UV-enhanced conductive and dielectric properties in KTN crystal

We observe enhancements of both conductive and dielectric properties under UV illumination by using a ferroelectric absorber, potassium tantalate niobate (KTa_1-xNb_xO₃, KTN). The UV-generated electron-hole pairs weaken the intrinsic ferroelectric polarization while enhance the conductive property. The UV-induced heat effect causes the enhancement of the dielectric property. The results are further confirmed by the maximal rectification ratio which shows an opposite trend between the direct heating process and the UV illumination. Our results are useful for better understanding of ferroelectric properties under UV illumination and the development of new optoelectronic devices.     

Oxygen vacancy-induced short-range ordering as a sole mechanism for enhanced magnetism of spinel ZnFe2O4 prepared via a one-step treatment

Despite being difficult to identify, extremely dilute oxygen vacancies have been widely reported to play an important role in enhancing magnetism in ZnFe₂O₄. The mechanisms underlying this enhanced magnetism have not been well understood for a long time and remain controversial because the formation of oxygen vacancy-rich ZnFe₂O₄ can be accompanied by changes in the chemical/physical characteristics, especially the composition, particle size, surface morphology and cation distribution, which can significantly affect the magnetization. An open and important question is whether and to what extent the enhanced magnetization can be attributed only to oxygen vacancies. In this study, the relationship between the magnetization and oxygen vacancies in ZnFe₂O₄ was definitively determined by using a carefully designed “shake-and-heat” treatment to prepare vacancy-rich samples while keeping the other crystal/surface parameters constant. Compared to the nearly vacancy-free paramagnetism samples, the vacancy-rich samples exhibited a higher magnetization of approximately 5 emu/g at both 300 K and 2 K. The Fe³⁺-O^2--Fe³⁺ superexchange paths broken by oxygen vacancies then resulting in the Fe³⁺-Fe³⁺ ferromagnetism configuration. Meanwhile, the oxygen vacancy is highly diluted then the ferromagnetism configuration is confined in a single super-cell, favoring a short-range magnetic ordering at room temperature. The concentration of oxygen vacancies was calculated to be 0.68% by magnetization measurement. Our results may shed a light on how oxygen vacancies affect magnetism.     

New optical ceramics: High-entropy sesquioxide X2O3 multi-wavelength emission phosphor transparent ceramics

Highly transparent X₂O₃ sesquioxide ceramics were obtained from a solid solution of five different oxides (Lu₂O₃, Y₂O₃, Yb₂O₃, Gd₂O₃, and Dy₂O₃), mixed in an equal molar ratio according to the principle of high-entropy. The fabricated (Lu, Y, Yb, Gd, Dy)₂O₃ ceramics achieved 99.97 % of the relative density and exhibited a high degree of optical transparency with the in-line transmittance of almost 80 % in the visible wavelength range. Emissions of Gd³⁺ (⁶P_J → ⁸S_7/2 at 312 nm), Dy³⁺ (⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_15/2 at 492 nm and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2 at 572 nm), and Yb³⁺ (²F_5/2 → ²F_7/2 at 1031 nm) suggested a potential application of the high-entropy ceramics as multi-wavelength emission phosphor transparent ceramics. High-entropy ceramics also exhibited lower specific heat and thermal conductivity compared to single-element sesquioxide ceramics. This work demonstrated that highly transparent oxide ceramics, with complex chemical compositions and good optical properties, could be obtained using the high-entropy principle.     

基于魅力工学的传统器物设计评价应用研究

目的 在传统器物的创新设计中,最重要的环节是了解消费者对所使用产品的不同感受与意向并转换为具体的设计要素.研究消费者心理的感性因素与传统器物设计元素之间的联系,确定设计要素,从而对产品进行创新设计,为提升传统器物附加值作出贡献.方法 以中国传统器物茶宠为例,首先对8位相关的茶宠专家进行访谈,通过魅力工学中的评价构造法整理并提取魅力因子,设计出问卷调查表;然后以访谈内容为依据,使用问卷调查法得到大众对茶宠的魅力评价,共回收84份有效问卷;最后应用数量化一类分析茶宠魅力因子影响权重.结果 得到了数量化一类统计表,选取了其中影响因素较大的魅力因子作为茶宠设计前的风格定调考量.结论 通过茶宠的研究案例证明了该理论的可行性,为未来传统器物的设计提供了更多元且新颖的设计依据.     

氧化铝纤维束织造过程中摩擦磨损性能研究

运用往复线性摩擦试验方法,搭配自制的摩擦试验夹具,模拟织造过程中氧化铝纤维束-筘齿的摩擦行为,研究加载力、预加张力和摩擦频率对悬空状态下氧化铝纤维束摩擦磨损性能的影响.结果表明:随着加载力的增加,氧化铝纤维束所受摩擦力及长丝断裂根数增加,摩擦系数减小;在预加张力为0.40 N时,氧化铝纤维束所受摩擦力和摩擦系数出现最小值,磨损程度也最小;在摩擦稳定阶段,摩擦频率增加,则氧化铝纤维束所受摩擦力先下降,后略有上升,当摩擦频率增加至5 Hz时,氧化铝纤维束的摩擦系数较1 Hz时增加18.7％,磨损程度也最为严重.     

Leucokinins: Multifunctional Neuropeptides and Hormones in Insects and Other Invertebrates

Leucokinins (LKs) constitute a neuropeptide family first discovered in a cockroach and later identified in numerous insects and several other invertebrates. The LK receptors are only distantly related to other known receptors. Among insects, there are many examples of species where genes encoding LKs and their receptors are absent. Furthermore, genomics has revealed that LK signaling is lacking in several of the invertebrate phyla and in vertebrates. In insects, the number and complexity of LK-expressing neurons vary, from the simple pattern in the Drosophila larva where the entire CNS has 20 neurons of 3 main types, to cockroaches with about 250 neurons of many different types. Common to all studied insects is the presence or 1–3 pairs of LK-expressing neurosecretory cells in each abdominal neuromere of the ventral nerve cord, that, at least in some insects, regulate secretion in Malpighian tubules. This review summarizes the diverse functional roles of LK signaling in insects, as well as other arthropods and mollusks. These functions include regulation of ion and water homeostasis, feeding, sleep–metabolism interactions, state-dependent memory formation, as well as modulation of gustatory sensitivity and nociception. Other functions are implied by the neuronal distribution of LK, but remain to be investigated.     

LaCr0.7Fe0.3O3-NiMn2O4 supported NTC composite ceramics with a sandwich-like structure

A novel sandwich-like structure was first proposed to adjust the electrical properties of NTC thermistors. The LaCr_0.7Fe_0.3O₃-NiMn₂O₄ supported composite ceramics with sandwich-like structure were initially fabricated via traditional solid-state reaction and uniaxial pressing methods, which allowed for the advantages of each component to be integrated into one material. X-Ray diffraction analysis indicates the ceramics mainly consisting of orthorhombic perovskite LaCr_0.7Fe_0.3O₃ and cubic spinel NiMn₂O₄ phases. SEM images manifest that the three layers adhered well to each other and exhibited high density. For electrical properties, the ρ_25°C was expanded to a wide range of 1182–110,233 Ω?cm and could be adjusted to the desired values by tuning the volume ratio of two basic layers, the B value was enhanced from 3358 K to 4167 K by NiMn₂O₄, and the thermal stability was improved by LaCr_0.7Fe_0.3O₃ with a resistance shift less than 0.55 % after annealing at 150 °C for 1500 h.     

Inorganic Nanoparticles Applied as Functional Therapeutics

Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) offer significant advantages to the biomedical field owing to their large surface area, controllable structures, diverse surface chemistry, and unique optical and physical properties. Researchers worldwide have shown that inorganic NPs and the released metal ions can act as therapeutic agents in targeted tissues or to cure various diseases without acute toxicity. In this progress report, the recent developments in inorganic NPs with different compositions directly used as therapeutics are discussed. First, the recent convergence of nanotechnology and biotechnology in biomedical applications as well as the unique functions, features, and advantages of inorganic NPs in biomedical applications are summarized. Thereafter, the biological effects of inorganic compositions in NPs which include balancing the intracellular redox environment, regulating the specific cellular signaling and cellular behaviors, and apoptosis are explained. In addition, the emerging therapeutic applications of inorganic NPs in various diseases are exemplified. Finally, the perspectives and challenges for overcoming the weaknesses of inorganic NPs as therapeutics are discussed. By carefully considering and investigating the biological effects of inorganic NPs and metal ions released from NPs, more promising inorganic NPs based therapeutic agents can be developed.     

Fabrication of Anticounterfeiting Nanocomposites with Multiple Security Features via Integration of a Photoresponsive Polymer and Upconverting Nanoparticles

Anticounterfeiting materials are used to distinguish real banknotes, products, and documents from counterfeits, fakes, or unauthorized replicas. However, conventional anticounterfeiting materials generally exhibit a single anticounterfeiting function, resulting in a low level of security. Herein, a novel anticounterfeiting nanocomposite is demonstrated with numerous prominent security features. The nanocomposite is fabricated by doping upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) in a photoresponsive azobenzene-containing polymer (azopolymer). Because of the cis–trans photoisomerization of the azopolymer, the nanocomposite exhibits photoinduced reversible color changes suitable for anticounterfeiting applications. Additionally, the hard nanocomposite can be converted to a rubber-like soft solid by light irradiation. Imprinted microstructures are fabricated on the photosoftened nanocomposite, which result in photonic colors. Moreover, polarization-dependent structures are fabricated on the nanocomposite via photoinduced orientation for encryption. Importantly, UCNPs in the nanocomposite emit visible light upon excitation by near-infrared light, enabling the observation of various anticounterfeiting structures with high contrast. An advantage of the anticounterfeiting nanocomposite is that the security features can be observed by the naked eye for quick discrimination and can be analyzed using laboratory equipment for higher accuracy. The anticounterfeiting nanocomposite is easily processed on paper, glass, and plastic, which demonstrates its potential anticounterfeiting functions for banknotes, wines, and medicines.     

Greatly improved NIR shielding performance of CuS nanocrystals by gallium doping for energy efficient window

In this work, gallium doped copper sulfide (Ga-doped CuS) nanocrystals were prepared using a solvothermal method. The effects of Ga doping on the crystal structures, chemical composition, morphology, optical properties and thermal performance of copper sulfide (CuS) were investigated. The Ga-doped CuS nanocrystals had a hexagonal structure comparable to that of pure CuS. The Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ ratio first decreased and then increased with increasing Ga³⁺ doping. Both CuS and Ga-doped CuS exhibited nanoplate and nanorod morphologies. The visible transmittance of the Ga-doped CuS films was in the range of 61–77.1%. Importantly, the near-infrared (NIR) shielding performance of the films can be tuned by adjusting the concentration of the Ga dopant. The NIR shielding value of the optimal Ga-doped CuS film was 72.4%, which was approximately 1.5 times as high as that of the pure CuS film. This can be ascribed to the enhanced plasmonic NIR absorption that resulted from an increase in the hole concentration after doping with Ga³⁺ ions. In the thermal performance test, the Ga-doped CuS film lowered the interior temperature of the heat box by 9.1 °C. Therefore, the integration of good visible transmittance and high NIR shielding performance make the Ga-doped CuS nanocrystals a promising candidate for energy-efficient window coatings.