Hydrogel-based piezoresistive pH sensors: investigations using FT-IR attenuated total reflection spectroscopic imaging

The strong swelling ability of the pH-responsive poly(acrylic acid)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PAA/PVA) hydrogel makes the development of a new type of sensor possible, which combines piezoresistive-responsive elements as mechanoelectrical transducers and the phase transition behavior of hydrogels as a chemomechanical transducer. The sensor consists of a pH-responsive PAA/PVA hydrogel and a standard pressure sensor chip. However, a time-dependent sensor output voltage mirrors only the physical swelling process of the hydrogel but not the corresponding chemical reactions. Therefore, an investigation of the swelling behavior of this hydrogel is essential for the optimization of sensor design. In this work, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging was used to study the swelling of the hydrogel under in situ conditions. In particular, laterally and time-resolved FT-IR images were obtained in the attenuated total reflection mode and the entire data set of more than 80,000 FT-IR spectra was evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA). The first and third principal components (PCs) indicate the swelling process. Molecular changes within the carboxyl groups were observed in the second and fourth PC and identified as key processes for the swelling behavior. It was found that time-dependent molecular changes are similar to the electrical sensor output signal. The results of the FT-IR spectroscopic images render an improved chemical sensor possible and demonstrate that in situ FT-IR imaging is a powerful method for the characterization of molecular processes within chemical-sensitive materials.     

A CFD study of gas–solid jet in a CFB riser flow

Three‐dimensional high‐resolution numerical simulations of a gas–solid jet in a high‐density riser flow were conducted. The impact of gas–solid injection on the riser flow hydrodynamics was investigated with respect to voidage, tracer mass fractions, and solids velocity distribution. The behaviors of a gas–solid jet in the riser crossflow were studied through the unsteady numerical simulations. Substantial separation of the jetting gas and solids in the riser crossflow was observed. Mixing of the injected gas and solids with the riser flow was investigated and backmixing of gas and solids was evaluated. In the current numerical study, both the overall hydrodynamics of riser flow and the characteristics of gas–solid jet were reasonably predicted compared with the experimental measurements made at NETL. Published 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012     

Systematic MIMO OFDM transceiver implementation for MPSoCs: a nucleus based approach

In this paper, we analyze the potential as well as the limitations of multiprocessor system-on-chip (MPSoC) platforms when implementing software defined radio (SDR) applications for wireless communications. Suitable MPSoCs contain a potentially heterogeneous multi-core computing cluster and can be further equipped with application specific accelerators. The physical layer of a MIMO OFDM transceiver, for which the IEEE 802.11n standard serves as reference, is investigated in this work. To maintain portability, the platform independent algorithmic kernels (Nuclei) are identified first. In the following case study, efficient implementations (Flavors) of these Nuclei are implemented on an MPSoC platform. Resultant algorithmic performance (e.g., frame-error-rate) as well as the system performance (e.g., latency and throughput) are discussed.     

Label-Free Investigations on the G Protein Dependent Signaling Pathways of Histamine Receptors

G protein activation represents an early key event in the complex GPCR signal transduction process and is usually studied by label-dependent methods targeting specific molecular events. However, the constrained environment of such “invasive” techniques could interfere with biological processes. Although histamine receptors (HRs) represent (evolving) drug targets, their signal transduction is not fully understood. To address this issue, we established a non-invasive dynamic mass redistribution (DMR) assay for the human H_1–4Rs expressed in HEK cells, showing excellent signal-to-background ratios above 100 for histamine (HIS) and higher than 24 for inverse agonists with pEC₅₀ values consistent with literature. Taking advantage of the integrative nature of the DMR assay, the involvement of endogenous Gα_q/11, Gα_s, Gα_12/13 and Gβγ proteins was explored, pursuing a two-pronged approach, namely that of classical pharmacology (G protein modulators) and that of molecular biology (Gα knock-out HEK cells). We showed that signal transduction of hH_1–4Rs occurred mainly, but not exclusively, via their canonical Gα proteins. For example, in addition to Gα_i/o, the Gα_q/11 protein was proven to contribute to the DMR response of hH_3,4Rs. Moreover, the Gα_12/13 was identified to be involved in the hH₂R mediated signaling pathway. These results are considered as a basis for future investigations on the (patho)physiological role and the pharmacological potential of H_1–4Rs.     

In-situ-Messung der Stickoxidkonzentration in turbulenten Diffusionsflammen

Zusammenfassung Die laserspektroskopischen Me?methoden laserinduzierte Fluoreszenz und spontane Ramanspektroskopie werden eingesetzt zur Messung der Konzentrationen von Stickoxid, Hydroxyl sowie der chemischen Hauptkomponenten und der Temperatur. Betrachtet wird die thermische Umsetzung von Wasserstoff mit Luftsauerstoff. Es wird die experimentelle Vorgehensweise und Problematik dargestellt. Ebenso wird der Weg der Modellierung und Berechnung turbulenter Verbrennungsvorg?nge am konkreten Beispiel skizziert. Die Annahme chemischen Gleichgewichts stellt sich als ungenügend in der Berechnung der Stickoxid- und Hydroxylkonzentrationen heraus. Eine deutlich bessere Vorhersage wird durch Einführen einer Reaktionsfortschrittsvariablen für das chemische Modell erreicht.     

Temperature Dependent Mobility Measurements of Alkali-Earth Ions in Superfluid Helium (4He)

Mobility measurements of alkali-earth ions Be ⁺ , Mg ⁺ , Ca ⁺ , Sr ⁺ and Ba ⁺ in the temperature range 1.27 to 1.66 K are presented. The mobility of Be ⁺ shows a different behavior in comparison to that of Mg ⁺ , although the properties of the two elements are similar. This may suggest that Be ⁺ forms an alternate structure, perhaps a snowball, compared to the bubble like defect of Mg ⁺ .     

Experimental determination of ultrasonic wave velocities in plastics as functions of temperature. IV. Shear velocities in common plastics

The temperature dependence of acoustic shear velocities are reported for Poly-Penco nylon, type G Plexiglass [poly(methyl methacrylate)], TFE Teflon (tetrafluoroethylene), low- and high-density polyethylene, Lexan (polycarbonate), and Delrin Acetal (nylon). Most of the data were obtained at a frequency of 1 Mc./sec. over the temperature range of 25–100°C. In addition, previously unreported longitudinal velocities to ～125°C. are reported for Lexan and Delrin Acetal.     

Experimental determination of ultrasonic wave velocities in plastics as functions of temperature. II. Effect of lamination angle for layered materials

Ultrasonic longitudinal wave velocities in layered materials were measured as a function of the lamination angle at several temperatures. It was found that the longitudinal wave velocity versus lamination angle curve maintains the same shape (for a given material) for temperatures between 25 and 125°C. Furthermore, it was found that the wave velocity versus lamination angle curve can be predicted to within 2% by a theoretical equation involving only the lamination angle, & thetas; (taken as the angle between the grain of the sample and the direction of sound propagation); c (0°), the measured wave velocity at an angle of 0°; and c (90°) the measured wave velocity at an angle of 90°. Finally, it was found that the longitudinal wave velocity of certain materials varies as much as 25% between lamination angles of 0° and 90°, while other materials show less variation, and some none at all.     

Dye-doped photorefractive liquid crystals for dynamic and storageholographic grating formation and spatial light modulation

The basic mechanisms of photo-induced space charge field formation, director axis re-orientation, and refractive index changes in fullerene C60- and dye-doped nematic liquid crystals films are presented. In particular, in aligned methyl-red-doped nematic liquid crystal film, we observe a nonlinear index change coefficient as high as 10 cm²/W, associated with purely optically induced liquid crystal director axis re-orientation. Experimental observations of dynamic and high-resolution storage holographic grating formation, two beam coupling with gain of nearly 3000 cm^-1, optical limiting action at nanowatt cw laser power, and incoherent-coherent image conversion at μW/cm² light intensity level are discussed