Investigating the interface of superhydrophobic surfaces in contact with water

Neutron reflectivity (NR) is used to probe the solid, liquid, vapor interface of a porous superhydrophobic (SH) surface submerged in water. A low-temperature, low-pressure technique was used to prepare a rough, highly porous organosilica aerogel-like film. UV/ozone treatments were used to control the surface coverage of hydrophobic organic ligands on the silica framework, allowing the contact angle with water to be continuously varied over the range of 160 degrees (superhydrophobic) to <10 degrees (hydrophilic). NR shows that the superhydrophobic nature of the surface prevents infiltration of water into the porous film. Atomic force microscopy and density functional theory simulations are used in combination to interpret the NR results and help establish the location, width, and nature of the SH film-water interface.     

Sweep optical frequency synthesizer with a distributed-Bragg-reflector laser injection locked by a single component of an optical frequency comb

A sweep optical frequency synthesizer is demonstrated by using a frequency-stabilized optical frequency comb and injection-locked distributed-Bragg-reflector (DBR) laser diode. The injection-locked DBR laser acts as a single-frequency filter and, simultaneously, a high-gain amplifier of the optical frequency comb. The frequency instability of the heterodyne beat signal between two independently injection-locked DBR lasers is measured to be 2.3 x 10(-16) at 1 s averaging time. The output frequency of the sweep optical frequency synthesizer can be precisely tuned over 1 GHz, and a saturated absorption spectrum of the Cs D2 line at 852 nm is recorded by the injected DBR laser.     

Hydrogen adsorption in an interpenetrated dynamic metal-organic framework

A metal-organic framework Zn(NDC)(4,4'-Bpe)(0.5).xG [NDC = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate; 4,4'-Bpe = 4,4'-trans-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene; G = guest molecules] has been synthesized, structurally characterized, and rationalized to be a two-interpenetrated elongated primitive cubic net. Powder X-ray diffraction and adsorption studies reveal the dynamic feature of the framework, which can take up hydrogen of about 2.0 wt % at 77 K and 40 bar and 0.3 wt % at 298 K and 65 bar.     

Synthesis and characterization of (smif)2M(n) (n = 0, M = V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ru; n = +1, M = Cr, Mn, Co, Rh, Ir; smif =1,3-di-(2-pyridyl)-2-azaallyl)

A series of Werner complexes featuring the tridentate ligand smif, that is, 1,3-di-(2-pyridyl)-2-azaallyl, have been prepared. Syntheses of (smif)(2)M (1-M; M = Cr, Fe) were accomplished via treatment of M(NSiMe(3))(2)(THF)(n) (M = Cr, n = 2; Fe, n = 1) with 2 equiv of (smif)H (1,3-di-(2-pyridyl)-2-azapropene); ortho-methylated ((o)Mesmif)(2)Fe (2-Fe) and ((o)Me(2)smif)(2)Fe (3-Fe) were similarly prepared. Metatheses of MX(2) variants with 2 equiv of Li(smif) or Na(smif) generated 1-M (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Ru). Metathesis of VCl(3)(THF)(3) with 2 Li(smif) with a reducing equiv of Na/Hg present afforded 1-V, while 2 Na(smif) and IrCl(3)(THF)(3) in the presence of NaBPh(4) gave [(smif)(2)Ir]BPh(4) (1(+)-Ir). Electrochemical experiments led to the oxidation of 1-M (M = Cr, Mn, Co) by AgOTf to produce [(smif)(2)M]OTf (1(+)-M), and treatment of Rh(2)(O(2)CCF(3))(4) with 4 equiv Na(smif) and 2 AgOTf gave 1(+)-Rh. Characterizations by NMR, EPR, and UV-vis spectroscopies, SQUID magnetometry, X-ray crystallography, and DFT calculations are presented. Intraligand (IL) transitions derived from promotion of electrons from the unique CNC(nb) (nonbonding) orbitals of the smif backbone to ligand π*-type orbitals are intense (ε ≈ 10,000-60,000 M(-1)cm(-1)), dominate the UV-visible spectra, and give crystals a metallic-looking appearance. High energy K-edge spectroscopy was used to show that the smif in 1-Cr is redox noninnocent, and its electron configuration is best described as (smif(-))(smif(2-))Cr(III); an unusual S = 1 EPR spectrum (X-band) was obtained for 1-Cr.     

Regularization of the collision in the electromagnetic two-body problem

We derive a differential equation that is regular at the collision of two equal-mass bodies with attractive interaction in the relativistic action-at-a-distance electrodynamics. We use the energy constant related to the Poincare invariance of the theory to define finite variables with finite derivatives at the collision. The collision orbits are calculated numerically using the regular equation adapted in a self-consistent minimization method (a stable numerical method that chooses only nonrunaway solutions). This dynamical system appeared 100 years ago as an example of covariant time-symmetric two-body dynamics and acquired the status of electrodynamics in the 1940s by the works of Dirac, Wheeler, and Feynman. We outline the method with an emphasis on the physics of this complex conservative dynamical system.     

塞曼效应的发现

 荷兰物理学家塞曼(PieterLeeman,1865-1943)由于发现光谱的磁致分裂现象,与洛仑兹(H.A.Lorentz,1853-1928)共获1902年诺贝尔物理奖.塞曼坚持研究磁光效应是由于受到了法拉第的启示,因此我们首先介绍一下法拉第的工作.一、法拉第效应的发现大家都知道,法拉第是一位伟大的实验物理学家,他的一生对人类作了许多贡献,最重要的应该是电磁感应现象的发现.他本着自然力的统一性这一信念,坚持探索电与磁的联系,经过十年的反复试验,终于在1831年发现了一系列电磁感应现象,并且进一步总结得出了这些现象的基本规律.     

迈克尔孙和迈克尔孙-莫雷实验

 迈克尔孙(A.A.Michelson,1852-1931是美国著名实验物理学家,以光速的测定和迈克尔孙-莫雷实验著称。1880年,他发明了以自己名字命名的干涉仪,用之于比较不同方向的光速,取得了出乎意料的结果。后来他又用干涉仪方法对国际米原器进行校准,第一次实现了非实物的长度基准。由于他用光学精密仪器所作的精确测量和光谱研究,荣获1907年度诺贝尔物理奖。 1.迈克尔孙干涉仪的由来 迈克尔孙干涉仪的发明起源于以太的研究。     

Poisson-Boltzmann theory of pH-sensitive (annealing) polyelectrolyte brush

We present a self-consistent field analytical theory of a polymer brush formed by weakly charged pH-sensitive (annealing) polyelectrolytes tethered to a solid-liquid interface and immersed in buffer solution of low molecular weight salt. We use the Poisson-Boltzmann framework, applied by us previously to polyelectrolyte (PE) brushes with quenched charge (Zhulina, E. B.; Borisov, O. V. J. Chem. Phys. 1997, 107, 5952). This approach allows for detailed analysis of the internal structure of annealing PE brush in terms of polymer density distribution, profiles of electrostatic potential and of local degree of chain ionization as a function of buffer ionic strength and pH without any assumptions on mobile ion distribution imposed in earlier scaling-type models. The presented analytical theory recovers all major asymptotic dependences for average brush properties predicted earlier. In particular, a nonmonotonic dependence of brush thickness on ionic strength and grafting density is confirmed and specified with accuracy of numerical coefficients including crossover regions. Moreover, the theory predicts qualitatively new effects, such as, e.g., disproportionation of tethered polyions into weakly charged concentrated proximal and strongly charged sparse distal brush domains at low salt and moderate grating densities. The presented results allow us to quantify responsive features of annealing PE brushes whose large-scale and local conformational properties can be manipulated by external stimuli.     

Preparation, characterization and biocompatibility studies on risperidone-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN): high pressure homogenization versus ultrasound

The suitability of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) for the encapsulation of risperidone (RISP), an antipsychotic lipophilic drug, was assessed for oral administration. The hot high pressure homogenization (HPH) and the ultrasound (US) technique were used as production methods for SLN. All the studies on the SLN formulations were done in parallel, in order to compare the results and conclude about the advantages and limitations of both techniques. The particle sizes were in the nanometer range for all prepared SLN formulations and the zeta potential absolute values were high, predicting good long-term stability. Optical analyses demonstrated the achievement of stable colloidal dispersions. Physicochemical characterization of dispersions and bulk lipids, performed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray assays, support prediction of occurrence of drug incorporation in the SLN and good long term stability of the systems. The toxicity of SLN with Caco-2 cells and the existence of contaminations derived from the production equipments were assessed by the (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results showed 90% of cell viability after SLN exposure, with no significant differences within all prepared formulations (p > 0.05). From this study, we conclude that SLN can be considered as efficient carriers for RISP encapsulation. Moreover, HPH and US revealed to be both effective methods for SLN production.     

Polyoxometalate-templated lanthanide-organic hybrid layers based on 6(3)-honeycomb-like 2D nets

The reaction of a double-betaine-containing ligand with LnPMo(12)O(40)·nH(2)O (Ln = Dy, Tb and Er) led to the isolation of new polyoxometalate-templated lanthanide-organic hybrid layers with the molecular formula [Ln(L)(1.5)(H(2)O)(5)][PMo(12)O(40)]·1.5CH(3)CN·2H(2)O (Ln = Dy (1), Tb (2) and Er (3); L = 1,4-bis(pyridinil-4-carboxylato)-l,4-dimethylbenzene). All compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, TG analyses, IR and the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1-3 are isostructural and possess a 2D undulating cationic network [Ln(L)(1.5)(H(2)O)(5)](n)(3n+) with the honeycomb-like cavities. Interestingly, the interval 2D networks are further connected by the H-bonds to form a 3D supramolecular framework. Moreover, two of such identical supramolecular frameworks are 2-fold interpenetrated with each other and encapsulate the α-Keggin-type [PMo(12)O(40)](3-) anionic templates and the solvent molecules. These composite compounds display both luminescent properties (induced by organic ligands and/or lanthanide ions) and electrocatalytic activities towards the reduction of nitrite.