Method development for evaluating the redox state of Callovo-Oxfordian clayrock and synthetic montmorillonite for nuclear waste management

International audienc

Analysis of the pen pressure and grip force signal during basic drawing tasks: The timing and speed changes impact drawing characteristics

International audienceWriting is a complex fine and trained motor skill, involving complex biomechanical and cognitive processes. In this paper, we propose the study of writing kinetics using three angles: the pen-tip normal force, the total grip force signal and eventually writing quality assessment. In order to collect writing kinetics data, we designed a sensor collecting these characteristics simultaneously. Ten healthy right-handed adults were recruited and were asked to perform four tasks: first, they were instructed to draw circles at a speed they considered comfortable; they then were instructed to draw circles at a speed they regarded as fast; afterwards, they repeated the comfortable task compelled to follow the rhythm of a metronome; and eventually they performed the fast task under the same timing constraints. Statistical differences between the tasks were computed, and while pen-tip normal force and total grip force signal were not impacted by the changes introduced in each task, writing quality features were affected by both the speed changes and timing constraint changes. This verifies the already-studied speed-accuracy trade-off and suggest the existence of a timing constraints-accuracy trade-off

Redox potential measurements and Mössbauer spectrometry of FeII adsorbed onto FeIII (oxyhydr)oxides

International audienceThe redox properties of FeII adsorbed onto a series of FeIII (oxyhydr)oxides (goethite, lepidocrocite, nano-sized ferric oxide hydrate (nano-FOH), and hydrous ferric oxide (HFO)) have been investigated by rest potential measurements at a platinum electrode, as a function of pH ( log10[H ]) and surface coverage. Using the constant capacitance surface complexation model to describe FeII adsorption onto these substrates, theoretical values of the suspension redox potential (EH) have been computed, under the assumption that FeII adsorption occurs at crystal growth sites of the substrate surface. Good agreement between calculated and experimental EH values is observed for nano-FOH and HFO, however the redox potentials measured for lepidocrocite and goethite are significantly more oxidizing than predicted. Mössbauer spectroscopic analysis of 57FeII adsorbed onto HFO and goethite shows that in both cases the adsorbed 57FeII is incorporated into the crystal structure of the substrate, in broad agreement with the thermodynamic model, but is almost completely oxidized to 57FeIII. The mechanism by which the adsorbed 57FeII is oxidized is not resolved in this work, but is thought to be due to electron transfer to the substrate, rather than a net oxidation of the suspension. The disagreement between experimental and calculated rest potential measurements in the goethite and lepidocrocite systems is thought to be due to the poor electrochemical equilibration of these suspensions with the platinum electrode, rather than a failure of the thermodynamic model. The model developed for the redox potential of adsorbed FeII allows direct assessment of the reactivity of this species towards oxidized pollutants

Design and development of an impedimetric-based system for the remote monitoring of home-based dialysis patients

International audienceA key clinical challenge is to determine the desired ‘dry weight’ of a patient in order to terminate the dialysis procedure at the optimal moment and thus avoid the effects of over- and under-hydration. It has been found that the effects of haemodialysis on patients can be conveniently monitored using whole-body bioimpedance measurements. The identified need of assessing the hydrational status of patients undergoing haemodialysis at home gave rise to the present Dialydom (DIALYse à DOMicile) project. The aim of the project is to develop a convenient miniaturised impedance monitoring device for localised measurements (on the calf) in order to estimate an impedimetric hydrational index of the home-based patient, and to transmit this and other parameters to a remote clinical site. Many challenges must be overcome to develop a robust and valid home-based device. Some of these are presented in the paper