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Scanning Electron Microscopy Images (scanning + electron_microscopy_image)
Selected AbstractsMultiple Functionalization of Mesoporous Silica in One-Pot: Direct Synthesis of Aluminum-Containing Plugged SBA-15 from Aqueous Nitrate Solutions,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 1 2008Y. Wu Abstract Aluminum-containing plugged mesoporous silica has been successfully prepared in an aqueous solution that contains triblock copolymer templates, nitrates, and silica sources but without using mineral acid. The acidity of the solution can be finely tuned from pH 1.4 to 2.8 according to the amount of the introduced aluminum species which ranged from an Al/Si molar ratio of 0.25/1 to 4.0/1. The aluminum nitrate additive in the starting mixture, along with the weak acidity produced by the nitrates, contributes to the formation of plugged hexagonal structures and the introduction of different amounts of aluminum species into the mesostructure. Characterization by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and N2 sorption measurements show that the Al-containing plugged silicas possess well-ordered hexagonal mesostructures with high surface areas (700,860 m2,g,1), large pore volume (0.77,1.05 cm3,g,1) and, more importantly, combined micropores and/or small mesopores in the cylindrical channels. Inductively coupled plasma,atomic emission spectrometry results show that 0.7,3.0 wt,% aluminum can be introduced into the final samples. 27Al MAS NMR results display that about 43,60% aluminum species are incorporated into the skeleton of the Al-containing silicas and the amount of the framework aluminum increases as the initial added nitrates rises. Scanning electron microscopy images reveal that the directly synthesized Al-containing plugged silica has a similar morphology to that of traditional SBA-15. Furthermore, the Al-containing plugged samples have excellent performances in the adsorption and the catalytic decomposition of isopropyl alcohol and nitrosamine. Finally, the direct synthesis method is used to produce plugged mesoporous silicas that contain other metals such as chromium and copper, and the resultant samples also show good catalytic activities. [source] Functional Properties of Antimicrobial Lysozyme-Chitosan Composite FilmsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 8 2004S.-I. Park ABSTRACT: Lysozyme-chitosan composite films were developed for enhancing the antimicrobial properties of chitosan films. A 10% lysozyme solution was incorporated into 2% chitosan film-forming solution (FFS) at a ratio of 0%, 20%, 60%, and 100% (w lysozyme/w chitosan). Films were prepared by solvent evaporation. Lysozyme release from the film matrix, the antimicrobial activity of films against Escherichia coli and Streptococcus faecalis, and basic film properties were investigated. The lysozyme release proportionally increased with increasing initial concentration of lysozyme in the film matrix, and the amount of released lysozyme was in natural log relationship with time. The films with 60% lysozyme incorporation enhanced the inhibition efficacy of chitosan films against both S. faecalis and E. coli, where 3.8 log cycles reduction in S. faecalis and 2.7 log cycles reduction in E. coli were achieved. Water vapor permeability of the chitosan films was not affected by lysozyme incorporation, whereas the tensile strength and percent elongation values decreased with increased lysozyme concentration. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that lysozyme was homogeneously distributed throughout the film matrix. This study demonstrated that enhanced antimicrobial activity of lysozyme-chitosan composite films can be achieved by incorporating lysozyme into chitosan, thus broadening their applications in ensuring food quality and safety. [source] RHEOLOGY AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF WHEAT DOUGH DEVELOPED WITH CONTROLLED DEFORMATIONJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 1 2000EMILY J. SCHLUENTZ ABSTRACT Undeveloped wheat dough samples were strained in shear and extensional flow between parallel plates to produce a controlled level of development. Dough made in a standard Farinograph, considered developed dough, was used for comparison. Scanning electron microscopy images of deformed dough were subjected to numerical image processing to characterize the protein matrix present. Results were compared to dynamic rheological properties to evaluate the influence of strain deformation on the formation of microstructure. Viscoelastic moduli of wheat dough showed that developed dough had the greatest amount of structure formation, followed by extensionally-strained and shear-strained samples, respectively. Undeveloped dough showed the lowest levels of structure development. Image analysis indicated statistically significant differences between protein matrices in developed and undeveloped samples; however, results were not significantly different between shear- and extension-ally-strained samples. [source] Low-Temperature Synthesis of Fully Crystallized Spherical BaTiO3 Particles by the Gel,Sol MethodJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 12 2004Un-Yeon Hwang The synthesis of spherical BaTiO3 particles was attempted by a new technique, the "gel,sol method," at 45°C. The (Ba,Ti) gel used as a starting material was prepared by aging mixtures of titanyl acylate with a barium acetate aqueous solution ([glacial acetic acid (AcOH)]/[titanium isopropoxide (TIP)] = 4, [barium acetate]/[TIP] = 1) at 45°C for 48 h. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) was used as a catalyst for the formation of BaTiO3. Powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD) results and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) measurements for the (Ba,Ti) gel showed that the gel was amorphous, but the spatial arrangement of barium and titanium in the (Ba,Ti) gel is similar to that in crystalline BaTiO3 particles. Fully crystallized spherical BaTiO3 powder with a particle size of 40,250 nm formed at the very low reaction temperature of 45°C. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the final particles formed via aggregation of the fine particles that seem to be the primary particles of bulk (Ba,Ti) gel. From the XRD, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy analysis, it was found that the crystal structure of the as-prepared particles continuously transformed from cubic to tetragonal as the calcination temperature increased, and high crystalline tetragonal BaTiO3 phase was obtained at 1000°C after 1 h of heat treatment. [source] Maleated polypropylene film and wood fiber handsheet laminates,POLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 12 2009Sangyeob Lee The grafting effect of maleic anhydride (MA) as an interfacial bonding agent and its influence on the tensile strength properties of thermomechanical pulp handsheet-isotactic polypropylene (iPP) film laminates was studied. For the MA treated with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator, tensile strength properties increased 76% with PP film over untreated laminates. The optimal strength properties were obtained with a MA and BPO ratio of 2:1. A strong correlation was observed between the number of fibers in the web and tensile strength properties for both handsheet drying conditions. The R2 values were 0.95 for air-dry conditions and 0.94 from oven-dry conditions. Scanning electron microscopy images also showed the effectiveness of MA loading on the surface of thermomechanical pulp fibers due to increased fiber failure, which occurred without fiber being pulled out from the PP matrixes. Crystallinity and heat flow were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and increased as expected as the ratio of MA and BPO increased from 0:0 to 2:1. These results were also in accordance with the morphological observations at the fracture surface, Fourier transform infrared spectra, and thermal analysis. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Morphology, thermal, and rheological behavior of nylon 11/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites prepared by melt compoundingPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 6 2009Shu Huang Nylon 11 (PA11) nanocomposites with different loadings of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by melt compounding. Scanning electron microscopy images on the fracture surfaces of the composites showed a uniform dispersion of MWNTs throughout the matrix. The presence of the MWNTs significantly improved the thermal stability and enhanced the storage modulus (G,) of the polymer matrix. Melt rheology studies showed that, compared with neat PA11, the incorporation of MWNT into the matrix resulted in higher complex viscosities (|,*|), storage modulus (G,), loss modulus (G,), and lower loss factor (tan,). PA11 and its nanocomposites containing less than 1 wt% MWNTs showed similar frequency dependencies and reached a Newtonian plateau at low frequencies. For the nanocomposite with 2 wt% MWNTs, the regional network was destroyed and the orientation of the MWNTs during shearing exhibited a very strong shear thinning effect. The complex viscosities (|,*|) of the nanocomposites are larger than that of neat PA11 and decreased with increasing the temperature. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Preparation and characterization of polyurethane,gold nanocomposites prepared using encapsulated gold nanoparticlesPOLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 7 2010Chao-Ching Chang Abstract Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been widely studied due to their unique properties. Although many research groups have developed the synthesis of GNPs using various polymers as stabilizing or reducing agents, the effects of GNPs on the structures and properties of polymer matrices have been less reported. We propose a new design for the preparation of polyurethane,gold (PU,Au) nanocomposites. 11-Mercapto-1-undecanol-coated GNPs acted as the chain extenders and reacted with isocyanates to form covalent bonds between PU and GNPs. PU,Au nanocomposites were successfully synthesized, and the effects of multifunctional GNPs on the structures, morphology and properties of poly(ester urethane) were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy images suggested the GNPs can be dispersed uniformly in the PU matrix. Maltese-cross of spherical crystals was observed in the PU,Au nanocomposites, and the size of the crystals decreased with an increase in gold content. As the gold content increased, the thermal decomposition temperature and the temperature of the maximum decomposition rate increased. The glass transition temperature, crystal melting temperature and melting enthalpy of the soft segment also increased progressively. The results showed that multifunctional GNPs concentrated hard segments and resulted in an increase of heterogeneous nucleation, phase separation and elasticity. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Lithium Batteries: (Adv. Funct.ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 10 2009Mater. The cover picture is a scanning electron microscopy image of uncoated and 0.5 wt% TiO2 nanoparticle-coated LiCoO2 cathode particles, which are investigated in the research and development of lithium rechargeable batteries that require high power, high capacity, and high safety. TiO2 nanoparticles with sizes below 100 nm are mixed with LiCoO2 particles with an average particle size of 20,µm in a rotating jar at 200 rpm. The mixed particles are then fired at 1000°C for 5 h in air. The uncoated and 0.5 wt% coated particles show similar surface morphologies to each other. Despite the use of dry coating, Ti atoms appear to distribute uniformly throughout the particles. The advantage of this method is a simplified and cost-effective coating procedure, and these electrochemical enhancements can lead to versatile potential applications of the batteries, and provide breakthroughs in the power supply of mobile electronics. [source] Nanowires: A Microfluidic Approach for the Formation of Conductive Nanowires and Hollow Hybrid Structures (Adv. Mater.ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 20 201020/2010) The inside cover shows a scanning electron microscopy image of electrically conductive hybrid nanofibers made of tetrathiafulvalene/gold produced by hydrodynamic flow focusing in a microfluidic device, as reported in work by Josep Puigmartí-Luis and co-workers on p.,2255. The hybrid nanowires produced using this method are potential candidates for nanoscale sensor applications due to their electrical conductivity and their ease of functionalization. [source] Shear Modulus of Polycrystalline Rhenium Diboride Determined from Surface Brillouin SpectroscopyADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 42 2009Sergey N. Tkachev Surface Brillouin specotroscopy of a densified powder compact of rhenium diboride (see scanning electron microscopy image) results in a determined shear modulus of 223,GPa. This value is comparable to the shear modulus of c-BC2N and provides evidence for the superhard nature of ReB2. [source] Tissue Engineering: Advanced Material Strategies for Tissue Engineering Scaffolds (Adv. Mater.ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 32-33 200932-33/2009) The inside cover shows a scanning electron microscopy image of an accordion-like honeycomb scaffold for myocardial tissue engineering that was explicitly designed to match the structural and mechanical properties of native heart. Further details can be found in the article on p. 3410 by Lisa Freed, George Engelmayr, and co-workers. [source] Elastomeric Molds with Tunable Microtopography,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 23-24 2004M. Hoffman Elastomeric "microtunable" molds (,TMs) whose microtopography can be tuned post-fabrication at certain pre-defined locations have been devised. Their features make them very attractive for the molding of complex microstructures. The Figure shows a scanning electron microscopy image of poly(dimethylsiloxane) double- replicas of a ,TM whose membrane contains a 1.18,mm spiral. [source] Nanoparticle Inks for Directed Assembly of Three-Dimensional Periodic Structures,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 19 2003Q. Li Colloidal inks, comprised of concentrated barium titanate nanoparticle gels, were directly assembled via a robotically controlled deposition technique. 3D periodic lattices were created through layer-by-layer patterning of parallel rods, whose periodicity far exceeded the dimension of the nanoparticle building blocks. The Figure shows a scanning electron microscopy image of a 3D periodic lattice (top view). [source] Low Molecular Weight Gelators with Hexagonal Order in Their Liquid-Crystal Phases and Gel States: 5-Cyano-2-(3,4,5-trialkoxybenzoylamino)tropones,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 10 2003M. Hashimoto 5-Cyano-2-(3,4,5-trialkoxybenzoylamino)tropones form hexagonal structures in both liquid-crystalline and gel states. The Figure shows an environmental scanning electron microscopy image of octanol gels. Hydrogen bonding between the tropone carbonyl group and the NH group of troponoid amides plays an important role in flattening the molecules, allowing tighter packing structures and more stable columnar mesophases and gel states. [source] Synthesis of Novel Nickel Sulfide Submicrometer Hollow Spheres,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 9 2003Y. Hu Nickel sulfide uniform hollow spheres (see scanning electron microscopy image, Figure) have been successfully synthesized by ,-irradiation of a PMMA,CS2,ethanol aqueous solution that contains NiSO4·6H2O at room temperature. Calculation shows that the diameter of the NiS hollow spheres is 500 nm and the thickness of shell is ,,20 nm. A possible growth mechanism is also presented. [source] A Physical Method of Fabricating Hollow Polymer Spheres Directly from Oil/Water Emulsions of Solutions of Polymers,MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 18 2004Young Baek Kim Abstract Summary: A new physical method of fabricating hollow spheres from different polymers has been developed. In this method, emulsions were prepared by mixing organic solutions of polystyrene, poly(D,L -lactide- co -glycolide) (PLGA), and bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate- co -3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), water, and surfactants. The evaporation of solvents at room temperature caused a phase separation that eventually yielded hollow spheres. Molecular weights, concentrations of polymers, and the natures of surfactant and solvent were important aspects of hollow sphere formation and structure. A mechanism for the formation of hollow spheres is proposed based on observations made using an optical microscope equipped with a digital camcorder and using scanning electron microscopy images of hollow spheres obtained under different conditions. A scanning electron microscopy image of a broken smaller hollow sphere prepared using a 7 wt.-% polystyrene solution (diameter of the sphere ,10 micrometers). [source] Optimization of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs for high frequency operationPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 7 2006T. Palacios In the article [1] featured at Editor's Choice, the structure and processing of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) have been optimized for maximum small signal gain at high frequencies. The cover picture combines the sample structure , shown schematically and in a scanning electron microscopy image , with the band diagram of the sample with an InGaN back-barrier used to increase the electron confinement in comparison to a standard HEMT. The first author, Tomás Palacios, is currently a Project Scientist at UCSB. His research interest focuses on the search of novel GaN-based transistors for mm-wave applications and biological sensors. He is one of the winners of the physica status solidi Young Researcher Awards for his outstanding presentation at the 6th International Conference on Nitride Semiconductors held in Bremen, Germany, in 2005. Further articles from ICNS-6 will also be published in phys. stat. sol. (b) 243, No. 7 (2006) and phys. stat. sol. (c) 3, No. 6 (2006). The present issue of phys. stat. sol. (a) as well as phys. stat. sol. (c) 3, No. 5 (2006) also contain papers presented at the International Conference on Nanoscale Magnetism (ICNM-2005) in Gebze, Turkey. [source] Immuno-Carbon Nanotubes and Recognition of PathogensCHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 4 2005Tara Elkin Tubular warning bells. Water-soluble, protein-functionalized, single-walled carbon nanotubes (immuno-SWNTs) have been prepared that can recognize and capture pathogenic E. coli cells selectively by antibody,antigen conjugation in a physiological environment, as shown in the scanning electron microscopy image. [source] State transitions of Vibrio parahaemolyticus VBNC cells evaluated by flow cytometry,CYTOMETRY, Issue 5 2008Tania Falcioni Abstract Background Vibrio parahaemolyticus, in response to environmental conditions, may be present in a viable but nonculturable state (VBNC), which can still be responsible for cases of infectious diseases in humans. Methods The characterization of the cellular states of V. parahaemolyticus during entry into, persistence in, and resuscitation from the VBNC state, was assessed through plate culture method and epifluorescence microscope evaluation of actively respiring cells. Flow cytometry (FCM) in combination with SYBR Green I (SG) and propidium iodide allowed us to distinguish between viable, dead, and damaged-cells. Immunofluorescence labeling detected by FCM was used to study changes in antibody affinity. Results Two groups of bacteria, one with High Nucleic Acid (HNA) and one having Low Nucleic Acid (LNA) content, were differentiated using SG and FCM and each was correlated with cell viability. With the aging of the microcosm, the LNA bacteria population increased while the HNA population gradually disappeared. Cytofluorimetric immunofluorescence analyses showed that the bacterial cell levels dropped from 95% at day 0 to 40% at day 26 and by day 29, antibody affinity was virtually lost. FCM analyses of light scatter signals expressed by cell population highlighted morphological changes indicating a reduction in cell size, as also shown by scanning electron microscopy images and variations in cell structure. Conclusions The methodology used has provided useful data in relation to the state transitions of V. parahaemolyticus regarding cell viability, antigenic surface components, and the quantification of morphological variations during its entry into the VBNC state. © 2008 Clinical Cytometry Society [source] Dimer-Based Three-Dimensional Photonic CrystalsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2010Ian D. Hosein Abstract The self-assembly of polystyrene dimer- and spherocylinder-shaped colloids is achieved via controlled drying on glass and silicon substrates. 3D monoclinic colloidal crystal structures are determined from scanning electron microscopy images of sections prepared using focused ion-beam (FIB) milling. Full photonic bandgaps between the eighth and ninth bands are found for a systematic range of colloidal dimer shapes explored with respect to the degree of constituent lobe fusion and radius ratio. The pseudogap between bands 2 and 3 for spherocylinder-based monoclinic crystals is also probed using normal incidence reflection spectroscopy. [source] Fabrication of Microbeads with a Controllable Hollow Interior and Porous Wall Using a Capillary Fluidic DeviceADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2009Sung-Wook Choi Abstract Poly(D,L -lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microbeads with a hollow interior and porous wall are prepared using a simple fluidic device fabricated with PVC tubes, glass capillaries, and a needle. Using the fluidic device with three flow channels, uniform water-in-oil-in-water (W-O-W) emulsions with a single inner water droplet can be achieved with controllable dimensions by varying the flow rate of each phase. The resultant W-O-W emulsions evolve into PLGA microbeads with a hollow interior and porous wall after the organic solvent in the middle oil phase evaporates. Two approaches are employed for developing a porous structure in the wall: emulsion templating and fast solvent evaporation. For emulsion templating, a homogenized, water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion is introduced as the middle phase instead of the pure oil phase. Low-molecular-weight fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and high-molecular-weight fluorescein isothiocyanate,dextran conjugate (FITC,DEX) is added to the inner water phase to elucidate both the pore size and their interconnectivity in the wall of the microbeads. From optical fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images, it is confirmed that the emulsion-templated microbeads (W-W/O-W) have larger and better interconnected pores than the W-O-W microbeads. These microstructured microbeads can potentially be employed for cell encapsulation and tissue engineering, as well as protection of active agents. [source] Supramolecular Assembly of Perylene Bisimide with , -Cyclodextrin Grafts as a Solid-State Fluorescence Sensor for Vapor DetectionADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 14 2009Yu Liu Abstract A nanoscopic supramolecular aggregate is constructed from perylene bisimide-bridged bis-(permethyl- , -cyclodextrins) 1 via ,,, stacking interactions. Its self-assembly behavior in organic and aqueous solutions is investigated by UV,Vis, fluorescence, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images show the 1D nanorod aggregation of 1, which is birefringent under crossed polarizer conditions and strongly fluorescent as depicted in the fluorescence microscopy image. X-ray powder diffraction measurements indicate that 1 forms a well-ordered crystalline arrangement with a ,,, stacking distance of 4.02,Å. Furthermore, the solid-state fluorescence sensing is explored by utilizing the poly(vinylidene fluoride) membrane-embedded 1, giving that 1, as a novel vapor detecting material, can probe several kinds of volatile organic compounds and, especially, exhibits high sensitivity to organic amines. [source] Mode of attachment and lesions associated with trypanorhynch cestodes in the gastrointestinal tracts of two species of sharks collected from coastal waters of BorneoJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 7 2006J D Borucinska Abstract Lesions associated with two species of tapeworms within the digestive tract of wild-caught specimens of the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, and the sicklefin weasel shark, Hemigaleus microstoma, from Malaysian Borneo are described. Portions of the glandular stomach and pyloric gut with parasites were removed and fixed in 10% formalin buffered in sea water. Whole mounts, histological sections of tissues with and without worms in situ, and scanning electron microscopy images of detached worms were examined. Both species of cestodes belonged to the trypanorhynch family Tentaculariidae. Heteronybelinia estigmena was found in large numbers parasitizing the pyloric gut of C. leucas; an unidentified tentaculariid was found in relatively small numbers in both the glandular stomach and pyloric gut of H. microstoma. Both species burrowed their scoleces deeply in the mucosa and attached via hooked tentacles and unciniform microtriches of the scolex. The lesions induced by the parasites were marked in both sharks and ranged from acute necrotizing to chronic granulomatous gastroenteritis. Regenerative hyperplasia and intestinal metaplasia of gastric epithelium were also present. The severity and character of pathology was causally linked to the intensity of infection, the attachment mode of the parasites, and to the anatomophysiological relationships within the gut of the host shark. [source] Functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotube via surface reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization and as lubricant additivesJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 9 2008Xiaowei Pei Abstract Polymer-grafted multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) hybrid composite which possess a hard backbone of MWCNT and a soft shell of brush-like polystyrene (PSt) were synthesized. The reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agents were successfully immobilized onto the surface of MWCNT first, and PSt chains were subsequently grafted from sidewall of MWCNT via RAFT polymerization. Chemical structure of resulting product and the quantities of grafted polymer were determined by Fourier transform infrared, thermal gravimetric analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray photoelectron spectra. Transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy images clearly indicate that the nanotubes were coated with a polymer layer. Furthermore, the functionalized MWCNT as additives was added to base lubricant and the tribological property of resultant MWCNT lubricant was investigated with four-ball machines. The results indicate that the functionalization led to an improvement in the dispersion of MWCNT and as additives it amended the tribological property of base lubricant. The mechanism of the significant improvements on the tribological properties of the functionalized MWCNT as additives was discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3014,3023, 2008 [source] Evidence of Nearest-Neighbor Ordering in Wet-Processed Zirconia,Nickel CompositesJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 10 2001Carlos Pecharromán Monolithic zirconia,nickel (ZrO2/Ni) cermets have been prepared by a wet-processing method with nickel volume concentrations of 16%,40%. Microstructural analysis performed on scanning electron microscopy images has revealed evidence of a partial ordering of metallic particles inside the ceramic matrix. This ordering does not appear in mullite/molybdenum cermets. Complex impedance measurements have shown that the percolation threshold of ZrO2/Ni cermets appears at a filling factor (fc) of 0.34, exceeding the theoretical value (fc= 0.16), as a consequence of its microstructural order. Electrical measurements display the expected increase of capacity near the percolation threshold. These results open the possibility to design new devices with the appealing electric, magnetic, and mechanical properties that are predicted by the percolation theory. [source] A Physical Method of Fabricating Hollow Polymer Spheres Directly from Oil/Water Emulsions of Solutions of Polymers,MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 18 2004Young Baek Kim Abstract Summary: A new physical method of fabricating hollow spheres from different polymers has been developed. In this method, emulsions were prepared by mixing organic solutions of polystyrene, poly(D,L -lactide- co -glycolide) (PLGA), and bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate- co -3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), water, and surfactants. The evaporation of solvents at room temperature caused a phase separation that eventually yielded hollow spheres. Molecular weights, concentrations of polymers, and the natures of surfactant and solvent were important aspects of hollow sphere formation and structure. A mechanism for the formation of hollow spheres is proposed based on observations made using an optical microscope equipped with a digital camcorder and using scanning electron microscopy images of hollow spheres obtained under different conditions. A scanning electron microscopy image of a broken smaller hollow sphere prepared using a 7 wt.-% polystyrene solution (diameter of the sphere ,10 micrometers). [source] Novel features of Equisetum arvense spermatozoids: insights into pteridophyte evolutionNEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 1 2002K. S. Renzaglia Summary ,,To characterize structural diversity within Equisetum and among pteridophytes, architectural features of the sperm cell are described here in a second subgenus of Equisetum, a divergent basal group in the fern clade. ,,Transmission electron microscopy observations of prereleased spermatozoids of Equisetum arvense were correlated with three-dimensional scanning electron microscopy images of swimming cells. ,,The mature spermatozoid completes a helix of approximately 2.5 revolutions. At the cell anterior is a complex multilayered locomotory apparatus with staggered flagella. Mitochondria (elongated,rounded) are aggregated near the locomotory apparatus and organelles extend along the cell length. The spline contains up to 300 microtubules and wraps in part around the long cylindrical nucleus. In swimming sperm cells, the anterior of the cell remains tightly coiled while the posterior relaxes and extends in a trailing fashion. ,,Spermatozoids of Equisetum arvense are smaller than those of Equisetum hyemale but structurally similar, except for nuclear shape. Conservation of cellular features suggests recent radiation of the genus. Equisetum spermatozoids share several critical features with ferns, including Psilotum, and support monophyly of a fern,Equisetum assemblage. Entry of the male gametes of Equisetum in their entirety into the archegonial venters indicates possible biparental inheritance of chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes. [source] Study on the excimer laser annealed amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbon films deposited by PECVDPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 3-4 2010G. Ambrosone Abstract Hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbon films of different carbon content were deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition at low substrate temperature (200 °C) and were subjected to excimer laser annealing. X-ray diffraction spectra and field emission scanning electron microscopy images demonstrate that carbon content plays an important role in facilitating the crystallization process induced by the excimer laser treatment (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Use of microbeads for the detection of binding sites on the human zona pellucida: a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) assayANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2001Prof. Dr H. W. Michelmann Summary One prerequisite for fertilization is the specific binding of spermatozoa to the zona pellucida. However, the factors and mechanisms involved in this gamete contact are not well understood. Gamete recognition and binding are species-specific and are controlled by oligosaccharides of the zona and their corresponding carbohydrates on the spermatozoon. By using a specific lectin we developed a technique to detect those oligosaccharides on the human zona pellucida that might be involved in the binding process. Microbeads (Ø = 2.8 ,m), used as artificial spermatozoa, were coated with lectin Con A and cultured together with 75 unfertilized oocytes (group A) remaining after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Con A binds specifically to ,-D-mannose and ,-D-glucose. As a control, 75 unfertilized oocytes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (group B) were also cultured together with Con A-covered microbeads, but in a medium containing a binding inhibiting sugar (,-methyl-mannopyrasosid). The number and distribution of the microbeads on human oocytes of both groups were analysed on scanning electron microscopy images. Beads on oocytes of group A had binding patterns similar to those of spermatozoa. They were distributed in an extremely heterogeneous way with various numbers of bound beads both on individual and different oocytes. Most of the group A oocytes (85%) had more than 50 beads bound to the zona, in contrast to the control oocytes of group B, where 68% had less than 10 bound beads. The use of an inhibiting sugar abolished the binding capacity of the microbeads nearly completely. This technique is a powerful tool for the detection of binding sites on the zona pellucida, i.e. those sugars that are responsible for contact between spermatozoa and the zona pellucida. [source] Influence of substrate particle size and wet oxidation on physical surface structures and enzymatic hydrolysis of wheat strawBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2009Mads Pedersen Abstract In the worldwide quest for producing biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass, the importance of the substrate pretreatment is becoming increasingly apparent. This work examined the effects of reducing the substrate particle sizes of wheat straw by grinding prior to wet oxidation and enzymatic hydrolysis. The yields of glucose and xylose were assessed after treatments with a benchmark cellulase system consisting of Celluclast 1.5 L (Trichoderma reesei) and Novozym 188 ,-glucosidase (Aspergillus niger). Both wet oxidized and not wet oxidized wheat straw particles gave increased glucose release with reduced particle size. After wet oxidation, the glucose release from the smallest particles (53,149 ,m) reached 90% of the theoretical maximum after 24 h of enzyme treatment. The corresponding glucose release from the wet oxidized reference samples (2,4 cm) was ,65% of the theoretical maximum. The xylose release only increased (by up to 39%) with particle size decrease for the straw particles that had not been wet oxidized. Wet oxidation pretreatment increased the enzymatic xylose release by 5.4 times and the glucose release by 1.8 times across all particle sizes. Comparison of scanning electron microscopy images of the straw particles revealed edged, nonspherical, porous particles with variable surface structures as a result of the grinding. Wet oxidation pretreatment tore up the surface structures of the particles to retain vascular bundles of xylem and phloem. The enzymatic hydrolysis left behind a significant amount of solid, apparently porous structures within all particles size groups of both the not wet oxidized and wet oxidized particles. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. 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