Highly-efficient single-cell capture in microfluidic array chips using differential hydrodynamic guiding structures

This paper presents a highly efficient single cell capture scheme using hydrodynamic guiding structures in a microwell array. The implemented structure has a capturing efficiency of >80%, and has a capacity to place individual cells into separated microwells, allowing for the time-lapse monitoring on single cell behavior. Feasibility was tested by injecting microbeads (15 μm in diameter) and prostate cancer PC3 cells in an 8×8 microwell array chip and >80% of the microwells were occupied by single ones. Using the chips, the number of cells required for cell assays can be dramatically reduced and this will facilitate overcoming a huddle of assays with scarce supply of cells.     

The synthesis of crown ether-appended dichlorofluoresceins and their selective Cu2+ chemosensing

Dichlorofluorescein derivatives with two aza-crown ether binding units were prepared by the Mannich reaction and their chemosensing behaviors toward transition metal ions were investigated. An 18-crown-6 ether derivative exhibited pronounced Cu²⁺-selective fluorescence signaling, with selectivity over other common physiologically important alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions. The compound also displayed 1:1 complex formation with Cu²⁺ ion, with a detection limit of 2.9 × 10^?6 M in an aqueous 50% DMSO solution at pH 7, showing that it may offer potential as a chemosensor for the detection of submillimolar Cu²⁺ ions in physiological environments. A 15-Crown-5 ether analogue also revealed selective Cu²⁺ signaling, although with somewhat diminished selectivity compared with its 18-crown-6 counterpart.     

Preparation of an anion‐exchange membrane by the amination of chlorinated polypropylene and polyethyleneimine at a low temperature and its ion‐exchange property

An anion‐exchange membrane was prepared by the amination of chlorinated polypropylene and polyethyleneimine at a low temperature and was investigated with respect to not only its physical properties but also its electrochemical properties. The degrees of amination were 50.16, 53.76, 57.11, and 65.29% at 30, 40, 50, and 55°C, respectively. The base polymer membrane had no water uptake, whereas that of the aminated polymer membrane was 0.254, 0.296, 0.298, and 0.319 g of H₂O/g of dry membrane, respectively, with increasing amination. The prepared membranes possessed an ion‐exchange capacity in the range of 1.257–2.000 mequiv/g of dry membrane and a fixed ion concentration in the range of 4.492–6.261 mequiv/g of H₂O. The ionic conductivity of the aminated polymer membrane was highest when the water uptake was highest. Those of the prepared membrane were in the range of 0.89 × 10^?2 to 1.36 × 10^?2 S/cm. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for detecting leakage of boric acid

Recently, many studies have been conducted on developing on-line leak detection techniques in the reactor vessel head of nuclear power plants. One of them, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), an effective technique of leak detection, which is a kind of atomic emission spectroscopy that uses a highly energetic laser pulse as the excitation source, has been of interest due to the fast and reliable identification of chemical elements for the precipitates formed by the leakage of cooling water containing boric acid. Experimental setup and tests were performed for the boric acid precipitates formed on the steel for various conditions with a Q-switched 532 nm Nd:YAG laser, optical lenses, an Echelle spectrograph and an intensified charge-coupled device detector. The LIBS system could be applied to obtain a spectral line (～249. 2 nm) corresponding to the atomic boron emission line for the precipitates of boric acid formed on low alloy steels, SA508 and SA533, as a substrate. The LIBS technique based on characterizing boric acid deposits might be used for detecting the leakage of cooling water in reactor vessel head of nuclear power plants.     

Minimizing a convex combination of the overshoot and undershoot

We study the problem of minimizing a parameterized convex combination of the overshoot and undershoot of SISO continuous time system in response to a known input. From a dual formulation, we develop a condition for solution existence and specify the structure of optimal solution. In addition, an interrelation between the overshoot and undershoot in controller synthesis is analytically explained in our framework.     

Polymer electrolyte membranes composed of an electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) fibrous mat in a poly(4‐vinylpyridine) matrix

Newly proposed polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) composed of an electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) fibrous mat embedded in a poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (P4VP) matrix were successfully fabricated in order to improve the mechanical and dimensional stabilities and ionic conductivity of membranes in lithium rechargeable batteries. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis showed that as a result of the use of a high voltage during electrospinning the crystalline structure of PVDF changed partially from α‐phase to β‐phase. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy confirmed the existence of crosslinked P4VP in the PVDF fibrous mat. The electrolyte uptakes of PVDF and PVDF/P4VP composite mats were higher than that of PVDF cast film. The tensile properties of PVDF/P4VP composite mat were considerably improved compared to those of the pristine PVDF fibrous mat under both dry and wet (soaked with electrolyte) conditions. In addition, the mechanical and dimensional stabilities of the PVDF/P4VP composite PEM were further enhanced due to crosslinking between the P4VP chains. Furthermore, the PVDF/P4VP composite PEM exhibited an ionic conductivity that was an order of magnitude higher than that of traditional PVDF film. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

A Versatile Synthetic Platform Based on Bicyclo[4.1.0]heptenes

Bicyclo[4.1.0]heptenes, which are readily accessible molecules via the transition metal-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1,6-enynes, and have served as useful building blocks in organic synthesis. These molecules can undergo a variety of ring-opening reactions given that the release of the cyclopropyl ring strain (27.5 kcal/mol) may serve as a thermodynamic driving force for reactions, and the double bond within the skeleton can afford the kinetic opportunity to initiate the ring-opening via a coordination to a metal species. Even though the chemistry of the cyclopropyl group has been widely explored in organic chemistry, less attention has been paid to the chemistry of bicyclo[4.1.0]heptenes. However, during the past 5 years, we have been engaged in the exploration of the chemistry of bicyclo[4.1.0]heptenes. This review describes the chemistry developed in our laboratory. Depending upon the position, number, and identity of the substituent(s), the identity of the tether group, and the nature of the catalytic system, bicyclo[4.1.0]heptenes can undergo a variety of transformations. Our studies have revealed the reaction patterns of bicyclo[4.1.0]heptenes which include thermal reactions, nucleophilic addition, and rhodium-catalyzed reactions, that can proceed both with and without opening of the cyclopropyl ring. The chemistry described in this review can be used to produce a variety of new compounds such as 2,4-pentadienals, 3-methylene-4-vinylcyclohex-1-enes, bicyclo[3.2.2]nonadienes, 1,6,7,9a-tetrahydrocyclohepta[c] pyrans and -pyridines, hexahydroisoquinolines, 4-oxa-6-azatricyclo[3.3.0.0^2,8]octanes, and heterotricyclo[3.3.1.0^2,8]nonanes.