Microfiltratie

Recente ontwikkelingen in de micromechanica maken het mogelijk miniatuurelementen te maken, zoals druk- en flowmeters, inkjet-nozzles, kleppen, vloeistofkanalen, verwarmingselementen, micropompen, mengers, mocrotandwielen en zelfs miniatuurkoelers. De revolutie van de micromechanica is mogelijk gemaakt door het gebruik van dunne film- en fotolithografische technieken die oorspronkelijk waren bedoeld voor fabricage van elektronische componenten. In de micromechanica wordt tevens dankbaar gebruik gemaakt van de uitstekende mechanische eigenschappen van materialen die van oudsher in de halfgeleiderindustrie gebruikt worden, zoals silicium, siliciumnitride, aluminiumoxide, etc. We zullen laten zien dat deze materialen ook gebruikt kunnen worden voor het met grote precisie maken van dunne maar zeer robuuste microzeven

Nanotechnologie en het Beloofde Land

For a videorecording, view: http://wurtv.wur.nl

Погода і економіка

In this study, we present a new light absorption enhancement method for p-i-n thin film silicon solar cells using pyramidal surface structures, larger than the wavelength of visible light. Calculations show a maximum possible current enhancement of 45% compared with cells on a flat substrate. We deposited amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin film solar cells directly onto periodically pyramidal-structured polycarbonate (PC) substrates, which show a significant increase (30%) in short-circuit current over reference cells deposited on flat glass substrates. The current of the cells on our pyramidal structures on PC is only slightly lower than that of cells on Asahi U-type TCO glass (Asahi Glass Co., Tokyo, Japan), but suffer from a somewhat lower open circuit voltage and fill factor. Because the used substrates have a locally flat surface area due to the fabrication process, we believe that the current enhancement in the cells on structured PC can be increased using larger or more closely spaced pyramids, which can have a smaller flat surface area

Secure, Mobile Visual Sensor Networks Architecture

As Wireless Sensor Network-based solutions are proliferating they are facing new challenges: they must be capable of adapting to rapidly changing environments and requirements while their nodes should have low power consumption as they usually run on batteries. Moreover, the security aspect is crucial since they frequently transmit and process very sensitive data, while it is important to be able to support real-time video or processed images over their limited bandwidth links. SMART targets to design and implement a highly reconfigurable Wireless Visual Sensor Node (WVSN) defined as a miniaturized, light-weight, secure, low-cost, battery powered sensing device, enriched with video and data compression capabilities

16 kDa Heat Shock Protein from Heat-Inactivated Mycobacterium tuberculosis Is a Homodimer – Suitability for Diagnostic Applications with Specific Llama VHH Monoclonals

Background: The 16 kDa heat shock protein (HSP) is an immuno-dominant antigen, used in diagnosis of infectious Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb.) causing tuberculosis (TB). Its use in serum-based diagnostics is limited, but for the direct identification of M.tb. bacteria in sputum or cultures it may represent a useful tool. Recently, a broad set of twelve 16 kDa specific heavy chain llama antibodies (VHH) has been isolated, and their utility for diagnostic applications was explored. Methodology/Principal Findings: To identify the epitopes recognized by the nine (randomly selected from a set of twelve 16 kDa specific VHH antibodies) distinct VHH antibodies, 14 overlapping linear epitopes (each 20 amino acid long) were characterized using direct and sandwich ELISA techniques. Seven out of 14 epitopes were recognized by 8 out of 9 VHH antibodies. The two highest affinity binders B-F10 and A-23 were found to bind distinct epitopes. Sandwich ELISA and SPR experiments showed that only B-F10 was suitable as secondary antibody with both B-F10 and A-23 as anchoring antibodies. To explain this behavior, the epitopes were matched to the putative 3D structure model. Electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and size exclusion chromatography were used to determine the higher order conformation. A homodimer model best explained the differential immunological reactivity of A-23 and B-F10 against heat-treated M.tb. lysates. Conclusions/Significance: The concentrations of secreted antigens of M.tb. in sputum are too low for immunological detection and existing kits are only used for identifying M.tb. in cultures. Here we describe how specific combinations of VHH domains could be used to detect the intracellular HSP antigen. Linked to methods of pre-concentrating M.tb. cells prior to lysis, HSP detection may enable the development of protein-based diagnostics of sputum samples and earlier diagnosis of diseases

Ultra-energiezuinige kassystemen met Supertransparante Micro-V Gestructureerde materialen: Rapportage in het kader van het EOS-LT programma van Agentschap NL (Openbare versie)

Doel van het in dit rapport beschreven onderzoek is het gebruiken van micro- en nanostructuren uit de PV-industrie om te komen tot een diffuus kasdekmateriaal met een hoge hemisferische transmissie. Hierbij wordt gebruik gemaakt van de kennis die in het verleden is opgedaan in het ontwikkelen van het zigzag kasdekmateriaal. Met de ontwikkelde kennis kan energiebesparing gerealiseerd worden door het toepassen van de structuren op dubbel glas, waardoor materiaal gemaakt kan worden met een hoge hemisferische transmissie, diffuse eigenschappen en een hoge isolatiewaarde. Randvoorwaarde hierin is dat het ontwikkelde kasdekmateriaal toepasbaar is in een glastuinbouwmilieu. Dit betekent dat het materiaal niet mag verouderen, condensatie de transmissie niet mag verminderen en extra vervuiling niet mag optreden. Hierbij wordt de Nederlandse situatie als uitgangspunt genomen, maar interessante structuren voor andere klimaten zullen niet worden uitgesloten