Fuel cell catalyst degradation on the nanoscale

A newly developed methodology for examining fuel cell catalyst degradation is introduced. In contrast to the conventional, destructive TEM investigation procedure, this methodology enables the observation of corrosion processes of the same catalyst region repeatedly. In particular we demonstrate the impact of a potential cycling treatment on a carbon-supported platinum catalyst, and propose a new corrosion mechanism for fuel cell catalyst degradation. Under the applied harsh conditions, whole Pt particles detach from the support and dissolve into the electrolyte without re-deposition.     

Topologische Fragen der Differentialgeometrie. III

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Dendritic Oligoglycerol Regioisomer Mixtures and Their Utility for Membrane Protein Research

Dendrons are an important class of macromolecules that can be used for a broad range of applications. Recent studies have indicated that mixtures of oligoglycerol detergent (OGD) regioisomers are superior to individual regioisomers for protein extraction. The origin of this phenomenon remains puzzling. Here we discuss the synthesis and characterization of dendritic oligoglycerol regioisomer mixtures and their implementation into detergents. We provide experimental benchmarks to support quality control after synthesis and investigate the unusual utility of OGD regioisomer mixtures for extracting large protein quantities from biological membranes. We anticipate that our findings will enable the development of mixed detergent platforms in the future.     

Wichard von Moellendorff

Plastification was in focus of research on metals and alloys in the first third of the 20^th century. Wichard von Moellendorff built up a research laboratory at the “Allgemeine Elektricitätsgesellschaft” (AEG) in Berlin‐Oberschöneweide in the “Kabelwerk Oberspree” (KWO). With systematic investigations on the metallographic and mechanic properties of metals and alloys he made substantial contributions to the scientific discussion of plastification. His results were partially contrary to the current opinion in metal science, but nevertheless true. Together with Czochralski he derived first conceptions on the mechanism for such deformations considering the crystalinity of the metals. After an interruption due to the first world war, Moellendorff started investigations as director of the “Staatliches Materialprüfungsamt” and the “Kaiser‐Wilhelm‐Institut für Metallforschung” on the plastic flow conus of metallic rods during rupture. This process was explained in 1929 by “turning, distortion and shearing of crystallographic planes”. Polanyi at the Kaiser‐Wilhem‐Institut für Faserforschung, was able to explain the mechanism in 1932. Single atoms move step by step through the lattice on inclined positions and form dislocations. Together with neighbored atoms whole plains can be moved with a minimal energy through the crystal. With the dislocation mechanism, hammering, rolling and bending of metals and alloys can be explained. 1933 Polanyi left Nazi‐Germany and became Professor in Manchester, Moellendorff was brave enough to make an affront against the Nazi regime in giving up the membership of the Kaiser‐Wilhelm‐Gesellschaft stating his personal opposition in an official letter which was not widespread behaviour of the German scientific and technical elite.     

Solubility calculation of pharmaceutical compounds – A priori parameter estimation using quantum-chemistry

Pure-component electrostatic properties for pharmaceutical compounds and intermediates (xanthene, ibuprofen, aspirin, p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, p-toluic acid and o-anisic acid) were obtained by quantum-chemical methods. Afterwards, these properties were used for the a priori determination of the pure-component parameters for the Perturbed-Chain Polar Statistical-Associating Fluid Theory (PCP-SAFT). These parameters were applied to perform solubility calculations for binary solute–solvent mixtures. In these calculations the only parameter fitted was the binary parameter. The results show a good agreement of the modeled solubility and experimental data for the considered solutes in non-polar and polar solvents. Finally, the application of different combination rules to also predict the binary interaction parameter in the mixture was investigated.