The laser-induced microbubble technique (LIMBT) has recently been developed for micro-patterning of various materials. In this method, a laser beam is focused on a dispersion of nanoparticles leading to the formation of a microbubble due to laser heating. Convection currents around the microbubble carry nanoparticles so that they become pinned to the bubble/substrate interface. The major limitation of this technique is that for most materials, a noncontinuous deposition is formed. We show that continuous patterns can be formed by preventing the microbubble from being pinned to the deposited material. This is done by modulating the laser so that the construction and destruction of the microbubble are controlled. When the method is applied to a dispersion of Ag nanoparticles, continuous elec. conductive lines are formed. Furthermore, the line width is narrower than that achieved by the std. nonmodulated LIMBT. This approach can be applied to the direct-write fabrication of micron-size conductive patterns in electronic devices without the use of photolithog. [on SciFinder(R)]

Liq. drop evapn. on surfaces is present in many industrial and medical applications, e.g. printed electronics, spraying of pesticides, DNA mapping, etc. Despite this strong interest, a theor. description of the dynamic of the evapn. of complex liq. mixts. and nanosuspensions is still lacking. Indeed, one of the aspects that have not been included in the current theor. descriptions is the competition between the kinetics of evapn. and the adsorption of surfactants and/or particles at the liq./vapor and liq./solid interfaces. Materials formed by an elec. isolating solid on which a patterned conducting layer formed by the deposits left after drop evapn. have been considered as very promising for building elec. circuits on flexible plastic substrates. In this work an exhaustive study of the evapn. of nanosuspensions of latex and hydrophobized silver nanoparticles on four substrates of different hydrophobicity. The advancing and receding contact angles as well as the time dependence of the vol. of the droplets have been measured over a broad range of particle concn. Also, mixts. of silver particles and a surfactant, commonly used in industrial printing have been examd. Furthermore, the adsorption kinetics at both the air/liq. and solid/liq. interfaces have been measured. Whereas the latex particles do not adsorb at the solid/liq. and only slightly reduce the surface tension, the silver particles strongly adsorb at both interfaces. The exptl. results of the evapn. process were compared with the predictions of the theory of Semenov et al. (Evapn. of Sessile Water Droplets: Universal Behavior in Presence of Contact Angle Hysteresis. Colloids Surf. Physicochem. Eng. Asp. 2011, 391 (1-3), 135-144) and showed surprisingly good agreement despite the theory was developed for pure liqs. The morphol. of the deposits left by the droplets after total evapn. was studied by scanning electronic microscopy, and the effect of the substrate, the particles nature and their concns. on these patterns are discussed. [on SciFinder(R)]

Org.-inorg. halide perovskite has excellent properties to function as light harvesters in solar cells due to the possibility to tune its optical properties and to use it as thin film absorber, at a few hundred-nanometer thicknesses. Herein, we demonstrate the fabrication of perovskite solar cells with controlled transparency, by the mesh assisted deposition process. Sequential fabrication of perovskite was performed in air, wherein a PbI2 grid was formed in the first step, and in the second step, the grid reacted selectively with methylammoniumiodide, resulting in a perovskite grid pattern. The best cells were obtained with a photoanode composed of mesoporous TiO2 with Al2O3 nanoparticles. The resulting semi-transparent perovskite solar cells, including a semi-transparent contact composed of MoO3/Au/MoO3 yielded a power conversion efficiency of 5.5% with an av. transparency of 26% and efficiency of 8% for cells fabricated with a gold contact. [on SciFinder(R)]

The present invention relates to an imaging compn. for use in localization, e.g., intraoperative localization, of a tumor, in particular a gastrointestinal or colon tumor, e.g., in intraoperative localization of a rectal tumor during laparoscopic anterior resection, which comprises particles each comprising a phospholipid, wherein a near-IR fluorescent probe is non-covalently linked to the particle. [on SciFinder(R)]

The field of printed electronics is continually trying to reduce the dimensions of the elec. components. Here, a method of printing metallic lines with widths as small as 15 nm and up to a few micrometers using fountain pen nanolithog. (FPN) is shown. The FPN technique is based on a bent nanopipette with at. force feedback that acts similar to a nanopen. The geometry of the nanopen allows for rapid placement accuracy of the printing tip, on any desired location, with the highest of optical sub-micrometer resoln. Using this nanopen, investigations of various inks are undertaken together with instrumental and script-tool development that allows accurate printing of multiple layers. This has led to the printing of conductive lines using inks composed of silver nanoparticles and salt solns. of silver and copper. In addn., it is shown that the method can be applied to substrates of various materials with minimal effect on the dimension of the line. The line widths are varied by using nanopens with different orifices or by tailoring the wetting properties of the ink on the substrate. Metallic interconnections of conducting lines are reported. [on SciFinder(R)]

We have shown previously that Nano-PSO, a nanodroplet formulation of pomegranate seed oil, delayed progression of neurodegeneration signs when administered for a designated period of time to TgMHu2ME199K mice, modeling for genetic prion disease. In the present work, we treated these mice with a self-emulsion formulation of Nano-PSO or a parallel Soybean oil formulation from their day of birth until a terminal disease stage. We found that long term Nano-PSO administration resulted in increased survival of TgMHu2ME199K lines by several months. Interestingly, initiation of treatment at day 1 had no clin. advantage over initiation at day 70, however cessation of treatment at 9 mo of age resulted in the rapid loss of the beneficial clin. effect. Pathol. studies revealed that treatment with Nano-PSO resulted in the redn. of GAG accumulation and lipid oxidn., indicating a strong neuroprotective effect. Contrarily, the clin. effect of Nano-PSO did not correlate with redn. in the levels of disease related PrP, the main prion marker. We conclude that long term administration of Nano-PSO is safe and may be effective in the prevention/delay of onset of neurodegenerative conditions such as genetic CJD. [on SciFinder(R)]

Due to their unique movement and the lack of motoric parts, flexible actuators have recently been attracting considerable attention in regards to fabrication of soft robots. One of the most known flexible actuators are electro-thermal actuators (ETAs), based on Carbon Nanotubes (CNT). These are bi-layered actuators, triggered elec., and capable of preforming actuation because of the different coeff. of thermal expansions (CTEs) of the layers. The main disadvantage of these actuators is their limited movement ability, therefore, significant efforts are being invested in improving the actuation of CNT-based actuators. A typical CNT-based actuator is composed of a CNT layer on a polyimide substrate. In this study we show how the deflection of the CNT-based actuators was improved by decreasing the resistance of the CNT layer. We also present, for the first time, a novel tri-layer structured actuator that enables extremely large movements, with a record value deflection of 300°, using a simple, low-cost fabrication method without any orientation of the layers. This was achieved by adding a third layer of a photopolymeriazble polymer on top of the two typical bilayer CNT Kapton device. We further modeled the effect of various parameters of the third layer, such as the Young's modulus and the thickness, on the actuation, supporting the exptl. data. [on SciFinder(R)]

A novel and facile method for printing functional conductive patterns on 3D objects with unconventional angles using hydroprinting of silver nanoparticles (NPs) ink is developed. Silver NPs ink is inkjet printed on water sol. polyvinyl alc. films. Sintering at room temp. is achieved by exposing the printed pattern to hydrochloric acid fumes. Elec. circuits are hydroprinted at low temp. (50 °C) on various 3D-printed structures and materials. The conductive patterns are hydroprinted on hard 90° angle objects and are assembled without any presence of sacrificial layer, which allows layer-by-layer overlap hydroprinting. In addn., elec. Light Emmiting Diode (LED) circuits and heater are successfully hydroprinted. To show the applicability of the process we hydroprinted a fully functional Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna onto a curved object, which was successfully paired with a smartphone. Anal. of hydroprinted patterns shows that the resistivity is 17.1 times higher than silver bulk which is considered suitable in most application. [on SciFinder(R)]

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is a widely studied inorg. phase change material, which has a reversible phase transition from semiconducting monoclinic to metallic rutile phase at a crit. temp. of τc ≈ 68 °C. The abrupt decrease of IR transmittance in the metallic phase makes VO2 a potential candidate for thermochromic energy efficient windows to cut down building energy consumption. However, there are three long-standing issues that hindered its application in energy efficient windows: high τc, low luminous transmittance (Tlum), and undesirable solar modulation ability (ΔTsol). Many approaches, including nano-thermochromism, porous films, biomimetic surface reconstruction, gridded structures, antireflective overcoatings, etc, have been proposed to tackle these issues. The first approach-nano-thermochromism-which is to integrate VO2 nanoparticles in a transparent matrix, outperforms the rest; while the thermochromic performance is detd. by particle size, stoichiometry, and crystallinity. A hydrothermal method is the most common method to fabricate high-quality VO2 nanoparticles, and has its own advantages of large-scale synthesis and precise phase control of VO2. This Review focuses on hydrothermal synthesis, phys. properties of VO2 polymorphs, and their transformation to thermochromic VO2(M), and discusses the advantages, challenges, and prospects of VO2(M) in energy-efficient smart windows application. [on SciFinder(R)]

The invention provides a novel class of solid water-dispersible powders, comprising a plurality of water-insol. photoinitiators in nanoparticle forms for use in water-based ink formulations. [on SciFinder(R)]

Additive manufg. processes enable fabrication of complex and functional three-dimensional (3D) objects ranging from engine parts to artificial organs. Photopolymn., which is the most versatile technol. enabling such processes through 3D printing, utilizes photoinitiators that break into radicals upon light absorption. We report on a new family of photoinitiators for 3D printing based on hybrid semiconductor-metal nanoparticles. Unlike conventional photoinitiators that are consumed upon irradn., these particles form radicals through a photocatalytic process. Light absorption by the semiconductor nanorod is followed by charge sepn. and electron transfer to the metal tip, enabling redox reactions to form radicals in aerobic conditions. In particular, we demonstrate their use in 3D printing in water, where they simultaneously form hydroxyl radicals for the polymn. and consume dissolved oxygen that is a known inhibitor. We also demonstrate their potential for two-photon polymn. due to their giant two-photon absorption cross section. [on SciFinder(R)]

To control the process of cation exchange (CE) in multi-elemental system, a detailed understanding of structural changes at microscopic level is imperative. However, the synthesis of multi-elemental system has so far relied on the CE phenomenon of binary system which does not necessarily extend to the higher order systems. Here, a direct exptl. evidence supported by theor. calcns. reveal a growth model of binary Cu-S to ternary Cu-Sn-S to quaternary Cu-Zn-Sn-S which shows that cations preferentially diffuse along specific lattice plane with the preservation of sulfuric anionic framework. In addn., we also discover that unlike the commonly accepted structure (P63mc), the metastable crystal structure of Cu-Zn-Sn-S phase possesses fixed Sn occupancy sites. By revealing the preferential nature of cations diffusion and growth mechanism, our work provides insight to control the stoichiometry and phase purity of novel multi-elemental materials. [on SciFinder(R)]

Dispersion of inorg. (magnesium chloride) nanoparticles in oil (octyl palmitate) was obtained by modifying a method based on solvent evapn. from nanometric droplets of water-in-oil nanoemulsion, which is usually used for obtaining org. nanoparticles. The particles size depends on the initial size of the emulsion droplets, and can be controlled by surfactant concn. and sonication time. At optimal conditions, the obtained nanoparticles are characterized by an av. diam. of about 100 nm (dynamic light scattering and Cryo-TEM), by their amorphous structure when dispersed in oil, and according to thermal gravimetric anal., by not contain free water after the evapn. process. The developed method is applicable for the prepn. of various inorg. nanoparticles, and can be utilized for the formulation of new delivery systems based on inorg. nanoparticles of minerals/salts dispersed in oil. [on SciFinder(R)]

Electrochromic materials could modulate the optical transmittance reversibly by the application of elec. potential and the increase in the surface area for fast ionic diffusion is an efficient way to improve their electrochromism. In this work, WO3 based nanomaterials with a size as small as 5 nm were synthesized via a facile wet bath method that leads to Ti doping of WO3 based on the heterovalency of W(VI) and Ti(IV). Ti doping improved the WO3 electrochromism effectiveness in transmittance contrast and coloration efficiency due to the reduced crystallite size and therefore an increase in the surface area, the Ti doping also enhanced the cycling stability benefiting from the stable Ti-O bonding. However, the coloring/bleaching kinetics were deteriorated due to the reduced proton diffusion coeff. after the Ti ion substitution into the WO3 lattice. A high coloration efficiency of 106.6 cm2 C-1 and a good optical contrast of ∼67.6% can be obtained for the optimized Ti-doped WO3 at a wavelength of 633 nm. [on SciFinder(R)]

BACKGROUND: Tumor localization may pose a significant challenge during minimally invasive rectal resection. Near-infrared (NIR) imaging can penetrate biological tissue and afford tumor localization from the external surface of the rectum. Our aim was to develop an NIR-based tool for rectal tumor imaging that can be administered intravenously. METHODS: We prepared indocyanine-green (ICG)-loaded liposomes by sonication. Liposomes were evaluated for their size and morphology. We then used an endoscopically induced rectal cancer in mice as a model for rectal cancer. After intravenous administration, tumors were evaluated for their fluorescence intensity. Tumor intensity was expressed in relation to the background signal, that is, tumor to background ratio (TBR). RESULTS: Liposomes in various sizes could be prepared by adjusting sonication time. We selected 100-nm-sized liposomes for further experiments. Transmission electron microscopy showed spherical particles and confirmed the size measurements. The liposomes could be lyophilized and then rehydrated again before use without compromising their structure or signal. Fluorescence intensity was kept for 24 hours after solubilization. Testing the optimal time course for rectal tumor imaging revealed that early time course (up to 3 hours) yielded nonspecific imaging, whereas after long time course (24 hours), a very weak signal remained in the tissue. The optimal time window for imaging was after 12 hours from injection, with TBR = 8.1 ± 3.6 ( P = .002). Free ICG could not achieve similar results. CONCLUSIONS: The liposomal ICG can be reproducibly prepared and kept in lyophilized form. Liposomal ICG could serve as a tool for intraoperative tumor localization.[on SciFinder (R)]

The use of Cu-formate-2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol ink and low-pressure plasma for the formation of highly conductive patterns on heat sensitive plastic substrates was studied. It was found that plasma results in decomposition of copper complex to form metallic copper without heating at high temperatures. Ink composition and plasma parameters (predrying conditions, plasma treatment duration, gas type, and flow rate) were optimized to obtain uniform conductive metallic films. The morphology and electrical characteristics of these films were evaluated. Exposing the printed copper metallo-organic decomposition (MOD) ink to 160 W plasma for 8 min yielded resistivity as low as 7.3 ± 0.2 μΩ cm, which corresponds to 23% bulk copper conductivity. These results demonstrate the applicability of MOD inks and plasma treatment to obtain highly conductive printed patterns on low-cost plastic substrates and 3D printed polymers.[on SciFinder (R)]

Conductive copper inks have attracted much attention as low-cost replacement for the currently used silver inks for printed electronics. The copper inks should be stable to oxidn. at all stages of fabrication of conductive patterns: ink formulation and storage, printing, and post-printing treatment. In the present study, air-stable copper-silver core-shell (Cu@Ag) submicron particles were utilized in conductive ink formulations. To improve the cond. of the resulting Cu@Ag coatings, the effect of various carboxylic acids was evaluated. It was found that all acids led to decreased resistivity after sintering at elevated temps., while the lowest value was only 4 times higher than the bulk resistivity at 3 wt% of oleic. The mechanism governing the effect of carboxylic acids is discussed, in view of possible stabilizer exchange and oxide dissoln. [on SciFinder(R)]

The authors report a family of highly stretchable and UV curable (SUV) elastomer systems that are suitable for UV radiation based 3D printing. They present a printing with a digital light processing (DLP) printer, but the same compns. are suitable for a variety of UV 3D printers, such as SLA, Polyjet, and dispensing, while adjusting the viscosity. The DLP printable SUV elastomer resin formulations were prepd. by mixing a monofunctional monomer consisting of epoxy aliph. acrylate (EAA), and a difunctional cross-linker consisting of aliph. urethane diacrylate (AUD) dild. with 33 wt% of isobornyl acrylate. [on SciFinder(R)]

The invention provides a novel photoinitiator in the form of a hybrid nanoparticle constructed of a semiconductor and metallic regions, and uses thereof. [on SciFinder(R)]