Deposition Of Material Research Articles

Severe calcinosis circumscripta in multiple foot pads in a 5- month old pomeranian puppy secondary to renal disease – a case report

A 5-month old Pomeranian puppy with lameness in all four limbs, polydipsia, polyuria, vomiting, and melena observed approximately for one month was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Peradeniya. The metacarpal and metatarsal foot pads of all four limbs were swollen with chalky white, mottling. The differential diagnoses for the foot pad lesions were fungal granuloma, calcinosis circumscripta, and neoplasia. The fine needle aspirates obtained from the foot pad lesions were chalky white, gritty, and microscopically consistent with mineral deposits. Plain radiographs of the metacarpals revealed deposition of radiopaque material in metacarpal and digital foot pads with normal bones and joints. Based on the gross lesions, radiography, and fine needle aspiration cytology, a tentative diagnosis of calcinosis circumscripta of foot pads was made. Haematology and serum chemistry revealed microcytic hypochromic anaemia and mild azotaemia. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed small right and left kidneys with increased overall echogenicity and poor corticomedullary differentiation. The historical, clinical, radiographic, and ultrasonographic findings were suggestive of calcinosis circumscripta in multiple foot pads with concurrent renal disease. The very young age of the dog was highly suggestive of renal dysplasia as the cause of concurrent renal disease. Despite the supportive and symptomatic treatments, the puppy died five days after the presentation. This appears to be the first report of calcinosis circumscripta of foot pads with evidence of renal disease diagnosed in a dog less than one year old.

Bronze Age Raw Material Hoard from Greater Poland: Archaeometallurgical Study Based on Material Research, Thermodynamic Analysis, and Experiments.

Hoard finds from the Bronze Age have appeared all over Europe, prompting questions about their functions (either as raw materials for recycling or votive objects). The hoard trove of raw materials from Przybysław in Greater Poland is an interesting example of a discovery that is related to the foundry activities of Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age communities (c. 600 BC). The deposit consists of fragments of raw materials that were damaged end products intended for smelting. The research included the characterisation of the material in terms of the variety of the raw materials that were used. The individual elements of the hoard were characterised in terms of their chemical compositions, microstructures, and properties. A range of modern instrumental research methods were used: metallographic macroscopic and microscopic observations by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), chemical-composition analysis by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (ED-XRF), X-ray microanalysis (EDS), and detailed crystallisation analysis by electron microscopy with an emphasis on electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). As part of this study, model alloys were also prepared for two of the selected chemical compositions, (i.e., CuPbSn and CuPb). These alloys were analysed for their mechanical and technological properties. This research of the hoard from Przybysław (Jarocin district, Greater Poland) has contributed to the recognition and interpretation of the function and nature of the hoard by using modern research and modelling methods as a cultic raw material deposit.

Nanoshell Formation at the Electrically Charged Gas-Water Interface of Collapsing Microbubbles: Insights from Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging.

AFM imaging has revealed intriguing features when bulk nanobubbles were deposited on a positively charged substrate. Numerous spherical objects, each less than 20 nm in diameter, were observed on the substrate. These objects were adorned with noticeable, tiny protrusions, each measuring a few nanometers. These findings suggest the presence of solid shells contributing to the stability of the gas bodies. Furthermore, electrically charged microbubbles appear to play a critical role in the formation of these solid shells. The collapse of microbubbles in an electrolyte aqueous solution containing iron ions leads to a condensing ionic cloud, creating conditions necessary for solid nucleation at the interface. At the end of the collapsing process, concurrent multinucleation may result in the deposition of solid material on the interface, forming solid shells with specific structures on the surfaces. This study illuminates the phenomenon of electrically charged gas-water interfaces during microbubble collapse and highlights the generation of stabilized nanoshells in aqueous solutions without the need for chemical stabilizers.

Light-Chain Amyloidosis: The Great Impostor.

Light-chain amyloidosis (AL) is a disease of protean manifestations due to a wide spectrum of organs that can be affected. The disorder is caused by the deposition of an extracellular amorphous material, the amyloid, which is produced by malignant plasma cells. The latter usually reside in the bone marrow; plasma cell infiltration is often low, in sharp contrast to what we observe in multiple myeloma. The disease may run below the physician's radar for a while before clinical suspicion is raised and targeted tests are performed. In this short review, we try to answer most of the questions that a practicing physician may ask in a relative clinical setting. The text is formed as a series of reader-friendly questions that cover the subject of AL amyloidosis from history to current therapy.

New Insights into the Formation and Properties of Wellbore Skin: Why We Have to Rethink the Concept.

The deposition of fine-grained material of low permeability on the borehole wall during drilling (wellbore skin) is a common problem affecting the operation and efficiency of water wells. Here, we present new data and novel insights from four excavated dewatering wells from a lignite surface mine. All wells have the same age, are of similar construction, and were sampled at two different depths each. The thickness of the skin layer increases with depth. Its composition and permeability is strongly influenced by the surrounding aquifer material. Nonuniform sediments of low permeability result in less permeable wellbore skin deposits. The presence of discontinuities in the skin layer may be a determining feature for the resulting flow to wells, especially with skin layers of low permeability. The presence of naturally occurring swelling clay (smectite) provides the skin layer with a significant self-sealing capacity.

Soil in Terms of Industrialization and Mining - Consequences and Soil Recovery

The land resource of Republic of Srpska is subject to damage impact caused by four basic groups of soil process: microbiological contamination, chemical contamination, anthropogenic degradation, and physical destruction or soil disappearance. The most common causes of soil contamination are heavy metals, sulphur solutions, organic pollutants, acid rains, pesticides, mineral fertilizers, radioactive radiation, mineral raw material deposits, various waste dump sites and other. Degradation of soil is reflected in the process of land sliding (erosion) and degradation of soil within the soil profile itself (in situ). Destruction of soil is the heaviest form of soil damage and loss. Surface mining of mineral raw materials appears to have the biggest impact resulting in soil loss. Temporary soil loss is usually defined by surface mining of mineral raw materials. Mining activities have most noticeable impacts on environment (soil, water, air, organisms). Technogenic soils are formed by overburden and interbred disposal and development of mineral raw material mining activities. Soil reclamation and other preventive environmental measures are to be taken to decrease adverse impact of mining activities and improve reclamation of degraded surfaces. Reclamation process covers approximately 10% of technogenic soil in Republic of Srpska at three coal basin locations (Gacko, Ugljevik and Stanari). Technogenic soil falls under VII class and I subclass of automorphic soils. Two types of soil belong to this subclass: Deposol and Rekultisol. Deposol represents interburden material moved to storage area before starting reclamation process. Rekultisol defines technogenic soil in different level and intensity of reclamation. The fertility of deposol, same as most other types of technogenic soil is generally poor. The basic goal of technogenic soil reclamation is surface stabilization and improvement of soil fertility. One of the most important properties of soil in the process of reclamation is organic matter content. Regular monitoring is important for collecting information on state of soils, application of reclamation measures, biogenic and other elements content in crop residue at reclaimed surfaces at the locations nearby mining and industrial utilities.

New deposit of chocolate flint in Załęże gully (Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, Poland) – Raw material characterization and its availability for prehistoric communities

One of the valued chert raw materials used by prehistoric communities in Central and Eastern Europe was chocolate flint. Despite finding artefacts made of it over a wide area, for many years, it was thought to occur only in one location - in the Holy Cross Mountains in Poland. However, the discoveries of recent years have shown that deposits of this raw material also occur in another region of Poland, in the northern part of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland (KCU). The result of intensive field surveys conducted in this area is the finding of a new outcrop of chocolate flint in Załęże gully (Lesser Poland voivodeship) described in this paper. Based on the results obtained from the radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence dating of sediments co-occurring with the flint deposit, a history of the paleogeographic development of this gully has been proposed. Access to the deposit in its present form is limited to modern times, but it was likely accessible elsewhere in this area. Macroscopic and microscopic (using optical and cathodoluminescence microscopy) examinations showed a high similarity with the material of other KCU provenance from the prehistoric mine in Poręba Dzierżna, site 24. In the vicinity of Załęże gully there are many archaeological sites where chocolate flint artefacts were found. Preliminary research suggests that they could have been made from the raw material from the newly discovered outcrop. The new location of chocolate flint occurrence in the KCU region described here is another premise to re-think the existing interpretations related to the extraction, use and distribution of this important chert raw material in prehistoric times in Central and Eastern Europe.

Development of a Joint Concept for Producing Dissimilar Joints Using a 3D Printing-Supported Technique

The joining of metals and polymer-based materials has a very high interest for many industrial sectors, as it allows to achieve components combining the specific characteristics of each material class. Additive manufacturing technologies could boost the production of these joints, allowing the controlled deposition of a polymeric material over the metal substrate. The present research is aimed to study the feasibility of a joint concept that can be used to produce aluminium/polymer-based material joints through a 3D printing-supported technique. The innovative joint concept, which is based on an interlocking mechanism promoted by a deposited pin, was compared to two conventional concepts. The innovative joint concept allows the production of samples with good mechanical behaviour, in which the failure occurs outside the material overlapping zone. This design is very suitable to be tested for the production of dissimilar material joints.

Manufacturing cost comparison of tabless vs. standard electrodes for cylindrical lithium-ion batteries

The introduction of the tabless electrode design for lithium-ion battery cells by Tesla in 2020 and its successful industrialisation for the 2022 Model Y marked a significant breakthrough in the realm of cylindrical cell designs for batteries. This innovative approach allowed for larger cell designs while maintaining optimal thermal performance through active cooling on the system level. While prior research has focused on the advantages of this tabless design in terms of thermal management, this work explores a distinct benefit during the electrode manufacturing process. Traditionally, cylindrical battery cells utilize an electrode coating method that leaves gaps on the electrode surface to accommodate tab welding. Consequently, the coating machine operates in an intermittent coating mode, leading to a substantial reduction in achievable coating speed. In contrast, the tabless electrode design enables the continuous deposition of the active material by the coating machine. This advancement results in a remarkable increase in the coating speed, exceeding 60 %, which more than compensates for the additional costs associated with laser cutting the edge of the tabless electrode. This paper demonstrates how the adoption of tabless electrodes in the manufacturing process leads to a considerable cost reduction, from 2.029 to 1.698 €/kWh, while maintaining all other factors constant. Although this cost reduction may appear modest concerning the total cell costs, the cumulative savings at the giga-factory scale become significant, making this advancement economically viable and impactful.

Understanding Lipoid Proteinosis: A Brief Overview

Lipoid proteinosis is a rare autosomal recessive deposition disorder resulting from a loss-of-function mutation of ECM1 on chromosome 1q21. It is characterized by the deposition of hyaline-like material within multiple organs, including the skin, oral mucosa, larynx, and brain. Clinically, the first sign is often a weak cry or hoarseness of voice due to the infiltration of the laryngeal mucosa; hoarseness remains throughout life. Cutaneous lesions occur in two stages, which may be overlapping; the first stage consists of vesicles and hemorrhagic crust on the skin of the face and extremities, which resolves with pock-like scarring. In the second stage, the skin becomes diffusely thickened and waxy yellow. The classical clinical feature is beaded papules linearly arranged over the eyelid margin, known as Moniliform blepharosis. Involvement of the tongue, oropharynx, recurrent parotitis, dental anomalies, and neurological manifestations are other findings. A pathognomonic radiographic finding is bilateral intracranial sickle-shaped calcification in the amygdala. Pink hyaline deposits are found in the dermis in skin biopsy. Lipoid proteinosis is a chronic cutaneous disease with a benign course.

Facile method for 3D printing conformally onto uneven surfaces and its application to face masks

Conventional additive manufacturing processes, where parts are built through layer-wise deposition of material on a horizontal plane, can be limiting when a part must be printed or fit onto uneven surfaces. Such situations will arise with increasing frequency as additive manufacturing application areas such as construction and medical devices continue to grow. In this work, we develop a simple and practical approach to generate toolpaths to print 3D structures onto uneven surfaces conformally. The algorithm uses only conventional planar toolpaths of both the structure to be printed and the substrate to be printed on and converts these to non-planar toolpaths, allowing easy integration with existing additive manufacturing workflows. The technique is demonstrated by printing flexible seals onto bespoke rigid face mask frames conformally via a conventional single-material 3D printer using the generated conformal toolpath. A notable improvement in air seal performance was observed for customized face masks with conformal soft seals compared to conventionally 3D-printed fully rigid face masks. This also shows the potential of the developed toolpath generation method to aid in the prototyping and fabrication of conformal medical and other devices.

Uncrewed Aerial Spray Systems For Mosquito Control: Efficacy Studies For Space Sprays.

Achieving an appropriate droplet size distribution for adulticiding has proved problematic for unmanned aerial spray systems (UASSs). The high-pressure pumping systems utilized on crewed aircraft conflict with the weight constraints of UASSs. The alternative is a lightweight rotary atomizer, which when run at a maximum rpm with a minimal flow rate can achieve the appropriate droplet size distribution. For this study a UASS was calibrated to discharge an appropriate droplet size distribution (Dv0.5 of 48 µm and Dv0.9 of 76 µm). Spray was released from an altitude of 23 m (75 ft). The spray plume was shown to effectively disperse through the sampling zone. To achieve the appropriate application rate, the flight speed was 3 m/sec (6.7 mph) with an assumed swath of 150 m (500 ft). The objective of this project was not to conduct an operational application; instead only 1 flight line was used so that the effective swath width could be confirmed and the appropriate flightline separation defined. This study showed that control was achieved across distances of 100-150 m. Considering a swath width of 150 m (500 ft), ground deposition was 13-36% of applied material. Spray deposition corresponded well with the mortality data, which helped improve confidence in the data. The overall conclusion from this study is that aerial adulticiding is feasible with the system presented here. Further work is required to improve the atomization system to allow operational flight speeds and to determine the interaction between release altitude and droplet size in order to minimize ground deposition of application material.

Sources, Transport, and accumulation of Mercury in the northwestern Mediterranean margin sediments during the Industrial Era and influence of turbiditic events

Sources and pathways of the Hg accumulated in the sediments of the Gulf of Lion (GoL) and its adjacent marine areas (Northwestern Mediterranean) have been explored using sediment grab samples, sediment cores, and sediment trap samples. The main source of Hg along this margin is the Rhône River, whose suspended sediments settle mainly in the prodelta area but also along the mid-shelf, then reaching the continental rise via wave resuspension and cascading of dense shelf waters. Seaward, these riverine particles are mixed with carbonated ooze conveyed to the bottom by the biological pump. The Hg is enriched in surface sediments of the GoL with decreasing concentrations westward and seaward from the Rhône prodelta to the continental rise. Dated cores from the Rhône prodelta give access to riverine sediments deposited over the last 400 years and show that the Hg concentration time trend resembles the evolution of coal consumption in France, peaking during in the 1960s. Similar trends were observed in sediment cores collected along the GoL slope and submarine canyons along with the preservation of traces of erosion and sediment instability events. Seaward, on the continental rise, the Hg concentration distribution suggests the deposition of fine planktonic-derived material and particles episodically advected from the shelf during deep cascading pulses. Anthropogenic Hg accumulated in GoL and continental rise sediments during the Industrialized Era is ∼ 150 Mg (tons), two-thirds of which are buried in the Rhône prodelta area. Significant correlations are found between Hg and organic matter in GoL sediments, but the relationships differ between areas and are disrupted by the inputs of anthropogenic Hg and by the Hg availability in the Rhône River watershed during the pre-industrial period. The HgT availability in waters appears to be the limiting factor to the Hg enrichment of the particulate organic matter. Monomethyl mercury (MMHg), which represents on average 0.3 % of the total Hg, was positively correlated to total Hg. Their distributions suggest in situ MMHg formation and a more effective net Hg methylation for surface sediment or particles collected in traps compared with particles buried in the sedimentary column.

Influence of Clad Layer Thickness of Aluminium Alloy by Friction Surface Cladding Process

Friction Surface Cladding (FSC) is a process that enables the deposition of clad material on a substrate through a hollow rotating tool to create thin clad layers at sufficiently high temperatures. Heat is produced during the cladding process by friction at the tool-clad layer and the substrate. This study focus on the influence of clad layer thickness of aluminium alloy AA2024 at the control process temperature around 300℃ to 350℃. The material used is AA2024-T4 for the clad layer and AA2024-T351 for the substrate. A thermal model is built using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0 and Heat Transfer in Solid (ht) with time-dependent study is used to study the heat transformation as well as optimize the rotational speed at different clad layer thicknesses. The major finding in this study indicates that the heat generated is proportional to the clad layer thickness. The highest heat transformation can be seen at the cladding region between the cladding rod and the substrate and the temperature reaches a maximum of 333.95℃.

Urbach-Wiethe disease: a rare pediatric case report

Urbach-Wiethe disease also known as lipoid proteinosis (LP) is a rare autosomal recessive Geno dermatosis.1 It is characterized by the deposition of an amorphous hyaline material in the skin, mucosa and viscera and is also known as cutaneous-mucosal hyalinosis.2,3 Parental consanguinities is identified in approximately 20% of Urbach-Wiethe disease cases. The classic manifestation due to laryngeal infiltration is a hoarse cry with its onset in infancy. Skin and mucous membrane changes become clinically apparent important consequences.4 Rarely, the central nervous system and respiratory tract may be involved resulting in seizures and airway obstruction, respectively. The lifespan is generally normal. We report a case of Urbach-Wiethe disease in a 6-year-old boy with hoarseness of voice who was started on oral acitretin therapy following his diagnosis. Oral acitretin can prove useful in cases of lipoid proteinosis who present with hoarseness of voice or vocal cord palsy. The mutations in the gene encoding extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) have been linked to lipoid proteinosis. Even though no effective treatment is known, acitretin has proved to reverse hoarseness of voice in few reported cases and was started in our case as it was his chief presenting complaint.

Effects of Ion-Releasing Materials on Dentine: Analysis of Microhardness, Appearance, and Chemical Composition

The aim of this study was to compare the potential of standard ion-releasing materials to repair demineralized lesions with recently introduced alkasite and glass hybrid materials. Glass ionomer (GC Fuji TRIAGE), two glass hybrids (EQUIA Forte HT, Riva SC), calcium silicate cement (Biodentine) and an alkasite (Cention Forte) were tested. A total of 72 human third molars were used for sample preparation; on the dentine surface, a class-I cavity was prepared, and one half was covered with nail varnish. The teeth were subjected to a demineralization protocol, filled with the examined materials, and cut in half. The evaluation included a dentine microhardness assessment (n = 10) and SEM/EDS analysis (n = 2). The results were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 statistical software and compared using an analysis of variance and Scheffe post-hoc test. The statistical significance level was set to 0.05. Mean microhardness values (HV0.1) after 14 and 28 days were, respectively: EQUIA Forte HT (26.7 ± 1.45 and 37.74 ± 1.56), Riva Self Cure (19.66 ± 1.02 and 29.58 ± 1.18), Cention Forte (19.01 ± 1.24 and 27.93 ± 1.33), Biodentine (23.35 ± 1.23 and 29.92 ± 1.02), GC Fuji TRIAGE (25.94 ± 1.35 and 33.87 ± 5.57) and control group (15.57 ± 0.68 and 15.64 ± 0.82). The results were significantly different between most groups (p < 0.001). SEM/EDS revealed varying patterns, material deposits and distinct elemental variations. To conclude, all materials increased microhardness and affected the dentine surface appearance and chemical composition; EQUIA Forte HT demonstrated the most pronounced effects.

Simulating glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) with a two-phase/layer debris flow model considering fluid-solid flow transitions

AbstractGlacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) initiate with the rapid outburst of a glacier lake, endangering downstream populations, land, and infrastructure. The flow initiates as a mud flow; however, with the entrainment of additional solid material, the flood will often transform into a debris flow. As the run-out slope flattens, the coarse solid material deposits and the flow de-waters. The flow transforms back into a muddy, hyperconcentrated flow of fine sediments in suspension. These flow transitions change the flow composition dramatically and influence both the overall mass balance and flow rheology of the event. In this paper, we apply a two-phase/layer model to simulate flow transitions, solid–fluid phase separations, entrainment, and run-out distances of glacier lake outburst floods. A key feature of the model is the calculation of dilatant actions in the solid–fluid mixture which control flow transitions and phase separations. Given their high initial amount of fluid within the flow, GLOFs are sensitive to slope changes inducing flow transitions, which also implies changes in the flow rheology. The changes in the rheology are computed as a function of the flow composition and do not need any adaptation by ad-hoc selection of friction coefficients. This procedure allows the application of constant rheological input parameters from initiation to run-out. Our goal is to increase the prediction reliability of debris flow modeling. We highlight the problems associated with initial and boundary (entrainment) conditions. We test the new model against the well-known Lake 513 (Peru, 2010), Lake Palcacocha (Peru, 1941), and Lake Uchitel in the Aksay Valley (Kyrgyzstan) GLOF events. We show that flow transition modeling is essential when studying areas that have significant variations in slope.

Soil surface roughness impacts the risk arising from a hypothetical urban radiological dispersive device activation.

This study considers a deliberate hypothetical release of radioactive material over an inhabited urban zone. The event is initiated by the activation of a radiological dispersion device. The main threat is the deposition of radioactive material onto the soil's surface. The radiation represents the threat-defining risks, which depend on the main variables, i.e. soil surface roughness, sex, age of the exposed individuals and the moment of the release (day or nighttime). This study aims to evaluate the effect of soil surface roughness on the radiological risk. The simulation was performed by an analytical method using the HotSpot Health Physics code within the first 100h. The results found relevant elements that allow for differentiating consequences as a function of the time of release (whether daytime or nighttime), thus allowing decision-makers to be supported with a little more detail about the situation, although in a critical initial phase.

UNCREWED AERIAL SPRAY SYSTEMS FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL: EFFICACY STUDIES FOR SPACE SPRAYS.

Achieving an appropriate droplet size distribution for adulticiding has proved problematic for unmanned aerial spray systems (UASSs). The high-pressure pumping systems utilized on crewed aircraft conflict with the weight constraints of UASSs. The alternative is a lightweight rotary atomizer, which when run at a maximum rpm with a minimal flow rate can achieve the appropriate droplet size distribution. For this study a UASS was calibrated to discharge an appropriate droplet size distribution (Dv0.5 of 48 µm and Dv0.9 of 76 µm). Spray was released from an altitude of 23 m (75 ft). The spray plume was shown to effectively disperse through the sampling zone. To achieve the appropriate application rate, the flight speed was 3 m/sec (6.7 mph) with an assumed swath of 150 m (500 ft). The objective of this project was not to conduct an operational application; instead only 1 flight line was used so that the effective swath width could be confirmed and the appropriate flightline separation defined. This study showed that control was achieved across distances of 100-150 m. Considering a swath width of 150 m (500 ft), ground deposition was 13-36% of applied material. Spray deposition corresponded well with the mortality data, which helped improve confidence in the data. The overall conclusion from this study is that aerial adulticiding is feasible with the system presented here. Further work is required to improve the atomization system to allow operational flight speeds and to determine the interaction between release altitude and droplet size in order to minimize ground deposition of application material.

Thermal Regeneration of Spent Sand with Furfuryl Binder from an Ecological and Economic Point of View.

The recovery of the grain matrix from spent moulding sand is a constant challenge in making the best possible use of the deposits of quartz sand material, as well as in protecting them. In the case of spent sand with organic binders, the best method to recover the grain matrix is thermal regeneration. However, this method is expensive and requires adequate attention to the emission of harmful compounds into the atmosphere. This paper presents a new concept for implementing the thermal regeneration process. A suitable regeneration temperature was adopted for the furfuryl binder moulding sand, and a change in the design of the device was introduced in the area of the utilisation of gases generated during the combustion of the spent binder. To confirm the assumptions made, and to assess the appropriate suitability of the material recovered, the technological parameters of the material obtained were verified, namely, ignition losses, sieve analysis, bending strength, and pH value. The consumption of media for the process was also analysed from an economic point of view, as well as the emission of BTEX (a mixture of volatile aromatic hydrocarbons-benzene, toluene and three isomers of xylene) gases under different conditions of the process. On the basis of the research conducted, it was concluded that lowering the regeneration temperature of regeneration does not adversely affect the technological parameters of the moulding sand on the regenerate matrix. Changing the design of the regenerator does not result in increased emissions of harmful substances to the environment. Studies indicate that the appropriate setting of thermal regeneration parameters and the optimal design of the employed equipment are favourable factors in reducing the cost of the process while not compromising the quality of the moulding sand and the environmental impact.