TY - JOUR A1 - Sieker, Tim A1 - Neuner, Andreas A1 - Dimitrova, Darina A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Muffler, Kai A1 - Bart, Hans-Jörg A1 - Heinzle, Elmar A1 - Ulber, Roland T1 - Ethanol production from grass silage by simultaneous pretreatment, saccharification and fermentation: First steps in the process development JF - Engineering in Life Sciences N2 - Grass silage provides a great potential as renewable feedstock. Two fractions of the grass silage, a press juice and the fiber fraction, were evaluated for their possible use for bioethanol production. Direct production of ethanol from press juice is not possible due to high concentrations of organic acids. For the fiber fraction, alkaline peroxide or enzymatic pretreatment was used, which removes the phenolic acids in the cell wall. In this study, we demonstrate the possibility to integrate the enzymatic pretreatment with a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation to achieve ethanol production from grass silage in a one-process step. Achieved yields were about 53 g ethanol per kg silage with the alkaline peroxide pretreatment and 91 g/kg with the enzymatic pretreatment at concentrations of 8.5 and 14.6 g/L, respectively. Furthermore, it was shown that additional supplementation of the fermentation medium with vitamins, trace elements and nutrient salts is not necessary when the press juice is directly used in the fermentation step. Y1 - 2011 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/elsc.201000160 N1 - Special Issue "Bioprocess‐oriented plant design" VL - 11 IS - 4 SP - 436 EP - 442 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Al-Kaidy, Huschyar A1 - Wollny, Steffen A1 - Ulber, Roland T1 - Functionalized magnetizable particles for downstream processing in single-use systems JF - Chemie Ingenieur Technik N2 - Biotechnological downstream processing is usually an elaborate procedure, requiring a multitude of unit operations to isolate the target component. Besides the disadvantageous space-time yield, the risks of cross-contaminations and product loss grow fast with the complexity of the isolation procedure. A significant reduction of unit operations can be achieved by application of magnetic particles, especially if these are functionalized with affinity ligands. As magnetic susceptible materials are highly uncommon in biotechnological processes, target binding and selective separation of such particles from fermentation or reactions broths can be done in a single step. Since the magnetizable particles can be produced from iron salts and low priced polymers, a single-use implementation of these systems is highly conceivable. In this article, the principles of magnetizable particles, their synthesis and functionalization are explained. Furthermore, applications in the area of reaction engineering, microfluidics and downstream processing are discussed focusing on established single-use technologies and development potential. Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cite.201200130 VL - 85 IS - 1-2: Special Issue: Single-Use Technology SP - 76 EP - 86 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Thiel, Alexander A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Suck, Kirstin A1 - Sohling, Ulrich A1 - Ruf, Friedrich A1 - Ulber, Roland T1 - New zeolite adsorbents for downstream processing of polyphenols from renewable resources JF - Engineering in Life Sciences N2 - Commercial materials with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone and polymeric amberlites (XAD7HP, XAD16) are commonly used for the adsorptive downstream processing of polyphenols from renewable resources. In this study, beta-zeolite-based adsorbent systems were examined, and their properties were compared to organic resins. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted with synthetic solutions of major polyphenols. Adsorption isotherms and desorption characteristics of individual adsorbent were determined based on these results. Maximum adsorption capacities were calculated using the Langmuir model. For example, the zeolites had capacities up to 203.2 mg/g for ferulic acid. To extend these results to a complex system, additional experiments were performed on rapeseed meal and wheat seed extracts as representative renewable resources. HPLC analysis showed that with 7.5% w/v, which is regarded as the optimum amount of zeolites, zeolites A and B could bind 100% of the major polyphenols as well as release polyphenols at high yields. Additionally, regeneration experiments were performed with isopropyl alcohol at 99°C to evaluate how zeolites regenerate under mild conditions. The results showed only a negligible loss of adsorption capacity and no loss of desorption capacity. In summary, it was concluded that beta-zeolites were promising adsorbents for developing new processes to isolate polyphenols from renewable resources. Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/elsc.201200188 VL - 13 IS - 3 SP - 239 EP - 246 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Al-Kaidy, Huschyar A1 - Duwe, Anna A1 - Huster, Manuel A1 - Muffler, Kai A1 - Schlegel, Christin A1 - Sieker, Tim A1 - Stadtmüller, Ralf A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Ulber, Roland T1 - Biotechnologie und Bioverfahrenstechnik – Vom ersten Ullmanns Artikel bis hin zu aktuellen Forschungsthemen JF - Chemie Ingenieur Technik N2 - Biotechnologie und die mit ihr verbundenen technischen Prozesse prägen seit Jahrtausenden die Entwicklung der Menschheit. Ausgehend von empirischen Verfahren, insbesondere zur Herstellung von Lebensmitteln und täglichen Gebrauchsgütern, haben sich diese Disziplinen zu einem der innovativsten Zukunftsfelder entwickelt. Durch das immer detailliertere Verständnis zellulärer Vorgänge können mittlerweile Produktionsstämme gezielt optimiert werden. Im Zusammenspiel mit moderner Prozesstechnik können so eine Vielzahl von Bulk- und Feinchemikalien sowie Pharmazeutika effizient hergestellt werden. In diesem Artikel werden exemplarisch einige der aktuellen Trends vorgestellt. Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cite.201400083 SN - 0009-286X VL - 86 IS - 12 SP - 2215 EP - 2225 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wiesen, Sebastian A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Muffler, Kai A1 - Suck, Kirstin A1 - Sohling, Ulrich A1 - Ruf, Nils A1 - Ulber, Roland T1 - Adsorptive Vorbehandlung von Rohglycerin für die 1,3-Propandiol Fermentation mit Clostridium diolis JF - Chemie Ingenieur Technik N2 - Bei der Gewinnung von Fettsäuren aus Pflanzenölen, z. B. zur Herstellung von Biopolymeren, oder bei der Biodiesel- und Seifenproduktion, fällt Glycerin als Nebenprodukt an. Bei der Biokonversion dieses Rohstoffes zu 1,3-Propandiol wird der Produktionsorganismus Clostridium diolis durch Verunreinigungen im Rohglycerin gehemmt. Als inhibierende Substanzen konnten freie Fettsäuren identifiziert werden. Mithilfe eines adsorptiven Aufarbeitungsverfahrens ist es gelungen, die Fettsäuren zu entfernen und die Konversionseffizienz zu 1,3-Propandiol zu erhöhen. Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cite.201300080 N1 - Englischer Titel: Adsorptive Pretreatment of Crude Glycerol Prior to Fermentation to 1,3-Propanediole by Clostridium Diolis VL - 86 IS - 1-2 SP - 129 EP - 135 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Wollny, Steffen A1 - Suck, Kirstin A1 - Sohling, Ulrich A1 - Ruf, Friedrich A1 - Ulber, Roland T1 - Recycling of spent oil bleaching earth as source of glycerol for the anaerobic production of acetone, butanol, and ethanol with Clostridium diolis and lipolytic Clostridium lundense JF - Engineering in Life Sciences N2 - A major part of edible oil is subjected to bleaching procedures, primarily with minerals applied as adsorbers. Their recycling is currently done either by regaining the oil via organic solvent extraction or by using the spent bleaching earth (SBE) as additive for animal feed, etc. As a new method, the reutilization of the by-product SBE for the microbiologic formation of acetone, butanol, and ethanol (ABE) is presented as proof-of-concept. The SBE was taken from a palm oil cleaning process. The recycling concept is based on the application of lipolytic clostridia strains. Due to considerably long fermentation times, co-fermentation with Candida rugosa and enzymatic hydrolyses of the bound oil with a subsequent clostridia fermentation are shown as alternative routes. Anaerobic fermentations under comparison of different clostridia strains were performed with glycerol media, enzymatically hydrolyzed palm oil and SBE. Solutes, side product compositions and productivities were quantified via HPLC. A successful production of ABE solutes from SBE has been done with a yield of 0.15 g butanol per gram of bound glycerol. Thus, the biotechnological recycling of the waste stream is possible in principle. Inhibition of the substrate suspension has been observed. A chromatographic ion-exchange of substrates increased the biomass concentration. Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/elsc.201300113 SN - 1618-2863 VL - 14 IS - 4 SP - 425 EP - 432 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pasteur, Aline A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Kampeis, Percy A1 - Ulber, Roland T1 - Optimization of high gradient magnetic separation filter units for the purification of fermentation products JF - IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MAGNETICS N2 - High gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) has been established since the early 1970s. A more recent application of these systems is the use in bioprocesses. To integrate the HGMS in a fermentation process, it is necessary to optimize the separation matrix with regard to the magnetic separation characteristics and permeability of the non-magnetizable components of the fermentation broth. As part of the work presented here, a combined fluidic and magnetic force finite element model simulation was created using the software COMSOL Multiphysics and compared with separation experiments. Finally, as optimal lattice orientation of the separation matrix, a transversal rhombohedral arrangement was defined. The high suitability of the new filter matrix has been verified by separation experiments. Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TMAG.2014.2325535 SN - 0018-9464 N1 - Article Sequence Number: 5000607 INSPEC Accession Number: 14663042 VL - 50 IS - 10 SP - Artikel 5000607 PB - IEEE CY - New York, NY ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Thiel, Alexander A1 - Muffler, Kai A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Suck, Kirstin A1 - Sohling, Ulrich A1 - Ruf, Friedrich A1 - Ulber, Roland T1 - Aufarbeitung von Polyphenolen aus Weizen mittels Zeolithen am Beispiel der Ferulasäure JF - Chemie IngenieurTechnik N2 - Aufarbeitung von Polyphenolen aus Weizenmittels Zeolithen am Beispiel der Ferulasa¨ ureAlexander Thiel1, Kai Muffler1, Nils Tippko¨ tter1, Kirstin Suck2, Ulrich Sohling2, Friedrich Ruf3und Roland Ulber1,*DOI: 10.1002/cite.201400031Bei der Ferulasa¨ure handelt es sich um einen Wertstoff, der aus Weizen gewonnen und in der Lebensmittel- und Pharma-industrie eingesetzt werden kann. Der Einsatz von Weizen als nachwachsende Rohstoffquelle ist allerdings nur dann wirt-schaftlich durchfu¨hrbar, wenn eine Prozessintegration in die bestehenden industriellen Verfahren gewa¨hrleistet oder einedirekte Konkurrenz zur Mehl- und Sta¨rkeindustrie vermieden werden kann. In diesem Artikel wird ein Verfahren aufge-zeigt, welches hohe Ausbeuten ermo¨glicht und eine Konkurrenz zu bestehenden Verwertungspfaden vermeidet. Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cite.201400031 N1 - Englischer Titel: Downstream Processing of Polyphenols from Wheat by Zeolites using the Example of Ferulic Acid VL - 87 IS - 1-2 SP - 128 EP - 136 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schumann, Christiane A1 - Rogin, Sabine A1 - Schneider, Horst A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Oster, Jürgen A1 - Kampeis, Percy T1 - Simultane Atline-Quantifizierung von Magnetpartikeln und Mikroorganismen bei einer HGMS-Filtration JF - Chemie Ingenieur Technik N2 - Es wird eine neue Atline-Messmethode vorgestellt, mit der während einer Hochgradienten-Magnetseparation (HGMS)-Filtration eine simultane Quantifizierung von Magnetpartikeln und Mikroorganismen im Filtrat vorgenommen werden kann. Dabei gelingt die Quantifizierung signifikant besser als mit bisher verwendeten Messmethoden. Mit dieser Methode ist es möglich, die Trennleistung einer HGMS-Filtration zu bestimmen und einen Filterdurchbruch durch Konzentrationsanstiege im Bereich einiger µg L−1 von Magnetpartikeln im Filtrat frühzeitig zu detektieren, ohne dass nennenswerte Partikelmengen verloren gehen. Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cite.201300158 N1 - Englischer Titel: Simultaneous Atline Quantification of Magnetic Particles and Microorganisms in the HGMS Filtration VL - 87 IS - 1-2 SP - 137 EP - 149 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Thiel, Alexander A1 - Muffler, Kai A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Suck, Kirstin A1 - Sohling, Ulrich A1 - Hruschka, Steffen M. A1 - Ulber, Roland T1 - A novel integrated downstream processing approach to recover sinapic acid, phytic acid and proteins from rapeseed meal JF - Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology N2 - BACKGROUND Currently, several techniques exist for the downstream processing of protein, phytic acid and sinapic acid from rapeseed and rapeseed meal, but no technique has been developed to separate all of the components in one process. In this work, two new downstream processing strategies focusing on recovering sinapic acid, phytic acid and protein from rapeseed meal were established. RESULTS The sinapic acid content was enhanced by a factor of 4.5 with one method and 5.1 with the other. The isolation of sinapic acid was accomplished using a zeolite-based adsorbent with high adsorptive and optimal desorption characteristics. Phytic acid was isolated using the anion-exchange resin Purolite A200®. In addition, the processes resulted in two separated protein fractions. The ratios of globulin and albumin ratio to the total protein were 59.2% and 40.1%, respectively. The steps were then combined in two different ways: (a) a ‘sequential process’ using the zeolite and A200 in batch processes; and (b) a ‘parallel process’ using only A200 in a chromatographic system to separate all of the compounds. CONCLUSIONS It can be concluded that isolation of all three components was possible in both processes. These could enhance the added value of current processes using rapeseed meal as a protein source. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jctb.4664 VL - 90 IS - 11 SP - 1999 EP - 2006 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Al-Kaidy, Huschyar A1 - Duwe, Anna A1 - Huster, Manuel A1 - Muffler, Kai A1 - Schlegel, Christin A1 - Tim, Sieker A1 - Stadtmüller, Ralf A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Ulber, Roland T1 - Biotechnology and bioprocess engineering – from the first ullmann's article to recent trends JF - ChemBioEng Reviews N2 - For several thousand years, biotechnology and its associated technical processes have had a great impact on the development of mankind. Based on empirical methods, in particular for the production of foodstuffs and daily commodities, these disciplines have become one of the most innovative future issues. Due to the increasing detailed understanding of cellular processes, production strains can now be optimized. In combination with modern bioprocesses, a variety of bulk and fine chemicals as well as pharmaceuticals can be produced efficiently. In this article, some of the current trends in biotechnology are discussed. Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cben.201500008 VL - 2 IS - 3 SP - 175 EP - 184 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Al-Kaidy, Huschyar A1 - Tippkötter, Nils T1 - Superparamagnetic hydrophobic particles as shell material for digital microfluidic droplets and proof-of-principle reaction assessments with immobilized laccase JF - Engineering in Life Sciences N2 - In the field of biotechnology and molecular biology, the use of small liquid volumes has significant advantages. In particular, screening and optimization runs with acceptable amounts of expensive and hardly available catalysts, reagents, or biomolecules are feasible with microfluidic technologies. The presented new microfluidic system is based on the inclusion of small liquid volumes by a protective shell of magnetizable microparticles. Hereby, discrete aqueous microreactor drops with volumes of 1–30 μL can be formed on a simple planar surface. A digital movement and manipulation of the microreactor is performed by overlapping magnetic forces. The magnetic forces are generated by an electrical coil matrix positioned below a glass plate. With the new platform technology, several discrete reaction compartments can be moved simultaneously on one surface. Due to the magnetic fields, the reactors can even be merged to initiate reactions by mixing or positioned above surface-immobilized catalysts and then opened by magnetic force. Comparative synthesis routes of the magnetizable shell particles and superhydrophobic glass slides including their performance and stability with the reaction platform are described. The influence of diffusive mass transport during the catalyzed reaction is discussed by evaluation finite element model of the microreactor. Furthermore, a first model dye reaction of the enzyme laccase has been established. Y1 - 2016 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/elsc.201400124 VL - 16 IS - 3 SP - 222 EP - 230 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Roth, Jasmine A1 - Tippkötter, Nils T1 - Evaluation of lignocellulosic material for butanol production using enzymatic hydrolysate medium JF - Cellulose Chemistry and Technology N2 - Butanol is a promising gasoline additive and platform chemical that can be readily produced via acetone-butanolethanol (ABE) fermentation from pretreated lignocellulosic materials. This article examines lignocellulosic material from beech wood for ABE fermentation, using Clostridium acetobutylicum. First, the utilization of both C₅₋ (xylose) and C₆₋ (glucose) sugars as sole carbon source was investigated in static cultivation, using serum bottles and synthetic medium. The utilization of pentose sugar resulted in a solvent yield of 0.231 g·g_sugar⁻¹, compared to 0.262 g·g_sugar⁻¹ using hexose. Then, the Organosolv pretreated crude cellulose fibers (CF) were enzymatically decomposed, and the resulting hydrolysate medium was analyzed for inhibiting compounds (furans, organic acids, phenolics) and treated with ionexchangers for detoxification. Batch fermentation in a bioreactor using CF hydrolysate medium resulted in a total solvent yield of 0.20 gABE·g_sugar⁻¹. Y1 - 2016 VL - 50 IS - 3-4 SP - 405 EP - 410 PB - Editura Academiei Romane CY - Bukarest ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rösch, C. A1 - Kratz, F. A1 - Hering, T. A1 - Trautmann, S. A1 - Umanskaya, N. A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Müller-Renno, C.M. A1 - Ulber, R. A1 - Hannig, M. A1 - Ziegler, C. T1 - Albumin-lysozyme interactions: cooperative adsorption on titanium and enzymatic activity JF - Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces N2 - The interplay of albumin (BSA) and lysozyme (LYZ) adsorbed simultaneously on titanium was analyzed by gel electrophoresis and BCA assay. It was found that BSA and lysozyme adsorb cooperatively. Additionally, the isoelectric point of the respective protein influences the adsorption. Also, the enzymatic activity of lysozyme and amylase (AMY) in mixtures with BSA was considered with respect to a possible influence of protein-protein interaction on enzyme activity. Indeed, an increase of lysozyme activity in the presence of BSA could be observed. In contrast, BSA does not influence the activity of amylase. Y1 - 2016 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.09.048 VL - 149 IS - 1 SP - 115 EP - 121 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Horbach, Andreas A1 - Duong, Minh Tuan A1 - Staat, Manfred T1 - Modelling of compressible and orthotropic surgical mesh implants based on optical deformation measurement JF - Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.06.012 SN - 1751-6161 VL - 74 SP - 400 EP - 410 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Michael, Hackl A1 - Mayer, Katharina A1 - Weber, Mareike A1 - Staat, Manfred A1 - van Riet, Roger A1 - Burkhart, Klau Josef A1 - Müller, Lars Peter A1 - Wegmann, Kilian T1 - Plate osteosynthesis of proximal ulna fractures : a biomechanical micromotion analysis JF - The journal of hand surgery Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2017.05.014 SN - 0363-5023 VL - 42 IS - 10 SP - 834.e1 EP - 834.e7 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pfaff, Raphael A1 - Enning, Manfred T1 - Güterwagen 4.0 - Der Güterwagen für das Internet der Dinge. Teil 2: Ausgewählte technische Aspekte und Prozesse JF - ETR - Eisenbahntechnische Rundschau Y1 - 2017 SN - 0013-2845 VL - 66 IS - 5 SP - 74 EP - 77 PB - DVV Media Group CY - Hamburg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pfaff, Raphael A1 - Schmidt, Bernd T1 - Daten in der Cloud - und dann? JF - Deine Bahn N2 - Schienenverkehrssysteme stehen in zunehmendem Wettbewerb, sowohl untereinander als auch mit anderen Verkehrsträgern. Als wichtiger Aspekt zur Steigerung der Kosteneffizienz wird die Digitalisierung des Betriebs und der Fahrzeuge betrachtet. Über eine Prognose der Ausfallwahrscheinlichkeit bzw. Restlebensdauer von Subsystemen können mittels Digitalisierung die Instandhaltungskosten gesenkt werden. Die geringen Fehlerraten im System Bahn machen die Nutzung besonderer Simulationstechniken notwendig. In diesem Beitrag wird gezeigt, wie sich die Subsystemverfügbarkeit aus den beobachteten Fehlerraten der Teilfunktionen vorhersagen lässt. Y1 - 2016 SN - 0948-7263 IS - 6 SP - 50 EP - 55 PB - Bahn-Fachverlag CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schneider, Wilhelm A1 - Schneider, Bettina A1 - Kinder, Stephanie A1 - Meinhardt, Kerstin T1 - Grundbegriffe der Abgabenordnung JF - Das Wirtschaftsstudium : wisu ; Zeitschrift für Ausbildung, Examen, Berufseinstieg und Fortbildung Y1 - 2017 SN - 0340-3084 N1 - Printausgabe in der Bibliothek Eupener Str. unter der Signatur 43 Z 568 VL - 46 IS - 5 SP - 575 EP - 581 PB - Lange CY - Düsseldorf ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Yoshinobu, Tatsuo A1 - Miyamoto, Ko-ichiro A1 - Werner, Frederik A1 - Poghossian, Arshak A1 - Wagner, Torsten A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Light-addressable potentiometric sensors for quantitative spatial imaging of chemical species JF - Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry N2 - A light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) is a semiconductor-based chemical sensor, in which a measurement site on the sensing surface is defined by illumination. This light addressability can be applied to visualize the spatial distribution of pH or the concentration of a specific chemical species, with potential applications in the fields of chemistry, materials science, biology, and medicine. In this review, the features of this chemical imaging sensor technology are compared with those of other technologies. Instrumentation, principles of operation, and various measurement modes of chemical imaging sensor systems are described. The review discusses and summarizes state-of-the-art technologies, especially with regard to the spatial resolution and measurement speed; for example, a high spatial resolution in a submicron range and a readout speed in the range of several tens of thousands of pixels per second have been achieved with the LAPS. The possibility of combining this technology with microfluidic devices and other potential future developments are discussed. Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-anchem-061516-045158 SN - 1936-1327 VL - 10 SP - 225 EP - 246 PB - Annual Reviews CY - Palo Alto, Calif. ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sousa, Marcos A. M. A1 - Siqueira, Jose R. Jr. A1 - Vercik, Andres A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef A1 - Oliveira, Osvaldo N. Jr. T1 - Determining the optimized layer-by-layer film architecture with dendrimer/carbon nanotubes for field-effect sensors JF - IEEE Sensors Journal N2 - The capacitive electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor (EIS) structure is a typical device based on a field-effect sensor platform. With a simple silicon-based structure, EIS have been useful for several sensing applications, especially with incorporation of nanostructured films to modulate the ionic transport and the flat-band potential. In this paper, we report on ion transport and changes in flat-band potential in EIS sensors made with layer-by-layer films containing poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) adsorbed on p-Si/SiO 2 /Ta 2 O 5 chips with an Al ohmic contact. The impedance spectra were fitted using an equivalent circuit model, from which we could determine parameters such as the double-layer capacitance. This capacitance decreased with the number of bilayers owing to space charge accumulated at the electrolyte–insulator interface, up to three PAMAM/SWNTs bilayers, after which it stabilized. The charge-transfer resistance was also minimum for three bilayers, thus indicating that this is the ideal architecture for an optimized EIS performance. The understanding of the influence of nanostructures and the fine control of operation parameters pave the way for optimizing the design and performance of new EIS sensors. Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2017.2653238 SN - 1558-1748 VL - 17 IS - 6 SP - 1735 EP - 1740 PB - IEEE CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Gamella, Maria A1 - Zakharchenko, Andrey A1 - Guz, Nataliia A1 - Masi, Madeline A1 - Minko, Sergiy A1 - Kolpashchikov, Dmitry M. A1 - Iken, Heiko A1 - Poghossian, Arshak A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef A1 - Katz, Evgeny T1 - DNA computing system activated by electrochemically triggered DNA realease from a polymer-brush-modified electrode array JF - Electroanalysis N2 - An array of four independently wired indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes was used for electrochemically stimulated DNA release and activation of DNA-based Identity, AND and XOR logic gates. Single-stranded DNA molecules were loaded on the mixed poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA)/poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) brush covalently attached to the ITO electrodes. The DNA deposition was performed at pH 5.0 when the polymer brush is positively charged due to protonation of tertiary amino groups in PDMAEMA, thus resulting in electrostatic attraction of the negatively charged DNA. By applying electrolysis at −1.0 V(vs. Ag/AgCl reference) electrochemical oxygen reduction resulted in the consumption of hydrogen ions and local pH increase near the electrode surface. The process resulted in recharging the polymer brush to the negative state due to dissociation of carboxylic groups of PMAA, thus repulsing the negatively charged DNA and releasing it from the electrode surface. The DNA release was performed in various combinations from different electrodes in the array assembly. The released DNA operated as input signals for activation of the Boolean logic gates. The developed system represents a step forward in DNA computing, combining for the first time DNA chemical processes with electronic input signals. Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/elan.201600389 SN - 1521-4109 VL - 29 IS - 2 SP - 398 EP - 408 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bronder, Thomas A1 - Poghossian, Arshak A1 - Keusgen, Michael A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Label-free detection of double-stranded DNA molecules with polyelectrolyte-modified capacitive field-effect sensors T1 - Markierungsfreie Detektion doppelsträngiger DNA Moleküle mit Hilfe von Polyelektrolyt-modifizierten kapazitiven Feldeffekt-Sensoren JF - tm - Technisches Messen N2 - In this study, polyelectrolyte-modified field-effect-based electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) devices have been used for the label-free electrical detection of double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA)molecules. The sensor-chip functionalization with a positively charged polyelectrolyte layer provides the possibility of direct adsorptive binding of negatively charged target DNA oligonucleotides onto theSiO2-chip surface.EIS sensors can be utilized as a tool to detect surface-charge changes; the electrostatic adsorption of oligonucleotides onto the polyelectrolyte layer leads to a measureable surface-potential change. Signals of 39mV have been recorded after the incubation with the oligonucleotide solution. Besides the electrochemical experiments, the successful adsorption of dsDNA onto the polyelectrolyte layer has been verified via fluorescence microscopy. The presented results demonstrate that the signal recording of EISchips, which are modified with a polyelectrolyte layer, canbe used as a favorable approach for a fast, cheap and simple detection method for dsDNA. Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/teme-2017-0015 VL - 84 IS - 10 SP - 628 EP - 634 PB - De Gruyter CY - Oldenbourg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Arreola, Julio A1 - Oberländer, Jan A1 - Mätzkow, M. A1 - Keusgen, Michael A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Surface functionalization for spore-based biosensors with organosilanes JF - Electrochimica Acta N2 - In the present work, surface functionalization of different sensor materials was studied. Organosilanes are well known to serve as coupling agent for biomolecules or cells on inorganic materials. 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) was used to attach microbiological spores time to an interdigitated sensor surface. The functionality and physical properties of APTES were studied on isolated sensor materials, namely silicon dioxide (SiO2) and platinum (Pt) as well as the combined material on sensor level. A predominant immobilization of spores could be demonstrated on SiO2 surfaces. Additionally, the impedance signal of APTES-functionalized biosensor chips has been investigated. Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2017.04.157 SN - 0013-4686 VL - 241 SP - 237 EP - 243 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Balzer, Hermann A1 - Streit, Daniel T1 - Das Translationsrisiko multinationaler Konzerne in Deutschland: Eine explorative Analyse von Verständnis, Bedeutung und Management-Praxis mit Hilfe der Critical Incident Technique JF - Schmalenbachs Zeitschrift für betriebswirtschaftliche Forschung Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s41471-017-0029-x SN - 2366-6153 N1 - Arbeitskreis Finanzierung der Schmalenbach-Gesellschaft e.V. IS - Online first SP - 1 EP - 40 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hansen, Volkert W. A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Streckert, Joachim R. T1 - RF Exposure of Biological Systems in Radial Waveguides JF - IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility Y1 - 1999 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/15.809852 SN - 1558-187X VL - 41 IS - 4 SP - 487 EP - 493 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sommer, Angela M. A1 - Streckert, Joachim A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Hansen, Volkert W. A1 - Lerchl, Alexander T1 - No effects of GSM-modulated 900 MHz electromagnetic fields on survival rate and spontaneous development of lymphoma in female AKR/J mice JF - BMC Cancer Y1 - 2004 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-4-77 VL - 77 IS - 4 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ndoumbè Mbonjo Mbonjo, H. A1 - Streckert, J. A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Hansen, V. A1 - Glasmachers, A. A1 - Gencol, S. A1 - Rozic, D. T1 - Generic UMTS test signal for RF bioelectromagnetic studies JF - Bioelectromagnetics Y1 - 2004 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bem.20007 SN - 1521-186X VL - 25 IS - 6 SP - 415 EP - 425 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wissen, M. A1 - Bogdanski, N. A1 - Scheer, H.-C. A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Ahrens, G. A1 - Gruetzner, G. T1 - Implication of the light polarisation for UV curing of pre-patterned resists JF - Microelectronic Engineering Y1 - 2005 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mee.2004.12.099 SN - 0167-9317 VL - 78-79 SP - 659 EP - 664 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Franke, Helmut A1 - Streckert, Joachim A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Goeke, Johannes A1 - Hansen, Volkert A1 - Ringelstein, E. Bernd A1 - Nattkämper, Heiner A1 - Galle, Hans-Joachim A1 - Stögbauer, Florian T1 - Effects of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) electromagnetic fields on the blood-brain barrier in vitro JF - Radiation Research Y1 - 2005 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1667/RR3424.1 SN - 1938-5404 VL - 164 IS - 3 SP - 258 EP - 269 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sukhotina, Irina A1 - Streckert, Joachim R. A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Hansen, Volkert W. A1 - Lerchl, Alexander T1 - 1800 MHz electromagnetic field effects on melatonin release from isolated pineal glands JF - Journal of Pineal Research Y1 - 2006 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-079X.2005.00284.x SN - 1600-079X VL - 40 IS - 1 SP - 86 EP - 91 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sommer, Angela M. A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Streckert, Joachim A1 - Hansen, Volkert W. A1 - Lerchl, Alexander T1 - Lymphoma development in mice chronically exposed to UMTS-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields JF - Radiation Research Y1 - 2007 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1667/RR0857.1 SN - 1938-5404 VL - 168 IS - 1 SP - 72 EP - 80 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Reinhardt, T. A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - El Ouardi, A. A1 - Streckert, J. A1 - Sommer, A. A1 - Lerchl, A. A1 - Hansen, V. T1 - Exposure set-ups for in vivo experiments using radial waveguides JF - Radiation Protection Dosimetry Y1 - 2007 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncm370 SN - 1742-3406 VL - 124 IS - 1 SP - 21 EP - 26 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lerchl, Alexander A1 - Krüger, Heike A1 - Niehaus, Michael A1 - Streckert, Joachim R. A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Hansen, Volkert T1 - Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields at nonthermal SAR values on melatonin and body weight of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) JF - Journal of Pineal Research Y1 - 2008 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-079X.2007.00522.x SN - 1600-079X VL - 44 IS - 3 SP - 267 EP - 272 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Klomp, D. W. J. A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Heerschap, A. A1 - Scheenen, T. W. J. T1 - Proton spectroscopic imaging of the human prostate at 7 T JF - NMR in Biomedicine Y1 - 2009 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/nbm.1360 SN - 1099-1492 VL - 22 IS - 5 SP - 495 EP - 501 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schlamann, M. A1 - Yoon, M.-S. A1 - Maderwald, S. A1 - Pietrzyk, T. A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Gerwig, M. A1 - Forsting, M. A1 - Ladd, S. C. A1 - Ladd, M. E. A1 - Kastrup, O. T1 - Auswirkungen der Magnetresonanztomografie auf die Elektrophysiologie des motorischen Kortex: eine Studie mit transkranieller Magnetstimulation T1 - Effects of MRI on the electrophysiology of the motor cortex: a TMS study JF - RöFo - Fortschritte auf dem Giebiet der Röntgenstrahlen und der bildgebenden Verfahren Y1 - 2009 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0028-1109038 SN - 1438-9029 VL - 181 IS - 3 SP - 215 EP - 219 PB - Thieme CY - Stuttgart ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kraff, Oliver A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Kruszona, Stefan A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Schaefer, Lena C. A1 - Theysohn, Jens M. A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Quick, Harald H. T1 - An eight-channel phased array RF coil for spine MR imaging at 7 T JF - Investigative Radiology Y1 - 2009 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/RLI.0b013e3181b24ab7 SN - 1536-0210 VL - 44 IS - 11 SP - 734 EP - 740 PB - Lippincott Williams & Wilkins ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schlamann, Marc A1 - Yoon, Min-Suk A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Pietrzyk, Thomas A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Gerwig, Marcus A1 - Forsting, Michael A1 - Ladd, Susanne C. A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Kastrup, Oliver T1 - Short term effects of magnetic resonance imaging on excitability of the motor cortex at 1.5T and 7T JF - Academic Radiology N2 - Rationale and Objectives The increasing spread of high-field and ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners has encouraged new discussion of the safety aspects of MRI. Few studies have been published on possible cognitive effects of MRI examinations. The aim of this study was to examine whether changes are measurable after MRI examinations at 1.5 and 7 T by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Materials and Methods TMS was performed in 12 healthy, right-handed male volunteers. First the individual motor threshold was specified, and then the cortical silent period (SP) was measured. Subsequently, the volunteers were exposed to the 1.5-T MRI scanner for 63 minutes using standard sequences. The MRI examination was immediately followed by another TMS session. Fifteen minutes later, TMS was repeated. Four weeks later, the complete setting was repeated using a 7-T scanner. Control conditions included lying in the 1.5-T scanner for 63 minutes without scanning and lying in a separate room for 63 minutes. TMS was performed in the same way in each case. For statistical analysis, Wilcoxon's rank test was performed. Results Immediately after MRI exposure, the SP was highly significantly prolonged in all 12 subjects at 1.5 and 7 T. The motor threshold was significantly increased. Fifteen minutes after the examination, the measured value tended toward normal again. Control conditions revealed no significant differences. Conclusion MRI examinations lead to a transient and highly significant alteration in cortical excitability. This effect does not seem to depend on the strength of the static magnetic field. Y1 - 2010 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2009.10.004 SN - 1076-6332 VL - 17 IS - 3 SP - 277 EP - 281 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Zhou, Yi A1 - El Quardi, Abdessamad A1 - Streckert, Joachim T1 - Occupational Exposure at Mobile Communication Base Station Antenna Sites JF - Frequenz Y1 - 2009 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/FREQ.2009.63.7-8.123 SN - 2191-6349 VL - 63 IS - 7-8 SP - 123 EP - 128 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schlamann, Marc A1 - Voigt, Melanie A. A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Kraff, Oliver A1 - Ladd, Susanne C. A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Forsting, Michael A1 - Wilhelm, Hans T1 - Exposure to high-field MRI does not affect cognitive function JF - Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging N2 - Purpose To assess potential cognitive deficits under the influence of static magnetic fields at various field strengths some studies already exist. These studies were not focused on attention as the most vulnerable cognitive function. Additionally, mostly no magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences were performed. Materials and Methods In all, 25 right-handed men were enrolled in this study. All subjects underwent one MRI examination of 63 minutes at 1.5 T and one at 7 T within an interval of 10 to 30 days. The order of the examinations was randomized. Subjects were referred to six standardized neuropsychological tests strictly focused on attention immediately before and after each MRI examination. Differences in neuropsychological variables between the timepoints before and after each MRI examination were assessed and P-values were calculated Results Only six subtests revealed significant differences between pre- and post-MRI. In these tests the subjects achieved better results in post-MRI testing than in pre-MRI testing (P = 0.013–0.032). The other tests revealed no significant results. Conclusion The improvement in post-MRI testing is only explicable as a result of learning effects. MRI examinations, even in ultrahigh-field scanners, do not seem to have any persisting influence on the attention networks of human cognition immediately after exposure. Y1 - 2010 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmri.22065 SN - 1522-2586 VL - 31 IS - 5 SP - 1061 EP - 1066 PB - Wiley-Liss CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - El Quardi, A. A1 - Streckert, J. A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Münkner, S. A1 - Engel, J. A1 - Hansen, V. T1 - New fin-line devices for radiofrequency exposure of small biological samples in vitro allowing whole-cell patch clamp recordings JF - Bioelectromagnetics N2 - The development and analysis of three waveguides for the exposure of small biological in vitro samples to mobile communication signals at 900 MHz (GSM, Global System for Mobile Communications), 1.8 GHz (GSM), and 2 GHz (UMTS, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) is presented. The waveguides were based on a fin-line concept and the chamber containing the samples bathed in extracellular solution was placed onto two fins with a slot in between, where the exposure field concentrates. Measures were taken to allow for patch clamp recordings during radiofrequency (RF) exposure. The necessary power for the achievement of the maximum desired specific absorption rate (SAR) of 20 W/kg (average over the mass of the solution) was approximately Pin = 50 mW, Pin = 19 mW, and Pin = 18 mW for the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2 GHz devices, respectively. At 20 W/kg, a slight RF-induced temperature elevation in the solution of no more than 0.3 °C was detected, while no thermal offsets due to the electromagnetic exposure could be detected at the lower SAR settings (2, 0.2, and 0.02 W/kg). A deviation of 10% from the intended solution volume yielded a calculated SAR deviation of 8% from the desired value. A maximum ±10% variation in the local SAR could occur when the position of the patch clamp electrode was altered within the area where the cells to be investigated were located. Y1 - 2011 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bem.20621 SN - 1521-186X VL - 32 IS - 2 SP - 102 EP - 112 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kraff, Oliver A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Breyer, Tobias A1 - Kruszona, Stefan A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Brote, Irina A1 - Gizewski, Elke R. A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Quick, Harald H. T1 - A transmit/receive radiofrequency array for imaging the carotid arteries at 7 Tesla: coil design and first in vivo results JF - Investigative Radiology N2 - Objective: To develop a transmit/receive radiofrequency (RF) array for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the carotid arteries at 7 T. The prototype is characterized in numerical simulations and bench measurements, and the feasibility of plaque imaging at 7 T is demonstrated in first in vivo images. Materials and Methods: The RF phased array coil consists of 8 surface loop coils. To allow imaging of both sides of the neck, the RF array is divided into 2 coil clusters, each with 4 overlapping loop elements. For safety validation, numerical computations of the RF field distribution and the corresponding specific absorption rate were performed on the basis of a heterogeneous human body model. To validate the coil model, maps of the transmit B1+ field were compared between simulation and measurement. In vivo images of a healthy volunteer and a patient (ulcerating plaque and a 50% stenosis of the right internal carotid artery) were acquired using a 3-dimensional FLASH sequence with a high isotropic spatial resolution of 0.54 mm as well as using pulse-triggered proton density (PD)/T2-weighted turbo spin echo sequences. Results: Measurements of the S-parameters yielded a reflection and isolation of the coil elements of better than −18 and −13 dB, respectively. Measurements of the g-factor indicated good image quality for parallel imaging acceleration factors up to 2.4. A similar distribution and a very good match of the absolute values were found between the measured and simulated B1+ transmit RF field for the validation of the coil model. In vivo images revealed good signal excitation of both sides of the neck and a high vessel-to-background image contrast for the noncontrast-enhanced 3-dimensional FLASH sequence. Imaging at 7 T could depict the extent of stenosis, and revealed the disruption and ulcer of the plaque. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that 2 four-channel transmit/receive RF arrays for each side of the neck is a suitable concept for in vivo MRI of the carotid arteries at 7 Tesla. Further studies are needed to explore and exploit the full potential of 7 T high-field MRI for carotid atherosclerotic plaque imaging. Y1 - 2011 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/RLI.0b013e318206cee4 SN - 1536-0210 VL - 46 IS - 4 SP - 246 EP - 254 PB - Wolters Kluwer CY - Köln ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ciritsis, Alexander A1 - Horbach, Andreas A1 - Staat, Manfred A1 - Kuhl, Christiane K. A1 - Kraemer, Nils Andreas T1 - Porosity and tissue integration of elastic mesh implants evaluated in vitro and in vivo JF - Journal of Biomedical Materials Research: Part B: Applied Biomaterials N2 - Purpose In vivo, a loss of mesh porosity triggers scar tissue formation and restricts functionality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the properties and configuration changes as mesh deformation and mesh shrinkage of a soft mesh implant compared with a conventional stiff mesh implant in vitro and in a porcine model. Material and Methods Tensile tests and digital image correlation were used to determine the textile porosity for both mesh types in vitro. A group of three pigs each were treated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visible conventional stiff polyvinylidene fluoride meshes (PVDF) or with soft thermoplastic polyurethane meshes (TPU) (FEG Textiltechnik mbH, Aachen, Germany), respectively. MRI was performed with a pneumoperitoneum at a pressure of 0 and 15 mmHg, which resulted in bulging of the abdomen. The mesh-induced signal voids were semiautomatically segmented and the mesh areas were determined. With the deformations assessed in both mesh types at both pressure conditions, the porosity change of the meshes after 8 weeks of ingrowth was calculated as an indicator of preserved elastic properties. The explanted specimens were examined histologically for the maturity of the scar (collagen I/III ratio). Results In TPU, the in vitro porosity increased constantly, in PVDF, a loss of porosity was observed under mild stresses. In vivo, the mean mesh areas of TPU were 206.8 cm2 (± 5.7 cm2) at 0 mmHg pneumoperitoneum and 274.6 cm2 (± 5.2 cm2) at 15 mmHg; for PVDF the mean areas were 205.5 cm2 (± 8.8 cm2) and 221.5 cm2 (± 11.8 cm2), respectively. The pneumoperitoneum-induced pressure increase resulted in a calculated porosity increase of 8.4% for TPU and of 1.2% for PVDF. The mean collagen I/III ratio was 8.7 (± 0.5) for TPU and 4.7 (± 0.7) for PVDF. Conclusion The elastic properties of TPU mesh implants result in improved tissue integration compared to conventional PVDF meshes, and they adapt more efficiently to the abdominal wall. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 827–833, 2018. Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.33877 SN - 1552-4981 VL - 106 IS - 2 SP - 827 EP - 833 PB - Wiley CY - New York, NY ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kraff, Oliver A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Dammann, Philipp A1 - Ladd, Susanne C. A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Quick, Harald H. T1 - An eight-channel transmit/receive multipurpose coil for musculoskeletal MR imaging at 7 T JF - Medical Physics N2 - Purpose: MRI plays a leading diagnostic role in assessing the musculoskeletal (MSK) system and is well established for most questions at clinically used field strengths (up to 3 T). However, there are still limitations in imaging early stages of cartilage degeneration, very fine tendons and ligaments, or in locating nerve lesions, for example. 7 T MRI of the knee has already received increasing attention in the current published literature, but there is a strong need to develop new radiofrequency (RF) coils to assess more regions of the MSK system. In this work, an eight-channel transmit/receive RF array was built as a multipurpose coil for imaging some of the thus far neglected regions. An extensive coil characterization protocol and first in vivo results of the human wrist, shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle imaged at 7 T will be presented. Methods: Eight surface loop coils with a dimension ofurn:x-wiley:00942405:media:mp7176:mp7176-math-0001 were machined from FR4 circuit board material. To facilitate easy positioning, two coil clusters, each with four loop elements, were combined to one RF transmit/receive array. An overlapped and shifted arrangement of the coil elements was chosen to reduce the mutual inductance between neighboring coils. A phantom made of body-simulating liquid was used for tuning and matching on the bench. Afterward, the S-parameters were verified on a human wrist, elbow, and shoulder. For safety validation, a detailed compliance test was performed including full wave simulations of the RF field distribution and the corresponding specific absorption rate (SAR) for all joints. In vivo images of four volunteers were assessed with gradient echo and spin echo sequences modified to obtain optimal image contrast, full anatomic coverage, and the highest spatial resolution within a reasonable acquisition time. The performance of the RF coil was additionally evaluated by in vivo B1 mapping. Results: A comparison of B1 per unit power, flip angle distribution, and anatomic images showed a fairly homogeneous excitation for the smaller joints (elbow, wrist, and ankle), while for the larger joints, the shoulder and especially the knee, B1 inhomogeneities and limited penetration depth were more pronounced. However, the greater part of the shoulder joint could be imaged.In vivo images rendered very fine anatomic details such as fascicles of the median nerve and the branching of the nerve bundles. High-resolution images of cartilage, labrum, and tendons could be acquired. Additionally, turbo spin echo (TSE) and inversion recovery sequences performed very well. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the concept of two four-channel transmit/receive RF arrays can be used as a multipurpose coil for high-resolutionin vivo MR imaging of the musculoskeletal system at 7 T. Not only gradient echo but also typical clinical and SAR-intensive sequences such as STIR and TSE performed well. Imaging of small structures and peripheral nerves could in particular benefit from this technique. Y1 - 2010 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.3517176 SN - 2473-4209 VL - 37 IS - 12 SP - 6368 EP - 6376 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken, NJ ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Schäfer, Lena C. A1 - Ladd, Susanne C. A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Maderwald, Stefan T1 - Open design eight-channel transmit/receive coil for high-resolution and real-time ankle imaging at 7 T JF - Medical Physics N2 - Purpose: At 1.5 T, real-time MRI of joint movement has been shown to be feasible. However, 7 T, provides higher SNR and thus an improved potential for parallel imaging acceleration. The purpose of this work was to build an open, U-shaped eight-channel transmit/receive microstrip coil for 7 T MRI to enable high-resolution and real-time imaging of the moving ankle joint. Methods: A U-shaped eight-channel transmit/receive array for the human ankle was built.urn:x-wiley:00942405:mp3399:equation:mp3399-math-0001-parameters and urn:x-wiley:00942405:mp3399:equation:mp3399-math-0002-factor were measured. SAR calculations of different ankle postures were performed to ensure patient safety. Inhomogeneities in the transmit field consequent to the open design were compensated for by the use of static RF shimming. High-resolution and real-time imaging was performed in human volunteers. Results: The presented array showed good performance with regard to patient comfort and image quality. High acceleration factors of up to 4 are feasible without visible acceleration artifacts. Reasonable image homogeneity was achieved with RF shimming. Conclusions: Open, noncylindrical designs for transmit/receive coils are practical at 7 T and real-time imaging of the moving joint is feasible with the presented coil design. Y1 - 2011 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.3553399 SN - 2473-4209 VL - 38 IS - 3 SP - 1162 EP - 1167 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Prochnow, Nora A1 - Gebing, Tina A1 - Ladage, Kerstin A1 - Krause-Finkeldey, Dorothee A1 - Ourdi, Abessamad El A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Streckert, Joachim A1 - Hansen, Volkert A1 - Dermietzel, Rolf T1 - Electromagnetic field effect or simply stress? Effects of UMTS exposure on hippocampal longterm plasticity in the context of procedure related hormone release JF - PLoS one N2 - Harmful effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on cognitive and behavioural features of humans and rodents have been controversially discussed and raised persistent concern about adverse effects of EMF on general brain functions. In the present study we applied radio-frequency (RF) signals of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) to full brain exposed male Wistar rats in order to elaborate putative influences on stress hormone release (corticosteron; CORT and adrenocorticotropic hormone; ACTH) and on hippocampal derived synaptic long-term plasticity (LTP) and depression (LTD) as electrophysiological hallmarks for memory storage and memory consolidation. Exposure was computer controlled providing blind conditions. Nominal brain-averaged specific absorption rates (SAR) as a measure of applied mass-related dissipated RF power were 0, 2, and 10 W/kg over a period of 120 min. Comparison of cage exposed animals revealed, regardless of EMF exposure, significantly increased CORT and ACTH levels which corresponded with generally decreased field potential slopes and amplitudes in hippocampal LTP and LTD. Animals following SAR exposure of 2 W/kg (averaged over the whole brain of 2.3 g tissue mass) did not differ from the sham-exposed group in LTP and LTD experiments. In contrast, a significant reduction in LTP and LTD was observed at the high power rate of SAR (10 W/kg). The results demonstrate that a rate of 2 W/kg displays no adverse impact on LTP and LTD, while 10 W/kg leads to significant effects on the electrophysiological parameters, which can be clearly distinguished from the stress derived background. Our findings suggest that UMTS exposure with SAR in the range of 2 W/kg is not harmful to critical markers for memory storage and memory consolidation, however, an influence of UMTS at high energy absorption rates (10 W/kg) cannot be excluded. Y1 - 2011 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0019437 VL - 6 IS - 5 PB - PLOS CY - San Francisco ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Yazdanbakhsh, Pedram A1 - Solbach, Klaus A1 - Bitz, Andreas T1 - Variable power combiner for RF mode shimming in 7-T MR imaging JF - IEEE Transaction on Biomedical Engineering N2 - This contribution discusses the utilization of RF power in an MRI system with RF mode shimming which enables the superposition of circularly polarized modes of a transmit RF coil array driven by a Butler matrix. Since the required power for the individual modes can vary widely, mode-shimming can result in a significant underutilization of the total available RF power. A variable power combiner (VPC) is proposed to improve the power utilization: it can be realized as a reconfiguration of the MRI transmit system by the inclusion of one additional matrix network which receives the power from all transmit amplifiers at its input ports and provides any desired (combined) power distribution at its output ports by controlling the phase and amplitude of the amplifiers’ input signals. The power distribution at the output ports of the VPC is then fed into the “mode” ports of the coil array Butler matrix in order to superimpose the spatial modes at the highest achievable power utilization. The VPC configuration is compared to the standard configuration of the transmit chain of our MRI system with 8 transmit channels and 16 coils. In realistic scenarios, improved power utilization was achieved from 17% to 60% and from 14% to 55% for an elliptical phantom and a region of interest in the abdomen, respectively, and an increase of the power utilization of 1 dB for a region of interest in the upper leg. In general, it is found that the VPC allows significant improvement in power utilization when the shimming solution demands only a few modes to be energized, while the technique can yield loss in power utilization in cases with many modes required at high power level. Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2012.2205926 SN - 1558-2531 VL - 59 IS - 9 SP - 2549 EP - 2557 PB - IEEE CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Umutlu, Lale A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Kinner, Sonja A1 - Kraff, Oliver A1 - Brote, Irina A1 - Ladd, Susanne C. A1 - Schroeder, Tobias A1 - Forsting, Michael T1 - Contrast-enhanced ultra-high-field liver MRI: a feasibility trial JF - European Journal of Radiology Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2011.07.004 SN - 0720-048X VL - 82 IS - 5 SP - 760 EP - 767 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Finger, Felix T1 - Senkrechtstarter: FH-Absolvent wird für Transportdrohne ausgezeichnet JF - campushunter: das etwas andere Karrieremagazin - Wintersemester 16/17 Y1 - 2016 SN - 2196-9426 IS - 17. Regionalausgabe Aachen SP - 116 EP - 117 PB - Campushunter Media CY - Heidelberg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Poser, Benedikt Andreas A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Quick, Harald H. A1 - Ladd, Mark E. T1 - RF excitation using time interleaved acquisition of modes (TIAMO) to address B1 inhomogeneity in high-field MRI JF - Magnetic Resonance in Medicine N2 - As the field strength and, therefore, the operational frequency in MRI is increased, the wavelength approaches the size of the human head/body, resulting in wave effects, which cause signal decreases and dropouts. Several multichannel approaches have been proposed to try to tackle these problems, including RF shimming, where each element in an array is driven by its own amplifier and modulated with a certain (constant) amplitude and phase relative to the other elements, and Transmit SENSE, where spatially tailored RF pulses are used. In this article, a relatively inexpensive and easy to use imaging scheme for 7 Tesla imaging is proposed to mitigate signal voids due to B1 field inhomogeneity. Two time-interleaved images are acquired using a different excitation mode for each. By forming virtual receive elements, both images are reconstructed together using GRAPPA to achieve a more homogeneous image, with only small SNR and SAR penalty in head and body imaging at 7 Tesla. Y1 - 2010 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrm.22527 SN - 1522-2594 VL - 64 IS - 2 SP - 327 EP - 333 PB - Wiley-Liss CY - New York ER -