How does anodization time affect morphological and photocatalytic properties of iron oxide nanostructures?

Iron oxide nanostructures are promising materials to be used as photocatalysts in different photoelectrochemical applications. There are different techniques in order to synthesize these nanostructures, but one of the most inexpensive and simple method is electrochemical anodization. This method can lead to different nanostructures by controlling its parameters. Anodization time is one of the most critical parameters since it considerably affects the properties of the obtained nanostructures. In this work, different anodization times (5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 min) were studied. The resulting nanotubes were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman laser confocal microscopy, water splitting measurements, Mott-Schottky analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, in order to test their viability for being used as photocatalysts in photoelectrochemical applications. Results showed that the best photocurrent density values in water splitting tests (0.263 mA m−2) were achieved for the sample anodized for 10 min under hydrodynamic conditions

Mitochondrial Structure, Function and Dynamics Are Temporally Controlled by c-Myc

Although the c-Myc (Myc) oncoprotein controls mitochondrial biogenesis and multiple enzymes involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), the coordination of these events and the mechanistic underpinnings of their regulation remain largely unexplored. We show here that re-expression of Myc in myc−/− fibroblasts is accompanied by a gradual accumulation of mitochondrial biomass and by increases in membrane polarization and mitochondrial fusion. A correction of OXPHOS deficiency is also seen, although structural abnormalities in electron transport chain complexes (ETC) are not entirely normalized. Conversely, the down-regulation of Myc leads to a gradual decrease in mitochondrial mass and a more rapid loss of fusion and membrane potential. Increases in the levels of proteins specifically involved in mitochondrial fission and fusion support the idea that Myc affects mitochondrial mass by influencing both of these processes, albeit favoring the latter. The ETC defects that persist following Myc restoration may represent metabolic adaptations, as mitochondrial function is re-directed away from producing ATP to providing a source of metabolic precursors demanded by the transformed cell

2015 Research & Innovation Day Program

A one day showcase of applied research, social innovation, scholarship projects and activities.https://first.fanshawec.ca/cri_cripublications/1002/thumbnail.jp

Techniques for Assessing the Properties of Advanced Ceramic Materials

Advanced ceramics are emerging as ideal materials for a wide range of engineering applications, such as cutting tools, engine, turbines, space vehicles, and biomedical applications, among others, due to their superior properties as compared to traditional ceramics. The properties of advanced ceramics mainly differ from those of traditional ceramics in their processing, composition, and microstructure. Therefore, in order to get a better understanding of advanced ceramics and to further develop them for particular engineering applications, extensive use must be made of the characterization method for evaluating enhanced microstructural, mechanical, electrical, optical, and biomedical properties. The objective of this chapter is to give a brief overview of characterization techniques that are commonly used to evaluate the diverse properties of the advanced ceramics