Complex Devices Research Articles

Remote Low-Cost Web-Based Battery Monitoring System and Control Using LoRa Communication Technology

Batteries are a complex electrochemical device that exhibit non-linearity and stochastic behavior which rely upon the operational conditions and environmental factors, making battery monitoring a vital feature throughout its application. This paper introduces a novel web-based battery monitoring and control system that utilizes Long Range (LoRa) communication technology, an integral part of the Internet of Things (IoT). The system is implemented with the ESP32 microcontroller, with an emphasis on affordability in broader applications. The system provides comprehensive real-time online data by integrating a combination of multiple sensors. The proposed system seeks to address the limitations of existing communication technology by utilizing the benefits of LoRa, a technology that facilitates effective long-range, low-energy communication which makes it particularly well-suited for real-time monitoring applications. In addition, a control operation enables users to regulate crucial aspects of batteries, such as their charging and discharging. The research conducted a meticulous experimental evaluation of the proposed system at different operations, and the results successfully aligned with the main objective and aims of the research. The proposed system successfully enables real-time remote monitoring and user control, long-term data visualization through data logging, and assessment of battery conditions. Data logging was introduced to enhance the utilization of future battery evaluation, such as State-of-Charge (SOC), State-of-Health (SOH) and Remaining Useful Life (RUL). As a result, the developed system makes it suitable for many applications requiring effective energy storage solutions, such as renewable energy and Electric Vehicle (EV) applications.

Cellulose/Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube‐Based Pressure‐Sensing Thin Film Transistor with Channel Conductivity Modulation

Field‐effect transistor (FET)‐type pressure sensor offers excellent amplification and signal conversion functionality as a switching device, and it has the capability to integrate tactile sensors by constructing active‐matrix arrays with low crosstalk. However, conventional FET‐type pressure sensors either have a complex device layout with additional components, such as pressure‐sensitive elastomer, attached to the source/drain electrodes, or the method of modulating the gate dielectric can lead to dielectric breakdown and device failure. Additionally, the deformation of the elastomer limits response speed and causes differences in early and late response characteristics. In this article, a facile structure pressure‐sensing thin film transistor (TFT) that modulates the channel conductivity by cellulose/single‐wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) composite is reported, ensuring a simple layout without damaging the device. The fabricated cellulose/SWCNT‐based pressure‐sensing TFT exhibits a change in the on/off current ratio from 2.75 × 103 to 2.0 × 104 in response to pressure with high linearity (R2 = 0.9935) and maintains durable performance over 2000 loading‐unloading cycles. Additionally, the sensor shows a fast response time of less than 8 ms. A practical concept of sensing circuits is demonstrated based on pressure‐sensing TFTs for integration into display driving circuits, enabling accurate pressure sensing using only the signal to drive the display.

Implementation of EnDat Interface Master Using Configurable Logic Block in MCU

In this study, we propose an implementation method of the Encoder Data (EnDat) interface master for slave encoders using only a configurable logic block (CLB) and a serial peripheral interface (SPI) integrated into microcontroller units. By programming the CLB device to execute logic functions and finite state machines designed for the EnDat interface master operation, we realize the EnDat and SPI clocks that are required for the EnDat interface master operation. This approach is cost-efficient because additional hardware components, such as a field-programmable gate array or a complex programmable logic device, are unnecessary for the master implementation. We build a one-axis feed drive system that is powered by an AC motor and equipped with an EnDat linear encoder for measuring table speed and position. By performing various experiments for table position and speed control based on the built feed drive system, we verify the performance and practical usefulness of the implemented EnDat interface master. The maximum EnDat clock frequency without the propagation delay compensation is achieved by 2 MHz, which can cope with 16 kHz control cycle frequency. The usefulness is demonstrated by showing the table speed and position control performance that are acceptable in real applications.

Suppression of Dexter transfer by covalent encapsulation for efficient matrix-free narrowband deep blue hyperfluorescent OLEDs

Hyperfluorescence shows great promise for the next generation of commercially feasible blue organic light-emitting diodes, for which eliminating the Dexter transfer to terminal emitter triplet states is key to efficiency and stability. Current devices rely on high-gap matrices to prevent Dexter transfer, which unfortunately leads to overly complex devices from a fabrication standpoint. Here we introduce a molecular design where ultranarrowband blue emitters are covalently encapsulated by insulating alkylene straps. Organic light-emitting diodes with simple emissive layers consisting of pristine thermally activated delayed fluorescence hosts doped with encapsulated terminal emitters exhibit negligible external quantum efficiency drops compared with non-doped devices, enabling a maximum external quantum efficiency of 21.5%. To explain the high efficiency in the absence of high-gap matrices, we turn to transient absorption spectroscopy. It is directly observed that Dexter transfer from a pristine thermally activated delayed fluorescence sensitizer host can be substantially reduced by an encapsulated terminal emitter, opening the door to highly efficient ‘matrix-free’ blue hyperfluorescence.

Photo-Enhanced Lead-Free Antimony-Based perovskite triboelectric nanogenerator for Dual-Mode detector

In the current era of intelligence, a single-structure device that can effectively harvest ambient energy while simultaneously detecting multiple signals is highly desirable. However, most multifunctional devices face the struggle to design complex device architectures through integration. Herein, based on the excellent optoelectronic and dielectric properties of lead-free perovskite Cs3Sb2Cl3I6, a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based on perovskite Cs3Sb2Cl3I6 was proposed for both light and pressure detection. The output performance of the TENG is essentially linearly related to the applied external force. The voltage and current sensitivities within the range of 6.2 to 68.2 kPa are 0.989 V/kPa and 0.15 μA/kPa, while those within the range of 68.2 to 93 kPa are 0.141 V/kPa and 0.028 μA/kPa, respectively. Cs3Sb2Cl3I6 film generates photo-generated charges under illumination, which can increase the surface charge density. On this basis, the voltage, current, and power density of the TENG through the photo-enhancement effect are significantly increased by 13.4 %, 23.2 %, and 27.5 %, respectively. The mean maximal optical responsivity values of the light-controlled device are 42.87 V/W and 13.78 μA/W when light intensity is 20 mW/cm2. This will provide some ideas for the TENG to achieve multi-functionality.

Mission time minimization for UAV‐supported data distribution in Internet of Things

AbstractUnmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been widely used to transmit data to Internet of Things (IoT) devices in various industrial, civil and military applications because of their flexibility and mobility. Some emergency situations pose strict requirements for UAV mission completion time. Therefore, this paper investigates a UAV‐supported data distribution network, where a UAV is dispatched to distribute data to a group of IoT devices. We propose a device attribution (DA) based cluster‐by‐cluster (CBC) communication strategy. The objective is to minimize UAV mission time while satisfying the required data amount of all devices. To this end, we propose a mission time optimization algorithm (MTOA), whose key lies in invoking DA mechanism to determine the device belonging in the coverage of overlapping clusters. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed strategy can effectively reduce the mission time compared with the baseline ones, offering an innovative method for solving complex device attribution issues. Furthermore, the proposed strategy is expected to exhibit a significant potential in scenarios involving the high‐density IoT device deployment.

Fully inkjet-printed Ag2Se flexible thermoelectric devices for sustainable power generation

Flexible thermoelectric devices show great promise as sustainable power units for the exponentially increasing self-powered wearable electronics and ultra-widely distributed wireless sensor networks. While exciting proof-of-concept demonstrations have been reported, their large-scale implementation is impeded by unsatisfactory device performance and costly device fabrication techniques. Here, we develop Ag2Se-based thermoelectric films and flexible devices via inkjet printing. Large-area patterned arrays with microscale resolution are obtained in a dimensionally controlled manner by manipulating ink formulations and tuning printing parameters. Printed Ag2Se-based films exhibit (00 l)-textured feature, and an exceptional power factor (1097 μWm−1K−2 at 377 K) is obtained by engineering the film composition and microstructure. Benefiting from high-resolution device integration, fully inkjet-printed Ag2Se-based flexible devices achieve a record-high normalized power (2 µWK−2cm−2) and superior flexibility. Diverse application scenarios are offered by inkjet-printed devices, such as continuous power generation by harvesting thermal energy from the environment or human bodies. Our strategy demonstrates the potential to revolutionize the design and manufacture of multi-scale and complex flexible thermoelectric devices while reducing costs, enabling them to be integrated into emerging electronic systems as sustainable power sources.

Temporally Decoupled Ammonia Splitting by a Zn-NH3 Battery with an Ammonia Oxidation/Hydrogen Evolution Bifunctional Electrocatalyst as a Cathode.

Ammonia splitting to hydrogen is a decisive route for hydrogen economy but is seriously limited by the complex device and low efficiency. Here, we design and propose a new rechargeable Zn-NH3 battery based on temporally decoupled ammonia splitting to achieve efficient NH3-to-H2 conversion. In this system, ammonia is oxidized into nitrogen during cathodic charging (2NH3 + 6OH- → N2 + 6H2O + 6e-) with external electrical energy conversion and storage, while during cathodic discharging, water is reduced to hydrogen (2H2O + 2e- → H2 + 2OH-) with electrical energy generation. In this loop, continuous and efficient H2 production without separation and purification is achieved. With the help of the ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) bifunctional catalyst of Mo2C/NiCu@C, a rechargeable Zn-NH3 battery is realized that exhibits a high NH3-to-H2 FE of 91.6% with outstanding durability for 900 cycles (300 h) at 20 mA/cm2, enabling efficient and continuous NH3-to-H2 conversion.

DeltaLCA

Reducing the environmental footprint of electronics and computing devices requires new tools that empower designers to make informed decisions about sustainability during the design process itself. This is not possible with current tools for life cycle assessment (LCA) which require substantial domain expertise and time to evaluate the numerous chips and other components that make up a device. We observe first that informed decision-making does not require absolute metrics and can instead be done by comparing designs. Second, we can use domain-specific heuristics to perform these comparisons. We combine these insights to develop DeltaLCA, an open-source interactive design tool that addresses the dual challenges of automating life cycle inventory generation and data availability by performing comparative analyses of electronics designs. Users can upload standard design files from Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software and the tool will guide them through determining which one has greater carbon footprints. DeltaLCA leverages electronics-specific LCA datasets and heuristics and tries to automatically rank the two designs, prompting users to provide additional information only when necessary. We show through case studies DeltaLCA achieves the same result as evaluating full LCAs, and that it accelerates LCA comparisons from eight expert-hours to a single click for devices with ~30 components, and 15 minutes for more complex devices with ~100 components.

Highly Interfacial Active Gemini Surfactants as Simple and Versatile Emulsifiers for Stabilizing, Lubricating and Structuring Liquids

AbstractTo date, locking the shape of liquids into non‐equilibrium states usually relies on jamming nanoparticle surfactants at an oil/water interface. Here we show that a synthetic water‐soluble zwitterionic Gemini surfactant can serve as an alternative to nanoparticle surfactants for stabilizing, structuring and additionally lubricating liquids. By having a high binding energy comparable to amphiphilic nanoparticles at the paraffin oil/water interface, the surfactant can attain near‐zero interfacial tensions and ultrahigh surface coverages after spontaneous adsorption. Owing to the strong association between neighboring surfactant molecules, closely packed monolayers with high mechanical elasticity can be generated at the oil/water interface, thus allowing the surfactant to produce not only ultra‐stable emulsions but also structured liquids with various geometries by using extrusion printing and 3D printing techniques. By undergoing tribochemical reactions at its sulfonic terminus, the surfactant can endow the resultant emulsions with favorable lubricity even under high load‐bearing conditions. Our study may provide new insights into creating complex liquid devices and new‐generation lubricants capable of combining the characteristics of both liquid and solid lubricants.

Highly Interfacial Active Gemini Surfactants as Simple and Versatile Emulsifiers for Stabilizing, Lubricating and Structuring Liquids.

To date, locking the shape of liquids into non-equilibrium states usually relies on jamming nanoparticle surfactants at an oil/water interface. Here we show that a synthetic water-soluble zwitterionic Gemini surfactant can serve as an alternative to nanoparticle surfactants for stabilizing, structuring and additionally lubricating liquids. By having a high binding energy comparable to amphiphilic nanoparticles at the paraffin oil/water interface, the surfactant can attain near-zero interfacial tensions and ultrahigh surface coverages after spontaneous adsorption. Owing to the strong association between neighboring surfactant molecules, closely packed monolayers with high mechanical elasticity can be generated at the oil/water interface, thus allowing the surfactant to produce not only ultra-stable emulsions but also structured liquids with various geometries by using extrusion printing and 3D printing techniques. By undergoing tribochemical reactions at its sulfonic terminus, the surfactant can endow the resultant emulsions with favorable lubricity even under high load-bearing conditions. Our study may provide new insights into creating complex liquid devices and new-generation lubricants capable of combining the characteristics of both liquid and solid lubricants.

Exploring Translation Theories and Literary Criticism: Translating Al-Jawahiri's Poem 'O Sir! Inspire me' (in Praise of King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan) into English

This study examines the translation of Al-Jawahiri’s Arabic classical poem “'O Sir! Inspire me” into English. It is interdisciplinary, using translation studies together with literary criticism, cultural analysis and poetic theory.The goal is to determine the way in which cultural peculiarities, social subtexts, and poetic features formulate major concepts of a poem and how these aspects are transmitted in translation. The study uses an eclectic model to analyze the figurative language, coherence, compatibility, rhythm patterns, and rhyme scheme of this poem as well as its stylistics. It also discusses translation theories like domestication and foreignization to evaluate the translator’s decisions. The results show that the translation does indeed reflect the spirit and cultural meaning of the original poem, while at the same time adapting it to English. The translator succeeds in depicting the poet’s appreciation of King Hussein, his ancestry and what he did for Jordan. The translation also retains the complex poetic devices and figurative language used by Al-Jawahiri. The research highlights the importance of a holistic approach to Arabic poetry translation, which takes into account both linguistic and cultural challenges. It emphasizes the need to have translators who understand both languages and their cultural backgrounds so that they are able to communicate the intended meaning as well as the impact of an original work. Keywords: Al-Jawahiri, Arabic poetry, Coherence, Compatibility, Figurative interpretation, King Hussein bin Talal, Meters, Translation theories

An averaged mass correction scheme for the simulation of high subsonic turbulent internal flows using a lattice Boltzmann method

This paper addresses the simulation of internal high-speed turbulent compressible flows using lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) when it is coupled with the immersed boundary method for non-body-fitted meshes. The focus is made here on the mass leakage issue. The recent LBM pressure-based algorithm [Farag et al. Phys. Fluids 32, 066106 (2020)] has shown its superiority on classical density-based algorithm to simulate high-speed compressible flows. Following our previous theoretical work on incompressible flows [Xu et al. Phys. Fluids 34, 065113 (2022)], we propose an averaged mass correction technique to mitigate mass leakage when simulating high-Mach-number compressible flows. It is adapted to deal here with a density, which is decoupled from the zero-moment definition. The simulations focus on two generic but canonical configurations of more complex industrial devices, the straight channel at different angles of inclination at Mach numbers (Ma) ranging from 0.2 to 0.8, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Glenn S-duct at Ma = 0.6. The present results show that mass leakage can be a critical issue for the accuracy of the solution and that the proposed correction technique effectively mitigates it and leads to significant improvements in the prediction of the solution.

Cooperative near- and far-field thermal management via diffusive superimposed dipoles

Active metadevices with external excitations exhibit significant potential for advanced heat regulation. Nonetheless, conventional inputs, like heating/cooling and introducing convection by rotating plate, display inherent limitations. One is the only focus on far-field control to eliminate temperature distortion in the background while neglecting near-field regulation in the functional region. Another is lacking adaptability due to complex devices like thermoelectric modules and stepping motors. To tackle these challenges, the concept of diffusive superimposed dipoles characterized by orthogonal thermal dipole moments is proposed. Cooperative near- and far-field regulation of temperature fields is achieved by designing superimposed dipole moments, enabling transparency, and cloaking functionalities with isotropic and homogeneous materials. Simulation and experiment outcomes affirm the efficacy of this adaptive thermal field control technique, even when interface thermal resistance is taken into account. Adaptivity stems from dipole moment decomposability, allowing metadevices to operate in various heat flux directions (0°–360°) and background thermal conductivity. These findings could pave the way for cooperative and adaptive thermal management and hold potential applications in other Laplace fields, including direct current and hydrodynamics.

Moss bugs shed light on the evolution of complex bioacoustic systems.

Vibroacoustic signalling is one of the dominant strategies of animal communication, especially in small invertebrates. Among insects, the order Hemiptera displays a staggering diversity of vibroacoustic organs and is renowned for possessing biomechanically complex elastic recoil devices such as tymbals and snapping organs that enable robust vibrational communication. However, our understanding of the evolution of hemipteran elastic recoil devices is hindered by the absence of relevant data in the phylogenetically important group known as moss bugs (Coleorrhyncha), which produce substrate-borne vibrations through an unknown mechanism. In the present work, we reveal the functional morphology of the moss bug vibrational mechanism and study its presence across Coleorrhyncha and in extinct fossilised relatives. We incorporate the anatomical features of the moss bug vibrational mechanism in a phylogeny of Hemiptera, which supports either a sister-group relationship to Heteroptera, or a sister-group relationship with the Auchenorrhyncha. Regardless of topology, we propose that simple abdominal vibration was present at the root of Euhemiptera, and arose 350 million years ago, suggesting that this mode of signalling is among the most ancient in the animal kingdom. Therefore, the most parsimonious explanation for the origins of complex elastic recoil devices is that they represent secondary developments that arose exclusively in the Auchenorrhyncha.

Ultraflexible, High-Performance Transistors and Logic Circuits on Biocompatible Polylactic Acid (PLA) Substrate.

Wearable and implantable devices have gained significant popularity, playing a crucial role in smart healthcare and human-machine interfaces, which necessitates the development of more complex electronic devices and circuits on biocompatible flexible materials. Polylactic acid (PLA) stands out due to its biodegradability, cost-effectiveness, and low immunogenicity. In this study, we utilize a solution-based spin-coating method to produce high-quality PLA thin films, serving as substrates for the fabrication of thin-film transistors (TFTs) in which the dielectric layer material is silicon dioxide, the channel layer material is IGZO, and the gate, drain, and source material is ITO at low temperatures (<40 °C) through a shadow masking technique. The resulting PLA-TFT devices exhibited remarkable flexibility, biocompatibility, and impressive electrical characteristics, including a charge carrier mobility of 27.81 cm2/(V s), a subthreshold swing of 162.8 mV/decade, and an ON/OFF current ratio of up to 1 × 106, and maintained performance under various deformations. We successfully constructed fundamental logic gate circuits using PLA-TFTs, including AND, OR, and NOT gates, which effectively performed logical functions and demonstrated stability under diverse bending conditions. These research findings provide valuable support for future endeavors in fabricating intricate logic circuits and realizing advanced functionalities on biocompatible flexible materials.

Radiation injuries of organs and tissues: mechanisms of occurrence, methods of prevention and treatment: A review

In modern medicine, radiation therapy (RT) is one of the main therapies for cancer. According to the World Health Organization, about 70% of patients diagnosed with cancer require RT at some stage of treatment. Development and improvement of methods for early diagnosis of cancers, multimodal therapy for cancer patients, including surgical intervention, new drug treatment regimens, modern methods of conformal 3D-RT and proton therapy significantly improved the treatment outcomes of patients and increased their life expectancy. Modern RT is a high-tech chain of sequential use of complex technical devices and mathematical calculations to destroy the tumor without adversely affecting the surrounding normal tissues. Some patients develop radiation injuries to normal organs and tissues that reduce their quality of life. Prevention and treatment of such injuries are urgent problems of modern oncology. The article addresses the pathogenesis and mechanism of the development of systemic and local radiation responses, as well as methods of treatment and prevention of some of them. Three electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane and EMBASE, and Russian radiotherapists' publications, were used for systematic review in the information retrieval process.

Training for endovascular therapy of acute arterial disease and procedure-related complication: An extracorporeally-perfused human cadaver model study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usability of a recently developed extracorporeally-perfused cadaver model for training the angiographic management of acute arterial diseases and periprocedural complications that may occur during endovascular therapy of the lower extremity arterial runoff. Continuous extracorporeal perfusion was established in three fresh-frozen body donors via inguinal and infragenicular access. Using digital subtraction angiography for guidance, both arterial embolization (e.g., embolization using coils, vascular plugs, particles, and liquid embolic agents) and endovascular recanalization procedures (e.g., manual aspiration or balloon-assisted embolectomy) as well as various embolism protection devices were tested. Furthermore, the management of complications during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, such as vessel dissection and rupture, were exercised by implantation of endovascular dissection repair system or covered stents. Interventions were performed by two board-certified interventional radiologists and one resident with only limited angiographic experience. Stable extracorporeal perfusion was successfully established on both thighs of all three body donors. Digital subtraction angiography could be performed reliably and resulted in realistic artery depiction. The model allowed for repeatable training of endovascular recanalization and arterial embolization procedures with typical tactile feedback in a controlled environment. Furthermore, the handling of more complex angiographic devices could be exercised. Whereas procedural success was be ascertained for most endovascular interventions, thrombectomies procedures were not feasible in some cases due to the lack of inherent coagulation. The presented perfusion model is suitable for practicing time-critical endovascular interventions in the lower extremity runoff under realistic but controlled conditions.

The Intelligent Design of Silicon Photonic Devices

AbstractPhotonic devices based on silicon waveguides are essential to versatile high‐performance and low‐cost photonic integrated systems. Extremely complex silicon photonic devices with hundreds or even thousands of degrees of freedom (DOF) are successfully designed and manufactured based on recent advances in data science and nanofabrication technology. At this level, conventional forward‐reasoning may no longer be suitable for designing high‐performance silicon photonic devices with novel functionalities since the light‐matter interaction is complex and non‐intuitive. Therefore, the timely development of sub‐wavelength silicon photonic devices that can precisely mold the flow of light is a critical and urgent issue requiring joint engineering and scientific efforts. In this paper, an inverse design strategy based on heuristic and gradient descendant algorithms, enabling the realization of large‐scale integrated devices is first introduced. Subsequently, the burgeoning deep learning technology, which offers a promising direction for the automation design of silicon photonics with a data‐driven approach, is discussed. Finally, the obstacles and prospects in this emerging research direction are revealed. Detail discussions from multiple perspectives are provided. This review aims to provide general guidance and a comprehensive reference for scientists developing photonic integrated systems.

A Comparative Study on Epistemic Modality in Linguistic Research Article Conclusions

Epistemic modality is an important and complex linguistic device in academic writing, which could help authors state their claims and positions. The conclusion is also a critical part in research articles, where authors summarize their studies and give suggestions. Many scholars study modality in many aspects, but they rarely focus on its application in research article conclusions. Therefore, this study compared the use of modality in 25 conclusions of linguistic research papers written by native English speakers and 25 English conclusions written by Chinese authors from a systemic functional perspective. It focused on the similarities and differences of the use of modality in linguistic research article conclusions from two perspectives: value and orientation. The results show that both native English speakers and Chinese authors are more likely to rely on low and median value and subjective orientation in their conclusions. The findings suggest that linguistic research article authors tend to make claims in a reserved and tentative way. Moreover, this study shows that Chinese authors are more likely to employ modal expressions and subjective orientation of modality in their conclusions, which may relate to cultural diversity and modality shift. The findings of the study may help non-native English authors to produce linguistic research articles in a more acceptable way.