Publication on AWSensors technology

Tailoring Interactions of Random Copolymer Polyelectrolyte Complexes to Remove Nanoplastic Contaminants from Water

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Authors: Jeremy Wang, Curt Waltmann, Caroline Harms, Sumeng Hu, John Hegarty, Benjamin Shindel, Qifeng Wang, Vinayak Dravid, Kenneth Shull, John M. Torkelson, and Monica Olvera de la Cruz

Journal: Langmuir (2023)

 

Abstract

We investigate the usage of polyelectrolyte complex materials for water remediation purposes, specifically their ability to remove nanoplastics from water, on which there is currently little to no prior research. We demonstrate that oppositely charged random copolymers are effective at quantitatively removing nanoplastic contamination from aqueous solution. The mechanisms underlying this remediation ability are explored through computational simulations, with corroborating quartz crystal microbalance adsorption experiments. We find that hydrophobic nanostructures and interactions likely play an important role.

Tailoring Interactions of Random Copolymer Polyelectrolyte Complexes to Remove Nanoplastic Contaminants from Water

 

You may read the full paper here.

Publication on AWSensors technology

Trace Water Effects on Crystalline 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Acetate

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Authors: Ashlee Aiello, John R. Hoffman, Anthony P. Kotula, Lucas Q. Flagg, Ruipeng Li, and Jeremiah W. Woodcock

Journal: J. Phys. Chem. B (2023)

 

Abstract

Spontaneous room-temperature crystallization of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim][OAc]) was observed upon removal of trace water. Sample purity was confirmed using analytical nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to ensure that trace water or other contaminants did not produce this observation. Raman spectroscopy and simultaneous quartz crystal microbalance/infrared spectroscopy measurements were used to study molecular reorganization during crystallization and decrystallization using trace water in the form of atmospheric moisture. These experimental results were supplemented with density functional theory calculations that indicate imidazolium cation ring stacking and side chain clustering with an exclusive arrangement of the acetate anion in the cation ring plane upon water removal. Crystal structure formation was confirmed using two-dimensional wide-angle X-ray scattering. This natural crystallization is attributed to the removal of trace water over extended periods of time and calls attention to the molecular-level role of water in the structure of hygroscopic ionic liquid systems.

You may read the full paper here.

Publication on AWSensors technology

Polyelectrolyte Complexes of Random Copolymers and their Applications in Environmental Remediation

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Author: Jeremy Wang

PhD Thesis: Northwestern University (March 2023)

 

Abstract

As polymer science has advanced as a field, so too have the uses for polymeric materials. We encounter polymers and plastics on a daily basis, and while their presence has greatly improved our quality of life, they have also had a profound and often negative impact on our environment. Plastic waste and pollution are currently problems of great concern, and recent trends in terms of micro– and nanoplastic pollution, and chemical pollution of water continue to exacerbate such worries. In this thesis, we explore how polyelectrolyte complexes of random copolymers can be used to effectively address some of these environmental concerns. The combination of charged interactions and disorder of polymer sequence can provide a novel combination of interactions which are well suited for removing contaminants from water, and even promoting the enzymatic degradation of plastic. The results obtained demonstrate that this research into new polymeric materials not only advances our understanding of fundamental polymer properties but yields relevant applications to the issues we encounter in the present day.

 

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Publication on AWSensors technology

Multispecies biofilms on reverse osmosis membrane dictate the function and characteristics of the bacterial communities rather than their structure

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Authors: Noya Ran, Gil Sorek, Noa Stein, Revital Sharon-Gojman, Moshe Herzberg, and Osnat Gillor

Journal: Environmental Research (2023)

 

Abstract

The main reason for the deterioration of membrane operation during water purification processes is biofouling, which has therefore been extensively studied. Biofouling was shown to reduce membrane performance reflected by permeate flux decline, reduced selectivity, membrane biodegradation, and consequently, an increase in energy consumption. Studies of biofouling focused on the identification of the assembled microbial communities, the excretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and their combined role in reduced membrane performance and lifetime. However, the link between the structure and function of biofouling communities has not been elucidated to date. Here, we provide a novel insight, suggesting that bacterial functions rather than composition control biofouling traits on reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. We studied the potential activity of RO biofilms at metatranscriptome resolution, accompanied by the morphology and function of the biofouling layer over time, including microscopy and EPS composition, adhesion, and viscoelastic properties. To that end, we cultivated natural multispecies biofilms in RO membranes under treated wastewater flow and extracted RNA to study their taxonomies and gene expression profiles. Concomitantly, the biofilm structure was visualized using both scanning electron microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy. We also used quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation to characterize the affinity of EPS to membrane-mimetic sensors and evaluated the viscoelasticity of the Ex-Situ EPS layer formed on the sensor. Our results showed that different active bacterial taxa across five taxonomic classes were assembled on the RO membrane, while the composition shifted between 48 and 96 h. However, regardless of the composition, the maturation of the biofilm resulted in the expression of similar gene families tightly associated with the temporal kinetics of the EPS composition, adhesion, and viscoelasticity. Our findings highlight the temporal selection of specific microbial functions rather than composition, featuring the adhesion kinetics and viscoelastic properties of the RO biofilm.

 

You may read the full paper here.

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AWSensors participa en el programa INVEST IN SPAIN

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Advanced Wave Sensors S.L. (AWSensors) en el marco del Programa INVEST IN SPAIN, ha contado con el apoyo de ICEX y con la cofinanciación del fondo europeo FEDER para el desarrollo de su proyecto de investigación industrial en el campo de la funcionalización bioquímica de superficies. El objetivo de este proyecto era el desarrollo de protocolos de modificación de la superficie de los sensores QCMD comercializados por la empresa que limiten la adsorción inespecífica a la vez que maximicen las interacciones moleculares específicas.

Durante el transcurso del proyecto, se seleccionó un conjunto de reactivos potenciales en base a la investigación bibliográfica, se desarrollaron protocolos para modificar las superficies de los sensores y evaluar el desempeño de los sensores modificados; Se diseñaron y fabricaron herramientas dedicadas para ayudar en el proceso de superficie. La evaluación del rendimiento de los sensores QCMD modificados en su superficie condujo a la selección de un reactivo específico para el bloqueo de la adsorción no específica. Adicionalmente, estas modificaciones de la superficie se caracterizaron mediante ensayos de tipo inmunológicos (unión antígeno y anticuerpo modelo) para evaluar su utilidad.

Los protocolos desarrollados durante el transcurso del proyecto nos han permitido el desarrollo de un producto comercial, el sensor QCMD con superficie biotinilada, que esperamos introducirlo en el mercado a fines del verano de 2023. Este producto ofrecerá a los usuarios de nuestra tecnología mayores facilidades a la hora de adaptar la superficie del sensor al ensayo y moléculas necesarias para el desarrollo de los mismos.

   

Publication on AWSensors technology

Effect of Noise on Determining Ultrathin-Film Parameters from QCM-D Data with the Viscoelastic Model

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Authors: Diethelm Johannsmann, Arne Langhoff, Christian Leppin, Ilya Reviakine, and Anna M. C. Maan

Journal: Sensors (2023)

 

Abstract

Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCMD) is a well-established technique for studying soft films. It can provide gravimetric as well as nongravimetric information about a film, such as its thickness and mechanical properties. The interpretation of sets of overtone-normalized frequency shifts, Δf/n, and overtone-normalized shifts in half-bandwidth, ΔΓ/n, provided by QCMD relies on a model that, in general, contains five independent parameters that are needed to describe film thickness and frequency-dependent viscoelastic properties. Here, we examine how noise inherent in experimental data affects the determination of these parameters. There are certain conditions where noise prevents the reliable determination of film thickness and the loss tangent. On the other hand, we show that there are conditions where it is possible to determine all five parameters. We relate these conditions to the mathematical properties of the model in terms of simple conceptual diagrams that can help users understand the model’s behavior. Finally, we present new open source software for QCMD data analysis written in Python, PyQTM.

 

You may read the full paper here.

Publication on AWSensors technology

Nanoporous Metal–Organic Framework Thin Films Prepared Directly from Gaseous Precursors by Atomic and Molecular Layer Deposition: Implications for Microelectronics

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Authors: Jenna Multia, Dmitry E. Kravchenko, Víctor Rubio-Giménez, Anish Philip, Rob Ameloot, and Maarit Karppinen

Journal: ACS Appl. Nano Mater. (2023)

 

Abstract

Atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) allows for the direct gas-phase synthesis of crystalline metal–organic framework (MOF) thin films. Here, we show for the first time using krypton and methanol physisorption measurements that ALD/MLD-fabricated copper 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (Cu-BDC) ultrathin films possess accessible porosity matching that of the corresponding bulk MOF.

 

You may read the full paper here.