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Author Joosten, F.; Parrilla, M.; van Nuijs, A.L.N.; Ozoemena, K.Id; De Wael, K. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Electrochemical detection of illicit drugs in oral fluid : potential for forensic drug testing Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication Electrochimica acta Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 2022 Issue 436 Pages 141309-141315  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Pharmacology. Therapy; Engineering sciences. Technology; Toxicological Centre; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)  
  Abstract Illicit drugs continue to pose a serious threat to society and public health. Drug (ab)use is linked to organised crime and violence. Therefore, to fight the so-called war on drugs, police and law enforcement agencies need to be equipped with accurate and efficient sensors for the detection of illicit drugs and drug use. Even though colour tests (for powders) and lateral flow immunoassays (for biological samples) lack accuracy, they are relied upon for fast and easy on-site detection. Alternatively, in recent years, there has been an increasing interest in electrochemical sensors as a promising technique for the rapid and accurate on-site detection of illicit drugs. While a myriad of literature exists on the use of electrochemical sensors for drug powder analysis, literature on their use for the detection of drug use in biological samples is scarce. To this end, this review presents an overview of strategies for the electrochemical detection of illicit drugs in oral fluid. First, pharmacokinetics of drugs in oral fluid and the legal limit dilemma regarding the analytical cut-offs for roadside drug detection tests are elaborated to present the reader with the background knowledge required to develop such a test. Subsequently, an overview of electrochemical strategies developed for the detection of illicit drugs in oral fluid is given. Importantly, key challenges to address in the development of roadside tests are highlighted to improve the design of the next electrochemical devices and to bring them to the field. Overall, electrochemical sensors for illicit drugs detection in oral fluid show promise to disrupt current strategies for roadside testing.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000882442300001 Publication Date 2022-10-13  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0013-4686 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited (up) Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:191107 Serial 8855  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Van Echelpoel, R.; Schram, J.; Parrilla, M.; Daems, D.; Slosse, A.; Van Durme, F.; De Wael, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Electrochemical methods for on-site multidrug detection at festivals Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication Sensors & Diagnostics Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 1 Issue 1 Pages 793-802  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)  
  Abstract Two electrochemical methodologies, i.e. flowchart and dual-sensor, were developed to aid law enforcement present at festivals to obtain a rapid indication of the presence of four illicit drugs in suspicious samples encountered.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date 2022-06-01  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited (up) Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:188521 Serial 8856  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Truta, F.; Drăgan, A.-M.; Tertis, M.; Parrilla, M.; Slosse, A.; Van Durme, F.; De Wael, K.; Cristea, C. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Electrochemical rapid detection of methamphetamine from confiscated samples using a graphene-based printed platform Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Sensors Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 23 Issue 13 Pages 6193-18  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)  
  Abstract Methamphetamine (MAP) is a highly addictive and illegal stimulant drug that has a significant impact on the central nervous system. Its detection in biological and street samples is crucial for various organizations involved in forensic medicine, anti-drug efforts, and clinical diagnosis. In recent years, nanotechnology and nanomaterials have played a significant role in the development of analytical sensors for MAP detection. In this study, a fast, simple, and cost-effective electrochemical sensor is presented that is used for the sensitive detection of MAP in confiscated street samples with a complex matrix. The optimized screen-printed sensor based on a carbon working electrode modified with graphene demonstrated an excellent limit of detection, good sensitivity, and a wide dynamic range (1–500 μM) for the target illicit drug both for standard solutions and real samples (seized samples, tap water, and wastewater samples). It can detect MAP at concentrations as low as 300 nM in real samples. This limit of detection is suitable for the rapid preliminary screening of suspicious samples in customs, ports, airports, and on the street. Furthermore, the sensor exhibits a good recovery rate, indicating its reliability and repeatability. This quality is crucial for ensuring consistent and accurate results during screening processes.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001033277900001 Publication Date 2023-07-07  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1424-8220 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited (up) Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:198181 Serial 8857  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Montiel, F.N.; Parrilla, M.; Sleegers, N.; Van Durme, F.; van Nuijs, A.L.N.; De Wael, K. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Electrochemical sensing of amphetamine-type stimulants (pre)-precursors to fight against the illicit production of synthetic drugs Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication Electrochimica acta Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 436 Issue Pages 141446-11  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Toxicological Centre; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)  
  Abstract The illicit drug precursor market for the manufacture of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), mainly amphetamine, methamphetamine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), has emerged quickly in the last years. The evidence of a more complex and sophisticated drug market underlines the pressing need for new on-site methods to quickly detect precursors of synthetic drugs, with electrochemical analysis as a promising technique. Herein, the electrochemical fingerprints of ten common ATS precursors-3-oxo-2-phenylbutanenitrile (APAAN), 3-oxo-2-phenylbutanamide (APAA), methyl 3-oxo-2-phenylbutanoate (MAPA), benzyl methyl ketone (BMK), 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)propan-2-one (PMK), ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, safrole, sassafras oil and piperonal- are reported for the first time. The electrochemical screening disclosed the redox inactivity of BMK, which is an essential starting material for the production of ATS. Therefore, the local derivatization of BMK at an electrode surface by reductive amination is presented as a feasible solution to enrich its electrochemical fingerprint. To prove that, the resulting mixture was analyzed using a set of chromatographic techniques to understand the reaction mechanism and to identify possible electrochemical active products. Two reaction products (i.e. methamphetamine and 1-phenylpropan-2-ol) were found and characterized using mass spectrometry and electrochemical methods. Subsequently, the optimization of the reaction parameters was carefully addressed to set the portable electrochemical sensing strategy. Ultimately, the analysis concept was validated for the qualitative identification of ATS precursors in seizures from a forensic institute. Overall, the electrochemical approach demonstrates to be a useful and affordable analytical tool for the early identification of ATS precursors to prevent trafficking and drug manufacture in clandestine laboratories.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000914833800003 Publication Date 2022-10-27  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0013-4686 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited (up) Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:191622 Serial 8858  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Zhang, H.; Jin, Q.; Hu, T.; Liu, X.; Zhang, Z.; Hu, C.; Zhou, Y.; Han, Y.; Wang, X. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Electron-irradiation-facilitated production of chemically homogenized nanotwins in nanolaminated carbides Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Journal of Advanced Ceramics Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 12 Issue 6 Pages 1288-1297  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Twin boundaries have been exploited to stabilize ultrafine grains and improve mechanical properties of nanomaterials. The production of the twin boundaries and nanotwins is however prohibitively challenging in carbide ceramics. Using a scanning transmission electron microscope as a unique platform for atomic-scale structure engineering, we demonstrate that twin platelets could be produced in carbides by engineering antisite defects. The antisite defects at metal sites in various layered ternary carbides are collectively and controllably generated, and the metal elements are homogenized by electron irradiation, which transforms a twin-like lamellae into nanotwin platelets. Accompanying chemical homogenization, alpha-Ti3AlC2 transforms to unconventional beta-Ti3AlC2. The chemical homogeneity and the width of the twin platelets can be tuned by dose and energy of bombarding electrons. Chemically homogenized nanotwins can boost hardness by similar to 45%. Our results provide a new way to produce ultrathin (< 5 nm) nanotwin platelets in scientifically and technologically important carbide materials and showcase feasibility of defect engineering by an angstrom-sized electron probe.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001004930200012 Publication Date 2023-04-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2226-4108; 2227-8508 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 16.9 Times cited (up) Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 16.9; 2023 IF: 1.198  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197470 Serial 8860  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Craco, L.; Carara, S.S.; Barboza, E. da S.; Milošević, M.V.; Pereira, T.A.S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Electronic and valleytronic properties of crystalline boron-arsenide tuned by strain and disorder Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication RSC advances Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 13 Issue 26 Pages 17907-17913  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)  
  Abstract Ab initio density functional theory (DFT) and DFT plus coherent potential approximation (DFT + CPA) are employed to reveal, respectively, the effect of in-plane strain and site-diagonal disorder on the electronic structure of cubic boron arsenide (BAs). It is demonstrated that tensile strain and static diagonal disorder both reduce the semiconducting one-particle band gap of BAs, and a V-shaped p-band electronic state emerges – enabling advanced valleytronics based on strained and disordered semiconducting bulk crystals. At biaxial tensile strains close to 15% the valence band lineshape relevant for optoelectronics is shown to coincide with one reported for GaAs at low energies. The role played by static disorder on the As sites is to promote p-type conductivity in the unstrained BAs bulk crystal, consistent with experimental observations. These findings illuminate the intricate and interdependent changes in crystal structure and lattice disorder on the electronic degrees of freedom of semiconductors and semimetals.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001008414700001 Publication Date 2023-06-13  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2046-2069 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 3.9 Times cited (up) Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.9; 2023 IF: 3.108  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197317 Serial 8861  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Wang, L.; Shi, P.; Chen, L.; Gielis, J.; Niklas, K.J. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Evidence that Chinese white olive (Canarium album(Lour.) DC.) fruits are solids of revolution Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Botany letters Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 1-7  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Although many fruit geometries resemble a solid of revolution, this assumption has rarely been rigorously examined. To test this assumption, 574 fruits of Canarium album (Lour.) DC. which appear to have an ellipsoidal shape, were examined to determine the validity of a general avian-based egg-shape equation, referred to as the explicit Preston equation (EPE). The assumption that the C. album fruit geometry is a solid of revolution is tested by applying the volume formula for a solid of revolution using the EPE. The goodness of fit of the EPE was assessed using the adjusted root-mean-square error (RMSEadj). The relationship between the observed volume (Vobs) of each fruit, as measured by water displacement in a graduated cylinder, and the predicted volumes (Vpre) based on the EPE was also evaluated using the equation Vpre = slope * Vobs. All the RMSEadj values were smaller than 0.05, which demonstrated the validity of the EPE based on C. album fruit profiles. The 95% confidence interval of the slope of Vpre vs. Vobs included 1.0, indicating that there was no significant difference between Vpre and Vobs. The data confirm that C. album fruits are solids of revolution. This study provides a new approach for calculating the volume and surface area of geometrically similar fruits, which can be extended to other species with similar fruit geometries to further explore the ontogeny and evolution of angiosperm reproductive organs.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001033135400001 Publication Date 2023-07-25  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2381-8107; 2381-8115 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 1.5 Times cited (up) Open Access Not_Open_Access: Available from 24.01.2024  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 1.5; 2023 IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:198001 Serial 8864  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Janssens, K. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title EXRS2022 : the 2022 edition of the European X-ray Spectrometry conference, held in Bruges, Belgium Type Editorial
  Year 2023 Publication X-ray spectrometry Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 52 Issue 6 Pages 276-278  
  Keywords Editorial; Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS)  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001043528400001 Publication Date 2023-08-07  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0049-8246 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 1.2 Times cited (up) Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 1.2; 2023 IF: 1.298  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:198217 Serial 8865  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Zhu, W.; Van Tendeloo, M.; Alloul, A.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Feasibility of a return-sludge nursery concept for mainstream anammox biostimulation : creating optimal conditions for anammox to recover and grow in a parallel tank Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 385 Issue Pages 129359-12  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract To overcome limiting anammox activity under sewage treatment conditions, a return-sludge nursery concept is proposed. This concept involves blending sludge reject water treated with partial nitritation with mainstream effluent to increase the temperature, N levels, and electrical conductivity (EC) of the anammox nursery reactor, which sludge periodically passes through the return sludge line of the mainstream system. Various nursery frequencies were tested in two 2.5 L reactors, including 0.5-2 days of nursery treatment per 3.5-14 days of the total operation. Bioreactor experiments showed that nursery increased nitrogen removal rates during mainstream operation by 33-38%. The increased anammox activity can be partly (35-60%) explained by higher temperatures. Elevated EC, higher nitrogen concentrations, and a putative synergy and/or unknown factor were responsible for 15-16%, 12-14%, and 10-36%, respectively. A relatively stable microbial community was observed, dominated by a “Candidatus Brocadia” member. This new concept boosted activity and sludge growth, which may facilitate mainstream anammox implementations based on partial nitritation/anammox or partial nitrification/denitratation/anammox.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001031586400001 Publication Date 2023-06-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited (up) Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.4; 2023 IF: 5.651  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:198259 Serial 8866  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Soltan, S.; Macke, S.; Ilse, S.E.; Pennycook, T.; Zhang, Z.L.; Christiani, G.; Benckiser, E.; Schuetz, G.; Goering, E. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Ferromagnetic order controlled by the magnetic interface of LaNiO3/La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 superlattices Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Scientific reports Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 13 Issue 1 Pages 1-9  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Interface engineering in complex oxide superlattices is a growing field, enabling manipulation of the exceptional properties of these materials, and also providing access to new phases and emergent physical phenomena. Here we demonstrate how interfacial interactions can induce a complex charge and spin structure in a bulk paramagnetic material. We investigate a superlattice (SLs) consisting of paramagnetic LaNiO3 (LNO) and highly spin-polarized ferromagnetic La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 (LCMO), grown on SrTiO3 (001) substrate. We observed emerging magnetism in LNO through an exchange bias mechanism at the interfaces in X-ray resonant magnetic reflectivity. We find non-symmetric interface induced magnetization profiles in LNO and LCMO which we relate to a periodic complex charge and spin superstructure. High resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy images reveal that the upper and lower interfaces exhibit no significant structural variations. The different long range magnetic order emerging in LNO layers demonstrates the enormous potential of interfacial reconstruction as a tool for tailored electronic properties.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000985158100013 Publication Date 2023-03-26  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2045-2322 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.6 Times cited (up) Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.6; 2023 IF: 4.259  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197426 Serial 8867  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Hassani, H. url  openurl
  Title First-principles study of polarons in WO₃ Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 181 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)  
  Abstract Polarons are quasiparticles emerging in materials from the interaction of extra charge carriers with the surrounding atomic lattice. They appear in a wide va- riety of compounds and can have a profound impact on their properties, making the concept of a polaron a central and ubiquitous topic in material science. Al- though the concept is known for about 75 years, the origin of polarons is not yet fully elucidated. This thesis focuses on WO 3 as a well-known prototypical system for studying polarons, which inherent polaronic nature is linked to its remark- able electrical and chromic properties. The primary objective of this research is to provide a comprehensive atomistic description and understanding of polaron formation in WO 3 using first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calcula- tions. Additionally, the investigation explores the interactions between polarons and the possibility of bipolaron formation. Following a systematic strategy, we first extensively analyze the dielectric and lattice dynamical properties of WO 3 in both the room-temperature P 2 1 /n and ground-state P 2 1 /c phases. Our specific focus is on characterizing the zone-center phonons, which serve as the founda- tion for identifying the phonon modes involved in the polaron formation and charge localization process. Subsequently, we examine the impact of structural distortions on the electronic structure of WO 3 to elucidate the interplay between structural distortions and electronic properties, thereby laying the groundwork for understanding electron-phonon couplings. By incorporating these critical fac- tors, we address our primary research goals. The most common explanation for the polaron formation is associated with the electrostatic screening of the extra charge by the polarizable lattice. Here, we show that, even in ionic crystals, this is not necessarily the case. We demonstrate that polarons in this compound arise primarily from non-polar atomic distortions. We then unveil that this unexpected behavior originates from the undoing of distortive atomic motions, which lowers the bandgap. As such, we coin the name of anti-distortive polaron and validate its appearance through a simple quantum-dot model, in which charge localization is the result of balancing structural, electronic, and confinement energy costs. Then, we also study the polaron-polaron interaction and present the formation of the antiferromagnetic W 4+ bipolaronic state with relatively large formation energy. Our analysis of the W 4+ bipolaronic distortions on the global structure reveals the same behavior as in experiments where the highly distorted monoclinic phase transforms into a tetragonal phase as a function of doping. Additionally, leveraging our previous findings on asymmetric polaronic distortion and examin- ing different merging orientations, we stabilize the antiferromagnetic W 5+ -W 5+ bipolaronic state with an energy lower than the W 4+ state. This thesis clari- fies the formation of unusual medium-size 2D polarons and bipolarons in WO3,which might be relevant to the whole family of ABO 3 perovskites, to which WO 3 is closely related. The simplicity of the concept provides also obvious guidelines for tracking similar behavior in other families of compounds.  
  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 (up) Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:198169 Serial 8868  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Drăgan, A.-M.; Feier, B.G.; Tertis, M.; Bodoki, E.; Truta, F.; Stefan, M.-G.; Kiss, B.; Van Durme, F.; De Wael, K.; Oprean, R.; Cristea, C. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Forensic analysis of synthetic cathinones on nanomaterials-based platforms : chemometric-assisted voltametric and UPLC-MS/MS investigation Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Nanomaterials Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 13 Issue 17 Pages 2393-19  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)  
  Abstract Synthetic cathinones (SCs) are a group of new psychoactive substances often referred to as “legal highs” or “bath salts”, being characterized by a dynamic change, new compounds continuously emerging on the market. This creates a lack of fast screening tests, making SCs a constant concern for law enforcement agencies. Herein, we present a fast and simple method for the detection of four SCs (alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone, N-ethylhexedrone, 4-chloroethcathinone, and 3-chloromethcathinone) based on their electrochemical profiles in a decentralized manner. In this regard, the voltametric characterization of the SCs was performed by cyclic and square wave voltammetry. The elucidation of the SCs redox pathways was successfully achieved using liquid chromatography coupled to (tandem) mass spectrometry. For the rational identification of the ideal experimental conditions, chemometric data processing was employed, considering two critical qualitative and quantitative variables: the type of the electrochemical platform and the pH of the electrolyte. The analytical figures of merit were determined on standard working solutions using the optimized method, which exhibited wide linear ranges and LODs suitable for confiscated sample screening. Finally, the performance of the method was evaluated on real confiscated samples, the resulting validation parameters being similar to those obtained with another portable device (i.e., Raman spectrometer).  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001061205100001 Publication Date 2023-08-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2079-4991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 5.3 Times cited (up) Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.3; 2023 IF: 3.553  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199221 Serial 8869  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Ying, J.; Xiao, Y.; Chen, J.; Hu, Z.-Y.; Tian, G.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Zhang, Y.; Symes, M.D.D.; Janiak, C.; Yang, X.-Y. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Fractal design of hierarchical PtPd with enhanced exposed surface atoms for highly catalytic activity and stability Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Nano letters Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 23 Issue 16 Pages 7371-7378  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Hierarchicalassembly of arc-like fractal nanostructures not onlyhas its unique self-similarity feature for stability enhancement butalso possesses the structural advantages of highly exposed surface-activesites for activity enhancement, remaining a great challenge for high-performancemetallic nanocatalyst design. Herein, we report a facile strategyto synthesize a novel arc-like hierarchical fractal structure of PtPdbimetallic nanoparticles (h-PtPd) by using pyridinium-type ionic liquidsas the structure-directing agent. Growth mechanisms of the arc-likenanostructured PtPd nanoparticles have been fully studied, and precisecontrol of the particle sizes and pore sizes has been achieved. Dueto the structural features, such as size control by self-similaritygrowth of subunits, structural stability by nanofusion of subunits,and increased numbers of exposed active atoms by the curved homoepitaxialgrowth, h-PtPd displays outstanding electrocatalytic activity towardoxygen reduction reaction and excellent stability during hydrothermaltreatment and catalytic process.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001042181100001 Publication Date 2023-08-03  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1530-6984 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 10.8 Times cited (up) Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 10.8; 2023 IF: 12.712  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:198408 Serial 8870  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Gielis, J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Fred Van Oystaeyen : Time hybrids: a new generic theory of reality Type Review
  Year 2023 Publication Symmetry, Culture and Science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 34 Issue 3 Pages 347-351  
  Keywords Review; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract  
  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 (up) Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199538 Serial 8871  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Kocabas, T.; Keceli, M.; Vazquez-Mayagoitia, A.; Sevik, C. doi  openurl
  Title Gaussian approximation potentials for accurate thermal properties of two-dimensional materials Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 15 Issue 19 Pages 8772-8780  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)  
  Abstract Two-dimensional materials (2DMs) continue to attract a lot of attention, particularly for their extreme flexibility and superior thermal properties. Molecular dynamics simulations are among the most powerful methods for computing these properties, but their reliability depends on the accuracy of interatomic interactions. While first principles approaches provide the most accurate description of interatomic forces, they are computationally expensive. In contrast, classical force fields are computationally efficient, but have limited accuracy in interatomic force description. Machine learning interatomic potentials, such as Gaussian Approximation Potentials, trained on density functional theory (DFT) calculations offer a compromise by providing both accurate estimation and computational efficiency. In this work, we present a systematic procedure to develop Gaussian approximation potentials for selected 2DMs, graphene, buckled silicene, and h-XN (X = B, Al, and Ga, as binary compounds) structures. We validate our approach through calculations that require various levels of accuracy in interatomic interactions. The calculated phonon dispersion curves and lattice thermal conductivity, obtained through harmonic and anharmonic force constants (including fourth order) are in excellent agreement with DFT results. HIPHIVE calculations, in which the generated GAP potentials were used to compute higher-order force constants instead of DFT, demonstrated the first-principles level accuracy of the potentials for interatomic force description. Molecular dynamics simulations based on phonon density of states calculations, which agree closely with DFT-based calculations, also show the success of the generated potentials in high-temperature simulations.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000976615200001 Publication Date 2023-04-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2040-3364; 2040-3372 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.7 Times cited (up) Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2023 IF: 7.367  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196722 Serial 8873  
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Author Lian, M.; Shi, P.; Zhang, L.; Yao, W.; Gielis, J.; Niklas, K.J. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title A generalized performance equation and its application in measuring the Gini index of leaf size inequality Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Trees: structure and function Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 37 Issue Pages 1555-1565  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract The goal of this study is to provide a rigorous tool to quantify the inequality of the leaf size distribution of an individual plant, thereby serving as a reference trait for quantifying plant adaptations to local environmental conditions. The tool to be presented and tested employs three components: (1) a performance equation (PE), which can produce flexible asymmetrical and symmetrical bell-shaped curves, (2) the Lorenz curve (i.e., the cumulative proportion of leaf size vs. the cumulative proportion of number of leaves), which is the basis for calculating, and (3) the Gini index, which measures the inequality of leaf size distribution. We sampled 12 individual plants of a dwarf bamboo and measured the area and dry mass of each leaf of each plant. We then developed a generalized performance equation (GPE) of which the PE is a special case and fitted the Lorenz curve to leaf size distribution using the GPE and PE. The GPE performed better than the PE in fitting the Lorenz curve. We compared the Gini index of leaf area distribution with that of leaf dry mass distribution and found that there was a significant difference between the two indices that might emerge from the scaling relationship between leaf dry mass and area. Nevertheless, there was a strong correlation between the two Gini indices (r2 = 0.9846). This study provides a promising tool based on the GPE for quantifying the inequality of leaf size distributions across individual plants and can be used to quantify plant adaptations to local environmental conditions.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001069570200001 Publication Date 2023-08-26  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0931-1890; 1432-2285 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.3 Times cited (up) Open Access Not_Open_Access: Available from 26.02.2024  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.3; 2023 IF: 1.842  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199562 Serial 8874  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Bekaert, J.; Bringmans, L.; Milošević, M.V. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Ginzburg-Landau surface energy of multiband superconductors : derivation and application to selected systems Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Journal of physics : condensed matter Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 35 Issue 32 Pages 325602-325610  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)  
  Abstract We determine the energy of an interface between a multiband superconducting and a normal half-space, in presence of an applied magnetic field, based on a multiband Ginzburg-Landau (GL) approach. We obtain that the multiband surface energy is fully determined by the critical temperature, electronic densities of states, and superconducting gap functions associated with the different band condensates. This furthermore yields an expression for the thermodynamic critical magnetic field, in presence of an arbitrary number of contributing bands. Subsequently, we investigate the sign of the surface energy as a function of material parameters, through numerical solution of the GL equations. Here, we consider two distinct cases: (i) standard multiband superconductors with attractive interactions, and (ii) a three-band superconductor with a chiral ground state with phase frustration, arising from repulsive interband interactions. Furthermore, we apply this approach to several prime examples of multiband superconductors, such as metallic hydrogen and MgB2, based on microscopic parameters obtained from first-principles calculations.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000986281900001 Publication Date 2023-05-03  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0953-8984 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 2.7 Times cited (up) Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.7; 2023 IF: 2.649  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196664 Serial 8875  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Moro, G.; Campos, R.; Daems, E.; Moretto, L.M.; De Wael, K. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Haem-mediated albumin biosensing : towards voltammetric detection of PFOA Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Bioelectrochemistry: an international journal devoted to electrochemical aspects of biology and biological aspects of electrochemistry Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 152 Issue Pages 108428-7  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)  
  Abstract The haem group is a promising redox probe for the design of albumin-based voltammetric sensors. Among the endogenous ligands carried by human serum albumin (hSA), haem is characterised by a reversible redox behaviour and its binding kinetics strongly depend on hSA’s conformation, which, in turn, depends on the presence of other ligands. In this work, the potential applicability of haem, especially hemin, as a redox probe was first tested in a proof-of-concept study using perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as model analyte. PFOA is known to bind hSA by occupying Sudlow’s I site (FA7) which is spatially related to the haem-binding site (FA1). The latter undergoes a conformational change, which is expected to affect hemin’s binding kinetics. To verify this hypothesis, hemin:albumin complexes in the presence/absence of PFOA were first screened by UV–Vis spectroscopy. Once the complex formation was verified, haem was further characterised via electrochemical methods to estimate its electron transfer kinetics. The hemin:albumin:PFOA system was studied in solution, with the aim of describing the multiple equilibria at stake and designing an electrochemical assay for PFOA monitoring. This latter could be integrated with protein-based bioremediation approaches for the treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances polluted waters. Overall, our preliminary results show how hemin can be applied as a redox probe in albumin-based voltammetric sensing strategies.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000971630400001 Publication Date 2023-03-27  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1567-5394 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 5 Times cited (up) Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5; 2023 IF: 3.346  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:195069 Serial 8876  
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Author Yuan, Y.; Wu, F.-J.; Xiao, S.-T.; Wang, Y.-T.; Yin, Z.-W.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Chang, G.-G.; Tian, G.; Hu, Z.-Y.; Wu, S.-M.; Yang, X.-Y. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Hierarchical zeolites containing embedded Cd0.2Zn0.8S as a photocatalyst for hydrogen production from seawater Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Chemical communications Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 59 Issue 47 Pages 7275-7278  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Uncovering an efficient and stable photocatalytic system for seawater splitting is a highly desirable but challenging goal. Herein, Cd0.2Zn0.8S@Silicalite-1 (CZS@S-1) composites, in which CZS is embedded in the hierarchical zeolite S-1, were prepared and show remarkably high activity, stability and salt resistance in seawater.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000994367000001 Publication Date 2023-05-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1359-7345; 1364-548x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 4.9 Times cited (up) Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.9; 2023 IF: 6.319  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197291 Serial 8878  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Moro, G.; Foumthuim, C.J.D.; Spinaci, M.; Martini, E.; Cimino, D.; Balliana, E.; Lieberzeit, P.; Romano, F.; Giacometti, A.; Campos, R.; De Wael, K.; Moretto, L.M. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title How perfluoroalkyl substances modify fluorinated self-assembled monolayer architectures : an electrochemical and computational study Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication Analytica chimica acta Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 1204 Issue Pages 339740-12  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)  
  Abstract There is an urgent need for sensing strategies to screen perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aqueous matrices. These strategies must be applicable in large-scale monitoring plans to face the ubiquitous use of PFAS, their wide global spread, and their fast evolution towards short-chain, branched molecules. To this aim, the changes in fluorinated self-assembled monolayers (SAM) with different architectures (pinholes/defects-free and with randomized pinholes/defects) were studied upon exposure to both long and short-chain PFAS. The applicability of fluorinated SAM in PFAS sensing was evaluated. Changes in the SAM structures were characterised combining electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and voltam-metric techniques. The experimental data interpretation was supported by molecular dynamics simu-lations to gain a more in-depth understanding of the interaction mechanisms involved. Pinhole/defect-free fluorinated SAM were found to be applicable to long-chain PFAS screening within switch-on sensing strategy, while a switch-off sensing strategy was reported for screening of both short/long-chain PFAS. These strategies confirmed the possibility to play on fluorophilic interactions when designing PFAS screening methods.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000789493000010 Publication Date 2022-03-17  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0003-2670; 1873-4324 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited (up) Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:188658 Serial 8880  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Gamon, J.; Bassat, J.-M.; Villesuzanne, A.; Duttine, M.; Batuk, M.; Vandemeulebroucke, D.; Hadermann, J.; Alassani, F.; Weill, F.; Durand, E.; Demourgues, A. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Impact of anionic ordering on the iron site distribution and valence states in oxyfluoride Sr2FeO3+xF1-x(x=0.08, 0.2) with a layered Perovskite network Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Inorganic chemistry Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 62 Issue 27 Pages 10822-10832  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Sr2FeO3+x F1-x (x = 0.08, 0.2), an n = 1 Ruddlesden-Popperphase, was synthesized from the oxidationof Sr2FeO3F in air at high temperature followinga fluorine for oxygen substitution and Fe3+ to Fe4+ oxidation. A structural investigation of both compounds was performedusing complementary and high-resolution techniques (Synchrotron X-rayand electron diffraction, Mo''ssbauer spectroscopy, HR-STEM)coupled to DFT calculation. This study reveals that oxidation leadsto a high degree of apical anion disorder coupled to antiphase boundaries. Sr2FeO3F, an oxyfluoride compoundwith an n = 1 Ruddlesden-Popper structure,was identifiedas a potential interesting mixed ionic and electronic conductor (MIEC).The phase can be synthesized under a range of different pO(2) atmospheres, leading to various degrees of fluorinefor oxygen substitution and Fe4+ content. A structuralinvestigation and thorough comparison of both argon- and air-synthesizedcompounds were performed by combining high-resolution X-ray and electrondiffraction, high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy,Mo''ssbauer spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. While the argon-synthesizedphase shows a well-behaved O/F ordered structure, this study revealedthat oxidation leads to averaged large-scale anionic disorder on theapical site. In the more oxidized Sr2FeO3.2F0.8 oxyfluoride, containing 20% of Fe4+, two differentFe positions can be identified with a 32%/68% occupancy (P4/nmm space group). This originates due to the presenceof antiphase boundaries between ordered domains within the grains.Relations between site distortion and valence states as well as stabilityof apical anionic sites (O vs F) are discussed. This study paves theway for further studies on both ionic and electronic transport propertiesof Sr2FeO3.2F0.8 and its use in MIEC-baseddevices, such as solid oxide fuel cells.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001018974700001 Publication Date 2023-06-29  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0020-1669 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 4.6 Times cited (up) Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.6; 2023 IF: 4.857  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197789 Serial 8881  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Ag, K.R.; Minja, A.C.; Ninakanti, R.; Van Hal, M.; Dingenen, F.; Borah, R.; Verbruggen, S.W. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Impact of soot deposits on waste gas-to-electricity conversion in a TiO₂/WO₃-based photofuel cell Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Chemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 470 Issue Pages 144390-13  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract An unbiased photo-fuel cell (PFC) is a device that integrates the functions of a photoanode and a cathode to achieve simultaneous light-driven oxidation and dark reduction reactions. As such, it generates electricity while degrading pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The photoanode is excited by light to generate electron-hole pairs, which give rise to a photocurrent, and are utilized to oxidise organic pollutants simultaneously. Here we have systematically studied various TiO2/WO3 photoanodes towards their photocatalytic soot degradation performance, PFC performance in the presence of VOCs, and the combination of both. The latter thus mimics an urban environment where VOCs and soot are present simultaneously. The formation of a type-II heterojunction after the addition of a thin TiO2 top layer over a dense WO3 bottom layer, improved both soot oxidation efficiency as well as photocurrent generation, thus paving the way towards low-cost PFC technology for energy recovery from real polluted air.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001030456200001 Publication Date 2023-06-25  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1385-8947; 1873-3212 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 15.1 Times cited (up) Open Access Not_Open_Access: Available from 29.12.2023  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 15.1; 2023 IF: 6.216  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197222 Serial 8882  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Wittner, N. url  openurl
  Title Improving and characterising solid-state fungal pretreatment by Phanerochaete chrysosporium for sugar production from poplar wood Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 206 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Biochemical Wastewater Valorization & Engineering (BioWaVE)  
  Abstract Pretreatment is a critical step in the conversion of lignocellulose into biofuels and biochemicals. During pretreatment, the recalcitrance of lignocellulose is reduced, e.g. by removing lignin, thereby making the carbohydrates more accessible for enzymatic saccharification. Fungal delignification by white-rot fungi is a biotechnological alternative to chemical/physicochemical methods, which is carried out in solid-state fermentation with mild reaction conditions and without the formation of microbial inhibitors. However, fungal pretreatment presents some challenges, such as long pretreatment time, non-selective and low delignification, low enzymatic digestibility and feedstock sterilisation requirement, making its commercial implementation challenging compared to conventional methods. This study investigates the possibility of improving and characterising the solid-state fungal pretreatment of poplar wood by Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The individual and combined effects of MnSO4 and CuSO4 supplements on the delignification of sterilised wood are investigated using response surface methodology to improve the degree and selectivity of fungal delignification. Spore-inoculated solid-state fermentations are carried out for 4 weeks in sterile vented bottles. The mechanism of the concerted action of the metal ions on lignin degradation is then elucidated by relating fungal growth and ligninolytic enzyme activities to lignocellulose degradation as a function of pretreatment time. The optimised metal-supplemented system is then applied to the pretreatment of non-sterilised wood using different inoculation techniques (spores and pre-colonised substrate), nutrients (metal ions with or without glucose and sodium nitrate) and cultivation environments (sterile aerated bottles and open trays). The fermentations are then characterised using infrared spectroscopy, in particular NIR and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, with the aim of developing rapid lignin quantification methods as an alternative to conventional wet chemical methods. Finally, the feasibility of producing fermentable sugars from sterilised and non-sterilised poplar wood using fungal pretreatment is evaluated through a techno-economic analysis. Supplementing the pretreatment system with 2.01 µmol CuSO4 and 0.77 µmol MnSO4 g-1 wood resulted in 1.9-fold higher lignin degradation, 2.3-fold higher delignification selectivity value and 2.9-fold higher glucose yield. The improved delignification could be explained by the concerted action of Mn2+ and Cu2+ ions, with Mn2+ ions inducing and Cu2+ prolonging manganese peroxidase production responsible for delignification. Fungal pretreatment at non-sterile conditions was obtained using trays in a simple solid-state fermentation set-up without sterile aeration. A 1:3 ratio of pre-colonised and untreated wood was applied for inoculation and only Cu2+, Mn2+ and sodium nitrate as supplements. Remarkably, this technology resulted in a comparably high glucose yield (28.51 ± 0.28%) to the traditional method using sterilised wood, sterile aeration and spores as inoculum, while reducing the amount of wood to be sterilised by 71.2%. Infrared spectroscopy-based methods with high coefficients of determination (R_CV  
  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 (up) Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197185 Serial 8883  
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Author Van Putte, N. url  openurl
  Title Improving groundwater dynamics : a key factor for successful tidal marsh restoration Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 166 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Ecosphere  
  Abstract Tidal marshes take up and release certain elements from and to the river water. Hence, they act as a filter, improving the estuarine water quality. This filtering function depends on the interaction between the marsh soil and water that infiltrates into the marsh platform at high tide and seeps out of the creek banks at low tide. In the past centuries, many tidal marshes disappeared due to large scale land reclamations, together with their associated ecosystem services. Nowadays, tidal marshes are increasingly restored on formerly embanked agricultural areas to regain these ecosystem services. Here, we studied the effect of historical agricultural land use on the contribution of restored tidal marshes to water quality improvement, and we investigated several solutions to stimulate the water quality improving function in newly restored tidal marshes. In restored tidal marshes, the soil is often compacted due to the historical agricultural land use, leading to a reduced organic matter content and micro- and macroporosity. In this compacted soil, groundwater flow is hindered, leading to a more waterlogged soil and reduced groundwater dynamics in the restored marsh as compared to a natural marsh. The depth of groundwater drainage and the groundwater flow velocity have important implications for the processes that contribute to water quality improvement, e.g. removal of nitrogen, phosphorus retention and silica cycling. Where groundwater drains deeper, i.e. in the vicinity of tidal creeks and in a more porous soil, these processes are promoted. We suggest that, in newly restored tidal marshes, the soil porosity can be increased by amending the soil (e.g. with organic matter), and the distance to the nearest tidal creek can be reduced by creek excavation. Numerical modelling showed that the largest gain in groundwater dynamics and seepage was attained when both measures were applied together. The effect of organic soil amendments on groundwater dynamics and nutrient cycling was further explored in a large scale in situ mesocosm experiment. Where the soil was amended, groundwater drained deeper and nitrogen removal increased. For new tidal marsh restoration projects, we advise to conduct an explorative soil study. When the soil is heavily compacted, design measures, such as creek initiation and organic soil amendments can be applied to jumpstart the contribution to water quality improvement of newly restored tidal marshes.  
  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 (up) Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196965 Serial 8884  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Huang, L.; Ratkowsky, D.A.; Hui, C.; Gielis, J.; Lian, M.; Shi, P. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Inequality measure of leaf area distribution for a drought-tolerant landscape plant Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Plants Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 12 Issue 17 Pages 3143-11  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Measuring the inequality of leaf area distribution per plant (ILAD) can provide a useful tool for quantifying the influences of intra- and interspecific competition, foraging behavior of herbivores, and environmental stress on plants’ above-ground architectural structures and survival strategies. Despite its importance, there has been limited research on this issue. This paper aims to fill this gap by comparing four inequality indices to measure ILAD, using indices for quantifying household income that are commonly used in economics, including the Gini index (which is based on the Lorenz curve), the coefficient of variation, the Theil index, and the mean log deviation index. We measured the area of all leaves for 240 individual plants of the species Shibataea chinensis Nakai, a drought-tolerant landscape plant found in southern China. A three-parameter performance equation was fitted to observations of the cumulative proportion of leaf area vs. the cumulative proportion of leaves per plant to calculate the Gini index for each individual specimen of S. chinensis. The performance equation was demonstrated to be valid in describing the rotated and right shifted Lorenz curve, given that >96% of root-mean-square error values were smaller than 0.004 for 240 individual plants. By examining the correlation between any of the six possible pairs of indices among the Gini index, the coefficient of variation, the Theil index, and the mean log deviation index, the data show that these indices are closely related and can be used interchangeably to quantify ILAD.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001065193100001 Publication Date 2023-08-31  
  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 (up) Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199564 Serial 8886  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Phuttaro, C.; Krishnan, S.; Saritpongteeraka, K.; Charnnok, B.; Diels, L.; Chaiprapat, S. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Integrated poultry waste management by co-digestion with perennial grass : effects of mixing ratio, pretreatments, reaction temperature, and effluent recycle on biomethanation yield Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Biochemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 196 Issue Pages 108937-12  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract This work aims to enhance the efficiency of integrated poultry waste management in bio-circular-green economy by maximizing the co-digestion of chicken manure and its digestate-grown biomass. In a series of batch assays, Napier grass (NG) was mixed with chicken manure (CM) at various proportions (100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 20:80 and 0:100) to identify co-substrate synergism, followed by physiochemical conditioning (size reduction and ultrasonication) of NG before co-digestion. Results indicated that NG mix of at least 80% was required to gain a full methanation potential of the individual substrates; no synergistic ratio above unity was found. However, the combined effect of size reduction and sonication was found to markedly improve the cosubstrate's biodegradability by 88.7%. The findings were then used to run continuous co-digestion at various operating regimes. In optimal continuous co-digestion condition, NG particle size of 0.6-2.4 mm combined with sonication intensity at 1111 kJ/kgTS improved biomethanation yield as high as 106.3%. Sub-thermophilic digestion at 45 degrees C was shown to give a higher and more stable CH4 yield than at 55 degrees C. Finally, it was also found that recycling liquid effluent at 40% to replace freshwater in feed, although showed no significant difference in CH4 yield (& alpha; = 0.05), noticeably increased system buffer capacity. This optimized biodegradation regime could give co-digestion waste management a higher overall plant efficiency and economic return.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001054826200001 Publication Date 2023-04-06  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1369-703x; 1873-295x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 3.9 Times cited (up) Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.9; 2023 IF: 2.892  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199209 Serial 8887  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Almabadi, M.H.; Truta, F.M.; Adamu, G.; Cowen, T.; Tertis, M.; Alanazi, K.D.M.; Stefan, M.-G.; Piletska, E.; Kiss, B.; Cristea, C.; De Wael, K.; Piletsky, S.A.; Cruz, A.G. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Integration of smart nanomaterials for highly selective disposable sensors and their forensic applications in amphetamine determination Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Electrochimica acta Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 446 Issue Pages 142009-142010  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)  
  Abstract Screening drugs on the street and biological samples pose a challenge to law enforcement agencies due to existing detection methods and instrument limitations. Herein we present a graphene-assisted molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticle-based sensor for amphetamine. These nanoparticles are electroactive by incorporating ferrocene in their structure. These particles act as specific actuators in electrochemical sensors, and the presence of a ferrocene redox probe embedded in the structure allows the detection of non-electroactive amphetamine. In a control approach, nanoparticles were covalently immobilised onto electrochemical sensors by drop-casting using silanes. Alternatively, nanoparticles were immobilised employing 3D printing and a graphene ink composite. The electrochemical performance of both approaches was evaluated. As a result, 3D printed nanoMIPs/graphene sensors displayed the highest selectivity in spiked human plasma, with sensitivity at 73 nA nM-1, LOD of 68 nM (RSD 2.4%) when compared to the silane drop cast electrodes. The main advantage of the optimised 3D printing technology is that it allows quantitative determination of amphetamine, a nonelectroactive drug, challenging to detect with conventional electrochemical sensors. In addition, the costefficient 3D printing method makes these sensors easy to manufacture, leading to robust, highly selective and sensitive sensors. As proof of concept, sensors were evaluated on the street specimens and clinically relevant samples and successfully validated using UPLC-MS.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000953087600001 Publication Date 2023-02-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0013-4686 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.6 Times cited (up) Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.6; 2023 IF: 4.798  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196145 Serial 8888  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Van Hoecke, L.; Kummamuru, N.B.; Pourfallah, H.; Verbruggen, S.W.; Perreault, P. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Intensified swirling reactor for the dehydrogenation of LOHC Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication International journal of hydrogen energy Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 1-13  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract In the recent advances towards more sustainable global energy supply, H2 is a possible alternative for large scale energy storage. In this view, Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC) are a class of molecules that allow for easier long term energy storage compared to conventional H2 technologies. CFD simulations were used to showcase the hydrodynamics of the dehydrogenation of a LOHC in a new reactor unit, via a cold flow mock-up study. This reactor was designed to allow for a swirling motion of the liquid carrier material, favouring the removal of H2 gas from the flow and forcing the equilibrium of the reaction towards dehydrogenation, as well as to keep the catalyst particles in motion. The CFD simulations were validated qualitatively with experimental operation of the reactor, in a system with identical dimensionless numbers (Reynolds and Stokes), in order to use less costly products during the prototyping phase.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001139598200001 Publication Date 2023-08-30  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0360-3199 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 7.2 Times cited (up) Open Access Not_Open_Access: Available from 01.03.2024  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 7.2; 2023 IF: 3.582  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:198534 Serial 8889  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Drăgan, A.-M.; Parrilla, M.; Sleegers, N.; Slosse, A.; Van Durme, F.; van Nuijs, A.; Oprean, R.; Cristea, C.; De Wael, K. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Investigating the electrochemical profile of methamphetamine to enable fast on-site detection in forensic analysis Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Talanta : the international journal of pure and applied analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 255 Issue Pages 124208-124211  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Toxicological Centre; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)  
  Abstract Methamphetamine (MA) is a synthetic psychoactive drug which is consumed both licitly and illicitly. In some countries it is prescribed for attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder, and short-term treatment of obesity. More often though, it is abused for its psychostimulant properties. Unfortunately, the spread and abuse of this synthetic drug have increased globally, being reported as the most widely consumed synthetic psychoactive drug in the world in 2019. Attempting to overcome the shortcomings of the currently used on-site methods for MA detection in suspected cargos, the present study explores the potential of electrochemical identification of MA by means of square wave voltammetry on disposable graphite screen-printed electrodes. Hence, the analytical characterization of the method was evaluated under optimal conditions exhibiting a linear range between 50 mu M and 2.5 mM MA, a LOD of 16.7 mu M, a LOQ of 50.0 mu M and a sensitivity of 5.3 mu A mM-1. Interestingly, two zones in the potential window were identified for the detection of MA, depending on its concentration in solution. Furthermore, the oxidative pathway of MA was elucidated employing liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry to understand the change in the electrochemical profile. Thereafter, the selectivity of the method towards MA in mixtures with other drugs of abuse as well as common adulterants/cutting agents was evaluated. Finally, the described method was employed for the analysis of MA in confiscated samples and compared with forensic methods, displaying its potential as a fast and easy-to-use method for on-site analysis.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000925076200001 Publication Date 2023-01-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0039-9140; 1873-3573 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.1 Times cited (up) Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.1; 2023 IF: 4.162  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:194314 Serial 8890  
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Author Wittner, N.; Vasilakou, K.; Broos, W.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Nimmegeers, P.; Cornet, I. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Investigating the technical and economic potential of solid-state fungal pretreatment at nonsterile conditions for sugar production from poplar wood Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Industrial and engineering chemistry research Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 1-11  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Biochemical Wastewater Valorization & Engineering (BioWaVE); Intelligence in PRocesses, Advanced Catalysts and Solvents (iPRACS)  
  Abstract Pretreatment is crucial for the conversion of lignocellulose to biofuels. Unlike conventional chemical/physicochemical methods, fungal pretreatment uses white-rot fungi and mild reaction conditions. However, challenges, including substrate sterilization, long duration, and low sugar yields associated with this method, contribute to lower techno-economic performance, an aspect that has rarely been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of fungal pretreatment of nonsterilized poplar wood. Various factors, including inoculum types, fermentation supplements, and cultivation methods, were investigated to optimize the process. A techno-economic assessment of the optimized processes was performed at a full biorefinery scale. The scenario using nonsterilized wood as a substrate, precolonized wood as an inoculum, and a 4 week pretreatment showed a 14.5% reduction in sugar production costs (€2.15/kg) compared to using sterilized wood. Although the evaluation of nonsterilized wood pretreatment showed promising cost reductions, fungal pretreatment remained more expensive than conventional methods due to the significant capital investment required.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001102138000001 Publication Date 2023-10-25  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0888-5885; 1520-5045 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 4.2 Times cited (up) Open Access Not_Open_Access: Available from 24.04.2024  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.2; 2023 IF: 2.843  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:200155 Serial 8891  
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