Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) (Paediatric Dentistry) / The use of glass ionomer cement (GIC) restorative materials assists in the prevention of dental caries due to its long-term fluoride release. However, poor physical strength is one of the main drawbacks of GIC. A surface coating is recommended to improve the physical strength and is considered necessary during the overlapping stages of setting reactions of GIC restorative materials. The development of resin based coatings has improved the properties of the material but the effect on fluoride release needs investigation.

Esta tese de doutorado aborda o desenvolvimento de sistemas microfluídicos eletroquímicos ultrassensíveis mediante a integração de eletrodos i) concêntricos e ii) nanoestruturados seletivos à detecção condutométrica sem contato acoplada capacitivamente (capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection, C4D) e à amperometria, respectivamente. O uso dos eletrodos concêntricos, uma configuração inédita em microdispositivos na qual o filme fino metálico circunda todo o microcanal, se mostrou efetivo na melhora da detectabilidade da C4D para análises em fluxo de soluções padrão de LiClO4. O limite de detecção (LD) para esse sal foi igual a 343 pmol L-1, um valor aproximadamente quatro ordens de grandeza inferior àquele obtido com eletrodos planares. O microchip amperométrico nanoestruturado, por sua vez, consistiu de filmes de Au modificados com nanotubos de carbono de parede única (single-walled carbon nanotubes, SWCNTs) verticalmente alinhados e foi aplicado a padrões do neurotransmissor serotonina. A melhora na detectabilidade do método foi novamente apreciável; os valores de LD foram de 11,8 (Au liso) e 0,2 nmol L-1 (Au modificado com os SWCNTs verticalmente alinhados). Esse último é menor frente à grande maioria dos valores descritos na literatura, para os quais técnicas diversas foram empregadas, incluindo: i) potenciometria com eletrodos modificados (1,0 a 500 nmol L-1), ii) HPLC-MS (18,2 nmol L-1), iii) eletroforese capilar combinada com etapas de extração, empilhamento e préconcentração do analito (7,9 nmol L-1) e iv) sensor químico (200 nmol L-1). Finalmente, objetivando a fabricação de microchips de vidro, condutométricos e amperométricos, incorporando eletrodos concêntricos nanoestrurados, uma nova técnica de selagem foi desenvolvida. Essa técnica, designada como selagem adesiva de sacrifício, baseia-se no uso do resiste negativo SU-8 como camada intermediária de modo a permitir a vedação entre duas lâminas de vidro. Numa etapa posterior, a remoção seletiva do SU-8 sob o microcanal é realizada. Logo, canais microfluídicos com propriedades de superfície similares às do vidro foram obtidos. O protocolo experimental adotado é i) simples, ii) rápido, iii) não envolve níveis de pressão e temperatura elevados e iv) prescinde o uso de salas \"limpas\". Vedações com forças de adesão satisfatórias foram alcançadas, suportando pressões superiores a 4 MPa. / This PhD thesis reports the development of ultrasensitive electrochemical microfluidic systems by integrating concentric and nanostructured electrodes selective to capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) and amperometry, respectively. The use of the concentric electrodes, a new assembly in microdevices with thin films wrapping around the microchannel, showed to be effective towards improvement of the detectability in pressure-driven flow platforms incorporating C4D. The limit-of-detection (LOD) in flow analysis of LiClO4 solutions was 343 pmol L-1, ca. four orders of magnitude lower than to the levels obtained with planar electrodes alone. The nanostructured amperometric microchip, in turn, is related to integration of vertically aligned singlewalled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) over Au film. Such platform was applied to determination of serotonin standards. The nanomaterial influenced remarkably the sensitivity and detectability. Our system achieved a LOD of 0.2 nmol L-1, to the best of our knowledge one of the lowest values reported in the literature. Finally, in order to fabricate glass microdevices, conductometric and amperometric, with nanostructured concentric electrodes, we developed a new bonding method. This technique, called as sacrificial adhesive bonding, is based on SU-8 negative resist like intermediate layer so to allow the sealing between two glass slides. Next, the selective removal of the SU-8 under the microchannel is carried out. Thus, microfluidic channels presenting glass-like surface properties were achieved. The experimental protocol is simple and fast. In addition, neither high-pressure and elevated-temperature nor the use of \"clean\" rooms were not required. Bondings with satisfactory adhesion forces were obtained, supporting pressures above 4 MPa.

São apresentados os resultados do estudo das propriedades eletroquímicas do eletrodo de diamante dopado com boro (DDB) e do eletrodo de DDB modificado diretamente pelo método Sol-Gel com PbOx, para a determinação de carbaril. Mostrou-se que uma polarização anódica (3,0 V vs Ag/AgCl, 30 min) seguida de uma catódica (-3,0 V vs Ag/AgCl, 30 min), em meio ácido, são apropriadas para otimizar o desempenho catalítico da superfície. As imagens de AFM mostraram alterações topológicas significativas no eletrodo de PbOx/DDB, assim como as imagens digitais apresentaram uma provável mistura de óxidos de chumbo depositados na superfície do DDB. Caracterizações físicas do modificador PbOx foram realizadas com as técnicas de Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), Difratometria de raios-X (DRX) e Energia Dispersiva de raios-X (EDS). A MEV verificou os aspectos morfológicos da amostra e revelou que as partículas do modificador tinham formatos e tamanhos diferentes, distribuídas irregularmente. O difratograma de DRX confirmou a existência de uma mistura de óxidos de chumbo, produzida pelo método Sol-Gel e a análise por EDS mostrou a presença dos elementos chumbo e oxigênio, com proporção atômica de 43:57 (Pb:O). Para a determinação eletroanalítica do pesticida carbaril, empregou-se a técnica de Voltametria de Onda Quadrada (SWV) em tampão Britton-Robinson 4,0 x 10-2 mol L-1 (pH 6,0), com acréscimo de alíquotas obtidas de uma solução estoque de carbaril 1,0 x 10-2 mol L-1 em acetonitrila. Os parâmetros utilizados foram: frequência de 10 s-1, amplitude de pulso de 100 mV, incremento de potencial de 2 mV, potencial de pré-tratamento catódico de -1,1 V no tempo de 10 s. Curvas analíticas foram apresentadas para os dois eletrodos, mostrando que o eletrodo de DDB apresentou um limite de detecção (LD) de 2,0 µmol L-1. Já o eletrodo PbOx/DDB, um LD de 0,9 µmol L-1, baixo o suficiente em relação ao limite máximo de resíduo permitido pela ANVISA para a presença do pesticida em amostras de culturas agrícolas. A repetibilidade das medidas com o eletrodo de PbOx/DDB resultou em um desvio padrão relativo de 4,6% e a reprodutibilidade, em 5,2%. Em um estudo das velocidades de varredura, mostrou que a oxidação do carbaril é controlada por difusão e ocorre de maneira irreversível na superfície do eletrodo de PbOx/DDB. A técnica de SWV também foi aplicada em amostras reais de água artificialmente contaminadas de dois córregos da cidade de São Carlos - SP (Córrego Santa Maria do Leme e Córrego do Gregório), ambas tamponadas (pH 6,0), utilizando o eletrodo de PbOx/DDB. Com o objetivo de se comparar a precisão e a sensibilidade da SWV, foram obtidos espectros de UV-Vis em 280 nm e as correspondentes curvas analíticas para o carbaril em tampão BR e nas amostras dos córregos, num intervalo de concentrações de 5,0 x 10-6 a 3,5 x 10-5 mol L-1. O LD e o limite de quantificação (LQ) em solução tampão BR, calculados a partir dos experimentos de SWV, foram de 0,9 x 10-6 mol L-1 e 7,44 x 10-6 mol L-1, respectivamente. Para a técnica de UV-Vis, o LD foi de 2,6 x 10-5 mol L-1 e o LQ de 8,68 x 10-5 mol L-1, indicando que o método eletroanalítico é capaz de apresentar melhores resultados para a análise da oxidação de carbaril. Experimentos de eletrólises potenciostáticas a 3,0 V por 21 horas, acopladas a um detector de UV-Vis, mostraram que em solução tampão BR, o decaimento da concentração de carbaril para o eletrodo de DDB foi de 14,9%, ao passo que, para o eletrodo de PbOx/DDB, foi de 39,3%. Sendo assim, o eletrodo de PbOx/DDB mostrou melhores resultados, com uma excelente atividade catalítica, superior ao eletrodo de DDB sem modificação. / It is presented the results obtained in the study of electrochemical properties of the boron doped electrode (BDD) and of the BDD modified with PbOx by the Sol-Gel method, for the quantitative determination of carbaryl. It has been showed that an anodic polarization (3.0 V vs Ag/AgCl, 30 min) followed by a cathodic one (-3.0 V vs Ag/AgCl, 30 min), in acid medium, are appropriated to enhance the catalytic activity of the surface. The AFM images showed significant topologic alterations in the PbOx/DDB surface, moreover the digital imaging showed a mixture of lead oxides deposited in the DDB surface. Physical modifications of the PbOx modifier were carried out with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). SEM measurements illustrated the morphologic aspects of the samples surfaces and showed that the modifier coating had shape and size distinct from the bare BDD surface and that it was irregularly distributed throughout the surface. The XRD difractogram confirmed the existence of a mixture of lead oxides, provided by the Sol-Gel procedure and the EDS indicated the presence of lead and oxygen in a 43:57 atomic proportion (Pb:O). For the electroanalytical determination of carbaryl, the Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV) technique was employed in Britton-Robinson buffer solution 4.0 x 10-2 mol L-1 (pH 6.0), with the additions of aliquots from a 1.0 x 10-2 mol L-1 cabaryl in acetonitrile. The voltammetric parameters were optimized and used as frequency of 10 s-1, pulse amplitude of 100 mV, potential increment of 2 mV, cathodic pre-treatment potential of -1.1 V during 10 s. Analytical curves were obtained for both electrodes (BDD and BDD modified with PbOx) with the limit of detection limit (LOD) calculated for BDD of 2.0 µmol L-1. On the other hand, for PbOx modified electrode the calculated LOD was 0.9 µmol L-1, below the maximum residue limit allowed by ANVISA for the presence of pesticide in agricultural samples. The repeatability of PbOx/BDD electrode revealed a relative standard deviation of 4.6% and a reproducibility of 5.2%. A voltammetry study in different scan rates showed that carbaryl oxidation occurs irreversibly with diffusion control on the modified electrode surface. The SWV was also applied in artificially contaminated water samples from two urban creeks in São Carlos-SP city (Santa Maria do Leme and Gregorio creeks), both water samples were buffered (pH 6.0) and analyzed with the modified electrode. Aiming to compare the precision and sensitivity of SWV in those samples, analyzes were also performed using UV-Vis absorption at 280 nm and the corresponding analytical curves for carbaryl in BR buffer were obtained for a pesticide concentration between 5.0 x 10 -6 to 3.5 x 10-5 mol L-1. The LOD and limit of quantification (LOQ) were obtained as 0.9 x 10-6 mol L-1 and 7.44 x 10-6 mol L-1 for each creek water sample, respectively. In the UV-Vis measurements, the LOD was 2.6 x 10-5 mol L-1 and LOQ was 8.68 x 10-5 mol L-1 for both water samples, pointing out the excellence of the electroanalytical methodology to quantify carbaryl concentrations in those matrices. Potentiostatic electrolysis experiments at 3.0 V for 21 hours were also conducted for BDD and PbOx/BDD surfaces, with \"in situ\" UV-Vis detection, in BR buffer solutions. After the time period the carbaryl concentration diminished 14.9% of its initial value for the BDD electrode, while for the modified one the diminishing was of 39.3 %. In this way, the PbOx/BDD electrode has demonstrated its excellent catalytic performance, quite superior to that of the bare BDD one.

Multi electrode array (MEA) systems have evolved from custom-made experimental tools, exploited for neural research, into commercially available systems that are used throughout non-invasive electrophysiological study. MEA systems are used in conjunction with cells and tissues from a number of differing organisms (e.g. mice, monkeys, chickens, plants). The development of MEA systems has been incremental over the past 30 years due to constantly changing specific bioscientific requirements in research. As the application of MEA systems continues to diversify contemporary commercial systems are requiring increased levels of sophistication and greater throughput capabilities.

A construção de sensor potenciométrico, utilizando Nióbio acoplado a eletrodo de referência de prata/cloreto de prata num mesmo instrumento, possibilita o acompanhamento da variação de potencial que ocorre durante uma reação ácido-base em meio aquoso. Foi utilizado eletrodo de vidro combinado, cuja membrana de vidro foi danificada fisicamente, porém com sua referência interna em pleno funcionamento. O eletrodo de Nióbio foi confeccionado com metal polido ou então com a superfície modificada com óxido eletrodepositado. O crescimento de óxido sobre o Nióbio foi obtido por eletrólise em meio a H3PO4 diluído. O metal ou o par metal/óxido foi fixado no eletrodo de vidro contendo uma solução eletrolítica. O eletrodo de Nióbio não apresenta boa sensibilidade quando utilizado como indicador em potenciometria direta, mas é sensível às variações de potenciais que ocorrem em titulações ácido-base. O eletrodo de Nióbio metálico pode substituir o eletrodo de vidro combinado na determinação do teor de acidez de vinagres. / The construction of potentiometric sensors, using Niobium combined with the reference electrode silver / silver chloride in a single instrument, allows the variation of potential monitoring that occurs during an acid-base reaction in aqueous media. It was used a combined electrode glass, whose glass membrane was damaged physically, but with the internal reference in full operation. The Niobium electrode was made with polished metal or with the surface modified by electrodeposited oxide. The oxide growth was obtained by electrolysis in the H3PO4 diluted media. The metal or metal/oxide was fixed in glass electrode containing a electrolyte solution. The Niobium electrode doesn\'t show sensitivity when used as an indicator in direct potentiometry, but is sensitive to changes of potential that occur in acid-base titrations. The electrode of Niobium metal can replace the glass electrode combined in determining the level of acidity of vinegar.

Neste trabalho foram estudadas as series de ligas La0,7Mg0,3Al0,3Mn0,4Co(0,5-x)NbxNi3,8 (x =0 a 0,5) e La0,7Mg0,3Al0,3Mn0,4Nb(0,5-x)Ni(3,8-x) (x =0,3; 0,5 e 1,3), como eletrodo negativo de baterias de Níquel Hidreto Metálico. A pulverização das ligas foi realizada com duas pressões de H2 (2 bar e 9 bar). A capacidade de descarga das baterias de níquel hidreto metálico foi analisada pelo equipamento de testes elétricos Arbin BT-4. As ligas, no estado bruto de fusão, foram analisadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), espectroscopia de energia dispersiva (EDS) e difração de raios-X. Com o aumento da concentração de nióbio nas ligas nota-se a diminuição da estabilidade cíclica das baterias e da capacidade máxima de descarga. A capacidade de descarga máxima obtida foi para a liga La0,7Mg0,3Al0,3Mn0,4Co0,5Ni3,8 (45,36 mAh) e a bateria que apresentou a melhor performance foi a liga La0,7Mg0,3Al0,3Mn0,4Co0,4Nb0,1Ni3,8 (44,94 mAh). / In this work were studied La.7Mg0.3Al0.3Mn0,4Co(0.5-x)NbxNi3.8 (x= 0 - 0.5) and La0,7Mg0,3Al0,3Mn0.4Nb(05+x)Co0,5Ni(3.8-x). (x=0.3; 0.5;1.3) alloys for negative electrodes of the Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries. The hydrogenation of the alloys was performed varying pressing of H2 (2 and 9 bar). The discharge capacity of the nickel-metal hydride batteries were analyzed in the Arbin BT-4 electrical test equipment. The as-cast alloys were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) and X-Ray diffraction. The increasing Niobium addition in the alloys decreased cycle life and the maximum discharge capacity of the batteries. The maximum discharge capacity was obtained with the La.7Mg0.3Al0.3Mn0,4Co0.5Ni3.8 (45.36 mAh) and the battery which presented the best performance was La.7Mg0.3Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.5Nb0.1Ni3.8 (44.94 mAh).

This study examines the use of one finishing electrode to finish multiple dies without remachining the electrode. The multiple-use electrode finishing experiment in this study addresses technology in the die-forging industry. Methods of manufacturing spherical straight bevel forge gear dies have relied on die-sinking Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) practices that showed great potential for advancement. The focus of this study is solely on the improvements of electrode use in EDM finishing-processes. The surface finish quality itself is not an area of concern other than maintaining that it does not diminish. The focused concern is maximizing the process by using one electrode unmodified for multiple-finishing operations. The objective for improvement is utilization of one finishing electrode used multiple times rather than only one finishing electrode per die. Utilizing a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), the inspection of specific locations on the finishing electrode reveals the repeatability and accuracy of use for one finishing electrode for six gear forging-dies. Initial experimentation validates the capabilities to finish four dies accurately in two separate die configurations with one electrode. To accomplish finishing the four initial dies, a die-sinking EDM machine that possesses a large enough working envelope was included in the process. The transition of using graphite electrode materials in place of brass for finishing multiple dies aids in reducing what was a total eight-hour process time into a four-hour process time.A machine with a working envelope large enough for only setting up one die to be EDM machined generated the eight-hour process time. The researcher achieved the eight-hour process time by replacing brass electrodes in the roughing stages with graphite electrodes. The extent to which one finish electrode can finish a sample set of six complete dies with one electrode is studied. Data is extrapolated from the deviation of absolute locations on a three-dimensional solid model compared to the multiple-use finishing electrode. Specific locations inspected on the electrode conclude the study efforts with results revealing that the maximum repeated use of an electrode is seven uses.

Electrodes are modified with polymer films to grant novel permeability. Often, redox probes partition from solution into film and are electrolyzed at the electrode. This creates a flux of probe into the polymer film and a flux of electrolyzed probe out of the polymer film. Transport of the probe through the film is governed by diffusion and migration, mathematically described from the Nernst-Planck equation as J_{i}=-D_{i}((∂C_{i}(x,t))/(∂x))-((z_{i}F)/(RT))D_{i}C_{i}(x,t)((∂Φ(x,t))/(∂x)) where x is the distance from the electrode, t is time, C_{i}(x,t) is space and time dependant concentration of the probe i, z_{i} is the charge of the probe i, F is Faraday's constant, R is the gas constant, T is absolute temperature, J_{i} is the flux of the probe i, D_{i} is the diffusion constant of the probe i and Φ(x,t) is the space and time dependant potential. In most natural systems, charge accumulation is not appreciably noticed, the system behaves in such a way that a charged ion is neutralized by a counterion. This is called electroneutrality and is mathematically represented by Laplace's condition on the potential, ((∂²Φ)/(∂x²))=0. In some systems, it is not clear if counterions are readily available to neutralize an ion. In such a system, there may not be electroneutrality, giving Poisson's equation to replace Laplace's condition as ((∂²Φ)/(∂x²))=-(F/ɛ)∑_{i}z_{i}C_{i}(x,t) where ɛ is the relative permittivity. The addition of Poisson's condition makes the system nonsolvable. In addition, the magnitude of F/ɛ creates difficulty simulating the system using standard techniques. The first system investigated determines the concentration and potential profiles over the polymer membrane of a fuel cell without electroneutrality. In some systems, the probes can not easily diffuse around each other, certain polymer film environments prevent such a swap of location as diffusion is commonly thought to occur. A more generalized form of the Nernst-Planck equation describes spatially varying diffusion coefficient as J=-D(x,t)((∂C(x,t))/(∂x))-((zF)/(RT))D(x,t)C(x,t)((∂Φ(x,t))/(∂x)). D(x,t) is space and time dependent diffusion, usually thought of with a physical diffusion term and an ion hopping term. The second system this thesis investigates is a modified electrode system where electron hopping is responsible for a majority of the probe transport within the film. Lastly, the beginnings of a method are presented to easily determine the physical diffusion rate of a probe within a modified electrode system based on known system parameters.

The interactions between neighboring cells and between cells and their attached substrate have long been studied in tissue culture. These in vitro studies may provide information regarding cell behavior in vivo including cell movement, cell proliferation, tissue development and wound healing. Transcellular resistance (or impedance) measurements, using various dc or ac techniques have been used to study the barrier function of epithelial and endothelial cell layers. With an appropriate equivalent circuit used for data analysis, junctional resistance between cells and other cellular properties, including cell membrane capacitance, can be determined. However, these techniques have seldom been applied to fibroblastic cell layers because the transcellular resistance is so small that it is difficult to measure it accurately. This research is based on detecting the invasive activities of metastatic cells in vitro using electric cell-impedance sensing (ECIS). The metastatic cells where added over the established endothelial cells and were observed to attach and invade the cell layer. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were first grown and then loaded on eight well gold electrodes. The impedance of these electrodes was followed after the suspension of different sublines of cancer cells (SKOV3, OVCA429). For highly metastatic sublines, within an hour after being challenged, the impedance of confluent HUVECs layer was substantially reduced. In addition the conditioned cancer media and heat-killed cancer cells was also suspended which had no substantial effect on the impedance. This result suggests that ECIS based assay might be used with primary human cultures to establish the metastatic abilities of cells.

A key metric that affects Li-ion battery cell performance is the electronic conductivity of the electrode films. Previous research has found that the conductivity of electrodes is not homogeneous throughout the entirety of the deposited film area. To further characterize the non-homogeneity of the conductivity of electrode films, a micro-N-line probe and a micro-flex-line probe were developed to take micro-scale conductivity measurements of thin-film battery electrodes in a non-destructive manner. These devices have been validated by comparing test results to those of it's predecessor, the micro-four-line probe, on various commercial-quality Li-ion battery electrodes. Results show that there is significant variation in conductivity on a millimeter and even micrometer length scale throughout the electrode film. Compared to the micro-four-line probe, the micro-N-line probe and micro-flex-line probe perform six times as many measurement configurations made on contact with the electrode, while providing a more robust design. Design improvements on the micro-four-line probe in order to fabricate the micro-flex-line probe are the main focus of this thesis. Researchers and manufacturers can use this probe to identify heterogeneity in their electrodes during the fabrication process, which will lead to the development of better batteries.