A new solid-state electrolyte: Rubbery 'polymer-in-salt' containing LiN(CF3SO2)(2)

A new class of rubbery 'polymer-in-salt' electrolytes for application in solid-state lithium batteries has been explored by differential scanning calorimetry and a.c. impedance analysis. Simple phase diagrams of LiN(CF3SO2)(2)+LiClO4 and LiC(CF3SO2)(3)+LiN(CF3SO2)(2) have been drawn, which are very important to determine polymer-in-salt electrolyte materials. The conductivities obtained by a.c. impedance measurement are smaller for the electrolyte that contains acetate LiOAc salt than for the electrolyte without this salt.

A new thermoplastic polyimide composite based on 1,4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxyl)benzene/4,4'-methylene dianiline

New thermoplastic polyimide (PEI) composites based on 1,4-(3,4-discarboxyphenoxyl)benzene/4,4'- methylene dianiline have been fabricated by the approach of polymerization by the approach of polymerization of monomer reactants (PMR). The chemical and physical behavior of the resin during processing are determined by infrared spectroscopy and rheology. The influence of processing conditions on the composite properties is investigated. The processing, physical and mechanical properties of the composites reinforced with different fibers are presented.

PREPARATION STRUCTURE AND PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF NEW SILVER LANTHANIDE MOLYBDENUM OXIDES [AGLNMO(2)O(8)(LN=LA-ND AND SM)]

We present the synthesis of AgLnMo(2)O(8) compounds with Ln = La-Nd and Sm. These compounds represent a scheelite-type structure characterized by MoO4- tetrahedrons. IR spectra show five absorption peaks in the region of 1000-400cm(-1), around 800cm(-1) and 400cm(-1), which correspond to the modes of the tetrahedral MoO42- groups. All of AgLnMo(2)O(8) (Ln = La-Nd and Sm) oxides are dielectric materials at room temperature. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility ofAgLnMo(2)O(8) (Ln = Ce-Nd and Sm) shows Curie-Weiss law behavior from 100K to 300K. This indicates that both Ce and Pr exist in +3 oxidation state in AgLnMo(2)O(8). For AgLaMo2O8, diamagnetic properties are found as expected.

A NEW SIMPLE LONG-PATH-LENGTH THIN-LAYER SPECTROELECTROCHEMICAL CELL IN VARIOUS USES

This article describes the design of a new type of long-path-length thin-layer cell (LPTLC), which is constructed by inserting two Teflon cell bodies into a standard cuvette. This cuvette holder enables the LPTLC to combine with photometric instrumentation conveniently. Gold, platinum, glassy carbon, and other materials can be used for the working electrode. Since no soluble adhesive material is used, the cell can meet various needs (in situ conventional and derivative W-vis, in situ circular dichroism, etc.) in both aqueous and nonaqueous systems.

THE SYNTHESIS AND PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF THE NEW LAYERED LANTHANIDE ALKALINE-EARTH COBALT OXIDES [LN2MCO2O7 (LN=SM,GD M=SR,BA)]

Three new oxides Sm2SrCo2O7, Sm2BaCo2O7 and Gd2SrCo2O7 have been successfully synthesized by a solid state reaction method.The X - Ray diffraction spectra show that they are all isostructural with Sr8Ti 2O7, Ln2SrCo2O7(Ln=Sm, Gd) crystallized in the tetra

Assembly of the protoplasm of Codium fragile (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) into new protoplasts

The cell organelles of the coenocytic alga Codium fragile (Sur.) Hariot aggregated rapidly and protoplasts were formed when its protoplasm was extruded out in seawater. Continuous observation showed that there were long and gelatinous threads connecting the cell organelles. The threads contracted, and thus the cell organelles aggregated into protoplasmic masses. The enzyme digestion experiments and Coomassie Brilliant Blue and Anthrone stainings showed that the long and gelatinous threads involved in the formation of the protoplasts might include protein and saccharides as structure components. Nile Red staining indicated that the protoplast primary envelope was non-lipid at first, and then lipid materials integrated into its surface gradually. The fluorescent brightener staining indicated that the cell wall did not regenerate in the newly formed protoplasts and they all disintegrated within 72 h after formation. Transmission electron microscopy of the cell wall of wild C. fragile showed electron-dense material embedded in the whole cell wall at regular intervals. The experiments indicated that C. fragile would be a suitable model alga for studying the formation of protoplasts.

Preparation and characteristic of a new class of silica/polyimide nanocomposites

A new class of silica/polyimide nanocomposites was successfully prepared by the sol-gel reaction, tetraethoxysilane, (TEOS), was hydrolyzed by the water released from imidization at low and high temperature. Silica particles with diameter of around 30-50 nm were observed in the hybrid films by scanning electron microscopy. The flame retardance, decomposition temperature and glass transition temperature of the film increased with increasing silica content. The tensile strength increased slightly while the elongation at break of the films decreased with increasing silica content. (C) 2002 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Novel porous metal/ceramic membrane materials

During the past 22 months, the preparation and application of novel porous metal/ceramic membrane materials have been extensively explored in the area of membrane science and catalysis. Thus, new preparation methods and new application concepts in membrane catalysis have been developed.

Post-grafting preparation of large-pore mesoporous materials with localized high content titanium doping

A new post-grafting process, consisting of two steps of substrate preparation and sol - gel post-grafting, has been developed to prepare titanium-doped mesoporous SBA-15 material with a double-layered structure and locally concentrated titanium content at the inner pore surface. With this novel technique, the single phased and originally ordered mesostructures can be well conserved; in the conventional direct synthesis they can be partially damaged when the frameworks are doped with high content heteroatoms. Titanium species exist in an isolated, tetrahedral structure and are localized at the pore surface; this is beneficial to both reactant access and product release. Characterization with XRD, N-2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, HREM/ EDS, ICP, UV - Vis, and the newly developed UV - Raman spectroscopy confirm these results. Preliminary catalytic tests with the selective epoxidation of cyclohexene show good catalytic activity. Among them, sample TiSBA-15-10 with a Si : Ti molar ratio of 10 shows a TON value of 75 and a highest product ( epoxide) yield of 55%.

New instrumentation for micro-imaging X-ray absorption spectroscopy using optical detection methods

Poolton, Nigel; Towlson, B.M.; Hamilton, B.; Evans, D.A., (2006) 'New instrumentation for micro-imaging X-ray absorption spectroscopy using optical detection methods', Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms 246(2) pp.445-451 RAE2008

A new interatomic potential for nanoscale silica

Flikkema, Edwin; Bromley, S.T., (2003) 'A new interatomic potential for nanoscale silica', Chemical Physics Letters 378(5-6) pp.622-629 RAE2008

Studies of ferrite, borosilicate and intercalation materials

This thesis is concerned with several aspects of the chemistry of iron compounds. The preparation (with particular emphasis on coprecipitation and sol-gel techniques) and processing of ferrites are discussed. Chapter 2 describes the synthesis of Ni-Zn ferrites with various compositions by three methods. These methods include coprecipitation and sol-gel techniques. The Ni-Zn ferrites were characterised by powder X-ray diffactometry (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), Mössbauer spectroscopy and resistivity measurements. The results for the corresponding ferrites prepared by each method are compared. Chapter 3 reports the sol-gel preparation of a lead borosilicate glass and its addition to Ni-Zn ferrites prepared by the sol-gel method in Chapter 2. The glass-ferrites formed were analysed by the same techniques employed in Chapter 2. Alterations in the microstructure, magnetic and electronic properties of the ferrites due to glass addition are described. Chapter 4 introduces compounds containing Fe-O-B, Fe-O-Si or B-O-Si linkages. The synthesis and characterisation of compounds containing Fe-O-B units are described. The structure of [Fe(SALEN)]2O.CH2Cl2 (17), used in attempts to prepare compounds with Fe-O-Si bonds, was determined by X-ray crystallography. Chapter 4 also details the synthesis of three new borosilicate compounds containing ferrocenyl groups, i.e. [FcBO)2(OSiBut2)2] (19), [(FcBO)2(OSiPh2)2] (20) and [FcBOSiPh3] (21). The structure of (19) was determined by X-ray Crystallographic analysis. Chapter 5 reviews the intercalation properties of the layered host compound iron oxychloride (FeOCI). Intercalation compounds prepared with the microwave dielectric heating technique are also discussed. The syntheses of intercalation compounds by the microwave method with FeOCI as host and ferrocene, ferrocenylboronic acid and 4-aminopyridine as guest species are described. Characterisation of these compounds by powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD) and M{ssbauer spectroscopy is reported. The attempted synthesis of an intercalation compound with the borosilicate compound (19) as guest species is discussed. Appendices A-E describe the theory and instrumentation involved in powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM0, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), Mössbauer spectroscopy and electrical resistivity measurements, respectively. Appendix F details the attempted syntheses of compounds with Fe-O-B and Fe-O-Si linkages.

New phosphorescence based probes and techniques for the analysis of cellular oxygen and respiration

Real time monitoring of oxygenation and respiration is on the cutting edge of bioanalysis, including studies of cell metabolism, bioenergetics, mitochondrial function and drug toxicity. This thesis presents the development and evaluation of new luminescent probes and techniques for intracellular O2 sensing and imaging. A new oxygen consumption rate (OCR) platform based on the commercial microfluidic perfusion channel μ-slides compatible with extra- and intracellular O2 sensitive probes, different cell lines and measurement conditions was developed. The design of semi-closed channels allowed cell treatments, multiplexing with other assays and two-fold higher sensitivity to compare with microtiter plate. We compared three common OCR platforms: hermetically sealed quartz cuvettes for absolute OCRs, partially sealed with mineral oil 96-WPs for relative OCRs, and open 96-WPs for local cell oxygenation. Both 96-WP platforms were calibrated against absolute OCR platform with MEF cell line, phosphorescent O2 probe MitoXpress-Intra and time-resolved fluorescence reader. Found correlations allow tracing of cell respiration over time in a high throughput format with the possibility of cell stimulation and of changing measurement conditions. A new multimodal intracellular O2 probe, based on the phosphorescent reporter dye PtTFPP, fluorescent FRET donor and two-photon antennae PFO and cationic nanoparticles RL-100 was described. This probe, called MM2, possesses high brightness, photo- and chemical stability, low toxicity, efficient cell staining and high-resolution intracellular O2 imaging with 2D and 3D cell cultures in intensity, ratiometric and lifetime-based modalities with luminescence readers and FLIM microscopes. Extended range of O2 sensitive probes was designed and studied in order to optimize their spectral characteristics and intracellular targeting, using different NPs materials, delivery vectors, ratiometric pairs and IR dyes. The presented improvements provide useful tool for high sensitive monitoring and imaging of intracellular O2 in different measurement formats with wide range of physiological applications.

Analysis of educational materials and destruction/opt-out initiatives for storage and use of residual newborn screening samples.

In recent years, the storage and use of residual newborn screening (NBS) samples has gained attention. To inform ongoing policy discussions, this article provides an update of previous work on new policies, educational materials, and parental options regarding the storage and use of residual NBS samples. A review of state NBS Web sites was conducted for information related to the storage and use of residual NBS samples in January 2010. In addition, a review of current statutes and bills introduced between 2005 and 2009 regarding storage and/or use of residual NBS samples was conducted. Fourteen states currently provide information about the storage and/or use of residual NBS samples. Nine states provide parents the option to request destruction of the residual NBS sample after the required storage period or the option to exclude the sample for research uses. In the coming years, it is anticipated that more states will consider policies to address parental concerns about the storage and use of residual NBS samples. Development of new policies regarding storage and use of residual NBS samples will require careful consideration of impact on NBS programs, parent and provider educational materials, and respect for parents among other issues.