A Gram-negative, non-spore-forming bacterial strain with the ability to solubilize highly insoluble phosphatic minerals was isolated from a high-phosphorous iron ore from Minas Gerais State, Brazil. This strain, designated FeGl01^T, was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that it formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage within the genus Burkholderia together with several other species of the genus, e.g. Burkholderia sacchari, Burkholderia tropica and Burkholderia unamae. Partial nucleotide sequencing and analysis of the recA gene roughly corroborated the phylogenetic position of strain FeGl01^T within the genus Burkholderia. The chemotaxonomic properties of strain FeGl01^T, such as ubiquinone Q-8 as the predominant quinone system and C_16 : 0, C_17 : 0 cyclo, C_18 : 1 ω7c and C_19 : 0 ω8c cyclo as the major fatty acids, were also consistent with its classification within the genus Burkholderia. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments between strain FeGl01^T and the type strains of B. unamae, B. sacchari and B. tropica yielded reassociation values of 40 % or lower, which, together with qualitative and quantitative differences in fatty acid composition and with differences in several phenotypic traits, support the separation of the new isolate from the phylogenetically most closely related species. Therefore, it is suggested that strain FeGl01^T represents a novel species of the genus Burkholderia, for which the name Burkholderia ferrariae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FeGl01^T (=LMG 23612^T=CECT 7171^T=DSM 18251^T).

The present work shows the analysis of a sandblasting process using alumina abrasive particles on Ti-6Al-4V surfaces. The metallic samples were first characterized by optical microscopy (OM), revealing an α+β microstructure with a Widmanstätten morphology. Topography of the samples was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), before and after sandblasting. The Al 2 O 3 particles used had a granulometric distribution between 420 and 850 µm, with a median particle size (d50) of 670 µm, which decreased to 420 µm after sandblasting for 10 seconds. This change in the size of the particles generated a loss on particle kinetic energy by a factor of 3.5. Such variation on processing conditions induced a progressive increase on average roughness (Ra) of the Ti-6Al-4V surfaces, until the first 7 seconds were reached. From that point on, a reverse process was observed, exerting a polishing effect on the surface of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy.

Rechargeable Ni-MH batteries contain strategic metal values which are worth to be recovered. In the present work, a preliminary sequential chemical and electrochemical procedure is proposed, in order to reclaim materials bearing Ni, Co and rare earth elements (REE) from Ni-MH spent batteries. Initially, spent batteries are disassembled to separate the electrode materials (anode and cathode), which are then leached with an aqueous solution of 5w% sulphuric acid. The metal content of this solution is checked by atomic absorption spectrometry techniques. The obtained solution is pH-adjusted (with NaOH), until pH is between 4.0 and 4.3; then, it is heated up to 70ºC to precipitate a rare earth elements sulphate (Nd, La, Pr, Ce), as determined by means of x-ray fluorescence techniques. The solids-free solution is then electrolyzed, in order to recover a Ni-Co alloy. The electrolysis conditions were established through a cyclic voltammetry technique.