Laser micro-machining using near-field optics

Solid immersion lenses (SIL) facilitate high numerical aperture (NA) and consequent sub-wavelength diffraction limited focusing in near-field optics based systems. Such systems are in commercial and research use for various applications including near-field scanning optical microscopy, ultra-high-density magneto-optic data storage and near-field nanolithography. Here, we present a novel manufacturing method using SIL-based near-field optics for laser-induced patterning on silicon wafers. The near-field effect of SILs was investigated by using hemispherical lenses made of three different materials (BK7, Sapphire, LaSFN9) to superfocus an incident Q-switched, 532 nm Nd:YAG laser beam transmitted through a focusing objective. This optical arrangement achieved a laser-processed feature resolution near the diffraction limit in air. Results of experiments that were conducted at various processing conditions to investigate the effects of varying incident laser power (with peak pulse power less than 1 W), pulse width, number of pulses and size of SIL on processed feature size and resolution are presented. Experimental results are compared with numerical simulations using the simplified model.     

Aging of concrete buildings and determining the pH value on the surface of concrete by using a handy semi-conductive pH meter.

A new method was devised for measuring the pH of a concrete surface by pHBOY-P2 with a piece of filter paper by extracting the pH value from concrete. This is a simple and inexpensive method that does not damage the concrete building, and is easy to apply on concrete samples for monitoring. By using the method mentioned above, a drastic decrease of the pH value of concrete bridges and buildings has investigated. The method is environmentally friendly to detect the pH value change of concrete as an environmental sample investigation.     

Dissolution kinetics of K-alum crystals as judged from the measurements of surface undersaturations

The normal dissolution rates, the slopes and the average velocities of dissolution steps of etch pits on the (111) face of a K-alum crystal, originating from dislocations with Burgers vector 110, were measured in relation to the surface undersaturations. From the mutual relations, it was shown that the dissolution was controlled by both diffusion and surface kinetic processes, although the contribution of the latter process was smaller than in the case of growth. It was also demonstrated that the normal dissolution rate was always larger than the growth rate. This is attributed to the fact that the slopes of growth hillocks are invariably smaller than those of etch pits.     

Ring-transformation equilibrium with participation of π-bonded S in an isothiazole system. Synthesis of non-ring-transformed 5-(2-aminovinyl)isothiazole derivative via 1,3-silyl group shift

Substituents at 5-position of 5-amino-3-methyl- and 3-p-chlorophenyl-5-methylisothiazoles (7 and 8) were silylated and then lithiated to couple with aromatic nitriles in order to afford the adducts (4 and 5) via 1,3-silyl group shift. Desilylation of 5 with TBAF gave solely non-ring-transformed product (3-α-form). By using the pure sample of 3-α-form, the reversible ring-trans- formation (bond switch) was observed $\text{under neutral conditions}$ for the first time.     

Distinct difference of chemical behaviors between 5H,7H-dibenzo[b,g][1,5]dithiocin 12-oxide and thiazocine S-oxide

5H, 7H-Diobenzo [b,g] [1,5] dithiocin 12-oxide (2) rearranged into 6-oxide (3) in the presence of CF₃CO₂H. The corresponding thiazocine S-oxide (5) was only protonated at the amino group under the same conditions. Furthermore, methylation of 2 afforded S-methylated product (7) in contrast to O-methylated product in 5.     

Studies on yellow and colourless molybdophosphate complexes in the aqueous solution by laser raman spectroscopy

Yellow and colourless complexes of molybdophosphate were investigated by the use of laser Raman spectroscopy. Two kinds of yellow molybdophosphates were identified in the weakly acidic solutions: 12-molybdophosphoric and 11-molybdophosphoric acid which are in equilibrium in solution at pH 1-2. When excess phosphate is present, the colourless molybdophosphate is formed. This complex exists in the solutions of pH 4-1 under the condition of excess phosphate ([P]/[Mo] > 2). This complex was confirmed to be P₂Mo₅O^6?₂₃ and is so stable that the yellow molybdophosphate is converted into the colourless by excess phosphate.     

Reactant adsorption in differential pulse polarography: Effects of adsorptive depletion of reactant,non-linear adsorption isotherms and uncompensated resistance

Digital simulation techniques are applied to the diagnosis of the ways in which the peak currents and wave shapes of differential pulse polarograms are affected by the adsorption of reactants or products. The changes in the polarograms introduced by the items mentioned in the title are examined and their magnitudes calculated and compared with experimental polarograms. Some implications of the results in analytical applications of differential pulse polarography are described.     

Reversible switching of high-speed air-liquid two-phase flows using electrowetting-assisted flow-pattern change

This work is the first demonstration of electrical modulation of surface energy to reversibly switch dynamic high-speed gas-liquid two-phase microfluidic flow patterns. Manipulation of dynamic two-phase systems with continuous high-speed flows is complex and interesting due to the multiple types of forces that need to be considered. Here, distinct stable flow patterns are formed through a multipronged approach: both surface tension forces generated by surface chemistry modulation as well as viscous and inertial forces produced by fluid flows are employed. The novel fluidic actuation mechanism provides insights into better understanding microscale two-phase flow dynamics and offers new opportunities for the development of two-phase biochemical microsystems that are mechanically simple and operational at high speeds.     

Magnetic microcapsules for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs

To achieve targeted distribution of anticancer drugs with sustained activity, ferromagnetic ethylcellulose microcapsules containing an anticancer drug, mitomycin C (FM-MMC-mc), were prepared by a method based on phase separation principles. Two prototypes of FM-MMC-mc were made: one with the drug as the core and zinc ferrite on its capsular surface (outer type); the other with both the drug and zinc ferrite as the core (inner type). Both preparations provided a sustained-release property and a sensitive response to conventional magnetic force, although certain differences in the release rate of drug, magnetic responsiveness, and particle size were found between the two dosage forms. Animal studies showed that the magnetic microcapsules could be magnetically controlled in the artery and urinary bladder. VX2 tumors in the rabbit hind limb and urinary bladder were successfully treated with magnetic control of FM-MMC-mc. Pharmacokinetic study revealed that the targeting of the microcapsules markedly enhanced the drug absorption into the surrounding tissues for a prolonged period of time. The results indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of the magnetic microcapsules as a targeted drug delivery system.     

Purification of enzymes by high-speed gel filtration on TSK-GEL SW columns

The purification of enzymes was investigated by high-speed gel filtration on TSK-GEL G3000SWG columns packed with porous silica gel deactivated by chemically bonded hydrophilic compounds. Crude β-galactosidase from bacterial cells and commercial urease were purified ca. 15-fold in a single gel filtration. These enzymes were eluted within an hour from the column and the recoveries of enzymatic activity were almost 100% although the operation was carried out at room temperature (22°). Samples up to 100 mg could be applied to the column without loss of separation efficiency.