Not only in electrochemistry but also in biology and in membrane transport, localized processes at solid-liquid or liquid-liquid interfaces play an important role at defect sites, pores, or individual cells, but are difficult to characterize by integral investigation. Scanning electrochemical microscopy is suitable for such investigations. After two decades of development, this method is based on a solid theoretical foundation and a large number of demonstrated applications. It offers the possibility of directly imaging heterogeneous reaction rates and locally modifying substrates by electrochemically generated reagents. The applications range from classical electrochemical problems, such as the investigation of localized corrosion and electrocatalytic reactions in fuel cells, sensor surfaces, biochips, and microstructured analysis systems, to mass transport through synthetic membranes, skin and tissue, as well as intercellular communication processes. Moreover, processes can be studied that occur at liquid surfaces and liquid-liquid interfaces.

Aluminum alloys used for aerospace applications provide good strength to weight ratio at a reasonable cost but exhibit only limited corrosion resistance. Therefore, a durable and effective corrosion protection system is required to fulfil structural integrity. Typically, an aerospace corrosion protection system consists of a multi-layered scheme employing an anodic oxide with good barrier properties and a porous surface, a corrosion inhibited organic primer, and an organic topcoat. The present review covers published research on the anodic oxide protection layer principles and requirements for aerospace application, the effect of the anodizing process parameters, as well as the importance of process steps taking place before and after anodizing. Moreover, the challenges of chromic acid anodizing (CAA) substitution are discussed and tartaric-sulfuric acid anodizing (TSA) is especially highlighted among the environmentally friendly alternatives.

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Thin silicate films with immobilised enzymes catalysing dioxygen reduction, i.e. laccase and bilirubin oxidase (BOD), were deposited on glass and poly(methyl 2-methylpropenoate) (Plexiglas) surfaces in a sol-gel process by sol drop evaporation. Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) images and approach curves were recorded using hexacyanoferrate(iii) as mediator in the feedback mode. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images in the reflection mode showed larger film thickness close to the edge of the film and laccase aggregates within the film. SECM images obtained using different dioxygen concentrations showed that the film edge and laccase aggregates exhibit higher enzymatic activity towards dioxygen reduction. SECM current-distance curves enabled the determination of kinetic information at the particular regions of the samples after numerical fitting of model parameters. The heterogeneous first order rate constant at the film border was estimated to be ca. 19 times higher than the value obtained when approaching to the centre of the film. The reason of higher laccase surface concentration at the film edge is carefully discussed. For comparison of laccase and BOD activities, silicate spots of 50 microm diameter were deposited on a single Plexiglas sample and examined using SECM. BOD exhibits much higher activity especially at neutral pH.