Search results for "Microscopy"

High-resolution investigation of nanoparticle interaction with a model pulmonary surfactant monolayer.

2012

The pulmonary surfactant film spanning the inner alveolar surface prevents alveolar collapse during the end-exhalation and reduces the work of breathing. Nanoparticles (NPs) present in the atmosphere or nanocarriers targeted through the pulmonary route for medical purposes challenge this biological barrier. During interaction with or passage of NPs through the alveolar surfactant, the biophysical functioning of the film may be altered. However, experimental evidence showing detailed biophysical interaction of NPs with the pulmonary surfactant film are scant. In this study, we have investigated the impact of a hydrophobic polyorganosiloxane (AmOrSil20) NPs on the integrity as well as on the …

Microscopic observations of superficial ultrastructure of unworn siloxane-hydrogel contact lenses by cryo-scanning electron microscopy

2006

The purpose of this study was to analyze three commercial siloxane-hydrogel contact lens materials, lotrafilcon A, balafilcon A, and galyfilcon A, by cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryoSEM). The fully hydrated lenses were frozen in slush liquid nitrogen and qualitatively observed in a cryogenic scanning electron microscope. The superficial ultrastructure of the siloxane-hydrogels was observed at the areas where the lens fractured during sample cryogenic preparation. There are qualitative differences among the three examined materials in the complex polymer network structure existing between the outer layer and the underlying polymer. CryoSEM, although destructive, is a useful tool …

Microscopic observation of unworn siloxane-hydrogel soft contact lenses by atomic force microscopy

2006

In the present study, samples of lotrafilcon A, balafilcon A, and galyfilcon A contact lenses were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in tapping mode at areas ranging from 0.25 to 400 m2. Mean roughness (Ra), root-mean-square roughness (Rms) and maximum roughness (Rmax) in nanometers were obtained for the three lens materials at different magnifications. The three contact lenses showed significantly different surface topography. However, roughness values were dependent of the surface area to be analyzed. For a 1 m2 area, statistics revealed a significantly more irregular surface of balafilcon A (Ra = 6.44 nm; Rms = 8.30 nm; Rmax = 96.82 nm) compared with lotrafilcon A (Ra = 2.40 nm; …

Mapping the polarization pattern of plasmon modes reveals nanoparticle symmetry.

2008

We study the wavelength and polarization dependent plasmon resonances of single silver and gold nanorods, triangles, cubes, and dimers with a novel single particle spectroscopy method (RotPOL). In RotPOL, a rotating wedge-shaped polarizer encodes the full polarization information of each particle within one image. This reveals the symmetry of the particles and their plasmon modes, allows analyzing inhomogeneous samples and the monitoring of particle shape changes during growth in situ.

Mechanical recycling of polylactide, upgrading trends and combination of valorization techniques

2016

[EN] The upcoming introduction of polylactides in the fractions of polymer waste encourages technologists to ascertain its valorization at the best quality conditions. Mechanical recycling of PLA represents one of the most cost-effective methodologies, but the recycled materials are usually directed to downgraded applications, due to the inherent thermomechanical degradation affecting its mechanical, thermal and rheological performance. In this review, the current state of mechanical recycling of PLA is reported, with special emphasis on a multi-scale comparison among different studies. Additionally, the applications of physical and chemical upgrading strategies, as well as the chances to b…

Phase-shifting digital lensless Fourier holography for high numerical aperture in-line interferometric microscopy

2012

A new common-path and phase-shifting digital lensless Fourier architecture for high numerical aperture (NA) imaging in lensless in-line holographic microscopy based on the use of a spatial light modulator (SLM) is presented and experimentally validated.

Characterization of the conductance mechanisms of DNA origami by AC impedance spectroscopy.

2009

Guest Effect on Nanopatterned Spin-Crossover Thin Films

2011

International audience; Nanopatterned thin films of the metal–organic framework {Fe(bpac)[Pt(CN)4]} (bpac=bis(4‐pyridyl)acetylene) are elaborated by the combination of a sequential assembly process and a lithographic method. Raman microspectroscopy is used to probe the temperature dependence of the spin state of the iron(II) ions in the films (40–90 nm in thickness), and reveals an incomplete but cooperative spin transition comparable to that of the bulk material. Adsorption/desorption of pyridine guest molecules is found to have a substantial influence on the spin‐crossover properties of the thin layers. This interplay between host–guest and spin‐crossover properties in thin films and nano…

Influence of nanoscale order–disorder transitions on the magnetic properties of Heusler compounds for spintronics

2017

Modifications in nanoscale chemical order are used to tune the magnetic properties, namely T-C, of Co2FeSixAl1-x (0 < x < 1). High-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) with Z-contrast reveals nanoscale regions of L2(1) order within a B2 matrix in the off-stoichiometry samples. Perhaps surprisingly, the latter, more chemically disordered structure, exhibits a higher T-C. Upon annealing, the off-stoichiometry samples become more homogeneous with the fraction of L2(1) order decreasing. The short-range order was also investigated using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements at the Co and Fe K edges. Since the local atomic environments of C…

Improvement of the butyl methacrylate-paraffin embedment.

1983

The excellent butyl methacrylate-paraffin method as an embedment for light microscopy has been technically improved. More uniform and reproducible polymerization has been obtained by using a vacuum oven to degas the polymerizing mixture and to replace the air with nitrogen at 650 Torr. The amount of benzoyl peroxide required must be determined for each batch of butyl methacrylate. A teflon lined, reusable metal mold and a method of one-step blocking of tissues in preparation for sectioning are also described.