abstract: This work describes the development of a device for measuring CO2 in breath, which has applications in monitoring a variety of health issues, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and cardiovascular disease. The device takes advantage of colorimetric sensing technology in order to maintain a low cost and high user-friendliness. The sensor consists of a pH dye, reactive element, and base coated on a highly porous Teflon membrane. The transmittance of the sensor is measured in the device via a simple LED/photodiode system, along with the flow rate, ambient relative humidity, and barometric pressure. The flow is measured by a newly developed flow meter described in this work, the Confined Pitot Tube (CPT) flow meter, which provides a high accuracy with reduced flow-resistance with a standard differential pressure transducer. I demonstrate in this work that the system has a high sensitivity, high specificity, fast time-response, high reproducibility, and good stability. The sensor has a simple calibration method which requires no action by the user, and utilizes a sophisticated, yet lightweight, model in order to predict temperature changes on the sensor during breathing and track changes in water content. It is shown to be effective for measuring CO2 waveform parameters on a breath-by-breath basis, such as End-Tidal CO2, Alveolar Plateau Slope, and Beginning Exhalation Slope. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Chemical Engineering 2017

A avaliação de uma estrutura danificada por incêndios usualmente inicia por observações visuais do concreto, incluindo sua mudança de cor. A mudança de cor observada no concreto exposto a altas temperaturas persiste após seu resfriamento, constituindo-se em uma ferramenta importante para uma avaliação preliminar do nível de deterioração do concreto, pois essas mudanças podem ser relacionadas com as temperaturas as quais o mesmo foi exposto. Com o objetivo de avaliar as mudanças de cor e a degradação térmica de concretos potencialmente encontrados em estruturas no estado, foram estudados concretos de resistência convencional, moldados com materiais usualmente empregados no RS. Foram utilizadas três relações água/cimento, empregando-se o cimento CPIV, agregado graúdo granítico e basáltico. Os espécimes moldados foram submetidos às temperaturas de 200°C, 400°C, 600°C e 900°C, utilizando-se como base uma taxa de aquecimento baseada na curva padrão “Temperatura-Tempo”. Após o aquecimento, os espécimes foram resfriados lentamente, no interior do forno, e bruscamente, com aspersão de água. A degradação térmica do concreto foi avaliada através de ensaios de resistência à compressão, módulo de elasticidade e ultra-som. Para a avaliação das mudanças de cor foi utilizada metodologia colorimétrica, método mais consistente do que uma avaliação visual subjetiva. Observou-se queda de resistência à compressão e do módulo de elasticidade do concreto, conforme o aumento da temperatura de exposição. O ensaio de ultra-som mostrou-se bastante efetivo para detectar micro-fissuração do concreto, apresentando fatores de redução da velocidade de propagação mais semelhantes aos fatores de redução do módulo de elasticidade do que da resistência à compressão, mostrando a sensibilidade e potencialidade do método. As maiores diferenças colorimétricas foram obtidas nos concretos expostos às temperaturas mais altas, acima de 600°C, cujos níveis de percepção podem ser classificados como facilmente distinguíveis e muito grandes, o que pôde ser confirmado pela análise visual dos concretos, na qual foi observado o surgimento de uma cor amarelada. Considera-se, portanto, viável a identificação dos níveis de temperatura de exposição do concreto através das diferenças colorimétricas, especialmente para altas temperaturas de exposição, e, portanto, de maior interesse, já que levam a níveis de degradação mais acentuados. / The assessment of fire damaged concrete structures usually starts with visual observation of concrete, including his color change. The observed color change in high temperatures exposed concrete remains after cooling, consisting in a important tool for a preliminar assessment of concrete deterioration degree, therefore this changes could be related with the exposed temperatures. With the objective of assessing the color changes and thermal degradation of concretes potentially finding out in state’s structures, it was studied in this work normal-strength concretes made with materials usually finding in RS state. The concretes were made with three w/c ratio, with Pozzolanic cement (CPIV), granitic e basaltic coarse aggregate. The molded specimens were subjected to temperatures of 200°C, 400°C, 600°C e 900°C, with utilization of the standard fire curve (ISO 834). After heating, the specimens were allowed to a slow cool in the furnace, and quickly with water spread. The concrete thermal degradation was assessed with compressive strength test, elasticity modulus and pulse velocity measurements. The color changes was assessed by colorimetric methodology, a more consistent method than a subjective visual assessment. It was observed concrete loss of compressive strength and elasticity modulus with de increment of the exposure temperature. The pulse velocity test showed itself as a very effective for detecting concrete micro-cracks, showing reducing factors, as exposure temperature, more likely the elasticity modulus reducing factors than the compressive strength, indicating method sensibility and potentiality. The larger colorimetric differences were obtained on concretes exposed at higher temperatures, above 600°C, witch perceptions levels can be confirmed by concretes visual analyses, where was observed the appeared of a buff color. Can be consider, thus, viable to make the identification of concrete exposed temperatures levels through colorimetric differences, specially for higher exposure temperatures, end, thus, of major interest, since they conduce to more accentuated degradation levels.

abstract: The accurate and fast determination of carbon dioxide (CO2) levels is critical for many health and environmental applications. For example, the analysis of CO2 levels in exhaled breath allows for the evaluation of systemic metabolism, perfusion, and ventilation, and provides the doctors and patients with a non-invasive and simple method to predict the presence and severity of asthma, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Similarly, the monitoring of CO2 levels in the atmosphere allows for assessment of indoor air quality (IAQ) as the indoor CO2 levels have been proved to be associated with increased prevalence of certain mucous membrane and respiratory sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms. A pocket-sized CO2 analyzer has been developed for real-time analysis of breath CO2 and environmental CO2. This CO2 analyzer is designed to comprise two key components including a fluidic system for efficient gas sample delivery and a colorimetric detection unit integrated into the fluidic system. The CO2 levels in the gas samples are determined by a disposable colorimetric sensor chip. The sensor chip is a novel composite based sensor that has been optimized to provide fast and reversible response to CO2 over a wide concentration range, covering the needs of both environmental and health applications. The sensor is immune to the presence of various interfering gases in ambient or expired air. The performance of the sensor in real-time breath-by-breath analysis has also been validated by a commercial CO2 detector. Furthermore, a 3D model was created to simulate fluid dynamics of breath and chemical reactions for CO2 assessment to achieve overall understanding of the breath CO2 detection process and further optimization of the device. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Chemical Engineering 2014

A avaliação de uma estrutura danificada por incêndios usualmente inicia por observações visuais do concreto, incluindo sua mudança de cor. A mudança de cor observada no concreto exposto a altas temperaturas persiste após seu resfriamento, constituindo-se em uma ferramenta importante para uma avaliação preliminar do nível de deterioração do concreto, pois essas mudanças podem ser relacionadas com as temperaturas as quais o mesmo foi exposto. Com o objetivo de avaliar as mudanças de cor e a degradação térmica de concretos potencialmente encontrados em estruturas no estado, foram estudados concretos de resistência convencional, moldados com materiais usualmente empregados no RS. Foram utilizadas três relações água/cimento, empregando-se o cimento CPIV, agregado graúdo granítico e basáltico. Os espécimes moldados foram submetidos às temperaturas de 200°C, 400°C, 600°C e 900°C, utilizando-se como base uma taxa de aquecimento baseada na curva padrão “Temperatura-Tempo”. Após o aquecimento, os espécimes foram resfriados lentamente, no interior do forno, e bruscamente, com aspersão de água. A degradação térmica do concreto foi avaliada através de ensaios de resistência à compressão, módulo de elasticidade e ultra-som. Para a avaliação das mudanças de cor foi utilizada metodologia colorimétrica, método mais consistente do que uma avaliação visual subjetiva. Observou-se queda de resistência à compressão e do módulo de elasticidade do concreto, conforme o aumento da temperatura de exposição. O ensaio de ultra-som mostrou-se bastante efetivo para detectar micro-fissuração do concreto, apresentando fatores de redução da velocidade de propagação mais semelhantes aos fatores de redução do módulo de elasticidade do que da resistência à compressão, mostrando a sensibilidade e potencialidade do método. As maiores diferenças colorimétricas foram obtidas nos concretos expostos às temperaturas mais altas, acima de 600°C, cujos níveis de percepção podem ser classificados como facilmente distinguíveis e muito grandes, o que pôde ser confirmado pela análise visual dos concretos, na qual foi observado o surgimento de uma cor amarelada. Considera-se, portanto, viável a identificação dos níveis de temperatura de exposição do concreto através das diferenças colorimétricas, especialmente para altas temperaturas de exposição, e, portanto, de maior interesse, já que levam a níveis de degradação mais acentuados. / The assessment of fire damaged concrete structures usually starts with visual observation of concrete, including his color change. The observed color change in high temperatures exposed concrete remains after cooling, consisting in a important tool for a preliminar assessment of concrete deterioration degree, therefore this changes could be related with the exposed temperatures. With the objective of assessing the color changes and thermal degradation of concretes potentially finding out in state’s structures, it was studied in this work normal-strength concretes made with materials usually finding in RS state. The concretes were made with three w/c ratio, with Pozzolanic cement (CPIV), granitic e basaltic coarse aggregate. The molded specimens were subjected to temperatures of 200°C, 400°C, 600°C e 900°C, with utilization of the standard fire curve (ISO 834). After heating, the specimens were allowed to a slow cool in the furnace, and quickly with water spread. The concrete thermal degradation was assessed with compressive strength test, elasticity modulus and pulse velocity measurements. The color changes was assessed by colorimetric methodology, a more consistent method than a subjective visual assessment. It was observed concrete loss of compressive strength and elasticity modulus with de increment of the exposure temperature. The pulse velocity test showed itself as a very effective for detecting concrete micro-cracks, showing reducing factors, as exposure temperature, more likely the elasticity modulus reducing factors than the compressive strength, indicating method sensibility and potentiality. The larger colorimetric differences were obtained on concretes exposed at higher temperatures, above 600°C, witch perceptions levels can be confirmed by concretes visual analyses, where was observed the appeared of a buff color. Can be consider, thus, viable to make the identification of concrete exposed temperatures levels through colorimetric differences, specially for higher exposure temperatures, end, thus, of major interest, since they conduce to more accentuated degradation levels.

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) due to ease of synthesis and improved controls placed on commercial/military explosives. Commonly used materials for IED preparations include fertilizers and industrial chemicals containing oxidizers such as ClO3-, ClO4-, and NO3-, as well as other less stable compounds, such as peroxides. Due to these materials having a wide range of volatility, polarity, and composition, detection can be challenging, increasing the amount of time before any analytical information on the identity of the explosive can be determined. Therefore, this research project developed two analytical methods to aid in the rapid detection of multiple explosive compounds. The use of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) allows for the development of inexpensive paper devices utilizing colorimetric reactions, which can perform five or more simultaneous analyses in approximately five minutes. Two devices were developed: one for the detection of inorganic explosives including ClO3-, ClO4-, NH4+, NO3-, and NO2-, and the second device detects high/organic explosives including RDX, TNT, urea nitrate, and peroxides. Limits of detection ranged from 0.4 µg – 20 µg of explosive residue with an analysis time of less than five minutes. Development of a confirmatory method utilizing infusion electrochemical detection-electrospray ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (EC-ESI-TOF MS) and 18-crown-6 ethers to produce guest/host complexes with inorganic ions has also been completed. Utilizing this method the inorganic ions present in many IEDs can be successfully detected as ion pairs, while still allowing for the detection of other high explosives1. Placing an electrochemical detector before the mass spectrometer permits the detection of hydrogen peroxide, an analyte normally difficult to detect through mass spectrometry. Limits of detection ranged from 0.06 ppm - 2 ppm with an analysis time of less than two minutes. The development of these presumptive and confirmatory analytical methods permits the detection of a wide range of components present in IEDs. These methods decrease the amount of time required to relay information on the type of explosives present by simplifying the analysis process in the field and in a laboratory.

Biosensors have proven to be a powerful tool for detecting diverse targets, such as proteins, DNA, and small molecules representing disease biomarkers, toxins, drugs and their metabolites, environmental pollutants, agrichemicals, and antibiotics with high sensitivity and specificity. The major objective of the research described in this dissertation was to develop low cost, low sample volume, highly sensitive and specific AuNP-based colorimetric sensor platforms for the detection of DNA and small molecules. With this in mind, we propose an instrument-free approach in chapter three for the detection of NADH with a sensor constructed on a paper substrate, based on the target-induced inhibition of AuNP dissolution. The successful detection of this important molecule opens the door to numerous possibilities for dehydrogenase characterization, because NAD+/NADH are essential cofactors for more than 300 dehydrogenase enzymes. To further increase the sensitivity of our hybridization-based assay for DNA detection, we developed an enzyme-assisted target recycling (EATR) strategy in chapter four and have applied such an EATR-based colorimetric assay to detect single-nucleotide mismatches in a target DNA with DNA-functionalized AuNPs. This assay is based on the principle that nuclease enzymes recognize probe–target complexes, cleaving only the probe strand. This results in target release, enabling subsequent binding to and cleavage of another probe molecule. When the probe is conjugated onto AuNPs, complete cleavage from the AuNP surface produces a detectable signal in high ionic strength environments as the nanoparticles undergo aggregation. With such enzyme-assisted amplification, target detection can occur with a very low nM detection limit within 15 minutes. The extent of DNA loading on the AuNP surface plays an important role in the efficiency of DNA hybridization and aptamer-target assembly. Many studies have shown that high surface-coverage is associated with steric hindrance, electrostatic repulsive interactions and elevated surface salt concentration, whereas low surface-coverage can result in nonspecific binding of oligonucleotides to the particle surface. In chapter five, we investigated DNA surface coverage effects, and apply this optimization in conjunction with a highly-specific aptamer to develop a sensitive colorimetric sensor for rapid cocaine detection based on the inhibition of nuclease enzyme activity.

Neste estudo apresenta-se a síntese de duas amostras de nanopartículas de ferrita de níquel, denominadas C-NiFe2O4 e NiFe2O4, através de um método simples, de baixo custo e ambientalmente amigável. Estudos morfológicos, estruturais, eletrônicos, ópticos e magnéticos foram realizados com o intuito de caracterizar as propriedades desses materiais para que possibilitassem, além de maior grau de conhecimento, sua aplicação como sensores colorimétricos para detecção de ácido ascórbico e peróxido de hidrogênio. Mediante a análise térmica dos precursores, foi possível determinar os intervalos de temperatura de decomposição, assim como a temperatura ótima de formação das nanopartículas. A amostra NiFe2O4 é ferromagnética e corresponde a uma fase cúbica de espinélio inverso. Os dados de difração de raios X, espectroscopia Mössbauer e o modelo iônico sugerem a presença de um certo grau de substituição, possuindo em sua estrutura um cátion divalente como agente dopante. As nanopartículas de C-NiFe2O4 foram utilizadas como catalisador na oxidação do 3,3',5,5'-tetrametilbenzidina (TMB) em meio ácido para formar uma solução azul sem adição de outro reagente. Como resultado foi utilizado como sensor colorimétrico para detecção de ácido ascórbico, visto que este reduz o complexo de transferência de carga, TMBOX, novamente para TMB. A calibração analítica apresentou uma faixa linear entre 1-20 μM para a concentração de ácido ascórbico, com limite de detecção (3/m) de 0,93 μM. A determinação em suplementos de vitamina C através do método de adição de padrão mostrou a eficiência do sensor para detectar ácido ascórbico em amostras reais. Já a amostra de NiFe2O4 demonstrou atividade catalítica semelhante as peroxidases naturais, oxidando o TMB na presença de H2O2 para formar TMBOX, que dá coloração azul a solução. Dessa forma, NiFe2O4 foi utilizado em um sensor colorimétrico para detecção de H2O2 e a calibração analítica revelou duas faixas lineares, uma entre 2,28 - 28,60 μM e a outra entre 28,60 μM - 114,20 μM. O limite de detecção (3/m) foi de 1,94 μM. Ambos os métodos apresentaram boa repetibilidade, com coeficiente de variação de 3,5% e 4% respectivamente. / This study presents the synthesis of two samples of nickel ferrite nanoparticles, termed C-NiFe2O4 and NiFe2O4, through a simple, low cost and environmentally friendly method. Morphological, structural, electronic, optical and magnetic studies were carried out with the aim of characterizing the properties of these materials, which allowed the application of colorimetric sensors for the detection of ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Through the thermal analysis of the precursors, it was possible to determine the decomposition temperature ranges, as well as the optimum temperature of formation of the nanoparticles. The sample NiFe2O4 is ferromagnetic and corresponds to a cubic phase of inverse spinel. The X-ray diffraction data, Mössbauer spectroscopy and the ionic model suggest the presence of a certain degree of substitution, having in its structure a divalent cation as a doping agent. The C-NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were used as catalysts in the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in acidic medium to form a blue solution without addition of another reagent. As a result, it was used as a colorimetric sensor for the detection of ascorbic acid, as it reduces the charge transfer complex, TMBOX, again to TMB. The analytical calibration showed a linear range between 1-20 μM for the concentration of ascorbic acid, with a detection limit (3 /m) of 0.93 μM. The determination of vitamin C supplements using the standard addition method showed the efficiency of the sensor to detect ascorbic acid in actual samples. Already NiFe2O4 sample demonstrated catalytic activity similar to natural peroxidases, oxidizing the TMB in the presence of H2O2 to form TMBOX, which gives blue coloration to the solution. Thus, NiFe2O4 was used in a colorimetric sensor to detect H2O2, and the analytical calibration revealed two linear ranges, one between 2.28 - 28.60 μM and the other between 28.60 μM - 114.20 μM. The detection limit (3 /m) was 1.94 μM. Both methods presented good repeatability, with a coefficient of variation of 3.5% and 4% respectively.

Aim of this thesis is the design of experimental equipment for studying the formation of lubricating films in contacts lubricated machine parts Liquid gases with the following parameters: experimental device to operate on the principle of optical tribometer, the design will be modified so that it can be used to deleting contacts liquid gases.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(地球環境学) / 甲第19419号 / 地環博第145号 / 新制||地環||29(附属図書館) / 32444 / 京都大学大学院地球環境学舎環境マネジメント専攻 / (主査)教授 藤井 滋穂, 教授 高岡 昌輝, 准教授 田中 周平 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Global Environmental Studies / Kyoto University / DFAM

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