Control of steam input to the pyrolysis-gasification of waste plastics for improved production of hydrogen or carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been proven to be possible as high-value by-products of hydrogen production from gasification of waste plastics. In this work, steam content in the gasification process was investigated to increase the quality of CNTs in terms of purity. Three different plastics-low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) were studied in a two stage pyrolysis-gasification reactor. Plastics samples were pyrolysed in nitrogen at 600°C, before the evolved gases were passed to a second stage where steam was injected and the gases were reformed at 800°C in the presence of a nickel-alumina catalyst. To investigate the effect that steam plays on CNT production, steam injection rates of 0, 0.25, 1.90 and 4.74gh-1 were employed. The CNTs produced from all three plastics were multiwalled CNTs with diameters between 10 and 20nm and several microns in length. For all the plastic samples, raising the steam injection rate led to increased hydrogen production as steam reforming and gasification of deposited carbon increased. High quality CNTs, as observed from TEM, TPO and Raman spectroscopy, were produced by controlling the steam injection rate. The largest yield for LDPE was obtained at 0gh-1 steam injection rate, whilst PP and PS gave their largest yields at 0.25gh-1. Overall the largest CNT yield was obtained for PS at 0.25gh-1, with a conversion rate of plastic to CNTs of 32wt%

Development of drug delivery systems based on layered hydroxides for nanomedicine

Layered hydroxides (LHs) have recently fascinated researchers due to their wide application in various fields. These inorganic nanoparticles, with excellent features as nanocarriers in drug delivery systems, have the potential to play an important role in healthcare. Owing to their outstanding ion-exchange capacity, many organic pharmaceutical drugs have been intercalated into the interlayer galleries of LHs and, consequently, novel nanodrugs or smart drugs may revolutionize in the treatment of diseases. Layered hydroxides, as green nanoreservoirs with sustained drug release and cell targeting properties hold great promise of improving health and prolonging life

Local community knowledge, perceptions, and experiences of malaria prevention in the highlands of Papua New Guinea

RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the experience and perceptions of malaria prevention and control by local Highlands people? BACKGROUND: Malaria is becoming common and causing seasonal epidemics in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea (Mueller et al., 2005). Malaria is mainly affecting the health of the local population who live in bush huts. The Highland’s local people’s knowledge, perception and practical measures to prevent malaria were explored in this study. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at identifying knowledge gaps and other possible environmental impediments that may influence effective participation of the local people. METHOD: Interpretive description (a qualitative approach) was used for this study. Data was collected through focus groups (x4) and individual interviews (x4). RESULTS: There were seven main themes that emerged from this study. Theme One revealed the locals’ knowledge gaps and misconceptions of malaria. Theme Two indicated climate change as a trigger for malaria increase in the Highlands. Theme Three revealed locals’ experiences of current malaria prevention and control strategies. Theme Four emerged as alternative malaria treatment. Theme Five revealed some problems faced by locals with the health care system. Theme Six showed locals’ perception of socio-economic disempowerment, and Theme Seven related to locals’ behavioural factors contributing to malaria. CONCLUSION: This study identified Highlands’s local’s knowledge gaps answering the original focus of study. The knowledge gaps indicated essential components for primary health care functions as needing attention, PHC workers in rural areas increased, and health planners to implement suitable approaches with local involvement to build locals’ knowledge capacity for malaria prevention and control