TRUNK WITH FOLDING CROSSBARS, PATENT OSIM – RO NR. 130559/2019 PROPOSED FOR INSTALLATION ON THE DACIA – DUSTER CAR

The work presents a manner of implementation of an existing Romanian patent (OSIM - Ro Patent no. 130559/2019 which refers to a car trunk with folding crossbars), for its adaptation to the Dacia-DUSTER car, as a SMART trunk. The novelty element is that the trunk is designed in such a way that it can fold / hide inside the longitudinal bars when it is not used (leading to fuel savings), and respectively, it can be extended by folding to be put in a working position, when it becomes active. In addition, the trunk has possibilities of adjustment depending on the types / dimensions of the luggage transported and is integrated more harmoniously with the shape of the car's body, compared to the existing universa

Targeting the Light Pollution: A Study Case

International audienc

Photocatalytic techniques to prevent and combat healthcare associated infections

An ever-increasing rate of morbidity and mortality caused by healthcare associated infections is reported annually. Air circulation mediates contact with microbial contaminated aerosols and represents a major risk of transmitting healthcare associated infections. We propose a revolutionary technique for the protection of interior surfaces based on a photocatalytic composition with doped TiO2 or ZnO type semiconductor metal oxides which exert antimicrobial effect. In principle, there is an activation of the photocatalytic coating with light from the normal lighting apparatus, which may incorporate one or more sources of photocatalytic excitation light. By studying the air circulation in the hospital, it is possible to design light fixtures with specific design of light distribution, in order to perform the disinfection of the air and surfaces and to amplify the antimicrobial effect. The disinfection process does not affect patients or healthcare professionals, it can be done in their presence and has a continuous, controllable effect. Photocatalytic paint in combination with a prototype luminaire with a precise spectrum light sources, light output and a light intensity distribution curve relative to the shape and dimensions of the rooms, shows that the proposed method may represent a successful alternative to classical methods of disinfection in hospitals. This technique can also be used in other areas of interest

Antimicrobial Properties of TiO2 Microparticles Coated with Ca- and Cu-Based Composite Layers

The ability of TiO2 to generate reactive oxygen species under UV radiation makes it an efficient candidate in antimicrobial studies. In this context, the preparation of TiO2 microparticles coated with Ca- and Cu-based composite layers over which Cu(II), Cu(I), and Cu(0) species were identified is presented here. The obtained materials were characterized by a wide range of analytical methods, such as X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy (TEM, SEM), X-ray photoelectron (XPS), and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The antimicrobial efficiency was evaluated using qualitative and quantitative standard methods and standard clinical microbial strains. A significant aspect of this composite is that the antimicrobial properties were evidenced both in the presence and absence of the light, as result of competition between photo and electrical effects. However, the antibacterial effect was similar in darkness and light for all samples. Because no photocatalytic properties were found in the absence of copper, the results sustain the antibacterial effect of the electric field (generated by the electrostatic potential of the composite layer) both under the dark and in light conditions. In this way, the composite layers supported on the TiO2 microparticles’ surface can offer continuous antibacterial protection and do not require the presence of a permanent light source for activation. However, the antimicrobial effect in the dark is more significant and is considered to be the result of the electric field effect generated on the composite layer