Trends and challenges of refractometric nanoplasmonic biosensors: A review

Motivated by potential benefits such as sensor miniaturization, multiplexing opportunities and higher sensitivities, refractometric nanoplasmonic biosensing has profiled itself in a short time span as an interesting alternative to conventional Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) biosensors. This latter conventional sensing concept has been subjected during the last decades to strong commercialization, thereby strongly leaning on well-developed thin-film surface chemistry protocols. Not surprisingly, the examples found in literature based on this sensing concept are generally characterized by extensive analytical studies of relevant clinical and diagnostic problems. In contrast, the more novel Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) alternative finds itself in a much earlier, and especially, more fundamental stage of development. Driven by new fabrication methodologies to create nanostructured substrates, published work typically focuses on the novelty of the presented material, its optical properties and its use – generally limited to a proof-of-concept – as a label-free biosensing scheme. Given the different stages of development both SPR and LSPR sensors find themselves in, it becomes apparent that providing a comparative analysis of both concepts is not a trivial task. Nevertheless, in this review we make an effort to provide an overview that illustrates the progress booked in both fields during the last five years. First, we discuss the most relevant advances in SPR biosensing, including interesting analytical applications, together with different strategies that assure improvements in performance, throughput and/or integration. Subsequently, the remaining part of this work focuses on the use of nanoplasmonic sensors for real label-free biosensing applications. First, we discuss the motivation that serves as a driving force behind this research topic, together with a brief summary that comprises the main fabrication methodologies used in this field. Next, the sensing performance of LSPR sensors is examined by analyzing different parameters that can be invoked in order to quantitatively assess their overall sensing performance. Two aspects are highlighted that turn out to be especially important when trying to maximize their sensing performance, being (1) the targeted functionalization of the electromagnetic hotspots of the nanostructures, and (2) overcoming inherent negative influence that stem from the presence of a high refractive index substrate that supports the nanostructures. Next, although few in numbers, an overview is given of the most exhaustive and diagnostically relevant LSPR sensing assays that have been recently reported in literature, followed by examples that exploit inherent LSPR characteristics in order to create highly integrated and high-throughput optical biosensors. Finally, we discuss a series of considerations that, in our opinion, should be addressed in order to bring the realization of a stand-alone LSPR biosensor with competitive levels of sensitivity, robustness and integration (when compared to a conventional SPR sensor) much closer to reality.     

Ambient ionisation mass spectrometry for the characterisation of polymers and polymer additives: A review

The purpose of this review is to showcase the present capabilities of ambient sampling and ionisation technologies for the analysis of polymers and polymer additives by mass spectrometry (MS) while simultaneously highlighting their advantages and limitations in a critical fashion. To qualify as an ambient ionisation technique, the method must be able to probe the surface of solid or liquid samples while operating in an open environment, allowing a variety of sample sizes, shapes, and substrate materials to be analysed. The main sections of this review will be guided by the underlying principle governing the desorption/extraction step of the analysis; liquid extraction, laser ablation, or thermal desorption, and the major component investigated, either the polymer itself or exogenous compounds (additives and contaminants) present within or on the polymer substrate. The review will conclude by summarising some of the challenges these technologies still face and possible directions that would further enhance the utility of ambient ionisation mass spectrometry as a tool for polymer analysis.     

Distance‐dependent Enhancement in Raman Spectroscopy Probed by Conjugated Molecules with Different Molecular Lengths

In this study, the distance‐dependent enhancement effect in surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was explored with molecules bearing different lengths of conjugated double bonds. These conjugated molecules were synthesized utilizing the diazotization‐coupling reaction allowing a thio group on one end and a nitro group on the other end. The thiol group allows the probed molecule to chemisorb on the surface of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The opposite end of each molecule contains a nitro group, which gives an intense SERS signal to show a fair and accurate comparison of the effect of chain length. The obtained SERS intensities were correlated with the chain lengths of these synthesized molecules, which ranged from 0.6 to 2.0 nm between the nitro and thiol groups. Based on these results, the electromagnetic field effect was mainly responsible for the signal enhancements in SERS measurements. Also, the obtained signals were exponentially decayed due to the distances of the surface of AgNPs. Based on the SERS intensities of the conjugated molecules, the contribution of CT effect to SERS for these examined molecules were limited.     

Active sound control in composite regions

In active sound control, noise shielding of a target region is achieved via additional sources (called controls) situated at the perimeter of the region. The sources protect the target region by adjusting the acoustic field near the boundary of the region. In the present paper a numerical model of active sound control based on surface potentials in 3D bounded composite regions is numerically studied. In the composite region setup, it is required that the regions be shielded from noise while allowing admissible sound that is generated in the shielded regions to be preserved. The admissible sound is usually required to propagate freely inside the protected regions or in a (selective) predetermined pattern. The adjusting approach used here does not require any knowledge of the sound sources or the properties of the propagation medium in order to obtain the controls. Moreover, the approach differs sharply from some other approaches where the detailed knowledge of the sound sources and the propagation medium is required. For the first time, numerical test cases involving both free communication and predetermined communication pattern between the regions in three dimensions are considered. In all test cases, these regions are effectively shielded from the noise while any present admissible sound is preserved. In addition, selective propagation of the admissible sound between the regions is enforced. The effect of the number of controls on their operation is also studied. Whether admissible sound is present or not, the level of noise cancellation decreases linearly as fewer controls are used. In addition to the increase in size of the interference zone, the controls become individually distinguishable.     

基于声表面波技术实现数字微流体多基片间输运

建立了声表面波实现多基片间输运微流体的新方法.由3个128(0)YX-LiNbO3压电基片组成,一个基片为接口基片,另两个为工作基片,每个基片光刻一个中心频率为27.5 MHz叉指换能器和一个反射栅.采用微量进样器将待输运的数字微流体进样到工作基片2,调节接口基片使得其与工作基片2位于同一高度,并使其间隙尽可能小,在工...     

Thermophysical properties of pure 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulphate and its binary mixtures with alcohols

The density and surface tension of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulphate, [EMIM][CH₃SO₄] ionic liquid have been measured from (283.15 to 333.15) K. The coefficient of thermal expansion was calculated from the experimental density results using an empirical correlation for T = (283.15-338.15) K. Molecular volume and standard entropies of [EMIM][CH₃SO₄] ionic liquid were obtained from the experimental density values. The surface properties, critical temperature and enthalpy of vaporization were also discussed. Density and surface tension have been measured over the whole composition range for [EMIM][CH₃SO₄] with alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-butanol) binary systems at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure. Excess molar volumes and surface tension deviations for the binary systems have been calculated and were fitted to a Redlich-Kister equation to determine the fitting parameters and the root mean square deviations.     

Nano-colloidal functionalization of textiles based on polysiloxane as a novel photo-catalyst assistant: processing design

Due to the opposite surface charge of TiO(2) and silver nano-particles, at around neutral pH, it is expected that the interaction between these particles and cross-linkable polysiloxane (XPs) resin and thus their final properties would be affected by their processing technique. This paper has focused on the effect of processing design on the interaction, surface orientation and final properties of surface nano-colloidal functionalization. The results disclosed the key role of the applied process on the properties of the treated fabrics which have been well discussed through the modeling of this effect on orientations of nanoparticles on the surface. The developed models are interestingly verified by various characterizations. Applying a premixed TiO(2)/XPs colloid as an after treatment on Ag treated samples caused more enhanced stain photo-degradability and UV protection properties, while the reduction of enhanced hydrophobicity, washing durability, and stain-repellency were observed as compared to applying Ag/XPs premixed colloid on TiO(2). The role of processing on XPs stabilizing efficiency and its co-photo-catalytic function on TiO(2) nanoparticles has been concluded and deeply discussed. The appropriate processing design can be tailored in order to accomplish desirable hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity with a granted bioactivity. The results reveal that ideal bioactivity, stain photo-degradability, self-cleaning, UV protection, anti-staining properties, and washing durability can be achieved by applying a mixture of silver and XPs as an after-treatment on TiO(2) treated fabrics.     

Comparative study of biosurfactant produced by microorganisms isolated from formation water of petroleum reservoir

Biosurfactant produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Rhodococcus erythropolis that isolated from the formation water of Chinese petroleum reservoir has been compared in surface abilities and oil recovery. Maximum biosurfactant production reached to about 2.66 g/l and the surface tension of liquid decreased from 71.2 to 22.56 mN/m using P. aeruginosa. Three strains exhibited a good ability to emulsify the crude oil, and biosurfactant of P. aeruginosa attained an emulsion index of 80% for crude oil which was greater than other strains. Stability studies were carried out under the extreme environmental conditions, such as high temperature, pH, salinity and metal ions. Results showed an excellent resistance of all biosurfactants to retain their surface-active properties at extreme conditions. It was found that the biosurfactants from three isolated bacteria showed a good stability above pH of 5, but at lower pH (from 1 to 5) they will harmfully be affected. They were able to support the condition up to 20 g/l salinity. P. aeruginosa biosurfactant was even stable at the higher salinity. Regarding temperature, all produced biosurfactants demonstrated a good stability in the temperature up to 120 °C. But stability of three biosurfactants was affected by monovalent and trivalent ions. Oil recovery experiments in physical simulation showed 7.2-14.3% recovery of residual oil after water flooding when the biosurfactant of three strains was added. These results suggest that biosurfactants of these indigenous isolated strains are appropriate candidates for enhanced oil recovery with a preference to biosurfactant of P. aeruginosa.     

Effects of 3,4-dihydrophenyl groups in water-soluble phospholipid polymer on stable surface modification of titanium alloy

The surface of a titanium (Ti) alloy substrate was modified by a simple and quick process using a water-soluble polymer, and the effects of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl (DHP) groups in the polymer side chain on the modification process were examined. The polymers (PMDP) composed of both 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) unit and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl methacrylate unit were synthesized for surface anchoring. The Ti alloy substrate was coated with PMDP using an aqueous solution of the polymer. A PMDP layer with a thickness of 20 nm was formed on the Ti alloy substrate simply by dip coating for 10 s without drying. Even when the Ti alloy substrate with PMDP coating was immersed in the aqueous medium for 1 week, no change in the thickness was observed, i.e., the PMDP layer was bound to the surface very stably. Oxidation of the DHP groups reduced the stability of the polymer layer significantly. Thus, the DHP groups play a significant role in achieving stable binding. Protein was adsorbed on the Ti alloy substrate; however, this was not observed for the PMDP-coated Ti alloy substrate. In conclusion, we confirmed the effects of DHP groups in PMDP on the stability of the coating on the Ti alloy substrate. Moreover, we found that surface treatment using PMDP was simple, quick, and reliable, and thus, it has great potential for improving biofouling of Ti alloy substrates used in medical devices.     

EDL configuration on a dissimilarly charged protrusion array via double Fourier series and perturbation method

In this study, through the extension of an one-dimensional, dissimilarly charged protrusions surface model set up in our previous work, a novel dissimilarly charged protrusion array (DCPA) model immersed in an electrolyte solution, which could simulate realistically both the surface morphology and the surface charged condition profoundly concerned on a biological cell membrane, or on the surface of a micro-scale, modified particle used in biomedical engineering and water treatment, is proposed. Considering the condition of small protrusions, the electrical potential field due to the electrical double layer (EDL) on DCPA model is solved semi-analytically using both the double Fourier series and the perturbation method. The analysis from the numerical result reveals that, a small, dissimilarly charged protrusion can lead to a steep variation in the local EDL configuration, especially compared with that in the condition when the charged surface is taken roughly as a flat surface using a lumped, mean surface charge density.