Modified electrodes for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide

The efforts to constrain greenhouse gas emissions and concerns over security of fossil fuels have led to increased attention for renewable energy for the past decade. Renewable energy is one of the key solutions to the actual energy challenges. Omnidea in collaboration with Research Institutes is developing a technology based upon a regenerative energy storage cycle that could be a contribution to a low-carbon energy future. In this cycle the recharge system, which is composed of an electrochemical cell, converts CO2 into fuel (hydrocarbons and hydrogen) using an external source of power (e.g. solar power). The discharge system produces electric energy when hydrocarbons and oxygen from the recharge system are directly supplied to a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). Currently state of the art systems for direct electrochemical reduction of CO2 exhibit low current densities and or low Faradaic efficiencies. Thus considerable research activity is still needed to develop electrodes with a performance suitable for an industrial application. This paper describes the progress to date and the work carried out with the aim of achieving this goal. It addresses particularly the modification of electrodes for electrochemical conversion of CO2 and reports voltammetric studies as a tool for screening and optimizing electrodes for CO2 conversio

Conversion of carbon dioxide into fuel by electrochemical reduction in aqueous solvents

he mission of Omnidea, a Portuguese SME is to perform leading edge R&D in innovative energy concepts. In collaboration with Research Institutes Omnidea is developing a technology based upon a regenerative energy storage cycle. In this cycle the recharge system converts CO2 into hydrocarbons using a renewable source of power. The discharge system produces electrical energy when hydrocarbons and oxygen from the recharge system are directly supplied to a device such as a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). This work focuses on the challenges involved in the task of bringing this technology closer to the market. A key feature of this technology is the use of copper which is known to have unique properties for converting CO2 electrochemically into hydrocarbons. The modification of copper electrodes with copper deposits to improve the catalytic activity and selectivity of the cathodes in the production of hydrocarbons in aqueous solvents is also described

Scale-up of a system for hydrocarbon production by electrochemical reduction of CO2

This work addresses the scaling up of a system for electrochemical reduction of CO2 to produce hydrocarbons that can be used as fuel for a regenerative energy storage cycle. Challenges involved in such a task are mentioned. Scalingup results of a system based on electrodes of high surface area with modified copper deposits are described. Current densities around 100 mA/cm2 were obtained. This corresponds to the current density threshold that enables technological applications. At potentials as negative as -1.6 V it was observed that CO2 reduction still dominated over hydrogen evolution reaction

Application of Fractional Calculus in Genetic Algorithms, Transportation Systems and Robotics

This article illustrates several applications of fractional calculus (FC). This paper investigates the use of FC in circuit synthesis, traffic systems and robot control.N/

Application of Fractional Calculus in Control and Electromagnetism

This article illustrates two applications of fractional calculus (FC) in engineering. It has been recognized the advantageous use of this mathematical tool in the modeling and control of many dynamical systems. In this perspective, this paper investigates the use of FC in PID tuning and electrical potential.N/

Effects of residues on the degradation of PHA produced from mixed microbial cultures and processed in extrusion

Thermal degradation upon melting is one of the major drawbacks reported for polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). However, the role of residues originating from the fermentation and the extraction steps on the thermal stability of this class of biopolymers still needs to be clarified. In the particular case of PHA produced from mixed microbial cultures (MMC), this topic is even less documented in the literature. Here, two polyhydroxy(butyrate-co-valerate) (PHBV) produced from MMC enriched in PHA accumulating organisms and fed with cheese whey were studied. A micro extrusion line is used to produce filaments and assess the processability and the degradation of processed PHBV. The prototype micro extrusion line allows for studying grams of materials. The two PHBV contain 18 mol% HV. PHBV was recovered with 11 wt% residues, and further submitted to a purification procedure resulting in a second biopolyester containing less than 2 wt% impurities. The thermorheological characterization of the two PHBV is first presented, together with their semicrystalline properties. Then the processing windows of the two biopolyesters are presented. Finally, the properties of extruded filaments are reported and the thermomechanical degradation of PHBV is extensively studied. The structure was assessed by wide angle X-ray diffraction, mechanical and rheological properties are reported, thermal properties are studied with differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, whereas Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy was used to assess the impact of the extrusion on PHBV chemical structure. All results obtained with the two PHBV are compared to assess the effects of residues on both PHBV processability and degradation

Effects of non-carious cervical lesion size, occlusal loading and restoration on biomechanical behavior of premolar teeth

Accepted manuscript online: 15 DEC 2015Information on fracture biomechanics has implications in materials research and clinical practice. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of non-carious cervical lesion (NCCL) size, restorative status and direction of occlusal loading on the biomechanical behavior of mandibular premolars, using finite element analysis (FEA), strain gauge tests and fracture resistance tests.Ten buccal cusps were loaded on the outer and inner slopes to calculate the strain generated cervically. Data were collected for healthy teeth at baseline and progressively at three lesion depths (0.5 mm, 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm), followed by restoration with resin composite. The magnitude and distribution of von Mises stress and maximum principal stress were simulated at all stages using FEA, and fracture strength was also determined (n = 7 per group).There were significant effects of the lesion size and loading directions on stress, strain and fracture resistance (p<0.05). Fracture resistance values decreased with increase in lesion size, but returned to baseline with restorations.Combined assessment of computer-based and experimental techniques provide an holistic approach to characterize the biomechanical behaviour of teeth with both unrestored and restored NCCLs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.LF Zeola, FA Pereira, AC Machado, BR Reis, J Kaidonis, Z Xie, GC Townsend, S Ranjitkar, PV Soare