Single-fiber-based probe for combined imaging and pH sensing

Polarized infrared microscopy has been used for forensic purposes to differentiate among polymer fibers. Dichroism can be used to compare and discriminate between different polyester fibers, including those composed of polyethylene terephthalate that are frequently encountered during criminal casework. In the fiber manufacturering process, fibers are drawn to develop molecular orientation and crystallinity. Macromolecular chains are oriented with respect to the long axis of the fiber. It is desirable to determine the relationship between the molecular orientation and stretching properties. This is particularly useful on a single fiber basis. Polarized spectroscopic differences observed from a single fiber are proposed to reveal the extent of molecular orientation within that single fiber. In the work presented, we compared the dichroic ratio between unstretched and stretched polyester fibers, and the transition point between the two forms of the same fiber. These techniques were applied to different polyester fibers. A fiber stretching device was fabricated for use on the instrument (IRμs, Spectra-Tech) stage. Tension was applied with a micrometer screw until a “neck” was produced in the stretched fiber. Spectra were obtained from an area of 24×48 μm. A wire-grid polarizer was used between the source and the sample.

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Usefulness of single fiber EMG in monitoring neuromuscular transmission disorders induced by drugs and toxins

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology ◽

10.1016/s0013-4694(97)88070-8 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 103 (1) ◽

pp. 36

Author(s):

P Girlanda

Keyword(s):

Neuromuscular Transmission ◽

Single Fiber

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Hybrid Micro-Optical Sensors via Sol-Gel Soft Lithography

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-628-cc9.3 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 628 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mark A. Clarner ◽

Michael J. Lochhead

Keyword(s):

Optical Sensors ◽

Soft Lithography ◽

Sol Gel ◽

Silica Gels ◽

Ph Sensing ◽

Ambient Conditions ◽

Sensor Applications ◽

Patterned Structures ◽

Biological Functionality ◽

Indicator Dyes

ABSTRACTOrganically modified silica gels and dye-doped silica gels have been patterned into micrometer-scale structures on a substrate using micro molding in capillaries (MIMIC). This approach is from a class of elastomeric stamping and molding techniques collectively known as soft lithography. Soft lithography and sol-gel processing share attractive features in that they are relatively benign processes performed at ambient conditions, which makes both techniques compatible with a wide variety of organic molecules, molecular assemblies, and biomolecules. The combination of sol-gel and soft lithography, therefore, holds enormous promise as a tool for microfabrication of materials with optical, chemical, or biological functionality that are not readily patterned with conventional methods. This paper describes our investigation of micro-patterned organic-inorganic hybrid materials containing indicator dyes for microfluidic sensor applications. Reversible colorimetric pH sensing via entrapped reagents is demonstrated in a prototype microfluidic sensor element. Patterned structures range from one to tens of micrometers in cross-section and are up to centimeters in length. Fundamental chemical processing issues associated with mold filling, cracking and sensor stability are discussed.

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The Role of Hydrophobicity in the Stability and pH-Switchability of (RXDX)4 and Coumarin-RXDX Conjugate β-Sheets

10.26434/chemrxiv.11493060 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ryan Weber ◽

Martin McCullagh

Keyword(s):

Biological Imaging ◽

Ph Sensing ◽

Hydrophobic Residue ◽

Ideal Candidate ◽

Self Assembling ◽

Sensing Applications ◽

Β Sheets ◽

The Stability ◽

Dynamics Simulations

pH-switchable, self-assembling materials are of interest in biological imaging and sensing applications. Here we propose that combining the pH-switchability of RXDX (X=Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Phe) peptides and the optical properties of coumarin creates an ideal candidate for these materials. This suggestion is tested with a thorough set of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. We first investigate the dependence of pH-switchabiliy on the identity of the hydrophobic residue, X, in the bare (RXDX)4 systems. Increasing the hydrophobicity stabilizes the fiber which, in turn, reduces the pH-switchabilty of the system. This behavior is found to be somewhat transferable to systems in which a single hydrophobic residue is replaced with a coumarin containing amino acid. In this case, conjugates with X=Ala are found to be unstable and both pHs while conjugates with X=Val, Leu, Ile and Phe are found to form stable β-sheets at least at neutral pH. The (RFDF)4-coumarin conjugate is found to have the largest relative entropy value of 0.884 +/- 0.001 between neutral and acidic coumarin ordering distributions. Thus, we posit that coumarin-(RFDF)4 containing peptide sequences are ideal candidates for pH-sensing bioelectronic materials.

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