Infrared Resonance Enhanced Multiphoton Ionization of Fullerenes

Gas-phase fullerenes are resonantly heated by a train of high power subpicosecond pulses from a free electron laser (FEL) to internal energies at which they efficiently undergo delayed ionization. When the laser is tuned from 6–20μm while the amount of laser produced parent ions is recorded, resonant absorption of 200–600 IR photons, resulting in almost fragmentation-free ion spectra, is observed. Infrared resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization with a FEL is shown to enable extremely sensitive IR spectroscopy with mass selective detection of gas-phase fullerenes

Robust process windows for Laser Induced Forward Transfer of thin film metal to create inter connects

Direct-write technologies can form a low-cost, alternative approach to create electrical interconnects by eliminating mask and etch costs. Also, direct-write is more efficient in creating complex structures as well as for producing small series. However, existing, industrially-mature direct-write technologies typically lack the resolution required for advanced IC packaging applications [1-4]. Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) is a direct write process which has been proven to be capable of patterning resolutions in the 1-5 μm range [5-8]. Thus far, a lack of deposition control resulting in contamination of the substrate has been a problem. The current paper shows an approach to come to a robust, contamination-free process window for LIFT of pure copper. Thus, we tackled a major roadblock towards the industrial feasibility of LIFT as a full metal direct-write technology that meets the current demands for IC packaging and integration

Non-equilibrium Superconductivity and Quasiparticle Dynamics studied by Photo Induced Activation of Mm-Wave Absorption (PIAMA)

We present a study of non-equilibrium superconductivity in DyBa2Cu3O7-d using photo induced activation of mm-wave absorption (PIAMA). We monitor the time evolution of the thin film transmissivity at 5 cm-1 subject to pulsed infrared radiation. In addition to a positive bolometric signal we observe a second, faster, decay with a sign opposite to the bolometric signal for T>40 K. We attribute this to the unusual properties of quasi-particles residing near the nodes of an unconventional superconductor, resulting in a strong enhancement of the recombination time.Comment: 4 pages, REVTeX, Submitted to Phys. Rev. Letter

Allergic sensitization: screening methods

Experimental in silico, in vitro, and rodent models for screening and predicting protein sensitizing potential are discussed, including whether there is evidence of new sensitizations and allergies since the introduction of genetically modified crops in 1996, the importance of linear versus conformational epitopes, and protein families that become allergens. Some common challenges for predicting protein sensitization are addressed: (a) exposure routes; (b) frequency and dose of exposure; (c) dose-response relationships; (d) role of digestion, food processing, and the food matrix; (e) role of infection; (f) role of the gut microbiota; (g) influence of the structure and physicochemical properties of the protein; and (h) the genetic background and physiology of consumers. The consensus view is that sensitization screening models are not yet validated to definitively predict the de novo sensitizing potential of a novel protein. However, they would be extremely useful in the discovery and research phases of understanding the mechanisms of food allergy development, and may prove fruitful to provide information regarding potential allergenicity risk assessment of future products on a case by case basis. These data and findings were presented at a 2012 international symposium in Prague organized by the Protein Allergenicity Technical Committee of the International Life Sciences Institute’s Health and Environmental Sciences Institute

Optical creation of vibrational intrinsic localized modes in anharmonic lattices with realistic interatomic potentials

Using an efficient optimal control scheme to determine the exciting fields, we theoretically demonstrate the optical creation of vibrational intrinsic localized modes (ILMs) in anharmonic perfect lattices with realistic interatomic potentials. For systems with finite size, we show that ILMs can be excited directly by applying a sequence of femtosecond visible laser pulses at THz repetition rates. For periodic lattices, ILMs can be created indirectly via decay of an unstable extended lattice mode which is excited optically either by a sequence of pulses as described above or by a single picosecond far-infrared laser pulse with linearly chirped frequency. In light of recent advances in experimental laser pulse shaping capabilities, the approach is experimentally promising.Comment: 20 pages, 7 eps figures. Accepted, Phys. Rev.

Current challenges facing the assessment of the allergenic capacity of food allergens in animal models

Food allergy is a major health problem of increasing concern. The insufficiency of protein sources for human nutrition in a world with a growing population is also a significant problem. The introduction of new protein sources into the diet, such as newly developed innovative foods or foods produced using new technologies and production processes, insects, algae, duckweed, or agricultural products from third countries, creates the opportunity for development of new food allergies, and this in turn has driven the need to develop test methods capable of characterizing the allergenic potential of novel food proteins. There is no doubt that robust and reliable animal models for the identification and characterization of food allergens would be valuable tools for safety assessment. However, although various animal models have been proposed for this purpose, to date, none have been formally validated as predictive and none are currently suitable to test the allergenic potential of new foods. Here, the design of various animal models are reviewed, including among others considerations of species and strain, diet, route of administration, dose and formulation of the test protein, relevant controls and endpoints measured

Science and society in education

This booklet is for teachers who want to expand their teaching approaches to include socio-scientific issues which enrich and give meaning to core scientific principles. It is meant to enhance young people’s curiosity about the social and scientific world and raise important questions about issues which affect their lives. We call this approach Socio-Scientific Inquiry-Based Learning, or ‘SSIBL’ for short. Chapters 1 and 2 present an introduction to the theoretical background of SSIBL. In chapter 3, SSIBL will be approached from a classroom perspective, providing a simplified version of the framework and showing teaching examples