Thalappil Pradeep

Bio: Thalappil Pradeep is an academic researcher from Indian Institute of Technology Madras. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cluster (physics) & Mass spectrometry. The author has an hindex of 76, co-authored 581 publications receiving 24664 citations. Previous affiliations of Thalappil Pradeep include DST Systems & Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Atomically precise cluster-based white light emitters $$^{\S }$$ §

Abstract: Materials emitting white luminescence are receiving increasing attention due to their potential applications in electroluminescent devices, information displays and fluorescent sensors. To produce white light, one must have either three primary colors, blue, green and red or two colors, blue and orange. In this paper, we have used thiol/phosphine protected red luminescent silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs), $$[\hbox {Ag}_{29}(\hbox {BDT})_{12}(\hbox {PPh}_{3})_{4} ]^{3\hbox {-}}\, (\hbox {BDT}=1,\!3\hbox {-benzenedithiol})$$ , $$[\hbox {Au}_{\mathrm{x}}\hbox {Ag}_{29\hbox {-}\mathrm{x}}(\hbox {BDT})_{12} (\hbox {PPh}_{3})_{4}]^{3\hbox {-}}$$ and $$\hbox {Ag}_{29}(\hbox {LA})_{12}$$ ( $$\hbox {LA}= \hbox {lipoic acid}$$ ) as one of the fluorophores for white light emission. These clusters are mixed with blue luminescent silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) and green luminescent fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). The mixtures show white luminescence with CIE coordinates of (0.31, 0.34), (0.33, 0.35) and (0.29, 0.31) which are in good agreement with pure white light (0.33, 0.33). The other clusters with yellow, blue, orange, etc., luminescence can also be used to make white light. This work provides a prospective pathway for white light emission based on atomically precise noble metal NCs. Synopsis Monolayer protected noble metal nanoclusters such as $$[\hbox {Ag}_{29}(\hbox {BDT})_{12}(\hbox {PPh}_{3})_{4}]^{3\hbox {-}}\, (\hbox {BDT}=1,3\hbox {-benzenedithiol})$$ , $$[\hbox {Au}_{\mathrm{x}}\hbox {Ag}_{29\hbox {-}\mathrm{x}}(\hbox {BDT})_{12} (\hbox {PPh}_{3})_{4}]^{3\hbox {-}}$$ and $$\hbox {Ag}_{29}(\hbox {LA})_{12}$$ ( $$\hbox {LA}= \hbox {lipoic acid}$$ ) are used as red luminophores which can produce white light emission when mixed with blue luminescent silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) and green luminescent fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). The mixtures produce white luminescence with CIE (Commission Internationale d’Eclair) coordinates of (0.31, 0.34), (0.33, 0.35) and (0.29, 0.31), respectively. All-cluster-based white light emission is indeed possible.

Tubular Nanostructures of Cr2Te4O11 and Mn2TeO6 through Room-Temperature Chemical Transformations of Tellurium Nanowires

Abstract: Tubular ternary nanostructures of tellurium were made through chemical transformations of tellurium nanowires (Te NWs). These transformations occur through reactions with CrO3 and KMnO4, two of the strongest oxidizing agents. In the case of CrO3, the 1D structure of the NWs remained intact and the morphology changed to hollow wires of Cr2Te4O11, but reaction with KMnO4 resulted in the loss of 1D structure, forming a carbon onion-like object composed of Mn2TeO6. As the reaction proceeded, the crystallinity of the NWs decreased, and the final products were amorphous. The reaction products were characterized using different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Time-dependent transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis of both of the reaction products showed that first a shell is formed around the NWs. Further reaction results in the formation of hollow structures. During the reaction with CrO3, TEM in the intermediate stages showed that the periphery of the material was amorphous, whereas the insid...

Optical rotation by plasmonic circular dichroism of isolated gold nanorod aggregates

Abstract: We show that plasmonic chirality in single gold nanorod (GNR) aggregates leads to the rotation of polarization of the scattered light. 3D glasses in conjunction with linearly polarized dark field scattering microspectroscopy were used to study the chirality of single GNR aggregates. Using this hetero-polarizer setup, we not only detect but also quantify their chirality. A polar mapping strategy was used for providing direct evidence for the emergence of light of different polarization angles when chiral GNR aggregates were excited with circularly polarized light of different handedness. Further, we have developed a methodology to eliminate fluctuations in the scattering intensity by averaging and normalizing the data. This allows calculation of plasmonic circular dichroism scattering spectra with high accuracy.

I and i

Abstract: There is, I think, something ethereal about i —the square root of minus one. I remember first hearing about it at school. It seemed an odd beast at that time—an intruder hovering on the edge of reality. Usually familiarity dulls this sense of the bizarre, but in the case of i it was the reverse: over the years the sense of its surreal nature intensified. It seemed that it was impossible to write mathematics that described the real world in …

Fast parallel algorithms for short-range molecular dynamics

Abstract: Three parallel algorithms for classical molecular dynamics are presented. The first assigns each processor a fixed subset of atoms; the second assigns each a fixed subset of inter-atomic forces to compute; the third assigns each a fixed spatial region. The algorithms are suitable for molecular dynamics models which can be difficult to parallelize efficiently—those with short-range forces where the neighbors of each atom change rapidly. They can be implemented on any distributed-memory parallel machine which allows for message-passing of data between independently executing processors. The algorithms are tested on a standard Lennard-Jones benchmark problem for system sizes ranging from 500 to 100,000,000 atoms on several parallel supercomputers--the nCUBE 2, Intel iPSC/860 and Paragon, and Cray T3D. Comparing the results to the fastest reported vectorized Cray Y-MP and C90 algorithm shows that the current generation of parallel machines is competitive with conventional vector supercomputers even for small problems. For large problems, the spatial algorithm achieves parallel efficiencies of 90% and a 1840-node Intel Paragon performs up to 165 faster than a single Cray C9O processor. Trade-offs between the three algorithms and guidelines for adapting them to more complex molecular dynamics simulations are also discussed.

疟原虫var基因转换速率变化导致抗原变异[英]／Paul H, Robert P, Christodoulou Z, et al//Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Abstract: 抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

Gold nanoparticles in chemical and biological sensing.

Abstract: Detection of chemical and biological agents plays a fundamental role in biomedical, forensic and environmental sciences1–4 as well as in anti bioterrorism applications.5–7 The development of highly sensitive, cost effective, miniature sensors is therefore in high demand which requires advanced technology coupled with fundamental knowledge in chemistry, biology and material sciences.8–13 In general, sensors feature two functional components: a recognition element to provide selective/specific binding with the target analytes and a transducer component for signaling the binding event. An efficient sensor relies heavily on these two essential components for the recognition process in terms of response time, signal to noise (S/N) ratio, selectivity and limits of detection (LOD).14,15 Therefore, designing sensors with higher efficacy depends on the development of novel materials to improve both the recognition and transduction processes. Nanomaterials feature unique physicochemical properties that can be of great utility in creating new recognition and transduction processes for chemical and biological sensors15–27 as well as improving the S/N ratio by miniaturization of the sensor elements.28 Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess distinct physical and chemical attributes that make them excellent scaffolds for the fabrication of novel chemical and biological sensors (Figure 1).29–36 First, AuNPs can be synthesized in a straightforward manner and can be made highly stable. Second, they possess unique optoelectronic properties. Third, they provide high surface-to-volume ratio with excellent biocompatibility using appropriate ligands.30 Fourth, these properties of AuNPs can be readily tuned varying their size, shape and the surrounding chemical environment. For example, the binding event between recognition element and the analyte can alter physicochemical properties of transducer AuNPs, such as plasmon resonance absorption, conductivity, redox behavior, etc. that in turn can generate a detectable response signal. Finally, AuNPs offer a suitable platform for multi-functionalization with a wide range of organic or biological ligands for the selective binding and detection of small molecules and biological targets.30–32,36 Each of these attributes of AuNPs has allowed researchers to develop novel sensing strategies with improved sensitivity, stability and selectivity. In the last decade of research, the advent of AuNP as a sensory element provided us a broad spectrum of innovative approaches for the detection of metal ions, small molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, malignant cells, etc. in a rapid and efficient manner.37 Figure 1 Physical properties of AuNPs and schematic illustration of an AuNP-based detection system. In this current review, we have highlighted the several synthetic routes and properties of AuNPs that make them excellent probes for different sensing strategies. Furthermore, we will discuss various sensing strategies and major advances in the last two decades of research utilizing AuNPs in the detection of variety of target analytes including metal ions, organic molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, and microorganisms.