LCA as decision tool for sustainable choices in mineral materials field: environmental declarations of Belgian products and their foreign equivalents

Conference (2011, November 04)

Life cycle assessment of carbon xerogels

Poster (2011, November 03)

Environmental performance of waste management through years using Life Cycle Assessment

Conference (2011, November 03)

WEEE management using LCA methodology : the fridge case study

in Conference Proccedings - Volume 1 : Academic Papers (2011, November)

La valorisation du digestat : une contribution essentielle au bénéfice environnemental d'une unité de biométhanisation

Conference given outside the academic context (2011)

Microstructure characterisation of nanocomposite polymeric foams by X-ray microtomography

Poster (2011, September 21)

Recent advances in microstructured materials have given rise to many new types of composites that exhibit original and interesting physical properties. For example, a nanocomposite made of carbon ... [more ▼]

Recent advances in microstructured materials have given rise to many new types of composites that exhibit original and interesting physical properties. For example, a nanocomposite made of carbon nanotubes inside a polymer matrix shows exceptional electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness when foamed. However, the effective properties of such materials strongly depend on the shape and topology of the microstructural cells. An accurate method for investigating the cellular microstructure is X-ray microtomography (XRµT), for it is non-destructive, and it provides 3D geometric information. Although it cannot be used to observe nanofiller dispersion, it has a strong potential for cell structure characterization. In order to reduce the need for trial and error for tailoring these materials, our objective is to characterize, using XRµT, two different types of foaming procedures, namely supercritical CO2 batch foaming and freeze drying. As the resolution is limited compared to cell size, we have developed a novel statistical method based on 3D autocorrelation to determine characteristic length and examine anisotropy. We present results for these two types of foams and show the limitations of this method. [less ▲]

Bone Regeneration Using Porous Titanium Particles versus Bovine Hydroxyapatite: A Sinus Lift Study in Rabbits.

in Clinical Implant Dentistry & Related Research (2011)

Aim: The first objective of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the bone formation process, particularly the long-term behavior and three-dimensional volume stability of subsinusal ... [more ▼]

Aim: The first objective of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the bone formation process, particularly the long-term behavior and three-dimensional volume stability of subsinusal bone regeneration, using titanium (Ti) or bovine hydroxyapatite (BHA) granules, in a rabbit model. The second objective was to evaluate the effect of the hydration of the BHA particles with a therapeutic concentration of doxycycline solution on the osteogenesis and biomaterial resorption. Materials and Methods: Rabbits underwent a double sinus lift procedure using one of three materials: grade 1 porous Ti particles, BHA, or BHA hydrated with doxycycline solution (0.1 mg/ml) (BHATTC). Animals were sacrificed after 1 week, 5 weeks, or 6 months. Samples were analyzed using µCT and nondecalcified histology. Results: The materials used in each of the three groups allowed an optimal bone formation; bone quantities and densities were not statistically different between the three groups. At 6 months, more stable three-dimensional volume stability was found with Ti and BHATTC (p = .0033). At 5 weeks and 6 months, bone to material contact corroborating osteoconduction was significantly higher with BHA and BHATTC than with Ti (p < .0001). Conclusions and Clinical Implications: Even though the studied biomaterials displayed different architectures, they are relevant candidates for sinus lift bone augmentation prior to dental implants because they allow adequate three-dimensional stability and osteogenesis. However, to recommend the clinical use of Ti, both an observation on the drilling effects of Ti particles and clinical trials are needed. [less ▲]

Impact environnemental des procédés de valorisation des boues : revue des ACV réalisées

Conference given outside the academic context (2011)

Methodology for the characterization of the microstructure of nanocomposite polymeric foams using X-ray microtomography

in Micro-CT User Meeting Abstract Book (2011, April 13)

Polymeric foams used in electromagnetic shielding applications are characterized using X-ray microtomography. These foams contain a conductive nanometric reinforcement, carbon nanotubes, but the scale of ... [more ▼]

Polymeric foams used in electromagnetic shielding applications are characterized using X-ray microtomography. These foams contain a conductive nanometric reinforcement, carbon nanotubes, but the scale of characterization described here is that of the microscopic cells. Although nanotube dispersion is important for the final properties of the material, the structure and distribution of the porosity also play a role in terms of dielectric constant and conductivity. Unfortunately, cell wall thinness and limited resolution of laboratory microtomographs makes poper cell identification difficult. Therefore we present a new statistical method based on the 3D autocorrelation function, that allows to some extent to measure mean cell size and structure anisotropy. [less ▲]

WEEE management using LCA methodology : the fridge case study

Poster (2011, March 01)

This study is based on WEEE life cycle assessment and more particularly on treatment and valorization of fridges and freezers. Two scenarios were envisaged: situation before fridge collect and the Belgian ... [more ▼]

This study is based on WEEE life cycle assessment and more particularly on treatment and valorization of fridges and freezers. Two scenarios were envisaged: situation before fridge collect and the Belgian current situation where all national fridges are treated in Liège. Results of this study prove the importance of collecting and valorizing fridges especially for old fridges containing refrigerant banned by the Montreal Protocol. Recovery and incineration of the pollutants permit to reduce climate change and ozone depletion impacts. [less ▲]