Search

This article seeks to address the pressing issue of developing the innovative activity of the domestic economy through the use of the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises, which has to do with the possibility of application of existing experience of the more developed foreign countries in order to achieve economic success. The purpose of this study is to examine the trends in the development of innovative activity of small and medium-sized enterprises in Ukraine, as well as to determine the distribution of the total amount of expenditures by areas of innovation. Analysis of the literature on this issue has shown that the economic development of a country depends on many factors, and the use of intellectual potential is quite a significant factor in modern society. The relevance of this issue is supported by the fact that the majority of developed countries that have high levels of national income and are distinguished by the quality of life of the population are introducing the latest innovative inventions and using them appropriately in: production, agriculture, trade and other fields of activity. The research of the development of innovation activity of small and medium-sized enterprises in the article is carried out in the following logical sequence: analysis of small and medium-sized enterprises in Ukraine, analysis of small and medium-sized enterprises of EU countries, evaluation and comparison of innovation activity of Ukraine and EU countries. The methodical tools of the study included methods of statistical analysis. The study period was 2010-2018. The object of analysis is the process of development of innovation activity of small and medium-sized enterprises, as they are the majority of enterprises in Ukraine. The article presents the results of the analysis of the state of innovation the activity of small and medium-sized enterprises, which showed that our country needs significant transformation in this direction. Studies show that increasing the turnover and the production of small and medium-sized enterprises depends on the level of innovative development. The results of the study may be useful for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Introduction - the purpose of the article is to determine the theoretical and legislative bases for the definition and construction of the national innovation system and its subsystems, to establish gaps in the regulatory legal regulation of the economic activity of individual elements - subjects of the NIS. Methods of research - structural and functional methods of analysis are used to determine the existing competence of the participants of the national innovation system of Ukraine and the ability to perform the necessary functions for the system. Methods of analysis and synthesis were used in the study of theoretical models of innovative systems and their structure. The normativist method (formal and legal) was used in the study of the actual state of legislative securing of the NIS. Results of the research - Based on the analyzed scientific sources and on the basis of regulatory acts of Ukraine, it is necessary to distinguish the following NIS subsystems, which require significant legislative regulation: subsystem of generation of knowledge and education, subsystem of production of products and services, subsystem of innovative infrastructure,subsystem «National network technology transfer», Territorial (regional) subsystems. Discussion with the otherscientists- most views on the essence of a NIS can be divided into the following groups: structural approach, subsystem approach, functional and structural. However, these models do not sufficiently address the role of the lowest level of the administrative system - the united territorial communities as the only one as close as possible to the governmental structure. In this direction, it is necessary to extend the limits of financial capacity of territorial communities on the principles of transparency, accessibility, sufficiency. Summary and conclusions - for the harmonious and timely development of the National Innovation System it is necessary to comprehensively approach the legislative regulation of relations in the innovation system and its subsystems, as well asto formulate guidelines for the formation of the system of regulation of innovative activity in the laws.

The article is devoted to the study of spatial forms of organizing innovative infrastructure of Ukraine in terms of sustainable development. In the course of the study, modern trends of innovative development of the regions in Ukraine are highlighted. The peculiarities of implementing innovative policy in the context of smart specialization strategy are analyzed. Diagnostics of processes of formation and development of innovative infrastructure in regions of Ukraine is carried out. A conceptual approach to assessing the level of innovation infrastructure development is proposed.

The article is devoted to the topic of Ukraine’s readiness for innovations in industry 4.0. The article also discusses the concept of the 4th industrial revolution. The proposed methodology for assessing readiness for innovations is based on the annual ranking of The Global Innovation Index of Cornell University, the French Business School and Research Institute (INSEAD), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and official EU statistics. An analysis was carried out of Ukraine’s readiness for innovation in comparison with EU countries in the area of "The Conditions for Creating Innovative Potential, Level of Innovation Potential, Conditions for Realization of Innovative Potential, Realization of Innovative Potential". A cluster analysis of countries regarding the level of preparedness for innovation based on the indicators was also made. The strengths and weaknesses of Ukraine as an innovative country are highlighted, practical recommendations are also given for improving the level of innovative development in the country.

Taking into account the oil resources depletion the requirements to fuel consumption of internal combustion engines are now increasing as well as to their reliability and durability. With the continual increase in the number of internal combustion engines in operation, along with the problem of parts of the cylinder piston group wearing out has caused exhaust from such engines to be one of the main source of harmful pollutant emissions in cities. Therefore, environmental requirements have in turn increased dramatically. The engine resource and its efficiency largely depend on the process of fuel combustion in the combustion chamber. Experimental studies aimed to improve the working process on diesel engines by piston insulation have shown an effective decrease in fuel consumption by reducing heat loss and more complete fuel combustion. When oxide ceramic coatings were used on the piston and cylinder head, the maximum power increased and the specific fuel consumption decreased. However ceramic coatings are not widely used due to their peeling. We have developed a technology for the galvanic plasma treatment of pistons, which made it possible to obtain on the pistons surface made of aluminum alloys a ceramic corundum layer with high adhesion to the base metal that does not peel and has electret properties. In 1993, pistons with a corundum surface layer were installed in a shunting diesel locomotive and life-time running tests were conducted. Such pistons increased wear resistance, reduced the wear of cylinder liners, increased the strength of the annular jumpers, and were not prone to burnouts and scuffing. They provided an increase in the resource of the cylinder-piston group of the diesel engine by more than 125 thousand engine hours. The paper provides an analysis of the effect of corundum pistons thermal insulation on significant increasing the, engine power and fuel consumption reduction. Basing on experimental bench studies of a gasoline engine, a tractor diesel engine and long-term operational life tests of diesel engines, an attempt had been made to explain the reasons for the improvement in the engines’ efficiency.

The article analyses the types of waste generated in economy and the possibilities of their management, on the example of Poland. The main focus was on using selected types of waste for methane production. The impact of the decomposing mass of organic waste on the production of greenhouse gases was examined and various types of biogas plants operating in Poland were presented (biogas plants at landfills, biogas plants at sewage treatment plants, agricultural biogas plants). The article also presents the benefits for the economy from the use of methane from methane drainage. Unfortunately, in Poland, methane resources are used to a small extent. In the case of mines, landfills or sewage treatment plants it is related to high costs of constructing methane capture installations, which are not offset by revenues from sales of gas and green certificates. Although much more favourable blue certificates have been introduced for agricultural biogas plants, the obstacle standing in the way of their progress is the lack of local spatial development plans for the places designated for their construction

Agriculture is a risky industry because forces beyond human control influence the quality and profitability of their activities. Farmers' incomes reveal high volatility due to product and crop price as well as catastrophic risks such as natural disasters and diseases. The following paper discusses different methods, also those not specific to EMS, and their exemplary application. An attempt has been made to answer the question of what methods of risk analysis and management are appropriate for agriculture. The goal is to identify methods which can be used in EMS for agriculture, especially in the family farmsteads. The paper is based on the latest, third edition of ISO 14001

In the process of managing participation in fairs, a long-term vision, taking into account a number of non-financial dimensions of the assessment, makes it more complex and risky and, consequently it requires more attention. The article presents the parameters of the process of managing participation in fairs by the exhibitors studied, analyses the relationships between them and identifies key risk factors in trade fairs activity of exhibitors. The article describes the respondents' behaviours in the studied area and highlights the importance of non-financial elements determining the readiness of exhibitors to participate in the fair. The decisions to participate in fairs are more and more often made based, for example, on the assessment of cooperation with organizers. The possibility of achieving non-sales goals during the event is also becoming more and more important, even if the company has difficulty assessing the degree of their implementation.

The concept of occupational health and safety is not defined in Polish law. The only place where such a definition can be found is PN-N-1801:2004. Nevertheless, according to the Act on standardisation, the application of Polish Standards is voluntary. Activities in the field of occupational health and safety should be an integral part of business management. Companies from countries which are members of the European Union, in accordance with Directive 89/391/EEC, are obliged to implement standards related to occupational health and safety. The most commonly used and recognised standard for occupational health and safety management systems, in line with the specifics of each company, is the OHSAS 18001 international management system, while in Poland it is the PN-N-18001 standard. The study examined the scope of OHS at work among Research and Innovation Centre Pro-Akademia employees. The employees were subjected to surveys. The results obtained show that employees appreciate the importance of OHS regulations, but they do not always consciously comply with them. One of the tools that enabled author to prepare this article is analytic method called desk research. Desk Research is a research method that boils down to analyzing the records of available data sources, including in particular their compilation, mutual verification and processing. Such analysis is the basis for drawing conclusions about the examined problem. For example - the effect of the Desk Research analysis proceeded as part of the labor market survey is the diagnosis of the state of the labor market in the studied area, the characteristics of all its component groups as well as a description and verification of the actions taken by the institutions operating within it.

This paper presents the modifications that have been made to the sickle insert of the gear pump with internal gearing. This procedure allowed the obtainment of radial compensation. The test stand to plot the characteristics of the pump before, as well as after the first and second modification is discussed. The results of the measurements from the tests conducted are presented. The results obtained confirmed the achievement of radial compensation by cutting the appropriate channel in the sickle insert. As a result, it will be possible to obtain a higher discharge pressure for this type of pump and to increase its efficiency.

Today’s construction market of materials, contractors and building users, places new demands on individual building materials. Undoubtedly one such material is concrete, which is used in almost all construction projects as a binder for building materials. Therefore, it is necessary that this material is constantly subjected to new tests to find ways to improve its properties. Therefore, many scientists attempt to improve properties such as compressive strength, flexural strength and water resistance. One method is to modify the cement matrix with polymers.

Nano- and biotechnologies are the key elements of the complex of NBIC-technologies, developed within the concept of continuous growth of innovations in the context of the transition to the sixth technological mode. The purpose of the article is to study the prospects for the development of nano- and biotechnologies in various sectors of the economy, as well as explore opportunities for accelerating the commercialization of research results in these areas. The article’s relevance is confirmed by the strengthening of the role of nano- and biotechnologies in the sphere of innovation development of countries worldwide. The results of the study have shown that the nanotechnology market has a divergent structure, and the basic characteristic of nanoproducts is their interdisciplinary nature. The world leaders in the production and commercialization of nanotechnologies are the United States, China, Japan, Germany and South Korea. Biotechnologies are developing rapidly as well. Worldwide, the largest number of biotechnologies is created in areas such as health care (biomedicine and biopharmaceuticals), industry and agriculture. The leading countries in the field of development and commercialization of biotechnologies are the United States, France, Germany and South Korea.

The paper shows the results of research aimed to assess the impact of high squeeze pressure on the porosity of AlZn5Mg alloy castings, including its distribution in slab-type castings with dimensions of 25 x 100 x 200 mm. The research was carried out on castings made by two methods: squeeze casting and gravity casting. The pressing was conducted at a pressure of 100 MPa at an initial mould temperature of 200°C. The research identified the middle and outer parts of the casting. Experimental research was preceded by numerical simulation of the casting solidification, then a porosity assessment was carried out using the hydrostatic weighing method, which was supplemented by structural observations. The results of the research showed a two-fold decrease in the porosity in the middle part of the casting which is most exposed to the occurrence of shrinkage voids formed in the final clotting phase. Structural tests revealed the occurrence of dispersed porosity in castings, mainly of shrinkage and / or shrinkage-gas origin. The impact of pressure of 100 MPa during solidification caused fragmentation of the primary structure of castings, which resulted in a higher grain density.

The article considers the current issues of stimulating innovation in the energy sector and rational use of energy resources. A three-level system of problem-oriented management of human resources for stimulating innovation in the energy sector is proposed. The system considers the impact of the human factor on innovative development at the national, regional and enterprise levels. Also, the need to encourage enterprises to hire highly qualified specialists in the sphere of energy saving and energy efficiency is proven. The role of the tax policy in state regulation of the rational use of energy resources and stimulation of innovation in the energy sector is substantiated. The tax incentives for the rational use of energy resources applied in the world practice are grouped. Features of the application of tax incentives (accelerated depreciation, tax credits, tax holidays, and tax reduction) for energy efficiency and energy saving of households and business entities are analyzed. Directions for stimulating innovation in the energy sector for the efficient use of energy resources are offered.

As many programs of scientific and technical cooperation of various fields are being successfully implemented between Ukraine and the EU, the author has set the goal of intensifying relations between Ukraine and Chile in the field of green energy. The cooperation Ukraine has had with the EU serves as an example of future cooperation between Ukraine and Chile. The text explores Chile’s experience in the field of green energy and, through the comparative example of such cooperation between Ukraine and the EU countries, shows that such interaction is a worthwhile endeavor. Based on an analysis of research materials, one of the priority areas of scientific and technical cooperation is the use of non-traditional renewable energy technologies. In Ukraine, and the EU, as well as Chile, there are objective factors (natural, resources, socio-economic, environmental- technological) that concern their development. It is interesting to note Ukraine’s scientific experience and implementation of these technologies and the organizational and economic support of them as priorities in the context of national and regional policy. All aspects of international scientific and technical cooperation, including through the exchange of intellectual products, make it possible to increase the effectiveness of forms of state support, the innovation, production and business activities of Ukraine and the corresponding development of producers and consumers' motivation towards using non-conventional forms of renewable energy technology.

The dissolution of MnO2 from tantalum capacitor scrap using organic acids in various process conditions was studied. The initial materials were of two types: LTC (leaded tantalum capacitors) and SMDTC (surface-mounted device tantalum capacitors). The research materials were prepared by pyrolysis, grinding and sieving and the preparation processes were characterized. Dissolution of MnO2 was carried out with the use of sulfuric acid solutions with the addition of acetic, ascorbic, citric and oxalic organic acids. Results show that the addition of organic acids significantly improves dissolution yields (72-94 vs 90-99 % for H2SO4 and acid mixtures, respectively). In practice, a concentration of organic acid above 1 M results in the complete removal of MnO2.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of substituting sugar in crust pastry with natural substitutes, such as stevia, xylitol, coconut sugar as well as dried banana. Furthermore, a comparison of physicochemical properties was carried out. The crust pastry obtained was analyzed in terms of color by CIEL*a*b*, textures, water activity, bake loss, semi-consumer assessments and the nutritional value was calculated. There was a clear impact caused by the sugar substitute on the physicochemical properties and their sensory assessment. The cakes with xylitol had the closest color, smell and taste to the control sample (with sucrose). The cakes with dried banana had a significantly reduced hardness compared to the control sample. The lowest bake loss was observed in the case of pastry with dried banana, while the highest was in the case of xylitol. In sensory analysis, the “Just-about-right” method was used, and pastries with a sweter taste were more desirable (xylitol) and pastry with the stevia substitute showed the lowest desirability. The lowest energy value per 100 g was obtained for stevia (392 kcal/ 100g), while for xylitol energy, the value was reduced by 6%.

The long-term use of plant protection products in agriculture, including pentachlorophenol (PCP), has contributed to their widespread distribution in the natural environment. So far, no cheap and effective techniques for removing chlorophenols by physicochemical or biological methods have been developed. Therefore, alternative methods of neutralizing them are currently being sought. The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of pentachlorophenol decomposition by high temperature thermohydrolysis. The decomposition process was carried out at a constant pressure of 25 MPa, in the temperature range of 20°C to 500°C and at various volumetric flows of PCP through the reactor. Detailed analysis of the results showed that the process and degree of pentachlorophenol reduction depended on residence time in the reactor and the process temperature. The obtained results indicate that thermohydrolysis in supercritical water is not an effective method to neutralize pentachlorophenol. The high costs of conducting this process together with an average degree of PCP conversion (the conversion of pentachlorophenol at the lowest volumetric flow rate through the reactor reached about 45%) cause that thermohydrolysis at high temperature is not a costeffective method of neutralizing pentachlorophenol.

In recent years, research of antitumor activity of natural compounds isolated from plant material has increased. Polyphenols have gained significant attention due to their proapoptotic abilities and their involvement in migration and inhibition of metastasis processes. The anticancer effects of polyphenolic extracts of Viburnum opulus fruit against human breast (MCF-7) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines have been confirmed in this study. It was demonstrated that the tested preparations (methanol – M and acetone – A from pomace, juice – J and juice after extraction to the solid phase SPE – PF) show cytotoxic activity and regulate the migration process of cancer cells. The degree of inhibition of cell migration was measured at two times - 24 h and 48 h after addition of the tested preparations. The highest toxicity towards both cell lines was demonstrated by the polyphenol fraction obtained after juice purification SPE (IC50 values at concentration of 63,541 and 19,380 μg/mL for HeLa and MCF cell lines, respectively). At the same time, the same preparation inhibited cell migration the most (nearly 70% compared to controls at both times at the concertation of 15 and 30 μg/mL). All preparations showed the antioxidant ability, but the Viburnum opulus juice (200 and 350 g/mL) and the preparation after its purification (15 and 30 μg/mL) have larger ability to inhibit the intracellular oxidative stress (30-40%) than preparation obtained from pomace (nearly by 20% at concentration of 20 and 50 μg/mL of M and A). Despite the antioxidative capacity of the preparations, they simultaneously decreased cellular mitochondrial potential. The results obtained indicate the high potential of components of Viburnum opulus polyphenolic compounds can be used in the production of innovative dietary supplements or pharmacological preparations for people with an increased risk or inclination towards developing breast or cervical cancer.

This article deals with the determination of the stages of development of Ukrainian industries with regard to the factors driving innovation. Based on an analysis of literary sources carried out, the most common indicators of the stages of development of industries have been identified, and it is proposed to classify them into structural, volumetric, dynamic, and innovation ones, given the specificity of the relevant statistical data regarding Ukraine. Calculations have shown that most industries are in a declining phase in terms of the majority of volumetric and innovation criteria. In some industries there are positive trends to intensify the innovation activity of businesses, while the chemical and engineering industries, which have the highest level of technological development, are in a decline phase.

After a short introduction characterizing the general outline of the issue, this paper describes the test results of oil leakage measurements through CVT actuator seals. The research was done using Jatco company's CVT 7 model, the popular gearbox for small passenger cars. Several curves of leakage values are given for both actuators, concerning different conditions such as rotational speed, oil temperature or pressure. In the summary several conclusions are formulated, based on presented test results. The determined maximal value of leakage is about 1 l/min. It emerged that the influence of centrifugal force is negligible. What is more, the observed phenomena are shortly described and projected for more detailed investigation.

Correlations between concentrations of selected air pollutants were analyzed in different areas in central Poland from 2012-2016. Three neighboring voivodeships (Lower Silesian, Lodz, and Masovian), were selected for which specific measurement locations were designated in urban and rural areas. The characteristics of the location of monitoring stations allowed to distinguish the following types of measurement stations: “urbantransport”, “urban-background", "suburban-background", "town-background", and "rural-background". Therefore, using the Pearson's linear correlation coefficient, it was possible to analyze the interrelations between the occurrence of air pollution in various types of areas. It was found that the coefficient changed along with the type of area. Moreover, it turned out that the coefficient decreased in each voivodeship along with a decrease in the population density of the analyzed areas. In addition, concentrations of various air pollutants in given areas were compared. Also, it was observed that the strongest correlations occur between the results of calculations from measurement stations located in the same province.

The article aims at summarising the state of the art in the efforts of researchers and innovators to find viable solutions to mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect. This effect is loosely connected with the greenhouse effect, however, it certainly creates a severe negative synergy together with it. As green roofs are a well-known answer how to address the UHI effect, the ways how to make their massive and global deployment convenient are discussed. Initially, the differences and similarities between urbanisation in developed and developing countries are described. Then the paper depicts solutions, especially synergic ones, for making the dissemination of green roofs viable, such as rainwater and energy harvesting or urban agriculture. Then the authors conclude that retrofitting the existing roofs is the only method for reaching the desired scale and discuss available business models necessary for introducing the prosumer approach to the retrofitting.

Nowadays, the optimization of energy consumption and resources is one of the most urgent topics in worldwide industry. The energy consumption monitoring and control in various multiphase flow industrial applications, where a proper flow characteristic and an optimal phase mixture control is crucial, is hard to perform due to the physical and chemical complexity of the processes. The Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) is one of the relatively cheap non-invasive measurement methods that can help in the monitoring and control of optimal energy and resources dozing in industrial processes. ECT diagnostics systems use unique sensors that can non-intrusively detect spatial capacitance changes caused by spatial changes in the electrical permittivity of industrial process components. One of the latest ECT extensions is a three-dimensional measurement strategy that uses a multilayer structure of the capacitance sensor. In this paper, the authors propose a novel approach to the 3D ECT sensors fabrication process that uses 3D computer modelling and 3D printing to easily get any sensor shape, electrode layout, scale and shielding strategy. This study compares the measurement abilities of a 3D ECT sensor fabricated using a traditional hand-made technique with the 3D printed device. The results have proven the potential of the new 3D print-based sensor regarding its significant fabrication time reduction as well as the improvement of the overall 3D ECT sensor measurement accuracy and stability.

Research into environmental pollution and global warming has induced the energy industry and various levels of government to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, especially coal and oil. One of the options being considered is increasing nuclear power generation, which has the advantage of high production capacity that can be fully utilized, low fuel consumption and low cost relative to the amount of electricity being generated. However, despite technological progress, the share of nuclear energy in the world’s energy mix is decreasing, especially in countries with highly developed economies. The reasons for this are high capital expenditures and their uncontrolled increase, fear of contamination of the natural environment in the event of a failure or terrorist attack as well as difficulties in long-term disposal of radioactive waste. This article analyzes the development of nuclear power as an alternative to fossil fuels in the pursuit of sustainable development, in particular with regard to investment outlays, the cost of generating electricity, environmental protection and security.

The Polish Energy Sector is one of the most difficult lines of business because among other things, of the existing legal provisions, and standards relating to pollutant emissions. In the coming years, in the Polish Energy Sector breakthrough changes related to develop the energy facilities and with respect to the environmental protection will have to be introduced. During the generation of electricity harmful residues are produced, which are counteracted by equipment designed for flue gas cleaning. The Energy Sector should be concentrating on searching for the implementation of innovations to achieve emission standards.

In the monograph the theoretical identification of concepts and categorical series of state regulation of investment-innovation processes are investigated; the directions of optimization of the state policy of innovation and investment development management in Ukraine are determined; the organizational and legal principles of the state regulation of development of intellectual potential of the population are substantiated; the areas of development and improvement of the national innovation system as an object of state policy are highlighted and assessed. The monograph will be interesting for scholars, lecturers, doctoral and graduate students, and will also be useful to practical politicians, journalists and media workers and a wide range of readers interested in investment and innovation activities.

One of the key and simultaneously the most difficult issues within the methodology of the environmental life cycle assessment (as well as related life cycle-based techniques) is solving the problem of the multifunctionality of product systems, which includes the questions crucial for the circular economy: reuse, recycling, transforming by-products into valuable (in the market aspect) co-products, prolonging durability. The present paper aims at familiarizing the questions of multifunctionality and presenting the Circular Footprint Formula (CFF), which has been developed within the pilot stage of the European Commission project related to the common methods of measurement and communication the life cycle environmental performance of products and organisations. An example of PET bottles has been presented and two scenarios have been analysed: (1) a scenario with no recycling (a recycling content = 0 and a recycling rate = 0) and (2) a scenario with recycling (recycling content = 0.24 and recycling rate = 0.24). Calculations of life cycle emissions of CO2 have been made by using the CFF formula. An idea of division environmental burdens and credits between supplier and user of the recycled material has been shown and explained as well.

Increasing urbanization rates, particularly in cities, cause an increase in pollutant emissions into the environment. Immission of pollutants is the amount of particulate or gaseous pollutants that is received by the environment. Natural precipitation, i.e. rainwater, is polluted during the contact with air. As a result of atmospheric precipitation groundwater and soil become polluted. The pollutants also penetrate surface water, causing further contamination. In rainwater that goes to the sewage system, there are pollutants such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals, slurries, plant protection products and many more. This is largely dependent on the type of management of the catchment, its sanitary condition, and the time and intensity of precipitation. Another important factor is the composition of pollutants emitted into the atmospheric air in each area. The work shows changes in the pollution of rainwater in Lodz Voivodship in the years 2010-2016 and presents analysis of the data collected by the Regional Inspectorate for Environmental Protection. The analysis shows that the state of rainwater is steadily deteriorating which is directly related to air quality.

This paper presents an analysis of the possibilities of using energy generated by an experimental photovoltaic façade located on the building of the Technical University of Lodz, on the eastern elevation. The energy produced by the façade was designed to cover the demand for lighting in an office room. Research was carried out during the years 2015 - 2017 in selected periods of the year. The analysis showed that the winter and transitional periods generated much less electricity compared to the summer period, which is inversely proportional to the energy demand for artificial lighting in the office room.

The main problem occurring during poultry and animal production is the management of waste generated in slaughterhouses and poultry processing plants. These wastes, due to the bacteriological threat and the difficulty in storage, adversely affect all elements of the environment and thus require quick neutralization. The prospective method of liquidation of this type of waste is thermohydrolysis in near-critical water. The aim of the work was to examine the decomposition of poultry waste, i.e. waste blood, soft tissues, chicken heads, feathers, subjected to the process of thermohydrolysis in near-critical water. The decomposition process was carried out at a pressure of 10 MPa in the temperature range of 120°C - 250°C and with a variable residence time in the reactor. Detailed analysis of the results allowed us to state that the longer the residence time in the reactor, the higher the content of soluble organic compounds in the liquid phase. The beneficial effect of applying the thermohydrolysis process on the increased reduction of organic substances present in the investigated wastes was also demonstrated.

Among the large family of metallic oxides, there is a considerable group possessing excellent semiconducting properties. What follows, they are promising materials for applications in the field of optoelectronics and photonics. Thanks to the development of nanotechnology in the last few decades, it is now possible to manufacture a great variety of different nanostructures. By controlling their size, shape, composition and crystallinity, one can influence such properties as band gap, absorption properties, surface to volume ratio, conductivity, and, as a consequence, tune the material for the chosen application. The following article reviews the research conducted in the field of application of the metallic oxide nanoparticles, especially ZnO, TiO2 and ITO (Indium-Tin Oxide), in such branches of optoelectronics as solid-state lightning, photodetectors, solar-cells and transparent conducting layers.

The main goal of the study is to analyse the residential real estate market in Ukraine from the point of view of the need and the possibility of increasing its energy efficiency. Also, it aims to justify effective financial and credit mechanisms for ensuring measures to improve the thermal protection properties of residential and non- residential real estate, in particular by introducing energy efficiency development projects. With this research we investigated Ukraine's housing stock and utility tariffs and concluded that a beneficial strategy to be applied in Ukraine is the energy-efficient retrofit of real estate. This is one of the most effective ways to re-profile unclaimed real estate units in the existing state or to reconstruct inefficiently used buildings. Also, we reviewed selected methods of energy efficient residential real estate development and mechanisms of financing energy- efficient renovation of real estate used in the EU. And, in our view, the next step of the Ukraine in the direction of improving the energy efficiency of housing should be the effective operation of a dedicated/specific energy efficiency fund to ensure stable financing of housing modernization projects, which will allow for a comprehensive renovation of buildings and lead to significant annual energy savings in this end-use sector.

For years, the motorized and uncontrolled degradation of the public space of housing estates from the second half of the twentieth century in Poland has been appropriated. This has a negative impact on their functioning and image. The aim of the work is a detailed analysis of Kielce housing estate from the second half of the last century – Pod Dalnią, mainly in the spatial and communication aspect. The main focus was on the study of changes in the communication service model and the diagnosis of the parking problem, which also generates other tensions in the housing estate. This strives to formulate guidelines for comprehensive changes and strategies for the development of a housing estate that is not adapted to contemporary requirements and needs.

This article discusses the issues concerning the quality of casting surface with a small unit weight manufactured on the Disamatic automatic casting lines in a flaskless mould with a vertical parting line. The research was conducted in manufacturing conditions in one of the casting facilities in the country. The identification of casting defects for a monthly manufacturing cycle was made and agreed that the main causes of scrap casting are defects on the raw surface: lumps of moulding sand which after removal form cavities and draws as well as defects of gas origin such as blowholes. There are also defects of form namely short runs. In the later part of the work, the research results of the properties of moulding sand were presented and casting defects were selected the occurrence of which is connected with the quality of moulding sands.

This research concerns the continuously variable transmission that is to be used in a hybrid drivetrain with a mechanical energy accumulator as a secondary energy source. The purpose of this research is to verify the method of determining the pressure surge which ensures a fast but safe ratio change, from the perspective of the belt slip point of a continuously variable transmission. The obtained results allowed to decide on the design of a more extensive test bench enabling simulation of the load of a continuously variable transmission resulting from the acceleration and braking of the car's mass. In addition, the test results confirmed the possibility of regulating the pressures in two actuators to change the ratio and increase the speed of this change.

The operation of large power plants, including power stations, and combined heat and power stations, causes the emission of significant amounts of gaseous pollutants into the environment. As a result, in the urban and agricultural areas occurs a pollution of undesirable gaseous substances, such as nitrogen and sulfur oxides. This is especially dangerous for living organisms, soil and water, because, in combination with water vapor, these pollutants are the cause of acid rain. In addition, nitrogen oxides participate in the formation of ground-level ozone, which affects both human health and the condition of existing vegetation. Therefore, the distribution of air pollutants (NO2, SO2 and O3) in the selected urban and rural areas, under the influence of power plants, located in the Lodz Voivodeship, in Poland, in Central-Eastern Europe, was analyzed for a 10-year period (2007–2016). As a result, it was possible to evaluate the impact of the entry into force of Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 “on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe” on the changes in emissions and concentrations of pollutants in selected locations. As a result of the analysis, a significant decrease in the concentration of SO2 (by 75% in the urban area and by 59% in the rural area), and small changes (from - 8% to + 12%) in NO2 and O3 concentrations in ambient air were found. This indicates the effectiveness of actions aimed at reducing SO2 emissions, however the influence of the power plants on the concentration of air pollutants in these areas is not clear. At the same time, considering the criterion of permissible concentration of ozone and nitrogen dioxide, although the air quality did not improve, the air quality index can be considered as being in the category of "good".

The mismatch between solar cell response and solar spectrum is one of the biggest challenges to achieve high efficiency in photovoltaic cells. There are a few different approaches to minimise this concern. One of them is the radiation conversion which may be due to three different processes, namely up-conversion, down- conversion and down-shifting. In this paper the down-conversion process of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and layers with ZnO NPs in polymer (poly (methyl methacrylate)) (PMMA) matrix will be analysed. ZnO NPs are prone to act as down-converting or down-shifting agents, which absorb the UV radiation, which is not absorbed by the solar cell, and then re-emit light in the visible range, which is suited to the photovoltaic cell sensitivity. Herein, the photoluminescence and optical transmittance of ZnO NPs and layers based on ZnO NPs will be presented. These parameters have a large influence on the potential application of these layers in photovoltaic structures for increased efficiency. The conversion layers have to fulfil the following conditions: have good optical transmittance in the visible range and high luminescence efficiency in converting UV radiation into visible. The paper focuses on finding the balance between these parameters.

The paper presents the production technology of sorbents for flue gas desulphurization with the wet limestone method, produced on the basis of limestone waste. The waste was subjected to comprehensive physicochemical tests and the following were studied: size distribution, chemical composition, morphology and reactivity. The analysed waste was subjected to electromagnetic activation to improve the sorption properties lost in the original process. The effect of the activation process was determined by comparing physicochemical properties of the waste before and after its activation. Based on the experience gained, an industrial installation was designed and manufactured industrial.

In each touristic city waste management system has to overcome the impact of visitors. Dubrovnik, famous as popular touristic destination, particularly notices tourists visiting city. Therefore potential impact of waste management in touristic cities, such as Dubrovnik, is presented. The paper includes estimation of yearly waste production by inhabitants and tourists visiting those city. Waste digestion is a method for biogas production. On the basis of the preceding estimation combined-cycle installation generating heat and electricity is proposed. The model combines Brayton cycle with low temperature Kalina model based on Rankine cycle. Literature analysis presents state of the art in this field. The simulation is prepared in Cycle-Tempo. Numerical analyses lead to technical issues, which have to be taken into consideration during waste utilization with such installation. Thus benefits and threats are discussed. The presented analysis assesses the maximal electric gain, which subsequently should consider waste preparation and purification

This article summarizes the main results of the biotechnological research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine aimed at solving energy, medical-biological and medical-ecological problems during the period from 2009 to 2015. The prospective bioresources and directions of implementation of the latest technologies of bioenergy conversion for the production of liquid biofuels and expansion of their use for biodiesel were determined. The latest medical and biological and bioengineering technologies for human health and the national economy, biologically active substances for human health, ecological and economic mechanisms of rational use, protection and monitoring of natural resources, new technologies for the efficient use of energy resources were presented in the article. The authors systematized the results of the current research of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine aimed at the development of modern methods for the prevention and diagnosis of diseases in humans and animals, modern methods of cell biotechnology and metabolic engineering for the creation of superproducts of biologically active substances, new forms of plants and microorganisms, the genetic design of improved microorganisms and lines of plant and animal cells for the development of medical and agricultural biotechnology. The authors proved that these directions of research fully correspond to the world-wide trends in research in biomedicine.

UV filters are classified as environmental pollutants (emerging pollutants). One of the most frequently detected UV filters in real samples is 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid (PBSA). It has been shown that conventional technologies applied in sewage treatment plants are not adapted for complete removal of sunscreen agents. Therefore, there is a trend to undertake activities leading to improvement of water quality by enhancing treatment methods. This is important due to the fact that in an aqueous environment, in the presence of UV radiation or sunlight irradation, PBSA generates reactive oxygen species that can damage the DNA of living organisms. The aim of study was to investigate an effect of pH and TiO2 on PBSA stability in the presence of UV radiation. It was found that the rate of PBSA degradation depends on the catalyst dose and pH of solution. The photocatalysis reaction was carried out in a Heraeus laboratory exposure set equipped with a 150 W mediumpressure mercury lamp. The course of PBSA degradation process as a function of time was monitored using UV/VIS spectrophotometer and liquid chromatograph equipped with UV-Vis detector.

Over the past several decades, much attention has been given to the development of technologies utilizing solar energy to generate inexpensive and clean heat for heating purposes of buildings and even for electricity generation in the concentrating solar thermal power (CSTP) plants. However, unlike conventional heatgenerating technologies consuming coal, natural gas, and oil, heat produced by solar energy is intermittent because it is significantly affected by daily (day-night) and seasonal fluctuations in solar insolation. This fact issues a considerable challenge to the adoption of solar energy as one of the main renewable heat sources in the future. Therefore, along with the development of the different solar technologies, the heat storage technologies have also been the focus of attention. Use of the storage devices, able to accumulate heat, enables not only enhance the performance of the heating systems based on solar energy but also make them more reliable. This paper gives an overview of the various sensible heat storage technologies used in tandem with the fluctuating solar heat sources.

Ceramic membranes are among one of the most promising candidates for membrane applications, owing to their excellent resistance to mechanical, chemical, and thermal stresses. These advantages make them an attractive filter material. An additional benefit which is extremely important for the industry, is their possibility of continuous operation at high efficiency while maintaining constant transmembrane pressure. Due to the inorganic material from which they are made, ceramic membranes have the possibility of being cleaned by steam sterilization and are resistant to micro-organisms. Although, due to low production costs, ceramic membranes are one of the most cost-effective membrane filtration technologies they are prone to substantial fouling. When used, a layer of contaminants is formed on the active surface, often reducing or completely filling the membrane pores resulting in fouling and concentration polarization. These phenomena cause a decreased efficiency of the process, which leads to the need for the membrane to be replaced with a new one. However, ceramic membranes have the possibility of being regenerated through a series of activities and the use of various chemical agents. The use of regenerated membranes would provide the opportunity to reduce exploitation costs. Although membrane regeneration does not guarantee a return to the initial parameters, it does allow for the recovery of high permeation flow. The aim of the research was to compare operating parameters of the ceramic membranes after multiple use and longtime storage with different condition of storage.

Organic farming is an alternative method for dynamic agricultural system. Products that are obtained from organic farming are referred to as ecological or organic food [1]. These include products of animal origin that come from organic farming [2]. In the case of animal production in organic farming there are particular requirements for breed, animal welfare and feeding. Additionally, the origins of animals is also of crucial importance since, basically, such animals should be purchased from organic farms. However, there can be exceptions to this requirement, for instance, if the number of animals of a particular species or of a specific breed is not sufficient [3]. The main idea behind organic production is obtaining plant or animal products maintaining good soil structure, clean water and adjusting to the natural rhythm of nature. Enhancement of the social status has led to the situation where consumers pay more attention to the quality and origins of the products they choose. Numerous scientific papers from recent years, based on consumer’s opinion, show substantial impact of welfare system on the quality of animal products. Since ‘90s there has been a systematic surge of interest in products from ecological systems and demand for these, which in turn affect the development of this agricultural sector. The aim of the work is to compare the changes in organic production over the last 26 years in Poland with reference to the situation in Europe and whole globe. The research has been done on the basis of statistics since 1990 up till now as well as on scientific studies. Nowadays, there are increasing numbers of farms and redirections of production, as well as changes in the sizes of farms producing organic food.

This paper outlines the recent studies on the application of photocatalysis using semiconductors, with modified titanium dioxide (TiO2) in the process of reducing chemical contamination of surface and ground waters. During the last forty years, an increasing interest in catalysts of this type is noticeable. Hence, a wide range of methods of TiO2 modifications have been proposed so far by using its various polymorphs, composites with metals and non-metals and polymer-coatings or impregnating it with dyes that effectively absorb sunlight.

Research about exploitation the potential of waste and sludge increased drastically in the recent years. One of the most promising alternative methods of waste management is Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC), which generate clean bio-electricity using microorganisms. Organic compounds, sewage, municipal solid waste could be used as a source for microbial nutrition. The construction of MFC is one of the most important parameter in laboratory studies and during scale-up. The efficiency of MFC depends on many factors including type of membrane. To obtain optimization in terms of various operating conditions, a prototype of Microbial Fuel Cell with exchangeable membrane was projected and fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM) technology. This novel device allows to research effects of different types of separator membranes. Preliminary research showed possibility to produce 3D printed MFC systems.

This paper is devoted to experimental and numerical studies of heat distribution in an external building bulkhead. It analyzes the variation of temperature across the width of the bulkheads including the impact of changing external conditions. Mathematical model used in the research is formulated based on a fractional differential equation, which was proven to be a useful tool for describing this type of process in previous paper. Numerical results are compared with experiment data for different bulkhead configurations.

The drying process is one of the most important stages in the production of building materials. The choice of the drying method affects the chemical and physical properties of the final product. The aim of this research is to measure and analyze the dynamic changes of internal pressure in non-shrinking, porous material during convective drying. In this work the problem will be discussed with special attention to the behavior of rewetted plaster. A commercial gypsum of company PIOTROWICE II (Alpol brand), typically used in construction and decorative plastering was applied. Gypsum was mixed with water in recommended proportion of 0.6 water/gypsum and drying experiments were performed at 50°C. The changes in sample overall mass as well as pressure and material temperature on the midpoint of sample axis were monitored. On the basis of the obtained experimental data of axial pressure, it is possible to perform a more detailed analysis of mass and heat transfer mechanisms than based on the drying kinetics alone. The pressure trends in the sample allow one to determine the moment of transition from the first to the second drying period, without the need to determine the kinetics of drying. The element of novelty consists of using a direct internal pressure measurement to provide information on the variation of the actual drying rate and mass transfer mechanisms.

Synthetic food dyes (E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E132, E133) were concentrated by solid phase extraction on aminopropyl modified silica with aqueous sodium hydroxide or selected amines as eluents. Ponceau 4R (E124) was used as the model dye in the studies of the elution step. The recoveries of E124 differed depending on the eluent and ranged from 76% (AMP) to over 90% (TEA, imidazole, NaOH). Diluted aqueous triethanolamine (TEA) was found to be a suitable eluent for E124 but other dyes were eluted more effectively with NaOH. The solid extraction process was combined with UV/VIS spectroscopy to quantify synthetic dyes in drinks and OTC pharmaceutical tablets. The SPE-UV/VIS spectroscopic method was validated in terms of linearity, accuracy (recovery of dyes from spiked preparations), precision (repeatability, intermediate precision) and limits of detection/quantification. The method was found sufficiently fast, easy and reliable for the routine control of dyes in these types of products.