Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Arash Momeni, Christopher M. Walters, Yi-Tao Xu, Wadood Y. Hamad, Mark J. MacLachlan
Summary: Researchers developed concentric chiral nematic polymeric fibers using liquid crystal systems and polymerization techniques confined within capillary tubes, allowing control over pitch length and obtaining single-domain structures only in small-diameter tubes.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jeffrey C. Everts, Bohdan Senyuk, Haridas Mundoor, Miha Ravnik, Ivan I. Smalyukh
Summary: This study demonstrates anisotropic electrostatic screening for charged colloidal particles in a nematic electrolyte, showing that material anisotropy behaves differently from particle anisotropy. The research explores the effects of anisotropic screening on charged near-spherical colloidal particles in a nematic medium, revealing competing anisotropic elastic and electrostatic effective pair interactions. Overall, the work contributes to the understanding of electrostatic screening in nematic anisotropic media.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kelum Perera, Nilanthi Haputhantrige, Md Sakhawat Hossain Himel, Md Mostafa, Alex Adaka, Elizabeth K. Mann, Oleg D. Lavrentovich, Antal Jakli
Summary: This work presents electrically tunable microlenses based on a polymer-stabilized chiral ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal, which exhibit unique properties and lens deformation performance different from traditional liquid crystal lenses. The technology is of great significance in various application fields.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Yucen Han, Joseph Harris, Joshua Walton, Apala Majumdar
Summary: We studied stable states of dilute suspensions of magnetic nanoparticles in nematic host on two-dimensional polygons, finding the coexistence of stable states with domain walls, suppression of multistability for positive nemato-magnetic coupling, and enhancement of multistability for negative nemato-magnetic coupling.
Article
Mechanics
Thomas G. J. Chandler, Saverio E. E. Spagnolie
Summary: This study examines the equilibrium configurations of a nematic liquid crystal with an immersed body in two dimensions. Analytical solutions are found using a complex variables formulation in the case of strong anchoring. Local tractions, forces, and torques on the body are discussed. For weak anchoring strengths, an effective boundary technique is proposed to determine asymptotic solutions. The energy-minimizing locations of topological defects on the body surface are also examined. Various examples, including circular and triangular bodies, and a Janus particle with hybrid anchoring conditions, are provided. Analogies to classical results in fluid dynamics are identified.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Chau Dao, Jeffrey C. Everts, Miha Ravnik, Yaroslav Tserkovnyak
Summary: Adopting a spintronics-inspired approach, we study the reciprocal coupling between ionic charge currents and nematic texture dynamics in a uniaxial nematic electrolyte. Based on the principle of least dissipation of energy, we derive the adiabatic nematic torque exerted by ionic currents on the nematic director field as well as the reciprocal motive force on ions due to the orientational dynamics of the director. Several simple examples are discussed to illustrate the potential functionality of this coupling. Furthermore, a practical means to extract the coupling strength through impedance measurements on a nematic cell is proposed using our phenomenological framework. Exploring further applications based on this physics could foster the development of nematronics-nematic iontronics.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Emil Petrescu, Cristina Cirtoaje, Stefan Postelnicu
Summary: Carbon nanoparticles have unique physical properties and great potential in material science applications. Graphene sheets have good dispersion and reduce power consumption in LCDs, while nanotubes increase host stability and are more suitable for phase modulators.
UNIVERSITY POLITEHNICA OF BUCHAREST SCIENTIFIC BULLETIN-SERIES A-APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mustafa Okutan, Gursel Yesilot, Peter Haring Bolivar
Summary: This article presents the electrical parameters and elastic constants of nematic liquid crystal (NLC) doped with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MCN) using dielectric spectroscopy. The study reveals the reorientation effects on the nematic liquid crystal induced by MCN doping. Various parameters such as dielectric strength, absorption coefficient, relaxation time, dielectric anisotropy, splay elastic constant, and cross-over angular frequency are analyzed to understand the contribution of MCN to the NLC. The results show that MCN doping reduces the positive dielectric anisotropy value and enhances dipole effects in the orientation of NLC molecules. Additionally, the applied voltage affects the relaxation time and equivalent circuit properties of the NLC.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
P. V. Dolganov, A. S. Zverev, K. D. Baklanova, V. K. Dolganov
Summary: The study revealed that both droplet bridge and outer bridge can exist simultaneously during droplet coalescence, fundamentally changing the coalescence process. This leads to a decrease in outer bridge size, an increase in droplet bridge size, and ultimately the formation of satellite droplets.
Article
Mechanics
Sami C. C. Al-Izzi, Richard G. G. Morris
Summary: In this paper, morphodynamic equations governing the behavior of active nematic fluids on deformable curved surfaces are constructed in the large deformation limit. Objective rates are formulated to account for normal deformations while ensuring that tangential flows are Eulerian, and the surface derivative is used in the nematic free energy to couple local order to out-of-plane bending of the surface. Several illustrative instabilities are characterized by focusing on surface geometry and its dynamical interplay with hydrodynamics.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jaka Zaplotnik, Jaka Pisljar, Miha Skarabot, Miha Ravnik
Summary: Supervised machine learning and artificial neural network approaches are used to determine material parameters and structures without knowing the exact mathematical relationship between them. The neural network is trained using simulated relaxation data and transmittance data to accurately predict elastic constants and initial structural material configurations. Furthermore, the neural network can also accurately determine elastic constants from experimentally measured data.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Izabela Sliwa, Pavel V. Maslennikov, Alex V. Zakharov
Summary: This article describes the physical mechanism behind the appearance of traveling and nontraveling distortions in a microsized homogeneously aligned nematic film under the effect of a large electric field. Numerical studies reveal that the director's field may experience a traveling distortion wave in response to the electric field, with the rate of distortion depending on the magnitude of the applied field.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Changjae Lee, Soon Mo Park, Soobin Kim, Yun-Seok Choi, Geonhyeong Park, Yun Chan Kang, Chong Min Koo, Seon Joon Kim, Dong Ki Yoon
Summary: In this study, the authors demonstrated reversible vertical alignment of Ti3C2Tx MXene sheets by applying an in-plane electric field. They also showed that the vertical alignment induced by the electric field can be reversed in the absence of a field. Additionally, they achieved uniaxially aligned MXene nanosheets on interdigitated electrodes and observed anisotropic electrical conductivity in the aligned MXene nanosheet film.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Vitaly P. Panov, Jiseon Yang, L. K. Migara, Hyun-Jin Yoon, Jang-Kun Song
Summary: We report on the waveform-induced rotation-time symmetry breaking in liquid crystal director motion and explore its existence in the space of waveform parameters. The possibility of utilizing this system, which exhibits both spatial and temporal long-range order, as a modeling tool for experimental studies on discrete time crystals is discussed.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jonathan Colen, Ming Han, Rui Zhang, Steven A. Redford, Linnea M. Lemma, Link Morgan, Paul Ruijgrok, Raymond Adkins, Zev Bryant, Zvonimir Dogic, Margaret L. Gardel, Juan J. de Pablo, Vincenzo Vitelli
Summary: The study shows that neural networks can predict the spatiotemporal variations of multiple hydrodynamic parameters and the chaotic dynamics of the system using active nematics; it can forecast the evolution of many-body systems solely from image sequences and machine-learning algorithms inspired by physics outperform deterministic simulations in experimental setups.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jie Sheng, Jingshan He, Dun Ma, Yuanbo Wang, Wu Shao, Tian Ding, Ronghao Cen, Jingwen He, Zhihao Deng, Wenjun Wu
Summary: This study presents an innovative approach to improve the photovoltaic conversion characteristics and stability of perovskite solar cells through carbon electrode interface modification. By in-situ polymerization and carbonization on the surface of nano-graphite, a dendritic structure carbon electrode is formed, reducing the work function and aligning the energy levels with perovskite. This leads to improved charge and hole collection efficiency, resulting in increased photovoltaic conversion efficiency. Furthermore, the modified carbon electrode-based perovskite solar cells exhibit exceptional stability, maintaining high efficiency even without encapsulation.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guodong Shi, Jian Song, Xiaoxiao Tian, Tongtong Liu, Zhanjun Wu
Summary: This study demonstrates the improvement of mechanical properties and reduction of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in graphene oxide (GO)/epoxy (EP) nanocomposites by enhancing the interface between GO and EP through functionalization and incorporating rigid-flexible interphases. The results reveal that the SiO2-PEA-GO hybrid exhibits better strengthening and toughening effects, as well as lower CTE, compared to the PEA-GO hybrid due to the presence of rigid-flexible interfaces with higher bonding strength and better energy dissipation mechanisms. Additionally, the nanocomposites with longer polyetheramine (PEA) molecules in the rigid-flexible interphases demonstrate higher strength and toughness, while maintaining a lower CTE. This work provides a promising strategy for constructing adjustable flexible-rigid interfacial structures and offers potential in developing GO/EP nanocomposites with high mechanical properties and low CTE.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rafal Janus, Sebastian Jarczewski, Jacek Jagiello, Piotr Natkanski, Mariusz Wadrzyk, Marek Lewandowski, Marek Michalik, Piotr Kustrowski
Summary: In this study, a facile procedure for the synthesis of CMK-1 and CMK-2 carbon replicas was developed. The method utilizes basic laboratory equipment and a renewable carbon source, and operates under mild conditions. The resulting carbon mesostructures exhibit exquisite replication fidelity and structural homogeneity, making them suitable for applications in various fields.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anqi Wang, Connor J. MacRobbie, Alex Baranovsky, Jean-Pierre Hickey, John Z. Wen
Summary: In this study, a novel polymer-free nanothermite aerogel with a wide range of nanoparticle loading was fabricated via a new additive manufacturing process. The SEM images showed a unique porous structure formed by extra thin rGO sheets, wrapping individual nanothermite clusters. The DSC-TGA results and high-speed combustion videos confirmed the enhanced energetic performance of the printed specimen.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wanze Wu, Misheng Zhao, Shiwei Miao, Xiaoyan Li, Yongzhong Wu, Xiao Gong, Hangxiang Wang
Summary: Superhydrophobic solar-driven interfacial evaporator is an energy-efficient technology for seawater desalination, which is easily fabricated using robust photothermal superhydrophobic coating and substrate. The created bifunctional coating on the melamine sponge substrate shows stable and highly efficient photothermal and superhydrophobic performance for seawater desalination. This superhydrophobic solar-driven interfacial evaporator is expected to have wide applications in seawater desalination.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zichen Xiang, Zhi Song, Tiansheng Wang, Menghang Feng, Yijing Zhao, Qitu Zhang, Yi Hou, Lixi Wang
Summary: This study presents a co-electrospinning synthesis strategy to fabricate lightweight and porous Co@C composite nanofibres with wideband microwave attenuation capacity. The addition of MOF-derived Co additives enhances the low-frequency absorption performance.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
J. Snow, C. Olson, E. Torres, K. Shirley, E. Cazalas
Summary: This study investigates the use of a perovskite-based graphene field effect transistor (P-GFET) device for X-ray detection. The sensitivity and responsivity of the device were found to be influenced by factors such as X-ray tube voltage, current, and source-drain voltage. Simulation experiments were conducted to determine the dose rate and energy incident on the device during irradiation.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zuzana Jankovska, Lenka Matejova, Jonas Tokarsky, Pavlina Peikertova, Milan Dopita, Karolina Gorzolkova, Dominika Habermannova, Michal Vastyl, Jakub Belik
Summary: This study provides new insights into microwave-assisted pyrolysis of scrap tyres, demonstrating that it can produce microporous carbon black with potential application in xylene adsorption. Compared to conventional pyrolysis, microwave pyrolysis requires less time and energy while maintaining similar adsorption capacity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Max Bommert, Bruno Schuler, Carlo A. Pignedoli, Roland Widmer, Oliver Groning
Summary: A detailed understanding of the interaction between molecules and two-dimensional materials is crucial for incorporating functional molecular films into next-generation 2D material-organic hybrid devices. This study compares the energy level alignment of different-sized fullerenes on a Moire superstructure and finds that C-84 fullerenes can be either neutral or negatively charged depending on slight variations of the electrostatic potential. This discovery suggests a new path to achieve ambipolar charge transfer without overcoming the electronic gap of fullerenes.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuanjing Cheng, Xianxian Sun, Ye Yuan, Shuang Yang, Yuanhao Ning, Dan Wang, Weilong Yin, Yibin Li
Summary: The dual-structure aerogel (GS) consisting of flexible silica fibers and graphene honeycomb structures exhibits excellent resilience, flexibility, and reliability. It also shows remarkable wave absorbing performance, making it an ideal candidate for microwave absorption applications such as flexible electronics and aerospace.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shuyu Fan, Yinong Chen, Shu Xiao, Kejun Shi, Xinyu Meng, Songsheng Lin, Fenghua Su, Yifan Su, Paul K. Chu
Summary: Graphene coatings are promising solid lubrication materials due to their mechanical properties. This study presents a new method for in situ deposition of high-quality graphene coatings on hard substrates using NiCo solid solution and competitive reaction strategies. The graphene coating deposited on substrates with deep NiCo solid solution demonstrates superior low-friction and durability.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mengdi Wang, Sanyin Qu, Yanling Chen, Qin Yao, Lidong Chen
Summary: The improved thermoelectric properties of conducting polymers are achieved by selectively capturing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in a conducting polymer film, leading to increased carrier mobility and reduced thermal conductivity. The resulting composite film exhibits significantly higher electrical conductivity and lower thermal conductivity compared to films with a mixture of SWNTs. This work provides a convenient and efficient method to enhance the thermoelectric properties of conducting polymers.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Heng Wei, Weihua Li, Kareem Bachagha
Summary: This article reviews the research progress of carbon nanotube-based microwave absorbing materials (MAMs) in recent years, covering the fundamental theory, design strategies, synthesis methods, and future development directions.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chenguang Shi, Junlong Huang, Zongheng Cen, Tan Yi, Shaohong Liu, Ruowen Fu
Summary: This study developed a high-performance Li metal host material, which achieved dendrite-free Li deposition with a low nucleation overpotential and high Coulombic efficiencies through the combination of Ti3C2-g-PV4P sheets and Ag nanoparticles. The full cells assembled with the Li@host anode and LiFePO4 cathode exhibited high discharge capacity and excellent cycling stability, demonstrating a perspective design for future energy storage devices.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tomotaro Mae, Kentaro Kaneko, Hiroki Sakurai, Suguru Noda
Summary: A new partial prelithiation method for SiO/C-CNT electrodes was developed, which showed reduced irreversible capacity and achieved high energy densities with good reversibility. The method allows for precise control of the degree of prelithiation and is applicable to various chemistries.