Simon S. Park

A plasmon-assisted fluoro-immunoassay using gold nanoparticle-decorated carbon nanotubes for monitoring the influenza virus

A plasmon-assisted fluoro-immunoassay (PAFI) was developed for the detection of the influenza virus by using Au nanoparticle (Au NP)-decorated carbon nanotubes (AuCNTs) that were synthesized using phytochemical composites at room temperature in deionized water. Specific antibodies (Abs) against the influenza virus were conjugated onto the surface of AuCNTs and cadmium telluride quantum dots (QDs), which had a photoluminescence intensity that varied as a function of virus concentration and a detection limit of 0.1 pg/mL for all three types of influenza viruses examined. The clinically isolated influenza viruses (A/Yokohama/110/2009 (H3N2)) were detected in the range of 50-10,000 PFU/mL, with a detection limit of 50 PFU/mL. From a series of proof-of-concept and clinical experiments, the developed PAFI biosensing system provided robust signal production and enhancement, as well as an excellent selectivity and sensitivity for influenza viruses. This nanoparticle-based technique could be potentially developed as an efficient detection platform for the influenza virus.

Substructure Coupling of Microend Mills to Aid in the Suppression of Chatter

Microend milling offers the ability to machine microparts of complex geometry relatively quickly when compared with photolithographic techniques. The key to good surface quality is the minimization of tool chatter. This requires an understanding of the milling tool and the milling structure system dynamics. However, impact hammer testing cannot be applied directly to the prediction of tool tip dynamics because microend mills are fragile, with tip diameters as small as 10 μm. This paper investigates the application of the receptance coupling technique to mathematically couple the spindle/micromachine and arbitrary microtools with different geometries. The frequency response functions (FRFs) of the spindle/micromachine tool are measured experimentally through impact hammer testing, utilizing laser displacement and capacitance sensors. The dynamics of an arbitrary tool substructure are determined through modal finite element analyses. Joint rotational dynamics are indirectly determined through experimentally measuring the FRFs of gauge tools. From the FRFs, chatter conditions are predicted and verified through micromilling experiments.

Study of Shear and Extensional Viscosities of Biodegradable PBS/CO2 Solutions:

The purpose of this research is to study the pressure drop profiles of biodegradable polybutylene succinate (PBS)/CO2 solutions in a slit die and to measure the rheological properties of the solutions as a function of the blowing agent concentration. A slit die with four pressure transducers has been designed to describe the effects of shear rate, temperature, pressure, and gas content on the shear viscosity and extensional viscosity of the flowing PBS/CO2 solutions. The low shear rate viscosity of the pure polymer was measured using a cone and plate rheometer. Extensive experiments were conducted to investigate the polymer/gas solution viscosities at five different shear rates, three temperatures and five gas contents. Cross-Carreau model and generalized Arrhenius equation were used to describe the shear-viscosity behaviors of PBS/CO2 solutions. The extensional viscosity of solution was modeled based on Cogswell’s equation.

Atomic force microscope probe-based nanometric scribing

Miniaturization of machine components is recognized by many as a significant technological development for a vast spectrum of products. An atomic force microscope (AFM) probe that can exert forces onto a variety of engineering materials is used to perform mechanical scribing at the nanoscale. The success of nanomechanical machining at such fine scales is based on the understanding of microstructural machining mechanics. This paper investigates the cutting behaviour in the nanoscale of a chromium workpiece by using a retrofitted commercial AFM with an acoustic emission sensor, in order to scratch the surface and measure forces. The calibration procedure for acquiring the forces is discussed. The cutting force model, which incorporates the flow stress and friction coefficient in the nano-scale machining, is also presented.

Magnetically Aligned Iron Oxide/Gold Nanoparticle-Decorated Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Structure as a Humidity Sensor

Functionalized carbon nanotubes (f-CNTs), particularly CNTs decorated with nanoparticles (NPs), are of great interest because of their synergic effects, such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering, plasmonic resonance energy transfer, magnetoplasmonic, magnetoelectric, and magnetooptical effects. In general, research has focused on a single type of NP, such as a metal or metal oxide, that has been modified on a CNT surface. In this study, however, a new strategy is introduced for the decoration of two different NP types on CNTs. In order to improve the functionality of modified CNTs, we successfully prepared binary NP-decorated CNTs, namely, iron oxide/gold (Au) NP-decorated CNTs (IA-CNTs), which were created through two simple reactions in deionized water, without high temperature, high pressure, or harsh reducing agents. The physicochemical properties of IA-CNTs were characterized by ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, a superconducting quantum interference device, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. In this study, IA-CNTs were utilized to detect humidity. Magnetic IA-CNTs were aligned on interdigitated platinum electrodes under external magnetic fields to create a humidity-sensing channel, and its electrical conductivity was monitored. As the humidity increased, the electrical resistance of the sensor also increased. In comparison with various gases, for example, H2, O2, CO, CO2, SO2, and dry air, the IA-CNT-based humidity sensor exhibited high-selectivity performances. IA-CNTs also responded to heavy water (D2O), and it was established that the humidity detection mechanism had D2O-sensing capabilities. Further, the humidity from human out-breathing was also successfully detected by this system. In conclusion, these unique IA-CNTs exhibited potential application as gas detection materials.

Environmentally friendly preparation of nanoparticle-decorated carbon nanotube or graphene hybrid structures and their potential applications

Nanoparticle-modified carbon nanotubes or graphene structures have recently been developed for use in various applications, such as drug delivery systems, biosensors, batteries, energy storage, and nanoelectronics. However, highly hazardous materials may be produced and released during the synthesis reaction and sample preparation of these nanostructures under existing methods. In order to overcome the problem, many scientists are working on the development of environmentally friendly and user-friendly preparation methods for decorating carbon nanostructures with nanomaterials. This review introduces several synthesis strategies that may lead toward more eco-friendly approaches. Potential applications in various fields for nanoparticle-decorated carbon nanotubes or graphene prepared using an environmentally friendly method are also a focus of the article.

Impact of foaming on the broadband dielectric properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube/polystyrene composites

This study investigated the impact of foaming on the broadband dielectric properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube/polystyrene (MWCNT/PS) nanocomposites. Different carbon nanotube concentrations were prepared by blending of a 20 wt.% MWCNT/PS masterbatch and pure PS using a twin-screw extruder. A chemical blowing agent was used to foam the nanocomposites in a micro injection molding machine. Compression molding was applied to fabricate unfoamed nanocomposites for comparison purposes. Comparing the dielectric properties of unfoamed and foamed nanocomposites showed that foaming increased the percolation threshold, reduced DC and AC conductivities, widened the insulator–conductor transition window, and reduced the dissipation factor of the MWCNT/PS composites. These were attributed to deteriorated conductive network and inferior dispersion and distribution of MWCNTs coming from the presence of foam cells in the nanocomposites. The obtained results propose foaming as a promising technique to improve the dielectric properties of MWCNT/polymer composites.

Hybrid Copper-Silver Conductive Tracks for Enhanced Oxidation Resistance under Flash Light Sintering.

We developed a simple method to prepare hybrid copper-silver conductive tracks under flash light sintering. The developed metal nanoparticle-based ink is convenient because its preparation process is free of any tedious washing steps. The inks were composed of commercially available copper nanoparticles which were mixed with formic acid, silver nitrate, and diethylene glycol. The role of formic acid is to remove the native copper oxide layer on the surface of the copper nanoparticles. In this way, it facilitates the formation of a silver outer shell on the surface of the copper nanoparticles through a galvanic replacement. In the presence of formic acid, the copper nanoparticles formed copper formate, which was present in the unsintered tracks. However, under illumination by a xenon flash light, the copper formate was then converted to copper. Moreover, the resistance of the copper-only films increased by 6 orders of magnitude when oxidized at high temperatures (∼220 °C). However, addition of silver nitrate to the inks suppressed the oxidation of the hybrid copper-silver films, and the resistance changes in these inks at high temperatures were greatly reduced. In addition, the hybrid inks proved to be advantageous for use in electrical circuits as they demonstrated a stable electrical conductivity after exposure to ambient air at 180 °C.

Development of a Dilatometer for Measurement of the PVT Properties of a Polymer/CO2 Solution Using a Foaming Extruder and a Gear Pump

This paper presents an innovative dilatometer that can measure the pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) properties of polymer/CO 2 solutions in a molten state. The basic rationale of the design is to determine the density (or equivalently, the specific volume) of a polymer/CO 2 solution by separately measuring the mass and volume flow rates of the solution flowing in an extruder at each temperature and pressure. A positive-displacement gear pump mounted on an extruder is used to measure the volume flow rate of the solution. A single-phase polymer/CO 2 solution is formed by injecting a metered amount of CO 2 into a polymer melt and completely dissolving it in the melt using a foam extrusion line. The temperature of solution was precisely controlled and homogenized by using the second extruder in a tandem system and a heat exchanger with a static mixer. The pressure was controlled by the rotational speed of the screw in the second extruder. In order to reduce leakage across the gear pump, the difference between the upstream and downstream pressures was minimized using a variable resistance valve attached downstream of the gear pump. The mass flow rate was measured by directly collecting the extruded polymer melt for a fixed time after degassing CO 2 . A critical set of experiments was carried out to verify the functions of the system using pure polymer melts with known PVT data. Finally, the system was used to measure the specific volume of PS/CO 2 solutions as a function of CO 2 concentration, temperature, and pressure.

Investigation of Micro Scratching and Machining of Glass

Micro mechanical machining, which is mechanical removal of material using miniature tools, is one of the fabrication methods in the micro realm that has recently attracted a great deal of attention. Micro machining has the advantage of being able to machine complex shapes from brittle materials. The most challenging problem in the micro mechanical machining of brittle materials is the fabrication of fracture-free surfaces. To avoid brittle fractures, a thorough investigation is required to find the machining parameters in the ductile cutting regime, which is characterized by plastic deformation of material when the chip thickness is smaller than a critical value. In this study, the cutting forces and surface characteristics of soda-lime glass are examined. Conical scratch tests are performed to identify the critical chip thickness, and the cutting forces in the ductile regime are modeled. In addition, torus end milling of glass is performed to examine the effects of feed rates, and spindle speeds, and to investigate tool wear.Copyright