Total Correlation Spectroscopy Across All NMR-Active Nuclei by Mixing at Zero Field

Multidimensional Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is based on the combination of well-established building blocks for polarization transfer. These blocks are used to design correlation experiments through one or a few chemical bonds or through space. Here, we introduce a building block that enables polarization transfer across all NMR-active nuclei in a coupled network of spins: isotropic mixing at Zero and Ultra-Low Field (ZULF). Exploiting mixing under ZULF-NMR conditions, heteronuclear TOtal Correlation SpectroscopY (TOCSY) experiments were developed to highlight coupled spin networks. We demonstrate ¹H-¹³C and ¹H-¹⁵N correlations in ZULF-TOCSY spectra of labelled amino acids, which allow one to obtain cross-peaks among all hetero-nuclei belonging to the same coupled network, even when the direct interaction between them is negligible. We also demonstrate the interest of ZULF-TOCSY to analyze complex mixtures on the supernatant of ISOGRO, a growth medium of isotope-labelled biomolecules. ZULF-TOCSY enables the quick identification of individual compounds in the mixture by their coupled spin networks. The ZULF-TOCSY method will lead to the development of a new toolbox of experiments to analyze complex mixtures by NMR.

Total Correlation Spectroscopy Across All NMR-Active Nuclei by Mixing at Zero Field

Multidimensional Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is based on the combination of well-established building blocks for polarization transfer. These blocks are used to design correlation experiments through one or a few chemical bonds or through space. Here, we introduce a building block that enables polarization transfer across all NMR-active nuclei in a coupled network of spins: isotropic mixing at Zero and Ultra-Low Field (ZULF). Exploiting mixing under ZULF-NMR conditions, heteronuclear TOtal Correlation SpectroscopY (TOCSY) experiments were developed to highlight coupled spin networks. We demonstrate ¹H-¹³C and ¹H-¹⁵N correlations in ZULF-TOCSY spectra of labelled amino acids, which allow one to obtain cross-peaks among all hetero-nuclei belonging to the same coupled network, even when the direct interaction between them is negligible. We also demonstrate the interest of ZULF-TOCSY to analyze complex mixtures on the supernatant of ISOGRO, a growth medium of isotope-labelled biomolecules. ZULF-TOCSY enables the quick identification of individual compounds in the mixture by their coupled spin networks. The ZULF-TOCSY method will lead to the development of a new toolbox of experiments to analyze complex mixtures by NMR.

Crystal - Rotator-I - Rotator-II Phase Transitions in the Mixtures of Alkanes

Using the combination of Flory–Huggins theory of isotropic mixing and Landau theory, we discuss the crystal – rotator-I – rotator-II phase transitions in the binary mixture of alkanes. The influence of concentration on the order parameters and the transition temperatures is discussed. Theoretical results show the first order character of both the rotator-I to crystal and rotator-II to rotator-I phase transitions in the mixture of alkanes. A good agreement between theoretical and experimental results are presented in this paper.

Theoretical Studies of the Effects of Magnetic Field on the Phase Transition of Swollen Liquid Crystal Elastomers

The effect of magnetic fields on the swelling of liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) dissolved in liquid crystal (LC) solvent have been studied. The Flory-Huggins model used to calculate the free energy of an isotropic mixing and the Maier-Saupe model used to calculate the free energy of a nematic mixing. Numerical integration method used to calculate the orientational order parameter and the total free energy of system (consists of : nematic free energy, elastic free energy, isotropic mixing free energy and magnetic free energy) and the calculation results graphed as a function of temperatures for various magnetic fields and as function of magnetic fields for various of temperatures. We find that the magnetic field shifts the transition points towards higher temperatures, increases the energy transition, and induces an isotropic phase to paranematic phase.

Chaotic stirring in quasi-turbulent flows

Transport in laminar flows is governed by chaotic stirring and striation in long thin filaments. In turbulent flows, isotropic mixing dominates and tracers behave like stochastic variables. In this paper, we investigate the quasi-turbulent, intermediate regime where both chaotic stirring and turbulent mixing coexist. In these flows, the most common in nature, aperiodic Lagrangian coherent structures (LCSs) delineate particle transport and chaotic stirring. We review the recent developments in LCS theory and apply these techniques to measured surface currents in Monterey Bay, California. In the bay, LCSs can be used to optimize the release of drifting buoys or to minimize the impact of a coastal pollution source.