Analysis of a tripartite entanglement distribution switch

Queueing Systems - We study a quantum switch that distributes tripartite entangled states to sets of users. The entanglement switching process requires two steps: First, each user attempts to...     

Versatile Near-Infrared Super-Resolution Imaging of Amyloid Fibrils with the Fluorogenic Probe CRANAD-2

CRANAD-2 is a fluorogenic curcumin derivative used for near-infrared detection and imaging in vivo of amyloid aggregates, which are involved in neurodegenerative diseases. We explore the performance of CRANAD-2 in two super-resolution imaging techniques, namely stimulated emission depletion (STED) and single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM), with markedly different fluorophore requirements. By conveniently adapting the concentration of CRANAD-2, which transiently binds to amyloid fibrils, we show that it performs well in both techniques, achieving a resolution in the range of 45–55 nm. Correlation of SMLM with atomic force microscopy (AFM) validates the resolution of fine features in the reconstructed super-resolved image. The good performance and versatility of CRANAD-2 provides a powerful tool for near-infrared nanoscopic imaging of amyloids in vitro and in vivo.     

Quantum Dots Microstructural Metrology: From Time-Resolved Spectroscopy to Spatially Resolved Electron Microscopy

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have unique optical and electrical properties with promising applications in next-generation semiconductor technologies, including displays, lighting, solar cells, photodetectors, and image sensors. Advanced analytical tools to probe the optical, morphological, structural, compositional, and electrical properties of QDs and their ensemble solid films are of paramount importance for the understanding of their device performance. In this review, comprehensive studies on the state-of-the-art metrology approaches used in QD research are introduced, with particular focus on time-resolved (TR) and spatially resolved (SR) spectroscopy and microscopy. Through discussing these analysis techniques in different QD system, such as various compositions, sizes, and shell structures, the critical roles of these TR-spectroscopic and SR-microscopic techniques are highlighted, which provide the structural, morphological, compositional, optical, and electrical information to precisely design QDs and QD solid films. The employment of TR and SR analysis in integrated QD device systems is also discussed, which can offer detailed microstructural information for achieving high performance in specific applications. In the end, the current limitations of these analytical tools are discussed, and the future development of the possibility of interdisciplinary research in both QD fundamental and applied fields is prospected.     

Disruption of aggregates of a Zn2+-complex of a schiff base in water by surfactants: Insights from fluorescence spectroscopy in ensemble and single molecule levels

Schiff bases and their metal ion complexes have potential biological applications. It is important to study their interactions with biomimemtic assemblies in order to design such applications. To this effect, the nature and interaction between the aggregates of an organic fluorophore (Znsalampy) and surfactants viz. sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) have been monitored using bulk macroscopic techniques like steady state and time resolved fluorescence as well as single molecule techniques like Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS). The presence of more than one kind of aggregates is observed in neat aqueous solutions is confirmed by the complementary techniques. The more rigid aggregates are found to be less prone to disruption by surfactants. SDS is found to be significantly more effective than CTAB in breaking the aggregates of Znsalampy.     

Green synthesis and physical properties of crystalline silica engineering nanomaterial from rice husk (agriculture waste) at different annealing temperatures for its varied applications

Crystalline nano silica (SiO₂) was synthesized using a cost-effective eco-friendly method from agricultural waste material like rice husk. Polymer nanocomposite has been prepared using the sol-gel technique from crystalline nano silica using PVA as a polymer binder. Thermal analysis measurement is employed to investigate thermal stability. The XRD analysis shows the crystalline nature of silica is revealed to have characteristic peaks of SiO₂. The particle size was evaluated using Schererr's formula and found to be in the range of 21–31 nm. FTIR measurement shows the presence of O–Si–O (silane) bond formation. The PL measurement shows broad excitation prominently in the visible region. In the XRD pattern, a major peak of the Nanocomposite is observed at an angular position of 19.5° degree, which is more prominent than that of the PVA with the addition of 0.2 wt percent Nano silica to the PVA composite. SEM provides information on homogeneous distribution. This could be beneficial in terms of higher mechanical qualities as well as multifunctional properties. By hydrogen bonding, the PVA molecules are strongly linked to each SiO₂ nanoparticle as measured by FTIR. The stability of materials is confirmed by Zeta Potential and DLS. In the photoluminescence property of SiO₂-PVA crystalline Nano silica composite is excited using a radiation wavelength of 200 nm. The indirect bandgap was determined to be 4.28 eV which could be attributed to the 1100 °C annealing temperature. Such materials may be used as a semiconductor material obtained from a direct natural source, rice husk. Thus, in the present research structural, physical, and optical properties of crystalline nano silica and its polymer composite are explored, which leads us to prepare technological grads material from agricultural waste for varied applications including Agriculture to medical science.     

Sterically-Hindered Molecular p-Dopants Promote Integer Charge Transfer in Organic Semiconductors

Molecular p-dopants designed to undergo electron transfer with organic semiconductors are typically planar molecules with high electron affinity. However, their planarity can promote the formation of ground-state charge transfer complexes with the semiconductor host and results in fractional instead of integer charge transfer, which is highly detrimental to doping efficiency. Here, we show this process can be readily overcome by targeted dopant design exploiting steric hindrance. To this end, we synthesize and characterize the remarkably stable p-dopant 2,2′,2′′-(cyclopropane-1,2,3-triylidene)tris(2-(perfluorophenyl)acetonitrile) comprising pendant functional groups that sterically shield its central core while retaining high electron affinity. Finally, we demonstrate it outperforms a planar dopant of identical electron affinity and increases the thin film conductivity by up to an order of magnitude. We believe exploiting steric hindrance represents a promising design strategy towards molecular dopants of enhanced doping efficiency.     

Comparison of PVDF/MWNT,PMMA/MWNT,and PVDF/PMMA/MWNT nanocomposites: MWNT dispersibility and thermal and rheological properties

Pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were incorporated into poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and PVDF/PMMA blends to achieve binary and ternary nanocomposites. MWNTs were more compatible with the PVDF matrix than with the PMMA-containing matrices. MWNT addition did not alter the development of α-form PVDF crystals in the binary/ternary composites. Nucleation and overall isothermal crystallization of PVDF were enhanced by the presence of MWNTs, and enhancements were optimal in the PVDF/MWNT binary composites. Avrami analysis revealed that addition of MWNTs led to more extensive athermal-type nucleation of PVDF, and that PMMA slightly decreased the crystal growth dimension of PVDF. The equilibrium melting temperature (T_m°) of PVDF increased in the binary composites but remained nearly constant in the ternary system. Thermal stability was enhanced in the binary/ternary composites, and enhancements were more evident in the air environment than in nitrogen. Rheological property measurements revealed that the intensely entangled chains of high-molecular weight PVDF dominated the rheological response of PVDF-included samples in the melt state. A (pseudo)network structure was developed in each of the PVDF-included samples as well as in the 1 phr MWNT-added PMMA/MWNT composite. The storage moduli of the PVDF, PMMA, and PVDF/PMMA:1/1 blend increased to 37%, 22% and 34%, respectively, at 40 °C after addition of 1 phr MWNT.     

Motion‐Based,High‐Yielding,and Fast Separation of Different Charged Organics in Water

We report a self‐propelled Janus silica micromotor as a motion‐based analytical method for achieving fast target separation of polyelectrolyte microcapsules, enriching different charged organics with low molecular weights in water. The self‐propelled Janus silica micromotor catalytically decomposes a hydrogen peroxide fuel and moves along the direction of the catalyst face at a speed of 126.3 μm s^?1. Biotin‐functionalized Janus micromotors can specifically capture and rapidly transport streptavidin‐modified polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules, which could effectively enrich and separate different charged organics in water. The interior of the polyelectrolyte multilayer microcapsules were filled with a strong charged polyelectrolyte, and thus a Donnan equilibrium is favorable between the inner solution within the capsules and the bulk solution to entrap oppositely charged organics in water. The integration of these self‐propelled Janus silica micromotors and polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules into a lab‐on‐chip device that enables the separation and analysis of charged organics could be attractive for a diverse range of applications.     

Inhibition of Quorum Sensing,Motility and Biofilm Formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Copper Oxide Nanostructures

Quorum sensing (QS) is the communication between bacterial cells governed by their population density and regulated by the genes controlling virulence factors and biofilm formation. Multiple mechanisms of biofilms are resistive to antimicrobial chemotherapy; therefore novel strategies are required to overcome its limitations. Here, we report the effect of various copper oxide nanostructures (CuO-NSs) on quorum sensing inhibition. The two-dimensional CuO-NSs such as interlaced nanodiscs, nanodiscs and leaf-shaped nanosheets are prepared via a simple chemical method. The Quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) activity of all the CuO-NS are examined using reporter strain Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and Escherichia coli pSB1142. We found that the CuO-interlaced nanodisc structures exhibit better QSI activity than nanodiscs and leaf-shaped sheets. The interlaced nanodisc structures are inhibited various long-chain N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) mediated QS individually and confirmed by other QS-associated phenomena for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including biofilm inhibition, inhibition of virulence factors such as pyocyanin, protease production and swarming motility. Thus QSI activity of CuO-NSs is solely dependent on specific shape offering large surface area and more active sites. The CuO-NS is effective quorum sensing inhibitors, which has potential clinical applications in the management of P. aeruginosa associated infections.

     

Phase-Selective Syntheses of Cobalt Telluride Nanofleeces for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Catalysts

Cobalt-based nanomaterials have been intensively explored as promising noble-metal-free oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts. Herein, we report phase-selective syntheses of novel hierarchical CoTe₂ and CoTe nanofleeces for efficient OER catalysts. The CoTe₂ nanofleeces exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity and stablity for OER in alkaline media. The CoTe₂ catalyst exhibited superior OER activity compared to the CoTe catalyst, which is comparable to the state-of-the-art RuO₂ catalyst. Density functional theory calculations showed that the binding strength and lateral interaction of the reaction intermediates on CoTe₂ and CoTe are essential for determining the overpotential required under different conditions. This study provides valuable insights for the rational design of noble-metal-free OER catalysts with high performance and low cost by use of Co-based chalcogenides.