La enseñanza de biomateriales en el Grado de Ingeniería de los materiales

Se realizó un ciclo de mejora en la asignatura obligatoria Biomateriales que se imparte en los siguientes grados: Doble Grado en Química e Ingeniería de Materiales, Doble Grado en Física e Ingeniería de Materiales y Grado en Ingeniería de Materiales. La metodología llevada a cabo consiste en el análisis de un problema que se utiliza como punto de partida para el desarrollo de las distintas actividades. Los resultados reflejan un desarrollo en el aprendizaje de los alumnos, así como una valoración bastante positiva de ellos sobre esta metodología innovadora que se ha llevado a cabo, con una valoración media de 4.6 (sobre 5)

Physical crosslinking of pea protein-based bioplastics: Effect of heat and UV treatments

Climate change and the enhancement of ecology have generated the need to create packaging that is biodegradable and, at the same time, allows food to be preserved efficiently in order to avoid the accumulation of plastic and minimize food waste. In this sense, protein-based bioplastics are a promising alternative, but due to their limited properties they need additional crosslinking in order to compete with conventional plastics. Among them, physical crosslinking is of special interest in the food industry, as it does not generate toxicity problems. In this way, the overall objective of this work was to develop pea protein-based bioplastics by injection moulding, using two different physical crosslinking methods: heat treatment (50ºC-24 h, 120 ºC-4 h and 120 ºC-24 h) and ultraviolet (UV) treatment (50, 120 and 500 mJ/cm2). Thus, different bioplastics were compared based on their mechanical, functional and antimicrobial properties. The relevance of this study is based on the improvement of certain aspects of the mechanical and functional properties of bioplastics by the addition of an extra physical crosslinking stage to the fabrication process. In fact, UV treatment improves the antimicrobial activity of bioplastics, which gives it a significant improvement to compete with conventional plastics in the food sector.This work is part of a research project sponsored by “Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci´on-Agencia Estatal de Investigaci´on” (MCI/AEI/ FEDER, EU) from the Spanish Government (Ref. RTI2018–097100-BC21). The authors gratefully acknowledge their financial support. This work is also possible thanks to the postdoctoral contract of Víctor M. P´erez Puyana from the “Contrataci´on de Personal Investigador Doctor” supported by the European Social Fund and Junta de Andalucía (PAIDI DOCTOR – Convocatoria 2019–2020, DOC_00586) and for the predoctoral grant of Mercedes Jim´enez Rosado from "Ministerio de Educaci´on y Formaci´on Profesional" (FPU17/01718)

Influence of the Aliphatic Chain Length on the Crosslinking Properties of Aldehydes on Sustainable Bioplastics Obtained from Pea Protein

Conventional plastics can be substituted for protein-based bioplastics due to their natural origin and their biodegradability. Nevertheless, their properties are inferior to those obtained for synthetic plastics. The chemical crosslinking of these bioplastics with aldehydes could improve their properties to compete in the actual market. Thus, the main goal of this article was to assess the influence of the incorporation of aldehydes with different aliphatic chain length on the physicochemical (crosslinking degree, colour and transparency), mechanical (flexural and tensile behaviour) and functional (water uptake capacity and biodegradability) properties of protein-based bioplastics. In this sense, pea protein, a by-product of food industry, was used as raw material, processing it by injection moulding to obtain the bioplastics. Formaldehyde, glyoxal and glutaraldehyde were the aldehydes used as crosslinking agents. The results show the rise of the mechanical properties with the incorporation of the aldehydes, depending on the degree of crosslinking they generate. All this also causes a consequent loss of the water uptake capacity and an increase in biodegradability time. In conclusion, this work opens a new alternative to develop sustainable bioplastics that can be used in the market.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación- Agencia Estatal de Investigación (MCI/AEI/FEDER, EU) from the Spanish Government (Ref. PID2021-124294OB-C21). Junta de Andalucía and European Social Fund (Ref. PAIDI DOCTOR – Convocatoria 2019/2020, DOC_00586). Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional (Ref. FPU17/01718)

Fabrication and Characterization of Hydrogels Based on Gelatinised Collagen with Potential Application in Tissue Engineering

Regenerative medicine is increasingly focused on the development of biomaterials that facilitate cell adhesion and proliferation through the use of natural polymers, which have better biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this way, the use of hydrogels has been considered as a potential option for tissue engineering due to their physical and chemical characteristics. However, few studies associate the raw materials properties and processing conditions with the final characteristics of hydrogels, which could condition their use as scaffolds for tissue engineering. In this context, the main objective of this work was the evaluation of type I collagen as raw material for the elaboration of hydrogels. In addition, gelation time, pH and temperature were evaluated as the most influential variables in the hydrogel processing method by rheological (time, strain and frequency sweep tests) and microstructural (Cryo-SEM) measurements. The results indicate that it is possible to obtain collagen hydrogels with adequate rheological and microstructural characteristics by selecting optimal processing conditions. However, further studies are necessary to assess their suitability for cell accommodation and growth.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad RTI2018-097100-B-C2

Polymer-based scaffolds for soft-tissue engineering

Biomaterials have been used since ancient times. However, it was not until the late 1960s when their development prospered, increasing the research on them. In recent years, the study of biomaterials has focused mainly on tissue regeneration, requiring a biomaterial that can support cells during their growth and fulfill the function of the replaced tissue until its regeneration. These materials, called scaffolds, have been developed with a wide variety of materials and processes, with the polymer ones being the most advanced. For this reason, the need arises for a review that compiles the techniques most used in the development of polymer-based scaffolds. This review has focused on three of the most used techniques: freeze-drying, electrospinning and 3D printing, focusing on current and future trends. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of each of them have been compared.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad RTI2018-097100-B-C2

Influences of the solid load on the microstructure and compressive behavior of Fe2O3 scaffolds manufactured by freeze-casting using stearic acid as dispersant agent

Porous materials manufactured by freeze-casting are demonstrating potential application as oxygen carriers for the production and purification of hydrogen, or anode material for lithium-ion batteries. However, to obtain the required pore morphology and sufficient mechanical strength, the suspension processing parameters must be controlled. Fe2O3 nanoparticles/camphene suspensions were fabricated using stearic acid as the dispersant agent showing a low-viscosity (130 mPa⋅s) with a high solid volume fraction (0.3). Suspensions show a shear-thinning behavior according to the Sisko model and a maximum packing fraction of 0.569 estimated from a zero porosity sample. A modified Krieger and Dougherty model was introduced to incorporate the influence of the particleaspect ratio. The Fe2O3 scaffolds manufactured by freeze-casting shown a gradient pore size along the freezing direction, which was diminished with the solid volume fraction, the compression strength was improved with the pore size reduction and fitted according to the minimum solid area model.Universidad de Sevilla PIF II.2AAgencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) MAT2016-76713-

Participatory Methods in Discussion Forums: From press to classroom

El aprendizaje participativo es aquel en el que la persona que aprende juega un papel activo al intervenir propositivamente en la planeación, realización y evaluación del proceso de aprendizaje. En este aprendizaje, el alumno se convierte en un sujeto activo donde escucha activamente, opina, pregunta, sugiere, propone, decide, actúa, busca, expresa sus ideas y sus inquietudes. En este contexto el profesor actúa como dinamizador del proceso. Desde este punto de partida, se presenta esta experiencia donde, partiendo de situaciones y hechos de la vida cotidiana, se implica al alumno a involucrarse personalmente, pensar, sentir y actuar. Este trabajo expone la experiencia de un grupo de alumnos de la asignatura de Biomateriales del Grado Ingeniería de Materiales. El campo de los Biomateriales se encuentra en continua evolución y aparecen notas de prensa diariamente de los nuevos avances y logros obtenidos en ese campo. Aprovechando este contexto, se creó un foro donde los alumnos aportan semanalmente noticias encontradas en prensa relacionadas con el campo y, a su vez, pueden comentar las noticias de los compañeros. El profesor actúa como dinamizador comentando y abriendo debates con los alumnos a través del foro así como potenciando y fomentando su uso en las clases presenciales Finalmente, las noticias seleccionadas por parte de los alumnos se analizaron, se presentaron y debatieron con el resto de la clase. Todo este proceso permitió desarrollar la competencia general de “razonamiento crítico” ya que, los alumnos mostraron un carácter crítico frente al lenguaje utilizado frente al científico. Por otro lado, gracias a los conocimientos y actitudes adquiridos en la asignatura (competencias específicas) los alumnos usaron un lenguaje más adecuado, valoraron los logros presentados en las noticias, expusieron limitaciones de los mismos así como propusieron posibilidades de mejora. Al final de la experiencia, los alumnos valoraron muy positiva esta actividad mediante una encuesta pasada, sobre todo el hecho de considerarse motivados y protagonistas del proceso de aprendizaje.The participative learning is one that the learner plays an active role controlling the planning, performance and evaluation of the learning process. In this type of learning, the students are active persons who listen attentively, give opinions, ask, suggest, decide and they also explain their own ideas. In this context, the teacher acts like a process moderator. From this starting point, this experience is presented in which, taking into consideration day-to-day life facts, students involucrate themselves thinking, feeling and participating. In this work is exposed the experience of a group of students from the subject „Biomaterials‟ of the Materials Engineering degree. The Biomaterial field is continuously growing and there are daily news talking about the progress and success achieved in this field. In this context, a forum was created in order the students to include news every week, related with the Biomaterials field, and also leave a comment in other colleagues‟ news at the same time. The teacher acts as a moderator starting discussions with the students through the forum as well as enhancing its use during the class. Finally, the selected news are analysed, presented and discussed with the rest of the class. All this process could allow the development of the general competence „critical thinking‟ because the students showed a critical nature with the scientific language. Furthermore, the students used a more adequate language because of the knowledge and skills acquired in the subject (specific competences), and even, they assessed the achievements showed by the media and they exposed their opinions about the limitations and possible improvements of these scientific experiences. At the end of the activity, the students evaluate it as a very positive activity (with a survey), highlighting the facts of being motivates and important during the learning process

An analysis of different resources and programmes supporting at-risk families in Spain

The purpose of this research was to present an overview of the existing family support resources in Spain for at-risk families. We analysed 64 family support services from 16 agencies belong to 11 regions of Spain. In a second phase, 20 positive parenting programmes were analysed in depth to ascertain the extent to which they met evidence-based programme quality criteria. Our results suggest that services for at-risk families are delivered by public, local and social agencies. Most interventions were psycho-educational and aimed at parental training. The analysis of the positive parenting programmes ’ quality showed both strengths and weaknesses. Most programmes relied on a previous needs analysis and interventions were, to some extent, outlined in a manual. Nevertheless, few programmes have been evaluated according to evidence-based programme criteria. In light of these results, we discuss several practical implications for services and family support policies aimed at at-risk families.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España EDU2013-41441-