Packaging of Polyvinylidene fluoride nasal sensor for biomedical applications

This paper presents the design technique that has been adopted for packaging of Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nasal sensor for biomedical applications. The PVDF film with the dimension of length 10mm, width 5mm and thickness 28 mu m was firmly adhered on one end of plastic base (8mmx5mmx30 mu m) in such a way that it forms a cantilever configuration leaving the other end free for deflection. Now with the leads attached on the surface of the PVDF film, the cantilever configuration becomes the PVDF nasal sensor. For mounting a PVDF nasal sensor, a special headphone was designed, that can fit most of the human head sizes. Two flexible strings are soldered on either side of the headphone. Two identical PVDF nasal sensors were then connected to either side of flexible string of the headphone in such a way that they are placed below the right and left nostrils respectively without disturbing the normal breathing. When a subject wares headphone along with PVDF nasal sensors, two voltage signals due to the piezoelectric property of the PVDF film were generated corresponding to his/her nasal airflow from right and left nostril. The entire design was made compact, so that PVDF nasal sensors along with headphone can be made portable. No special equipment or machines are needed for mounting the PVDF nasal sensors. The time required for packaging of PVDF nasal sensors was less and the approximate cost of the entire assembly (PVDF nasal sensors + headphone) was very nominal.

Chemical recycling of municipal packaging waste by pyrolysis

[EN]The present doctoral thesis centers on studying pyrolysis as a chemical recycling technique for rejected packaging waste fractions coming from separation and sorting plants. The pyrolysis experiments have been carried out in a lab-scale installation equipped with a 3.5 L semi-batch reactor and a condensation and collection system for the liquids and gases generated. In the present thesis, an experimental study on the conventional pyrolysis process applied to the aforementioned waste fractions has been conducted, as well as the study of non-conventional or advanced pyrolysis processes such as catalytic and stepwise pyrolysis. The study of the operating parameters has been carried out using a mixed plastics simulated sample, the composition of which is similar to that found in real fractions, and subsequently the optimized process has been applied to real packaging waste. An exhaustive characterization of the solids, liquids and gases obtained in the process has been made after each experiment and their potential uses have been established. Finally, an empirical model that will predict the pyrolysis yields (% organic liquid, % aqueous liquid, % gases, % char, % inorganic solid) as a function of the composition of the initial sample has been developed. As a result of the experimental work done, the requirements have been established for an industrial packaging waste pyrolysis plant that aims to be sufficiently versatile as to generate useful products regardless of the nature of the raw material.

Temperature-and pH-Sensitive Nanohydrogels of Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) for Food Packaging Applications: Modelling the Swelling-Collapse Behaviour

Temperature-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) nanohydrogels were synthesized by nanoemulsion polymerization in water-in-oil systems. Several cross-linking degrees and the incorporation of acrylic acid as comonomer at different concentrations were tested to produce nanohydrogels with a wide range of properties. The physicochemical properties of PNIPA nanohydrogels, and their relationship with the swelling-collapse behaviour, were studied to evaluate the suitability of PNIPA nanoparticles as smart delivery systems (for active packaging). The swelling-collapse transition was analyzed by the change in the optical properties of PNIPA nanohydrogels using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The thermodynamic parameters associated with the nanohydrogels collapse were calculated using a mathematical approach based on the van't Hoff analysis, assuming a two-state equilibrium (swollen to collapsed). A mathematical model is proposed to predict both the thermally induced collapse, and the collapse induced by the simultaneous action of two factors (temperature and pH, or temperature and organic solvent concentration). Finally, van't Hoff analysis was compared with differential scanning calorimetry. The results obtained allow us to solve the problem of determining the molecular weight of the structural repeating unit in cross-linked NIPA polymers, which, as we show, can be estimated from the ratio of the molar heat capacity (obtained from the van't Hoff analysis) to the specific heat capacity (obtained from calorimetric measurements).

Suspensión trasera regulable para un a moto de competición: alternativa Full Floater

El trabajo consiste en el diseño y estudio de la suspensión por bieletas Full Floater para una moto de competición para el equipo Moto Student Bilbao. En este estudio, se busca la curva de rigidez optima para la suspensión y se diseñan mediante elementos finitos los elementos de los que se compone: triánngulo de suspensión, bieleta y las uniones entre elementos. [El muelle - amortiguador es un elemento suministrado por la organización]. A su vez, se realiza un diseño preliminar del basculante, donde se estudia este a rigidez y a resistencia. Por último, se nombra el posible proceso de fabricación.

Suspensión trasera regulable para un a moto de competición: alternativa Pro-Link

El objetivo general que se pretende alcanzar con la realización de este proyecto, consiste en el diseño del sistema de suspensión trasera regulable y el prediseño de un basculante para una motocicleta de competición de 250cc y 4 tiempos, englobado dentro de la competición MotoStudent promovida por la Fundación Moto Engineering Foundation. Más concretamente se pretende diseñar un sistema de suspensión con un buen comportamiento dinámico que facilite el manejo de la moto, regulable para que se pueda adaptar a las características de los diferentes circuitos y a la forma de conducción de los pilotos, y el prediseño de un basculante con una buena relación rigidez - peso.

Suspensión trasera regulable para un a moto de competición: alternativa Uni-Track

En el presente trabajo se realiza el diseño de una suspensión trasera regulable para una moto de competición. Se realizan una serie de estudios cinemáticos de diferentes modelos de suspensión (suspensión clásica, y suspensión de bieletas o progresivo) con el fin de comprender el comportamiento del mecanismo en las diferentes situaciones de servicio y definir la relación que existe entre las fuerzas, la geometría y la rigidez. Posteriormente se realiza el diseño de la geometría de un modelo de suspensión de bieletas específico (Uni-Track), el cual cumple con los requisitos establecidos y con una serie de parámetros que garantizan que el comportamiento del mecanismo sea competitivo y que mantenga una relación óptima entre servicio y confort. Se estudian las diferentes alternativas de variaciones geométricas que se pueden dar en el modelo, para diseñar una suspensión regulable. Finalmente se diseña cada elemento que compone la suspensión por el Método de Elementos Finitos y se seleccionan los elementos de unión, así como los procesos de fabricación de aquellas piezas que deban de ser fabricadas en el taller.