Co-Nanomet: Co-ordination of Nanometrology in Europe

Nanometrology is a subfield of metrology, concerned with the science of measurement at the nanoscale level. Today’s global economy depends on reliable measurements and tests, which are trusted and accepted internationally. It must provide the ability to measure in three dimensions with atomic resolution over large areas. For industrial application this must also be achieved at a suitable speed/throughput. Measurements in the nanometre range should be traceable back to internationally accepted units of measurement (e.g. of length, angle, quantity of matter, and force). This requires common, validated measurement methods, calibrated scientific instrumentation as well as qualified reference samples. In some areas, even a common vocabulary needs to be defined. A traceability chain for the required measurements in the nm range has been established in only a few special cases. A common strategy for European nanometrology has been defined, as captured herein, such that future nanometrology development in Europe may build out from our many current strengths. In this way, European nanotechnology will be supported to reach its full and most exciting potential. As a strategic guidance, this document contains a vision for European nanometrology 2020; future goals and research needs, building out from an evaluation of the status of science and technology in 2010. It incorporates concepts for the acceleration of European nanometrology, in support of the effective commercial exploitation of emerging nanotechnologies. The field of nanotechnology covers a breadth of disciplines, each of which has specific and varying metrological needs. To this end, a set of four core technology fields or priority themes (Engineered Nanoparticles, Nanobiotechnology, Thin Films and Structured Surfaces and Modelling & Simulation) are the focus of this review. Each represents an area within which rapid scientific development during the last decade has seen corresponding growth in or towards commercial exploitation routes. This document was compiled under the European Commission Framework Programme 7 project, Co-Nanomet. It has drawn together input from industry, research institutes, (national) metrology institutes, regulatory and standardisation bodies across Europe. Through the common work of the partners and all those interested parties who have contributed, it represents a significant collaborative European effort in this important field. In the next decade, nanotechnology can be expected to approach maturity, as a major enabling technological discipline with widespread application. This document provides a guide to the many bodies across Europe in their activities or responsibilities in the field of nanotechnology and related measurement requirements. It will support the commercial exploitation of nanotechnology, as it transitions through this next exciting decade

COST Action PRIORITY: An EU Perspective on Micro- and Nanoplastics as Global Issues

Plastic fragments, weathered into or released in the form of micro- and nanoplastics, are persistent and widespread in the environment, and it is anticipated that they have negative environmental impacts. This necessitates immediate efforts for management strategies throughout the entire plastics lifecycle. This opinion paper was initiated by the EU COST Action CA20101 PRIORITY, which focuses on the need to develop an effective global networking platform dealing with research, implementation, and consolidation of ways to address the worldwide challenges associated with micro- and nanoplastics pollution in the environment

X-ray and neutron diffraction study of the layered compound CoGaInS4

The crystal of the title compound, trigonal (P3m1) with hexagonal parameters a = 3.744(1) and c = 12.149(3)Å, is isostructural with polytype I of ZnIn2S4, being formed by the stacking of hexagonal layers of S anions, with the cations occupying, in intermediate planes, voids of approximate Oh and Td symmetry. Single-crystal X-ray and powder neutron diffraction intensities were used as the basis for the refinement of various models of cation distribution among three different crystallographic sites. Eventually the "best" model was found to be represented by the formula (Co0.38In0.62)o (Co0.29In0.38Ga0.33)t1(Co0.33Ga0.67)t2S4, where the subscript o refers to a pseudooctahedral site and subscripts t1 and t2 refer to two different sites of approximate Td symmetry. Evidence is found for the fact that the center of gravity of the pseudooctahedral site, as determined by the neutron experiment, is different from that "observed" by X-ray diffraction and a possible explanation is presented for this fact.

Spectrochimica Acta Part B Virtual Special Issue on the 17th International Conference on Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis and Related Methods

This Virtual Special Issue (VSI) provides an overview of the most novel and original research presented during the 17th International Conference on Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis and Related Methods (TXRF 2017). The TXRF 2017was held on September 19–22, 2017 in Brescia, Italy. The aimof the conferencewas to bring together experts, users andmanufacturers of total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometers to present and discuss recent advances, research results and perspectives. Emphasis is given to potential applications of TXRF and related methods for trace and ultra-trace analysis in environmental, semiconductor, nanomaterials, food, cosmetics, fuels, energy and archaeometry, biology, synchrotron radiation, instrument and modelling fields. TXRF2017 was an important and effective opportunity for substantial discussions, exchange of knowledge and experience. A total of 89 participants from 22 countries attended TXRF 2017, including 4 plenary lectures, 16 invited speakers, 54 oral presentations and 49 poster presentations

Laser-induced modification of polymeric beads coated with gold nanoparticles

A direct laser writing method for modifying colloidal crystals and single colloids is presented. This method takes advantage of the highly efficient conversion of photons into heat exhibited by gold nanoparticles. The easy control of experimental parameters allowed control of the spatial resolution of the patterns. This may open the way to practical applications for the technology

Diffraction and XPS studies of Cu complexes of intercalated compounds of α-zirconium phosphate. II: XPS electronic structures

The description of the crystallographic structure of Cu complexes of intercalated compounds of α-Zr(HPO4)2·H2O (α-ZrP) reported in part I of this work is implemented with an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study performed on the same samples. The experiments carried out at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures, show, in contrast with data previously reported, that Cu2+ ions are reduced by the Al-Kα and Mg-Kα radiations. Nevertheless, some information on the electronic structure has been achieved for those elements that are not photoreduced. In particular, the N1s core line due to the interaction of nitrogen in the phenanthroline with hydrogen in the structure has been identified, and the suppression of this interaction with the increasing concentration of copper has been demonstrated

Influx of Near-Infrared Technology in Microplastic Community: A Bibliometric Analysis

The abundance of microplastics in the environment is a continuous threat to every part of the ecosystem. The scientific community has been urged to help solve the problem, and various studies, particularly in the recent decade, have been published. The goal of this study is to investigate and assess research trends, leading publications, authors, and countries and frontiers in the influx of near-infrared spectroscopy in microplastic research

Results of VAMAS Survey Regarding Microplastic Issues

Trillions of tiny particles generated by our plastic-reliant society are polluting environments worldwide. An explosion of research has been devoted in the last years to detect, identify and quantify the microplastics, hidden not only in the oceans but also in the world’s rivers, lakes, air, soil as well as food and organisms. Thus, we urgently need reliable standards to support the decision-maker to handle many issues related to this question. In this paper, the results of a VAMAS survey that involved 390 experts are presented and discussed. The inter-laboratory studies urgently needed in the next future are proposed