Delft University of Technology

About: Delft University of Technology is a education organization based out in Delft, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Computer science & Catalysis. The organization has 37681 authors who have published 94404 publications receiving 2741710 citations. The organization is also known as: TU-Delft & Technische Hogeschool Delft.

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents as a New Extraction Media for Phenolic Metabolites in Carthamus tinctorius L.

Abstract: Developing green solvents with low toxicity and cost is an important issue for the biochemical industry. Synthetic ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents have received considerable attention due to their negligible volatility at room temperature, high solubilization ability, and tunable selectivity. However, the potential toxicity of the synthetic ionic liquids and the solid state at room temperature of most deep eutectic solvents hamper their application as extraction solvents. In this study, a wide range of recently discovered natural ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents (NADES) composed of natural compounds were investigated for the extraction of phenolic compounds of diverse polarity. Safflower was selected as a case study because its aromatic pigments cover a wide range of polarities. Many advantageous features of NADES (such as their sustainability, biodegradability combined with acceptable pharmaceutical toxicity profiles, and their high solubilization power of both polar and nonpolar compounds) suggest their potential as green solvents for extraction. Experiments with different NADES and multivariate data analysis demonstrated that the extractability of both polar and less polar metabolites was greater with NADES than conventional solvents. The water content in NADES proved to have the biggest effect on the yield of phenolic compounds. Most major phenolic compounds were recovered from NADES with a yield between 75% and 97%. This study reveals the potential of NADES for applications involving the extraction of bioactive compounds from natural sources.

Thermally Activated Exciton Dissociation and Recombination Control the Carrier Dynamics in Organometal Halide Perovskite

Abstract: Solar cells based on organometal halide perovskites have seen rapidly increasing efficiencies, now exceeding 15%. Despite this progress, there is still limited knowledge on the fundamental photophysics. Here we use microwave photoconductance and photoluminescence measurements to investigate the temperature dependence of the carrier generation, mobility, and recombination in (CH3NH3)PbI3. At temperatures maintaining the tetragonal crystal phase of the perovskite, we find an exciton binding energy of about 32 meV, leading to a temperature-dependent yield of highly mobile (6.2 cm(2)/(V s) at 300 K) charge carriers. At higher laser intensities, second-order recombination with a rate constant of γ = 13 × 10(-10) cm(3) s(-1) becomes apparent. Reducing the temperature results in increasing charge carrier mobilities following a T(-1.6) dependence, which we attribute to a reduction in phonon scattering (Σμ = 16 cm(2)/(V s) at 165 K). Despite the fact that Σμ increases, γ diminishes with a factor six, implying that charge recombination in (CH3NH3)PbI3 is temperature activated. The results underline the importance of the perovskite crystal structure, the exciton binding energy, and the activation energy for recombination as key factors in optimizing new perovskite materials.

A Review of Macromolecular Organic Compounds That Comprise Living Organisms and Their Role in Kerogen, Coal, and Petroleum Formation

Abstract: It is generally accepted that the formation of kerogens is the result of the so-called depolymerization-recondensation pathway (Tissot and Welte, 1984; Durand, 1980), Thus, naturally occurring macromolecular substances such as polysaccharides and proteins are enzymatically depolymerized to oligo- and monomers, which for the most part are mineralized. However, a small part of them are thought to condense with other substances such as low-molecular-weight lipids in a random way (Fig. 1). During diagenesis, the “geopolymers” thus formed continuously undergo chemical transformations by which they become more and more insoluble and resistant. Kerogens are being formed, which—depending on the nature of the original organic matter contributions—can generate various amounts and sorts of oil under thermal stress.

The Reductive Amination of Aldehydes and Ketones and the Hydrogenation of Nitriles: Mechanistic Aspects and Selectivity Control

Abstract: This review deals with two of the most commonly used methods for the preparation of amines: the reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones and the hydrogenation of nitriles. There is a great similarity betweenthese two methods, sin ce both have the imine as intermediate. However, due to the high reactivity of this intermediate, primary, secondary and/or tertiary amines are obtained (oftensimultan eously). The relationof the selectivity to different substrate structures and reaction condi- tions is briefly summarised, the main focus being on the catalyst as it is the most significant factor that governs the selectivity. Different mechanisms are discussed with the view to correlate the structure of the catalyst and, more particularly, the nature of the metal and the support with selectivity. The crucial point is the presumed location of the condensation and hydrogenation steps.

The membrane bioreactor: a novel tool to grow anammox bacteria as free cells.

Abstract: In a membrane bioreactor (MBR), fast growth of anammox bacteria was achieved with a sludge residence time (SRT) of 12 days. This relatively short SRT resulted in a—for anammox bacteria—unprecedented purity of the enrichment of 97.6%. The absence of a selective pressure for settling, and dedicated cultivation conditions led to growth in suspension as free cells and the complete absence of flocs or granules. Fast growth, low levels of calcium and magne- sium, and possibly the presence of yeast extract and a low shear stress are critical for the obtainment of a completely suspended culture consisting of free anammox cells. During cultivation, a population shift was observed from Candida- tus ''Brocadia'' to Candidatus ''Kuenenia stuttgartiensis.'' It is hypothesized that the reason for this shift is the higher affinity for nitrite of ''Kuenenia.'' The production of ana- mmox bacteria in suspension with high purity and produc- tivity makes the MBR a promising tool for the cultivation and study of anammox bacteria. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 286-294. 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.