Polymer solar cells with an inverted device configuration using polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-[60]fullerene dyad as a novel electron acceptor

A polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-[60]fullerene (POSS-C60) dyad was designed and used as a novel electron acceptor for bulk heterojunction (BHJ) polymer solar cells (PSCs) with an inverted device configuration. The studies of time-resolved photoinduced absorption of the pristine thin film of poly[(4,4’-bis(2-ethylhexyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2’,3’-d]silole)-2,6-diyl-alt-(4,7-bis (2-thienyl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)-5,5’-diyl] (SiPCPDTBT) and the composite thin film of SiPCPDTBT:POSS-C60 indicated efficient electron transfer from SiPCPDTBT to POSS-C60 with inhibited back-transfer. BHJ PSCs made by SiPCPDTBT mixed with POSS-C60 yielded the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 1.50%. Under the same operational conditions, PCEs observed from BHJ PSCs made by SiPCPDTBT mixed with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester were 0.92%. These results demonstrated that POSS-C60 is a potentially good electron acceptor for inverted BHJ PSCs.     

Isolation and detection of single molecules on paramagnetic beads using sequential fluid flows in microfabricated polymer array assemblies

We report a method for isolating individual paramagnetic beads in arrays of femtolitre-sized wells and detecting single enzyme-labeled proteins on these beads using sequential fluid flows in microfabricated polymer array assemblies. Arrays of femtolitre-sized wells were fabricated in cyclic olefin polymer (COP) using injection moulding based on DVD manufacturing. These arrays were bonded to a complementary fluidic structure that was also moulded in COP to create an enclosed device to allow delivery of liquids to the arrays. Enzyme-associated, paramagnetic beads suspended in aqueous solutions of enzyme substrate were delivered fluidically to the array such that one bead per well was loaded by gravity. A fluorocarbon oil was then flowed into the device to remove excess beads from the surface of the array, and to seal and isolate the femtolitre-sized wells containing beads and enzyme substrate. The device was then imaged using standard fluorescence imaging to determine which wells contained single enzyme molecules. The analytical performance of this device as the detector for digital ELISA compared favourably to the standard method, i.e., glass arrays mechanically sealed against a silicone gasket; prostate specific antigen (PSA) could be detected from 0.011 pg mL(-1) up to 100 pg mL(-1). The use of an enclosed fluidic device to isolate beads in single-molecule arrays offers a multitude of advantages for low-cost manufacturing, ease of automation, and instrument development to enable applications in biomarker validation and medical diagnosis.     

Inorganic-organic hybrid compounds based on octamolybdates and multidentate N-donor ligand: syntheses, structures, photoluminescence and photocatalysis

Six inorganic-organic hybrid compounds, namely, [Cu(2)(2,4'-tmbpt)(2)(β-Mo(8)O(26))(H(2)O)(2)]·7H(2)O (), [Cu(2,4'-tmbpt)(γ-Mo(8)O(26))(0.5)(H(2)O)]·H(2)O (), [Co(2,4'-Htmbpt)(2)(γ-Mo(8)O(26))(H(2)O)(2)] (), [Zn(2,4'-Htmbpt)(2)(γ-Mo(8)O(26))(H(2)O)(2)] (), [Ni(2,4'-tmbpt)(α-Mo(8)O(26))(0.5)(H(2)O)]·2.5H(2)O () and [Ag(2,4'-Htmbpt)(β-Mo(8)O(26))(0.5)] (), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions (2,4'-tmbpt = 1-((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)-3-(2-pyridyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole). The structures of compounds have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and characterized by infrared spectra (IR), elemental analyses, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analyses and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Compound shows a 3D (3,4)-connected framework constructed by the 2D Cu(ii)-organic fragments and [β-Mo(8)O(26)](4-) anions. Compound exhibits a 2D layer structure based on Cu(ii)-organic chains and [γ-Mo(8)O(26)] chains. The layers are extended into a 3D supramolecular framework by hydrogen-bonding interactions. Compounds and are isostructural, and display 1D chain structures. The chains are further interlinked by hydrogen-bonding interactions to form 3D supramolecular architectures. Compound shows a 3D framework based on the 2D Ni(ii)-organic fragments and [α-Mo(8)O(26)](4-) anions. In compound , the 1D chains constructed by the Ag(i) ions, 2,4'-Htmbpt ligands and [β-Mo(8)O(26)](4-) anions are extended by hydrogen-bonding interactions into a 2D supramolecular layer. Each layer threads into the adjacent layers, yielding a 2D → 3D interdigitated structure. Moreover, the photoluminescent properties of and , the optical band gaps of , and the photocatalytic properties of have also been investigated.     

Giant molecular shape amphiphiles based on polystyrene-hydrophilic [60]fullerene conjugates: click synthesis, solution self-assembly, and phase behavior

This paper reports a comprehensive study on the synthesis and self-assembly of two model series of molecular shape amphiphiles, namely, hydrophilic [60]fullerene (AC(60)) tethered with one or two polystyrene (PS) chain(s) at one junction point (PS(n)-AC(60) and 2PS(n)-AC(60)). The synthesis highlighted the regiospecific multiaddition reaction for C(60) surface functionalization and the Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between alkyne functionalized C(60) and azide functionalized polymer to give rise to shape amphiphiles with precisely defined surface chemistry and molecular topology. When 1,4-dioxane/DMF mixture was used as the common solvent and water as the selective solvent, these shape amphiphiles exhibited versatile self-assembled micellar morphologies which can be tuned by changing various parameters, such as molecular topology, polymer tail length, and initial molecular concentration, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy and light scattering experiments. In the low molecular concentration range of equal or less than 0.25 (wt) %, micellar morphology of the series of PS(n)-AC(60) studied was always spheres, while the series of 2PS(n)-AC(60) formed vesicles. Particularly, PS(44)-AC(60) and 2PS(23)-AC(60) are synthesized as a topological isomer pair of these shape amphiphiles. PS(44)-AC(60) formed spherical micelles while 2PS(23)-AC(60) generated bilayer vesicles under identical conditions. The difference in the self-assembly of PS(n)-AC(60) and 2PS(n)-AC(60) was understood by the molecular shape aspect ratio. The stretching ratio of PS tails decreased with increasing PS tail length in the spherical micelles of PS(n)-AC(60), indicating a micellar behavior that changes from small molecular surfactant-like to amphiphilic block copolymer-like. For the series of PS(n)-AC(60) in the high molecular concentration range [>0.25 (wt) %], their micellar morphological formation of spheres, cylinders, and vesicles was critically dependent upon both the initial molecular concentration and the PS tail length. On the other hand, the series of 2PS(n)-AC(60) remained in the state of bilayer vesicles in the same concentration range. Combining both of the experimental results obtained in the low and high molecular concentrations, a systematic morphological phase diagram was constructed for the series of PS(n)-AC(60) with different PS tail lengths. The versatile and concentration-sensitive phase behaviors of these molecular shape amphiphiles are unique and have not been systematically explored in the traditional surfactants and block copolymers systems.     

Magnetically immobilized nanoporous giant proteoliposomes as a platform for biosensing

We report a biosensing method that is based on magnetically immobilized functional liposomes. The vesicles encapsulate magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) and enzymatic sensing reagents. Magnetic attraction between MNP and external magnets first immobilizes liposomes onto the surface of a coverglass. With the assistance from α-hemolysin (aHL), translocations of analytes through a lipid membrane trigger intravesicular enzymatic reactions. After 90 s incubation, the product from the sensing reactions, resorufin, was probed by laser-induced fluorescence. Detection of two analytes, glucose and ethanol, was demonstrated using two types of functional vesicles. The effects of MNP-containing vesicles and biotinylated vesicles on aHL's translocations of analytes were also compared. Unlike biotinylated lipids, MNP facilitate immobilization of liposomes without compromising the integrity of membrane and pore-forming activity of aHL.     

Self-affine sets with positive Lebesgue measure

Using techniques introduced by C. Güntürk, we prove that the attractors of a family of overlapping self-affine iterated function systems contain a neighbourhood of zero for all parameters in a certain range. This corresponds to giving conditions under which a single sequence may serve as a ‘simultaneous β$\beta$-expansion’ of different numbers in different bases.     

Flow shop scheduling with peak power consumption constraints

We study scheduling as a means to address the increasing energy concerns in manufacturing enterprises. In particular, we consider a flow shop scheduling problem with a restriction on peak power consumption, in addition to the traditional time-based objectives. We investigate both mathematical programming and combinatorial approaches to this scheduling problem, and test our approaches with instances arising from the manufacturing of cast iron plates.     

Controlled growth behavior of chemical vapor deposited Ni nanostructures

Isolation of four distinct nanostructured Ni products is demonstrated in a well-controlled chemical vapor deposition process. These nanostructures include core–shell Ni–NiO nanowires, horizontally oriented nanowires, vertically oriented nanowires, and fully isometric cubic crystals all obtained upon an amorphous SiO₂|Si growth substrate from an identical metal halide precursor. Transmission electron microscopy indicates the horizontally- and vertically-oriented nanowire products to be high-quality single crystals with a preferred growth axis along the ?001? direction while the Ni–NiO core–shell nanowires are polycrystalline metal at the center and surrounded by an outer oxide. The differing crystal structures are reflected in the magnetic response of each nanowire type, as evidenced by magnetoresistance measurements. Detailed discussion of the formation mechanisms leading to each of the four nanostructured Ni products is presented along with a discussion of the general applicability of this non-epitaxial growth process to other material systems.     

Influence of electron–phonon interaction on the properties of transport through double quantum dot with ferromagnetic leads

Electronic transport through a vibrating double quantum dot （DQD） in contact with noncollinear ferromagnetic （FM） leads is investigated. The state transition between the two dots of the DQD is excited by an AC microwave driving field. The corresponding currents and differential conductance are calculated in the Coulomb blockade regime by means of the Born-Markov master equation. It is shown that the interplay between electrons and phonons gives rise to phonon-assisted tunneling resonances and Franck-Condon blockade under certain conditions. In noncollinear magnetic configurations, spin-blockade effects are also observed, and the angle of polarization has some influence on the transport characteristics.     

Simulation studies of multi-line line-of-sight tunable-diode-laser absorption spectroscopy performance in measuring temperature probability distribution function

Line-of-sight tunable-diode-laser absorption spectroscopy（LOS-TDLAS） with multiple absorption lines is introduced for non-uniform temperature measurement. Temperature binning method combined with Gauss–Seidel iteration method is used to measure temperature probability distribution function（PDF） along the line-of-sight（LOS）. Through 100 simulated measurements, the variation of measurement accuracy is investigated with the number of absorption lines, the number of temperature bins and the magnitude of temperature non-uniformity. A field model with 2-T temperature distribution and15 well-selected absorption lines are used for the simulation study. The Gauss–Seidel iteration method is discussed for its reliability. The investigation result about the variation of measurement accuracy with the number of temperature bins is different from the previous research results.