| |
Records |
Links |
|
Author |
Sun, C.; Liao, X.; Peng, H.; Zhang, C.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Zhao, Y.; Wu, J. |
|
| |
Title |
Interfacial gliding-driven lattice oxygen release in layered cathodes |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
Cell reports physical science |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
3 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
|
|
| |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT) |
|
| |
Abstract |
The oxygen release of layered cathodes causes many battery failures, but the underlying mechanism in an actual working cathode is still elusive as it involves secondary agglomerates that introduce complicated boundary structures. Here, we report a general structure instability on the mismatch boundaries driven by interfacial gliding-it introduces a shear stress causing a distortion of the metal-oxygen octahedra framework that reduces its kinetic stability. The migration of cations and diffusion of oxygen vacancies continue to degrade the whole particle from the boundary to the interior, followed by the formation of nano-sized cracks on the fast-degrading interfaces. This work reveals a robust chemical and mechanical interplay on the oxygen release inherent to the intergranular boundaries of layered cathodes. It also suggests that radially patterned columnar grains with low-angle planar boundaries would be an efficient approach to mitigate the boundary oxygen release. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
000745659500012 |
Publication Date |
2021-12-20 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
|
| |
Impact Factor  |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:186420 |
Serial |
6961 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Arslan Irmak, E. |
|
| |
Title |
Modelling three-dimensional nanoparticle transformations based on quantitative transmission electron microscopy |
Type |
Doctoral thesis |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
169 p. |
|
| |
Keywords |
Doctoral thesis; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Nanomaterials are materials that have at least one dimension in the nanometer length scale, which corresponds to a billionth of a meter. When three dimensions are confined to the nanometer scale, these materials are referred to as nanoparticles. These materials are of great interest since they exhibit unique physical and chemical properties that cannot be observed for bulk systems. Due to their unique and often superior properties, nanomaterials have become central in the field of electronics, catalysis, and medicine. Moreover, they are expected to be one of the most promising systems to tackle many challenges that our society is facing, such as reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and finding effective treatments for cancer. The unique properties of nanomaterials are linked to their size, shape, structure, and composition. If one is able to measure the positions of the atoms, their chemical nature, and the bonding between them, it becomes possible to predict the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials. In this manner, the development of novel nanostructures can be triggered. However, the morphology and structure of nanomaterials are highly sensitive to the conditions for relevant applications, such as elevated temperatures or intense light illumination. Furthermore, any small change in the local structure at higher temperatures or pressures may significantly modify their performance. Hence, three-dimensional (3D) characterization of nanomaterials under application-relevant conditions is important in designing them with desired functional properties for specific applications. Among different structural characterization approaches, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is one of the most efficient and versatile tools to investigate the structure and composition of nanomaterials since it can provide atomically resolved images, which are sensitive to the local 3D structure of the investigated sample. However, TEM only provides two-dimensional (2D) images of the 3D nanoparticle, which may lead to an incomplete understanding of their structure-property relationship. The most known and powerful technique for the 3D characterization of nanomaterials is electron tomography, where the images of a nanostructured material taken from different directions are mathematically combined to retrieve its 3D structure. Although these experiments are already state-of-the-art, 3D characterization by TEM is typically performed under ultra-high vacuum conditions and at room temperature. Such conditions are unfortunately not sufficient to understand transformations during synthesis or applications of nanomaterials. This limitation can be overcome by in situ TEM where external stimuli, such as heat, gas, and liquids, can be controllably introduced inside the TEM using specialized holders. However, there are some technical limitations to successful perform 3D in situ electron tomography experiments. For example, the long acquisition time required to collect a tilt series limits this technique when one wants to observe 3D dynamic changes with atomic resolution. A solution for this problem is the estimation of the 3D structure of nanomaterials from 2D projection images acquired along a single viewing direction. For this purpose, annular dark field scanning TEM (ADF STEM) imaging mode provides a valuable tool for quantitative structural investigation of nanomaterials from single 2D images due to its thickness and mass sensitivity. For quantitative analysis, an ADF STEM image is considered as a 2D array of pixels where relative variation of pixel intensity values is proportional to the total number of atoms and the atomic number of the elements in the sample. By applying advanced statistical approaches to these images, structural information, such as the number or types of atoms, can be retrieved with high accuracy and precision. The outcome can then be used to build a 3D starting model for energy minimization by atomistic simulations, for example, molecular dynamics simulations or the Monte Carlo method. However, this methodology needs to be further evaluated for in situ experiments. This thesis is devoted to presenting robust approaches to accurately define the 3D atomic structure of nanoparticles under application-relevant conditions and understand the mechanism behind the atomic-scale dynamics in nanoparticles in response to environmental stimuli. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:188295 |
Serial |
7063 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Poulain, R.; Lumbeeck, G.; Hunka, J.; Proost, J.; Savolainen, H.; Idrissi, H.; Schryvers, D.; Gauquelin, N.; Klein, A. |
|
| |
Title |
Electronic and chemical properties of nickel oxide thin films and the intrinsic defects compensation mechanism |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
ACS applied electronic materials |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
4 |
Issue |
6 |
Pages |
2718-2728 |
|
| |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Although largely studied, contradictory results on nickel oxide (NiO) properties can be found in the literature. We herein propose a comprehensive study that aims at leveling contradictions related to NiO materials with a focus on its conductivity, surface properties, and the intrinsic charge defects compensation mechanism with regards to the conditions preparation. The experiments were performed by in situ photo-electron spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and optical as well as electrical measurements on polycrystalline NiO thin films prepared under various preparation conditions by reactive sputtering. The results show that surface and bulk properties were strongly related to the deposition temperature with in particular the observation of Fermi level pinning, high work function, and unstable oxygen-rich grain boundaries for the thin films produced at room temperature but not at high temperature (>200 degrees C). Finally, this study provides substantial information about surface and bulk NiO properties enabling to unveil the origin of the high electrical conductivity of room temperature NiO thin films and also for supporting a general electronic charge compensation mechanism of intrinsic defects according to the deposition temperature. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
000819431200001 |
Publication Date |
2022-06-07 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
2637-6113 |
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
Not_Open_Access |
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:189555 |
Serial |
7081 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Ding, Y.; Maitra, S.; Arenas Esteban, D.; Bals, S.; Vrielinck, H.; Barakat, T.; Roy, S.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Liu, J.; Li, Y.; Vlad, A.; Su, B.-L. |
|
| |
Title |
Photochemical production of hydrogen peroxide by digging pro-superoxide radical carbon vacancies in carbon nitride |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
Cell reports physical science |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
3 |
Issue |
5 |
Pages |
100874-17 |
|
| |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Artificial photosynthesis of H2O2, an environmentally friendly oxidant and a clean fuel, holds great promise. However, improving its efficiency and stability for industrial implementation remains highly challenging. Here, we report the visible-light H2O2 artificial photosynthesis by digging pro-superoxide radical carbon vacancies in three-dimensional hierarchical porous g-C3N4 through a simple hydrolysis-freeze-drying-thermal treatment. A significant electronic structure change is revealed upon the implantation of carbon vacancies, broadening visible-light absorption and facilitating the photogenerated charge separation. The strong electron affinity of the carbon vacancies promotes superoxide radical (O-center dot(2)-) formation, significantly boosting the H2O2 photocatalytic production. The developed photocatalyst shows an H2O2 evolution rate of 6287.5 mM g(-1) h(-1) under visible-light irradiation with a long cycling stability being the best-performing photocatalyst among all reported g-C3N4-based systems. Our work provides fundamental insight into highly active and stable photocatalysts with great potential for safe industrial H2O2 production. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
000805830100006 |
Publication Date |
2022-04-28 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
12 |
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
|
| |
Notes |
Y.D. thanks the China Scholarship Council (201808310127) for financial support. This work is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U1663225) , Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (IRT_15R52) of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Program of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities-Plan 111 (grant no. B20002) from the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education of China, and the National Key R&D Program of China (2016YFA0202602) . This research was also supported by the European Commission Interreg V France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen project “DepollutAir”. |
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:189706 |
Serial |
7090 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Faust, V.; van Alen, T.A.; Op den Camp, H.J.M.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Ganigué, R.; Boon, N.; Udert, K.M. |
|
| |
Title |
Ammonia oxidation by novel “Candidatus Nitrosacidococcus urinae” is sensitive to process disturbances at low pH and to iron limitation at neutral pH |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
Water Research X |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
17 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
100157-11 |
|
| |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Acid-tolerant ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) can open the door to new applications, such as partial nitritation at low pH. However, they can also be problematic because chemical nitrite oxidation occurs at low pH, leading to the release of harmful nitrogen oxide gases. In this publication, the role of acid-tolerant AOB in urine treatment was explored. On the one hand, the technical feasibility of ammonia oxidation under acidic conditions for source-separated urine with total nitrogen concentrations up to 3.5 g-N L−1 was investigated. On the other hand, the abundance and growth of acid-tolerant AOB at more neutral pH was explored. Under acidic conditions (pH of 5), ammonia oxidation rates of 500 mg-N L−1 d−1 and 10 g-N g-VSS-1 d-1 were observed, despite high concentrations of 15 mg-N L−1 of the AOB-inhibiting compound nitrous acid and low concentration of 0.04 mg-N L−1 of the substrate ammonia. However, ammonia oxidation under acidic conditions was very sensitive to process disturbances. Even short periods of less than 12 h without oxygen or without influent resulted in a complete cessation of ammonia oxidation with a recovery time of up to two months, which is a problem for low maintenance applications such as decentralized treatment. Furthermore, undesirable nitrogen losses of about 10% were observed. Under acidic conditions, a novel AOB strain was enriched with a relative abundance of up to 80%, for which the name “Candidatus (Ca.) Nitrosacidococcus urinae” is proposed. While Nitrosacidococcus members were present only to a small extent (0.004%) in urine nitrification reactors operated at pH values between 5.8 and 7, acid-tolerant AOB were always enriched during long periods without influent, resulting in an uncontrolled drop in pH to as low as 2.5. Long-term experiments at different pH values showed that the activity of “Ca. Nitrosacidococcus urinae” decreased strongly at a pH of 7, where they were also outcompeted by the acid-sensitive AOB Nitrosomonas halophila. The experiment results showed that the decreased activity of “Ca. Nitrosacidococcus urinae” correlated with the limited availability of dissolved iron at neutral pH. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
000877925500001 |
Publication Date |
2022-10-04 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
2589-9147 |
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:190944 |
Serial |
7124 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
de Paula Miranda, L. |
|
| |
Title |
Electronic transport in two dimensional systems with defects |
Type |
Doctoral thesis |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
104 p. |
|
| |
Keywords |
Doctoral thesis; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT) |
|
| |
Abstract |
The pursuit for the next generation of nanodevices made scientists focus the attention to two dimensional materials. Experimental works of two dimensional materials are hardly free of structural defects, which, in turn, modify drastically the physical properties of its defect-free counterpart. In this work the presence of structural defects is study in two different materials. First, the dependence of the Hall, bend and longitudinal resistances to a perpendicular magnetic field and to vacancy defects in a four-terminal phosphorene single layer Hall bar is investigated. A tight-binding model in combination with the Landauer-Büttiker formalism is used to calculate the energy spectrum, the lead-to-lead transmissions, and the Hall and bend resistances of the system. It is shown that the terminals with zigzag edge orientation are responsible for the absence of quantized plateaus in the Hall resistance and peaks in the longitudinal resistance. A negative bend resistance in the ballistic regime is found due to the presence of high- and low- energy transport modes in the armchair and zigzag terminals, respectively. The system density of states, with single vacancy defects, shows that the presence of in-gap states is proportional to the number of vacancies. Quantized plateaus in the Hall resistance are only formed in a sufficiently clean system. The effects of different kinds of vacancies in the regime where the quantized plateaus are destroyed and a diffusive regime appears in the bend resistance are investigated. Next, we explore effects due to point defect clustering on the electronic and transport properties of bilayer graphene nanoribbons, for AA and AB stacking and zigzag and armchair boundaries, by means of the tight-binding approach and scattering matrix formalism. Evidence of vacancy concentration signatures exhibiting a maximum amplitude and an universality regardless of the system size, stacking and boundary types, in the density of states around the zero-energy level are observed. Our results are explained via the coalescence analysis of the strong sizeable vacancy clustering effect in the system and the breaking of inversion symmetry at high vacancy densities, demonstrating a similar density of states for two equivalent degrees of concentration disorder, below and above the maximum value. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:191340 |
Serial |
7151 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Broos, W.; Wittner, N.; Geerts, J.; Dries, J.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Gunde-Cimerman, N.; Richel, A.; Cornet, I. |
|
| |
Title |
Evaluation of lignocellulosic wastewater valorization with the oleaginous yeasts R. kratochvilovae EXF7516 and C. oleaginosum ATCC 20509 |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
Fermentation |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
8 |
Issue |
5 |
Pages |
204-221 |
|
| |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Pharmacology. Therapy; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Biochemical Wastewater Valorization & Engineering (BioWaVE) |
|
| |
Abstract |
During the conversion of lignocellulose, phenolic wastewaters are generated. Therefore, researchers have investigated wastewater valorization processes in which these pollutants are converted to chemicals, i.e., lipids. However, wastewaters are lean feedstocks, so these valorization processes in research typically require the addition of large quantities of sugars and sterilization, which increase costs. This paper investigates a repeated batch fermentation strategy with Rhodotorula kratochvilovae EXF7516 and Cutaneotrichosporon oleaginosum ATCC 20509, without these requirements. The pollutant removal and its conversion to microbial oil were evaluated. Because of the presence of non-monomeric substrates, the ligninolytic enzyme activity was also investigated. The repeated batch fermentation strategy was successful, as more lipids accumulated every cycle, up to a total of 5.4 g/L (23% cell dry weight). In addition, the yeasts consumed up to 87% of monomeric substrates, i.e., sugars, aromatics, and organics acids, and up to 23% of non-monomeric substrates, i.e., partially degraded xylan, lignin, cellulose. Interestingly, lipid production was only observed during the harvest phase of each cycle, as the cells experienced stress, possibly due to oxygen limitation. This work presents the first results on the feasibility of valorizing non-sterilized lignocellulosic wastewater with R. kratochvilovae and C. oleaginosum using a cost-effective repeated batch strategy. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
000801796000001 |
Publication Date |
2022-05-01 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
2311-5637 |
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:187883 |
Serial |
7157 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Nicolau, F.; Gielis, J.; Simeone, A.L.; Simoes Lopes, D. |
|
| |
Title |
Exploring and selecting supershapes in virtual reality with line, quad, and cube shaped widgets |
Type |
P1 Proceeding |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
21-28 |
|
| |
Keywords |
P1 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Supershapes are used in Parametric Design to model, literally, thou-sands of natural and man-made shapes with a single 6 parameter formula. However, users are left to probe such a rich yet dense collection of supershapes using a set of independent 1-D sliders. Some of the formula’s parameters are non-linear in nature, making them particularly difficult to grasp with conventional 1-D sliders alone. VR appears as a promising setting for Parametric Design with supershapes since it empowers users with more natural visual inspection and shape browsing techniques, with multiple solutions being displayed at once and the possibility to design more interesting forms of slider interaction. In this work, we propose VR shape widgets that allow users to probe and select supershapes from a multitude of solutions. Our designs take leverage on thumbnails, mini-maps, haptic feedback and spatial interaction, while supporting 1-D, 2-D and 3-D supershape parameter spaces. We conducted a user study (N = 18) and found that VR shape widgets are effective, more efficient, and natural than conventional VR 1-D sliders while also usable for users without prior knowledge on supershapes. We also found that the proposed VR widgets provide a quick overview of the main supershapes, and users can easily reach the desired solution without having to perform fine-grain handle manipulations. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
000828657500003 |
Publication Date |
2022-04-20 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
978-1-6654-9617-9 |
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:188471 |
Serial |
7161 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Dobrota, A.S.; Vlahovic, J.; V. Skorodumova, N.; Pasti, I.A. |
|
| |
Title |
First-principles analysis of aluminium interaction with nitrogen-doped graphene nanoribbons – from adatom bonding to various |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
Materials Today Communications |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
31 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
103388-10 |
|
| |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Enhancing aluminium interaction with graphene-based materials is of crucial importance for the development of Al-storage materials and novel functional materials via atomically precise doping. Here, DFT calculations are employed to investigate Al interactions with non-doped and N-doped graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and address the impact of the edge sites and N-containing defects on the material's reactivity towards Al. The presence of edges does not influence the energetics of Al adsorption significantly (compared to pristine graphene sheet). On the other hand, N-doping of graphene nanoribbons is found to affect the adsorption energy of Al to an extent that strongly depends on the type of N-containing defect. The introduction of edge-NO group and doping with in -plane pyridinic N result in Al adsorption nearly twice as strong as on pristine graphene. Moreover, double n-type doping via N and Al significantly alters the electronic structure of Al,N-containing GNRs. Our results suggest that selectively doped GNRs with pyridinic N can have enhanced Al-storage capacity and could be potentially used for selective Al electrosorption and removal. On the other hand, Al,N-containing GNRs with pyridinic N could also be used in resistive sensors for mechanical deformation. Namely, strain along the longitudinal axis of these dual doped GNRs does not affect the binding of Al but tunes the bandgap and causes more than 700-fold change in the conductivity. Thus, careful defect engineering and selective doping of GNRs with N (and Al) could lead to novel multifunctional materials with exceptional properties. [GRAPHICS] |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
000820987400002 |
Publication Date |
2022-03-15 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
2352-4928 |
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
Not_Open_Access |
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:189563 |
Serial |
7163 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
De Tommasi, E.; Rogato, A.; Caratelli, D.; Mescia, L.; Gielis, J. |
|
| |
Title |
Following the photons route : mathematical models describing the interaction of diatoms with light |
Type |
H1 Book chapter |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
1-53 |
|
| |
Keywords |
H1 Book chapter; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
The interaction of diatoms with sunlight is fundamental in order to deeply understand their role in terrestrial ecology and biogeochemistry, essentially due to their massive contribution to global primary production through photosynthesis and its e↵ect on carbon, oxygen and silicon cycles. Following the journey of light through natural waters, its propagation through the intricate frustule micro- and nano-structure and, finally, its fate inside the photosynthetic machinery of the living cell requires several mathematical and computational models in order to accurately describe all the involved phenomena taking place at di↵erent space scales and physical regimes. In this chapter, we review the main analytical models describing the underwater optical field, the essential numerical algorithms for the study of photonic properties of the diatom frustule seen as a natural metamaterial, as well as the principal models describing photon harvesting in diatom plastids and methods for complex EM propagation problems and wave propagation in dispersive materials with multiple relaxation times. These mathematical methods will be integrated in a unifying geometric perspective. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
978-1-119-74985-1 |
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:186731 |
Serial |
7165 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Ricci, P.E.; Gielis, J. |
|
| |
Title |
From Pythagoras to Fourier and from geometry to nature |
Type |
MA3 Book as author |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
146 p. |
|
| |
Keywords |
MA3 Book as author; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
|
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
2022-03-23 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
978-90-832323-0-0; 978-90-832323-1-7 |
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
Not_Open_Access |
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:186730 |
Serial |
7166 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Jiang, J. |
|
| |
Title |
Ginzburg-Landau dynamical simulations on the nonreciprocal transport properties of two-dimensional superconductors |
Type |
Doctoral thesis |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
XII, 79 p. |
|
| |
Keywords |
Doctoral thesis; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT) |
|
| |
Abstract |
The nonreciprocal charge transport property which depends on the polarity of the applied current, such as the diode effect and the rectification effect, is of great importance for both theoretical research and engineering application. The nonreciprocal transport property in superconductors generally requires to break both the spatial inversion symmetry and the time-reversal symmetry, and therefore becomes one of the fundamental issues in superconductivity. Of particular interest, the superconducting diode effect, which exhibits one-way superconductivity, can potentially be applied to dissipationless diode devices, as a consequence has received extensive attention in recent years. In this Ph. D thesis, we simulate vortex dynamics with heat dissipation by numerically solving time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations and heat transfer equation. The nonreciprocal transport properties of the following three superconducting systems are studied. We study a superconducting film patterned with a conformal pinning array and find a giant rectification effect which is consistent with the experimental observation. In presence of the funneling effect due to the geometry of the conformal pinning array, Joule heating of the accumulating vortices creates hot spots and drives the sample to the normal state. Meanwhile, the density gradient of vortex does not match the gradient of pinning. The two mechanisms together lead to the giant rectification effect. We study the nonreciprocal charge transport property in a pinning-free superconducting nano-ring. We systematically calculate the response of the ratchet signal to various parameters in both D.C. and A.C. currents. By analyzing the vortex potential, we find that the nonreciprocal transport property is caused by the asymmetry potential barriers for vortex entry and exit. We study a superconductor/nanoscale-magnetic-dot hybrid structure. It takes advantage of the external current to control the nucleation of vortex-antivortex pairs, and can produce superconducting diode effect without applied magnetic fields. Our vortex dynamics simulation details the progress of the superconducting-normal phase transition due to motion of vortex pairs and heat dissipation. The nonreciprocal transport properties of the above three systems are all based on the broken symmetry of spatial inversion, which is caused by the anisotropic pinning array, the asymmetric geometry, and the nonuniform distribution of the magnetic field, respectively. The mechanisms we discuss in this thesis do not require special property of the materials and thus can be applied to any kinds of conventional superconductors. The present studies would provide solid theoretical basis for the future design and application of the dissipationless superconducting devices. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:188525 |
Serial |
7168 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Maes, R.R.; Potters, G.; Fransen, E.; Van Schaeren, R.; Lenaerts, S. |
|
| |
Title |
Influence of adding low concentration of oxygenates in mineral diesel oil and biodiesel on the concentration of NO, NO₂ and particulate matter in the exhaust gas of a one-cylinder diesel generator |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
International journal of environmental research and public health |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
19 |
Issue |
13 |
Pages |
7637-18 |
|
| |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Air quality currently poses a major risk to human health worldwide. Transportation is one of the principal contributors to air pollution due to the quality of exhaust gases. For example, the widely used diesel fuel is a significant source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). To reduce the content NOx and PM, different oxygenated compounds were mixed into a mineral diesel available at the pump, and their effect on the composition of exhaust gas emissions was measured using a one-cylinder diesel generator. In this setup, adding methanol gave the best relative results. The addition of 2000 ppm of methanol decreased the content of NO by 56%, 2000 ppm of isopropanol decreased NO2 by 50%, and 2000 ppm ethanol decreased PM by 63%. An interesting question is whether it is possible to reduce the impact of hazardous components in the exhaust gas even more by adding oxygenates to biodiesels. In this article, alcohol is added to biodiesel in order to establish the impact on PM and NOx concentrations in the exhaust gases. Adding methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol at concentrations of 2000 ppm and 4000 ppm did not improve NOx emissions. The best results were using pure RME for a low NO content, pure diesel for a low NO2 content, and for PM there were no statistically significant differences. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
000825645900001 |
Publication Date |
2022-06-23 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
1661-7827; 1660-4601 |
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:189476 |
Serial |
7172 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Oliveira, M.C. |
|
| |
Title |
Influence of phase-separated domains on the permeability of oxidized lipid membranes |
Type |
Doctoral thesis |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
151 p. |
|
| |
Keywords |
Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Biological membranes are under constant attack of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), which may lead to a complex mixture of nitro-oxidized lipids that are responsible for structural and dynamic changes on the membrane. Because of that, nitro-oxidized lipids are also associated with several tumors and inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, lipid oxidation may induce membrane phase-separated domains, which also drastically affect the membrane function. Evidence suggests that domain interfaces are “hot spots” for pore formation, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. There is an urgent need for an improved understanding of oxidation-induced phase separation on membrane properties. Likewise, the molecular structure at domain interfaces still needs to be elucidated. To evaluate the effect of lipid nitro-oxidation on the permeability of single-phase (homogeneous) and phase-separated (heterogeneous) phospholipid bilayers (PLBs), we performed atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using: (1) single-phase PLBs composed of several isomers of nitrated and/or oxidized lipids; (2) phase-separated PLBs composed of coexisting liquid ordered (Lo) and liquid disordered (Ld) domains, where the Ld domain is composed of non-oxidized and/or oxidized lipids. Our results show that nitrated lipids increase the membrane permeability of single-phase PLBs by three-fold compared to oxidized lipids. In addition, we show that oxidized lipids in the presence of nitrated lipids decrease the membrane permeability, suggesting an interaction between nitrated and oxidized lipids. Overall, the permeability of single-phase and phase-separated PLBs was comparable, and the presence of oxidized lipids increases the membrane permeability only in single-phase PLBs. Despite the latter, the presence of only 1.5% of lipid aldehydes at the Lo/Ld domain interfaces of phase-separated PLBs was able to increase the membrane permeability. In consequence of this, we also performed coarse-grained MD simulations to evaluate whether lipid aldehydes have a preference to accumulate at the interface between Lo/Ld domains. Our results show that lipid aldehydes derived from mono-unsaturated lipids accumulate at the interface, but those derived from poly-unsaturated lipids remain in the Ld domain. This study is of interest for photodynamic therapy and plasma medicine for cancer treatment, to understand the effects caused by RONS in cell membranes. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:191039 |
Serial |
7173 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Hao, Y. |
|
| |
Title |
A joint experimental-modeling study of the structure and properties of functional molecular monolayers for the control of organic crystal growth |
Type |
Doctoral thesis |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
xiii, 174 p. |
|
| |
Keywords |
Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Among all types of discovered crystals, those formed by organic molecules show the greatest diversity, which results from the intrinsic complexity of the organic molecules and the weak interactions between them. Even for a given compound, different crystal structures can exist. This feature is referred to as polymorphism in the modern crystallographic context and those different crystal forms are called polymorphs. In reality, the crystallization of organic molecules is often performed at the surface of a substrate, giving rise to heterogeneous crystallization. Except for the well-known catalyzing effects, the existence of substrates brings more possibilities to the polymorphic behaviors of organic molecules, promoting the formation of new polymorphs that are only stable in the vicinity of the substrates. For this reason, these new polymorphic forms are often described as substrate-induced polymorphs (SIPs). It is of great importance to understand the formation of SIPs for organic molecules as it has been reported that SIPs can show superior properties with respect to their bulk form counterparts. Up to now, most studies focus on the identifying and characterizing the presence of SIPs, which relies mainly on X-ray diffraction techniques. However, a detailed explanation about the origin of SIPs is still missing. In this work, we have combined several powerful experimental characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in order to reach an integrated view over the formation of SIPs. These experimental studies are strongly supported by computational chemistry simulations, such as density functional theory and molecular dynamics. A big advantage of using atomistic simulations is that it enables the possibility to predict a priori the crystal structures of SIPs and to establish a posteriori the general rules for the formation of SIPs. In practice, this thesis employs state-of-art atomistic simulation approaches in order to bridge substrate-induced polymorphism with a conceptually-connected research area: the self-assembly of molecular networks (SAMNs), also called 2D crystallization. Unlike SIPs, which extend at least several molecular layers, SAMNs are composed of a single layer of molecules with ordered packing. Our simulations have enabled a more comprehensive understanding about the role of substrate during the formation of SIPs and we elucidate how the positional and orientational order of molecules propagates from the substrate to the upper 2D and even 3D crystal layers. In this way, a fundamental understanding of the substrate-induced crystallization is gained by connecting 2D and 3D crystallization using substrate-induced approaches. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:191758 |
Serial |
7176 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Loomba, V.; Pourfallah, H.; Olsen, J.E.; Einarsrud, K.E. |
|
| |
Title |
Lab-scale physical model experiments to understand the effect of particle bed on tapping flow rates |
Type |
P1 Proceeding |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
159-170 |
|
| |
Keywords |
P1 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
|
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
2022-02-03 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
978-3-030-92543-7; 2367-1181; 2367-1696; 978-3-030-92546-8; 978-3-030-92544-4 |
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
Not_Open_Access |
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:186090 |
Serial |
7177 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Gielis, J.; Grigolia, R. |
|
| |
Title |
Lamé curves and Rvachev's R-functions |
Type |
A3 Journal article |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
Sn – 1512-0066 |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
37 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
1-4 |
|
| |
Keywords |
A3 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Gielis transformations are a generalization of Lame curves. To combine domains, we can make use of the natural alliance between Lame's work and Rvachev's R-functions. A logical next step is the extension to n-valued logic dening dierent partitions. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:189316 |
Serial |
7178 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Faust, V.; Gruber, W.; Ganigue, R.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Udert, K.M. |
|
| |
Title |
Nitrous oxide emissions and carbon footprint of decentralized urine fertilizer production by nitrification and distillation |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
ACS ES&T engineering |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
2 |
Issue |
9 |
Pages |
1745-1755 |
|
| |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Combining partial nitrification, granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration, and distillation is a well-studied approach to convert urine into a fertilizer. To evaluate the environmental sustainability of a technology, the operational carbon footprint and therefore nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions should be known, but N2O emissions from urine nitrification have not been assessed yet. Therefore, N2O emissions of a decentralized urine nitrification reactor were monitored for 1 month. During nitrification, 0.4-1.2% of the total nitrogen load was emitted as N2O-N with an average N2O emission factor (EFN2O) of 0.7%. Additional N2O was produced during anoxic storage between nitrification and GAC filtration with an estimated EFN2O of 0.8%, resulting in an EFN2O of 1.5% for the treatment chain. N2O emissions during nitrification can be mitigated by 60% by avoiding low dissolved oxygen or anoxic conditions and nitrite concentrations above 5 mg-N L-1. Minimizing the hydraulic retention time between nitrification and GAC filtration can reduce N2O formation during intermediate storage by 100%. Overall, the N2O emissions accounted for 45% of the operational carbon footprint of 14 kg-CO2,equiv kg-N-1 for urine fertilizer production. Using electricity from renewable sources and applying the proposed N2O mitigation strategies could potentially lower the carbon footprint by 85%. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
000835412700001 |
Publication Date |
2022-07-29 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:189599 |
Serial |
7182 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Vanmeert, F.; De Meyer, S.; Gestels, A.; Clerici, E.A.; Deleu, N.; Legrand, S.; Van Espen, P.; Van der Snickt, G.; Alfeld, M.; Dik, J.; Monico, L.; De Nolf, W.; Cotte, M.; Gonzalez, V.; Saverwyns, S.; Depuydt-Elbaum, L.; Janssens, K. |
|
| |
Title |
Non-invasive and non-destructive examination of artists’ pigments, paints and paintings by means of X-ray imaging methods |
Type |
H1 Book chapter |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
317-357 |
|
| |
Keywords |
H1 Book chapter; Art; Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES); Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Recent studies in which X-ray beams of (sub)micrometre to millimetre dimensions have been used for non-destructive analysis and characterization of pigments, minute paint samples and/or entire paintings from fifteenth to twentieth century artists are discussed. The overview presented encompasses the use of laboratory and synchrotron radiation-based instrumentation and deals with the use of several variants of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) as a method of elemental analysis and imaging as well as with the combined use with X-ray diffraction (XRD). Microscopic XRF (μ-XRF) is a variant of the XRF method able to visualize the elemental distribution of key elements, mostly metals, on the scale from 1 μm to 100 μm present inside multi-layered micro samples taken from paintings. In the context of the characterization of artists’ pigments subjected to natural degradation, in many cases the use of methods limited to elemental analysis or imaging does not suffice to elucidate the chemical transformations that have taken place. However, at synchrotron facilities, combinations of μ-XRF with related methods such as μ-XAS (microscopic X-ray absorption spectroscopy) and μ-XRD have proven themselves to be very suitable for such studies. Since microscopic investigation of a relatively limited number of minute paint samples may not yield representative information about the complete artefact they were taken from, several methods for macroscopic, non-invasive imaging have recently been developed. Combined macroscopic XRF/XRD scanning is able to provide a fairly complete overview of the inorganic pigments employed to create a work of art, to answer questions about ongoing degradation phenomena and about its authenticity. As such these newly developed non-invasive and highly specific imaging methods are of interest for many cultural heritage stakeholders. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
2022-09-08 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
978-3-030-86864-2 |
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
Not_Open_Access |
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:190777 |
Serial |
7183 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Borah, R. |
|
| |
Title |
Photoactive nanostructures : from single plasmonic nanoparticles to self-assembled films |
Type |
Doctoral thesis |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
xxxiv, 220 p. |
|
| |
Keywords |
Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Photoactive nanoparticles and their light-driven applications have gained tremendous scientific attention towards remediation of the global environmental problems, meeting alternative energy demands, and other new technological discoveries. The research work presented in this dissertation includes a fundamental investigation of such nanoparticles to gain deeper insights that will ultimately benefit their application. In particular, the study of plasmonic metal nanoparticles and metal oxide nanoparticles for light driven applications is the major theme of this work. The investigation begins with isolated plasmonic Au and Ag nanoparticles, followed by a natural extension to nanoparticle clusters, and then further to nanoparticle films. Next, the application of such plasmonic nanoparticle films for gaseous phase sensing of volatile organic compounds is explored. Finally, the film formation of metal-oxide nanoparticles by self-assembly is investigated for the fabrication of photoactive functional interfaces. The fundamental theoretical investigation of the isolated plasmonic nanoparticles encompasses alloy and core-shell nanostructures of Au-Ag bimetallic compositions. First, the optical properties of bimetallic alloy and core-shell nanoparticles are compared for different structures such as nanospheres, nanotriangles and nanorods. Based on the optical properties, the photothermal properties of these nanostructures are also evaluated for relevant light-driven applications. Further, to bridge the gap between the theoretical and experimental optical properties of colloidal plasmonic nanoparticles, the effect of different statistical parameters pertaining to the particle size distribution is studied. Going from isolated nanoparticles to nanoparticle clusters, the changes in the optical properties of plasmonic nanoparticles when they form finite clusters is investigated. A strong effect of clustering on the absorption intensities of the nanoparticles and hence, on the photothermal properties is found. Next, for the study of plasmonic nanoparticle infinite arrays, Au and Ag nanoparticles films are experimentally obtained by the self-assembly at the air-ethylene glycol interface. Upon further validation of the computational models with the experimental optical properties of these films, the near-field and far-field optical response of the plasmonic nanoparticle arrays is investigated. An application of the self-assembled Au nanoparticle film is then demonstrated in the sensing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Finally, the focus is shifted from plasmonic nanoparticles to metal oxide nanoparticles for their self-assembly at the air-water interface to obtain self-assembled films. For this, the hydrophobic functionalization of four metal oxides nanoparticles namely, TiO2, ZnO, WO3 and CuO is investigated. The insights from this work is useful for the design and fabrication of functional nanoparticles and interfaces for light driven applications. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:189155 |
Serial |
7188 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
van 't Veer, K.C. |
|
| |
Title |
Plasma kinetics modelling of nitrogen fixation : ammonia synthesis in dielectric barrier discharges with catalysts |
Type |
Doctoral thesis |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
241 p. |
|
| |
Keywords |
Doctoral thesis; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Ammonia (NH3) synthesis is crucial for the production of artificial fertilizer and is carried out through the Haber-Bosch process. With an energy consumption of 30 GJ/t-NH3 and the emission of 2 kg-CO2/kg-NH3, ammonia is the chemical with the largest environmental footprint. Haber-Bosch operates under high pressure and high temperature conditions. Plasma technology potentially allows greener ammonia production. Dielectric barrier discharges are a popular plasma source in which a catalyst is easily incorporated. The combination of plasma and catalyst can circumvent the harsh reaction conditions of the Haber-Bosch process. Plasma kinetics modelling is used to gain insight into the mechanisms of such plasma-catalytic systems. Special attention is given to the instantaneous power absorbed by the electrons, the relevant fraction of the microdischarges and the discharge volumes. The importance of vibrational excitation is investigated. Depending on the exact discharge conditions, it was found that both the strong microdischarges and vibrational excitation can be simultaneously important for the ammonia yield. The temporal behavior of filamentary dielectric barrier discharges was explicitly taken into account. Ammonia was found to decompose during the microdischarges due to electron impact dissociation. At the same time atomic nitrogen and other excited species are created. Those reactive species recombine to ammonia in the afterglow through various elementary Eley-Rideal and Langmuir-Hinshelwood surface reaction steps with a net ammonia gain. Finally, the concept of the fraction of microdischarges was generalized. It directly represents the efficiency with which the applied electric power is transferred to each individual particle in the plasma reactor. It is argued that any type of spatial or temporal non-uniformity of the plasma will cause unequal treatment of the gas molecules in the reactor, corresponding to a lower efficiency at which the power is transferred to the gas molecules. All of those insights aid in an increased understanding of plasma-catalytic ammonia synthesis as a potential green chemistry solution to the synthesis of ammonia on small scale. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:188246 |
Serial |
7193 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Ninakanti, R.; Dingenen, F.; Borah, R.; Peeters, H.; Verbruggen, S.W. |
|
| |
Title |
Plasmonic hybrid nanostructures in photocatalysis : structures, mechanisms, and applications |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
Topics in Current Chemistry |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
380 |
Issue |
5 |
Pages |
40-62 |
|
| |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
(Sun)Light is an abundantly available sustainable source of energy that has been used in catalyzing chemical reactions for several decades now. In particular, studies related to the interaction of light with plasmonic nanostructures have been receiving increased attention. These structures display the unique property of localized surface plasmon resonance, which converts light of a specific wavelength range into hot charge carriers, along with strong local electromagnetic fields, and/or heat, which may all enhance the reaction efficiency in their own way. These unique properties of plasmonic nanoparticles can be conveniently tuned by varying the metal type, size, shape, and dielectric environment, thus prompting a research focus on rationally designed plasmonic hybrid nanostructures. In this review, the term “hybrid” implies nanomaterials that consist of multiple plasmonic or non-plasmonic materials, forming complex configurations in the geometry and/or at the atomic level. We discuss the synthetic techniques and evolution of such hybrid plasmonic nanostructures giving rise to a wide variety of material and geometric configurations. Bimetallic alloys, which result in a new set of opto-physical parameters, are compared with core–shell configurations. For the latter, the use of metal, semiconductor, and polymer shells is reviewed. Also, more complex structures such as Janus and antenna reactor composites are discussed. This review further summarizes the studies exploiting plasmonic hybrids to elucidate the plasmonic-photocatalytic mechanism. Finally, we review the implementation of these plasmonic hybrids in different photocatalytic application domains such as H2 generation, CO2 reduction, water purification, air purification, and disinfection. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
000839670500009 |
Publication Date |
2022-08-11 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
2364-8961 |
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:189825 |
Serial |
7195 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Spanoghe, J. |
|
| |
Title |
Purple bacteria cultivation on light, carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas : exploring and tuning the potential for microbial food production |
Type |
Doctoral thesis |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
vi, 207 p. |
|
| |
Keywords |
Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
The human population is projected to grow to 9.7 billion by 2050, resulting in an estimated increase in protein demand of 50%. From an environmental perspective, the current and future demand of protein cannot be sustainably met as the conventional food production chain is severely altering biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen and phosphorus, biodiversity and land-use, with flows towards the biosphere and oceans that are exceeding the planetary boundaries. Microbial protein (protein derived from microorganisms) has been suggested as an excellent sustainable protein source, a fortiori when produced in a land- and fossil free manner. The photoautohydrogenotrophic cultivation (i.e. with light, CO2 and H2) of purple bacteria links up perfectly with the upcoming green electrification of industry (green H2) and the need for carbon capture and utilization. However, this metabolism represented a gap in literature, and thus this thesis aimed to establish a basic knowledge platform on its kinetic, stoichiometric and nutritional performance. At first, three originally photoheterotrophically enriched purple bacteria were studied of which Rhodobacter capsulatus reached the highest protein productivity of 0.16 g protein/L/d, which aligned well with the commonly-known photoautotrophic microalgae. Moreover, a full dietary essential amino acid match was found for human food, while the fatty acid content was dominated by the health-stimulating vaccenic acid (82-86%). Lastly, the achieved protein yield in photoautohydrogenotrophic purple bacteria was 2.3 times higher compared to hydrogen oxidizing bacteria, indicating a resource-efficient use of H2. Next, a photoautohydrogenotrophic enrichment of wastewater treatment microbiomes was performed in search for specialist species. While the isolates of this enrichment showed improvements in their performance during acclimation, the kinetic and nutritional performance of Rhodobacter capsulatus still excelled. Subsequently, the influence of nutrient limitations (C or N) and nitrogen gas fixation was studied on the nutritional tuning potential. Both the limitations as well as the N2 fixation resulted in the shift of the essential amino acid profiles. Additionally, the limitations significantly decreased the pigment content, while an increase in the storage of poly-P was seen in case of carbon limitations. The next major challenge was the production intensification in a photobioreactor of which the design was linked to minimizing both H2 and light limitations. The chosen bubble-column photobioreactor already resulted in a doubled biomass productivity. Finally, the remaining technological and non-technological challenges ahead for the production of a high-value, cost-efficient, environment-friendly microbial protein that complies with legislative requirements and appeals to future consumers were discussed. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
978-90-5728-741-1 |
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:188233 |
Serial |
7198 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Wang, L.; Miao, Q.; Niinemets, Ü.; Gielis, J.; Shi, P. |
|
| |
Title |
Quantifying the variation in the geometries of the outer rims of corolla tubes of Vinca major L |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
Plants |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
11 |
Issue |
15 |
Pages |
1987-12 |
|
| |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Many geometries of plant organs can be described by the Gielis equation, a polar coordinate equation extended from the superellipse equation, . Here, r is the polar radius corresponding to the polar angle φ; m is a positive integer that determines the number of angles of the Gielis curve when φ ∈ [0 to 2π); and the rest of the symbols are parameters to be estimated. The pentagonal radial symmetry of calyxes and corolla tubes in top view is a common feature in the flowers of many eudicots. However, prior studies have not tested whether the Gielis equation can depict the shapes of corolla tubes. We sampled randomly 366 flowers of Vinca major L., among which 360 had five petals and pentagonal corolla tubes, and six had four petals and quadrangular corolla tubes. We extracted the planar coordinates of the outer rims of corolla tubes (in top view) (ORCTs), and then fitted the data with two simplified versions of the Gielis equation with k = 1 and m = 5: (Model 1), and (Model 2). The adjusted root mean square error (RMSEadj) was used to evaluate the goodness of fit of each model. In addition, to test whether ORCTs are radially symmetrical, we correlated the estimates of n2 and n3 in Model 1 on a log-log scale. The results validated the two simplified Gielis equations. The RMSEadj values for all corolla tubes were smaller than 0.05 for both models. The numerical values of n2 and n3 were demonstrated to be statistically equal based on the regression analysis, which suggested that the ORCTs of V. major are radially symmetrical. It suggests that Model 1 can be replaced by the simpler Model 2 for fitting the ORCT in this species. This work indicates that the pentagonal or quadrangular corolla tubes (in top view) can both be modeled by the Gielis equation and demonstrates that the pentagonal or quadrangular corolla tubes of plants tend to form radial symmetrical geometries during their development and growth. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
000839115100001 |
Publication Date |
2022-08-01 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
2223-7747 |
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:189315 |
Serial |
7200 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Van Tendeloo, M. |
|
| |
Title |
Resource-efficient nitrogen removal from sewage : kinetic, physical and chemical tools for mainstream partial nitritation/anammox |
Type |
Doctoral thesis |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
iv, 204 p. |
|
| |
Keywords |
Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Adequate removal of pollutants from sewage is important to protect the environment and public health. Today, sewage treatment plants are operational in many parts of the world, and although the used technologies are effective in removing pollutants from wastewater, they are energy- and resource-intensive. Reshaping sewage treatment into a two-stage system, with separated organic carbon and nitrogen removal, facilitates the transformation towards energy-positive sewage treatment. This thesis will focus on resource-efficient nitrogen removal from sewage via partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A), with reduced organic carbon and oxygen consumption compared to conventional techniques. PN/A relies on the teamwork between two microbial groups to convert ammonium into nitrogen gas. Several other groups of microbes however can proliferate in the sludge, competing for substrate with the key players, lowering the nitrogen removal efficiency and increasing the energy demand. To obtain the desired microbial community, control tools should be applied to selectively promote the desired microbes while suppressing the unwanted competitors. In this thesis, multiple control tools were studied to establish a workable framework for successful implementation of PN/A in the main stream of a sewage treatment plant. These tools can be divided into three categories: i) kinetic tools, regulating substrate availability (e.g., oxygen availability control and residual ammonium concentration), ii) physical tools, revolving around sludge retention and selection (e.g., sludge age control and sludge aggregation form), and iii) chemical tools, exposing the sludge to stress conditions for which the unwanted microbes are vulnerable (e.g., sludge treatments with a single stressor such as free ammonia). The first research chapter focussed on oxygen availability control and single-stressor sludge treatments. The following two chapters covered the development of a novel multi-stressor concept combining substrate starvation and exposure to sulphide and free ammonia. In the final research chapter, the previously obtained knowledge was combined into a demonstration study on pilot-scale. The combination of these control tools was found effective in achieving nitrogen removal via PN/A, both on lab- and pilot-scale. Consequently, the obtained results in this thesis can catalyse the implementation of mainstream PN/A by providing a toolbox with multiple control tools and clever reactor design, thus advancing the concept of energy neutrality and resource efficiency in sewage treatment plants. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:187665 |
Serial |
7204 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Pacquets, L. |
|
| |
Title |
Towards stable Cu-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles to boost the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction |
Type |
Doctoral thesis |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
xvi, 188 p. |
|
| |
Keywords |
Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Ever since the industrial revolution, the emission of greenhouse gasses dramatically increased, resulting in high CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. The electrochemical conversion of CO2 to value added products, such as carbon monoxide, formic acid, methane, ethylene and ethanol is a very promising strategy to inhibit CO2 emissions. Nevertheless, at the moment, the electrochemical CO2 reduction (eCO2R) is not yet industrially viable, mainly due to the lack of good electrocatalysts. On the other hand, core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged over the last couple of years as promising candidates. It is believed that bimetallic enhancement effects are behind the improved performance of these core-shell NPs when compared to the individual metals. Although widely investigated, there are still some remaining issues and/or open questions. Indeed, the development of a robust and straightforward synthesis method along with fundamental insight into their resistance towards electrochemical stress remains absent. A good control over morphology, size and composition is key in determining which properties are beneficial for the eCO2R. Since these catalysts are designed to be implemented in electrolyzers, they have to maintain long-term performance. This makes the design of a reproducible method, unveiling structure-performance relationships the effect of electrochemical stress, a crucial aspect. Exploring and modifying existing synthesis methods, have led to the acquisition of a robust and reproducible synthesis method where thermal decomposition of the Cu core is combined with the galvanic replacement of Ag in organic solvents. The implementation of this method has led to the design of a wide variety of Cu-Ag bimetallic NPs and enabled to investigate their composition-selectivity profile. Introducing Ag on Cu suppressed hydrogen and increased the CO formation. CO production was boosted by using Cu@Ag core-shells and was promoted even more by changing the type of electrolyte. As these nanoparticles suffered from degradation, the 3D mapping of the structural changes of Cu@Ag core-shells under operating conditions led to the hypothesis of a two-step degradation mechanism where initially Cu leaching was observed with the subsequent sintering of the Ag shells. One approach to avoid this electrochemical degradation, investigated in this research, was the application of an ultrathin carbon layer to protect the active layer. This ultrathin carbon layer operated as a protective layer, suppressing hydrogen production and increasing the stability of the electrocatalyst. In conclusion, the product selectivity can be tuned by using different Cu-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles synthesized through a robust method. Their unique degradation pathway of Cu@Ag core-shell nanoparticles has led to the proposition of a more accurate stabilization strategy. These findings can contribute significantly in the quest for improved electrocatalysts for the eCO2R. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:190236 |
Serial |
7221 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Gielis, J.; Shi, P.; Caratelli, D. |
|
| |
Title |
Universal equations : a fresh perspective |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
Growth and Form |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
|
|
| |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
A uniform description of natural shapes and phenomena is an important goal in science. Such description should check some basic principles, related to 1) the complexity of the model, 2) how well its fits real objects, phenomena and data, and 3) ia direct connection with optimization principles and the calculus of variations. In this article, we present nine principles, three for each group, and we compare some models with a claim to universality. It is also shown that Gielis Transformations and power laws have a common origin in conic sections |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:189317 |
Serial |
7224 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Magalhães Cunha, S. |
|
| |
Title |
Wave-packet dynamics and electronic transport properties in 2D materials |
Type |
Doctoral thesis |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
219 p. |
|
| |
Keywords |
Doctoral thesis; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT) |
|
| |
Abstract |
This piece of work is twofold. First, the time evolution of wave-packets in 2D systems is analyzed by the Split-Operator technique in three different scenarios: in multilayer phosphorene, the transient oscillations in the time-dependent average of position and momentum were observed due to the zitterbewegung effect, and the wave packet propagates non-uniformly along the space deforming itself into an elliptical shape. These results were corroborated by the Green’s function formalism except for large values of the wave-vector and long times; in 2D semiconductor quantum wires (QWs) with anisotropic effective masses and different angle orientations with respect to the anisotropic axis. We have shown that the greater this angle, the smaller is the energy levels spacing implying in an increase of the accessible electronic states. Additionally, for non-null magnetic field, the quantum Hall edge states are significantly affected by the edge orientation. In the anisotropic case damped oscillations in the average values of velocity in both x and y directions where obtained. Theses oscillations are originated by the QW geometry but also from subwavepackets with different momentum orientations, whereas for isotropic QWs the wavepacket disperses without splitting; in the third scenario the split-operator technique was used to study the Landau levels, the wave packet trajectories and velocities of electrons in graphene at low-energy regime described by a modified Dirac equation where the momentum-operator is written in a generalized form as result of applying the position-dependent translation operator formalism (PDTO). In the second part of this thesis, the electronic and tunneling properties of α − T3 lattices were studied. Electrons in these lattices behave analogous to integer-spin Dirac Fermions. The presence of a third atomic site in the unit cell leads to a flat band in the energy spectrum, providing unique electronic and tunneling properties. The presence of a super-periodic potential and the inclusion of symmetry-breaking terms results in deviations of the atomic equivalence between the atomic sites affecting the Dirac points and the band-gap. Small deviations in the equivalence between the atomic sites and the number of barriers change the transmission properties in these lattices. Additionally, new tunneling regions are possible by adjusting the symmetry between the atomic sites and affect the omnidirectional total transmission called super-Klein tunneling observed in these lattices. We compare those results to the tunneling probabilities through regions where the energy spectrum changes from linear with a middle flat band to a hyperbolic dispersion. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:189191 |
Serial |
7227 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Wang, J. |
|
| |
Title |
Plasma catalysis : study of CO2 reforming of CH4 in a DBD reactor |
Type |
Doctoral thesis |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
XVI, 232 p. |
|
| |
Keywords |
Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT) |
|
| |
Abstract |
The plasma-based dry reforming in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor is important to achieve sustainable goals, but many challenges remain. For example, the conversion and energy yield of DBD reactors are relatively low, and the catalysts or packing materials used in existing studies cannot improve them, possibly due to the unsuitable properties and structures of catalysts or packing materials for plasma processes. In order to study the effect of catalyst structure on plasma-based dry reforming, a controllable synthesis of the catalyst supports or templates was explored. In Chapter 2, an initially immiscible synthesis method was proposed to synthesize uniform silica spheres, which can replace the organic solvent-based Stöber method to successfully synthesize silica particles with the same size ranges as the original Stöber process without addition of organic solvents. Using the silica spheres as templates, 3D porous Cu and CuO catalysts with different pore sizes were synthesized in Chapter 3 to study the effect of catalyst pore size on the plasma-catalytic dry reforming. In most cases, the smaller the pore size, the higher the conversion of CH4 and CO2 due to the reaction of radicals and ions formed in the plasma. An exception are the samples synthesized from 1 μm silica, which show better performance due to the electric field enhancement for pore sizes close to the Debye length. Besides the pore size, the particle diameter of the catalyst or packing is also one of the important factors affecting the interaction between plasma and catalyst. In Chapter 4, SiO2 spheres (with or without supported metal) were used to study the effect of different support particle sizes on plasma-based dry reforming. We found that a uniform SiO2 packing improves the conversion of plasma-based dry reforming. The conversion of plasma-based dry reforming first increases and then decreases with increasing particle size, due to the balance between the promoting and hindering effect of the particle filling on the plasma discharge. Chapter 5 is to improve the design of the DBD reactor itself, in order to try to increase its low energy yield. Some stainless steel rings were put over the inner electrode rod of the DBD reactor. The presence of rings increases the local electric field, the displaced charges and the discharge fraction, and also makes the discharge more stable and with more uniform intensity. The placement of the rings improves the performance of the reactor at 30 W supplied power. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
|
Publication Date |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
|
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
|
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:194045 |
Serial |
7273 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Yao, W.; Niinemets, Ü.; Yao, W.; Gielis, J.; Schrader, J.; Yu, K.; Shi, P. |
|
| |
Title |
Comparison of two simplified versions of the Gielis equation for describing the shape of bamboo leaves |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
| |
Year |
2022 |
Publication |
Plants |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
|
| |
Volume |
11 |
Issue |
22 |
Pages |
3058-11 |
|
| |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
|
| |
Abstract |
Bamboo is an important component in subtropical and tropical forest communities. The plant has characteristic long lanceolate leaves with parallel venation. Prior studies have shown that the leaf shapes of this plant group can be well described by a simplified version (referred to as SGE-1) of the Gielis equation, a polar coordinate equation extended from the superellipse equation. SGE-1 with only two model parameters is less complex than the original Gielis equation with six parameters. Previous studies have seldom tested whether other simplified versions of the Gielis equation are superior to SGE-1 in fitting empirical leaf shape data. In the present study, we compared a three-parameter Gielis equation (referred to as SGE-2) with the two-parameter SGE-1 using the leaf boundary coordinate data of six bamboo species within the same genus that have representative long lanceolate leaves, with >300 leaves for each species. We sampled 2000 data points at approximately equidistant locations on the boundary of each leaf, and estimated the parameters for the two models. The root–mean–square error (RMSE) between the observed and predicted radii from the polar point to data points on the boundary of each leaf was used as a measure of the model goodness of fit, and the mean percent error between the RMSEs from fitting SGE-1 and SGE-2 was used to examine whether the introduction of an additional parameter in SGE-1 remarkably improves the model’s fitting. We found that the RMSE value of SGE-2 was always smaller than that of SGE-1. The mean percent errors among the two models ranged from 7.5% to 20% across the six species. These results indicate that SGE-2 is superior to SGE-1 and should be used in fitting leaf shapes. We argue that the results of the current study can be potentially extended to other lanceolate leaf shapes. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Wos |
000887783400001 |
Publication Date |
2022-11-14 |
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
2223-7747 |
ISBN |
|
Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
|
| |
Impact Factor |
|
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
|
| |
Notes |
|
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
|
| |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:191859 |
Serial |
7289 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
