Sistema y método de evaluación de la protección anticorrosiva de recubrimientos orgánicos

Sistema y método de evaluación de la protección anticorrosiva de recubrimientos orgánicos con medios de medida (1) que incluyen un potenciostato/galvanostato, y un equipo de impedancias Zahner, un analizador de frecuencias de respuesta (2) conectado a los primeros medios de medida (1), y una unidad lógica de procesamiento (5) para el control y programación del ensayo, conectándose los primeros medios de medida (1) a una celda electroquímica (4) dentro de una caja de Faraday (3). La celda electroquímica (4) tiene al menos tres electrodos, una plancha pintada a ensayar (42), y un electrolito conductor de iones, consistiendo los tres electrodos en un primer electrodo de referencia (46) Ag/AgCl, un segundo contraelectrodo (44, 50) de geometría circular con orificio central y espesor laminado, o bien definiendo un cilindro, y un tercer electrodo de trabajo (48) o sustrato de la plancha pintada (42).MEDICIONES Y CORROSIÓN SA, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España)B1 Patente con informe sobre el estado de la ténic

Design of nanostructured siloxane-gelatin coatings: Immobilization strategies and dissolution properties

Owing to the outstanding service life of metallic prostheses, a substantial effort has been put into their surface modification to improve biocompatibility and reduce metallic ion diffusion. To satisfy these requirements, the coating materials obtained using the sol-gel method, with its wide range of tuning properties, have been extensively explored. The well-known biocompatibility of these materials makes them good candidates for different biomedical applications. We designed a series of siloxane-gelatin hybrids to be used as coatings for metallic implants or in controlled delivery systems. Two different matrixes were designed based on methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMOS), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) alkoxysilane precursors. In one hybrid coating gelatin was physically entrapped and in the other it was linked to the siloxane network by covalent bonds. Synthesis parameters were established by studying the sol-gel reaction using 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (29Si NMR), which also allowed quantification of the network connectivity. Dissolution and degradation studies showed the effectiveness of GPTMS as a covalent coupling agent between the silica and gelatin phases; it increased the stability of the coatings in aqueous media. The aim of this study was to design a set of hybrid materials with highly tailorable properties, suitable for their potential biomedical application

Estudio de materiales superadsorbentes con aplicaciones textiles para la mejora del confort térmico

Research work was undertaken with the aim of developing a garment containing adsorbent materials, which are characterised by high adsorption capacity, and could be applied in a textile to absorb user's sweat, in order to eliminate possible external sweat spots as well as improving user thermal comfort. The research covered the characterization of the employed adsorbent materials, the development of adequate prototype garments and their testing on a subject. Two prototypes, in the form of a vest, containing different adsorbent materials were made. Several types of adsorbent materials were evaluated. SG B 127 and Rhapid Sheet Silica Gel were selected as the best options to apply in the sweat-absorbing textile of the vest. The user, an orchestra director, wearing the prototype under its suit was exposed to 30ºC/80% RH ambient in a climatic chamber and performed for 35 min, simulating real working conditions. Microclimate temperatures, humidity at most interesting points under the suit were recorded. Simultaneously, heart rate and thermal sensation votes were also recorded. The experimental results showed that the prototypes had the capacity to absorb the exuded water vapor and fully eliminate sweat spots. However, the prototype turned out to generate a considerable warming effect on the covered body areas. This effect, mainly due to the reaction heat released during the adsorption process, was expected but it turned out to be more intensive than thought.El objetivo del proyecto ha sido el desarrollo de un relleno de material superadsorbente que pueda ser insertado en la confección de prendas de vestir. La primera parte del proyecto se centró en la realización de ensayos de laboratorio para determinar la capacidad instantánea de adsorción de diferentes materiales superadsorbentes y su variación en el tiempo. A partir de los resultados de estos ensayos se calcularon y diseñaron dos prototipos de chaleco con los materiales adsorbentes de mejores características. Finalmente, se llevó a cabo la caracterización experimental de los prototipos desarrollados con directores de orquesta, en condiciones controladas, realizando actividad en condiciones simuladas de trabajo

Osseointegration mechanisms: a proteomic approach

The prime objectives in the development of biomaterials for dental applications are to improve the quality of osseointegration and to short the time needed to achieve it. Design of implants nowadays involves changes in the surface characteristics to obtain a good cellular response. Incorporating osteoinductive elements is one way to achieve the best regeneration possible post-implantation. This study examined the osteointegrative potential of two distinct biomaterials: sandblasted acid-etched titanium and a silica sol–gel hybrid coating, 70% MTMOS-30% TEOS. In vitro, in vivo, and proteomic characterisations of the two materials were conducted. Enhanced expression levels of ALP and IL-6 in the MC3T3-E1 cells cultured with coated discs, suggest that growing cells on such surfaces may increase mineralisation levels. 70M30T-coated implants showed improved bone growth in vivo compared to uncoated titanium. Complete osseointegration was achieved on both. However, coated implants displayed osteoinductive properties, while uncoated implants demonstrated osteoconductive characteristics. Coagulation-related proteins attached predominantly to SAE-Ti surface. Surface properties of the material might drive the regenerative process of the affected tissue. Analysis of the proteins on the coated dental implant showed that few proteins specifically attached to its surface, possibly indicating that its osteoinductive properties depend on the silicon delivery from the implant