The electrochemical scanning tunneling microscope (EC-STM) is a microscopy technique couple with an electrochemical technique such as cyclic voltammetry. The EC-STM employed in the laboratory of Chemical Sciences of University of Padua permits the imaging of smooth surface with atomic resolution at the solid-liquid interface; practically this technique permits to see the surface atoms in the presence of an electrolytic solution.

Biochemistry laboratories at the “Center for Nanoscience and Technology” of the Italian Institute of Technology in Milano (Italy)

In the Biochemistry Lab at the CNST-IIT in Milano, researchers focus on the X-ray structure determination of proteins and other biological molecules for a diverse set of applications such as drug design or tissue engineering and for the elucidation of fundamental biological processes.

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Use of SONICA® ultrasonic bath for the extraction of atmospheric particulate matter from Teflon filters

Polaris Research Center, related to the Department of Environmental Sciences of the University of Milan Bicocca, has been using the SONICA® ultrasonic extractor for the extraction of both polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and atmospheric particulate matter (PM) from the filters (figure 1).

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Figure 1: SONICA ultrasonic bath for the extraction of atmospheric particulate matter.

The efficiency of the PAHs extraction process from atmospheric particulate matter samples has been previously analyzed and published by the Polaris Center’s researchers. The research paper describes the use of this instrument for the extraction of PM in order to carry out toxicological studies on in vitro systems. The procedure for the extraction of the PM is very different from the one concerning the extraction of the PAHs. The main difference is represented by the necessity to work in a sterile environment since the extracted PM will be used to treat cultured cells. In fact, any bacteria or fungus would infect the culture. This is why the instruments used during the extraction process (tweezers, scalpels, vials) need to be previously sterilized through a cycle of ethanol washing and some phases of this process are performed under a sterile flow hood.

First of all, the PM is sampled with the low volume gravimetric system on Teflon filters (with a diameter of 47mm) which are stored at -20°C until extraction. This step prevents the proliferation of atmospheric bacteria in the sampled PM and the evaporation of volatile compounds.

The filters then undergo the extraction process: they are detached from their plastic holders by using previously sterilized tweezers and scalpels (figure 2) and are placed in a sterilized amber vial with 2 ml of sterile water. Since the filter is completely immersed in the organic solvent during the entire extraction phase, it is held at the bottom of the vial by a special SONICA® spacer made from special steel. The vial is then inserted in the extraction support and placed in the ultrasonic bath for 20 minutes. In this amount of time the water will tend to get warmer: it is important to avoid this kind of situation since it could cause the evaporation, therefore the loss, of the volatile compounds. This is why the tank of the extractor is filled with cold water (4°C).

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Figure 2: the Teflon filters are detached from the plastic holders; sterile tweezers, scalpels and gloves are used to avoid contamination and the whole process is done under a laminar flow sterile hood. The filters are black because of the presence of PM.

At the end of this first sonication the extract is removed from the vial and stored in a sterile container until the whole extraction process is over. Once again the vial is filled with 2 ml of sterile water and the extraction cycle repeated. 4 sonication cycles of 20 minutes each are performed in order to make the extraction process more efficient. At the end of the 4 cycles the amount of extract obtained is 8 ml. It is then placed in sterile plastic vials previously calibrated and dried with a drier that has been arrayed with silica gel (figure 3).

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Figure 3: Drier with silica gel.

The drying process takes approximately three days in which the samples are stored in a dark place to prevent possible phytochemical reactions of the chemical compound. Once this process is over the vials are weighted once again to quantify the extracted PM, which is then stored at -20°C until it has to be used. It is now resuspended at a 2ug/ul concentration and used for the exposition of the cells in culture.

Milan, January 9^th 2013

Marina Camatini

President of the Polaris Research Center

Polaris Research Center - Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan

www.polaris.unimib.it

Download della relazione della Prof.ssa Marina Camatini Presidente del Centro di Ricerca Polaris afferente al Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente e del Territorio e di Scienze della Terra dell'Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca

In the Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory at the I.R.C.C.S Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Dr. Matteo Moretti uses a SONICA ultrasonic cleaner to wash and decontaminate the polymeric material growth rooms.

Below is described how the ultrasonic cleaner and the SONICA CL4% disinfectant soap are used.

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Bioreactor prototypes for tissue engineering are developed in this laboratory. One day they will permit the creation in vitro of functional biological tissue that could be directly implanted in human beings.

These prototypes use growth rooms made of polymeric material in which three dimensional holders called scaffolds are placed. First of all, the cells are seed on the scaffolds and then they are stimulated to produce extracellular matrix through interstitial perfusion in a bioreactor.

During these research the growth rooms in which the tests are performed are used several times. It is therefore necessary to make sure that there are no biological residuals in the rooms before the autoclave sterilisation process. In addition, a manual cleaning process would not guarantee the same efficiency.

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The ultrasonic cleaner SONICA 2200MH together with SONICA CL4% detergent allows the cleaning and decontamination of the growth rooms. It is only necessary to rinse them thoroughly with demineralised water before the sterilisation process.

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All the information above regarding the cleaning and decontamination process of the bioreactor prototypes performed with SONICA have been released by:

Matteo Moretti, Ph.D.
Head of Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory,
I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi

Download the full article here.

The case history of FRM II Forschungs Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz

The Forschungs-Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) is the leading German
research reactor. It is situated in Garching near Munich and it is operated by the
Technische Universität München.

Dr. Fabio Tordonato from the Enology Center in Pozzuolo del Friuli (UD) uses a SONICA 3200 EP ultrasonic cleaner to degas the wine samples that will be analysed in infrared spectroscopy.

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Use of SONICA, Soltec’s ultrasonic cleaner

In our laboratory the ultrasonic cleaner has multiple uses. It is used for the solubilization of substances in water and other solutions and to clean the laboratory’s glass-works. However, its main use is the “degasification” function, which means to reduce the quantity of CO₂ in those wine samples that will be analyzed in infrared spectroscopy.

CO₂ is found in all wines and it can alter the result of the infrared spectroscopy tests since it creates bubbles in the instrument that performs the analysis. In order to avoid this, some samples are immersed in the ultrasonic cleaner for a 5 minutes cycle. At the end of it the samples are ready to be processed in the infrared spectrophotometer.

This has been a very efficient process to eliminate the CO₂ from the fermenting must and sparkling wines, both with the classical method (Champenois) and in autoclave.

From the tests performed in our laboratory, it resulted that Soltec’s ultrasonic cleaner is perfect for this kind of activity. In fact, wines or any liquids containing CO₂ can be treated quickly and easily, reducing the CO₂ quantity below the 1.5 g/L critical threshold. However, it is important to change the water frequently so that the rising temperature won’t make the alcohol evaporate.

In the images below you can see how the ultrasonic cleaner in our laboratory and the whole process the wine samples go through.

Dott. Fabio Tordonato

Centro di Riferimento Enologico S.r.l.
Via IV Genova n°9
33050 Pozzuolo del Friuli (UD)

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Fig. 1 Wine samples in the ultrasonic cleaner during the degasification process.

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Fig. 2 Wine samples in the ultrasonic cleaner during the degasification process.

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Fig. 3 SONICA ultrasonic cleaner in our laboratory.

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Fig. 4 Analysis of wine samples that has been through the degasification process.

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Fig. 5 Sparkling wine samples on the holder.

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Fig. 6 Sparklig wine samples ready to go through the CO₂ elimination process.

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Fig. 7  Sparklig wine samples during the degasification process.

The case history of Narcodont clinic in Milan

The case history of Narcodont clinic in Milan
 

Narcodont is a structure that includes services of Narcodontostomatology and is situated in the city centre of Milan. The structure consist of operating theatres equipped with anaesthesiologic, surgical and high level dental material and of recovery rooms at odontologists' disposal in case of odontostomatologic operation in general anaesthetic, in local anaesthetic or in anesthesiologic assistance. Silla cavaliere, hospital assistant of Narcodont's nursing staff, gave us her personal evidence on the use of  the ultrasonic cleaner SONICA® and its accessories for the ultrasonic decontamination  and cleaning of all the surgical instruments, before the sterilization in autoclave, used in Narcodont's operating rooms.

The flush-mountable versions of SONICA^® ultrasonic cleaning units have been specially designed to be built into an already-existing work surface (for example a laboratory bench or sterilisation room). For the correct usage please read carefully the instruction manual of this special version of ultrasonic cleaner included with the product (warnings and advice, electrical connection, installation, operating instructions, etc.).

How is realized a Flush-mountable SONICA^® ultrasonic cleaners for dental clinics ?

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The unit must be flush-mounted and installed on the work surface by skilled technicians. Check that there is sufficient ventilation inside the bench or work surface
where the unit is to be installed and that there are no sources of heat or humidity.
The unit must be mounted and installed exactly as the manufacturer supplies it.
Under no circumstances must the control panel or parts of it be removed or separated since this would jeopardise the electrical safety and functioning of the unit.

How to install the unit correctly (Notes for the installer)

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1. Cut out the work surface following the shape and measurements of the design supplied with the unit.
2. Insert the unit inside the
flush-mounting housing and seal the outer steel rim with the silicone or equivalent sealing product.
3. Check that the entire rim is perfectly sealed to the work surface in order to prevent any liquid infiltrations that might
damage the structure of the bench surface
and the unit.
4. Connect the drainage tube and
turn off the tap.
5. Connect the supply lead to the unit and then the plug to the electric socket.
6. Before switching on the unit, pour water and the washing liquid into the stainless steel tank until a maximum level of 3 cm from
the upper edge of the tank taking care not to wet the control panel and not to spill liquid outside the tank.
7. Proceed with switching on the unit following the operating instructions described in the chapters referring to the supplied version (ETH – EP).
8. Use the drainage tube to empty the tank and pour the liquid into a container suitable for this operation.

SONICA 4300 S3 benchtop ultrasonic cleaner

SONICA 4300 S3 is a benchtop ultrasonic cleaner designed for a lot of applictions.

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The typical applications are:

• Industry for precision bearings cleaning, switches a motor parts cleaning, metal, resin and plastic cleaning parts, gears precision cleaning.
• Scientific labs for lab glassware cleaning, test tube and pipettes cleaning, eyeglass frames, scientific mechanical parts components cleaning
• Electronics for PCB cleaning, SMD, electronic components, capacitors.
• Medical, dental and veterinary for surgical instruments cleaning, burs and dentures cleaning.
• Jewelery for watches parts cleaning, clock movements cleaning, precious metal cleaning, chains, gemstones and coins cleaning

SONICA 3200L S3 ultrasonic pipettes and glassware cleaner.

Benchtop SONICA 3200L S3 ultrasonic cleaner is designed for cleaning pipettes and other tubular glassware.

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This type of  ultrasonic cleaner, is particulary useful for medical, surgical, scientific and chemical laboratories.

Its tank size ( 500x140x100 mm ) makes it ideal for cleaning large surgical and veterinary instruments