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Study of sterilization effect of dielectric barrier discharge on eucaryotic microorganisms
Vojkovská, Hana ; Ing.Hana Grossmannová, Ph.D. (referee) ; Kozáková, Zdenka (advisor)
Nowadays the wide spectrum of decontamination methods are used for the inactivation of microorganism on various materials and subjects. The serious disadvantage of the conventional decontaminations methods is stressing of the exposed material by heat or chemicals. The presented bachelor thesis discusses plasma sterilization, which is more friendly and more effective on the wide spectrum of procaryotic and eucaryotic microorganisms. Basically, the main inactivation factors for cells exposed to plasma are heat, UV radiation and various reactive species The work was focused on studying of the effect of the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) operating at atmospheric pressure on bioindicator Aspergillus niger. Plasma was generated in nitrogen and argon. Paper and PET-foil wer used as the carrying medium. The influence of various working conditions on the efficiency of plasma sterilization was studied. Namely it was the influence of plasma exposition time, plasma power density, the type of operating gas and type of the medium supporting the microorganism. According to our results the efficiency of the plasma sterilization increases with increasing plasma power density, resp. the plasma exposition time. When comparing the results observed for the same conditions in argon and nitrogen the higher sterilization effect was reached in argon. The sterilization time was 40 – 120 second in dependence to plasma power density, gas and carrying medium. Furthermore the influence of the carrying medium on the sterilization efficiency was prooved. It was shown, that porous materials have a ”shadowing effect” for microorganisms. The microorganism may penetrate into the paper material and embed in pits and cavities. Such penetration could preclude the interaction of plasma with the microorganism, thereby decreasing the efficiency of spore inactivation. Additionaly paper porosity complicates the detachment of spores into solution, so it is reached less microorganisms as from the PET-foil. The discharge parameters were studied by means of the optical emission spectroscopy.
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Diaphragm discharge in organic dye solutions
Pajurková, Jana ; Možíšková, Petra (referee) ; Kozáková, Zdenka (advisor)
This Diploma thesis was focused on the degradation of dyes Saturn Red L4B (Direct Red 79) and Saturn Blue LB (Direct Blue 106) by DC diaphragm discharge (DC-DD). Supplied power was between 160 and 180 W. Conductivity and pH were changing at each electrode area during the DC diaphragm discharge, therefore the effect of pH and conductivity changes on the dye solution itself were examined. All samples were measured by UV-VIS spectrometer in the wavelength range of 300–800 nm. No significant dependence of dye absorption spectra on conductivity was observed, while pH significantly affected the absorption curves of dyes. Ageing of dye spectra showed significant changes of Saturn Red L4B. Next task was the comparison of dyes destruction efficiency by DC-DD, audiofrequency diaphragm discharge (AF-DD) and electrolysis. Dye decomposition by AF-DD was not observed at set conditions (voltage of 80–120 V, current of 2.2 A and frequency of 2 kHz). In the case of DC diaphragm discharge the electrolysis played an important role. Decomposition efficiency of the dyes by electrolysis was up to 15 %. The pumping effect in the DC diaphragm discharge was also investigated. Although the individual electrode areas were linked only by a small pinhole in a nonconductive barrier (the pinhole diameter of 0.3 mm), solutions of the anode and cathode compartment interacted with each other up to 10 %. Finally, the degradation products of Saturn Red L4B treated by DC-DD in two electrodes parts are also described. Decomposition products were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with the mass spectrometer.
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Diagnostics of electric discharges in liquids
Vašíček, Michal ; Mazánková, Věra (referee) ; Kozáková, Zdenka (advisor)
The main scope of this thesis is to measure electrical characteristics of a DC discharge in an electrolyte solution in order to evaluate individual discharge parameters (voltage, current, emitted light and sound). As a result of these parameters, a comparison between a diaphragm and capillary configuration has been realized using static and dynamic characteristics. Next part of this thesis is finding mutual differences and to set an approximate transition of individual configurations. For the study of the pin-hole discharge a polycarbonate reactor with total volume of 110 ml was used. It was divided by a changeable polyacetal insulating wall. The Shapal ceramic discs (thickness of 0.3–1.5 mm and diameter of the central pin-hole of 0.3 mm) were mounted in the centre of the insulating wall. This wall divided the reactor into two approximately equal spaces with one stainless steel electrode in each part. A DC high voltage source providing constant power supply up to 500 W was applied on the electrodes. The water solution of NaCl with initial conductivity of 570 S/cm was used as electrolyte. Time resolved electrical characteristics were recorded by a four channel oscilloscope Tektronix TDS 2024B. Measured parameters were as follows: voltage (by a HV probe Tektronix P6015A), current at ballast resistor of 5.13 , sound detected by a piezzo-microphone mounted under the reactor, and light emitted by the discharge was detected by an optical fiber in vicinity of the orifice. Measuring and processing of time resolved electrical characteristics present an accurate description of behavior of the diaphragm and capillary configuration. Voltage differences during the phase of bubble formation as well as around the breakdown point were discussed. This thesis contains a description of bubble cavitation and sets transition ratio between the diaphragm and capillary configuration approximately to l/d= 3 (where l is thickness of the wall and d is diameter of the pin-hole).
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Diagnostics of diaphragm discharge in liquids
Dřímalková, Lucie ; Krčma, František (referee) ; Kozáková, Zdenka (advisor)
The main goal of this thesis is the diagnostics of the diaphragm discharge generated in liquids. Although many applications of electric discharge in liquids have been developed during the last years, the exact mechanism of the discharge ignition is not sufficiently known up to now. Based on this reason, this work focused on the investigation of processes before the discharge ignition, breakdown parameters and the discharge itself both in the irregular and stable regime. Using two kinds of inorganic salt solutions the work studied the influence of conductivity and electrolyte kind on the diaphragm discharge and its static current-voltage characteristics. The last task of the work investigated the emission spectra produced by the discharge. The theoretical part of the work presents mechanisms of the discharge generation in gases including the description of particular kinds of known discharges. The base theories of the discharge ignition in liquids are mentioned as well. Experiments were carried out in the reactor divided by the dielectric barrier (diaphragm) with a central pin-hole into two electrode spaces. Diaphragm was made of PET and the pin-hole initial diameter was 0.4 mm. Stainless steel electrodes were installed in the same distance of 2 cm from the barrier and symmetrically with respect to the diaphragm. Time resolved characteristics of current and voltage were recorded using two-channel oscilloscope which detected their output values. Parameters were measured by the constantly increasing DC voltage with a step of 50 V. When the regular discharge was ignited voltage had been gradually decreased. Used solutions contained sodium sulphate or sodium phosphate electrolyte at six different conductivities. Radiation emitted by the discharge was recorded by the spectrometer Jobin Yvon TRIAX 550. Emission spectra were investigated for one electrolyte at two different conductivities. The part with results presents all dependencies that were achieved during the measurements and all obtained data are compared. Recorded time resolved characteristics determine breakdown moment and describe current and voltage in particular parts within the static current-voltage curve. The work compares the influence of conductivity change on current-voltage characteristics as well as the effect of inorganic salt kind. By the conductivity enhancement the measured curve moves towards lower voltage which means that the breakdown voltage is decreased. Changing the inorganic salt the change of voltage related to the creation of bubbles in the diaphragm surroundings is observed. However, the change of electrolyte does not induce any significant change of the breakdown voltage. The last part of the work was focused on the optical emission spectroscopy of the discharge. Typical line system of OH radicals was identified in measured spectra which intensity was not dependent on the salt concentration. The work show particular processes taking place in the diaphragm surroundings when DC voltage is applied on the electrodes in electrolyte up to the diaphragm discharge ignition. Further, results describing the influence of conductivity and electrolyte changes on the processes are presented. The breakdown moment of the discharge and its dependence on the solution conductivity was determined. Optical emission spectroscopy revealed the contents of radiation emitted by the discharge.
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Plasma Chemical Surface Treatment of Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Applications
Mikušková, Radka ; Kozáková, Zdenka (referee) ; Krčma, František (advisor)
The theoretical part of bacalor thesis summarizes a plasma application for surface modification of materials used for biomedical applications. The main focus is on polymeric materials. Practical part focuses on specific surface modifications. An aim is to obtain from the initially hydrophobic surface hydrophilic by plasma chemical surface treatment and to optimize the method. Hydrophilicity is achieved by treating the sample in low temperature low pressure plasma generated in air based gaseous mixtures. The surface treatment efficiency is characterizad by water leak through the material. Structural changes of material surface are confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
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Study of gas influence on chemical processes initiated by electrical discharge in liquids
Dürrová, Anastasia ; Krčma, František (referee) ; Kozáková, Zdenka (advisor)
This thesis in the theoretical part focuses on the gas influence on chemical processes initiated by electrical discharge in liquids. This part described the possible diagnostic methods of reactive particles whitch are produced in water solutions after plasma treatment. The influence of different experimental conditions, such as the influence of gas, effect of voltage polarity, effect of electrolyte of hydrogen peroxide formation were studied. The comparison of selected two gases with different property, argon and oxygen, were realized. The effect of pH in phosphate solution was studied. This solutions are able to maintain relatively stable pH during the experiment and due to this property phosphates are very perspektive for medical applications.
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Temperature influence on ozone generation and decomposition on solid surfaces
Krejsková, Eliška ; Dřímal,, Jiří (referee) ; Kozáková, Zdenka (advisor)
This master’s thesis is focused on a study of temperature influence on ozone generation and decomposition by chosen solid surfaces. Ozone is unstable gas that is decomposed spontaneously. This decomposition can be accelerated by various factors such as increase in temperature or reaction with other substances. The aim of this study is to determinate how fast the ozone decomposition proceeds at different temperatures and how the homogenous decomposition of ozone is accelerated by heterogeneous processes on the walls of solid materials. Currently in practise ozone is used in many areas and the finding of the rate of its decomposition can help to increase efficiency of its production and subsequent specific applications. In the theoretical part of the thesis, these points are described: important properties of ozone, possibilities of its utilization, the ozone generation, some methods of determination of the ozone concentration, ozone relationship to various solid surfaces and present theoretical knowledge about the effect of temperature on the ozone generation and decomposition. In the experimental part, the rate of the ozone decomposition in reaction tubes made of copper and iron of two different surface to volume ratios was investigated at temperatures of 10, 25, 40, 55, 70 and 85 °C. Ozone generated from oxygen was closed in the reaction tube and the decrease of its concentration during the time was observed by absorption spectroscopy. From obtained exponential dependencies, the rate constants at different conditions of this experiment were evaluated. The rate of ozone decomposition significantly increased with higher temperature. The fastest ozone decomposition took place in the iron tube of larger inner diameter (8 mm).
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Study of ozone reactions with the surface of metallic materials
Krzyžanková, Anežka ; Kozáková, Zdenka (referee) ; Mazánková, Věra (advisor)
This bachelor thesis is focused on the study of ozone and oxygen reactions with the surface of metallic materials. Ozone undergoes spontaneous decomposition, which is, for example, influenced by increased temperature or reactions with other substances. The aim is to find out how fast heterogeneous decomposition or ozone formation takes place on different metal surfaces. The theoretical part describes the properties of ozone, possibilities of its use, generation of ozone, methods of determination of concentration and relation of ozone to solid surfaces. The experimental part examines how the ozone concentration changes depending on the reaction time at room temperature, the change in oxygen and argon flow during blowing, and the decomposition itself on the steel, copper, and aluminum surfaces. The ozone generated from the oxygen was enclosed in a metal material tube and allowed to react for a certain period of time. After this time, the ozone was blown out by various oxygen flow rates. Ozone concentration was monitored by absorption spectrometry. The dependence obtained shows that ozone concentration decreases. In further experiments, ozone was allowed to flow through the tubes for 5 min. After this time, pure oxygen was fed into the tube and ozone formed by heterogeneous surface reactions. The influence of the reaction time on the formation and disappearance of ozone on the surfaces was investigated. Finally, surface analysis was performed using a scanning electron microscope with elemental analysis.
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Study of elementary inactivation processes acting during sterilization of procaryotic systems in dielectric barrier discharge
Bittnerová, Zuzana ; Sťahel, Pavel (referee) ; Kozáková, Zdenka (advisor)
Presented master’s thesis is focused on the study of the elementary inactivation processes acting during sterilization of procaryotic systems in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). Sterilization is an important biomedical and food-industry application and plasma sterilization is one of the methods, which are suitable for sterilization of heat and chemical sensitive materials. Biologically contaminated samples were treated in dielectric barrier discharge operated at atmospheric pressure. The discharge was generated in argon and in nitrogen. The plasma power density was 2725,93 mW cm–3 in argon and 2325,93 mW cm–3 in nitrogen. Gram positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli were used as a bioindicator. Bacteria were spread onto the surface of Whatman No.1 filtration paper. The influence of UV radiation, reactive species, heat and plasma discharge where the synergistic function of all of the agents was studied. Effects of UV radiation and temperature were studied separately. In order to separate the effect of UV radiation generated by DBD the quartz glass transmitting UV radiation was employed. During the plasma exposition selected samples were covered with the quartz window while other samples were directly exposed to the plasma. Covered samples were exposed to UV radiation and temperature (which cannot be eliminated), samples without quartz window were directly plasma exposed (treated). Results show that for covered samples the lower inactivation was reached than by the samples directly exposed to plasma. When studying the effect of temperature, the temperature between the DBD electrodes was measured by means of a thermocouple. Afterwards the samples were placed in an oven and exposed to the same temperature as was measured between the electrodes. By comparing the results of heat treated samples and plasma treated samples it can be assumed that the influence of the temperature during the sterilization process in DBD is very low. The discharge parameters were studied by means of the Optical Emission Spectroscopy. Plasma treated samples were assessed employing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Damage of Bacillus subtilis cell wall due to the effect of plasma was observed while no effect of plasma on the structure of filtration paper was detected.
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Ozone gas-fading of photographs
Védlová, Petra ; Kozáková, Zdenka (referee) ; Veselý, Michal (advisor)
This bachelor thesis deals with principels of inkjet printing, ink composition and print media. The paper also focuses on stability of inkjet prints, degradation of inks by ambient impacts, mechanisms of such degradations and protection against degradation. The experimental section examines the impact of ozone on gas-fading of injekt prints, which is one of the most important factors by degradation of dyes for both clasic prints and prints with protective varnish. In conclusion two methods for assessing dye degradation – colorimetric (by calculating the volume of the color gamut) and densitometric (by calculating optical densities) – are investigated and compared.
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