scholarly journals Environmental Impacts of Distributed Manufacturing from 3-D Printing of Polymer Components and Products

2013 ◽  
Vol 1492 ◽  
pp. 85-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Kreiger ◽  
Joshua M. Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ◽  
Mass Scale ◽  
Embodied Energy ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Distributed Manufacturing ◽  
And Performance

ABSTRACTAlthough additive layer manufacturing is well established for rapid prototyping the low throughput and historic costs have prevented mass-scale adoption. The recent development of the RepRap, an open source self-replicating rapid prototyper, has made low-cost 3-D printers readily available to the public at reasonable prices (<$1,000). The RepRap (Prusa Mendell variant) currently prints 3-D objects in a 200x200x140 square millimeters build envelope from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA). ABS and PLA are both thermoplastics that can be injection-molded, each with their own benefits, as ABS is rigid and durable, while PLA is plant-based and can be recycled and composted. The melting temperature of ABS and PLA enable use in low-cost 3-D printers, as these temperature are low enough to use in melt extrusion in the home, while high enough for prints to retain their shape at average use temperatures. Using 3-D printers to manufacture provides the ability to both change the fill composition by printing voids and fabricate shapes that are impossible to make using tradition methods like injection molding. This allows more complicated shapes to be created while using less material, which could reduce environmental impact.As the open source 3-D printers continue to evolve and improve in both cost and performance, the potential for economically-viable distributed manufacturing of products increases. Thus, products and components could be customized and printed on-site by individual consumers as needed, reversing the historical trend towards centrally mass-manufactured and shipped products. Distributed manufacturing reduces embodied transportation energy from the distribution of conventional centralized manufacturing, but questions remain concerning the potential for increases in the overall embodied energy of the manufacturing due to reduction in scale. In order to quantify the environmental impact of distributed manufacturing using 3-D printers, a life cycle analysis was performed on a plastic juicer. The energy consumed and emissions produced from conventional large-scale production overseas are compared to experimental measurements on a RepRap producing identical products with ABS and PLA. The results of this LCA are discussed in relation to the environmental impact of distributed manufacturing with 3-D printers and polymer selection for 3-D printing to reduce this impact. The results of this study show that distributed manufacturing uses less energy than conventional manufacturing due to the RepRap's unique ability to reduce fill composition. Distributed manufacturing also has less emissions than conventional manufacturing when using PLA and when using ABS with solar photovoltaic power. The results of this study indicate that open-source additive layer distributed manufacturing is both technically viable and beneficial from an ecological perspective.

scholarly journals Thermoelectric Performance of Mechanically Mixed BixSb2-xTe3—ABS Composites

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1706
Author(s):  
Zacharias Viskadourakis ◽  
Argiri Drymiskianaki ◽  
Vassilis M. Papadakis ◽  
Ioanna Ioannou ◽  
Theodora Kyratsi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymer Composites ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ◽  
Thermoelectric Performance ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Bismuth Antimony Telluride ◽  
Mechanical Mixing ◽  
Large Scale Production ◽  
Bi Doping

In the current study, polymer-based composites, consisting of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Bismuth Antimony Telluride (BixSb2−xTe3), were produced using mechanical mixing and hot pressing. These composites were investigated regarding their electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient, with respect to Bi doping and BixSb2-xTe3 loading into the composite. Experimental results showed that their thermoelectric performance is comparable—or even superior, in some cases—to reported thermoelectric polymer composites that have been produced using other complex techniques. Consequently, mechanically mixed polymer-based thermoelectric materials could be an efficient method for low-cost and large-scale production of polymer composites for potential thermoelectric applications.

scholarly journals Effects of Ag contents on the microstructure and SERS performance of self-grown Ag nanoparticles/Mo–Ag alloy films

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 751-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinxin Lian ◽  
Yuanjiang Lv ◽  
Haoliang Sun ◽  
David Hui ◽  
Guangxin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Ag Nanoparticles ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Film Surface ◽  
Time Domain Analysis ◽  
Alloy Film ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Alloy Films ◽  
Surface Enhanced Raman ◽  
Ag Film

AbstractAg nanoparticles/Mo–Ag alloy films with different Ag contents were prepared on polyimide by magnetron sputtering. The effects of Ag contents on the microstructure of self-grown Ag nanoparticles/Mo–Ag alloy films were investigated using XRD, FESEM, EDS and TEM. The Ag content plays an important role in the size and number of uniformly distributed Ag nanoparticles spontaneously formed on the Mo–Ag alloy film surface, and the morphology of the self-grown Ag nanoparticles has changed significantly. Additionally, it is worth noting that the Ag nanoparticles/Mo–Ag alloy films covered by a thin Ag film exhibits highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance. The electric field distributions were calculated using finite-difference time-domain analysis to further prove that the SERS enhancement of the films is mainly determined by “hot spots” in the interparticle gap between Ag nanoparticles. The detection limit of the Ag film/Ag nanoparticles/Mo–Ag alloy film for Rhodamine 6G probe molecules was 5 × 10−14 mol/L. Therefore, the novel type of the Ag film/Ag nanoparticles/Mo–Ag alloy film can be used as an ideal SERS-active substrate for low-cost and large-scale production.

scholarly journals Extensive Screening of Green Solvents for Safe and Sustainable UiO-66 Synthesis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diletta Morelli Venturi ◽  
Filippo Campana ◽  
Fabio Marmottini ◽  
Ferdinando Costantino ◽  
Luigi Vaccaro
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Metal Organic Framework ◽  
Dimethyl Formamide ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Green Solvents ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Color Code ◽  
Large Scale Production ◽  
Metal Organic

<p>Zirconium based Metal-Organic Framework UiO-66 is to date considered one of the benchmark compound among stable MOFs and it has attracted a huge attention for its employment in many strategic applications. Large scale production of UiO-66 for industrial purposes requires the use of safe and green solvents, fulfilling the green chemistry principles and able to replace the use of <i>N,N</i>-Dimethyl-Formamide (DMF), which, despite its toxicity, is still considered the most efficient solvent for obtaining UiO-66 of high quality. Herein we report on a survey of about 40 different solvents with different polarity, boiling point and acidity, used for the laboratory scale synthesis of high quality UiO-66 crystals. The solvents were chosen according the European REACH Regulation 1907/2006 among those having low cost, low toxicity and fully biodegradable. Concerning MOF synthesis, the relevant parameters chosen for establishing the quality of the results obtained are the degree are the crystallinity, microporosity and specific surface area, yield and solvent recyclability. Taking into account also the chemical physical properties of all the solvents, a color code was assigned in order to give a final green assessment for the UiO-66 synthesis. Defectivity of the obtained products, the use of acidic modulators and the use of alternative Zr-salts have been also taken into consideration. Preliminary results lead to conclude that GVL (γ-valerolactone) is among the most promising solvents for replacing DMF in UiO-66 MOF synthesis. </p>

scholarly journals Low-cost Large Scale Vermicompost Unit

2021 ◽  
Vol 2115 (1) ◽  
pp. 012026
Author(s):  
Sonam Solanki ◽  
Gunendra Mahore
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Key Innovation ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Large Scale Production ◽  
Term Maintenance

Abstract In the current process of producing vermicompost on a large-scale, the main challenge is to keep the worms alive. This is achieved by maintaining temperature and moisture in their living medium. It is a difficult task to maintain these parameters throughout the process. Currently, this is achieved by building infrastructure but this method requires a large initial investment and long-run maintenance. Also, these methods are limited to small-scale production. For large-scale production, a unit is developed which utilises natural airflow with water and automation. The main aim of this unit is to provide favourable conditions to worms in large-scale production with very low investment and minimum maintenance in long term. The key innovation of this research is that the technology used in the unit should be practical and easy to adopt by small farmers. For long-term maintenance of the technology lesser number of parts are used.

scholarly journals Extensive Screening of Green Solvents for Safe and Sustainable UiO-66 Synthesis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diletta Morelli Venturi ◽  
Filippo Campana ◽  
Fabio Marmottini ◽  
Ferdinando Costantino ◽  
Luigi Vaccaro
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Metal Organic Framework ◽  
Dimethyl Formamide ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Green Solvents ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Color Code ◽  
Large Scale Production ◽  
Metal Organic

<p>Zirconium based Metal-Organic Framework UiO-66 is to date considered one of the benchmark compound among stable MOFs and it has attracted a huge attention for its employment in many strategic applications. Large scale production of UiO-66 for industrial purposes requires the use of safe and green solvents, fulfilling the green chemistry principles and able to replace the use of <i>N,N</i>-Dimethyl-Formamide (DMF), which, despite its toxicity, is still considered the most efficient solvent for obtaining UiO-66 of high quality. Herein we report on a survey of about 40 different solvents with different polarity, boiling point and acidity, used for the laboratory scale synthesis of high quality UiO-66 crystals. The solvents were chosen according the European REACH Regulation 1907/2006 among those having low cost, low toxicity and fully biodegradable. Concerning MOF synthesis, the relevant parameters chosen for establishing the quality of the results obtained are the degree are the crystallinity, microporosity and specific surface area, yield and solvent recyclability. Taking into account also the chemical physical properties of all the solvents, a color code was assigned in order to give a final green assessment for the UiO-66 synthesis. Defectivity of the obtained products, the use of acidic modulators and the use of alternative Zr-salts have been also taken into consideration. Preliminary results lead to conclude that GVL (γ-valerolactone) is among the most promising solvents for replacing DMF in UiO-66 MOF synthesis. </p>

A Ceramic Tubular Probe For Online Substance Concentration Measurement, Manufactured By Ceramic Injection Molding

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 (1) ◽  
pp. 000604-000608
Author(s):  
Matthias Hartmann ◽  
Bertram Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Injection Molding ◽  
Zirconium Oxide ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Tetragonal Zirconia ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Ceramic Injection Molding ◽  
Substance Concentration ◽  
Sensor Effect ◽  
Concentration Measurements

The current research presents recent respective to the work development of a ceramic tubular probe for online substance concentration measurements. The aim was to develop a robust and acid-resistant sensor device, which can be easily included in existing procedural pipeline systems. To archive those goals a lot of factors had to be checked. For the substance concentration measurements a capacitive sensor effect was chosen. With this method even low substance concentrations down to one-tenth of a per cent can be indentified. For the package material zirconium oxide (tetragonal zirconia polycrystal – TZP) was used. Zirconium oxide is a technical ceramic which is wear-resistant, acid-resistant, has a low thermal conductivity, is electrically isolating and can be uses in a ceramic injection molding (CIM) process. In the phase of the sensor design process multiple geometries for the sensor effect and integration space for the evaluation electronics had to be considered. A standardized DN 10 DIN 32676 flanged joint was also added for an unproblematic connection to the pipelines. All these needed geometries had to be integrated into one ceramic element. As a result of these requirements a 3D CAD model of the sensor element was designed. The CAD-file has shown that there was only the CIM technology left to comprehend developed sensor geometry. CIM is a low cost process for large-scale production which is distinguished by high size accuracy. In the CIM process the material shrinkage, this is caused by the needed debindering and sintering steps, had to be considered. The developed ceramic tubular probe was successfully tested in multiple fluidic systems. It has left the test phase and is now ready for maturity phase.

scholarly journals Orientación de Pasajeros con Discapacidad Visual dentro del Sistema de Transporte Masivo Transmilenio, mediante Geolocalización Satelital

Ingeniería ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julián Camargo ◽  
Luis González ◽  
Diego Segura ◽  
Fabian Garay ◽  
Nubia Rincón
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transport ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Mass Scale ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Circuit Boards ◽  
File Storage ◽  
Visually Impaired People ◽  
Mass Scale Production

Context: Although the mass-transport system Transmilenio provides audio information for travelers’ guidance, this is not helpful enough to blind users who are not able to transit easily within the system. For these reason, portable guidance devices are needed to improve the level of autonomy of the visually impaired people while using the transport system.Method: A review of aid devices to improve the level of autonomy of people with visual impairment was conducted so as to define the most practical technology for building an affordable device usable in the city of Bogotá. Subsequently, the functional modules of the device were defined, including file storage, sound reproduction, user interface and satellite geolocalization and location. Once built, the operation of the device was tested with 10 volunteers in condition of visual impairment who were oriented with the device between two main stations of one Transmilenio line; a final statistical study was conducted on the operation and usability perception of the device by the users.Results: 100% of the users were able to reach their destination successfully in the pilot test. In regards to the usability perception, users highlighted features such as sound indications for setting the device and orientation guidance throughout the journey. On the other hand, one of the main difficulties found was to correctly identify the bus approaching the stop and similarly locating the corresponding boarding door, as multiple bus routes may alight in the same door.Conclusions: The device was built incorporating low-cost technologies intended to make it affordable in an eventual mass—scale production. Likewise, a discreet design was chosen so as to lessen the risk of robbery, which unfortunately is a frequent issue in the Transmilenio system due to overcrowding of buses and stations. Additionally, we remark that the prototype can be made smaller by using special—purpose circuit boards. Policy-makers may take into account these considerations for an eventual wide implementation as part of governments’ plans for mobility inclusion in mass-transport systems for disabled people, in comparison with other alternatives such as smart cell phonesLanguage: Spanish.

scholarly journals Biomass and lipid induction strategies in microalgae for biofuel production and other applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Alishah Aratboni ◽  
Nahid Rafiei ◽  
Raul Garcia-Granados ◽  
Abbas Alemzadeh ◽  
José Rubén Morones-Ramírez
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Content ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Lipid Production ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Microalgae Biomass

Abstract The use of fossil fuels has been strongly related to critical problems currently affecting society, such as: global warming, global greenhouse effects and pollution. These problems have affected the homeostasis of living organisms worldwide at an alarming rate. Due to this, it is imperative to look for alternatives to the use of fossil fuels and one of the relevant substitutes are biofuels. There are different types of biofuels (categories and generations) that have been previously explored, but recently, the use of microalgae has been strongly considered for the production of biofuels since they present a series of advantages over other biofuel production sources: (a) they don’t need arable land to grow and therefore do not compete with food crops (like biofuels produced from corn, sugar cane and other plants) and; (b) they exhibit rapid biomass production containing high oil contents, at least 15 to 20 times higher than land based oleaginous crops. Hence, these unicellular photosynthetic microorganisms have received great attention from researches to use them in the large-scale production of biofuels. However, one disadvantage of using microalgae is the high economic cost due to the low-yields of lipid content in the microalgae biomass. Thus, development of different methods to enhance microalgae biomass, as well as lipid content in the microalgae cells, would lead to the development of a sustainable low-cost process to produce biofuels. Within the last 10 years, many studies have reported different methods and strategies to induce lipid production to obtain higher lipid accumulation in the biomass of microalgae cells; however, there is not a comprehensive review in the literature that highlights, compares and discusses these strategies. Here, we review these strategies which include modulating light intensity in cultures, controlling and varying CO2 levels and temperature, inducing nutrient starvation in the culture, the implementation of stress by incorporating heavy metal or inducing a high salinity condition, and the use of metabolic and genetic engineering techniques coupled with nanotechnology.

scholarly journals Gloxinia—An Open-Source Sensing Platform to Monitor the Dynamic Responses of Plants

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 3055
Author(s):  
Olivier Pieters ◽  
Tom De Swaef ◽  
Peter Lootens ◽  
Michiel Stock ◽  
Isabel Roldán-Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Data Logging ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Sensing Platforms

The study of the dynamic responses of plants to short-term environmental changes is becoming increasingly important in basic plant science, phenotyping, breeding, crop management, and modelling. These short-term variations are crucial in plant adaptation to new environments and, consequently, in plant fitness and productivity. Scalable, versatile, accurate, and low-cost data-logging solutions are necessary to advance these fields and complement existing sensing platforms such as high-throughput phenotyping. However, current data logging and sensing platforms do not meet the requirements to monitor these responses. Therefore, a new modular data logging platform was designed, named Gloxinia. Different sensor boards are interconnected depending upon the needs, with the potential to scale to hundreds of sensors in a distributed sensor system. To demonstrate the architecture, two sensor boards were designed—one for single-ended measurements and one for lock-in amplifier based measurements, named Sylvatica and Planalta, respectively. To evaluate the performance of the system in small setups, a small-scale trial was conducted in a growth chamber. Expected plant dynamics were successfully captured, indicating proper operation of the system. Though a large scale trial was not performed, we expect the system to scale very well to larger setups. Additionally, the platform is open-source, enabling other users to easily build upon our work and perform application-specific optimisations.

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