, the results show that 3D printing PLA products provides an ideal environment for the implementation of distributed recycling program, in which wastes coming from well-known PLA grades can successfully be processed in films with good overall performance.European Union’s Horizon 2020Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España (MINECO)Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (España)Sección Deptal. de Química Orgánica (Óptica y Optometría)Fac. de Óptica y OptometríaTRUEpu

A colorectal cancer susceptibility new variant at 4q26 in the Spanish population identified by genome-wide association analysis

BACKGROUND: Non-hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex disorder resulting from the combination of genetic and non-genetic factors. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are useful for identifying such genetic susceptibility factors. However, the single loci so far associated with CRC only represent a fraction of the genetic risk for CRC development in the general population. Therefore, many other genetic risk variants alone and in combination must still remain to be discovered. The aim of this work was to search for genetic risk factors for CRC, by performing single-locus and two-locus GWAS in the Spanish population. RESULTS: A total of 801 controls and 500 CRC cases were included in the discovery GWAS dataset. 77 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)s from single-locus and 243 SNPs from two-locus association analyses were selected for replication in 423 additional CRC cases and 1382 controls. In the meta-analysis, one SNP, rs3987 at 4q26, reached GWAS significant p-value (p = 4.02×10(-8)), and one SNP pair, rs1100508 CG and rs8111948 AA, showed a trend for two-locus association (p = 4.35×10(-11)). Additionally, our GWAS confirmed the previously reported association with CRC of five SNPs located at 3q36.2 (rs10936599), 8q24 (rs10505477), 8q24.21(rs6983267), 11q13.4 (rs3824999) and 14q22.2 (rs4444235). CONCLUSIONS: Our GWAS for CRC patients from Spain confirmed some previously reported associations for CRC and yielded a novel candidate risk SNP, located at 4q26. Epistasis analyses also yielded several novel candidate susceptibility pairs that need to be validated in independent analyses