The research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 61974004 and 61931018), as well as the National Key R&#38;D Program of China (Grant No. 2021YFB3200100). The study acknowledges the Electron Microscopy Laboratory of Peking University for providing access to electron microscopes. Additionally, the research extends thanks to Ying Cui and the School of Earth and Space Science of Peking University for their assistance in Raman measurements.

1. Synthesis of nanoparticles
<ol>
	<li>Preparation of Silver nitrate solution
	<ol>
		<li>Using a precision weighing balance, measure 0.0017 g of AR-grade silver nitrate (AgNO3, see Table of Materials) and add it to 10 mL of deionized (DI) water. Stir the mixture to create a 10-3 mol/L AgNO3 solution.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Preparation of the silver-ammonia complex
	<ol>
		<li>Take 1 mL of AR-grade ammonia water (NH3.H2O, see Table of Materials) using a syringe, and add it drop by drop into the silver nitrate solution while stirring. Stop the dropwise addition when the solution becomes clear.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Preparation of the glucose solution
	<ol>
		<li>Using a precise weighing balance, measure 0.36 g of AR-grade glucose powder (see Table of Materials) and add it to 10 mL of DI water. Stir the mixture thoroughly to create a 0.2 M glucose solution.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)
	<ol>
		<li>Employ a pipette gun to add 30 &#181;L of the silver-ammonia complex (prepared in step 1.2) to the glucose solution (prepared in step 1.3) at intervals of 30 min. Repeat this process 4-6 times while stirring until the solution turns yellow.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Preparation of flexible substrates
<ol>
	<li>Preparation of PDMS substrate
	<ol>
		<li>To synthesize the PDMS substrate, take approximately 5 g of PDMS A solution and add B solution (from a commercially available kit, see Table of Materials) at a ratio of 1:10.</li>
		<li>Stir and thoroughly mix the PDMS A and B solutions.</li>
		<li>Transfer the mixed PDMS into a square dish and then bake it in an 80 &#176;C oven for 2 h.</li>
		<li>After curing through the above process, use a scalpel to cut the PDMS along the dark grid of the Petri dish, creating small PDMS cubes with dimensions of approximately 1 cm x 1 cm.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Surface modification
	<ol>
		<li>Subject the aforementioned small PDMS pieces to plasma treatment. Use a hand-held plasma processor (see Table of Materials) and move it back and forth approximately 5-10 cm above the PDMS surface to perform surface plasma treatment.</li>
		<li>Utilize the plasma processor to modify the surface, inducing the formation of hydroxyl groups on the PDMS surface, rendering it hydrophilic27.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Modification with APTES
	<ol>
		<li>Prepare a 10% APTES solution (see Table of Materials).</li>
		<li>Immerse the surface-modified PDMS obtained in step 2.2 into the APTES solution and allow it to sit for 10 h. This allows APTES to bind with the hydroxyl groups on the PDMS surface.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Self-assembly of AgNPs
	<ol>
		<li>Immerse the PDMS substrate obtained in step 2.3 into the AgNPs solution synthesized in step 1.4 for 10 h. This self-assembles the AgNPs onto the PDMS substrate, creating the final flexible SERS detection substrate.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

Fabrication of Flexible Substrate for SERS Detection of R6G and Thiram

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

In this study, a flexible SERS substrate was introduced, which bonded AgNPs to PDMS through chemical modification and achieved excellent performance. During particle synthesis, specifically in the silver ammonia complex synthesis (step 1.2), the color of the solution plays a crucial role. Adding too much ammonia water dropwise can adversely affect AgNPs synthesis quality, potentially leading to unsuccessful detection results. Attention should be paid to substrate modification (step 2.2) during the synthesis process; othe...

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), as a type of Raman scattering, offers the advantages of high sensitivity and gentle detection conditions, and can even achieve single molecule detection1,2,3,4. Metal nanostructures, such as gold and silver, are typically used as SERS substrates to enable substance detection5,6. Electromagnetic coupling enhancement on nanostructured surfaces plays a significant role in SERS applications. Metallic nanostructures with varying sizes, shapes, interparticle distances, and compositions can aggregate to create numerous &#34;hotspots&#34; generating intense electromagnetic fields due to localized surface plasmon resonances7,8. Many studies have developed metal nanoparticles with different morphologies as SERS substrates, demonstrating their effectiveness in achieving SERS enhancement9,10.
Flexible SERS substrates find wide applications, with nanostructures capable of producing SERS effects deposited on flexible substrates to facilitate direct detection on curved surfaces. Flexible SERS substrates are employed for detecting and collecting analytes on irregular, non-planar, or curved surfaces. Common flexible SERS substrates include fibers, polymer films, and graphene oxide films11,12,13,14. Among them, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is one of the most widely used polymer materials and offers advantages such as high transparency, high tensile strength, chemical stability, non-toxicity, and adhesion15,16,17. PDMS has a low Raman cross-section, making its impact on the Raman signal negligible18. Since the PDMS prepolymer is in liquid form, it can be cured by heat or light, providing a high degree of controllability and convenience. PDMS-based SERS substrates are relatively common flexible SERS substrates, having been used in previous studies to embed various metal nanoparticles for detecting different biochemical substances with exemplary performance19,20.
In the preparation of SERS substrates, the fabrication of nanogap structures is crucial. Physical deposition technology offers advantages like high scalability, uniformity, and reproducibility but typically requires good vacuum conditions and specialized equipment, limiting its practical applications21. Additionally, fabricating nanostructures at the few-nanometer scale remains challenging with conventional deposition techniques22. Consequently, nanoparticles synthesized through chemical methods can be adsorbed onto flexible transparent films through various interactions, facilitating the self-assembly of metallic structures at the nanoscale. To ensure successful adsorption, interactions can be adjusted by physically or chemically modifying the film surface to alter its surface hydrophilicity23. Silver nanoparticles, compared to gold nanoparticles, exhibit better SERS performance, but their instability, particularly their susceptibility to oxidation in air, results in a rapid decrease in the SERS Enhancement Factor (EF), affecting substrate performance24. Hence, it is essential to develop a stable particle method.
The presence of pesticide residues has garnered significant attention, creating a pressing need for robust methods capable of rapidly detecting and identifying various classes of hazardous chemicals in food in the field25,26. Flexible SERS substrates offer unique advantages in practical applications, particularly in the realm of food safety. This article introduces a method for preparing a flexible SERS substrate by bonding synthesized glucose-coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto a PDMS substrate (Figure 1). The presence of glucose protects the AgNPs, mitigating silver oxidation in the air. The substrate demonstrates excellent detection performance, capable of detecting Rhodamine 6G (R6G) as low as 10-10 M and pesticide Thiram as low as 10-8 M, with good uniformity. Moreover, the flexible substrate can be employed for detection through bonding and sampling, with numerous potential application scenarios.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Ammonia (NH3.H2O, 25%)</td>
			<td>Beijing Chemical Works</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>APTES (98%)</td>
			<td>Beyotime</td>
			<td>ST1087</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BD-20AC Laboratory Chrona Treater</td>
			<td>Electro-Technic Products Inc.</td>
			<td>12051A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>D-glucose</td>
			<td>Beijing Chemical Works</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Environmental Scanning electron microscope (ESEM)</td>
			<td>FEI</td>
			<td>QUANTA 250</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Raman microscope</td>
			<td>Horiba JY</td>
			<td>LabRAM HR Evolution</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rhodamine 6G</td>
			<td>Beijing Chemical Works</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Silicone Elastomer Base and Silicone Elastomer Curing Agent</td>
			<td>Dow Corning Corporation</td>
			<td>SYLGARD 184</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Silver nitrate</td>
			<td>Beijing Chemical Works</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thiram (C6H12N2S2, 99.9%)</td>
			<td>Beijing Chemical Works</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane (pdms)-based flexible surface-enhanced raman scattering (sers) substrate for ultrasensitive detection

This article presents a fabrication method for a flexible substrate designed for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized through a complexation reaction involving silver nitrate (AgNO3) and ammonia, followed by reduction using glucose. The resulting AgNPs exhibited a uniform size distribution ranging from 20 nm to 50 nm. Subsequently, 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) was employed to modify a PDMS substrate that had been surface-treated with oxygen plasma. This process facilitated the self-assembly of AgNPs onto the substrate. A systematic evaluation of the impact of various experimental conditions on substrate performance led to the development of a SERS substrate with excellent performance and an Enhanced Factor (EF). Utilizing this substrate, impressive detection limits of 10-10 M for R6G (Rhodamine 6G) and 10-8 M for Thiram were achieved. The substrate was successfully employed for detecting pesticide residues on apples, yielding highly satisfactory results. The flexible SERS substrate demonstrates great potential for real-world applications, including detection in complex scenarios.

In this study, a flexible SERS substrate composed of synthetic AgNPs wrapped in glucose and self-assembled on PDMS using APTES was developed, achieving excellent detection performance for practical pesticide detection applications. The detection limits for R6G and Thiram were both reached at 10-10 M and 10-8 M, respectively, with an Enhancement Factor (EF) of 1 x 105. Furthermore, the substrate demonstrated uniformity.
The AgNPs wrapped in glucose were synthesi...

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Author Spotlight: Development and Application of SERS Flexible Substrates Using Synthesized AgNPs 

This protocol describes a fabrication method for a flexible substrate for surface-enhanced Raman scattering. This method has been used in the successful detection of low concentrations of R6G and Thiram.

Fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-Based Flexible Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Substrate for Ultrasensitive Detection

This article presents a fabrication method for a flexible substrate designed for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) ...

This protocol describes preparing SERS flexible substrates, applying them to actual detection scenarios. The SERS flexible substrate offered by this protocol is environmental friendly and achieves good detection performance. The silver nanoparticles can be synthesized easily by simple vessels, and do not require complicated experimental conditions and environment.In our laboratory, we plan to focus on researching the silver nanoparticles synthesized through the vessel used in this study. We'll explore methods to enhance their SERS detection capabilities, and leverage their unique properties and characteristics to design better performing SERS detection substrates.

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2.0K Views.  Peking University. This protocol describes preparing SERS flexible substrates, applying them to actual detection scenarios. The SERS flexible substrate offered by this protocol is environmental friendly and achieves good detection performance. The silver nanoparticles can be synthesized easily by simple vessels, and do not require complicated experimental conditions and environment.In our laboratory, we plan to focus on researching the silver nanoparticles synthesized through the vessel used in this stud...

Video: Author Spotlight: Development and Application of SERS Flexible Substrates Using Synthesized AgNPs 

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) Microscopy Visualizes Pharmaceutical Tablets During Dissolution

Traditional pharmaceutical dissolution tests determine the amount of drug dissolved over time by measuring drug content in the dissolution medium. This method provides little direct information about what is happening on the surface of the dissolving tablet. As the tablet surface composition and structure can change during dissolution, it is essential to monitor it during dissolution testing. In this work coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy is used to image the surface of tablets during dissolution while UV absorption spectroscopy is simultaneously providing inline analysis of dissolved drug concentration for tablets containing a 50% mixture of theophylline anhydrate and ethyl cellulose. The measurements showed that in situ CARS microscopy is capable of imaging selectively theophylline in the presence of ethyl cellulose. Additionally, the theophylline anhydrate converted to theophylline monohydrate during dissolution, with needle-shaped crystals growing on the tablet surface during dissolution. The conversion of theophylline anhydrate to monohydrate, combined with reduced exposure of the drug to the flowing dissolution medium resulted in decreased dissolution rates. Our results show that in situ CARS microscopy combined with inline UV absorption spectroscopy is capable of monitoring pharmaceutical tablet dissolution and correlating surface changes with changes in dissolution rate.

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman Scattering CARS Microscopy Visualizes Pharmaceutical Tablets During Dissolution

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy is combined with an intrinsic flow-through dissolution setup to allow in situ and real-time visualization of the surface of pharmaceutical tablets undergoing dissolution. Using this custom-built setup, it is possible to correlate CARS videos with drug dissolution profiles recorded using inline UV absorption spectroscopy.

Traditional pharmaceutical dissolution tests determine the amount of drug dissolved over time by measuring drug content in the dissolution medium. This ...

Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Detection of Biomolecules Using EBL Fabricated Nanostructured Substrates

Fabrication and characterization of conjugate nano-biological systems interfacing metallic nanostructures on solid supports with immobilized biomolecules is reported. The entire sequence of relevant experimental steps is described, involving the fabrication of nanostructured substrates using electron beam lithography, immobilization of biomolecules on the substrates, and their characterization utilizing surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Three different designs of nano-biological systems are employed, including protein A, glucose binding protein, and a dopamine binding DNA aptamer. In the latter two cases, the binding of respective ligands, D-glucose and dopamine, is also included. The three kinds of biomolecules are immobilized on nanostructured substrates by different methods, and the results of SERS imaging are reported. The capabilities of SERS to detect vibrational modes from surface-immobilized proteins, as well as to capture the protein-ligand and aptamer-ligand binding are demonstrated. The results also illustrate the influence of the surface nanostructure geometry, biomolecules immobilization strategy, Raman activity of the molecules and presence or absence of the ligand binding on the SERS spectra acquired.

We describe the fabrication and characterization of nano-biological systems interfacing nanostructured substrates with immobilized proteins and aptamers. The relevant experimental steps involving lithographic fabrication of nanostructured substrates, bio-functionalization, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) characterization, are reported. SERS detection of surface-immobilized proteins, and probing of protein-ligand and aptamer-ligand binding is demonstrated.

Fabrication and characterization of conjugate nano-biological systems interfacing metallic nanostructures on solid supports with immobilized biomolecules ...

Stimulated Stokes and Antistokes Raman Scattering in Microspherical Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators

Dielectric microspheres can confine light and sound for a length of time through high quality factor whispering gallery modes (WGM). Glass microspheres can be thought as a store of energy with a huge variety of applications: compact laser sources, highly sensitive biochemical sensors and nonlinear phenomena. A protocol for the fabrication of both the microspheres and coupling system is given. The couplers described here are tapered fibers. Efficient generation of nonlinear phenomena related to third order optical non-linear susceptibility &#935;(3) interactions in triply resonant silica microspheres is presented in this paper. The interactions here reported are: Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS), and four wave mixing processes comprising Stimulated Anti-stokes Raman Scattering (SARS). A proof of the cavity-enhanced phenomenon is given by the lack of correlation among the pump, signal and idler: a resonant mode has to exist in order to obtain the pair of signal and idler. In the case of hyperparametric oscillations (four wave mixing and stimulated anti-stokes Raman scattering), the modes must fulfill the energy and momentum conservation and, last but not least, have a good spatial overlap.

Efficient generation of nonlinear phenomena related to third order optical non-linear susceptibility &#935;(3) interactions in triply resonant silica microspheres is presented in this paper. The interactions here reported are: Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS), and four wave mixing processes comprising Stimulated Anti-stokes Raman Scattering (SARS).

Dielectric microspheres can confine light and sound for a length of time through high quality factor whispering gallery modes (WGM). Glass microspheres ...

Scanning Light Scattering Profiler (SLPS) Based Methodology to Quantitatively Evaluate Forward and Backward Light Scattering from Intraocular Lenses

The scanning light scattering profiler (SLSP) methodology has been developed for the full-angle quantitative evaluation of forward and backward light scattering from intraocular lenses (IOLs) using goniophotometer principles. This protocol describes the SLSP platform and how it employs a 360&#176; rotational photodetector sensor that is scanned around an IOL sample while recording the intensity and location of scattered light as it passes through the IOL medium. The SLSP platform can be used to predict, non-clinically, the propensity for current and novel IOL designs and materials to induce light scatter. Non-clinical evaluation of light scattering properties of IOLs can significantly reduce the number of patient complaints related to unwanted glare, glistening, optical defects, poor image quality, and other phenomena associated with the unintended light scattering. Future studies should be conducted to correlate SLSP data with clinical results to help identify which measured light scatter is most problematic for patients that have undergone cataract surgery subsequent to IOL implantation.

Scanning Light Scattering Profiler SLPS Based Methodology to Quantitatively Evaluate Forward and Backward Light Scattering from Intraocular Lenses

This protocol describes the scanning light scattering profiler (SLSP) that enables the full-angle quantitative evaluation of forward and backward scattering of light from intraocular lenses (IOLs) using goniophotometer principles.

The scanning light scattering profiler (SLSP) methodology has been developed for the full-angle quantitative evaluation of forward and backward light ...

Scalable Solution-processed Fabrication Strategy for High-performance, Flexible, Transparent Electrodes with Embedded Metal Mesh

Here, the authors report the embedded metal-mesh transparent electrode (EMTE), a new transparent electrode (TE) with a metal mesh completely embedded in a polymer film. This paper also presents a low-cost, vacuum-free fabrication method for this novel TE; the approach combines lithography, electroplating, and imprint transfer (LEIT) processing. The embedded nature of the EMTEs offers many advantages, such as high surface smoothness, which is essential for organic electronic device production; superior mechanical stability during bending; favorable resistance to chemicals and moisture; and strong adhesion with plastic film. LEIT fabrication features an electroplating process for vacuum-free metal deposition and is favorable for industrial mass production. Furthermore, LEIT allows for the fabrication of metal mesh with a high aspect ratio (i.e., thickness to linewidth), significantly enhancing its electrical conductance without adversely losing optical transmittance. We demonstrate several prototypes of flexible EMTEs, with sheet resistances lower than 1 &#937;/sq and transmittances greater than 90%, resulting in very high figures of merit (FoM) &#8211; up to 1.5 x 104 &#8211; which are amongst the best values in the published literature.

This protocol describes a solution-based fabrication strategy for high-performance, flexible, transparent electrodes with fully-embedded, thick metal mesh. Flexible transparent electrodes fabricated by this process demonstrate among the highest reported performances, including ultra-low sheet resistance, high optical transmittance, mechanical stability under bending, strong substrate adhesion, surface smoothness, and environmental stability.

Here, the authors report the embedded metal-mesh transparent electrode (EMTE), a new transparent electrode (TE) with a metal mesh completely embedded in a ...

A Fabrication and Measurement Method for a Flexible Ferroelectric Element Based on Van Der Waals Heteroepitaxy

Flexible non-volatile memories have received much attention as they are applicable for portable smart electronic device in the future, relying on high-density data storage and low-power consumption capabilities. However, the high-quality oxide based nonvolatile memory on flexible substrates is often constrained by the material characteristics and the inevitable high-temperature fabrication process. In this paper, a protocol is proposed to directly grow an epitaxial yet flexible lead zirconium titanate memory element on muscovite mica. The versatile deposition technique and measurement method enable the fabrication of flexible yet single-crystalline non-volatile memory elements necessary for the next generation of smart devices.

In this paper, we present a protocol to directly grow an epitaxial yet flexible lead zirconium titanate memory element on muscovite mica.

Flexible non-volatile memories have received much attention as they are applicable for portable smart electronic device in the future, relying on ...

Fabrication of Flexible Image Sensor Based on Lateral NIPIN Phototransistors

Flexible photodetectors have been intensely studied for the use of curved image sensors, which are a crucial component in bio-inspired imaging systems, but several challenging points remain, such as a low absorption efficiency due to a thin active layer and low flexibility. We present an advanced method to fabricate a flexible phototransistor array with an improved electrical performance. The outstanding electrical performance is driven by a low dark current owing to deep impurity doping. Stretchable and flexible metal interconnectors simultaneously offer electrical and mechanical stabilities in a highly deformed state. The protocol explicitly describes the fabrication process of the phototransistor using a thin silicon membrane. By measuring I-V characteristics of the completed device in deformed states, we demonstrate that this approach improves the mechanical and electrical stabilities of the phototransistor array. We expect that this approach to a flexible phototransistor can be widely used for the applications of not only next-generation imaging systems/optoelectronics but also wearable devices such as tactile/pressure/temperature sensors and health monitors.

We present a detailed method to fabricate a deformable lateral NIPIN phototransistor array for curved image sensors. The phototransistor array with an open mesh form, which is composed of thin silicon islands and stretchable metal interconnectors, provides flexibility and stretchability. The parameter analyzer characterizes the electrical property of the fabricated phototransistor.

Flexible photodetectors have been intensely studied for the use of curved image sensors, which are a crucial component in bio-inspired imaging systems, ...

One-Step Approach to Fabricating Polydimethylsiloxane Microfluidic Channels of Different Geometric Sections by Sequential Wet Etching Processes

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) materials are substantially exploited to fabricate microfluidic devices by using soft lithography replica molding techniques. Customized channel layout designs are necessary for specific functions and integrated performance of microfluidic devices in numerous biomedical and chemical applications (e.g., cell culture, biosensing, chemical synthesis, and liquid handling). Owing to the nature of molding approaches using silicon wafers with photoresist layers patterned by photolithography as master molds, the microfluidic channels commonly have regular cross sections of rectangular shapes with identical heights. Typically, channels with multiple heights or different geometric sections are designed to possess particular functions and to perform in various microfluidic applications (e.g., hydrophoresis is used for sorting particles and in continuous flows for separating blood cells6,7,8,9). Therefore, a great deal of effort has been made in constructing channels with various sections through multiple-step approaches like photolithography using several photoresist layers and assembly of different PDMS thin sheets. Nevertheless, such multiple-step approaches usually involve tedious procedures and extensive instrumentation. Furthermore, the fabricated devices may not perform consistently and the resulted experimental data may be unpredictable. Here, a one-step approach is developed for the straightforward fabrication of microfluidic channels with different geometric cross sections through PDMS sequential wet etching processes, that introduces etchant into channels of planned single-layer layouts embedded in PDMS materials. Compared to the existing methods for manufacturing PDMS microfluidic channels with different geometries, the developed one-step approach can significantly simplify the process to fabricate channels with non-rectangular sections or various heights. Consequently, the technique is a way of constructing complex microfluidic channels, which provides a fabrication solution for the advancement of innovative microfluidic systems.

Several methods are available for the fabrication of channels of non-rectangular sections embedded in polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic devices. Most of them involve multistep manufacturing and extensive alignment. In this paper, a one-step approach is reported for fabricating microfluidic channels of different geometric cross sections by polydimethylsiloxane sequential wet etching.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) materials are substantially exploited to fabricate microfluidic devices by using soft lithography replica molding techniques. ...

Drawing and Hydrophobicity-patterning Long Polydimethylsiloxane Silicone Filaments

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone is a versatile polymer that cannot readily be formed into long filaments. Traditional spinning methods fail because PDMS does not exhibit long-range fluidity at melting. We introduce an improved method to produce filaments of PDMS by a stepped temperature profile of the polymer as it cross-links from a fluid to an elastomer. By monitoring its warm-temperature viscosity, we estimate a window of time when its material properties are amendable to drawing into long filaments. The filaments pass through a high-temperature tube oven, curing them sufficiently to be harvested. These filaments are on the order of hundreds of micrometers in diameter and tens of centimeters in length, and even longer and thinner filaments are possible. These filaments retain many of the material properties of bulk PDMS, including switchable hydrophobicity. We demonstrate this capability with an automated corona-discharge patterning method. These patternable PDMS silicone filaments have applications in silicone weavings, gas-permeable sensor components, and model microscale foldamers.

Here, we present a protocol to produce long filaments of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone by gravity-drawing through a furnace. Filaments are on the order of hundreds of micrometers in diameter and tens of centimeters in length and are hydrophobically patternable via an Arduino-controlled corona discharge system.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone is a versatile polymer that cannot readily be formed into long filaments. Traditional spinning methods fail because ...

Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths

Theoretical, numerical, and experimental methods are presented for multiple scattering of light in macroscopic discrete random media of densely-packed microscopic particles. The theoretical and numerical methods constitute a framework of Radiative Transfer with Reciprocal Transactions (R2T2). The R2T2 framework entails Monte Carlo order-of-scattering tracing of interactions in the frequency space, assuming that the fundamental scatterers and absorbers are wavelength-scale volume elements composed of large numbers of randomly distributed particles. The discrete random media are fully packed with the volume elements. For spherical and nonspherical particles, the interactions within the volume elements are computed exactly using the Superposition T-Matrix Method (STMM) and the Volume Integral Equation Method (VIEM), respectively. For both particle types, the interactions between different volume elements are computed exactly using the STMM. As the tracing takes place within the discrete random media, incoherent electromagnetic fields are utilized, that is, the coherent field of the volume elements is removed from the interactions. The experimental methods are based on acoustic levitation of the samples for non-contact, non-destructive scattering measurements. The levitation entails full ultrasonic control of the sample position and orientation, that is, six degrees of freedom. The light source is a laser-driven white-light source with a monochromator and polarizer. The detector is a mini-photomultiplier tube on a rotating wheel, equipped with polarizers. The R2T2 is validated using measurements for a mm-scale spherical sample of densely-packed spherical silica particles. After validation, the methods are applied to interpret astronomical observations for asteroid (4) Vesta and comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (Figure 1) recently visited by the NASA Dawn mission and the ESA Rosetta mission, respectively.

Numerical and experimental methods are presented for multiple scattering of light in discrete random media of densely-packed particles. The methods are utilized to interpret the observations of asteroid (4) Vesta and comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Theoretical, numerical, and experimental methods are presented for multiple scattering of light in macroscopic discrete random media of densely-packed ...