Analytical method for the determination of trichlorobenzenes in marine biota (poster)

Trichlorobenzenes (TCBs) were intensively used in the last decades as essential components of dielectric fluids, intermediates in chemical synthesis, solvents, coolants, lubricants, heat-transfer medium; insecticide, additive in polyester dyeing and components of termite-control preparations (1, 2). Due to their widespread occurrence in the various environmental compartments they have been classified by OSPARCOM (Oslo and Paris Commissions) (3) as chemicals for priority action and have been proposed by the Marine Chemistry Working Group (MCWG) as chemical parameters in the Water Framework Directive (4). Based on their octanol-water partitioning coefficients (log Kow = 4.02-4.49) (5) and bioconcentration factors in fish (ranging from 182 to 3200, depending on the lipid content) (6), these chemicals are expected to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms.Against their potential significance in the marine environment there is relatively little information available concerning the actual concentration levels and distribution of trichlorobenzenes in marine organisms (7, 8).The aim of this work was to develop an analytical method appropriate for the determination of TCBs in marine biota.The analytical method consists of saponification of the fish tissue with methanolic potassium hydroxide, liquid-liquid extraction of the solution with pentane, clean up of the concentrated extract on alumina column and analysis of the extract with gas chromatograph equipped with electron capture detector (ECD). The method proved to be appropriate for the detection of concentration levels typical of the organic contaminants in biota (7) (~1 ng /g wet weight of tissue). The relative standard deviation of the analysis of 1,3,5-, 1,2,4- and 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene was 8, 6 and 18% (n=4) respectively. Higher recoveries of the analytes were obtained with spiked fish samples than with standard solutions (88, 96 and 78 instead of 53, 50 and 32% of 1,3,5-, 1,2,4- and 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene respectively). One plausible explanation of the difference is that the proteins and glycerides of the fish tissue compete effectively with trichlorobenzenes for the base and their presence decrease their decomposition rate

Optimization of cylindrical textile organic field effect transistors using TCAD simulation tool

We used a commercial TCAD tool in order to simulate a cylindrical Textile Organic Field Effect Transistor (TOFET) and study the impact of different critical region sizes in its electrical characteristics. The simulation was based on models and parameters similar to those of previous simulations in Organic Thin Film Transistors. We have seen that it is potentially feasible to build transistors which can operate in low voltages by using typical materials. Even if some of the selected typical materials have to be replaced by others more suitable for practical use in the textile industry, the simulation is a good starting point for estimating the device typical operation and parameters. By optimizing critical region sizes of the device we conclude that the device should have an active layer thickness below 100 nm, channel length around 10 mu m and gate oxide thickness as small as possible (300 nm or less), in order to have optimum transistor performance

From the organic thin film transistor to the 3-D textile organic cylindrical transistors - perspectives, expectations and predictions

In this paper we examine the possibility to simulate and study the behaviour of a fiber-based Textile Transistor in a commercial TCAD system. We also examine the capability of such transistors to operate in sufficiently low voltages, aiming to the potential realization of low-voltage wearable textiles in the future. We have seen that it is potentially feasible to build transistors which can operate in low voltages by using typical materials. Even if some of the selected typical materials have to be replaced by others more suitable for practical use in the textile industry, the simulation is a good starting point for estimating the device typical operation and parameters

Biotechnological modification and functionalisation of PET surfaces

Synthetic fibres form an important part of the textile industry, the production of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) alone surpassing that of cotton. A disadvantage of synthetic fibres is their low hydrophilicity. Polyester fibres are particularly hydrophobic. This affects the processability and functionalisation of the fibres. A novel and promising alternative is the use of enzymes in surface modification of synthetic fibres. Synthetic materials have generally been considered resistant to biological degradation; recent developments at different research groups demonstrate that enzymes are very well capable of hydrolysing synthetic materials

Control dependence for extended finite state machines

Though there has been nearly three decades of work on program slicing, there has been comparatively little work on slicing for state machines. One of the primary challenges that currently presents a barrier to wider application of state machine slicing is the problem of determining control dependence. We survey existing related definitions, introducing a new definition that subsumes one and extends another. We illustrate that by using this new definition our slices respect Weiser slicing’s termination behaviour. We prove results that clarify the relationships between our definition and older ones, following this up with examples to motivate the need for these differences