Block copolymer nanoparticles of controlled sizes via ring‐opening metathesis polymerization

This article describes the formation and characterization of self‐assembled nanoparticles of controlled sizes based on amphiphilic block copolymers synthesized by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization. We synthesized a novel hydrophobic derivative of norbornene; this monomer could be polymerized using Grubbs' catalyst [Cl₂Ru(CHPh)(PCy₃)₂] forming polymers of controlled molecular weight. We synthesized amphiphilic block copolymers of controlled composition and showed that they assemble into nanoparticles of controlled size. The nanoparticles were characterized using dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Tuning the composition of the block copolymer enables the tuning of the diameters of the nanoparticles in the 30‐ to 80‐nm range. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3352–3359, 2004     

Controlled/living polymerization of 2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and its block copolymer with tert‐butyl methacrylate by atom transfer radical polymerization

Polymerization of 2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) via homogeneous atom transfer radical polymerization under various reaction conditions is described. The effects of the initiators and solvents were examined. With 1,1,4,7,10,10‐hexamethyl triethylenetetramine/copper(I) chloride/p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride as the ligand/catalyst/initiator system in methanol, poly(DEAEMA) with a polydispersity index as low as 1.07 was synthesized. Kinetic studies demonstrated the polymerization was very well controlled and exhibited the living characteristic of the process. Well‐defined block copolymers of DEAEMA and tert‐butyl methacrylate (tBMA) were successfully synthesized. The copolymers could be synthesized with equally good results by starting with either p(DEAEMA) or p(tBMA) as the macroinitiators. However, only the macroinitiators terminated with chlorine should be used. The corresponding macroinitiators with bromine as a transferable group did not yield well‐defined copolymers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2688–2695, 2003     

Local magnetism of Rh in Ni-Rh alloys near the critical composition for ferromagnetism

Local magnetic behaviour of Rh implanted into Ni-Rh alloys near the critical Rh compositionx=0.37 has been studied using the TDPAC method. The observed Curie-Weiss type local susceptibility reflects the presence of large d spin polarization around Rh yielding a total moment of 4.7 _B. Our results show that the magnetism of Rh in the alloys depends strongly on the number of Ni near neighbour atoms.     

Estimation of shear wave velocity in gelatin phantoms utilizing PhS-SSOCT

We report a method for measuring shear wave velocity in soft materials using phase stabilized swept source optical coherence tomography (PhS-SSOCT). Wave velocity was measured in phantoms with various concentrations of gelatin and therefore different stiffness. Mechanical waves of small amplitudes (??10 ??m) were induced by applying local mechanical excitation at the surface of the phantom. Using the phase-resolved method for displacement measurement described here, the wave velocity was measured at various spatially distributed points on the surface of the tissue-mimicking gelatin-based phantom. The measurements confirmed an anticipated increase in the shear wave velocity with an increase in the gelatin concentrations. Therefore, by combining the velocity measurements with previously reported measurements of the wave amplitude, viscoelastic mechanical properties of the tissue such as cornea and lens could potentially be measured.     

Origin of charge density wave formation in insulators from a high resolution photoemission study of BaIrO3

We investigate the origin of charge density wave (CDW) formation in insulators by studying BaIrO3 using high-resolution (1.4 meV) photoemission spectroscopy. The spectra reveal the existence of localized density of states at the Fermi level, E(F), in the vicinity of room temperature. These localized states are found to vanish as the temperature is lowered, thereby, opening a soft gap at E(F), as a consequence of CDW transition. In addition, the energy dependence of the spectral density of states reveals the importance of magnetic interactions, rather than well-known Coulomb repulsion effect, in determining the electronic structure thereby implying a close relationship between ferromagnetism and CDW observed in this compound. Also, Ba core level spectra surprisingly exhibit an unusual behavior prior to CDW transition.     

Noise properties of a NMR transceiver coil array

The use of multiple radiofrequency (RF) surface coil elements has applications in both fast parallel imaging and conventional imaging techniques. Through implementation of a simple magnetic decoupling network, 50 Omega matching can be achieved in both the transmitter and receiver chains, enabling the use of conventional RF power amplifiers and preamplifiers for transceive applications. Unlike phased array coil arrangements using low impedance preamplifiers for decoupling, the noise correlation between 50 Omega coils decoupled with discrete components has not been characterized. We have measured the dependence of coil quality factor (Q-factor) and noise correlation on coil separation and shown these quantities to be consistent with theoretical arguments, at least at 4 T (170 MHz). Our results suggest that a coil system for transmission and reception of NMR signals with 50 Omega coils can be built to take advantage of all the benefits of conventional array coils and with the added advantages of using conventional amplifiers.     

On‐chip stimulated Brillouin Scattering for microwave signal processing and generation

Demonstration of continuously tunable delay, low‐noise lasers, dynamically controlled gratings, and optical phase shifting using the stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) process has lead to the emergence of SBS as a promising technology for microwave photonics. On‐chip realization of SBS enables photonic integration of microwave photonic signal processing and offers significantly enhanced performance and improved efficiency. On‐chip stimulated Brillouin scattering is reviewed in the context of slow‐light based tunable delay, low‐noise narrow linewidth lasers and filtering for integrated microwave photonics. A discussion on key material and device properties, necessary to enable on‐chip Brillouin scattering using both the single‐pass and resonator geometry, is presented along with an outlook for photonic integration of microwave signal processing and generation in other platforms.     

Structural and electronic properties of group III Rich In0.53Ga0.47As(001)

The structural and electronic properties of group III rich In_0.53Ga_0.47As(001) have been studied using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS). At room temperature (300 K), STM images show that the In_0.53Ga_0.47As(001)–(4 × 2) reconstruction is comprised of undimerized In/Ga atoms in the top layer. Quantitative comparison of the In_0.53Ga_0.47As(001)–(4 × 2) and InAs(001)–(4 × 2) shows the reconstructions are almost identical, but In_0.53Ga_0.47As(001)–(4 × 2) has at least a 4× higher surface defect density even on the best samples. At low temperature (77 K), STM images show that the most probable In_0.53Ga_0.47As(001) reconstruction is comprised of one In/Ga dimer and two undimerized In/Ga atoms in the top layer in a double (4 × 2) unit cell. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations at elevated temperature are consistent with the experimentally observed 300 K structure being a thermal superposition of three structures. DFT molecular dynamics (MD) show the row dimer formation and breaking is facilitated by the very large motions of tricoodinated row edge As atoms and z motion of In/Ga row atoms induced changes in As–In/Ga–As bond angles at elevated temperature. STS results show there is a surface dipole or the pinning states near the valence band (VB) for 300 K In_0.53Ga_0.47As(001)–(4 × 2) surface consistent with DFT calculations. DFT calculations of the band-decomposed charge density indicate that the strained unbuckled trough dimers being responsible for the surface pinning.     

VEGFR-2 targeted cellular delivery of doxorubicin by gold nanoparticles for potential antiangiogenic therapy

We report a novel gold nanobioconjugate system that achieves targeted delivery of the small molecule drug doxorubicin to endothelial cells using anti-VEGFR-2 antibody conjugated gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The reported nanobioconjugate system combines the inherent ability of GNPs to undergo high levels of derivatization with the precision of antibody recognition of a cell surface antigen. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) confirmed intracellular presence of the GNPs. Using a VEGFR-2 expressing cell line and a cell line that is negative for the receptor, in combination with competition assay we established the cell specific targeted delivery of the nanobioconjugate. The nanobioconjugate system described here may have potential drug delivery applications for antiangiogenic cancer therapy.