In modern industrial environments, efficient process control and monitoring are critical to ensuring optimal performance, safety, and product quality. As chemical and manufacturing processes become increasingly complex and nonlinear, traditional control techniques such as Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers exhibit limited adaptability and robustness in the face of dynamic operating conditions, disturbances, and system uncertainties. This paper proposes a real-time integrated control and monitoring framework based on Model Predictive Control (MPC) and an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) for fault-tolerant regulation of chemical reactors. The MPC component predicts future system behavior over a finite horizon and optimizes control inputs while respecting operational constraints. In parallel, the EKF provides accurate state estimation and residual analysis for anomaly detection and real-time health monitoring. The proposed methodology is applied to a benchmark nonlinear system—a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR)—to evaluate its effectiveness. Simulation results demonstrate superior performance of the MPC-EKF framework in terms of setpoint tracking, disturbance rejection, fault detection speed, and energy efficiency, compared to conventional PID control. Notably, the system can detect and respond to abrupt faults, such as flow disruptions, within a few seconds, thus minimizing process deviations and operational risks. The findings highlight the potential of combining predictive control with model-based monitoring for next-generation smart process systems and industrial digitalization initiatives.

Phenol is a hazardous aromatic compound frequently detected in industrial effluents, posing serious risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. In this study, a natural illite-based catalyst impregnated with 2% iron (Fe@SCRT) was synthesized and evaluated for phenol degradation via various advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), including Fenton, Sono-Fenton, Photo-Fenton, and their combined forms.

The catalyst was characterized using XRD, FTIR, and SEM-EDX, confirming successful iron incorporation and structural modification. Among the tested processes, the combined Sono-Photo-Fenton system achieved the highest degradation efficiency, exceeding 95% phenol removal within 60 minutes. Operational parameters such as pH, H₂O₂ concentration, and catalyst dosage were optimized to enhance performance. Statistical analyses, including standard deviation and ANOVA, revealed significant differences among individual and combined processes.

Scavenger studies identified hydroxyl radicals as the primary oxidative species, with contributions from superoxide radicals and metal ions. The catalyst showed good stability across multiple reuse cycles with minimal iron leaching.

Preliminary eco-toxicological tests, including seed germination and fish survival assays, demonstrated a clear reduction in effluent toxicity after treatment, supporting the environmental viability of the approach.

This study introduces a novel integration of multiple AOPs using a low-cost, natural clay-based catalyst, with both performance and toxicity assessments. The synergistic effect of the Sono-Photo-Fenton process using Fe@SCRT is reported here for the first time. These findings highlight the potential of Fe@SCRT as a sustainable and efficient catalyst for wastewater treatment applications.

The decarbonization of energy-intensive separation processes is critical for achieving net-zero goals in the chemical industry. While widely used for separating azeotropic and close-boiling mixtures, pressure swing distillation (PSD) remains highly energy intensive due to significant thermal demands. This study explores the integration of electrification and hybrid heat pump-assisted systems into PSD as a pathway to enhanced sustainability. This work presents a comprehensive systems-based assessment of electrified distillation designs, with a specific focus on tetrahydrofuran–water separation as a case study.

Using Aspen Plus and Aspen Plus Dynamics for steady-state and dynamic simulations, coupled with MATLAB-based multi-criteria optimization, we evaluated key performance indicators including thermal and exergy efficiencies, CO₂ emissions reduction potential, and controllability metrics. The electrified configurations employed electric reboilers and heat pumps as partial or full substitutes for conventional steam heating.

The results show that hybrid electrified systems can reduce primary energy demand by up to 28%, while improving exergy efficiency by 22% compared to conventional setups. Dynamic controllability analysis using the Morari Resiliency Index (MRI) and Condition Number (CN) confirmed enhanced stability and responsiveness under variable electricity input scenarios. Additionally, GHG emissions were reduced by 35–45%, depending on the electricity source mix.

This study demonstrates the potential of electrification to transform PSD systems from rigid, energy-intensive operations into flexible and sustainable processes. The findings support a shift toward integrated, systems-driven design strategies in chemical separation, aligning with broader goals in process electrification, circularity, and net-zero manufacturing. This approach can serve as a blueprint for retrofitting traditional separation systems with next-generation, low-emission technologies.

Trajectory tracking control is a critical aspect of quadrotor performance, requiring high precision, stability, and responsiveness. This paper presents a comparative analysis of PID control optimization for quadrotor trajectory tracking using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and the Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA). The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these metaheuristic algorithms for enhancing PID controller performance in terms of stability, precision, and response speed. The optimization process involves tuning the PID parameters using PSO and FPA to achieve optimal tracking performance. PSO, inspired by swarm intelligence, efficiently explores the search space to find optimal controller gains, whereas FPA, inspired by the pollination process in nature, provides a balance between exploration and exploitation. The optimized controllers are tested through simulations, where various trajectory scenarios are implemented to assess their performance. Simulation results indicate that both PSO and FPA significantly enhance the quadrotor’s tracking capability compared to conventional PID tuning methods. However, a comparative analysis reveals key differences in their performance. While PSO demonstrates faster convergence and improved response speed, FPA exhibits superior stability and precision under dynamic conditions. The results provide valuable insights into the suitability of these algorithms for real-world quadrotor applications. This study highlights the potential of bio-inspired optimization techniques to refine PID control strategies, offering a robust approach for the improvement of quadrotor trajectory tracking. These findings contribute to the ongoing development of intelligent control methods for aerial robotics and autonomous flight systems.

Hybrid materials obtained through the synthesis of gold nanoparticles in the branched structure of a natural biopolymer, the polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), spontaneously form and demonstrate the highest stability in an alkaline environment. This is due to the fact that under these conditions, the ionisation of carboxyl groups leads to electrostatic repulsion of equally charged GXM fragments and the biomolecule ‘tends’ to form flexible, partially unfolded structures. In addition, polysaccharides undergo hydrolysis in an alkaline environment with gradual cleavage of monosaccharide links, starting from the reducing end of the polysaccharide (the so-called basic degradation of polysaccharides).

As a result of alkaline cleavage of heteroglycan, a shortened polysaccharide backbone is formed in the reaction mixture, and methasaccharide acids and unsaturated sugars are formed from the side chains, in the oligosaccharide residues of which acetyl groups are deacylated under the action of alkali. Alkali-induced hydrolysis leads to the growth of hydroxyl groups on small fragments, which in themselves can stabilise nanostructures, preventing their further growth, coalescence and dissolution. The presence of small and mobile polysaccharide fragments leads to a more rigid stabilisation of open fragments of spherical metal particles, on the one hand, and the formation of nanoparticles with triangular or quadrangular geometry, as we have shown for the case of monosaccharides . As a result, such hybrids have a dense and well-organised organic shell. A sufficiently large distance between metal nanoparticles and a solid layer of organic stabiliser makes the hybrid less prone to degradation over time. The report describes in detail the main mechanism of shortening the polysaccharide backbone due to alkaline degradation of polysaccharides and deacylation of the end fragments of the side chains. It also provides a brief overview of the results obtained by the authors for similar structures and suggests the most promising ways to use them.

Chamomile is a source of bioactive compounds. In the province of Tarma, Peru, chamomile is commercialized for use in traditional medicine and tea-making. The present study aimed to obtain chamomile flower extracts (CFEs) using supercritical CO₂ (200 bar and 40 °C) and to analyze their composition. Chamomile flowers produced in Tarma were used in the extractions. The CFE was collected into a flask adapted for weight control during the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) process. The CFEs were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) to determine their composition. A yield of 2.8 ± 0.3 % CFE was obtained after 122 min of extraction with a CO₂ flow rate of 5.38 g/min. During the SFE extraction process, a colorless extract with an aroma characteristic of chamomile flower essential oil was initially obtained, followed by an amber-colored extract with an oily texture and aroma characteristic of chamomile. According to the behavior of the extraction kinetics, it is likely that part of the colorless extract was volatilized with the solvent flow during the process. The CFE presented 57 chemical compounds, with the most abundant being 4-(4-Hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-1-yl)butan-2-one (12.86%), (Z)-2-(Hexa-2,4-diyn-1-ylidene)-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]non-3-ene (11.82%), 2,6,10,10-Tetramethyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-6-ol (11.54%), pentacosane (8.07%), cyclohexanethiol, 2,5-dimethyl-, acetate (5.61%), and tetracontane (5.26%). The CFE obtained using supercritical CO₂ has an interesting composition of bioactive compounds, requiring further studies for its application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Ibuprofen is a potent non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory drug derived from propionic acid, and its effects are brought about by the effective inhibition of the synthesis of both Cyclooxygenase isoforms COX-1 and COX-2. The main effects of ibuprofen are related to the effective control of moderate pain, acute inflammation and fever in many diseases such as Patent Ductus Arteriosus, dental pains, orthostatic hypotension, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteo-arthritis. Ibuprofen is widely used to reduce mild and moderate aches and pains and reduce fever and manage dysmenorrhea. It is very commonly used for the relief of acute symptoms such as fever and tension headaches. It is also used to manage mild to moderate pain and moderate to severe pain as an adjunct to opioid analgesics. The main aim of this research was to exactly quantify pure ibuprofen in a pharmaceutical, using a new developed spectrophotometric method in the ultraviolet (UV) range. Maximum absorption wavelength was found at λ = 227 nm, corresponding to the absorbance of A = 0.7469, relative to absolute methanol used as a control. The amount of pure ibuprofen calculated in the pharmaceutical was 395.398 mg, corresponding to 98.85% percentage content, and was very close to the official reference value (400 mg). The average percentage deviation of the content found from the stated official amount (400 mg) was 1.15%, below the maximum percentage limit (± 5%) allowed by the European and International Pharmacopoeias Rules.

This work explores the optical behavior of monolayer, bilayer, and trilayer graphene films synthesized via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and transferred onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates, with the aim of assessing their suitability for integration into smart labels for food packaging. Graphene is selected for this application because it uniquely combines optical transparency, mechanical flexibility, and high electrical conductivity, enabling the realization of labels that are unobtrusive yet multifunctional. The increasing demand for sustainable and intelligent packaging solutions has driven interest in flexible and transparent materials capable of incorporating sensing or data-storage functions. Spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis demonstrates that the dielectric response of few-layer graphene on PET can be accurately modeled using two Lorentz oscillators. A strong absorption feature at 4.6 eV is attributed to the van Hove singularity in the graphene density of states. Unlike what has been observed for bilayer graphene on SiO₂/Si substrates, this peak does not show a red shift on PET, suggesting reduced exciton–substrate interactions and supporting turbostratic stacking. A second oscillator, centered around 4.0 eV, is assigned to π–π* transitions typical of graphitic structures. The absence of significant spectral shifts highlights the substrate-dependent nature of excitonic features in graphene. These results provide a spectroscopic fingerprint for few-layer CVD graphene on flexible PET, which is essential for non-destructive quality control in industrial settings. Ultimately, this study contributes to the fundamental knowledge required to enable the development of transparent, flexible, and functional smart packaging technologies, where the ability to verify film quality via rapid, non-destructive inspection supports scalable production. The main advantages for packaging are the reliable integration of intelligent functions, the preservation of transparency and recyclability, and the possibility of adding sensing, traceability, and anti-counterfeiting capabilities without compromising the sustainability of PET-based food packaging.

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) are nitrogen-rich porous polymer networks composed of 1,3,5-triazine rings linked by organic moieties via covalent bonds. These materials often exhibit high thermal stability and specific surface areas. Their heteroatom-rich structure[1] makes them attractive for catalysis and gas adsorption applications. One of the efficient synthetic routes for obtaining CTFs is the nucleophilic substitution between cyanuric chloride (2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine) and polyfunctional amines, which forms –NH–bridged triazine networks. These syntheses could be performed under conventional heating methods; however, complete substitution often requires prolonged reaction times.

Microwave irradiation has emerged as a powerful method in such types of reactions due to rapid and uniform energy input, accelerating the substitution and formation of CTFs under mild conditions. For example, the –NH–linked triazine framework was synthesized in just 30 minutes via microwave heating (400W) from cyanuric chloride and melamine[2].

According to our results, the reaction between melamine and cyanuric chloride in DMSO for 3 days yielded 31% of –NH–linked CTF, while in microwave conditions. it proceeds for 1 h under 50–200W, with a double yield of 67%. Moreover, the synthesis of CTF from melamine and pararosaniline under conventional heating did not proceed, but under microwave-assisted heating, we isolated the product with 48% yield.

Thus, microwave-assisted routes significantly reduce reaction times and improve yields. This work highlights how microwave-driven nucleophilic substitution strategies can efficiently produce –NH–bridged CTFs, offering a scalable pathway for these functional porous materials.

References:

[1] Silpa Elizabeth Peter et al., “Cyanuric Chloride as a Linker towards the Synthesis of Covalent Triazine Polymers: A Review,” Materials Advances 5, no. 23 (2024): 9175–9209, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MA00739E.

[2] Monika Chaudhary and Paritosh Mohanty, “Nitrogen Enriched Polytriazine as a Metal-Free Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Knoevenagel Reaction under Mild Conditions,” New Journal of Chemistry 42, no. 15 (2018): 12924–28, https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NJ02174K.

Compact and economical packing of materials are key to sustainable future production. Nowadays, technologies are emerging that make possible the detection of sustainable materials using imaging techniques.This study focuses on effective application of image-based analysis techniques in detecting material failures and thermal impacts for sustainable infrastructure management. Investigating on these techniques would increase the potential of thermal imaging in the building sector. Furthermore, as severe weather events are projected to increase, material resilience and energy efficiency are becoming two challenges that many countries face. The occurrence of different stresses on existing materials related to urban infrastructure are produced due to different environmental conditions. On the other hand, during cool, particular attention should be paid to ensure energy efficiency and change in performance. Image technology that is used in analysis of materials since decades to detect and visualize thermal imbalances through humidity or improper insulation. The results show that using image analysis process techniques can detect failures in materials 80% of the time applied, and temperature impact like overheating within ±2°C. These results show that imaging has great potential for the sustainable management of materials for infrastructures. This study will help in materials manufacturing and sustainable packaging. It can be studied with reference to energy efficency and this detection will help in efficent material application and mangement.