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Few Micrometers (few + micrometer)
Selected AbstractsOptimizing the point spread function in phase-encoded magnetic resonance microscopyCONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 1 2004A.G. Webb Abstract Three-dimensional phase-encoded magnetic resonance microscopy is the most promising method for obtaining images with isotropic spatial resolutions on the order of a few micrometers. The attainable spatial resolution is limited by the available gradient strength (Gmax) and the molecular self-diffusion coefficient (D) of the sample. In this study, numerical simulations in the microscopic-size regime are presented in order to show that for given values of Gmax and D, there exists an optimum number of phase-encoding steps that maximize the spatial resolution in terms of minimizing the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the image point spread function (PSF). Unlike the case of "macroscopic" imaging, in which diffusion plays an insignificant role in determining spatial resolution, acquiring data beyond this optimal value actually degrades the image PSF. An alternative version of phase encoding, using a variable phase-encoding time rather than a variable gradient strength, is analyzed in terms of improvements in the image PSF and/or reductions in the data acquisition time for a given spatial resolution. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 22A: 25,36, 2004. [source] X-ray Diffraction Studies of Free-Standing Electrodeposited Cu-patterns,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 10 2004K. Pantleon Free-standing Cu-line patterns with various line widths and interline distances in the range of a few micrometers were electrodeposited. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was applied for quantification of crystallographic texture and XRD-peak broadening studies in dependence on the Cu-line dimensions. Supplementary to XRD, finite element modeling of the strain distribution within individual Cu-lines was carried out. [source] Simple Patterning via Adhesion between a Buffered-Oxide Etchant-Treated PDMS Stamp and a SiO2 Substrate,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 13 2007Y.-K. Kim Abstract A very simple polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) pattern-transfer method is devised, called buffered-oxide etchant (BOE) printing. The mechanism of pattern transfer is investigated, by considering the strong adhesion between the BOE-treated PDMS and the SiO2 substrate. PDMS patterns from a few micrometers to sub-micrometer size are transferred to the SiO2 substrate by just pressing a stamp that has been immersed in BOE solution for a few minutes. The patterned PDMS layers work as perfect physical and chemical passivation layers in the fabrication of metal electrodes and V2O5 nanowire channels, respectively. Interestingly, a second stamping of the BOE-treated PDMS on the SiO2 substrate pre-patterned with metal as well as PDMS results in a selective transfer of the PDMS patterns only to the bare SiO2. In this way, the fabrication of a device structure consisting of two Au electrodes and V2O5 nanowire network channels is possible; non-ohmic semiconducting I,V characteristics, which can be modeled by serially connected percolation, are observed. [source] Cover Picture: Tuning the Dimensions of C60 -Based Needlelike Crystals in Blended Thin Films (Adv. Funct.ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 6 2006Mater. Abstract A new ordered structure of the C60 derivative PCBM is obtained in thin films based on the blend PCBM:P3HT, as detailed by Swinnen, Manca, and co-workers on p.,760. Needlelike crystalline PCBM structures, whose dimensions and spatial distribution ca be tuned by adjusting the blend ratio and annealing conditions, are formed. In typical solar-cell applications of these blended films, these results indicate that during long-term operation under normal conditions (50,70,°C) morphology changes and a decrease in cell performance could occur. A new ordered structure of the C60 derivative PCBM ([6-6]-phenyl C61 -butyric acid methyl ester) is obtained in thin films based on the blend PCBM:regioregular P3HT (poly(3-hexylthiophene)). Rapid formation of needlelike crystalline PCBM structures of a few micrometers up to 100,,m in size is demonstrated by submitting the blended thin films to an appropriate thermal treatment. These structures can grow out to a 2D network of PCBM needles and, in specific cases, to spectacular PCBM fans. Key parameters to tune the dimensions and spatial distribution of the PCBM needles are blend ratio and annealing conditions. The as-obtained blended films and crystals are probed using atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, optical microscopy, and confocal fluorescence microscopy. Based on the analytical results, the growth mechanism of the PCBM structures within the film is described in terms of diffusion of PCBM towards the PCBM crystals, leaving highly crystalline P3HT behind in the surrounding matrix. [source] Nanofiber generation of hydroxyapatite and fluor-hydroxyapatite bioceramicsJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 2 2006Hae-Won Kim Abstract In this study, we produced hydroxyapatite (HA) and fluor-hydroxyapatite (FHA) bioceramics as a novel geometrical form, the nanoscale fiber, for the biomedical applications. Based on the sol-gel precursors of the apatites, an electrospinning technique was introduced to generate nanoscale fibers. The diameter of the fibers was exploited in the range of a few micrometers to hundreds of nanometers (1.55 ,m,240 nm) by means of adjusting the concentration of the sols. Through the fluoridation of apatite, the solubility of the fiber was tailored and the fluorine ions were well released from the FHA. The HA and FHA nanofibers produced in this study are considered to find potential applications in the biomaterials and tissue engineering fields. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006 [source] Preparation of Functionalized Polysilsesquioxane and Polysilsesquioxane-Metal Nanoparticle Composite Spheres,MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 15 2006Young Baek Kim Abstract Summary: Network polysilsesquioxane spheres made solely of poly(vinylsilsesquioxane) (PVSQ) and poly(3-mercaptopropylsilsesquioxane) (PMPSQ) were prepared from heterogeneous mixtures of triethylamine (TEA), water, and either vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS), or 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS). The microscopic, macroscopic observations, and the relationship between the diameters of spheres and the amount of each ingredient in the reaction system, showed that spheres formed via a mechanism similar to emulsion polymerization and suspension polymerization, depending on the reaction conditions. Diameters of spheres could be controlled from tens of nanometers to a few micrometers by adjusting the amounts of TEA, water, and a surfactant. Heating aqueous solutions of metal ions with these spheres produced polysilsesquioxanes (PSQ)-metal nanoparticle composite spheres. The spheres prepared in this study were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, solid state NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and differential thermal analysis. These spheres would be useful in recovering metals from their ionic solutions and probes after chemical modifications. An image of the spheres of poly(vinylsilsesquioxane)-gold nanoparticle composite. [source] Attenuating PP/PET bicomponent melt blown microfibersPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 2 2003Rongguo Zhao This research investigated the attenuation of polypropylene (PP)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bicomponent (bico) filaments during the melt blowing (MB) process. It was found that both mono- and bi-component filaments attenuated from several hundred micrometers to a few micrometers in the first 5 centimeters from the die. However, fiber diameter distributions were found to be broad in these regions. The filaments were attenuated much slower but exhibited narrower diameter distributions as they moved further from the die. The diameters of bico MB filaments were between those of 100% PP and 100% PET filaments. The PET component in a bico filament controls the final fiber diameter. During melt blowing, filaments were aligned orderly with the airflow direction in a short distance near the die. Filament entanglements started at about 2.5 cm from the die and became more and more randomly oriented as the distance-from-the-die (DFD) increased. The fiber diameter distribution of bico filaments was broader than that of 100% PP filaments. A higher airflow rate led to a narrower fiber size distribution for bico filaments. [source] Preparation and mechanical properties of poly(chitosan- g - DL -lactic acid) fibrous mesh scaffoldsPOLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 2 2008Ying Wan Abstract DL -lactic acid was grafted onto chitosan to produce poly(chitosan- g - DL -lactic acid)(PCLA) without using a catalyst. These PCLAs were then spun into filaments and further fabricated into fibrous mesh scaffolds using an improved wet-spinning technique. The diameter of filaments in different scaffolds could vary from a few micrometers to several tens of micrometers. The scaffolds exhibited various pore sizes ranging from about 20,µm to more than 200,µm and different porosities up to 80%. The several main processing conditions were optimized for obtaining the desired scaffolds with well-controlled structures. The tensile and compressive mechanical properties of the mesh scaffolds in both dry and hydrated states were mainly examined. Significantly improved tensile strength and modulus, enhanced compressive modulus, and stress as well as the dimensional stability for these mesh scaffolds in their hydrated state were observed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||