Structural relaxation in charged metal surfaces and cluster ions

Space-charge layers can noticeably affect the properties of metal electrode surfaces, for instance by modifying the surface dielectric response or indirectly via the induced atomic relaxations. While there are efforts to exploit this concept for designing novel functional nanomaterials, the underlying microscopic processes are poorly understood. Here, we report on a density functional theory (DFT) study of atomic relaxation in Au cluster ions comprising up to 309 atoms. Suitable averages over atomic displacements respond to charging consistent with experimental observation on macroscopic Au single-crystal surfaces. Moreover, the overall DFT response is also consistent with predictions of a simple phenomenological model. Motivated by our observations, we propose a scenario in which the surface relaxation ("stretch") results from out-of-plane Hellman-Feynman forces exerted on the surface atoms by the excess charge, and where the in-plane surface stress represents essentially an elastic transverse contraction tendency of the surface layer in response to stretch.     

Hole spin relaxation in Ge-Si core-shell nanowire qubits

Controlling decoherence is the biggest challenge in efforts to develop quantum information hardware. Single electron spins in gallium arsenide are a leading candidate among implementations of solid-state quantum bits, but their strong coupling to nuclear spins produces high decoherence rates. Group IV semiconductors, on the other hand, have relatively low nuclear spin densities, making them an attractive platform for spin quantum bits. However, device fabrication remains a challenge, particularly with respect to the control of materials and interfaces. Here, we demonstrate state preparation, pulsed gate control and charge-sensing spin readout of hole spins confined in a Ge-Si core-shell nanowire. With fast gating, we measure T(1) spin relaxation times of up to 0.6 ms in coupled quantum dots at zero magnetic field. Relaxation time increases as the magnetic field is reduced, which is consistent with a spin-orbit mechanism that is usually masked by hyperfine contributions.     

Comparison of the morphology and structure of WO3 nanomaterials synthesized by a sol-gel method followed by calcination or hydrothermal treatment

Tungsten (VI) oxide (WO₃) nanomaterials were synthesized by a sol-gel method using WCl₆ and C₂H₅OH as precursors followed by calcination or hydrothermal treatment. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to characterize the structure and morphology of the materials. There were significant differences between the WO₃ materials that were calcinated and those that were subjected to a hydrothermal process. The XRD results revealed that calcination temperatures of 300°C and 400°C gave hexagonal structures and temperatures of 500°C and 600°C gave monoclinic structures. The SEM images showed that an increase in calcination temperature led to a decrease in the WO₃ powder particle size. The TEM analysis showed that several nanoparticles agglomerated to form bigger clusters. The hydrothermal process produced hexagonal structures for holding times of 12, 16, and 20 h and monoclinic structures for a holding time of 24 h. The SEM results showed transparent rectangular particles which according to the TEM results originated from the aggregation of several nanotubes.     

Glucons?ureverg?rung durch Milchs?urebakterien des Weines

Zusammenfassung Insgesamt 116 verschiedene, überwiegend aus Wein isolierte Stämme von Milchsäure-bakterien der GattungenLactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus undStreptococcus wurden auf die Fähigkeit zur Verwertung von Gluconsäure untersucht. Bis auf einzelne Ausnahmen wurde Gluconsäure von denLactobacillus-Arten, die den UntergattungenStreptobacterium undBetabacterium angehörten, und der Mehrzahl derLeuconostoc-Stämme vergoren. VonPediococcus wurde Gluconsäure nicht abgebaut. Bei wachsenden Kulturen und ruhenden Zellen vonLactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus casei undLeuconostoc oenos waren die Endprodukte des Gluconsäureabbaus Milchsäure, Essigsäure, Äthanol und CO₂. Milchsäure entsteht aus Gluconsäure in annähernd äquimolaren Mengen. In einem aus Wein und Hefeextrakt bestehenden Medium (pH 3,5) wurden 0,5 g Gluconsäure und 4,5 g Äpfelsäure je 1 vonLactobacillus brevis undLeuconostoc oenos vollständig abgebaut.

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Fermentation of gluconic acid by lactic acid bacteria isolated from wine

Summary The fermentation of gluconic acid was investigated in 116 different strains of lactic acid bacteria belonging to the generaLactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus andStreptococcus. Most of the strains were isolated from wine. Gluconic acid was fermented by nearly all species of the genusLactobacillus (belonging to the subgeneraStreptobacterium andBetabacterium and by most strains ofLeuconostoc. The pediococci did not ferment gluconic acid. Growing cultures and resting cells ofLactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus casei andLeuconostoc oenos formed lactic acid, acetic acid, ethanol and CO₂ from gluconic acid. Lactic acid was formed in about equimolar amounts from gluconic acid.Lactobacillus brevis andLeuconostoc oenos metabolised completely 0.5 g of gluconic acid and 4.5 g of malic acid per liter when cultured in a medium consisting of wine and a small amount of yeast extract (at pH 3.5).

     

Transformations of carbon adsorbates on graphene substrates under extreme heat

We describe new phenomena of structural reorganization of carbon adsorbates as revealed by in situ atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) performed on specimens at extreme temperatures. In our investigations, a graphene sheet serves as both a quasi-transparent substrate for TEM and as an in situ heater. The melting of gold nanoislands deposited on the substrate surface is used to evaluate the local temperature profile. At annealing temperatures around 1000 K, we observe the transformation of physisorbed hydrocarbon adsorbates into amorphous carbon monolayers and the initiation of crystallization. At temperatures exceeding 2000 K the transformation terminates in the formation of a completely polycrystalline graphene state. The resulting layers are bounded by free edges primarily in the armchair configuration.     

Non-starch polysaccharides from sunflower (Helianthus annuus) meal and palm kernel (Elaeis guineenis) meal—preparation of cell wall material and extraction of polysaccharide fractions

Two different chemical methods, sequential extraction with alkali and sodium chlorite and treatment with 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide (MMNO), were applied to the extraction of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) from the enzymically deproteinated, water-insoluble cell wall materials of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L) meal and palm kernel (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) meal. The NSP content accounted for 550 g kg^?1 (sunflower meal) and 750 g kg^?1 (palm kernel meal) of the cell wall materials. Neither of the treatments alone was capable of solubilising more than about half of the original NSP. Combined treatment using alkali/chlorite followed by MMNO completely dissolved cell wall material from palm kernel meal, whereas a small residue (40 g kg^?1 of original NSP) was left in sunflower meal. Loss of NSP occurred with both methods (total NSP recovery ranging from 88% for alkali/chlorite extraction of sunflower to 64% for MMNO extraction of palm kernel). Due to differences in solubility revealed upon acidification and/or dialysis, extracts became subdivided into precipitates and soulble fractions. The sugar composition of the resulting fractions enabled a tentative identification of teh major non-starch polysaccharides; sunflower meal was found to contain cellulose, (acidic) xylans, polyuronide-containing fractions and xyloglucan; palm kernel meal was found to contain mannans, cellulose and xylans, with the major part of the mannans originating from the endosperm and the xylans being almost exclusively located in the endocarp.     

Cytotoxicity screening of 23 engineered nanomaterials using a test matrix of ten cell lines and three different assays

Background  

Engineered nanomaterials display unique properties that may have impact on human health, and thus require a reliable evaluation of their potential toxicity. Here, we performed a standardized in vitro screening of 23 engineered nanomaterials. We thoroughly characterized the physicochemical properties of the nanomaterials and adapted three classical in vitro toxicity assays to eliminate nanomaterial interference. Nanomaterial toxicity was assessed in ten representative cell lines.