Here, we built a setup that can optically trap single microcrystals (MCs) in solution, and determine the time-resolved multiband upconversion luminescence at nanosecond timescale.

ZBLAN, a member of the heavy-metal fluoride family of glasses, develops microcrystal inclusions when produced in gravity. When solidified in microgravity in the proper way, this crystallization is absent. The mechanism for crystallization is a subject of current research. Microspheres of doped and undoped ZBLAN were fabricated in microgravity to compare their optical properties to spheres fabri...

Secondary oxalosis causing acute kidney injury (AKI) has been widely reported in native kidneys but its occurrence in allograft kidneys is relatively uncommon. We present three patients with acute kidney allograft dysfunction secondary to tubular oxalate microcrystal deposits confirmed on allograft biopsy in the setting of acute gastrointestinal dysfunction. These three patients presented with ...

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates are the main constituent of senile plaques, the histological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Aβ molecules form β-sheet containing structures that assemble into a variety of polymorphic oligomers, protofibers, and fibers that exhibit a range of lifetimes and cellular toxicities. This polymorphic nature of Aβ has frustrated its biophysical characterization, its struc...

Focusing light at sub-wavelength region opens up interesting applications in optical sensing and imaging beyond the diffraction limit. In the past, tapered Au wires with carved gratings have been employed to achieve nanofocusing. The fabrication process however, is expensive and the obtained wires are polycrystalline with high surface roughness. A chemical synthetic method overcoming these hurd...

A new microcrystal test for the detection of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is described. The silver/copper reagent consists of an aqueous solution of 0.1 g of cupric nitrate and 0.1 g of silver nitrate in 10.0 mL water. While some crystals form upon evaporation of the reagent, the test forms distinctive crystals for GHB and does not form crystals with some commonly encountered controlled substanc...

In this work, the simultaneous investigation of a single cuprous oxide microcrystal towards CO2 electroreduction (CRR, reduction reaction) by using Raman microscopy and scanning electrochemical (SECM) is shown. Cu2O microcrystals were electrochemically crystallized on an indium-doped tin oxide-substrate (ITO). Structural changes are observed in situ microcopy, which indicates their fast convers...