An arrayed optofluidic system for three-dimensional (3D) focal control via electrowetting.

A new lens capability for three-dimensional (3D) focal control is presented using an optofluidic system consisting of n × n arrayed liquid prisms. Each prism module contains two immiscible liquids in a rectangular cuvette. Using the electrowetting effect, the shape of the fluidic interface can be rapidly adjusted to create its straight profile with the prism's apex angle. Consequently, an incoming ray is steered at the tilted interface due to the refractive index difference between two liquids. To achieve 3D focal control, individual prisms in the arrayed system are simultaneously modulated, allowing incoming light rays to be spatially manipulated and converged on a focal point located at Pfocal (fx, fy, fz) in 3D space. Analytical studies were conducted to precisely predict the prism operation required for 3D focal control. Using three liquid prisms positioned on the x-, y-, and 45°-diagonal axes, we experimentally demonstrated 3D focal tunability of the arrayed optofluidic system, achieving focal tuning along lateral, longitudinal, and axial directions as wide as 0 ≤ fx ≤ 30 mm, 0 ≤ fy ≤ 30 mm, and 500 mm ≤ fz ≤ ∞. This focal tunability of the arrayed system allows for 3D control of the lens's focusing power, which could not be attained by solid-type optics without the use of bulky and complex mechanical moving components. This innovative lens capability for 3D focal control has potential applications in eye-movement tracking for smart displays, autofocusing of smartphone cameras, or solar tracking for smart photovoltaic systems.

Reversible Conversion of Disulfide/Dithiolate Occurring at a Vanadium(IV) Center: A Biomimetic System for Redox Exchange in Vanabin.

Ascidians use a class of cysteine-rich proteins generally referred to as vanabins to reduce vanadium ions, one of the many biological processes that involve the redox conversion between disulfide and dithiolate mediated by transition-metal ions. To further understand the nature of disulfide/dithiolate exchange facilitated by a vanadium center, we report herein a six-coordinate non-oxido VIV complex containing an unbound disulfide moiety, [VIV(PS3″)(PS1″S-S)] (1) (PS3″ = [P(C6H3-3-Me3Si-2-S)3]3-, where PS1″S-S is a disulfide form of PS3″). Complex 1 is obtained from a reaction of previously reported [VV(PS3″)(PS2″SH)] (2) (PS2″SH = [P(C6H3-3-Me3Si-2-SH)(C6H3-3-Me3Si-2-S)2] with TEMPO (TEMPO = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl) via hydrogen atom transfer. Importantly, complex 1 can be reduced by two electrons to form an eight-coordinate VIV complex, [VIV(PS3″)2]2- (4). The reaction can be reversed through a two-electron oxidation process to regenerate complex 1. The redox pathways both proceed through a common intermediate, [V(PS3″)2]- (3), that has been previously reported as a resonance form of VV-dithiolate and a VIV-(thiolate)(thiyl-radical) species. This work demonstrates an unprecedented example of reversible disulfide/dithiolate interconversion mediated by a VIV center, as well as provides insights into understanding the function of VV reductases in vanabins.

A multiple model approach for evaluating the performance of time-lapse capsules in trapping heavy metals from water bodies.

Adsorption by ion-exchange resins has been widely used as a cost-effective method for removing numerous hazardous materials, particularly heavy metals, from aqueous solutions. For effectively detecting the illegal discharge of industrial wastewater containing heavy metals, we developed "time-lapse capsules" to trap metallic ions from water bodies. Despite recent progress in the development of time-lapse capsules, a fundamental understanding was still needed to unravel the adsorption behavior of different heavy metals for further improvement of the design and scale-up of the capsule. In this study, three different approaches, viz., response surfaces (from the statistical point of view), time-dependent diffusion-controlled models (from the kinetic point of view), and adsorption isotherms (from the equilibrium point of view), were utilized to evaluate the effect of operating factors on the adsorption of heavy metals from watershed using time-lapse capsules. The obtained results indicated that the key parameters, such as adsorption rate constant, diffusivity, and maximum adsorption capacity, could provide insights into the basis of design criteria.