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Gold surfaces functionalized with nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni²⁺-NTA) as self-assembled monolayers (SAM) to immobilize histidine (His)-tagged biomolecules are broadly reported in the literature. However, the increasing demand of using microfluidic systems and biosensors takes more and more advantage on silicon technology which provides dedicated glass surfaces and substantially allows cost and resource savings. Here we present a novel method for the controlled oriented immobilization of His-tagged proteins on glass surfaces functionalized with a Ni²⁺-NTA layer. Exemplarily, the protein pattern morphology after immobilization on the Ni²⁺-NTA layer of His6-tagged soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) was investigated and compared to non-oriented immobilization of sRAGE on amino SAM by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, we demonstrated interaction of immobilized sRAGE with three structurally different ligands, S100A12, S100A4, and glycated low density lipoproteins (glycLDL), by means of peak-force tapping atomic force microscopy (PF-AFM). We showed a clear discrimination of different protein-ligand orientations by differential height measurements.

An O2-electrode was fabricated using a metal ion implanted SrTiO3 single crystal. The time resolved oxygen exchange rate of ion implanted strontium titanate (SrTiO3) single crystals was studied by means of oxygen solid electrolyte coulometry (OSEC). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed in order to determine structural changes after ion implantation. Moreover, theoretical modelling based on defect chemistry under equilibrium conditions was applied for determining of effective rate constants. OSEC measurements turn out to be a damage and calibration free method, which was used for the first time in order to characterize kinetic parameters of oxygen exchange on single crystalline surfaces.

We investigated the adsorption of the l -lysine (200 mmol) molecule to a silanized SiO2 surface as a function of the pH value. The SSC (Spraying Spin Coating) method [Cherkouk et al., J. Colloid Interf. Sci. 337 (2009) 375–380] was applied to functionalize the SiO2 surface by using the (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APMS) as coupling agent with a NH2 functional group. We adsorbed lysine molecules to the silane film for pH-values of 2.5, 7.5, 8.7, 9.5 and 13, which correspond to the di-cationic, cationic, zwitterinonic (pH 8.7 and 9.5) and the anionic charge state of lysine, respectively. The infrared spectroscopy is not suitable to investigate the system because the NH3+ signal at 1600 cm−1 originating from the silane film overlaps with the infrared signal of the deprotonated carboxyl group of the lysine molecule. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to measure the binding energies C 1s and N 1s as function of the pH value. This pH change affects the charge state which was fitted in the XPS spectra to obtain the optimal adsorption conditions at pH 7.5 of the lysine to the functionalized SiO2 surface.

The formation of crystals and symmetry on the atomic scale has persistently attracted scientists through the ages. The structure itself and its subtle dependence on boundary conditions is a reflection of three principles: atomic attraction, repulsion, and the limitations in 3D space. This involves a competition between simplicity and high symmetry on the one hand and necessary structural complexity on the other. This work presents a simple atomistic crystal growth model derived for equivalent atoms and a pair potential. It highlights fundamental concepts, most prominently provided by a maximum number of equilibrium distances in the atom&rsquo, s local vicinity, to obtain high symmetric structural motifs, among them the Platonic Solids. In this respect, the harmonically balanced interaction during the atomistic nucleation process may be regarded as origin of symmetry. The minimization of total energy is generalized for 3D periodic structures constituting these motifs. In dependence on the pair potential&rsquo, s short- and long-range characteristics the, by symmetry, rigid lattices relax isotropically within the potential well. The first few coordination shells with lattice-specific fixed distances do not necessarily determine which equilibrium symmetry prevails. A phase diagram calculated on the basis of these few assumptions summarizes stable regions of close-packed fcc and hcp, next to bcc symmetry for predominantly soft short-range and hard long-range interaction. This lattice symmetry, which is evident for alkali metals as well as transition metals of the vanadium and chromium group, cannot be obtained from classical Morse or Lennard-Jones type potentials, but needs the range flexibility within the pair potential.

The time-resolved oxygen exchange rate of strontium titanate (SrTiO3) single crystals is studied by means of oxygen solid electrolyte coulometry (OSEC) and compared to model calculations. Experiments are performed on pure, ion implanted (Ni, Ag, O and N ions) and partially covered crystals with silver layer. In this work, a theoretical model is used, which is based on defect chemistry under equilibrium conditions. It is applied as a fit in order to determine the effective rate constants and activation energy of the oxygen exchange reaction on the crystal surface. OSEC is used for the first time to characterize kinetic parameters of oxygen exchange on single crystalline surfaces. Transmission electron microscopy and sputter X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are performed to determine structural and chemical changes after ion implantation.

Gold surfaces functionalized with nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni²⁺-NTA) as self-assembled monolayers (SAM) to immobilize histidine (His)-tagged biomolecules are broadly reported in the literature. However, the increasing demand of using microfluidic systems and biosensors takes more and more advantage on silicon technology which provides dedicated glass surfaces and substantially allows cost and resource savings. Here we present a novel method for the controlled oriented immobilization of His-tagged proteins on glass surfaces functionalized with a Ni²⁺-NTA layer. Exemplarily, the protein pattern morphology after immobilization on the Ni²⁺-NTA layer of His6-tagged soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) was investigated and compared to non-oriented immobilization of sRAGE on amino SAM by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, we demonstrated interaction of immobilized sRAGE with three structurally different ligands, S100A12, S100A4, and glycated low density lipoproteins (glycLDL), by means of peak-force tapping atomic force microscopy (PF-AFM). We showed a clear discrimination of different protein-ligand orientations by differential height measurements.

Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) was already used in the first commercialized Li-ion battery by SONY in 1990. Still, it is the most frequently used cathode material nowadays. However, LiCoO2 is intrinsically unstable in the charged state, especially at elevated temperatures and in the overcharged state causing volume changes and transport limitation for high power batteries. In this paper, some technological aspects with large impact on cell performance from the cathode material point of view will be reviewed. At first it will be focused on the degradation processes and life-time mechanisms of the cathode material LiCoO2. Electrochemical and structural results on commercial Li-ion batteries recorded during the cycling will be discussed. Thereafter, advanced nanomaterials for new cathode materials will be presented.

The motivation for integrated Silicon-based optoelectronics is the creation of low-cost photonics for mass-market applications. Especially, the growing demand for sensitive biochemical sensors in the environmental control or medicine leads to the development of integrated high resolution sensors. Here we present initial results in the integration and butt-coupling of a Si-based light emitting device (LED) [1-3] to a waveguide into a photonic circuit. Our first approach deals with the design, fabrication and characterization of the dielectric high contrast waveguide as an important component, beside the LED, for the development of a Si-based biodetection system. In this work we demonstrate design examples of Si3N4/SiO2-waveguides, which were calculated using MATLAB, the effective index method (EIM) and the finite element method (FEM), with a 0.45μm thick and 0.7μm wide core which shows a high confinement factor of ~74% and coupling efficiency of ~66% at 1.55μm, respectively. The fabrication was done by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD), optical lithography and reactive ion etching (RIE). Additionally, we characterized the deposited layers via ellipsometry and the etched structures by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The obtained results establish principles for Si-based LED butt-coupling to a powerful optical waveguide-based interconnect with effective light absorption and an adequate coupling efficiency.

We investigated the immobilization of the estrogen receptor hER α on silanized SiO 2 surfaces for biosensor applications. The conjugation of the estrogen receptor hER α to the quantum dot dye QD655 was achieved. In order to obtain an optimal immobilization of the estrogen receptor hER α on the functionalized SiO 2 surface, the bioconjugate hER α -QD655 (Rcpt-qd655) solution was prepared with a higher molar ratio of 10–15 between the QDs and the receptors. A blue laser with an excitation wavelength of 405 nm was used for photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) investigations to monitor the bioconjugate Rcpt-qd655 immobilization on the silanized SiO 2 surfaces with three different functional groups, namely NH 2 , -COO - , and –SH. Several wash processes were applied to remove the excess receptors from the surface after the immobilization. A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to control the biofilm background after each wash of the receptor-coated surface which allows the optimization of the immobilization protocol. In order to test its stability a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) was employed and the receptor density was calculated. Finally the optimal biolayer (silane film + hER α receptor) was tested for measurements of 17s-estradiol (E2) with a concentration of 1 μM in waterish solution. The measurement concept outlined in [L. Rebohle et al., Vacuum 83 (2009) 24–28] was applied. The whole system was investigated by PL, which exhibits two color signals, namely from the receptor and the detected E2 molecules.

A new silanization method for SiO 2 surfaces has been developed for Si-based light emitters which are intended to serve as light sources in smart biosensors relying on fluorescence analysis. This method uses a special silanization chamber and is based on spraying and spin coating (SSC) in nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature for 10 min. It avoids processes like sonication and the use of certain chemicals being harmful to integrated light emitters. The surface of a SiO 2 layer serving as a passivation layer for the light emitters was hydrolyzed to silanols using an in situ-hybridization chamber and catalyzed with MES (2-( N -morpholino)ethanesulfone acid hydrate) buffer solution. Subsequently, the substrates were silanized with the SSC method using two coupling agents as (3-Aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APMS), and N ′-(3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propyl)-diethylenetriamine (triamino-APMS). The structure of the SiO 2 surface, the APMS and the triamino-APMS layers was controlled and characterized by Infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show a covalent binding of the silane coupling agents on the surface. Atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the roughness of the surface. The silanized samples exhibit smooth and densely covered surfaces. Finally, the suitability of the SSC method was verified on real light emitters.

In this presentation we will review our recent progresses in the development of Si-based light emitters consisting of a MOS structure with a rare earth implanted SiO2 layer. Depending on the implanted element, namely Gd, Tb and Eu, the devices exhibit strong electroluminescence in the UV, the green and in the red spectral region. It will be shown that the implantation and annealing conditions during the fabrication strongly influence the microstructural, electrical and electro¬luminescence device properties and are of special importance for the efficiency and life time of future devices. In order to improve the stability of the devices, both LOCOS (local oxidation of Si) processing and additional protection layers made of SiON were applied to the devices. The advantages and the shortcomings of these light emitters regarding their efficiency, life time, electrical excitation conditions, cut-off frequencies and miniaturization potential are compared with the needs of smart photonic and biosensor applications. A special approach for utilizing the light emitters for the detection of organic pollutants in fluid media by fluorescence analysis is discussed in more detail. In this approach the light emitter is directly placed beneath the dye-labelled sample exciting the dye whose light emission can be recorded by a suitable external detector.

As defined by the IUCr, a material is a crystal if it has essentially a sharp diffraction pattern. Crystalline materials are wide spread in our today's life. More than 98 % of the solid fraction of the earth comprises crystalline matter, most of which are oxides. Single-crystals in particular are the basis for many applications – lasers, LEDs, sensors, etc. – and play an important role in fundamental research – for instance in materials science. The discipline that elucidates the impact of the crystal structure on the physical properties of particularly crystalline materials – crystallography – is of specific importance for the design of new materials. Moreover, crystallography can be utilized to establish new concepts and thus may contribute solving today's challenges in science and technology. Several technologies exist for the conversion of electric energy into, e. g. heat, light and motion or vice versa. In this context, this work highlights an approach based on the crystal coupling phenomenon pyroelectricity that can be adopted for energy conversion concepts. By means of pyroelectric crystals, waste heat can be converted into surface charges, which provide a manifold of applications. First, a comprehensive overview of more than 3000 known pyroelectric materials is given, including a categorization in terms of properties and crystallographic characteristics. In order to provide a high pyroelectric coefficient at certain temperatures, taking economic, ecologic and further material properties into account, promising materials are suggested and verified by a computer controlled thermal/electrical stimulation set-up. Several possible applications as, for instance, disinfection [1], and anti-icing are presented. Finally, an approach to convert waste heat into chemical energy, i. e. the generation of hydrogen, is introduced.

Energy conversion and storage has become the main challenge to satisfy the growing demand for renewable energy solutions as well as mobile applications. Nowadays, several technologies exist for the conversion of electric energy into e. g. heat, light and motion or vice versa. Among a large variety of storage concepts, the conversion of electrical in chemical energy is of great relevance in particular for location-independent use. Main factors that still limit the use of electrochemical cells are the volumetric and gravimetric energy density, cyclability as well as safety. The concept for a new thin-film rechargeable battery that possibly improves these properties is presented. In contrast to the widespread lithium-ion technology, the discussed battery is based on the redox reaction of multivalent Al-ions and their migration through solid electrolytes. The ion conduction and insertion processes in the crystalline materials of the suggested cell are discussed under a crystallographic point of view to identify suitable electrode and separator materials. A multilayer-stack of all-solid-state batteries is synthesized by pulsed laser deposition and investigated in situ, i. e. during charge and discharge, by X-ray reflection and diffraction methods. The correlation between crystal structure, morphology and electrical performance is investigated in order to characterize the ion diffusion and insertion process.

Because of their broad range of applications, electrochemical energy storage devices are the subject of a growing field of science and technology. Their unique features of high practical energy and power densities and low prices allow mobile and stationary applications. A large variety of electrochemical systems has been tailored for specific applications: Lithium-ion batteries for example have been optimized for mobile applications ranging from mobile phones to electric vehicles. On the other hand, sodium-sulphur accumulators – among others – have been developed for stationary applications to account for the capricious nature of renewable energies. Chemistry, physics and materials science have led to the optimization of existing cell-chemistries and the development of new concepts such as all-liquid or all-solid state batteries as well as high-energy density metal-air batteries. The aim of the BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany)-financed project "CryPhysConcept" is to develop new concepts for electrochemical energy storage applying a crystallographic approach. First, a categorization of the main solid components of batteries based on their underlying working principles is suggested. Second, an algorithm for the identification of suitable new materials and material combinations, based on economical, ecological and material properties as well as crystallographic parameters, is presented. Based on these results, new concepts using multi-valent metal ions are proposed. Theoretical as well as experimental results including an iron-ion approach are presented.