Search Results (234)

The scalability and processability of high-performance membranes remain significant challenges in membrane technology. This work focuses on optimizing the pilot-scale production of patterned polysulfone (PSf) ultrafiltration membranes using the spray-modified non-solvent-induced phase separation (s-NIPS) method on a roll-to-roll pilot line. s-NIPS has already been studied extensively at lab-scale to prepare patterned membranes for various applications including membrane bioreactors (MBR), reverse osmosis (RO) and forward osmosis (FO). Although studied at the lab scale, membranes prepared at a larger scale can significantly differ in performance; therefore, phase inversion parameters, including polymer concentration, molecular weight, and additive type (i.e., polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polyvinylpyrolidine (PVP)) and concentration, were systematically varied when casting on a roll-to-roll, 12″ wide pilot line to identify optimal conditions for achieving defect-free, high-performance, patterned PSf membranes. The membranes were characterized for their pure water permeance, BSA rejection, casting solution viscosities, and resulting morphology. s-NIPS patterned membranes exhibit 150–350% increase in water flux as compared to their reference flat membrane, thanks to very high pattern heights up to 825 µm and formation of finger-like macrovoids. This work bridges the gap between lab-scale and pilot-scale membrane preparation, while proposing an upscaled membrane with great potential for use in water treatment. Full article

Climatic changes threaten many forms of crop production as well as adversely affecting global ecosystems and human activities. There are two principal ways in which the balance of the global carbon cycle can be restored, firstly by decreasing anthropogenic CO₂ emissions and secondly by increasing the rates of carbon sequestration. Even if emissions are successfully reduced to net zero over the coming decades, it will still be essential to reduce atmospheric CO₂ concentrations to preindustrial levels. This can only be achieved by global-scale carbon sequestration of the order of gigatonnes (Gt) of CO₂ annually. Over recent decades, engineering approaches have been proposed to tackle carbon sequestration. However, their technological effectiveness has yet to be demonstrated at a global scale, with even the most optimistic current values at less than 0.1 Gt CO₂/yr, i.e., 50–100-fold less than required to meet IPCC targets for 2050. In contrast, biological carbon sequestration already operates as a proven global mechanism that also has the potential for increased effectiveness by harnessing high-yield tropical vegetation including perennial crops with sequestration values already exceeding 1 Gt CO₂/yr. This review will contrast engineering and biological approaches to carbon sequestration with a particular focus on the potential for perennial crops, especially in the tropics. The major conclusions are that (i) the 2 Gt CO₂/yr capacity of biological carbon sequestration already dwarfs that of all engineering approaches at 0.0013 Gt CO₂/yr, (ii) biological sequestration is proven to operate at global scale, and (iii) compared to engineering approaches, it will be orders of magnitude less expensive to upscale further in the coming decades. Full article

Efforts to counteract climate change-induced challenges and increase agricultural productivity are growing across Africa. The Southern African region has observed a continuous myriad of weather extremes and hazard occurrences, impacting agrifood systems. The decline in agrifood systems results in food insecurities. The adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies is key to building climate-resilient agricultural systems. CSA adoption is limited by several factors, including a lack of institutional support, deficiencies in policy integration, and insufficient numbers of agricultural advisors. This study was conducted in semi-arid areas in the Free State and Limpopo provinces, South Africa. This manuscript presents the upscaling of CSA towards the enhancement of sustainable agrifood systems. The respondents included of 196 smallholder farmers and 125 agricultural advisors who participated in CSA training. CSA practices include agroecological cropping systems and micro-catchments. Technology transfer requires qualitative and quantitative approaches for adoption efficacy. The CSA Acceptance Model has missing factors that were modified, including usability, profitability, sustainability, and the perceived cost of acceptance. The participatory living laboratory approach was key to using demonstration trials, on-farm training, and training of intermediaries. Through the effectiveness of technology transfer and reciprocal systems, smallholder farmers can transition to commercial levels and contribute to sustainable agrifood systems. Full article

Subcritical water extraction (SWE) is an eco-friendly technology offering advantages such as green solvent and selectivity, especially for extracting bioactive compounds. Despite its potential, limited data exists on upscaling this process. This study investigates the upscaling of SWE by comparing two systems: a commercially available high-pressure system (ASE 200, 32 mL capacity) and high-volume subcritical water extraction (HVSWE) (1000 mL capacity). Medicinal compounds, 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol, were extracted from ginger using SWE at temperatures ranging from 130 °C to 200 °C, at a constant pressure of 3.5 MPa, for 30 min. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was employed for quantitative analysis. The optimal extraction temperature for 6-gingerol using the high-volume SWE system was 130 °C, yielding 1741.54 ± 0.96 µg/g, whereas ASE 200 achieved optimal extraction at 140 °C with 1957.22 ± 2.55 µg/g. For 6-shogaol, both systems demonstrated an optimal extraction temperature of 170 °C, with yields of 541.78 ± 3.16 µg/g and 1135.23 ± 1.18 µg/g for the high-volume SWE and ASE 200 systems, respectively. These variations stem from the 35-fold difference in capacity, influencing heat and mass transfer during extraction. Thus, scale-up factors must be carefully considered to enhance the mass transfer efficiency and optimize SWE processes at larger scales. Full article

The Farm-to-Fork strategy, an essential component of the European Green Deal, aims to establish a sustainable and healthy food system. A crucial aspect of this strategy is reducing synthetic pesticide use by 50% by 2030. In this context, biocontrol is seen as a vital tool for achieving this goal. However, the upscaling of biocontrol faces several challenges, including technical and socio-economic issues and concerns regarding the legal status of biocontrol products. This article focuses on the Positive List, which includes indigenous and introduced species that have been established for use in EPPO countries and approved biological agents in some OECD countries. This article discusses microbial control agents and active substances derived from microbial metabolites, macro-agents, semi-chemicals, and plant-based compounds. It covers their origins, active substances, mechanisms of action against target pests, application methods, market availability, benefits, and potential environmental side effects. Additionally, it discusses the role of beneficial insects and mites as natural enemies in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) within the context of conservation methods. This article addresses the future of biological control, which largely relies on advancements in science to tackle two critical challenges: enhancing the reliability and effectiveness of biopreparations in field conditions and developing suitable formulations of biopesticides tailored to large-scale cultivation technologies for key crops. Full article

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a novel and versatile technology, which is not yet used in the food and agricultural sector for barley processing. In lab-scale applications, the technology shows potential in extending shelf life and ensuring food safety and quality, e.g., during storage. CAP reactive nature counteracts insect pests, fungi, and bacteria, but also improves seed germination and facilitates plant growth not only under stress conditions. Its generation does not require water, chemicals, or solvents and consumes little energy due to low operating temperatures (<60 °C) with a short time span that makes additional production steps (e.g., cooling) obsolete. Therefore, CAP is a sustainable technology capable of further optimising the use of limited resources with the potential of offering solutions for upcoming environmental challenges and political requirements for replacing existing practices and technologies due to the growing impact of climate change. This review summarises recent developments and findings concerning CAP application in barley production and processing with air as the process gas. Furthermore, this comprehensive overview could help identify further research needs to overcome its current technical limitations, e.g., efficiency, capacity, etc., that hamper the upscale and market introduction of this environmentally friendly technology. Full article

The kinetic model is a crucial tool for optimizing polymer synthesis protocols and facilitating the scaled-up production processes of the CO₂-responsive polymer poly(N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-acrylamide)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate)(PDMAPAm-b-PMMA), which is supposed to be implemented in direct air capture (DAC) technology. This study presents a simulation of the kinetic model developed for the Reversible Addition−Fragmentation Chain-Transfer (RAFT) polymerization of N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-acrylamide (DMAPAm), alongside an investigation into the kinetics of this polymerization using the simulation as an analytical tool, as well as the application of the simulation for the upscaling of RAFT polymerization. Ultimately, the kinetic model was validated through two kinetic experiments, confirming its reliability. It was subsequently employed to optimize the synthesis recipe and to predict the properties of PDMAPAm homopolymers, thereby supporting the upscaling of PDMAPAm-b-PMMA diblock copolymer synthesis. In the end, the preliminary results of the CO₂-responsiveness of the diblock copolymer were determined with a simple experiment. Full article

As the global plastic pollution crisis intensifies, the development of sustainable food packaging materials has become a priority. Starch-based films present a viable, biodegradable alternative to petroleum-derived plastics but face challenges such as poor moisture resistance and mechanical fragility. This review comprehensively examines state-of-the-art advancements in starch-based packaging, including polymer modifications, bio-nanocomposite incorporation, and innovative processing techniques that enhance functionality. Furthermore, the role of advanced analytical tools in elucidating the structure–performance relationships of starch films is highlighted. In particular, we provide an in-depth exploration of advanced characterization techniques, not only to assess starch-based food packaging but also to monitor starch retrogradation, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and iodine binding (Blue Value). We also explore cutting-edge developments in active and intelligent packaging, where starch films are functionalized with bioactive compounds for antimicrobial protection and freshness monitoring. While substantial progress has been made, critical challenges remain in upscaling these technologies for industrial production. This review provides a roadmap for future research and the industrial adoption of starch-derived packaging solutions. Full article

Lateral flow tests (LFTs) had a pivotal role in combating the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus throughout the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to their affordability and ease of use. Most of LFT devices were based on nitrocellulose membrane strips whose industrial upscaling to billions of devices has already been extensively demonstrated. Nevertheless, the assay option in an LFT format is largely restricted to qualitative detection of the target antigens. In this research, we surveyed the potential of UV nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) and extrusion coating (EC) for the high-throughput production of disposable capillary-driven, foil-based tests that allow multistep assays to be implemented for quantitative readout to address the inherent lack of on-demand fluid control and sensitivity of paper-based devices. Both manufacturing technologies operate on the principle of imprinting that enables high-volume, continuous structuring of microfluidic patterns in a roll-to-roll (R2R) production scheme. To demonstrate the feasibility of R2R-fabricated foil chips in a point-of-care biosensing application, we adapted a commercial chemiluminescence multiplex test for COVID-19 antibody detection originally developed for a capillary-driven microfluidic chip manufactured with injection molding (IM). In an effort to build a complete ecosystem for the R2R manufacturing of foil chips, we also recruited additional processes to streamline chip production: R2R biofunctionalization and R2R lamination. Compared to conventional fabrication techniques for microfluidic devices, the R2R techniques highlighted in this work offer unparalleled advantages concerning improved scalability, dexterity of seamless handling, and significant cost reduction. Our preliminary evaluation indicated that the foil chips exhibited comparable performance characteristics to the original IM-fabricated devices. This early success in assay translation highlights the promise of implementing biochemical assays on R2R-manufactured foil chips. Most importantly, it underscores the potential utilization of UV-NIL and EC as an alternative to conventional technologies for the future development in vitro diagnostics (IVD) in response to emerging point-of-care testing demands. Full article

Using raw and modified lignocellulosic residues as bioadsorbents in continuous adsorption is challenging but it marks significant progress in water treatment and the transition to a bio-based circular economy. This study reviews the application of bioadsorbents in fixed-bed columns for treating water contaminated with inorganic species, offering guidance for future research. It evaluates chemical modifications to enhance adsorptive properties, explores adsorption mechanisms, and analyzes bioadsorbent performance under competitive adsorption conditions. Analysis of adsorption data included evaluation of adsorption capacity in mono- and multicomponent solutions, regeneration, reuse, bed efficiency, and disposal of spent bioadsorbents. This enabled assessing their scalability to sufficiently high levels of maturity for commercialization. In multicomponent solutions, selectivity was influenced by the characteristics of the bioadsorbents and by competitive adsorption among inorganic species. This affected adsorption performance, increasing the complexity of breakthrough curve modeling and controlling the biomaterial selectivity. Models for mono- and multicomponent systems are presented, including mass transfer equations and alternatives including “bell-type” equations for overshooting phenomena and innovative approaches using artificial neural networks and machine learning. The criteria discussed will assist in improving studies conducted from cradle (synthesis of new biomaterials) to grave (end use or disposal), contributing to accurate decision making for transferring the developed technology to an industrial scale and evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of bioadsorbents. Full article

HVDC cable systems are becoming an upscaled technical option, compared to AC, because of various factors, including easier interconnections, lower losses, and longer transmission distances. In addition, renewables providing direct DC energy, electrified transportation, and aerospace where DC can be favored because of higher carried specific power all point in the direction of broad future usage of HV and MV DC links. However, contrary to AC, there is little return from on-field installation as regards long-term cable reliability and aging processes. This gap must be covered by intensive research, and contributing to this research is the purpose of this paper. The focus is on key points for HVDC (and MVDC) cable reliability and sustainability, from design modeling able to account for voltage transients and extrinsic aging (such as that caused by partial discharges) to the impact of aging on insulation conductivity (which rules the electric field distribution, thus aging rate). Also, recyclable and nanostructured materials, as well as health conditions, are considered. It is shown how cable design can account for accelerated aging due to voltage transients, as well as for aging-time dependence of conductivity, and how design can be free of extrinsic aging caused by PDs. Algorithms for health condition evaluations, which have additional value in a relatively new technology such as HVDC polymeric cables, are applied to insulation system aging under partial discharges, showing how they can provide an indication of insulation degradation globally or locally (weak spots) and of possible maintenance times. All of this can effectively contribute to reducing the risk of major cable breakdown and damage under operation, which would significantly affect the return on investment (ROI). Full article

Additive manufacturing (AM) of copper is subject to dynamic development regarding available processes and the quality of produced parts. While challenging, AM processes for copper provide parts with a quality comparable to other metallic material groups like steels. The reasons for the lower prevalence of additive manufacturing of copper components in industrial applications are currently not sufficiently researched, especially in light of the significant progress made in the maturity of this technology. A survey is used to investigate the assessments of protagonists in the field of copper AM. The needs of current and potential users of copper AM are analyzed and outlined. This study reveals that the most relevant technical limitation for users is the reduced surface quality of parts, while overall processes need to become less costly and more reliable to find broader use. Answers given hint to a higher degree of automation, the possibility of multi-material processing, and the upscaling of machine and part sizes as relevant future trends in the copper AM sector. Full article

Dry reforming has gained widespread attention among CO₂ utilization approaches, as it is able to convert both CO₂ and CH₄ into syngas, thus mitigating global warming. Moreover, dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) non-thermal catalytic plasma reactors are potential technologies for CO₂ and CH₄ conversion, due to their low energy consumption and ease of operation. Catalysts also play an important role in ensuring optimal performance. For instance, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) such as ZIF-8, NH₂-UiO-66(Zr), and NH₂-MIL-53(Al) are rarely reported in the literature for plasma technologies in dry reforming, despite their strong attributes such as high surface area and charge characteristics. In this work, these MOF catalysts were synthesized and characterized to evaluate their internal morphology, crystallinity, and surface area. Characterization studies showed that ZIF-8, NH₂-UiO-66(Zr), and NH₂-MIL-53(Al) generally showed similar properties to those results reported in the literature. Additionally, based on DBD catalytic plasma testing, NH₂-UiO-66(Zr) with an input power of 30 W recorded the highest H₂ and CO yields of 3.20% and 2.34%, respectively, at a CO₂:CH₄ molar ratio of 7:3. These values could be referred to for future studies on the improvement of MOF catalysts performance in dry reforming under the plasma processes prior to upscaling. Full article

Evapotranspiration (ET) is a crucial parameter for agricultural management and the hydrologic cycle, and instantaneous satellite images are the primary data source for regional ET. The constant evaporative fraction method (EFO) is a common approach for converting short-time ET (ET_st) to daily ET (ET_day). However, EFO has some limitations due to simple assumptions, including the following: the short-time evaporative fraction (EF_st) equals the daily evaporative fraction (EF_day). This study proposed an improved evaporative fraction method (EFI) through theoretical derivation and data analysis without additional data requirements, enabling the accurate upscaling of ET_st to ET_day. The vapor pressure deficit and available energy were considered in EFI to describe the main effect factor and estimate the deviation between EF_st and EF_day, defining the deviation coefficient and potential deviation between EF_st and EF_day. EFI was tested through four aspects: different agricultural systems, various sites, two growth stages, and different sources of EF_st, comparing estimated ET_day from EFI and measured ET_day. EFI reduced the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of ET_day estimation from 23% to 16% when EF_st is derived from measured data compared to EFO. Similarly, the MAPE of ET_day estimation reduced from 38% to 31% when EF_st is derived from a remote sensing model (Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land, SEBAL). EFI performs better during the growing period than the fallow season, providing critical information for irrigation practices. Crop type is not a main control factor for the relationship between η (ratio between VPD and R_n-G) and EF_st, and EFI is adaptable to various agricultural systems. The encouraging results of EFI in different scenarios demonstrate its accuracy and robustness. Therefore, EFI is anticipated to upscale EF_st to EF_day, generating a more accurate ET on a regional scale through remote sensing technology. Full article

In this study, the integration of microwave-assisted technology into fixed-bed configuration processes is explored aiming to characterize and address its challenges with a customized multimodal microwave cavity. This research focuses on evaluating the uncertainty in contactless temperature measurement methods as spectral thermographic cameras and infrared pyrometers, microwave heating performance, and the thermal homogeneity within fixed beds containing microwave–susceptor materials, including the temperature-dependent dielectric characterization of such materials, having different geometry and size (from 120 to 5000 microns). The thermal inhomogeneities along different bed configurations were quantified, assessing the most appropriate fixed-bed arrangement and size limitation at the employed irradiation frequency (2.45 GHz) to tackle microwave-assisted gas–solid chemical conversions. An increased temperature heterogeneity along the axial profile was found for finer susceptor particles, while the higher microwave susceptibility of coarser grades led to increased temperature gradients, ΔT > 300 °C. Moreover, results evidenced that the temperature measurement on the fixed-bed quartz reactor surface by a punctual infrared pyrometer entails a major error regarding the real temperature on the microwave susceptor surface within the tubular quartz reactor (up to 230% deviation). The experimental findings pave the way to assess the characteristics that microwave susceptors and fixed beds must perform to minimize thermal inhomogeneities and optimize the microwave-assisted coupling with solid–gas-phase reactor design and process upscaling using such multimode cavities. Full article