Mammalian Cell Toxicity of the Photoproducts of Octyldimethyl Para-aminobenzoic Acid

Solar tracking is related to moving the solar panels in such a way that its solar panel always points toward the sun which results in maximum output. The goal of this research was to modify and improve a two-axis solar tracking system. The rotation of the module is controlled by a rotational motor and the tilt is controlled by a linear actuator. The motion and direction of these two motors is controlled by an Arduino code which compares the electrical current going through four mini solar collectors (used as sensors) mounted in orthogonal pairs at the top of the PV panel. If a solar collector has a higher current reading, then it is exposed to more sunlight, so the panel is adjusted until all of the mini solar collectors have nearly the same current output, and thus are receiving the same amount of sunlight. Testing of the designed system was performed alongside an identical, stationary solar panel, which allows for a direct comparison between the electrical outputs of the two solar panels.https://digitalworks.union.edu/steinmetz_posters/1012/thumbnail.jp

Insight on the fundamentals of advanced oxidation processes. Role and review of the determination methods of reactive oxygen species

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have known increased application to treat wastewaters containing recalcitrant compounds that are hardly degraded by conventional technologies. AOPs are characterized by the formation of strong oxidants such as hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anions, hydroperoxyl radicals and singlet oxygen, which react with the contaminant, contributing to its degradation. This paper provides an overview of the determination methods of reactive oxygen species, ROS, in the application of AOPs; the methods developed in the available literature for the detection and quantification of ROS are reviewed as a first step in the assessment and detailed description of the mechanisms involved in the oxidation reactions, focusing on the critical analysis of the main strengths and weaknesses presented by the probe molecules employed in the evaluated studies.This research was supported by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO/SPAIN) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the project CTQ2011-25262

Risk to human health related to the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances in food

Acknowledgements: The Panel wishes to thank the following for their support provided to this scientific output as Hearing experts: Klaus Abraham, Esben Budtz-Jørgensen, Tony Fletcher, Philippe Grandjean, Hans Mielke and Hans Rumke and EFSA staff members: Davide Arcella, Marco Binaglia, Petra Gergelova, Elena Rovesti and Marijke Schutte. The Panel wishes to acknowledge all European competent institutions, Member State bodies and other organisations that provided data for this scientific output. The Panel would also like to thank the following authors and co-authors for providing additional information in relation to their respective studies: Berit Granum, Margie M Peden-Adams, Thomas Webster.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Measuring Concentrations of Acrylamide in Brewed Coffee

Amino acids, like asparagine, react with sugars via the Maillard reaction to form compounds that contribute to the color and flavor of roasted foods. However, some undesired products also form during this reaction, one of them being acrylamide. Acrylamide is a neurotoxin and a potential endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), and increased dietary amounts of acrylamide have been linked to different types of cancers, including ovary, renal and endometrial. EDCs can impair the endocrine system in a variety of ways including mimicking hormonal activity, interfering with metabolism, excretion and release. As a neurotoxin, acrylamide can affect memory, cognitive function and learning. In this study, acrylamide is extracted from the brewed coffee using simplified liquid extraction and analyzed alongside known standards using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The accuracy of the method has been validated using a standard reference material. This method has been used to quantify acrylamide concentrations in various types of brewed coffee and investigate the effects of variables such as type of roast, decaffeination, and bean origin. Our results suggest that differences in roast or caffeination do not significantly affect acrylamide concentrations in brewed coffee. Ongoing studies include improving precision and accuracy using the established method and applying the method to investigate trends of acrylamide formation in various types of brewed coffee

3D Nanocomposite Thin Film Cathodes for Micro-Batteries with Enhanced High-Rate Electrochemical Performance over Planar Films

AbstractHigh energy and high power density rechargeable micro‐batteries are a necessity for powering the next generation of flexible electronics, internet of things, and medical technology devices. In theory, significant improvements in the capacity, current and power densities of micro‐batteries would result if 3D architectures with enhanced interdigitated component interface areas and shortened ion diffusion path‐lengths  were  used. Further gains are achievable if the materials utilized have high crystalline quality and are preferentially oriented for fast lithium intercalation. In this work, this is achieved by creating epitaxial thin film cathodes comprised of nanopillars of LiMn2O4 (LMO) embedded in a supporting matrix of electronically conducting SrRuO3 (SRO). The first electrochemical study of such a 3D vertically aligned nanocomposite (VAN) that displays clear cathode redox signatures is provided, and demonstrates remarkable capacity retention under high‐rate regimes. The electrochemical performance is shown to be dependent on the nanopillar topography, namely the crystallographic orientation, nanopillar dimensions, and electrode/electrolyte interfacial surface area. This work offers a pathway to realizing 3D architectured micro‐batteries with high‐capacity retention under high‐rate conditions enabling fast charge capabilities.</jats:p