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Disentangling signals in mass spectra of complex mixturesThis article describes the Prell Group's use of image and sound processing tools to simplify the interpretation of mass spectra for large molecules, including proteins and polymers. In "native" mass spectrometry, which aims to preserve and characterize high-order structure of biomolecules as they are transferred into the gas phase, signal due to attachment of sodium and other ions to the biomolecules can make the mass spectrum extremely difficult to interpret. The Prell Group's method circumvents this problem by treating the biomolecule signal like a singer performing in a noisy room, first detecting then filtering the signal out from the noisy background. -
Optimizing mass spectrometry for membrane protein complexesThe Prell Group at UO and Marty Group at the University of Arizona (lead authors) demonstrate that chemical additives added to aqueous buffers containing native-like membrane proteins embedded in lipoprotein "Nanodisc" membrane mimics can modulate the fate of these intricate complexes when transferred into a mass spectrometer. By choosing the right combination of chemical additive and instrumental settings, a remarkably flexible variety of target ions can be produce that enable researchers to study membrane protein complex stoichiometry, size and shape, and lipid binding. -
Imaging provides insights into the physical characteristics and spatial distributions of gut bacteriaDespite the importance of the gut microbiome to health and disease, little is known about these intestinal ecosystems are organized in time and space. Using three-dimensional microscopy of larval zebrafish, researchers in the Parthasarathy Lab were able to map the spatial distributions of several gut species, as well as the behaviors of individual bacteria. Surprisingly, they discovered a strong link between the two; the tendency of bacteria to aggregate is a very strong predictor of their location in the gut. This suggests the existence of general biophysical rules that can make sense of the gut microbiome. -
Conformationally flexible receptors bind disparate oxoanions with similar, high affinitiesThe Johnson and Haley collaborative lab designed three differentially adorned pyridylethynyl bis-urea hosts to host disparate oxoanion luggage selectively. However, solvent effects outweigh the predicted binding trends of the anions, leading to equally high affinities across all nine receptor-anion pairs in less polar solvents. -
A path-separated electron interferometer within a conventional scanning transmission electron microscope.From gravitational wave sensing, to fundamental quantum measurements, to imaging of transparent materials, interferometry has been used in as an investigative tool in many scientific fields. The McMorran Lab presents a path-separated electron interferometer that can potentially be applied to explore fundamental physics of nano-materials and as a phase contrast imaging technique. -
Probing the role of cobalt oxy-hydroxide catalysts for solar water splittingThe interfacial charge transfer that takes place between the semiconductor-catalyst interface for solar water splitting has long been poorly understood. New insights require unique experimental approaches, like the potential sensing electrochemical atomic force microscope developed by the Boettcher lab. Using this tool, Cobalt oxyhydroxide was shown to charge to potentials necessary to drive water oxidation. -
Quick Excited State Dynamics Measurements using a Single-Shot Transient Absorption SpectrometerTransient absorption spectroscopy measures excited state dynamics, but is usually limited to static systems owing to long data collection times. In this paper, the Wong Lab presents a single-shot transient absorption spectrometer with a 45 ps pump-probe time range that lowers the data collection time to 8 s. This advance will enable the measurement of the excited state dynamics of systems that are not at structural equilibrium. -
Reactive Fe-sites for electrocatalysisA limiting factor to efficiently splitting water into hydrogen, for energy storage, and oxygen, is the slow kinetics of the oxygen evolution half reaction. NiFeOOH-based catalysts have been identified as the most active for the oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media, but the root of their high activity is still heavily debated. This article from the Boettcher Lab focuses on the role that the Fe plays in activity enhancement and identifies the importance of the Fe-site local structure. -
The viscosity of the gutThe fluid interior of the intestine serves as a medium for the diffusion of nutrients and other molecules, and an environment in which gut microbes must navigate. Characterizing the physical properties of this fluid in living animals has proven difficult, however. The Parthasarathy Lab has developed new techniques making use of micro- and nano-particles, driven by thermal energy or magnetic fields, imaged inside living larval zebrafish. -
Light-Activated COS/H2S Donation from Photocaged ThiocarbamatesHydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important biomolecule, and responsive chemical tools for its delivery are needed. Here the Pluth lab utilizes the photo-cleavable o-nitrobenzyl group to unmask caged thiocarbamates and to access photo-activated H2S releasing molecules. These donors function by the initial release of carbonyl sulfide (COS), which is quickly hydrolyzed to H2S by carbonic anhydrase (CA). -
High-K Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide Thin Film Dielectrics from Aqueous Solution PrecursorsMetal oxide thin films are critical components in a number of microelectronic applications. These nanomaterials are typically made using vapor-phase methods, but solution-phase methods are an attractive cost-efficient and scalable alternative. The Page Group reports an aqueous route to lanthanum zirconium oxide thin films and demonstrates their viability as MIS device components. -
Molecular Nanohoop Quantum CorralsControllable modification of metal surface electronic structure is essential for developing applications involving interfacial electron transfer. The Nazin and Jasti Labs used scanning tunneling microscopy to study cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) on metal surfaces, finding unexpected "eye"-like electronic features in the center of individual hoop-shaped CPPs. These "eyes" are localized states formed by the confinement of surface electrons, with the CPPs acting as molecular electronic “corrals", suggesting an approach to robust, large-area modification of surface electronic structure.
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Ballistic Diffusive Transition in a Viscoelastic FluidThe Corwin group discusses the measurement of the ballistic diffusive transition of a tracer particle in several different fluids. The short time ballistic motion is a direct measurement of the temperature by connecting it to kinetic energy. In addition, by examining the transition from ballistic to diffusive motion we can examine the structure and physical properties of the fluid, thus in effect creating a microscale rheometer. -
Direct measurement of photogenerated hole transferSunlight pulls electrons and holes apart in semiconductors like Fe2O3 (rust). The relay of electron and hole from semiconductor to electrocatalyst can be utilized to boost chemical reactions. The Boettcher lab used dual working electrode to in situ measure/ record the hole relay process at the interface of hematite and Ni/Fe oxyhydroxie for water oxidation into oxygen. -
An Improved Method for H2S Detection - Pluth Lab in JACSCompounds that become fluorescent when hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is detected in the body have become important for studying the biological significance of this rotten egg-smelling gas. Unfortunately, these compounds also use up the H2S that it detects, which may have a profound impact on the physiological processes that utilize this important molecule. Recently, the Pluth Lab has developed an innovative method for H2S detection that replenishes H2S, providing the first example of analyte replacement in a reaction-based fluorescent probe. -
Johnson lab designs a facile route to old and new cyclophanes via self- assembly and captureThe Darren Johnson lab has developed a new route to prepare a class of compounds called cyclophanes. Cyclophanes are macrocyclic and/or cage compounds that often feature high strain, unusual conformations, and surprising properties. -
A Stable Biradical Molecule Synthesized by the Haley GroupPolycyclic hydrocarbons with non-bonded electrons have desirable properties that can be exploited in organic solar cells and organic transistors. Typically, these biradical compounds are highly reactive and short-lived under ambient conditions. Now, the Haley group has prepared a new biradical compound with remarkable stability towards oxygen and heat, as reported in Nature Chemistry. At room temperature the molecule is non-magnetic, but when heated, a magnetic triplet state is accessed. -
Fluids by design using chaotic surface waves to create a metafluidWine may look the same as water with red food coloring, but pour them and you can immediately tell the difference by how they flow. These properties are inextricable linked with their molecular composition. To make water flow like wine one would need change the individual molecules. The CORWIN lab has created a new kind of fluid, constructed not from molecules but from chaotic waves, that circumvents this limitation. Unlike in traditional fluids, we can arbitrarily tune the viscosity. By this method we can easily achieve the twofold increase in viscosity necessary for transforming water into wine. -
Modulating Paratropicity Strength in Diareno-fused AntiaromaticsUnderstanding and controlling the electronic structure of molecules is crucial when designing and optimizing new organic materials. The findings of this study from the Haley lab can be used to predict the properties of, and thus rationally target, new diareno-fused antiaromatic molecules for use as organic semiconductors. -
Prell Group introduces Collidoscope, a New Tool for Computing Ion Collisional Cross Sections"Native" ion mobility-mass spectrometry is emerging as a powerful method for learning about the structure and dynamics of biomolecular complexes transferred gently from buffered solution into the gas phase. Nevertheless, comparing experimental results to model structures can be very challenging due to the high computational cost of accurately calculating the collisional cross section of an ion, which is a measurement of its shape and size. The Prell Group has recently published an article detailing a new, open-source computational tool ("Collidoscope") they developed to make this possible for extremely large complexes weighing a megaDalton or more. -
Modulation Doping in Metastable HeterostructuresControlling carrier concentration is critical in many device applications and both chemical substitution and modulation doping have been used in industry. For most inorganic materials, very low doping efficiencies are observed as site occupancies depend on both thermodynamic and kinetic factors. The Dave Johnson Group demonstrates that we can make kinetically controlled site-specific substitutions in a series of compounds. -
Molecular Nanohoop Quantum CorralsControllable modification of metal surface electronic structure is essential for developing applications involving interfacial electron transfer. The Nazin and Jasti Labs used scanning tunneling microscopy to study cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) on metal surfaces, finding unexpected "eye"-like electronic features in the center of individual hoop-shaped CPPs. These "eyes" are localized states formed by the confinement of surface electrons, with the CPPs acting as molecular electronic “corrals", suggesting an approach to robust, large-area modification of surface electronic structure.
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High-K Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide Thin Film Dielectrics from Aqueous Solution PrecursorsMetal oxide thin films are critical components in a number of microelectronic applications. These nanomaterials are typically made using vapor-phase methods, but solution-phase methods are an attractive cost-efficient and scalable alternative. The Page Group reports an aqueous route to lanthanum zirconium oxide thin films and demonstrates their viability as MIS device components.
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Light-Activated COS/H2S Donation from Photocaged ThiocarbamatesHydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important biomolecule, and responsive chemical tools for its delivery are needed. Here the Pluth lab utilizes the photo-cleavable o-nitrobenzyl group to unmask caged thiocarbamates and to access photo-activated H2S releasing molecules. These donors function by the initial release of carbonyl sulfide (COS), which is quickly hydrolyzed to H2S by carbonic anhydrase (CA).
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The viscosity of the gutThe fluid interior of the intestine serves as a medium for the diffusion of nutrients and other molecules, and an environment in which gut microbes must navigate. Characterizing the physical properties of this fluid in living animals has proven difficult, however. The Parthasarathy Lab has developed new techniques making use of micro- and nano-particles, driven by thermal energy or magnetic fields, imaged inside living larval zebrafish.
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Quick Excited State Dynamics Measurements using a Single-Shot Transient Absorption SpectrometerTransient absorption spectroscopy measures excited state dynamics, but is usually limited to static systems owing to long data collection times. In this paper, the Wong Lab presents a single-shot transient absorption spectrometer with a 45 ps pump-probe time range that lowers the data collection time to 8 s. This advance will enable the measurement of the excited state dynamics of systems that are not at structural equilibrium.
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Probing the role of cobalt oxy-hydroxide catalysts for solar water splittingThe interfacial charge transfer that takes place between the semiconductor-catalyst interface for solar water splitting has long been poorly understood. New insights require unique experimental approaches, like the potential sensing electrochemical atomic force microscope developed by the Boettcher lab. Using this tool, Cobalt oxyhydroxide was shown to charge to potentials necessary to drive water oxidation.
An interdisciplinary institute of the University of Oregon
Founded in 1985 as a State Center of Excellence, the purpose of the Institute is to study the structure and properties of materials, to educate in the sciences of materials, and to serve Oregon as a resource in these sciences. Since 1985 the Institute has more than tripled the size of its research program, developed four new graduate programs in materials, and contributed to the State's prosperity through collaboration with more than 25 Oregon companies.
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