Identification of polymer materials using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy combined with artificial neural networks

A combination of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) has been used for the identification of polymer materials, including polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene (PE), polyamide or nylon (PA), polycarbonate (PC) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). After optimization of the experimental setup and the spectrum acquisition protocol, successful identification rates between 81 and 100% were achieved using spectral features gathered from single spectra without averaging (1 second acquisition time) over a wide spectral range (240-820 nm). Furthermore, ten different materials based on PVC were tested using the identification procedure. Correct identifications were obtained as well. Sorting of the materials into sub-categories of PVC materials according to their charges (concentration in trace elements such as Ca) was performed. The demonstrated capacities fit, in practice, the needs of plastic-waste sorting and of producing high-grade recycled plastic materials.     

Instantaneous spatially resolved acquisition of polarimetric and angular scattering properties in optical coatings

A CCD angular resolved scattering setup is presented. This new high sensitivity instrument allows both spatial and angular resolved measurement of scattered field intensity and polarimetric features. Applications to the comprehensive characterization of optical coatings are given.     

Characterization of zirconia- and niobia-silica mixture coatings produced by ion-beam sputtering

ZrO2-SiO2 and Nb2O5-SiO2 mixture coatings as well as those of pure zirconia (ZrO2), niobia (Nb2O5), and silica (SiO2) deposited by ion-beam sputtering were investigated. Refractive-index dispersions, bandgaps, and volumetric fractions of materials in mixed coatings were analyzed from spectrophotometric data. Optical scattering, surface roughness, nanostructure, and optical resistance were also studied. Zirconia-silica mixtures experience the transition from crystalline to amorphous phase by increasing the content of SiO2. This also results in reduced surface roughness. All niobia and silica coatings and their mixtures were amorphous. The obtained laser-induced damage thresholds in the subpicosecond range also correlates with respect to the silica content in both zirconia- and niobia-silica mixtures.     

Optimal design for 100% absorption and maximum field enhancement in thin-film multilayers at resonances under total reflection

Dielectric optical coatings are designed at resonances to reach total absorption, whatever the low value of the imaginary index. The corresponding field enhancement within the stack can be arbitrarily increased with the optimization procedure. Applications concern optical sensors and threshold lasers.     

Properties of Flame Sprayed Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9‐δ Electrolyte Thin Films

Thin films of Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_1.9‐δ (CGO) are deposited by flame spray deposition with a deposition rate of about 30 nm min^?1. The films (deposited at 200 °C) are dense, smooth, and particle‐free and show a biphasic amorphous/nanocrystalline microstructure. Isothermal grain growth and microstrain are determined as a function of dwell time and temperature and correlated to the electrical conductivity. CGO films annealed for 10 h at 600 °C present the best electrical conductivity of 0.46 S m^?1 measured at 550 °C. Reasons for the superior performance of films annealed at low temperature over higher‐temperature‐treated samples are discussed and include grain‐size evolution, microstrain relaxation, and chemical decomposition. Nanoindentation measurements are conducted on the CGO thin films as a function of annealing temperature to determine the hardness and elastic modulus of the films for potential application as free‐standing electrolyte membranes in low‐temperature micro‐SOFCs (solid oxide fuel cells).     

Brettanomyces susceptibility to antimicrobial agents used in winemaking: in vitro and practical approaches

Brettanomyces bruxellensis is a spoiling yeast responsible for developing off-odors in wine described as “Brett-character.” The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of four enological compounds against Brettanomyces: potassium metabisulfite (PMB), chitosan, enological tannins and dimethyl dicarbonate. Minimal inhibitory concentrations and minimal biocidal concentrations of the antimicrobial agents were determined, and a comparative study between B. bruxellensis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was performed under in vitro controlled conditions. All tested compounds showed inhibitory effect on the growth of Brettanomyces. Chitosan and the enological tannins showed selectivity against Brettanomyces, and PMB showed the highest efficacy in concentrations under the currently permitted limits for enological use; consequently, PMB was further evaluated in red wines naturally contaminated by Brettanomyces. Volatile phenol concentrations were determined after long-term storage of the wines treated with PMB. A direct correlation was demonstrated between the concentrations of 4-ethylphenol, 4-ethylguaiacol, 4-propylguaiacol and Brettanomyces populations in the studied wines, and these parameters correlated inversely with the concentrations of PMB employed. This is the first time that 4-propylguaiacol is shown to correlate with Brettanomyces population in wine. It is of enological significance that a concentration of 100 mg/L of total PMB efficiently prevented Brettanomyces growth in the aging red wines of our study and that volatile phenol concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in those poorly protected wines.     

Metastability of heavy lanthanides in the ZnO wurtzite structure

The introduction and stability of the heavy lanthanide Er, into ZnO was studied by HRTEM, XRD and thermal treatments. The applied synthesis route allows introducing the Er atoms in the lattice in a metastable state. The stability depends on the Er concentration. ZnO with Er concentrations of less than 2% are stable up to 800 °C, while higher concentrations result in a phase segregation at T > 700 °C. Unit cell parameters obtained from the Rietveld refinement of XRD patterns provide a conclusive evidence of the incorporation of the Er ions in the host ZnO matrix.     

The influence of exopolysaccharide-producing lactic acid bacteria on reconstructed ham

The influence of in-situ-formed exopolysaccharides (EPS) by lactic acid bacteria (LAB; Lactobacillus sakeiTMW 1.411 and Lactobacillus plantarumTMW 1.1478) on the yield and texture of reconstructed ham was investigated. No differences in yield (P > 0.05) were observed but weight loss during storage was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for hams produced with L. sakei 1.411. Furthermore, the produced EPS decreased the hardness (P < 0.05; 50.22 N for control compared to 44.81 N) but did not influence the cohesiveness (P > 0.05) of hams. Products with L. plantarum 1.1478 showed no significant differences in comparison to the control. This could be attributed to the lower amount of EPS formed during ripening. L. sakei 1.411 produced 194.49 ± 5.34 mg kg⁻¹ EPS, whereas L. plantarum 1.1478 formed 60.26 ± 2.96 mg kg⁻¹ EPS. Thus, the use of the examined LAB is not recommended in reconstructed ham, since they have no or even a negative influence on the product quality.