NanoProbeArrays for the analysis of ultra-low-volume protein samples using piezoelectric liquid dispensing technology

Antibody microarrays are gaining popularity as a high-throughput technology to investigate the proteome. However, protein extracts from most body fluid or biopsy samples are available in very small volumes and are often unsuitable for large-scale antibody microarray studies. To demonstrate the potential for protein analysis with as little as a few nanoliters of sample, we have developed a new technology called NanoProbeArrays based on piezoelectric liquid dispensing for non-contact printing and probing of antibody arrays. Instead of flooding the protein sample on the antibody microarray surface, as in conventional microarray screening, a piezoelectric inkjet printer is used to dispense nanoliters of fluorescently labeled proteins over the antibody spots on the array. The ability of NanoProbeArrays to precisely identify and reliably distinguish between test proteins from different sources, without any loss of sensitivity and specificity as compared with conventional antibody microarrays, is illustrated here. The utility of NanoProbeArrays for biomarker identification in a complex biological sample was tested by detecting the cytokine interleukin-4 in serum. The significant reduction in volume of sample during NanoProbeArray analysis, as compared with conventional antibody microarrays, offers new opportunities for basic and applied proteomic research.     

Direct surface temperature measurement by infrared radiation in elastohydrodynamic contacts and the correlation with the blok flash temperature theory

An infrared microdetector was employed to measure surface temperatures in elastohydrodynamic contacts with Hertz pressures up to 2 GPa, sliding velocities up to 6.0 m s^?1 and rolling velocities up to 1.25 m s^?1 with slide/roll ratios from ?2 to +2. Different surface roughnesses were also employed. The lambda ratio (mean film thickness to composite surface roughness) was varied from 20 to considerably less than 1. The surfaces employed were AISI 52100 steel against Al₂O₃ and the lubricant was a typical naphthenic hydrocarbon. High maximum surface temperatures have been observed (to 300 °C). Analysis of the data shows very good correlation with the Blok flash temperature theory for simple sliding (∑ = ± 2). An extension of this theory to include two moving surfaces at unequal temperatures predicts the ball surface temperature quite accurately.     

Investigation on the Effect of ECAP Routes on the Wear Behavior of AA2014

ECAP is an effective process to improve the mechanical strength and wear resistance along with mechanical and microstructural properties. AA2014 solutionized at 495 °C and aged at 195 °C was subjected to Equal Channel Angular Pressed (ECAP) through route A and B_c at room temperature. It was well proved that the mechanical strength increased due to ECAP in AA2014. In order to investigate their wear behavior after ECAP, dry sliding wear tests were conducted using vacuum tribometer at nominal loads of 10N and 30N with constant speed of 2 m/s for sliding distance of 2000 m. The co-efficient of friction and loss in volume were decreased after ECAP both in route A and B_c. The dominant wear mechanisms observed were adhesive, delamination and stick slip process. In addition to these wear mechanisms, abrasive wear also appeared along with transfer of iron particles from the counter surface to the AA2014 pin. Presence of black powder and oxide formation were observed using EDAX analysis on wear debris. Routes A and B_c showed similar wear mechanisms and characteristics which were better than in unECAPed specimens.     

Voltammetric Response and Determination of an Anti-Inflammatory Drug at a Cationic Surfactant-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Electrochemical oxidation of thiosalicylic acid in the presence of cationic surfactant, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), at a glassy carbon electrode was investigated. The electrochemical response of a modified sensor towards thiosalicylic acid determination was studied by the means of cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The liquid phase oxidation of thiosalicylic acid in the presence of CTAB leads to a notable enhancement in the peak current and a lowering of the peak potential. The electrochemical process was observed to be adsorption-controlled, irreversible and involves oxidation of one electron. Effects of anodic peak potential (E _p), anodic peak current (I _pa) and heterogeneous rate constant (k ⁰) were calculated. The linear response was obtained in the range of 1.0 µM–1.0 mM with a detection limit of 113 nM.     

Advances in pulsed-laser-deposited AIN thin films for high-temperature capping, device passivation, and piezoelectric-based RF MEMS/NEMS resonator applications

In this paper we report recent advances in pulsed-laser-deposited AIN thin films for high-temperature capping of SiC, passivation of SiC-based devices, and fabrication of a piezoelectric MEMS/NEMS resonator on Pt-metallized SiO₂/Si. The AlN films grown using the reactive laser ablation technique were found to be highly stoichiometric, dense with an optical band gap of 6.2 eV, and with a surface smoothness of less than 1 nm. A low-temperature buffer-layer approach was used to reduce the lattice and thermal mismatch strains. The dependence of the quality of AlN thin films and its characteristics as a function of processing parameters are discussed. Due to high crystallinity, near-perfect stoichiometry, and high packing density, pulsed-laser-deposited AlN thin films show a tendency to withstand high temperatures up to 1600°C, and which enables it to be used as an anneal capping layer for SiC wafers for removing ion-implantation damage and dopant activation. The laser-deposited AlN thin films show conformal coverage on SiC-based devices and exhibit an electrical break-down strength of 1.66 MV/cm up to 350°C when used as an insulator in Ni/AlN/SiC metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) devices. Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) AlN films grown on Pt/SiO₂/Si (100) substrates for radio-frequency microelectrical and mechanical systems and nanoelectrical and mechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS) demonstrated resonators having high Q values ranging from 8,000 to 17,000 in the frequency range of 2.5–0.45 MHz. AlN thin films were characterized by x-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (in normal and oxygen resonance mode), atomic force microscopy, ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Applications exploiting characteristics of high bandgap, high bond strength, excellent piezoelectric characteristics, extremely high chemical inertness, high electrical resistivity, high breakdown strength, and high thermal stability of the pulsed-laser-deposited thin films have been discussed in the context of emerging developments of SiC power devices, for high-temperature electronics, and for radio frequency (RF) MEMS.     

Proportioning cement based composites with burnt coal cinder

This paper presents an experimental investigation to advance a stepwise procedure to proportion plain and slag concrete mixes with burnt coal cinder waste as coarse aggregate. When typical strength of coarse aggregate in concrete is lower than the concrete strength required, conventional methods such as British Method, ACI and country’s standard code cannot be used directly since failure of concrete is predominantly by aggregate crushing. To analyze the data, concrete, for simplicity, is regarded as two phase composite of cement mortar matrix and coarse aggregate. With the concrete and constituent cement mortar matrix strengths and their respective volume fractions as input parameters, the typical strength of coarse aggregate in concrete is determined from linear law of mixtures. Using again the same law, the cement mortar matrix strength required for higher or at par to that of the typical aggregate strength is calculated. To arrive at water–cement ratio for matrix strength, the Generalized Abrams’ law is employed.     

Selenium dioxide reaction of substituted diphenacyl sulfides: generation of α -ketoacids

The attempted selenium dioxide oxidation of substituted diphenacyl sulfides in anticipation of further functionalization led to a series of α -ketoacids 3 via oxidation followed by C?S bond cleavage. Two minor products, 5 and 6, have also been isolated and a mechanistic pathway for the formation of 3, 5 and 6 has been proposed.     

Liquid gadolinium corrosion study of TaC coating on tantalum

Spectroscopic information of gadolinium isotopes is necessary to exploit the full potential of various isotopes in nuclear and medical applications. Container materials to handle liquid gadolinium during spectroscopic studies is an important aspect. Tantalum carbide (TaC) has excellent stability and also exhibits superior resistance to attack by various reactive actinide metals at high temperature for long durations. Tantalum crucibles with TaC coating were prepared and tested for compatibility against liquid gadolinium at 1673?K upto 14?h in vacuum. Optical microscopy and SEM/EDS investigations were done to evaluate the micro structural features of the coating and the liquid gadolinium attack. Experimental results show that TaC coating exhibits excellent corrosion resistance against liquid gadolinium at 1673?K.