Numerous works have been reported in the literature, revealing the potential of 3D scanning applications. Different ‘objects’ required different approaches and the most significant of them are presented in Table 1. Other, small scale works with novel approaches for 3D scanning are presented in a forthcoming article.
The specific field presents numerous opportunities for the application and utilization of different 3D scanning approaches. Museums, historical sites and artifacts cover a wide range of materials used as described in Table 1. Advantages and applications of using 3D scanning technologies in the art, history and architecture fields can be summarized in Table 2.
3D scanning techniques have found significant applications in various fields of activities including building, infrastructure, material science, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, art and others. Their main uses involve 3D printing drawings acquisition, Quality Assurance, maintenance, conservation of rare objects, restorations, and others.
3D scanning technologies include various methodologies to acquire 3D images of existing objects. 3D scanning approaches can be categorized in the following categories, depending on various factors as described in Table 1.
Physical adsorption or physisorption is one of the most important physical processes of our times. Its understanding and application contributes greatly to modern civilization in fields of energy, pollution control, medicine and others. When the term physical adsorption or physisorption is used, a process is described that:
> Includes a solid adsorbent
> Includes at least one fluid species to be adsorbed
> Is due to electrostatic interactions between atoms [van der Waals and dispersion forces]
> Is described by weak adsorption energies [enthalpies of adsorption]
>Is greatly dependent on temperature and pressure
>Is reversible or almost reversible
Cosmetic skin care products manufacture is a highly increasing field. The need for nontoxic, non-irritating, naturally derived creams and lotions has resulted in a rapid increase of available products worldwide. Most of these products are based on a thick, organic oil base with the addition of active ingredients, in various concentrations. Recent research has led to the discovery of various active ingredients and their specific functionalities. Plant derivatives and extracts are commonly ‘friendly’ to human organisms and the skin in particular, although exceptions exist and have been widely reported. The common process includes a variation of extraction of a natural compound from a plant part in a wisely and carefully used solvent. It should be kept in mind that many organic extracts are soluble in organic solvents which are in general harmful to the environment, mainly due to Volatile Organic Compounds [VOC] emissions. Whenever possible, water or any other environmentally friendly solvent should be used for components extraction.
Volatile Organic Compounds [VOCs] are some of our times’ most important polluters. Many of them have been correlated to adverse health effects such as skin irritation, cyanosis, convulsions, high toxicity, carcinogenicity, kidney damages, liver damages, brain damages, asthma, and others. A group of them has been regarded as air pollutants by USEPA. They derive mainly from a range of human related activities, such as industrial processes, construction, indoor generation, and transportation. Theoretically any product or activity including polymeric compounds could be a potential VOC emitter. When referring to health adverse effects indoors, VOCs are considered as contributors to the sick building syndrome. World Health Organization [WHO] uses a classification for indoor pollutants, based solely on their respective boiling points:
Greece has been in the middle of a severe crisis since 2009. At least, this is what most people think. Inside Greece and abroad. The reality however, is tremendously different! Greece has been in crisis since 1981, just people and politicians either did not realize it or looked the other way, as former Germany and EU leaders have admitted during the last years. "Greece should never had been admitted into the Eurozone" former Germany leader stated. And this, unfortunately is so true. Greece has done evdrything in its power to destroy its industrial production, especially during the last 40 years. Greece, 40 years ago had a mediocre production of metals, fertilizers, cars [yes], household electrical appliances and so many more. The two and half political parties that governed Greece in the last 40 years have destroyed the productive class of greeks. All goverments, as they still openly do, have over- taxed the productive sector in favor of their voters, in a highly 'clientelistic' way as european liberal's leader finally stated in the european council's meeting of July 8, 2015.
Polymers have been mostly produced from petrochemicals since their discovery. Petrochemicals, due to their large production offered a wide base for uncounted polymers. However, one great disadvantage of petrochemical based polymers is that they are most commonly non degradable and non bio degradable. Such an attribute makes their continuous use impossible due to pollution effects. Such known pollution effects come from everyday objects such as polyester cups, plates and others, contributing to the phenomenon termed 'white pollution'. Numerous research works have been devoted to producing bio degradble polymers or proper techniques to degrade such non degradable polymers. Such techniques involve, but are not limited to photo- oxidation, thermal degradation, catalytic degradation, and others.
Great advances have been made especially in the last decade in terms of computational power of clouds. This increase has made possible to perform calculations and accumulate knowledge corresponding to whole decades of experimental research on atomic and molecular properties. Such computational results are highly valuable both to the scientific academic community and entrerprise community. Such knowledge exceeds all known properties up to date, derived by experimental work.
On 10 July, 2015 it was announced that Denmark reached a 100% efficiency of electricity generation based on wind energy. This is a historical record worldwide; actually the generation of energy via the wind generators reached as high as 140% of the daily needs of Denmark. Excess energy was exported to Germany, Norway and Sweden. In average, wind energy generation accounts for less than fossil fuels energy generation. However, until 2020 Denmark will be able to generate more than 50% of its yearly needs from renewable sources. This amazing goals seems more than achievable since Denmark is one of the countries hevily investing in renewable energy sources. This trend is expected to continue and press the oil prices even lower in the years to come.
