Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rebecca A. Gallivan, Julia R. Greer
Summary: The study investigates mechanical behavior of micron-sized nanowire structures through in situ microcompression experiments on zinc oxide nanowires, revealing two failure regimes in bundles and developing a technique for predicting bundle failure stress. The analysis provides guidelines for understanding susceptibility to failure, sensitivity to flaw size, and interfacial interactions in nanowire arrays.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
A. Mohamedyaseen, P. Suresh Kumar, K. R. Kavitha, N. A. Vignesh
Summary: This study successfully developed thermoelectric generators using new fabrication methods and materials to power Internet of Things sensors. Different nano-manufacturing techniques can be utilized to produce nanostructures of diverse materials.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Louis Maduro, Marc Noordam, Maarten Bolhuis, Laurens Kuipers, Sonia Conesa-Boj
Summary: A novel strategy for fabricating position-controlled Mo/MoS2 core-shell nanopillars has been reported, utilizing metal-Mo nanoparticles as scaffolds for core/shell structure synthesis in a rich sulfur environment. The results demonstrate significant nonlinear optical processes in individual Mo/MoS2 nanoparticles, driven by the MoS2 shell, which could pave the way for a new generation of nanophotonic devices based on 1D TMD structures.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emily Schifano, Gianluca Cavoto, Francesco Pandolfi, Giorgio Pettinari, Alice Apponi, Alessandro Ruocco, Daniela Uccelletti, Ilaria Rago
Summary: The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria is a growing threat to public health, necessitating the development of non-antibiotic antibacterial approaches. In this study, vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VA-CNTs) with controlled nanomorphology were proposed as effective platforms for bacteria eradication. Through a combination of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, the topography of VA-CNTs was tailored in a controlled and time-efficient manner using plasma etching processes. The highest reduction in cell viability was observed for VA-CNTs modified using plasma etching with Ar and O-2, indicating their potential as a surface for inactivating both planktonic and biofilm infections.
Article
Thermodynamics
Hailang Kuang, Bohao Wu, Jingye Wang, Jingguo Fu, Chunrong Yu, Jifeng Zhang, Yulong Ji
Summary: In this study, composite thermal interface materials (TIMs) with a thickness of 53 μm were prepared by forming a galvanic cell between gallium-based liquid metal and vertically aligned copper nanowire arrays to improve wettability. The contact angle of gallium-based liquid metal on the surface of vertically aligned copper nanowire arrays was improved to 10.1±0.9 degrees in HCl/CuSO4 solution. The total thermal contact resistance of the composite TIMs was as low as 3.20±0.24 mm2K/W, which reduced by 86.30% compared with commercial thermal grease.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Siqi Gong, Huibin Liu, Fan Zhao, Yaning Zhang, Huiting Xu, Meng Li, Junjie Qi, Honghai Wang, Chunli Li, Wenchao Peng, Xiaobin Fan, Jiapeng Liu
Summary: Capacitive deionization is a promising solution to freshwater shortage due to its efficiency, low environmental impact, and energy consumption. However, developing advanced electrode materials to enhance its performance is still challenging. This study successfully prepared hierarchical bismuthene nanosheets@MXene heterostructure, which exhibited high desalination capacity and good cycling performance. The work provides insights into the preparation of MXene-based heterostructures for capacitive deionization.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhilin Chen, Junhua Gao, Xinpeng Wang, Yuxin Jiang, Haichen Wu, Shiwei Tang, Jian Xin, Guangcai Yuan, Hongtao Cao
Summary: To explore new possibilities for designing nanophotonic systems, the use of high refractive index (RI) availability is gaining global attention, particularly in the visible-infrared range. Although some optical-frequency metamaterials with high RIs have been demonstrated, there are still challenges in promoting their RI, achieving tuneability, and integrating them for practical applications. This study presents a novel Ag nanowire-based metamaterial scheme, using vertically aligned Ag nanowire (NW) array embedded-Si or -Ge composites. By controlling the microstructure parameters of the Ag NWs (meta-unit) and their dielectric environment, a synergistic effect of enhanced capacitive coupling and weakened diamagnetic response is created, leading to a recorded near-infrared high RI of approximately 7.2, low-dispersion from 2 to 10 μm, and customizable RIs. Additionally, an air nanohole array-Si composite layer, acting as an impedance matching layer, is utilized to increase the transmittance of the metamaterial film by approximately 50% at specific wavelengths, along with the resonances of bulk plasmon-polariton (BPP) modes in the interwire nanocavities. This approach to increasing the infrared refractive index can overcome physical effect conflicts in high RI metamaterials and provide a foundation for scalable and on-demand photonic applications.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Nevin Tasaltin, Selcan Karakus, Cihat Tasaltin
Summary: This study investigated the ethanol detection performance of V2O5 nanowire array at various temperatures. A novel V2O5 nanowires-based sensor was developed for ethanol detection using AAO template at room temperature. The sensitivity of the sensor was found to be 0.24 at 200 degrees C, with a detection limit of 500 ppb.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Yusuf Selim Ocak, Meryem Lamri Zeggar, Mustafa Fatih Genisel, Nilufer Uslu Uzun, Mohammed Salah Aida
Summary: Metal oxide nanostructures with high surface-to-volume ratios are ideal for gas sensor fabrication. By depositing ZnO thin films on vertically aligned silicon nanowires with varying etching times, sensitivity and specific reactive surface of CO2 sensors can be improved. The sensors show low response and recovery times compared to those reported in literature.
MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Optics
Liang Liu, Wangqi Mao, Xinyu Gao, Chenglin He, Zilan Tang, Hao Chang, Long Zhang, Xiaoxia Wang, Hongxing Dong, Anlian Pan
Summary: This study demonstrates a high-capacity physically unclonable function (PUF) label based on vertically aligned perovskite nanowire arrays. The label is constructed using a low-cost solution process and an anodized aluminum oxide template. It achieves high-resolution mapping, impressive encoding capacity, and high pixel density, making it a promising approach for anti-counterfeiting applications.
LASER & PHOTONICS REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhaojun Zhang, Klara Suchan, Jun Li, Crispin Hetherington, Alexander Kiligaridis, Eva Unger, Ivan G. Scheblykin, Jesper Wallentin
Summary: This study demonstrates the low-temperature solution growth of vertically aligned CsPbBr3 nanowire arrays in AAO templates, showing excellent stability and optoelectronic performance. CsPbBr3 nanowires of different diameters exhibit different crystal structures and photoluminescence behaviors.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yuting Zheng, Yanhui Liu, Lin Wang, Jinlong Liu, Junjun Wei, Liangxian Chen, Kang An, Xiaotong Zhang, Haitao Ye, Haojun Zhou, Hongliang Tao, Yuhang Yin, Xiaoping Ouyang, Chengming Li
Summary: The performance of boron-doped diamond hollow nanoneedle array was enhanced through surface state modulation. By controlling the surface roughness and boron concentration, a uniform and dense nanoneedle array was constructed. After hydrogen plasma treatment, the nanoneedle array showed excellent field emission stability and desirable current density.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kwadwo Asare Owusu, Zhaoyang Wang, Ali Saad, Felix Ofori Boakye, Muhammad Asim Mushtaq, Muhammad Tahir, Ghulam Yasin, Dongqing Liu, Zhengchun Peng, Xingke Cai
Summary: A simple scalable method for fabricating electrodes with high capacity and wide voltage range was developed. Noncrystalline NiCo-LDH nanosheets were synthesized on activated carbon cloth substrate, demonstrating high areal capacities and excellent cycling performance. Furthermore, by constructing an asymmetric supercapacitor, high energy densities were achieved.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Qingxiong Liu, Xiaofei Shi, Qinyuan Jiang, Run Li, Sheng Zhong, Rufan Zhang
Summary: The focus of the research is on improving the array lengths of VACNTs, especially for applications such as fibers. Challenges still remain in synthesizing VACNTs with lengths over centimeters using current methods.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Xianghui Zeng, Hui Chen, Jinfeng Wu, Wei Fang, Xing Du, Xuan He, Daheng Wang, Weixin Li, Lei Zhao
Summary: In this study, vertically aligned BNNSs were synthesized without any substrates using Fe-catalyzed thermal chemical vapor deposition method. The BNNSs exhibited improved crystallinity, high UV light emission, and excellent anti-oxidation behavior due to their unique structures. This environmentally friendly synthesis method allows for exploration of industrial upscaling applications.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Optics
Julien Bonefacino, Xin Cheng, Chi-Fung Jeff Pun, Steven T. Boles, Hwa-Yaw Tam
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bei Li, Kang Sun, Wenyu Xu, Xiaojing Liu, Ao Wang, Steven Boles, Bin Xu, Haibo Hui, Dongrui Yao
Summary: This study investigates the desalination performance tradeoffs of MXene-based electrodes with different interlayer distances in a CDI system. The results show that the MXene/BC-33% electrode achieves an optimized tradeoff among various performance metrics. The insertion of BC improves ion diffusion pathways and intercalation kinetics, but too much BC decreases the desalination performance due to increased energy consumption.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tianye Zheng, Dominik Kramer, Reiner Moenig, Steven T. Boles
Summary: In this study, we demonstrate a successful approach to achieve long-term cycling of simple Al foil anodes by growing the beta-LiAl phase. The anodes exhibit a cycling life of 500 cycles with a capacity retention of approximately 96% when paired with a commercial cathode. The strategic utilization of the Li solubility range of beta-LiAl allows for (de-)lithiation without altering its crystal structure, overcoming key issues associated with phase transformations.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jiaqiang Huang, Steven T. Boles, Jean-Marie Tarascon
Summary: Today's energy systems heavily rely on rechargeable batteries, and the increasing demand raises environmental concerns. This review explores the role of optical sensors in improving the sustainability of batteries and highlights the potential benefits of integrating fiber optic techniques with new battery platforms.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sung-Gyu Kang, Kyeongjae Jeong, Jeongin Paeng, Wonseok Jeong, Seungwu Han, Jae-Pyeong Ahn, Steven Boles, Heung Nam Han, In-Suk Choi
Summary: This study demonstrates the precise mechanical shaping of brittle amorphous silica by controlling electron-matter interactions. The deformation of amorphous silica is achieved through electron beam irradiation, which alters the Si-O interatomic bonds and enables high-temperature deformation behavior to occur athermally. This research opens up new possibilities for fabricating nano- and microscale brittle glasses.
Article
Electrochemistry
Julien Bonefacino, Sasan Ghashghaie, Tianye Zheng, Chun-Pang Lin, Wenwei Zheng, Laura Albero Blanquer, Jiaqiang Huang, Charlotte Gervillie, Hwa-Yaw Tam, Jean-Marie Tarascon, Steven T. Boles
Summary: The convergence of fiber optic sensing with lithium-ion batteries enables real-time observation of key cell parameters. Fiber Bragg gratings can be used to measure these metrics and can be extended to polymeric optical fibers. Pairing a polymer optical fiber sensor with a silica-based sensor allows for simultaneous measurement of temperature and volumetric expansion data.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tianye Zheng, Steven T. Boles
Summary: In the competitive race of lithium-ion cell manufacturing, labor and energy costs are important concerns. Conventional electrode designs require significant resources and there is a trade-off between environmental friendliness and ethical sourcing. By modifying the cell design with foils and textiles, manufacturing considerations can be significantly changed. This work demonstrates a possible cell design that utilizes prelithiated aluminum foil for the anode and activated carbon fiber textiles for the cathode, reducing energy and cost-intensive production steps and achieving sustainability.
Article
Energy & Fuels
C. Gervillie-Mouravieff, C. Boussard-Pledel, Jiaqiang Huang, C. Leau, L. Albero Blanquer, M. Ben Yahia, M-L Doublet, S. T. Boles, X. H. Zhang, J. L. Adam, J-M Tarascon
Summary: A new method for monitoring the dynamic chemistry inside batteries using operando infrared spectroscopy and optical fiber sensors has been developed. This method reveals the dynamic mechanisms of key processes in commercial Li-ion and Na-ion batteries.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tianye Zheng, Jia Zhang, Wei Jin, Steven T. Boles
Summary: This research demonstrates the strategic thermal control in cycling aluminum anodes to improve the cycling performance of lithium-ion batteries. The electrochemical formation of specific phases at slightly elevated temperatures enables higher capacity and stable cycling. The findings suggest that thermal conditions explored in this study can be applied in various applications and create synergies with practical scenarios.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Jia Zhang, Tianye Zheng, Kwok-ho Lam, Steven T. Boles
Summary: Al foil is an attractive anode candidate for Li-ion rechargeable batteries, but its fast capacity degradation hinders its practical applications. Utilizing the solubility range of beta-LiAl has been proven to be a feasible approach to stabilize the beta-LiAl grown on an Al foil, but the electrochemically driven ion transport limitations of this electrode remain unclear.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Jia Zhang, Tianye Zheng, Ka-wai Eric Cheng, Kwok-ho Lam, Steven T. Boles
Summary: Group IVA elements show interesting Na storage capabilities similar to their Li alloy counterparts. However, their potential as anodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) beyond hard carbon is still poorly understood. This study investigates the kinetic aspects of sodiation of Si and Ge, revealing that sodiation of Ge is kinetically limited and the phase transformations can be facilitated by temperature increases or sodiation rate decreases. The findings provide valuable insights into the sodiation mechanisms and potential advancements in SIBs.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Hardware & Architecture
Wenting Yi, Wai Kit Chan, Hiu Hung Lee, Steven T. Boles, Xiaoge Zhang
Summary: This article introduces the importance of uncertainty quantification in mission-critical engineering applications and presents a methodology that seamlessly integrates a spectral-normalized neural Gaussian process (SNGP) module into GoogLeNet for accurately detecting defects in steel wire ropes. The methodology consists of three steps, including collecting raw magnetic flux leakage (MFL) signals, transforming the signals into 2-D images using Gramian angular field, and integrating SNGP into GoogLeNet with spectral normalization (SN) and Gaussian process (GP) layers. Comparative evaluations demonstrate the advantages of the developed methodology in classifying SWR defects and identifying out-of-distribution (OOD) SWR instances.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON RELIABILITY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fu Liu, Wenqing Lu, Jiaqiang Huang, Vanessa Pimenta, Steven Boles, Rezan Demir-Cakan, Jean-Marie Tarascon
Summary: By using fiber-based sensors, the dissolved polysulfide concentration in the electrolyte during cell charge and discharge can be tracked and quantified, providing insights on stability and performance.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Tianye Zheng, Steven T. Boles
Summary: This review examines the application of aluminum as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries, highlighting recent advancements in understanding the Li-Al system and the potential of solid-state batteries. Several important points are emphasized, including the longevity of prelithiated aluminum anodes, the inaccuracy of the commonly known capacity of aluminum, and the potential simplification of LIB manufacturing by using aluminum-based foil anodes.
PROGRESS IN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohammad Hossein Tahmasebi, Dominik Kramer, Holger Gesswein, Tianye Zheng, Kwan-Chee Leung, Benedict Tsz Woon Lo, Reiner Moenig, Steven T. Boles
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2020)