Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy at 100 nM concentrations using near-field scanning optical microscopic (NSOM) geometries and highly diffracting force sensing fiber probes

A tapered cantilevered optical fiber probe is introduced for fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). The probe has an aperture that is coated with metal and its dimension can be very well defined. Its design is based on cantilevered near-field optical fiber probes that allow for on-line atomic force feedback. This permits unprecedented stability in FCS measurements. Even such probes that have large diameters are below the cutoff wavelength of light propagation in optical fibers. Such large diameter probes produce bright spots of light that are highly diffracting. Therefore, only the fluence of light very close to the surface of the glass probe aperture is sufficient to exhibit a high probability of fluorescence excitation. From the results presented in this paper the z extent of such probes seems comparable to what can be obtained from prism-based evanescent wave methods, but with much more flexibility and including force sensing capability. In agreement with theoretical results on prism evanescent field-based excitation, it is shown that even with large xy dimensions for the fiber probes in this paper, fluorescence correlation spectra from 100 nM fluorophore concentrations can be recorded. This is 10 times larger than the concentrations generally required for conventional confocal FCS. The results suggest that such an approach has considerable potential for applications of FCS in membrane, near-membrane, solution, and even within-cell environments. The latter is achieved through atomic force feedback controlled penetration of tapered cantilevered metal-coated glass fibers into cells, and this is also reported in this paper.     

Numerical simulation of backdraft phenomena

This paper reports preliminary computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of backdraft observed in an experimental rig at Lund University. The analysis was performed with the CFX software using the Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) turbulence model, a hybrid of Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and RANS, in combination with the EDM combustion model. The DES model uses a RANS formulation in wall proximity to avoid computationally expensive grid resolution that is necessary for realistic LES predictions in wall layers.     

Calibrating Gruneisen-Gamma(V) in the Framework of the Adiabatic-Gamma(V) EOS for Detonation Products

In a previous article a new equation of state (EOS) for detonation products called adiabatic-gamma(V) was presented [1 Partom , Y. 2011 . Detonation products EOS by specifying gamma(V) for the principal isentrope . Journal of Energetic Materials , 29 ( 3 ): 193 – 208 .[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]]. Briefly, adiabatic-gamma(V) is a Gruneisen EOS referred to a principal isentrope, which is specified in terms of the adiabatic gamma γ(V). The γ(V) function is piecewise linear with an arbitrary number of nodes n ≥ 3. The nodes of γ(V) are calibrated from Chapman-Jouguet (CJ) conditions and from expanding cylinder test data. In an expanding cylinder test the products release along the principal isentrope. It is therefore possible to calibrate the Gruneisen parameter Γ from such a test only at the CJ point and at large V, and in between we assume a linear variation. Here we show that in a plate push test with a gap between the explosive and the plate the products release along a higher isentrope (in the PV plane), which makes it possible to calibrate Γ(V). We define Γ(V) as a piecewise linear curve with nodes at the same values of V as γ(V). We demonstrate a procedure for calibrating Γ(V) by matching a target velocity history u(t), to be obtained from a plate push test with a gap. Like the procedure for calibrating γ(V) demonstrated in [1 Partom , Y. 2011 . Detonation products EOS by specifying gamma(V) for the principal isentrope . Journal of Energetic Materials , 29 ( 3 ): 193 – 208 .[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]], this, too, is a recursive procedure.     

Enablers and barriers of the multi-user virtual environment for exploratory creativity in architectural design collaboration

Pioneering psychology and co-design research has highlighted the potential that multi-user virtual environment (MUVE) may help architects’ exploratory creativity that is a recursive search to discover an optimal match of novel and appropriate solutions. However, it has been not reported hitherto in what ways MUVE helps or obstructs architects’ exploratory creativity in individual and collaborative modes of collaboration. To investigate this issue, we compared MUVE and sketching media in face-to-face and remote collaboration modes, involving 22 pairs of architecture major students. Based on interview and video-observation, we discovered that (1) in MUVE, anthropomorphic avatars, which other media do not have, enabled individual and collaborative explorations to discover unexpected affordances of new solutions, with evaluation on physical properties and layouts of solutions. In addition, (2) co-presence with collaborator’s avatars enabled inspiration on new ways of problem-solving and puzzle-making through shared design processes and events, with co-evaluation on social aspects of design solutions. (3) Co-presence in a shared environment also allowed mutual co-exploration that promotes emerging creative solutions, with co-modification on design errors. As barriers of MUVE, (4) avatar’s immersion caused inconvenient perception to explore large-scaled environments and track collaborators’ different experiences, but the barriers were not reported in remote collaboration.     

Probabilistic risk analysis of corrosion associated failures in cast iron water mains

This paper proposes a method using probabilistic risk analysis for application to corrosion associated failures in grey cast iron water mains. External corrosion reduces the capacity of the pipeline to resist stresses. When external stresses exceed the residual ultimate strength, pipe breakage becomes imminent, and the overall reliability of a water distribution network is reduced. Modelling stresses and external corrosion acting on a pipe involves uncertainties inherent in the mechanistic/statistical models and their input parameters. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were used to perform the probabilistic analysis. The reduction in the factor of safety (FOS) of water mains over time was computed, with a failure defined as a situation in which FOS becomes smaller than 1. The MC simulations yielded an empirical probability density function of time to failure, to which a lognormal distribution was fitted leading to the derivation of a failure hazard function. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the contribution of corrosion parameters to the variability of time to failure was more significant than the combined contributions of all other parameters. Areas where more research is needed are identified.     

Silver nanoparticles deposited on porous silicon as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active substrate

Silver nanoparticles were deposited spontaneously from their aqueous solution on a porous silicon (PS) layer. The PS acts both as a reducing agent and as the substrate on which the nanoparticles nucleate. At higher silver ion concentrations, layers of nanoparticle aggregates were formed on the PS surface. The morphology of the metallic layers and their SERS activity were influenced by the concentrations of the silver ion solutions used for deposition. Raman measurements of rhodamine 6G (R6G) and crystal violet (CV) adsorbed on these surfaces showed remarkable enhancement of up to about 10 orders of magnitude.     

Source-model technique analysis of electromagnetic scattering by surface grooves and slits

A computational tool, based on the source-model technique (SMT), for analysis of electromagnetic wave scattering by surface grooves and slits is presented. The idea is to use a superposition of the solution of the unperturbed problem and local corrections in the groove/slit region (the grooves and slits are treated as perturbations). In this manner, the solution is obtained in a much faster way than solving the original problem. The proposed solution is applied to problems of grooves and slits in otherwise planar or periodic surfaces. Grooves and slits of various shapes, both smooth ones as well as ones with edges, empty or filled with dielectric material, are considered. The obtained results are verified against previously published data.     

Raman and infrared fingerprint spectroscopy of peroxide-based explosives

A comparative study of the vibrational spectroscopy of peroxide-based explosives is presented. Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and hexamethyl-enetriperoxide-diamine (HMTD), now commonly used by terrorists, are examined as well as other peroxide-ring structures: DADP (diacetone diperoxide); TPTP [3,3,6,6,9,9-Hexaethyl-1,2,4,5,7,8-hexaoxo-nonane (tripentanone triperoxide)]; DCypDp {6,7,13,14-Tetraoxadispiro [4.2.4.2]tetradecane (dicyclopentanone diperoxide)}; TCypDp {6,7,15,16,22,23-Hexaoxatrispiro[4.2.4.2.4.2] henicosane (tricyclopentanone triperoxide)}; DCyhDp {7,8,15,16-tetraoxadispiro [5.2.5.2] hexadecane (dicyclohexanone diperoxide)}; and TCyhTp {7,8,14,15,21,22-hexaoxatrispiro [5.2.5.2.5.2] tetracosane (tricyclohexanone triperoxide)}. Both Raman and infrared (IR) spectra were measured and compared to theoretical calculations. The calculated spectra were obtained by calculation of the harmonic frequencies of the studied compounds, at the density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP/cc-pVDZ level of theory, and by the use of scaling factors. It is found that the vibrational features related to the peroxide bonds are strongly mixed. As a result, the spectrum is congested and highly sensitive to minor changes in the molecule.     

Simultaneous injection locking of couples of high-power broad-area lasers driven by a common current source

We experimentally demonstrate the simultaneous injection locking of pairs of high-power broad-area laser diodes in a 19-laser array driven by a common current source. Each pair is injection locked by use of a single-mode low-power semiconductor laser. The frequency and phase locking are verified bythe optical spectrum and the interference pattern between the injection-locked lasers. The influence of frequency detuning on the (simultaneous) injection behavior has been experimentally clarified. We validate a necessary condition for the injection locking of a broad-area laser array.