We provide an overview of our recent advances in the manipulation of wetting in inverse-opal photonic crystals. Exploiting photonic crystals with spatially patterned surface chemistry to confine the infiltration of fluids to liquidspecific spatial patterns, we developed a highly selective scheme for colorimetry, where organic liquids are distinguished based on wetting. The high selectivity of w...

In situ scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) through liquids is a promising approach for exploring biological and materials processes. However, options for in situ chemical identification are limited: X-ray analysis is precluded because the liquid cell holder shadows the detector and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) is degraded by multiple scattering events in thick layers. ...

Interest in ionic liquids for their potential in different chemical processes is constantly increasing, as they are claimed to be environmentally benign – excellent, nonvolatile solvents for a wide range of applications. The wide applicability of these compounds also demands reliable, relatively simple and reproducible analytical techniques. These methods must be applicable not only to differen...

The behavior of intermolecular multiple-quantum coherences in a variety of simple liquids with different chemical and magnetic properties is investigated experimentally and modeled by numerical simulations based on modified Bloch equations. The effects of spin concentration, temperature, intramolecular conformational flexibility, chemical exchange, and spin-spin coupling on the formation of hig...

This paper describes the use of microdischarges as transducing elements in sensors and detectors. Chemical and physical sensing of gases, chemical sensing of liquids, and radiation detection are described. These applications are explored from the perspective of their use in portable microsystems, with emphasis on compactness, power consumption, the ability to operate at or near atmospheric pres...

ABSTRACT To improve the Mid-Infrared (IR) chemical sensing capabilities in liquids and gases, a polymer based waveguide that has 100% interaction with Quantum Cascade (QC) laser field is proposed and demonstrated. The waveguide has thickness down to 10s nanometers so that chemical diffusion and preconcentration could happen very fast; the path length is increased from several microns to over ce...

The main calorimetric principles used in isothermal microcalorimetry are briefly discussed. Different chemical calibration and test reactions are discussed, with a focus on reactions suitable for ambient conditions: reactions initiated by mixing of liquids (including titration microcalorimetry), dissolution of solid compounds and of slightly soluble gases, a photochemical process, and thermal p...

A portable vacuum interface allowing direct probing of the electrode-electrolyte interface was developed. A classical electrochemical system consisting of a gold working electrode, platinum counter electrode, platinum reference electrode, and potassium iodide electrolyte was used to demonstrate real-time observation of the gold iodide adlayer on the electrode and chemical species as a result of...

There has been a burst in the number and variety of available ionization techniques to use mass spectrometry to monitor chemical reactions in and on liquids. Chemists have gained the capability to access chemistry at unprecedented timescales, and monitor reactions and detect intermediates under almost any set of conditions. Herein, recently developed ionization techniques that facilitate mechan...

This is evident, for example, when students: ▲ investigate the interactions of liquids and powders that result in chemical reactions (e.g., vinegar and baking soda) compared to interactions that do not (e.g., water and sugar). ▲ in order to demonstrate the transformation of chemical to electrical energy, construct electrical cells from objects, such as lemons or potatoes, using pennies and alum...