L'objectif de ce travail était la synthèse en une étape de nanoparticules à cœur de poly(n-butyl cyanoacrylate) et couronne hydrophile, par polymérisation en miniémulsion. Deux familles de polymères amphiphiles ont été utilisées pour stabiliser la polymérisation. La première est constituée de trois dérivés amphiphiles du dextrane synthétisés au laboratoire: DexP11, DexP16 et DexP22. La seconde est composée de dérivés commerciaux du POE: le Brij®78, le Brij®700, et le Tween®80. Après avoir vérifié leur stabilité dans les conditions de polymérisation, leurs propriétés tensioactives ont été caractérisées en tensiométrie dynamique. Bien que le n-butyl cyanoacrylate soit un monomère extrêmement réactif, des nanoparticules de poly(n-butyl cyanoacrylate) ont pu être synthétisées avec succès par polymérisation anionique et/ou radicalaire en miniémulsion. La nature et la concentration du polymère amphiphile dans la phase aqueuse lors de la polymérisation en miniémulsion contrôlent la taille des particules, leur taux de recouvrement et l'épaisseur de la couche hydrophile à leur surface. La masse molaire du polymère constituant le cœur de la nanoparticule est quant à elle influencée par le pH de la phase continue et le mode de polymérisation (anionique ou radicalaire). Enfin, l’étude de l'encapsulation et de la libération d'une molécule modèle, le pyrène, a été abordée / The aim of this study was the one-step synthesis via miniemulsion polymerization, of nanoparticles with a hydrophobic core based on poly(n-butyl cyanoacrylate) and a hydrophilic shell. Two families of amphiphilic polymers were used to stabilize the miniemulsion. The first one was constituted of three dextran derivatives synthesized in the laboratory: DexP11, DexP16 and DexP22. The other three stabilizers were commercial products based on PEO: Brij®78, Brij®700, and Tween®80. Their stability under the conditions used for miniemulsion polymerization was checked. Their adsorption at oil-water interface was studied by dynamic surface tension measurement. Despite the high reactivity of the monomer, nanoparticles of poly(n-butyl cyanoacrylate) were synthesized via anionic and/or radical miniemulsion polymerization. Particle size, surface coverage and hydrophilic layer thickness were controlled by the structure and the amount of the amphiphilic polymer in the continuous phase, while the molar mass of the poly(n-butyl cyanoacrylate) depending on the pH of the continuous phase and the polymerization mechanism (anionic or radical). Finally, the encapsulation and the release of a model compound were studied

Les biofilms sont des communautés de microorganismes emprisonnés dans une matrice de polymères organiques extracellulaires (EPS) permettant de stabiliser ces édifices tridimensionnels. La cohésion des EPS polyanioniques dans un environnement hydraté est assurée par des microdomaines hydrophobes. La localisation de ces sites hydrophobes est très importante pour comprendre la variabilité ainsi que la réactivité des EPS. Notre travail vise la synthèse de nouvelles sondes fluorescentes hydrophiles ou amphiphiles capables de marquer les EPS. Dans ce but, nous avons synthétisé une série de nanocristaux fluorescents à coeur CdSe, appelés Quantum Dots (QDs), modifiés à leur périphérie par des ligands hydrophiles (acide 3-mercaptopropionic) ou amphiphiles (acide dihydrolipoique couplé à des acides aminés hydrophobes tels que la Leucine ou la Phénylalanine). Par microscopie confocale de fluorescence et spectroscopie de corrélation de fluorescence (FCS), nous avons montré que les QDs fonctionnalisés s'associaient fortement aux EPS des biofilms de la bactérie S. oneidensis. La distribution de ces nanoparticules dans les EPS est dépendante de la structure du ligand et de sa densité à la périphérie des QDs. Une dispersion homogène des QDs hydrophiles dans l'ensemble du biofilm et une clusterisation des QDs amphiphiles dans des microdomaines hydrophobes ont notamment été observés. Les nouvelles sondes fluorescentes développées dans ce travail permettront de suivre le développement ainsi que la réorganisation de matrices biologiques complexes telles que les biofilms. / Microorganisms predominantly live in communities, such as biofilms, in which extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) form the matrix and stabilize the three-dimensional structure. Hydrophobic microdomains allow the cohesiveness of these hydrophilic, polyanionic systems. The localization of these hydrophobic sites is very important to understand the variability and the reactivity of the EPS. The objective of our work was to engineer new fluorescent probes with amphiphilic or hydrophilic properties able to label the EPS. For that purpose, we have synthesized a series of fluorescent CdSe-core nanocrystals, also called Quantum Dots (QDs), modified at their periphery with hydrophilic (3-mercaptopropionic acid) or amphiphilic ligands (dihydrolipoic acid coupled to hydrophobic aminoacids like Leucine or Phenylalanine). Using confocal fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), we demonstrated that the functionalized QDs strongly associated with the EPS of S. oneidensis biofilms and allow imaging of these microbial communities. The location of these probes within the EPS was dependent on the surface ligand structure and on its density at the periphery of QDs. A homogeneous dispersion of hydrophilic QDs in the whole biofilm was observed, while amphiphilic QDs clusterized in the small hydrophobic domains. These new fluorescent probes will be of great use to understand the development and the reorganization of complex biological matrix like biofilms.

Rapporten innefattar en jämförande studie mellan olika typer av membran och beläggningar.Främst sker en jämförelse mellan materialens förmåga att andas. Vattentäthet testas på nyamaterial och efter olika sorters nötning så som martindale, flexing och tvätt för att få en ökadförståelse för materialen. Verktyget som används i studien för att mätaånggenomsläppligheten är hudmodellen. Resultatet presenteras med ett Ret-värde vilket är enförkortning på Evaporative resistance of a textile. Metoden används för att på ett bra sättsimulera hur huden svettas.Projektet har utförts på Swerea IVF som är ett forskningsinstitut beläget i Mölndal.Hudmodellen är en av de senaste stora investeringarna på Swereas textil och plast avdelning.Resultatet av studien visar att laminat andas bättre än beläggningar, dock har bärarmaterialetstor inverkan på resultaten. Ett tydligt samband mellan grövre material och sämre andning harobserverats. Många av de material som testats i studien uppvisar god förmåga att andas, därbåde flera av de mikroporösa och hydrofila materialen uppvisar Ret-värden under 13, vilketinnebär mycket god andning. En delstudie har varit att testa hur materialens andande förmågaförändras vid lägre relativ fuktighet. Resultatet blev att mikroporösa material inte påverkaslika mycket som de hydrofila materialen som då får en sämre andning.Efter de resultat studien har visat kan slutsatsen dras att tunna laminat är att föredra då högånggenomsläpplighet är ett krav. Behövs däremot ett högt motstånd mot nötning kan etttjockare material med fördel användas, vilket dock kan leda till högre ångmotstånd.This report is a comparative study between different types of membranes and coatings, thebreathability of the fabrics being the main focus of research. The fabrics' waterproofness wastested on new materials and by abrasion including martindale, flexing and washing. The toolthat has been used to measure water-vapour resistance is the skin model. The result ispresented by a Ret-value, which is short for evaporative resistance of a textile. The method isused to simulate the sweating body in a realistic way. Swerea IVF is the research institutelocated in Mölndal where the project has been carried out. The skin model is one of the latestbig investments at Swereas textile and plastic department.The results of the study shows that laminates breath better than coatings. It is important topoint out, however, that the carrier has great influence on the fabric in question. In addition,the results indicate a relation between thick fabrics and less breathability. Many of thematerials that have been tested show good permeability to breath, including bothmicropourous and hydrophilic materials. Most of them demonstrate a Ret-value less than 13,which means very good breathability. Further tests also show how the breathability changeswith lower relative humidity, indicating that microporous materials are less affected thanhydrophilic materials, thus having a higher resistance to water vapour.The conclusion of the study is that thin laminates is to prefer when high breathability isrequired. If the demand is high resistance to abrasion, a thicker material is prefered, whichalso yields a higher resistance to water permability. / Program: Textilingenjörsutbildningen

Les mécanismes de formation et dissociation d’hydrates de cyclopentane (CP), qui forment á pression ambiante et á des températures entre 0ºC et 7ºC, ont été observés dans/sur/proche des gouttes d’eau immergées dans du CP á des échelles qui vont du micron jusqu’au millimètre. Plusieurs techniques d’observation ont été utilisées, telles que la macrophotographie et la microscopie optique en champ clair, par contraste interférentiel différentiel (CID), par fluorescence et par réflectance confocale. Des substrats hydrophiles et hydrophobes ont été utilisés. Dans une première série d’expériences, un procédé millifluidique simple a été mis au point. Il permet de générer, stocker et surveiller simultanément une centaine de gouttelettes de même volume (de l’ordre de μl), régulièrement espacées. Elles sont séparées par la phase ‘invité’ (CP) dans un tuyau en polymère fluoré (PFA) transparent. Chacune d’elles se comporte comme un réacteur indépendant. Une vision sur l’effet mémoire est obtenue en menant des mesures statistiques sur la nucléation des hydrates quand les gouttes d’eau sont refroidies au-dessous de 7°C. Cette méthode permet aussi de visualiser des événements dans des gouttes individuelles, tels que la naissance et la croissance de l’hydrate (surtout lorsqu’un additive tel qu’un inhibiteur est rajouté dans l’eau), ainsi que la formation d’une émulsion de CP dans l’eau pendant la dissociation de l’hydrate. Dans une deuxième série d’expériences, une seule goutte d’eau est posée ou pendue d’un substrat en verre et immergée dans du CP. Elle est observée par microscopie sous des séquences différentes de refroidissement – échauffement. Il a été observé que la cristallisation d’hydrates dépend fortement du sous-refroidissement. Deux nouveaux phénomènes ont été observés:(i) la propagation d’un « halo » d’hydrate le long de l’interface verre/CP depuis la ligne de contact de la goutte d’eau.(ii) cristallisation de l’hydrate dans une émulsion 2D de CP dans l’eau.Les deux types d’outils développés dans cette thèse ouvrent des nouvelles perspectives pour élucider les mécanismes de formation et dissociation d’hydrates en présence d’additives (promoteurs et inhibiteurs) et en présence d’un substrat minéral. Les applications comprennent les hydrates dans des environnements sédimentaires, séparation de gaz, etc. / The mechanisms of formation and dissociation of cyclopentane (CP) hydrates, which form at ambient pressure and temperatures between 0°C and 7°C, have been observed in/on/near water drops immersed in CP at scales ranging from a few nanometers to the millimeter by a variety of techniques including macrophotography and optical microscopy under various modes: bright field, differential interference contrast (DIC), fluorescence and confocal reflectance. The substrates used are either hydrophobic or hydrophilic. In a first series of experiments, a simple millifluidic method is implemented. It allows to generate, store and monitor at the same time almost a hundred of regularly-spaced water droplets of equal volume (in the µl range) separated by the guest (CP) phase in a transparent fluorinated polymeric (PFA) (hydrophobic) tubing, each droplet behaving as an independent reactor for hydrate crystallization. Insights into the ‘memory effect’ are gained by measuring the statistics of hydrate nucleation events in these reactors when chilling below 7°C the water drops. The method also allows the visualization of single-drop events such as hydrate birth and growth, and the formation of a CP-in-water emulsion upon hydrate melting, especially when an additive such as an inhibitor is added to the water. In a second series of experiments, a single water droplet in CP, either sitting or hanging from a glass substrate, is observed by microscopy under various cooling and heating sequences. Hydrate crystallization (nucleation and growth) is observed to strongly depend on subcooling at the water drop/CP interface. Two novel phenomena are visualized in detail:(i) the propagation, from the contact line of the water drop, of a hydrate halo along the glass/CP interface. (ii) hydrate crystallization in a two-dimensional CP-in-water emulsion.The two types of tools developed in this thesis open new perspectives for elucidating the mechanisms of hydrate formation and dissociation in presence of additives (promoters and inhibitors) and in the presence of a mineral substrate. Applications include hydrates in sedimentary environments, flow assurance, gas separation, etc.

Nous avons étudié la formation de micelles PIC de copolymères à blocs double-hydrophiles (DHBC) destinées à servir d’agents structurants pour l’élaboration de matériaux siliciques mésoporeux et fonctionnalisés. L’intérêt du mode d’assemblage par complexation de polyions (PIC) est qu’il est réversible. Les micelles se forment spontanément dans une gamme restreinte de pH et sont dissociées à l’issue de la condensation de la silice par simple changement du pH. La porosité du matériau est ainsi révélée par simple élution et non plus par calcination. Si une fraction contrôlée de l’agent structurant pouvait être préservée au sein du matériau final, il deviendrait possible de fonctionnaliser le matériau sans ajouter d’étapes supplémentaires à son procédé d’élaboration. Relever ce défi repose sur une maîtrise de la réversibilité de la formation des micelles PIC, de leur comportement lyotrope et sur la possibilité de former des micelles à couronne mixte à partir de DHBC qui diffèrent par la nature de leur séquence neutre.Au cours de ce travail, nous avons synthétisé plusieurs familles de DHBC par polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée RAFT et MADIX en phase aqueuse. La séquence polyélectrolytique des DHBC est constituée d’acide polyacrylique, tandis que la séquence neutre est constituée soit de polyacrylamide (PAM) soit de poly(oxyde d’éthylène) (POE). Les masses molaires visées ont été obtenues et sont associées une dispersité faible (RAFT) à modérée (MADIX), gage d’un bon contrôle des processus de polymérisation. Plusieurs homopolyélectrolytes cationiques, faibles et forts, ont été utilisés comme agents de micellisation (AM). Les constantes d’acidité, les taux de condensation des contre-ions et les mobilités électrophorétiques ont été déterminés, dans un premier temps, pour les polyélectrolytes dissouts séparément, puis dans les mélanges de polyélectrolytes de charge opposée, en condition de complexation. Les différences de constantes d’acidité reflètent la constante de complexation électrostatique, tandis que l’excès de conductivité des mélanges renseigne sur le nombre de sites ioniques qui participent à l’assemblage des macromolécules.Les micelles PIC sont constituées d’une dizaine à une centaine de DHBC et présentent une structure cœur-couronne de quelques nanomètres (5-15 nm). Une corrélation inverse entre la cohésion du complexe électrostatique et la taille des micelles est mise en évidence pour la première fois. Elle pourrait s’expliquer par une quantité d’eau au sein du coacervat complexe d’autant plus importante que les points d’ancrage entre macromolécules sont moins nombreux. Par ailleurs, le comportement lyotrope observé jusqu’à des fractions massiques de 60% ne présente aucune mésophase organisée. Enfin, si la formation de micelles mixtes dans les mélanges associant des DHBC de natures différentes semble avérée, la structuration interne de leur couronne, riche en POE vers le cœur et riche en PAM en périphérie, présenterait une ségrégation radiale qui n’est pas propice à une interaction forte du POE avec la silice et remet sans doute en cause l’utilisation de telles micelles mixtes comme agents structurants pour la synthèse de matériaux mésoporeux fonctionnalisés. Cependant, des alternatives sont envisageables. / Double-Hydrophilic Block Copolymer (DHBC) based PIC micelles were studied for their suitability as structuring agents for the synthesis of functionalized mesoporous silica materials. Assembling micelles through polyions complexation (PIC) is interesting because it is reversible and restricted to a limited range of pH when weak polyelectrolytes are used. Once silica condensation has proceeded, micelles can be disassembled by changing the pH. In this way, the porosity of the material is revealed by elution rather than calcination. If a controlled fraction of the structuring agent could be maintained within the final material, this would open the road to one pot synthesis of functionalized mesoporous materials. Addressing this challenge relies on a good control over the reversibility of the assembling process of the micelles, over their lyotropic behavior and on the possibility to form corona-mixed micelles from two DHBC carrying different neutral blocks.Several series of DHBC were synthetized by controlled radical polymerization in aqueous phase, either by RAFT for poly(ethylene oxide)-based DHBC, or by MADIX for polyacrylamide-based DHBC. The polyelectrolyte block is polyacrylic acid. The targeted molar masses were achieved and low (RAFT) to medium (MADIX) dispersity were obtained testifying a good control over the polymerization process. Various cationic homopolyelectrolytes, either weak or strong, were used as micellization agents (MA). Acidity constants, condensation ratios and electrophoretic mobilities were determined, first for each polyelectrolyte by its own, and then mixed with its MA in suitable conditions for micellization. Change of the apparent acidity constant reflects equilibrium constant of electrostatic complexation, while excess of conductivity reveals the number of ionic sites that are involved in the complexation of both macromolecules.PIC micelles are few nanometers large (4-15 nm) and gather from ten to one hundred DHBC molecules. They show the typical core-corona structure of polymer self-assemblies. An inverse correlation between the size and the cohesion of the complex is evidenced for the first time. It could be explained by the amount of water inside the micelle coacervate core that should increase when the number of anchoring sites between the oppositely charged macromolecules decreases. Up to a weight fraction of 60 wt% , the PIC micelles do not show any lyotropic mesophases. Finally, mixed PIC micelles certainly form when different DHBC are mixed with an MA, however, the corona looks richer in PEO the closer to the core and richer in PAM at the external rim. Such radial segregation of the corona block is not suitable to ensure enough interaction of PEO with silica and could preclude the use of such mixed micelles as structuring agent for the one pot synthesis of functionalized mesoporous materials. Alternatives are proposed.

Les micelles complexes de polyions, ou « micelles PIC », formées par interaction électrostatique entre un copolymère à blocs double hydrophile neutre-ionique (DHBC) et un homopolyélectrolyte de charge opposée au DHBC possèdent des propriétés particulièrement intéressantes : solubilité des polyélectrolytes dans l'eau, stabilité des micelles, contrôle de l'association/dissociation micellaire par divers stimuli (pH, force ionique, irradiation lumineuse…). Dans cette thèse, les propriétés physico-chimiques des micelles PIC de type DHBC neutre-cationique/homopolymère anionique et DHBC neutre-anionique/homopolyélectrolyte cationique ont été étudiées en solution aqueuse en vue de leur utilisation comme agent structurant des matériaux siliciques organisés à l'échelle nanométrique. La gamme de pH de formation des micelles PIC, la concentration micellaire critique et le nombre d'agrégation des micelles ont été déterminés pour chacun des systèmes étudiés. Nous avons montré que la formation des micelles suit un mécanisme coopératif qui dépend de la taille de l'homopolymère. Par ailleurs, nous avons proposé une voie originale de formation des micelles PIC photoinduite, basée sur une modification du pH suite à l'irradiation d'une molécule photochrome. Les études concernant l'utilisation des micelles PIC comme agent structurant des matériaux nous ont permis de montrer que la morphologie (nanoparticulaire, massif) et la structure des matériaux (lamellaire, vermiculaire) peuvent être contrôlés par divers paramètres, tels que la concentration en masse du système DHBC/homopolyélectrolyte/précurseur de silice, la teneur en précurseur de silice et le rapport entre les fonctions cationique et anionique des polyélectrolytes. Le lavage des matériaux sous des conditions douces (à l'eau) permet de récupérer l'agent structurant. / Polyion complex micelles, or "PIC micelles", formed by electrostatic interaction between a neutral-ionic double hydrophilic block copolymer (DHBC) and an oppositely charged homopolyelectrolyte possess interesting properties: solubility of the polyelectrolytes in water, stability of micelles, control of the micellar association / dissociation by various stimuli (pH, ionic strength, light irradiation ...). In this thesis, the physico-chemical properties of PIC micelles of neutral-cationic DHBC/ anionic homopolymer and neutral-anionic DHBC/cationic homopolymer were studied in aqueous solution for use as structuring agents of silica-based organized nanomaterials. The pH range of PIC micelle formation, the critical micelle concentration and aggregation number of micelles were determined for each studied system. We have shown that the formation of micelles follows a cooperative mechanism which depends on the size of the homopolymer. Furthermore, we proposed an original way of photoinduced PIC micelle formation, based on a pH change after irradiation of a photochromic molecule. The studies on the PIC micelles as structuring agents of materials have shown that the morphology (nanoparticular, bulk) and the material structure (lamellar, vermicular) can be controlled by various parameters, such as the mass concentration of the DHBC / homopolyelectrolyte / silica precursor system, the content of the silica precursor and the ratio between the functions of the cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes. Finally, the template was removed by washing the hybrid materials under soft conditions in water.

Surface modification techniques have played important roles in various aspects of modern technology. They have been employed to improve substrates by altering surface physicochemical properties. An ideal surface modifying technique would be a method that is applicable to any kind of materials prepared from a wide range of polymers and that can occur under mild reaction conditions. The work in this thesis has utilized four main concepts: I) the development of a ‘grafting-from’ technique by covalently growing polymer grafts from particle surfaces, II) the presence of steric and electrosteric forces due to long-range repulsive interactions between particles, III) a combined surface grafting and layer-by-layer approach to create polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) on particle surfaces to fabricate strong and functional materials, and IV) the roles of hydrophilic polymer grafts and substrate geometry on surface degradation. A non-destructive surface grafting technique was developed and applied to polylactide (PLA) particle surfaces. Their successful modification was verified by observed changes to the surface chemistry, morphology and topography of the particles. To quantify the aggregation behavior of grafted and non-grafted particles, force interaction measurements were performed using colloidal probe atomic force microscopy (AFM). Long-range repulsive interactions were observed when symmetric systems, i.e., hydrophilic polymer grafts on two interacting surfaces, and asymmetric system were applied. Electrosteric forces were observed when the symmetric substrates interacted at pH 7.4. When PEMs were alternately assembled on the surface of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) particles, the grafted surfaces played a dominated role in altering the surface chemistry and morphology of the particles. Three-dimensional scaffolds of surface grafted particle coated with PEMs demonstrated high mechanical performance that agreed well with the mechanical performance of cancellous bone. Nanomaterials were used to functionalize the scaffolds and further influence their physicochemical properties. For example, when magnetic nanoparticles were used to functionalize the scaffolds, a high electrical conductivity was imparted, which is important for bone tissue regeneration. Furthermore, the stability of the surface grafted particles was evaluated in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution. The nature of the hydrophilic polymer grafts and the geometry of the PLLA substrates played central roles in altering the surface properties of films and particles. After 10 days of PBS immersion, larger alterations in the surface morphology were observed on the film compared with microparticles grafted with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). In contrast to the PAA-grafted substrates, the morphology of poly(acrylamide) (PAAm)-grafted substrates was not affected by PBS immersion. Additionally, PAAm-grafted microparticulate substrates encountered surface degradation more rapidly than PAAm-grafted film substrates. / <p>QC 20151002</p>

As agrarian society developed, the most fertile soils able to sustain the nutritional requirements needed for high crop yield were assigned to farming, while the more penurious soils were left to uphold the forest ecosystems. Some temperate forests are developed on acidic soils considered to be nutrient poor, as much of the inorganic nutrients are entrapped in poorly weatherable soil minerals and not easily accessed by plant roots. In an undisturbed ecosystem, the largest contribution of available nutrients comes from the recycling of organically bound nutrients via the decomposition of dead plant material. If biomass is removed, for instance with a more intensified exploitation of the forest ecosystems including whole tree harvesting, this source of nutrients is consequently decreased. The importance of soil mineral weathering as a source of nutrients, and especially that promoted by soil biota, is thereby emphasized. This thesis addresses biotic parameters associated with mineral weathering. Different aspects of soil solution sampling strategies and analysis of different organic ligands as well as biomarkers for the estimation of fungal biomass were investigated. These chemical parameters were also evaluated as indicators of microbial activity in relation to mineral nutrient availability in soil. With the assumption that the current nutrient status of a soil will affect the microbial interest of certain minerals as sources of inorganic nutrients, a mineral amendment trial was performed in a Swedish boreal forest soil. Overall, the amended soil presented good nutrient status, but with a possible shortage of iron. Due to this, it was hypothesized that the amended mineral with the highest iron content i.e. biotite would cause an elevation of microbial activity in its vicinity when compared to the bulk soil. The level of microbial activity in the vicinity of the amended minerals was evaluated via quantification of organic acids and siderophores, as well as estimation of fungal biomass and enzymatic activity. The highest microbial activity was measured for the O horizon of the investigated podzol, although nothing indicated an elevated association with the amended minerals. In the E horizon, however, elevation in microbial activity was observed in the vicinity of the biotite mineral when compared with bulk soil, although only a few of the investigated parameters differed significantly when evaluated separately.   To enable this study, a highly sensitive analytical method employing liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry was developed to quantify a number of hydroxamate siderophores. On-line pre-concentration enabled detection of these organic ligands in the pico-molar range – a necessity when analyzing natural samples. Furthermore, an analytical method was developed for the estimation of fungal biomass via quantification of chitin-derived glucosamine, which also employed liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Unlike currently available methods, the one presented in this thesis did not involve analyte derivatization, which resulted in high sample throughput while simultaneously avoiding complications involved with the additional derivatization procedure. The distribution of a group of organic ligands known as aromatic low molecular mass organic acids was also studied in a boreal forest podzol soil. Different sampling and samples preparation techniques, namely tension-lysimeters, soil centrifugation and liquid-soil extraction, were compared when analyzing soil solution components. Significant differences in analyte amount and species type were found between these sampling techniques. Some of the differences could be accounted for by variation in soil composition at different depths of the investigated podzol, but others could be attributed to structural differences within the studied analyte group. This clearly illustrated the intricacy of sampling and analysis when working with a sample matrix as complex and diverse as soil. As previously, liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry was used to quantify the analytes of interest. A highly sensitive analytical method was developed that was able to detect eleven aromatic low molecular mass organic acids in the nano-molar range. High selectivity was ensured by applying multiple reaction monitoring enabled by collision induced fragmentation of the analytes. / FORE

Denna kandidatuppsats undersöker framtagningen av ett bakteriellt cellulosamaterial (BC-material), samt undersöker om materialets vattenavvisande egenskaper kan förbättras för att kunna möjliggöra användning som textilt material. Arbetet grundar sig i det faktum att BC- materialet är av en hydrofil karaktär, något som den brittiska designern Suzanne Lee utryckt vara ett problem för dess användningsmöjligheter. Arbetet behandlar en litteraturstudie av BC, vilken ligger till grund för en experimentel del där odling, vattenavvisande beredningar och vattenavvisande tester utförts. Gällande BC-produktion och materialframtagning har faktorer som pH-värde, temperaturförhållanden, och recept visat sig påverka cellulosaproduktionen. Ett varmare temperaturförhållande på 30°C jämfört med rumstemperatur (20- 22°C) har uppvisat bättre cellulosatillväxt. Detsamma gäller även för användandet av äppelcidervinäger i odlingmediumet, vilket uppvisat positiva resultat. Testerna av det framtagna BC-membranet har för det första kunnat bekräfta dess påstådda hydrofilitet. Vidare har även de vattenavvisande behandlingarna visat positiva resultat, även om användarmöjligheterna för materialet fortfarande anses vara begränsade inom det textila området. En ökning av kontaktvinkeln från 40,76° till 96,98° uppvisades efter att en behandling med en syntetisk vaxpolymer applicerats. Denna ökning på drygt 100 % skapade en kontaktvinkel över 90°, vilket teoretiskt betyder att materialets karaktär gått från hydrofilt till hydrofobt. Ett likvärdigt resultat uppvisades även efter en behandling med en vaxdendrimer. Materialet uppvisade dock tydliga resultat på att absorbera vatten vid längre tid av blötläggning, oavsett om det behandlats eller ej. / This bachelor thesis is investigating the development of a material based on bacterial cellulose (BC), as well as examine and test the material's hydrophobic properties. This is made in order to improve its user possibilities as a textile material. The motive is based on the fact that BC- materials have a hydrophilic nature, something that the British designer Suzanne Lee expressed as a problem for its user possibilities. The thesis process a literature study of BC, which is used for an experimental study where cultivation, water repellent treatments and water repellent tests are performed. Regarding BC-production and material creation, factors as pH-levels, temperature conditions and the recipes has shown to affect the cellulose production. The cellulose levels occurred to increase during a warmer condition at 30 °C compared to room temperature (20-22°C), both conditions where used for the cultivation. The same positive results also occurred when apple cider vinegar was used in the cultivation bath. The tests on the developed BC-membrane, initially confirmed its alleged hydrophilic nature. Furthermore, positive results occurred for the water repellant-treated materials, even if the user possibilities still is considered to be limited in the textile field. The contact angle increased from 40.76 ° to 96.98 ° on the material treated with a synthetic wax polymer, which results in a 100% increase. The angle of 90°, theoretically means that the character of the material changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. Similar results also occurred after treatment with a wax dendrimer. The material, however, showed significant results in absorbing water when subjected for a longer time of soaking, whether it was treated or not.

Το γένος Crocus ανήκει στην οικογένεια Iridaceae και περιλαμβάνει 84 είδη, τα οποία εξαπλώνονται από τη ΝΔ. Ευρώπη έως την Τουρκία και τη ΝΔ. Ασία. Στην Ελλάδα είναι γνωστά 23 αυτοφυή είδη, τα οποία περιλαμβάνουν 34 taxa, από τα οποία 17 taxa είναι ενδημικά της Ελλάδας. Στην Πελοπόννησο φύονται 12 taxa του γένους Crocus, εκ των οποίων τα 5 είναι ενδημικά της Πελοποννήσου. Το C. sativus είναι το πιο γνωστό και περισσότερο μελετημένο είδος του γένους. Στην παρούσα εργασία μελετήθηκαν πέντε ελληνικά ενδημικά taxa του γένους Crocus, τα C. biflorus ssp. melantherus, C. boryi ssp. boryi, C. goulimyi, C. laevigatus και C. niveus, ως προς τον καρυότυπό τους και τη μορφομετρία και χημική σύσταση των στύλων τους. Εξετάστηκαν ακόμα οι διαφορές στη μορφομετρία και χημική σύσταση των στύλων μεταξύ του C. sativus και των πέντε ελληνικών ενδημικών taxa καθώς και μεταξύ ίδιων taxa του γένους από διαφορετικές περιοχές. / The genus Crocus L. (Iridaceae) consists of 84 species worldwide, distributed from South-Western Europe through Central Europe to Turkey and South-Western parts of Asia. There are 23 native taxa in Greece and 17 taxa are endemic to it. In Peloponnese there exist 12 taxa and of these 5 are endemic to the region. Among these species, the cultivated C. sativus is the best known and studied. The present study examined five endemic taxa of the genus Crocus in Peloponnese: C. biflorus ssp. melantherus, C. boryi ssp. boryi, C. goulimyi, C. laevigatus and C. niveus. These taxa were examined concerning their cytology and the morphometry and chemical composition of their style. Moreover through this study was investigated the differences in morphometry and chemical composition of the styles between C. sativus and the five endemic taxa and among the same taxa from different regions.