Influence of materials' optical response on actuation dynamics by Casimir forces.

The dependence of the Casimir force on the frequency-dependent dielectric functions of interacting materials makes it possible to tailor the actuation dynamics of microactuators. The Casimir force is largest for metallic interacting systems due to the high absorption of conduction electrons in the far-infrared range. For less conductive systems, such as phase change materials or conductive silicon carbide, the reduced force offers the advantage of increased stable operation of MEMS devices against pull-in instabilities that lead to unwanted stiction.

Structural analysis of two oligosaccharide bisphosphates isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of a recombinant strain of Escherichia coli F515 (Re chemotype) expressing the genus-specific epitope of Chlamydia lipopolysaccharide.

The lipopolysaccharide of the recombinant strain Escherichia coli F515-207, expressing the genus-specific epitope of Chlamydia lipopolysaccharide, was sequentially de-O- and de-N-acylated by mild hydrazinolysis and treatment with 4 M KOH, respectively, yielding two oligosaccharide bisphosphates which were isolated by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography and gel-permeation chromatography. Their structures were determined by chemical analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry as alpha-Kdo-(2-4)-alpha-Kdo-(2-6)-beta-D-GlcN-(1-6)-alpha-D-GlcN 1,4'-P2 (tetrasaccharide bisphosphate) and alpha-Kdo-(2-8)-alpha-Kdo-(2-4)-alpha-Kdo-(2-6)-beta-D-GlcN-(1-6)-alpha- D-GlcN 1,4'-P2 (pentasaccharide bisphosphate).