Sahraoui Chaieb

Observation of a magic discrete family of ultrabright Si nanoparticles

We demonstrate that electrochemically etched, hydrogen capped SinHx clusters with n larger than 20 are obtained within a family of discrete sizes. These sizes are 1.0 (Si29), 1.67 (Si123), 2.15, 2.9, and 3.7 nm in diameter. We characterize the particles via direct electron imaging, excitation and emission optical spectroscopy, and colloidal crystallization. The band gaps and emission bands are measured. The smallest four are ultrabright blue, green, yellow and red luminescent particles. The availability of discrete sizes and distinct emission in the red, green and blue (RGB) range is useful for biomedical tagging, RGB displays, and flash memories.

Observation of laser oscillation in aggregates of ultrasmall silicon nanoparticles

We report laser oscillation at ∼610 nm in aggregates of ultrasmall elemental Si nanoparticles. The particles are ultrabright red emitting, dispersed from bulk Si by electrochemistry. The aggregates are excited by radiation at 550–570 nm from a mercury lamp. Intense directed Gaussian beams, with a threshold, manifest the emission. We observe line narrowing, and speckle patterns, indicating spatial coherence. This microlasing constitutes an important step towards the realization of a laser on a chip, hence optoelectronics integration and optical interconnects.

A comparative study of seeding techniques and three-dimensional matrices for mesenchymal cell attachment.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer significant potential as a cell source in tissue‐engineering applications because of their multipotent ability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behaviour of MSCs during the seeding phase, using four different seeding techniques (spinner flask, custom vacuum system combined with a perfused bioreactor or with an orbital shaker, and orbital shaker) with four different scaffold materials [polyglycolic acid, poly(lactic acid), calcium phosphate and chitosan–hyaluronic acid]. Scaffolds were selected for their structural and/or chemical similarity with bone or cartilage, and characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and measurement of fluid retention. Cell attachment was compared between seeding techniques and scaffolds via cell‐binding kinetics, cell viability and DNA quantification. SEM was used to evaluate cell distribution throughout the constructs. We discovered from cell suspension kinetics and DNA data that the type of loading (i.e. direct or indirect) mainly influences the delivery of cells to their respective scaffolds, and that dynamic seeding in a spinner flask tended to improve the cellularity of polymer constructs, especially mesh. Regardless of the seeding method, bone marrow‐derived MSCs displayed a superior affinity for calcium phosphate scaffolds, which may be related to their hydrophobicity. MSCs tended to aggregate into flat sheets, occluding the external pores of matrices and affecting cell distribution, regardless of seeding technique or scaffold. Taken together, these results provide insight into the design of future experiments using MSCs to engineer functional tissue. Copyright

Assemblies of silicon nanoparticles roll up into flexible nanotubes

When a colloidal dispersion of fluorescent 1 nm silicon nanoparticles in alcohol is subjected to an electric field, the nanoparticles are driven to the surface of the anode substrate, where they form a thin film. Upon drying, the film delaminates from the surface of the anode and rolls up into ∼100μm long nanotube. Nanotube diameters ranging from 0.2 to 5μm with wall thicknesses in the range of 20–40 nm have been achieved. By applying a force on the tubes using atomic force microscopy, we estimate Young’s modulus of the film and find it to be close to that of rubber. We also study the crystalline structure of the film using electron diffraction and find it to be quartzlike.

Magic family of discretely sized ultrabright SI nanoparticles

Abstract : We describe a procedure for dispersion bulk Si into a family discretely sized ultrasmall ultrabright nanoparticles. We demonstrate that electrochemically etched, hydrogen capped Si(n)H(x), clusters with n larger than 20 are obtained within a family of discrete sizes. These sizes are 1.0 (Si29), 1.67 (Si123), 2.15, 2.9, and 3.7 nm diameter. We characterize the particles via direct electron imaging, excitation and emission optical spectroscopy, chromatography, and colloidal crystallization. The band gaps and emission bands are measured. The smallest four are ultrabright blue, green, yellow, and red luminescent particles. The availability of discrete sizes and distinct emission in the red, green and blue range is useful for biomedical tagging, RUB displays, and flash memories.