• Applied Chemistry
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.21-24
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• 2011

A sensitive silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) method is reported for the determination of mandelic acid (MA). This method is based on the luminol-KIO₄ system catalyzed by Ag NPs to produce CL spectra. Prepared Ag NPs were characterized by UV-visible spectra and TEM image. Under optimal condition, CL spectra of the system were responded linearly with the concentration of MA in the range of 2.5×10^-9 to 2.0×10^-8 mol L^-1 (r=0.9989) with a detection limit of 1.2×10^-10 mol L^-1. The relative standard deviation of 1.0×10^-7 mol L^-1 MA was found 1.45 (n=9).

• Advances in nano research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 2024

The insecticidal efficiency of orange (Citrus sinensis) peel essential oil (OP-EO) is limited because of its low stability under environmental conditions. Nanoemulsion formulations show promise in overcoming this limitation. Therefore, this study aimed to formulate and characterize the OP-EO nanoemulsion form (OP-EON) and investigate its insecticidal properties against two significant storage pests, Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792), and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797). The OP-EON (4:3:3:90 w/w, EO: Tween 80: Ethanol: water) was successfully created using an ultrasonic homogenizer. The major chemical components of the OP-EO were determined to be D-limonene (87.93%), myrcene (3.62%), and α-pinene (1.34%) through GC-MS analysis. The OP-EON was characterized using TEM (50-100 nm), Zeta sizer (the mean droplet particle size of 58.60 nm, the ζ-potential value of -12.6 mV, and the polydispersity index of 0.486), and FT-IR analysis. After 7 days, exposure to 500 ppm of the OP-EON resulted in 50% and 30% mortality rates in R. dominica and T. castaneum, respectively. Exposure to 1000 ppm of OP-EON resulted in 90% and 55% mortality in R. dominica and T. castaneum, respectively, after 7 days. Overall, these results clearly showed the potential to exceed the limits of the insecticidal activity of the OP-EO with its nanoemulsion form.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.52
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• pp.7.1-7.6
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• 2022

The process of encapsulating cobalt nanoparticles using a graphene layer is mainly direct pyrolysis. The encapsulation structure of hybrids prepared in this way improves the catalyst stability, which greatly reduces the leaching of non-metals and prevents metal nanoparticles from growing beyond a certain size. In this study, cobalt particles surrounded by graphene layers were formed by increasing the temperature in a transmission electron microscope, and they were analyzed using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Synthesized cobalt hydroxide nanosheets were used to obtain cobalt particles using an in-situ heating holder inside a TEM column. The cobalt nanoparticles are surrounded by layers of graphene, and the number of layers increases as the temperature increases. The interlayer spacing of the graphene layers was also investigated using atomic imaging. The success achieved in the encapsulation of metallic nanoparticles in graphene layers paves the way for the design of highly active and reusable heterogeneous catalysts for more challenging molecules.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.50
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• pp.22.1-22.6
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• 2020

In-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) holders that employ a chip-type specimen stage have been widely utilized in recent years. The specimen on the microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based chip is commonly prepared by focused ion beam (FIB) milling and ex-situ lift-out (EXLO). However, the FIB-milled thin-foil specimens are inevitably contaminated with Ga⁺ ions. When these specimens are heated for real time observation, the Ga⁺ ions influence the reaction or aggregate in the protection layer. An effective method of removing the Ga residue by Ar⁺ ion milling within FIB system was explored in this study. However, the Ga residue remained in the thin-foil specimen that was extracted by EXLO from the trench after the conduct of Ar⁺ ion milling. To address this drawback, the thin-foil specimen was attached to an FIB lift-out grid, subjected to Ar⁺ ion milling, and subsequently transferred to an MEMS-based chip by EXLO. The removal of the Ga residue was confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.50
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• pp.24.1-24.11
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• 2020

The development of the femtosecond laser (fs laser) with its ability to provide extremely rapid athermal ablation of materials has initiated a renaissance in materials science. Sample milling rates for the fs laser are orders of magnitude greater than that of traditional focused ion beam (FIB) sources currently used. In combination with minimal surface post-processing requirements, this technology is proving to be a game changer for materials research. The development of a femtosecond laser attached to a focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (LaserFIB) enables numerous new capabilities, including access to deeply buried structures as well as the production of extremely large trenches, cross sections, pillars and TEM H-bars, all while preserving microstructure and avoiding or reducing FIB polishing. Several high impact applications are now possible due to this technology in the fields of crystallography, electronics, mechanical engineering, battery research and materials sample preparation. This review article summarizes the current opportunities for this new technology focusing on the materials science megatrends of engineering materials, energy materials and electronics.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.50
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• pp.9.1-9.8
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• 2020

The fine structural characteristics of cardiac muscle cells and its myofibril organization in the orb web spider N. clavata were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Although myofibril striations are not remarkable as those of skeletal muscles, muscle fibers contain multiple myofibrils, abundant mitochondria, extensive sarcoplasmic reticulum and transverse tubules (T-tubules). Myofibrils are divided into distinct sarcomeres defined by Z-lines with average length of 2.0 ㎛, but the distinction between the A-band and the I-bands is not clear due to uniform striations over the length of the sarcomeres. Dyadic junction which consisted of a single T-tubule paired with a terminal cisterna of the sarcoplasmic reticulum is found mainly at the A-I level of sarcomere. Each cell is arranged to form multiple connections with neighboring cells through the intercalated discs. These specialized junctions include three types of intercellular junctions: gap junctions, fascia adherens and desmosomes for heart function. Our transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations clearly show that spider's cardiac muscle contraction is controlled by neurogenic rather than myogenic mechanism since each cardiac muscle fiber is innervated by a branch of motor neuron through neuromuscular junctions.

• Archives of Metallurgy and Materials
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.1249-1254
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• 2020

The effect of TiC content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a nanocrystalline Fe-Mn alloy was investigated by XRD analysis, TEM observation, and mechanical tests. A sintered Fe-Mn alloy sample with nano-sized crystallites was obtained using spark plasma sintering. Crystallite size, which is used as a hardening mechanism, was measured by X-ray diffraction peak analysis. It was observed that the addition of TiC influenced the average size of crystallites, resulting in a change in austenite stability. Thus, the volume fraction of austenite at room temperature after the sintering process was also modified by the TiC addition. The martensite transformation during cooling was suppressed by adding TiC, which lowered the martensite start temperature. The plastic behavior and the strain-induced martensite kinetics formed during plastic deformation are discussed with compressive stress-strain curves and numerical analysis for the transformation kinetics.

• Archives of Metallurgy and Materials
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.799-802
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• 2021

The nano-sized Y₂O₃ dispersed W composite powder is prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis of a tungsten precursor using ammonium metatungstate hydrate and a polymer addition solution method using Y-nitrate. XRD analysis for calcined powder showed the formation of WO₂ phase by partial oxidation of W powder during calcination in air. The TEM and phase analysis for further hydrogen reduction of calcined powder mixture exhibited that the W powder with a uniform distribution of Y₂O₃ nanoparticles can be successfully produced. These results indicate that the wet chemical method combined with spray pyrolysis and polymer solution is a promising way to synthesis the W-based composites with homogeneous dispersion of fine oxide particles.

• Archives of Metallurgy and Materials
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.1507-1510
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• 2022

An optimum route to synthesis the W-based composite powders with homogeneous dispersion of oxide nanoparticles was investigated. The La₂O₃ dispersed W powder was synthesized by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis using ammonium metatungstate hydrate and lanthanum nitrate. The dispersion of Y₂O₃ nanoparticles in W- La₂O₃ powder was carried out by a polymer addition solution method using yttrium nitrate. XPS and TEM analyses for the composite powder showed that the nano-sized La₂O₃ and Y₂O₃ particles were well distributed in W powder. This study suggests that the combination processing of ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and polymeric additive solution is a promising way to synthesis W-based composite powders.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7143-7147
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• 2015

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were conjugated with gallic acid (GA) at various concentrations between 30 and $150{\mu}M$ and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-VIS). The anticancer activities of the gallic acid-stabilized gold nanoparticles against well-differentiated (M213) and moderately differentiated (M214) adenocarcinomas were then determined using a neutral red assay. The GA mechanism of action was evaluated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy. Distinctive features of the FTIR spectra between the control and GA-treated cells were confirmed by principal component analysis (PCA). The surface plasmon resonance spectra of the GNPs had a maximum absorption at 520 nm, whereas GNPs-GA shifted the maximum absorption values. In an in vitro study, the complexed GNPs-GA had an increased ability to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells that was statistically significant (P<0.0001) in both M213 and M214 cells compared to GA alone, indicating that the anticancer activity of GA can be improved by conjugation with GNPs. Moreover, PCA revealed that exposure of the tested cells to GA resulted in significant changes in their cell membrane lipids and fatty acids, which may enhance the efficacy of this anticancer activity regarding apoptosis pathways.