Stress-dependent elasticity of composite actin networks as a model for cell behavior

Networks of filamentous actin cross-linked with the actin-binding protein filamin A exhibit remarkable strain stiffening leading to an increase in differential elastic modulus by several orders of magnitude over the linear value. The variation of the frequency dependence of the differential elastic and loss moduli as a function of prestress is consistent with that observed in living cells, suggesting that cell elasticity is always measured in the nonlinear regime, and that prestress is an essential control parameter.     

From the Bench to the Field in Low‐Cost Diagnostics: Two Case Studies

Despite the growth of research in universities on point‐of‐care (POC) diagnostics for global health, most devices never leave the laboratory. The processes that move diagnostic technology from the laboratory to the field—the processes intended to evaluate operation and performance under realistic conditions—are more complicated than they might seem. Two case studies illustrate this process: the development of a paper‐based device to measure liver function, and the development of a device to identify sickle cell disease based on aqueous multiphase systems (AMPS) and differences in the densities of normal and sickled cells. Details of developing these devices provide strategies for forming partnerships, prototyping devices, designing studies, and evaluating POC diagnostics. Technical and procedural lessons drawn from these experiences may be useful to those designing diagnostic tests for developing countries, and more generally, technologies for use in resource‐limited environments.     

Thickness effect on microstructural and mechanical properties of pulse-laser treated Ti/Ni multilayer thin films

Previous work showed that pulse-laser irradiation can strengthen metal multilayer thin films through intermetallic formation and the degree of strengthening is a function of laser pulse energy.In this work,the effect of individual layer thickness(λ)and total multilayer thickness(h)on the resulting microstructure and mechanical strength of laser-treated Ti/Ni multilayers was further investigated.Experiments were carried out on fourλ/hcombinations using individual layer thickness of 20 nm and 50 nm,and total multilayer thickness of 500 nm and1μm,respectively.Obvious intermetallic strengthening was observed in the 500 nm thick multilayers,especially with the 20 nm layer thickness,but not in the 1μm thick multilayers.Further,the multilayer surface morphology after laser treatment was observed to be dominated by competition between laser-induced optical interference and thermal melting,with the former leading to ripple or cross-hatched patterns and the latter leading to melted surfaces with pores and cracks.