Area-Controlled Soft Contact Probe: Non-Destructive Robust Electrical Contact with 2D and Fragile Materials.

We developed a soft contact probe capable of making electrical contact with a specimen without causing damage. This probe is now commercially available. However, the contact area with the probe changes according to the pressure applied during electric contact, potentially affecting electric measurements when current density or electric field strength is critical.

Antibiofilm Property and Biocompatibility of Siloxane-Based Polymer Coatings Applied to Biomaterials.

Biofilm infections sometimes occur on biomaterials inserted into the body because biomaterials can block the attack of immune cells such as macrophages, promoting biofilm formation by invading bacteria. Owing to their use in antifouling applications, including biofilm formation, siloxane-based polymer coatings are considered a promising method to prevent biofilm formation on the surface of biomaterials. In this study, we explored the antibiofilm property and biocompatibility of siloxane-based polymer coatings.

AC Electromagnetic Field Controls the Biofilms on the Glass Surface by & Inhibition Effect.

Biofilms, mainly comprised of bacteria, form on materials' surfaces due to bacterial activity. They are generally composed of water, extracellular polymeric substances (polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids), and bacteria. Some bacteria that form biofilms cause periodontal disease, corrosion of the metal materials that make up drains, and slippage.

Quantitative Analyses of Biofilm by Using Crystal Violet Staining and Optical Reflection.

Biofilms have caused many problems, not only in the industrial fields, but also in our daily lives. Therefore, it is important for us to control them by evaluating them properly. There are many instrumental analytical methods available for evaluating formed biofilm qualitatively.

Proposal for Some Affordable Laboratory Biofilm Reactors and Their Critical Evaluations from Practical Viewpoints.

Biofilms are a result of bacterial activities and are found everywhere. They often form on metal surfaces and on the surfaces of polymeric compounds. Biofilms are sticky and mostly consist of water.

Impedance Characteristics of Monolayer and Bilayer Graphene Films with Biofilm Formation and Growth.

Biofilms are the result of bacterial activity. When the number of bacteria (attached to materials' surfaces) reaches a certain threshold value, then the bacteria simultaneously excrete organic polymers (EPS: extracellular polymeric substances). These sticky polymers encase and protect the bacteria.

Simple Methods for Evaluating Acid Permeation and Biofilm Formation Behaviors on Polysiloxane Films.

The sulfuric acid permeation and biofilm formation behaviors of polysiloxane films have been investigated, and simple methods for evaluating the sulfuric acid permeation and biofilm formation behaviors have been proposed in this paper. The polysiloxane films used in these experiments were practically impermeable to the aqueous sulfuric acid solution, and the amount of biofilm formation varied depending on the composition of the films. Further, the amount of sulfuric acid permeation can be estimated by measuring the polarization curves of polysiloxane films with different thicknesses formed on iron electrodes.

Morphology Control of Monomer-Polymer Hybrid Electron Acceptor for Bulk-Heterojunction Solar Cell Based on P3HT and Ti-Alkoxide with Ladder Polymer.

We report the morphology control of a nano-phase-separated structure in the photoactive layer (power generation layer) of organic-inorganic hybrid thin-film solar cells to develop highly functional electronic devices for societal applications. Organic and inorganic-organic hybrid bulk heterojunction solar cells offer several advantages, including low manufacturing costs, light weight, mechanical flexibility, and a potential to be recycled because they can be fabricated by coating them on substrates, such as films. In this study, by incorporating the carrier manager ladder polymer BBL as the third component in a conventional two-component power generation layer consisting of P3HT-the conventional polythiophene derivative and titanium alkoxide-we demonstrate that the phase-separated structure of bulk heterojunction solar cells can be controlled.

Copper Surface Treatment Method with Antibacterial Performance Using "Super-Spread Wetting" Properties.

In this work, a copper coating is developed on a carbon steel substrate by exploiting the superwetting properties of liquid copper. We characterize the surface morphology, chemical composition, roughness, wettability, ability to release a copper ion from surfaces, and antibacterial efficacy (against and ). The coating shows a dense microstructure and good adhesion, with thicknesses of approximately 20-40 µm.

Research Activities in Materials Science and Engineering with Academic-Industrial Alliances during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the COVID 19 pandemic, the importance of global academia-industrial alliances has increased. It is hoped that the alliances will help us to solve the current problems caused by the pandemic. In this paper, we introduce the application of IT tools and communication skills utilized in a special educational project for an academia-industrial collaboration.

Technologies for teaching during a pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on education. As a result of this crisis, instructors world-wide had to quickly adapt and shift to remote teaching. This paper presents and describes technologies (such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Virtual Worlds, etc.

Biofilm Formation Plays a Crucial Rule in the Initial Step of Carbon Steel Corrosion in Air and Water Environments.

In this study, we examined the relationship between the effect of a zinc coating on protecting carbon steel against biofilm formation in both air and water environments. SS400 carbon steel coupons were covered with a zinc thermal spray coating or copper thermal spray coating. Coated coupons were exposed to either air or water conditions.

Pt-Co Alloy Nanoparticles on a γ-Al O Support: Synergistic Effect between Isolated Electron-Rich Pt and Co for Automotive Exhaust Purification.

There is interest in minimizing or eliminating the use of Pt in catalysts by replacing it with more widely abundant and cost-effective elements. The alloying of Pt with non-noble metals is a potential strategy for reducing Pt use because interactions between Pt and non-noble metals can modify the catalyst structure and electronic properties. Here, a γ-Al O -supported bimetallic catalyst [Pt(0.

Pt-Co Alloy Nanoparticles on a γ-Al O Support: The Synergistic Effect between Isolated Electron-Rich Pt and Co for Automotive Exhaust Purification.

Invited for this month's cover is the group of Dr. Katsutoshi Sato and Prof. Dr.

In-situ detection based on the biofilm hydrophilicity for environmental biofilm formation.

A biofilm has a unique structure composed of microorganisms, extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), etc., and it is layered on a substrate in water. In material science, it is important to detect the biofilm formed on a surface to prevent biofouling.

Microbiome Analysis of Biofilms of Silver Nanoparticle-Dispersed Silane-Based Coated Carbon Steel Using a Next-Generation Sequencing Technique.

Previously, we demonstrated that silver nanoparticle-dispersed silane-based coating could inhibit biofilm formation in conditions where seawater was used as a bacterial source and circulated in a closed laboratory biofilm reactor. However, it is still unclear whether the microbiome of a biofilm of silver nanoparticle-dispersed silane-based coating samples (Ag) differs from that of a biofilm of non-dispersed silane-based coating samples (Non-Ag). This study aimed to perform a microbiome analysis of the biofilms grown on the aforementioned coatings using a next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique.

Application of a Loop-Type Laboratory Biofilm Reactor to the Evaluation of Biofilm for Some Metallic Materials and Polymers such as Urinary Stents and Catheters.

A laboratory biofilm reactor (LBR) was modified to a new loop-type closed system in order to evaluate novel stents and catheter materials using 3D optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Two metallic specimens, pure nickel and cupronickel (80% Cu-20% Ni), along with two polymers, silicone and polyurethane, were chosen as examples to ratify the system. Each set of specimens was assigned to the LBR using either tap water or an NB (Nutrient broth based on peptone from animal foods and beef extract mainly)-cultured solution with formed over 48-72 h.

Effect of Silver or Copper Nanoparticles-Dispersed Silane Coatings on Biofilm Formation in Cooling Water Systems.

Biofouling often occurs in cooling water systems, resulting in the reduction of heat exchange efficiency and corrosion of the cooling pipes, which raises the running costs. Therefore, controlling biofouling is very important. To regulate biofouling, we focus on the formation of biofilm, which is the early step of biofouling.

The monitoring possibility of some mammalian cells for zinc concentrations on metallic materials.

Zinc plating is widely used to protect steels against corrosion. However, the possibility of a high environmental risk for zinc has been recently discussed among advanced countries and more environmentally-friendly substitutes are required urgently. Therefore, monitoring zinc concentration changes on metallic materials such as steel is very important.

Evaluation of various metallic coatings on steel to mitigate biofilm formation.

In marine environments and water systems, it is easy for many structures to form biofilms on their surfaces and to be deteriorated due to the corrosion caused by biofilm formation by bacteria. The authors have investigated the antibacterial effects of metallic elements in practical steels so far to solve food-related problems, using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. However, from the viewpoint of material deterioration caused by bacteria and their antifouling measures, we should consider the biofilm behavior as aggregate rather than individual bacterium.

Effects of milk and colostrum on superoxide generation of oral polymorphonuclear neutrophils and the changes that occur during storage at low temperature.

Human oral polymorphonuclear neutrophils (OPMN) generate reactive oxygen species even in the absence of stimulants. Because OPMN from newborn babies are exposed to colostrum and mature milk, the biological properties of these cells including the generation of reactive oxygen species might possibly be affected by the constituents of colostrum and milk. The present work reports the effects of colostrum and mature milk, including the effects of storage at low temperature, on superoxide generation by OPMN.

Superoxide dismutase-like activity of metal substituted lactoferrin derivatives.

Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein present in various secretions including milk and the specific granules of neutrophils. The main biological properties of this protein are thought to concern the regulation of iron absorption, antimicrobial activity and modulation of neutrophil activity. Copper bound LF (Cu-LF) inhibited the stimulation-dependent reduction of cytochrome c (Cyt.