Fotocatálisis con luz solar: aplicaciones en energía y medioambiente

Conferencia a los alumnos de máster y doctoradoEl uso de luz solar como fuente excitatriz de procesos químicos es uno de los retos de mayor importancia en la Química del Siglo XXI. Dentro de este campo, en esta conferencia se describe el uso de luz solar en procesos foto y thermo-photo catalíticos. En particular, se describe la utilización completa, en los rangos UV, visible y de IR cercano (desde aprox. 280 to 1000 nm), del espectro electromagnético por sistemas catalíticos basados en óxido de titanio como componente primario de materiales multicomponentes. Inicialmente se describirán las propiedades de la titania en relación al uso de la luz solar y muy particularmente el rango UV-visible, para, posteriormente; i) analizar el dopado de dicho óxido [1], así como ii) la combinación del dopado con la sensitización superficial por fases sólidas tipo metal, óxido y/o de carbono [2], para permitir, en ambos casos, el aprovechamiento máximo de las tres regiones mencionadas del espectro electromagnético de la luz solar. Se presentarán ejemplos de aplicación de estos sistemas a procesos de descontaminación química y biológica de agua y aire [3], así como para la producción de hidrógeno como vector energético de futuro [4].Vicerrectorado de Investigación y Transferencia. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

A track-before-detect labelled multi-Bernoulli particle filter with label switching

This paper presents a multitarget tracking particle filter (PF) for general track-before-detect measurement models. The PF is presented in the random finite set framework and uses a labelled multi-Bernoulli approximation. We also present a label switching improvement algorithm based on Markov chain Monte Carlo that is expected to increase filter performance if targets get in close proximity for a sufficiently long time. The PF is tested in two challenging numerical examples.Comment: Accepted for publication in IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic System

Surfaces and Interfaces for Renewable Energy

Energy is a growing need in today’s world. Citizens and governments are increasingly aware of the sustainable use that must be made of natural resources and the great negative impact on the environment produced by conventional energies. Therefore, developments in energy systems based on renewable energies must be carried out in the very near future. To ensure their sustainability, they must be made of durable materials, and for this, the study of coatings is extremely important. This is also vital in systems based on solar energy, where the optical properties of the materials must be preserved as long as possible, and to this must be added the fact that they tend to be installed in very aggressive environments from the point of view of corrosion. Therefore, this special issue aims to contribute to the development of this challenge

Rectangular Potentials in a Semi-Harmonic Background: Spectrum, Resonances and Dwell Time

We study the energy properties of a particle in one dimensional semi-harmonic rectangular wells and barriers. The integration of energies is obtained by solving a simple transcendental equation. Scattering states are shown to include cases in which the impinging particle is 'captured' by the semi-harmonic rectangular potentials. The 'time of capture' is connected with the dwell time of the scattered wave. Using the particle absorption method, it is shown that the dwell time $\tau^a_D$ coincides with the phase time $\tau_W$ of Eisenbud and Wigner, calculated as the energy derivative of the reflected wave phase shift. Analytical expressions are derived for the phase time $\tau_W$ of the semi-harmonic delta well and barrier potentials

Characterization and evolution of the sediments of a Mediterranean coastal lagoon located next to a former mining area

Coastal lagoons are ecosystems that are relatively enclosed water bodies under the influence of both the terrestrial and themarine environment, being vulnerable to human impacts. Human activities, such asmining extraction, are significant anthropogenic coastal stressors that can negatively affect ecosystems and communities. In light of the above, the objective of this research is to examine the influence ofmetal mining activities on the composition of sediments of a Mediterranean coastal lagoon, named Mar Menor. This paper presents a comprehensive characterization for grain size, mineralogy, geochemistry and organic matter of sediments of this coastal lagoon, investigating their variation along space and time. Sedimentation dynamics are ruling clearly the grain size predominant in each area of the MarMenor coastal lagoon, determining the existence of entrainment, transport and sedimentation areas. Forminerals, elements and organic matter, sedimentation dynamics are also determining their distribution.The authors would like to thank Fundación Séneca for funding the project 12038/PI/09. In addition, they want to acknowledge the cooperation of J.M. Peñas, R. Baños, J. Saura, M. Saura and B. Villaescusa who helped us to improve this research and to Mr. and Mrs. Purves for their English grammar supervision

Performance optimization in switched reluctance motor drives

In this paper, switched reluctance motors (SRM) are proposed as an alternative for electric power assisted steering (EPAS) applications. A prototype machine has been developed as very attractive design for a steering electric motor, both from a cost and size perspective. A fourphase 8/6 SRM drive is designed for a rack type EPAS which should provide a maximum force of 10 kN. Two-dimension finite element analysis is used to validate the design

Is the bulbus arteriosus of fish homologous to the mamalian intrapericardial thoracic arteries?

El resumen aparece en el Program & Abstracts of the 10th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Barcelona 2013.Anatomical Record, Volume 296, Special Feature — 1: P-089.Two major findings have significantly improved our understanding of the embryology and evolution of the arterial pole of the vertebrate heart (APVH): 1) a new embryonic presumptive cardiac tissue, named second heart field (SHF), forms the myocardium of the outflow tract, and the walls of the ascending aorta (AA) and the pulmonary trunk (PT) in mammals and birds; 2) the bulbus arteriosus (BA), previously thought to be an actinopterygian apomorphy, is present in all basal Vertebrates, and probably derives from the SHF. We hypothesized that the intrapericardial portions of the AA and the PT of mammals are homologous to the BA of basal vertebrates. To test this, we performed 1) a literature review of the anatomy and embryology of the APVH; 2) novel anatomical, histomorphological, and embryological analyses of the APVH, comparing basal (Galeus atlanticus), with apical (Mus musculus and Mesocricetus auratus) vertrebrates. Evidence obtained: 1) Anatomically, BA, AA, and PT are muscular tubes into the pericardial cavity, which connect the distal myocardial outflow tracts with the aortic arch system. Coronary arteries run through or originate at these anatomical structures; 2) Histologically, BA, AA, and PT show an inner layer of endothelium covered by circumferentially oriented smooth muscle cells, collagen fibers, and lamellar elastin. The histomorphological differences between the BA and the ventral aorta parallel those between intrapericardial and extrapericardial great arteries; 3) Embryologically, BA, AA, and PT are composed of smooth muscle cells derived from the SHF. They show a similar mechanism of development: incorporation of SHF‐derived cells into the pericardial cavity, and distal‐to‐proximal differentiation into an elastogenic cell linage. In conclusion, anatomical, histological and embryological evidence supports the hypothesis that SHF is a developmental unit responsible for the formation of the APVH. The BA and the intrapericardial portions of the great arteries must be considered homologous structures.Proyecto P10-CTS-6068 (Junta de Andalucía); proyecto CGL-16417 (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación); Fondos FEDER