Author: Giuseppe Pipitone

AbstractThe properties of some aggregates “grown” on a computer by diffusion-limited aggregation have been investigated. Calculations showed that the intensity of the small-angle x-ray and neutron scattering from the aggregates was proportional to q−D for qL ≫ 1, where D > 0, L is a length that characterizes the large-scale structure of the aggregate, q = 4πλ−1 sin(θ/2), γ is the wavelength, and θ is the scattering angle. The magnitude of the exponent D was appreciably smaller than the fractal dimensions that many simulations have shown to be typical of the mass fractal aggregates grown by diffusion-limited aggregation. The calculations suggest that the aggregates have structure on two d…

Length scaleMaterials scienceFractalScatteringDiffusion-limited aggregationAggregate (data warehouse)ExponentNeutron scatteringMicrobiologyMolecular physicsFractal dimensionMRS Proceedings

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Robust Mesoporous CoMo/γ-Al2O3 Catalysts from Cyclodextrin-Based Supramolecular Assemblies for Hydrothermal Processing of Microalgae: Effect of the P…

2018

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a promising technology for the production of biocrude oil from microalgae. Although this catalyst-free technology is efficient under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, the biocrude yield and quality can be further improved by using heterogeneous catalysts. The design of robust catalysts that preserve their performance under hydrothermal conditions will be therefore very important in the development of biorefinery technologies. In this work, we describe two different synthetic routes (i.e., impregnation and cyclodextrin-assisted one-pot colloidal approach), for the preparation in aqueous phase of six high surface area CoMo/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. Cat…

Materials science02 engineering and technology010402 general chemistrybiocrude01 natural sciencesHydrothermal circulationCatalysisCopolymer[CHIM]Chemical SciencesGeneral Materials ScienceComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUSbiocrude; cyclodextrin; heterogeneous catalysts; hydrothermal liquefaction; microalgaeheterogeneous catalystsmicroalgaeheterogeneous catalystAqueous two-phase systemhydrothermal liquefaction[CHIM.CATA]Chemical Sciences/CatalysisSettore ING-IND/27 - Chimica Industriale E Tecnologica021001 nanoscience & nanotechnologyBiorefinery0104 chemical sciencesHydrothermal liquefactioncyclodextrinChemical engineeringYield (chemistry)Materials Science (all)0210 nano-technologyMesoporous materialACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

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Valorization of alginate for the production of hydrogen via catalytic aqueous phase reforming

2018

Abstract Alginate, a carbohydrate abundant in the outer cell wall of macroalgae, was subjected to catalytic aqueous phase reforming (APR) to produce hydrogen using a 3% Pt/C commercial catalyst. The performance of the process was evaluated according to the conversion of the carbon to gas, the hydrogen yield and the hydrogen selectivity. The catalyst and feed amount, temperature, reaction time, pH and the presence of H2 were modified to understand the dependence of the outcome of the process on these parameters. The presence of the catalyst was fundamental in order to increase the hydrogen yield compared to the uncatalyzed reaction, and it can be reused without activity loss. In addition, it…

Hydrogen010405 organic chemistryAlginateChemistry (all)Aqueous two-phase systemchemistry.chemical_elementAqueous phase reformingGeneral ChemistrySettore ING-IND/27 - Chimica Industriale E TecnologicaCarbohydrate010402 general chemistry01 natural sciencesCatalysisCatalysi0104 chemical sciencesCatalysischemistryChemical engineeringYield (chemistry)Hydrogen productionMoleculeSelectivityCarbonPlatinumCatalysis Today

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Tuberculosis among Migrant Populations in Sicily: A Field Report

2021

Background. In the EU, tuberculosis (TB) mainly affects vulnerable people, including migrants. From 2014 to 2017, we have estimated the frequency of both tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among the migrant population hosted in 41 reception centers in western Sicily (ITaCA network). Materials and Methods. All migrants were consecutively recruited for the screening of TB infection with physical examination and TST in 1,020 migrants and with IGRA in the others 2,690. The screening was carried out 4–8 weeks after landing in Sicily. For all migrants with a positive screening test, chest X-ray and smear examination were performed. LTBI was defined by positivity of TST or IGRA …