Numerical prediction of diffusion and electric field-induced iron nanoparticle transport

Zero valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) are considered very promising for the remediation of contaminated soils and groundwaters. However, an important issue related to their limited mobility remains unsolved. Direct current can be used to enhance the nanoparticles transport, based on the same principles of electrokinetic remediation. In this work, a generalized physicochemical model was developed and solved numerically to describe the nZVI transport through porous media under electric field, and with different electrolytes (with different ionic strengths). The model consists of the Nernst–Planck coupled system of equations, which accounts for the mass balance of ionic species in a fluid medium, when both the diffusion and electromigration of the ions are considered. The diffusion and electrophoretic transport of the negatively charged nZVI particles were also considered in the system. The contribution of electroosmotic flow to the overall mass transport was included in the model for all cases. The nZVI effective mobility values in the porous medium are very low (10−7–10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1), due to the counterbalance between the positive electroosmotic flow and the electrophoretic transport of the negatively charged nanoparticles. The higher the nZVI concentration is in the matrix, the higher the aggregation; therefore, low concentration of nZVI suspensions must be used for successful field application.This work has been funded by the research grant SFRH/BD/76070/2011, by project PTDC/AGR-AAM/101643/2008 NanoDC under Portuguese National funds through “Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia” and by FP7-PEOPLE-IRSES-2010-269289-ELECTROACROSS. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Lehigh University is acknowledged for the funding of equipment development, testing and analysis of the nZVI transport experiments

Production of HCl and LiOH from Lithium-ion Batteries Leaching Solution by Electrodialysis.

In this work, electrodialysis is proposed to produce HCl and LiOH from a LIBs leaching solution after metals precipitation. The experimental consists of an electrodialytic cell with four compartments divided by two cation exchange membranes (CEM) and one anion exchange membrane (AEM) arranged alternatively between the anode and cathode. The cell configuration results in the generation of an acidic and alkaline stream on both compartment sides of the feed compartment, which was allocated in the third compartment between the AEM and 2nd CEM. The application of an electrical current between the electrodes promotes the mobilization, on one hand of anions from the feed compartment through the AEM to the acid compartment, and on the other hand, of cations through the CEM to the alkaline channel. Both, acidic and alkaline compartment, were electrically balanced by H+ and OH- generated by water oxidation (anode) and reduction (cathode). Experiments were carried out using a feed solution composed of lithium (0.8M) and chloride ions (0.8M) with an initial pH of 7. That solution simulated the final solution once metals from LIBs were extracted using HCl (explain the presence of Cl- in the solution) and separated by precipitation (except Li+). Different parameters such as current density, compartment size and initial feed concentration were studied. Results indicate that the electrodialytic method could be a useful technique not only for concentrate LiOH, but also to generate HCl and LiOH stream that can be reuse for the extraction and precipitation steps, respectively, in the LIBs recycling process.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Multiphysics Modeling of a reversible PEM Electrolyzer & Fuel Cell.

Electrolyzers are used to produce hydrogen and oxygen from electricity through water electrolysis. If the electricity comes from renewable sources, such as solar energy, the produced hydrogen, denoted as green-H2. Despite often forgotten, electrolyzers also produce pure O2, which has many different uses. E.g., in oxy-combustion processes. The storage and transport systems for H2 are problematic. they require high pressures and are susceptible of leakage and other losses. Hydrogen Fuel Cells use H2 to produce electricity, following the reversed operation than electrolyzers. Fuel Cells have high energy conversion efficiencies. Fuel Cells / electrolyzers with a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) are based on a cation exchange membrane that allows the transport of protons. It is possible to create a reversible device that can act as fuel cell or electrolyzer depending on the directions of the electrical and gas currents. A multiphysics model for a reversible PEM Electrolyzer – Fuel Cell has been implemented and solved. The model combines fluid dynamics to model the inflow/outflow of liquid and gasses: water, hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen. The model considers the relationship between the electrochemical reactions and the external electrical circuit, quantifying the electrical efficiency of the electrochemical device and the relationship with the extent of the reactions. In addition to this, the model addresses the two-directional coupling with temperature. I.e., the model includes the heat source due to activation and ohmic losses and the effect of the temperature on the efficiency of the hydrogen production. Results show that it is theoretically feasible to use reversible electrolyzers – fuel cells devices for the efficient production and utilization of green hydrogen.II Plan Propio de Investigación y Transferencia de la Universidad de Málaga. Ayudas a proyectos para la transición ecológica y digital: TED2021-130756B-C31 Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Incidence, Clinical Characteristics and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Spain : Large-Scale Epidemiological Study

(1) Aims: To assess the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Spain, to describe the main epidemiological and clinical characteristics at diagnosis and the evolution of the disease, and to explore the use of drug treatments. (2) Methods: Prospective, population-based nationwide registry. Adult patients diagnosed with IBD-Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) or IBD unclassified (IBD-U)-during 2017 in Spain were included and were followed-up for 1 year. (3) Results: We identified 3611 incident cases of IBD diagnosed during 2017 in 108 hospitals covering over 22 million inhabitants. The overall incidence (cases/100,000 person-years) was 16 for IBD, 7.5 for CD, 8 for UC, and 0.5 for IBD-U; 53% of patients were male and median age was 43 years (interquartile range = 31-56 years). During a median 12-month follow-up, 34% of patients were treated with systemic steroids, 25% with immunomodulators, 15% with biologics and 5.6% underwent surgery. The percentage of patients under these treatments was significantly higher in CD than UC and IBD-U. Use of systemic steroids and biologics was significantly higher in hospitals with high resources. In total, 28% of patients were hospitalized (35% CD and 22% UC patients, p < 0.01). (4) Conclusion: The incidence of IBD in Spain is rather high and similar to that reported in Northern Europe. IBD patients require substantial therapeutic resources, which are greater in CD and in hospitals with high resources, and much higher than previously reported. One third of patients are hospitalized in the first year after diagnosis and a relevant proportion undergo surgery

Estragole quantity optimization from fennel seeds by supercritical fluid extraction (carbon dioxide–methanol) using a Box–Behnken design : characterization of fennel extracts

Oleoresin extraction from fennel seeds using a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was carried out. Box–Behnken experimental design was used to optimize the SFE variables: pressure (10, 17.5, and 25 MPa), temperature (313.15, 323.15, and 333.15 K) and time of extraction (1, 2.5, and 4 h). Different percentages of methanol (0, 3, and 6%) were also evaluated to improve the extraction of the corresponding volatile compounds. Besides volatile profile characterization of fennel seeds, the amount of estragole was determined (by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID)) due to its recent concern in being considered a potential carcinogen agent. The optimal values of SFE variables for methanol extracts were high levels of pressure (24 MPa), 333.15 K of temperature, 3.41 h of extraction time, and an intermediate value of methanol percentage (3%), obtaining an optimal value of 1320 ± 260 mg of estragole/kg dry plant. The volatile profile of the methanol extracts was evaluated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) obtaining mainly, terpenes, phenyl derivatives, and fatty acids.We are grateful for the financial support of this work to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (project CTQ2011-28967), which has partial financial support from the FEDER funds of the European Union. Jose Manuel Salgado acknowledge the financial support from "Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT)" of Portugal through grant SFRH/BD/87953/2012

Acceptance and knowledge of evolutionary theory among third-year university students in Spain

The theory of evolution is one of the greatest scientific achievements in the intellectual history of humankind, yet it is still contentious within certain social groups. Despite being as robust and evidence-based as any other notable scientific theory, some people show a strong reluctance to accept it. In this study, we used the Measure of Acceptance of the Theory of Evolution (MATE) and Knowledge of Evolution Exam (KEE) questionnaires with university students from four academic degree programs (Chemistry, English, History, and Biology) of ten universities from Spain to measure, respectively, acceptance and knowledge of evolutionary theory among third-year undergraduate students (nMATE = 978; nKEE = 981). Results show that acceptance of evolution is relatively high (87.2%), whereas knowledge of the theory is moderate (5.4 out of 10) although there are differences across degrees (Biology>Chemistry>History>English), and even among various universities (ranging from 4.71 to 5.81). Statistical analysis reveals that knowledge of evolutionary theory among Biology students is partially explained by the relative weight of evolutionary themes within the curriculum, suggesting that an increase in the number of hours dedicated to this topic could have a direct influence on students’ knowledge of it. We also found that religion may have a significant-although relatively small-negative influence on evolutionary theory acceptance. The moderate knowledge of evolution in our undergraduate students, together with the potential problem of acceptance in certain groups, suggests the need for a revision of the evolutionary concepts in the teaching curricula of our students since primary school.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C 2016-037Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad | Ref. CGL2016-75904-C2-1-

UE POWER DECK. Baraja de gamificación del Plan de Ciencias

La baraja de gamificación Basic Science Power Deck es un elemento de dinamización de las clases que busca generar interacción profesor-estudiante. Cuando enfrentado a una pregunta cualquiera lanzada por el profesor durante una clase, el estudiante, generalmente, se encuentra en una situación que percibe como desventajosa. Contestar correctamente no tiene repercusión (más allá de la satisfacción personal), pero equivocarse frente a compañeros y profesor le supone subrayar públicamente su falta.SIN FINANCIACIÓNNo data 2016UE