Reconfigurable and responsive droplet-based compound micro-lenses

Nagelberg, Sara; Zarzar, Lauren D.; Nicolas, N.; Subramanian, Kaushikaram; Kalow, Julia A.; Sresht, Vishnu; Blankschtein, Daniel; Barbastathis, George; Kreysing, Moritz; Swager, Timothy M.; Kolle, Mathias

doi:10.1038/ncomms14673

Cited by 138 publications

(144 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…We found little or no difference between forward light scattering ( Fig. 1D-E), as predicted by 95 earlier models (Błaszczak et al, 2014;Kreysing et al, 2010;Nagelberg et al, 2017). In stark contrast, however, side scattering (measured in a narrow range around 90˚), with a strong potential to diminish image contrast, was significantly reduced in adult retinal nuclei compared to the intermediate developmental stage (Fig.…”

Section: Volume Specific Light Scattering From Chromocenterssupporting

confidence: 83%

Rod nuclear architecture determines contrast transmission of the retina and behavioral sensitivity in mice

Subramanian

Weigert

Borsch

et al. 2019

Preprint

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20Rod photoreceptors of nocturnal mammals display a striking inversion of nuclear architecture, which has been proposed as an evolutionary adaptation to dark environments. However, the nature of visual benefits and underlying mechanisms remains unclear. It is widely assumed that improvements in nocturnal vision would depend on maximization of photon capture, at the expense of image detail. Here we show that retinal optical quality improves 2-fold during 25 terminal development, which, confirmed by a mouse model, happens due to nuclear inversion.We further reveal that improved retinal contrast-transmission, rather than photon-budget or resolution, leads to enhanced contrast sensitivity under low light condition. Our findings therefore add functional significance to a prominent exception of nuclear organization and establish retinal contrast-transmission as a decisive determinant of mammalian visual 30 perception.

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Section: Volume Specific Light Scattering From Chromocenterssupporting

confidence: 83%

Rod nuclear architecture determines contrast transmission of the retina and behavioral sensitivity in mice

Subramanian

Weigert

Borsch

et al. 2019

Preprint

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“…Natural biocomposite materials have evolved over millions of years outperforming many manufactured polymer composites because of their unique hierarchical microstructures . By seeking solutions from the mother nature, many impressive advances have been achieved in various research fields including reconfigurable optics, structural colors for sensing, high toughness composites, self‐adaptive chemo‐mechanic systems, superhydrophilic antifouling systems, and soft robotics, etc. Albeit various engineering strategies have been demonstrated their viabilities, utilizing bioinspired approaches may prove fruitful in enhancing the dielectric properties of the polymeric composites as well.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioinspired Polymer Nanocomposites Exhibit Giant Energy Density and High Efficiency at High Temperature

Liu

Chen

et al. 2019

Small

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Polymer dielectrics are ubiquitous in advanced electric energy storage systems. However, the relatively low operating temperature significantly menaces their widespread application at high temperatures, such as for hybrid vehicles and aerospace power electronics. Spider silk, a natural nanocomposite comprised of biopolymer chains and crystal protein nanosheets combined by multiple interfacial interactions, exhibits excellent mechanical properties even at elevated temperatures. Inspired by the hierarchical nanostructure of spider silk, poly(aryl ether sulfone) is anchored to the surface of wide bandgap artificial nanosheets to prepare the nanocomposites with nanoconfinement effect. The bioinspired strategy successfully improves the mechanical and electrical performances of the nanocomposite. Owing to the structural‐enabled enhancements, the nanocomposites exhibit excellent breakdown strength and electrical energy storage performance at high temperatures. In detail, giant discharged energy density (2.7 J cm−3) and high charge–discharge efficiency (>90%) are simultaneously achieved at 150 °C and 400 MV m−1. Notably, under 500 MV m−1, the discharged energy density reaches 4.2 J cm−3, which is the record high discharged energy density among polymer‐based dielectrics at 150 °C. This work demonstrates a viable strategy to design high‐temperature polymer dielectrics by constructing nanoconfinement in the nanocomposites.

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“…Given the previously established relationship between a droplet's shape and its optical properties (14), we chose to use macroscale optical transmission measurements as an indicator of the droplet morphology rather than direct imaging of the droplets themselves in a microscope. We measured the optical transmission at 650 nm through a glass-bottom dish (SI Appendix, Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1A) and the morphology determines the droplets' optical refractory properties (14). Optical changes caused by variations in droplet morphology are visible to the naked eye and provide an optical readout mechanism for droplet shape.…”

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confidence: 99%

Optical visualization and quantification of enzyme activity using dynamic droplet lenses

Zarzar

Kalow

et al. 2017

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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In this paper, we describe an approach to measuring enzyme activity based on the reconfiguration of complex emulsions. Changes in the morphology of these complex emulsions, driven by enzyme-responsive surfactants, modulate the transmission of light through a sample. Through this method we demonstrate how simple photodetector measurements may be used to monitor enzyme kinetics. This approach is validated by quantitative measurements of enzyme activity for three different classes of enzymes (amylase, lipase, and sulfatase), relying on two distinct mechanisms for coupling droplet morphology to enzyme activity (host-guest interactions with uncaging and molecular cleavage).ioassays are used extensively in healthcare for the identification and quantification of biochemical markers, such as enzymes, which have long been known to be important diagnostic indicators for monitoring many diseases and health states. Tests indicating abnormal enzyme activity, in combination with physical examination, are used to diagnose many illnesses, such as pancreatitis (lipase and amylase) (1), myocardial infarction (creatine kinase) (2), and liver disease (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase) (3). Rather than quantify the concentration of these enzymes directly, clinicians usually monitor the production or consumption of an enzyme's substrate. Conventionally, clinical samples are tested by professional laboratories with specialized commercial equipment, and these assays often rely on a colorimetric or fluorogenic signal generated by enzyme action. Historically, reagent and equipment requirements for these assays have limited their use to professional laboratories in developed nations. The creation of point-of-care diagnostics which will enable rapid, lowcost, and personalized healthcare options offers the ability to improve the well-being of people, especially in developing countries (4,5). Such recent advances include development of portable quantum dot microspectrometer technology (6), paper-based bioassays (7), handheld portable devices for virus particle sizing using nanolenses (8), and smartphone-powered multiplex ELISAs (9). The emergence of smartphone-driven personal health monitoring (9-11) in particular creates a market for scalable, easily executed, inexpensive assays that harness built-in smartphone components (camera, light sensor, magnetometer, etc.) and automate interpretation. The continued development of conceptually novel approaches to bioassays, especially for enzymes, will be critical for the ongoing advancement of point-of-care technology and low-cost health monitoring.Stimuli-responsive "smart" materials have the ability to enable new diagnostic devices that expand the suite of sensitivities and readout mechanisms for point-of-care platforms (12). Recently, we described a facile approach to the fabrication of reconfigurable complex droplets (13) that, because of their exquisitely sensitive morphological response to targeted chemical stimuli, have significant promise as an easil...

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Reconfigurable and responsive droplet-based compound micro-lenses

Cited by 138 publications

References 60 publications

Rod nuclear architecture determines contrast transmission of the retina and behavioral sensitivity in mice

Rod nuclear architecture determines contrast transmission of the retina and behavioral sensitivity in mice

Bioinspired Polymer Nanocomposites Exhibit Giant Energy Density and High Efficiency at High Temperature

Optical visualization and quantification of enzyme activity using dynamic droplet lenses

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