Separate Cycles Research Articles

Biomimetic super-wetting membranes via in-situ growth and synchronous integration of ZIF nanoleaves (ZIF-Ls) for emulsified oily wastewater purification and catalytic Knoevenagel condensation

To address the increasingly severe oil spill accidents and water contamination, the development of super-wetting membranes with high oil/water separation efficiency is in great demand but remains challenging. The critical challenge lies in the rational design and fabrication of robust rough surface with hierarchical micro/nano-structure. In this study, biomimetic super-wetting polyacrylonitrile composite membrane was developed through in-situ synthesis and synchronous integration of zeolitic imidazolate framework nanoleaves (ZIF-Ls). Thorough investigation was conducted to assess the effect of the ZIF-Ls growth time on membrane morphology and surface wetting property. Incorporating the nanoleaf-like ZIF-Ls onto the surface of the membrane provided the surface with micro/nano rough structure and superamphiphilic/superlyophobic features. The prepared membrane showed great separation capability toward various O/W and W/O emulsions, and could be easily regenerated by employing a simple rinsing and drying procedure with high separation efficiency sustained even after multiple separation cycles. Moreover, the membrane with ZIF-Ls demonstrated outstanding catalytic performance in the Knoevenagel condensation. This study achieves advancements in the development of super-wettable membranes with outstanding performance in separating emulsions and the as-prepared membranes have the potential to serve as promising candidates for practical oily mixture treatment.

Bioinspired interlaced wetting surfaces for continuous on-demand emulsion separation

Maintaining high separation performance during continuous emulsion separation remains a challenge. Herein, based on biomimetic coupling ideas, hole array interlaced wetting surfaces (HAIWSs) and mastoid array interlaced wetting surfaces (MAIWSs) were prepared by laser processing, electroless silver deposition, thiol modification, and spraying for on-demand emulsion separation. When the separation is going on, randomly moving emulsion droplets are prone to being captured by holes or mastoids due to interlaced wettability. Under this unique interface behavior, the occurrence of filter cake and pore clogging is reduced, thus achieving both high efficiency (∼99.5 and ∼99.3 %). Meanwhile, the high flux can also be maintained (∼3212 and ∼3458 L m−2 h−1). Significantly better than surfaces without pores or mastoid structures. Further, the as-prepared surfaces also exhibit excellent recyclability. After 50 separation cycles, optimized HAIWS and MAIWS still maintained high efficiency (∼96.2 and ∼95.8 %) and high flux (∼3042 and ∼3164 L m−2 h−1), exceeding other surfaces without hole or mastoid structure. Notably, complex physical/chemical cleaning processes are avoided. Besides, even in harsh conditions, HAIWS and MAIWS still maintain excellent stability. The above strategy provides a novel mechanism for effective on-demand emulsion separation and is expected to encourage the creation of new-class separation devices for oily wastewater treatment in industry.

A versatile superhydrophilic/air-superoleophobic glass fiber membrane: Fabrication and application in oil/water separation

Superwetting materials have received extensive interest owing to their potential for efficient oil/water separation. Herein, a superhydrophilic-superoleophobic glass fiber membrane was fabricated through a simple spraying coating method. The membrane was coated with a composite layer of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), fluorosurfactant (FS-50) and TiO2 nanoparticles. Accordingly, both hydrophilic groups (i.e., -OH) and oleophobic groups (i.e., fluorinated groups) were distributed on the membrane, and its surface roughness was improved by TiO2. The contact angles of water and oil on the coated membrane were 0° and 156.8° in air, respectively. By virtue of its selective permeability, it demonstrated separation efficiencies larger than 99.2 % for oil/water mixtures, which remained 98.7 % after 40 separation cycles. Furthermore, its separation efficiencies for oil-in-water emulsions were over 98.3 %, which remained 98 % after 10 separation cycles. Owing to its strong superoleophobicity, it displayed prominent anti-oil-fouling performance both in air and underwater. Besides, presence of TiO2 endowed it with photocatalytic capability, enabling it to recover from organic dye pollution. Moreover, the coated membrane maintained superoleophobic after 10 sandpaper-abrading or squeezing cycles. It also exhibited excellent stability under acid/alkali/salt conditions. The study provided new insights for constructing superwetting materials and an effective strategy for oil/water separation.

Double bioinspired of robust BaSO4/SnO2 membrane with anti-crude oil adhesion and remarkable emulsion separation

Pollution from oily waste water is a serious environmental problem worldwide, causing serious damage to the environment and human health. At the same time, emulsifiers also cause great difficulties in wastewater treatment. Although efforts have been made to develop many high performance emulsion separation membranes, it is difficult to have the ability to resist crude oil pollution in practical applications. The construction of superoleophobic micro/nano-scale lamellar structured membranes with the potential to efficiently separate oil/water emulsions was inspired by the observation of bi-organisms, specifically the oil-resistant properties of fish scales and the unique adhesion of mussels. Tin dioxide, polydopamine and hydrophilic barium sulphate have been modified on the surface of stainless steel mesh by in-situ hydrothermal and dip coating. The superhydrophilic stainless steel mesh was successfully prepared by using the adhesion of polydopamine. Using the excellent underwater hydration ability of tin dioxide and the hydroxyl group-rich hydrophilic barium sulfate, the modified membrane showed excellent resistance to crude oil pollution. The superhydrophilic membrane can continuously separate different types of oil-in-water emulsions with high separation efficiency (99.9 %) and excellent separation flux (900 L m−2 h−1), with no decrease in efficiency and flux after 10 emulsion separation cycles. In addition, the superhydrophilic membrane has excellent durability and stability, remaining super-oleophobic underwater to sand shock, sandpaper abrasion, high saline corrosion and UV ageing. The prepared stainless steel membrane not only provides a novel anti-fouling strategy, but its excellent stability also provides some new inspiration for the treatment of oil and water pollution in the future.

Preparation of superhydrophobic coatings with excellent durability by synergistic reinforcement of cationic starch and tannic acid

The intrinsic hydrophilicity of sustainable and environmentally friendly biobased materials like starch and its derivatives limits their potential as hydrophobic functional materials. This study presents an eco-friendly and non-toxic method to create coatings with exceptionally high hydrophobicity. Octadecyltrimethoxysilane (ODS) reacts with nano silica (SiO2) through a silane coupling reaction to form superhydrophobic SiO2. The Si-OH groups generated from ODS hydrolysis can undergo a condensation reaction with tannic acid (TA), which is rich in phenolic hydroxyl groups. This enables the hydrophobic silane to bind indirectly with cationic starch (CS), resulting in a stable superhydrophobic CS-based coating. The coating demonstrates significant hydrophobicity (contact angle >170°), excellent UV light transmittance (<4.05 %), self-cleaning properties, prolonged shelf life (over eight months), antibacterial activity, and encapsulation capability. It also shows a separation efficiency exceeding 99 % after 25 oil-water separation cycles and is easily recoverable. The study elucidates the mechanism behind the preparation process and the factors enhancing hydrophobic properties. The research findings suggest that the novel, cost-effective CS/TA/ODS/SiO2 coating offers a scalable solution for superhydrophobic applications and broadens the horizon for green starch use in hydrophobic materials.

Candle soot-modified rPET electrospun nanofibrous membrane for separating on-demand oil-water mixture and emulsions

The CS-rPET electrospun nanofibrous membrane is fabricated from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) through electrospinning and enhanced with candle soot (CS) to separate oil-water mixtures and emulsions when pre-wetted by oil or water. Using rPET polymers and CS waste reduces the environmental impact of plastic bottle waste and improves its value. The CS-rPET electrospun nanofibrous membrane showed excellent separation performance in oil-water mixtures, achieving over 81.18 % and 71.38 % of separation efficiency through 40 separation cycles after pre-wetting by oil and after washing with ethanol and pre-wetting by water, respectively. The membrane maintained high separation performance after being pre-wetted by oil for water-in-oil emulsions with efficiencies above 99 % and flux exceeding 12,200 L m−2 h−1. Similarly, the efficiencies remained above 98 % for oil-in-water emulsions after being pre-wetted by water, with a flux over 8000 L m−2 h−1. Additionally, the CS-rPET electrospun nanofibrous membrane exhibited high separation efficiencies above 97 % and flux over 14,000 L m−2 h−1 after pre-wetting by oil and 7700 L m−2 h−1 after pre-wetting by water in harsh environmental conditions. Its adaptability of switchable wettability on-demand after pre-wetting by oil or water highlights its potential for a wide range of challenging oil-water separation applications. However, multiple separation cycles, separation efficiency and flux were reduced, indicating the necessity to improve the membrane's efficiency and reduce the chance of water accumulation in multicycle separation.

Intergenerational continuation of parent-child separation and 1-year telomere length attrition among mother-offspring dyads in rural China: The moderating effects of resilience

BackgroundAlthough stressor exposure early in life was known risk factor for telomere length (TL) attrition, limited literature explored it across generations. Furthermore, the effects of resilience have rarely been examined. Here, we examined whether the effects of intergenerational parent-child separation on offspring 1-year TL attrition vary by the levels of resilience. MethodIn a sample of 342 mother-child dyads living in rural China, the intergenerational continuation of parent-child separation was defined as the two generations both experiencing parent-child separation from both parents for >6 months a year early in life assessed by the parent-reported questionnaire, whereas intergenerational discontinuity refers to parent-child separation exposed in one generation only. TL was measured at baseline (from June to November 2021) and 1-year later with children's buccal mucosa swabs, with resilience polygenic risk scores (PRS) evaluated based on 4 single-nucleotide variations in 4 resilience-related genes (OXTR, FKBP5, NPY, and TNF-α). ResultsAmong 342 mother-offspring dyads, 35 (10.2 %) experienced intergenerational continuation of parent-child separation, and 139 (40.6 %) were identified as discontinuous. Remarkably, a 0.12-point reduction in TL attrition was only associated with intergenerational continuation of parent-child separation (95 % CI: 0.04, 0.21, P < 0.01) but not discontinuity. Importantly, the association between intergenerational continuation of parent-child separation with accelerated TL attrition disappeared in offspring with high resilience PRS (β = 0.07, 95%CI: −0.06, 0.21). ConclusionOur findings highlight the importance of breaking the intergenerational cycle of parent-child separation and the moderating effects of resilience on TL attrition for children exposed to adversity.

Advanced absorption-storage water molecules strategy reinforces antifouling property for stable oil/water emulsions separation

Constructing membranes with extraordinary resistance to oil contamination under high permeation flux is a considerable challenge. Herein, an advanced absorption-storage water molecules strategy is proposed for constructing the robust hydration layers to achieve effective anti-oil fouling and stable oily wastewater purification. Specifically, metal–organic framework (MOF, UiO-66-NH2) nanoparticles with powerful water-absorbing characteristics are preferentially adsorbed to collect water in oil/surfactant/water systems. Combining excellent water retention, the micro-/ nano-networks formed by attapulgite (APT) could store the water molecules captured by MOF. The synergistic effect of the water-absorbing/water-retaining interactions between the MOF and APT created robust hydration layers defense barriers, which enhanced the resistance of membrane to oil contamination. Furthermore, the abundant hydrophilic groups (e.g., –OH, –NH2 and –CONH2) of chitosan (CS) further improved the membrane surface hydrophilic coverage, permeability and hydration ability. As a result, the developed CS/APT@MOF composite membrane exhibited significant anti-oil fouling capability and realized superior purification property towards various oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by surfactants. The CS/APT@MOF composite membrane demonstrated outstanding oil repellency (flux recovery ratio > 99.6 %, total flux decline ratio < 3.8 %) over 10 cycles under large permeability (>660 L m-2h−1 bar−1). Meanwhile, the constructed CS/APT@MOF composite membrane exhibited stable separation cycle capability (10 cycles) and continuous purification performance (60 min) for different oil/water emulsions. Therefore, this advanced strategy based on absorption-storage water molecules to construct robust hydration layers provides a promising insight for the development of superior antifouling and operationally stable oil/water emulsions separation membranes.

Mesh coated with microbially induced nanoscale vaterite for oil-in-water emulsion separation

Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP), with its hydrophilic rough microstructures and as an environmentally friendly material modification method, has shown great potential for oil-water separation. However, its efficiency in separating oil-in-water emulsions remains challenging. This study advances the MICP method by producing microbially induced nanoscale calcium carbonate on a mesh using calcium acetate instead of traditional calcium chloride, successfully achieving efficient separation of oil-in-water emulsions. The stainless-steel mesh (SSM) after calcium acetate-MICP treatment obtained nano-elliptical flake-like vaterite (vaterite-SSM) and demonstrated superior superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity compared to the mesh coated with micro-cubic structured calcite (calcite-SSM) treated by calcium chloride-MICP. Notably, vaterite-SSM achieved a flux of up to 309 L·m−2·h−1 and an oil rejection rate of over 98.7 % in gravity-driven separation of oil-in-water emulsions, demonstrating significant reusability after 6 cycles. Conversely, calcite-SSM was ineffective in emulsion separation due to coating instability and large particle spacing. Additionally, vaterite-SSM effectively separated various oil-water mixtures, maintaining high performance across 30 separation cycles. This study underscores the important use of calcium acetate in MICP to obtain nano-elliptical flake-like vaterite for efficient oil-water emulsion separation, advancing the promise of MICP as an effective and sustainable method for environmental applications.

Bioinspired surface silicification of cellulose-mediated PVDF membranes for significantly enhancing superhydrophilicity and anti-oil adhesion toward ultrafast oil/water emulsion separation

Cellulose is a widely used hydrophilic material due to its rich hydrophilic hydroxyl groups. However, the presence of its lipophilic segment will affect the antifouling performance. Finding strategies to improve this problem has attracted considerable attention. In this work, a layer of silica was applied to a cellulose-deposited polyvinylidene fluoride membrane through a straightforward in-situ bionic silicification process of tetraethyl orthosilicate. The contact angle and oil droplet contact test proved that the high-hydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity of the silicified membranes were significantly enhanced. The surface structure and composition were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results of show that this improvement was mainly attributed to the presence of silicon hydroxyl groups, buried cellulose chains, and micro-nanostructures composed of cellulose and silica. The stable silica coating also provided protection for the polymeric membrane against degradation after water washing for 24 h, ultrasonic treatment (40 KHZ) for 10 min or exposure to different pH levels (pH=1, 4, 9 and 12) and saturated sodium chloride solution for 24 h. Furthermore, the silicified membrane showed outstanding oil adhesion resistance and permeation flux, enabling effective purification of different oil-in-water emulsions that were stabilized by emulsifiers. Notably, the membrane achieved a high oil removal rate (> 99.4 %) of various emulsions (toluene-in-water, cyclohexane-in-water, tetrachloroethane-in-water, soybean oil-in-water, toluene-in-salt solution, toluene-in-acid solution and toluene-in-alkaline solution emulsions). In particular, for toluene-in-water emulsions (oil droplets in the emulsion ranged from 58.77 nm to 615.1 nm), a significantly enhanced permeation flux (4777 L·m−2·h−1·bar−1) was obtained at 0.8 bar pressure. Even after multiple cycles of separation, the flux was higher than that of the unsilicified membrane. Overall, this approach is mild, simple, efficient, and easily scalable, making it an ideal method for producing superhydrophilic coatings with substantial application potential.

A Carrier Phase Ultrafiltration and Backflow Recovery Technique for Purification of Biological Macromolecules.

A simple carrier phase based ultrafiltration technique that is akin to liquid chromatography and is suitable for medium-to-large volume sample preparation in the laboratory is discussed in this paper. A membrane module was integrated with a liquid chromatography system in a "plug and play" mode for ease of sample handling, and recovery of species retained by the membrane. The sample injector and pump were used for feed injection and for driving ultrafiltration, while the sensors and detectors were used for real-time monitoring of the separation process. The concentration of retained species was enriched by utilizing controlled concentration polarization. The recovery of the retained and enriched species was enhanced by backflow of carrier phase through the membrane using appropriate combination of valves. The backflow of carrier phase also cleaned the membrane and limited the extent of membrane fouling. Proof-of-concept of the proposed technique was provided by conducting different types of protein ultrafiltration experiments. The technique was shown to be suitable for carrying out protein fractionation, desalting, buffer exchange and concentration enrichment. Adoption of this approach is likely to make ultrafiltration easier to use for non-specialized users in biological research laboratories. Other advantages include enhanced product recovery, significant reduction in the number of diavolumes of buffer needed for conducting desalting and buffer exchange, minimal membrane fouling and the potential for repeated use of the same module for multiple separation cycles.

Which street characteristics support cycling for transport among vulnerable groups in traffic: A think-aloud study in virtual reality

Although several health benefits are associated with cycling, this mode of active transport remains underrepresented. Studies have shown that individuals' preferred mode of transport is influenced by the environment in which they travel. While macro-environmental factors shape active transport, micro-environmental aspects offer adaptable solutions. In this paper, we used novel and promising Virtual Reality (VR) technology to investigate which street characteristics regarding safety and attractiveness are important for promoting cycling for transport in three vulnerable groups in traffic, i.e., adolescents, adults with a low SES, and older adults. Participants cycled through two virtual streets based on existing streets in Ghent, Belgium. The think-aloud method was used to collect qualitative data during cycling and afterward participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire about the VR experience, self-reported cycling behavior, and sociodemographic factors. Transcribed files were analyzed using content analysis, revealing 14 crucial street characteristics. Separate cycling paths, clear markings and traffic signs, even surfaces, calm streets, spacious layouts, and aesthetically pleasing environments were found to be important by all target groups. Adolescents and older adults emphasized slower traffic, visibility, wider cycle paths, high curbs, and sudden unexpected actions. Secure bicycle parking was crucial for adolescents, while older adults valued green environments and had mixed opinions on traffic-calming structures. This study underscores the significance of micro-scale street features in promoting active transport among vulnerable groups. Additionally, it demonstrates the potential of VR for inclusive urban design and citizen-based science.

High-Strength and High-Toughness Supramolecular Materials for Self-Healing Triboelectric Nanogenerator.

The development of self-healing materials provides a new opportunity and challenge for advancing triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). However, the low strength and low toughness of self-healing triboelectric materials often result in the deformation or breakage of TENG under high mechanical loads, thereby limiting their potential applications. Herein, a new strategy for fabricating self-healing triboelectric materials is reported, which introduces cross-linking networks with hydrogen bonds and metal coordination bonds. The desired high performance can be achieved by simply adjusting the molar ratio of the metal to the ligand. When the molar ratio is 1:2, the tensile strength, toughness, and elongation atbreak of the material reached 13.7MPa, 76.9MJ m-3, and 1321%, respectively. Furthermore, its self-healing efficiency can reach 74% at 70°C in 6 h. Working in contact-separation mode, the electrical output can reach 164V, 18.2µA, 57.5 nC, with a maximum power density of 2.54W m-2. Notably, even if it is sheared, the electrical output performances of TENG can be completely recovered to the original state. In addition, the developed TENG exhibits excellent output stability over 10000 contact separation cycles. This study presents a promising approach for the development of stretchable smart generators.

Interfacial charge demulsification endowed dual-network photocatalytic hydrogen-bonded PVA@agarose membranes for oil-water separation

Hydrogel materials with hydrophilic cross-linked network exhibit remarkable super-wettability, enabling their widespread application in oily wastewater treatment. However, the single and loose structure lacks sufficient strength and porosity to resist long-term degradation. Herein, a structural synergistic molecular strategy was reported to introduce reinforcing phase structures and interfacial active sites into the polymer networks for long-term oil-water emulsion separation. The carbon skeleton was uniformly interspersed through the strongly hydrogen-bonded polymer chains via covalent bonds, resulting in a hydrogel network with high mechanical strength and exceptional flow conductivity, which maintained a separation flux of 1233 L m−2 h−1 after 20 separation cycles under gravitational force. Dense negative charges on the surface disrupted the internal charge stability of the oil-water emulsion, leading to remarkable demulsification with a separation efficiency exceeding 99 %. Simultaneously, the strong redox reaction of the photoheterojunction effectively removed organic dyes under visible light, enhancing the overall antifouling performance. This study provided a feasible strategy at the molecular level for optimizing the suitability of hydrogels for oil-water emulsion separation.

Which Global Cycle? A Stochastic Factor Selection Approach for Global Macro-Financial Cycles

Abstract Instead of assuming a certain factor structure, we statistically test for the factor structure driving common global dynamics in macroeconomic and financial data by employing a stochastic factor selection approach. Using a sample of 16 developed countries from 1996Q1 to 2019Q4, we present strong empirical evidence of a global macro-financial cycle and an independent global financial cycle. Moreover, the global macro-financial cycle we estimate is essentially the global business cycle identified in the literature. It captures the common global macroeconomic dynamics and drives a significant share of the comovement in the financial sector. The remaining commonality in financial variables is driven by separate global financial cycles: the global credit cycle and the global capital flow cycle.

A cauliflower-like MXene based membrane with light trapping ability for oily wastewater treatment

Notable strides have been made in membrane technology, yet challenges persist in separating complex oily wastewater. Thus, developing an advanced, high-flux filtration membrane that resists oil and degrades organic pollutants is vital. Herein, we developed a novel TiO2-MX@PVDF ESM with unique cauliflower-like structures, imparting superwetting behaviour for effective water capture and oil droplet repulsion, thereby improving oil/water separation. Additionally, it exhibits excellent oil-fouling resistance despite multiple separation cycles. Furthermore, its light-trapping ability and unique band structure degrade the malachite green dye. Thus, this work introducesan achievable approach for designing dual-functional membranes to address challenging oily wastewater.

Effect of electrolyte circulation on hydrogen-in-oxygen in alkaline water electrolysis

The concentration of hydrogen in oxygen (HTO) is a crucial factor in determining the load limit of alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) due to the risk of explosion with high HTO levels. In this study, we analysed the impact of circulating electrolytes, carrying dissolved gas, on HTO in a home-designed zero-gap alkaline water electrolysis system, operating at atmospheric pressure and constant temperature. By comparing the experimental results from mixed and separated cycles, we found that the amount of dissolved hydrogen in the electrolyte significantly contributes to HTO. We then developed a theoretical model to predict HTO values and experimentally confirmed a linear relationship between the HTO and the ratio of electrolyte circulation to gas production (QL/ QO2). Based on this evidence, we proposed a new electrolyte circulation control strategy that reduces the HTO value by as much as 63.56%. These findings could help overcome the load limit of alkaline water electrolysis systems, which is crucial for their large-scale application.

Comparing Container Closure Integrity Test Methods - Performance of Headspace Carbon Dioxide Analysis versus Helium Leakage Using Positive Controls.

As described in USP Chapter <1207>, the deterministic leak test methods using laser-based gas headspace analysis and helium leakage are those with the highest sensitivities. As stated in the chapter, ″no single package leak test or package seal quality test method is applicable to all product-package systems″; therefore, knowing the advantages and disadvantages of both of these techniques, and the extent to which they can be substituted for each other, is valuable. In an effort to begin addressing this issue, a systematic study using these two techniques has been performed. This study used the same well-defined positive controls prepared with microcapillaries for both measurement techniques. For the headspace gas analysis technique, the headspace carbon dioxide content was measured at multiple timepoints during three separate conditioning cycles using either a 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 bar CO2 overpressure; the observed change in headspace carbon dioxide was then used to determine an ingress rate for each positive control. For the helium leakage technique, the positive controls were measured with a standard helium leak detector with 100% helium atmosphere on the atmospheric pressure side of the artificial defects. The resulting leakage rates from both techniques were compared for ingress into both ISO 2R and ISO 10R vials. The obtained correlation between helium and carbon dioxide leakage rates resulted in a minimum R2 coefficient of 0.98 across all 12 runs. Additionally, both setups met the acceptance criteria for accuracy with their respective calibrated standards.

Superhydrophobic hierarchically porous polymer modified by epoxidized soybean oil and stearic acid synergy for highly efficient sustainable oil-water separation

Environmental and human health are adversely affected by oil and organic wastewater pollution of water resources. However, it has always been difficult to develop an adsorption material that is multifunctional and able to remove multiple pollutants. A new hierarchically porous polymers have been synthesized using high internal phase emulsions (HIPE) template, and further modification by a physico-chemical synergy method of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) coupled with stearic acid (STA). The modified polyHIPE (E/S-polyHIPE) exhibit superhydrophobic properties with water contact angle as high as 161.12°, and exhibit excellent robustness and chemical resistance. Oil/water mixtures can be separated using E/S-polyHIPE with a high separation efficiency (99.00–99.42 %), and it has a high oil absorption capacity (16–28 g/g) for a wide range of oil types. After 15 separation cycles, the E/S-polyHIPE exhibits excellent separation efficiency (＞ 97 %) because of its promising mechanical durability. E/S-polyHIPE still performed outstanding oil absorption capacity for floating oil, underwater oil, and emulsified oil, also it can be used as a continuous in-situ oil-water separator. An innovative approach to the fabrication of a sustainable multifunctional absorbent for oily wastewater is presented in this work, which illustrates the great potential for large-scale practical application.

140 Overall Impact of Varying Plastic Surgery LA Trauma Theatre Availability on Service Delivery in a Medium-Sized Plastic Surgery Department – a Single Centre Multi-Cycle Review

Abstract Aim Access to a dedicated local anaesthetic (LA) trauma facility outside standard theatres is a useful tool in the management of surgical trauma. An efficient cost-effective service should provide a see and treat delivery, wherever possible. We analysed the impact of altering service availability on the time between referral and surgical intervention, the time between surgical review and surgical intervention, and overall hospital services. We used this information to establish a pragmatic benchmark for service delivery. Method Between 2020 and 2023, key data was analysed for 5 separate cycles with differing levels of dedicated LA outpatient trauma theatre availability: 100%, 50%, 40%, 37%, 30%. 100% capacity represented two-sessions per day that ran Monday-Friday. Results Falling below 40% capacity caused a significant increase in the proportion of LA plastic surgery cases being performed in CEPOD or other theatres. 100% and 50% capacity saw similar distribution of theatre location. Once LA theatre capacity falls below 50%, this results in a significant delay between referral and day of surgery and a significant delay between senior review and day of surgery. Conclusions Demonstrates that dedicated LA trauma theatre availability of one half-day session daily can be a reasonable and pragmatic level of service provision for similar departments. Lower availability results in disruption to services, including higher main theatres utilisation, greater hospital bed expenditure, and increasing rates delay/cancellation. Increases towards 100% availability have little significant benefit. While this benchmark is specific to the caseload of the single unit, the analysis methods offer a replicable strategy for similar services.