Reaction dynamics of S(P) with 1,3-butadiene and isoprene: crossed-beam scattering, low-temperature flow experiments, and high-level electronic structure calculations.

Sulfur atoms serve as key players in diverse chemical processes, from astrochemistry at very low temperature to combustion at high temperature. Building upon our prior findings, showing cyclization to thiophenes following the reaction of ground-state sulfur atoms with dienes, we here extend this investigation to include many additional reaction products, guided by detailed theoretical predictions. The outcomes highlight the complex formation of products during intersystem crossing (ISC) to the singlet surfaces.

Low temperature reaction kinetics inside an extended Laval nozzle: REMPI characterization and detection by broadband rotational spectroscopy.

Chirped-Pulse Fourier-Transform millimeter wave (CP-FTmmW) spectroscopy is a powerful method that enables detection of quantum state specific reactants and products in mixtures. We have successfully coupled this technique with a pulsed uniform Laval flow system to study photodissociation and reactions at low temperature, which we refer to as CPUF ("Chirped-Pulse/Uniform flow"). Detection by CPUF requires monitoring the free induction decay (FID) of the rotational coherence.

Sulfur (P) Reaction with Conjugated Dienes Gives Cyclization to Thiophenes under Single Collision Conditions.

We combine crossed-beam velocity map imaging with high-level /transition state theory modeling of the reaction of S(P) with 1,3-butadiene and isoprene under single collision conditions. For the butadiene reaction, we detect both H and H loss from the initial adduct, and from reaction with isoprene, we see both H loss and methyl loss. Theoretical calculations confirm these arise following intersystem crossing to the singlet surface forming long-lived intermediates.

Investigating the Effect of Substrate Stiffness on the Redox State of Cardiac Fibroblasts Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy.

Cardiac fibrosis, in which cardiac fibroblasts differentiate into myofibroblasts, leads to oversecretion of the extracellular matrix, results in increased stiffness, and facilitates disequilibrium of cellular redox state, further leading to oxidative stress and various degrees of cell death. However, the relationship between the matrix stiffness and the redox status of cardiac fibroblasts remains unclear. In this work, we constructed an cardiac fibrosis model by culturing cardiac fibroblasts on polyacrylamide gels with tunable stiffness and characterized the differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts to myofibroblasts by immunofluorescence staining of α-smooth muscle actin.

High loading cotton cellulose-based aerogel self-standing electrode for Li-S batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have attracted considerable attention due to their high energy density (2600 Wh kg). However, its commercialization is hindered seriously by the low loading and utilization rate of sulfur cathodes. Herein, we designed the cellulose-based graphene carbon composite aerogel (CCA) self-standing electrode to enhance the performance of Li-S batteries.

Effect of Substrate Stiffness on Redox State of Single Cardiomyocyte: A Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy Study.

Mechanical microenvironment plays a key role in the regulation of the phenotype and function of cardiac cells, which are strongly associated with the intracellular redox mechanism of cardiomyocytes. However, the relationship between the redox state of cardiomyocytes and their mechanical microenvironment remains elusive. In this work, we used polyacrylamide (PA) gels with varying stiffness (6.

Biomimetic Self-Assembly of Co-Seamed Hexameric Metal-Organic Nanocapsules.

A CoL hexameric metal-organic nanocapsule (MONC) has been prepared and characterized using biomimetic self-assembly as the synthetic methodology. Akin to the biological behavior of zinc-finger proteins' release, uptake, and electrophilic substitution of Zn ions, the assembly of this novel MONC has been accomplished by employing three sequential processes: assembly of the framework, metal ion insertion, and metal exchange, resulting in the formation of the CoL hexameric MONC. In this work, inspired by the biological behavior of metalloproteins, rational control of multiple complex supramolecular self-assembly has been achieved.

A continuous control mode with improved imaging rate for scanning ion conductance microscope (SICM).

Scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM), one kind of scanning probe microscopy technique, featuring the advantage of non-contact imaging of sample surfaces in three dimensions with high resolution, has been widely applied in characterizations of sample topography, especially for soft materials. However, the time consuming imaging process of SICM restricts its further applications, such as in characterization of dynamic change of sample surface. In this work, a fast control mode of SICM, named as a continuous control mode, has been developed.

Mesoporous TiO nanosheets anchored on graphene for ultra long life Na-ion batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries, which have a similar electrochemical reaction mechanism to lithium-ion batteries, have been considered as one of the most potential lithium-ion battery alternatives due to the rich reserves of sodium. However, it is very hard to find appropriate electrode materials imputing the large radius of sodium-ion. TiO is particularly interesting as anodes for sodium-ion batteries due to their reasonable operation voltage, cost, and nontoxicity.