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Forests of the Mediterranean Basin provide a wide range of provisioning and regulating services that are currently jeopardised by land-use change. Although many ecosystem services are mediated by insects, most of the studies that have focused on how to enhance diversity in traditionally managed forests are about plants and vertebrates. Quercus pyrenaica woodlands of the Western Iberian Peninsula constitute a scenario in which traditional human practices (i.e., extensive livestock grazing, pollarding, firewood, forest thinning, etc.), and their progressive abandonment, have generated differences in landscape that affect habitat and microhabitat structures. We used saproxylic beetles (deadwood-dependent species) as biological indicators because they are the most diverse taxa and provide important ecosystem services related to deadwood decomposition, forest pest control and pollination. We modelled the response of two taxonomic (species richness and abundance), one ecological (species diversity of order 1) and two functional (functional richness and redundancy) diversity metrics to the environmental variables that result from traditional management or its abandonment at habitat and microhabitat levels. We included 16 explanatory variables related to forest structure, tree microhabitats and abiotic factors, which were grouped into eight principal components. Linear regression was the best fitting model for data. The resulting models were used to perform diversity predictions in different scenarios. We found that abandonment of some traditional forest management activities in the Mediterranean Region reduced taxonomic saproxylic beetle diversity, which may be further aggravated by climate change. We suggest minimal management actions to improve taxonomic and ecological saproxylic beetle diversity related to habitat and tree management (i.e., maintenance of >20% scrub coverage, >20 m3/ha of deadwood on soil and >20 hollow trees/ha). However, actions that boost saproxylic

C-Phycocyanin (PC) and B-phycoerythrin (PE) are light-harvesting water-soluble phycobiliproteins from microalgae that belong mainly to the cyanobaceria and rhodhophytes families. Different methods have been developed for PC and PE extraction and purification from microalgae, and offer a high potential for their use as additives in sectors such as food and cosmetics. However, the main limitations of using these dyes are the sensitivity of their environmental factors, such as light fastness, temperature, and pH. We successfully employed safe lamellar nanoclays such as montmorillonite (M) and Laponite (L) for phycobiliproteins stabilization, as we did before with other natural dyes. We obtained a wide color gamut from blues to pink by combining four different factors under synthesis conditions: three dye concentrations; two laminar nanoclay sizes; a two nanoclay surface modifiers combination with cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB) and a coupling agent (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane. The experimental conditions were defined according to a multilevel factorial design of experiment (DOE) to study the factors interacting in the final hybrid pigment characteristics. In both M and L, the d001 distance (nm) increased due to PC and PE adsorption. The best conditions to increase the basal space depend on the nanoclay structure, and it is better to use the surfactant for M, and silane modification for L. In addition, optical and thermal PE and PC properties significantly improved. We show the optimal synthesis conditions to increase PC and PE adsorption using the high dye concentration, with surfactant and silane depending on the nanoclay. The hybrid pigments from these phycobiliproteins offer the opportunity to perform several industrial applications, including in polymer additives, cosmetics, and packaging.

In the present work, anthocyanin (ACN) hybrid nanopigments were synthetized by using a natural pomegranate dye (PD) and calcined hydrotalcite (HT) and montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclays. A wide colour gamut was obtained with MMT-based nanopigments ranging from reddish to bluish hues caused by structural transformations of ACNs at different pH values. However, a buffer effect was observed with HT obtaining samples a similar final colour regardless of the synthesis conditions. Nanopigments added with a biomordant extracted from pomegranate peels showed a different colour compared to the incorporation of a commercial mordant due to the intrinsic colouring properties of the pomegranate bioadditive. The developed nanopigments were incorporated at 7 wt% loading to produce novel polyester-based bionanocomposites which were characterized in terms of thermal, mechanical and colour properties. The encapsulation of PD into the nanoclays improved its thermal stability, in particular for MMT-based nanopigments. The pH changes observed during the nanofillers synthesis affected the final colour of the MMT-based nanocomposites, inducing a general increase in ∆E* and a decrease in gloss values. Slight improvements were obtained in terms of elastic modulus for MMT-based polymer samples confirming the applicability of the developed bionanocomposites as colouring and reinforcement materials. A very similar environmental profile was obtained for MMT and HT-based nanofillers showing MMT-based nanopigments a slightly better general behaviour. The results of the LCA study evidenced the suitability of the processes used in this work to the circular bioeconomy approach through sustainable food waste management and the production of bioplastics using waste substrates.

Sustainable and green materials have been studied in dye and pigment productions to reduce their environment impacts from being produced and applied. Although natural dyes are an excellent choice to move from agrowaste, some improvements must be made before they are applied given their poor fastness. One way of improving natural dye properties is their adsorption into nanoclay structures to give hybrid pigments. This work used tubular halloysite and laminar laponite to adsorb and stabilize natural copper chlorophyll. With a statistical design of experiments, we observed interactions between synthesis factors, such as pH, ionic strength, and surfactant or silane modification. Cool hybrid pigments with high TSR (%) values and a wide color range were obtained by using dispersions with only distilled water at room temperature. Successful chlorophyll adsorption on both nanoclay surfaces took place by XRD and DTA analyses. The maximum natural dye absorption for both nanoclay types took place under acid conditions, pH 3–4, and in the presence of mordant. The TSR (%) improved by the silane pH interaction, and halloysite hybrid pigments obtained higher TSR values than the laponite ones. Finally, a wide chromatic green color range was obtained with the surfactant modification in both nanoclays, and the color fastening was also improved in the hybrid pigments application. The samples generated with 10% of hybrid pigments from both nanoclays and an Epoxy bioresin, show higher colorfastness than the sample with the natural chlorophyll, due to the nanoclays–dye interaction and protection.

In this work, polyester-based nanocomposites added with laminar nanoclays (calcined hydrotalcite, HT, and montmorillonite, MMT) loaded with lemon waste natural dye (LD) and essential oil (LEO) were prepared and characterized. The optimal conditions to synthetize the hybrid materials were obtained by using statistically designed experiments. The maximum LD adsorption with HT was found using 5 wt% of surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate), 5 wt% of mordant (aluminum potassium sulfate dodecahydrate) and 50% (v/v) ethanol. For MMT, 10 wt% of surfactant (cetylpyridinium bromide), 5 wt% of mordant, 1 wt% of (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane and 100% distilled water were used. LEO adsorption at 300 wt% was maximized with MMT, 10 wt% of surfactant and 50 °C following an evaporation/adsorption process. The obtained hybrid nanofillers were incorporated in a polyester-based matrix (INZEA) at different loadings (3, 5, and 7 wt%) and the obtained samples were characterized in terms of thermal stability, tensile behavior, and color properties. HT_LEM-based samples showed a bright yellow color compared to MMT_LEM ones. The presence of lemon hybrid pigments in INZEA-based systems produced a remarkable variation in CIELAB color space values, which was more visible with increasing the nanofillers ratio. A limited mechanical enhancement and reduced thermal stability was observed with the nanopigments addition, suggesting a limited extent of intercalation/exfoliation of MMT and HT in the polymer matrix. MMT_LEM pigments showed higher thermal stability than HT_LEM ones. A significant increase in Young’s modulus of nanocomposites loaded with hybrid LEO was observed compared to the biopolymer matrix. The LEO inclusion into the nanoclays efficiently improved its thermal stability, especially for MMT.

In our society, objects’ visual appearance is an essential factor because it allows us to recognize and differentiate one object from another. In different industrial sectors like cosmetics, textiles and automotive, special-effect pigments are largely used to achieve attractive visual features. These pigments provide a color change with viewing and illumination direction, and visually provide texture. Depending on a finish’s properties, and also on the viewing and illumination conditions, coatings exhibit sparkle or a graininess-like texture. Currently, not many scientific works on the visual perception of these texture effects can be found in the literature. In addition, choice of experimental method can influence the measurement scale obtained from visual data. For this reason, the purpose of this work was to analyze graininess visual scaling constructed by two different psychophysical methods. The experimental design was based on the rank-order and paired-comparison methods. The data analysis was conducted by following the law of comparative judgments to obtain a visual scale of the graininess attribute to compare it to instrumental data. A good correlation appeared between both magnitudes with a correlation coefficient close to 0.9. Both methods provided useful results with a reasonable correspondence between them, which ensures that data can be considered reliable, while the visual obtained scale can act as a good graininess scale perceived by the human visual system.

El objetivo de la experiencia educativa planteada en este proyecto es promover la autoevaluación como un instrumento de aprendizaje y motivación. El profesorado involucrado diseñó una rúbrica de evaluación mediante Corubrics. La autoevaluación fue realizada sobre un trabajo colaborativo entre los alumnos. La rúbrica está dividida en 8 ítems que evalúan tanto aspectos sobre el contenido como aspectos relacionados con su actitud (postura corporal, contacto visual, etc.). Cada categoría fue descrita con cuatro niveles, desde 4 (muy correcto) a 1 (muy flojo). En primer lugar, respecto a los resultados académicos, el 73% de los alumnos obtuvieron una calificación de notable, y el 27% restante la calificación de apto, que es un buen indicador del grado de involucración del alumnado. Cabe destacar que se encontraron desviaciones máximas del 84% y mínimas del 10% entre las calificaciones otorgados por el profesorado y los alumnos. Por ello, se creyó oportuno modular la nota final mediante diferentes porcentajes entre profesor (60%) y alumno (40%). Por último, se realizó la evaluación de la propia innovación educativa, que fue valorada de manera positiva por el alumnado. Por tanto, puede considerarse la autoevaluación como una herramienta muy útil de aprendizaje y motivación.

In order to consider 3D objects from suitable Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) printers as prototypes for the automotive sector, this sample must be able to reproduce textural effects (sparkle or graininess) or metallic or gonio-appearance to reinforce the attractive appeal of these materials. This study worked with two different commercial filaments: grey metallic PLA (poly(lactic acid)) and ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) with diffractive pigments. For both materials, a statistical design of experiments (DoE) was carried out to find the printing parameters effect on the final 3D-objects gonio-appearance. The selected printing parameters were printing speed (2 levels), layer height (2 levels) and sample thickness (3 levels). Twelve smooth square objects were printed from each material. The ABS-diffractive filaments achieved the most significant flop and higher sparkle values than metallic PLA. Graininess was high when working with PLA filaments instead of ABS. Layer height was the most significant parameter to maximize PLA objects’ flop or sparkle effects. The best result was found when printing at 0.1 mm. For the ABS samples, the stronger flop and sparkle effects were achieved with the 50 mm/s printing speed, the 0.1 mm layer height and the lowest thickness level. This study shows the methodology to study the printing parameters effects and interactions to maximize the FDM-3D-objects gonio-appearance.

The first edition of the Master's Degree in "Color Technology for the Automotive Sector" was held during the last academic year. The academic results in terms of qualifications, achievement and learning were good. In spite of the good sensations, there are aspects to be improved, both in methodology and the development of the subjects, timing of the contents, organization or communication channels. Following this line, the Academic, agreed on a plan of continuous improvement based on the feedback provided by the graduate surveys. A specific survey was carried out to gather their specific experience of the course in order to be able to modify the general strategy of the master's degree at the teaching and organisational level. The objectives were to adapt the teaching methodology to facilitate a more reflexive, participative and autonomous learning with a high degree of involvement and motivation of the students, to improve the academic results in terms of learning and satisfaction, to simplify and improve the logistic management of the course, etc. Thus, the survey included questions relating to the usefulness of the master's degree, methodology, organisation and planning of teaching, as well as a final question relating to the overall satisfaction of the course. A short survey was chosen with only 10 questions that the student rated from 1 to 5 on a scale from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree". From the analysis of the responses, some important weaknesses were detected, such as the lack of content developed in video format, and the slowness of feedback on the results obtained in the proposed tasks. Based on these results, it was proposed an improvement plan that included the incorporation of videos to teaching materials, flexibility in the deadlines for activities, and the periodic monitoring of student learning and concerns through "Adobe Connect".

Several different instruments have been introduced into the market to obtain good color characterization for different measurement configurations. These commercial instruments have different optical and working configurations, however, the measurement data provided by each instrument should be similar to have good consistency when comparing them to each other measuring the same sample material. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to apply an inter‐model agreement study of spectral and colorimetric data of three instruments (CM‐M6, BYK‐mac‐I, and MA98). Two different statistical tests were applied following ASTM recommendations. In general, the measurement geometries close to the specular direction and the flop direction showed greater deviations. In addition, the partial color differences calculated for the comparison of MA98 versus CM‐M6 were larger than the BYK‐mac‐i versus CM‐M6 comparison. Finally, it can be concluded that most of the measurement geometries were statistically significantly different from each other which means that these differences were due to systematic or bias errors and not exclusively to random errors.

[ES] The first edition of the Master's Degree in "Color Technology for the Automotive Sector" was held during the last academic year. The academic results in terms of qualifications, achievement and learning were good. In spite of the good sensations, there are aspects to be improved, both in methodology and the development of the subjects, timing of the contents, organization or communication channels. Following this line, the Academic, agreed on a plan of continuous improvement based on the feedback provided by the graduate surveys. A specific survey was carried out to gather their specific experience of the course in order to be able to modify the general strategy of the master's degree at the teaching and organisational level. The objectives were to adapt the teaching methodology to facilitate a more reflexive, participative and autonomous learning with a high degree of involvement and motivation of the students, to improve the academic results in terms of learning and satisfaction, to simplify and improve the logistic management of the course, etc. Thus, the survey included questions relating to the usefulness of the master's degree, methodology, organisation and planning of teaching, as well as a final question relating to the overall satisfaction of the course. A short survey was chosen with only 10 questions that the student rated from 1 to 5 on a scale from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree". From the analysis of the responses, some important weaknesses were detected, such as the lack of content developed in video format, and the slowness of feedback on the results obtained in the proposed tasks. Based on these results, it was proposed an improvement plan that included the incorporation of videos to teaching materials, flexibility in the deadlines for activities, and the periodic monitoring of student learning and concerns through "Adobe Connect".

Alumosilicate materials of different morphologies, such as platy and tubule nanoclays, may serve as an efficient, protective encasing for colored organic substances and nanoparticles. The adsorption of dyes onto the nanoclays increases their stability against thermal, oxidative, and acid–base‐induced decomposition. Natural organic dyes form stable composites with clays, thus allowing for “green” technology in production of industrial nanopigments. In the presence of high‐surface‐area alumosilicate materials, semiconductor nanoparticles known as quantum dots are stabilized against agglomeration during their colloid synthesis, resulting in safe colors. The highly dispersed nanoclays such as tubule halloysite can be employed as biocompatible carriers of quantum dots for the dual labeling of living human cells—both for dark‐field and fluorescence imaging. Therefore, complexation of dyes with nanoclays allows for new, stable, and inexpensive color formulations.

Los resultados académicos de la primera edición del Máster en “Tecnología del Color para el sector de automoción” fueron buenos a nivel de calificaciones y aprendizaje, con un alto grado de satisfacción con sus contenidos y su organización. Sin embargo, siempre hay aspectos que mejorar y para tal fin se elaboró una encuesta dirigida a los alumnos egresados para recoger su experiencia y poder modificar la estrategia general del máster a nivel docente y organizativo para maximizar el rendimiento académico del nuevo alumnado. En particular, se diseñó una encuesta con 10 cuestiones relativas a la utilidad del máster, la metodología, la planificación docente y una pregunta final sobre su satisfacción general. La valoración era de 1 a 5 en una escala desde “totalmente en desacuerdo” a “totalmente de acuerdo”. A partir del análisis de las respuestas, se detectaron algunos puntos débiles tales como la falta de contenidos desarrollados en formato video, y la lentitud en la retroalimentación de los resultados obtenidos en las tareas propuestas. A partir de estos resultados, se propuso un plan de mejora que incluía la incorporación de vídeos, flexibilización en los plazos de presentación de actividades, y el seguimiento periódico mediante conexión por “Adobe Connect” del aprendizaje del alumnado.

El Máster en Tecnología del Color para el Sector Automoción (ColTAS) se oferta en modalidad semipresencial mediante Moodle. La metodología de aprendizaje está basada en una metodología adaptativa que combina b-learning y flipped classroom considerando diferentes estilos de aprendizaje para obtener el máximo rendimiento y la máxima satisfacción. En este proyecto se ha trabajado en la implementación de esta metodología mediante la elaboración de actividades, tanto grupales como individuales. Las actividades individuales han sido diseñadas con tres perfiles de participación: básico, medio y alto. Así, se incentiva la motivación del alumnado y se tiene en cuenta su objetivo. Las actividades grupales permiten combinar alumnos con diferentes características, de esta forma los grupos se complementan para alcanzar mejores resultados. El primer análisis de los resultados obtenidos tras la finalización del curso indican una gran satisfacción por parte del alumnado. Su participación ha sido activa, tanto en los foros planteados, como en la realización de las tareas, ya que todos ellos completaron los tres niveles de dificultad planteados. La evaluación de los resultados obtenidos mediante esta metodología ha aportado datos válidos para mejorar esta metodología para futuras ediciones y conseguir así un mayor éxito de esta titulación propia.

Solar thermal coatings are designed to achieve the highest incident solar flux into the receiver of a tower solar plant. These materials are subjected to extreme working conditions of temperature and solar concentrated radiation. Much effort is being made to develop a durable and high absorptive coating that can provide an excellent solar to heat conversion efficiency. Complex deposition techniques (PVD, CVD, electrodeposition, etc.) are developed and tested to achieve solar selectivity. High solar absorptance paints are an alternative technique, that is, easy to apply and implement in the field. In paint, pigments are the compound that provides high absorptance values, whose stability impacts the durability of optical properties. The search for new selective solar pigments for solar receivers is a promising route to improve the efficiency of this technology. In this work, novel nanocomposites were synthesized from low-cost organic materials such as table sugar. Promising results were obtained when intercalated and calcined in the laminar structure of montmorillonite, a type of smectite clay. The pigments were tested in a paint format on metallic coupons at different temperatures to obtain absorptivities above 96% of absorptance after 24 h at 700 °C. Further experiments are still needed to obtain optimum conditions to maximize the coating's absorptivity and durability at high temperature.

A general procedure for developing stable solar absorptive coatings at both high temperature and a high solar radiation concentration is presented. In order to generally improve thermal efficiency, a coating with high solar absorptance is applied all over the surface of receiver tubes that is subjected to extreme working conditions. Consequently, a durable coating with high absorptivity for sunlight is needed. An alternative paint formulation research and development line to Pyromark-2500, the paint currently used in many commercial solar thermal power plants (CSP) is proposed. Pigment synthesis is developed by intercalating metallic salts into laminar or tubular clay structures. Metallic oxides, which provide paint with its color properties, are obtained by a calcination process. Addition of silane or surfactants during the pigment synthesis is also optimized. Once dried and ground to a precise size, pigments are mixed with a commercial binder and applied to a metallic substrate to study their properties. Thermal stability to high temperature is studied with different tests. The results showed that laminar structure was preferred to intercalate larger amounts of metallic salt into the clay structure, and no significant differences were found when using silane or surfactant modifiers. Although the highest absorptivity value was 85% after 24 h at 600 °C, samples presented very good adherence to the metallic substrate. Addition of a small quantity of commercial black pigment to the paint composition could improve the absorptivity and maintain the excellent adhesion shown. Furthermore, montmorillonite clay, modified with a surfactant before adding metallic salt, and without silane, resulted in a black pigment in a powder form. This pillared clay could be used in future paint formulations.

Our purpose was to improve the thermal, mechanical and optimal properties of an epoxy bioresin using optimum hybrid natural pigments previously synthesised in our lab. Next, we searched for the best combinations of factors in the synthesis of natural hybrid nanopigments and then incorporated them into the bioresin. We combined three structural modifiers in the nanopigment synthesis, surfactant, coupling agent (silane) and a mordant salt (alum), selected to replicate mordant textile dyeing with natural dyes. We used Taguchi’s design L8 to seek final performance optimisation. We selected three natural dyes, chlorophyll, beta-carotene and beetroot extract, and used two laminar nanoclay types, montmorillonite and hydrotalcite. The thermal, mechanical and colorimetric characterisation of the composite obtained by mixing natural hybrid nanopigments (bionanocomposite) was made. The natural dye interactions with both nanoclays improved the thermal stabilities, colour performance and UV–VIS light exposure stability of natural dyes and bioresins. The best bionanocomposite materials were found in an acidic pH [3, 4] environment and by modifying nanoclays with mordant and surfactant during the nanopigment synthesis process.

[EN] A general procedure for developing stable solar absorptive coatings at both high temperature and a high solar radiation concentration is presented. In order to generally improve thermal efficiency, a coating with high solar absorptance is applied all over the surface of receiver tubes that is subjected to extreme working conditions. Consequently, a durable coating with high absorptivity for sunlight is needed. An alternative paint formulation research and development line to Pyromark-2500, the paint currently used in many commercial solar thermal power plants (CSP) is proposed. Pigment synthesis is developed by intercalating metallic salts into laminar or tubular clay structures. Metallic pxides, which provide paint with its color properties, are obtained by a calcination process. Addition of silane or surfactants during the pigment synthesis is also optimized. Once dried and ground to a precise size, pigments are mixed with a commercial binder and applied to a metallic substrate to study their properties. Thermal stability to high temperature is studied with different tests. The results showed that laminar structure was preferred to intercalate larger amounts of metallic salt into the clay structure, and no significant differences were found when using silane or surfactant modifiers. Although the highest absorptivity value was 85% after 24 h at 600 degrees C, samples presented very good adherence to the metallic substrate. Addition of a small quantity of commercial black pigment to the paint composition could improve the absorptivity and maintain the excellent adhesion shown. Furthermore, montmorillonite clay, modified with a surfactant before adding metallic salt, and without silane, resulted in a black pigment in a powder form. This pillared clay could be used in future paint formulations. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.