Microscopic analysis of the octupole phase transition in Th isotopes

A shape phase transition between stable octupole deformation and octupole vibrations in Th nuclei is analyzed in a microscopic framework based on nuclear density functional theory. The relativistic functional DD-PC1 is used to calculate axially-symmetric quadrupole-octupole constrained energy surfaces. Observables related to order parameters are computed using an interacting-boson Hamiltonian, with parameters determined by mapping the microscopic energy surfaces to the expectation value of the Hamiltonian in the boson condensate. The systematics of constrained energy surfaces and low-energy excitation spectra point to the occurrence of a phase transition between octupole-deformed shapes and shapes characterized by octupole-soft potentials.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Physical Review C, Rapid Communicatio

Effect of Interactions on Molecular Fluxes and Fluctuations in the Transport Across Membrane Channels

Transport of molecules across membrane channels is investigated theoretically using exactly solvable one-dimensional discrete-state stochastic models. An interaction between molecules and membrane pores is modeled via a set of binding sites with different energies. It is shown that the interaction potential strongly influences the particle currents as well as fluctuations in the number of translocated molecules. For small concentration gradients the attractive sites lead to largest currents and fluctuations, while the repulsive interactions yield the largest fluxes and dispersions for large concentration gradients. Interaction energies that lead to maximal currents and maximal fluctuations are the same only for locally symmetric potentials, while they differ for the locally asymmetric potentials. The conditions for the most optimal translocation transport with maximal current and minimal dispersion are discussed. It is argued that in this case the interaction strength is independent of local symmetry of the potential of mean forces. In addition, the effect of the global asymmetry of the interaction potential is investigated, and it is shown that it also strongly affects the particle translocation dynamics. These phenomena can be explained by analyzing the details of the particle entering and leaving the binding sites in the channel.Comment: submitted to J. Chem. Phy

Laser-assisted photothermal imprinting of nanocomposite

We report on a laser-assisted photothermal imprinting method for directly patterning carbon nanofiber-reinforced polyethylene nanocomposite. A single laser pulse from a solid state Nd:YAG laser (10 ns pulse, 532 nm and 355 nm wavelengths) is used to melt/soften a thin skin layer of the polymer nanocomposite. Meanwhile, a fused quartz mold with micro-sized surface relief structures is pressed against the surface of the composite. Successful pattern transfer is realized upon releasing the quartz mold. Although polyethylene is transparent to the laser beam, the carbon nanofibers in the high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix absorb the laser energy and convert it into heat. Numerical heat conduction simulation shows the HDPE matrix is partially melted or softened, allowing for easier imprinting of the relief pattern of the quartz mold.Mechanical Engineerin

The Static Dielectric Constant of a Colloidal Suspension

We derive an expression for the static dielectric constant of the colloidal susp ensions based on the electrokinetic equations. The analysis assumes that the ions have the same diffusivity, and that the double layer is much thinner than the radius of curvature of the particles. It is shown that the dielectric increment of the double layer polarization mechanism is originated from the free energy stored in the salt concentration inhomogeniety. We also show that the dominant polarization charges in the theory are at the electrodes, rather than close to the particles.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figur

Microfluidically fabricated pH-responsive anionic amphiphilic microgels for drug release

© 2016 The Royal Society of Chemistry. Amphiphilic microgels of different composition based on the hydrophilic, pH-responsive acrylic acid (AA) and the hydrophobic, non-ionic n-butyl acrylate (BuA) were synthesised using a lab-on-a-chip device. Hydrophobic droplets were generated via a microfluidic platform that contained a protected form of AA, BuA, the hydrophobic crosslinker, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and a free radical initiator in an organic solvent. These hydrophobic droplets were photopolymerised within the microfluidic channels and subsequently hydrolysed, enabling an integrated platform for the rapid, automated, and in situ production of anionic amphiphilic microgels. The amphiphilic microgels did not feature the conventional core-shell structure but were instead based on random amphiphilic copolymers of AA and BuA and hydrophobic crosslinks. Due to their amphiphilic nature they were able to encapsulate and deliver both hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties. The model drug delivery and the swelling ability of the microgels were influenced by the pH of the surrounding aqueous solution and the hydrophobic content of the microgels

Tailoring pH-responsive acrylic acid microgels with hydrophobic crosslinks for drug release

Amphiphilic microgels based on the hydrophilic acrylic acid (AA) and hydrophobic crosslinks of different compositions were synthesised using a lab-on-a-chip device. The microgels were formed by polymerising hydrophobic droplets. The droplets were generated via a microfluidic platform and contained a protected form of AA, a hydrophobic crosslinker (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, EGDMA) and a free radical initiator in an organic solvent. Following photopolymerisation and subsequent hydrolysis, AA based microgels of amphiphilic nature were produced and it was demonstrated that they can successfully deliver both hydrophilic as well as hydrophobic moieties. The model drug delivery and the swelling ability of the microgels were influenced by the pH of the aqueous solution as well as the crosslinking density and hydrophobic content of the microgels