Chemie und Prozesstechnik
Filtern
Dokumenttyp
- Vortrag (1395)
- Zeitschriftenartikel (1215)
- Posterpräsentation (510)
- Beitrag zu einem Tagungsband (256)
- Sonstiges (73)
- Forschungsdatensatz (54)
- Forschungsbericht (35)
- Buchkapitel (33)
- Dissertation (20)
- Beitrag zu einem Sammelband (17)
Sprache
- Englisch (2985)
- Deutsch (623)
- Mehrsprachig (10)
- Spanisch (5)
- Russisch (4)
- Französisch (1)
- Italienisch (1)
- Polnisch (1)
Schlagworte
- Nanoparticles (120)
- Fluorescence (109)
- LIBS (101)
- Concrete (91)
- Ultrasound (76)
- Mechanochemistry (74)
- NDT (71)
- Non-destructive testing (70)
- Quantum yield (70)
- SAXS (70)
Organisationseinheit der BAM
- 1 Analytische Chemie; Referenzmaterialien (1177)
- 8 Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung (1106)
- 6 Materialchemie (1065)
- 6.1 Oberflächen- und Dünnschichtanalyse (365)
- 6.3 Strukturanalytik (337)
- 8.0 Abteilungsleitung und andere (335)
- 8.2 Zerstörungsfreie Prüfmethoden für das Bauwesen (325)
- 1.1 Anorganische Spurenanalytik (296)
- 8.4 Akustische und elektromagnetische Verfahren (254)
- 4 Material und Umwelt (222)
Paper des Monats
- ja (23)
In dieser Arbeit wurden drei verschiedene Nanomaterialien auf ihre Bindungsfähigkeit zu Proteinen untersucht. Zu Beginn standen dabei die Herstellung stabiler Dispersionen der einzelnen Nanopartikel und die Stabilität der gebildeten Konjugate im Vordergrund. Der Nachweis einer erfolgreichen Konjugatbildung, sprich der Beschichtung von Nanopartikel mit Proteinen, wurde sowohl qualitativ mittels DLS-Messungen als auch über quantitative Protein-Bestimmungen erbracht. Für die Quantifizierung konnten verschiedene Methoden eingesetzt werden. Neben der klassischen Vorgehensweise, welche indirekt über die Quantifizierung von ungebundenem Protein im Überstand erfolgt, konnten ihm Rahmen dieser Arbeit verschiedene direkte Bestimmungsmethoden entwickelt werden. So wurden mittels kolorimetrischer Tests, wie dem BCA-Assay und dem Bradford-Assay, Nanodiamantdispersionen mit Hilfe einer Korrekturwellenlänge vermessen und quantifiziert. Ebenso zum Einsatz kam die Methode der Aminosäureanalytik, welche aufgrund ihrer guten Rückführbarkeit auf Aminosäurestandards Ergebnisse mit hoher Richtigkeit generieren kann und ebenso die Detektion kleiner Proteinmengen möglich macht.
Nach den erfolgten quantitativen Betrachtungen wurden die Protein-beschichteten Nanopartikel auf ihre Anwendbarkeit als Analoga von Virus-like Particles (VLP) bei einer Immunisierung zur Gewinnung von polyklonalen Antikörpern gegen humanes Ceruloplasmin in Kaninchen überprüft. Es konnte mittels ELISA gezeigt werden, dass die Konjugate erfolgreich für die Herstellung von Antikörpern eingesetzt werden können und im zeitlichen Verlauf einer Immunisierung eine Steigerung des Antikörper-Titers zu erreichen ist.
Powder X-ray diffraction is a time-consuming and challenging task, especially for preparation of sensitive phases like ettringite and calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) phases. Fine-grained ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) with an average grain size <100 μm could be investigated directly without time-consuming milling. As a proof of concept, small UHPC cylinders with plain surfaces were investigated with a newly designed sample holder. The comparison with conventionally prepared powder shows the feasibility of fast qualitative phase analysis using this approach. As a great benefit, a depth-dependent analysis, as well as a comparison of surface layers and core material, was carried out.
Slags from the nonferrous metals industry have great potential to be used as feedstocks for the production of alkali-activated materials. Until now, however, only very limited information has been available about the structural characteristics of these materials. In the work presented herein, synthetic slags in the CaO–FeOx–SiO2 system, representing typical compositions of Fe-rich slags, and inorganic polymers (IPs) produced from the synthetic slags by activation with alkali Silicate solutions have been studied by means of X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the Fe K-edge. The iron in the slags was largely Fe2+, with an average coordination number of approximately 5 for the iron in the amorphous fraction. The increase in average oxidation number after alkali-activation was conceptualized as the consequence of slag dissolution and IP precipitation, and employed to calculate the degrees of reaction of the slags. The degree of reaction of the slags increased with increasing amorphous fraction. The iron in the IPs had an average coordination number of approximately 5; thus, IPs produced from the Fe-rich slags studied here are not Fe-analogs of aluminosilicate geopolymers, but differ significantly in terms of structure from the latter.
Photoelectron spectroscopy
(2018)
Time-resolved phase-contrast microscopy is employed to visualize spatio-temporal thermal transients induced by tight focusing of a single Ti:sapphire fs-laser pulse into a solid dielectric sample. This method relies on the coupling of the refractive index change and the sample temperature through the thermo-optic coefficient dn/dT. The thermal transients are studied on a timescale ranging from 10 ns up to 0.1 ms after laser excitation. Beyond providing direct insights into the laser–matter interaction, analyzing the results obtained also enables quantifying the local thermal diffusivity of the sample on a micrometer scale. Studies conducted in different solid dielectrics, namely amorphous fused silica (a-SiO2), a commercial borosilicate glass (BO33, Schott), and a custom alkaline earth silicate glass (NaSi66), illustrate the applicability of this approach to the investigation of various glassy materials.
Quantifizierung der Schädigung von DNA in wässriger Lösung unter direkter Elektronenbestrahlung
(2018)
To cure cancer radiation therapy is used to kill tumor cells.
It is based on radiation induced damage to biomolecules.
Especially DNA damage is of key interest due to its central role in apoptosis and mutation.
Because of the high amount of water in biological tissue, most of the damage is caused by the secondary particles produced by the inelastic scattering of ionizing radiation and water.
A detailed understanding of the underlying molecular processes under physiological conditions is the prerequisite to develop more efficient therapies.
Goal of this work is to quantify the DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation in dependence of the inelastic scattering events and the energy deposit within the microscopic target volume of biological relevance.
The irradiations have to be performed in liquid, under consideration of the chemical environment.
Therefore, a new combination of experiment and Monte-Carlo simulations was developed and tested.
To make it possible to irradiate liquids with electrons within scanning electron microscopes a new sample holder was constructed incorporating an electron transparent nanomembrane.
It makes it possible to irradiate DNA, proteins or cells at different pH, salinity and in the presence of cosolutes.
%The most important results of this work are as follows:
The median lethal dose for a model system of plasmid DNA and water was determined by the combination of experimental data, particle scattering simulations (Geant4-DNA) and diffusion calculations as D0.5=(1.7+-0.3) Gy.
From the convolution of plasmid positions and the spatially resolved energy deposit, as determined by electron scattering simulations, the histogram of the energy deposit within the target volume of the plasmids and the microscopic median lethal energy deposit was calculated as E0.5=6+-4eV.
It could be deduced that on average less than two ionization events are sufficient to cause a single-strand-break.
The relation of single-strand-breaks (SSB) to double-strand-breaks (DSB), which is of importance for microdosimetric modeling, was determined as SSB:DSB = 12:1.
The presented method for the determination of microscopic dose-damage relations was further extended to be applicable for general irradiation experiments.
It becomes independent of the type of primary radiation used, the experimental geometry, and the diffusional properties of the molecules under investigation.
This way different experimental systems with varying, inhomogeneous energy deposit characteristics become comparable with each other, which is not possible when only macroscopic averaged values are taken into account.
In addition, the radiation protection properties of the compatible solute ectoine, as well as its influence on the water properties and biomolecules were investigated.
%In addition, the influence of the compatible solute ectoine on water, biomolecules and its radiation protection properties were investigated.
Raman spectroscopy revealed a concentration dependent increase of the collective water modes in the OH-stretching region, which was found to be independent of the sodium chloride concentration.
Molecular dynamic simulations showed that the zwitterionic properties of ectoine lead to its half-chair conformation.
The hydrogen bonds in the first hydration shell are more stable and have an increased lifetime compared to the bulk water.
Irradiation experiments with DNA in the presence of 1M ectoine revealed an increase of the survival rate by a factor of 1.41 as compared to the absence of ectoine.
The protective properties of ectoine result from the increase of the inelastic scattering probabilities of low energy electrons at the acoustic vibrational modes of water and its properties as OH-radical scavenger.
This was shown by Raman spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements (EPR).
The aldoximes C11H9NO (I) and C15H11NO (II), synthesized in ca 90%yield, by
treatment of 1-naphthaldehyde or phenanthrene-9-carbaldehyde, respectively,
with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and sodium carbonate, have been characterized
by IR, 1H, 13C and DEPT-135 NMR spectroscopies, and also by singlecrystal
X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecules of (I) and (II) are
conformationally similar, with the aldoxime substituent groups lying outside
the planes of the naphthalene or phenanthrene rings, forming dihedral angles
with them of 23.9 (4) and 27.9 (6)°, respectively. The crystal structures of both
(I) and (II) are similar with a single intermolecular O—H...N hydrogenbonding
interaction, giving rise to the formation of one-dimensional polymeric
chains extending along the 21 (b) screw axes in each.
Der Vortrag widmet sich der „ELLIPSOMETRISCHE KLASSIFIZIERUNG VON KOHLENSTOFFSCHICHTEN“ und beschreibt die Punkte: 1. Anwendungen Kohlenstoffschichten–Carbon–based films (DLC) aus dem Vortrag N. Ohtakeet. al. (ISO TC 107, Tokyo 2017),2. Präparation der Kohlenstoffschichten für ISO TC 107 Ringversuch aus Vortrag M. Hiratsuka et. al. (ISO TC 107, Tokyo 2017), 3. Ellipsometrische Charakterisierung von Kohlenstoffschichten, Ergebnisse des Ringversuchs (ISO TC 107, Tokyo 2017) Vortrag Beck et. al. und 4.Deutsche Normungsaktivitäten national/international zur Ellipsometrie DIN NA 062-01-061 (DIN 50989-1)/TC 107 (PWI DE)“ im Einzelnen.
Proline has been widely used for various cocrystallization applications, including pharmaceutical cocrystals. Combining enantiopure and racemic flurbiprofen and proline, we discovered 18 new crystal structures. Liquid-assisted grinding proved highly efficient to explore all the variety of crystal forms. A unique combination of stateof-the-art characterization techniques, comprising variable temperature in situ X-ray diffraction and in situ ball-milling, along with other physicochemical methods and density functional theory calculations, was indispensable for identifying all the phases. Analyzing the results of in situ ball-milling, we established a stepwise mechanism for the formation of several 1:1 cocrystals via an intermediate 2:1 phase. The nature of the solvent in liquidassisted grinding was found to significantly affect the reaction rate and, in some cases, the reaction pathway.
High-Amplitude Surge of a Pitching Airfoil: Complementary Wind- and Water-Tunnel Measurements
(2018)
RECENT interest in gust response, rotorcraft forward flight and wind energy, among other applications, has focused on streamwise oscillations of nominally two-dimensional airfoils in attached and separated flows. The airfoil may be simultaneously held at constant incidence or execute some maneuver, such as pitch.
The relative freestream is spatially uniform but temporally unsteady, and this can be accomplished in a ground-test facility in two ways. The first method is to vary the output of the prime mover, such as the rotational speed of the impeller or the blower driving a wind tunnel, or (alternatively) to vary the pressure drop in the tunnel, thereby varying the flow speed in the test section, despite nominally constant primemover revolutions per minute. The second method is used to keep the tunnel’s operating speed constant, as well as to move the test article in the streamwise direction, fore and aft (for example, via an electric linear motor), such that the relative freestream speed felt by the test article varies according to some waveform. Typically, the latter approach is chosen in water tunnels, where there is too much tunnel-circuit inertia to vary the flow speed directly but where the usually low tunnel test section flow speeds enable large excursions in the relative freestream by oscillation of the test article. In fact, outright reverse flow is possible by moving the test article in the laboratory frame at a higher speed than the water-tunnel flow speed. In either case, a sinusoidal relative-speed waveform is the most intuitively realizable, and this can be combined with similar oscillations in the airfoil incidence angle or other kinematics. Although the two methods of realizing streamwise oscillations are mechanically distinct, experimental comparisons between an oscillating test article in a water tunnel and a stationary test article in a wind tunnel with a louvermechanismhave demonstrated agreement in themeasured lift and drag histories. Such experimentswere performed by Granlund et al. for a 10% freestream amplitude oscillation and fixed airfoil incidence, comparing a free-surface water tunnel and a closed-circuit wind tunnel. After buoyancy was subtracted from the wind-tunnel data (resulting from the louver pressure drop) and the model inertia subtracted from the water-tunnel data (resulting from acceleration of the test article), the remaining lift and drag histories matched well at the low freestream oscillation amplitude regime. The work of Granlund et al. was later extended to high-advance-ratio streamwise oscillations of 50% amplitude by Greenblatt et al., where the aerodynamic histories of the water-tunnel and wind-tunnel facilities were compared in combined pitch and freestreamoscillations (governed by relative pitch phase), pure pitch oscillations, and purely freestream oscillations. Agreement between the two facilities’ data for fixed-incidence streamwise oscillations was reasonably good, and in fact, better than agreement in just the static lift and drag, evidently owing to differences in blockage and model-support systems. Additionally, Greenblatt et al. determined there was no strong coupling between simultaneous freestream oscillations and pitch oscillations on resultant lift and moment coefficients.
This is the first time that PE frits were used to quantify sulfur in copper and its alloys by isotope dilution combined with LA-ICP-MS: an alternative approach for sample preparation. The following properties of the PE frit meet the requirements for isotope dilution LA-ICPMS: porous material, thermo plastic (melting point >100°C), chemical resistance (nitric acid >70%) and high adsorption efficiency. The breakthrough, however, as a support material, especially when comparing the PE frit with other materials such gelatin or sodium silicate is the low blank, which is only two times of the gas flow blank (2.3-4.0 x 10⁴ cps). Additionally, the porosity of the frit was considered, as it directly affects the adsorption efficiency for the sample solution, which is present in the cavities of the frit.
Adsorption efficiency was studied by depositing sulfur standards with varying sulfur amounts (0, 2, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 µg S) on the frits. The remaining sulfur which was not absorbed by the frit was rinsed off and was measured by ICP-MS. This indirect method shows that more than 99.5 % of the loaded sulfur was absorbed by the frit. Such high absorption efficiency is completely sufficient for a support material to be used in LA-ICP-IDMS. The so prepared frits with increasing sulfur amount were measured by LA-ICP-MS showing a good linearity between 0 µg S and 40 µg S with a correlation coefficient r2 of 0.9987 and sensitivity of 3.4x10⁴ cps µgˉ¹ for 32S.
Three copper reference materials produced by BAM were selected to develop and validate the LA-ICP-IDMS procedure. The IDMS technique was applied to these samples as follows: the samples were spiked, dissolved, digested and then the digest was adsorbed on the frits.
Quantitative analysis of complex proteins is a challenging task in modern bioanalytical chemistry. Commonly available isotope labels are still suffering from limitations and drawbacks, whereas new metal labels open numerous possibilities in mass spectrometric analyses. In this work, we have developed a newmetal labeling strategy to tag glycan structures of proteins, more particularly antibodies. The oligosaccharide glycans were selectively trimmed to the last N-acetylglucosamine to which an artificial azide containing galactose residue was bound. This azide can be used for subsequent cycloaddition of an alkyne. Therefore, we developed a lanthanide-containing macrocyclic reagent to selectively connect to this azido galactose. In summary, the glycan structures of an antibody can be labeled with a metal functionality using this approach. Furthermore, the functionality of the antibodies can be fully maintained by labeling the Fc glycans instead of using labeling reagents that target amino or thiol groups. This approach enables the possibility of using elemental, besides molecular mass spectrometry, for quantitative analyses or imaging experiments of antibodies in complex biological samples.
Pulse thermography (PT) has proven to be a valuable non-destructive testing method to identify and quantify defects in fiber-reinforced polymers. To perform a quantitative defect characterization, the heat diffusion within the material as well as the material parameters must be known. The heterogeneous material structure of glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRP) as well as the semitransparency of the material for optical excitation sources of PT is still challenging. For homogeneous semitransparent materials, 1D analytical models describing the temperature distribution are available.
Here, we present an analytical approach to model PT for laterally inhomogeneous semitransparent materials.We show the validity of the model by considering different configurations of the optical heating source, the IR camera, and the differently coated GFRP sample. The model considers the lateral inhomogeneity of the semitransparency by an additional absorption coefficient. It includes additional effects such as thermal losses at the samples surfaces, multilayer systems with thermal contact resistance, and a finite duration of the heating pulse. By using a sufficient complexity of the analytical model, similar values of the material parameters were found for all six investigated configurations by numerical fitting.
Industrial Radiology is used for volumetric inspection of industrial objects. By penetration of these objects (typically weldments, pipes or castings) with X-ray or Gamma radiation the 3D-volume is projected onto a 2D image detector. The X-ray film is the oldest radiographic image detector and still in wide use in industry. The industrial X-ray film systems used today differ from these used in medicine. Medical film systems are described well in the literature, but industrial film systems not. So we start with a description of the properties and standards for industrial film systems. The requirements on image quality are defined by several standards and can be verified with different image quality indicators (IQIs). They describe the ability of the human being to detect small and low contrast indications in a noisy image background. The essential parameters for digital industrial radiology are described.
Since about 30 years electronic image detectors are gradually replacing the industrial film. These detectors are based on storage phosphor imaging plates in combination with Laser scanners (“Computed Radiography”, CR) or a variety of different digital detector arrays (DDA). Typical applications of CR and DDAs are discussed as well as new possibilities by digital image processing, which is enabled by the computer based image handling, processing and analysis.
We designed and synthesized triphenylamine based and coumarin fused rhodamine hybrid dyes and characterized using 1H, 13C NMR and HR-LCMS analysis. Both the newly synthesized hybrid dyes were found to show red shifted absorption as well as emissions and large Stokes shift (40e68 nm) as compared to the small Stokes shift (25e30 nm) of reported dyes Rhodamine B and 101. Photophysical properties of these dyes were studied in different solvents and according to the solvents acidity or basicity they preferred to remain in their spirocyclic or open form in different ratio. We studied the spirocyclic as well as open form derivatives of these dyes for their viscosity sensitivity in three different mixture of solvents i.e. polar-protic [EtOH-PEG 400], polar-aprotic [toluene-PEG 400] and non-polaraprotic [toluene-paraffin]. They are found to show very high viscosity sensitivity in polar-protic mixture of solvents [EtOH-PEG 400] and hence concluded that both polarity as well as viscosity factor worked together for the higher emission enhancement rather than only viscosity factor. As these dyes showed very high viscosity sensitivity in their spirocyclic as well as open form, they can be utilized as viscosity sensors in visible as well as deep red region. We also correlated our experimental finding theoretically by using Density Functional theory computations.
The paper addresses “WHITE LIGHT INTERFERENCE MICROSCOPY, ELLIPSOMETRY, AND INSTRUMENTED INDENTATION TESTING AS REFERENCE PROCEDURES“ and is subdivided in the following sections: 1. Measurement vs. testing vs. reference procedures, 2. White light interference microscopy (WLIM) for determination of step height h, 3. Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) for determination of layer thickness d and 4. Instrumented indentation testing (IIT) for determination of indentation hardness HIT. The following points are discussed in more detail: methodology of measurement and testing, uncertainty budgets for direct (WLIM), model-based (SE) and formula-based (IIT) reference procedures by means of specific examples. It is shown that standardization efforts are connected to reference procedures.
A frequently studied environmental contaminant is the active substance diclofenac, which is removed insufficiently in sewage treatment plants. Since its inclusion in the watch list of the EU Water Framework Directive, the concentrations in surface waters will be determined throughout Europe. For this, still, more precise analytical methods are needed. As a reference, HPLC-MS is frequently employed. One of the major metabolites is 4’-hydroxydiclofenac (4’-OH-DCF). Also, diclofenac lactam is important for assessing degradation and transformation. Aceclofenac (ACF), the glycolic acid ester of diclofenac is used as a drug, too, and could potentially be cleaved to yield diclofenac again. In various sewage treatment plant influent samples, diclofenac, 4’-OH-DCF, DCF lactam and ACF could be determined with detection limits of 3 µg/L, 0.2 µg/L, 0.17 µg/L and 10 ng/L, respectively.
The overall interest in nanotoxicity, triggered by the increasing use of nanomaterials in the material and life sciences, and the synthesis of an ever increasing number of new functional nanoparticles calls for standardized test procedures1,2 and for efficient approaches to screen the potential genotoxicity of these materials. Aiming at the development of fast and easy to use, automated microscopic methods for the determination of the genotoxicity of different types of nanoparticles, we assess the potential of the fluorometric γH2AX assay for this purpose. This assay, which can be run on an automated microscopic detection system, relies on the detection of DNA double strand breaks as a sign for genotoxicity3. Here, we provide first results obtained with broadly used nanomaterials like CdSe/CdS and InP/ZnS quantum dots as well as iron oxide, gold, and polymer particles of different surface chemistry with previously tested colloidal stability and different cell lines like Hep-2 and 8E11 cells, which reveal a dependence of the genotoxicity on the chemical composition as well as the surface chemistry of these nanomaterials. These studies will be also used to establish nanomaterials as positive and negative genotoxicity controls or standards for assay performance validation for users of this fluorometric genotoxicity assay. In the future, after proper validation, this microscopic platform technology will be expanded to other typical toxicity assays.
PTFE/PS core-shell-nanoparticles were characterised by STXM, T-SEM, and ToF-SIMS. Shell-thicknesses were calculated and compared. Preliminary results from ToF-SIMS showed the capabilities of this method.
A scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM) based methodology is introduced for determining the dimensions (shell thickness, core and total diameter) of core-shell nanoparticles which exhibit a strong x-ray absorption contrast and a sharp interface between core and shell material. A low radiation dosage during data acquisition and, therefore, less x-ray beam induced damage of the sample is achieved by recording STXM images only at two predetermined energies of maximum absorption contrast instead of recording a stack of images across the whole absorption edge. A model core-shell nanoparticle, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) cores with polystyrene (PS) shell, investigated at the HERMES beamline is presented for demonstration. This STXM based methodology yields particle dimensions in good agreement with the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results (deviation equal or less than 10%). Extension of this methodology to core-shell nanoparticles with inorganic core and organic shell will also be presented and the challenges encountered will be highlighted.
Fuel contamination of soils display complex and variable hydrocarbon mixtures with different volatility and toxicity characteristics. A recently suggested headspace procedure for the structure-based quantification of volatile hydrocarbons is evaluated regarding repeatability, reproducibility, and practical robustness. Three aliphatic and three aromatic fractions covering the boiling range between 69 and 216°C were defined as summation parameters by their respective equivalent carbon number ranges. A standard mixture of 35 aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons was used for calibration on basis of selected mass fragments specific for the aliphatics and aromatics, respectively. Two standard soils were fortified with the standard mixture or different fuels, respectively, and submitted to the analytical procedure. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were for all fractions lower than 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively. Analyte recovery was linear up to between 20 and 110 mg hydrocarbons/kg soil depending on the fraction. Hydrocarbon recovery ranged between 80% and 110% depending on the fraction and the repeatability was typically better than 10%. Finally, the impact of extraction solvent variation, column solid-phase polarity, and alternative summation of fractions were investigated. The procedure was applied to liner samples taken from a site contaminated with aviation fuel and its practicability is discussed.
Structural changes of highly active Pd/MeOx (Me = Fe, Co, Ni) during catalytic methane combustion
(2018)
Fe2O3, Co3O4 and NiO nanoparticles were prepared via a citrate method and further functionalized with Pd by impregnation. The pure oxides as well as Pd/Fe2O3, Pd/Co3O4, and Pd/NiO (1, 5 and 10 wt % Pd) were employed for catalytic methane combustion under methane lean (1 vol %)/oxygen rich (18 vol %, balanced with nitrogen) conditions. Already, the pure metal oxides showed a high catalytic activity leading to complete conversion temperature of T100 ≤ 500 °C. H2-TPR (Temperature-programmed reduction) experiments revealed that Pd-functionalized metal oxides exhibited enhanced redox activity compared to the pure oxides leading to improved catalytic combustion activity at lower temperatures. At a loading of 1 wt % Pd, 1Pd/Co3O4 (T100 = 360 °C) outperforms 1Pd/Fe2O3 (T100 = 410 °C) as well as 1Pd/NiO (T100 = 380 °C). At a loading of 10 wt % Pd, T100 could only be slightly reduced in all cases. 1Pd/Co3O4 and 1Pd/NiO show reasonable stability over 70 h on stream at T100. XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and STEM (Scanning transmission electron microscopy) investigations revealed strong interactions between Pd and NiO as well as Co3O4, respectively, leading to dynamic transformations and reoxidation of Pd due to solid state reactions, which leads to the high long-term stability.
Abstract: Hybrid silicon-based organic/inorganic (multi)block
copolymers are promising polymeric precursors to create
robust nano-objects and nanomaterials due to their sol–gel active moieties via self-assembly in solution or in bulk. Such nano-objects and nanomaterials have great potential in bio-medicine as nanocarriers or scaffolds for bone regeneration as well as in materials science as Pickering emulsifiers, pho-
tonic crystals or coatings/films with antibiofouling, antibac-
terial or water- and oil-repellent properties. Thus, this Review outlines recent synthetic efforts in the preparation of these hybrid inorganic/organic block copolymers, gives an
overview of their self-assembled structures and finally presents recent examples of their use in the biomedical field and
material science.
Der kürzlich publizierte Chrom(III)-Komplex 13+([Cr(ddpd)2]3+) zeigt in wässriger Lösung unter Umgebungsbedingungen eine bemerkenswert starke Emission im nahen Infrarot-Bereich mit einer Emissionswellenlänge von 775 nm.
Geschicktes Ligandendesign verhindert strahlungslose Desaktivierungsprozesse wie Photosubstitution, Rück-Intersystem-Crossing und trigonale Verzerrungen und führt damit zu einer Phosphoreszenzlebensdauer im Bereich von Mikrosekunden.
In Abwesenheit von Energieakzeptoren wie molekularem Sauerstoff verbleibt nur Energietransfer zu hochenergetischen Oszillatoren der Liganden und Lösungsmittelmoleküle wie beispielsweise OH- und CH-Streckschwingungen als Desaktivierungspfad. Selektive Deuterierung der ddpd-Liganden und der Lösungsmittel l-sst die Effizienz dieser Oszillatoren bei der Desaktivierung angeregter Zustände erkennbar werden. Gezieltes Ausschalten dieser Relaxationspfade führt zu einer Quantenausbeute von 30% und einer Lebensdauer von 2.3 Millisekunden bei Raumtemperatur in Lösung – Rekordwerte für einen Komplex, der auf dem Element Chrom basiert. Diese fundamentalen Erkenntnisse ebnen den Weg für gezieltes Ligandendesign zur Synthese lumineszierender Komplexe mit gut verfügbaren Übergangsmetallen.
The recently reported luminescent chromium(III) complex 13+ ([Cr(ddpd)2]3+; ddpd=N,N’-dimethyl-N,N’-dipyridine-2-yl-pyridine-2,6-diamine) shows exceptionally strong near-IR emission at 775 nm in water under ambient conditions (F=11%) with a microsecond lifetime as the ligand design in 13+ effectively eliminates non-radiative decay pathways, such as photosubstitution, back-intersystem crossing, and trigonal twists. In the absence of energy acceptors, such as dioxygen, the remaining decay pathways are energy transfer to high energy solvent and ligand oscillators, namely OH and CH stretching vibrations. Selective deuteration of the solvents and the ddpd ligands probes the efficiency of these oscillators in the excited state deactivation. Addressing these energytransfer pathways in the first and second coordination sphere furnishes a record 30% quantum yield and a 2.3 millisecond lifetime for a metal complex with an earth-abundant metal ion in solution at room temperature.
In situ laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy measurements in stainless steels during TIG welding
(2018)
Chemical composition of the welding seam and HAZ has significant effect on weld quality. Current inspection methods for weld seams measure and investigate post factum and cannot prevent weld defects. Element burn-off may significantly affect solidification leading to embrittlement or cracking Control of weld chemical compositions insures a controlled solidification and resistance to related weld defects. A prototype of a LIBS controlled welding process is presented.
Polymers with intrinsic microporosity are promising candidates for the active separation layer in gas separation membranes. Here, the vibrational density of states (VDOS) for PIM-1, the prototypical polymer with intrinsic microporosity, is investigated by means of inelastic neutron scattering. The results are compared to data measured for a more conventional high-performance polyimide used in gas separation membranes (Matrimid). The measured data show the characteristic low frequency excess contribution to VDOS above the Debye sound wave level, generally known as the Boson peak in glass-forming materials. In comparison to the Boson peak of Matrimid, that of PIM-1 is shifted to lower frequencies. This shift is discussed considering the microporous, sponge-like structure of PIM-1 as providing a higher compressibility at the molecular scale than for conventional polymers. For an annealed PIM-1 sample, the Boson peak shifts to higher frequencies in comparison to the un-annealed sample. These changes in the VDOS of the annealed PIM-1 sample are related to changes in the microporous structure as confirmed by X-ray scattering.
Metallische Druckgefäße werden aus Gründen der Gewichtseinsparung zunehmend durch Composite-Druckgefäße ersetzt. Während der Alterungsprozess bei metallischen Druckgefäßen durch Wöhlerkurven hinreichend beschrieben wird, ist der Alterungsmechanismus bei Composite-Druckgefäßen noch nicht vollständig geklärt. Im Rahmen des BAM-interne Themenfeldprojekts COD-AGE werden mit diversen Verfahren alterungsbegleitende, zerstörungsfreie Prüfungen an Composite-Druckgefäßen durchgeführt. Nach einem kurzen Überblick über die BAM und den FB 8.4 werden zunächst die allgemeine Funktionsweise der Wirbelstromprüfung und die bildgebende Wirbelstromprüfung erklärt. Anschließend werden Ergebnisse der konventionellen und hochfrequenten Wirbelstromprüfung vorgestellt.
Der letzte Teil des Vortrages beschäftigt sich mit der Prüfbarkeit von Kunststoffen aus Kunstharz und 3D-Druck mit dem Wirbelstromverfahren durch Zugabe ferromagnetischer Nanopartikel bzw. Verwendung von ferromagnetischem Filament.
In der Berliner Sammlung "Manuscripta Americana" befinden sich Fragmente von Bilderhandschriften, die Alexander von Humboldt 1804 in Mexiko erwarb und der Königlichen Bibliothek schenkte. Die in der frühen Kolonialzeit hergestellten verschiedenartigen Codices waren damals schon nicht mehr an den Orten ihrer ursprünglichen Verwendung. Entsprechend ihres Seltenheitswertes gelangten einzelne Schriftstücke seit der Conquista in die Bestände bedeutender Persönlichkeiten. Hierzu fertigte man auch Abschriften oder Kopien an, oder zerstückelte sogar einzelne Blätter, so dass die Darstellungen auf den abgetrennten Fragmenten oft nur zum Teil abgebildet vorliegen.
Um herauszufinden, ob einige Schriftstücke der "Humboldt Codices" in Bezug zu einander stehen, werden die Dokumente, ihre Symbole und Schriftzeichen und das zur Herstellung verwendete Material miteinander verglichen.
Mit den für die Analyse von Manuskripten bewährten Untersuchungsmethoden werden Papier und Farbmittel identifiziert. Hierzu zählen Raman-, FTIR-, Röntgenfluoreszenz- und VIS- Spektroskopie. Charakteristisch für die Herstellung von schriftlichen Dokumenten in der Kolonialzeit von Amerika ist die Verwendung von indigenem Material wie Papier aus Baumrinde und Pflanzenfarben zusammen mit den aus Europa bekannten Materialien. Geklärt wird, inwieweit neben den bekanntesten Farbstoffen wie Cochenille, Mayablau oder Mischungen mit Tonmineralen auch mineralische Pigmente zum Einsatz kamen.
Vorgestellt werden die auf Tafel 36 in den "Vues des Cordillères et Monuments des Peuples Indigènes de l`Amerique, Voyage de Humboldt et Bonpland" abgebildeten Fragmente. Die hier von Humboldt vorgenommene Zusammenstellung wird mit der Farbpalette der in Berlin archivierten originalen Schriftstücke verglichen. Die Interpretation der Ergebnisse gibt einen Hinweis auf die Zuordnung oder auch Zusammengehörigkeit dieser einzigartigen Dokumente amerikanischer Geschichte. Hierbei wird die Frage aufgeworfen, inwiefern davon auszugehen ist, dass diese mit weiteren Fragmenten in Verbindung gebracht werden können, was für die Beleuchtung der kulturhistorischen Zusammenhänge von großer Bedeutung ist.
Der Vortrag gibt den aktuellen Stand der Normung im Bereich der Oberflächen-technik insbesondere der Oberflächenanalytik und der Oberflächenmess- und -prüftechnik wider.
Vorgestellt wird der Status technischer Berichte, Normenentwürfe und Normen u.a. zur Charakterisierung von funktionellen Glasoberflächen für bioanalytische Anwendungen, zur Messung der Schichtdicke von Nanomaterialien mittels Ellipsometrie, zur Kalibrierung von Interferometern und Interferenzmikroskopen für die Formmessung, zur Rockwelleindringprüfung zur Bewertung der Schicht-haftung, zu den Grundlagen der Ellipsometrie, zur Messung der Schichtdicke mittels Wirbelstromverfahren, zur Schichtpotentialmessung von Mehrfach-Nickelschichten, zu Filtern und Augenschutzgeräten gegen Laserstrahlung sowie zur Bestimmung der Schichthaftung mittels Zugversuch.
For almost 150 years it is known that hydrogen has a deleterious effect on the mechanical properties of metallic components. Nowadays, the problem of hydrogen assisted degradation is highly relevant in energy related fields due to the massive use of steel as a structural component in these applications and its sensitivity to hydrogen. Since the discovery of hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC), researchers studied intensively and suggested possible explanations and mechanisms in order to define how hydrogen is affecting the material. In general, it is considered that hydrogen changes the mechanical properties more in terms of ductility (deformation capacities) than in strength (load capacities). Hydrogen concentration is one of three crucial factors in the degradation process, together with the microstructure of the material and the internal/external mechanical load. The relatively high concentration of hydrogen resulting in this loss of ductility can originate during production or before service (e.g. welding processes) and during service (i.e. catholically protected systems to eliminate corrosion processes in sour environments).
In parallel to the theoretical work, tremendous efforts were, and are still, invested in searching for a proper method to elucidate, map and quantify the hydrogen in the microstructure, which is the basis for this work. For steels, the focus is mainly on the observations of diffusion processes and the interaction of hydrogen with the microstructure
in regions with high local stresses/strains (for example around evolving cracks). The challenge for reaching this goal arises from the fact that accurate indication of hydrogen by means of position, unlike heavier atoms, can be made only by mass spectrometry or by interaction with another element (e.g. silver decoration, special coating and resonant nuclear reaction by nitrogen). In addition to this, the difficulty recording the hydrogen behavior while it rapidly diffuses through the material, leaving only the unpredicted failure, should be taken into account.
Although using powerful characterization methods, models and computational simulations, the key to defining the mechanisms behind HAC is still under debate and not fully understood. The relationship between material and hydrogen is determined by three factors, i.e., the material structure and microstructure – determining the physical properties, the mechanical load applied on the material and the hydrogen concentration. It is well known that in order to have a complete definition of HAC these three factors must be examined locally with the minimal scale and the maximal resolution reachable. The major gap is the lack in such a characterization method or a technique by which one has the ability to detect and observe the hydrogen in the metallic microstructure. The commonly used techniques nowadays are capable of characterization of the microstructure without the ability to observe the hydrogen distribution. Global hydrogen concentration and localized hydrogen observation are possible by some techniques which are incapable of indicating a change in the structure or microstructure therefore a comprehensive overview can be gained only by combining several methods.
In the presented research, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) was adopted as the main tool to detect and locally map the hydrogen distribution in two types of duplex stainless steel grades: EN 1.4462 (standard 2205 duplex stainless steel) and EN 1.4162 (2101 lean duplex stainless steel). The term duplex stainless steel (DSS) refers to the austenitic-ferritic microstructure of the steel where the combination of physical and mechanical properties of the two phases is achieved. The DSS was selected as a case study for this work due to the wide use of this grade in many energy and the lack of knowledge on hydrogen behavior in two-phase containing microstructures. ToFSIMS was exploited in-situ and ex-situ in three experimental approaches during or following
an electrochemical charging procedure. This type of hydrogen charging was selected as it simulated a procedure of cathodic protection of most sub-water oil and gas extraction and delivery systems. The experimental procedures were:
1. Ex-situ charging followed by ToF-SIMS imaging for basic understanding of hydrogen distribution.
2. Ex-situ charging followed by in-situ mechanical loading to obtain information on hydrogen behavior around a propagating crack.
3. In-situ permeation of hydrogen through a steel membrane inside the ToF-SIMS to obtain information on diffusion behavior of hydrogen in a two-phase microstructure.
The comprehensive view of the effect of hydrogen on steel was gained by using supplementary methods, such as high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), focused ion beam (FIB) and electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD). The state of the art in this work lies in applying both: in-situ experimental approaches and data treatment of the ToF-SIMS raw data. The data treatment includes the combination of data from several sources (data fusion).
The results for the ex-situ charging followed by static sample imaging and data fusion showed that when the analyzed surface is directly exposed to the electrolyte the degradation is pronounced differently in the ferrite, austenite and interface. The degradation mechanisms in the ferrite and austenite were reflected by the formation of cracks on the surface of both, where a high concentration of hydrogen was obtained. This result supports the assumption that hydrogen is attracted to highly deformed regions. The advantage of using in-situ charging/permeation in comparison to ex-situ charging is that the effect of hydrogen on the ferrite and austenite phases when the hydrogen is evolving from within the microstructure is realized, in comparison to when the analyzed surface is initially exposed directly to the electrolyte. In both experiments the ferrite was observed as a fast diffusion path for the hydrogen. The faster diffusion of hydrogen through the ferrite is expected due to the higher diffusion coefficient, however, a direct proof for the diffusion sequence in this scale was never shown. Most significant results were achieved by the ‘core’ experiments of this research. These experiments included the design of a novel dynamic mechanical loading device to apply an external load during SIMS imaging of a hydrogen precharged-notched sample. For the first time it was shown that plastic deformation induced by applying a mechanical load is resulting in a redistribution of hydrogen locally around the notch.
Development of a methodical approach for in-situ analysis of modern reverse paintings on glass
(2018)
The technique of painting on the reverse side of glass was rediscovered by artists in the early 20th century and gained great popularity, especially in Germany. In contrast to other paint techniques (e.g. panel and mural painting), the paint layers are applied in reverse succession starting with the foremost paint layer and ending with the primer (backmost layer). The paintings are viewed in reflected light, thus revealing an impressive gloss, luminosity and depth of colour.
Scientific investigation of the material provides important information for appropriate conservation concepts. Transport of the precious and fragile objects to the lab is often not feasible. Therefore, in-situ, non-invasive analysis is necessary to analyse colorants and binders. However, some analytical problems need to be considered: due to the reverse paint stratigraphy in reverse paintings on glass, the measured layer is always the backmost one. The analytical possibilities are extremely reduced, when the back is covered by a metal foil (or by paper, carton etc.). However, measurements through the glass (using Raman and VIS) can still yield information on the colourants of the front layer.
When the paint layer is accessible, we start our procedure using X-ray fluorescence (Tracer III-SD, Bruker AXS Microanalysis GmbH, 40 kV, 15 μA) and VIS reflectance spectroscopy (SPM 100, Gretag-Imaging AG). Both techniques provide first information on the inorganic colourants. Raman measurements (i-Raman®Plus, Bwtek inc., 785 nm, 50× objective, resolution 4 cm-1) are then carried out to clarify uncertain XRF measurements and to identify synthetic organic pigments (SOP). Diffuse Reflection-Infrared-Fourier-Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS; ExoScan, Agilent GmbH, 4000–650 cm-1, 500 scans, spectral resolution 4 cm-1) is used for the classification of the binders. Moreover, it may help to identify SOP, when fluorescence dominates the Raman signal. This analytical sequence yields the best results, when time is the limiting factor.
We present two in-situ studies of the paintings “Kreuzabnahme” (1914-15) by Carlo Mense and “Stadt am Morgen” (1921) by Walter Dexel. The painting “Kreuzabnahme” is an outstanding piece in Mense’s ɶuvre, because the glass plate was painted on both sides (Fig. 1). The results of the back-side show mainly inorganic pigments: basic lead white, talc, red and brown ochre, cinnabar, chrome yellow, viridian, ultramarine blue, Prussian blue and bone black. The classification of binding media using DRIFTS yields positive results for drying oil. Acrylic resin could be identified in two areas, resulting from a previous restauration treatment. For the front side painting, Mense used basic lead white, cinnabar, chrome yellow and umbra as pigments and oil as binder.
Measurements of the abstract painting “Stadt am Morgen” by Walter Dexel show zinc white, basic lead white, chalk, cinnabar, red lead, strontium yellow, cadmium yellow, cobalt blue, Prussian blue, ultramarine blue, brown ochre and bone black as pigments. Moreover, synthetic alizarin (PR83) was identified as dark red colorant. The results of DRIFTS classify oil as binding media.
We conclude that, the use of complementary spectroscopic methods yields the best results for in-situ analysis of reverse paintings on glass.
The analysis of nanomaterials is current an important task - especially in case of risk assessment, as the properties of these material class are not well understood currently. The rather high surface area of these objects renders their interactions significantly different to their corresponding bulk. Thus, the surfaces chemical composition has to be investigated to get a better understanding and prediction of the nanomaterials' behavior. ToF-SIMS has proven as a powerful tool to determine said chemical composition. Its superior surface sensitivity allows us to study mainly the utmost atomic layer and therefore gives us an idea of the interactions involved. Here, we show first result from the validation of the method for the analysis of polystyrene and gold nanoparticles. ToF-SIMS will be compared to other methods like XPS, T-SEM or REM. Furthermore, principle component analysis (PCA) will be used to detect the influence of different sample preparation performed by an innovative microfluidic device. ToF-SIMS imaging is desired to be implemented for single particle detection as well.
Equipping ZIF particles with a polyelectrolyte membrane provides functional groups at their interface, enabling further conjugations necessary for applications such as targeted drug delivery. Previous approaches to coat ZIF particles with polyelectrolytes led to surface corrosion of the template material. This work overcomes previous limitations by performing a Layer-by-Layer (LbL) polyelectrolyte coating onto ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 particles in nonaqueous environment. Using the 2-methylimidazolium salt of polystyrensulfonic acid instead of the acid itself and polyethyleneimine in methanol led to intact ZIF particles after polyelectrolyte coating. This was verified by electron microscopy. Further, zetapotential and atomic force microscopy measurements confirmed a continuous polyelectrolyte multilayer built up. The here reported adaption to the well-studied (LbL) polyelectrolyte selfassembly process provides a facile method to equip ZIF particles with a nanometer thin polyelectrolyte multilayer membrane.
Defect recognition in CFRP components using various NDT methods within a smart manufacturing process
(2018)
The manufacturing process of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) components is gaining a more and more significant role when looking at the increasing amount of CFRPs used in industries today. The monitoring of the manufacturing process and hence the reliability of the manufactured products, is one of the major challenges we need to face in the near future. Common defects which arise during manufacturing process are e.g. porosity and voids which may lead to delaminations during operation and under load. To find irregularities and classify them as possible defects in an early stage of the manufacturing process is of high importance for the safety and reliability of the finished products, as well as of significant impact from an economical point of view. In this study we compare various NDT methods which were applied to similar CFRP laminate samples in order to detect and characterize regions of defective volume. Besides ultrasound, thermography and eddy current, different X-ray methods like radiography, laminography and computed tomography are used to investigate the samples. These methods are compared with the intention to evaluate their capability to reliably detect and characterize defective volume. Beyond the detection and evaluation of defects, we also investigate possibilities to combine various NDT methods within a smart manufacturing process in which the decision which method shall be applied is inherent within the process. Is it possible to design an in-line or at-line testing process which can recognize defects reliably and reduce testing time and costs? This study aims to show up opportunities of designing a smart NDT process synchronized to the production based on the concepts of smart production (Industry 4.0). A set of defective CFRP laminate samples and different NDT methods were used to demonstrate how effective defects are recognized and how communication between interconnected NDT sensors and the manufacturing process could be organized.
Certification of the mass fractions of trace elements in a medium purity graphite reference material
(2018)
The increasing application of graphite materials in various fields of technology and science enhances the demand for strictly controlled properties which are often directly correlated to the contents of trace element impurities. Therefore, the availability of powerful, rapid and reliable analytical methods for the determination of trace impurities is essential for process and quality control. Certified reference materials, indispensable for the development and validation of appropriate trace analytical methods for the characterization of special purity graphite materials are still lacking. Therefore, BAM in co-operation with the working group “Special Materials” of the committee of chemists of GDMB (Gesellschaft der Metallurgen und Bergleute e.V.) certified an industrially sourced graphite material with genuine elemental impurities.
The candidate material was a commercial product (NBG 18) taken from the customary production line of the producer SGL CARBON, Chedde (France). The homogeneity of the powdered material was assessed by means of ETV-ICP OES and DC Arc-OES. Certification of the candidate reference material was based on an inter-laboratory comparison involving 17 expert laboratories from Germany, France, Slovenia, USA, South Africa. A variety of different mineralization, digestion, leaching, fusion and combustion techniques prior to ICP OES and photometry, methods without sample preparation (INAA, k0-INAA) as well as typical solid sampling methods (ETV-ICP OES, ETV-ICP-MS, SS-ET AAS, DC Arc-OES, MF-DC Arc-OES) were used to characterise the material. Certified mass fractions and their expanded uncertainties (k = 2) were assigned for 27 elements (Al, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Si, Sr, Ti, V, W, Y, Zn, Zr), ranging from (0.00050 ± 0.00027) mg/kg for Be to (41 ± 6) mg/kg for Si. Additionally, informative values are given for the: trace element contents of Ag, As, Au, Bi, Cd, Cs, Dy, Eu, Ga, Gd, Hg, In, La, Nb, Rb, Re, Rh, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sn, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, U; method specific values obtained by ETV-ICP OES (BETV and SiETV) and the ash content of the material.
The certified material “BAM-S009 Medium Purity Graphite Powder” is available for purchase from BAM.
Nano- and microparticles are of increasing importance for a wide range of applications in the material and life sciences. Examples are their use as carriers for dye molecules and drugs, multichromophoric reporters for signal enhancement strategies in optical assays, targeted probes for bioimaging, and biosensors. All these applications require surface functionalization of the particles with e.g., ligands (to tune the dispersibility and prevent unspecific interactions), crosslinkers, sensor dyes, or analyte recognition moieties like biomolecules, and subsequently, the knowledge of the chemical nature and total number of surface groups as well as the number of groups accessible for coupling reactions. Particularly attractive for the latter are sensitive and fast photometric or fluorometric assays, which can be read out with simple, inexpensive instrumentation. Here, we present a novel family of cleavable photometric and multimodal reporters for the quantification of conjugatable amino and carboxyl surface groups on nano- and microparticles. These probes allow for the determination of particle-bound labels, unbound reporters in the supernatant, and reporters cleaved off from the particle surface as well as the remaining thiol groups on the particles by photometry and inductively coupled optical emission spectrometry (32S ICP-OES).3 Comparison of the performance of these cleavable reporters with conventional labels, utilizing changes in intensity and/or colour of absorption and/or emission, underlines the analytical potential of this versatile concept which elegantly circumvents signal distortions by light scattering and encoding dyes, and enables straightforward validation by method comparison.
Cost-effective water cleaning approaches using improved Treatment technologies, for instance based on catalytic processes with high activity catalysts, are urgently needed. The aim of our study was to synthesize efficient Fenton-like photo-catalysts for rapid degradation of persistent organic micropollutants in aqueous medium. Iron-based nanomaterials were chemically synthesized through simple procedures by immobilization of either iron(II) oxalate (FeO) or iron(III) citrate (FeC) on magnetite (M) nanoparticles stabilized with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Various investigation techniques were performed in order to characterize the freshly prepared catalysts. By applying advanced oxidation processes, the effect of catalyst dosage, hydrogen peroxide concentration and UV-A light exposure were examined for Bisphenol A (BPA) conversion, at laboratory scale, in mild conditions. The obtained results revealed that BPA degradation was rapidly enhanced in the presence of low-concentration H2O2, as well as under UV-A light, and is highly dependent on the surface characteristics of the catalyst. Complete photo-degradation of BPA was achieved over the M/PEG/FeO catalyst in less than 15 minutes. Based on the catalytic performance, a hierarchy of the tested catalysts was established: M/PEG/FeO > M/PEG/FeC > M/PEG. The results of cytotoxicity assay using MCF-7 cells indicated that the aqueous samples after treatment are less cytotoxic.
Many applications of nanometer- and micrometer-sized particles include their surface functionalization with linkers, sensor molecules, and analyte recognition moieties like (bio)ligands. This requires knowledge of the chemical nature and number of surface groups accessible for subsequent coupling reactions. Particularly attractive for the quantification of these groups are spectrophotometric and fluorometric assays, which can be read out with simple instrumentation. In this respect, we present here a novel Family of cleavable spectrophotometric and multimodal reporters for conjugatable amino and carboxyl surface groups on nano- and microparticles. This allows determination of particle-bound labels, unbound reporters in the supernatant, and reporters cleaved off from the particle surface, as well as the remaining thiol groups on particle, by spectrophotometry and inductively coupled optical emission spectrometry (32S ICP-OES). Comparison of the performance of these cleavable reporters with conductometry and conventional labels, utilizing changes in intensity or Color of absorption or emission, underlines the analytical potential of this versatile concept which elegantly circumvents Signal distortions by scattering and Encoding dyes and enables straightforward validation by method comparison.
We will report on a new kind of ring-expansion polymerization (REP) of cyclic esters based of three classes of catalysts.
In contrast to REP described previously these new polymerizations are characterized by a self-extrusion of the catalysts resulting in cyclic homopolyesters as the only reaction product. These REP of L-lactide were performed in bulk at temperatures between 100 and 180°C without racemization. A simplified scheme of a REP catalyzed by BuCa or SnBi is presented below. With meso-lactide temperatures down to 60°C were realized. Depending on catalyst, time and temperature with equal quantities of even and odd-numbered cycles a strong predominance of either even or odd-numbered cycles was found.
Polymeric nanoparticles (NP) are of increasing importance for a wide range of applications in the material and life sciences, including their use as drug carriers, fluorescent sensors and multimodal reporters in a large variety of bioassays and bioimaging studies. Application-relevant properties of NP include their size (and size distribution), shape, optical properties, and ease of subsequent functionalization, e.g. with linkers, sensor molecules, and bioligands. In this respect, knowledge of the chemical nature, the total number of surface groups and the number of groups accessible for subsequent coupling reactions is mandatory.1 Commercially available polystyrene NP often contain different additives like stabilizers, radical starters and crosslinkers, which can influence the quantification of surface functionalities. Moreover, they often have unknown surface group densities that may vary from batch to batch, which complicates or even hampers their reliable use in many (bio)applications. To circumvent these issues, we synthesized amino- and carboxy-functionalized, monodisperse 100 nm polystyrene NP with three different, well-defined surface group densities. Using a recently developed approach for the quantification of functional groups on nano- and microparticles with cleavable reporters,2 we quantified the assessible functional groups on the self-synthesised PS particles via optical spectroscopy (photometry) and inductively coupled optical emission spectrometry (32S ICP-OES). In addition, we developed a fluorimetric approach for the quantification of surface functional groups on nanoparticles based on the labelling with luminescent lanthanide complexes (LLC). In contrast to common organic dyes, LLC are not prone to photo¬luminescence quenching arising from reabsorption or dye aggregation, and thus, enable a reliable fluorometric quantification of the assessible functional groups on NP surfaces. Moreover, lanthanide tags can be detected with high specificity and sensitivity with analytical techniques such as XPS and ICP-MS, which allow for the multimodal validation of the fluorometric quantification approach.
Controlled deposition of nanoparticles by electrospray for improved analysis by imaging techniques
(2018)
Of many experimental techniques for measuring particle sizes and size distributions, electron microscopy (EM) is still considered as the gold standard, especially in the nano range (1–100 nm).
Furthermore, high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) in conjunction with EM can be applied to individual NPs. Preparation of an EM sample for generic particulate materials is a difficult task. Usually the particles in a suspension are deposited on a support. However, this procedure includes the drying of larger solvent amounts on the substrate itself, and this can affect the spatial distribution of the deposited particles. One possibility to overcome this is the use of an electrospray system, where the suspension of particles is sprayed onto the substrate in charged droplets that are so small that they either dry off on the substrate immediately without affecting the position of particles, or even already during their flight time to the substrate. Additionally, the charging of particles minimizes agglomeration and aggregation, maximizing the collection of the EM grids. The prototype of an electrospray deposition system from RAMEM under its trademark IONER (www.ioner.eu) was tested. Electrospray is theoretically described since a long time, but no dedicated commercial instruments are available for the preparation of TEM grids yet, apart from electrostatic deposition of aerosols.2 Several materials have been sprayed onto TEM grids and the resulting particle distributions were evaluated. Operation parameters such as the sample flow-rate, capillary – substrate distance, electric field strength and sampling period length have been optimized. It was found that the particles deposited by electrospray generally show a much more homogeneous spatial distribution on the substrate and a substantial increase of the number of single particles (suited to automatic analysis).
The EC Recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial1, based solely on size of the constituent particles, foresees development of harmonised measurement methods ensuring ‘consistent results across materials and over time’. The EU/FP7 large research project NanoDefine (http://www.nanodefine.eu) has been exclusively dedicated to support the implementation of this EC Recommendation for the European Union’s legislation. For the first time, measurement techniques able to determine the size of nanoparticles have been evaluated systematically on a well-defined set of quality control materials (spherical, monodisperse) as well as industrial materials of complex shapes and considerable polydispersity. Particularly based on the analytical performance of the measurement techniques as tested on the challenging real-world particulate materials, it was possible to formulate recommendations for use of a new tiered approach consisting of screening and confirmatory techniques. Thus, a consistent framework of guidance for nanomaterial identification according to the EC Definition has been issued in form of the NanoDefiner e-tool (https://labs.inf.fh-dortmund.de/NanoDefiner), with a transparent decision flow scheme and an extensive user manual. Selected examples of analysis and classification as nano-/non-nanomaterials will be given, highlighting the limits of applicability of the available measurement techniques in dependence on sample properties. On some recent relevant developments in sample preparation – as a crucial part for an accurate analysis - will be also reported.
Analog zu Blitz und Donner können elektrische Entladungen innerhalb eines Gasvolumens als akustische Quellen agieren und haben daher eine starke Verbreitung als diagnostische Methode (bspw. in der Raumakustik und bei der Ortung von Teilentladungen). Diese auf dem Prinzip der Thermoakustik beruhende Möglichkeit der Schallerzeugung und die damit verbundenen physikalischen Wechselwirkungen machen die Notwendigkeit einer mechanisch ausgelenkten Membran überflüssig. Dabei wird dem hochfrequenten Träger das Nutzsignal aufgeprägt, welches eine Volumenänderung des umliegenden Gases um seinen Ruhezustand verursacht. Durch die somit hervorgerufene zyklische thermische Wechselwirkung mit dem umliegenden Gasgemisch bedarf es daher ebenfalls keiner akustischen Anpassung. In den vorgestellten Ergebnissen wurde das Übertragungsverhalten eines Oberflächenplasmas (SDBD, surface dielectric barrier discharge) untersucht. Als Maß für den Wirkungsgrad und das Übertragungsverhalten des Aktuators wurden Klirrfaktor- und THD- Messungen und unter Variation der Eingangsleistungen durchgeführt. Durch die positiven akustischen Eigenschaften eröffnen sich neue Applikationen für den Einsatz von Plasmahochtönern wie bspw. zerstörungsfreie Werkstoffprüfung von Verbundsystemen und Klebeverbindungen im Automobilsektor oder im Bauwesen.
For the first time, an international comparison was conducted on the determination of the purity of a high purity element. Participants were free to choose any analytical approach appropriate for their institute’s applications and services. The material tested was a high purity zinc, which had earlier been assessed for homogeneity and previously used in CCQM-K72 for the determination of six defined metallic impurities. Either a direct metal assay of the Zn mass fraction was undertaken by EDTA titrimetry, or an indirect approach was used wherein all impurities, or at least the major ones, were determined and their sum subtracted from ideal purity of 100 %, or 1 kg/kg. Impurity assessment techniques included glow discharge mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and carrier gas hot extraction/combustion analysis. Up to 91 elemental impurities covering metals, non-metals and semi-metals/metalloids were quantified. Due to the lack of internal experience or experimental capabilities, some participants contracted external laboratories for specific analytical tasks, mainly for the analysis of non-metals. The reported purity, expressed as zinc mass fraction in the high purity zinc material, showed excellent agreement for all participants, with a relative standard deviation of 0.011 %. The calculated reference value, w(Zn) = 0.999 873 kg/kg, was assigned an asymmetric combined uncertainty of + 0.000025 kg/kg and – 0.000028 kg/kg. Comparability amongst participating metrology institutes is thus demonstrated for the purity determination of high purity metals which have no particular difficulties with their decomposition / dissolution process when solution-based analytical methods are used, or which do not have specific difficulties when direct analysis approaches are used. Nevertheless, further development is required in terms of uncertainty assessment, quantification of non-metals and the determination of purity of less pure elements and/or for those elements suffering difficulties with the decomposition process.
In this article the question of the certification of calibration samples for the characterisation of advanced thin film materials is addressed within the framework of reliable process control or quality management purposes. Reference measurement techniques can be used in order to address the gap in appropriate certified reference materials (CRMs) for thin film analyses. They allow for qualifying out-of-production samples originating from an operating production line as calibration samples. As a template for this procedure, CIGS [Cu(In,Ga)Se2] layers, that are absorber layers for high efficiency thin-film solar cells, have been used for establishing and validating reference-free X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis and Auger-electron spectroscopy (AES) as reference measurement techniques. The focus was on determining the average mole fractions in the CIGS layers obtaining results traceable to the SI unit system. Reference-free XRF is physically traceable and is based upon radiometrically calibrated instrumentation and knowledge of atomic fundamental data. Sputter-assisted AES can be established as a chemically traceable method after careful calibration using a certified reference material (CRM) based on a total number counting method.
We found cascade IR generation in Al laser induced plasma. This generation includes doublet transitions 3s25s 2S1∕2→ 3s24p 2P1∕2,3∕2 → 3s24s 2S1∕2; corresponding to strong lines at 2110 and 2117 nm, and much weaker lines at 1312–1315 nm. The 3s25s2S 1∕2 starting IR generation level is directly pumped from the 3s23p 2P3∕2 ground level. The starting level for UV generation at 396.2 nm (transitions 3s24s 2S1∕2 → 4p 2P3∕2) is populated due to the fast collisional processes in the plasma plume. These differences led to different time and special dependences on the lasing in the IR and UV spectral range within the aluminum laser induced plasma.
An artificial digestion of silver nitrate is reported. It is shown that AgSCN nanoparticles emerge from ionic silver in saliva and remain present during the entire digestion process. The particles were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) regarding their composition and size distribution.
Non-invasive Cereal Analysis by GC-MS detection of Trichodiene as a Volatile Mycotoxin Biomarker
(2018)
Due to the increasing consumption of cereals worldwide, the monitoring of growth, storage and processing is becoming more and more crucial. Particularly when stored, infested grains breed fungal clusters (“hot spots”) in which mycotoxins greatly exceed allowed maximum levels. Because of their unpredictable presence, current sample drawing and procedures for mycotoxin analysis represent a complex challenge for operators, involving invasive and cost intensive steps.
Therefore, new time- and labour-saving mycotoxin control methods including sampling and analysis steps are needed. A possible approach is the non-invasive analysis of the homogeneous gas phase above the crops, instead of analyzing random samples. However, this procedure requires microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC´s) being released by the samples and representing the present mycotoxins. Previous investigations revealed trichodiene to be a precursor in trichothecenes biosynthesis – one of the largest mycotoxin groups with over 180 compounds. Due to its non-functionalized sesquiterpene structure, trichodiene has already been quantified using Headspace GC-MS methods (for instance]). Thereby, it can possibly be used as a biomarker for trichothecene contamination in foodstuff.
However, further investigations are necessary. The correlation between trichodiene concentration in the gas phase and trichothecenes mass fraction in the sample must be examined closely to draw conclusions about the exact trichothecene content within samples. Realizing this idea, would widely extend the applicability of trichodiene and enormously simplify trichothecene quantification. Hence, this first step of an ongoing study aims to develop a laboratory reference method using trichodiene as volatile biomarker to quantify trichothecenes in cereals. Static headspace and SPME-enrichment coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were employed. In a second step, this reference method is intended to validate new approaches for fast on-site screening of trichodiene in cereals.
Non-invasive Cereal Analysis by GC-MS detection of Trichodiene as a Volatile Mycotoxin Biomarker
(2018)
Due to the increasing consumption of cereals worldwide, the monitoring of growth, storage and processing is becoming more and more crucial. Particularly when stored, infested grains breed fungal clusters (“hot spots”) in which mycotoxins greatly exceed allowed maximum levels. Because of their unpredictable presence, current sample drawing and procedures for mycotoxin analysis represent a complex challenge for operators, involving invasive and cost intensive steps.
Therefore, new time- and labour-saving mycotoxin control methods including sampling and analysis steps are needed. A possible approach is the non-invasive analysis of the homogeneous gas phase above the crops, instead of analyzing random samples. However, this procedure requires microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC´s) being released by the samples and representing the present mycotoxins. Previous investigations revealed trichodiene to be a precursor in trichothecenes biosynthesis – one of the largest mycotoxin groups with over 180 compounds. Due to its non-functionalized sesquiterpene structure, trichodiene has already been quantified using Headspace GC-MS methods (for instance). Thereby, it can possibly be used as a biomarker for trichothecene contamination in foodstuff.
However, further investigations are necessary. The correlation between trichodiene concentration in the gas phase and trichothecenes mass fraction in the sample must be examined closely to draw conclusions about the exact trichothecene content within samples. Realizing this idea, would widely extend the applicability of trichodiene and enormously simplify trichothecene quantification. Hence, this first step of an ongoing study aims to develop a laboratory reference method using trichodiene as volatile biomarker to quantify trichothecenes in cereals. Static headspace and SPME-enrichment coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were employed. In a second step, this reference method is intended to validate new approaches for fast on-site screening of trichodiene in cereals.
Quantifizierung der Schädigung von DNA in wässriger Lösung unter direkter Elektronenbestrahlung
(2018)
Bei der Behandlung von Krebs wird Strahlentherapie zur Zerstörung von Tumorzellen eingesetzt. Der zugrunde liegende Wirkmechanismus ist die durch ionisierende Strahlung verursachte Schädigung an Biomolekülen. Dabei kommt den Schädigungsprozessen an DNA aufgrund ihrer zentralen Rolle in Mutation und Zelltod eine besondere Bedeutung zu. Durch den hohen Wasseranteil in menschlichen Zellen findet ein Großteil der inelastischen Streuprozesse an Wassermolekülen statt und führt zur deren Radiolyse. Die so entstehenden Radiolyseprodukte sind für einen Großteil des Schadens an DNA verantwortlich. Ein detailliertes Verständnis der zugrunde liegenden molekularen Interaktion ist die Voraussetzung um effizientere Therapien zu entwickeln.
Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Schädigung von DNA durch ionisierende Strahlung in Abhängigkeit der inelastischen Streuevents und des Energieeintrags innerhalb des biologisch relevanten mikroskopischen Treffervolumens zu quantifizieren. Die Bestrahlungen müssen dazu in Flüssigkeit, unter Berücksichtigung der chemischen Umgebung durchgeführt werden, welche die indirekten Schäden vermittelt. Deshalb wurde eine neuartige Kombination aus Experiment und Monte- Carlo-Simulationen entworfen und angewandt. Um Elektronenbestrahlung flüssiger Lösungen innerhalb eines Rasterelektronenmikroskops zu ermöglichen, wurde ein Probenhalter mit einer für Elektronen durchlässigen Nanomembran entwickelt. So können Bestrahlungen an DNA,
Proteinen, und Zellen bei verschiedenen pH-Werten, Salzkonzentrationen oder in Anwesenheit von Kosoluten durchgeführt werden. Für ein Modellsystem aus Plasmid-DNA in Wasser wurde damit die mittlere letale Dosis aus der Kombination der experimentellen Daten, Partikelstreusimulationen (Geant4-DNA) und Diffusionsberechnungen zu D1/2 = 1.7 ± 0.3 Gy bestimmt. Aus der Konvolution der Plasmidpositionen mit dem durch Elektronenstreusimulationen bestimmten ortsaufgelösten Energieeintrag wurde dessen Häufigkeitsverteilung im Targetvolumen der
Plasmide sowie der mittlere mikroskopische letale Energieeintrag berechnet als E1/2 = 6 ± 4 eV .
Es wurde gefolgert, dass weniger als zwei Ionisationsprozesse im sensitiven Targetvolumen der DNA im Mittel zu einem Einzelstrangbruch führen. Das für mikrodosimetrische Modellierungen wichtige Verhältnis von Einzelstrangbrüchen (SSB) zu Doppelstrangbrüchen (DSB) wurde als SSB : DSB = 12 : 1 bestimmt. Die vorgestellte Methode zur Bestimmung mikroskopischer Schaden-Dosis Relationen wurde auf weitere Klassen von Bestrahlungsexperimenten verallgemeinert. Dadurch ist die Methode unabhängig von der verwandten Primärstrahlung, der Probengeometrie und den Diffusionseigenschaften der untersuchten Moleküle anwendbar. So wird eine Vergleichbarkeit experimenteller Systeme mit inhomogenen Energieverteilungen erreicht, die bei ausschließlicher Betrachtung makroskopischer, gemittelter Größen nicht gegeben ist.
Des weiteren wurden die Strahlenschutzfunktionen des kompatiblen Soluts Ectoine und sein Einfluss auf Wasser und Biomoleküle untersucht. Mittels Ramanspektroskopie wurde ein kon-zentrationsabhängiger Anstieg des Anteils der Kollektivmoden des Wassers der OH-Streckschwingungen und dessen Unabhängigkeit von der Natriumchloridkonzentration beobachtet.
Molekulardynamik-Simulationen zeigten, dass die zwitterionischen Eigenschaften zur Bildung einer half-chair Konformation Ectoines führen. Die Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen in der ersten Hydrationshülle sind signifikant stabiler und besitzen höhere Lebensdauern als das Bulk-Wasser. Bestrahlung von DNA in Anwesenheit von 1 M Ectoine führt zu einer Erhöhung der Überlebensrate um den Faktor 1,41. Die Schutzfunktion wurde auf die Erhöhung des Streuquerschnitts niederenergetischer Elektronen an den akustischen Vibrationsmoden des Wasser durch Ectoine und seine Wirkung als OH-Radikalfänger zurückgeführt. Dies wurde mittels Ramanspektroskopie und Elektronenspinresonanzmessungen (ESR) nachgewiesen.
During the last decades, X-ray (micro-)computed tomography has gained increasing attention for the description of porous skeletal and shell structures of various organism groups. However, their quantitative analysis is often hampered by the difficulty to discriminate cavities and pores within the object from the surrounding region. Herein, we test the ambient occlusion (AO) algorithm and newly implemented optimisations for the segmentation of cavities (implemented in the software Amira). The segmentation accuracy is evaluated as a function of (i) changes in the ray length input variable, and (ii) the usage of AO (scalar) field and other AO-derived (scalar) fields. The results clearly indicate that the AO field itself outperforms all other AO-derived fields in terms of segmentation accuracy and robustness against variations in the ray length input variable. The newly implemented optimisations improved the AO field-based segmentation only slightly, while the segmentations based on the AOderived fields improved considerably.
Additionally, we evaluated the potential of the AO field and AO-derived fields for the separation and classification of cavities as well as skeletal structures by comparing them with commonly used distance-map-based segmentations. For this, we tested the zooid separation within a bryozoan colony, the stereom classification of an ophiuroid tooth, the separation of bioerosion traces within a marble block and the calice (central cavity)-pore separation within a dendrophyllid coral. The obtained results clearly indicate that the ideal input field depends on the three-dimensional morphology of the object of interest. The segmentations based on the AO-derived fields often provided cavity separations and skeleton classifications that were superior to or impossible to obtain with commonly used distance-map-based segmentations. The combined usage of various AO-derived fields by supervised or unsupervised segmentation algorithms might provide a promising target for future research to further improve the results for this kind of high-end data segmentation and classification. Furthermore, the application of the developed segmentation algorithm is not restricted to X-ray (micro-)computed tomographic data but may potentially be useful for the segmentation of 3D volume data from other sources.
Das Korrosionsverhalten von kohlenstoffhaltigen martensitischen nichtrostenden Stählen variiert in Abhängigkeit der Wärmebehandlung (WB) und der damit eingestellten Mikrostruktur deutlich stärker als bei kohlenstoffarmen ferritischen und austenitischen nichtrostenden Stählen. Bei erhöhtem Kohlenstoffgehalt bestimmt die diffusionsgesteuerte Bildung und Auflösung von Chromkarbiden die Verteilung von Chrom und Kohlenstoff im Gefüge. Bisher lag der Fokus von Forschungsarbeiten zum Einfluss der WB auf dem Anlassen im allgemein bekannten Sensibilisierungsbereich dieser Werkstoffgruppe zwischen 200 °C und 700 °C und der dort auftretenden Chromverarmung. Mit der gezielten WB des X46Cr13 (1.4034) wird gezeigt, dass Temperatur und Dauer beim Austenitisieren sowie die anschließende Abkühlung beim Härten das Korrosionsverhalten schon vor dem Anlassen signifikant beeinflussen. Auf der Basis von thermodynamischen Berechnungen wurden definierte WB ausgewählt, um gezielt unterschiedliche Volumengehalte von Chromkarbiden im Gefüge und somit auch unterschiedliche Chrom bzw. Kohlenstoffgehalte im Mischkristall zu erzeugen. Anschließend wurden die resultierenden Gefügezustände hinsichtlich Chromkarbidanteil und Härte verglichen und das Korrosionsverhalten mit der elektrochemisch potentiodynamischen Reaktivierung (EPR) sowie durch einen Schnelltest mit der KorroPad-Prüfung untersucht. Dabei konnte ein direkter Zusammenhang zwischen WB, Mikrostrukturänderungen und Korrosionsverhalten festgestellt werden. Mit steigender Austenitisierungstemperatur wird der Anteil an Chromkarbiden reduziert und der Kohlenstoff- und Chromgehalt der Matrix erhöht, bis eine vollständige Auflösung der Chromkarbide gegeben und die chemische Nennzusammensetzung der Legierung im Mischkristall erreicht ist. In der direkten Folge wird die Ausbildung der für nichtrostende Stähle charakteristischen Passivschicht erleichtert und das Lochkorrosionsverhalten verbessert. Die Abkühlrate hat neben den Austenitisierungsparametern ebenfalls einen großen Einfluss auf das Korrosionsverhalten. So führt eine langsame Abkühlung an Luft zu einer Chromverarmung im Gefüge, die eine deutlich erhöhte Lochkorrosionsanfälligkeit zur Folge hat. In Abhängigkeit der WB von kohlenstoffhaltigen nichtrostenden Stählen können Mikrostruktur, Härte und Korrosionsbeständigkeit in einem weiten Bereich variieren.
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Targeted delivery of osteoinductive bone morphogenetic Proteins (eg, GDF5) in bioresorbable calcium phosphate cement (CPC), potentially suitable for vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty of osteoporotic vertebral fractures, may be required to counteract augmented local bone catabolism and to support complete bone regeneration. The biologically optimized GDF5 Mutant BB-1 may represent an attractive drug candidate for this purpose.
PURPOSE: The aim of the current study was to test an injectable, poly (l-lactide-co-glycolide) acid (PLGA) fiber-reinforced, brushite-forming CPC containing low-dose BB-1 in a sheep lumbar osteopenia model.
STUDY DESIGN/ SETTING: This is a prospective experimental animal study.
METHODS: Bone defects (diameter 5 mm) were generated in aged, osteopenic female sheep and were filled with fiber-reinforced CPC alone (L4; CPC+fibers) or with CPC containing different dosages.
The quantification of radiation induced damage to DNA in aqueous en-
vironment is of fundamental interest for dosimetry and its application
in radiation-therapy and protection. We present a combined experi-
mental and simulational approach to quantify and compare radiation
induced damage to biomolecules in liquid environment for a wide range
of primary radiation sources e. g. photons, electrons or ions and tar-
gets, such as DNA, proteins or cells.[1] To show its viability, we will
apply this method to an experimentally challenging systems, the di-
rect irradiation of plasmid DNA (pUC19) in water with electrons as
primary particles. Here we combine Geant4 electron-scattering simula-
tions with calculations concerning the diffusion and convection induced
movement of the biomolecules, within a coarse-grained model of the
irradiated liquid. Additionally a microscopic target model for the plas-
mid DNA based on the relation of lineal energy and radiation quality
is used to calculate the effective target volume.
Universität Berlin Radiation damage to biomolecules such as DNA, is the reason to treat cancer via radiation therapy. The understanding of the molecular processes and the quantification of the underlying damaging mechanisms is necessary to develope more efficient irradiation protocols for cancer therapy. Thereby damage to DNA is of key interest due to its central role in reproduction and mutation. Due to the high amount of water in biological tissue, most of the damage is caused by the secondary particles which are produced by the interaction of ionizing radiation with water. Thereby a multitude of species are produced, e.g. kinetic low energy electrons, prehydrated electrons, OH-radicals and ions. The quantification of the contribution to DNA damage by the various species is of interest. Here we present an experimental approach to disentangle their relative DNA strand break yields. Plasmid DNA (pUC19 ) is irradiated in water with electrons under the presence of different scavengers. The presented preliminary results reveal the relative contributions of OH-radicals, low energy electrons and prehydrated electrons and their DNA single and double strand break yields.
Zearalenone (ZEN) and its sulfate and glucoside conjugates have been detected in (a broad variety of) food and feed commodities1. Both conjugated derivatives are formed as part of fungal or plant secondary metabolism and thus, belong to the group of modified mycotoxins2. After consumption of contaminated foodstuff, the conjugates can be hydrolyzed by human intestinal microbiota leading to liberation of ZEN that implies an underestimation of the true ZEN exposure. In order to include ZEN conjugates in routine analysis, as well as for toxicological investigation reliable standards are needed.
The objective of the present study was to develop a simple and economic method for biosynthesis of ZEN conjugates. Preceding experiments on the biotransformation of ZEN by Rhizopus and Aspergillus species showed a mixed metabolite formation3. Therefore, these known ZEN conjugating fungal strains were screened for their potential to selectively synthesize the ZEN derivatives ZEN-14-sulfate (Z14S), ZEN-14-glucoside (Z14G) and ZEN-16-glucoside (Z16G). The screening was conducted by adding ZEN to liquid fungal cultures. Cultivation conditions and ZEN incubation time were varied. All media samples were analyzed for metabolite formation by HPLC-MS/MS. Z14S was exclusively formed by A. oryzae. Under optimized conditions a specific biosynthesis of Z14G by R. oryzae and Z16G by R. oligosporus was achieved. After liquid-liquid-extraction and preparative chromatographic cleanup 1H-NMR purities of ≥ 73% for Z14S, ≥ 82% for Z14G and ≥ 50% for Z16G were obtained. In addition, a consecutive biosynthesis was developed by first using Fusarium graminearum for ZEN biosynthesis on rice based liquid medium. After inactivation of Fusarium the subsequent conjugation reaction was conducted utilizing Aspergillus and Rhizopus species under the various optimized conditions.
In this study an easy and cost-efficient biosynthesis for Z14S, Z14G and Z16G was developed. The developed biosynthesis could be also used for other metabolites like ZEL conjugates. Our results of the in vitro screening indicate also the formation of a ZEL-glucoside and α ZEL-sulfate as major metabolites by R. oryzae. In sum, under optimized cultivation conditions fungi can be easily utilized for a targeted and stereospecific synthesis of ZEN conjugates.
Quantitative analysis of a bulk sample requires that the
composition of the sample is homogeneous over the analyzed
volume. For inhomogenous samples the calculation of
the matrix effects is not correct and this can lead to wrong results in the element concentrations. For samples containing a layer structure a different quantitative evaluation has to be applied. This can be provided with the standard-based analysis in ESPRIT in combination with the STRATAGem software.
In civil engineering concrete is the most used building material for making infrastructures like bridges and parking decks worldwide. It is as a porous and multiphase material made of aggregates with a defined grain size distribution, cement and water as well as different additives and admixtures depending on the application. Different grain sizes are important to ensure the needed density and compressive strength.
The resulting porous cement matrix contains a mixture of flour grains (aggregates with a grain size below 125 lm) and cement particles (particle size≈50lm). Harmful species like chlorides may penetrate together with water through the capillary pore space and may trigger different damage processes. The damage assessment of concrete structures in Germany is estimated due to the quantification of harmful elements regarding to the cement content only. In the evaluation of concrete using LIBS a two-dimensional scanning is necessary to consider the heterogeneity caused by the aggregates. Therefore, a LIBS system operating with a low energy NdCr:YAG laser, a pulse energy of 3 mJ, a wavelength of 1064 nm, a pulse width of 1.5 ns and a Repetition rate of 100 Hz has been used. Different Czerny-Turner spectrometers with CCD detectors in the UV and NIR range have been used for the detection. Large aggregates (macro-heterogeneity) can be excluded from the evaluation, whereas small aggregates in the range of the laser spot size (flour grains) cannot be spatially resolved. In this work the micro heterogeneity caused by flour grains and their impact on the quantification with LIBS will be discussed. To analyze the effect of changing grain sizes and ratios, the ablation behavior has been determined and compared. Samples with defined grain sizes were made and analyzed using LIBS.
The grain size distributions were analyzed with laser diffraction (LDA).
Thermoresponsive polymer coatings can facilitate cell sheet fabrication under mild conditions by promoting cell adhesion and proliferation at 37 1C. At lower temperatures the detachment of confluent cell sheets is triggered without enzymatic treatment. Thus, confluent cell sheets with intact extracellular matrix for regenerative medicine or tissue engineering applications become available. Herein, we applied the previously identified structural design parameters of functional, thermoresponsive poly(glycidyl ether) brushes on gold to the more application-relevant substrate glass via the self-assembly of a corresponding block copolymer (PGE-AA) with a short surface-reactive, amine-presenting anchor block. Both, physical and covalent immobilization on glass via either multivalent ionic interactions of the anchor block with bare glass or the coupling of the anchor block to a polydopamine (PDA) adhesion layer on glass resulted in stable coatings. Atomic force microscopy revealed a high degree of roughness of covalently attached coatings on the PDA adhesion layer, while physically attached coatings on bare glass were smooth and in the brush-like regime. Cell sheets of primary human dermal fibroblasts detached reliably (86%) and within 20 ± 10 min from physically tethered PGE-AA coatings on glass when prepared under cloud point grafting conditions. The presence of the laterally inhomogeneous PDA adhesion layer, however, hindered the spontaneous temperature-triggered cell detachment from covalently grafted PGE-AA, decreasing both detachment rate and reliability. Despite being only physically attached, self-assembled monolayer brushes of PGE-AA block copolymers on glass are functional and stable thermoresponsive coatings for application in cell sheet fabrication of human fibroblasts as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
This course will provide an introduction to plasma diagnostic techniques. The major focus of the course will be on the discussions of the practical procedures as well as the underlying physical principles for the measurements of plasma fundamental characteristics (e.g., temperatures, thermodynamic properties, and electron number density). Particular emphasis will be placed on inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry, but other analytical plasmas will also be used as examples when appropriate. Selected examples on how one can manipulate the operating conditions of the plasma source, based on the results of plasma diagnostic measurements, to improve its performance used for spectrochemical analysis will also be covered. Topics to be covered include thermal equilibrium, line profiles, temperatures, electron densities, excitation processes, microreactions, pump and probe diagnostics, tomography, temporal and spatial resolution. Basis of plasma computer modeling will be presented.
Surface characterisation of biofilms by nearambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
(2018)
The XPS information depth of approximately 10 nm is in the same size range as the outer membrane of the gram-negative bacteria, which makes XPS a suitable tool for determining the elemental composition of the bacterial surface and monitor changes caused by outer stress like dehydration or exposure to antimicrobials. However, bacteria are inherently in a hydrated state, and therefore only compatible to ultra-high vacuum after extensive sample preparation, which may degrade the sample constituents. This issue is addressed by the development of near-ambient pressure (NAP)-XPS, which enables bacteria and biofilms to be characterised in their native wet state. Artificial biofilms, bacteria and biofilms of Escherichia coli have been characterised with the laboratory NAP-XPS instrument EnviroESCA from SPECS GmbH, at pressures ranging from high vacuum to 12 mbar, and in both humid and dry environment. By studying biological samples in their native wet state, new insight about composition and transport of drugs through cell membranes and the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of biofilms can be obtained.
Laser induced plasma (LIP) is a dynamic, short living event which presents significant difficulty for modeling. In this report, a collisional-dominated chemical model developed earlier* is expanded by the inclusion of a new method for calculation of chemical reactions. The model consists of the coupled Navier-Stokes, state, radiative transfer, material transport, and chemical equations. The latter are written in terms of atomic and molecular partition functions rather than reaction rates. Typically, a solution of such the system of chemical equations is difficult for the entire range of plasma temperatures and densities because reaction constants may vary by hundreds orders of magnitude owing to extreme plasma conditions. No numerical solver of non-linear systems of equations handles this situation with ease. We resolve the problem by using a hierarchical approach. First, we rank the reactions according to their ascendancy. Second, we exploit either the contraction or Newton-Raphson algorithms to solve the system of chemical equations. We illustrate the approach by performing a series of calculations for reacting species Si, C, N, Ca, Cl and their molecules in laser induced plasmas.
The XPS information depth of approximately 10 nm is in the same size range as the outer membrane of the gram-negative bacteria, which makes XPS a suitable tool for determining the elemental composition of the bacterial surface and monitor changes caused by outer stress like dehydration or exposure to antimicrobials. However, bacteria are inherently in a hydrated state, and therefore only compatible to ultra-high vacuum after extensive sample preparation, which may degrade the sample constituents. This issue is addressed by the development of near-ambient pressure (NAP)-XPS, which enables bacteria and biofilms to be characterised in their native wet state. Artificial biofilms, bacteria and biofilms of Escherichia coli have been characterised with the laboratory NAP-XPS instrument EnviroESCA from SPECS GmbH, at pressures ranging from high vacuum to 12 mbar, and in both humid and dry environment. By studying biological samples in their native wet state, new insight about composition and transport of drugs through cell membranes and the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of biofilms can be obtained. In this contribution, the latest progress on biofilm characterisation by NAP-XPS will be presented, and measurement capabilities and limitations will be discussed.
In recent years, substantial efforts have been devoted to investigating nanoscopic confinement of polymers, and its effect on glassy dynamics. Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS) was used to study the dynamics of ultra-thin films of PVME/PS 50/50 wt% blend, employing a novel nano-structured capacitor sample arrangement. The investigated system shows a complex dynamic behavior. First, an α-relaxation, related to a bulk-like layer was found. Second, an α’-relaxation was observed, characteristic for dynamically asymmetric blends, where the out of equilibrium dynamics is attributed to weakly-cooperative PVME segments relaxing within a frozen environment of PS segments. Thirdly, for thinnest films, an Arrhenius-like process was dominant in the dielectric spectra, indicating localized fluctuations of the segments. Relaxation rates of this process resembled that of the degenerated α-relaxation of the adsorbed layer, found for pure PVME, thus it was assigned accordingly. For thinnest films, this process undergoes a further confinement, due to the topological constraints, introduced by PS. Such multiple confinement effect has not been reported for ultra-thin films of polymer blends, before this study.
Hydrogen-assisted cracking is a critical combination of local microstructure, mechanical load and hydrogen concentration. Welded microstructures of low-alloyed creep-resistant Cr-Mo-V steels show different hydrogen trapping kinetics. This influences the adsorbed hydrogen concentration as well as the diffusion by moderate or strong trapping. A common approach to describe hydrogen traps is by their activation energy that is necessary to release hydrogen from the trap. In the present study, Cr-Mo-V steel T24 (7CrMoVTiB10-10) base material and TIG weld metal were investigated. Electrochemically hydrogen charged specimens
were analyzed by thermal desorption analysis (TDA) with different linear heating rates. The results show two different effects. At first, the microstructure effect on trapping is evident in terms of higher hydrogen concentrations in the weld metal and increased activation energy for hydrogen release. Secondly, it is necessary to monitor the real specimen temperature. A comparison between the adjusted heating rate and the real specimen temperature shows that the calculated activation energy varies by factor two. Thus, the trap character in case of the base material changes to irreversible at decreased temperature. Hence, the effect of the experimental procedure must be considered as well if evaluating TDA results. Finally, realistic temperature assessment is mandatory for calculation of activation energy via TDA.
Kegel-Phased-Array für die schnelle Ultraschallprüfung von längsgebohrten Eisenbahnradsatzwellen
(2018)
Durch die Verwendung von Ultraschall - Phased Arrays lässt sich in vielen Fällen sowohl die Prüfgeschwindigkeit als auch die Zuverlässigkeit der Prüfung erhöhen. Für die Prüfung von Eisenbahnradsatzwellen ist die Phased Arraytechnik schon verbreitet, jedoch vor allem für die Prüfung von Vollwellen. Die Prüfung von längsgebohrten Eisenbahnrad¬satzwellen erfolgt typischerweise mit einer Anzahl von konventionellen Prüfköpfen, die rotierend durch die Längsbohrung bewegt werden. Dabei werden weder die Achsen und Räder noch die Bremsscheiben demontiert.
Ein neuer Ansatz für die Prüftechnik ist die Verwendung eines rotations-symmetrischen kegelförmigen Phased Arrays in Tauchtechnik. Die Abtastung in Umfangs-richtung erfolgt durch elektronische Rotation des Schallfeldes, was viel höhere Prüfge-schwindigkeiten ermöglicht und den mechanischen Aufwand des Prüfsystems erheblich reduziert. Nur die Bewegung des Sensorsystems in axialer Richtung innerhalb der Bohrung erfolgt mechanisch. Senkrecht zur Bauteilachse kann das Schallbündel durch die Phased Arraysteuerung in Umfangsrichtung exakt ausgerichtet und im Abstand der Prüfbereiche nahe der Außenoberfläche der Radsatzwelle fokussiert werden.
Die Konstruktionsparameter des Kegelarrays wurden speziell optimiert zum Auffinden von rissartigen Querfehlern in und in der Nähe der äußeren Oberfläche von längsgebohrten Eisenbahnradsatzwellen von Hochgeschwindigkeitszügen. Die Fehlerfläche liegt dabei in der Querschnittsfläche des Bauteils. Im Beitrag werden der Prototyp des neuen Sensorsystems und erste Prüfergebnisse gezeigt. Die Arbeiten wurden durchgeführt im Rahmen des Europäischen Projektes “Whole Life Rail Axle Assessment and Improvement Using Ultrasonic Phased array and Corrosion Inspection Systems“ (RAAI).
Main aim is to improve ultrasonic sensor networks to monitor concrete structures under dynamic loads. Novel algorithms have to be developed and tested to separate the influence of various effects for field data. Ways to quantify the interpretation of ultrasonic data e.g. in terms of degree of damage or capacity, have to be found. Improve and simplify imaging techniques, extend them to arbitrary structures, to foster field applications.
This application note presents how EnviroESCA can be used to analyze bacterial samples under near ambient pressure conditions in various states of hydration using different levels of humidity. Such investigations of bacterial cell wall surfaces in their hydrated state are essential for studying biological interfaces at work.
The use of innovative near-ambient pressure (NAP-)XPS instrumentation allows the detailed analysis of irregularly-surfaced biofilms. NAP-XPS enables the surface analysis of bacterial samples in their natural hydrated state without complex sample preparation techniques such as freeze-drying or fast-freezing, which are needed for XPS analysis in ultrahigh vacuum.
Es wird ein Verfahren zur Charakterisierung der Beständigkeit und Langzeitstabilität von additiv gefertigten Kunststoff-Bauteilen vorgestellt. Dabei sollen die Prüfkörper über 2000 Stunden künstlich bewittert und währenddessen die Änderungen der Eigenschaften der Bauteile zerstörungsfrei untersucht werden. Die Erkenntnisse dienen für die Entwicklung einer Strategie für eine Qualitätskontrolle von additiv gefertigten Kunststoffteilen.
Imaging of elemental distributions in single cell assays as well as tissue sections can be performed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). This powerful technique offers precise spatially resolved measurements at the trace and ultratrace level and has been established as an excellent tool to answer analytical, biological and biomedical questions. To date, imaging mass cytometry is already able to simultaneously detect up to 40 cellular targets due to conjugation of isotopically pure lanthanides to affinity binders, e.g. antibodies.
To further enhance the ability of multiparametric analysis to more than 100 analytes at once, we investigated lanthanide nanocrystals as new, highly sensitive metal tags for identification of targets in clinical cell assays and tissue samples. Multiparametric analysis will be possible by encoding the lanthanide composition of nanocrystals associated to the affinity binders. Nanocrystals showed remarkable potential for sensitive detection in MS due to high stability and signal amplification compared to e.g. polymer tags, carrying fewer metal atoms.
Synthesis of functionalized lanthanide nanocrystals for further bioconjugation was performed with high reproducibility and monodisperse size distribution. For proof of principle, the uptake and distribution of these nanocrystals within the monolayered cell line A549 were investigated by mapping the intensities at subcellular resolution using LA-ICP-MS. It could be shown, that the cells were efficiently labeled with the nanocrystals and mostly accumulate near the nucleus. Additionally, the bioconjugation of the nanocrystals to antibodies and particularly the preservation of the antibody specificity was investigated using Dot Blot experiments. All in all, the results imply high sensitivity and the possibility of multiparametric analysis by doting various lanthanides into the nanocrystals.
Mit der Zentrifugentechnologie ist seit einigen Jahren ein neuartiges Mehr-Proben-Prüf-verfahren auf dem Markt etabliert, welches die klassische Zugprüfung in den Trommelrotor einer Tischzentrifuge überträgt. In der Beanspruchung auf Zug ist die Prüfung der Verbundfestigkeit mittels CAT-Technologie (centrifugal adhesion testing) an der BAM seit 2017 nach DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 akkreditiert, wobei die Verbundfestigkeit von Klebungen direkt bestimmt wird und in Abhängigkeit von den Versagensformen Rückschlüsse auf die Klebfestigkeit von Klebstoffen/Klebebändern oder die Haftfestigkeit von Beschichtungen gezogen werden können.
Mit der Zentrifugentechnologie ist seit einigen Jahren ein neuartiges Mehr-Proben-Prüf-verfahren auf dem Markt etabliert, welches die klassische Zugprüfung in den Trommelrotor einer Tischzentrifuge überträgt. In der Beanspruchung auf Zug ist die Prüfung der Verbundfestigkeit seit 2017 nach DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 akkreditiert, wobei die Verbundfestigkeit von Klebungen direkt bestimmt wird und in Abhängigkeit von den Versagensformen Rückschlüsse auf die Klebfestigkeit von Klebstoffen/Klebebändern oder die Haftfestigkeit von Beschichtungen gezogen werden können.
Bei der zerstörenden Beanspruchung auf Zug ist zu beachten, dass es sich bei der Verbundfestigkeit um eine Systemeigenschaft handelt, d.h. nicht nur die chemischen und topografischen Oberflächeneigenschaften, sondern auch die plasto-elastischen Volumeneigenschaften des Klebstoffes und der Fügeteile haben Einfluss auf die ermittelten Kennwerte. Dabei ist eine qualitative Bestimmung der Versagensformen und Bruchbilder nach DIN EN ISO 10365 zwingend erforderlich, um eine Aussage über die Art des Versagens treffen zu können.
Mit der Erweiterung der Zentrifugentechnologie um Beanspruchungen auf Druck wurde dann der Nachweis erbracht, dass auch die klassische Härteprüfung in einer Zentrifuge als Mehr-Proben-Prüfung durchgeführt werden kann. Im Verbundvorhaben QUO VADIS PLUS werden derzeit invasive Beanspruchungen auf Druck zur Bestimmung der Härte von Materialien, der Kompressibilität von Metallschäumen sowie der Kompaktierbarkeit von Pulvern untersucht, was das Anwendungspotential der Zentrifugentechnologie nochmals erweitert. Dazu gehören auch kombinierte Beanspruchungen wie Zug-Scher- und Druck-Scher-Prüfungen.
Die Verbundfestigkeit von CFK-Platten in Abhängigkeit der Beanspruchungsart (Zug vs. Zug-Scher) bzw. der Faserorientierung (0°, 45°, 90°), die Klebfestigkeit von Klebstoffen bzw. Klebebändern auf unterschiedlichen Fügeteilwerkstoffen in Abhängigkeit von der Vorbehandlung, die Haftfestigkeit optischer Schichten auf Kunststoffen, die Bestimmung der Vickers-, Brinell- bzw. Kugeldruck-Härte sowie die Kompressibilität von metallischen Schäumen und Federn werden als ausgewählte Beispiele diskutiert.
Understanding the mechanism of interactions of nanomaterials at biointerfaces is a crucial issue to develop new antimicrobial vectors. In this work, a series of water-soluble fullerene-polyglycerol sulfates (FPS) with different fullerene/polymer weight ratios and varying numbers of polyglycerol sulfate branches are synthesized, characterized, and their interactions with two distinct surfaces displaying proteins involved in target cell recognition are investigated. The combination of polyanionic branches with a solvent exposed variable hydrophobic core in FPS proves to be superior to analogs possessing only one of these features in preventing interaction of vesicular Stomatitis virus coat glycoprotein (VSV-G) with baby hamster kidney cells serving as a model of host cell. Interference with L-selectin-ligand binding is dominated by the negative charge, which is studied by two assays: a competitive surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based inhibition assay and the leukocyte cell (NALM-6) rolling on ligands under flow conditions. Due to possible intrinsic hydrophobic and electrostatic effects of synthesized compounds, pico- to nanomolar half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) are achieved. With their highly antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, together with good biocompatibility, FPS are promising candidates for the future development towards biomedical applications.
Der Blick in die Brücke
(2018)
LAUS - Erste praktische Erfahrungen mit einem neuartigen Ultraschallsystem großer Eindringtiefe
(2018)
Konventionelle Systeme zur Ultraschall-Echo-Prüfung von Betonbauteilen sind in ihrer Eindringtiefe auf etwa einem Meter begrenzt. Zur Prüfung stärkerer Objekte war die Entwicklung eines neuartigen Prüfsystems notwendig. Das LAUS-System (Large Aperture UltraSound) besteht aus 12 einzelnen Arrays, die mit jeweils 32 Einzelprüfköpfen (Scherwellen, 25 – 50 kHz) als Sender oder Empfänger betrieben werden können. Sie werden unabhängig auf Betonoberflächen mit Unterdruck befestigt und kommunizieren drahtlos untereinander und mit der Zentraleinheit. Alle möglichen Kombinationen ergeben 132 Einzelmessungen, die zur Rekonstruktion des durchschallten Volumens genutzt werden. Mehrere dieser Datensätze lassen sich zu einer 3D-Auswertung kombinieren. Das System wurde an mehreren Testobjekten und Bauwerken erfolgreich erprobt. So konnte die fünf Meter dicke, sehr stark bewehrte Fundamentplatte des Fallturms auf dem BAM-Testgelände bei Horstwalde durchschallt werden. Ein zweites Beispiel ist die erfolgreiche Detektion von Spannkanälen in 1,8 m Tiefe in einem massiven Brückenbauwerk.
LAUS - Erste praktische Erfahrungen mit einem neuartigen Ultraschallsystem großer Eindringtiefe
(2018)
Konventionelle Systeme zur Ultraschall-Echo-Prüfung von Betonbauteilen sind in ihrer Eindringtiefe auf etwa einem Meter begrenzt. Zur Prüfung stärkerer Objekte war die Entwicklung eines neuartigen Prüfsystems notwendig. Das LAUS-System (Large Aperture UltraSound) besteht aus 12 einzelnen Arrays, die mit jeweils 32 Einzelprüfköpfen (Scherwellen, 25 – 50 kHz) als Sender oder Empfänger betrieben werden können. Sie werden unabhängig auf Betonoberflächen mit Unterdruck befestigt und kommunizieren drahtlos untereinander und mit der Zentraleinheit. Alle möglichen Kombinationen ergeben 132 Einzelmessungen, die zur Rekonstruktion des durchschallten Volumens genutzt werden. Mehrere dieser Datensätze lassen sich zu einer 3D-Auswertung kombinieren. Das System wurde an mehreren Testobjekten und Bauwerken erfolgreich erprobt. So konnte die fünf Meter dicke, sehr stark bewehrte Fundamentplatte des Fallturms auf dem BAM-Testgelände bei Horstwalde durchschallt werden. Ein zweites Beispiel ist die erfolgreiche Detektion von Spannkanälen in 1,8 m Tiefe in einem massiven Brückenbauwerk.
Analog zu Blitz und Donner können elektrische Entladungen innerhalb eines Gasvolumens als akustische Quellen agieren und haben daher eine starke Verbreitung als diagnostische Methode (bspw. in der Raumakustik und bei der Ortung von Teilentladungen). Diese auf dem Prinzip der Thermoakustik beruhende Möglichkeit der Schallerzeugung und die damit verbundenen physikalischen Wechselwirkungen machen die Notwendigkeit einer mechanisch ausgelenkten Membran überflüssig. Dabei wird dem hochfrequenten Träger das Nutzsignal aufgeprägt, welches eine Volumenänderung des umliegenden Gases um seinen Ruhezustand verursacht. Durch die somit hervorgerufene zyklische thermische Wechselwirkung mit dem umliegenden Gasgemisch bedarf es daher ebenfalls keiner akustischen Anpassung.
In den vorgestellten Ergebnissen wurde das Übertragungsverhalten eines Oberflächenplasmas (SDBD, surface dielectric barrier discharge) untersucht. Als Maß für den Wirkungsgrad und das Übertragungsverhalten des Aktuators wurden Klirrfaktor- und THD-Messungen und unter Variation der Eingangsleistungen durchgeführt.
Durch die positiven akustischen Eigenschaften eröffnen sich neue Applikationen für den Einsatz von Plasmahochtönern wie bspw. zerstörungsfreie Werkstoffprüfung von Verbundsystemen und Klebeverbindungen im Automobilsektor oder im Bauwesen.
Imaging of surfaces regarding topographical, morphological, micro-structural, and chemical features is a key requirement for quality control for the identification of contaminated, degraded, damaged or deliberately modified surface areas vs. clean, virgin, undamaged or unmodified regions. As optical functions may represent any of these changes on the micro- and nano-scale, imaging ellipsometry (IE) is the technique of choice using either intensity, phase, or/and amplitude contrast for visualization of low-contrast surface modifications [1, 2]. Defects or surface and film features whether native or artificial, intended or unintended, avoidable or unavoidable as well as surface pattern are of interest for quality control. In contrast to microscopic techniques operated at normal incidence, ellipsometry as oblique-incidence technique provides improved contrast for vertically nano-scaled add-on or sub-off features such as ultra-thin transparent films, metallic island films, carbon-based thin films, laser modification or laser induced damage, dried stain, cleaning agent or polymeric residue. Two-sample reference techniques, i.e. referenced spectroscopic ellipsometry (RSE) may further increase sensitivity and decrease measurement time. In case of particulate accumulations depolarization contrast imaging (DCI) may improve the lateral resolution beyond the Abbe limit. This has been proven for silica spheres as reference in terms of single particles, particulate accumulations or particulate monolayers and layer stacks. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used for reference measurements of particle diameter, particle height, or particulate layer/accumulation thickness. It has been shown that single silica particles of 250 nm in diameter, i.e. at least a factor of 4 better than the lateral resolution limit as of now, can be visualized on even substrates. However, the ellipsometric measurement of particle diameters of this size needs further efforts interpretation.
Mit der KorroPad-Prüfung kann die Lochkorrosionsbeständigkeit nichtrostender Stähle auf sehr einfache, schnelle und kostengünstige Weise eingeschätzt werden. Das KorroPad ist damit für Hersteller, Verarbeiter und Anwender nichtrostender Stähle eine interessante Alternative zu zeitintensiven Langzeitversuchen und komplexen elektrochemischen Untersuchungsmethoden. Die prinzipiellen Funktionsweise der KorroPad-Prüfung wird im Vortrag beschrieben, um anschließend verschiedene Anwendungen aus Industrie und Forschung vorzustellen. Exemplarisch werden dazu die Bewertung von Schleif- und Passivierungsprozessen, die Qualitätskontrolle der Wärmebehandlung und Oberflächenbearbeitung von Schneidwaren vorgestellt. Mit der KorroPad-Prüfung lassen sich aber auch werkstoff- und gefügebedingte Einflüsse auf die Lochkorrosionsbeständigkeit gezielt untersuchen. Dies wird an Beispielen aus aktuellen Forschungsarbeiten dargestellt.
Mit der KorroPad-Prüfung können lochkorrosionsanfällige Oberflächenbereiche einfach, schnell und kostengünstig nachgewiesen werden. Das KorroPad ist damit für Hersteller, Verarbeiter, Anwender und Forscher eine interessante Alternative zu zeitintensiven Auslagerungsversuchen und elektrochemischen Untersuchungsmethoden, die normalerweise bei der Charakterisierung nichtrostender Stähle zur Anwendung kommen. Mit der KorroPad-Prüfung können auch werkstoff- und gefügebedingte Einflussfaktoren sichtbar gemacht werden, die Lochkorrosionsanfälligkeit verursachen. Um dies zu veranschaulichen, wird die Nachweisgrenze des KorroPads an Referenzlegierungen mit abgestuftem Chromgehalt aufgezeigt. Darauf aufbauend wird dargestellt, wie die Sensibilisierung nichtrostender Stähle durch Chromverarmung mit einer gezielten Verschärfung der KorroPad-Prüfung nachgewiesen werden kann.
Der nichtrostende Duplexstahl 1.4062 (X2CrNiN22-2) hat sich im Bauwesen als Werkstoffalternative zu den nichtrostenden Austeniten etabliert. Die Korrosionsbeständigkeit von Schweißverbindungen aus 1.4062 wird, neben dem Grundwerkstoff, dem Schweißzusatzwerkstoff und dem Schweißverfahren, auch sehr stark von der Oberflächennachbehandlung der Schweißnaht beeinflusst. Je nach zukünftigem Anwendungsbereich und geforderter Korrosionsbeständigkeit wird die Schweißnaht geschliffen, gebeizt, elektropoliert oder gestrahlt, um die beim Schweißen entstandenen Anlauffarben zu entfernen. Gestrahlte Oberfläche sind in der industriellen Praxis häufig anzutreffen, da sie deutlich einfacher und kostengünstiger herzustellen sind als gebeizte oder elektropolierte Oberflächen. Die Auswahl des Strahlmittels bestimmt auch die Prozesskosten, wobei das Strahlen mit Korund effektiver als das Strahlen mit Glasperlen ist. In den letzten Jahren wurden korrosionsanfällige Oberflächen bei nichtrostenden Stählen beobachtet, wenn diese mit Korund geschliffen wurden. Daher wird nun auch beim Strahlen kritisch hinterfragt, ob Korund als Strahlmittel die Korrosionsbeständigkeit verändert. Diese Fragestellung wird im Vortrag beantwortet indem geschliffene, gebeizte, mit Korund gestrahlte und mit Glasperlen gestrahlte Schweißverbindungen vergleichend untersucht werden. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen von den Strahlmitteln und den gestrahlten Oberflächen werden mit den Ergebnissen der Salzsprühnebelprüfung, den kritischen Lochkorrosionspotentialen und der KorroPad-Prüfung korreliert.
Mit der KorroPad-Prüfung können lochkorrosionsanfällige Oberflächenbereiche einfach, schnell und kostengünstig nachgewiesen werden. Das KorroPad ist damit für Hersteller, Verarbeiter, Anwender und Forscher eine interessante Alternative zu zeitintensiven Auslagerungsversuchen und elektrochemischen Untersuchungsmethoden, die normalerweise bei der Charakterisierung nichtrostender Stähle zur Anwendung kommen. Mit der KorroPad-Prüfung können auch werkstoff- und gefügebedingte Einflussfaktoren sichtbar gemacht werden, die Lochkorrosionsanfälligkeit verursachen. Um dies zu veranschaulichen, wird die Nachweisgrenze des KorroPads an Referenzlegierungen mit abgestuftem Chromgehalt aufgezeigt. Darauf aufbauend wird dargestellt, wie die Sensibilisierung nichtrostender Stähle durch Chromverarmung mit einer gezielten Verschärfung der KorroPad-Prüfung nachgewiesen werden kann.
The fundamental properties of a polymeric material are ultimately governed by its structure, which mainly relies on monomercomposition and connection, topology, chain length, and polydispersity. Thus far, these structural characteristics are typicallyset ex situ by the specific polymerization procedure, eventually limiting the future design space for the creation of moresophisticated polymers. Herein, we report on a single photoswitchable catalyst system, which enables in situ remote controlover the ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide and further allows regulation of the incorporation of trimethylene carbonateand δ -valerolactone monomers in copolymerizations. By implementing a phenol moiety into a diarylethene-type structure,we exploit light-induced keto–enol tautomerism to switch the hydrogen-bonding-mediated monomer activation reversiblyON and OFF. This general and versatile principle allows for exquisite external modulation of ground-state catalysis of a livingpolymerization process in a closed system by ultraviolet and visible light and should thereby facilitate the generation of newpolymer structures.
In flash thermography, the temperature transient is strongly influenced by the temporal shape of the heating pulse for samples with high thermal diffusivity or very thin samples. Here, we present a closed phenomenological approximation of the temporal shape of pulses of Xe-flash lamps. It is a non-stitched solution, has a simple Laplace transform and is suitable for different lamps and energy settings. It is demonstrated that simulated temperature transients, based on this approximation, are well consistent with experimental data.
Due to their toxicity and widespread application for mining and industrial purposes, cyanides are ranking among the most important inorganic pollutants which should be tested and monitored not only in the aquatic environment, but also in soils and soil-like materials. Reference materials of soils with relevant contents of cyanide to ensure reliable test results of laboratories are rare today.
New certified reference material (CRM) BAM-U116/CGL306 “Cyanide in soil” was produced within a framework of cooperation between Central Geological Laboratory (CGL) of Mongolia and Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) of Germany in 2013-2017.
The CRM BAM-U116/CGL306 represents a mixture of a sandy soil collected from a contaminated former gasworks area in the Berlin region (Germany) and an unpolluted sandy soil from Nalaikh region (Mongolia). The bulk candidate material for this reference material was prepared at CGL CRM Laboratory exclusively destined to the preparation of reference materials and equipped with modern technical equipment. Homogeneity, stability and shelf life were studied in full compliance with ISO Guide 35. The CRM was evaluated as sufficiently homogeneous. Statistical evaluation of certification analysis was performed using software packages SoftCRM and ProLab Plus. Certified value of total cyanide of the CRM is 12.0 mg/kg and expanded uncertainty was assigned as 0.8 mg/kg.
The intended purpose of this material is the verification of analytical results obtained for the mass fraction of total cyanide in soils and soil-like materials applying the standardized procedure ISO 11262:2011. As any reference material, it can also be used for routine performance checks (quality control charts) or validation studies.
Accuracy of calibration-free (CF) methods in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) depends on experimental conditions and instrumental parameters that must match a CF LIBS model. Here, the numerical study is performed to investigate effects of various factors, such as the optical density, plasma uniformity, line overlap, noise, spectral resolution, electron density and path length on the results of CF-LIBS analyses. The effects are examined one-by-one using synthetic spectra of steel slag samples that fully comply with the mathematical model of the method. Also, the algorithm includes several new features in comparison with previously proposed CF algorithms. In particular, it removes limits on the optical thickness of spectral lines that are used for the construction of the Saha-Boltzmann plot; it retrieves the absorption path length (Plasma diameter) directly from spectral lines; it uses the more realistic Voigt line profile function instead of the Lorentzian function; and it employs the pre-calculated and tabulated thin-to-thick line ratios instead of approximating functions for selfabsorption correction.
An improved algorithm for calibration-free laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF LIBS) is presented which includes several novel features in comparison with previously proposed similar algorithms. In particular, it allows using spectral lines with arbitrary optical thickness for the construction of Saha-Boltzmann plots, retrieves the absorption path length (plasma diameter) directly from a spectrum, replaces the Lorentzian line profile function by the Voigt function, and allows for self-absorption correction using pre-calculated and tabulated data rather than approximating functions. The tabulated data embody the solutions of the radiative transfer equation for numerous combinations of optical thicknesses and line widths. The algorithm is thoroughly verified with synthetic spectra.
Laser-induced plasmas are widely used in many areas of science and technology; examples include spectrochemical analysis, thin film deposition, material processing, and even jet propulsion. Several topics will be addressed. First, general phenomenology of laser-induced plasmas will be discussed. Then, a chemical model will be presented based on a coupled solution of Navier-Stokes, state, radiative transfer, material transport, and chemical (Guldberg-Waage) equations. Results of computer simulations for several chemical systems will be shown and compared to experimental observations obtained by optical imaging, spectroscopy, and tomography. The latter diagnostic tools will also be briefly discussed. Finally, a prospective application of laser-induced plasma and plasma modeling will be illustrated on the example of calibration-free MC LIBS (Monte Carlo Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy), in which concentrations of elements in materials are found by fitting model-generated and experimental spectra.