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This paper discloses the research carried out at MCAT (INCAR-CSIC) in the last years, which has been aimed to develop a new microwave induced process (MIP) for the conversion of biosolids into syngas. The different organic substrates that can be processed, the operational conditions that lead to a maximum production of syngas and the characteristics of the syngas as well as the by-products obtained are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the partial recycling of the solid fraction and its role as microwave susceptor and as a catalyst of some of the gasification reactions taking place during the MIP of the organic residues. Additionally, some insights on the energy costs of the process are also given. Peer reviewed

Citric acid was produced with free and k-carrageenan-entrapped cells of the yeastYarrowia lipolyticain single and repeated batch-shake-flask fermentations on glycerol-based media. Simultaneous solubilization of hydroxyapatite of animal bone origin (HABO) was tested in all experiments. The highest citric acid production by free yeast cells of 20.4 g/L and 18.7 g/L was reached after 96 h of fermentation in the absence and presence of 3 g/L HABO, respectively. The maximum values for the same parameter achieved by gel-entrapped cells in conditions of single batch and repeated-batch fermentation processes were 18.7 g/L and 28.1 g/L registered after 96 h and the 3d batch cycle, respectively. The highest citric acid productivity of 0.58 g L−1h−1was obtained with immobilized cells in repeated batch mode of fermentation when the added hydroxyapatite of 3 g/L was solubilized to 399 mg/L whereas the maximum efficiency of 89.0% was obtained with 1 g/L of HABO.

Recent advances in the satellite retrieval of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) provide new opportunities for understanding the phenological responses of ecosystems to global climate change. Because of the strong link between SIF and plant gross photosynthesis, phenological events derived from SIF represent the seasonal variation of ecosystem functioning (photosynthetic phenology) and differ from phenologies derived from traditional vegetation indices. We provide an overview of recent advances in remotely sensed photosynthetic phenologies, with a focus on their driving factors, their impact on the global carbon cycle, and their relationships with vegetation index-derived land surface phenology metrics. We also discuss future research directions on how to better use various phenological metrics to understand the responses of plants to global change.

The objective of this paper is to explain novel sustainable robotics solutions for cities. Those new proposals appear under the ECHORD++ project which is a good tool to meet academia and industry with the objective of providing innovative technological solutions. In this paper, authors explain the tool as well as the methodology to promote robotics research in urban environments, and the on-going experience will demonstrate that huge advances are made in this field. Peer Reviewed

AbstractSustainable development has become an essential criterion for structural policies of the European Union, and these policies have extended its environmental dimensions. The EU has decided that circular economy will be framed within the principles of sustainable development. Thus, the changes brought forth will affect activities like agriculture, where environmental policy can undermine the stability of agricultural systems by reducing their profitability. The objective of this study was to evaluate how the implementation of these techniques impacted the southeastern peninsula of Spain, a farming region that supports the sovereignty and food security of the European Union in terms of fruit and vegetable products. The production techniques evaluated can increase production costs by up to 5.5%, although there are no significant differences in crop profitability. It is necessary to guarantee that all producers can access the incentive system to reduce their economic pressure, due in many cases to financial losses. In this regard, it is necessary to establish a specific green architecture for this subsector that factors in the effects of inflation to balance the triple aspect of sustainability.

La primera biorrefinación con lignina del álamo nórdico para producir fibras de celulosa podría desplazar la producción de algodón en tierras agrícolas Al cruzar Populus trichocarpa 3 P. trichocarpa de una población distante, se obtuvieron álamos híbridos que pueden crecer rápidamente en tierras marginales en climas del norte. Estos híbridos pueden transformarse mediante fraccionamiento catalítico reductor para producir una fibra textil deslignificada que puede ser un sustituto del algodón, así como un biocombustible alimentado con lignina en el rango de gasolina-aviación-diesel. La sostenibilidad de esta cadena de valor fue evaluada por LCA y mostró beneficios sustanciales en términos de uso de agua en comparación con la producción de algodón. Le bioraffinage en lignine du peuplier nordique pour produire des fibres de cellulose pourrait déplacer la production de coton sur les terres agricoles En croisant Populus trichocarpa 3 P. trichocarpa d'une population éloignée, des peupliers hybrides ont été obtenus qui peuvent croître rapidement sur des terres marginales dans les climats nordiques. Ces hybrides peuvent être transformés par fractionnement catalytique réducteur pour donner une fibre textile délignifiée qui peut remplacer le coton ainsi qu'un biocarburant ligninérisé dans la gamme essence-aviation-diesel. La durabilité de cette chaîne de valeur a été évaluée par LCA et a montré des avantages substantiels en termes d'utilisation de l'eau par rapport à la production de coton. Lignin-first biorefining of Nordic poplar to produce cellulose fibers could displace cotton production on agricultural lands By crossing Populus trichocarpa 3 P. trichocarpa from a distant population, hybrid poplar trees were obtained that can grow rapidly on marginal lands in northern climates.These hybrids can be transformed by reductive catalytic fractionation to yield a delignified textile fiber that can be a substitute for cotton as well as a ligninderived biofuel in the gasoline-aviation-diesel range.The sustainability of this value chain was evaluated by LCA and showed substantial benefits in terms of water use compared with cotton production. يمكن للتكرير الحيوي الأول لليجنين للحور الشمالي لإنتاج ألياف السليلوز أن يحل محل إنتاج القطن في الأراضي الزراعية من خلال عبور Populus trichocarpa 3 P. trichocarpa من مجموعة سكانية بعيدة، تم الحصول على أشجار الحور الهجينة التي يمكن أن تنمو بسرعة على الأراضي الهامشية في المناخات الشمالية. يمكن تحويل هذه الهجينة عن طريق التجزئة التحفيزية المختزلة لإنتاج ألياف نسيج منزوعة الكرامة يمكن أن تكون بديلاً عن القطن بالإضافة إلى وقود حيوي خفيف في نطاق البنزين والطيران والديزل. تم تقييم استدامة سلسلة القيمة هذه من قبل LCA وأظهرت فوائد كبيرة من حيث استخدام المياه مقارنة بإنتاج القطن.

The agro-livestock sector produces about one third of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since more energy is needed to meet the growing demand for food and the industrial revolution in agriculture, renewable energy sources could improve access to energy resources and energy security, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and reduce GHG emissions. Hydrogen production is a promising energy technology, but its deployment in the global energy system is lagging. Here, we analyzed the theoretical and practical application of green hydrogen generated by electrolysis of water, powered by renewable energy sources, in the agro-livestock sector. Green hydrogen is at an early stage of development in most applications, and barriers to its large-scale deployment remain. Appropriate policies and financial incentives could make it a profitable technology for the future.