The presented diploma thesis deals with the study of interactions between humic acids as the main component of soil organic matter with a model organic pollutant presented by cationic surfactant Septonex (which was expected to interact positively with humic acids due to its charge) through unconventional combination of dialysis and diffusion techniques realized in diffusion cells together with isothermal titration calorimetry capable of elucidating the nature of ongoing reactions from a thermodynamic point of view. The experiments were performed with a humic acid isolated by standard isolation procedure from Leonardite (1S104H) purchased from the International Society for Humic Substances, with humic acids isolated from lignite as well as modal chernozem. The aim of the submited diploma thesis is to assess the influence of carboxyl functional groups in the structure of humic acids to interactions with Septonex. For this reason, said samples of humic acids have been modified by selective methylation of their carboxyl functional groups, which can no longer participate in interactions with ionic substances. Results from diffusion cells and isothermal titration calorimetry confirmed the assumption that Septonex interacted with all types of unmodified humic acids more than with their methylated derivatives. Despite the available literature, it was surprising that the differences in the interaction of humic acids with Septonex were not diametrically different when comparing unmodified humic acids with their methylated derivatives. The extent of these interactions was assessed through the apparent equilibrium constant Kapp determined in the diffusion (dialysis) experiments and from the course of enthalpy curves from isothermal titration calorimetry. After the experiments and their evaluation, it can be concluded that humic acids and Septonex in their interactions, due to their structures, probably apply not only electrostatic interactions, especially through available carboxyl functional groups of humic acids and positively charged hydrophilic parts of Septonex molecules, but also a significant role have a hydrophobic effect, hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals forces.

Early detection of pathogenic bacteria in food, drinking water and medicine products is one of the essential tasks of routine microbiological analysis. Through analytics, outbreaks can be discovered and consequently, countermeasures can be initiated to minimize health and economic damage. Cultivation of pathogens from contaminated specimens is routinely performed in microbiological laboratories worldwide. The procedure is easy to perform, requires little equipment and provides simple quantitative data in colony-forming units (CFUs) per sample volume. Only the time between preparation and confirmation of a positive (contaminated) sample usually extends over several days. The desired goal should be a technique that can retain the simplicity of cultivation while providing real-time information about the sample under investigation for early detection of potential contamination. Therefore, in the framework of this thesis, systematic heat flow measurements were performed on two model strains, Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 20205 and Pseudomonas putida mt-2 KT2440. The influence of cultivation techniques (in liquid, on solid and membrane filter placed onto solid medium) in static ampoule systems on calorimetric detection was investigated. In particular, the effect of contamination level (initial bacterial cell number), substrate amount (nutrients and oxygen), and detection limits were systematically evaluated. In addition, microcalorimetric measurements of Legionella pneumophila ATCC 33152, a waterborne pathogen, were conducted for the first time. Heat flow profiles demonstrated that high contamination levels (> 1000 CFU) were detected within 24 h. Compared to detection times of up to 10 days by ISO 11731:2017, calorimetric detection can serve as an early warning system. With this knowledge, a uniquely manufactured micro(bio-)calorimetric test system was designed to meet the requirements for detecting bacterial contaminations. In particular, the sample vessel geometry and the operating temperature perfectly matched the microbiological analysis. Within this development work, numerical models were established to investigate the temperature distribution of selected compounds as well as the complete calorimetric system. Based on these models, modifications to the test system were numerically simulated in advance to improve the instrument's performance stepwise. This thesis presents the methodological principles and a calorimetric test system designed as an early warning and detection tool for microbiological samples.

The main object of the diploma thesis is study of interaction beetween humic acids and selected metal ions using calorimetric titration. The research about reactivity of humic substances is done comparing the different models used to describe the variety of properties of humic substances. In experimental part the methods of FT-IR spektrometry, potenciometric and conductometric titration are used to recieve the total acidity and carboxylic acidity of lignite humic acid. The optimalization of isothermic titration calorimetry is done to be used within study of reactivity of humic acids, revealing the best correlation with sols of studied humic acid. The basic organic compounds were used including benzoic acid, ftalic acid, salycilic acid, pyrocatechol and phenol as models of bonding groups in humic acids. The reaction enthalpy was calculated from the titration of models and results were compared with semiempiric quantum chemistry calculations following INDO method.

The aim of this graduation thesis is to investigate whether it is possible to design a fluid machine that would utilize a flow resulting from different densities of processing medium, to generate electricity. The thesis focuses on the determination of relations that have influence on the efficiency. The parametres influencing the degree of efficiency have been analyzed. The aim is to reach the highest possible degree of efficiency. Depending on the results, a suitable processing medium can be selected. Within the scope of the thesis, an experiment had been proposed that verified the ground principle of the non-isothermal flow occurence. In conclusion, the outcomes are evaluated with the view of a prospective further developement of the device.

Graduation theses consist of two parts. The first one, theoretical is focused on piece of knowledge regarding nodular iron history, its mechanical properties, chemistry, production and heat treatment. Theoretical part also includes information relating to graphite and white irons that relate closely with nodular iron. Important chapter is description of isothermal refining which is the subject of these theses. The second, experimental part is focused on isothermal refining of nodular iron casting. Description of the casting introduces this section, material specification, production and application. Following chapters describe preliminary conditions for isothermal refining that is applied on every single specimen made of the casting. These specimens have been tested mechanically. Optimal procedure of isothermal refining is applied on whole the casting and characterized final mechanicals. Final mechanical properties after casting isothermal refining has been analyzed and confronted with literature.

Vliv hyaluronanu na micelizaci tenzidů byl studován různými fyzikálně-chemickými metodami. Byly zvoleny dva kationaktivní tenzidy, a to tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromid (TTAB) a cetyltrimethylammonium bromid (CTAB). Metoda izotermické titrační kalorimetrie byla využita pro stanovení entalpie micelizace, tenziometrie popisuje povrchové vlastnosti daných vzorků. Byl sledován také vliv různé molekulové hmotnosti použitého hyaluronanu a délka alkylového řetězce tenzidu na agregační chování daného systému. Výsledkem jsou hodnoty kritické micelární nebo agregační koncentrace tenzidu. V neposlední řadě se diskutuje využití agregátů hyaluronan-tenzid jako možné nosiče pro cílenou distribuci léčiv.

<div>Pathogen identification at the point of use is critical in preventing disease transmission and enabling prompt treatment. Current rapid diagnostic tests suffer from high rates of false negatives because they are not capable of detecting the inherently low concentrations of pathogens found in early stages of infection or in environmental reservoirs. The gold standard method for timely pathogen identification is a nucleic acid amplification assay called polymerase chain reaction. Although polymerase chain reaction is extremely sensitive and specific, it requires expensive laboratory equipment and trained personnel to perform the sample preparation, cyclical heating, and amplicon analysis. Isothermal nucleic acid amplification assays are better suited for field use because they operate at a single temperature and are robust to common sample matrix inhibitors. Thus, there is a need to translate isothermal amplification assays to the point of use for rapid and sensitive detection of pathogens in complex samples.</div><div><br></div><div>Here, I outline an approach to bring laboratory-based sample preparation, assays, and analyses to the point of use via portable platforms. First, I characterize a loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay and combine it with lateral flow immunoassay for simple, colorimetric interpretation of results. Next, I optimize an ambient-temperature reagent storage method to eliminate cold-chain requirements and precision pipetting steps. I then incorporate loop-mediated isothermal amplification, lateral flow immunoassay, and reagent drying into two different integrated paperfluidic platforms and demonstrate their ability to separately detect bacteria and viruses in complex sample matrices. Finally, I couple loop-mediated isothermal amplification with particle diffusometry to optically determine pathogen presence by tracking the Brownian motion of particles added to an amplified sample. The combined loop-mediated isothermal amplification and particle diffusometry method is first characterized on a microscope and then translated to a smartphone-based platform. Each of these portable platforms are broadly applicable because they can be easily modified for identification of other pathogens at the point of use.</div>

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has progressively gained interest because of its favorable strength and durability properties. Literature shows that curing temperature has a significant effect on the resultant mechanical properties of UHPC, generally resulting in increased compressive strength. However, limited datasets are currently available to ascertain the degree of change related to compressive strength as a function of curing temperature and conditions. This study investigates the effect of isothermal and submerged curing temperature conditions, ranging from 10°C to 90°C, on the compressive strength and elastic modulus development of UHPC and generates a numerical model to capture these effects. The extent and rate of compressive strength development in Cor-Tuf UHPC was found to increase with curing temperature, while only the rate of elastic modulus development increased with curing temperature. The numerical model shows reasonable agreement when compared with the experimental results and was successfully implemented in finite element analysis software.

<p>Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) hydrogel particles have been used as internal curing agents in concrete mixes as they are capable of absorbing and subsequently releasing large amounts of water. This reduces autogenous shrinkage during early stages of hydration. The size, shape, and composition of the hydrogel particles can be controlled during the synthesis, hence providing the opportunity to custom synthesize these internal curing agents to elicit desired structure-property relationships. Utilization of optimized dosage and formulation of SAP has the potential to improve the microstructure, durability, and strength of internally cured concrete. </p> <p>The first study focuses on the synthesis and application of novel composite hydrogel particles as internal curing agents in cementitious mixes. Composite polyacrylamide hydrogel particles containing two different amorphous silica–either nanosilica or silica fume–were used to investigate whether the internal curing performance of hydrogel particles could be enhanced. The dosage and type of silica, crosslinker amount were varied to identify the composite polyacrylamide hydrogel particle composition that provides optimum benefits to internally cured cementitious systems. The synthesized hydrogels were characterized by means of absorption capacity tests, compositional and size analysis. The beneficial impacts of the addition of composite hydrogels on cement paste microstructure are highlighted, including the preferential formation of cement hydration products (such as portlandite) within the hydrogel-induced voids that appeared to be influenced by the composition of the hydrogel particles. The interrelationship between extent of hydration, size of hydrogel voids, and void-filling with hydration products was found to strongly influence mechanical strength and is thus an important structure-property relationship to consider when selecting hydrogels for internal curing purposes. This study informs the design of composite hydrogel particles to optimize performance in cementitious mixes. Additionally, it provides a novel means of incorporating other commonly used admixtures in concrete without facing common challenges related to dispersion and health hazards.</p> <p>The second study focuses on the utilization of two retarding admixture-citric acid and sucrose-to custom synthesize composite polyacrylamides to investigate whether the composite hydrogels could delay hydration of cement paste. Isothermal calorimetry analysis results showed that composite sucrose-containing polyacrylamide hydrogel particles were successfully able to retard main hydration peak of cement paste, beyond the retardation capabilities of the pure polyacrylamide hydrogels. Thus, this study provides avenues of exploring the utilization of common admixtures to formulate novel composite hydrogels that imparts specific properties to cementitious systems.</p> <p>In another study, SAP formulated by admixture industries were used to investigate the feasibility of internal curing of bridge decks and pavement patches with SAP particles. The microstructure and early age hydration properties of SAP-cured cementitious systems were studied. Mitigation of microcracks in the matrix, along with portlandite growth in SAP voids, were observed in SAP-cured mortars. Presence of SAP also mitigated autogenous shrinkage and improved early age hydration as observed by isothermal calorimetry analysis. This thesis highlights some of the beneficial impacts of SAP-cured cementitious systems, and the potential to harness those benefits in large-scale applications of SAP-cured concrete.</p> <br>

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