Conference Agenda

The production process of cornstarch-based bioplastics was investigated, with the aim of developing bioplastic products with optimal resistance. The problem posed was the excessive use of petroleum-based plastics in Honduras, whose accumulation affects oceans, soils and ecosystems. The methodology included the variation of factors such as the type of machinery (compression press and extruder), drying temperature, curing time and proportion of plasticizers, evaluating their impact on the strength of the bioplastic product. The factor analysis and ANOVA allowed the identification of significant factors, confirming that the compression press gives better results, an adequate drying temperature of 70°C, curing time of 2 hours and 10% of plasticizers were identified that optimized the mechanical properties of the bioplastic. The results showed an average resistance of 58.52 MPa. These configurations contribute to improving the performance of bioplastic in industrial applications. The conclusions have indicated that the proportion of plasticizers has been the most significant factor (p < 0.05), followed by the type of additive used, where glycerol and castor oil have presented the best results. Likewise, the validation by experts has corroborated the quality of the bioplastics developed, highlighting their potential for industrial applications and their viability in local environments. Cornstarch-based bioplastics can contribute to sustainable production in Honduras, reducing environmental impacts and offering a viable solution for the packaging industry. The exploration of new additives and processes that improve the flexibility and degradability of the material, so that they can be used in the scientific community, has been suggested as future work

The green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) was carried out using an aqueous extract of Matico leaves, which acts as a reducing, protecting, and stabilizing agent in the synthesis process. The synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles were studied using the Plackett-Burman experimental design and characterized through X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Elemental Mapping. In the experimental analysis, the main influential variables in the process were determined: the mass of FeCl₃·6H₂O, the volume of the extract, the reaction time, and a secondary variable, which is temperature. The composition determined by X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry was found to be between 97,8283-99,9987%, indicating high purity and crystallization in the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄). SEM analysis revealed a heterogeneous formation of nanoparticles ranging from 50,50-131,74 nm in size, with an irregular spherical to ovoid shape, demonstrating the presence of nanoparticle agglomeration due to the magnetic fields of this material. SPM imaging confirmed the formation of nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 10,35-160 nm. EDS analysis determined that the obtained IONPs contained 73,8% iron and 24,6% oxygen in composition. The synthesized nanoparticles are expected to be a promising material for treating contaminated water (industrial wastewater, dye-polluted water), biomedical treatments, and applications in Chemical, Environmental, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering, as well as in agriculture, through a cost-effective, sustainable, and eco-friendly approach

In the Peruvian brewing industry, approximately 60% of the barley grain is used for beer production, while the other 40% is lost in the husk. In order to make the most of the lignocellulosic residue contained in the barley husk in a different way, the main objective of this research is to obtain bioethanol through acid hydrolysis and fermentation using yeast as a microorganism capable of decomposing the substrate. The result was obtained after making changes in temperature, acid and yeast concentration that the highest concentration of ethanol was 33.58%, the color of the solution was light brown and that the boiling temperature is 84.43°C. It is concluded that temperature and acid concentration have a positive effect on the hydrolysis of the compound but there is a point where additional increases may not be as beneficial. To optimize the process, the cost-benefit of using higher acid concentrations and temperatures must be evaluated.

4D printing has revolutionized additive manufacturing by enabling the creation of programmable structures that respond to external stimuli. This article analyzes recent advances and key challenges in the fabrication of smart materials using fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites (FRTPs). Computational modeling approaches such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Isogeometric Analysis (IGA), and hybrid techniques incorporating machine learning (ML) are reviewed to enhance simulation accuracy. Additionally, manufacturing challenges, including optimization of printing parameters, fiber-matrix adhesion, and sustainability through the use of recycled thermoplastics, are discussed. Finally, research opportunities are identified to improve the scalability and performance of these materials in industrial applications such as aerospace, biomedical, and robotics.

Hydrogen storage remains a major challenge due to its inherently low energy density (0.01 MJ/L compared to 34 MJ/L for gasoline), requiring compression for practical applications. Conventional storage methods (e.g., compression, liquefaction) present significant drawbacks, including safety concerns and high energy costs. An alternative approach is storage in sorbent materials, where Metal-Organic Frameworks play a crucial role due to their tunable properties and chemical and thermal stability. Among these materials, HKUST-1, composed of copper dimers coordinated with 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, has emerged as a promising candidate, prompting extensive research into strategies for enhancing its storage performance.

This study investigates the effect of structural modifications in HKUST-1 on its adsorption behavior through a mixed-ligand approach. Three novel materials were synthesized with varying ligand ratios and characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance to determine their composition, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy for structural analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis to assess thermal stability. Additionally, textural properties were evaluated from nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms at 77 K, while hydrogen uptake experiments were conducted at 77 K up to 8 bar.

One of the modified materials exhibited a remarkable 78% increase in H₂ uptake compared to HKUST-1, which is attributed to changes in the coordination environment of copper. Furthermore, although the original framework was preserved, a slight reduction in structural stability was observed. These findings highlight the potential of ligand substitution as an effective strategy for enhancing MOF-based hydrogen storage materials.

Recent interest in characterizing biochars derived from agro-industrial residues has grown due to their various applications. Understanding biochar's behavior during the pyrolysis process is crucial to enhancing its manufacturing conditions. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to utilize FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to characterize biochars produced from Citrus aurantiifolia residues and examine the effects of different pyrolysis temperatures using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). We demonstrated that the combination of FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, alongside PCA, effectively characterizes the chemical phenomena occurring during the pyrolysis of biochar obtained from Citrus aurantiifolia peel. The spectra obtained from both techniques allowed us to identify the concentration of specific functional groups, providing insight into how temperature influences the pyrolysis of the resulting biochar. Additionally, the multivariate PCA analysis revealed distinct groupings among the different biochars, highlighting its efficacy as a tool for extracting meaningful information from spectral data.