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Author Zhang, G.; Huang, S.; Chaves, A.; Yan, H. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Black phosphorus as tunable Van der Waals quantum wells with high optical quality Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication ACS nano Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 17 Issue 6 Pages 6073-6080  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)  
  Abstract Van der Waals quantum wells, naturally formed in two-dimensional layered materials with nanoscale thickness, possess many inherent advantages over conventional molecular beam epitaxy grown counterparts, and could bring up intriguing physics and applications. However, optical transitions originated from the series of quantized states in these emerging quantum wells are still elusive. Here, we show that multilayer black phosphorus appears to be an excellent candidate for van der Waals quantum wells with well-defined subbands and high optical quality. Using infrared absorption spectroscopy, we probe subband structures of multilayer black phosphorus with tens of atomic layers, revealing clear signatures for optical transitions with subband index as high as 10, far from what was attainable previously. Surprisingly, in addition to allowed transitions, an unexpected series of “forbidden” transitions is also evidently observed, which enables us to determine energy spacings separately for conduction and valence subbands. Furthermore, the linear tunability of subband spacings by temperature and strain is demonstrated. Our results are expected to facilitate potential applications for infrared optoelectronics based on tunable van der Waals quantum wells.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000953463300001 Publication Date 2023-03-13  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1936-0851 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 17.1 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 17.1; 2023 IF: 13.942  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196100 Serial 7565  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Yang, T.; Kong, Y.; Li, K.; Lu, Q.; Wang, Y.; Du, Y.; Schryvers, D. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Quasicrystalline clusters transformed from C14-MgZn₂ nanoprecipitates in Al alloys Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Materials characterization Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 199 Issue Pages 112772-112777  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Ultrafine faulty C14-MgZn2 Laves phase precipitates containing quasicrystalline clusters and demonstrating the formation of binary quasicrystalline precipitates with Penrose-like random-tiling were observed in the over-aged FCC matrix of a commercial 7N01 Al-Zn-Mg alloy, using high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy. The evolution from C14-Laves phase to quasicrystalline clusters is illustrated, and five-fold symmetry can be found in both real and reciprocal spaces. Our findings reveal the possibility of quasicrystalline formation from Laves phase in a highly plastic metal matrix like Al and demonstrate the structural relationship between Laves phase and quasicrystals.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000954788800001 Publication Date 2023-03-02  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1044-5803 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.7 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.7; 2023 IF: 2.714  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196106 Serial 8446  
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 (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.6 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.6; 2023 IF: 4.798  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196145 Serial 8888  
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Author Vingerhoets, R.; Spiller, M.; De Backer, J.; Adriaens, A.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Meers, E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Detailed nitrogen and phosphorus flow analysis, nutrient use efficiency and circularity in the agri-food system of a livestock-intensive region Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Journal of cleaner production Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 410 Issue Pages 137278-13  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract The agri-food value chain is a major cause of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) emissions and associated environmental and health impacts. The EU's farm-to-fork strategy (F2F) demands an agri-food value chain approach to reduce nutrient emissions by 50% and fertilizer use by 20%. Substance flow analysis (SFA) is a method that can be applied to study complex systems such as the agri-food chain. A review of 60 SFA studies shows that they often lack detail by not sufficiently distinguishing between nodes, products and types of emissions. The present study aims to assess the added value of detail in SFAs and to illustrate that valuable indicators can be derived from detailed assessments. This aim will be attained by presenting a highly-detailed SFA for the livestock-intensive region of Flanders, Belgium. The SFA distinguishes 40 nodes and 1827 flows that are classified into eight different categories (e.g. by-products, point source emissions) following life cycle methods. Eight novel indicators were calculated, including indicators that assess the N and P recovery potential. Flanders has a low overall nutrient use efficiency (11% N, 18% P). About 55% of the N and 56% of the P embedded in recoverable streams are reused providing 35% and 37% of the total N and P input. Optimized nutrient recycling could replace 45% of N and 48% of P of the external nutrient input, exceeding the target set by the F2F strategy. Detailed accounting for N and P flows and nodes leads to the identification of more recoverable streams and larger N and P flows. More detailed flow accounting is a prerequisite for the quantification of technological intervention options. Future research should focus on including concentration and quality as a parameter in SFAs.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000991013600001 Publication Date 2023-04-21  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0959-6526 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.1 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.1; 2023 IF: 5.715  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196227 Serial 7770  
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Author Voordeckers, D. openurl 
  Title Design to breathe : understanding and altering wind patterns in street canyons to reduce human exposure to air pollution Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages xxii, 303 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Research Group for Urban Development; Intelligence in PRocesses, Advanced Catalysts and Solvents (iPRACS)  
  Abstract Air pollution is proclaimed by the World Health Organiaation (WHO) as the biggest environmental threat to human health. Street canyons, or urban roads flanked by a continuous row of high buildings on both sides, are perceived as typical bottleneck areas for air quality due to their lack of natural ventilation. This doctoral thesis aims to integrate expert knowledge on in-canyon flow fields and pollution dispersion in street canyons from the specialized field of (bio)engineering into the field of urban planning and vice versa. In Chapter 1, a Geospatial Information System (GIS) method was developed to detect exposure zones and hotspot street canyons. A critical combination between aspect ratio (AR > 0.65) and traffic volume (TVmax > 300) was detected and subsequently used to detect hotspot street canyons in three major European cities (Antwerp, London and Paris). Chapter 2 focusses on acquiring in-depth knowledge on flow and concentration fields in street canyons by conducting an extensive literature review on over 200 studies and translates this knowledge into nineteen guidelines and eleven spatial tools, comprised in a toolbox for urban planning. Subsequently, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used into a research trough design process (Chapter 4) to illustrate how the design tools can be applied to a specific case study (Belgiëlei, Antwerp). Alternations to traffic lanes (traffic lane reduction and lateral displacement) combined with low boundary walls (LBWs), were found to reduce NO2 levels in the entire pedestrian area up to – 3.6 % and peak pollutions were reduced by -8 %. A maximum NO2 reduction was reached by combining a traffic lane displacement with hedges, adjustments to the tree planting pattern and an increased ground-level permeability, leading to reductions up to – 4.5 % in the pedestrian areas. In conclusion, urban design was found to be a valuable tool to enhance the effect of emission reduction strategies and draw in-canyon concentrations closer to the value of the background concentration. However, the background concentration seemed to dominate the efficiency of the urban design interventions and therefore, additional measures should be taken to reduce background pollution levels. This dissertation aims to contribute to the awareness of air pollution in street canyons, as well as support local governments in taking action by delivering spatial tools and guidelines applicable for urban planning and represents a framework for the dissemination of expert information on air quality in street canyons to the field of urban planning.  
  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 (up) UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196399 Serial 7767  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Yang, T. openurl 
  Title Characterization of Laves phase structural evolution and regulation of its precipitation behavior in Al-Zn-Mg based alloys Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages ii, 106 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Al-Zn-Mg-based high strength alloys are widely used in aerospace applications due to their low density and excellent mechanical properties. A systematic study of the structural evolution of the nano-precipitation phase and its growth mechanism is an important guide for the design of new high-strength alloys. In this work, the Laves structure precipitates in Al-Zn-Mg(-Cu/Y) alloy was systematically characterized. Based on the structure evolution, the structure of submicron Laves particles and quasicrystalline particles in the alloy at microscale, as well as the regulation of the precipitation behavior after adding Y at nanoscale were further investigated. The main innovative results are summarized as follows: (1) Investigation on coexistence of defect structures in Laves structural nanoprecipitates. Three types of Laves structures can coexist within the η-MgZn2 precipitates: C14, C15 and C36, and the Laves structure transition sequence of C14→C36→C15 in this system was determined. Meanwhile, it was found that there are diverse defect structures in the MgZn2 phase, including stacking faults, planar defects and five-fold domain structures, which have significant effects on relieving the internal stress/strain of the precipitates. (2) Investigation on multiple phase transition of Laves structural nanoprecipitates from C14 to C36 and from C14 to quasicrystal clusters. It is found that C14 precipitates can be completely transformed into the C36 precipitates. And it is also found that the C14 Laves phase structure can also transform into quasicrystalline clusters. These investigations on various phase transition mechanisms among Laves phases provide theoretical support for the microstructural characterization of materials containing multi-scale Laves phases. (3) Characterization of Laves and quasicrystal structural particles in submicron scale. Submicron-scale quasicrystal particles were obtained in conventional casting Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys for the first time. Industrial impurity elements Fe and Ni can induce the formation of quasicrystalline particles. When there is no Fe/Ni enriched in particles, the structure is characterized as C15-Laves phase. When Fe/Ni is as quasicrystalline core, a stable core-shell quasicrystalline structure with Al-Fe-Ni nucleus and Mg-Cu-Zn shell can be formed. (4) Investigation on the regulation of nanoscale Laves precipitates’ growth. To regulate the defect structure of the precipitates, rare earth element Y was added in Al-Zn-Mg alloys and its influence on the precipitation behavior was investigated. The addition of Y element can dynamically combine with different alloying elements during aging process, which can refine the size of precipitate and further improve the nucleation rate and precipitation rate of the precipitates.  
  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 (up) UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196404 Serial 7631  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Ortega Saez, N.; Arno, R.; Marchetti, A.; Cauberghs, S.; Janssens, K.; Van der Snickt, G.; Al-Emam, E. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Towards a novel strategy for soot removal from water-soluble materials : the synergetic effect of hydrogels and cyclomethicone on gelatine emulsion-based photographs Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Heritage science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 11 Issue 1 Pages 78-17  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Art; Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES); Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS)  
  Abstract Gels are a popular cleaning method for paper conservators and a lot of research has been done concerning gel cleaning of paper objects over the last 15 years. Despite the close interconnection between the conservation fields of paper and photographic material, research on using gels for cleaning photographs is very scarce. However, gels can provide an excellent cleaning method for photographic material. Cleaning silver gelatine prints with aqueous solvents is very complex due to the hydrophilic properties and fragility of the gelatine layer which makes mechanical cleaning difficult. The properties of gels ensure better control over the flow and evaporation of the solvent, facilitating the cleaning process. This study is the first insight into the viability of using gellan gum gel and polyvinyl acetate-borax (PVAc-borax) gel to clean contaminants from the surface of silver gelatine photographs. It is based on self-made samples that were artificially aged and contaminated with soot. Water, ethanol (EtOH), and Kodak Photo-flo were studied as solvents to remove the soot from the silver gelatine-based prints. These solvents were loaded into the aforementioned gels and applied to the samples in two different methods. These gel cleaning methods were subsequently compared with traditional cleaning methods. In addition, the usage of cyclomethicone D4 as a protective mask for the gelatine layer was studied. Measuring methods used to evaluate the cleaning were visual comparison, microscopic observation, and densitometry. ATR-FTIR measurements were also conducted to investigate potential side-effects of the cleaning methods on the prints, such as unwanted chemical transformations or the presence of gel residues after the treatments. Most of the gel cleaning methods within this study proved to be inadequate, with the exception of the gellan gum gel loaded with 30% EtOH. It was used as a granulated gel applied mechanically on a print saturated with cyclomethicone (octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane D4). Cyclomethicone proved to be a very effective protective barrier for the water-sensitive gelatine layer with minimal reduction in cleaning effectiveness.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000970139500001 Publication Date 2023-04-18  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2050-7445 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.5 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.5; 2023 IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196445 Serial 8945  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Alvarado-Alvarado, A.A.; De Bock, A.; Ysebaert, T.; Belmans, B.; Denys, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Modeling the hygrothermal behavior of green walls in Comsol Multiphysics® : validation against measurements in a climate chamber Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Building and environment Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 238 Issue Pages 110377-12  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Energy and Materials in Infrastructure and Buildings  
  Abstract Green walls (GW) can diminish building's surface temperature through shading, insulation, and evapotranspiration mechanisms. These can be analyzed by computer models that account for heat and mass transfer phenomena. However, most previous models were one-dimensional thermal simulations in which boundary conditions (BC), like convective moisture transport, were not or only partly considered. The present work proposes a more comprehensive way to predict GW's hygrothermal behavior by integrating a 3D multiphysics model that couples heat and moisture transport in Comsol Multiphysics®. The air cavity that usually separates the GW from the building was also considered. Heat sink terms were added to represent plants' transpiration and substrates' evaporation, considering the leaf area density (LAD) and substrate's water saturation (Sr). The model was validated against experiments where four green wall-test panels (GW-TPs) were evaluated in a climate chamber under steady-state conditions. This provides a much sounder approach for validation than what currently exists (r = 0.97; RMSE = 0.33 °C). The four GW-TPs decreased the masonry's surface temperature in the range of 0.89–1.14 °C (0.97 ± 0.11 SD °C). The average contribution of the evapotranspiration effect was 30%, whereas the contribution of the air cavity was 60.7 ± 0.09%. The temperature at the substrate's rear was reduced on average by 0.57 ± 0.15 SD °C. When solar radiation was considered as a BC, the GW-TPs decreased the building's surface temperature by 10 °C. Lastly, high values of LAD and Sr translated into increased temperature reduction values.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001001412600001 Publication Date 2023-05-02  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0360-1323 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 7.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 7.4; 2023 IF: 4.053  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196467 Serial 8899  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Vasilakou, K.; Nimmegeers, P.; Thomassen, G.; Billen, P.; Van Passel, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Assessing the future of second-generation bioethanol by 2030 : a techno-economic assessment integrating technology learning curves Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Applied energy Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 344 Issue Pages 121263-15  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM); Intelligence in PRocesses, Advanced Catalysts and Solvents (iPRACS)  
  Abstract Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant source of renewable biomass and is seen as a high-potential replacement for petroleum-based resources. The conversion technologies to advanced biofuels are still at a low maturity level, thus allowing for future cost reductions through technological learning. This fact is barely considered in state-of-the-art techno-economic assessments and a structured approach to account for technological learning in techno-economic assessments is needed. In this study, a framework for techno-economic assessments of advanced biofuels, integrating learning curves, is proposed. As a validation of this framework, the economic feasibility of the valorization of corn stover for the production of second-generation bioethanol in Belgium is studied. Process flowsheet simulations in Aspen Plus are developed, with an emphasis on the comparison of four different pretreatment technologies and two plant capacities at 156 dry kt biomass/y and 667 dry kt/y. The dilute acid pretreatment model of the large-scale biorefinery required the lowest minimum learning rate to reach an economically feasible biorefinery by 2030, being 3.9%, almost half as the one calculated for the smaller scale plant. This learning rate seems to be achievable based on learning rates commonly estimated in literature. We conclude that there is a potential for advanced ethanol production in Belgium under the current state of technology for large-scale biorefineries, which require additional biomass imports, when accounting for future cost reductions through learning  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001007488700001 Publication Date 2023-05-22  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0306-2619 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.2 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.2; 2023 IF: 7.182  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196509 Serial 9186  
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Author Perreault, P.; Van Hoecke, L.; Pourfallah, H.; Kummamuru, N.B.; Boruntea, C.-R.; Preuster, P. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Critical challenges towards the commercial rollouts of a LOHC-based H2 economy Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Current opinion in green and sustainable chemistry Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 41 Issue Pages 100836-100838  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract This short review discusses recent developments related to the storage and release of hydrogen from liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs). It focusses on three areas of recent literature: the application and development of novel, alternative LOHC systems, process development and process integration in the storage and release of hydrogen from LOHCs, and the electrochemical conversion of LOHCs. For the novel LOHC systems, we briefly focus on reaction enthalpy and storage capacity as main KPIs for the comparison of those systems and discuss the technical availability on a relevant scale. In the field of process- and reactor development our emphasis lies on the power density of the chemical conversion units. The LOHC technology still requires further development to reach the necessary energy efficiency, flexibility and overall research maturity for market competitivity and commercial impact.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001019180100001 Publication Date 2023-05-18  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2452-2236 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 9.3 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 9.3; 2023 IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196520 Serial 8845  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Gheysen, J.; Kashiwar, A.; Idrissi, H.; Villanova, J.; Simar, A. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Suppressing hydrogen blistering in a magnesium-rich healable laser powder bed fusion aluminum alloy analyzed by in-situ high resolution techniques Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Materials & design Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 231 Issue Pages 112024-11  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Hydrogen blistering, i.e. precipitation of supersaturated hydrogen at elevated temperatures, increases porosity during heat treatments in 4xxx series Al alloys manufactured by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), as demonstrated by 3D X-ray nano-imaging in AlSi12. This paper proposes the design of a healable Al alloy to suppress hydrogen blistering and improve the damage management. The strategy consists of solute atoms diffusing towards nano-voids and precipitating on their surface, thereby filling the damage sites. A new healable Al alloy was thus developed and successfully manufactured by LPBF. 3D X-ray nano-imaging evidenced that the addition of Mg in 4xxx series Al alloys suppresses the hydrogen blistering. This is expectedly due to Mg in solid solution which increases the hydrogen solubility in the Al matrix and due to the healing of these hydrogen pores. Moreover, a significant healing of voids smaller than 500 nm diameter is observed. In-situ heating inside transmission electron microscopy pointed out that Al matrix diffuses inside the fractured Mg2Si particles, thereby demonstrating the healing ability of the new alloy. This has opened the doors to development of new healable Al alloys manufactured by LPBF as well as to new post-treatments to tailor mechanical properties and microstructure without hydrogen blistering.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001055174900001 Publication Date 2023-05-20  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0264-1275; 1873-4197 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2023 IF: 4.364  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196536 Serial 8939  
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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 (up) UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 2.7 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.7; 2023 IF: 2.649  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196664 Serial 8875  
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Author Linard, F.J.A.; Moura, V.N.; Covaci, L.; Milošević, M.V.; Chaves, A. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Wave-packet scattering at a normal-superconductor interface in two-dimensional materials : a generalized theoretical approach Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Physical review B Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 107 Issue 16 Pages 165306-165309  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)  
  Abstract A wave-packet time evolution method, based on the split-operator technique, is developed to investigate the scattering of quasiparticles at a normal-superconductor interface of arbitrary profile and shape. As a practical application, we consider a system where low-energy electrons can be described as Dirac particles, which is the case for most two-dimensional materials, such as graphene and transition-metal dichalcogenides. However, the method is easily adapted for other cases such as electrons in few-layer black phosphorus or any Schrodinger quasiparticles within the effective mass approximation in semiconductors. We employ the method to revisit Andreev reflection in mono-, bi-, and trilayer graphene, where specular-and retro-reflection cases are observed for electrons scattered by a steplike superconducting region. The effect of opening a zero-gap channel across the superconducting region on the electron and hole scattering is also addressed, as an example of the versatility of the technique proposed here.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000974675700006 Publication Date 2023-04-14  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2469-9969; 2469-9950 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.7 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.7; 2023 IF: 3.836  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196709 Serial 8954  
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Author Sevik, C.; Bekaert, J.; Milošević, M.V. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Superconductivity in functionalized niobium-carbide MXenes Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 15 Issue 19 Pages 8792-8799  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)  
  Abstract We detail the effects of Cl and S functionalization on the superconducting properties of layered (bulk) and monolayer niobium carbide (Nb2C) MXene crystals, based on first-principles calculations combined with Eliashberg theory. For bulk layered Nb2CCl2, the calculated superconducting transition temperature (T-c) is in very good agreement with the recently measured value of 6 K. We show that T-c is enhanced to 10 K for monolayer Nb2CCl2, due to an increase in the density of states at the Fermi level, and the corresponding electron-phonon coupling. We further demonstrate feasible gate- and strain-induced enhancements of T-c for both bulk-layered and monolayer Nb2CCl2 crystals, resulting in T-c values of around 38 K. In the S-functionalized Nb2CCl2 crystals, our calculations reveal the importance of phonon softening in understanding their superconducting properties. Finally, we predict that Nb3C2S2 in bulk-layered and monolayer forms is also superconducting, with a T-c of around 28 K. Considering that Nb2C is not superconducting in pristine form, our findings promote functionalization as a pathway towards robust superconductivity in MXenes.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000976973900001 Publication Date 2023-04-11  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2040-3364; 2040-3372 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.7 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2023 IF: 7.367  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196711 Serial 8938  
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Author Wang, S.; Tian, H.; Sun, M. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Valley-polarized and enhanced transmission in graphene with a smooth strain profile Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Journal of physics : condensed matter Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 35 Issue 30 Pages 304002-304013  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)  
  Abstract We explore the influence of strain on the valley-polarized transmission of graphene by employing the wave-function matching and the non-equilibrium Green's function technique. When the transmission is along the armchair direction, we show that the valley polarization and transmission can be improved by increasing the width of the strained region and increasing (decreasing) the extensional strain in the armchair (zigzag) direction. It is noted that the shear strain does not affect transmission and valley polarization. Furthermore, when we consider the smooth strain barrier, the valley-polarized transmission can be enhanced by increasing the smoothness of the strain barrier. We hope that our finding can shed new light on constructing graphene-based valleytronic and quantum computing devices by solely employing strain.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000977124700001 Publication Date 2023-04-11  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0953-8984 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.7 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.7; 2023 IF: 2.649  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196718 Serial 8953  
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 (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.7 Times cited 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  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Shi, P.; Chen, L.; Quinn, B.K.; Yu, K.; Miao, Q.; Guo, X.; Lian, M.; Gielis, J.; Niklas, K.J. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title A simple way to calculate the volume and surface area of avian eggs Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 1524 Issue 1 Pages 118-131  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Egg geometry can be described using Preston's equation, which has seldom been used to calculate egg volume (V) and surface area (S) to explore S versus V scaling relationships. Herein, we provide an explicit re-expression of Preston's equation (designated as EPE) to calculate V and S, assuming that an egg is a solid of revolution. The side (longitudinal) profiles of 2221 eggs of six avian species were digitized, and the EPE was used to describe each egg profile. The volumes of 486 eggs from two avian species predicted by the EPE were compared with those obtained using water displacement in graduated cylinders. There was no significant difference in V using the two methods, which verified the utility of the EPE and the hypothesis that eggs are solids of revolution. The data also indicated that V is proportional to the product of egg length (L) and maximum width (W) squared. A 2/3-power scaling relationship between S and V for each species was observed, that is, S is proportional to (LW2)(2/3). These results can be extended to describe the shapes of the eggs of other species to study the evolution of avian (and perhaps reptilian) eggs.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000975679400001 Publication Date 2023-04-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0077-8923; 1749-6632 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 5.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.2; 2023 IF: 4.706  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196724 Serial 8827  
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Author Van Oijstaeijen, W.; Finizola e Silva, M.; Back, P.; Collins, A.; Verheyen, K.; De Beelde, R.; Cools, J.; Van Passel, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title The Nature Smart Cities business model : a rapid decision-support and scenario analysis tool to reveal the multi-benefits of green infrastructure investments Type Administrative Services
  Year 2023 Publication Urban forestry & urban greening Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 84 Issue Pages 127923-14  
  Keywords Administrative Services; A1 Journal article; Art; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Incorporating natural spaces within urban areas has been shown to have multiple benefits. However, despite greening and adaptation strategies at different levels of government, progress remains slow with a lack of easy to use and comprehensive tools identified as key to overcoming this. This paper presents a co-designed tool with academic and local authority partners to demonstrate the ecosystem service benefits of small-scale urban green infrastructure projects. Through the tool, users can readily assess the impact of green infrastructure investments on the delivery of a selection of ecosystem services in the early stages of a project. Furthermore, the tool provides a standardised assessment of cultural ecosystem services' contributions, as well as offering a method to score spatial designs on the impact on habitat for biodiversity. Use of the tool is demonstrated using a pilot study in Kapelle, the Netherlands. The results set out an overview of the impacts of the spatial design on estimated ecosystem service delivery. They also show the tool's potential to add value in early project stages and as a planning and design tool, helping to maximise the benefits that can be achieved through green infrastructure design. Complementing these arguments with ball-park estimations on green infrastructure costs, the Nature Smart Cities Business Model aims to offer public sector officers the means to create a business case for green infrastructure measures, facilitating the translation from strategies to actual plans, thus benefitting green infrastructure implementation in the public realm.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000982199900001 Publication Date 2023-04-11  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1618-8667 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.4 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.4; 2023 IF: 2.113  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196748 Serial 9235  
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Author Broers, F.T.H.; Janssens, K.; Weker, J.N.; Webb, S.M.; Mehta, A.; Meirer, F.; Keune, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Two pathways for the degradation of orpiment pigment (As₂S₃) found in paintings Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Journal of the American Chemical Society Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 145 Issue 16 Pages 8847-8859  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS)  
  Abstract Paintings are complex objects containing many different chemical compounds that can react over time. The degradation of arsenic sulfide pigments causes optical changes in paintings. The main degradation product was thought to be white arsenolite (As2O3), but previous research also showed the abundant presence of As(V) species. In this study, we investigate the influence of the presence of a medium on the degradation mechanism of orpiment (As2S3) using synchrotron radiation (SR)-based tomographic transmission X-ray microscopy, SR-based micro-X-ray fluorescence, and Xray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy. Upon direct illumination of dry orpiment powder using UV-visible light, only the formation of As2O3 was observed. When As2S3 was surrounded by a medium and illuminated, As2O3 was only observed in the area directly exposed to light, while As(V) degradation species were found elsewhere in the medium. Without accelerated artificial light aging, As(V)(aq) species are formed and migrate throughout the medium within weeks after preparation. In both scenarios, the As(V) species form via intermediate As(III)(aq) species and the presence of a medium is necessary. As(V)(aq) species can react with available cations to form insoluble metal arsenates, which induces stress within the paint layers (leading to, e.g., cracks and delamination) or can lead to a visual change of the image of the painting.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000974346900001 Publication Date 2023-04-14  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0002-7863 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 15 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 15; 2023 IF: 13.858  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196762 Serial 8948  
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Author Vallicrosa, H.; Lugli, L.F.; Fuchslueger, L.; Sardans, J.; Ramirez-Rojas, I.; Verbruggen, E.; Grau, O.; Brechet, L.; Peguero, G.; Van Langenhove, L.; Verryckt, L.T.; Terrer, C.; Llusia, J.; Ogaya, R.; Marquez, L.; Roc-Fernandez, P.; Janssens, I.; Penuelas, J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Phosphorus scarcity contributes to nitrogen limitation in lowland tropical rainforests Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Ecology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 104 Issue 6 Pages e4049-12  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Plant and Ecosystems (PLECO) – Ecology in a time of change  
  Abstract There is increasing evidence to suggest that soil nutrient availability can limit the carbon sink capacity of forests, a particularly relevant issue considering today's changing climate. This question is especially important in the tropics, where most part of the Earth's plant biomass is stored. To assess whether tropical forest growth is limited by soil nutrients and to explore N and P limitations, we analyzed stem growth and foliar elemental composition of the five stem widest trees per plot at two sites in French Guiana after 3 years of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and N + P addition. We also compared the results between potential N-fixer and non-N-fixer species. We found a positive effect of N fertilization on stem growth and foliar N, as well as a positive effect of P fertilization on stem growth, foliar N, and foliar P. Potential N-fixing species had greater stem growth, greater foliar N, and greater foliar P concentrations than non-N-fixers. In terms of growth, there was a negative interaction between N-fixer status, N + P, and P fertilization, but no interaction with N fertilization. Because N-fixing plants do not show to be completely N saturated, we do not anticipate N providing from N-fixing plants would supply non-N-fixers. Although the soil-age hypothesis only anticipates P limitation in highly weathered systems, our results for stem growth and foliar elemental composition indicate the existence of considerable N and P co-limitation, which is alleviated in N-fixing plants. The evidence suggests that certain mechanisms invest in N to obtain the scarce P through soil phosphatases, which potentially contributes to the N limitation detected by this study.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000977760600001 Publication Date 2023-04-11  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0012-9658; 1939-9170 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.8 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.8; 2023 IF: 4.809  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196804 Serial 9218  
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Author Friedrich, T. url  openurl
  Title Quantifying atomic structures using neural networks from 4D scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) datasets Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 127 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Nanoscience and nanotechnologies are of immense importance across many fields of science and for numerous practical applications. In this context, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and 4D-STEM are among the most powerful characterization methods at the atomic scale. Annular dark-field (ADF)-STEM can be used to quantify atomic structures in 3D by counting atoms based on a single projection image. In 4D-STEM a full diffraction pattern is recorded at each scan step, which enables more dose efficient imaging and the utilization of various advanced imaging modalities, which can however be complex and slow. Both, STEM and 4D-STEM suffer from noise and distortions. In the first section of this work the most important of these distortions are discussed and it is shown how image restoration with a dedicated convolutional neural network (CNN) can be beneficial for atomic structure quantifications in ADF-STEM. In the second part, a new 4D-STEM imaging method real-time-integrated-centre-of-mass (riCOM) is introduced, which is a very dose-efficient and fast algorithm that enables unprecedented live-imaging capabilities for 4D-STEM. It is based on the integrated centre-of-mass approach, but is reformulated with variable integration ranges and optional filters, which allows for a tunable contrast transfer function. This enables the imaging of light and heavy elements simultaneously at very low doses. In the third part another new 4D-STEM method, coined AIRPI (AI-assisted rapid phase imaging) is introduced, which uses a CNN to retrieve a patch of the specimen's phase image for each scan position, based on the diffraction patterns in the probe's immediate surroundings. This allows also live imaging in principle and surpasses comparable state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of resolution also at low doses. Different atomic columns can be reliably distinguished over a wide range of atomic numbers, enabling a very good image interpretability. Further, AIRPI can recover low frequency image components, which preserves thickness information. This is a unique and important feature which could make quantitative 4D-STEM feasible.  
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  ISSN ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196826 Serial 8919  
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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.  
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  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196965 Serial 8884  
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Author Bjørnåvold, A.; David, M.; Mermet-Bijon, V.; Beaumais, O.; Crastes dit Sourd, R.; Van Passel, S.; Martinet, V. url  doi
openurl 
  Title To tax or to ban? A discrete choice experiment to elicit public preferences for phasing out glyphosate use in agriculture Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication PLoS ONE Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 18 Issue 3 Pages 1-12  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract In 2023, the European Union will vote on the reauthorization of glyphosate use, renewed in 2017 despite concern on impacts on the environment and public health. A ban is supported by several Member States but rejected by most farmers. What are citizens’ preferences to phase out glyphosate? To assess whether taxation could be an alternative to a ban, we conducted a discrete choice experiment in five European countries. Our results reveal that the general public is strongly willing to pay for a reduction in glyphosate use. However, while 75.5% of respondents stated to support a ban in the pre-experimental survey, experimental results reveal that in 73.35% of cases, earmarked taxation schemes are preferred when they lead to a strong reduction in glyphosate use for an increase in food price lower than that induced by a ban. When glyphosate reduction is balanced against its costs, a tax may be preferred.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000985134400084 Publication Date 2023-03-16  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1932-6203 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.7 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.7; 2023 IF: 2.806  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196999 Serial 9236  
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Author Vervloessem, E. url  openurl
  Title The role of pulsing and humidity in plasma-based nitrogen fixation : a combined experimental and modeling study Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 358 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)  
  Abstract Nitrogen (N) is an indispensable building block for all living organisms as well as for pharmaceutical and chemical industry. In a nutshell, N is needed for plants to grow and beings to live and nitrogen fixation (NF) is the process that makes N available for plants as food by converting N2 into a reactive form, such as ammonia (NH3) or nitrogen oxides (NOx), upon reacting with O2 and H2. The aim of this thesis is to elucidate (wet) plasma-based nitrogen fixation with a focus on (1) the role of pulsing in achieving low energy consumption, (2) the role of H2O as a hydrogen source in nitrogen fixation and (3) elucidation of nitrogen fixation pathways in humid air and humid N2 plasma in a combined experimental and computational study. Furthermore, this thesis aims to take into account the knowledge-gaps and challenges identified in the discussion of the state of the art. Specifically, (1) we put our focus on branching out to another way of introducing water into the plasma system, i.e. H2O vapor, (2) we de-couple the problem for pathway elucidation by starting with characterization of the chosen plasma, next a simpler gas mixture and building up from there, (3) we include modelling, though not under wet conditions and (4) we focus on also analyzing species and performance outside liquid H2O. Firstly, based on the reaction analysis of a validated quasi-1D model, we can conclude that pulsing is indeed the key factor for energy-efficient NOx- formation, due to the strong temperature drop it causes. Secondly, the thesis shows that added H2O vapor, and not liquid H2O, is the main source of H for NH3 generation. Related to this, we discuss how the selectivity of plasma-based NF in humid air and humid N2 can be controlled by changing the humidity in the feed gas. Interestingly, NH3 production can be achieved in both N2 and air plasmas using H2O as a H source. Lastly, we identified a significant loss mechanism for NH3 and HNO2 that occurs in systems where these species are synthesized simultaneously, i.e. downstream from the plasma, HNO2 reacts with NH3 to form NH4NO2, which decomposes into N2 and H2O. This reduces the effective NF when not properly addressed, and should therefore be considered in future works aimed at optimizing plasma-based NF. In conclusion, this thesis adds further to the current state of the art of plasma-based NF both in the presence of H2O and in dry systems.  
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  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197038 Serial 9088  
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Author Derks, K. file  openurl
  Title Scanning Michael Sweerts and Michaelina Wautier : uncovering the working methods of 17th-century Brussels artists by means of MA-XRF examination Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 634 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Art; Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES); Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS)  
  Abstract This dissertation focuses on the materials and techniques used by the Brussels artists Michael Sweerts (1618-1664) and Michaelina Wautier (1614-1689). It tries to answer the following research questions: 1.Did 17th-century Brussels-based artists use idiosyncratic painting materials and techniques, and can their work be distinguished from paintings created in other artistic centers based on these materials and techniques? 2.How did Sweerts and Wautier influence each other’s work? In order to answer the research questions, a selection of relevant and representative paintings from Sweerts’ and Wautier’s oeuvre has been studied with MA-XRF scanning and microscopic examination. The results are discussed in volume 2 of this dissertation, and form the basis upon which the chapters in volume 1 are built. MA-XRF scanning is a non-destructive imaging technique based on the technique of X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The technique allows for the collection of elemental information about the materials present in a work of art. The work presented in this dissertation has shed more light on the working methods of Sweerts and Wautier. It has shown they both showed an openness and willingness to continue learning and developing as an artist. Wautier did not feel constrained to work only in one genre and apparently carried on developing her skills throughout her career, as evidenced by Flower Garland with Butterfly. She might have trained with a specialized artist to master their idiosyncratic working methods and this diverse genre. This suggests that Wautier had an interest in art education. Sweerts too had a passion for art education: he was involved in the drawing academy of Camillo Pamphilj in Rome, and later established his own academy for life drawing in Brussels. Sweerts’ work clearly shows the influence of his Italian contemporaries. Whilst living in Rome, he adapted his working methods to local customs such as working on brightly colored grounds. Wautier’s oeuvre shows that she was open to explore different genres and that she took inspiration from her contemporaries, including Theodoor van Loon and Daniël Seghers. In doing so, she furthered the development of different genres as she added original elements to her compositions. It is the conclusion of this dissertation that Michaelina Wautier can thus be considered one of the innovative artists of mid-17th-century Flemish painting, who inspired other artists in the Low Countries, including Michael Sweerts.  
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  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
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  ISSN ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197182 Serial 8927  
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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  
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  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197185 Serial 8883  
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Author Biondo, O. openurl 
  Title Towards a fundamental understanding of energy-efficient, plasma-based CO<sub>2</sub> conversion Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 221 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)  
  Abstract Plasma-based CO2 conversion is worldwide gaining increasing interest. The aim of this work is to find potential pathways to improve the energy efficiency of plasma-based CO2 conversion beyond what is feasible for thermal chemistry. To do so, we use a combination of modeling and experiments to better understand the underlying mechanisms of CO2 conversion, ranging from non-thermal to thermal equilibrium conditions. Zero-dimensional (0D) chemical kinetics modelling, describing the detailed plasma chemistry, is developed to explore the vibrational kinetics of CO2, as the latter is known to play a crucial role in the energy efficient CO2 conversion. The 0D model is successfully validated against pulsed CO2 glow discharge experiments, enabling the reconstruction of the complex dynamics underlying gas heating in a pure CO2 discharge, paving the way towards the study of gas heating in more complex gas mixtures, such as CO2 plasmas with high dissociation degrees. Energy-efficient, plasma-based CO2 conversion can also be obtained upon the addition of a reactive carbon bed in the post-discharge region. The reaction between solid carbon and O2 to form CO allows to both reduce the separation costs and increase the selectivity towards CO, thus, increasing the energy efficiency of the overall conversion process. In this regard, a novel 0D model to infer the mechanism underlying the performance of the carbon bed over time is developed. The model outcome indicates that gas temperature and oxygen complexes formed at the surface of solid carbon play a fundamental and interdependent role. These findings open the way towards further optimization of the coupling between plasma and carbon bed. Experimentally, it has been demonstrated that “warm” plasmas (e.g. microwave or gliding arc plasmas) can yield very high energy efficiency for CO2 conversion, but typically only at reduced pressure. For industrial application, it will be important to realize such good energy efficiency at atmospheric pressure as well. However, recent experiments illustrate that the microwave plasma at atmospheric pressure is too close to thermal conditions to achieve a high energy efficiency. Hence, we use a comprehensive set of advanced diagnostics to characterize the plasma and the reactor performance, focusing on CO2 and CO2/CH4 microwave discharges. The results lead to a deeper understanding of the mechanism of power concentration with increasing pressure, typical of plasmas in most gases, which is of great importance for model validation and understanding of reactor performance.  
  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 (up) UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197213 Serial 9108  
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Author Verbruggen, S.W.; Mul, G. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Editorial overview : photocatalysis 2022 shining light on a diversity of research opportunities Type Editorial
  Year 2023 Publication Current opinion in green and sustainable chemistry Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 42 Issue Pages 100838-2  
  Keywords Editorial; Engineering sciences. Technology  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001034184800001 Publication Date 2023-06-03  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2452-2236 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 9.3 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 9.3; 2023 IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197220 Serial 8854  
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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  
  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 (up) UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 15.1 Times cited 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  
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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 (up) UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 4.9 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.9; 2023 IF: 6.319  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197291 Serial 8878  
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