ALBERT

Notes: Summary A modified valve arrangement for zone-electrophoretic sample treatment (ZEST)-which is coupled on-line with column liquid chromatography — is used to pretreat biological (plasma) samples. Carry-over of plasma proteins depends on the pH of the electrophoresis buffer. The determination of propranolol, metoprolol, cromolyn and salicylic acid demonstrates that both basic and acidic analytes can be isolated from the plasma matrix with high selectivity. Analogous piperazines, with different protein binding properties, were used to study the influence of protein binding on the recovery. It is shown that high protein can cause a decreased recovery.

Notes: Summary The design of a new valve arrangement for zone-electrophoretic sample treatment (ZEST) coupled online with high performance liquid chromatography is described. Characteristics of this valve, such as the internal heat development as a function of the current, have been investigated. By using quinidine and desipramine as model compounds it is shown that charged compounds can be isolated from biological samples, in about 15 min, with high selectivity. The carry-over of proteins to the analytical column has been compared with the carry-over using a pre-column sample clean-up method. The detection limits of quinidine and hydroquinidine (50 ng/ml), using zone-electrophoretic sample treatment coupled with column liquid chromatography, are in the same range as with direct injections using pre-columns.

Notes: Summary An electrodialytic sample treatment method coupled on-line with high-performance liquid chromatography (EDIST-HPLC) is discussed in this paper. The performance of EDIST as a function of the donor-phase (sample solution) flow rate, the voltage applied over the electrodialysis block, and the time of dialysis has been studied using the basic drug ephedrine as a model compound. Enrichment of the analyte by a factor of 10–20 was possible. The determination of human plasma spiked with ephedrine is briefly discussed.

Notes: Summary Basic considerations for analyte enrichment and recovery obtainable by electrodialysis as a sample treatment method are given. Equations are derived which describe the dependence of the concentration profiles of ionic compounds on the electric field strength in a set-up with stagnant donor and acceptor solutions. It is shown that analyte recovery increases when less ion-selective membranes are used in the electrodialysis cell. Computer models are used to estimate the analyte enrichment for a flowing donor (sample) and a stagnant acceptor phase. About 10-fold enrichment can be obtained in an electrodialytic sample treatment system within 20 min under maximum current conditions. A compromise has to be found between analyte recovery and the donor (sample) flow rate.

Notes: One of the basic prerequisites for rational and high quality production of plastic parts is a tool layout tailored to the production process. To date, both design and construction have generally been based on values acquired by experience. This first, necessitates highly qualified personnel and second, involves what is frequently time consuming and costly finishing work. Experience acquired so far with computer-aided layout of injection molds shows that even a designer with little experience reaches the target more quickly and more reliably. At the same time he is able to draw on the results of intricate calculation and simulation methods which he was unable to apply in the past for reasons of time alone. This paper thus sets out the possibilities currently open and the experience available for computer-aided mold layout. The chief point of focus here is a system for the layout of injection molds. Working on from this system, however, the potentials for computer application are presented for blow mold- and foaming mold-design. After finding the mold principle, mold layout essentially divides up into two major areas, namely dimensioning calculations (CAE) and compilation of production documents (CAD). In dimensioning, the different functional elements of the mold are calculated. The aids that have been developed and the potentials of computer-aided dimensioning are presented with examples from the fields of rheological, thermal, and mechanical mold layout. Computer-aided rheological layout divides up into two steps. The first gives information on qualitative filling behavior (filling picture, flow paths) and the second provides quantitative results (pressures, shear stresses, temperatures). Computer-aided thermal layout similarly divides up into part steps. These are a rough overall energy balance, a rough layout of the tempering system, a segmented layout, and a homogeneity check, which involves simulating the temperature conditions in the mold by means of difference methods. When it comes to mechanical layout of the mold, programs are available for deformation calculations on basic cases and these will frequently be sufficient. For more complex cases of loading and deformation, a finite element program is used. Graphic data processing units can be used to supply extra facilities - first, to provide an aid for the simulation programs in dimensioning and second, to rationalize the compilation of the production documents. An illustration of a CAD workplace is given, incorporating the necessary computer configuration and peripherals. Compiling production documents is essentially a problem of variant design. The variants in this case are the individual components of the mold and a number of standardized accessories that can be called up as “standardized components.” The mold cavity, however, always has to be a free design. All programs are dialogue driven and are in a standardized manner so that even designers with no data processing experience can use the computer as an aid. The CAD/CAE system presented duly fulfils all these requirements. It allows the designer, at a single computer work station, to carry out both simulation and dimensioning calculations, to obtain information on material data, and to compile production documents on the basis of variant and free design. This provides the designer with a readily manageable aid and makes a considerable contribution towards improving the design result. Finally, the capacity of different computer concepts and the CAE/CAD/CAM systems on the market are discussed. For the future it will be possible to establish a computer-aided link between the different areas of design, from development of the molded part, via mold design and production, through setting the processing parameters of the injection molding machine.