Lab-in-a-tube: ultracompact components for on-chip capture and detection of individual micro-/nanoorganisms

A review of present and future on-chip rolled-up devices, which can be used to develop lab-in-a-tube total analysis systems, is presented. Lab-in-a-tube is the integration of numerous rolled-up components into a single device constituting a microsystem of hundreds/thousands of independent units on a chip, each individually capable of sorting, detecting and analyzing singular organisms. Such a system allows for a scale-down of biosensing systems, while at the same time increasing the data collection through a large, smart array of individual biosensors. A close look at these ultracompact components which have been developed over the past decade is given. Methods for the capture of biomaterial are laid out and progress of cell culturing in three-dimensional scaffolding is detailed. Rolled-up optical sensors based on photoluminescence, optomechanics, optofluidics and metamaterials are presented. Magnetic sensors are introduced as well as electrical components including heating, energy storage and resistor devices.     

Heterolytic addition of E-H bonds across Pt-P bonds in Pt N-heterocyclic phosphenium/phosphido complexes

The reactivity of E-H bonds (E = S, O, Cl) with Pt(II) complexes ligated by an N-heterocyclic phosphido-containing diphosphine ligand have been investigated. Addition of PhSH to [(PPP)Pt(PPh(3))][PF(6)] (1) results in clean formation of [(PP(H)P)Pt(SPh)][PF(6)] (3), in which the substrate has added across the Pt-P(NHP) bond. Similar reactivity occurs when 1 is treated with ROH (R = Ph, Me), but in this case the O-H bond adds across the Pt-P bond in the opposite direction producing [(PP(OR)P)Pt(H)(PPh(3))][PF(6)] (R = Ph (4), Me (5)). HCl addition to 1 cleanly generates [(PP(H)P)PtCl][PF(6)] (6(PF6)). The neutral Pt-NHP complex (PPP)PtCl (2) exhibits similar reactivity; however, in the presence of the nucleophilic Cl(-) anion, the (PP(OR)P)Pt(H)Cl species presumably generated via addition of ROH (R = Me, Et) undergoes an Arbuzov-like dealkylation reaction to exclusively form the N-heterocylic phosphinito species (PP(O)P)Pt(H) (7).     

Synthesis, characterisation and theoretical study of ruthenium 4,4'-bi-1,2,3-triazolyl complexes: fundamental switching of the nature of S1 and T1 states from MLCT to MC

The series of complexes [Ru(bpy)(3-n)(btz)(n)][PF(6)](2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl, btz = 1,1'-dibenzyl-4,4'-bi-1,2,3-triazolyl, 2n = 1, 3n = 2, 4n = 3) have been prepared and characterised, and the photophysical and electronic effects imparted by the btz ligand were investigated. Complexes 2 and 3 exhibit MLCT absorption bands at 425 and 446 nm respectively showing a progressive blue-shift in the absorption on increasing the btz ligand content when compared to [Ru(bpy)(3)][Cl](2) (1). Complex 4 exhibits a heavily blue-shifted absorption spectrum with respect to those of 1-3, indicating that the LUMO of the latter are bpy-centred with little or no btz contribution whereas that of 4 is necessarily btz-centred. DFT calculations on analogous complexes 1'-4' (in which the benzyl substituents are replaced by methyl) show that the HOMO-LUMO gap increases by 0.3 eV from 1'-3' through destabilisation of the LUMO with respect to the HOMO. The HOMO-LUMO gap of 4' increases by 0.98 eV compared to that of 3' due to significant destabilisation of the LUMO. Examination of TDDFT data show that the S(1) states of 1'-3' are (1)MLCT in character whereas that of 4' is (1)MC. The optimisation of the T(1) state of 4' leads to the elongation of two mutually trans Ru-N bonds to yield [Ru(κ(2)-btz)(κ(1)-btz)(2)](2+), confirming the (3)MC character. Thus, replacement of bpy by btz leads to a fundamental change in the ordering of excited states such that the nature of the lowest energy excited state changes from MLCT in nature to MC.     

Aggregation of donor base stabilized 2-thienyllithium in a single crystal and in solution: distances from X-ray diffraction and the nuclear Overhauser effect

Various 2-thienyllithium derivatives were investigated in the solid state by X-ray diffraction and in solution by 2D NMR experiments. The determined structures of [(Et(2)O)Li(C(4)H(3)S)](4) (1), [(THF)(2)Li(C(4)H(3)S)](2) (2), [(DME)Li(C(4)H(3)S)](2) (3), [(TMEDA)Li(C(4)H(3)S)](2) (4), and [(PMDETA)Li(C(4)H(3)S)] (5) (DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane, TMEDA = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylene-1,2-diamine, and PMDETA = N,N,N',N",N"-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) were solved in nondonating toluene and provide firm ground for diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy as well as heteronuclear Overhauser enhancement NMR spectroscopy. The distance relation of nuclear Overhauser effects with a factor of r(-6) is employed to gain further insight into the aggregation degree of 1-5 in solution. Comparison of the slope provided by the linear region of the buildup curves and of the ∑r(-6) calculated distances from the crystal structures offers a handle to judge the structure retention versus conversion in solution. The structures of 3-5 are maintained in toluene solution. The data of 2, however, indicate a partial dissociation or a rapid exchange between the vertices of a tetrameric core and free THF molecules. Auxiliary exchange spectroscopy investigations showed that the signals of the nitrogen donor base containing compounds 4 and 5 exchange with the signals of nonlithiated thiophene. This is explained by exchange of the deuterium by a hydrogen atom via lithiation of toluene molecules.     

Quantification strategies for elemental imaging of biological samples using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

This review provides analysts with critical insights of current approaches for quantification by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in the field of elemental imaging. This encompasses both calibration strategies that have been used with success in imaging biological samples, as well as those with potential to improve analytical accuracy and precision if applied to imaging. Methods reviewed include the use of CRMs, laboratory prepared matrix matched standards, internal standardisation, online standard addition and a variety of novel approaches that makes elemental imaging accessible to a wider base of analysts. The importance of quantification and factors affecting its use in imaging will also be considered.     

Coherent spectral enhancement of carrier-envelope-phase stable continua with dual-gas high harmonic generation

Attosecond science is enabled by the ability to convert femtosecond near-infrared laser light into coherent harmonics in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range. While attosecond sources have been utilized in experiments that have not demanded high intensities, substantially higher photon flux would provide a natural link to the next significant experimental breakthrough. Numerical simulations of dual-gas high harmonic generation indicate that the output in the cutoff spectral region can be selectively enhanced without disturbing the single-atom gating mechanism. Here, we summarize the results of these simulations and present first experimental findings to support these predictions.     

Two new antimicrobial metabolites from the endophytic fungus, Seimatosporium sp

Two new acaranoic acids, named seimatoporic acid A and B (1, and 2), together with six known compounds, R-(-)-mellein (3), cis-4-hydroxymellein (4), trans-4-hydroxymellein (5), 4R-hydroxy-5-methylmellein (6), (-)-5-hydroxymethylmellein (7), and ergosterol (8) were isolated from an endophytic fungus, Seimatosporium sp, by a bioassay-guided procedure. The structures of the new compounds have been assigned from analysis of the 1H and 13C NMR spectra, DEPT, and by 2D COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY experiments. A mixture of compounds 1 and 2 showed strong antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea, Septoria tritici, and Pyricularia oryzae.     

Sea water desalination by dynamic layer melt crystallization: Parametric study of the freezing and sweating steps

This work aims at developing a dynamic layer crystallizer operated batchwise, for freezing desalination of sea water. The experiments were performed with water/NaCl solutions and with samples of sea water from Nice, Rabat and Marseille. The pilot crystallizer consists of a cooled tube immersed in a cylindrical double jacketed tank. The solution is poured into the tank and the crystallization takes place on the external surface of the tube, by applying a cooling ramp in the tube. The solution is agitated by air bubbling. The whole process involves the freezing step, leading to the crystallization of the ice layer and the sweating step, which consists of purifying in depth the ice layer by melting the impure zones. A parametric study on the effect of the operating parameters has allowed quantifying the role of the different key parameters of the freezing and sweating steps. Three experiments allowed reaching salinities lower than 0.5 g/kg, satisfying the standards of drinking water. The duration of the whole process dropped to only 8 h (5 h for freezing and 3 h for sweating), with a yield of sweating equal to about 50%, provided severe conditions were applied for sweating. Higher yields required longer times. Overall, the results show the feasibility of the technique.     

Unexpected thermal decomposition of the "Alder carbene" (iPr(2)N)(2)C

The "Alder carbene" (iPr(2)N)(2)C undergoes a β-fragmentation in solution already at room temperature, affording propene and N,N,N'-triisopropylformamidine. This stands in sharp contrast to the indefinite stability previously claimed for this iconic compound.     

Synthesis of microsphere-loaded porous polymers by combining emulsion and dispersion polymerisations in supercritical carbon dioxide

Highly porous materials were produced by acrylamide polymerisation templated by supercritical CO(2)-in-water emulsions using new fluorinated glycosurfactants. Properties of the resulting polymer scaffolds were tuned by performing dispersion polymerisations within their cavities filled with supercritical CO(2).