Polymer modified and stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal materials for flat panel application

Polymer dispersions, even in very low concentrations, can improve the performance of cholesteric liquid crystal materials necessary for their application in flat panel displays. Normal scattering mode, reverse scattering mode and reflective mode cholesteric liquid crystal materials are described. The roll of the polymer in each of these display modes is reviewed as are the unique electro-optic characteristics of the dispersions.     

A Flexible Photoactive Titanium Metal–Organic Framework Based on a [TiIV3(μ3‐O)(O)2(COO)6] Cluster

The synthesis of titanium–carboxylate metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is hampered by the high reactivity of the commonly employed alkoxide precursors. Herein, we present an innovative approach to titanium‐based MOFs by the use of titanocene dichloride to synthesize COK‐69, the first breathing Ti MOF, which is built up from trans‐1,4‐cyclohexanedicarboxylate linkers and an unprecedented [Ti^IV₃(μ₃‐O)(O)₂(COO)₆] cluster. The photoactive properties of COK‐69 were investigated in depth by proton‐coupled electron‐transfer experiments, which revealed that up to one Ti^IV center per cluster can be photoreduced to Ti^III while preserving the structural integrity of the framework. The electronic structure of COK‐69 was determined by molecular modeling, and a band gap of 3.77 eV was found.     

Evaluation of molten inorganic salt hydrates as reaction medium for the derivatization of cellulose

Molten inorganic salt hydrates are highly efficient solvents forcellulose. The carboxymethylation of the polymer dissolved in this new group ofcellulose solvents was investigated. The homogeneous carboxymethylation ofcellulose in molten LiClO₄3H₂O using sodiummonochloroacetate in the presence of NaOH is possible. The formation of CMC wasconfirmed by FT- Raman spectroscopy. Structure analysis by means of HPLC afterchain degradation showed the formation of CMC with a DS of 2 after a shortreaction time of 4 h. The derivatives exhibit a statisticaldistribution of substituents along the polymer chain if prepared in moltenLiClO₄3H₂O as solvent. A substituent distributioninthe order C-6 > C-2 C-3 for anhydroglucose units (AGU) was concludedfrom ¹H-NMR measurements. The synthesis of CMC in the swellingmediumLiClxH₂O (2 x 5) yields polymers with astatistical distribution of functional groups along the chain. The watercontentof the salt melts has a dramatic influence on the DS_CMC.     

Assessing the biocompatibility of NiTi shape memory alloys used for medical applications

The present paper reviews aspects related to the biocompatibility of NiTi shape memory alloys used for medical applications. These smart metallic materials, which are characterised by outstanding mechanical properties, have been gaining increasing importance over the last two decades in many minimal invasive surgery and diagnostic applications, as well as for other uses, such as in orthodontic appliances. Due to the presence of high amounts of Ni, the cytotoxicity of such alloys is under scrutiny. In this review paper we analyse work published on the biocompatibility of NiTi alloys, considering aspects related to: (1) corrosion properties and the different methods used to test them, as well as specimen surface states; (2) biocompatibility tests in vitro and in vivo; (3) the release of Ni ions. It is shown that NiTi shape memory alloys are generally characterised by good corrosion properties, in most cases superior to those of conventional stainless steel or Co–Cr–Mo-based biomedical materials. The majority of biocompatibility studies suggest that these alloys have low cytotoxicity (both in vitro and in vivo) as well as low genotoxicity. The release of Ni ions depends on the surface state and the surface chemistry. Smooth surfaces with well-controlled structures and chemistries of the outermost protective TiO₂ layer lead to negligible release of Ni ions, with concentrations below the normal human daily intake.     

The sound velocity in ideal liquid mixtures from thermal volume fluctuations.

The selection of the correct mixing rule for sound velocity in ideal liquid mixtures determines the interpretation of the sound velocity in real mixtures. This is especially important for the determination of apparent properties of solutes, such as their apparent compressibility. There are different approaches reported in the literature, and this article presents a new derivation of the mixing rule based on statistical mechanics. It is shown that the correlation of volume fluctuations between adjacent components has a crucial influence on the ideal mixing rule.     

Determination of potential curve parameters of excited electronic states of polyatomic molecules by resonance CARS

Resonance CARS line-shape analysis has been applied to determine the parameters of the excited electronic state potential curves of a cyanine dye and its short-lived photoisomers during the process of photoisomerization. For this very complicated situation other methods for the estimation of these values would fail. The origin shift parameters determined are very small and the homogeneous line width is smaller than the line width of the absorption band.     

Low distortion recording of transient low- light-level phenomena

Two types of low-light-level image sensors have been investigated for use in low distortion recording: an SIT-vidicon (Silicon-Intensifier Target), and a sensor consisting of a newvicon and two stage proxifier. The results are compared and discussed. In addition, a triggerable video frame store is described.     

Resisting the Bohr Atom: The Early British Opposition

When Niels Bohr’s theory of atomic structure appeared in the summer and fall of 1913, it quickly attracted attention among British physicists. While some of the attention was supportive, others was critical. I consider the opposition to Bohr’s theory from 1913 to about 1915, including attempts to construct atomic theories on a classical basis as alternatives to Bohr’s. I give particular attention to the astrophysicist John W. Nicholson, who was Bohr’s most formidable and persistent opponent in the early years. Although in the long run Nicholson’s objections were inconsequential, for a short period of time his atomic theory was considered to be a serious rival to Bohr’s. Moreover, Nicholson’s theory is of interest in its own right.     

Synthesis,cytotoxicity and antibacterial studies of symmetrically and non‐symmetrically benzyl‐ or p‐cyanobenzyl‐substituted N‐Heterocyclic carbene–silver complexes

From the reaction of 1H‐imidazole ( 1a ), 4,5‐dichloro‐1H‐imidazole ( 1b ) and 1H‐benzimidazole ( 1c ) with p‐cyanobenzyl bromide ( 2 ), symmetrically substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) [( 3a–c )] precursors, 1‐methylimidazole ( 5a ), 4,5‐dichloro‐1‐methylimidazole ( 5b ) and 1‐methylbenzimidazole ( 5c ) with benzyl bromide ( 6 ), non‐symmetrically substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) [( 7a–c )] precursors were synthesized. These NHC? precursors were then reacted with silver(I) acetate to yield the NHC‐silver complexes [1,3‐bis(4‐cyanobenzyl)imidazole‐2‐ylidene] silver(I) acetate ( 4a ), [4,5‐dichloro‐1,3‐bis(4‐cyanobenzyl)imidazole‐2‐ylidene] silver(I) acetate ( 4b ), [1,3‐bis(4‐cyanobenzyl)benzimidazole‐2‐ylidene] silver(I) acetate ( 4c ), (1‐methyl‐3‐benzylimidazole‐2‐ylidene) silver(I) acetate ( 8a ), (4,5‐dichloro‐1‐methyl‐3‐benzylimidazole‐2‐ylidene) silver(I) acetate ( 8b ) and (1‐methyl‐3‐benzylbenzimidazole‐2‐ylidene) silver(I) acetate ( 8c ) respectively. The four NHC‐precursors 3a–c, 7c and four NHC–silver complexes 4a–c and 8c were characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The preliminary antibacterial activity of all the compounds was studied against Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli, and Gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus using the qualitative Kirby‐Bauer disc‐diffusion method. All NHC–silver complexes exhibited medium to high antibacterial activity with areas of clearance ranging from 4 to 12 mm at the highest amount used, while the NHC‐precursors showed significantly lower activity. In addition, all NHC–silver complexes underwent preliminary cytotoxicity tests on the human renal‐cancer cell line Caki‐1 and showed medium to high cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 53 ( ± 8) to 3.2 ( ± 0.6) µM. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.