Segment dynamics in thin polystyrene films probed by single-molecule optics

Single fluorescent molecules (represented by spheres with a volume equal to the actual van der Waals volume of the molecule) has been embedded in a polystyrene matrix (left). Such molecules act as probes for the study of polymer nanoscale (segmental scale) dynamics in thin films deposited on a glass cover slide (right).     

Reproducibility experiments on measuring acoustical properties of rigid-frame porous media (round-robin tests)

This paper reports the results of reproducibility experiments on the interlaboratory characterization of the acoustical properties of three types of consolidated porous media: granulated porous rubber, reticulated foam, and fiberglass. The measurements are conducted in several independent laboratories in Europe and North America. The studied acoustical characteristics are the surface complex acoustic impedance at normal incidence and plane wave absorption coefficient which are determined using the standard impedance tube method. The paper provides detailed procedures related to sample preparation and installation and it discusses the dispersion in the acoustical material property observed between individual material samples and laboratories. The importance of the boundary conditions, homogeneity of the porous material structure, and stability of the adopted signal processing method are highlighted.     

Magnetic trapping and Zeeman relaxation of NH (X3Sigma-)

NH radicals are magnetically trapped and their Zeeman relaxation and energy transport collision cross sections with helium are measured. Continuous buffer-gas loading of the trap is direct from a room-temperature molecular beam. The Zeeman relaxation (inelastic) cross section of magnetically trapped electronic, vibrational, and rotational ground state NH molecules in collisions with 3He is measured to be 3.8+/-1.1 x 10(-19) cm(2) at 710 mK. The NH-He energy transport cross section is also measured, indicating a ratio of diffusive to inelastic cross sections of gamma=7 x 10(4), in agreement with recent theory [R. V. Krems, H. R. Sadeghpour, A. Dalgarno, D. Zgid, J. K?os, and G. Cha?asiński, Phys. Rev. A 68, 051401 (2003)10.1103/PhysRevA.68.051401].     

Spectro-Microscopic Techniques for Studying Nanoplastics in the Environment and in Organisms

Nanoplastics (NPs), small (<1 μm) polymer particles formed from bulk plastics, are a potential threat to human health and the environment. Orders of magnitude smaller than microplastics (MPs), they might behave differently due to their larger surface area and small size, which allows them to diffuse through organic barriers. However, detecting NPs in the environment and organic matrices has proven to be difficult, as their chemical nature is similar to these matrices. Furthermore, as their size is smaller than the (spatial) detection limit of common analytical tools, they are hard to find and quantify. We highlight different micro-spectroscopic techniques utilized for NP detection and argue that an analysis procedure should involve both particle imaging and correlative or direct chemical characterization of the same particles or samples. Finally, we highlight methods that can do both simultaneously, but with the downside that large particle numbers and statistics cannot be obtained.     

Visible Light-fueled Mechanical Motions with Dynamic Phosphorescence Induced by Topochemical [2+2] Reactions in Organoboron Crystals

In the quest for essential energy solutions towards an ecological friendly future, the transformation of visible light/solar energy into mechanical motions in metal-free luminescent crystals offers a sustainable choice of smart materials for lightweight actuating, and all-organic electronic devices. Such green energy-triggered photodynamic motions with room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) emission in molecular crystals have not been reported yet. Here, we demonstrate three new stoichiometrically different Lewis acid-base molecular organoboron crystals (PS1, PS2, and PS3), which exhibit rapid photosalient effects (ballistic splitting, moving, and jumping) under both ultraviolet (UV) and visible light associated with quantitative single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) [2+2] cycloaddition of preorganized olefins. Furthermore, these systems respond to sunlight and mobile (white) flashlight with a complete SCSC transformation in a relatively slow fashion. Remarkably, all PS1, PS2, and PS3 crystals display visible light-promoted dynamic green RTP as their emission peaks promptly blue-shift, due to instantaneous photomechanical effects. Time-dependent structural mapping of intermediate photoproducts during fast SCSC [2+2] photoreaction, by X-ray photodiffraction, reveals a rationale for the origin of these photodynamic motions associated with rapid topochemical transformations. The reported light-driven behavior (mechanical motions, dynamic phosphorescence, and topochemical reactivity), is considered advantageous for the strategic design of stimuli-responsive multi-functional crystalline materials.     

Electronic structure and optical properties of charged oligofluorenes studied by VIS/NIR spectroscopy and time-dependent density functional theory

The electronic structure and optical properties of charged oligofluorenes were studied experimentally and theoretically. Measurements of the optical absorption spectra of charged oligofluorenes in dilute solutions have been performed by using the pulse radiolysis technique. In addition, optical absorption spectra of radical cations and anions in a solid matrix were measured after gamma-irradiation at 77 K. The optical absorption spectra were measured in the range of 440-2100 nm (0.6-2.8 eV) and compared with results from time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. The calculated charge induced deformations and charge distribution do not indicate the occurrence of polaronic effects. The potential energy profiles for rotation around the inter-unit bond show that oligofluorenes are nonplanar in their neutral state, while they tend to more planar structures in their charged state. The optical absorption spectra of charged oligofluorenes are dependent on the angle between neighboring units. TDDFT absorption energies shift to lower values with increasing chain length, which suggests that the charge delocalizes along the oligomer chain.     

Functional organogels from highly efficient organogelator based on perylene bisimide semiconductor

A new n-type semiconducting perylene bisimide dye has been synthesized that gelates a broad variety of organic solvents to afford well-defined nano- and mesoscopic helical fibers and bundles.     

Fine-Tuning the Endcap Chemistry of Acrylated Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Based Hydrogels for Efficient Burn Wound Exudate Management

Most commercial dressings with moderate to high exudate uptake capacities are mechanically weaker and/or require a secondary dressing. The current research article focuses on the development of hydrogel-based wound dressings combining mechanical strength with high exudate absorption capacities using acrylate-endcapped urethane-based precursors (AUPs). AUPs with varying poly(ethylene glycol) backbone molar masses (10 and 20 kg mol⁻¹) and endcap chemistries are successfully synthesized in toluene, subsequently processed into UV-cured hydrogel sheets and are benchmarked against several commercial wound dressings (Hydrosorb, Kaltostat, and Mepilex Ag). The AUP materials show high gel fractions (>90%) together with strong swelling degrees in water, phosphate buffered saline and simulated wound fluid (12.7–19.6 g g⁻¹), as well as tunable mechanical properties (e.g., Young's modulus: 0.026–0.061 MPa). The AUPs have significantly (p < 0.05) higher swelling degrees than the tested commercial dressings, while also being mechanically resistant. The elasticity of the synthesized materials leads to an increased resistance against fatigue. The di- and hexa-acrylated AUPs show excellent in vitro biocompatibility against human foreskin fibroblasts, as evidenced by indirect MTS assays and live/dead cell assays. In conclusion, the processed AUP materials demonstrate high potential for wound healing application and can even compete with commercially available dressings.