An alternative, green method was used to develop chitin-based biocomposite (ChHA) materials by an integrated strategy using ionic liquids, supercritical fluid drying, and salt leaching. ChHA matrices were produced by dissolving chitin in 1-butyl-methylimidazolium acetate along with salt and/or hydroxyapatite particles and then subsequent drying. The ChHA composite formed had a heterogeneous porous microstructure with 65{%}-85{%} porosity and pore sizes in the range of 100-300 $μ$m. The hydroxyapatite was found to be well distributed within the composite structures and had a positive effect in the viability and proliferation of osteoblast-like cells, in vitro. Our findings indicate that these ChHA matrices have potential applications in bone tissue engineering. © The Author(s) 2013.

Electrical Protective Devices are key elements in the electrical network. Their purpose is to perform fault detection in electric power systems, by analysing power system voltages and currents. In order to achieve a more centralized control, protective devices can be connected using Web Services through a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) approach. This work targets planning and specification of a mapping between Abstract Communication Service Interface (ACSI) Reporting and Device Profile for Web Services (DPWS) Eventing to achieve a better protective electrical devices control, obtaining an event based alert software system, replacing conventional polling-based systems.