Surface Modification and Metal Printing Using Atmospheric Pressure Plasma

Non-thermal atmospheric plasma sources are at the centre of a growing new field of research that promises significant benefits in areas ranging from catalysis to medicine. The main value of atmospheric pressure sources lie in their ability to generate highly energetic and reactive species under near-ambient conditions. This characteristic makes atmospheric plasma an appealing alternative to well-established vacuum plasma processes. In this study, radio frequency atmospheric pressure plasma sources are used for modification of metal oxide surfaces and direct metal deposition. In atmospheric pressure plasma afterglow, plasma electrons are shown to be capable of reducing Cu2O films, this is proven by applying an external electric field to collect or to retard plasma electrons and observing the evolution of the oxide film. Using a micro-plasma jet, Cu2O and SnO2 are demonstrated to be completely reduced to their parent metals when exposed to helium plasma. A reducing plasma is required to induce partial reduction in TiO2, WO3 and ZnO, generating oxygen deficiencies. Oxygen deficient TiO2, also known as black titania is a well-known defective metal oxide photocatalyst. In this work, a facile method for producing black titania is developed using reducing plasma jets. This method improves photocatalyic efficiencies of nano-porous anatase up to sixfold while dispensing the need for vacuum or high pressure equipment. Deposition of conductive metals is a topic of ongoing research, with an aim to develop techniques and precursors that can enable printing of electrical circuits onto unconventional substrates. In this work, a novel technique for metal printing using plasma jets is developed. The method developed in this work enables single-step deposition of conductors from lowcost metal salt based precursors. Using aerosolized CuSO4 in the plasma jet stream, it is shown that metallic traces can be deposited on a large variety surfaces with fine spatial control

Rapid single step atmospheric pressure plasma jet deposition of a SERS active surface

A helium gas atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) is used to prepare a silver-based SERS substrate. The Raman enhancement from substrates created using APPJ compares well with two commercially available silver-based SERS substrates and an in-house prepared physical deposition of pre-synthesised silver nanoparticles. An aqueous solution of rudimentary silver salt was required as an ink to deposit zero valent silver in a single step with no post processing. An array of 16 × 16 silver ‘islands’ are printed on borosilicate glass, each island taking 5 seconds to print with a power of < 14 W to sustain the plasma. The SERS response was assessed using 4-mercaptobenzoic acid and rhodamine 6G as model analytes, with a calculated detection limit of 1 × 10−6 M. Also demonstrated is the removal of analyte from the surface after Raman measurement by exposure to helium APPJ doped with oxygen followed by hydrogen to restore zero baseline. This regeneration takes less than 10 seconds and allows for replicate measurements using the same SERS substrate

Ureteral Access Sheaths and Its Use in the Future: A Comprehensive Update Based on a Literature Review

Ureteral access sheaths (UASs) are part of urologist's armamentarium when performing retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). Recently, the world of RIRS has changed dramatically with the development of three game-changers: thulium fiber laser (TFL), smaller size single use digital flexible ureterosopes and intraoperative intrarenal pressure (IRP) measurement devices. We aimed to clarify the impact of UASs on IRP, complications and SFRs and put its indications in perspective of these three major technological improvements. A systematic review of the literature using the Medline, Scopus and Web of Science databases was performed by two authors and relevant studies were selected according to PRISMA guidelines. Recent studies showed that using a UAS lowers IRP and intrarenal temperature by increasing irrigation outflow during RIRS. Data on the impact of a UAS on SFRs, postoperative pain, risk of infectious complications, risk of ureteral strictures and risk of bladder recurrence of urothelial carcinoma after diagnostic RIRS were inconclusive. Prestenting for at least one week resulted in ureteral enlargement, while the influence of pre-operative administration of alpha-blockers was unclear. Since TFL, smaller single use digital ureteroscopes and devices with integrated pressure-measuring and aspiration technology seemed to increase SFRs and decrease pressure and temperature related complications, indications on the use of a UAS may decrease in the near future

Ureteral access sheaths and its use in the future: A comprehensive update based on a literature review

Ureteral access sheaths (UASs) are part of urologist’s armamentarium when performing retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). Recently, the world of RIRS has changed dramatically with the development of three game-changers: thulium fiber laser (TFL), smaller size single use digital flexible ureterosopes and intraoperative intrarenal pressure (IRP) measurement devices. We aimed to clarify the impact of UASs on IRP, complications and SFRs and put its indications in perspective of these three major technological improvements. A systematic review of the literature using the Medline, Scopus and Web of Science databases was performed by two authors and relevant studies were selected according to PRISMA guidelines. Recent studies showed that using a UAS lowers IRP and intrarenal temperature by increasing irrigation outflow during RIRS. Data on the impact of a UAS on SFRs, postoperative pain, risk of infectious complications, risk of ureteral strictures and risk of bladder recurrence of urothelial carcinoma after diagnostic RIRS were inconclusive. Prestenting for at least one week resulted in ureteral enlargement, while the influence of pre-operative administration of alpha-blockers was unclear. Since TFL, smaller single use digital ureteroscopes and devices with integrated pressure-measuring and aspiration technology seemed to increase SFRs and decrease pressure and temperature related complications, indications on the use of a UAS may decrease in the near future.publishedVersio

New Technologies in Endourology and Laser Lithotripsy: The Need for Evidence in Comprehensive Clinical Settings

Flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) with laser lithotripsy is currently the gold standard surgical treatment for ureteral and kidney stones with a maximum diameter of 2 cm [...]

Global Variations in the Mineral Content of Bottled Still and Sparkling Water and a Description of the Possible Impact on Nephrological and Urological Diseases

Kidney stone disease (KSD) is a complex disease. Besides the high risk of recurrence, its association with systemic disorders contributes to the burden of disease. Sufficient water intake is crucial for prevention of KSD, however, the mineral content of water might influence stone formation, bone health and cardiovascular (CVD) risk. This study aims to analyse the variations in mineral content of bottled drinking water worldwide to evaluate the differences and describes the possible impact on nephrological and urological diseases. The information regarding mineral composition (mg/L) on calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, sodium and sulphates was read from the ingredients label on water bottles by visiting the supermarket or consulting the online shop. The bottled waters in two main supermarkets in 21 countries were included. The evaluation shows that on a global level the mineral composition of bottled drinkable water varies enormously. Median bicarbonate levels varied by factors of 12.6 and 57.3 for still and sparkling water, respectively. Median calcium levels varied by factors of 18.7 and 7.4 for still and sparkling water, respectively. As the mineral content of bottled drinking water varies enormously worldwide and mineral intake through water might influence stone formation, bone health and CVD risk, urologists and nephrologists should counsel their patients on an individual level regarding water intake

Global Variations in the Mineral Content of Bottled Still and Sparkling Water and a Description of the Possible Impact on Nephrological and Urological Diseases

Kidney stone disease (KSD) is a complex disease. Besides the high risk of recurrence, its association with systemic disorders contributes to the burden of disease. Sufficient water intake is crucial for prevention of KSD, however, the mineral content of water might influence stone formation, bone health and cardiovascular (CVD) risk. This study aims to analyse the variations in mineral content of bottled drinking water worldwide to evaluate the differences and describes the possible impact on nephrological and urological diseases. The information regarding mineral composition (mg/L) on calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, sodium and sulphates was read from the ingredients label on water bottles by visiting the supermarket or consulting the online shop. The bottled waters in two main supermarkets in 21 countries were included. The evaluation shows that on a global level the mineral composition of bottled drinkable water varies enormously. Median bicarbonate levels varied by factors of 12.6 and 57.3 for still and sparkling water, respectively. Median calcium levels varied by factors of 18.7 and 7.4 for still and sparkling water, respectively. As the mineral content of bottled drinking water varies enormously worldwide and mineral intake through water might influence stone formation, bone health and CVD risk, urologists and nephrologists should counsel their patients on an individual level regarding water intake

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

Modulation of copper(I) oxide reduction/oxidation in atmospheric pressure plasma jet

We describe the controlled reduction of copper(I) oxide films to metallic copper in a non-thermal, atmospheric pressure, helium plasma jet. Thin layers (≈0.1 μm) of Cu2O are electrochemically deposited onto Pt electrodes and placed in capacitively coupled helium plasma doped with H2, O2 or CH4 gases. Ex situ Raman spectroscopy was used to probe the effect of plasma treatment on the deposited copper oxide layer. We show that application of a static bias voltage to the Pt substrate during plasma exposure can control the rate of reduction of the copper(I) oxide film. We propose that the reduction process is mediated by plasma electrons and controlling the electron flux to the surface can be used as a means to modulate the reduction process. Keywords: Copper(I) oxide, Reduction, Atmospheric pressure, Plasma jet, Gaseous electrod

Pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid as a new anchoring group for phthalocyanine-sensitized solar cells

We have designed and synthesized an unsymmetrical zinc phthalocyanine (PCA-ZnPc-1) bearing an electron-withdrawing pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid anchoring group and three electron-donating tert-butyl groups as a sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). PCA-ZnPc-1 sensitized solar cell showed a modest power conversion efficiency (1.74%), which may suffer from the flexible and non-conjugated oxygen linker on the sensitizer. However, the obtained efficiency is found to be three to four times higher than that of the unsymmetrical ones bearing only carboxylic acid due to the combination of pyrazole and carboxylic acid moieties within the same anchoring group, which enhances the binding of the dye on the TiO2 surface and results in an increase of electron injection efficiency. Therefore, the pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid is a promising anchoring group for developing new phthalocyanines to build efficient DSSCs