How solute atoms control aqueous corrosion of Al-alloys.

Aluminum alloys play an important role in circular metallurgy due to their good recyclability and 95% energy gain when made from scrap. Their low density and high strength translate linearly to lower greenhouse gas emissions in transportation, and their excellent corrosion resistance enhances product longevity. The durability of Al alloys stems from the dense barrier oxide film strongly bonded to the surface, preventing further degradation.

Different Photostability of BiVO in Near-pH-Neutral Electrolytes.

Photoelectrochemical water splitting is a promising route to produce hydrogen from solar energy. However, corrosion of photoelectrodes remains a fundamental challenge for their implementation. Here, we reveal different dissolution behaviors of BiVO photoanode in pH-buffered borate, phosphate, and citrate (hole-scavenger) electrolytes, studied employing an illuminated scanning flow cell.

On the facile and accurate determination of the Pt content in standard carbon supported Pt fuel cell catalysts.

We introduce a new and straight-forward methodology to accurately determine the Pt content in polymer membrane electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) catalysts consisting of carbon supported Pt nanoparticles (Pt/C). The method is based on an indirect Pt proof (IPP) consisting of the oxidative removal of the carbon support, the digestion of the Pt in aqua regia followed by a replacement reaction to form Cu ions (CuCl). The Pt content is then determined via the Cu-ions with the help a complexometric indicator using a simple titration.

Shape-Controlled Nanoparticles in Pore-Confined Space.

Increasing the catalyst's stability and activity are one of the main quests in catalysis. Tailoring crystal surfaces to a specific reaction has demonstrated to be a very effective way in increasing the catalyst's specific activity. Shape controlled nanoparticles with specific crystal facets are usually grown kinetically and are highly susceptible to morphological changes during the reaction due to agglomeration, metal dissolution, or Ostwald ripening.

Catalyst Stability Benchmarking for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction: The Importance of Backing Electrode Material and Dissolution in Accelerated Aging Studies.

In searching for alternative oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts for acidic water splitting, fast screening of the material intrinsic activity and stability in half-cell tests is of vital importance. The screening process significantly accelerates the discovery of new promising materials without the need of time-consuming real-cell analysis. In commonly employed tests, a conclusion on the catalyst stability is drawn solely on the basis of electrochemical data, for example, by evaluating potential-versus-time profiles.

Stability limits of tin-based electrocatalyst supports.

Tin-based oxides are attractive catalyst support materials considered for application in fuel cells and electrolysers. If properly doped, these oxides are relatively good conductors, assuring that ohmic drop in real applications is minimal. Corrosion of dopants, however, will lead to severe performance deterioration.

Platinum recycling going green via induced surface potential alteration enabling fast and efficient dissolution.

The recycling of precious metals, for example, platinum, is an essential aspect of sustainability for the modern industry and energy sectors. However, due to its resistance to corrosion, platinum-leaching techniques rely on high reagent consumption and hazardous processes, for example, boiling aqua regia; a mixture of concentrated nitric and hydrochloric acid. Here we demonstrate that complete dissolution of metallic platinum can be achieved by induced surface potential alteration, an 'electrode-less' process utilizing alternatively oxidative and reductive gases.

An electrochemical calibration unit for hydrogen analysers.

Determination of hydrogen in solids such as high strength steels or other metals in the ppb or ppm range requires hot-extraction or melt-extraction. Calibration of commercially available hydrogen analysers is performed either by certified reference materials CRMs, often having limited availability and reliability or by gas dosing for which the determined value significantly depends on atmospheric pressure and the construction of the gas dosing valve. The sharp and sudden appearance of very high gas concentrations from gas dosing is very different from real effusion transients and is therefore another source of errors.

Homozygous and compound-heterozygous type I plasminogen deficiency is a common cause of ligneous conjunctivitis.

Severe type I plasminogen deficiency has been recently linked to ligneous conjunctivitis, a rare and uncommon form of chronic conjunctivitis. In this study, eight unrelated ligneous conjunctivitis patients living in different parts of the world were examined. All affected subjects from which plasma was available displayed absent or markedly reduced plasminogen antigen and plasminogen functional activity.

Compound-heterozygous mutations in the plasminogen gene predispose to the development of ligneous conjunctivitis.

Homozygous type I plasminogen deficiency has been identified as a cause of ligneous conjunctivitis. In this study, 5 additional patients with ligneous conjunctivitis are examined. Three unrelated patients (1 boy, 1 elderly woman, and 1 man) had plasminogen antigen levels of less than 0.

Human homozygous type I plasminogen deficiency and ligneous conjunctivitis.

On the basis of a questionnaire sent to the ophthalmology departments of hospitals throughout Germany, 10 patients with ligneous conjunctivitis or pseudomembranous disease, ranging in age from 1 to 71 years were identified. All 10 patients had severely reduced plasminogen levels. Genetic analysis revealed homozygous type I plasminogen deficiency (which had not previously been described in humans) in 7 patients and compound heterozygous plasminogen deficiency in 1 patient.

Polymorphonuclear elastase in patients with homozygous type I plasminogen deficiency and ligneous conjunctivitis.

Laboratory studies were performed on six female patients (ranging in age from 1 to 31 years) with ligneous conjunctivitis, which we regard as a systemic condition consisting of ligneous conjunctivitis and other pseudomembranous lesions. Plasminogen levels were severely reduced in all six patients; five patients were homozygous, and one patient was double heterozygous for type I plasminogen deficiency. Of family members tested, 11 of 12 parents and two of six siblings tested were diagnosed as heterozygous.

Homozygous mutations in the plasminogen gene of two unrelated girls with ligneous conjunctivitis.

Ligneous conjunctivitis is a rare and unusual form of chronic pseudomembranous conjunctivitis that usually starts in early infancy. The disease may be associated with pseudomembranous lesions of other mucous membranes in the mouth, nasopharynx, trachea, and female genital tract. We examined two unrelated Turkish girls both suffering from ligneous conjunctivitis and occlusive hydrocephalus.

Homozygous type I plasminogen deficiency.

Homozygous type I plasminogen (Plg) deficiency has not been described in human subjects so far. Ligneous conjunctivitis is a rare and unusual form of chronic pseudomembranous conjunctivitis of unknown etiology. Here we report for the first time on homozygous type I Plg deficiency in three unrelated female patients who suffered from ligneous conjunctivitis and additional pseudomembranous lesions of other mucous membranes.

[Perioperative hemostatic problems in children].

During childhood preoperative coagulation diagnosis is performed to prove or to rule out an inborn coagulation disorder or an acquired v. Willebrand disease. The coagulation system of the newborns differs considerably from that of the adults as well as the time in which the single parameters reach adult values.

[Perioperative blood coagulation problems in children].

During childhood preoperative coagulation diagnosis is performed to prove or to rule out an inborn coagulation disorder or an acquired von Willebrand disease. The coagulation system of the newborn differs considerably from that of the adults as well as the time in which the single parameters reach adult values. Reducing the coagulation screening to the determination of aPTT and Quick test neglects severe hemostaseological disorders easily, such as von Willebrand disease which is often observed in childhood and often combined with normal aPTT values.

[Pellagra in anticonvulsive therapy].

The case of a mentally handicapped female patient is presented who developed typical pellagra with dermatitis, diarrhoea and mental alteration following a long-term antiepileptic treatment with phenytoin, ethosuximide and valproic acid. In addition, she had a deficient meat intake. A course of treatment with multivitamins proved successful in resolving the symptoms within 2 weeks.

[Influence of hypocaloric diet on the platelets of overweight children (author's transl)].

20 overweight, otherwise healthy children aged 8--15 years received a hypocaloric mixed diet. Platelet counts and qualities were examined. Before dieting in relation to the weight platelet counts were elevated, their spreading capacity diminished, but the values were still within the normal range.

[Influence of hypocaloric diet on blood coagulation of overweight children (author's transl)].

32 overweight otherwise healthy children aged 8-15 years received a hypocaloric mixed diet for some weeks. Their blood coagulation was studied with regard to possible changes. Before dieting the levels of fibrinogen were markedly increased, also maximal amplitude (ma) of the thrombelastograms.

[Studies of metabolism of overweight children before and during weight reducing diet applied some weeks (author's transl)].

32 overweight and otherwise healthy children aged 8--15 years received a hypocaloric assorted diet for some weeks. Their weight loss was satisfactory, and as expected most considerable in the beginning. Before and during dieting a great number of investigations were carried out concerning the changes of metabolism and blood counts.