Measurement of MHD combustion-gas temperatures and potassium number densities in the presence of cold boundary layers

The wing-reversal method is useful, with small influence by self-resonant absorption, for the measurement of MHD combustion-gas temperatures in the presence of cold boundary layers. We show how the errors caused by self-absorption in the wing-reversal method are obtained by using correction factors for temperature and potassium atom density in boundary layers, without numerical integration of the radiative transfer equation. The radiative transfer equation and the absorption coefficient of potassium may be simplified when the optical thickness is appreciably smaller than unity. We have used this method on MHD combustion gases. The measured main flow temperature agrees with the thermal equilibrium temperature within 1%, while the measured main flow potassium atom density is about 65% of the equilibrium density.     

Synthesis of n-type semiconducting diamond film using diphosphorus pentaoxide as the doping source

An n-type semiconducting diamond film has been synthesized by the hot filament CVD method using diphosphorus pentaoxide as the doping source. The obtained film was identified as polycrystalline diamond containing few sp² components by means of several methods including Raman spectroscopy. From measurements of the Hall effect and the Seebeck effect, the film was found to be an n-type semiconductor.Patent pending No. Heisei 1-302209     

Noble Metal‐Iron Oxide Hybrid Nanomaterials: Emerging Applications

This account provides an overview of current research activities that focus on the synthesis and applications of nanomaterials from noble metal (e.g., Au, Ag, Pd) and iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) hybrids. An introduction to the synthetic strategies that have been developed for generating M–Fe₃O₄ nanomaterials with different novel structures is presented. Surface functionalization and bioconjugation of these hybrid nanoparticles and nanocomposites are also reviewed. The utilization of the advantageous properties of both noble metals and iron oxide for a variety of applications, such as theranostics, gene delivery, biosensing, cell sorting, bioseparation, and catalysis, is discussed and highlighted. Finally, future trends and perspectives of these sophisticated nanocomposites are outlined. The fundamental requirements underpinning the effective preparation of M–Fe_xO_y hybrid nanomaterials shed light on the future development of heterogeneous catalysts, nanotheranostics, nanomedicines, and other chemical technologies.     

Nanoliter-volume protein enrichment, tryptic digestion, and partial separation based on isoelectric points by CE for MALDI mass spectral analysis

Sequence-specific proteolysis is an important part of protein identification by MS. Digestion of protein is commonly performed in-solution, in sample vials with volumes ranging from milli- to microliters. When digestion is performed with a sample volume below 1 microL, handling of solution and potential sample loss via adsorption become significant issues. In this report, a proof of concept for the digestion of a small volume protein solution inside a capillary was demonstrated using a discontinuous buffer system previously studied (Nesbitt, C. A., et al. J. Chromatogr. A 2005, 1073, 175-180). Upon voltage application, a pH junction was created by the discontinuous buffer. Using myoglobin as an example, the protein molecules were enriched at the junction with an estimated volume of a few nanoliters. A protease, trypsin, was then introduced to myoglobin at the junction by coenrichment to induce in-capillary digestion. The voltage application was then suspended to provide the necessary time (2 h) for the proteolysis to proceed. When completed, voltage application was resumed, and the discontinuous buffer reconcentrated the peptides formed from digestion. Importantly, the refocused peptides appeared to roughly elute according to their pIs, resulting in a partial separation. Direct sample deposition from capillary was performed to facilitate mass spectral analysis by MALDI. The partial separation, according to pI, offered the potential benefits of MALDI MS signal enhancement and provided supplementary pI information for peptide identity assignment.