UK – Page 18 – TechConnect Briefs

Ultrasound-driven viscous streaming, modelled via momentum injection

Packer J., Attinger D., Ventikos Y., University of Oxford, UK

Mixing, particle transport, and lysis of biological cells can be performed in microfluidic chips by actuators based on the controlled motion of a gas-liquid interface. There is strong motivation to develop practical and tractable computational [...]

DNA Extraction Chip Using Key-type Planar Electrodes

Azimi S.M., Balachandran W., Ahern J., Slijepcevic P., Newton C., Brunel University, UK

This paper presents a novel method of DNA extraction from whole blood using time varying magnetic field. The novelty of this chip is that both mixing and separation steps are performed in a single chamber [...]

Germanium antimony sulphide nano wires fabricated by chemical vapour deposition and e-beam lithography

Huang C-C, Tai C-Y, Liu C-J, Simpson R.E., Knight K., Hewak D.W., University of Southampton, UK

Germanium antimony sulphide (Ge-Sb-S) amorphous thin films and nano wires have been directly deposited and patterned on SiO2-on-silicon substrates by means of chemical vapour deposition, e-beam lithography and dry etching. The Ge-Sb-S thin films were [...]

Structure Development in Flexible Polyurethane Foam Nanocomposites

Stanford J.L., Cookson P.A., Fithriyah N.H., Wilkinson A.N., University of Manchester, UK

This research involves in situ studies on the development of molecular and morphological structures during the processing of flexible, water-blown polyurethane foams containing layered silicate (montmorillonite) nanoparticles. Such materials possess enhanced mechanical properties combined with [...]

The Nanomechanical Testing and Characterisation of Anti-viral Nano-structured Surface Coatings

Singh I., Allan P.S., Brunel University, UK

Surface coatings of nanoparticles that possess antiviral properties have been tested by a nano scratch method for their adhesive strength to metallic and polymeric substrates. The deformed coatings were observed in an SEM and values [...]

The bijel: a bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gel

White K.A., Herzig E.M., Schofield A.B., Poon W.C.K., Cates M.E., Clegg P.S., University of Edinburgh, UK

The bijel is a new class of functional material comprised of two simple fluids arrested in a bicontinuous configuration. We stabilize the fluid structure using an interfacial layer of silica particles. As with colloid-stabilized emulsions, [...]

Attachment and Spreading of Human Embryonal Carcinoma Stem Cells on Nanosurfaces Using Optical Waveguides

Aref A., Horvath R., Ansari F., Ramsden J.J., Cranfield University, UK

Abstract Cell adhesion is an active process, carried out in vivo via receptor ligand-like interactions between cell surface adhesion molecules and the extracellular matrix. Initial cell surface reactions following contact may trigger multiple responses, which [...]

Carbon Nanopipes dispersions in aqueous solutions and effects on cell viability

Whitby M., Lin J., Quirke N., Thanou M., Imperial College London, UK

The development of carbon nanomaterials for biomedical applications appears highly attractive due to their nanoscale properties although their biological profile is still in doubt. Herewith, we report that the amorphous vs crystalline character of carbon [...]

Improved Tissue Distribution, Renal Clearance and Toxicity Profile of Functionalised Carbon Nanotubes

Lacerda L., Prato M., Bianco A., Kostarelos K., The School of Pharmacy, University of London, UK

Carbon nanotube (CNT) development for biomedical applications is in the nascent stages, however is thought to lead to novel types of diagnostic, therapeutic and regenerative nanomedicines. The construction of CNT-based delivery systems able to traffick [...]

Evaluation For The Current Management of Pompe Disease

Khan U.A., University of Manchester, UK

Pompe disease in an autosomal recessive inherited condition characterised by deficiency of the enzyme acid -glucosidase. This causes accumulation of glycogen in muscles, significantly in the heart. The affect is a progressive muscle dysfunction, leading [...]