Biolubricant from modified sesame oil (Sesamumindicum L.) was produced. The lubricant base consists of a mixture in a volume ratio of 74 parts of epoxidized sesame and 26 parts of transesterified sesame oil. This mixture was characterized by FT-IR, thermo-oxidative stability was determined and heating and cooling curves were performed, where a crystallization and solidification temperature of -8 °C was obtained. To improve the lubricating capacity of the oil blend concentrations of 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20% of copper nanoparticles (NPsCu) and alumina nanoparticles (NPsAl2O3) were added, which had been subjected to tribological tests for the wear scar measurement and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The addition of NPsCu and NPsAl2O3 improved the lubricating power of oil base-stock. The NPsCu percentage in modified sesame oil that showed the best lubricating performance was in the interval between 0.15-0.2; as for the oil with NPs2O3 better result was obtained with 0,05% of NPs.

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Introduction: In recent years the research and development of biolubricants from vegetable oils has increased to minimize the impact on the environment of petroleum derivatives. Objective: In this work, there was realized a comparative study of the thermal properties of the oil of Sesame with those of two mineral oils, of medium and high viscosity (360 and 255), which were free of additives. Method: The characterization of the three oils was performed using the technique of infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and physical properties such as kinematic viscosity, density, thermal and oxidative properties were determined by the analysis of Differential Calorimetry Scanning (DSC). Results: The sesame oil had a pour point of – 14.67 ° C, lower temperature than for mineral oils of 255 and 360, (– 4.29 ° C and – 6.89 ° C, respectively). The high content of unsaturated fatty acids (84.86%) could be responsible for this behavior. The oils were stable to temperatures near to 250 °C and with nitrogen atmosphere. Mineral oils were more stable to oxidation because of their high content of fatty acids with saturated hydrocarbon chains which it had no oxidizable sites. Conclusions: Nevertheless, the low stability of sesame oil is due to the high content of unsaturated fatty acids, the use of antioxidant, additive or a chemical modification of the unsaturated chains, this property might be improved to use the oil as a lubricant.

The current paper presents a taxonomy of material-handling-equipment for distribution centers, based on a Systematic Literature Review of previous works on both Material Handling Equipment in real picking-intensive logistics contexts and the Decision Support Systems [DSS] employed to solve this type of problem. The current review work intends to sort the literature on the topic through a Material Handling Equipment taxonomy supported on a Systematic Literature Review. A historical appraisal of the problem is complemented by the corresponding synthesis, conclusions and future research perspectives. The current study presents an overall view of Material Handling Equipments in real picking-intensive logistics contexts and Decision Support Systems employed to solve this type of problem. New research perspectives and future recommendations aim at a more thorough integration with expert systems (or any more efficient hybrid method) for candidate equipment assessment and final selection. This could be done by using MCDM techniques like to Stochastic Multicriteria Aceptability Analysis [SMAA].

The influence of six greenhouse cover types on the development of the vegetative phase of cultivated tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was analyzed. The cover films were manufactured by extrusion – blow molding. Special emphasis was put on measuring root, stem and leaf length and dry matter content of the plants, the results of which were compared to those obtained from plants sown outdoors. As expected, the cultivated plants exhibited more vigorous growth when compared to that of the plants grown under free exposure. Films additivated with polymers allowing higher percentages of light transmission and haze determined higher greenhouse inner temperatures, which, in turn, promoted biomass production in the plantation. The presence of an infrared blocker in the plastic film formulations prevented the temperature inside the greenhouses from decreasing drastically below the outer temperature overnight. Additives such as the UV absorber SMARTLIGHT RL1000™ and the red pigment IRGALITE BASF® 2BP™, which increase the amount of red light received by the plants, thus modifying the R:RF ratio, were found to affect the morphology of the studied plants. Although the effect of photomorphogenesis is weak, a slight decrease in the length and area of the tomato leaves could be observed when the R:RF ratio was high.