This contribution summarizes the use of plasmon surface polaritons and guided optical waves for the characterization of interfaces and thin organic films. After a short introduction to the theoretical background of evanescent wave optics, examples are given that show how this interfacial "light" can be employed to monitor thin coatings at a solid/air or solid/liquid interface. Examples are give...

The technique of wavelength scanning digital holographic microscopy (WSDHM) is improved by use of a digital spectral shaping method which is used to suppress the sidelobes of the amplitude modulation function in WSDHM for non-Gaussian-shaped source spectra. Spurious structures caused by sidelobes can be eliminated in tomographic imaging and the performance of the tomographic system greatly impr...

the effect of mentha spicata l. extract on the corrosion behaviour of carbon steel in 1.0 m hcl solution was investigated using polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (eis) and electrochemical noise (en) techniques. the solution containing 250 ppm of the ethanolic solution of extract showed the highest inhibition efficiency (ie). the effect of temperature on the rate of corrosion ...

Knee and hip joint replacement implants involve a sliding contact between the femoral component and the tibial or acetabular component immersed in body fluids, thus making the metallic parts susceptible to tribocorrosion. Micro-motions occur at points of fixation leading to debris and ion release by fretting corrosion. β-Titanium alloys are potential biomaterials for joint prostheses due to the...

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the antibacterial properties of silver-doped titanium surfaces prepared with a novel electrochemical anodizing process. MATERIAL AND METHODS Titanium samples were anodized with a pulsed process in a solution of silver nitrate and sodium thiosulphate at room temperature with stirring. Samples were processed with different electrolyte concentrat...

The mechanism of corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete is discussed based on electrochemical and electron microscopy observations. The importance of calcium hydroxide precipitation on the steel surf ace in the steel/mortar interface is evaluated by placing filter paper around reinforcing steel bar specimens prior to casting in mortar, thus preventing direct contact between steel and mortar...

Guide wires with suitable functional characteristics are of crucial importance for proper urological treatment. This study presents an analysis of the effect of work hardening taking place in the process of wire cold drawing and the effect of surface modification by means of electrochemical polishing and chemical passivation on the resistance of wires made of X10CrNi18-8 steel used in urology. ...

The interfacial behavior of salt-type minerals such as calcite and apatite is governed to a large extent by their electrochemical properties which in turn are governed by pH and concentration of dissolved mineral species. In mixed mineral systems, the interfacial behavior of various minerals is often quite different from what might be expected on the basis of their individual properties. Predic...

Zinc represents the most effective and economic corrosion protection especially for steel base materials. Improved corrosion resistance can be achieved by alloying zinc with small amounts (around 1 Yo) of transition metal elements like Co, Ni and Fe. Zn-Fe and Zn-Co alloys containing up to 1.5 Yo of the transition metal were plated using an alkaline and acidic electrolyte respectively. Zn-Ni al...

the aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of coupling an electrochemical process with a biological treatment in order to degrade phosmet, an organophosphorous pesticide. the absence of biodegradability of phosmet by pseudomonas fluorescens and activated sludge was verified in our operational conditions. so, a conventional biological treatment is not appropriate for phosmet polluted...