A Sensing and Stretchable Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Device Based on Spiderweb-Inspired Silver Nanowires-Micromesh Transparent Electrode

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) devices are truly promising optical modulators for information display, smart window as well as intelligent photoelectronic applications due to their fast switching, large optical modulation as well as cost-effectiveness. However, realizing highly soft PDLC devices with sensing function remains a grand challenge because of the intrinsic brittleness of traditional transparent conductive electrodes. Here, inspired by spiderweb configuration, a novel type of silver nanowires (AgNWs) micromesh-based stretchable transparent conductive electrodes (STCEs) is developed to support the realization of soft PDLC device. Benefiting from the embedding design of AgNWs micromesh in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), the STCEs can maintain excellent electrical conductivity and transparency even in various extreme conditions such as bending, folding, twisting, stretching as well as multiple chemical corrosion. Further, STCEs with the embedded AgNWs micromesh endow the assembled PDLC device with excellent photoelectrical properties including rapid switching speed (<1 s), large optical modulation (69% at 600 nm), as well as robust mechanical stability (bending over 1000 cycles and stretching to 40%). Moreover, the device displays the pressure sensing function with high sensitivity in response to pressure stimulus. It is conceivable that AgNWs micromesh transparent electrodes will shape the next generation of related soft smart electronics.     

Implicit discrete-time fast terminal sliding mode control with disturbance compensation

In this paper, an implicit discrete-time fast terminal sliding mode (DFTSM) control with disturbance compensation is designed and analyzed for uncertain high-order systems. First, a recursive discrete sliding surface is constructed based on implicit Euler technique, which can completely eliminate discretization chattering so as to significantly reduce the boundary layer of sliding mode motion. With the help of a high-order disturbance compensator, the accuracy limitation of implicit DFTSM control systems is overcome by increasing the order of sliding mode. Then the finite-time convergence of implicit DFTSM is proved for the first time, and the influence relationship of control parameters on the convergence speed and control accuracy of the algorithm is established. Finally, two numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed design approach.     

Development,integration, and field evaluation of an autonomous citrus-harvesting robot

Citrus harvesting is a labor-intensive and time-intensive task. As the global population continues to age, labor costs are increasing dramatically. Therefore, the citrus-harvesting robot has attracted considerable attention from the business and academic communities. However, robotic harvesting in unstructured and natural citrus orchards remains a challenge. This study aims to address some challenges faced in commercializing citrus-harvesting robots. We present a fully integrated, autonomous, and innovative solution for citrus-harvesting robots to overcome the harvesting difficulties derived from the natural growth characteristics of citrus. This solution uses a fused simultaneous localization and mapping algorithm based on multiple sensors to perform high-precision localization and navigation for the robot in the field orchard. Besides, a novel visual method for estimating fruit poses is proposed to cope with the randomization of citrus growth orientations. Further, a new end-effector is designed to improve the success and conformity rate of citrus stem cutting. Finally, a fully autonomous harvesting robot system has been developed and integrated. Field evaluations showed that the robot could harvest citrus continuously with an overall success rate of 87.2% and an average picking time of 10.9 s/fruit. These efforts provide a solid foundation for the future commercialization of citrus-harvesting robots.     

用于超外差接收机提供本振源的高功率510 GHz单片集成三倍频器

本文介绍了一种基于砷化镓材料的高功率490~530 GHz单片集成三倍频器。基于提出的对称平衡结构,该三倍频器不仅可以实现良好的振幅和相位平衡,用来实现高效的功率合成,还可以在没有任何旁路电容的情况下提供直流偏置路径以保证高效倍频效率。同时,开展容差性仿真分析二极管关键电气参数与结构参数对倍频性能的影响研究,以便最大化提升倍频性能。最终,在大约80~200 mW的输入功率驱动下,研制的510 GHz三倍频,在490~530 GHz频率范围内,输出功率为4~16 mW,其中峰值倍频效率11%。在522 GHz频点处,该三倍频在218 mW的输入功率驱动下,产生16 mW的最大输出功率。该三倍频器后期将用于1 THz的固态外超外差混频器的本振源。     

Frequency Offset Estimation Algorithm of High-Order M-APSK Modulation Signal Based on DFT

How to accurately compensate the Doppler shift is the main challenge for broadband satellite terminals. In this paper, a frequency offset estimation algorithm based on frequency domain window function iterative peaking search is proposed with high-order M-APSK signal models, considering both algorithm complexity and estimation accuracy. The variance of the new algorithm is derived mathematically, and performance curve compared with Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) is also simulated under various SNR (signal-to-noise ratio). The effectiveness of new method is verified by simulations.

     

Investigations on mode-division multiplexed free-space optical transmission for inter-satellite communication link

Wireless Networks - Inter-satellite data transmission links are very crucial for providing global inter-connectivity. We report designing and investigations on high date rate inter-satellite...     

Infrared target tracking based on proximal robust principal component analysis method

Applied Intelligence - Infrared target tracking plays an important role in both civil and military fields. The main challenges in designing a robust and high-precision tracker for infrared...     

Pathogen-mimicking nanocomplexes: self-stimulating oxidative stress in tumor microenvironment for chemo-immunotherapy

A novel drug-loaded pathogen-mimicking nanocomplex (MSN-DOX-SP-LPS) has been constructed for synergistic chemo-immunotherapy.

     

Regulation of cell fate by near infrared-responsive telomerase activity

Here we develop a strategy using near infrared (NIR) modulation of telomerase activity based on gold nanocage@smart polymer system. Using this biocompatible design, we can regulate cellular behavior. This system has been used in vivo by taking advantages of NIR. This is the first example for optical modulation of telomerase activity in living cells and tissues.