6 research outputs found
Laser-assisted Cellular Electrophysiology Measurement System
Patch-clamp technique is the gold standard for cellular electrophysiological
measurements, which is capable of measuring single ion transport events across
the cell membrane. However, the measurement possesses significant complexity,
and it requires a high level of expertise, while its experimental throughput is
nevertheless considerably low. Here, we suggest and experimentally demonstrate
a laser-assisted method for performing cellular electrophysiological
measurements. Femtosecond laser pulses, coupled to an optical microscope, are
used to form a sub-micrometer hole on a thin polymer membrane separating two
electrodes, where a nearby cell is subsequently placed onto the hole by
negative pressure. Afterwards, the cell is punctured using subsequent laser
exposure, revealing the cell membrane over the hole for electrophysiological
recording. This system could be used to increase the output amount of the
electrophysiological measurements substantially.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Bio-based polymer nanocomposites based on layered silicates having a reactive and renewable intercalant
Soybean oil-based polymer nanocomposites were synthesized from acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) combined with styrene monomer and montmorillonite (MMT) clay by using in situ free radical polymerization reaction. Special attention was paid to the modification of MMT clay, which was carried out by methacryl-functionalized and quaternized derivative of methyl oleate intercalant. It was synthesized from olive oil triglyceride, as a renewable intercalant. The resultant nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of increased nanofiller loading in thermal and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The nanocomposites exhibited improved thermal and dynamic mechanical properties compared with neat acrylated epoxidized soybean oil based polymer matrix. The desired exfoliated nanocomposite structure was achieved when the OrgMMT loading was 1 and 2 wt % whereas partially exfoliated nanocomposite was obtained in 3 wt % loading. It was found that about 400 and 500% increments in storage modulus at glass transition and rubbery regions, respectively were achieved at 2 wt % clay loading compared to neat polymer matrix while the lowest thermal degradation rate was gained by introducing 3 wt % clay loading. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2031-2041, 201