Development Of Industrial Processes Research Articles

Diversifying Arena of Drug Synthesis: In the Realm of Lipase Mediated Waves of Biocatalysis

Hydrolases, being most prominent enzymes used in industrial processes have left no stone unturned in fascinating the pharmaceutical industry. Lipases, being a part of acyl hydrolases are the ones that function similarly to esterases (except an interfacial action) wherein they generally catalyze the hydrolysis of ester bonds. Be it in terms of stereoselectivity or regioselectivity, lipases have manifested their promiscuous proficiency in rendering biocatalytic drug synthesis and intermediates thereof. Industrial utilization of lipases is prevalent since decades ago, but their distinctive catalytic competencies have rendered them suitable for maneuverability in various tides of biocatalytic industrial process development. Numbers of exquisite catalysts have been fabricated out of lipases using nanobiotechnology whereby enzyme reusability and robustness have been conferred to many of the organic synthesis procedures. This marks a considerable achievement of lipases in the second wave of biocatalysis. Furthermore, in the third wave an advent of genetic engineering has fostered an era of customized lipases for suitable needs. Be it stability or an enhanced efficacy, genetic engineering techniques have ushered an avenue for biocatalytic development of drugs and drug intermediates through greener processes using lipases. Even in the forthcoming concept of co-modular catalytic systems, lipases may be the frontiers because of their astonishing capability to act along with other enzymes. The concept may render feasibility in the development of cascade reactions in organic synthesis. An upcoming wave demands fulfilling the vision of tailored lipase whilst a far-flung exploration needs to be unveiled for various research impediments in rendering lipase as a custom fit biocatalyst in pharmaceutical industry.

State of the art in the development of orbital industrial platforms

The goal of this article is to analyze the state of the art in the development of orbital industrial platforms and their components. The article proposes the general arrangement of a base orbital industrial platform, which consists of main supporting structures, onboard systems, an onboard control system, onboard service devices, receiving docks, a primary processing module, a secondary processing module, an industrial module, and an assembly module. The state of the art in the development of the key component modules of an orbital industrial platform is analyzed, and it is concluded that space conditions make it possible to produce new materials and substances whose characteristics are improved in comparison with their earth counterparts. The most interest in the development of production processes in vacuum and zero gravity conditions is shown by the USA, Russia, and the EU countries. It is shown that at the initial stage of development of orbital industrial platforms raw materials for the production of unique materials can be supplied from the Earth. With further technological development, it will be possible to use space resources. Orbital industrial platforms are a new class of engineering systems. To develop a mathematical model of an orbital platform and components thereof, its functional diagram with the key functional links between the platform components is presented. The problem of orbital industrial platform development is complex, and thus it has a wide range of different aspects of its solution. The need to develop a scientific methodology for the process of orbital industrial platform development has given rise to a package of scientific and technological problems generated by the features of this problem. This package includes the development of new classifiers, construction arrangements, mathematical models, and design methods for a base platform and components thereof.

Research regarding strip cladding of heat-resistant SA 387 Gr.11Cl.2 steel type

The continuous development of industrial processes in the petrochemical field requires the use of materials with anticorrosive properties, able to withstand working conditions at high temperatures but also in highly corrosive environments. The basic materials with anticorrosive properties have a high cost price which leads to the need to find alternative manufacturing solutions. In such situations, the use of bimetal plates or the option of welding cladding with an anticorrosive layer of the base material is used. The paper analyses the possibility of strip cladding using the submerged arc welding process of a reactor made of SA 387Gr11Cl.2 basic material, a heat-resistant alloy steel. To achieve the deposition of the appropriate anticorrosive layer (stainless steel type AISI 347) it was necessary to use a buffer layer made of austenitic stainless-steel type 309L. In order to eliminate the internal tensions appeared after the cladding process, the sample was subjected to a stress relieving heat treatment. After the heat treatment, the sample was subjected to non-destructive examinations (visual and penetrant testing) but also to destructive examinations specific to the approval tests of cladding technology (Metallographic tests, Vickers hardness test, bend test, ferrite number, chemical composition). Metallographic tests of cross-sectional phase structures were carried out in macroscopic and microscopic terms. In the area of the deposited material can be observed a typical austenitic casting structure resulting from the use of a high linear energy, specific to the automatic submerged arc welding. Following the performance of hardness measurements made in the characteristic areas of the deposition, it can be seen that there was a slight increase in the values obtained in the heat affected zone, without exceeding the prescribed values for the materials used. Following the analysis of the results obtained from the specific examinations and tests to the plated samples, it can be seen that they are within the limits prescribed by the standards in force regarding the approval of the cladding technology used.

Development of Compartment Models for Diagnostic Purposes

The importance of recognizing the presence of process faults and resolving these faults is continuously increasing parallel to the development of industrial processes. Fault detection methods which are both robust and sensitive help to recognize the presence of faults in time to avoid malfunctions, financial loss, environmental damage or loss of human life. In the literature, the use of various model-based fault detection methods has gained a considerable degree of popularity. Methods usually based on black-box models, data-based techniques or models using symbolic logic, e.g.\ expert systems, have become widespread. White-box models, on the other hand, have been applied less despite their considerable robustness because of multiple reasons. Firstly, their complexity and the relatively vast amount of technological and modelling knowledge needed to construct them for industrial systems. Secondly, their large computational demand which makes them less suitable for online fault detection. In this study, the aim was to resolve these problems by developing a method to simplify the complex Computational Fluid Dynamics models employed to describe the equipment used in the chemical industry into less complex model structures. These simpler structures are Compartment Models, a type of white-box model which breaks down a complex system into smaller units with idealized behaviour. In the case of a small number of compartments, the computational load of such models is not significant, therefore, they can be employed for the purposes of online fault detection while providing an accurate representation of the system. For the purpose of identifying the compartmental structure, fuzzy logic was employed to create a model which approximates the real behaviour of the system as accurately as possible. Our future objective is to explore the possibility of combining this model with various diagnostic methods (expert systems, Bayesian networks, parity relations, etc.) and derive robust tools for the purpose of fault detection.

The IRC-PD Tool: A Code to Design Steam and Organic Waste Heat Recovery Units

The Algerian economy and electricity generation sector are strongly dependent on fossil fuels. Over 93% of Algerian exports are hydrocarbons, and approximately 90% of the generated electricity comes from natural gas power plants. However, Algeria is also a country with huge potential in terms of both renewable energy sources and industrial processes waste heat recovery. For these reasons, the government launched an ambitious program to foster renewable energy sources and industrial energy efficiency. In this context, steam and organic Rankine cycles could play a crucial role; however, there is a need for reliable and time-efficient optimization tools that take into account technical, economic, environmental, and safety aspects. For this purpose, the authors built a mathematical tool able to optimize both steam and organic Rankine units. The tool, called Improved Rankine Cycle Plant Designer, was developed in MATLAB environment, uses the Genetic Algorithm toolbox, acquires the fluids thermophysical properties from CoolProp and REFPROP databases, while the safety information is derived from the ASHRAE database. The tool, designed to support the development of both RES and industrial processes waste heat recovery, could perform single or multi-objective optimizations of the steam Rankine cycle layout and of a multiple set of organic Rankine cycle configurations, including the ones which adopt a water or an oil thermal loop. In the case of the ORC unit, the working fluid is selected among more than 120 pure fluids and their mixtures. The turbines’ design parameters and the adoption of a water- or an air-cooled condenser are also optimization results. To facilitate the plant layout and working fluid selection, the economic analysis is performed to better evaluate the plant economic feasibility after the thermodynamic optimization of the cycle. Considering the willingness of moving from a fossil to a RES-based economy, there is a need for adopting plants using low environmental impact working fluids. However, because ORC fluids are subjected to environmental and safety issues, as well as phase out, the code also computes the Total Equivalent Warming Impact, provides safety information using the ASHRAE database, and displays an alert if the organic substance is phased out or is going to be banned. To show the tool’s potentialities and improve the knowledge on waste heat recovery in bio-gas plants, the authors selected an in-operation facility in which the waste heat is released by a 1 MWel internal combustion engine as the test case. The optimization outcomes reveal that the technical, economic, environmental, and safety performance can be achieved adopting the organic Rankine cycle recuperative configuration. The unit, which adopts Benzene as working fluid, needs to be decoupled from the heat source by means of an oil thermal loop. This optimized solution guarantees to boost the electricity production of the bio-gas facility up to 15%.

Template Preparation and Experimental Study on Superhydrophilic-Superoleophobic Nano-structures Surfaces Based on Titanium Mesh Membrane

With the development of industrial process, the crude oil leakage of industrial oil wastewater is increasingly serious. The development of efficient and environmentally friendly separation mesh membrane technology is the best way to solve the water pollution problem. With the rapid development of micro-nanotechnology, the wetting change caused by surface structure (micro-nano scale) that can solve the problem of fabrication for oil-water separation mesh. If the liquid contact angle at the surface is less than 10°, the surfaces are called superhydrophilic surfaces. Meanwhile, the liquid contact angle is greater than 150°, the surfaces are called superhydrophobic surface. Surface with superhydrophilic/superhydrophobic is also known as special wetting surfaces. The special wetting surface is fabricated by coating / spraying. The process is simple and easy to operate. By constructing the multi-stage surface roughness and reducing the surface energy, the titanium mesh with different orders are used as the base. the mesh membrane with special superhydrophilic-superoleophobic properties is constructed. Comparing the influence of titanium mesh with different molybdenum numbers (mesh size) on hydrophilic/ hydrophobicity, the mechanism of the macroscopic size of the pore spacing substrate on the special surface wetting is analyzed. The preparation of ultra-hydrophobic multi-stage surface roughness titanium mesh is realized. The experimental analysis of oil and water separation effect is carried out. For the preparation of high-efficiency oil-water separation mesh film that can be used in industrial production. The oil and water separation mesh membrane was prepared by the titanium mesh substrate to achieve effective oil and water separation.

Study on the Predictive Algorithm of Plant Restoration under Heavy Metals

Heavy metal pollution of soil is becoming a more serious issue globally. Heavy metal contamination of the soil environment is inevitable as a result of the rapid and extensive growth of industry and agriculture, resulting in unfavorable environmental circumstances for both the flora and fauna. Traditional approaches for collecting field sampling with laboratory testing of soil heavy metals are restricted not only by their time and cost but also by their inability to gather sufficient information about the spatial distribution characteristics of heavy metals in soil over a vast area. The continuous development of the urban industrial processes leads to the degree of heavy metal pollution in urban gardens. For soil monitoring and cleanup, having quick and accurate access to heavy metal concentration data is very crucial and critical. In order to improve the restoration ability of garden heavy metal pollution, a new algorithm to predict plant restoration ability under the garden heavy metal pollution environment is put forward in this study. Firstly, we analyzed the composition of garden heavy metal pollution and the harm of garden heavy metal pollution. Secondly, we identified the restoration technology of garden heavy metal pollution to plants, determine the level of garden heavy metal pollution with the help of the land accumulation index method, and reflect the average pollution water level of garden heavy metal elements with the help of Numero comprehensive pollution heatstroke. On this basis, the plant repairability prediction model was constructed with the help of wavelet function, to predict the plant repairability under garden heavy metal pollution environment and to complete the prediction of plant repairability under garden heavy metal pollution environment. The experimental results show that the proposed method was better than the traditional approaches in terms of prediction accuracy and is also less time-consuming.

The Forgotten Component in the Development Process of Industry 4.0: Cyber Security

İnsanlık tarihi teknolojik açıdan önemli aşamalardan geçmiştir ve geçmeye devam etmektedir. Bu aşamaların en önemlilerinden birisi de Endüstri 4.0 sürecidir. Bu süreçle birlikte geleneksel sanayi üretimi yerini bilişim sistemlerinin ön planda olduğu bir yaklaşıma bırakmıştır. Endüstriyel haberleşme sistemleri ilk üretildikleri zamanlarda tamamen izole olarak yönetilmişlerdir. Zamanla iç ağlara (intranet) devamında ise internete bağlanmaları ile Endüstri 4.0 süreci başlamıştır. Bu süreçte siber-fiziksel sistemlerin ortaya çıkmasıyla birlikte, bu sistemler siber tehditlere karşı açık hale gelmişlerdir. Bu zafiyetler akıllı sistemleri ve Endüstri 4.0 sistemlerini saldırganların gözdesi haline getirmiştir. Her ne kadar bu sistemler verimlilik, sürat, işlerlik gibi insan hayatına önemli katkılar sağlasa da siber güvenlik açıklıkları uygun şekilde değerlendirilmezse, Endüstri 4.0'ın gerçek potansiyeline asla ulaşılamayabilir. Bu nedenle, çalışmada Endüstri 4.0’ın tüm bileşenleri ele alınarak, Siber Güvenlik bileşeni üzerine odaklanılmıştır. Çalışma, Endüstri 4.0’ın siber güvenlik boyutuna yönelik çalışmalara önemli katkı sağlayacaktır.

Groundwater quality assessment of domestic shallow dug wells in parts of Tanah Merah district, Malaysia

Groundwater resources have become an important fresh water supply due to its increasing demandsfor agricultural, drinking and industrial uses. Groundwater is often contaminated by the process ofindustrial development and suburbanization that has gradually advanced over time without anyconcern for environmental consequences. The objective of this study is to analyse the groundwaterquality of shallow dug wells in parts of Tanah Merah district by conducting quality assessment ofgroundwater using WHO and MHO guide lines. Groundwater samples were collected from dugwells uniformly spread out across the study area to investigate the major ion chemistry of thegroundwater as well as physical parameter. The major ion being investigated are sodium,magnesium, calcium, potassium, sulphate, nitrate, chloride and bicarbonates. Various methods havebeen were employed to determine the major ions concentration in the samples such as atomicabsorption spectrophotometer for cations, gravimetric method for sulphates, titration method forchloride and bicarbonates and colorimetric method for nitrate ion. From the analysed data’s, mostwells are safe for drinking purpose although quite a small amount of ion concentration has surpassedthe permissible limit set by WHO and MOH. The graphical presentation of major ion chemistryaids in identifying two types of groundwater. Ionic species such as Na-K-HCO3 and mixed typewaters are likely to occur in the groundwater system. The analysed major ions concentrationsindicates that majority of the shallow dug wells reported adequate or lower values compared topermissible limit which are safe and can be utilized for various domestic purposes includingdrinking. Several recommendations has been suggested to proliferate the groundwater quality suchas strictly monitoring and supervising the dissipation of waste such as pesticides, industrial effluentand domestic sewage into the aquifer.

Synergy and Communication of IoT Industry Development Strategies in the Perspective of Low Carbon Economy

In this paper, from the perspective of a low-carbon economy, the development mode and influencing factors of the IoT industry are studied, and development strategies are proposed in a targeted manner. Through the analysis of relevant literature, the connotation of the concept of cooperation and dissemination of IoT industry development strategy under low-carbon economy is enriched, emphasizing its systemic, multisubjectivity, and low-carbon effect, and its mechanistic effect is analyzed and different types of models are analyzed and established. The analysis of the model of IoT industry development strategy cooperation and dissemination in low-carbon economy finds that there is industrial variability in the overall trend of continuous increase of IoT industry development strategy cooperation and dissemination in the low-carbon economy, and the reasonable industrial categories and their characteristics are pointed out through cluster analysis. Based on the viewpoint of the IoT industry and regional differentiation, the analysis establishes the path analysis model of enterprise, industry, and region. From the perspective of enterprises using game analysis method research shows that the development process of IoT industry under low-carbon economy first adopts the important benchmarking significance of enterprise technology innovation behavior and its effect on potential enterprises and then pays attention to the government financial and tax policies and market cultivation on the coincidence between different types of IoT enterprises. The research shows that there are fault paths, distorted paths, and pathway types in the development of the IoT industry under a low-carbon economy. Finally, based on the policy analysis, we summarize our shortcomings and the above-mentioned development path views and make suggestions for better policy formulation of IoT industry development in a low-carbon economy from enterprise-level, industry level, and regional level. The above perspectives, conclusions, and policy recommendations on the synergy and dissemination of development strategies will have important positive theoretical and practical guidance for promoting the development of the low-carbon economy and IoT industry.

Towards the Possibility of Additive Manufacturing of XNA-Based Devices Using Molecular Engineering Principles

This paper considers a novel approach for integration between molecular engineering of XNA-based structures and additive manufacturing of XNA-based devices based on multiparametric characterization of XNAs by different functional descriptors (such as physical properties of XNA-based materials and precursors of XNA-based molecular devices) and the possibility of thermal or electron-beam processing as a prerequisite of the industrial technical process development for such device implementation. This can be performed in the framework of additive manufacturing by connecting the output of the XNA synthesizer or nucleic acid synthesizer with 3D-printer nozzles in such a way that oligos / AGCTX products are supported into the nozzles separately.

Implementation of the Digital Sales Channel in the Coatings Industry

The development process in the coatings industry can be shortened by digital transformation, and its costs can be reduced using a technical enabler. However, formulators need up-to-date and comprehensive data on existing and potential ingredients to develop the formulation. We were curious about how to supply formulators with data. The idea was that suppliers of ingredients provide data using the “common enabling technology”. We hypothesize that direct data entry compensates suppliers because they can shorten the sales process and increase sales. We used a survey to select key sales channels in the industry. Detailed process models were designed using structured interviews. We analyzed models using structural and operational indicators. Finally, we formed a new digital sales process and verified it. The results show that the digitally formatted sales process can be shortened by up to 32%. Simultaneously, more potential customers can be accessed using the common technology. Existing sales channels would not be closed down. Nevertheless, the digital sales channel is expected to prove its worth over time and gradually increase its share. The suppliers of ingredients can thus avoid a radical process transformation and the immediate integration of additional information technology into the company information system in such an evolutionary way.

НА ЗАРЕ ГЕОКРИОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО ИЗУЧЕНИЯ АРКТИЧЕСКИХ РАЙОНОВ ЯКУТИИ: ЭКСПЕДИЦИЯ No 1 ИНМЕРО (1952–1953 ГГ.)

Presents a historical analysis of the research activities of the members of the Expedition No. 1, which was organized by the Obruchev Permafrost Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences (Moscow) in the Arctic regions of Yakutia in 1952– 1953. This expedition turned out to be the first large-scale geocryological initiative implemented in the named region. In this regard, mainly on the basis of the revealed archival materials, including those introduced by the author for the first time into scientific circulation, a characteristic of the personal composition of the research participants is presented. The geography of the work carried out has been established, covering the previously poorly geocryologically studied Yano- Indigirsky interfluve, the coast of the Laptev Sea and the Bolshoi Lyakhovsky Island, the main routes made by scientists are shown. The key directions of scientific search for permafrost scientists have been identified. The significance of the research carried out for the replenishment of knowledge about the permafrost in the Arctic regions of Yakutia and, in general, the development of geocryological science has been determined. In this regard, plots are presented that characterize the specifics of the geocryological surveys, as well as the improvement of the methodological arsenal of permafrost research in the region. At the same time, it was noted that the work of the members of Expedition No. 1 made it possible to determine a number of the most important features of cryogenic processes and the extent of the spread of permafrost in the Arctic Yakutia, to establish the thickness of the permafrost and its temperature parameters at different depths. In addition, it was found that during the survey a number of important practical results were obtained, including the identification of the composition of permafrost and the depth of the seasonally thawed layer, necessary to optimize the process of transport and industrial development of the region.

Research and Technology Organizations as Super Intermediaries: A Conceptual Framework for Policy and a Case Study From Tanzania.

Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs) have key roles in stories of national industrial development in many countries, and in various contexts they have transformed according to changes in their surrounding economic and policy environments. This paper proposes a conceptual framework of ‘RTOs as super intermediaries’ as they play multiple intermediary roles in the triple helix (government, research and industry), the overlap of industrial policy and research policy, and research-industry frontiers. The framework helps in understanding and advancing the role of RTOs in industrial development, particularly in developing countries. For a case study, the paper showcases research in Tanzania that explored possibilities of revamping RTOs and whether investing in them would help in spurring Tanzania's industrial development. Through key informant interviews and systemic literature review, a case study on the challenges and opportunities of RTOs was designed to examine their role and potential in industrial development and technology innovation processes. The study findings were overall in-line with two main lenses of inquiry: 1) that for RTOs to play their key roles in Tanzania, industrial policies shaped by the command economy era before the 1990s need to be reviewed and modified; and 2) that more investment in revamping RTOs will take place if policymaking processes acknowledge RTOs as super intermediaries. To organize policy lessons drawn, a multi-level policy map—micro, meso and macro—was utilized as an analytical tool.

Technology progress bias, industrial structure adjustment, and regional industrial economic growth motivation —— Research on regional industrial transformation and upgrading based on the effect of learning by doing

In the new normal economy and under supply-side structural reform progress, industry has become the pillar of economic development, thus making it urgent to adjust and upgrade a country's industrial structure both scientifically and effectively. During the process of industrial transformation and development, technical progress is the key driving force, and for China, technical changes in the industrial sector began during the 12th Five-Year Plan (FYP) (2011–2015). Thus, this paper improves the decomposition of the traditional Malmquist DEA index to distinguish and quantify the effects of independent innovation and learning by doing and analyzes the impact of R&D and learning by doing on regional industrial development during the 12th FYP. Findings reveal consistency between the effect of “learning by doing” and “independent innovation” in technical progress during the 12th FYP, and the overall trend shows a V-shaped decline first and then later an increase. The heterogeneity of industrial structure in domestic regional economies present differences in independent innovation and learning by doing, among which the northeast region is highly sensitive to the effect of learning by doing. Therefore, strengthening the training of production departments and improving employee productivity are two key tasks in the northeast region.

Therapeutic Effect of Electronic Endoscopic Hematoma Removal on Hypertensive Basal Ganglia Cerebral Hemorrhage Based on Smart Medical Technology.

The medical and health industry has successively experienced three stages of digital medical treatment, local area network medical treatment, and internet medical treatment. With the rapid development of technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data, and artificial intelligence, emerging applications and service models have gradually penetrated into all aspects of the medical and health field. At this point, the informatization development process of the medical industry has entered the stage of smart medical treatment. (Smart medical system is a new medical system that improves users' medical experience and provides users with better services. Due to the cumbersome, complicated, and mechanically rigid environment of the past medical service, there was no uniform standard. In order to create a reliable and open medical service environment, an intelligent medical system came into being.). A diversified technical foundation and smart medical protection, conducive to providing patients with high-quality medical services, are established. This article mainly introduces the analysis of the therapeutic effect of smart medical electronic endoscopic hematoma removal on hypertensive basal ganglia cerebral hemorrhage and aims to inject advanced technology and vitality of smart medical treatment into the treatment of hypertensive basal ganglia cerebral hemorrhage by hematoma removal and help the doctor to treat the patient. This article proposes the research methods of smart medical application in the treatment of hypertensive basal ganglia cerebral hemorrhage with electronic endoscopic hematoma removal, including smart medical overview, intracranial hematoma removal for hypertensive basal ganglia cerebral hemorrhage, and smart medical bioelectric signal classification. The recognition algorithm is used to realize the smart medical application of the electronic endoscopic hematoma removal in the treatment of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage in the basal ganglia area. The experimental results show that the removal of intracranial hematoma based on smart medicine can effectively improve the removal rate of intracranial hematoma, with a recovery rate of 26.73% and a significant efficiency of 36.49%.

A Research Road Map for Responsible Use of Agricultural Nitrogen

Nitrogen (N) is an essential but generally limiting nutrient for biological systems. Development of the Haber-Bosch industrial process for ammonia synthesis helped to relieve N limitation of agricultural production, fueling the Green Revolution and reducing hunger. However, the massive use of industrial N fertilizer has doubled the N moving through the global N cycle with dramatic environmental consequences that threaten planetary health. Thus, there is an urgent need to reduce losses of reactive N from agriculture, while ensuring sufficient N inputs for food security. Here we review current knowledge related to N use efficiency (NUE) in agriculture and identify research opportunities in the areas of agronomy, plant breeding, biological N fixation (BNF), soil N cycling, and modeling to achieve responsible, sustainable use of N in agriculture. Amongst these opportunities, improved agricultural practices that synchronize crop N demand with soil N availability are low-hanging fruit. Crop breeding that targets root and shoot physiological processes will likely increase N uptake and utilization of soil N, while breeding for BNF effectiveness in legumes will enhance overall system NUE. Likewise, engineering of novel N-fixing symbioses in non-legumes could reduce the need for chemical fertilizers in agroecosystems but is a much longer-term goal. The use of simulation modeling to conceptualize the complex, interwoven processes that affect agroecosystem NUE, along with multi-objective optimization, will also accelerate NUE gains.

Towards roll-to-roll printed batteries based on organic electrodes for printed electronics applications

There is a growing interest in smart packaging applications and small IoT devices realized as printed electronic devices. Because of their electrical nature, these printed devices require small rechargeable energy sources for their repeatable functionality. For these reasons, the printing of rechargeable batteries alongside the main printed electronics features is welcome, especially if it is realized by the roll-to-roll (R2R) process. A reliable R2R printing process is an advantage and it is a solution overcoming technology difficulties related with the conventional approach of bonding pouch cells to these devices. R2R printing process allows battery manufacturing in the same printing line, at the same substrate, with proper shape and required capacity. Because most of the printed electronic devices are manufactured by R2R printing processes we present a study that is focused on the development of electrode materials towards fully R2R printed secondary batteries based on easily accessible materials and printed by robust and scalable technology. We demonstrate a fully R2R printed secondary battery with open-circuit voltage (OCV) higher than 2.0 V where an organic-based anode and a cathode without Co and Ni are used. The R2R printed secondary battery could be assembled at ambient conditions, which is important for the development of a cheap industrial R2R manufacturing process without inert atmosphere requirements. The R2R printed battery assembled at ambient conditions provides 100 cycles with a capacity of over 50 mAh/g. In the presented study, it was demonstrated that printed PAQS electrodes could be used also in the Na-ion batteries with a capacity of over 120 mAh/g.

PRECIPITATION OF METAL HYDROXIDES FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS AS A RESULT OF SPONTANEOUS CONDENSATION OF POLYNUCLEAR HYDROXOCOMPLEXES

Background. Generally, it is assumed that the formation of a solid phase (precipitate) happens when the activities of the involved ions would exceed those defined by the thermodynamic solubility product. However, in case of precipitation of metal hydroxides, this is a simplification, and the real pattern is more complicated, since metal ions form strong mono- and polynuclear hydroxocomplexes in a solution. Formation of such complexes, especially those with zero charge, should result in the deviation from the common solubility product rule. Objective. The aim of this paper is to develop a precipitation model, which takes into account the effect of the formation of the hydroxocomplexes on the solubility of a metal hydroxide. Eventually, this solubility includes the sum of the concentrations of metal ions, and all neutral, positively and negatively charged hydroxocomplexes involved in all equilibria in aqueous solution. Methods. We assume that formation of the solid precipitate is the result of spontaneous condensation of polynuclear neutral hydroxocomplexes when their concentrations in a solution exceed a certain critical value. These critical concentrations can be estimated from the consideration of all equilibria with the assumption that the equilibrium constants for the formation of neutral polynuclear complexes when their nuclearity increases by one are approximately equal and do not significantly depend on the size of the particle. Results. Using this approach, we developed the model, which predicts spontaneous condensation with formation of a precipitate. Also, we calculated the dependencies of pH-logCM for precipitation of various divalent cation hydroxides. It was shown that there exist minimal concentrations, below which no precipitates are formed at any pH value. Conclusions. Such approach also explains the nature of linear correlations between logarithms of solubility products and stability constants of neutral complexes described in literature. These results are important for the development and optimization of industrial wastewater treatment processes.

Automation and miniaturization: enabling tools for fast, high‐throughput process development in integrated continuous biomanufacturing

AbstractProcess development in the biotech industry leads to investments around hundred of millions of dollars. It is important to mitigate costs without neglecting the quality of process development. Biopharmaceutical process development is important for companies to develop new processes and be first to market, improve a pre‐established process, or start manufacturing a product available by patent expiry (biosimilars). Laboratory automation enables methodical and standardized process development. Miniaturization and parallelization empower laboratories to screen several experimental conditions and define operating windows for purification processes, improving process robustness. Together, they allow for fast and accurate process development in a fraction of the time and cost of nonminiaturized/nonparallel process development approaches. The most widely used High‐Throughput Screening technique is a liquid‐handling station and microfluidics is taking its first steps in process development. Both are attractive scale‐down tools for the characterization of bioprocesses and allow thousands of experiments to be performed per day. High‐Throughput Process Development (HTPD) has helped to achieve major breakthroughs in process optimization, both for upstream and downstream processing. Continuous processing is the next step in process development which leads to cost reduction, higher productivity and better quality control; the integration of upstream and downstream processes is seen as a major challenge. In this review, we will focus on the state‐of‐the‐art of miniaturized techniques for process development in the biotechnology industry, and how automation and miniaturization drive process development. A comparison between liquid‐handling stations and microfluidics is made and an indication is given of which tools are still lacking for HTPD in the context of Integrated Continuous Biomanufacturing. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).