The functional analysis of plant cells at the cellular and subcellular levels requires novel technologies for the directed manipulation of individual cells. In this report, we demonstrate the use of an infrared (1,064 nm) picosecond laser for the perforation of tobacco cell protoplasts. A single pulse was sufficient to perforate the plasma membrane enabling the uptake of dye from the surrounding medium into the cytosol. Moreover, the procedure was shown to be suitable for the efficient delivery of DNA expression constructs to the nucleus, as demonstrated by the subsequent expression and correct targeting of a recombinant fluorescent protein. Single cell perforation using this novel optoporation method shows that isolated plant cells can be permeabilized without direct manipulation. This is a valuable procedure for cell-specific applications, particularly where the import of specific molecules into plant cells is required for functional analysis.

The key design parameters for the ESS provide new opportunities in neutron diffraction. The long pulse at 5 MW is most intense and about two orders of magnitude larger than the neutron flux of today's leading pulsed sources. The peak brightness clearly exceeds those of the existing short pulse spallation sources. Tailoring the pulse with fast choppers results in a very flexible time-resolution and yields a unique versatility for measuring either with highest resolution or highest intensity for tiny samples or real-time studies of chemical reactions. This versatility is a characteristic feature of the proposed DREAM powder diffractometer [1], which can ultimately offer a d-resolution of 0.00028 Å. Other interesting features with respect to efficiency are the simultaneous use of the thermal and cold ESS moderators, by use of a solid Si bender which will be reflecting the cold neutrons into the incident beam, while transmitting the thermal neutrons. The detectors are based on a new technology using B-10 coated cathodes in inclined geometry [2] covering a large solid angle with position sensitivity appropriate for powder and single crystal diffraction. The instrument has entered into construction in early 2017. The project scope of the instrument has been set with a budget to deliver a world leading neutron powder diffractometer already with the start of user operation at the ESS in 2023. The design has been driven by the broad science case received from the European user community. These cases emphasize the needs for neutron diffraction for small or complex samples, in-situ studies of batteries, metal-organic framework structures, and phase-studies with weak signals related to magnetism and superconductivity. Possible upgrade options cover high-pressure studies with diamond anvil cells and polarized neutrons distinguishing magnetic diffraction or removing the typical large background of hydrogenous materials. With an additional detector for small scattering angles, DREAM will probe multiple length scales within a Q-range from 0.01 to 25 1/Å, which is sufficient for PDF-studies as well as for small angle scattering of nanoparticles. Simulating and benchmarking the instrument to world leading instruments demonstrates a far superior performance. [1] Schweika, W. et al. (2016) J. Physics Conf. Ser. 746 012013. [2] Modzel, G. et al. (2014) NIM A 743 90-95.

We report the oxidation-controlled synthesis of the ytterbium amides Yb(NH2)2 and Yb(NH2)3 and the first rare-earth-metal guanidinates YbC(NH)3 and Yb(CN3H4)3 from liquid ammonia. For Yb(NH2)2, we present experimental atomic displacement parameters from powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and density functional theory (DFT)-derived hydrogen positions for the first time. For Yb(NH2)3, the indexing proposal based on PXRD arrives at R3̅, a = 6.2477(2) Å, c = 17.132(1) Å, V = 579.15(4) Å(3), and Z = 6. The oxidation-controlled synthesis was also applied to make the first rare-earth guanidinates, namely, the doubly deprotonated YbC(NH)3 and the singly deprotonated Yb(CN3H4)3. YbC(NH)3 is isostructural with SrC(NH)3, as derived from PXRD (P63/m, a = 5.2596(2) Å, c = 6.6704(2) Å, V = 159.81(1) Å(3), and Z = 2). Yb(CN3H4)3 crystallizes in a structure derived from the [ReO3] type, as studied by powder neutron diffraction (Pn3̅, a = 13.5307(3) Å, V = 2477.22(8) Å(3), and Z = 8 at 10 K). Electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions cooperate to stabilize the structure with wide and empty channels. The IR spectra of the guanidinates are compared with DFT-calculated phonon spectra to identify the vibrational modes. SQUID magnetometry shows that Yb(CN3H4)3 is a paramagnet with isolated Yb(3+) (4f(13)) ions. A CONDON 2.0 fit was used to extract all relevant parameters.

Copper carbodiimide (CuNCN) is the nitrogen-containing analogue of cupric oxide. Based on high-resolution neutron-diffraction data, CuNCN's lattice parameters are derived as a function of the temperature. In accordance with a recent synchrotron study, a clear trend in the cell parameter a is observed accompanying the changing magnetic behavior. With decreasing temperature, a slowly decreases to a minimum at ~100 K after which it rises again. The same trend-albeit more pronounced-is observed for the c lattice parameter at ~35 K. The herein presented neutron powder-diffraction data also support the conjectured sequence of transitions from the high-temperature one-dimensional resonating valence-bond (RVB) state to a transient two-dimensional RVB state and eventually, at lowest temperatures, into another two-dimensional RVB state, presumably the ground state.

Arrays of microposts or micropillars find a variety of applications and one of their key properties is the aspect ratio (AR) of the individual posts. This parameter, for example, determines the sensitivity of micropost force field sensors. A concept for the manufacture of arrays of micro-hairs is presented allowing us to create extremely high AR of the filiform micro-hairs. The concept is based on a ‘lost mould process’ allowing for frictionless de-moulding of the sensor array by melting respectively dissolution of a mould. Such a ‘lost mould process’ requires an inexpensive manufacture of the moulds. Moulds were thus prepared by laser drilling of wax foils. The concept has been applied to the manufacture of micro-hairs from poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) elastomers and aspect ratios close to 20 have been achieved. The basic concept is not restricted to elastomers but can be adapted to other types of materials.