Command Layer Research Articles

Performance improvement for large floating wind turbine by using a non‐linear pitch system based on neuro‐adaptive fault‐tolerant control

To stabilize the power out and reduce the dynamic loads in the over-rated state, the pitch system is key for regulating pitch angle to the desired one obtained from the command layer. Here, actuator failure of the pitch system is considered and a neural adaptive fault-tolerant control strategy with a rate function is proposed. More specifically, a non-linear model of the pitch system considering time-varying parameter uncertainties and unknown disturbances is established firstly. Then, the neural network is used to counteract the external disturbance and system uncertainty. The rate function with adjustable parameters is designed to transform the error, which makes the tracking error decrease at a fast rate and converge to a small zero domain, and realize the control goal of accurate and fast tracking the desired pitch angle of the pitch system. A co-simulation is developed, and the merits of the proposed method are verified.

A command layer for anisotropic plasmonic photo-thermal effects in liquid crystal

ABSTRACTPhoto-anisotropic properties of a particular command layer for Liquid Crystals (LCs), based on azo-benzene material, are exploited to control the photo-thermal response of a single layer of homogeneously and uniformly distributed Au nanoparticles, immobilised on a glass substrate. Experiments demonstrate that the intrinsic anisotropy of materials can influence the photo-thermal response of plasmonic systems. Indeed, the resonant absorption of radiation by plasmonic subunits is followed by a noticeable increase of their temperature. However, the thermal response observed in presence of a homogeneous and random array of AuNPs directly exposed to air or embedded in ice is typically isotropic; on the contrary, a homogenous, yet thin, coating made of a particular command layer for LCs, deposited on a large-area carpet of AuNPs, influences their thermal response in an anisotropic way. In particular, the temperature increase, induced by pumping with a laser source of resonant wavelength with the plasmonic AuNPs, strongly depends on the alignment direction of the command layer. This effect makes the command layer of particular interest for its capability to drive intriguing optically induced ‘thermal-reorientational’ effects in a liquid crystal film.

Wide area mapping of liquid crystal devices with passive and active command layers.

We track the non-uniformity of a wide area liquid crystal device using multiple cross-polarized intensity measurements. They give us not only accurate estimates of the core physical liquid crystal parameters, such as elastic constants, but also spatial maps of the device properties, including the liquid crystal thickness and pretilt angle. A bootstrapping statistical analysis, coupled with the multiple measurements, gives us reliable error bars on all the measured parameters.

Photo-switching of a non-ionic azobenzene amphiphile in Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films.

The concept of programmable and reconfigurable soft matter has emerged in science in the last few decades and can be realized by photoisomerization of azobenzene derivatives. This possibility results in great application potential of these compounds in optical storage devices, molecular junctions of electronic devices, command layers of liquid crystal displays or holographic gratings. In this paper, we present the results of a study on the organization and isomerization of the non-ionic and amphiphilic methyl 4-[(E)-2-[4-(nonyloxy)phenyl]diazen-1-yl]benzoate (LCA) in a 2D layer architecture of Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films supported by spectroscopic studies on LCA chloroform solutions. Our investigation has shown a significantly different molecular organization of LCA depending on the ratio of trans and cis isomers in the monolayers. Taking advantage of a relatively low packing density and aggregation strength in the cis-LCA monolayer, we demonstrated the reversible isomerization in the LB film initially formed of LCA molecules in the cis form, while in the trans-LCA monolayer this effect was not observed. Our approach allows the formation of a switchable monolayer made of the amphiphilic LCA showing liquid crystalline properties without introducing an ionic group into the molecule structure, mixing with another compound or changing the subphase pH to provide free space for the molecules' isomerization.

Satb2 Is Required for the Development of a Spinal Exteroceptive Microcircuit that Modulates Limb Position

Motor behaviors such as walking or withdrawing the limb from a painful stimulus rely upon integrative multimodal sensory circuitry to generate appropriate muscle activation patterns. Both the cellular components and the molecular mechanisms that instruct the assembly of the spinal sensorimotor system are poorly understood. Here we characterize the connectivity pattern of a sub-population of lamina V inhibitory sensory relay neurons marked during development by the nuclear matrix and DNA binding factor Satb2 (ISR(Satb2)). ISR(Satb2) neurons receive inputs from multiple streams of sensory information and relay their outputs to motor command layers of the spinal cord. Deletion of the Satb2 transcription factor from ISR(Satb2) neurons perturbs their cellular position, molecular profile, and pre- and post-synaptic connectivity. These alterations are accompanied by abnormal limb hyperflexion responses to mechanical and thermal stimuli and during walking. Thus, Satb2 is a genetic determinant that mediates proper circuit development in a core sensory-to-motor spinal network.

Patterning of Soft Matter across Multiple Length Scales

Controlling the organization of functional supramolecular materials at both short and long length scales as well as creating hierarchical patterns is essential for many biological and electrooptical applications. It remains however an extremely challenging objective to date, particularly in water‐based systems. In this work, it is demonstrated that water‐processable self‐assembling materials can be organized from micrometers to centimeters in any direction using liquid crystal templating in combination with photoaddressable command layers. The structural assemblies that are prepared are readily transformed into optically active π‐conjugated polymers after photopolymerization. After this step, the template may be removed to leave the functional material well‐organized on the substrate. The advantage of this approach is that it lacks specific molecular interactions and uses simple techniques such as spin coating and photoillumination and it may therefore be applied to a wide range of (aqueous) materials.

Detection technology of malicious code based on semantic

This paper puts forward one kind of behavioral characteristic extraction and detection method of malicious code based on semantic; it extracts the key behavior and dependence relations among behaviors by combining with stain spread analysis in command layer and semantic analysis in behavior layer. And then it uses anti-confusion engine identification semantic irrelevance and semantic equivalence behavior to obtain malicious code behavior characteristic with certain capacity of resisting disturbance, as well as realize characteristic extraction and detection on prototype system. It completes experimental demonstration on this system through analysis and detection on plenty of malicious code samples. The test result indicates that extraction characteristic based on the above methods has characteristic such as stronger capacity of resisting disturbance etc., detection based on this characteristic has better identification ability for malicious code.

Gaining control through frustration: two-fold approach for Liquid Crystal three-dimensional command layers.

The alignment of Liquid Crystal (LC) molecules, essential for their applications in optical devices such as displays, is usually controlled by functionalizing their confining surfaces by either patterning or by specific surfactants that induce either parallel or perpendicular molecular arrangement. Inducing a bistable alignment, such as in the new zenithal bistable displays, offers new opportunities in terms of new functionalities and lower energy consumption but a full understanding of such bistable alignment appears still complicated. Here we present a simple phenomenological model that includes surface topography and chemistry. The predicted orientational transitions and bistable states are in excellent agreement with experiments, thus making this a proper tool to design multistable 3D command layers.

Nonlinear Photon-Assisted Tunneling Transport in Optical Gap Antennas

We introduce strongly coupled optical gap antennas to interface optical radiation with current-carrying electrons at the nanoscale. The transducer relies on the nonlinear optical and electrical properties of an optical gap antenna operating in the tunneling regime. We discuss the underlying physical mechanisms controlling the conversion involving d-band electrons and demonstrate that a simple two-wire optical antenna can provide advanced optoelectronic functionalities beyond tailoring the electromagnetic response of a single emitter. Interfacing an electronic command layer with a nanoscale optical device may thus be facilitated by the optical rectennas discussed here.

动态掩膜光刻在液晶取向中的应用

A micro-lithography system based on digital micro-mirror device is utilized in liquid crystal(LC) alignments.The projected images on SD1 guide the SDI molecular orientations of the command layer,and further determine the directors of LC.Both complex pattern fabrication and arbitrary polarization control could be accomplished on this system with resolution up to 5 μm.Pattern transforming among different bar codes and subarea controlling of random gray scale have been demonstrated by means of the optical rewritability of SD1.These LC devices are switchable and tunable under applied fields.The dynamic LC photo-patterning technique may be widely used in information display and identification,tunable photonic devices,etc.

Controlled Templating of Porphyrins by a Molecular Command Layer

The copper porphyrin (5,10,15,20-tetraundecylporphyrinato)copper(II) can be templated in a well-defined arrangement using p-(hexadecyloxycarbonyl)phenylacetylene as a command layer on graphite. The bicomponent system was characterized at the submolecular level at a solid/liquid interface by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). It is proposed that the layer of copper porphyrins is templated on top of the command layer in a hierarchical fashion, via a combination of intermolecular π-π stacking and van der Waals interactions. A very subtle effect, i.e., a superstructure in the alkyl chain region of the phenylacetylene monolayers, was identified as a decisive factor for the templating process.

The development of self-assembled liquid crystal display alignment layers

From simple pocket calculators to mobile telephones and liquid crystal display (LCD)-TV, over the past few decades, devices based on LCD technology have proliferated and can now be found in all conceivable aspects of everyday life. Although used in cutting-edge technology, it is surprising that a vital part in the construction of such displays, namely the alignment layer, relies essentially on a mechanical rubbing process, invented almost 100 years ago. In this paper efforts to develop alignment layers (also called command layers) by processes other than rubbing, namely self-assembly of molecular and macromolecular components will be discussed. Two topics will be presented: (i) tuneable command layers formed by stepwise assembling of siloxane oligomers and phthalocyanine dyes on indium tin oxide surfaces and (ii) command layers formed by self-assembly of porphyrin trimers. The potential use of these layers in sensor devices will also be mentioned.

Preface

Preface

Supramolecular command surfaces for liquid crystal alignment

AbstractDevices based on liquid crystal display technology, ranging from watches to flat panel displays, have proliferated over the past few decades and can now be found in all conceivable aspects of everyday life. It is surprising that a crucial part in the construction of such displays, namely the alignment layer, which dictates the surface alignment of mesogenic molecules, relies essentially on a mechanical rubbing process which was invented 100 years ago. In this paper, recent developments in the construction of alignment layers (also called command layers) based on the self‐assembly of molecular and macromolecular components are discussed. Two topics are highlighted: (i) tuneable layers formed by hierarchical assembly of siloxane oligomers and phthalocyanine dyes on indium‐tin‐oxide surfaces and (ii) command layers formed by self‐assembly of porphyrin trimers. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry

Optical polarization grating induced liquid crystal micro-structure using azo-dye command layer

We create planar-periodic alignment in nematic liquid crystal (LC) cell by using a command layer of azo-dye molecules directly deposited on the cell substrates and exposed with two interfering laser beams of opposite circular polarizations. Permanent high efficiency polarization gratings are thus created. The diffraction efficiency of those gratings is controlled by a uniform electric field applied across the cell. The electro-optical properties of such polarization gratings are studied. Obtained gratings can be used for electrically controlled discrimination and detection of polarized components of light.

Tunable Command Layers for Liquid Crystal Alignment

A simple method for the construction of a stable, tunable, self-assembled command layer for liquid crystal display purposes is described. A pyridine-functionalized oligosiloxane spontaneously forms an anisotropic, grooved surface on indium-tin-oxide, enabling it to align liquid crystalline molecules. The pyridine functions act as seeds for the epitaxial growth of stacks of highly ordered zinc phthalocyanines, the height of which can be controlled. These stacks increase the interaction between the surface and the liquid crystalline matrix by amplifying the surface ordering into the liquid crystal bulk. By varying the height of the stacks, direct control over the properties of the liquid crystal domains is achieved. These properties can be further tuned by adding to the liquid crystal, micro- and nanomolar concentrations of nitrogen-containing compounds, which are capable of interacting with and dissolving the stacks. The procedures we describe offer possibilities to use such tunable systems in LCD-based sensor devices as well as in solar-cell applications.

PHOTOREACTIVE THIN FILMS OF AZOBENZENE-DERIVATIZED POLY(AMIC ACID) AND POLY(IMIDE) LANGMUIR–BLODGETT–KUHN MULTILAYER ASSEMBLIES

Various poly(amic acid)s with azobenzene-chromophore sidegroups have been synthesized and structurally and functionally characterized. Their amphiphilic properties allowed us to prepare stable monomolecular layers at the water/air interface of a Langmuir trough, and to transfer these highly organized monolayers to solid supports via the Langmuir–Blodgett–Kuhn deposition protocol. The resulting multilayer assemblies were investigated by surface plasmon- and waveguide-optical techniques, by X-ray reflectometry, and by UV-vis and IR spectroscopies. Thermal imidization of the assemblies resulted in functional poly(imide) multilayers that still could undergo photoisomerization reactions in their azobenzene sidegroups. The kinetic parameters of this trans-cis and cis-trans isomerization, respectively, as well as, the resulting control of the alignment of a liquid crystal in contact to these "command layers" were evaluated.

Photo-driven liquid crystal cell with high sensitivity

The photo-driven LC cell was assembled by sandwiching the liquid crystal material between two quartz or ITO plates covered with a 'command layer', which was fabricated from azobenzene-grafted ladder-like polysilsesquioxanes. The improved response sensitivity of the photo-driven cell, which means a lower threshold driving UV light intensity and a faster risetime, was achieved in two ways: pre-rubbing of the command surface and application of an assisting critical in-plane mode electric field. The response behaviour of the photo-driven cell was measured in situ and data were collected by computer. The results show that the risetime (4 s) under a weak UV intensity of 0.5 mWcm -2 is shorter than previously reported (several tens of seconds) under a greater UV intensity of 3-5 mWcm -2. The improved photo-driven LC cell holds out promise of potential applications in photo-addressing and photo-recording.

Surface-assisted Photomanipulation of Orientation of a Polymer Liquid Crystal

Abstract The alignment photocontrol of liquid crystalline polymer films was achieved by a thin film of a polymethacrylate with p-cyanoazobenzene side chains as a command layer, which was exposed to linearly polarized light in advance.

Supramolecular Assembly Strategies Using Alternate Adsorption of Polyelectrolytes: Applications in Pled And Lc Display Devices

ABSTRACTWe present work on the modification, processing, and analysis of ultrathin films for display devices primarily using the supramolecular assembly strategy. This involves the use of various molecular assembly techniques (organic, polymer, metal) in which layer order and functionality is achieved at defined length scales approaching that of ultrathin films (a few to several hundred nm thicknesses). The use of alternate polyelectrolyte deposition (APD) is primarily investigated in ultrathin films that have significance in the fabrication of display devices. The first application involves modifying a polymer light emitting diode (PLED) device fabricated using the ITO/MEH-PPV/Ca protocol with polyaniline derivatives. The second is the use of the “command layer” amplification concept and photo-induced alignment using polarized light with ultrathin films of azo dye/polyelectrolytes in a hybrid liquid crystal (LC) cell configuration. Both strategies rely on the use of surface sensitive spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to correlate device performance with layer ordering at the molecular level. The concept of functional ultrathin layers for device fabrication and modification is emphasized.