Reversible Charge Transfer with Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Upon Harvesting the Low Energy Part of the Solar Spectrum

Here, the ability of a novel near‐infrared dye to noncovalently self‐assemble onto the surface of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) driven by charge‐transfer interactions is demonstrated. Steady‐state, Raman, and transient absorption spectroscopies corroborate the electron donating character of the near‐infrared dye when combined with SWCNTs, in the form of fluorescence quenching of the excited state of the dye, n‐doping of SWCNTs, and reversible charge transfer, respectively. Formation of the one‐electron oxidized dye as a result of interactions with SWCNTs is supported by spectroelectrochemical measurements. The ultrafast electronic process in the near‐infrared dye, once immobilized onto SWCNTs, starts with the formation of excited states, which decay to the ground state via the intermediate population of a fully charge‐separated state, with characteristic time constants for the charge separation of 1.5 ps and charge recombination of 25 ps, as derived from the multiwavelength global analysis. Of great relevance is the fact that charge‐transfer occurs from the hot excited state of the near‐infrared dye to SWCNTs.     

On the History of Reactive Mesogens: Interview with Dirk J. Broer

Prof. Dirk Broer is among the pioneers and most active researchers in the field of stimuli-responsive liquid crystal (LC) networks. He is the inventor of reactive mesogens, a class of materials with far-reaching implications in liquid-crystal photonics and in the triumph of LC-based shape-shifting polymers. Together with his team, Prof. Broer continuously produces innovative solutions for controlling and programming new functions into soft responsive materials. Through this Interview, it is our great pleasure to gain insights into his personal views on both the past and the future, and to learn about the historical turns that led to the development of reactive mesogens as well as his vision on where the field is heading.     

Transmission investment problems in Europe: Going beyond standard solutions

The European transmission grid is facing an investment challenge. There is a strong call for more transmission capacity. At the same time, the investment climate is fierce and troubled by public opposition, a complex regulatory framework, etc. Many transmission capacity expansion projects are delayed or canceled. In this paper different technology options suitable for increasing transmission capacity are discussed. The aim is to provide policy-makers with information on technologies without going too much into technical details. The focus is on opportunities and limitations to implement various technological alternatives in practice, including technical solutions that go beyond constructing new connection lines. The criteria used in this technology assessment are based on the obstacles reported in the European Priority Interconnection Plan. This ensures a realistic approach based on problems encountered in real projects. Although AC overhead lines (OHL) will remain the standard solution for grid expansion, it is argued that different technology options can overcome many obstacles that OHL face. Additionally, it is illustrated that the higher investment costs for some solutions can be offset with an increased benefit, e.g. by accomplishing investments with smaller delays due to fewer obstacles encountered.     

Cell-Free Protein Synthesis for the Screening of Novel Azoreductases and Their Preferred Electron Donor

Azoreductases are potent biocatalysts for the cleavage of azo bonds. Various gene sequences coding for potential azoreductases are available in databases, but many of their gene products are still uncharacterized. To avoid the laborious heterologous expression in a host organism, we developed a screening approach involving cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) combined with a colorimetric activity assay, which allows the parallel screening of putative azoreductases in a short time. First, we evaluated different CFPS systems and optimized the synthesis conditions of a model azoreductase. With the findings obtained, 10 azoreductases, half of them undescribed so far, were screened for their ability to degrade the azo dye methyl red. All novel enzymes catalyzed the degradation of methyl red and can therefore be referred to as azoreductases. In addition, all enzymes degraded the more complex and bulkier azo dye Brilliant Black and four of them also showed the ability to reduce p-benzoquinone. NADH was the preferred electron donor for the most enzymes, although the synthetic nicotinamide co-substrate analogue 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH) was also accepted by all active azoreductases. This screening approach allows accelerated identification of potential biocatalysts for various applications.     

Cities and plans – the past defines the future

Urban planning is often considered unnecessary from a neo-liberal viewpoint, particularly as the market would guarantee an optimal spatial allocation of facilities and uses without it. Planning costs and bureaucracy would be saved and the implementation of projects accelerated. However, it is argued here that urban planning has achieved many successes since the beginning of urbanization, which have led to an improvement in the living conditions of broad sections of the population. Urban planning history needs to evaluate these experiences, advancements (and failures), and to apply them for future projects and developments. In the meantime, the professional identity of planning history has been increasingly strengthened by new approaches and cross-border networking.     

COBIT 2019: A SIGNIFICANT UPDATE

The new framework for governance and management of enterprise information & technology – COBIT 2019 – has been released. The updated framework provides a timely refresh of its structure and contents, and adds exciting new features like design factors that allow to tailor governance systems, and many more. This article describes the major changes in COBIT and the impact they bring to governing bodies, management and practitioners.     

25th Anniversary Article: 25 Years of Fullerene Research in Electron Transfer Chemistry

The past 25 years have served as a test bed for exploring the chemistry and physics, in general, and the electron transfer chemistry, in particular, of low‐dimensional carbon. Nevertheless, the new realm started with the advent of fullerenes, followed in chronological order by carbon nanotubes, and, more recently, by graphene. The major thrust of this Review article is to historically recap the versatility of fullerenes regarding the design, the synthesis, and the tests as an electroactive building block in photosynthetic reaction mimics, photovoltaics, and catalysis.