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The comprehensive identification of secondary metabolites represents a fundamental step for the assessment of bioactivities and pharmacological properties of traditional herbal drugs. Rumex usambarensis (Dammer) Dammer has been described as a multipurpose remedy in different African traditional pharmacopoeias, but its phytochemical profile has not been properly investigated. Herein we report a high throughput metabolomic screening, based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-travelling wave ion mobility spectrometry quadrupole time-of-flight (UHPLC-TWINS-QTOF), which was performed for the first time on different R. usambarensis plant parts. By applying high-resolution mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and chemometric analysis, a complete discrimination of different aerial parts was obtained, with the annotation of 153 significant metabolites in leaves, stems, and flowers, suggesting an easy authentication and discrimination route. Phytochemical data were correlated to antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Flavonoids, benzopyranes, chromones, and xanthones derivatives, along with a richer phytocomplex, might be responsible for the stronger bioactivities obtained from flowers.

This master’s thesis was enabled thanks to the cooperation between BBT-SE, the project company appointed to design and build the Brenner Base Tunnel, and the University of Bologna. The thesis discusses the design and installation of an innovate geoexchanger that exploits geothermal energy through drainage water. Although the Brenner Base Tunnel has been the object of extensive research related to the geothermal resource, its indirect exploitation has never been investigated before by in-field tests on the Italian side of the BBT. For this purpose, the Smart Flowing prototype was proposed: it consists in a horizontal closed-loop system located into the central drain system formed by the invert elements of the lining. The major challenges faced during the prototype’s implementation were connected to the exploratory tunnel's specific geometry and the strict workflow of the Tunnel Boring Machine advance. In fact, the Smart Flowing layout was designed to adapt itself to the elements of the underground infrastructure and an efficient installation sequence was set up to avoid hindrances to the excavation activities. The prototype was subjected to field investigations together with a water circulation test, which provided the basis for the system’s boundary conditions. The modelling was addressed through an analytic formulation that aimed at quantifying the exploitable power in heating and cooling modes. Furthermore, a parametric analysis was developed to predict the heat output possible results based on the boundary conditions change. A testing and monitoring system was defined to simulate the Smart Flowing’s operation and evaluate the heat exchange performance. The positioning of the system was studied to find a suitable location that could comply with the exploratory tunnel's space requirements. Finally, the total costs of the materials and workforce needed to manufacture and install the prototype were compared to the costs of standard geothermal heat exchangers.

This master’s thesis was enabled thanks to the cooperation between BBT-SE, the project company appointed to design and build the Brenner Base Tunnel, and the University of Bologna. The thesis discusses the design and installation of an innovate geoexchanger that exploits geothermal energy through drainage water. Although the Brenner Base Tunnel has been the object of extensive research related to the geothermal resource, its indirect exploitation has never been investigated before by in-field tests on the Italian side of the BBT. For this purpose, the Smart Flowing prototype was proposed: it consists in a horizontal closed-loop system located into the central drain system formed by the invert elements of the lining. The major challenges faced during the prototype’s implementation were connected to the exploratory tunnel's specific geometry and the strict workflow of the Tunnel Boring Machine advance. In fact, the Smart Flowing layout was designed to adapt itself to the elements of the underground infrastructure and an efficient installation sequence was set up to avoid hindrances to the excavation activities. The prototype was subjected to field investigations together with a water circulation test, which provided the basis for the system’s boundary conditions. The modelling was addressed through an analytic formulation that aimed at quantifying the exploitable power in heating and cooling modes. Furthermore, a parametric analysis was developed to predict the heat output possible results based on the boundary conditions change. A testing and monitoring system was defined to simulate the Smart Flowing’s operation and evaluate the heat exchange performance. The positioning of the system was studied to find a suitable location that could comply with the exploratory tunnel's space requirements. Finally, the total costs of the materials and workforce needed to manufacture and install the prototype were compared to the costs of standard geothermal heat exchangers.