This study describes the development of a functional porous polymer for use as scaffold to support 3D hepatocyte culture. A high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) is prepared containing monomers styrene (STY), divinylbenzene (DVB), and 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) in external oil monomer acrylic acid (Aa) aqueous phase. Upon thermal polymerization with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), resulting (polyHIPE) found have an open‐cell morphology porosity 89%, both suitable characteristics cell...

Until now, a difficult prospect in XPS imaging has been the identification of similar chemical states carbon. With advent novel nano-carbons such as nanotubes and graphene, ability to easily unambiguously identify materials varying sp2/sp3 nature spectra images is becoming increasingly important. We present herein methods for species by shifting focus from traditionally analysed C1s region X-ray induced carbon Auger feature. By extracting D-Parameter data, we have generated what refer...

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture is regarded as a more physiologically relevant method of growing cells in the laboratory compared to traditional monolayer cultures. Recently, application polystyrene-based scaffolds produced using polyHIPE technology (porous polymers derived from high internal phase emulsions) for routine 3D applications has generated very promising results terms improved replication native cellular function laboratory. These materials, which are now available commercial...

Argon Gas Cluster-Ion Beam sources are likely to become widely used on x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry instruments in the next few years. At typical energies for sputter depth profiling average argon atom cluster has a kinetic energy comparable with threshold, meaning that first time practical surface analysis quantitative model of yields near threshold is needed. We develop simple equation based very model. Though greatly simplified it have realistic...

Argon gas cluster ion beam sources are likely to become much more widely available on XPS and SIMS instruments in the next few years. Much attention has been devoted their ability depth profile organic materials with minimum damage. What not focus of (possibly because it very difficult measure) is large ratio sputter yield for compared inorganic using these special opportunities this presents studies organic/inorganic interfaces. Traditional profiling by monatomic argon ions introduces...

There is a pressing need for reference data to allow sputter depth-profiling of polymers using cluster and polyatomic ion sources the quantification depth in XPS SIMS. The authors have developed new method rate measurement based on combination contact masking white-light interferometry. This allowed us measure rates 19 different technological significance, much wider set than any available previously. results show larger range yield might previously been expected. For example, PMMA being...

Novel and highly tuneable pulsatile drug release systems have been prepared by electrospinning.

Principal component analysis (PCA) and other multivariate methods have been used increasingly to analyse understand depth profiles in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron (AES) secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). These proved equally useful fundamental studies as applied work where speed of interpretation is very valuable. Until now these difficult apply large datasets such spectra associated with 2D images or 3D depth-profiles. Existing algorithms for computing PCA...

The stability of reference masses has been a long-standing concern within the SI. More recently requirements potential non-artefact realizations kilogram have added gold and its alloys to platinum that historically focus attention.

Principal component analysis (PCA) and other multivariate methods have been used increasingly to analyse understand depth‐profiles in XPS, AES SIMS. For large images or three‐dimensional (3D) imaging depth‐profiles, PCA has difficult apply until now simply because of the size matrices data involved. In a recent paper, we described two algorithms, random vector 1 (RV1) 2 (RV2), that improve speed allow datasets unlimited size, respectively. this RV2 algorithm perform on full 3D time‐of‐flight...

Rhodium nanoparticles or rhodium organometallic complexes are mainly used in catalysis for reduction hydroformylation reactions. In this work instead, we explored the capabilities of Rh as an oxidation catalyst, applied to benzyl alcohol benzaldehyde under very mild conditions (100 °C, and atmospheric pressure) a model reaction. Here report preparation novel Rh/C catalysts by using impregnation protocol, with particular emphasis on pre-treatment carbon supports HNO3 HCl, well...

Traditionally polymer depth profiling by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been dominated the damage introduced ion beam rather than X‐rays. With introduction of polyatomic and especially argon gas cluster ion‐beam (GCIB) sources for XPS instruments, this is no longer case, either source may be important (or dominate) under particular conditions. Importantly, while a near‐surface effect, extend micrometres into bulk sample, so that accumulation during long profiles very significant....

The authors have observed for the first time that x-ray exposure of certain polymers “degrading” type can greatly enhance sputter rate these by gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) profiling. They craters similar dimensions to spot well within perimeter craters, indicating x-rays assist GCIB sputtering very significantly. This be a major source loss depth-resolution in depth profiles polymers. measured experimentally 14 different white-light interferometry. results show introduce much more topography...

Rh nanoparticles that were inactive in toluene, converted into a powerful catalyst for aryl alcohol oxidation by the presence of water reaction media.

In this study, we use zeolite Y as a support for the synthesis of Sn and Ga doped zeolites aimed at isomerization glucose to fructose. Though these materials are inactive in water, they active methanol could ascertain reaction pathway involving hydride shift interconversion fructose mannose, Brønsted acid with formation methyl fructoside intermediate its hydrolysis if water was added afterwards. By using characterizations comprising: chemisorption, XPS, XRD, HAADF-STEM EXAFS; it possible...

Two-dimensional (2D) arrays of poly(γ-n-alkyl l-glutamates) (PGn) on HOPG are found to be formed by casting under conditions producing submonolayer coverage. Direct observation the in a series polymers using atomic force microscopy allowed clear visualization island structures, which consisted parallel running rods. The helical polymer chains were epitaxially aligned form rods with "head head" or tail" association. In array composed rods, extended alkyl side all-trans conformation divided...

We have observed for the first time a subtle chemical change in oxidation state of Zn at interface between ZnO thin film and glass substrate using gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) depth‐profiling. A combination monoatomic clusters was used etching, allowing removal surface rapidly yet still yield less damaged by removing layer argon GCIB as final step. With this combined method, depth‐profile shows transition from oxide to metal interface, which source if alone would damage. This data indicates...

The development of the helium ion microscope (HIM) enables imaging both hard, inorganic materials and soft, organic or biological materials. Advantages include outstanding topographical contrast, superior resolution down to <0.5 nm at high magnification, depth field, no need for conductive coatings. instrument relies on atom adsorption ionization a cryogenically cooled tip that is atomically sharp. Under ideal conditions this arrangement provides beam ions stable days weeks, with currents in...

The clear identification of allotropes and similar chemical states carbon in XPS imaging can be made difficult because the subtle differences observed spectra, particularly when varying from sp2 to sp3 hybridised carbon. By shifting focus commonly analysed C1s region spectra often ignored C KVV region, we utilise so-called D-Parameter identify different forms a surface. When this methodology is applied imaging, result powerful unambiguous tool for state images. Further enhancement by...

In order to investigate an influence of indoor sound environment in office on knowledge creative activity, subjective experiments were conducted our study. this experiments, evaluations "ease meeting", "quietness environment" and "listening difficulty speech" two different types group meetings (decision-making meeting discussion think ideas) measured under five environmental conditions (no-noise LAeq, 5min 38 dB, ambient noise (conversation noise) 40 45 50 60 dB) a room the university. From...

The stability of prototype kilogram reference masses has been a long-standing question within the SI, with mass loss or gain at surface being principal concern. In papers I, III and IV this series we showed mercury organic carbonaceous contamination to be significant in sample surfaces exposed typical storage environments. work, have examined six platinum standards manufactured mid-19th century. We used x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy order identify contamination, assess validity our...