Lipid analog with 2-nitrophenol trigger designed for liposome fusion at physiological pH

A novel lipid analog with two long alkyl (C₁₆) chains, an aspartate skeleton, a connecting alkyl (C₈) chain, and 2-nitrophenol trigger group is synthesized by an efficient synthetic route, which can induce liposome fusion at physiological pH.     

Diffusional behavior of multi-arm star polymers by H pulsed field gradient spin-echo NMR method

The diffusional behavior of multi-arm star-shaped p(tBMA) was investigated in a concentration range from dilute to semidilute region with ¹H pulsed field gradient spin-echo NMR (PFGSE-NMR). An 142-arm star-shaped p(tBMA) showed two diffusional mode, which reflected the coexistence of liquid ordering phase and liquid phase near the ordering transition. On the other hand, for star-shaped p(tBMA) with 55 arms showed a single diffusional relaxation in all concentration ranges during observation time. In the semidilute region, the relationship between the diffusion coefficient against the polymer concentration was affected strongly not only the arm number but also liquid ordering structure.     

Star-Block Copolymers: Organized Polymerization of Diblock Macromonomers

In the first part of this article, the method for preparation of heteroarm star (A _n B _n star-block) copolymers from diblock macromonomers possessing central functional groups is reviewed. These diblock macromonomers formed a microphase-separated structure in the solid state. The central functional groups at the position of the block junction were located regularly at the domain interface. The microgelation of diblock copolymer films formed A _n B _n star-block copolymers by organization effects. The second section reviews the methods for preparation of (AB) _n star-block copolymers from diblock macromonomers possessing a terminal vinylbenzyl group. The microgelation in micelles between diblock macromonomers and linking agent also formed (AB) _n star-block copolymers. Finally, the phase stability criteria of these star-block copolymers are reported briefly.     

Anisotropic Conductivity of Diblock Copolymer Films

The first part of this article reviews the orientation of the surface and the in-bulk microdomain structures of diblock copolymers. Well-defined poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine) diblock copolymers (about 50 wt% polystyrene blocks) formed horizontally oriented lamellar microdomains when these copolymers were cast from a nonselective solvent by means of the air–copolymer and substrate–copolymer interactions. The second section reviews the preparation of semiconducting materials by the exposure of these films to alkyl dihalide vapor. This film had an anisotropic conductivity with about 8 orders of magnitude. The third section reviews the construction of ionic complex phases by an ion-exchange reaction of quaternized poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) layers with lithium perchlorate. Finally, the introduction of colloidal silver into quaternized P2VP layers by reduction of silver iodide is reported. High electrical anisotropy originated in the orientation of microphase-separated structure of diblock copolymer films.     

Core-Shell Type Polymer Microspheres Prepared from Diblock Copolymer Films

In the first part of this article, the preparation method for core-shell type polymer microspheres from diblock copolymer films is reviewed. The core-shell type polymer microspheres were obtained from the crosslinking reaction in spherical microdomains formed by diblock copolymer film. In the second section, the solution and solid properties of core-shell type microspheres are reviewed. The micelle of core-shell type microsphere moved like pseudolatex. Its solubility depended strongly on that of shell segments. Finally, the miscibility behaviors of binary core-shell type microsphere blends are reported briefly.     

Fast and Almost Complete Nitridation of Mesoporous Silica MCM-41 with Ammonia in a Plug-Flow Reactor

The title reaction proceeded well to yield silicon (oxy)nitride at 973–1323 K using a plug-flow reactor. The degree of nitridation was studied as a function of temperature and time of nitridation, the sample weight, and the flow rate of ammonia. It was dependent on the reaction temperature and the amount of ammonia supplied per sample weight. The nitridation at 1273 K for 10–25 h yielded the oxynitride with 36–39 wt% nitrogen, which was very close to 40 wt% of Si₃N₄. Characterization with X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy measurements, and nitrogen adsorption revealed the conversion of MCM-41 to the corresponding oxynitride without essential loss of the mesoporous structure, the decrements of the lattice constant and the pore diameter by 20–35%, and the increments of the wall thickness by ca. 45%. Solid-state ²⁹Si nuclear magnetic resonance spectra during the nitridation clearly showed fast decrease in SiO₄ species and slow in SiO₃(OH). Various intermediate species, SiO _x N _y (NH₂ or NH) _z , were observed to be formed and finally, ca. 70% SiN₄ species, ca. 20% SiN₃(NH₂ or NH), and ca. 10% SiON₂(NH₂ or NH) were produced, being consistent with the results of the above mentioned elemental analysis.     

Novel synthesis of branched polystyrenes by quasi‐living radical copolymerization using photofunctional inimer

Branched polystyrenes were prepared by quasi‐living radical copolymerization of N,N‐diethylaminodithiocarbamoylmethylstyrene (inimer: DTCS) with styrene under UV irradiation. DTCS monomers play an important role in this copolymerization system as an inimer capable of initiating living radical polymerization of the vinyl group. Two monomers (DTCS and styrene) showed equal reactivity toward both propagating species, and the copolymer composition was the same as the comonomer feed. This result means that both the branching and chain length of the hyperbranched molecules can be controlled statistically by the feed monomer ratios. The compact nature of the branched macromolecules is demonstrated by viscosity measurements compared to the linear analogues. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Observation of the solid-state formation of a TTF–CA complex by terahertz spectroscopy

The solid-state synthesis of a tetrathiafulvalene–chloranil (TTF–CA) complex was demonstrated, and progress in the formation of the complex was monitored using a GaP Raman terahertz (THz) spectrometer. Clear transitions in the THz absorption spectra indicated that the mixture of TTF and CA became the black phase TTF–CA complex. The results of X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, and FTIR spectra are presented as supporting evidence.     

Three-dimensional shape recognition method using ultrasonics for manipulator control system

This article describes a three-dimensional shape recognition method that employs an ultrasonic distance sensor mounted on a manipulator, and its application to a manipulator control system. The principle of the method is to reconstruct an object surface numerically using both distance and orientation informations of an object. The method makes it possible to control the manipulator, to set the sensor in any position and orientation employing freedom of the manipulator, and to measure the object. The method is available for manipulator control because it can precisely assess the distance from the manipulator to the object, as well as reconstruct the object shape. Experimental results show that the newly developed method make object shape recognition easy and inexpensive. Application experiment proved that the method is effective for manipulator work due to its provision of distance information.