A new tangential gamma-ray spectrometer for fast ion measurements in deuterium and deuterium-tritium plasmas of the Joint European Torus.

A new tangential gamma-ray spectrometer has been developed for fast ion measurements in deuterium and deuterium-tritium plasmas of the Joint European Torus (JET). The instrument is based on a LaBr3 crystal with a photo-multiplier tube and replaces a pre-existing bismuth germanate detector, providing enhanced energy resolution and a counting rate capability in the MHz range. The line of sight is equipped with a LiH attenuator, which reduces the background due to 14 MeV neutron interactions with the crystal by more than two orders of magnitude and enables the observation of gamma-ray emission from confined α particles in JET deuterium-tritium plasmas. Thanks to its tangential line of sight, the detector can distinguish co- and counter-passing ions. The performance of the instrument is demonstrated through the results of recent JET fast ion experiments in deuterium plasmas.

Vacuum arc deposition of nanostructured multilayer coatings for biomedical applications.

In recent years, the smart materials have attracted much attention due to their unusual properties such as shape memory effect and pseudoelasticity, being widely used for biomedical implants. These materials contain certain amounts of nickel, titanium and others which are not adequate for surgical implants and prosthesis. In the work reported here, two types of nonostructured multilayer coatings (TiN/ZrN, ZrN/Zr) used to prevent the ions release from shape memory alloys were investigated. For comparison, the TiN and ZrN monolayers were also examined. The films were deposited onto nickel-titanium based alloy (Ti-Ni-Nb) and Ni substrates by vacuum arc deposition technique under various deposition conditions. The concentrations of dissolved ions in Ringer solution for uncoated and coated Ni samples were determined to examine the benefic barrier effect of these coatings for ions release from shape memory alloys. In order to have a more complete characterization of the investigated coatings, other properties such as elemental and phase composition, morphology, texture, microhardness, and adhesion were studied. For all coatings, the concentrations of dissolved ions were lower that those measured in the case of the uncoated specimens. The nanostructured multilayer films exhibited the best mechanical and anticorrosive properties.

Influence of bilayer period on the characteristics of nanometre-scale ZrN/TiAIN multilayers.

In the last decade, considerable research effort was directed to the deposition of multilayer films with layer thicknesses in the nanometer range (superlattice coatings), in order to increase the performance of various cutting tools and machine parts. The goal of the present work was to investigate the main microstructural, mechanical and wear resistance characteristics of a superlattice coating, consisting of alternate multilayer ZrN/TiAIN films, with various bilayer periods (5 / 20 nm). The coatings were deposited by the cathodic arc method on Si, plain carbon steel and high speed steel substrates to be used as wear resistance surfaces. The multilayer structures were prepared by using shutters placed in front of each cathode (Zr and Ti+Al). The characteristics of multilayer structures (elemental and phase composition, texture, Vickers microhardness, thickness, adhesion, and wear resistance) were determined by using various techniques (AES, XPS, XRD, microhardness measurements, scratch, and tribological tests). A comparison with the properties of ZrN and TiAIN single-layer coatings was carried out.

Mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the sputtered Ti doped hydroxyapatite.

The hydroxyapatite enriched with Ti were prepared as possible candidates for biomedical applications especially for implantable devices that are in direct contact to the bone. The hydroxyapatites with different Ti content were prepared by RF magnetron sputtering on Ti-6Al-4V alloy using pure hydroxyapatite and TiO2 targets. The content of Ti was modified by changing the RF power fed on TiO2 target. The XPS and FTIR analyses revealed the presence of hydroxyapatite structure. The hardness and elastic modulus of the hydroxyapatite were increased by Ti addition. After 5 days of culture, the cell viability of the Ti-6Al-4V was enhanced by depositing with undoped or doped hydroxyapatite. The Ti additions led to an increase in cell viability of hydroxyapatite, after 5 days of culture. The electron microscopy showed the presence of more cells on the surface of Ti-enriched hydroxyapatite than those observed on the surface of the uncoated alloys or undoped hydroxyapatite.

Enhancement of the mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite by SiC addition.

Improvements of mechanical and anticorrosive properties, as well as superior osseointegration of the hydroxyapatite coated titanium alloy were reported in the last years by the addition of different elements (Si or Ti) into hydroxyapatite structure. The aim of this work was to prepare and to investigate the hydroxyapatite (HAP) coatings enriched with SiC in order to enhance the mechanical properties of HAP films. The coatings were deposited on Ti6Al4V alloy substrates by co-sputtering of HAP and SiC targets, using a magnetron sputtering system. The films were characterized in terms of elemental and phase composition, chemical binding, morphology and mechanical properties by EDS, XRD, FTIR, SEM, AFM, and nanoindentation. Overall, improved mechanical properties were found by adding SiC to the basic HAP structure.

Characterization of multi-principal-element (TiZrNbHfTa)N and (TiZrNbHfTa)C coatings for biomedical applications.

Multi-principal-element (TiZrNbHfTa)N and (TiZrNbHfTa)C coatings were deposited on Ti6Al4V alloy by co-sputtering of Ti, Zr, Nb, Hf and Ta metallic targets in reactive atmosphere. The coatings were analyzed for elemental and phase compositions, crystalline structure, morphology, residual stress, hardness, friction performance, wear-corrosion resistance and cell viability. For all the films, only simple fcc solid solutions with (111) preferred orientations were found, with crystallite sizes in the range 7.2-13.5 nm. The coatings were subjected to compressive stress, with values ranging from 0.8 to 1.6 GPa. The carbide coating with the highest carbon content (carbon/metal ≈1.3) exhibited the highest hardness of about 31 GPa, the best friction behavior (µ = 0.12) and the highest wear resistance (wear rate K=0.2×10(-6)mm(3)N(-1)m(-1)), when testing in simulated body fluids (SBFs). Cell viability tests proved that the osteoblast cells were adherent to the coated substrates, and a very high percentage of live cells were observed on sample surfaces, after 72 h incubation time.