Synthesis of thieno[2,3-c:5,4-c]dipyridine and the one electron transfer properties of its dimethyl diquaternary salt

Thieno[2,3-c:5,4-c]dipyridine is synthesised by reaction of 3,3′-thiobispyridine with sodium and liquid ammonia in dimethylformamide. It forms a diquaternary salt with excess methyl iodide. The salt is reversibly reduced to a stable blue-green radical cation in aqueous solution at a potential (E_σ) of -0.38V.     

Pyrolysis characteristics of iodine precursors for gas source n-type doping of II–VI compounds

The selection criteria and pyrolysis characteristics of iodine precursors were investigated to determine the best compounds for the n-type doping of CdTe during gas source molecular beam epitaxy. Ethyliodide and allyliodide were found to have the most suitable properties and to produce iodine dimers for pyrolysis temperatures above 650 and 600°C, respectively. The ethyliodide doping of CdTe was studied and produced highly conductive CdTe layers with room temperature electron concentrations as high as 3 × 10¹⁸ cmsu-3 with a mobility of ˜ 460 cm²/V·s.     

The Effect of Bacterial Signal Indole on the Electrical Properties of Lipid Membranes

Indole is an important biological signalling molecule produced by many Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial species, including Escherichia coli. Here we study the effect of indole on the electrical properties of lipid membranes. Using electrophysiology, we show that two indole molecules act cooperatively to transport charge across the hydrophobic core of the lipid membrane. To enhance charge transport, induced by indole across the lipid membrane, we use an indole derivative, 4 fluoro‐indole. We demonstrate parallels between charge transport through artificial lipid membranes and the function of complex eukaryotic membrane systems by showing that physiological indole concentrations increase the rate of mitochondrial oxygen consumption. Our data provide a biophysical explanation for how indole may link the metabolism of bacterial and eukaryotic cells.     

Design of annular photonic crystal slabs

We present the design of realistic annular photonic-crystal (APC) structures of finite thickness aiming to obtain a complete photonic bandgap (PBG). The APC is composed of dielectric rods and circular air holes in a triangular lattice such that each rod is centered within each hole. The optical and geometrical values of the structure are studied, and the interplay between various design parameters is highlighted. The coupled role of the inner-dielectric-rod radius, material types, and slab thickness is investigated. It is shown that the slab thickness is vital to obtain a complete photonic bandgap below the light line, and the specific value of the inner-dielectric-rod radius to sustain the maximum PBG if the hole radius is fixed at proper value is found.