TY - JOUR A1 - Jildeh, Zaid B. A1 - Oberländer, Jan A1 - Kirchner, Patrick A1 - Keusgen, Michael A1 - Wagner, Patrick H. A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Experimental and Numerical Analyzes of a Sensor Based on Interdigitated Electrodes for Studying Microbiological Alterations JF - physica status solidi (a): applications and materials science N2 - In this work, a cell-based biosensor to evaluate the sterilization efficacy of hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization processes is characterized. The transducer of the biosensor is based on interdigitated gold electrodes fabricated on an inert glass substrate. Impedance spectroscopy is applied to evaluate the sensor behavior and the alteration of test microorganisms due to the sterilization process. These alterations are related to changes in relative permittivity and electrical conductivity of the bacterial spores. Sensor measurements are conducted with and without bacterial spores (Bacillus atrophaeus), as well as after an industrial sterilization protocol. Equivalent two-dimensional numerical models based on finite element method of the periodic finger structures of the interdigitated gold electrodes are designed and validated using COMSOL® Multiphysics software by the application of known dielectric properties. The validated models are used to compute the electrical properties at different sensor states (blank, loaded with spores, and after sterilization). As a final result, we will derive and tabulate the frequency-dependent electrical parameters of the spore layer using a novel model that combines experimental data with numerical optimization techniques. Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pssa.201700920 SN - 1862-6319 VL - 215 IS - 15 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Vahidpour, Farnoosh A1 - Oberländer, Jan A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Flexible Calorimetric Gas Sensors for Detection of a Broad Concentration Range of Gaseous Hydrogen Peroxide: A Step Forward to Online Monitoring of Food-Package Sterilization Processes JF - Phys. Status Solidi A N2 - In this study, flexible calorimetric gas sensors are developed for specificdetection of gaseous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) over a wide concentrationrange, which is used in sterilization processes for aseptic packaging industry.The flexibility of these sensors is an advantage for identifying the chemical components of the sterilant on the corners of the food boxes, so-called “coldspots”, as critical locations in aseptic packaging, which are of great importance. These sensors are fabricated on flexible polyimide films by means of thin-film technique. Thin layers of titanium and platinum have been deposited on polyimide to define the conductive structures of the sensors. To detect the high-temperature evaporated H₂O₂, a differential temperature set-up is proposed. The sensors are evaluated in a laboratory-scaled sterilizationsystem to simulate the sterilization process. The concentration range of the evaporated H₂O₂ from 0 to 7.7% v/v was defined and the sensors have successfully detected high as well as low H₂O₂ concentrations with a sensitivity of 5.04 °C/% v/v. The characterizations of the sensors confirm their precise fabrication, high sensitivity and the novelty of low H₂O₂ concentration detections for future inline monitoring of food-package sterilization. Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pssa.201800044 VL - 215 IS - 15 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Jildeh, Zaid B. A1 - Oberländer, Jan A1 - Kirchner, Patrick A1 - Wagner, Patrick H. A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Thermocatalytic Behavior of Manganese (IV) Oxide as Nanoporous Material on the Dissociation of a Gas Mixture Containing Hydrogen Peroxide JF - Nanomaterials N2 - In this article, we present an overview on the thermocatalytic reaction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) gas on a manganese (IV) oxide (MnO₂) catalytic structure. The principle of operation and manufacturing techniques are introduced for a calorimetric H₂O₂ gas sensor based on porous MnO₂. Results from surface analyses by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the catalytic material provide indication of the H₂O₂ dissociation reaction schemes. The correlation between theory and the experiments is documented in numerical models of the catalytic reaction. The aim of the numerical models is to provide further information on the reaction kinetics and performance enhancement of the porous MnO₂ catalyst. Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nano8040262 SN - 2079-4991 VL - 8 IS - 4 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Oberländer, Jan A1 - Mayer, Marlena A1 - Greeff, Anton A1 - Keusgen, Michael A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Spore-based biosensor to monitor the microbicidal efficacy of gaseous hydrogen peroxide sterilization processes JF - Biosensors and Bioelectronics N2 - In this work, a spore-based biosensor is evaluated to monitor the microbicidal efficacy of sterilization processes applying gaseous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The sensor is based on interdigitated electrode structures (IDEs) that have been fabricated by means of thin-film technologies. Impedimetric measurements are applied to study the effect of sterilization process on spores of Bacillus atrophaeus. This resilient microorganism is commonly used in industry to proof the sterilization efficiency. The sensor measurements are accompanied by conventional microbiological challenge tests, as well as morphological characterizations with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The sensor measurements are correlated with the microbiological test routines. In both methods, namely the sensor-based and microbiological one, a tailing effect has been observed. The results are evaluated and discussed in a three-dimensional calibration plot demonstrating the sensor's suitability to enable a rapid process decision in terms of a successfully performed sterilization. Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2017.12.045 SN - 0956-5663 VL - 104 SP - 87 EP - 94 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER -