Superhydrophobic surfaces of n-hexatriacontane were fabricated in a single-step process. The low surface energy of n-hexatriacontane together with the randomly distributed micro- and nanoscale roughness features guarantees very large contact angles and a small roll-off angle for water drops. The advantage of n-hexatriacontane superhydrophobic surfaces is their stability in the sense that they are impervious to chemical reactions and retain their wetting characteristics over a long period of time, as confirmed by XPS analysis and contact angle measurements.
Measurement of the surface tension of articular cartilage and friction experiments were carried out to provide further evidence in support of a new theory regarding the mechanism of friction in joints. To determine the surface tension of cartilage, contact angle measurements were used in conjunction with the equation of state for interfacial tensions. The advancing contact angle between saline drops and articular cartilage was found to be 100 degrees +/- 5 degrees, indicating a highly hydrophobic surface. The corresponding surface tension value was calculated to be 22.5 ergs/cm2. Friction of cartilage against hydrophobic surfaces is shown to be lower than the friction of cartilage against hydrophilic surfaces. All these results further support the theory that lubrication by nonwetting drops occurs in joints and may be responsible for the exceptional friction characteristics of the joints.
Various immobilization strategies have been developed to optimize the biosynthetic potential of cultured plant cells. Immobilization involves the retaining of suspension-cultured plant cells on, or within, a physical barrier that promotes cell aggregation and separates the cells from the surrounding media. The advantages of immobilization include the formation of diffusionary gradients around and between the cells that increase intercellular biochemical communication conducive to the coordinated expression of secondary metabolism. In effect, immobilization simulates the physiological conditions within large aggregates of cells in a manner amenable to manipulation for fermentation purposes.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.