Development of a multiplexed microbioreactor system for high-throughput bioprocessing

A multiplexed microbioreactor system for parallel operation of multiple microbial fermentation is described. The system includes miniature motors for magnetic stirring of the microbioreactors and optics to monitor the fermentation parameters optical density (OD), dissolved oxygen (DO), and pH, in-situ and in real time. The microbioreactors are fabricated out of poly(methylmethacrylate)(PMMA) and poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS), and have a working volume of 150 microl. Oxygenation of the cells occurs through a thin PDMS membrane at the top of the reactor chamber. Stirring is achieved with a magnetic spin bar in the reactor chamber. Parallel microbial fermentations with Escherichia coli are carried out in four stirred microbioreactors and demonstrate the reproducible performance of the multiplexed system. The profiles for OD, DO, and pH compare favourably to fermentations performed in bioreactor systems with multiple bench-scale reactors. Finally, the multiplexed system is used to compare two different reactor designs, demonstrating that the reproducibility of the system permits the quantification of microbioreactor performance.     

Reduction of chromium in ethylene polymerisation using bis(imido)chromium(VI) catalyst precursors

Hybrid density functional calculations on [Cr(NR)2C3H7(C2H4)]+ (R = H, tBu) have revealed a facile reductive elimination reaction involving beta-hydrogen transfer from the alkyl chain, suggesting that the active species in ethylene polymerisation with bis(imido)chromium(VI) precursors contains a reduced chromium atom.     

Spectrophotometric determination of the lanthanides with chlorophosphonazo III

The molar absorptivities of the lanthanide complexes with chlorophosphonazo III over the pH range 1-4 were found to increase with atomic number to maximum values near 7000 1.mole(-1).mm(-1) for holmium, erbium and thulium and then to decrease slightly for ytterbium and lutetium. The complexes were found to be stable for up to 65 hr. The addition of alkali metal salts depressed the apparent absorptivity of the complexes but no interference was observed for the phosphate ion.     

Improving the efficiency and convergence of geometry optimization with the polarizable continuum model: new energy gradients and molecular surface tessellation

New equations are derived and implemented for efficient and accurate computation of solvation energy derivatives for the conductor-like polarizable continuum model (C-PCM) and the isotropic integral equation formalism polarizable continuum model (IEF-PCM). Two new molecular surface tessellation procedures GEPOL-RT and GEPOL-AS that generate near continuous potential energy surfaces are proposed for PCM geometry optimization. The combined use of these new techniques leads to efficient and convergent geometry optimizations with the PCMs.     

Splicing I: Using mixed basis sets in ab initio calculations

The effect of mixing (or “splicing”) extended and minimal basis sets on molecular properties such as geometries, Mulliken charges, dipoles, and internal rotation barriers was studied for several test molecules. The effect is gauged by comparison with full extended basis set calculations. It is found that splicing improves most properties relative to full minimal basis set calculations, and little accuracy is lost if the splicing is done in a judicious manner.     

Stereoelective polymerization of D,L-lactide using N-heterocyclic carbene based compounds

A new Zn alkoxide catalyst supported by an N-heterocyclic carbene rapidly polymerizes D,L-lactide (D,L-LA) to heterotactic enriched poly(lactide)(PLA), while the free carbene and analogs instead yield highly isotactic enriched PLA.     

Resonance Raman scattering of the tetracyanoethylene—hexamethylbenzene electron donor/acceptor complex

The Raman spectrum of the tetracyanoethylene—hexamethylbenzene EDA complex was recorded using seven lines of an Ar laser and one from a Kr laser. By comparison with spectra recorded of the donor and acceptor molecules separately, it was found that some of the lines of the complex were up to 393 time stronger than the corresponding lines of an uncomplexed molecule.     

Rapid prototyping of polymer microsystems via excimer laser ablation of polymeric moulds

This study presents a novel method for rapid prototyping of polymer microsystems. The method is based on excimer laser ablation of a thermally and mechanically stable polymer, such as PEEK (poly-ether-ether-ketone). A negative of the desired microsystem is laser machined in PEEK, which can then be used directly for hot embossing or injection moulding of a series of prototypes. This approach is very rapid and considerably cheaper than more traditional approaches to toolmaking, while still performing well in terms of reproduction of tool dimensions. The reduction in time and cost for a master tool using this method opens up new possibilities for testing small series in the R&D phase of a microsystem. Finally, two particular applications of the technique are presented.     

Vibrational frequencies and structural determination of phosphorous tricyanide

The normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of phosphorous tricyanide (P(CN)(3)) are examined theoretically using the Gaussian98 set of quantum chemistry codes. Each of the vibrational modes was assigned to one of four types of motion predicted by a group theoretical analysis P-C stretch, CN stretch, P-C[triple bond]C bend, and C-P-C bend) utilizing the C(3v) symmetry of the molecule. A uniform scaling factor was derived for each type of motion. Predicted infrared and Raman intensities are reported.