TY - CONF A1 - Unger, R. T1 - Experimentally calibrated modeling technique for the cross linking mechanism of epoxy resin and its influence on mechanical properties N2 - Epoxy resins are one of the first choices for structural adhesives and are widely used in combination with fibers as fiber reinforced plastics (FRP). The mechanical properties are the result of the complex chemical network structure that is generated by the thermally catalyzed cross linking reaction. Numerical simulations on the atomistic length scale are appropriate tools to understand and improve the mechanical properties and its mechanisms of epoxy resins. This leads to the necessity of a model generation procedure that covers the characteristic cross linking mechanisms of epoxy resins and is able to generate a realistic representation of the network structure. Research in the field of Molecular Dynamic based curing kinematics of polymers has led to cross linking procedures that are based on the main chemical curing reaction and can produce models, whose mechanical properties are in agreement with experimental values. Nevertheless an assessment of the realism of these cross linking procedures is difficult, since various complex aspects, such as the influence of the activator molecules or catalyzing chemical reactions may be important, but are hard to characterize. By using the method of in situ near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) the time and temperature evolution of the reactive groups, epoxy and either amine or anhydrite curing groups, can be measured. It has been shown that this method is well suited for analyzing the curing process and to characterize the fully hardened epoxy resin. Thus NIR measurements of the cross linking kinetics of epoxy resins give a valuable insight in the curing process that can be used to calibrate and assess numerical approaches of the cross linking procedure. A modeling technique for the curing kinematics of epoxy resins is presented, that is able to realistically represent the cross linking mechanism and generate simulation models with characteristics in good agreement with experimentally analyzed cured epoxy resins. This is achieved by calibrating the cross linking parameters and is shown by a comparison of both, the cross linking procedure and the resulting network structure, with experimental results of NIR measurements. The modeling approach is incorporated in the Molecular Dynamic Finite Element Method (MDFEM) framework and implements a step by step molecular network build-up. This allows to perform MDFEM equilibrium iterations during the curing procedure in order to create realistic and well equilibrated simulation models. Furthermore MDFEM simulations of tensile tests are presented to evaluate the influence of the network structure on the elastic mechanical properties. These numerical tests also illustrate the need for accurate models when deriving material properties from atomistic length scale simulations. T2 - ICCS 20 CY - Paris, France DA - 04.09.2017 KW - Epoxy resin KW - NIR spectroscopy KW - Mechanics PY - 2017 AN - OPUS4-42416 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kasper, J. A1 - Herrmanns, M.I. A1 - Bantz, C. A1 - Utech, S. A1 - Koshkina, Olga A1 - Maskos, Michael A1 - Brochhausen, C. A1 - Pohl, C. A1 - Fuchs, S. A1 - Unger, R. E. A1 - Kirkpatrick, C.J. T1 - Flotillin-involved uptake of silica nanoparticles and responses of an alveolar-capillary barrier in vitro N2 - Drug and gene delivery via nanoparticles across biological barriers such as the alveolar-capillary barrier of the lung constitutes an interesting and increasingly relevant field in nanomedicine. Nevertheless, potential hazardous effects of nanoparticles (NPs) as well as their cellular and systemic fate should be thoroughly examined. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of amorphous silica NPs (Sicastar) and (poly)organosiloxane NPs (AmOrSil) on the viability and the inflammatory response as well as on the cellular uptake mechanisms and fate in cells of the alveolar barrier. For this purpose, the alveolar epithelial cell line (NCI H441) and microvascular endothelial cell line (ISO-HAS-1) were used in an experimental set up resembling the alveolar-capillary barrier of the lung. In terms of IL-8 and sICAM Sicastar resulted in harmful effects at higher concentrations (60 µg/ml) in conventional monocultures but not in the coculture, whereas AmOrSil showed no significant effects. Immunofluorescence counterstaining of endosomal structures in NP-incubated cells showed no evidence for a clathrin- or caveolae-mediated uptake mechanism. However, NPs were enclosed in flotillin-1 and -2 marked vesicles in both cell types. Flotillins appear to play a role in cellular uptake or trafficking mechanisms of NPs and are discussed as indicators for clathrin- or caveolae-independent uptake mechanisms. In addition, we examined the transport of NPs across this in vitro model of the alveolar-capillary barrier forming a tight barrier with a transepithelial electrical resistance of 560 ± 8 Ω cm². H441 in coculture with endothelial cells took up much less NPs compared to monocultures. Moreover, coculturing prevented the transport of NP from the epithelial compartment to the endothelial layer on the bottom of the filter insert. This supports the relevance of coculture models, which favour a differentiated and polarised epithelial layer as in vitro test systems for nanoparticle uptake. KW - Silica nanoparticles KW - Alveolar-capillary barrier KW - NP uptake KW - NP-transport KW - Endocytosis KW - Flotillin-1/-2-dependent uptake/trafficking PY - 2013 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2012.10.011 SN - 0939-6411 SN - 1873-3441 VL - 84 IS - 2 SP - 275 EP - 287 PB - Elsevier B.V. CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-28841 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Unger, R. A1 - Braun, Ulrike A1 - Fankhänel, J. A1 - Daum, B. A1 - Arash, B. A1 - Rolfes, R. T1 - Molecular modelling of epoxy resin crosslinking experimentally validated by near-infrared spectroscopy N2 - Reliable simulation of polymers on an atomistic length scale requires a realistic representation of the cured material. A molecular modelling method for the curing of epoxy systems is presented, which is developed with respect to efficiency while maintaining a well equilibrated system. The main criterion for bond formation is the distance between reactive groups and no specific reaction probability is prescribed. The molecular modelling is studied for three different mixing ratios with respect to the curing evolution of reactive Groups and the final curing stage. For the first time, the evolution of reactive groups during the curing process predicted by the molecular modelling is validated with near-infrared spectroscopy data, showing a good agreement between simulation results and experimental measurements. With the proposed method, deeper insights into the curing mechanism of epoxy systems can be gained and it allows us to provide reliable input data for molecular Dynamics simulations of material properties. KW - Epoxy KW - NIR spectroscopy KW - Modelling PY - 2019 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.commatsci.2019.01.054 SN - 0927-0256 VL - 161 SP - 223 EP - 235 PB - Elsevier AN - OPUS4-47431 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kasper, J. A1 - Hermanns, M. A1 - Bantz, C. A1 - Maskos, Michael A1 - Stauber, R. A1 - Pohl, C. A1 - Unger, R. E. A1 - Kirkpatrick, J.C. T1 - Inflammatory and cytotoxic responses of an alveolar-capillary coculture model to silica nanoparticles: comparison with conventional monocultures N2 - To date silica nanoparticles (SNPs) play an important role in modern technology and nanomedicine. SNPs are present in various materials (tyres, electrical and thermal insulation material, photovoltaic facilities). They are also used in products that are directly exposed to humans such as cosmetics or toothpaste. For that reason it is of great concern to evaluate the possible hazards of these engineered particles for human health. Attention should primarily be focussed on SNP effects on biological barriers. Accidentally released SNP could, for example, encounter the alveolar-capillary barrier by inhalation. In this study we examined the inflammatory and cytotoxic responses of monodisperse amorphous silica nanoparticles (aSNPs) of 30 nm in size on an in vitro coculture model mimicking the alveolar-capillary barrier and compared these to conventional monocultures. Methods Thus, the epithelial cell line, H441, and the endothelial cell line, ISO-HAS-1, were used in monoculture and in coculture on opposite sides of a filter membrane. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by the MTS assay, detection of membrane integrity (LDH release), and TER (Transepithelial Electrical Resistance) measurement. Additionally, parameters of inflammation (sICAM-1, IL-6 and IL-8 release) and apoptosis markers were investigated. Results Regarding toxic effects (viability, membrane integrity, TER) the coculture model was less sensitive to apical aSNP exposure than the conventional monocultures of the appropriate cells. On the other hand, the in vitro coculture model responded with the release of inflammatory markers in a much more sensitive fashion than the conventional monoculture. At concentrations that were 10-100fold less than the toxic concentrations the apically exposed coculture showed a release of IL-6 and IL-8 to the basolateral side. This may mimic the early inflammatory events that take place in the pulmonary alveoli after aSNP inhalation. Furthermore, a number of apoptosis markers belonging to the intrinsic pathway were upregulated in the coculture following aSNP treatment. Analysis of the individual markers indicated that the cells suffered from DNA damage, hypoxia and ER-stress. Conclusion We present evidence that our in vitro coculture model of the alveolar-capillary barrier is clearly advantageous compared to conventional monocultures in evaluating the extent of damage caused by hazardous material encountering the principle biological barrier in the lower respiratory tract. KW - Silica nanoparticles KW - Alveolar-capillary coculture model KW - Cytotoxicity PY - 2011 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-254217 DO - https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-8977-8-6 SN - 1743-8977 VL - 8 IS - 6 SP - 1 EP - 16(?) PB - BioMed Central CY - London AN - OPUS4-25421 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kasper, J. A1 - Hermanns, M.I. A1 - Bantz, C. A1 - Koshkina, Olga A1 - Lang, Thomas A1 - Maskos, Michael A1 - Pohl, C. A1 - Unger, R. E. A1 - Kirkpatrick, C.J. T1 - Interactions of silica nanoparticles with lung epithelial cells and the association to flotillins N2 - Amorphous silica nanoparticles (aSNPs) gain increasing popularity for industrial and therapeutic claims. The lung with its surface area of 1006#8211;140 m² displays an ideal target for therapeutic approaches, but it represents also a serious area of attack for harmful nanomaterials. The exact nature of the cytotoxic effects of NPs is still unknown. Furthermore, cellular pathways and the destiny of internalized NPs are still poorly understood. Therefore, we examined the cytotoxicity (MTS, LDH) and inflammatory responses (IL-8) for different-sized aSNPs (30, 70, 300 nm) on our lung epithelial cells line NCI H441 and endothelial cell line ISO-HAS-1. Additionally, colocalization studies have been conducted via immunofluorescence staining for flotillin-1- and flotillin-2-bearing endocytic vesicles. Subsequently, the relevance of flotillins concerning the viability of aSNP-exposed epithelial cells has been evaluated using flotillin-1/2 depleted cells (siRNA). This study reveals the relevance of the nanoparticle size regarding cytotoxicity (MTS, LDH) and inflammatory responses (IL-8), whereat the smaller the size of the nanoparticle is, the more harmful are the effects. All different aSNP sizes have been incorporated in flotillin-1- and flotillin-2-labelled vesicles in lung epithelial and endothelial cells, which display a marker for late endosomal or lysosomal structures and appear to exhibit a clathrin- or caveolae-independent mode of endocytosis. Flotillin-depleted H441 showed a clearly decreased uptake of aSNPs. Additionally, the viability of aSNP-exposed cells was reduced in these cells. These findings indicate a contribution of flotillins in as yet unknown (clathrin or caveolae-independent) endocytosis mechanisms and (or) endosomal storage. KW - Silica nanoparticles KW - Alveolar-capillary barrier KW - Lung epithelial cells KW - Endothelial cells KW - Endocytosis KW - Flotillin-1 KW - Flotillin-2 KW - Cytotoxicity KW - Inflammatory response PY - 2012 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-012-0876-5 SN - 0340-5761 SN - 1432-0738 SP - 1 EP - 13 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ; Heidelberg [u.a.] AN - OPUS4-26195 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Opitz, P. A1 - Besch, L. A1 - Panthöfer, M. A1 - Kabelitz, Anke A1 - Unger, R. A1 - Emmerling, Franziska A1 - Mondeshki, M. A1 - Tremel, W. T1 - Insights into the In Vitro Formation of Apatite from Mg‐Stabilized Amorphous Calcium Carbonate N2 - A protein‐free formation of bone‐like apatite from amorphous precursors through ball‐milling is reported. Mg2+ ions are crucial to achieve full amorphization of CaCO3. Mg2+ incorporation generates defects which strongly retard a recrystallization of ball‐milled Mg‐doped amorphous calcium carbonate (BM‐aMCC), which promotes the growth of osteoblastic and endothelial cells in simulated body fluid and has no effect on endothelial cell gene expression. Ex situ snapshots of the processes revealed the reaction mechanisms. For low Mg contents (<30%) a two phase system consisting of Mg‐doped amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) and calcite “impurities” was formed. For high (>40%) Mg2+ contents, BM‐aMCC follows a different crystallization path via magnesian calcite and monohydrocalcite to aragonite. While pure ACC crystallizes rapidly to calcite in aqueous media, Mg‐doped ACC forms in the presence of phosphate ions bone‐like hydroxycarbonate apatite (dahllite), a carbonate apatite with carbonate substitution in both type A (OH−) and type B (PO43−) sites, which grows on calcite “impurities” via heterogeneous nucleation. This process produces an endotoxin‐free material and makes BM‐aMCC an excellent “ion storage buffer” that promotes cell growth by stimulating cell viability and metabolism with promising applications in the treatment of bone defects and bone degenerative diseases. KW - Total Scattering KW - XRD KW - Mechanochemistry PY - 2020 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202007830 VL - 31 IS - 3 SP - 7830 PB - Wiley VHC-Verlag AN - OPUS4-51761 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -