Evidence of flexoelectricity in polymer-dispersed liquid crystals

The linear electro-optic response of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal films has been studied. Micrometer-sized droplets of a cyanobiphenyl mixture (E7) were formed in a Norland Optical Adhesive 65 photopolymer by photopolymerization-induced phase separation. Samples with various average nematic droplet sizes were systematically investigated. The temperature dependence of the first-harmonic electro-optic spectra was obtained. Peculiar peaks and double peaks in the phase spectra were found at temperatures close to the clearing point. Samples with narrow distributions of droplet sizes were characterized by a double peak of the amplitude spectra in the low-frequency range. A flexoelectric origin of the first-harmonic spectra in confined nematic systems is discussed.     

Interface between electroless amorphous Ni–Cu–P coatings and Al substrate

The initial phase arising at the interface with aluminum substrate during electroless deposition of amorphous high phosphorus (16–19 at.%) Ni–Cu–P alloy with alloyed copper 1.7–3.4 at.% is studied. Stripped deposit foils are inspected by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (TEM-EDX). Depending on the plating conditions, various particles, some of them crystalline, are revealed at the foils sides formerly adhering to the substrate. EDX analysis of the crystallites shows diverse copper contents of about 34–64 at.%, without any phosphorus. Electron diffraction analysis indicates a lattice structure very close to that of Cu. The presence of a phase without phosphorus and enriched in copper at the interface with the Al substrate is also confirmed by Auger electron spectroscopy. This initially arising crystalline phase might exert a limited effect on the main properties of bulk Ni–Cu–P deposits: the composition uniformity through the thickness, amorphous structure and paramagnetic behavior. A modification of the plating process is recommended, which is decreasing the probability of inhomogeneities formation.     

Laser-Printed Plasmonic Metasurface Supporting Bound States in the Continuum Enhances and Shapes Infrared Spontaneous Emission of Coupled HgTe Quantum Dots

In order to advance the development of quantum emitter-based devices, it is essential to enhance light-matter interactions through coupling between semiconductor quantum dots with high quality factor resonators. Here, efficient tuning of the emission properties of HgTe quantum dots in the infrared spectral region is demonstrated by coupling them to a plasmonic metasurface that supports bound states in the continuum. The plasmonic metasurface, composed of an array of gold nanobumps, is fabricated using single-step direct laser printing, opening up new opportunities for creating exclusive 3D plasmonic nanostructures and advanced photonic devices in the infrared region. A 12-fold enhancement of the photoluminescence in the 900–1700 nm range is observed under optimal coupling conditions. By tuning the geometry of the plasmonic arrays, controllable shaping of the emission spectra is achieved, selectively enhancing specific wavelength ranges across the emission spectrum. The observed enhancement and shaping of the emission are attributed to the Purcell effect, as corroborated by systematic measurements of radiative lifetimes and optical simulations based on the numerical solution of Maxwell's equations. Moreover, coupling of the HgTe photoluminescence to high quality factor modes of the metasurface improves emission directivity, concentrating output within an ≈20° angle.     

The structure of glasses in the TeO2-P2O5 system

The co-effects of two glass-formers in the TeO₂-P₂O₅ system are studied on the basis of neutron diffraction data. The curves for the radial distribution function (RDF) obtained show a high extent of destruction of the short-range order in the tellurite matrix, while the basic co-ordination PO₄ polyhedron remains unchanged. The co-ordination number (cn) of the Te atom changes from 4 to 3+1 and marked tendency towards elongation of the Te-O distances over 2.3 Å is observed. The considerably higher stability of the PO₄ polyhedra and their strong influence on the TeO₄ polyhedra is established. The observed smearing effect of the Te-Te, Te-second O and O-second O distances in the range of 3.8 to 3.9 Å in other tellurite glasses is also characteristic of this system. A structural interpretation of the liquid-liquid immiscibility on the short-range order level in the system is given. A critical composition with 26±5% of the second glass-former is established, above which concentration a stable immiscibility in the tellurite systems is observed. An attempt is made to construct two adequate structural models (microhomogeneous and microheterogeneous) for the short-range order in the glasses studied.     

An inverse problem for estimation of bending stiffness in Kirchhoff–Love plates

This work deals with the development of a numerical method for solving an inverse problem for bending stiffness estimation in a Kirchhoff–Love plate from overdetermined data. The coefficient is identified using a technique called the Method of Variational Imbedding, where the original inverse problem is replaced by a minimization problem. The Euler–Lagrange equations for minimization comprise higher-order equations for the solution of the displacement and an equation for the bending stiffness. The correctness of the embedded problem is discussed. A difference scheme and a numerical algorithm for solving the parameter identification problem are developed. Numerical results for the obtained values of the bending stiffness as an inverse problem are presented.     

Bio‐Based,Self‐Condensed Polyols

A new method for the synthesis of high‐molar‐mass (MM), bio‐based polyols for elastic polyurethanes is developed. This process is based on the self‐condensation of low MM polyols (M_n ≈ 1000) and vacuum removal of the resulting glycerol. Self‐condensation products are hyperbranched estolide polyols with average MMs close to 3000 and hydroxyl numbers in the range of 40–95 mg KOH g^?1. Three polyols, one with primary and two with secondary hydroxyls and different functionalities, are studied. The transesterification proceeded much faster with primary hydroxyls, leading to high‐viscosity products. The effect of functionality and reactivity of starting polyols on properties is discussed. Practical applications: The process is useful for upgrading the existing natural oil‐based polyols to higher MM, lower OH number and variable‐functionality polyols, for expanding application in the urethane field. The process is simple, involving just an oil‐based polyol, a catalyst, and heating under vacuum.     

Fatty Acids,CD36, Thrombospondin-1, and CD47 in Glioblastoma: Together and/or Separately?

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive tumors of the central nervous system, characterized by a wide range of inter- and intratumor heterogeneity. Accumulation of fatty acids (FA) metabolites was associated with a low survival rate in high-grade glioma patients. The diversity of brain lipids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), is greater than in all other organs and several classes of proteins, such as FA transport proteins (FATPs), and FA translocases are considered principal candidates for PUFAs transport through BBB and delivery of PUFAs to brain cells. Among these, the CD36 FA translocase promotes long-chain FA uptake as well as oxidated lipoproteins. Moreover, CD36 binds and recognizes thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), an extracellular matrix protein that was shown to play a multifaceted role in cancer as part of the tumor microenvironment. Effects on tumor cells are mediated by TSP-1 through the interaction with CD36 as well as CD47, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. TSP-1/CD47 interactions have an important role in the modulation of glioma cell invasion and angiogenesis in GBM. Separately, FA, the two membrane receptors CD36, CD47, and their joint ligand TSP-1 all play a part in GBM pathogenesis. The last research has put in light their interconnection/interrelationship in order to exert a cumulative effect in the modulation of the GBM molecular network.     

Flue gas cleaning in power stations by using electron beam technology. Influence on PAH emissions

The electron beam technology (EBT), proven treatment for SO₂ and NO_x removal, is applied to different power stations as hot gas cleaning system. In this paper, an assessment of this technique installed in a Bulgarian power station on organic emissions is analyzed. The Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) content, not only emitted in the gas phase but also trapped in the solid phase, has been carried out before and after the irradiation. The main aim has been to know whether the EBT affects organic emissions, like PAH, as it happens with inorganic pollutants, like SO₂ and NO_x, studying EBT effects from an organic environmental point of view.