Release of carbon nanotubes from an epoxy-based nanocomposite during an abrasion process.

The abrasion behavior of an epoxy/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposite was investigated. An experimental setup has been established to perform abrasion, particle measurement, and collection all in one. The abraded particles were characterized by particle size distribution and by electron microscopy.

Exchange bias and domain evolution at 10 nm scales.

For a fixed 2 μm×2 μm area of a Co/Pt-CoO perpendicular exchange bias system we image the ferromagnetic (FM) domains for various applied fields with 10-nm resolution by magnetic force microscopy (MFM). Using quantitative MFM we measure the local areal density of pinned uncompensated spins (pinUCS) in the antiferromagnetic (AFM) CoO layer and correlate the FM domain structure with the UCS density. Larger applied fields drive the receding domains to areas of proportionally higher pinUCS aligned antiparallel to FM moments.

Effect of simulated microgravity on growth and production of exopolymeric substances of Micrococcus luteus space and earth isolates.

Microorganisms tend to form biofilms on surfaces, thereby causing deterioration of the underlaying material. In addition, biofilm is a potential health risk to humans. Therefore, microorganism growth is not only an issue on Earth but also in manned space habitats like the International Space Station (ISS).

Tribological behavior of DLC-coated articulating joint implants.

Coatings from diamond-like carbon (DLC) have been proven to be an excellent choice for wear reduction in many technical applications. However, for successful adaption to the total joint replacement field, layer performance, stability and adhesion in realistic physiological setups are quintessential and these aspects have not been consistently researched. In our team's efforts to develop long-term stable DLC implant coatings, test results gained from a simplified linear spinal simulator setup are presented.

Electrophoretic deposition of zirconia-Bioglass composite coatings for biomedical implants.

Composite bilayer coatings on Ti6Al4V substrates were prepared by electrophoretic deposition, a simple and fast low temperature coating technique. Biocompatible yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) in the form of nanoparticles and bioactive Bioglass (45S5) in the form of microparticles were chosen as coating materials. The first layer consisted of 5 microm of YSZ, deposited with the intention to avoid any metal tissue contact.

Site-specific specimen preparation by focused ion beam milling for transmission electron microscopy of metal matrix composites.

This work describes the application and usefulness of the focused ion beam (FIB) technique for the preparation of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) samples from metal matrix composite materials. Results on an Aldiamond composite, manufactured by the squeeze casting infiltration process, were chosen for demonstration. It is almost impossible to prepare TEM specimens of this material by any other conventional method owing to the presence of highly inhomogeneous phases and reinforcement diamond particles.

Bioavailability of water-polluting sulfonoaromatic compounds.

Highly substituted arenesulfonates are chemically stable compounds with a range of industrial applications, and they are widely regarded as being poorly degradable. We did enrichment cultures for bacteria able to utilise the sulfonate moiety of 14 compounds, and we obtained mixed cultures that were able to desulfonate each compound. The products formed were usually identified as the corresponding phenol, but because we could not obtain pure cultures, we followed up these findings with quantitative work in pure cultures of, e.