TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Competence Center nano@BAM Welcomes ISO/TC 229 Meeting in Berlin N2 - The Competence Center nano@BAM is presented. Examples directly related to the activities of the ISO Technical Committee TC 229 Nanotechnologies as well as BAM projects on nano reference measurement procedures, nano reference materials and nano reference data sets are showed. T2 - The 32nd ISO/TC 229 IEC/TC 113 JWG2 General Meeting CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 06.11.2023 KW - ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies KW - Nanoparticles KW - Nano@BAM KW - Reference materials KW - Reference data KW - Reference procedures PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58814 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan A1 - Feltin, N. T1 - Hybrid metrology for microscopy of nanoparticles N2 - This presentation is structured in two parts: i) Hybrid metrology by combining SEM with AFM (N. Feltin) and ii) hybridization and corelative microscopy by SEM, STEM-in-SEM, TEM, EDS, Auger Electron Microscopy, TKD and more (D. Hodoroaba). The first part is focused on the metrological part of the hybrid measurement SEM-AFM, the second part offers some further possibilities of correlative microscopy of nanoparticles based on practical examples. T2 - EMPIR nPSize Training Course "Metrology for Measurement of Nanoparticle Size by Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy" CY - Online meeting DA - 27.10.2020 KW - Nanoparticles KW - SEM KW - AFM KW - Metrology KW - Particle size distribution KW - Correlative imaging KW - STEM-in-SEM (TSEM) PY - 2020 AN - OPUS4-51476 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Quantitative Microstructural Analaysis under VAMAS/TWA 37 N2 - The progress in activities on Microbeam Analysis under VAMAS/TWA 37 is reviewed. Particularly the liaison with the new projects within the ISO technical committee TC 202 is presented and discussed with respect to the possibility of identifying and launching related VAMAS projects. Need of more promotion for the engagement of more participants from industry and academia at national, European and international level is highlighted. Also, the competition with the other technical working areas (on 'nano' or materials-related) is critically discussed. T2 - Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards (VAMAS) 45th Steering Committee Meeting CY - Online meeting DA - 30.09.2020 KW - VAMAS KW - Microbeam analysis KW - Inter-laboratory comparison KW - EBSD KW - FIB PY - 2020 UR - http://www.vamas.org/ AN - OPUS4-51360 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - EMPIR nPSize - Improved Traceability Chain of Nanoparticle Size Measurement; What nPSize can offer after 2Ys? N2 - The main outcomes of the EMPIR project nPSize are presented and the suitability of the new capabilities (e.g. reference materials, measurement procedures, inter-laboratory comparisons) as pertinent contributions to normative projects within CEN/TC 352 Nanotechnologies are discussed. T2 - 28th Meeting of CEN/TC 352 Nanotechnologies CY - Online meeting DA - 16.10.2020 KW - Nanoparticles KW - CEN/TC 352 Nanotechnologies KW - Particle size distribution KW - Traceability PY - 2020 AN - OPUS4-51437 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Accurate Measurement of Size of Graphene Oxide Flakes by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) N2 - Accurate characterisation of the morphology (size) and chemistry of graphene-related 2D materials (GR2M) is key in understanding their extraordinary functionalities. Hence, not only the tailoring of these functionalities aiming at applications of increased-performance becomes possible, but also the correlation of the physico-chemical properties with the understanding of the potential toxicity eventually enables a safe and sustainable development of the GR2M for new applications. Whilst AFM and Raman Spectroscopy are recommended to measure the thickness of GO flakes, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is the most suited method to assess their lateral size, which varies between tens of µm down to below 100 nm. In this paper, procedures for the accurate determination of lateral size of graphene oxide (GO) flakes by SEM are presented. The prerequisite for accurate flake size analysis is the proper sample preparation, i.e. deposition of ideally isolated flakes on a substrate, with the flakes being unfolded, non-overlapped, parallel with the substrate, and having a high coverage density. Examples of optimum image caption conditions and image analysis procedures will be presented. The size descriptors and their measurement are described in the context of the corresponding analysis approach: i) length and width of the flakes with a quick and rough, but robust procedure, and ii) exact contouring of the flakes as part of a highly accurate, but more time-consuming measurement approach. The possibility of application of automated image analysis is discussed as the alternative to the manual flakes analysis. T2 - Graphene 2023 CY - Manchester, UK DA - 27.07.2023 KW - Graphene oxide KW - SEM KW - Size KW - Standardisation PY - 2023 UR - https://www.grapheneconf.com/2023/index.php AN - OPUS4-57910 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - VAMAS Regional Report Germany N2 - Regional standardisation activities and how VAMAS can help in any way to promote activities are reported. Activities related to organisational updates, government initiatives/priorities (especially related to Materials), details of any strategy documents publicly available, networks within Germany and how we engage are presented. T2 - Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards (VAMAS) 48th Steering Committee Meeting CY - New Delhi, India DA - 09.10.2023 KW - VAMAS KW - Standardisation PY - 2023 UR - https://www.nplindia.org/index.php/amcsnzt_2023/ AN - OPUS4-58572 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Rühle, Bastian A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Automatic Image Segmentation and Analysis using Neural Networks N2 - We present a workflow for obtaining fully trained artificial neural networks that can perform automatic particle segmentations of agglomerated, non-spherical nanoparticles from electron microscopy images “from scratch”, without the need for large training data sets of manually annotated images. This is achieved by using unsupervised learning for most of the training dataset generation, making heavy use of generative adversarial networks and especially unpaired image-to-image translation via cycle-consistent adversarial networks. The whole process only requires about 15 minutes of hands-on time by a user and can typically be finished within less than 12 hours when training on a single graphics card (GPU). After training, SEM image analysis can be carried out by the artificial neural network within seconds, and the segmented images can be used for automatically extracting and calculating various other particle size and shape descriptors. T2 - Machine Learning Workshop CY - Online Meeting DA - 18.03.2021 KW - Electron Microscopy KW - Neural Networks KW - Artificial Intelligence KW - Image Segmentation KW - Automated Image Analysis PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-52304 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Minimum Requirements for Nanomaterial Data - Examples with Electron Microscopy and Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy N2 - In dem Vortrag werden, anhand ausgewählten Beispielen aus der Elektronenmikroskopie und EDX-Elementanalyse, die minimalen Anforderungen an Referenzdaten für zuverlässige und reproduzierbare Ergebnisse (z.B. Partikelgrößenverteilung, Elementzusammensetzung) bei der Charakterisierung von Nanomaterialien vorgestellt und diskutiert. N2 - Based on practical examples of analysis with Electron Microscopy and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, the minimum information requirements for reliable and reproducible nanomaterial characterization data such as particle size and shape distribution and elemental analysis are presented and discussed. T2 - nano@BAM-Workshop Digitalisierung in der Nanosicherheit CY - Online meeting DA - 04.12.2020 KW - Nanoparticles KW - Electron microscopy KW - EDX KW - Reference data KW - Reproducibility KW - Standardisation PY - 2020 AN - OPUS4-51775 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM/TEM) N2 - Die Bestimmung der Nanopartikelgrößen- und -formverteilung nach OECD TG 125 mit der Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM/TEM) wird punktuell vorgestellt: - Generelles Messprinzip - Beispiele - Korrelative Mikroskopie - Welchen Durchmesser misst die Methode? - Welche Partikel kann diese Methode messen? - Welche Informationen kann diese Methode liefern? - Wo stößt die Methode an ihre Grenzen? - Implementierung und Datenauswertung, - Reporting. Anschließend wurde eine Q&A-Session für die Imaging-Methoden organisiert. T2 - Digital Info-Days „Nano or not Nano“ - Measuring according to OECD Test Guideline No. 125 CY - Online meeting DA - 16.02.2023 KW - Nanoparticles KW - OECD TG 125 KW - Partikelgrößenverteilung KW - Elektronenmikroskopie PY - 2023 UR - https://www.bam-akademie.de/kursangebot/kurs/digitale-info-tage-%E2%80%9Enano-or-not-nano%E2%80%9C-19.html AN - OPUS4-57217 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Liaison Report ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnology for ISO/TC 202 Microbeam Analysis and vice-versa N2 - The liaison between the ISO technical committees TC 229 Nanotechnologies and TC 202 Microbeam analysis is described in detail with highlight on the projects under development and published since 2024 and which involve input /knowledge from ISO/TC 202. T2 - 32nd Plenary Meeting of ISO/TC 202 Microbeam Analysis CY - London, United Kingdom DA - 28.10.2025 KW - Nanotechnology KW - Microabeam analysis KW - Standardisation KW - ISO PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64551 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Ren, L. A1 - Pollard, A. A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Measurement of Lateral Size of Graphene Oxide Flakes by SEM - An Update of the VAMAS TWA 41 Project P13 N2 - The progress of the VAMAS interlaboratory comparison Project P13 "Lateral size of graphene oxide flakes by SEM" within the Technical Working Area 41 "Graphene and Related 2D Materials" is presented. The challenges at sample preparation on substrates for accurate measurement and image analysis as well as two different image analysis approaches, containing exact guidance how to measure the main descriptors for the lateral size measurement of the imaged graphene oxide flakes with Scanning Electron Microscopy are described. The implementation of the results into the corresponding ISO technical specification AWI/TS 23879 is also discussed and planned, in relation with the AFM part. T2 - Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards (VAMAS) 49th Steering Committee Meeting CY - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil DA - 23.09.2024 KW - VAMAS KW - Graphene oxide KW - SEM KW - Lateral size KW - Interlaboratory comparison PY - 2024 UR - http://www.vamas.org/twa41/documents/2023_vamas_twa41_project13_GO_SEM.pdf AN - OPUS4-61434 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - SEM/EDS as THE Versatile and Powerful Tool for Micro and Nano Analysis N2 - The basic principles of generation of electrons and X-rays and the operation of SEM/EDS instruments are presented. Examples, recent successes and challenges in the analysis of nano-structures are given. Multi-method analytical approaches with the focus on imaging the nanoscale are highlighted. Details on the sample preparation and persepective on the automated analysis (sample preparation, measurement, data analyis and storage) are given. Metrological aspects, standardisation, and reference materials are also emphasized by examples. T2 - Training Course Metrological Determination of Micro and Nano Contaminants in Food CY - Berne, Switzerland DA - 05.09.2023 KW - SEM KW - EDS KW - Microanalysis KW - Nanoanalysis KW - Imaging PY - 2023 UR - https://www.sem.admin.ch/metas/en/home/dl/kurs_uebersicht/micro_nano_contaminants_in_food.html AN - OPUS4-58188 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (EDS) on GR2Ms for Routine/Standardized Elemental Analysis N2 - The elemental analysis of solid matter by means of the Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (EDS) is meanwhile posible as a quick (seconds!) and more and more accurate analysis via standardsless (instantaneous) quantification. The sensitivity & quantification accuracy for light elements (C, O,..) has significantly increased in the recent years. The availability via table-top SEMs with incorporated EDS is also enhanced. Further, the EDS analysis at an SEM is well-standardized, see ISO/TC 202 Microbeam Analysis & VAMAS/ TWA 37 Quantitative Microstructural Analysis in good liaisonships with ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies. It is demostrated that key parameters such as oxygen-to-carbon atomic-% ratio and impurities can be realibly measured, with XPS as a reference method. Various EDS spectrometers and analysis conditions are tested and the validity of the EDS quantification of an ionic liquid of well-defined chemical composition is demonstrated. Next steps are: launch of a corresponding VAMAS interlaboratory comparison and discussions within ISO/TC 202 Microbeam Analysis. T2 - 32nd Plenary Meeting of ISO/TC 202 Microbeam Analysis CY - London, United Kingdom DA - 28.10.2025 KW - GR2M KW - EDS KW - Quantification KW - XPS KW - Light elements KW - 2D materials PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64553 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Methodologies implemented to measure key properties of graphene and other 2D materials - EDX N2 - The elemental analysis of solid matter by means of the Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (EDS) is meanwhile posible as a quick (seconds!) and more and more accurate analysis via standardsless (instantaneous) quantification. The sensitivity & quantification accuracy for light elements (C, O,..) has significantly increased in the recent years. The availability via table-top SEMs with incorporated EDS is also enhanced. It is demostrated that key parameters such as oxygen-to-carbon atomic-% ratio and impurities can be realibly measured, with XPS as a reference method. Various EDS spectrometers and analysis conditions are tested and the validity of the EDS quantification of an ionic liquid of well-defined chemical composition is demonstrated. T2 - Advanced Materials Graphene: The implementation of SbD and SSbD CY - Parys, South Africa DA - 26.11.2025 KW - Light elements KW - EDS KW - Quantification KW - Oxygen-to-carbon ratio KW - XPS KW - Graphene-realted 2D materials PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64943 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - STEM in SEM vs SE InLens type SEM as a Reliable Analytical Pair Tool for Measurement of Nanoparticle Size and Shape Distribution N2 - In this lecture, following points are addressed: – Advantages of correlative analysis in electron microscopy – Measurement principle of the different electron microscopy modes used – Presentation of the nanomaterials used for this study – Role of sample preparation – Sequence kV variation with InLens & transmission detection of the same field-of-view – Conclusive remarks including Monte Carlo simulations T2 - Microscopy and Microanalysis 2024 CY - Cleveland, OH, USA DA - 28.07.2024 KW - Correlative analysis KW - Electron microscopy KW - Nanoparticles KW - SEM KW - STEM-in-SEM KW - Particle size distribution KW - Titanium dioxide PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-60804 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Energy Dispersive X Ray Spectrometry (EDS) on GR2Ms for Routine/Standardized Elemental Analysis N2 - The elemental analysis of solid matter by means of the Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (EDS) is meanwhile posible as a quick (seconds!) and more and more accurate analysis via standardsless (instantaneous) quantification. The sensitivity & quantification accuracy for light elements (C, O,..) has significantly increased in the recent years. The availability via table-top SEMs with incorporated EDS is also enhanced. Further, the EDS analysis at an SEM is well-standardized, see ISO/TC 202 Microbeam Analysis & VAMAS/ TWA 37 Quantitative Microstructural Analysis in good liaisonships with ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies. It is demostrated that key parameters such as oxygen-to-carbon atomic-% ratio and impurities can be realibly measured, with XPS as a reference method. Various EDS spectrometers and analysis conditions are tested and the validity of the EDS quantification of an ionic liquid of well-defined chemical composition is demonstrated. Next steps are: launch of a corresponding VAMAS interlaboratory comparison and discussions within ISO/TC 202 Microbeam Analysis. T2 - ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies Meeting Week CY - Stockholm, Sweden DA - 19.05.2025 KW - Graphene-related 2D materials (GR2M) KW - Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (EDS) KW - Elemental analysis KW - Quantification KW - ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63190 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - VAMAS Regional Workshop in Germany N2 - An overview on the VAMAS technical working areas (TWA) and projects where Germany is active has been given. The role of VAMAS as an international pre-standardisation platform, including its intense collaboration with international bodies ISO, CEN, OECD and CCQM and national organizations like DIN has been highlighted. T2 - VAMAS Regional Workshop 2023 - What can pre-normative research do for industry? CY - Online meeting DA - 24.01.2023 KW - VAMAS KW - Advanced materials KW - Inter-laboratory comparisons KW - Regional workshop PY - 2023 UR - https://www.bam-akademie.de/kursangebot/kurs/vamas-regional-workshop-2023-23.html?lang=en AN - OPUS4-57281 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Report VAMAS/TWA 37 "Quantitative Microstructural Analysis" & Liaison with ISO/TC 202 "Microbeam Analysis" N2 - The progress in activities on Quantitative MicroStructural Analysis under VAMAS/TWA 37 is reviewed. Particularly the liaison with the new projects within the ISO technical committee TC 202 Microbeam Analysis is presented and discussed with respect to the identification and launching corresponding VAMAS projects. The ongoing projects "Development of guidelines for reproducible TEM specimen preparation by FIB processing", "Measurement of dislocation density in metallic materials by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)", "Repeatability of high angular resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD) analysis for elastic strain measurements", "Measurement of grain size and distribution of nanocrystalline nickel by using Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction (TKD) in SEM" and the just started project "Evaluation Method of Surface Layer Quality of TEM Specimen Prepared by focused Ion Beam Processing" are presented in detail. T2 - Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards (VAMAS) 50th Steering Committee Meeting CY - London, United Kingdom DA - 15.09.2025 KW - VAMAS KW - Interlaboratory comparison KW - Microbeam Analysis KW - Electron Microscopy KW - ISO/TC 202 KW - Sample preparation PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64231 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Quantitative Microstructural Analysis - VAMAS TWA 37 & Liaison with ISO/TC 202 Microbeam Analysis N2 - The progress in activities on Microbeam Analysis under VAMAS/TWA 37 is reviewed. Particularly the liaison with the new projects within the ISO technical committee TC 202 is presented and discussed with respect to the possibility of identifying and launching related VAMAS projects. The recently started project FIB sample processing for TEM is highlighted. Need of more promotion for the engagement of more participants from industry and academia at national, European and international level is highlighted. Also, the competition with the other technical working areas (on 'nano' or materials-related) is critically discussed. Further, a short overview of the VAMAS areas of activities is given where Germany is involved. Planed regional VAMAS Workshops in Germany in 2023 are announced. T2 - Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards (VAMAS) 47th Steering Committee Meeting CY - Torino, Italy DA - 18.10.2022 KW - VAMAS KW - Microbeam analysis KW - FIB KW - TEM KW - Sample preparation KW - EBSD PY - 2022 UR - https://amdgroup.inrim.it/events/vamas-sc-meeting-47 AN - OPUS4-56146 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Role of Sample Preparation for Accurate and Automated Morphological Analysis of Nanoparticles proven in Interlaboratory Comparison Exercises N2 - Traceable morphological and chemical characterization of nanomaterials with respect to the various possible sizes, size distributions, shapes, and concentrations of real-world nanoparticles (NPs) is a challenging task. Particularly for the nonspherical, non-monodisperse nanoparticles – as typically for most of the commercial particles, including their strong tendency to agglomerate, there is a lack of standard operation procedures providing accurate nanoparticle characterisation. In the framework of the pre-standardisation framework of VAMAS (Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards, www.vamas.org) two interlaboratory comparison (ILC) studies are being carried out under the Technical Working Area (TWA) 34 “Nanoparticle Populations”:i) Project #15 addresses the analysis of the size and shape distribution of TiO2 bipyramidal NPs by traceable imaging methods such as TEM, SEM, STEM-in-SEM, AFM as well as with SAXS as an ensemble method. This ILC is thought as the next level development of the case studies exemplified in the published ISO standards ISO 21363 and ISO 19749. It was agreed to complete the first ILC with the NPs already prepared according to the same procedure on a TEM grid, and, at a later stage, to carry out second ILCs with the same NPs distributed to the participants as liquid suspensions together with protocols for the uniform NP deposition on suited substrates - as developed and optimized within the European project nPSize. Once having good deposition protocols available, the door for automated image analysis gets opened. Corresponding image analysis protocols and reporting templates have been distributed to the ILC participants, too. ii) Project #16: two spherical SiO2 NP samples with bi-modal size distributions in two nominal relative number concentrations were prepared and distributed also as liquid suspensions accompanied by sample preparation, measurement, and image analysis protocols and reporting templates. Here, the NP concentration is the primary parameter to be measured. For the imaging methods it is targeted to measure the relative nanoparticle concentrations (relative populations of the two modes). The results of all the participating laboratories, in both ILCs, compiled in comparative representations will be shown and discussed for the first time. The reduction of the measurement uncertainties associated to the size, shape and number-concentration results induced by the significant improvement of the sample preparation on substrates (as single particles with a high-density coverage), combined with welldefined image analysis procedures will be highlighted. T2 - MaterialsWeek 2024 CY - Limassol, Cyprus DA - 17.06.2024 KW - Nanoparticles KW - VAMAS KW - Interlaboratory comparison KW - Sample preparation KW - Nanoparticle concentration PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-60453 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -