Capacitance-based microvolume liquid-level sensor array

A prototype sensor array was developed for use with laboratory automation to permit closed-loop control of liquid-levels in a multiwell microplate geometry. A simple electrical model for non-contact capacitance-based fluid sensors was extended to describe a fluid-level dependency. The new model shows that a charge-transfer based capacitance transducer employing a liquid-specific calibration can be used to obtain an output signal that varies linearly with the liquid-level when fringe-field effects are negligible. The calibration also compensates for liquid-to-liquid conductivity and permittivity differences.The sensor was tested using sodium chloride (NaCl) and ethanol solutions to simulate the range of conductivity and permittivity typical in biological and chemical research. Measured capacitance was a second-order function of liquid volume due to fringe-field effects and was compensated for by adding a hardware-based calibration. Liquid-volume measurement error averaged 0.2% of the 120mul fill volume with a standard deviation of 0.6% (< mul). The maximum absolute error for all liquids was 2.7% (3mul)

PII: S 0 0 4 0 -6 0 9 0 Ž 0 3 . 0 0 0 2 9 -4 In situ measurements of sensor film dynamics by spectroscopic ellipsometry. Demonstration of back-side measurements and the etching of indium tin oxide

Abstract A new liquid flow cell design for in situ ellipsometric measurements on transparent multilayer samples using variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry is presented. In this cell, films made on transparent substrates are in direct contact with liquid solution. Ellipsometry measurements are made through the transparent substrate, that is, from the back-side relative to the incident light so that films are in continuous contact with the liquid. This cell is not limited to just one angle of incidence of light allowing the films to be characterized at several angles before, during and after liquid contact. The spectral range of measurements is limited only by absorption of light in the underlying transparent substrate and not by the liquid solution that the film is in contact with. As a demonstration, we have measured and analyzed the dynamics of an indium tin oxide film on glass undergoing acid etching. Data from this in situ experiment were successfully modeled and the ITO layer thickness decreased uniformly during the etching process with an average etch rate of 0.23 nmymin

Design and Development of a New Hybrid Spectroelectrochemical Sensor

The general aim of this project is to design and implement a new sensor technology which offers the unprecedented levels of specificity needed for analysis of the complex chemical mixtures found at USDOE sites nationwide. The new sensor concept proposed combines the elements of electrochemistry, spectroscopy and selective partitioning into a single device that provides three levels of selectivity. This type of sensor has many potential applications at DOE sites. As an example, the enhanced specificity embodied in this new sensor design is well-suited to the analytical problem posed by the addition of ferrocyanide to radioactive tank wastes at the USDOE Hanford Site

Spectroelectrochemical Sensor for Pertechnetate Applicable to Hanford and Other DOE Sites

The general aim of our work funded by DOE is the design and implementation of a new sensor technology that offers the unprecedented levels of specificity needed for analysis of the complex chemical mixtures found at DOE sites nationwide. The sensor is based on a unique combination of electrochemistry, spectroscopy and selective partitioning into a film that collectively provide an extraordinary level of selectivity for the target analyte. Our goal is a reversible sensor in which the fluorescent Tc-complex formed in the film is re-oxidized to TcO4 ? and free ligand. TcO4 ? in the film would then re-equilibrate with the sample. The sensor would therefore satisfy requirements for both applications described above. Making significant progress towards this goal has required us to discover new chemistry and spectroscopy for technetium itself. Indeed, we needed to find the first technetium complexes which fluoresced in solution at room temperature ? we have made that breakthrough discovery this last year. We are now in the unique position of being able to reach our goal of a reversible sensor for Tc

Consistent assignment of the vibrations of symmetric and asymmetric para-disubstituted benzene molecules

We give a description of the phenyl-ring-localized vibrational modes of the ground states of the para-disubstituted benzene molecules including both symmetric and asymmetric cases. In line with others, we quickly conclude that the use of Wilson mode labels is misleading and ambiguous; we conclude the same regarding the related ones of Varsányi. Instead we label the modes consistently based upon the Mulliken (Herzberg) method for the modes of para-difluorobenzene (pDFB). Since we wish the labelling scheme to cover both symmetrically- and asymmetrically-substituted molecules, we apply the Mulliken labelling under C2v symmetry. By studying the variation of the vibrational wavenumbers with mass of the substituent, we are able to identify the corresponding modes across a wide range of molecules and hence provide consistent assignments. Particularly interesting are pairs of vibrations that evolve from in- and out-of-phase motions in pDFB to more localized modes in asymmetric molecules. We consider the para isomers of the following: the symmetric dihalobenzenes, xylene, hydroquinone, the asymmetric dihalobenzenes, halotoluenes, halophenols and cresol

Molecular characterization of the endoplasmic reticulum: Insights from proteomic studies

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a multifunctional intracellular organelle responsible for the synthesis, processing and trafficking of a wide variety of proteins essential for cell growth and survival. Therefore, comprehensive characterization of the ER proteome is of great importance to the understanding of its functions and has been actively pursued in the past decade by scientists in the proteomics field. This review summarizes major proteomic studies published in the past decade that focused on the ER proteome. We evaluate the data sets obtained from two different organs, liver and pancreas each of which contains a primary cell type (hepatocyte and acinar cell) with specialized functions. We also discuss how the nature of the proteins uncovered is related to the methods of organelle purification, organelle purity and the techniques used for protein separation prior to MS. In addition, this review also puts emphasis on the biological insights gained from these studies regarding the molecular functions of the ER including protein synthesis and translocation, protein folding and quality control, ER-associated degradation and ER stress, ER export and membrane trafficking, calcium homeostasis and detoxification and drug metabolism.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78298/1/4040_ftp.pd

Can Community Structure Track Sea-Level Rise? Stress and Competitive Controls in Tidal Wetlands

Climate change impacts, such as accelerated sea-level rise, will affect stress gradients, yet impacts on competition/stress tolerance trade-offs and shifts in distributions are unclear. Ecosystems with strong stress gradients, such as estuaries, allow for space-for-time substitutions of stress factors and can give insight into future climate-related shifts in both resource and nonresource stresses. We tested the stress gradient hypothesis and examined the effect of increased inundation stress and biotic interactions on growth and survival of two congeneric wetland sedges, Schoenoplectus acutus and Schoenoplectus americanus. We simulated sea-level rise across existing marsh elevations and those not currently found to reflect potential future sea-level rise conditions in two tidal wetlands differing in salinity. Plants were grown individually and together at five tidal elevations, the lowest simulating an 80-cm increase in sea level, and harvested to assess differences in biomass after one growing season. Inundation time, salinity, sulfides, and redox potential were measured concurrently. As predicted, increasing inundation reduced biomass of the species commonly found at higher marsh elevations, with little effect on the species found along channel margins. The presence of neighbors reduced total biomass of both species, particularly at the highest elevation; facilitation did not occur at any elevation. Contrary to predictions, we documented the competitive superiority of the stress tolerator under increased inundation, which was not predicted by the stress gradient hypothesis. Multifactor manipulation experiments addressing plant response to accelerated climate change are integral to creating a more realistic, valuable, and needed assessment of potential ecosystem response. Our results point to the important and unpredicted synergies between physical stressors, which are predicted to increase in intensity with climate change, and competitive forces on biomass as stresses increase