Plasma Copper Research Articles

Optical emission spectroscopy for studying the exploding copper wire plasma parameters in distilled water

This work aims to study the exploding copper wire plasma parameters by optical emission spectroscopy. The emission spectra of the copper plasma have been recorded and analyzed The plasma electron temperature (Te), was calculated by Boltzmann plot, and the electron density (ne) calculated by using Stark broadening method for different copper wire diameter (0.18, 0.24 and 0.3 mm) and currentof 75A in distilled water. The hydrogen (Hα line) 656.279 nm was used to calculate the electron density for different wire diameters by Stark broadening. It was found that the electron density ne decrease from 22.4×1016 cm-3 to 17×1016 cm-3 with increasing wire diameter from 0.18 mm to 0.3 mm while the electron temperatures increase from 0.741 to 0.897 eV for the same wire diameters. The optical emission spectrum (OES) emitted from the plasma have Hα line, small peak at 590 nm corresponding to sodium and others peaks belong to Cu I. The relationship between the plasma electron temperature, emission line intensity and number density with the formed copper nanoparticles size and concentration were studied. It was found that the nanoparticles concentration increase with emission line intensity while its size decrease. It can be conclude the existence of a controlled relationship between the plasma parameters and the formed nanoparticles concentration and size.

Detecting Temporal Changes of Self-Absorption in a Laser-Induced Copper Plasma from Time-Resolved Photomultiplier Signal Emission Profiles.

This work reports an investigation on the feasibility of using a photomultiplier tube (PMT) to follow the time evolution of self-absorption of copper resonance transitions at 324.7 nm and 327.4 nm. The plasma was obtained by focusing a Nd:YAG laser, operated at 1064 nm, on a series of aluminum alloy standard disks containing different copper concentrations. The results described have been obtained at different times and with different set-ups. These set-ups consisted of a Paschen-Runge polychromator, a LIBS 2000 spectrometer, and a spectrometer equipped with both an intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) and PMT. Both PMT signals and time-resolved spectra were obtained and the ratio of the two Cu resonant lines was calculated, compared, and discussed. By selecting different delay times and integration gates of the PMT signals, the self-absorption effect of the Cu resonant lines was found to be changing, implying that, by careful selection of the integration window of PMT signals, the self-absorption may be minimized, thus improving the calibration linearity of the technique.

Serum and Seminal Plasma Element Concentrations in Relation to Semen Quality in Duroc Boars.

Element concentrations in serum and seminal plasma were studied in Duroc boars with different semen quality characteristics. Based on the utilization rate of 2174 ejaculates from June to August in 2016, a total of 166 Duroc boars were allocated into three groups: low utilization rate group (LG, 0 to 60% utilization rate), medium utilization rate group (MG, 60 to 80%), and high utilization rate group (HG, 80 to 100%). Serum and seminal plasma samples were collected, and element levels were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results showed that LG boars had higher concentrations of serum copper and seminal plasma cadmium compared with MG and HG boars (P < 0.05), and serum copper and seminal plasma cadmium were negatively correlated with sperm motility, while positively correlated with the abnormal sperm rate. We observed the abnormal sperm rate increased by approximately 4.53% with serum copper increasing from 1.63 to 2.44mg/L, while sperm motility decreased by approximately 2.85% with seminal plasma cadmium increasing from 0 to 0.82μg/L. Moreover, serum iron and manganese levels in the LG group were significantly reduced compared with the HG boars (P < 0.05), and the two elements were negatively correlated with the abnormal sperm rate (P < 0.05). In conclusion, excessive copper and absence of iron and manganese in serum as well as higher seminal plasma cadmium may reduce the utilization rate of semen by impairing sperm motility and morphology, indicating the importance of adding and monitoring microelements in boar diet.

Association of Copper Status with Lipid Profile and Functional Status in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Copper can affect cellular oxidation and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of copper status with lipid profile and functional status in patients with ALS. A cross-sectional study was carried out including 27 patients with ALS (case group) and 26 healthy individuals (control group). Copper status was evaluated by habitual dietary copper intake, plasma copper, and serum ceruloplasmin concentrations. The lipid profile included analysis of serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c), and triglycerides (TGL). The functional status of patients with ALS was assessed by the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R). In the case group, plasma copper was lower compared with the control group (133.9 versus 164.1 μg/dL, p=0.0001) and was positively correlated with HDL-c (rs=0.398, p=0.044). In the control group, plasma copper was positively correlated with serum ceruloplasmin (rs=0.646, p < 0.001), TC (rs=0.446, p=0.025), LDL-c (rs=0.445, p=0.029), and HDL-c (rs=0.479, p=0.015), and serum ceruloplasmin was positively correlated only with LDL-c (rs=0.407, p=0.043). In the case group, dietary copper intake (B=−0.373, p < 0.001), plasma copper (B=−0.005, p=0.033), and TC (B=−0.312, p=0.001) were inversely associated with the functional status of patients with ALS. In contrast, serum ceruloplasmin (B=0.016, p=0.044), LDL-c (B=0.314, p=0.001), HDL-c (B=0.308, p=0.001), and TGL (B=0.062; p=0.001) were positively associated with their functional status. In conclusion, this study suggests a disturbance of copper status and its connection with the lipid profile in patients with ALS. Furthermore, copper status and lipid profile may influence the functional status of patients with ALS, standing out as potential biomarkers of disease severity.

Effect of the combination of Cu and CdTe plasmas on the structural and optical properties of CdTe:Cu thin films deposited by laser ablation

In this work, thin films of semiconducting copper doped cadmium telluride (CdTe:Cu) were obtained by laser ablation. The effect of the combination of CdTe and Cu plasmas by the simultaneous ablation of Cu and CdTe targets, on the properties of CdTe:Cu films, when the copper plasma parameters (mean kinetic ion energy and density) are varied while CdTe plasma parameters were kept constant, is analyzed. The mean kinetic ion energy of Cu plasmas was increased from 73 to 100 eV. Cu plasma density increased linearly with mean kinetic ion energy. Mean kinetic ion energy and density of CdTe were kept constant at 75 eV and 2 × 1014 cm−3, respectively.The chemical composition was measured by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. It was observed that Cu content incorporated into the CdTe lattice varied from 1.4 to 1.6 at%. Structural characterization revealed the growth of a CdTe hexagonal structure with no preferential orientation for a reference CdTe film. For samples grown combining Cu and CdTe plasmas, it was observed that increasing density of Cu plasma produces a crystalline orientation of the films in the (110) direction. Optical properties of the samples were obtained by UV–Vis spectroscopy, the data was used to estimate band gap using Tauc plots yielding values that decreased slightly form 1.47 eV for the reference CdTe film, to 1.41 eV for the film grown using the highest Cu plasma density. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study surface morphology, were rougher surfaces were observed as the Cu content in the films was increased.

Effects of cupric chloride on coagulation in human plasma: role of fibrinogen.

Copper poisoning is associated with severe multiorgan injury and potentially death if chelation therapy is not administered. Of interest, while important gastrointestinal and urinary tract hemorrhage is associated with copper poisoning, very little is known concerning the nature of copper induced coagulopathy. Using thrombelastography, we assessed changes in coagulation kinetics in human plasma following exposure to copper concentrations encountered during poisoning. While time to commence coagulation was not compromised, both velocity of thrombus growth and final strength were diminished. This result was duplicated with one concentration of copper in factor XIII deficient plasma. This pattern of coagulation kinetic response was interpreted as copper mediated fibrinogen dysfunction, perhaps via oxidation of key fibrinogen disulfide bridges. Lastly, experiments wherein glutathione was added implicated copper generated radical oxygen species as one of the mechanisms responsible for compromised coagulation kinetics. While chelation therapy is the key to survival following copper poisoning, perhaps this and future investigations of how copper affects coagulation may provide insight into effective supportive therapy for patients with active bleeding.

Effects of drinking water defluoridation on mineral and haemato-biochemical status in fluorotic buffaloes

Effects of drinking water defluoridation with alum (1.5 g/liter) and lime (200 mg/liter) were assessed on mineral, biochemical status and health of fluorotic buffaloes in fluoride endemic South-West Punjab, India. The fluorotic buffaloes (n=16; plasma fluoride: 0.44-0.97 ppm, urinary fluoride: 18.90-39.30 ppm) were randomly divided into two equal groups (Treatment: TRT; Control: CRL). The TRT was offered defluoridated water while CRL was offered non-treated water, adlib for drinking for 135 days. Other feeding and management practices were similar for both the groups. Plasma and urine samples were collected on day 0, 45, 90 and 135 and health of the buffaloes were monitored. The drinking water defluoridation resulted in significant (p Lass Than 0.01) decline in water fluoride contents from 10.64±0.09 to 1.24±0.03 ppm. There was significant (p Lass Than 0.01) decline in plasma and urinary fluoride concentrations and significant (p Lass Than 0.01) increase in plasma calcium, copper and zinc concentrations in the TRT group. There was no effect of water defluoridation on plasma inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, Hb and TEC, however PCV increased and alkaline phosphatase activity decreased significantly (p Lass Than 0.01) in TRT group. Two buffaloes from CRL showed stiffness on day 64 and 81, respectively, while all the buffaloes from the TRT group remained healthy during the study period. It is concluded that defluoridation of drinking water with alum and lime was effective in reducing water fluoride contents to permissible levels and it improved mineral, biochemical status and health of fluorotic buffaloes.

Bridge Burst Characteristics of Aluminum and Copper Thin-Film Bridges in Electrical Initiation Devices

The optimal design of electrical initiation devices for explosive charges and other high energy materials critically depends on the bridge burst or the electrical explosion of the thin-film metallic bridges. It is therefore quite important to select the right material with suitable explosion properties for the metallic bridge film. However, so far, no dedicated studies, experimental or theoretical, have been carried out to quantify those explosion properties for thin-filmed bridges of various metals. This study employed numerical modeling of the joule heating and bridge plasma expansion by intense electrical energy deposition in aluminum and copper bridges to evaluate and compare the explosion properties such as bridge burst time, bridge burst current density, and threshold charging voltage for the two metallic bridge materials. The prediction model of bridge burst also considered a pulsed electrical input from an RLC initiation circuit as well as plasma property calculations of the aluminum and copper plasma vapor for the state equation of the ionized vapor and the plasma electrical conductivity. The numerical predictions were in excellent agreement with the corresponding measured data of bridge bursts in a series of exploding foil initiator firing tests. The copper bridge was found to possess better explosion properties than the aluminum bridge, showing significantly higher bridge burst current density and threshold charging voltage. These findings confirmed that the copper bridge may provide higher safety and reliability in electrical initiation devices. The theoretical model and results in the present study could be useful for selecting bridge materials and designing electrical initiators or other metallic bridge explosion applications. (Received December 4, 2017; Accepted January 10, 2018)

Long-term impact of zinc supplementation in sows: Impact on zinc status biomarkers and performance

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term impact of zinc (Zn) supplementation on performance and Zn status biomarkers in sows and on whether this possible impact depends on housing conditions. Materials and methods: Six groups of sows were allotted to group housing on two different floor types during gestation. Within each group, sows were randomly allocated to one of three diets varying in the amount of Zn supplemented (0, 50, or 100 mg added Zn per kg diet; 50% ZnO:50% organic Zn) to a basal diet containing 46.6 and 128.9 mg Zn per kg during gestation and lactation, respectively. Blood was collected at days 0, 50, 108, and 143 of every cycle and analyzed for plasma Zn and copper and serum metallothionein (MT) concentrations. After slaughter, mineral concentrations of metacarpals, liver, and abaxial horn wall were determined. Results: Dietary Zn supplementation beyond basal dietary Zn concentrations did not influence serum MT concentrations (P = .77) and Zn concentrations in blood plasma (P = .13), liver (P = .54), bone (P = .26), and horn wall (P = .39). The 100-mg Zn per kg supplemented sows had lower bodyweight, body condition score, and backfat thickness (P &lt; .001). The lack of impact of Zn supplementation may have been (partly) attributed to the unexpected high supply of Zn through premix in the lactation diet. Implications: Under these study conditions, commercially grown sows might not need Zn supplementation during gestation when their basal diet contains Zn with phytase.

The Relationship between Periodontal Diseases and Plasma Level of Copper and Magnesium

Periodontitis is an immuno-inflammatory condition initiated by the dental plaque biofilm. Balanced levels of trace minerals like iron are essential to prevent progression of chronic conditions such as periodontitis. Their excess as well as deficiency is detrimental to periodontal health. The aim of the current study was to find out any possible relationship between copper and magnesium levels in the plasma and periodontal diseases. The sample of the study included 29 patients seeking periodontal treatment. Full record of every patient was completed and the periodontal situation was determined clinically. Blood samples were collected from the patients and transferred to a medical laboratory for blood testing. The records of copper (Cu) and magnesium (Mg) in plasma were collected. T-test was used to compare the obtained values with the normal ones, and to compare the values obtained in paired samples. The differences were considered significant when P<0.05. The mean levels of copper in plasma were 148.88 mg/dl and 148.56 mg/dl for patients suffering acute gingivitis and chronic gingivitis respectively. The results of T-test showed no significant differences between the records in both patients’ groups. The mean scores of magnesium were 1.85 mg/dl and 2.03 mg/dl for patients suffering acute gingivitis and chronic gingivitis respectively and T-test showed a significant difference between the records. The mean scores of copper were 166.33 mg/dl and 164.83 mg/dl for patients suffering chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis respectively with no statistically significant difference between the records. The mean records of magnesium in plasma were 2.25 mg/dl and 2.48 mg/dl for patients suffering chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis respectively and T-tests showed a significant difference between those records. The records of magnesium and the copper were significantly increased in all patients more than the normal values. The results of the current study showed a remarkable increase of copper and magnesium plasma scores in patients suffering different types of periodontal diseases. More studies to explore the mechanism of magnesium increase in plasma due to periodontal disease are needed. Representing the records of magnesium and copper in plasma as indicators for the severity of periodontal disease might come under future research focus.

Plasma and Milk Copper Levels in Different Lactational and Reproductive Status in Buffaloes

The buffaloes in different lactational and reproductive status were categorised in nine different groups comprising 12 animals each. Blood and milk samples as the case may be were collected and analysed for the level of Copper using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Elico, SL-194). The Copper in blood and milk in different lactational and reproductive states of Buffalo were within normal physiological limits. However, marginally higher overall plasma copper content than the reported values in literature was observed in present study. Plasma and Milk Copper levels were influenced by different lactational as well as reproductive states

Developmental competence of bovine oocytes with increasing concentrations of nano-copper and nano-zinc particles during in vitro maturation

Objective: To evaluate copper and zinc concentrations in plasma and follicular fluid from cattle ovaries, and estimate the impact of rational concentrations of copper and zinc oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs & ZnO-NPs) supplemented during in vitro maturation (IVM) against DNA damage of cumulus cells, glutathione content in oocytes and on consequent embryo development. Methods: Oocytes were obtained from 2 to 8 mm follicles by aspiration method for IVM. Replicates of experiments were performed on different days, with a separate batch of cumulus oocytes complex for each day. Results: The DNA damage of oocytes and cumulus cells significantly decreased with supplemental CuO-NPs or ZnO-NPs concentrations of 0.7 and 1.0 μg/mL in the IVM medium compared to medium without CuO-NPs or ZnO-NPs (P

磁约束飞秒激光诱导铜等离子体特性研究

磁约束飞秒激光诱导铜等离子体特性研究

Laser-plasma-cladding as a hybrid metal deposition-technology applying a SLM-produced copper plasma nozzle

Laser-Metal-Deposition (LMD) and Plasma-Transferred-Arc (PTA) are well known technologies which can be used for cladding purposes. The prime objective in combining LMD and PTA as a Hybrid Metal Deposition-Technology (HMD) is to achieve high deposition rates at low thermal impact. Possible applications are coatings for wear protection or repair welding for components made of steel. The two energy sources (laser and plasma arc) build a joint process zone and are configurated to constitute a stable process at laser powers between 0.4-1 kW (defocused) and plasma currents between 75-200 A. Stainless steel 316L serves as filler material. For this HMD process, a plasma Cu-nozzle is designed and produced by powder bed based Selective Laser Melting. The potential of the HMD technology is investigated and discussed considering existing processes. This paper demonstrates how the interaction of the two energy sources effects the following application-relevant properties: deposition rate, powder efficiency and energy input.

Early pregnancy maternal trace mineral status and the association with adverse pregnancy outcome in a cohort of Australian women

Maternal micronutrient deficiencies in pregnancy can have profound effects on fetal development and pregnancy outcome. Plasma trace minerals including copper, zinc, selenium and iron have been shown to be extremely important in supporting reproduction. We sought to determine whether there is an association between maternal trace mineral status in early pregnancy and pregnancy complications using a prospective cohort study of 1065 pregnant Australian women who were recruited as part of the Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) study in Adelaide. Copper, zinc, selenium and iron present in the plasma were measured using mass spectrometry in samples collected at 15±1 weeks’ gestation. After adjusting for covariates, women with lower plasma copper (<27.9μmol/L and 27.9–32.5μmol/L) had decreased risk for any pregnancy complication when compared with women with high plasma copper (>32.5μmol/L) (aRR=0.87; 95% CI=0.76, 0.99 and aRR=0.88; 95% CI=0.78, 1.00, respectively). This was also observed when adjusting for plasma zinc and selenium status (<27.9μmol/L: aRR=0.81; 95% CI=0.69, 0.96 and 27.9–32.5μmol/L: aRR=0.84; 95% CI=0.72, 0.98). Combined low copper and zinc status was also associated with a reduced risk of any pregnancy complication as compared with high copper and zinc status (aRR=0.80; 95% CI=0.70, 0.93). These results provide justification for further work into elucidating the mechanistic role of trace elements in early pregnancy, as well as their interactions in supporting successful pregnancy outcomes.

Serum zinc, copper and iron status of children with coeliac disease on three months of gluten-free diet with or without four weeks of zinc supplements: a randomised controlled trial.

Data about the effect of zinc supplementation with gluten-free diet on normalisation of plasma zinc, copper and iron in patients with coeliac disease are scanty. We evaluated the effect of zinc supplementation on serum zinc, copper and iron levels in patients with coeliac disease, by randomising 71 children newly diagnosed with coeliac disease into two groups: Group A = gluten-free diet (GFD); and Group B = gluten-free diet with zinc supplements (GFD +Zn). The rise in iron and zinc was significantly higher in the latter, but the mean rise of copper levels was slightly higher in the former, but the difference was not significant.

Copper dyshomeostasis in Wilson disease and Alzheimer's disease as shown by serum and urine copper indicators

Abnormal handling of copper is the cause of Wilson disease (WD), a rare disorder typified by increased levels in plasma copper not-bound to ceruloplasmin (nCp-Cu, also known as ‘free’ copper). In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), meta-analyses show that copper decreases in brain but increases in serum, due to the nCp Cu component increase. Despite the similarities, a direct comparison of copper biological status in the two diseases has never been carried out. To fill this gap, we evaluated serum copper, ceruloplasmin, nCp-Cu and Cu:Cp in 385 CE and 336 healthy controls previously investigated that were compared with 9 newly diagnosed WD patients. We then assessed 24h copper urinary excretion in 24 WD patients under D-penicillamine (D-pen) treatment and in 35 healthy controls, and compared results with those of AD patients participating to a D-pen phase II clinical trial previously published.After adjusting for sex and age, serum nCp-Cu and Cu:Cp resulted higher in AD and in WD than in healthy controls (both p<0.001). While nCp-Cu was similar between AD and WD, Cu:Cp was higher in WD (p<0.016). 24h urinary copper excretion in AD patients (12.05μg/day) was higher than in healthy controls (4.82μg/day; p<0.001). 77.8% of the AD patients under D-pen treatment had a 24h urinary excretion higher than 200μg/day, suggestive of a failure of copper control.This study provides new insight into the pathophysiology of copper homeostasis in AD, showing a failure of copper control and the Cu:Cp ratio as an eligible marker.

An apparatus for vacuum deposition of composite TiN−Cu coatings using coupled vacuum-arc and ion-plasma processes

A plasma-chemical reactor with the coupling of gas-discharge processes has been developed. These processes combine arc evaporation of titanium in a nitrogen-containing plasma and ion-plasma sputtering of copper with the formation of copper vapor. Experiments were carried out on the deposition of superhard nanostructured TiN−Cu composite layers.

Control of Surface Layer Structure with Copper Plasma Surfacing on Steel

Results are given for a study of plasma surfacing of copper on steel in a reverse polarity current. Surfacing layer microstructure is studied. It is shown that the plasma surfacing with reverse polarity current makes it possible to prepare a surfacing layer of almost pure copper without mixing with the base material. Under certain conditions during surfacing with pure copper, it is possible to create a composite surface layer consisting of highly alloyed bronze and a uniform distribution of second materials particles within it.

Time-resolved spectroscopy for 5s′4D7/2 state transitions undergoing electron–ion recombination in femtosecond laser-produced copper plasma**Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51705009) and the NSAF of China (Grant No. U1530153).

In the femtosecond laser-produced Cu-plasma, the transient transition dynamics that the excited state 5s′4D7/2 via electron–ion recombination transfers to 4p (465.11 nm, Λ1 line) and 4p (529.25 nm, Λ2 line) states are investigated by using the time-resolved spectroscopy. The occupation number and relevant lifetime of the excited state 5s′4D7/2, the temporal evolutions of spectral intensities for Λ1 line and Λ2 line emissions are demonstrated to be in direct proportion to the employed laser intensity, which reveals the transient features of transition dynamics clearly differing from that resulted in the traditional collision excitation. Furthermore, some unique characteristics for Λ1 and Λ2 transitions stemming from electron–ion recombination are examined in detail.