Piezoelectricity of phospholipids: a possible mechanism for mechanoreception and magnetoreception in biology

We show that phospholipids, which are the main constituents of cell membranes, are piezoelectric. This was done by periodically shearing and compressing films of hydrated l‐α‐phosphatidylcholine, inducing a tilt of the molecules with respect to the bilayer’s normal, which produced an electric current perpendicular to the tilt plane, corresponding to a polarisation of about 300 nC cm^?2 at 5° of tilt. We also measured electric currents induced by an alternating magnetic field of less than 100 G in hydrated phospholipids doped with 0.5 wt% of ferrofluid of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles. A discussion of possible implications of these effects on biophysical processes is also provided.     

Detection of aqueous phase chemical warfare agent degradation products by negative mode ion mobility time-of-flight mass spectrometry [IM(tof)MS]

The use of negative ion monitoring mode with an atmospheric pressure ion mobility orthogonal reflector time-of-flight mass spectrometer [IM(tof)MS] to detect chemical warfare agent (CWA) degradation products from aqueous phase samples has been determined. Aqueous phase sampling used a traditional electrospray ionization (ESI) source for sample introduction and ionization. Certified reference materials (CRM) of CWA degradation products for the detection of Schedule 1, 2, or 3 toxic chemicals or their precursors as defined by the chemical warfare convention (CWC) treaty verification were used in this study. A mixture of six G-series nerve related CWA degradation products (EMPA, IMPA, EHEP, IHEP, CHMPA, and PMPA) and their related collision induced dissociation (CID) fragment ions (MPA and EPA) were found in each case to be clearly resolved and detected using the IM(tof)MS instrument in negative ion monitoring mode. Corresponding ions, masses, drift times, K(o) values, and signal intensities for each of the CWA degradation products are reported.