Classification of (micro)plastics using cathodoluminescence and machine learning

Microplastics are a growing environmental and toxicological concern, having been found in the remotest locations of the earth and within multiple organs of the human body. However, the scale of the problem is not yet fully known as the smallest micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) cannot accurately be measured due to limitations in measurement and...

Conductivity Enhancement of Binder-Based Graphene Inks by Photonic Annealing and Subsequent Compression Rolling

This paper describes a combination of photonic annealing and compression rolling to improve the conductive properties of printed binder-based graphene inks. High-density light pulses result in temperatures up to 500 °C that along with a decrease of resistivity lead to layer expansion. The structural integrity of the printed layers is restored...

Effect of package light transmittance on the vitamin content of milk, part 3: Fortified UHT low-fat milk

This work is the third and last part of a milk study evaluating the effect of package light transmittance on the vitamin content of milk, in this case on fortified UHT low-fat milk. The milk was stored under light with an intensity of 700 lux in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles with varying light transmittance to monitor the changes in...

Typical diffusion behaviour in packaging polymers - Application to functional barriers

When plastics are collected for recycling, possibly contaminated articles might be recycled into food packaging, and thus the contaminants might subsequently migrate into the food. Multilayer functional barriers may be used to delay and to reduce such migration. The contribution of the work reported here is to establish reference values (at 40°C...

Adhesion strength study between plasma treated polyester fibres and a rubber matrix

In this work, the adhesion strength between poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibres and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) was studied. The effects of atmospheric plasma treatment, used to increase adhesion strength between PET fibres and the rubber matrix, were investigated and compared. It was confirmed that lubricants on the fibres caused a...

Ingrowth of aorta wall into stent grafts impregnated with basic fibroblast growth factor: A porcine in vivo study of blood vessel prosthesis healing

Objective: Endovascular aneurysm repair is an alternative treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm. The procedure is less invasive, and morbidity and most probably mortality are reduced. However, some problems, such as endoleakage, are yet to be resolved. Endoleakage can occur after graft migration, as a result of insufficient fixation of the...

Ingrowth of aorta vascular cells into basic fibroblast growth factor-impregnated vascular prosthesis material: A porcine and human in vitro study on blood vessel prosthesis healing

Objective: One of the most life-threatening vascular diseases is rupture of an abdominal aneurysm. The conventional treatment is based on surgical reconstruction. An alternative treatment is endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Despite many advantages, one of the problems of EVAR is endoleakage from deficient healing between the aortic neck and...

Quality and safety aspects of reusable plastic food packaging materials: Influence of reuse on intrinsic properties

The aim of the project was to develop a comprehensive package of quality assurance criteria for use by the industry and by regulatory authorities to ensure the quality and safety-in-use (sensory, microbiological and chemical safety) of reused plastics for food packaging. The paper describes the investigations into potential adulteration effects...

Molar mass of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) during ultimate uniaxial drawing

The changes of the average molar mass Mw, Mn, Mz, and molar mass distributions during multistep uniaxial drawing of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) to achieve ultimate mechanical properties have been studied in detail by means of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with triple detection: concentration, viscosimetry, and light scattering,...

Quality and safety aspects of reusable plastic food packaging materials: A European study to underpin future legislation

The objective of this study was to develop a comprehensive package of quality assurance criteria for use by industry and regulatory authorities for ensuring the quality and safety-in-use (sensory, microbiological and chemical) of reused plastics for food packaging. The study included thermal degradation effects, flavour carry-over caused by...

HACCP approach to ensure the safety and quality of food packaging

EC Directive 93/43/EEC of 14 June 1993 on the hygiene of food stuffs has been implemented in the Netherlands through the Food and Commodity Act (Warenwet) of 14 December 1995. This Directive requires food companies to identify steps in their activities that are critical to ensuring food safety, and to ensure that adequate safety procedures are...

Acetaldehyde in mineral water stored in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles: Odour threshold and quantification

The use of PET bottles for packaging soft drinks and mineral waters is still growing world wide. The production process for these bottles is improving constantly. These improvements are focussed on bottles with better barrier properties, higher inertness and higher heat stability. One of the factors determining the quality of PET bottles is the...

Polyethylene terephthalate bottles (PRBs): A health and safety assessment

As part of a multi-client project, the potential public health risks of the reuse of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) refillable bottles (PRBs) following possible misuse has been investigated. Participants in the project provided data and information from previous studies conducted independently at contract laboratories. These studies were...