Regulation of Stem Cell Fate in a Three‐Dimensional Micropatterned Dual‐Crosslinked Hydrogel System

Micropatterning technology is a powerful tool for controlling the cellular microenvironment and investigating the effects of physical parameters on cell behaviors, such as migration, proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Although there have been significant developments in regulating the spatial and temporal distribution of physical properties in various materials, little is known about the role of the size of micropatterned regions of hydrogels with different crosslinking densities on the response of encapsulated cells. In this study, a novel alginate hydrogel system that can be micropatterned three‐dimensionally is engineered to create regions that are crosslinked by a single mechanism or dual mechanisms. By manipulating micropattern size while keeping the overall ratio of single‐ to dual‐crosslinked hydrogel volume constant, the physical properties of the micropatterned alginate hydrogels are spatially tunable. When human adipose‐derived stem cells (hASCs) are photoencapsulated within micropatterned hydrogels, their proliferation rate is a function of micropattern size. Additionally, micropattern size dictates the extent of osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of photoencapsulated hASC. The size of 3D micropatterned physical properties in this new hydrogel system introduces a new design parameter for regulating various cellular behaviors, and this dual‐crosslinked hydrogel system provides a new platform for studying proliferation and differentiation of stem cells in a spatially controlled manner for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.     

Improved nanocrystal formation,quantum confinement and carrier transport properties of doped Si quantum dot superlattices for third generation photovoltaics

An all‐Si tandem solar cell has the potential to achieve high conversion efficiency at low cost. However, the selection and synthesis of candidate material remain challenging. In this work, we show that the conventional ‘Si quantum dots (Si QDs) in SiO₂ matrix’ approach can lead to the formation of over‐sized Si nanocrystals especially when doped with phosphorous, making the size‐dependent quantum confinement less effective. Also, our investigation has shown that the high resistivity of this material has become the performance bottleneck of the solar cell. To resolve these matters, we propose a new design based on Si QDs embedded in a SiO₂/Si₃N₄ hybrid matrix. By replacing the SiO₂ tunnel barriers by the Si₃N₄ layers, the new material manages to constrain the growth of doped Si QDs effectively and enhances the apparent band gap, as shown in X‐ray diffraction, Raman, photoluminescence and optical spectroscopic measurements. Besides, electrical characterisation on Si QD/c‐Si heterointerface test structures indicates the new material possesses improved vertical carrier transport properties. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular engineering of inorganic halide perovskites and HTMs for photovoltaic applications

A comprehensive study was performed for the design of ABX₃ perovskites, (A = Li, K, Na, B = Ge, Sn, Pb, X = F, Cl, Br, I) and organic hole transfer materials, HTMs (Fu-2a, Fu-2b, Fu-2c, and Dm-Q) for efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs) through quantum chemistry calculations. Photovoltaic characteristics of the investigated perovskites are strongly affected by the halide anions. The results reveal that reducing the exciton binding energy of perovskites enhances the rate of the formation/dissociation of holes and electrons so F-based perovskites are superior from this viewpoint. Additionally, the electron and hole injection processes are more favorable in the case of the F-based perovskites in comparison with other studied perovskites. Moreover, spectroscopic properties of the perovskites demonstrate that KSnCl₃, NaSnCl₃, and F-based perovskites exhibit a greater ability of the light-harvesting and incident photon to current conversion efficiency. Ultimately, based on diverse analyses, F-based perovskites, KSnCl₃ and NaSnCl₃ are the preferred candidates to be applied in the PSCs due to an excellent incident photon to current conversion efficiency, light-harvesting efficiency, short circuit current, and solar cell final efficiency.     

Heparin Interacting Protein Mediated Assembly of Nano‐Fibrous Hydrogel Scaffolds for Guided Stem Cell Differentiation

A new methodology is developed to conjugate hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel with novel nano‐fibrous architectures via non‐covalent assembly that specifically allows for targeted adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) differentiation and soft tissue engineering. The assembly of non‐covalently associated hydrogel network produced via the interaction of a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) modified HA derivative and heparin interacting protein (HIP). The multifunctional star poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and HIP copolymer has the capability to mediate the non‐covalent assembly of nano‐fibrous HA hydrogel networks via affinity interactions with LMWH. The effect of the HIP mediation on in vitro gelation, rheological characteristics, degradation, equilibrium swelling, adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) proliferation and differentiation of nano‐fibrous hydrogel is examined. The results suggest the potential utility of this unique design of the bioactive nano‐fibrous HA hydrogel in directing the differentiation of ASCs and adipogenesis in ECM‐mimetic scaffolds in vitro. These studies demonstrate that this nano‐fibrous HA hydrogel can render the formulation of a therapeutically effective platform for in vitro adipogenesis applications.

     

Oxidized Dextran as Crosslinker for Chitosan Cryogel Scaffolds and Formation of Polyelectrolyte Complexes between Chitosan and Gelatin

Macroporous scaffolds composed of chitosan and using oxidized dextran as a crosslinker are produced through cryogelation. Introducing gelatin as a third component into the structure results in the formation of mesopores in the pore walls, which are not seen if gelatin is excluded. The mesoporous structure is explained by the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes between chitosan and gelatin before crosslinking takes place. The scaffolds exhibit highly elastic properties withstanding compressions up to 60%. The in vitro biocompatibility of the cryogels is evaluated using fibroblasts from a mouse cell line (L929) and it is seen that the cells adhere and proliferate on the scaffolds. The mesoporous structure seems to have a positive effect on proliferation.

     

Naphthyl Groups in Chiral Recognition: Structures of Salts and Esters of 2‐Methoxy‐2‐naphthylpropanoic Acids

The crystal structures of salt 8 , which was prepared from (R)‐2‐methoxy‐2‐(2‐naphthyl)propanoic acid ((R)‐MβNP acid, (R)‐ 2 ) and (R)‐1‐phenylethylamine ((R)‐PEA, (R)‐ 6 ), and salt 9 , which was prepared from (R)‐2‐methoxy‐2‐(1‐naphthyl)propanoic acid ((R)‐MαNP acid, (R)‐ 1 ) and (R)‐1‐(p‐tolyl)ethylamine ((R)‐TEA, (R)‐ 7 ), were determined by X‐ray crystallography. The MβNP and MαNP anions formed ion‐pairs with the PEA and TEA cations, respectively, through a methoxy‐group‐assisted salt bridge and aromatic CH???π interactions. The networks of salt bridges formed 2₁ columns in both salts. Finally, (S)‐(2E,6E)‐(1‐²H₁)farnesol ((S)‐ 13 ) was prepared from the reaction of (2E,6E)‐farnesal ( 11 ) with deuterated (R)‐BINAL‐H (i.e., (R)‐BINAL‐D). The enantiomeric excess of compound (S)‐ 13 was determined by NMR analysis of (S)‐MαNP ester 14 . The solution‐state structures of MαNP esters that were prepared from primary alcohols were also elucidated.     

Triclabendazole: An Intriguing Case of Co‐existence of Conformational and Tautomeric Polymorphism

The crystal polymorphism of the anthelmintic drug, triclabendazole ( TCB ), is described. Two anhydrates (Forms I and II), three solvates, and an amorphous form have been previously mentioned. This study reports the crystal structures of Forms I ( 1 ) and II ( 2 ). These structures illustrate the uncommon phenomenon of tautomeric polymorphism. TCB exists as two tautomers A and B. Form I (Z′=2) is composed of two molecules of tautomer A while Form II (Z′=1) contains a 1:1 mixture of A and B. The polymorphs are also characterized by using other solid‐state techniques (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), PXRD, FT‐IR, and NMR spectroscopy). Form I is the higher melting form (m.p.: 177 °C, ΔH_f=≈105±4 J g^?1) and is the more stable form at room temperature. Form II is the lower melting polymorph (m.p.: 166 °C, ΔH_f=≈86±3 J g^?1) and shows high kinetic stability on storage in comparison to the amorphous form but it transforms readily into Form I in a solution‐mediated process. Crystal structure analysis of co‐crystals 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 further confirms the existence of tautomeric polymorphism in TCB . In 3 and 11 , tautomer A is present whereas in 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 the TCB molecule exists wholly as tautomer B. The DFT calculations suggest that the optimized tautomers A and B have nearly the same energies. Single point energy calculations reveal that tautomer A (in Form I) exists in two low‐energy conformations, whereas in Form II both tautomers A and B exist in an unfavorable high‐energy conformation, stabilized by a five‐point dimer synthon. The structural and thermodynamic features of 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 are discussed in detail. Triclabendazole is an intriguing case in which tautomeric and conformational variations co‐exist in the polymorphs.     

Regulation of π‐Stacked Anthracene Arrangement for Fluorescence Modulation of Organic Solid from Monomer to Excited Oligomer Emission

The construction and precise control of the face‐to‐face π‐stacked arrangements of anthracene fluorophores in the crystalline state led to a remarkable red shift in the fluorescence spectrum due to unprecedented excited oligomer formation. The arrangements were regulated by using organic salts including anthracene‐1,5‐disulfonic acid (1,5‐ADS) and a variety of aliphatic amines. Because of the smaller number of hydrogen atoms at the edge positions and the steric effect of the sulfonate groups, 1,5‐ADS should prefer face‐to‐face π‐stacked arrangements over the usual edge‐to‐face herringbone arrangement. Indeed, as the alkyl substituents were lengthened, the organic salts altered their anthracene arrangement to give two‐dimensional (2D) edge‐to‐face and end‐to‐face herringbone arrangements, one‐dimensional (1D) face‐to‐face zigzag and slipped stacking arrangements, a lateral 1D face‐to‐face arrangement like part of a brick wall, and a discrete monomer arrangement. The monomer arrangement behaved as a dilute solution even in the close‐packed solid state to emit deep blue light. The 1D face‐to‐face zigzag and slipped stacking of the anthracene fluorophores caused a red shift of 30–40 nm in the fluorescence emission with respect to the discrete arrangement, probably owing to ground‐state associations. On the other hand, the 2D end‐to‐face stacking induced a larger red shift of 60 nm, which is attributed to the excimer fluorescence. Surprisingly, the brick‐like lateral face‐to‐face arrangement afforded a remarkable red shift of 150 nm to give yellow fluorescence. This anomalous red shift is probably due to excited oligomer formation in such a lateral 1D arrangement according to the long fluorescence lifetime and little shift in the excitation spectrum. The regulation of the π‐stacked arrangement of anthracene fluorophores enabled the wide modulation of the fluorescence and a detailed investigation of the relationships between the photophysical properties and the arrangements.     

Molecular Ionics in Supramolecular Assemblies with Channel Structures Containing Lithium Ions

A novel trilithium compound, Li₃[B(C₆H₄O₂){O(CH₂CH₂O)₃CH₃}₂][N(SO₂CF₃)₂]₂ ( 1 ‐2.0), with solid‐state ionic conductivity was synthesized. The crystal structure of 1 ‐2.0 consists of the one‐dimensional ionic conduction paths. The paths were afforded as a result of the self‐assembled stacking of the component molecules of 1 ‐2.0 with channel structures containing lithium ions. In this supramolecule, one lithium ion holds the component molecules in specific positions to construct a supramolecular structure with thermally stable ionic conduction paths and the others behave as carrier ions exhibiting selective lithium‐ion conductivity. Owing to the existence of both roles for the lithium ions, this electrolyte shows selective lithium‐ion conductivity.