Recovery of RNA adsorbed onto sorbents following storage at 4°C.

<p>Data is presented as the ratio of the RNA recovered on a given day to that recovered for the same sorbent on day one of the experiment. Recovery of RNA from NS (black), NS-G (blue) NS-T (green), and NS-B (red) sorbents. An RNA control in water under identical storage conditions was also monitored over this time period (gray).</p

Schematic representations of synthesis and functionalization of nanospherical silicate particles.

<p>Schematic representations of synthesis and functionalization of nanospherical silicate particles.</p

Characterization of nanospherical silicate particles by nitrogen adsorption and SEM imaging: NS (black), NS-G (blue), NS-T (green), and NS-B (red).

<p><b>A.</b> Nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. <b>B.</b> Pore size distributions. <b>C.</b> SEM image. <b>D.</b> Particle diameter distribution determined from SEM images.</p

Platinum-Paper Micromotors: An Urchin-like Nanohybrid Catalyst for Green Monopropellant Bubble-Thrusters

Platinum nanourchins supported on microfibrilated cellulose films (MFC) were fabricated and evaluated as hydrogen peroxide catalysts for small-scale, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) propulsion systems. The catalytic substrate was synthesized through the reduction of chloroplatinic acid to create a thick film of Pt coral-like microstructures coated with Pt urchin-like nanowires that are arrayed in three dimensions on a two-dimensional MFC film. This organic/inorganic nanohybrid displays high catalytic ability (reduced activation energy of 50–63% over conventional materials and 13–19% for similar Pt nanoparticle-based structures) during hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) decomposition as well as sufficient propulsive thrust (>0.5 N) from reagent grade H₂O₂ (30% w/w) fuel within a small underwater reaction vessel. The results demonstrate that these layered nanohybrid sheets are robust and catalytically effective for green, H₂O₂-based micro-AUV propulsion where the storage and handling of highly explosive, toxic fuels are prohibitive due to size-requirements, cost limitations, and close person-to-machine contact

High Aspect Ratio Carbon Nanotube Membranes Decorated with Pt Nanoparticle Urchins for Micro Underwater Vehicle Propulsion <i>via</i> H₂O₂ Decomposition

The utility of unmanned micro underwater vehicles (MUVs) is paramount for exploring confined spaces, but their spatial agility is often impaired when maneuvers require burst-propulsion. Herein we develop high-aspect ratio (150:1), multiwalled carbon nanotube microarray membranes (CNT-MMs) for propulsive, MUV thrust generation by the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The CNT-MMs are grown <i>via</i> chemical vapor deposition with diamond shaped pores (nominal diagonal dimensions of 4.5 × 9.0 μm) and subsequently decorated with urchin-like, platinum (Pt) nanoparticles <i>via</i> a facile, electroless, chemical deposition process. The Pt-CNT-MMs display robust, high catalytic ability with an effective activation energy of 26.96 kJ mol^–1 capable of producing a thrust of 0.209 ± 0.049 N from 50% [w/w] H₂O₂ decomposition within a compact reaction chamber of eight Pt-CNT-MMs in series