A microfluidic chip integrated with a microoptical lens fabricated by femtosecond laser micromachining

We report on the integration of microlens and microfluidic channels in fused silica glass chip using femtosecond laser micromachining. The main process includes three procedures: (1) femtosecond laser scanning for forming a hemispherical surface and a Y-shaped channel in the fused silica glass; (2) chemical etching of the sample for removal of the modified areas; and (3) oxyhydrogen (OH) flame polish for smoothening the surface of the microlens. In addition, we demonstrate that the fabricated microlens exhibits good imaging performance with a 5× magnification, showing great potential in future lab-on-a-chip applications.     

Evaluations of vertical resolution of conductive polymer three-dimensional microstructures photofabricated in transparent polymer sheet

Conductive polymer three-dimensional microstructures were photofabricated utilizing the two-photon absorption of a sensitizer dye. The resulting three-dimensional structures were excised from the transparent polymer sheet using a micro-manipulator. The processing precisions for the vertical direction of the conductive polymer three-dimensional microstructure obtained in the transparent polymer sheet were evaluated in the present study. As a result, for the configurations of the obtained polypyrrole line deposition, the line height/line width ratios were around 5: 1; this ratio is higher than that of other UV resin works (h: w 2:4–3: 1) and the cross section distortion is not negligible for maintaining the higher reproducibility of the photofabrication.     

Enhanced CO2 adsorptivity of SWCNT by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon intercalation

We tuned the electronic properties of single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) with intercalation of naphthalene derivatives (NDs) having different electron donor or acceptor property in the SWCNT bundles. Characterization of the adsorbed SWCNT with Raman spectroscopy and electrical conductivity measurement clearly indicate the charge transfer interaction of ND molecules with SWCNT. Also X-ray diffraction supports the intercalation of ND molecules in the interstitial spaces and groove sites of SWCNT bundle. Intercalation of ND molecules enhances remarkably the CO₂ adsorptivity, which can be ascribed to the key importance of the interaction of the quadrupole moment of CO₂ with the local electrical field on the SWCNT induced by the charge transfer interaction.     

Multiple plasmonic effect on photocurrent generation of metal‐loaded titanium dioxide composite/dye films on gold grating surface

We demonstrate the multiple plasmonic effect on the photocurrent properties of photoanodes containing Ag or Au nanoparticles (NPs) loaded onto titanium dioxide film (Ag–TiO₂ or Au–TiO₂) on Au grating surfaces. Ag–TiO₂ or Au–TiO₂ nanocomposite particles are prepared by a flame spray pyrolysis route. The structures and morphologies of the prepared products are characterized by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. The Ag–TiO₂ or Au–TiO₂ composite NPs are deposited by spin coating onto the Au grating surfaces. The photoanode electrode is a layered structure of blu‐ray disc‐recordable grating substrate/Au/Ag (or Au)–TiO₂/dye/electrolyte/indium‐tin oxide. The plasmonic effect is induced when Ag or Au NPs are located within the propagating surface plasmon (SP) field on the Au grating surface. The short‐circuit photocurrent is increased by exciting the grating‐coupled propagating SP on the Au gratings and is further enhanced by positioning the Ag or Au NPs within the grating‐coupled SP field. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of the biosynthesis of acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetic acid from pyruvic acid and the quantitative evaluation of incorporated 13C-labeled l-alanine in Arthrobacter hyalinus

Studies on the contribution to acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetic acid from the pyruvic acid transformation from l-alanine in Arthrobacter hyalinus were conducted by means of feeding experiments with l-[1-¹³C]alanine and l-[3-¹³C]alanine, followed by an analysis of the labeling patterns of coproporphyrinogen III using ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that l-alanine was transformed via pyruvic acid to both acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetic acid. Additionally, the quantitative analysis indicated that pyruvic acid was transformed to acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetic acid in the ratio of 1:0.8.     

Investigation of thermal hazard during the hydrosilylation of 1,6-divinyl(perfluorohexane) with trichlorosilane

In this study, we examined the reaction hazard during the hydrosilylation reaction between trichlorosilane (TCS) and 1,6-divinyl(perfluorohexane) (FDV) in the presence of a butanol solution of chloroplatinic acid (Pt-Cat) as the catalyst. Assuming the three industrial risks of excessive addition of Pt-Cat, contamination by iron rust and mixing with cooling water, we observed the temperature and pressure change of TCS/FDV with an excessive amount of Pt-Cat, TCS/FDV/Pt-Cat with Fe₂O₃ and TCS/FDV/Pt-Cat with distilled water, using an accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC). The temperature and pressure greatly increased, especially in the sample with Fe₂O₃. For instance, in TCS/FDV/Pt-Cat with 1.5 wt.% Fe₂O₃, the heat release rate exceeded 624 K · min^?1 and the pressure rose above 25 MPa during the exothermic reaction.     

Analysis of natural convection melting inside isothermally heated horizontal rectangular capsule

Melting characteristics of phase change material by natural convection heat transfer inside horizontal rectangular capsules are examined experimentally. The capsules are heated isothermally and three kinds of aspect ratios (qH/W=3, 1 and 1/3) are provided. Octadecane and ice are used, respectively, as the phase change material. A method of analysis applying the empirical correlations for natural convection heat transfer in a vertical or horizontal enclosure to the melting in the rectangular capsules is presented. The predicted results show good agreement with the experimental data. For the melting of octadecane and ice, it is found that the effect of aspect ratio on the melting process is not significant for the range ofB=1/3 to 3.     

Peumusolide A, unprecedented NES non-antagonistic inhibitor for nuclear export of MEK

A new polyketide peumusolide A was disclosed as an unprecedented NES non-antagonistic inhibitor for nuclear export of MEK, a promising scaffold for antitumor agents with novel mechanism of action, from Peumus boldus Molina. The absolute stereostructure as well as optical purity was established by use of the two synthesized enantiomeric model lactones. In addition, the Δε values in their CD spectra were demonstrated to be the conclusive index for determination of not only configuration at C-3 but also optical purity of natural congeneric polyketides. Peumusolide A was revealed to show NES non-antagonistic action by the biotinylated probe and to inhibit proliferation of MEK-activated tumor cells selectively.