Synthesis fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles in a microchannel using the La Mer process and the characterization of their properties

This study presents a stable and controllable synthesis of fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles in a flow-through microchannel for the bimodal use of magnetic activated cells sorting and fluorescence-activated cell sorters. The La Mer process is carried out to synthesize magnetic nanoparticles using co-precipitation. Then, the magnetic nanoparticles are coated with conjugation of chitosan and fluorescent isothiocyanate with two different concentrations. The chemical composition of the magnetic nanoparticles is determined by comparing the standard X-ray diffraction peaks of Fe₃O₄, and their sizes are also examined by using field emission scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering measurement. The magnetic property of saturation magnetization and coercive field is characterized in a vibrating sample magnetometer. Also, the possibility of external manipulation in the synthesis of the magnetic particles is demonstrated by separating the synthesized fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles into a non-reacting lamination flow. Finally, their fluorescence property is determined by measuring the fluorescence adsorption spectra and the photoluminescence emission spectra in UV–Vis spectroscopy.     

Ag Nanowire Reinforced Highly Stretchable Conductive Fibers for Wearable Electronics

Stretchable conductive fibers have received significant attention due to their possibility of being utilized in wearable and foldable electronics. Here, highly stretchable conductive fiber composed of silver nanowires (AgNWs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) embedded in a styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) elastomeric matrix is fabricated. An AgNW‐embedded SBS fiber is fabricated by a simple wet spinning method. Then, the AgNPs are formed on both the surface and inner region of the AgNW‐embedded fiber via repeated cycles of silver precursor absorption and reduction processes. The AgNW‐embedded conductive fiber exhibits superior initial electrical conductivity (σ₀ = 2450 S cm^?1) and elongation at break (900% strain) due to the high weight percentage of the conductive fillers and the use of a highly stretchable SBS elastomer matrix. During the stretching, the embedded AgNWs act as conducting bridges between AgNPs, resulting in the preservation of electrical conductivity under high strain (the rate of conductivity degradation, σ/σ₀ = 4.4% at 100% strain). The AgNW‐embedded conductive fibers show the strain‐sensing behavior with a broad range of applied tensile strain. The AgNW reinforced highly stretchable conductive fibers can be embedded into a smart glove for detecting sign language by integrating five composite fibers in the glove, which can successfully perceive human motions.     

Direct Transfer Printing with Metal Oxide Layers for Fabricating Flexible Nanowire Devices

A direct printing method for fabricating devices by using metal oxide transfer layers instead of conventional transfer media such as polydimethylsiloxane is presented. Metal oxides are not damaged by organic solvents; therefore, electrodes with gaps less than 2 μm can be defined on a metal oxide transfer layer through photolithography. In order to determine a suitable metal oxide for use as transfer layer, the surface energies of various metal oxides are measured, and Au layers deposited on these oxides are transferred onto polyvinylphenol (PVP). To verify the feasibility of our approach, Au source–drain electrodes on transfer layers and Si nanowires (NWs) addressed by the dielectrophoretic (DEP) alignment process are transferred onto rigid and flexible PVP‐coated substrates. Based on transfer test and DEP process, Al₂O₃ is determined to be the best transfer layer. Finally, Si NWs field effect transistors (FETs) are fabricated on a rigid Si substrate and a flexible polyimide film. As the channel length decreases from 3.442 to 1.767 μm, the mobility of FET on the Si substrate increases from 127.61 ± 37.64 to 181.60 ± 23.73 cm² V^?1 s^?1. Furthermore, the flexible Si NWs FETs fabricated through this process show enhanced electrical properties with an increasing number of bending cycles.     

Thermally Controlled,Patterned Graphene Transfer Printing for Transparent and Wearable Electronic/Optoelectronic System

Graphene has been highlighted as a platform material in transparent electronics and optoelectronics, including flexible and stretchable ones, due to its unique properties such as optical transparency, mechanical softness, ultrathin thickness, and high carrier mobility. Despite huge research efforts for graphene‐based electronic/optoelectronic devices, there are remaining challenges in terms of their seamless integration, such as the high‐quality contact formation, precise alignment of micrometer‐scale patterns, and control of interfacial‐adhesion/local‐resistance. Here, a thermally controlled transfer printing technique that allows multiple patterned‐graphene transfers at desired locations is presented. Using the thermal‐expansion mismatch between the viscoelastic sacrificial layer and the elastic stamp, a “heating and cooling” process precisely positions patterned graphene layers on various substrates, including graphene prepatterns, hydrophilic surfaces, and superhydrophobic surfaces, with high transfer yields. A detailed theoretical analysis of underlying physics/mechanics of this approach is also described. The proposed transfer printing successfully integrates graphene‐based stretchable sensors, actuators, light‐emitting diodes, and other electronics in one platform, paving the way toward transparent and wearable multifunctional electronic systems.     

Colloidal synthesis of ultrathin two-dimensional semiconductor nanocrystals

2D semiconductor quantum wells have been recognized as potential candidates for various quantum devices. In quantum wells, electrons and holes are spatially confined within a finite thickness and freely move in 2D space. Much effort has focused on shape control of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals(NCs), and synthesis of 2D colloidal NCs has been achieved very recently. Here, recent advances in colloidal synthesis of uniform and ultrathin 2D CdSeNCs are highlighted. Structural and optical property characterization of these quantum-sized 2D CdSe NCs is discussed. Additionally, 2D CdSe NCs doped with Mn 2+ ions for dilute magnetic semiconductors (DMS) are presented.These 2D CdSe-based NCs can be used as model systems for studying quantum-well structures.     

Enhancement of antimicrobial and antimutagenic activities of Korean barberry (Berberis koreana Palib.) by the combined process of high‐pressure extraction with probiotic fermentation

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the combined effects of high pressure extraction (HPE) and probiotic fermentation on the antimicrobial and antimutagenic activities, Berberis koreana was subjected to 500 MPa for 30 min and then fermented with Bifidobacterium longum B6 (HPE‐BLF) and Lactobacillus paracasei (HPE‐LPF) at 37 °C for 6 days. RESULTS: The phenol content was significantly increased to 228 mg GAE g^?1 by the HPE compared to the conventional extraction (CE, 188 mg GAE g^?1). The HPE‐BLF and HPE‐LPF showed the highest antimicrobial activity (MIC < 4 mg mL^?1) against β‐lactam antibiotic sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus. No significant mutagenic effect was observed for CE, HPE, HPE‐BLF, and HPE‐LPF extracts. The highest antimutagenic activities against frame‐shift mutant Salmonella typhimurium were observed at the HPE‐LPF (82%), followed by the HPE‐BLF (77%). CONCLUSION: The combined HPE and fermentation process could be used as an alternative extraction method for improving the extraction efficacy of medicinal plants. The results will provide pharmaceutically useful information and potential direction for finding new drug sources from medicinal plants. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Wavelength- and Polarization-Independent Operation of Differential $M$ -ary PSK Receiver Based on Single Delay Interferometer Using 120$^{circ}$ Optical Hybrid

In this letter, we demonstrate the wavelength- and polarization-independent operation of a receiver for differential quadrature phase-shift-keying and 8-ary phase-shift-keying signals, which utilizes a single delay interferometer made of a 3 times 3 optical coupler. We show that the phase distortion, which occurred in the proposed receiver, can be reduced to less than 2deg without any adjustments. This feature enabled us to achieve nearly quantum-limited sensitivities.     

Generalized eigen-combining algorithm for adaptive array systems in a co-channel interference environment

This paper presents a generalized eigen-combining algorithm for an adaptive array system that provides a diversity gain in angular spread, and a maximum signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) in the presence of strong interference. The proposed technique generates the maximum ratio of signal components distributed in the spatial channel subspace using channel bases that span the signal subspace and nullify the interference. Through extensive computer simulations, it is shown that the proposed algorithm represents a breakthrough in preventing performance saturation caused by strong co-channel interference.     

Restorable Type Conversion of Carbon Nanotube Transistor Using Pyrolytically Controlled Antioxidizing Photosynthesis Coenzyme

Here, a pyrolytically controlled antioxidizing photosynthesis coenzyme, β‐Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, reduced dipotassium salt (NADH) for a stable n‐type dopant for carbon nanotube (CNT) transistors is proposed. A strong electron transfer from NADH, mainly nicotinamide, to CNTs takes place during pyrolysis so that not only the type conversion from p‐type to n‐type is realized with 100% of reproducibility but also the on/off ratio of the transistor is significantly improved by increasing on‐current and/or decreasing off‐current. The device was stable up to a few months with negligible current changes under ambient conditions. The n‐type characteristics were completely recovered to an initial doping level after reheat treatment of the device.