Quantifying Propiconazole in Wood by Raman Microscopy

Raman spectra of wood blocks treated with different propiconazole solutions (4%, 2% and 1%) in mineral spirits were recorded using a Raman microscope, equipped with a NIR (785nm) laser. The strong propiconazole Raman band, in the uncongested region 647-693 cm-1 was chosen as the analytical band. The normalized intensity of analytical band was used to determine the propiconazole distribution in white spruce. Mapping measurements on radial face of the treated samples revealed that on average the propiconazole concentration in summerwood was much higher than concentration in springwood. CG-MS analyses were ccarriedout on methanol extractions of soaked samples milled at ~1.5 mm intervals. The depth profiles in longitudinal directions, obtained by Raman and GC-MS measurements, suggested that propiconazole tended to bloom to the surface during drying. A linear calibration plot was produced from averaged Raman normalized intensity and GC-MS-measured concentrations. By using the regression line, concentration in the longitudinal direction was predicted for another wood block soaked in 3% propiconazole solution.

Quantifying Propiconazole in Wood by Raman Microscopy

Raman spectra of wood blocks treated with different propiconazole solutions (4%, 2% and 1%) in mineral spirits were recorded using a Raman microscope, equipped with a NIR (785nm) laser. The strong propiconazole Raman band, in the uncongested region 647-693 cm-1 was chosen as the analytical band. The normalized intensity of analytical band was used to determine the propiconazole distribution in white spruce. Mapping measurements on radial face of the treated samples revealed that on average the propiconazole concentration in summerwood was much higher than concentration in springwood. CG-MS analyses were ccarriedout on methanol extractions of soaked samples milled at ~1.5 mm intervals. The depth profiles in longitudinal directions, obtained by Raman and GC-MS measurements, suggested that propiconazole tended to bloom to the surface during drying. A linear calibration plot was produced from averaged Raman normalized intensity and GC-MS-measured concentrations. By using the regression line, concentration in the longitudinal direction was predicted for another wood block soaked in 3% propiconazole solution.

A pilot study of solvent-based cleaning of yellow ochre oil paint: effect on mechanical properties

Nanoindentation and dynamic mechanical analysis were used to measure changes in the surface and bulk mechanical properties of Winsor & Newton Yellow Ochre oil paint films following exposure to deionized water, aliphatic mineral spirits (Shellsol D40™), and D5 silicone solvent (decamethylcyclopentasiloxane). Yellow ochre paint films were exposed to the selected solvents by 24-h immersion, and sponge-cleaning. 24-h immersion in deionised water and Shellsol D40 caused measurable changes to bulk and surface mechanical properties. However, there were no measurable changes to the bulk or surface mechanical properties following sponge cleaning.

Smart Manhole Toxic Gas Identification and Alerting System

Even nowadays, sewage systems are cleaned by the manual power. Somewhere they recently stated that “More Indians were dying in cleaning sewers than fighting terrorists in Kashmir”. Sewer gas is a composite amalgamation of venomous and non-hazardous gases, which is collected in sewage systems. Predominantly it also comprises that oxide of carbon, sulphur, nitrogen, ammonia and methane due to the decomposition of organic household or industrial wastes. During the maintenance practice, Sewer gases cause the health issues and fatal death to the labors also due to untreated disposal of petroleum products such as gasoline and mineral spirits. To conquer these impacts, in this proposed system, by using a set of integrated sensors MQ-4, MQ-7, MQ137 were incorporated with microcontroller unit process and LCD Display to quantify toxic gases which is produced in the system. It could be recognize the scale of toxicants and then intimated to the workers to acquire the safety precautions before entering into the manholes. The sensing range for the leak detection sensor should be from 300 ppm to 10,000 ppm. In order to reduce the toxic gases concentration, Sprinkler mechanism is provided with the resource chemical for detoxification treatment. Whenever the gas concentration level exceeds the specified threshold level, an actuator mechanism triggers the sprinkler. To upkeep the sewerage system and Prohibiting Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, labors continually taking risk in their health and life. But they were paid for merely low wages. Despite proactive orders of the Supreme Court, the implementation of the directives remains unrealized, in the wake of frequent deaths. In this special episode of Banega Swachh India campaign, we take a look at how these deaths leave the workers’ family devastated and yet no one claims responsibility for the deaths

Cuantificación de V, Ni, Zn y Fe en asfalto por espectroscopia de absorción atómica

El asfalto tiene complejas composiciones químicas y físicas que normalmente varían con la fuente del petróleo crudo. Su composición se basa en aproximadamente 84% C, 10% H2, 1% O2 y 5% trazas de elementos como S, Ni, V y Fe. El propósito de esta investigación es desarrollar un método para cuantificar V, Ni, Zn y Fe en asfalto AC-30 por espectroscopia de absorción atómica. La investigación propone un procedimiento de tratamiento de hasta 2 g de asfalto, el cual se basa en su dilución con solvente orgánico (mineral spirits) en balones aforados con ayuda de un baño ultrasónico para aligerar la dilución. Se dictan los parámetros de optimización del método buscando los datos instrumentales adecuados en el equipo de absorción atómica para la obtención de la mayor absorbancia posible en la alineación tanto del quemador como de las lámparas de cátodo hueco y deuterio; además de la optimización de la llama y del flujo del nebulizador. Las curvas de calibración de cada metal se realizaron con un estándar con base de hidrocarburos para medir las concentraciones de metales en el asfalto en mg/kg con un coeficiente de correlación lineal de mínimo 0.995. El estudio de recuperación en asfalto se realiza con la adición de una cantidad de los metales directamente a las alícuotas de matriz de asfalto. Las concentraciones obtenidas para el Ni fueron 70, V 330, Zn 24 y para Fe 10 ppm, los cuales presentaron una desviación estándar relativa inferiores al 1% lo que indica que las mediciones de una misma muestra son precisas y que presentan poca dispersión entre ellas. Las recuperaciones promedio fueron de 99.17% para Ni, 100.30% V, 92.26% Zn y 97.72% Fe. Estos resultados indican que el método resulta confiable para la cuantificación de metales mediante la técnica de absorción atómica

CAMEO: The Science in Art

What is Coade Stone? When was Bakelite invented? What is the chemical structure of indigo? Is it safe to use mineral spirits? The answer to all of these questions and much more can be found in CAMEO, the Conservation and Art Materials Encyclopedia Online, available at