Master of Science / Department of Chemical Engineering / John R. Schlup / The cross-linking reaction of the polyimide Matrimid 5218 with ethylenediamine (EDA) in methanol was investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Peaks associated with breaking imide bonds and the formation of amide bonds were identified. Using an internal standard peak of 1014 cm⁻¹ allowed for quantitative analysis to be applied. The peak areas, calculated by slice area, were used for absorbance ratio analysis to follow the cross-linking reaction as a function of time. Lastly, the absorbance values for the decreasing peak 1718 cm⁻¹ were used to calculate the order of reaction for the reaction rate of the mechanism.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os métodos de espectroscopia Raman e espectroscopia de absorção de infravermelho (FTIR) na identificação da degradação do trans-1,4-poliisopreno de cones de guta-percha sem uso, e o comportamento do material após diferentes períodos decorridos de sua fabricação por testes de indentação de nanodureza (IHT). Para a análise, foram selecionadas 27 amostras de cones de guta-percha sem uso, de 5 marcas comerciais vendidas no mercado brasileiro, cedidas por Cirurgiões-dentistas. As amostras foram avaliadas através de espectroscopia Raman, com base no sinal da ligação C=C, indicando a presença de trans-1,4-poliisopreno; FTIR, levando-se em consideração a ligação C=O, indicativa de oxidação do material; IHT, avaliando-se rigidez e módulo de elasticidade. Os dados foram analisados de maneira descritiva. Observam-se, nos espectros de Raman, amostras nas quais os picos relativos à ligação C=C foram identificados, bem como outras em que não foi percebido o referido pico, sem uma relação direta com os tempos decorridos da fabricação dos cones de guta-percha sem uso. Em relação ao FTIR, em todas as amostras analisadas foram observados picos relativos à ligação C=O, indicando haver algum grau de oxidação no material. Os testes de nanodureza, realizados em cones sem uso, mostraram não haver homogeneidade dos valores de dureza e módulo de elasticidade. A análise pelos métodos de espectroscopia Raman e FTIR em cones de guta-percha é dificultada pelos vários componentes presentes no material e a separação do polímero trans-1,4-poliisopreno pode evitar número excessivo de picos e facilitar a interpretação dos espectros. Espectroscopia Raman e FTIR são capazes de identificar a degradação do poliisopreno. A presença, ou não, da ligação C=C, nos espectros de Raman, não teve relação direta com a idade dos cones. Os cones de guta-percha sem uso apresentaram algum grau de degradação, devido à presença da oxigênio no polímero. As análises de nanodureza não foram conclusivas quanto ao comportamento do material relacionado ao envelhecimento. / The aim of the present study was to evaluate the methods Raman spectroscopy and infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyze the degradation of trans-1,4-polyisoprene polymer in gutta-percha points, before use. Mechanical properties were assessed through the instrumented hardness tests (IHT). Twenty-seven samples of gutta-percha cones collected before use, belonging to five different commercial brands sold in Brazil, were obtained from Dental Surgeons. The samples were evaluated by Raman spectroscopy, based on the sign of the C=C bond (representing the trans-1,4-polyisoprene polymer); FTIR, considering the C=O bond (indicating polymer oxidation), and instrumented hardness tests (IHT), to assess both rigidity and elasticity modulus. Descriptive analysis was performed. Raman spectra showed that there were samples of gutta-percha before use where the C=C was identified, an others no. There was no relation between its detection and the time from manufacturing. FTIR showed C=O bond in all samples, indicating that there was some degree of oxidation on the material. Nanoindentation tests showed no homogeneity between hardness and modulus of elasticity. The analysis by Raman and FTIR in gutta-percha points is difficult because there are several components that form the material, and polymer isolation can facilitate the interpretation of the spectra. Both methods were able to evaluate polymers’ degradation. The presence of C=C bond, in Raman spectra, have no relation to their age. The gutta-percha points showed some degree of degradation, due to the presence of oxygen in the polymer. Nanoindentation tests did not provid conclusive results regarding the material’s aging behavior.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2004-03-04Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:12:00Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 sarabiaquiroz_am_me_arafo.pdf: 3560698 bytes, checksum: f88f8b3c667a0f2fcd2dd88014f22ffb (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O presente estudo avaliou a conversão da polimerização de resinas compostas expostas à luz halógena e LED. Foram realizados corpos de prova e divididos em 64 grupos experimentais, onde variaram o tipo de luz (halógena e LED) utilizada, tempo de exposição à luz (20 e 40 segundos), profundidade do corpo de prova (1,2,3,e 4mm) e tempo de avaliação após a irradiação (0, 24,48 e 168 horas após a irradiação), cada grupo tinha cinco repetições. Os corpos de resina foram cortados e armazenados em ambiente seco e escuro. Foram confeccionadas pastilhas com 5mg de KBr e 50æg de pó de resina e os picos de absorbância foram registrados com o espectrômetro de infravermelho (FTIR). Os valores de conversão foram determinados na proporção das áreas obtidas com Microcal Origin 6.0 de C=O (pico em 1720) / C=C (pico em 1638). Os resultados da conversão foram analisados estatisticamente com os testes de ANOVA e Tukey. Obtendo-se, os seguintes resultados: A luz Halógena dá melhores resultados de polimerização que o LED, 40 segundos de exposição a luz dá melhores resultados de conversão, independente do tipo de luz, a menor profundidade o valor de conversão é melhor as 168 horas, que as observadas as 24 e 0 horas. Concluindo-se, que a conversão de polimerização das resinas compostas está influenciada pela fonte de luz, tempo de exposição à luz, profundidade do corpo de prova e tempo de avaliação. / The purpose of this study was to determine the polymerization conversion of the resin-composites exposed to halogen light and LED. Five specimens were made for each of the 64 groups, varying type of light (halogen and LED), time of exposure (40 and 20 seconds) deepness of the specimen (1, 2, 3 and 4mm) and time of the evaluation (0, 24, 48 and 168 hours after light irradiation) .The specimens were stored in a dry and dark area and were pulverized into a fine powder with a mortar and a pestle. Fifty æg of powder were mixed with approximately 5mg of potassium bromide, and the absorbance peaks were recorded by FTIR. The value of conversion was determined from the ratio of areas obtained with Microcal Origin 6.0 of C=O (peak at 1720) /C=C (peak at 1638). The results were statistically analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey tests. The results observed were the following: i) halogen light gives better polymerization results than LED light, ii) 40 seconds to light exposure give s better results of conversion, iii) as less deepness , more is the conversion (with both types of light) , iv) With 168 hours of observation, the polymerization is better than with 0 or 24 hours of observation. Conclusion: polymerization conversion of the resin composites is influenced by the type of light, time of exposure to light, deepness of the specimen and time of observation.

Orientador: Marcelo Ferrarezi de Andrade / Banca: Welingtom Dinelli / Banca: Camilo Anauate Netto / Resumo: O presente estudo avaliou a conversão da polimerização de resinas compostas expostas à luz halógena e LED. Foram realizados corpos de prova e divididos em 64 grupos experimentais, onde variaram o tipo de luz (halógena e LED) utilizada, tempo de exposição à luz (20 e 40 segundos), profundidade do corpo de prova (1,2,3,e 4mm) e tempo de avaliação após a irradiação (0, 24,48 e 168 horas após a irradiação), cada grupo tinha cinco repetições. Os corpos de resina foram cortados e armazenados em ambiente seco e escuro. Foram confeccionadas pastilhas com 5mg de KBr e 50æg de pó de resina e os picos de absorbância foram registrados com o espectrômetro de infravermelho (FTIR). Os valores de conversão foram determinados na proporção das áreas obtidas com Microcal Origin 6.0 de C=O (pico em 1720) / C=C (pico em 1638). Os resultados da conversão foram analisados estatisticamente com os testes de ANOVA e Tukey. Obtendo-se, os seguintes resultados: A luz Halógena dá melhores resultados de polimerização que o LED, 40 segundos de exposição a luz dá melhores resultados de conversão, independente do tipo de luz, a menor profundidade o valor de conversão é melhor as 168 horas, que as observadas as 24 e 0 horas. Concluindo-se, que a conversão de polimerização das resinas compostas está influenciada pela fonte de luz, tempo de exposição à luz, profundidade do corpo de prova e tempo de avaliação. / Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the polymerization conversion of the resin-composites exposed to halogen light and LED. Five specimens were made for each of the 64 groups, varying type of light (halogen and LED), time of exposure (40 and 20 seconds) deepness of the specimen (1, 2, 3 and 4mm) and time of the evaluation (0, 24, 48 and 168 hours after light irradiation) .The specimens were stored in a dry and dark area and were pulverized into a fine powder with a mortar and a pestle. Fifty æg of powder were mixed with approximately 5mg of potassium bromide, and the absorbance peaks were recorded by FTIR. The value of conversion was determined from the ratio of areas obtained with Microcal Origin 6.0 of C=O (peak at 1720) /C=C (peak at 1638). The results were statistically analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey tests. The results observed were the following: i) halogen light gives better polymerization results than LED light, ii) 40 seconds to light exposure give s better results of conversion, iii) as less deepness , more is the conversion (with both types of light) , iv) With 168 hours of observation, the polymerization is better than with 0 or 24 hours of observation. Conclusion: polymerization conversion of the resin composites is influenced by the type of light, time of exposure to light, deepness of the specimen and time of observation. / Mestre

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os métodos de espectroscopia Raman e espectroscopia de absorção de infravermelho (FTIR) na identificação da degradação do trans-1,4-poliisopreno de cones de guta-percha sem uso, e o comportamento do material após diferentes períodos decorridos de sua fabricação por testes de indentação de nanodureza (IHT). Para a análise, foram selecionadas 27 amostras de cones de guta-percha sem uso, de 5 marcas comerciais vendidas no mercado brasileiro, cedidas por Cirurgiões-dentistas. As amostras foram avaliadas através de espectroscopia Raman, com base no sinal da ligação C=C, indicando a presença de trans-1,4-poliisopreno; FTIR, levando-se em consideração a ligação C=O, indicativa de oxidação do material; IHT, avaliando-se rigidez e módulo de elasticidade. Os dados foram analisados de maneira descritiva. Observam-se, nos espectros de Raman, amostras nas quais os picos relativos à ligação C=C foram identificados, bem como outras em que não foi percebido o referido pico, sem uma relação direta com os tempos decorridos da fabricação dos cones de guta-percha sem uso. Em relação ao FTIR, em todas as amostras analisadas foram observados picos relativos à ligação C=O, indicando haver algum grau de oxidação no material. Os testes de nanodureza, realizados em cones sem uso, mostraram não haver homogeneidade dos valores de dureza e módulo de elasticidade. A análise pelos métodos de espectroscopia Raman e FTIR em cones de guta-percha é dificultada pelos vários componentes presentes no material e a separação do polímero trans-1,4-poliisopreno pode evitar número excessivo de picos e facilitar a interpretação dos espectros. Espectroscopia Raman e FTIR são capazes de identificar a degradação do poliisopreno. A presença, ou não, da ligação C=C, nos espectros de Raman, não teve relação direta com a idade dos cones. Os cones de guta-percha sem uso apresentaram algum grau de degradação, devido à presença da oxigênio no polímero. As análises de nanodureza não foram conclusivas quanto ao comportamento do material relacionado ao envelhecimento. / The aim of the present study was to evaluate the methods Raman spectroscopy and infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyze the degradation of trans-1,4-polyisoprene polymer in gutta-percha points, before use. Mechanical properties were assessed through the instrumented hardness tests (IHT). Twenty-seven samples of gutta-percha cones collected before use, belonging to five different commercial brands sold in Brazil, were obtained from Dental Surgeons. The samples were evaluated by Raman spectroscopy, based on the sign of the C=C bond (representing the trans-1,4-polyisoprene polymer); FTIR, considering the C=O bond (indicating polymer oxidation), and instrumented hardness tests (IHT), to assess both rigidity and elasticity modulus. Descriptive analysis was performed. Raman spectra showed that there were samples of gutta-percha before use where the C=C was identified, an others no. There was no relation between its detection and the time from manufacturing. FTIR showed C=O bond in all samples, indicating that there was some degree of oxidation on the material. Nanoindentation tests showed no homogeneity between hardness and modulus of elasticity. The analysis by Raman and FTIR in gutta-percha points is difficult because there are several components that form the material, and polymer isolation can facilitate the interpretation of the spectra. Both methods were able to evaluate polymers’ degradation. The presence of C=C bond, in Raman spectra, have no relation to their age. The gutta-percha points showed some degree of degradation, due to the presence of oxygen in the polymer. Nanoindentation tests did not provid conclusive results regarding the material’s aging behavior.

Orientador: Giselle Maria Marchi Baron / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T22:38:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Voltarelli_FernandaRegina_D.pdf: 2059748 bytes, checksum: 5c76919f1c67fc154dd391b4ba4d28b4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito do tipo de fonte de luz (Lâmpada Halógena/HAL; Diodos emissores de luz/ LED), da distância de fotoativação (2, 4 e 6 mm) e do tempo de exposição (10, 20, 40 e 60s) sobre o grau de conversão (%) de cinco sistemas adesivos comerciais (Excite/EX; Adesivo de cobertura do sistema Clearfil Protect Bond /PB; Clearfil S3 Bond/S3; Single Bond Plus/SB; Adesivo de cobertura do sistema Scotchbond Multipurpose/SBMP). Cento e cinquenta amostras dos sistemas adesivos foram distribuídas em 30 grupos (n= 5) de acordo com o sistema adesivo, fonte de luz e distância da ponteira. Amostras de 3 µl foram gotejadas sobre um cristal de seleneto de zinco e, o grau de conversão/GC mensurado através de espectrofotômetro infravermelho por transformada de Fourier equipado com dispositivo de reflectância total atenuada (faixa espectral entre 1500-1800 cm-1; resolução de 8.0 cm-1; velocidade de deslocamento de 2,8 mm/s). Para EX, S3 e SB, jatos de ar foram aplicados durante 20s para auxiliar a evaporação do solvente. Imagens dos espectros obtidos antes da polimerização e imediatamente após completados os determinados tempos de exposição foram utilizadas para o cálculo do GC. Os valores de GC para distância e tempo de exposição foram analisados através de análise de variância para medidas repetidas no tempo com a metodologia PROC MIXED (?= 5%). Para EX e S3, HAL resultou em melhor grau de conversão em todos os tempos e distância de fotoativação. Quando fotoativados com HAL, SBMP, SB e PB demonstraram melhor grau de conversão a partir de 40s de fotoativação. Para S3, melhor grau de conversão foi observado após 20s de fotoativação. Quando fotoativados com LED, SBMP, SB e PB demonstraram melhor grau de conversão a partir de 20s de fotoativação. Para S3 melhor grau de conversão foi observado com o tempo máximo de fotoativação (60s). Para EX o efeito do tempo de fotoativação variou de acordo com a distância da ponta polimerizadora. Todas as variáveis (fonte de luz, distância e tempo de exposição) foram capazes de influenciar os valores de GC. Entretanto, tempos de exposição prolongados resultaram em significante melhoria do GC obtido para todos os sistemas adesivos testados. / Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the type of light curing unit (Halogen Lamp/HAL; Light Emitting Diodes/LED), of the light curing distance (2, 4 and 6 mm) and of the light curing exposure time (10, 20, 40 e 60s) on the degree of conversion (%) of five commercial adhesive systems (Excite/EX; Bond component from Clearfil Protect Bond /PB; Clearfil S3 Bond/S3; Single Bond Plus/SB; Bond component from Scotchbond Multipurpose/SBMP). Hundred and fifty samples were allocated into 30 groups (n = 5) according to the type of adhesive system, light curing unit and the distance from the light unit end point. Adhesive system samples of 3 ?l were dropped on the top of a zinc selenide crystal and the degree of conversion/DC was measured using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy equipped with Attenuated Total Reflectance attachment (spectral range between 1500-1800 cm-1; resolution of 8.0 cm-1; crosshead speed of 2.8 mm/s). For EX, S3 and SB, air drying streams for 20s were used to help solvent evaporation. Spectral images obtained before polymerization and immediately after each light curing exposure time were used for DC determination. DC values for the light curing distance and exposure time were analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA with PROC MIXED methodology (?= 5%). For EX and S3, HAL has shown improved degree of conversion for all light exposure times and for all light curing distances. When light cured with HAL, SBMP, SB and PB have shown improved degree of conversion following 40s of light curing exposure time. For S3, improved degree of conversion was observed after 20s of light curing exposure time. When light cured with LED, SBMP, SB and PB have shown improved degree of conversion following 20s of light curing exposure time. For S3, improved degree of conversion was observed with the ultimate light curing exposure time (60s). For EX, the effect of light curing exposure time varied according to the distance of the light curing end point. All variables (light curing unit, light curing distance and exposure time) were able to influence the DC values. However, longer exposure times resulted in significant improvement of the DC of all adhesive systems tested in this study. / Doutorado / Dentística / Doutor em Clínica Odontológica

Orientador: Simonides Consani / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T03:13:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Schneider_LuisFelipeJochims_M.pdf: 587883 bytes, checksum: b9a6c32d96447cdbb96df9d09a9eaa16 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: Nos últimos anos diversas fontes de luz fotoativadoras de compósitos odontológicos têm sido introduzidas no mercado, cada qual com suas características. No entanto, muitas dúvidas permanecem com relação ao possível aumento de temperatura durante a fotoativação de compósitos restauradores odontológicos. Assim, neste estudo procurou-se avaliar a influência de fatores envolvidos durante o procedimento de fotoativação sobre o grau de elevação da temperatura e suas conseqüências em algumas propriedades dos compósitos fotoativados. Visando o melhor entendimento, a pesquisa foi dividida em três trabalhos. O primeiro trabalho verificou a variação da temperatura durante a fotoativação, com três diferentes fontes de luz, em incrementos de 2 e 3mm utilizando dois compósitos restauradores. A maior espessura de compósito (3mm) contribuiu para a diminuição estatisticamente significante (p<0,05) da variação da temperatura. O fator fonte de luz também produziu diferença estatística significante na variação da temperatura durante a fotoativação (p<0,05), onde a fonte halógena produziu valores superiores de aumento de temperatura quando comparada às fontes de luz emitida por diodos (LED) e arco de plasma de Xenônio (PAC). O fator compósito influenciou no aumento de temperatura observada. O segundo trabalho verificou o aumento de temperatura durante a fotoativação e a dureza, quando utilizadas três fontes de luz e dois compósitos restauradores. A fonte de luz LED produziu menor valor de aumento de temperatura, independente do compósito utilizado ¿ Filtek Flow ou Filtek Z250 ¿quando comparada à fonte de luz halógena, porém com valores de dureza Knoop semelhantes. A luz emitida por arco de plasma de Xenônio gerou os menores valores de elevação da temperatura. Entretanto, esta fonte de luz produziu os menores valores de dureza Knoop quando comparada às fontes LED e halógena. O terceiro trabalho verificou a temperatura e o grau de conversão quando utilizadas três fontes de luz, com tempo de fotoativação indicado pelos fabricantes, tempo necessário para igualar a densidade de energia total e tempo necessário para igualar a densidade de energia na faixa entre 450-490nm do espectro eletromagnético. Quando utilizado o tempo preconizado pelos fabricantes, as fontes de luz halógena e LED produziram valores de grau de conversão estatisticamente semelhantes. Entretanto, o aumento de temperatura gerado pelo LED foi inferior. Quando a densidade total de energia foi padronizada, a fonte PAC produziu grau de conversão similar às demais fontes. Quando a densidade de energia foi igualada na faixa entre 450-490nm, a fonte de luz LED produziu valoresde grau de conversão estatisticamente superiores aos produzidos pela fonte PAC. A fonte PAC produziu os menores valores de variação da temperatura, independente do tempo de exposição / Abstract: In the last years several light curing units (LCUs) have been launched in the market, each one with its own characteristics. However, there are still many doubts concerning the possible temperature increase during the photo-activation of restorative dental composites. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of some factors involved during the photo-activation procedure on the degree of temperature increase and its consequences in some properties of photoactivated composites. For a better understanding, the research was divided in three works. The first work verified the temperature increase during photoactivation using three different LCUs in increments of 2 and 3mm using two composites. The thicker composite (3mm) contributed to a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05) in temperature increase. The light source factor also produced significant statistical difference in the temperature increase during photo-activation (p<0.05), where the halogen LCU produced higher values of temperature increase when compared to the sources LED and PAC (p <0.05). Composite type presented a complex behavior influencing temperature increase observed herein. The second work verified the temperature increase during photo-activation and the hardness using three LCUs and two restorative composites. The LED LCU produced lower values of temperature increase, regardless the composite used - Filtek Flow or Filtek Z250 - when compared with the halogen LCU, but with similar Knoop hardness values. The PAC LCU generated the lowest values of temperature increase. However, this light source produced the lowest Knoop hardness values regardless composite used. The third work verified the temperature increase and the degree of conversion using three LCUs, with adequate photo-activation time as recommended by the manufacturer - the amount of time needed to equal the total energy density and the amount of time needed to equal the energy density in the range between 450-490nm of the electromagnetic spectrum. When the time recommended by the manufacturer was used, the light sources QTH and LED produced statistically similar values of degree of conversion. However, the temperature increase generated by LED LCU was lower. When the total energy density was standardized, the PAC LCU produced a degree of conversion similar to the other LCUs. When the energy density was equaled in range between 450- 490nnm, the LED LCU produced values of degree of conversion statistically higher to the ones produced by the PAC LCU. The PAC LCU produced the smallest values of temperature increase, regardless the exposure time / Mestrado / Materiais Dentarios / Mestre em Materiais Dentários

Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The growth of hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC:H) thin films deposited by Hot- Wire Chemical Vapour Deposition (HWCVD) for solar cell applications has been studied. The films were characterized for structural properties using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy FTIR, Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis (ERDA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Raman Spectroscopy (RS). A low temperature of the substrate heater maintained at 280 °C was used in this thesis due to the demand of low-cost solar cells based on cheap substrate that require deposition at such low temperatures. In this thesis, we showed that the structural properties of a-SiC:H films are dependent on the filament temperature and also on the CH4 gas flow rate. It was shown that in non-stoichiometric a-SiC:H, hydrogen content throughout the deposited films varies with depth. An attempt is done in this study to determine, for the first time the absorption strength of the C-Hn bonds in the 950 -1050 cm-1 band of the FTIR spectrum. Real-time ERDA was used to determine the hydrogen kinetics parameters in a single temperature ramp; a model based on the solution of the diffusion equation is used for this effect.

The feasibility of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)-imaging spectroscopy as a tool to discriminate samples from patients suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (CaP) samples in blood serum was investigated. Prostate cancer is known to be an age related disease, with the risk of developing the disease dramatically increasing in men past forty years old. Currently the PSA blood test is notoriously unreliable and is non specific for CaP thus leading to overtreatment of the disease. It is important therefore to develop diagnostic method that is non-invasive, reliable, and specific for CaP.In order to achieve the objective of establishing a robust protocol, which could be applied to a clinical study, obtaining optimal sample preparation for the FTIR analysis of serum smears, had to be achieved. A protocol was developed to prepare the serum samples prior to their FTIR analysis. First, the samples were centrifuged with ultrafiltration devices of different sizes to obtain several fractions which were then smeared to obtain thin films of serum. The spectra from the larger (>100 kDa components) and medium (containing the 10–100 kDa components) fractions were utilised for both a pilot and a clinical study, while the spectra from the smaller fractions (containing the 3–10 and <3 kDa components) were affected by fringing and could therefore not be used. A major novelty of this project involved the application of FTIR-imaging to the analysis of serum smears. The use of the Focal Plane Array detector system enabled the collection of a spectral image containing 16,384 spectra, on which a Quality Testing and pre-processing techniques were applied to select the “good spectra” and reject the spectra that failed the Quality Test. Several types of substrates were assessed to determine the most appropriate for the analysis of the smears and it was established that the spectra obtained from the serum smeared on CaF2 windows gave the most reproducible results. 5 BPH and 5 CaP samples were analysed for the pilot study following the developed protocol. While no clear separation was observed in the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) plots between the BPH and the cancerous samples, a trend emerged throughout the results, with the CaP samples clustering together and the BPH samples scattered around them. A larger clinical study was conducted with 60 BPH samples and 60 CaP samples. PCA was applied on the “good spectra” and while the over 100 kDa fraction did not show a clear separation between the two types of samples, the 10–100 kDa fraction showed a distinct classification between the BPH and CaP samples. An artificial neural network was then applied to create a model using patients from the database used for the PCA analysis to determine whether the discrimination between the two types of samples could be increased or highlight different classification trends. For the >100 kDa fraction, the sensitivity value was calculated to be 97.8% and the specificity value was calculated to be 44.3% while the sensitivity and the specificity value for the 10 to 100 kDa fraction were calculated to be 78.9% and 60% respectively. A complementary study using mass spectrometry was carried out on healthy and diseased samples to identify the components contained within the different fractions and determine whether they could be correlated with the components identified from the spectral features of the FTIR data. While no quantitative information was obtained from this study, the components found in the different fractions were identified, confirming the results of the FTIR studies.