Developing a 3D animation for deeper molecular understanding of Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics

The mathematical models that describe enzyme kinetics are invaluable predictive tools in numerous scientific fields. However, the daunting mathematical language used to describe kinetic behaviour can be confusing for life science students; they often struggle to conceptualize and relate the mathematical representations to the molecular phenomena occurring at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. Students with less developed abstract and mathematical thinking skills may benefit from a visual learning approach. The paucity of visual resources for enzyme kinetics makes this a fertile field for developing novel learning media. We discuss developing a 3D animation aimed at introducing key concepts of Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics to undergraduate life science students. This animation uses both realistic and metaphoric depictions of the underlying molecular players, environments, and interactions in enzyme kinetics to contextualize and explain the relationship between the mathematic models and underlying molecular system. In addition, we will present our production pipeline and workflow for creating educational animations as well as didactic strategies that maximize clarity and accessibility in animated media

Multiaperture planar waveguide spectrometer formed by arrayed Mach-Zehnder interferometers

Concept, theory and simulations of a new type of waveguide device, a multiaperture Fourier-transform planar waveguide spectrometer, are presented. The spectrometer is formed by an array of Mach-Zehnder interferometers generating a wavelength dependent spatial fringe pattern at the array output. The input light spectrum is calculated using a discrete Fourier transformation of the output spatial fringes. The multiaperture input significantly increases the optical throughput (étendue) compared to conventional single input spectrometers. Design rules for the arrayed spectrometer are deduced from performance specifications such as wavelength range and spectral resolution. A design example with spectral resolution 0.025 nm and range 2.5 nm is presented, where the optical throughput is increased by a factor of 200 compared to a single input device

Inverse scattering approach to coupled higher order nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation and N-soliton solutions

A generalized inverse scattering method has been applied to the linear problem associated with the coupled higher order nonlinear schr\"odinger equation to obtain it's $N$-soliton solution. An infinite number of conserved quantities have been obtained by solving a set of coupled Riccati equations. It has been shown that the coupled system admits two different class of solutions, characterised by the number of local maxima of amplitude of the soliton.Comment: 23 page

Systematic Computational and Experimental Investigation of Lithium-Ion Transport Mechanisms in Polyester-Based Polymer Electrolytes

Understanding the mechanisms of lithium-ion transport in polymers is crucial for the design of polymer electrolytes. We combine modular synthesis, electrochemical characterization, and molecular simulation to investigate lithium-ion transport in a new family of polyester-based polymers and in poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Theoretical predictions of glass-transition temperatures and ionic conductivities in the polymers agree well with experimental measurements. Interestingly, both the experiments and simulations indicate that the ionic conductivity of PEO, relative to the polyesters, is far higher than would be expected from its relative glass-transition temperature. The simulations reveal that diffusion of the lithium cations in the polyesters proceeds via a different mechanism than in PEO, and analysis of the distribution of available cation solvation sites in the various polymers provides a novel and intuitive way to explain the experimentally observed ionic conductivities. This work provides a platform for the evaluation and prediction of ionic conductivities in polymer electrolyte materials