Optimization of Electrospray Deposition Conditions of ZnO Thin Films for Ammonia Sensing.

This study focuses on the influence of electrospray deposition parameters on the morphology, topography, optical and sensing properties of ZnO films deposited on gold electrodes of quartz crystal resonators. The substrate temperature, precursor feed rate and emitter's voltage were varied. Zinc acetate dehydrate dissolved in a mixture of deionized water, ethanol and acetic acid was used as a precursor.

Blending Approach Preparation of PVA--PMA Films with Embedded "Green" Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles for Acetone Optical Detection.

The blending approach (also known as the ex-situ approach) was used for the deposition of thin composite films comprising poly(vinyl alcohol--methyl acrylate) (PVA--PMA) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Firstly, the copolymer aqueous dispersion was synthesized through the redox polymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) using ammonium cerium (IV) nitrate as the initiator. Then, AgNPs were synthesized through a "green" method using the water extract of lavender based on by-products of the essential oil industry, and then they were blended with the polymer.

A case of a child with four parasites in Bulgaria.

Children are more susceptible to intestinal parasitic diseases than adults due to their lack of hygiene habits and close social interactions with their peers. We present a case of a 5-year-old boy with diarrhea and abdominal pain. The stool sample and perianal swab were examined in LINA laboratory, Burgas, Bulgaria.

Acetone-Sensitive Thin Films Comprising Coal Fly Ash Na-X Zeolites and Sol-Gel NbO Matrix.

In this study, thin composite films of a sol-gel NbO matrix doped with coal fly ash Na-X zeolites were deposited by the spin-coating method. Fly ash of lignite coal collected from the electrostatic precipitators of one of the biggest TPPs in Bulgaria was used as a raw material for obtaining zeolites. Zeolite Na-X was synthesized by ultrasonic-assisted double stage fusion-hydrothermal alkaline conversion of coal fly ash.

Flexible and Transparent Polymer-Based Optical Humidity Sensor.

Thin spin-coated polymer films of amphiphilic copolymer obtained by partial acetalization of poly (vinyl alcohol) are used as humidity-sensitive media. They are deposited on polymer substrate (PET) in order to obtain a flexible humidity sensor. Pre-metallization of substrate is implemented for increasing the optical contrast of the sensor, thus improving the sensitivity.