Cluster-Assembled Nanoporous Super-Hydrophilic Smart Surfaces for On-Target Capturing and Processing of Biological Samples for Multi-Dimensional MALDI-MS

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) on cluster-assembled super-hydrophilic nanoporous titania films deposited on hydrophobic conductive-polymer substrates feature a unique combination of surface properties that significantly improve the possibilities of capturing and processing biological samples before and during the MALDI-MS analysis without changing the selected sample target (multi-dimensional MALDI-MS). In contrast to pure hydrophobic surfaces, such films promote a remarkable biologically active film porosity at the nanoscale due to the soft assembling of ultrafine atomic clusters. This unique combination of nanoscale porosity and super-hydrophilicity provides room for effective sample capturing, while the hydrophilic-hydrophobic discontinuity at the border of the dot-patterned film acts as a wettability-driven containment for sample/reagent droplets. In the present work, we evaluate the performance of such advanced surface engineered reactive containments for their benefit in protein sample processing and characterization. We shortly discuss the advantages resulting from the introduction of the described chips in the MALDI-MS workflow in the healthcare/clinical context and in MALDI-MS bioimaging (MALDI-MSI)

Flow photochemistry – a GREEN Technology with a bright future: μ-photochemistry - a new resources-efficient synthesis tool

This report summarizes the results of the 'μ-Photochemistry a New Resources Synthesis Tool' project funded by the Irish Environmental Agency (EPA).\ud \ud Microphotochemistry is a novel research area of the twenty-first century that arises from significant progress in micro- and nanotechnologies. Microphotochemistry combines established techniques in organic photochemistry and continuous flow microsystem engineering with advances in light technology. Microphotochemistry can be considered to be an environmentally conscious methodology, contributing\ud to the rapidly expanding field of 'green chemistry', by reducing the volume of waste, improving energy efficiency and product selectivity

Microflow photochemistry – an advantageous combination of synthetic photochemistry and microreactor technology

Microflow photochemistry combines successfully the benefits of microscopic dimensions and flow operation. The results from our studies show clearly the superiority of this novel technology over conventional reactor systems. In contrast to commercially available 'closed' microreactors with fixed inner dimension, flexible 'open' microcapillaries allow for task specific applications. Advanced multi-capillary flow reactors furthermore enable parallel operations. It is hoped that this technology will find future applications in chemical R&D processes

Visible-light photooxygenation of α-terpinene in a falling film microreactor

The photooxygenation of α-terpinene was investigated in a falling film microreactor. The formation of microfilms and the flow operation allowed for a safe and controllable production of the bioactive endoperoxide ascaridole. Stepwise investigation of the process parameters resulted in the selective formation of ascaridole of up to 89% and a productivity of 2.5–3.2 mol L−1 h−1, respectively

Parallel Microflow Photochemistry: Process Optimization, Scale-up, and Library Synthesis

A novel, multimicrocapillary flow reactor (MμCFR) was constructed and applied to a series of sensitized photoadditions involving 2(5H)-furanones. The reactor allowed for rapid and energy-, time-, and space-efficient sensitizer screening, process optimization, validation, scale-up, and library synthesis

Photosensitized addition of isopropanol to furanones in a continuous-flow dual capillary microreactor

A novel continuous-flow photoreactor with parallel capillaries was constructed and successfully tested for the DMBP-sensitized addition of isopropanol to furanones. Complete conversions were achieved after a maximum of 10 min of irradiation with a single 350 nm lamp. The results were compared to analogous batch experiments using a conventional Rayonet chamber reactor equipped with 16 UVA lamps. The capillary tower generally showed higher space-time yields

Photosensitized addition of isopropanol to furanones in a continuous-flow dual capillary microreactor

A novel continuous-flow photoreactor with parallel capillaries was constructed and successfully tested for the DMBP-sensitized addition of isopropanol to furanones. Complete conversions were achieved after a maximum of 10 min of irradiation with a single 350 nm lamp. The results were compared to analogous batch experiments using a conventional Rayonet chamber reactor equipped with 16 UVA lamps. The capillary tower generally showed higher space-time yields

Cluster-Assembled Nanoporous Super-Hydrophilic Smart Surfaces for On-Target Capturing and Processing of Biological Samples for Multi-Dimensional MALDI-MS

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) on cluster-assembled super-hydrophilic nanoporous titania films deposited on hydrophobic conductive-polymer substrates feature a unique combination of surface properties that significantly improve the possibilities of capturing and processing biological samples before and during the MALDI-MS analysis without changing the selected sample target (multi-dimensional MALDI-MS). In contrast to pure hydrophobic surfaces, such films promote a remarkable biologically active film porosity at the nanoscale due to the soft assembling of ultrafine atomic clusters. This unique combination of nanoscale porosity and super-hydrophilicity provides room for effective sample capturing, while the hydrophilic-hydrophobic discontinuity at the border of the dot-patterned film acts as a wettability-driven containment for sample/reagent droplets. In the present work, we evaluate the performance of such advanced surface engineered reactive containments for their benefit in protein sample processing and characterization. We shortly discuss the advantages resulting from the introduction of the described chips in the MALDI-MS workflow in the healthcare/clinical context and in MALDI-MS bioimaging (MALDI-MSI)

From the solar production of chemicals to microphotochemical synthesis

Photochemistry can serve as a powerful and green technology for both, the production of established commodity chemicals and the synthesis of novel compound libraries. Solar photochemistry allows for 'scale up' (production), whereas microphotochemistry allows for 'scale down' (R&D)

From the solar production of chemicals to microphotochemical synthesis

Photochemistry can serve as a powerful and green technology for both, the production of established commodity chemicals and the synthesis of novel compound libraries. Solar photochemistry allows for 'scale up' (production), whereas microphotochemistry allows for 'scale down' (R&D)