We describe an optical method for quantifying surface tension in 96-well microtitre plates. Absorbance and fluorescence measurements in vertical beam systems as in 96-well plate photometers are complicated by the interaction of the light with the curved surface of the liquid. If the samples do not all have the same meniscus, errors in the data proportional to the degree of curvature are produced, which may confound interpretation of the data. We have harnessed this effect by modifying a 96-well plate spectrophotometer, and show that the apparent optical density measurements correlate very closely with surface tension. The method is much quicker than conventional methods for measuring multiple samples and requires considerably less technical skill. We demonstrate the applicability of the method to the study of biomolecules by investigating the surfactant properties of two peptides (Abeta and AChE(586-599)) that form amyloid fibrils in vitro, in one case replicating previously published results, and in the other case highlighting the similarity, and possibly generic nature, of the biophysical properties of these amyloidogenic peptides.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/labinvest.3700054 | DOI Listing |
ACS Nano
January 2025
Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
A surfactant is an efficient and common additive used to enhance the spreading of droplets on hydrophobic surfaces. However, a high surfactant concentration is required to achieve the desired performance, resulting in environmental pollution and increased costs. Additionally, the pesticide loading capacity of surfactants at low concentrations (below their critical micelle concentrations) is a concern.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this Letter, we show the attraction of a microbubble at a fiber end face by the solute Marangoni force. The microbubble is formed by partial filling of an ethanol-water mixture in the microcavity that is spliced to the end face of a single-mode fiber. Due to different surface tension of ethanol and water, the uneven temperature gradient induced by a laser causes the non-uniform distribution of ethanol-water molecules on the bubble surface.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Appl Mater Interfaces
January 2025
Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Universidad de Zaragoza, Campus Río Ebro-Edificio I+D, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain.
The emergence of green chemistry and engineering principles to enforce sustainability aspects has ensured the prevalence of green solvents and green processes. Our study addresses this quest by exploring drug delivery applications of hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) which are alternative green solvents. Initially, this work showcases the hydrophobic drug solubilization capabilities of a natural hydrophobic DES, menthol, and decanoic acid.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLangmuir
January 2025
School of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Aalto University, Tietotie 3 Espoo 02150, Finland.
Superhydrophobic surfaces find applications in numerous biomedical scenarios, requiring the repellence of biofluids and biomolecules. Plastron, the trapped air between a superhydrophobic surface and a wetting liquid, plays a pivotal role in biofluid repellency. A key challenge, however, is the often short-lived plastron stability in biofluids and the lack of knowledge surrounding it.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Technol
January 2025
Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
The remediation of oil-contaminated soil poses significant environmental challenges, often necessitating innovative approaches for effective and sustainable solutions. This study focuses on the synthesis, characterisation, and application of biodegradable capsules loaded with surfactant for enhanced oil remediation of a clean sand. By controlling the release properties of capsules, the research aims to overcome the limitations of conventional surfactant-based remediation methods, such as rapid washout and reduced efficacy over time.
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