The sol–gel technique is a highly flexible technique for fabrication of oxide glasses, and various researchers have previously reported fluorescence studies of Er-doped sol–gel films and monoliths. Here we report the fabrication of Er-doped strip-loaded sol–gel silicate waveguides, using a silica–titania–alumina host composition, and Er concentrations up to f1.1=10 Er rcm, for possible applicat...

Amoeboid locomotion is one of the typical modes of biological cell migration. Cytoplasmic sol-gel conversion of an actomyosin system is thought to play an important role in locomotion. However, the mechanisms underlying sol-gel conversion, including trigger, signal, and regulating factors, remain unclear. We developed a novel model system in which an actomyosin fraction moves like an amoeba in ...

An in-depth investigation into the synthesis of hydrophobic silica aerogels prepared by the surface derivatization of wet gels followed by subsequent drying at ambient pressure is reported. The following sol-gel parameters were examined for their effect on the physical properties of the derived aerogels: number of gel washings with water, percentage of hexane or methanol in silylating mixture, ...

Silica aerogels prepared by the sol-gel process are often used as solid desiccants in enthalpy wheels for dehumidifying ventilation air in air-conditioning systems. These hygroscopic materials have good moisture adsorption and desorption characteristics due to their porous structure. The current study is focused on the evaluation of the mass diffusivity of solid silica aerogels and silica aerog...

The separations of alcohols with hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts, and the separation of aromatic mixtures, are extremely important processes in gas and petroleum industries. Choosing an adsorbent for performing this separation is the most important part of the process. Silica gel is used as an adsorbent is various techniques such as pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and gas and liquid chromatog...

A high-stability Eu-complex has been achieved by coating with a silica glass via a low temperature sol-gel process using deuterated methanol. A three-dimensional glass network protects Eu-complex from free-oxygen and/or water to change the ligand structure. In addition, the chemical bond of deuterated Eu-complex is more stable than that of the conventional Eu-complex. Therefore, we achieved the...