Advanced synchrotron studies of ye'elimite-based cement pastes

Synchrotron characterization techniques [1] are being used to study Portland-based cements and recently also CSA and related cements. A key property of these techniques is that they do not require sample preparation, so the microstructures of the pastes can be preserved. The classical application of synchrotron tools is powder diffraction used to determine the crystalline phase content evolution with hydration including the overall amorphous fraction. Furthermore, other most advanced techniques are being applied to ye'elimite-containing pastes such as i) Total Scattering Synchrotron Powder Diffraction (TS-SXPD), and ii) Ptychographic Synchrotron X-ray Computed Tomography (PSXCT). All these applications will be reviewed here. TS-SXPD data coupled with the Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis methodology [2] allows having a better insight about the nanocrystalline/amorphous atomic arrangements in the gels. It has been very recently shown that nanogibbsite with very small particles, 3nm, is the main constituent of ye'elimite-gypsum hydration paste [2]. Nanogibbsite particles being smaller than those originated from the hydration of monocalcium aluminate. In addition, PSXCT is a tomographic technique that profits from the partly coherent nature of the synchrotron beam to provide better (smaller) resolution, which can be lower than 100 nm. It also provides the mass densities if the chemical stoichiometries are known. This technique has been applied to ye'elimite hydration to determine the microstructure and chiefly the bulk densities of nanogibbsite [3]. The microstructure evolution at early age was also followed [4]. Figure 1 shows an example of a slide of the electron density tomogram for a ye'elimite paste at 8 days of hydration and the corresponding histogram for the full volume with all phases identified.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.This work has been supported by Spanish MINECO through BIA2014-57658-C2 and BIA2017-82391-R, which are co-funded by FEDER

Art Thinking as a catalyst for STEAM strategies. Towards a divergent thinking

[EN] Practical training in the university environment, without attention to creativity and innovative thinking, is not very effective. For this reason, we have tried to find a new learning model, which focuses on the disciplines essential for the future, through an interdisciplinary approach. The use of tools such as Art Thinking and the search for new learning spaces, sometimes outside the classroom and in others transforming the classroom space itself into a ¿corner to dream¿, have allowed us to create a conducive climate to the development of creativity and to discover that the combination of technical training with skills associated with the artistic field, are positioned as the ideal way to train the professionals of the future. Thus, within the strategy of reaching professional competences, it is planned to work jointly and collaboratively between the creative, technological and management disciplines that coexist on the campus of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, in the implementation of new training spaces, which favor the acquisition of transversal competences and strengthen the teaching and learning process through visible and responsible learning by means of STEAM strategies.This work has been developed within the project Applying STEAM strategies in the Social Sciences and Arts areas by means of a Service-learning methodology, conducted by Professor María deMiguel-Molina, and with the support of the Universitat Politécnica de València (Science Education Institute, ICE). Moreover, this paper's authors belong to the team Reality baths: towards a visible, responsible and innovative learning, coordinated by Professor Virginia Santamarina-Campos.Santamarina-Campos, V.; De-Miguel-Molina, M.; De-Miguel-Molina, B.; Carabal-Montagud, M. (2020). Art Thinking as a catalyst for STEAM strategies. Towards a divergent thinking. Iated. 766-774. https://doi.org/10.21125/inted.2020.0288S76677

In-situ hydration studies of ye’elemite at early ages for understanding eco-cement performances'

Póster; ALBA User Meeting and VI AUSE Conferenc

Normas Internacionales de Información Financiera para las pequeñas y medianas entidades (NIIF para Pymes) : Análisis de la incidencia de la aplicación de las sección 23 ingresos de actividades ordinarias de las normas internacionales de información financiera para las pequeñas y medianas entidades en la empresa GENERIC PHARMA,S.A. durante el primer semestre del año 2017

La NIIF para las PYMES es para las empresas de Nicaragua un tema muy amplio de investigación que contiene muchos aspectos de gran importancia todo esto con un solo fin en nuestro caso, analizar la Aplicación de la Sección 23 Ingresos de Actividades Ordinarias de la NIIF para las PYMES en la presentación de Información Financiera de la Empresa Generic Pharma del municipio de Managua en el primer semestre del año 2017. En nuestro país se ha venido trabajando en torno a las NIIF (Normas Internacionales de Información financiera), esto con el fin de realizar cambios que demanda la economía global para lograr un desarrollo razonable de cada una de las actividades económicas y financieras. El presente trabajo investigativo surge con el propósito de analizar las incidencias que tiene la aplicación de la Sección 23 Ingresos de Actividades Ordinarias de las Normas Internacionales de Información Financiera en la presentación de Información Financiera de la Empresa Generic Pharma S.A en el primer semestre del año 2017. La importancia de este trabajo radica en que la empresa conozca sobre el marco de referencia NIIF para las PYMES ya que contiene los requerimientos y condiciones que surgen principalmente en el sector comercial de igual manera la aplicación del tratamiento contable y la Información Financiera, para usuarios externos, permitiéndole el acceso a inversores o accionistas de la empresa al comparar la Información Financiera establecida en la sección 23 con el fin de presentar una información sencilla de entender y así poder llevar a tomar buenas decisiones las cuales vengan a ser de gran provecho para la empresa “Generic Pharma”

Use of infographics by students in business degrees

[EN] This paper presents the introduction of infographics in two courses during the academic year 2020-2021. These courses are from bachelor studies in a faculty of Business Administration and Management. This type of visualization was used by students as a support for summarising and communicating their ideas. To do it, different tasks were designed and some applications were proved by students. The experiences explained include the learning objectives that were settled, the activities designed, and the pros and cons of the applications used. An infographic is a visualization that offers a combination of image, text and chart. This enables grouping STEAM competences in a same task while improving communication skills of students. In the experiences described in this papers, image (arts), data (maths) and text are combined to reinforce the data included. Moreover, technology is incorporated through infographic applications as a digital support for students in online sessions. Another advantage of an infographic is that it allows to transmit important information in a visual and easy way, which facilitates the reader to understand the message even when it is supported by scientific rigor. If its power to illustrate more complete stories is considered, the reason why its use has been extended in the last decade to communicate many different topics, such as data about health, environment and sciences, is clear. When designing an infographic, the three main features to be considered in its structure are the content, the visual and the story. With respect to the content, it is important to consider the target of the infographic, the main where it will be displayed and the order that the story will be explained. The visual aspect will help to communicate the content. For example, using some icons to stablish an order in the story. Making use of different size in letters, might highlight the main sentences in the visual. The story will help to understand the information to be transmitted. In this paper tasks presented for the two courses are: a) the use of infographics by students to summarise main ideas in some sections of the bachelor¿s degree thesis and b) an infographic used by students after organising information from users¿ opinions in an affinity map. The task in the first course aims that students design an infographic for a section in their bachelor¿s degree thesis. The profile of students in the course will result in many potential themes in their thesis and, thus, in various types of infographics. The learning outcome from the task would be that they are able to convert a difficult section in an understandable message, although maintaining the academic rigor. The task in the second course aims that students organise user¿s opinions from a service in an affinity map. After analysing opinions in social networks and conducting interviews with users, they should communicate the main results in an infographic. Results obtained from the two experiences differ depending on whether the task was carried out individually or in team, the session was face-to-face or online, and students worked in a same theme or not.This paper was written as part of two innovation and educational improvement projects (PIME) with the support of the Universitat Politècnica de València (Institute of Educational Sciences, ICE). The first project is entitled "Applying STEAM strategies in the areas of Social Sciences and Arts, through ServiceLearning activities", and is coordinated by Professor María de-Miguel-Molina. The second project is entitled ¿Infographics: Using ICT in the visual and creative representation of teaching content¿, and is coordinated by Professor María-Angeles Carabal-Montagud.De-Miguel-Molina, B.; De-Miguel-Molina, M.; Santamarina-Campos, V.; Carabal-Montagud, M. (2021). Use of infographics by students in business degrees. IATED Academy. 4470-4475. https://doi.org/10.21125/edulearn.2021.0936S4470447

Application of Design Thinking for Technology Transfer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems for the Creative Industry

[EN] With this contribution, we want to show a successful example of the application of the Design Thinking methodology, in the European project 'Technology transfer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for the creative industry'. The use of this methodology has allowed us to design and build a drone, based on the real needs of prospective users. It has demonstrated that this is a powerful tool for generating innovative ideas in the field of robotics, by focusing its effectiveness on understanding and solving real user needs. In this way, with the support of an interdisciplinary team, comprised of creatives, engineers and economists, together with the collaboration of prospective users from three European countries, a non-linear work dynamic has been created. This teamwork has generated a sense of appreciation towards the creative industries, through continuously adaptive, inventive, and playful collaboration and communication, which has facilitated the development of prototypes. These have been designed to enable filming and photography in interior spaces, within 13 sectors of European creative industries: Advertising, Architecture, Fashion, Film, Antiques and Museums, Music, Photography, Televison, Performing Arts, Publishing, Arts and Crafts, Design and Software. Furthermore, it has married the real needs of the creative industries, with what is technologically and commercially viable. As a result, a product of great value has been obtained, which offers new business opportunities for small companies across this sector.The AiRT project has been funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement nº 732433.Santamarina Campos, V.; De-Miguel-Molina, M.; De-Miguel-Molina, B.; Carabal-Montagud, M. (2018). Application of Design Thinking for Technology Transfer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems for the Creative Industry. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology. 12(5):457-463. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/104549S45746312

Design and optimisation of new formulations of Belite-Alite Calcium Sulfoaluminate (BACSA) eco-cements

Belite Calcium SulfoAluminate (BCSA) eco-cements were developed as OPC substitutes since in their production release 22% less CO2 than OPC. BCSA eco-cements contain belite as main phase (>50 wt%) and ye'elimite as secondary main phase (~30 wt%). However, these materials develop low mechanical strengths at intermediate hydration ages (3, 7 and 28 days). A solution to this problem may involve the design and preparation of clinker/cement with the highest percentage of coexisting alite and ye'elimite. These materials are known as Belite-Alite Calcium SulfoAluminate (BACSA) clinkers/cements. Their manufacture may produce 15% less CO2 than OPC. Alite is the main component of OPC and is responsible for early mechanical strengths. The reaction of alite and ye´elimite with water will develop cements with high mechanical strengths at early ages, while belite will contribute to later curing times. This work is focused on the design and optimisation of all the parameters evolved in the preparation of BACSA eco-clinkers that develop mechanical strengths comparable to those of OPC with a reduction in CO2 emissions of at least 15% when compared to OPC production. These parameters include the selection of the raw materials (lime, gypsum, kaolin and sand), milling conditions of the crude, clinkering temperature (from 1280 to 1300ºC) and holding time at every temperature, and final composition. The clinker with the targeted composition (belite ~ 60 wt%, alite ~ 13 wt% and ye'elimite ~ 10 wt%) was chosen to perform the scaling-up (2 kg). BACSA eco-clinkers were chemically and mineralogically characterised through X-ray fluorescence and laboratory X-ray powder diffraction (LXRPD), the latter in combination with the Rietveld methodology to obtain the full phase assemblage including Amorphous and Crystalline non-quantified, ACn, contents. Finally, the hydration of the selected BACSA cement paste (prepared with the scaled-up clinker and anhydrite) was studied mainly through rheological measurements (at very early hydration time) and LXRPD in combination with the Rietveld methodology and G-factor method. The compressive strengths were also measured at different hydration times and were compared with OPC.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.Societ

Rheological and hydration characterization of calcium sulfoaluminate cement pastes

Calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cements are currently receiving a lot of attention because their manufacture produces less CO2 than ordinary Portland cement (OPC). However, it is essential to understand all parameters which may affect the hydration processes. This work deals with the study of the effect of several parameters, such as superplasticizer (SP), gypsum contents (10, 20 and 30 wt%) and w/c ratio (0.4 and 0.5), on the properties of CSA pastes during early hydration. This characterization has been performed through rheological studies, Rietveld quantitative phase analysis of measured x-ray diffraction patterns, thermal analysis and mercury porosimetry for pastes, and by compressive strength measurements for mortars. The effect of the used SP on the rheological properties has been established. Its addition makes little difference to the amount of ettringite formed but strongly decreases the large pore fraction in the pastes. Furthermore, the SP role on compressive strength is variable, as it increases the values for mortars containing 30 wt% gypsum but decreases the strengths for mortars containing 10 wt% gypsum.This work has been supported by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through MAT2010- 16213 research grant, which is co-funded by FEDER, and Ramón y Cajal Fellowship (RYC-2008- 03523)

Hydration studies of calcium sulfoaluminate cements blended with fly ash

The main objective of this work is to study the hydration and properties of calciumsulfoaluminate cement pastes blended with fly ash (FA) and the corresponding mortars at different hydration ages. Laboratory X-ray powder diffraction, rheological studies, thermal analysis, porosimetry and compressive strength measurements were performed. The analysis of the diffraction data by Rietveld method allowed quantifying crystalline phases and overall amorphous contents. The studied parameters were: i) FA content, 0, 15 and 30 wt.%; and ii) water addition, water-to-CSA mass ratio (w/CSA = 0.50 and 0.65), and water-to-binder mass ratio (w/b = 0.50). Finally, compressive strengths after 6 months of 0 and 15 wt.% FA [w/CSA = 0.50] mortars were similar: 73 ± 2 and 72 ± 3 MPa, respectively. This is justified by the filler effect of the FA as no strong evidences of reactivity of FA with CSA were observed. These results support the partial substitution of CSA cements with FA with the economic and environmental benefitsThis work has been supported by Spanish MINECO through MAT2010-16213 research grant, which is co-funded by FEDER. I. Santacruz thanks a Ramón y Cajal fellowship, RYC-2008-03523

Hydration study of Belite-Alite Calcium Sulfoaluminate (BACSA) cement blended with fly ash

The main objective of this work is to understand the effect of the addition of fly ash (0, 15 and 30 wt%) in the hydration of a BACSA cement paste (water/cement=0.4) prepared with 12 wt% of anhydrite. The pastes were characterized, at different hydration ages, through laboratory X-ray powder diffraction (LXRPD) (using an internal standard) combined with the Rietveld methodology and thermal analyses. Details about the phase developments including pozzolanic reactivity will be reported and discussed.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech