Solid–solid Phase Change Materials (PCMs) offer key advantages over solid–liquid systems, including improved thermal conductivity, stability, and safety. Among these, organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite compounds are particularly promising for thermal energy storage applications due to their competitive energy density and tunable phase transitions. However, their synthesis is typically time-consuming and difficult to scale. This study introduces microwave-assisted (MWA) synthesis as a rapid and scalable approach to prepare bis(dodecylammonium) tetrachloromanganate [(C12H25NH3)2MnCl4], marking its first application to this material class. Compared to conventional solvothermal (ST) synthesis, the MWA method reduced reaction time by 75%, increased phase transition enthalpy by 7.9%, and delayed complete thermal breakdown by 20 °C. Characterization using XRD, FTIR, DSC, and TGA confirmed enhanced crystallinity and thermal performance. Additionally, the material was directly compacted into mechanically stable pellets by pressure sintering (PS), without the need for binders, enabling practical applications such as integration into thermal storage modules. These findings support a sustainable and scalable route for fabricating (C12H25NH3)2MnCl4 as a high-performance solid–solid PCM for thermal energy storage.
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2026) Mintis, Dimitris G.; Papavasiliou, Constantinos; Varsou, Dimitra Danai; Tsoumanis, Andreas; Melagraki, Georgia; Seif, Johannes P.; Majó, Marc; Real Torres, Alejandro del; Serchi, Tommaso; Afantitis, Antreas; Ingeniería de Sistemas y Automática; European Union (UE); European Union's HORIZON
This work presents the development of SimpleBox4Planet, a user-friendly web application implementation of SimpleBox, and demonstrates its use in facilitating the assessment of the environmental fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) as well as other chemicals of interest, with the aim of supporting research into safer chemical alternatives with lower environmental impact. The SimpleBox4Planet web application is freely accessible on the Enalos Cloud Platform (https://www.enaloscloud.novamechanics.com/proplanet/simplebox4planet/ and https://www.enaloscloud.novamechanics.com/chiasma/simplebox4planet/). The SimpleBox4Planet web application integrates the SimpleBox (version 4.04) multimedia mass balance model (based on a ‘Mackay type’ model), accommodating both steady-state (level III) and quasi-dynamic (level IV) computations of mass flows and chemical concentrations across three environmental scales: regional, continental and global, while also considering the chemical distributions at each scale across environmental compartments, including air, soil, water and sediment, thus streamlining the workflow and enhancing visualisation of the model outcomes. The complexities related to modelling SimpleBox through MS Excel spreadsheets are eliminated through the design of the user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) provided by SimpleBox4Planet. This interface enables users to input the physicochemical properties of any chemical of interest (based on its CAS number) from the CompTox Chemicals Dashboard either directly or dynamically through application programming interfaces (APIs), to define emission rates, and to configure landscape settings. Both expert and non-expert users can efficiently perform complex multimedia fate modelling, significantly broadening the tool's applicability in regulatory, academic, and industrial contexts. Furthermore, the platform facilitates integration with other tools and models, including Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) frameworks, and can be used as an input to risk assessment, to support the evaluation of both ecotoxicological and human health impacts.
(2024-09-25) López Nájera, Samantha; Castaño Seiquer, Antonio Luis; Rodríguez Menacho, Diego; Estomatología; CTS353: Estomatología Infantil y Ortodoncia
Introducción: Existe poca información epidemiológica sobre el grado de maloclusión y necesidad de tratamiento de ortodoncia en la población adulta de exclusión social inmigrante y refugiada. Los estudios epidemiológicos son la principal fuente de información sobre la frecuencia y distribución de condiciones, determinantes de la salud y factores de riesgo que nos permitirá la implementación de programas preventivos y terapéuticos en la población de estudio.
Objetivo: Estudiar el grado de maloclusión y necesidad de tratamiento de ortodoncia de una población adulta de 90 inmigrantes y refugiados, la mayoría de origen latinoamericano, (94,4%); hombres 66,7%, mujeres 33,3% de 18 a 61 años en el CETI de Melilla, España.
Métodos: Nuestro trabajo es un estudio de corte transversal en población adulta alojada en CETI de Melilla para el que utilizaron los criterios que establece la Organización Mundial de la Salud para la recolección de información sobre el grado de maloclusión del grupo de estudio. Un único observador fue el encargado de realizar la exploración de los sujetos.
Resultados: La mayoría de los pacientes (82,2%) presentaron gran necesidad de tratamiento de ortodoncia relacionado con su grado de maloclusión, la población que ya había sido tratada es solo el 32,2% entre nuestros encuestados.
Conclusiones: Las necesidades de tratamiento de ortodoncia con relación a su grado de maloclusión son altas en la población adulta inmigrante y refugiada del CETI de Melilla. Es importante diagnosticar el estado de salud bucal y grado de maloclusión a edades tempranas de la población de inmigrantes y refugiados implementando programas de prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento.
