The objective of this research is to characterise the material poly lactic acid (PLA), printed by fused deposition modelling (FDM) technology, under three loading conditions—tension, compression and bending—in order to get data that will allow to simulate structural components. In the absence of specific standards for materials manufactured in FDM technology, characterisation is carried out based on ASTM International standards D638, D695 and D790, respectively. Samples manufactured with the same printing parameters have been built and tested; and the tensile, compressive and flexural properties have been determined. The influences of the cross-sectional shape and the specimen length on the strength and elastic modulus of compression are addressed. By analysing the mechanical properties obtained in this way, the conclusion is that they are different, are not coherent with each other, and do not reflect the bimodular nature (different behaviour of material in tension and compression) of this material. A finite element (FE) model is used to verify these differences, including geometric non-linearity, to realistically reproduce conditions during physical tests. The main conclusion is that the test methods currently used do not guarantee a coherent set of mechanical properties useful for numerical simulation, which highlights the need to define new characterisation methods better adapted to the behaviour of FDM-printed PLA.

Intensive porcine livestock production generates approximately 15 million cubic meters of slurry annually, exerting significant environmental pressure on groundwater and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The AEROFER project aims to mitigate this impact by demonstrating the conversion of nitrogen-rich waste into liquid fertilizers for soilless cultivation. Using an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled aeroponic platform controlled by an ESP32 microcontroller, this study evaluated filtration (40 microns) and ozone-based stabilization (N-Amatic technology). Three lettuce varieties (Lactuca sativa L.)—Longifolia (Romaine lettuce), Capitata (Butterhead lettuce), and Capitata (Red leaf lettuce)—were grown to compare Filtered Slurry (FS) and Filtered–Ozonated Slurry (FOS) against a mineral control standard solution (SS). The results indicate that ozone treatment eliminated detectable E. coli and coliforms while increasing the phosphorus availability by 78% (from 30.9 to 55 mg/L), despite an 11% reduction in the potassium content (from 180 to 160 mg/L). Agronomic data reveal variety-specific responses, and mass balance analysis shows that the solutions are potassium-deficient, meeting only 32–64% of crop needs. In conclusion, while aeroponics is a viable tool for nutrient recovery and requires targeted mineral supplementation to achieve full parity with commercial fertilizers, it satisfies a substantial proportion of plant nutritional requirements. Consequently, it represents a sustainable approach to food production through waste recycling, contributing to a circular economy in the pig industry without apparent sanitary risks.

The Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) surgical technique is used in veterinary surgery to limit cranial tibial translation during canine gait, lengthening the lever arm of the quadriceps in Anterior Cruciate Ligament-deficient (ACL-deficient) stifle joints. It is know that after TTA, the patellofemoral pressure decreases, but the Patellar Tendon (PT) behavior has not been observed experimentally yet. This study measures the PT force under caudal femoral drawer at knee flexion angles from 135° to 90° in intact and pathological knee to asses the effect of TTA on the tendon. Five fresh cadaveric adult canine stifle joint were tested in an apparatus in which muscle forces of the canine hind limb were simulated. Each knee was tested in three different conditions: intact, ACL-deficient and with TTA. PT force was measured using a electrical transducer. The greater the joint flexion angles, the greater the PT force. The knee average force of the five specimens in 90º flexion were 28.4 ± 3.2 Newtons (N) for the intact, 28.2 ± 3.4 N for the ACL-deficient and 24.9 ± 2 N for the TTA knee, which decreased compared to the healthy knee, so TTA generates a loosening of the PT force. The PT force showed a fast rate of change in the operated knee because of a shift in the pattern of knee flexion, so the biomechanics of the entire joint could be influenced by the TTA technique.

Intensive porcine livestock production generates approximately 15 million cubic meters of slurry annually, exerting significant environmental pressure on groundwater and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The AEROFER project aims to mitigate this impact by demonstrating the conversion of nitrogen-rich waste into liquid fertilizers for soilless cultivation. Using an IoT-enabled aeroponic platform controlled by an ESP32 microcontroller, this study evaluated filtration (40-micron) and ozone-based stabilization (N-Amatic technology). Three lettuce varieties (Lactuca sativa L.)—longifolia (romaine lettuce), capitata (butterhead lettuce), and capitata (red leaf lettuce)—were grown to compare Filtered Slurry (FS) and Filtered-Ozonated Slurry (FOS) against a mineral control standard solution (SS). Results indicate that ozone treatment significantly reduces pathogenic load and odor while enhancing phosphorus availability, though it induces a slight reduction in potassium content. Agronomic data reveal variety-specific responses, and mass balance analysis shows the solutions are potassium-deficient, meeting only 32–64% of crop needs. In conclusion, while aeroponics is a viable tool for nutrient recovery and requires targeted mineral supplementation to achieve full parity with commercial fertilizers, it satisfies a substantial proportion of plant nutritional requirements. Consequently, it represents a sustainable approach to food production through waste recycling, contributing to a circular economy in the pig industry without apparent sanitary risks.