Abstract: Flow cells and methods are described that enable control over DNA fragment length bias during amplification. One example flow cell includes a substrate and a polymeric hydrogel positioned over at least a portion of the substrate. A plurality of oligonucleotide primers may be attached to the polymeric hydrogel, wherein the plurality of oligonucleotide primers defines a density gradient across the substrate of the flow cell.

Abstract: A universal hair clipper guard is disclosed that accommodates hair clippers with varying fixed comb lengths. The guard includes a comb section with a front castle structure, a central tang, and at least two outer tangs. The outer tangs are designed to match longer, industry-standard fixed combs, while the central tang, featuring a pliable hinge and a short-aft-stop, is configured to deflect when used with a long comb or drop into place to engage with shorter combs. This allows a single clipper guard to be used across different hair clipper models and manufacturers, simplifying inventory and disinfection in commercial settings. Optional magnet receptacles for securing the guard to the clipper are also described.

Abstract: A method for making on-flow cell three-dimensional polymer structures includes loading a polymer precursor solution onto a flow cell. The polymer precursor solution includes a monomer, a crosslinker, and a photoinitiator. The flow cell includes at least one channel for receiving the polymer precursor solution. The at least one channel has an upper interior surface and a lower interior surface. The method further includes illuminating the polymer precursor solution through a patterned photomask using a light at a wavelength sufficient to activate the photoinitiator. Activation of the photoinitiator polymerizes at least some of the polymer precursor solution underneath apertures in the patterned photomask and forms three-dimensional polymer structures that extend from the upper interior surface to the lower interior surface of the at least one channel.

Abstract: A method for making on-flow cell three-dimensional polymer structures includes loading a polymer precursor solution onto a flow cell. The polymer precursor solution includes a monomer, a crosslinker, and a photoinitiator. The flow cell includes at least one channel for receiving the polymer precursor solution. The at least one channel has an upper interior surface and a lower interior surface. The method further includes illuminating the polymer precursor solution through a patterned photomask using a light at a wavelength sufficient to activate the photoinitiator. Activation of the photoinitiator polymerizes at least some of the polymer precursor solution underneath apertures in the patterned photomask and forms three-dimensional polymer structures that extend from the upper interior surface to the lower interior surface of the at least one channel.

Abstract: A method of forming a hydrophobic and oleophobic surface. The method including spin coating an F-POSS with 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2,2,-pentafluoropropane/1,3-dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane onto an inert surface. The F-POSS has a structure: Each Rf represents a nonreactive, fluorinated organic group, R1 represents a first monovalent organic group comprising at least two carbon atoms, and R2 represents hydrogen or a second monovalent organic group comprising at least two carbon atoms. The F-POSS with 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2,2,-pentafluoropropane/1,3-dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane are then dried on the inert surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a hydrophobic and oleophobic surface. The method including spin coating an F-POSS with 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2,2,-pentafluoropropane/1,3-dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane onto an inert surface. The F-POSS has a structure: Each Rf represents a nonreactive, fluorinated organic group, R1 represents a first monovalent organic group comprising at least two carbon atoms, and R2 represents hydrogen or a second monovalent organic group comprising at least two carbon atoms. The F-POSS with 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2,2,-pentafluoropropane/1,3-dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane are then dried on the inert surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a hydrophobic and oleophobic surface. The method including spin coating an F-POSS with 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2,2,-pentafluoropropane/1,3-dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane onto an inert surface. The F-POSS has a structure: Each Rf represents a nonreactive, fluorinated organic group, R1 represents a first monovalent organic group comprising at least two carbon atoms, and R2 represents hydrogen or a second monovalent organic group comprising at least two carbon atoms. The F-POSS with 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2,2,-pentafluoropropane/1,3-dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane are then dried on the inert surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a hydrophobic and oleophobic surface. The method including spin coating an F-POSS with 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2,2,-pentafluoropropane/1,3-dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane onto an inert surface. The F-POSS has a structure: Each Rf represents a nonreactive, fluorinated organic group, R1 represents a first monovalent organic group comprising at least two carbon atoms, and R2 represents hydrogen or a second monovalent organic group comprising at least two carbon atoms. The F-POSS with 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2,2,-pentafluoropropane/1,3-dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane are then dried on the inert surface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane. The method for manufacture includes opening a single edge of a closed-cage F-POSS and bridging the opened, single edge with a sulfate group. The sulfate group is converted to a disilanol, which is then reacted with a functional dichlorosilane having an organic functional group comprising at least three carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane. The method for manufacture includes opening a single edge of a closed-cage F-POSS and bridging the opened, single edge with a sulfate group. The sulfate group is converted to a disilanol, which is then reacted with a functional dichlorosilane having an organic functional group comprising at least three carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing peripherally asymmetric aryl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (ArPOSS) compounds. The method comprises: wherein Ph is phenyl and wherein R is 1-napthyl, 2-naphthyl, 9-anthracenyl, 9-phenanthrenyl, 1-pryenyl, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A functional fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (“F-POSS”). The F-POSS, has a chemical structure: where Rf represents a nonreactive organic group and at least one of R1 and R2 represents a chain comprising at least three carbon atoms.

Abstract: A functional fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (“F-POSS”). The F-POSS, has a chemical structure: where Rf represents a nonreactive organic group and at least one of R1 and R2 represents a chain comprising at least three carbon atoms.