Uran kann sowohl durch geogene als auch anthropogene Vorgänge in die Umwelt gelangen. Dazu zählen natürliche Uranerzvorkommen und deren Leaching sowie die Auswaschung von Uran aus den Hinterlassenschaften des ehemaligen Uranerzbergbaus. Die Aufklärung des Verhaltens von Uran in der Geo- und Biosphäre ist für eine Risikoabschätzung des Migrationsverhaltens von Radionukliden in der Umwelt notwendig. Algen sind in der Natur weit verbreitet und die wichtigste Organismengruppe in den aquatischen Lebensräumen. Durch ihre ubiquitäre Verbreitung in der Natur ist ihr Einfluss auf das Migrationsverhalten von Uran in der Umwelt von grundlegendem Interesse z.B. um effektive und wirtschaftliche Remediationsstrategien für Wässer zu entwickeln. Außerdem stehen Algen am Beginn der Nahrungskette und spielen eine wirtschaftlich relevante Rolle als Nahrung beziehungsweise Nahrungsergänzungsmittel. Die Möglichkeit des Transfers von algengebundenem Uran entlang der Nahrungskette könnte eine ernsthafte Gesundheitsgefahr für den Menschen darstellen. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war die quantitative und strukturelle Charakterisierung der Wechselwirkung zwischen Uran(VI) und der Grünalge Chlorella vulgaris im umweltrelevanten Konzentrations- und pH-Wertbereich unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Stoffwechselaktivität. Die in dieser Arbeit erzielten Ergebnisse der Sorptionsexperimente zeigen deutlich den maßgeblichen Einfluss des Stoffwechselstatus von Chlorella auf die Wechselwirkung mit Uran. So kann in Gegenwart von umweltrelevanten Urankonzentrationen eine Remobilisierung von zuvor passiv gebundenem Uran durch die stoffwechselaktiven Algen erfolgen. Die in Abhängigkeit von der Stoffwechselaktivität, der Urankonzentration und dem pH-Wert mit den Algenzellen gebildeten Uran(VI)-Komplexe wurden strukturell mit Hilfe der spektroskopischen Methoden TRLF-, EXAFS- und ATR-FTIR-Spektroskopie charakterisiert. Mittels TEM konnte Uran in Form von 30-70 nm großen nadelförmigen Ablagerungen in der Zellwand der lebende Algenzellen nachgewiesen werden. Die in dieser Arbeit erhaltenen Ergebnisse leisten einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Vorhersage des Migrationsverhaltens von Uran unter umweltrelevanten Bedingungen und der radiologischen Risikobewertung von geogen und anthropogen auftretendem Uran. / Uranium could be released into the environment from geogenic deposits and from former mining and milling areas by weathering and anthropogenic activities. The elucidation of uranium behavior in geo- and biosphere is necessary for a reliable risk assessment of radionuclide migration in the environment. Algae are widespread in nature and the most important group of organisms in the aquatic habitat. Because of their ubiquitous occurrence in nature the influence of algae on the migration process of uranium in the environment is of fundamental interest e.g. for the development of effective and economical remediation strategies for contaminated waters. Besides, algae are standing at the beginning of the food chain and play an economically relevant role as food and food additive. Therefore the transfer of algae-bound uranium along the food chain could arise to a serious threat to human health. Aim of this work was the quantitative and structural characterization of the interaction between U(VI) and the green alga Chlorella vulgaris in environmental relevant concentration and pH range with special emphasis on metabolic activity. The obtained findings of the sorption experiments in this study demonstrate clearly, the interactions with uranium are heavily influenced by the status of the investigated Chlorella cells. So in presence of environmentally relevant uranium concentrations a remobilization of algal-bound uranium by metabolically active algae occurred. The U(VI)-algae-complexes formed in dependence of cell activity, uranium concentration and pH value were structural characterized by TRLF, EXAFS and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. With the help of TEM under the given experimental conditions uranium was detected in form of 30-70 nm needle-like deposites in the cell wall of living algae. The obtained results of this study contribute to the prediction of the migration behavior of uranium under environmental conditions, the radiological risk assessment of geogenic and anthropogenic appearing uranium and a reliable estimation of the accumulation of uranium in the food chain.

De façon évidente, la pratique industrielle de la cristallisation ne peut éviter la présence d'impuretés indésirables produites suite aux nombreuses réactions chimiques précédant les étapes de cristallisation. Même en quantités infimes, les impuretés présentes dans les jus mères peuvent affecter de façon considérable la cristallisation et la qualité du produit obtenu. Dans ce contexte, les technologies de mesures en ligne fournissent un apport considérable en permettant l'obtention d'informations riches, en temps réel et de façon quasi-continue sur l'évolution des phases liquide et dispersée. L'objectif du présent travail est la compréhension des effets des impuretés sur les produits de cristallisations discontinues. Des expériences sont effectuées, sur une installation-pilote, en vue d'étudier les effets des paramètres opératoires de cristallisation de l'oxalate d'ammonium monohydrate pur et en présence de sulfate de nickel (impureté) sur la taille et la forme des cristaux produits. Pour cela, deux techniques analytiques in situ, la spectroscopie ATR FTIR pour la mesure de sursaturation et l'analyse d'image in situ pour l'évaluation des distributions des tailles des cristaux, seront utilisées. A partir des données expérimentales obtenues, nous proposons des modèles cinétiques de nucléation (primaire et secondaire) et de croissance tenant compte de l'action des impuretés et décrivant l'adsorption de celles-ci à la surface des cristaux. Ces modèles sont ensuite exploités pour la mise en place de simulations fondées sur les équations de bilans de populations.L'originalité de l'approche adoptée réside dans l'emploi du modèle classique de Kubota - Mullin, modifié par l'ajout d'une variable temporelle permettant la prise en compte de la durée d'exposition de chaque cristal aux impuretés. Les résultats de simulation obtenus décrivent de façon satisfaisante l'évolution temporelle de la sursaturation et de la distribution de taille des cristaux.

Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy is used as a diagnostic tool in biological and physical sciences by characterizing the samples based on infrared light-matter interaction. In the case of biological samples, Activation of Jurkat T-cells in culture following treatment with anti-CD3 (Cluster of Differentiation 3) antibody is detectable by interrogating the treated T-cells using the Attenuated Total Reflection - Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy technique. Cell activation was detected within 75 minutes after the cells encountered specific immunoglobulin molecules. Spectral markers noted following ligation of the CD3 receptor with anti CD3 antibody provides proof-of-concept that ATR-FTIR spectroscopy is a sensitive measure of molecular events subsequent to cells interacting with anti-CD3 Immunoglobulin G (IgG). ATR-FTIR spectroscopy is also used to screen for Colitis in chronic (Interleukin 10 knockout) and acute (Dextran Sodium Sulphate-induced) models. Arthritis (Collagen Antibody Induced Arthritis) and metabolic syndrome (Toll like receptor 5 knockout) models are also tested as controls. The marker identified as mannose uniquely screens and distinguishes the colitic from the non-colitic samples and the controls. The reference or the baseline spectrum could be the pooled and averaged spectra of non-colitic samples or the subject’s previous sample spectrum. The circular dichroism of titanium-doped silver chiral nanorod arrays grown using the glancing angle deposition (GLAD) method is investigated in the visible and near infrared ranges using transmission ellipsometry and spectroscopy. The characteristics of these circular polarization effects are strongly influenced by the morphology of the deposited arrays. Studies of optical phonon modes in nearly defect-free GaN nanowires embedded with intrinsic InGaN quantum dots by using oblique angle transmission infrared spectroscopy is described here. These phonon modes are dependent on the nanowire fill-factor, doping densities of the nanowires and the presence of InGaN dots. These factors can be applied for potential phonon based photodetectors whose spectral responses can be tailored by varying a combination of these three parameters. The optical anisotropy along the growth (c-) axis of the GaN nanowire contributes to the polarization agility of such potential photodetectors.

O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar o nível de organização dos cristalitos de surfactantes aniônico, catiônico e zwiteriônico com o aumento na densidade destas moléculas sobre um cristal de germânio. As análises foram realizadas por espectroscopia de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier acoplada à técnica de reflexão total atenuada (FTIR-ATR). Este estudo apresenta importantes aspectos na organização do dodecilsulfato de sódio (SDS), do N-hexadecil-N,N-dimetil-3-amônio-1-propanosulfato (HPS), do brometo de hexadeciltrimetilamônio (CTAB) e do brometo de dodeciltrimetilamônio (DTAB). No SDS é observado um deslocamento de 1.7 cm-1 para valores de maior frequência na banda de estiramento assimétrico do CH2, vass (CH2), enquanto que é observado um deslocamento de 0.9 cm-1 na banda de estiramento simétrico, vsim (CH2). Este deslocamento para valores de maior frequência nas bandas de estiramento está associado com um aumento na desorganização da cadeia alifática com o aumento na densidade de moléculas sobre o elemento de ATR. A banda de deformação angular do CH2, δ(CH2), apresenta um valor em 1468 cm-1 que é também um indicativo de desorganização. No CTAB não é observado variações acentuadas nos valores das frequências vibracionais. Na banda vass (CH2) do DTAB é observado um deslocamento de 4.5 cm-1 para valores de menor frequência. Embora seja observado valores próximos de 2920 cm-1 para a banda vass (CH2), que é um indicativo do estado líquido de surfactantes, o que é observado nesse estudo são cristalitos de DTAB. O deslocamento da banda vsim (CH2) do DTAB é da ordem de 2 cm-1. Estas mudanças nas bandas vass (CH2) e vsim (CH2) são um indicativo da diminuição nas conformações gauche e um aumento nas conformações trans ao longo da cadeia alifática. O valor da freqüência em torno de 1472 cm-1 para a banda δ(CH2) é também um indicativo de uma maior organização na cadeia de CH2 do DTAB. Para o HPS é observado um deslocamento de 2.6 e 2.7 cm-1 para valores de maior frequência nas bandas vass (CH2) e vsim (CH2), respectivamente. A banda δ(CH2) do HPS apresenta um deslocamento de 4 cm-1 para valores de maior frequência. A variação nas bandas vass (CH2), vsim (CH2), e δ(CH2) ressalta o aumento na desorganização da cadeia alifática com o aumento na densidade de moléculas de HPS sobre o germânio. / The objective of this work is study the order level of anionic, cationic and zwitterionic surfactants with the increase of their density packing on the surface of a germanium element. The analyses were performed by a Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection spectroscopy. This study shows important insights on the conformational order of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), N-hexadecyl-N-N -dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propane-sulfonate (HPS), hexadecyl-trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). It is observed a shift of 1.7 and 0.9 cm-1 to higher frequency values of the CH2 asymmetric (vass (CH2)) and symmetric (vsim(CH2)) stretching bands for the SDS molecules, respectively. The latter shift to higher frequency values is associated with the disorder of the aliphatic chain due to the increase of density packing of SDS molecules on the germanium element. The CH2 scissoring band [δ (CH2)] shows a value in 1468 cm-1, which is also an indicative of conformational disorder. It is not observed any accentuated change on the vibrational frequency values of the CTAB molecules. The vass (CH2) band of the DTAB molecules is shifted 4.5 cm-1 to lower frequency values. Although it is observed values near 2920 cm-1 for the vass(CH2) band, indicating a surfactant liquid phase, it is shown in this study that there are indeed DTAB crystallites. The shift of DTAB vsim(CH2) band is around 2 cm-1. These changes in vass(CH2) and vsim(CH2) band are an indicative of a decrease in gauche conformations and an increase in all-trans conformations over the aliphatic chain. The frequency value around 1472 cm-1 for the δ(CH2) band is also an indicative of the order in CH2 chain of DTAB. It is observed a shift of 2.6 and 2.7 cm-1 to higher frequency values of vass (CH2) and vsim(CH2) bands of the HPS molecule, respectively. The δ(CH2) band of the HPS molecule presents a shift of 4 cm-1 to higher frequency values. These variations in vass (CH2), vsim(CH2), and δ(CH2) bands stand out the disorder of the aliphatic chain due to the increase of the density packing for the HPS molecules on the germanium surface.

As células a combustível de etanol direto (DEFCs, Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells) são baseadas na eletro-oxidação do etanol à baixa temperatura e necessitam catalisadores à base de metais nobres, devido à cinética mais lenta para as reações de oxi-redução. Entre os catalisadores, a platina e as ligas de platina são os mais utilizados. Materiais para suportar os catalisadores são necessários a fim de reduzir a carga do mesmo empregada. Um dos suportes de catalisadores mais versáteis é o carvão ativado, e um dos mais utilizados tem sido o carvão mineral Vulcan. Recentemente, estudos têm sido realizados sobre a madeira como material precursor de carvão ativado, devido à sua sustentabilidade e também porque os materiais carbonosos obtidos têm excelentes propriedades finais. No presente trabalho, estudou-se a reação de eletro-oxidação do etanol, de catalisadores à base de Pt e PtSn suportados em biocarvões obtidos a partir da madeira Eucalyptus grandis. No início desse trabalho não havia relatos na literatura sobre o uso de carvões ativados obtidos a partir de madeira de Eucalyptus grandis como precursor. Foram utilizados dois métodos de ativação nos suportes, ativação física com CO2 e ativação química com ZnCl2. Os suportes de catalisadores foram caracterizados por análise textural, análise elementar, análise termogravimétrica e por espectroscopia de infravermelho. As técnicas empregadas para a caracterização dos catalisadores foram espectrometria de retroespalhamento de Rutherford (RBS), difração de raios-X (DRX), análise termogravimétrica (TGA), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET), voltametria cíclica (VC) e caracterização espectroeletroquímica (ATR-FTIR in-situ). Os biocarvões apresentaram áreas superficiais maiores e tamanhos de poros menores do que o carvão Vulcan, independente do tratamento. A natureza do suporte influenciou nas características morfológicas dos eletrocatalisadores preparados. Com base nos resultados obtidos os catalisadores suportados nos suportes com ativação química apresentaram os melhores resultados de densidade de corrente para eletro-oxidação do etanol, com exceção do catalisador PtSn suportado no biocarvão ativado fisicamente (PtSn/BCAF). Pode-se dizer que os biocarvões são adequados para aplicações em células de combustível, podendo substituir o uso de suportes baseados em carvões minerais. A eletro-oxidação do etanol nos eletrocataliadores de PtSn nos carvões ativados ocorre principalmente através da produção de acetaldeído e ácido acético. / Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFC) are based on ethanol electrooxidation at low-temperature and they require noble metal based catalysts, due to the slower kinetic of redox reactions. Among the catalysts, platinum and its alloys have been the most widely used. Catalysts support materials have been employed with the intent to reduce loading catalyst. One of the most versatile catalyst supports is activated carbon, and one of the most widely used is the Vulcan®, a mineral carbon. Currently, different studies have been conducted concerning wood as activated carbon precursor, because of its sustainability and its properties, like suitable porous texture, surface area and surface chemistry. In this work, it was studied ethanol electrooxidation reaction on Pt and PSn catalysts supported on biocarbon. Biocarbons were obtained from Eucalyptus grandis. Literature reports the use of carbon materials as catalyst support, however focused on carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes, without any precedent on the use of activated carbon obtained from Eucalyptus grandis until the start of this work. The carbon supports were obtained by physical activation using CO2, and chemical activation with ZnCl2. Catalyst support characterization boarded elemental analysis, texture analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Techniques employed for the catalyst characterization were Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and spectroelectrochemical characterization (ATR-FTIR in situ). Biocarbons presended the higher surface areas and smallest pore size than the Vulcan ones, independent of the treatment. The support nature influenced on the catalyst morphology. Results showed that the catalyst on the chemically activated supports presented the best current density for ethanol electro-oxidation, except for the PtSn on the physically activated biocarbon (PtSn/BCAF). Biocarbons resulted adequate for fuel cell applications and are capable of substituting the conventional supports based on mineral carbon. Ethanol electro-oxidation on PtSn catalysts takes place through the production of acetaldehyde and acetic acid reaction mechanism.

A partir de la fin du 19ème siècle, des matériaux artificiels (le celluloïd, l'acétocellulose et la galalithe) sont mis au point et employés pour la fabrication d'objets de la vie quotidienne, en même temps que des matériaux naturels (nacre, bois, corne, écaille, ivoire et os), utilisés depuis toujours. Ces matériaux artificiels sont utilisés, dans un premier temps, pour imiter les matières naturelles, puis, dans un second temps, pour proposer d'autres formes et un choix de couleurs plus large. Aujourd'hui, l'enjeu est de mettre au point des méthodologies d'analyses afin de différencier et d'identifier ces matériaux qu'ils soient naturels ou artificiels. Les objets que nous avons analysés sont des éventails et des boutons, datés entre la fin du 19ème et le début du 20ème siècle, et conservés dans les collections du musée Galliera, à Paris. Les méthodologies d'analyse doivent être totalement non-destructives. Deux techniques d'analyses répondent à ce critère : la spectroscopie Raman et la spectroscopie infrarouge-ATR (Attenuated Total Reflexion). Les compositions chimiques de ces neuf matériaux étant extrêmement diversifiées, une unique méthodologie ne peut suffire à les identifier tous. Aussi, nous avons établi plusieurs stratégies d'identification, adaptées à chaque type de matériau. Les matériaux naturels, nacre et bois, sont identifiés par comparaison de leurs spectres Raman à des spectres de référence. Les matériaux artificiels, celluloïd et acétocellulose, sont aussi identifiés en spectroscopie Raman, par référence à leurs composants principaux. L'analyse spectrale des bandes amide I des spectres infrarouge-ATR de la corne, de l'écaille et de la galalithe a permis la détermination des structures secondaires de ces matériaux, conduisant à leur différenciation. Enfin, la différenciation des ivoires et des os nécessite l'application d'une analyse chimiométrique (analyse en composantes principales) de l'ensemble de leurs spectres infrarouge-ATR. Toutes ces stratégies d'identification ont été appliquées aux éventails et boutons du musée Galliera, et le matériau de chacun d'entre eux a été soit caractérisé, soit identifié. Ces identifications ont permis, entre autre, la mise en évidence de l'introduction précoce des matériaux artificiels dans la fabrication d'accessoires de mode (éventail de 1885 identifié en celluloïd).

This thesis aims to investigate the formation of deposits from thermally degraded biodiesel on a hot metal surface under the influence of sodium or copper contaminations. Biodiesel or Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) is a widely utilized biofuel with the potential to replace fossil fuels, however, issues regarding the thermal and oxidative stability prevent the progress of biodiesel for utilization as vehicle fuel. The thermal degradation of biodiesel causes formation of deposits often occurring in the fuel injectors, which could result in reduced engine efficiency, increased emissions and engine wear. However, still have no standard method for evaluation of a fuels’ tendency to form deposits been developed. In this study biodiesel deposits have been formed on aluminum test tubes utilizing a Hot Liquid Process Simulator (HLPS), an instrument based on the principle of the Jet Fuel Thermal Oxidation Tester (JFTOT). Quantitative and qualitative analyses have been made utilizing an array of techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) and Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (ATR-FTIR). A multi-factorial trial investigating the effects of sodium hydroxide and copper contaminations at trace levels and the impact of a paraffin inhibitor copolymer additive on three different FAME products, two derived from rapeseed oil and one from waste cooking oil as well as a biodiesel blend with mineral diesel, was conducted.The results exhibited that FAMEs are the major precursor to deposit formation in diesel fuel. The SEM analyses exploited the nature of FAME deposits forming porous structures on hot metal surfaces. Sodium hydroxide proved to participate in the deposit formation by forming carboxylic salts. However, the copper contamination exhibited no enhancing effect on the deposits, possibly due to interference of the blank oil in which copper was received. The paraffin inhibitor functioning as a crystal modifier had significant reducing effect on the deposit formation for all biodiesel samples except for the FAME product derived from waste cooking oil. Further studies are needed in order to investigate the influence of glycerin and water residues to the biodiesel deposit formation. Mechanisms involving oxidative or thermal peroxide formation, polymerization and disintegration have been suggested as degradation pathways for biodiesel. The involvement of oxidation intermediates, peroxides, was confirmed by the experiments performed in this thesis. However, the mechanisms of biodiesel deposit formation are complex and hard to study as the deposits are seemingly insoluble. Nevertheless, ATR-FTIR in combination with JFTOT-processing has potential as standard method for evaluation of deposit forming tendencies of biodiesel.

Hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) based polyurethanes (PUs) are low modulus materials and degrade easily at low temperature. Polycarbodiimide (PCDI) and polysiloxane (PSi) are reactive-type fillers when formed by carbodimidzation and sol-gel process, respectively. During the combustion, PCDI and PSi give off non-toxic, non-corrosive volatile gases, and finally form carbonaceous and siliceous chars. In this study, modified PUs were prepared by incorporating PCDI or PSi into PUs to give high carbon, nitrogen and silicon materials. These modified PUs are kinds of organic-inorganic hybrids with higher modulus and higher thermal stability than HTPB-based PUs. In addition, new silicone based insulation materials were prepared by mixing two silicone rubber materials LSR-2670 and RTV-627 from GE Silicones, in order to improve the heat insulation and to reduce the ablation rate. These inhibitors can keep the rocket motor from the high temperature ablation for a long time, especially castable silicone based heat insulations for the case of the ramjet engines. The mechanical properties at room temperature and the thermal stability of these modified PUs and silicone rubbers were investigated using a tensile tester and a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). ATR/FTIR (Attenuated total reflectance / Fourier transform infrared) technique is applied to monitor the synthesis process of PCDI and to examine the change of surface chemistry of insulator before and after thermal degradation via TGA. TGA coupled with FTIR (TGA/FTIR) was used to analyze the kinetics and the mechanism of thermal degradation under nitrogen and/or air. The Friedman and Kissinger methods of analysis were used for calculating the activation energy of degradation from dynamic TGA. The modified PUs (HIPTD-40%Psi¤ÎHIPTD-30%PMPS-PSi) with average activation energy of 88 and 112 kcal/mole (0.5¡Õ£\¡Õ0.9, under N2) and the modified silicone rubber (LR-5%HTB) with activation energy of 46.2~67.0 kcal/mole (0.1¡Õ£\¡Õ0.9, under N2) and 34.0~59.1 kcal/mole (0.1¡Õ£\¡Õ0.9, under air).The maximum degradation temperature (Tmax) and char yield (CY) of thermal degradation were estimated from a series of experiments with heating rates of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ¢J/min, under nitrogen or air. It is apparent that the maximum degradation temperature is dependent on heating rate. By assuming the heating rate for the insulator used in a rocket operating environment is about 5000¢J/min, Tmax calculated for the modified PUs (HIPTD-40%PSi and HIPTD-30%PMPS-PSi under N2) are found as 538 and 562¢J and for the modified silicone rubber (LR-5%HTB under N2 and air) are found as 576 and 562¢J, respectively. CY calculated for the modified silicone rubber (LR-5%HTB under N2 and air) is found as 71.5% and 66.2%. The morphology of modified PUs and silicone rubbers before and after thermal degradation via TGA was observed by optical and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

The kidney is one of the most affected organs of body from diabetes. Diabetic kidney disease is a complication of diabetes seen in 30-40% of diabetic person. The aim of this work is to contribute the useful information in the therapy of diabetes. It is very important to know the role of antioxidants at the molecular level during diabetes. The protecting role of antioxidants against lipid peroxidation, the effect of cellular antioxidant enzyme systems, understanding the changes of membrane fluidity, lipid order and protein structure which are resulted from antioxidant treatment, determining the effective therapeutic dose with the help of biochemical methods are very important in order to understand the effect of antioxidants at molecular level. In this thesis work, the Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) was used in order to study the diabetic kidney disease at the molecular level, which is encountered as a complication of diabetes. Furthermore, the protecting and possible therapeutic role of selenium in the course of diabetic kidney disease was investigated. To conclude, the kidney plasma membranes were severely deteriorated due to diabetes with respect to its lipid, protein and carbohydrate structure and content, which were corrected after selenium treatment. The diabetes causes diminishment of whole membrane fluidity, which was normalized with the selenium administration. This is the first study demonstrating the effect of diabetes on kidney plasma membrane and the effect of selenium on stz-induced diabetic kidney plasma membranes using spectroscopic tools. The study revealed serious therapeutic and preventing capacities of selenium on diabetic kidney plasma membranes which needs confirmation of future researches. Furthermore, the dosage of selenium given to diabetics should be investigated in detail and proved with biochemical and clinical data.

<p>In order to extend the applications of aluminium, organic coatings may be applied on sheet materials, for instance for corrosion protection or aesthetic surface finish purposes in the automotive and construction industries, or on foil materials in the flexible packaging industry.</p><p>The most common mechanisms for deterioration and structural failure of organically coated aluminium structures are triggered by exposures to the surrounding environment. Despite the great importance to elucidate the influence of exposure parameters on a buried aluminium/polymer interface, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the mechanisms that destabilise the structure. It is generally believed that a detailed <i>in situ</i> analysis of the transport of corroding species to the buried interface, or of surface processes occurring therein, is most difficult to perform at relevant climatic and real-time conditions.</p><p>In this work, Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) in the Kretschmann-ATR configuration was successfully applied to <i>in situ</i> studies of the transport of water and ionic species through polymer films to the aluminium/polymer interface upon exposure to ultra pure deionised water and to a 1 M sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN) model electrolyte. Other main processes distinguished were the formation of corrosion products on the aluminium surface and swelling of the surface-near polymer network. Hence, <i>in situ</i> ATR-FTIR was capable to separate deterioration-related processes from each other.</p><p>To perform more unambiguous interpretations, a spectro-electrochemical method was also developed for<i> in situ</i> studies of the buried aluminium/polymer interface by integrating the ATR-FTIR technique with a complementary acting technique, Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). While transport of water and electrolyte through the polymer film to the aluminium/polymer interface and subsequent oxidation/corrosion of aluminium could be followed by ATR-FTIR, the protective properties of the polymer as well as of processes at the aluminium surface were simultaneously studied by EIS. The integrated set-up provided complementary information of the aluminium/polymer sample investigated, with ATR-FTIR being sensitive to the surface-near region and EIS being sensitive to the whole system. While oxidation/corrosion and delamination are difficult to distinguish by EIS, oxide formation could be confirmed by ATR-FTIR. Additionally, while delamination and polymer swelling may be difficult to separate with ATR-FTIR, EIS distinguished swelling of the polymer network and also identified ultimate failure as a result of delamination.</p><p>The capability of the integrated ATR-FTIR / EIS <i>in situ</i> technique was explored by studying aluminium/polymer systems of varying characteristics. Differences in water and electrolyte ingress could be monitored, as well as metal corrosion, polymer swelling and delamination.</p>