Magnetic control of Weyl nodes and wave packets in three-dimensional warped semimetals

We investigate the topological phase transitions driven by band warping and a transverse magnetic field, for three-dimensional Weyl semimetals. First, we use the Chern number as a mathematical tool to derive the topological phase diagram. Next, we associate each of the topological sectors to a given angular momentum state of a rotating wave packet. Then we show how the position of the Weyl nodes can be manipulated by a transverse external magnetic field that ultimately quenches the wave packet rotation, first partially and then completely, thus resulting in a sequence of field-induced topological phase transitions. Finally, we calculate the current-induced magnetization and the anomalous Hall conductivity of a prototypical warped Weyl material. Both observables reflect the topological transitions associated with the wave packet rotation and can help to identify the elusive 3D quantum anomalous Hall effect in three-dimensional, warped Weyl materials.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Alternative aviation fuels in Brazil: Environmental performance and economic feasibility

The aviation sector is responsible for only 3% of the anthropogenic carbon emissions in the world. However, this transport mode – which demands 3-fold more energy per capita than other collective modes, such as railway and bus transportation – is exclusively supplied by fossil fuels, and it has grown at an impressive rate of 7.5% per year in the last decade in the world. In line with the global aims to reduce Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions and the dependency on fossil fuels, the decarbonization of the aviation sector – which is typically based on cost-intensive projects with rigorous quality control – is a challenge...BT/Biotechnology and Societ

Mitigating carbon emissions through sustainable aviation fuels: costs and potential

In general, the certified pathways for the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) are still far from being competitive with fossil kerosene, although they have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the mitigation costs related to SAFs and how they compete with the carbon credits market remain unclear. The present study addressed these issues, evaluating SAF pathways based on hydrotreatment (HEFA process) of soybean oil, palm oil, used cooking oil (UCO) and beef tallow; dehydration and oligomerization of ethanol (ATJ technology) obtained from sugarcane, lignocellulosic residues, and steel off-gases; and the thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic residues using the Fischer–Tropsch (FT) process and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). Residue-based pathways had lower mitigation costs. Used cooking oil / HEFA had the lowest value (185 USD tCO2e−1), followed by the thermochemical conversion of forestry residues (234–263 USD tCO2e−1). Of the 1G pathways, SAF production from 1G sugarcane ethanol (SC-1G/ATJ) performed better (495 USD tCO2e−1) than oil-based ones. In comparison with the carbon market, the mitigation costs of SAFs are much higher than the current prices or even future ones. However, several concerns about the credibility of the emission units and their effective mitigation effects indicate that SAFs could play an important role in aviation sector goals. Considering the potential of supplying SAF and mitigating emissions, SC-1G/ATJ was suggested as a preferred alternative in the short term. Of the residue-based pathways, tallow / HEFA and FT of forestry residues are suggested as strategic alternatives.</p

The carbon footprint of alternative jet fuels produced in Brazil: exploring different approaches

Although the potential of Alternative Jet Fuels (AJF) to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions has been widely reported upon in the literature, there are still discrepancies among the results. These may be due to the different GHG accounting methods, including those used by different Low-Carbon Policies (LCPs). To have a clearer understanding of the life cycle performance of AJF, the carbon footprint of ten pathways was estimated, comprising promising feedstocks – such as soybean, palm, sugarcane, sugarcane residues, forestry residues, used cooking oil, beef tallow, and steel off-gases – and ASTM-approved technologies: Hydroprocessed Fatty Acids, Alcohol-to-Jet, and Fischer-Tropsch. Six methodological approaches were used: the attributional and the consequential life cycle assessment, as well as guidelines for the four LCPs: Renovabio (Brazil), CORSIA (aviation sector), RFS (United States), and RED II (Europe). Soybean-based pathway (24 to 98.7 gCO2e/MJ) had the low to no potential for reducing GHG when compared to their fossil counterparts, mainly due to land use change. Of all food-based pathways, AJF produced from sugarcane performed the best (-10.4 to 43.7 gCO2e/MJ), especially when power surplus was credited. AJF from palm oil could present significant GHG reduction for palm expansion in degraded pasturelands. By contrast, Fischer-Tropsch of lignocellulosic residues showed the highest potential for reducing GHG (-95% to -130%). Different from food-based pathways, the potential GHG reduction of residues-based pathways converged within a narrower range (-130% to -50%), except when residual feedstocks have to be redirected from their current economic use. It could lead to GHG emissions higher than fossil fuel.BT/Biotechnology and Societ

Mitigating carbon emissions through sustainable aviation fuels: costs and potential

In general, the certified pathways for the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) are still far from being competitive with fossil kerosene, although they have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the mitigation costs related to SAFs and how they compete with the carbon credits market remain unclear. The present study addressed these issues, evaluating SAF pathways based on hydrotreatment (HEFA process) of soybean oil, palm oil, used cooking oil (UCO) and beef tallow; dehydration and oligomerization of ethanol (ATJ technology) obtained from sugarcane, lignocellulosic residues, and steel off-gases; and the thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic residues using the Fischer–Tropsch (FT) process and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). Residue-based pathways had lower mitigation costs. Used cooking oil / HEFA had the lowest value (185 USD tCO2e−1), followed by the thermochemical conversion of forestry residues (234–263 USD tCO2e−1). Of the 1G pathways, SAF production from 1G sugarcane ethanol (SC-1G/ATJ) performed better (495 USD tCO2e−1) than oil-based ones. In comparison with the carbon market, the mitigation costs of SAFs are much higher than the current prices or even future ones. However, several concerns about the credibility of the emission units and their effective mitigation effects indicate that SAFs could play an important role in aviation sector goals. Considering the potential of supplying SAF and mitigating emissions, SC-1G/ATJ was suggested as a preferred alternative in the short term. Of the residue-based pathways, tallow / HEFA and FT of forestry residues are suggested as strategic alternatives.BT/Biotechnology and Societ

Chemical analysis and molecular models for calcium-oxygen-carbon interactions in black carbon found in fertile amazonian anthrosoils

Carbon particles containing mineral matter promote soil fertility, helping it to overcome the rather unfavorable climate conditions of the humid tropics. Intriguing examples are the Amazonian Dark Earths, anthropogenic soils also known as "Terra Preta de Índio (TPI), in which chemical recalcitrance and stable carbon with millenary mean residence times have been observed. Recently, the presence of calcium and oxygen within TPI-carbon nanoparticles at the nano- and mesoscale ranges has been demonstrated. In this work, we combine density functional theory calculations, scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, and high resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of TPI-carbons to elucidate the chemical arrangements of calcium-oxygen-carbon groups at the molecular level in TPI. The molecular models are based on graphene oxide nanostructures in which calcium cations are strongly adsorbed at the oxide sites. The application of material science techniques to the field of soil science facilitates a new level of understanding, providing insights into the structure and functionality of recalcitrant carbon in soil and its implications for food production and climate change. © 2014 American Chemical Society

Environmental trade-offs of renewable jet fuels in Brazil: Beyond the carbon footprint

The use of renewable jet fuels (RJFs) is an option for meeting the greenhouse gases (GHG) reduction targets of the aviation sector. Therefore, most of the studies have focused on climate change indicators, but other environmental impacts have been disregarded. In this paper, an attributional life cycle assessment is performed for ten RJF pathways in Brazil, considering the environmental trade-offs between climate change and seven other categories, i.e., fossil depletion, terrestrial acidification, eutrophication, human and environmental toxicity, and air quality-related categories, such as particulate matter and photochemical oxidant formation. The scope includes sugarcane and soybean for first-generation (1G) pathways and residual materials (wood and sugarcane residues, beef tallow, and used cooking oil-UCO) for second-generation (2G) pathways. Three certified technologies to produce RJF are considered: hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA), alcohol-to-jet (ATJ), and Fischer-Tropsch (FT). Assuming the residual feedstocks as wastes or by-products, the 2G pathways are evaluated by two different approaches, in which the biomass sourcing processes are either accounted for or not. Results show that 1G pathways lead to significant GHG reductions compared to fossil kerosene from 55% (soybean/HEFA) to 65% (sugarcane/ATJ). However, the sugarcane-based pathway generated three-fold higher values than fossil kerosene for terrestrial acidification and air quality impacts, and seven-fold for eutrophication. In turn, soybean/HEFA caused five-fold higher levels of human toxicity. For 2G pathways, when the residual feedstock is assumed to be waste, the potential GHG emission reduction is over 74% with no relevant trade-offs. On the other hand, if the residual feedstocks are assumed as valuable by-products, tallow/HEFA becomes the worst option and pathways from sugarcane residues, even providing a GHG reduction of 67% to 94%, are related to higher impacts than soybean/HEFA for terrestrial acidification and air quality. FT pathways represent the lowest impacts for all categories within both approaches, followed by UCO/HEFA.BT/Biotechnology and SocietyBT/Bioprocess Engineerin