Hochschule für Life Sciences FHNW

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An “Agile” project planning course. Learning by doing in process engineering education
(Elsevier, 07/2024) Riedl, Wolfgang; Brown, Andrew; Rausenberger, Julia [in: Education for Chemical Engineers]
Process engineering education requires a comprehensive foundation and practical application. To bridge the gap between theoretical education and market requirements, a "Project Planning Course” has been offered since 2018 as part of the MSc specialization in Chemical Engineering at the FHNW School of Life Sciences. The course didactics combines the principles of an “agile” teaching mindset and problem-based learning, which optimally support the experience of this module. Students had to work on unresolved real-world problems, make decisions based on incomplete information, and present their work in a board meeting role play with board members from industry. These situations represent typical real-world challenges for future chemical engineers. The results show that most of the students learned to cope with the unconventional teaching methodology. The students’ evaluations of the module have been very positive, especially the fact that the active participation of the students triggers the actual learning process - which means that the essential learning goal has been achieved.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Scaling down the heat transfer in multipurpose plants
(26.06.2024) Zogg, Andreas [in: Praxiszirkel Life Sciences 2024]
04B - Beitrag Konferenzschrift
Citizen science-based waste diaries. An exploratory case study of household waste in Switzerland
(MDPI, 30.04.2024) Breitenmoser, Lena; Behner, David; Baertsch, Alessia; Mondardini, Maria Rosa; Hugi, Christoph [in: Sustainability]
Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12) and national waste reduction goals require frequent waste analyses for monitoring and governance decisions. We developed and tested a citizen science (CS)-based household waste diary for ten consecutive days with 89 volunteer households in Switzerland as a complementary monitoring option to official composition analyses. Discrepancies between the CS-based household diary data and the official composition analyses ranged between 55–65% less reported waste quantities for minerals, compound products, and plastics and 80–90% less for paper, avoidable food waste, and glass. Household waste diaries should be digitalized and prolonged to 21–28 days, and volunteers from different demographic groups are needed to produce stratified, representative results. We conclude that a hybrid CS study design involving waste composition analyses and waste diaries could reduce self-reporting biases while increasing the monitoring frequencies of household waste compositions. CS-based hybrid household waste projects can be a powerful means to complement the measures identified in the 2022 Swiss action plan against food waste and for data reporting for the SDG 12.3 Food Waste Index.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Kontinuierliche Ethoxylierung
(25.04.2024) Zogg, Andreas; Zahnd, This; Brönnimann, Benedikt
Modellbasiertes Sicherheitskonzept für die Entwicklung einer kontinuierlichen Ethoxylierung. Modellvalidierung mittels kontinuierlichem Kalorimeter innerhalb einer Glove-Box.
06 - Präsentation
Tracking of a magnetically navigated millirobot with a magnetic-field camera
(IEEE, 10.04.2024) Vergne, Céline; Pinto Inácio, José Miguel; Quirin, Thomas; Sargent, David; Madec, Morgan; Pascal, Joris [in: IEEE Sensors Journal]
A significant progress has been made in the development of magnetic micromanipulation for minimally invasive surgery. The development of systems to localize millimeter-sized robots during magnetic manipulation without line-of-sight detection remains, however, a challenging task. In this study, we focused on the development of a tracking system aiming to fill this gap. A robot, which consists of a cylindrical magnet of 1-mm diameter, is localized using a 2-D array of 3-D magnetoresistive sensors. The system, also called magnetic-field camera (MFC), provides tracking of the robot with a refresh rate of 2 Hz. The developed tracking algorithm reaches a mean absolute error (MAE) for the position and the orientation of, respectively, 0.56 mm and 5.13° in 2-D. This system can be added to the existing magnetic manipulation systems (MMSs) allowing closed-loop control of the navigation. The performances of the MFC are not affected by an exposure to strong magnetic fields. Exposures up to 3 T have been validated. Increasing the integrability of the MFC into MMSs. The presented tracking system makes it possible to target applications, such as minimally invasive eye surgery or drug delivery. The high spatial and magnetic resolutions allow the tracking of magnetic particles, down to 200- μm diameter, when placed close to the surface. The system could also be suitable for the localization of small objects for 2-D biomanipulation.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Scattered and transmitted light as surrogates for activated carbon residual in advanced wastewater treatment processes. Investigating the influence of particle size
(Elsevier, 04/2024) Kirchen, Franziska; Fundneider, Thomas; Gimmel, Louis; Thomann, Michael; Pulfer, Michael; Lackner, Susanne [in: Water Research: X]
The use of powdered activated carbon (PAC) is a common process in advanced wastewater treatment to remove micropollutants. Retention and separation of PAC is essential as PAC loaded with micropollutants should not be released into the environment. Determining the activated carbon (AC) residual in the effluent poses a challenge, as there is currently no on-line measurement method. In this study, the correlation between turbidity, measured by scattered light, and absorption at wavelength of 550 nm (Absorption550 nm), measured by transmitted light, was investigated in relation to the AC residue. Linear correlations for turbidity (R2 = 0.95) and Absorption550 nm (R2 = 1.00) to AC concentrations were observed in both laboratory and full-scale experiments in a pilot plant where superfine PAC was added prior to Pile Cloth Media Filtration (PCMF). Decreasing the particle size (d50) while maintaining the same AC concentration leads to increased turbidity: Therefore, a fourfold reduction in d50 results in a 2- to 3-fold increase in turbidity, whereas a 30-fold reduction in d50 leads to a 6-to 8-fold increase. Furthermore, the original wastewater turbidity led to a parallel shift in the linear correlation between turbidity and AC. Coagulant doses of up to 400 mg Me3+/g AC resulted in a 50% reduction in turbidity. However, higher concentrations from 400 to 1,000 mg Me3+/g AC resulted in increased turbidity with only a 30% reduction compared to the initial turbidity. The study also highlights the significance of AC particle size in optical measurements, impacting result accuracy.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Development of a novel measurement setup to study and predict electrostatic discharges in agitated glass‐lined vessels
(Wiley, 12.02.2024) Brönnimann, Benedikt; Egli‐Tedesco, Daniel; Schwenzfeuer, Klaus; Zogg, Andreas [in: Helvetica Chimica Acta]
Two glass lined reactors in a launch platform facility operated by Syngenta have been damaged during the crystallization of an organic compound due to electrostatic discharges. The goal of this work was to design and commission a novel setup to measure charges and currents generated by this slurry in a laboratory‐scale reactor. An improved and more sophisticated setup was then proposed for possible implementation in Syngenta's own laboratories. With this novel setup, the electrostatic charging of stirred suspensions involving nonconductive solvents could be accurately measured in the context of a case study that involved the suspension that led to liner damages in the production facilities of Syngenta.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Kidins220 regulates the development of B cells bearing the λ light chain
(eLife Sciences Publications, 25.01.2024) Schaffer, Anna-Maria; Fiala, Gina Jasmin; Hils, Miriam; Natali, Eriberto; Babrak, Lmar; Herr, Laurenz Alexander; Romero-Mulero, Mari Carmen; Cabezas-Wallscheid, Nina; Rizzi, Marta; Miho, Enkelejda; Schamel, Wolfgang W.A.; Minguet, Susana [in: eLife]
The ratio between κ and λ light chain (LC)-expressing B cells varies considerably between species. We recently identified Kinase D-interacting substrate of 220 kDa (Kidins220) as an interaction partner of the BCR. In vivo ablation of Kidins220 in B cells resulted in a marked reduction of λLC-expressing B cells. Kidins220 knockout B cells fail to open and recombine the genes of the Igl locus, even in genetic scenarios where the Igk genes cannot be rearranged or where the κLC confers autoreactivity. Igk gene recombination and expression in Kidins220-deficient B cells is normal. Kidins220 regulates the development of λLC B cells by enhancing the survival of developing B cells and thereby extending the time-window in which the Igl locus opens and the genes are rearranged and transcribed. Further, our data suggest that Kidins220 guarantees optimal pre-BCR and BCR signaling to induce Igl locus opening and gene recombination during B cell development and receptor editing.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Author Correction. The dengue-specific immune response and antibody identification with machine learning
(Nature, 20.01.2024) Natali, Eriberto Noel; Horst, Alexander; Meier, Patrick; Greiff, Victor; Nuvolone, Mario; Babrak, Lmar Marie; Fink, Katja; Miho, Enkelejda [in: npj Vaccines]
Dengue virus poses a serious threat to global health and there is no specific therapeutic for it. Broadly neutralizing antibodies recognizing all serotypes may be an effective treatment. High-throughput adaptive immune receptor repertoire sequencing (AIRR-seq) and bioinformatic analysis enable in-depth understanding of the B-cell immune response. Here, we investigate the dengue antibody response with these technologies and apply machine learning to identify rare and underrepresented broadly neutralizing antibody sequences. Dengue immunization elicited the following signatures on the antibody repertoire: (i) an increase of CDR3 and germline gene diversity; (ii) a change in the antibody repertoire architecture by eliciting power-law network distributions and CDR3 enrichment in polar amino acids; (iii) an increase in the expression of JNK/Fos transcription factors and ribosomal proteins. Furthermore, we demonstrate the applicability of computational methods and machine learning to AIRR-seq datasets for neutralizing antibody candidate sequence identification. Antibody expression and functional assays have validated the obtained results.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
The dengue-specific immune response and antibody identification with machine learning
(Nature, 20.01.2024) Natali, Eriberto Noel; Horst, Alexander; Meier, Patrick; Greiff, Victor; Nuvolone, Mario; Babrak, Lmar Marie; Fink, Katja; Miho, Enkelejda [in: npj Vaccines]
Dengue virus poses a serious threat to global health and there is no specific therapeutic for it. Broadly neutralizing antibodies recognizing all serotypes may be an effective treatment. High-throughput adaptive immune receptor repertoire sequencing (AIRR-seq) and bioinformatic analysis enable in-depth understanding of the B-cell immune response. Here, we investigate the dengue antibody response with these technologies and apply machine learning to identify rare and underrepresented broadly neutralizing antibody sequences. Dengue immunization elicited the following signatures on the antibody repertoire: (i) an increase of CDR3 and germline gene diversity; (ii) a change in the antibody repertoire architecture by eliciting power-law network distributions and CDR3 enrichment in polar amino acids; (iii) an increase in the expression of JNK/Fos transcription factors and ribosomal proteins. Furthermore, we demonstrate the applicability of computational methods and machine learning to AIRR-seq datasets for neutralizing antibody candidate sequence identification. Antibody expression and functional assays have validated the obtained results.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Prozessoptimierung von 4 Stufen zur Herstellung eines Pharma-Zwischenprodukts
(Hochschule für Life Sciences FHNW, 2024) Güner, Merve; Zogg, Andreas
11 - Studentische Arbeit
Geometric cuts by an autonomous laser osteotome increase stability in mandibular reconstruction with free fibula grafts. A cadaver study
(Elsevier, 2024) Gottsauner, Maximilian; Morawska, Marta M.; Tempel, Simon; Müller-Gerbl, Magdalena; Dalcanale, Federico; de Wild, Michael; Ettl, Tobias [in: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery]
Background Nonunion and plate exposure represent a major complication after mandibular reconstruction with free fibula flaps. These drawbacks may be resolved by geometric osteotomies increasing intersegmental bone contact area and stability. Purpose The aim of this study was to compare intersegmental bone contact and stability of geometric osteotomies to straight osteotomies in mandibular reconstructions with free fibula grafts performed by robot-guided erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser osteotomy.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Development of a tool for the automated visualization of batch recipes
(Hochschule für Life Sciences FHNW, 2024) Gentner, Jannick; Zogg, Andreas; Bachem AG
11 - Studentische Arbeit
Modeling-based approach towards quality by design for a telescoped process
(Schweizerische Chemische Gesellschaft, 2024) Zahnd, This; Kandziora, Maja; Levis, Michael K.; Zogg, Andreas [in: Chimia]
A telescoped, two-step synthesis was investigated by applying Quality by Design principles. A kinetic model consisting of 12 individual reactions was successfully established to describe the synthesis and side reactions. The resulting model predicts the effects of changes in process parameters on total yield and quality. Contour plots were created by varying process parameters and displaying the model predicted process response. The areas in which the process response fulfils predetermined quality requirements are called design spaces. New ranges for process parameters were explored within these design spaces. New conditions were found that increased the robustness of the process and allowed for a considerable reduction of the used amounts of a reagent. Further optimizations, based on the newly generated knowledge, are expected. Improvements can either be direct process improvements or enhancements to control strategies. The developed strategies can also be applied to other processes, enhancing upcoming and preexisting research and development efforts.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Life cycle assessment of a novel production route for scandium recovery from bauxite residues
(Elsevier, 2024) Hengevoss, Dirk; Misev, Victor; Feigl, Viktória; Fekete-Kertész, Ildikó; Molnár, Mónika; Balomenos, Efthymios; Davris, Panagiotis; Hugi, Christoph; Lenz, Markus [in: Cleaner Waste Systems]
Scandium (Sc) has various technological applications, but the concentrations of Sc in ores are low. Both, the mining of low concentrated Sc and the production of industrial-grade Sc are a heavy burden on the environment. Bauxite residue (BR) from alumina production represents one of the major sources of Sc in Europe (Ochsenkühn-Petropulu et al., 1994). The goal of this study is to assess the environmental impacts from cradle to gate of a novel production route developed in the Scandium Aluminium Europe project (SCALE) to extract Sc at concentrations <100 ppm from BR, to concentrate and upgrade it to pure ScF3 and Sc2O3 and ultimately to refine it to an aluminium scandium master alloy with 2 % Sc mass fraction (AlSc2 %). Results show that the global warming potential (GWP), measured in CO2-eq per kg Sc2O3, generated with the novel route is about half the GWP of the state-of-the-art Sc2O3 production from rare earth tailings when applying equal allocation principles. The initial process step to dissolve BR and extract Sc consumes elevated amounts of acid and energy and is responsible for at least 80 % of the route’s total environmental impact. The amount of the generated filter cake (FC) is equal to the amount of the BR input and is a potential resource for cement clinker production. The ecotoxicological study indicates that both FC and BR are slightly ecotoxic.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Geometric cuts by an autonomous laser osteotome increase stability in mandibular reconstruction with free fibula grafts. A cadaver study
(Elsevier, 2024) Gottsauner, Maximilian; Morawska, Marta M.; Tempel, Simon; Müller-Gerbl, Magdalena; Dalcanale, Federico; de Wild, Michael; Ettl, Tobias [in: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery]
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Circularity and environmental sustainability of organic and printed electronics
(Jenny Stanford Publishing, 2024) Le Blévennec, Kévin; Hengevoss, Dirk; Zimmermann, Yannick-Serge; Brun, Nadja; Hugi, Christoph; Lenz, Markus; Corvini, Philippe; Fent, Karl; Nisato, Giovanni; Lupo, Donald; Rudolf, Simone [in: Organic and printed electronics. Fundamentals and applications]
In this chapter, the possible role and impact of organic and printed electronics (OPE) in a transition toward a circular economy and more sustainable society will be discussed. The learning targets are twofold: first, understanding main environmental issues associated with the emerging field of OPE, and second, identifying, through a systemic perspective, the enabling potential of these technologies.
04A - Beitrag Sammelband
High-throughput silica nanoparticle detection for quality control of complex early life nutrition food matrices
(American Chemical Society, 2024) Maffeis, Viviana; Otter, Andrea; Düsterloh, André; Kind, Lucy; Palivan, Cornelia; Saxer, Sina [in: ACS Omega]
The addition of nanomaterials to improve product properties has become a matter of course for many commodities: e.g., detergents, cosmetics, and food products. While this practice improves product characteristics, the increasing exposure and potential impact of nanomaterials (<100 nm) raise concerns regarding both the human body and the environment. Special attention should be taken for vulnerable individuals such as those who are ill, elder, or newborns. But detecting and quantifying nanoparticles in complex food matrices like early life nutrition (ELN) poses a significant challenge due to the presence of additional particles, emulsion-droplets, or micelles. There is a pressing demand for standardized protocols for nanoparticle quantification and the specification of “nanoparticle-free” formulations. To address this, silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), commonly used as anticaking agents (AA) in processed food, were employed as a model system to establish characterization methods with different levels of accuracy and sensitivity versus speed, sample handling, and automatization. Different acid treatments were applied for sample digestion, followed by size exclusion chromatography. Morphology, size, and number of NPs were measured by transmission electron microscopy, and the amount of Si was determined by microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry. This successfully enabled distinguishing SiNP content in ELN food formulations with 2–4% AA from AA-free formulations and sorting SiNPs with diameters of 20, 50, and 80 nm. Moreover, the study revealed the significant influence of the ELN matrix on sample preparation, separation, and characterization steps, necessitating method adaptations compared to the reference (SiNP in water). In the future, we expect these methods to be implemented in standard quality control of formulation processes, which demand high-throughput analysis and automated evaluation.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Lipid based formulations as supersaturating oral delivery systems. From current to future industrial applications
(Elsevier, 01.10.2023) Holm, René; Kuentz, Martin; Ilie-Spiridon, Alexandra-Roxana; Griffin, Brendan T. [in: European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences]
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Leveraging the use of in vitro and computational methods to support the development of enabling oral drug products. An InPharma commentary
(Elsevier, 01.09.2023) Reppas, Christos; Kuentz, Martin; Bauer-Brandl, Annette; Carlert, Sara; Dallmann, André; Dietrich, Shirin; Dressman, Jennifer; Ejskjaer, Lotte; Frechen, Sebastian; Guidetti, Matteo; Holm, René; Holzem, Florentin Lukas; Karlsson, Εva; Kostewicz, Edmund; Panbachi, Shaida; Paulus, Felix; Senniksen, Malte Bøgh; Stillhart, Cordula; Turner, David B.; Vertzoni, Maria; Vrenken, Paul; Zöller, Laurin; Griffin, Brendan T.; O'Dwyer, Patrick J. [in: European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences]
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift

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