The effects of different poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) attachment strategies upon the adhesion of a Gramnegative bacteria (Pseudomonas sp.) was tested. PEG was covalently immobilized, at the lower critical solution temperature of PEG, to a layer of branched poly(ethylenimine) (PEI). PEI was both physically adsorbed to a stainless-steel (SS) substrate and covalently immobilized to a carboxylated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET-COOH) surface. On both substrates, the PEI and PEG grafting conditions were optimized so that the levels of surface coverage after each step were maximized and were the same on both substrates, as judged by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Also, ToF-SIMS imaging showed that both substrates were chemically uniform after each surface modification step. Thus, the two surfaces differ only in the mode of attachment of PEI to the substrate. In bacterial adhesion experiments, the optimal SS-PEG surface was not capable of reducing the number of adherent Pseudomonas sp. when compared to the controls. However, the PET-PEG surface reduced the level of adhesion by between 2 and 4 orders of magnitude for up to 5 h. ToF-SIMS analysis showed that both PEG surfaces adsorbed low but comparable levels of proteinaceous growth medium components (tryptic soy broth), as indicated by the addition of unique amino acid fragment ions in the spectra, most likely small peptides. Thus, bacterial adhesion was strongly dependent on the PEG immobilization strategy and not on the extent of peptide/protein adsorption. However, for the best PEG surfaces the residual bacterial adhesion is most likely from recognition of the small amount of adsorbed peptides. This highlights the necessity for preventing the adsorption of small biological species that can even penetrate PEG layers of high graft density, in the quest for the ultimate "nonfouling" surface.

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Fully biobased affinity membrane processing and its application in the removal of heavy metal ions from mirror industry effluents were successfully demonstrated; indicating the potential use of these membranes in point-of-use or point-of-entry water cleaning products that are cheap, environmentally friendly and efficient. Layered cellulose nanocomposite membranes were fabricated using cellulose microfiber sludge as a support layer and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC SL , CNC BE or PCNC SL ) in a gelatin matrix as the functional layer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies revealed the bi-layered morphology of the membrane and well-individualized nanocelluloses in the functional layer. Bubble point measurements confirmed the membrane pore structure in the microfiltration range (5.0-6.1 mm), which provided very high water permeability (900-4000 L h À1 m À2 ) at <1.

Polyimide was irradiated with a XeCl excimer laser (308 nm) and the ablated area and its surrounding were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal Raman microscopy. Ring-like structures surrounding the ablated area were detected at all fluences. At fluences lower than  250 mJ/cm−2 the formation of conical structures was observed within the irradiated area. The width of the rings increases with fluence and only slightly with the number of pulses. The rings consist mainly of polycrystalline carbon with a relatively high bond angle disorder, with thickness decreasing radially from the crater edge. The thickness of the deposited carbon was determined from TEM analysis and calculated from the intensity ratios of Raman bands assigned to carbon and polyimide using a two layer model. Comparing the two results an estimate of the absorption coefficient of the deposited carbon could be obtained. On top of the cone structures carbon was detected with a higher degree of crystallinity and lower bond angle disorder as compared to the material deposited outside the crater. With energy dispersive x-ray analysis, calcium could be detected on top of the cones. Therefore, it can be assumed that the Ca impurities are causing the cone structures. The higher crystallinity of the carbon inside the irradiated area is probably due to a tempering-like process on top of the Ca compound which is heated upon laser irradiation or to a mixture of growth mechanisms similar to the ones suggested for the formation of carbon nanotubes on metal particles and carbon nanohorns without metal catalysis.

The UV-laser (308 nm)-induced decomposition and ablation of polyimide (Kapton) was studied using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy. The samples were prepared with a special technique (SiC substrates) allowing analysis of surface species of the laser-treated polymer. The first step of photolysis is the simultaneous decomposition of the imide ring, between the nitrogen and carbonyl carbon atom, and of the diaryl ether group. The functional groups belonging to the corresponding amide and carbonyl system are detected. In the next step the aromatic system decomposes, and isocyanates, aliphatic hydrocarbons, nitriles, and alkynes are formed. Volatile species compatible with this decomposition mechanism (CO, CO2, HCN, and C2H2) are detected by additional mass spectrometry measurements.