On the preparation, microscopic investigation and application of ISCOMs

ISCOM matrices constitute colloidal structures formed from Quillaja saponins, cholesterol and phospholipid. Addition of protein antigens to these matrices leads to the formation of ISCOMs. In this review we report on microscopic investigations of ISCOM matrices and ISCOMs as well as related colloidal structures, such as helices, worm-like micelles, ring-like micelles, and lamellae structures. We briefly outline the immunologic basis for the use of ISCOMs as vaccine delivery systems, and describe the various methods to form ISCOMs. Negative staining transmission electron micrographs of all colloidal structures are presented and described. On the basis of our microscopic investigations, different formation mechanisms of ISCOMS are discussed.     

Physical properties of dynamic force microscopies in contact and noncontact operation

In the field of Scanning Force Microscopy several dynamical contact and noncontact modes have been introduced increasing the range of detectable surface and interface properties, and allowing to detect material properties such as elasticity and mass density on the nanometer scale. A detailed understanding of tip/surface interactions and the dynamic processes involved is required to understand the origin of a material contrast using these techniques. Here a general method to solve the equation of motion of a vibrating SFM cantilever/tip system in an external force field is presented. Contact modes as well as intermittent contact modes are discussed using a single set of equations describing the cantilever/tip motion, and by varying the size of amplitudes of the vibrating cantilever/tip system. To quantitatively describe the oscillation behavior of the SFM cantilever at large amplitudes the computer simulations are based on the MYD/BHW model providing a realistic contact model with respect to the contact area, the size of the contact forces as well as the transition from repulsive to attractive forces. The results are compared with the experiment and with different approaches based on analytical and numerical models.     

In situ infrared spectroscopy at electrochemical interfaces

An insight into the in situ FTIR spectroscopy method as applied in Electrochemistry is given. The particular aspects inherent to the electrochemical method are described in a concise form. Selected examples cover the results of about the last 8 years, on a variety of systems including carbon monoxide, small organic molecules and double-layer components (hydrogen, anions and water). The experimental data refer mostly to adsorption on well-defined single-crystal surfaces. Analogies and differences with data from the metal/gas interface are discussed.     

RIMAPS and variogram analysis of the surface topography induced by laser interference micropatterning

A micropattern induced by laser interference on the surface of a copper alloy specimen is characterized using rotated image with maximum average power spectrum (RIMAPS) technique and the variogram method. The experimental bidimensional pattern is compared to the expected ideal regular one. Results confirm that the systematic use of RIMAPS and variograms, helps to determine how far the real surface obtained in the experiment differs from ideal regular micropattern. The dimensions of irregularities that cause the discrepancy between the obtained and ideal micropattern are also quantified.     

Variable tomographic scanning with wavelength scanning digital interference holography

We present a new method for variable tomographic scanning based on the wavelength scanning digital interference holography (WSDIH). A series of holograms are generated with a range of scanned wavelengths. The object field is reconstructed in a number of selected tilted planes from each hologram, and the numerical superposition of all the tilted object fields results in a variable tomographic scanning. The scanning direction can be arbitrary angles in 3D space but not limited in a 2D plane, thus the proposed algorithm offers more flexibility for acquiring and observing randomly orientated features of a specimen in a WSDIH system. Experiments are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.     

Polycondensation Stoichiometry

Some examples demonstrate the feasibility of interpreting the results of polycondensation from stoichiometry. Utilizing only the consequences of stoichiometric principles, it is possible to draw conclusions of the basic principles of forming polymers in the polycondensation process and to substantiate the physical meaning of a number of averaged values used during calculations. The results confirm the relationships found earlier by means of other methods and make it possible to draw significant conclusions with respect to the character of the process and the peculiarities of the products obtained.     

共焦扫描显微成象的光学断层平面分辨率与信噪比之间的关系

在Fried的一维分辨度理论的基础上,系统地讨论了光学成象系统两维分辨率与信噪比之间的定量关系,并以反射式共焦显微成象为例,建立了实际显微成象系统分辨率的定量计算方法.所得出的结果对于选择共焦扫描显微成象系统的最佳参量及评价所设计的显微成象系统的性能具有重要的意义.     

Synthesis and characterization of dispersions of ZnCrO4 prepared in AOT stabilized water/heptane microemulsion

Dispersions of zinc chromate (ZnCrO₄) were prepared in H₂O/AOT (sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate))/n-heptane water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion medium with various water pool sizes and precursor concentration both without and with sonication. The formation of ZnCrO₄ in the microemulsion was verified by XRD and FTIR measurements. The absorbance of the dispersions formed in different water pool sizes was studied. Their dimension in the microemulsion medium was determined by the dynamic light scattering method. Enthalpy of formation of ZnCrO₄ in W/O microemulsion medium was measured by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The dimension and morphology of the formed ZnCrO₄ colloidal particles examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were strongly dependent on the water pool size, precursor concentration and sonication.     

Synthesis and electro‐optical characterization of new conducting PEDOT/Au‐nanorods nanocomposites

This paper describes a new strategy to obtain PEDOT/Au‐nanorods nanocomposites with different PEDOT: Au ratio. A polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) was used as stabilizer during the chemical synthesis of PEDOT dispersions. PEDOT/Au‐nanorods dispersions in organic media were obtained. Electrochemical characterization of PEDOT/Au‐nanorods nanocomposites revealed that the addition of Au nanorods modified the electroactivity of the conducting films by reducing the oxidation potential from +0.33 to +0.23 V (versus Ag/AgCl). Optical contrast (ΔT%) of the films decreased from 17% for neat PEDOT films to 8% for PEDOT/Au‐nanorods nanocomposites films (3:1 (v/v)) while switching times (from 1 to 4 sec) were similar to neat PEDOT. Conductivity of the films increased from 0.027 S/cm for neat PEDOT to 0.691 S/cm for PEDOT/Au‐nanorods nanocomposites. Nanoscale morphology and contact potential of PEDOT/Au‐nanorods nanocomposites were investigated in detail by Scanning Force Microscopy. Electrical measurements show a clear contact potential difference between the ITO substrate and the PEDOT/Au‐nanorods film. On the film, no contact potential inhomogeneity is observed indicating that the Au‐nanorods are uniformly dispersed in the film. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multiscale analysis of water uptake and erosion in biodegradable polyarylates

The role of hydration in degradation and erosion of materials, especially biomaterials used in scaffolds and implants, was investigated by studying the distribution of water at length scales from 0.1 nm to 0.1 mm using Raman spectroscopy, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), Raman confocal imaging, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The measurements were demonstrated using l-tyrosine derived polyarylates. Bound- and free- water were characterized using their respective signatures in the Raman spectra. In the presence of deuterium oxide (D₂O), H-D exchange occurred at the amide carbonyl but was not detected at the ester carbonyl. Water appeared to be present in the polymer even in regions where there was little evidence for NH to ND exchange. SANS showed that water is not uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix. The distribution of water can be described as mass fractals in polymers with low water content (∼5 wt%), and surface fractals in polymers with larger water content (15-60 wt%). These fluctuations in the density of water distribution are presumed to be the precursors of the ∼20 μm water pockets seen by Raman confocal imaging, and also give rise to the 10-50 μm porous network seen in SEM. The surfaces of these polymers appeared to resist erosion while the core of the films continued to erode to form a porous structure. This could be due to differences in either the density of the polymer or the solvent environment in the bulk vs. the surface, or a combination of these two factors. There was no correlation between the rate of degradation and the amount of water uptake in these polymers, and this suggests that it is the bound water and not the total amount of water that contributes to hydrolytic degradation.