A.V. Luikov Heat and Mass Transfer Institute

Guided by the results of doubling-adding solutions to the equation of radiative transfer, we develop a simple technique for incorporating in climate models the effect of the background tropospheric aerosol on solar radiation. Because the atmosphere is practically nonabsorbing for much of the solar spectrum the effects of the tropospheric aerosol on the reflectivity, transmissivity and absorptivity of the atmosphere are adequately accounted for by the properties of a two-layered system with the atmosphere placed above the aerosol layer. The two-stream and delta-Eddington approximations to the radiative transfer equation then provide reasonably accurate estimates of the changes brought about by the aerosol. Furthermore, results of the doubling-adding calculations lead to a simple parameterization for the distribution of absorption by the aerosol within the atmosphere. Using these simple techniques, we calculate the changes caused by models for the naturally occurring tropospheric aerosol in a zonal mean energy balance climate model. The 2–30°C surface cooling caused by the background aerosol is comparable in magnitude but opposite in sign to the temperature changes brought about by the current atmospheric concentrations of N20 and CH4 and by a doubling of CO2. The model results also indicate that even though the background aerosol may decrease the planetary albedo at high latitudes, it causes cooling at all latitudes. We also use the simple techniques to calculate the influence of dust on the planetary albedo of a desert. Here we demonstrate that the interaction of the aerosol scattering with the angular dependence of the surface reflectivity strongly influences the planetary albedo.

We have used short laser pulses to generate transient vapor nanobubbles around plasmonic nanoparticles. The photothermal, mechanical, and optical properties of such bubbles were found to be different from those of plasmonic nanoparticle and vapor bubbles, as well. This phenomenon was considered as a new complex nanosystem-plasmonic nanobubble (PNB). Mechanical and optical scattering properties of PNB depended upon the nanoparticle surface and heat capacity, clusterization state, and the optical pulse length. The generation of the PNB required much higher laser pulse fluence thresholds than the explosive boiling level and was characterized by the relatively high lower threshold of the minimal size (lifetime) of PNB. Optical scattering by PNB and its diameter (measured as the lifetime) has been varied with the fluence of laser pulse, and this has demonstrated the tunable nature of PNB.

Estimates of mixed layer depth are important to a wide variety of oceanic investigations including upper-ocean productivity, air–sea exchange processes, and long-term climate change. In the absence of direct turbulent dissipation measurements, mixed layer depth is commonly derived from oceanic profile data using threshold, integral, least squares regression, or other proxy variables. The different methodologies often yield different values for mixed layer depth. In this paper, a new method—the split-and-merge (SM) method—is introduced for determining the depth of the surface mixed layer and associated upper-ocean structure from digital conductivity–temperature–depth (CTD) profiles. Two decades of CTD observations for the continental margin of British Columbia are used to validate the SM method and to examine differences in mixed layer depth estimates for the various computational techniques. On a profile-by-profile basis, close agreement is found between the SM and de facto standard threshold methods. However, depth estimates from these two methods can differ significantly from those obtained using the integral and least squares regression methods. The SM and threshold methods are found to approximate the “true” mixed layer depth whereas the integral and regression methods typically compute the depth of the underlying pycnocline. On a statistical basis, the marginally smaller standard errors for spatially averaged mixed layer depths for the SM method suggest a slight improvement in depth determination over threshold methods. This improvement, combined with the added ability of the SM method to delineate simultaneously ancillary features of the upper ocean (such as the depth and gradient of the permanent pycnocline), make it a valuable computational tool for characterizing the structure of the upper ocean.

Laser-induced generation of the vapor bubbles in water around plasmonic nanoparticles was experimentally studied with optical scattering methods. Nanoparticle-generated bubbles temporally and spatially localize laser-induced thermal field and also amplify optical scattering relatively to that of gold nanoparticles. Bubble lifetimes and threshold fluencies were determined as functions of the laser (pulse duration, fluence, inter-pulse interval), nanoparticle (size, shape, aggregation state) and sample chamber parameters so to optimize bubble generation around plasmonic nanoparticles. Nanoparticle-generated bubbles are suggested as nano-scaled optical sensors and sources of localized thermal and mechanical impact.

In medical applications of laser and nanotechnology to diagnosis and treat cancer or microorganisms, understanding of lased-induced photothermal (PT) and accompanied phenomena around nanoparticles are crucial for optimization and bringing this promising technology to bedside. We analyzed the main PT-based effects in and around gold nanoparticles under action of short (nano-, pico-, and femtosecond) laser pulses with focus on photoacoustic effects due to the thermal expansion of nanoparticles and liquid around them, thermal protein denaturation, explosive liquid vaporization, melting and evaporation of nanoparticle, optical breakdown initiated by nanoparticles and accompanied to shock waves and explosion (fragmentation) of gold nanoparticles. Characteristic parameters for these processes such as the temperature and pressures levels, and laser intensity thresholds among others are summarized to provide basis for comparison of different mechanisms of selective nanophotothermolysis and diagnostics of different targets (e.g., cancer cells, bacteria, viruses).

Microwave tomographic imaging is one of the new technologies which has the potential for important applications in medicine. Microwave tomographically reconstructed images may potentially provide information about the physiological state of tissue as well as the anatomical structure of an organ. A two-dimensional (2-D) prototype of a quasi real-time microwave tomographic system was constructed. It was utilized to reconstruct images of physiologically active biological tissues such as an explanted canine perfused heart. The tomographic system consisted of 64 special antennae, divided into 32 emitters and 32 receivers which were electronically scanned. The cylindrical microwave chamber had an internal diameter of 360 mm and was filled with various solutions, including deionized water. The system operated on a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The polarization of the incident electromagnetic field was linear in the vertical direction. Total acquisition time was less than 500 ms. Both accurate and approximation methods of image reconstruction were used. Images of 2-D phantoms, canine hearts, and beating canine hearts have been achieved. In the worst-case situation when the 2-D diffraction model was used for an attempt to "slice" three-dimensional (3-D) object reconstruction, we still achieved spatial resolution of 1 to 2 cm and contrast resolution of 5%.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Previously reported studies on laser nano-thermolysis of cancerous cells demonstrated insufficient efficacy and specificity of malignant cell damage. Safety, that is, absence of damage to normal cells in the course of the laser thermolysis was also low due to less than optimal protocol of cancer cell targeting with nanoparticles (NP). The objective of this study was two-fold: to optimize NP targeting to real tumor (human) cells and to better understand physical mechanisms of cell damage for improved control of the laser ablation. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have suggested (1) two-stage targeting method to form clusters of light-absorbing gold NPs selectively in target cells, and (2) the cell damage mechanism through laser-induced generation of vapor bubbles around NP clusters. Experimental investigation of laser nano-thermolysis of leukemia cells was performed using 30 nm spherical gold nanoparticles as a light absorbing agent, and photothermal and fluorescent microscopies as well as flow cytometry as methods to monitor microbubble formation and resulting damage of leukemia cells in human bone marrow specimens. RESULTS: NP clusters were formed and visualized using fluorescence microscopy at cell membranes and in cytoplasm of B-lymphoblasts. Laser irradiation of cells (532 nm, 10 nanoseconds, 0.6 J/cm2) induced microbubbles selectively in leukemia cells with large clusters, but not in cells with single NPs or small clusters. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that only 0.1%-1.5% of tumor cells and 77%-84% of normal bone marrow cells survived laser pulse. CONCLUSIONS: Two-stage cell targeting method permits formation of NP clusters selectively in diagnosis-specific tumor cells. The clusters serve as effective sources of photothermally-induced microbubbles, which kill individual target cells after a single laser pulse. The laser fluence threshold for generation of microbubbles is inversely proportional to the volume of NP clusters.

This article is focused on the optical generation and detection of photothermal vapor bubbles around plasmonic nanoparticles. We report physical properties of such plasmonic nanobubbles and their biomedical applications as cellular probes. Our experimental studies of gold nanoparticle-generated photothermal bubbles demonstrated the selectivity of photothermal bubble generation, amplification of optical scattering and thermal insulation effect, all realized at the nanoscale. The generation and imaging of photothermal bubbles in living cells (leukemia and carcinoma culture and primary cancerous cells), and tissues (atherosclerotic plaque and solid tumor in animal) demonstrated a noninvasive highly sensitive imaging of target cells by small photothermal bubbles and a selective mechanical, nonthermal damage to the individual target cells by bigger photothermal bubbles due to a rapid disruption of cellular membranes. The analysis of the plasmonic nanobubbles suggests them as theranostic probes, which can be tuned and optically guided at cell level from diagnosis to delivery and therapy during one fast process.

Combining diagnostic and therapeutic processes into one (theranostics) and improving their selectivity to the cellular level may offer significant benefits in various research and disease systems and currently is not supported with efficient methods and agents. We have developed a novel method based on the gold nanoparticle-generated transient photothermal vapor nanobubbles, that we refer to as plasmonic nanobubbles (PNB). After delivery and clusterization of the gold nanoparticles (NP) to the target cells the intracellular PNBs were optically generated and controlled through the laser fluence. The PNB action was tuned in individual living cells from non-invasive high-sensitive imaging at lower fluence to disruption of the cellular membrane at higher fluence. We have achieved non-invasive 50-fold amplification of the optical scattering amplitude with the PNBs (relative to that of NPs), selective mechanical and fast damage to specific cells with bigger PNBs, and optical guidance of the damage through the damage-specific signals of the bubbles. Thus the PNBs acted as tunable theranostic agents at the cellular level and in one process that have supported diagnosis, therapy and guidance of the therapy.

This review summarizes the findings of recent applications of time-domain far-field photothermal (PT) technique to the detection and imaging of nanoscale absorbing particles. This two-beam (pump-probe) technique is based on time-resolved PT visualization of laser-induced thermal effects around nanoparticles. Imaging is accomplished, after an adjustable time delay after the pump laser pulse, with a second probe beam that senses the nanotarget. Using a tunable optical parametric oscillator laser (wavelength, 420 to 570 nm; energy, 0.1-300 /spl mu/J; pulse width, 8 ns) as the pump laser and a Raman shifter (639 nm, 10 nJ, 13 ns) as the probe laser, with a tunable delay of 0 to 5 000 ns of the probe pulse relative to the pump pulse, this approach has demonstrated the capability to visualize nanoscale gold particles (2 to 250 nm) alone and in cells, liposomes (30 to 90 nm), neutral red-stained particles (30 to 500 nm), and polystyrene beads. Different applications of the time-resolved PT technique are discussed, including imaging of absorbing cellular nanostructures and optimization of selective killing of cancer cells and bacteria.

A copper-based metal–organic framework (MOF), [Cu 3 (TMA) 2 (H 2 O) 3 ] n (also known as HKUST-1, where TMA stands for trimesic acid), and its TiO 2 nanocomposites were directly synthesized in micrometer-sized droplets via a rapid aerosol route for the first time. The effects of synthesis temperature and precursor component ratio on the physicochemical properties of the materials were systematically investigated. Theoretical calculations on the mass and heat transfer within the microdroplets revealed that the fast solvent evaporation and high heat transfer rates are the major driving forces. The fast droplet shrinkage because of evaporation induces the drastic increase in the supersaturation ratio of the precursor, and subsequently promotes the rapid nucleation and crystal growth of the materials. The HKUST-1-based nanomaterials synthesized via the aerosol route demonstrated good crystallinity, large surface area, and great photostability, comparable with those fabricated by wet-chemistry methods. With TiO 2 embedded in the HKUST-1 matrix, the surface area of the composite is largely maintained, which enables significant improvement in the CO 2 photoreduction efficiency, as compared with pristine TiO 2 . In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy analysis suggests that the performance enhancement was due to the stable and high-capacity reactant adsorption by HKUST-1. The current work shows great promise in the aerosol route’s capability to address the mass and heat transfer issues of MOFs formation at the microscale level, and ability to synthesize a series of MOFs-based nanomaterials in a rapid and scalable manner for energy and environmental applications.

The magnetorheological suspension (MRS), due to its controllability, can be used as the basis for new devices and technologies. The most important element of any MR device is a magnetorheological transducer (MRT), a controllable hydraulic resistance. Its mathematical model is obtained using quasi-stationary approximation and taking into account the transient processes in the magnetic field inductor. The designs of damping and anti-shock devices using the MR element base are ideologically most simple. A description of such a device is obtained by supplementing the system of equations that describe MRT dynamics with the relations, including hydromechanical pro cesses, in a hydraulic cylinder. MRT can be used to design flexible bridge-like distributors to control hydraulic actuators. The experimental study has shown the possibility of using MRS as a working medium in seals.

BACKGROUND: We have developed a method, termed laser-activated nano-thermolysis as a cell elimination technology (LANTCET), for the selective detection and destruction of individual tumor cells by the generation of intracellular photothermal bubbles around clusters of gold nanoparticles. METHOD: Bare nanoparticles and their conjugates to C225 tumor-specific monoclonal antibodies were applied in vitro to C225-positive squamous carcinoma cells and in vivo to an experimental tumor in a rat in order to form intracellular clusters of nanoparticles. RESULTS: Single 10 ns laser pulses generated intracellular photothermal microbubbles at a near-infrared and visible wavelengths. The cells with the clusters yielded an almost 100-fold decrease in the laser fluence threshold for bubble generation and cell damage relative to that for the cells without clusters. Cell damage had a mechanical origin and single cell selectivity. Three LANTCET processes (cell detection, damage and optical guidance) were realized as a microsecond sequence and with the one device.

Abstract In the paper we have modelled plasma‐chemical reactions in the CO 2 low pressure, DC excited lasers. A good agreement of theoretical and experimental results has been achieved. It has been proved that neglect of reactions with electronic excited species or heterogeneous recombination leads to almost 50% overestimation of CO 2 equilibrium conversion. The relation of CO 2 equilibrium conversion to the reduced field E/N , pressure and current density depends on discharge conditions and mainly on the role played in discharge by ambipolar diffusion. This role decreases with an increase of the discharge diameter and of the mixture convection velocity. The CO 2 equilibrium conversion increases with growth of E/N and j and with decrease of pressure for discharges in small, sealed‐off laser systems. The CO 2 equilibrium conversion is not always a monotone function of p in large, convection cooled lasers. It does not depend so much on E/N as the electron temperature alone if conversions in different mixtures are compared.

Diffusion processes in a magnetic colloid are studied by a forced Rayleigh scattering technique under an applied static magnetic field. A periodic spatial modulation of the particle concentration (transient grating) is induced in the colloid with three different field geometries, B being either parallel or perpendicular to the grating direction. The value of the translational diffusion coefficient of the particles is given by the transient grating relaxation time. It depends on the magnetic field strength and on the field geometry. A theoretical model based on a mean field approximation taking magnetic interactions of particles under a field into account is given which agrees with experimental results.

Microelectronic products are very sensitive to ionizing radiation (electrons, protons, heavy charged particles, X-ray, and γ radiation). Lead is the commonly used material for radiation protection. Bismuth deposition has become an interesting subject for the electrochemical community because of bismuth’s unique electrical, physical, and chemical properties. There is a limited number of authors dealing with deposition of continuous bismuth films onto metallic substrates by electrodeposition method. The conditions of Bi electrochemical deposition and the structure of Bi coatings were examined. X-ray diffraction patterns for all samples were indexed to rhombohedral Bi. Coatings with a signified texture (012) are formed in electrolyte without additives. With gelatin the growth texture changes, and the most intense reflex becomes (110). It was found that increasing gelatin concentration from 0.1 to 0.5 g/L leads to Bi microstructural refinement from 4–20 μm, to from 50 nm to 2 μm, respectively. The protection efficiency of Bi-based shields under 1.6–1.8 MeV electron radiation energy was measured. The electron beam attenuation efficiency was estimated by the changing of current–voltage characteristics of semiconductor test structures which were located behind the shields and without them. It has been determined that optimal protection effectiveness and mass-dimensional parameters are enabled by Bi shields with 2 g/cm2 reduced thickness and 156 attenuation coefficient.

AIMS: Clusters of nanoparticles may significantly improve the sensitivity of diagnostics and the safety and efficacy of therapeutic nanotechnologies in medicine. We report methods for the formation of nanoparticle clusters and for monitoring their accumulation in cancer cells. METHODS: The accumulation of gold nanoparticles in tumor cells was studied using flow cytometry, optical scattering and fluorescent, atomic force, photothermal and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Incubation of cells at 37 degrees C for 30 min or more with 10-30-nm nanoparticles resulted in the formation of clusters of nanoparticles as large as 20 nanoparticles or more. CONCLUSIONS: Specific targeting using a monoclonal antibody as a vector increases the concentration of nanoparticles on the surface of target cells compared with nonspecific nanoparticle accumulation. In turn, an increased concentration of nanoparticles on the target surface yields larger nanoparticle clusters inside the cells due to endocytosis. Photothermal and scattering microscopy were found to be the most sensitive methods for imaging nanoparticle clusters in living cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Determining cell photo-damage is important for laser medicine and laser safety standards. This work evaluated the potential of photothermal (PT) technique for studying invasive laser-cell interaction, with a focus on PT evaluation of spectral dependence of laser-induced damage in visible region at single intact cell level. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: PT is based on irradiation of a single intact cells with a tunable pump laser pulse (420-570 nm, 8 nanoseconds, 0.1-300 microJ) and monitoring of temperature-dependent variations of the refractive index with a second, collinear probe beam in pulse (imaging) mode (639 nm, 13 nanoseconds, 10 nJ), and continuous (integrated PT response) mode (633 nm, 2 mW). The local and the integrated PT responses from the individual living red blood cells, lymphocytes, and cancer cells (K562) in vitro were obtained at different pump laser fluence and wavelength and compared with data obtained by conventional viability tests (Annexin V--propidium iodide). RESULTS: The cell damage with pump pulse lead to specific change in PT response's temporal shape and PT image's structure. The photodamage thresholds varied in the range of 0.5-5 J/cm2 for red blood cells, 4.4-42 J/cm2 for lymphocytes, and 36-90 J/cm2 for blast cells in the pump wavelength range of 417-555 nm. CONCLUSION: Damage threshold at different wavelength depends on absorption spectra of cells. Spectral evaluation of laser-damage thresholds can be done in two supplements for each PT mode--PT imaging and integrated PT response. The correlation between specific change of PT parameters and cell damage permits using PT technique to rapidly estimate the invasive conditions of the laser-cell interactions.

Transient photothermal phenomena in the environment of light-absorbing plasmonic nanoparticles, heating and evaporation, were shown to influence the optical scattering efficacy of such nanoparticles, when they absorb and scatter the light. The heating of the environment suppresses the optical scattering, while the evaporation enhances the scattering by the nanoparticles. These opposite effects have transient, local, and thermal nature and significantly (more than 10 times) influence the optical contrast of the nanoparticles as shown for gold spheres in water.

Photothermal (PT) efficacy and damage thresholds of gold nanoparticles (NP)-spheres, rods and silica-gold shells-were experimentally studied during their excitation with nanosecond laser pulses at the fluence levels at and above the NP damage threshold. The maxima of PT efficacy of gold NPs with near-infrared (NIR) plasmon resonances (gold rods and shells) and the minima of their damage thresholds were found to be shifted from their plasmon resonance NIR wavelengths into non-resonant visible wavelengths. This suppression of PT efficacy of NIR plasmon resonances (bleaching) was found to be up to 18 times for the rods and up to 22 times for the shells. During laser-induced deterioration the NPs maintained their PT properties at least within 40-150 ns after exposure to laser pulses. PT properties of the gold NPs can be enhanced with the pulse train mode within the above time. The PT bubbles generated around superheated NPs were used as their optical markers and allowed us to quantify PT efficacy of plasmon resonance through the bubble parameters under the conditions when other methods of NP detection are not applicable.