Beatriz Amante García

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya | UPC · Department of Project and Construction Engineering (EPC)

This study is on the reuse of the residue generated by a Moringa oleifera oil extraction plant. The residual oil cake produced during the process of oil extraction retains the positively charged protein of the M. oleifera seed, which is the active component in the process of attracting and capturing suspended particles in waters. Such coagulant flo...

Electric vehicle battery second-life applications are gaining attention as a way to minimize the environmental impact and increase economic profits. However, the demand for stationary energy storage is expected to be saturated in the near future with these second-life batteries. This fact, in addition to the several technical and economic challenge...

Here we are again. JOTSE have another year and we thank our readers and authors for their confidence. As usual, in this first number we present ours editorial with an analysis of our Journal evolution. In this sense, we reflect on the changes just undergone in 2022 and the new challenges for 2023.

This issue includes the best works, the result of the teaching innovation conferences that were held for the closing of the training program “Training in Teaching Innovation. Engineering 2030” given by the University of Barcelona for professors of engineering degrees from the Catholic University of Northern Chile and the University of Antofagasta (...

At end-of-life, the battery of electric vehicles (EVs) must be properly managed at dedicated facilities to maximize reuse and recycling. Therefore, transportation entails major challenges, as they are not only heavy and big parts but are also classified as hazardous waste which makes transport expensive and highly regulated. As most of the batterie...

Nowadays, most of the electric vehicles (EVs) are powered by Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries due to their high energy density, higher power density and degree of development relative to other battery technologies. As Li-ion technology evolves and the EVs fleet increases, it is important to understand the environmental impacts of mass-producing the b...

We present the first number of the year in JOTSE. As usual, in this first number we present ours editorial with an analysis of our Journal evolution. In this sense, we reflect on the changes just undergone in 2021 with an international pandemic "covid-19" and the challenges to be faced in the New Year 2022.When analyzing JOTSE’s evolution (See Figu...

We present the first editorial of the year in JOTSE. As usual, this first editorial presents an analysis of our Journal evolution. In this sense, we reflect on the changes just undergone in 2020 with an international pandemic "covid-19" and the challenges to be faced in the New Year 2021.

2nd International Conference on Water and Sustainability // 24-26 march 2021 // INTEXTER - Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech ONLINE. www.icws.upc.edu/en https://twitter.com/ICWSWater

Research quality is commonly evaluated by the quantity of papers published in high impact factor-indexed journals. In fact, many of these journals and conference articles show partial or final results of research projects done individually or together with other research centers, universities, and companies. However, the visibility and impact on so...

Electric vehicles (EVs) are considered a viable alternative to internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) and as a result of recent advances in battery technologies, sales are increasing year by year. However, recycling these batteries at the end of their useful life in the car can be a problem because they contain materials that can harm human he...

This paper explores sustainable business models (SBMs) evolution for the rapidly developing battery second use (B2U) market within the emerging electric vehicle (EV) industry. Previous work identified that SBMs and EV B2U are emerging as major research streams but there is paucity among literature to deliver an overarching framework or a holistic v...

Electric vehicles (EVs) are massively entering the mobility services. However, the high costs of their batteries, and thus of the vehicles, represent a real barrier that refrain consumers from buying EVs. In order to reduce the EV costs, research on recovery battery to be reused in a second life for stationary use is being explored, as it this is e...

As usual in JOTSE, the first editorial of the year presents an analysis of our Journal evolution. In this sense, we reflect on the changes just undergone and the challenges to be faced in the New Year 2020.

A global mass market adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is still hindered by the high costs of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Repurposing degraded EV batteries in second use applications holds the potential to reduce first-cost impediments of EVs. New business models are emerging rapidly within the EV and battery second use (B2U) industries but the...

Even though the car buyers are still quite reluctant to purchase an electric vehicle (EV) , EV sales are increasing year over year. Besides the driving range, price is probably the main obstacle that EVs have to overcome if definitely they want to win the struggle to the Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle (ICEV), where the battery cost fabrication...

Description of the coin cells HELIS project developed three different series of lithium-sulphur (Li-S) cell prototypes, all of which were tested according to specifications for automotive use. Ni grid Li membrane Cathode Al foil The environmental performance of IREC's manufactured LiS coin cells is analyzed using Life Cycle Assessment methodology (...

As usual in JOTSE, the first editorial of the year presents an analysis of our Journal evolution. In this sense, we reflect on the changes just undergone and the challenges to be faced in the New Year 2019.

Road transportation is heading towards electrification using Li-ion batteries to power electric vehicles offering eight or ten years' warrant. After that, batteries are considered inappropriate for traction services but they still have 80% of its original capacity. On the other hand, energy storage devices will have an important role in the electri...

There has been an intensive research and development focus on Lithium-ion batteries, which have revolutionized the electric vehicle market due to the batteries’ high energy and power density, longer lifespan and increased safety than comparable rechargeable battery technologies.The performance of lithium-ion batteries is achieved by packaging desig...

The market share in electric vehicles (EV) is increasing. This trend is likely to continue due to the increased interest in reducing CO2 emissions. The electric vehicle market evolution depends principally on the evolution of batteries capacity. As a consequence, automobile manufacturers focus their efforts on launching in the market EVs capable to...

Research towards renewable energy sources is of great relevance in the pursue of environmental impact reduction and to decrease the dependency on fossil fuels. In high solar irradiation locations, the use of Concentrating Solar Power technologies might be a good alternative in front of other power sources. This study presents how multi-criteria me...

The aim of this paper is to analyze what generic competencies at the Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya (UPC BarcelonaTech) are most evaluated by the teaching staff belonging to the first curricular block of industrial engineering degree courses at the Barcelona Escola Universitaria d’Enginyeria Técnica Industrial, and also to relate these compet...

Editorial The current situation of water management in Catalonia and Spain, where citizens' mobilization towards public control is forcing a debate on which is the best solution, was an excellent motivation to organize the First International Congress on Water and Sustainability. The Congress, that took place at the School of Industrial, Aerospace...

This study presents a water purification plant that uses the waste cake from the process of oil extraction of Moringa oleifera seeds. The particularity of this purification plant is that it should be autonomous to work in isolated areas. To do so, the design counts on solar panels and batteries controlled by a Supervisory Control And Data Acquisiti...

This last issue of JOTSE’s volume 7 focuses on the diverse teaching/learning strategies being carried out in several universities worldwide. In this sense, our current issue reflects that no matter the continent nor the subject being taught the teaching staff is always concerned with students’ learning process in their classrooms and that is why th...

The electrocoagulation is an electrochemical technique of waste water treatment based on the generation of coagulant in situ. Sacrificial anodes of Iron or Aluminium are used to produce Fe3+ or Al3+, which act as coagulants of the organic matter present in the waste water. Electrocoagulation shows some advantages in front of conventional coagulatio...

Li-ion batteries are reaching their theoretical limit, which is not good enough to meet the requirements of EV and consequently other researches have begun to investigate alternative electrochemical energy storage systems with higher energy density. At present, the most promising technology is the Lithium-Sulphur (Li-S) battery not only for their t...

This article presents a natural coagulant obtained from Moringa oleifera seeds used to reduce water turbidity. The residue generated by an oil extraction plant from M. oleifera seeds is valuated as coagulant in an automatized water purification plant that needs power supply. The main objective of this study is to find the most suitable and sustaina...

The Organising Committee of the 9th International Conference on University Teaching and Innovation (CIDUI) wishes to thank the Editorial Board of the Journal of Technology and Science Education (JOTSE) for publishing this special issue. Since the year 2000, a new CIDUI conference has been held every two years. Today, it is a well-established event...

The end-of-life (EOL) strategy of repurposing degraded electric vehicle (EV) batteries in second use applications holds the potential to reduce first-cost obstacles of EVs. With a prospective EV market uptake, increasing numbers of retired batteries will be available soon for battery second use (B2U). But this emerging secondary market remains uncl...

Purpose: On pursue of economic revenue, the second life of electric vehicle batteries is closer to reality. Common electric vehicles reach the end of life when batteries loss between a 20 or 30% of its capacity. However, battery technology is evolving fast and the next generation of electric vehicles will have between 300 and 400 km range. This stu...

Batteries are used in the electricity grid to provide ancillary services. Area regulation seems to provide substantial revenues and profit, but Li-ion batteries are still too expensive to enter widely into this market. On the other hand, electric vehicle (EV) batteries are considered inappropriate for traction purposes when they reach a state of he...

As usual in JOTSE, the first editorial of the year presents an analysis of our Journal evolution. In this sense, we reflect on the changes undergone and the challenges we will face in the new year 2017.

Energy generation and distribution around the globe expect that micro-grids, renewable and distributed energy services will be key elements in future grid infrastructures. That is why batteries, as storage energy systems, are in the scope of many studies. To counteract the high costs of Li-ion batteries appears the idea of electric vehicle battery...

Batteries are called to be part of the electricity grid by providing ancillary services. Area regulation services seem to provide substantial revenues and profit. But Li-ion batteries are still too expensive to enter widely into this market. On the other hand, electric vehicle batteries are considered inappropriate for traction purposes when they r...

In this editorial we analize how much research is needed to be a good university teacher. Also we present the papers of this issue.

Electric vehicles use 10 to 25 kWh batteries. After their use in cars, these batteries are still in good condition to be used for energy storage in stationary applications and smart grid systems at all stages: generation, transmission, and distribution. However, before their reuse, there are some changes to be made on these batteries, such as those...

Energy storage systems, and batteries in particular, are being more and more studied with the entrance of renewable power sources, distributed generation and smart grids in the generation and distribution of electricity. Thus, the manufacture of batteries and its efficiency in the grid support applications implies an environmental impact that was p...

Electric vehicles are one promising alternative towards a low carbon electric mobility future with less dependency on fossil fuels. The European Union automotive industry is a global leader but there currently exists no single EV targeted legislation that encourages the uptake of these sustainable technologies. In particular, the second use of degr...

The V International UNIVEST Conference aimed to provide an integrative and critical outlook on the assessment process, considering it as an activity integrated in general university teaching, with the active participation of all subjects involved at all educational stages. With that main goal, the emphasis in this edition was on creating a forum to...

As usual in JOTSE, the first editorial of the year presents an analysis of our Journal evolution. In this sense, we reflect on the changes undergone and the challenges we will face in the new year 2016.

The electric vehicle is slow but steadily entering into the automotive market. Most of these vehicles are equipped with Li-ion batteries to store the electric energy. Despite of the charging velocity and the range issues of these vehicles, one of the major concerns of car manufacturers and clients refers to the battery ageing. Similarly to laptops...

Electric cars are entering into the automotive market. However, their prices are still expensive mostly due to the battery cost. Additionally, electric vehicle batteries are considered not useful for traction purposes after they have lost a 20% of its capacity. Having still an 80% of its capacity, these batteries may work on stationary applications...

This work presents a comparison of two universities: one public, and the other private. Two competency-based Master's degree programs will be compared in terms of the strengths and weaknesses identified by their coordinators. The faculty's perceptions of the development/acquisition of said competencies by the students will be presented, as well as...

In the following years thousands of electric cars are expected to be sold. Knowing that their batteries cannot be used for traction services after they have lost a 20?% of its capacity, there will be thousands of batteries available for re-use. The re-use represents a considerable environmental improvement compared to the immediate recycling. Accor...

Technical development has reached a point of development and adoption by society where the impact of technical developments in the society and the environment has a deep and global impact. With great power comes great responsibility, as Ben Parker said in Spiderman’s comic-books. Today’s engineers need to be aware of the responsibility they bear. T...

It is well known that batteries do not perform equally the first day of use than some years later. Their properties are in constant degradation, their capacity fades and the maximum power reduces. Batteries ageing has been widely studied under laboratory controlled conditions for different types of cells. In real life, however, every person has its...

Purpose Nowadays, the electric vehicle is one of the most promising alternatives for sustainable transportation. However, the battery, which is one of the most important components, is the main contributor to environmental impact and faces recycling issues. In order to reduce the carbon footprint and to minimize the overall recycling processes, thi...

In this first issue of the fitfh year of JOTSE we would like to present an analysis of the evolution of our Journal throughout these past years. Also we analise the articles submitted, published...and finally we present the content of this first volume of 2015.

The ETSEIAT (Escola Te`cnica Superior d’Enginyeries Industrial i Aerona`utica of Terrassa) recently executed pilot programs to introduce generic and specific skills into its study plans. As these pilots are now concluding, an evaluation of their efficiency has been conducted. This paper analyses the answers given by professors who were interviewed...

This work presents an analysis that has been done about the assessment tools used by the professors of the Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya to assess the generic competencies introduced in the Bachelor's Degrees in Engineering. In order to realize this study has been elaborated a survey which has been done anonymously to a sample of the most re...

We end this fourth year of JOTSE following the trends and challenges that we set right at the beginning of volume 4. In other words, targeting internationalization for JOTSE.

The ETSEIAT recently executed pilot programs to introduce generic and specific skills into its study plans. As these pilots are now concluding, an evaluation of their efficiency has been conducted. This paper analyses the answers given by professors who were interviewed (via in-person interviews and online tests) to determine how they developed and...

In the following years thousands of electric cars are expected to be sold. Knowing that these batteries are not useful anymore for traction services after they have lost a 20% of its capacity, there will be thousands of batteries able for re-use. The re-use represents a considerable environment improvement compared to the immediate recycling. Accor...

Nowadays, lithium-ion batteries have occupied the portable devices market, and they are making their first but consistent steps into the automotive industry. The energy sector is another potential market. Energy businesses are continuously pointing out storage systems as a possible solution to adjust and ensure energy distribution and quality. The...

Presentación utilizada: http://www.thinkepi.net/notas/crecs-2014/J17_15_Amante_Beatriz.pdf Vídeo de la participación en la mesa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx4HmCU1-no

In 2014 JOTSE is facing several changes and challenges so as to improve the quality of our scientific Journal. In the first place, we have incorporated new members in our Editorial board and we hope to implement thanks to them new fields of knowledge, explore other areas and, hence, increase our internationalisation. In this sense, one of the main...

Las grandes marcas de la industria de la automoción ven en el alto precio de las baterías para los vehículos eléctricos un grave problema para una venta y producción en masa. Para encontrar maneras de reducir estos precios están barajando la idea de un segundo uso para las baterías una vez estas han alcanzado su fin de vida útil en vehículo. Este e...

Durante el curso 2011-12 se ha impartido por primera vez Proyecto I, una asignatura de segundo curso y obligatoria en todos los grados de Ingeniería impartidos en la Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Industrial de Barcelona de la Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya BarcelonaTech (UPC). Esta asignatura se ha diseñado con el objetivo de iniciar al alum...

This volume sees us reaching the third anniversary of the publication of JOTSE.JOTSE was not created as a commercial venture but with the single purpose of disseminating, sharing and exchanging the innovative experiences of those academics involved in advancing the teaching of science and technology.

Purpose: In the world today there are thousands of port facilities of different types and sizes, competing to capture some market share of freight by sea, mainly. This article aims to determine the type of port and the most common size, in order to find out which business model is applied in that segment and what is the legal status of the companie...

Resumen La climatología semi-árida de Burkina Faso (África occidental) es propensa a variaciones estacionales extremas, encadenando largos periodos de sequía con fuertes lluvias concentradas entre los meses de mayo y octubre. Las deficiencias tanto en el suministro de agua como en su calidad, especialmente en zonas rurales, supone la principal caus...

The industrial car manufacturers see in the high battery price an im-portant obstacle for an electric vehicle mass selling, thus mass production. There-fore, in order to find some cost relieves and better selling opportunities, they look and push forward to find profitable second battery uses. This study presents a sim-ulation and an economical app...

The semi-arid climatology of Burkina Faso (Western Africa) is prone to extreme seasonal variations, chaining long periods of drought with heavy rainfalls concentrated between to the months of May and October. Deficiencies in both water supply and quality, especially in rural areas, comprise the main cause of illness derived from intestinal parasite...

p>In this third year of our Journal JOTSE our main challenge is to publish experiences related to evaluation of competences and new strategies within the university classroom. As we have mentioned in the past, we understand competences as the combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to perform a task efficiently. One of the key skil...

Purpose ‐ The road transport sector is the second biggest CO2 emissions contributor after energy generation. In urban environments, its impact is increased due to the worse combustion engine driving efficiency. It is thought that electric mobility might bring some relief to big cities' polluted air. At the same time, car manufacturers are searching...

The aim of this research is to observe how Collaborative Web-Based Environments (CWBEs) foster higher education quality improvement by means of enhancing students' teamwork skills, the use of CWBEs and the use of teaching methodologies, particularly PBL. A survey was conducted in three different subjects with similar characteristics in courses held...

El propósito de este artículo es presentar una metodología para la planeación estratégica de las universidades, construida a través de la integración teórica de los aportes de la última década sobre la temática. Los principales resultados muestran que el contexto actual desafía a las universidades a diseñar estrategias de gestión innovadoras que re...

Assessment is at the centre of learning process, and is what therefore determinates the process of teaching-learning. It is because of this, the assessment tasks must be designed with several criteria which guarantee its quality. In the present work eight criteria are shown which will allow designing assessment activities coherent with the demanded...

The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) has triggered many changes in the new degrees in Spanish universities, mainly in terms of methodology and assessment. However, in order to make such changes a success it is essential to have coordination within the teaching staff as well as active methodologies in use, which enhance and encourage students’...

In this article we present the planning and methodology followed in order to apply virtual tutoring sessions in different subjects and universities. The Second Life environment, together with the Voki speaking avatars will be employed. It is a multidisciplinary study that includes personal and collective tutoring sessions, answering key questions t...

Presented in this study are the evidences and details of the tools used to assess and monitor projects assigned to student groups within the context of three subjects of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC, BarcelonaTech, Spain). During the process, the aim was to integrate generic competencies: teamwork, and oral and written effective co...

In this second year of our Journal JOTSE our main challenge is to publish experiences related to innovation methodologies within the university classroom. Thus, allowing for the implementation and/or evaluation of competences throughout students’ learning process and, especially, in the scientific and technological fields. We understand competences...

The purpose of this study was to explore the results of the use of videos on case of local business ventures, with the aim of complementing the learning process in the Chair of Business Creation of the School of Industrial and Business Studies of the Industrial University of Santantder (UIS). Quantitative analyses showed that the use of this practi...

En este artículo se realiza un estudio de viabilidad económica para revalorizar terrenos de cultivo en pueblos de montañas de la zona del valle de Aran lo que representa una alternativa a la gran distribución alimentaria. Dicha alternativa revaloriza el producto local y crea empleo de forma directa en la zona. Además ofrece una rentabilidad mayor d...