CO2 detection with CNx thin films deposited on porous silicon

In recent years, porous silicon (PSi) has attracted a great deal of attention for sensing applications. However, the high reactivity of PSi surfaces causes serious problems of stability. In this work, we developed new thin films that can serve as stabilizer of PSi for CO₂ gas sensors development. PSi surface was coated with carbon nitride (CN_x) film which is one of the most important interfering to stabilize the PSi layer. CN_x film was deposited by pulsed laser ablation. The effect of CO₂ gas on the sensor response was investigated for different polarization voltages. The electrical properties of (Al/CN_x/PSi/Si) structure were modified in the presence of the gas. The device shows a high sensitivity against CO₂ gas. Furthermore, the current variation of the sensor as a function of time has been investigated. The results show that the Al/CN_x/PSi/Si structure becomes stable after the first two weeks.     

Effect of thermal noise on random lasers in diffusion regime

In this paper, we study the effects of thermal noise on the time evolution of a weak light pulse (probe) in the presence of a strong light pulse (pump) within a gain medium which includes random scatterer particles. Suitable thermal noise term is added to a set of four coupled equations including three diffusion equations for energy densities and a rate equation for the upper level population in a four-level gain medium. These equations have been solved simultaneously by Crank–Nicholson numerical method. The main result is that the back-scattered output probe light is increased as the thermal noise strength is increased and simultaneously, with the same rate, the amplified spontaneous emission is decreased. Therefore, the amplified response of the random laser in diffusion regime for the input probe pulse is enhanced due to effect of the thermal noise.     

3D printing hybrid organometallic polymer‐based biomaterials via laser two‐photon polymerization

Materials with microscale structures are gaining increasing interest due to their range of technical and medical applications. Additive manufacturing approaches to such objects via laser two‐photon polymerization, also known as multiphoton fabrication, enable the creation of new materials with diverse and tunable properties. Here, we investigate the properties of 3D structures composed of organometallic polymers incorporating aluminium, titanium, vanadium and zirconium. The organometallic polymer‐based materials were analysed using a variety of techniques including SEM, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and contact angle measurements and their biocompatibility was tested in vitro. Cell viability and mode of death were determined by 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining. Polymers incorporating Al, Ti and Zr supported cell adhesion and proliferation, and showed low toxicity in vitro, whereas the organometallic polymer incorporating V was shown to be cytotoxic. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry suggested that leaching of the V from the organometallic polymer is the likely cause of this. The preparation of the organometallic polymers is straightforward and both simple 2D and complex 3D structures can be fabricated with ease. Resolution tests of the newly developed organometallic polymer incorporating Al show that suspended lines with widths down to 200 nm can be fabricated. We believe that the materials described in this work show promising properties for the development of objects with sub‐micron features for biomedical applications (e.g. biosensors, drug delivery devices, tissue scaffolds etc.). © 2019 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Condition based maintenance of the two-beam laser welding in high volume manufacturing of piezoelectric pressure sensor

Two-beam laser welding (TBLW) is an advanced process for precise, low distortion joining of cylindrical miniature parts. The process is composed of a laser source, optics and various actuators, which form a sophisticated system for control and maintenance in high volume manufacturing. A well-established method for identifying welding defects and ensuring welding quality is the monitoring of plasma light emission in TBLW. Although such monitoring systems can detect a change in process status, they are not able to diagnose the nature of the fault. The main challenge in this research was to extend the use of quality-based monitoring systems to measure additional deterioration-related parameters and to estimate system deterioration from them by using expert knowledge.This paper shows a novel condition-based maintenance (CBM) for the TBLW system, which performs condition identification using online monitoring of plasma light emission in combination with offline inspection of the seam macrographs. A combination of quality parameters derived from seam macrographs of defective parts is used to identify process deterioration, such as contamination of the optics, misalignment of the optomechanical system, or reduced laser power. The information obtained is used to make predefined process adjustments based on expert domain knowledge. The implementation of the developed CBM in high volume manufacturing of piezoelectric pressure sensors resulted in more predictable TBLW by reducing system failures as well as shorter diagnosis times.     

Chromophore-Free Sealing and Repair of Soft Tissues Using Mid-Infrared Light-Activated Biosealants

Poor strength, infection, leakage, long procedure times, and inflammation limit the efficacy of common tissue sealing devices in surgeries and trauma. Light-activated sealing is attractive for tissue sealing and repair, and can be facilitated by the generation of local heat following absorption of nonionizing laser energy by chromophores. Here, the inherent ability of biomaterials is exploited to absorb nonionizing, mid-infrared (midIR) light in order to engender rapid photothermal sealing and repair of soft tissue wounds. In this approach, the biomaterial simultaneously acts as a photothermal convertor as well as a biosealant, which dispenses the need for exogeneous light-absorbing nanoparticles or dyes. Biomechanical recovery, mathematical modeling, histopathology analyses, tissue strain mapping using digital imaging correlation, and visualization of the biosealant-tissue interface using hyperspectral imaging indicate superior performance of midIR sealing in live mice compared to conventional sutures and glue. The midIR-biosealant approach demonstrates rapid sealing of soft tissues, improves cosmesis, lowers potential for scarring, obviates safety concerns because of the nonionizing light used, and allows adoption of a wide diversity of biomaterials. Taken together, the studies demonstrate a novel advance both in biomaterials for surgical sealing along with the use of nonionizing midIR light, with high potential for clinical translation.     

Influence of niobium and molybdenum addition on microstructure and wear behavior of laser-borided layers produced on Nimonic 80A-alloy

Laser alloying was used for production of thick layers on surface of Nimonic 80A-alloy. For laser surface modification, three types of pre-coated pastes were applied: with amorphous boron, with amorphous boron and molybdenum as well as with amorphous boron and niobium. The microstructure, hardness and wear resistance of produced layers were studied in details. The presence of different types of borides in re-melted zone depended on the paste composition and caused an increase in hardness up to about HV 1000. The wear resistance was evaluated by calculation of mass wear intensity factor I_mw and relative mass loss of specimen and counter-specimen. The wear behavior of the tested frictional pairs was determined by 3D interference microscopy, scanning electron microscopy equipped with EDS microanalyzer. The significant increase in abrasive wear resistance was observed in comparison to untreated Nimonic 80A-alloy. The lowest mass loss intensity factor was characteristic of laser-alloyed Nimonic 80A-alloy with boron and niobium (I_mw=1.234 mg/(cm²·h)). Laser alloyed-layers indicated abrasive wear mechanism with clearly visible grooves. Laser alloying with boron and niobium resulted in the additional oxidative wear mechanism. In this case, EDS patterns revealed presence of oxygen on the worn surface of specimen.     

高频微振辅助工艺对激光焊接接头组织性能的影响

基于自主搭建的高频微振平台，进行316L不锈钢振动辅助激光焊接试验，探究高频微振激光焊接工艺对接头组织性能的影响. 结果表明，施加振动后，焊缝表面无飞溅，成形良好. 截面未出现塌陷、堆高，背部熔宽均匀. 振动的施加，能够明显细化焊缝区的晶粒，在共振频率1 467.5 Hz的高频微振激光焊条件下，晶粒尺寸最小. 点状颗粒物分布在奥氏体晶粒间，趋于弥散，新相及大颗粒物减少. 随着振动频率增加，焊缝区显微硬度值跟着增加，在较高共振频率显微硬度值增加显著，在共振频率1 467.5 Hz、加速度160 m/s2条件下，焊缝区平均硬度206 HV，与无振动相比，硬度值增加5.6%.     

基于双态混沌PSO的机载激光通信视轴稳定控制

机载空间激光通信视轴稳定是激光通信链路建立的前提。在视轴稳定平台中应用自抗扰控制方法取得了良好的控制效果,但自抗扰控制需调整参数众多且缺乏规范的调整手段。针对自抗扰控制调参难的问题,本文提出了一种利用双态混沌粒子群算法优化自抗扰控制参数的方法。仿真结果表明,与PSO-PID控制方法相比,该方法具有更快的响应速度,更强的抗干扰能力和更好的鲁棒性。     

用于远程激光测距机的板条激光器

研制了用于远程激光脉冲测距机的板条激光器。使用半导体泵浦的MOPA激光结构实现了大于250 mJ的脉冲激光输出,输出脉冲宽度为12.83 ns,最终输出激光光束束散角为0.18 mrad。该激光测照器可应用于远程激光测距。对激光测距机的测距与照射能力进行了理论计算与分析。理论分析表明,应用于机载平台时,该激光测照器能够实现50 km距离的激光测距。该型激光测距机具有测距距离远,重量轻,结构紧凑等特点,具有广泛的应用前景。