Structure and Properties of the Multicomponent and Nanostructural Coatings on the Sintered Tool Materials

This chapter presents a general characteristic of sintered tool materials, in particular sintered sialons, nitride ceramics, injection-moulded ceramic-metallic tool materials and cemented carbides and a general characteristic of their surface treatment technology and especially chemical vapour deposition (CVD) and physical vapour deposition (PVD) techniques. The results of our investigations in technology foresight methods concerning the development prospects of surface engineering of sintered tool materials are presented. In the next subsection, we discuss the outcomes of multifaceted research carried out with advanced materials engineering methods, including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, into the structure and properties of multicomponent, graded and multilayer coatings on the investigated tool materials, including the newly developed injection moulded ceramic-metallic tool materials. Special attention was drawn to a one-dimensional structure of the studied PVD and CVD coatings and its impact on the properties of coatings

Fabrication Technologies of the Sintered Materials Including Materials for Medical and Dental Application

This chapter of the book presents the basis of classical powder metallurgy technologies and discusses powder fabrication, preparation, preliminary moulding, sintering and finish treatment operations. A general description of the materials and products manufactured with the classical powder metallurgy methods is presented. New variants are characterised along with special and hybrid technologies finding their applications in powder metallurgy. Special attention was drawn to microporous titanium and to TiAl6V4 alloy fabricated using hybrid rapid manufacturing technologies with selective laser sintering/selective laser melting (SLS/SLM) used for innovative implant scaffolds in medicine and regenerative dentistry. Laser deposition, thermal spraying and detonation spraying of powders are also discussed as special methods in which powders of metals and other materials are used as raw materials

Microporous Titanium-Based Materials Coated by Biocompatible Thin Films

This chapter presents the outcomes of numerous own works concerning constructional solutions and fabrication technologies of a new generation of custom, original, hybrid, microporous high-strength engineering and biological materials with microporous rigid titanium and Ti6Al4V alloy skeletons manufactured by Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), whose pores are filled with living cells. The so constructed and fabricated implants, in the connection zone with bone stumps, contain a porous zone, with surface treatment inside pores, enabling the living tissues to grow into. As the adhesion and growth of living cells are dependent on the type and characteristic of the substrate it is necessary to create the most advantageous proliferation conditions of living cells inside the pores of a microporous skeleton made of titanium and Ti6Al4V alloy. In order to improve the proliferation conditions of cells ensured by a fully compatible substrate, internal coatings with TiO2, Al2O3 oxides and Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 hydroxyapatite of the surface of pores of a microporous skeleton made of titanium and Ti6Al4V alloy with SLS was used. Two technologies have been chosen for the deposition of thin coatings onto the internal surfaces of pores: Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and the sol-gel of deep coating from the liquid phase

Porous Selective Laser Melted Ti and Ti6Al4V Materials for Medical Applications

This chapter characterises scaffolds manufactured in line with the make-to-order concept according to individual needs of each patient. The clinical data acquired from a patient during computer tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance or using traditional plaster casts is converted by a computer into a virtual solid model of a patient’s loss. The model, through the multiplication of a unit cell, is converted into a porous model on the basis of which an actual object is manufactured with the method of selective laser melting (SLM) from Ti/Ti6Al4V powders. The created scaffold is characterised by good mechanical properties, which is confirmed by the results of the performed tensile and compressive strength tests. The material is additionally subjected to surface treatment consisting of the deposition of atomic layers of titanium dioxide with nanometric thickness

From binary to multinary copper based nitrides - unlocking the potential of new applications

This review summarizes the current knowledge on the chemistry of binary copper(I) nitride, Cu3N and its multinary derivatives containing either main group or transition metal elements. For many years, research in this area was focused on the development of copper nitride prepared in the form of thin films. Successful deposition of these materials has been achieved mainly by employing physical methods, which have provided materials suitable for potential application in optical data storage. However, for the last decade, attention has also been devoted to expanding the available options by which Cu3N can be synthesized and deposited. Consequently, the focus has switched to the development of chemical synthetic methods towards the fabrication of this semiconductor and to broadening the range of related compounds that might be discovered. Simultaneously, the formulation of novel techniques and the successful preparation of new nanostructured functional materials has resulted in the rapid evolution of new and relevant applications; e.g. catalytic and electrochemical. The overview presented here concentrates on the chemical methods that have been devised to synthesise both bulk samples and thin films of Cu3N. Our article also shows how these approaches have been developed to achieve significant progress in the creation of multinary copper based nitrides and in identifying their potential applications. It provides a concise history of previous copper nitride research and sets the context for the most current advances. These will no doubt provide the springboard for future research areas that will impact both transition metal nitride chemistry and materials science more generally

Composite Materials Infiltrated by Aluminium Alloys Based on Porous Skeletons from Alumina, Mullite and Titanium Produced by Powder Metallurgy Techniques

The infiltration technology with reinforcement in the form of porous skeletons fabricated with powder metallurgy methods has been presented in relation to the general characteristics of metal alloy matrix composite materials. The results of our own investigations are presented pertaining to four alternative technologies of fabrication of porous, sintered skeletons, and their structure and their key technological properties are presented. Porous skeletons made of Al2O3 aluminium are sintered reactively using blowing agents or are manufactured by ceramic injection moulding (CIM) from powder. Porous skeletons made of 3Al2O3⋅2SiO2 mullite are achieved by sintering a mixture of halloysite nanotubes together with agents forming an open structure of pores. Titanium porous skeletons are achieved by selective laser sintering (SLS). The structure and properties of composite materials with an aluminium alloy matrix—mainly EN AC-AlSi12 and also EN AC-AlSi7Mg0.3 alloys—reinforced with the so manufactured skeletons are also described. A unique structure of the achieved composite materials, together with good mechanical properties and abrasive wear resistance at low density, ensured by an aluminium alloy matrix, are indicating broad application possibilities of such composites

Effect of Long-Term Zinc Pollution on Soil Microbial Community Resistance to Repeated Contamination

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of stress (contamination trials) on the microorganisms in zinc-polluted soil (5,018 mg Zn kg−1 soil dry weight) and unpolluted soil (141 mg Zn kg−1 soil dw), measured as soil respiration rate. In the laboratory, soils were subjected to copper contamination (0, 500, 1,500 and 4,500 mg kg−1 soil dw), and then a bactericide (oxytetracycline) combined with a fungicide (captan) along with glucose (10 mg g−1 soil dw each) were added. There was a highly significant effect of soil type, copper treatment and oxytetracycline/captan treatment. The initial respiration rate of chronically zinc-polluted soil was higher than that of unpolluted soil, but in the copper treatment it showed a greater decline. Microorganisms in copper-treated soil were more susceptible to oxytetracycline/captan contamination. After the successive soil contamination trials the decline of soil respiration was greater in zinc-polluted soil than in unpolluted soil

Practical guidelines for the supplementation of vitamin D and the treatment of deficits in Central Europe — recommended vitamin D intakes in the general population and groups at risk of vitamin D deficiency

Wstęp: Wyniki badań z ostatnich lat dokumentują wiele korzyści wynikających z działania witaminy D na organizm człowieka na wszystkichetapach jego życia. Większość badań epidemiologicznych sugeruje, że niedobór witaminy D jest powszechny wśród mieszkańców EuropyŚrodkowej. Naturalną konsekwencją tej sytuacji jest konieczność ciągłego uświadamiania społeczeństwu oraz środowisku medycznemu,jaką rolę odgrywa witamina D w rozwoju i funkcjonowaniu organizmu ludzkiego.Metody: Na podstawie przeglądu danych literaturowych Polski Zespół Wielodyscyplinarny opracował tezy dotyczące zasad suplementacjiwitaminą D, które przesłano do członków Komitetu Naukowego konferencji „Witamina D — minimum, maksimum, optimum”,19–20 Październik, 2012, Warszawa. W trakcie powyższej konferencji z udziałem 550 delegatów oraz Ekspertów różnych dziedzin medycynyomówiono i przedyskutowano propozycje wytycznych suplementacji witaminą D populacji Europy Środkowej.Wyniki: W efekcie przeprowadzonych dyskusji Zespół Ekspertów opracował wytyczne suplementacji witaminą D dla wszystkich grupwiekowych populacji Europy Środkowej. Określono również kryteria diagnostyczne charakteryzujące stan zaopatrzenia organizmu w witaminę D: deficyt witaminy D ustalono jako stężenie 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL (< 50 nmol/L)], suboptymalne zaopatrzenie jako stężenie25(OH)D wynoszące 20–30 ng/mL (50–75 nmol/L), a stężenie 30–50 ng/mL (75–125 nmol/L) uznano za docelowe dla zapewnienia efektuplejotropowego witaminy D.Wnioski: Poprawa obecnego stanu zaopatrzenia witaminy D w grupach dzieci, młodzieży, osób aktywnych zawodowo i seniorówpowinna zostać włączona do priorytetów polityki zdrowotnej społeczeństw Europy Środkowej.Introduction: Adequate Vitamin D intake and its concentration in serum are important for bone health and calcium–phosphate metabolismas well as for optimal function of many organs and tissues. Documented trends in lifestyle, nutritional habits and physical activityappear to be associated with moderate or severe Vitamin D deficits resulting in health problems. Most epidemiological studies suggest thatVitamin D deficiency is prevalent among Central European populations. Concern about this problem led to the organising of a conferencefocused on overcoming Vitamin D deficiency.Methods: After reviewing the epidemiological evidence and relevant literature, a Polish multidisciplinary group formulated theses onrecommendations for Vitamin D screening and supplementation in the general population. These theses were subsequently sent to ScientificCommittee members of the ‘Vitamin D — minimum, maximum, optimum’ conference for evaluation based on a ten-point scale.With 550 international attendees, the meeting ‘Vitamin D — minimum, maximum, optimum’ was held on October 19–20, 2012 in Warsaw(Poland). Most recent scientific evidence of both skeletal and non-skeletal effects of Vitamin D as well as the results of panellists’ votingwere reviewed and discussed during eight plenary sessions and two workshops.Results: Based on many polemical discussions, including post-conference networking, the key opinion leaders established ranges ofserum 25-hydroxyVitamin D concentration indicating Vitamin D deficiency [< 20 ng/mL (< 50 nmol/L)], suboptimal status [20–30 ng/mL(50–75 nmol/L)], and target concentration for optimal Vitamin D effects [30–50 ng/mL (75–125 nmol/L)]. General practical guidelines regardingsupplementation and updated recommendations for prophylactic Vitamin D intakes in Central European neonates, infants, childrenand adolescents as well as in adults (including recommendations for pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly) were developed.Conclusions: Improving the Vitamin D status of children, adolescents, adults and the elderly must be included in the priorities of physicians,healthcare professionals and healthcare regulating bodies. The present paper offers elaborated consensus on supplementationguidance and population strategies for Vitamin D in Central Europe

A review of the current treatment methods for posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus of infants

Posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) is a major problem for premature infants, generally requiring lifelong care. It results from small blood clots inducing scarring within CSF channels impeding CSF circulation. Transforming growth factor – beta is released into CSF and cytokines stimulate deposition of extracellular matrix proteins which potentially obstruct CSF pathways. Prolonged raised pressures and free radical damage incur poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. The most common treatment involves permanent ventricular shunting with all its risks and consequences