Onset of heterogeneous crystal nucleation in colloidal suspensions

The addition of small 'seed' particles to a supersaturated solution can greatly increase the rate at which crystals nucleate. This process is understood, at least qualitatively, when the seed has the same structure as the crystal that it spawns. However, the microscopic mechanism of seeding by a 'foreign' substance is not well understood. Here we report numerical simulations of colloidal crystallization seeded by foreign objects. We perform Monte Carlo simulations to study how smooth spherical seeds of various sizes affect crystallization in a suspension of hard colloidal particles. We compute the free-energy barrier associated with crystal nucleation. A low barrier implies that nucleation is easy. We find that to be effective crystallization promoters, the seed particles need to exceed a well-defined minimum size. Just above this size, seed particles act as crystallization 'catalysts' as newly formed crystallites detach from the seed. In contrast, larger seed particles remain covered by the crystallites that they spawn. This phenomenon should be experimentally observable and can have important consequences for the control of the resulting crystal size distribution.     

In situ observation of colloidal monolayer nucleation driven by an alternating electric field

The nucleation of crystalline materials is a hotly debated subject in the physical sciences. Despite the emergence of several theories in recent decades, much confusion still surrounds the dynamic processes of nucleation. This has been due in part to the limitations of existing experimental evidence. Charged colloidal suspensions have been used as experimental model systems for the study of crystal nucleation and structural phase transitions, as their crystallization phase diagram is analogous to that of atomic and molecular systems, but they can be visualized using microscopy. Previously, three-dimensional imaging of colloidal nucleation dynamics was achieved using confocal microscopy. However, the limited temporal resolution of the confocal microscope is of concern when trying to capture real-time colloidal crystal nucleation events. Moreover, as the thermodynamic driving force has remained undefined, data on key factors such as the critical nuclei size are at best semiquantitative. Here we present real-time direct imaging and quantitative measurements of the pre- and post-nucleation processes of colloidal spheres, and the kinetics of nucleation driven by an alternating electric field, under well-defined thermodynamic driving forces. Our imaging approach could facilitate the observation of other rarely observed phenomena, such as defect and grain-boundary formation and the effects of foreign particles during crystallization. Furthermore, it may prove useful in identifying optical and biological technologies based on colloids.     

垂直沉积法制备二氧化硅胶体晶体及其表征

利用垂直沉积法将单分散的二氧化硅胶体微球自组装生长为胶体晶体 ,并用扫描电子显微镜和紫外可见光分光光度计对其显微形貌和光学特性进行了表征 .结果表明二氧化硅微球有序堆积 ,自组装成胶体晶体 ,其结构为FCC密排结构 ,表面为FCC密排结构的 ( 1 1 1 )面 ;反射光谱还表明 ,所制备的胶体晶体的光子带隙位于可见光波段 .与重力沉淀等其他自组装方法相比 ,垂直沉积法制备胶体晶体具有能够用胶体微球粒径和胶体溶液浓度精确控制样品厚度等优点     

Ionic colloidal crystals of oppositely charged particles

Colloidal suspensions are widely used to study processes such as melting, freezing and glass transitions. This is because they display the same phase behaviour as atoms or molecules, with the nano- to micrometre size of the colloidal particles making it possible to observe them directly in real space. Another attractive feature is that different types of colloidal interactions, such as long-range repulsive, short-range attractive, hard-sphere-like and dipolar, can be realized and give rise to equilibrium phases. However, spherically symmetric, long-range attractions (that is, ionic interactions) have so far always resulted in irreversible colloidal aggregation. Here we show that the electrostatic interaction between oppositely charged particles can be tuned such that large ionic colloidal crystals form readily, with our theory and simulations confirming the stability of these structures. We find that in contrast to atomic systems, the stoichiometry of our colloidal crystals is not dictated by charge neutrality; this allows us to obtain a remarkable diversity of new binary structures. An external electric field melts the crystals, confirming that the constituent particles are indeed oppositely charged. Colloidal model systems can thus be used to study the phase behaviour of ionic species. We also expect that our approach to controlling opposite-charge interactions will facilitate the production of binary crystals of micrometre-sized particles, which could find use as advanced materials for photonic applications.     

Diffusion of point defects in two-dimensional colloidal crystals

Uniform colloidal microspheres dispersed in a solvent will, under appropriate conditions, self-assemble into ordered crystalline structures. Using these colloidal crystals as a model system, a great variety of problems of interest to materials science, physical chemistry, and condensed-matter physics have been investigated during the past two decades. Recently, it has been demonstrated that point defects can be created in two-dimensional colloidal crystals by manipulating individual particles with optical tweezers. Direct imaging of these defects verified that their stable configurations have lower symmetry than the underlying triangular lattice, as predicted by numerical simulations for a number of two-dimensional systems. It was also observed that point defects can dissociate into pairs of well-separated dislocations, a topological excitation especially important in two dimensions. Here we use a similar experimental system to study the dynamics of mono- and di-vacancies in two-dimensional colloidal crystals. We see evidence that the excitation of point defects into dislocation pairs enhances the diffusion of di-vacancies. Moreover, the hopping of the defects does not follow a pure random walk, but exhibits surprising memory effects. We expect the results presented in this work to be relevant for explaining the dynamics of other two-dimensional systems.     

Electrophoretic assembly of colloidal crystals with optically tunable micropatterns

The production of materials with micrometre- and submicrometre-scale patterns is of importance in a range of applications, such as photonic materials, high-density magnetic data storage devices, microchip reactors and biosensors. One method of preparing such structures is through the assembly of colloidal particles. Micropatterned colloidal assemblies have been produced with lithographically patterned electrodes or micromoulds. Here we describe a different method that combines the well-known photochemical sensitivity of semiconductors with electric-field-induced assembly to create ordered arrays of micrometre-sized colloidal particles with tunable patterns. We show that light affects the assembly processes, and demonstrate how to produce patterns using electrophoretic deposition in the presence of an ultraviolet (UV) illumination motif. The distribution of current across an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode can be altered by varying the illumination intensity: during the deposition process, this causes colloidal particles to be swept from darkened areas into lighted regions. Illumination also assists in immobilizing the particles on the electrode surface. Although the details of these processes are not well understood, the patterning effects of the UV light are discussed in terms of alterations in the current density that affects particle assembly on an ITO electrode.     

Preparation of modified SiO2 colloidal spheres with succinic acid and the assembly of colloidal crystals

SiO2 colloidal spheres were synthesized by St-ber method. In order to enhance surface charge of the SiO2 spheres, they were modified with succinic acid. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows that the average size of modified SiO2 spheres is 473 nm, and its distribution standard deviation is less than 5%; Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) results indicate that one end of succinic acid is chemically bonded to the SiO2 spheres through esterification; Zeta potential of the modified SiO2 spheres in water solution is improved from -53.72 to -67.46 mV, and surface charge density of the modified SiO2 spheres is enhanced from 0.19 to 0.94 μC/cm2. SiO2 colloidal crystal was fabricated from aqueous colloidal solution by the vertical deposition method at 40℃ and 60% relative humidity. SEM images show that the sample of SiO2 colloidal crystal is face-centered cubic (fcc) structure with its (111) planes parallel to the substrate. Transmission measurement shows the existence of photonic band gap at 1047 nm.     

基于三维矩阵的核磁共振MRI切面成像实时算法研究

以核磁共振成像中的任意位置切面视频成像处理问题为例 ,讨论了以三维矩阵数值运算与逻辑运算为基础的成像算法。给出了算法的数学模型和编程实现方法 ,并着重分析了在解决实时性要求与存储空间和运行时间的矛盾时所引入的子矩阵分解算法 ,该算法的应用提高了程序的运行速度 ,节省了程序运行时所需的存储空间 ,也减少了人为介入因素 ,提高了成像质量。     

常规方法显现潮湿客体上手印的探讨

以潮湿客体上的潜手印作为研究对象,分析了常规方法显现潮湿客体上潜手印的条件和机理,系统地研究了潮湿客体上手印显现的一些规律.     

胶体几丁质诱导红曲霉产几丁质酶的研究

本文采用胶体几丁质为底物,研究了红曲霉液态发酵产几丁质酶.研究结果表明:胶体几丁质的添加能有效诱导红曲霉合成几丁质酶.在培养基中添加0.8%(W/V)胶体几丁质的同时,添加0.4%(W/V)葡萄糖,有利于红曲霉的生长以及几丁质酶的合成,发酵48h几丁质酶活力达到最高的0.3504U/mL.     

非均质形核细化16Mn钢凝固组织

通过感应炉对比实验,考察了基于不同非均质形核理论计算所得的三类有效形核质点Ce2O3、ZrO2和MgO对细化16Mn钢凝固组织的影响.结果表明:只符合点阵错配度理论判据的MgO形核质点将铸锭等轴晶率从32％提高至37％;只符合静电作用理论判据的ZrO2形核质点将等轴晶率提高至40％;同时满足点阵错配度理论和静电作用理论判据的Ce2O3非均质形核质点将等轴晶率提高至44％.在上述三个非均相成核的粒子中,Ce2O3能最大程度细化16Mn钢凝固组织.钢中形成以上三类形核核心后,钢的原始奥氏体晶粒尺寸以及显微组织均得到不同程度细化.     

溴氰菊酯胶悬剂的气相色谱分析

研究了胶悬剂中溴氰菊酯的浸出方法。采用低固定液涂量、短色谱柱、高柱温,气相色谱内标法测定胶悬剂中溴氰菊醌的含量。方法有良好的线性,回归方程为Y=0.5545X 0.0232,相关系数r=0.9998。方法的RSD为0.9%,回收率98%-103%,精密度和准确性均好。     

用非均相形核法制备Cu包裹MoSi2复合粉体

采用非均相形核法制备铜包裹MoSi2的复合粉体.利用场发射扫描电镜、X射线衍射仪、电子探针等分析手段对复合粉体进行表征,并讨论包裹结构的形成机制和影响因素.结果表明,采用非均相形核法可以制备出MoSi2颗粒表面被细小的铜微晶包裹的复合粉体;用壬基酚聚氧乙烯醚作为分散剂有助于提高纳米铜的稳定性,并能有效防止复合粉体的团聚,MoSi2颗粒的分散性得到显著改善,包裹效果较好;MoSi2颗粒大小和形状对复合粉体的包裹情况有较大影响;包裹结构取决于铜在MoSi2颗粒表面的沉积以及对复合粉体团聚的控制.     

溶胶SiO2改性高度支化水性聚氨酯的研究

以甲苯-2,4-二异氰酸酯(TDI)、聚碳酸酯二醇(PCDL)、二羟甲基丙酸(DMPA)和聚醚胺(ATA)为原料,采用A2+B3法合成了具有高度支化结构的水性聚氨酯(HBAPU),然后分别加入质量分数(下同)为0.5%,1.5%,2%,3%的SiO<,2>溶胶制成溶胶SiO<,2>改性高度支化水性聚氨酯.用红外光谱(F...     

Earthquake nucleation by transient deformations caused by the M = 7.9 Denali, Alaska, earthquake

The permanent and dynamic (transient) stress changes inferred to trigger earthquakes are usually orders of magnitude smaller than the stresses relaxed by the earthquakes themselves, implying that triggering occurs on critically stressed faults. Triggered seismicity rate increases may therefore be most likely to occur in areas where loading rates are highest and elevated pore pressures, perhaps facilitated by high-temperature fluids, reduce frictional stresses and promote failure. Here we show that the 2002 magnitude M = 7.9 Denali, Alaska, earthquake triggered widespread seismicity rate increases throughout British Columbia and into the western United States. Dynamic triggering by seismic waves should be enhanced in directions where rupture directivity focuses radiated energy, and we verify this using seismic and new high-sample GPS recordings of the Denali mainshock. These observations are comparable in scale only to the triggering caused by the 1992 M = 7.4 Landers, California, earthquake, and demonstrate that Landers triggering did not reflect some peculiarity of the region or the earthquake. However, the rate increases triggered by the Denali earthquake occurred in areas not obviously tectonically active, implying that even in areas of low ambient stressing rates, faults may still be critically stressed and that dynamic triggering may be ubiquitous and unpredictable.     

Superconductivity in molecular crystals induced by charge injection

Progress in the field of superconductivity is often linked to the discovery of new classes of materials, with the layered copper oxides being a particularly impressive example. The superconductors known today include a wide spectrum of materials, ranging in complexity from simple elemental metals, to alloys and binary compounds of metals, to multi-component compounds of metals and chalcogens or metalloids, doped fullerenes and organic charge-transfer salts. Here we present a new class of superconductors: insulating organic molecular crystals that are made metallic through charge injection. The first examples are pentacene, tetracene and anthracene, the last having the highest transition temperature, at 4 K. We anticipate that many other organic molecular crystals can also be made superconducting by this method, which will lead to surprising findings in the vast composition space of molecular crystals.     

Mechanism of regulation of WAVE1-induced actin nucleation by Rac1 and Nck

Rac signalling to actin -- a pathway that is thought to be mediated by the protein Scar/WAVE (WASP (Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein)-family verprolin homologous protein -- has a principal role in cell motility. In an analogous pathway, direct interaction of Cdc42 with the related protein N-WASP stimulates actin polymerization. For the Rac-WAVE pathway, no such direct interaction has been identified. Here we report a mechanism by which Rac and the adapter protein Nck activate actin nucleation through WAVE1. WAVE1 exists in a heterotetrameric complex that includes orthologues of human PIR121 (p53-inducible messenger RNA with a relative molecular mass (M(r)) of 140,000), Nap125 (NCK-associated protein with an M(r) of 125,000) and HSPC300. Whereas recombinant WAVE1 is constitutively active, the WAVE1 complex is inactive. We therefore propose that Rac1 and Nck cause dissociation of the WAVE1 complex, which releases active WAVE1-HSPC300 and leads to actin nucleation.