| 1. |
- Ahlgren, Serina, et al.
(författare)
-
Review of methodological choices in LCA of biorefinery systems - key issues and recommendations
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining. - : Wiley. - 1932-1031 .- 1932-104X. ; 9:5, s. 606-619
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The current trend in biomass conversion technologies is toward more efficient utilization of biomass feedstock in multiproduct biorefineries. Many life-cycle assessment (LCA) studies of biorefinery systems have been performed but differ in how they use the LCA methodology. Based on a review of existing LCA standards and guidelines, this paper provides recommendations on how to handle key methodological issues when performing LCA studies of biorefinery systems. Six key issues were identified: (i) goal definition, (ii) functional unit, (iii) allocation of biorefinery outputs, (iv) allocation of biomass feedstock, (v) land use, and (vi) biogenic carbon and timing of emissions. Many of the standards and guidelines reviewed here provide only general methodological recommendations. Some make more specific methodological recommendations, but these often differ between standards. In this paper we present some clarifications (e.g. examples of research questions and suitable functional units) and methodological recommendations (e.g. on allocation).
|
|
| 2. |
- Ahlqvist, Josefin, et al.
(författare)
-
Affinity binding of inclusion bodies on supermacroporous monolithic cryogels using labeling with specific antibodies
- 2006
-
Ingår i: Journal of Biotechnology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-1656 .- 1873-4863. ; 122:2, s. 216-225
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A new chromatographic method based on affinity supermacroporous monolithic cryogels is developed for binding and analyzing inclusion bodies during fermentation. The work demonstrated that it is possible to bind specific IgG and IgY antibodies to the 15 and 17 amino acids at the terminus ends of a 33 kDa target protein aggregated as inclusion bodies. The antibody treated inclusion bodies from lysed fermentation broth can be specifically retained in protein A and pseudo-biospecific ligand sulfamethazine modified supermacroporous cryogels. The degree of binding of IgG and IgY treated inclusion bodies to the Protein A and sulfamethazine gels are investigated, as well as the influence of pH on the sulfamethazine ligand. Optimum binding of 78 and 72% was observed on both protein A and sulfamethazine modified cryogel columns, respectively, using IgG labeling of the inclusion bodies. The antibody treated inclusion bodies pass through unretained in the sulfamethazine supermacroporous gel at pH that does not favour the binding between the ligand on the gel and the antibodies on the surface of inclusion bodies. Also the unlabeled inclusion bodies went through the gel unretained, showing no non-specific binding or trapping within the gel. These findings may very well be the foundation for the building of a powerful analytical tool during fermentation of inclusion bodies as well as a convenient way to purify them from fermentation broth. These results also support our earlier findings [Kumar, A., Plieva, F.M., Galaev, I.Yu., Mattiasson, B.. 2003. Affinity fractionation of lymphocytes using a monolithic cyogel. J. Immunol. Methods 283, 185-194] with mammalian cells that were surface labeled with specific antibodies and recognized on protein A supermacroporous gels. A general binding and separation system can be established on antibody binding cryogel affinity matrices.
|
|
| 3. |
- Albèr, Cathrine, et al.
(författare)
-
Effects of water gradients and use of urea on skin ultrastructure evaluated by confocal Raman microspectroscopy
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Biomembranes. - : Elsevier. - 0005-2736 .- 1879-2642 .- 0006-3002. ; 1828:11, s. 2470-2478
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The rather thin outermost layer of the mammalian skin, stratum corneum (SC), is a complex biomembrane which separates the water rich inside of the body from the dry outside. The skin surface can be exposed to rather extreme variations in ambient conditions (e.g. water activity, temperature and pH), with potential effects on the barrier function. Increased understanding of how the barrier is affected by such changes is highly relevant for regulation of transdermal uptake of exogenous chemicals. In the present study we investigate the effect of hydration and the use of a well-known humectant, urea, on skin barrier ultrastructure by means of confocal Raman microspectroscopy. We also perform dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) microbalance measurements to examine the water uptake capacity of SC pretreated with urea. Based on novel Raman images, constructed from 2D spectral maps, we can distinguish large water inclusions within the skin membrane exceeding the size of fully hydrated corneocytes. We show that these inclusions contain water with spectral properties similar to that of bulk water. The results furthermore show that the ambient water activity has an important impact on the formation of these water inclusions as well as on the hydration profile across the membrane. Urea significantly increases the water uptake when present in skin, as compared to skin without urea, and it promotes formation of larger water inclusions in the tissue. The results confirm that urea can be used as a humectant to increase skin hydration.
|
|
| 4. |
- An, Junxue, et al.
(författare)
-
Tethered Poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) Chains : Temperature Effects on Layer Structure and Interactions Probed by AFM Experiments and Modeling
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Langmuir. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0743-7463 .- 1520-5827. ; 31:10, s. 3039-3048
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Thermoresponsive polymer layers on silica surfaces have been obtained by utilizing electrostatically driven adsorption of a cationic-nonionic diblock copolymer. The cationic block provides strong anchoring to the surface for the nonionic block of poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline), referred to as PIPOZ. The PIPOZ chain interacts favorably with water at low temperatures, but above 46 degrees C aqueous solutions of PIPOZ phase separate as water becomes a poor solvent for the polymer. We explore how a change in solvent condition affects interactions between such adsorbed layers and report temperature effects on both normal forces and friction forces. To gain further insight, we utilize self-consistent lattice mean-field theory to follow how changes in temperature affect the polymer segment density distributions and to calculate surface force curves. We find that with worsening of the solvent condition an attraction develops between the adsorbed PIPOZ layers, and this observation is in good agreement with predictions of the mean-field theory. The modeling also demonstrates that the segment density profile and the degree of chain interpenetration under a given load between two PIPOZ-coated surfaces rise significantly with increasing temperature.
|
|
| 5. |
- Aurelius, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
-
How much of the bandwidth do we actually use? : An investigation of residential access traffic load
- 2012
-
Ingår i: International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks. - : IEEE. - 9781467322270
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Internet traffic from a fibre based residential access network is investigated concerning traffic volumes and link load. Also the cost of the services is analyzed. We show that 1 Mbps accesses subscribers maintain high loads, and that the price they pay per GB used is five times higher than the one paid by 100 Mbps access subscribers.
|
|
| 6. |
- Bain, C. D., et al.
(författare)
-
Complexes of surfactants with oppositely charged polymers at surfaces and in bulk
- 2010
-
Ingår i: Advances in Colloid and Interface Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0001-8686 .- 1873-3727. ; 155:1-2, s. 32-49
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Addition of surfactants to aqueous solutions of polyelectrolytes carrying an opposite charge causes the spontaneous formation of complexes in the bulk phase in certain concentration ranges. Under some conditions, compact monodisperse multichain complexes are obtained in the bulk. The size of these complexes depends on the mixing procedure and it can be varied in a controlled way from nanometers up to micrometers. The complexes exhibit microstructures analoguous to those of the precipitates formed at higher concentrations. In other cases, however, the bulk complexes are large, soft and polydisperse. In most cases, the dispersions are only kinetically stable and exhibit pronounced non-equilibrium features. Association at air-water interfaces readily occurs, even at very small concentrations. When the surfactant concentration is small, the surface complexes are usually made of a surfactant monolayer to which the polymer binds and adsorbs in a flat-like configuration. However, under some conditions, thicker layers can be found, with bulk complexes sticking to the surface. The association at solid-water interfaces is more complex and depends on the specific interactions between surfactants, polymers and the surface. However, the behaviour can be understood if distinctions between hydrophilic surfaces and hydrophobic surfaces are made. Note that the behaviour at air-water interfaces is closer to that of hydrophobic than that of hydrophilic solid surfaces. The relation between bulk and surface complexation will be discussed in this review. The emphasis will be given to the results obtained by the teams of the EC-funded Marie Curie RTN "SOCON".
|
|
| 7. |
- Bialik, Erik, et al.
(författare)
-
Ionization of Cellobiose in Aqueous Alkali and the Mechanism of Cellulose Dissolution
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. - : American Chemical Society. - 1948-7185 .- 1948-7185. ; 7:24, s. 5044-5048
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cellulose, one of the most abundant renewable resources, is insoluble in most common solvents but dissolves in aqueous alkali under a narrow range of conditions. To elucidate the solubilization mechanism, we performed electrophoretic NMR on cellobiose, a subunit of cellulose, showing that cellobiose acts as an acid with two dissociation steps at pH 12 and 13.5. Chemical shift differences between cellobiose in NaOH and NaCl were estimated using 2D NMR and compared to DFT shift differences upon deprotonation. The dissociation steps are the deprotonation of the hemiacetal OH group and the deprotonation of one of four OH groups on the nonreducing anhydroglucose unit. MD simulations reveal that aggregation is suppressed upon charging cellulose chains in solution. Our findings strongly suggest that cellulose is to a large extent charged in concentrated aqueous alkali, a seemingly crucial factor for solubilization. This insight, overlooked in the current literature, is important for understanding cellulose dissolution and for synthesis of new sustainable materials.
|
|
| 8. |
- Björnsson, Ivar, et al.
(författare)
-
Decision support framework for bridge condition assessments
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Structural Safety. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-4730 .- 1879-3355. ; 81
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An essential aspect in the maintenance of existing bridges is the ability to adequately and accurately assess and evaluate the condition of the structure. Condition assessments, which can be carried out in any number of ways, provide valuable information concerning the actual state of a bridge, including the severity of potential damages, and form the basis for further maintenance decisions. Any decision support concerning the management of existing structures thus requires attention towards the uncertainties associated with the assessment methods when applied in practice as well as the maintenance actions these support. These uncertainties cannot be solely described as model uncertainties but are also a result of the variation in engineering performance observed in practice. In the current paper a rational and systematic framework is presented which provides practical decision support concerning whether condition assessments are necessary, what assessment methods are recommended, if invasive actions are needed, or if some other non-invasive option may be more appropriate. The framework takes into account three main attributes of an enhanced condition assessment, namely, modelling sophistication, considerations of uncertainties and risks, and knowledge/information content. Increasing the level of one or more of these attributes may be advantageous only if the expected benefits or added value of information is considered appropriate in relation to the cost of implementation in practice. A decision making model, based on Bayesian decision theory, is adopted to evaluate this problem. Two case studies, in which the framework is applied, are provided for illustrative purposes; the first is a generic numerical example and the second a decision scenario related to the fatigue assessment of an existing railway bridge.
|
|
| 9. |
- Claesson, Per M., et al.
(författare)
-
Bottle-brush polymers : Adsorption at surfaces and interactions with surfactants
- 2010
-
Ingår i: Advances in Colloid and Interface Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0001-8686 .- 1873-3727. ; 155:1-2, s. 50-57
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Solution and adsorption properties of both charged and uncharged bottle-brush polymers have been investigated. The solution conformation and interactions in solution have been investigated by small-angle scattering techniques. The association of the bottle-brush polymers with anionic surfactants has also been studied. Surfactant binding isotherm measurements, NMR, surface tension measurements, as well as SAXS, SANS and light scattering techniques were utilized for understanding the association behaviour in bulk solutions. The adsorption of the bottle-brush polymers onto oppositely charged surfaces has been explored using a battery of techniques, including reflectometry, ellipsometry, quartz crystal microbalance, and neutron reflectivity. The combination of these techniques allowed determination of adsorbed mass, layer thickness, water content, and structural changes occurring during layer formation. The adsorption onto mica was found to be very different to that on silica, and an explanation for this was sought by employing a lattice mean-field theory. The model was able to reproduce a number of salient experimental features characterizing the adsorption of the bottle-brush polymers over a wide range of compositions, spanning from uncharged bottle-brushes to linear polyelectrolytes. This allowed us to shed light on the importance of electrostatic surface properties and non-electrostatic surface-polymer affinity for the adsorption. The interactions between bottle-brush polymers and anionic surfactants in adsorbed layers have also been elucidated using ellipsometry, neutron reflectivity and surface force measurements.
|
|
| 10. |
- Corkery, Robert W, 1967-, et al.
(författare)
-
On the formation and structure of nanometric polyhedral foams : toward the dry limit
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Langmuir. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0743-7463 .- 1520-5827. ; 24:18, s. 10443-10452
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- High surface area, high porosity, nanometric polygonal silica foams with hierarchically connected and uniformly sized pore systems are reported here. We observe a remarkable increase in foam cell sizes from mesoscopic to macroscopic dimensions upon swelling the self-assembled template with oil. The resultant structures resemble classical macroscopic soap foams and display, among other features, Plateau borders and volume fractions approaching the dry limit of 100%. In well-developed foams of this kind, dimensionally isometric polyhedral cells are connected by relatively short, flat cylindrical mesopores through polyhedral faces and micropores through the walls. For one sample, with approximately 75 nm diameter primary foam cells, we infer three separate sets of cell-connecting mesopores puncturing tetragonal, pentagonal, and hexagonal faces of the component polyhedra. A multiple step model of foam formation is discussed where an organic silica precursor progressively hydrolyzes and condenses as a growing flexible shell from the core-corona interface of oil-swollen triblock copolymer micelles or microemulsion droplets, inducing a clouding phenomena in the otherwise stabilizing poly(ethylene oxide) chains, leading to aggregation, deformation, and jamming to high volume fractions.
|
|
