1
|
Khanyile BS, Numan N, Simo A, Nkosi M, Mtshali CB, Khumalo Z, Madiba IG, Mabakachaba B, Swart H, Coetsee-Hugo E, Duvenhage MM, Lee E, Henini M, Gibaud A, Chaker M, Rezaee P, Lethole N, Akbari M, Morad R, Maaza M. Towards Room Temperature Thermochromic Coatings with controllable NIR-IR modulation for solar heat management & smart windows applications. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2818. [PMID: 38307893 PMCID: PMC10837131 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52021-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Solar heat management & green air-conditioning are among the major technologies that could mitigate heat islands phenomenon while minimizing significantly the CO2 global foot-print within the building & automotive sectors. Chromogenic materials in general, and thermochromic smart coatings especially are promising candidates that consent a noteworthy dynamic solar radiation Infrared (NIR-IR) regulation and hence an efficient solar heat management especially with the expected increase of the global seasonal temperature. Within this contribution, two major challenging bottlenecks in vanadium oxide based smart coatings were addressed. It is validated for the first time that the NIR-IR modulation of the optical transmission (∆TTRANS = T(T〈TMIT) - T(T〉TMIT) of Vanadium oxide based smart coatings can be controlled & tuned. This upmost challenging bottle-neck controllability/tunability is confirmed via a genuine approach alongside to a simultaneous drastic reduction of the phase transition temperature TMIT from 68.8 °C to nearly room temperature. More precisely, a substantial thermochromism in multilayered V2O5/V/V2O5 stacks equivalent to that of standard pure VO2 thin films but with a far lower transition temperature, is reported. Such a multilayered V2O5/V/V2O5 thermochromic system exhibited a net control & tunability of the optical transmission modulation in the NIR-IR (∆TTRANS) via the nano-scaled thickness' control of the intermediate Vanadium layer. In addition, the control of ∆TTRANS is accompanied by a tremendous diminution of the thermochromic transition temperature from the elevated bulk value of 68.8 °C to the range of 27.5-37.5 ºC. The observed remarkable and reversible thermochromism in such multilayered nano-scaled system of V2O5/V/V2O5 is likely to be ascribed to a noteworthy interfacial diffusion, and an indirect doping by alkaline ions diffusing from the borosilicate substrate. It is hoped that the current findings would contribute in advancing thermochromic smart window technology and their applications for solar heat management in glass windows in general, skyscraper especially & in the automotive industry. If so, this would open a path to a sustainable green air-conditioning with zero-energy input.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B S Khanyile
- MRD-Tandetron Accelerator & Nanosciences African Network, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P O Box 722, Somerset West, 7129, Western Cape Province, South Africa.
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, 003, South Africa.
| | - N Numan
- MRD-Tandetron Accelerator & Nanosciences African Network, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P O Box 722, Somerset West, 7129, Western Cape Province, South Africa
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, 003, South Africa
| | - A Simo
- MRD-Tandetron Accelerator & Nanosciences African Network, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P O Box 722, Somerset West, 7129, Western Cape Province, South Africa
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, 003, South Africa
| | - M Nkosi
- MRD-Tandetron Accelerator & Nanosciences African Network, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P O Box 722, Somerset West, 7129, Western Cape Province, South Africa
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, 003, South Africa
| | - C B Mtshali
- MRD-Tandetron Accelerator & Nanosciences African Network, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P O Box 722, Somerset West, 7129, Western Cape Province, South Africa
| | - Z Khumalo
- MRD-Tandetron Accelerator & Nanosciences African Network, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P O Box 722, Somerset West, 7129, Western Cape Province, South Africa
| | - I G Madiba
- MRD-Tandetron Accelerator & Nanosciences African Network, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P O Box 722, Somerset West, 7129, Western Cape Province, South Africa
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, 003, South Africa
| | - B Mabakachaba
- MRD-Tandetron Accelerator & Nanosciences African Network, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P O Box 722, Somerset West, 7129, Western Cape Province, South Africa
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, 003, South Africa
- Physics Department, University of the Western Cape, P.O. Box 1906, Bellville, 7535, South Africa
| | - H Swart
- Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Physics Department, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, Republic of South Africa
| | - E Coetsee-Hugo
- Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Physics Department, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, Republic of South Africa
| | - Mart-Mari Duvenhage
- Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Physics Department, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, Republic of South Africa
| | - E Lee
- Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Physics Department, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, Republic of South Africa
| | - M Henini
- School of Physics & Astronomy, Nottingham University, Nottingham, NG7 2RD7, UK
| | - A Gibaud
- IMMM, UMR 6283 CNRS, Bd O. Messiaen, University of Le Maine, 72085, Le Mans Cedex 09, France
| | - M Chaker
- INRS-Energie et Matériaux, 1650 Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec, J3X 1S2, Canada
| | - P Rezaee
- MRD-Tandetron Accelerator & Nanosciences African Network, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P O Box 722, Somerset West, 7129, Western Cape Province, South Africa
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, 003, South Africa
| | - N Lethole
- Department Physics, University of Fort Hare, Alice, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
| | - M Akbari
- MRD-Tandetron Accelerator & Nanosciences African Network, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P O Box 722, Somerset West, 7129, Western Cape Province, South Africa
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, 003, South Africa
| | - R Morad
- MRD-Tandetron Accelerator & Nanosciences African Network, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P O Box 722, Somerset West, 7129, Western Cape Province, South Africa
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, 003, South Africa
| | - M Maaza
- MRD-Tandetron Accelerator & Nanosciences African Network, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P O Box 722, Somerset West, 7129, Western Cape Province, South Africa.
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, 003, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mohamed H, Hkiri K, Botha N, Cloete K, Azizi S, Ahmed AAQ, Morad R, Motlamane T, Krief A, Gibaud A, Henini M, Chaker M, Ahmad I, Maaza M. Room temperature bio-engineered multifunctional carbonates for CO 2 sequestration and valorization. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16783. [PMID: 37798317 PMCID: PMC10556044 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42905-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This contribution reports, for the first time, on an entirely green bio-engineering approach for the biosynthesis of single phase crystalline 1-D nano-scaled calcite CaCO3. This was validated using H2O as the universal solvent and natural extract of Hyphaene thebaica fruit as an effective chelating agent. In this room temperature green process, CaCl2 and CO2 are used as the unique source of Ca and CO3 respectively in view of forming nano-scaled CaCO3 with a significant shape anisotropy and an elevated surface to volume ratio. In terms of novelty, and relatively to the reported scientific and patented literature in relation to the fabrication of CaCO3 by green nano-chemistry, the current cost effective room temperature green process can be singled out as per the following specificities: only water as universal solvent is used, No additional base or acid chemicals for pH control, No additional catalyst, No critical or supercritical CO2 usage conditions, Only natural extract of thebaica as a green effective chelating agent through its phytochemicals and proper enzematic compounds, room Temperature processing, atmospheric pressure processing, Nanoscaled size particles, and Nanoparticles with a significant shape anisotropy (1-D like nanoparticles). Beyond and in addition to the validation of the 1-D synthesis aspect, the bio-engineered CaCO3 exhibited a wide-ranging functionalities in terms of highly reflecting pigment, an effective nanofertilizer as well as a potential binder in cement industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Mohamed
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Department, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West, PO Box 722, Cape Town, 7129, Western Cape, South Africa
- College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, PRETORIA, South Africa
| | - K Hkiri
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Department, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West, PO Box 722, Cape Town, 7129, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - N Botha
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Department, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West, PO Box 722, Cape Town, 7129, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - K Cloete
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Department, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West, PO Box 722, Cape Town, 7129, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Sh Azizi
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Department, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West, PO Box 722, Cape Town, 7129, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - A A Q Ahmed
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Department, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West, PO Box 722, Cape Town, 7129, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - R Morad
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Department, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West, PO Box 722, Cape Town, 7129, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Th Motlamane
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Department, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West, PO Box 722, Cape Town, 7129, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - A Krief
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Department, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West, PO Box 722, Cape Town, 7129, Western Cape, South Africa
- Chemistry Department (CMI Laboratory), University of Namur, 2 Rue Joseph Grafé, 5000, Namur, Belgium
| | - A Gibaud
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Department, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West, PO Box 722, Cape Town, 7129, Western Cape, South Africa
- IMMM, UMR 6283 CNRS, University of Le Maine, Bd O. Messiaen, 72085, Le Mans Cedex 09, France
| | - M Henini
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Department, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West, PO Box 722, Cape Town, 7129, Western Cape, South Africa
- Physics and Astronomy Department, Nottingham University, Nottingham, NG7 2RD7, UK
| | - M Chaker
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Department, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West, PO Box 722, Cape Town, 7129, Western Cape, South Africa
- INRS-Energie et Matériaux, 1650 Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC, J3X 1S2, Canada
| | - I Ahmad
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Department, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West, PO Box 722, Cape Town, 7129, Western Cape, South Africa
- Experimental Physics Directorate (EPD), National Center for Physics, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - M Maaza
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa.
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Department, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West, PO Box 722, Cape Town, 7129, Western Cape, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Maaza M, Pardo B, Hamidi D, Akbari M, Morad R, Henini M, Gibaud A. On the trapping of neutrons in Fabry–Pérot nano-structures and potential applications for cold neutron lifetime Investigations. JNR 2023. [DOI: 10.3233/jnr-220015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Correlated to the neutron total reflection phenomenon is the so-called frustrated total reflection, also known as neutron channeling, observed with both thermal and cold neutrons. Within this contribution, such a phenomenon is validated in various additional distinctive Fabry–Pérot nano-resonating configurations; namely in: (i) dual reflection and transmission neutron Fabry–Pérot nano-resonator (Ni/V/Ni/Si substrate), (ii) isotope-based neutron Fabry–Pérot nano-resonator (58Ni/62Ni/58Ni/Silicon substrate), and (iii) multilayered neutron Fabry–Pérot nano-resonator of 8 superposed (B4C/Ti/B4C) single nano-resonators. While such Fabry–Pérot nano-resonators allow effective neutron trapping, the precision of the trapping time of free neutrons in such nano-resonators is governed by the Heisenberg uncertainty and hence offers, a priori, an additional attractive precise approach for potential lifetime investigations. Depending on the configuration of the Fabry–Pérot nano-resonators and the available cold neutron beam, the trapping time is found to be within the temporal regime of 3 to 19 ps. While the main intention of this contribution is to validate the possibility of trapping cold neutrons in nano-structured Fabry–Pérot resonators with a picosecond precision in various configurations, it is hoped that these preliminary results will attract the interest of the neutron lifetime community specifically and the neutron scattering community in general. The potential integration of such trapping method into the bottle or beam methods would elucidate the origin of the difference in neutron lifetime between the two approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. Maaza
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, University of South Africa, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba Laboratories for Accelerators Based Sciences, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, PO Box 722, Somerset West, Western Cape Province, South Africa
| | - B. Pardo
- Institut d’Optique Théorique & Appliquée, Université Paris-Saclay, France
| | - D. Hamidi
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, University of South Africa, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba Laboratories for Accelerators Based Sciences, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, PO Box 722, Somerset West, Western Cape Province, South Africa
| | - M. Akbari
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, University of South Africa, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba Laboratories for Accelerators Based Sciences, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, PO Box 722, Somerset West, Western Cape Province, South Africa
| | - R. Morad
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, University of South Africa, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba Laboratories for Accelerators Based Sciences, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, PO Box 722, Somerset West, Western Cape Province, South Africa
| | - M. Henini
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, University of South Africa, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba Laboratories for Accelerators Based Sciences, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, PO Box 722, Somerset West, Western Cape Province, South Africa
- Physics Department, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - A. Gibaud
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, University of South Africa, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba Laboratories for Accelerators Based Sciences, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, PO Box 722, Somerset West, Western Cape Province, South Africa
- IMMM, UMR 6283 CNRS, Université of Le Maine, Bd O. Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans cedex 09, Le Mans, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Botha NL, Cloete KJ, Welegergs GG, Akbari M, Morad R, Kotsedi L, Matinise N, Bucher R, Azizi S, Maaza M. Physical properties of computationally informed phyto-engineered 2-D nanoscaled hydronium jarosite. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2442. [PMID: 36765188 PMCID: PMC9918463 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25723-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
This study describes a molecular dynamics computational modelling informed bioengineering of nano-scaled 2-D hydronium jarosite. More specifically, a phyto-engineering approach using green nano-chemistry and agro-waste in the form of avocado seed natural extract was utilized as a green, economic, and eco-friendly approach to synthesize this unique mineral at the nanoscale via the reduction of iron (II) sulphate heptahydrate. The nanoproduct which was found to exhibit a quasi-2D structure was characterized using a multi-technique approach to describe its morphological, optical, electrochemical, and magnetic properties. Radial distribution function and electrostatic potential maps revealed that flavone, a phenolic compound within the avocado seed natural extract, has a higher affinity of interaction with the nanoparticle's surface, whilst vanillic acid has a higher wetting tendency and thus a lower affinity for interacting with the hydronium jarosite nanoparticle surface compared to other phytoactive compounds. XRD and HRTEM results indicated that the nanoscale product was representative of crystalline rhombohedral hydronium jarosite in the form of quasi-triangular nanosheets decorated on the edges with nanoparticles of approximately 5.4 nm diameter that exhibited significant electrochemical and electroconductive behaviours. Magnetic studies further showed a diamagnetic behaviour based on the relationship of the inverse susceptibility of the nanomaterial with temperature sweep.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N. L. Botha
- grid.412801.e0000 0004 0610 3238UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P. O. Box 392, Pretoria, 0003 South Africa ,grid.462638.d0000 0001 0696 719XNanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P. O. Box 722, Somerset West, 7129 Western Cape South Africa
| | - K. J. Cloete
- grid.412801.e0000 0004 0610 3238UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P. O. Box 392, Pretoria, 0003 South Africa ,grid.462638.d0000 0001 0696 719XNanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P. O. Box 722, Somerset West, 7129 Western Cape South Africa
| | - G. G. Welegergs
- grid.412801.e0000 0004 0610 3238UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P. O. Box 392, Pretoria, 0003 South Africa ,grid.462638.d0000 0001 0696 719XNanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P. O. Box 722, Somerset West, 7129 Western Cape South Africa ,grid.464565.00000 0004 0455 7818Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Science, Debre Berhan University, P. O. Box 445, Debre Birhan, Ethiopia
| | - M. Akbari
- grid.412801.e0000 0004 0610 3238UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P. O. Box 392, Pretoria, 0003 South Africa ,grid.462638.d0000 0001 0696 719XNanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P. O. Box 722, Somerset West, 7129 Western Cape South Africa
| | - R. Morad
- grid.412801.e0000 0004 0610 3238UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P. O. Box 392, Pretoria, 0003 South Africa ,grid.462638.d0000 0001 0696 719XNanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P. O. Box 722, Somerset West, 7129 Western Cape South Africa
| | - L. Kotsedi
- grid.412801.e0000 0004 0610 3238UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P. O. Box 392, Pretoria, 0003 South Africa ,grid.462638.d0000 0001 0696 719XNanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P. O. Box 722, Somerset West, 7129 Western Cape South Africa
| | - N. Matinise
- grid.412801.e0000 0004 0610 3238UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P. O. Box 392, Pretoria, 0003 South Africa ,grid.462638.d0000 0001 0696 719XNanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P. O. Box 722, Somerset West, 7129 Western Cape South Africa
| | - R. Bucher
- grid.462638.d0000 0001 0696 719XNanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P. O. Box 722, Somerset West, 7129 Western Cape South Africa
| | - S. Azizi
- grid.412801.e0000 0004 0610 3238UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P. O. Box 392, Pretoria, 0003 South Africa ,grid.462638.d0000 0001 0696 719XNanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P. O. Box 722, Somerset West, 7129 Western Cape South Africa
| | - M. Maaza
- grid.412801.e0000 0004 0610 3238UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P. O. Box 392, Pretoria, 0003 South Africa ,grid.462638.d0000 0001 0696 719XNanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P. O. Box 722, Somerset West, 7129 Western Cape South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kana N, Morad R, Akbari M, Henini M, Niemela J, Hacque F, Gibaud A, Maaza M. Mercury goes Solid at room temperature at nanoscale and a potential Hg waste storage. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3494. [PMID: 35241681 PMCID: PMC8894422 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06857-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
While room temperature bulk mercury is liquid, it is solid in its nano-configuration (Ønano-Hg ≤ 2.5 nm). Conjugating the nano-scale size effect and the Laplace driven surface excess pressure, Hg nanoparticles of Ønano-Hg ≤ 2.4 nm embedded in a 2-D turbostratic Boron Nitride (BN) host matrix exhibited a net crystallization at room temperature via the experimentally observed (101) and (003) diffraction Bragg peaks of the solid Hg rhombohedral α-phase. The observed crystallization is correlated to a surface atomic ordering of 7 to 8 reticular atomic plans of the rhombohedral α-phase. Such a novelty of size effect on phase transition phenomena in Hg is conjugated to a potential Hg waste storage technology. Considering the vapor pressure of bulk Hg, Room Temperature (RT) Solid nano-Hg confinement could represent a potential green approach of Hg waste storage derived from modern halogen efficient light technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Kana
- UNESCO-UNISA-iTLABS/NRF Africa Chair in Nano-Sciences and Nanotechnology, CGS, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk ridge, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
- NANOAFNET, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Western Cape, 7129, South Africa.
| | - R Morad
- UNESCO-UNISA-iTLABS/NRF Africa Chair in Nano-Sciences and Nanotechnology, CGS, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk ridge, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- NANOAFNET, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Western Cape, 7129, South Africa
| | - M Akbari
- UNESCO-UNISA-iTLABS/NRF Africa Chair in Nano-Sciences and Nanotechnology, CGS, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk ridge, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- NANOAFNET, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Western Cape, 7129, South Africa
| | - M Henini
- UNESCO-UNISA-iTLABS/NRF Africa Chair in Nano-Sciences and Nanotechnology, CGS, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk ridge, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- NANOAFNET, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Western Cape, 7129, South Africa
- Physics and Astronomy Department, Nottingham University, Nottingham, NG7 2RD7, UK
| | - J Niemela
- International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Str. Costiera, 11, 34151, Trieste, Italy
| | - F Hacque
- UNESCO-UNISA-iTLABS/NRF Africa Chair in Nano-Sciences and Nanotechnology, CGS, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk ridge, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- NANOAFNET, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Western Cape, 7129, South Africa
- Physics Department, Rajshahi University, Dakha, Bangladesh
| | - A Gibaud
- UNESCO-UNISA-iTLABS/NRF Africa Chair in Nano-Sciences and Nanotechnology, CGS, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk ridge, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- NANOAFNET, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Western Cape, 7129, South Africa
- IMMM, UMR 6283 CNRS, University of Le Maine, Bd O. Messiaen, 72085, Le Mans cedex 09, France
| | - M Maaza
- UNESCO-UNISA-iTLABS/NRF Africa Chair in Nano-Sciences and Nanotechnology, CGS, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk ridge, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
- NANOAFNET, iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation of South Africa, 1 Old Faure Road, Western Cape, 7129, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hashmi Y, Kumar PR, Morad R, Dewan V. 513 Clinical Audit Platform for Students (CAPS): A Pilot Study. Br J Surg 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znab259.856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Clinical audit projects work to decrease the occurrence of clinical mistakes and ensure current practice is optimal for patients. However, many clinicians are unable to carry out regular audits given their time constraints. Conversely, medical students are often eager to complete audits early in their career to strengthen their portfolios. As such, the clinical audit platform was designed to connect willing supervisors and these medical students.
Method
A medical school Trauma & Orthopaedics (T&O) society organised clinical audit teaching sessions for interested students. Allocation of students to project supervisors was based on similar topic interests. There was regular communication to track progress and anonymised feedback forms were distributed to all students and supervisors after the programme.
Results
A total of 17 responses were received from the 19 students who were involved in a project. Based on a 5-point Likert scale, students displayed a mean improvement in their understanding of a clinical audit (1.18 ± 1.07, p < 0.001), the confidence to approach a supervisor (1.29 ± 1.21, p < 0.001) and the ability to conduct an audit by themselves in the future (1.77 ± 1.15, p < 0.001). Eagerness to pursue a career in T&O increased from 35.3% to 70.6% of students following the programme. Of the 7 affiliated supervisors, 5 provided feedback and all were happy with the quality of work produced.
Conclusions
The platform produced high quality projects which were disseminated both locally and nationally, demonstrating positive collaboration between students and clinicians. We present our findings to encourage similar audit platforms to be adopted at other locations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Hashmi
- University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - P R Kumar
- University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - R Morad
- University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - V Dewan
- Birmingham Orthopaedic Network, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|