Papers

Advancements in Biodegradable Active Films for Food Packaging: Effects of Nano/Microcapsule Incorporation

This review examines how incorporating nano- and microcapsules containing natural antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds into biodegradable packaging films can extend food shelf life. Researchers found that these capsules protect the active compounds during processing and allow their controlled release over time. The technology offers a promising alternative to synthetic preservatives while also reducing reliance on conventional plastics in food packaging.

A rapid-screening approach to detect and quantify microplastics based on fluorescent tagging with Nile Red

Researchers developed a rapid fluorescent screening method using Nile Red dye to detect and quantify microplastics in environmental samples, finding it significantly faster than conventional methods while maintaining reasonable accuracy.

Constructed Wetlands Process for Treating Sewage to Improve the Quantitative and Qualitative Management of Groundwater Resources

This book chapter reviews how constructed wetlands use adsorption, plant uptake, and microbial decomposition to remove organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus from sewage, presenting them as an economical and environmentally friendly treatment technology for improving groundwater quality in water-scarce regions.

Insights into the abiotic fragmentation of biodegradable mulches under accelerated weathering conditions

Biodegradable plastic mulches are increasingly tilled into agricultural soils as an alternative to removal, but this study found that UV weathering breaks them down into biodegradable microplastics that adsorb aromatic compounds and heavy metals, potentially transferring these contaminants through the food web. The findings suggest that "biodegradable" does not mean risk-free, and that fragmentation products from these mulches warrant serious attention in farmland pollution assessments.

Transport of nanoplastics in saturated iron oxide-coated gravel: Effects of flow velocity, ionic strength and surface property of nanoplastics

Researchers investigated nanoplastic transport through saturated iron oxide-coated gravel by varying flow velocity, ionic strength, and surface properties, finding that higher flow rates promoted nanoplastic transport, while ionic strength had opposing effects on negatively and positively charged particles depending on their surface chemistry.

Magnetic behaviour versus tensile deformation mechanisms in a non-oriented Fe–(3 wt.%)Si steel

Evaluation of the impact of urban wet weather discharges (UWWD) on the Seine River by high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and development of predictive models

Reloading Behaviour and Acoustic Emission in Pure Copper

Effect of silicon content and defects on the lifetime of ductile cast iron

Researchers studied the effects of silicon content and microstructural defects on the fatigue lifetime and fracture behavior of ferritic ductile cast iron, finding that higher silicon content increases strength but reduces ductility, and that graphite nodule segregation and defects act as crack initiation sites. The results inform alloy design for iron castings used in engineering applications.

Reverse Microplasticity and Acoustic Emission During Unloading of Pure Copper