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Author Capson-Tojo, G.; Batstone, D.J.; Grassino, M.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Puyol, D.; Verstraete, W.; Kleerebezem, R.; Oehmen, A.; Ghimire, A.; Pikaar, I.; Lema, J.M.; Hülsen, T.; Grassino, M.; Hulsen, T.
Title Purple phototrophic bacteria for resource recovery : challenges and opportunities Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Biotechnology Advances Abbreviated Journal Biotechnol Adv
Volume 43 Issue Pages 107567-27
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Sustainable development is driving a rapid focus shift in the wastewater and organic waste treatment sectors, from a “removal and disposal” approach towards the recovery and reuse of water, energy and materials (e.g. carbon or nutrients). Purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) are receiving increasing attention due to their capability of growing photoheterotrophically under anaerobic conditions. Using light as energy source, PPB can simultaneously assimilate carbon and nutrients at high efficiencies (with biomass yields close to unity (1 g CODbiomass·g CODremoved−1)), facilitating the maximum recovery of these resources as different value-added products. The effective use of infrared light enables selective PPB enrichment in non-sterile conditions, without competition with other phototrophs such as microalgae if ultraviolet-visible wavelengths are filtered. This review reunites results systematically gathered from over 177 scientific articles, aiming at producing generalized conclusions. The most critical aspects of PPB-based production and valorisation processes are addressed, including: (i) the identification of the main challenges and potentials of different growth strategies, (ii) a critical analysis of the production of value-added compounds, (iii) a comparison of the different value-added products, (iv) insights into the general challenges and opportunities and (v) recommendations for future research and development towards practical implementation. To date, most of the work has not been executed under real-life conditions, relevant for full-scale application. With the savings in wastewater discharge due to removal of organics, nitrogen and phosphorus as an important economic driver, priorities must go to using PPB-enriched cultures and real waste matrices. The costs associated with artificial illumination, followed by centrifugal harvesting/dewatering and drying, are estimated to be 1.9, 0.3–2.2 and 0.1–0.3 $·kgdry biomass−1. At present, these costs are likely to exceed revenues. Future research efforts must be carried out outdoors, using sunlight as energy source. The growth of bulk biomass on relatively clean wastewater streams (e.g. from food processing) and its utilization as a protein-rich feed (e.g. to replace fishmeal, 1.5–2.0 $·kg−1) appears as a promising valorisation route.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000572355300007 Publication Date 2020-05-26
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0734-9750 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 16 Times cited 6 Open Access
Notes ; Tim Hulsen acknowledges The Queensland Government, GHD, Ridley, Aquatec Maxcon and Ingham for financial support as part of an Advanced Queensland Industry Fellowship (061-2018). This project is supported by Meat and Livestock Australia through funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Australia; RnD4Profit-16-03-002) as part of its Rural R&D for Profit program and the partners. Gabriel Capson-Tojo is grateful to the Xunta de Galicia (Spain) for his postdoctoral fellowship (ED481B-2018/017). The authors acknowledge Eucalyp, Freepick, Good Ware, Nhor Phai, photo3idea_studio, smalllikea and Smashicons for the icons used (taken from www.flaticon.com). ; Approved Most recent IF: 16; 2020 IF: 10.597
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:169736 Serial 6588
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Author Kenawy, A.; Magnus, W.; Milošević, M.V.; Sorée, B.
Title Electronically tunable quantum phase slips in voltage-biased superconducting rings as a base for phase-slip flux qubits Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Superconductor Science & Technology Abbreviated Journal Supercond Sci Tech
Volume 33 Issue 12 Pages 125002
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Quantum phase slips represent a coherent mechanism to couple flux states of a superconducting loop. Since their first direct observation, there have been substantial developments in building charge-insensitive quantum phase-slip circuits. At the heart of these devices is a weak link, often a nanowire, interrupting a superconducting loop. Owing to the very small cross-sectional area of such a nanowire, quantum phase slip rates in the gigahertz range can be achieved. Instead, here we present the use of a bias voltage across a superconducting loop to electrostatically induce a weak link, thereby amplifying the rate of quantum phase slips without physically interrupting the loop. Our simulations reveal that the bias voltage modulates the free energy barrier between subsequent flux states in a very controllable fashion, providing a route towards a phase-slip flux qubit with a broadly tunable transition frequency.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000577207000001 Publication Date 2020-09-16
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0953-2048 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.6 Times cited 4 Open Access
Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.6; 2020 IF: 2.878
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:172643 Serial 6503
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Author Cerruti, M.; Stevens, B.; Ebrahimi, S.; Alloul, A.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Weissbrodt, D.G.
Title Enrichment and aggregation of purple non-sulfur bacteria in a mixed-culture sequencing-batch photobioreactor for biological nutrient removal from wastewater Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 8 Issue Pages 557234
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Mixed-culture biotechnologies are widely used to capture nutrients from wastewater. Purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB), a guild of anoxygenic photomixotrophic organisms, rise interest for their ability to directly assimilate nutrients in the biomass. One challenge targets the aggregation and accumulation of PNSB biomass to separate it from the treated water. Our aim was to enrich and produce a concentrated, fast-settling PNSB biomass with high nutrient removal capacity in a 1.5-L, stirred-tank, anaerobic sequencing-batch photobioreactor (SBR). PNSB were rapidly enriched after inoculation with activated sludge at 0.1 gVSS L–1 in a first batch of 24 h under continuous irradiance of infrared (IR) light (>700 nm) at 375 W m–2, with Rhodobacter reaching 54% of amplicon sequencing read counts. SBR operations with decreasing hydraulic retention times (48 to 16 h, i.e., 1–3 cycles d–1) and increasing volumetric organic loading rates (0.2–1.3 kg COD d–1 m–3) stimulated biomass aggregation, settling, and accumulation in the system, reaching as high as 3.8 g VSS L–1. The sludge retention time (SRT) increased freely from 2.5 to 11 days. Acetate, ammonium, and orthophosphate were removed up to 96% at a rate of 1.1 kg COD d–1 m–3, 77% at 113 g N d–1 m–3, and 73% at 15 g P d–1 m–3, respectively, with COD:N:P assimilation ratio of 100:6.7:0.9 m/m/m. SBR regime shifts sequentially selected for Rhodobacter (90%) under shorter SRT and non-limiting concentration of acetate during reaction phases, for Rhodopseudomonas (70%) under longer SRT and acetate limitation during reaction, and Blastochloris (10%) under higher biomass concentrations, underlying competition for substrate and photons in the PNSB guild. With SBR operations we produced a fast-settling biomass, highly (>90%) enriched in PNSB. A high nutrient removal was achieved by biomass assimilation, reaching the European nutrient discharge limits. We opened further insights on the microbial ecology of PNSB-based processes for water resource recovery.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000603626100001 Publication Date 2021-06-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2296-4185 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.7 Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.7; 2020 IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:174085 Serial 7921
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Author Alloul, A.; Muys, M.; Hertoghs, N.; Kerckhof, F.-M.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Cocultivating aerobic heterotrophs and purple bacteria for microbial protein in sequential photo- and chemotrophic reactors Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Bioresource Technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol
Volume 319 Issue Pages 124192
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Aerobic heterotrophic bacteria (AHB) and purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) are typically explored as two separate types of microbial protein, yet their properties as respectively a bulk and added-value feed ingredient make them appealing for combined use. The feasibility of cocultivation in a sequential photo- and chemotrophic approach was investigated. First, mapping the chemotrophic growth kinetics for four Rhodobacter, Rhodopseudomonas and Rhodospirillum species on different carbon sources showed a preference for fructose (µmax 2.4–3.9 d−1 28 °C; protein 36–59%DW). Secondly, a continuous photobioreactor inoculated with Rhodobacter capsulatus (VFA as C-source) delivered the starter culture for an aerobic batch reactor (fructose as C-source). This two-stage system showed an improved nutritional quality compared to AHB production: higher protein content (45–71%DW), more attractive amino/fatty acid profile and contained up to 10% PNSB. The findings strengthen protein production with cocultures and might enable the implementation of the technology for resource recovery on streams such as wastewater.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000613136600013 Publication Date 2020-09-30
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.651 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.651
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:171766 Serial 7677
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Author Alloul, A.; Spanoghe, J.; Machado, D.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Unlocking the genomic potential of aerobes and phototrophs for the production of nutritious and palatable microbial food without arable land or fossil fuels Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Microbial biotechnology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 15 Issue 1 Pages 6-12
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The increasing world population and living standards urgently necessitate the transition towards a sustainable food system. One solution is microbial protein, i.e. using microbial biomass as alternative protein source for human nutrition, particularly based on renewable electron and carbon sources that do not require arable land. Upcoming green electrification and carbon capture initiatives enable this, yielding new routes to H2, CO2 and CO2-derived compounds like methane, methanol, formic- and acetic acid. Aerobic hydrogenotrophs, methylotrophs, acetotrophs and microalgae are the usual suspects for nutritious and palatable biomass production on these compounds. Interestingly, these compounds are largely un(der)explored for purple non-sulfur bacteria, even though these microbes may be suitable for growing aerobically and phototrophically on these substrates. Currently, selecting the best strains, metabolisms and cultivation conditions for nutritious and palatable microbial food mainly starts from empirical growth experiments, and mostly does not stretch beyond bulk protein. We propose a more target-driven and efficient approach starting from the genome-embedded potential to tuning towards, for instance, essential amino- and fatty acids, vitamins, taste,... Genome-scale metabolic models combined with flux balance analysis will facilitate this, narrowing down experimental variations and enabling to get the most out of the 'best' combinations of strain and electron and carbon sources.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000613868600001 Publication Date 2021-02-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1751-7915 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.7 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.7
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:176174 Serial 7225
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Author Herzog, M.J.; Gauquelin, N.; Esken, D.; Verbeeck, J.; Janek, J.
Title Facile dry coating method of high-nickel cathode material by nanostructured fumed alumina (Al2O3) improving the performance of lithium-ion batteries Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Energy technology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 9 Issue 4 Pages 2100028
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Surface coating is a crucial method to mitigate the aging problem of high-Ni cathode active materials (CAMs). By avoiding the direct contact of the CAM and the electrolyte, side reactions are hindered. Commonly used techniques like wet or ALD coating are time consuming and costly. Therefore, a more cost-effective coating technique is desirable. Herein, a facile and fast dry powder coating process for CAMs with nanostructured fumed metal oxides are reported. As the model case, the coating of high-Ni NMC (LiNi0.7Mn0.15Co0.15O2) by nanostructured fumed Al2O3 is investigated. A high coverage of the CAM surface with an almost continuous coating layer is achieved, still showing some porosity. Electrochemical evaluation shows a significant increase in capacity retention, cycle life and rate performance of the coated NMC material. The coating layer protects the surface of the CAM successfully and prevents side reactions, resulting in reduced solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formation and charge transfer impedance during cycling. A mechanism on how the coating layer enhances the cycling performance is hypothesized. The stable coating layer effectively prevents crack formation and particle disintegration of the NMC. In depth analysis indicates partial formation of LixAl2O3/LiAlO2 in the coating layer during cycling, enhancing lithium ion diffusivity and thus, also the rate performance.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000621000700001 Publication Date 2021-01-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2194-4296; 2194-4288 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited 25 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes The authors would like to thank Erik Peldszus and Steve Rienecker for the support with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The Qu-Ant-EM microscope and the direct electron detector were partly funded by the Hercules fund from the Flemish Government. N.G. and J.V. acknowledge funding from GOA project “Solarpaint” of the University of Antwerp. Funding from the Flemish Research Fund (FWO) project G0F1320N is acknowledged.; Open access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:176670 Serial 6724
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Author Bafekry, A.; Shahrokhi, M.; Shafique, A.; Jappor, H.R.; Shojaei, F.; Feghhi, S.A.H.; Ghergherehchi, M.; Gogova, D.
Title Two-dimensional carbon nitride C₆N nanosheet with egg-comb-like structure and electronic properties of a semimetal Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Nanotechnology Abbreviated Journal Nanotechnology
Volume 32 Issue 21 Pages 215702
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract In this study, the structural, electronic and optical properties of theoretically predicted C6N monolayer structure are investigated by means of Density Functional Theory-based First-Principles Calculations. Phonon band dispersion calculations and molecular dynamics simulations reveal the dynamical and thermal stability of the C6N single-layer structure. We found out that the C6N monolayer has large negative in-plane Poisson's ratios along both X and Y direction and the both values are almost four times that of the famous-pentagraphene. The electronic structure shows that C6N monolayer is a semi-metal and has a Dirac-point in the BZ. The optical analysis using the random phase approximation method constructed over HSE06 illustrates that the first peak of absorption coefficient of the C6N monolayer along all polarizations is located in the IR range of spectrum, while the second absorption peak occurs in the visible range, which suggests its potential applications in optical and electronic devices. Interestingly, optically anisotropic character of this system is highly desirable for the design of polarization-sensitive photodetectors. Thermoelectric properties such as Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, electronic thermal conductivity and power factor are investigated as a function of carrier doping at temperatures 300, 400, and 500 K. In general, we predict that the C6N monolayer could be a new platform for study of novel physical properties in two-dimensional semi-metal materials, which may provide new opportunities to realize high-speed low-dissipation devices.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000624531500001 Publication Date 2020-12-18
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0957-4484 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.44 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.44
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:176648 Serial 6740
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Author Kelly, S.; van de Steeg, A.; Hughes, A.; van Rooij, G.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Thermal instability and volume contraction in a pulsed microwave N2plasma at sub-atmospheric pressure Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Plasma Sources Science & Technology Abbreviated Journal Plasma Sources Sci T
Volume 30 Issue 5 Pages 055005
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We studied the evolution of an isolated pulsed plasma in a vortex flow stabilised microwave (MW) discharge in N2 at 25 mbar via the combination of 0D kinetics modelling, iCCD imaging and laser scattering diagnostics. Quenching of electronically excited N2 results in fast gas heating and the onset of a thermal-ionisation instability, contracting the discharge volume. The onset of a thermal-ionisation instability driven by vibrational excitation pathways is found to facilitate significantly higher N2 conversion (i.e. dissociation to atomic N2 ) compared to pre-instability conditions, emphasizing the potential utility of this dynamic in future fixation applications. The instability onset is found to be instigated by super-elastic heating of the electron energy distribution tail via vibrationally excited N2 . Radial contraction of the discharge to the skin depth is found to occur post instability, while the axial elongation is found to be temporarily contracted during the thermal instability onset. An increase in power reflection during the thermal instability onset eventually limits the destabilising effects of exothermic electronically excited N2 quenching. Translational and vibrational temperature reach a quasi-non-equilibrium after the discharge contraction, with translational temperatures reaching ∼1200 K at the pulse end, while vibrational temperatures are found in near equilibrium with the electron energy (1 eV, or ∼11 600 K). This first description of the importance of electronically excited N2 quenching in thermal instabilities gives an additional fundamental understanding of N2 plasma behaviour in pulsed MW context, and thereby brings the eventual implementation of this novel N2 fixation method one step closer.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000648710900001 Publication Date 2021-05-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0963-0252 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.302 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Stichting voor de Technische Wetenschappen, 733.000.002 ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 30505023 GoF9618n ; H2020 European Research Council, 810182 ; H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, 813393 838181 ; SK & AB acknowledge financial support by the European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship ‘PENFIX’ within Horizon 2020 (Grant No. 838181), the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 810182—SCOPE ERC Synergy project), and the Excellence of Science FWO-FNRS project (FWO Grant ID GoF9618n, EOS ID 30505023). The calculations were performed using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen (UAntwerpen), a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Centre VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the UAntwerpen. SK and AB would like to thank Mr Luc van ’t dack, Dr Karen Leyssens and Ing. Karel Venken for their technical assistance. AvdS, AH and GvR are grateful to Ampleon for the use of their solid-state microwave amplifier units and acknowledge financial support from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO Grant No. 733.000.002) in the framework of the CO2 -to-products programme with kind support from Shell, and the ENW PPP Fund for the top sectors. This project has been partially funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme ‘Pioneer’ under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 813393. Approved Most recent IF: 3.302
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:178122 Serial 6759
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Author Bahnamiri, O.S.; Verheyen, C.; Snyders, R.; Bogaerts, A.; Britun, N.
Title Nitrogen fixation in pulsed microwave discharge studied by infrared absorption combined with modelling Type A1 Journal Article;nitrogen fixation
Year 2021 Publication Plasma Sources Science & Technology Abbreviated Journal Plasma Sources Sci T
Volume 30 Issue 6 Pages 065007
Keywords A1 Journal Article;nitrogen fixation; pulsed microwave discharge; FTIR spectroscopy; discharge modelling; vibrational excitation; NO yield; energy cost; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Abstract A pulsed microwave surfaguide discharge operating at 2.45 GHz was used for the conversion of molecular nitrogen into valuable compounds in several gas mixtures: N2 :O2 , N2 :O2 :CO2 and N2 :CO2 . The ro-vibrational absorption bands of the molecular species were monitored by a Fourier transform infrared apparatus in the post-discharge region in order to evaluate the relative number density of species, specifically NO production. The effects of specific energy input, pulse frequency, gas flow fraction, gas admixture and gas flow rate were studied for better understanding and optimization of the NO production yield and the corresponding energy cost (EC). By both the experiment and modelling, a highest NO yield is obtained at N2 :O2 (1:1) gas ratio in N2 :O2 mixture. The NO yield reveals a small growth followed by saturation when pulse repetition frequency increases. The energy efficiency start decreasing after the energy input reaches about 5 eV/molec, whereas the NO yield rises steadily at the same time. The lowest EC of about 8 MJ mol−1 corresponding to the yield and the energy efficiency of about 7% and 1% are found, respectively, in an optimum discharge condition in our case.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000659671000001 Publication Date 2021-06-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0963-0252 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.302 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique—FNRS, EOS O005118F ; The research is supported by the FNRS-FWO project ‘NITROPLASM’, EOS O005118F. O Samadi also acknowledges PhD student F Manaigo for cooperation in doing the additional measurements. Approved Most recent IF: 3.302
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:179170 Serial 6798
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Author Alloul, A.; Cerruti, M.; Adamczyk, D.; Weissbrodt, D.G.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Operational strategies to selectively produce purple bacteria for microbial protein in raceway reactors Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Environmental Science & Technology Abbreviated Journal Environ Sci Technol
Volume 55 Issue 12 Pages 8278-8286
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) show potential for microbial protein production on wastewater as animal feed. They offer good selectivity (i.e., low microbial diversity and high abundance of one species) when grown anaerobically in the light. However, the cost of closed anaerobic photobioreactors is prohibitive for protein production. Although open raceway reactors are cheaper, their feasibility to selectively grow PNSB is thus far unexplored. This study developed operational strategies to boost PNSB abundance in the biomass of a raceway reactor fed with volatile fatty acids. For a flask reactor run at a 2 day sludge retention time (SRT), matching the chemical oxygen demand (COD) loading rate to the removal rate in the light period prevented substrate availability during the dark period and increased the PNSB abundance from 50-67 to 88-94%. A raceway reactor run at a 2 day SRT showed an increased PNSB abundance from 14 to 56% when oxygen supply was reduced (no stirring at night). The best performance was achieved at the highest surface-to-volume ratio (10 m(2) m(-3) increased light availability) showing productivities up to 0.2 g protein L-1 day(-1) and a PNSB abundance of 78%. This study pioneered in PNSB-based microbial protein production in raceway reactors, yielding high selectivity while avoiding the combined availability of oxygen, COD, and darkness.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000663939900051 Publication Date 2021-06-04
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0013-936x; 1520-5851 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.198 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.198
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:179768 Serial 8334
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Author De Paepe, J.; Clauwaert, P.; Gritti, M.C.; Ganigue, R.; Sas, B.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Rabaey, K.
Title Electrochemical in situ pH control enables chemical-free full urine nitrification with concomitant nitrate extraction Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Environmental Science & Technology Abbreviated Journal Environ Sci Technol
Volume 55 Issue 12 Pages 8287-8298
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Urine is a valuable resource for nutrient recovery. Stabilization is, however, recommended to prevent urea hydrolysis and the associated risk for ammonia volatilization, uncontrolled precipitation, and malodor. This can be achieved by alkalinization and subsequent biological conversion of urea and ammonia into nitrate (nitrification) and organics into CO2. Yet, without pH control, the extent of nitrification is limited as a result of insufficient alkalinity. This study explored the feasibility of an integrated electrochemical cell to obtain on-demand hydroxide production through water reduction at the cathode, compensating for the acidification caused by nitritation, thereby enabling full nitrification. To deal with the inherent variability of the urine influent composition and bioprocess, the electrochemical cell was steered via a controller, modulating the current based on the pH in the bioreactor. This provided a reliable and innovative alternative to base addition, enabling full nitrification while avoiding the use of chemicals, the logistics associated with base storage and dosing, and the associated increase in salinity. Moreover, the electrochemical cell could be used as an in situ extraction and concentration technology, yielding an acidic concentrated nitrate-rich stream. The make-up of the end product could be tailored by tweaking the process configuration, offering versatility for applications on Earth and in space.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000663939900052 Publication Date 2021-06-04
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0013-936x; 1520-5851 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.198 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.198
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:179779 Serial 7862
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Author Osca, J.; Moors, K.; Sorée, B.; Serra, L.
Title Fabry-Perot interferometry with gate-tunable 3D topological insulator nanowires Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Nanotechnology Abbreviated Journal Nanotechnology
Volume 32 Issue 43 Pages 435002
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Three-dimensional topological insulator (3D TI) nanowires display remarkable magnetotransport properties that can be attributed to their spin-momentum-locked surface states such as quasiballistic transport and Aharonov-Bohm oscillations. Here, we focus on the transport properties of a 3D TI nanowire with a gated section that forms an electronic Fabry-Perot (FP) interferometer that can be tuned to act as a surface-state filter or energy barrier. By tuning the carrier density and length of the gated section of the wire, the interference pattern can be controlled and the nanowire can become fully transparent for certain topological surface-state input modes while completely filtering out others. We also consider the interplay of FP interference with an external magnetic field, with which Klein tunneling can be induced, and transverse asymmetry of the gated section, e.g. due to a top-gated structure, which displays an interesting analogy with Rashba nanowires. Due to its rich conductance phenomenology, we propose a 3D TI nanowire with gated section as an ideal setup for a detailed transport-based characterization of 3D TI nanowire surface states near the Dirac point, which could be useful towards realizing 3D TI nanowire-based topological superconductivity and Majorana bound states.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000682173800001 Publication Date 2021-07-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0957-4484 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.44 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.44
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:180487 Serial 6990
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Author Borkowski, R.; Straub, M.; Ou, Y.; Lefevre, Y.; Jelić, Ž.L.; Lanneer, W.; Kaneda, N.; Mahadevan, A.; Hueckstaedt, V.; van Veen, D.; Houtsma, V.; Coomans, W.; Bonk, R.; Maes, J.
Title FLCS-PON : a 100 Gbit/s flexible passive optical network: concepts and field trial Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Journal Of Lightwave Technology Abbreviated Journal J Lightwave Technol
Volume 39 Issue 16 Pages 5314-5324
Keywords A1 Journal article; Mass communications; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract We demonstrate concepts and results of a field trial for a flexible-rate passive optical network (FLCS-PON), which delivers bitrates up to 100 Gbit/s and allows for adaptations in the transmission method to match the users' channel conditions and optimize throughput. FLCS-PON builds on top of the hardware ecosystem that will be developed for ITU-T 50 Gbit/s PON and employs three new ingredients: optical network unit (ONU) grouping, flexible modulation format, and flexible forward error correction (FEC) code rate. Together, these techniques take advantage of the optical distribution network (ODN) statistics to realize a system capable of more than twofold throughput increase compared to the upcoming 50 Gbit/s PON, but still able to support a full array of deployed fiber edge cases, which are problematic for legacy PONs. In this paper we explain the concepts behind enabling techniques of FLCS-PON. We then report on a field trial over a deployed fiber infrastructure, using a system consisting of one FLCS-PON OLT and two ONUs. We report both pre- and post-forward-error-correction (post-FEC) performance of our system, demonstrating achievable net bitrate over an operator's fiber infrastructure. We realize a downlink transmission at double the speed of ITU-T 50 Gbit/s PON for ONUs exhibiting lower optical path loss (OPL), while simultaneously continue to support ONUs at high OPLs. We additionally realize a record-high 31.5 dB loss budget for 100 Gbit/s transmission using a direct-detection ONU with an optical preamplifier.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000692209800017 Publication Date 2021-08-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0733-8724 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.671 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.671
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181586 Serial 6995
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Spanoghe, J.; Vermeir, P.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Microbial food from light, carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas : kinetic, stoichiometric and nutritional potential of three purple bacteria Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Bioresource Technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol
Volume 337 Issue Pages 125364
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The urgency for a protein transition towards more sustainable solutions is one of the major societal challenges. Microbial protein is one of the alternative routes, in which land- and fossil-free production should be targeted. The photohydrogenotrophic growth of purple bacteria, which builds on the H2– and CO2-economy, is unexplored for its microbial protein potential. The three tested species (Rhodobacter capsulatus, Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Rhodopseudomonas palustris) obtained promising growth rates (2.3–2.7 d−1 at 28°C) and protein productivities (0.09–0.12 g protein L−1 d−1), rendering them likely faster and more productive than microalgae. The achieved protein yields (2.6–2.9 g protein g−1 H2) transcended the ones of aerobic hydrogen oxidizing bacteria. Furthermore, all species provided full dietary protein matches for humans and their fatty acid content was dominated by vaccenic acid (82–86%). Given its kinetic and nutritional performance we recommend to consider Rhodobacter capsulatus as a high-potential sustainable source of microbial food.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000694862500007 Publication Date 2021-06-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.651 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.651
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:178752 Serial 8243
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Penders, A.; Konstantinovic, M.J.; Van Renterghem, W.; Bosch, R.W.; Schryvers, D.
Title TEM investigation of SCC crack tips in high Si stainless steel tapered specimens Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Corrosion Engineering Science And Technology Abbreviated Journal Corros Eng Sci Techn
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) mechanism is investigated in high Si duplex stainless steel in a simulated PWR environment based on TEM analysis of FIB-extracted SCC crack tips. The microstructural investigation in the near vicinity of SCC crack tips illustrates a strain-rate dependence in SCC mechanisms. Detailed analysis of the crack tip morphology, that includes crack tip oxidation and surrounding deformation field, indicates the existence of an interplay between corrosion- and deformation-driven failure as a function of the strain rate. Slow strain-rate crack tips exhibit a narrow cleavage failure which can be linked to the film-induced failure mechanism, while rounded shaped crack tips for faster strain rates could be related to the strain-induced failure. As a result, two nominal strain-rate-dependent failure regimes dominated either by corrosion or deformation-driven cracking mechanisms can be distinguished.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000695956400001 Publication Date 2021-09-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1478-422x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 0.879 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 0.879
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181533 Serial 6892
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Author Kerckhof, F.-M.; Sakarika, M.; Van Giel, M.; Muys, M.; Vermeir, P.; De Vrieze, J.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Rabaey, K.; Boon, N.
Title From biogas and hydrogen to microbial protein through co-cultivation of methane and hydrogen oxidizing bacteria Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 9 Issue Pages 733753
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Increasing efforts are directed towards the development of sustainable alternative protein sources among which microbial protein (MP) is one of the most promising. Especially when waste streams are used as substrates, the case for MP could become environmentally favorable. The risks of using organic waste streams for MP production–the presence of pathogens or toxicants–can be mitigated by their anaerobic digestion and subsequent aerobic assimilation of the (filter-sterilized) biogas. Even though methane and hydrogen oxidizing bacteria (MOB and HOB) have been intensively studied for MP production, the potential benefits of their co-cultivation remain elusive. Here, we isolated a diverse group of novel HOB (that were capable of autotrophic metabolism), and co-cultured them with a defined set of MOB, which could be grown on a mixture of biogas and H2/O2. The combination of MOB and HOB, apart from the CH4 and CO2 contained in biogas, can also enable the valorization of the CO2 that results from the oxidation of methane by the MOB. Different MOB and HOB combinations were grown in serum vials to identify the best-performing ones. We observed synergistic effects on growth for several combinations, and in all combinations a co-culture consisting out of both HOB and MOB could be maintained during five days of cultivation. Relative to the axenic growth, five out of the ten co-cultures exhibited 1.1–3.8 times higher protein concentration and two combinations presented 2.4–6.1 times higher essential amino acid content. The MP produced in this study generally contained lower amounts of the essential amino acids histidine, lysine and threonine, compared to tofu and fishmeal. The most promising combination in terms of protein concentration and essential amino acid profile was Methyloparacoccus murrelli LMG 27482 with Cupriavidus necator LMG 1201. Microbial protein from M. murrelli and C. necator requires 27–67% less quantity than chicken, whole egg and tofu, while it only requires 15% more quantity than the amino acid-dense soybean to cover the needs of an average adult. In conclusion, while limitations still exist, the co-cultivation of MOB and HOB creates an alternative route for MP production leveraging safe and sustainably-produced gaseous substrates.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000697897900001 Publication Date 2021-09-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2296-4185 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:180591 Serial 7985
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Van Tendeloo, M.; Xie, Y.; Van Beeck, W.; Zhu, W.; Lebeer, S.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Oxygen control and stressor treatments for complete and long-term suppression of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in biofilm-based partial nitritation/anammox Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Bioresource Technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol
Volume 342 Issue Pages 125996
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Mainstream nitrogen removal by partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) can realize energy and cost savings for sewage treatment. Selective suppression of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) remains a key bottleneck for PN/A implementation. A rotating biological contactor was studied with an overhead cover and controlled air/N2 inflow to regulate oxygen availability at 20 °C. Biofilm exposure to dissolved oxygen concentrations < 0.51 ± 0.04 mg O2 L-1 when submerged in the water and < 1.41 ± 0.31 mg O2 L-1 when emerged in the headspace (estimated), resulted in complete and long-term NOB suppression with a low relative nitrate production ratio of 10 ± 4%. Additionally, weekly biofilm stressor treatments with free ammonia (FA) (29 ± 1 mg NH3-N L-1 for 3 h) could improve the NOB suppression while free nitrous acid treatments had insufficient effect. This study demonstrated the potential of managing NOB suppression in biofilm-based systems by oxygen control and recurrent FA exposure, opening opportunities for resource efficient nitrogen removal.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000704455300005 Publication Date 2021-09-21
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.651 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.651
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181301 Serial 8355
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Author Van Tendeloo, M.; Bundervoet, B.; Carlier, N.; Van Beeck, W.; Mollen, H.; Lebeer, S.; Colsen, J.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Piloting carbon-lean nitrogen removal for energy-autonomous sewage treatment Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Environmental Science-Water Research & Technology Abbreviated Journal Environ Sci-Wat Res
Volume 7 Issue 12 Pages 2268-2281
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Energy-autonomous sewage treatment can be achieved if nitrogen (N) removal does not rely on organic carbon (∼chemical oxygen demand, COD), so that a maximum of the COD can be redirected to energy recovery. Shortcut N removal technologies such as partial nitritation/anammox and nitritation/denitritation are therefore essential, enabling carbon- and energy-lean nitrogen removal. In this study, a novel three-reactor pilot design was tested and consisted of a denitrification, an intermittent aeration, and an anammox tank. A vibrating sieve was added for differential sludge retention time (SRT) control. The 13 m3 pilot was operated on pre-treated sewage (A-stage effluent) at 12–24 °C. Selective suppression of unwanted nitrite-oxidizing bacteria over aerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria was achieved with strict floccular SRT management combined with innovative aeration control, resulting in a minimal nitrate production ratio of 17 ± 10%. Additionally, anoxic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) activity could be maintained in the reactor for at least 150 days because of long granular SRT management and the anammox tank. Consequently, the COD/N removal ratio of 2.3 ± 0.7 demonstrated shortcut N removal almost three times lower than the currently applied nitrification/denitrification technology. The effluent total N concentrations of 17 ± 3 mg TN per L (at 21 ± 1 °C) and 17 ± 6 mg TN per L (at 15 ± 1 °C) were however too high for application at the sewage treatment plant Nieuwveer (Breda, The Netherlands). Corresponding N removal efficiencies were 52 ± 12% and 37 ± 21%, respectively. Further development should focus on redirecting more nitrite to AnAOB in the B-stage, exploring effluent-polishing options, or cycling nitrate for increased A-stage denitrification.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000714159900001 Publication Date 2021-10-29
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2053-1400 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 2.817 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.817
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:183347 Serial 8383
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Bollen, E.; Pagan, B.R.; Kuijpers, B.; Van Hoey, S.; Desmet, N.; Hendrix, R.; Dams, J.; Seuntjens, P.
Title A database system for querying of river networks : facilitating monitoring and prediction applications Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Water Science And Technology-Water Supply Abbreviated Journal Water Sci Tech-W Sup
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The increasing availability of real-time in situ measurements and remote sensing observations have the potential to contribute to the optimization of water resources management. Global challenges such as climate change, intensive agriculture and urbanization put a high pressure on our water resources. Due to recent innovations in measuring both water quantity and quality, river systems can now be monitored in real time at an unprecedented spatial and temporal scale. To interpret the sensor measurements and remote sensing observations additional data for example on: the location of the measurement, upstream and downstream catchment characteristics, horizontal ellipsis are required. In this paper, we present a data management system to support flow-path related functionality for decision making and prediction modelling. Adding meta data sets and facilitating (near) real-time processing of sensor data questions are key concepts for the systems. The potential of the database framework for hydrological applications is demonstrated using different applications for the river system of Flanders. In one, the database framework is used to simulate the daily discharge for each segment within a catchment using a simple data-driven approach. The presented system is useful for numerous applications including pollution tracking, alerting and inter-sensor validation in river systems, or related networks.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000729755100001 Publication Date 2021-12-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1606-9749 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 0.573 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 0.573
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:184814 Serial 7387
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Pankratova, G.; Bollella, P.; Pankratov, D.; Gorton, L.
Title Supercapacitive biofuel cells Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Current opinion in biotechnology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 73 Issue Pages 179-187
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract Supercapacitive biofuel cells' (SBFCs) most recent advancements are herein disclosed. In conventional SBFCs the biocomponent is employed as the pseudocapacitive component, while in self-charging biodevices it also works as the biocatalyst. The performance of different types of SBFCs are summarized according to the categorization based on the biocatalyst employed: supercapacitive microbial fuel cells (sMFCs), supercapacitive biophotovoltaics (SBPV) and supercapacitive enzymatic fuel cells (s-EFCs). SBFCs could be considered as promising 'alternative' energy devices (low-cost, environmentally friendly, and technically undemanding electric power sources etc.) being suitable for powering a new generation of miniaturized electronic applications.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000760339100024 Publication Date 2021-09-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0958-1669 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:187287 Serial 8937
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Zhu, W.; Van Tendeloo, M.; Alloul, A.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Towards mainstream partial nitritation/anammox in four seasons : feasibility of bioaugmentation with stored summer sludge for winter anammox assistance Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol
Volume 347 Issue Pages 126619-11
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The strong effect of low temperatures on anammox challenges its mainstream application over the winter in temperate climates. Winter bioaugmentation with stored summer surplus sludge is a potential solution to guarantee sufficient nitrogen removal in winter. Firstly, the systems for which nitrogen removal deteriorated by the temperature decrease (25 °C → 20 °C) could be fully restored bioaugmenting with granules resp. flocs stored for 6 months at 118 resp. 220% of the initial biomass levels. Secondly, the reactivation of these stored sludges was tested in lower temperature systems (15.3 ± 0.4/10.4 ± 0.4 °C). Compared to the activity before storage, between 56% and 41% of the activity of granules was restored within one month, and 41%–32% for flocs. Additionally, 85–87% of granules and 50–53% of flocs were retained in the systems. After reactivation (15.3 ± 0.4/10.4 ± 0.4 °C), a more specialized community was formed (diversity decreased) with Candidatus Brocadia still dominant in terms of relative abundance. Capital and operating expenditures (CAPEX, OPEX) were negligible, representing only 0.19–0.36% of sewage treatment costs.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000781730900001 Publication Date 2021-12-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.4
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:185210 Serial 7220
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Rossbach, L.M.; Brede, D.A.; Nuyts, G.; Cagno, S.; Olsson, R.M.S.; Oughton, D.H.; Falkenberg, G.; Janssens, K.; Lind, O.C.
Title Synchrotron XRF analysis identifies cerium accumulation colocalized with pharyngeal deformities in CeO₂ NP-exposed caenorhabditis elegans Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Environmental science and technology Abbreviated Journal Environ Sci Technol
Volume 56 Issue 8 Pages 5081-5089
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS)
Abstract A combination of synchrotron radiation-based elementalimaging, in vivo redox status analysis, histology, and toxic responses was usedto investigate the uptake, biodistribution, and adverse effects of Cenanoparticles (CeO2NP; 10 nm; 0.5-34.96 mg Ce L-1) or Ce(NO3)3(2.3-26 mg Ce L-1)inCaenorhabditis elegans. Elemental mapping of theexposed nematodes revealed Ce uptake in the alimentary canal prior todepuration. Retention of CeO2NPs was low compared to that of Ce(NO3)3in depurated individuals. X-rayfluorescence (XRF) mapping showed that Cetranslocation was confined to the pharyngeal valve and foregut. Ce(NO3)3exposure significantly decreased growth, fertility, and reproduction, causedslightly reduced fecundity. XRF mapping and histological analysis revealedsevere tissue deformities colocalized with retained Ce surrounding thepharyngeal valve. Both forms of Ce activated the sod-1 antioxidant defense,particularly in the pharynx, whereas no significant effects on the cellular redox balance were identified. The CeO2NP-induceddeformities did not appear to impair the pharyngeal function or feeding ability as growth effects were restricted to Ce(NO3)3exposure. The results demonstrate the utility of integrated submicron-resolution SR-based XRF elemental mapping of tissue-specificdistribution and adverse effect analysis to obtain robust toxicological evaluations of metal-containing contaminants.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000793137500039 Publication Date 2022-04-04
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0013-936x; 1520-5851 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.4
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:188662 Serial 7216
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Van Putte, N.; Meire, P.; Seuntjens, P.; Joris, I.; Verreydt, G.; Hambsch, L.; Temmerman, S.
Title Solving hindered groundwater dynamics in restored tidal marshes by creek excavation and soil amendments : a model study Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Ecological engineering: the journal of ecotechnology Abbreviated Journal Ecol Eng
Volume 178 Issue Pages 106583-15
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Ecosphere
Abstract Groundwater fluxes in tidal marshes largely control key ecosystem functions and services, such as vegetation growth, soil carbon sequestration, and nutrient cycling. In tidal marshes restored on formerly embanked agricultural land, groundwater fluxes are often limited as compared to nearby natural marshes, as a result of historical agricultural soil compaction. To improve the functioning of restored tidal marshes, knowledge is needed on how much certain design options can optimize soil-groundwater interactions in future restoration projects. Based on measured data on soil properties and tidally induced groundwater dynamics, we calibrated and evaluated a 2D vertical model of a creek-marsh cross-section, accounting for both saturated and unsaturated groundwater flow and solute transport in a variably saturated groundwater flow model. We found that model simulations of common restoration practices such as soil amendments (increasing the depth of porous soil on top of the compact layer) and creek excavation (increasing the creek density) increase the soil aeration depth and time, the drainage depth and the solute flux, and decrease the residence time of solutes in the porewater. Our simulations indicate that increasing the depth to the compact layer from 20 cm to 40 cm, or increasing the creek density from 1 creek to 2 creeks along a 50 m marsh transect (while maintaining the total creek cross-sectional area), in both cases more than doubles the volume of water processed by the marsh soil. We discuss that this may stimulate nutrient cycling. As such, our study demonstrates that groundwater modelling can support the design of marsh restoration measures aiming to optimize groundwater fluxes and related ecosystem services.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000795478200005 Publication Date 2022-03-05
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0925-8574 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.8 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.8
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:186605 Serial 7210
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Zhang, L.; Heijkers, S.; Wang, W.; Martini, L.M.; Tosi, P.; Yang, D.; Fang, Z.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Dry reforming of methane in a nanosecond repetitively pulsed discharge: chemical kinetics modeling Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Plasma Sources Science & Technology Abbreviated Journal Plasma Sources Sci T
Volume 31 Issue 5 Pages 055014
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Nanosecond pulsed discharge plasma shows a high degree of non-equilibrium, and exhibits relatively high conversions in the dry reforming of methane. To further improve the application, a good insight of the underlying mechanisms is desired. We developed a chemical kinetics model to explore the underlying plasma chemistry in nanosecond pulsed discharge. We compared the calculated conversions and product selectivities with experimental results, and found reasonable agreement in a wide range of specific energy input. Hence, the chemical kinetics model is able to provide insight in the underlying plasma chemistry. The modeling results predict that the most important dissociation reaction of CO<sub>2</sub>and CH<sub>4</sub>is electron impact dissociation. C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>2</sub>is the most abundant hydrocarbon product, and it is mainly formed upon reaction of two CH<sub>2</sub>radicals. Furthermore, the vibrational excitation levels of CO<sub>2</sub>contribute for 85% to the total dissociation of CO<sub>2</sub>.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000797660000001 Publication Date 2022-05-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0963-0252 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 3.8 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes China Scholarship Council; National Natural Science Foundation of China, 11965018 ; This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 52077026, 11965018), L Zhang was also supported by the China Scholarship Council (CSC). Data availability statement The data that support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request from the authors. Approved Most recent IF: 3.8
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:188537 Serial 7069
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Blansaer, N.; Alloul, A.; Verstraete, W.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Smets, B.F.
Title Aggregation of purple bacteria in an upflow photobioreactor to facilitate solid/liquid separation : impact of organic loading rate, hydraulic retention time and water composition Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol
Volume 348 Issue Pages 126806-126809
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) form an interesting group of microbes for resource recovery from wastewater. Solid/liquid separation is key for biomass and value-added products recovery, yet insights into PNSB aggregation are thus far limited. This study explored the effects of organic loading rate (OLR), hydraulic retention time (HRT) and water composition on the aggregation of Rhodobacter capsulatus in an anaerobic upflow photobioreactor. Between 2.0 and 14.6 gCOD/(L.d), the optimal OLR for aggregation was 6.1 gCOD/(L.d), resulting in a sedimentation flux of 5.9 kgTSS/(m2.h). With HRT tested between 0.04 and 1.00 d, disaggregation occurred at the relatively long HRT (1 d), possibly due to accumulation of thus far unidentified heat-labile metabolites. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) to nitrogen ratios (6–35 gCOD/gN) and the nitrogen source (ammonium vs. glutamate) also impacted aggregation, highlighting the importance of the type of wastewater and its pre-treatment. These novel insights to improve purple biomass separation pave the way for cost-efficient PNSB applications.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000800442200008 Publication Date 2022-02-04
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.4
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:185843 Serial 7123
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Bogaerts, A.; Neyts, E.C.; Guaitella, O.; Murphy, A.B.
Title Foundations of plasma catalysis for environmental applications Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Plasma Sources Science & Technology Abbreviated Journal Plasma Sources Sci T
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma catalysis is gaining increasing interest for various applications, but the underlying mechanisms are still far from understood. Hence, more fundamental research is needed to understand these mechanisms. This can be obtained by both modelling and experiments. This foundations paper describes the fundamental insights in plasma catalysis, as well as efforts to gain more insights by modelling and experiments. Furthermore, it discusses the state-of-the-art of the major plasma catalysis applications, as well as successes and challenges of technology transfer of these applications.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000804396200001 Publication Date 2022-03-21
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0963-0252 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.8 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, 823745 ; H2020 European Research Council, 810182 ; We acknowldege financial support from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 810182 – SCOPE ERC Synergy project) and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 813393 (PIONEER). Approved Most recent IF: 3.8
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:188539 Serial 7070
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Author Biondo, O.; Fromentin, C.; Silva, T.; Guerra, V.; van Rooij, G.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Insights into the limitations to vibrational excitation of CO2: validation of a kinetic model with pulsed glow discharge experiments Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Plasma Sources Science & Technology Abbreviated Journal Plasma Sources Sci T
Volume 31 Issue 7 Pages 074003
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Vibrational excitation represents an efficient channel to drive the dissociation of CO<sub>2</sub>in a non-thermal plasma. Its viability is investigated in low-pressure pulsed discharges, with the intention of selectively exciting the asymmetric stretching mode, leading to stepwise excitation up to the dissociation limit of the molecule. Gas heating is crucial for the attainability of this process, since the efficiency of vibration–translation (V–T) relaxation strongly depends on temperature, creating a feedback mechanism that can ultimately thermalize the discharge. Indeed, recent experiments demonstrated that the timeframe of V–T non-equilibrium is limited to a few milliseconds at ca. 6 mbar, and shrinks to the<italic>μ</italic>s-scale at 100 mbar. With the aim of backtracking the origin of gas heating in pure CO<sub>2</sub>plasma, we perform a kinetic study to describe the energy transfers under typical non-thermal plasma conditions. The validation of our kinetic scheme with pulsed glow discharge experiments enables to depict the gas heating dynamics. In particular, we pinpoint the role of vibration–vibration–translation relaxation in redistributing the energy from asymmetric to symmetric levels of CO<sub>2</sub>, and the importance of collisional quenching of CO<sub>2</sub>electronic states in triggering the heating feedback mechanism in the sub-millisecond scale. This latter finding represents a novelty for the modelling of low-pressure pulsed discharges and we suggest that more attention should be paid to it in future studies. Additionally, O atoms convert vibrational energy into heat, speeding up the feedback loop. The efficiency of these heating pathways, even at relatively low gas temperature and pressure, underpins the lifetime of V–T non-equilibrium and suggests a redefinition of the optimal conditions to exploit the ‘ladder-climbing’ mechanism in CO<sub>2</sub>discharges.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000839466500001 Publication Date 2022-07-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0963-0252 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.8 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, PLA/0076/2021 ; H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, 813393 ; This research was supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 813393 (PIONEER). V Guerra and T Silva were partially funded by the Portuguese ‘FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia’, under Projects UIDB/50010/2020, UIDP/50010/2020, PTDC/FISPLA/1616/2021 and EXPL/FIS-PLA/0076/2021. The calculations were performed using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen (UAntwerpen), a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the UAntwerpen. Approved Most recent IF: 3.8
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:190008 Serial 7106
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Author Spanoghe, J.; Ost, K.J.; Van Beeck, W.; Vermeir, P.; Lebeer, S.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Purple bacteria screening for photoautohydrogenotrophic food production : are new H₂-fed isolates faster and nutritionally better than photoheterotrophically obtained reference species? Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication New biotechnology Abbreviated Journal New Biotechnol
Volume 72 Issue Pages 38-47
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Photoautohydrogenotrophic enrichments of wastewater treatment microbiomes were performed to obtain hypothetically high-potential specialist species for biotechnological applications. From these enrichment cultures, ten photoautohydrogenotrophic species were isolated: six Rhodopseudomonas species, three Rubrivivax members and Rhodobacter blasticus. The performance of these isolates was compared to three commonly studied, and originally photoheterotrophically enriched species (Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Rhodobacter capsulatus and Rhodobacter sphaeroides), designated as reference species. Repeated subcultivations were applied to improve the initial poor performance of the isolates (acclimation effect), which resulted in increases in both maximum growth rate and protein productivity. However, the maximum growth rate of the reference species remained 3–7 times higher compared to the isolates (0.42–0.84 d−1 at 28 °C), while protein productivities remained 1.5–1.7 times higher. This indicated that H2-based enrichment did not result in photoautohydrogenotrophic specialists, suggesting that the reference species are more suitable for intensified biomass and protein production. On the other hand, the isolates were able to provide equally high protein quality profiles as the references species, providing full dietary essential amino acid matches for human food. Lastly, the effect of metabolic carbon/electron switching (back and forth between auto- to heterotrophic conditions) initially boosted µmax when returning to photoautohydrogenotrophic conditions. However, the switch negatively impacted lag phase, protein productivities and pigment contents. In the case of protein productivity, the acquired acclimation was partially lost with decreases of up to 44 % and 40 % respectively for isolates and reference species. Finally, the three reference species, and specifically Rh. capsulatus, remained the most suitable candidate(s) for further biotechnological development.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000861078800005 Publication Date 2022-08-29
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1871-6784; 1876-4347 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.4
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:190188 Serial 7199
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Author Van Turnhout, J.; Aceto, D.; Travert, A.; Bazin, P.; Thibault-Starzyk, F.; Bogaerts, A.; Azzolina-Jury, F.
Title Observation of surface species in plasma-catalytic dry reforming of methane in a novel atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge in situ IR cell Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Catalysis Science & Technology Abbreviated Journal Catal Sci Technol
Volume 12 Issue 22 Pages 6676-6686
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We developed a novel in situ (i.e. inside plasma and during operation) IR dielectric barrier discharge cell allowing investigation of plasma catalysis in transmission mode, atmospheric pressure, flow conditions (WHSV similar to 0-50 000 mL g(-1) h(-1)), at relevant discharge voltages (similar to 0-50 kV) and frequencies (similar to 0-5 kHz). We applied it to study the IR-active surface species formed on a SiO2 support and on a 3 wt% Ru/SiO2 catalyst, which can help to reveal the important surface reaction mechanisms during the plasma-catalytic dry reforming of methane (DRM). Moreover, we present a technique for the challenging task of estimating the temperature of a catalyst sample in a plasma-catalytic system in situ and during plasma operation. We found that during the reaction, water is immediately formed at the SiO2 surface, and physisorbed formic acid is formed with a delay. As Ru/SiO2 is subject to greater plasma-induced heating than SiO2 (with a surface temperature increase in the range of 70-120 degrees C, with peaks up to 150 degrees C), we observe lower amounts of physisorbed water on Ru/SiO2, and less physisorbed formic acid formation. Importantly, the formation of surface species on the catalyst sample in our plasma-catalytic setup, as well as the observed conversions and selectivities in plasma conditions, can not be explained by plasma-induced heating of the catalyst surface, but must be attributed to other plasma effects, such as the adsorption of plasma-generated radicals and molecules, or the occurrence of Eley-Rideal reactions.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000865542600001 Publication Date 2022-10-05
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2044-4753; 2044-4761 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:191389 Serial 7185
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Author Miranda, L.P.; da Costa, D.R.; Peeters, F.M.; Costa Filho, R.N.
Title Vacancy clustering effect on the electronic and transport properties of bilayer graphene nanoribbons Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Nanotechnology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 34 Issue 5 Pages 055706-55710
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Experimental realizations of two-dimensional materials are hardly free of structural defects such as e.g. vacancies, which, in turn, modify drastically its pristine physical defect-free properties. In this work, we explore effects due to point defect clustering on the electronic and transport properties of bilayer graphene nanoribbons, for AA and AB stacking and zigzag and armchair boundaries, by means of the tight-binding approach and scattering matrix formalism. Evident vacancy concentration signatures exhibiting a maximum amplitude and an universality regardless of the system size, stacking and boundary types, in the density of states around the zero-energy level are observed. Our results are explained via the coalescence analysis of the strong sizeable vacancy clustering effect in the system and the breaking of the inversion symmetry at high vacancy densities, demonstrating a similar density of states for two equivalent degrees of concentration disorder, below and above the maximum value.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000886630000001 Publication Date 2022-11-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0957-4484 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.5 Times cited 1 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.5; 2023 IF: 3.44
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:192030 Serial 7350
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