Developing the reaction kinetics for a biodiesel reactor

The aim of this paper was to investigate the kinetics of the biodiesel reaction in order to find out how best to reach 96.5% methyl ester. The purity of the biodiesel product was examined using gas chromatography to the EN14214 FAME standard and real-time optical microscopy was used to observe the reaction. The problem was the reaction doesn’t reach completion and the mechanism is not understood. It was observed that droplet size had a major influence on reaction end point and that the reaction was mass-transfer limited. This observation was confirmed by developing a mass-transfer based reaction model using the data from the batch reactor which agreed with results from other researchers. The model predicted better conversion with more mixing intensity. The results show that significant improvements could be made to the conventional FAME process

Adhesion attenuation and enhancement in aqueous solutions

When two surfaces confine water layers between them at the nanoscale, the behaviour of these confined water molecules can deviate significantly from the behaviour of bulk water, and it could reflect on the adhesion of such surfaces. This study assesses the role of confined water layers on the adhesion of hydrophilic surfaces and how sensitive this adhesion is to the presence of contaminants. Our methodology used atomic force microscopy adhesion measurements, whereby an alumina-sputtered sphere-tipped cantilever was interacted versus a flat alumina single crystal. Testing was performed under immersed conditions using (i) water, (ii) water/dimethylformamide mixtures, (iii) water/ethanol mixtures, and (iv) water/formamide mixtures. These solutions were intended to assess the influence of dielectric constant, molecule size, and the number of hydrogen bonding opportunities available to molecules upon confinement between surfaces. It was found that dilute concentrations of ethanol and formamide decreased the adhesion. In contrast, the adhesion increased in the presence of dilute concentrations of dimethylformamide. The adhesion was attenuated by in excess of two orders of magnitude for high concentrations of the organic solutes

Developing an Intervention Toolbox for the Common Health Problems in the Workplace

Development of the Health ↔ Work Toolbox is described. The toolbox aims to reduce the workplace impact of common health problems (musculoskeletal, mental health, and stress complaints) by focusing on tackling work-relevant symptoms. Based on biopsychosocial principles this toolbox supplements current approaches by occupying the zone between primary prevention and healthcare. It provides a set of evidence-informed principles and processes (knowledge + tools) for tackling work-relevant common health problems. The toolbox comprises a proactive element aimed at empowering line managers to create good jobs, and a ‘just in time’ responsive element for supporting individuals struggling with a work-relevant health problem. The key intention is helping people with common health problems to maintain work participation. The extensive conceptual and practical development process, including a comprehensive evidence review, produced a functional prototype toolbox that is evidence based and flexible in its use. End-user feedback was mostly positive. Moving the prototype to a fully-fledged internet resource requires specialist design expertise. The Health ↔ Work Toolbox appears to have potential to contribute to the goal of augmenting existing primary prevention strategies and healthcare delivery by providing a more comprehensive workplace approach to constraining sickness absence

Testing microtubular SOFCs in unmanned air vehicles (UAVs)

Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) powered by microtubular SOFCs (mSOFCs) are described for comparison with polymer fuel cells (PEFCs). Using propane as fuel, 7mm diameter mSOFCs have been tested in a 2m wingspan aircraft with a total weight of 6kg. The start-up time was 12 minutes to deliver 250W in a fuel cell/battery hybrid drive system. Tubes were YSZ cermet anode supported, with 10 µm YSZ electrolyte, 6µm SDC interlayer coated with 50µm LSCF cathode. Silver wires were used as interconnects. Pure propane fuel gas was mixed with air in a CPOX reactor using catalytic fuel processing mesh. A polymeric fuel inlet manifold gave cold sealing at the tube inlet ends which projected out of the hot box. Cathode air was provided in counterflow, preheated over an anode off-gas catalyst. The fuel utilization was 55%, output power of 250W. The fuel cell was incorporated in a hybrid electrical system with lithium polymer battery and inserted in a Skywalker X8 UAV with 500g of propane in an aluminum tank

Accurate micron-scale modification of AFM cantilevers

Atomic force microscopy has provided the modern researcher with the ability to perform accurate force measurements between a probe and a surface. The data obtained can be used in the development of biosensors, surfactants, and materials with enhanced properties, to name only a few applications. The atomic force microscope (AFM) is undoubtedly suited for making repeated force measurements. Standard AFM cantilevers can be modified through the attachment of a colloid probe such as silica, and employed in the analysis of forces between surfaces. Resin-based or glass bond adhesives are suitable for probe bonding, as they are insoluble in water once set. However, such adhesives often require heating to reduce their viscosity, which makes the procedure quite difficult to carry out. The particle is usually attached to the apex of the cantilever, so that measurements can be performed with optimum force resolution. Particle attachment is traditionally carried out under an optical microscope using thin wire as a guide. However, there is no guarantee that the colloid particle has been accurately positioned on the apex of the cantilever

Developing an intervention toolbox for common health problems in the workplace

The project brief was to develop the content for an intervention toolbox for common health problems in the workplace - musculoskeletal, mental health and stress complaints. The intention was to develop a prototype toolbox that can be taken forward to (1) minimise the occurrence of work-relevant common health problems (CHPs) and (2) reduce avoidable sickness absence, healthcare use and long-term disability for CHP complaints that inevitably occur in the workplac

Uso de las redes sociales Facebook y Twitter por parte de los asesores de prensa de congresistas durante el período anual de sesiones 2018-2019 - Lima Cercado

Esta investigación evalúa el uso de Facebook y TwiPer por parte de los asesores de prensa de los despachos de los Congresistas de la República durante el período anual de sesiones 2018-2019, teniendo en cuenta que las plataformas digitales son vías para acercar al ciudadano a sus representantes en el Parlamento, un organismo cuya importancia radica en que mantiene el equilibrio de poderes, logrando así evitar la instauración de un régimen autocrático en el territorio. En medio de la actual “crispación” política, evidente entre el Legislativo y el Ejecutivo, según algunos expertos, se hace una revisión sobre la finalidad y la misión del Parlamento, una institución con baja aceptación de parte de la ciudadanía. Además, se hizo una revisión de los reglamentos legislativos de México y Chile para conocer qué tan cercanos eran respecto al peruano sobre la conformación de los despachos congresales, justamente el espacio de trabajo de los asesores de prensa. En este documento también se presenta una herramienta de consulta como parte de su justificación, realizado tras analizar contenidos y reconocer buenas prácticas sobre los estilos usados para difundir a través de la red las actividades en el Parlamento, con el propósito de lograr transparentar la información y lograr en el largo plazo aumentar la credibilidad del organismo entre los peruanos.Trabajo de suficiencia profesionalCampus Lima Centr