Investigation on wax-impregnated wood. Part 1: Microscopic observations and 2D X-ray imaging of distinct wax types

Holzforschung ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunthard Scholz ◽  
Jan Van den Bulcke ◽  
Matthieu Boone ◽  
Mario Zauer ◽  
Ernst Bäucker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Walls ◽  
Treated Wood ◽  
Wax Deposition ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Wax Deposits ◽  
Wood Part ◽  
Epithelium Cells ◽  
Impregnated Wood ◽  
Parenchyma Tissue

Abstract The migration and deposition of hot melting wax in wax-treated wood is not described in detail in the literature, although such products are available on the market. In the present study, this topic was investigated based on pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). The behavior of three different waxes was studied by means of 2D X-ray measurements and scanning electron microscopy observations. The three waxes did not show distinct differences in their deposition patterns. An intensive wax deposition could be observed within the vessels, tracheids, and fibers. In P. sylvestris the ray tracheids were penetrated with hot melting waxes, therefore there is a lateral wood penetration from the outer to the inner wood. In general, no wax penetration was visible within the parenchyma tissue and epithelium cells. Cracks were detected within the wax deposits as well as secondary microcapillaries, which were visible between the deposits and the cell walls.

Migration of blue stain fungi within wax impregnated wood

IAWA Journal ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunthard Scholz ◽  
Stergios Adamopoulos ◽  
Holger Militz
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Sylvestris ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Treated Wood ◽  
Fungal Growth ◽  
Physical Presence ◽  
Blue Stain Fungi ◽  
Blue Stain ◽  
Wax Deposits ◽  
Impregnated Wood ◽  
Parenchyma Tissue

The colonization of wax impregnated pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) by blue stain fungi and their hyphal migration within the treated wood was investigated. Neither the hydrophobation effect nor the physical presence of the congealed wax deposits could impede fungal growth on the surface. However, in contrast to the untreated controls, there was a lower occurrence of hyphae in wax-treated wood. Blue stain fungi grew mainly near the cross cut as well as in empty spaces such as micro-capillaries, parenchyma tissue or other wax free zones of treated wood.

Impregnation of poplar wood (Populus euramericana) with methylolurea and sodium silicate sol and induction of in-situ gel polymerization by heating

Holzforschung ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heyu Chen ◽  
Qian Lang ◽  
Zeng Bi ◽  
Xinwei Miao ◽  
Yu Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Silicate ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Treated Wood ◽  
Poplar Wood ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Spectroscopy Analysis ◽  
In Situ Gel ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Populus Euramericana

Abstract Poplar wood (Populus euramericana cv. “I-214”) has been impregnated by pulse dipping at 0.7–0.8 MPa for 30 min with a mixture of methylolurea and sodium silicate, and the sol modifier has been cured within the wood micropores by in situ gel polymerization by kiln drying, so that a Si-O-Si framework was formed. The treated wood acquired higher mechanical strength and its hygroscopicity was lowered. It was demonstrated by X-ray diffraction that sodium silicate crystallized within the interfibrillar region of the cell wall. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed that reactions occurred between the wood-OH, Si-OH, and N-CH2-OH from methylolurea to form C-O-Si and C-O-C bonds. As visible by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the Si-O-Si framework was embedded in the pretreated wood. Moreover, SEM-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that the modifier formed layers from various thicknesses ranging from a thin layer on the cell walls up to big amounts filling the lumen.

Investigation on wax-impregnated wood. Part 2: Study of void spaces filled with air by He pycnometry, Hg intrusion porosimetry, and 3D X-ray imaging

Holzforschung ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunthard Scholz ◽  
Mario Zauer ◽  
Jan Van den Bulcke ◽  
Denis Van Loo ◽  
Alexander Pfriem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pore Size Distribution ◽  
Pore Size ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry ◽  
Treated Wood ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Mercury Intrusion ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Complementary Techniques ◽  
Distribution Shifts

Abstract The quantification of wax and remaining voids filled with air in wax-treated wood has not been described in detail in the literature, although such products are commercially available. In this paper, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) samples were impregnated with a hot melting amide wax and characterized. The apparent densities were measured with helium pycnometry and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The pore size distribution was determined by means of mercury intrusion porosimetry and samples were visualized with 3D X-ray tomography. The remaining void spaces were calculated based on the data of all three methods. The apparent densities range from 1.18 to 1.19 g cm-3 for treated pine and from 1.21 to 1.23 g cm-3 for treated beech. As a result of the wax impregnation, the pore volume decreases from 65–68% to 12–13% for pine and from 53–58% to 7–9% for beech. The pore size distribution shifts to smaller pores. The amount of the micropores measured by mercury intrusion porosimetry is overestimated. On the one hand, blocked large pores are compressed by the movement of wax deposits under high pressure during the mercury intrusion porosimetry (“movement-effect”). On the other hand, large pores remain inaccessible or are only accessible via smaller openings (“bottle-neck-effect”). Non-invasive 3D X-ray imaging detects such macropores but the size of the detected pores is limited by the given resolution of the method. Therefore, mercury intrusion porosimetry and X-ray tomography are complementary techniques.

Evaluation of cell wall reinforcement in feather keratin-treated waterlogged wood as imaged by synchrotron X-ray microtomography (μXRT) and TEM

Holzforschung ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 795-803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rie Endo ◽  
Junji Sugiyama
Keyword(s):  
Cell Walls ◽  
Middle Lamella ◽  
Treated Wood ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Feather Keratin ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Chemical Hydrolysis ◽  
Chamaecyparis Pisifera ◽  
Ancient Wood ◽  
Cell Wall Reinforcement

Abstract Archaeological waterlogged woods (WLW) become considerably fragile over time because of chemical hydrolysis and the deterioration by microorganisms in the wet buried environment. The methods are sought for the dimensional stabilization of such woods. In the present article, the conservation of archaeological WLW of Chamaecyparis pisifera (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl. by means of a commercially available feather keratin was in focus. The impregnation of an ancient wood from the 9th century A.D. was examined by the noninvasive synchrotron X-ray microtomography, which is well suited for imaging fragile samples. The thickness of the cell walls of keratin-treated wood was preserved and was comparable with that of recent wood. Notably, the middle lamella (ML) of keratin-treated wood appeared to be electron dense as indicated by transmission electron microscopy. Thus, it can be concluded that feather keratin is predominantly adsorbed on the ML and it prevents wood cell walls from collapsing and provides reinforcement.

Fire resistance of wood treated with various ionic liquids (ILs)

Holzforschung ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 787-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisashi Miyafuji ◽  
Yoshiyuki Fujiwara
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Ionic Liquids ◽  
Fire Resistance ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Treated Wood ◽  
Untreated Wood ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Thermal Analyzer ◽  
Morphologic Changes ◽  
Scanning Electron

Abstract Ionic liquids (ILs) have been investigated for their potential as reagents for enhancing the fire resistance of wood. The following ILs were in focus: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C2mim][PF6]). Supposedly, these ILs do not dissolve or degrade wood components to a large extent. No morphologic changes were observed in any IL-treated wood samples, but they showed an enhanced fire resistance compared with that of untreated wood. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis demonstrated that the ILs are penetrated into the cell walls. The wood treated with [C2mim][PF6] exhibited the highest fire resistance based on thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyzer studies: it was more resistant against flaming at approximately 350°C and the subsequent glowing at higher temperatures. This enhanced fire resistance was interpreted by dehydration in the presence of the ILs under observation. In general, ILs are promising reagents for improving the thermal properties of wood.

Defects of Platelet Function Recognized by X-Ray Imaging and Scanning Electron Microscopy

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 610-613
Author(s):  
M.G. Baldini ◽  
S. Morinaga ◽  
D. Minasian ◽  
R. Feder ◽  
D. Sayre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Imaging Technique ◽  
Human Platelets ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Complex Phenomena ◽  
Scanning Electron

Contact X-ray imaging is presently developing as an important imaging technique in cell biology. Our recent studies on human platelets have demonstrated that the cytoskeleton of these cells contains photondense structures which can preferentially be imaged by soft X-ray imaging. Our present research has dealt with platelet activation, i.e., the complex phenomena which precede platelet appregation and are associated with profound changes in platelet cytoskeleton. Human platelets suspended in plasma were used. Whole cell mounts were fixed and dehydrated, then exposed to a stationary source of soft X-rays as previously described. Developed replicas and respective grids were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Designing high-resolution slow scan CCD-based TEM camera systems

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 946-947
Author(s):  
James F. Mancuso ◽  
William B. Maxwell ◽  
Russell E. Camp ◽  
Mark H. Ellisman
Keyword(s):  
Fiber Optics ◽  
Ccd Camera ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Phosphor Layer ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Light Production ◽  
Camera Systems ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Electron Image ◽  
Scintillating Fiber

The imaging requirements for 1000 line CCD camera systems include resolution, sensitivity, and field of view. In electronic camera systems these characteristics are determined primarily by the performance of the electro-optic interface. This component converts the electron image into a light image which is ultimately received by a camera sensor.Light production in the interface occurs when high energy electrons strike a phosphor or scintillator. Resolution is limited by electron scattering and absorption. For a constant resolution, more energy deposition occurs in denser phosphors (Figure 1). In this respect, high density x-ray phosphors such as Gd2O2S are better than ZnS based cathode ray tube phosphors. Scintillating fiber optics can be used instead of a discrete phosphor layer. The resolution of scintillating fiber optics that are used in x-ray imaging exceed 20 1p/mm and can be made very large. An example of a digital TEM image using a scintillating fiber optic plate is shown in Figure 2.

Ionic homeostasis and subcellular element compartmentation

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-151
Author(s):  
Ann LeFurgey ◽  
Peter Ingram ◽  
J.J. Blum ◽  
M.C. Carney ◽  
L.A. Hawkey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Ionic Homeostasis ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Cell Compartments ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Resolution Electron ◽  
Multiple Cell ◽  
Role Of Zn

Subcellular compartments commonly identified and analyzed by high resolution electron probe x-ray microanalysis (EPXMA) include mitochondria, cytoplasm and endoplasmic or sarcoplasmic reticulum. These organelles and cell regions are of primary importance in regulation of cell ionic homeostasis. Correlative structural-functional studies, based on the static probe method of EPXMA combined with biochemical and electrophysiological techniques, have focused on the role of these organelles, for example, in maintaining cell calcium homeostasis or in control of excitation-contraction coupling. New methods of real time quantitative x-ray imaging permit simultaneous examination of multiple cell compartments, especially those areas for which both membrane transport properties and element content are less well defined, e.g. nuclei including euchromatin and heterochromatin, lysosomes, mucous granules, storage vacuoles, microvilli. Investigations currently in progress have examined the role of Zn-containing polyphosphate vacuoles in the metabolism of Leishmania major, the distribution of Na, K, S and other elements during anoxia in kidney cell nuclel and lysosomes; the content and distribution of S and Ca in mucous granules of cystic fibrosis (CF) nasal epithelia; the uptake of cationic probes by mltochondria in cultured heart ceils; and the junctional sarcoplasmic retlculum (JSR) in frog skeletal muscle.

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