Microsecond nonlinear model predictive control for DC-DC converters

In this paper, we present a novel nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) formulation for the transient control of a DC-DC converter. We demonstrate that a real-time implementation of the proposed NMPC scheme using the PANOC solver can be efficiently applied to control DC-DC converters in the microsecond range. Moreover, an embedded, code-generated version of PANOC can be implemented using microcontrollers or digital signal processors. The algorithm is incorporated in the transient simulator of PWM DC-DC converters, and the operation of the simulator on the boost converter's example is presented, comparing the performance of our NMPC-controller with that of a classical PID controller. The operation of the boost converter controlled using the proposed NMPC algorithm is validated experimentally.     

Monolayered organosilicate toroids and related structures: A phase diagram for templating from block copolymers

Here we report the controlled generation of micelle-templated organosilicate nanostructures resulting from self-assembly of a block copolymer/organosilicate mixture followed by organosilicate vitrification and copolymer thermolysis. Variation of solution condition and the copolymer/organosilicate mixture composition generates widely different film morphologies ranging from toroids to linear features to contiguous nanoporous monolayers. The use of reactive organosilicates for block copolymer templation generates functional inorganic nanostructures with thermal and mechanical stability.     

Nanoporous Gold Catalyst for the Oxidative N-Dealkylation of Drug Molecules: A Method for Synthesis of N-Dealkylated Metabolites

A novel method for the selective catalytic N-dealkylation of drug molecules on a nanoporous gold (NPG) catalyst producing valuable N-dealkylated metabolites and intermediates is described. Drug metabolites are important chemical entities at every stage of drug discovery and development, from exploratory discovery to clinical development, providing the safety profiles and the ADME (adsorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination) of new drug candidates. Synthesis was carried out in aqueous solution at 80 °C using air (oxygen source) as oxidant, in single step with good isolated yields. Different examples examined in this study showed that aerobic catalytic N-dealkylation of drug molecules on NPG has a broad scope supporting N-deethylation, N-deisopropylation and N-demethylation, converting either 3° amines to 2° amines, or 2° amines to 1° amines.     

Microfabricated Systems and Assays for Studying the Cytoskeletal Organization,Micromechanics, and Motility Patterns of Cancerous Cells

Cell motions are driven by coordinated actions of the intracellular cytoskeleton – actin, microtubules (MTs) and substrate/focal adhesions (FAs). This coordination is altered in metastatic cancer cells resulting in deregulated and increased cellular motility. Microfabrication tools, including photolithography, micromolding, microcontact printing, wet stamping and microfluidic devices have emerged as a powerful set of experimental tools with which to probe and define the differences in cytoskeleton organization/dynamics and cell motility patterns in non‐metastatic and metastatic cancer cells. In this review, we discuss four categories of microfabricated systems: (i) micropatterned substrates for studying of cell motility sub‐processes (for example, MT targeting of FAs or cell polarization); (ii) systems for studying cell mechanical properties, (iii) systems for probing overall cell motility patterns within challenging geometric confines relevant to metastasis (for example, linear and ratchet geometries), and (iv) microfluidic devices that incorporate co‐cultures of multiple cell types and chemical gradients to mimic in vivo intravasation/extravasation steps of metastasis. Together, these systems allow for creating controlled microenvironments that not only mimic complex soft tissues, but are also compatible with live cell high‐resolution imaging and quantitative analysis of single cell behavior.