scholarly journals Microbial Depolymerization of Epoxy Resins: A Novel Approach to a Complex Challenge

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 466
Author(s):  
Lucrezia Pardi-Comensoli ◽  
Mauro Tonolla ◽  
Andrea Colpo ◽  
Zuzanna Palczewska ◽  
Sharanya Revikrishnan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Epoxy Resins ◽  
Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Environmental Scanning ◽  
Soil Microcosms ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Angle Data ◽  
Contact Angle Data ◽  
Scanning Electron

The objective of this project is evaluating the potential of microbes (fungi and bacteria) for the depolymerization of epoxy, aiming at the development of a circular management of natural resources for epoxy in a long-term prospective. For depolymerization, epoxy samples were incubated for 1, 3, 6 and 9 months in soil microcosms inoculated with Ganoderma adspersum. Contact angle data revealed a reduction in the hydrophobicity induced by the fungus. Environmental scanning electron microscopy on epoxy samples incubated for more than 3 years in microbiological water revealed abundant microbiota. This comprised microbes of different sizes and shapes. The fungi Trichoderma harzianum and Aspergillus calidoustus, as well as the bacteria Variovorax sp. and Methyloversatilis discipulorum, were isolated from this environment. Altogether, these results suggest that microbes are able to colonize epoxy surfaces and, most probably, also partially depolymerize them. This could open promising opportunities for the study of new metabolisms potentially able depolymerize epoxy materials.

Environmental scanning electron microscopy of fresh human gallstones reveals new morphologies of precipitated calcium salts

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 1322-1323
Author(s):  
Howard S. Kaufman ◽  
Keith D. Lillemoe ◽  
John T. Mastovich ◽  
Henry A. Pitt
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Environmental Scanning ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Calcium Salts ◽  
Cholesterol Gallstones ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Ca Carbonate ◽  
Scanning Electron

Gallstones contain precipitated cholesterol, calcium salts, and proteins. Calcium (Ca) bilirubinate, palmitate, phosphate, and carbonate occurring in gallstones have variable morphologies but characteristic windowless energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectra. Previous studies of gallstone microstructure and composition using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDX have been limited to dehydrated samples. In this state, Ca bilirubinates appear as either glassy masses, which predominate in black pigment stones, or as clusters, which are found mostly in cholesterol gallstones. The three polymorphs of Ca carbonate, calcite, vaterite, and aragonite, have been identified in gallstones by x-ray diffraction, however; the morphologies of these crystals vary in the literature. The purpose of this experiment was to study fresh gallstones by environmental SEM (ESEM) to determine if dehydration affects gallstone Ca salt morphology.Gallstones and bile were obtained fresh at cholecystectomy from 6 patients. To prevent dehydration, stones were stored in bile at 37°C. All samples were studied within 4 days of procurement.

Characterization of Thin Polymer Blend Films using ESEM – No Charging, No Staining.

2001 ◽  
Vol 707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian C. Bache ◽  
Catherine M. Ramsdale ◽  
D. Steve Thomas ◽  
Ana-Claudia Arias ◽  
J. Devin MacKenzie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Environmental Scanning ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Blend Films ◽  
Thin Polymer ◽  
Device Applications ◽  
Scanning Electron

ABSTRACTCharacterising the morphology of thin films for use in device applications requires the ability to study both the structure within the plane of the film, and also through its thickness. Environmental scanning electron microscopy has proved to be a fruitful technique for the study of such films both because contrast can be seen within the film without the need for staining (as is conventionally done for electron microscopy), and because cross-sectional images can be obtained without charging artefacts. The application of ESEM to a particular blend of relevance to photovoltaics is described.

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