The principal objective of this study was to quantify the bioavailability of micelle-solubilized naphthalene to naphthalene-degrading microorganisms comprising a mixed population isolated from contaminated waste and soils. Two nonionic surfactants were used, an alkylethoxylate, Brij 30 (C 12 E 4), and an alkylphenol ethoxylate, Triton X-100 (C 8 PE 9.5). Batch experiments were used to evaluate the effects of aqueous, micellized nonionic surfactants on the microbial mineralization of naphthalene and salicylic acid, an intermediate compound formed in the pathway of microbial degradation of naphthalene. The extent of solubilization and biodegradation under aerobic conditions was monitored by radiotracer and spectrophotometric techniques. Experimental results showed that surfactant concentrations above the critical micelle concentration were not toxic to the naphthalene-degrading bacteria and that the presence of surfactant micelles did not inhibit mineralization of naphthalene. Naphthalene solubilized by micelles of Brij 30 or Triton X-100 in liquid media was bioavailable and degradable by the mixed culture of bacteria.

Polymeric nanofibers are finding increasing number of applications and hold the potential to revolutionize diverse fields such as tissue engineering, smart textiles, sensors, and actuators. Aligning and producing high aspect ratio fiber arrays (length/diameter > 2 000) in the sub-micron and nanoscale diameters has been challenging due to fragility of polymeric materials, thus making it difficult to deposit them as one dimensional structures functionally interfaced with other systems. Here, we present a pseudo dry spinning technique which allows precise control on fiber diameters and further allows deposition of fiber arrays in aligned configurations. Control on fiber diameters ranging from 50-500 nm and having lengths of several millimeters is achieved by altering the polymeric solution concentration. In the dilute and semi-dilute unentangled concentration domain droplets or beaded fibers are observed to form. Smooth uniform diameter fibers are observed to form at the onset of semi-dilute entangled concentration regime. For a given molecular weight, the increase in fiber diameter with increasing solution concentration is attributed to both the increase in the entanglement density and the decrease in the radius of gyration of solvated polymer molecules. Using this technique polymeric fiber arrays in single and multiple layers are demonstrated which can be used towards developing strong textiles, biological scaffolds, and sensor networks.

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Zeta ( ) potential provides a measurable value to monitor optimal water clarification capabilities. Its value indicates the repulsive interaction between particles; a zero potential means that the conditions for the aggregation of contaminants are maximized. Results from model experiments and data from a full-scale water treatment process at the Fort Collins Water Treatment Facility (FCWTF) will be reviewed. Optimal conditions for water production controls can be maintained by monitoring potential, turbidity, and flocculating agent concentration, which is especially important during seasonal fluctuations of raw water input.