Search results for: EFFECTIVENESS OF UTILIZATION
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Electricity generation from rapeseed straw hydrolysates using microbial fuel cells
PublicationRapeseed straw is an attractive fuel material for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) due to its high content of carbohydrates (more than 60% carbohydrates). This study has demonstrated that reducing sugars can be efficiently extracted from raw rapeseed straw by combination of hydrothermal pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis followed by utilization as a fuel in two-chamber MFCs for electrical power generation. The most efficient method...
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The Hydrolysis of Slowly Biodegradable Substrate in Activated Sludge
PublicationIn a present work a novel procedure, based on the standard batch tests and pretreatment of wastewater sample with coagulation-flocculation method, was proposed to evaluate the effects of hydrolysis of slowly biodegradable substrate (Xs) on biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes in activated sludge systems. The study was conducted at two large BNR wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in northern Poland: "Wschod" in Gdansk and...
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Manufacturing of Lightweight Aggregates as an Auspicious Method of Sewage Sludge Utilization
Publication: Sewage sludge is a high-volume and low-cost waste commonly generated worldwide, so its utilization is a vital issue. The application of this waste in the manufacturing of lightweight aggregates was investigated. The process was performed using intensive mixers with volumes of 5 and 30 L, as well as the industrial 500 L mixer. Then, granulates were sintered in a tube furnace. The influence of composition and mixer size on the...
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A numerical analysis of the thermal effects in the jet impingement stagnation zone
PublicationMost of the flows occurring in the engineering systems are turbulent and their accurate numerical analysis is still challenging, especially when combined with the heat transfer. One of the methods of heat transfer enhancement is utilization of the turbulent impinging jets, which were recently applied also in the heat exchangers. Their positive impact on the heat transfer performance was proven, but many questions related to its...
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Automated Classifier Development Process for Recognizing Book Pages from Video Frames
PublicationOne of the latest developments made by publishing companies is introducing mixed and augmented reality to their printed media (e.g. to produce augmented books). An important computer vision problem that they are facing is classification of book pages from video frames. The problem is non-trivial, especially considering that typical training data is limited to only one digital original per book page, while the trained classifier...
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Photoinduced K+ Intercalation into MoO3/FTO Photoanode—the Impact on the Photoelectrochemical Performance
PublicationIn this work, thin layers of MoO3 were tested as potential photoanodes for water splitting. The influence of photointercalation of alkali metal cation (K+) into the MoO3 structure on the photoelectrochemical properties of the molybdenum trioxide films was investigated for the first time. MoO3 thin films were synthesized via thermal annealing of thin, metallic Mo films deposited onto the FTO substrate using a magnetron sputtering...
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Waste tire rubber as low-cost and environmentally-friendly modifier in thermoset polymers – a review
PublicationNowadays, waste tire rubber (WTR) management is a growing and serious problem. Therefore, research works focused on the development of cost-effective and environmentally-friendly methods of WTR recycling are fully justified. Incorporation of WTR into polymer matrices and composite materials attracts much attention, because this approach allows sustainable development of industrially applicable waste tires recycling technologies....
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Characterization and properties of LDPE/(ground tire rubber)/crosslinked butyl rubber blends
PublicationIn recent years, interest in used rubber recycling, mainly focusing on the utilization of end-of-life tires, has heightened. This interest, is owing to the activities related to environmental protection and economic factors, which both stimulate companies to reuse the high-quality rubber present in ground rubber scrap. In this study, the application of crosslinked butyl rubber in thermoplastic compositions of low-density polyethylene...
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Honey bees and their products - bioindicators of environmental contamination
PublicationHuman activities produce contaminants, the amounts and toxicity of which often exceed the environment’s homeostatic capacity to cleanse itself. Hence, the systematic analysis and monitoring of the environment is increasingly a matter of urgency. Honey bees, thanks to their morphological features, and also bee products are regarded as good indicators of environmental pollution by toxic substances, be these heavy metals, radioactive...
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Block Conjugate Gradient Method with Multilevel Preconditioning and GPU Acceleration for FEM Problems in Electromagnetics
PublicationIn this paper a GPU-accelerated block conjugate gradient solver with multilevel preconditioning is presented for solving large system of sparse equations with multiple right hand-sides (RHSs) which arise in the finite-element analysis of electromagnetic problems. We demonstrate that blocking reduces the time to solution significantly and allows for better utilization of the computing power of GPUs, especially when the system matrix...
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Metal nanoparticles-assisted early diagnosis of diseases
PublicationEarly diagnosis is essential for the effective illness treatment, but traditional diagnostic approaches inevitably have major downsides. Recent advancements in nanoparticle-based biosensors have created new opportunities for accelerating diagnosis. High surface area, exceptional sensitivity, high specificity, and optical characteristics of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles have made it possible to detect a variety of health conditions...
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Utilization of a Non-Linear Error Function in a Positioning Algorithm for Distance Measurement Systems Designed for Indoor Environments
PublicationA new positioning algorithm for distance measurement systems is outlined herein. This algorithm utilizes a non-linear error function which allows us to improve the positioning accuracy in highly difficult indoor environments. The non-linear error function also allows us to adjust the performance of the algorithm to the particular environmental conditions. The well-known positioning algorithms have limitations, mentioned by their...
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On EM-driven size reduction of antenna structures with explicit constraint handling
PublicationSimulation-driven miniaturization of antenna components is a challenging task mainly due to the presence of expensive constraints, evaluation of which involves full-wave electromagnetic (EM) analysis. The recommended approach is implicit constraint handling using penalty functions, which, however, requires a meticulous selection of penalty coefficients, instrumental in ensuring optimization process reliability. This paper proposes...
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Performance-Driven Inverse/Forward Modeling of Antennas in Variable-Thickness Domains
PublicationDesign of contemporary antenna systems is a challenging endeavor. The difficulties are partially rooted in stringent specifications imposed on both electrical and field characteristics, demands concerning various functionalities, but also constraints imposed upon the physical size of the radiators. Furthermore, conducting the design process at the level of full-wave electromagnetic (EM) simulations, otherwise dictated by reliability,...
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Miniaturized Metal-Mountable U-shaped Inductive-Coupling-Fed UHF RFID Tag Antenna with Defected Microstrip Surface
PublicationThis study presents a novel miniature ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for metallic objects. Its arrangement includes a U-shaped feeder, which is inductively coupled to two E-type connected patches. Size reduction is achieved by means of utilizing the U-shaped feeder, and introducing a defection in the connection between the two E-type patches. The defection in the connection area between the...
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Colored Tattoo Ink Screening Method with Optical Tissue Phantoms and Raman Spectroscopy
PublicationDue to the increasing popularity of tattoos among the general population, to ensure their safety and quality, there is a need to develop reliable and rapid methods for the analysis of the composition of tattoo inks, both in the ink itself and in already existing tattoos. This paper presents the possibility of using Raman spectroscopy to examine tattoo inks in biological materials. We have developed optical tissue phantoms mimicking...
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Loosely-Tied Distributed Architecture for Highly Scalable E-Learning System
PublicationVast majority of modern e-learning products are based on client-server architecture and utilization of web-based technologies (WBT). Such approach permits easy creation of e-learning systems that do not require a complex, operating system dependant client software. Unfortunately there are also drawbacks of such solution. Because of the majority of mechanisms are located on the server, its usage levels trend to build up quickly...
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Beeswax And Palmitic Acid Utilization With Heat Pipes For Electronics Cooling
PublicationThis paper presents an experimental study of heat pipes supported by phase change materials (PCMs) coated at their adiabatic sections in application for electronics cooling. The PCMs investigated in this research were palmitic acid and beeswax, the latter being considered as a more cost-effective alternative. The study focused on three powers: 20W, 25W, and 30W. The experimental results revealed that the incorporation of palmitic...
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The potential of enhancing denitrification in the activated sludge process with by-products from the alcohol production
PublicationIn this study, by-products from the alcohol production were examined in terms of their potential application as external carbon sources for enhancing denitrification in biological nutrient removal systems. Three kinds of experimental assays were used to compare the effects of the by-products with other external carbon sources (ethanol and acetic acid) and the settled wastewater. Based on the results obtained, it appears that one...
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Magneto-thermal convection of low concentration nanofluids
PublicationThe main aim of this paper was to analyze possible utilization of the low concentration nanofluids and the magnetic field to enhance heat transfer. The studied fluids were based on water with an addition of copper particles (40-60 nm diameter). They belonged to the diamagnetic group of materials. As a first attempt to stated target the analysis of enclosure placed in the maximal value of square magnetic induction gradient was carried...
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An approach to improve the time efficiency of disjoint paths calculation
PublicationFailures of network elements can be appropriately dealt with by utilization of alternate disjoint paths to provide redirection of flows affected by failures of the respective working paths. Known approaches can be broadly divided by decision on backup paths installation into proactive and reactive mechanisms, as well as based on the scope of recovery actions into local and global rerouting. There are several important scenarios...
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Reactive Sintering of Ground Tire Rubber (GTR) Modified by a Trans-Polyoctenamer Rubber and Curing Additives
PublicationThe proposed method of ground tire rubber (GTR) utilization involves the application of trans-polyoctenamer rubber (TOR), a commercially available waste rubber modifier. The idea was to investigate the influence of various curing additives (sulfur, N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazole sulfenamide (CBS), dibenzothiazole disulfide (MBTS) and di-(2-ethyl)hexylphosphorylpolysulfide (SDT)) on curing characteristics, physico-mechanical, thermal,...
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The new silica-based coated SPME fiber as universal support for the confinement of ionic liquid as an extraction medium
PublicationThe new silica-based SPME fiber coating is reported for the first time as universal support purposed to confinement of ionic liquid as an extraction medium. Fiber coating was prepared by the sol-gel process, using potassium silicate (K2SiO3) as a precursor and dimethylformamide (DMF) as a pore-forming medium. The concept of synthesis assumes obtaining a solid porous material on the surface of the glass rod and, being characterized...
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Progress, Challenge, and Perspective of Bimetallic TiO2-Based Photocatalysts
PublicationBimetallic TiO2-based photocatalysts have attracted considerable attention in recent years as a class of highly active catalysts and photocatalysts under both UV and Vis light irradiation. Bimetallic noble metal structures deposited on TiO2 possess the ability to absorb visible light, in a wide wavelength range (broad LSPR peak), and therefore reveal the highest level of activity as a result of utilization of a large amount of...
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The Way One Defines Specification Matters: On the Performance Criteria for Efficient Antenna Optimization in Aggregated Bi-Objective Setups
PublicationDesign of antenna structures for real-world applications is a challenging task that often involves addressing multiple design requirements at a time. Popular solution approaches to this class of problems include utilization of composite objectives. Although configuration of such functions has a significant effect on the cost and performance of the optimization, their specific structure is normally determined based on engineering...
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Will NILM Technology Replace Multi-Meter Telemetry Systems for Monitoring Electricity Consumption?
PublicationThe estimation of electric power utilization, its baseload, and its heating, light, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) power component, which represents a very large portion of electricity usage in commercial facilities, are important for energy consumption controls and planning. Non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM) is the analytical method used to monitor the energy and disaggregate total electrical usage into appliance-related...
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Mechanochemically synthesized Mn3O4@β-cyclodextrin mediates efficient electron transfer process for peroxymonosulfate activation
PublicationThe rational surface engineering of heterogeneous catalysts is of great significance in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for eliminating refractory contaminants but remains challenging. In this study, β-cyclodextrin modified Mn3O4 (Mn3O4@β-CD) was prepared through a mechanochemical approach for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation, which achieved efficient bisphenol A (BPA) removal via electron transfer process (ETP). The reactive...
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Recent Progress on Hydrogen Storage and Production Using Chemical Hydrogen Carriers
PublicationDepleting fossil fuel resources and anthropogenic climate changes are the reasons for the intensive development of new, sustainable technologies based on renewable energy sources. One of the most promising strategies is the utilization of hydrogen as an energy vector. However, the limiting issue for large-scale commercialization of hydrogen technologies is a safe, efficient, and economical method of gas storage. In industrial practice,...
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Comparison of direct and inverse methods of satellite observations downscaling for the coastal zone area
PublicationThe Earth observation satellite imaging systems have known limitations, especially regarding their spatial and temporal resolution. Therefore, approaches which aim to combine data retrieved from sensors of higher temporal and lower spatial resolution with the data characterized by lower temporal but higher spatial resolution are of high interest. This allows for joint utilization of the advantages of both these types of sensors....
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Elementary analysis and energetic potential of the municipal sewage sludges from the Gdańsk and Kościerzyna WWTPs
PublicationThis paper aims to present municipal sewage sludge (MSS) elementary analysis and energetic potential based on measurement of heat of combustion (higher heating value HHV) and calculation of calorific values (lower heating value LHV). The analysis takes into the consideration water content in sewage sludge, at different utilization stages, in wastewater treatment plants in Gdańsk Wschód and Kościerzyna – Pomeranian Voivodeship....
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Thermal-Hydraulic Studies on the Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger with Minijets
PublicationIn this paper a patented design of a heat exchanger with minijets, with a cylindrical construction is presented. It is followed by the results of its systematic experimental investigations in the single-phase convection heat transfer mode. Based on these results, validation of selected correlations (coming from the literature) describing the Nusselt number was carried out. An assessment of the heat exchange intensification level...
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Green analytical chemistry metrics: A review
PublicationGreen analytical chemistry encourages reducing the use of toxic chemicals/reagents, using energy-efficient equipment, and generating minimal waste. The recent trends in analytical method development focus on the miniaturization of the sample preparation devices, the development of solventless or solvent-minimized extraction techniques, and the utilization of less toxic solvents. The twelve principles of GAC serve as a basic guideline...
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More than just a beer—the potential applications of by-products from beer manufacturing in polymer technology
PublicationBeer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the world, and its popularity is continuously growing. Currently, global beer production is estimated at around 2 billion hectoliters. Nevertheless, the increasing production capacity implicates the rising issue of generated by-products—brewers’ spent grain, spent hops, spent yeast, and wastewater. They are generated in massive amounts, so having in mind the current pro-ecological...
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Structural Changes and Their Implications in Foamed Flexible Polyurethane Composites Filled with Rapeseed Oil-Treated Ground Tire Rubber
PublicationThe utilization of post-consumer car tires is an essential issue from an ecological andeconomic point of view. One of the simplest and the least harmful methods is their material recyclingresulting in ground tire rubber (GTR), which can be further applied as fillers for polymer-basedcomposites. Nevertheless, insufficient interfacial interactions implicate the necessity of GTR modi-fication before introduction into polymer matrices....
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Overview of Approaches for Compensating Inherent Metamaterials Losses
PublicationMetamaterials are synthetic composite structures with extraordinary electromagnetic properties not readily accessible in ordinary materials. These media attracted massive attention due to their exotic characteristics. However, several issues have been encountered, such as the narrow bandwidth and inherent losses that restrict the spectrum and the variety of their applications. The losses have become the principal limiting factor...
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Modeling an Industrial Revolution: How to Manage Large-Scale, Complex IoT Ecosystems?
PublicationAdvancements around the modern digital industry gave birth to a number of closely interrelated concepts: in the age of the Internet of Things (IoT), System of Systems (SoS), Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), Digital Twins and the fourth industrial revolution, everything revolves around the issue of designing well-understood, sound and secure complex systems while providing maximum flexibility, autonomy and dynamics. The aim of the...
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Quantifying the effective mobilized RAP content during hot in-place recycling techniques
PublicationThe utilization of in-place recycling techniques is capable of consuming 100% reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Hot in-place recycling (HIR) is one of the promising techniques to rehabilitate the pavements suffering from minor cracking issues through heat scarification, additive injecting, mechanical mixing, and compacting. However, the main concern of using 100% RAP in HIR remains as how much RAP can be activated and mobilized...
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SEA SLUGG - Student Experiment Again: Submarine Launched into μGravity from Gdansk
PublicationSearch for extraterrestrial life has been a drive wheel for space technology research for half a century. Recentresearch in astrobiology suggests that underwater oceans on Jovian moon Europa, Saturnian moon Titan and possiblyasteroids may be a potential habitat for such microbial life. The unique combination of an actively recycled ice shelland rocky, possibly magmatic interior may give rise to a geochemical system suitable...
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Advances and Trends in Non-Conventional, Abrasive and Precision Machining 2021
PublicationIn the modern, rapidly evolving industrial landscape, the quest for machining and production processes consistently delivering superior quality and precision is more pronounced than ever. This necessity and imperative are driven by the increasing complexity in the design and manufacturing of mechanical components, an evolution in lockstep with the swift advancements in material science. The real challenge of this evolution lies...
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A review on hydrophobic electrospun nanofibers-based materials and membranes for water treatment: Challenges, outlook, and stability
PublicationMembrane technology is well recognized as a dependable means of supplementing the availability of potable water through processes such as water purification and desalination. Electrospun nanofiber membranes have garnered significant attention because of their advantageous features, including a greater specific surface area, increased porosity, reduced thickness, and popularity. Consequently, ENMs have emerged as an up-and-coming...
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Accurate simulation-driven modeling and design optimization of compact microwave structures
PublicationCost efficient design optimization of microwave structures requires availability of fast yet reliable replacement models so that multiple evaluations of the structure at hand can be executed in reasonable timeframe. Direct utilization of full-wave electromagnetic (EM) simulations is often prohibitive. On the other hand, accurate data-driven modeling normally requires a very large number of training points and it is virtually infeasible...
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Application of an Electronic Nose Instrument to Fast Classification of Polish Honey Types
PublicationThe paper presents practical utilization of an electronic nose prototype, based on the FIGARO semiconductor sensors, in fast classification of Polish honey types—acacia flower, linden flower, rape, buckwheat and honeydew ones. A set of thermostating modules of the prototype provided gradient temperature characteristics of barbotage-prepared gas mixtures and stable measurement conditions. Three chemometric data analysis methods...
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Utilisation of waste heat from the power plant by use of the ORC aided with bleed steam and extra source of heat
PublicationUtilization of waste heat recovered from the exhaust gases of the power generation unit by means of ORC (organic Rankine cycles) installation is considered. The waste heat is available in the form of a stream of hot water having temperature of 90 stC in the amount of 200 MWt. To increase evaporation temperaturę of ORC working fluid the heat of steam from the extraction points from the low-pressure part of steam turbine is used....
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Contour Analysis of Bleeding Regions in Endoscopic Images
PublicationThis paper investigates the problem of detecting bleeding regions in images acquired from endoscopic examinations of gastrointestinal tract. The purpose is to identify the characteristic features of bleeding areas' contours in order to develop an accurate method for discriminating between true bleeding regions and missed detections, which could lead to a significant reduction of the false alarm rate of existing blood-detection...
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Thermal utilization of meat-and-bone meal using the rotary kiln pyrolyzer and the fluidized bed boiler – The performance of pilot-scale installation
PublicationThermal utilization of meat-and-bone meal (MBM) is subject to stringent regulations that are meant to provide elimination of any potential pathogens. Incineration as well as other possible routes for thermal conversion of MBM are still at the research state. The universal technology was developed that allows to combust various types of waste organic materials, including animal waste, municipal solid waste and sludge, mixed at any...
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The Effect of Fly Ash Microspheres on the Pore Structure of Concrete
PublicationThe fly ash microspheres (FAMs) formed during the mineral transformation stage in coal combustion are hollow spherical particles with a density less than water. This paper presents the results of X‐ray micro‐computed tomography and an automatic image analysis system of the porosity in the structure of hardened concrete with microspheres. Concrete mixtures with ordinary Portland cement and two substitution rates of cement by microspheres—5%...
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Extraction and evaluation of gas-flow-dependent features from dynamic measurements of gas sensors array
PublicationGas analyzers based on gas sensors are the devices which enable recognition of various kinds of volatile compounds. They have continuously been developed and investigated for over three decades, however there are still limitations which slow down the implementation of those devices in many applications. For example, the main drawbacks are the lack of selectivity, sensitivity...
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Analytical tools for functional assessment of architectural layouts
PublicationFunctional layout of the building, understood as a layout or set of the facility rooms (or groups of rooms) with a system of internal communication, creates an environment and a place of mutual relations between the occupants of the object. Achieving optimal (from the occupants’ point of view) spatial arrangement is possible through activities that often go beyond the stage of architectural design. Adopted in the architectural...
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Biopolymer-based composites for tissue engineering applications: A basis for future opportunities
PublicationBiomimetic scaffolds supporting tissue regeneration are complex materials with multifunctional characteristics. The unique biocompatibility and biodegradability of biopolymers make them excellent candidates for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Biopolymers, which have a wide range of properties, can be obtained from different natural sources. Depending on the target tissue, biopolymers can be engineered to meet a series...
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Preparation and characterization of asphaltene based adsorbents for gas-solid adsorption systems
PublicationThe dissertation presents results of the experimental research on asphaltene-based adsorbents (support coated with asphaltene layer) for gas-solid adsorption systems, with special reference to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) removal from gas streams. Analysis of gas adsorption properties revealed that asphaltenes isolated from oxidized bitumen have strong affinity toward VOCs. Interactions with target gas molecules, and selectivity...