An Investigation of Oxides of Tantalum Produced by Pulsed Laser Ablation and Continuous Wave Laser Heating.

Recent progress has seen multiple TaO polymorphs generated by different synthesis techniques. However, discrepancies arise when these polymorphs are produced in widely varying thermodynamic conditions and characterized using different techniques. This work aimed to characterize and compare TaO particles formed at high and low temperatures using nanosecond pulsed laser ablation (PLA) and continuous wave (CW) laser heating of a local area of tantalum in either air or an O atmosphere.

Chemical-PDMS binding kinetics and implications for bioavailability in microfluidic devices.

Microfluidic organ-on-chip devices constructed from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) have proven useful in studying both beneficial and adverse effects of drugs, supplements, and potential toxicants. Despite multiple advantages, one clear drawback of PDMS-based devices is binding of hydrophobic chemicals to their exposed surfaces. Chemical binding to PDMS can change the timing and extent of chemical delivery to cells in such devices, potentially altering dose-response curves.

Conclusions and data analysis: a 6-year study of Raman spectroscopy of solid tumors at a major pediatric institute.

Purpose: Create a Raman spectroscopic database with potential to diagnose cancer and investigate two different diagnostic methodologies. Raman spectroscopy measures the energy of photons scattered inelastically by molecules. These molecular signatures form the basis of identifying complex biomolecules and can be used to differentiate normal from neoplastic tissue.