Tetragonally Packed Inverted Cylindrical Microdomains from Binary Block Copolymer Blends with Enhanced Hydrogen Bonding.

Hexagonally packed (HEX) cylindrical microdomains can be obtained through the self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) with a moderately asymmetric volume fraction of one block (), resulting in the formation of minor cylinders. However, for next-generation lithography and high-density memory devices, it is desirable to obtain densely and tetragonally packed inverted cylindrical microdomains, which are composed of the major block in the minor matrix. The inverted cylinders differ from conventional HEX cylinders, which consist of the minor block in the matrix of the major block.

Dual Nanopatterns Consisting of Both Nanodots and Nanoholes on a Single Substrate.

Block copolymers (BCPs) with various nanostructures such as spheres, cylinders, gyroid, and lamellae, have received great attention for their application in nanolithography through nanopattern transfer to substrates. However, the fabrication of diverse geometries, shapes and sizes of nanostructure on a single substrate at the desired position could not be achieved because the nanostructure based on BCPs is mainly determined by the volume fraction of one block. Here, we synthesize polystyrene--poly(methyl methacrylate) copolymer (PS--PMMA), which contains a photocleavable linker at the junction point between PS and PMMA blocks.

Characterization of Polyester Cloth as an Alternative Separator to Nafion Membrane in Microbial Fuel Cells for Bioelectricity Generation Using Swine Wastewater.

Polyester cloth (PC) was selected as a prospective inexpensive substitute separator material for microbial fuel cells (MFCs). PC was compared with a traditional Nafion proton exchange membrane (PEM) as an MFC separator by analyzing its physical and electrochemical properties. A single layer of PC showed higher mass transfer (.

Improved Electricity Generation by a Microbial Fuel Cell after Pretreatment of Ammonium and Nitrate in Livestock Wastewater with Microbubbles and a Catalyst.

Livestock wastewater containing high concentrations of ammonium and nitrate ions was pretreated with microbubbles and an Fe/MgO catalyst prior to its application in microbial fuel cells because high ion concentrations can interfere with current generation. Therefore, tests were designed to ascertain the effect of pretreatment on current generation. In initial tests, the optimal amount of catalyst was found to be 300 g/l.

Non-destructive quality evaluation of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds using LED-induced hyperspectral reflectance imaging.

In this study, we developed a viability evaluation method for pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds based on hyperspectral reflectance imaging. The reflectance spectra of pepper seeds in the 400-700 nm range are collected from hyperspectral reflectance images obtained using blue, green, and red LED illumination.

Diffuser-incorporated transmission NIR measurement for reliable analysis of packed granular samples.

A diffuser-incorporated transmission near-infrared (NIR) scheme that enables direct spectral collection of packed granular samples with reliable sample representation and reproducibility has been demonstrated. The analytical utility of this method has been evaluated for the determination of polyethylene (PE) pellet density and the discrimination of the geographical origin of rice samples. Based on the preliminary observation of transmission spectral features acquired from spherical polyoxymethylene (POM) packings composed of different particle sizes as well as packing thickness, a portion of the radiation was propagated through the void space in the packing without fully interacting with the POM pellets.

Enhanced Raman spectroscopic discrimination of the geographical origins of rice samples via transmission spectral collection through packed grains.

Transmission Raman spectroscopy has been effectively utilized for the discrimination of rice samples according to geographical origin. Since the constituents of rice are heterogeneously distributed and/or localized in a grain, the collection of Raman spectra providing a better compositional representation of packed rice grains is an essential requirement for accurate analysis. The optimal packing thickness yielding the most reproducible transmission spectra was initially determined.

Multispectral fluorescence lifetime imaging of feces-contaminated apples by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence imaging system with tunable excitation wavelengths.

We recently developed a time-resolved multispectral laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) imaging system capable of tunable wavelengths in the visible region for sample excitation and nanosecond-scale characterizations of fluorescence responses (lifetime imaging). Time-dependent fluorescence decay characteristics and fluorescence lifetime imaging of apples artificially contaminated with a range of diluted cow feces were investigated at 670 and 685 nm emission bands obtained by 418, 530, and 630 nm excitations. The results demonstrated that a 670 nm emission with a 418 nm excitation provided the greatest difference in time-dependent fluorescence responses between the apples and feces-treated spots.

Fluorescence characteristics of wholesome and unwholesome chicken carcasses.

Each chicken carcass intended for U.S. consumers is mandated to be inspected by Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspectors for its wholesomeness at the processing plants.

A management information system to study space diets.

A management information system (MIS), including a database management system (DBMS) and a decision support system (DSS), was developed to dynamically analyze the variable nutritional content of foods grown and prepared in an Advanced Life Support System (ALSS) such as required for long-duration space missions. The DBMS was designed around the known nutritional content of a list of candidate crops and their prepared foods. The DSS was designed to determine the composition of the daily crew diet based on crop and nutritional information stored in the DBMS.