Sustainability protection application

In this chapter, the variety of sustainable catalytic applications of manganese-based heterogeneous compounds in two major areas of high current impact. Fine Chemistry and Sustainable Energy Environment Protection, was overviewed. 

Pharmaceutical Applications. Sucrose has a long history in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals. It imparts body to symps and medicinal hquids and masks unpleasant tastes. Sucrose also functions as a diluent to control dmg concentrations in medicines, as an ingredient binder for tablets, and to impart chewiness to the latter. Sustained-release medications and protective tablet glazes are prepared using sucrose (41). Sucrose-based sugar pastes are used to promote wound healing (58). 

Scientists and engineers at the University of Exeter are investigating whether natural fibers tike hemp and sisal could be used to make sustainable and eco-friendly brake pads [39]. The technology of brake pads turned green with the replacement of asbestos by aramids (hke Kevlar of DuPont) in the 1980s. Kevlar is very expensive and eco-friendly alternatives like hemp, jute, sisal, nettle, and flax are much, much cheaper. A breakthrough in this application will revolutionize brake manufacture and protect the environment. 

The glass polyalkenoate cement uniquely combines translucency with the ability to bond to untreated tooth material and bone. Indeed, the only other cement to possess translucency is the dental silicate cement, while the zinc polycarboxylate cement is the only other adhesive cement. It is also an agent for the sustained release of fluoride. For these reasons the glass polyalkenoate cement has many applications in dentistry as well as being a candidate bone cement. Its translucency makes it a favoured material both for the restoration of front teeth and to cement translucent porcelain teeth and veneers. Its adhesive quality reduces and sometimes eliminates the need for the use of the dental drill. The release of fluoride from this cement protects neighbouring tooth material from the ravages of dental decay. New clinical techniques have been devised to exploit the unique characteristics of the material (McLean Wilson, 1977a,b,c Wilson McLean, 1988 Mount, 1990). 

In the near future, the use of multifunctional polymer-based materials with separation/selective transport capabilities is also to be expected in the design of production systems with integrated environmental protection or inthe combination of chemical reactions and separation by attaching a catalytic functionality to the respective material [1]. Thus, those multifunctional materials should contribute materially to the development of clean energy and/or energy saving and therefore sustainable production technologies. In connection with these perspectives, there is considerable interest in new/modified polymer-based materials with tailored transport/catalytic properties. Also, many sensor applications are based on controlled permeation. 

Future nuclear reactors are expected to be further progressed in terms of safety and reliability, proliferation resistance and physical protection, economics, sustainability (GIF, 2002). One of the most promising nuclear reactor concepts of the next generation (Gen-IV) is the VHTR. Characteristic features are a helium-cooled, graphite-moderated thermal neutron spectrum reactor core with a reference thermal power production of 400-600 MW. Coolant outlet temperatures of 900-1 000°C or higher are ideally suited for a wide spectrum of high temperature process heat applications. 

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