Abstract: The principal aim of this work is to study the effect of the processes of sintering and Pd doping of SnO2 gas sensor materials on the conversion of CO to CO2. For this purpose, the gas phase above screen printed sensor material is investigated using FTIR spectroscopy, while surface area, porosity and particle size measurements are performed on the SnO2 powders. During sintering, larger agglomerates of primary particles are formed, which results in a larger conversion degree of CO. The effect of Pd doping of the tin dioxide film on the CO conversion is more pronounced. The transformation of CO starts at a lower temperature and the conversion degree increases remarkably.

Abstract: In this work self-supporting tin dioxide disks are characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy in the presence of a reducing gas in air, and in different O2/N2 mixtures at temperatures varying from room temperature up to 450°C. Every factor inducing a change in the oxygen content of the gas atmosphere above the tin dioxide, as for instance a temperature change, a surface reaction or adsorption of another species, induces a broad, intense IR absorption band with discrete weak bands superimposed on it. This broad absorption is assigned to the electronic transition from a native donor level, the oxygen vacancy in the bulk of the domain, to the conduction band of the tin dioxide material. For the interpretation of the narrow, superimposed absorptions, two hypotheses remain. The results demonstrate that FT-IR spectroscopy is an extremely suitable technique for the characterization of semiconducting metal oxide sensors, since it allows to follow in situ the processes in the bulk, at the surface and in the surrounding gas atmosphere of the sensor material at working temperature as well as in the presence of reducing gases in air.

Abstract: FT-IR spectroscopy and impedance measurements of tin dioxide sensor materials at working temperatures up to 450 °C in atmospheres with varying O2/N2 ratio are used as an in situ probe to study the interactions at the surface of the semiconducting oxide. Every diminution in the oxygen content above the sample induces a broad IR absorption band (X-band) between 2300700 cm−1 with a few small peaks in the 1400850 cm−1 region of the spectrum superimposed on it. The X-band results from the enchanced electron concentration in the bulk of the tin dioxide domain. The fine structure is due to the absorption of several kinds of surface oxygen species associated vibration modes. The porous tin dioxide consists of domains were the outward shell is depleted of electrons by the formation of adsorbed O− species on oxygen surface sites, SO(O− species. In our proposed model for the impedance data this gives rise to a parallel RpCp circuit for the domain boundary characteristics and to an Rs parameter for the intradomain resistance. The evolution of these IR and impedance spectroscopic effects with temperature and oxygen content is used to set up, to confirm and refine a physicochemical operation model of tin dioxide gas sensor. This model consists of a sensitizing reaction sequence in the presence of oxygen and a gas-detection reaction sequence when a reducing gas is present. Based on this model, the principal disadvantages of this type of gas sensor become clear. Every factor that influences the concentration of SO(O−) species, causes a conductance modification. If we can control and direct the nature, the number and the arrangement of the tin dioxide domains, a directed development and improvement of the sensor characteristics is possible.

Abstract: The combination of a non-thermal plasma with catalysis is considered as a sustainable indoor air purification technology to achieve complete oxidation at reduced energy cost with a longer electrode lifetime. An optimal window of operation for plasma assisted catalysis is found by varying the polarity, the applied voltage, the relative humidity of the gas phase and the configuration of the plasma reactor. The results show that, in general, negative corona discharge can obtain higher nitric oxide (NO) conversion efficiencies compared to positive corona. It is also clear that at higher applied voltages, higher conversion efficiency can be reached. The effect of relative humidity, however, is not found to be significant in the range (0 20.3 %) tested in this work. Additionally, the configuration of the plasma reactor is changed by varying the amount of pins that are attached at the collector electrode. The results show that there is an optimum at 10 pairs of pins to obtain a high conversion efficiency of NO. By applying a coating on the collector electrode of the plasma reactor, it is possible to see the influence of the coating on the performance of the plasma system, which was operating in the previously found optimal window. It stands clear that the use of a plasma assisted catalysis system has high potential as an integrated and sustainable indoor air purification technology.

Abstract: Deep geothermal energy appears to be currently on the edge of a take-off in Belgium. However, the actual emergence of this technology is subject to developments in legislation and incentives from regional governments. Different risk/return expectations across stages of the investment continuum exist and the financial structures that are employed at each stage may require different types of public support. In this context, the ALPI project aims at developing a geological-economic model to calculate the impact of different policy instruments on development of the Belgian geothermal energy sector. Due to the lack of underground information describing the Campine Basin, economic methods are used to deal with these large geological uncertainties.

Abstract: Marketing innovation is essential for small industries to transform products into profit; therefore, understanding its nature and determinants is of utmost importance. This study aimed at understanding marketing innovation and its determinants in the 60 small food industries in the rural areas of Tehran province, Iran. Using a census sampling method, 111 managers of these firms were interviewed. Results showed that the firms performance in marketing innovation is generally weak, and a higher level of radical innovation in marketing is perceived compared to the incremental innovation. Also, a cause-and-effect relationship exists between both product and organizational innovations and marketing innovation. Furthermore, while incremental marketing innovation was negatively influenced by formal R&D unit, product diversification, and the managers years of experience, radical marketing innovation was affected by the capacity of production, product diversification, and managers age and education. The study concluded that in order to boost marketing innovation, innovation should be made also in products and organization. In addition, in order to facilitate the process of marketing innovation, practical and updated training for managers encouraging incremental innovation in marketing, product diversification, and improving R&D activities in the studied firms should be regarded.

Abstract: This research uses multi-objective optimisation to determine the optimal mixture of energy and transportation technologies, while optimising economic and environmental impacts. We demonstrate the added value of using multi-objective mixed integer linear programming (MOMILP) considering economies of scale versus using continuous multi-objective linear programming assuming average cost intervals. This paper uses an improved version to solve MOMILPs exactly. To differentiate optimal solutions with and without subsidies, the impact of policy on the Pareto frontier is assessed. We distinguish between minimising economic life cycle costs (complete rationality) and required investments (bounded rationality). The approach is illustrated using a Belgian company with demands for electricity and transport. Electricity technologies are solar photovoltaics and the grid; transportation includes internal combustion engine vehicles, grid powered battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and solar-powered BEVs. The impact of grid powered BEVs to reduce GHG emissions is limited, yet they are less costly than solar panels to decrease emissions. Current policy measures are found to be properly targeting rational investors who consider life cycle costs, while private (potentially bounded rational) investors often focus on required investments only.

Abstract: Canola production is an important alternative for agricultural policy-makers in Iran to reduce dependency on the imported vegetable oils. Nevertheless, the canola planted area is only increasing at a slow pace, indicating a low willingness-to-accept of farmers. The general aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing the canola adoption in the Kermanshah Province in Western Iran. Employing stratified random sampling method, 106 farmers from each adopter and non-adopter group were selected. Helping to reach a suitable extensional program, two main categories of variables were defined; i.e. farmers personal characteristics and extension parameters. The analysis of farmers personal characteristics variables revealed that the adopters had larger farms and were younger. The results also show that 80% of the adopters were highly to very highly willing to cultivate canola. Furthermore, a logistic regression model estimated the influence of extensional parameters variables on the canola adoption. According to the regression model, the most effective factors are contact with extension agents and participating in extension classes. As a conclusion, it is suggested that the focus of extension services should be to reduce the distance to agricultural service centers in combination with more contact with extension agents and classes.