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Electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2RR) is one of the most promising methods for decreasing the concentration of CO2, meanwhile, converting them into the high value-added chemicals, which has been more and more investigated and developed recently. Imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) have been widely used as electrolytes in CO2RR and shown satisfactory performance. While the function of ILs is still unclear. Besides, the economic feasibility and potential of CO2RR with ILs-based electrolytes as well as the environmental effects are also unclear. Therefore, this work focuses on the technology evaluation and exploration for CO2RR-to-CO with ILs-based electrolyte. Firstly, a literature review about CO2RR to CO, CH4, CH3OH, and syngas (H2/CO=1:1 and 1:2) in ILs-based electrolytes was conducted. Then the processes to obtain these C1-products were analyzed from both economic and environmental aspects based on the state-of-the-art technology and the rationally hypothetical future cases. The results show that CO is the most valuable product considering both the economic benefits and environmental impact, which will be more lucrative in the future with the improvement of CO2RR performance. Then, based on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]), a series of imidazolium ILs with various proton in the group (-CH3, -CH3OH and -SH, noted as [BMMIM][PF6], [BMOHIM][PF6] and [BMSHIM][PF6], respectively) at C2 site of the imidazole ring were synthesized and used as electrolyte to perform CO2RR over a commercial Ag foil. As a result, the more inert the active proton, the more favorable for the production of CO. Notably, nearly 100% CO was obtained when [BMMIM][PF6] with the most inert proton. This confirms that the C2-H of the imidazole ring has an important influence on CO2RR performance and may be involved in the reaction. Finally, [BMMIM][PF6] and [BMIM][PF6] were selected as the electrolytes to conduct CO2RR over a bimetallic catalyst. As a result, the product from 99.69% HCOOH switched into 98.85% CO only via changing the electrolyte from [BMIM][PF6] into [BMMIM][PF6]. Mechanistic studies reveal that the CO2 adsorption configuration on the surface of the catalyst was altered when switching to another IL with a different CO2 active site, resulting in two distinct pathways for the generation of HCOOH and CO, respectively. 

Os jovens são particularmente propensos aos efeitos das alterações climáticas e têm vindo a consciencializar a sociedade para este desafio global. As vulnerabilidades têm sido estudadas, mas desconhece-se como mobilizar as suas capacidades para um futuro próspero. Esta dissertação visa explorar como as alterações climáticas estão incorporadas na vida diária de adolescentes e adultos emergentes entre os 16 e os 24 anos e compreender que características da perspetiva de desenvolvimento positivo de jovens podem contribuir para o seu envolvimento saudável nas questões climáticas. No Estudo 1, uma revisão sistemática explorou como a teoria do Desenvolvimento Positivo de Jovens é abordada em estudos empíricos sobre alterações climáticas. Seguimos as diretrizes Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses e selecionamos 13 artigos. Os resultados mostraram que não é abordada diretamente, mas identificaram interseções úteis para investigação e intervenção. O Estudo 2 validou uma escala de atitudes face às alterações climáticas entre 499 adolescentes e adultos emergentes. Realizamos análise fatorial exploratória, confirmatória, de invariância e de validade convergente, encontrando boas propriedades psicométricas e convergência com medida de desenvolvimento positivo de jovens. O Estudo 3 explorou como as alterações climáticas se refletem na experiência de vida diária dos jovens. Avaliamos 110 participantes durante uma semana com o Experience Sampling Method. As alterações climáticas foram mencionadas por nove participantes e o desenvolvimento positivo de jovens revelou papel moderador quando avaliados os pensamentos relacionados com o clima e o afeto. O Estudo 4 testou um modelo conceptual incluindo os Cinco Cs do Desenvolvimento Positivo de Jovens, atitudes face às alterações climáticas, comportamentos próambientais e satisfação com a vida. Inquirimos 326 participantes e usamos análise de equações estruturais. O caráter foi o preditor mais forte de atitudes e comportamentos, que por sua vez não mostraram associação significativa com a satisfação com a vida. No geral, esta dissertação acrescenta evidência sobre as características do desenvolvimento positivo de jovens a serem promovidas no contexto das alterações climáticas e aponta direções para investigações, intervenções educativo-desenvolvimentais e políticas sociais baseadas neste quadro teórico. Younger generations are particularly prone to the effects of climate change and have raised societal awareness of this global challenge. Research has focused on understanding youth climate-related vulnerabilities, but there is still a lack of knowledge on how their abilities may be mobilized to a thriving future. The present dissertation aims to explore how climate change is embedded in the daily life of adolescents and emerging adults aged 16-24 and understand which positive youth development characteristics may contribute to their healthy climate engagement. In Study 1, we conducted a systematic review to explore how the Positive Youth Development framework is addressed in empirical studies on climate change. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses guidelines and selected 13 articles. The results showed that it is not yet directly addressed, but some intersections that can inform future research and interventions were identified. Study 2 aimed at validating a scale to assess climate change attitudes among 499 adolescents and emerging adults. We conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, measurement invariance, and convergent validity analysis, finding good scale psychometric properties and some convergence with a measure of positive youth development. Study 3 explored how climate change is reflected in youth's daily life experience. We assessed 110 participants over a week using the Experience Sampling Method. Findings showed that climate change was mentioned by nine participants and evidenced the moderator role of positive youth development when assessing climate-related thoughts and affect. Study 4 tested a conceptual model that included the Five Cs of Positive Youth Development, climate change attitudes, pro-environmental behaviors, and satisfaction with life. We surveyed 326 participants and performed structural equation modeling. Character was the strongest predictor of attitudes and behaviors, which in turn had no significant effect on satisfaction with life. Overall, this dissertation advances evidence on the specific features of positive youth development that should be enhanced in the context of climate change and points directions to the design of future research, educational-developmental interventions, and social policies based on this framework. The work of this doctoral dissertation was supported by a Ph.D. fellowship from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT; SFRH/BD/143814/2019) and was conducted at CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, also supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology (UID/01662/2020) through the Portuguese State Budget. Tese de doutoramento em Psicologia Aplicada

This master thesis explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, focusing on its potential to enhance the accuracy, transparency, and efficiency of ESG disclosures. It investigates how AI can transform ESG reporting from a reactive to a proactive tool, enabling companies to better assess and mitigate ESG-related risks. The study examines the perceptions of industry professionals regarding AI's role in ESG, considering factors such as age, education, and professional background. It highlights the significant impact AI can have on sectors like finance, energy, and healthcare, while addressing challenges and ethical concerns. The findings suggest that AI can be a powerful enabler of ESG transparency, but its adoption requires sector-specific adaptations and careful ethical considerations. Future research is recommended to explore long-term effects and deeper ethical issues in AI-driven ESG reporting. Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::9 - Indústria, Innovació i Infraestructura Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::16 - Pau, Justícia i Institucions Sòlides

Climate change is altering ecosystems worldwide. While shifting environmental conditions are complex, it has been hypothesised that the impact of climate change are directly leading to increases in fungal infections across the globe. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events are thought to be driving the adaptation of fungal pathogens to new climates, expanding their geographical range and posing a growing threat to human health and agriculture. This review highlights how climate change may impact key pathogens, including Candida auris, Candida orthopsilosis, Cryptococcus deuterogattii, and resistant strains of Aspergillus fumigatus, which have emerged as significant public health concerns. Their spread is accelerated by globalisation, urbanisation, and the intensifying use of agricultural fungicides, which further increase antifungal resistance. The growing prevalence of resistant strains and emergence of novel fungal pathogens is likely linked to anthropogenic climate change, underscoring the urgent need for action and for more robust data collection.

O objetivo geral desta tese é analisar a importância da informação produzida no âmbito do planeamento financeiro estratégico para a efetividade da despesa municipal, utilizando como referência os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS), tema que vem sendo discutido na área de Gestão e na Agenda 2030 da Organização das Nações Unidas, tornando-se cada vez mais importante para a criação de valor público na Administração Local. Assume-se, em particular, a premissa de que a baixa efetividade das despesas dos municípios pode ser afetada pela fraca qualidade da informação do planeamento financeiro estratégico.Para prosseguir este objetivo, dividiu-se o estudo em três capítulos centrais, para além da Introdução e da Conclusão. Após a introdução, onde se apresenta o enquadramento do estudo e se identificam os objetivos específicos e as principais teorias de suporte, o segundo capítulo propõe um Índice para aferir a Qualidade da Informação do Planeamento Financeiro Estratégico – o Índice Q-FPI – baseado em documentos de planeamento disponibilizados nos sites dos municípios. Esta pesquisa faz uma contribuição importante ao descrever o modelo conceptual multidimensional utilizado para construir o Índice, considerando a identificação dos requisitos de qualidade dos dados e a definição de indicadores para operacionalizá-los. O Índice Q-FPI constitui uma ferramenta flexível, capaz de fomentar a melhoria contínua do desempenho do governo local. Ter informações de qualidade sobre o planeamento financeiro estratégico é crucial para qualquer organização. Na Administração Local isso é fundamental, pois espera-se que impacte na tomada de decisões estratégicas e na gestão geral dos recursos públicos locais. O terceiro capítulo propõe uma ferramenta para avaliar a efetividade da despesa pública local com base num quadro de alinhamento entre outputs, outcomes e impactos – o Índice de Efetividade da Despesa Municipal (IMEE), tendo como referência os ODS. Este índice inédito é composto por um conjunto de indicadores associados à tipologia da despesa local. O artigo descreve a abordagem metodológica utilizada no desenvolvimento do Índice, considerando as perceções da revisão da literatura e a opinião de um painel de especialistas. Os indicadores de outcomes e impactos sociais que fazem parte do Índice estão intencionalmente alinhados com os ODS, fornecendo assim um guia essencial para avaliar a criação de valor público no contexto atual e, bem assim, constituindo uma importante adição para a investigação e para a prática da gestão municipal. Por sua vez, o quarto capítulo visa compreender o efeito da qualidade da informação do planeamento financeiro estratégico na efetividade da despesa municipal, nas áreas de Educação, Serviços Públicos Essenciais e Transportes do Governo Local, continuando a considerar os ODS como referência. O objetivo também é suprir uma lacuna existente na literatura, uma vez que a maioria dos estudos avalia o desempenho dos governos locais com foco na eficiência em geral, ignorando a efetividade das despesas municipais. O estudo aplica um modelo OLS a dados de 89 municípios portugueses entre 2017 e 2022, utilizando os índices Q-FPI e IMEE, além de variáveis de controlo de natureza financeira, política e institucional. Globalmente, os resultados, considerados robustos, confirmam o modelo proposto e revelam que a qualidade do planeamento financeiro estratégico impacta, de facto, positivamente a efetividade da despesa municipal, particularmente nos municípios que apresentam Q-FPI baixa. Finalmente, na conclusão, são salientadas as principais contribuições da tese, discutidas algumas implicações e identificadas linhas de pesquisa futuras. The overall objective of this thesis is to analyse the importance of the information produced within the framework of strategic financial planning for the effectiveness of municipal expenditure, using the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a reference. This topic has been increasingly discussed in the field of Management and in the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations, becoming ever more important for the creation of public value in Local Government. The premise assumes that the low effectiveness of municipal expenditure may be affected by the poor quality of strategic financial planning information.To pursue this objective, the study is divided into three central chapters, in addition to the Introduction and the Conclusion.Following the introduction, which presents the study’s framework and identifies the specific objectives and the main supporting theories, the second chapter proposes an Index to assess the Quality of Strategic Financial Planning Information – the Q-FPI Index – based on planning documents made available on municipal websites. This research makes an important contribution by describing the multidimensional conceptual model used to build the Index, considering the identification of data quality requirements and the definition of indicators to operationalise them. The Q-FPI Index constitutes a flexible tool, capable of promoting the continuous improvement of local government performance. Having quality information on strategic financial planning is crucial for any organisation. In Local Government, this is fundamental, as it is expected to impact strategic decision-making and the overall management of local public resources.The third chapter proposes a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of local public expenditure based on a framework that aligns outputs, outcomes and impacts – The Index of Municipal Expenditure Effectiveness (IMEE), using the SDGs as a reference. This innovative index consists of a set of indicators associated with the typology of local expenditure. The paper describes the methodological approach used in developing the Index, considering insights from the literature review and the opinion of a panel of experts. The social outcome and impact indicators included in the Index are intentionally aligned with the SDGs, providing an essential guide for evaluating the creation of public value in the current context, and thus constituting an important addition to both research and municipal management practice.The fourth chapter seeks to understand the effect of the quality of strategic financial planning information on the effectiveness of municipal expenditure in the areas of Education, Essential Public Services, and Transportation within Local Government, while continuing to use the SDGs as a reference. The aim is also to fill an existing gap in the literature, as most studies assess the performance of local governments with a focus on efficiency in general, overlooking the effectiveness of municipal expenditure. The study applies an OLS model to data from 89 Portuguese municipalities between 2017 and 2022, using the Q-FPI and IMEE indices, as well as financial, political, and institutional control variables. Overall, the results, which are considered robust, confirm the proposed model and reveal that the quality of strategic financial planning does indeed positively impact the effectiveness of municipal expenditure, particularly in municipalities with low scores on the Q-FPI index. Finally, the conclusion highlights the main contributions of the thesis, discusses some implications, and identifies future lines of research. Tese de Doutoramento em Gestão de Empresas apresentada à Faculdade de Economia

O principal objetivo deste trabalho é realizar uma avaliação abrangente da sustentabilidade do setor das águas em Portugal, abrangendo três períodos distintos englobando processos de fusão/cisão de entidades gestoras (EG) e o impacto das restrições da COVID. As EG de abastecimento de água (AA) e tratamento de águas residuais (AR) são divididas em três grupos estruturais: EG em alta e em baixa, e estas com ou sem estações de tratamento (ET), de modo a: i) acompanhar a evolução dos principais índices de desempenho absolutos e específicos (por volume de entrada de água/AR); ii) avaliar a eficiência das EG e identificar potenciais de melhoria; iii) analisar a evolução da produtividade ao longo do tempo; iv) identificar inter-relações entre os índices de desempenho e um conjunto de fatores explicativos; e v) propor recomendações de política. Foi utilizada a análise da envolvente de dados baseada em folgas para avaliação da eficiência e o índice de produtividade Malmquist-Luenberger para determinar a evolução da produtividade em três períodos: 2011-2014, 2015-2019 e 2020-2022. Correlações cruzadas, análise de componentes principais e agrupamento hierárquico foram empregues para examinar as inter-relações entre os indicadores de desempenho e os potenciais fatores explicativos.A produção de energia nos setores de AA e AR revelou-se insuficiente (menos de 1% e 10% das necessidades energéticas, respetivamente), apesar do significativo potencial para geração de energia no setor de AR. Ambos os setores subutilizam, em cerca de um quinto, o potencial de receita da AA/AR tratada. Apesar de quase 100% da AA ser segura, apenas 70% das AR são tratadas de forma satisfatória e menos de 1% são reutilizadas. As EG de AA apresentam um excedente financeiro médio de 5%, enquanto as de AR enfrentam um défice semelhante. O setor de AA mostrou uma crescente necessidade de racionalização de recursos, compensada por uma maior capacidade de gerar produtos desejáveis e pela redução da água não cobrada. Já o setor de AR enfrenta crescentes despesas energéticas, com maior necessidade de produção de energia e reutilização de AR, e uma crescente produção de lamas que representa um desafio. O processo de fusão/reorganização das EG em alta não resultou em economias generalizadas, principalmente no setor de AR, aumentando o uso de recursos e a geração de produtos desejáveis. A expansão da fronteira de produção durante o período de fusões foi seguida de uma contração no período de restrições da COVID. As EG em baixa com ET também sofreram uma contração da fronteira de produção durante o período de fusões/restrições da COVID, tendo estas também afetado negativamente a produtividade das EG sem ET. Quer as EG em alta, quer as em baixa, devem considerar ajustes de escala para otimizar a eficiência, com base na escala operacional ótima identificada. Uma avaliação cuidadosa do tamanho das ET é ainda necessária, pois ET maiores tendem a apresentar melhor desempenho financeiro, alocação de pessoal, produção de energia e reutilização de AR, embora sejam mais intensivas energeticamente e produzam mais lamas. As principais recomendações centram-se na otimização da produção e consumo de energia, manutenção da rede, alocação de pessoal e controlo da água não cobrada. O setor da água mostrou um significativo potencial para melhorar a produção de energia, com as EG com ET, energeticamente intensivas, maiores e em áreas densamente povoadas, devendo investir em tecnologias para produção de energia a partir de subprodutos do tratamento de AR (biogás e valorização de lamas). As políticas de certificação energética e o investimento em energias renováveis devem ser prosseguidos por todas as EG para melhorar a eficiência. O controlo das roturas, principalmente para EG em baixa e apesar das restrições financeiras, requer uma melhoria substancial na manutenção da rede. A alocação de pessoal deve ser cuidadosamente planeada. Para as EG em baixa com ET, é necessária a otimização dos processos intensivos em energia, como a recolha e transporte de água/AR, controlo da subutilização das ET e adoção de políticas ambientais, sem comprometer a qualidade da água/AR. A otimização das despesas exige uma alocação criteriosa do pessoal, minimização da subutilização da capacidade instalada e redução de custos na recolha e transporte de água/AR, principalmente em redes extensas. No setor de AA, é crucial controlar as perdas de água em todas as EG, especialmente as com debilidades financeiras ou em áreas densamente povoadas, investindo em manutenção adequada e certificação de qualidade. No setor de AR, há um potencial significativo para aumentar a reutilização de AR tratadas, embora seja necessário otimizar o consumo de energia e a produção de lamas, adotando políticas ambientais. A produção de lamas deve ser cuidadosamente gerida para maximizar seu potencial energético ou comercial. The primary goal of this work is to conduct a comprehensive sustainability assessment of water service providers (SP) in Portugal, including three distinct periods with merger/disaggregation events and COVID restrictions. Water supply and wastewater (WW) treatment SP were divided into three structural groups, namely bulk, and retail SP presenting and lacking treatment plants (TP), in order to. i) monitor the evolution of absolute and specific (per water/WW intake) key performance indicators (KPI); ii) benchmark the SP efficiency and identify improvement potentials; iii) analyze productivity changes over time; iv) identify interrelationships between the KPI and a set of drivers; and v) provide policy recommendations. Data envelopment analysis with slacks-based measure is used to benchmark the SP efficiency, and the Malmquist-Luenberger productivity index to determine productivity changes across three distinct periods: 2011–2014, 2015–2019, and 2020–2022. Cross-correlation, principal components analysis, and hierarchical clustering analysis analyze the interrelationships between the KPI and potential drivers.The energy production in the water supply and WW sectors is quite low (below 1% and 10% of energy needs, respectively), despite the significant potential for energy generation in the latter. Both sectors underuse one fifth of the revenue potential of intake water/WW. While nearly 100% of the water supply is safe, only 70% of the WW is satisfactorily treated, and less than 1% is reused. Further, water supply SP show a revenue surplus averaging 5% with WW SP facing a similar (5%) deficit. Water supply SP face increasing pressure on resource use balanced by an improved ability to produce desirable outputs and reduce non-revenue water. On the other hand, the WW sector faces a growing pressure on energy consumption and demands for energy production and WW reuse, with rising sludge production and management posing challenges. The bulk mergers/disaggregation process did not yield overall savings, especially in the WW sector, as resources pressure, alongside desirable products generation, mostly increased. The production frontier expanded in the mergers period followed by a stall or contraction during COVID restrictions. Retail SP presenting TP underwent a production frontier contraction during their mergers / COVID restrictions period. The latter also negatively affected the productivity of the retail SP lacking TP in the water supply sector. Bulk and retail SP should consider scale adjustments to optimize efficiency, given the found optimal scales. The need for careful assessment of the TP size is also stressed, as larger facilities mostly present better financial performance, efficient personnel use, increased energy production, and WW reuse, albeit being more energy-intensive and presenting increased sludge production. The main recommendations focus on the need to optimize energy production and consumption, grid maintenance, personnel allocation, and control of non-revenue water. The water sector revealed a significant potential for improvement in energy production, and SP presenting TP, especially with large, energy-intensive facilities in high-density areas, should invest in technologies to produce energy from WW treatment by-products (biogas and sludge valorization). Widening the scope to the remaining SP, energy certification policies and investment in renewable energy should also be pursued supporting efficiency improvements. Mains failures control, particularly for retail SP albeit their financial constraints, require a substantial upgrade in grid maintenance. Personnel allocation, including towards the latter, should also be carefully planned. Particularly for retail SP presenting TP, the optimization of energy-intensive processes, including water/WW collection and transport, control of facilities underuse, and adoption of environmental policies is needed. Further, caution should be taken not to compromise water/WW quality. Expenditure optimization requires careful personnel allocation, and minimization of plant underuse and water/WW collection and transport costs, mostly for SP with extensive distribution networks. Addressing the non-revenue water in the water supply sector, it is crucial to control water losses in all SP, particularly when presenting financial debilities or in high-density areas. Hence, investing in sound grid maintenance practices and quality certification policies is in order. The analysis of the WW sector revealed a significant potential for improvement in treated WW reuse, as well as the need to optimize the associated energy consumption and sludge production and endorse environmental policies. Further, sludge production should be managed in a way to maximize its energetic, or commercial, potential. Tese de Doutoramento em Gestão - Ciência Aplicada à Decisão apresentada à Faculdade de Economia Outro - Águas do Centro Litoral (Coimbra, Portugal) através do projeto “ETARs + Sustentáveis”

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are increasingly promoted as key technologies in the transition to renewable energy. However, their integration into everyday life involves more than technological adoption; it is highly contextualised and reshapes daily routines and social dynamics. This dissertation explores how households on the Aran Islands, Ireland, incorporate PVs into their practices, highlighting the interplay between material, social and contextual factors. Through ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, and energy monitoring, it examines how PVs influence energy use, the role of appliance-level feedback in shaping practices related to PV use, and the diverse ways households learn to navigate renewable systems in these island communities. The findings reveal that energy transitions are complex journeys, requiring attention to local contexts, social relations, and everyday practices.

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are a promising technology for grid-level energy storage. The ability to decouple energy and power, as well as the potential for low-cost and safe materials, make them particularly suited to this application. However, there is a lack of viable organic catholytes for RFBs and research thus far has primarily focussed on anolytes. Research in this thesis focuses on novel catholytes, degradation studies and electrolyte optimisation for aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs), the most challenging and yet the most promising area of this technology. In the first results chapter (Chapter 3), a series of triarylamines was synthesised. Initial electrochemical testing (using cyclic voltammetry) revealed one of these candidates, amino-functionalised 4-amino-trisphenyl amine, proved to be the most promising. However, battery cycling with this as the catholyte results in extensive polymerisation, leading to rapid capacity fade. This rapid capacity fade was improved by electrolyte optimisation, and utilising a mixed-salt system of 0.5 M HCl and 0.5 M H3PO4 it was possible to decrease capacity fade, increase coulombic efficiency and access more theoretical capacity. Chapter 4 explores commercially available phenothiazine dyes. Nicotinamide (NA) was used to increase solubility, specifically, the solubility of the most promising candidate explored, azure-a (AA), was doubled from 1 M to ca. 2 M. When cycled with NA in the supporting electrolyte, AA, had relatively stable cycling performance, though only half of the theoretical capacity was reached. Evidence suggests that this is the result of dimerisation of AA-based redox species. An extensive study using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that NA prevents a thick, charge-transfer blocking, film from forming on interphases in the cell (i.e. the electrode or membrane), thus improving the cycling performance. Chapter 5 further investigated both the dimerisation of AA-based species and their interaction with NA which leads to the observed improved performance. Through spectroscopic studies (NMR, EPR and UV/vis) it was found that there are at least four dimeric AA-based species in solution (most likely different dimer conformations). The role of pH on AA aggregation is also explored here for the first time. Finally, the origin of the improvement in battery performance using AA is shown to be preferential hydrogen-bonding with NA which intercepts AA aggregate, therefore reducing dimerisation and subsequent polymerisation. The final research chapter (Chapter 6) explores synthetic modification of phenothiazine, which is otherwise insoluble in aqueous conditions. A sulfonated propyl chain was found to improve solubility up to 1.15 M in 1 M HCl. However, upon cycling the sulfonate group was lost and an emulsion formed, leading to rapid capacity loss. This was improved by utilising NA as an additive (as shown previously in Chapters 4 and 5). Overall, this thesis has found that synthesising novel compounds presents many challenges, especially as the performance of candidate catholytes cannot be accurately predicted before experimental cycling. Ultimately the greatest improvements in cycling performance were achieved through electrolyte optimisation rather than synthetic changes in a particular catholyte family. It is therefore recommended to focus future research efforts on optimisation of the supporting electrolyte as the means for improving battery performance.

This dissertation is an investigation of the gendered dynamics of sustainable agriculture practiced by women operating commercial-scale, sustainable farms in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, with a focus on women's agency and freedoms within the agricultural sector. Women operate 26% of farms in Jaffna, yet women are notably absent from agricultural development policies. As climate change threatens the livelihoods and security of farmers in Jaffna, establishing data on the opportunities, barriers, and experiences of women as farmers is crucial for developing an accurate contextual understanding necessary to inform effective policies that ensure sustained food production and livelihood security. Using the capabilities approach as a conceptual framework and 50 individual interviews of with women farm operators in 2021, during COVID, this research examines the socio-cultural, economic, and policy-driven barriers that constrain women's agency and freedoms as primary farm operators. The study identifies a duality in women's experiences: while they demonstrate remarkable agency in sustainable agricultural practices within their farms, they face significant systemic barriers in engaging with external economic systems. A central insight of the research is the contrasting roles played by middle operators, who exploit women’s dependency to access external markets, and cooperatives, which serve as transformative bridges by fostering collective empowerment and expanding women's capabilities across both spheres. The study further highlights the innovative localized strategies women employ to adapt to climate vulnerabilities and systemic constraints. By blending traditional ecological knowledge with modern agricultural technologies, women have developed integrated farm management systems that optimize productivity, enhance biodiversity, and build resilience to environmental shocks. These findings challenge the conventional image of farmers as solely men battling nature and instead position women as central agents of ecological stewardship and sustainability.

Aquest projecte analitza i redissenya l'envàs de Choco Flakes, un producte alimentari àmpliament comercialitzat, amb l’objectiu d'optimitzar tant la seva funcionalitat logística com el seu impacte ambiental. Utilitzant eines com l'anàlisi del cicle de vida (LCA), s’ha identificat oportunitats de millora en materials, reducció de residus i optimització de processos de producció i transport. El projecte ha proposat un redisseny de la caixa primària, reduint-ne la mida i mantenint-ne la capacitat protectora, alhora que s'incrementa l'eficiència en la paletització i es reutilitzen caixes secundàries ja existents. Els resultats indiquen una disminució significativa en l'ús de materials i els costos associats, al mateix temps que s’augmenta l’eficiència logística i es redueix l’impacte ambiental global, destacant la reducció d’emissions de CO₂ i residus. Aquest redisseny no només millora la sostenibilitat del producte, sinó que també ofereix un model replicable per optimitzar embalatges en altres projectes. En conclusió, el treball combina estratègies de disseny industrial i tècniques d’enginyeria ambiental per proporcionar una solució viable i sostenible que contribueix als Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible de l’Agenda 2030. Este proyecto analiza y rediseña el envase de Choco Flakes, un producto alimenticio ampliamente comercializado, con el objetivo de optimizar tanto su funcionalidad logística como su impacto ambiental. Utilizando herramientas como el análisis del ciclo de vida (LCA), se han identificado oportunidades de mejora en materiales, reducción de residuos y optimización de procesos de producción y transporte. El proyecto ha propuesto un rediseño de la caja primaria, reduciendo su tamaño y manteniendo su capacidad protectora, al tiempo que se incrementa la eficiencia en la paletización y se reutilizan cajas secundarias ya existentes. Los resultados indican una disminución significativa en el uso de materiales y costes asociados, al tiempo que se aumenta la eficiencia logística y se reduce el impacto ambiental global, destacando la reducción de emisiones de CO₂ y residuos. Este rediseño no sólo mejora la sostenibilidad del producto, sino que ofrece un modelo replicable para optimizar embalajes en otros proyectos. En conclusión, el trabajo combina estrategias de diseño industrial y técnicas de ingeniería ambiental para proporcionar una solución viable y sostenible que contribuye a los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible de la Agenda 2030. This project analyzes and redesigns the packaging of Choco Flakes, a widely marketed food product, with the aim of optimizing both its logistical functionality and its environmental impact. Using tools such as life cycle analysis (LCA), opportunities for improvement in materials, waste reduction, and optimization of production and transport processes have been identified. The project has proposed a redesign of the primary box, reducing its size and maintaining its protective capacity, while increasing palletizing efficiency and reusing existing secondary boxes. The results indicate a significant decrease in the use of materials and associated costs, while increasing logistical efficiency and reducing the overall environmental impact, highlighting the reduction of CO₂ emissions and waste. This redesign not only improves the sustainability of the product, but also offers a replicable model to optimize packaging in other projects. In conclusion, the work combines industrial design strategies and environmental engineering techniques to provide a viable and sustainable solution that contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.