Novel measurement system for respiratory aerosols and droplets in indoor environments

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has created a great demand for a better understanding of the spread of viruses in indoor environments. A novel measurement system consisting of one portable aerosol-emitting mannequin (emitter) and a number of portable aerosol-absorbing mannequins (recipients) was developed that can measure the spread of aerosols and droplets that potentially contain infectious viruses. The emission of the virus from a human is simulated by using tracer particles solved in water. The recipients inhale the aerosols and droplets and quantify the level of solved tracer particles in their artificial lungs simultaneously over time. The mobile system can be arranged in a large variety of spreading scenarios in indoor environments and allows for quantification of the infection probability due to airborne virus spreading. This study shows the accuracy of the new measurement system and its ability to compare aerosol reduction measures such as regular ventilation or the use of a room air purifier.     

Self-report measures for the assessment of human–machine interfaces in automated driving

Cognition, Technology & Work - For a successful market introduction of Level 3 Automated Driving Systems (L3 ADS), a careful evaluation of human–machine interfaces (HMIs) is necessary....     

Windshield recycling focused on effective separation of PVB sheet

The study is focused on windshield recycling process resulting in poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) sheets with very low amout of remain glass particles. PVB sheets were obtained from worldwide manufacturer DuPont and then they were laminated by standard autoclaving process. One sample of PVB sheet was modified by multi‐functional organic acid in order to compare various levels of adhesion. Three‐stage technology was proposed for recycling PVB sheets. In the first‐stage laminated safety glass was mechanically cracked. In the second‐stage the adhesion reduction to minimal degree was followed by chemical‐physical assisted separation. It causes self‐release of the glass out of the PVB sheet. The third‐stage was mechanical peeling of the remaining glass from the PVB sheet which completed the recycling process. The optimal process conditions for the most effective delamination process were found. Delamination technology produces PVB sheet with minimal residual glass content (up to 300 ppm) and minimal change in PVB sheet properties. Described recycling technology is ecologically friendly (the effluent is fully recyclable as well) and could reduce the worldwide problem with windshield waste disposal. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39879.     

Efficient Metal‐Free Aerobic Photooxidation of Sulfides to Sulfoxides Mediated by a Vitamin B2 Derivative and Visible Light

We have developed a metal‐free process for the aerobic photooxygenation of sulfides to sulfoxides mediated by riboflavin tetraacetate or riboflavin (vitamin B₂) photocatalysts and visible light (450 nm) in an acetonitrile‐water (85:15 v/v) mixture. The optimised solvent system leads to both singlet‐oxygen and electron‐transfer pathways in photooxygenation, thus allowing oxidation of electron‐poor and electron‐rich thioanisoles, dialkyl sulfides and sterically hindered sulfides. Besides having a broad substrate scope, the method has very short reaction times and requires low catalyst loading (down to 0.1 mol%). These properties are due to the high photocatalyst stability and the extremely high quantum yields (1.3 for thioanisole oxygenation). Moreover, the method is chemoselective, producing only sulfoxides without overoxidation to sulfones. Taking into account the broad substrate scope, high selectivity and high efficiency, this method distinguishes itself from those previously reported. Other advantages include easy work‐up of the reaction mixture, the availability and biodegradability of the photocatalysts and mild reaction conditions. We demonstrated, on a preparative scale, its practical application in the synthesis of the psychostimulant modafinil, in the selective oxidation of methionine derivatives, and in the detoxification of mustard gas.

     

Fuß‐ und Radwegbrücke aus Carbonbeton in Albstadt‐Ebingen

Pedestrian bridge made from carbon‐concrete in Albstadt‐Ebingen – First entirely carbon‐reinforced concrete bridge worldwide The bridge erected in Albstadt‐Ebingen in October 2015 is realized without any steel reinforcement or pre‐tensioning, making it the world's first entirely carbon‐reinforced concrete bicycle and pedestrian‐bridge. The trough section with material thicknesses of 70 mm (trough walls) and 90 mm (slab) respectively has been fabricated as monolithic pre‐cast element. With a span length of 15 m and a width of 3 m, the bridge‐deck requires no further coating and has a total weight of just 14 tons (approximately 310 kg/m2); this is about 50 % of comparable conventional reinforced concrete bridge‐decks. Besides material and weight savings, an exceptionally long service life with minimal maintenance can be expected, as the steel corrosion that is typical in reinforced concrete structures can be entirely avoided. Since the use of carbon‐reinforced concrete (carbon concrete) is not yet approved in Germany, the client had to obtain approval based on individual cases (ZiE).