Article
Optics
Jiawei Sun, Jiachen Wu, Song Wu, Ruchi Goswami, Salvatore Girardo, Liangcai Cao, Jochen Guck, Nektarios Koukourakis, Juergen W. Czarske
Summary: Quantitative phase imaging is a label-free technique that provides morphology and quantitative biophysical information in biomedicine. We have developed a computational lensless microendoscope using an ultra-thin bare multi-core fiber which enables high resolution and sensitivity quantitative phase imaging, offering potential clinical applications for in vivo pathological diagnosis.
LIGHT-SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Zewen Yang, Lu Zhang, Ning Lv, Chi Song, Huijun Wang, Lele Luo, Li Yuan, Hong Zhao
Summary: This study proposes a precise method for reconstructing three-dimensional computational models of suspended cells from two-dimensional confocal images. The approach involves deblurring the images and correcting for deformation, resulting in superior performance in 3D morphological reconstruction of suspended cells.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiang Wang, Rinze Benedictus, Roger M. Groves
Summary: The paper investigates the spectral characteristics and strain responsivity of nanoparticle-doped optical fibers, finding that low volume ratio doping shows performance similar to FBGs and commercial fibers, while high volume ratios of doping can significantly affect the spectral characteristics. These theoretical insights may advance the engineering design of NP-doped fiber sensors.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Clement Deleau, Han Cheng Seat, Olivier Bernal, Frederic Surre
Summary: This Letter proposes a theoretical analysis and design methodology for integrated long period gratings (LPGs) in refractometric applications. A detailed parametric analysis is applied to a LPG model based on two strip waveguides to investigate the main design variables and their impact on refractometric performances, specifically spectral sensitivity and signature response. Simulations of four variants of the same LPG design using eigenmode expansion demonstrate a wide range of sensitivities up to 300,000 nm/RIU and figures of merit (FOMs) as high as 8000.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michelle L. Pleet, Sean Cook, Vera A. Tang, Emily Stack, Verity J. Ford, Joanne Lannigan, Ngoc Do, Ellie Wenger, Jean-Luc Fraikin, Steven Jacobson, Jennifer C. Jones, Joshua A. Welsh
Summary: This article presents a method for measuring the refractive index of small particles, which can be performed at the single-particle or population level and utilizes Mie theory. This method fills a current technological gap.
Article
Optics
Daniele Pirone, Pasquale Memmolo, Francesco Merola, Lisa Miccio, Martina Mugnano, Amedeo Capozzoli, Claudio Curcio, Angelo Liseno, Pietro Ferraro
Summary: Holographic tomography allows for 3D mapping of the refractive index of biological samples by reconstructing based on illumination directions or rotation angles, as demonstrated in phase contrast tomographic flow cytometry by digital holography. This method proposes a technique to retrieve rolling angles of cells flowing along microfluidic channels, tested experimentally and validated through numerical simulations, with demonstration achieved in breast cancer cells tomography.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Daniele Pirone, Daniele G. Sirico, Martina Mugnano, Danila Del Giudice, Ivana Kurelac, Beatrice Cavina, Pasquale Memmolo, Lisa Miccio, Pietro Ferraro
Summary: Intracellular lipid droplets (LDs) play a vital role in various pathologies, and their detection through label-free analysis of 2D quantitative phase maps recorded by a holographic flow cytometer can provide a non-invasive and statistically significant diagnostic tool. The research conducted on white blood cells and ovarian cancer cells shows that the optical focusing lensing features of cells, considered as biological lenses, are influenced by the presence of LDs. The biolens properties of cells can serve as a rapid biomarker that aids in the diagnosis of LDs-related pathologies through holographic flow cytometry.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Barbara Boldrini, Edwin Ostertag, Karsten Rebner, Dieter Oelkrug
Summary: The article investigates the influence of microscope parameters on pinhole-assisted Raman depth profiles in different refractive media. Low magnification, low aperture, and small pinholes result in easily interpretable results while high magnification paired with high aperture is necessary for sub-micrometer resolution. Signal intensities and shapes vary with position relative to the sample surface in refractive media.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Optics
S. Bianchi, F. Brasili, F. Saglimbeni, B. Cortese, R. Di Leonardo
Summary: This article presents a microscope for optical diffraction tomography (ODT) imaging that utilizes low temporal coherence light and spatial light modulators. By measuring the complex fields transmitted through the sample and using a Rytov reconstruction algorithm, reliable 3D maps of the refractive index are obtained.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chigusa Okano, Kyosuke Takabe, Tomohiro Hirayama, Nobuhiko Nomura, Yutaka Yawata
Summary: In this study, the use of index-matching materials (IMMs) in confocal reflection microscopy (CRM) facilitated direct visualization of microbial cells at solid-liquid interfaces. IMMs effectively suppressed background reflection at the solid-liquid interface, enabling imaging of microbes at solid surfaces and proposing a novel model for biofilm structures. This approach offers a unique and promising tool for probing biofilm dynamics and visualizing environmental organisms and newly isolated bacteria.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Partha Kumbhakar, Ashim Pramanik, Shashank Shekhar Mishra, Raphael Tromer, Krishanu Biswas, Arup Dasgupta, Douglas S. Galvao, Chandra Sekhar Tiwary
Summary: Various strategies have been developed to trap photons inside living cells for high-contrast imaging. One such strategy is the use of 3D-printed biomimetic architecture with localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) promoter. This study compares optical confinement in natural and 3D-printed photonic architectures and demonstrates that the 3D-printed fish scale with atomically thin quasicrystals (QCs) outperforms other 2D materials in terms of image contrast.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Optics
Yulu Zhao, Songtao Chang, Weishi Li, Jin Zhang, Kirill Poletkin, Haojie Xia
Summary: In this study, a CCSI system using a refractive dispersion lens instead of a diffractive optical element (DOE) was proposed to improve imaging quality with a large axial measurement range. The parameters of the dispersion lens were analyzed based on CCSI and a dispersion lens with an axial dispersion close to 1 μm was designed. Experimental results showed that even under non-ideal conditions, an axial dispersion larger than 150 μm could still be measured using the system. The system achieved a resolution close to 2.76 μm over a range of 150 μm.
OPTICS AND LASERS IN ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Optics
Sungsam Kang, Renjie Zhou, Marten Brelen, Heather K. Mak, Yuechuan Lin, Peter T. C. So, Zahid Yaqoob
Summary: Researchers report a new speckle diffraction tomography (SDT) approach that can image thick biological specimens with high resolution. By rejecting multiple-scattering background and considering specimen-induced aberrations, SDT achieves depth-resolved refractive index maps. Using SDT, they successfully imaged red blood cells and quantified their membrane fluctuations, as well as performed volumetric imaging of cornea inside an ex vivo rat eye.
LIGHT-SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kelvin C. M. Lee, Jochen Guck, Keisuke Goda, Kevin K. Tsia
Summary: The biophysical properties of cells provide crucial information about their identities, homeostatic state, and disease pathogenesis, which can now be accessed through advances in biophysical cytometry. To fully unleash the potential of biophysical cytometry, further research and standardization are needed in exploring cellular biophysical content and protocols. Overcoming these barriers will not only lead to a better mechanistic understanding of biological systems, but also help identify new cost-effective disease biomarkers.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Optics
Yu Zhang, Chen Zhang, Wei Zhao, Yaoyu Cao, Jiming Zheng, Kaige Wang, Jintao Bai
Summary: In this study, the polarized beams tightly focused through a cylindrical refractive-indices discontinuous dielectric interface were numerically investigated. The corresponding focal pattern calculation formula was deduced based on vectoral diffraction integration theory for the first time. The findings of aberration factor and phase compensation maps will improve the spatial resolution of advanced optical microscope.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wiebke Albrecht, Ece Arslan Irmak, Thomas Altantzis, Adrian Pedrazo-Tardajos, Alexander Skorikov, Tian-Song Deng, Jessi E. S. van der Hoeven, Alfons van Blaaderen, Sandra Van Aert, Sara Bals
Summary: The article discusses the atomic rearrangements on the surface of gold nanoparticles under laser irradiation, revealing the mechanisms behind shape changes and defect generation.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Da Wang, Ernest B. van der Wee, Daniele Zanaga, Thomas Altantzis, Yaoting Wu, Tonnishtha Dasgupta, Marjolein Dijkstra, Christopher B. Murray, Sara Bals, Alfons van Blaaderen
Summary: This study demonstrates 3D real-space structural analysis of binary nanoparticle crystals using electron tomography, revealing defect analysis at the single-particle level. It shows that an excess of one species in the binary mixture suppresses the formation of icosahedral order, allowing the study of binary crystal structures with a spherical morphology. The methodology can be applied to study a broad range of binary crystals and provide insights into structure formation mechanisms and structure-property relations of nanomaterials.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiadong Xiao, Kang Cheng, Xiaobin Xie, Mengheng Wang, Shiyou Xing, Yuanshuai Liu, Thomas Hartman, Donglong Fu, Koen Bossers, Marijn A. van Huis, Alfons van Blaaderen, Ye Wang, Bert M. Weckhuysen
Summary: A new synthesis method for metal oxide-zeolite double-shelled hollow spheres is proposed, demonstrating superior catalytic performance in producing a variety of products without the need for separating or purifying intermediates. This research is expected to advance the rational synthesis and study of hierarchically hollow, core-shell, multifunctional catalyst materials.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Seyed Naveed Hosseini, Xiaodan Chen, Patrick J. Baesjou, Arnout Imhof, Alfons van Blaaderen
Summary: The study successfully synthesized highly crystalline, organic-solvent-dispersible TiO2 nanorods through a modified nonhydrolytic sol-gel route, with some semi-spherical titania nanocrystals removed. The nanorods were predominantly anatase, while the semi-spherical crystals also contained the TiO2(B) phase.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jessi E. S. van der Hoeven, Harith Gurunarayanan, Maarten Bransen, D. A. Matthijs de Winter, Petra E. de Jongh, Alfons van Blaaderen
Summary: The study introduces a new type of functional assembly called supraparticles, which are formed by the solvent-driven assembly of silica-coated gold nanorods into spherical ensembles. The plasmonic coupling and mass transport are controlled by adjusting the thickness and porosity of the silica shells. These novel materials have the potential to play an important role in sensing applications.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Da Wang, Michiel Hermes, Stan Najmr, Nikos Tasios, Albert Grau-Carbonell, Yang Liu, Sara Bals, Marjolein Dijkstra, Christopher B. Murray, Alfons van Blaaderen
Summary: In this study, the structure of supraparticles self-assembled from nanoplatelets in slowly drying emulsion droplets was explored using experiments, advanced electron tomography, and computer simulations. The researchers demonstrated that the rich phase behavior of nanoplatelets and their sensitivity to subtle changes in shape and interaction potential can be utilized to guide the self-assembly into various structures, providing precise control over the orientation and position order of the nanoplatelets.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tom A. J. Welling, Albert Grau-Carbonell, Kanako Watanabe, Daisuke Nagao, Joost de Graaf, Marijn A. van Huis, Alfons van Blaaderen
Summary: This study investigates the frequency-dependent dynamic electrophoretic mobility of charged core particles within charged, porous shells in AC electric fields. Experimental results reveal three regimes of field-driven motion of the core particles, which can be explained by the matching between the time required to establish ionic gradients in the shell and the period of the AC field. The porosity of the shell, ionic strength, and inner-shell radius also affect the behavior of the core particles.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Letter
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pauline J. Kolbeck, Mihir Dass, Irina V. Martynenko, Relinde J. A. van Dijk-Moes, Kelly J. H. Brouwer, Alfons van Blaaderen, Willem Vanderlinden, Tim Liedl, Jan Lipfert
Summary: Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful technique for high-resolution imaging of molecules, macromolecular complexes, and nanoparticles. However, the shape of the AFM tip can distort the images. In this study, we use a 3D DNA origami structure as a fiducial for tip reconstruction and image correction. The fiducial has sharp steps at different heights, allowing reliable tip reconstruction with as few as ten fiducials. This fiducial enables accurate and precise AFM imaging for a wide range of applications.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ramakrishna Kotni, Albert Grau-Carbonell, Massimiliano Chiappini, Marjolein Dijkstra, Alfons van Blaaderen
Summary: Liquid crystal phases are in-between solids and liquids, exhibiting long-range orientational order and flow properties, making them fundamental for optical applications. Researchers have discovered a previously elusive splay-bend nematic liquid crystal phase in a colloidal system of bent silica rods.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Albert Grau-Carbonell, Fabian Hagemans, Maarten Bransen, Nina A. Elbers, Relinde J. A. van Dijk-Moes, Sina Sadighikia, Tom A. J. Welling, Alfons van Blaaderen, Marijn A. van Huis
Summary: Researchers successfully determined the volume of PNIPAM microgels in water by labeling them and studied their thermoresponsive behavior and stability in water.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mark J. J. Mangnus, Vincent R. M. Benning, Bettina Baumgartner, P. Tim Prins, Thomas P. van Swieten, Ayla J. H. Dekker, Alfons van Blaaderen, Bert M. Weckhuysen, Andries Meijerink, Freddy T. Rabouw
Summary: This study investigates the influence of solvent and gas environments on the photoluminescence (PL) properties of lanthanide-doped nanocrystals, and explains the changes in PL spectrum and excited-state lifetimes using energy transfer mediated by molecular vibrations. EVET-mediated quenching holds promise for probing the local chemical environment of nanocrystals dispersed in a liquid or exposed to gaseous molecules.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mark J. J. Mangnus, Vincent R. M. Benning, Bettina Baumgartner, P. Tim Prins, Thomas P. van Swieten, Ayla J. H. Dekker, Alfons van Blaaderen, Bert M. Weckhuysen, Andries Meijerink, Freddy T. Rabouw
Summary: The photoluminescence of lanthanide-doped nanocrystals can be quenched by energy transfer to nearby molecular vibrations, which is often undesired but can provide information about molecular vibrations in the local environment. This study investigates the influence of solvent and gas environments on the photoluminescence properties of NaYF4:Er3+,Yb3+ upconversion nanocrystals and relates the changes to quenching by electronic-to-vibrational energy transfer. The results suggest that EVET-mediated quenching can be used as a mechanism to probe the local chemical environment in liquid and gas-phase systems.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaobin Xie, Marijn A. van Huis, Alfons van Blaaderen
Summary: A new method for synthesizing Au NP@mSiO(2) yolk-shell particles with tunable size and hollow space is proposed, the structure can be manipulated from core-shell to yolk-shell by varying reaction parameters, and the release of Au nanotriangle cores in yolk-shell particles was demonstrated through liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Albert Grau-Carbonell, Sina Sadighikia, Tom A. J. Welling, Relinde J. A. van Dijk-Moes, Ramakrishna Kotni, Maarten Bransen, Alfons van Blaaderen, Marijn A. van Huis
Summary: The recent advancement of liquid cell (scanning) transmission electron microscopy (LC-(S)TEM) enables the study of nanomaterials at the nanoscale in a liquid environment, showing the chemically induced etching of silica nanoparticles can be reliably studied at the single particle level with negligible electron beam effects. Monte-Carlo simulations of electron trajectories during LC-(S)TEM experiments can relate the cumulative electron dose to deposited energy on particles, significantly altering the silica network under imaging conditions. LC-(S)TEM imaging conditions were optimized to systematically characterize the wet etching of silica and metal(oxide)-silica core-shell nanoparticles, reproducing etching patterns of different types of silica particles reported in literature and directly visualizing the formation of yolk-shell structures from wet etching of core-shell nanospheres.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaobin Xie, Marijn A. van Huis, Alfons van Blaaderen
Summary: The controlled growth of different metals on gold nanoplates can yield bimetallic structures with different morphologies and tunable plasmonic properties.