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Paper des Monats
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We synthesized and characterized a set of ultrasmall hexagonal-phase NaGdF4: 20% Yb3+, 2% Er3+ upconversion nanoparticles with core diameters of 3.7 ± 0.5 nm. In order to assess passivation effects and the influence of possible core−shell intermixing and to identify optimum particle structures for combined imaging in the visible and near-infrared (vis−NIR: 410−850 nm) and short-wave infrared (SWIR: 1520 nm), NaYF4 shells of varying thicknesses (monolayer to 10 nm) were introduced and the influence of this parameter on the upconversion and downshifting photoluminescence of these particles was studied at different excitation power densities. This included excitation power-dependent emission spectra, slope factors, quantum yields, and excited state decay kinetics. These measurements revealed enhancement factors of the upconversion quantum yield of >10 000 in the low power region and an excitation power density-independent quantum yield of the downshifted emission at 1520 nm between 0.1 and 14%. The optimized shell thickness for combined vis and SWIR imaging was identified as 5 nm. Moreover, lifetimes and quantum yields can be continuously tuned by shell thickness which can be exploited for lifetime multiplexing and encoding. The fact that we did not observe a saturation of the upconversion quantum yield or the excited state decay kinetics with increasing shell thickness is ascribed to a strong intermixing of the active core with the inert shell during the shelling procedure. This indicates the potential of spectroscopic tools to detect cation intermixing.
Systematic errors in the evaluation of uncorrected data from thermographic lock-in measurements
(2018)
Lock-in thermography (LT) is based on the correct evaluation of phase differences between the temperature oscillations at different surface regions of the object under test during periodic heating. Since the usual heating procedures contain a DC component, the actual heating pattern achieved is not harmonic. This causes systematic deviations when phase differences are determined by means of harmonic analysis, e.g. with FFT analysis. The resulting errors depend clearly on the ratio between DC and AC amplitude, which is demonstrated at simulated and experimentally recorded temperature transients. Further experimental LT data obtained by different oscillating energy inputs showed a variety of possible shapes of transients with different DC components.
In order to test their suitability different non-destructive methods were performed to inspect a GFRP plate with artificial defects. These defects were manufactured by means of thin PTFE sheets inserted between two plies in three different depth. The inspection methods were microwave reflection, flash thermography and phased array ultrasonics, all applied to the same specimen. Selected results are shown for all methods demonstrating opportunities and limits of the particular inspection methods. The achieved detection limits and further application aspects are compared directly to provide a useful information for the planning of inspection tasks.
Foundations
(2018)
IAPR participates in the EMPIR 16SRT02, entitled ‘Certified forensic alcohol reference materials - ALCOREF’ funded by EURAMET as an external funded partner. The Research in this project will address the needs for better enforcement of drink-driving legislation in several European countries, by building up long-term capacities for the production and certification of forensic alcohol reference materials, suitable for the calibration of evidential breath alcohol analyzers. The certification procedure includes characterization of the materials, assessment of homogeneity, stability, and uncertainty estimation. An interlaboratory comparison will be conducted to test the materials and capabilities developed. EMPIR 16SRT02-ALCOREF project is coordinated by BAM (DE).
Monitoring of the absolute water content in porous materials based on embedded humidity sensors
(2018)
Moisture transport monitoring may indicate the onset of deterioration in porous building materials Prior to damage occurring. Most moisture measurement systems provide only qualitative values, require extensive calibration, or are destructive. Thus, non-destructive and calibration-free monitoring Systems are required. Our approach of moisture monitoring is to embed sensors that measure the relative humidity.
In our experiment, screed samples are monitored during the Hydration and evaporation process. Every test sample is equipped with 10 embedded sensors which measure the relative humidity across the sample thickness. Based on Hillerborg’s approach, the relative humidity is converted into the corresponding pore saturation. In our study, the free water is computed without knowledge of the Sorption isotherm. The free water in the pore system is predicted and validated. The predicted weight decrease corresponds conclusively to gravimetrically measured weights. The embedded sensors yield the absolute liquid water content and enable an experimental, non-destructive monitoring of liquid water in porous materials.
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.
Moisture testing and mapping
(2018)
Selected resonance states of the deuterated formyl radical in the electronic ground state X^2A´ are computed using our recently introduced dynamically pruned discrete variable representation [H. R. Larsson, B. Hartke, and D. J. Tannor, J. Chem. Phys. 145, 204108 (2016)]. Their decay and asymptotic distributions are analyzed and, for selected resonances, compared to experimental results obtained by a combination of stimulated emission pumping and velocity-map Imaging of the product D atoms.
The theoretical results show good agreement with the experimental kinetic energy distributions. The intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution is analyzed and compared with previous results from an effective polyad Hamiltonian. Specifically, we analyzed the part of the wavefunction that remains in the interaction region during the decay. The results from the polyad Hamiltonian could mainly be confirmed. The C=O stretch quantum number is typically conserved, while the D-C=O bend quantum number decreases. Differences are due to strong anharmonic coupling such that all resonances have major contributions from several zero-order states. For some of the resonances, the coupling is so strong that no further zero-order states appear during the dynamics in the interaction region, even after propagating for 300 ps.
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.
Minimally invasive injection of calcium phosphate cement into bone defects in aged sheep vertebrae has been used as a model for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. One of the therapeutic criteria is a compression test of non-treated or treated vertebral bodies. In the present study, an in situ compression test with a stepwise load increase was performed with small spongiosa cylinders from the vertebrae under continuous monitoring by μCT. This allows localization of bone cracks and the visualization of correct placement and form of the bone cylinder. In addition, the effects of an uneven load distribution on the sample due to an irregular shape and a subsequent underperformance of the test sample can be excluded by controlling its shape under increasing load. There was a good agreement between the measured data and those obtained by simulated load-dependent transformation on the basis of a digital volume correlation between consecutive compression tests on the bone surface under the assumption of homogeneous bone material. Mechanic simulation was executed by directly using structural voxel data, resulting in maps of Von Mise stresses and predicted displacements.
Statistic process control as well as process capability demand for calibrated determination of layer thicknesses in various industries, e.g. automotive, aerospace, microelectronics manufacturing. Calibration requires well know and well characterized samples. A calibration laboratory accredited according to DIN EN ISO 17025 has the objective to distribute standards traceable to SI units to industrial laboratories for quality control of manufacturing of various products. Especially, the thickness determination of thin metallic coatings e.g. from galvanic processes or layer deposition using X-Ray Fluorescence can be significantly improved by customized calibration samples. This is essential as the measurement uncertainty directly correlates to the capability performing reliable control of processes with high yield. For calibration laboratories, the validation of results using round robins and the direct comparison to national metrology institutes is a prerequisite to demonstrate the competence to perform calibration services.
In this paper a strategy to obtain traceability and validation for thin alloy layers as well as first results are presented. The combined use of the accredited method for determination of mass per area from measurement of mass and area combined with standard free X-Ray Fluorescence as well as chemical analysis of dissolved samples with thin layers is deployed for material systems as NixZn1-x as well as NixP1-x. The obtained results are compared to reference free X-Ray Fluorescence at the BESSY II laboratories of Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt. An excellent agreement of the obtained measured values as mass per unit area and alloy concentrations from the different applied methods within the measurement uncertainty was observed for NixP1-x showing the successful performed traceability of the calibration samples to SI units in combination with a validation of results by national metrology institutes and the round robin approach.
Due to the increasing consumption of cereals worldwide, monitoring of growth, storage and processing is becoming 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 sampling and procedures for mycotoxin analysis are complex and contain invasive and cost intensive steps.
A possible approach to avoid sampling inaccuracies 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. Previous investigations revealed trichodiene to be a precursor in trichothecenes biosynthesis – one of the largest mycotoxin groups with more than 180 compounds. Due to its non-functionalized sesquiterpene structure, quantification of trichodiene using Headspace GC-MS methods is possible (e.g. [1]). Thereby, it could be used as biomarker for trichothecene contamination in foodstuff.
However, further studies 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 trichothecene content in 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.
Air-coupled ultrasonic testing (ACUT) has experienced rapid growth within the last years. It is especially well suited to inspection of lightweight structures consisting of composite materials and adhesive joints. Uniform coupling and easy maintenance are its advantages compared to contact technique. However, the impedance mismatch between the transducer and air poses a major challenge to the development of ACUT transducers. Commercially available air-coupled transducers consist of a piezocomposite material and matching layers. Their fabrication is difficult in handling and their signal-to-noise ratio sometimes not sufficient for various testing requirements. However, there are several innovative approaches using other materials and other physical principles to transmit and receive an ultrasonic pulse. We present a review of the latest advances in research on air-coupled transducers for non-destructive testing, including previously unpublished results. We recognize two major directions as most promising: ferroelectrets and thermoacoustic transducers. Ferroelectrets are charged cellular polymers exhibiting piezoelectric properties. Their small acoustic impedance is matched to air better than matching layers applied in conventional air-coupled transducers. Applying bias voltage to a ferroelectret receiver is the latest development in this field, which increased the received signal by 12 to 15 dB. Thermoacoustic transducers use heat to initiate an ultrasonic wave, acting as transmitters. The working principle is known from nature as thunder and lightning: thermal energy of an electrically heated material, which can also be air, is converted into acoustic energy. Some thermoacoustic transmitters consist of a conductive layer with a thickness in the nanometer range deposited on a solid substrate. Another possibility is to use an electric spark. For the first time, measurements of the sound field of an electric spark up to 500 kHz were performed. Thermoacoustic transducers enable excitation of extremely broadband pulses while producing high pressure levels, which opens new possibilities for advanced signal processing.
Composite pressure vessels consist of an internal liner (Steel, aluminum, or plastic) which stores the liquid or gas and CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastics) which serves as pressure resistance. These vessels comprise some advantages compared with conventional vessels made of steel or aluminum and their application grew strongly over the last decade. The reason for this trend is the tremendous weight saving.
However, the long-time behavior for filling and discharging cycles and the creep strength of composite vessels is not fully understood. Therefore, BAM started an internal project to investigate degradation of these material systems. Normally, high-frequency eddy current testing (HF-ET, f > 10 MHz) is deployed for CFRP due to the low conductivity of the fibers, which is in the order of 0.01 MS/s, and the capacitive coupling between them. Nevertheless, in some cases conventional ET can be applied.
Some first results using conventional ET for detecting leakages in the internal liners are already presented. This contribution gives an update of our investigation using both conventional and high-frequency ET. Therefore, we developed an ET equipment based on a vector network analyzer using frequencies between 300 kHz and 2 GHz. The focus concerns the study of the aging effects.
Alternariol (AOH) and Alternariol monomethylether (AME) are two secondary metabolites of Alternaria fungi which can be found in various foodstuffs like tomatoes, nuts and grains. Due to their toxicity and potential mutagenic activity the need for the development of high-throughput methods for the supervision of AOH- and AME-levels is of increasing interest. As the availability of both native and labelled AOH and AME analytical standards is very limited we herein wish to present a novel concise approach towards their synthesis employing a ruthenium-catalyzed ortho-arylation4 as the key step.
Singlet oxygen generation potential of two novel free-base-porphyrin photocatalysts was investigated. The freebase-porphyrin-sensitized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were tested for the degradation of the model pollutant Bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solution, for the first time. MNPs with either cubic or spherical shape were synthesized using the sonochemical approach, followed by sensitizing with photoactive 4,4′,4′′,4′′′- (Porphine-5,10,15,20-tetrayl)tetrakis(benzoic acid) (TCPP). The resulted photocatalysts were characterized in detail by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, spectral techniques and vibrating sample magnetometry. The electron spin resonance experiments have confirmed the high activity of the photocatalysts through the efficient formation of singlet oxygen in solution. The optimum operational parameters for BPA degradation were established as follows: 1.0 μmol L−1 BPA, 1.0 g L−1 of photocatalyst, 100 μmol L−1 H2O2, under UVA irradiation. In these conditions, the results for both photocatalysts revealed that after only 10 min of reaction, over 64% and ca. 90% of BPA have been removed from solution in the absence and presence of H2O2, respectively. Whereas after 60 minutes of treatment, only 24% of BPA in real wastewater effluent samples were removed under UVA irradiation in the absence of H2O2, showing the high complexity of real wastewater. Moreover, both photocatalysts were successfully used for BPA removal in three consecutive runs, without significant loss of catalytic features.
The Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method (SBFEM) for prismatic structures is an efficient method for the simulation of acoustic behavior. Hence a further development of the method is of great interest. The wave propagation can be calculated for isotropic and anisotropic materials in solids. As for many applications the acoustic behavior in fluids and the behavior in case of fluid-structure interaction (FSI) is subject of research, the implementation of a fluid model in SBFEM for prismatic structures is needed. In case of FSI the coupling between fluid and solid domains can be performed without additional effort when describing both domains in the same variables. Hence a displacement-based fluid description is used. As the discretized formulation leads to spurious modes, a penalty method to suppress the unphysical behavior is chosen. To validate the derived model a comparison with analytical solutions of purely fluid domains is made. As to verify that in case of FSI the model shows the right behavior, dispersion curves of water-filled pipes are calculated and compared to results obtained with Comsol.
Processing ultrasonic data by coda wave interferometry to monitor load tests of concrete beams
(2018)
Ultrasonic transmission measurements have been used for decades to monitor concrete elements, mostly on a laboratory scale. Recently, coda wave interferometry (CWI), a technique adapted from seismology, was introduced to civil engineering experiments. It can be used to reveal subtle changes in concrete laboratory samples and even large structural elements without having a transducer directly at the place where the change is taking place. Here, several load tests until failure on large posttensioned concrete beams have been monitored using networks of embedded transducers. To detect subtle effects at the beginning of the experiments and cope with severe changes due to cracking close to failure, the coda wave interferometry procedures had to be modified to an adapted step-wise approach. Using this methodology, we were able to monitor stress distribution and localize large cracks by a relatively simple technique. Implementation of this approach on selected real structures might help to make decisions in infrastructure asset management.
A novel technique based on laser induced plasma imaging is proposed to measure residual pressure in sealed containers with transparent walls, e.g. high voltage vacuum interrupter in this paper. The images of plasma plumes induced on a copper target at pressure of ambient air between 10−2Pa and 105Pa were acquired at delay times of 200ns, 400ns, 600ns and 800ns. All the plasma images at specific pressures and delay times showed a good repeatability. It was found that ambient gas pressure significantly affects plasma shape, plasma integral intensities and expansion dynamics. A subsection characteristic method was proposed to extract pressure values from plasma images. The method employed three metrics for identification of high, intermediate and low pressures: the distance between the target and plume center, the integral intensity of the plume, and the lateral size of the plume, correspondingly. The accuracy of the method was estimated to be within 15% of nominal values in the entire pressure range between 10−2Pa and 105Pa. The pressure values can be easily extracted from plasma images in the whole pressure range, thus making laser induced plasma imaging a promising technique for gauge-free pressure detection.
Post-tensioning systems provide safe and efficient construction solutions for long span bridges. Despite the improved grouting practices over the past decade, existing post-tensioning systems may have significant amount of grout defects, which could lead to corrosion of the strands. Condition assessment of post-tensioning systems is necessary to allow bridge owners to take timely, proactive actions to mitigate or prevent further Deterioration and unanticipated tendon failures. A detailed experimental study conducted to assess the performance of nondestructive evaluation techniques in detecting grout defects within internal tendons is presented herein.
Nondestructive evaluation techniques that include Ground Penetrating Radar, Impact Echo, Ultrasonic Tomography, and Ultrasonic Echo are evaluated in terms of detecting the location and severity of fabricated grout defects in a full-scale post-tensioned U-girder mock-up specimen. While Ground Penetrating Radar can identify the location and profile of the internal tendons, particularly metal ducts due to strong reflections, this method did not provide any information about the defect conditions within the tendon. Both Impact Echo and Ultrasonic Echo techniques are effective in identifying the Location of grout defects, but could not differentiate between water, void, or compromised grout conditions. The study clearly demonstrates the need for NDE techniques that are applicable to anchorage regions, and that are capable of estimating the severity and nature of grout defects in internal tendons.
Air-coupled ultrasound (ACU) is increasingly used for automated and contactless inspection of large-scale composite structures as well as for non-destructive testing (NDT) of water-sensitive or porous materials. The major challenge to overcome using ACU in NDT is the enormous loss of ultrasonic energy at each solid-air interface caused by the high acoustic impedance mismatch. Resonant low-frequency piezoceramic transducers are specially designed to achieve high sound pressure levels. For an expanded use of this technique, however, the spatial resolution needs to be increased.
Recent studies of our collaborative research group demonstrated the successful application of a resonance-free, highly sensitive receiver that uses a Fabry-Pérot etalon instead of piezoceramic materials or membranes. However, to reach the full potential of this broadband small-aperture optical microphone, novel transmitter concepts have to be developed and evaluated for advanced NDT applications.
Different types of transmitter were tested in combination with the optical microphone acting as receiver and they were compared to conventional piezoceramic transducers in through-transmission mode. Monolithic carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP) and CFRP sandwich structures containing different defect types were inspected. Presented results are processed as C-scan images and further evaluated for spatial resolution, signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity of each measurement setup. Novel transmitter concepts, such as ferroelectret and thermoacoustic emitters, show promising findings with a considerably improved time and spatial resolution for ACU-NDT.
Air-coupled ultrasonic testing (ACUT) has experienced rapid growth within the last years. It is especially well suited to inspection of lightweight structures consisting of composite materials and adhesive joints. Uniform coupling and easy maintenance are its advantages compared to contact technique. However, the impedance mismatch between the transducer and air poses a major challenge to the development of ACUT transducers. Commercially available air-coupled transducers consist of a piezocomposite material and matching layers. Their fabrication is difficult in handling and their signal-to-noise ratio sometimes not sufficient for various testing requirements. However, there are several innovative approaches using other materials and other physical principles to transmit and receive an ultrasonic pulse. We present a review of the latest advances in research on air-coupled transducers for non-destructive testing, including previously unpublished results. We recognize two major directions as most promising: ferroelectrets and thermoacoustic transducers. Ferroelectrets are charged cellular polymers exhibiting piezoelectric properties. Their small acoustic impedance is matched to air better than matching layers applied in conventional air-coupled transducers. Applying bias voltage to a ferroelectret receiver is the latest development in this field, which increased the received signal by 12 to 15 dB. Thermoacoustic transducers use heat to initiate an ultrasonic wave, acting as transmitters. The working principle is known from nature as thunder and lightning: thermal energy of an electrically heated material, which can also be air, is converted into acoustic energy. Some thermoacoustic transmitters consist of a conductive layer with a thickness in the nanometer range deposited on a solid substrate. Another possibility is to use an electric spark. For the first time, measurements of the sound field of an electric spark up to 500 kHz were performed. Thermoacoustic transducers enable excitation of extremely broadband pulses while producing high pressure levels, which opens new possibilities for advanced signal processing.
Multivariate analysis of MALDI imaging mass spectrometry data of mixtures of single pollen grains
(2018)
Here, we present an advanced approach to identify pollen grains in mixtures based on:
- a simplified sample preparation procedure
- MALDI imaging mass spectrometry
- chemometric tools
Our goals are to:
- explore the biomolecular variations in pollen
- determine species-specific peak patterns
- discriminate and identify single pollen grains in mixtures using MSI
Many applications of nanomaterials in the life sciences require the controlled functionalization of these materials with ligands like polyethylene glycol (PEG) and/or biomolecules such as peptides, proteins, and DNA. This enables to tune their hydrophilicity and biocompatibility, minimize unspecific interactions, improve biofunctionalization efficiencies, and enhance blood circulation times. Moreover, it is the ultimate prerequisite for their use as reporters in assays or the design of targeted optial probes for bioimaging. At the core of these functionalization strategies are reliable and validated methods for surface group and ligand quantification that can be preferably performed with routine laboratory instrumentation, require only small amounts of substances, and are suitable for many different types of nanomaterials.
We present here versatile and simple concepts for the quantification of common functional groups, ligands, and biomolecules on different types of organic and inorganic nano-materials, using different types of optical reporters and method validation with the aid of multimodal reporters, method comparisons, and mass balances.
Matrix phased array probes are becoming more prominently used in industrial applications. The main drawbacks, using probes incorporating a very large number of transducer elements, are needed for an appropriate cabling and an ultrasonic device offering many parallel channels. Matrix arrays designed for extended functionality feature at least 64 or more elements. Typical arrangements are square matrices, e.g., 8 by 8 or 11 by 11 or rectangular matrixes, e.g., 8 by 16 or 10 by 12 to fit a 128-channel phased array system. In some phased array systems, the number of simultaneous active elements is limited to a certain number, e.g., 32 or 64. Those setups do not allow running the probe with all elements active, which may cause a significant change in the directivity pattern of the resulting sound beam. When only a subset of elements can be used during a single acquisition, different strategies may be applied to collect enough data for rebuilding the missing information from the echo signal. Omission of certain elements may be one approach, overlay of subsequent shots with different active areas may be another one. This paper presents the influence of a decreased number of active elements on the sound field and their distribution on the array. Solutions using subsets with different element activity patterns on matrix arrays and their advantages and disadvantages concerning the sound field are evaluated using semi-analytical simulation tools. Sound field criteria are discussed, which are significant for non-destructive testing results and for the system setup.
Polymer nanoparticles (NPs) are of increasing importance for a wide range of applications in the material and life sciences. This includes their application as carriers for e.g., analyte-responsive ligands for DNA sequencing platforms, drugs as well as dye molecules for use as multichromophoric reporters for signal enhancement in optical assays or the fabrication of nanosensors and targeted probes in bioimaging studies. All these applications require surface functionalization of the particles with e.g., ligands, 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 optically active reporters together with sensitive and fast optical assays, which can be read out with simple, inexpensive instrumentation.
We assessed a variety of conventional and newly developed colorimetric and fluorometric labels for optical surface group analysis, utilizing e.g., changes in intensity and/or color for signal generation. Moreover, novel cleavable and multimodal reporters were developed which consist of a reactive group, a cleavable linker, and an optically active moiety, chosen to contain also heteroatoms for straightforward method validation by elemental analysis, ICP-OES, ICP-MS or NMR. In contrast to conventional labels measured bound at the particle surface, which can favor signal distortions by scattering and encoding dyes, cleavable reporters can be detected colorimetrically or fluorometrically both attached at the particle surface and after quantitative cleavage of the linker in the transparent supernatant after particle removal e.g., by centrifugation. Here, we present first results obtained for the optical quantification of carboxylic and amino groups on a series of self-made polystyrene NPs with different types of labels and compare their potential and drawbacks for surface group analysis.
A composite material is a combination of two or more materials with very different mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. The various forms of composite materials, due to their high material properties, are widely used as structural materials in the aviation, space, marine, automobile, and sports industries. However, some defects like voids, delamination, or inhomogeneous fiber distribution that form during the fabricating processes of composites can seriously affect the mechanical properties of the composite material. In this study, several imaging NDE techniques such as: thermography, high frequency eddy current, ultrasonic, x-ray radiography, x-ray laminography, and high resolution x-ray CT were conducted to characterize the microstructure of carbon fiber composites. Then, a 3D analysis was implemented by the destructive technique of serial sectioning for the same sample tested by the NDE methods. To better analyze the results of this work and extract a clear volume image for all features and defects contained in the composite material, an intensive comparison was conducted among hundreds of 3D-NDE and multi serial sections’ scan images showing the microstructure variation.
Among the photothermal methods, full-field thermal imaging is used to characterize materials, to determine thicknesses of layers, or to find inhomogeneities such as voids or cracks. The use of classical light sources such as flash lamps (impulse heating) or halogen lamps (modulated heating) led to a variety of nondestructive testing methods, in particular, lock-in and flash-thermography. In vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), laser light is emitted perpendicularly to the surface with a symmetrical beam profile. Due to the vertical structure, they can be arranged in large arrays of many thousands of individual lasers, which allows power scaling into the kilowatt range. Recently, a high-power yet very compact version of such a VCSEL-array became available that offers both the fast timing behavior of a laser as well as the large illumination area of a lamp. Moreover, it allows a spatial and temporal control of the heating because individual parts of the array can be controlled arbitrarily in frequency, amplitude, and phase. In conjunction with a fast infrared camera, such structured heating opens up a field of novel thermal imaging and testing methods. As a first demonstration of this approach, we chose a testing problem very challenging to conventional thermal infrared testing: The detection of very thin subsurface defects perpendicularly oriented to the surface of metallic samples. First, we generate destructively interfering thermal wave fields, which are then affected by the presence of defects within their reach. It turned out that this technique allows highly sensitive detection of subsurface defects down to depths in excess of the usual thermographic rule of thumb, with no need for a reference or surface preparation.
To keep up with emerging mycotoxins and their transformation products fast and reliable toxicity tests are needed. Toxicity testing of mycotoxins is carried out usually by performing in vitro assays or is evaluated by using laboratory animals like mice, rats or chicken in in vivo studies.
Settled between classical in vitro approaches and in vivo studies with higher animals are tests with the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Since Sydney Brenner described 1974 the cultivation and handling of C. elegans, this worm is widely used as model organism in developmental biology and neurology. Due to many benefits like easy and cheap cultivation, a completely sequenced genome and short generation time, it also plays an important role in toxicological research. Finally, the high number of conserved genes between human and C. elegans make the worm an ideal candidate for toxicological investigations.
In this study we used C. elegans to assess the toxic effects of the relevant food mycotoxin citrinin (CIT), the mycoestrogen zearalenone (ZEN) and the modified mycotoxin ZEN-14-sulfate (ZEN-14-S) on different lifetable parameters including reproduction, thermal and oxidative stress tolerance and lifespan. All tested mycotoxins significantly decreased the amount of offspring. In case of ZEN and CIT also significant negative effects on stress tolerance and lifespan were observed compared to the control group.
Moreover, metabolization of mycotoxins in the worms was investigated by using LC MS/MS. Extraction of the worms treated 5 days with mycotoxin-containing and UVC-killed bacteria showed metabolization of ZEN to α-ZEL and β-ZEL (ZEL = zearalenol, ratio about 3:2). ZEN 14-S was reduced to ZEL 14-S and CIT was metabolized to mono hydroxylated CIT.
The talk addresses the STANDARDIZATION OF ELLIPSOMETRY and the following points are discussed in more detail: historical background of ellipsometry, history of International Conferences on Ellipsometry, Workshops Ellipsometry in Germany and Europe, information on German/European Working Group Ellipsometry, technical/industrial importance of ellipsometry, applications on non-ideal material systems and standardization activities on ellipsometry.
An overview about different analytical approaches will be presented of how to detect metals in individual biological cells by use of ICP-MS. For this purpose, we are using different sample introduction systems for ICP-MS for detection, imaging and quantification of metals at cellular levels.
By use of laser ablation, we have studied the up-take by and distribution of nanoparticles in single cells. Recently we have developed staining techniques to measure protein and DNA content of cells and identifying the cell status by immunoassays using metal-tagging of antibodies. New research based on cell arrays will be shortly discussed.
Using pneumatic nebulization and microdroplet generation, we have also studied the up-take of nanoparticles and toxic metals as well as essential elements in single cells using different ICP-MS mass spectrometric concepts (sector field instrument, triple-quad instrument, time of flight (CyTOF) instrument).
The different ICP-MS based methods will be compared concerning their analytical figures of merit and their strengths and weaknesses will be evaluated.
Reliable standards are required to support research and development as well as end-user in application. Appropriate standards have to fulfill three requirements: small uncertainty, easy to use and low overall costs of application. For calibration of microscopes at nanoscale and/or element analysis special requirements for standards are given, which are challenging in manufacture.
We are using LA-ICP-MS to quantify metals in biological cells and thin cuts of tissues from varies organs. Different applications will be presented to demonstrate the state of the art of bioimaging to visualize the elemental distribution pattern in soft bio-materials (tissue, single cells) of metals, metal containing stains and metal-tagged antibodies. For this purpose, different strategies for metal tagging will be presented and will be compared in terms of analytical figures of merit. First applications for detection of biomarkers in animal and human tissue samples will be presented.
In a first example, we have applied LA-ICP-MS to visualize the local distribution of proteins, which are used as bio-markers for neurodegenerative diseases. For this purpose, brain tissues from mice experiments have been stained by metal-tagged antibodies. House-keeping proteins have been investigated as internal cellular standards. Additionally, ink-jet printing of metal doped inks onto the surface of tissue samples has been applied for drift corrections and quantification. Validation of our results are achieved in comparison to immune-histochemical staining and optical microscopy.
In a second example, we used specific metal-tagged antibodies for detection of biomarker specific for prostate cancer. For this purpose, micro tissue arrays are incubated with metal-tagged antibodies for bioimaging of samples from many patients using simultaneous detection of all relevant biomarkers and their tags.
For improvement of sensitivity in the next example application nanoparticle tagged antibodies for detection of metallothionines in eye lens tissue samples will be discussed.
Recently we have used our tagging and staining strategies to determine the cell cycle of single cells, which is of future interest for toxicological studies.
Finally, future trends in elemental microscopy and mass cytometry imaging will be discussed.
Laser tissue soldering (LTS) based on indocyanine green (ICG)-mediated heat- denaturation of proteins might be a promising alternative technique for micro-suturing, but up to now the Problem of too weak shear strength of the solder welds in comparison to sutures is not solved. Earlier reports gave promising results showing that solder supported by carrier materials can enhance the cohesive strength of the liquid solder. In these studies, the solder was applied to the carriers by dip coating. Higher reliability of the connection between the solder and the carrier material is expected when the solder is bound covalently to the carrier material. In the present study a poly(ether imide) (PEI) membrane served as carrier material and ICG- supplemented albumin as solder substrate. The latter was covalently coupled to the carrier membrane under physiological conditions to prevent structural protein changes. As laser source a diode continuous-wave laser emitting at 808 nm with intensities between 250mW and 1500mW was utilized. The Albumin functionalized carrier membrane was placed onto the tunica media of explanted pig thoracic aortae forming an overlapping area of approximately 0.5×0.5 cm2. All tests were performed in a dry state to prevent laser light absorption by water. Infrared spectroscopy, spectro-photometrical determination of the secondary and Primary amine groups after acid orange II staining, contact angle measurements, and atomic force microscopy proved the successful functionalization of the PEI membrane with albumin. A laser power of 450mW LTS could generate a membrane-blood vessel connection which was characterized by a shear strength of 0.08±0.002MPa, corresponding to 15% of the tensile strength of the native blood vessel. Theoretically, an overlapping zone of 4.1mmaround the entire circumference of the blood vessel could have provided shear strength of the PEI membrane-blood vessel compound identical to the tensile strength of the native blood vessel. These in-vitro results confirmed the beneficial effects of solder reinforcement by carrier membranes, and suggest LTS with covalently bound solders on PEI substrates for further studies in animal models.
Acoustic emission testing
(2018)
Thin mesoporous metal oxide films are versatile and attractive candidates for several energy applications like photovoltaics, electrolysis or batteries. Due to their high surface area and ordered pore structure, mesoporous metal oxides demonstrate higher activities. The performance of the porous films is affected by properties like size and shape of the mesopores as well as the crystallinity of the framework. The exact determination and metrological evaluation of the complex morphology of thin mesoporous films requires a new analytical approach employing to combined data of different analytical methods. In this contribution we present a novel evaluation procedure for spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) to analyse thin mesoporous iridium oxide films. Mesoporous iridium oxide films were prepared via dip-coating of a solution containing a triblock-copolymer as structure directing agent and an Iridium precursor in ethanol. Deposited films were calcined in air at temperatures between 300 and 600 °C. Their morphology was studied with SEM and an electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and correlated via SE with a Bruggeman effective medium approximation (BEMA). The developed SE model described the film thickness as well as the porosity.
... The contribution will assess in detail the novel approach to analyse the morphology and porosity of thin metal oxide films with spectroscopic ellipsometry. Moreover, the advantages of the new developed approach will be discussed as well as combination of datasets from multiple measurements to development new methods for innovative energy technologies.
Thin mesoporous metal oxide films are versatile and attractive candidates for several energy applications like photovoltaics, electrolysis or batteries. Due to their high surface area and ordered pore structure, mesoporous metal oxides demonstrate higher activities. The performance of the porous films is affected by properties like size and shape of the mesopores as well as the crystallinity of the framework. The exact determination and metrological evaluation of the complex morphology of thin mesoporous films requires a new analytical approach employing to combined data of different analytical methods. In this contribution we present a novel evaluation procedure for spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) to analyse thin mesoporous iridium oxide films.
Mesoporous iridium oxide films were prepared via dip-coating of a solution containing a triblock-copolymer as structure directing agent and an iridium precursor in ethanol. Deposited films were calcined in air at temperatures between 300 and 600 °C. Their morphology was studied with SEM and an electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and correlated via SE with a Bruggeman effective medium approximation (BEMA). The developed SE model described the film thickness as well as the porosity.
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The contribution will assess in detail the novel approach to analyse the morphology and porosity of thin metal oxide films with spectroscopic ellipsometry. Moreover, the advantages of the new developed approach will be discussed as well as combination of datasets from multiple measurements to development new methods for innovative energy technologies.
Imaging of Eu doped very small iron oxide nanoparticle in atherosclerotic plaques via LA ICP-MS
(2018)
Atherosclerotic lesions can be visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using very small iron oxide nanoparticles (VSOP). VSOP accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques and thus serve as an atherosclerosis probe.
The aim of this project was to image the distribution of europium doped VSOP (Eu-VSOP) by laser ablation ICP-MS in histological thin cuts of the aortic root region of ApoE knockout mouse model that is rich in atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, it was investigated whether VSOP accumulation in the plaques correlates with other biomarkers of inflammation for example macrophages and altered endothelium to assess whether it correlates with instability or vulnerability of the plaque regions. For this purpose, antibodies were labeled with various lanthanide elements and correlated with the Eu-VSOP distribution using LA-ICP-MS in a multiplex measurement mode.
A possible correlation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with endogenous iron or Eu-VSOP can also be detected by LA-ICP-MS. For this purpose, ROS-specific antibodies were also labeled with lanthanides.
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 procedures 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 (DSB) as a sign for genotoxicity. 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.
Imaging of Eu doped very small iron oxide nanoparticle in atherosclerotic plaques via LA-ICP-MS
(2018)
Atherosclerotic lesions can be visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using very small iron oxide nanoparticles (VSOP). VSOP accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques and thus serve as an atherosclerosis probe. The aim of this project was to image the distribution of europium doped VSOP (Eu-VSOP) by laser ablation ICP-MS in histological thin cuts of the aortic root region of ApoE knockout mouse model that is rich in atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, it was investigated whether VSOP accumulation in the plaques correlates with other biomarkers of inflammation for example macrophages and altered endothelium to assess whether it correlates with instability or vulnerability of the plaque regions. For this purpose, antibodies were labeled with various lanthanide elements and correlated with the Eu-VSOP distribution using LA-ICP-MS in a multiplex measurement mode.
Ternary semiconductors quantum dots (t-QD) are Cd-free nanocrystals made from I-III-VI group elements like silver or copper, indium and sulfide yielding CIS (CuInS2) or AIS (AgInS2) QDs. They are interesting alternatives to Cd-based QDs for applications as solar concentrators or optically active material for solar cells, light emitting diodes (LED) or reporters for diagnostic assays.
To avoid ligand exchange procedures for high quality QDs, commonly synthesized in high boiling apolar solvents with apolar surface ligands, AIS QDs are synthesized in aqueous solution, required for bioanalytical application, by a microwave-assisted procedure. The surface of these QDs is passivated by a ZnS shell to enhance photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) and prevent material decomposition and oxidation. The resulting AIS/ZnS QDs exhibit broad PL spectra in the visible and near infrared, tunable by size and chemical composition.
I will show the simple synthetic procedure and a spectroscopic study of different AIS QDs evaluating their PL properties and stability, PL QY, and PL decay kinetics. The analyzed sample showed long lifetimes, relatively high QY (50%) and good stability. Ligand conjugation is also performed to allow the embedding in polymer matrix, which requires apolar cappng.
The simple aqueous synthesis together with the tunable emission color, the high PL QY, the high absorption coefficients and the long luminescence lifetimes make these t-QDs promising Cd-free materials for many different applications in the material and life sciences.
The damage caused by ionizing radiation to DNA and proteins is the reason to treat cancer by radiation therapy. A better understanding of the molecular processes and quantification of the different damaging mechanisms is the prerequisite to develop more efficient therapies. Hereby the understanding of the processes involved in the damage to DNA are of key interest due to its central role in reproduction and mutation.
For radiation with low linear energy transfer (LET), most of the damage is caused by the secondary particles produced by scattering of the ionizing radiation with water. Thereby a multitude of species are produced, whereby especially kinetic low energy electrons, prehydrated electrons, OH-radicals and ions are of importance.
With higher LET the relative amount of the direct damaging effects increases. This is especially important considering the increased usage of high LET particles in radiation therapy. Therefore, the quantification of the contribution to DNA damage of direct and indirect effects and the different secondary species is of high interest due to the increase of radio biological efficiency when applying high LET radiation.
Here we present an approach to investigate the relative contributions to DNA strand break yield for radiation of different LET within a single electron microscope in combination with electron scattering simulations.
Thin mesoporous metal oxide films are versatile and attractive candidates for several energy applications like photovoltaics, electrolysis or batteries. Due to their high surface area and ordered pore structure, mesoporous metal oxides demonstrate higher activities. The performance of the porous films is affected by properties like size and shape of the mesopores as well as the crystallinity of the framework. The exact determination and metrological evaluation of the complex morphology of thin mesoporous films requires a new analytical approach employing to combined data of different analytical methods. In this contribution we present a novel evaluation procedure for spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) to analyse thin mesoporous iridium oxide films.
Mesoporous iridium oxide films were prepared via dip-coating of a solution containing a triblock-copolymer as structure directing agent and an iridium precursor in ethanol. Deposited films were calcined in air at temperatures between 300 and 600 °C. Their morphology was studied with SEM and an electron probe microanalysis (EPMA)and correlated via SE with a Bruggeman effective medium approximation (BEMA). The developed SE model described the film thickness as well as the porosity.
Figure 1a shows a top-view SEM image of mesoporous IrO2 film calcined at 375 °C. The image reveals that the films exhibit a well-ordered mesopore structure with an average pore diameter of 16 nm and a periodic distance between pore centres of 24 nm (FFT inset). Figure 1b is a parity plot of film thicknesses determined by cross-section SEM versus SE of IrO2 film samples prepared at different calcination temperatures. The porosity from the SE model is in good agreement to the porosity values obtained by EPMA.
The contribution will assess in detail the novel approach to analyse the morphology and porosity of thin metal oxide films with spectroscopic ellipsometry. Moreover, the advantages of the new developed approach will be discussed as well as combination of datasets from multiple measurements to development new methods for innovative energy technologies.
Duplex (DSS) and austenitic stainless steels (ASS) are frequently used in many energy related applications. The duplex grade is considered to have outstanding mechanical properties as well as good corrosion resistance. The austenitic phase combines high ductility, even at low temperatures, with sufficient strength, and therefore such materials are applied in storage and transport of high-pressure hydrogen. During service in acidic environments large amounts of hydrogen can ingress into the microstructure and induce many changes in the mechanical properties of the steel. Embrittlement of steels by hydrogen remains unclear even though this topic has been intensively studied for several decades. The reason for that lies in the inability to validate the proposed theoretical models in the sub-micron scale. Among the very few available methods nowadays, Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) enables a highly accurate mapping of hydrogen in the microstructure in a spatial resolution below 100 nm. In the present work ToF-SIMS was used as a main tool in order to investigate the effect of deuterium on a duplex microstructure of lean and standard DSSs during and after the electrochemical charging process. Electrochemical charging simulates the service of a component in acidic environments under conditions of cathodic protection that are commonly applied to prevent corrosion reactions. ToF-SIMS after multivariate data analysis (MVA) was combined with high resolution topographic images and electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) data to characterize the structural changes. It was observed that the ferritic phase was affected almost identical in all steels whereas in the austenitic phase significant differences were obtained in the lean duplex in comparison to the standard DSS. The obtained results have been compared to similar investigations on a AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel. The advantage of the combined techniques is reflected by the ability to correlate the hydrogen distribution in the microstructure and the resulted phase transformation.
Graphene and its derivatives have recently attracted much attention for sensing and deactivating pathogens. However, the mechanism of multivalent interactions at the graphene–pathogen interface is not fully understood. Since different physicochemical parameters of graphene play a role at this interface, control over graphene’s structure is necessary to study the mechanism of these interactions. In this work, different graphene derivatives and also zwitterionic graphene nanomaterials (ZGNMs) were synthesized with defined exposure, in terms of polymer coverage and functionality, and isoelectric points. Then, the switchable interactions of these nanomaterials with E. coli and Bacillus cereus were investigated to study the validity of the generally proposed “trapping” and “nano-knives” mechanisms for inactivating bacteria by graphene derivatives. It was found that the antibacterial activity of graphene derivatives strongly depends on the accessible area, i.e. edges and basal plane of sheets and tightness of their agglomerations. Our data clearly confirm the authenticity of “trapping” and “nano-knives” mechanisms for the antibacterial activity of graphene sheets.
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. The combined fundamental insights will pave the way for selective design strategies in the field of luminescent complexes with earth-abundant metal ions.
Soil structure, the spatial arrangement of soil elements, integrates a variety of drivers in agricultural soil (parent material, tillage, crop rotation, organic fertilizer, below ground biodiversity). It is related to almost all soil functions.
Relationships between soil structure and the carbon sequestration potential of soil are known from the comparison of different land use systems (grassland vs. tilled soils ) and are expected to be a general phenomenon.
Therefore , we expect soil structure assessed by modern non - destructive methods to be a valuable tool for the optimization of soil organic matter management in agricultural soils
The interaction of nanoparticles (NPs) with cells has become a major field of interest, ranging from medical applications to nanotoxicology. Size, shape and surface modification of the NPs determine the uptake rate and pathway into the cells, and therefore impact specific cell components and processes.
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is an established quantitative multi-elemental analysis and mapping technique. In recent years, it was shown that LA-ICP-MS can provide quantitative as well as distribution information of NPs in cell samples.
Here LA-ICP-MS was applied for the imaging of individual cells to study the uptake and intracellular processing of metal-containing nanostructures. Additionally, the local distribution of naturally occurring elements in cells like P was measured to indicate cell morphology. The cells were incubated with different types of NPs under varying experimental conditions. For LA analysis, the cells were fixed and dried.
Our findings show, that LA-ICP-MS is suitable for the localisation of nanoparticle aggregates within cellular compartments. The studied NPs accumulate in the perinuclear region in the course of intracellular processing, but do not enter the cell nucleus. The uptake efficiency depends strongly on the physicochemical properties of the nanostructures as well as on the incubation conditions like concentration and incubation time.
The results demonstrate the potential of LA-ICP-MS providing insight into NP uptake, intracellular distribution and cell-to-cell variation dependent on experimental parameters.
Nanoparticles (NPs) have found a wide range of applications in research and industry. Thereby the interaction of NPs with biological systems like cells has become a major field of interest, ranging from medical applications to nanotoxicology. Size, shape and surface modification of the nanomaterials determine the uptake rate and pathway into the cells, and therefore impact specific cell components and processes.
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a well-established analytical method offering high sensitivity and multi-element capability. By coupling a laser ablation (LA) system to an ICP-MS the analysis of different kinds of solid samples is possible. In recent years, it was shown that LA-ICP-MS can provide quantitative as well as distribution information of metal containing nanoparticles (NPs) in cell samples.
Here LA-ICP-MS was applied for the imaging of individual fibroblast cells to study the uptake and intracellular processing of NPs. Our results show that LA-ICP-MS can be used to localize nanoparticle aggregates within cellular compartments. The studied NPs accumulate in the perinuclear region in the course of intracellular processing, but do not enter the cell nucleus. The uptake efficiency depends strongly on the physico-chemical properties of the nanostructures as well as on the incubation conditions like concentration and incubation time.
ICP-MS was used to determine the composition of the nanomaterials as well as the number of NPs in cells after acid digestion of the samples.
The aim of this work is to investigate the Synthesis of core-shell upconverting nanoparticles (UCNP).
The UCNP are coated with a Gold Shell to plasmonically enhance the fluorescence emision. The distance between the UCNP core and the plasmonic structure is tuned by the aid of a silica at different Shell thicknesses.
Phage display is used to find specific target binding peptides for polypropylene (PP) surfaces. PP is one of the most commonly used plastics in the world. Millions of tons are produced every year. PP binders are of particular interest because so far gluing or printing on PP is challenging due to its low surface energy. A phage display protocol for PP was developed followed by Next Generation DNA Sequencing of the whole phage library. Data analysis of millions of sequences yields promising peptide candidates which were synthesized as PEG conjugates. Fluorescence-based adsorption-elution-experiments show high adsorption on PP for several sequences.
Mass spectrometry-based methods play a crucial role in the quantification of the main iron metabolism regulator hepcidin by singling out the bioactive 25-residue peptide from the other naturally occurring N-truncated isoforms (hepcidin-20, -22, -24), which seem to be inactive in iron homeostasis. However, several difficulties arise in the MS analysis of hepcidin due to the sticky character of the peptide and the lack of suitable standards. Here, we propose the use of amino- and fluoro-silanized autosampler vials to reduce hepcidin interaction to laboratory glassware surfaces after testing several types of vials for the preparation of stock solutions and serum samples for isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC-MS/MS). Furthermore, we have investigated two sample preparation strategies and two chromatographic separation conditions with the aim of developing an LC-MS/MS method for the sensitive and reliable quantification of hepcidin-25 in serum samples. A chromatographic separation based on usual acidic mobile phases was compared with a novel approach involving the separation of hepcidin-25 with solvents at high pH containing 0.1% of ammonia. Both methods were applied to clinical samples in an intra-laboratory comparison of two LC-MS/MS methods using the same hepcidin-25 calibrators with good correlation of the results. Finally, we recommend an LC-MS/MS-based quantification method with a dynamic range of 0.5–40 μg/L for the assessment of hepcidin-25 in human serum that uses TFA-based mobile phases and silanized glass vials.
Magneto resistance sensors like GMR (giant magneto resistance) or TMR (tunnel magneto resistance) are widely used in industrial applications, examples are position measurement and read heads of hard disk drives. However, in case of non-destructive testing (NDT) applications these sensors, although their properties are outstanding like high spatial resolution, high field sensitivity, low cost and low energy consumption, never reached a technical transfer to an application beyond sci-entific scope.
This paper deals with benefits of GMR/TMR sensors in terms of high spatial resolution testing for different NDT applica-tions. The first example demonstrates the preeminent advantages of MR-elements compared with conventional coils used in eddy current testing (ET). The probe comprises one-wire excitation with an array of MR elements. This led to a better spatial resolution in terms of neighboring defects.
The second section concentrates on MFL-testing (magnetic flux leakage) with active field excitation during and before test-ing. The latter illustrated the capability of highly resolved crack detection of a crossed notch. This example is best suited to show the ability of tiny magnetic field sensors for magnetic material characterization of a sample surface. Another example is based on characterization of samples after tensile test. Here, no external field is applied. The magnetization is only changed due to external load and magnetostriction leading to a field signature which GMR sensors can resolve. This gives access to internal changes of the magnetization state of the sample under test.
The use of composite pressure vessels instead of conventional vessels made of steel or aluminum grew strongly over the last decade. The reason for this trend is the tremendous weight saving in case of composite vessels. However, the long-time behavior is not fully understood for filling and discharging cycles and creep strength and their influence on the CFRP coating (carbon fiber reinforced plastics) and the internal liner (steel, aluminum, or plastics). The CFRP ensures the pressure resistance while the inner liner is used as container for liquid or gas. To overcome the missing knowledge of ageing BAM started an internal project to investigate degradation of these material systems. Therefore, applicable testing methods like eddy current testing are needed. Normally, high-frequency eddy current testing (HF-ET, f > 10 MHz) is deployed for CFRP due to its low conductivity of the fiber, which is in the order of 0.01 MS/s, and the capacitive coupling between the fibers. Nevertheless, in some cases conventional ET can be applied. We show a concise summary of studies on the application of conventional ET of composite pressure vessels.
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 well‐defined 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 2 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, is used for demonstration. Near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy confirms the significant difference in X‐ray absorption behavior between PTFE and PS. Additionally, because of the insolubility of styrene in PTFE a well‐defined interface between particle core and shell is expected. To validate the STXM results, both the naked PTFE cores as well as the complete core‐shell nanoparticles are examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The introduced STXM‐based methodology yields particle dimensions in agreement with the SEM results and provides additional information such as the position of the particle core, which cannot be extracted from a SEM micrograph.
In respect of an efficient cultivation of agricultural cropland, a site-specific fertility management is necessary. Therefore, affordable and extensive mapping methods are needed. For this purpose, the research project I4S (intelligence for soil) has the goal to develop an integrated system. This system includes a sensor platform, which contains different sensors, like XRF, VIS-NIR, Gamma and LIBS.
LIBS (laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy) is known as a fast and simultaneous multi-element analysis with little or no sample preparation. The main task of LIBS measurements in this project is the real time determination of the elemental contents of nutrients in soils, like calcium, magnesium, potassium. For this purpose, a special setup has been designed. The sample uptake operates with the help of a rotatable sample plate which circulates with different velocities to simulate the application on the field. To provide a higher intensity and a better reproducibility of the obtained signal, a double-pulse Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) was used. In order to minimize dust formation from the soil during the operation of the laser, a dust removal by suction has been integrated.[1] When using relative methods such as LIBS, a suitable calibration curve is needed for absolute quantification. The complex matrix of soils, as well as the influence of moisture and grain size in soils makes the absolute quantification by LIBS challenging. To overcome these influences, chemometric methods were used. With the principal component analysis (PCA) a classification of soils into different soil types was performed and a calibration curve based on partial least squares regression (PLSR) was generated. With this calibration model’s elemental distribution maps for different German agricultural fields were created.
As part of the BonaRes research initiative funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), strategies are being developed to use soil as a sustainable resource in the bioeconomy. The interdisciplinary subproject I4S - “Intelligence for soil” - is responsible for the development of an integrated system for site-specific management of soil fertility. For this purpose, a platform is constructed and various sensors are installed. Real-time data will be summarized in models and decision-making algorithms will be used to control fertilization and accordingly improve soil functions. This would allow investigations in close meshed dynamic grid and fast analysis of large areas to generate higher yields. This is important given that the distribution of minor and trace elements varies widely. Aim of the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in the frame of I4S is the characterization of an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) based sensor for robust online-analysis of arable land. The non-destructive and contactless XRF is suitable for rapid in-situ analysis on the field due to minimal sample preparation and simultaneous multi-element analysis.
Soils are already considered as a complex matrix due to their wide range of elements in different contents, especially light elements with low atomic numbers (Z<19). Problems by measuring soil samples also arise from heterogeneity of the sample and matrix effects. Large grain size distribution causes strong inhomogeneity and matrix effects occur through physical properties related to high concentration of main components. Matrix-specific calibration strategies for determination of total major and minor plant essential nutrients are particularly important regarding these difficulties. For accurate calibration, data treatment and evaluation must also be considered. Univariate and multivariate data analysis were compared regarding their analytical figures of merit. Using principal component analysis (PCA) it was possible to classify German soils in different groups as sand, clay and silt. Calibration models were obtained by partial least squares regression (PLSR) and the content of macro- and micronutrients in German soils was predicted. Elemental distribution maps for different German arable lands were created and the results compared to reference measurements. The correlation between predicted values and reference values were in good agreement for most major and minor nutrients.
In respect of an efficient cultivation of agricultural cropland, a site-specific fertility management is necessary. Therefore, affordable and extensive mapping methods are needed. The research projects I4S (intelligence for soil) has the goal to develop a system for this purpose. I4S is one of ten interdisciplinary research project associations of the innovation programme called BonaRes, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
The system includes a sensor platform, which contains different sensors, like XRF, VIS-NIR, Gamma and LIBS. The main task of LIBS measurements in this project is the real-time determination of the elemental contents of major and minor nutrients in soils, like calcium, magnesium, potassium. LIBS (laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy) is known as a fast and simultaneous multi-element analysis with little or no sample preparation. The main task of LIBS measurements in this project is the real-time determination of the elemental contents of nutrients in soils, like calcium, magnesium, potassium. For this purpose, a special setup has been designed. The sample uptake operates with the help of a rotatable sample plate which circulates with different velocities to simulate the application on the field. To provide a higher intensity and a better reproducibility of the obtained signal, a double-pulse Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm)was used. In order to minimize dust formation from the soil during the operation of the laser, a dust removal by suction has been integrated. When using relative methods such as LIBS, a suitable calibration curve is needed for absolute quantification. The complex matrix of soils, as well as the influence of moisture and grain size in soils makes the absolute quantification by LIBS challenging. To overcome these influences, chemometric methods were used. With the principal component analysis (PCA) a classification of soils into different soil types was performed and a calibration curve based on partial least squares regression (PLSR) was generated. With this calibration model’s elemental distribution maps for different German agricultural fields were created.
Aim of the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in the frame of I4S - “Intelligence for Soil” is the characterization of an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) based sensor for robust online-application of arable land.Fast soil mapping for agricultural purpose allows the site-specific optimized introduction of plant essential nutrients like S, K, Ca, and Fe. This is important given that the distribution of minor and trace elements varies widely. The non-destructive and contactless XRF is suitable for rapid in-situ analysis on the field due to minimal sample preparation and simultaneous multi-element analysis.
Soils are already considered as a complex matrix due to their wide range of elements in different contents, especially light elements with low atomic numbers (Z<19). Problems by measuring soil samples also arise from heterogeneity of the sample and matrix effects. Large grain size distribution causes strong inhomogeneity and matrix effects occur through physical properties related to high concentration of main components. Matrix-specific calibration strategies for determination of total major and minor plant essential nutrients are particularly important regarding these difficulties. For accurate calibration, data treatment and evaluation must also be considered. Empirical univariate and multivariate data analysis were compared regarding their analytical figures of merit. Using principal component analysis (PCA) it was possible to classify German soils in different groups as sand, clay and silt. A calibration curve was obtained by partial least squares regression (PLSR) and the elemental content of German soils was predicted. Elemental distribution maps for different German arable lands were created and the results compared to reference measurements. The correlation between predicted values and reference values were in good agreement for most major and minor nutrients.
The departure from the current automation landscape to next generation automation concepts for the process industry has already begun. Smart functions of sensors simplify their use and enable plug-and-play integration, even though they may appear to be more complex at first sight. Monitoring specific information (i.e., “chemical” such as physico-chemical properties, chemical reactions, etc.) is the key to “chemical” process control. Here we introduce our smart online NMR sensor module provided in an explosion proof housing as example.
Due to NMR spectroscopy as an “absolute analytical comparison method”, independent of the matrix, it runs with extremely short set-up times in combination with “modular” spectral models. Such models can simply be built upon pure component NMR spectra within a few hours (i.e., assignment of the NMR signals to the components) instead of tedious calibrations runs. We present a range of approaches for the automated spectra analysis moving from statistical approach, (i.e., Partial Least Squares Regression) to physically motivated spectral models (i.e., Indirect Hard Modelling and Quantum Mechanical calculations).
Based on concentration measurements of reagents and products by the NMR analyzer a continuous production and direct loop process control were successfully realized for several validation runs in a modular industrial pilot plant and compared to conventional analytical methods (HPLC, near infrared spectroscopy). The NMR analyser was developed for an intensified industrial process funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (“Integrated CONtrol and SENsing”, www.consens-spire.eu).
Due to NMR spectroscopy as an “absolute analytical comparison method”, independent of the matrix, it runs with extremely short set-up times in combination with “modular” spectral models. Such models can simply be built upon pure component NMR spectra within a few hours (i.e., assignment of the NMR signals to the components) instead of tedious calibrations runs. We present a range of approaches for the automated spectra analysis moving from statistical approach, (i.e., Partial Least Squares Regression) to physically motivated spectral models (i.e., Indirect Hard Modelling and Quantum Mechanical calculations). The departure from the current automation landscape to next generation automation concepts for the process industry has already begun. Smart functions of sensors simplify their use and enable plug-and-play integration, even though they may appear to be more complex at first sight. Monitoring specific information (i.e., “chemical” such as physico-chemical properties, chemical reactions, etc.) is the key to “chemical” process control. Here we introduce our smart online NMR sensor module provided in an explosion proof housing as example.Based on concentration measurements of reagents and products by the NMR analyzer a continuous production and direct loop process control were successfully realized for several validation runs in a modular industrial pilot plant and compared to conventional analytical methods (HPLC, near infrared spectroscopy). The NMR analyser was developed for an intensified industrial process funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
The departure from the current automation landscape to next generation automation concepts for the process industry has already begun. Smart functions of sensors simplify their use and enable plug-and-play integration, even though they may appear to be more complex at first sight. Monitoring specific information (i.e., “chemical” such as physico-chemical properties, chemical reactions, etc.) is the key to “chemical” process control. Here we introduce our smart online NMR sensor module provided in an explosion proof housing as example.
Due to NMR spectroscopy as an “absolute analytical comparison method”, independent of the matrix, it runs with extremely short set-up times in combination with “modular” spectral models. Such models can simply be built upon pure component NMR spectra within a few hours (i.e., assignment of the NMR signals to the components) instead of tedious calibrations runs. We present a range of approaches for the automated spectra analysis moving from statistical approach, (i.e., Partial Least Squares Regression) to physically motivated spectral models (i.e., Indirect Hard Modelling and Quantum Mechanical calculations).
Based on concentration measurements of reagents and products by the NMR analyzer a continuous production and direct loop process control were successfully realized for several validation runs in a modular industrial pilot plant and compared to conventional analytical methods (HPLC, near infrared spectroscopy). The NMR analyser was developed for an intensified industrial process funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (“Integrated CONtrol and SENsing”, www.consens-spire.eu).
The comparison required the assignment of the mass fraction of folic acid present as the main component in the comparison sample. Performance in the comparison is representative of a laboratory's measurement capability for the purity assignment of organic compounds of medium structural complexity [molecular weight range 300–500] and high polarity (pKOW < −2).
Methods used by the eighteen participating NMIs or DIs were based on a mass balance (summation of impurities) or qNMR approach, or the combination of data obtained using both methods. The qNMR results tended to give slightly lower values for the content of folic acid, albeit with larger associated uncertainties, compared with the results obtained by mass balance procedures. Possible reasons for this divergence are discussed in the report, without reaching a definitive conclusion as to their origin.
The comparison demonstrates that for a structurally complex polar organic compound containing a high water content and presenting a number of additional analytical challenges, the assignment of the mass fraction content property value of the main component can reasonably be achieved with an associated relative standard uncertainty in the assigned value of 0.5%
Following the 2017 meeting, progress with the Key Comparison CCQM-K153 related to the BET specific surface lead by UNIIM and the Pilot Study P-190 “Thickness Measurement of nm HfO2 Films” lead by KRISS will be discussed.
The 16th meeting of SAWG will focus on
•survey on CMC claims submitted with reference to K-129 and K-136.
•the overall and SAWG specific aspects of the CCQM Strategy process,
•a consideration of comparisons on convention methods as recommended by the CCQM Plenary Meeting 2017,
•the 2019 CCQM Workshop and paper(s) for Metrologia’s Special Issue,
•discussion of future comparisons.
Extraction of true, 3D shape (and size) of non-spherical nanoparticles (NPs) is associated with errors by conventional 2D electron microscopy using projection images. Significant efforts within the ISO technical committee TC 229 ‘Nanotechnologies’ are aimed at establishing accurate TEM and SEM measurement of NP size and shape as robust, standard procedures. Study groups have been organizing inter-laboratory comparisons on well-selected NP systems according to the market needs, such as aggregated titania nano-powder for which size and shape distribution of primary crystallites of irregular shape must be measured accurately. To be noticed is e. g. the fact that the measurement procedure allows only manual selection of the particles clearly distinguishable for analysis as well as manual definition of the contour of the imaged NPs.
An inter-laboratory exercise on titania NPs (pure anatase, grown by hydrothermal synthesis) of well-defined non-spherical shape, i.e. bipyramidal has been recently started within ISO/TC 229 under similar conditions as for the irregular shaped titania. Overlapped particles were allowed to be considered, as long as they are clearly distinguishable. One decisive NP selection criterion was to analyze only those NPs with a roundness value below 0.7, i.e. the NPs laying on the support foil and, hence, with projection areas clearly deviating from perfect circles (R=1). The overall evaluation (for 15 labs) of the size descriptors (area, Feret, minFeret, perimeter) and shape descriptors (aspect ratio, roundness, compactness, extent) by analysis of variance is just to be finished and included in ISO/WD 21363 Nanotechnologies -- Protocol for particle size distribution by transmission electron microscopy.
Coming as response to the needs expressed by The European Commission mandating CEN, CENELEC and ETSI to develop European standards for methods that can characterize reliably manufactured nanomaterials, a new European metrology research project ‘nPSize - Improved traceability chain of nanoparticle size measurements’ has received funding for the next three years. The project will develop methods, reference materials and modelling to improve the traceability chain, comparability and compatibility for nanoparticle size measurements to support standardization.
nPSize has selected only those nanoparticle sizing techniques which are able to provide traceable results: electron microscopy (SEM, TSEM and TEM), AFM and SAXS. Metrologists from national metrological or designated institutes (PTB, LNE, LGC, VSL, SMD and BAM) will work together with scientists with know-how in development of new nano reference nanoparticles (CEA, University of Turin, LGC, BAM) and with experts in advanced data processing, e.g. by machine learning (POLLEN). With the support of DIN, the project outcomes will be channelized to standardization bodies such as ISO/TC 229 ‘Nanotechnologies’/JWG 2 ‘Nanoparticle Measurement and Characterization’ (SEM, TSEM and TEM), CEN/TC 352 ‘Nanotechnologies’ (SEM, TSEM and TEM), ISO/TC 201/SC 9 (AFM), ISO/TC 24/SC 4 (SAXS).
Three technical work packages will ensure input for impact to standardization community, nanoparticle manufacturers, instrument manufacturers, and (accredited) service laboratories:
- WP1 Performance and traceability of characterization methods
- WP2 Reference materials - Preparation and Characterization
- WP3 Modelling and development of measurement procedures
Well-defined non-spherical nanoparticles shapes such as cubes, platelets, bipyramids, rods/acicular will be developed, with mono- and polydisperse size distribution, as well as with accurate particle number concentration (by SAXS and isotopically enrichment for ICP-MS).
Physical modelling of the signal for TSEM, SEM, 3D-AFM and SAXS will be used to feed machine learning modeling from a-priori measurement data. Further, data fusion will be developed for hybrid sizing techniques: SEM with TSEM/TEM, SEM/TSEM with AFM, SEM/TSEM with SAXS with the final aim of improving the true shape and size of non-spherical nanoparticles by a better estimation of the measurement uncertainties.
In the second half-time of the project dedicated workshops (focused on method improvement and reference materials development) will be organized to disseminate the gained knowledge to end-users. Further, a data library with relevant tagged measurement data is planned to be organized and made publicly available. Inter-laboratory comparisons based on the newly developed multi-modal nano reference materials will be organized preferably within VAMAS/TWA 34 ‘Nanoparticle populations’.
Controlled electrospray deposition of nanoparticles for improved analysis by electron microscopy
(2018)
Of many experimental techniques for measuring particle sizes and size distributions, electron microscopy (EM) is 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. 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 project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No 604347.
Many applications of nanomaterials in the life sciences require the controlled functionalization of these materials with ligands like polyethylene glycol (PEG) and/or biomolecules such as peptides, proteins, and DNA. This enables to tune their hydrophilicity and biocompatibility, minimize unspecific interactions, improve biofunction-nalization efficiencies, and enhance blood circulation times and is the ultimate prerequisite for their use as reporters in assays or the design of targeted optial probes for bioimaging.
At the core of these functionalization strategies are reliable and validated methods for surface group and ligand quantification that can be preferably performed with routine laboratory instrumentation, require only small amounts of substances, and are suitable for many different types of nanomaterials.
We present here versatile and simple concepts for the quantification of common functional groups, ligands, and biomolecules on different types of organic and inorganic nano-materials, using different types of optical reporters and method validation with the aid of multimodal reporters and mass balances.
Multi-functional coatings are a key requirement for surface engineering. General demands are adhesion and long-term stability under service conditions. The modification of surfaces by means of PVD-, ECD- or hybrid processes allows an add-on functionalization of surfaces by a huge diversity of materials with both lateral and vertical micro-/nano-designs. This fact is a prerequisite for micro- and sensor-systems in lab-on-chip and sensor-on-chip technology. Two layer-based sensor principles are presented, i.e. surface plasmon resonance enhanced spectroscopic ellipsometry (SPREE) for detection of hazardous gases and magneto-optical sensors on smart-coated fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) for structural health monitoring (SHM).
The interdependence of substrate features, coating properties, and layer design is discussed firstly for gas sensitivity and selectivity of SPREE-sensors and secondly for sensitivity and selectivity of magneto-strictive coatings to mechanical strain or external magnetic fields resulting in an optical displacement of the Bragg wavelength of FBG-sensors. Moreover, generic features such long-term stability, crucial process-related fabrication conditions, and effects of operational and environmental parameters are discussed with respect to the sensor performance. It has been shown that appropriate layer design and adapted selection of layer materials (SnOx/Au, Fe/Ni:SnOx/Au; Ni/NiFe-Cu-Cr) result in improved sensor parameters and may enable new sensor applications.
Water vapor sorption surface areas and sorption energies of untreated
and thermally modified Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.], sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) and European ash (Fraxinus excelcior L.) were investigated by means of dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) measurements and excess surface work (ESW) evaluation method, respectively. Adsorption and desorption experiments in the hygroscopic range and desorption tests from water saturation were conducted.
Thermodynamically, ESW is the sum of the surface free energy and the isothermal isobaric work of sorption. From the amount adsorbed in the first Minimum a specific surface area similar to the BET surface area can be obtained. The results show that untreated spruce has a significantly higher specific water vapor Sorption surface and sorption energy compared to both hardwoods maple and ash. Thermal modification of the woods leads to a significant reduction of water vapor Sorption surface and sorption energy. The determined surface area and energy are higher in desorption direction than in adsorption direction, whereby the highest values in Desorption direction from water saturation, especially for maple and ash, were obtained.
The surface areas calculated by means of the ESW method are similar to the surface areas calculated by means of the BET method, particularly in adsorption direction.
The application of PVD-coatings ranges from mechanical engineering, i.e. thicker tribological coatings, to precision optics, i.e. thinner optical coatings. For physical vapor deposition (PVD) technologies such as evaporation, sputtering, ion beam assisted/driven deposition, vacuum is a prerequisite for two reasons: at first process-related ones (evaporation source, plasma discharge, and mean free path) and at second coating-related ones (pure, perfect, and dense films). Usually, the goal is a homogenous coating of defined stoichiometry and micro-structure without any imperfection.
However, the implementation of micro- or nano-particles may occur accidentally or delibe-rately. Independent of the particle origin, there are two fundamental rules regarding coating functionality: at first, the larger the particle diameter to coating thickness ratio the more affected the functionality of the coating, and at second, the larger the material contrast in terms of the functional feature of interest the more affected the coating performance. Hence, embedded particles have to be avoided for the majority of thin films by all means. The unintended implementation of particles usually results in a malfunction of the coating from the beginning or is at least considered as a weak point of the coating creating a time-dependent defect under service conditions. The intended implementation of particles on surfaces and in coatings may create add-on features, topographic ones and functional ones, however, the facts mentioned hold true.
Examples of particle-initiated coating defects are demonstrated in dependence on the origin and the field of application. Strategies for deliberate attachment/embedding of particles on surfaces/in coatings are discussed regarding process compatibility and coating integrity. For industrial applications, both the validation of process compatibility of particle injection and the plasma resistance of particles under vacuum and plasma conditions have to be confirmed. Further points of interest are the homogeneity of particle distribution and the avoidance of particle agglomeration which is still a crucial point for dry dispersed particles. So far, technical applications are limited to PVD hybrid coatings, plasma dispersion coatings are still a challenge except for applications where homogeneity is not required as in case of product authentication.
Gold-shell coated NaYF4:Er3+, Yb3+ nanoparticles for the enhancement of fluorescence emission
(2018)
In the present work, we aim to explore how far the UCNP emission intensity can be enhanced by the aid of plasmonic interactions using a gold shell. The distance between the UCNP core and the gold shell is varied by adding a silica spacer of different thicknesses.
The synthetic conditions for obtaining UCNP@SiO2@Au core-shell nanoparticles with precisely tuneable silica shell thicknesses were investigated. A gold shell on the UCNP@SiO2 nanoparticles is expected to give rise to a noticeable enhancement of particle brightness and fluorescence, given that the thicknesses of the silica shell and the gold coating can be controlled and fine-tuned. First single particle studies revealing shortening of the Er3+ lifetimes suggest that plasmonic enhancement occurs.
Photon counting detectors (PCD) offer new possibilities for x-ray micro computed tomography (CT) in the field of non-destructive testing. For large and/or dense objects with high atomic numbers the problem of scattered radiation and beam hardening severely influences the image quality. This work shows that using an energy discriminating PCD based on CdTe allows to address these problems by intrinsically reducing both the influence of scattering and beam hardening.
Based on 2D-radiographic measurements it is shown that by energy thresholding the influence of scattered radiation can be reduced by up to in case of a PCD compared to a conventional energy-integrating detector (EID).
To demonstrate the capabilities of a PCD in reducing beam hardening, cupping artefacts are analyzed quantitatively. The PCD results show that the higher the energy threshold is set, the lower the cupping effect emerges. But since numerous beam hardening correction algorithms exist, the results of the PCD are compared to EID results corrected by common techniques. Nevertheless, the highest energy thresholds yield lower cupping artefacts than any of the applied correction algorithms.
As an example of a potential industrial CT application, a turbine blade is investigated by CT. The inner structure of the turbine blade allows for comparing the image quality between PCD and EID in terms of absolute contrast, as well as normalized signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratio. Where the absolute contrast can be improved by raising the energy thresholds of the PCD, it is found that due to lower statistics the normalized contrast-to-noise-ratio could not be improved compared to the EID. These results might change to the contrary when discarding pre-filtering of the x-ray spectra and thus allowing more low-energy photons to reach the detectors.
Despite still being in the early phase in technological progress, PCDs already allow to improve CT image quality compared to conventional detectors in terms of scatter and beam hardening reduction.
Gold-shell coated NaYF4:Er3+, Yb3+ nanoparticles for the enhancement of fluorescence emission
(2018)
In the present work, we aim to explore how far the UCNP emission intensity can be enhanced by the aid of plasmonic interactions using a gold shell. The distance between the UCNP core and the gold shell is varied by adding a silica spacer of different thicknesses.
The synthetic conditions for obtaining UCNP@SiO2@Au core-shell nanoparticles with precisely tuneable silica shell thicknesses were investigated. A gold shell on the UCNP@SiO2 nanoparticles is expected to give rise to a noticeable enhancement of particle brightness and fluorescence, given that the thicknesses of the silica shell and the gold coating can be controlled and fine-tuned. First single particle studies revealing shortening of the Er3+ lifetimes suggest that plasmonic enhancement occurs.
Lanthanide-based upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs)like hexagonal beta-NaYF4 UCNPs doped with Yb3+ and Er3+, which efficiently convert 976 nm light to ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared photons, offer new strategies for luminescence-based sensing and imaging. The properties of their upconversion (UC) luminescence (UCL) are, however, strongly influenced by particle size, concentration and spatial arrangement of dopant ions, surface chemistry, microenvironment, and excitation power density (P).
We present here comprehensive studies of the influence of UCNP size and particle architecture for Yb3+ and Er3+ co-doped NaYF4 nanoparticles and energy transfer processes in these materials, which underline the importance of quantitative luminescence measurements for mechanistic insights and the determination of application-relevant matrix- and P-dependent optimum dopand concentrations.
We present an in situ triple coupling of synchrotron X-ray diffraction with Raman spectroscopy, and thermography to study milling reactions in real time. This combination of methods allows a correlation of the structural evolution with temperature information. The temperature information is crucial for understanding both the thermodynamics and reaction kinetics. The reaction mechanisms of three prototypical mechanochemical syntheses, a cocrystal formation, a C@C bond formation (Knoevenagel condensation), and the formation
of a manganese-phosphonate, were elucidated. Trends in the temperature development during milling are identified. The heat of reaction and latent heat of crystallization of the product contribute to the overall temperature increase. A decrease in temperature occurs via release of, for example, water as a byproduct.
Solid and liquid intermediates are detected. The influence of the mechanical impact could be separated from temperature effects caused by the reaction.
Feuchtemessverfahren
(2018)
Ever since increasing a reaction’s yield while shortening the reaction time is the main objective in synthesis optimization. Microwave reactors meet these demands. In literature however their usage is under discussion due to claims of the existence of non-thermal effects resulting from the microwave radiation. Especially for nano-reference-material syntheses it is of crucial importance to be aware of influences on the reaction pathway. Therefore, we compare ultra-small silver nanoparticles with mean radii of 3 nm, synthesized via conventional and microwave heating.
We employed a versatile one-pot polyol synthesis of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) stabilized silver nanoparticles, which display superior catalytic properties. No microwave specific effects in terms of particle size distribution characteristics, as derived by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), are revealed. Due to the microwave reactor’s characteristics of a closed system, syntheses can be carried out at temperatures beyond the solvent’s boiling point. Particle formation was accelerated by a factor of 30 by increasing the reaction temperature from 200 °C to 250 °C. The particle growth process follows a cluster coalescence mechanism.
A post-synthetic incubation step at 250 °C induces a further growth of the particles while the size distribution broadens. Thus, utilization of microwave reactors enables an enormous decrease of the reaction time as well as the opportunity of tuning the particles’ size. Possibly, decomposition of the stabilizing ligand at elevated temperatures results in reduced yields. A temperature of 250 °C and a corresponding reaction time of 30 s represent a compromise between short reaction times and high yields.
The departure from the current automation landscape to next generation automation concepts for the process industry has already begun. Smart functions of sensors simplify their use and enable plug-and-play integration, even though they may appear to be more complex at first sight. Monitoring specific information (i.e., “chemical” such as physico-chemical properties, chemical reactions, etc.) is the key to “chemical” process control.
The talk introduces a smart online NMR sensor module provided in an explosion proof housing as example. This sensor was developed for an intensified industrial process (pharmaceutical lithiation reaction step) funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (www.consens-spire.eu). Due to NMR spectroscopy as an “absolute analytical comparison method”, independent of the matrix, it runs with extremely short set-up times in combination with “modular” spectral models. Such models can simply be built upon pure component NMR spectra within a few hours (i.e., assignment of the NMR signals to the components) instead of tedious calibrations runs.
Industry 4.0, IIoT, or Lab 4.0 will enable us to handle more complex processes in shorter time. Intensified production concepts require for adaptive analytical instruments and control technology to realize short set-up times, modular control strategies. They are based on a digitized Laboratory 4.0.
Comparing the photoluminescence (PL) properties of ensembles of nanocrystals like semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) with single particle studies is of increasing interest for many applications of These materials as reporters in bioimaging studies performed under very dilute conditions or even at the single particle level. Particularly relevant is here the PL quantum yield (ΦF), which determines the signal size together with the reporter’s molar extinction coefficient and is a direct measure for nanocrystal quality, especially for the inorganic surface passivation shell and its tightness, which can be correlated also with nanocrystal stability and the possible release of heavy metal ions. Exemplarily for red and green emitting CdTe nanocrystals, we present a method for the determination of ΦF of nanoparticle dispersions at ultralow concentration compared to cuvette measurements using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), a single molecule method, and compared to molecular dyes with closely matching spectral properties and known ΦF. Our results underline the potential of this approach, provided that material-inherent limitations like ligand- and QD-specific aggregation affecting particle diffusion and QD drawbacks such as their complex and power-dependent blinking behavior are properly considered as shown here.
The increasing request for hair ethyl glucuronide (HEtG) in alcohol consumption monitoring according to cut-off levels set by the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) has triggered a proficiency testing program based on interlaboratory comparisons (ILC). Here, the outcome of nine consecutive ILC rounds organised by the SoHT on the determination of HEtG between 2011 and 2017 is summarised regarding interlaboratory reproducibility and the influence of procedural variants. Test samples prepared from cut hair (1 mm) with authentic (in-vivo incorporated) and soaked (in-vitro incorporated) HEtG concentrations up to 80 pg/mg were provided for 27–35 participating laboratories. Laboratory results were evaluated according to ISO 5725-5 and provided robust averages and relative reproducibility standard deviations typically between 20 and 35% in reasonable accordance with the prediction of the Horwitz model. Evaluation of results regarding the analytical techniques revealed no significant differences between gas and liquid chromatographic methods In contrast, a detailed evaluation of different sample preparations revealed significantly higher average values in case when pulverised hair is tested compared to cut hair. This observation was reinforced over the different ILC rounds and can be attributed to the increased acceptance and routine of hair pulverisation among laboratories. Further, the reproducibility standard deviations among laboratories performing pulverisation were on average in very good agreement with the prediction of the Horwitz model. Use of sonication showed no effect on the HEtG extraction yield.
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.
A series of new Ba-based coordination polymers (CPs) were mechanochemically synthesized by milling Ba-hydroxide samples with perfluorinated and fluorine-free benzene-dicarboxylic acids, including tetrafluoroisophthalic acid (H2mBDC-F4), tetrafluorophthalic acid (H2oBDC-F4), isophthalic acid (H2mBDC) and phthalic acid (H2oBDC). The new fluorinated CPs: [Ba(mBDC-F4)$0.5H2O] (1) and [Ba(oBDC-F4)·1.5H2O] (2) are compared to their nonfluorinated counterparts: [Ba(mBDC)·2.5H2O] (3), and [Ba(oBDC)·1H2O] (4). These materials are thoroughly characterized using powder X-ray diffraction. The products obtained by milling are all hydrated but vary in their water contents. Compositions and local structures are investigated by elemental analysis, thermal analysis, MAS NMR and attenuated total reflectioninfrared spectroscopy. These materials exhibit high thermal stabilities but small surface areas that remain unchanged even after thermal treatments.
Heterogeneous catalysis is a key technology in modern industrial societies. The main steps of a catalytic process take place at the surfaces of complex materials. For the investigations of these surfaces X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is widely used and fits ideally. At some suitable examples, it will be explained how XPS can help to understand such catalysts better. The focus is on selective oxidation catalysts, one of the main challenges of present research. Here it will illustrate, how changes in the near surface region influence the catalyst performance and, herewith the different stages (activation, maximum performance and deactivation) in the life of catalysts. Additionally, it will be stressed out how important information at different depth regions (surface, near-surface region, bulk) can be useful for comprehensive understanding of the material.
Another important subject is nanostructured catalysts with molecular sieves as supports or defined complexes as precursors. Finally, the combination of XPS with other methods used in the analysis of catalysts, e.g. electron microscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and low energy ion scattering will be discussed.
Ultrasound echo is a widely used NDT technique for determining the internal geometry of structures. Reverse-time migration (RTM) has been recently introduced to NDT applications, as an imaging method for ultrasound data, to overcome some of the limitations (e.g. imaging steeply dipping reflector) experienced by the Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique (SAFT), the most commonly used imaging algorithm for these measurements.
The standard implementation of RTM also experiences some drawbacks caused by its imaging condition, which is based on the zero-lag of the cross-correlation between source and receiver wavefields and generates high-amplitude low-frequency artifacts. Three alternative imaging conditions, developed for seismic data applications, were tested for their ability to provide better images than the standard cross-correlation: illumination compensation, deconvolution and wavefield decomposition. A polyamide specimen was chosen for the simulation of a synthetic experiment and for real data acquisition. The migrations of both synthetic and real data were performed with the software Madagascar. The illumination imaging condition was able to reduce the low-frequency noise and had a good performance in terms of computing time. The deconvolution improved the resolution in the synthetic tests, but did not showed such benefit for the real experiments. Finally, as for the wavefield decomposition, although it presented some advantages in terms of attenuating the low-frequency noise and some unwanted reflections, it was not able to image the internal structure of the polyamide as well as the cross-correlation did. Suggestions on how to improve the cost-effectiveness of the implementation of the deconvolution and wavefield decomposition were presented, as well as possible investigations that could be carried out in the future, in order to obtain better results with those two imaging conditions.
Advanced ultrasonic imaging for concrete: Alternative imaging conditions for reverse time migration
(2018)
Ultrasound echo is a widely used NDT technique for determining the internal geometry of structures. Reverse-time migration (RTM) has been recently introduced to NDT applications, as an imaging method for ultrasound data, to overcome some of the limitations (e.g. imaging steeply dipping reflector) experienced by the Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique (SAFT), the most commonly used imaging algorithm for these measurements.
The standard implementation of RTM also experiences some drawbacks caused by its imaging condition, which is based on the zero-lag of the cross-correlation between source and receiver wavefields and generates high-amplitude low-frequency artifacts. Three alternative imaging conditions, developed for seismic data applications, were tested for their ability to provide better images than the standard cross-correlation: illumination compensation, deconvolution and wavefield decomposition. A polyamide specimen was chosen for the simulation of a synthetic experiment and for real data acquisition. The migrations of both synthetic and real data were performed with the software Madagascar. The illumination imaging condition was able to reduce the low-frequency noise and had a good performance in terms of computing time. The deconvolution improved the resolution in the synthetic tests, but did not showed such benefit for the real experiments. Finally, as for the wavefield decomposition, although it presented some advantages in terms of attenuating the low-frequency noise and some unwanted reflections, it was not able to image the internal structure of the polyamide as well as the cross-correlation did. Suggestions on how to improve the cost-effectiveness of the implementation of the deconvolution and wavefield decomposition were presented, as well as possible investigations that could be carried out in the future, in order to obtain better results with those two imaging conditions.
An overview about different analytical approaches will be presented of how to detect metals in individual biological cells by use of ICP-MS. For this purpose, we are using different sample introduction systems for ICP-MS for detection, imaging and quantification of metals at cellular levels.
By use of laser ablation, we have studied the up-take by and distribution of nanoparticles in single cells. Recently we have developed staining techniques to measure protein and DNA content of cells and identifying the cell status by immunoassays using metal-tagging of antibodies. New research based on cell arrays will be shortly discussed.
Using pneumatic nebulization and microdroplet generation, we have also studied the up-take of nanoparticles and toxic metals as well as essential elements in single cells using different ICP-MS mass spectrometric concepts (sector field instrument, triple-quad instrument, time of flight (CyTOF) instrument).
The different ICP-MS based methods will be compared concerning their analytical figures of merit and their strengths and weaknesses will be evaluated.
Carboxy, amino, and thiol groups play a critical role in a variety of physiological and biological processes and are frequently used for bioconjugation reactions. Moreover, they enable size control and tuning of the surface during the synthesis of particle systems. Especially, thiols have a high binding affinity to noble metals and semiconductors (SC). Thus, simple, inexpensive, robust, and fast methods for the quantification of surface groups and the monitoring of reactions involving ligands are of considerable importance for the characterization of modified or stabilized nanomaterials including polymers.
We studied the potential of the Ellman’s assay, recently used for the quantification of thiol ligands on SC nanocrystals by us1 and the 4-aldrithiol assay for the determination of thiol groups in molecular systems and on polymeric, noble and SC nanomaterials. The results were validated with ICP-OES and reaction mechanisms of both methods were studied photometrically and with ESI-TOF-MS.
The investigation of the reaction mechanisms of both methods revealed the influence of different thiols on the stoichiometry of the reactions2, yielding different mixed disulfides and the thiol-specific products spectroscopically detected. The used methods can quantify freely accessible surface groups on nanoparticles, e.g., modified polystyrene nanoparticles. For thiol ligands coordinatively bound to surface atoms of, e.g., noble or SC nanomaterials, depending on the strength of the thiol-surface bonds, particle dissolution prior to assay performance can be necessary.
We could demonstrate the reliability of the Ellman’s and aldrithiol assay for the quantification of surface groups on nanomaterials by ICP-OES and derived assay-specific requirements and limitations. Generally, it is strongly recommended to carefully control assay performance for new samples, components, and sample ingredients to timely identify possible interferences distorting quantification.
The damage caused by ionizing radiation to DNA and proteins is the reason to treat cancer by radiation therapy. A better understanding of the molecular processes and quantification of the different damaging mechanisms is the prerequisite to develop more efficient therapies. Hereby the understanding of the processes involved in the damage to DNA are of key interest due to its central role in reproduction and mutation.
For radiation with low linear energy transfer (LET), most of the damage is caused by the secondary particles produced by scattering of the ionizing radiation with water. Thereby a multitude of species are produced, whereby especially kinetic low energy electrons, prehydrated electrons, OH-radicals and ions are of importance. With higher LET the relative amount of the direct damaging effects increases. This is especially important considering the increased usage of high LET nucleons in radiation therapy. Therefore, the quantification of the contribution to DNA damage of direct and indirect effects and the different secondary species is of high interest due to the increase of radio biological efficiency when applying high LET radiation.
Here we present an approach to investigate the relative contributions to DNA strand break yield for radiation of different LET within a single electron microscope in combination with electron scattering simulations.
Monitoring specific chemical properties is the key to chemical process control. Today, mainly optical online methods are applied, which require time- and cost-intensive calibration effort. NMR spectroscopy, with its advantage being a direct comparison method without need for calibration, has a high potential for closed-loop process control while exhibiting short set-up times. Compact NMR instruments make NMR spectroscopy accessible in industrial and rough environments for process monitoring and advanced process control strategies.
We present a fully automated data analysis approach which is completely based on physically motivated spectral models as first principles information (Indirect Hard Modelling – IHM) and applied it to a given pharmaceutical lithiation reaction in the framework of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 project CONSENS. Online low-field NMR (LF NMR) data was analysed by IHM with low calibration effort, compared to a multivariate PLS-R (Partial Least Squares Regression) approach, and both validated using online high-field NMR (HF NMR) spectroscopy.
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 well-defined 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, is used for demonstration. Near edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy confirms the significant difference in x-ray absorption behavior between PTFE and PS. Additionally, due to the insolubility of styrene in PTFE a well-defined interface between particle core and shell is expected. In order to validate the STXM results, both the naked PTFE cores as well as the complete core-shell nanoparticles are examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The introduced STXM based methodology yields particle dimensions in agreement with the SEM results and provides additional information such as the position of the particle core which cannot be extracted from a SEM micrograph.
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.
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.
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.