Analyzing Binding Specificity in a Microparticle-Based DNA Displacement Assay Using Multiharmonic QCM-D.

Employing particles as a label is a common approach for signal amplification in various surface-based biosensors. However, the size dependency of adhesive forces can increase the likelihood of nonspecific interactions between the particles and surface. Hence, using microscale particles in surface-based sensors requires both developing surface chemistries with enhanced antifouling properties and precise methods for evaluating these properties.

Exploring the programmability of autocatalytic chemical reaction networks.

Networks of chemical reactions exhibit emergent properties under out-of-equilibrium conditions. Recent advances in systems chemistry demonstrate that networks with sufficient chemical complexity can be harnessed to emulate properties important for neuromorphic computing. In all examples, autocatalysis appears an essential element for facilitating the nonlinear integration of the input and self-regulatory abilities in the output.

Effect of branching in the alkyl chain of diglycolamide on the sequestration of tetravalent actinides: solvent extraction and theoretical studies.

DGA (diglycolamide) ligands show a different extraction behavior of trivalent metal ions by changing the branching alkyl chain length as well as the branching at the methylene position. There are no studies of these factors on the extraction efficiency of these DGA derivatives for the extraction of tetravalent actinides. We have evaluated four different DGA derivatives for the extraction of Np, Pu, and Th from molecular diluents.

Distribution of polyelectrolytes and counterions upon polyelectrolyte complexation.

Hypothesis: Understanding polyelectrolyte complexation remains limited due to the absence of a systematic methodology for analyzing the distribution of components between the polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) and the dilute phases.

Experiments: We developed a methodology based on NMR to quantify all components of solid-like PECs and their supernatant phases formed by mixing different ratios of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(acrylic acid)-sodium salt (PAA). This approach allowed for determining relative and absolute concentrations of polyelectrolytes in both phases by H NMR studies.

Strongly Inhibited Spontaneous Emission of PbS Quantum Dots Covalently Bound to 3D Silicon Photonic Band Gap Crystals.

We present an optical study of the spontaneous emission of lead sulfide (PbS) nanocrystal quantum dots in 3D photonic band gap crystals made from silicon. The nanocrystals emit in the near-infrared range to be compatible with 3D silicon nanophotonics. The nanocrystals are covalently bound to polymer brush layers that are grafted from the Si-air interfaces inside the nanostructure by using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization.