Novel evaluation method of biodegradabilities for oil-based polycaprolactone by naturally occurring radiocarbon-14 concentration using accelerator mass spectrometry based on ISO 14855-2 in controlled compost

The biodegradabilities of poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) powders (av. size = 180.7 μm) in controlled compost at 58 °C have been studied using the microbial oxidative degradation analyzer (MODA) based on ISO 14855-2 entitled “Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions - Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide - Part 2: Gravimetric measurement of carbon dioxide evolved in a laboratory-scale test”. The biodegradability of the PCL powders was 101.4% in a 56-day test period by the ISO method. The biodegradabilities of PCL powders have been studied using percent modern carbon (pMC) measured by accelerated mass spectrometry (AMS). Trapped CO₂ was analyzed by AMS to determine the pMC (sample) using ¹⁴C radiocarbon concentration. By using the theory that the pMC (sample) was the sum of pMC (compost) (104.88%) and pMC (PCL) (0%) as the respective ratios in the determined period, CO₂ (respiration) was calculated only from one reaction vessel. The biodegradability of PCL powders was 79.9% in a 56-day test period by the AMS method. It was found that respiration activities in the sample vessel including PCL, compost and sea sand were the same as that in the blank vessel including compost and sea sand without PCL during the active biodegradation period (0-33 day) at 58 °C. It was confirmed that respiration activities in the sample vessel were slightly higher than that in the blank vessel after active biodegradation due to the propagation of microorganisms using energy and metabolites by PCL biodegradation during those periods.     

Using a process-centered approach to minimize the effort of compliance

 The complexity of different quality standards can, in principle, be covered by different approaches and strategies. In-depth process mapping of quality control (QC) work streams was used by the analytical laboratories of Lonza AG to show up the principle differences in being compliant to different quality systems. The results identified two main drivers for all necessary actions: process-related activities and infrastructure-related activities. In addition, a clear indication of the economic impact of these driving forces was gained, which led the laboratories to decide on a process-oriented approach. This approach has the advantage of being able to reflect the different demands of different quality assurance (QA) regulations within the same QC organizational structure. Following the process helps avoid unnecessary efforts in analytical work and represents a very economical approach, at the same time, providing high flexibility to react to different QA or customer demands. Received: 5 July 2002 Accepted: 12 November 2002 Acknowledgements The process-oriented approach resulted from many, very challenging discussions for which I would like to thank the staff of my organization (Analytics & QC), especially, the QA staff and the LIMS team. Presented at Analytica Conference, 23–26 April 2002, Munich, Germany Correspondence to B. Ciommer     

Summary of ISO/TC 201 Standard: ISO 22415—Surface chemical analysis—Secondary ion mass spectrometry—Method for determining yield volume in argon cluster sputter depth profiling of organic materials

The International Standard ISO 22415 provides methods to measure sputtering yield volumes of organic test materials using argon cluster ions. The test materials should consist of thin films of known thicknesses between 50 and 1000 nm. The format of the test materials, the measurement of sputtering ion dose, sputtered depth, and reporting requirements for sputtering yield volumes are described.     

False Detection of Cyanide Ion in Photographic Processing Waste Solutions Using Standardized Reference Methods

Abstract

Although cyanide compounds are not incorporated in photographic processing solutions, false detection of cyanide ion is often encountered during the determination of total cyanide by various standardized methods such as ISO, ANSI and JIS. Various organic compounds and nitrogen compounds in the processing solutions were examined because of this false detection. The results suggest that hydrogen cyanide is formed by a reaction between these compounds during the distillation process for the separation of total cyanide, even though ISO, ANSI and JIS were used. The results support the following three mechanisms of cyanide formation involved in the process: (1) Hydroxylammonium salts reacts with another ingredient, formaldehyde, to form formaldoxime, which then decomposes to HCN. (2) Hydroxylammonium is oxidized by air to form nitrite ion, which subsequently reacts with organic compounds such as aminocarboxylic acids and aromatic amines (the colour-developing agent) to form HCN. (3) Potassium permanganate oxidizes aromatic amines to form HCN.     

Kurze Originalmitteilungen Ein neues Lanthan-140-Generatorsystem

Neben ihrer breiten Anwendung in der Nuklearmedizin gewinnen Radionuklidgeneratoren zunehmend auch für die verfahrensctechnische Forsehung Bedeutung. Es konnte gezeigt warden, daß die Generatorsysteme ⁹⁹Mo/^99mTe und ¹¹³Sn/^113mI für zahlreiche Untersuchungen von Transportund Mischvorgängen in technischen Anlagen genutzt warden könnea [1, 2].

Der Radionuklidgenerator ¹¹⁰Ba/¹¹⁰La hat für den Einsatz in der Technik günstigere Eigenschaftcn als die für die Nuklearmedizin entwickelten Generatoren. Insbesondere für die Untersuchung der Materialtransportvorgänge in Polykondensationsreaktoren der Chemiefaserindustrie hat sich ein Lanthan-140-Generator gut bewährt, der mit Tributylphosphat (gesättigt mit 13 N HN03) als Elutionsmittel arbeitet [3, 4].     

Dimensional considerations on the mechanical properties of 3D printed polymer parts

Additive manufacturing offers a useful and accessible tool for prototyping and manufacturing small volume functional parts. Polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are amongst the most commonly used materials. Characterising 3D printed PLA and TPU is potentially important for both designing and finite element modelling of functional parts. This work explores the mechanical properties of additively manufactured PLA/TPU specimens with consideration to design parameters including size, and infill percentage. PLA/TPU specimens are 3D-printed in selected ISO standard geometries with 20%, 60%, 100% infill percentage. Tensile and compression test results suggest that traditional ISO testing standards might be insufficient in characterising 3D printed materials for finite element modelling or application purposes. Infill percentage in combination to design size, may significantly affect the mechanical performance of 3D printed parts. Dimensional variation may cause inhomogeneity in mechanical properties between large and small cross section areas of the same part. The effect was reduced in small cross section parts where reducing the nominal infill had less effect on the resulting specimens. The results suggest that for 3D printed functional parts with significant dimensional differences between sections, the material properties are not necessarily homogeneous. This consideration may be significant for designers using 3D printing for applications, which include mechanical loading.     

环境监测实验室管理系统的开发与应用

基于2005版《计量认证/审查认可(验收)评审准则》要求,为满足环境监测实验室业务流程而设计开发了信息管理系统。该系统主要用于环境监测实验室的资源管理和日常自动化办公。系统采用B/S架构,实现全球化办公运作,能对监测样品的受理、分发、分析、原始记录、监测报告、数据三级审核、报告签发实现全程自动流转,并运用工作流和智能表单设计实现实验室程序文件中各类程序和日常办公事务流程的执行;原始记录和监测报告全部实现自动归档及智能查询;同时根据2005版准则中的要求,对人员、设备、材料、环境要素、记录、质量控制等所有要素全面实施网络化管理。     

Comparison of test methods for oxygen permeability: Optical method versus carrier gas method

The oxygen permeability of films is relevant for packaging related and technical applications. An increasingly used test method for the measurement of oxygen permeability is the optical test method, because it allows a simple and cost-efficient measurement setup. This method is based on optical chemical sensors. However, not much is known about its validity. Therefore, method validation is necessary which is subject of this study. The optical method is compared with the carrier gas method for a variety of film samples. In the tested permeability range of 0.5–2500 cm³ (STP)·(m² d bar)⁻¹ both methods deviated less than 20% for zero and 50% relative humidity.     

Evaluation of the quality of clinical laboratories in the Slovak Republic: conceptual and contextual remarks

The paper demonstrates conceptual parallels and relationships between intellectual capital measurement methods and the evaluation of quality in clinical laboratories in the Slovak Republic. It explores further the contextual links of those parallels with the tangibility (or intangibility) of quality indicators of laboratory diagnostics. It also highlights the problems which laboratory staff in Slovakia are confronted with. Presented at the conference Quality in the Spotlight, March 2007, Antwerp, Belgium.     

The process of management review

Management review of the quality-management system is an item in many quality standards and a requirement of the ISO 9001:2000 standard and of laboratory standards ISO 15189 and ISO 17125, and others. These reviews are conducted to ensure that the top management is informed and involved in the quality-management system with respect to continuing adequacy and effectiveness, and opportunities for improvement of the system. The management review is a process that should be conducted and audited utilizing the process approach. A process approach is defined as “An activity using resources and managed in order to enable the transformation of inputs into outputs” (ISO 9001:2000). All identified main processes in the quality system should be monitored through data collection by appropriate methods, assuring that data are valid, representative, and adequate. For management review data must be collected and presented in an accessible form so that processes can be evaluated according to objectives, goals, resources, etc. On the basis of this information the laboratory management makes the necessary decisions and ensure that actions are taken that improve the effectiveness of the quality-management system. As output from the management review process, there should be evidence of decisions regarding: change of quality policy and objectives; plans and possible actions for improvements; corrective actions as appropriate; increased customer satisfaction; and planning of resources needs. Identification of the processes involved and using the process approach in the management review ensures the continual improvement of the quality system. Presented at the conference Quality in the Spotlight, March 2006, Antwerp, Belgium.