It is shown that the nonlinear optical phenomenon known as second-harmonic generation can be used for label-free, time-resolved study of the transport of molecules through living cell membranes. The adsorption and transport of a 300-Da molecular-mass hydrophobic ion at the Escherichia coli membrane is observed. Remarkably, at low ion concentrations, the second-harmonic generation technique clearly exposes a multistep molecular transport process: Transport of the molecular ion across the outer and cytoplasmic membranes of the Gram-negative bacteria is recorded, in sequence, in time. Fitting of the data to a multiprocess kinematic model reveals that the transport of this hydrophobic ion through the outer membrane is much faster than through the cytoplasmic membrane, likely reflecting the effectiveness of ion transport porins. The observations illustrate an experimental means for studying the interactions of small molecules with cell membranes.

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The stability of an amorphous material depends on how fast and by what mechanism crystallization occurs. Based on crystallization rate measurements through optical reflectivity changes in supercooled methanol thin films, it is observed for the first time that there is a definitive and detectable change of the crystallization mechanism at the glass transition temperature T(g). For methanol glasses below T(g)=103.4 K, crystallization occurs as an interface controlled, one-dimension process at frozen-in embryo sites, while in the deep supercooled liquid phase above T(g) crystallization is diffusion controlled in two dimensions with a constant nucleation rate and an activation energy of 107.8(+/-4.7) kJ/mol.

Different syringes commonly used for intravitreal injections have different intrinsic particle loads that can directly and indirectly contribute to particle loads in the delivered drug depending on how the injection is prepared. “Silicone oil-free” transfer syringes use alternative lubricants that may migrate into the drug over time.