http://hdl.handle.net/10174/995 2026-06-09T21:35:42Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42146 Title: Advancing inclusive mentorship and psychology in entrepreneurship Authors: Virga, Giuseppe; Gomes, Joao; Guerreiro, Luis Editors: Alavi, Macie Abstract: The AIM (Advancing Inclusive Mentorship Programs for Higher Education Level) project was designed to address the underrepresentation of diverse groups in entrepreneurship by promoting inclusive mentorship practices across various industries. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the project’s key activities and results, including the development of tailored mentoring programs, the implementation of surveys to assess mentorship experiences, webinars and the outcomes of a broad Mentorship Program. Out of 114 participants, the results demonstrate the positive impact of inclusive mentorship on mentees’ entrepreneurial journeys, highlighting improvements in skill development, confidence, and access to resources. The study also identifies best practices for mentors and organizations to support diverse entrepreneurs effectively. These findings contribute to the growing body of research on diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship, offering practical recommendations for enhancing mentorship programs globally. 2025-03-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42142 Title: Monitoring and assessment of the thermomechanical performance of a concrete layer section of a thermocline tank Authors: Lucio-Martin, Tamara; Grandal, Tania; Roig-Flores, Marta; Villardon, Rafael; Guerreiro, Luis Editors: Cabeza, Luisa F. Abstract: In previous research, a hybrid steel-concrete tank section for Thermal Energy Storage (TES) was built and operated as a thermocline tank, indicating that the concrete section demonstrated its suitability and good thermal response under repetitive thermal fatigue cycles. In this investigation, the effect of the high temperature in the Calcium Aluminate Cement concrete (CAC) layer has been analysed in detail for the preconditioning, commissioning, during thermal fatigue operation and after the thermal cycling. For that purpose, 2 different types of instrumentation were used for the monitoring of thermal and mechanical response: conventional thermocouples and innovative Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors to measure both temperature and strain at high temperatures continuously. Besides, a protocol for monitoring the commissioning and operation of the concrete tank the electrical resistance (ER) of the CAC layer at high temperatures was measured to control the drying process. Moreover, some visual and physicochemical tests were carried out after the thermal performance to evaluate the effect of the heat across the concrete layer. The findings showed that the used of CAC concrete withstands the heating and cooling cycles between 200 and 500 °C and the appropriateness of using FBG sensors has been fully demonstrated. The measure of the ER is a useful tool for following the drying process and temperature cycling operation. 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42139 Title: Impact of Mechanical Arc Oscillation on the Microstructure and Durability of Welded Joints in Molten Salt Thermal Storage System Authors: Pastén, Raul; Henríquez, Mauro; Reinoso-Burrows, Juan; Fuentealba, Edward; Guerreiro, Luis Editors: Shinichi, Tashiro Abstract: The two-tank molten salt thermal storage system is the most common storage solution in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. Solar salt (60% NaNO3 + 40% KNO3) is the most widely used energy storage material in solar thermal plants. In solar tower technology, where the molten salts must operate at temperatures ranging from 290 °C to 565 °C, several issues related to tank failures have emerged in recent years, with some of these failures attributed to the welding process. The welding process of joints in 316L stainless steel (ASS) probes exposed to a moving flow of a binary mixture containing 60% NaNO3 and 40% KNO3 (solar salt) is analysed. The results were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at 120, 500, 1000, 1500, and 2300 h of exposure. It was identified that arc mechanical oscillations significantly improve the microstructural properties and geometrical characteristics of welded joints, reducing structural defects and improving corrosion resistance. The technique promotes uniform thermal distribution, refined dendrite morphology, and homogeneous alloying element distribution, resulting in lower mass loss in high-temperature molten salt environments. Additionally, oscillation welding optimises the bead geometry, with reduced wetting angles and controlled penetration, making it ideal for high-precision industrial applications and extreme environments, such as molten salt thermal storage systems. 2025-03-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42136 Title: Cellular Automaton Simulation of Corrosion in 347H Steel Exposed to Molten Solar Salt at Pilot-Plant Scale Authors: Reinoso-Burrows, Juan; Fuentealba, Edward; Henríquez, Mauro; Cortés-Carmona, Marcelo; Guerreiro, Luis Editors: Chang-Hwan, Choi Abstract: The fast-paced depletion of fossil fuels and environmental concerns have intensified interest in renewable energies, with dispatchable solar energy emerging as a key alternative. Concentrated solar power (CSP) technology, utilizing thermal energy storage (TES) systems with molten salts at 560 °C, offers significant potential for large-scale energy generation. However, these extreme conditions pose challenges related to material corrosion, which is critical for maintaining the efficiency and lifespan of CSP. This research modeled the corrosion process of 347H stainless steel in molten solar salt (60% NaNO3 + 40% KNO3) melted at 400 °C using a cellular automaton (CA) algorithm. The CA model simulated oxide growth under pilot-plant conditions in a lattice of 400 × 400 cells. SEM-EDS imaging compared the model with a mean squared error of 2%, corresponding to a corrosion layer of 4.25 µm after 168 h. The simulation applied von Neumann and Margolus neighborhoods for the ion movement and reaction rules, achieving a cell size of 0.125 µm and 10.08 s per iteration. This study demonstrates the CA model’s effectiveness in replicating corrosion processes, offering a tool to optimize material performance in CSP systems. Additionally, continuing this investigation could contribute to the development of industrial applications, enabling the design of preventive strategies for large-scale operations. 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z