Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Wei Pan, Xianhe Huang, Qiao Chen
Summary: This study theoretically analyzes the impact of different sizes of dot ring and dot double-ring electrodes on the mass sensitivity distribution of the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), and proposes a dot triple-ring electrode to enhance uniformity. The research provides a new direction for improving the uniformization of QCM mass sensitivity distribution.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gergely Stankovits, Agnes Abraham, Eva Kiss, Zoltan Varga, Anil Misra, Andras Szilagyi, Benjamin Gyarmati
Summary: The type and concentration of charged groups in polymers play a crucial role in mucoadhesive interactions. This study investigated the correlation between chemical structure and mucin-polymer interactions by designing cationic poly(amino acid)s with different charge densities. The results showed that the interactions between mucin and polyaspartamides with at least 50% cationic groups displayed a non-linear change, causing increased light scattering. The analysis further revealed that fully cationic polyaspartamide is not necessarily superior, and the maximum adsorbed mass of polymers on mucin occurred at medium cationic group contents. This highlights the importance of cationic polyaspartamides as mucoadhesive excipients due to their multiple functionalities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Optics
Mirit Hen, Leroy Dokhanian, Etai Grunwald, Matan Slook, Moshe Katzman, Maayan Priel, Olga Girshevitz, Avi Zadok
Summary: In this work, the analysis of elastic properties of thin layers deposited on surface acoustic wave-photonic devices is proposed and demonstrated. By measuring the changes in the group velocity of surface acoustic waves after deposition of thin layers, estimates for Young's modulus of these layers can be obtained.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Chenglong Song, Zhihao Ma, Chenglong Li, Hongxing Zhang, Zhiqiang Zhu, Jie Wang
Summary: The sensitivity of quartz crystal microbalance in trace mass detection is restricted due to the worsening of the quality factor of the damping resonator in damping media. Increasing the working temperature of QCM systems has been proved to enhance the sensor performance, sensitivity, and accuracy. This finding suggests a potential application in trace detections.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hyun Jung Min, Hansel A. Mina, Amanda J. Deering, J. Paul Robinson, Euiwon Bae
Summary: In this study, the demonstration of a Salmonella Typhimurium detection system using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor and signal enhancement by gold nanoparticles was shown. The system showed good response and specificity for the detection of Salmonella Typhimurium, and the sensitivity was improved through signal amplification with gold nanoparticles.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Di Jiang, Xiaona Zhao, Yi-Nan Liu, Hai-Bo Chen, Wen-Li Lv, Chen Qian, Xian-Wei Liu
Summary: The study introduces a label-free optical imaging technology that can detect molecule binding kinetics by tracking charge-sensitive variations in the oscillation amplitude with sub-nanometer precision, allowing for the measurement of small molecules and metal ions binding to the surface as well as protein-protein binding kinetics. This capability offers a promising platform for screening small-molecule drugs, probing conformational changes in proteins, and detecting environmental pollutants.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Philipp Ortner, Maren Umlandt, Nino Lomadze, Svetlana Santer, Marek Bekir
Summary: The quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) has been widely used for investigating the external stimuli responsiveness at solid-liquid interfaces. However, in light responsive adsorption investigation, the quartz crystal itself reacts to optical stimulation, which poses challenges in data interpretation. This article introduces a simple guideline for correcting the measurement artifacts and minimizing the impact of light induced detuning (LID).
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Minoru Yoshimoto, Shigeru Kurosawa, Mutsuo Tanaka
Summary: The study found that under different temperatures and oscillation frequencies, the nanoscale dynamics of soft materials can be described linearly by the relationship between resonant length or molecular weight and the logarithm of QCM angular frequency, and converged to a single point independently of temperature within a certain temperature range.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Qin an Zhou, Chengyu Zheng, Luyi Zhu, Jun Wang
Summary: In this work, a series of SnSx heterostructures were successfully synthesized and showed high sensitivity, good selectivity, and stability for TMA gas detection at low concentrations. Density functional theory simulations confirmed that the improved sensing response of SnSx heterostructure was attributed to the p-n junction and weak hydrogen bonds. This study may contribute to the further development of QCM gas sensors for TMA sensing in the monitoring of food freshness and environment.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Marek Tatarko, Sandro Spagnolo, Veronika Oravczova, Judit Sule, Milan Hun, Attila Hucker, Tibor Hianik
Summary: The multiharmonic quartz crystal microbalance was used to study the viscoelastic properties of aptamer-based sensing layers. Interaction with Listeria innocua resulted in a decrease in frequency and an increase in dissipation, while no significant changes were observed with E. coli. The Kelvin-Voight model was used to analyze the properties of the sensing layers, revealing changes in parameters such as penetration depth, viscosity coefficient, and shear modulus.
Article
Polymer Science
Joanna Giermanska, Soumaya Ben Jabrallah, Nicolas Delorme, Guillaume Vignaud, Jean-Paul Chapel
Summary: In this study, the variation of mass density of polymer thin films was investigated, showing an increase for PS and a decrease for PMMA films as thickness was reduced. Additionally, the coefficient of thermal expansion was measured to rationalize the inconsistency with the depression/rise of Tg, revealing a clear correlation between glass transition temperature, coefficient of thermal expansion, and free volume of the polymer.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zhanjia Kang, Dongzhi Zhang, Tingting Li, Xiaohua Liu, Xiaoshuang Song
Summary: This paper presents a quartz crystal microbalance sensor based on SnO2 NFs/PDA composite with high sensitivity and selectivity to formaldehyde gas. The sensor exhibited excellent sensing characteristics over a wide range of formaldehyde concentration, including high sensitivity, short response/recovery times, and high linearity. The adsorption mechanism of formaldehyde gas was attributed to hydrogen bonding and aldehyde ammonia Schiff base interactions.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reika Tsuji, Soichi Ogata, Shinichi Mochizuki
Summary: Proteins and nucleic acids derived from bioresources have shown potential as a new medical modality. In this study, conjugates of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were prepared to deliver proteins to cancer cells. The conjugates, with a highly condensed structure and crosslinking through BSA, induced a larger decrease in frequency change and showed high fluorescence intensity in CT26 cells. These conjugates and nanoparticles with densely packed HA structures could serve as an effective platform for delivering proteins to cancer tissues.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jugal Suthar, Alberto Alvarez-Fernandez, Esther Osarfo-Mensah, Stefano Angioletti-Uberti, Gareth R. Williams, Stefan Guldin
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released from various cell types and contain biomolecular content for health and disease identification. However, the heterogeneity of EVs and complexity of biofluids pose challenges to current analytical approaches. This study explores nanostructuring the sensor electrode surface to enhance detection capabilities and achieves significant improvement.
NANOSCALE HORIZONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Andrzej Biadasz, Michal Kotkowiak, Damian Lukawski, Jakub Jadwi zak, Karol Rytel, Kamil K. Edzierski
Summary: In this study, a comprehensive gas transmission system was developed by combining elements from two commonly used systems, which allowed for automatic humidity changes and reliable gas flows in closed measurement chambers. The system demonstrated excellent stability and high precision, making it suitable for thorough investigation of humidity sensor properties.
Article
Polymer Science
Matthew D. Eaton, L. Catherine Brinson, Kenneth R. Shull
Summary: The study investigated the effect of nanoscale heterogeneity on the mode I fracture toughness of model epoxy networks, with results showing that high toughness is achieved in heterogeneous networks.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Matthew D. Eaton, Daniel Domene-Lopez, Qifeng Wang, Mercedes G. Montalban, Ignacio Martin-Gullon, Kenneth R. Shull
Summary: The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is used as a non-destructive and efficient tool to characterize thin thermoplastic starch (TPS) films, revealing that starch films plasticized with an ionic liquid show superior plasticization and stabilized properties at low humidity compared to those plasticized with glycerol.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Ao Wang, Fernando Vargas-Lara, Jarod M. Younker, Krishnan A. Iyer, Kenneth R. Shull, Sinan Keten
Summary: By conducting high-frequency oscillatory shear molecular dynamics simulations, the study reveals a positive correlation between the complex shear modulus of EPDM and the propylene monomer ratio. The Debye-Waller factor can predict the complex shear modulus and loss modulus, with design parameters affecting the rubber's moduli.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yusu Chen, Qifeng Wang, Carolyn E. Mills, Johanna G. Kann, Kenneth R. Shull, Danielle Tullman-Ercek, Muzhou Wang
Summary: The newly developed high-throughput colorimetric adhesion screening method uses a common laboratory centrifuge, multiwell plates, and microparticles to reduce the cost of materials testing and achieve efficient screening. With its simplicity, low cost, and large dynamic range, this method has the potential to change the landscape of adhesive material characterization.
ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Gwen DePolo, Marc Walton, Katrien Keune, Kenneth R. Shull
Summary: This article compiles thirty years of tensile testing data on artists' paints, discussing the mechanical properties of paints. New techniques for investigating mechanical properties are classified into two categories: those for model systems and those for historic samples.
Article
Polymer Science
YuLing Chen, Kenneth R. Shull
Summary: Polyelectrolyte complexes formed from mixtures of polycations and polyanions can be processed with the addition of salt, but complications arise from salt crystallization. This study demonstrates the use of noncrystallizing deep eutectic solvents to effectively process solid PECs.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qihua Chen, Shixian Xu, Ming Lu, Jia Liu, Kenneth R. Shull
Summary: This study investigated the temperature dependencies of viscoelastic energy dissipation and fatigue crack propagation in filled silicone rubbers and natural rubbers. The findings showed that both types of rubbers exhibit a power law relationship with an exponent of 1.5 between fatigue crack growth per cycle and a normalized driving force. Moreover, silicone rubber deviated from the power law relation at elevated temperature, with crack morphology influencing fatigue resistance.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lidia Kuo, Benjamin J. Luijten, Siyang Li, Ana C. M. de Moraes, Anthony J. Silvaroli, Shay G. Wallace, Janan Hui, Julia R. Downing, Kenneth R. Shull, Mark C. Hersam
Summary: Shortages of PPE at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the reuse of medical supplies such as N95 masks. However, the use of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) for sterilization can damage the elastomeric components of these masks. This study explores the use of graphene nanosheets as UV-resistant additives in polyurethane (PU) elastomer composites, providing substantial UV protection and mechanical reinforcement. These UVGI-compatible graphene/EC-PU composites have the potential to address the broader issue of single-use waste in various PPE applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Justin E. Griffith, Yusu Chen, Qingsong Liu, Qifeng Wang, Jeffrey J. Richards, Danielle Tullman-Ercek, Kenneth R. Shull, Muzhou Wang
Summary: Machine learning requires large datasets of materials properties, but current high-throughput measurement methods are difficult for most experimentalists. This study proposes a quantitative high-throughput method using common lab equipment and consumables for measuring the mechanical properties of soft materials.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Vincent E. D'Angelo, Michael Clark, Jie Chen, Kenneth R. Shull, Wei Chen, Umar Farooq Ghumman, Qihua Chen
Summary: Fatigue-induced cracks provide crucial information about the fracture process of materials, but their characterization is challenging. Machine learning techniques, such as convolutional neural networks, can be used to extract relevant features from microstructural images of crack surfaces and correlate them with material properties using regression models.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jeremy Wang, Curt Waltmann, Caroline Harms, Sumeng Hu, John Hegarty, Benjamin Shindel, Qifeng Wang, Vinayak Dravid, Kenneth R. Shull, John M. Torkelson, Monica Olvera de la Cruz
Summary: We investigate the usage of polyelectrolyte complex materials for water remediation purposes, specifically their ability to remove nanoplastics from water, on which there is currently little to no prior research. We demonstrate that oppositely charged random copolymers are effective at quantitatively removing nanoplastic contamination from aqueous solution. The mechanisms underlying this remediation ability are explored through computational simulations, with corroborating quartz crystal microbalance adsorption experiments. We find that hydrophobic nanostructures and interactions likely play an important role.
Article
Polymer Science
Anthony J. Silvaroli, Tyler R. Heyl, Marius Chyasnavichyus, Jeremy M. Beebe, Dongchan Ahn, Shane Mangold, Qihua Chen, Muzhou Wang, Kenneth R. Shull
Summary: Silicone-organic interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) are hybrid materials that exhibit enhanced mechanical properties compared to pure silicones. The structure-property relationships of graft-IPNs of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and isobornyl methacrylate (IBoMA) were compared. PDMS/PIBoMA graft-IPNs showed increased polymer-polymer mixing compared to PDMS/PMMA, resulting from higher relative compatibility between PDMS and IBoMA. These hybrid materials exhibited fracture toughness values up to 400 times greater than unreinforced PDMS elastomers, while PDMS/PMMA hybrids had lower toughness values and highly phase separated morphologies. With increased temperature, the hybrids lost nanoscale mechanical heterogeneity between PDMS and the methacrylate polymers, leading to reduced fracture and fatigue resistance, similar to existing silicone resin-filled silicone materials.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Broderick Lewis, Joseph M. Dennis, Kenneth R. Shull
Summary: The influence of including dynamic disulfide bonds within thermoset epoxies on mechanical properties has been investigated, and it was found that these materials exhibit improved toughness. The improvement is likely due to the increased extensibility in the process zone resulting from preferential cleavage of disulfide linkages before macroscopic network failure. The observation of mechanochromic thiyl radicals compression samples also provides evidence for increased plasticity in these dynamic glasses.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
YuLing Chen, Kenneth R. Shull
Summary: Four deep eutectic solvents were used to produce plasticized thermoplastic starch films. The mechanical properties, stability, and effects of humidity were investigated. The crystallinity, glass transition temperature, modulus, and elongation at break were measured. The films had low glass transition temperatures and stable mechanical response. Deep eutectic solvents containing ammonium acetate, glycerol, and urea produced films with a more stable crystalline structure at high humidity than other solvents.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Tyler R. Heyl, Jeremy M. Beebe, Shane Mangold, Anthony J. Silvaroli, Dongchan Ahn, Kenneth R. Shull, Muzhou Wang
Summary: Compatibilization is a strategy to combine immiscible polymers without macrophase separation, resulting in mechanically strengthened materials. In this study, we investigate the relationship between local modulus and composition in poly(dimethylsiloxane)/poly(methyl methacrylate) interpenetrating network elastomers using nanomechanical mapping and single-molecule localization microscopy. We reveal differences in both modulus and composition between individual phase-separated PMMA domains and propose a two-stage phase separation mechanism to explain the observed behaviors. The combination of nanomechanical mapping and single-molecule localization microscopy provides a level of microstructural understanding that has not been previously achieved.
