A systematic mid-infrared spectroscopic study of thermally processed HS ices.

The positive identification of the molecular components of interstellar icy grain mantles is critically reliant upon the availability of laboratory-generated mid-infrared absorption spectra which can be compared against data acquired by ground- and space-borne telescopes. However, one molecule which remains thus far undetected in interstellar ices is HS, despite its important roles in astrochemical and geophysical processes. Such a lack of a detection is surprising, particularly in light of its relative abundance in cometary ices which are believed to be the most pristine remnants of pre-solar interstellar ices available for study.

A systematic mid-infrared spectroscopic study of thermally processed SO ices.

The use of mid-infrared spectroscopy to characterise the chemistry of icy interstellar and Solar System environments will be exploited in the near future to better understand the chemical processes and molecular inventories in various astronomical environments. This is, in part, due to observational work made possible by the recently launched as well as forthcoming missions to the outer Solar System that will observe in the mid-infrared spectroscopic region (, the and the missions). However, such spectroscopic characterisations are crucially reliant upon the generation of laboratory data for comparative purposes.

Energetic electron irradiations of amorphous and crystalline sulphur-bearing astrochemical ices.

Laboratory experiments have confirmed that the radiolytic decay rate of astrochemical ice analogues is dependent upon the solid phase of the target ice, with some crystalline molecular ices being more radio-resistant than their amorphous counterparts. The degree of radio-resistance exhibited by crystalline ice phases is dependent upon the nature, strength, and extent of the intermolecular interactions that characterise their solid structure. For example, it has been shown that crystalline CHOH decays at a significantly slower rate when irradiated by 2 keV electrons at 20 K than does the amorphous phase due to the stabilising effect imparted by the presence of an extensive array of strong hydrogen bonds.

Investigation of silver nanoparticles on titanium surface created by ion implantation technology.

Using dental Ti implants has become a well-accepted and used method for replacing missing dentition. It has become evident that in many cases peri-implant inflammation develops. The objective was to create and evaluate the antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticle (Ag-NP) coated Ti surfaces that can help to prevent such processes if applied on the surface of dental implants.

Electron cyclotron resonance ion source plasma characterization by X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray imaging.

An experimental campaign aiming to investigate electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma X-ray emission has been recently carried out at the ECRISs-Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Sources laboratory of Atomki based on a collaboration between the Debrecen and Catania ECR teams. In a first series, the X-ray spectroscopy was performed through silicon drift detectors and high purity germanium detectors, characterizing the volumetric plasma emission. The on-purpose developed collimation system was suitable for direct plasma density evaluation, performed "on-line" during beam extraction and charge state distribution characterization.

Enhanced Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Ion-Implanted Titanium Using Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Sources.

The surface properties of metallic implants play an important role in their clinical success. Improving upon the inherent shortcomings of Ti implants, such as poor bioactivity, is imperative for achieving clinical use. In this study, we have developed a Ti implant modified with Ca or dual Ca + Si ions on the surface using an electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS).