Study of the peak effect phenomenon in single crystals of 2H-NbSe2

The weakly pinned single crystals of the hexagonal 2H-NbSe₂ compound have emerged as prototypes for determining and characterizing the phase boundaries of the possible order-disorder transformations in the vortex matter. We present here a status report based on the ac and dc magnetization measurements of the peak effect phenomenon in three crystals of 2H-NbSe₂, in which the critical current densities vary over two orders of magnitude. We sketch the generic vortex phase diagram of a weakly pinned superconductor, which also utilizes theoretical proposals. We also establish the connection between the metastability effects and pinning.     

The use of novel water-in-oil microemulsions in microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography

We describe the novel use of water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsions to achieve unique separations in microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC). The choice and concentration of the buffer type, surfactant and co-surfactant were all examined and optimized. Separations of a range of neutral and acidic analytes was shown to be markedly different to that obtained by (oil-in-water) O/W MEEKC. Neutral solutes are separated by virtue of their solubility (log P) values in O/W MEEKC with the more water-insoluble solutes migrating last. This separation process does not occur in W/O, as neutral solutes are not separated in order of log P.     

Shaping Solid-State Supramolecular Cavities: Chemically Induced Accordionlike Movement of gamma-Zirconium Phosphate Containing Polyethylenoxide Pillars

The hydrophilic oxygen atoms of polyethylenoxide chains inserted as pillars in gamma-zirconium phosphate form hydrogen bonds with the acid groups of the host. As a result the pillars are almost perpendicular to the gamma layers. Upon changing the pH level of the supernatant solution the hydrogen bonds are broken and the pillars become almost perpendicular to the layers (shown schematically). Thus there is a reversible enlargement-shortening of the interlayer space.     

In situ Synthesis of Oligonucleotide Arrays on Surfaces Coated with Crosslinked Polymer Multilayers

We report an approach to the in situ synthesis of oligonucleotide arrays on surfaces coated with crosslinked polymer multilayers. Our approach makes use of methods for the 'reactive' layer-by-layer assembly of thin, amine-reactive multilayers using branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) and the azlactone-functionalized polymer poly(2-vinyl-4,4'-dimethylazlactone) (PVDMA). Post-fabrication treatment of film-coated glass substrates with d-glucamine or 4-amino-1-butanol yielded hydroxyl-functionalized films suitable for the Maskless Array Synthesis (MAS) of oligonucleotide arrays. Glucamine-functionalized films yielded arrays of oligonucleotides with fluorescence intensities and signal-to-noise ratios (after hybridization with fluorescently labeled complementary strands) comparable to those of arrays fabricated on conventional silanized glass substrates. These arrays could be exposed to multiple hybridization-dehybridization cycles with only moderate loss of hybridization density. The versatility of the layer-by-layer approach also permitted synthesis directly on thin sheets of film-coated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) to yield flexible oligonucleotide arrays that could be readily manipulated (e.g., bent) and cut into smaller arrays. To our knowledge, this work presents the first use of polymer multilayers as a substrate for the multi-step synthesis of complex molecules. Our results demonstrate that these films are robust and able to withstand the ~450 individual chemical processing steps associated with MAS (as well as manipulations required to hybridize, image, and dehybridize the arrays) without large-scale cracking, peeling, or delamination of the thin films. The combination of layer-by-layer assembly and MAS provides a means of fabricating functional oligonucleotide arrays on a range of different materials and substrates. This approach may also prove useful for the fabrication of supports for the solid-phase synthesis and screening of other macromolecular or small-molecule agents.     

The Influence of Water Vapor on the Electrochemical Shift of an Ionic Liquid Measured by Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Ionic liquids (ILs) are considered to be one of the steppingstones to fabricate next generation electrochemical devices given their unique physical and chemical properties. The addition of water to ILs significantly impact electrochemical related properties including viscosity, density, conductivity, and electrochemical window. Herein we utilize ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) to examine the impact of water on values of the electrochemical shift (S), which is determined by measuring changes in binding energy shifts as a function of an external bias. APXPS spectra of C 1s, O 1s and N 1s regions are examined for the IL 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [C₄mim][OAc], at the IL/gas interface as a function of both water vapor pressure and external bias. Results reveal that in the absence of water vapor there is an IL ohmic drop between the working electrode and quasi reference electrode, giving rise to chemical specific S values of less than one. Upon introducing water vapor, S values approach one as a function of increasing water vapor pressure, indicating a decrease in the IL ohmic drop as the IL/water mixture becomes more conductive and the potential drop is driven by the electric double layer at the electrode/IL interface.     

Direct H atom abstraction from spore photoproduct C-6 initiates DNA repair in the reaction catalyzed by spore photoproduct lyase: evidence for a reversibly generated adenosyl radical intermediate

Spore photoproduct (SP) lyase, which catalyzes the direct reversal of SP (5-thyminyl-5,6-dihydrothymine) to thymine monomers, is the only identified nonphotoactivatable pyrimidine dimer lyase. Unlike DNA photolyase, SP lyase does not contain a flavin cofactor and does not require light for activation. Instead, preliminary studies point to the presence of an iron-sulfur cluster in SP lyase and the requirement for S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) for catalytic activity, suggesting that SP lyase belongs to the growing group of iron-sulfur cluster and AdoMet-dependent radical enzymes. Here we provide evidence for the role of AdoMet as a reversible deoxyadenosyl radical generator, which initiates repair by hydrogen atom abstraction from C-6 of SP. Reaction of 6-(3)H-SP, but not methyl-(3)H-SP, with SP lyase and AdoMet results in transfer of (3)H to AdoMet, while no tritiated 5'-deoxyadenosine is observed. When 5'-tritiated AdoMet is used in the reaction with unlabeled SP, transfer of (3)H into the repaired thymine monomers is observed. These results point to the reversible generation of a 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical intermediate, which reacts directly with the DNA lesion to initiate a radical-mediated beta-scission. We also demonstrate that AdoMet is a catalytic cofactor that is not consumed during turnover. Together, these results support a novel radical-based mechanism for the repair of UV-induced DNA damage.     

Greater than 20%-efficient frequency doubling of 1532-nm nanosecond pulses in quasi-phase-matched germanosilicate optical fibers

We fabricated second-order nonlinear gratings in D-shaped germanosilicate fibers, using thermal poling and periodic electrodes defined by standard photolithography. These gratings, which are up to 75 mm long, were used for efficient quasi-phase-matched frequency doubling of 1.532-mum nanosecond pulses from a high-power erbium-doped fiber amplifier. Average second-harmonic powers as high as 6.8 mW and peak powers greater than 1.2 kW at 766 nm were generated, with average and peak conversion efficiencies as high as 21% and 30%, respectively.