Irene Wacker

Visualizing a Homogeneous Blend in Bulk Heterojunction Polymer Solar Cells by Analytical Electron Microscopy

To increase efficiency of bulk heterojunctions for photovoltaic devices, the functional morphology of active layers has to be understood, requiring visualization and discrimination of materials with very similar characteristics. Here we combine high-resolution spectroscopic imaging using an analytical transmission electron microscope with nonlinear multivariate statistical analysis for classification of multispectral image data. We obtain a visual representation showing homogeneous phases of donor and acceptor, connected by a third composite phase, depending in its extent on the way the heterojunction is fabricated. For the first time we can correlate variations in nanoscale morphology determined by material contrast with measured solar cell efficiency. In particular we visualize a homogeneously blended phase, previously discussed to diminish charge separation in solar cell devices.

Influence of the herbicide oryzalin on cytoskeleton and growth ofFunaria hygrometrica protonemata

SummaryProtonemata ofFunaria hygrometrica were exposed to the herbicidal MT inhibitor oryzalin. A reduction of the growth rate together with a disturbance of oriented polar growth is observed. Both effects are reversible. Visualization of MT by IFT reveals differential sensitivities of MT. At lower concentrations (⩽10−6 M) only the cytoplasmic MT are depolymerized causing impairment of the migration of the nucleus and the transport of the plastids. Close association of MT with the surface of the plastids is demonstrated. At higher concentrations of oryzalin spindle and phragmoplast MT are affected as well. They are found in unusual orientations and display a variety of aberrant forms like multipolar spindles or the occurrence of several “mini-spindles” within one cell. The mode of action of oryzalin is discussed and the necessity of a continuous network of cytoplasmic MT between nucleus and growing tip for the maintenance of polar growth is emphasized.

Unraveling the nanoscale morphologies of mesoporous perovskite solar cells and their correlation to device performance.

Hybrid solar cells based on organometal halide perovskite absorbers have recently emerged as promising class for cost- and energy-efficient photovoltaics. So far, unraveling the morphology of the different materials within the nanostructured absorber layer has not been accomplished. Here, we present the first visualization of the mesoporous absorber layer in a perovskite solar cell from analytical transmission electron microscopy studies. Material contrast is achieved by electron spectroscopic imaging. We found that infiltration of the hole transport material into the scaffold is low and inhomogeneous. Furthermore, our data suggest that the device performance is strongly affected by the morphology of the TiO2 scaffold with a fine grained structure being disadvantageous.

Truxene-Based Hyperbranched Conjugated Polymers: Fluorescent Micelles Detect Explosives in Water

We report two hyperbranched conjugated polymers (HCP) with truxene units as core and 1,4-didodecyl-2,5-diethynylbenzene as well as 1,4-bis(dodecyloxy)-2,5-diethynylbenzene as comonomers. Two analogous poly(para-phenyleneethynylene)s (PPE) are also prepared as comparison to demonstrate the difference between the truxene and the phenyl moieties in their optical properties and their sensing performance. The four polymers are tested for nitroaromatic analytes and display different fluorescence quenching responses. The quenching efficiencies are dependent upon the spectral overlap between the absorbance of the analyte and the emission of the fluorescent polymer. Optical fingerprints are obtained, based on the unique response patterns of the analytes toward the polymers. With this small sensor array, one can distinguish nine nitroaromatic analytes with 100% accuracy. The amphiphilic polymer F127 (a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol block copolymer) carries the hydrophobic HCPs and self-assembles into micelles in water, forming highly fluorescent HCP micelles. The micelle-bound conjugated polymers detect nitroaromatic analytes effectively in water and show an increased sensitivity compared to the sensing of nitroaromatics in organic solvents. The nitroarenes are also discriminated in water using this four-element chemical tongue.

Array tomography: characterizing FAC-sorted populations of zebrafish immune cells by their 3D ultrastructure.

For 3D reconstructions of whole immune cells from zebrafish, isolated from adult animals by FAC‐sorting we employed array tomography on hundreds of serial sections deposited on silicon wafers. Image stacks were either recorded manually or automatically with the newly released ZEISS Atlas 5 Array Tomography platform on a Zeiss FEGSEM. To characterize different populations of immune cells, organelle inventories were created by segmenting individual cells. In addition, arrays were used for quantification of cell populations with respect to the various cell types they contained. The detection of immunological synapses in cocultures of cell populations from thymus or WKM with cancer cells helped to identify the cytotoxic nature of these cells. Our results demonstrate the practicality and benefit of AT for high‐throughput ultrastructural imaging of substantial volumes.

A Novel Labeling Approach Identifies Three Stability Levels of Acetylcholine Receptors in the Mouse Neuromuscular Junction In Vivo

Background The turnover of acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction is regulated in an activity-dependent manner. Upon denervation and under various other pathological conditions, receptor half-life is decreased. Methodology/Principal Findings We demonstrate a novel approach to follow the kinetics of acetylcholine receptor lifetimes upon pulse labeling of mouse muscles with 125I-α-bungarotoxin in vivo. In contrast to previous assays where residual activity was measured ex vivo, in our setup the same animals are used throughout the whole measurement period, thereby permitting a dramatic reduction of animal numbers at increased data quality. We identified three stability levels of acetylcholine receptors depending on the presence or absence of innervation: one pool of receptors with a long half-life of ∼13 days, a second with an intermediate half-life of ∼8 days, and a third with a short half-life of ∼1 day. Data were highly reproducible from animal to animal and followed simple exponential terms. The principal outcomes of these measurements were reproduced by an optical pulse-labeling assay introduced recently. Conclusions/Significance A novel assay to determine kinetics of acetylcholine receptor turnover with small animal numbers is presented. Our data show that nerve activity acts on muscle acetylcholine receptor stability by at least two different means, one shifting receptor lifetime from short to intermediate and another, which further increases receptor stability to a long lifetime. We hypothesize on possible molecular mechanisms.

Colour formation on the wings of the butterfly Hypolimnas salmacis by scale stacking.

The butterfly genus Hypolimnas features iridescent blue colouration in some areas of its dorsal wings. Here, we analyse the mechanisms responsible for such colouration on the dorsal wings of Hypolimnas salmacis and experimentally demonstrate that the lower thin lamina in the white cover scales causes the blue iridescence. This outcome contradicts other studies reporting that the radiant blue in Hypolimnas butterflies is caused by complex ridge-lamellar architectures in the upper lamina of the cover scales. Our comprehensive optical study supported by numerical calculation however shows that scale stacking primarily induces the observed colour appearance of Hypolimnas salmacis.

Optical Properties and Sequence Information of Tin-Centered Conjugated Microporous Polymers

We synthesized conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) based on tetrakis(4-ethynylphenyl)stannane and diiodobenzene as tectons, using Sonogashira couplings under different conditions. Through variation of the reaction conditions (catalysts, bases and solvents), appearance, surface area and emission properties of the formed CMPs were significantly altered. Wet-chemical, acid-mediated digestion and analysis of the resulting struts of these otherwise insoluble networks give insight into the molecular setup.

Pathology goes 3D: Exploring the potential of array tomography versus FIB nanotomography for a CADASIL sample

protected in sucrose, and vitrified in liquid nitrogen for sectioning in the cryo-ultramicrotome (Leica UC7/FC7); ultrathin sections containing endothelial cells (EGFP+) were visualized in a confocal microscope (Leica LSM710), after which the region of interest (ROI) was mapped. Grids were stained with uranyl acetate and screened under the transmission electron microscope at 100Kv (Figure 1). With TEM alone, we were only able to visualize and characterize the ultrastructure of already well-formed blood vessels, with lumen and terminally differentiated endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes end feet. Merging fluorescence and electron microscopy, we were able to identify early steps of the angiogenic process, where the vascular tube is not yet formed. This novel technique therefore allowed for the detection of specific cells and events in large samples. Reference

On the road to large volumes in LM and SEM: New tools for Array Tomography

1 Cryo EM, Centre for Advanced Materials, Universitat Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany 2 HEiKA, Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Germany 3 Institute for Applied Computer Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany 4 Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Oberkochen, Germany 5 RMC Boeckeler, Tucson, Arizona, USA 6 Cryo EM, CellNetworks, BioQuant, Universitatsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany