Iron-oxide-modified nanosized diamond: preparation, characterization, and catalytic properties in methanol decomposition.

Nanosized diamond (UDD), obtained by a detonation procedure, was modified with iron from the corresponding acetylacetonate precursor under various pretreatment conditions. Nitrogen physisorption, X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction, and FTIR and Mössbauer spectroscopy were used for their characterization. The samples' catalytic behavior in methanol decomposition was also studied.

Iron oxide modified diamond blends containing ultradispersed diamond.

Iron oxide modified diamond blends containing different amounts of ultradispersed diamond were prepared and characterized by nitrogen physisorption, X-ray diffraction, temperature programmed reduction, Mössbauer and IR spectroscopy. The catalytic behavior of these composite materials in methanol decomposition to hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane has been also studied. The initial state and phase transformations of the supported highly dispersed iron oxide particles in various pretreatment media, as well as their reductive and catalytic properties, strongly depend on the ultradispersed diamond content in the diamond blends.

A study on the current situation in the biomedical technology and clinical engineering sector in Bulgaria--advances, trends and needs.

A survey of the clinical engineering sector in Bulgaria was carried out, within the context of the 1996 Phare Partnership Program, with the aim to provide a reflection of the current situation concerning the management of biomedical technology and investigate the relevant needs in hospitals. The survey was initiated by the Institute of Biomedical Technology (INBIT) in Patras, Greece, with the active support of national organizations, educational institutions and other parties that share involvement in the overall management of medical devices in Bulgaria. This paper summarizes the results of the survey, giving an insight into the situation in the field and providing the basis for a more thorough study on the Biomedical Technology and Clinical Engineering sectors in Bulgaria.