TY - JOUR A1 - Eckert, Alexander A1 - Abbasi, Mozhdeh A1 - Mang, Thomas A1 - Saalwächter, Kay A1 - Walther, Andreas T1 - Structure, Mechanical Properties, and Dynamics of Polyethylenoxide/Nanoclay Nacre-Mimetic Nanocomposites JF - Macromolecules N2 - Nacre-mimetic nanocomposites based on high fractions of synthetic high-aspect-ratio nanoclays in combination with polymers are continuously pushing boundaries for advanced material properties, such as high barrier against oxygen, extraordinary mechanical behavior, fire shielding, and glass-like transparency. Additionally, they provide interesting model systems to study polymers under nanoconfinement due to the well-defined layered nanocomposite arrangement. Although the general behavior in terms of forming such layered nanocomposite materials using evaporative self-assembly and controlling the nanoclay gallery spacing by the nanoclay/polymer ratio is understood, some combinations of polymer matrices and nanoclay reinforcement do not comply with the established models. Here, we demonstrate a thorough characterization and analysis of such an unusual polymer/nanoclay pair that falls outside of the general behavior. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and sodium fluorohectorite form nacre-mimetic, lamellar nanocomposites that are completely transparent and show high mechanical stiffness and high gas barrier, but there is only limited expansion of the nanoclay gallery spacing when adding increasing amounts of polymer. This behavior is maintained for molecular weights of PEO varied over four orders of magnitude and can be traced back to depletion forces. By careful investigation via X-ray diffraction and proton low-resolution solid-state NMR, we are able to quantify the amount of mobile and immobilized polymer species in between the nanoclay galleries and around proposed tactoid stacks embedded in a PEO matrix. We further elucidate the unusual confined polymer dynamics, indicating a relevant role of specific surface interactions. Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.9b01931 SN - 1520-5835 VL - 53 IS - 5 SP - 1716 EP - 1725 PB - ACS Publications CY - Washington, DC ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lowis, Carsten A1 - Ferguson, Simon A1 - Paulßen, Elisabeth A1 - Hoehr, Cornelia T1 - Improved Sc-44 production in a siphon-style liquid target on a medical cyclotron JF - Applied Radiation and Isotopes Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109675 SN - 0969-8043 VL - 172 IS - Art. 109675 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Monakhova, Yulia A1 - Diehl, Bernd W.K. T1 - Novel approach of qNMR workflow by standardization using 2H integral: Application to any intrinsic calibration standard JF - Talanta N2 - Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) is routinely performed by the internal or external standardization. The manuscript describes a simple alternative to these common workflows by using NMR signal of another active nuclei of calibration compound. For example, for any arbitrary compound quantification by NMR can be based on the use of an indirect concentration referencing that relies on a solvent having both 1H and 2H signals. To perform high-quality quantification, the deuteration level of the utilized deuterated solvent has to be estimated. In this contribution the new method was applied to the determination of deuteration levels in different deuterated solvents (MeOD, ACN, CDCl3, acetone, benzene, DMSO-d6). Isopropanol-d6, which contains a defined number of deuterons and protons, was used for standardization. Validation characteristics (precision, accuracy, robustness) were calculated and the results showed that the method can be used in routine practice. Uncertainty budget was also evaluated. In general, this novel approach, using standardization by 2H integral, benefits from reduced sample preparation steps and uncertainties, and can be applied in different application areas (purity determination, forensics, pharmaceutical analysis, etc.). KW - qNMR KW - Deuterium NMR KW - Deuterated solvents KW - Standardization Y1 - 2021 SN - 0039-9140 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121504 VL - 222 IS - Article number: 121504 PB - Elsevier ER - TY - RPRT A1 - Tippkötter, Nils T1 - TreBec - Herstellung eines Mehrwegbechers aus Treber : Sachbericht zum Verwendungsnachweis N2 - Laufzeit des Vorhabens und Berichtszeitraum: 01.10.2020-30.09.2021 Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.2314/KXP:1858723302 N1 - Förderkennzeichen BMBF 031B1037 PB - FH Aachen CY - Jülich ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Becht, Alexander A1 - Schollmayer, Curd A1 - Monakhova, Yulia A1 - Holzgrabe, Ulrike T1 - Tracing the origin of paracetamol tablets by near-infrared, mid-infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy using principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis JF - Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry N2 - Most drugs are no longer produced in their own countries by the pharmaceutical companies, but by contract manufacturers or at manufacturing sites in countries that can produce more cheaply. This not only makes it difficult to trace them back but also leaves room for criminal organizations to fake them unnoticed. For these reasons, it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine the exact origin of drugs. The goal of this work was to investigate how exactly this is possible by using different spectroscopic methods like nuclear magnetic resonance and near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy in combination with multivariate data analysis. As an example, 56 out of 64 different paracetamol preparations, collected from 19 countries around the world, were chosen to investigate whether it is possible to determine the pharmaceutical company, manufacturing site, or country of origin. By means of suitable pre-processing of the spectra and the different information contained in each method, principal component analysis was able to evaluate manufacturing relationships between individual companies and to differentiate between production sites or formulations. Linear discriminant analysis showed different results depending on the spectral method and purpose. For all spectroscopic methods, it was found that the classification of the preparations to their manufacturer achieves better results than the classification to their pharmaceutical company. The best results were obtained with nuclear magnetic resonance and near-infrared data, with 94.6%/99.6% and 98.7/100% of the spectra of the preparations correctly assigned to their pharmaceutical company or manufacturer. KW - IR KW - Manufacturer KW - Linear discriminant analysis KW - Principal component analysis Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-021-03249-z SN - 1618-2650 VL - 413 SP - 3107 EP - 3118 PB - Springer Nature ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bergs, Michel A1 - Monakhova, Yulia A1 - Diehl, Bernd W. A1 - Konow, Christopher A1 - Völkering, Georg A1 - Pude, Ralf A1 - Schulze, Margit T1 - Lignins isolated via catalyst-free organosolv pulping from Miscanthus x giganteus, M. sinensis, M. robustus and M. nagara: a comparative study JF - Molecules N2 - As a low-input crop, Miscanthus offers numerous advantages that, in addition to agricultural applications, permits its exploitation for energy, fuel, and material production. Depending on the Miscanthus genotype, season, and harvest time as well as plant component (leaf versus stem), correlations between structure and properties of the corresponding isolated lignins differ. Here, a comparative study is presented between lignins isolated from M. x giganteus, M. sinensis, M. robustus and M. nagara using a catalyst-free organosolv pulping process. The lignins from different plant constituents are also compared regarding their similarities and differences regarding monolignol ratio and important linkages. Results showed that the plant genotype has the weakest influence on monolignol content and interunit linkages. In contrast, structural differences are more significant among lignins of different harvest time and/or season. Analyses were performed using fast and simple methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Data was assigned to four different linkages (A: β-O-4 linkage, B: phenylcoumaran, C: resinol, D: β-unsaturated ester). In conclusion, A content is particularly high in leaf-derived lignins at just under 70% and significantly lower in stem and mixture lignins at around 60% and almost 65%. The second most common linkage pattern is D in all isolated lignins, the proportion of which is also strongly dependent on the crop portion. Both stem and mixture lignins, have a relatively high share of approximately 20% or more (maximum is M. sinensis Sin2 with over 30%). In the leaf-derived lignins, the proportions are significantly lower on average. Stem samples should be chosen if the highest possible lignin content is desired, specifically from the M. x giganteus genotype, which revealed lignin contents up to 27%. Due to the better frost resistance and higher stem stability, M. nagara offers some advantages compared to M. x giganteus. Miscanthus crops are shown to be very attractive lignocellulose feedstock (LCF) for second generation biorefineries and lignin generation in Europe. Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26040842 SN - 1420-3049 N1 - Special Issue Lignin – A Natural Resource with Huge Potential https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/special_issues/lignin_natural VL - 26 IS - 4 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Burger, René A1 - Rumpf, Jessica A1 - Do, Xuan Tung A1 - Monakhova, Yulia A1 - Diehl, Bernd W. K. A1 - Rehahn, Matthias A1 - Schulze, Margit T1 - Is NMR combined with multivariate regression applicable for the molecular weight determination of randomly cross-linked polymers such as lignin? JF - ACS Omega N2 - The molecular weight properties of lignins are one of the key elements that need to be analyzed for a successful industrial application of these promising biopolymers. In this study, the use of 1H NMR as well as diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY NMR), combined with multivariate regression methods, was investigated for the determination of the molecular weight (Mw and Mn) and the polydispersity of organosolv lignins (n = 53, Miscanthus x giganteus, Paulownia tomentosa, and Silphium perfoliatum). The suitability of the models was demonstrated by cross validation (CV) as well as by an independent validation set of samples from different biomass origins (beech wood and wheat straw). CV errors of ca. 7–9 and 14–16% were achieved for all parameters with the models from the 1H NMR spectra and the DOSY NMR data, respectively. The prediction errors for the validation samples were in a similar range for the partial least squares model from the 1H NMR data and for a multiple linear regression using the DOSY NMR data. The results indicate the usefulness of NMR measurements combined with multivariate regression methods as a potential alternative to more time-consuming methods such as gel permeation chromatography. Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c03574 SN - 2470-1343 VL - 6 IS - 44 SP - 29516 EP - 29524 PB - ACS Publications CY - Washington, DC ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Monakhova, Yulia A1 - Diehl, Bernd W. K. T1 - Simplification of NMR Workflows by Standardization Using 2H Integral of Deuterated Solvent as Applied to Aloe vera Preparations JF - Applied Magnetic Resonance N2 - In this study, a recently proposed NMR standardization approach by 2H integral of deuterated solvent for quantitative multicomponent analysis of complex mixtures is presented. As a proof of principle, the existing NMR routine for the analysis of Aloe vera products was modified. Instead of using absolute integrals of targeted compounds and internal standard (nicotinamide) from 1H-NMR spectra, quantification was performed based on the ratio of a particular 1H-NMR compound integral and 2H-NMR signal of deuterated solvent D2O. Validation characteristics (linearity, repeatability, accuracy) were evaluated and the results showed that the method has the same precision as internal standardization in case of multicomponent screening. Moreover, a dehydration process by freeze drying is not necessary for the new routine. Now, our NMR profiling of A. vera products needs only limited sample preparation and data processing. The new standardization methodology provides an appealing alternative for multicomponent NMR screening. In general, this novel approach, using standardization by 2H integral, benefits from reduced sample preparation steps and uncertainties, and is recommended in different application areas (purity determination, forensics, pharmaceutical analysis, etc.). Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00723-021-01393-4 SN - 1613-7507 VL - 52 IS - 11 SP - 1591 EP - 1600 PB - Springer CY - Cham ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Burmistrova, Natalia A. A1 - Soboleva, Polina M. A1 - Monakhova, Yulia T1 - Is infrared spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis a promising tool for heparin authentication? JF - Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis N2 - The investigation of the possibility to determine various characteristics of powder heparin (n = 115) was carried out with infrared spectroscopy. The evaluation of heparin samples included several parameters such as purity grade, distributing company, animal source as well as heparin species (i.e. Na-heparin, Ca-heparin, and heparinoids). Multivariate analysis using principal component analysis (PCA), soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA), and partial least squares – discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were applied for the modelling of spectral data. Different pre-processing methods were applied to IR spectral data; multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) was chosen as the most relevant. Obtained results were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Good predictive ability of this approach demonstrates the potential of IR spectroscopy and chemometrics for screening of heparin quality. This approach, however, is designed as a screening tool and is not considered as a replacement for either of the methods required by USP and FDA. KW - IR spectroscopy KW - Heparin KW - Authenticity KW - Principal component analysis KW - Soft independent modeling of class analogy Y1 - 2021 SN - 0731-7085 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2020.113811 VL - 194 IS - Article number: 113811 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Welden, Rene A1 - Jablonski, Melanie A1 - Wege, Christina A1 - Keusgen, Michael A1 - Wagner, Patrick Hermann A1 - Wagner, Torsten A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Light-Addressable Actuator-Sensor Platform for Monitoring and Manipulation of pH Gradients in Microfluidics: A Case Study with the Enzyme Penicillinase JF - Biosensors N2 - The feasibility of light-addressed detection and manipulation of pH gradients inside an electrochemical microfluidic cell was studied. Local pH changes, induced by a light-addressable electrode (LAE), were detected using a light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) with different measurement modes representing an actuator-sensor system. Biosensor functionality was examined depending on locally induced pH gradients with the help of the model enzyme penicillinase, which had been immobilized in the microfluidic channel. The surface morphology of the LAE and enzyme-functionalized LAPS was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the penicillin sensitivity of the LAPS inside the microfluidic channel was determined with regard to the analyte’s pH influence on the enzymatic reaction rate. In a final experiment, the LAE-controlled pH inhibition of the enzyme activity was monitored by the LAPS. KW - microfluidics KW - enzyme kinetics KW - actuator-sensor system KW - light-addressable electrode KW - light-addressable potentiometric sensor Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/bios11060171 SN - 2079-6374 N1 - This article belongs to the Special Issue "Selected Papers from the 1st International Electronic Conference on Biosensors (IECB 2020)" VL - 11 IS - 6 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - BOOK A1 - Lauth, Jakob T1 - Physikalische Chemie kompakt KW - Physikalische Chemie Y1 - 2022 SN - 978-3-662-64587-1 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-64588-8 PB - Springer Spektrum CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Monakhova, Yulia A1 - Diehl, Bernd W.K. T1 - Multinuclear NMR screening of pharmaceuticals using standardization by 2H integral of a deuterated solvent JF - Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis N2 - NMR standardization approach that uses the 2H integral of deuterated solvent for quantitative multinuclear analysis of pharmaceuticals is described. As a proof of principle, the existing NMR procedure for the analysis of heparin products according to US Pharmacopeia monograph is extended to the determination of Na+ and Cl- content in this matrix. Quantification is performed based on the ratio of a 23Na (35Cl) NMR integral and 2H NMR signal of deuterated solvent, D2O, acquired using the specific spectrometer hardware. As an alternative, the possibility of 133Cs standardization using the addition of Cs2CO3 stock solution is shown. Validation characteristics (linearity, repeatability, sensitivity) are evaluated. A holistic NMR profiling of heparin products can now also be used for the quantitative determination of inorganic compounds in a single analytical run using a single sample. In general, the new standardization methodology provides an appealing alternative for the NMR screening of inorganic and organic components in pharmaceutical products. KW - NMR spectroscopy KW - Inorganic ions KW - Heparin KW - Standardization Y1 - 2022 SN - 0731-7085 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2021.114530 VL - 209 IS - Article number: 114530 PB - Elsevier ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Welden, Melanie A1 - Poghossian, Arshak A1 - Vahidpour, Farnoosh A1 - Wendlandt, Tim A1 - Keusgen, Michael A1 - Wege, Christina A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Towards multi-analyte detection with field-effect capacitors modified with tobacco mosaic virus bioparticles as enzyme nanocarriers JF - Biosensors N2 - Utilizing an appropriate enzyme immobilization strategy is crucial for designing enzyme-based biosensors. Plant virus-like particles represent ideal nanoscaffolds for an extremely dense and precise immobilization of enzymes, due to their regular shape, high surface-to-volume ratio and high density of surface binding sites. In the present work, tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) particles were applied for the co-immobilization of penicillinase and urease onto the gate surface of a field-effect electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor capacitor (EISCAP) with a p-Si-SiO₂-Ta₂O₅ layer structure for the sequential detection of penicillin and urea. The TMV-assisted bi-enzyme EISCAP biosensor exhibited a high urea and penicillin sensitivity of 54 and 85 mV/dec, respectively, in the concentration range of 0.1–3 mM. For comparison, the characteristics of single-enzyme EISCAP biosensors modified with TMV particles immobilized with either penicillinase or urease were also investigated. The surface morphology of the TMV-modified Ta₂O₅-gate was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the bi-enzyme EISCAP was applied to mimic an XOR (Exclusive OR) enzyme logic gate. KW - urease KW - enzyme-logic gate KW - bi-enzyme biosensor KW - capacitive field-effect sensor KW - tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) KW - penicillinase Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12010043 SN - 2079-6374 N1 - This article belongs to the Special Issue "Biosensors: 10th Anniversary Feature Papers" VL - 12 IS - 1 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Falkenberg, Fabian A1 - Bott, Michael A1 - Bongaerts, Johannes A1 - Siegert, Petra T1 - Phylogenetic survey of the subtilase family and a data-mining-based search for new subtilisins from Bacillaceae JF - Frontiers in Microbiology N2 - The subtilase family (S8), a member of the clan SB of serine proteases are ubiquitous in all kingdoms of life and fulfil different physiological functions. Subtilases are divided in several groups and especially subtilisins are of interest as they are used in various industrial sectors. Therefore, we searched for new subtilisin sequences of the family Bacillaceae using a data mining approach. The obtained 1,400 sequences were phylogenetically classified in the context of the subtilase family. This required an updated comprehensive overview of the different groups within this family. To fill this gap, we conducted a phylogenetic survey of the S8 family with characterised holotypes derived from the MEROPS database. The analysis revealed the presence of eight previously uncharacterised groups and 13 subgroups within the S8 family. The sequences that emerged from the data mining with the set filter parameters were mainly assigned to the subtilisin subgroups of true subtilisins, high-alkaline subtilisins, and phylogenetically intermediate subtilisins and represent an excellent source for new subtilisin candidates. Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1017978 SN - 1664-302X VL - 2022 IS - 13 PB - Frontiers CY - Lausanne ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Welden, Melanie A1 - Severins, Robin A1 - Poghossian, Arshak A1 - Wege, Christina A1 - Bongaerts, Johannes A1 - Siegert, Petra A1 - Keusgen, Michael A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Detection of acetoin and diacetyl by a tobacco mosaic virus-assisted field-effect biosensor JF - Chemosensors N2 - Acetoin and diacetyl have a major impact on the flavor of alcoholic beverages such as wine or beer. Therefore, their measurement is important during the fermentation process. Until now, gas chromatographic techniques have typically been applied; however, these require expensive laboratory equipment and trained staff, and do not allow for online monitoring. In this work, a capacitive electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor sensor modified with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) particles as enzyme nanocarriers for the detection of acetoin and diacetyl is presented. The enzyme acetoin reductase from Alkalihalobacillus clausii DSM 8716ᵀ is immobilized via biotin–streptavidin affinity, binding to the surface of the TMV particles. The TMV-assisted biosensor is electrochemically characterized by means of leakage–current, capacitance–voltage, and constant capacitance measurements. In this paper, the novel biosensor is studied regarding its sensitivity and long-term stability in buffer solution. Moreover, the TMV-assisted capacitive field-effect sensor is applied for the detection of diacetyl for the first time. The measurement of acetoin and diacetyl with the same sensor setup is demonstrated. Finally, the successive detection of acetoin and diacetyl in buffer and in diluted beer is studied by tuning the sensitivity of the biosensor using the pH value of the measurement solution. Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors10060218 SN - 2227-9040 N1 - This article belongs to the Special Issue "Nanostructured Devices for Biochemical Sensing" VL - 10 IS - 6 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ojovan, Michael I. A1 - Steinmetz, Hans-Jürgen T1 - Approaches to Disposal of Nuclear Waste JF - Energies N2 - We present a concise mini overview on the approaches to the disposal of nuclear waste currently used or deployed. The disposal of nuclear waste is the end point of nuclear waste management (NWM) activities and is the emplacement of waste in an appropriate facility without the intention to retrieve it. The IAEA has developed an internationally accepted classification scheme based on the end points of NWM, which is used as guidance. Retention times needed for safe isolation of waste radionuclides are estimated based on the radiotoxicity of nuclear waste. Disposal facilities usually rely on a multi-barrier defence system to isolate the waste from the biosphere, which comprises the natural geological barrier and the engineered barrier system. Disposal facilities could be of a trench type, vaults, tunnels, shafts, boreholes, or mined repositories. A graded approach relates the depth of the disposal facilities’ location with the level of hazard. Disposal practices demonstrate the reliability of nuclear waste disposal with minimal expected impacts on the environment and humans. KW - borehole disposal KW - geological disposal KW - disposal facility KW - retention time KW - nuclear waste Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/en15207804 SN - 1996-1073 N1 - This article belongs to the Special Issue "Treatment of Radioactive Waste and Sustainability Energy" VL - 15 IS - 20 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - GEN A1 - Braun, Lena A1 - Krafft, Simone A1 - Tippkötter, Nils T1 - Combined supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and chromatography of the algae fatty linoleic and linolenic acid T2 - Chemie Ingenieur Technik N2 - A method for the integrated extraction and separation of fatty acids from algae using supercritical CO2 is presented. Desmodesmus obliquus and Chlorella sorokiniana were used as algae. First, a method for chromatographic separation of fatty acids of different degrees of saturation was established and optimized. Then, an integrated method for supercritical extraction was developed for both algal species. It was also verified whether prior cell disruption was beneficial for extraction. In developing the method for chromatographic separation, statistical experimental design was used to determine the optimal parameter settings. The methanol content in the mobile phase proved to be the most important parameter for successful separation of the three unsaturated fatty acids oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid. Supercritical extraction with dried algae showed that about four times more fatty acids can be extracted from C. sorokiniana relative to the dry mass used. Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/cite.202255308 SN - 0009-286X SN - 1522-2640 (eISSN) N1 - ProcessNet and DECHEMA‐BioTechNet Jahrestagungen 2022 together with 13th ESBES Symposium 2022, 12. - 15. September 2022, Eurogress Aachen VL - 94 IS - 9 SP - 1304 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Penner, Crystal A1 - Usherovich, Samuel A1 - Niedermeier, Jana A1 - Bélanger-Champagne, Camille A1 - Trinczek, Michael A1 - Paulßen, Elisabeth A1 - Hoehr, Cornelia T1 - Organic Scintillator-Fibre Sensors for Proton Therapy Dosimetry: SCSF-3HF and EJ-260 JF - electronics N2 - In proton therapy, the dose from secondary neutrons to the patient can contribute to side effects and the creation of secondary cancer. A simple and fast detection system to distinguish between dose from protons and neutrons both in pretreatment verification as well as potentially in vivo monitoring is needed to minimize dose from secondary neutrons. Two 3 mm long, 1 mm diameter organic scintillators were tested for candidacy to be used in a proton–neutron discrimination detector. The SCSF-3HF (1500) scintillating fibre (Kuraray Co. Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan) and EJ-260 plastic scintillator (Eljen Technology, Sweetwater, TX, USA) were irradiated at the TRIUMF Neutron Facility and the Proton Therapy Research Centre. In the proton beam, we compared the raw Bragg peak and spread-out Bragg peak response to the industry standard Markus chamber detector. Both scintillator sensors exhibited quenching at high LET in the Bragg peak, presenting a peak-to-entrance ratio of 2.59 for the EJ-260 and 2.63 for the SCSF-3HF fibre, compared to 3.70 for the Markus chamber. The SCSF-3HF sensor demonstrated 1.3 times the sensitivity to protons and 3 times the sensitivity to neutrons as compared to the EJ-260 sensor. Combined with our equations relating neutron and proton contributions to dose during proton irradiations, and the application of Birks’ quenching correction, these fibres provide valid candidates for inexpensive and replicable proton-neutron discrimination detectors Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12010011 SN - 2079-9292 N1 - This article belongs to the Special Issue "Applications of Optical Fiber Sensors" VL - 12 IS - 1 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - GEN A1 - Rothkranz, Berit A1 - Krafft, Simone A1 - Tippkötter, Nils T1 - Media optimization for sustainable fuel production: How to produce biohydrogen from renewable resources with Thermotoga neapolitana T2 - Chemie Ingenieur Technik N2 - Hydrogen is playing an increasingly important role in research and politics as an energy carrier of the future. Since hydrogen has commonly been produced from methane by steam reforming, the need for climate-friendly, alternative production routes is emerging. In addition to electrolysis, fermentative routes for the production of so-called biohydrogen are "green" alternatives. The application of microorganisms offers the advantage of sustainable production from renewable resources using easily manageable technologies. In this project, the hyperthermophilic, anaerobic microorganism Thermotoga neapolitana is used for the productio nof biohydrogen from renewable resources. The enzymatically hydrolyzed resources were used in fermentation leading to yield coefficients of 1.8 mole H₂ per mole glucose when using hydrolyzed straw and ryegrass supplemented with medium, respectively. These results are similar to the hydrogen yields when using Thermotoga basal medium with glucose (TBGY) as control group. In order to minimize the supplementation of the hydrolysate and thus increase the economic efficiency of the process, the essential media components were identified. The experiments revealed NaCl, KCl, and glucose as essential components for cell growth as well as biohydrogen production. When excluding NaCl, a decrease of 96% in hydrogen production occured. Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/cite.202255305 SN - 0009-286X SN - 1522-2640 (eISSN) N1 - ProcessNet and DECHEMA‐BioTechNet Jahrestagungen 2022 together with 13th ESBES Symposium 2022, 12. - 15. September 2022, Eurogress Aachen VL - 94 IS - 9 SP - 1298 EP - 1299 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - GEN A1 - Varriale, Ludovica A1 - Kuka, Katrin A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Ulber, Roland T1 - Use of a green biomass in a biorefinery platform T2 - Chemie Ingenieur Technik N2 - The emerging environmental issues due to the use of fossil resources are encouraging the exploration of new renewable resources. Biomasses are attracting more interest due to the low environmental impacts, low costs, and high availability on earth. In this scenario, green biorefineries are a promising platform in which green biomasses are used as feedstock. Grasses are mainly composed of cellulose and hemicellulose, and lignin is available in a small amount. In this work, a perennial ryegrass was used as feedstock to develop a green bio-refinery platform. Firstly, the grass was mechanically pretreated, thus obtaining a press juice and a press cake fraction. The press juice has high nutritional values and can be employed as part of fermentation media. The press cake can be employed as a substrate either in enzymatic hydrolysis or in solid-state fermentation. The overall aim of this work was to demonstrate different applications of both the liquid and the solid fractions. For this purpose, the filamentous fungus A. niger and the yeast Y. lipolythica were selected for their ability to produce citric acid. Finally, the possibility was assessed to use the press juice as part of fermentation media to cultivate S. cerevisiae and lactic acid bacteria for ethanol and lactic acid fermentation. Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/cite.202255095 SN - 0009-286X SN - 1522-2640 (eISSN) N1 - ProcessNet and DECHEMA‐BioTechNet Jahrestagungen 2022 together with 13th ESBES Symposium 2022, 12. - 15. September 2022, Eurogress Aachen VL - 94 IS - 9 SP - 1299 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER -