Publications Repository - Gdańsk University of Technology

Page settings

polski
Publications Repository
Gdańsk University of Technology

Show publications from the year

Recent items

  • Dual-Polarized Wideband Bandpass Metasurface-Based Filter
    • Adnan Noor
    • Sławomir Kozieł
    2024 IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters

    This paper presents a novel metasurface-based bandpass filter. The structure is realized by simply patterning a double-sided AD250 substrate, and does not require any vias or insertion of lumped elements. The top layer is an annular- aperture-array with multiple inner conductors, whereas the bottom layer is a first-order Hilbert-curve array. FEM-based simulation results of the filter are obtained using HFSS. The experimental validation is carried out using a VNA, with the experimental setup placed inside an anechoic chamber. The presence of multiple length scales and fractal nature of the bottom Hilbert-curve layer results in a wide operational bandwidth, and good angular stability. The structure exhibits an operating bandwidth from 5.32 to 8.25 GHz. A good agreement between experimental and numerical results is observed. The filter also features good angular stability for both TE (s-polarized) and TM (p-polarized) polarizations. The thickness of the structure is only 0.796 mm (i.e. just 0.018 at the center frequency of the filter), which makes it very compact.

  • Dynamic Execution of Engineering Processes in Cyber-Physical Systems of Systems Toolchains
    • Federico Montori
    • Marek Sylwester Tatara
    • Pal Varga
    2024 Full text IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering

    Engineering tools support the process of creating, operating, maintaining, and evolving systems throughout their lifecycle. Toolchains are sequences of tools that build on each others' output during this procedure. The complete chain of tools itself may not even be recognized by the humans who utilize them, people may just recognize the right tool being used at the right place in time. Modern engineering processes, however, do not value such ad-hoc choice of tooling, because of their uncontrolled nature. Building upon the Extended Automation Engineering Model defined by the IEC 81346 standard, this paper proposes to automate the toolchain building and execution process for Cyber-Physical System of Systems (CPSoS), utilizing key principles of the Eclipse Arrowhead framework. The proposed toolchain automation solution addresses issues such as tool interoperability, interaction, automation, and dynamic choreography. The feasibility of this set of integrated concepts is validated through an Arrowhead-based toolchain choreography demonstration.

  • Dynamic impedance measurements of the Direct Methanol Fuel Cell cathode at various operating temperatures
    • Łukasz Gaweł
    • Dominika Parasińska
    2024 Full text INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY

    This article discusses the application of impedance analysis for diagnosing the cathode of a direct methanol fuel cell at various operating temperatures. The Dynamic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy technique coupled with a linear current scan was applied for this purpose. This technique allowed the observation of changes in the cathode's properties in the fuel cell operating under real working conditions. An equivalent model based on the thin-film flooded agglomerate model describing the cathode's behavior was presented, and changes in its parameters were compared with current load and different temperatures. Polarization resistance of the active site and carbon support was obtained. Changes in the slope of the resistance curves with increasing load have been observed, which can suggest the change in the electrode process. Differences in slopes depending on temperature were also recorded.

  • Eco-friendly modification of bitumen: The effects of rubber wastes and castor oil on the microstructure, processability and properties
    • Maciej Sienkiewicz
    • Przemysław Gnatowski
    • Mateusz Malus
    • Anna Grzegórska
    • Hossein Ipakchi
    • Maryam Jouyandeh
    • Justyna Kucińska-Lipka
    • Francisco Javier Navarro
    • Mohammad Saeb
    2024 Full text JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION

    The bitumen industry in the European Union is facing several difficulties, including rising demand, unstable oil supply, rising prices for synthetic polymer modifiers, and a focus on lowering carbon footprint. Bitumen modification with crumb rubber (CR) is one of the most promising solution to these challenges. However, CR-modified bitumen have poor processability and low storage stability. To overcome these flaws we are introducing a sustainable approach for ecological modification of bitumen taking advantage of renewable resources. For this reason, unmodified castor oil was selected as a green modifier of reclaimed rubber dust. The ecologically modified bitumen underwent visco-elastic behavior analysis based on rheological tests varying the temperature. The modification with rubber-oil improved the longevity of typical pavement, featured by an exceptional deformation resistance at elevated temperatures (well above 70°C, the maximum pavement temperature reported in the region). The Cole-Cole graphs and black space diagrams unraveled the enhanced elasticity of bitumen. Technically, in comparison to plain bitumen, the compatibility ratio of modified bitumen to aggregates showed an uplift by 258%. The environmentally friendly bitumen modified ecologically herein revealed potential for performance window enlargement. Nevertheless, future investigations should focus on optimization of the bitumen formulation, along with examination of other sustainable moieties for the sake of commercialization of the developed binders in pavement construction.

  • Edible black ant Smith (Carebara vidua) as human food – A systematic review
    • Shahida Anusha Siddiqui
    • L.-H. Ho
    • S.c. Adimulam
    • A. Nagdalian
    • B. Yudhistira
    • Roberto Castro Munoz
    • S.a. Ibrahim
    2024 Full text Journal of Insects as Food and Feed

    Meeting food security is one of the major global challenges to ensure sufficient supply of food for current and future generations, considering increasing population growth and climate change issues. Consequently, the consumption of edible insects as an alternative food source has recently gained global attention for combating global food insecurity. The present review aims to provide information on the recent progress in consumption of edible black ant Smith, particularly Carebara vidua, as the main focus. The global consumption record of edible black ant Smith and consumer acceptance as well as the strategies used to increase consumer acceptance of eating edible black ant smith were proposed. In addition, the bioecology of black ant Smith was covered in this review. Further, details are provided in this review on the benefits to health, economy, and environment of practicing eating edible insects such as black ant Smith. Focus on the potential uses of Carebara vidua as a food ingredient in culinary cuisine and their safety concerns from rearing until processing were highlighted. The SCOPUS database was analysed using bibliometric software to understand the connections between recent scientific outputs and ant as human food thoroughly. BioRender software was used to create scientific figures. It is noteworthy to highlight that black ant smith contains high protein and micronutrient, especially iron and zinc are higher than that of plant-, animal-based food, and seafood that contribute significantly to meeting the daily protein and mineral intake amount for human. Moreover, the exhibition of antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of edible black ant smith suggests that it can be used as a future functional ingredients for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics purposes. Hence, edible black ant smith is promising as an alternative and potential source of food or medicine for sustainable food security.

  • Edible dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata) as human food – A comprehensive review
    • Shahida Anusha Siddiqui
    • K. Asante
    • N. Ngah
    • Y.r. Saraswati
    • Y.s. Wu
    • M. Lahan
    • O.f. Aidoo
    • I. Fernando
    • S.n. Povetkin
    • Roberto Castro Munoz
    2024 Full text Journal of Insects as Food and Feed

    The rapid growth of the human population leads to a big concern about the food y and demand worldwide. However, due to the reduction in global arable land area, humans need to find alternative food sources to fulfil their needs. Consequently, edible insects have been identified as a promising solution to ameliorate food security and increase global nutrition. Among more than 2,100 identified edible insect species, dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata) are considered as one of nutritious food resources. Nevertheless, detailed information on the frequency and distribution of consumption of odonatans around the world is scattered and poorly documented. Based on this review, at least 61 out of 1,964 species of odonatans were reported consumed by people worldwide. The most consumed dragonflies (suborder Epiprocta; infraorder Anisoptera) are from the family of Libellulidae, followed by Aeshnidae and Gomphidae, whereas the most consumed edible damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) are from the Coenagrionidae family. Many nutrients, including proteins, lipids, energy, fibre, vitamins, and minerals are abundant in edible odonatans. Moreover, studies reported that humans employed these insects as therapeutic agents to remedy various ailments. Challenges associated with the consumption of edible odonatans include safety concerns, legal frameworks, and limited information on their bioecology which become barrier for their successful mass-rearing. However, because entomophagy is gradually gaining recognition, new and more improved methods of rearing are now being developed including for edible odonatans, encouraging sustainable insect farming. As the world strives to achieve the sustainable development goals, insect farming will pave a way for resources to be utilised for sustainable economic development.

  • Edible Lepidoptera as human foods – a comprehensive review
    • Shahida Anusha Siddiqui
    • N. Ngah
    • A.m. Eddy-Doh
    • I. Ucak
    • M. Afreen
    • I. Fernando
    • S. Singh
    • M.a. Shah
    • S.n. Povetkin
    • Roberto Castro Munoz
    2024 Full text Journal of Insects as Food and Feed

    As the global population continues to grow, traditional protein sources like meat and fish are becoming increasingly unsustainable due to their environmental impact. Edible insects, on the other hand, are highly nutritious, require minimal resources to produce, and emit significantly fewer greenhouse gases than traditional livestock. Lepidoptera, one of the most diverse insect orders, contains some popular edible species that have been consumed traditionally for centuries across the globe. Based on this review, about 24 families with a total of about 350 edible lepidopteran species were recorded. They are often praised for their excellent nutritional value, such as having high protein and healthy fat content. Edible lepidopterans also contain minerals, essential amino acids, and vitamins, making them a nutritious addition to a balanced diet. They also contain bioactive compounds which have various nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties. Furthermore, some edible lepidopterans can be farmed and require minimal space and resources. However, there are significant challenges associated with their use as food. One of the primary challenges is the lack of regulations governing their production and distribution, which creates uncertainty for consumers and businesses alike. Consumer acceptance is also a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of insects as food. To overcome these challenges, there is a need for clear regulations that ensure the safety and quality of insect-based products. Furthermore, it is important to raise awareness about the nutritional and environmental benefits of edible insects as sustainable food for the future to promote their acceptance among consumers.

  • Edu Inspiracje WZiE: Czy mikrokwalifikacje i cyfrowe odznaki zmienią oblicze edukacji?
    • Karol Flisikowski
    • Alina Guzik
    2024 Pismo PG

    Mikrokwalifikacje nazywane również mikropoświadczeniami (micro- -credentials), mówiąc prostymi słowami, są cyfrowymi certyfikatami potwierdzającymi uzyskanie umiejętności, wiedzy lub kompetencji. To dowody ukończenia mniejszych (niż określają np. dyplomy uniwersyteckie) form edukacyjnych takich jak kursy e-learningowe, warsztaty lub szkolenia. Pozwalają też szybko pokazać to, co umiemy, i przedstawić w postaci atrakcyjnego cyfrowego portfolio.

  • Effect of applied standard wood machining fluid on colour and chemical composition of the machined wood surface
    • Daniel Chuchała
    • Agata Sommer
    • Kazimierz Orłowski
    • Hanna Staroszczyk
    • Szymon Mania
    • Jakub Sandak
    2024 Full text European Journal of Wood and Wood Products (HOLZ ALS ROH-UND WERKSTOFF)

    Appropriate monitoring of wood machining processes is a key issue to ensure the expected quality of the processed wood, expected efficiency and minimize energy consumption of production processes. A new trend is the design of environmentally friendly machining fluids. In this paper, as a preliminary study in this field, the effect of applied standard wood machining fluid on changes in the colour and chemical composition of the machined wood surface is presented. Scots pine wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) was used for this research. Colour measurements were carried out based on the three-axis CIELab system test in time intervals and coefficients such as: colour chroma (Cab*), colour saturation (Sab*), colour hue (h°), and total colour changes (ΔE*). Changes in chemical composition were analysed on the Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR). The results confirmed that standard machining fluids cause a significant change in the colour of the treated pine surface, which decreases over time but is still present even after 24 h. For the spectral analysis, no chemical changes were observed between the machining fluid and the wood. However, the fluid particles remained in the wood after 24 h. In order to reduce the effect of the machining fluid on the colour of the wood, its composition should be changed to allow and/or accelerate the evaporation of their components from the treated wood surface.

  • Effect of bio-polyol molecular weight on the structure and properties of polyurethane-polyisocyanurate (PUR-PIR) foams
    • Adam Olszewski
    • Paulina Kosmela
    • Laima Vevere
    • Mikelis Kirpluks
    • Ugis Cabulis
    • Łukasz Piszczyk
    2024 Full text Scientific Reports

    The increasing interest in polyurethane materials has raised the question of the environmental impact of these materials. For this reason, the scientists aim to find an extremely difficult balance between new material technologies and sustainable development. This work attempts to validate the possibility of replacing petrochemical polyols with previously synthesized bio-polyols and their impact on the structure and properties of rigid polyurethane-polyisocyanurate (PUR-PIR). To date, biobased polyols were frequently used in the manufacturing of PU, but application of bio-polyols synthesized via solvothermal liquefaction using different chains of polyethylene glycol has not been comprehensively discussed. In this work, ten sets of rigid polyurethane foams were synthesized. The influence of bio-polyols addition on foam properties was investigated by mechanical testing, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and cone calorimetry. The structure was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a gas pycnometer. The tests revealed a significant extension of foam growth time, which can be explained by possible steric hindrances and the presence of less reactive secondary hydroxyl groups. Moreover, an increase average size of pores and aspect ratio was noticed. This can be interpreted by the modification of the cell growth process by the introduction of a less reactive bio-polyol with different viscosity. The analysis of foams mechanical properties showed that the normalized compressive strength increased up to 40% due to incorporation of more cross-linked structures. The thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the addition of bio-based polyols increased temperature of 2% (T2%) and 5% (T5%) mass degradation. On the other hand, evaluation of flammability of manufactured foams showed increase of total heat release (HRR) and smoke release (TSR) what may be caused by reduction of char layer stability. These findings add substantially to our understanding of the incorporation of bio-polyols into industrial polyurethane systems and suggest the necessity of conducting further research on these materials.

  • Effect of composition on the thermal properties and structure of M-Al-Si-O-N glasses, M = Na, Mg, Ca
    • Sharafat Ali
    • Natalia Wójcik
    • Abbas Saeed Hakeem
    • Yann Gueguen
    • Stefan Karlsson
    2024 PROGRESS IN SOLID STATE CHEMISTRY

    The primary objective of this study is to explore the relationship between the composition, structure, and thermal characteristics of M-Al-Si-O-N glasses, with M representing sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), or calcium (Ca). The glasses were prepared by melting in a quartz crucible at 1650 °C and AlN precursor (powder) was utilized as a nitrogen source. The measured thermal properties studied were glass transition temperature (Tg), crystallization temperature (Tc), glass stability, viscosity, and thermal expansion coefficient (α). The findings indicate that increasing the aluminum content leads to higher glass transition, crystallization temperatures, and viscosities. In contrast, fragility values increase with the Al contents, while modifier elements and silicon content influence thermal expansion coefficient values. FTIR analysis revealed that in all glasses, the dominant IR bands are attributed to the presence of Q2 and Q3 silicate units. The effect of Al is observed as a progressive polymerization of the silicate network resulting from the glass-forming role of Al2O3. In most samples, the Q4 silicate mode was also observed, strongly related to the high Al content. Overall, the study shows that the complexity of composition-property correlations where the structural changes affect the properties of Mg/Ca-based oxynitride glasses has potential implications for their use in various technological fields.

  • Effect of copper and silver modification of NH2-MIL-125(Ti) on the photoreduction of carbon dioxide to formic acid over this framework under visible-light irradiation
    • Mateusz Baluk
    • Aleksandra Pieczyńska
    • Paweł Mazierski
    • Malwina Kroczewska
    • Kostiantyn Nikiforow
    • Alicja Mikolajczyk
    • Joanna Dołżonek
    • Justyna Łuczak
    • Adriana Zaleska-Medynska
    2024 Full text APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL

    Cu and Ag enhance the photocatalytic activities of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) toward CO2 conversion because of their CO2 adsorption capacities and effects on the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) overpotentials of MOFs. However, to date, targeted introduction of metals into MOFs to achieve visible (Vis)- light-active photocatalysts for CO2 photoconversion has not been realized. Herein, a series of aminefunctionalized Ti MOF (NH2-MIL-125(Ti))-based photocatalysts were successfully synthesized using metalation, incorporation, and photodeposition, allowing Cu and Ag incorporation into NH2-MIL-125(Ti) and attainment of ultraviolet- and Vis-light-active photocatalysts. Notably, the most active photocatalyst obtained by post-synthetic metalation of NH2-MIL-125(Ti) by Cu2+ (MOF_met_0.5%Cu) demonstrated excellent performance in photoreducing CO2 to HCOOH: a conversion rate of 30.1 umolg− 1 h− 1 and quantum yield of 1.18% at 380 nm. Photoconversion of CO2 to HCOOH was further confirmed using 13CO2. The novel approach proposed herein is a significant step toward clean energy production and environmental pollutant elimination

  • Effect of ectoine on hydration spheres of peptides–spectroscopic studies
    • Aneta Panuszko
    • Marek Szymczak
    • Julia Dłużewska
    • Julia Godlewska
    • Anna Kuffel
    • Piotr Bruździak
    2024 SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY

    In this paper, we use FTIR spectroscopy to characterize the hydration water of ectoine, its interactions with two peptides–diglycine and NAGMA, and the properties of water molecules in the hydration spheres of both peptides changed by the presence of the osmolyte. We found that the interaction of ectoine with the peptide hydration shells had no effect on its own hydration sphere. However, the enhanced hydration layer of the osmolyte influences the hydration shells of both peptides and does so in a different way for both peptides: (1) the interfacial interaction of the NAGMA peptide and ectoine hydration spheres strengthened the hydration shell of this peptide; (2) the inclusion of water molecules from the ectoine hydration sphere into the diglycine hydration sphere had only a marginally enhancing effect. Since ectoine is being used in more and more biopharmaceutical products and cosmetics, knowledge of the properties of its hydration shell and its effect on the hydration shell of other molecules is extremely relevant to understanding its protective mechanism.

  • Effect of free water on the quasi‑static compression behavior of partially‑saturated concrete with a fully coupled DEM/CFD approach.
    • Marek Krzaczek
    • Andrzej Tejchman-Konarzewski
    • Michał Nitka
    2024 GRANULAR MATTER

    The work aims to numerically investigate the quasi-static response of partially fluid-saturated concrete under two-dimensional uniaxial compression at the mesoscale. We investigated how the impact of free pore fluid content (water and gas) affected the quasi-static strength of concrete. The totally and partially fluid-saturated concrete behavior was simulated using an improved pore-scale hydro-mechanical model based on DEM/CFD. The fluid flow concept was based on a fluid flow network made up of channels in a continuous region between discrete elements. A two-phase laminar fluid flow was postulated in partially saturated porous concrete with very low porosity. Position and volumes of pores/cracks were considered to correctly track the liquid/gas content. In both dry and wet conditions, a series of numerical simulations were performed on bonded granular specimens of a simplified spherical mesostructure that mimicked concrete. The effects of fluid saturation and fluid viscosity on concrete strength and fracture, and fluid pore pressures were investigated. It was found that each of those effects significantly impacted the hydro-mechanical behavior of concrete. Due to the rising fluid pressure in pores during initial specimen compaction under compressive loading that promoted a cracking process, the compressive strength increased as fluid saturation and fluid viscosity decreased.

  • Effect of lag screw on stability of first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis with medial plate
    • Karol Daszkiewicz
    • Magdalena Rucka
    • Krzysztof Czuraj
    • Angela Andrzejewska
    • Piotr Łuczkiewicz
    2024 PeerJ

    Background: First metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP-1) arthrodesis is a commonly performed procedure in the treatment of disorders of the great toe. Since the incidence of revision after MTP-1 joint arthrodesis is not insignificant, a medial approach with a medially positioned locking plate has been proposed as a new technique. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the application of a lag screw on the stability and strength of first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis with medial plate. Methods: The bending tests in a testing machine were performed for models of the first metatarsal bone and the proximal phalanx printed on a 3D printer from polylactide material. The bones were joined using the locking titanium plate and six locking screws. The specimens were divided into three groups of seven each: medial plate and no lag screw, medial plate with a lag screw, dorsal plate with a lag screw. The tests were carried out quasi-static until the samples failure. Results: The addition of the lag screw to the medial plate significantly increased flexural stiffness (41.45 N/mm vs 23.84 N/mm, p = 0.002), which was lower than that of the dorsal plate with a lag screw (81.29 N/mm, p < 0.001). The similar maximum force greater than 700 N (p > 0.50) and the relative bone displacements lower than 0.5 mm for a force of 50 N were obtained for all fixation techniques. Conclusions: The lag screw significantly increased the shear stiffness in particular and reduced relative transverse displacements to the level that should not delay the healing process for the full load of the MTP-1 joint arthrodesis with the medial plate. It is recommended to use the locking screws with a larger cross-sectional area of the head to minimize rotation of the medial plate relative to the metatarsal bone.

  • Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes properties on the photocatalytic activity of bismuth-based composites synthesised via an imidazolium ionic liquid
    • Aleksandra Bielicka-giełdoń
    • Patrycja Wilczewska
    • Monika Paszkiewicz
    • Anna Malankowska
    • Karol Szczodrowski
    • Jacek Ryl
    • Ewa Siedlecka
    2024 Full text APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE

    The use of various types of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in the synthesis of bismuth oxybromide semiconductors via imidazolium ionic liquid was studied in detail. The effect of the MWCNT shape, specific surface area, and various diameters on the morphology, surface properties and photoactivity of the Bi-based composites has been investigated for the first time. So far, the literature has only shown the enhancement of photocatalytic activity of composites containing MWCNT; however, our research shows a broader view of the issue. The photocatalytic activity of the individual composites under UV–Vis irradiation was assessed by the degradation of various micropollutants, showing the diversity of properties of the obtained composites. It is also significant that in the composite system, the imidazolium ionic liquid played a crucial role in the formation of microspheres and acted as a dispersing agent, leading to an even distribution of MWCNTs on the surface of the spherical bismuth oxybromide.

  • Effect of strain level on the stiffness of cold recycled bituminous mixtures
    • Vittoria Grilli
    • Andrea Grilli
    • Andrea Graziani
    • Mariusz Jaczewski
    2024

    Cold recycling is a sustainable technology for the rehabilitation of bitumi-nous pavements. This study investigates the stiffness response of cement-bitumen treated materials (CBTM)manufactured with 80% reclaimed asphalt and treated with 2.0% Portland cement and 4.0% bitumen emulsion. Indirect tensile stiffness modulus tests were carried out to assess the strain dependence of stiffness at target horizontal deformation levels between 2 and 15 micrometers. Ultrasonic pulse velocity was also measured to evaluate stiffness at very low strain level. The tests were carried out at three temperatures (5, 20, 35C) on CBTMspecimens with 14 % of voids. The results showed that the CBTM stiffness decreased with increasing deformation level. Small-strain results can be used to estimate the linear viscoelastic response whereas damage can be observed when the deformation level is increased

  • Effect of the ex situ physical and in situ chemical modification of bacterial nanocellulose on mechanical properties in the context of its potential applications in heart valve design
    • Alicja Stanisławska
    • Marek Szkodo
    • Hanna Staroszczyk
    • Kinga Dawidowska
    • Magdalena Kołaczkowska
    • Piotr Siondalski
    2024 Full text INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES

    Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a promising material for heart valve prostheses. However, its low strength properties limit its applicability in cardiovascular surgery. To overcome these limitations, the mechanical properties of BNC can be improved through modifications. The aim of the research was to investigate the extent to which the mechanical properties of BNC can be altered by modifying its structure during its production and after synthesis. The study presents the results of various analyses, including tensile tests, nanoindentation tests, X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, conducted on BNC chemically modified in situ with hyaluronic acid (BNC/HA) and physically modified ex situ through a dehydration/rehydration process (BNC 25DR, BNC105DR, BNC FDR and BNC/HA 25DR, BNC/HA 105DR, BNC/HA FDR). The results demonstrate that both chemical and physical modifications can effectively shape the mechanical properties of BNC. These modifications induce changes in the crystalline structure, pore size and distribution, and residual stresses of BNC. Results show the effect of the crystalline structure of BNC on its mechanical properties. There is correlation between hardness and Young’s modulus and Iα/Iβ index for BNC/HA and between creep rate of BNC/HA, and Young’s modulus for BNC vs Iα/Iβ index.

  • Effect of Vascular Lumen Reduction on the Performance and Energy Consumption of an Innovative Implantable LVAD
    • Ryszard Jasiński
    • Krzysztof Tesch
    • Leszek Dąbrowski
    • Jan Rogowski
    2024 Full text Applied Sciences-Basel

    This paper presents the results of a study on the effect of vascular lumen reduction on the performance of an innovative implantable LVAD (left ventricular assist device). It details the pressures in the individual cardiac chambers as a function of device frequency. In addition, mass flow rates and energy consumption of the device are examined, varying with lumen reduction and operating frequency. While the lumen reduction of the vessels has little effect on energy consumption, the mass flow rates vary considerably, i.e., above 140 cyc/min, the mass flow rate increment is no longer achieved for specified initial conditions. There are also differences regarding the pressures in the heart; namely, it was found that the pressure plots look similar in all cases, leading to the conclusion that the reduction of the vessel lumen does not affect their shape, but does affect the maximum values of the left ventricular and aortic pressures. Importantly, the innovative device in the form of an intra-cardiac balloon assembly for circulatory support is based on a pulsatile flow strategy and is synchronized with the ECG signal. Other advantages of the proposed solution include a minimally invasive method of implantation, which is important for patients with end-stage heart failure. The design of the device is portable and the device itself is battery-powered, allowing for shorter hospitalization times and faster recovery, even in patients with end-stage heart failure associated with mitral regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension.

  • Effective sonophotocatalytic degradation of tetracycline in water: Optimization, kinetic modeling, and degradation pathways
    • Ansaf Karim
    • Grzegorz Boczkaj
    • Amritanshu Shriwastav
    2024 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AND PROCESSING

    Hybrid advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are gaining interest in degradation of variety of recalcitrant compounds for water and wastewater treatment, due to possible synergistic effects. The present study systematically evaluated the degradation of tetracycline (TC) with a sonophotocatalytic process combining acoustic cavitation (sonocavitation) and photocatalysis based on N-doped TiO2 catalyst. The TC degradation rate constant was 2.4 × 10−2 min−1, i.e., much higher than individual sonocatalytic (0.5 × 10−2 min−1) and photocatalysis (0.6 × 10−2 min−1) processes at the optimized conditions. The synergy index was 2.14, which reveals a significant improvement in the process performance. Maximum TC degradations of 55.5 ± 1.8 % for photocatalysis, 66.4 ± 1.8 % for sonocatalysis, and 79.5 ± 0.3 % for sonophotocatalysis were observed for 10 mg L−1 initial TC concentration after 90 min of treatment. The photocatalytic experiments were extended further to 210 min to achieve a maximum degradation of 78.9 ± 0.2 % at the optimized condition. Scavenging experiments confirmed that hydroxyl radicals (•OH), electron holes (h+), and superoxide radical anions (O2−•) played a significant role in the degradation of TC. Further, the degradation intermediates for each process were identified and degradation pathways were proposed. Empirical kinetic models based on operational parameters were also developed and validated.

  • Effects of preheating on laser beam–welded NSSC 2120 lean duplex steel
    • Michał Landowski
    • Soma Csaba Simon
    • Csaba Breznay
    • Dariusz Fydrych
    • Balázs Varbai
    2024 Full text INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

    Duplex stainless steels show sustainable alternative for the conventional austenitic grades, with higher strength, higher resistance against stress corrosion cracking, and lower purchase cost. Thus, duplex stainless steel gains more attention in construction, oil and gas, and chemical industries. Among duplex stainless steels, low nickel and low molybdenum alloyed lean duplex stainless steel are a cost-efective substitution of austenitic grades. However, keeping the balanced ferrite/ austenite phase ratio in the weld metal can be challenging, mostly for autogenous and low heat input welding processes. In our research, a newly developed NSSC 2120 lean duplex stainless steel grade was welded autogenously by fber laser welding process. Diferent welding parameters and preheating temperatures were used during the experiments. The welds were evaluated by microscopic and metallographic techniques, and also by electrochemical corrosion measurements. The welding parameters and the preheating temperature greatly infuenced the weld shape and the austenite content in the weld metal. It was found that the focus point distance from the sheet surface had signifcant efect on the weld geometry. Changing the focus point distance to+2 mm, the penetration depth increased from 4.96 to 5.53 mm, and increased the austenite content by 2.6%. Due to the preheating the welds became wider and shallower, e.g., from 4.96 to 4.08 mm penetration depth, while the cross-section are increased from 5.10 to 6.12 mm2 at the same sample. The preheating resulted in more intergranular austenite formation, which meant maximum 4% increase in the weld metal. The increasing austenite content resulted in increasing pitting corrosion resistance in 3.5% NaCl electrolyte, the highest increase was 90 mV.

  • Efficiency of Artificial Intelligence Methods for Hearing Loss Type Classification: an Evaluation
    • Michał Kassjański
    • Marcin Kulawiak
    • Tomasz Przewoźny
    • Dmitry Tretiakow
    • Jagoda Kuryłowicz
    • Andrzej Molisz
    • Krzysztof Koźmiński
    • Aleksandra Kwaśniewska
    • Paulina Mierzwińska-Dolny
    • Miłosz Grono
    2024 Journal of Automation, Mobile Robotics and Intelligent Systems - JAMRIS

    The evaluation of hearing loss is primarily conducted by pure tone audiometry testing, which is often regarded as golden standard for assessing auditory function. If the presence of hearing loss is determined, it is possible to differentiate between three types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed. This study presents a comprehensive comparison of a variety of AI classification models, performed on 4007 pure tone audiometry samples that have been labeled by professional audiologists in order to develop an automatic classifier of hearing loss type. The tested models include Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machines, Stochastic Gradient Descent, Decision Trees, Random Forest, Feedforward Neural Network (FNN), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU). The presented work also investigates the influence of training dataset augmentation with the use of a Conditional Generative Adversarial Network on the performance of machine learning algorithms and examines the impact of various standardization procedures on the effectiveness of deep learning architectures. Overall, the highest classification performance, was achieved by LSTM with an out-of-training accuracy of 97.56%.

  • Efficient Calibration of Cost-Efficient Particulate Matter Sensors Using Machine Learning and Time-Series Alignment
    • Sławomir Kozieł
    • Anna Pietrenko-Dąbrowska
    • Marek Wójcikowski
    • Bogdan Pankiewicz
    2024 KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEMS

    Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) poses a significant threat to human health, infiltrating the lungs and brain and leading to severe issues such as heart and lung diseases, cancer, and premature death. The main sources of PM pollution are vehicular and industrial emissions, construction and agricultural activities, and natural phenomena such as wildfires. Research underscores the absence of a safe threshold for particulate exposure, highlighting the crucial need for monitoring PM levels to develop and implement effective risk mitigation measures. Notwithstanding, accurate measurement of PM concentration relies on expensive and cumbersome equipment. Despite the rising popularity of low-cost alternatives, their reliability remains questionable, given their sensitivity to environmental conditions, inherent instability, and manufacturing imperfections. This article proposes a novel approach to efficient correction of low-cost PM sensors. The primary calibration model is a feedforward artificial neural network (ANN), which directly renders predicted output of the corrected sensor based on environmental variables such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. The ANN hyper-parameters are identified by aligning time series of prior reference and low-cost sensor readings, which enables the network to learn typical temporal changes of the sensor outcome as a function of the aforementioned parameters as well as operational relationships between the sensor and the reference device. The architecture of the ANN is optimized in terms of the number of neurons in each layer to enhance its generalization capability. Our methodology has been demonstrated using a custom-designed portable monitoring platform and reference data acquired from public stations in Gdansk. The results are indicative of excellent calibration reliability. The achieved correlation coefficients w.r.t. the reference readings are 0.86, 0.88, and 0.72 for PM1, PM10, and PM2.5, respectively, whereas RMSE values are only 3.0, 3.9, and 5.4 µg/m³.

  • Efficient method for octahedral NH2-MIL-125 (Ti) synthesis: Fast and mild conditions
    • Mateusz Baluk
    • Aleksandra Pieczyńska
    • Malwina Kroczewska
    • Justyna Łuczak
    • Krzysztof Matus
    • Kostiantyn Nikiforow
    • Adriana Zaleska-Medynska
    2024 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL

    A new hot injection method for preparing octahedral NH2-MIL-125 (Ti) was developed. This method is six times faster and conducted under milder conditions, i.e., at 120°C in a flask, and exhibits higher crystal formation efficiency than the commonly used solvothermal method while maintaining comparable structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties.

  • Efficient removal of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) from industrial/military wastewater using anodic oxidation on boron-doped diamond electrodes
    • Małgorzata Szopińska
    • Piotr Prasuła
    • Piotr Baran
    • Iwona Kaczmarzyk
    • Mattia Pierpaoli
    • Jakub Nawała
    • Mateusz Szala
    • Sylwia Fudala-Książek
    • Agata Kamieńska-Duda
    • Anna Dettlaff
    2024 Full text Scientific Reports

    With growing public concern about water quality particular focus should be placed on organic micropollutants, which are harmful to the environment and people. Hence, the objective of this research is to enhance the security and resilience of water resources by developing an efficient system for reclaiming industrial/military wastewater and protecting recipients from the toxic and cancerogenic explosive compound – 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), which has been widely distributed in the environment. This research used an anodic oxidation (AO) process on a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode for the TNT removal from artificial and real-life matrices: marine water and treated wastewater. During experiments, TNT concentrations were significantly decreased, reaching the anodic degradation efficiency of above 92% within two hours and > 99.9% after six hours of environmental sample treatment. The presented results show the great potential of AO performed on BDD anodes for full-scale application in the industry and military sectors for TNT removal.

  • Efficient Simulation-Based Global Antenna Optimization Using Characteristic Point Method and Nature-Inspired Metaheuristics
    • Sławomir Kozieł
    • Anna Pietrenko-Dąbrowska
    2024 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ANTENNAS AND PROPAGATION

    Antenna structures are designed nowadays to fulfil rigorous demands, including multi-band operation, where the center frequencies need to be precisely allocated at the assumed targets while improving other features, such as impedance matching. Achieving this requires simultaneous optimization of antenna geometry parameters. When considering multimodal problems or if a reasonable initial design is not at hand, one needs to rely on global search. Yet, a reliable rendition of the system outputs necessitates the employment of electromagnetic (EM) analysis, associated with considerable CPU costs. Global optimization under such circumstances is extremely challenging. This especially applies to nature-inspired algorithms known for exceptionally poor computational efficiency. Whereas surrogate-assisted approach is of limited use due to difficulties related to a construction of reliable behavioral antenna models. Here, we suggest a novel methodology for efficient global optimization of multi-band antenna structures, where the surrogate is repeatedly built and refined using custom-defined response features. The infill criteria are based on minimizing surrogate-evaluated objective function, whereas the underlying optimization engine is the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO). Comprehensive benchmarking, demonstrates superiority of the presented approach over surrogate-assisted methods handing antenna frequency responses, as well as direct nature-inspired optimization.

  • Electrical properties of A-site Ca-doped LaNb1-xAsxO4-δ ceramics
    • Piotr Winiarz
    • Maria Gazda
    • Arkadiusz Dawczak
    • Sebastian Wachowski
    2024 SOLID STATE IONICS

    The electrical properties of A-site Ca-doped LaNbO4 with the addition of As in the B-site, have been investigated. Total, grain- and specific grain boundary electric conductivities in different oxygen partial pressure, and water vapour partial pressure were determined. Additional conductivity measurements were performed in nitrogen, to suppress the possible p-type conductivity, focusing on protonic conductivity. The maximum measured total conductivity was recorded for La0.99Ca0.01Nb0.9As0.1O4-δ at 800 °C, which was equal to 1.2·10−4 S·cm−1 in H2O- humidified air, and 2.2·10−5 S·cm−1 in H2O- humidified N2. From the deconvoluted data, the lowest activation energies for grain conduction were obtained in both atmospheres for La0.99Ca0.01Nb0.7As0.3O4-δ. In the temperature range 400 °C – 550 °C it was 0.23 eV and 0.13 eV respectively for H2O- humidified air and H2O- humidified N2. The results show that the increasing arsenic amount mainly influences the activation energies, whereas the calcium addition slightly improves the grain conductivity. The pO2 experiments revealed that in oxidizing atmospheres, electron holes contribute to the conductivity. The high proton transfer numbers were obtained for each sample, peaking at tH+ = 0.91 for LaNb0.7As0.3O4 at 400 °C. Interestingly, even at elevated temperatures relatively high values are obtained where tH+ = 0.87 was recorded at 800 °C for La0.99Ca0.01Nb0.9As0.1O4-δ.

  • Electrical Simulations of the SIS100 Superconducting Dipole and Quadrupole Circuits: Transients, Earthing and Failure Modes
    • Piotr Szwangruber
    • V. Raginel
    • D. Delkov
    • E. Ravaioli
    • V. Plyusnin
    • Michał Michna
    • Andrzej Wilk
    • Marek Wołoszyk
    • W. Freisleben
    • M. Dziewiecki
    • Michał Ziółko
    • C. Roux
    • Stanisław Galla
    2024 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON APPLIED SUPERCONDUCTIVITY

    The 100 Tm superconducting synchrotron SIS100 is the main accelerator of the international Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) currently under advanced construction in Darmstadt, Germany. The SIS100 dipole circuit which creates the magnetic field required to bend the beam, consists of 108 dipoles distributed over six arc sections of the ring. The magnetic field for the beam focusing is generated by three individual quadrupole circuits with total amount of 166 magnets located in both arc and straight sections of the ring. The dipole circuit is powered from two synchronized power converters and will be cycled up to 13.2 kA at 28 kA/s. The dipole magnet chain is not self-protecting. 12 energy extraction resistors are used to protect the superconducting coils and bus-bars against overheating and overvoltage in case of a quench. The largest quadrupole circuit consists of 83 magnets. The nominal current is 10.5 kA cycled up to 22 kA/s. Similarly to dipoles, the quadrupole circuit is not self-protecting. Four energy extraction units are used to discharge the circuit's energy in case of a quench or fast power abort. This work presents a customized Python software tool created to simulate electrical behavior of a superconducting magnet chain. The software is under development at GSI. However, certain modules strongly rely on the approach developed at CERN. The paper contains selected simulations of the SIS100 dipole and defocusing quadrupole circuits. Special attention is drawn to: transient effects during typical operation and during the fast power abort; the damping effect of vacuum chambers; voltage distribution in the circuits and basic failure modes.

  • Electrochemical cobalt oxidation in chloride media
    • Iryna Makarava
    • Jere Vanska
    • Agnieszka Kramek
    • Jacek Ryl
    • Benjamin Paul Wilson
    • Kirsi Yliniemi
    • Mari Lundstron
    2024 Full text MINERALS ENGINEERING

    The green transition, despite recent advances in cobalt-free battery technologies, is still highly dependent on the availability of critical cobalt-based materials. Consequently, there has been increasing interest towards the development of new methods that maximize critical metals recovery from industrial hydrometallurgical solutions. In the current study, direct anodic oxidation of cobalt species from cobalt chloride solutions was studied as one alternative future strategy for cobalt recovery. Electrochemical methods were used (cyclic voltammetry, potentiostatic anodic deposition) and the effect of pH, temperature, and the concentration of cobalt and chloride ions on cobalt precipitation were investigated. The increase of pH and temperature was shown to stabilize the electrochemical oxidation of cobalt, while a decrease in cobalt concentration had a negative effect on precipitation. Scanning Electron Microscope, Atomic Force Microscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy were exploited to evaluate the morphology, structure, and composition of obtained anodic product. Calculated for potentiostatic anodic deposition (at highest studied potential of 1300 mV vs. Ag/AgCl) nucleation mechanism shows that the rate of nucleation for oxygen-cobalt species is faster than the subsequent growth rate of nuclei (instantaneous mechanism). XPS results confirmed that mixed Co3O4/Co(OH)2/CoOOH precipitate could be obtained by optimized anodic potentiostatic deposition in the range from 900 to 1150 mV and pH from 3 to 6 at 60 °C.

  • Electrochemical detection of bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on gold electrode modified with DAL-PEG-DK5-PEG-OH - Antimicrobial peptide conjugate
    • Kosikowska Paulina
    • Anna Golda
    • Jacek Ryl
    • Magdalena Pilarczyk-zurek
    • Grzegorz Bereta
    • Tadeusz Ossowski
    • Adam Lesner
    • Joanna Koziel
    • Adam Prahl
    • Paweł Niedziałkowski
    2024 TALANTA.The International Journal of Pure and Applied Analytical Chemistry

    This work describes fabrication of gold electrodes modified with peptide conjugate DAL-PEG-DK5-PEG-OH that enables ultra-sensitive detection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from the reference strain of Escherichia coli O26:B6. The initial step of the established procedure implies immobilization of the fully protected DAL-PEG-DK5-PEG-OH peptide on the surface of the gold electrode previously modified by cysteamine. Then side chain- and Fmoc-deprotection was performed in situ on the electrode surface, followed by its incubation in 1 % of BSA solution to block non-specific bindings sites before LPS detection. The efficiency of the modification was confirmed by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. Additionally, the cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impendance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to monitor the effectiveness of each step of the modification. The obtained results confirmed that the presence of the surface-attached covalently bound peptide DAL-PEG-DK5-PEG-OH enables LPS detection by means of CV technique within the range from 5 × 10−13 to 5 × 10−4 g/mL in PBS solution. The established limit of detection (LOD) for EIS measurements was 4.93 × 10−21 g/mL with wide linear detection range from 5 × 10−21 to 5 × 10−14 g/mL in PBS solution. Furthermore, we confirmed the ability of the electrode to detect LPS in a complex biological samples, like mouse urine and human serum. The effectiveness of the electrodes in identifying LPS in both urine and serum matrices was confirmed for samples containing LPS at both 2.5 × 10−15 g/mL and 2.5 × 10−9 g/mL.

  • Electrode-based floating treatment wetlands: Insights into design operation factors influencing bioenergy generation and treatment performance
    • Ewa Wojciechowska
    • Joanna Strycharz
    • Nicole Nawrot
    • Sławomir Ciesielski
    • Przemysław Kowal
    • Krzysztof Czerwionka
    • Karolina Matej-Łukowicz
    2024 SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT

    Exponential increases in energy consumption and wastewater have often irreversible environmental impacts. As a result, bio-electrochemical devices like microbial fuel cells (MFCs), which convert chemical energy in organic matter to electricity using exoelectrogenic bacteria, have gained interest. However, operational factors affecting efficiency and energy output need further study. This research investigated bioenergy production and COD, TN, and TP removal in mesoscale floating treatment wetlands (FTW-MFC) using Phragmites australis, Iris pseudacorus, and a mix of both. The Iris FTW-MFC achieved a high voltage peak of 2100 mV, with maximum power densities of 484 mW/m², 1196 mW/m², and 441 mW/m² for Phragmites, Iris, and mixed FTW-MFCs, respectively. Despite promising bioenergy yields, pollutant removal was unsatisfactory. A low area/height ratio (0.38 m²/0.8 m) and high loading rate (18.1 g/m²·d COD) boosted bioenergy output but hindered treatment performance and stressed plants, causing root decay. No significant pollutant removal differences were found between FTW-MFC and FTW. Higher relative plant growth rates occurred in the FTW-MFC. Microbial analysis shown that representatives of Pseudomonas and Clostridium species were consistently found across all samples, involved in both organic compound transformation and electricity generation, contributed to successful microscale results. A supporting microscale MFC experiment showed wastewater composition's impact on bioenergy yield and pollutant removal. Pre-inoculated reactors improved organic matter transformation and electricity generation, while aeration increased voltage and treatment performance. The role of plants requires further verification in future experiments.

  • Electrophoretic deposition and characterization of composite chitosan/Eudragit E 100 or poly(4-vinylpyridine)/mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles coatings on pre-treated titanium for implant applications
    • Łukasz Pawłowski
    • Muhammad Asim Akhtar
    • Andrzej Zieliński
    • Aldo R. Boccaccini
    2024 SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY

    Titanium implants are surface-modified to achieve bioactivity and often antibacterial properties. Such surface coatings may increase corrosion degradation and be weakly attached to the substrate. In the present research, biodegradable composite coatings, investigated so far as smart environment-sensitive, slowly releasing silver to the implant neighborhood, were produced as a combination of chitosan (CS) with Eudragit E 100 (EE100) or poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) polymers incorporating mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs). Such coatings were designed to positively affect corrosion resistance, bioactivity in vitro, and the bonding to the surface. The coating was obtained in a single electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process on the surface of chemically etched grade 2 titanium. The deposition was carried out using an ethanol-based suspension for 5 min at 60 V. Suspension stability was assessed through the quantification of zeta potential. The fabricated coatings underwent microstructural analysis, chemical composition profiling, surface roughness measurement, wettability assessment, thickness determination, evaluation of corrosion resistance, and investigation of their adherence to metallic substrates. Additionally, an immersion test extending up to 14 days was employed to assess the coatings' capacity for calcium phosphate formation. The resulting coatings tightly covered the metallic substrate; the CS/EE100/MBGNs coating exhibited superior uniformity, which can be attributed to the increased stability of this suspension, indicated by a higher zeta potential value. The deposited MBGNs showed a diameter of <100 nm. The prepared coatings have contributed to improved corrosion resistance of the system and facilitated the deposition of calcium phosphates. All investigated surfaces showed hydrophilic properties. Substrate-coating adhesion was notably enhanced for the CS/EE100/MBGNs coating. The proposed coatings, after in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity studies, can successfully be applied on long-term load-bearing titanium bone implants.

  • Elucidating photoluminescent properties of Eu‐doped Ca–Al–Si–O(–N) glasses and the local structures of Eu ions
    • Hiroyo Segawa
    • Natalia Wójcik
    • Kohsei Takahashi
    • Takashi Takeda
    • Sharafat Ali
    2024 JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY

    Europium (Eu) ion–doped luminescent materials have attracted considerable attention for their numerous optical applications. Eu-doped Ca–Al–Si–O(–N) glasses were synthesized from a mixture of oxynitride glasses and Eu2O3 powder using a standard melt-quenching technique in a radiofrequency furnace. The source Eu trivalent ions primarily changed to Eu2+ during melting, and the ratio of Eu2+ ions increased with an increase in Eu content in the starting mixture. All the prepared glasses exhibited photoluminescence (PL) owing to the 5d–4f transition of Eu2+ ions. The absorption edge and PL wavelength shifted to longer wavelength with an increase in Eu content. Moreover, oxynitride glasses exhibited a longer wavelength than those of oxide glasses. The internal quantum efficiency (IQE) increased with the increase in Eu content until it reached a maximum. X-ray absorption structure and electron spin resonance spectroscopies were used to determine the local structure of Eu ions, which confirmed that changes in the local structure of Eu ions were responsible for the shift in PL peak and the change in IQE. The development of the Eu-doped Ca–Al–Si–O–N glasses is highly inspiring for transparent phosphors.

  • Embracing silence: Creating inclusive spaces for autistic employees
    • Joanna Szulc
    2024 Full text Industrial and Organizational Psychology-Perspectives on Science and Practice

    I concur with Asselineau et al. (2024) that workplace silence profoundly impacts individual and organizational processes. Although they have detailed its significance across different contexts, a vital aspect merits deeper investigation. Namely, many autistic individuals exhibit hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as noise. For this demographic, as well as for nonautistic individuals with sensory processing disorders, exposure to noise can be extremely distressing. In this commentary, I outline how Asselineau et al.’s ideas can be further applied in the context of autistic employees and those with sensory processing disorders to benefit both affected individuals and employers

  • Emission and properties of airborne wear particles from train brake friction materials based on novolac phenolic resins and butadiene rubbers
    • Yurii Tsybrii
    • Oleksii Nosko
    • Izabela Zglobicka
    • Michal Kuciej
    2024 WEAR

    The emission of airborne particulate matter from a train brake depends on the formulation of its friction material. This study investigates the emission and properties of wear particles from train brake friction materials based on straight or resorcinol-modified novolac phenolic resin and nitrile or styrene butadiene rubber used as binding ingredients. The wear particles are generated by a pin-on-disc tribomachine inside an aerodynamic chamber, counted and collected using aerosol measurement techniques, subjected to microscopic and elemental analysis. It has been found that the modification of novolac phenolic resin with resorcinol has no considerable effects on the emission of wear particles and their properties. By contrast, replacing styrene butadiene rubber with nitrile butadiene rubber leads to a significant decrease in the emission of 0.1–10 μm wear particles.

  • Employment of University Graduates in the Era of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Prospects
    • Nina Rizun
    • Halina Ryzhkova
    • Irena Pawłyszyn
    • Charalampos Harris Alexopoulos
    2024

    Digital technologies are profoundly reshaping the labor market, causing structural shifts in the economy and altering the nature of work. These changes have significant implications for youth employment, exacerbating the issue of unemployment. This paper delves into the importance of graduate employment in contemporary society, with a particular focus on the influence of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence. The authors explore the challenges associated with digital transformation and underscore the pivotal role of universities in nurturing skills essential for successful employment. The paper also looks at the prospects for graduates in this dynamic environment, which offers both challenges and opportunities for career growth. This research may be relevant for developing directions to improve the preparation of students for the rapidly changing labor market

  • Emulsifying blends based on natural fats for eco-design of O/W emulsions
    • Patrycja Szumała
    • Elżbieta Pyrz
    2024 JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION

    Emulsifier blends are most often used to stabilize and modulate the properties of cosmetic and pharmaceutical emulsions, such as skin care or application-related consistency. However, the rational design of such emulsifier blends is often not well understood, especially when their ingredients are natural raw materials. This study aimed to analyze the influence of natural fatty ingredients selected as emulsifiers on the emulsion properties. For this purpose, the stability, microstructure and rheological properties of the produced emulsions were monitored during their storage. The effect of five blends containing fatty alcohols, cetyl palmitate, beeswax, avocado butter and one typical emulsifier, i.e. sorbitan oleate, in various weight proportions, was analyzed. Even though the blends contained only hydrophobic ingredients, O/W type emulsions were obtained. The results indicate that all blends can stabilize O/W emulsions, but with a specific qualitative and quantitative composition. The crystal structures created by the blend components were responsible for the stabilization of all emulsions, but the most beneficial properties were provided by the blend with the addition of beeswax and sorbitan oleate. These findings provide new insights into the design of safe and ecological emulsions.

  • Encapsulation of Cs3Bi2Br9 perovskite photocatalyst with polythiophene for prolonged activity in oxidizing and humid environment
    • Magdalena Miodyńska
    • Olga Kaczmarczyk
    • Wojciech Lisowski
    • Andrzej Żak
    • Tomasz Klimczuk
    • Monika Paszkiewicz
    • Adriana Zaleska-Medynska
    2024 Full text APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE

    Despite their growing popularity in modern technology, halide perovskites suffer from susceptibility to oxidation, limiting their applications. Our aim was to enhance Cs3Bi2Br9 perovskite's performance in humid environments through polythiophene encapsulation. This extended its lifespan while preserving photocatalytic abilities, as demonstrated in toluene decomposition experiments. We confirmed the stability of Cs3Bi2Br9 encapsulated with polythiophene over four photocatalytic cycles and identified photogenerated electrons and superoxide radicals as key contributors to toluene decomposition. Benzaldehyde was detected as the primary toluene decomposition product, and we observed partial pollutant mineralization, evidenced by increased CO2 concentration after photocatalysis. Additionally, using hybrid ex–situ transmission electron microscopy, we observed delayed oxidation of encapsulated perovskite. Encapsulation hindered, but did not entirely prevent, water vapor penetration into Cs3Bi2Br9 particles. This progress suggests promising prospects for perovskite–based composites retaining photocatalytic capabilities under elevated humidity conditions.

  • Energy-Efficient Self-Supervised Technique to Identify Abnormal User Over 5G Network for E-Commerce
    • Arsalan Muhammad Soomar
    2024 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS

    Within the realm of e-commerce networks, it is frequently observed that certain users exhibit behavior patterns that differ substantially from the normative behaviors exhibited by the majority of users. The identification of these atypical individuals and the understanding of their behavioral patterns are of significant practical significance in maintaining order on e-commerce platforms. One such method for accomplishing this objective entails examining the behavioral tendencies of atypical users through the abstraction of e-commerce networks as heterogeneous information networks. These networks are then transformed into a bipartite graph that establishes associations between users and devices. The Self-Supervised Aberrant Detection Model (SAD) has been proposed within this theoretical framework as a means to identify and detect users who exhibit aberrant behavior. The SSADM methodology utilizes a self-supervised learning process that utilizes autoencoders to encode representations of user nodes. The proposed method aims to maximize a combined objective function for backpropagation while utilizing support vector data description to detect abnormalities in the representations of user nodes. In summary, many tests have been conducted utilizing both authentic network datasets and partially synthetic network datasets to demonstrate the efficacy and superiority of the SAD technique, specifically within the domain of an energy-efficient 5G network.

  • Engineering education for smart grid systems in the quasi-industrial environment of the LINTE^2 laboratory
    • Andrzej Augusiak
    • Filip Kutt
    • Piotr Musznicki
    • Janusz Nieznański
    2024 Global Journal of Engineering Education

    Smart grid systems are revolutionising the electric power sector, integrating advanced technologies to enhance efficiency, reliability and sustainability. It is important for higher education to equip the prospective smart grid professional with the competencies enabling them to navigate through the related complexities and drive innovation. To achieve this, interdisciplinary education programmes are necessary, addressing inter alia integration of renewable energy sources, data analytics, AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, policies and regulatory frameworks. Hands-on experience, industrial training and research-based learning are also highly desirable components of such programmes. This article describes how Gdańsk University of Technology (Gdańsk Tech), Gdańsk, Poland, employs its unique Laboratory for Innovative Power Systems and Integration of Renewable Energy Sources (LINTE^2 Lab), to support comprehensive education in smart grids. Starting with simulation and virtualisation, students gradually extend their knowledge and competencies through project, research and challenge-based activities in the quasi-industrial environment of the LINTE^2 Lab.

  • Enhanced acceptor concentration, proton conductivity, and hydration in multicomponent rare‐earth ortho‐niobates
    • Arkadiusz Dawczak
    • Wojciech Skubida
    • Aleksandra Mielewczyk-Gryń
    • Maria Gazda
    2024 JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY

    The structural properties of (La0.2Nd0.2Sm0.2Gd0.2Eu0.2)1−xCaxNbO4−δ (x = 0–0.05) series have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction at room temperature. The thermal properties were investigated using thermogravimetry, from which the concentration of proton defects was determined. Additionally, dilatometry studies were carried out, from which the thermal expansion coefficients and the phase transition temperature between low- and high-temperature polymorphs were determined. In order to determine the electrical properties, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements under atmospheres of dry synthetic air and saturated with water vapor and heavy water at 300–800°C temperature range were performed. All the studied materials were single-phase compositions and were stable in monoclinic I2/c crystal structure at room temperature. The water uptake studies revealed a small mass change under the switch from dry to humidified synthetic air atmospheres, suggesting the formation of proton defects. The phase transition from monoclinic to tetragonal crystal structure in the (La0.2Nd0.2Sm0.2Gd0.2Eu0.2)1−xCaxNbO4−δ (x = 0–0.05) series occurs above 650°C. A small amount of calcium dopant increases the total conductivity in all tested atmospheres by two orders of magnitude, for example, from 0.34 μS cm−1 in La0.2Nd0.2Sm0.2Gd0.2Eu0.2NbO4 to 63.7 μS cm−1 in (La0.2Nd0.2Sm0.2Gd0.2Eu0.2)0.95Ca0.05NbO4−δ at 700°C in humid synthetic air atmosphere.

  • Enhanced cellulose extraction from agave plant (Agave americana Species) for synthesis of magnetic/cellulose nanocomposite for defluoridation of water
    • Samuel Latebo Majamo
    • Temesgen Amibo
    • Ermias Tsegaw
    2024 Materials Today Communications

    Research on fluoride removal from water is currently focusing on the development of innovative materials for defluoridation water. The current study extracted and used enhanced cellulose from Agave americana species to synthesize a magnetic/cellulose nanocomposite for water defluoridation. Strong and light binary acids (H2SO4 and CH3COOH) were utilized to pretreat raw material to enhance cellulose extraction. Central composite design (CCD) was used to design experiments to find optimum condition for cellulose extraction. Four key factors (H2SO4 to CH3COOH ratio, acid concentration, temperature, and contact time) with three levels were designed by CCD. The lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose content of raw agave cellulosic fiber in this study were 5.5 ± 0.27, 20.5 ± 0.23 and 60.4 ± 0.31 % respectively. While, at the optimum conditions of 2.3 % acid concentration, 0.44 H2SO4 to CH3COOH ratio, 83.2 min of retention time, and 105.5 oC, cellulose content reached 940.25 %. Then, enhanced cellulose was covered with magnetic components, resulting in a magnetic/cellulose nano- composite. The adsorbent materials were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X- Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Dynamic light scattering (DLS). In addition, textural features of the adsorbent were investigated. All characterization results suggest that the synthesized adsorbent has the required properties. Adsorption tests were carried out using various interaction components. The combined effects of critical process variables on defluoridation were examined. The adsorption isotherm was calculated. Overall, the research demonstrated that the produced magnetic/cellulose nanocomposite can be employed as an efficient and ecologically acceptable adsorbent for fluoride removal from water.

  • Enhanced electrochemical activity of boron-doped nanocarbon functionalized reticulated vitreous carbon structures for water treatment applications
    • Iwona Kaczmarzyk
    • Mariusz Banasiak
    • Paweł Jakóbczyk
    • Michał Sobaszek
    • Gabriel Strugała
    • Tomasz Seramak
    • Paweł Rostkowski
    • Jakub Karczewski
    • Mirosław Sawczak
    • Jacek Ryl
    • Robert Bogdanowicz
    2024 Full text DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS

    An extraordinary charge transfer kinetics and chemical stability make a boron-doped diamond (BDD) a prom- ising material for electrochemical applications including wastewater treatment. Yet, with flat geometrical sur- faces its scaling options are limited. In this study, the reticulated Vitreous Carbon (RVC) served as a substrate for boron-doped diamondized nanocarbons (BDNC) film growth resulting with complex heterogeneity carbon structures with different morphologies defined by using electron microscopy, microtomography, activation en- ergy studies, and Raman spectroscopy. The proposed modification significantly boosted the electrochemical Fe(CN)6 3 /4 redox activity. The vol- tammetry and impedimetric studies revealed its origin as a significantly higher share of electrochemically active sites at the BDNC@RVC electrode (increased by 114 %) combined with enhanced heterogeneous rate constant (2× increase up to 8.24⋅10 4 cm s 1). Finally, to establish its applicability for water treatment, the BDNC@RVC was studied as the anode in electrochemical paracetamol decomposition. Boron-enriched nanoarchitecture formed at the RVC electrode surface substantially reduced the oxidation energy barrier manifested as a decrease in activation overpotential by 212 mV, which gave a consequence in a 78 % removal rate (in 4 h, at 0.7 mA cm 2), 12 % higher than bare RVC and yielding lower amounts of APAP decomposition intermediates.

  • Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of MnCo1.5Fe0.5O4Spinel for Oxygen Evolution Reaction through Heat Treatment
    • Krystian Lankauf
    • Bartłomiej Lemieszek
    • Karolina Górnicka
    • Patryk Błaszczak
    • Marcin Zając
    • Piotr Jasiński
    • Sebastian Molin
    2024 Full text ENERGY & FUELS

    MnCo1.5Fe0.5O4 spinel oxide was synthesized using the sol−gel technique, followed by heat treatment at various temperatures (400, 600, 800, and 1000 °C). The prepared materials were examined as anode electrocatalysts for watersplitting systems in alkaline environments. Solid-state characterization methods, such as powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), were used to analyze the materials’ crystallographic structure and surface characteristics. The intrinsic activity of the MnCo1.5Fe0.5O4 was fine-tuned by altering the electronic structure by controlling the calcination temperature, and the highest activity was observed for the sample treated at 800 °C. A shift in the valence state of surface cations under oxidative conditions in an alkaline solution during the oxygen evolution reaction was detected through ex situ XAS measurements. Moreover, the influence of the experimental conditions on the electrocatalytic performance of the material, including the pH of the electrolyte and the temperature, was demonstrated.

  • Enhanced electrochemical performance of partially amorphous La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-δ oxygen electrode materials for low-temperature solid oxide cells operating at 400 °C
    • Bartłomiej Lemieszek
    • Mindaugas Ilickas
    • Jan Jamroz
    • Asta Tamulevičienė
    • Jakub Karczewski
    • Patryk Błaszczak
    • Alexey Maximenko
    • Brigita Abakevičiene
    • Marcin Małys
    • Sigitas Tamulevičius
    • Piotr Jasiński
    • Sebastian Molin
    2024 Full text APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE

    This work evaluates partially amorphous La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-δ (LSC) as a potential oxygen electrode for lowtemperature solid oxide cells. LSC was deposited using the spin-coating technique onto Ce0.8Gd0.2O2-δ (CGO) substrates. The optimal oxygen electrode thickness was determined as 500 nm. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) study showed a significant improvement in oxygen reduction/oxidation reaction kinetics when annealing temperatures below 600 ◦C. The lowest value of the polarisation resistance was observed for the sample annealed at 400 ◦C, followed by a temperature of 500 ◦C. EIS measurements at different pO2 content were performed at levels between 0.5 % and 20 %. A comprehensive equivalent circuit analysis was carried out for an explanation of the limiting factors of the catalytic reaction. X-ray absorption fine structure analysis allowed for the identification of differences between crystalline LSC and its partially amorphous form. X-ray absorption nearedge spectroscopy analysis indicated that cobalt adopts a lower oxidation state for the partially amorphous form. Moreover, extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis indicated the decreased of cobalt oxidation state in partially amorphous LSC. It can be assumed that the increased activity of LSC at temperatures below the crystallization may be due to increased defects and oxygen vacancies in the material.

  • Enhanced Mechanical and Electromechanical Properties of Compositionally Complex Zirconia Zr1–x(Gd1/5Pr1/5Nd1/5Sm1/5Y1/5)xO2−δ Ceramics
    • Ahsanul Kabir
    • Bartłomiej Lemieszek
    • Maxim Varenik
    • Victor Buratto Tinti
    • Sebastian Molin
    • Igor Lubomirsky
    • Vincenzo Esposito
    • Frank Kern
    2024 ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

    Compositionally complex oxides (CCOs) or high-entropy oxides (HEOs) are new multi-element oxides with unexplored physical and functional properties. In this work, we report fluorite structure derived compositionally complex zirconia with composition Zr1- x(Gd1/5Pr1/5Nd1/5Sm1/5Y1/5)xO2-δ (x = 0.1 and 0.2) synthesized in solid-state reaction route and sintered via hot pressing at 1350 °C. We explore the evolution of these oxides' structural, microstructural, mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical properties regarding phase separation and sintering mechanisms. Highly dense ceramics are achieved by bimodal mass diffusion, composing nanometric tetragonal and micrometric cubic grains microstructure. The material exhibits an anomalously large electrostriction response exceeding the M33 value of 10−17 m 2 /V2 at room temperatures and viscoelastic properties of primary creep in nanoindentation measurement under fast loading. These findings are strikingly similar to those reported for doped ceria and bismuth oxide derivates, highlighting the presence of a large concentration of point defects linked to structural distortion and anelastic behavior are characteristics of nonclassical ionic electrostrictors.

  • Enhanced Spectroscopic Insight into Acceptor-Modified Barium Strontium Titanate Thin Films Deposited via the Sol–Gel Method
    • Dionizy Czekaj
    • Agata Lisińska-Czekaj
    2024 Full text Materials

    In the present paper, composite thin films of barium strontium titanate (BaxSr1−xTiO3) with an acceptor modifier (magnesium oxide—MgO) were deposited on metal substrates (stainless steel type) using the sol–gel method. The composite thin films feature BaxSr1−xTiO3 ferroelectric solid solution as the matrix and MgO linear dielectric as the reinforcement, with MgO concentrations ranging from 1 to 5 mol%. Following thermal treatment at 650 °C, the films were analyzed for their impedance response. Experimental impedance spectra were modeled using the Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts function, revealing stretching parameters (β) in the range of approximately 0.78 to 0.89 and 0.56 to 0.90 for impedance and electric modulus formalisms, respectively. Notably, films modified with 3 mol% MgO exhibited the least stretched relaxation function. Employing the electric equivalent circuit method for data analysis, the “circle fit” analysis demonstrated an increase in capacitance from 2.97 × 10−12 F to 5.78 × 10−10 F with the incorporation of 3 mol% MgO into BST-based thin films. Further analysis based on Voigt, Maxwell, and ladder circuits revealed trends in resistance and capacitance components with varying MgO contents, suggesting non-Debye-type relaxation phenomena across all tested samples.

  • Enhanced visible light-activated gas sensing properties of nanoporous copper oxide thin films
    • Andrzej Kwiatkowski
    • Janusz Smulko
    • Katarzyna Drozdowska
    2024 Full text SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS

    Metal oxide gas sensors are popular chemoresistive sensors. They are used for numerous tasks, including environmental and safety monitoring. Some gas-sensing materials exhibit photo-induced properties that can be utilized for enhanced gas detection by modifying the sensor selectivity and sensitivity when illuminated by light. Here, we present the gas sensing characteristics of highly nanoporous Cu2O thin films towards both electrophilic (NO2) and nucleophilic (C2H5OH, NH3) gas molecules under ambient temperature and modulated by visible light illumination of different colors (red: 632 nm, green: 530 nm, blue: 468 nm). Cu2O films were fabricated by reactive advanced gas deposition (AGD) technology. The surface and structural analysis of the samples confirm the deposition of nanoporous thin films of mixed copper oxide phases. The gas sensing property of Cu2O exhibited expected p-type semiconductor behavior upon electrophilic and nucleophilic gas exposures. Our results show that visible light illumination provides enhanced sensor response.

  • Enhancing chain-elongating microbiomes: Sequential fungi-bacteria cooperation for efficient food waste upgrading using endogenous electron donors
    • Xiang Li
    • Xiaolin Lei
    • Zhichao Guo
    • Ziyi Yan
    • Xia Gu
    • Xianbao Xu
    • Hussein Al-Hazmi
    • Gang Xue
    • Jiajie Xu
    • Piotr Oleskowicz-Popiel
    • Jacek Mąkinia
    2024 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL

    The upgrading of organic waste such as food waste (FW) into medium-chain carboxylates (MCC) is within a bio-based circular economy concept. An efficient chain elongation (CE) microbiome is difficult to obtain, which normally requires long-term acclimatization and an exogenous supplement of electron donor (ED, especially ethanol). In this study, the CE microbiome was rapidly shaped within 18 days and an efficient endogenous ethanol-based CE was achieved through the amendment of distiller yeast (DY) during FW fermentation. Multiple FW feeding accumulated the caproate concentration to 5.76 ± 0.33 g COD/L, which also regulated the CE process from ethanol-dependent to lactate-dependent metabolism. During the lactate-based CE process, the caproate production increased linearly (R2 = 0.82) with the rising D-lactate content. Ethanol-producing fungi yeast mainly consisted of Wickerhamomyces (66.54 %), Saccharomycopsis (5.37 %), Issatchenkia (2.21 %), unclassified_f_Metschnikowiaceae (1.73 %), and Saccharomyces (1.33 %). These yeasts were eliminated by FW feeding, which was in line with the alteration of ED preference from ethanol to lactate. Metagenome analysis indicated that the total relative abundance of lactate-based chain elongators including Ruminococcaceae bacterium CPB6, Clostridium luticellarii, Caproiciproducens galactitolivorans, and Megasphaera elsdenii was increased by 28.6 %, while the ethanol-based chain elongator Clostridium kluyveri kept stable after FW feeding. In addition, the functional genes related to the oxidation of lactate to acetyl-CoA were enriched after FW feeding, which further enhanced the subsequent CE pathway of acetyl-CoA-based reverse β oxidation rather than the fatty acids synthesis. This study provides a new insight into upgrading FW into valuable MCC without exogenous ED addition.

  • Enhancing colloidal stability of nanodiamond via surface modification with dendritic molecules for optical sensing in physiological environments
    • Maciej Głowacki
    • Paweł Niedziałkowski
    • Jacek Ryl
    • Marta Prześniak-Welenc
    • Mirosław Sawczak
    • Klaudia Prusik
    • Mateusz Ficek
    • Monika Janik
    • Krzysztof Pyrchla
    • Michał Olewniczak
    • Krzysztof Bojarski
    • Jacek Czub
    • Robert Bogdanowicz
    2024 Full text JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE

    Pre-treatment of diamond surface in low-temperature plasma for oxygenation and in acids for carboxylation was hypothesized to promote the branching density of the hyperbranched glycidol polymer. This was expected to increase the homogeneity of the branching level and suppress interactions with proteins. As a result, composite nanodiamonds with reduced hydrodynamic diameters that are maintained in physiological environments were anticipated. Surfaces of 140-nm-sized nanodiamonds were functionalized with oxygen and carboxyl groups for grafting of hyperbranched dendritic polyglycerol via anionic ring-opening polymerization of glycidol. The modification was verified with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Dynamic light scattering investigated colloidal stability in pH-diverse (2–12) solutions, concentrated phosphate-buffered saline, and cell culture media. Thermogravimetric analysis of nanodiamonds-protein incubations examined non-specific binding. Fluorescence emission was tested across pH conditions. Molecular dynamics simulations modeled interparticle interactions in ionic solutions. The hyperbranched polyglycerol grafting increased colloidal stability of nanodiamonds across diverse pH, high ionic media like 10 × concentrated phosphate-buffered saline, and physiological media like serum and cell culture medium. The hyperbranched polyglycerol suppressed non-specific protein adsorption while maintaining intensive fluorescence of nanodiamonds regardless of pH. Molecular modelling indicated reduced interparticle interactions in ionic solutions correlating with the improved colloidal stability.