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ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) is a new material possessing unique physico-chemical properties such as a high electrical conductivity and high mechanical resistance with potential interest for numerous industrial applications. In the literature some cases of pneumopathy (interstitial pneumonia, emphysema) were reported in workers exposed to ITO dusts. In this context, it seems important to better characterize the toxic potential of these particles in order to protect the health of workers. The aim of the study was (1) to assess the biopersistence of ITO particles in the lung, (2) to characterize the pulmonary response after exposure to ITO particles and finally (3) to determine the cellular type involved in the pathogenesis of the disease induced by ITO particles. It is well established that biopersistence is an important factor determining the biological toxicity of inorganic particles. The data show that ITO particles instilled in Wistar rats (2 and 20 mg) are not totally eliminated after 60 days and point to a potential toxicity of these particles. The pulmonary response was then assessed in rats after pharyngeal aspiration of saline (controls, NaCl 0.9%), tin oxide (SnO2, 0.2 and 2mg), indium oxide (In2O3 1.8 and 18mg), a mixture of both oxides (MIX, 2 and 20mg) and ITO particles (2 and 20mg). The inflammatory response was assessed by measuring LDH activity, total protein, TNF- α and inflammatory cell numbers in the bronchoalveolar lavage at 3, 15, 30 and 60 days after treatment. The amplitude of the fibrotic response was also assessed by measuring hydroxyproline, soluble collagen and fibronectin levels in the lung at days 15, 30 and 60 after treatment. An histological analysis completed the study. Our results indicate that ITO particles induced a marked and persistent (until 60 days) pulmonary inflammation. No fibrosis was observed 60 days after treatment with ITO particles. Exposure of different cell types in vitro indicated that ITO particles are toxic to macrophages but no to epithelial cells, from 2 animal species (rat and mouse). Altogether, these data suggest that ITO particles are toxic for the lung. In this context, industrial hygiene measures should be taken to minimize exposure during the manipulation of ITO materials. Complementary experimental studies are necessary to better characterize the toxicity of ITO particles. L'indium-tin oxide (ITO) est un nouveau matériau constitué d'un mélange d'oxyde d'indium (In2O3) et d'oxyde d'étain (SnO2) présentant des propriétés physico-chimiques intéressantes dans de nombreuses applications industrielles. Dans la littérature, plusieurs cas de pneumopathies (alvéolite fibrosante, emphysème pulmonaire) ont été rapportés chez des travailleurs exposés à des poussières de cet alliage. Dans ce contexte, il apparaît important de préciser le potentiel toxique des particules de ITO afin de protéger la santé des travailleurs exposés. Le but de cette étude est, dans un premier temps, d'évaluer la persistance des particules de ITO dans le poumon (biopersistance); dans un second temps, de déterminer in vivo la réponse pulmonaire inflammatoire et fibrotique suite à l'exposition à ces particules; et enfin de déterminer in vitro le type cellulaire impliqué dans la pathogenèse induite par les particules de ITO. Il est connu que la biopersistance est un facteur déterminant dans la toxicité de particules inorganiques. Nos résultats indiquent qu'une fraction de la dose de particules de ITO instillée persiste dans le poumon après 2 mois, soulignant le caractère potentiellement toxique de ces particules. La réponse pulmonaire a ensuite été évaluée suite à l'administration par aspiration pharyngée de solution saline (situation contrôle, NaCl 0.9%), d'oxyde d'étain (SnO2, 0.2 ou 2mg/rat), d'oxyde d'indium (In2O3 1.8 ou 18mg/rat), d'un mélange de ces deux oxydes (MIX, 2 ou 20mg/rat) ou de particules de ITO (2 ou 20mg/rat) chez le rat. Nous avons d'abord évalué la réponse inflammatoire grâce à la détermination de l'activité de la lactate déshydrogénase (LDH), des protéines totales, du nombre de cellules inflammatoires et du TNF-α dans le lavage broncho-alvéolaire (LBA) et cela 3, 15, 30, et 60 jours après le traitement. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons estimé l'amplitude de la réponse fibrotique en dosant différents paramètres : l'hydroxyproline, le collagène soluble ainsi que la fibronectine 3, 15, 30 et 60 jours après traitement. Une analyse histologique à 3 et 60 jours complète cette étude. Nos résultats indiquent que les particules de ITO induisent une réponse inflammatoire intense et persistante au cours du temps (jusqu'à 60 jours). Par contre, aucune réaction fibrotique n'est observée 60 jours après l'administration de particules de ITO. Enfin, l'exposition de cultures cellulaires aux différentes particules indiquent que les particules de ITO sont cytotoxiques pour les macrophages alors qu'aucun effet n'est observé sur des cellules épithéliales alvéolaires de type II, et ce dans deux modèles expérimentaux (cellules de souris et de rat). Ces résultats indiquent que les particules de ITO possèdent un potentiel toxique. Dans ce contexte, la mise en œuvre de mesures d'hygiène industrielle se justifie pour réduire l'exposition lors de la manipulation des particules de ITO. La caractérisation du potentiel toxique des particules de ITO doit être poursuivie.

indium tin oxide --- Lung Diseases --- Toxicity

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A short introduction to the theory of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) is given. The application of the SPPs in on-chip signal processing is discussed. In particular, two concepts of plasmonic modulators are reported, wherein the SPPs are modulated by 40 Gbit/s electrical signals. Phase and Mach-Zehnder modulators employing the Pockels effect in electro-optic organic materials are discussed. A few micro-meter long SPP absorption modulator based on a thin layer of indium-tin-oxide is reported.

phase modulator --- indium tin oxide --- Plasmonik --- surface plasmon polariton --- Indium-Zinn-Oxid --- Oberfla?chen-Plasmon-Polaritonen --- Plasmonics --- Modulatoren --- modulators --- Absorptionsmodulator --- Phasenmodulator --- absorption modulator

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The Special Issue contains ten research papers, three of which review papers. It is a miscellaneous composition encompassing several applications where metal oxides play a key role. Some papers also give insights into novel synthesis methods and processes aiming to reduce negative environmental impacts and increase materials and process efficiency, thus also covering a broader concern of sustainability issues. The topics covered in this issues are: transparent conductive oxides, ceramic composites for tool applications, oxides nanoparticles for A-TIG welding, critical raw materials saving, metallurgical waste treatment, oxides for high temperature applications, nanostructured oxides and composites for gas sensing and desulfuration, and metal oxides sorbents for CO2 capture.

History of engineering & technology --- indium tin oxide (ITO) --- invar metal substrate --- curved perovskite solar cells --- flexibility --- reflectance --- electrode --- RHF --- deposition --- KCl --- ZnFe2O4 --- cohering mechanism --- oxide coating --- nanoparticles --- TIG welding --- penetration depth --- hard facing --- cobalt alloys --- wear --- nano-particle coating --- A-TIG welding --- particle size --- metal flow --- alumina–zirconia composites --- TiC --- TiN --- spark plasma sintering --- wear resistance --- indentation fracture toughness --- X-ray diffraction --- WO3 --- ionic liquids --- gas sensor --- pollutant gases --- desulfurization --- In doped ZnO --- bibliometric analysis --- thin films --- metal oxides --- zirconia --- rare earth zirconates --- thermal barrier coatings --- microstructure characterization --- thermal shock resistance --- CO2 capture --- calcium looping --- nanometric CaZrO3 particles --- n/a --- alumina-zirconia composites

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Microelectrode arrays are increasingly used in a wide variety of situations in the medical device sector. For example, one major challenge in microfluidic devices is the manipulation of fluids and droplets effectively at such scales. Due to the laminar flow regime (i.e., low Reynolds number) in microfluidic devices, the mixing of species is also difficult, and unless an active mixing strategy is employed, passive diffusion is the only mechanism that causes the fluid to mix. For many applications, diffusion is considered too slow, and thus many active pumping and mixing strategies have been employed using electrokinetic methods, which utilize a variety of simple and complex microelectrode array structures. Microelectrodes have also been implemented in in vitro intracellular delivery platforms to conduct cell electroporation on chip, where a highly localized electric field on the scale of a single cell is generated to enhance the uptake of extracellular material. In addition, microelectrode arrays are utilized in different microfluidic biosensing modalities, where a higher sensitivity, selectivity, and limit-of-detection are desired. Carbon nanotube microelectrode arrays are used for DNA detection, multi-electrode array chips are used for drug discovery, and there has been an explosion of research into brain–machine interfaces, fueled by microfabricated electrode arrays, both planar and three-dimensional. The advantages associated with microelectrode arrays include small size, the ability to manufacture repeatedly and reliably tens to thousands of micro-electrodes on both rigid and flexible substrates, and their utility for both in vitro and in vivo applications. To realize their full potential, there is a need to develop and integrate microelectrode arrays to form useful medical device systems. As the field of microelectrode array research is wide, and touches many application areas, it is often difficult to locate a single source of relevant information. This Special Issue seeks to showcase research papers, short communications, and review articles, that focus on the application of microelectrode arrays in the medical device sector. Particular interest will be paid to innovative application areas that can improve existing medical devices, such as for neuromodulation and real world lab-on-a-chip applications.

electrothermal --- microelectrode --- microfluidics --- micromixing --- micropump --- alternating current (AC) electrokinetics --- bisphenol A --- self-assembly --- biosensor --- flexible electrode --- polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) --- pyramid array micro-structures --- low contact impedance --- multimodal laser micromachining --- ablation characteristics --- shadow mask --- interdigitated electrodes --- soft sensors --- liquid metal --- fabrication --- principle --- arrays --- application --- induced-charge electrokinetic phenomenon --- ego-dielectrophoresis --- mobile electrode --- Janus microsphere --- continuous biomolecule collection --- electroconvection --- microelectrode array (MEA) --- ion beam assisted electron beam deposition (IBAD) --- indium tin oxide (ITO) --- titanium nitride (TiN) --- neurons --- transparent --- islets of Langerhans --- insulin secretion --- glucose stimulated insulin response --- electrochemical transduction --- intracortical microelectrode arrays --- shape memory polymer --- softening --- robust --- brain tissue oxygen --- in vivo monitoring --- multi-site clinical depth electrode --- n/a

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The Special Issue contains ten research papers, three of which review papers. It is a miscellaneous composition encompassing several applications where metal oxides play a key role. Some papers also give insights into novel synthesis methods and processes aiming to reduce negative environmental impacts and increase materials and process efficiency, thus also covering a broader concern of sustainability issues. The topics covered in this issues are: transparent conductive oxides, ceramic composites for tool applications, oxides nanoparticles for A-TIG welding, critical raw materials saving, metallurgical waste treatment, oxides for high temperature applications, nanostructured oxides and composites for gas sensing and desulfuration, and metal oxides sorbents for CO2 capture.

indium tin oxide (ITO) --- invar metal substrate --- curved perovskite solar cells --- flexibility --- reflectance --- electrode --- RHF --- deposition --- KCl --- ZnFe2O4 --- cohering mechanism --- oxide coating --- nanoparticles --- TIG welding --- penetration depth --- hard facing --- cobalt alloys --- wear --- nano-particle coating --- A-TIG welding --- particle size --- metal flow --- alumina–zirconia composites --- TiC --- TiN --- spark plasma sintering --- wear resistance --- indentation fracture toughness --- X-ray diffraction --- WO3 --- ionic liquids --- gas sensor --- pollutant gases --- desulfurization --- In doped ZnO --- bibliometric analysis --- thin films --- metal oxides --- zirconia --- rare earth zirconates --- thermal barrier coatings --- microstructure characterization --- thermal shock resistance --- CO2 capture --- calcium looping --- nanometric CaZrO3 particles --- n/a --- alumina-zirconia composites