Microrheology probes length scale dependent rheology

We exploit the power of microrheology to measure the viscoelasticity of entangled F-actin solutions at different length scales from 1 to 100 microm over a wide frequency range. We compare the behavior of single probe-particle motion to that of the correlated motion of two particles. By varying the average length of the filaments, we identify fluctuations that dissipate diffusively over the filament length. These provide an important relaxation mechanism of the elasticity between 0.1 and 30 rad/sec.     

Improved space time prewhitener for linear frequency modulation reverberation using fractional Fourier transform

This letter presents an improved space time prewhitening method for linear frequency modulation (LFM) reverberation. The proposed method transforms the reverberation to fractional Fourier domain to whiten using fractional Fourier transform. The linear varying frequency in LFM reverberation is focused on a stationary frequency, and the adjacent block signal is used as the reference signal of prewhitening. Finally, experiment results with real reverberation data verify that the proposed method improves the detection performance of active sonar in shallow sea significantly.     

Preparation of nano-hydroxyapatite/poly(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-lactide) biocomposite microspheres

Nano-hydroxyapatite (HA)/poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) composite microspheres with relatively uniform size distribution were prepared by a solid-in-oil-in-water (s/o/w) emusion solvent evaporation method. The encapsulation of the HA nanopaticles in microshperes was significantly improved by grafting PLLA on the surface of the HA nanoparticles (p-HA) during emulsion process. This procedure gave a possibility to obtain p-HA/PLLA composite microspheres with uniform morphology and the encapsulated p-HA nanoparticle loading reached up to 40 wt% (33 wt% of pure HA) in the p-HA/PLLA composite microspheres. The microstructure of composite microspheres from core-shell to single phase changed with the variation of p-HA to PLLA ratios. p-HA/PLLA composite microspheres with the diameter range of 2–3 μm were obtained. The entrapment efficiency of p-HA in microspheres could high up to 90 wt% and that of HA was only 13 wt%. Surface and bulk characterizations of the composite microspheres were performed by measurements such as wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).     

Oberflächenstörungen und Hohlwachstum bei der Züchtung von β-Kupferphthalocyanin-Einkristallen aus der Gasphase

Hollow crystals are obtained frequently during the growth of copper phthalocyanine single crystals from the vapour phase. This appearance makes some physical investigations impossible. To overcome these difficulties some ways are discussed. The reasons for hollow growth are instabilities in the growth caused by diffusion controlled inhomogeneities in supersaturation on the growth front. This was found by observations of surface defects and by defined growth experiments. By introduction of special methods of growth and use of defined parameters one obtains bulk crystals of larger extent up to 1 mm in cross direction. References are given in the field of hollow crystal growth in the vapour phase of other substances.     

Zum Einfluß der Diffusion auf Keimbildung und Wachstum bei der Kristallzüchtung aus der Gasphase

The crystal growth in the vapour phase is governed by the diffusion of the nutrient to the surface of the growing crystal. The diffusion fields are calculated for two idealized limiting cases. The conditions of the real growth process are discussed.     

Positive dipole correlation at the I/B2 transition in the isotropic phase

The first evidence of a positive dipole correlation in the isotropic phase near to the I/B₂ transition is given.     

In plane and out of plane anisotropy in Langmuir-Blodgett films of discogenic molecules

Abstract

Langmuir-Blodgett films of a discotic mesogenic pyrylium tetrafluoroborate salt (1) have been investigated from the point of view of their in-plane anisotropy, i.e. considering the average molecular orientation with respect to the dipping direction. The molecules are found to stand on edge with their flat polycyclic core more or less perpendicular to the dipping direction. Mixing 1 with N(C₄H₉)₄ ⁺ TCNQ^? in the spreading solvent leads to a different behaviour of the monolayer at the air-water interface, involving the formation of the Pyrylium-TCNQ salt. In contrast to the films of pure 1, these films do not exhibit any in-plane anisotropy after deposition on a solid substrate. The temperature dependance of the molecular anisotropy of both films has also been investigated. The results are presented and discussed in the framework of their mesomorphic properties together with the influence of the anion associated with Pyrylium.     

2,5‐Dibromopyridine as a key building block in the synthesis of 2,5‐disubstituted pyridine‐based liquid crystals

Fifteen 2,5‐disubstituted pyridine based liquid crystals were synthesized exploiting the different reactivities of the bromine atoms in 2,5‐dibromopyridine under Negishi coupling conditions. Convenient approaches to both 2‐iodo‐5‐alkyl‐pyridines and 2‐alkyl‐5‐bromopyridines were also developed. The liquid crystalline behaviour of the synthesized materials was investigated using DSC and polarizing microscopy. The charge mobility of 2‐(4‐heptyloxyphenyl)‐5‐heptylpyridine was measured using the time of flight technique.     

Synthesis,properties and photopolymerization of liquid crystalline dioxetanes

The synthesis and photopolymerization of various liquid crystalline dioxetanes is described. The effects of the spacer length, structure of the mesogenic group and oxetane group on the liquid crystalline properties, polymerization behaviour and optical properties (birefringence) of the oriented and crosslinked network formed in photo-polymerization are discussed. Thermally stable films with birefringence values up to 0.13 can be formed from these materials. The dioxetanes show significantly lower polymerization shrinkage than do structurally related diacrylates.     

Mesophase formation in lead(II) decanoate

Abstract

Structures of the thermotropic mesophases of lead(II) decanoate are reassigned following optical and X-ray diffraction studies. These results, and those of D.S.C., Raman and ²⁰⁷Pb N.M.R. spectroscopy, indicate formation of a lower temperature mesophase involving mainly increased lateral disorder, and a higher temperature L_α (smectic A) phase resulting from chain disordering and decreased lead-carboxylate interaction. Comparison of experimental thermodynamic data for the phase transitions with theoretical data in the literature indicates that the entropy change for the lower to higher mesophase transition is dominated by the increase in chain disorder.