The ability of Lepidoptera, or butterflies and moths, to drink liquids from rotting fruit and wet soil, as well as nectar from floral tubes, raises the question of whether the conventional view of the proboscis as a drinking straw can account for the withdrawal of fluids from porous substrates or of films and droplets from floral tubes. We discovered that the proboscis promotes capillary pull of liquids from diverse sources owing to a hierarchical pore structure spanning nano-and microscales. X-ray phase-contrast imaging reveals that Plateau instability causes liquid bridges to form in the food canal, which are transported to the gut by the muscular sucking pump in the head. The dual functionality of the proboscis represents a key innovation for exploiting a vast range of nutritional sources. We suggest that future studies of the adaptive radiation of the Lepidoptera take into account the role played by the structural organization of the proboscis. A transformative two-step model of capillary intake and suctioning can be applied not only to butterflies and moths but also potentially to vast numbers of other insects such as bees and flies.

We describe a method of fabrication of nanoporous flexible probes which work as artificial proboscises. The challenge of making probes with fast absorption rates and good retention capacity was addressed theoretically and experimentally. This work shows that the probe should possess two levels of pore hierarchy: nanopores are needed to enhance the capillary action and micrometer pores are required to speed up fluid transport. The model of controlled fluid absorption was verified in experiments. We also demonstrated that the artificial proboscises can be remotely controlled by electric or magnetic fields. Using an artificial proboscis, one can approach a drop of hazardous liquid, absorb it and safely deliver it to an analytical device. With these materials, the paradigm of a stationary microfluidic platform can be shifted to the flexible structures that would allow one to pack multiple microfluidic sensors into a single fiber.

In this contribution we present results of differential sputter yield measurements of boron nitride, quartz, and kapton due to bombardment by xenon ions. The measurements are made using a sputtering diagnostic based on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The QCM measurement allows full angular resolution, i.e. differential sputtering yield measurements are measured as a function of both polar angle and azimuthal angle. Measured profiles are presented for 100, 250, 350 and 500 eV Xe + bombardment at 0º, 15º, 30º and 45º angles of incidence. We fit the measured profiles with Modified Zhang expressions using two free parameters: the total sputter yield, Y, and characteristic energy E*. Total yields are calculated from the differential profiles and are compared with published values and weight loss values where possible. φ = azimuthal angle in the target plane from the plane containing the ion beam and target normal ρ = density of target material I.

We have developed a method for laser beam manipulation by using a colloid of nickel nanorods produced by electroplating chemistry. It is shown that the shape of the laser beam passing through a colloid of nickel nanorods can be altered by varying the applied magnetic field. This effect is caused by multiple scattering and diffraction of the laser beam by the nanorods. Compared with spherical nanoparticles, magnetic nanorods are better suited for illumination applications because they are stable in a rotating magnetic field. By rotating the diffraction pattern, one can illuminate a large area.

We studied spontaneous formation of an internal meniscus by dipping glass capillaries of 25 μm to 350 μm radii into low volatile hexadecane and tributyl phosphate. X-ray phase contrast and high speed optical microscopy imaging were employed. We showed that the meniscus completes its formation when the liquid column is still shorter than the capillary radius. After that, the meniscus travels about ten capillary radii at a constant velocity. We demonstrated that the experimental observations can be explained by introducing a friction force linearly proportional to the meniscus velocity with a friction coefficient depending on the air/liquid/solid triplet. It was demonstrated that the friction coefficient does not depend on the capillary radius. Numerical solution of the force balance equation revealed four different uptake regimes that can be specified in a phase portrait. This phase portrait was found to be in good agreement with the experimental results and can be used as a guide for the design of thin porous absorbers.

We present differential sputter yield measurements of boron nitride due to bombardment by xenon ions. A four-grid ion optics system is used to achieve a collimated ion beam at low energy (<100 eV). A quartz crystal microbalance is used to measure differential sputter yield profiles of condensable components from which total sputter yields can also be determined. We report total and differential sputter yields of three grades of boron nitride due to bombardment by xenon ions for ion energies in the range 60–500 eV and ion incidence angles of 0°, 15°, 30° and 45° from the normal. Comparisons with published values are made where possible.

We show that electrochemical formation of long probes with nanosharp tips can be controlled by choosing an appropriate thermodynamic pathway of metal to metal oxide and hydroxide transformation. Currently, convection-limited electropolishing (CLE) is extensively used. Nanosharp probes are produced by electrochemically etching a wire until it breaks into two pieces. This process is difficult to control because of the complexity of the associated hydrodynamic flows. We introduce transport-limited electropolishing (TLE), where the electrochemical reaction results in the formation of metal oxides and hydroxides which form a porous surface layer hindering the flow of electrolyte. The developed TLE method enables one to make long tapered needles. The taper can spread over more than 6 mm while the radius of tip curvature can be decreased down to 30 nm. These needles are strong and were successfully applied for piercing single smooth vascular muscle cells.

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY) SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S ACRONYM(S)Air Force Research Laboratory (AFMC) AFRL/PRS SPONSOR/MONITOR'S Pollux Drive NUMBER(S)Edwards AFB CA 93524-7048 AFRL-PR-ED-TP-2007-406 DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENTApproved for public release; distribution unlimited (PA #07939A). ABSTRACTWe present results of differential sputter yield measurements of HBC and HBR grades of boron nitride due to bombardment by xenon ions. Total sputter yield measurements are made using a weight loss approach. Differential sputter yield measurements (of condensable components) are made using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The QCM measurement allows full angular resolution, i.e. differential sputtering yield measurements are measured as a function of both polar angle and azimuthal angle. Measured profiles are presented for 100, 250, 350 and 500 eV Xe+ bombardment at 0º, 15º, 30º and 45º angles of incidence. We fit the measured profiles with Modified Zhang expressions using two free parameters: the total sputter yield, Y, and characteristic energy E*. Sputtering of HBC versus HBR grades of BN is compared, as is results of sputter measurements from the weight loss versus QCM approaches. Finally, effects of sample moisture absorption are considered. Abstract: We present results of differential sputter yield measurements of HBC and HBR grades of boron nitride due to bombardment by xenon ions. Total sputter yield measurements are made using a weight loss approach. Differential sputter yield measurements (of condensable components) are made using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The QCM measurement allows full angular resolution, i.e. differential sputtering yield measurements are measured as a function of both polar angle and azimuthal angle. Measured profiles are presented for 100, 250, 350 and 500 eV Xe+ bombardment at 0º, 15º, 30º and 45º angles of incidence. We fit the measured profiles with Modified Zhang expressions using two free parameters: the total sputter yield, Y, and characteristic energy E*. Sputtering of HBC versus HBR grades of BN is compared, a...