Precisely Controlled Microsphere Design via Visible‐Light Cross‐Linking of Functional Prepolymers

A new strategy for particle synthesis is enabled by utilizing modern synthetic, polymer, and photochemical techniques to facilitate the synthesis of highly narrow–disperse multifunctional microspheres from visible‐light induced crosslinking of prepolymers in both a single and dual polymer system. The approach requires no stabilizers, bases, or initiators, and proceeds at ambient temperature to yield microspheres with a tunable size range (0.25–5 µm) in less than 4 h, depending largely on solvent composition, but also polymer concentration (2–10 mg mL^?1), ratio, and irradiation intensity (3–20 W). Critically, the visible‐light induced dimerization reaction exploited herein enables simple functional particle syntheses via a single polymer system. Underpinned by an in‐depth kinetic analysis of the particle formation as well as a detailed small molecule study, the mechanism for particle formation is also elucidated. Importantly, inherent advantages of the system are exploited for surface functionalization of residual acrylate and hydroxyl groups (generating inherently fluorescent particles).     

Effect of operating conditions on current density distribution and high frequency resistance in a segmented PEM fuel cell

Understanding losses in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, in the form of ohmic and mass transport, is of great importance to their commercialization. In this study, we use a spatially resolved cell consisting of 49 segments to measure the local current density distribution and high frequency resistance (HFR). A parametric study is used to investigate the effects of cell voltage, inlet relative humidity and flow rate and configuration using a three-channel serpentine flow field. We found that as the cell voltage decreased, the current density increased, while the HFR decreased. However, at a low cell voltage of 200 mV, we found the HFR to be higher than that at 500 mV. This increase is attributed to the increased electro-osmotic drag. This trend is independent of the flow configuration. Further, we found that the effect of the inlet relative humidity on the HFR highly depends on the flow configurations. Finally, a sharp decrease in the current density at some specific bend segments was observed, which correlates with lower OCV values and higher HFR values at this position.     

Online social networks: A survey of a global phenomenon

Online social networks became a global phenomenon with enormous social as well as economic impact within a few years. Alone, the most popular online social network, Facebook, counts currently more than 850 million users worldwide. Consequently, online social networks attract a great deal of attention among practitioners as well as researchers. The goal of this article is to provide an overview of online social networks in order to contribute to a better understanding of this worldwide phenomenon. In this context, we address for example the following questions: What are the major functionalities and characteristics of online social networks? What are the users’ motives for using them and how did online social networks emerge and develop over time? What is the impact and value of online social networks from a business perspective and what are corresponding challenges and risks?     

Investigations of ductile damage during the process chains of toothed functional components manufactured by sheet-bulk metal forming

Sheet-bulk metal forming processes combine conventional sheet forming processes with bulk forming of sheet semi-finished parts. In these processes the sheets undergo complex forming histories. Due to in- and out-of-plane material flow and large accumulated plastic strains, the conventional failure prediction methods for sheet metal forming such as forming limit curve fall short. As a remedy, damage models can be applied to model damage evolution during those processes. In this study, damage evolution during the production of two different toothed components from DC04 steel is investigated. In both setups, a deep drawn cup is upset to form a circumferential gearing. However, the two final products have different dimensions and forming histories. Due to combined deep drawing and upsetting processes, the material flow on the cup walls is three-dimensional and non-proportional. In this study, the numerical and experimental investigations for those parts are presented and compared. Damage evolution in the process chains is simulated with a Lemaitre damage criterion. Microstructural analysis by scanning electron microscopy is performed in the regions with high mechanical loading. It is observed that the evolution of voids in terms of void volume fraction is strongly dependent on the deformation path. The comparison of simulation results with microstructural data shows that the void volume fraction decreases in the upsetting stage after an initial increase in the drawing stage. Moreover, the concurrent numerical and microstructural analysis provides evidence that the void volume fraction decreases during compression in sheet-bulk metal forming.     

Structures of the N-Terminal Domain of PqsA in Complex with Anthraniloyl- and 6-Fluoroanthraniloyl-AMP: Substrate Activation in Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal (PQS) Biosynthesis

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a prevalent pathogen in nosocomial infections and a major burden in cystic fibrosis, uses three interconnected quorum-sensing systems to coordinate virulence processes. At variance with other Gram-negative bacteria, one of these systems relies on 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolones (Pseudomonas quinolone signal, PQS) and might hence be an attractive target for new anti-infective agents. Here we report crystal structures of the N-terminal domain of anthranilate-CoA ligase PqsA, the first enzyme of PQS biosynthesis, in complex with anthraniloyl-AMP and with 6-fluoroanthraniloyl-AMP (6FABA-AMP) at 1.4 and 1.7 Å resolution. We find that PqsA belongs to an unrecognized subfamily of anthranilate-CoA ligases that recognize the amino group of anthranilate through a water-mediated hydrogen bond. The complex with 6FABA-AMP explains why 6FABA, an inhibitor of PQS biosynthesis, is a good substrate of PqsA. Together, our data might pave a way to new pathoblockers in P. aeruginosa infections.