The use of alternative raw materials is essential for establishing a circular economy in the mineral and ironmaking sectors. Therefore, this study investigates the potential of lime sludge as fluxing material during pelletization and proposes an alternative route for the usage of waste. The pellets were manufactured with different binary basicity values (CaO/SiO2) (0.15-0.45) and bentonite (0.5-0.7 wt%) and fixed carbon (0.5-1.1 wt%) contents. The results demonstrated that lime sludge has significant potential for application in pelletization. Pellet quality was evaluated using drop number, mechanical strength, tumble index, porosity, and kinetic analyses. Pellets with the optimal composition using lime sludge withstood 3.6 drops/pellet, a tumble test of 1.57 wt.%, and a mechanical strength test of 214.83 kgf/pellet and exhibited a porosity of 31.28%. Lime sludge did not influence the reducibility of the iron-ore pellets. In the temperature range of 800-900 °C, the reaction was controlled by diffusion, with Ea between 179.89 and 233.10 kJ/mol.

Connectors used in electrical power distribution systems should allow the passage of electricity continuously and without interruption. However, this does not always occur due to failure caused by improper assembly and/or corrosion of the materials employed, which reflects the quality of service. Notable among the new detection technologies that have been studied to facilitate the identification of defects is the use of thermochromic materials, which allow the easy identification of "hot spots", without the need for specialized equipment and personnel. In this context, in this study, the performance of a thermochromic liquid crystal was evaluated with the aim of developing a temperature sensor for connectors used in electrical power distribution networks. For the evaluation of the performance, thermal and ultraviolet radiation degradation tests were conducted, as well as analysis using spectroscopic (FTIR, FTIR-HATR, UV-Vis, 1H NMR) and thermal (DSC, PLM) techniques. The results indicated that the liquid crystal and the associated components showed no degradation under the test conditions, as well as a good color stability was observed, verifying the viability of the use of these materials for the construction of a temperature sensor. A field test was performed with the devices and was effective for the suggested application.

The influence of alternating electric field (AC) in the structure and dynamics of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) comprised of 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DLPC) is reported. The investigations were conducted by using optical fluorescence microscopy as the method of analysis. The lipid membrane of the DLPC GUVs at the fluid phase can be deformed and they migrate towards the electrodes under AC electric field. Nevertheless, membrane disruption or vesicle fusion was never noticed. The addition of concentrated glucose solution influences the osmotic pressure of the system leading to the formation of filaments at the outer region of the GUVs. These long flexible cylinders do not retract spontaneously. However, the application of AC electric field (20 V/mm, 20 Hz) enables the filaments to be retracted back to the GUVs membrane at a calculated speed of 0.18 µm.s-1