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- 8.1 Sensorik, mess- und prüftechnische Verfahren (20)
Der Fokus des Arbeitsfelds ist die messtechnisch fundierte Anwendung der 3D-Verfahrenskombination zur Lösung vielfältiger Messaufgaben mit optimaler Datenqualität für interne und externe Kunden.
Das setzt insbesondere eine jeweils problembezogene Messmethodik voraus. Dazu setzen wir kameragestützte 3D-Koordinatenmessverfahren ein, die auf dem fotogrammetrischen Prinzip der Bildtriangulation beruhen. Darunter fallen folgende miteinander flexibel kombinierbare Verfahrensmodifikationen: Mehrbildfotogrammetrie, Messadapter für Geometriemerkmale, Streifenprojektionsverfahren, statische bis hochdynamische Stereofotogrammetrie auf Punktebasis oder aufgabenangepasster Oberflächenmuster und mechanisch-optische Taster.
In this poster we will present some results of a research projects dealing with Arabic recipes of black inks [1-2]. To improve conservation practices of Arabic manuscripts we have assessed the feasibility of the recipes collected from many Arabic sources on bookmaking and reproduced the most common inks. Ink samples were then artificially aged and analysed using an array of analytical techniques, mostly non-invasive, in order to build a database of Arabic inks and their ingredients and also to verify the detection limits of the portable equipment employed.
We will show procedures and problems concerning the identification of ink types and ingredients using reflectography (in Vis, IR and UV), X-Ray Fluorescence, Infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The focus will be in particular on squid ink [3] and mixed inks – both in the form of carbon inks with the addition of tannins and of a mixture of carbon and iron gall inks – which are particularly difficult to detect [4]. We will also examine the results of iron gall inks made with iron filings or nails instead of vitriol, the various precursor used to extract gallic acid that are mentioned in the sources as surrogates of gall nuts.
[1] A. Schopen, Tinten und Tuschen des arabisch-islamischen Mittelalters, Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2004
[2] S. Fani, Le arti del libro secondo le fonti arabe originali. I ricettari arabi per la fabbricazione degli inchiostri (sec. IX-XIII): loro importanza per una corretta valutazione e conservazione del patrimonio manoscritto, PhD thesis, Napoli: Università L’Orientale, 2013
[3] S. Centeno, J. Shamir Journal of Molecular Structure, 873 (2008), 149-159
[4] C. Colini et. al, Manuscript cultures, 11 (2018) 43-50
In this poster we will present some results of a research projects dealing with Arabic recipes of black inks. To improve conservation practices of Arabic manuscripts we have assessed the feasibility of the recipes collected from many Arabic sources on bookmaking and reproduced the most common inks. Ink samples were then artificially aged and analysed using an array of analytical techniques, mostly non-invasive, in order to build a database of Arabic inks and their ingredients and also to verify the detection limits of the portable equipment employed.
First, we will provide an overview of the sources [1-2] employed in the study – dating from 9th to 14th century, although the manuscripts in which they can be found dates up to the 20th century – with an eye on the ink typologies (real and perceived by the compilers). Then we will show how, by reproducing the recipes, it was possible to shed light on some oddities in the procedures and the choice of ingredients. In the end we will discuss problems concerning the identification of ink types and ingredients using reflectography (in Vis, IR and UV), X-Ray Fluorescence, Infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The focus will be in particular on mixed inks – both in the form of carbon inks with the addition of tannins and of a mixture of carbon and iron gall inks – which are particularly difficult to detect [3]. We will also examine the results of iron gall inks made with iron filings or nails instead of vitriol and the various precursor used to extract gallic acid that are mentioned in the sources as surrogates of gall nuts.
[1] A. Schopen, Tinten und Tuschen des arabisch-islamischen Mittelalters, Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2004
[2] S. Fani, Le arti del libro secondo le fonti arabe originali. I ricettari arabi per la fabbricazione degli inchiostri (sec. IX-XIII): loro importanza per una corretta valutazione e conservazione del patrimonio manoscritto, PhD thesis, Napoli: Università L’Orientale, 2013
[3] C. Colini et. al, Manuscript cultures, 11 (2018) 43-50
The mechanochemical formation of the ionic cocrystals of glucose (Glc) and sodium salts is presented. Products are formed by co-milling Glc with three sodium salts (NaCl, NaBr, NaI). The reaction pathways of the three ionic cocrystals were investigated using our tandem approach comprising a combination of in situ synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy.
The separation of two closely located defects in fields of Thermographic NDE is very challenging. The diffusive nature of thermal waves leads to a fundamental limitation in spatial resolution. Therefore, super resolution image reconstruction can be used. A new concerted ansatz based on spatially structured heating and joint sparsity of the signal ensemble allows an improved reconstruction of closely located defects. This new technique has also been studied using 1D laser arrays in active thermography.
The post-processing can be roughly described by two steps: 1. Finding a sparse basis representation using a reconstruction algorithm such as the Fourier transform, 2. Application of an iterative joint sparsity (IJOSP) method to the firstly reconstructed data. For this reason, different methods in post-processing can be compared using the same measured data set.
The focus in this work was the variation of reconstruction algorithms in step 1 and its influence on the results from step 2. More precise, the measured thermal waves can be transformed to virtual (ultrasound) waves that can be processed by applying ultrasound reconstruction algorithms and finally the super resolution algorithm. Otherwise, it is also possible to make use of a Fourier transform with a subsequent super resolution routine. These super resolution thermographic image reconstruction techniques in post-processing are discussed and evaluated regarding performance, accuracy and repeatability.
This work addresses the identification of synthetic organic pigments (SOP) in ten modern reverse paintings on glass (1912-1946) by means of an in-situ multi-analytical approach. The combination of the complimentary properties of mobile Raman spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) enabled the detection of sixteen SOP even in complex mixtures with inorganic compounds and binders. For the β-naphthol pigments, both Raman and DRIFTS yield appropriate results. DRIFTS was the preferred method for the detection of synthetic alizarin (PR83). Its diagnostic band pattern even allows its detection in complex mixtures with mineral pigments, binders and fillers. Raman spectroscopy yielded distinctive spectra for the triaryl carbonium pigments (PG1, PV2, PR81) and the two-yellow azo SOP (PY3, PY12), whereas DRIFT spectra were affected by extensive band overlapping. This may also occur in Raman spectra, but in less problematic amounts. Fluorescence is the major problem with Raman and it significantly hampers the SOP spectra even with the 785 nm laser. On the one hand the big spot size of DRIFTS (10 mm) limits the technique to rather large sampling areas, whereas the use of a 50× objective for in-situ Raman measurements permits a focus on small spots and aggregated SOP flakes. Moreover, “environmental” factors like temperature changes, artificial light, limited space and vibrations when people pass by need to be considered for in-situ measurements in museums.
Finally, the results show the experimental use of SOP in modern reverse glass paintings. Among several rare SOP (e.g. PB52, PR81), two of them (PG1, PV2) have never been reported before in any artwork.
By means of a small-scale truss bridge, the ability of the Measurement- and Model-based Structural Analysis to detect and localize damage was examined. Although there was no noteworthy difficulty in detecting damage, it turned out that damage localization responds sensitively to systematic influences, i.e. non-modelled properties of the mechanical model. Therefore, another experiment is being conducted to re-examine the Measurement- and Model-based Structural Analysis. For this purpose, the bending test is carried out as it has been already theoretically respectively numerically discussed. In this attempt, the systematic influences such as residual stress are kept as low as possible.
A Genetic Toolbox for Exploring the Life Style of the Rock-inhabiting Black Fungus Knufia petricola
(2019)
After their discovery on rock surfaces in cold and hot deserts, a polyphyletic group of ascomycetous black fungi was found to dominate a range of hostile environments – natural and man-made, from salterns to dishwashers, roofs and solar panels. Together with bacteria and algae they may establish sub-aerial biofilms and cause weathering of the surfaces they grow on. Their impressive survival abilities as well as their constitutive protective pigmentation and cluster-like microcolony organisation are similar in environmental isolates as well as in heat-tolerant opportunistic pathogens of animals and humans. The exact genetic properties that ensure their survival in extreme environments can be studied if some black fungi were amenable to genetic manipulations. We selected the rock-inhabiting fungus Knufia petricola (class Eurotiomycetes, order Chaetothyriales) that grows moderately in axenic culture and exhibits all the characteristics of black yeasts such as yeast-like cell growth, absence of reproductive structures and constitutive dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) melanogenesis. For this environmental strain we developed protocols to efficiently generate and transform protoplasts resulting in stable homokaryotic transformants by targeting genes involved in pigment synthesis and expressing fluorescent reporter genes. Hence, endogenous and foreign genes can be expressed from episomal AMA1-containing plasmids and genome-integrated DNA constructs. Moderate rates of homologous recombination allow for both ectopic and targeted integrations. CRISPR-Cas9 was further validated as a strategy for obtaining selection marker-free mutants and silencing via RNA interference as an approach to study essential genes. Availability of this genetic toolbox and an annotated genome sequence is paving the way for studying interactions of K. petricola and other black yeasts with environmental stressors, material surfaces, soil matrices and phototrophic symbionts.
Small Area Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) is a powerful tool for investigating small surface features. It is often unclear, if the signal in the spectrum is an unwanted contamination of the Field of View (FoV) or is it originated from outside. The reason is, that XPS-spectra are affected by beam shapes. Scheithauer proposed to measure Pt apertures of different diameters and normalize the Pt4f count rate by a second measurement on the Pt metal. New reference materials were developed and tested in the VAMAS TWA2 A22 Project.
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve. The project EDC-WFD “Metrology for monitoring endocrine disrupting compounds under the EU Water Framework Directive” aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1)). Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17aE2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods - Mass Spectrometry based method and effect-based methods (EBM) - and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. During the EDC-WFD project four EBM will be deeply investigated in order to improve their rationale use and their support in water quality assessment.
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve. The project EDC-WFD “Metrology for monitoring endocrine disrupting compounds under the EU Water Framework Directive” aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1)). Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17aE2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods - Mass Spectrometry based method and effect-based methods (EBM) - and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. During the EDC-WFD project four EBM will be deeply investigated in order to improve their rationale use and their support in water quality assessment.
Regardless of its ban in agricultural use, the triazine derivative terbutryn is still used as a biocide against biofouling in building materials, such as façade colors and roof tiles. From there, it is washed off and may contaminate soil and surface waters, where it shows ecotoxicological behavior. For understanding of these leaching processes, analytical methods that can detect terbutryn in traces are necessary. In contrast to separation methods (Gas (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC)) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS), enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) have proven to be adequate tools for environmental monitoring. Compared to GC-or LC-MS, they are cheap, require only limited time and experimental expertise and enable high throughput. For quantification of terbutryn, EIAs have been established, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 50 ng L-1. For leaching experiments however, a lower LOD would be advantageous.
For detection of terbutryn we developed a direct competitive ELISA based on a monoclonal antibody: Terbutryn and an enzyme-terbutryn conjugate (“tracer”) compete for the binding sites of the immobilized antibody. The bound tracer converts a colourless substrate into a blue-coloured product, which can be detected via spectrophotometry. For quantification of terbutryn, a sigmoidal calibration curve is used. For establishing of the EIA, a new tracer based on a terbutryn surrogate (“hapten”) was synthesized. After optimization of the experimental conditions, the immunoassay exhibited a more than ten-fold increased sensitivity (LOD: 3 ng L-1), high stability against sample compounds (Ca2+, NaCl) and lower cross-reactivities against structurally related compounds, than reported before. Analysis of spiked samples was possible with high precision (inter-assay CV: < 10 %) and accuracy (recoveries from spiked samples: 89 % ± 10%). We therefore propose it as quick and reliable method for leaching studies of terbutryn out of building materials.
The future competitiveness of the process industry and their providers depends on its ability to deliver high quality and high value products at competitive prices in a sustain-able fashion, and to adapt quickly to changing customer needs. The transition of pro-cess industry due to the mounting digitalization of technical devices and their provided data used in chemical plants proceeds. Though, the detailed characteristics and con-sequences for the whole chemical and pharmaceutical industry are still unforeseeable, new potentials arise as well as questions regarding the implementation. As the digitali-zation gains pace fundamental subjects like the standardization of device interfaces or organization of automation systems must be answered. Still, process industry lack of sufficient system and development concepts with commercial advantage from this trend.
Compared to traditional batch processes, intensified continuous production allows new and difficult to produce compounds with better product uniformity and reduced con-sumption of raw materials and energy. Flexible (modular) chemical plants can produce various products using the same equipment with short down-times between cam-paigns, and quick introduction of new products to the market.
Full automation is a prerequisite to realize such benefits of intensified continuous plants. In continuous flow processes, continuous, automated measurements and closed-loop control of the product quality are required. Consequently, the demand for smart sensors, which can monitor key variables like component concentrations in real-time, is increasing. Low-Field NMR spectroscopy presents itself as such an upcoming smart sensor1,2 (as addressed, e.g., in the CONSENS project3).
Systems utilizing such an online NMR analyzer benefits through short development and set-up times when applied to modular production plants starting from a desired chemi-cal reaction3. As an example for such a modular process unit, we present the design and validation of an integrated NMR micro mixer based on computational modelling suited for a desired chemical reaction. This method includes a proper design of a con-tinuous reactor, which is optimized through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for the demands of the NMR sensor as well as for the given reaction conditions. The system was validated with a chemical reaction process.
The transition from the current automation landscape to next generation automation concepts for the process industry has already begun. Smart functions of sensors simplify their use and enable plug-and-play integration, even though they may appear to be more complex at first sight. Monitoring specific information (i.e., “chemical” such as physico-chemical properties, chemical reactions, etc.) is the key to “chemical” process control. Here we introduce our smart online NMR sensor module provided in an explosion proof housing as example.
Due to NMR spectroscopy as an “absolute comparison method”, independent of the matrix, it runs with very short set-up times in combination with “modular” spectral models. These are based on pure component NMR spectra without the need for tedious calibrations runs. We present approaches from statistical, (i.e., Partial Least Squares Regression) to physically motivated models (i.e., Indirect Hard Modelling).
Based on concentration measurements of reagents and products by the NMR analyser a continuous production and direct loop process control were successfully realized for several validation runs in a modular industrial pilot plant and compared to conventional analytical methods (HPLC, near infrared spectroscopy). The NMR analyser was developed for an intensified industrial process funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (“Integrated CONtrol and SENsing”, www.consens-spire.eu).
The full-notch creep test (FNCT) is a common method to evaluate the environmental stress cracking (ESC) behavior of high-density polyethylene (PE-HD) container materials . The test procedure as specified in ISO 16770 provides a comparative measure of the resistance against ESC using the time to failure of specimens mechanically loaded in a well-defined liquid environment. Since the craze-crack damage mechanism underlying the ESC process is associated with brittle failure, the occurrence of globally brittle fracture surfaces is a prerequisite to consider an FNCT measurement as representative for ESC . Therefore, an optical evaluation of FNCT fracture surfaces concerning their brittleness is essential. Due to the experimental setup, an inevitable increase of the true mechanical stress and the associated appearance of small ductile parts on fracture surfaces is induced in any case. Hence, an FNCT experiment is considered as 'valid', if the corresponding fracture surface is predominantly brittle . Based on laser scanning microscopy (LSM) height data of FNCT fracture surfaces , a universal and easy-to-use phenomenological criterion was developed to assess the validity of distinct FNCT experiments. This criterion is supposed to facilitate a quick evaluation of FNCT results in practical routine testing.
Porous materials play an important role in several fields of technology, especially for energy applications like photovoltaics, electrolysis or batteries. The activity of porous films is affected by properties like porosity, film thickness, chemical composition of the material, as well as the crystallinity of the framework. The complex morphology of such porous films constitutes a challenge even for modern analytical techniques and requires new approaches employing the combination/complementation of data of different analytical methods. In this contribution, we characterise thin mesoporous iridium-titanium mixed oxide film properties by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) at an SEM.
Mesoporous iridium oxide - titanium oxide (IrOx-TiOx) films were prepared via dip-coating of a solution containing a triblock-copolymer as structure-directing agent, an iridium precursor as well as a titanium precursor in ethanol. IrOx-TiOx films were synthesized with different amounts of iridium and calcined in air. The SEM micrographs reveal for all films the achievement of a well-ordered mesoporous structure and homogeneous films with thicknesses between 67 nm and 152 nm.
For the determination of film elemental composition and porosity, EPMA can be used as part of a combined SEM/EDS/STRATAGem analysis. Elemental compositions and mass depositions (in μg cm-2) of IrOx-TiOx films were calculated with the thin film analysis Software STRATAGem via k-values measured with SEM/EDS. Pure bulk Ir, TiO2 and Si were measured as references. The average density of the films was obtained from the mass Deposition and the film thickness as measured by cross-section SEM. The porosity was then extracted from the measured average film density divided by a theoretical bulk density. The latter is calculated from the weight fractions of IrOx and TiOx as determined with STRATAGem and the bulk mass densities of IrO2 and TiO2 (rutil) from literature.
The fitting results of the k-values from the STRATAGem software, which are in fair agreement with the measured k-values.
The application of the SEM/EDS/STRATAGem approach for accurate porosity determination on pure mesoporous TiOx films and pure porous IrOx films has been recently demonstrated.
The porosities of pure IrOx, TiOx and mixed IrOx-TiOx films in this study have been determined. The contribution will assess in detail the advantages and limitations of the combined SEM/EDS/STRATAGem analysis for the morphology and porosity of thin metal oxide films. Moreover, the comparison with other measurement techniques and the combination of datasets from multiple measurements will be discussed.
Porous materials play an important role in several fields of technology, especially for energy applications like photovoltaics, electrolysis or batteries. The activity of porous films is affected by properties like porosity, film thickness, chemical composition of the material as well as the crystallinity of the framework. The complex morphology of such porous films constitutes a challenge even for modern analytical techniques and requires new approaches employing the combination/complementation of data of different analytical methods. In this contribution we characterize thin mesoporous iridium-titanium mixed oxide film properties by Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) at an SEM.
Analysis of elemental composition of Fe1-xNix and Si1-xGex alloy thin films by EPMA and µ-XRF
(2019)
The present study reports on measurements on thin Fe-Ni films on silicon and first-time results of analysis on Si-Ge thin films deposited on a non-conductive aluminium oxide Substrate by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Standard-based and standardless EPMA (with EDS) results were used in combination with the thin film analysis software Stratagem for the quantification.
Further, X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) can be used for the determination of elemental composition and thickness of such films as well. In this case, XRF with a μ-focus X-ray source (μ-XRF) attached to a SEM was applied. For quantification, a fundamental parameter (FP) approach has been used to calculate standard-based and standardless results.
Both thin film systems have been chosen as samples of an international round robin test (RRT) organised in the frame of standardisation technical committee ISO/TC 201 ‘Surface chemical analysis’, under the lead of KRISS. The main objective of the RRT is to compare the results of atomic fractions of Fe1-xNix and Si1-xGex alloy films obtained by different surface Analysis techniques, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) applied in the depth-profiling operation mode.
Five samples of different atomic fractions of each thin film system, i.e., Fe1-xNix and Si1-xGex, have been grown by ion beam sputter deposition on silicon and Al2O3 wafers, respectively. Reference FeNi and SiGe films with well-known elemental composition and thickness have been also supplied for standard-based analysis. An excellent agreement has been obtained between the atomic fractions determined by EPMA and µ-XRF with the KRISS certified values.
A promising approach for the further improvement of fire detection techniques is the inclusion of fire gases in the characteristics used to detect a fire. A screening of sample materials representative for common first burning items and their gas release under different ignition conditions was performed to gain an overview of possible target gas candidates. Different fire scenarios were investigated to evaluate fire gases produced in early stages of fire development, their time of appearance and concentration development using the vitiated mass loss calorimeter and a heating plate setup in the single burning item test chamber.
Due to the favorable properties of polymers, their production and thus their input into the environment has increased significantly in recent decades. Currently, FTIR or Raman spectroscopy are mainly applied for the analysis of microplastic particles (MP) in environmental samples. However, these methods have great difficulties in determining metrologically traceable MP values, especially with regard to the limiting values, as preferred in regulation. Therefore, we developed a systematic and fast thermoanalytical method called TED-GC-MS (thermal extraction desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry), which determines mass contents. Now the current goal is the determination of its process parameters.
This poster illustrates the theoretical requirements for MP analysis (left side) and contrast them with the current state of research (right side).Unexpected practical problems are presented and the relatively new method is discussed concerning the quality requirements of well-established methods such as LC-or GC-MS.
Working towards a comprehensive understanding of introduction pathways, number, and fate of micro¬plastics in the environment, suitable analytical methods are a precondition. Micro-spectroscopic methods are probably the most widely used techniques. Besides their ability to measure single spectra of a particle or fiber, most modern FTIR- and Raman microscopes are also capable of two-dimensional imaging. This is very appealing to microplastics research because it allows to simultaneously characterize the analytes chemically as well as their size (distribution) and shape.
Two-dimensional imaging on extensive sample areas with FTIR-micros¬copes is facilitated by focal plane array (FPA) detectors resulting in large data sets comprised of up to several million spectra. With numbers too large for manual inspection of each individual spectrum, automated data evaluation is inevitable. Identifying different polymers based on the comparison with known reference spectra (library search) has proven to be a suitable approach. For that purpose, FTIR-spectra of common plastics can be collected to create an individual reference library.
To Supplement this ‘targeted analysis’, looking for known substances via library search, an exploratory approach was tested. Principal component analysis (PCA) proved to be a helpful tool to drastically reduce the size of the data set while maintaining the significant information. Subsequently, cluster analysis was used to find groups of similar spectra. Spectra found in different clusters could be assigned to different polymer types. The variation observed within clusters gives a hint on chemical variability of microplastics of the same polymer found in the sample. Spectra labeled according to the respective cluster/polymer type were used to build a classification model which allowed to quickly predict the polymer type based on the FTIR spectrum. Classification was tested on a second, independent data set and results were compared to the spectral library search procedure.
Question:
Biocides are in contact with soils through direct application and passive leaching from protected materials. Consequently, soil microorganisms are exposed to toxic biocides even though they are not their primary targets. Soil is a large reservoir of microbial diversity and has been hypothesized to be a crucial factor for the evolution and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Currently, there is little knowledge on how biocides used to protect materials affect the evolution and spread of resistance. Thus, our aim is to investigate the risk for the evolution of biocide resistance and cross-resistance to antibiotics. In addition, we aim to elucidate the affect of biocides on the spread of resistance via horizontal gene transfer (HGT).
Methods:
In laboratory evolution experiments we culture selected model soil microorganism with representative biocides followed by antibiotic cross-resistance determination and genome sequencing. Moreover, we investigate if the selected biocides affect the HGT frequency of plasmids that carry resistance genes among soil microorganism and the consequences for survival of the affected populations.
Results:
Our initial results show only small increases of biocide resistance during serial transfers in the presence of biocides. One reason for this might be the narrow selective window for biocide resistance due to steep dose-response relationships. Furthermore, we will present results from ongoing experiments on the effects of material preservatives on HGT frequencies facilitating microbial community adaptation to stress.
Conclusions:
The results will enable future risk assessment regarding resistance evolution for biocides used as material preservatives.
Question:
Biocides are in contact with soils through direct application and passive leaching from protected materials. Consequently, soil microorganisms are exposed to toxic biocides even though they are not their primary targets. Soil is a large reservoir of microbial diversity and has been hypothesized to be a crucial factor for the evolution and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Currently, there is little knowledge on how biocides used to protect materials affect the evolution and spread of resistance. Thus, our aim is to investigate the risk for the evolution of biocide resistance and cross-resistance to antibiotics. In addition, we aim to elucidate the affect of biocides on the spread of resistance via horizontal gene transfer (HGT).
Methods:
In laboratory evolution experiments we culture selected model soil microorganism with representative biocides followed by antibiotic cross-resistance determination and genome sequencing. Moreover, we investigate if the selected biocides affect the HGT frequency of plasmids that carry resistance genes among soil microorganism and the consequences for survival of the affected populations.
Results:
Our initial results show only small increases of biocide resistance during serial transfers in the presence of biocides. One reason for this might be the narrow selective window for biocide resistance due to steep dose-response relationships. Furthermore, we will present results from ongoing experiments on the effects of material preservatives on HGT frequencies facilitating microbial community adaptation to stress.
Conclusions:
The results will enable future risk assessment regarding resistance evolution for biocides used as material preservatives.
Questions:
Biocides are in contact with soils through direct application and passive leaching from protected materials. Consequently, soil microorganisms are exposed to toxic biocides even though they are not their primary targets. Soil is a large reservoir of microbial diversity and has been hypothesized to be a crucial factor for the evolution and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Currently, there is little knowledge on how biocides used to protect materials affect the evolution and spread of resistance. Thus, our aim is to investigate the risk for the evolution of biocide resistance and cross-resistance to antibiotics. In addition, we aim to elucidate the affect of biocides on the spread of resistance via horizontal gene transfer (HGT).
Methods:
In laboratory evolution experiments we culture selected model soil microorganism with representative biocides followed by antibiotic cross-resistance determination and genome sequencing. Moreover, we investigate if the selected biocides affect the HGT frequency of plasmids that carry resistance genes among soil microorganism and the consequences for survival of the affected populations.
Results:
Our initial results show only small increases of biocide resistance during serial transfers in the presence of biocides. One reason for this might be the narrow selective window for biocide resistance due to steep dose-response relationships. Furthermore, we will present results from ongoing experiments on the effects of material preservatives on HGT frequencies facilitating microbial community adaptation to stress.
Conclusions:
The results will enable future risk assessment regarding resistance evolution for biocides used as material preservatives.
Heating oil storage tanks made of polyethylene grades have been on the market in Germany since the early 1970s. To ensure safety, their replacement is recommended by tank manufacturers after a period of 30 years. Polyethylene is subject to ageing by alteration of the properties during its life cycle. The degree of degradation and the nature of the process mainly depend on the chemical alteration of the polyethylene, the wall thickness of the tank and the environmental conditions. There are no data available on the long-term behaviour of the polyethylene grades, especially after a service life of more than 30 years.
The aim of this investigation was to find a suitable test method to determine the factual degree of damage in comparison to the uncontaminated polyethylene grades. Material data of the used polyethylene grades are available because the BAM was the competent authority for the tests and expert reports for the approval of these tanks until the middle of the 1990s. Therefore, tank sections from the bottom, the shell and the roof of 22 individual storage tanks produced of polyethylene grades A and B have been examined by Melt Flow Rate (MFR) and Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR). Their service life was in the range between 20 and 41 years.
The MFR measurements of the tank sections showed differences in the values depending on the weight which was used (5 kg or 21.6 kg). An increase of the MFR was determined for the samples of polyethylene grade A, whereas a reduction of the MFR values was measured for most samples of polyethylene grade B. This grade is mainly subject to the internal ageing by cross-linkages, increased degree of branched molecules and loss of the plasticizer.
ATR analysis exhibits an absorption band at 909 cm‒1 predominantly in samples of polyethylene grade A indicating chain scission and concomitantly formed terminal vinyl groups. This absorption band can be used for the characterization of the ageing of the polyethylene grades.
Fire resistance testing of components made of carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) composites usually demands intermediate-scale or full-scale testing. In this study a bench-scale test is presented as practicable and efficient method to assess the improvement in structural integrity of CFRP with different protective coatings during fire.
Bestimmung der Rissgeometrie bei der zerstörungsfreien Ultraschallprüfung mit geführten Wellen
(2019)
In der zerstörungsfreien Prüfung werden in zunehmendem Maße geführte Ultraschallwellen zur Lokalisation von Fehlstellen genutzt. Geführte Ultraschallwellen zeichnen sich dadurch aus, dass sie große Distanzen innerhalb des zu prüfenden Bauteiles zurücklegen können. Das Ultraschallwellenfeld setzt sich dabei aus verschieden Moden zusammen. Etablierte Prüfverfahren mit geführten Wellen ermitteln häufig nur die Position der Fehlstelle, wobei die Laufzeiten der reflektierten Signale ausgewertet wird. Modenumwandlung bleibt dabei zumeist unberücksichtigt.
Die Charakterisierung der Fehlstelle, zum Beispiel hinsichtlich der Länge eines Risses, ist dagegen herausfordernd. Aussagekräftige Zusammenhänge zwischen der Dimension oder Geometrie der Fehlstelle und ihrer Interaktion mit der Ultraschallwelle zu finden, ist Teil aktueller Forschung. Insbesondere eine Betrachtung der Moden höherer Ordnung und deren Amplitudenverhältnisse kann beim Aufspüren dieser Zusammenhänge hilfreich sein.
Im Beitrag werden zunächst die Zusammenhänge zwischen den beiden fundamentalen Moden in einer isotropen Platte und der Länge eines Risses untersucht. Aus den Ergebnissen wird ein inverses Verfahren motiviert. Ein Algorithmus wird vorgestellt, der die Risslänge im Modell solange variiert, bis er die modalen Zusammenhänge einer Vorgabe oder einer Messung rekonstruiert. Die eingesetzte Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method ermöglicht dabei eine sehr kurze Rechenzeit in jeden Optimierungsschritt. Zusätzlich ermöglicht die Methode eine Auswertung der modalen Zusammenhänge ohne Postprocessing, was die Rechenzeiten weiter verkürzt.
The Motivation of RASEM (Robot-assisted Environmental Monitoring):
Monitoring of the air quality in industrial environments is inevitable to meet safety Standards.
Because of economic and practical reasons, measurements are carried out sparsely in terms of time and space.
Newest developments on the field of low cost sensor technology enable cost efficient long term monitoring of gases and dust
The evaluation of cladding integrity is a major issue to be demonstrated in Germany for extended interim storage periods up to 100 years and subsequent transportation considering operational and accidental conditions with respect to reactor operation, cask drying and dry interim storage. The chemical reaction between the zirconium fuel cladding and the cooling water in water-cooled reactors produces hydrogen and zirconium oxide. Hydrogen diffuses into the cladding and precipitates as zirconium hydrides when the solubility limit is reached, preferably oriented in hoop direction. At high temperatures during vacuum drying procedures, the hydrides can dissolve. Over a succeeding period of slow cooling with existing hoop stress the hydrides precipitate again, but partly reoriented along the radial direction of the cladding. This change of microstructure in combination with a decreasing temperature (0.5...2 K/year) during (extended) interim storage and additional mechanical load by handling procedures or under accident conditions could lead to a potential cladding embrittlement and consequently increased failure probability. The current research project BRUZL (Fracture mechanical analysis of spent fuel claddings under long-term dry interim storage conditions) has been launched by BAM to investigate potential sudden brittle failure of spent fuel claddings at small deformation under long-term dry interim storage conditions and is presented.
In all fluorescence-based techniques, the measured signals contain not only sample-related but also instrument-specific contributions, which limit the direct comparison of fluorescence data obtained e.g. on different devices or at different times and often hamper quantification. To rule out instrumentation as major source of variability of emission data, accepted fluorescence standards and procedures for the control of instrument specifications and long-term performance are required. For flow cytometry (FCM), a broad variety of fluorophore-stained polymer beads differing in emission wavelength and intensity is available for the testing of the alignment, sensitivity, and other parameters of FCM. These calibration tools are intended to facilitate the assessment of instrument performance to ensure reliable measurements and to improve the comparability of FCM experiments.
As a step towards an improved comparability of fluorescence data, with special emphasis on spectroscopic methods measuring nano- and micrometer-sized fluorescent objects, we are currently developing a set of fluorescent polystyrene (PS) beads loaded with luminophores from the certified BAM-Kit “Spectral fluorescent standards”, initially developed for the calibration of fluorescence spectrometers. Here, we present first results from studies of these fluorophore-loaded polymer beads. Moreover, new beads are made to supplement this kit by encapsulating near-infrared (NIR)-emissive luminophores in PS beads to cover the UV/VIS, and NIR wavelength range.
These beads are designed for calibration of flow cytometers and other fluorescence imaging systems to meet the increasing demand for reliable and comparable fluorescence data especially in strongly regulated areas like e.g. medical diagnostics.
In the past, δ26/24Mg measurements were referenced to NIST SRM 980, the initial zero of the δ26/24Mg scale. With the development of MC-ICPMS, the detection of small but measurable isotopic differences in different chips of SRM 980 became apparent. To solve this problem a suite of magnesium isotope reference materials, ERM-AE143, -AE144 and -AE145, has been certified in a first study by applying an ab initio calibration for absolute Mg isotope ratios without any a priori assumptions, a procedure which fulfils all requirements of a primary method of measurement. We could achieve for the first time measurement uncertainties for isotope amount ratios close to the typical precision of magnesium delta values, δ26/24Mg, which are at the 0.1 ‰ level (2SD). In addition, it was demonstrated that commonly used fractionation laws are invalid for correcting Mg isotope ratios in multi-collector ICPMS as they result in a bias which is not covered by its associated uncertainty. Depending on their type, fractionation laws create a bias up to several per mil, with the exponential law showing the smallest bias between 0.1 ‰ to 0.7 ‰.
With these isotope reference materials, it is possible to establish SI-traceability for magnesium delta measurements. To realize this, we organized a second study within which five expert laboratories participated to cross-calibrate all available magnesium isotope standards, which are NIST SRM 980, IRMM-009, ERM-AE143, ERM-AE144, ERM-AE145 and the standards DSM3 and Cambridge-1. The mean δ26/24Mg values for the individual iRMs, calculated from the laboratory means show 2 SD reproducibilities varying between 0.025 and 0.093 ‰. Propagated measurement uncertainties suggest a standard uncertainty of about 0.1‰ for δ26/24Mg determinations (2SD). Thus, SI traceability for magnesium isotope amount ratios and delta values is demonstrated to be established.
CEQAT-DGHS Interlaboratory tests for method validation and measurement uncertainty determination
(2019)
An explosion in a chemical plant or a fire on a dangerous goods vessel - the reason for such accidents can be numerous. Prevention starts in the laboratory where chemicals are tested for their hazardous properties in order to be able to assess the risks involved in their handling. For this purpose, test methods have been developed and published. They are applied globally nowadays. Safety experts, manufacturers, suppliers, importers, employers or consumers must be able to rely on the validity of safety-related test methods and on correct test results and assessments in the laboratory.
Interlaboratory tests play a decisive role in assessing the reliability of test results. Participation in interlaboratory tests is not only a crucial element of the quality assurance of laboratories; as such it is explicitly recommended in DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025. In addition, interlaboratory tests are also used to develop and validate test methods and can be used for the determination of the measurement uncertainty.
Interlaboratory tests on different test methods have been performed by Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und –prüfung (BAM) and Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in collaboration with the QuoData GmbH during the last 10 years. Significant differences between the results of the participating laboratories were observed in all interlaboratory tests. The deviations of the test results were not caused only by laboratory faults but also by deficiencies of the test method (see interlaboratory test reports of the CEQAT-DGHS Centre for quality assurance for testing of dangerous goods and hazardous substances: www.ceqat-dghs.bam.de).
In view of the interlaboratory test results the following conclusions can be drawn:
• To avoid any discrepancy on classification and labelling of chemicals it should become state of the art to use validated test methods and the results accompanied by the measurement uncertainty.
• A need for improvement is demonstrated for all examined test methods. Thus, interlaboratory tests shall initially aim at the development, improvement and validation of the test methods (including the determination of the measurement uncertainty) and not on proficiency tests.
• The laboratory management and the practical execution of the tests need to be improved in many laboratories.
• The term "experience of the examiner" must be seen critically: A "long experience with many tests" is not necessarily a guarantee for correct results.
Die Ursachen für Chemikalienunfälle können vielfältig sein. Prävention beginnt bereits im Prüflabor, wenn Chemikalien auf ihre gefährlichen Eigenschaften getestet werden. Dazu sind Prüfmethoden entwickelt und veröffentlicht worden, die heute weltweit Anwendung finden. Auf die Validität der Prüfmethode und richtige Durchführung der Prüfung im Laboratorium müssen sich Sicherheitsfachkräfte, Transporteure oder Händler verlassen können. Anhand der in den letzten 10 Jahren im Rahmen des CEQAT-DGHS von BAM und PTB durchgeführten Ringversuche (RV) wird gezeigt, dass bei allen bisher untersuchten Prüfmethoden ein Verbesserungsbedarf besteht. Die RV müssen daher zunächst auf die Methodenverbesserung und -validierung abzielen und nicht auf Leistungstests. Das Labormanagement und die praktische Durchführung der Prüfung sind in vielen Laboratorien verbesserungsbedürftig. Der Begriff „Erfahrung der Prüfer“ ist kritisch zu sehen: Eine „lange Erfahrung mit vielen Prüfungen“ ist nicht unbedingt ein Garant für richtige Ergebnisse.
Luminescence techniques are amongst the most commonly used analytical methods in life and material sciences due to their sensitivity and their nondestructive and multiparametric character. Photoluminescence signals are, however, affected by wavelength, polarization and time dependent instrument specific effects, and provide only relative intensities. This hampers the comparability of fluorescence measure-ments and calls for simple tools for instrument characterization and the quantification of measured fluorescence intensities. Well characterized fluorescence standards for instrument calibration and performance validation (IPV) can be used as references for fluorescence signals. Of special importance is the correct determination of photoluminescence quantum yields (QF) (number of emitted per absorbed photons) that provides a direct comparison of the fluorescence efficiency of emitters. Such well characterized standards have been successfully developed by BAM for the relative determination of f values of transparent solutions of molecular and nanoscale emitters in the wavelength range from 350 and 1100 nm and will be soon certified. These standards can also be used to evaluate integrating sphere setups, which are increasingly being used for absolute measurements of QF values.
Characterization of early crystallization stages in surface-crystallized diopside glass-ceramics
(2019)
Structure formation in glass-ceramics by means of surface crystallization is a challenging open question and remains elusive to definite answers. In several glass-ceramic systems, oriented crystal layers have been observed at the immediate surface, including diopside and some fresnoite systems. However, it is still open to debate, whether oriented surface crystallization is the result of oriented nucleation or growth selection effects. In the same vein, there is still discussion whether surface nucleation is governed by surface chemistry effects or by defects serving as active nucleation sites.
In order to help answer these questions, annealing experiments at 850°C have been performed on a MgO·CaO·2SiO2 glass, leading to the crystallization of diopside at the surface. Different annealing durations and surface treatment protocols (i.a. lapping with diamond slurries between 16 µm and 1 µm grain size) have been applied. Particular focus has been put on earliest crystallization stages, with crystal sizes down to about 200 nm. The resultant microstructure has been analyzed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and two different kinds of textures have been observed, with the a- or b-axis being perpendicular to the sample surface and the c-axis lying in the sample plane. Even at shortest annealing durations, a clear texture was present in the samples. Additionally, selected samples have been investigated with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy in the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM-EDX). The diopside crystals have been found to exhibit distinguished submicron structure variations and the glass around the crystals was shown to be depleted of Mg.
Nicht nur die Qualitätssicherung von Bauteilen wird immer wichtiger und muss immer höheren Anforderungen entsprechen, sondern auch die dafür verwendete Prüfeinrichtung und die Sensorik. Für die Qualitätssicherung von Ultraschall-Prüfköpfen mit Luftankopplung bestand die bisherige Lösung darin, baugleiche Wandler als Aktuatoren (Referenzsender) einzusetzen.
Für eine Weiterentwicklung der Wandler ist eine akustische Quelle wünschenswert, die eine weit größere Bandbreite mit flachem Frequenzgang aufweist, als die zu untersuchenden Prüfköpfe. Hier bieten sich thermoakustische Wandler an, die keine ausgeprägten Resonanzen haben und über eine hohe Bandbreite verfügen (min. 10 kHz bis 1 MHz). Diese wurden von der BAM in Berlin entwickelt und decken den Frequenzbereich von typischen Luftultraschall-Prüfköpfen vollständig ab.
Der Vortag beschreibt die Besonderheiten der Ansteuerung dieser Wandler, die einen Innenwiderstand von ca. 7 Ohm besitzen und eine Pulsleistung von etwa 10 kW benötigen.
Ferner werden erste Ergebnisse der Charakterisierung von unterschiedlichen piezokeramischen Prüfköpfen im Frequenzbereich von 50 kHz bis 500 kHz präsentiert.
Beispielhaft zeigte ein Prüfkopf mit mehreren Anpassschichten lokale Frequenzunterschiede im Schallfeld.
The test material EDS-TM001 together with an accompanying software package, “EDX spectrometer check”, have been made available in 2009 by BAM to be employed by EDS (energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer) users to check the performance of an EDS attached to the SEM. Particularly for test laboratories operating under accreditation schemes like ISO/IEC 17025, a periodical control of the critical instrumental parameters in end-user laboratories is required. With EDS-TM001 or EDS-TM002 (second generation) test material, this periodical check is simplified to the acquisition of only one 10 kV spectrum. The software “EDX spectrometer check” is destined to evaluate automatically this spectrum and determine the performance of the EDS in terms of energy resolution and calibration, as well as possible alteration of low-energy Efficiency due to detector contamination. Energy resolution can be compared with the specified values according to the international ISO standard ISO 15632:2012. EDS-TM is a synthetic material consisting of a 6 μm thick layer of C, Al, Mn, Cu and Zr deposited on a steel (in case of EDS-TM001) or silicon (in case of EDS-TM002) substrate. The chemical composition of EDS-TM was chosen such as to give nearly equal intensities of the low energy lines in a 10 kV spectrum, thus, making it very sensitive against spectrometer efficiency changes. Meanwhile, about 150 laboratories use the EDS-TM001 or EDS-TM002 test material for the periodical check of their EDS. A detailed description of the test material and software together with examples of application was published recently. New results and gained experiences will be presented as well. When the FWHM of the X-ray lines in the EDS-TM spectrum are determined, the spectrum background must be subtracted accurately. The applied physical background subtraction procedure is robust and takes into account the transmission of the detector window. While the previous version considers only Moxtek AP windows, the new version includes selection of silicon Nitride window and the case of windowless detector. Moreover, the new version allows importing of spectra in Bruker spx-format and EMSA/MSA files from EDAX TEAM software.
Windowless detectors have been also tested demonstrating long-term stability after repeated heating and cooling cycles. In this case, the appropriate Background subtraction is decisive for accurate detector characterization. Detailed results will be presented.
The analysis of the chemical composition of cement-based materials like concrete is a crucial task in civil engineering. Concrete is a multi-phase material made of cement, water, aggregates, additives and admixtures. During the damage assessment of concrete structures, the external ingress of harmful species like chlorine, alkalis or sulfates needs to be determined. In order to provide a fast and precise analysis of concrete the application of LIBS offers unique possibilities as the technique can detect all elements at air atmosphere.
To determine the condition of concrete, the information about the chemical composition, the ingress of harmful species as well as the evaluation of characteristic values like the used cement type or the type of aggregates are needed. This work presents the two-dimensional evaluation of concrete samples using LIBS and multivariate data analysis of atomic and molecular emission. For the evaluation of the main components different classification methods will be applied to identify the heterogeneity of the samples. With respect to their specific phase, different species will be quantified using multivariate regression (PLS) and important figures of merit will be presented. All results will be verified using Standard procedure of wet chemistry (XRF, potentiometric titration and ICP-OES).
We report the synthesis and characterization of carbon nanodots (CDs) with high quantum yield (>50%) and tailored optical absorption as well as emission properties. A well-described protocol with polyethyleneimine (PEI) as amine precursor is used as a reference to a new CD system which is stabilized by aromatic 2,3-diaminopyridine (DAP) molecules instead. The DAP stabilizer is installed in order to red-shift the absorption peak of the n-π* electron transition allowing efficient radiative recombination and light emission. Size, shape, and chemical composition of the samples are determined by (HR)TEM, EDX and FTIR-spectroscopy. Optical parameters are investigated using UV-VIS, PL and QY measurements. Several parameters such as concentration, excitation wavelength and pH are studied. Zeta-potential analysis indicate that pH-induced (de-)protonation processes of functional moieties directly affect the n-π* energy bands. This results in unique pH-dependent absorption and emission characteristics which are discussed on the specific chemical composition of each CD system.
In civil engineering, the investigation of existing infrastructure is of major importance for maintaining and ensuring stability of the structures. To ensure durability, uniform regulations and standards apply e.g. the European standard EN 206-1. In some countries, the EN-standard is supplemented by additional standards, as in Germany with DIN 1045-2. Here, specific application rules are described, e.g. for the cement type, to ensure the resistant to different exposures. Therefore, the knowledge of the materials originally used is important in assessing the condition of existing concrete structure. Unfortunately, these are often unknown and must be determined retrospectively. Therefore, we present the application of the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to distinguish between different types of cement. Spectral information’s are used to build a classification model. First, the accuracy of the classification is analyzed on ten pure laboratory cement samples. To investigate possible sources of error, the model was then applied to cement samples with different moisture content. The study shows that LIBS is a promising tool for distinguishing between cement types. For further industrial application, however, factors influencing the LIBS signal must be included to ensure a robust model.
Within the perspective of increasing reliability of AM processes, real-time monitoring allows part inspection while it is built and simultaneous defect detection. Further developments of real-time monitoring can also bring to self-regulating process controls. Key points to reach such a goal are the extensive research and knowledge of correlations between sensor signals and their causes in the process.
Comparing Nontargeted LC-MS Methods by Co-visualizing Linear Dynamic Range and Chemical Coverage
(2019)
INTRODUCTION
Biological and environmental samples contain thousands of small molecule species that all vary in chemical properties and concentration range. Identifying and quantifying all these chemical entities remains a long-term goal in metabolomics and related systems approaches. Due to its broad selectivity, nontargeted LC-MS is usually the method of choice for broad chemical screening. Optimizing nontargeted LC-MS methods, however, is less straightforward than for targeted methods where sensitivity, specificity, linearity etc. serve as well-established performance criteria. We therefore investigated linear dynamic range (LDR) and chemical classification as alternative performance criteria to guide nontargeted method development.
EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
LDR was defined as the linear portion of a feature’s response curve over multiple concentration levels. Comparing the LDR of features across methods can be expected to be significantly more robust than comparing signal intensities for a single concentration. To determine LDR for all features, a computational workflow was implemented in the R programming language. For estimating the linear portion of a curve, several mathematical approaches including linear, non-linear and piecewise linear regression were evaluated. Chemical classification was based on ClassyFire, which computes chemical classes for a given structure. To avoid false classifications for incorrectly annotated compounds, we took the following statistical approach. For each compound, multiple likely annotation hypotheses were derived using a recently described workflow[2]. All annotation hypotheses were submitted to ClassyFire and obtained classifications were ranked by frequency. The most frequently suggested class was kept for further analysis. Finally, LDR and chemical classes were visualized together on a molecular network, which was constructed using the well-established MS/MS similarity approach.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
For technical validation of the workflow, several hundred curve fits obtained from the different regression models were reviewed visually. Piecewise linear regression performed the most reliably with respect to the heterogeneous curve shapes of ‘real-life’ features. Validation of chemical classification was performed against a compound library, which showed that 90% of ~450 library compounds were correctly classified using the described approach. Two liquid chromatography methods (HILIC, RPC) as well as two electrospray ionization variants (low/high-temperature ESI) applied to urinary metabolomics were exemplarily studied to test the workflow. Molecular network visualization indicated that of all analytical setups, HILIC/high temperature ESI performed best in terms of high LDR achieved over a wide range of compound classes. Despite one order of magnitude lower sensitivity, HILIC/low temperature ESI showed similar chemical coverage, except for organic nitrogen compounds that were underrepresented compared to high-temperature ESI. Both RPC setups were inferior to the HILIC setups in terms of high-LDR features, supporting previous findings for the given matrix. The higher relative representation of benzenoids and lipids in RPC demonstrated that the workflow successfully captured expected selectivity differences between chromatographies.
CONCLUSION
When comparing nontargeted LC-MS methods for optimization purposes, ideally all available quantitative and qualitative information should be integrated. The present workflow follows this idea. Visualizing LDR and chemical classes of all features on a molecular network quickly indicated differences in method selectivity that were otherwise difficult to spot. As an automated approach, it is easily applied to repeated optimization steps, enabling effective optimization strategies.
In industrial environments, airborne by-products such as dust and (toxic) gases, constitute a major risk for the worker’s health. Major changes in automated processes in the industry lead to an increasing demand for solutions in air quality management. Thus, occupational health experts are highly interested in precise dust and gas distribution models for working environments. For practical and economic reasons, high-quality, costly measurements are often available for short time-intervals only. Therefore, current monitoring procedures are carried out sparsely, both in time and space, i.e., measurement data are collected in single day campaigns at selected locations only. Real-time knowledge of contaminant distributions inside the working environment would also provide means for better and more economic control of air impurities. For example, the possibility to regulate the workspace’s ventilation exhaust locations can reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants by 50%.
To improve the occupational health and safety of (industrial) workplaces, this work aims for developing a swarm of gas-sensitive aerial nano robots for monitoring indoor air quality and for localizing potential emission sources.
Considerations for nanomaterial identification of powders using volume-specific surface area method
(2019)
The EC’s recommendation for a definition of nanomaterial (2011/696/EU) should allow the identification of a particulate nanomaterial based on the number-based metric criterion according to which at least 50% of the constituent particles have the smallest dimension between 1 and 100 nm. However, it has been recently demonstrated that the implementation of this definition for regulatory purposes is conditioned by the large deviations between the results obtained by different sizing methods or due to practical reasons such as high costs and time-consuming.
For most measurement methods for particle size determination it is necessary to initially disperse the particles in a suitable liquid. However, as the particle size decreases, the adhesion forces increase strongly, making it more difficult to deagglomerate the particles and to assess accurately the result of this process. Therefore, the success of the deagglomeration process substantially determines the measurement uncertainty and hence, the comparability between different methods.
Many common methods such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), centrifugal liquid sedimentation (CLS) or ultrasound attenuation spectroscopy (US) can give good comparable results for the size of nanoparticles, if they are properly separated and stabilized (e.g. in reference suspensions).
In order to avoid the use of hardly available and expensive methods such as SEM / TEM for all powders, an agglomeration-tolerant screening method is useful.
One of the measurement methods well suited to probe the size of particulate powder is the determination of the volume-specific surface area (VSSA) by means of gas adsorption as well as skeletal density. The value of 60 m2/cm3 corresponding to spherical, monodisperse particles with a diameter of 100 nm constitutes the threshold for decisioning if the material is a nano- or non-nanomaterial. The identification of a nanomaterial by VSSA method is accepted by the EU recommendation.
However, the application of the VSSA method was associated also with some limitations. The threshold of 60 m2/cm3 is dependent on the particle shape, so that it changes considerably with the number of nano-dimensions, but also with the degree of sphericity of the particles. For particles containing micro-pores or having a microporous coating, false positive results are induced. Furthermore, broad particle size distributions made necessary to additionally correct the threshold. Based on examples of commercially available ceramic powders, the applicability of the VSSA approach was tested in relation with SEM and TEM measurements. The introduction of a correction term for deviations from sphericity and further additions improved the applicability of VSSA as a screening method.
The ferritic steel 13CrMo4-5 due to good properties with relation to attractive price is frequently use in power plants industry. According EN10028-2 this steel can be used up to 570 °C because of its creep behavior but its corrosion resistance limits the use frequently to lower temperatures, depending on gas temperature and slag formation. The corrosion test were performed in environment containing mixture of gases like: O2, COx, SOx and ashes, with elements e.g. Na, Cl, Ca, Si, C, Fe, Al. Exposure time was respectively 240 h, 1000 h and 4500 h in temperature 600 °C. The oxide scale on the 13CrMo4-5 steel was significant thicker than for In686 coating and the difference increase according for longer exposure time.
The microstructure, chemical and phase composition of the oxide scales were investigated by means of a light microscope, the electron scanning and transmission microscopes (SEM,TEM) equipped with the EDS detectors.
Alkali and alkaline earth chlorides are discussed as heat storage media and are characterized by their low price and high availability. Disadvantages are a high corrosion rate and formation of Cr6+ ions in the melt, as observed in various binary chlorine salt melts. In our work the system NaCl-KCl-MgCl2 is considered. The storage capacity in this salt system is between 2 and 3 MWh per 10 t salt, depending on composition, melting temperature and working temperature. At the same time the system offers a eutectic line, which allows a high variance of the composition and possibly different corrosion rates can be observed. Corrosion tests in melts were carried out and the corrosion layers investigated. The tests with chloride melts on 12% Cr steel show an inner corrosion zone of up to 40 µm depth after 96 hours. The corrosion mechanisms and potential solutions are discussed.
Crack propagation in polymers: Separation of surface energy and irreversible deformation energy
(2019)
Fiber-reinforced-polymers (FRPs) are in current research focus in the lightweight construction industry, because of their extraordinary characteristics (stiffness and strength-to-density relation). The structure of polymer matrix and the interaction with reinforcement are crucial for optimization of the mechanical and thermal properties of FRPs. Due to the macromolecular chain structure, the mechanical properties of a polymer strongly vary with temperature: Below the glass transition, the chain segments of a polymer are “frozen”. Regarding fracture, the total changed energy during fracture if only dissipates for the generation of the new surfaces. However, in the region of the glass transition, the polymer chain segments start to get “unfrozen”, and the energy is not only required for generating new surfaces, but also for irreversibly deformation. This irreversible deformation is affected by the global temperature and the local temperature near the crack tip, which is affected by the local strain rate and crack propagation velocity.
Hence, in this research project, the irreversible deformation of neat and reinforced polymers will be controlled by changing the global temperature as well as the local temperature. With using different fracture experiments, the amount of energy required for creating new surfaces and for the irreversible deformation will be separated. This poster is the summary of the first part of the whole project. In the first part, the basic crack propagation theory for neat polymers is established and the special fracture experiment sample is prepared and tested at room temperature. In addition, the fracture experiment at room temperature is validated numerically.
We present two examples of the potential of synchrotron X-ray refraction techniques. First, we focus on the 3D imaging of hydrogen assisted cracks in an EN AW – 6060 aluminium alloy which are otherwise undetected by absorption-based CT. The second work is a quantitative analysis of the damage evolution in an Al/Al2O3 Metal Matrix Composite during interrupted in-situ tensile load.
Our approach includes the preparation of blends of preferably liquid-crystalline polyesters with Lignin, but also the synthesis of new polyesters with Lignin-related monomer units.
While most studies employ pulped Lignin directly, we first purified the Kraft Lignin by fractionation, followed by chemical modification of the terminal OH groups. Acetylation results in the reduction of glass transition temperatures (Tg) below 200°C, improved processability in the melt with complete melting of the Lignin sample, and higher thermostability.
These Lignin fractions were melt-mixed in a mini-twin-screw extruder with polyesters. The chemical structure of the polyesters was systematically varied between poly(ethylene terephthalate), (PET); poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-oxybenzoate), (PET/HBA); liquid crystalline polyesters with fully aromatic structure; and polyesters with Lignin-related monomers like ferulic and vanillic acid). The polymer influence on the blending behavior with Lignin was examined. SEM revealed phase-separated blends with partial compatibilization of the phases indicated by the shift of Tg’s. The influence of the polyester and the Lignin on decomposition and combustion was accessed by thermogravimetry (TGA), TGA-FTIR and pyrolysis-combustion flow calorimetry (PCFC) and compared to the decomposition of polyesters. The main focus was to achieve melt-spinnable blends for fibres with improved flame retardancy or as precursors for carbon fibers. Blends of Lignin fractions with the aromatic-aliphatic polyesters (here preferably PET/HBA) were successfully spun into fibers with lab-scale melt-spinning equipment. X-ray measurements revealed orientation of the fibers with Lignin. The E-moduli raised with increasing purity of the Lignin fractions (e.g., by removal of reducing sugars).
The structure of the polymer matrix determines the decomposition and combustion behavior of the blends with Lignin. Incorporation of aliphatic subunits reduces the amount of remaining char formed in TGA and PCFC from about 40-45 wt% for fully aromatic polyesters to 18-25 wt% for semiaromatic polyesters (at almost comparable carbon content in the polymer), while the maximum temperature of combustion decreased from 480-530°C for the former to 410-465°C for the latter. Lignin fractionation and acetylation yields samples with high char content (36 wt%) and extremely low heat release capacity (80-90 kJ/gK) with combustion maximum temperature at 405°C. Lignin/ PET/HBA blends combine the low HRC with intermediate char and offer interesting opportunities for polyester fibers with improved flame retardancy without adding P-containing FRs.
The flame retardancy behavior was explored by limiting oxygen index measurements on injection-molded parts and fibers.
Polyolefins as polypropylene are widely used in packaging, automotive, consumer goods, construction, infrastructure, agricultural film and other film and sheet applications. Due to their molecular structure, polyolefins inherently burn well. The wide and growing usage implements that fire retardancy of polyolefin products is necessary and gains more attention. Sulfurous additives with synergistic flame retarding effects were shown in polymers like polystyrene and polyolefins by Bellin et al. and Fuchs et al. earlier. For polystyrene compounds, Braun et al. revealed that thermal degradation in the presence of phosphorus and sulfurous additives changes massively. The total release, the composition, and the onset temperature of evolved decomposition products changes.
For polypropylene, mixtures containing triphenyl phosphate (TPP), sulfur (S8) and poly(tertbutylphenol) disulphide (PBDS) (Table 1) were prepared and investigated via thermogravimetric analysis coupled to Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR).
Messergebnisse in der chemischen Analyse müssen vergleichbar sein. Dies wird durch die metrologische Rückführbarkeit (traceability) auf SI realisiert. In der Chemie dienen Reinststoffe als Primärnormale, deren Reinheit mit einer Unsicherheit von < 0.01% ermittelt werden soll. Ein eleganter Weg, die Reinheit eines realen Materials mit hoher Präzision zu bestimmen, ist, alle Verunreinigungen zu messen, diese aufzusummieren und von der idealen Reinheit von 100 Prozent abzuziehen. Die metallischen Verunreinigungen in Metallen lassen sich mittels hochauflösender Massenspektrometer ermitteln. Eine weit größere Herausforderung ist die Bestimmung von Nichtmetallen wie Sauerstoff, Wasserstoff und Stickstoff im Metall, zumal diese auch oft die Hauptverunreinigung darstellen. Für die quantitative Bestimmung von Verunreinigungen wurden mit Standards dotierte Pulverpresslinge und mit H, O und N dotierte, gesinterte Materialien auf ihre Eignung als Kalibrierstandards für die GD-OES und GD-MS untersucht. Dabei kamen unterschiedliche Plasmabedingungen (pulsed/ continuous mode; verschiedene Plasmagase) zum Einsatz. Ein Überblick über analytische Kenngrößen und Grenzen der verwendeten Kalibrierstrategien wird gegeben.
Intensified continuous processes are in focus of current research. Compared to traditional batch processes, intensified continuous production allows the synthesis of new and difficult producible compounds with better product uniformity and reduced consumption of raw materials and energy. Flexible (modular) chemical plants can produce various products using the same equipment with short down-times between campaigns, and quick introduction of new products to the market.
Full automation is a prerequisite to realize such benefits of intensified continuous plants. In continuous flow processes, continuous, automated measurements and closed-loop control of the product quality are required. Consequently, the demand for smart sensors, which can monitor key variables like component concentrations in real-time, is increasing. Low-Field NMR spectroscopy presents itself as such an upcoming smart sensor (as addressed, e.g., in the CONSENS project1,2).
Systems utilizing such an online NMR analyzer benefits through short development and set-up times when applied to modular production plants starting from a desired chemical reaction. As an example for such a modular process unit, we present the design and validation of an integrated NMR micro mixer based on computational modelling suited for a desired chemical reaction. This method includes a proper design of a continuous reactor, which is optimized through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for the demands of the NMR sensor as well as for the given reaction conditions. The system was validated with a chemical reaction process.
The simultaneous detection of different analytes has gained increasing importance in recent years, especially in the fields of environmental and health monitoring. Particularly suitable formats for multiplexing are bead-based assays. The beads employed need to fulfil size and density requirements important for instance for flow cytometry and shall exhibit an as high as possible surface area for anchoring capture probes to allow for low limits of detection. Core/shell particles are ideally suited in this sense because of their modularity in design and adaptability for various (bio)analytical assays. Here, polystyrene particles coated with different kinds of mesoporous silica shells are presented, possessing distinctly higher surface areas in comparison to non-porous core/shell particles. Different factors such as pH and amount and type of mediator salt used during shell preparation were evaluated with shell inspection by scanning/transmission scanning electron microscopy (SEM/tSEM) being key to architecture control of the monodisperse particles.
For a cytometric model assay, the optimized core/shell particles were functionalized with capture oligonucleotides for DNA detection. After covalent attachment of single-stranded DNA to the silane-modified silica surface, a hybridisation assay using labelled t-DNA complementary strands was carried out to demonstrate particle performance, showing how tailoring of the shell’s surface area controls sensitivity and dynamic range of the assay. Finally, a multiplex assay for the determination of DNA from different human papilloma virus (HPV) lines was developed. Using our optimized particles, we were able to detect down to 10 amolμl‒1, which is an improvement of one order of magnitude compared to assays using non-porous particles reported in the literature. In addition, multiplexed detection could successfully be demonstrated.
As a part of ProMoAM project, we are optimizing a prototype X-ray backscatter to reach NDT requirements, and thereafter to apply it for process monitoring. Moreover, we studied the capability of a radiography approach to detect artificial defects in AM components made by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF).
The ubiquitous presence of unwanted plastics in the environment, especially microscale particles, has been an issue in scientific studies and public debate in the last years. It is well known that oxidative degradation and subsequent fragmentation, caused by UV-radiation, oxidative aging and abrasion lead to the decomposition of larger plastic products into microplastics (MP). Possible effects of these MP on ecosystems are still unclear. Recent studies on MP findings are focused mainly on aquatic systems, while little is known about MP in terrestrial ecosystems.
A possible source of MP input into the soil is compost from domestic bio-waste. Inappropriate waste separation causes plastic fragments in the bio-waste, some of which end up in the compost. In Germany compost is used as fertilizer in agriculture, hence MP could enter the soil by this pathway. So far, there have been only a few studies on this object. For this reason, analysis of compost as a sink and source of MP in ecosystems is of high interest.
To estimate and monitor the MP content in compost and soil, fast and harmonised analytical methods are essential, which not only measure the polymer type and number of particles, but also the mass content. The most common spectroscopic methods are very time-consuming, often require complex sample preparation steps and cannot determine mass contents. Therefore, we used ThermoExtractionDesorption-GasChromatography-MassSpectrometry (TED-GC-MS) as a fast, integral analytical technique. The sample is pyrolyzed to 600°C in a nitrogen atmosphere and an excerpt of the pyrolysis gases is collected on a solid phase adsorber. Afterwards, the decomposition gases are desorbed and measured in a GC-MS system. Characteristic pyrolysis products can be used to identify the polymer type and determine the mass contents. This method is well established for the analysis of MP in water filtrate samples.
In the present work we optimized the TED-GC-MS method for compost and compost/soil matrix and very common polymers, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene-terephthalate and polystyrene (sample mass, detection limits, interfering signals, etc.). Additionally, specific pyrolysis products of polymers used for bio-waste bags, such as polylactide (PLA) and polybutylenadipat-terephthalat (PBAT) had to be identified and evaluated.
First measurements were carried out on model and real samples from prepared mixtures and composting plant. The samples were sterilized, fractionated, filtered and dried. In addition, half of the sample material was treated with hydrogen peroxide to investigate a possible effect on detection.
19th and 20th centuries glass paint layers consist of a colour body and a colourless lead silicate flux, in which borax or boric acid was added as further component to improve the paint ability and to reduce the firing temperature for multiple layers of paint. Model glasses were used in laboratory tests to investigate the stability of glass paints with additions of boron oxide. To determine boron in paint layers, a LIBS-system with pulsed NdYAG-laser was used.
Phosphorus (P) fertilizers from secondary resources became increasingly important in the last years. However, these novel P-fertilizer can also contain toxic pollutants e.g. chromium (Cr) in the hexavalent state (Cr(VI)), which is regulated with low limit values in agricultural products (German fertilizer ordinance limit: 2 mg/kg Cr(VI)). The determination of Cr(VI) in these novel fertilizer matrices can be hampered by redox processes that lead to false results with the standard wet chemical extraction method (German norm DIN EN 15192). Therefore, we analyzed Cr(VI) in various P-fertilizers with the DGT technique. DGT devices equipped with a APA (polyacrylamide) diffusion layer and Cr(VI) selective N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG) binding layer were used for the study. After a 24 h conditioning period of the fertilizer at 60% of the water holding capacity (WHC), the fertilizers were brought to 100% WHC, transferred onto the DGT devices and deployed for 24 h at 25°C. The extraction of Cr from the DGT binding layer was carried out with 1 M HNO3 for 24 h. The Cr-concentrations of the extract were determined by means of ICP-MS. We found a good correlation between the standard wet chemical extraction and the DGT method for the whole range of P-fertilizers. However, partly soluble Cr(VI) compounds cannot be detected in full extent by the DGT method that is best suited for mobile Cr(VI). Furthermore, Cr K-edge XANES spectroscopy showed that the Cr(VI)-selective DGT binding layer also adsorbs mobile Cr(III) compounds from acid treatment of phosphates which can therefore cause an overestimation of Cr(VI). The DGT method was very sensitive and in most cases selective for the analysis of Cr(VI) in P-fertilizers made from recycled materials. However, the results of certain types of P-fertilizers containing mobile Cr(III) or partly immobile Cr(VI) show that still some optimization of the method is required to avoid over- or underestimation of Cr(VI).
There is an increasing interest in bridging the gap between the photoluminescence (PL) properties of nanomaterials like semiconductor nanocrystals (QDs) commonly assessed in ensemble studies and the PL features of single QDs for life sciences applications such as bioimaging studies or use in microfluidic assays. The fluorescence quantum yield (ΦF) is a key performance parameter for all molecular and nanoscale emitters, increasingly employed in nanoscience, nanotechnology, and medical diagnostics.
ΦF determines not only the signal size together with the reporter´s molar extinction coefficient, yet it is particularly relevant for nanocrystals like QDs with coordinatively bound surface ligands and size- and surface chemistry-dependent PL characteristics.
The importance of ΦF measurements at ultralow concentration encouraged us to explore the potential of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) for the relative determination of ΦF of ligand-stabilized CdTe nanocrystals in comparison to molecular dyes with closely matching spectral properties and known ΦF.
We describe a FCS-based method for the relative determination of ΦF of dispersed QDs at ultralow concentrations, and procedures to overcome QD-inherent challenges like complex and power-dependent blinking behavior as well as ligand- and QD-specific aggregation. We could demonstrate the potential of this approach by comparison with steady state ensemble measurements.
Luminescence techniques are amongst the most commonly used analytical methods in the life and material sciences due to their high sensitivity and their nondestructive and multiparametric character. Photoluminescence signals are, however, affected by wavelength-, polarization- and time-dependent instrument specific effects. This hampers the comparability of fluorescence measurements and calls for simple tools for instrument characterization and the quantification of measured fluorescence intensities. Well characterized fluorescence standards for instrument calibration and performance validation (IPV) can be used also to reference fluorescence signals. Of special importance is the reliable and accurate determination of photoluminescence quantum yields (Ф f), that equals the number of emitted per absorbed photons and presents the key performance parameter for emitter efficiency and the comparison of different luminophores. The determination of Ф f is typically done with the aid of so-called quantum yield standards with well-known Ф f values. These standards can also be applied to evaluate integrating sphere setups, which are increasingly being used for absolute measurements of Ф f values. In this respect, division biophotonics of BAM has certificated a set of Ф f standards, which absorb and fluorescence in the wavelength range from 350 to 1100 nm. In the following, the route to Ф f standards with reliable and traceable Ф f values with a complete uncertainty budget will be presented.
Black microcolonial fungi (MCF) are persistent inhabitants of rock surfaces in hostile desert environments. In these niches, MCF have evolved mineral-weathering and symbiotic capabilities as well as mechanisms to cope with multiple stresses such as solar irradiation, temperature extremes and low water activity. Due to their stress tolerance these ascomycetes are prominent in modern terrestrial ecosystems – like man-made material surfaces from roof to solar panels. MCF interactive capabilities support their facultative symbiotic relationships with cyanobacteria and ensure their rock-weathering geochemical activity.
Using the rock-inhabiting fungus K. petricola A95 (Chaetothyriales), we developed transformation protocols and deleted genes responsible for production of the protective pigments melanins and carotenoids. To confirm that the mutant phenotypes were not due to hidden mutations, melanin synthesis was restored by complementing the mutants with the respective wild type genes. Strains of K. petricola carrying gene variants for fluorescent proteins EGFP and DsRed are available. We successfully labelled the cytoplasm, nuclei, peroxisomes and mitochondria. Targeted and ectopic integrations result in stable transformants suitable for further phenotypical characterization. As K. petricola is a non-pathogenic fungus with all characteristic features of MCF, including meristematic growth, melanized cell-walls, extracellular polymeric substances and extensive pigment production, our results will shed light on protective role of pigments during cell wall maturation and oxidative stress defence in rock-inhabiting MCF. Genes involved in environmental sensing or substrate and phototroph interactions are currently targeted. With the help of a mutant collection and fluorescently labelled K. petricola we will be able to investigate interactions of MCF with environmental stressors, mineral substrates, soil matrices and phototrophic symbionts.
An affinity column, which removed up to 99 % of high affinity Anti-TNT antibody at high antibody concentrations, was manufactured based on a monolithic glass core and a trinitroaniline-BSA conjugate. To detect the label Dy654 in the nM range an epi-fluorescence microscope setup with a CMOS camera was established to serve as online fluorescence detector with multiplexing capabilities.
Toxicological studies have shown that some types of carbon nanotubes may provoke asbestos-like effects including chronic inflammation and lung cancer. Inhaled carbon nanotubes may reach the deep lung tissue. Alveolar macrophages are responsible to remove such foreign objects from the alveoli in a process called phagocytosis. If a macrophage fails to uptake a nanotube completely, cell lesions give rise to inflammation. It is currently assumed that short, long and flexible, and granularly agglomerated (tangled) nanofibres are clearable by macrophages, whereas biodurable long and rigid nanotubes persist in the lung tissue. The flexural rigidity of nanofibres is therefore believed to an important material property that governs fibre toxicity and needs to be investigated. The present work aims at determining the rigidity of nanofibres by detecting their resonance frequencies using a Dynamic Scanning Electron Microscope (DySEM) setup. By depositing and fixing a nanofibre to an oscillating support, it can be excited to vibrations and treated as a cantilevered beam. This way, its elastic modulus can be determined via Euler-Bernoulli’s beam theory. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were deposited on high frequency piezoelectric quartz crystals mounted on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) holder. When introduced into the SEM chamber and connected to a frequency-sweeping waveform generator, the quartz crystal actuates the deposited fibre. A lock-in amplified processes the secondary electron detector signal resulting from the electron beam modulated by the vibrating nanofibre. Whenever a fibre resonance is detected, the SEM image of the fibre is stored to identify the fibre oscillation mode. The found resonance frequencies and modes allow determining the elastic modulus according. Since the frequency spacing of resonances is predicted by Euler-Bernoulli, the mode number can be checked and elastic modulus values be averaged. A significant number of MWCNTs have been classified according to their level of rigidity. The applicability and reliability of the method will be discussed.
Toxicological studies have shown that some types of carbon nanotubes may provoke asbestos-like effects including chronic inflammation and lung cancer. Inhaled carbon nanotubes may reach the deep lung tissue. Alveolar macrophages are responsible to remove such foreign objects from the alveoli in a process called phagocytosis. If a macrophage fails to uptake a nanotube completely, cell lesions may give rise to inflammation. It is currently assumed that short, flexible and long as well as granularly agglomerated (tangled) nanofibres are clearable by macrophages, whereas biodurable long and rigid nanotubes may persist in lung tissue. The flexural rigidity of nanofibres is therefore believed to be an important material property that governs fibre toxicity and needs to be investigated. The present work aims at determining the rigidity of nanofibres by detecting their resonance frequencies using a Dynamic Scanning Electron Microscope (DySEM) setup. By depositing and fixing a nanofibre to an oscillating support, it can be excited to vibrations and treated as a cantilevered beam. This way, its elastic modulus can be determined via Euler-Bernoulli’s beam theory. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were deposited on high frequency piezoelectric quartz crystals mounted on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) holder. When introduced into the SEM chamber and connected to a frequency-sweeping waveform generator, the quartz crystal actuates the deposited fibre. A lock-in amplified processes the secondary electron detector signal resulting from the electron beam modulated by the vibrating nanofibre. Whenever a fibre resonance is detected, the SEM image of the fibre is stored to identify the fibre oscillation mode. The found resonance frequencies and modes allow determining the elastic modulus accordingly. Since the frequency spacing of resonances is predicted by Euler-Bernoulli, the mode number can be identified and elastic modulus values be averaged. A significant number of individual MWCNTs were classified according to their level of rigidity. The applicability and reliability of the method will be discussed.
Toxicological studies have shown that some types of carbon nanotubes may provoke asbestos-like effects including chronic inflammation and lung cancer. Inhaled carbon nanotubes may reach the deep lung tissue. Alveolar macrophages are responsible to remove such foreign objects from the alveoli in a process called phagocytosis. If a macrophage fails to uptake a nanotube completely, cell lesions may give rise to inflammation. It is currently assumed that short, flexible and long as well as granularly agglomerated (tangled) nanofibres are clearable by macrophages, whereas biodurable long and rigid nanotubes may persist in lung tissue. The flexural rigidity of nanofibres is therefore believed to be an important material property that governs fibre toxicity and needs to be investigated. The present work aims at determining the rigidity of nanofibres by detecting their resonance frequencies using a Dynamic Scanning Electron Microscope (DySEM) setup. By depositing and fixing a nanofibre to an oscillating support, it can be excited to vibrations and treated as a cantilevered beam. This way, its elastic modulus can be determined via Euler-Bernoulli’s beam theory. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were deposited on high frequency piezoelectric quartz crystals mounted on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) holder. When introduced into the SEM chamber and connected to a frequency-sweeping waveform generator, the quartz crystal actuates the deposited fibre. A lock-in amplified processes the secondary electron detector signal resulting from the electron beam modulated by the vibrating nanofibre. Whenever a fibre resonance is detected, the SEM image of the fibre is stored to identify the fibre oscillation mode. The found resonance frequencies and modes allow determining the elastic modulus accordingly. Since the frequency spacing of resonances is predicted by Euler-Bernoulli, the mode number can be identified and elastic modulus values be averaged. A significant number of individual MWCNTs were classified according to their level of rigidity. The applicability and reliability of the method will be discussed.
P recycling fertilizers are gaining increasing importance in our efforts to close nutrient cycles. An unsatisfactory performance of standard chemical extraction methods to assess the fertilizing effects of such products was reported. They demonstrated that DGT extractions of incubated soil/fertilizer mixtures were able to predict the fertilizing effects of the respective products more accurately. Since DGT works with soil/fertilizer mixtures, its interpretation is soil-dependent. Therefore, in order to facilitate its use as a tool to predict fertilizer performance, it needs to be standardized based on a standard substrate. This research aims to develop a standard substrate based on which evaluation categories for the DGT fertilizer extraction can be derived. The substrate composition should allow to vary the most important soil properties determining the plant availability of fertilizer P. It must also be reproducible at any time and any place. Substrate variants with varying proportions of quartz sand, a clay mineral and sphagnum peat were prepared and set to pH-levels 5.5 and 7 by addition of CaCO3. 7 variants were incubated with a set of test fertilizers (2 recycling fertilizers based on sewage sludge ash and 2 conventional mineral fertilizers) for 2 weeks. Substrate/fertilizer mixtures were then extracted with DGT and an ANOVA was performed to test if the DGT extraction was able to depict significant differences between fertilizers and substrate variants. An 8-week pot trial with ryegrass (3 cuts) was set up with the same substrate variants and test fertilizers. P uptake was determined to assess the fertilizing effect and correlated with the results of the DGT extractions. Statistically significant differences were found between DGT results for the various test fertilizers and substrate variants, indicating that DGT is able to differentiate between P solubility of fertilizers in relation to substrate quality. DGT results showed a strong relationship with P uptake, confirming that this method is suitable to predict the fertilizing effect of P fertilizers. Further optimization of substrate composition and tests with a wider variety of crops and fertilizer types are needed, before evaluation categories for DGT values can be derived.
We report the first results for the immunochemical determination of the β-lactam antibiotic drug amoxicillin (AMX) in water samples by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The applied indirect competitive ELISA using a commercially available mouse anti-AMX antibody enables testing for AMX with a limit of detection of around 1 µg/L. Calibration curves of calibrators prepared in different water samples showed equal shape. This underlines the suitability of this assay for the AMX determination in these samples. Furthermore, cross-reactivities of structurally similar β-lactam antibiotics were examined and found to be low for ampicillin, penicillin G and penicillin V. In contrast, carbenicillin was recognized by the antibody even better than AMX indicating a positive effect of an additional carboxyl group on antibody binding. This is promising for further application of this assay, e.g. in the determination of the most relevant hydrolysis product of AMX, amoxicilloic acid.
The need for sustainable and effective usage of limited resources like water and soil becomes more and more important due to increasing populations and their need for food. The research initiative BonaRes funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, develops strategies to use soil as a sustainable resource for the bio-economy. One part of this initiative is the Intelligence for soil (I4S) project. It deals with the development of an integrated system for the site-specific soil fertility management. The goal of the project is to establish a mobile sensor platform for soil mapping as well as to apply soil and crop models to deal with the high amount of produced data. These models are going to be used to formulate recommendations on the use of fertilizers and to gain an improvement on the soil fertility. Using these information’s, the environmental pollution with substances like nitrate contained in fertilizers can be decreased. Furthermore, the costs for farmers can be decreased if only the amounts of fertilizer actually needed are applied to the field.
The task for the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) is the installation and optimization of a handheld XRF sensor for the online measurement directly on the field. It is a non-destructive technique and quite suitable for the online approach due to a low maintenance in the sample preparation and a fast and simultaneous multi element analysis. The elements of interest in this case are light elements like phosphorus, calcium and potassium. One of the major tasks is the calibration of the sensor for different soils, therefore, calibration models are evolved to deal with different types of soil. Due to the multi element analysis, micro and macro nutrients can be determined simultaneously. Those differ a lot in their contents which makes it inevitable to optimize and adapt the measuring procedure. By analyzing soil, its always important to deal with matrix effects, that is why the influence of different disturbances like the moisturize content and the grain size needs to be investigated.
The XRF is only one of many sensors that combined give customized fertilizing recommendations in the end.
Brazilian farming industry consumed around 2.2 million tons of phosphorus (P) fertilizers in 2016. The agricultural industry depends on imported P fertilizers and over 98% of P fertilizers were used for sugarcane, soybean and maize production.
An alternative is to use P from sugarcane bagasse. Bagasse is the fibrous plant material remaining after extraction of sugarcane juice, and it is combusted for energy production. Remaining ash con-tains up to 0.6 wt% P. The use of bagasse ash (BA) as P fertilizer could decrease the annual import of P fertilizers by 6% of the imported P fertilizer based on 2016 values. Since the bioavailability of P from BA to plants is poorly investigated, this study addresses the effects of (i) gasification tempera-ture (710-849°C), (ii) processing method (gasification vs. combustion), (iii) biomass modifications by co-processing bagasse with chicken manure (BA+CM), and (iv) the soil (Brazilian Oxisol soil vs. nutri-ent poor substrate) on the bioavailability of P from BA to soybeans (Glycine max).
Gasification of BA at 806 °C resulted in significantly highest uptake of P by soybeans and was around 0.33 mmol after 51 days growing. The bioavailability of P significantly increased due to co-gasification of bagasse and chicken manure (BA+CM) and the soybeans took up around 16% more P. Compared to the nutrient-poor substrate, the bioavailability of P in BA+CM ash treated Oxisol soil was signifi-cantly lower by 46% and there was no significant effect of processing method on the bioavailability of P from the BA+CM ash to soybeans. Contrary to the Oxisol soil, the bioavailability of P from co-combusted BA+CM ash was significantly higher compared to co-gasified BA+CM ash. In conclusion, co-processing of bagasse with nutrient rich residues can increase the value of BA as P fertilizer. The bioavailability of P from ash to plants depends on the P forms. Mineralogical analyses of ash P forms by NMR and X-ray diffraction are in progress and will be presented at the conference.
A new dual purpose cask design was developed for the safe transport and interim storage of spent fuel elements of German research reactors. In the framework of the safety assessment within the package approval procedure the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und –prüfung (BAM) as competent authority performed a series of drop tests according with the IAEA Transport Regulations. The package consists of a cylindrical thick-walled ductile cast iron cask body closed by a bolted lid system with metallic seals. A lid and bottom sided impact limiter consisting of a wood/steel construction limit the mechanical impact loading. The full-scale test specimen was equipped with a basket and assembled with dummy-fuel elements. The package and test specimen, respectively have a total mass of approximately 24 metric tons. The mechanical drop test program included three 9m free drop tests, in horizontal, vertical and oblique cask orientation onto the lid system. Additionally, a 1m-puncture bar drop test followed the horizontal drop test to consider an IAEA-drop test sequence. The horizontal and vertical drop tests were performed at a temperature of minus 40°C. During the oblique drop test the upper impact limiter was heated up to +80°C. The tests were conducted onto an unyielding target, fulfilling the IAEA requirements. The test specimen was considerably instrumented with strain gauges and accelerometers. Transient strains at selected locations of the inner and outer container walls, of the primary and secondary lid, as well as of the corresponding lid bolts were measured during the drop tests. Furthermore, decelerations in different locations at the cask body and the lids were measured. The complex geometrical deformation of the impact limiters due to the impact were determined by optical 3D- measurements. Before and after the drop tests the leakage rate of the lid system was determined by helium leakage testing. The experimental results contribute to the evaluation of the package response to mechanical tests, demonstrating safety under normal and accident conditions of transport and especially to the verification of the dynamic finite-element model of the package used in the package design safety report.
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and its early detection and resultant treatment contributes significantly to patient recovery and survival. Detection is currently based on magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, methods that are expensive, while processing of the results is time-consuming1. There is a need for low-cost cancer detection techniques that give conclusive results in the shortest time possible. When equipped with a reporter function, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) targeting tumor markers on cancerous cells may provide a cheaper solution for imaging-based cancer detection. Thin MIP layers immobilized on particle platforms are ideal in this regard, because a fluorescence reporter can be integrated into the particle core and/or MIP shell and such core/shell nanoparticles show faster response times and increased selectivity in comparison to bulk MIPs.
Changes in sialylation patterns of cell surface glycans indicate malignancy2. Here, we present the development of MIPs that target sialic acid-terminated glycans (SA MIPs), prepared as a thin layer on a polystyrene core/silica shell nanoparticle platform. The MIP particles contain fluorescent emitters and can be applied in fluorescence imaging of malignant tumors. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are used for structural characterization. Binding capacity of the MIPs to target glycans and competing sugars is also evaluated and compared to that of the corresponding non-imprinted polymer particles (NIP).
In accident scenarios of transport packages or hypothetical crashes of containers in a storage facility or repository, the materials resistance against dynamic failure of the involved components is a deciding factor for package and container integrity during the handling, transport and storage for each type of radioactive material. For example, different dynamic impact tests on containers and components like lid sealing systems and specimens made of ductile cast iron and shock-absorbing materials are carried out by BAM. In order to perform dynamic impact tests with packages and its parts BAM operates two free-fall drop test facilities with maximum capacities of 200 t and 55 t, and a test bench for guided drop tests. This latter drop test machine enables a clearly specified component loading by a precisely positioned test object or drop weight and has been used recently for numerous investigations. The paper gives an overview of the wide range of experimental testing methods carried out within guided Impact and bending tests. Examples of methodological challenges are presented, especially such experimental analysis of dynamic impact conditions. In addition to known applied methods of dynamic, non-contact displacement measurements like high-speed 3-D surface deformation a recently patented 2-D tracking method is presented. By means of in-situ determination of fracture parameters with relevance to the materials stress intensity factor, the method has been successfully applied for a typical specimen geometry. Also shown are the possibility of detecting in-situ He-leakage rates on laterally impact loaded lid sealing systems as well as a method of acceleration sensor-temperature control under test conditions in the low temperature range.
The church of Koszewko (Poland) is a brick building edified in the 15th century built on cobblestone foundations. There are five windows in the sanctuary. Three of them enclose heraldic panels from the Küssow’s family from the 15th century which are surrounded with Goethe glass from the 18th century to complete the windows. The colored heraldic panels are strongly damaged and corroded with massive paint layer losses, glass- and leadbreakages. Those medieval glass fragments have been shortly discovered and are of particular interest for Poland since only few medieval glazing have been conserved.
The damages as well as the glass compositions have been investigated with ESEM/EDX. Two categories of medieval glass compositions have been identified. The blue glass is particularly sensible to corrosion because of his high content in K2O. The colorless and the red glass samples belong to a stable glass type. Due to the thickness of the gel layer, it is easy to see that the degradation is strongly proceeded. The protection of those medieval stained-glass panels is absolute necessary.
The medieval panels have been restored and surrounded from a copper frame. Then they have been fixed on the wood frame in the church. The exterior glazing has been closed with a panel of Goethe glass. The gap between the Goethe- and the medieval glass is about 3 cm. The Goethe glass panel has been stabilized with a film based on polyester to protect the medieval glasses against any damages. In this way, a low cost protective glazing has been installed for a long-term conservation of each medieval stained-glass panels. The climate measurements over the period of one year on the restored windows are in process. The temperature and the relative humidity are recorded in the church interior, in the gap between the original and the Goethe glass and outdoors.
Specific co-fertilization of nutrients can enhance their plant-availability and thus the yield of plants. To investigate this effect, we performed a pot experiment with three different P-fertilizers and ammonium nitrate sulfate as a co-fertilizer, without and with a nitrification inhibitor (NI), and analyzed the form of nitrogen (N) in the soil via novel X-ray spectroscopic method. The application of NI with the N fertilizer led to a higher dry matter yield of maize. Novel N K-edge micro-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (micro-XANES) spectroscopy identified that the application of a NI promotes the temporary formation of a non-exchangeable N in detectable hot-spots in the soil. The subsequent slow release and prolonged availability of N during plant growth leads to higher yield. It can be concluded that NIs lead to a temporary fixation of ammonium-N in a pool that can be accessed by plant roots. Those types of available nutrient pools meet the idea of so-called “next generation fertilizers” as plants have access to nutrients according to their current demand.
Phosphorus (P) resource availability is declining and the efficiency of applied nutrients in agricultural soils is becoming increasingly important. This is especially true for P-fertilizers from recycled materials which often have a lower plant-availability compared to commercial P-fertilizers but are expected to play an increasingly important role into the future (Kratz et al. 2019). One promising way to increase the plant-availability of the fertilizer P is a co-fertilization with specific nitrogen (N) forms which can enhance the P uptake and make P-fertilizers from recycled material more competitive to commercial phosphate rock-based P-fertilizers (Rahmatullah et al. 2006; Vogel et al. 2018). To investigate this effect, we performed a pot experiment with three different P-fertilizers (sewage sludge-based, phosphate rock and triple superphosphate) and ammonium nitrate sulfate as a co-fertilizer, without and with a nitrification inhibitor (NI), and analyzed the form of N and P in soil via a suite of chemical and novel X-ray spectroscopic methods. The application of NI with the P and N fertilizers led to a higher dry matter yield and a higher P uptake of maize. Novel N K-edge micro-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (micro-XANES) spectroscopy identified that the application of a NI promotes the temporary formation of a non-exchangeable N in detectable hot-spots in the soil. The subsequent slow release and prolonged availability of N during plant growth leads to higher yield and nutrient uptake. It can be concluded that NIs lead to a temporary fixation of ammonium-N in a pool that can be accessed by plant roots. Those types of available nutrient pools meet the idea of so-called “next generation fertilizers” as plants have access to nutrients according to their current demand.
Crack healing in glass ceramic solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) sealants is of utmost importance as cracks caused by thermal cycling remain a bottleneck in developing durable SOFC. Whereas no or low crystal volume fraction seems most favorable for viscous crack healing, it does not for load bearing and undesired diffusion. On the other hand, crystals or filler particles can make the sealant less prone to these disadvantages but it could increase the effective composite viscosity and retard crack healing.
Against this background, the influence of crystal volume fraction, phi, on viscous crack healing in glass matrix composites prepared from soda lime silicate glass and zirconia filler particles was studied. Vickers indention induced radial cracks were healed isothermally during interrupted annealing steps and monitored with optical microscopy. Due to the slow crystallization of the glass under study, phi could be kept constant during crack healing.
For bulk glass samples (phi = =), the decrease in radial crack length was retarded by an initial increase in crack width due to crack rounding. Up to phi = 0.15 the increase in effective viscosity retarded this crack broadening thereby yielding faster crack healing. For phi > 0.15, crack broadening was progressively suppressed but the same was true for crack healing, which was fully prevented above phi = 0.3. Results indicate that optimum micro structures can prevent crack broadening limited by the global effective composite viscosity and this way promote crack healing limited by local glass viscosity.
One of the most important goals in civil engineering is to guaranty the safety of constructions. National standards prescribe a required failure probability in the order of 10-6 (e.g. DIN EN 199:2010-12). The estimation of these failure probabilities is the key point of structural reliability analysis. Generally, it is not possible to compute the failure probability analytically. Therefore, simulation-based methods as well as methods based on surrogate modelling or response surface methods have been developed. Nevertheless, these methods still require a few thousand evaluations of the structure, usually with finite element (FE) simulations, making reliability analysis computationally expensive for relevant applications.
The aim of this contribution is to increase the efficiency of structural reliability analysis by using the advantages of model reduction techniques. Model reduction is a popular concept to decrease the computational effort of complex numerical simulations while maintaining a reasonable accuracy. Coupling a reduced model with an efficient variance reducing sampling algorithm significantly reduces the computational cost of the reliability analysis without a relevant loss of accuracy.
Die ThermoExtraktionDesorption-Gaschromatografie-Massenspektrometrie (TED-GC-MS) ist die wichtigste Methode der BAM zur Analyse von Mikroplastikpartikeln in Umweltproben. Mit wachsendem Erfahrungsschatz traten Komplikationen auf, bei deren Bewältigung das Analysensystem verbessert werden konnte. Das Poster präsentiert u. a. die Verbesserung der Nachweisgrenzen sowie die Eliminierung von Kontaminationsquellen aus gängigen Probennahmeverfahren.
The knowledge of transformation pathways and identification of transformation products (TPs) of veterinary drugs is important for health, food and environmental matters. Monensin (MON) is an ionophore antibiotic widely used to cure and prevent coccidiosis by chicken especially in broiler farming. Residues can be found in food products (chicken and eggs) and in the environment (manure, soil, water). Several transformation processes can alter the parent compound MON, ranging from biotransformation in living organism to biotic/abiotic and microbial processes in environmental matters.
The main objective of this work was to investigate the potential of electrochemistry (EC) to simulate oxidative transformation processes of MON and to predict TPs. An electrochemical reactor was used consisting of a flow-through cell with a glassy carbon working electrode. Derived TPs were analyzed by online coupling of EC and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and LC/HRMS offline measurements. Among the generated TPs already known as well as unknown TPs of MON could be found.
Additionally, MON was subjected also to other transformation experiments like metabolism tests with rat microsomes or the pH-dependent hydrolysis. As a result, different targeted and suspected TPs could be identified by analysis with LC/HRMS.
An overview of detected/identified TPs from this study will be presented in comparison to literature known metabolites and TPs.
EMPIR Project NanoXSpot
(2019)
The overall objective of project NanoXSpot (Nanometre X-ray Focal Spot Measurement) is to develop traceable measurement methods for determining the focal spot size, shape, and position of nanometre resolution X-ray tubes. The impact of the technical results will be ensured by preparing prenormative documents for submission to CEN TC 138 (Non-destructive testing) WG 1 (Radiographic testing), which directly addresses the research needs of CEN, currently revising standards in the series 12543 for focal spot measurements below 5 µm spot size to harmonise standards and measurement method between ASTM and CEN.
Die vom BMBF unterstütze Forschungsinitiative BonaRes entwickelt Strategien um Boden als nachhaltige Ressource für die Bioökonomie zu nutzen. Das Projekt Intelligence for Soil (I4S) ist ein Teil dieser Initiative und beschäftigt sich mit der Entwicklung eines integrierten Systems zur ortsspezifischen Düngung. Ein Ziel dieses Projektes ist die Etablierung einer mobilen Sensorplattform zur Bodenkartierung. Aufgabe der BAM ist dabei das Installieren und die Optimierung eines RFA Sensors für die online Messung direkt auf dem Feld. Die RFA ist eine zerstörungsfreie Technik, die kaum Probenvorbereitung benötigt und einen schnelle Multielement Analyse ermöglicht. Das schnelle Kartieren des Bodens ermöglicht später eine ortsspezifische Düngung mit Nährstoffen wie z.B. K, Ca und P.
Flammendurchschlagsicherungen sind Armaturen, die das Fortschreiten einer Explosion von einem Anlagenteil in den Anderen verhindern. Diese in Rohren verbauten Armaturen sind durchlässig für das jeweils zu transportierende Produkt, verhindern jedoch den Durchtritt von Flammen. Zum Einsatz kommen Flammendurchschlagsicherungen neben großchemischen Anlagen auch beim Transport von Treibstoffen oder an Tankstellen. Die derzeitige Norm zur Prüfung von Flammendurchschlagsicherungen (DIN EN ISO 16852) basiert nur auf Erkenntnissen aus atmosphärischen Tests. Zur Anwendung von Flammendurchschlagsicherungen bei erhöhten Ausgangsdrücken wird ein Verfahren benötigt, das die sichere und reproduzierbare Baumusterprüfung von Flammendurchschlagsicherungen auf ihre Wirksamkeit gegen Explosionen bei nicht-atmosphärischen Bedingungen erlaubt. Dies wiederum führt zu einer höheren Sicherheit und Verfügbarkeit beim Umgang mit brennbaren Stoffen in der Industrie.
Feuchte, insbesondere in Form von Flüssigwasser, stellt in Baustoffen ein hohes Schadenspotential dar. Um mit zerstörungsfreier Prüfung mögliche Risikostellen zu lokalisieren und Präventionsmaßnahmen zu ergreifen, sind Kenntnisse über das Porengefüge und Feuchtetransportmechanismen im Baustoff erforderlich. Eine wesentliche Problematik besteht derzeit in der Erfassung und Quantifizierung von Feuchteverteilungen bei Teilsättigung.
Wir verfolgen derzeit einen Ansatz, mittels Nuklear Magnetischer Resonanz (NMR) in Korrelation mit relativen Luftfeuchtmessungen den Flüssigwasseranteil bei Teilsättigung zu ermitteln. Mit Protonen-NMR lassen sich Relaxationszeiten von Wasserstoffprotonen in Abhängigkeit von ihrer Bindungsart und ihrer Umgebung - z. B. Porenstruktur und -größe - erfassen. Allerdings lässt sich bei Materialien mit sehr breiten Porengrößenverteilungen nicht klar differenzieren, ob kurze Relaxationszeiten durch größere teilgesättigte oder kleinere vollgesättigte Poren verursacht werden. Für die Korrelation mit der relativen Luftfeuchte im Baustoff erfolgt zunächst eine künstliche Regulierung im Klimaschrank. Durch einen neuentwickelten Ansatz von Hillerborg lassen sich dann bei jeder Luftfeuchte die adsorbierten Wasserschichtdicken und der Porensättigungsgrad für die vorhandenen Porengrößen berechnen. Mithilfe des berechneten Porensättigungsgrades lässt sich eine genauere Analyse der zeitlichen Entwicklung von Relaxationszeitenverteilungen (insbesondere bei Trocknungs- und Aufsättigungsprozessen) vornehmen. Somit sollen erstmals Aussagen zu kürzeren Relaxationszeiten bei teilgesättigten Porensystemen, die beispielsweise auch eine multimodale Porengrößenverteilung aufweisen, getroffen werden können.
In dieser Arbeit wird die Kombination aus NMR und der relativen Luftfeuchte an sehr porösen Dämmplatten aus Kalziumsilikat, die zur Wärmedämmung sowie der Entgegenwirkung von Schimmelbildung eingesetzt werden, angewendet. Untersucht werden 28 Proben à 6 Gruppen, die von unterschiedlichen Herstellern stammen bzw. unterschiedlich hergestellt wurden.
The European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste Management (EURAD) has been launched to coordinate activities on agreed priorities of common interest between European partners. The main actions include scientific and technical activities on radioactive waste characterization and processing, interim storage of radioactive waste as well as predisposal and disposal solutions. As part of the programme, the work package on Spent Fuel Characterization and Evolution until Disposal (SFC) was proposed and accepted by the European Commission. The objectives of this work package include the development of beyond-state-of-the-art characterization techniques for spent nuclear fuel during its evolution from reactor unloading until disposal, the understanding of the spent fuel performance during prolonged storage, transport and emplacement in a deep geological repository, the understanding of the behaviour of fuel, cladding, pellet-cladding interaction and ageing effect under normal and postulated accident scenarios until disposal, and contributions to operational safety concepts for fuel handling at spent nuclear fuel packaging facilities.
Evolution of a friction material with braking sequence: properties related to the microstructure
(2019)
The microstructural complexity (multi-component and multi-scale) of friction materials, such as those used in braking applications,usually limits the characterization to the pristine state, even when they are to be submitted to high loading brake sequences. The understanding of properties ageing as a function of load history and microstructure is an important step to gain further knowledge on the tribological mechanisms occurring at the contact surface, as well as on the braking performances. To do so, the bulk mechanical and microscopical properties of a semi-metallic friction material are investigated before and after a braking sequence. Uniaxial compression tests combined with DIC are used to study the axial evolution of the mechanical behaviour (i.e., from the contact surface to the backplate). A significant mechanical evolution is observed in the after-braking material, which develops a layered behaviour along the depth. The layers (three) exhibit distinct mechanical/microstructural features that can be related to the braking thermal gradients and the occurrence of local damage.
Degradation of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) in gas‐turbine engines due to calcium–magnesium–aluminosilicate (CMAS) glassy deposits from various sources has been a persistent issue since many years. In this study, state of the art electron microscopy was correlated with X‐ray refraction techniques to elucidate the intrusion of CMAS into the porous structure of atmospheric plasma sprayed (APS) TBCs and the formation and growth of cracks under thermal cycling in a burner rig. Results indicate that the sparse nature of the infiltration as well as kinetics in the burner rig are majorly influenced by the wetting behavior of the CMAS. Despite the obvious attack of CMAS on grain boundaries, the interaction of yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) with intruded CMAS has no immediate impact on structure and density of internal surfaces. At a later stage the formation of horizontal cracks is observed in a wider zone of the TBC layer.
Remote gas sensors mounted on mobile robots enable the mapping of gas distributions in large or hardly accessible areas. A challenging task, however, is the generation of threedimensional distribution maps from these gas measurements.
Suitable reconstruction algorithms can be adapted, for instance, from the field of computed tomography (CT), but both their performance and strategies for selecting optimal measuring poses must be evaluated. For this purpose simulations are used, since, in contrast to field tests, they allow repeatable conditions. Although several simulation tools exist, they lack realistic models of remote gas sensors. Recently, we introduced a model for a Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) gas sensor taking into account the conical shape of its laser beam. However, the novel model has not yet been validated with experiments. In this paper, we compare our model with a real sensor device and show that the assumptions made hold.