Microstructure sensitive design

The use of optical methods to study the dynamics and structure of complex polymeric and colloidal liquids subject to external fields has a long history. The choice of an optical technique is normally motivated by the microstructural information it provides, its sensitivity, and dynamic range. A successful application of an optical measurement, however, will depend on many factors. First, the type of interaction of light with matter must be correctly chosen so that the desired microstructural information of a sample can be extracted. Once selected, the arrangement of optical elements required to perform the required measurement must be designed. This involves not only the selection of the elements themselves, but also their alignment. Finally, a proper interpretation of the observables will depend on one s ability to connect the measurement to the sample s microstructure. 

LIF detection is the most sensitive optical method so far, but is hard to miniaturize in order to satisfy the ultimate goal of a microfluidic chip that assembles all analytical processes within one micrometerscale microstructure. Therefore, how to achieve the miniaturization of fluorescence detection on microdevices is becoming an active field for lab-on-a-chip research. Several examples demonstrate recent advances in miniaturized LIF detection on the microchip. In 2005, Renzi et al. designed a hand-held microchip-based analytical instrument that combines fluidic, optics, electrical power, and interface modules and integrates the functions of fluidics, microseparation, lasers, power supplies etc., into an... 

Illustrated cross-sectional microstructural differences by optical and x-ray diffraction. Showed sensitivity of modulus to test angle. Provided mold design suggestions, and discussed weld line problems. 

The electrode surface attributes have a profound influence on the kinetic of electron transfer. The continued progress in material research has induced the marked progress in the preparation of electrochemical electrodes with enhanced sensitivity or selectivity. If such a sophisticated electrode with microstructured, nanostructured or electroactive surface is used a special attention should be paid to a careful examination of changes initiated in the diffusion towards its surface. Newly designed types of electrochemical electrodes often result in more or less marked deviations from the ideal Cottrell behaviour. Various modifications of the relationship (Equation (1)) have been investigated to describe the processes in real electrochemical cells. A raising awareness of the importance of a detailed... 

A 2D experiment has been designed to correlate the chemical shifts of protons with the corresponding directly bonded carbons [59]. As a correlation experiment, the H spin serves as a spy nucleus for its attached C nucleus. The information obtained from these experiments is the resonance frequency of the proton(s) coupled directly to the various C nuclei in the molecule (i.e., which carbon resonance is correlated with which proton resonance) [60,61]. Because the C chemical shifts are generally better known with respect to their structural origin, this 2D method permits the interpretation of the H-NMR spectra. With this knowledge, the highly sensitive H-NMR spectra can be used to determine the polymer microstructure. The main limitation of this 2D correlation experiment is that it functions only for carbons that have directly bonded protons. 

---