Revealing the intersectoral material flow of plastic containers and packaging in Japan.

The Japanese government developed a strategy for plastics and laid out ambitious targets including the reduction of 25% for single-use plastic waste and the reuse/recycling of 60% for plastic containers and packaging by 2030. However, the current usage situation of single-use plastics including containers and packaging, which should be a basis of the strategy, is unclear. Here, we identify the nationwide material flow of plastics in Japan based on input-output tables. Of the domestic plastic demand of 8.4 Mt in 2015, 1.6 and 2.5 Mt were estimated to be for containers and packaging comprising household and industry inflows, respectively, through the purchase/procurement of products, services, and raw materials. Considering the current amount of recycling collected from households (1.0 Mt) and industries (0.3 to 0.4 Mt), the reuse/recycling target has already been achieved if the goal is limited to household container and packaging waste, as is the focus of Japan's recycling law. Conversely, the results indicate that it will be extremely difficult to reach the target collectively with industries. Therefore, it is essential that efforts be made throughout the entire supply chain. Food containers and packaging that flowed into the food-processing and food service sectors accounted for 15% of the inflow of containers and packaging into industries. Thus, the key to achieving the reuse/recycling target will comprise the collection of plastic food packaging from not only households but also the food industry. Furthermore, the collection of flexible plastic films used between industry sectors will put the target within reach.

Utilization of waste tyres pyrolysis oil vapour in the synthesis of Zeolite Templated Carbons (ZTCs) for hydrogen storage application.

In this study, we investigated the potential for use of waste tyre pyrolysis oil vapour as a carbon precursor in the synthesis of zeolite templated carbons (ZTC). With Zeolite 13X as the template, the ZTCs were synthesised using two methods namely: 1-step process which involved the carbonization of gaseous carbon precursor in the zeolite template (in this case, ethylene and pyrolysis oil vapour) and the 2-step synthesis method involved the impregnation of zeolite pores with furfural alcohol prior to carbonization of the gaseous carbon precursor. The replication of the zeolite 13X structural ordering was successful using both methods. The 2-step synthesized ZTCs were found to possess the highest specific surface area (3341 m2 g-1) and also had the highest H2 storage capacity (2.5 wt.%). The study therefore confirmed an additional novel strategy for value-addition of waste tyre pyrolysis by-products.

Dry-film polymer waveguide for silicon photonics chip packaging.

Polymer waveguide made by dry film process is demonstrated for silicon photonics chip packaging. With 8 µm × 11.5 µm core waveguide, little penalty is observed up to 25 Gbps before or after the light propagate through a 10-km long single-mode fiber (SMF). Coupling loss to SMF is 0.24 dB and 1.31 dB at the polymer waveguide input and output ends, respectively. Alignment tolerance for 0.5 dB loss increase is +/- 1.0 µm along both vertical and horizontal directions for the coupling from the polymer waveguide to SMF. The dry-film polymer waveguide demonstrates promising performance for silicon photonics chip packaging used in next generation optical multi-chip module.

Roll-to-roll gravure with nanomaterials for printing smart packaging.

Roll-to-roll (R2R) gravure is considered one of the highest throughput tools for manufacturing inexpensive and flexible ubiquitous IT devices called "smart packaging" in which NFC (near-field communication) transponder, sensors, ADC (analog-to-digital converter), simple processor and signage are all integrated on paper or plastic foils. In this review, we show R2R gravure can be employed to print smart packaging, starting from printing simple electrodes, dielectrics, capacitors, diodes and thin film transistors with appropriate nanomaterial-based inks on plastic foils.

A microbiological evaluation of level of disinfection for flexible cystoscopes protected by disposable endosheaths.

BACKGROUND: Flexible cystoscopy is used in urological outpatient departments for diagnostic cystoscopy of bladder cancer and requires a high-level disinfection between each patient. The purpose of this study was to make a microbiological post disinfection efficacy assessment of flexible cystoscopes (FC) using disposable sterile endosheaths. METHODS: One hundred endosheaths underwent a leak-test for barrier integrity after cystoscopy. Microbiological samples from these cystoscopies were obtained; after removal of the endosheath, and after cleaning the scope with a detergent cloth, rinsing with tap water followed by 70% ethanol disinfection and subsequent drying. The number of colony forming units (cfu) from the samples was counted after 72 hours and then divided in three categories, Clean FC (<5 cfu/sample), Critical FC (5-50 cfu/sample) and High-risk FC (>50 cfu/sample). The result was compared with data of 10 years continuous control sampling recorded in the Copenhagen Clean-Endoscope Quality Control Database (CCQCD) and analyzed with a Chi-square test for homogeneity. RESULTS: All 100 endosheaths passed the leak-test. All samples showed a Clean FC and low means of cfu. A query to the CCQCD, showed that 99.8% (1264/1267) of all FC with a built-in work-channel reprocessed in a WD were clean before use. CONCLUSION: The reprocessing of FC using endosheaths, as preformed in this study, provides a patient-ready procedure. The results display a reprocessing procedure with low risk of pathogen transmission, high patient safety and a valid alternative to the recommended high-level disinfection procedure of FC. However, the general impression was that sheaths slightly reduced vision and resulted in some patient discomfort.

Development of off-gas emission kinetics for stored wood pellets.

A lumped three-reaction kinetic model for off-gas emissions of stored wood pellets in sealed containers has been developed accounting for the formation of CO and CO(2) and the depletion of O(2). Off-gas emission data at different conditions were used to extract kinetic model parameters by numerically fitting the proposed model equations. The fitted kinetic model parameters for different cases showed consistency with one another. With properly estimated model parameters, the current kinetic model can be used to predict off-gas emissions, oxygen depletion, and the buildup of toxic air pollutants in wood pellet storage containers/vessels.

Precision depth measurement of through silicon vias (TSVs) on 3D semiconductor packaging process.

We have proposed and demonstrated a novel method to measure depths of through silicon vias (TSVs) at high speed. TSVs are fine and deep holes fabricated in silicon wafers for 3D semiconductors; they are used for electrical connections between vertically stacked wafers. Because the high-aspect ratio hole of the TSV makes it difficult for light to reach the bottom surface, conventional optical methods using visible lights cannot determine the depth value. By adopting an optical comb of a femtosecond pulse laser in the infra-red range as a light source, the depths of TSVs having aspect ratio of about 7 were measured. This measurement was done at high speed based on spectral resolved interferometry. The proposed method is expected to be an alternative method for depth inspection of TSVs.

Lead, cadmium and cobalt (Pb, Cd, and Co) leaching of glass-clay containers by pH effect of food.

Recent studies have shown that handcrafted glass-clay containers are a health risk because they can be contaminated by heavy metals, which can be transferred to food, thus reaching the human body to potentially cause illness. Therefore, in the present work, we evaluate the leaching of lead, cadmium, and cobalt from glass-clay containers into two types of food: tomato sauce (salsa), and chickpea puree. The containers were obtained from four regions in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. Repetitive extractions from the containers were carried out to quantify the leaching of the heavy metals into the salsa, the chickpea puree, and acetic acid using the technique proposed by the USFDA. The results show that greater use of the containers leads to more leaching of heavy metals into both types of food and into the acetic acid, with the greatest metal extraction recorded for the Ixmiquilpan vessels. These results indicate that the metals present in the glass-clay containers leach into the food and that increased reuse increases the risk to the people who use them in food preparation.

Transparent oxygen barrier nanocellulose composite films with a sandwich structure.

Transparent gas barrier materials have extensive applications in packaging, pharmaceutical preservation, and electronics. Herein, we designed transparent films with a symmetric sandwich structure using layer-by-layer assembly of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and acrylic resin (AR) followed by a cellulose nanoparticle (CNP) layer. The BOPP as a substrate created a barrier to hinder the transmission of water molecules to the adhesive AR layer and gas barrier functional CNP layer. The aspect ratio of the CNPs was shown to affect the film microstructure, resulting in different values for the oxygen transmission rate (OTR). The well-organized CNP layer exhibited lower OTR when compared with the network layer. The thickness, density, and porosity of the CNP layer exhibited correlations with OTR. The water molecules were able to flow in through an additional pathway, thus increasing the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). Moreover, these sandwiched cellulose composite films showed excellent light transmittance and tensile strength.

Design of compact freeform lens for application specific Light-Emitting Diode packaging.

Application specific LED packaging (ASLP) is an emerging technology for high performance LED lighting. We introduced a practical design method of compact freeform lens for extended sources used in ASLP. A new ASLP for road lighting was successfully obtained by integrating a polycarbonate compact freeform lens of small form factor with traditional LED packaging. Optical performance of the ASLP was investigated by both numerical simulation based on Monte Carlo ray tracing method and experiments. Results demonstrated that, comparing with traditional LED module integrated with secondary optics, the ASLP had advantages of much smaller size in volume (approximately 1/8), higher system lumen efficiency (approximately 8.1%), lower cost and more convenience for customers to design and assembly, enabling possible much wider applications of LED for general road lighting. Tolerance analyses were also conducted. Installation errors of horizontal and vertical deviations had more effects on the shape and uniformity of radiation pattern compared with rotational deviation. The tolerances of horizontal, vertical and rotational deviations of this lens were 0.11 mm, 0.14 mm and 2.4 degrees respectively, which were acceptable in engineering.

Current concepts for quality assured long-distance transport of temperature-sensitive red blood cell concentrates.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The German Armed Forces Blood Service in Koblenz supplies red blood cell concentrates (RBCs) to military and civilian institutions at home and to field hospitals during peacekeeping operations abroad. During long-distance transport, blood products can be exposed to extreme environmental conditions or inappropriate handling, which may compromise product quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different active and passive cooling systems, cooling elements, packaging material and data loggers were examined in a climate chamber. A number of techniques for measuring temperature were investigated in order to preserve the blood products' quality during transport, including some field tests with multiparametric data recording. RESULTS: Any kind of active cooling systems, conventional cooling elements and customary packaging material, as well as temperature-sensitive labels, minimum-maximum thermometers and intra-product measurement were found to be unsuitable for military requirement. The best results were obtained when the passively cooling RCB 25 transport box (Dometic) was used together with latent heat/cold storage elements (deltaT) and Junior data loggers (Escort). CONCLUSION: The elaborated protocol allows temperatures to be maintained between 2 and 6 degrees C as required by European guidelines for at least 36 h each and between 1 and 10 degrees C as required by German guidelines for at least 48 or 64 h at ambient temperatures between -10 and 40 degrees C. Preliminary results indicate that care must be taken concerning additional factors such as air pressure variation or vibration.

Profile and frequency of microbial contamination of contact lens cases.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency level and profile of contact lens storage case contamination in asymptomatic contact lens wearers and to examine whether different areas of the same lens case may show a different rate and profile of contamination. The relationship between lens storage case contamination and the age of the lens storage case was also examined. METHODS: Sixty-four lens cases and case age information were collected from asymptomatic contact lens wearers. Lens cases were sampled at two locations, the upper rim and the lower base. The samples underwent microbiological investigation for recovery of bacteria and fungi. Contamination rate between the two sampling locations and the relationship between the contamination levels and the age of the lens case were analyzed. RESULTS: Contamination occurred in 58% (37 of 64) of lens cases. The most frequently recovered microorganisms were coagulase-negative Staphylococci (51%, 19 of 37), Bacillus spp. (43%,16 of 37), and fungi (27%,10 of 37). For flat-well lens cases, higher numbers of microorganisms were recovered from the upper rim than that from the lower base (p = 0.02), and a greater variety of Gram-negative bacteria were recovered from the upper rim. A higher recovery rate of Micrococcus spp. (p = 0.02; in flat cases) and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (p = 0.01; for both flat and basket type cases) was found from the base of the case well compared with the upper rim. For stand-up cases, higher numbers of microorganisms were recovered from the lens basket compared to the upper hinge (p = 0.047). Lens cases that were <9 months of age had lower levels of contamination (p = 0.013) than older cases. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent replacement of lens cases may reduce microbial contamination. Future studies should specify the areas swabbed in the lens case. Better lens storage case design and additional hygiene attention need to be introduced to reduce contamination in these "risky" areas.

Assessing the Burden of Packaging and Recyclability of Single-Use Products in Interventional Radiology.

PURPOSE: With a shift to single-use products in interventional radiology (IR) centres for sterility and cost reasons, it is prudent to consider the burden of packaging and employ efforts to assess and reduce waste, as well as promote recycling wherever possible. This study aimed to quantify the amount of waste in IR packaging and what proportion is recyclable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A range of IR products were weighed using mass scales. Products were assessed for total weight, overall waste, and potentially recyclable waste. Waste was defined as any packaging which was not considered vital to the product to perform its duty and thus was for packaging or shipping purposes. Products were pooled into one of the following categories: catheters and sheaths, wires, needles, devices, coils, and packs/ancillary. RESULTS: Seventy-two different products were collected from 26 manufacturers to represent a range of items. The weight of all products was 12,466 g (median 51, range 2-1600), and weight of waste was 6830.7 g (median 34, range 1.1-732). The weight of recyclable waste was 5202.2 g (median 11.5, range 0-701). There were median 2 waste packages per item (range 1-5). The proportion of waste of the overall weight was 54.8% and of this, 76% of all waste was potentially recyclable. CONCLUSION: There is a significant burden of waste in manufactured IR products, and while a high proportion is recyclable, we encourage manufacturers of IR products and devices to consider alternative means of transport and packaging of products which will reduce the overall waste burden. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.

Evaluation of coatings for application in raffia big bags in conditioned storage of soybean cultivars in seed processing units.

Different regions have different environmental conditions, which may be unfavorable for the preservation of the quality of stored soybean seeds over time. Thus, it is necessary to adopt specific technologies to control the storage environment conditions. Big raffia bags are widely used for the storage of soybean seeds, however these consist of a porous, permeable material that allows the exchange of gases between the packaging and the storage environment. In an effort to find a solution to this problem, in this study we evaluated low cost big bag coating alternatives, in order to minimize the effects of temperature and intergranular humidity on stored seeds. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the quality of soybean cultivars subjected to different temperature and storage duration conditions and stored in raffia bags with or without internal coating. We used a completely randomized, three-factor (10 × 6 × 5) experimental design. We assessed 10 soybean cultivars, six storage environments, and five evaluation periods. Our results showed that seeds of the M-SOY 8866, M7110 IPRO, CD 2737 RR, and BMX DESAFIO 8473 RSF soybean cultivars preserved their physiological quality better in different storage environments. The storage duration had a cumulative effect on the negative factors that favor the deterioration of the quality of the stored seeds. The storage temperature was the main factor that affected the physiological quality of the stored seeds. The use of coated packaging was beneficial in preserving the physiological quality of stored soybean seeds; however, its effect was greater at ambient temperature than in a cold environment. The best storage environment for the preservation of the quality of the seeds was characterized by 10°C temperature conditions and the use of coated packaging, while the worst storage environment was characterized by ambient temperature conditions without the use of coated packaging. Thus, it was concluded that the use of coatings in raffia big bags can be an alternative for maintaining the quality of seeds of different soybean cultivars during storage in seed processing units.

[Analytical control of organic impurities in the drinking and bottled water after its contact with a pack and filters made from polymer materials].

The paper provides the results of gas chromatographic analysis of organic impurities in the drinking water after its contact with various packs and filters made from polymer materials. Vapor-phase analysis in combination with selective gas chromatographic detectors was used to determine volatile substances and liquid extraction in combination with chromatographic mass-spectrometry was employed to identify high-boiling compounds. The release sources of toxic compounds from materials to water, the taste and odor of which is affected by them were studied.

The challenges of packaging combination devices.

This article focuses on the development of a packaging format for drug eluting stents where the package not only has to meet the needs of the stent, but also the needs of the drug incorporated into its polymer coating. The package has to allow the transfer of ethylene oxide gas for sterilisation, but when in storage, must provide a barrier to keep out moisture and oxygen. A pouch and commercial scale manufacturing process were developed to incorporate this dual function into one item.

Análisis microbiológico a corto y largo plazo del material usado para esterilizar instrumental odontológico / Short and long-term microbiological analysis of the material for sterilize dental instruments

Introducción: el material para empaquetar el instrumental odontológico, como pueden ser bolsas de tela, papel o plástico, es usado por profesionales de la salud; sin embargo, es necesario esclarecer la efectividad de cada uno y determinar el tiempo que permanece estéril luego del procedimiento. Objetivo: identificar la eficacia de tela, plástico y papel como materiales para esterilizar instrumental a corto y largo plazo. Material y métodos: se realizaron cultivos sólidos y líquidos de instrumental esterilizado en tres materiales y con diferentes tiempos de postesterilización. Se incubaron a 36 oC por 72 horas en condiciones aerobias y anaerobias. Los resultados se analizaron usando una prueba de Kruskal-Wallis, seguida de una prueba de Dunn. Resultados: los resultados mostraron que inmediatamente después del proceso de esterilización, los tres materiales son efectivos (Kruskal-Wallis test, p = 0.2752), 24 horas (p = 0.2492), siete (p = 0.0509) y 14 días (p = 0.0006). Veinticuatro horas posterior a la esterilización la tela no es efectiva, el plástico disminuye su efectividad y el papel sigue siendo efectivo. Conclusión: en nuestros resultados, el papel es la mejor opción para esterilizar instrumental (AU)

Introduction: material such as cloth, paper or plastic bags to wrap dental instruments is used by health professionals, however, it is necessary to clarify the effectiveness of each one and determine if it remains sterile after the procedure. Objective: to determine the effectiveness of cloth, plastic and paper as materials to sterilize dental instruments in the short and long term. Material and methods: we carry out solid and liquid cultures of sterilized instruments in three materials, at different post-sterilization times, incubated at 36 oC for 72 hours under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and the results were analyzed using a Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by from a Dunn's test. Results: our results showed that immediately after the sterilization process the three materials are effective (Kruskal-Wallis; p = 0.2752), 24 hours (p = 0.2492), 7 (p = 0.0509) and 14 (p = 0.0006) days. Twenty-four hours after the cloth is not effective, plastic decreases its effectiveness and paper remain effective. Conclusion: in our results, paper is the best option to sterilize dental instruments (AU)

Molecular Bioburden of the Lens Storage Case for Contact Lens-Related Keratitis.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the bioburden of a lens care system in patients with contact lens (CL)-related keratitis. METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, the CL storage case was used as the target of bioburden assessment. Participants were CL wearers with (n = 26) or without (n = 24) keratitis in southern Taiwan. The case fluid sample was consecutively collected and assessed using a dot hybridization assay (DHA) for bioburden assessment. The DHA was composed of 3 universal bacterial probes for detecting all bacteria, genus-specific probes for Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter, and 1 probe for Acanthamoeba. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the differentiating performance of a probe. RESULTS: The storage case bioburden was significantly higher in those with CL-related keratitis than in control subjects; patients with CL-related keratitis had stronger standardized signals in all universal bacterial probes. Moreover, in the cases of these patients, the bioburden was significantly heavier in confirmed infectious keratitis than in presumed noninfectious keratitis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that stronger signals in all 3 universal bacterial probes and the Pseudomonas probe might suggest that the wearers have infectious keratitis. Only the storage case of the Acanthamoeba keratitis case showed positive detection by the Acanthamoeba probe. CONCLUSIONS: A heavier bioburden in the lens storage case was associated with a higher risk of CL-related keratitis and infectious keratitis. Inappropriate maintenance of the CL will lead to microbial contamination and transfer the pathogen onto the ocular surface causing keratitis accordingly. The DHA assessment for the lens storage case might provide an alternative way to differentiate infectious from noninfectious CL-related keratitis.

Packaging design: basic principles.

This overview of the critical steps of the packaging design process highlights the effectiveness of design change and how it must be accommodated.

Process Principles for Large-Scale Nanomanufacturing.

Nanomanufacturing-the fabrication of macroscopic products from well-defined nanoscale building blocks-in a truly scalable and versatile manner is still far from our current reality. Here, we describe the barriers to large-scale nanomanufacturing and identify routes to overcome them. We argue for nanomanufacturing systems consisting of an iterative sequence of synthesis/assembly and separation/sorting unit operations, analogous to those used in chemicals manufacturing. In addition to performance and economic considerations, phenomena unique to the nanoscale must guide the design of each unit operation and the overall process flow. We identify and discuss four key nanomanufacturing process design needs: (a) appropriately selected process break points, (b) synthesis techniques appropriate for large-scale manufacturing,