Alternative Processing Methods Research Articles

Alternative Method for Processing of International Comparison Results

The CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement of National Standards, Calibration and Measurement Certificates issued to National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) defines the status of key comparisons as a priority tool for implementation of quality management systems in NMIs and the determination of the competence of a particular NMI based on its calibration and measurement capabilities in accordance with the unified database of key comparisons — KCDB.The general approach for evaluating the key comparisons results is presented in the International Committee for Weights and Measures procedures, as well as in the various articles. The question of the development and practical application of alternative methods for processing data of international comparisons is of the particular interest. It will allow to expand the methodological basis for confirming the calibration and measurement capabilities provided by the NMIs and published in KCDB.The paper considers the alternative approach for processing the international comparisons results, which based on preference aggregation method. It allows to determine reference value for evaluation the comparison data on the basis of ranking the obtained uncertainty intervals presented by National Metrology Institutes. Processing of COOMET.EM-K6.a Key Comparison data by the preference aggregation method is presented. The results are compared with the general approach and the considered method.

Faster Gait Speeds Reduce Alpha and Beta EEG Spectral Power From Human Sensorimotor Cortex.

ObjectiveOur aim was to determine if walking speed affected human sensorimotor electrocortical dynamics using mobile high-density electroencephalography (EEG).MethodsTo overcome limitations associated with motion and muscle artifact contamination in EEG recordings, we compared solutions for artifact removal using novel dual layer EEG electrodes and alternative signal processing methods. Dual layer EEG simultaneously recorded human electrocortical signals and isolated motion artifacts using pairs of mechanically coupled and electrically independent electrodes. For electrical muscle activity removal, we incorporated electromyographic (EMG) recordings from the neck into our mobile EEG data processing pipeline. We compared artifact removal methods during treadmill walking at four speeds (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m/s).ResultsLeft and right sensorimotor alpha and beta spectral power increased in contralateral limb single support and push off, and decreased during contralateral limb swing at each speed. At faster walking speeds, sensorimotor spectral power fluctuations were less pronounced across the gait cycle with reduced alpha and beta power (p<0.05) compared to slower speeds. Isolated noise recordings and neck EMG spectral power fluctuations matched gait events and showed broadband spectral power increases at faster speeds.Conclusion and significanceDual layer EEG enabled us to isolate changes in human sensorimotor electrocortical dynamics across walking speeds. A comparison of signal processing approaches revealed similar intrastride cortical fluctuations when applying common (e.g. Artifact Subspace Reconstruction) and novel artifact rejection methods. Dual layer EEG, however, allowed us to document and rule out residual artifacts, which exposed sensorimotor spectral power changes across gait speeds.

Use of Rice Husk Ash as Cementitious Material in Concrete

In this research, rice husk ash (RHA) was used as a partial substitute for cement in concrete to reduce its cost, and alternative processing methods using agricultural/industrial waste were found. The main objective of this study was to determine the fresh (flowability) and hardened (splitting tensile strength and compressive strength) concrete properties using RHA at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by weight. A total of 90 concrete samples (45 cubes and 45 cylinders) were prepared and cured on 7, 14, and 28 days to the design of target strength 28N/mm2, and ultimately, these concrete specimens were tested on UTM. Three concrete specimens were cast for each proportion and ultimately the average of the three concrete samples was taken as the final result. The flowability of fresh concrete decreases with increasing content of RHA in concrete. The results showed that the compressive and tensile strength of the concrete specimens increased by 11.8% and 7.31%, respectively by using 10% RHA at 28 days curing.

Performance and Analysis of Feature Tracking Approaches in Laser Speckle Instrumentation.

This paper investigates the application of feature tracking algorithms as an alternative data processing method for laser speckle instrumentation. The approach is capable of determining both the speckle pattern translation and rotation and can therefore be used to detect the in-plane rotation and translation of an object simultaneously. A performance assessment of widely used feature detection and matching algorithms from the computer vision field, for both translation and rotation measurements from laser speckle patterns, is presented. The accuracy of translation measurements using the feature tracking approach was found to be similar to that of correlation-based processing with accuracies of 0.025–0.04 pixels and a typical precision of 0.02–0.09 pixels depending upon the method and image size used. The performance for in-plane rotation measurements are also presented with rotation measurement accuracies of <0.01° found to be achievable over an angle range of ±10° and of <0.1° over a range of ±25°, with a typical precision between 0.02 and 0.08° depending upon method and image size. The measurement range is found to be limited by the failure to match sufficient speckles at larger rotation angles. An analysis of each stage of the process was conducted to identify the most suitable approaches for use with laser speckle images and areas requiring further improvement. A quantitative approach to assessing different feature tracking methods is described, and reference data sets of experimentally translated and rotated speckle patterns from a range of surface finishes and surface roughness are presented. As a result, three areas that lead to the failure of the matching process are identified as areas for future investigation: the inability to detect the same features in partially decorrelated images leading to unmatchable features, the variance of computed feature orientation between frames leading to different descriptors being calculated for the same feature, and the failure of the matching processes due to the inability to discriminate between different features in speckle images.

Lipon-like Electrolyte Powders Made By Scalable Alternative Processing

Lithium phosphorus oxynitride (Lipon) is the most prominent example of glassy oxynitride electrolytes, which have demonstrated high ionic conductivities, stability over a wide voltage window, and resistance to Li dendrite formation.1Perhaps the greatest drawback of glassy oxynitride electrolytes is that expensive, high-vacuum deposition techniques have been necessary to produce electrolyte compositions with high ionic conductivity (> ~10-6S/cm). High-vacuum deposition techniques have low deposition rates (1 – 50 nm/min, which is less than 0.07 g/hr for Lipon at lab scale) and have only been successfully demonstrated for use in thin film batteries. Alternative processing routes for producing Lipon-like electrolytes could enable their wider usage as electrolytes and ionically conductive additives in commercially viable lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries. We have used scalable alternative processing to produce Lipon-like electrolyte nanopowders at a high throughput (5 g/hr at lab scale). This alternative processing method has successfully produced Lipon-like electrolytes that conventional ceramic and glass processing methods have been unable to produce.2,3 The processed powders have a predominantly amorphous structure (x-ray diffraction), a particle size of ~100 nm (SEM), and a Lipon-like composition (energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy). Neutron pair distribution function analysis has been coupled with ab initiomolecular dynamics to verify that the Lipon-like nanopowders have local atomic structures (0 – 20 Å) that are nearly identical to conventionally sputtered Lipon. Impedance spectroscopy was used to measure the ionic conductivity and activation energy of unsintered Lipon-like nanopowder compacts. While interparticle contact resistance likely dominates these values, the unsintered Lipon-like nanopowder compact still demonstrated an ionic conductivity of 5.3 x 10-7S/cm at room temperature. Acknowledgements The information, data, and work presented herein was funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E), U.S. Department of Energy, under Award Number DE-AR0000775. This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC, under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the U.S. Department of Energy. Electron microscopy experiments were conducted at ORNL’s Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility. Computing resources were provided by the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A portion of this research used resources at the Spallation Neutron Source, a DOE Office of Science User Facility operated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Brendan Lewis, Rutuja Samant, Dora Cheung, and Bob Herbeck at Buffalo Manufacturing Works aided in the processing of later batches of Lipon-like material. Special thanks to: Brenda Smith, Chelsea Chen, Dale Hensley, and Robert Sacci at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. References 1 Bates, J. B.; Dudney, N. J.; Gruzalski, G. R.; Zuhr, R. A.; Choudhury, A.; Luck, C. F. Sputtering of lithium compounds for preparation of electrolyte films. Solid State Ionics, 1992, 53-56, 647-654. 2 Muñoz, F.; Durán, A.; Pascual, L.; Montagne, L.; Revel, B.; Rodrigues, A. C. M. Increased electrical conductivity of LiPON glasses produced by ammonolysis. Solid State Ionics, 2008, 179, 574-579. 3 Mascaraque, N.; Fierro, J. L. G.; Durán, A.; Muñoz, F. An interpretation for the increase of ionic conductivity by nitrogen incorporation in LiPON oxynitride glasses. Solid State Ionics, 2013,233, 73-79.

Radiation Curing and Its Application in Li Cells

Li-ion battery composite electrodes consist of three components including active materials, conductive additives and polymer binders. Conventionally, the electrodes are manufactured through a slurry-based process using polymer binder, typically polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) that is dissolved in organic solvent, N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). A powder mixture of active materials and carbon black is added to the solution to form a slurry, which is coated onto a current collector (i.e. aluminum foil) and then passed through drying ovens to evaporatethe NMP. Several drawbacks have been identified using the conventional manufacturing method.1–4 These processes require high energy consumption from electrode drying, a large equipment footprint, low production speed and mandatory solvent recovery, which results in a significant portion of battery cell and battery plant cost. It has been calculated that the total electrode manufacturing costs can contribute about 8-9% of the total pack cost.1 Alternative processing methods of electrode coatings are being sought for faster production and lower cost. Radiation-based curing has been developed to replace the solvent-based methods in certain sectors of the coating industry.5 The former offers significant process energy savings, is ultra-high speed, and utilizes much more compact equipment than conventional drying ovens (much less plant floor space required). Radiation curing employs ultraviolet (UV) light or an electron beam (EB) as the energy source to chemically polymerize and crosslink small molecules (i.e. monomers or oligomers) into high molecular weight (MW) crosslinked polymers. Therefore, a minimal amount or even no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are required during the coating formulation and deposition. Both UV and EB cured Li-ion battery cathodes have been reported to have good performance in lab coin cells.6,7 However, the penetration of UV is limited by its low energy and the black solid powders (active material and carbon black) further decrease the curing efficiency due to blockage of the UV light. The UV cured electrode loading is 6 mg/cm2,6 which is significantly lower than EB cured electrodes.7 The penetration of EB radiation is related to the applied accelerating voltage, which means 25 mg/cm2 (~ 4mAh/cm2) loading can be easily cured with EB equipment operating at 250 keV. Given the Li-ion battery industry is seeking even higher areal loadings to achieve higher energy density,8–10 EB curing is likely more suitable for electrode processing compared to UV curing. Based on decades of development and commercial deployment, self-shielded EB machines routinely operate with high reliability and low maintenance in industrial roll-to-roll production environments. In this study, we report the scale-up of high speed EB curing for processing thick battery electrodes with EB-curable acrylate binders. High speed EB curing at a 500 feet-per-minute (fpm) line speed were successfully applied to thick cathodes (25 mg/cm2). The performance of the EB cured cathodes were evaluated in 1.5 Ah pouch cells.

Effect of traditional thermal and high-pressure processing (HPP) methods on the color stability and antioxidant capacities of Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.)

Betanin is a major pigment that contributes to it's color and antioxidant capacity of Djulis (Chenopodiun formosaneum Koidz.,) grains. However, betanin becomes unstable during thermal processing. Therefore, we investigated the effect of high-pressure processing (HPP: 500 MPa at 10 °C and 30 °C for 3 min) on the microbial load, pigment, and antioxidant capacity of Djulis whole grain, hull, and de-hulled seeds as an alternative to traditional thermal methods (cooking for 20 min and pasteurization at 65 °C/30 min). Correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed to understand the effect of HPP on the quality of Djulis. Results showed that HPP decreased the microbial load and retained >85% of betanin as well as higher antioxidant capacity. Betanin was highly correlated with total phenolic and antioxidant capacities (r = ≥ 0.98, p < 0.01). PCA exclusively separated the thermal and HPP whole grain samples using two components (PCs 1 (40.88%) and 2 (25.59%)). Therefore, HPP may retain more pigment and antioxidant capacities, thus it could be an alternate processing method to develop Djulis products.

Smart Triggering of the Barometer in a Fall Detector Using a Semi-Permeable Membrane.

The inclusion of a barometer in a wearable fall detector has been shown to improve the detection accuracy by measuring the altitude change associated with a fall event. However, the barometer is a power-hungry sensor, and the sensing power of barometer can be the dominant power consumption source in a wearable fall detector. In this study, we propose a triggering method that reduces barometer power consumption and prolongs the battery life. This approach utilizes a hermetically sealed and waterproof enclosure, with a small inlet covered by a semi-permeable membrane (SPM) to delay the time at which equilibrium between the internal and external pressures is reached, allowing the barometer to be woken from an idle low-power mode and capture the rising air pressure caused by the decrease in altitude during the fall. Two alternative signal processing methods were applied to the pressure waveform to detect the rising pressure pattern, a differential moving average filter (DMAF) and a Kalman filter (KF). The proposed fall detector was evaluated with data collected from a laboratory-based trial and a free-living trial, in which the barometric pressure data, recorded in open-air, were passed through a mathematical model of the leaky enclosure and the SPM assembly. The results show that the proposed fall detector with a 3.7 V, 140 mAh lithium-polymer battery provides a long battery life (DMAF 447 days, KF 444 days) while not compromising the sensitivity (DMAF 91.8%, KF 91.9%), specificity (DMAF 95.2% and KF 95.5%), or the false alarm rate (DMAF 0.035 alarms/hour and KF 0.064 alarms/hour).

Combining alternative processing methods for European soybeans to be used in broiler diets

Locally produced, expeller soybean meal (SBM) may be an important constituent of European broiler diets in the future. In the present trial 4 SBMs were produced from European grown soybeans, using different processing methods; this is the first time that the combination of these methods has been applied. Starter (d0–14) and grower (d15–28) diets were offered to 288 Ross 308 male broilers in a 2 × 2 design: 2 processing methods ((Extrusion-pressing (E) vs Flaking-pressing-cooking (F)) × 2 hulling methods ((with hulls (H) vs no hulls (NH)). Variables measured consisted of average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio, apparent ileal dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility, jejunal histomorphometry at d14 and d28 and ileal digesta viscosity at d28 of age. In addition, carcass and carcass part yield, organ weight, and empty gastrointestinal tract weight and length per small intestinal segment were assessed at d28. Processing method did not affect any of the variables tested. On the other hand, hull presence increased (P < 0.05) ADFI over the starter period, but not over the grower period. Presence of hulls increased proventriculus, gizzard and jejunum weight, and reduced carcass yield at d28 of age, likely due to the higher fibre content. Method of processing and hulling significantly interacted (P < 0.05) for ADFI and ADG at the end of the starter period, being highest for the E/H treatment, but overall broiler performance was similar between dietary treatments. Similarly, small intestinal architecture and DM and CP digestibility were not affected by dietary treatments at either d14 or d28 post hatch. Although there was some variation in soybean protein solubility and trypsin inhibitors amongst SBM products these factors did not appear to affect any of the measured variables. In conclusion, all 4 methods of production resulted in comparable results in relation to performance variables. Hull removal did not confer a significant advantage, aside from increased carcass yield, possibly due to the adaptive growth of the gizzard and proventriculus.

Gravity Field Recovery Using High-Precision, High–Low Inter-Satellite Links

Past temporal gravity field solutions from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), as well as current solutions from GRACE Follow-On, suffer from temporal aliasing errors due to undersampling of the signal to be recovered (e.g., hydrology), which arise in terms of stripes caused by the north–south observation direction. In this paper, we investigate the potential of the proposed mass variation observing system by high–low inter-satellite links (MOBILE) mission. We quantify the impact of instrument errors of the main sensors (inter-satellite link and accelerometer) and high-frequency tidal and non-tidal gravity signals on achievable performance of the temporal gravity field retrieval. The multi-directional observation geometry of the MOBILE concept with a strong dominance of the radial component result in a close-to-isotropic error behavior, and the retrieved gravity field solutions show reduced temporal aliasing errors of at least 30% for non-tidal, as well as tidal, mass variation signals compared to a low–low satellite pair configuration. The quality of the MOBILE range observations enables the application of extended alternative processing methods leading to further reduction of temporal aliasing errors. The results demonstrate that such a mission can help to get an improved understanding of different components of the Earth system.

Alternative signal processing of complementary waveform returns for range sidelobe suppression

It has been an important technique to reduce sidelobes for processing nonzero Doppler target returns under Golay complementary waveforms. While the pointwise minimization processor in our early work shows an enhanced performance on the suppression of range sidelobes compared with existing approaches, it has a reduced detection probability to target with location uncertainties. In this paper, we present an alternative processing method which combines the radar returns in two separated pairs of Golay complementary waveforms through a pointwise addition processor. Our simulation result shows that this alternative method has a similar performance to that of the pointwise minimum processor for range sidelobes suppression and computational complexity but results in an improved target detection probability, with an acceptable decrease on the peak to peak-sidelobe ratio.

Essential Oil Extracted from Cymbopogon citronella Leaves by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

To improve essential oil quality, especially to reserve the thermal instability of compounds, supercritical CO2 extraction (SFE) was applied to recover essential oil from Cymbopogon citronella leaves. A response surface methodology was applied to optimize the extraction process. The highest essential oil yield was predicted at extraction time 120 min, extraction pressure 25 MPa, extraction temperature 35°C, and CO2 flow 18 L/h for the SFE processing. Under these experimental conditions, the mean essential oil yield is 4.40%. In addition, the chemical compositions of SFE were compared with those obtained by hydrodistillation extraction (HD). There were 41 compounds obtained of SFE, while 35 compounds of HD. Alcohols and aldehydes were the main compositions in the essential oils. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities and antimicrobial of essential oils obtained by HD and the evaluated condition of SFE were compared. Results showed that the antioxidant activities of SFE oil are better than those of HD. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the microdilution method. Essential oil obtained from SFE and HD exhibited a significant antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms. It is confirmed that the SFE method can be an alternative processing method to extract essential oils from Cymbopogon citronella leaves.

Magnetic monopole array model for modeling ship magnetic signatures

Aiming at the problems of low accuracy and low adaptability of the existing ship magnetic field inversion modeling methods with equivalent sources, a new method of inversion modeling of magnetic monopole array of ship magnetic fields is proposed. Three-dimensional ship magnetic monopole array is arranged according to the ship ferromagnetic structure, and the inversion prediction model of ship magnetic fields is established by regularization technology. Three typical forms of magnetic monopole arrays are established: rectangular magnetic monopole array on the horizontal surface of the draft line, cuboid magnetic monopole array enclosing the ship hull, three-dimensional ship magnetic monopole array distributed according to the ship’s ferromagnetic structure. The theoretical analysis shows that the three-dimensional ship magnetic monopole array reduces the blindness of the equivalent magnetic source setting, and the obtained equivalent magnetic source is highly consistent with the real magnetic source, which can reproduce the complete magnetic field information of the ship to a greater extent. The magnetic field of a typical virtual ship is applied to the validation test. The results show that the proposed three-dimensional ship magnetic monopole array has higher precision and adaptability than the rectangular or cuboid magnetic monopole array. In particular, the proposed three-dimensional ship magnetic monopole array can realize the mutual conversion between the near and far magnetic fields, and between the magnetic fields above and below the ship. The proposed three-dimensional ship magnetic monopole array model has the unique advantages of small complexity, simple modeling and flexible layout, and it provides an alternative method for the high-precision data processing and explanation to the inversion modeling of ship magnetic fields, ship magnetic field positioning, et al.

ВИДІЛЕННЯ БАКТЕРІОФАГУ З ЛІТИЧНОЮ АКТИВНІСТЮ ПРОТИ НОВОЇ ІДЕНТИФІКОВАНОЇ PANTOEA AGGLOMERANS

In a consequence of agricultural human activity, a set of phytopathogenic bacteria gain new properties and ability to cause diseases in animal and human organisms. Moreover, bacterial loss of sensitivity to antibiotics becomes more increasing threat. The most effective alternative method of processing of plants are bacteriophages. The aim of this work is isolation and identification of a vegetable enterobacteria and search of its specific bacteriophages. Methods: biochemical identification of bacteria, analysis on sensitivity to antibiotics by means of disks, titration and accumulation of virus, electronic microscopy. Results: from onions samples with symptoms of a bacteriosis several bacteria were isolated. One of them was identified as Pantoea agglomerans. The sensitivity of this isolate to antibiotics was investigated, the resistance to cefalexin and norfloxacin is revealed. The bacteriophage specific to this bacteria is isolated from waste waters. The morphology of a bacteriophage is investigated by means of electronic microscopy, the virus belongs to the Myoviridae family. Phytopathogenic properties of bacteria and the antibacterial activity of phage isolate were investigated on potatoes in vitro. P. agglomerans led to development of a bacteriosis on potatoes cubes, and the isolated bacteriophage successfully inhibited its growth. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that common vegetables such as onions could be a source of human pathogenic bacteria. In this work, we isolated P.agglomerans, member of family Enterobacteriaceae. Taking into account that this bacteria was unsensitive to some antibiotics, it can be regarded as an alarming sign. The use of bacteriophages could solve problems of antimicriobial resistance and protecting of crops from bacterial infections. Isolated bacteriophage from waste waters inhibited growth of P.agglomerans in vitro showing that it could be considered as a part of phage drugs.

Alternative fast analysis method for cellulose sponge surface sampling wipes with low concentrations of Bacillus Spores

Environmental sampling is a critical component of the post decontamination verification process following a bioterrorism event. The current work was performed to produce a less labor-intensive method for processing cellulose sponge-wipes used for sampling areas potentially contaminated with low concentrations (i.e., post-decontamination) of Bacillus anthracis spores. An alternative fast-analysis processing method was compared to the processing protocol validated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the Laboratory Response Network (LRN). Glazed tile coupons (1102 cm2) were inoculated with 50, 500, or 5000 spores of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Btk), then sampled with cellulose sponges. Sampling was limited to a 25- by 25-cm area and performed in the same manner as the CDC sampling method. Samples were then processed using either the alternative “Fast Analysis” method or the “CDC method”. Three different analysts repeated the tests at each concentration utilizing each method. Mean recoveries, labor time, and potentially hazardous waste produced were compared for the two methods. The mean percent recoveries and standard errors for the samples processed using the “CDC method” were 39.9 ± 6.7, 43 ± 7.6, and 36.8 ± 10.1 for the 5000, 500, and 50 spore loading levels, respectively; compared to 54.2 ± 12.9, 64.2 ± 21.7, and 45.2 ± 8.6 for the “Fast Analysis” method. At each titer tested the “Fast Analysis” method resulted in a statistically significant higher percent recovery. Furthermore, analysts processed samples utilizing the “Fast Analysis” method in less than half the time and generated half as much potentially hazardous waste compared to the “CDC method”.

Optimization of two-alternative batch data processing

We consider optimization of batch data processing if there are two alternative processing methods available with different unknown efficiencies. One should determine more efficient method and provide its predominant usage. Formally, the problem is presented as Gaussian two-armed bandit problem with a priori unknown mathematical expectations and variances of incomes. We consider the problem in robust (minimax) setting. According to the main theorem of game theory, minimax strategy and minimax risk are sought for as Bayesian ones corresponding to the worst-case prior distribution of parameter. We describe the properties of the worst-case prior distribution and present corresponding recursive equations for determining Bayesian risk and expected losses. Some numerical examples are presented. We show that the control performance almost does not depend on the number of processed batches if this number is large enough.

Rheological behaviour and microstructural properties of dark chocolate produced by combination of a ball mill and a liquefier device as small scale chocolate production system

An alternative chocolate processing method, which can be applied by small-scale chocolate industries in cocoa producing countries, is highly needed. This work investigated the impact of processing variables and lecithin concentration on the rheological behaviour and microstructural characteristics of dark chocolate produced by means of a ball mill coupled with a liquefier device. Three experimental variables, namely ball size, milling time and lecithin concentration were studied. To investigate the degree of cocoa butter released from the cocoa particles during the chocolate production, two different cocoa sources, which had different level of cocoa butter, namely cocoa mass and cocoa powder, were used as ingredient. As references, chocolates were also conventionally produced using a combination of a planetary mixer, roll-refiner and conche. The results showed that regardless of the lecithin concentration, ball size, milling time and their interaction were the most decisive experimental variables in the milling process. Furthermore, lecithin concentration, ball size and milling time as well as their interactions highly influenced the rheological behaviour of the chocolates. Moisture and free fat content of the chocolates were comparable regardless of the processing method and the type of cocoa used. Regardless of the cocoa source, Casson yield values of the chocolates produced by alternative processing were higher than those of the chocolates produced by conventional processing, while Casson viscosities were relatively similar.

(Battery Division Student Research Award sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Research & Development) Advanced Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems: Material Development, Alternative Electrode Processes & Planar Devices

Future advancements in energy storage systems (lithium-ion batteries/LIBs and beyond) rely on the development of novel materials, innovative electrode/device architectures and scalable processing techniques or a combination thereof. In this talk, I will discuss my work on each of these three aspects including in situ characterization of planar devices as well as the development of nanomaterials and additive-free electrode architectures via alternative manufacturing processes such as dry/cold pressing and extrusion printing, respectively. Operando studies can elucidate the reaction behavior of battery electrodes during operation; however, specialized electrochemical cells are required to study these materials in their natural environment (in situ). In this study, a planar microscale battery with an open cell configuration was designed to investigate the structural evolution and concomitant solid electrolyte interphase formation of model electrode-electrolyte systems, such as Na-MoS2.1 By coupling an atomic force microscope with the planar electrochemical cell platform, real-time topographical observations of MoS2 electrodes during sodiation are readily achieved, which leads to crucial information regarding battery operation at the nanoscale. The use of advanced in situ/operando techniques with this newly developed planar battery configuration can elucidate the electrochemical behavior of numerous electrode-electrolyte systems, particularly for alkali-metal-ion batteries, during cycling. The drive towards lighter electric vehicles with longer ranges requires the development of higher energy density systems beyond conventional LIBs, such as lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries. To increase battery performance for practical applications, high mass loading electrodes are advantageous as long as optimal battery reactions are maintained throughout the entirety of the “thick” electrode. Here, I present a facile, alternative electrode processing method known as dry/cold pressing, where a highly porous and compressible carbon nanomaterial (holey graphene or hG) enables the formation of mechanically robust, high mass loading electrodes for Li-O2 batteries.2-3 Dry pressing hG, the compressible matrix, with incompressible materials also enables the preparation of unique mixed and stacked/sandwich electrode architectures under binder- and solvent-free conditions.3 The enhancements in electrochemical performance demonstrate the promise of dry pressed electrode architectures and the reported additive-free processing method for advanced electrochemical energy storage systems. Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques also show promise towards the fabrication of complex 3D designs for advanced electrochemical devices. In particular, the development of inexpensive, sustainable (aqueous), and easily processable material ink systems and the use of a facile and low-cost fabrication process, such as extrusion-based 3D printing, are advantageous for scalable battery manufacturing. In this work, hierarchically porous electrode architectures are readily extruded using additive-free, aqueous graphene oxide-based (GO) ink compositions and demonstrated as the first 3D printed Li-O2 cathodes.4 The development of a nanoporous GO material enabled trimodal porosity (nano-micro-macropores) within the 3D printed mesh architecture, which provides facile mass/ionic transport pathways and enhances active-site utilization during battery operation. The results demonstrate the potential of AM techniques towards the scalable fabrication and improvement of advanced energy storage devices through structurally conscious designs as well as tailored material compositions.

Evaluation of the application for a new alternative processing method for animal by-products of Category 3 material (ChainCraft B.V.).

EFSA received an application from the Dutch Competent Authority, under Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 and Regulation (EU) No 142/2011, for the evaluation of an alternative method for treatment of Category 3 animal by‐products (ABP). It consists of the hydrolysis of the material to short‐carbon chains, resulting in medium‐chain fatty acids that may contain up to 1% hydrolysed protein, for use in animal feed. A physical process, with ultrafiltration followed by nanofiltration to remove hazards, is also used. Process efficacy has been evaluated based on the ability of the membrane barriers to retain potential biological hazards present. Small viruses passing the ultrafiltration membrane will be retained at the nanofiltration step, which represents a Critical Control Point (CCP) in the process. This step requires the Applicant to validate and provide certification for the specific use of the nanofiltration membranes used. Continuous monitoring and membrane integrity tests should be included as control measures in the HACCP plan. The ultrafiltration and nanofiltration techniques are able to remove particles of the size of virus, bacteria and parasites from liquids. If used under controlled and appropriate conditions, the processing methods proposed should reduce the risk in the end product to a degree which is at least equivalent to that achieved with the processing standards laid down in the Regulation for Category 3 material. The possible presence of small bacterial toxins produced during the fermentation steps cannot be avoided by the nanofiltration step and this hazard should be controlled by a CCP elsewhere in the process. The limitations specified in the current legislation and any future modifications in relation to the end use of the product also apply to this alternative process, and no hydrolysed protein of ruminant origin (except ruminant hides and skins) can be included in feed for farmed animals or for aquaculture.

Changes in Phenolic Acid Content in Maize during Food Product Processing.

The notion that many nutrients and beneficial phytochemicals in maize are lost due to food product processing is common, but this has not been studied in detail for the phenolic acids. Information regarding changes in phenolic acid content throughout processing is highly valuable because some phenolic acids are chemopreventive agents of aging-related diseases. It is unknown when and why these changes in phenolic acid content might occur during processing, whether some maize genotypes might be more resistant to processing induced changes in phenolic acid content than other genotypes, or if processing affects the bioavailability of phenolic acids in maize-based food products. For this study, a laboratory-scale processing protocol was developed and used to process whole maize kernels into toasted cornflakes. High-throughput microscale wet-lab analyses were applied to determine the concentrations of soluble and insoluble-bound phenolic acids in samples of grain, three intermediate processing stages, and toasted cornflakes obtained from 12 ex-PVP maize inbreds and seven hybrids. In the grain, insoluble-bound ferulic acid was the most common phenolic acid, followed by insoluble-bound p-coumaric acid and soluble cinnamic acid, a precursor to the phenolic acids. Notably, the ferulic acid content was approximately 1950 μg/g, more than ten-times the concentration of many fruits and vegetables. Processing reduced the content of the phenolic acids regardless of the genotype. Most changes occurred during dry milling due to the removal of the bran. The concentration of bioavailable soluble ferulic and p-coumaric acid increased negligibly due to thermal stresses. Therefore, the current dry milling based processing techniques used to manufacture many maize-based foods, including breakfast cereals, are not conducive for increasing the content of bioavailable phenolics in processed maize food products. This suggests that while maize is an excellent source of phenolics, alternative or complementary processing methods must be developed before this nutritional resource can be utilized.