Excitation dependent quenching of luminescence in LED phosphors

Droop, the decrease of efficiency with increased power density, became a major topic with InGaN LEDs, after its introduction in 2007. This paper provides insight into droop in localized center luminescence phosphors, exemplified here by Eu²⁺ doped materials. This topic is of increasing importance, as high brightness blue LEDs have reached outputs >1 W/mm². The nonlinearities in phosphor quantum efficiency result in drive‐dependent color point shift and reduction of overall efficiency of phosphor converted white LEDs which utilize Eu²⁺ activated phosphors. The efficiency quenching can be traced back to two processes, well‐known in laser physics, excited state absorption or/and cross relaxation by Foerster/Dexter transfer. Both processes lead to reduction in phosphor efficiency, but they can be differentiated. Understanding the root cause of efficiency quenching opens ways to minimize the practical consequences. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A self-loading microfluidic device for determining the minimum inhibitory concentration of antibiotics

This article describes a portable microfluidic technology for determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics against bacteria. The microfluidic platform consists of a set of chambers molded in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) that are preloaded with antibiotic, dried, and reversibly sealed to a second layer of PDMS containing channels that connect the chambers. The assembled device is degassed via vacuum prior to its use, and the absorption of gas by PDMS provides the mechanism for actuating and metering the flow of fluid in the microfluidic channels and chambers. During the operation of the device, degas driven flow introduces a suspension of bacterial cells, dissolves the antibiotic, and isolates cells in individual chambers without cross contamination. The growth of bacteria in the chambers in the presence of a pH indicator produces a colorimetric change that can be detected visually using ambient light. Using this device we measured the MIC of vancomycin, tetracycline, and kanamycin against Enterococcus faecalis 1131, Proteus mirabilis HI4320, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli MG1655 and report values that are comparable to standard liquid broth dilution measurements. The device provides a simple method for MIC determination of individual antibiotics against human pathogens that will have applications for clinical and point-of-care medicine. Importantly, this device is designed around simplicity: it requires a single pipetting step to introduce the sample, no additional components or external equipment for its operation, and provides a straightforward visual measurement of cell growth. As the device introduces a novel approach for filling and isolating dead-end microfluidic chambers that does not require valves and actuators, this technology should find applications in other portable assays and devices.     

Electrochemical Detection of Artemisinin Using Cobalt Sulphide/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite

Solvothermally synthesized cobalt sulphide/reduced graphene oxide (CoS/rGO) was used to fabricate an electrochemical sensor for detection of artemisinin. Microscopic techniques were used to characterize CoS/rGO nanocomposite. The electrochemical sensor was fabricated by modifying the surface of glassy carbon electrode with CoS/rGO nanocomposite. [Fe(CN)6]^3−/4− was used as a mediator to aid oxidation of artemisinin. Differential pulse voltammetric technique was used for the detection of artemisinin. A linear range of 30–100 μM was used. Experimentally, a detection limit of 0.5 μM was obtained. Therefore, the developed sensor can be used for quality control of artemisinin.     

Iron pentacarbonyl as a precursor for molecule-based magnets: formation of Fe[TCNE](2) (T(c) = 100 K) and Fe[TCNQ](2) (T(c) = 35 K) magnets

The reaction of tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane (TCNQ) with Fe(CO)(5) leads to formation of magnetically ordered materials of Fe[TCNE](2) (T(c) = 100 K) and Fe[TCNQ](2) (T(c) = 35 K) composition, respectively. In contrast, the reaction with 1,2-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ) leads to a paramagnetic material.     

Electroreductive Cobalt‐Catalyzed Carboxylation: Cross‐Electrophile Electrocoupling with Atmospheric CO2

The chemical use of CO₂ as an inexpensive, nontoxic C1 synthon is of utmost topical interest in the context of carbon capture and utilization (CCU). We present the merger of cobalt catalysis and electrochemical synthesis for mild catalytic carboxylations of allylic chlorides with CO₂. Styrylacetic acid derivatives were obtained with moderate to good yields and good functional group tolerance. The thus‐obtained products are useful as versatile synthons of γ‐arylbutyrolactones. Cyclic voltammetry and in operando kinetic analysis were performed to provide mechanistic insights into the electrocatalytic carboxylation with CO₂.     

Stars at infinity in Teichmüller space

Geometriae Dedicata - We investigate a metric structure on the Thurston boundary of  Teichmüller space. To do this, we develop tools in sup metrics and apply Minsky’s...     

Directed supramolecular assembly of Cu(II)-based "paddlewheels" into infinite 1-D chains using structurally bifunctional ligands

The construction of Cu(II)-containing supramolecular chains is achieved by combining suitable anionic ligands (for controlling the coordination geometry and for creating a neutral building block) with four new bifunctional ligands containing a metal-coordinating pyridyl site and a self-complementary hydrogen-bonding moiety. Seven crystal structures are presented and in each case, the copper(II) complex displays a "paddlewheel" arrangement, with four carboxylate ligands occupying the equatorial sites, leaving room for the bifunctional ligand to coordinate in the axial positions. The supramolecular chemistry, which organizes the coordination-complexes into the desired infinite 1-D chains, is driven by a combination of N-H...N and N-H...O hydrogen-bonds in five of the seven structures.