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We present a workflow for obtaining fully trained artificial neural networks that can perform automatic particle segmentations of agglomerated, non-spherical nanoparticles from scanning electron microscopy images “from scratch”, without the need for large training data sets of manually annotated images. The whole process only requires about 15 minutes of hands-on time by a user and can typically be finished within less than 12 hours when training on a single graphics card (GPU). After training, SEM image analysis can be carried out by the artificial neural network within seconds. This is achieved by using unsupervised learning for most of the training dataset generation, making heavy use of generative adversarial networks and especially unpaired image-to-image translation via cycle-consistent adversarial networks. We compare the segmentation masks obtained with our suggested workflow qualitatively and quantitatively to state-of-the-art methods using various metrics. Finally, we used the segmentation masks for automatically extracting particle size distributions from the SEM images of TiO2 particles, which were in excellent agreement with particle size distributions obtained manually but could be obtained in a fraction of the time.
As part of the development of a library of accurate and efficient methods for measurement of nanoparticle properties, we develop and optimize a method for the efficient analysis of nanoparticle size distribution from suspensions via microprinting and digital analysis of electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) images, with the ultimate aim of automated quantitative concentration analysis (calculated from drop volume). A series of different nanoparticle suspensions (gold, latex, and SiO2 in varying sizes and concentrations) were printed onto TEM grids in a 4 x 4 array in the concentration range 7x10^8 to 1x10^11 nanoparticles/mL and imaged with SEM. Concentrations and printing conditions (temperature, relative humidity) were varied in order to minimize the coffee-ring effect.
We show that complex physical and chemical interactions between boehmite nanoparticles and epoxy drastically affect matrix properties, which in the future will provide tuning of material properties for further optimization in applications from automotive to aerospace. We utilize intermodulation atomic force microscopy (ImAFM) for probing local stiffness of both particles and polymer matrix. Stiff particles are expected to increase total stiffness of nanocomposites and the stiffness of polymer should remain unchanged. However, ImAFM revealed that stiffness of matrix in epoxy/boehmite nanocomposite is significantly higher than unfilled epoxy. The stiffening effect of the boehmite on epoxy also depends on the particle concentration. To understand the mechanism behind property alteration induced by boehmite nanoparticles, network architecture is investigated using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). It was revealed that although with 15 wt% boehmite nanoparticles the modulus at glassy state increases, crosslinking density of epoxy for this composition is drastically low.
The EU FP7 NanoDefine project was launched in November 2013 and will run until October 2017. The Project is dedicated to support the implementation of the EU Recommendation on the Definition of Nanomaterial
by the provision of the required analytical tools and respective guidance. Main goal is to develop a novel
tiered approach consisting of (i) rapid and cost-efficient screening methods and (ii) confirmatory measurement
methods. The "NanoDefiner" eTool will guide potential end-users, such as concerned industries and regulatory bodies as well as enforcement and contract laboratories, to reliably classify if a material is nano or not. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive inter-laboratory evaluation of the performance of current
characterisation techniques, instruments and software is performed. Instruments, software and methods are
further developed. Their capacity to reliably measure the size of particulates in the size range 1-100 nm and
above (according to the EU definition) is validated. Technical reports on project results are published to
reach out to relevant stakeholders, such as policy makers, regulators, industries and the wider scientific community, to present and discuss our goals and results, to ensure a continuous exchange of views,
needs and experiences obtained from different fields of expertise and application, and to finally integrate the resulting feedback into our ongoing work on the size-related classification of nanomaterials.
We present how mesoporosity can be engineered in transition metal phosphate (TMPs) materials in a template-free manner. The method involves a transformation of a precursor metal phosphate phase, called M-struvite (NH4MPO4·6H2O, M = Mg2+, Ni2+, Co2+, NixCo1-x2+). It relies on the thermal decomposition of crystalline M-struvite precursors to an amorphous and simultaneously mesoporous phase, which forms while degassing of NH3 and H2O. The temporal evolution of mesoporous frameworks and the response of the metal coordination environment were followed with in-situ and ex-situ scattering and diffraction, as well as X -ray spectroscopy. Despite sharing the same precursor struvite structure, different amorphous and mesoporous structures were obtained depending on the involved transition metal. We highlight the systematic differences in absolute surface area, pore shape, pore size, and phase transitions depending on a metal cation present in the analogous M-struvites. The amorphous structures of thermally decomposed Mg-, Ni- and NixCo1-x-struvites exhibit high surface areas and pore volumes (240 m²g-1 and 0.32 cm-3 g-1 for Mg and 90 m²g-1 and 0.13 cm-3 g-1 for Ni). We propose that the low-cost, environmentally friendly M-struvites could be obtained as recycling products from industrial and agricultural wastewaters. These waste products could be then upcycled into mesoporous TMPs through a simple thermal treatment for further applications, for instance, in (electro)catalysis.
This report is the result of a comprehensive study on the available CMs which come potentially in question for the reliable analysis of the number based size distribution of a nanomaterial according to the EC recommendation for a definition of nanomaterial. Based on the performance criteria already established in NanoDefine the potential CMs are evaluated according to studies available in the literature as well as following the expertise of the NanoDefine consortium partners. The specific advantages and disadvantages of each method with respect to its applicability to the scope of NanoDefine are particularly highlighted. An CM evaluation table is produced so that the mostly suited CMs with respect to the EC definition can be grouped and recommended to the corresponding NanoDefine work packages for further specific development (improvement and adaption), or for direct validation and standardisation, respectively. The actual evaluation report including the recommended CMs will be revised and, if necessary, eventually updated at the mid time of the project. The update will be jointly discussed in the NanoDefine consortium on the basis of the results of testing the methods on the NanoDefine real world materials.
Understanding the interaction between boehmite and epoxy and the formation of their interphases with different mechanical and chemical structures is crucial to predict and optimize the properties of epoxy-boehmite nanocomposites. Probing the interfacial properties with atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based methods, especially particle-matrix long-range interactions, is challenging. This is due to size limitations of various analytical methods in resolving nanoparticles and their interphases, the overlap of interphases, and the effect of buried particles that prevent the accurate interphase property measurement. Here, we develop a layered model system in which the epoxy is cured in contact with a thin layer of hydrothermally synthesized boehmite. Different microscopy methods are employed to evaluate the interfacial properties. With intermodulation atomic force microscopy (ImAFM) and amplitude dependence force spectroscopy (ADFS), which contain information about stiffness, electrostatic, and van der Waals forces, a soft interphase was detected between the epoxy and boehmite. Surface potential maps obtained by scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) revealed another interphase about one order of magnitude larger than the mechanical interphase. The AFM-infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) technique reveals that the soft interphase consists of unreacted curing agent. The long-range electrical interphase is attributed to the chemical alteration of the bulk epoxy and the formation of new absorption bands.
Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) are one of the main sources of the nanoparticulate matter to which humans are directly exposed and several studies have demonstrated their potential toxic effects. The in vivo detailed spatial distribution of TiO₂ NPs is investigated herein for the first time, using a 2D chemical imaging analysis based on confocal Raman spectroscopy. The invertebrate nematode C. elegans was employed as a prototypical model of living organisms. Rod, bipyramidal and quasispherical engineered TiO₂ NPs with different primary particle sizes and agglomeration states were prepared, characterized and then administered to nematodes. Exploiting the typical fingerprint of TiO₂ in the Raman spectrum, we monitored the biodistribution of NPs inside the worm using a non-invasive, label-free method. The high spatial resolution chemical imaging and the specificity of the Raman technique in the localization of TiO₂ NPs helped in the design of behavioral C. elegans studies aimed at elucidating the relationship among the size, shape, and agglomeration state of NPs and their ability to induce specific toxic effects. Rod-shaped NPs were the most toxic, greatly impairing pharyngeal function, reproduction and larval growth; this indicates that the rod shape, more than the bipyramidal and spherical shapes, enables NPs to interact with biological systems. These findings indicate that this Raman-nematode combined approach represents a step forward in the field of detection of NPs in living organisms, and being rapid and inexpensive enough, it can be applied as the first screening for the ability of NPs to biodistribute and exert toxicological properties in vivo.
We report on calibration standards of nanoparticles meeting the definition of a nanomaterial given by the European Commission (EU 2011) which are relevant for the characterisation methods applied in the NanoDefine project. We found that the Impact of nanoparticles is outstanding in the scientific literature. A number of 270.000 paper titles on nanoparticles are listed in the Web of Science data base. But surprisingly, the availability of suitable certified standard reference materials is scarce. Only a few sources were found. For example, BAM provides the database Nanoscaled Reference Materials at http://www.nano-refmat.bam.de/en/ in cooperation with the ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies. In addition, two publications from 2013 on nanoscale reference materials are available. Candidates of nano-(certified) reference materials from other ongoing or just finished FP6 and FP7 nano-metrology projects have been extracted from the Compendium of Projects in the European NanoSafety Cluster (Compendium NSC, 2013). Recommendations for selection of representative test materials and calibration standards for NanoDefine internal tasks, respectively, are also given.
The main objective was to assess homogeneity of two bimodal gold materials, namely nPsize1 and nPSize2, containing approximately 1:1 and 10:1 particle number-based ratio of ~30nm and ~60nm particles. Particle number-based concentration within the two size fractions was determined with spICP-MS using the particle frequency method of calibration.