Ecological approaches regarding the synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles have attracted special attention, due to their ability to prevent environmental contamination, but also to improve the quality of life and human well-being. CuO NPs began to be intensively used due to their physical and chemical properties, becoming effective in many biomedical, industrial, agricultural, and environmental applications, etc. In this paper, we report the use of the natural extract of Echinacea leaves [Echinacea purples] for the biosynthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles, and copper nitrate [Cu(NO₃)₂ 3H₂O] as a metal precursor salt. The applicability of natural extracts is given by phytochemical compounds (e.g. phenols, flavonoids, carboxylic acids, terpenoids, tannins, etc.), which act as reducing and capping agents for the formation of CuO NPs. The morphology of the oxide nanoparticles is influenced by: the reducing potential of the bioactive compounds determined by the type and amount of extract, the concentration and the ratio of the main raw materials, the pH of the solution, the process temperature, etc. The synthesized CuO was investigated using FTIR si RAMAN spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, FESEM microscopy, and EDX analysis. The FTIR spectra confirm the presence of the Cu-O bond through the appearance of the characteristic peak at 480 cm^-1, but also the presence of the functional groups characteristic of the biomolecules present in the plant extracts used. The RAMAN spectra indicate peaks at 272 and 610 cm^-1, which are characteristic bands for CuO. The XRD diffractogram indicates the formation of a monoclinic crystalline structure by the appearance of distinctive peaks corresponding to (110), (002), and (111), planes, with an average crystallite size of 15 nm. The SEM images highlight the formation of spherical particles with dimensions below 40 nm. The EDX spectrum confirms the presence of the peaks attributed to (C) and (O) atoms, without other impurities. Due to the small size, morphology, and precise elemental composition of CuO NPs, this approach allows the synthesis of biomaterials with applicability in the development of antibacterial agents and biosensors.

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are recalcitrant chemicals with stable carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds. These complex substances are difficult to degrade; therefore, they persist in the environment, causing potential health effects on humans. This study focused on the photocatalytic degradation and defluorination of PFAS in aqueous water using TiO₂ nanoparticles under UV-visible. The biosynthesized TiO₂ catalysts at pH 8, 10, and 12 were characterized using XRD, HRTEM, and HRSEM. The XRD patterns of the respective TiO₂ nanoparticles at different synthesized pH exhibited similar anatase phases, and it was observed that the crystallite sizes decreased with increasing pH. The HRSEM and HRTEM confirmed the spherical shapes of the produced nanoparticles with the particle size distribution of 12.17 nm, 10.65 nm, and 8.81 nm for the synthesized TiO₂ nanoparticles at pH 8, 10, and 12, respectively. The photodegradation and defluorination of PFAS were performed at various initial solution pH of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 under UV irradiation for 150 min. The study showed 95.62 and 56.13 % degradation and defluorination efficiency at pH 2. The degradation and defluorination efficiencies significantly decreased with a rate constant decreasing as the pH solution increases; hence the degradation increases at lower solution pH. Without UV-visible light, the photocatalysis achieved less degradation and defluorination efficiency. The photocatalysis showed that the pH solution and UV irradiation greatly influence the degradation and defluorination. Therefore, TiO₂ nanoparticles were effective for the degradation and defluorination of PFAS under UV-visible light which has the influence for treatment of PFAS in wastewater.

Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) is the new variant of chemical vapor deposition process where the reactants are supplied sequentially as a timed pulse. The pulse of reactant precursor is usually separated by purging using inert gas pulse or a sufficient wait time. The chemisorption of precursors is self-limiting and reactive site dependent and thus provides very precise thickness control over intricate surfaces with high conformality and depth to width aspect ratios of features over 1000. These aspects of atomically controlled thickness due to self-limiting reaction mechanisms with high conformality and ease of operation has made ALD one of the most prospective deposition technique for semiconductor and synthetic biological applications.

This paper evaluates parametric interactions of the Vecco Savannah thermal ALD system for deposition of Al₂O₃ thin films. Trimethyl Aluminum (TMA) and Water (H₂O) are the precursors used for depositing high-K dielectric layers on Si/SiO₂ substrates. The high-quality pin hole free deposition of Al₂O₃ is carried out by varying the pulse time for TMA and H₂O from 0.01 sec to 0.02 sec. Temperature is changed from 100 to 200 ⁰C. The effect of Ozone pulse is also evaluated. The response characteristics of thickness is measured by spectroscopic ellipsometry. Sampling evaluation of thickness is also carried out using AFM and SEM microscopy for surface consistency. The number of cycles is kept constant at 100, as it is known to have a direct relationship with the thickness of Al₂O₃ thin film deposition. JMP is used for Design of Experiment (DoE) of ALD. It was identified that, the interaction of temperature of H₂O pulse is dominant than the two parameters independently. The Ozone pulse too has a significant impact.

Clothing simulation is currently mainly used as 3D visualization for generating idealized and sales-promoting product representations. In virtual fitting, an initial assessment of the silhouette, proportions and design in terms of colors and surface structure can be made. This enables the reduction of physical prototypes and results in savings of time, material and costs. Complete elimination of physical prototypes is not yet possible because simulation is not reliable enough for robust fit analysis. In addition, predictions of the textile-physical behavior of virtually available materials would be useful.

The challenge in developing and optimizing the simulation of textile surfaces is the physical behavior of textiles. Textile material is flexurally limp. The bonding relationships of the textile construct cannot be attributed exclusively to the atomic-molecular level and thus to the fiber material. The cohesion within a textile surface results from the frictional forces between the fibers determined by yarn and surface construction. Due to these known but not sufficiently meaningful fiber-yarn correlations, the behavior of textile surfaces is difficult to calculate. The investigation of the correlations between material and construction properties and their effect on the textile-physical behavior of the fabric enables the selection and prioritization of relevant parameters for the simulation. This results in the optimization of the simulation programs with respect to their reliability for the fit analysis.

Using cotton as an example, a system is developed which presents the material and construction properties of textile surfaces, their correlations and influence on the simulation. Based on the material parameters, conditions for a reliable simulation and prediction of the material behavior can be derived.

This paper focuses first on the distinction between material properties of fibers and construction properties of yarn and surface.

Halloumi, the traditional cheese of Cyprus, has gained international merit due to its characteristic aroma, elastic texture, and easy slicing ability. This study aimed to develop a cow’s milk Halloumi cheese fortifying with Garlic and Pepper and evaluate its physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties. The physicochemical and microbiological properties were evaluated during a 35-day storage period within seven days of intervals under refrigerated conditions. The Total solids, protein, fat and ash contents had significantly increased (P<0.05) and moisture and pH had decreased significantly (P<0.05) in developed Halloumi cheese during the storage time. A significant total color difference (∆E^*) was observed on the 21^st day of storage. The storage results revealed that hardness, gumminess, and chewiness increased and cohesiveness decreased significantly (P<0.05). There was a significant increase (P<0.05) of total bacteria, Escherichia coli, yeasts and molds and lactic acid bacteria counts and Staphylococcus aureus count showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in Halloumi cheese during the storage time. Yeasts and molds exceeded the 1.5 log CFU/g maximum permissible limit at 21 days of storage. Therefore, the microbiological shelf life of Halloumi cheese fortified with garlic and pepper was concluded as 21 days in refrigerated condition. The sensory evaluation revealed that the participants (n=30) significantly preferred aroma, texture, and before and after taste of fortified Halloumi cheese (P<0.05) over the non-fortified Halloumi cheese. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed aroma, texture, overall flavor, and before and after taste highly correlated. According to Pearson correlation, sensory color score correlated with instrumental color values (L, a and b values). Just Above Right (JAR) analysis showed that 53% accepted the color of the developed product. Overall, the spice powder mixture fortification of Halloumi cheese had higher consumer acceptance than the original Halloumi cheese.

Fuel Cells (FCs) constitute an enabling technology for the integration of renewable energies and for the deployment of the next generation of power grids, the so-called Smart Grids/Microgrids. These devices perform the process of converting hydrogen into electricity without pollutant emissions. Characteristic curves, mainly polarization curves, are a paramount resource to study the performance of FCs and to determine accurate models that fit their behaviour. This paper presents the characterization of a commercial Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) FC consisting of 24 cells in series, with a nominal output of 500 W, used to supply electricity in a Smart Microgrid involving renewable energies and hydrogen. The process evolution takes place under different laboratory conditions, so voltage, current and hydrogen flow are measured and plotted to build the polarization curves. The equipment and components involved in the operation of the FC are described, as well as their technical features. Namely, a metal-hydride bottle is used to store the hydrogen that feeds the FC, an electronic programmable load establishes different charge conditions, and a precision multimeter collects the measurements provided by a set of sensors physically coupled to the FC. The characterization conducted in this research is envisioned to be used to build a digital twin of the FC. The developed experimentation and achieved results are described. The obtained results show a proper matching between the experimental data and the curves reported in literature and in the FC datasheet.

The scarcity of fossil fuels and the increase in energy demand, which is growing year after year, have led to the rapid development of technologies and systems for harnessing renewable energy sources (RES). Among these, photovoltaic (PV) energy and its associated technologies stand out for their adaptability and versatility, highlighting among the rest for being one of the most efficient methods for harnessing energy from RES. Beyond the generation processes, the problems derived from the management and monitoring of these systems are outlined. This paper develops the design and implementation of a system based on Internet of Things (IoT) applications for a medium-scale power grid located within the university campus of Badajoz, Extremadura. This grid is partially powered by PV energy by means of a set of 56 panels, with a total power of 60 kW, installed on a solar tracker. The system presented develops the functions of acquisition, management and monitoring of data from the solar tracker, the transformation centre and the consumption derived from the activities carried out at the School of Industrial Engineering, whose electricity supply comes from the two previous sources. The elements involved in the physical installation are described, as well as the sensors responsible for data acquisition. Regarding the software, the IoT programs used for the development of the system are presented, as well as their intercommunication and handling. Finally, the proposed system is shown under real operation conditions.

Methylene blue (MB) is one of the main dyes consumed in the textile industry, and its release into the marine environment is accompanied by the deterioration of aquatic organisms. Subjecting humans to high dosages of MB causes severe health concerns, including toxic, mutagenic, and/or carcinogenic impacts. The treatment of wastewater containing dyes using conventional methods is becoming less efficient due to the complexity and stability of these synthesized dyes. This study focuses on the application of heterogeneous photocatalysis (semi-conductor photocatalysis), as an advanced treatment technique, for the degradation of MB dye in water. Herein, magnesium-based nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple co-precipitation technique. The characterization of the nanoparticles revealed that they had a relatively spherical structure with a particle size ranging from 20 to 70 nm. BET analysis showed mesoporous pore diameters in the 2.5-12 nm range. The nanoparticles had a relatively high surface area of about 116.55 m²/g. XRD analysis revealed a cubic crystalline structure of the photocatalyst material and a relatively high crystallinity index of about 63%. The band gap of the material was investigated and found to be about 4.43 eV which was sufficient for electron excitation under solar-simulated UV irradiation. Further, magnesium-based nanoparticles were applied for the photocatalytic degradation of MB at an initial concentration of 11 mg/L using a catalyst dosage of 0.5 g/L. The photocatalytic degradation experiments were carried out in a photo-reactor, emitting solar-simulated visible light with a wavelength of 510 nm. The degradation of MB was carried out at neutral pH, achieving 86.2±4.31% MB removal after 3 hours of photocatalytic activity. The degradation kinetics of the reaction were studied, and it was found that the degradation route followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with a rate constant of k₁ = 0.0104 min^-1. It’s supposed that MB was removed via both (i) adsorption onto magnesium-based nanoparticles followed by (ii) photodegradation into less toxic by-products as a result of the formation of super-oxide (O₂^•ˉ) and hydroxyl (OH^•) radicals responsible for the efficient degradation of MB dye. The electrical energy consumption was evaluated and achieved at 154 kWh/m³, equivalent to an operating cost of 14.3 USD/m³. The removal of MB by the manufactured magnesium-based nanoparticles showed good agreement with other photocatalytic degradation mechanisms reported in the literature.

Titanium dioxide has long been investigated for its excellent photocatalytic activity under UV illumination. However, its sluggish activity under visible light illumination remains a challenge. Doping titanium dioxide with transition metals and non-metals was done in the past to improve its catalytic properties, yet the expensive synthesis protocols involved in doping titanium dioxide limit its applications. Herein, a one-pot approach of doping titanium dioxide nanotubes was used. In particular, the Cu/S-TiNTs electrode was synthesized by electrochemical anodization using an electrolyte solution spike with CuSO₄. The resulting nanostructured Cu/S-TiNTs electrode was used as a photoanode for the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of synthetic dye solution (50 ppm C.I. Basic Blue 9 in deionized water) in a 125-mL reactor. The Cu/S-TiNTs were shown to be catalytically active under both ultraviolet and visible light. Co-doping pristine TiNTs with copper and sulfur significantly enhanced the photoelectrocatalytic degradation rates of BB 9. Cu/S-TiNTs achieved 67% faster degradation rate (k₁ = 1.5054 ± 0.0193 x 10^-2 min^-1) compared to pristine TiNTs (k₁ = 8.9106 ± 0.0647 x 10^-3 min^-1) under visible light illumination. At the end of 60 minutes, the Cu/S-TiNTs were able to degrade 59.69% of the initial dye concentration under visible light compared to 45.43% degradation using pristine TiNTs. The synthesized photoanodes demonstrated good reusability and stability after several cycles of use, even at a low dopant loading. These findings bring us closer to the possible large-scale adaptation of advanced oxidation processes, such as photoelectrocatalysis, for environmental remediation of recalcitrant organic compounds in wastewater.

Methylene blue (MB) is one of the most consumed dyes in the textile industry, imposing toxic, mutagenic, and/or carcinogenic effects on human health. The unmanaged disposal of MB-laden wastewater into the aquatic environment is associated with the loss of species and damage to habitats. Because its molecular structure contains a 6-carbon aromatic ring, nitrogen, and sulfur, MB has a non-biodegradable property. Compared with conventional biological processes, advanced oxidation technology is preferable for mineralizing MB into simple and non-toxic species. This study focuses on synthesizing aluminum-based hybrid nanocomposite (AHN) by the co-precipitation technique, followed by its application for photocatalytic degradation of MB under visible light. Material characterization revealed that AHN had an Al₂O₃-MgO chemical formula, with an irregular geometric shape and particle sizes in the 50-60 nm range. XRD analysis showed that AHN had a cubic crystal structure with γ-Al₂O₃ and crystallite size in the range of 15-34 nm. The BET surface area was 750 m²/g, with an average pore diameter of 11 nm and pore volume of 1.9 cm³/g. The AHN band gap was calculated as 5.6 eV. At an initial MB concentration of 11 mg/L, the highest removal efficiency was 72.7±3.41% at pH of 8.4 and photocatalyst dosage of 0.5 g/L within 180 min. It’s supposed that during visible light irradiation in the presence of AHN photocatalyst, there is electron transfer and formation of super-oxide (O₂^•ˉ) and hydroxyl (OH^•) radicals responsible for the efficient degradation of MB dye. Another portion of MB could be removed by deposition on the synthesized AHN material, facilitating the MB photo-degradation pathway. The photodegradation reaction followed the pseudo-first-order kinetic model with (k₁) of 0.0075 min^-1. The electrical energy consumption was evaluated and achieved at 184 kWh/m³, equivalent to an operating cost of 16.5 USD/m³. The removal of MB by the manufactured AHN catalyst showed good agreement with other photocatalytic degradation mechanisms reported in the literature.