InGaAs/GaAs/alkanethiolate radial superlattices: Experimental

A radial InGaAs/GaAs/1-hexadecanethiol superlattice is fabricated by the roll-up of a strained InGaAs/GaAs bilayer passivated with a molecular self-assembled monolayer. Our technique allows the formation of multi-period inorganic/organic hybrid heterostructures. This paper contains the detailed experimental description of how to fabricate these structures.Comment: 2 pages, no figures, Version 2; minor changes (fixed typos and update references

Bending and wrinkling as competing relaxation pathways for strained free-hanging films

An equilibrium phase diagram for the shape of compressively strained free-hanging films is developed by total strain energy minimization. For small strain gradients {\Delta}{\epsilon}, the film wrinkles, while for sufficiently large {\Delta}{\epsilon}, a phase transition from wrinkling to bending occurs. We consider competing relaxation mechanisms for free-hanging films, which have rolled up into tube structures, and we provide an upper limit for the maximum achievable number of tube rotations.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Direct strain and elastic energy evaluation in rolled-up semiconductor tubes by x-ray micro-diffraction

We depict the use of x-ray diffraction as a tool to directly probe the strain status in rolled-up semiconductor tubes. By employing continuum elasticity theory and a simple model we are able to simulate quantitatively the strain relaxation in perfect crystalline III-V semiconductor bi- and multilayers as well as in rolled-up layers with dislocations. The reduction in the local elastic energy is evaluated for each case. Limitations of the technique and theoretical model are discussed in detail.Comment: 32 pages (single column), 9 figures, 39 reference

Structural and magnetic properties of an InGaAs/Fe3_3Si superlattice in cylindrical geometry

The structure and the magnetic properties of an InGaAs/Fe3Si superlattice in a cylindrical geometry are investigated by electron microscopy techniques, x-ray diffraction and magnetometry. To form a radial superlattice, a pseudomorphic InGaAs/Fe3As bilayer has been released from its substrate self-forming into a rolled-up microtube. Oxide-free interfaces as well as areas of crystalline bonding are observed and an overall lattice mismatch between succeeding layers is determined. The cylindrical symmetry of the final radial superlattice shows a significant effect on the magnetization behavior of the rolled-up layers

Rolled-Up Nanotech: Illumination-Controlled Hydrofluoric Acid Etching of AlAs Sacrificial Layers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>The effect of illumination on the hydrofluoric acid etching of AlAs sacrificial layers with systematically varied thicknesses in order to release and roll up InGaAs/GaAs bilayers was studied. For thicknesses of AlAs below 10 nm, there were two etching regimes for the area under illumination: one at low illumination intensities, in which the etching and releasing proceeds as expected and one at higher intensities in which the etching and any releasing are completely suppressed. The &#8220;etch suppression&#8221; area is well defined by the illumination spot, a feature that can be used to create heterogeneously etched regions with a high degree of control, shown here on patterned samples. Together with the studied self-limitation effect, the technique offers a way to determine the position of rolled-up micro- and nanotubes independently from the predefined lithographic pattern.</p

Precise control of thermal conductivity at the nanoscale through individual phonon-scattering barriers

International audienceThe ability to precisely control the thermal conductivity (κ) of a material is fundamental in the development of on-chip heat management or energy conversion applications. Nanostructuring permits a marked reduction of κ of single-crystalline materials, as recently demonstrated for silicon nanowires. However, silicon-based nanostructured materials with extremely low κ are not limited to nanowires. By engineering a set of individual phonon-scattering nanodot barriers we have accurately tailored the thermal conductivity of a single-crystalline SiGe material in spatially defined regions as short as ∼15 nm. Single-barrier thermal resistances between 2 and 4×10−9 m2 K W−1 were attained, resulting in a room-temperature κ down to about 0.9 W m−1 K−1, in multilayered structures with as little as five barriers. Such low thermal conductivity is compatible with a totally diffuse mismatch model for the barriers, and it is well below the amorphous limit. The results are in agreement with atomistic Green’s function simulations

Paclobutrazol treatment as a potential strategy for higher seed and oil yield in field-grown camelina sativa L. Crantz

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Camelina (Camelina sativa </it>L. Crantz) is a non-food oilseed crop which holds promise as an alternative biofuel energy resource. Its ability to grow in a variety of climatic and soil conditions and minimal requirements of agronomical inputs than other oilseed crops makes it economically viable for advanced biofuel production. We designed a study to investigate the effect of paclobutrazol [2RS, 3RS)-1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pentan-3-ol] (PBZ), a popular plant growth regulator, on the seed and oil yield of <it>Camelina sativa </it>(cv. Celine).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A field-based micro-trial setup was established in a randomized block design and the study was performed twice within a span of five months (October 2010 to February 2011) and five different PBZ treatments (Control: T₀; 25 mg l^-1: T₁; 50 mg l^-1: T₂; 75 mg l^-1: T₃; 100 mg l^-1: T₄; 125 mg l^-1: T₅) were applied (soil application) at the time of initiation of flowering. PBZ at 100 mg l^-1concentration (T₄) resulted in highest seed and oil yield by 80% and 15%, respectively. The seed yield increment was mainly due to enhanced number of siliques per plant when compared to control. The PBZ - treated plants displayed better photosynthetic leaf gas exchange characteristics, higher chlorophyll contents and possessed dark green leaves which were photosynthetically active for a longer period and facilitated higher photoassimilation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We report for the first time that application of optimized PBZ dose can be a potential strategy to achieve higher seed and oil yield from <it>Camelina sativa </it>that holds great promise as a biofuel crop in future.</p

Differentiation of normal and cancer cells induced by sulfhydryl reduction: biochemical and molecular mechanisms

We examined the morphological, biochemical and molecular outcome of a nonspecific sulfhydryl reduction in cells, obtained by supplementation of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) in a 0.1-10 mM concentration range. In human normal primary keratinocytes and in colon and ovary carcinoma cells we obtained evidences for: (i) a dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation without toxicity or apoptosis; (ii) a transition from a proliferative mesenchymal morphology to cell-specific differentiated structures; (iii) a noticeable increase in cell-cell and cell-substratum junctions; (iv) a relocation of the oncogenic beta-catenin at the cell-cell junctions; (v) inhibition of microtubules aggregation; (vi) upregulation of differentiation-related genes including p53, heat shock protein 27 gene, N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1, E-cadherin, and downregulation of cyclooxygenase-2; (vii) inhibition of c-Src tyrosine kinase. In conclusion, a thiol reduction devoid of toxicity as that operated by NAC apparently leads to terminal differentiation of normal and cancer cells through a pleiade of converging mechanisms, many of which are targets of the recently developed differentiation therapy