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- Einspielen <Werkstoff> (7)
- FEM (4)
- Finite-Elemente-Methode (4)
- LAPS (4)
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A novel strategy for enhanced field-effect biosensing using capacitive electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor (EIS) structures functionalised with pH-responsive weak polyelectrolyte/enzyme or dendrimer/enzyme multilayers is presented. The feasibility of the proposed approach is exemplarily demonstrated by realising a penicillin biosensor based on a capacitive p-Si–SiO2 EIS structure functionalised with a poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH)/penicillinase and a poly(amidoamine) dendrimer/penicillinase multilayer. The developed sensors response to changes in both the local pH value near the gate surface and the charge of macromolecules induced via enzymatic reaction, resulting in a higher sensitivity. For comparison, an EIS penicillin biosensor with adsorptively immobilised penicillinase has been also studied. The highest penicillin sensitivity of 100 mV/dec has been observed for the EIS sensor functionalised with the PAH/penicillinase multilayer. The lower and upper detection limit was around 20 µM and 10 mM, respectively. In addition, an incorporation of enzymes in a multilayer prepared by layer-by-layer technique provides a larger amount of immobilised enzymes per sensor area, reduces enzyme leaching effects and thus, enhances the biosensor lifetime (the loss of penicillin sensitivity after 2 months was 10–12%).
Gas sensor investigation based on a catalytically activated thin-film thermopile for H2O2 detection
(2010)
In aseptic filling systems, hydrogen peroxide vapour is commonly used for the reduction of microbial contaminations in carton packages. In this process, the germicidal efficiency of the vapour depends especially on the H₂O₂ concentration. To monitor the H₂O₂ concentration, a calorimetric H₂O₂ gas sensor based on a catalytically activated thin-film thermopile is investigated. Two different sensor layouts, namely a circular and a linear form, as well as two various material pairs such as tungsten/nickel and gold/nickel, have been examined for the realization of a thin-film thermopile. Additionally, manganese oxide and palladium particles have been compared as responsive catalysts towards H₂O₂. The thin-film sensors have been investigated at various H₂O₂ concentrations, gas temperatures and flow rates.
pH-sensitive properties of barium strontium titanate (BST) high-k thin films as alternative gate material for field-effect capacitive (bio-)chemical sensors based on an electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor system have been investigated. The BST films of different compositions (Ba0.31Sr0.69TiO3, Ba0.25Sr0.75TiO3 and Mg-doped Ba0.8Sr0.2Mg0.1Ti0.9O3) were deposited by pulsed laser deposition technique from targets fabricated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis. The realised sensors have been electrochemically characterised by means of impedance-spectroscopy, capacitance–voltage and constant-capacitance method. The sensors possess a Nernstian-like pH sensitivity in the concentration range between pH 3 and 11 with a response time of 5–10 s. An equivalent circuit model for the BST-based capacitive field-effect sensor is discussed.
Simultaneous detection of cyanide and heavy metals for environmental analysis by means of µISEs
(2010)
In environmental analysis, cyanide and heavy metals play an important role, because these substances are highly toxic for biological systems. They can lead to chronic and acute diseases. Due to the chemical properties of cyanide it is frequently used for industrial processes such as extraction of silver and gold. Heavy metals can be found as trace elements in nature and are often applied in industries e.g., galvanization processes. Up to now, cyanide and heavy metals can be detected by several sensors separately and their detection is often limited to laboratory investigations. In this publication, with regard to an in situ analysis, a new miniaturized silicon-based sensor system for the simultaneous detection of cyanide and heavy metals in aqueous solutions is presented that is based on chalcogenide glass-based micro ion-selective electrodes (µISEs). The µISEs are incorporated into a specially designed measuring system for the simultaneous detection of heavy metals and cyanide in solutions and validated by simultaneous measurements of Cu2+- and CN−-ions, Cd2+- and CN−- ions and Pb2+- and CN−-ions. The particular sensor system has shown good sensor properties in the µ-molar ion-concentration range. For simultaneous measurements in complex heavy metal and cyanide solutions an intelligent software using fuzzy logic is discussed.
The control of molecular architecture provided by the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique has led to enhanced biosensors, in which advantageous features of distinct materials can be combined. Full optimization of biosensing performance, however, is only reached if the film morphology is suitable for the principle of detection of a specific biosensor. In this paper, we report a detailed morphology analysis of LbL films made with alternating layers of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers, which were then covered with a layer of penicillinase (PEN). An optimized performance to detect penicillin G was obtained with 6-bilayer SWNT/PAMAM LbL films deposited on p-Si-SiO2-Ta2O5 chips, used in biosensors based on a capacitive electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) and a light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) structure, respectively. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images indicated that the LbL films were porous, with a large surface area due to interconnection of SWNT into PAMAM layers. This morphology was instrumental for the adsorption of a larger quantity of PEN, with the resulting LbL film being highly stable. The experiments to detect penicillin were performed with constant-capacitance (ConCap) and constant-current (CC) measurements for EIS and LAPS sensors, respectively, which revealed an enhanced detection signal and sensitivity of ca. 100 mV/decade for the field-effect sensors modified with the PAMAM/SWNT LbL film. It is concluded that controlling film morphology is essential for an enhanced performance of biosensors, not only in terms of sensitivity but also stability and response time.
The integration of nanostructured films containing biomolecules and silicon-based technologies is a promising direction for reaching miniaturized biosensors that exhibit high sensitivity and selectivity. A challenge, however, is to avoid cross talk among sensing units in an array with multiple sensors located on a small area. In this letter, we describe an array of 16 sensing units of a light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS), which was made with layer-by-layer (LbL) films of a poly(amidomine) dendrimer (PAMAM) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), coated with a layer of the enzyme penicillinase. A visual inspection of the data from constant-current measurements with liquid samples containing distinct concentrations of penicillin, glucose, or a buffer indicated a possible cross talk between units that contained penicillinase and those that did not. With the use of multidimensional data projection techniques, normally employed in information visualization methods, we managed to distinguish the results from the modified LAPS, even in cases where the units were adjacent to each other. Furthermore, the plots generated with the interactive document map (IDMAP) projection technique enabled the distinction of the different concentrations of penicillin, from 5 mmol L−1 down to 0.5 mmol L−1. Data visualization also confirmed the enhanced performance of the sensing units containing carbon nanotubes, consistent with the analysis of results for LAPS sensors. The use of visual analytics, as with projection methods, may be essential to handle a large amount of data generated in multiple sensor arrays to achieve high performance in miniaturized systems
Background: To elaborate the impact of new haemostatic agents we developed an instrument for the pressure-controlled induction of blunt liver injuries in a porcine animal model. Materials and Methods: A dilutional coagulopathy of 80% of animal blood volume was induced in 9 anaesthetized pigs. Animals were randomly assigned to be injured with a force of 112 Newton (N) (n = 1), 224 ± 19 N (n = 4) or 355 ± 35 N (n = 4). The impact of injury was measured by blood loss, survival time and coagulation parameters. Liver histology was obtained to evaluate the degree of liver injury. Results: The profound haemodilution resulted in a significant alteration of all coagulation parameters. After inflicting the injury with 355 ± 35 N, both the survival time (30 ± 9 min; p = 0.006) and blood loss (68 ± 16 ml min–1, p = 0.002) were significantly different as compared to injuries with 224 ± 19 N (survival time: 76 ± 20 min, blood loss: 23 ± 4 ml min–1). In contrast, an injury with 112 N led to an insignificant blood loss of only 239 ml. Conclusion: We developed a pressure-controlled clamp that allows for the induction of blunt liver traumas with highly reproducible injuries with a positive correlation with blood loss and survival.
A light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) can measure the concentration of one or several analytes at the sensor surface simultaneously in a spatially resolved manner. A modulated light pointer stimulates the semiconductor structure at the area of interest and a responding photocurrent can be read out. By simultaneous stimulation of several areas with light pointers of different modulation frequencies, the read out can be performed at the same time. With the new proposed controller electronic based on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), it is possible to control the modulation frequencies, phase shifts, and light brightness of multiple light pointers independently and simultaneously. Thus, it is possible to investigate the frequency response of the sensor, and to examine the analyte concentration by the determination of the surface potential with the help of current/voltage curves and phase/voltage curves. Additionally, the ability to individually change the light intensities of each light pointer is used to perform signal correction.
In our case the double-side-method is used to minimize the complexity of a matrix-readout. Here the number of channels is reduced to 2√N̅. It is also possible to benefit from the method in a single pixel readout system. One signal can be used to measure position and energy of the event, the other one can be applied to a fast trigger-circuit at the same time. In a next step we will investigate timing behavior and electrical crosstalk of the circuit.
Can vascular function be assessed by the interpretation of retinal vascular diameter changes?
(2011)
Air-pulse corneal applanation signal curve parameters for the characterisation of keratoconus
(2011)
Plant physiology and plant stress: Plant physiology will be much more important for human mankind because of yield and cultivation limits of crops determined by their resistance to stress. To assess and counteract various stress factors it is necessary to conduct plant research to gain information and results on plant physiology.
Originalausgabe: Orthopädische Praxis Jg. 47. 2011 H. 11; S. 536-543. Mit freundlicher Genehmigung des Verlags Zusammenfassung: Auf der Basis von Patientenabfragen mittels Fragebogen zum Schmerzempfinden und zur Einschränkung bei Aktivitäten des alltäglichen Lebens wird die Langzeitwirkung der MBST® KernspinResonanz-Therapie bei Gonarthrose untersucht. An der Studie nahmen 39 Patienten teil, bei denen die Therapie bis zu vier Jahre zurückliegt. Neben einer Gesamtbetrachtung wird der Erfolg auch in Abhängigkeit von Alter, Geschlecht und sportlicher Aktivität analysiert. Insgesamt weist die Studie auf eine anhaltende Verbesserung des Gesundheitszustands mit zum Teil deutlicher Schmerzlinderung auch noch nach vier Jahren hin, jedoch mit einer leichten Schmerzzunahme gegen Ende des Untersuchungszeitraums von vier Jahren. Eine tendenziell positivere Wirkung bei Frauen, älteren Menschen oder auch sportlich nicht-aktiven Patienten lässt auf eine mögliche Beeinflussung des Erfolgs der Therapie durch (Über-)Belastung im Alltag schließen. Ein zusätzlich positiver Effekt der Therapie auf die Knochendichte ist ebenfalls denkbar, dies bleibt jedoch offen.
The importance of the availability of stored blood or blood cells, respectively, for urgent transfusion cannot be overestimated. Nowadays, blood storage becomes even more important since blood products are used for epidemiological studies, bio-technical research or banked for transfusion purposes. Thus blood samples must not only be processed, stored, and shipped to preserve their efficacy and safety, but also all parameters of storage must be recorded and reported for Quality Assurance. Therefore, blood banks and clinical research facilities are seeking more accurate, automated means for blood storage and blood processing.
This paper presents a novel numerical procedure for computing limit and shakedown loads of structures using a node-based smoothed FEM in combination with a primal–dual algorithm. An associated primal–dual form based on the von Mises yield criterion is adopted. The primal-dual algorithm together with a Newton-like iteration are then used to solve this associated primal–dual form to determine simultaneously both approximate upper and quasi-lower bounds of the plastic collapse limit and the shakedown limit. The present formulation uses only linear approximations and its implementation into finite element programs is quite simple. Several numerical examples are given to show the reliability, accuracy, and generality of the present formulation compared with other available methods.
The demand of replacements for inoperable organs exceeds the amount of available organ transplants. Therefore, tissue engineering developed as a multidisciplinary field of research for autologous in-vitro organs. Such three dimensional tissue constructs request the application of a bioreactor. The UREPLACE bioreactor is used to grow cells on tubular collagen scaffolds OPTIMAIX Sponge 1 with a maximal length of 7 cm, in order to culture in vitro an adequate ureter replacement. With a rotating unit, (urothelial) cells can be placed homogeneously on the inner scaffold surface. Furthermore, a stimulation is combined with this bioreactor resulting in an orientation of muscle cells. These culturing methods request a precise control of several parameters and actuators. A combination of a LabBox and the suitable software LabVision is used to set and conduct parameters like rotation angles, velocities, pressures and other important cell culture values. The bioreactor was tested waterproof successfully. Furthermore, the temperature controlling was adjusted to 37 °C and the CO2 - concentration regulated to 5 %. Additionally, the pH step responses of several substances showed a perfect functioning of the designed flow chamber. All used software was tested and remained stable for several days.
One-chip integrated dual amperometric/field-effect sensor for the detection of dissolved hydrogen
(2011)
We investigate interaction networks that we derive from multivariate time series with methods frequently employed in diverse scientific fields such as biology, quantitative finance, physics, earth and climate sciences, and the neurosciences. Mimicking experimental situations, we generate time series with finite length and varying frequency content but from independent stochastic processes. Using the correlation coefficient and the maximum cross-correlation, we estimate interdependencies between these time series. With clustering coefficient and average shortest path length, we observe unweighted interaction networks, derived via thresholding the values of interdependence, to possess non-trivial topologies as compared to Erdös-Rényi networks, which would indicate small-world characteristics. These topologies reflect the mostly unavoidable finiteness of the data, which limits the reliability of typically used estimators of signal interdependence. We propose random networks that are tailored to the way interaction networks are derived from empirical data. Through an exemplary investigation of multichannel electroencephalographic recordings of epileptic seizures – known for their complex spatial and temporal dynamics – we show that such random networks help to distinguish network properties of interdependence structures related to seizure dynamics from those spuriously induced by the applied methods of analysis.
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sprint performance is related to lower leg musculoskeletal geometry within a homogeneous group of highly trained 100-m sprinters. Using a cluster analysis, eighteen male sprinters were divided into two groups based on their personal best (fast: N = 11, 10.30 ± 0.07 s; slow: N = 7, 10.70 ± 0.08 s). Calf muscular fascicle arrangement and Achilles tendon moment arms (calculated by the gradient of tendon excursion versus ankle joint angle) were analyzed for each athlete using ultrasonography. Achilles tendon moment arm, foot and ankle skeletal geometry, fascicle arrangement as well as the ratio of fascicle length to Achilles tendon moment arm showed no significant (p > 0.05) correlation with sprint performance, nor were there any differences in the analyzed musculoskeletal parameters between the fast and slow sprinter group. Our findings provide evidence that differences in sprint ability in world-class athletes are not a result of differences in the geometrical design of the lower leg even when considering both skeletal and muscular components.
HisT/PLIER : A Two-Fold Provenance Approach for Grid-Enabled Scientific Workflows Using WS-VLAM
(2011)
Light-addressable potentiometric sensors (LAPS) are field-effect-based sensors. A modulated light source is used to define the particular measurement spot to perform spatially resolved measurements of chemical species and to generate chemical images. In this work, an organic-LED (OLED) display has been chosen as a light source. This allows high measurement resolution and miniaturisation of the system. A new developed driving method for the OLED display optimised for LAPS-based measurements is demonstrated. The new method enables to define modulation frequencies between 1 kHz and 16 kHz and hence, reduces the measurement time of a chemical image by a factor of 40 compared to the traditional addressing of an OLED display.
Chemical imaging systems allow the visualisation of the distribution of chemical species on the sensor surface. This work represents a new flexible approach to read out light-addressable potentiometric sensors (LAPS) with the help of a digital light processing (DLP) set-up. The DLP, known well for video projectors, consists of a mirror-array MEMS device, which allows fast and flexible generation of light patterns. With the help of these light patterns, the sensor surface of the LAPS device can be addressed. The DLP approach has several advantages compared to conventional LAPS set-ups, e.g., the spot size and the shape of the light pointer can be changed easily and no mechanical movement is necessary, which reduces the size of the set-up and increases the stability and speed of the measurement. In addition, the modulation frequency and intensity of the light beam are important parameters of the LAPS set-up. Within this work, the authors will discuss two different ways of light modulation by the DLP set-up, investigate the influence of different modulation frequencies and different light intensities as well as demonstrate the scanning capabilities of the new set-up by pH mapping on the sensor surface.
The chemical imaging sensor is a semiconductor-based chemical sensor that can visualize the two-dimensional distribution of specific ions or molecules in the solution. In this study, we developed a miniaturized chemical imaging sensor system with an OLED display panel as a light source that scans the sensor plate. In the proposed configuration, the display panel is placed directly below the sensor plate and illuminates the back surface. The measured area defined by illumination can be arbitrarily customized to fit the size and the shape of the sample to be measured. The waveform of the generated photocurrent, the current–voltage characteristics and the pH sensitivity were investigated and pH imaging with this miniaturized system was demonstrated.
Realisation of a calorimetric gas sensor on polyimide foil for applications in aseptic food industry
(2012)
A calorimetric gas sensor is presented for the monitoring of vapour-phase H2O2 at elevated temperature during sterilisation processes in aseptic food industry. The sensor was built up on a flexible polyimide foil (thickness: 25 μm) that has been chosen due to its thermal stability and low thermal conductivity. The sensor set-up consists of two temperature-sensitive platinum thin-film resistances passivated by a layer of SU-8 photo resist and catalytically activated by manganese(IV) oxide. Instead of an active heating structure, the calorimetric sensor utilises the elevated temperature of the evaporated H2O2 aerosol. In an experimental test rig, the sensor has shown a sensitivity of 4.78 °C/(%, v/v) in a H2O2 concentration range of 0%, v/v to 8%, v/v. Furthermore, the sensor possesses the same, unchanged sensor signal even at varied medium temperatures between 210 °C and 270 °C of the gas stream. At flow rates of the gas stream from 8 m3/h to 12 m3/h, the sensor has shown only a slightly reduced sensitivity at a low flow rate of 8 m3/h. The sensor characterisation demonstrates the suitability of the calorimetric gas sensor for monitoring the efficiency of industrial sterilisation processes.
The esophageal Doppler monitor (EDM) is a minimally-invasive hemodynamic device which evaluates both cardiac output (CO), and fluid status, by estimating stroke volume (SV) and calculating heart rate (HR). The measurement of these parameters is based upon a continuous and accurate approximation of distal thoracic aortic blood flow. Furthermore, the peak velocity (PV) and mean acceleration (MA), of aortic blood flow at this anatomic location, are also determined by the EDM. The purpose of this preliminary report is to examine additional clinical hemodynamic calculations of: compliance (C), kinetic energy (KE), force (F), and afterload (TSVRi). These data were derived using both velocity-based measurements, provided by the EDM, as well as other contemporaneous physiologic parameters. Data were obtained from anesthetized patients undergoing surgery or who were in a critical care unit. A graphical inspection of these measurements is presented and discussed with respect to each patient’s clinical situation. When normalized to each of their initial values, F and KE both consistently demonstrated more discriminative power than either PV or MA. The EDM offers additional applications for hemodynamic monitoring. Further research regarding the accuracy, utility, and limitations of these parameters is therefore indicated.
A variety of transition metals, e.g., copper, zinc, cadmium, lead, etc. are widely used in industry as components for wires, coatings, alloys, batteries, paints and so on. The inevitable presence of transition metals in industrial processes implies the ambition of developing a proper analytical technique for their adequate monitoring. Most of these elements, especially lead and cadmium, are acutely toxic for biological organisms. Quantitative determination of these metals at low activity levels in different environmental and industrial samples is therefore a vital task. A promising approach to achieve an at-side or on-line monitoring on a miniaturized and cost efficient way is the combination of a common potentiometric sensor array with heavy metal-sensitive thin-film materials, like chalcogenide glasses and polymeric materials, respectively.
The chemical imaging sensor is a chemical sensor which is capable of visualizing the spatial distribution of chemical species in sample solution. In this study, a novel measurement system based on the chemical imaging sensor was developed to observe the inside of a Y-shaped microfluidic channel while injecting two sample solutions from two branches. From the collected chemical images, it was clearly observed that the injected solutions formed laminar flows in the microfluidic channel. In addition, ion diffusion across the laminar flows was observed. This label-free method can acquire quantitative data of ion distribution and diffusion in microfluidic devices, which can be used to determine the diffusion coefficients, and therefore, the molecular weights of chemical species in the sample solution.
This work describes the novel combination of the light-addressable electrode (LAE) and the light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) into a microsystem set-up. Both the LAE as well as the LAPS shares the principle of addressing the active spot by means of a light beam. This enables both systems to manipulate resp. to detect an analyte with a high spatial resolution. Hence, combining both principles into a single set-up enables the active stimulation e.g., by means of electrolysis and a simultaneous observation e.g., the response of an entrapped biological cell by detection of extracellular pH changes. The work will describe the principles of both technologies and the necessary steps to integrate them into a single set-up. Furthermore, examples of application and operation of such systems will be presented.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and protein recognition are now standard tools in biology. In addition, the special optical properties of microsphere resonators expressed by the high quality factor (Q-factor) of whispering gallery modes (WGMs) or morphology dependent resonances (MDRs) have attracted the attention of the biophotonic community. Microsphere-based biosensors are considered as powerful candidates to achieve label-free recognition of single molecules due to the high sensitivity of their WGMs. When the microsphere surface is modified with biomolecules, the effective refractive index and the effective size of the microsphere change resulting in a resonant wavelength shift. The transverse electric (TE) and the transverse magnetic (TM) elastic light scattering intensity of electromagnetic waves at 600 and 1400 nm are numerically calculated for DNA and unspecific binding of proteins to the microsphere surface. The effect of changing the optical properties was studied for diamond (refractive index 2.34), glass (refractive index 1.50), and sapphire (refractive index 1.75) microspheres with a 50 µm radius. The mode spacing, the linewidth of WGMs, and the shift of resonant wavelength due to the change in radius and refractive index, were analyzed by numerical simulations. Preliminary results of unspecific binding of biomolecules are presented. The calculated shift in WGMs can be used for biomolecules detection.
Many applications in computational science and engineering require the computation of eigenvalues and vectors of dense symmetric or Hermitian matrices. For example, in DFT (density functional theory) calculations on modern supercomputers 10% to 30% of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of huge dense matrices have to be calculated. Therefore, performance and parallel scaling of the used eigensolvers is of upmost interest. In this article different routines of the linear algebra packages ScaLAPACK and Elemental for parallel solution of the symmetric eigenvalue problem are compared concerning their performance on the BlueGene/P supercomputer. Parameters for performance optimization are adjusted for the different data distribution methods used in the two libraries. It is found that for all test cases the new library Elemental which uses a two-dimensional element by element distribution of the matrices to the processors shows better performance than the old ScaLAPACK library which uses a block-cyclic distribution.
Temperature-dependent ranges of coexistence in a model of a two-prey-one-predator microbial food web
(2012)
The objective of our study was to analyze the effects of temperature on the population dynamics of a three-species food web consisting of two prey bacteria (Pedobacter sp. and Acinetobacter johnsonii) and a protozoan predator (Tetrahymena pyriformis) as model organisms. We assessed the effects of temperature on the growth rates of all three species with the objective of developing a model with four differential equations based on the experimental data. The following hypotheses were tested at a theoretical level: Firstly, temperature changes can affect the dynamic behavior of a system by temperature-dependent parameters and interactions and secondly, food web response to temperature cannot be derived from the single species temperature response. The main outcome of the study is that temperature changes affect the parameter range where coexistence is possible within all three species. This has significant consequences on our ideas regarding the evaluation of effects of global warming.
Im Beitrag wird zunächst das Verfahren eines dynamischen elektro-geometrischen Modells vorgestellt. Dieses arbeitet im Gegensatz zum klassischen Blitzkugel-Verfahren nicht mit konstanten Radien; vielmehr wird der Radius der Blitzkugel variiert. Dabei werden ausschließlich vorhandene und in internationalen Normen anerkannte Ergebnisse, blitzphysikalische Grundlagen und Untersuchungen verwendet, und auf deren Grundlage ein numerisches Verfahren erarbeitet. Mit dem dynamischen elektro-geometrischen Modell werden dann einige Beispiele des Schutzes mit Fangstangen, die gemäß dem klassischen Blitzkugel-Verfahren nach DIN EN 62305-3 für die Schutzklassen I – II – III – IV geplant sind, untersucht. Es wird gezeigt, dass die Einfangwirksamkeiten wesentlich höher sind als in der Normenreihe DIN EN 62305 selbst angegeben. Grund dafür ist die Tatsache, dass das Blitzkugel-Verfahren sehr konservativ aufgebaut ist und dem Planer von Blitzschutzsystemen nur die möglichen Stellen für einen Einschlag aufzeigt, ohne eine Bewertung der Einschlagshäufigkeit zu liefern. Andererseits bedeutet dies jedoch, dass man mit dem klassischen Blitzkugel-Verfahren stets auf der „sicheren Seite“ liegt.
In this article, we report on the heat-transfer resistance at interfaces as a novel, denaturation-based method to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms in DNA. We observed that a molecular brush of double-stranded DNA grafted onto synthetic diamond surfaces does not notably affect the heat-transfer resistance at the solid-to-liquid interface. In contrast to this, molecular brushes of single-stranded DNA cause, surprisingly, a substantially higher heat-transfer resistance and behave like a thermally insulating layer. This effect can be utilized to identify ds-DNA melting temperatures via the switching from low- to high heat-transfer resistance. The melting temperatures identified with this method for different DNA duplexes (29 base pairs without and with built-in mutations) correlate nicely with data calculated by modeling. The method is fast, label-free (without the need for fluorescent or radioactive markers), allows for repetitive measurements, and can also be extended toward array formats. Reference measurements by confocal fluorescence microscopy and impedance spectroscopy confirm that the switching of heat-transfer resistance upon denaturation is indeed related to the thermal on-chip denaturation of DNA.
In industrial processes there is a variety of heavy metals (e.g., copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead) in use for wires, coatings, paints, alloys, batteries, etc. Since the application of these transition metals for industry is inevitable, it is a vital task to develop proper analytical techniques for their monitoring at low activity levels, especially because most of these elements are acutely toxic for biological organisms. The determination of ions in solution by means of a simple and inexpensive sensor array is, therefore, a promising task. In this work, a sensor array with heavy metal-sensitive chalcogenide glass membranes for the simultaneous detection of the four ions Ag⁺, Cu2⁺, Cd2⁺, and Pb2⁺ in solution is realized. The results of the physical characterization by means of microscopy, profilometry, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as the electrochemical characterization by means of potentiometric measurements are presented. Additionally, the possibility to expand the sensor array by polymeric sensor membranes is discussed.
Die Detektion von Schadstoffen repräsentiert in der Umweltanalytik eine wichtige Aufgabenstellung. Gerade die Abwasser- bzw. Brauchwasseranalytik sowie die Prozesskontrolle haben einen hohen Stellenwert. Siliziumbasierte Dünnschichtsensoren bieten eine kostengünstige Möglichkeit, „online“-Messungen bzw. Vor-Ort-Messungen zeitnah durchzuführen. In dieser Arbeit wird ein potentiometrisches Sensorarray auf der Basis von Chalkogenidgläsern zur Detektion von Schwermetallen in wässrigen Medien vorgestellt.