Mechanical and moisture-dependent swelling properties of compressed Japanese cedar

In this research, five groups of compressed wood specimens were investigated, four made from compressed Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) with compression ratios (CR) of 33%, 50%, 67% and 70%, and one without compressing for control purpose. The measurements of moisture-dependent swelling of the specimens were carried out in the R, T and L directions, with typical strain values of 10%, 1.5% and 0.1% respectively corresponding to the CR = 67%. Mechanical property tests of the compressed wood were also undertaken. Material properties obtained cover radial and tangential swelling strain rates, shear moduli in LR, LT and RT planes, Young’s moduli in the L, R, T directions and Poisson ratios in all planes. The Young’s moduli along the longitudinal and radial directions have been increased by over 300% in relation to the CR of 70%.     

Molecular dynamics study on nanotube-resonators with mass migration applicable to both frequency-tuner and data-storage-media

We investigated the cantilevered carbon-nanotube-resonator including electromigratively movable nanoparticle via classical molecular dynamics simulations and continuum model. The change of the effective mass value, which was closely correlated with the position change of the encapsulated nanoparticle, could be regressed by a power function, the resonance frequency of the carbon-nanotube-resonator could be tuned by controlling the nanoparticle’s position, and the possible frequency-shift-ranges then reached 18–85%. The suggested device could be served as a data-storage-media for electromechanical nonvolatile-memory as well as a frequency-tuner.     

Dynamic pattern denoising method using multi-basin system with kernels

In this paper, we propose a novel pattern denoising method that utilizes the topological property of a support that describes the distribution of normal patterns to denoise noisy patterns. The method first trains a support function which captures the domain of normal patterns and then construct a so-called multi-basin system associated with the trained support function. By moving noisy patterns along the trajectories of the multi-basin system, noise is removed while the pattern recovers its normality. The denoised pattern is obtained when the noisy pattern arrives at the attracting manifold generated by a set of normal patterns and this is the most similar normal pattern with the noisy pattern in the topological sense. Through simulations on some toy dataset and real image datasets, we show that the proposed framework effectively removes the noise while preserving the information contained in the noisy pattern.     

Electrospun PEDOT:PSS/PVP nanofibers as the chemiresistor in chemical vapour sensing

Herein, PEDOT:PSS/PVP nanofibers were produced by electrospinning. The presence of PEDOT:PSS in the nanofibers was confirmed by FT-Raman spectroscopy. The applied voltage-dependent diameter of PEDOT:PSS/PVP nanofibers was observed. Also, sensing behaviors of electrospun PEDOT:PSS/PVP nanofibers were explored by measuring its response upon cyclic exposure to organic vapours such as ethanol, methanol, THF, and acetone at room temperature. When PEDOT:PSS/PVP nanofibers were exposed to each solvent, the protic and aprotic solvents resulted in opposite electrical responses. These findings exhibit that electrospun PEDOT:PSS/PVP nanofibers are the promising candidate for the organic vapour sensing material.     

Photonic Crystal Palette of Binary Block Copolymer Blends for Full Visible Structural Color Encryption

Structural color (SC) arising from a periodically ordered self-assembled block copolymer (BCP) photonic crystal (PC) is useful for reflective-mode sensing displays owing to its capability of stimuli-responsive structure alteration. However, a set of PC inks, each providing a precisely addressable SC in the full visible range, has rarely been demonstrated. Here, a strategy for developing BCP PC inks with tunable structures is presented. This involves solution-blending of two lamellar-forming BCPs with different molecular weights. By controlling the mixing ratio of the two BCPs, a thin 1D BCP PC film is developed with alternating in-plane lamellae whose periodicity varies linearly from ≈46 to ≈91 nm. Subsequent preferential swelling of one-type lamellae with either solvent or non-volatile ionic liquid causes the photonic band gap of the films to red-shift, giving rise to full-visible-range SC correlated with the pristine nanostructures of the blended films in both liquid and solid states. The BCP PC palette of solution-blended binary solutions is conveniently employed in various coating processes, allowing facile development of BCP SC on the targeted surface. Furthermore, full-color SC paintings are realized with their transparent PC inks, facilitating low-power pattern encryption.     

Analysis of issues in gate recess etching in the InAlAs/InGaAs HEMT manufacturing process

We have developed an InAlAs/InGaAs metamorphic high electron mobility transistor device fabrication process where the gate length can be tuned within the range of 0.13 μm–0.16 μm to suit the intended application. The core processes are a two-step electron-beam lithography process using a three-layer resist and gate recess etching process using citric acid. An electron-beam lithography process was developed to fabricate a T-shaped gate electrode with a fine gate foot and a relatively large gate head. This was realized through the use of three-layered resist and two-step electron beam exposure and development. Citric acid-based gate recess etching is a wet etching, so it is very important to secure etching uniformity and process reproducibility. The device layout was designed by considering the electrochemical reaction involved in recess etching, and a reproducible gate recess etching process was developed by finding optimized etching conditions. Using the developed gate electrode process technology, we were able to successfully manufacture various monolithic microwave integrated circuits, including low noise amplifiers that can be used in the 28 GHz to 94 GHz frequency range.     

A Critical Review on Functionalization of Air‐Cathodes for Nonaqueous Li–O2 Batteries

This review reports on the most updated technological aspects of Li–air battery cathode materials. It provides the reader with recent developments, alongside critical views. The requirements for air‐cathodes, as well as the classification and characterization of carbon‐based and carbon‐free air cathodes, are listed. The effects of two major substituent groups of materials, namely carbon and advanced materials (metals, metal‐oxides, metal‐carbides, and metal‐nitrides) aimed at replacing carbon, are discussed in terms of their chemical and electrochemical stability. The report covers aspects of surface chemistry and structure influence on the electrolyte and discharge products stability. The review also reports on the efforts to suppress side reactions and deterioration of the polymeric binders (if a composite electrode is being considered). This is recognized as a means to enhance Li–air battery performance. The report concludes with an outlook and perspective, providing the readers with some insight on other factors and their impact on the long road toward a viable air‐cathode suitable for Li–air battery operations.     

A Multi‐Functional Highly Efficient Upconversion Luminescent Film with an Array of Dielectric Microbeads Decorated with Metal Nanoparticles

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have been integrated with photonic platforms to overcome the intrinsically low quantum efficiency limit of upconversion luminescence (UCL). However, platforms based on thin films lack transferability and flexibility, which hinders their broader and more practical application. A plasmonic structure is developed that works as a multi‐functional platform for flexible, transparent, and washable near‐infrared (NIR)‐to‐visible UCL films with ultra‐strong UCL intensity. The platform consists of dielectric microbeads decorated with plasmonic metal nanoparticles on an insulator/metal substrate. Distinct improvements in NIR confinement, visible light extraction, and boosted plasmonic effects for upconversion are observed. With weak NIR excitation, the UCL intensity is higher by three orders of magnitude relative to the reference platform. When the microbeads are organized in a square lattice array, the functionality of the platform can be expanded to wearable and washable UCL films. The platform can be transferred to transparent, flexible, and foldable films and still emit strong UCL with a wide viewing angle.