Three-dimensional continuous particle focusing in a microfluidic channel via standing surface acoustic waves (SSAW)

Three-dimensional (3D) continuous microparticle focusing has been achieved in a single-layer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channel using a standing surface acoustic wave (SSAW). The SSAW was generated by the interference of two identical surface acoustic waves (SAWs) created by two parallel interdigital transducers (IDTs) on a piezoelectric substrate with a microchannel precisely bonded between them. To understand the working principle of the SSAW-based 3D focusing and investigate the position of the focal point, we computed longitudinal waves, generated by the SAWs and radiated into the fluid media from opposite sides of the microchannel, and the resultant pressure and velocity fields due to the interference and reflection of the longitudinal waves. Simulation results predict the existence of a focusing point which is in good agreement with our experimental observations. Compared with other 3D focusing techniques, this method is non-invasive, robust, energy-efficient, easy to implement, and applicable to nearly all types of microparticles.     

Ag2Cr2O7 nanoparticles: An eco-friendly and reusable catalyst for synthesis of pyrano[c]chromenediones and [1,3]dioxolo[g]chromeneones in aqueous media at ambient temperature

An efficient and green protocol for the synthesis of 4-aryl-3,4-dihydro-2H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-2,5-diones and 8-aryl-7,8-dihydro-6H-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]chromene-6-ones through the Ag₂Cr₂O₇ nanoparticles catalyzed cyclocondensation reaction of active methylene compounds including 4-hydroxycoumarin or 3,4-methylenedioxyphenol, aromatic aldehydes, and meldrum's acid in water at ambient temperature was described. This method demonstrates several advantages compared with methods that are currently employed such as a mild reaction conditions, simple work-up, good to excellent yields, avoiding toxic catalyst and hazardous solvent, and recovery and reuse of the catalyst.     

On the rate of oxidation of co on La2O3 doped NiO/Al2O3 catalysts: an artificial neural network approach

Summary The rate constants of the oxidation of CO on a number of pure and La₂O₃ doped NiO/Al₂O₃ solid catalysts were correlated with the mole percent of dopant, calcinations temperature, surface area, pore volume and pore mouth diameter by an artificial neural network simulator. The cross validation method had to be used due to the scarcity of the data. A three-layer network with 3 nodes in the hidden layer was found to simulate the system well.     

Synthesis and Dynamic NMR Spectroscopic Study of Dialkyl 4-Ethoxy-1-(1-naphthyl)-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1 H-pyrrole-2,3-dicarboxylates

Protonation of the reactive 1:1 intermediate produced in the reaction between triphenylphosphine and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates with ethyl 2-(1-naphthylamino)-2-oxoacetate, leads to a vinylphosphonium salt, which undergoes intramolecular Wittig reaction to produce dialkyl 4-ethoxy-1-(1-naphthyl)-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-2,3-dicarboxylates in excellent yields. A dynamic NMR effect is observed in the ¹H NMR spectra of the title compounds as a result of restricted rotation around the single bond linking the naphthalene moiety and the heterocyclic system, which is attributed to the peri interaction between the pyrrole residue and the peri CH group. The free energy of activation (G ) for this process is 58±2kJmol^–1.     

TiO2 Nanoparticles Immobilized on Carbon Nanotubes: An Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst in Cyclocondensation Reaction of Isatins with Malononitrile and 4-Hydroxycoumarin or 3,4-Methylenedioxyphenol under Mild Reaction Conditions

TiO₂ nanoparticles supported on carbon nanotubes (TiO₂-CNTs) as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst was used for the synthesis of spiro[3,4′]1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one-2′-amino-5′-oxo-4'H,5'H-pyrano[3′,2′-c]chromen-3′-yl cyanides and spiro[3,8′]1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one-6′-amino-8'H-[1′,3′]dioxolo[4′,5′-g]chromen-7′-yl cyanides via the cyclocondensation reaction of isatins with malononitrile and 4-hydroxycoumarin or 3,4-methylenedioxyphenol in aqueous media at room temperature. This reaction offers several sustainable and economic benefits such as high yields of products, convenient operation, and use of non-toxic catalyst in water media.     

Superparamagnetic Fe3O4@Alginate supported L-arginine as a powerful hybrid inorganic–organic nanocatalyst for the one-pot synthesis of pyrazole derivatives

Hybrid inorganic–organic material Fe₃O₄@Alg@CPTMS@Arg, was prepared by the layer-by-layer techniques through grafting l-arginine (l-arg) to Fe₃O₄@Alg using 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane (CPTMS) as a linker. Fe₃O₄@Alg was prepared by in situ co-precipitation of iron (iii) and iron (ii) chloride in the presence alginate (Alg). The hybrid inorganic–organic material was characterized employing various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The as-prepared Fe₃O₄@Alg@CPTMS@Arg nanoparticles mediated the synthesis of pyrazole derivatives with via one-pot reaction between phenylhydrazine, malononitrile, and various aromatic aldehydes under reflux in ethanol. Recycled catalyst exhibited comparable efficacy after seven cycles. The high catalytic activity, excellent yields, as well as the recyclability of the hybrid nanomaterials with quantitative efficiency, are factors that render this environmentally benign procedure appealing.     

Electrochemical screening of biomembrane-active compounds in water

Interactions of biomembrane-active compounds with phospholipid monolayers on microfabricated Pt/Hg electrodes in an on-line high throughput flow system are demonstrated by recording capacitance current peak changes as rapid cyclic voltammograms (RCV). Detection limits of the compounds’ effects on the layer have been estimated from the data. Compounds studied include steroids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, tricyclic antidepressants and tricyclic phenothiazines. The results show that the extent and type of interaction depends on the—(a) presence and number of aromatic rings and substituents, (b) presence and composition of side chains and, (c) molecular shape. Interaction is only indirectly related to compound hydrophobicity. For a selection of tricyclic antidepressants and tricyclic phenothiazines the detection limit in water is related to their therapeutic normal threshold. The sensing assay has been tested in the presence of humic acid as a potential interferent and in a tap water matrix. The system can be applied to the screening of putative hazardous substances and pharmaceuticals allowing for early detection thereof in the water supply. The measurements are made in real time which means that potentially toxic compounds are detected rapidly within <10 min per assay. This technology will contribute greatly to environment safety and health.     

Lateral pull-in instability of electrostatic MEMS transducers employing repulsive force

Nonlinear Dynamics - We report on the lateral pull-in in capacitive MEMS transducers that employ a repulsive electrostatic force. The moving element in this system undergoes motion in two...     

Influence of methyl group position in bipyridine ligand on structure and luminescence of related zinc(II) nitrate complexes

Three new zinc(II) complexes of [Zn(6-mbipy)(η²-NO₃)₂] (1), [Zn(6,6′-dmbipy)(η²-NO₃)₂] (2) and [Zn(5,5′-dmbipy)(η²–NO₃)(H₂O)₂](NO₃).H₂O (3) were prepared from the reaction of 6-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine (6-mbipy), 6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (6,6′-dmbipy) and 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (5,5′-dmbipy) with Zn(NO₃)₂·4H₂O in methanol, respectively. These three complexes were thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, infrared, UV–Vis, ¹H NMR and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, and their structures have all been determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The luminescence spectra of the title complexes show that the intensity of their emission bands is stronger than the bands for the free ligands.