A biofilm has a unique structure composed of microorganisms, extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), etc., and it is layered on a substrate in water. In material science, it is important to detect the biofilm formed on a surface to prevent biofouling. EPSs, the major component of the biofilm, mainly consist of polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Because these biomolecules have a variety of hydrophilicities or hydrophobicities, the substrate covered with the biofilm shows different wettability from the initial state. To detect the biofilm formation, this study employed a liquid-squeezing-based wettability assessment method with a simple wettability index: the liquid-squeezed diameter of a smaller value indicates higher wettability. The method is based on the liquid-squeezing behaviour of a liquid that covers sample surfaces when an air-jet is applied. To form the biofilm, polystyrene surfaces were immersed and incubated in a water-circulated bioreactor that had collected microorganisms in ambient air. After the 14-d incubation, good formation of the biofilm on the surfaces was confirmed by staining with crystal violet. Although the contact angles of captive bubbles on the surfaces with the biofilm were unmeasurable, the liquid-squeezing method could distinguish between hydrophilic and hydrophobic initial surfaces with and without biofilm formation using the diameter of the liquid-squeezed area. The surface wettability is expected to be a promising property for in-situ detection of biofilm formation on a macroscopic scale.
High-quality thin films of Ni 1−x Pt x alloys have been investigated as materials for temperature sensors with a high temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). Since the high TCR of Ni has been attributed to the spin-disordered scattering occuring just below the Curie temperature (T C), we considered that a higher TCR can be obtained by decreasing T C to be slightly greater than room temperature (RT) by alloying Ni with Pt. Ni 1−x Pt x alloy films have been prepared on different substrates by RF magnetron sputtering followed by annealing in high vacuum. TCRs as high as 10000 ppm/K at RT were obtained in the case of the Ni 0.75 Pt 0.25 alloy film prepared on a SrTiO 3 (STO) substrate. This TCR is 2.5 times higher than that of commonly available Pt temperature sensors.
A new concept earthquake sensor was developed utilizing spectral intensity (SI) as a measurement value. The acceleration sensing part and signal conditioning part are all integrated in one body as a transducer. A real-time SI calculation algorithm was newly developed and proven by actual simulated earthquake waveforms with a three-axis exciter bench. A liquefaction judgment algorithm was also developed based on acceleration signals and integrated into the SI sensor. Thus, the first all-in-one SI sensor with liquefaction judgment was realized. With this sensor, a new earthquake disaster prevention system for gas supply, Supreme, was developed and introduced into operation around the area of Tokyo Bay, Japan.
Wc haw dcwlopcd a highly.scnsitive Ni foil tcmperahlrc settior with cxccllcnt long-tmn stability. It enables the fine control of Ihc lcmpcraturc with no nm-to-run calibntion and thus can be applied to.cncrgy-sving licld or .&conductor fabrication. We havc improved its fabrication pmccdu~ and obtained a more qsitivc and more 5'b1$ s~7 1 . w~ Thmal.time constanl of it Lc lcss Ihao; 1s.k watcr. less lhan IO s in air. within i2?mKlmonth of stability. I S dissipation constant m a @I "30 nun proicaivc pipe is about I mWiK in air and abou~ 1.X mW!K in fluorinated liquid.,lts resistance value is I kn st 0 .'C.'TemperaNrc cocRicient af.rcsislancc (TCR) ranges .from about 6000,ppm'K to a b u t SOWppmX bchvccn OT'and 150°C.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.