bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incommensurate superlattice modulation surviving down to an atomic scale in sputter-deposited Co/Pt(111) epitaxial multilayered films
Authors: Song Jieyuan , Scheike Thomas , He Cong , Wen Zhenchao , Ohkubo Tadakatsu , Kim Kwangseok , Sukegawa Hiroaki , Mitani Seiji
Published: October 2024

We report the structural feature of sputter-deposited epitaxial [Co (0.2 nm)/Pt (0.2–1.0 nm)] multilayered films prepared with various periodic structural designs consisting of non-integer numbers of Co and Pt monoatomic layers on an atomically flat Ru(0001). Sharp superlattice modulation peaks and their systematic changes with the Pt thicknesses were observed in the x-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum. The formation of periodic structures shows that layer-by-layer like growth occurs and the resulting incommensurate superlattice modulation survives down to an atomic scale even in the sputter-deposited Co/Pt multilayers. Magnetic properties were also investigated for the Co/Pt multilayers. Interestingly, the maximum perpendicular magnetic anisotropy Ku of 3 × 106 erg/cm3 was obtained for the [Co (0.2 nm)/Pt (0.3 nm)] multilayer exhibiting incommensurate superlattice modulation peaks, while the [Co (0.2 nm)/Pt (0.2 nm)] multilayer with a L11-like XRD peak showed a smaller Ku. A cross-sectional high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that a partially L11-ordered CoPt structure is formed in the [Co 0.2 nm/Pt 0.2 nm] multilayer, interpreting the observed Ku. This study gives a new insight into the structural feature of sputter-deposited Co/Pt multilayers useful for a wide range of spintronic devices, such as magnetic tunnel junctions.
Electro-osmotic flow instability of viscoelastic fluids in a nanochannel
Authors: Peng Li , Hao Yu , Liu Runxin , Li Jie
Published: October 2024

The study of the complex rheological properties of viscoelastic fluids in nanochannels will facilitate the application of nanofluidics in biomedical and other fields. However, the flow of viscoelastic fluids in nanochannels has significant instabilities, and numerical simulation failures are prone to occur at high Weissenberg numbers (Wi). In this study, the simplified Phan-Thien-Tanner viscoelastic fluid model is solved using the log-conformation tensor approach, and the effects of rheological parameters of the viscoelastic fluid, such as the Weissenberg number (Wi), extensibility parameter (ε), and viscosity ratio (β), on the flow characteristics and flow instability within the nanochannel are investigated. The results indicate that the variation of rheological parameters of viscoelastic fluids has a significant effect on the flow state and flow instability of fluids in nanochannels. When the rheological parameters are in a specific range, the flow velocity and outlet current in the nanochannel exhibit relatively regular periodic fluctuations. As the flow transitions from an up-and-down moving single-vortex state to a symmetric double-vortex state, the average velocity of the central axis in the nanochannel is increased by about 15%. Furthermore, when Wi increases from 150 to 400, the length and height of the vortex increase by 50% and 100%, respectively.
Numerical optimization of nano-sized SQUID-on-tip characteristics
Authors: Rubel Abul Hasnat
Published: October 2024

SQUID-on-tip (SOT) is the most sensitive magnetometry device to date, designed as a superconducting loop at the apex of a scanning tip with nearly vertical biasing leads. Here we examine the static and dynamic properties of such a SOT as a function of the 3D geometric features of the device as close as in reality, using state-of-the-art (Ginzburg–Landau) GL simulations. We find that the gradient of the phase of the order parameter in the perimeter of the loop, which relates to the screening current in response to the magnetic field, is primarily enhanced in a SOT with narrow loop arms. This decreases the critical current of the device but makes the critical current less sensitive to the penetrating field, which is beneficial for the device’s sensitivity at a constant biasing current in a broader field range. We further show how constriction in the arms of the loop can further enhance the sensitivity. Taken together, our results offer engineering solutions for the tailored performance of SOT devices in desired conditions.
Band alignment at polycrystalline interfaces explained with bulk densities
Authors: Tung Raymond T.
Published: October 2024

The band offset (BO) at semiconductor heterojunctions and the Schottky barrier height (SBH) at metal–semiconductor interfaces are important device parameters that are directly related to the charge distribution at the interface. Recently, an approach based on the neutral polyhedra theory (NPT) was developed that allowed interface charge density to be modeled and the BO/SBH at epitaxial interfaces to be quantitatively explained and predicted. The present work shows that the band alignment conditions for a large number of practical interfaces, the majority of which are polycrystalline, can also be explained by modeling the charge distribution at the interface with densities of bulk crystals. Two types of interfaces are distinguished: those between crystals with similar chemical bonds and those with dissimilar bonds. The majority of interfaces presently studied belong to the first category, with their experimentally measured BO/SBHs in good agreement with the structure-independent predictions from NPT. The similarity of bonds at the interface and in bulk crystals makes it unnecessary to make adjustments for the interface bonds and is argued to be the reason behind “bulk-like” behavior in band alignment conditions at such interfaces. The effect of interface bonds that cannot be ignored at some interfaces with perovskite oxides is successfully treated by model solids constructed with the atoms-in-molecules theory. The validity and the wide applicability of density-based theories in the explanation and prediction of band alignment at solid interfaces are demonstrated.
Research on the communication performance of ECoG signal transmission via human body communication
Authors: Liao Wei , Meng Ziyi , Gong Tengfei
Published: October 2024

With the development of body area network technology and brain neuroscience, the study of electroencephalogram signals has been increasingly emphasized by academics. However, more research on electrocorticography (ECoG) still needs to be carried out. In this study, the communication performance of ECoG signal transmission via the human body and the influence of port structure on their transmission are thoroughly investigated. First, we use the finite difference time domain method to model the head system accurately in conjunction with the electromagnetic properties of human tissues, which reveals the multipath propagation phenomenon in communication. Second, based on our previous research results, we compare the system bit error rate (BER) under phase shift keying (PSK) and frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation modes and further explore the link budget of the system under these two modulation modes. Finally, we analyze the potential impact of the transceiver structural parameters on the signal transmission characteristics. The results show that the power delay in the communication link exhibits a second-order exponential decay function distribution and that the inter-path delay and delay spread follow a Weibull distribution. Under certain BER conditions, PSK reduces the signal-to-noise requirement by 3.2 dB compared to FSK modulation, which is more suitable for head-end channel transmission. In addition, variations in the size and angle of the electrode disks at the transmitter and receiver have little effect on the transmission results.
Effect of O radicals on aramid surface treatment: Experimental and molecular insights
Authors: Ruan Hao-ou , Du Hao , Umemoto Takahiro , Ono Ryo , Katase Daisuke , Kumada Akiko , Sato Masahiro
Published: October 2024

Aramid is widely recognized for its effectiveness as a matrix in high-performance composite materials. However, the inert nature of its surface necessitates plasma pretreatment for proper resin immersion. With a particular focus on interactions involving O radicals, this study employs Vacuum Ultra-Violet Photolysis Reactive-species Supply to investigate the interaction mechanisms between aramid and plasma reactive species. The water contact angle serves as an indicator of the degree of surface reactions, demonstrating a clear correlation between its reduction and the concentration of O radicals. Analysis using ATR-FTIR and XPS revealed the depletion of amide groups and the formation of hydroxyl groups during the treatment process. Through reactive molecular dynamics simulations, we identified the specific reaction sites of the amide groups on aramid and quantified the variations in typical reaction products. We also summarized the reaction pathways and confirmed the generation of polar structures, such as N-OH. This study offers valuable theoretical insights for the surface modification of inert polymers and contributes to advancements in industrial plasma technology.
The XLPO cable insulation with synchronous-enhanced DC electrical and high-temperature mechanical properties
Authors: Qu Jinfei , Wang Shihang , Li Shengtao
Published: October 2024

High voltage direct-current (HVDC) cable is key equipment for utilizing offshore wind power. The high-temperature mechanical and DC electrical properties are two key figures for crosslinked polyethylene cable insulation, which are always contradictory and difficult to satisfy synchronously. To address the problem, we proposed crosslinked polyolefin (XLPO) insulation with 20.3% enhanced high-temperature mechanical stability and improved DC breakdown strength and volume resistivity. The thermally stimulated current results of XLPO showed depolarization current peaks at higher temperatures, responding to better inhibition of space charge and improved DC insulation. In addition, the XLPO exhibited thermodynamic compatibility with only one endothermic peak in differential scanning calorimetry thermograms and decreased small-angle X-ray scattering long-period. The strategy proposed in this work to enhance the comprehensive performance of cable insulation provides a promising route to next-generation HVDC cables.
Influence of parent rock on soil clay mineralogy and physicochemical properties: a case study from the O’Higgins region, central Chile
Authors: Navarro-Hasse Eduardo , Kelm Ursula , Jerez Oscar , Yáñez Carolina , Neaman Alexander
Published: October 2024

Context Lithology plays a crucial role in soil formation processes, and its interaction with soil properties is closely tied to climatic factors, making regional-scale investigations essential. Aims This study aimed to investigate the impact of lithology on both clay mineralogy and the physicochemical properties of soils in the O’Higgins region of central Chile. Methods We examined soils derived from seven distinct rock types: (1) lithic tuff (volcanoclastic, felsic); (2) andesite (volcanic, intermediate); (3) ash tuff (volcanoclastic, felsic); (4) breccia flow (volcanoclastic, intermediate; (5) granite (plutonic, felsic); (6) quartz schist (metamorphic); and (7) muscovite schist (metamorphic). A total of 21 topsoil samples (0–10 cm) and seven rock samples were collected for analysis. Key results Kaolinite and illite were ubiquitous in all soil samples, whereas smectite and vermiculite were restricted to soils derived from volcanic and volcanoclastic parent materials. Notably, the physicochemical characteristics of the soils converged toward a sandy loam texture with high base saturation levels (>90%). Conclusions The parent material exerts a significant influence on the clay mineral composition of soils in the study area. Conversely, the underlying lithology appears to have a negligible impact on the physicochemical properties of the soils in the region. Implications The findings of this study highlight the need for a more extensive and diverse sampling strategy to elucidate the complex relationships between lithology, soil clay mineralogy, and soil physicochemical properties. A more comprehensive understanding of these interactions can only be achieved through the inclusion of a larger and more representative sample set.
Enhancing Welfare for Aquarium Fishes with an Ecologically Relevant Environment
Authors: Rose Paul
Published: October 2024

Aquarium fish keeping is an incredibly popular hobby. Despite this popularity, fishes can suffer poor welfare due to being housed in an inappropriate environment, lack of owner knowledge that perpetuates misconceptions, and our perception of them as “lower vertebrates”. This article examines the complexity of fish biology and behaviour to support appropriate care of fishes within home aquaria. It focuses on the importance of evidence for what fish need and how to use such evidence in the domestic aquarium. In the UK, around 21% of households maintain an indoor aquarium and 13% of households have an outdoor pond. This equates to many millions of individual fish in private households. Approximately 70% of fishes in home aquaria are tropical freshwater species. Although fishes may appear easy pets to keep, being cheap to buy and readily available in different outlets, many common-in-the-home-aquarium species have specific requirements (from their water chemistry, physical environment, and social grouping) that they require to thrive, and owners should be aware of their natural biology and wild ecology when setting up an aquarium and maintaining a social group. Inaccuracies and misrepresentations abound when non-specialists think about fishes; they have no memory, they only grow to the size of the tank they are provided with, they do not feel pain and therefore are disposable. Fishes have complex physiologies that enable them to live in an environment alien to us as terrestrial mammals. They also display a diverse array of behaviours that provide them with fitness benefits within their habitat. Alongside essential aquarium considerations (heating, filtration, water quality), aquarium fish owners need to provide a suitably enriched environment for the species being housed. This case study considers simple steps that owners can take to improve welfare, health, and longevity of aquarium fishes through better knowledge of their natural history, the provision of a more ecologically relevant environment, and the maintenance of correct social groupings.

Information

© The Author 2024
Distinct roles of two homologous kinesins in mammalian motile cilia
Authors: Xu Kaiming , Li Ming , Ou Guangshuo
Published: October 2024

How do the two kinesin-9 members Kif6 and Kif9 function in mammalian cilia? Ou and colleagues discuss new work from Fang et al. (https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202312060) showing that Kif6 is an active motor while Kif9 serves as a stationary regulator, both of which are essential for cilia motility.
MAIT cells: Conserved watchers on the wall
Authors: Germain Lilou , Veloso Pablo , Lantz Olivier , Legoux François
Published: October 2024

MAIT cells are innate-like T cells residing in barrier tissues such as the lung, skin, and intestine. Both the semi-invariant T cell receptor of MAIT cells and the restricting element MR1 are deeply conserved across mammals, indicating non-redundant functions linked to antigenic specificity. MAIT cells across species concomitantly express cytotoxicity and tissue-repair genes, suggesting versatile functions. Accordingly, MAIT cells contribute to antibacterial responses as well as to the repair of damaged barrier tissues. MAIT cells recognize riboflavin biosynthetic pathway-derived metabolites, which rapidly cross epithelial barriers to be presented by antigen-presenting cells. Changes in gut ecology during intestinal inflammation drive the expansion of strong riboflavin and MAIT ligand producers. Thus, MAIT cells may enable real-time surveillance of microbiota dysbiosis across intact epithelia and provide rapid and context-dependent responses. Here, we discuss recent findings regarding the origin and regulation of MAIT ligands and the role of MAIT cells in barrier tissues. We speculate on the potential reasons for MAIT cell conservation during evolution.
Advancements in maize cultivation: synergistic effects of dry atmospheric plasma combined with plasma-activated water
Authors: Kamseu-Mogo Jean-Paul , Soulier Manon , Kamgang-Youbi Georges , Apala Mafouasson Hortense Noëlle , Dufour Thierry
Published: October 2024

In this study, we investigate the effects of pre-germinative and post-germinative plasma treatments, applied separately or in combination, to improve maize germination and early seedling development. Pre-germinative treatment consists of priming the seeds with a dry atmospheric plasma (DAP) generated by a dielectric barrier device, characterized by minimal radiative emission, low electrical power (4 W) and high emissions of O, OH and NO radicals. Post-germinative treatment, known as plasma-activated water (PAW), uses a single pin electrode device (SPED) to generate a DC discharge that features a power of 126 W and produces large amounts of OH radicals. The resulting PAW, after 5 min of SPED treatment, induces a slight acidification and increased concentrations of nitrate ions (from 24 to 250 mg l−1), nitrite ions (from less than 0.1 to 56.1 mg l−1) and hydrogen peroxide (from 0.3 to 18.5 mg l−1). Results indicate that DAP applied on maize seeds for 20 min boosts their germination rate by up to 90% (versus only 65% for untreated seeds) while reducing the median germination time by 37.5%. Then, seedling growth monitoring is achieved on control, DAP, PAW and DAP + PAW groups to assess stem length, hypocotyl length, leaf count, collar diameter and fresh/dry mass. The DAP + PAW group shows the most robust growth, demonstrating a synergistic effect of the combined treatments, particularly with significantly longer stem lengths. Additionally, physiological analyses of seedling leaves indicate a decrease in chlorophyll content despite enhanced growth, while fluorescence microscopy reveals a reduction in stomatal density in leaves treated with DAP and PAW, especially in the combined treatment group, potentially impacting photosynthetic efficiency and water regulation.
Attenuation of bulk waves using locally resonant soil-coupled metabarriers
Authors: Nistri Fabio , Cosentini Renato Maria , Dal Poggetto Vinicius F , Miniaci Marco , Charkaluk Paul , Pugno Nicola M , Gliozzi Antonio S , Bosia Federico
Published: October 2024

Low frequency ground-borne vibrations generated by transport infrastructure are one of the most serious causes of disturbance to the general population. One possibility to reduce this problem is to use the wave filtering properties of elastic metamaterials. However, their integration in the soil complicates the prediction of their response, and the influence of soil-structure interaction needs to be correctly evaluated for an efficient design. The aim of this work is to experimentally evaluate the efficiency of metamaterial trench barriers set in soil in attenuating vibrations, using low-frequency local resonance mechanisms. A lab scale model is proposed comprising different resonating structures and a cylindrical encasement is adopted to couple the structure to the soil. The influence of various parameters is evaluated, such as metamaterial structure, geometrical characteristics of the resonator, and constituent materials. Finite Element simulations are used to develop a suitable design, analysing mode shapes and resonance frequencies of structures with and without the surrounding encasement. Experimental modal analysis is then performed on the corresponding fabricated samples, providing both model validation and out-of-soil mechanical characterization. Finally, vibration transmission loss measurements are performed in a setup in which different resonant metamaterial barriers are embedded into the soil sample, allowing the evaluation of barrier performance. Results indicate that the metamaterial structures provide good attenuation of vibrations in selected intervals in the low to high frequency range (1–5 kHz), demonstrating the feasibility of the approach in a scaled sample. Preliminary data regarding the structures providing preferable design characteristics is also obtained. These results can be useful for the design of trench barriers scaled to large dimensions in more realistic applicative settings.
High-precision IFM receiver based on random forest algorithm
Authors: Zou Ying , Hu Anyu , Sun Mingchen , Zhang Chao , Xue Xufeng , Wang Wen
Published: October 2024

The six-port network-based Instantaneous Frequency Measurement (IFM) receiver is widely utilized in industrial applications for signal frequency demodulation. However, current IFM receivers face the issue of low algorithmic demodulation accuracy (ACC). According to the four-channel output characteristics of the IFM receiver, we use the Random Forest algorithm to extract features, train and test the output voltage data set, and recognize frequency labels. The experimental results show that the ACC of the proposed algorithm reaches 0.9583, which is 13.99% higher than that of the traditional polynomial fitting algorithm. To evaluate the noise reduction performance of the algorithm, we add Gaussian white noise to the original data and demodulate the signal with noise. Comparative tests prove the advantages of the algorithm in high stability and flexibility. Finally, multiple model evaluation indicators demonstrate that the algorithm features strong applicability and robustness to the experimental data with IFM receiver.
Probing the friction mechanism of diamond-like carbon films in aqueous environments based on molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Zhu Xiaohua , Wang Xiaowen , Liu Yunhai , Luo Yiyao , Zhang Hu , Li Bo , Zhao Xiao
Published: October 2024

The frictional behavior of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films in an aqueous environment is of tremendous interest. To compare the impacts of the quantity of water molecules, sliding velocity, and loading on the friction behavior of DLC films, a molecular model of DLC films in an aqueous environment was built. The results show that the DLC film under high load and high sliding velocity leads to severe friction behavior, but the water molecules can prevent the occurrence of this severe friction behavior. Also increasing the number of water molecules can effectively reduce the increase in friction during the running-in stage and keep it at a low value. The primary explanation is that if there are enough water molecules, they will create a stable water film at the friction interface and prevent large-scale contact and distortion between the upper and lower DLC films, significantly reducing friction.
Characterizing structural features of two-dimensional particle systems through Voronoi topology
Authors: Lazar Emanuel A , Lu Jiayin , Rycroft Chris H , Schwarcz Deborah
Published: October 2024

This paper introduces a new approach toward characterizing local structural features of two-dimensional particle systems. The approach can accurately identify and characterize defects in high-temperature crystals, distinguish a wide range of nominally disordered systems, and robustly describe complex structures such as grain boundaries. This paper also introduces two-dimensional functionality into the open-source software program VoroTop which automates this analysis. This software package is built on a recently-introduced multithreaded version of Voro++, enabling the analysis of systems with billions of particles on high-performance computer architectures.
Investigating the time-distance relationship: an innovative approach to Galileo’s inclined plane experiment using Arduino
Authors: dos Santos Jessica Fabiana Mariano , de Oliviera Nunes Luiz Antônio
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we present an innovative approach to hands-on scientific inquiry, for classroom use, by integrating modern tools such as reflective photointerrupter sensors and sound emitters into an experimental setup. Inspired by Galileo’s pioneering work, our proposed experiments investigate the relationship between sound intervals and the motion of an object along an inclined U-shaped profile. Using different sensor arrangements, we explore the quadratic relationship between distance and time for spheres rolling on the inclined plane. Additionally, we discuss a simplified theoretical framework facilitating comparison between theoretical and experimental acceleration values. Our findings demonstrated a close correspondence between experimental distance-time data and theoretical predictions, validating the effectiveness of our approach.
A framework to model charge sharing and pulse pileup for virtual imaging trials of photon-counting CT
Authors: Sharma Shobhit , Vrbaški Stevan , Bhattarai Mridul , Abadi Ehsan , Longo Renata , Samei Ehsan
Published: October 2024

Objective. This study describes the development, validation, and integration of a detector response model that accounts for the combined effects of x-ray crosstalk, charge sharing, and pulse pileup in photon-counting detectors. Approach. The x-ray photon transport was simulated using Geant4, followed by analytical charge sharing simulation in MATLAB. The analytical simulation models charge clouds with Gaussian-distributed charge densities, which are projected on a 3×3 pixel neighborhood of interaction location to compute detected counts. For pulse pileup, a prior analytical method for redistribution of energy-binned counts was implemented for delta pulses. The x-ray photon transport and charge sharing components were validated using experimental data acquired on the CdTe-based Pixirad-1/Pixie-III detector using monoenergetic beams at 26, 33, 37, and 50 keV. The pulse pileup implementation was verified with a comparable Monte Carlo simulation. The model output without pulse pileup was used to generate spatio-energetic response matrices for efficient simulation of scanner-specific photon-counting CT (PCCT) images with DukeSim, with pulse pileup modeled as a post-processing step on simulated projections. For analysis, images for the Gammex multi-energy phantom and the XCAT chest phantom were simulated at 120 kV, both with and without pulse pileup for a range of doses (27–1344 mAs). The XCAT images were evaluated qualitatively at 120 mAs, while images for the Gammex phantom were evaluated quantitatively for all doses using measurements of attenuation coefficients and Calcium concentrations. Main results. Reasonable agreement was observed between simulated and experimental spectra with Mean Absolute Percentage Error Values (MAPE) between 10

%

and 31

%

across all incident energies and detector modes. The increased pulse pileup from increased dose affected attenuation coefficients and calcium concentrations, with an effect on calcium quantification as high as MAPE of 28%. Significance. The presented approach demonstrates the viability of the model for enabling VITs to assess and optimize the clinical performance of PCCT.
Impact of overvoltage on the mode transition of the spark gap switch: from edge breakdown to stochastic breakdown
Authors: Luo Weixi , Ren Chenhua , Huang Bangdou , Zhang Tianyang , Cong Peitian , Zhai Rongxiao , Zhang Cheng , Shao Tao
Published: October 2024

Spark gap switch (SGS) is a fundamental but critical component for large-scale pulsed power devices, whose reliable operation is significantly affected by the breakdown characteristics of SGS. It is observed experimentally that, with the increase of overvoltage, the bridging position of the spark channel transits from edge to stochastic center. In this work, the influence of overvoltage on the breakdown process of a parallel-plate SGS with low geometric distortion of static electric field (<13%) between an atmospheric-pressure air gap of 5 mm is investigated by particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision simulation. It is found that, under a low overvoltage (ratio of applied voltage U
a to static breakdown voltage U
0, U
a/U
0 = 1.5), the streamers at the edge first bridge the gap before that in the central region, due to the field enhancement induced by the electrode curvature. Under higher overvoltage (U
a/U
0 = 3), the synchronicity between streamers initiating from the center and those from the edge is greatly improved during the inception stage. After the streamers pass the middle of the gap, the field enhancement at the streamer front is more intensified and promotes the generation of fast electrons. These fast electrons rapidly magnify the difference among the propagating streamers by providing abundant seed electrons ahead of the discharge channel, which leads to the randomness of the bridging position. The results in this work demonstrate the relationship between overvoltage and streamer dynamics, which is beneficial for the performance improvement of SGS.
Simulation and modeling of a new CsSnI3 solar cell structure: a numerical study
Authors: Adjouz Razika , Allam Zehor , Souli Lahcene , Hafaifa Loumafak , Zebeir Achouak
Published: October 2024

This study explores the development of a lead-free CsSnI3-based solar cell structure aimed at enhancing charge stability, transport, and overall performance. A device configuration of Spiro-OMeTAD/CsSnI3/CH3NH3SnI3/PCBM/ITO was simulated using the SCAPS-1D program. Simulation results, performed under standard illumination conditions (1000 W m−2) at 300 K, identified an optimal CsSnI3 absorber layer thickness of 300 nm, corresponding to a defect density ranging between 1012 cm−3and 1014 cm−3. This optimized configuration not only enhances device performance but also reduces the long-term environmental toxicity associated with tin. Through a detailed analysis of parasitic resistances, the optimal shunt resistance (

R

shunt

) was found to be 106 Ω.cm2, with a series resistance (

R

Series

) approaching zero. Under these conditions, the device achieved a fill factor (

FF

) of 71.99%, power conversion efficiency (

η

) of 19.47%, short-circuit current density (

J

SC

) of 31.092 mA cm−2, and open-circuit voltage (

V

OC

) of 0.87 V. After optimizing the doping density, the performance was further enhanced, yielding

V

OC

= 0.9919 V,

J

SC

= 32.5664 mA cm−2,

 FF

= 71.64%, and

η

= 23.14%. These results closely align with the experimental findings reported by NREL in 2024. This work demonstrates significant advancements in the development of high-efficiency, environmentally friendly, lead-free CsSnI3 solar cells, providing valuable insights for future research and practical applications.
Exploring the potential of induced dipole-dominated electrorheological effect: advancing ER elastomers
Authors: Khan Wafa Iram , Zhang Zexian , Yousaf Mariam , Ma Ning , Dong Xufeng
Published: October 2024

Prior research has predominantly focused on traditional electrorheological (ER) effects while overlooking the transformative potential of induced dipoles in enhancing the overall performance of ER materials. In this study, we introduced a novel type of ER elastomer called induced dipole-dominated ER elastomer (ID-ERE). Through high-energy ball milling (HEBM) of the filler particles, the oxygen vacancies were produced within the particles that acted as local charge centers. In the presence of an external electric field (E), these oxygen vacancies induced the dipoles with significant dipole moments, thus amplifying the local electric field EL within the particle gaps. The powerful interactions of these dipoles significantly improved the overall performance of elastomer; the phenomenon referred to as the ID-ER effect. The viscoelastic results showed that ID-EREs have high field-induced storage modulus (G’ = 395.7 kPa), a significant increment in storage modulus (ΔG’ = 270.5 kPa) and high relative ER effect (ΔG’/G0 = 217.2%) at 3 kV mm−1. Additionally, after testing ID-EREs viscoelastic properties, it was discovered that excessive powder content leads to a decline in the elastomer’s performance. The results showed that ID-ERE’s viscoelastic, mechanical, dielectric, and overall efficiency is finer than the control ER elastomer (C-ERE) having unmilled TiO2 particles. Besides, the preparation method is straightforward, easily replicated, scalable, and cost effective. Thus, these ID-EREs should be a new generation of elastomer with the potential to be used in various automotive, robotics, construction, and electroactive actuators industries.
Superconducting magnet technology for the outer coils of resistive-superconducting hybrid magnets
Authors: Bird Mark D
Published: October 2024

The world’s highest-field dc magnets have, for more than 50 years, consisted of a combination of resistive and superconducting (SC) coils that we refer to as a ‘hybrid’. These magnets use SC technology for the outer coils, where the magnetic field is moderate, and resistive-magnet technology for the inner coils, where the field is highest. In such a configuration, higher fields have been attained than was possible with purely SC magnet technology, and lower lifecycle costs are attained than with a purely resistive magnet. The peak field available has been 45 T for over 20 years in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. There is presently a ‘revolution’ underway in hybrid magnet development. A second 45 T hybrid was completed in 2022 in Hefei, China that might be upgraded to 48 T in a few years. The high field lab in Grenoble, France is also testing a hybrid magnet intended to reach 43.5 T but which also might be upgraded to 46 T in a few years. In addition, the lab in Nijmegen, The Netherlands is presently assembling a hybrid magnet intended to operate at 46 T. Papers have been presented and published with conceptual designs of hybrid magnets with fields up to 60 T. Given the developments underway, this is an appropriate time to review the history of such systems, with a particular focus on the larger, more expensive part of the magnets: the SC outsert coils. The demands placed on the SC coils of these magnet systems are unique due to their coupling with resistive coils that are operated at very high stress and wear out regularly, resulting in large field transients and fault forces. The evolution of the technology used for the SC coils of these hybrid systems is presented, evolving from ventilated windings to cable-in-conduit to cryogen-free.
Technology of fabrication superconducting free-standing structures (FSS)
Authors: Tarkhov M A , Mumlyakov A M , Shibalov M V , Porokhov N V , Vovk N A , Nekludova P A , Trofimov I V , Filippov I A
Published: October 2024

In this study, a method for fabrication of superconducting microstructures that are partially or completely isolated from the substrate has been proposed. Two configurations of suspended micro-bridges have been suggested, i.e. the first structure that features a T-shaped etching of the substrate and the second structure which is completely separated from the substrate through periodically positioned supports. The creation of suspended structures is based on the principle of gas-phase etching of amorphous silicon oxide in a mixture of hydrogen fluoride and ethanol gases. In the course of the experiments, it has been discovered that suspending micro-structures in the configuration of a micro-bridge results in a slight reduction in superconducting characteristics, ranging from 10%–15% of the initial parameters. It has also been demonstrated that the thermal coupling between the film and the substrate significantly affects the dissipation of thermal energy. The power dissipated into the substrate at room temperature can vary by up to 250 times based on the value of the micro-bridge undercutting.
A FinFET-based static memory cell optimized for stability and low power consumption
Authors: El-Meligy Mohammed A , Fathi Hanaa , Mahmoud Haitham A , Raza Md Taslim
Published: October 2024

As the semiconductor industry continues to push the boundaries of miniaturization, traditional MOSFET transistors are no longer the ideal choice for VLSI circuit design, particularly for memory cells where stability and power efficiency are critical. FinFET transistors, with their superior performance in mitigating process variations, enhancing gate control, and reducing leakage currents, offer a promising alternative. This paper presents a novel 9 T SRAM cell, carefully designed and simulated using 10 nm FinFET devices at a supply voltage of 0.55 V. The proposed cell achieves significant improvements in read stability (writability) through the implementation of read path isolation and feedback-cutting techniques, resulting in a minimum enhancement of 1.10 (1.19) times. Furthermore, the cell significantly reduces read, write, and leakage power by at least 7.03%, 8.66%, and 14.14%, respectively. These power reductions are attributed to the adoption of a single-bitline structure, transistor stacking in access paths, and the minimization of control signal activation. To ensure robust operation in real-world scenarios, the cell’s resilience to process variation is meticulously examined. Analysis reveals lower variability in both read stability and writability design metrics, demonstrating the cell’s inherent robustness to manufacturing imperfections.
Tikhonov-type regularization for nonlinear inverse problems with multiple repeated measurement data
Authors: Hou Bingxue , Wang Wei , Zhong Min
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we consider the Tikhonov-type regularization for solving nonlinear inverse problems under the statistical framework that multiple unbiased independent identically distributed measurement data are available. We use the average of these data in the method to reconstruct a solution whose feature is captured by a convex penalty term. Assuming certain conditions concerning the nonlinear operator, we derive the convergence rates where the regularization parameter can be chosen either a priori or a posteriori by the statistical sequential discrepancy principle. We further propose two globally convergent algorithms: the TIGRA-

R

algorithm for repeated measurements and the Dynamic TIGRA-

R

algorithm for sequential data. Finally, some numerical experiments illustrate the theoretic analysis and verify the effectiveness of the methods.
Fuzzy fractional shallow water wave equations: analysis, convergence of solutions, and comparative study with depth as triangular fuzzy number
Authors: Karunakar P , Chakraverty S , Rao TD , Ramesh K , Hussein AK
Published: October 2024

We explore the integration of fuzzy fractional calculus into the modeling framework, recognizing its significance in capturing the inherent uncertainties and complexities present in Shallow Water Wave (ffSWW) dynamics. By incorporating fuzzy fractional calculus, we aim to enhance the accuracy and robustness of ffSWW equations, particularly in representing vague or imprecise parameters such as seabed topography, initial wave conditions, and material properties. In this article, we consider the time derivative as a fractional order instead of the traditional integer order, which allows us to interpret the behavior of the solution for different orders. Further, the sea depth has been considered as a Triangular Fuzzy Number (TFN). We employ the Homotopy Perturbation Transform Method (HPTM) to obtain the solution of ffSWW equations. The convergence of the obtained series solutions has been investigated theoretically and numerically. Also, the acquired results using the current method are validated through the comparison with pre-existing findings concerning integer order. Furthermore, simulation results for various fractional orders, as well as fuzzy lower and upper solutions of depth-averaged velocity and water surface elevation, are provided for triangular fuzzy numbers.
First-principles study of three isomers of the large birefringent crystal Sb4O4F4: electronic structure and optical properties
Authors: Chen Hongheng , Hu Mei , Wang Jialong , Duan Haiming , Jing Qun , Chen Zhaohui
Published: October 2024

Metal oxyhalides are becoming an important branch of birefringent materials due to their rich structural types and stable physicochemical properties. In this work, the electronic structure and optical properties of three isomers of antimony oxyhalide Sb4O4F4 (I-
Pna21), Sb4O4F4 (II-
Pnma), and Sb4O4F4 (III-
Pnma) were investigated using first principles method. The results show that the band gap of I and III reaches the ultraviolet region (4.10 eV (I), 3.87 eV (III)). In particular, I-III all exhibit large birefringence of 0.138–0.266 at 1064 nm. Born effective charge, and project density of states results show that the large birefringence of I-III is mainly from the stereochemically active lone pair electrons around the antimony atom. Finally, structure–property relationship studies of I-III indicate that different Sb-F bonds and structural arrangements are the key factors leading to the significantly different properties.
The universal multiplicity function: counting haloes and voids
Authors: Verza Giovanni , Carbone Carmelita , Pisani Alice , Porciani Cristiano , Matarrese Sabino
Published: October 2024

We present a novel combination of the excursion-set approach with the peak theory
formalism in Lagrangian space and provide accurate predictions for halo and void statistics over a
wide range of scales. The set-up is based on an effective moving barrier. Besides deriving the
corresponding numerical multiplicity function, we introduce a new analytical formula reaching the
percent level agreement with the exact numerical solution obtained via Monte Carlo realisations
down to small scales, ∼ 1012
h
-1M⊙. In the void case, we derive the
dependence of the effective moving barrier on the void formation threshold, δ
v, by
comparison against the Lagrangian void size function measured in the DEMNUni simulations. We
discuss the mapping from Lagrangian to Eulerian space for both haloes and voids; adopting the
spherical symmetry approximation, we obtain a strong agreement at intermediate and large scales.
Finally, using the effective moving barrier, we derive Lagrangian void density profiles accurately
matching measurements from cosmological simulations, a major achievement towards using void
profiles for precision cosmology with the next generation of galaxy surveys.
A novel trident shaped microstrip antenna sensor for glucose detection in human blood
Authors: Neeli Syamala , Bandi Kiran Kumar , K. Padma Raju
Published: October 2024

A novel trident-shaped microstrip patch antenna sensor with
great sensitivity is developed to estimate the amounts of glucose in
blood samples of human. The suggested sensor is built on a
30 × 24 × 1.6 mm3 FR-4 substrate layer with
a quality factor of 64 and a dielectric constant value of 4.3
resonating at 4.5 GHz. A finger phantom is the replica of the human
finger and it is originated in the electromagnetic simulator in
order to forecast the glucose content. By positioning the phantom
replica at various localities on the constructed antenna sensor, the
frequency shifts are observed for various levels of glucose
concentration in different degrees, ranging from 0 to 1000 mg/dL are
detected. The proposed sensor can identify diabetic conditions in
patients as it has a finger phantom positioned parallel to the feed
at the top of the antenna giving a 156 MHz paramount shift in
frequency, sensitivity of 156 kHz/(mg/dL), and a minimum frequency
shift of 24 MHz and sensitivity of 24 kHz/(mg/dL). To confirm the
suggested sensor's functionality in a real-time environment, its
performance is examined for various actual human finger postures,
and the resulting resonance frequencies are observed. In order to
detect the levels of glucose concentration, the suggested sensor's
error performance is calculated and are found to be near to 1%.
Shower separation in five dimensions for highly granular calorimeters using machine learning
Authors: Lai S. , Utehs J. , Wilhahn A. , Fouz M.C. , Bach O. , Brianne E. , Ebrahimi A. , Gadow K. , Göttlicher P. , Hartbrich O. , Heuchel D. , Irles A. , Krüger K. , Kvasnicka J. , Lu S. , Neubüser C. , Provenza A. , Reinecke M. , Sefkow F. , Schuwalow S. , De Silva M. , Sudo Y. , Tran H.L. , Liu L. , Masuda R. , Murata T. , Ootani W. , Seino T. , Takatsu T. , Tsuji N. , Pöschl R. , Richard F. , Zerwas D. , Hummer F. , Simon F. , Boudry V. , Brient J-C. , Nanni J. , Videau H. , Buhmann E. , Garutti E. , Huck S. , Kasieczka G. , Martens S. , Rolph J. , Wellhausen J. , Bilki B. , Northacker D. , Onel Y. , Emberger L. , Graf C. ,   The CALICE collaboration
Published: October 2024

To achieve state-of-the-art jet energy resolution for
Particle Flow, sophisticated energy clustering algorithms must be
developed that can fully exploit available information to separate
energy deposits from charged and neutral particles. Three published
neural network-based shower separation models were applied to
simulation and experimental data to measure the performance of the
highly granular CALICE Analogue Hadronic Calorimeter (AHCAL)
technological prototype in distinguishing the energy deposited by a
single charged and single neutral hadron for Particle Flow. The
performance of models trained using only standard spatial, energy
and charged track position information from an event was compared to
models trained using timing information available from AHCAL, which
is expected to improve sensitivity to shower development and,
therefore, aid in clustering. Both simulation and experimental data
were used to train and test the models and their performances were
compared. The best-performing neural network achieved significantly
superior event reconstruction when timing information was utilised
in training for the case where the charged hadron had more energy
than the neutral one, motivating temporally sensitive
calorimeters. All models under test were observed to tend to
allocate energy deposited by the more energetic of the two showers
to the less energetic one. Similar shower reconstruction
performance was observed for a model trained on simulation and
applied to data and a model trained and applied to data.
Design of a triggerless readout electronics system for CDEX-50
Authors: Yang Haoyan , Xue Tao , Pan Qiutong , Liang Bo , Liu Yinong , Li Jianmin
Published: October 2024

Direct detection of light-mass dark matter is a frontier
topic in international physics research. The reduction of system
threshold is important in order to improve the sensitivity of
light-mass dark matter detection. The scientific goal of the China
Dark Matter Experiment (CDEX) at Jinping Underground Laboratory in
China is to detect WIMPs utilizing a high-purity germanium array
detector. CDEX-10 achieved the most sensitive results in the
4 to 5 GeV/c
2 range. CDEX-50 aims to achieve an
energy threshold of 100 eV, which significantly increases data
bandwidth and complicates the implementation of noise reduction
algorithms, thereby posing challenges to the readout electronics
system. In this paper, a triggerless readout electronics system
based on FPGA-GPU is designed for CDEX-50, which can achieve full
energy range detection from 100 eV to 10 MeV. A verification
prototype of a triggerless electronics system utilizing a Broad
Energy Germanium (BEGe) detector has been developed to test the
performance of high-bandwidth transmission and data processing. The
results demonstrate that the bit error rate for the high-speed
transmission link of the triggerless readout electronics system is
below 1015. Furthermore, the FPGA-GPU transmission bandwidth,
utilizing P2P DMA, achieves 100.2 Gbps, and the mean filter
implemented on the GPU is capable of processing a 64 Gbps data
stream in real-time. These results provide foundation for the design
of the triggerless readout electronics system for CDEX-50.