Search Results (1,012)

This study provides a novel experimental setup and methodology for the quantitative investigation of evaporation-induced foaming behaviors in a polymer/small-molecule solution system (PSMS). In traditional dynamic test methods, it is difficult to precisely describe the evaporation-induced foaming process of a multicomponent solution because the concentration of light components in solution continuously decreases during ebullition, causing undesired changes in foaming behavior. In this study, a precisely controlled condensation reflux module was introduced into the setup to maintain pressure, temperature, and concentration of the PSMS at constant levels during the entire ebullition process, allowing dynamic test methods to quantify the evaporation-induced foamability. With this newly proposed device, experimental data of typical PSMS, polyolefin elastomer (POE)/n-hexane solution system, were obtained and modeled to illustrate the foam growth profile, thereby characterizing the dynamic foaming process based on a logistic growth function. The corresponding dimensionless number Σevap was calculated to evaluate evaporation-induced foam stability by analyzing the foam growth profile under varying pressure, concentration, and energy input levels. Furthermore, given that the PSMS represents a highly non-ideal system, the bubble nucleation rate J was modified in this work by introducing a correction coefficient δ to account for the non-ideal effects of macromolecules present in solutions. Additionally, another correction coefficient λ was incorporated into the Gibbs free energy term to adjust for supersaturation of liquid during nucleation. The experiment’s data align well with the modified bubble nucleation rate mechanism proposed herein. Full article

Corporate environmental claims often neglect the substantial ecological impact of land-use changes. This case study examines the spatial dimension of retail-driven land-use transformation by analyzing supermarket expansion in the Veneto region (northern Italy), with a focus on a large grocery retailer. We evaluated its corporate environmental claims by assessing land consumption patterns from 1983 to 2024 using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The GIS-based methodology involved geocoding 113 Points of Sale (POS—individual retail outlets), performing photo-interpretation of historical aerial imagery, and classifying land-cover types prior to construction. We applied spatial metrics such as total converted surface area, land-cover class frequency across eight categories (e.g., agricultural, herbaceous, arboreal), and the average linear distance between afforestation sites and POS developed on previously rural land. Our findings reveal that 65.97% of the total land converted for Points of Sale development occurred in rural areas, primarily agricultural and herbaceous lands. These landscapes play a critical role in supporting urban biodiversity and providing essential ecosystem services, which are increasingly threatened by unchecked land conversion. While the corporate sustainability reports and marketing strategies emphasize afforestation efforts under their “We Love Nature” initiative, our spatial analysis uncovers no evidence of actual land-use conversion. Additionally, reforestation activities are located an average of 40.75 km from converted sites, undermining their role as effective compensatory measures. These findings raise concerns about selective disclosure and greenwashing, driving the need for more comprehensive and transparent corporate sustainability reporting. The study argues for stronger policy frameworks to incentivize urban regeneration over greenfield development and calls for the integration of land-use data into corporate sustainability disclosures. By combining geospatial methods with content analysis, the research offers new insights into the intersection of land use, business practices, and environmental sustainability in climate-vulnerable regions. Full article

Plastic pollution in marine environments is a globally recognized concern that poses ecological and economic threats. While 80% of plastic originates from land, 20% comes from sea-based sources like shipping and fishing. Comprehensive assessments of fishing-related plastics are limited but crucial for mitigation. This study analyzed the distribution and temporal evolution of three fishing-related items (EPS fish boxes, fragments, and buoys) along the Bocassette spit in the northern Adriatic Sea, a region with high fishing and aquaculture activity. UAV monitoring (November 2019, June/October 2020) and structured interviews with Po Delta fishermen were conducted. The collected debris was mainly EPS, with boxes (54.8%) and fragments (39.6%). Fishermen showed strong awareness of degradation, identifying plastic as the primary litter type and reporting gear loss. Litter concentrated in active dunes and the southern sector indicates human and riverine influence. Persistent items (61%) at higher elevations suggest longer residence times. Mapped EPS boxes could generate billions of micro-particles (e.g., ~10¹³). The results reveal a complex interaction between natural processes and human activities in litter distribution. This highlights the need for integrated management strategies, like improved waste management, targeted cleanup, and community involvement, to reduce long-term impacts on vulnerable coastal ecosystems. Full article

The results of precise measurements of the temperature dependencies of quadratic electro-optic coefficients, namely $g_{1111}-g_{1122}$ and $n_{\mathrm{o}}^3{g}_{1111}-n_{\mathrm{e}}^3{g}_{3311}$, in KH₂PO₄ (KDP) and KD₂PO₄ (DKDP) crystals at a wavelength of 632.8 nm are presented. We consider electro-optic coefficients describing changes in the optical impenetrability tensor resulting from an applied electric field, as well as intrinsic electro-optic coefficients defined in terms of induced polarization. The results show significant differences in the values of the analogous coefficients for the KDP and DKDP crystals and their temperature dependencies. Therefore, the quadratic electro-optic effect in KDP-type crystals cannot be easily described based solely on the contribution of PO₄ tetrahedra, as assumed in current models of the linear effect. Moreover, the values of the intrinsic coefficients in the KDP and DKDP crystals differ even more than the corresponding usual electro-optic coefficients, which contradicts the conventional belief in their lower variability. Full article

The sudden increase of fluxes of quasi-trapped energetic electrons under the Earth’s radiation belt (ERB) has remained a puzzling phenomenon for decades. It is known as enhancements of forbidden energetic electrons (FEEs). The FEE enhancements are occasionally observed by low-Earth orbit NOAA/POES satellites. Previously, no strong correlation was established between FEEs and geomagnetic activity, while external control of FEE occurrence by solar activity and interplanetary parameters was revealed on a long time-scale. Two important questions are still open: (1) key parameters of the mechanism and (2) solar wind drivers or triggers. In the present study we conducted detailed analysis of three FEE events that occurred during the greatest geomagnetic storms, which dramatically affected space weather. The FEE enhancements occurred under northward IMF and, thus, Bz and convection electric fields could have been neither driver nor trigger. We found that an abrupt and significant change in solar wind pressure is a key solar wind driver of the FEE enhancements observed. The characteristic time of FEE injection from the inner edge of the ERB at L-shell 1.2 to the forbidden zone at L < 1.1 was estimated to be 10–20 min. In the mechanism of ExB drift, this characteristic time corresponds to the radial inward transport of electrons caused by a transient electric field with the magnitude ~10 mV/m. Full article

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of higher education (HE) buildings significantly impacts the built environment sector. This research aimed to optimize learning environments and enhance student comfort, especially post-COVID-19. The study adopts the principles of Post-occupancy Evaluation (POE) to collect and analyze various quantitative and qualitative data through environmental data monitoring, a user perceptions survey, and semi-structured interviews with professionals. Although the environmental conditions generally met existing standards, the findings indicated opportunities for further improvements to better support university communities’ comfort and health. A significant challenge identified by this research is the inability of the facility management to physically manage and operate the vast and complex spaces within HE buildings with contemporary IEQ standards. In response to these findings, this research developed a BIM-based prototype for the real-time monitoring and automated control of IEQ. The prototype integrates a BIM model with Arduino-linked sensors, motors, and traffic lights, with the latter visually indicating IEQ status, while motors automatically adjust environmental conditions based on sensor inputs. The outcomes of this study not only contribute to the ongoing discourse on sustainable building management, especially post-pandemic, but also demonstrate an advancement in the application of BIM technologies to improve IEQ and by extension, occupant wellbeing in HE buildings. Full article

LK-99, with chemical formula Pb_10−xCu_x(PO₄)₆O, was recently reported to be a room-temperature superconductor. While this claim has met with little support in a flurry of ensuing work, a variety of calculations (mostly based on density-functional theory) have demonstrated that the system possesses some unusual characteristics in the electronic structure, in particular flat bands. We have established previously that within DFT, the system is insulating with many characteristics resembling the classic cuprates, provided the structure is not constrained to the P3(143) symmetry nominally assigned to it. Here we describe the basic electronic structure of LK-99 within self-consistent many-body perturbative approach, quasiparticle self-consistent GW (QSGW) approximation and their diagrammatic extensions. QSGW predicts that pristine LK-99 is indeed a Mott/charge transfer insulator, with a bandgap gap in excess of 3 eV, whether or not constrained to the P3(143) symmetry. When Pb₉Cu(PO₄)₆O is hole-doped, the valence bands modify only slightly, and a hole pocket appears. However, two solutions emerge: a high-moment solution with the Cu local moment aligned parallel to neighbors, and a low-moment solution with Cu aligned antiparallel to its environment. In the electron-doped case the conduction band structure changes significantly: states of mostly Pb character merge with the formerly dispersionless Cu d state, and high-spin and low spin solutions once again appear. Thus we conclude that with suitable doping, the ground state of the system is not adequately described by a band picture, and that strong correlations are likely. Irrespective of whether this system class hosts superconductivity or not, the transition of Pb₁₀(PO₄)₆O from being a band insulator to Pb₉Cu(PO₄)₆O, a Mott insulator, and multi-determinantal nature of doped Mott physics make this an extremely interesting case-study for strongly correlated many-body physics. Full article

An integrated process scheme is developed for valorizing filtered liquid digestates (FLD) from an industrial anaerobic digestion (AD) plant treating dairy-processing effluents with relatively low nutrient concentrations. The process scheme involves FLD treatment by nanofiltration (NF) membranes, followed by struvite recovery from the NF-retentate. An NF pilot unit (designed for this purpose) is combined with a state-of-the-art NF/RO process simulator. Validation of simulator results with pilot data enables reliable predictions required for scaling up NF systems. The NF permeate meets the standards for restricted irrigation and/or reuse. Considering the significant nutrient concentrations in the NF retentate (i.e., ~500 mg/L NH4-N, ~230 mg/L PO4-P), struvite recovery/precipitation is investigated, including determination of near-optimal processing conditions. Maximum removal of nutrients, through production of struvite-rich precipitate, is obtained at a molar ratio of NH₄:Mg:PO₄ = 1:1.5:1.5 and pH = 10 in the treated stream, attained through the addition of Κ₂HPO₄, ΜgCl₂·6H₂O, and NaOH. Furthermore, almost complete struvite precipitation is achieved within ~30 min, whereas precipitate/solid drying at modest/ambient temperature is appropriate to avoid struvite degradation. Under the aforementioned conditions, a significant amount of dry precipitate is obtained, i.e., ~12 g dry mass per L of treated retentate, including crystalline struvite. The approach taken and the obtained positive results provide a firm basis for further development of this integrated process scheme towards sustainable large-scale applications. Full article

Next-generation recycling technologies must be urgently innovated to tackle huge volumes of spent batteries, photovoltaic panels or printed circuit boards (WPCBs). Current e-waste recycling industrial technology is dominated by traditional recycling technologies. Herein, ionic liquids (ILs), deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and promising oxidizing additives that can overcome some traditional recycling methods of metal ions from e-waste, used in our works from last year, are presented. The unique chemical environments of ILs and DESs, with the application of low-temperature extraction procedures, are important environmental aspects known as “Green Methods”. A closed-loop system for recycling zinc and manganese from the “black mass” (BM) of waste, Zn-MnO₂ batteries, is presented. The leaching process achieves a high efficiency and distribution ratio using the composition of two solvents (Cyanex 272 + diethyl phosphite (DPh)) for Zn(II) extraction. High extraction efficiency with 100% zinc and manganese recovery is also achieved using DESs (cholinum chloride/lactic acid, 1:2, DES 1, and cholinum chloride/malonic acid, 1:1, DES 2). New, greener recycling approaches to metal extraction from the BM of spent Li-ion batteries are presented with ILs ([N_8,8,8,1][Cl], (Aliquat 336), [P_6,6,6,14][Cl], [P_6,6,6,14][SCN] and [Benzet][TCM]) eight DESs, Cyanex 272 and D2EHPA. A high extraction efficiency of Li(I) (41–92 wt%) and Ni(II) (37–52 wt%) using (Cyanex 272 + DPh) is obtained. The recovery of Ni(II) and Cd(II) from the BM of spent Ni-Cd batteries is also demonstrated. The extraction efficiency of DES 1 and DES 2, contrary to ILs ([P_6,6,6,14][Cl] and [P_6,6,6,14][SCN]), is at the level of 30 wt% for Ni(II) and 100 wt% for Cd(II). In this mini-review, the option to use ILs, DESs and Cyanex 272 for the recovery of valuable metals from end-of-life WPCBs is presented. Next-generation recycling technologies, in contrast to the extraction of metals from acidic leachate preceded by thermal pre-treatment or from solid material only after thermal pre-treatment, have been developed with ILs and DESs using the ABS method, as well as Cyanex 272 (only after the thermal pre-treatment of WPCBs), with a process efficiency of 60–100 wt%. In this process, four new ILs are used: didecyldimethylammonium propionate, [N_10,10,1,1][C₂H₅COO], didecylmethylammonium hydrogen sulphate, [N_10,10,1,H][HSO₄], didecyldimethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate, [N_10,10,1,1][H₂PO₄], and tetrabutylphosphonium dihydrogen phosphate, [P_4,4,4,4][H₂PO₄]. The extraction of Cu(II), Ag(I) and other metals such as Al(III), Fe(II) and Zn(II) from solid WPCBs is demonstrated. Various additives are used during the extraction processes. The Analyst 800 atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS) is used for the determination of metal content in the solid BM. The ICP-OES method is used for metal analysis. The obtained results describe the possible application of ILs and DESs as environmental media for upcycling spent electronic wastes. Full article

This study aims to describe the triphylite (LiFe²⁺PO₄) from Li-bearing pegmatites from the Conțu-Negovanu area (Southern Carpathians, Romania). Thus, for the first time in this area, using four analytical methods, i.e., electron micro-probe analysis (EMPA), polarized optical microscopy (POM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD), the authors have succeeded in isolating the triphylite from the isomorphous triphylite–lithiophilite series. In addition, in the Conțu-Negovanu area, two new minerals were identified and described for the first time in pegmatites from this area: Fe-rich gatehouseite and wolfeite. The use of EMPA allowed for the tentative calculation of empirical formulae for these secondary phosphate minerals. Full article

The chemical composition of Aloe vera leaves was investigated by using liquid chromatography–high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). Five A. vera samples were collected across diverse geographical origins and cultivation practices: PO (Botanical Garden of Portici, Italy), CAN (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands), CA, E, and MM (Marine Reserve of Torre Guaceto, Brindisi, Italy). Analysis of hydroalcoholic organic extracts revealed 77 organic compounds, including ubiquitous primary metabolites (i.e., sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids) and natural products (i.e., phenols and aromatics, terpenes, and anthraquinones). Principal component analysis (PCA) on the raw dataset indicated a clear separation of samples depending on their geographical origins. PO samples showed high amounts of citric acid, the anthraquinone aloe-emodin, and the alkaloids tropine and tropinone. CAN samples showed high content of malic, citramalic, citraconic, erucic, and 3-dehydroquinic acids. CAN and PO samples contained high amounts of jasmonic, quinic, and 4-methoxycinnamic acids along with aloesin, tyramine, coumarin, and saponarin. Among the Brindisi samples, MM contained high amounts of limonene and α-linolenic acid. CA, E, and MM samples presented high amounts of eritrose-4-phosphate, glucose-1-phosphate, and fructosyl valine along with ginsenoside, proline, and ascorbic acid. These findings indicate that geographical origins and cultivation practices affect to different extents the metabolite profile of A. vera plants. Full article

This study quantifies morphological features of global braided river deltas using Google Earth imagery, analyzing eight systems (e.g., Yukon–Kuskokwim, Poyang Lake, Lena River deltas). Methods include listwise deletion for missing data (retaining 87% of Poyang Lake delta samples) and sensitivity analysis (threshold changes ≤2.4%). Nonparametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis, H = 12.73, p = 0.005) show significant differences in bifurcation angles across deltas, with the wave-dominated Po River (59.2°) having an 18% higher 80% threshold the than tide-dominated Poyang Lake (50.1°, p = 0.003). Key quantitative results include the following: 1.65% of bifurcation angles cluster at 30–60°, differing from fan deltas (p < 0.01); wavelength–amplitude relationships are nonlinear (R² = 0.537–0.913), with positive slopes indicating a high sediment supply (e.g., Yukon–Kuskokwim) and negative slope channel avulsion (e.g., Poyang Lake); bifurcation spacing correlates with the sediment supply—54% of Poyang Lake spacings < 2000 m (dense networks) vs. 80% of Lena River spacings < 15,000 m (stable channels). The resulting dataset enables global, remote-sensing-based comparisons, providing thresholds for sedimentary modeling and reservoir prediction. Moderate missing data (≤13%) minimally affect results, though high-missingness cases need further analysis. This study replaces empirical rules with statistical validation, showing that morphometric differences reflect depositional dynamics, which are critical for reservoir heterogeneity assessments. Full article

Fish-borne parasites encompass diverse taxonomic groups, including nematodes of the genus Eustrongylides (family Dioctophymatidae), which infect fish, fish-eating birds, and, occasionally, humans. Eustrongylides spp. are globally distributed, with E. ignotus and E. tubifex prevalent in North America, while E. excisus is more frequent in Europe and the Middle East. This study investigates the presence of E. excisus in a fish community of the Po River (Turin, northwest Italy). Among 170 fish sampled from three sites along the Po River, only two Padogobius bonelli individuals from the Murazzi site were found to be infected, each hosting a single larva within the abdominal cavity. Molecular analysis (ITS rDNA sequencing) confirmed the parasite as E. excisus, showing 100% identity with known sequences. Although prevalence in this study was low (1.18%), the findings significantly expand the known host range of E. excisus, previously reported only in other gobiid species in Eastern Europe. The parasite is widely distributed in Italy, especially in commercial fish from large lakes, and its spread is facilitated by oligochaete intermediate hosts and piscivorous birds like cormorants. Given the benthic habits and diet of P. bonelli, increased monitoring is needed to better understand the parasite’s transmission dynamics and the potential risks to native biodiversity and human health. Full article

The use of Li-ion batteries is drastically increasing, especially due to the growing sales of electric vehicles. Simultaneously, there is a shift towards exchanging the traditional Co- and Ni-rich electrode materials with more sustainable alternatives such as LiFePO₄. This transition challenges conventional recycling practices, which typically rely on shredding batteries into a substance known as black mass, which is subsequently processed via hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical methods to extract valuable elements. These routes may not be economically viable for future sustainable chemistries with lower contents of high-value metal. Hence, new methods for processing the black mass, allowing, e.g., for physical separation and direct recycling, are direly needed. Such developments require that the black mass is thoroughly understood. In this study, we thoroughly characterize a commercially produced Graphite/LFP black mass sample from real battery waste using a suite of analytical techniques. Our findings reveal detailed chemical, morphological, and structural insights and show that the components in the black mass have different micro-size profiles, which may enable simple size separation. Unfortunately, our analysis also reveals that the employed processing of battery waste into black mass leads to the formation of an unknown Fe-containing compound, which may hamper direct recycling routes. Full article

The properties of composite materials depend not only on the composition but also on the distribution and orientation of the fillers, i.e., on the internal material architecture. Using the example of two differently composed PEEK-based hybrid materials, the influence of fiber orientation on the tribological behavior of these materials in sliding contact with steel was investigated. The tribological performance of these composites was assessed using a pin-on-disc (PoD) tribometer, testing in a pv range from 0.25 to 32 MPa·m/s. The findings indicate that the printed specimens exhibit a high degree of fiber orientation aligned parallel to the printing paths. Conversely, the injection-molded samples display a three-layered structure across the thickness, with fibers in the skin layers aligned parallel to the injection direction but perpendicular to it in the core. These variations in morphology are evident in both the mechanical properties and the tribological behavior. To describe the influence of the fiber orientation on tribological properties, a model is proposed that allows the prediction of tribological properties for any fiber orientation. Although fiber orientation appears to be the dominant factor in tribological behavior, there is also a clear influence of additional fillers. Full article