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The invention describes a method and device to monitor cellular activity and vitality with higher accuracy than common methods. This method is based on measuring the specific cellular form and its development. To do so, several parameters are created, which interact with the neighbour cells and which are comparable over the course of the monitoring. The monitoring is done by recording the cellular movement and growth by video recording through a microscope. At the start of the compatibility testing, the substrate or material and the cells are brought together and get monitored over the course of 4 to 12 hours. All changes to the cells get recorded via video. After this, the entirety of the movement data from the cells is compared with reference data from tests with similar substrates. By doing so the invention delivers infor-mation about effect and toxicity of the tested substrate or material.

The invention describes a subsequent adaptive enlargement of the contact surface between the silicon oil and the retina for an optimal fit. This means that the size of the silicon oil bubble is adapted to fit to the volume of the eye socket. To achieve this, the inventor proposes to implant one or several biocompatible balloons together with the silicon oil into the eye. Those balloons absorb the water that is trying to fill the volume created by differences in the eye socket. By doing so, the balloon enlarges its volume and with this, and fills up the remaining space between silicon oil and the retina. Because of this, the retina is fully under pressure at all times. When the eye pressure rises, the balloons release the water. By doing so, the balloons are regulating the eye pressure and ensure adaptation to the varying volume of the eye socket.

The invention relates to a method for AFM in which it is possible to measure magnetic information from single, isolated magnetic markers in on the scale of nm.The method is used to differentiate between marked and unmarked arrears, for measuring the magnetic AC-susceptibility of the marker and to determinate the geometry of a marker. Hereby the measured signal is further processed by an amplifier.
The method utilises nanoparticles (marker), which are placed on or in a sample. Because of the alternating magnetic field these particles are stimulated to create a magnetic flow, which is dependent on the AC-susceptibility of the particle and on with the external alternat-ing field. With this effect, the entire magnetic flow in the area around the marker is changed. Furthermore, the entire sample is scanned in 2-D or 3-D and differences in the magnetic flow, which generate a magnetic interference, are measured by detecting the oscillation of the AFM tip. This oscillation is the measurement signal, which makes it possible to measure smaller magnetic interac-tions.

Agronostics Aachen will be an innovative agricultural chemistry start-up operating in the growth market of plant defense priming. Primed plants show enhanced resistance to disease and pests, and increased tolerance to abiotic stress. Taking into account that these threats still destroy ~40% of possible crop yield, defense priming provides a unique opportunity to secure best possible yield.

The efficiency of solar cells made of CZ silicon decreases by more than 1% in absolute figures under sunlight within a few hours (light induced degradation – LID). At the University of Konstanz a method was developed that makes it possible to stabilize the efficiency of the solar cell at nearly its output level. During production the solar cells are regenerated by either illumination at temperatures of between 100 and 230 degrees or applying voltage. The method can be easily integrated in the conventional manufacturing process and allows for an increase in efficiency by up to 5% rel.

Scientists at the University of Konstanz have developed a measuring device for non-permanent contacting of busbarless solar cells that allows for precise and direct characterization of electrical properties. As each contact finger can be contacted repeatedly over reversibly releasable connections the device allows for accurate measurement of I-V characteristics without requiring subsequent adjustment with correction factors.