Phase diagrams of lyotropic cholesteric fluids

Experimental investigations of lyotropic cholesterics fluids are presented which show that changes in the shape anisotropy and chirality of the micellar population determine the topology of the temperature-concentration phase diagrams. For given amounts of the substances which induce the chirality and modify the shape anisotropy of the micelles, two distinct biaxial cholesteric phases are disclosed in the phase diagrams. This is interpreted in the framework of the catastrophe theory of phase transitions.     

Exploring the dynamics of superconductors by time-resolved far-infrared spectroscopy

We have examined the recombination of excess quasiparticles in superconducting Pb by time-resolved far-infrared spectroscopy using a pulsed synchrotron source. The energy gap shift calculated by Owen and Scalapino [Phys. Rev. Lett. 28, 1559 (1972)] is directly observed, as is the associated reduction in the Cooper pair density. The relaxation process involves a two-component decay; the faster ( approximately 200 ps) is associated with the actual (effective) recombination process, while the slower ( approximately 10 to 100 ns) is due to heat transport across the film/substrate interface. The temperature dependence of the recombination process between 0. 5T(c) and 0.85T(c) is in good agreement with theory.     

Ultrasound and deep eutectic solvent (DES): A novel blend of techniques for rapid and energy efficient synthesis of oxazoles

The present work deals with the synthesis of novel oxazole compounds by using effective combination of ultrasound (US) and deep eutectic solvent (DES). The reaction was also conducted by thermal method (NUS) and the comparative studies are provided. It was observed that applying ultrasound not only improved yields and reduced reaction times but also saved more than 85% energy as shown by energy consumption calculations. The advantages of using DES as reaction medium is highlighted from the fact that it is bio-degradable, non-toxic, recyclable and could be easily prepared using inexpensive raw materials. The recyclability for DES was studied wherein it was found that ultrasound has no negative effects on DES even up to four runs. In addition, the present work is the first report on the combinative use of DES and US in organic synthesis.     

Restriction of Molecular Twisting on a Gold Nanoparticle Surface

To understand the photophysical properties of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) states on a gold nanoparticle (Au NP) surface, we have designed and synthesized a new coumarin molecule (C3) that exists both as ICT and TICT states in its excited state in a polar environment. On a Au NP surface, an excited C3 molecule only exists as an ICT state owing to restricted molecular rotation of a diethylamino group; as a result, no conversion from the ICT to TICT state was observed. Selection of the preferential state of a molecule with dual emitting states can be helpful for selected biological applications.