The citrate-mediated shape evolution of transforming photomorphic silver nanoparticles.

The photoconversion of photomorphic silver nanoparticles from discs to prisms via citrate mediated growth on the twin plane faces of the nanoparticles is demonstrated. This systematic shape evolution from discs to hexagons and then prisms of increasing aspect ratios is a result of the growth process being confined to specific faces of the growing nanoparticles.

Flexible and compressible Goretex-PEDOT membrane electrodes for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells.

A porous, flexible electrode based on a PTFE (Teflon) membrane (Goretex) coated with a metallic current collector and a conducting polymer (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), PEDOT) has been developed for applications in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. Its low sheet resistance and compressibility make it an ideal electrode on uneven TiO(2) surfaces with high efficiency and reproducibility. The porous nature of the electrode enables the feed-through of reactants and treatment agents, which opens up exciting opportunities to interface these photoelectrochemical devices with electrocatalytic, energy conversion, and storage systems.

Detection of allergens from Alternaria alternata by gold-conjugated anti-human IgE and field emission scanning electron microscopy.

Fungal allergens are present in viable and non-viable conidia, hyphae and fungal fragments. It has been shown that large quantities of allergen are released from conidia during germination. We used a gold immunolabelling technique and field emission scanning electron microscopy to examine the allergen release from Alternaria alternata conidia.