Hydrogen storage properties of magnesium borohydride infiltrated in silica aerogel using solvated and pressure methods

In this work, the polymorphic α-magnesium borohydride form was infiltrated by wet impregnation using tetrahydrofuran (THF) as solvent and subcritical carbon dioxide as innovative drying process. Pressure infiltration at high temperature was also tested as another promising method for confinement. After infiltration, onset decomposition temperature was reduced from 280 °C into 220 °C using high pressure infiltration and down to 100 °C using wet impregnation followed by CO2 drying. Faster kinetics were obtained in both cases due the possible particle size reduction in the precipitation process of the complex hydride and the presence of silica, which could behave as an additive. It is the first time that this complex borohydride is 6.1 wt% H2 reversible performing the rehydrogenation at moderate conditions of 390 °C and 120 bar H2 using silica as support. Different values were obtained after infiltration method due to the different intermediates that were obtained after the first dehydrogenation

X-rays investigations for the characterization of two 17th century brass instruments from Nuremberg

A recent finding at the Castello Sforzesco in Milan of two brass natural horns from the end of the 17th century and assigned to the Haas family from Nuremberg brought to light new information about this class of objects. The instruments were heavily damaged, but their historical value was great. In this study, a multidisciplinary approach mainly based on non-invasive analytical techniques and including X-rays investigations (X-ray radiography, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction) was used. The present study was aimed at: i) pointing out the executive techniques for archaeometric purposes; ii) characterizing the morphological and the chemical features of materials; and iii) identifying and mapping the damages of the structure and the alterations of the surface

Intended Consequences Statement in Conservation Science and Practice

As the biodiversity crisis accelerates, the stakes are higher for threatened plants and animals. Rebuilding the health of our planet will require addressing underlying threats at many scales, including habitat loss and climate change. Conservation interventions such as habitat protection, management, restoration, predator control, trans location, genetic rescue, and biological control have the potential to help threatened or endangered species avert extinction. These existing, well-tested methods can be complemented and augmented by more frequent and faster adoption of new technologies, such as powerful new genetic tools. In addition, synthetic biology might offer solutions to currently intractable conservation problems. We believe that conservation needs to be bold and clear-eyed in this moment of great urgency

Zn ion diffusion in spinel-type cathode materials for rechargeable batteries: the role of point defects

Oxides with spinel structure are attracting increasing attention as potential cathode materials for multivalent ion batteries, such as those based on Mg2+, Ca2+ and Zn2+. Their electrochemical performances generally depend on synthesis conditions, as the intercalation properties of such materials can be highly influenced by the amount and distribution of point defects. In this work we employ atomistic modelling techniques to investigate the trends in the energetics of point defects formation and Zn2+ diffusion in spinel-type ZnCo2O4, in order to shed light on the correlation between structure, defects and intercalation properties. The results of this study indicate that ZnCo2O4 has the potential to be used as cathode material in Zn-ion rechargeable batteries and that synthesis approaches aimed at reducing the degree of spinel inversion and introducing cation under-stoichiometry are expected to improve the intercalation properties of this class of compounds

Monitoring academic progress in a Faculty of Pharmacy

This paper describes the implementation of a system for continuous monitoring of university students’ academic progression, integrated within the Kiro online platform employed in the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Pavia. This system includes a nonselective entry test at the beginning of the student’s academic career and an analysis of the student’s test results and platform activities during his career. The present study, limited to a pilot course, preludes to the construction of a database containing the results of all tests taken by the student (and his/her online activity patterns), with the aim of building: 1) a measuring system for early individuation of student learning obstacles; 2) a tool allowing teachers of advanced courses to evaluate student knowledge of core subjects; and therefore 3) a feedback tool facilitating improvements of the program of study, by measuring its effectiveness. We discuss the actuation of the system and its possible evolutions, the analysis of outcomes, and critical issues