PVD coatings composed of pure Zirconium (Zr) on polyurethane (PUR) surfaces could provide an opportunity with regard to soft-tissue replacements. Since endothelial lining of the implant inner surfaces became an important aspect in order to avoid unfavorable tissue-material interactions, PUR surfaces coated with Zr were analyzed for their endothelial cell compliancy. In the present paper, the physical coating material properties were determined by means of different analytical methods. For investigation on biocompatibility, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used to study cell adhesion, proliferation, cell retention and morphology. In general, HUVECs grown on Zr-coated PUR surfaces showed significant enhancement in adhesion and proliferation in comparison to those on uncoated PUR. It was demonstrated on selected samples that using the free standard energy of wetting (Delta(wet)G degrees) provides a means of optimizing cell adhesion. A negative value for Delta(wet)G degrees indicates at isothermal-isobaric conditions that the wetting process namely the interactions on the implant surface - is spontaneous and voluntary. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The aim of this study was to develop and characterize novel metal-polymer constructs to improve the biocompatibility of flexible but hydrophobic polyurethane (PUR) implants. Using a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique, thin films (< or =100 nm) of zirconium (Zr) or titanium (Ti) were deposited on the polyurethane surface. Both coatings displayed good stability when subjected to cross-cutting test and especially Zr showed only minor and superficial cracks in the scanning electron microscopy analysis. PVD coating resulted in significantly lowered contact angles and the standard surface free energy of wetting (Delta(wet)G degrees ) turned to more favorable negative values (Ti: -40; Zr: -30; untreated PUR (uPUR): +10.1 mN/m). This may lead to the highly enhanced adhesion and proliferation properties observed with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In addition, the novel coatings had no toxic effect and even drastically reduced apoptosis rates of HUVECs. Cell morphology, nitric oxide production, and mitochondrial membrane potential--both at static and flow conditions--were superior compared with uPUR, thus demonstrating intact physiological functions. Therefore, we suggest that combining PUR as a flexible material with a thin coating of Zr or Ti as the improved biocompatible surface may have advantages for use, for example, vascular graft material.

AbstractVorgestellt wird die oxidative Dehydrierung (ODH) von 2‐Butanol zu 2‐Butanon mit Hilfe von neuartigen innovativen Selektivoxidationskatalysatoren in der Gasphase. Dabei werden metallische Kurzfasern und beschichtete Eisenhohlkugeln als Katalysatoren eingesetzt. Der am besten geeignete Katalysator setzt 2‐Butanol bei 340 °C vollständig um. Dabei wird eine Selektivität zu 2‐Butanon von deutlich mehr als 95 % erreicht.

Chemie Ingenieur TechnikVolume 77, Issue 1-2 p. 119-124 Forschungsarbeiten Innovative Katalysatoren zur oxidativen Dehydrierung in der Gasphase – Beschichtete Eisenhohlkugeln R. Brüning, R. Brüning Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institut für Technische Chemie und Umweltchemie, Lessingstr. 12, D-07743 Jena, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorP. Scholz Dr., P. Scholz Dr. Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institut für Technische Chemie und Umweltchemie, Lessingstr. 12, D-07743 Jena, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorB. Ondruschka Prof. Dr., B. Ondruschka Prof. Dr. [email protected] Search for more papers by this authorA. Weißbach, A. Weißbach Techno-Coat Oberflächentechnik GmbH, Hirschfelder Ring 1, D-02763 Zittau, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorF. Hollstein Dr., F. Hollstein Dr. Techno-Coat Oberflächentechnik GmbH, Hirschfelder Ring 1, D-02763 Zittau, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorI. Morgenthal Dr., I. Morgenthal Dr. Fraunhofer Institut für Fertigungstechnik und Angewandte Materialforschung (IFAM), Institutsteil Pulvermetallurgie und Verbundwerkstoffe Dresden, Winterbergstraße 28, D-01277 Dresden, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorU. Waag, U. Waag Fraunhofer Institut für Fertigungstechnik und Angewandte Materialforschung (IFAM), Institutsteil Pulvermetallurgie und Verbundwerkstoffe Dresden, Winterbergstraße 28, D-01277 Dresden, GermanySearch for more papers by this author R. Brüning, R. Brüning Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institut für Technische Chemie und Umweltchemie, Lessingstr. 12, D-07743 Jena, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorP. Scholz Dr., P. Scholz Dr. Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institut für Technische Chemie und Umweltchemie, Lessingstr. 12, D-07743 Jena, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorB. Ondruschka Prof. Dr., B. Ondruschka Prof. Dr. [email protected] Search for more papers by this authorA. Weißbach, A. Weißbach Techno-Coat Oberflächentechnik GmbH, Hirschfelder Ring 1, D-02763 Zittau, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorF. Hollstein Dr., F. Hollstein Dr. Techno-Coat Oberflächentechnik GmbH, Hirschfelder Ring 1, D-02763 Zittau, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorI. Morgenthal Dr., I. Morgenthal Dr. Fraunhofer Institut für Fertigungstechnik und Angewandte Materialforschung (IFAM), Institutsteil Pulvermetallurgie und Verbundwerkstoffe Dresden, Winterbergstraße 28, D-01277 Dresden, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorU. Waag, U. Waag Fraunhofer Institut für Fertigungstechnik und Angewandte Materialforschung (IFAM), Institutsteil Pulvermetallurgie und Verbundwerkstoffe Dresden, Winterbergstraße 28, D-01277 Dresden, GermanySearch for more papers by this author First published: 03 February 2005 https://doi.org/10.1002/cite.200407045Citations: 3AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat REFERENCES 1 R. Brüning, P. Scholz, I. Morgenthal, O. Andersen, B. Ondruschka, Chem. Ing. Tech. 2004, 76, 693. 2 K. Scheurell, E. Hoppe, K. W. Brzezinka, E. Kemnitz, J. Mat. Chem. 2004, 14, 2560. 3 O. R. Evans, A. T. Bell, T. D. Tilley, J. Catal. 2004, 226, 292. 4 K. Y.G. Chan, S. Senkan, F. Inal, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 1998, 37, 901. 5 W. Zhang, P. G. Smirniotis, J. Catal. 1999, 182, 400. 6 R. Lodeng, O. A. Lindvag, S. Kvisle, H. Reiher-Nielsen, A. Holmen, Appl. Catal. A: General 1999, 187, 25. 7 D. I. Iordanoglou, A. S. Bodke, L. D. Schmidt, J. Catal. 1999, 187, 400. 8 S. Marengo, P. Comotti, G. Galli, Catal. Today 2003, 81, 205. 9 M. C. Abello, M. F. Gomez, M. Casella, O. A. Ferretti, M. A. Banares, J. L.G. Fierro, Appl. Catal. A: General 2003, 251, 435. 10 L. Leveles, K. Seshan, J. A. Lercher, L. Lefferts, J. Catal. 2003, 218, 296. 11 P. Boizumault-Moriceau, A. Pennequin, B. Grzybowska, Y. Barbaux, Appl. Catal. A: General 2003, 245, 55. 12 A. H. Ali, F. Zaera, J. Mol. Catal A 2002, 177, 215. 13 D. Kulkarni, I. E. Wachs, Appl. Catal., A: General 2002, 237, 121. 14 R. Brüning, P. Scholz, B. Ondruschka, J. Catal. 2004, eingereicht. 15 U. Waag, P. Löthman, L. Schneider, G. Stephani, Metal Powder Report 2000, 55, 29. Citing Literature Volume77, Issue1-2February, 2005Pages 119-124 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Fungal and bacterial infestation can cause material damage to fabrics, damage that becomes visible through discoloration and stains. Some fungi and bacteria are pathogenic. Anti-microbially active coatings might be a possible protection against an infestation of the fabrics. In the investigation here presented, which was conducted on laboratory scale, fabrics consisting of SiO2 fibres were coated with precious metal PVD layers using the magnetron sputtering technique. Layers of silver, copper, platinum, platinum/rhodium and gold were characterized according to their bonding strength and anti-microbial effectiveness. Bonding strengths were measured by peel tests; microbial effectiveness was tested by fouling experiments in line with appropriate standardizations (DIN 53 931 and AATCC 147-1998). It was found that copper was most effective against bacteria and fungi. Silver was also effective against bacteria, but against fungi its effectiveness proved to be limited. The other tested metals did not achieve this effectiveness. The bonding strength between the coatings and the substrates were sufficient due to a plasma treatment.

Magnesium-based light-metal alloys belong to a class of structural materials with increasing industrial attention. Magnesium alloys show the lowest density among the engineering metallic materials, low cost and large availability. However, the limitations according to mechanical strength and the low corrosion resistance restrict their practical application. To improve the surface hardness and the corrosion resistance, PVD-coating techniques offer possibilities to overcome these drawbacks. The paper presented reveals relevant mechanical and chemical properties of various PVD-coatings on high purity (hp) AZ31 magnesium alloy specimens. The industrially very important layer systems TiN, CrN, TiAlN, NbN-(TiAl)N, CrN-TiCN and the multi-layer composite AlN/TiN are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the protective effect of CrN/NbN superlattices has been studied. All of these coatings were deposited by d.c. magnetron sputtering. The sputtering processes have been performed by two different coating devices-PLS 500 (laboratory scale) and HTC 1000/4 ABS® (industrial scale). Both the mechanical behaviour and the corrosion resistance of the specimens have been studied after coating. The chemical composition of the thin films was analysed by GDOES. A special emphasis of the investigation was laid on searching for appropriate stripping procedures due to the fact that the substrate material is very reactive.

Medical tools for minimally invasive surgery are often used under difficult environmental conditions. If the surgeons have to work with a microscope, the operating area must be brightly lit. Reflection and scattering of light from tool-surfaces disturb the visual field. To decrease this kind of disturbance, the tools can be covered by a dark PVD thin film. In the present study, the properties of low-reflective PVD-arc coatings of ZrCN were considered in comparison to TiCN. Different pure metal targets of zirconium and titanium were utilized in a reactive arc-coating process. The coating device was an industrial PVD engine of the HTC 1000/4 ABS type. Caused by the purpose of aimed investigations the engine merely operated in the arc-coating-mode. Amounts of carbon and nitrogen in the layers were steered by systematic changes of gas flow parameters from batch-to-batch. Substrate temperature and bias voltage were held at constant levels. Besides some mechanical and optical properties, aspects of biocompatibility of ZrCN on stainless steel AISI 304 were focused on. Summarizing the obtained results with regard to questions of biocompatibility, all of the investigated thin films have fulfilled the requirements for short-term applications to the human body.

In contrast to conventional metallisation procedures for textile fibres and fabrics, physical vapour deposition (PVD) technologies allow the production of a defined structure of thin films on most fabric surfaces. This permits many new applications, especially for so-called technical textiles. The generation of properties such as supreme anti-static; electrical conductivity; shielding against electromagnetic radiation, protection against heat rays, chemical resistance, bacterial contamination, increased thermal stability and so on are only some examples. In the paper, initial results for coatings on polyamide fabrics are described. The experimental basis was an industrial PVD coating device of the HTC 1000/4 ABS(TM)-type. Coating was performed in the are deposition mode. Titanium and zirconium cathodes served as deposition materials. Nitrogen and acetylene were chosen for reactive processing. The aim of the study was to investigate some relevant correlations between the surface structures and functionalities of PVD-coated fabrics and the main process parameters. In particular, tribological and electrical properties were considered. Depending on the evaporation conditions, reactive metal deposition induces chemical and textural changes at the substrate surface due to an etching process. Higher reactive gas concentration leads to a more drastic recombination of the polymer surface and results in a fibroid fibre structure. Furthermore, reactive metal deposition leads to a better layer adhesion than a non-reactive metal deposition. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The reflection and scattering of bright light from the surfaces of surgical tools disturb the visual operating field of the surgeon. To decrease this kind of disturbance, a hard black PVD thin film is used as a possible precaution. In the present paper, the two dark PVD finish layers TiAlN and TiCN on stainless-steel substrates were considered. For corrosion protection, a Nb intermediate layer as diffusion barrier was studied. One of the questions to be answered was the long-term steam oxidation resistance due to multiple sterilization cleansings of the surgical tools. The long-term oxidation stability of multilayer Nb/TiAlN and Nb/TiCN could be significantly affected by the PVD coating methods and their very different conditions in reactive modes. Here, the results of unbalanced d.c.-magnetron sputtering and arc-evaporation coatings are represented for an industrial PVD engine of the HTC 1000/4 ABS™ type. To study the effect of the Nb diffusion barrier layer, GDO(E)S depth-profile analyses were carried out. Because of the so-called nickel allergy problem, which restricts surgical operations in some cases, a special emphasis was the study of nickel diffusion into the coating layers. Furthermore, the bio-compatibility of the multilayers has been estimated. Summarizing the obtained results, all of the investigated coatings have fulfilled the requirements for application to surgical instruments independent of the coating method used.

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Herstellung von felxiblem Bandmaterial mit verbesserten Oberflacheneigenschaften durch Beschichtung von textilen Flachengebilden mit Feststoffen unter Verwendung von PVD-Technologien (Physical Vapour Deposition), insbesondere Magnetron-Sputtern unter Hochvakuumbedingungen. DOLLAR A Die Temperaturbelastung wird uber die Zerstaubungsleiste und/oder die Transportgeschwindigkeit des textilen Flachengebildes durch die Zerstaubungswolke und/oder die Einstellung des Abstands zur Zerstaubungsquelle derart gesteuert, das Temperaturen auf dem textilen Flachengebilde vorzugsweise unterhalb von 100 DEG C erreicht werden. DOLLAR A Das nach dem erfindungsgemasen Verfahren hergestellte flexible Bandmaterial findet Verwendung als Umhullung von Bauteilen eines Apparates oder einer Maschine, als Schleif- und/oder Polierband oder als dekorative und/oder funktionelle Ausrustung von Bekleidungen.