Measuring particle size-dependent physicochemical structure in airborne single walled carbon nanotube agglomerates

As-produced single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) material is a complex matrix of carbon nanotubes, bundles of nanotubes (nanoropes), non-tubular carbon and metal catalyst nanoparticles. The pulmonary toxicity of material released during manufacture and handling will depend on the partitioning and arrangement of these components within airborne particles. To probe the physicochemical structure of airborne SWCNT aggregates, a new technique was developed and applied to aerosolized as-produced material. Differential Mobility Analysis-classified aggregates were analyzed using an Aerosol Particle Mass Monitor, and a structural parameter Γ (proportional to the square of particle mobility diameter, divided by APM voltage) derived. Using information on the constituent components of the SWCNT, modal values of Γ were estimated for specific particle compositions and structures, and compared against measured values. Measured modal values of Γ for 150 nm mobility diameter aggregates suggested they were primarily composed of non-tubular carbon from one batch of material, and thin nanoropes from a second batch of material – these findings were confirmed using Transmission Electron Microscopy. Measured modal values of Γ for 31 nm mobility diameter aggregates indicated that they were comprised predominantly of thin carbon nanoropes with associated nanometer-diameter metal catalyst particles; there was no indication that either catalyst particles or non-tubular carbon particles were being preferentially released into the air. These results indicate that the physicochemistry of aerosol particles released while handling as-produced SWCNT may vary significantly by particle size and production batch, and that evaluations of potential health hazards need to account for this. Disclaimer: The mention of any company or product does not constitute an endorsement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.     

Directing Polymorphism in the Helical Nanofilament Phase

Herein, it is reported that the polymorphism in the helical nanofilament (HNF, B₄) liquid-crystalline phase depends on the fabrication methods, that is, UV-driven formation and template-assisted self-assembly in the nanoconfined geometry. As a result, uniaxially oriented HNFs with different helical structures were obtained, in which generation of the twisted-ribbon and cylindrical-ribbon polymorphs showed that even the molecular lattice has a different orientation. The detailed structures were directly observed by SEM and grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction with synchrotron radiation. The resultant polymorphs could be used in chiro-optical applications due to the capability for fine control of the helical structures.     

Synthesis of some 2-substituted-thioxanthones

This paper presents the synthesis of 2-amino-, 2-acetamido- and 2-benzamidothioxanthones and their 10,10-dioxides.     

The impact of investment lags on investment decision

This paper suggests a valuation framework for an investment project through the concept of real options. Generally, in real asset world, decision time and its payment time are not identical. This so-called investment lag problem should be considered when valuing real assets. When investment lags exist, firms’ accommodation capacities play important roles. In this paper, the real effect of investment lag on investment value is tested upon various conditions. We show the valuation process of real assets under the risk-neutral world. The closed-form formula is also provided for valuing real assets, including R&D project.     

Effects of rubbing angle on maximum transmittance of in-plane switching liquid crystal display

Measurements of the maximum transmittance of an in-plane switching liquid crystal display showed that it increases as rubbing angle is increased from 10 to 20°. This dependence was analysed in terms of the local variation of electric field intensity between electrodes, which in turn makes liquid crystal at various positions between the electrodes rotate to different angles. The local variation of electric field becomes prominent, especially in the case that the distance between the electrodes is much larger than the cell gap or electrode width.     

Multifarious injection chamber for molecular structure study (MICOSS) system: development and application for serial femtosecond crystallography at Pohang Accelerator Laboratory X‐ray Free‐Electron Laser

The multifarious injection chamber for molecular structure study (MICOSS) experimental system has been developed at the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory X‐ray Free‐Electron Laser for conducting serial femtosecond crystallography. This system comprises several instruments such as a dedicated sample chamber, sample injectors, sample environment diagnostic system and detector stage for convenient distance manipulation. Serial femtosecond crystallography experiments of lysozyme crystals have been conducted successfully. The diffraction peaks have reached to ～1.8 Å resolution at the photon energy of 9.785 keV.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel polymer based on anthracene moiety for organic thin film transistor

We have designed and synthesized a new polymer, which could be used in the organic thin film transistor (OTFT). Poly[2,6‐bis(3′‐dodecythiophene‐2′‐yl)anthracene] (PDTAn), which is composed with anthracene moiety and dodecyl alkyl thiophene, was synthesized by oxidative polymerization using iron (III) chloride. The mole ratio of FeCl₃ and monomer (4.2:1), keeping low temperature during the initiation reaction, amount of solvent, and dropping order were very important for oxidative polymerization without crosslinking. The molecular weight of the polymer (M_w) was measured to be 40,000 with 2.85 of polydispersity index by GPC. The physical and optical properties of the polymer were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. A field‐effect mobility of 1.1 × 10^?4 cm² V^?1 S^?1, a current on/off ratio of 10⁵, and the V_th at ?15.2 V had been obtained for OTFTs using this polymer semiconductor by solution coating. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5115–5122, 2008     

BIOLUMINESCENCE OF ACETALDEHYDE CATALYZED BY BACTERIAL LUCIFERASE

Abstract— Bioluminescence from the oxidation of acetaldehyde by bacterial luciferase of Photobacterium fischeri has been demonstrated for the first time and its efficiency has been compared with that of nonanal and other short chain aldehydes.