Nanocomposite multifunctional polyelectrolyte thin films with copper nanoparticles as the antimicrobial coatings.

The work presents the formation and physicochemical characterization of polyelectrolyte-copper nanocomposite coatings using: poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) as a polycation, poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)(PSS) as a polyanion and negatively charged copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) to obtain biocompatible surfaces with an antibacterial functionality. The mass and thickness of composite films were investigated by the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and the ellipsometry whereas, the structure and morphology of coatings were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The increase of the UV-Vis absorption confirmed the formation of the consecutive layers of the film. Antibacterial activity of the coatings was tested on a representative Gram-positive bacteria strain, Staphylococcus aureus. The microbiological tests were performed and bacteria visualized using fluorescent staining and microscopic technique. It was demonstrated that nanostructured films had antibacterial properties, which makes polyelectrolyte multilayer films containing copper an interesting material in biomedical applications area, e.g., for the prevention of microbial deposition on surfaces.

Antireflection TiO x Coating with Plasmonic Metal Nanoparticles for Silicon Solar Cells.

It is known that the light scattering from the metal particles deposited on the surfaces of cells can be used for increasing light trapping in the solar cells. In this work, plasmonic structures are composite materials that consisted of silver nanoparticles embedded in dielectric films of TiO x -used as cell antireflection coating. The films are deposited by sol-gel method using spin-on technique. Microstructure of prepared samples is analyzed by SEM observation. Good homogenity and particles density was obtained by this simple, cheap, and short time-demanding method. We demonstrate that due to light scattering by metal particles, the plasmonic-ARC layer is more effective than TiO x layer without Ag nanoparticles. Implementation of nanoparticles on bare cell surface was carried out too. The influence of the plasmonic structures on the silicon solar cells parameters is presented as well. We announce about 5 % additional growth in short circuit current for cells with nanoparticles.

[New approaches to evaluation of the inflammatory process in the bronchi of children with bronchopulmonary diseases]. / Novye podkhody k otsenke aktivnosti vospalitel'nogo protsessa v bronkhakh pri bronkholegochnykh zabolevaniiakh u detei.

Examination of patients, that included investigation of the clinical, endoscopic and laboratory parameters over time formed the basis for estimating bronchial inflammation. As many as 164 children with recurrent and chronic bronchopulmonary diseases were examined. The authors provide the informative signs allowing one to judge the activity of bronchial inflammation with a high accuracy (up to 90-95%). The complex signs that characterize bronchial inflammation, grades I, II and III, are also provided. The all-round estimation of the inflammatory activity makes it possible to objectively differentiate the status of local homeostasis, which is of paramount importance for administration of adequate and effective therapy.