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Gdańsk University of Technology

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Publications from the year 2021

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  • Characterization and Filtration Efficiency of Sustainable PLA Fibers Obtained via a Hybrid 3D-Printed/Electrospinning Technique
    • Mattia Pierpaoli
    • Chiara Giosuè
    • Natalia Czerwińska
    • Michał Rycewicz
    • Aleksandra Wieloszyńska
    • Robert Bogdanowicz
    • Maria Letizia Ruello
    2021 Full text Materials

    The enormous world demand for personal protective equipment to face the current SARS-CoV-2 epidemic has revealed two main weaknesses. On one hand, centralized production led to an initial shortage of respirators; on the other hand, the world demand for single-use equipment has had a direct and inevitable effect on the environment. Polylactide (PLA) is a biodegradable, biocompatible, and renewable thermoplastic polyester, mainly derived from corn starch. Electrospinning is an established and reproducible method to obtain nano- and microfibrous materials with a simple apparatus, characterized by high air filtration efficiencies. In the present work, we designed and optimized an open-source electrospinning setup, easily realizable with a 3D printer and using components widely available, for the delocalized production of an efficient and sustainable particulate matter filter. Filters were realized on 3D-printed PLA support, on which PLA fibers were subsequently electrospun. NaCl aerosol filtration tests exhibited an efficiency greater than 95% for aerosol having an equivalent diameter greater than 0.3 μm and a fiber diameter comparable to the commercially available FFP2 melt-blown face mask. The particulate entrapped by the filters when operating in real environments (indoors, outdoors, and working scenario) was also investigated, as well as the amount of heavy metals potentially released into the environment after filtration activity

  • Characterization of Arctic Driftwood as Naturally Modified Material. Part 1: Machinability
    • Daniel Chuchała
    • Anna Sandak
    • Kazimierz Orłowski
    • Jakub Sandak
    • Olafur Eggertsson
    • Michał Landowski
    2021 Full text Coatings

    Arctic driftwood has reached the coast of Iceland for centuries. This material was used by the inhabitants of the island as a building material for houses, boats, churches and pasture fences. Nowadays, the driftwood is used in the furniture industry, for the finishing of internal and external walls of buildings and also by artists. The properties of driftwood differ to that of original resource due the long-term effects of exposure to Arctic Sea water and ice. This process can be considered as a natural modification, even if its effect on various wood properties and the potential use of driftwood are not yet fully understand. This research is focused on the comparison of cutting forces measured for Siberian larch (Larix sibirica L.) from Siberia provenance and driftwood found on the coast of Iceland. The cutting forces were determined directly from the cutting power signal that was recorded during the frame sawing process. A new procedure for compensation of the late/early wood ratio variation within annual rings is proposed to homogenize mechanical properties of wood. It allows a direct comparison of machinability for both types of larch wood investigated (driftwood and natural). Noticeable differences of normalized cutting force values were noticed for both wood types, which were statistically significant for two set values of feed per tooth. These results provide a new understanding of the effect of the drifting process in the Arctic Sea (natural modification) on mechanical and physical properties of wood. Such a natural modification may influence transformation processes of driftwood as well as performance of the coating systems applied on its surface.

  • Characterization of d-xylose reductase, XyrB, from Aspergillus niger
    • Agata Terebieniec
    • Tania Chroumpi
    • Adiphol Dilokpimol
    • Maria Victoria Aguilar-Pontes
    • Miia R. Mäkelä
    • Ronald de Vries
    2021 Full text Biotechnology Reports

    D-xylose reductase is a member of the aldo-keto reductase family, and is involved in D-xylose and L-arabinose conversion through the Pentose Catabolic Pathway (PCP) in fungi. In this study, we biochemically characterized a newly identified second D-xylose reductase (XyrB) from Aspergillus niger. This NADPH-dependent reductase is able to efficiently convert D-xylose and L-arabinose, and it has the highest affinity for these sugars of all currently known fungal pentose reductases. A combination of biochemical data, transcriptomics and phylogenetic analysis further illustrated the role of XyrB in the PCP.

  • Characterization of fracture process in polyolefin fibre-reinforced concrete using ultrasonic waves and digital image correlation
    • Magdalena Rucka
    • Erwin Wojtczak
    • Magdalena Knak
    • Marzena Kurpińska
    2021 Full text CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS

    This study explores the monitoring of the fracture process in concrete beams and aims to characterize the evolution of damage in polyolefin fibre-reinforced concrete beams by utilizing the integrated application of two measurement techniques, digital image correlation and ultrasonic testing. The interpretation of registered wave time histories data was provided by the calculation of the magnitude-phase-composite metrics. An efficient procedure for the determination of strain field and the identification of crack height was subsequently developed. The results of the study show that the energy and phase shifts of ultrasonic waves can be used as autonomous damage indicators in a system for the real-time monitoring of a fracture process.

  • Characterization of herbal teas containing lime flowers – Tiliae flos by HPTLC method with chemometric analysis
    • Natalia Melnyk
    • Karolina A. Pawłowska
    • Maria Ziaja
    • Wojciech Wojnowski
    • Oleh Koshovyi
    • Sebastian Granica
    • Agnieszka Bazylko
    2021 FOOD CHEMISTRY

    Linden trees are a source of food products called lime flowers (Tiliae flos), traditionally used in the form of infusion for the treatment of feverish colds and coughs. Lime flowers should include flowers of Tilia cordata Mill, T.x europaea L., and T. platyphyllos Scop. or a mixture of these. The aim of current research was to establish a fast, sensitive HPTLC (high-performance thin-layer chromatography) method that would allow the differentiation of material obtained from five species of lime occurring in Europe. The fingerprints for distinguishing these species were established, as well as a key for identification based on a visual evaluation of chromatograms. The results obtained were also subjected to chemometric analyses. It was shown that each species contains characteristic compounds i.e. linarin that can be used for their identification. The method developed can, in theory, be introduced for the quality control or authentication of linden flowers on the European market.

  • Characterization of Highly Filled Glass Fiber/Carbon Fiber Polyurethane Composites with the Addition of Bio-Polyol Obtained through Biomass Liquefaction
    • Adam Olszewski
    • Paweł Nowak
    • Paulina Kosmela
    • Łukasz Piszczyk
    2021 Full text Materials

    This work aims to investigate the process of obtaining highly filled glass and carbon fiber composites. Composites were manufactured using previously obtained cellulose derived polyol, polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI). As a catalyst, dibutyltin dilaurate 95% and Dabco® 33-LV were used. It was found that the addition of carbon and glass fibers into the polymer matrix causes an increase in the mechanical properties such as impact and flexural strength, Young’s modulus, and hardness of the material. Moreover, the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed a significant increase in the material’s storage modulus and rigidity in a wide range of temperatures. The increase in glass transition of soft segments can be noticed due to the limitation of macromolecules mobility in the material. The thermogravimetric analysis showed a four step decomposition, with maximal degradation rate at TmaxII = 320–330 °C and TmaxIII = 395–405 °C, as well as a significant improvement of thermal stability. Analysis of the material structure using a scanning electron microscope showed the presence of material defects such as voids, fiber pull-outs, and agglomerates of both fibers.

  • Characterization of PVDF/Graphene Nanocomposite Membranes for Water Desalination with Enhanced Antifungal Activity
    • Emilia Gontarek-Castro
    • Maria Rybarczyk
    • Roberto Castro-Muñoz
    • Monica Morales-Jiménez
    • Blanca Barragán-Huerta
    • Marek Lieder
    2021 Full text Water

    Seawater desalination is a worldwide concern for the sustainable production of drinking water. In this regard, membrane distillation (MD) has shown the potential for effective brine treatment. However, the lack of appropriate MD membranes limits its industrial expansion since they experience fouling and wetting issues. Therefore, hydrophobic membranes are promising candidates to successfully deal with such phenomena that are typical for commercially available membranes. Here, several graphene/polyvinylidene (PVDF_G) membranes with different graphene loading (0–10 wt%) were prepared through a phase inversion method. After full characterization of the resulting membranes, the surface revealed that the well-dispersed graphene in the polymer matrix (0.33 and 0.5 wt% graphene loading) led to excellent water repellence together with a rough structure, and a large effective surface area. Importantly, antifungal activity tests of films indicated an increase in the inhibition percentage for PVDF_G membranes against the Curvularia sp. fungal strain. However, the antifungal surface properties were found to be the synergistic result of graphene toxicity and surface topography.

  • Charakterystyka genetyczna szczepów Klebsiella pneumoniae izolowanych od pacjentów po przeszczepieniu nerki oraz badanie wpływu leków immunosupresyjnych na ekspresję genów bakteryjnych
    • Magdalena Wysocka
    2021 Full text

    Bakterie z gatunku Klebsiella pneumoniae należą do oportunistycznych patogenów odpowiedzialnych za zakażenia szpitalne. Drobnoustroje te wykazują skłonność do oporności wielolekowej i wysokiej wirulencji, co stanowi poważne zagrożenie dla pacjentów nieimmunokompetentnych. Wśród pacjentów po transplantacji nerki zakażenia układu moczowego (ZUM) stanowią najczęstszą przyczynę powikłań infekcyjnych. Mechanizmy molekularne leżące u podstaw patogenezy K. pneumoniae nie są w pełni poznane. Celem pracy doktorskiej była charakterystyka genetyczna szczepów K. pneumoniae wyizolowanych od biorców nerki z ZUM lub bezobjawową bakteriurią. Zbadano wpływ leków immunosupresyjnych (tacrolimusu, cyklosporyny) na wzrost bakterii i ekspresję genów bakteryjnych istotnych w kolonizacji dróg moczowych w tej grupie chorych. Określono profile wirulencji i antybiotykooporności. Zidentyfikowano nietypowy dla ZUM fenotyp hipermukoidalny, oporność na antybiotyki β-laktamowe o rozszerzonym spektrum działania (ESBL) oraz w przypadku niektórych szczepów produkcję metalo-β-laktamazy (typ NDM-1), nadającą oporność na karbapenemy. Poprzez sekwencjonowanie (WGS) wybranych genomów wykazano obecność ruchomych elementów genetycznych istotnych w horyzontalnym transferze genów i nadających nowe cechy bakterii. Drugim z aspektów naukowych pracy było zbadanie wpływu wybranych leków immunosupresyjnych na ekspresję fimbrii typu 1. Wykazano, że rodzaj zastosowanej terapii immunosupresyjnej może mieć wpływ na rozwój infekcji dróg moczowych.

  • Charakterystyka materiałowo-technologiczna oraz proces degradacji posadzek betonowych typu lastrico
    • Sylwia Świątek-Żołyńska
    • Maciej Niedostatkiewicz
    • Władysław Ryżyński
    2021 Full text Izolacje

    W artykule przedstawiono wybrane zagadnienia materiałowe i technologiczne dotyczące posadzek typu lastrico. Opisany został proces degradacji warstwy wierzchniej posadzki lastrico. Szczególną uwagę zwrócono na wpływ specyfiki tego rodzaju posadzki na sposób oceny ich stanu technicznego.

  • Chemical hazard in glacial melt? The glacial system as a secondary source of POPs (in the Northern Hemisphere). A systematic review
    • Filip Pawlak
    • Krystyna Kozioł
    • Żaneta Polkowska
    2021 Full text SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT

    Toxicity of compounds belonging to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) iswidely known, and their re-emission from glaciers has been conclusively demonstrated. However, the harmful effects associated with such secondary emissions have yet to be thoroughly understood, especially in the spatial and temporal context, as the existing literature has a clear sampling biaswith the best recognition of sites in the European Alps. In this review, we elaborated on the hazards associated with the rapid melting of glaciers releasing organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To this end,we collated knowledge on: (1) the varying glacier melt rate across the Northern Hemisphere, (2) the content of POPs in the glacial system components, including the less represented areas, (3) the mechanisms of POPs transfer through the glacial system, including the importance of immediate emission fromsnowmelt, (4) risk assessment associatedwith POPs re-emission. Based on the limited existing information, the health risk of drinking glacial water can be considered negligible, but consuming aquatic organisms from these waters may increase the risk of cancer. Remoteness from emission sources is a leading factor in the presence of such risk, yet the Arctic is likely to be more exposed to it in the future due to large-scale processes shifting atmospheric pollution and the continuous supply of snow. For future risk monitoring,we recommend to explore the synergistic toxic effects of multiple contaminants and fill the gaps in the spatial distribution of data.

  • Chemical, Physical, and Mechanical Properties of 95-Year-Old Concrete Built-In Arch Bridge
    • Andrzej Ambroziak
    • Elżbieta Haustein
    • Maciej Niedostatkiewicz
    2021 Full text Materials

    This research aimed to determine the durability and strength of an old concrete built-in arch bridge based on selected mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of the concrete. The bridge was erected in 1925 and is located in Jagodnik (northern Poland). Cylindrical specimens were taken from the side ribs connected to the top plate using a concrete core borehole diamond drill machine. The properties of the old concrete were compared with the present and previous standard requirements and guidelines. The laboratory testing program consisted of the following set of tests: measurements of the depth of carbonated zone and dry density, water absorption tests, determination of concrete compressive strength and frost resistance, determination of modulus of elasticity, measurement of the pH value, determination of water-soluble chloride salt and sulfate ion content, and X-ray diffraction analyses. Large variations in the cylindrical compressive strength (14.9 to 22.0 MPa), modulus of elasticity (17,900 to 26,483 MPa), density (2064 to 2231 kg/m3), and water absorption (3.88 to 6.58%) were observed. In addition to the experiments, a brief literature survey relating to old concrete properties was also conducted. This paper can provide scientists, engineers, and designers an experimental basis in the field of old concrete built-in bridge construction.

  • Chemical surface etching methods for ground tire rubber as sustainable approach for environmentally-friendly composites development– a review
    • Mapoloko Mpho Phiri
    • Mohau Justice Phiri
    • Krzysztof Formela
    • Shanganyane Percy Hlangothi
    2021 Full text COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING

    Ground tire rubber (GTR) has been used as a sustainable low-cost modifier in various composites. However, due to the hydrophobic nature of GTR, it is in compatible with most matrices and results in deterioration in both mechanical and physical properties of composites. This necessitates pre-modification of the powdered rubber to improve the interfacial bonding at the rubber-matric interface. The most common GTR modification research relies on surface etching via use of various techniques. The current review aims to give a detailed overview of the surface etching chemical modification methods for GTR for incorporation into various matrices such as concrete, bitumen and polymers. The review will serve as a guide for engineers, chemists and manufactures with interest of including GTR in any type of composite for achieving compatibility with the main matrix. The surface chemical etching treatment methods such as acid etching, hydroxylation, oxidation, and radiation methods are discussed in this work. The characterization methods to confirm the functional groups on the modified GTR and the effect of the treatment on the resultant GTR composites are also highlighted. Finally, this review highlights the advantages and limitations of the chemical surface etching processes for GTR.

  • Chemical Vapor Transport Route toward Black Phosphorus Nanobelts and Nanoribbons
    • Łukasz Macewicz
    • Krzysztof Pyrchla
    • Robert Bogdanowicz
    • Gamini Sumanasekera
    • Jacek B. Jasinski
    2021 Full text Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters

    Chemical vapor transport (CVT) method is widely used for bulk black phosphorus (BP) fabrication. In this work, we demonstrate that CVT provides a route for the fabrication of BP nanoribbons and nanobelts. This method consists of a two-step procedure, including initial BP column growth using the CVT technique, followed by ultrasonic treatment and centrifugation. The obtained nanostructures preserve BP column dimensions, forming ultralong ribbon-like structures with the length to the width aspect ratio of up to 500. Computational modeling of the growth mechanism of a BP flake is also presented in support of the observed columnar growth. Calculation of the average energy of the molecule in the asymmetric flakes shows that the growth of the structure in the zigzag direction is more energetically favorable than in the armchair direction.

  • Chemometrics approaches to green analytical chemistry procedure development
    • Kaja Kalinowska
    • Marta Bystrzanowska
    • Marek Tobiszewski
    2021 Full text Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry

    Chemometric tools are widely used in analytical chemistry for the reduction of data dimensionality, grouping of variables and processing of analytical signals. They have also the potential to be applied in analytical procedure development with the aim of minimizing the procedure’s environmental impact. The design of experiment gives the possibility to obtain much better information on the system response than in case of “changing one variable at a time” approach. This results in savings of materials and energy. Desirability functions applied together with the design of experiment, create a possibility to include in procedure development the variables that directly refer to the procedure’s greenness. In this way analysis time, consumption of solvents or reagents and, mobile phase (in the case of liquid chromatography) can be minimized. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis are successfully applied to find greener solvent alternatives.

  • Chip suction system in circular sawing machine: empirical research and computational fluid dynamics numerical simulations
    • Jacek Barański
    • Przemysław Dudek
    2021 Full text ACTA FACULTATIS XYLOLOGIAE ZVOLEN

    The experimental analysis of the wood chip removing system during its redesigning in the existing sliding table circular saw and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) numerical simulations of the air flow process is presented in the paper. The attention was focused on the extraction hood and the bottom shelter of the actual existing system. The main aim was to perform experimental research on the pressure distribution inside the hood and at the exit of the bottom shelter and the air flow distribution during operation of wood chip removal system. In the work a systematic experimental study of pressure and numerical modelling of the air flow distribution in the upper cover and bottom shelter during operation for the selected rotational speed of saw blade of 3 500 and 6 000 min-1 with a diameter of  300 mm and  450 mm were carried out. The analyses of results obtained from the experimental measurements and numerical simulations allowed the estimation of the areas with improper air flow hindering the controlled transport of wood chips and to optimize the shape of extraction hood and the bottom shelter. As the result, a new design of the chip suction system was obtained, noticeably improving the chips extraction from the tool operation space.

  • Chiral Pyrazolo[4,3-e][1,2,4]triazine Sulfonamides—Their Biological Activity, Lipophilicity, Protein Affinity, and Metabolic Transformations
    • Zofia Bernat
    • Anna Mieszkowska
    • Zofia Mazerska
    • Joanna Matysiak
    • Zbigniew Karczmarzyk
    • Katarzyna Kotwica-Mojzych
    • Mariusz Mojzych
    2021 Full text Applied Sciences-Basel

    Referring to our previous laboratory results related to the tyrosinase and urease inhibition by pyrazolo[4,3-e][1,2,4]triazine sulfonamides, we examined here in silico the mechanism of action at the molecular level of the investigated pyrazolotriazine sulfonamides by the molecular docking method. The studied compounds being evaluated for their cytotoxic effect against cancer cell lines (MCF-7, K-562) and for recombinant Abl and CDK2/E kinase inhibitory potency turned out to be inactive in these tests. The pyrazolotriazines were also investigated with respect to their lipophilicity and plasma protein binding using HPLC chromatography in isocratic conditions. The observed small affinity for plasma proteins could be advantageous in the potential in vivo studies. Moreover, the compounds were sensitive to metabolic transformations with phase I enzymes, which led to the hydroxylation and dealkylation products, whereas phase II transformations did not occur.

  • Chracteristics of anaerobic ammonium oxidation initated by anaerobic granular sludge
    • Mao Hong-yu
    • Xie Li
    • Lu Xi
    • Yin Zi
    • Jakub Drewnowski
    2021 Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering

    Two different mixed sludge, anaerobic granular sludge(Ｒ1) and anaerobic granular sludge with mature anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX) sludge (Ｒ2 )were used as the inocula in two up-flow reactors to enrich anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB)，respectively．The total nitrogen removal rate of Ｒ1 reached 74% in 99 days, while Ｒ2 remained above 70% in only 48 days．The content of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) in the sludge was found to increase with the increase of the influent nitrogen loading，which might attribute to the sludge granulation．It was interesting to notice that the dominant AnAOB genera in two systems were different，i．e．Candidatus Kuenenia (7.92%) inＲ1，and Candidatus Brocadia (15.64%) inＲ2．Candidatus Kuenenia also existed in Ｒ2，accounting for 3.02%．Ｒ1 maintained considerable denitrification efficiency in the case of lower anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria abundance and might have more potential for long-term culture．

  • Chromium‑based metal organic framework for pipette tip micro‑solid phase extraction: an effective approach for determination of methyl and propyl parabens in wastewater and shampoo samples
    • Massoud Kaykhaii
    • Sayyed Hossein Hashemi
    • Fariba Andarz
    • Amin Piri
    • Ghasem Sargazi
    2021 Full text BMC Chemistry

    Abstract Background A chromium-based metal organic framework was synthesized and employed as an efficient sorbent for pipette tip micro-solid phase extraction and preconcentration of parabens from wastewater and shampoo samples up to sub-ppb level before their spectrophotometric analysis. Results Factors affecting preconcentration including volume and type of solvent, amount of sorbent, number of extraction, and volume and pH of samples were optimized employing one-variable-at-a-time and response surface methodology. Obtained analytical characteristics of the method proves its usefulness for analysis of real samples. Linear range of the method for parabens was 1.0–200.0 μg/L. Detection limit of the protocol was 0.24 µg/L for propyl paraben and 0.25 µg/L for methyl paraben. Reproducibility of the protocol defined as % RSD was better than 5.78%. Synthesized adsorbent can be re-used for at least 20 extractions. Conclusion The method showed a good detection limit and precision for determination of methyl- and propyl-paraben in wastewater and shampoo samples.

  • Cień malarza
    • Krzysztof Wróblewski
    2021

    Obraz prezentowany na wystawie "Zbyszkowi" zorganizowanej w rocznicę śmierci artysty Zbigniewa Kosowskiego. Artyści biorący udział w wystawie: ZBIGNIEW KOSOWSKI; Jarosław Bartołowicz; Jan Buczkowski; Jarosław Ćwiek; Łukasz Głowacki; Laura Gutowska; Krzysztof Hejke; Piotr Kmieć; Mariusz Kozik; Waldemar Mazurek; Jolanta Męderowicz; Andrzej Oboz; Małgorzata Oboz; Anna Panek; Marek Rogulski; Rafał Roskowiński; Adam Skóra; Zbigniew Strzyżyński; Urszula Ślusarczyk; Henryk Widelski; Krzysztof Wróbelewski.

  • City scan as a tool to assess resilience challenges and vulnerabilities at the community level
    • Dominika Wróblewska
    • Rick Heikoop
    • Tanja Hess
    • Floris Boogaard
    • Joep Jansen
    2021

    The majority of the world’s population lives in cities and cities are the key to achieving resilience. Local governments own only part of the land and can only partially decide about measures that should be taken ‘on the ground’. Local governments are therefore highly dependent on individuals, communities, and businesses to adapt and transform and take action in their own backyards or neighbourhoods. Since, for many people, climate change is an abstract concept, it is often dependent on a rational understanding of statistical risk as provided by experts. Involving individuals, communities, and businesses in the process is a huge challenge. The City Resiliency Framework was developed by the 100 Resilient Cities initiative. The framework identified seven characteristics that various city systems need. Two characteristics, reflectiveness and inclusiveness, specifically relate to the importance of community involvement. Reflectiveness is the ability to learn from the past and act in times of crisis. Inclusiveness relates to the processes of good governance and effective leadership that ensure investments and actions are appropriate, address the needs of the most vulnerable, and collectively create a resilient city. This article explores the use of urban sketching and storytelling as methods for capturing the voices and experiences of the community. Narratives arguing for action have often disengaged their audiences from the problem, allowing them to believe that climate change is someone else’s problem, that it is not important for them, or that they are not in a position to make a difference. In urban sketching, vulnerabilities and possible solutions are sketched and shared with the communities as a means to start the resilience discussion. The storytelling method captures stories and past experiences from community members during chronic stress and acute shocks and can help policy makers to better understand the resilience challenges faced by specific communities.