Low temperature scanning force microscopy of the Si(111)-(7x7) surface

A low temperature scanning force microscope (SFM) operating in a dynamic mode in ultrahigh vacuum was used to study the Si(111)- (7x7) surface at 7.2 K. Not only the twelve adatoms but also the six rest atoms of the unit cell are clearly resolved for the first time with SFM. In addition, the first measurements of the short range chemical bonding forces above specific atomic sites are presented. The data are in good agreement with first principles computations and indicate that the nearest atoms in the tip and sample relax significantly when the tip is within a few A of the surface.     

Controlled chemical functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes by kiloelectronvolt argon ion treatment and air exposure

The chemical and morphological modifications of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), by 2 keV Ar(+) treatment, have been followed by field emission scanning (FESEM) and high-resolution transmission (HRTEM) electron microscopies and by X-ray photoelectron (XPS) and Raman spectroscopies. Morphological changes were followed, both in situ and on subsequent air exposure, and the data indicate that free radical defects, initially produced under low Ar(+) treatment doses ( approximately 10(13) ions/cm(2)), act as the nuclei for the formation of localized asperities that form along the walls of the CNTs. Continued treatment results in their stublike elongation that continues with further treatment, forming extensions under heavy treatment doses. The chemical changes that occur, on reaction with air, reveal that the defects initially created are secondary C atoms, formed when a single bond breaks; further treatment breaks an additional bond to form primary C atoms; free radical fragments, lost when the third bond breaks, condense on the free radical defects to form the asperities. The extent of primary and secondary C atoms, and thus their functionalization on air exposure, may be controlled by the extent of treatment, offering a method for the controlled surface functionalization of CNTs by low-energy Ar(+) treatment.     

All-optical polarization-mode dispersion monitor for return-to-zero optical signals at 40 Gbits/s and beyond

The operation of a polarization-mode dispersion monitor insensitive to chromatic dispersion is demonstrated at 40 Gbits/s. The high-speed processing device is based on the Kerr effect and provides an optical power output as a reading of differential group delay. The monitor is compatible with return-to-zero modulation formats at data rates in excess of 40 Gbits/s and does not require the use of high-data-rate electronics.     

Chemical Consequences of the Mechanical Bond: A Tandem Active Template‐Rearrangement Reaction

We report the unexpected discovery of a tandem active template CuAAC‐rearrangement process, in which N₂ is extruded on the way to the 1,2,3‐triazole product to give instead acrylamide rotaxanes. Mechanistic investigations suggest this process is dictated by the mechanical bond, which stabilizes the Cu^I‐triazolide intermediate of the CuAAC reaction and diverts it down the rearrangement pathway; when no mechanical bond is formed, the CuAAC product is isolated.     

First synthesis of segetalins B and G: two cyclopentapeptides with estrogen-like activity

The first synthesis of two segetalins B and G is described. The corresponding linear peptides were synthesized using standard automated continuous-flow SPPS methods. Ring closure positions were investigated for segetalin B. The best ring closure result was obtained between Val and Gly.     

Isolation of human haemoglobin variants with altered Bohr effect. Application to haemoglobin Rainier

Isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gel in the absence of haem ligands represents a useful, convenient and rapid procedure to isolate silent Hb variants in their native forms, provided that they exhibit an abnormal Bohr effect. The amount of material which is eluted is sufficient for both a limited functional study and a structural determination using microscale high-performance liquid chromatography. This is exemplified by the isolation and the study of Hb Rainier.     

Interaction of cylindrical polymer brushes in dilute and semi-dilute solution

We present a systematic study of flexible cylindrical brush-shaped macromolecules in a good solvent by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), static light scattering (SLS), and by dynamic light scattering (DLS) in dilute and semi-dilute solution. The SLS and SANS data extrapolated to infinite dilution lead to the shape of the polymer that can be modeled in terms of a worm-like chain with a contour length of 380 nm and a persistence length of 17.5 nm. SANS data taken at higher polymer concentration were evaluated by using the polymer reference interaction site model (PRISM). We find that the persistence length reduce from 17.5 nm at infinite dilution to 5.3 nm at the highest concentration (volume fraction 0.038). This is comparable with the decrease of the persistence length in semi-dilute concentration predicted theoretically for polyelectrolytes. This finding reveals a softening of stiffness of the polymer brushes caused by their mutual interaction.