Article
Energy & Fuels
Amid Ranjkesh, Yeongyu Choi, Jae-Won Huh, Seung-Won Oh, Tae-Hoon Yoon
Summary: A flexible cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polymer reflector is proposed in this study to selectively control the reflection of infrared (IR) light, effectively lowering indoor temperature. The fabricated IR reflector demonstrates thinness, high mechanical stability, flexibility, durability, resistance to solvents and acids, high transparency, and low haze in visible light. This innovative approach shows promise for applications in anti-IR devices, energy-saving windows for cars, and modern building facades.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhuohao Zhang, Zhuoyue Chen, Yu Wang, Yuanjin Zhao, Luoran Shang
Summary: This study introduces a novel composite cellulose cholesteric liquid crystals as a bionic prototype for biological structural coloration, allowing for color range adjustments and dynamic control. By incorporating polymer monomers and crosslinking polymers, a series of structural color materials with high-resolution patterns have been developed, showing potential applications in wearable sensors, graphic displays, and information encryption.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhuohao Zhang, Chong Wang, Qiao Wang, Yuanjin Zhao, Luoran Shang
Summary: In this study, a printable structural color ink composed of cholesteric cellulose liquid crystals, gelatin, and a thermal-responsive hydrogel is proposed. This ink exhibits angle-independent color appearances and possesses dual thermal responsiveness, making it a promising material for next-generation 3D printing with a wide range of real-life applications.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Steven Erlenbach, Kunal Mondal, Jinwoo Ma, Taylor Neumann, Siyuan Ma, James D. Holbery, Michael D. Dickey
Summary: Stretchable electronic devices that maintain electrical function when subjected to stress or strain are useful for enabling new applications for electronics. This paper presents a simple method to make mechanical and electrical connections between elastomeric conductors and flexible (or rigid) conductors using liquid metals as the conductor. The work provides a simple and general strategy for creating mechanical and electrical connections that may find use in a variety of stretchable and soft electronic devices.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jie Qi, Chen Hang, Yuan Gao, Xingyu Jiang
Summary: Highbiocompatibility and stability against water and scratch are essential for liquid metal-based flexible electronics. In this study, we synthesized polydopamine-coated liquid metal nanoparticles (LMNPs) using a controllable and scalable thermal processing method. The PD@LM ink enabled high-resolution printing on various substrates, and the printed circuit showed high stability against repeated stretch in water and scratch. The PD@LM electrode demonstrated high biocompatibility, conductivity, and stretchability, making it suitable for applications such as recording changes in membrane potential and detecting electrocardiogram signals in vivo.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Haicheng Li, Zhouheng Wang, Yu Cao, Ying Chen, Xue Feng
Summary: A novel transfer printing technique using droplet stamps has been developed based on Laplace pressure and surface tension, achieving 100% yield in transferring thin-film semiconductors with different materials, sizes, and shapes, and demonstrating high working efficiency in fabricating hybrid optoelectronics for blood pressure monitoring. This technique eliminates Poisson effects and resolves incompatibility with conventional fabrication technologies, making it a key player in hybrid integration and high-fidelity fabrication.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meng Wang, Chao Ma, Pierre Claver Uzabakiriho, Xi Chen, Zhongrong Chen, Yue Cheng, Zirui Wang, Gang Zhao
Summary: This paper introduces a simple, fast, and green flexible electronics preparation technology, which uses stencil printing method to pattern liquid metal on thermoplastic polyurethane membrane prepared by electrospinning, and can prepare flexible circuit devices with good performance.
Article
Optics
Arturo Reyes-Romero, J. Adrian Reyes
Summary: In this study, a planar waveguide with a confined cholesteric liquid crystal was examined, and the electromagnetic equations describing the dynamics of propagating modes were solved numerically. The study revealed the propagating parameter and the ratio between magnetic and electric modes as a function of frequency, aligning with the band structure of the modes. The profiles of electromagnetic field amplitudes and the distribution of the Poynting vector were also calculated, along with a discussion on the embodiment of transverse electric and magnetic modes in the eigen modes and their propagation conditions.
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Saddam Hussain, Soo-Young Park
Summary: The unique combination of photonic helicoidal structure and rubber-like properties in cholesteric liquid-crystal elastomers results in a highly stretchable mechanochromic film capable of reflecting both right- and left-handed circular polarized light. The patterned photonic CLCE film, controlled by applied strain, can encrypt data and camouflage itself under unpolarized daylight. These elastomers have potential applications in sensors, robotics, displays, encryption, and anti-counterfeiting due to their mechanochromic capabilities.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Beibei Zhang, Xiaoling Liao, Lijuan Xie, Biao Tang, Xin Zhou, Huapeng Ye, Dong Yuan
Summary: Electronic paper display has attracted attention for its wide viewing angle, bistable state, and low energy consumption. However, electrowetting e-paper (EWD) still faces challenges such as poor color brightness, low contrast ratio, and small color gamut. In order to improve EWD performance, a new configuration was proposed using three independent PCLC reflection films based on cholesteric liquid crystal materials. Experimental results showed that the addition of PCLC films improved reflectivity by 20% and color gamut by 80%, providing a solution for enhancing the brightness and color gamut of current EWD devices.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Crystallography
Ainars Ozols, Elza Linina, Roberts Zabels, Lachezar Komitov
Summary: This study dissected the optical diffuser element based on cholesteric liquid crystals and analyzed its kinetic and electro-optical characteristics. The research aimed to investigate ways to improve these characteristics and found that the transient peak in the optical transmission during field-off state is likely not associated with the assumed formation of a planar state. The peak is suggested to originate from a transient state with a uniform lying helix structure formed due to material flow during relaxation of the liquid crystal. The role of the contacting surface's pre-tilt angle in the switching process of the liquid crystal diffuser was also established.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zabihollah Ahmadi, Aarsh Patel, Adib Taba, Suman Jaiswal, Seungjong Lee, Nima Shamsaei, Masoud Mahjouri-Samani
Summary: The multimaterial additive nanomanufacturing (M-ANM) technique enables the printing of hybrid structures and devices on different surfaces using directed laser deposition. This technique involves laser ablation of solid targets to generate contamination-free nanoparticles, which are then guided onto the substrate surface and printed in real-time using a second laser. Various multimaterial devices, including photodetectors and circuits, have been printed and characterized using this M-ANM technique.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Nannan Zhu, Yongzhao Hou, Wen Yang, Guangwu Wen, Cheng Zhong, Dong Wang, Yun Liu, Lijuan Zhang
Summary: The research demonstrates the preparation of polymer derived ceramics with complex shapes using low-cost LCD 3D printing technology, and proposes a method to improve forming precision and ceramic yield. The introduction of KH570 is found to improve curing accuracy and ceramic yield. The mechanical properties of SiOC ceramics are also studied and discussed.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jiayin Liu, Jiameng Li, Ziyue Wu, Song Xu, Chunyou Wan, Xian Huang
Summary: This research proposes a degradable and flexible skin patch that promotes wound healing through thermostatic control, slow release of antibacterial metallic ions, and humidity control. The skin patch features a degradable zinc-silver (Zn-Ag) gird line heater and a Zn temperature sensor, enabling closed-loop thermostatic control of the wound. The gradual degradation of the nanocomposites in a humid environment results in an antibacterial effect with more than 99% antibacterial efficiency (AE) on the wound site.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Akihiro Yamashita, Jun-ichi Fukuda
Summary: We numerically investigate the structure of twin boundaries in cholesteric blue phases. The study shows that the formation of twin boundaries is not prohibitively costly, consistent with previous experimental findings.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Honggyun Kim, Jamal Aziz, Vijay D. Chavan, Deok-kee Kim
Summary: Silicon nitride films were prepared using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition with different trap densities induced by adjusting the RF power ratio. It was found that the film's trap density was lowest under compressive stress and increased under tensile stress. This study has significant implications for the formation of durable nitride films in various electronic and optoelectronic applications.
CURRENT APPLIED PHYSICS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qiang Yu, Huwei Zhao, Yue Zhao
Summary: Zinc oxide thin films and Al-doped zinc oxide films were prepared and characterized in this study. The addition of Al ions was found to change the growth orientation, increase the grain size, and enhance the absorption intensity in the visible light region. Furthermore, the addition of Al ions also increased the forward current in the heterojunction.
CURRENT APPLIED PHYSICS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sang Woo Lee, Min Sun Park, Sangwon Wi, So Yeon Lim, Yeseul Lee, Jin-Seok Chung, Sang Mo Yang
Summary: In this study, we investigated the dynamics of domain switching in pristine and fatigued BiFeO3 capacitors through experimental observations and measurements. The results showed that the switching in the pristine capacitors was dominantly driven by domain growth, while the fatigued capacitors exhibited two different switching dynamics, in which nucleation played a critical role.
CURRENT APPLIED PHYSICS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Boshi Wang, Tianyi Wang, Yufang Liu, Kun Yu
Summary: In this paper, a tunable and anisotropic perfect absorber composed of anisotropic black phosphorus (BP) and isotropic graphene is proposed. The structure exhibits high absorption and strong anisotropic plasma response. The resonance characteristics can be effectively controlled by adjusting geometric parameters and doping levels, offering potential applications.
CURRENT APPLIED PHYSICS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiaolan Liu, Chunyang Li, Tonghui Yang, Naiqiang Yin, Gangling Zhao
Summary: Water drop triboelectric nanogenerators (WD-TENGs) can harvest energy from raindrops and improve the output performance of TENGs.
CURRENT APPLIED PHYSICS
(2024)
