The previously widespread mercury cell technology in chlorine production has now been replaced by more environmentally friendly membrane cell electrolysis which is a Best Available Techniques (BAT) technology. However, this requires a much cleaner brine containing contaminants (Al, Ca, Mg, etc.) in the order of ng/g at most. For this reason, it’s very important to detect trace amounts of aluminum in concentrated saline media in the simplest and fastest way. To the best of our knowledge, no one has previously developed a spectrophotometric method capable of detecting aluminum in ionic forms selectively in the order of ng/g in concentrated saline media, without any preconcentration or separation step. Our advanced analytical method provides an opportunity for this. During the analytical procedure, a colored complex ion is formed from the dissolved aluminum content of the sample with eriochrome cyanine R (ECR) ligand in buffered pH medium. The sensitivity of the measurement is increased by adding quaternary ammonium salt. The colored complex ion is formed in 15 minutes, then the absorbance measurement can be performed for 90 minutes. The effect of rock salt interference was eliminated by proper calibration. In our work the dependence of the signal on temperature, pH, time elapsed after the addition of reactants, the dosing sequence, the salinity of the medium was examined, furthermore, we studied which wavelength-absorbance values give the best fit (highest R2 value) and the highest sensitivity in case of linear calibration. Surprisingly, increasing the salinity significantly improves the sensitivity of the measurement.

Fe-based nanocrystalline alloys like Fe73.5Si15.5Cu1Nb3B7 are commonly used in variable frequency drive systems as electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise absorbers. We study the high frequency magnetic properties of such magnetic alloys employing a well-controlled VNA-based reflectometric method. Our focus is on the dynamic magnetic susceptibility. We developed a coaxial probe head for measuring the magnetic properties of toroid cores up to 1 GHz in addition to a more conventional wired approach. We observe a single-exponential magnetic relaxation in most cases, which obey the Snoek's limit, i.e. the product of the initial permeability and the cut-off frequency is constant. We show that the coaxial probe-head-based approach provides reliable dynamic susceptibility data without the effects of the ill-reproducible wired approach.

Magnetic hyperthermia is an adjuvant therapy for cancer where injected magnetic nanoparticles are used to transfer energy from the time-dependent applied magnetic field into the surrounding medium. Its main importance is to be able to increase the temperature of the human body locally. This localization can be further increased by using a combination of static and alternating external magnetic fields. For example, if the static field is inhomogeneous and the alternating field is oscillating then the energy transfer and consequently, the heat generation is non-vanishing only where the gradient field is zero, which results in superlocalization. Our goal here is to study theoretically and experimentally whether the perpendicular or parallel combination of static and oscillating fields produce a better superlocalization. A considerable polarization effect in superlocalization for small frequencies and large field strengths is found, which is of great importance for practical applications.

Magnetic nanoparticle based hyperthermia emerged as a potential tool for treating malignant tumours. The efficiency of the method relies heavily on the knowledge of magnetic properties of the samples; in particular, knowledge of the frequency dependent complex magnetic susceptibility is vital to optimize the irradiation conditions and to provide feedback for material science developments. We study the frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility of an aqueous ferrite suspension for the first time using non-resonant and resonant radiofrequency reflectometry. We identify the optimal measurement conditions using a standard solenoid coil, which is capable of providing the complex magnetic susceptibility up to 150 MHz. The result matches those obtained from a radiofrequency resonator for a few discrete frequencies. The agreement between the two different methods validates our approach. Surprisingly, the dynamic magnetic susceptibility cannot be explained by an exponential magnetic relaxation behavior even when we consider a particle size-dependent distribution of the relaxation parameter.

Absorbed power of nanoparticles during magnetic hyperthermia can be well determined from changes in the quality factor (Q factor) of a resonator in which the radiofrequency absorbent is placed. We present an order of magnitude improvement in the Q factor measurement accuracy over conventional methods by studying the switch-on and off transient signals of the resonators. A nuclear magnetic resonance console is ideally suited to acquire the transient signals and it also allows to employ the so-called pulse phase-cycling to remove transient artifacts. The improved determination of the absorbed power is demonstrated on various resonators in the 1–30 MHz range, including standard solenoids and also a birdcage resonator. This leads to the possibility to detect minute amounts of ferrite nanoparticles which are embedded in the body and also the amount of the absorbed power. We demonstrate this capability on a phantom study, where the exact location of an embedded ferrite is clearly detected.

Nanomagnetic hyperthermia (NMH) is intensively studied with the prospect of cancer therapy. A major challenge is to determine the dissipated power during \textit{in vivo} conditions and conventional methods are either invasive or inaccurate. We present a non-calorimetric method which yields the heat absorbed during hyperthermia: it is based on accurately measuring the quality factor change of a resonant radio frequency circuit which is employed for the irradiation. We validate the method by comparing the dissipated power with a conventional calorimetric measurement. We present the validation for two types of resonators with very different filling factors: a solenoid and a so-called birdcage coil. The latter is a volume coil, which is generally used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under in vivo condition. The presented method therefore allows to effectively combine MRI and thermotherapy and is thus readily adaptable to existing imaging hardware.

Nanomagnetic hyperthermia (NMH) is intensively studied with the prospect of cancer therapy. A major challenge is to determine the dissipated power during in vivo conditions and conventional methods are either invasive or inaccurate. We present a non-calorimetric method which yields the heat absorbed during hyperthermia: it is based on accurately measuring the quality factor change of a resonant radio frequency circuit which is employed for the irradiation. The approach provides the absorbed power in real-time, without the need to monitor the sample temperature as a function of time. As such, it is free from the problems caused by the non-adiabatic heating conditions of the usual calorimetry. We validate the method by comparing the dissipated power with a conventional calorimetric measurement. We present the validation for two types of resonators with very different filling factors: a solenoid and a so-called birdcage coil. The latter is a volume coil, which is generally used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under in vivo condition. The presented method therefore allows to effectively combine MRI and thermotherapy and is thus readily adaptable to existing imaging hardware.

To exactly determine the composition of the waste tires appearing by the million tons worldwide is of outstanding importance when we are faced with the problem of reuse and recycling. This precise analysis and determination of the composing elements of used tires is the first step towards surveying the possible harmful or toxic effects on the environment and human health. The emission of elements into the atmosphere, ground-water and surface water can be related to traffic, recycling and energy production procedures. In this paper we demonstrate the results of the analysis of trace chemical elements As, P, Sr, Rb, Y, and Zr under 100 ppm in waste tire granules, which were carried out with non-destructive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). According to the literature these elements were rarely analysed or detected together. Despite the low concentrations, their effect may be significant due to their large quantities.

4 Å molecular sieve modified with copper(0) or copper(II) is an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the arylation of pyrrole and some other heterocycles with iodo- or bromoarenes, Cs2CO3 base and pyrrole (or DMF) solvent. The catalysts can be easily prepared and are reusable.

One of the most important problems of our society is the rising CO2 concentration of the atmosphere supposed to be a reason of the climate change. The Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) may be a temporary solution for this problem. CCS is the technology when the CO2is separated from the local CO2 sources, and is injected at least 800–1000 m deep where, because of the high pressure and higher than ambient temperature, it will be supercritical (scCO2). We need to study what are the geochemical changes induced by scCO2 to use safely this technology. This was the main motive why we started to make experimental and analytical methods on real core samples from exploration drilling. We added scCO2 to sandstone core samples in brine and very high purity calcite samples in 5 w/w% NaClsolution in 70–220 bar pressure interval and in 55–65 °C temperature interval in a high pressure resistant bomb and autoclave. After experiments the brine and solution samples were analyzed by ICP-MS and the core samples by XRF and SEM. The results indicated significant alteration in the concentration of Na, Ca, Mg, K, Fe and Srions concentration before and after the addition of scCO2. After adding scCO2the concentration of Ca grew in the brine and was reduced on the surface of the sandstone. The XRF results indicated a very high dispersion of the elements on the surface of the samples. The SEM images show Ca soluble-cuts and solution of the surface.

A new, heterogeneous, 4 A molecular sieve-supported copper(ii) catalyst was developed and was used successfully in the A(3) coupling of alkynes, aldehydes and amines under simple reaction conditions.

A new, environmentally-friendly synthesis of dihydroquinolines from aniline and ketones using a small pore size zeolite as catalyst is described. This method is simple, cheap and gives the dihydroquinolines in high yield.

The 59Ni and 55Fe radioisotopes were measured in radioactive wastes of some European nuclear power plants. A sample preparation method was developed that starts with the digestion in an oxygen atmosphere at an overpressure in a closed Berthelot calorimeter bomb. The detection limits for 59Ni and 55Fe were measured and calculated in the presence of high background activities from 60Co, 137Cs and 241Am isotopes.

Using energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence analysis with an I-125 ring source, it was possible to determine the concentration of several elements, such as Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb and Sr, at the mug g(-1) level in a microorganism (Mycobacterium fortuitum) and in nutrient medium. It was observed that the bacteria always incorporated a fixed amount of a given element even if the concentration in the nutrient medium was different. It was possible to contaminate the cells also with Zr. The sample preparation and irradiation process developed is a non-destructive microorganism analytical method, as about 70% of the bacteria survived the measuring process. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

A quantitative evaluation method was elaborated to determine the gold, silver and copper concentration of high gold content objects in a non-destructive way. The spectrum evaluation method rules out the effect of the differences in size, shape and surface. A long measuring time allows qualitative analysis of the trace elements: Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Cd, In and Zn. Using this method, about 200 golden coins and jewellery from the 10th-15th century Hungary and Byzantium were analyzed. Some of the results are presented here.

An analytical procedure was developed for the alpha-spectrometric determination of uranium ( 238 U, 235 U, 234 U) and transuranium isotopes ( 239+240 Pu, 244 Cm) in liquid radioactive wastes (sludges, evaporation residues) of low and medium activity from the VVER-440 reactor of the nuclear power plant in Paks, and in waste waters to be released into the environment. Radioactive sludge samples were separated to a liquid phase and a wet suspension (solid) phase by centrifuging, and the two phases were treated and analyzed separately, in different ways. A sample preparation procedure based on chemical separation was worked out for the isolation of the alpha-emitting components of radioactive evaporation residues which were saturated with boric acid. To the separate determination of the low activity alpha-emitting isotopes appearing in waste waters to be released into the environment, a microvawe concentration technique was applied. The accuracy of the results obtained using the above chemical separation and alpha-spectrometry was tested in the framework of the international U. S. DOE EML Quality Assessment Program.

Isotope excited energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) was used for the determination of the major components, silver and copper, of ancient coins. A ring shaped 125 I source was used for excitation. Various methods were developed and compared for quantitative evaluation in order to eliminate matrix effects and the effects caused by the differences in geometry. The method proposed by the authors ensures determination with acceptable error using certified standard samples of alloys. The results of this method were compared with those of prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) and with data from contemporary written sources.

Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry was applied for the analysis of historical silver coins to determine the elemental composition in a fast and non-destructive way. Ag, Cu and trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Hg, Pd, Zr, Mo, Rh, Ru) were determined in coins of King Mathias (Hungary, 1458–1490). A new data evaluation technique was used to avoid the problems arising from the different sizes, surfaces and geometries. The appropriateness of this method was confirmed by analysing certified silver/copper standard alloys.

Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence technique was applied for analysis of silver coins to determine the elemental composition in a fast and nondestructive way. In this present work we have developed a quantitative method for samples with different size and geometry. This method was employed for silver-copper alloys containing trace elements less than 0,1%. All the coins and the standards were exposed to an annular I-125 source. The usefulness of the method has been confirmed by analyzing certificated silver/copper alloys. The agreement between the measured and the true values is good. The precision that is indicated by the relative standard deviation (RSD %) is under +/-4 %. Silver coins were analyzed from the collection of the Hungarian National Bank, struck in Hungary during the reign of Mathias (1458-1490).