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Dino Villagrán

Bio: Dino Villagrán is an academic researcher from University of Texas at El Paso. The author has contributed to research in topics: Adsorption & Cobalt. The author has an hindex of 26, co-authored 66 publications receiving 1955 citations. Previous affiliations of Dino Villagrán include Massachusetts Institute of Technology & Texas A&M University.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: New opportunities and approaches for the application of nanotechnology to enhance the efficiency and affordability of water treatment and wastewater reuse and enhance water security are considered.
Abstract: No other resource is as necessary for life as water, and providing it universally in a safe, reliable and affordable manner is one of the greatest challenges of the twenty-first century. Here, we consider new opportunities and approaches for the application of nanotechnology to enhance the efficiency and affordability of water treatment and wastewater reuse. Potential development and implementation barriers are discussed along with research needs to overcome them and enhance water security. This Perspective provides an overview of the potential aspects of water treatment and cleaning in which nanotechnology could play an important role.

536 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Hybrid nanocomposites based on Cu-BTC MOF, graphene oxide (GO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were developed via a simple green solvothermal method as mentioned in this paper.

304 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an enhanced EPAM process is proposed that applies a higher electric field during 3D printing of piezoelectric sensors using BaTiO3 (BTO) filler in a polyvinylidene) fluoride (PVDF) matrix through electric in situ poling during the printing process.
Abstract: This paper presents 3D printing of piezoelectric sensors using BaTiO3 (BTO) filler in a poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVDF) matrix through electric in situ poling during the 3D printing process. Several conventional methods require complicated and time-consuming procedures. Recently developed electric poling-assisted additive manufacturing (EPAM) process paves the way for printing of piezoelectric filaments by incorporating polarizing processes that include mechanical stretching, heat press, and electric field poling simultaneously. However, this process is limited to fabrication of a single PVDF layer and quantitative material characterizations such as piezoelectric coefficient and β-phase percentage are not investigated. In this paper, an enhanced EPAM process is proposed that applies a higher electric field during 3D printing. To further increase piezoelectric response, BTO ceramic filler is used in the PVDF matrix. It is found that a 55.91% PVDF β-phase content is nucleated at 15 wt% of BTO. The output current and β-phase content gradually increase as the BTO weight percentage increases. Scanning electron microscopy analysis demonstrates that larger agglomerates are formulated as the increase of BTO filler contents and results in increase of toughness and decrease of tensile strength. The highest fatigue strength is observed at 3 wt% BTO and the fatigue strength gradually decreases as the BTO filler contents increases.

126 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Li et al. as discussed by the authors proposed an integrated 3D printing process with corona poling to fabricate piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensors without post poling process.
Abstract: This paper presents a novel process to fabricate piezoelectric films from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer using integrated fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing and corona poling technique Corona poling is one of many effective poling processes that has received attention to activate PVDF as a piezoelectric responsive material The corona poling process occurs when a PVDF polymer is exposed to a high electric field created and controlled through an electrically charged needle and a grid electrode under heating environment FDM 3D printing has seen extensive progress in fabricating thermoplastic materials and structures, including PVDF However, post processing techniques such as poling is needed to align the dipoles in order to gain piezoelectric properties To further simplify the piezoelectric sensors and structures fabrication process, this paper proposes an integrated 3D printing process with corona poling to fabricate piezoelectric PVDF sensors without post poling process This proposed process, named 'Integrated 3D Printing and Corona poling process' (IPC), uses the 3D printer's nozzle and heating bed as anode and cathode, respectively, to create poling electric fields in a controlled heating environment The nozzle travels along the programmed path with fixed distance between nozzle tip and sample's top surface Simultaneously, the electric field between the nozzle and bottom heating pad promotes the alignment of dipole moment of PVDF molecular chains The crystalline phase transformation and output current generated by printed samples under different electric fields in this process were characterized by a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and through fatigue load frame It is demonstrated that piezoelectric PVDF films with enhanced β-phase percentage can be fabricated using the IPC process In addition, mechanical properties of printed PVDF was investigated by tensile testing It is expected to expand the use of additive manufacturing to fabricate piezoelectric PVDF-based devices for applications such as sensing and energy harvesting

122 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Current opinion discusses disconnects that may occur when focusing on synthetic solution treatment rather than on real waters, and how future research can fill the gaps identified herein, thus facilitating application of electrochemical water treatment technologies.

103 citations


Cited by
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Journal Article
TL;DR: A case study explores the background of the digitization project, the practices implemented, and the critiques of the project, which aims to provide access to a plethora of information to EPA employees, scientists, and researchers.
Abstract: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides access to information on a variety of topics related to the environment and strives to inform citizens of health risks. The EPA also has an extensive library network that consists of 26 libraries throughout the United States, which provide access to a plethora of information to EPA employees, scientists, and researchers. The EPA implemented a reorganization project to digitize their materials so they would be more accessible to a wider range of users, but this plan was drastically accelerated when the EPA was threatened with a budget cut. It chose to close and reduce the hours and services of some of their libraries. As a result, the agency was accused of denying users the “right to know” by making information unavailable, not providing an adequate strategic plan, and discarding vital materials. This case study explores the background of the digitization project, the practices implemented, and the critiques of the project.

2,588 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a short introduction to cyclic voltammetry is provided to help the reader with data acquisition and interpretation, and common pitfalls are provided, and the reader is encouraged to apply what is learned in short, simple training modules provided in the Supporting Information.
Abstract: Despite the growing popularity of cyclic voltammetry, many students do not receive formalized training in this technique as part of their coursework. Confronted with self-instruction, students can be left wondering where to start. Here, a short introduction to cyclic voltammetry is provided to help the reader with data acquisition and interpretation. Tips and common pitfalls are provided, and the reader is encouraged to apply what is learned in short, simple training modules provided in the Supporting Information. Armed with the basics, the motivated aspiring electrochemist will find existing resources more accessible and will progress much faster in the understanding of cyclic voltammetry.

1,779 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Through the combination of molecular synthesis and crystal engineering, MOFs present an unprecedented opportunity for the rational and precise design of functional materials.
Abstract: Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), also known as coordination polymers, represent an interesting class of crystalline molecular materials that are synthesized by combining metal-connecting points and bridging ligands. The modular nature of and mild conditions for MOF synthesis have permitted the rational structural design of numerous MOFs and the incorporation of various functionalities via constituent building blocks. The resulting designer MOFs have shown promise for applications in a number of areas, including gas storage/separation, nonlinear optics/ferroelectricity, catalysis, energy conversion/storage, chemical sensing, biomedical imaging, and drug delivery. The structure–property relationships of MOFs can also be readily established by taking advantage of the knowledge of their detailed atomic structures, which enables fine-tuning of their functionalities for desired applications. Through the combination of molecular synthesis and crystal engineering, MOFs thus present an unprecedented opportunity fo...

752 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This critical review presents a survey of molecular spin-crossover compounds with good availability of crystallographic data and indicates that changes in molecular shape between the high- and low-spin states can play an important role in determining the existence and the cooperativity of a thermal spin-transition in the solid state.
Abstract: Spin-crossover compounds are becoming increasingly popular for device and sensor applications, and in soft materials, that make use of their switchable colour, paramagnetism and conductivity. The de novo design of new solid spin-crossover compounds with pre-defined switching properties is desirable for application purposes. This challenging problem of crystal engineering requires an understanding of how the temperature and cooperativity of a spin-transition are influenced by the structure of the bulk material. Towards that end, this critical review presents a survey of molecular spin-crossover compounds with good availability of crystallographic data. A picture is emerging that changes in molecular shape between the high- and low-spin states, and the ability of a lattice to accommodate such changes, can play an important role in determining the existence and the cooperativity of a thermal spin-transition in the solid state (198 references).

723 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
20 Mar 2019-Joule
TL;DR: In this article, a review of recent developments in photothermal materials, with a focus on their photothermal conversion mechanisms as light absorbers, is presented, and the potential applications of this attractive technology in a variety of energy and environmental fields are described.

690 citations