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Active Material (active + material)
Selected AbstractsConjugated Macrocycles as Active Materials in Nonlinear Optical Processes: Optical Limiting Effect with Phthalocyanines and Related CompoundsTHE CHEMICAL RECORD, Issue 3 2002Michael Hanack Abstract An overview of the optical limiting (OL) processes in phthalocyanines and related compounds is presented, particularly a description of the synthesis and relevant optical properties of a series of axially substituted indium(III), titanium(IV), phthalo- and naphthalocyanines, and octaarylporphyrazines. Several techniques, such as transient absorption, Z-scan, and degenerate four-wave mixing, were used to assess the optical properties and OL performance of the investigated compounds. The versatility of the methods of organic synthesis leads to the achievement of effective systems in terms of OL performance through the appropriate combination and modulation of several structural components. The chemistry of the macrocycles here considered allows the variation of the different chemical features, such as the degree of electronic conjugation of the macrocycle and the nature of the ring substituents, the central atom, and the ligands attached to the central atom. © 2002 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 2: 129,148, 2002: Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI 10.1002/tcr.10024 [source] Tris(tropolonato)phenanthroline Lanthanide(III) Complexes as Photochemical DevicesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 12 2006Laura Bertolo Abstract The tris-tropolonato erbium(III) complexes [Er(hino)3(phen)] and [{Er(hino)3}2(pdon)] (H-hino = 2-hydroxy-6-isopropylcyclohepta-2,4,6-trien-1-one; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; pdon = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione) have been prepared by reaction of [Er(hino)3]n with the appropriate chelating ligand in alcoholic solution. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, TG, ESI MS, 1H NMR, and IR spectroscopy, also by comparison with the properties of the analogous EuIII and YbIII complexes. The ESI-MS spectroscopy of the complex with the ditopic ligand pdon parallels the other physico-chemical data (IR, NMR), confirming the occurrence of a dinuclear entity. All the investigated ErIII complexes show efficient NIR emissions at about 1550 nm upon excitation at 355 nm in the UV ligand absorption band, emerging as possible candidate as active material for the realization of plastic amplifiers for telecommunications. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells: The Design and Realization of Flexible, Long-Lived Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells (Adv. Funct.ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 16 2009Mater. A highly functional flexible light-emitting electrochemical cell during operation is depicted in this cover image. By optimizing the composition of the active material and by employing an appropriate operation protocol, as described by Fang et al. on page 2671, more than one month of uninterrupted operation at significant brightness (>100 cd,2 ) and relatively high power conversion efficiency (2 lm W,1 for orange-red emission) is realized. [source] The Design and Realization of Flexible, Long-Lived Light-Emitting Electrochemical CellsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 16 2009Junfeng Fang Abstract Polymer light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) offer an attractive opportunity for low-cost production of functional devices in flexible and large-area configurations, but the critical drawback in comparison to competing light-emission technologies is a limited operational lifetime. Here, it is demonstrated that it is possible to improve the lifetime by straightforward and motivated means from a typical value of a few hours to more than one month of uninterrupted operation at significant brightness (>100,cd m,2) and relatively high power conversion efficiency (2 lm W,1 for orange-red emission). Specifically, by optimizing the composition of the active material and by employing an appropriate operational protocol, a desired doping structure is designed and detrimental chemical and electrochemical side reactions are identified and minimized. Moreover, the first functional flexible LEC with a similar promising device performance is demonstrated. [source] Threshold Voltage Shifts in Organic Thin-Film Transistors Due to Self-Assembled Monolayers at the Dielectric SurfaceADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 6 2009Stefan K. Possanner Abstract Recently, it has been shown by several groups that the electrical characteristics of organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) can be significantly influenced by depositing self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) at the organic semiconductor/dielectric interface. In this work, the effect of such SAMs on the transfer characteristics and especially on the threshold voltage of OTFTs is investigated by means of two-dimensional drift-diffusion simulations. The impact of the SAM is modeled either by a permanent space charge layer that can result from chemical reactions with the active material, or by a dipole layer representing an array of ordered dipolar molecules. It is demonstrated that, in both model cases, the presence of the SAM significantly changes the transfer characteristics. In particular, it gives rise to a modified, effective gate voltage Veff that results in a rigid shift of the threshold voltage, ,Vth, relative to a SAM-free OTFT. The achievable amount of threshold voltage shift, however, strongly depends on the actual role of the SAM. While for the investigated device dimensions, an organic SAM acting as a dipole layer can realistically shift the threshold voltage only by a few volts, the changes in the threshold voltage can be more than an order of magnitude larger when the SAM leads to charges at the interface. Based on the analysis of the different cases, a route to experimentally discriminate between SAM-induced space charges and interface dipoles is proposed. The developed model allows for qualitative description of the behavior of organic transistors containing reactive interfacial layers; when incorporating rechargeable carrier trap states and a carrier density-dependent mobility, even a quantitative agreement between theory and recent experiments can be achieved. [source] Material Solubility-Photovoltaic Performance Relationship in the Design of Novel Fullerene Derivatives for Bulk Heterojunction Solar CellsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 5 2009Pavel A. Troshin Abstract The preparation of 27 different derivatives of C60 and C70 fullerenes possessing various aryl (heteroaryl) and/or alkyl groups that are appended to the fullerene cage via a cyclopropane moiety and their use in bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells is reported. It is shown that even slight variations in the molecular structure of a compound can cause a significant change in its physical properties, in particular its solubility in organic solvents. Furthermore, the solubility of a fullerene derivative strongly affects the morphology of its composite with poly(3-hexylthiophene), which is commonly used as active material in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. As a consequence, the solar cell parameters strongly depend on the structure and the properties of the fullerene-based material. The power conversion efficiencies for solar cells comprising these fullerene derivatives range from negligibly low (0.02%) to considerably high (4.1%) values. The analysis of extensive sets of experimental data reveals a general dependence of all solar cell parameters on the solubility of the fullerene derivative used as acceptor component in the photoactive layer of an organic solar cell. It is concluded that the best material combinations are those where donor and acceptor components are of similar and sufficiently high solubility in the solvent used for the deposition of the active layer. [source] Modifying the Output Characteristics of an Organic Light-Emitting Device by Refractive-Index Modulation,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2006T. Höfler Abstract In order to modify the output characteristics of organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs), the optical properties of an active layer within the device are patterned without introducing any thickness modulation. For this purpose a new conjugated copolymer, which serves as a hole-transporting material and at the same time can be index patterned using UV techniques, is synthesized. Poly(VC- co -VBT) (VC: N -vinylcarbazole; VBT: 4-vinylbenzyl thiocyanate) is prepared by free-radical copolymerization of VC and VBT. The material contains photoreactive thiocyanate groups that enable altering of the material's refractive index under UV illumination. This copolymer is employed as a patternable hole-transporting layer in multilayer OLEDs. Refractive-index gratings in poly(VC- co -VBT) are inscribed using a holographic setup based upon a Lloyd mirror configuration. The fourth harmonic of a Nd:YAG (YAG: yttrium aluminum garnet) laser (266,nm) serves as the UV source. In this way 1D photonic structures are integrated in an OLED containing AlQ3 (tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum) as the emitting species. It is assured that only a periodical change of the refractive index (,n,=,0.006 at ,,=,540,nm) is generated in the active material but no surface-relief gratings are generated. The patterned devices show more forward-directed out-coupling behavior than unstructured devices (increase in luminosity by a factor of five for a perpendicular viewing direction). This effect is most likely due to Bragg scattering. For these multilayer structures, optimum outcoupling was observed for grating periods ,,,,390,nm. [source] A fibre-mat catalytic burner for the heating system of PVC tilesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 10 2002Yong Seog Seo Abstract This study aims to develop the low-temperature catalytic burner using Al2O3 fibre and Pt catalyst as a substrate and an active material, respectively, and then to apply it to the heating system of PVC tiles. Three types of fibre-mat catalytic burners,natural diffusion catalytic burner, forced diffusion catalytic burner and premixed catalytic burner,were tested. For the natural diffusion catalytic burner, the combustion efficiency was significantly affected by the installation method. Its combustion efficiency was above 99.5% when it was placed vertically and upward, whereas the combustion efficiency rapidly deteriorated to less than 80% when it was installed in downward position. When the forced diffusion combustion mode was employed, the combustion efficiency of the fibre-mat catalytic burner was successively improved over 99.5%. The optimal operation condition of the premixed fibre-mat catalytic burner was obtained when the excess air ratio is 4.3 and the heat load is 3.0 kcal h,1 cm,2. The heat load of the premixed catalytic burner was found to be twice as much as those of the natural and forced diffusion catalytic burner, meaning that the size of the catalytic burner can be reduced to its half if the premixed catalytic burner is used. We also performed the field test of the fibre-mat catalytic burner in the heating system of the PVC tiles. The combustion efficiency of the catalytic burners appeared to be satisfactory, above 99.5%, and the energy saving by replacing the existing electrical heaters with the fibre-mat catalytic burners were shown to be 27.7%. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Synthesis of processible doped polyaniline-polyacrylic acid compositesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 2 2009Bhavana Gupta Abstract Processible composites of emeraldine salt form of polyaniline (PANI) with polyacrylic acid (PAA) are synthesized and studied for their structural, electrical, mechanical, thermal, and electrochemical properties. The processible conducting composites of various weight percentage from 20 wt % to 90 wt % (of PANI) have been prepared by mixing the PANI and PAA under vigorous stirring and sonication conditions. Self-standing films of electroactive homogeneous composites are obtained by solution casting method. A significant improvement in processibility, crystallinity, and thermal stability is observed in the composites; however, the electrical conductivity decreased remarkably as the percentage of PANI is decreased in the composites. The 60 wt % PANI-PAA composite showed crystalline structural property with orthorhombic crystal system and cell parameters as a = 5.93Å, b = 7.57Å, and c = 10.11Å. The 60 wt % PANI-PAA composite also showed better thermal stability and highest capacitance amongst all the composites and used as an active material for development of electrochemical capacitors (parallel plate assembly). The processible composites based electrochemical capacitors using 0.5 M NaClO4 -Acetonitril electrolyte showed super capacitance with ease in fabrication and cost effectiveness in comparison to other similar materials based capacitors. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009 [source] COVALENT IMMOBILIZATION OF INVERTASE ON CHEMICALLY ACTIVATED POLY (STYRENE-2-HYDROXYETHYL METHACRYLATE) MICROBEADSJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2008HAYDAR ALTINOK ABSTRACT A carrier for invertase enzyme was synthesized from styrene (S) and 2- hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in the form of microbeads. These poly (styrene-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), P(S-HEMA) microbeads were activated by epichlorohydrin (ECH) treatment for covalent immobilization. The free and immobilized invertase were assayed in the hydrolysis of sucrose to glucose, and the obtained results were compared. The optimum pH was 4.5 for free and 5.5 for immobilized invertase. The optimum temperature of invertase shifted from 45C to 55C upon immobilization. For free and immobilized enzymes, kinetic parameters were calculated as 4.1 × 10,3 mol L,1and 9.2 × 10,3 mol L,1for Km, and 6.6 × 10,2 mol L,1 min,1and 4.1 × 10,1 mol L,1 min,1for Vmax, respectively. After 1 month of storage at 4C, free enzyme retained 36% of its initial activity, while for the ECH-activated P(S-HEMA) immobilized enzyme, P(S-HEMA)-E, this value was observed as 67%. In repeated batch use, i.e., 20 times in 3 days, 78% retention of the initial activity was observed for P(S-HEMA)-E system. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Immobilization of enzymes are very important for many industrial applications, e.g., food, medicine, pharmacology, etc. Invertase converts sucrose to glucose and fructose, which have wide applications in food industry especially as sweeteners. Glucose,fructose mixture has much lower crystallinity compared to sucrose and therefore used in the production of noncrystallizing jams and creams. They are also used as liquid sweeteners. Immobilization enables repeated use, provides significant reduction in the operation costs, facilitates easy separation and speeds up recovery of enzyme and extends the stability of enzyme by protecting the active material from deactivation. Industrial application of immobilized invertase may decrease the production cost of glucose,fructose mixture because it could be used repeatedly for long periods. Although invertase is not a very expensive enzyme, the technique can also be applied to expensive ones for biotechnological productions. [source] Degradation of InGaN-based laser diodes due to increased non-radiative recombination ratePHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 1 2010N. Trivellin Abstract With this paper we analyze the correlation between the degradation of InGaN-based laser diodes (LDs) and the increase in the non-radiative recombination rate in the active region. Several 405,nm MOCVD LDs have been submitted to CW stress, for 2000,h (stress current in the range 40,100,mA, case temperature,=,75,°C). During stress, we extensively evaluated the optical characteristics of the LDs: a technique for the evaluation of the non-radiative recombination lifetime (,nr) in the active material was developed and used for the analysis of the stress effects. We demonstrate the following: (1) degradation determines the increase in LDs threshold current (Ith) and the decrease in the ,nr; (2) degradation of Ith and ,nr have similar kinetics; and (3) the degradation rate of the LDs is almost linearly related to the stress current level. The degradation process is therefore ascribed to the decrease of internal quantum efficiency caused by the increase of the non-radiative recombination rate in the active region. [source] Investigation of defects in organic semiconductors by charge based Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (Q-DLTS)PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 8 2009T. P. Nguyen Abstract We report the results of measurements of traps in light emitting devices using a new derivative of poly(phenylene vinylene) (PPV) as an active material by the charge based Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (Q-DLTS) technique. Diodes of structure Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)/PEDOT:PSS/poly(2-ethylhexyl)surfanyl-5-methoxy phenylene vinylene (MEH-S-PPV)/M with M = Al and M = Ca/Al were investigated by measurements of current-voltage-luminance characteristics. From analysis of these characteristics, evidence of charge trapping in devices was demonstrated. The trap parameters were then determined from Q-DLTS measurements, which were carried out on the samples as a function of the charging time, the applied voltage and the temperature. Five trap levels of activation energy in the range [0.3-0.6 eV] and of density of order of 1017 cm,3 were identified in diodes with Ca/Al cathode. Electron (one level) and hole (four levels) traps were then clearly distinguished by performing measurements in hole-only devices. Trapping processes are discussed and tentatively proposed to performance of the light emitting diodes studied. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Optical properties and modal gain of InGaN quantum dot stacksPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue S2 2009Joachim Kalden Abstract We present investigations of the optical properties of stacked InGaN quantum dot layers and demonstrate their advantage over single quantum dot layer structures. Measurements were performed on structures containing a single layer with quantum dots or threefold stacked quantum dot layers, respectively. A superlinear increase of the quantum dot related photoluminescence is detected with increasing number of quantum dot layers while other relevant GaN related spectral features are much less intensive when compared to the photoluminescence of a single quantum dot layer. The quantum dot character of the active material is verified by microphotoluminescence experiments at different temperatures. For the possible integration within optical devices in the future the threshold power density was investigated as well as the modal gain by using the variable stripe length method. As the threshold is 670 kW/cm2 at 13 K, the modal gain maximum is at 50 cm,1. In contrast to these limited total values, the modal gain per quantum dot is as high as 10,9cm,1, being comparable to the IIVI and III-As compounds. These results are a promising first step towards bright low threshold InGaN quantum dot based light emitting devices in the near future (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Mesoscopic Modelling of Polymer-Based Optoelectronic DevicesPLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue S1 2007Hélder M. C. Barbosa Abstract Substantial progress has been made in fabricating optoelectronic devices using polymers as an active material. In polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs), a balanced injection of electrons and holes from the electrodes is fundamental to increase their performance. Using a mesoscopic model based on a generalized Monte-Carlo method, we studied the influence of changing zero-field barrier heights at both electrode,polymer interfaces in the performance of a PLED with an active layer of poly(para -phenylenevinylene) (PPV). Our results show that by controlling the electrodes work functions it is possible to tune the region inside the device where charge recombination preferentially takes place. [source] Active capping demonstration in the Anacostia river, Washington, D.C.REMEDIATION, Issue 1 2006Danny Reible An active capping demonstration project in Washington, D.C., is testing the ability to place sequestering agents on contaminated sediments using conventional equipment and evaluating their subsequent effectiveness relative to conventional passive sand sediment caps. Selected active capping materials include: (1) AquaBlokTM, a clay material for permeability control; (2) apatite, a phosphate mineral for metals control; (3) coke, an organic sequestration agent; and (4) sand material for a control cap. All of the materials, except coke, were placed in 8,000-ft test plots by a conventional clamshell method during March and April 2004. Coke was placed as a 1.25-cm layer in a laminated mat due to concerns related to settling of the material. Postcap sampling and analysis were conducted during the first, sixth, and eighteenth months after placement. Although postcap sampling is expected to continue for at least an additional 24 months, this article summarizes the results of the demonstration project and postcap sampling efforts up to 18 months. Conventional clamshell placement was found to be effective for placing relatively thin (six-inch) layers of active material. The viability of placing high-value or difficult-to-place material in a controlled manner was successfully demonstrated with the laminated mat. Postcap monitoring indicates that all cap materials effectively isolated contaminants, but it is not yet possible to differentiate between conventional sand and active cap layer performance. Monitoring of the permeability control layer indicated effective reductions in groundwater seepage rates through the cap, but also showed the potential for gas accumulation and irregular release. All of the cap materials show deposition of new contaminated sediment onto the surface of the caps, illustrating the importance of source control in maintaining sediment quality. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Size Independent Shape Memory Behavior of Nickel,Titanium,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 8 2010Blythe G. Clark While shape memory alloys such as NiTi have strong potential as active materials in many small-scale applications, much is still unknown about their shape memory and deformation behavior as size scale is reduced. This paper reports on two sets of experiments which shed light onto an inconsistent body of research regarding the behavior of NiTi at the nano- to microscale. In situ SEM pillar bending experiments directly show that the shape memory behavior of NiTi is still present for pillar diameters as small as 200,nm. Uniaxial pillar compression experiments demonstrate that plasticity of the phase transformation in NiTi is size independent and, in contrast to bulk single crystal observations, is not influenced by heat treatment (i.e., precipitate structure). [source] Interface Engineering for Organic ElectronicsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 9 2010Hong Ma Abstract The field of organic electronics has been developed vastly in the past two decades due to its promise for low cost, lightweight, mechanical flexibility, versatility of chemical design and synthesis, and ease of processing. The performance and lifetime of these devices, such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), photovoltaics (OPVs), and field-effect transistors (OFETs), are critically dependent on the properties of both active materials and their interfaces. Interfacial properties can be controlled ranging from simple wettability or adhesion between different materials to direct modifications of the electronic structure of the materials. In this Feature Article, the strategies of utilizing surfactant-modified cathodes, hole-transporting buffer layers, and self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-modified anodes are highlighted. In addition to enabling the production of high-efficiency OLEDs, control of interfaces in both conventional and inverted polymer solar cells is shown to enhance their efficiency and stability; and the tailoring of source,drain electrode,semiconductor interfaces, dielectric,semiconductor interfaces, and ultrathin dielectrics is shown to allow for high-performance OFETs. [source] Phase Segregation in Thin Films of Conjugated Polyrotaxane, Poly(ethylene oxide) Blends: A Scanning Force Microscopy Study,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 6 2007L. Sardone Abstract Scanning force microscopy (SFM) is used to study the surface morphology of spin-coated thin films of the ion-transport polymer poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blended with either cyclodextrin (CD)-threaded conjugated polyrotaxanes based on poly(4,4,-diphenylene-vinylene) (PDV), ,-CD,PDV, or their uninsulated PDV analogues. Both the polyrotaxanes and their blends with PEO are of interest as active materials in light-emitting devices. The SFM analysis of the blended films supported on mica and on indium tin oxide (ITO) reveals in both cases a morphology that reflects the substrate topography on the (sub-)micrometer scale and is characterized by an absence of the surface structure that is usually associated with phase segregation. This observation confirms a good miscibility of the two hydrophilic components, when deposited by using spin-coating, as suggested by the luminescence data on devices and thin films. Clear evidence of phase segregation is instead found when blending PEO with a new organic-soluble conjugated polymer such as a silylated poly(fluorene)- alt -poly(para -phenylene) based polyrotaxane (THS,,-CD,PF,PPP). The results obtained are relevant to the understanding of the factors influencing the interfacial and the intermolecular interactions with a view to optimizing the performance of light-emitting diodes, and light-emitting electrochemical cells based on supramolecularly engineered organic polymers. [source] LiFePO4 Nanoparticles Embedded in a Nanoporous Carbon Matrix: Superior Cathode Material for Electrochemical Energy-Storage DevicesADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 25-26 2009Xing-Long Wu An optimized nanostructure design for high-power, high-energy lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors is realized by fabricating a nanocomposite with highly dispersed nanoparticles of active materials in a nanoporous carbon matrix. A nano-LiFePO4/nanoporous carbon matrix nanocomposite forms a bridge between a supercapacitor and a battery electrode and offers a reasonable compromise between rate and capacity. [source] Preparation of LiMn2O4 powders via spray pyrolysis and fluidized bed hybrid systemAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 7 2006Izumi Taniguchi Abstract A novel technique has been developed to directly produce fine ceramic powders from liquid solution using a spray pyrolysis and fluidized bed hybrid system. Using this technique, the preparation of lithium manganese oxides LiMn2O4, which are the most promising cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, has been carried out for various superficial gas velocities U0 = 0.30-0.91 m/s, static bed heights Ls = 50-150 mm, and medium particle sizes dpm,g = 294-498 ,m. The resulting powders had spherical nanostructured particles that comprised primary particles with a few tens of nanometer in size, and they exhibited a pure cubic spinel structure without any impurities in the XRD patterns. Moreover, the as-prepared powders showed better crystallinity and smaller specific surface area than those by conventional spray pyrolysis. The effects of process parameters on powder properties, such as specific surface area and crystallinity, were investigated for a wide range of superficial gas velocities and static bed heights. An as-prepared sample was used as cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries and the cell performance has been investigated. Test experiments in the electrochemical cell Li/1M LiClO4 in PC/LiMn2O4 demonstrated that the sample prepared by the present technique was superior to that by the conventional spray pyrolysis and solid-state reaction method. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006 [source] Comment on: On the inapplicability of a negative-phase-velocity condition as a negative refraction condition for active materialsMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 1 2010Paul Kinsler Abstract I comment on a recent usage of a common negative-phase-velocity condition. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 247, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24891 [source] Optimization of opto-electronic property and device efficiency of polyfluorenes by tuning structure and morphologyPOLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2006Peng Chen Abstract Polyfluorene-based oligomers and polymers (PFs) have been studied intensively as active materials for organic optoelectronic devices. In this review, the optimization of the opto-electronic property and device efficiency of polyfluorenes in the field of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photovoltaic cells (PVs) by tuning structure and morphology are summarized in terms of two typical modification techniques: copolymerization and blending. The relationships between molecular structures, thin film morphologies, opto-electronic properties and device efficiencies are discussed, and some recent progress in LEDs and PVs is simultaneously reviewed. After the introduction, the basic knowledge of molecular structures and properties of polyfluorene homopolymers is presented as a background for a better understanding of their great potential for opto-electronic applications. Immediately after this, three different opinions on the origin of low-energy emission band at 520,540 nm in polyfluorene-based LEDs are addressed. Rod,coil block copolymers and alternative copolymers are focused on in the next section, which are a vivid embodiment of controlling supramolecular structures and tailoring molecular structures, respectively. In particular, various supramolecular architectures induced by altering coil blocks are carefully discussed. Recent work that shows great improvement in opto-electronic properties or device performance by blending or doping is also addressed. Additionally, the progress of understanding concerning the mechanisms of exciton dynamics is briefly referred to. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Surface plasmon resonance label-free monitoring of antibody antigen interactions in real timeBIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION, Issue 1 2007Asta Kausaite Abstract Detection of biologically active compounds is one of the most important topics in molecular biology and biochemistry. One of the most promising detection methods is based on the application of surface plasmon resonance for label-free detection of biologically active compounds. This method allows one to monitor binding events in real time without labeling. The system can therefore be used to determine both affinity and rate constants for interactions between various types of molecules. Here, we describe the application of a surface plasmon resonance biosensor for label-free investigation of the interaction between an immobilized antigen bovine serum albumin (BSA) and antibody rabbit anti-cow albumin IgG1 (anti-BSA). The formation of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) over a gold surface is introduced into this laboratory training protocol as an effective immobilization method, which is very promising in biosensing systems based on detection of affinity interactions. In the next step, covalent attachment via artificially formed amide bonds is applied for the immobilization of proteins on the formed SAM surface. These experiments provide suitable experience for postgraduate students to help them understand immobilization of biologically active materials via SAMs, fundamentals of surface plasmon resonance biosensor applications, and determination of non-covalent biomolecular interactions. The experiment is designed for master and/or Ph.D. students. In some particular cases, this protocol might be adoptable for bachelor students that already have completed an extended biochemistry program that included a background in immunology. [source] ,-Conjugated Dendrimers as Stable Pure-Blue Emissive Materials: Photophysical, Electrochemical, and Electroluminescent PropertiesCHEMISTRY - AN ASIAN JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009Yang Jiang Abstract Bigger, stronger, better: A family of giant ,-conjugated dendrimers has been developed as pure-blue active materials for organic light-emitting diodes. The dendrimer-generation number has little effect on the photophysical, electrochemical, and EL properties, and device efficiency of G0 and G1. The preliminary OLED devices achieve pure-blue color with stable CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.16, 0.08) for both G0 and G1. A family of giant ,-conjugated dendrimers has been developed as pure-blue active materials for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The investigation of their photophysical properties indicates that G0 and G1 exhibit almost the same absorption and PL spectra in dilute solutions and in thin films. The steric hindrance of the bulky dendrimers effectively prevents strong intermolecular interaction in the solid state, which effectively improves the emission spectral stability. Preliminary OLEDs fabricated with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PVK/dendrimer/TPBI/Ba/Al achieve a pure-blue emission with stable CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.16, 0.08) for both G0 and G1. These results indicate that G0 and G1 are promising blue-light emitting materials with good stability. Such strategy provides us a platform to achieve pure-blue emitting dendrimer-like materials with high efficiency for use as OLEDs. [source] Electrochemical Microstructuring with Short Voltage PulsesCHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 1 2007Rolf Schuster Prof. Dr. Abstract The application of short (nanosecond) voltage pulses between a tool electrode and a workpiece immersed in an electrolyte solution allows the three-dimensional machining of electrochemically active materials with submicrometer resolution. The method is based on the finite charging time constant of the double-layer capacitance, which varies approximately linearly with the local separation between the electrode surfaces. Hence, the polarization of the electrodes during short pulses and subsequent electrochemical reactions are confined to regions where the electrodes are in sufficiently close proximity. This Minireview describes the principles behind electrochemical microstructuring with short voltage pulses, and its current achievements and limitations. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||