Nanocrystal-based light-emitting diodes utilizing high-efficiency nonradiative energy transfer for color conversion

We report a practical implementation of high-efficiency color conversion in an electrically pumped light-emitting diode (LED) using nonradiative energy transfer. On the basis of a new LED design that offers both strong energy-transfer coupling and efficient carrier injection, we show that a hybrid structure comprising a single monolayer of CdSe nanocrystals assembled on top of an InGaN/GaN quantum well provides nearly 10% color conversion efficiency. This value is significantly higher than that for a traditional absorption-re-emission color-conversion scheme in a similar device structure. Furthermore, these hybrid devices can also provide improved efficiencies, compared not only to phosphor-based structures but also to stand-alone LEDs.     

Nanospring pressure sensors grown by glancing angle deposition

Arrays of Cr zigzag nanosprings and slanted nanorods, 15-55 nm and 40-80-nm-wide, respectively, were grown on SiO2/Si substrates by glancing angle deposition. The arrays exhibit a reversible change in resistivity upon loading and unloading, by 50% for nanosprings and 5% for nanorods, indicating their potential as pressure sensors. The resistivity drop is due to a compression of nanosprings (by a measured 19% for an applied external force of 10(-10) N per spring), which causes them to physically touch their neighbors, providing a path for electric current to flow between nanosprings. Repeated loading and unloading at large loads (> or =1 MPa) results in irreversible plastic deformation and a degradation of the pressure sensitivity.     

Nanoparticle-mediated local and remote manipulation of protein aggregation

The local heat delivered by metallic nanoparticles selectively attached to their target can be used as a molecular surgery to safely remove toxic and clogging aggregates. We apply this principle to protein aggregates, in particular to the amyloid beta protein (Abeta) involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disease where unnaturally folded Abeta proteins self-assemble and deposit forming amyloid fibrils and plaques. We show the possibility to remotely redissolve these deposits and to interfere with their growth, using the local heat dissipated by gold nanoparticles (AuNP) selectively attached to the aggregates and irradiated with low gigahertz electromagnetic fields. Simultaneous tagging and manipulation by AuNP of Abeta at different stages of aggregation allow both, noninvasive exploration and dissolution of molecular aggregates.     

Evaluation of gas content of coalbed methane reservoirs with the aid of geophysical logging technology

The geophysical logging technology has been employed in connection with field and laboratory tests for coal reservoir evaluation in Huainan and Huaibei coalfields, China. The relationships between coalbed gas content of coal reservoir and characteristics of geophysical logs have been investigated by means of the combined analyses of experimental and geophysical logging data. Coalbed gas content of drilling core samples from coal seams was determined experimentally. The results, together with the log data obtained from geophysical logging technology, have been analyzed by using geological statistics, permitting correlation of the coalbed gas content to the log responses. The correlation developed in this study provides better understanding of the coal reservoir for coalbed methane exploration in given coalfields by an improved prediction of the coalbed gas content.     

Optimization-based strategies for the operation of low-density polyethylene tubular reactors: nonlinear model predictive control

In this work, we present a general nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) framework for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) tubular reactors. The framework is based on a first-principles dynamic model able to capture complex phenomena arising in these units. We first demonstrate the potential of using NMPC to simultaneously regulate and optimize the process economics in the presence of persistent disturbances such as fouling. We then couple the NMPC controller with a compatible moving horizon estimator (MHE) to provide output feedback. Finally, we discuss computational limitations arising in this framework and make use of recently proposed advanced-step MHE and NMPC strategies to provide nearly instantaneous feedback.     

Evaluating phantom image quality parameters to optimise patient radiation dose in dental digital radiology

Our objective was to obtain images of a predictable level of quality using an intraoral X-ray system with digital imaging, avoiding patient overexposure. A polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) physical test phantom was imaged at different exposure times and at various PMMA thicknesses using a dental imaging coupled charge device. Two identical regions of interest (ROIs) were chosen in every image file, and quality was numerically evaluated by measuring high-contrast spatial resolutions, low-contrast thresholds and signal-to-noise ratios. In addition, three practitioners proposed personal quality scores by image inspection. Numerical contents in the ROIs, related to the image quality, were plotted against exposure time. From here, a simple expression linking the exposure time with the thickness to obtain images of comparable quality was deduced. As a result, the optimum exposure time for imaging with a predictable level of quality can be inferred. The potential effect could imply savings above 1000 man Sv, roughly 20 % of the collective dose due to dental imaging, over a population of 1540 millions.     

Influence of the Quasiparticle and Phonon Subsystem Coupling on the Multitunneling in STJ Detectors

The scope of this work is to account for the phonon exchange in the process of multitunneling in superconducting tunnel junction (STJ) detector. The theory of branching cascade processes was applied to the process of multitunneling in STJ. The duality nature of quasiparticles and the coupling of the quasiparticle and phonon subsystems were taken into account. The extreme cases of the general formula were analyzed. It was shown that the general formula encloses all specific cases published in literature.     

Detection of laser-induced nanosecond ultrasonic pulses in metals using a pancake coil and a piezoelectric sensor

A piezoelectric sensor and a pancake coil sensor were used for broadband detection of laser-induced ultrasound in single-crystal aluminum and polycrystalline nickel. Pressure pulses with pronounced compression phases were induced by laser pulses of 5 ns duration from one side of the specimens and detected from the opposite side. A coupling layer of water was required for the piezoelectric method, whereas the pancake coil placed in the biasing permanent field of a cylindrical magnet ~0.25 T allowed noncontact detection. The signals detected by a piezoelectric transducer showed bipolar form and their spectra covered the range from 5 to 90 MHz. The signal measured in aluminum by a pancake coil was assigned to the eddy current sources and had single polarity. The peak-to-peak value of the signal in nickel was higher and had bipolar form because of the inverse magnetostrictive effect. The high-frequency limit detected by the pancake coil approached 200 MHz.