Hybrid Surface Characterisation of Intra Thin-Walled Ti6Al4V Surfaces Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion Technology

The proposed work investigates the hybrid surface characterisation of intra thin-walled Ti6Al4V surfaces fabricated using laser powder bed fusion technology. The thin-walled samples were characterised using scanning electron microscopy and Opto-digital microscopy techniques. The fractal dimensional analysis was performed using ImageJ software integrated with an open-source MultiFrac plug-in. The surface microscopy analysis revealed satellites powder particles, partially melted powder particles, spherical balling, and pores on the thin-walled surface. The fractal dimension establishes a correlation between the surface roughness values. The surface areal surface parameters analysis suggested variation along the build direction of thin-walled Ti6Al4V sample. The development of sharp peaks and thus higher Ra, Sku and Ssk values were found along the build direction of the intra thin-walled samples. Therefore, the combination of areal surface topography analysis and fractal dimension approach can be a promising methodology towards surface characterisation of additively manufactured complex thin-walled surfaces.

In the Lab: Spotlight on Surface Characterisation Activities at Johnson Matthey

Before joining Johnson Matthey, Tuğçe Eralp Erden was a Marie Curie PhD student at the University of Reading, UK, studying model chiral adsorption systems using synchrotron-based structural and spectroscopic techniques (1–5). After completing her PhD, she joined the advanced characterisation department at Johnson Matthey, Sonning Common, UK, where she is currently leading the surface spectroscopy team.

Surface Characterisation of Human Serum Albumin Layers on Activated Ti6Al4V

Adpsortion of protein layers on biomaterials plays an important role in the interactions between implants and the bio-environment. In this context, human serum albumin (HSA) layers have been deposited on modified Ti6Al4V surfaces at different ultraviolet (UV-C) irradiation times to observe possible changes in the adsorbed protein layer. Protein adsorption was done from solutions at concentraions lower than the serum protein concentration, to follow the surface modifications at the beginning of the albumin adhesion process. For this purpose, the surface of the protein-coated samples has been characterized by time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), contact angle and zeta potential measurements. The results obtained show a reduction in the total surface tension and zeta potential of samples treated with UV-C light when coated with a protein layer. Furthermore, the UV-C light treatment applied to titanium alloy surfaces is able to modify the conformation, orientation and packing of the proteins arranged in the adsorbed layer. Low irradiation time generates an unstable surface with the lowest protein adsorption and the highest hydrophobic/hydrophilic protein ratio, indicating a possible denaturalization of the protein on these surfaces. However, surface changes are stabilized after 15 h or UV-C irradiation, favoring the protein adsorption through electrical interactions.

Surface Characterisation of Dental Resin Composites Related to Conditioning and Finishing

Due to the little information related to surface processing and conditioning of resin matrix ceramic materials previous glazing, the main purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of different surface treatments on the surface morphology of different resin composite materials. Five types of resin composite CAD-CAM materials: a resin composite ceramic Vita Enamic (E) and four types of nanoparticle-filled resins, like Lava Ultimate (L), Cerasmart (C), Shofu HC (S), Hyramic (H) were taken into consideration. Specimens received the following surface treatment protocols: conventional polishing [p], polishing and glazing [pg], conditioning with CoJet [c], conditioning with CoJet and glazing [cg], sandblasting [s], sandblasting and glazing [sg], etching [e], etching and glazing [eg]. Surface roughness was analyzed for all samples and nanosurface topographic characterization was made by Atomic Force Microscopy. The highest roughness was registered for sandblasted surfaces [s], followed by tribochemical silica airborne particle abrasion [c], and etching [e]. A very strong correlated conditioning behavior of resin nanoceramic materials, like L, C and S samples was found. The microroughness decreased thus [s] > [c] > [e]. These are moderate correlated with H, and are moderate negative correlated to E, where e is more efficient. Three-dimensional images indicated visible grain boundaries after conditioning, for all materials. After polishing and glazing, surfaces became smoother. For all tested conditioning and finishing methods, surface roughness values were within clinically acceptable limits. Finishing by polishing was proved to be a good choice for all materials taken into consideration, polishing and glazing likewise, excepting Hyramic. For Enamic and Shofu HC sandblasting or tribochemical conditioning and glazing and for Hyramic polishing and glazing are not the best options, related to nanoroughness values. Referring to the nanosurface topography, for Enamic, Cerasmart and Hyramic, glazing would be the method of choice, associated with the adequate conditioning method for each material.

Lead Biosorption Characterisation of Aspergillus piperis

In this study, the Pb(II) adsorption capabilities of the heavy metal tolerant strain of fungus, Aspergillus piperis, were studied. This study involved finding optimal growth conditions using a plating technique, and optimal adsorption conditions using submerged fermentation and fractional factorial experimental design. The adsorption behaviour was then elucidated using isotherm and kinetic models, of which the one surface Langmuir isotherm provided the best fit, with a maximum predicted adsorption capacity of 275.82 mg g−1. The kinetic models suggested that internal mass transfer is the driving force behind the reaction rate. After adsorption, biomass surface characterisation was undertaken using FESEM, EDS, and ATR-FTIR to explain observations. The system was characterised by a cation exchange mechanism with strong carboxyl and organophosphorus group interactions. This study demonstrates that due to the ease of propagation and high adsorption capacity, this locally sourced fungal strain is an ideal adsorbent for industrial Pb(II) bioremediation.

Manufacturability and Surface Characterisation of Polymeric Microfluidic Devices for Bio-medical Applications

Microfluidic devices fabricated through mechanical micromachining techniques have already been reported to be highly economical when compared to other techniques. Direct mechanical machining processes are generally classified as a one-step manufacturing process, having the advantages of rapid prototyping and batch production. Though there are advancements in ultra-precision machining techniques, the real challenge of direct machining polymeric microfluidic channels is the occurrence of poor surface integrity owing to the change in mechanical as well as viscoelastic properties. This forms the key objective of the present research work, where the major emphasis has been given to understand the applicability of micro-milling techniques in fabricating microfluidic devices, especially for bio-applications. In this research, the mechanical micro-milling technique was used to create microscale channels on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC) materials; wherein the process capability was mainly assessed based on the surface characteristics of the micro features. Furthermore, for the quantitative analysis, a comparative study was also performed by measuring the surfaces roughness and surface energy of the microchannels made by various fabrication routes such as hot embossing and lithography. The experimental results indicate that the micro-milling of PMMA is the preferable choice for fabricating microfluidic devices when compared to PC. Also, for showing the manufacturability of the mechanical micromachining technique, microfluidic channels with serpentine channels were machined with a depth and width of 50µm and 200µm respectively. The applicability of the fabricated microfluidic devices was further validated by evaluating the functioning of these devices for blood cell separation at different dilution rates.