Thermoelectric energy conversion that converts waste heat into electricity has attracted much attention as a potential clean energy technology. The performance of thermoelectric materials is determined by the dimensionless figure of merit (ZT), which is equal to σS2T/κ where the κ is the thermal conductivity, the S is the Seebeck coefficient and the σ is the electrical conductivity. The σS2 stands the power factor. Even though a low k and a high-PF are needed to reach high ZT values, the conflicting relationship between the S and the σ limits the further modulation of ZT of thermoelectric materials. Conducting polymers are promising to be the next generation of thermoelectric materials. They have intrinsically low κ and potentially high σ, cost-effectiveness, large area processing and facile synthesis. Conductive polymers have been widely investigated as thermoelectric materials. Among the polymer TE materials studied, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), is particularly of interest. It is thermally stable, water processable and can be highly electrically conductive upon post-treatment. It was reported that the σ of PEDOT:PSS films can be greatly enhanced by various post-treatment methods to increase the charge carrier concentration. However, this high doping level results in a small S value because of the extra charge carrier and hence appropriate methods that enhance the S value are required. Moreover, earlier studies have already shown that the power factor could be improved by regulating the redox level through electrochemical or chemical methods optimizing thermoelectric properties through the control of charge carrier concentration. On the other hand, chemicals used in the enhancement of thermoelectric properties are mostly toxic, and its large-scale use should be avoided because of safety and environmental issues. This work will report several chemicals to tune the oxidation level of PEDOT: PSS films and enhance their electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient and environmental stability.
Many alloy systems have different phases at different conditions and these phases are described in phase diagrams as alloy composition-temperature, or composition-pressure dependent. A series of alloy system exhibit a peculiar property called shape memory effect at the in β-phase region. These alloys are very sensitive to external conditions, and crystal structures turn into other crystal structures by thermal and mechanical reactions on cooling and stressing, by means of crystallographic transformation, thermal and stress induced martensitic transformations. Thermal induced martensitic transformation occurs in atomic scale on cooling the material from parent phase region, and interatomic interactions govern this transition. Shape memory is characterized by the recoverability of two certain shapes of material at different temperatures. These alloys possess two unique abilities: the capacity to recover large strains and to generate internal forces during their activation. The basis of this phenomenon is the stimulus-induced phase transformations, martensitic transitions, which govern the remarkable changes in internal crystalline structure and properties of the materials. Thermal induced martensitic transformations occur along with lattice twinning on cooling from parent β-phase region and ordered parent phase structures turn into twinned martensite structures. The twinned structures turn into detwinned martensite structures by means of stress induced transformation by stressing the material in the martensitic condition. Thermal induced transformation occurs as martensite variants with cooperative movements of atoms in -type directions on the {110} - type planes of austenite matrix, by means of lattice invariant shear. These alloys exhibit another property called superelasticity, which is performed in only mechanical manner by stressing and releasing the material in parent phase region just over austenite finish temperature. Superelasticity exhibits ordinary elastic material behaviour and recover the original shape after releasing. Superelasticity exhibit nonlinearity, stressing and releasing paths are different at stress-strain diagram and hysteresis loops refers to the energy dissipation. Copper based alloys exhibit this property in metastable β-phase region, which has bcc-based structures at high temperature parent phase field. Lattice invariant shear is not uniform in these alloys and give rise to the formation of layered structures, like 3R, 9R or 18R depending on the stacking sequences on the close-packed planes of the ordered lattice. The unit cell and periodicity are completed through 18 layers thorough z-axis in 18R martensite. In the present contribution, x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies were carried out on two copper based CuZnAl and CuAlMn alloys. X-ray diffractograms taken in a long-time interval show that locations and intensities of diffraction peaks change with the aging time at room temperature. Especially, some of the successive peak pairs providing a special relation between Miller indices come close each other, and this result refers to the redistribution of atoms in diffusive manner.
Nanotechnology has been an emerging area of research due to its versatile application in many research areas. Composite comprise of mixing two component where one is matrix and other one is reinforce materials. The reinforce materials based on their nano sizes results in nanocomposite materials. The nanocomposite materials usually possess a high surface area which ultimately enables in the remediation of waste water. Waste water remediation usually has variety of area and our research group mainly focusses on the removal of organic and inorganic components from waste water. The current talk will be focused on the synthesis and future application of nanocomposite materials for waste water remediation.
Heavy metals polluted soils are a significant worldwide environmental problem. The crops cultivated in polluted soils often contain significant levels of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, etc.) that can impair human health. The current technologies such as removing up of pollutants, stabilization/solidification of pollutants, vitrification, soil capping, etc., used in remediation of polluted soils are not adequate. Smarter and cheaper techniques still to be addressed to decontaminate polluted soil. In the present study, nanotechnology has been adopted to immobilize heavy metals in polluted soil, in which nano-particles; nano-scale zero valent iron, bentonite-nZVI, nano alginite, nano carbon and dendrimers are used as immobilizing agents. Six soil samples collected from different locations in Egypt which have been polluted by either sewage sludge, industrial wastes, or vehicle exhausts, are treated with nano-immobilizingagents, at three rates of 0.1, 0.5 and 1%. The treated soil samples are incubated for two months which were subjected to eight wetting and drying cycles. At the end of the incubation period, the soils were analyzed for the determination of total, plant available as extracted using DTPA solution, and various chemical fractions of Cd and Pb. The results showed that all nano-immobilizing agents proved high efficiency to reduce the level of DTPA extractable-Cd and Pb. The magnitude of the reduction varied as both agent and rate of application varied. The efficiency of the tested nano-agents to immobilize Cd and Pb increased as the rate of application increased. The sequential extraction experiment showed that, nano immobilizing agents successfully altered Cd and Pb from mobile to immobile form as the exchangeable Cd and Pb significantly decreased in all tested soils, whereas, carbonate- and oxides- boundCd and-Pb significantly increased. Also, the results of the pot experiment showed that application of nano-materials to polluted soils at rates of 1% and 2% significantly increased fresh and dry weight of crop Garden Rocket (Eruca sativa) and decreased uptake of Cd and Pb
Of late, the cost of medicines is a recurring subject of debate in Europe and it is anticipated that this topic will be discussed more intensely in the years to come. In this regard, the application of compulsory patent licensing and the (wider) application of the compounding exemption (formula magistralis) are seriously investigated by the Dutch Minister of Medical Care as an instrument to curb the cost of medicines. In respect to the latter, a legislative proposal is underway which would exonerate pharmacists from patent infringement when compounding medicinal products for direct use for individual cases on medical prescription in pharmacies. This presentation explores in view of the applicable legislation and case law whether these solutions have been correctly identified as the solution to the problem of expensive medicinal products. Pursuant to e.g. the TRIPS Agreement, compulsory patent licensing in view of the general interest is (at least) to be used in combination with an adequate remuneration. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile mentioning that a compulsory license in the public interest was recently granted (and upheld in appeal) in Germany for the HIV drug Isentress. The available case law with respect to compounding and the rationale thereof has demonstrated that it is solely to be utilized as an exception to the rule, which makes it unsuitable as a general solution. Patients are not guaranteed for the same quality control as authorized medicinal products and therefore a proper substantiated justification for this deviation is required. Such justification may when comparing European case law probably not be sought in financial gain leaving aside the fact that this affects the level playing field. This presentation is very relevant for parties manufacturing or marketing high-cost medicinal products. Recent Publications 1. Later-Nijland (2018) Annotation to e.g. ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2017:12046 ???The Alimta cases??? (Patent infringement cases concerning Alimta) Jurisprudentie Geneesmiddelenrecht (???Case law Pharmaceutical law???), (Apr 6) 2018, Sdu [in Dutch] 2. Later-Nijland (2018) Annotation to ECLI:NL:RVS:2017:1175 ???The Biodent case??? (The Dutch Council of State rules that this caries protection product should be classified as both a medicinal product by presentation as well as a medicinal product by function) Jurisprudentie Geneesmiddelenrecht (???Case law Pharmaceutical law???), Apr, 2018, Sdu [in Dutch] 3. Later-Nijland H. (2016) Statutory prohibition inducements concerning medical devices upcoming, Life Sciences & recht, Jan 26, DeLex [in Dutch] 4. Nijland H M J, Ruslami R, Stalenhoef J E, Nelwan E J, Alisjahbana B, Nelwan R H, Ven A J A M van der, Danusantoso H, Aarnoutse R E and Crevel R van (2006) Exposure to rifampicin is strongly reduced in patients with tuberculosis and type 2 diabetes. Clinical Infectious Disease 43(7):848-854. 5. Nijland H M J, L'homme R F A, Rongen G A P J M, Uden P van, Crevel R van, Boeree M J, Aarnoutse R E, Koopmans P P and Burger D M (2008) High incidence of adverse events in healthy volunteers receiving rifampicin and adjusted doses of lopinavir/ritonavir. AIDS. 22(8):931-5.
