Publications by authors named "Edwin Chica"

Biochar is a carbonaceous material, which can be decorated with metals, that has been garnering attention to be used in the treatment of water due to its contribution to waste management and circular economy. This study presents the life cycle assessment (LCA) regarding the generation of raw biochar and its modification with iron (Fe-modified biochar). SimaPro 9.

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Everyday, we interact with screens, sensors, and many other devices through contact with the skin. Experimental efforts have increased our knowledge of skin tribology but are challenged by the fact that skin has a complex structure, undergoes finite deformations, has nonlinear material response, and has properties that vary with anatomical location, age, sex, and environmental conditions. Computational models are powerful tools to dissect the individual contribution of these variables to the overall frictional response.

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The energy performance and emissions (carbon monoxide and total suspended particulate matter) of a biomass gasification-based cookstove under a modified water boiling test (WBT 4.2.3 protocol) were characterized here.

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Human skin enables interaction with diverse materials every day and at all times. The ability to grasp objects, feel textures, and perceive the environment depends on the mechanical behavior, complex structure, and microscale topography of human skin. At the same time, abrasive interactions, such as sometimes occur with prostheses or textiles, can damage the skin and impair its function.

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The photodegradation of anthracene (AN) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), two priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), was examined at ultra-trace levels in surface water to elucidate their behaviour under several irradiance values and types of radiation. The emitting flux and the spectrum of the lamps were found to develop a crucial role in AN and BaP degradation since removal efficiencies of the target contaminants higher than 99% were found after 15 min of irradiation under an ultraviolet C (UVC) irradiance of 0.63 mW/cm, corresponding to a fluence of 560.

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The presence of pathogens in drinking water can seriously affect human health. Therefore, water disinfection is needed, but conventional processes, such as chlorination, result in the production of dangerous disinfection by-products. In this regard, an alternative solution to tackle the problem of bacterial pollution may be the application of advanced oxidation processes.

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The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as anthracene (AN) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), in water has become a problem of great concern due to the detrimental health effects caused to humans and living beings. In this work, the efficiency of the UV/HO system for degrading the target compounds at ultra-trace levels in surface water has been evaluated. For this purpose, a previous optimization step using a face-centered central composite experimental design has been conducted, considering the effect of the UV-C irradiance and the initial concentration of HO.

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