Bio-hydrogen production based on catalytic reforming of volatiles generated by cellulose pyrolysis: an integrated process for ZnO reduction and zinc nanostructures fabrication

The paper presents a process of cellulose thermal degradation with bio-hydrogen generation and zinc nanostructures synthesis. Production of zinc nanowires and zinc nanoflowers was performed by a novel processes based on cellulose pyrolysis, volatiles reforming and direct reduction of ZnO. The bio-hydrogen generated in situ promoted the ZnO reduction with Zn nanostructures formation by vapor–solid (VS) route. The cellulose and cellulose/ZnO samples were characterized by thermal analyses (TG/DTG/DTA) and the gases evolved were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy (TG/FTIR). The hydrogen was detected by TPR (Temperature Programmed Reaction) tests. The results showed that in the presence of ZnO the cellulose thermal degradation produced larger amounts of H2 when compared to pure cellulose. The process was also carried out in a tubular furnace with N2 atmosphere, at temperatures up to 900 °C, and different heating rates. The nanostructures growth was catalyst-free, without pressure reduction, at temperatures lower than those required in the carbothermal reduction of ZnO with fossil carbon. The nanostructures were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The optical properties were investigated by photoluminescence (PL). One mechanism was presented in an attempt to explain the synthesis of zinc nanostructures that are crystalline, were obtained without significant re-oxidation and whose morphologies are dependent on the heating rates of the process. This route presents a potential use as an industrial process taking into account the simple operational conditions, the low costs of cellulose and the importance of bio-hydrogen and nanostructured zinc.

Design of static var compensators using a general reactive energy definition

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Biofilm formation on the surface of Ti–7.5Mo alloy after surface treatment

Purpose: In the present work, a susceptibility and efficacy of the Ti–7.5Mo alloy and Ti alloy to bacterial biofilm formation after surface treatment was evaluated. Methods and materials: The alloy Ti–7.5Mo was obtained in arc furnace under an argon atmosphere. Ingots were then homogenized under vacuum at 1100 °C for 86.4 ks to eliminate chemical segregation and after cold worked discs were cutting. Samples were immersed in NaOH aqueous solution (5 M) and treated at 450 °C. Biofilms were grown in Ti–7.5Mo discs immersed in sterile brain heart infusion broth (BHI)containing 5% sucrose, inoculated with microbial suspension (106 cells/ml) and incubated for 5 days. Next, the discs were placed in tubes with sterile physiological solution 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) and sonicated for to disperse the biofilms. Tenfold serial dilutions were carried and aliquots seeded in selective agar, which were then incubated for 48 h. Then, the numbers CFU/ml (log 10) were counted and analyzed statistically. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on discs with biofilms groups was performed, atomic force microscope (AFM) and contact angle. Results: The results show that there is a 5% difference in bacterial adhesion between pure titanium and Ti–7.5Mo alloy. Conclusion: It was concluded that the greater the roughness, the greater the hydrophilic effect.

Improved response of the Ti30Ta experimental alloy after surface treatment for dental applications

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of the biomimetic surface treatment in osseointegration of experimental alloy Ti30Ta for dentistry applications. Methods and materials: Experimental alloy with Ta concentration of 30 wt% was produced from sheets of commercially pure titanium (99.9%) and tantalum (99.9%). Ingots were melted in an arc furnace under an argon atmosphere and re-melted ten times at least. They were homogenized under vacuum at 1100 °C for 86.4 ks to eliminate chemical segregation and cold-worked by swaging. Implants with 2.5 mm diameter and 2.0 mm of height were machined (Fig. 1a), treated and inserted in animals for in vivo study. The implants were submitted surface treatment according methodology development for our group. Analyzes were performed by Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Osteoblast morphology on Ti-30Ta alloys was examined after 4 and 7 days of incubation with MSCs using SEM imaging.

Structure, microstructure, and selected mechanical properties of Ti-Zr-Mo alloys for biomedical applications

New titanium alloys for biomedical applications have been developed primarily with the addition of Nb, Ta, Mo, and Zr, because those elements stabilize the β phase and they don’t cause cytotoxicity in the organism. The objective of this paper is to analyze the effect of molybdenum on the structure, microstructure, and selected mechanical properties of Ti-15Zr-xMo (x = 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) alloys. The samples were produced in an arc-melting furnace with inert argon atmosphere, and they were hot-rolled and homogenized. The samples were characterized using chemical, structural, and microstructural analysis. The mechanical analysis was made using Vickers microhardness and Young’s modulus measurements. The compositions of the alloys were sensitive to the molybdenum concentration, indicating the presence of α’+α”+β phases in the Ti-15Zr-5Mo alloy, α”+β in the Ti-15Zr-10Mo alloy, and β phase in the Ti-15Zr-15Mo and Ti-15Zr-20Mo alloys. The mechanical properties showed favorable values for biomedical application in the alloys presenting high hardness and low Young’s modulus compared with CP-Ti.

Effect of the substitutional elements on the microstructure of the Ti-15Mo-Zr and Ti-15Zr-Mo systems alloys

Titanium alloys have excellent biocompatibility, and combined with their low elastic modulus, become more efficient when applied in orthopedic prostheses. Samples of Ti-15Mo-Zr and Ti-15Zr-Mo system alloys were prepared using an arc-melting furnace with argon atmosphere. The chemical quantitative analysis was performed using an optical emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma and thermal conductivity difference. The X-ray diffractograms, allied with optical microscopy, revealed the structure and microstructure of the samples. The mechanical analysis was evaluated by Vickers microhardness measurements. The structure and microstructure of alloys were sensitive to molybdenum and zirconium concentration, presenting α′, α″ and β phases. Molybdenum proved to have greater β-stabilizer action than zirconium. Microhardness was changed with addition of molybdenum and zirconium, having Ti-15Zr-10Mo (436 ± 2 HV) and Ti-15Mo-10Zr (378 ± 4 HV) the highest values in each system.

Influência da deformação a frio na recristalização da liga Ti-30Ta para aplicações médicas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Suplementação com levedura de Crômio eleva a concentração sérica de Crômio em bovinos

This study evaluated the effect of daily chromium supplementation at growing doses on serum Cr levels in cattle. Sixty Nellore heifers 2 to 5 years old were randomly assigned to one of four groups (15 heifers/group) fed non-fertilized Brachiaria decumbens pasture. In the control group (Gc), the heifers received a mineral mixture without Cr. In the other groups, heifers received 0.59, 1.19 or 2.38 mg Cr+3/animal/day, groups G8,5, G17 and G34, respectively. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 30 and 60. Serum concentration of chromium was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The chromium source used was the chromium yeast. The results do not support any significant difference (p>0.05) among serum chromium levels of heifers in groups Gc, G8,5, G17 and G34 at a same observation day. Only effect of supplementation time was detected in group G34. In this group there was significant increase (p<0,05) in the concentration serum chromium 60 days after the beginning of the experiment. Concluded Cr yeast can be used as the source of this mineral element for animals and supplementation with 2.38 mg/ cattle/day was the dose that most increased the serum concentration of Cr in Nellore cattle during the experimental period.

Aproveitamento energético de uma planta de sulfatação

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEG

Distribuição generalizada da resistência a fungicidas triazóis e evolução do gene cyp51A em populações de Pyricularia oryzae da brusone do trigo no Brasil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo da atuação dos metais zinco e cádmio sobre os aspectos reprodutivos da espécie Ceriodaphnia dubia geração parental e F1

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Quantificação de metais potencialmente tóxicos em mexilhão dourado (Limnoperna fortunei) por espectrometria de absorção atômica com fonte contínua e alta resolução empregando amostragem direta de sólidos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da resistência à corrosão da liga Ti-30Ta submetida a diferentes taxas de deformação visando aplicações biomédicas

This study aims to evaluate the corrosion resistance of Ti-30Ta alloy when subjected to different strain rates. Samples of the alloy Ti-30Ta were obtained from the melting of pure elements in the arc furnace in inert atmosphere (argon gas). Then, the samples were subjected to a thermal treatment and to cold worked to obtain bars. After forging, the samples were machined in accordance with ASTME9-09 standard for carried out compression tests. To microstructural characterization, samples were sectioned longitudinal and transversally and embedded in resin. After, the wet sanding and polishing were performed, followed by a chemical attack, in order to study the microstructure under an optical microscope. Microhardness was measured on the samples that were subjected to microstructural characterization by using microhardness tester. Phases were evaluated by x-rays diffraction. Corrosion tests were carried out to evaluate the influence of deformation on the corrosion resistance. Results show that microstructure was not influenced by deformation

Projeto preliminar de cogeração aplicado a um forno de produção de vidro plano

The objective of this paper is to realize the preliminary cogeneration project, to be applied on the output of a float glass furnace, aiming the energetic use of the furnace's by-products in other relevant applications on the site. It was analyzed the main points where the cycle could be installed and also the available technologies to energy recovery. After, it was chosen the installation point and the technology to be projected, evaluated the electric power generated and the cycle efficiency. Finally it was evaluated economical indicators in order to verify the project's economical feasibility

Caracterização da liga Ti-30Ta após tratamento biomimético associado à incorporação de antibiótico

Surface treatments have been used to modify the surface of titanium alloys. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the surface of Ti-30Ta alloy after biomimetic approach associated to antibiotic incorporation. The ingots were obtained in arc melting furnace, treated and cold-worked by swaging. The surface treatment was performed in two steps: biomimetic treatment and antibiotic incorporation. For biomimetic treatment, first an alkaline treatment (NaOH 1M at 60ºC) was performed, followed by heat treatment and immersion in SBFx5 (Simulated Body Fluid) for a period of 24 hours. In order to incorporate the antibiotic, samples were immersed in a solution formed by drugs plus SBFx5 for 48 hours. The sample surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle measurements. The release of antibiotic from coated implants was measured in phosphate buffer saline at pH 7.4 by using UV/VIS spectrometry. Results have shown changes on the surface after incorporating the drug, which is gradually co-precipitated with the Ca-P crystals, forming a uniform and rough layer on the metal surface