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Das vorliegende Arbeitspapier stellt den Stand des Wissens und der Forschung zum Einsatz von Sensorik in Straßenbefestigungen zur Erfassung von Eingangsgrößen und Merkmalen für die Substanzbewertung zusammenfassend dar. Unter Sensorik versteht dieses Arbeitspapier ganz allgemein technische Einrichtungen, mit denen man die Werte von physikalischen Größen erfassen und zur Interpretation darstellen kann.
This working paper summarises the current state of knowledge and research on the application of sensors in road pavements, designed to record input quantities and characteristics for structural assessment. In this working paper, sensors generally refer to technical equipment that can used to record the values of physical quantities and display them for interpretation.
The working paper deals with every type of sensor that is permanently connected to the road, i.e. sensors that are installed – in the bound and unbound courses of the superstructure as well as in the sub-base/sub-structure, – next to or above the road (for example on masts) and can contribute to structural recording and its subsequent assessment. This can also include sensors that are primarily used for a different purpose (e.g. traffic control). However, this working paper only describes the application of sensors that are installed primarily for other purposes for the sake of completeness; special publications (e.g. Notes on detection technologies in road traffic) are available for the respective installation situations.
In this work, thin iron doped tin oxide layers (3–6 nm) were investigated with regard to gas sensitivity by means of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect with ellipsometric readout. The experimental set-up was a Kretschmann configuration with gold as metal layer. The sensor system was exposed to different concentrations of methane in the low ppm range and the sensor response of an uncoated gold layer compared to a gold layer coated with iron doped tin oxide. The additional layer effects stability with regard to drift behavior of the sensor and an increase in sensitivity. Furthermore, the sensor is able to detect the toxic gas carbon monoxide in low concentration range (down to 0.5 ppm). The thin layers were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary electron microscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The possible mechanisms taking place on the surface are discussed.
There is no applicable existing standard for the determination of safety characteristics for hybrid mixtures. While developing a new standard in a joint research project in Germany first results from parameter studies led to a standard procedure that can be adopted by laboratories that are already testing dusts in the so called 20L-sphere with as little additional effort as necessary. In fact, one of the main objectives of this research project was to keep modifications and adjustments from the generally accepted dust testing procedures as easy and minimal as possible so as to limit potential deviations from one laboratory to another.
In this first round robin test on hybrid mixtures ever, with methane as gas component and a specific corn starch as dust sample, the practicality of the whole procedure, the scattering of the results and the deviation between the testing apparatuses is investigated. This paper summarizes the experimental procedure adopted and objectives of the first round-robin phase involving three of the four original German companies, plus volunteering laboratories from Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Poland and P.R. China. The results will have an impact on the new standard and may lead to robust data for later simulation purposes.
In diesem Verbundvorhaben werden standardisierte Messverfahren für hybride Gemische erarbeitet, die der Bestimmung sicherheitstechnischer Kenngrößen des Explosionsschutzes dienen. Unter einem hybriden Gemisch wird dabei ein mehrphasiges System aus Brenngas oder brennbarem Dampf, sowie Luft und brennbarem Staub verstanden. Die Veröffentlichung der Ergebnisse erfolgt in einem Abschlussbericht und als DIN-Spezifikation (DIN SPEC). Diese DIN SPEC versetzt Prüfinstitute und Industrie in die Lage, Explosionsgefahren beim Betrieb technischer Anlagen mit hybriden Gemischen einzuschätzen und damit Prozesse sowohl sicherer als auch effizienter zu steuern. Dieses Projekt wird im Rahmen des WIPANOProgramms (Wissens- und Technologietransfer durch Patente und Normen) vom BMWi gefördert.
Aluminum has gathered toxicological Attention based on relevant human exposure and its suspected hazardous potential. Nanoparticles from food supplements or Food contact materials may reach the human gastrointestinal tract.
Here, we monitored the physicochemical fate of aluminum containing nanoparticles and aluminum ions when passaging an in vitro model of the human gastrointestinal tract. Smallangle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ion beam microscopy (IBM), secondary ion beam mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the singleparticle mode were employed to characterize two aluminumcontaining nanomaterials with different particle core materials (Al0, γAl2O3) and soluble AlCl3. Particle size and shape remained unchanged in saliva, whereas strong Agglomeration of both aluminum nanoparticle species was observed at low pH in gastric fluid together with an increased ion release. The levels of free aluminum ions decreased in intestinal fluid and the particles deagglomerated, thus liberating primary particles again. Dissolution of nanoparticles was limited and substantial changes of their shape and size were not detected. The amounts of particle-associated phosphorus, chlorine, potassium, and calcium increased in intestinal fluid, as compared to nanoparticles in standard dispersion.
Interestingly, nanoparticles were found in the intestinal fluid after addition of ionic aluminum. We provide a comprehensive characterization of the fate of aluminum nanoparticles in simulated gastrointestinal fluids, demonstrating that orally ingested nanoparticles probably reach the intestinal epithelium. The balance between dissolution and de novo complex formation should be considered when evaluating nanotoxicological experiments.
The application of appropriate analytical techniques is essential for nanomaterial (NM) characterization. In this study, we compared different analytical techniques for NM analysis. Regarding possible adverse health effects, ionic and particulate NM effects have to be taken into account. As NMs behave quite differently in physiological media, special attention was paid to techniques which are able to determine the biosolubility and complexation behavior of NMs. Representative NMs of similar size were selected: aluminum (Al0) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3), to compare the behavior of metal and metal oxides. In addition, titanium dioxide (TiO2) was investigated. Characterization techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) were evaluated with respect to their suitability for fast characterization of nanoparticle dispersions regarding a particle's hydrodynamic diameter and size distribution. By application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in the single particle mode (SP-ICP-MS), individual nanoparticles were quantified and characterized regarding their size. SP-ICP-MS measurements were correlated with the information gained using other characterization techniques, i.e. transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The particle surface as an important descriptor of NMs was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). NM impurities and their co-localization with biomolecules were determined by ion beam microscopy (IBM) and confocal Raman microscopy (CRM). We conclude advantages and disadvantages of the different techniques applied and suggest options for their complementation. Thus, this paper may serve as a practical guide to particle characterization techniques.
Uptake and molecular impact of aluminum-containing nanomaterials on human intestinal caco-2 cells
(2018)
Aluminum (Al) is one of the most common elements in the earth crust and increasingly used in food, consumer products and packaging. Its hazard potential for humans is still not completely understood. Besides the metallic form, Al also exists as mineral, including the insoluble oxide, and in soluble ionic forms. Representatives of these three species, namely a metallic and an oxidic species of Al-containing nanoparticles and soluble aluminum chloride, were applied to human intestinal cell lines as models for the intestinal barrier. We characterized physicochemical particle parameters, protein corona composition, ion release and cellular uptake. Different in vitro assays were performed to determine potential effects and molecular modes of Action related to the individual chemical species. For a deeper insight into signaling processes, microarray transcriptome analyses followed by bioinformatic data analysis were employed. The particulate Al species showed different solubility in biological media. Metallic Al nanoparticles released more ions than Al2O3 nanoparticles, while AlCl3 showed a mixture of dissolved and agglomerated particulate entities in biological media. The protein corona composition differed between both nanoparticle species. Cellular uptake, investigated in transwell experiments, occurred predominantly in particulate form, whereas ionic Al was not taken up by intestinal cell lines. Transcellular transport was not observed. None of the Al species showed cytotoxic effects up to 200 mg Al/mL. The transcriptome analysis indicated mainly effects on oxidative stress pathways, xenobiotic metabolism and metal homeostasis. We have shown for the first time that intestinal cellular uptake of Al occurs preferably in the particle form, while toxicological effects appear to be ion-related.
A research project is described involving a comparison of different non-destructive test methods for concrete bridges. A cooperative test series was started with the aim to compare and evaluate the performance and benefits of the latest technical developments in this field. For this purpose test specimens with localized defects were produced. Different modifications of radar, ultrasonic-echo and impact-echo methods were investigated. Including two- and three- dimensional reconstruction models. The experiments were accompanied by numerical simulation of the propagation of sound waves and microwaves. The results showed that the radar and the ultrasonic methods were efficient tools to locate the tendon ducts accurately if the reinforcing bars were not to narrowly spaced. The ultrasonic imaging methods were capable of identifying injection and compaction faults in a blind test. The good performance of the impact-echo method with regard to locating tendon ducts which was claimed in several publications could not be validated in the present investigations. The simulation models provided valuable information on how to improve the experimental test program and its evaluation.
Einfluss der Konvektion auf das Selbstentzündungs- und Abbrandverhalten von Schüttgütern und Stäuben
(2005)
Selbstentzündung und Brandausbreitung von brennbaren Schüttgütern und Stäuben werden von mehreren Parametern beeinflusst. Verschiedene Einflussgrößen auf die Selbstentzündungstemperatur, wie Materialeigenschaften, Geometrie sowie Feuchtegehalt des Schüttgutes und seiner Umgebung sind bereits früher untersucht worden. Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt experimentelle Ergebnisse zum Einfluss der Konvektion an den Oberflächen von Schüttgutablagerungen auf Selbstentzündung und Brandausbreitung vor. Die Versuche wurden mit Braunkohlenstaub und Korkmehl durchgeführt. Zusätzlich wurde der Einfluss des Neigungswinkels der Schüttung (bei konstantem Volumen-Oberflächenverhältnis) untersucht. Mit Hilfe eines numerischen Modells wurde außerdem ein in der Literatur beschriebener Großversuch an Kohlehalden simuliert und bewertet. Dabei wurde der Selbstentzündungsvorgang, gefolgt von einer Brandausbreitung, berechnet.
Observed autoignition events and extinguishing the resulting smouldering fires in an underground storage system of a coal-fired power plant have provided insight into the array of contributing variables, and some experience on quantifying the risk with alternative scenarios of event initiation, progress and potential mitigation. Although the first attempts to quantify the risk suggest high sensitivity to the sequence of action taken after fire alarm, and no similar storage sites really exist, some recommended preventive, corrective and other mitigating activities can be at least partly defined and improved by using the cumulative experience and parallel efforts in other closed or underground storage sites. However, there are also so-called black (or at least grey) swans: unexpected events for which the facility may be poorly prepared for. In the case of the underground storage silos, such an event was experienced when incoming cold coal during a harsh winter season froze the sewer system that normally protects the stored coal from seepage water. With blocked normal bypass, the seepage water found its way to the coal silos and created large clumps of icy coal that blocked the coal conveyors. Although freezing weather is not unusual at high-latitude power plants, the common methods to combat freezing of coal are mainly useful for open storage sites and above-ground transport. Options for mitigation are discussed, as well as the event chain leading to an event that had never previously occurred. The case is discussed from the point of view of options to prepare for rare or unforeseen events.
Turbine components from conventionally cast nickel-base alloy René 80 show different hot cracking susceptibilities depending on their heat treatment conditions leading to slightly different microstructures. Electron probe micro-analysis, focused ion beam technique and analytical transmission electron microscopy were applied to reveal and identify grain boundary precipitates and the γγ'-microstructure. The distribution of borides along grain boundaries was evaluated statistically by quantitative metallography. The following features could be correlated with an increase of cracking susceptibility: i) Increasing grain size, ii) increasing fraction of grain boundaries with densely spaced borides, iii) lack of secondary γ'-particles in matrix channels between the coarse cuboidal γ'-precipitates. The latter feature seems to be responsible for linking-up of cracked grain boundary precipitates which occurred as an additional cracking mechanism after one heat treatment, whereas decohesion at the boride-matrix-interface in the heat affected zone of laser-drilled holes was observed for both heat treatments.
A gas sensor system based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect in a 44 nm Au layer was studied. The usability of this sensor system was investigated for several analyte gases and gas mixtures which are interesting due to their flammability, toxicity or greenhouse effect. The SPR effect of gold was measured in nitrogen and compared with the gaseous alkane series which caused a shift of the position of the SPR effect. For in situ measurements, the phase shift Δ at the SPR angle (ψ minimum) in the analyte gas mixtures was measured for investigated gases in comparison with nitrogen. With this method, detection limits of different gases could be determined, which lie in a range interesting for safety engineering. Furthermore the aging effect of the gold layers which leads to loss in sensitivity of the sensor was investigated.
The environmental impact assessment of materials is usually based on laboratory tests, mostly in combination with models describing the longterm fate of the substances of interest in the targeted environmental compartment. Thus, laboratory tests are the fundamental link to achieve appropriate assessment conclusions which makes it essential to generate consistent results. This just as applies to the leaching of cementitious materials. In Europe, the leaching behavior of monolithic building materials is tested in the Dynamic Surface Leaching Test following the specification CEN/TS 16637–2. An interlaboratory comparison on European level regarding this technical specification showed relatively high intra- and interlaboratory variations for the tested materials (monolithic copper slag and cement stabilized coal fly ash). Therefore the German Committee for Structural Concrete (DAfStb) framed a guideline to specify additional testing conditions for cementitious materials. To assess the possible improvement by this guidelines measures, a round robin test with 11 participants from Germany and the Netherlands was conducted. This work aims to provide insight into the factors to be considered in the testing of alkaline materials, including sample preparation, and highlights crucial procedures and their manifestation in the results. All evaluated parameters showed improved results compared to the earlier round robin test. The relative standard deviations for repeatability (RSDr) and reproducibility (RSDR) of the elements calcium, barium, antimony, chromium, molybdenum and vanadium, which are the parameters evaluated in both round robin tests, were RSDr = 4%, 4%, 2%, 5%, 5%, and 5% respectively (4% in average) for this work, in comparison to the European round robin test with an average RSDr of 29% (17%, 17%, 20%, 40%, 36%, and 42%). The RSDR improved from 41% (30%, 36%, 29%, 57%, 40%, and 56%) to 14% (12%, 8%, 6%, 28%, 15%, and 12%). CO2 ingress during testing and the inaccuracy of eluate analytics for concentrations close to the determination limits were identified as the main sources of error.
Experiments according to a test specified in the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria, and numerical simulations by means of a finite element method are employed to determine the self-accelerating decomposition temperature of acrylic acid in a railroad tank car. The results demonstrate that the transport of acrylic acid in big tank cars is safe as long as some basic conditions are taken into account.
This paper presents the state-of-the-art of using non-destructive testing (NDT) methods based on elastic waves for the condition assessment of structural timber. Two very promising approaches based on the propagation and reflections of elastic waves are described. While the first approach uses ultrasonic echoes for the testing of wooden building elements, the second approach uses guided waves (GW) for the testing of timber pole and pile structures. The basic principle behind both approaches is that elastic waves induced in a timber structure will propagate through its material until they encounter a change in stiffness, cross-sectional area or density, at which point they will reflect back. By measuring the wave echoes, it is possible to determine geometric properties of the tested structures such as the back wall of timber elements or the underground length of timber poles or piles. In addition, the internal state of the tested structures can be assessed since damage and defects such as rot, fungi or termite attacks will cause early reflections of the elastic waves as well as it can result in changes in wave velocity, wave attenuation and wave mode conversion. In the paper, the principles and theory of using elastic wave propagation for the assessment of wooden building elements and timber pole/pile structures are described. The state-of-the-art in testing equipment and procedures is presented and detailed examples are given on the practical application of both testing approaches. Recent encouraging developments of cutting edge research are presented along with challenges for future research.
Beurteilung des Selbstentzündungsverhaltens brennbarer Stäube mit Hilfe adiabatischer Warmlagerung
(2010)
An ellipsometric gas sensor based on the surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of ~ 43 nm thick gold layers was investigated. To protect the gold layer from contamination and to improve the detection limits, the gold layers were top-coated with 5–6 nm thick layers of organic a-C:H or with inorganic metal oxides TiO2 or ZrO2. The additional layers increased the long-term stability, whereas the metal oxide layers protect better than a-C:H. Furthermore, the additional layers decreased the detection limits by one order of magnitude in case of a-C:H and two orders of magnitude in case of the oxides. It could be shown that the detection limits also depend on the kind of preparation (sol–gel process or physical vapour deposition) of the additional layers.
We present colloidally stable and highly luminescent ZnxCd1_xS:Mn/ZnS core–shell nanocrystals (NCs) synthesized via a simple non-injection one-pot, two-step synthetic route, which can be easily upscaled. A systematic variation of the reaction component, parameters and thickness of the ZnS shell yielded doped nanocrystals with a very high photoluminescence quantum yield (pl) of 70%, which is the highest value yet reported for these Mn-doped sulfide-semiconductor NCs. These materials can be synthesized with high reproducibility in large quantities of the same high quality, i.e., the same pl using accordingly optimized reaction conditions. The application of these zero-reabsorption high quality NCs in the light conversion layers, deposited on top of a commercial monocrystalline silicon (mono-Si) solar cell, led to a significant enhancement of the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of this device in the ultraviolet spectral region between 300 and 400 nm up to ca. 12%. EQE enhancement is reflected by an increase in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) by nearly 0.5 percentage points and approached the theoretical limit (0.6%) expected from down-shifting for this Si solar cell. The resulting PCE may result in a BoM (bill of materials) cost reduction of app. 3% for mono-Si photovoltaic modules. Such small but distinct improvements are expected to pave the road for an industrial application of doped semiconductor NCs as cost-effective light converters for silicon photovoltaic (PV) and other optoelectronic applications.
The molecular dynamics of the triphenylene-based discotic liquid crystal HAT6 is investigated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy, advanced dynamical calorimetry and neutron scattering. Differential scanning calorimetry in combination with X-ray scattering reveals that HAT6 has a plastic crystalline phase at low temperatures, a hexagonally ordered liquid crystalline phase at higher temperatures and undergoes a clearing transition at even higher temperatures. The dielectric spectra show several relaxation processes: a localized gamma-relaxation a lower temperature and a so called alpha-2-relaxation at higher temperatures. The relaxation rates of the alpha-2-relaxation have a complex temperature dependence and bear similarities to a dynamic glass transition. The relaxation rates estimated by hyper DSC, Fast Scanning calorimetry and AC Chip calorimetry have a different temperature dependence than the dielectric alpha-2-relaxation and follows the VFT-behavior characteristic for glassy dynamics. Therefore, this process is called alpha-1-relaxation. Its relaxation rates show a similarity with that of polyethylene. For this reason, the alpha-1-relaxation is assigned to the dynamic glass transition of the alkyl chains in the intercolumnar space. Moreover, this process is not observed by dielectric spectroscopy which supports its assignment. The alpha-2-relaxation was assigned to small scale translatorial and/or small angle fluctuations of the cores.
The neutron scattering data reveal two relaxation processes. The process observed at shorter relaxation times is assigned to the methyl group rotation. The second relaxation process at longer time scales agree in the temperature dependence of its relaxation rates with that of the dielectric gamma-relaxation.
A selected series of dipole functionalized triphenylene-based discotic liquid crystals (DLCs) was synthesized and investigated in a systematic way to reveal the phase behavior and molecular dynamics. The later point is of particular importance to understand the charge transport in such systems which is the key property for their applications such as organic field-effect transistors, solar cells or as nanowires in molecular electronics, and also to tune the properties of DLCs. The mesomorphic properties were studied by polarizing optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry, which were compared to the corresponding unfunctionalized DLC. The molecular dynamics were investigated by a combination of state-of-the-art broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and advanced calorimetry such as fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) and specific heat spectroscopy (SHS). Besides localized fluctuations, surprisingly multiple glassy dynamics were detected for all materials for the first time. Glassy dynamics were proven for both processes unambiguously due to the extraordinary broad frequency range covered. The a1-process is attributed to fluctuations of the alky chains in the intercolumnar space because a polyethylene-like glassy dynamics is observed. This corresponds to a glass transition in a confined three-dimensional space. The a2-process found at temperatures lower than a1-process, is assigned to small scale rotational and/or translational in plane fluctuations of the triphenylene core inside distorted columns. This can be considered as a glass transition in a one-dimensional fluid. Therefore, obtained results are of general importance to understand the glass transition, which is an unsolved problem of condensed matter science.
Stahlbetontragwerke sind eine wichtige Konstruktionsweise im Bauwesen und ein wachsendes Anwendungsfeld für die Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung (ZfP).
Zur Sicherung der Tragsicherheit, strukturellen Integrität, Bestimmung von Geometrien und zur Detektion konstruktiver Elemente wie z.B. Bewehrung, Verankerungen und Spannkanälen besitzen zerstörungsfreie Prüfverfahren in diesem Bereich inzwischen große Relevanz. Durch den bislang erreichten Fortschritt in der Forschung und Entwicklung haben moderne akustische und elektromagnetische Verfahren eine beachtliche Leistungsfähigkeit erreicht. Von Geräteherstellern sind diese in kommerziellen Produktserien umgesetzt worden und finden eine zunehmend breite Anwendung in der Praxis. In einigen anderen Anwendungsgebieten, in denen die ZfP bereits fester Bestandteil von Überwachungen ist, wie z.B. im Maschinenbau und insbesondere in der Kerntechnik und der Luftfahrt, existieren umfangreiche Qualitätssicherungssysteme für die konforme Anwendung und zuverlässige Einbeziehung der ZfP. Dem relativ jungen Entwicklungsstadium moderner ZfP für Stahlbetonbauteile entsprechend müssen solche Konzepte im Bauwesen erst noch entwickelt bzw. implementiert werden.
Dementsprechend hat sich der Unterausschuss Qualitätssicherung (UA- S) des Fachausschusses ZfP im Bauwesen (ZfPBau) die Definition und Verbesserung der Qualität von ZfP-Anwendungen sowie insbesondere die verfahrensunabhängige Standardisierung von Prüfprozeduren und statistische Absicherung der Prüfergebnisse zum Ziel gemacht.
Die aktuellen Arbeitsfelder beinhalten die Entwicklung praxisgerechter Konzepte für Prüfprozeduren und deren Erprobung in einem Ringversuch sowie die Konzeption von Testkörpern hinsichtlich unterschiedlicher Aspekte wie Parameterstudien, Validierung, Kalibrierung und Simulation. Dabei werden Ansätze anderer Branchen durchaus einbezogen, die Anpassung an die spezifischen Bedürfnisse und Gegebenheiten des Bauwesens wird jedoch als wesentlich angesehen und stellt somit eine wichtige Vorgabe dar.
Da die Tätigkeiten nicht auf einzelne Verfahren begrenzt sind, müssen generelle Vorgehensweisen entwickelt werden, die sich auf die jeweiligen Verfahren konkretisieren lassen. Der Vortrag gibt hierzu erste Einblicke in die Arbeit des Ausschusses.
Aluminum (Al) can be taken up from food, packaging, or the environment and thus reaches the human gastrointestinal tract. Its toxic potential after oral uptake is still discussed. The fate of different solid and ionic Al species during the passage through the digestive tract is the focus of this research, as well as the cellular effects caused by these different Al species. The present study combines the physicochemical processing of three recently studied Al species (metallic Al0, mineral Al2O3, and soluble AlCl3) in artificial digestion fluids with in vitro cell systems for the human intestinal barrier. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) methods were used to characterize the Al species in the artificial digestion fluids and in cell culture medium for proliferating and differentiated intestinal Caco-2 cells. Cytotoxicity testing and cellular impedance measurements were applied to address the effects of digested Al species on cell viability and cell proliferation. Microarray-based transcriptome analyses and quantitative real-time PCR were conducted to obtain a deeper insight into cellular mechanisms of action and generated indications for cellular oxidative stress and an influence on xenobiotic metabolism, connected with alterations in associated signaling pathways. These cellular responses, which were predominantly caused by formerly ionic Al species and only at very high concentrations, were not impacted by artificial digestion. A two-directional conversion of Al between ionic species and solid particles occurred throughout all segments of the gastrointestinal tract, as evidenced by the presence of nanoscaled particles. Nevertheless, this presence did not increase the toxicity of the respective Al species.
Among the different tested endpoints, Al- and Ticontaining nanomaterials did notshowany toxicity in intestinal cell lines in vitro. Nevertheless, this absence of effect was not due to an absence of exposure, since particle-specific uptake was reported.
Metal particle uptake over a long time period might therefore be relevant for risk assessment of aluminum- and titanium-containing food products.
Nano-carrier systems such as liposomes have promising biomedical applications. Nevertheless, characterization of these complex samples is a challenging analytical task. In this study a coupled hydrodynamic chromatography-single particle-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HDC-spICP-MS) approach was validated based on the technical specification (TS) 19590:2017 of the international organization for standardization (ISO). The TS has been adapted to the hyphenated setup. The quality criteria (QC), e.g., linearity of the calibration, transport efficiency, were investigated. Furthermore, a cross calibration of the particle size was performed with values from dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Due to an additional Y-piece, an online-calibration routine was implemented. This approach allows the calibration of the ICP-MS during the dead time of the chromatography run, to reduce the required time and enhance the robustness of the results. The optimized method was tested with different gold nanoparticle (Au-NP) mixtures to investigate the characterization properties of HDC separations for samples with increasing complexity. Additionally, the technique was successfully applied to simultaneously determine both the hydrodynamic radius and the Au-NP content in liposomes. With the established hyphenated setup, it was possible to distinguish between different subpopulations with various NP loads and different hydrodynamic diameters inside the liposome carriers.
A broad range of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) and their dissolved ions possess a possible toxicological risk for human health and the environment. Reliable and robust measurements of dissolution effects may be influenced by the sample matrix, which challenges the analytical method of choice. In this study, CuO NPs were investigated in several dissolution experiments. Two analytical techniques (dynamic light scattering (DLS) and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)) were used to characterize NPs (size distribution curves) time-dependently in different complex matrices (e.g., artificial lung lining fluids and cell culture media). The advantages and challenges of each analytical approach are evaluated and discussed. Additionally, a direct-injection single particle (DI sp)ICP-MS technique for assessing the size distribution curve of the dissolved particles was developed and evaluated. The DI technique provides a sensitive response even at low concentrations without any dilution of the complex sample matrix. These experiments were further enhanced with an automated data evaluation procedure to objectively distinguish between ionic and NP events.
With this approach, a fast and reproducible determination of inorganic NPs and ionic backgrounds can be achieved. This study can serve as guidance when choosing the optimal analytical method for NP characterization and for the determination of the origin of an adverse effect in NP toxicity.
Im deutschen Eisenbahnnetz sind ca. 80 Millionen Spannbetonschwellen verbaut. Analog zu anderen Bauwerken werden Wpannbetonschwellen regelmäßig visuell inspiziert. Die Rissbildung ist bei diesen Inspektionen ein Kriterium für die Schädigung einer Spannbetonschwelle. Durch Rissbildung kann es passieren, dass Betonschwellen ihre Nutzungsdauer nicht erreichen.
Today's civil engineering NDT needs are for quantitative, fast to apply and easy to interpret methods. They are required on site both for evaluation of existing structures/infrastructure and for quality control in new construction. With this purpose, BAM has carried out in-situ feasibility studies, using radar, impact-echo and ultrasonic-echo methods. Two examples are given of their combined application on different railway slab–track constructions, using high frequency radar, scanning impact-echo and ultrasonic array methods. The aim was to evaluate limitations and advantages, comparability and complementarity of these methods. The on-site measurements demonstrated the possibility to investigate, with good accuracy via NDT, the bonding conditions between sleepers and slab, to locate voids and measure layer thickness. The acoustic and electromagnetic methods used, were found to be complementary.
Characterization of reflector types by phase-sensitive ultrasonic data processing and imaging
(2008)
Ultrasonic and radar imaging techniques are limited in resolution by the wavelength in the material, yet information beyond those limits is hidden in complex frequency dependent reflection coefficients. The analysis of the phase of complex reflection coefficients together with the properties of imaging algorithms can help to characterize and to classify indications of defects in concrete buildings. This paper describes a method to extract phase information from measurements and SAFT reconstructed images. The influencing factors like material properties, transducer characteristics, and imaging algorithms based on Born or Physical Optics approximations are elaborated. Simulated and experimental results are briefly discussed.
This paper presents the progress of successful location of grouting faults in tendon ducts with ultrasonic imaging. The examples were obtained in the research group FOR 384 funded by DFG (German Research Foundation). The co-operation of experimental research and modeling allowed imaging and identification of grouted and ungrouted areas of tendon ducts (including strands) in a large test specimen (40 m²). In addition to the criteria for indicating grouting faults in post-tensioned ducts known until now the phase evaluation of reflected ultrasonic pulses is described. Experiments and modeling of wave propagation are presented for reflections at metal plates in concrete (thickness range 0.5 mm to 40 mm) and for tendon ducts including strands.
The main part of the progress was achieved by automated measurements using dry contact transducers, 3D-SAFT reconstruction including phase evaluation and modeling considering wave propagation for typical elastic parameters and exact experimental site conditions. The results for shear waves as well as for pressure waves are compared in the frequency range from 50 kHz to 120 kHz.
For the assessmentand for monitoring of timber structures there are numerous promising methods that enable the quantitative description of the current condition of construction elements or parts of a structure. This concerns material properties like modulus of elasticity, moisture content and density as well as structural properties like dynamic characteristics, localization of inhomogeneities, cracks, and biological attack. During the work in COST Action FP 1101, since 2012 the capability of experimental methods are discussed and compared. This covers electrical and electromagnetic wave methods (resistivity, microwave, Radar, X-Ray), elastic waves (ultrasound, pile testing) and mechanical testing (static and dynamic). Describing and collecting the use of the experimental methods for monitoring purposes was the objective of working group 3 "Monitoring of Timber Structures" of the COST Action. Monitoring capabilities will extend the use of timber structures to further applications in civil engineering. So far, no standard exists but collections of application examples and review papers representing the state of the art. From there needs for further developments regarding monitoring and NDT methods for timber structures can be identified and these are described in this paper.