Unique reduced graphene oxide as efficient anode material in Li ion battery

Unique reduced graphene oxide named solar reduced graphene oxide (SRGO) was found to be an excellent anode material in Li ion battery. SRGO exhibited first cycle discharge- and charge-capacities as high as 1480 and 880 mAh \(\hbox {g}^{-1}\), respectively. Moreover, the columbic efficiency was found to be >95% and the specific capacity retention even after 60 cycles was >500 mAh \(\hbox {g}^{-1}\).     

Kilopixel X-ray Microcalorimeter Arrays for Astrophysics: Device Performance and Uniformity

We are developing kilopixel arrays of TES microcalorimeters to enable high-resolution x-ray imaging spectrometers for future x-ray observatories and laboratory astrophysics experiments. Our current array design was targeted as a prototype for the X-ray Microcalorimeter Spectrometer proposed for the International X-ray Observatory, which calls for a 40×40-pixel core array of 300?μm devices with 2.5?eV energy resolution (at 6?keV). Here we present device characterization of our 32×32 arrays, including x-ray spectral performance of individual pixels within the array. We present our results in light of the understanding that our Mo/Au TESs act as weak superconducting links, causing the TES critical current (I _c ) and transition shape to oscillate with applied magnetic field (B). We show I _c (B) measurements and discuss the uniformity of these measurements across the array, as well as implications regarding the uniformity of device noise and response. In addition, we are working to reduce pixel-to-pixel electrical and thermal crosstalk; we present recent test results from an array that has microstrip wiring and an angle-evaporated copper backside heatsinking layer, which provides copper coverage on the four sidewalls of the silicon wells beneath each pixel.     

Dynamic Modeling and Hydrodynamic Performance of Biomimetic Underwater Robot Locomotion

We developed a dynamic model of a Nitinol artificial muscle activated biomimetic robot. The robot was reverse engineered from the American lobster and built in the Biomimetic Underwater Robot Program at Northeastern University. It is intended for autonomous remote-sensing operations in shallow waters. An experimentally based Nitinol artificial muscle model was integrated into the robot dynamic model. The hydrodynamic characteristics of the robot were determined experimentally. The muscle control signals were generated by utilizing a readily available biomimetic control architecture. The effects of the timing parameters were investigated. Simulations indicate that the developed robot is able to locomote with high stability. It can walk against constant currents and surge.     

Clinically Applicable Assessment of Tisagenlecleucel CAR T Cell Treatment by Digital Droplet PCR for Copy Number Variant Assessment

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is an innovative immunotherapy for treating cancers in both children and adults with proven utility in numerous clinical trials. Significantly, some CAR T cell therapies have now been approved by relevant national regulatory bodies across numerous countries for clinical therapeutic use outside of clinical trials. One such recently licensed product is tisagenlecleucel, a CAR T therapy approved for the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) using autologous T cells from the patient. The genetically engineered T cells target a protein called CD19, common to B cells, through a CAR incorporating a 4-1BB costimulatory domain to improve response. Since tisagenlecleucel is now a standard of care treatment for B-ALL, it is clinically essential to be able to accurately monitor these CAR T cells in patients. Assessment of the copy number variant (CNV) of the CAR T cell products allows this within a clinically acceptable timeframe for optimal patient benefit. However, no standardized method with high reproducibility and efficiency has been described within a routine clinical laboratory setting. Here, we demonstrated a novel digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)-based methodology for the study of CNV (ddPCR-CNV) in 4-1BB CD19-specific CAR T cells with universal applicability across clinical diagnostic laboratories.     

Clotrimazole-loaded Eudragit® RS100 nanocapsules: Preparation,characterization and in vitro evaluation of antifungal activity against Candida species

Clotrimazole is a common choice for the treatment of vulvovaginal infections, but its low solubility and some side effects pose a challenge to its application. This work evaluated the feasibility to formulate clotrimazole-loaded cationic nanocapsules using Eudragit® RS100 and medium chain triglycerides as polymer and oily core, respectively, by the method of interfacial deposition of a preformed polymer. The physicochemical characteristics of nanocapsule formulations were evaluated at 0 day and 60 days after preparation. Particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, pH and drug content were stable during this period. In addition, nanocapsules were able to protect clotrimazole from photodegradation under UV radiation. By the dialysis bag diffusion technique, the nanosized formulations showed prolonged release of clotrimazole by anomalous transport and first order kinetics. A microbiological study was carried out by the microdilution method and showed that nanocapsules (mean size: 144 nm; zeta potential: + 12 mV) maintained the antifungal activity of clotrimazole against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata strains susceptible and resistant to fluconazole.     

Surface functionalization without lattice degradation of highly crystalline nanoscaled carbon materials using a carbon monoxide atmospheric plasma treatment

Atmospheric plasma treatments on various forms of carbon were performed to compare the effect of surface modification using carbon monoxide (CO) as the active gas, in comparison to the conventionally used O₂. Changes in surface characteristics were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as a function of duration. The results indicated that use of O₂ plasma resulted in only a limited oxygen uptake (O/C = 0.11), while CO treatments resulted in tailorable surface O/C ratios as high as 0.69, a result not attainable when using low-pressure RF plasmas (O/C < 0.1). High-resolution XPS analysis and Auger spectroscopy confirmed that a tailorable level of carbonyl functional groups could be evenly distributed throughout the surface. Both Raman and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) indicated nano-scale degradation of the structure when using the O₂ treatment. On the other hand, CO treated specimens exhibited no observable damage to the material with high levels of oxygen incorporation. Contact angle measurements verified the formation of a highly stable hydrophilic surface and excellent dispersion was observed in an aqueous solution on treated specimens after CO treatment. The CO treatment was also successfully applied to SWCNT with similar results and no degradation of structure.