Photonic Crystal Fiber Attenuator

We propose a novel fiber attenuator based on photonic crystal fibers. The difference in the modal field diameters of a conventional single mode fiber and a photonic crystal fiber was used. A variable optical attenuator was also achieved by applying macro-bending on the PCF part of the proposed attenuator     

Chemiluminometric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA)-on-a-chip biosensor based on cross-flow chromatography

A chemiluminometric biosensor system for point-of-care testing has been developed using an immuno-chromatographic assay combined with an enzyme (e.g., horseradish peroxidase) tracer that produces a light signal measurable on a simple detector. Cross-flow chromatography, a method previously investigated by our laboratory, was utilized in order to accomplish sequential antigen-antibody binding and signal generation. This enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was effectively carried out on a plastic chip that was redesigned to simplify the fabrication process. To enhance the sensitivity, biotin-streptavidin capture technology was employed in preparing an immuno-strip that was then incorporated onto the chip in order to generate the ELISA-on-a-chip (EOC) biosensor. Samples containing cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were analyzed using the EOC. A chemiluminescent signal proportional to the analyte concentration was produced by adding a luminogenic substrate to the tracer enzyme complexed with the analyte on the chip. The luminescent signal was detected in a dark chamber mounted with a cooled charge-coupled device and the signal was converted to optical density for quantification. This EOC biosensor system was capable of detecting cTnI present in serum at concentrations as low as 0.027 ng mL⁻¹, 30 times lower than those measured using the conventional rapid test kit with colloidal gold as the tracer. In addition, the final data was acquired within 30 s after the addition of the enzyme substrate, which was faster than the detection time required when using a colorimetric substrate with the same tracer enzyme.     

Fast gradient elution reversed-phase liquid chromatography with diode-array detection as a high-throughput screening method for drugs of abuse. II. Data analysis

In Part I of this work, we developed a method for the detection of drugs of abuse in biological samples based on fast gradient elution liquid-chromatography coupled with diode array spectroscopic detection (LC-DAD). In this part of the work, we apply the chemometric method of target factor analysis (TFA) to the chromatograms. This algorithm identifies the target compounds present in chromatograms based on a spectral library, resolves nearly co-eluting components, and differentiates between drugs with similar spectra. The ability to resolve highly overlapped peaks using the spectral data afforded by the DAD is what distinguishes the present method from conventional library searching methods. Our library has a mean list length (MLL) of 1.255 and a discriminating power of 0.997 when both retention index and spectral factors are considered. The algorithm compares a library of 47 different compounds of toxicological relevance to unknown samples and identifies which compounds are present based on spectral and retention index matching. The application of a corrected retention index for identification rather than raw retention times compensates for long-term and column-to-column retention time shifts and allows for the use of a single library of spectral and retention data. Training data sets were used to establish the search and identification parameters of the method. A validation data set of 70 chromatograms was used to calculate the sensitivity (correct identification of positives) and specificity (correct identification of negatives) of the method, which were found to be 92% and 94%, respectively.     

Impact of interstitial air holes on a wide-bandwidth rejection filter made from a photonic crystal fiber

We have investigated the spectral properties of a band rejection filter made with a long-period fiber grating written in photonic crystal fiber that has interstitial air holes. Experiments showed that only one mode was coupled strongly to the fundamental core mode over a 600 nm spectral range. The central wavelength of the filter could be tuned over that range without being appreciably affected by any other mode. By using the multipole method, we found that the interstitial air holes of the photonic crystal fiber played a critical role in limiting the number of modes that could strongly interact with the fundamental mode and in obtaining well-separated resonance peaks. Excellent agreement between theory and experiment was obtained.     

A simple and cost-effective molecular diagnostic system and DNA probes synthesized by light emitting diode photolithography

This work introduces a novel chip to be used in the future as a simple and cost-effective method for creating DNA arrays using light emission diode (LED) photolithography. The DNA chip platform contains 24 independent reaction sites, which allows for the testing of a corresponding amount of patients’ samples in hospital. An array of commercial UV LEDs and lens systems was combined with a microfluidic flow system to provide patterning of 24 individual reaction sites, each with 64 independent probes. Using the LED array instead of conventional laser exposure systems or micro-mirror systems significantly reduces the cost of equipment. The microfluidic system together with microfluidic flow cells drastically reduces the amount of used reagents, which is important due to the high cost of commercial reagents. The DNA synthesis efficiency was verified by fluorescence labeling and conventional hybridization.     

Porous SnO2/layered titanate nanohybrid with enhanced electrochemical performance for reversible lithium storage

A porous hybrid of titanate nanosheets with SnO(2) nanoparticles has been realized by an exfoliation and reassembling route. The present nanohybrid shows a large reversible capacity of 860 mA h g(-1) with a good capacity retention (about 60% retention of the initial capacity after 50 cycles).     

Reduction of the Polarization-Dependent Loss of Long-Period Fiber Gratings by Thermal Heating

The polarization-dependent loss of UV-written long-period fiber gratings was significantly reduced by increasing the pulse repetition rate of the writing UV beam. The effect is closely related with the enhanced photosensitivity induced by thermal heating.     

Biscavitands II: Self-Inclusion in a Back-to-Back Connected Biscavitand

A foot-to-foot or `back-to-back' connected biscavitand is prepared directly from a hexadecol resorcinarene precursor. The axial orientation of the biphenyl linker and hence the crown conformation of the hexadecol was established by an X-ray crystal study of the biscavitand. Each cavitand bowl is filled in the crystal by an alkyl `foot' from the next molecule, a self-inclusion which results in polymeric host–guest chains. The new biscavitand differs from previously prepared Z and C isomers of a bowl-to-bowl or `front-to-front' connected host, which crystallize as chains of carcerand-like, solvent-filled cages or as distinct molecules of hemicarceplex, respectively.     

A new entry to functionalized cycloalkylamines: diastereoselective intramolecular amidoalkylation of N,O-acetal TMS ether possessing allylsilane

Highly diastereoselective cyclization (>20:1) as a new entry to functionalized cycloalkylamines has been conducted with acyclic N,O-acetal TMS ethers possessing an allylsilane moiety.     

Electrochemical study on various types of anode materials in LiCl–KCl eutectic salt used in the electro-winning process

The electrochemical behaviors of the molybdenum, graphite, and glassy carbon anode have been observed during the electrolysis of uranium chloride in an UCl₃–LiCl–KCl molten salt. The cyclic voltammogram data of the molybdenum anode showed that Mo anode could be corroded by the formation of Mo compounds or its dissolution. However, the experimental data of the graphite and the glassy carbon anode showed that the chlorine evolution started from 1.2 V and the anode potential remained stable during uranium electrolysis. Therefore, the graphite and glassy carbon may be used as an inert anode in the electro-winning process of pyroprocessing.