OF2i-A novel approach to Nanoparticle detection for the study of Intraocular-lenses

Master Thesis

OF2i-A novel approach to Nanoparticle detection for the study of Intraocular-lenses

OptoFluidic Force Induction (OF2i) is a novel technique that is specialized for the detection of micro- and nanoparticles. It uses a powerful laser to trap particles in a micro liquid stream and observe their motion. This allows a price determination of the size of single particles and a very high sensitivity to pollutants such as nanoplastics. OF2i is developed by the local startup BRAVE Analytics and more detailed description can be found on their homepage (https://www.braveanalytics.eu/).
The aim of this thesis is to apply OF2i to analyze the particle emission of intraocular lenses (IOLs). IOLs are used during cataract surgery, the most common surgery in medicine with over 30 million operations a year. Understanding their particle emission might be a crucial step to further reduce post operation complications, such as the posterior capsule opacification (PCO). To this end a comprehensive study of common IOL types particle emission is done in this master thesis using a standard filtration and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) approach as well as the new OF2i-technique. At the end of the thesis two questions should be answered: Are there differences in the particle emission of different IOL-types? How does the novel OF2i-techinque compare to standard methods?

The thesis is embedded in the NanoVISION-project, an interdisciplinary cooperation between FELMI-ZFE, Borkenstein & Borkenstein Fachärzt für Augenheilkunde & Optometrie and BRAVE Analytics GmbH. By that this thesis in introduces the master student into the main techniques used (OF2i, SEM), as well as the topics of optics, particle analysis and ophthalmology.


The thesis will be hosted at FELMI-ZFE and the ideal applicant has a strong interest in experimental work and will receive a financial support of € 2700,- (€ 450 for 6 months).
Addressed to Master students from the following fields: Technical Physics, Advanced Materials Science, Technical Chemistry


Dr. Harald Fitzek
Institut für Elektronenmikroskopie und Nanoanalytik
Steyrergasse 17 / III, 8010 Graz

Phone: +43 (0)316 873 8333
Fax: 43 (0)316 873 108333
e-mail: harald.fitzeknoSpam@felmi-zfe.at

 

Halogenated OPV Materials - A Blessing and a Curse?

The Austrian Centre for Electron Microscopy and Nanoanalysis (FELMI-ZFE), Austria’s leading electron microscopy facility, is offering a position as

Ph. D. Researcher (F/M/D) (30 hours per week)

in the Austrian Science Fund project “Halogenated OPV Materials - A Blessing and a Curse?” for a fixed term appointment of 3 years.
The stringent need to reduce extensive emission of CO2 to decelerate global warming makes research towards new materials and technologies for the supply of our society with clean energy one of the most important and challenging fields in today’s materials science. Solution-processable organic solar cell materials hold great promise to fulfil the needs for next generation photovoltaics (PV). However, in order to explore their full potential, there is a number of scientific challenges regarding material properties and their integration in device architectures to be overcome.
This project will focus on nanoscale characterization of modern fluorinated or chlorinated organic PV (OPV) materials in order to optimize their performance and stability.

Applications with a short CV should be sent to:

Prof. Gerald Kothleitner & Dr. Daniel Knez

Head of the Institute of Electron Microscopy and Nanoanalytics & Centre for Electron Microscopy (ZFE) Steyrergasse 17, 8010 Graz

Design von kunststoffbasierten Hochleistungsmaterialien mittels korrelativer Mikroskopie / Spektroskopie

Master Thesis

Die Herstellung von papierbasierten Produkten im täglichen Leben ist eine kaum präsente, jedoch höchst herausfordernde Aufgabe. Um die Produkte von morgen zu designen, ist ein massiver technologischer Unterbau erforderlich, in welchem Papierwalzen und insbesondere deren multifunktionale Hochleistungsbeschichtungen eine entscheidende Rolle spielen. In diesem Umfeld wurde ein kooperatives FFG BRIDGE Projekt ins Leben gerufen, welches das Material-Knowhow der Firma VOITH Austria Paper mit der Charakterisierungsexpertise des FELMI-ZFE kombiniert. Das übergeordnete Ziel ist der Verständnisaufbau, basierend auf Struktur-, Eigenschafts- und Funktionsbeziehungen, welcher als Kompass für die Weiter- und Neuentwicklung derartiger Hochleistungswerkstoffe dienen soll.

Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Karin Wewerka

MicroPIC (Microscopy For Plastics In Cereals)

Bachelor, Master and PhD theses are offered covering a wide range of topics in the areas of basic research on electron microscopical methods as well as application-related topics in cooperation with companies and projects together with TU Graz and ACR institutes.

Master-Thesis

Im Zuge des Projektes MicroPIC (Microscopy For Plastics In Cereals) erforscht das Zentrum für
Elektronenmikroskopie Graz (ZFE) die Aufnahme von Mikro- bzw. Nanoplastik (MNP) in
Getreidepflanzen. Ziel des Projektes ist es Methoden zum Nachweis dieser Partikel durch bildgebende,
korrelative Mikroskopie und Spektroskopie zu entwickeln. Damit sollen konkrete Aussagen über
Auswirkungen von Kunststoffteilchen im (Acker-) Boden auf Pflanzen und deren Weiterverarbeitung
für die Mehlherstellung gewonnen werden.

Für direkte Bewerbung oder Vorab-Informationen bitten wir Studierende um Kontaktaufnahme:

DI Dr. Johannes Rattenberger

 

Contact
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Institute of Electron Microscopy
and Nanoanalysis

Steyrergasse 17/III
8010 Graz

General Information
Verica Bursac
Phone: +43 (0) 316 873 8320
Fax: +43 (0) 316 373 8822
officenoSpam@felmi-zfe.at

Service Related Inquiries
Hartmuth Schröttner
Phone: +43 (0) 316 873 8349
hartmuth.schroettnernoSpam@felmi-zfe.at