Search results for "silicon dioxide"
showing 10 items of 278 documents
Temperature dependence of the absorption properties of silanol groups in amorphous : Are silanol groups organized in clusters?
2011
Abstract We present a study on the vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) and infrared (IR) absorption of silanol groups in amorphous silicon dioxide ( a - SiO 2 ) in the range of temperature from 4 to 300 K. The observed temperature induced modifications of IR and VUV absorption spectra are interpreted as due to a process of conversion of free into H-bonded silanol groups. The changes of the amplitude of the VUV absorption spectra are shown to be linearly correlated to the changes of the IR absorption of free Si–OH groups. This point together with the evidence that the shape of the Si–OH VUV absorption does not depend on temperature demonstrates that the different silanol group sub-species have differen…
The correlation of the 7.6 eV optical absorption band in pure fused silicon dioxide with twofold-coordinated silicon
1992
Abstract The optical absorption band at 7.6 eV, which appears in oxygen deficient pure silica, does not correlate with any ESR signal in non-irradiated samples. Longlasting illumination at 80 K in the range of its absorption leads to an increase of the absorption band at 5 eV. Subsequent heating to 290 K restores the initial absorption. These data can be explained as photodissociation and thermal recreation of a complex defect containing a twofold-coordinated silicon defect. This complex defect is responsible for the 7.6 eV absorption band.
Effect of three prophylaxis methods on surface roughness of giomer
2010
Objectives: Plaque and stains are removed by prophylaxis methods from tooth surfaces. Since prophylaxis methods can have a detrimental effect on the surface finish of restorations, the aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of three prophylaxis methods, including pumice with rubber cup, pumice with brush, and air-powder polishing device (APD) on the surface roughness of giomer. Study design: Sixty four cylindrical giomer (Beautifil II, Shofu) samples with a diameter of 6 mm and a height of 2 mm were used. Subsequent to a 3-month period of storage in distilled water at 37ºC, the samples were randomly divided into four groups of 16. In group 1 (control), no prophylaxis proce…
Isolation of the silicatein-α interactor silintaphin-2 by a novel solid-phase pull-down assay.
2011
The skeleton of siliceous sponges consists of amorphous biogenous silica (biosilica). Biosilica formation is driven enzymatically by means of silicatein(s). During this unique process of enzymatic polycondensation, skeletal elements (spicules) that enfold a central proteinaceous structure (axial filament), mainly comprising silicatein, are formed. However, only the concerted action of silicatein and other proteins can explain the genetically controlled diversity of spicular morphotypes, from simple rods with pointed ends to intricate structures with up to six rays. With the scaffold protein silintaphin-1, a first silicatein interactor that facilitates the formation of the axial filament and…
Biosilica-loaded poly(ϵ-caprolactone) nanofibers mats provide a morphogenetically active surface scaffold for the growth and mineralization of the os…
2014
Bioprinting/3D cell printing procedures for the preparation of scaffolds/implants have the potential to revolutionize regenerative medicine. Besides biocompatibility and biodegradability, the hardness of the scaffold material is of critical importance to allow sufficient mechanical protection and, to the same extent, allow migration, cell–cell, and cell–substrate contact formation of the matrix-embedded cells. In the present study, we present a strategy to encase a bioprinted, cell-containing, and soft scaffold with an electrospun mat. The electrospun poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers mats, containing tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), were subsequently incubated with silicatein. Silicate…
The Deep-Sea Natural Products, Biogenic Polyphosphate (Bio-PolyP) and Biogenic Silica (Bio-Silica), as Biomimetic Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineeri…
2013
Bone defects in human, caused by fractures/nonunions or trauma, gain increasing impact and have become a medical challenge in the present-day aging population. Frequently, those fractures require surgical intervention which ideally relies on autografts or suboptimally on allografts. Therefore, it is pressing and likewise challenging to develop bone substitution materials to heal bone defects. During the differentiation of osteoblasts from their mesenchymal progenitor/stem cells and of osteoclasts from their hemopoietic precursor cells, a lineage-specific release of growth factors and a trans-lineage homeostatic cross-talk via signaling molecules take place. Hence, the major hurdle is to fab…
NanoSIMS: insights into the organization of the proteinaceous scaffold within Hexactinellid sponge spicules.
2010
The giant basal spicules (GBS) from Monorhaphis chuni (Porifera [sponges], Hexactinellida) represent the largest biosilica structures on Earth and can reach lengths of 300 cm (diameter of 1.1 cm). The amorphous silica of the inorganic matrix is formed enzymatically by silicatein. During this process, the enzyme remains trapped inside the lamellar-organized spicules. In order to localize the organic silicatein scaffold, the inside of a lamella has been analyzed by nano-secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS). It is shown that the GBSs are composed of around 245 concentrically arranged individual siliceous lamellae. These surround an internal siliceous axial cylinder. The lamellae adjacent…
A synthetic biology approach for the fabrication of functional (fluorescent magnetic) bioorganic–inorganic hybrid materials in sponge primmorphs
2020
During evolution, sponges (Porifera) have honed the genetic toolbox and biosynthetic mechanisms for the fabrication of siliceous skeletal components (spicules). Spicules carry a protein scaffold embedded within biogenic silica (biosilica) and feature an amazing range of optical, structural, and mechanical properties. Thus, it is tempting to explore the low-energy synthetic pathways of spiculogenesis for the fabrication of innovative hybrid materials. In this synthetic biology approach, the uptake of multifunctional nonbiogenic nanoparticles (fluorescent, superparamagnetic) by spicule-forming cells of bioreactor-cultivated sponge primmorphs provides access to spiculogenesis. The ingested nan…
Self-organization of active particles by quorum sensing rules
2018
Many microorganisms regulate their behaviour according to the density of neighbours. Such quorum sensing is important for the communication and organisation within bacterial populations. In contrast to living systems, where quorum sensing is determined by biochemical processes, the behaviour of synthetic active particles can be controlled by external fields. Accordingly they allow to investigate how variations of a density-dependent particle response affect their self-organisation. Here we experimentally and numerically demonstrate this concept using a suspension of light-activated active particles whose motility is individually controlled by an external feedback-loop, realised by a particl…
Assessment of wastewater treatment plant design for small communities: Environmental and economic aspects
2012
The preliminary design and economic assessment of small wastewater treatment plants (less than 2000 population equivalent) are issues of particular interest since wastewaters from most of these agglomerations are not covered yet. This work aims to assess nine different technologies set-up for the secondary treatment in such type of facilities embracing both economic and environmental parameters. The main novelty of this work is the combination of an innovative environmental decision support system (EDSS) with a pioneer approach based on the inclusion of the environmental benefits derived from wastewater treatment. The integration of methodologies based on cost-benefit analysis tools with th…