180,010 research outputs found
Floating Photocatalysts as a Sustainable Solution for Water Harvesting in Vulnerable Communities
No full textThe exponential growth of the global population, projected to exceed 9 billion people by 2050, combined with increasing water scarcity driven by climate change, is placing unprecedented pressure on the world's water resources [1]. This issue is even more pronounced in developing countries, where water scarcity is a key factor behind numerous public health crises, during which unsanitary conditions expose both patients and doctors to risks of disease transmission [2].
In this challenging scenario, treating the tons of wastewater generated every day offers a promising solution. By transforming wastewater into a viable alternative water source, this approach addresses both resource scarcity and environmental sustainability. Although various technologies have been developed for water depollution (e.g., filtration, chemical or biological treatments) [3], they generally fail to remove contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) due to their high chemical stability, so developing efficient technologies for wastewater purification is crucial to mitigating water scarcity and ensuring access to safe water for all. In this framework, photocatalysis plays a pivotal role; indeed, the use of sunlight, an extremely powerful and abundant energy source, represents a vital resource in light of the current energy crisis. However, developing photocatalytic materials capable of exploiting the entire solar spectrum for pollutant photodegradation is challenging. Additionally, the most advanced materials reported in the literature are typically used as dispersed powders. Even if working with fine powders offers several benefits (e.g., high dispersion and impressive photoactivity), it also presents critical challenges, such as the difficulty of recovering them from the reaction mixture, which leads to contamination issues and additional costs [4]. For this reason, immobilizing photocatalysts strikes a balance between their advantages and the need for practical application by enhancing stability and enabling easier handling. In this context, floating photocatalysts offer the advantage of maximizing both light utilization and surface aeration, as they can remain at the air-water interface. Their use also reduces post-treatment costs. These foundations inspired the development of the project “Water Decontamination by Sunlight-Driven Floating Photocatalytic Systems” (SUNFLOAT). Within the SUNFLOAT project, various safe, cost-effective, and highly efficient photocatalysts designed to operate under solar irradiation were successfully fabricated and immobilized on different synthetic and natural floating supports [5-6]. The resulting materials were rigorously tested for the photodegradation of various CECs under both simulated and real sunlight conditions. The innovation introduced by the SUNFLOAT project highlights the practical viability of floating photocatalysts under natural solar conditions. The project underscores the effectiveness of these novel materials in harnessing solar energy for sustainable water purification. By proving their functionality under real sunlight, this initiative represents a significant advancement, offering an eco-friendly and scalable solution to improve water quality for remote communities facing water scarcity.
References:
[1]: He, C., Liu, Z., Wu, J., Pan, X., Fang, Z., Li, J., Brett, A.B., Nat. Commun.12, 4667 (2021).
[2]: https://www.cdc.gov
[3] Galloni, M.G., Ferrara, E., Falletta, E., Bianchi, C.L., Catalyst 12(8), 923, (2022).
[4] Djellabi, R., Giannantonio, R., Falletta, E., Bianchi, C.L., Curr. Opin. Chem. Eng.33, 100696 (2021).
[5] Galloni, M.G., Falletta, E., Mahdi, M., Giordana, A., Cerrato, G., Boffito, D.C., Bianchi, C.L., Adv. Sus. Syst. 2300565 (2024).
[6] Galloni, M.G., Nikonova, V., Cerrato, G., Giordana, A., Pleva, P., Humpolicek, P., Falletta, E., Bianchi, C.L., J. Environ. Man., 369, 122365, (2024)
Innovative eco-friendly materials for wastewater remediation: how photocatalysis embraces the sustainable future
No full textEfforts to optimize pollution control technologies have been recently intensified to minimize harmful emissions in water, aligning with stringent legislative requirements [1]. Heterogeneous photocatalysis has emerged as a sustainable approach to mitigate toxic pollutants in the environment. However, its effectiveness is limited, and its enhancement remains a challenge [2]. The use of nano-sized materials, although common, raises concerns about nanotoxicity. The ideal photocatalyst should possess activity, selectivity, stability, non-toxicity, cheapness, and easy handling. Achieving all these requirements is a difficult task.
In our recent work, we have focused on developing advanced TiO2-free materials for water remediation. We have studied photocatalytic active phases immobilized on eco-friendly supports able to eliminate organic pollutants from aqueous solutions. The economic advantage is the easy material recovery, and the utilization of floating supports enhances photocatalytic performances due to the large, exposed surface area and efficient aeration [3].
We have performed characterizations on morphology, structure, and metal speciation at the photocatalyst surface, elucidating potential and limitations of each sustainable support in the respective applications and providing critical insights into photocatalytic performances.
[1] Guerra, F.D. et al., Molecules 2018, 23(7), 1760; [2] Djellabi, R. et al., Chem. Eng. 2021, 1:100696; [3] Galloni, M.G. et al., Catalysts 2022, 12(8), 923
Solar-powered solutions: floating photocatalysts for sustainable water purification in a resource-challenged world
No full textThe exponential growth of the global population, projected to exceed 9 billion people by 2050, combined with increasing water scarcity driven by climate change, is placing unprecedented pressure on the world's water resources [1]. This issue is even more pronounced in developing countries, where water scarcity is a key factor behind numerous public health crises, during which unsanitary conditions expose both patients and doctors to risks of disease transmission [2].
In this challenging scenario, treating the tons of wastewater generated every day offers a promising solution. By transforming wastewater into a viable alternative water source, this approach addresses both resource scarcity and environmental sustainability. Although various technologies have been developed for water depollution (e.g., filtration, chemical or biological treatments) [3], they generally fail to remove contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) due to their high chemical stability, so developing efficient technologies for wastewater purification is crucial to mitigating water scarcity and ensuring access to safe water for all. In this framework, photocatalysis plays a pivotal role; indeed, the use of sunlight, an extremely powerful and abundant energy source, represents a vital resource in light of the current energy crisis. However, developing photocatalytic materials capable of exploiting the entire solar spectrum for pollutant photodegradation is challenging. Additionally, the most advanced materials reported in the literature are typically used as dispersed powders. Even if working with fine powders offers several benefits (e.g., high dispersion and impressive photoactivity), it also presents critical challenges, such as the difficulty of recovering them from the reaction mixture, which leads to contamination issues and additional costs [4]. For this reason, immobilizing photocatalysts strikes a balance between their advantages and the need for practical application by enhancing stability and enabling easier handling. In this context, floating photocatalysts offer the advantage of maximizing both light utilization and surface aeration, as they can remain at the air-water interface. Their use also reduces post-treatment costs. These foundations inspired the development of the project “Water Decontamination by Sunlight-Driven Floating Photocatalytic Systems” (SUNFLOAT). Within the SUNFLOAT project, various safe, cost-effective, and highly efficient photocatalysts designed to operate under solar irradiation were successfully fabricated and immobilized on different synthetic and natural floating supports [5-6]. The resulting materials were rigorously tested for the photodegradation of various CECs under both simulated and real sunlight conditions. The innovation introduced by the SUNFLOAT project highlights the practical viability of floating photocatalysts under natural solar conditions. The project underscores the effectiveness of these novel materials in harnessing solar energy for sustainable water purification. By proving their functionality under real sunlight, this initiative represents a significant advancement, offering an eco-friendly and scalable solution to improve water quality for remote ommunities facing water scarcity.
References:
[1]: He, C., Liu, Z., Wu, J., Pan, X., Fang, Z., Li, J., Brett, A.B., Nat. Commun.12, 4667 (2021).
[2]: https://www.cdc.gov
[3]: Galloni, M.G., Ferrara, E., Falletta, E., Bianchi, C.L., Catalyst 12(8), 923, (2022)
[4]: Djellabi, R., Giannantonio, R., Falletta, E., Bianchi, C.L., Curr. Opin. Chem. Eng.33, 100696 (2021)
[5]: Galloni, M.G., Falletta, E., Mahdi, M., Giordana, A., Cerrato, G., Boffito, D.C., Bianchi, C.L., Adv. Sus. Syst. 2300565 (2024),
[6] Galloni, M.G., Nikonova, V., Cerrato, G., Giordana, A., Pleva, P., Humpolicek, P., Falletta, E., Bianchi, C.L., J. Environ. Man., 369, 122365, (2024
Innovative eco-friendly materials for environmental remediation: when photocatalysis meets sustainability
No full textEfforts to optimize pollution control technologies have been recently intensified to minimize harmful emissions in water and air, aligning with stringent legislative requirements [1]. Heterogeneous photocatalysis has emerged as a sustainable approach to mitigate toxic pollutants in the environment. However, its effectiveness is limited, and its enhancement remains a challenge [2]. The use of nano-sized materials, although common, raises concerns about nanotoxicity. The ideal photocatalyst should possess activity, selectivity, stability, non-toxicity, cheapness, and easy handling. Achieving all these requirements is a difficult task.
In our recent work, we have focused on developing advanced TiO2-free materials for water and air remediation. Firstly, we have studied catalysts immobilized on eco-friendly supports able to eliminate organic pollutants from aqueous solutions. The economic advantage is the easy material recovery, and the utilization of floating supports enhances photocatalytic performances due to the large, exposed surface area and efficient aeration [3]. Secondly, we have studied silver-modified strontium titanates for degrading nitrogen oxides. Here, our challenge is to develop efficient materials stable at high temperatures [4] and active in the visible light region, harvesting sunlight or LED lighting in the interior.
We have performed characterizations on morphology, structure, and metal speciation at the photocatalyst surface, elucidating potential and limitations of each material in the respective applications and providing critical insights into photocatalytic performances.
[1] Guerra, F.D. et al., Molecules 2018, 23(7), 1760; [2] Djellabi, R. et al., Chem. Eng. 2021, 1:100696; [3] Galloni, M.G. et al., Catalysts 2022, 12(8), 923; [4] Djellabi, R. et al., Haz. Mat. 2022, 421, 126792
Usable security
No full textThe increased availability of information and services has led to the affirmation of the Internet involvement of a large segment of the population. This implied a paradigm shift for computer security: users becomes less skilled and security aware, requiring easier interface to communicate with "the machine" and more specific and comprehensible security measures.This two aspects, which are by itself complex and challenging, have significant reciprocal influence. In practice, has been proven very intriguing to study and propose effective trade-offs among them. This chapter focus on these aspects, by analyzing the goals and state of the art of usability and security to understand where and how they might be effectively "aligned"
Remarques sur la discussion publiée au sujet de l'étude de la ranquillite dans ce Bulletin
No full textMaria J. de Abeledo, R. de Benyacar Maria, Galloni Ernesto E. Remarques sur la discussion publiée au sujet de l'étude de la ranquillite dans ce Bulletin. In: Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie, volume 85, 3, 1962. p. 317
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
No full textWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Influence of the intake system design on a small spark-ignition engine performance a theoretical analysis
No full textIn a previous paper, the authors assessed the potential of CFD modeling in developing a new intake system for a small spark-ignition engine. The effect of the intake port and valve design on the charge motion within the cylinder was illustrated [1]. In this paper, a detailed analysis of the influence of the intake port geometry on the combustion process, therefore on the performance, of a MPI spark-ignition engine has been carried out. The purpose of such a theoretical analysis is to provide some guidelines, in developing new intake solutions, aimed to improve the combustion quality of a production engine on the market since the early 80's. A 3-D computer code has been used to model the intake, compression and combustion processes of the engine. The model has been validated comparing the computational results to the data, relative to the normal production engine, provided by the manufacturer. Then, the model has been employed to assess the behavior of different intake port geometries, proposed by the authors, to the aim of increasing the turbulence level within the cylinder. The final goal of the proposed modifications is to accelerate the combustion process, without re-designing the combustion chamber, in order to achieve better engine efficiency and emissions. Copyright © 2003 SAE International
"Closing the R&D Gap, Evaluating the Sources of R&D Spending"
No full textBoth spending and tax policies have been implemented in the United States with the goal of stimulating private sector research and development (R&D). Karier questions whether current R&D policy, especially the research and experimentation tax credit, can contribute to closing the gap between nondefense expenditures on R&D in the United States and such expenditures in other countries, such as Japan and Germany. He also explores possible changes to our current R&D policy to make it more effective.
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