Modeling of polarization effects on n-GaN/i-InGaN/p-Gan solar cells with ultrathin GaN interlayers

We report the numerical study of n-GaN/i-InGaN/p-GaN solar cells on Ga-face substrates with thin GaN interlayers present in the intrinsic InGaN region. These interlayers have recently been shown to significantly increase the crystal quality of thick InGaN layers $(>\!\!\!120\,\text{ nm})$ . We find that tunneling is efficient in n-i-p structures having interlayers $\le \! 1.5\,\text{ nm}$ thick if polarization charges are sufficiently screened. If left unscreened, the large polarization charges naturally formed at the heterointerfaces degrades n-i-p performance, at a given interlayer thickness, because polarization charges increase the distance that carriers must tunnel. Simulations identify favorable parameter ranges.     

Controlled electrophoretic deposition of uniquely nanostructured star polymer films

The controlled electrophoretic deposition of polystyrene/divinylbenzene (PS/DVB) star polymer films from a colloidal suspension is reported. Liquid suspensions, containing the PS/DVB star polymer, were prepared by injecting a dichloromethane (DCM) solution of the star polymer into a stratified liquid combination of hexane and DCM. A variety of hexane/DCM volume ratios were examined to identify the optimal solution conditions for electrophoretic deposition; thin films were produced from both unmixed and well-mixed hexane/DCM suspensions. Unmixed suspensions yielded spatially separated thin films, deposited in a controlled fashion, that were dependent on the polarity of the corresponding electrode. Films on the positive electrode differed in thickness, microstructure, and appearance from those formed on the negative electrode. In contrast, films produced from well-mixed hexane/DCM suspensions deposited uniformly across only the negative electrode. Atomic force microscopy studies revealed nanostructured surface morphologies that were unique to each of these films. Additionally, these microscopy studies shed light on the possible conformations of star polymers adsorbed on a surface. By controlling the composition and the mixing state of the solution and by controlling the bias of electrodes, we achieved controlled deposition of star polymer films with a specific nanostructure. These nanostructured films may have broad use in optical and biological device applications.     

Interspecies and interkingdom communication mediated by bacterial quorum sensing

Quorum sensing (QS) has traditionally referred to a mechanism of communication within a species of bacteria. However, emerging research implicates QS in interspecies communication and competition, and such systems have been proposed in a wide variety of bacteria. This activity of bacterial QS also extends to relationships between bacteria and eukaryotes and host-pathogen interactions in both clinical and agricultural settings are of particular interest. These relationships are particularly pertinent in light of the rising prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. In this tutorial review we describe bacterial QS and its capacity in interspecies and interkingdom interactions, as well as the corresponding eukaryotic responses.     

Magnetic nanoparticle-peptide conjugates for in vitro and in vivo targeting and extraction of cancer cells

Magnetic cobalt spinel ferrite nanoparticles coated with biocompatible polygalacturonic acid were functionalized with ligands specific for targeting expressed EphA2 receptors on ovarian cancer cells. By using such magnetic nanoparticle-peptide conjugates, targeting and extraction of malignant cells were achieved with a magnetic field. Targeting ovarian cancer cells with receptor specific peptide-modified magnetic nanoparticles resulted in cell capture from a flow stream in vitro and from the peritoneal cavity of mice in vivo. Successful removal of metastatic cancer cells from the abdominal cavity and circulation using magnetic nanoparticle conjugates indicate the feasibility of a dialysis-like treatment and may improve long-term survival rates of ovarian cancer patients. This approach can be applied for fighting other cancers, such as leukemia, once the receptors on malignant cells are identified and the efficacy of targeting ligands is established.     

Rapid bioenabled formation of ferroelectric BaTiO3 at room temperature from an aqueous salt solution at near neutral pH

A 12-mer peptide, identified through phage display biopanning, has been used for the first time to induce the rapid formation of ferroelectric (tetragonal) nanocrystalline BaTiO3 at room temperature from an aqueous salt precursor solution at near neutral pH. BaTiO3 is widely used in capacitors, thermistors, displays, and sensors owing to its attractive dielectric, ferroelectric, pyroelectric, optical, and electrochemical properties. Two 12-mer peptides (BT1 and BT2) were selected from a phage-displayed peptide library via binding to tetragonal BaTiO3 powder. While these peptides possessed various types of amino acids, 8 of the 12 amino acids were common to both peptides. Each of these peptides induced the formation of faceted nanoparticles (50-100 nm diameter) from an aqueous precursor solution. X-ray diffraction and selected area electron diffraction patterns obtained from these faceted nanoparticles were consistent with the BaTiO3 compound. Rietveld analyses of the X-ray diffraction patterns yielded good fits to tetragonal crystal structures, with the BaTiO3 formed in the presence of the BT2 peptide exhibiting the most tetragonal character. A coating of the latter BaTiO3 nanoparticles exhibited polarization hysteresis (a well-known characteristic of ferroelectric materials) at room temperature and a relative permittivity of 2200. Such rapid, peptide-induced precipitation at room temperature provides new opportunities for direct BaTiO3 formation on low-melting or reactive materials (e.g., plastics, cloths, bio-organics) and the low temperature integration of BaTiO3 into electronic devices (e.g., on silicon or flexible polymer substrates).     

An analytical expression for the van der Waals interaction in oriented-attachment growth: a spherical nanoparticle and a growing cylindrical nanorod

A mathematical derivation of an analytical expression is presented to evaluate the van der Waals interaction between a sphere and a cylindrical rod. This expression then is applied to study the growth of one-dimensional nanostructures, such as nanorods, using a common growth mechanism in colloidal chemistry, the oriented attachment growth mechanism. Parameters associated with the dimensions and the separation of nanoparticles and nanorods are varied in calculations to assess their influence on the magnitude of the van der Waals interaction.     

An Examination of Views of Science Held by English‐Trained Chinese Students

The purpose of the study was to examine what science views were accepted or rejected by the Chinese university students. We administered the Thinking about Science Survey Instrument (TSSI) to 75 Chinese students in the Sichuan province who were enrolled in Science and Technology English classes. The TSSI focuses on nine key areas of science and aims at identifying whether an individual agrees or disagrees with a model science view. Chi‐square tests were applied to the data. Three idealized science views were found to be accepted regarding Science and the Economy, Science for All, and Science and Public Health. The same three science views were also found to be accepted in prior U.S. studies. Directions for further research are discussed including the examining views held by diverse populations and the potential development of a global view of science.     

Unexpected acetylcholinesterase activity of cocaine esterases

A series of proteins with cocaine esterase ability have been shown to hydrolyze acetylcholine with similar rate enhancements. Docking studies revealed that acetylcholine binds in a similar orientation as cocaine. These results suggest that acetylcholinesterase activity may be inherent to cocaine esterases.