Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sebastian Ulrich, Xiaopu Wang, Markus Rottmar, Rene Michel Rossi, Bradley J. Nelson, Nico Bruns, Ralph Muller, Katharina Maniura-Weber, Xiao-Hua Qin, Luciano Fernandes Boesel
Summary: This study presents the first photoresist for direct laser writing of photochromic 3D micro-objects via two-photon polymerization, enabling rapid processing of complex microstructures with excellent photoresponsiveness and reversible color-changing. The work provides a new approach for custom microfabrication of 3D photochromic objects with molecularly engineered color and responsiveness.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongru Ding, Zhihan Chen, Carolina Ponce, Yuebing Zheng
Summary: Due to their contactless and fuel-free operation, optical rotation techniques have great potential in various fields such as cellular biology, 3D imaging, and micro/nanorobotics. However, the complexity of optics, high power requirements, and limitations in object applicability hinder their broader use. This Feature Article focuses on a new class of optical rotation techniques called optothermal rotation, which utilizes light-mediated thermal phenomena to enable versatile and simpler rotary control of objects with lower power. The article provides an overview of the fundamental thermal phenomena and concepts involved in optothermal rotation and categorizes the techniques based on their rotation modes and thermal phenomena. The potential applications of optothermal manipulation techniques in areas like single-cell mechanics, 3D bio-imaging, and micro/nanomotors are also discussed, along with insights on operating guidelines, challenges, and future directions.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Saul J. Hunter, Steven P. Armes
Summary: In this Feature Article, the authors review their recent progress in designing shape-shifting thermoresponsive diblock copolymer nano-objects. Unlike traditional thermoresponsive polymers, these nano-objects undergo thermally driven transitions between different morphologies in aqueous solution. The shape-shifting behavior is attributed to a subtle change in the hydration level of the insoluble thermoresponsive block. The authors characterized these nano-objects using various techniques and briefly discussed their potential applications.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Aurelien Crut
Summary: Recent optical experiments have shown that certain shapes of nano-objects, such as gold nanodisks, can significantly enhance their vibrational quality factors by suppressing radiative vibrational damping. This paper explains that this enhancement is due to the coupling of two nano-object modes, which creates a quasi-bound state in the vibrational mode. The presence of a substrate and the acoustic mismatch between the nano-object and the substrate play important roles in enabling this radiative coupling.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Hui Wen Rebecca Liang, Hanwei Wang, Chi-Kwan Lee, S. Y. Ron Hui
Summary: This article presents a methodology for analyzing the effects of intended metallic object on a wireless power transfer system, quantifying how the metallic object could change the magnetic coupling and alter the resonant tank parameters. Recompensation of the resonant tank can improve power transfer capability but not energy efficiency. A new performance-enhancement method based on recompensating the resonant tanks and maximizing the mutual inductance of the transmitter and receiver coils is proposed.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER ELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lucien Saviot
Summary: An extension of the Rayleigh-Ritz variational method has been developed for objects with superquadric and superellipsoid shapes, as well as cylinders with cross-sections defined by a superellipse. It allows for the rapid calculation of frequencies and displacements for shapes commonly found in nano-objects. The study also discusses the validity of isotropic approximations for experimentally relevant vibrations, aiming to facilitate the interpretation of features observed in vibrational spectroscopy, particularly in single-nanoparticle measurements.
Article
Physics, Applied
Zhongwei Zhang, Yangyu Guo, Marc Bescond, Jie Chen, Masahiro Nomura, Sebastian Volz
Summary: This study demonstrates the spontaneous occurrence of self-synchronization in silicon resonator nanopillars, with vibrations converging to the same frequency and phase. The findings align with predictions from the Kuramoto model, showing a balance between energy dissipation and potential energy is crucial for synchronization. Additionally, the research highlights how random microscopic motions can lead to coherent collective motions through self-synchronization.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Toykan Ozdeger, John L. Davidson, Paul D. Ledger, Daniel Conniffe, William R. B. Lionheart, Anthony J. Peyton
Summary: This article introduces a novel method to accurately and efficiently measure the magnetic polarizability tensor (MPT) characterization of nonsymmetrical, irregular objects using a truncated icosahedron-shaped manipulator and measurement procedure. The method allows the measurement of MPT for any appropriately sized object, ensuring quick and well-posed characterizations without sacrificing accuracy. The performance of the method is validated and compared with other methods, showing good agreement.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Wei Luo, Ping Wang
Summary: In this paper, a UHF-RFID tag antenna with a size of 40 x 40 x 3.2 mm(3) is proposed for metallic objects. It is composed of a modified folded dipolar antenna (MFDA) and an embedded 2 x 2 artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) array with shorting vias. Multiple slots are etched on the MFDA and AMC to increase the current path, where the slots on the MFDA is vertical to that on the AMC so that the currents on the MFDA and AMC do not affect each other. Thus, the slots can be adjusted independently without affecting the resonant feature of the MFDA. Equivalent circuit models are also presented to understand the impedance characteristics. A prototype mounted on a 20 x 20 cm(2) metal plate has been manufactured and measured. It is demonstrated that the proposed tag antenna shows a 3.9 dB gain enhancement comparing with the MFDA without AMC and a maximum gain of -1 dBi at 919 MHz. Moreover, a maximum reading distance of about 14.2 m can be obtained.
IEEE ANTENNAS AND WIRELESS PROPAGATION LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Wouter van Verre, Liam A. Marsh, John L. Davidson, Edward Cheadle, Frank J. W. Podd, Anthony J. Peyton
Summary: This article introduces a new handheld detector system based on magnetic induction spectroscopy for detecting buried metallic objects in mineralized soil. Experimental results and a novel processing algorithm demonstrate its efficient and robust detection performance.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martin Fraenzl, Frank Cichos
Summary: This study proposes a method of manipulating nano-objects based on nanoscale hydrodynamic boundary flows induced by optical heat generation. The research shows that hydrodynamic boundary flows enable the trapping and manipulation of nano-objects near surfaces. This finding has direct implications for nanoscopic manipulation systems like plasmonic nanotweezers.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Martina Nardi, Torsten Scherer, Liang Yang, Christian Kubel, Christopher Barner-Kowollik, Eva Blasco
Summary: A new strategy for stabilizing in situ self-assembled nano-objects using light-driven tetrazole ligation chemistry is presented. Triblock copolymers with different morphologies are prepared via polymerization-induced self-assembly, and the obtained nano-objects show good stability after photo-crosslinking without additional reagents.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Carlos Veiga Almagro, Renato Andres Munoz Orrego, Alvaro Garcia Gonzalez, Eloise Matheson, Raul Marin Prades, Mario Di Castro, Manuel Ferre Perez
Summary: This paper presents a novel grasping strategy that reduces the workload for operators by using a geometrical analysis and machine learning techniques to ensure the uniformity of grasping. It utilizes a monocular camera to recognize and isolate targets, estimate their spatial coordinates, and provide stable grasping points.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kristians Cernevics, Martin Fuechsle, Matthew Broome, Mohammad Choucair, Oleg V. Yazyev
Summary: Carbon nano-onions, a type of nanomaterials, show potential as building blocks for spintronics and quantum information processing devices due to their long electron spin relaxation times at room temperature. However, understanding of the electronic and magnetic properties of these nanostructures is still lacking. In this study, we investigate the origin of the metallic-like behavior observed in disordered nano-onions. Using a density functional tight-binding approach, we develop realistic models of highly disordered nano-onions comprised of nanometer-scale graphitic flakes. We find that various factors such as flake size, edge structure, and substituent groups can cause in-gap metallic states, effectively closing the HOMO-LUMO gap.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Fuad Erman, Dalia Mansour, Mohammad Kouali, Arafat Shabaneh, Leifur Leifsson, Slawomir Koziel, Eng-Hock Lim, Effariza Hanafi
Summary: This paper presents a novel miniature UHF RFID tag antenna that can be placed on metallic objects. The tag structure consists of two horizontal strip lines and an integrated circuit chip, with a perfect match to the IC chip's impedance achieved through adjusting the lengths of open stubs and their spacings. The proposed tag structure offers flexibility in impedance matching with any IC chip and is suitable for mass production.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
M. Debiossac, P. Roncin, A. G. Borisov
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2020)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shuiyan Cao, Mario Zapata-Herrera, Alfredo Campos, Eric Le Moal, Sylvie Marguet, Gerald Dujardin, Mathieu Kociak, Javier Aizpurua, Andrey Borissov, Elizabeth Boer-Duchemin
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Francois Aguillon, Dana Codruta Marinica, Andrei G. Borisov
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fernando Aguilar-Galindo, Andrey G. Borisov, Sergio Diaz-Tendero
Summary: The study focuses on ultrafast electron transfer between adsorbed organic molecules and metal substrates, particularly examining the dynamics of active electrons and decay of molecule-localized electronic resonances. It is found that the strong coupling with the metal substrate results in an extremely short lifetime of molecular resonance, influencing the anisotropy of metal continuum states and potentially impacting molecular self-assembly at metal surfaces.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fernando Aguilar-Galindo, Andrey G. Borisov, Sergio Diaz-Tendero
Summary: The proposed method is a versatile tool for studying electron dynamics in molecular species in the gas phase and adsorbed on metal surfaces where active electron dynamics and coupling between discrete and continuum electronic states are important. It is based on a computational strategy that incorporates inputs from quantum chemistry methods, allowing for full consideration of the molecule's electronic structure. The method involves representing the electron wave function on a three-dimensional spatial grid and solving the time-dependent Schrodinger equation to analyze the electron dynamics of anionic states localized on organic molecules adsorbed on metal surfaces.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL THEORY AND COMPUTATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Antton Babaze, Ruben Esteban, Andrei G. Borisov, Javier Aizpurua
Summary: The optical response of a system composed of a quantum emitter and a plasmonic gap nanoantenna was theoretically studied using classical electrodynamics and TDDFT. It was found that the hybridization between electronic states strongly modifies the optical resonances of the coupled system, emphasizing the importance of correctly addressing electronic coupling processes.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Francois Aguillon, Dana Codruta Marinica, Andrei G. Borisov
Summary: The study reveals that even a defect fraction as low as 10(-3) of the total number of carbon atoms in ideal graphene nanoflakes leads to significant broadening of the plasmon resonance in the optical absorption spectrum. In addition to effects from defect-induced scattering and modification of graphene's electronic structure, the study also observes and explains vacancy and impurity-induced shifts of the plasmon energy.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Anna Roslawska, Tomas Neuman, Benjamin Doppagne, Andrei G. Borisov, Michelangelo Romeo, Fabrice Scheurer, Javier Aizpurua, Guillaume Schull
Summary: Experimental and theoretical investigation of the interactions between excited states of a single chromophore and static and dynamic electric fields varying at the atomic scale. The fluorescence maps of the chromophore with intramolecular resolution reveal the static charge redistribution and dynamic charge oscillation associated with the molecular exciton.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Fernando Aguilar-Galindo, Mario Zapata-Herrera, Sergio Diaz-Tendero, Javier Aizpurua, Andrei G. Borisov
Summary: This theoretical work explores the role of a NaCl ionic crystal spacer layer in decoupling an adsorbate from the substrate and changing the interplay between decay channels of an excited molecule. Quantitative assessment of decay rates helps establish the minimum thickness of the spacer required for observing molecular luminescence.
Article
Optics
Antton Babaze, Eduardo Ogando, P. Elli Stamatopoulou, Christos Tserkezis, N. Asger Mortensen, Javier Aizpurua, Andrei G. Borisov, Ruben Esteban
Summary: In this study, time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) was used to investigate the impact of quantum-mechanical effects on the self-interaction Green's function, which governs the electromagnetic interaction between quantum emitters and plasmonic metallic nanoantennas. The results reveal that quantum effects, such as surface-enabled Landau damping and the spill out of induced charges, strongly influence the nanoantenna-emitter interaction, leading to a redshift and broadening of plasmonic resonances. These effects are not considered in classical theories that assume a local dielectric response of the metals.
Correction
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Antton Babaze, Ruben Esteban, Javier Aizpurua, Andrei G. Borisov
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Francois Aguillon, Andrei G. Borisov
Summary: In this work, the impact of atomic scale lattice imperfections on the nonlinear response of graphene nanoflakes enhanced by resonance between electromagnetic fields and localized plasmon is investigated theoretically. Using the many-body time-dependent density matrix approach, it is found that a single defect in nanoflakes with thousands of carbon atoms can significantly affect the nonlinear hyperpolarizability and override symmetry constraints. This effect cannot be captured by the relaxation time approximation in quantum or classical frameworks. The results of this study have important implications for the design of nonlinear graphene devices.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Antton Babaze, Tomas Neuman, Ruben Esteban, Javier Aizpurua, Andrei G. Borisov
Summary: The surface-response formalism (SRF) incorporates quantum surface-response corrections into classical electromagnetic theory via Feibelman parameters, providing a way to study quantum effects in the optical response of metallic nanostructures. However, the current method neglects the nonlocality of the optical response parallel to the metal-dielectric interface, which limits its applicability to systems with extreme field confinement. To address this limitation, a dispersive SRF based on a generalized Feibelman parameter is introduced, which correctly describes the plasmonic response of planar and nonplanar systems with extreme field confinement. This work significantly extends the applicability range of the SRF and contributes to the development of computationally efficient semiclassical descriptions of light-matter interaction that capture quantum effects.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Natalia E. Koval, Daniel Sanchez-Portal, Andrei G. Borisov, Ricardo Diez Muino
Summary: In this work, the electronic friction problem of a negative point charge colliding with spherical jellium metal clusters is studied using real-time time-dependent density functional theory. The non-adiabatic, parameter-free results obtained serve as a benchmark for the widely used LDFA approximation and facilitate the discussion of various processes relevant to the electronic response of the system in the presence of the projectile.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Francois Aguillon, Dana Codruta Marinica, Andrei G. Borisov
Summary: This study addresses the possibility of atomic-scale control of the plasmon modes in graphene nanostructures, showing that carbon atom vacancies can switch or change the frequency of the longitudinal plasmon modes. These findings provide a platform for optical response engineering or sensing in 2D materials.
