Development of intermediate layer systems for direct deposition of thin film solar cells onto low cost steel substrates

The functionalisation of low-cost steel over large areas with low cost intermediate layers (ILs) for utilisation as substrates in thin film solar modules is reported. Three approaches for the deposition of ILs are demonstrated and evaluated; a thick SiOx sol–gel based on a one-step acidic catalysis applied by spray technique, a commercial screen-printable dielectric ink, and an epoxy-based material (SU8) deposited by screen printing or bar coating. These ILs demonstrated the properties of surface levelling (quantified by mechanical profilometry), electric insulation (tested using breakdown voltage and leakage current) and acted as an anti-diffusion barrier (demonstrated with glow discharge mass spectrometry). Moreover, the performances of amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and organic photovoltaic (OPV) thin film solar cells grown on carbon and stainless steels (a-Si:H: 5.53% and OPV: 2.40%) show similar performances as those obtained using a reference glass substrate (a-Si:H: 5.51% and OPV: 2.90%). Finally, a cost analysis taking into account both the SiOx sol–gel and the dielectric ink IL was reported to demonstrate the economic feasibility of the steel/IL prototypes

Malaria Parasite Invasion of the Mosquito Salivary Gland Requires Interaction between the Plasmodium TRAP and the Anopheles Saglin Proteins

SM1 is a twelve-amino-acid peptide that binds tightly to the Anopheles salivary gland and inhibits its invasion by Plasmodium sporozoites. By use of UV-crosslinking experiments between the peptide and its salivary gland target protein, we have identified the Anopheles salivary protein, saglin, as the receptor for SM1. Furthermore, by use of an anti-SM1 antibody, we have determined that the peptide is a mimotope of the Plasmodium sporozoite Thrombospondin Related Anonymous Protein (TRAP). TRAP binds to saglin with high specificity. Point mutations in TRAP's binding domain A abrogate binding, and binding is competed for by the SM1 peptide. Importantly, in vivo down-regulation of saglin expression results in strong inhibition of salivary gland invasion. Together, the results suggest that saglin/TRAP interaction is crucial for salivary gland invasion by Plasmodium sporozoites

Study of the Stability of a Viscous Solution of Naftifin Hydrochloride with a Combination of Polyethylene Glycols for External Use

Introduction. An innovative antifungal viscous solution based on naftifine hydrochloride with a combination of polyethylene glycols (PEG) was developed in the laboratory of Sechenov University. The developed preparation intended for external use. The active ingredient – naftifine hydrochloride has a wide spectrum of action against fungi cause onychomycosis. The polyethylene glycols are included in the developed dosage form of provide the necessary viscosity of the solution (for accurate application and retention in the field of application). The paper presents the results of a study of the stability of a viscous solution of naftifine hydrochloride with a combination of PEG for external use. Over the entire shelf life, the drug must retain the full its chemical, physical, biopharmaceutical and pharmacological properties.Aim. Determination of stability and expiration date of the shelf life of the developed solution of naftifine hydrochloride for external use, intended for the treatment of mycosis of the nail.Materials and methods. Naftifine hydrochloride solution, «Millipor» filter, UV spectrophotometry, potentiometry pH, capillary viscometry.Results and discussion. In the course of the study, the shelf life of the developed alcohol solution of naftifin hydrochloride with a combination of PEG was experimentally determined. The stability of the dosage form was determined by accelerated aging at a temperature of 40 ± 2 °C, in vivo at a temperature of no higher than 25 °C; and in a refrigerator at a temperature of 8 ± 2 °C. Assessment of the stability of the alcohol solution of naftifine hydrochloride was carried out according to the following indicators: the volume of the contents of the bottle, appearance, pH, quantitative content of the active substance, viscosity.Conclusion. Based on the studies, it is recommended to store the naftifine hydrochloride solution at room temperature not higher than 25 °C, in a dark place. It is also allowed to store the solution of naftifine hydrochloride in a refrigerator at a temperature of 8 ± 2 °C

The unseen water: Experimentation with scientific photomicrography and creative coding

This research involves aesthetic approaches to scientific photomicrography. Specifically, this project investigates the reinterpretation of photomicrographic images of micro-scale drops of water made by a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), a tool that has expanded the boundaries of observation and representation of the micro world since it was introduced to scientific research in the mid-1960s. I was not aiming to produce scientific records through my use of the SEM; instead, like several artists before me, I used scientific photography methods to create aesthetic images. By exploring the interplay between the indexical and iconic modalities in the process of creating photomicrographs, I seek to imbue them with new meanings and re-appropriate scientific photography as a creative practice and a source of science communication to the general public. Building on the fact that scientific and digital tools have brought new ways of seeing the world, my artistic application of them seeks to extend our perception. This paper provides an explanation of the production of interactive artworks for my project. In these works, viewers are encouraged to engage with photomicrographs of water through touch and movement, which resembles human interaction with water

Ultra-thin flexible screen printed rechargeable polymer battery for wearable electronic applications

This research has demonstrated how an ultra-thin rechargeable battery technology has been fabricated using screen printing technology. The screen printing process enabled the sequential deposition of current collector, electrode and separator/electrolyte materials onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate in order to form both flexible and rechargeable electrodes for a battery application. The anode and cathode fabricated were based on the conducting poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophen): poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) which were combined to form the electrodes. The difference in the oxidation level between the two electrodes produced an open circuit voltage of 0.60 V and displayed a practical specific capacity of 5.5 mAh g−1. The battery developed had an active surface area of 400 mm2 and a device thickness of 440 μm. The chemistry developed during this study displayed long-term cycling potential and proves the stability of the cells for continued usage. This technology has direct uses in future personal wearable electronic devices

A novel mycobacterial Hsp70-containing fusion protein targeting mesothelin augments antitumor immunity and prolongs survival in murine models of ovarian cancer and mesothelioma

Background: Although dendritic cell (DC) vaccines are considered to be promising treatments for advanced cancer, their production and administration is costly and labor-intensive. We developed a novel immunotherapeutic agent that links a single-chain antibody variable fragment (scFv) targeting mesothelin (MSLN), which is overexpressed on ovarian cancer and mesothelioma cells, to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), which is a potent immune activator that stimulates monocytes and DCs, enhances DC aggregation and maturation and improves cross-priming of T cells mediated by DCs.Methods: Binding of this fusion protein with MSLN on the surface of tumor cells was measured by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The therapeutic efficacy of this fusion protein was evaluated in syngeneic and orthotopic mouse models of papillary ovarian cancer and malignant mesothelioma. Mice received 4 intraperitoneal (i.p.) treatments with experimental or control proteins post i.p. injection of tumor cells. Ascites-free and overall survival time was measured. For the investigation of anti-tumor T-cell responses, a time-matched study was performed. Splenocytes were stimulated with peptides, and IFN gamma- or Granzyme B-generating CD3(+)CD8(+) T cells were detected by flow cytometry. To examine the role of CD8(+) T cells in the antitumor effect, we performed in vivo CD8(+) cell depletion. We further determined if the fusion protein increases DC maturation and improves antigen presentation as well as cross-presentation by DCs.Results: We demonstrated in vitro that the scFvMTBHsp70 fusion protein bound to the tumor cells used in this study through the interaction of scFv with MSLN on the surface of these cells, and induced maturation of bone marrow-derived DCs. Use of this bifunctional fusion protein in both mouse models significantly enhanced survival and slowed tumor growth while augmenting tumor-specific CD8(+) T-cell dependent immune responses. We also demonstrated in vitro and in vivo that the fusion protein enhanced antigen presentation and cross-presentation by targeting tumor antigens towards DCs.Conclusions: This new cancer immunotherapy has the potential to be cost-effective and broadly applicable to tumors that overexpress mesothelin