Densification Mechanism of Soft Magnetic Composites Using Ultrasonic Compaction for Motors in EV Platforms.

In this paper, the densification mechanism of ultrasonic compaction was analyzed using a force balance model. Ultrasonic compaction is quite a promising way to solve the lower mechanical property problem of green compact in the compaction process, although it has some obstacles to overcome for its various applications. Our model proposes that the resultant density is achieved as the applied and resistance forces reach the equilibrium state.

Development of air-stable, supported membrane arrays with photolithography for study of phosphoinositide-protein interactions using surface plasmon resonance imaging.

We report the development of an air-stable, supported membrane array by use of photolithography for label-free detection of lipid-protein interactions. Phosphoinositides and their phosphorylated derivatives (PIPs) were studied for their binding properties to proteins with lipid microarray in combination with surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi). We have demonstrated a simple method to fabricate lipid arrays using photoresist and carried out a series of surface characterizations with SPRi, ac impedance, cyclic voltammetry, and fluorescence microscopy to validate the array quality and lipid bilayer formation.

Characterizing stability properties of supported bilayer membranes on nanoglassified substrates using surface plasmon resonance.

Supported bilayer membranes (SBMs) formed on solid substrates, in particular glass, provide an ideal cell mimicking model system that has been found to be highly useful for biosensing applications. Although the stability of the membrane structures is known to determine the applicability, the subject has not been extensively investigated, largely because of the lack of convenient methods to monitor changes of membrane properties on glass in real time. This work reports the evaluation of the stability properties of a series of SBMs against chemical and air damage by use of surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and nanoglassified gold substrates.

Development of a "membrane cloaking" method for amperometric enzyme immunoassay and surface plasmon resonance analysis of proteins in serum samples.

Detection of trace amounts of target proteins in the presence of high concentrations of matrix proteins (e.g., serum samples) without separation steps is of great significance to biomedical research but remains technically challenging.

Nanoscale glassification of gold substrates for surface plasmon resonance analysis of protein toxins with supported lipid membranes.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy, a powerful tool for biosensing and protein interaction analysis, is currently confined to gold substrates and the relevant surface chemistries involving dextran and functional thiols. Drawbacks of using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for SPR-related surface modification include limited stability, pinhole defects, bioincompatibility, and nonspecific protein adsorption. Here we report the development of stable nanometer-scale glass (silicate) layers on gold substrates for SPR analysis of protein toxins.

Accuracy and reproducibility of telecytology diagnosis of cervical smears. A tool for quality assurance programs.

We randomly selected 50 cervical smears (benign, 14; atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance [ASCUS], 5; low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [LSIL], 10; high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), 12; squamous cell carcinoma, 6; adenocarcinoma, 3) and captured 1,181 digital images (518 MB) at a maximum resolution of 1,600 x 1,200 pixels and transmitted them by e-mail. Diagnosis of glass slides and digital images was done independently in a double-blind manner by 3 pathologists and 3 cytotechnologists, commencing with the diagnosis of digital images followed by diagnosis of glass slides 3 months later. The procedure was repeated after 3 months.