The use of adequate thermal energy storage (TES) systems is an efficient way to achieve thermal comfort in buildings reducing the cooling and heating demand. Besides, deploy phase change materials (PCM) to meet and enhance the TES needs is highly effective and widely studied. In this paper, a study of the degradation of two fatty acids is presented, capric and myristic acids, in order to evaluate whether their thermo-physical properties are affected throughout time during service. This was carried out by means of two different types of thermal treatments: degradation at constant temperature (thermal stability test), 60 °C during 100 h and 500 h, and degradation with heating and cooling cycling (thermal cycling stability), between a temperature range from 15 °C to 70 °C with 0.5 °C/min ramp during 500 and 1000 cycles. Despite no significant changes were measured for myristic acid, experimental results revealed a decrease of melting enthalpy of 6.6% in capric acid thermally treated for 500 h. Evidences of chemical degradation were found that might explain the decrease in thermophysical properties during use.

Mask image projection based on stereolithography is an additive manufactured technology based on a Frontal Photopolymerization Process. Therefore, photocurable resins are used to build-up parts layer by layer. In this paper, alumina particles have been used as a reinforcement filler in order to improve the material stress-strain behaviour. In addition, the increment of the photoconversion ratio is a key factor to enhance the mechanical properties. Consequently, a numerical model has been used to determine the optimal printing parameters to enhance the elastic mechanical properties of printed parts according to the characteristics of photocurable materials. Stable and homogeneous reinforced materials have been obtained with an alumina content ranging from 5 to 15 wt%. Furthermore, the compression behaviour of reinforced materials has been analysed by means of experimental tests. The results show an enhancement of mechanical properties after the addition of reinforcement fillers, obtaining a maximum improvement in 10 wt% of solid load content. Finally, the influence of the sample’s orientation on the construction platform has been discussed.

The degrees of the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Barcelona have implemented a quality management system (QMS) (Real Decreto 1393/2007, Real Decreto 861/2010). One of the common subjects taught in formative period of students is Quality and Prevention. The competences that the students must acquire are knowing the QMS and the basis of certification and accreditation. They must also have skills to plan and propose actions to ensure quality and to prepare documentation of a quality management system, among others. The aim of the work is the execution of internal audits carried out by students to analyze the degree of skills and competences obtained by the auditors throughout the course Quality and Prevention.