TiO2-ZrO2 affinity chromatography polymeric microchip for phosphopeptide enrichment and separation

We fabricated a TiO(2)-ZrO(2) affinity chromatography micro-column on 2 mm PMMA plates, and demonstrated the enrichment and separation of (a) a standard mono- and tetra-phosphopeptide, and (b) phosphopeptides contained in a tryptic digest of β-Casein. The chromatography column consisted of 32 parallel microchannels with common input and output ports and was fabricated by lithography directly on the polymeric substrate followed by plasma etching (i.e. standard MEMS processing) and sealed with lamination. The liquid deposited TiO(2)-ZrO(2) stationary phase was characterized by X-ray diffraction and was found to be mostly TiO(2) and ZrO(2) in crystalline phases. Off-chip UV detection and MALDI MS identification of the separated effluents were used. The chip had a capacity of >1.4 μg (0.7 nmol) of a prototype mono-phosphopeptide and a recovery of 94 ± 3%, and can be used with small samples (less than 0.1 μL depending on the syringe pump used). The chip design allows an expansion of its capacity by means of increasing the number of parallel microchannels at a constant sample volume. Our approach provided an alternative to off-line extraction tips (with typical capacities of 1-2 μg and sample volumes of 1-10 μL), and to on-chip efforts based on packed bed and frit formats.     

Prediction of steady-state viscous and elastic properties of polyolefin melts in shear and elongation

The linear and nonlinear steady-state viscosities and elastic compliances were measured in shear and elongational flows for two low-density polyethylenes, a linear polypropylene, and two metallocene catalyzed polyethylenes (one linear and one long-chain branched) by Wolff et al. (Rheol Acta 49:95?C103, 2010) and Resch (dissertation, 2010). Comprehensive data of this type are rarely found in the literature, and comprehensive modeling of both viscous and elastic effects is even rarer. In this contribution, the reliability of a modeling approach proposed by Laun (J Rheol 30(3):459?C501, 1986) and based on the damping function concept is tested. The strain hardening seen for the long-chain branched polymers and its absence in the case of the linear polymer, the stronger decrease of the tensile compliance in comparison to the shear compliance with increasing stress, as well as the extended linear-viscoelastic regime of the shear viscosity in contrast to the shear compliance are correctly modeled. While the modeling of the nonlinear response in shear can be achieved with only one material parameter for most of the polymers considered here, the nonlinear modeling in elongation is achieved with two parameters. The same parameter values are shown to describe viscous as well as elastic properties of the melts, and thus the relations of Laun can be used to test the consistency of viscosity and compliance measurements.     

Corrections for velocity and temperature derivatives in turbulent flows

Spectral corrections, which are based on local isotropy, are presented for all the spatial derivatives of velocity and temperature fluctuations which feature in the average dissipations of turbulent energy and temperature. The corrections, which compensate for the spectral attenuation due to the separation between sensors, depend only weakly on the choice of the three-dimensional energy (or temperature) spectrum and therefore on the turbulence Reynolds number. Corrections are also obtained for the variances of velocity and temperature derivatives. The diagonal velocity derivatives require smaller corrections than either the off-diagonal velocity derivatives or the temperature derivatives. Corrections of comparable magnitude are required for the average dissipations of turbulent energy and temperature.     

Velocity vector cone angle in turbulent flows

Use is made of computer simulated turbulent signals to calculate the rms of the velocity cone angle. The calculation compares favourably with X-probe data close to the axis of a circular jet. In this flow, the vector cone angle can exceed 90°, even on the axis. As a consequence, the rms values of the cone angle and of the lateral velocity fluctuation can be seriously underestimated with a 90° X-probe. Support for this is provided by measurements with a 120° X-probe.     

On the origin of the organised motion in the turbulent far-wake of a cylinder

Spectra and spectral coherences of mainly the lateral velocity fluctuations, measured in the wake of a circular cylinder, strongly suggest that the origin of the far-wake organised motion can be traced back to the cylinder. A possible mechanism for the development of the organised motion is suggested.     

Spanwise vorticity measurements in a perturbed boundary layer

Hot-wire measurements of the spanwise vorticity fluctuation _z have been carried out in a turbulent boundary layer subjected to concentrated suction, applied through a porous wall strip. The results indicate that, relative to the no-suction case, the rms value of _z is significantly reduced in the near-wall region, with this reduction increasing with the suction rate . The reduction near the wall suggests an alteration in the dynamics of the layer. As the Reynolds number increases, the dynamics of the layer in the near-wall region become more intense and suction becomes less effective.