Developing an Automated Enzyme Immunoassay for High-Throughput Screening of Bovine Serum Antibodies to Neospora Caninum

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Neospora caninum antibodies was automated with a robotic workstation, the Beckman Coulter Biomek 2000, to screen 200 bovine sera. Comparing these results with manually run ELISA data, a 95.92% agreement (K = 0.9592) between the two assays was obtained. The automated assay was specific and sensitive with excellent positive and negative predictive values. The results were repeatable and reproducible. The automation flexibility was high and the operation complexity was minimal. High-throughput screening (HTS) for bovine antibodies to Neospora caninum was achieved. The assay was developed according to the internationally recognized ISO17025 standard requirements.     

New method to prepare iron particles with different morphologies: a way to get high green strength metal compacts

Abstract

Metaliron powders of well controlled size and morphology were synthesised by thermal decomposition under hydrogen of precipitated ferrous oxalates. Green compacts were prepared by uniaxial pressing of metal powders at 290 MPa. The bending green strengths of compacts were measured.

The precipitation of β-FeC₂O₄.2H₂O oxalate from ammonium oxalate gives rise to the formation of spherical particles by aggregation ofelongated grains. Thermal decomposition of this oxalate from 400 to 500°C under hydrogen permits metal iron particles with a rough surface to be obtained. Decomposition occurring above 500°C induces a smoothness of the particle surface. Metal particles synthesised at 500°C show both surface roughness and micrometer sized primary grains.This specific microstructure has allowed the highest value ofcompact green strength (31·7 MPa) to be obtained.

Acicular shaping of the β-FeC₂O₄.2H₂O particles precipitated from oxalic acid involves, after decomposition, an increase in the surface roughness and shape irregularity of the metal particles, owing to an entanglement of the elementary grains. An exceptional value (about 60 MPa) for the metal compact green strength was thus obtained for this type of powder.     

European Union Policy: update New Chemicals

Abstract

In a previous article the EU New Chemicals Policy was introduced. With publication of draft legislation expected Spring 2003, more detail is provided about the policy and its likely effect on the PM industry; some technical and commercial issues underlying its implementation are discussed.     

Effect of Sr on primary α-Fe phase in liquid Al-11.5Si-0.4Mg cast alloy

Abstract

The effect of Sr on the sedimentation of primary α-Fe phase has been investigated at superheating temperatures of 760 and 900 °C. A convection free experimental technique was used to aid in quantifying the primary α-Fe particles sedimented at 600 °C for 4 h. Sr marginally decreases the formed particle weight at normal melting temperature (760 °C), but greatly increases the particle weight at the superheating temperature of 900 °C. Sr refines primary α-Fe particles at both temperatures, causing the increase of the number of primary α-Fe particles, especially when superheated at 900 °C. In addition, Sr causes a decrease in the particle volume fraction but an increase in the number of the sedimented particles, and a great increase in the depth of the sediment in the mould at higher superheating temperatures. These observations are interpreted in terms of the precipitation of Fe rich particles on suspended oxide films, and the rigidisation of suspended films at higher temperatures, possibly as a result of their change in chemistry, but especially as a result of inflation of their doubled-over form by hydrogen, and the effect this has on the multiplication of growing iron rich precipitates as a result of their mechanically unstable substrate.     

A Demonstration of High-Throughput Electrophoresis

Automating electrophoresis significantly reduces the time required for loading a large number of samples, increases the speed of electrophoresis analysis, and maximizes the resolution power (clear separation of fragments) of this technique. In addition, automation increases the precision of electrophoresis analysis. Here we demonstrate an automated, high-throughput method of loading 96 samples simultaneously onto an electrophoresis gel, using the Apogent Discoveries Tango™ system and the Invitrogen™ E-Gel® 96 system.     

Thermophysical properties of liquid Co–Cu–Ni alloys

Abstract

Within the Coolcop project, funded by ESA, the thermophysical properties of selected liquid Cu–Co–Ni alloys were investigated. Using the new high-temperature oscillating cup viscometer at DLR, the viscosity of this alloy along two perpendicular cuts in the ternary phase diagram was measured as a function of temperature. Along the same cuts also surface tension and density were determined by using electromagnetic levitation and image processing.     

Liquid crystalline adhesives for polypropylene joints

This study was devoted to the investigation of the adhesion of epoxy resins to polypropylene adherends. In particular, the study was carried out as follows: synthesis of both a liquid crystalline (LC) and a bisphenol-A-based resin, their characterization and their further evaluation as adhesives for polypropylene adherends. This was done in order to evaluate the difference between an LC epoxy resin and an isotropic one in adhesive applications. The adherends chosen were neat polypropylene (PP) and polypropylene reinforced with 20 and 40 wt% talc (PP20 and PP40, respectively). The effect of two different pre-treatments (simple degreasing and acid etching) on the polypropylene adherends was also evaluated. It was shown that the adhesion strength of the liquid crystalline adhesive was higher compared to that of the isotropic one. The higher adhesion was related to the extra ductility demonstrated by the LC epoxy resin, which was due to its particular microstructure. Moreover, the acid etching pre-treatment performed on polypropylene adherends prior to bonding improved the adhesion at the interface with the resin. The increased stiffness of the adherends due to the presence of talc turned out to be beneficial to obtain more resistant joints.     

Metallization of a liquid crystal polymer by PVD using a nickel interlayer

In this paper metallization of a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate by physical vapor deposition (PVD) is described. Pretreatment of LCP substrates with oxygen-containing plasma improves the adhesion strength between the PVD copper layer and substrate. When a nickel interlayer was used, the adhesion was improved further. Still higher adhesion was also achieved with appropriate bias used during deposition of the nickel interlayer by PVD. Even after 1000 cycles of thermal shock the adhesion strength of Cu/Ni on LCP pretreated with oxygen plasma was still high.     

In situ thermal studies and post-weld mechanical properties of friction stir welds in age hardenable aluminium alloys

Abstract

The 'quench sensitivity' of various friction stir welded (FSW) aluminium alloys were investigated. Cooling rates of FSW were altered by utilising various active (weld side) and passive (anvil side) cooling/heating conditions. Media used included a chilled water mist (active cooling) and hot air (active heating) immediately behind the tool, and water chilled (passive cooling) or heated (passive heating) anvil. Microhardness and transverse tensile properties were used to assess the natural aging response of friction stir welds (FSWs) in 2195-T8 and 7075-T7351 subject to these conditions. Test results indicated that the quench sensitive alloy 7075 exhibits a more rapid natural aging response and improved mechanical properties while the less quench sensitive 2195 exhibits little or no change in mechanical properties. In the present investigation FSWs in alloy 7075 under active and passive cooling conditions exhibited an increase of approximately 10% in tensile properties over conventional FSWs.