Retrieving Tarnished Daguerreotype Content Using X-ray Fluorescence Imaging—Recent Observations on the Effect of Chemical and Electrochemical Cleaning Methods

We report a study on the effect of chemical and electrochemical cleaning of tarnished daguerreotypes observed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) microscopy with a micro-focussed X-ray beam from a synchrotron source. It has been found that, while both techniques result in some success depending on the condition of the plate and the experimental parameters (chemical concentration, voltage, current, etc.) the effect varies, and cleaning is often incomplete. The XRF images using Hg Lα,β at an excitation energy just above the L3 edge threshold produce fine images, regardless of the treatment. This finding confirms previous observations that if the bulk of the image particles remains intact, the surface tarnish has little effect on the quality of the original daguerreotype image retrievable from XRF.

Theoretical Bases of Electrochemical Cleaning of Oil-contaminated Soil

This study developstheoretical bases for the electrochemical process of cleaning soils from oil, oil products and highly mineralized reservoir water. The article experimentally and theoretically reveals patterns of reducing the content of polluting oil products in soils of various types during the small voltage passing. The optimal amount of electricity for the effective removal of various types of pollution was required. For the implementation of a electrochemical soil cleaning process a scheme of an original installation with placement of electrodes in the soil was studied. It reduces the resistance between the electrodes. The technical and economical calculations to determine energy costs of the electrochemical installation for cleaning oil-contaminated soils included: the number of electrodes; the voltage depending on the properties of the soil; the area; the depth of contamination of the soil to be treated;azndthe parameters of the electrodes. This allowed us to determine and develop the required degree of cleaning. Keywords: electrochemical process, charge, soil, oil products, voltage, cleaning

Investigation of different electrochemical cleaning methods on contaminated healing abutments in vitro: an approach for metal surface decontamination

Background To evaluate the effects of electrolysis on cleaning the contaminated healing abutment surface and to detect the optimal condition for cleaning the contaminated healing abutment. Methods Ninety healing abutments removed from patients were placed in 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate solution and randomly divided for electrolysis with 7.5% sodium bicarbonate in the following three different apparatuses (N = 30): two stainless steel electrodes (group I), a copper electrode and a carbon electrode (group II), and two carbon electrodes (group III). The samples were placed on cathode or anode with different electric current (0.5, 1, and 1.5 A) under constant 10 V for 5 min. Electrolyte pH before and after electrolysis were measured. Then, the samples were stained with phloxine B and photographed. The proportion of stained areas was calculated. The surface was examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Results Electrolyte pH decreased after electrolysis at 1 A and 1.5 A in group I and II. Applying cathode at 1 A in group III, the amount of residual contamination was the lowest in all the conditions examined in the present study. SEM images revealed that applying cathode at 1.5 A in group I induced a rough surface from the smooth surface before the treatment. EDS analysis confirmed that the surfaces treated on cathode at 1 A in group III revealed no signs of organic contamination. Conclusion Electrolysis of using carbon as electrodes, placing the contaminated healing abutments on cathode, and applying the electric current of 1 A at constant 10 V in 7.5% sodium bicarbonate could completely remove organic contaminants from the surfaces. This optimized electrochemical cleaning method seems to be well worth investigation for the clinical management of peri-implant infections.