Hochschule für Life Sciences FHNW

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Bereich: Suchergebnisse

Gerade angezeigt 1 - 10 von 505
  • Vorschaubild
    Publikation
    05 - Forschungs- oder Arbeitsbericht
  • Publikation
    Organic photovoltaics: Potential fate and effects in the environment
    (Elsevier, 2012) Zimmermann, Yannick-Serge; Schäffer, Andreas; Hugi, Christoph; Fent, Karl; Corvini, Philippe; Lenz, Markus
    In times of dwindling fossil fuels it is particularly crucial to develop novel “green” technologies in order to cover the increasing worldwide demand for energy. Organic photovoltaic solar cells (OPVs) are promising as a renewable energy source due to low energy requirement for production, low resource extraction, and no emission of greenhouse gasses during use. In contrast to silicium-based solar cells, OPVs offer the advantages of light-weight, semi-transparency and mechanical flexibility. As to a possible forthcoming large-scale production, the environmental impact of such OPVs should be assessed and compared to currently best available technologies. For the first time, this review compiles the existing knowledge and identifies gaps regarding the environmental impact of such OPVs in a systematic manner. In this regard, we discuss the components of a typical OPV layer by layer. We discuss the probability of enhanced release of OPV-borne components into the environment during use-phase (e.g. UV- and biodegradation) and end-of-life phase (e.g. incineration and waste disposal). For this purpose, we compiled available data on bioavailability, bioaccumulation, biodegradation, and ecotoxicity. Whereas considerable research has already been carried out concerning the ecotoxicity of certain OPV components (e.g. nanoparticles and fullerenes), others have not been investigated at all so far. In conclusion, there is a general lack of information about fate, behavior as well as potential ecotoxicity of most of the main OPV components and their degradation/transformation products. So far, there is no evidence for a worrying threat coming from OPVs, but since at present, no policy and procedures regarding recycling of OPVs are in action, in particular improper disposal upon end-of-life might result in an adverse effect of OPVs in the environment when applied in large-scale.
    01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
  • Publikation
    Augmented feedback system to support physical therapy of non-specific low back pain
    (Springer, 2010) Brodbeck, Dominique; Degen, Markus; Stanimirov, Michael; Kool, Jan; Scheermesser, Mandy; Oesch, Peter; Neuhaus, Cornelia; Fred, Ana; Filipe, Joaquim; Gamboa, Hugo
    Low back pain is an important problem in industrialized countries. Two key factors limit the effectiveness of physiotherapy: low compliance of patients with repetitive movement exercises, and inadequate awareness of patients of their own posture. The Backtrainer system addresses these problems by real-time monitoring of the spine position, by providing a framework for most common physiotherapy exercises for the low back, and by providing feedback to patients in a motivating way. A minimal sensor configuration was identified as two inertial sensors that measure the orientation of the lower back at two points with three degrees of freedom. The software was designed as a flexible platform to experiment with different hardware, and with various feedback modalities. Basic exercises for two types of movements are provided: mobilizing and stabilizing. We developed visual feedback - abstract as well as in the form of a virtual reality game - and complemented the on-screen graphics with an ambient feedback device. The system was evaluated during five weeks in a rehabilitation clinic with 26 patients and 15 physiotherapists. Subjective satisfaction of subjects was good, and we interpret the results as encouraging indication for the adoption of such a therapy support system by both patients and therapists.
    04B - Beitrag Konferenzschrift
  • Vorschaubild
    Publikation
    A mobile collaboration and decision support system for the medical emergency departement
    (SciTePress, 2012) Brodbeck, Dominique; Degen, Markus; Reiss, Maximilian; Conchon, Emmanuel; Correia, Carlos; Fred, Ana; Gamboa, Hugo
    A hospital emergency department is a complex work environment, where the availability of the right information at the right time is crucial for efficient and safe operation. The current technology in use for communication and information management is mostly based on telephones and stationary personal computers. Modern smartphones with their computational power, voice, image, and video capabilities have the potential to play a significant role in improving the flow of information in the emergency department. We developed a system that explicitly supports the work flows of an emergency department. In addition to mobile access to patient data and notifications about the availability of diagnostic findings, it provides the possibility to supply media captured on-site to the patient record, and directly supports the consultation process.
    04B - Beitrag Konferenzschrift
  • Publikation
    A method and tool for strategic hospital planning
    (Springer, 2015) Brodbeck, Dominique; Degen, Markus; Walter, Andreas; Reichlin, Serge; Napierala, Christoph; Fred, Ana; Gamboa, Hugo; Elias, Dirk
    We developed a visualization tool and a methodology to support strategic planning of hospital service portfolios. Hospitals in Switzerland are reimbursed with a fixed fee per case. The fixed-fee model makes medical services comparable from a financial point of view. In order to take advantage of this model, the data that characterizes the medical services must be operationalized. The method that we developed, centers around a visual metaphor that provides the basis for strategic thinking. It is complemented by a visualization tool that allows visualization, analysis, and modification of service portfolios. Special features enable the tool to be used during live planning sessions. We describe the method, the tool, and its application in strategy workshops for infrastructure planning, reorganization, and resource optimization decisions.
    04B - Beitrag Konferenzschrift
  • Vorschaubild
    Publikation
    Using membrane-supported liquid–liquid extraction for the measurement of extraction kinetics
    (Swiss Chemical Society, 2011) Riedl, Wolfgang; Mollet, Daniel; Grundler, Gerhard
    Membrane-supported liquid–liquid extraction uses artificial membranes for the generation of a phase interface between the two liquid phases involved in extraction. Additional equipment for the generation of droplets as well as phase separation afterwards is no longer necessary. Since the membranes used for this special type of extraction are quite well described concerning thickness, porosity, tortuosity and material it is possible to generate information about the diffusion coefficient of the component to be extracted within the preferred solvent from extraction trails easily. This article describes an experimental set-up for both the proof of principle of membrane-supported liquid–liquid extraction and, using a dedicated computer-aided data treatment, how to calculate the overall mass transfer coefficient as well as the diffusion coefficient for a given system within moderate testing duration.
    01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
  • Vorschaubild
    Publikation
    Energy-related chemical research at the universities of applied sciences
    (Swiss Chemical Society, 2013) Riedl, Wolfgang; Fischer, Fabian; Marti, Roger; Brühwiler, Dominik
    An overview of current activities in the field of energy-related chemical research at the Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences is presented.
    01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
  • Vorschaubild
    Publikation
    Sustainable Chemistry at the Universities of Applied Sciences
    (Swiss Chemical Society, 2012) Sanglard, Pauline; Rogano, Frank; Naef, Olivier; Riedl, Wolfgang; Crelier, Simon; Fischer, Fabian; Morganti, Franziska; Hinderling, Christian
    An overview of activities in the field of sustainable or 'green' chemistry at the Universities of Applied Sciences in Switzerland is presented.
    01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
  • Vorschaubild
    Publikation
    Reinigungseffektivität und Kavitationsrauschpegel bei Ultraschall-unterstützter wässriger Reinigung von Medizinprodukten
    (2012) Jung, Christiane; Budesa, Boris; Fässler, Fabian; Uehlinger, Robert; Müller, Thomas; Schaffner, Patrik; Bläsi, Simon; de Wild, Michael
    04B - Beitrag Konferenzschrift
  • Publikation
    Limestone nanoparticles as nanopore templates in polymer membranes. Narrow pore size distribution and use as self-wetting dialysis membranes
    (Royal Society of Chemistry, 2014) Kellenberger, Christoph R.; Pfleiderer, Florian C.; Raso, Renzo; Burri, Cornelia H.; Schumacher, Christoph M.; Grass, Robert N.; Stark, Wendelin J.
    Limestone nanoparticles can be used as nanopore templates to prepare porous polymeric films. Their application as membranes is so far strongly limited by the fact that these films are highly hydrophobic. In this study, a simple method is reported to directly produce self-wetting membranes by the template removal method. Triethyl citrate modified polyethersulfone and cellulose acetate membranes were produced using dissolvable limestone nanoparticles as pore templates. The nanoporous polymer films were used as dialysis membranes and characterized by means of buffer exchange rate, molecular weight cut-off, protein adsorption, pore size distribution and water contact angle. The herein prepared membranes were further benchmarked against commercially available dialysis membranes with comparable average pore size. They showed narrow pore size distributions, fast dialysis rates at low protein adsorption and molecular weight cut-off of around 12 kDa. Interestingly, the triethyl citrate modified polyethersulfone membranes displayed only moderate change in pore size distribution as a result of the plasticizer additive compared to pure polyethersulfone membranes. This is a matter of substantial interest considering the fact that additive modifications of membranes produced by the predominant phase inversion process typically show alterations in morphology that lead to undesired changes in membrane performance. Furthermore, dextran recovery analysis proved to meet the specific requirements for dialysis membrane characterization and benchmarking.
    01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift