Development of novel metallic glass/polymer composite materials by microwave heating in a separated H-field

Using a single mode 915 MHz applicator, we fabricate novel Cu₅₀Zr₄₅Al₅ metallic glass/polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) composites with high relative densities by microwave processing the constituents in a separated H-field with an applied pressure of about 5 MPa. The heating behaviors and structural changes of the composites have been investigated. A good bonding state between metallic glassy and PPS particles is found. The gradient structure is also induced by microwave heating of the composites with a high fraction of PPS phase.     

Internal geometry evaluation of non-crimp 3D orthogonal woven carbon fabric composite

Measurements of the internal geometry of a carbon fiber non-crimp 3D orthogonal woven composite are presented, including: waviness of the yarns, cross sections of the yarns, dimensions of the yarn cross sections, and local fiber volume fraction. The measured waviness of warp and fill yarns are well below 0.1%, which shows that the fabric termed here “non-crimp” has nearly straight in-plane fibers as-produced, and this feature is maintained after going through all steps of fabric handling and composite manufacturing. The variability of dimensions of the yarns is in the range of 4–8% for warp and fill directions, while the variability of the yarn spacing is in the range of 3–4%. These variability parameters are lower than respective ranges of variability of the yarn waviness and the cross-sectional dimensions in typical carbon 2D weave and 3D interlock weave composites, which are also illustrated in this work for comparison.     

Force mapping of an optical trap using an acousto-optical deflector in a time-sharing regime

We suggest and study experimentally a time-sharing protocol for acousto-optical deflectors (AODs) that permits one to map the radial optical trapping force of optical tweezers without using a controllable flux control or an additional beam. Variations of the trapping potential due to modifications of the optical system are easily detected in terms of the force map. The protocol can be used in optical tweezers that already include an AOD without adding new elements in the existing optical system.     

Direct Optical Patterning of Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes via In Situ Ligand Exchange

Precise patterning of quantum dot (QD) layers is an important prerequisite for fabricating QD light-emitting diode (QLED) displays and other optoelectronic devices. However, conventional patterning methods cannot simultaneously meet the stringent requirements of resolution, throughput, and uniformity of the pattern profile while maintaining a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of the patterned QD layers. Here, a specially designed nanocrystal ink is introduced, “photopatternable emissive nanocrystals” (PENs), which satisfies these requirements. Photoacid generators in the PEN inks allow photoresist-free, high-resolution optical patterning of QDs through photochemical reactions and in situ ligand exchange in QD films. Various fluorescence and electroluminescence patterns with a feature size down to ≈1.5 µm are demonstrated using red, green, and blue PEN inks. The patterned QD films maintain ≈75% of original PLQY and the electroluminescence characteristics of the patterned QLEDs are comparable to thopse of non-patterned control devices. The patterning mechanism is elucidated by in-depth investigation of the photochemical transformations of the photoacid generators and changes in the optical properties of the QDs at each patterning step. This advanced patterning method provides a new way for additive manufacturing of integrated optoelectronic devices using colloidal QDs.     

Optimal cutting condition determination for milling thin-walled details

This paper presents an approach for determining the optimal cutting condition for milling thin-walled elements with complex shapes. The approach is based on the interaction between the thin-walled detail and its periodic excitation by tooth passing, taking into account the high intermittency of such a process. The influence of the excitation frequency on the amplitude of the detail oscillation during milling was determined by simulation and experiments. It was found that the analytical results agreed with experimental data. The position of the detail when the tooth starts to cut was evaluated through experiments. The influence of this parameter on the processing state is presented herein. The processing stability is investigated and compared with the proposed approach. Thereafter, spectral analyses are conducted to determine the contribution of the vibrating frequencies to the detail behavior during processing.The full text can be downloaded at https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs40436-018-0224-y.pdf     

Fluorescent dye encapsulated ZnO particles with cell-specific toxicity for potential use in biomedical applications

Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-encapsulated SiO₂ core-shell particles with a nanoscale ZnO finishing layer have been synthesized for the first time as multifunctional “smart” nanostructures. Detailed characterization studies confirmed the formation of an outer ZnO layer on the SiO₂–FITC core. These ~200 nm sized particles showed promise toward cell imaging and cellular uptake studies using the bacterium Escherichia coli and Jurkat cancer cells, respectively. The FITC encapsulated ZnO particles demonstrated excellent selectivity in preferentially killing Jurkat cancer cells with minimal toxicity to normal primary immune cells (18% and 75% viability remaining, respectively, after exposure to 60 μg/ml) and inhibited the growth of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria at concentrations ≥250–500 μg/ml (for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively). These results indicate that the novel FITC encapsulated multifunctional particles with nanoscale ZnO surface layer can be used as smart nanostructures for particle tracking, cell imaging, antibacterial treatments and cancer therapy.     

Syntheses and properties of B-C-N and BN nanostructures

The current status of research on boron-carbon-nitrogen (B-C-N) and boron nitride (BN) nanotubes is presented. The latest achievements in syntheses, analyses and property measurements of these nanoscale tubular architectures are reviewed. The characteristic features of B-C-N and BN nanotubes, compared with conventional C nanotubes, are paid special attention. In particular, the latest breakthroughs in the chemical vapour deposition synthesis of BN nanotubes and an insight into their unique structures are highlighted. A wide range of potential applications is also envisaged, based on the recent progress, which includes pioneering results in BN nanocable fabrication, gas adsorption, electron transport and field emission measurements.