Paper-based piezoresistive MEMS sensors

This paper describes the development of MEMS force sensors constructed using paper as the structural material. The working principle on which these paper-based sensors are based is the piezoresistive effect generated by conductive materials patterned on a paper substrate. The device is inexpensive (～$0.04 per device for materials), simple to fabricate, lightweight, and disposable. Paper can be readily folded into three-dimensional structures to increase the stiffness of the sensor while keeping it light in weight. The entire fabrication process can be completed within one hour without expensive cleanroom facilities using simple tools (e.g., a paper cutter and a painting knife). We demonstrated that the paper-based sensor can measure forces with moderate performance (i.e., resolution: 120 μN, measurement range: ±16 mN, and sensitivity: 0.84 mV mN(-1)). We applied this sensor to characterizing the mechanical properties of a soft material. Leveraging the same sensing concept, we also developed a paper-based balance with a measurement range of 15 g, and a resolution of 0.39 g.     

Controlling phase formation in solids: rational synthesis of phase separated Co@Fe2O3 heteroparticles and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles

A wet chemical approach from organometallic reactants allowed the targeted synthesis of Co@Fe(2)O(3) heterodimer and CoFe(2)O(4) ferrite nanoparticles. They display magnetic properties that are useful for magnetic MRI detection.     

A highly porous flexible Metal-Organic Framework with corundum topology

A flexible Metal-Organic Framework Zn(4)O(BenzTB)(3/2) (DUT-13) was obtained by combination of a tetratopic linker and Zn(4)O(6+) as connector. The material has a corundum topology and shows the highest pore volume among flexible MOFs.     

Conserved Tyr223(5.58) plays different roles in the activation and G-protein interaction of rhodopsin

Rhodopsin, a seven transmembrane helix (TM) receptor, binds its ligand 11-cis-retinal via a protonated Schiff base. Coupling to the G-protein transducin (G(t)) occurs after light-induced cis/trans-retinal isomerization, which leads through photoproducts into a sequence of metarhodopsin (Meta) states: Meta I ? Meta IIa ? Meta IIb ? Meta IIbH(+). The structural changes behind this three-step activation scheme are mediated by microswitch domains consisting of conserved amino acids. Here we focus on Tyr223(5.58) as part of the Y(5.58)X(7)K(R)(5.66) motif. Mutation to Ala, Phe, or Glu results in specific impairments of G(t)-activation measured by intrinsic G(t) fluorescence. UV-vis/FTIR spectroscopy of rhodopsin and its complex with a C-terminal G(t)α peptide allows the assignment of these deficiencies to specific steps in the activation path. Effects of mutation occur already in Meta I but do not directly influence deprotonation of the Schiff base during formation of Meta IIa. Absence of the whole phenol ring (Y223A) allows the activating motion of TM6 in Meta IIb but impairs the coupling to G(t). When only the hydroxyl group is lacking (Y223F), Meta IIb does not accumulate, but the activity toward G(t) remains substantial. From the FTIR features of Meta IIbH(+) we conclude that proton uptake to Glu134(3.49) is mandatory for Tyr223(5.58) to engage in the interaction with the key player Arg135(3.50) predicted by X-ray analysis. This polar interaction is partially recovered in Y223E, explaining its relatively high activity. Only the phenol side chain of tyrosine provides all characteristics for accumulation of the active state and G-protein activation.     

Electronic structure of sub-10 nm colloidal silica nanoparticles measured by in situ photoelectron spectroscopy at the aqueous-solid interface

X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been extended to colloidal nanoparticles in aqueous solution using a liquid microjet in combination with synchrotron radiation, which allowed for depth-dependent measurements. Two distinct electronic structures are evident in the Si 2p photoelectron spectrum of 7 nm SiO(2)-nanoparticles at pH 10. A core-shell model is proposed where only the outermost layer of SiO(2) nanoparticles, which is mainly composed of deprotonated silanol groups, >Si-O(-), interacts with the solution. The core of the nanoparticles is not affected by the solvation process and retains the same electronic structure as measured in vacuum. Future opportunities of this new experiment are also highlighted.     

Synthesis and Thermal Transformations of 1-Polyfluoro-Alkyl-2-Trialkylsilylethyl Esters of Phosphorus Acids

Abstract

We have studied the phosphorylation of 1-polyfluorólkyl-2-trialkylsilylethanols (I) with phosphorus acids chlorides.     

Alternativ-Liganden. XXII. Rhodium(I)-Komplexe mit Donor/Akzeptor-Liganden des Typs Me2PCH2CH2SiXnMe3−(X = F,Cl, OMe)

Alternative Ligands. XXII. Rhodium(I) complexes with Donor/Acceptor Ligands of the Typs Me₂PCH₂CH₂SiX_nMe_3?n(X = F, Cl, OMe) Donor/acceptor ligand of the type Me₂PCH₂SiX_nMe_3?n react with [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ ( 1 ) to give the mononuclear complexes RhCl(CO)(PMe₂CH₂CH₂SiX_nMe_3?n)₂ ( 2-6 , Table 1) with planar geometry of the donor atoms, one exception being Me₂PCH₂CH₂CH₂SiCl₃, yielding the crystalline Rh^III-complex RhCl₂(CO)(PMe₂CH₂CH₂SiCl₂)(PMe₂CH₂CH₂SiCl₃) ( 7 ) by oxidative addition of one of the SiCl bonds to the Rh¹ precursor. Structures with Rh → Si interaction between the basic central atoms and the acceptor group SiX_nMe_3?n could be detected in the isolated products neither spectroscopically nor by X-ray diffraction of the two representatives RhCl(CO)(PMe₂CH₂CH₂SiF₃)₂ ( 2 ) and RhCl(CO)[PMe₂CH₂CH₂siF₃]₂ ( 2 ) and RhCl(CO) [PMe₂CH₂CH₂Si(OMe₃]₂ ( 6 ). The presence of such acid/base adducts in the reaction mixture is indicated for the more acidic acceptor groups SiX_nMe_3?n byv_co values near 1990cm^?1, (see Table 3). The complex RhCl(CO)PMe₃)(PMe₂CH₂CH₂SiF₃ ( 8 ) is obtained by the reaction of RhCl(CO)(PMe₃)₂ ( 9 ) with Me₂PCH₂SiF₃ and has been identified spectroscopically in a mixture with 2 and 9 .