Parallel Plate Flow Cell Research Articles

Zinc deposition and dissolution in methanesulfonic acid onto a carbon composite electrode as the negative electrode reactions in a hybrid redox flow battery

Electrodeposition and dissolution of zinc in methanesulfonic acid were studied as the negative electrode reactions in a hybrid redox flow battery. Cyclic voltammetry at a rotating disk electrode was used to characterize the electrochemistry and the effect of process conditions on the deposition and dissolution rate of zinc in aqueous methanesulfonic acid. At a sufficiently high current density, the deposition process became a mass transport controlled reaction. The diffusion coefficient of Zn2+ ions was 7.5×10−6cm2s−1. The performance of the zinc negative electrode in a parallel plate flow cell was also studied as a function of Zn2+ ion concentration, methanesulfonic acid concentration, current density, electrolyte flow rate, operating temperature and the addition of electrolytic additives, including potassium sodium tartarate, tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, and indium oxide. The current-, voltage- and energy efficiencies of the zinc-half cell reaction and the morphologies of the zinc deposits are also discussed. The energy efficiency improved from 62% in the absence of additives to 73% upon the addition of 2×10−3moldm−3 of indium oxide as a hydrogen suppressant. In aqueous methanesulfonic acid with or without additives, there was no significant dendrite formation after zinc electrodeposition for 4h at 50mAcm−2.

Efficacy of surface-generated nitric oxide against Candida albicans adhesion and biofilm formation

This report details the efficacy of nitric oxide (NO)-releasing xerogel surfaces composed of N-(6-aminohexyl)aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (AHAP3) and isobutyltrimethoxysilane (BTMOS) against Candida albicans adhesion, viability, and biofilm formation. A parallel plate flow cell assay was used to examine the effect of NO on planktonic fungal cells. Nitric oxide fluxes as low as 14 pmol cm−2 s−1 were sufficient to reduce fungal adhesion by ∼49% over the controls after 90 min. By utilizing a fluorescence live/dead assay and replicate plating, NO flux was determined to reduce fungal viability in a dose-dependent manner. The formation of C. albicans biofilms on NO-releasing xerogel-coated silicon rubber (SiR) coupons was impeded when compared to control (non-NO-releasing) and bare SiR surfaces. The synergistic efficacy of NO and silver sulfadiazine against adhered fungal cells and biofilms is reported with increased killing and biofilm inhibition over NO alone.

A novel flow battery: A lead acid battery based on an electrolyte with soluble lead(II). Part IX: Electrode and electrolyte conditioning with hydrogen peroxide

Extended cycling of a soluble lead acid battery can lead to problems due to an imbalance in the coulombic efficiency leading to deposits of Pb and PbO2 on the electrodes. Periodic addition of hydrogen peroxide to the electrolyte of the soluble lead acid flow battery largely overcomes several operational problems seen during extended cycling, using a 10 cm × 10 cm parallel plate flow cell. It is shown that this treatment greatly extends the number of cycles that can be achieved with a reasonable energy-, voltage-, and charge efficiency of 54–66%, 71%, and 77–91%.

Colloidal particle deposition from electrokinetic flow in a microfluidic channel

This study reports a theoretical and experimental study on the irreversible deposition of colloidal particles from electrokinetic microfluidic flow. The electrokinetic particle transport model presented in this study is based on the stochastic Langevin equation, incorporating the electrical, hydrodynamic, Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek colloidal interactions and random Brownian motion of colloidal particles. Brownian dynamics simulation is used to compute the particle deposition in terms of the surface coverage. Direct videomicroscopic observation using the parallel-plate flow cell technique is employed to determine the deposition kinetics of polystyrene latex particles in NaCl electrolytes. The theoretical predictions are compared with experimental results, and a reasonable agreement is found.

Nanoscale Increases in CD2-CD48-mediated Intermembrane Spacing Decrease Adhesion and Reorganize the Immunological Synapse

The relationship between intermembrane spacing, adhesion efficiency, and lateral organization of adhesion receptors has not been established for any adhesion system. We have utilized the CD2 ligand CD48 with two (wild type CD48 (CD48-WT)), four (CD48-CD2), or five (CD48-CD22) Ig-like domains. CD48-WT was 10-fold more efficient in mediating adhesion than CD48-CD2 or CD48-CD22. Electron tomography of contact areas with planar bilayers demonstrated average intermembrane spacing of 12.8 nm with CD48-WT, 14.7 nm with CD48-CD2, and 15.6 nm with CD48-CD22. Both CD48-CD2 and CD48-CD22 chimeras segregated completely from CD48-WT in mixed contact areas. In contrast, CD48-CD2 and CD48-CD22 co-localized when mixed contacts were formed. Confocal imaging of immunological synapses formed between primary T lymphocytes and Chinese hamster ovary cells presenting major histocompatibility complex-peptide complexes, and different forms of CD48 demonstrated that CD48-CD2 and CD48-CD22 induce an eccentric CD2/T cell antigen receptor cluster. We propose that this reorganization of the immunological synapse sequesters the T cell antigen receptor in a location where it cannot interact with its ligand and dramatically reduces T cell sensitivity.

Adhesion and ultrasound-induced delivery from monodisperse microbubbles in a parallel plate flow cell

Microbubbles, ultrasound contrast agents currently in development as ultrasonically activated drug delivery vehicles, were studied using a novel flow cell design. The flow cell combined ultrasound compatibility, a planar optical configuration, and a Cartesian orientation of buoyant, shear, and acoustic forces. The set-up enabled measurements of buoyant rise and adhesive sensitivity to shear forces for individual biotinylated, monodisperse, polymer-shelled microbubbles near a NeutrAvidin-coated polystyrene substrate. Analysis of the velocity history demonstrated that adhesion depended on the buoyant rise to the surface before attachment to the substrate: only when the distance parallel to the substrate in the flow direction was between 10 and 20 μm from the stopping position could specific molecular recognition events occur. Low intensity ultrasound caused strong two-dimensional mobility leading to reversible clustering of microbubbles, even though they interacted strongly with the substrate through biotin- NeutrAvidin bonds. At higher acoustic pressure, local gas release took place. With sufficient acoustic intensity, the agents demonstrate potential as large payload carriers for biomolecularly targeted therapeutic delivery. However, difficulties may limit the range of targeting applications: large sizes may render microbubbles susceptible to detachment at the shearing forces present in many regions of the vasculature and secondary radiation forces may reduce targeting effectiveness.

Shear Banding in Biphasic Liquid-Liquid Systems

In this Letter, we present the first systematic report of shear-induced banding in microconfined biphasic liquid-liquid systems, i.e., formation of alternating regions of high and low volume fraction of dispersed-phase droplets in a parallel plate flow cell. Such a flow-driven, gap-dependent phenomenon is only observed at low values of the viscosity ratio between the dispersed and the continuous phase, and in a given range of the applied shear rate. Based on rheological measurements, band formation is found to be associated with a viscosity decrease as compared to the homogeneous, structureless case, thus showing that system microstructure is somehow evolving towards reduced viscous dissipation under shear flow.

Antibacterial nitric oxide-releasing xerogels: Cell viability and parallel plate flow cell adhesion studies

The ability of nitric oxide (NO)-releasing xerogels to reduce adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa under flowing conditions was evaluated using a parallel plate flow chamber. At a controlled bacterial suspension flow rate of 0.2 mL/min, the NO-releasing xerogels reduced bacterial adhesion in a flux-dependent fashion, with an NO flux of ∼21 pmol cm −2 s −1 reducing P. aeruginosa adhesion by ∼65% compared to controls. Fluorescent viability staining indicated that bacteria adhered to NO-releasing xerogels were killed within 7 h. Quantitative cell-plating viability studies showed that the extent of bactericidal activity was dependent on the total amount of NO released, with 750 nmol cm −2 killing >90% more adhered bacteria than xerogels releasing 25 nmol cm −2. Thus, NO-releasing xerogels were shown to both inhibit P. aeruginosa adhesion and kill adhered bacteria cells, two important steps toward designing anti-infective biomaterial coatings.

Observations on the adherence of Proteus mirabilis onto polymer surfaces

Infection of the catheterized urinary tract with Proteus mirabilis causes blockage of the catheter by crystalline bacterial biofilms. The aim of this work is to identify a surface-coating for catheters that is not vulnerable to colonization by Pr. mirabilis. A parallel-plate flow-cell and phase contrast microscopy were used to follow bacterial adhesion onto polymer films. Experiments with a urease-negative mutant of Pr. mirabilis suspended in buffer or urine, identified agarose as a polymer on which biofilm did not form. In tests with wild-type urease-producing cells in urine, no adhesion of cells onto agarose was observed for 3 h but then as the pH rose above 8.2, the surface rapidly became colonized by crystalline biofilm. In urine at pH below 8.0, Pr. mirabilis does not adhere to agarose-coated surfaces. When the pH rises above 8.2, however, aggregates of crystals and bacteria form in the urine and are deposited on such surfaces. Strategies to prevent the formation of crystalline biofilms on urinary catheters will need to consider both the properties of the surface-coatings and the requirement to prevent the alkaline conditions that induce crystal formation in urine.

Role of swarming in the formation of crystalline Proteus mirabilis biofilms on urinary catheters

The care of many patients undergoing long-term bladder catheterization is frequently complicated by infection with Proteus mirabilis. These organisms colonize the catheter, forming surface biofilm communities, and their urease activity generates alkaline conditions under which crystals of magnesium ammonium phosphate and calcium phosphate are formed and become trapped in the biofilm. As the biofilm develops it obstructs the flow of urine through the catheter, causing either incontinence due to leakage of urine around the catheter or retention of urine in the bladder. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the surface-associated swarming motility of P. mirabilis in the initiation and development of these crystalline catheter biofilms. A set of stable transposon mutants with a range of swimming and swarming abilities were tested for their ability to colonize silicone surfaces in a parallel-plate flow cell. A laboratory model of the catheterized bladder was then used to examine their ability to form crystalline, catheter-blocking biofilms. The results showed that neither swarming nor swimming motility was required for the attachment of P. mirabilis to silicone. Mutants deficient in swarming and swimming were also capable of forming crystalline biofilms and blocking catheters more rapidly than the wild-type strain.

Brownian dynamics simulation and experimental study of colloidal particle deposition in a microchannel flow

This paper reports an analysis of the irreversible deposition of colloidal particles from the pressure-driven flow in a microchannel within the framework of DLVO theory. A theoretical model is presented on the basis of the stochastic Langevin equation, incorporating the random Brownian motion of colloidal particles. Brownian dynamics simulation is used to compute the particle deposition in terms of the surface coverage. To validate the theoretical model, experiments are carried out using the parallel-plate flow cell technique, enabling direct videomicroscopic observation of the deposition kinetics of polystyrene latex particles in NaCl electrolytes. The theoretical predictions are compared with the experimental results, and good agreement is found.

Role of capsular colanic acid in adhesion of uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Urinary tract infections are the most common urologic disease in the United States and one of the most common bacterial infections of any organ system. Biofilms persist in the urinary tract and on catheter surfaces because biofilm microorganisms are resistant to host defense mechanisms and antibiotic therapy. The first step in the establishment of biofilm infections is bacterial adhesion; preventing bacterial adhesion represents a promising method of controlling biofilms. Evidence suggests that capsular polysaccharides play a role in adhesion and pathogenicity. This study focuses on the role of physiochemical and specific binding interactions during adhesion of colanic acid exopolysaccharide mutant strains. Bacterial adhesion was evaluated for isogenic uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains that differed in colanic acid expression. The atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to directly measure the reversible physiochemical and specific binding interactions between bacterial strains and various substrates as bacteria initially approach the interface. AFM results indicate that electrostatic interactions were not solely responsible for the repulsive forces between the colanic acid mutant strains and hydrophilic substrates. Moreover, hydrophobic interactions were not found to play a significant role in adhesion of the colanic acid mutant strains. Adhesion was also evaluated by parallel-plate flow cell studies in comparison to AFM force measurements to demonstrate that prolonged incubation times alter bacterial adhesion. Results from this study demonstrate that the capsular polysaccharide colanic acid does not enhance bacterial adhesion but rather blocks the establishment of specific binding as well as time-dependent interactions between uropathogenic E. coli and inert substrates.

Shear-banding structure orientated in the vorticity direction observed for equimolar micellar solution

The non-monotonic shear flow of a viscoelastic equimolar aqueous surfactant solution (cetylpyridinium chloride-sodium salicylate) is investigated rheologically and optically in a transparent strain-controlled Taylor Couette flow cell. As reported before, this particular wormlike micellar solution exhibits first a shear thinning and then a pronounced shear-thickening behavior. Once this shear-thickening regime is reached, a transient phase separation/shear banding of the solution into turbid and clear ring-like patterns orientated perpendicular to the vorticity axis, i.e., stacked like pancakes, is observed (Wheeler et al. 1998; Fischer 2000). The solution exhibit several unique features as no induction period of the shear induced phase, no structural build-up at the inner rotating cylinder, jumping pancake structure of clear and turbid ringlike phases, and oscillating shear stresses appear once the pancake structure is present. According to our analysis this flow phenomenon is not purely a mechanical or rheological driven hydrodynamic instability but one has to take into account structural changes of the oriented micellar aggregates (flow induced non-equilibrium phase transition) as proposed by several authors. Although this particular flow behavior and the underlying mixture of shear induced phases and mechanical instabilities is not fully understood yet, some classification characteristics based on a recent theoretical approach by Schmitt et al. (1995) and Porte et al. (1997) where a strong coupling between the flow instability (non-homogeneous flow profile due to the bands) and the structural changes causes the observed transient phenomena can be derived. In reference to the presented model the observed orientation of the rings is typical for complex fluids that undergo a spinodal phase separation coupled with a thermodynamic flow instability. In contrast to other shear banding phenomena, this one is observed in parallel plate, cone-plate, and Couette flow cell as well as under controlled stress and controlled rate conditions. Therefore, it adds an additional aspect to the present discussion on shear banding phenomena, i.e., the coupling of hydrodynamics and phase transition of rheological complex fluids.

Amine and tin fluoride inhibition of Streptococcus sanguis adhesion under continuous flow.

This study evaluated the ability of topically applied amine fluoride (AmF) and AmF-tin fluoride to inhibit the adhesion of Streptococcus sanguis within a parallel plate flow cell system. One of three AmF compounds and two tin fluoride preparations significantly reduced the net bacterial adhesion to conditioned glass over a 1-h period. Tin(IV) fluoride inhibited S. sanguis adhesion to the greatest extent, and this was shown to be dependent on the formation of the conditioning film prior to agent application.

Proppant Transport Characterization of Hydraulic-Fracturing Fluids Using a High-Pressure Simulator Integrated With a Fiber-Optic/Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) Vision System

SummarySlurries of selected hydraulic-fracturing fluids such as 40-lbm/Mgal hydroxypropyl guar (HPG) linear gel and borate-crosslinked 35-lbm/Mgal guar gel were evaluated to characterize their proppant transport properties using 6-lbm/gal 20/40-mesh sand. In addition, fluids such as water, 40-lbm/Mgal HPG linear gel, and borate-crosslinked 35-lbm/Mgal gel were evaluated to determine their relative ability to remove the fluidized layer lying along the top of settling proppant bed and subsequently to erode more compacted layers below. The experimental study used a unique high-pressure parallel-plate flow cell, simulating a down-hole fracture, integrated with a fiber-optic vision system and LED.

Relationship between Shear-Induced Structure and Optical Anisotropy on CPyCl/NaSal Aqueous Solution.

An aqueous solution of cetylpyridinium chloride and sodium salicylate, which forms wormlike micelles, shows shear-induced structure changing phenomenon at a certain shear rate. An opaque ring region appears in parallel plate flow cell when this phenomenon takes place. The critical shear rate was calculated by measuring the inner diameter of the opaque ring and the rotation rate of flow cell, and it was 85 s-1 in this case. The opaque ring is blinking at a constant period in steady shear flow. The minimum inner diameter of the ring region is decreased and the blinking frequency becomes higher with increasing shear rate. Three-dimensional information of birefringence, dichroism and orientation angle was measured by a double-beam rheo-optical analyzer. Birefringence changed periodically and it was synchronized with blinking of the opaque ring. The orientation angle of birefringence in shear plane was fluctuating and it was not clearly synchronized with the blinking of the opaque ring. Dichroism measured by shear direction was also fluctuated but mean value was almost zero. On the other hand, dichroism in shear plane was fluctuated with non-zero mean value.

Apparent surface associated lag time in growth of primary biofilm cells.

The ability of microorganisms to form biofilms has been well documented. Bacterial cells make a transition from a planktonic state to a sessile state, replicate, and subsequently populate a surface. In this study, organisms that initially colonize a ``clean'' surface are referred to as ``primary'' biofilm cells. The progeny of the first generation of sessile cells are known as ``secondary'' biofilm cells. This study examined the growth of planktonic, primary, and secondary biofilm cells of a green fluorescent protein producing (GFP+) Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01. Biofilm experiments were performed in a parallel plate flow cell reactor with a glass substratum. Individual cells were tracked over time using a confocal scanning laser microscope (CSLM). Primary cells experience a lag in their growth that may be attributed to adapting to a sessile environment or undergoing a phenotypic change. This is referred to as a surface associated lag time. Planktonic and secondary biofilm cells both grew at a faster rate than the primary biofilm cells under the same nutrient conditions.

Plasma-deposited membranes for controlled release of antibiotic to prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.

Bacterial infection on implanted medical devices is a significant clinical problem caused by the adhesion of bacteria to the biomaterial surface followed by biofilm formation and recruitment of other cells lines such as blood platelets, leading to potential thrombosis and thromboembolisms. To minimize biofilm formation and potential device-based infections, a polyurethane (Biospan) matrix was developed to release, in a controlled manner, an antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) locally at the implant interface. One material set consisted of the polyetherurethane (PEU) base matrix radiofrequency glow discharge plasma deposited with triethylene glycol dimethyl ether (triglyme); the other set had an additional coating of poly(butyl methyacrylate) (pBMA). Triglyme served as a nonfouling coating, whereas the pBMA served as a controlled porosity release membrane. The pBMA-coated PEU contained and released ciprofloxacin in a controlled manner. The efficacy of the modified PEU polymers against Pseudomonas aeruginosa suspensions was evaluated under flow conditions in a parallel plate flow cell. Bacterial adhesion and colonization, if any, to the test polymers were examined by direct microscopic image analysis and corroborated with destructive sampling, followed by direct cell counting. The rate of initial bacterial cell adhesion to triglyme-coated PEU was 0. 77%, and to the pBMA-coated PEU releasing ciprofloxacin was 6% of the observed adhesion rates for the control PEU. However, the rate of adherent cell accumulation due to cell growth and replication was approximately the same for the triglyme-coated PEU and the PEU controls, but was zero for the pBMA-coated PEU releasing ciprofloxacin.

In vitro investigation of the blood response to medical grade PVC and the effect of heparin on the blood response.

This paper reports the results of an investigation into the blood response of polymers in vitro, using non-anticoagulated and heparinised blood and plasma. The materials studied were regenerated cellulose, (Cuprophan), an acrylonitrile-allyl sulphonate copolymer (AN69S), and medical grade polyvinyl chloride plasticised with di-2-ethyl-hexyl-phthalate (PVC/DEHP). Blood-material or plasma-material contact was achieved using a parallel plate flow cell, and C3a generation and FXII-like activity measured. The results of the study with non-anticoagulated human blood show that PVC/DEHP is a high complement activator. C3a concentration in the blood was higher after contact with PVC/DEHP than after contact with regenerated cellulose. The introduction of heparin in the blood induced complex alterations in the blood response. C3a generation could be elevated, decreased, or remain the same, depending on the material. The FXII-like activity on the surface of the PVC/DEHP after contact with plasma was also higher than the other two polymers. The introduction of heparin could increase or decrease FXII-like activity, depending on material. The patterns of response obtained with non-anticoagulated blood in vitro for AN69S and Cuprophan bore a strong resemblance with patterns of response obtained in the clinic, whereas those obtained with heparinised blood in vitro did not.

A parallel plate flow cell for the investigation of the role of surfactants in the codeposition of polymer particles in nickel electroplating

A parallel plate flow cell was designed for the study of particle codeposition in metal electrodeposition. Particle deposition was visualized and recorded with a microscope/video assembly. The effects of two surfactants (anionic sodium dodecyl sulphate and cationic cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide) on the adhesion of anionic polystyrene particles to a nickel substrate were examined. The deposition rate in laminar flow was measured as a function of the main parameters, that is, electrode potential, Ni(ii) concentration, surfactant concentration and pH. The hydrodynamic drag force applies uniformly and tangentially to the collector under laminar flow in contrast with rotating disc or impinging jet cells. No deposition is observed unless specific attractive forces carry the particles through the boundary layer. Particle attachment takes place over a limited range of surfactant/Ni(II) composition and correlates with the formation of a surface film visible under the microscope. Results discussed are based on the adsorption of SDS and CTAB on to both the electrode and the particles, an adsorption which significantly alters the interaction potential at a short distance. The cell gives interesting evidence for the occurrence of specific interactions in electrolytic codeposition. It also proves useful for observing other phenomena, such as hydrogen bubbling.