Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Woong-Ki Hong, Hun Soo Jang, Jongwon Yoon, Woo Jin Choi
Summary: We demonstrate the modulation of electrical switching properties through the interconnection of multiple nanoscale channels in a single VO2 nanobeam with a coexisting metal-insulator domain configuration during phase transition. The observed differences in hysteric current-voltage characteristics of nanoscale VO2 devices can be attributed to the difference in the spatial distribution and fraction ratios of metal-insulator domains due to interfacial strain. We also demonstrate the electrically activated resistive switching characteristics based on the hysteresis behaviors of interconnected nanoscale channels.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Rui Zhang, Tiantian Huang, Wanli Yang, Lepeng Zhang, Peiran Xu, Zhimin Chen, Xin Chen, Ning Dai
Summary: This article describes the implementation of an Insulator-metal transition (IMT) in metallic VO2-x nanobeams through artificially implanting an insulating VO2 segment. It demonstrates an abrupt temperature-dependent resistance change in the VO2-x nanobeam with implanted VO2 segment. This research is expected to contribute to the understanding of correlated oxides and the construction of IMT-based sensors and transistors.
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI-RAPID RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
De-cong Xie, Yu-tong Li, Yong-xing Liu, Qing-ru Liu, Hu-wei Miao, Wei Liu, Fa-yu Wu, Yu-xiao Liu
Summary: The sharp metal-semiconductor phase transition in VO2 acts as an on-off switch to regulate the photocatalytic performance of VO2@TiO2. In the ON state, VO2 in the metal phase doubles the photocatalytic performance of TiO2, while in the OFF state, VO2 in the semiconducting phase decreases the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 by one-third. This combination of thermochromism and photocatalysis has expanded the utilization of these two semiconductor materials.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Yun Xin, Yang Tian, Muhammad Ahsan Iqbal, Yangfan Lu, Jianguo Lu, Yu-Jia Zeng, Zhizhen Ye
Summary: In this study, a self-powered NbSe2/VO2 bilayer photodetector with high speed and energy efficiency was proposed. The NbSe2/VO2 heterojunction was transformed into a Schottky junction from a staggered heterojunction due to the phase transition of VO2, resulting in a controlled built-in electric field and enhanced photoresponse.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Ying Chen, Min Zhang, Chunyan Xiao, Shaohua Li, Qiguang Zhu
Summary: A novel structure utilizing photonic crystal to achieve dual-Fano resonances is proposed to address the issue of differential sensitivity, showing promising sensing capabilities and the ability to eliminate interference factors, demonstrating its potential in practical applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lulu Wang, Zewei Shao, Qiang Li, Jianjun Liu, Chang Yang, Ping Jin, Xun Cao
Summary: This research investigates the relationship between phase-transition temperature and external strains in high-quality epitaxial films of vanadium dioxide (VO2) grown on fluorophlogopite substrates. The results show that external strains significantly affect the phase-transition properties of VO2, providing important insights for strain engineering in phase-transition materials.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ujjwal Chitnis, Sooraj Kumar, Syed A. Bukhari, Chhotrai Soren, Ram Krishna Ghosh, Ankur Goswami
Summary: Modulating the metal to insulator transition (MIT) in vanadium dioxide (VO2) is crucial for its extensive use in electrical devices. In this study, we investigated the growth of VO2 films on sapphire substrate using pulsed laser deposition (PLD), with and without a titanium dioxide (TiO2) buffer layer. We analyzed the microstructural changes and MIT using in-situ characterization techniques. The presence of TiO2 interface enabled a two-step electrical transition, lowering the transition voltage and work function, and bringing the transition temperature (Tc) close to room temperature.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Binjie Chen, Chuchu Yang, Bin Feng, Yuichi Ikuhara, Hiromichi Ohta
Summary: Strained VO2 films on (001) rutile TiO2 undergo an insulator-to-metal transition near room temperature, with the transition temperature increasing beyond a critical thickness of -15 nm. Strain relaxation leads to crack formation. By inserting thin TiO2 layers, we can suppress the strain relaxation of VO2. We fabricated VO2/TiO2/VO2 trilayer films on (001) TiO2 substrates, with varying TiO2 thicknesses, and observed clear insulator-to-metal transitions when the TiO2 thickness exceeds 4 nm.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jiahua Qi, Dongping Zhang, Qicong He, Lanxuan Zeng, Yi Liu, Zhuangbing Wang, Aihua Zhong, Xingmin Cai, Fan Ye, Ping Fan
Summary: This study successfully reduces the sheet resistance of VO2 and eliminates its electrical phase change characteristics by inserting a conductive ITO buffer layer. The optical modulation ability remains high, while achieving a low threshold working voltage for electro-optic switches. This result is significant for the practical application of VO2-based optical switches.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Ozan Gunes, Cyril Koughia, Chunzi Zhang, George Belev, Shi-Jie Wen, Qiaoqin Yang, Safa O. Kasap
Summary: The study investigated self-heating-induced electrical and optical switching in high quality VO2 films grown on a c-cut sapphire substrate, under various constant current pulses. Results showed that the application of constant current pulses caused significant changes in electrical conductivity, optical transmittance, and film temperature, with different temporal behaviors observed depending on the magnitude of the current pulses. The observed phenomena were explained using a simple model based on percolation theory, confirmed by structural insulator-to-metal transition results obtained from Raman micromapping.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Jian Huang, Tianqi Tang, Yurong He
Summary: Researchers successfully achieved highly efficient coupling of photothermal and Joule-heating membrane distillation using a composite membrane, resulting in increased freshwater production and thermal efficiency. Experimental results showed that the freshwater production of the coupling process was greater than the combined values of the two independent processes, and higher freshwater productivity and thermal efficiency could be achieved by increasing the power density.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Haijun Ruan, Bingxiang Sun, Andrew Cruden, Tao Zhu, Jiuchun Jiang, Xitian He, Xiaojia Su, Engy Ghoniem
Summary: The research developed a lightweight compound self-heating system involving external aluminum heaters to effectively warm lithium-ion batteries, optimizing heating performance. By considering conflicting metrics such as heating time, efficiency, degradation, and uniformity, a rapid compound self-heating strategy was proposed, significantly improving battery performance.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nengneng Luo, Li Ma, Gengguang Luo, Chao Xu, Lixiang Rao, Zhengu Chen, Zhenyong Cen, Qin Feng, Xiyong Chen, Fujita Toyohisa, Ye Zhu, Jiawang Hong, Jing-Feng Li, Shujun Zhang
Summary: The authors designed NaNbO3 based ceramics to achieve a reversible phase transformation between antiferroelectric and ferroelectric phases, resulting in a well-defined double hysteresis loop in the P-E hysteresis curve. NaNbO3 is a lead-free antiferroelectric material with potential applications in energy storage capacitors, solid-state cooling, and displacement transducers. A new strategy of reducing the oxygen octahedral tilting angle is proposed to stabilize the antiferroelectric phase of NaNbO3, and its effectiveness is confirmed through experimental characterization. The resulting ceramic exhibits highly reversible phase transitions and improved properties compared to pure NaNbO3.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tiantian Huang, Mengxia Qiu, Peiran Xu, Wanli Yang, Lepeng Zhang, Yunkai Shao, Zhimin Chen, Xin Chen, Ning Dai
Summary: Stress recognition has been applied in flexible sensors, such as electronic skins and intelligent robots, and has gained significant attention in the field of artificial intelligence. This study presents a sensor that can recognize tensile and compressive stress by utilizing stress-induced multiphase in VO2 microwires on flexible substrates. The direction-dependent resistance responses are used to identify the application of external tensile or compressive stress. The stress-triggered monoclinic M2 phase is radially distributed in the VO2 microwire, which allows for the detection and distinction of the exertion direction of external stress. It is expected that the stress-induced homogeneous junctions will contribute to the development of intelligent strain sensors and enhance our understanding of stress recognition.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Kun Han, Hanyu Wang, Liang Wu, Yu Cao, Dong-Chen Qi, Changjian Li, Zhen Huang, Xiao Li, X. Renshaw Wang
Summary: In this study, the reversible control of metal-insulator transition (MIT) in VO2 films was demonstrated through the introduction of a water-soluble Sr3Al2O6 capping layer. Oxygen ions migrate between VO2 and Sr3Al2O6, leading to the suppression and recovery of MIT. This chemically induced oxygen migration approach shows potential applications in advanced electronic devices and MIT research.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Wenjie Wu, Zhong Lin Wang, Liqun Zhang
Summary: Dielectric elastomers (DEs) are special materials that deform in response to an electric field. The current main mechanism suggests that the deformations in DEs are induced by Maxwell stress. However, a new molecular mechanism based on entropy-dominated elasticity has been proposed recently, highlighting its importance in the process.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Zhengui Zhou, Yunsheng Fang, Rong Liu, Run Hu, Jun Zhou, Bin Hu
Summary: Learning from nature, researchers have developed a reconfigurable mechano-responsive soft film for dual-band camouflage. This film has modulation ranges for visible transmittance and longwave infrared emittance up to 66.3% and 21%, respectively. It has a broadband modulation capability of 2.91, making it a promising candidate for dual-band camouflage in diverse environments.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xue Wang, Zhiping Feng, Gaoqiang Zhang, Luna Wang, Liang Chen, Jin Yang, Zhonglin Wang
Summary: Recent advances in flexible pressure sensors have made them promising technologies for human epidermal pulse wave monitoring. A 3 x 1 flexible pressure sensor array was developed using three single-electrode sensors with small area to measure pulse waves at different local positions of the radial artery. The designed single sensor has a small area of 6 x 6 mm² and demonstrates high pressure sensitivity, fast response time, wide frequency range, and stability.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rui Lin, Yaowei Fan, Yan Xie, Dengyun Ge, Shan Liang, Hongye Guan, Meihua Chen, Yan Zhang, Lili Xing, Xinyu Xue, Yang Zhan
Summary: A new self-powered wearable body-detecting/brain-stimulating system has been developed for monitoring and restraining epilepsy. The system can monitor body motion in real time, transmit stimulus signals to the brain, and significantly reduce the duration of epileptic seizures.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yiming Han, Jiaheng Nie, Junjin Ren, Xin Cui, Yan Zhang
Summary: Triboelectric nanogenerator-based environmental energy harvesting technology has a revolutionary impact on traditional industrial fields in addition to its applications for the Internet of Things. A self-powered while-drilling communications system based on a triboelectric nanogenerator is reported, with a data transmission rate three orders of magnitude higher than traditional methods.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qili Zhou, Wen Wang, Yu He, Zhangcheng Li, Ruolan Zhao, Guangming Tao, Bin Hu, Chong Hou
Summary: Aerogels exhibit excellent sensing performance due to their high porosity, large specific surface area, and remarkable mechanical property. However, prevalent aerogel-based analyzers fail to detect liquid with low detection limit, fast response, and good robustness. In this study, a polyimide aerogel film was fabricated with high porosity and low thickness, and a liquid analyzer was built based on this film. The analyzer shows fast response and good robustness for detecting different liquids, and has the potential application in sensing related areas.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Weiyu Tong, Erqi Yang, Yu Pang, Haobo Yang, Xin Qian, Ronggui Yang, Bin Hu, Jianji Dong, Xinliang Zhang
Summary: This paper demonstrates an energy-efficient, fast-responding, low-loss TO phase shifter by using hydrogen-doped indium oxide films as the microheater. The optimized electron concentration with enhanced mobility allows direct contact with the silicon waveguide for efficient tuning and fast response.
LASER & PHOTONICS REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tao Lin, Pingjin Zou, Rui Lin, Hongye Guan, Zengyi Fang, Junyang Chen, Zhihe Long, Yan Zhang, Lili Xing, Feng Qi, Jinyi Lang, Xinyu Xue, Meihua Chen
Summary: Researchers have developed a novel self-powered, wireless, and detachable drug/light injector for implementing metronomic photodynamic therapy (PDT) in cancer treatment. The device allows convenient delivery of drugs and light, controlled wirelessly for on-demand dosages. Animal experiments have demonstrated the effectiveness of the device in significantly reducing tumor volume.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shan Liang, Hongye Guan, Guangyou Yang, Wanhua Lin, Zhihe Long, Tianyan Zhong, Rui Lin, Lili Xing, Yan Zhang, Guanglin Li, Meihua Chen, Xinyu Xue, Yang Zhan
Summary: In this study, a novel self-powered, biocompatible brain probe is presented as a potential long-term and remote approach to blood pressure regulation. The device consists of a piezoelectric transducer, an electronic module, brain stimulating electrodes, and a drug microneedle array. By wirelessly controlling the implanted brain stimulating electrodes in rats, a significant reduction in blood pressure of approximately 20 mmHg can be achieved. The device's drug microneedle array also allows for percutaneous delivery of antibiotics to prevent post-surgical infections. This self-powered and wireless treatment has great potential for clinical hypertension therapy and can expand the use of self-powered techniques in telemedicine and brain-machine interfaces.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ruhao Liu, Yaming Zhang, Yuankai Zhou, Jiaheng Nie, Lijie Li, Yan Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the properties of spin and valley transport in piezotronics valley transistors based on a normal/ferromagnetic/normal (NFN) structure of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). The Rabi frequency can reach up to 4200 MHz using the piezotronics effect, which is about 1000 times higher than that of ZnO/CdO quantum well devices. The strain-induced strong polarization allows for control of the spin and valley transport properties in piezo-phototronic transistors. The theoretical calculations include the spin and valley conductance as well as the spin and valley polarizability. The strong polarization can be used to manipulate the valley qubit, thereby paving a new way for quantum computing applications based on piezotronic valley transistors.
Article
Physics, Applied
Chenhao Liang, Ruhao Liu, Minjiang Dan, Nian Liu, Yan Zhang
Summary: This study proposes a piezotronic field-effect transistor (FET) device based on a topological insulator (TI) using wurtzite/zincblende InAs quantum wells (QWs). The subthreshold swing can reach 5 mV/decade. The subthreshold swing of FETs requires a minimum gate voltage of 60 mV due to thermal voltage. The polarization in these QWs can drive a large-gap TI with a bulk band gap of approximately 50 meV. The TI maintains a large band gap characteristic under a compressive stress of 7 GPa.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Jiabin Zhang, Erming Su, Chengyu Li, Shuxing Xu, Wei Tang, Leo N. Y. Cao, Ding Li, Zhong Lin Wang
Summary: This study introduces an intelligent artifact-monitoring system (SAMS) based on a porous carbon black (CB)/Ecoflex triboelectric nanogenerator (PCE-TENG) that can monitor collisions in real-time and absorb vibrations during artifact transportation. The system consists of six PCE-TENGs attached to the inner wall of the artifact transport package, allowing collision monitoring and protection in different directions. This research presents a practical strategy for artifact transportation monitoring and package engineering, which could have significant implications for the field.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xin Cui, Yuankai Zhou, Ruhao Liu, Jiaheng Nie, Yaming Zhang, Pengyu Yao, Yan Zhang
Summary: This study develops a self-powered smart wireless temperature monitoring system using machine learning and TENG-driven transmitter for wireless communication and real-time temperature measurement. It can accurately monitor the ambient temperature and has the potential for low-cost environmental monitoring.
ADVANCED ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yaming Zhang, Jiaheng Nie, Baohua Teng, Lijie Li, Yan Zhang
Summary: This article introduces the use of strain-induced polarization to enhance the performance of piezoelectric solar cells. Nonuniform strain can effectively increase the piezoelectric polarization, improving the power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of piezoelectric solar cells. By strain-induced polarization, the PCEs of solar cells based on 2D WS2 and MoS2 are boosted to 48.1% and 42.8%, respectively. Strain-induced polarization not only increases the built-in field, but also simplifies bandgap gradients through inexpensive strain regulation. In this article, a tandem and parallel piezo-phototronic solar cell with single-type 2D piezoelectric semiconductor materials is proposed, providing a novel way to develop an ultrahigh efficiency 2D material solar cell.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yaming Zhang, Jiaheng Nie, Ruhao Liu, Baohua Teng, Lijie Li, Yan Zhang
Summary: Piezotronics is an emerging field involving high-performance piezoelectric semiconductor devices. This study proposes a theory of quantum piezotronics under nonuniform strain and demonstrates its impact on the performance of piezoelectric devices through experimental examples.
