Characterization of Coalescence-Induced Droplet Jumping Height on Hierarchical Superhydrophobic Surfaces

Coalescence-induced condensate droplet jumping from superhydrophobic surfaces can be exploited in condensation heat-transfer enhancement, imparting self-cleaning behavior to surfaces, anti-icing coatings, and other industrial uses. An intriguing application would exploit this phenomenon to achieve thermal rectification using a sealed vapor chamber with opposing superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic surfaces. During forward operation, continuous evaporation occurs from the heated superhydrophilic evaporator surface; self-propelled jumping returns the condensate droplets from the cooler superhydrophobic surface to the evaporator, allowing passive recirculation of the working fluid without a reliance on gravity or capillary wicking for fluid return. In reverse operation, when the superhydrophobic surface is heated, the absence of a mechanism for fluid return from the cooler superhydrophilic side to the evaporator restricts heat transport across the (low conductivity) vapor gap. The effectiveness of this jumping-droplet thermal diode can be enhanced by maximizing the distance between the opposing superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces. It is, therefore, important to investigate the height to which the condensate droplets jump from the superhydrophobic surfaces such that replenishment of liquid to the superhydrophilic surface is maintained. In this study, we systematically investigate the height to which the condensate droplets jump from the hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces having truncated microcones coated with nanostructures. The condensate droplet jumping height increases with a decrease in microcone pitch. A general theoretical model that accounts for surface adhesion, line tension, and initial wetting states of multiple coalescing droplets of different radii is used to predict and explain the experimentally observed trend of droplet jumping height with surface roughness. The insights provided regarding the effect of surface topography on droplet jumping height are critical to the design of high-performance thermal diode devices

Continuous Oil–Water Separation Using Polydimethylsiloxane-Functionalized Melamine Sponge

The development of absorbent materials with high selectivity for oils and organic solvents is of great ecological importance for removing pollutants from contaminated water sources. We have developed a facile solution-immersion process for creating poly­dimethyl­siloxane (PDMS)-functionalized sponges for oil–water separation. Sponge materials with densities ranging from 8 to 26 mg/cm³ were investigated as candidate skeletons. After functionalization, the lowest-density melamine sponge exhibits superior superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties, absorption capacity, oil–water selectivity, and absorption recyclability. Via suction through such a functionalized sponge, we have experimentally demonstrated that various kinds of oils can be continuously separated from immiscible liquid mixtures without any water uptake. The widely available raw materials (melamine sponge and PDMS solution) and simple synthesis steps yield a cost-effective and scalable process for fabrication of absorbent materials that can be readily adopted for the cleanup of oil spills and industrial chemical leakage of low-surface-tension solvents that are immiscible with water

Genetic Mapping and Comparative Expression Analysis of Transcription Factors in Cotton

<div><p>Transcription factors (TFs) play an important role in the regulation of plant growth and development. The study of the structure and function of TFs represents a research frontier in plant molecular biology. The findings of these studies will provide significant information regarding genetic improvement traits in crops. Currently, a large number of TFs have been cloned, and their function has been verified. However, relatively few studies that genetically map TFs in cotton are available. To genetically map TFs in cotton in this study, specific primers were designed for TF genes that were published in the Plant Transcription Factor Database. A total of 977 TF primers were obtained, and 31 TF polymorphic loci were mapped on 15 cotton chromosomes. These polymorphic loci were clearly preferentially distributed on chromosomes 5, 11, 19 and 20; and TFs from the same family mapped to homologous cotton chromosomes. <i>In-silico</i> mapping verified that many mapped TFs were mapped on their corresponding chromosomes or their homologous chromosomes’ corresponding chromosomes in the diploid genomes. QTL mapping for fiber quality revealed that TF-Ghi005602-2 mapped on Chr19 was associated with fiber length. Eighty-five TF genes were selected for RT-PCR analysis, and 4 TFs were selected for qRT-PCR analysis, revealing unique expression patterns across different stages of fiber development between the mapping parents. Our data offer an overview of the chromosomal distribution of TFs in cotton, and the comparative expression analysis between <i>Gossypium hirsutum</i> and <i>G</i>. <i>barbadense</i> provides a rough understanding of the regulation of TFs during cotton fiber development.</p></div

Locations of polymorphic TF loci on the BC₁ genetic linkage map.

<p>TF markers are underlined and bolded. The loci on each chromosome with an average of 10 cM of the original map were selected shown. The top and bottom markers and markers that were closely linked to the TF markers were retained for simplicity.</p

Primer design strategies for TFs.

<p>(a) TFs with one motif (GenBank acc No. Ghi003408); (b) TFs with two motifs (GenBank acc No. Ghi003040). *: Target sequence; >>>>>: Primer region.</p

Chromosomal location of TFs in the A₂ genome of <i>G</i>. <i>arboretum</i> (a) and D₅ genome of <i>G</i>. <i>raimondii</i> (b).

<p>Chromosomal location of TFs in the A₂ genome of <i>G</i>. <i>arboretum</i> (a) and D₅ genome of <i>G</i>. <i>raimondii</i> (b).</p

Distribution of TFs in various families.

<p>Distribution of TFs in various families.</p

RT-PCR analysis of TFs between mapping parents.

<p>The numbers on the top represent fibers at 0 DPA, 5 DPA, 10 DPA, 15 DPA, 20 DPA, and 25 DPA for Emian22 and 3–79. Similar expression trends between Emian22 and 3–79 were classified as similar expression patterns. Apparent differences in expression between Emian22 and 3–79 were classified as different expression patterns. Obvious differences in expression levels between Emian22 and 3–79 were classified as obvious differences. Minor or no differences in expression levels between Emian22 and 3–79 were classified as no difference. Gene primers and their family names are indicated on the left.</p

Effect of various modifications on the 3′ terminal nucleotide of a small RNA on T4 RNA ligase- and yeast PAP-catalyzed reactions

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "HEN1 recognizes 21–24 nt small RNA duplexes and deposits a methyl group onto the 2′ OH of the 3′ terminal nucleotide"</p><p>Nucleic Acids Research 2006;34(2):667-675.</p><p>Published online 30 Jan 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1356533.</p><p>© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved</p> () T4 RNA ligase-mediated ligation of various miR173 forms to an RNA linker. () Activity of yeast PAP on various forms of miR173 in the presence of 2 pmol [α-P]-ATP. The ladders or smears represent products of PAP-catalyzed reaction. () Activity of yeast PAP on various forms of miR173 in the presence of 10 pmol [α-P]-ATP

Methyltransferase reaction by GST-HEN1 on siRNA/siRNA* duplexes and miRNA/miRNA* duplexes with 1–5 3′ overhangs

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "HEN1 recognizes 21–24 nt small RNA duplexes and deposits a methyl group onto the 2′ OH of the 3′ terminal nucleotide"</p><p>Nucleic Acids Research 2006;34(2):667-675.</p><p>Published online 30 Jan 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1356533.</p><p>© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved</p> All duplexes in this figure were methylated with the same GST-HEN1 preparation and are therefore comparable to one another. The numbers above the lanes correspond to those in