A polymeric microfluidic device for solid-phase extraction (SPE)-based isolation of nucleic acids is demonstrated. The plastic chip can function as a disposable sample preparation system for different biological and diagnostic applications. The chip was fabricated in a cyclic polyolefin by hot-embossing with a master mold. The solid phase consisted of a porous monolithic polymer column impregna...

Mn(1.5)Co(1.5)O(4) spinel oxide as a cathode or one component of a composite cathode presents no visible reaction with an Y(2)O(3)-stabilized ZrO(2) electrolyte. The low electrode polarization resistances and good performance compared with traditional Sr-doped LaMnO(3)-YSZ composite cathodes imply promising application for the next generation of intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.

A simple and effective method for the management of the passive layer in solid state batteries is reported. The success is achieved using a composite cathode with embedded channels of polyaniline allowing smooth charge transfer across the passive layer. The composite cathode manifested better performance in terms of the cell characteristics and shelf life.

Microstructural characteristics of porous LSM/YSZ composite cathodes greatly influence the performance of solid oxide fuel cells. The triple phase boundaries, for example, account for a significant portion of the electrochemically active sites in these porous composite cathodes. Nonetheless, experimental characterization of the relevantmicrostructural attributes has been problematic due to lack...

Porous Pt-Ni-P composite nanotube arrays (NTAs) on a conductive substrate in good solid contact are successfully synthesized via template-assisted electrodeposition and show high electrochemical activity and long-term stability for methanol electrooxidation. Hollow nanotubular structures, porous nanostructures, and synergistic electronic effects of various elements contribute to the high electr...

BACKGROUND Whey proteins have insulinogenic properties and the effect appears to originate from a specific postprandial plasma amino acid pattern. The insulinogenic effect can be mimicked by a specific mixture of the five amino acids iso, leu, lys, thr and val. OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of pre-meal boluses of whey or soy protein with or without added amino acids on ...

background and objective: in the present study, bacillus polymyxa ncim no. 2539 was selected to utilize agro-industrial byproduct (orange peel) for amylase production under submerged fermentation conditions. material and methods: different agro-industrial byproducts like cane molasses, wheat bran, rice bran and orange peel were screened for maximum amylase production. amylase activitiy of bacil...