25 research outputs found
Visualization 1: Two-stage optical recording: photoinduced birefringence and surface-mediated bits storage in bisazo-containing copolymers towards ultrahigh data memory
Readout of multi-level bits by changing the reading beam polarization. The bits intensities smoothly transit from one state (bright or dack) to the other (dack or bright). Originally published in Optics Express on 03 October 2016 (oe-24-20-23557
Simultaneous Imaging and Visualizing the Association of Survivin mRNA and Telomerase in Living Cells by Using a Dual-Color Encoded DNA Nanomachine
Simultaneous imaging and especially visualizing the association
of survivin mRNA and telomerase in living cells are of great value
for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer because their co-expression
facilitates the development of cancer and identifies patients at high
risk of tumor-related death. The challenge is to develop methods that
enable visualizing the association of multiplex targets and avoid
the distorted signals due to the different delivery efficiency of
probes. Herein, we engineered a DNA triangular prism nanomachine (DTPN)
for simultaneous multicolor imaging of survivin mRNA and telomerase
and visualizing their association in living cells. Two recognizing
probes targeted survivin mRNA and telomerase, and the reporter probe
was assembled on the DTP in equal amounts, ensuring the same delivery
efficiency of the probes to the living cells. The results showed that
this DTPN could quantify intracellular survivin mRNA expression and
telomerase activity. Moreover, it also enabled us to visualize the
effect of the down-regulation of one target on the expression of another
target under different drug stimulations. The results implied that
our DTPN provided a promising platform for cancer diagnosis, prognosis,
drug screening, and related biological research
Capillary Force Driven Self-Assembly of Anisotropic Hierarchical Structures Prepared by Femtosecond Laser 3D Printing and Their Applications in Crystallizing Microparticles
The hierarchical structures are the derivation of various functionalities in the natural world and have inspired broad practical applications in chemical systhesis and biological manipulation. However, traditional top-down fabrication approaches suffered from low complexity. We propose a laser printing capillary-assisted self-assembly (LPCS) strategy for fabricating regular periodic structures. Microscale pillars are first produced by the localized femtosecond laser polymerization and are subsequently self-assembled into periodic hierarchical architectures with the assistance of controlled capillary force. Moreover, based on anisotropic assemblies of micropillars, the LPCS method is further developed for the preparation of more complicated and advanced functional microstructures. Pillars cross section, height, and spatial arrangement can be tuned to guide capillary force, and diverse assemblies with different configurations are thus achieved. Finally, we developed a strategy for growing micro/nanoparticles in designed spatial locations through solution-evaporation self-assembly induced by morphology. Due to the high flexibility of LPCS method, the special arrangements, sizes, and distribution density of the micro/nanoparticles can be controlled readily. Our method will be employed not only to fabricate anisotropic hierarchical structures but also to design and manufacture organic/inorganic microparticles
Large-Area One-Step Assembly of Three-Dimensional Porous Metal Micro/Nanocages by Ethanol-Assisted Femtosecond Laser Irradiation for Enhanced Antireflection and Hydrophobicity
The
capability to realize 2D–3D controllable metallic micro/nanostructures
is of key importance for various fields such as plasmonics, electronics,
bioscience, and chemistry due to unique properties such as electromagnetic
field enhancement, catalysis, photoemission, and conductivity. However,
most of the present techniques are limited to low-dimension (1D–2D),
small area, or single function. Here we report the assembly of self-organized
three-dimensional (3D) porous metal micro/nanocages arrays on nickel
surface by ethanol-assisted femtosecond laser irradiation. The underlying
formation mechanism was investigated by a series of femtosecond laser
irradiation under exposure time from 5 to 30 ms. We also demonstrate
the ability to control the size of micro/nanocage arrays from 0.8
to 2 μm by different laser pulse energy. This method features
rapidness (∼10 min), simplicity (one-step process), and ease
of large-area (4 cm<sup>2</sup> or more) fabrication. The 3D cagelike
micro/nanostructures exhibit not only improved antireflection from
80% to 7% but also enhanced hydrophobicity from 98.5° to 142°
without surface modification. This simple technique for 3D large-area
controllable metal microstructures will find great potential applications
in optoelectronics, physics, and chemistry
Formulation of Silk Fibroin Nanobrush-Stabilized Biocompatible Pickering Emulsions
Silk fibroin is widely believed to be sustainable, biocompatible,
and biodegradable, providing promising features such as carriers to
deliver drugs and functional ingredients in food, personal care, and
biomedical areas, which are consistent with emulsion characteristics;
especially, green, all-natural biopolymer-based stabilizers are in
great demand to stabilize Pickering emulsions and match the multifunctional
needs for developing ideal materials. Herein, an unprecedented three-dimensional
(3D) nanostructure, namely a brush-like silk nanobrush (SNB), is applied
as the stabilizer to formulate and stabilize Pickering emulsions.
The size and interfacial tension are compared among the SNB, a regenerated
silk nanofiber, and a nanowhisker. Additionally, optimization processes
are conducted to determine the ideal ultrasonication intensity and
SNB concentration required to prepare Pickering emulsions by analyzing
the morphology, creaming index, mean oil droplet size, and rheological
behavior. The results indicate that an SNB with the characteristic
structure and suitable size shows superior potential to form sophisticated
and interconnected networks in oil-water interfaces, and is proved
to be able to resist creaming at a wide range of concentrations and
subsequently stabilize Pickering emulsions from liquid-like emulsions
to gel-like emulsions. Additionally, SNB is proved to be biocompatible
according to cell experiments, providing a promising alternative in
designing all-natural, green, and biocompatible emulsions with the
aim of efficiently delivering nutrients or drugs associated with health
benefits