We have used the large electric fields at the interface of a Pt(111) electrode and an acetonitrile electrolyte solution to tune the interaction between adsorbed CO and the Pt(111) surface. The electrode potential is varied over a 2.5 Volt range. As the electrode potential is made more positive, the CO vibrational frequency increases and the vibrational lifetime decreases. Over the potential range investigated, the tuning is about 35–40 cm−1 and the lifetime varies from ≊2.1 to ≊1.5 ps. Ab initio calculations performed for CO/Cu(100) predicted the opposite trend for the lifetimes for that system [M. Head-Gordon and J. C. Jully, Chem. Phys. 175, 37 (1993)]. Within an empirical model of nonadiabatic charge transfer [B. N. J. Persson and M. Persson, Solid State Commun. 36, 175 (1980)], our observations can be explained by a decreasing 2π-derived density of states of the Pt/CO complex at the Fermi level.

Wearable devices are commonly used to monitor human movement since motor activity is a fundamental element in all phases of a person's life. Patients with motor disorders need to be monitored for a prolonged period and the battery life can be a limit for such a goal. Here the technique of harvesting energy from body heat to supply energy to wearable devices is investigated. A commercial flexible thermoelectric generator, equipped with an accelerometer, is placed on the lower leg above the ankle. The accelerometer serves to detect diverse motor activities carried out by ten students of VSB-Technical University of Ostrava involved in the execution of two tasks. To summarize, the motor activities analyzed in the proposed work are: "Sit", "Walk", "Rest", "Go biking", "Rest after biking", and "Go down and up the stairs". The maximum measured value of power density was 20.3 µW cm -2 for the "Walk" activity, corresponding to a gradient of temperature between the hot and cold side of the thermocouples constituting the flexible thermoelectric generator of 1.5 °C, while the minimum measured value of power density was 8.3 µW cm -2 for the "Sit" activity, corresponding to a gradient of temperature of 1.1 °C. Moreover, a mathematical model was developed for the recognition of motor activities carried out during the execution of the experiments. As a preliminary result, it is possible to state that semi-stationary parts of the signal generated by the thermoelectric generator can be traced back to the performance of an activity.

The article deals with an overview of acute extremity compartment syndrome with a focus on the option of non-invasive detection of the syndrome. Acute extremity compartment syndrome (ECS) is an urgent complication that occurs most often in fractures or high-energy injuries. There is still no reliable method for detecting ECS. The only objective measurement method used in clinical practice is an invasive measurement of intramuscular pressure (IMP). The purpose of this paper is to summarize the current state of research into non-invasive measurement methods that could allow simple and reliable continuous monitoring of patients at risk of developing ECS. Clinical trials are currently underway to verify the suitability of the most studied method, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which is a method for measuring the local oxygenation of muscle compartments. Less explored methods include the use of ultrasound, ultrasound elastography, bioimpedance measurements, and quantitative tissue hardness measurements. Finding a suitable method for continuous non-invasive monitoring of the syndrome would greatly improve the quality of care for patients at risk. ECS must be diagnosed quickly and accurately to prevent irreversible tissue damage that can occur within hours of syndrome onset and may even warrant amputation if neglected.

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