Oxidative decomposition of atrazine in water in the presence of hydrogen peroxide using an innovative microwave photochemical reactor.

The simultaneous application of microwave (MW) power and UV light leads to improved results in photochemical processes. This study investigates the oxidative decomposition of atrazine in water using an innovative MW and UV photochemical reactor, which activates a chemical reaction with MW and UV radiation using an immersed source without the need for a MW oven. We investigated the influence of reaction parameters such as initial H(2)O(2) concentrations, reaction temperatures and applied MW power and identified the optimal conditions for the oxidative decomposition of atrazine.

Microwave-assisted photochemical reactor for the online oxidative decomposition and determination of p-hydroxymercurybenzoate and its thiolic complexes by cold vapor generation atomic fluorescence detection.

We developed a photochemical method for the online oxidation of p-hydroxymercurybenzoate (PHMB), an organic mercury species widely used for mercaptan and thiolic compound labeling. The method is based on a fully integrated online UV/microwave (MW) photochemical reactor for the digestion of PHMB, followed by cold vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CVG-AFS) detection. The MW/UV process led to the quantitative conversion of PHMB and thiol-PHMB complexes to Hg(II), with a yield between 91% and 98%, without using chemical oxidizing reagents and avoiding the use of toxic carcinogenic compounds.

Transperineal microwave thermoablation in patients with obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia: a phase I clinical study with a new mini-choked microwave applicator.

Purpose: To evaluate the tolerability and safety of a newly designed probe for trans-perineal microwave thermoablation (TPMT) of the prostate in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and the in vivo microwave effects on prostatic tissue.

Patients And Methods: Nine patients with obstructive BPH who were candidates for open prostatectomy were selected for this study. Under local anesthesia and transrectal ultrasound monitoring, all patients underwent a single standardized application of TPMT.

Chemical activation using an open-end coaxial applicator.

This article gives an overview of a novel, experimentally simple and versatile method of activation of chemical processes with microwaves without resorting to an oven. It is based on the use of a microwave antenna, namely an open-end coaxial dipole applicator immersed in an ordinary reaction vessel. Accounts of the apparatus at 2450 MHz and of the procedures adopted in reactions of organic synthesis, extraction of essential oils from plants and photo catalytic mineralization of liquid pollutants are given, discussing the necessary safety measures.

Comparison between the conventional method of extraction of essential oil of Laurus nobilis L. and a novel method which uses microwaves applied in situ, without resorting to an oven.

A novel microwave method has been applied to the hydrothermal extraction of essential oil from plants. An insulated microwave coaxial antenna was introduced inside a 1000 ml glass flask containing dry Laurus nobilis L. leaves and tap water.

Hyperthermia in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma: development and testing of an endobiliary microwave device.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to create, perfect and test a hyperthermia balloon catheter for local treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. The device should induce hyperthermia in tumor tissue by acting locally in the bile duct lumen in contact with the tumor-infiltrated duct wall. In addition, it should exert tissue compression to cause an appreciable reduction in tumor microvasculature flow, thus improving thermal performance.

A coaxial antenna with miniaturized choke for minimally invasive interstitial heating.

We present a new coaxial antenna for microwave interstitial coagulative therapy, working at 2450 MHz and endowed with a miniaturized sleeve choke in order to reduce back heating effects and make the system response less dependent on the antenna insertion depth into the tissue; the way the choke is implemented makes the overall transversal size minimum and allows small adjustments of the choke section length even during operation. We describe the main technical features of the antenna and show experimental results clearly proving the choke effectiveness. Numerical simulations well agree with experimental data, confirming the suitability of the proposed device for minimally invasive medical applications.