Interface-mediation of lipid bilayer organization and dynamics.

We report on the morphology and dynamics of planar supported lipid bilayer structures as a function of pH and ionic strength of the aqueous overlayer. Supported lipid bilayers composed of three components (phosphocholine, sphingomyelin and cholesterol) are known to exhibit phase segregation, with the characteristic domain sizes dependent on the amount and identity of each constituent, and the composition of the aqueous overlayer in contact with the bilayer. We report on fluorescence anisotropy decay imaging measurements of a rhodamine chromophore tethered to the headgroup of a phosphoethanolamine, where anisotropy decay images were acquired as a function of solution overlayer pH and ionic strength.

State-dependent rotational diffusion of tetracene in n-alkanes. Evidence for a dominant energy relaxation pathway.

We have investigated the rotational diffusion of tetracene in the n-alkanes octane through hexadecane. Emission from the S1 state was monitored following excitation to the S1 state or the S2 state. Our data show that fast, non-radiative relaxation from S2 to S1 gives rise to local heating in the immediate vicinity of the chromophore.

Emulsions of crude glycerin from biodiesel processing with fuel oil for industrial heating.

There is considerable interest in using crude glycerin from biodiesel production as a heating fuel. In this work crude glycerin was emulsified into fuel oil to address difficulties with ignition and sustained combustion. Emulsions were prepared with several grades of glycerin and two grades of fuel oil using direct and phase inversion emulsification.