scholarly journals Unique and universal dew-repellency of nanocones

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Lecointre ◽  
Sophia Laney ◽  
Martyna Michalska ◽  
Tao Li ◽  
Alexandre Tanguy ◽  
...  

AbstractSurface structuring provides a broad range of water-repellent materials known for their ability to reflect millimetre-sized raindrops. Dispelling water at the considerably reduced scale of fog or dew, however, constitutes a significant challenge, owing to the comparable size of droplets and structures. Nonetheless, a surface comprising nanocones was recently reported to exhibit strong anti-fogging behaviour, unlike pillars of the same size. To elucidate the origin of these differences, we systematically compare families of nanotexture that transition from pillars to sharp cones. Through environmental electron microscopy and modelling, we show that microdroplets condensing on sharp cones adopt a highly non-adhesive state, even at radii as low as 1.5 µm, contrasting with the behaviour on pillars where pinning results in impedance of droplet ejection. We establish the antifogging abilities to be universal over the range of our cone geometries, which speaks to the unique character of the nanocone geometry to repel dew. Truncated cones are finally shown to provide both pinning and a high degree of hydrophobicity, opposing characteristics that lead to a different, yet efficient, mechanism of dew ejection that relies on multiple coalescences.

Author(s):  
Adrian F. van Dellen

The morphologic pathologist may require information on the ultrastructure of a non-specific lesion seen under the light microscope before he can make a specific determination. Such lesions, when caused by infectious disease agents, may be sparsely distributed in any organ system. Tissue culture systems, too, may only have widely dispersed foci suitable for ultrastructural study. In these situations, when only a few, small foci in large tissue areas are useful for electron microscopy, it is advantageous to employ a methodology which rapidly selects a single tissue focus that is expected to yield beneficial ultrastructural data from amongst the surrounding tissue. This is in essence what "LIFTING" accomplishes. We have developed LIFTING to a high degree of accuracy and repeatability utilizing the Microlift (Fig 1), and have successfully applied it to tissue culture monolayers, histologic paraffin sections, and tissue blocks with large surface areas that had been initially fixed for either light or electron microscopy.


Author(s):  
Cecil E. Hall

The visualization of organic macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, viruses and virus components has reached its high degree of effectiveness owing to refinements and reliability of instruments and to the invention of methods for enhancing the structure of these materials within the electron image. The latter techniques have been most important because what can be seen depends upon the molecular and atomic character of the object as modified which is rarely evident in the pristine material. Structure may thus be displayed by the arts of positive and negative staining, shadow casting, replication and other techniques. Enhancement of contrast, which delineates bounds of isolated macromolecules has been effected progressively over the years as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 by these methods. We now look to the future wondering what other visions are waiting to be seen. The instrument designers will need to exact from the arts of fabrication the performance that theory has prescribed as well as methods for phase and interference contrast with explorations of the potentialities of very high and very low voltages. Chemistry must play an increasingly important part in future progress by providing specific stain molecules of high visibility, substrates of vanishing “noise” level and means for preservation of molecular structures that usually exist in a solvated condition.


2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (01n02) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
RAVI BHATIA ◽  
V. PRASAD ◽  
M. REGHU

High-quality multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were produced by a simple one-step technique. The production of MWNTs was based on thermal decomposition of the mixture of a liquid phase organic compound and ferrocene. High degree of alignment was noticed by scanning electron microscopy. The aspect ratio of as-synthesized MWNTs was quite high (more than 4500). Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed the presence of the catalytic iron nanorods at various lengths of MWNTs. Raman spectroscopy was used to know the quality of MWNTs. The ratio of intensity of the G-peak to the D-peak was very high which revealed high quality of MWNTs. Magnetotransport studies were carried out at low temperature and a negative MR was noticed.


1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2433-2443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai Lo ◽  
R. Stevens ◽  
R. Doyle ◽  
A.M. Campbell ◽  
W.Y. Liang

High textured (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox ceramics have been fabricated by aligning deflocculated flakes of (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox suspended in an organic medium by means of a high de magnetic field (6 T) at room temperature followed by cold isostatic pressing. The proportion of the (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox phase in the precursor powder was carefully controlled, and the characteristics of the powder, such as size distribution and morphology, were determined. A high degree of grain alignment was found in the specimens after the magnetic alignment, although the bulk density of the materials was low. Cold isostatic pressing substantially increased the density of the magnetically prealigned specimens which also resulted in a slight decrease in the degree of grain alignment. This minor realignment was found to be due to the various kinds of processing defects that appeared in the specimens during compaction due to the grinding and cracking of the grains and their interlocking. The microstructural and superconducting properties of the sintered ceramic have been studied using texture goniometry, high resolution scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, ac magnetic susceptometry, and critical current measurements.


2018 ◽  
Vol 201 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomáš Kouba ◽  
Jiří Pospíšil ◽  
Jarmila Hnilicová ◽  
Hana Šanderová ◽  
Ivan Barvík ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) is essential for gene expression and as such is a valid drug target. Hence, it is imperative to know its structure and dynamics. Here, we present two as-yet-unreported forms of Mycobacterium smegmatis RNAP: core and holoenzyme containing σA but no other factors. Each form was detected by cryo-electron microscopy in two major conformations. Comparisons of these structures with known structures of other RNAPs reveal a high degree of conformational flexibility of the mycobacterial enzyme and confirm that region 1.1 of σA is directed into the primary channel of RNAP. Taken together, we describe the conformational changes of unrestrained mycobacterial RNAP. IMPORTANCE We describe here three-dimensional structures of core and holoenzyme forms of mycobacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) solved by cryo-electron microscopy. These structures fill the thus-far-empty spots in the gallery of the pivotal forms of mycobacterial RNAP and illuminate the extent of conformational dynamics of this enzyme. The presented findings may facilitate future designs of antimycobacterial drugs targeting RNAP.


2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 87-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Stoulil ◽  
P. Šedá ◽  
M. Anisová ◽  
Z. Fencl ◽  
P. Novák ◽  
...  

Abstract The paper is focused on analyses of dark copper patina defects that were formed on one sheet under the same conditions. Roofs of ten historical buildings were studied by image analysis and samples of two roofs were subjected to more detailed destructive analysis. These samples were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. Both types of patina are composed of brochantite. Green patinas consisted of a pure brochantite and they had a fl at and compact surface. Conversely, black patina contained a high degree of impurities (ammonia cations, nitrates, silicates) and the surface was rough. The proportion of dark patina was higher in south and east facing surfaces, where washing by rainfall is more difficult.


1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 954-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Broussard ◽  
M. A. Wall ◽  
J. Talvacchio

Using 4-circle x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, we have studied the microstructure and in-plane orientation of the phases present in thin film composite mixtures of Yba2Cu3O7–δ and Y2O3. We see a high degree of in-plane orientation and have verified a previous prediction for the in-plane order of Y2BaCuO5 on (110) MgO. Transmission electron microscopy shows the composite films to be a mixture of two phases, with YBCO grain sizes of ≈1 μm. We have also compared our observations of the in-plane order to the predictions of a modified near coincidence site lattice model.


2019 ◽  
Vol 945 ◽  
pp. 136-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Ivanovna Trautvain ◽  
Andrey Akimov ◽  
E. Yakovlev

Paper observes research of the mechanical characteristics of the stabilized soil with different «Chimston» additives. Current work focuses on the application of the «Chimston-1» and «Chimston-2» produced by Zipo research and production company. Stabilized soil is based on local soils: argillaceous sand ground and sand clay. Chemical additives are mixed with water according to the manufacture’s recommendations. Amount of the «Chimston-1» is 0.07% of the soil. Amount of the «Chimston-2» is 0.01% of the cement. During the research plasticize effect is studied, based on maximum density and optimal humidity. Water saturation, mechanical strength under tension in bending and compression. It is established, application of the "Chimson" additives allow to increase key characteristics of the stabilized soil without increasing of the cement. «Chimston-1» additive has strongly pronounced plasticize effect which allow to increase soil compaction and decrease optimal humidity. Additive "Chimston-2" is a water repellent with a high degree of efficiency with soil stabilization.


2020 ◽  
Vol 234 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sultan Alam ◽  
Noor Rehman ◽  
Inamullah Mian ◽  
Hidayat Ullah

AbstractCurrent research attention has been motivated on the successful synthesis of cellulose from biomass waste of Ficus palmate through multistep process i.e. bleaching and alkali treatment to efficiently eradicate impurities, waxy substances like pectin, cutin, waxes, extractives, hemicellulose and lignin from F. palmate. The cellulose obtained was analyzed by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The isolated cellulose has high degree of purity and crystallinity (61%) and thermal stability as verified by XRD and TGA, respectively. SEM was used for surface morphology and shape. Highly visible pores with channels were detected on the surface. Moreover it also shows that the free surface from lignin and hemicelluloses due to chemical treatment. This study indicates that the multistep procedure is quite adequate for the extraction of cellulose.


1976 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
James X. Hartmann ◽  
J. D. Galla ◽  
D. A. Emma ◽  
K. N. Kao ◽  
O. L. Gamborg

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been utilized to induce homokaryocyte formation in avian and mammalian erythrocytes previously treated with proteolytic enzymes. PEG of molecular weight 6,000–7,500 was found superior to 1,500 and 20,000 MW PEG. Cells exposed to protease alone, prior to PEG treatment, fused to a high degree (60–95% multinucleated cells), whereas trypsin or pepsin treatment alone allowed very little fusion (2.5%). Trypsin lowered the effectiveness of protease when used in combination. Cells which were not treated with proteolytic enzymes agglutinated in the presence of PEG but did not fuse to a significant extent (0.01%). Fusion was also markedly dependent upon the rate at which PEG was eluted during the fusion process. Electron microscopy indicated that fusion began during the elution of PEG from the agglutinated cells.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document