Safe-by-design strategies applied to scaffold hybrid manufacturing

The EU-project FAST (GA 685825) has developed a 3D printer machine prototype for the manufacture of bone implants (scaffolds), by merging masterbatches of biodegradable polymer poly(ethylene oxide)terephthalate/poly(butylene terephthalate) [PEOT/PBT] doped with nanofillers [reduced graphene oxide (rGO), hydroxyapatite (HA) and magnesium aluminium hydroxide ciprofloxacin hydrotalcite (LDH-CFX)], and atmospheric plasma technology. This paper focus on the safe design strategies identified by FAST to address the risk to health resulting from the potential airborne emission of nano-objects and their aggregates and agglomerates (NOAAs) by the 3D printer prototype, which might result in occupational exposures by inhalation. The work also includes measurements of airborne emissions and occupational exposures carried out during the verification stage of the prototype design. Nanofillers particles (rGO, n-HA, LDH-CFX) were not observed, neither at source nor in the working area, suggesting no release of free nanofillers to the air one they have been embedded in the polymer masterbatch. Additionally, the exposure in the workplace was far below the selected Occupational Exposure Levels (OELs), for total particle number concentration (PNC), dust, elemental carbon (EC) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The results showed that, when working with the current prototype in normal operation (for its intended use) and with controls enabled [enclosure with the doors closed and Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) activated], the emission from the machine and the worker's exposure to NOAAs are well controlled.The project FAST received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under grant agreement Nº 685825. This paper reflects only the authors’ views, and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein

Digital Twins applied to the implementation of Safe-by-Design strategies in nano-processes for the reduction of airborne emission and occupational exposure to nano-forms

Digital Twins (DTs) are one of the most promising enabling technologies for the deployment of the factory of the future and the Industry 4.0 framework. DTs could be labelled as an inherently Safe-by-Design (SbD) strategy and can be applied at different stages in the life cycle of a process. The EU-funded project ASINA has the ambition to promote coherent, applicable and scientifically sound SbD nano-practices. In particular, in the field of nanomanufacturing, ASINA intends to deliver innovative SbD solutions applied to process (P-SbD). In this context, ASINA will investigate the use of DTs as a disruptive digital technology for the prevention, prediction and control of nano-forms airborne emission and worker exposure. This paper introduces the concept of DT in the field of nano-processes SbD and outlines the preliminary architecture of ASINA-DT, that will be developed and implemented by ASINA in one industrial scenario.The project ASINA received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under grant agreement Nº 862444. This paper reflects only the authors’ views, and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein

The OASIS-Sustainable Nanomanufacturing Framework (OASIS-SNF): a new simplified approach to implement sustainable production in nanomanufacturing pilot lines and evaluate its sustainable manufacturing performance

The pilot production ecosystem deployed by the EU-project OASIS consists of 12 pilot lines (PLs) for the manufacture of nanomaterials, nano-intermediates and nano-enabled products, intended for the final production of lightweight multifunctional products, based on aluminium and polymer composites, for construction, energy, automotive and aeronautics. OASIS intends to deploy this nanomanufacturing ecosystem under a common umbrella of sustainable production, to ensure a future competitive, quality, safe and environmentally friendly production of nanoproducts, in compliance with the applicable regulation. This paper introduces the new OASIS-Sustainable Nanomanufaturing Framework (OASIS-SNF) and some first results obtained during the initial stages of deployment in the PLs (diagnostic and planning stages). The adoption of the OASIS-SNF among the OASIS PLs is intended to enable them to sustainable manufacturing their nanoproducts, properly manage their sustainability priorities, and continually improve their sustainability performance (management and results).The project OASIS received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under grant agreement Nº 814581. This paper reflects only the authors’ views, and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein

Research roadmap for nanosafety - Part III: Closer to the market (CTTM)

Nano-products and nano-enabled applications need a clear and easy-to-follow human and environmental safety framework for the development along the innovation chain from initial idea to market and beyond that facilitates navigation through the complex regulatory and approval processes under which different product categories fall. The missing framework results in a lack of (i) solid data regarding roadblocks to market penetration of nano-enabled products as well as the absence of (ii) transparency in terms of which products (e.g. containing nanomaterials (NMs); nano-enabled products) are on the market (e.g. registries) and voluntary schemes and labelling requirements for cosmetics and food, which processes are used for manufacturing nano-enabled products, and (iii) meager inclusiveness in the dialogue (between all stakeholders) most likely exist as a result of the missing framework. The Closer-to-the-Market-Roadmap (abbrev. CTTM) aims at speeding up the progress towards market implementation of nanotechnologies by outlining the steps needed to develop such a framework. In its current form it is addressed towards policy makers, but the ultimate framework will be designed for use by SME and enterprise organisations

Free-standing graphene films embedded in epoxy resin with enhanced thermal properties

The poor thermal conductivity of polymer composites has long been a deterrent to their increased use in high-end aerospace or defence applications. This study describes a new approach for the incorporation of graphene in an epoxy resin, through the addition of graphene as free-standing film in the polymeric matrix. The electrical and thermal conductivity of composites embedding two different free-standing graphene films was compared to composites with embedded carbon nanotube buckypapers (CNT-BP). Considerably higher thermal conductivity values than those achieved with conventional dispersing methods of graphene or CNTs in epoxy resins were obtained. The characterisation was complemented with a study of the structure at the microscale by cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The films are preconditioned in order to incorporate them into the composites, and the complete manufacturing process proposed allows the production and processing of these materials in large batches. The high thermal conductivity obtained for the composites opens the way for their use in demanding thermal management applications, such as electronic enclosures or platforms facing critical temperature loads.European Defence Agency tender No 17.ESI.OP.066. Study on the Impact of Graphene on Defence Application

Application of standardization for the design and construction of carbon nanotube-based product pilot lines in compliance with EU regulation on machinery

The "PLATFORM" manufacturing ecosystem for pilot production of pre-commercial CNT-based nano-enabled products, consists of three pilot lines (PPLs) for the manufacture of buckypapers, doped prepregs and doped veils. The PPLs have been constructed with the ultimate goal to commercialize these products in the European market in 2020/2022.This goal requires having the PPLs in compliance with the applicable product safety regulation by that date (CE marking). The main EU regulation for new machinery (as the PPLs) is the Directive 2006/42/EC on Machinery (MD). This Directive sets out the general mandatory Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs) related to the design and construction of machinery, while particular technical specifications for fulfilling them are provided in European harmonized standards. Application of harmonized standards is voluntary but confers a presumption of conformity with the EHSRs they cover. The PPLs are unique machines for own use and must comply with the MD before they are put into service, in 2020/2022. But the MD does not provide specific EHSRs for nanosafety and no harmonized standards are available in this field for the safe design of the PPLs. In this context, this paper shows the standardization strategy followed by the project PLATFORM (GA 646307) to design the PPLs in compliance with the EHSR referred to the risks to health resulting from hazardous substances emitted by machinery (MD, Annex I, EHSR 1.5.13). In the absence of nanosafety harmonized standards to satisfy the aforementioned EHSR, the design and design verification of the PPLs were carried out through A & B - type harmonized standards (e.g. EN ISO 12100, EN ISO 14123-1/2), and other European and international standards.The projects PLATFORM and OASIS have received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under grant agreements Nº 646307 and Nº 814581, respectively. This paper reflects only the authors’ views, and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein

Revista de Vertebrados de la Estación Biológica de Doñana

Tiempo y orden de aparición de las escamas en el salmón del Atlántico (Salmo salar)Estudios sobre el sapo corredor (Bufo calamita) en el sur de España.III. ReproducciónInfluencia de las carecterísticas del medio acuático sobre las poblaciones de larvas de anfibios en lala Reserva Biológica de Doñana(Huelva, EspañaDieta de la cigüeñuela (Himantopus himantopus) en las salinas del estuario del GuadianaOrientación y selección del lugar del nido en el gorrión moruno (Passer hispaniolensis)la avifauna de las Vegas Bajas del Guadianala reproducción de la malvasía (Oxyura leucocephala) en el sur de la provincia de Córdoba, España.La alimentación de la curruca cabecinegra (Sylvia melanocephala, Gmelin 1788) en olivares de la provincia de Jaén (otoño-invierno)Consideraciones sobre el efecto de los conejos y los grandes herbívoros en los pastizales de la Vera de DoñanaAnálisis factorial de las expresiones faciales del babuino sagrado (Papio hamadryas)Contaminación xenobiótica del Parque Nacionalde Doñana. II. Residuos de insecticidas organoclorados, bifenilos policlorados, (PGBs) y metales pesados en Falconiformes y StrigiformesTransferencia total y del y bioacumulación de mercurio y metilmercurio en ecosistemas del Parque Nacional de DoñanaNota sobre la alimentación de larvas de anfibios: I. Pleurodeles waltl en charcas temporaleNota sobre nuevas especies parasitada por el críalo (Clamator glandarius) en EspañaEstructura de la jerarquización en la predación de huevos y pichones en Spheniscus magellanicusPasser domesticus, nueva specie para Bolivia¿Están realmente subalimentados los cernícalos primilla en el valle del Guadalquivir durante el periodo no reproductor?.Nidificación del paiño común (Hydrobates pelagicus) en las Islas Canarias.Nuevos datos sobre la presencia del visón europeo (Mustela lutreola L.) en NavarraLa población de gamos del Parque Nacional de Doñana en 1979Puntualización a la nota "predacción de Falco peregrino y Falco subbuteo sobre quirópteros" de Aymerich y García de Castro aparecida en el vol. 9 de esta revista.Peer reviewe

Registro Español de Trasplante Cardiaco. XXXI Informe Oficial de la Asociación de Insuficiencia Cardiaca de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología

Introducción y objetivos Se presentan las características clínicas y los resultados de los trasplantes cardiacos realizados en España con la actualización correspondiente a 2019. Métodos Se describen las características clínicas y los resultados de los trasplantes cardiacos realizados en 2019, así como las tendencias de estos en el periodo 2010-2018. Resultados En 2019 se realizaron 300 trasplantes (8.794 desde 1984; 2.745 entre 2010 y 2019). Respecto a años previos, los cambios más llamativos son el descenso hasta el 38% de los trasplantes realizados en código urgente, y la consolidación en el cambio de asistencia circulatoria pretrasplante, con la práctica desaparición del balón de contrapulsación (0, 7%), la estabilización del uso del oxigenador extracorpóreo de membrana (9, 6%) y el aumento de los dispositivos de asistencia ventricular (29%). La supervivencia en el trienio 2016-2018 es similar a la del trienio 2013-2015 (p = 0, 34), y ambas mejores que la del trienio 2010-2012 (p = 0, 002 y p = 0, 01 respectivamente). Conclusiones Se mantienen estables tanto la actividad del trasplante cardiaco en España como los resultados en supervivencia en los últimos 2 trienios. Hay una tendencia a realizar menos trasplantes urgentes, la mayoría con dispositivos de asistencia ventricular. Introduction and objectives: The present report describes the clinical characteristics and outcomes of heart transplants in Spain and updates the data to 2019. Methods: We describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of heart transplants performed in Spain in 2019, as well as trends in this procedure from 2010 to 2018. Results: In 2019, 300 transplants were performed (8794 since 1984; 2745 between 2010 and 2019). Compared with previous years, the most notable findings were the decreasing rate of urgent transplants (38%), and the consolidation of the type of circulatory support prior to transplant, with an almost complete disappearance of counterpulsation balloon (0.7%), stabilization in the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (9.6%), and an increase in the use of ventricular assist devices (29.0%). Survival from 2016 to 2018 was similar to that from 2013 to 2015 (P = .34). Survival in both these periods was better than that from 2010 to 2012 (P = .002 and P = .01, respectively). Conclusions: Heart transplant activity has remained stable during the last few years, as have outcomes (in terms of survival). There has been a trend to a lower rate of urgent transplants and to a higher use of ventricular assist devices prior to transplant