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This paper reports preliminary results of an on-going study of data papers, a fairly recently introduced type of journal paper designed for documenting and instigating the publishing of research data sets. The aim of the paper is to provide new knowledge on how research processes and practices are described in a set of archaeological data papers selected for analysis. The findings point to a diversity of strategies of how research processes are documented. Explaining factors include the type of data and research where the dataset is stemming from, cross-disciplinary influences from fields outside of archaeology, and the original purpose of data collection and whether it appears that the data was collected for sharing and publishing. The findings point to several possibilities to develop author guidelines for data papers and insights into why and what some types of datasets appear as easier to document than others.

This paper reports preliminary results of an on-going study of data papers, a fairly recently introduced type of journal paper designed for documenting and instigating the publishing of research data sets. The aim of the paper is to provide new knowledge on how research processes and practices are described in a set of archaeological data papers selected for analysis. The findings point to a diversity of strategies of how research processes are documented. Explaining factors include the type of data and research where the dataset is stemming from, cross-disciplinary influences from fields outside of archaeology, and the original purpose of data collection and whether it appears that the data was collected for sharing and publishing. The findings point to several possibilities to develop author guidelines for data papers and insights into why and what some types of datasets appear as easier to document than others.

- This Master’s Thesis explains the relevancy of sustainable marketing, sustainability, e-commerce, circular economy of recycled paper packaging in the correlation of consumer perception, consumer decision making factors towards recycling and sustainability benefits. Although the paper discusses sustainable marketing in a circular economy aspect potential in regards to recycled paper parcels, the research will mainly focus on the postal carrier company named PostNord based in Nordic countries; the paper will emphasise how the double-sealing recycled paper could increase the number of customers and sustainability ofthe company and consumer perception towards these type of packaging as a parcel. The concept of Sustainability Marketing and Consumer Behaviour has been around for awhile. Since its emergence in the 1980s, the idea has evolved. Much research has been done regarding sustainability marketing, also known as green marketing. As the world is becoming environmentally polluted, many industries propagate it, and consumers need more sustainable products and services. Due to this reason and other respective consumer needs, companiesfrom the manufacturing and service industry have made a strategy to implement short andlong-term to become sustainable companies by becoming carbon-free. Accordingly, postal carrier companies worldwide have developed various sustainable marketing strategies and technological tools to reduce carbon emissions. They simultaneously promote sustainability marketing based on consumer behaviour and perception. The research paper mainly focuses on sustainable marketing, sustainable marketing in the circular economy, and consumer perception and factors affecting consumers’ purchase intention regarding the broad applicability and benefits of double-sealing recycled paperparcels for packaging in the postal service industry. For this particular Master’s thesis paper, the research has taken PostNord as a case study and developed an alternati

[Context] Systematic Literature Review (SLR) has been a major type of study published in Software Engineering (SE) venues for about two decades. However, there is a lack of understanding of whether an SLR is really needed in comparison to a more conventional literature review. Very often, SE researchers embark on an SLR with such doubts. We aspire to provide more understanding of when an SLR in SE should be conducted. [Objective] The first step of our investigation was focused on the dataset, i.e., the reviewed papers, in an SLR, which indicates the development of a research topic or area. The objective of this step is to provide a better understanding of the characteristics of the datasets of SLRs in SE. [Method] A research synthesis was conducted on a sample of 170 SLRs published in top-tier SE journals. We extracted and analysed the quantitative attributes of the datasets of these SLRs. [Results] The findings show that the median size of the datasets in our sample is 57 reviewed papers, and the median review period covered is 14 years. The number of reviewed papers and review period have a very weak and non-significant positive correlation. [Conclusions] The results of our study can be used by SE researchers as an indicator or benchmark to understand whether an SLR is conducted at a good time. © 2023 IEEE.

This paper reports preliminary results of an on-going study of data papers, a fairly recently introduced type of journal paper designed for documenting and instigating the publishing of research data sets. The aim of the paper is to provide new knowledge on how research processes and practices are described in a set of archaeological data papers selected for analysis. The findings point to a diversity of strategies of how research processes are documented. Explaining factors include the type of data and research where the dataset is stemming from, cross-disciplinary influences from fields outside of archaeology, and the original purpose of data collection and whether it appears that the data was collected for sharing and publishing. The findings point to several possibilities to develop author guidelines for data papers and insights into why and what some types of datasets appear as easier to document than others.

Corn stalk, an agricultural waste, was valorized by the production of cellulose nanofibers (CNF), which were tested for improving recycled paper properties. CNF from eucalyptus kraft pulp (E-CNF) was used as a reference. Addition of 0.5% wt. CNF produced from corn organosolv pulp (C-CNF) to recycled paper increased the tensile index by 20%, whereas the same improvement with E-CNF was achieved at 1.5% wt. Tensile index was further enhanced by increasing the E-CNF, whereas C-CNF achieved its maximum effect at this dose. Different recycled furnish compositions were studied to evaluate C-CNF as a product additive. C-CNF improved tensile strength in all the different recycled furnishes studied. The tensile index improvement caused by C-CNF did not depend on the proportions of old newspaper and old magazine paper used. Addition of C-CNF to recycled corrugated board fluting increased the tensile strength, but to a slightly lower extent than in the case of recycled newsprint paper., Economy and Competitiveness Ministry of Spain (MINECO), Depto. de Ingeniería Química y de Materiales, Fac. de Ciencias Químicas, TRUE, pub

The need to increase the recovery rates of recyclables from households, reducing at the same time the collection costs, has favored the spreading of commingled collection systems. This study presents a thorough analysis of the quality of a secondary source of recovered paper of a Spanish newsprint mill, imported from the United Kingdom, where these systems are widely practiced. The results show that the quality of recovered paper from commingled systems is very far from the quality obtained with selective systems: the unusable material content vary from 1% to 29% (11.9% on average) compared to less than 1%. Larger materials recovery facilities (MRF), less oversaturated and with advanced sorting techniques, have demonstrated to be able to render better qualities, the unusable material content varying from 0.3% to 16.6% (8.1% on average). However, the quality is still far from contamination levels typically found with selective systems, especially in terms of non-paper components. This fact limits significantly the use of this recovered paper for graphic paper production where the major potential for an extended use of recovered paper in papermaking lies. Furthermore, there is a discussion on the cost efficiency of these systems and how the legislation and private or public initiatives are affecting the spreading of these systems, especially in the United States and the United Kingdom., Comunidad de Madrid, TRUE, pub

Germany’s public broadcasters, along with local newspapers, have consistently ranked among the top three most trusted news sources in Germany. Yet growing criticism of mandatory fees and recent revelations about public broadcasters’ misuse of funds have put into question the health of Germany’s news and information infrastructure. In fact, a perfect storm appears to be brewing: precarious working conditions, exacerbated by cutbacks in the wake of Covid-19 and the emergence of so-called zombie papers. These papers, published without a local staff, reporters, or newsrooms, threaten to complicate audiences’ perceptions of news credibility and trust. This study explores Germany’s emerging news deserts by examining the rise of zombie newspapers in two states, one in the Western and one in the Eastern part of the country. Analyses of existing literature through the lens of institutional political economy and of interviews with key informants show that Germany, despite its strong federalized system, is following in US footsteps by creating journalist-free zones. A network of hard-to-follow corporate collaborations is endangering the foundations of post-war Germany’s media system: pluralism and media diversity.

Hur ser framtidens hållbara förpackning ut och vad är den tillverkad av? För att besvara denna fråga blir mikromekanisk karakterisering av material en viktig parameter att utforska och förstå. I synnerhet är mikromekaniken hos tunna pappersmaterial intressant då materialet har användningspotential i flera förpackningsapplikationer. Detta examensarbete fokuserar på att studera mikromekaniska beteenden genom in situ dragprovning inuti vakuumkammaren hos ett svepelektronmikroskop. In situ testning gör det möjligt att kombinera högupplösta observationer och mätresultat under belastning, vilket ger en inblick i de mekaniska egenskaperna och deformationsmekanismerna. För att uppnå detta så utvecklades en metodiken som innefattar framställning av anpassade pappersprover med hjälp av ett programmerbart skärbord för full kontroll över orientering och dimensioner. Proverna monteras och justeras sedan i dragprovaren där de deformeras förbi brottgränsen. Under hela deformationen tas bilder, videor och kraft-förskjutningsdata. Resultaten från denna uppsats avslöjar att de mekaniska egenskaperna hos tunt papper är starkt påverkade av fiberorientering och fukthalt samt bildandet av hålrum. Den maximala dragstyrkan, brottsträckgränsen och Youngs modul varierar avsevärt beroende på fibrernas orientering inom materialet. Dessutom påverkar fukthalten i papperet det mekaniska beteendet avsevärt, varvid högre fukthalt inom intervallet 1 till 6\% visar sig minska maximal dragstyrka och öka formbarheten. Sammanfattningsvis så bidrog undersökningen av mikromekaniska beteenden hos tunt papper till utvecklingen förpackningslösningar med miljöhänsyn och påpekar behovet av fortsatt framtida forskning., What does the future sustainable package look like, and what is it made of? To answer this question, the micromechanical characterization of materials becomes an important parameter to explore and understand. In particular, the micromechanical behavior of thin paper materials is of interest due to its potential in sustainable packaging applications. This master's thesis focuses on investigating micromechanical behavior through in situ tensile testing inside the vacuum chamber of a scanning electron microscope. In situ testing makes it possible to combine high-resolution observations and measured material response under load, hence providing insights into the mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms. To achieve this, a methodology was developed that involve preparing custom paper samples using a programmable cutting table for full control over orientations and dimensions. The samples are then mounted and aligned in the tensile tester, where they are deformed beyond breakage. Throughout the deformation process, images, videos and force-displacement data are simultaneously captured. The results of this thesis reveal that the mechanical properties of thin paper are heavily influenced by fiber orientation and moisture content along with void formations. The maximum tensile strength, strain at break and Young's modulus of the paper vary significantly depending on the orientations of the fibers within the material. Furthermore, the moisture content of the paper affects the mechanical behavior considerably, with higher moisture content within the range of 1 to 6\% being found to reduce maximum tensile strength and increase ductility. In conclusion, the investigation of the micromechanical behavior of thin paper contributes to the development of packaging solutions with environmental considerations and urges the need for future research., Hur ser framtidens hållbara förpackning ut och vad är den tillverkad av? Denna studie undersöker mikromekaniska beteenden hos tunna pappersmaterial och deras användningspotential i förpackningsapplikationer.

Environmental toxic pollutants and pathogens that enter the ecosystem are major global issues. Detection of these toxic chemicals/pollutants and the diagnosis of a disease is a first step in efficiently controlling their contamination and spread, respectively. Various analytical techniques are available to detect and determine toxic chemicals/pathogens, including liquid chromatography, HPLC, mass spectroscopy, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. However, these sensing strategies have some drawbacks such as tedious sample pretreatment and preparation, the requirement for skilled technicians, and dependence on large laboratory-based instruments. Alternatively, biosensors, especially paper-based sensors, could be used extensively and are a cost-effective alternative to conventional laboratory testing. They can improve accessibility to testing to identify chemicals and pollutants, especially in developing countries. Due to its low cost, abundance, easy disposal (by incineration, for example) and biocompatible nature, paper is considered a versatile material for the development of environmentally friendly electrochemical/optical (bio) sensor devices. This review presents an overview of sensing platforms constructed from paper, pointing out the main merits and demerits of paper-based sensing systems, their fabrication techniques, and the different optical/electrochemical detection techniques that they exploit.

The global production of paper was more than 400 million tons in 2020, and about 40–50 kg of dry sludge/ton paper produced was generated. The management of this huge volume of solid waste material has become a serious problem for paper industry and an environmental challenge. Sustainable practices, alternative to disposal by landfilling, must be developed. The present work studied the potential of reusing sludge waste from paper manufacturer with the purpose to produce cellulose acetate films., Peer Reviewed, Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::9 - Indústria, Innovació i Infraestructura, Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::13 - Acció per al Clima, Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::12 - Producció i Consum Responsables, Postprint (published version)

Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) is the gold standard for infectious disease diagnostics. Currently NAATs are mainly limited to centralized laboratories, while paper-based antigen tests are used for rapid home-based diagnostics. DNA extraction, the initial sample preparation step in NAATs, remains a bottleneck that hinders its development toward home-based kits. This step requires the use of compounds detrimental to the enzymes in downstream DNA amplification. Here, this work overcomes this bottleneck by immobilizing the enzyme achromopeptidase (ACP) on nitrocellulose, to both store and enable the separation of the enzymes from the other steps. This work provides proof-of-concept that immobilized ACP is effective at lysis and release of amplifiable DNA from gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis and enables the use of the lysate directly for DNA amplification, without the need for heat deactivation of the enzyme. This sample preparation method requires only incubation at 37 °C and mild agitation, which allows to implement it with fully disposable and affordable equipment. Consequently, this work enables to combine the paper-based DNA extraction method with the isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) followed by lateral flow detection to demonstrate a sample-to-answer NAAT packaged as an instrument free self-test kit expanding the capabilities of home-testing beyond antigen tests., QC 20230614

The pulp and paper industry is the most energy intensive industry in Sweden. Most of the energy usedaims to supply the large amount of heat to the production processes that is required to produce pulp andpaper . By increasing the energy efficiency of paper mills, there is great potential to reduce productioncosts and reduce its environmental impact. This project involves mapping, analyzing and investigation ofmeasures that can contribute to increased thermal efficiency of an internal heating network at Holmen’spaper mill, Braviken. The heating network, called VVG, utilises excess heat from the pulp and paperproduction and supplies heat to production processes and premises at the factory. When the heat demandof the VVG-system exceeds the available recovered heat, heat from live steam is transferred. This projectaim at identifying measures with potential to reduce demand of live steam supply. The project started bymapping the entire VVG-system to identify which consumers are included and how it is connected. Thenthe consumers were studied and data was collected to determine their power and energy demands. Basedon the mapping and collected data, proposals for measures that have the potential to increase thermalenergy efficiency were noted which in turn can reduce the need for live steam supply. The measures havebeen focused on reducing the return temperature of the VVG-system and reducing the heat demand of thesystem. Reduced return temperatures are achieved by more efficient use of the existing heat flow. Thisleads to increased heat recovery potential which means that more excess heat can be utilised.The proposed measures that were identified as having potential to contribute to reduction of the returntemperatures of the VVG-system are as follow: • Utilising return flows with high flow rates and high temperatures to provide other consumers inVVG with heat. This allows the hot flow to be used instead of going directly into the return line. • Eliminate short circuits in

We are provided countless products from the forest industry and has been through many years. Paper, paper board, packaging materials and furniture to mention a few. A special type of paper used in food packaging for example, is greaseproof paper. Many producers of greaseproof papers use the toxic and harmful group of chemicals called per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in coating since they possess grease resistance. Nordic Paper is a manufacturer of iamKraft® kraft paper and greaseproof paper with over a hundred years of experience without the use of PFAS. Without PFAS, they instead rely on excess refining to form a very dense paper. Nordic Paper has decided to introduce the addition of eucalyptus fibers to the softwood sulfate pulp to enhance the formation of the paper. This study aims to investigate the effects of ~20% addition of eucalyptus fibers to softwood sulfate pulp in regard to refiner energy expended, air permeance (as a measure of grease resistance) and formation. Laboratory work has been done on hand made sheets with a vacuum suction box in laboratory scale. Eight different pulps (four with addition of eucalyptus), provided from Nordic Paper Seffle AB, Säffle, with different refining degree was used in this study. The vacuum pressure used was 20 kPa through all tests, with dwell times 0, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 ms on sheets with a grammage of 50 g/m2. The study has shown that the pulp with ~20% addition of eucalyptus achieved 86°SR with only 82% expended energy relative to the softwood pulp, which had a refining degree of 87°SR. This small difference in refining degree led to a similar development in dewatering after 20 ms dwell time and 20 kPa, where the softwood pulp achieved a dryness of 9.2% and the pulp with addition of eucalyptus achieved 9.0% dryness. The formation of the softwood pulp was worse, which was the reason for the implementation of addition of eucalyptus. The air permeance on the other hand was not improved by the eucalyptu, Vi tillhandahåller otaliga produkter från skogsindustrin och har gjort i många år. Papper, kartong, förpackningsmaterial och möbler för att nämna några. En speciell typ av papper som används i till exempel livsmedelsförpackningar är fettresistent papper. Många tillverkare av dessa papper använder den giftiga och skadliga gruppen av kemikalier som kallas per- och polyfluorerade alkylämnen (PFAS) i beläggning eftersom de har fettbeständiga egenskaper. Nordic Paper är en tillverkare av iamKraft® kraftpapper och ”greaseproofpapper” med över hundra års erfarenhet utan användning av PFAS. Utan PFAS förlitar de sig istället på extra malning av fibrer för att bilda ett mycket tätt papper. Nordic Paper har beslutat att införa tillsats av eukalyptusfibrer till sulfatmassa av barrved för att förbättra formationen på papperet. Denna studie syftar till att undersöka effekterna av ~20 % tillsats av eukalyptusfibrer till barrsvedssulfatmassan med avseende på förbrukad malningsenergi, luftpermeans (som ett mått på fettbeständighet) och formation. Laborationer har utförts på handgjorda ark med vakuumsuglåda i laboratorieskala. Åtta olika massor (fyra med tillsats av eukalyptus), tillhandahållna från Nordic Paper Seffle AB, Säffle, med olika malningsgrad användes i denna studie. Vakuumtrycket som användes var 20 kPa genom alla tester, med uppehållstider 0, 1, 2.5, 5, 10 och 20 ms på ark med en ytvikt på 50 g/m2. Studien har visat att massan med ~20% tillsats av eukalyptus uppnådde 86°SR med endast 82% förbrukad energi i förhållande till sulfatmassan, som hade en malningsgrad på 87°SR. Denna lilla skillnad i malningsgrad ledde till en liknande utveckling i avvattning efter 20 ms uppehållstid och 20 kPa, där sulfatmassan uppnådde en torrhalt på 9.2% och massan med tillsats av eukalyptus uppnådde 9.0% torrhalt. Formationen på sulfatmassan var sämre, vilket var anledningen till genomförandet av tillsats av eukalyptus. Luftpermeansen å andra sidan förbättrades inte av eukalyptusen, men me

The pulp and paper industry is the most energy intensive industry in Sweden. Most of the energy usedaims to supply the large amount of heat to the production processes that is required to produce pulp andpaper . By increasing the energy efficiency of paper mills, there is great potential to reduce productioncosts and reduce its environmental impact. This project involves mapping, analyzing and investigation ofmeasures that can contribute to increased thermal efficiency of an internal heating network at Holmen’spaper mill, Braviken. The heating network, called VVG, utilises excess heat from the pulp and paperproduction and supplies heat to production processes and premises at the factory. When the heat demandof the VVG-system exceeds the available recovered heat, heat from live steam is transferred. This projectaim at identifying measures with potential to reduce demand of live steam supply. The project started bymapping the entire VVG-system to identify which consumers are included and how it is connected. Thenthe consumers were studied and data was collected to determine their power and energy demands. Basedon the mapping and collected data, proposals for measures that have the potential to increase thermalenergy efficiency were noted which in turn can reduce the need for live steam supply. The measures havebeen focused on reducing the return temperature of the VVG-system and reducing the heat demand of thesystem. Reduced return temperatures are achieved by more efficient use of the existing heat flow. Thisleads to increased heat recovery potential which means that more excess heat can be utilised.The proposed measures that were identified as having potential to contribute to reduction of the returntemperatures of the VVG-system are as follow: • Utilising return flows with high flow rates and high temperatures to provide other consumers inVVG with heat. This allows the hot flow to be used instead of going directly into the return line. • Eliminate short circuits in

Electrical insulation papers are a widely used group of papers in insulation applications and has been used for more than 100 years. Common applications include use as the dielectric medium in capacitors and insulation material in cables, bushings and transformers. As new advances in the study of the electrical properties of paper are made, the prospects of future applications grow. One interesting prospect is the use of paper as a substrate in sensing devices, biodegradable, printed and flexible electronics. Paper is a renewable and recyclable material and it would therefor be desirable to replace non-renewables materials such as plastics with paper as e.g., substrate in printed electronics. For this to be feasible the paper must be able to meet the electric and dielectric requirements of the intended application, among which low dielectric losses is a key parameter. One way to alter and control the electric and dielectric properties of a paper sample is through the selection of different ions in the ion-exchange step of the paper making process. In a collaboration between KTH Royal Institute of Technology and RISE - Research Institutes of Sweden AB working within a greater Digital Cellulose Center (DCC) project, this thesis aims to measure and characterise the dielectric response of a set of novel ion-exchanged paper samples together with a set of reference papers currently used in electrical applications. The greater goal of RISE work is to understand and map the influence of ion choice in order to better understand and control the dielectric properties of paper. The samples were measured using an impedance spectroscopy method from which capacitance and permittivity can be calculated. A parallel plate Kelvin guard-ring capacitor consisting of two electrodes and a guard ring placed in a custom made climate controlled chamber was used to measure the samples in different environmental conditions. The results show that the choice of ion used in the ion-exchanged pape, Elektriska isoleringspapper är en flitigt använd grupp av papper i isoleringsapplikationer och har använts i mer än 100 år. Vanliga applikationsområden inkluderar användning som dielektriskt medium i kondensatorer och isoleringsmaterial i kablar, genomföringar och transformatorer. I takt med att nya framsteg görs inom olika pappers elektriska egenskaper växer utsikterna för framtida tillämpningar. En intressant möjlighet är användningen av papper som substrat för sensorer, biologiskt nedbrytbar, tryckt och flexibel elektronik. Papper är ett förnybart och återvinningsbart material och det vore därför önskvärt att ersätta icke förnybara material som plast med papper som t.ex. substrat i tryckt elektronik. För att detta ska vara genomförbart måste papperet kunna uppfylla de elektriska och dielektriska kraven för den avsedda applikationen, bland vilka låga dielektriska förluster är en nyckelparameter. Ett sätt att ändra och kontrollera de elektriska och dielektriska egenskaperna hos ett pappersprov är genom valet av olika joner i jonbytessteget i papperstillverkningsprocessen. I ett samarbete mellan KTH Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan och RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB som arbetar inom ett större Digital Cellulose Center-projekt, syftar denna avhandling till att mäta och karakterisera den dielektriska responsen hos en uppsättning nya jonbytta pappersprover tillsammans med en uppsättning referenspapper. Det övergripande målet i RISE arbete är att förstå och kartlägga påverkan av jonval för att bättre förstå och kontrollera pappers dielektriska egenskaper. Proverna mättes med en impedansbaserad mätmetod från vilken kapacitans och permittivitet kan beräknas. En Kelvin plattkondensator bestående av två elektroder och en skyddsring placerad i en skräddarsydd klimatkontrollerad kammare användes för att mäta proverna under olika miljöförhållanden. Resultaten visar att valet av jon som används i jonutbytet kraftigt påverkar provets dielektriska respons, både dess dielektrisk

Sustainability has gained a lot of attention in the field of research. Researchers and consumers both prioritize sustainability and environmental issues over previously dominant materials, such as plastic. Packaging and disposable items that used to be made of plastic have largely been replaced with paper. Unfortunately, paper does not perform as well as plastic regarding barrier properties against grease, oxygen, or water vapor. Barrier properties are an important factor when choosing packaging material for food, among other things, as they help maintain the shelf life of the product. In order to improve the properties of the paper packaging and expand its use, the paper is coated with a polymer. However, the polymer contributes to challenges in the recycling of the products as some of the polymer attaches to the fibers, causing difficulties in the separation of each material. Small fragments of plastic may end up in the material streams and the recycled pulp due to the existing challenges in completely removing plastic from cellulosic substrates during recycling. This thesis analyzes the possibilities of identifying and classifying plastic fragments of polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) in recycled paper sheets using near-infrared spectroscopy together with multivariate data analysis. The purpose of the work is to develop models that can identify possible residues that may appear in recycled products from various industries. Paper sheets of two different grammages and six different compositions of recycled fiber and virgin fiber were created and scanned by NIR, with and without plastic film under the sheets. The scans were used to develop classification models to identify and categorize scans not included in the calibration data set. The performance of the models was tested by applying them to images of sheets of paper with plastic fragments of different sizes and different type underneath. The results indicated potential in the method. The prediction

This paper consists of a project exploring the possibility to assess paper code reusability by measuring chuck damages utilizing a 3D sensor and usingMachine Learning to classify reusage. The paper cores are part of a rolling/unrolling system at a paper mill whereas a chuck is used to slow and eventually stop the revolving paper core, which creates damages that at a certain point is too grave for reuse. The 3D sensor used is a TriSpector1008from SICK, based on active triangulation through laser line projection and optic sensing. A number of paper cores with damages varying in severity labeled approved or unapproved for further use was provided. SupervisedLearning in the form of K-NN, Support Vector Machine, Decision Trees andRandom Forest was used to binary classify the dataset based on readings from the sensor. Features were extracted from these readings based on the spatial and frequency domain of each reading in an experimental way.Classification of reusage was previously done through thresholding on internal features in the sensor software. The goal of the project is to unify the decision making protocol/system with economical, environmental and sustainable waste management benefits. K-NN was found to be best suitedin our case. Features for standard deviation of calculated depth obtained from the readings, performed best and lead to a zero false positive rate and recall score of 99.14%, outperforming the compared threshold system., Den här rapporten undersöker möjligheten att bedöma papperskärnors återanvändbarhet genom att mäta chuck skador med hjälp av en 3D-sensor för att genom maskininlärning klassificera återanvändning. Papperskärnorna används i ett rullnings-/avrullningssystem i ett pappersbruk där en chuck används för att bromsa och till sist stoppa den roterande papperskärnan, vilket skapar skador som vid en viss punkt är för allvarliga för återanvändning. 3D-sensorn som används är en TriSpector1008 från SICK,baserad på aktiv triangulering genom laserlinje projektion och optisk avläsning. Projektet försågs med ett antal papperskärnor med varierande skador, märkta godkända eller ej godkända för vidare användning av leverantören. Supervised Learning i form av K-NN, Support VectorMachine, Decision Trees och Random Forest användes för att binärt klassificera datasetet baserat på avläsningar från sensorn. Features Extraherades från dessa avläsningar baserat på spatial och frekvensdomänen för varje avläsning på ett experimentellt sätt. Klassificering av återanvändning gjordes tidigare genom tröskelvärden på interna features isensorns mjukvara. Målet med projektet är att skapa ett enhetligtbeslutsprotokoll/system med ekonomiska, miljömässiga och hållbaraavfallshanteringsfördelar. K-NN visades vara bäst lämpad för projektet.Featuerna representerande standardavvikelse för beräknat djup som erhållits från avläsningarna visades vara bäst och leder till en false positive rate lika med noll och recall score på 99.14%, vilket överpresterade det jämförda tröskel systemet.

To extend the application of cost-effective high-yield pulps in packaging, strength and barrier properties are improved by advanced-strength additives or by hot-pressing. The aim of this study is to assess the synergic effects between the two approaches by using nanocellulose as a bulk additive, and by hot-pressing technology. Due to the synergic effect, dry strength increases by 118% while individual improvements are 31% by nanocellulose and 92% by hot-pressing. This effect is higher for mechanical fibrillated cellulose. After hot-pressing, all papers retain more than 22% of their dry strength. Hot-pressing greatly increases the paper’s ability to withstand compressive forces applied in short periods of time by 84%, with a further 30% increase due to the synergic effect of the fibrillated nanocellulose. Hot-pressing and the fibrillated cellulose greatly decrease air permeability (80% and 68%, respectively) for refining pretreated samples, due to the increased fiber flexibility, which increase up to 90% using the combined effect. The tear index increases with the addition of nanocellulose, but this effect is lost after hot-pressing. In general, fibrillation degree has a small effect which means that low- cost nanocellulose could be used in hot-pressed papers, providing products with a good strength and barrier capacity.

Tot i que amb el pas del temps la informació és transmesa cada cop més digitalment, és innegable que la industria del paper juga un rol molt important a la societat, ja que aquest material és molt utilitzat quotidianament. No obstant, és tant necessari com causant de controvèrsia, ja que les industries de paper han estat molt criticades degut a les desforestacions massives que es realitzaven i l’impacte negatiu que tenien en el medi ambient. És per això que aquesta industria s’ha anat adaptant amb el temps, ajudant-se de l’automatització, resultant així en una producció més efectiva de paper, i reaprofitant millor els recursos emprats, com per exemple l’aigua. L’automatització d’aquest procés, és la que es supervisarà, controlarà i simularà durant aquest treball de fi de grau. La simulació es portarà a terme degut a que no es disposa d’una fàbrica de paper, tenint com a abast des de l’obtenció de la polpa bruta, la qual és la matèria prima per la producció de paper, fins el rentat d’aquesta, per a posterior blanquejament. En aquest projecte, es programarà el control i la simulació embeguda del procés en un PLC, (Controlador Lògic Programable) el qual es connectarà amb l’SCADA (Supervisió, Control i Adquisició de Dades) que es dissenyarà., Aunque con el paso del tiempo la información se transmite cada vez más digitalmente, es innegable que la industria del papel juega un rol muy importante en la sociedad, ya que este material es muy utilizado cotidianamente. Sin embargo, es tan necesario como causante de controversia, ya que las industrias de papel han sido muy criticadas debido a las deforestaciones masivas que se realizaban y el impacto negativo que tenían en el medio ambiente. Por ello, esta industria se ha ido adaptando con el tiempo, ayudándose de la automatización, resultando así en una producción más efectiva de papel, y reaprovechando mejor los recursos empleados, como por ejemplo el agua. La automatización de este proceso, es la que se supervisará, controlará y simulará durante este trabajo de fin de grado. La simulación se llevará a cabo debido a que no se dispone de una fábrica de papel, teniendo como alcance desde la obtención de la pulpa bruta, que es la materia prima para la producción de papel, hasta el lavado de ésta, para posterior blanqueamiento. En este proyecto, se programará el control y la simulación embebida del proceso en un PLC, (Controlador Lógico Programable) el cual se conectará con el SCADA (Supervisión, Control y Adquisición de Datos) que se diseñará., Although with the pass of time information is more and more transmitted digitally, it is undeniable that the paper industry plays a very important role in society, since this material is widely used on a daily basis. However, it is as necessary as it is controversial, since paper industries have been criticized due to the massive deforestation and the negative impact they had on the environment. Therefore, this industry has been adapting over time, with the help of automation, resulting in a more effective production of paper, and making better use of the resources used, such as water. The automation of this process is the one that will be supervised, controlled and simulated during this final degree project. The simulation will be performed because there is no paper mill, having as scope from obtaining the raw pulp, which is the raw material for the production of paper, to the washing of it, for subsequent bleaching. In this project, the control and the embedded simulation of the process will be programmed in a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) which will be connected to the SCADA (Supervision, Control and Data Acquisition) that will be designed.

Sustainability has gained a lot of attention in the field of research. Researchers and consumers both prioritize sustainability and environmental issues over previously dominant materials, such as plastic. Packaging and disposable items that used to be made of plastic have largely been replaced with paper. Unfortunately, paper does not perform as well as plastic regarding barrier properties against grease, oxygen, or water vapor. Barrier properties are an important factor when choosing packaging material for food, among other things, as they help maintain the shelf life of the product. In order to improve the properties of the paper packaging and expand its use, the paper is coated with a polymer. However, the polymer contributes to challenges in the recycling of the products as some of the polymer attaches to the fibers, causing difficulties in the separation of each material. Small fragments of plastic may end up in the material streams and the recycled pulp due to the existing challenges in completely removing plastic from cellulosic substrates during recycling. This thesis analyzes the possibilities of identifying and classifying plastic fragments of polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) in recycled paper sheets using near-infrared spectroscopy together with multivariate data analysis. The purpose of the work is to develop models that can identify possible residues that may appear in recycled products from various industries. Paper sheets of two different grammages and six different compositions of recycled fiber and virgin fiber were created and scanned by NIR, with and without plastic film under the sheets. The scans were used to develop classification models to identify and categorize scans not included in the calibration data set. The performance of the models was tested by applying them to images of sheets of paper with plastic fragments of different sizes and different type underneath. The results indicated potential in the method. The prediction

We are provided countless products from the forest industry and has been through many years. Paper, paper board, packaging materials and furniture to mention a few. A special type of paper used in food packaging for example, is greaseproof paper. Many producers of greaseproof papers use the toxic and harmful group of chemicals called per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in coating since they possess grease resistance. Nordic Paper is a manufacturer of iamKraft® kraft paper and greaseproof paper with over a hundred years of experience without the use of PFAS. Without PFAS, they instead rely on excess refining to form a very dense paper. Nordic Paper has decided to introduce the addition of eucalyptus fibers to the softwood sulfate pulp to enhance the formation of the paper. This study aims to investigate the effects of ~20% addition of eucalyptus fibers to softwood sulfate pulp in regard to refiner energy expended, air permeance (as a measure of grease resistance) and formation. Laboratory work has been done on hand made sheets with a vacuum suction box in laboratory scale. Eight different pulps (four with addition of eucalyptus), provided from Nordic Paper Seffle AB, Säffle, with different refining degree was used in this study. The vacuum pressure used was 20 kPa through all tests, with dwell times 0, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 ms on sheets with a grammage of 50 g/m2. The study has shown that the pulp with ~20% addition of eucalyptus achieved 86°SR with only 82% expended energy relative to the softwood pulp, which had a refining degree of 87°SR. This small difference in refining degree led to a similar development in dewatering after 20 ms dwell time and 20 kPa, where the softwood pulp achieved a dryness of 9.2% and the pulp with addition of eucalyptus achieved 9.0% dryness. The formation of the softwood pulp was worse, which was the reason for the implementation of addition of eucalyptus. The air permeance on the other hand was not improved by the eucalyptu, Vi tillhandahåller otaliga produkter från skogsindustrin och har gjort i många år. Papper, kartong, förpackningsmaterial och möbler för att nämna några. En speciell typ av papper som används i till exempel livsmedelsförpackningar är fettresistent papper. Många tillverkare av dessa papper använder den giftiga och skadliga gruppen av kemikalier som kallas per- och polyfluorerade alkylämnen (PFAS) i beläggning eftersom de har fettbeständiga egenskaper. Nordic Paper är en tillverkare av iamKraft® kraftpapper och ”greaseproofpapper” med över hundra års erfarenhet utan användning av PFAS. Utan PFAS förlitar de sig istället på extra malning av fibrer för att bilda ett mycket tätt papper. Nordic Paper har beslutat att införa tillsats av eukalyptusfibrer till sulfatmassa av barrved för att förbättra formationen på papperet. Denna studie syftar till att undersöka effekterna av ~20 % tillsats av eukalyptusfibrer till barrsvedssulfatmassan med avseende på förbrukad malningsenergi, luftpermeans (som ett mått på fettbeständighet) och formation. Laborationer har utförts på handgjorda ark med vakuumsuglåda i laboratorieskala. Åtta olika massor (fyra med tillsats av eukalyptus), tillhandahållna från Nordic Paper Seffle AB, Säffle, med olika malningsgrad användes i denna studie. Vakuumtrycket som användes var 20 kPa genom alla tester, med uppehållstider 0, 1, 2.5, 5, 10 och 20 ms på ark med en ytvikt på 50 g/m2. Studien har visat att massan med ~20% tillsats av eukalyptus uppnådde 86°SR med endast 82% förbrukad energi i förhållande till sulfatmassan, som hade en malningsgrad på 87°SR. Denna lilla skillnad i malningsgrad ledde till en liknande utveckling i avvattning efter 20 ms uppehållstid och 20 kPa, där sulfatmassan uppnådde en torrhalt på 9.2% och massan med tillsats av eukalyptus uppnådde 9.0% torrhalt. Formationen på sulfatmassan var sämre, vilket var anledningen till genomförandet av tillsats av eukalyptus. Luftpermeansen å andra sidan förbättrades inte av eukalyptusen, men me

Electrical insulation papers are a widely used group of papers in insulation applications and has been used for more than 100 years. Common applications include use as the dielectric medium in capacitors and insulation material in cables, bushings and transformers. As new advances in the study of the electrical properties of paper are made, the prospects of future applications grow. One interesting prospect is the use of paper as a substrate in sensing devices, biodegradable, printed and flexible electronics. Paper is a renewable and recyclable material and it would therefor be desirable to replace non-renewables materials such as plastics with paper as e.g., substrate in printed electronics. For this to be feasible the paper must be able to meet the electric and dielectric requirements of the intended application, among which low dielectric losses is a key parameter. One way to alter and control the electric and dielectric properties of a paper sample is through the selection of different ions in the ion-exchange step of the paper making process. In a collaboration between KTH Royal Institute of Technology and RISE - Research Institutes of Sweden AB working within a greater Digital Cellulose Center (DCC) project, this thesis aims to measure and characterise the dielectric response of a set of novel ion-exchanged paper samples together with a set of reference papers currently used in electrical applications. The greater goal of RISE work is to understand and map the influence of ion choice in order to better understand and control the dielectric properties of paper. The samples were measured using an impedance spectroscopy method from which capacitance and permittivity can be calculated. A parallel plate Kelvin guard-ring capacitor consisting of two electrodes and a guard ring placed in a custom made climate controlled chamber was used to measure the samples in different environmental conditions. The results show that the choice of ion used in the ion-exchanged pape, Elektriska isoleringspapper är en flitigt använd grupp av papper i isoleringsapplikationer och har använts i mer än 100 år. Vanliga applikationsområden inkluderar användning som dielektriskt medium i kondensatorer och isoleringsmaterial i kablar, genomföringar och transformatorer. I takt med att nya framsteg görs inom olika pappers elektriska egenskaper växer utsikterna för framtida tillämpningar. En intressant möjlighet är användningen av papper som substrat för sensorer, biologiskt nedbrytbar, tryckt och flexibel elektronik. Papper är ett förnybart och återvinningsbart material och det vore därför önskvärt att ersätta icke förnybara material som plast med papper som t.ex. substrat i tryckt elektronik. För att detta ska vara genomförbart måste papperet kunna uppfylla de elektriska och dielektriska kraven för den avsedda applikationen, bland vilka låga dielektriska förluster är en nyckelparameter. Ett sätt att ändra och kontrollera de elektriska och dielektriska egenskaperna hos ett pappersprov är genom valet av olika joner i jonbytessteget i papperstillverkningsprocessen. I ett samarbete mellan KTH Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan och RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB som arbetar inom ett större Digital Cellulose Center-projekt, syftar denna avhandling till att mäta och karakterisera den dielektriska responsen hos en uppsättning nya jonbytta pappersprover tillsammans med en uppsättning referenspapper. Det övergripande målet i RISE arbete är att förstå och kartlägga påverkan av jonval för att bättre förstå och kontrollera pappers dielektriska egenskaper. Proverna mättes med en impedansbaserad mätmetod från vilken kapacitans och permittivitet kan beräknas. En Kelvin plattkondensator bestående av två elektroder och en skyddsring placerad i en skräddarsydd klimatkontrollerad kammare användes för att mäta proverna under olika miljöförhållanden. Resultaten visar att valet av jon som används i jonutbytet kraftigt påverkar provets dielektriska respons, både dess dielektrisk

This paper consists of a project exploring the possibility to assess paper code reusability by measuring chuck damages utilizing a 3D sensor and usingMachine Learning to classify reusage. The paper cores are part of a rolling/unrolling system at a paper mill whereas a chuck is used to slow and eventually stop the revolving paper core, which creates damages that at a certain point is too grave for reuse. The 3D sensor used is a TriSpector1008from SICK, based on active triangulation through laser line projection and optic sensing. A number of paper cores with damages varying in severity labeled approved or unapproved for further use was provided. SupervisedLearning in the form of K-NN, Support Vector Machine, Decision Trees andRandom Forest was used to binary classify the dataset based on readings from the sensor. Features were extracted from these readings based on the spatial and frequency domain of each reading in an experimental way.Classification of reusage was previously done through thresholding on internal features in the sensor software. The goal of the project is to unify the decision making protocol/system with economical, environmental and sustainable waste management benefits. K-NN was found to be best suitedin our case. Features for standard deviation of calculated depth obtained from the readings, performed best and lead to a zero false positive rate and recall score of 99.14%, outperforming the compared threshold system., Den här rapporten undersöker möjligheten att bedöma papperskärnors återanvändbarhet genom att mäta chuck skador med hjälp av en 3D-sensor för att genom maskininlärning klassificera återanvändning. Papperskärnorna används i ett rullnings-/avrullningssystem i ett pappersbruk där en chuck används för att bromsa och till sist stoppa den roterande papperskärnan, vilket skapar skador som vid en viss punkt är för allvarliga för återanvändning. 3D-sensorn som används är en TriSpector1008 från SICK,baserad på aktiv triangulering genom laserlinje projektion och optisk avläsning. Projektet försågs med ett antal papperskärnor med varierande skador, märkta godkända eller ej godkända för vidare användning av leverantören. Supervised Learning i form av K-NN, Support VectorMachine, Decision Trees och Random Forest användes för att binärt klassificera datasetet baserat på avläsningar från sensorn. Features Extraherades från dessa avläsningar baserat på spatial och frekvensdomänen för varje avläsning på ett experimentellt sätt. Klassificering av återanvändning gjordes tidigare genom tröskelvärden på interna features isensorns mjukvara. Målet med projektet är att skapa ett enhetligtbeslutsprotokoll/system med ekonomiska, miljömässiga och hållbaraavfallshanteringsfördelar. K-NN visades vara bäst lämpad för projektet.Featuerna representerande standardavvikelse för beräknat djup som erhållits från avläsningarna visades vara bäst och leder till en false positive rate lika med noll och recall score på 99.14%, vilket överpresterade det jämförda tröskel systemet.

The main challenge in controlling the microbiological contamination of historical paper is finding an adequate method that includes the use of cost-effective, harmless, and non-toxic biocides whose effectiveness is maintained over time and without adverse effects on cultural heritage and human health. Therefore, this study demonstrated the possibility of using a non-invasive method of historical paper conservation based on plant essential oils (EOs) application. Evaluation of antimicrobial effects of different EOs (lemongrass, oregano, rosemary, peppermint, and eucalyptus) was conducted against Cladosporium cladosporoides, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Penicillium chrysogenum, which are commonly found on archive papers. Using a mixture of oregano, lemongrass and peppermint in ratio 1:1:1, the lower minimal inhibition concentration (0.78%) and better efficiency during a vapour test at the highest tested distance (5.5 cm) compared with individual EOs was proven. At the final step, this EOs mixture was used in the in situ conservation of historical paper samples obtained from the Archives of Vojvodina. According to the SEM imaging, the applied EOs mixture demonstrates complete efficiency in the inhibition of fungi colonization of archive papers, since fungal growth was not observed on samples, unlike the control samples.

L'objectiu d'aquest projecte és definir la implantació dún Hub centralitzat de planificació de subministraments a una empresa multinacional paperera, especialitzada en tres categories principals de productes: cura personal, paper tissú i higiene professional. El projecte inclou les tres àrees de negoci, però es centra en les tasques de planificació i programació de la producció que es realitzaran tant al Hub com a les plantes de producció locals. L'estructura general de la implantació del Hub de planificació de subministraments inclou les àrees de planificació i programació de la producció, dades mestres, planificació de reaprovisionaments, gestió d'inventaris, planificació de materials i precisió d'existències; a causa de la limitació temporal d'aquest projecte i de la càrrega de treball que suposa definir els beneficis potencials tant de la implantació d'un Hub com de les diferents tasques a curt, mitjà i llarg termini, que cobriran els planificadors i els programadors, s'ha limitat aquest projecte a la definició de tasques de planificació i programació de la producció. La memòria inclou una revisió bibliogràfica tant dels models de localització de Hubs, com dels reptes de la cadena de subministrament a la indústria paperera, que ajudarà a aplicar les implicacions científiques a un cas d'ús real a una multinacional paperera. L'objectiu de la implantació d'un Hub centralitzat de planificació de subministrament és, en primer lloc, crear escala i eficiència en un model estès; en segon lloc, estandarditzar el procés de planificació de la cadena de subministrament a les diferents fàbriques; i, en tercer lloc, determinar quines funcions romandran a nivell local i quines s'executaran des del Hub, El objetivo de este proyecto es definir la implantación de un Hub centralizado de planificación de suministros en una empresa multinacional papelera, especializada en tres categorías principales de productos: cuidado personal, papel tisú e higiene profesional. El proyecto abarca las tres áreas de negocio, pero se centra en las tareas de planificación y programación de la producción que se realizarán tanto en el Hub como en las plantas de producción locales. La estructura general de la implantación de un Hub de Planificación de Suministros abarca las áreas de planificación y programación de la producción, datos maestros, planificación de reaprovisionamientos, gestión de inventarios, planificación de materiales y precisión de existencias; debido a la limitación temporal de este proyecto y a la carga de trabajo que supone definir los beneficios potenciales tanto de la implantación de un Hub como de las diferentes tareas a corto, medio y largo plazo que cubrirán los planificadores y programadores, se ha limitado este proyecto al área de planificación y programación de la producción. La memoria incluye una revisión bibliográfica tanto de los modelos de localización de Hubs, como de los retos de la cadena de suministro en la industria papelera, que ayudará a aplicar las implicaciones científicas a un caso de uso real en una multinacional papelera. El objetivo de la implantación de un Hub centralizado de planificación de suministros es, en primer lugar, crear escala y eficiencia en un modelo extendido; en segundo lugar, estandarizar el proceso de planificación de la cadena de suministro en las distintas fábricas; y, en tercer lugar, determinar qué funciones permanecerán a nivel local y cuáles se ejecutarán desde el Hub, The purpose of this project is to define the implementation of a centralized Supply Planning Hub at a multinational paper mill company, diversified in three main product categories: personal care, consumer tissue and professional hygiene. The project will cover the three business areas, but it will focus mainly on the production planning and scheduling tasks to be performed both in the Hub and in the local production plants. The overall structure of the implementation of a Supply Planning Hub covers the areas of production planning and scheduling, master data, replenishment planning, inventory management, materials planning and stock accuracy; but due to the time constraint of this project and the workload of defining the potential benefits of both implementing a Hub and the different short, medium and long term tasks that will be covered by the planners and schedulers has limited this project to the production planning and scheduling area. The project includes a literature review of both Hub location models and supply chain challenges in the paper industry, which will help apply the scientific implications at a real use- case of a multinational paper mill company. The purpose of this implementation of a centralized Supply Planning Hub is to firstly, create scale and efficiency into a spread model, secondly standardize the supply chain planning process across the different mills, and thirdly determine which functions will remain at a local level and which will be executed from the Hub

The main challenge in controlling the microbiological contamination of historical paper is finding an adequate method that includes the use of cost-effective, harmless, and non-toxic biocides whose effectiveness is maintained over time and without adverse effects on cultural heritage and human health. Therefore, this study demonstrated the possibility of using a non-invasive method of historical paper conservation based on plant essential oils (EOs) application. Evaluation of antimicrobial effects of different EOs (lemongrass, oregano, rosemary, peppermint, and eucalyptus) was conducted against Cladosporium cladosporoides, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Penicillium chrysogenum, which are commonly found on archive papers. Using a mixture of oregano, lemongrass and peppermint in ratio 1:1:1, the lower minimal inhibition concentration (0.78%) and better efficiency during a vapour test at the highest tested distance (5.5 cm) compared with individual EOs was proven. At the final step, this EOs mixture was used in the in situ conservation of historical paper samples obtained from the Archives of Vojvodina. According to the SEM imaging, the applied EOs mixture demonstrates complete efficiency in the inhibition of fungi colonization of archive papers, since fungal growth was not observed on samples, unlike the control samples.

Nanogenerators and self-powered nanosensors have shown the potential to power low-consumption electronics and human-machine interfaces, but their practical implementation requires reliable, environmentally friendly and scalable processes for manufacturing and processing. Furthermore, the emerging flexible and wearable electronics technology demands direct fabrication onto innovative substrates such as paper and plastics typically incompatible with high process temperatures. This article presents a plasma synthesis approach for the fabrication of piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) and self-powered sensors on paper substrates. Polycrystalline ZnO nanocolumnar thin films are deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition on common paper supports using a microwave electron cyclotron resonance reactor working at room temperature yielding high growth rates and low structural and interfacial stresses. Applying Kinetic Monte Carlo simulation, we elucidate the basic shadowing mechanism behind the characteristic microstructure and porosity of the ZnO thin films, relating them to an enhanced piezoelectric response to periodic and random inputs. The piezoelectric devices are assembled by embedding the ZnO films in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and using Au thin layers as electrodes in two different configurations, namely laterally and vertically contacted devices. We present the response of the laterally connected devices as a force sensor for low-frequency events with different answers to the applied force depending on the impedance circuit, i.e. load values range, a behaviour that is theoretically analyzed. The characterization of the vertical devices in cantilever-like mode reaches instantaneous power densities of 80 nW/cm2 with a mean power output of 20 nW/cm2. Besides, we analyze their actual-scenario performance by activation with a fan and handwriting. Overall, this work demonstrates the advantages of implementing plasma deposition for piezoelectric films to d

The substances of very high concern (SVHCs) can be found in a wide range of consumer products. These substances can negatively influence human health depending on the route of exposure, exposure time and duration, amount of intake the substance by body and other factors. Increased number of carcinoma, sterility, diabetes can be due to the contact with SVHCs in our everyday life. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most commercialized SVHC chemicals and is used in many different products such as plastic packaging for water and food, storage media, and even in thermal paper. Thermal paper is used for receipts in stores and tickets for parking, bus, and trains. BPA is applied on thermal paper as a dye developer. As a dye developer, it is not chemically bound to the paper so it can easily migrate and be absorbed by the skin (fingers, palm). Studies showed that typical occupational exposures of work cashiers can increase concentrations of BPA and its metabolites in urine several times. Toxicokinetic studies showed that the route of exposure has a big effect on the concentration of BPA that circulates in the body. If BPA enters the body through dermal exposure, it metabolizes as unconjugated BPA, while oral exposure leads to a conjugated form of BPA. Studies showed that only the unconjugated form can bind to estrogen receptors, leading to the conclusion that the unconjugated form is hazardous. Due to that European Commission restricted usage of BPA to 0.02 mas%. The paper manufacturers replaced BPA with bisphenol S (BPS). It is expected that 61 % of all thermal paper in the EU will be BPS-based till now. However, the wide use of BPS in thermal paper raises concern because it was shown that BPS is also toxic. New studies of urine samples collected around the world showed the presance of BPS. Due to increasing production of BPS there is a need for the development of analytical methods for the detection of SVCHs. The most used are HPLCs with mass spectrometric detection, which a

The sharing and documentation of cardiovascular research data are essential for efficient use and reuse of data, thereby aiding scientific transparency, accelerating the progress of cardiovascular research and healthcare, and contributing to the reproducibility of research results. However, challenges remain. This position paper, written on behalf of and approved by the German Cardiac Society and German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, summarizes our current understanding of the challenges in cardiovascular research data management (RDM). These challenges include lack of time, awareness, incentives, and funding for implementing effective RDM; lack of standardization in RDM processes; a need to better identify meaningful and actionable data among the increasing volume and complexity of data being acquired; and a lack of understanding of the legal aspects of data sharing. While several tools exist to increase the degree to which data are findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR), more work is needed to lower the threshold for effective RDM not just in cardiovascular research but in all biomedical research, with data sharing and reuse being factored in at every stage of the scientific process. A culture of open science with FAIR research data should be fostered through education and training of early-career and established research professionals. Ultimately, FAIR RDM requires permanent, long-term effort at all levels. If outcomes can be shown to be superior and to promote better (and better value) science, modern RDM will make a positive difference to cardiovascular science and practice. The full position paper is available in the supplementary materials.

Health initiatives worldwide demand affordable point- of-care devices to aid in the reduction of morbidity and mortality rates of high-incidence infectious and noncommunicable diseases. However, the production of robust and reliable easy-to-use diagnostic platforms showing the ability to quantitatively measure several biomarkers in physiological fluids and that could in turn be decentralized to reach any relevant environment remains a challenge. Here, we show the particular combination of paper-microfluidic technology, electro- chemical transduction, and magnetic nanoparticle-based immunoassay approaches to produce a unique, compact, and easily deployable multiplex device to simultaneously measure interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-a, and myeloperoxidase biomarkers in sputum, developed with the aim of facilitating the timely detection of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The device incorporates an on-chip electrochemical cell array and a multichannel paper component, engineered to be easily aligned into a polymeric cartridge and exchanged if necessary. Calibration curves at clinically relevant biomarker concentration ranges are produced in buffer and artificial sputum. The analysis of sputum samples of healthy individuals and acutely exacerbated patients produces statistically significant biomarker concentration differences between the two studied groups. The device can be mass-produced at a low cost, being an easily adaptable platform for measuring other disease-related target biomarkers., This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) grants PCIN-2016-052 and PCIN-2016-134 and by Portuguese Fundação para a Ciência e a Technologia grant ENMed/0049/2016, through the ERA-NET EuroNanoMed II initiative (LungCheck project). This research was also funded by the European Commision-NextGenerationEU (Regulation EU 2020/2094), through CSIC’s Global Health Platform (PTI). This work used the Spanish ICTS Network MICRONANOFABS and was partly supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

Nanogenerators and self-powered nanosensors have shown the potential to power low-consumption electronics and human-machine interfaces, but their practical implementation requires reliable, environmentally friendly and scalable processes for manufacturing and processing. Furthermore, the emerging flexible and wearable electronics technology demands direct fabrication onto innovative substrates such as paper and plastics typically incompatible with high process temperatures. This article presents a plasma synthesis approach for the fabrication of piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) and self-powered sensors on paper substrates. Polycrystalline ZnO nanocolumnar thin films are deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition on common paper supports using a microwave electron cyclotron resonance reactor working at room temperature yielding high growth rates and low structural and interfacial stresses. Applying Kinetic Monte Carlo simulation, we elucidate the basic shadowing mechanism behind the characteristic microstructure and porosity of the ZnO thin films, relating them to an enhanced piezoelectric response to periodic and random inputs. The piezoelectric devices are assembled by embedding the ZnO films in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and using Au thin layers as electrodes in two different configurations, namely laterally and vertically contacted devices. We present the response of the laterally connected devices as a force sensor for low-frequency events with different answers to the applied force depending on the impedance circuit, i.e. load values range, a behaviour that is theoretically analyzed. The characterization of the vertical devices in cantilever-like mode reaches instantaneous power densities of 80 nW/cm2 with a mean power output of 20 nW/cm2. Besides, we analyze their actual-scenario performance by activation with a fan and handwriting. Overall, this work demonstrates the advantages of implementing plasma deposition for piezoelectric films to d

Sweden’s pulp and paper sector accounts for a significant proportion of national energy usage, and generates wastewater that causes eutrophication of nearby sinks. In this paper, the possibility of optimizing a biological purification process at the Stora Enso Skoghall mill south of the city of Karlstad in central Sweden, with respect to electricity usage and the addition of nutrients, has been investigated. A computational model of the treatment process was developed, based on process data obtained from the mill, and nine different scenarios compared subsequently, with energy use, environmental impacts and operational expenses, as criteria. These nine scenarios were compared with the reference case, which is the status quo of the biological treatment at the mill. The results depicted that the most energy-efficient and cost-effective alternative was a combination of measures such as lowering the oxygen level in the MBBR from 3 mg l-1 to 2 mg l-1 and using Hyperclassic in the aerated lagoon; an arrangement that yielded a 48.5% reduction in operational expenses, and a 60% decrease in the energy use, vis-à-vis the reference case, without affecting the efficiency of the purification process. This also uncovered an opportunity to mitigate the global warming impact and the eutrophication potential, by approximately 100 tons of CO2-eq. year-1 and 140 kg PO43--eq. year-1. All attempts to optimize the use of resources and decrease the anthropogenic environmental footprint ought to be made to come closer to the targets set by the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs). The authors’ conclusion predicated on the results of the modelling and analysis done in this study is that the potential of seemingly small process modifications, such as lowering the oxygen level in the MBBR, and applying a more optimal dosage of nutrient salts, must not be overlooked.

The rise of paper electronics has been accelerated due to the public push for sustainability. Electronic waste can potentially be avoided if certain materials in electronic components can be substituted for greener alternatives such as paper. Within this report, it is demonstrated that conductive polymers poly(3,4-ethylenedoxythiophene) (PEDOT), polypyrrole, and polythiophene, can be synthesized by screen printing combined with vapor phase polymerization on paper substrates and further incorporated into functional electronic components. High patterning resolution (100 mu m) is achieved for all conductive polymers, with PEDOT showing impressive sheet resistance values. PEDOT is incorporated as conductive circuitry and as the active material in all-printed electrochromic displays. The conductive polymer circuits allow for functional light emitting diodes, while the electrochromic displays are comparable to commercial displays utilizing PEDOT on plastic substrates., Funding Agencies|Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research [EM16-0002]; Vinnova for the Digital Cellulose Center [2016-05193]; European Union [101008701]

Sweden’s pulp and paper sector accounts for a significant proportion of national energy usage, and generates wastewater that causes eutrophication of nearby sinks. In this paper, the possibility of optimizing a biological purification process at the Stora Enso Skoghall mill south of the city of Karlstad in central Sweden, with respect to electricity usage and the addition of nutrients, has been investigated. A computational model of the treatment process was developed, based on process data obtained from the mill, and nine different scenarios compared subsequently, with energy use, environmental impacts and operational expenses, as criteria. These nine scenarios were compared with the reference case, which is the status quo of the biological treatment at the mill. The results depicted that the most energy-efficient and cost-effective alternative was a combination of measures such as lowering the oxygen level in the MBBR from 3 mg l-1 to 2 mg l-1 and using Hyperclassic in the aerated lagoon; an arrangement that yielded a 48.5% reduction in operational expenses, and a 60% decrease in the energy use, vis-à-vis the reference case, without affecting the efficiency of the purification process. This also uncovered an opportunity to mitigate the global warming impact and the eutrophication potential, by approximately 100 tons of CO2-eq. year-1 and 140 kg PO43--eq. year-1. All attempts to optimize the use of resources and decrease the anthropogenic environmental footprint ought to be made to come closer to the targets set by the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs). The authors’ conclusion predicated on the results of the modelling and analysis done in this study is that the potential of seemingly small process modifications, such as lowering the oxygen level in the MBBR, and applying a more optimal dosage of nutrient salts, must not be overlooked.

Det talas allt oftare om de problem som världens plastanvändning åsamkar miljön genom exempelvis nedskräpning och mikroplaster. Det finns många olika typer och användningsområden för plast. Den typ som anses värst i avseende till miljöpåverkan är plasten som används en gång och sedan förlorar sin funktion, det som idag kallas engångsplast. Ett av de vanligaste områdena där engångsplast används är inom förpackningsindustrin för livsmedel. År 2019/2020 växte en projektidé bland en grupp elever om att se över alternativa förpackningsmaterial till främst frukt och grönt i matvaruhandeln. Idéen utvecklades och vid en expo på Textilhögskolan år 2020 presenterades ett citrusnät för ekologiska citroner stickat på en manuell stickmaskin i pappersgarn. Som fortsättning på arbetet är nu nästa steg att undersöka möjligheterna att sticka en motsvarande prototyp på en industriell maskin och vilka utmaningar som följer. Stickningen genomfördes i Borås på Textilhögskolans trikålabb. Maskinen som användes är en flatsticksmaskin av typen STOLL CMS822 HP knit and wear. Pappersgarn av olika garnnummer kom uteslutande från företaget OJO+ Fibers och baseras på pappersmassa från manillaplantan. Två bindningar stickades, en mesh-bindning och en stickning med flotteringar. Mesh-bindningen testades även med garn av olika garnnummer och olika antal ingående garn. De viktigaste parametrarna för möjligheten att sticka på industriell flatsticksmaskin visade sig vara garnets styrka, styvhet samt maskinens delning. Efter två separata produktionsgenomgångar genomfördes en visuell bedömning som avgjorde vilka stickningar som lämpade sig att gå vidare till ett dragprovstest. Standarden som användes för dragprovstest var (SS-EN ISO 13934–1:2013) och genomfördes på en Tinius Olsen H10KT (Elastocon). Fem provkroppar av varje stickning testades först i torrt- och sedan vått tillstånd genom blötläggning enligt standard. För att jämföra data från dragprovstestningen genomfördes en variansanalys för att upp, There’s an ongoing worldwide discussion regarding the environmental impact of plastic use. Single- use plastic is considered one of the most problematic due to the loss of functionality after one use. A common industry using single-use plastic is the food packaging industry. In 2019/2020, a project idea grew to review alternative packaging materials for fruits and vegetables. A prototype was presented at the Swedish School av Textile’s expo in 2020, a citrus net hand-knitted in paper yarn for organic lemons. The next step was to investigate the possibility of knitting paper nets on industrial machines and what difficulties may arise. The knitting was carried out in the Textilhögskolan in Borås machine hall on a flat knitting machine, a STOLL CMS822 HP knit and wear. The paper yarn used came exclusively from OJO+ Fibers and was made from pulp from the manilla plant. Two bindings were knitted, one mesh and one with floatations. The mesh binding was knitted in multiple variations, yarn of different yarn numbers and numbers of ingoing yarns. The most important parameters for knitting on industrial machines turned out to be the strength of the yarn, stiffness and gauge of the machine. A visual assessment was carried out after two separate production reviews and determined which knits were suitable to proceed to a tensile test. The standard used for tensile tests was (SS-EN ISO 13934-1:2013) on a Tinius Olsen H10KT (Elastocon). Five specimens of each knit were tested, first in the dry state and then in the wet state. A variance analysis compared the data from the tensile test, partly between the different constructions and between dry and wet samples within each group. The result shows a large spread within the data material, which cannot determine with certainty any conclusions about which construction is the strongest. The main reason for this spread is necessary deviations from the standard and the fact that (SS-EN ISO 13934-1:2013) is mainly for woven goods, not knitt

Printed electronic paper identifies its interest in flexible organic electronics and sustainable and clean energy applications because of its straightforward production method, cost-effectiveness, and positive environmental impact. However, current limitations include restricted material thickness and the use of supporting substrate for printing. Here, 2D and 3D electronic patterned paper are fabricated from direct ink writing (DIW) nanocellulose and PEDOT:PSS-based materials using syringe deposition and 3D printing. The conductor patterns are integrated in the bulk of the paper, while non-conductive sections are used as support to form free-standing paper. The strong interface between the patterns of electronic patterned paper gives mechanical stability for practical handling. The conductive paper-based electrode has 202 S cm(-1) and is capable of handling electric current up to 0.7 A, which can be used for high-power devices. Printed supercapacitor papers show high specific energy of 4.05 Wh kg(-1), specific power of 4615 W kg(-1) at 0.06 A g(-1), and capacitance retention above 95% after 2000 cycles. The new design structure of electronic patterned papers presents a solution for additive manufacturing of paper-based composites for supercapacitors, wearable electronics, or sensors for smart packaging.

The rise of paper electronics has been accelerated due to the public push for sustainability. Electronic waste can potentially be avoided if certain materials in electronic components can be substituted for greener alternatives such as paper. Within this report, it is demonstrated that conductive polymers poly(3,4-ethylenedoxythiophene) (PEDOT), polypyrrole, and polythiophene, can be synthesized by screen printing combined with vapor phase polymerization on paper substrates and further incorporated into functional electronic components. High patterning resolution (100 mu m) is achieved for all conductive polymers, with PEDOT showing impressive sheet resistance values. PEDOT is incorporated as conductive circuitry and as the active material in all-printed electrochromic displays. The conductive polymer circuits allow for functional light emitting diodes, while the electrochromic displays are comparable to commercial displays utilizing PEDOT on plastic substrates., Funding Agencies|Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research [EM16-0002]; Vinnova for the Digital Cellulose Center [2016-05193]; European Union [101008701]

Detecting sputum pyocyanin (PYO) with a competitive immunoassay is a promising approach for diagnosing Pseudomonas aeruginosa respiratory infections. However, it is not possible to perform a negative control to evaluate matrix-effects in competitive immunoassays, and the highly complex sputum matrix often interferes with target detection. Here, we show that these issues are alleviated by performing competitive immunoassays with a paper biosensor. The biosensing platform consists of a paper reservoir, which contains antibody-coated gold nanoparticles, and a substrate containing a competing recognition element, which is a piece of paper modified with an albumin-antigen conjugate. Detection of PYO with a limit of detection of 4.7·10-3 µM and a dynamic range between 4.7·10-1 µM and 47.6 µM is accomplished by adding the sample to the substrate with the competing element and pressing the reservoir against it for 5 min. When tested with patient samples, the biosensor was able to qualitatively differentiate spiked from non-spiked samples, whereas ELISA did not show a clear cut-off between them. Furthermore, the relative standard deviation was lower when determining sputum with the paper-based biosensor. These features, along with a mild liquefaction step that circumvents the use of harsh chemicals or instruments, make our biosensor a good candidate for diagnosing Pseudomonas infections at the bedside through the detection of sputum PYO.

In this article, we present the procedure of preparation of flexible electronic paper with a photosensitive azo dye layer as the key element for changing the orientation of the polarization plane. The main steps of the technology for the fabrication of flexible e-paper are reported. The possible production of Digital Mirror Devices and the roll-to-roll process is discussed. Images on flexible e-paper are demonstrated, including bank card options. The advantages of optically rewritable e-paper technology in comparison with the e-ink usually used for this purpose are highlighted. Potential applications of flexible optically rewritable e-paper include price tags for supermarkets, indoor and outdoor advertisements, smart card labels, etc. © 2023 by the authors.

Earlier work on the hygro-expansion of paper states that the larger hygro-expansivity of freely compared to restrained dried handsheets is due to structural differences between the fibers inside the handsheet. To study this hypothesis, first, the hygro-expansion of freely and restrained dried, hardwood and softwood handsheets has been characterized. Subsequently, the transient full-field hygro-expansion (longitudinal, transverse, and shear strain) of fibers extracted from these handsheets was measured using global digital height correlation, from which the micro-fibril angle was deduced. The hygro-expansivity of each individual fiber was tested before and after a wetting period, during which the fiber’s moisture content is maximized, to analyze if a restrained dried fiber can “transform” into a freely dried fiber. It was found that the longitudinal hygro-expansion of the freely dried fibers is significantly larger than the restrained dried fibers, consistent with the sheet-scale differences. The difference in micro-fibril angle between the freely and restrained dried fibers is a possible explanation for this difference, but merely for the hardwood fibers, which are able to “transform” to freely dried fibers after being soaked in water. In contrast, this “transformation” does not happen in softwood fibers, even after full immersion in water for a day. Various mechanisms have been studied to explain the observations on freely and restrained dried hardwood and softwood, fiber and handsheets including analysis of the fibers’ lumen and cross-sectional shape. The presented results and discussion deepens the understanding of the differences between freely and restrained dried handsheets.

Biofouling causes important economic losses in the paper industry. To prevent or mitigate the effects of biofilms is necessary to implement microbiological control programmes based on monitoring programs which requires the evaluation of the biofilm growth kinetic taking into account the ability of microorganisms viability. The monitoring techniques must be rapid to minimise both costs and use of chemicals. This paper presents the study of the growth kinetics of two bacterial strains known for their high capacity to produce biofilms in paper mills. After the validation of flow cytometry as a technique for microbial growth monitoring, the development of segregated kinetic models based on cell physiological states data was carried out. The developed models can be used to design microbial control programs., TRUE, pub

According to current environmental legislation concerned with water scarcity, paper industry is being forced to adopt a zero liquid effluent policy. In consequence, reverse osmosis (RO) systems are being assessed as the final step of effluent treatment trains aiming to recover final wastewater and reuse it as process water. One of the most important drawbacks of these treatments is the production of a retentated stream, which is usually highly loaded with biorecalcitrant organic matter and inorganics; and this effluent must meet current legislation stringent constraints before being ultimately disposed. The treatment of biorefractory RO retentate from a paper mill by several promising advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) – conventional Fenton, photo-Fenton and photocatalysis – was optimized considering the effect and interaction of reaction parameters; particularly using response surface methodology (RSM) when appropriate (Fenton processes). The economical cost of these treatments was also comparatively assessed. Photo-Fenton process was able to totally remove the COD of the retentate, and resulted even operatively cheaper at high COD removal levels than conventional Fenton, which achieved an 80% reduction of the COD at best. In addition, although these optimal results were produced at pH = 2.8, it was also tested that Fenton processes are able to achieve good COD reduction efficiencies (>60%) without adjusting the initial pH value, provided the natural pH of this wastewater was close to neutral. Finally, although TiO2-photocatalysis showed the least efficient and most expensive figures, it improved the biodegradability of the retentate, so its combination with a final biological step almost achieved the total removal of the COD., Unión Europea. FP7, Comunidad de Madrid, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, TRUE, pub

Agro-wastes valorization focusses on production of high value-added products, such as cellulose nanofibers (CNF), and contributes to reduce the environmental impact of these residues. CNF have been used successfully as papermaking additives and some previsions maintain that this sector will become the most important, demanding CNF at a reasonable cost. Furthermore, the optimization of the production process of CNF from agricultural residues would contribute to the goals of a circular economy, the development of rural areas and the costs reduction by producing CNF of the minimum quality fit-for-use in recycled paper. In this study, CNF was produced from two agricultural residues; corn (C-CNF) and rape (R-CNF) stalk pulps, pretreated with bleaching, refining and TEMPO-mediated oxidation. Coagulant and cationic polyacrylamide (dual system) and chitosan were the retention systems. Results show the difficulty of predicting the effect of CNF based on their properties, as fibrillation degree or anionic charge, on the improvement of mechanical properties of recycled paper. That is proved by the low differences in tensile index (TI) improvement (similar to 15% by adding 0.5% C-CNF combined with dual system), obtained with CNF with very different properties. The expensive TEMPO pretreatment could be avoid by applying bleaching pretreatment to the corn pulp, increasing the TI up to 15% without affecting drainage and decoupling the simultaneous deterioration of drainage with TI improvement (drainage time decreased nearly 50% and 20% adding bleached R-CNF and C-CNF, respectively, combined with chitosan). Similar improvements on TI can be achieved by replacing the dual retention system by chitosan without addition of CNF, but the combination of CNF and chitosan allows achieving the highest TI values., Economy and Competitiveness Ministry of Spain (MINECO), Depto. de Ingeniería Química y de Materiales, Fac. de Ciencias Químicas, TRUE, pub

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering on 09/05/2012, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10934529.2012.672301, There is increasing concern about chemical pollutants that have the ability to mimic hormones, the so-called endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). One of the main reasons for concern is the possible effect of EDCs on human health. EDCs may be released into the environment in different ways, and one of the most significant sources is industrial wastewater. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the treatment performance of different wastewater treatment procedures (biological treatment, filtration, advanced oxidation processes) for the reduction of chemical oxygen demand and seven selected EDCs (dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, bisphenol A and nonylphenol) from wastewaters from a mill producing 100 % recycled paper. Two pilot plants were running in parallel and the following treatments were compared: (i) anaerobic biological treatment followed by aerobic biological treatment, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis (RO), and (ii) anaerobic biological treatment followed by membrane bioreactor and RO. Moreover, at lab-scale, four different advanced oxidation processes (Fenton reaction, photo-Fenton reaction, photocatalysis with TiO2, and ozonation) were applied. The results indicated that the concentrations of selected EDCs from paper mill wastewaters were effectively reduced (100 %) by both combinations of pilot plants and photo-Fenton oxidation (98 %), while Fenton process, photocatalysis with TiO2 and ozonation were less effective (70 % to 90 %, respectively)., Unión Europea. FP7, Comunidad de Madrid, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, TRUE, pub

The closure of water circuits within pulp and paper mills has resulted in a higher contamination load of the final mill effluent, which must consequently be further treated in many cases to meet the standards imposed by the legislation in force. Different treatment strategies based on advanced oxidation processes (ozonation and TiO2-photocatalysis), and their combination with biological treatment (MBR), are herein assessed for effluents of a recycled paper mill and a kraft pulp mill. Ozone treatment achieved the highest efficiency of all. The consumption of 2.4 g O3 L−1 resulted in about a 60% COD reduction treating the effluent from the kraft pulp mill at an initial pH = 7; although it only reached about a 35% COD removal for the effluent of the recycled paper mill. Otherwise, photocatalysis achieved about a 20–30% reduction of the COD for both type of effluents. In addition, the effluent from the recycled paper mill showed a higher biodegradability, so combinations of these AOPs with biological treatment were tested. As a result, photocatalysis did not report any significant COD reduction improvement whether being performed as pre- or post-treatment of the biological process; whereas the use of ozonation as post-biological treatment enhanced COD removal a further 10%, summing up a total 90% reduction of the COD for the combined treatment, as well as it also supposed an increase of the presence of volatile fatty acids, which might ultimately enable the resultant wastewater to be recirculated back to further biological treatment., Unión Europea. FP7, Comunidad de Madrid, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, TRUE, pub

The use of nanocelluloses as strength-enhancing additives in papermaking is widely known since both cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and nanocrystals (CNC) present similar composition than paper but their exceptional properties in the nanometer scale confers a paper quality enhancement. However, some agglomeration problems in CNF and CNC through hydrogen bonding cause a lower improvement of mechanical properties of paper. Therefore, a better dispersion of both nanocelluloses can maximize their effect on paper properties, thus reducing the needed dose to get the same increment in tensile strength and then reducing material costs. To ease the implementation of these nanocelluloses in the production process of recycled paper, typically used operations of these industries have been used. Among them, those devoted to improve the homogeneous mixture of nanocellulose in the pulp suspension have been assessed. Firstly, pulping conditions were studied, including pulping time, temperature and need for soaking as variables. Secondly, some dispersing agents used in papermaking were considered, studying the effect of different types and doses. The highest tensile strength of paper was achieved by applying long pulping times (60 min), getting increments up to 30% with the use of soaking and polyacrylamide as retention system. However, with the use of a low dose of a dispersing agent (0.003%), tensile index can be still increased up to 20.6% avoiding these long times. This study can be of great interest of those researchers trying to implement the use of nanocelluloses as strength additive in papermaking., Economy and Competitiveness Ministry of Spain (MINECO), Depto. de Ingeniería Química y de Materiales, Fac. de Ciencias Químicas, TRUE, pub

In the present work, lignocellulosic micro/nanofibers (LCMNF) were produced from pine sawdust. For that, pine sawdust was submitted to alkali treatment and subsequent bleaching stages, tailoring its chemical composition with the purpose of obtaining effective LCMNF. The obtained LCMNF were characterized and incorporated to recycled cardboard boxes with the purpose of producing recycled paper. The obtained results showed that it was possible to obtain LCMNF with the same reinforcing potential than those cellulose nanofibers (CNF) prepared by oxidative or other chemical methods In fact, the obtained papers increased the breaking length of recycled cardboard from 3338 m to 5347 m, being a value significantly higher than the requirements to produce paper bags. Overall, the studied strategies could allow a significant reduction of paper basis weight, with the consequent material saving and, thus, contribution to the environment., Economy and Competitiveness Ministry of Spain (MINECO), Community of Madrid (Spain), Depto. de Ingeniería Química y de Materiales, Fac. de Ciencias Químicas, TRUE, pub

This paper compares Léon Walras’ and Augustin Cournot’s views on monetary regulation. It shows that whereas Cournot believed discretionary monetary regulation to be convenient and acceptable, Walras held that the only acceptable monetary system is based exclusively on the stability of the value of money under a monetary rule following a strict equivalence between metallic reserves and a pure medium of exchange form of money. The paper also advances Cournot understood more clearly than Walras the evolution of the monetary system of their days because Walras was trying to guarantee the coherence of his pure theory with his applied theory, which made him unable to accept the evolution toward a monetary system based on fiat money., Este artículo compara las teorías de Léon Walras y Augustin Cournot sobre regulación monetaria. Demuestra que, si bien Cournot creía que era conveniente y aceptable la regulación monetaria discrecional, Walras sostuvo que el único sistema monetario aceptable es el basado en la estabilidad del valor del dinero bajo una regla monetaria que siga una estricta equivalencia entre las reservas metálicas y el dinero, considerado como puro medio de cambio. El artículo también apunta a que Cournot entendió mejor que Walras la evolución del sistema monetario de su época dado que Walras trataba de mantener la coherencia de su teoría pura con su teoría aplicada, lo que hizo que fuera incapaz de aceptar la evolución hacia un sistema monetario basado en dinero fiduciario., Depto. de Economía Aplicada, Estructura e Historia, Fac. de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, TRUE, pub

This paper tackles the task of singulating and grasping paper-like deformable objects. We refer to such tasks as paper-flipping. In contrast to manipulating deformable objects that lack compression strength (such as shirts and ropes), minor variations in the physical properties of the paper-like deformable objects significantly impact the results, making manipulation highly challenging. Here, we present Flipbot, a novel solution for flipping paper-like deformable objects. Flipbot allows the robot to capture object physical properties by integrating exteroceptive and proprioceptive perceptions that are indispensable for manipulating deformable objects. Furthermore, by incorporating a proposed coarse-to-fine exploration process, the system is capable of learning the optimal control parameters for effective paper-flipping through proprioceptive and exteroceptive inputs. We deploy our method on a real-world robot with a soft gripper and learn in a self-supervised manner. The resulting policy demonstrates the effectiveness of Flipbot on paper-flipping tasks with various settings beyond the reach of prior studies, including but not limited to flipping pages throughout a book and emptying paper sheets in a box. The code is available here: https://robotll.github.io/Flipbot/. © 2023 IEEE.