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Polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels with gradient structure in crosslinking density
Ščotková, Romana ; Kalina, Michal (referee) ; Smilek, Jiří (advisor)
The presented thesis introduce one of the many possibilities for the physical preparation of PVA hydrogels with a gradient in the crosslinking density. Based on the research conducted, the main focus of which was the preparation methods of gradient hydrogels and the characterization of their properties, a cyclic freezing and thawing method was selected and optimized with a focus on the selected preparation parameters. The next step was to perform pilot experiments leading to the confirmation and characterization of the resulting gradient structure by selected instrumental techniques such as rheology, scanning electron microscopy or a method based on monitoring the loss of dispersion during drying of the samples. In addition to the confirmation of the gradient structure, one of the parameters studied was the effect of the addition of polysaccharide on the resulting mechanical properties. Gradient hydrogels with different molecular weights or biopolymer additions were compared in the second part of the experimental work based on diffusion experiments using methylene blue. At the end of the work, all the results obtained were discussed and additional measurements were proposed for a deeper understanding of the subject.
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Determination of the penetration of the active substances
Blažejová, Natálie ; Kalina, Michal (referee) ; Klučáková, Martina (advisor)
This thesis is focused on the simulation of penetration of active ingredients used in cosmetic products. A theoretical part was written which focused on the basic characteristics of active ingredients used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. A method for the determination of these actives by means of Franz diffusion cells, which are used to determine the concentration of actives passed through the skin using different skin models, was described. The experimental part focused on the simulation of the penetration of two active ingredients, bisabolol and ectoine, which were provided by the cosmetic company Nobilis Tilia for this work. The amount of these actives was determined through Franz diffusion cells, using a synthetic Strat-M® membrane and a membrane prepared from pig ear skin. Furthermore, the tape-stripping method was used to determine the active substance in the skin layers. All samples were then analysed by UV-VIS spectrometry and liquid chromatography.
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Transport and mechanical properties of hybrid hydrogel networks based on gellan
Sokolínský, Jan ; Pekař, Miloslav (referee) ; Kalina, Michal (advisor)
This diploma thesis deals with the characterization of the mechanical and transport properties of gellan based hybrid hydrogels. As part of this work, the process of optimizing the preparation of gellan-poly(vinylalcohol) IPN hydrogel was first studied with an emphasis on the repeatability of the preparation due to the preservation of mechanical properties of the hydrogel. Then, both on the gellan hydrogels themselves and on selected IPN compositions, the effect of various additives was studied (specifically, the effect of the addition of a plasticizer and the effect of cross-linking by polyvalent ions). Based on these tests, a set of samples was selected, on which dynamic mechanical analysis, swelling and drying experiments were additionally measured. At the end of this diploma thesis, the transport properties of selected hydrogel compositions were also studied. The tests conducted in this thesis revealed that both the formation of a dual network and the addition of the mentioned additives allow us to influence the studied properties.
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Preparation and characterization of lignin modified by laccase enzyme
Hrušková, Lucie ; Obruča, Stanislav (referee) ; Kalina, Michal (advisor)
This master’s thesis focuses on the enzymatic modification of commercially available lignin using laccase enzyme and monitoring its impact on selected physical and chemical properties. Lignin is an attractive material for the production of renewable chemicals, materials, and energy, but its complex chemical structure poses a major obstacle to its effective utilization. Enzymatic modification appears to be a promising solution for its processing. Experiments were conducted under various conditions, such as pH, enzyme dosage, and reaction time. In the subsequent part of the experiment, the modified lignins were characterized and their results compared with those of the raw kraft lignin before modification. Molecular weight was determined using SEC-MALS, and the concentration of phenolic groups and antioxidant activity were measured. Structural changes were also monitored using FTIR. The results indicate that the enzymatic modification of lignin using laccase led to an increase in the molecular weight of the modified lignins, along with a decrease in the content of phenolic groups and a reduction in antioxidant activity. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the action of the laccase enzyme resulted in lignin polymerization and the formation of new chemical bonds, leading to further aggregation.
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Heat effects of microbial life in soil
Drápalová, Karolína ; Kalina, Michal (referee) ; Krouská, Jitka (advisor)
This research is intended to be an application of calorimetry to the study of thermal manifestations of microbial life in soil. Although this research has slowly but steadily expanded over the past half century, many unanswered questions still remain. Calorimetry is a suitable tool for determining several parameters of soil quality. Therefore, it is a very important indicator for agriculture. Very well-known indicators used in soil research can be measured by various calorimetric methods such as differential compensation calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG), which are temperature scanning methods used to estimate certain properties of soil material. Calorimetry can be used to determine the activity of microbial life in the soil, which is an essential parameter for the proper functioning of the soil, i.e. for its health. Microorganisms will release a certain amount of heat, based on their metabolism, which can be boosted by adding certain nutrients. We can therefore say that the presence of microorganisms in the soil can be detected thanks to calorimetry.
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Application of superabsorbents in soil and its influence on plant growth
Závodská, Petra ; Kalina, Michal (referee) ; Klučáková, Martina (advisor)
This thesis is focused on description of superabsorbents with controlled released of nutrients, specifically macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and kalium. Superabsorbents are polymers, mostly acrylic acid polymers, that can absorb huge amount of water without dissolving in it. In its structure they can hold water and thanks to this they are very perspective materials for agricultural usage. Experimental part was focused on growing corn with use of superabsorbents and control samples without use of superabsorbents. Plants were growth for 3 time periods, specifically 46, 60 and 74 days. During the experiments, plats were growth without water stress and in controlled conditions in growing box under UV lamp that simulated day and night by turning on and off after 12 hours. At the end, an image analysis was performed in HARFA program, from which we got information about branching of the roots. Results were supplemented by soil and plants analysis.
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Preparation of magnetorheological fluids with high sedimentation stability
Oharek, Lukáš ; Kalina, Michal (referee) ; Smilek, Jiří (advisor)
The introduced bachelor thesis focuses on the current issue of stability of magnetorheological fluids in the gravitation field. To prepare stable magnetorheological fluid, influence of additives, particles modification and different carrier fluid are investigated. Regarding the increased viscosity of the carrier fluids, which negatively affect the magnetorheological effect, a magnetorheological fluid containing carbonyl iron particles, which were chemisorbed with non-ionic surfactant Tween 20 was prepared. Mineral oil and water emulsions were used as a carrier fluid, emulsifier Span 80 was used to stabilize the water-in-oil emulsion. Sedimentation stability is improved, at the same time the viscosity of the carrier fluid is increased.
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Influence of pH on Extraction of Matter from Biochar-Soil Complex
Jakubčeková, Kristína ; Enev, Vojtěch (referee) ; Kalina, Michal (advisor)
Biochar is one of the possible solutions to improve the soil fertility, therefore it is necessary to investigate both its composition and the impact on the soil under various conditions. The aim of this bachelor thesis is to focus on the description of the influence of pH on the amount and type of substances (molecules, ions) that are leached from the biochar into the soil and thus consequently influence its properties. As a soil model it was chosen cambisol which is the most widespread soil in the Czech Republic. The selected pH values have been defined in such a way to cover the pH range that is common for various soil types in natural conditions. In the experimental part of this thesis the extracts from the used sample of biochar and soil were characterized first. These characteristics obtained in this way were subsequently compared with the data obtained for the biochar-soil complex extracts that was obtained after a defined period of cultivation of the mixture. For the characterization of extracts the basic physico-chemical methods (pH, conductivity, elemental and thermogravimetric analysis, UV-VIS) and also the analysis of leached ions and molecules by means of ICP/OES, GC-MS were used. Evaluated experimental data show that under the condition of cultivation experiments, the influence of biochar was observed only on the basic physico-chemical characteristics of the soil (mainly pH). On the other hand, there was no significant tendency of the impact of biochar on the representation of selected elements and on the content of organic matter in the soil. Long-term biochar-soil cultivation experiments could be a suitable solution.
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Utilization of interfacial rheology to study of biological systems
Kachlířová, Helena ; Kalina, Michal (referee) ; Smilek, Jiří (advisor)
The aim of this bachalor thesis is to implement and optimization a relatively new method of interfacial rheology. The optimization of this method was realized on two types of interfaces, specifically liquid-liquid using immiscible systems water-chloroform and water-toluene, and water-air. The applicability of this method was tested by using real samples in form of surfactant septonex and biological system represented by protein (bovine serum albumin). The interfacial layers formed by septonex were purely viscous, where the rigidity of the layer increased slightly with concentration until reaching critical micellar concentration and then the rigidity decreased. In comparison with septonex, the interfacial film made of bovine serum albumin showed predominantly elastic behaviour.
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The Study of Biopolymers Stability Using Light Scattering Techniques
Kratochvíl, Zdeněk ; Sedláček, Petr (referee) ; Kalina, Michal (advisor)
The stability of chosen biopolymers (or simple carbohydrates and amino acids) was in-vestigated using light scattering methods. Samples were prepared by dissolving the sub-stance in deionised water or in diluted acetic acid. Firstly, the effect of increasing concen-tration on zeta potential was observed and the optimal concentration for the next measure-ments was determined. Afterwards, the stability and the molecular weight of used sub-stances were studied during long-time storage in different time intervals. It was found out that chitosan, CMC, hyaluronate and sodium alginate were subjected to degradation whereas increase of the molecular weight and the zeta potential was observed in case of BSA. In the end, the samples were exposed to several different external effects, namely the influence of different temperatures, UV radiation and increasing ionic strength. The results showed that rather higher temperature has a significant impact on biopolymers stability. However, used biopolymers were hardly affected by UV radiation except BSA whose molecular weight increased considerably. Decrease of the zeta potential absolute values and the molecular size usually occurred with increasing ionic strength. The change of molecular weight was not detected.
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