Evaluation of elements distribution in printed circuit boards from mobile phones by micro x-ray fluorescence

A micro X-ray fluorescence-based approach for the chemical characterization of spent printed circuit boards (PCBSPCBSS) from mobile phones was applied. More in detail, twelve spent mobile phones were grouped into three clusters according to brands, models and year of release, and a study to evaluate the technological evolution of PCBSs over time was carried out. Precious metals and hazardous elements were investigated, revealing a few differences between samples from the different groups. For instance, the distribution of gold on PCBS layers was more widespread for the older analyzed samples, and smaller quantities of bromine and lead were detected in the more recent models in accordance with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC. Analysis of PCBS composition should contribute towards correctly managing such a complex waste, maximizing the recovery of base, critical and precious metals and considering the possible presence of harmful elements requiring careful management. The experimental results showed how, using the proposed approach, distribution maps for chemical elements present in PCBSs could be obtained, thus allowing the definition of optimal strategies for further handling (i.e. classification) and processing (i.e. critical/precious metal recovery)

A dataset of visible. Short wave InfraRed reflectance spectra collected on pre-cooked pasta products

Reflectance Visible (Vis) and Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) spectra of pre-cooked pasta products were collected in a non-invasive way by using an ASD FieldSpec® 4 Standard–Res portable spectrophotoradiometer (350–2500 nm). Vis-SWIR data were collected on 6 samples of Pennette 72 and 6 samples of Mezze Penne with different salting levels with the aid of a contact probe in two different physical conditions: i) frozen and ii) thawed. Fifty Vis-SWIR spectra were collected per measurement time from each sample resulting in 1200 raw spectra. The dataset presented in this descriptor can be used to explore the possibilities to develop automated methods to perform pre-cooked pasta analysis. Vis-SWIR data have potential reuse for follow-up studies finalized to develop pre-cooked pasta quality control applications by using similar devices or to test the ability of different chemometric algorithms

Chrysotile detection in soils with proximal hyperspectral sensing and chemometrics

In this work the authors present an innovative methodology, based on proximal hyperspectral sensing and chemometric techniques, aimed at detecting asbestos containing soils. Short Wave InfraRed (SWIR) reflectance spectra of reference samples containing known chrysotile fractions were collected in laboratory. Since the identification of asbestos containing soils depends on the contaminant mass percentage (weight/weight), two supervised multivariate data projection methods were evaluated for asbestos concentration prediction. The first results are reported here, together with advantages and limits of the analytical methods. Orthogonal Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression showed the lowest error in prediction and the highest coefficient of determination in prediction. This technique would support screening activities frequently conducted during environmental assessment and remediation projects

Asbestos detection in construction and demolition waste by different classification methods applied to short-wave infrared hyperspectral images

In this study, different multivariate classification methods were applied to hyperspectral images acquired, in the short-wave infrared range (SWIR: 1000-2500 nm), to define and evaluate quality control actions applied to construction and demolition waste (C&DW) flow streams, with particular reference to the detection of hazardous material as asbestos. Three asbestos fibers classes (i.e., amosite, chrysotile and crocidolite) inside asbestos-containing materials (ACM) were investigated. Samples were divided into two groups: calibration and validation datasets. The acquired hyperspectral images were first explored by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The following multivariate classification methods were selected in order to verify and compare their efficiency and robustness: Hierarchical Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (Hi-PLSDA), Principal Component Analysis k-Nearest Neighbors (PCA-kNN) and Error Correcting Output Coding with Support Vector Machines (ECOC-SVM). The classification results obtained for the three models were evaluated by prediction maps and the values of performance parameters (Sensitivity and Specificity). Micro-X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) maps confirmed the correctness of classification results. The results demonstrate how SWIR-HSI technology, coupled with multivariate analysis modelling, is a promising approach to develop both "off-line" and "online" fast, reliable and robust quality control strategies, finalized to perform a quick assessment of ACM presence

Circular and sustainable space: Findings from hyperspectral imaging

Clean production and the ecological transition pose significant challenges for international space organizations, which are developing new strategies for recycling space waste products within a circular economy model. Successful recycling initiatives, which could encompass all or only parts of space waste management, would facilitate the reuse of materials that would otherwise be discarded. The present study aimed at testing a method for the identification and categorization of space waste to facilitate the definition of effective sorting and recycling operations in space. In more detail, the study investigated the potential of a sustainable, low-cost method based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI), employing HSI sensors operating in two spectral ranges—shortwave infrared (SWIR) and near-infrared (NIR)—to develop a classification model capable of identifying and sorting space waste for recycling. The findings demonstrate the advantages of using HSI techniques to identify, recognize, and classify various materials, thereby presenting a viable approach aligned with the circular model. Moreover, the proposed approach is non-invasive and non-destructive, eliminating the need for chemicals that could harm the environment. The technique may enable the differentiation of potentially valuable space waste from pollutants, contributing to sustainable waste management and the circular economy

Microplastic pollution from pellet spillage: Analysis of the Toconao ship accident along the Spanish and Portuguese coasts

In December 2023, 25 tons of pellets were lost by the Toconao ship in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean in front of the Portuguese coast. In this work, a coastal stretch of 633 km in Asturias and Galicia (Spain) and Northern Portugal was investigated to assess pellets’ concentration on 31 beaches. Field surveys were carried out in March 2024 and focused on sampling plastic pellets deposited along the shoreline. All the 7263 sampled pellets were characterized by size, degradation level, and color, while one subset was characterized by weight (40 % of the total) and another subset by polymer type (15 % of the total) using FT-IR spectroscopy. The results reveal that 94 % of the surveyed sites containing pellets, whereas the concentration values vary significantly among beaches, ranging from 0 to 40.3 pellets/kgdw. By combining the accounted variables, it emerges that 48.0 % of the collected pellets can be linked to the Toconao spill

A kwashiorkor case due to the use of an exclusive rice milk diet to treat atopic dermatitis.

Although several cases of severe hypoalbuminemia resulting from rice milk have been described in the past, today the use of rice milk without nutritional counseling to treat eczema is still a continuing, poor practice. We describe a kwashiorkor case in an infant with severe eczema exclusively fed with rice milk. It is well documented that rice milk is not a sufficient protein source. Moreover, only a small portion of eczema is triggered by food allergy. In conclusion this case raises the importance of managing dietary changes facing food allergies with responsibility for specialized consensus among pediatricians, nutritionists, endocrinologists and allergists all of them specialist professionals

Experimental tests for evaluating the stability of a new nano-silica based protective for Sperone stone in comparison to traditional products

This paper reports the results of a preliminary investigation aimed at testing the stability of a new functionalized nano-silica based protective, named Silo N7, in comparison to traditional commercial products, i.e. poly-siloxane and fluorinated elastomer. The product has been applied on an igneous rock known as Sperone stone, widely used in the south-east area of Rome, where the rock is mainly quarried. The work was performed within the activities of the ADAMO project as part of the Center of Excellence Technological District of Cultural Heritage of Lazio Region. The choice of the protective products and of the most suitable tests was made according to the standards UNI EN17114:2019 and UNI EN16581:2016 respectively. Colour measurements, contact angle evaluation, capillarity adsorption and hyperspectral imaging were performed to evaluate the performance of the chosen products