Conformal anodic oxidation of aluminum thin films

Membrane-based synthesis, also called template synthesis, is a very general approach used to prepare arrays of nanomaterials with monodispersed geometrical features. The most commonly used porous templates are track-etched polycarbonate and porous anodic alumina membranes. Common to all these templates is the fact that the pores are perpendicular to the surface of the membrane. Here, a novel approach is presented, where the pores are synthesized parallel to the surface of the membrane. For the first time, the anodic oxidation of an aluminum thin film is performed laterally, i.e., parallel to the surface of the substrate, instead of perpendicular as usually done. For low anodic oxidation voltages (between 3 and 5 V) we obtain highly regular and ordered pore arrays, at least over a few hundred nanometers length, with a minimum pore size of approximately 3 to 4 nm. With such porous alumina structures, the controlled in-plane organization of arrays of template-grown nanowires and carbon nanotubes for reproducible device fabrication should be much easier.     

Influence of the Carbo-Chromization Process on the Microstructural,Hardness, and Corrosion Properties of 316L Sintered Stainless Steel

We report on the changes on the microstructural, hardness, and corrosion properties induced by carbo-chromization of 316L stainless steel prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering technique. The thermo-chemical treatments have been performed using pack cementation. The carburizing and chromization were carried out between 1153 K (880 °C)/4 h to 1253 K (980 °C)/12 h and 1223 K (950 °C)/6 h to 1273 K (1000 °C)/12 h in a solid powder mixture of charcoal/BaCO₃ and ferrochromium/alumina/NH₄Cl, respectively. The obtained layers were investigated using X-ray and electron diffraction, optical and scanning electron microscopies, Vickers micro-hardness, and potentiodynamic measurements. The thickness of the carbo-chromized layer ranges between 300 and 500 μm. Besides the host γ-phase, the layers are mainly constituted of carbides (Fe₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆, Cr₇C₃, and Fe₃C) and traces of α′-martensite. The average hardness values decrease smoothly from 650 HV at the sample surface down to 200 HV at the center of the sample. The potentiodynamic tests revealed that the carbo-chromized samples have smaller corrosion resistance with respect to the untreated material. For strong chromization regimes, the corrosion rate is increased by a factor of four with respect to that of the untreated material, while the micro-hardness of the layer is three times larger. Such materials are suited to be used in environments where good corrosion resistance and wear properties are required.     

Variations in the intraoral electromotive force in the electrotherapy of the upper extremities]

We tested the intraoral microwaves under applied electrotherapy in cephalic neuralgia. The tests have been undertaken on 40 patients divided in 4 groups, according to the nature of the metallic components of the prosthetic appliances. There have been withdrawn practical conclusions regarding fixed prosthesis and the use of electrotherapy in the cephalic neuralgia.     

Effects of working parameters on surface finish in ball-burnishing of hardened steels

Burnishing is a chipless finishing method, which employs a rolling tool, pressed against the workpiece, in order to achieve plastic deformation of the surface layer. Recent developments made possible burnishing of heat-treated steel components up to 65 HRC. Features of burnishing include a good roughness (comparable to grinding), as well as improvement of mechanical characteristics of the surface (fatigue strength, corrosion resistance, and bearing ratio), due to implementation of compressive stresses into the surface layer. This paper will present influences of certain burnishing parameters upon roughness, for a hardened steel component (64 HRC).     

Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Activation of Hydroxyapatite to Improve Fluoride Incorporation and Modulate Bacterial Biofilm

Despite the technological progress of the last decade, dental caries is still the most frequent oral health threat in children and adults alike. Such a condition has multiple triggers and is caused mainly by enamel degradation under the acidic attack of microbial cells, which compose the biofilm of the dental plaque. The biofilm of the dental plaque is a multispecific microbial consortium that periodically develops on mammalian teeth. It can be partially removed through mechanical forces by individual brushing or in specialized oral care facilities. Inhibition of microbial attachment and biofilm formation, as well as methods to strengthen dental enamel to microbial attack, represent the key factors in caries prevention. The purpose of this study was to elaborate a cold plasma-based method in order to modulate microbial attachment and biofilm formation and to improve the retention of fluoride (F⁻) in an enamel-like hydroxyapatite (HAP) model sample. Our results showed improved F retention in the HAP model, which correlated with an increased antimicrobial and antibiofilm effect. The obtained cold plasma with a dual effect exhibited through biofilm modulation and enamel strengthening through fluoridation is intended for dental application, such as preventing and treating dental caries and enamel deterioration.     

Effect of cinnamate comonomers on the dental formulation properties

This study reports the synthesis and characterization of two urethane dimethacrylates containing poly(ethylene oxide) or poly(propylene oxide) segment and cinnamate pendant moieties to be formulated in dental resin composites. ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, gel permeation chromatography, electrospray ionization‐mass spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric measurements confirmed their structure, whereas the photopolymerization evolution of oligodimethacrylates relating to a low–molecular‐weight dicinnamate methacrylate under ultraviolet irradiation was investigated by photo‐differential scanning calorimeter, monitoring the degree of conversion (DC) and polymerization rate. The photopolymerization results reveal that the investigated derivatives display a good photoreactivity (DC: ～ 70%) during the formation of crosslinked polymers, the DC depending especially on the sample viscosity. The polymerization shrinkage for several mixtures including the urethane oligocinnamates (20 wt %) and diglycidyl methacrylate of bisphenol A/triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate system in the absence of filler was determined, the obtained values being in the range of 6.1–8.2 vol %. For few cured specimens incorporating quartz filler (75 wt %), water sorption/solubility, contact angle, and mechanical parameters were measured to establish if such monomers could be of interest in dentistry. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Screening of Molecular Virulence Markers in Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains Isolated from Clinical Infections

Staphylococcus (S.) aureus and Pseudomonas (Ps.) aeruginosa are two of the most frequently opportunistic pathogens isolated in nosocomial infections, responsible for severe infections in immunocompromised hosts. The frequent emergence of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa strains has determined the development of new strategies in order to elucidate the different mechanisms used by these bacteria at different stages of the infectious process, providing the scientists with new procedures for preventing, or at least improving, the control of S. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa infections. The purpose of this study was to characterize the molecular markers of virulence in S. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa strains isolated from different clinical specimens. We used multiplex and uniplex PCR assays to detect the genes encoding different cell-wall associated and extracellular virulence factors, in order to evaluate potential associations between the presence of putative virulence genes and the outcome of infections caused by these bacteria. Our results demonstrate that all the studied S. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa strains synthesize the majority of the investigated virulence determinants, probably responsible for different types of infections.     

Atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced synthesis of flame retardant cellulosic materials

Flame retardant cellulosic materials have been produced using a silicon dioxide (SiO₂) network coating. SiO₂ network armor was prepared through hydrolysis and condensation of the precursor tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), prior coating the substrates, and was cross linked on the surface of the substrates using atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) technique. Because of protection effects of the SiO₂ network armor, the cellulosic based fibers exhibit enhanced thermal properties (characterized by TGA and DSC) and improved flame retardant (proven by ASTM D1230‐99). Furthermore, the surface analysis (XPS and SEM) confirmed the presence of the SiO₂ network attached to the substrates even after intense ultrasound washes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Generation of antifouling layers on stainless steel surfaces by plasma‐enhanced crosslinking of polyethylene glycol

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) structures were deposited onto stainless steel (SS) surfaces by spin coating and argon radio frequency (RF)‐plasma mediated crosslinking. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR) indicated the presence of  CH₂ CH₂ O structure and C C C linkage, as a result of the plasma crosslinking, on PEG‐modified SS surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated complete deposition, and water contact angle analysis revealed higher hydrophilicity on PEG‐modified surfaces compared to unmodified SS surfaces. Surface morphology and roughness analysis by atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed smoother SS surfaces after PEG modification. The evaluation of antifouling ability of the PEG‐modified SS surfaces was carried out. Compared to the unmodified SS, PEG‐modified surfaces showed about 81–96% decrease in Listeria monocytogenes attachment and biofilm formation (p < 0.05). This cold plasma mediated PEG crosslinking provided a promising technique to reduce bacterial contamination on surfaces encountered in food‐processing environments. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 485–497, 2005