Tiago Dinis Pinto

Chitin and chitosan from Brazilian Atlantic Coast: Isolation, characterization and antibacterial activity

Chitin and chitosan were obtained by chemical treatments of shrimp shells. Different particle sizes (50-1000 μm) of the raw material were used to study their effect on size distribution, demineralization, deproteinization and deacetylation of chitin and chitosan isolation process. The particle size in the range of 800-1000 μm was selected to isolate chitin, which was achieved by measuring nitrogen, protein, ash, and yield %. Hydrochloric acid (5%, v/v) was optimized in demineralization step to remove the minerals from the starting material. Aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (5%, w/v) at 90 °C for (20 h) was used in deproteinization step to remove the protein. Pure chitin was consequently impregnated into high concentration of sodium hydroxide (50%) for 3.5 h at 90 °C to remove the acetyl groups in order to form high pure chitosan. The degree of deacetylation (DDA) of chitosan was controlled and evaluated by different analytical tools. The chemical structure of chitin and chitosan was confirmed by elemental analysis, ATR-FTIR, H/C NMR, XRD, SEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, TGA, and acid-base titration. The isolated chitin and chitosan from shrimp shell showed excellent antibacterial activity against Gram (-ve) bacteria (Escherichia coli) comparing with commercial biopolymers.

Synthesis of esters derived from 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-D-methylglucoside

FCT (Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia) and FEDER for financial support. The Bruker Avance III 400 spectrometer is part of the National NMR network and was purchased under the framework of the National Programme for Scientific Reequipment, contract REDE/1517/RMN/2005, with funds from POCI 2010 (FEDER) and (FCT). We are also grateful for research grant VZ MSMT- 0021627501, Czech Republic.

Recording of occurrences through image processing in Taekwondo training: first insights

Nowadays, the most used evaluation method of athlete’s performance in the martial art Taekwondo is still performed manually, where the coach analyses the collected videos of the athlete training. This method besides being time consuming, it is prone to errors. Aiming the development of methods for improvement the training, this project intends to present a new method for recording occurrences and recognizing the movements of athletes in real time during the Taekwondo training. To achieve the purpose, it was used the Microsoft Kinect sensor fused with image processing technics. This project arises as a collaboration between the University of Minho, the School of Technology from the Polytechnic Institute of Cavado and Ave and the Sporting Club de Braga Taekwondo section, Portugal. It is the authors believe that the proposed system may improve the athlete’s performance and the development of the Taekwondo training technics.

Applying a new concept of corrosion protection in the presence of water: hydrojetting application – effectiveness lab test

Purpose This paper aims to describe the results of lab testing of a newly developed organic inhibitor V-active VCIs. The findings demonstrate that it is possible to eliminate or reduce the oxidizing action of water, thereby extending the allowable time before painting after hydrojetting, and that the new corrosion inhibitor technology does not interfere with the final quality of paint adhesion. Design/methodology/approach Metallic specimens were treated/washed in standard lab condition. A 2 per cent V-active VCI SPH1712 water solution was prepared by diluting the inhibitor in industrial water. Metal sample plates were examined after blasting and after subsequent drying, and were submitted to the paint adhesion tests, cathodic disbondment, total soluble salts, time for formation of flash rust and cyclic corrosion test type III (20 cycles), to evaluate the duration of temporary protection and oxidation prevention and influence on paint adherence. Findings Using the V-active VCI proposed technology, it was possible to minimize or eliminate the oxidizing action of the water when the metal is exposed to saline moisture in a closed environment, extending the acceptable time before painting without interfering with the final quality of painting. Practical implications The proposed technology allows an increase in the prepared (wet blasted) steel surface during cleaning and preparation, thereby reducing labor and product costs, and reduces water consumption during the preparation process. Practical applications in the shipbuilding, ship maintenance and oil and gas production industries include the preservation of internal tubes and pipes, protection during hydrostatic test processes and cleaning with water and corrosion prevention in diesel tanks contaminated with water. Originality/value The intent of this paper is to present the obtained results for a new formulation of organic chemical inhibitors that use water as the application medium. In addition to this property, this group of organic inhibitors maintains the properties of volatile inhibitors. Thus, these compounds are generically known as V-active VCIs.

New concept of corrosion protection in the presence of water: V-active VCI. Concept and application

Purpose – This work describes test results that were obtained using a newly-developed type of organic inhibitor: V-active VCIs. The findings demonstrate that is possible to eliminate or reduce the oxidizing action of water, thereby extending the allowable time before painting after hydrojetting, and that the new corrosion inhibitor technology does not interfere with the final quality of paint adhesion. Design/methodology/approach – Metallic specimens were treated/washed by hydrojet (35000 Psi). It was employed as a 2 per cent V-active VCI SPH 1,712 water solution by dilution of the inhibitor in industrial water. Metal sample plates were examined after blasting and after subsequent drying, and were submitted to the paint adhesion tests, to evaluate the duration of temporary protection, oxidation prevention and influence on the adherence of paint (pull off). Findings – Using the V-active VCI proposed technology, it was possible to minimize or eliminate the oxidizing action of the water when the metal is exp...