Electrical Excitation Research Articles

Reconstructing cardiac electrical excitations from optical mapping recordings.

The reconstruction of electrical excitation patterns through the unobserved depth of the tissue is essential to realizing the potential of computational models in cardiac medicine. We have utilized experimental optical-mapping recordings of cardiac electrical excitation on the epicardial and endocardial surfaces of a canine ventricle as observations directing a local ensemble transform Kalman filter data assimilation scheme. We demonstrate that the inclusion of explicit information about the stimulation protocol can marginally improve the confidence of the ensemble reconstruction and the reliability of the assimilation over time. Likewise, we consider the efficacy of stochastic modeling additions to the assimilation scheme in the context of experimentally derived observation sets. Approximation error is addressed at both the observation and modeling stages through the uncertainty of observations and the specification of the model used in the assimilation ensemble. We find that perturbative modifications to the observations have marginal to deleterious effects on the accuracy and robustness of the state reconstruction. Furthermore, we find that incorporating additional information from the observations into the model itself (in the case of stimulus and stochastic currents) has a marginal improvement on the reconstruction accuracy over a fully autonomous model, while complicating the model itself and thus introducing potential for new types of model errors. That the inclusion of explicit modeling information has negligible to negative effects on the reconstruction implies the need for new avenues for optimization of data assimilation schemes applied to cardiac electrical excitation.

Selective Gain in a Periodic Array of Nano-organic Light-Emitting Diodes.

We report nanoscale organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) arranged periodically into a large-area array, which produces an amplified emission with a selected spectrum in a narrow band. These nano-OLEDs share a common active layer of super yellow light-emitting PPV copolymer (SY-PPV), which acts both as a waveguide and as a gain channel for the light-emitting signals. The periodic structure supplies Bragg-like diffraction of the emission from SY-PPV under electrical excitation so that the electroluminescence signal is coupled into and confined in the SY-PPV waveguide. During propagation, the waveguide resonance mode interacts with the nano-OLED region and gains amplification. Both the waveguide resonance mode and the output coupling process have strong spectral selectivity, so that the amplification is observed within a spectrum as narrow as 32 nm at FWHM. Such a nano-OLED design not only defines a new scheme of nano-OLEDs, but also proposes potential approaches for electrically pumped organic lasers.

Nonlinear dynamics of ionic liquid enhanced soft composite membrane under electro-mechanical loading

The incorporation of ionic liquids (ILs) into dielectric elastomer composites has attracted significant interest due to their potential applications in soft actuators and optical devices. Their soft and hyperelastic nature make them a distinct dynamic. In this paper, nonlinear dynamics of IL enhanced soft composite (ILESC) dielectric membrane subjected to electro-mechanical loading is investigated. A mixed micromechanical model with the incorporation of an electric double layer (EDL) and Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) polarization is developed to estimate mechanical and electrical properties of the ILESC. Governing equations are derived via an energy method with the framework of the hyperelastic membrane theory, Neo-Hookean constitutive model and the couple dielectric theory. These equations are discretized by Taylor series expansion (TSE) and differential quadrature (DQ) methods and are solved by incremental harmonic balance (IHB) method combined with arc-length technique. The developed model and results are verified by comparing to experimental data and previous results. The influence of volume fraction, shape and size of IL fillers, static and dynamic applied electric field and excitation amplitude on forced vibration and resonant response of the ILESC membrane are comprehensively analyzed. It is found that ILESC membrane with slender ellipsoidal ILs displays larger amplitude, lower peak amplitude frequency and more obvious softening behavior.

Electrically-Excited Motion of Topological Defects in Multiferroic Materials

Topological magnetic defects in multiferroic materials acquire an electric charge or dipole moment due to the inverse Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya mechanism. This magnetoelectric coupling makes possible to excite large-amplitude collective motion of topological magnetic textures with an oscillating electric field. Here, I discuss electric excitation of a polar optical mode in a vortex-antivortex crystal and the electrically-induced spin precession in a magnetic skyrmion, which gives rise to rotation of skyrmions around each other and a translational motion of skyrmion-antiskyrmion pairs. The electric manipulation of magnetic topological defects in Mott insulators can find applications in magnetoelectric memory and logical devices.

A time-delayed proportional-derivative controller for a dielectric elastomer circular membrane

• In this paper, an internal resonance of a circular DE membrane is investigated within mechanical and electrical excitations in order to find internal resonances for improving its performance for future applications. • This work proposes a time-delayed proportional-derivative (TDPD) controller for decreasing the oscillations of a DE system with quadratic and cubic nonlinearities. • Averaging method is used to solve the controlled system to obtain the first-order approximation solutions and response equations for the DE system. • The TDPD controller is the best control strategy that can reduce the framework vibrations regardless of the excitation frequency. Due to the substantial deformation generated by voltage excitation, the dielectric elastomer (DE) is a new type of functional polymer that can be employed as a smart actuator. In this paper, an internal resonance of a circular DE membrane is investigated within mechanical and electrical excitations in order to find internal resonances for improving its performance for future applications. All programs that contain DE will perform flawlessly if DE is managed. This work proposes a time-delayed proportional-derivative (TDPD) controller for decreasing the oscillations of a DE system with quadratic and cubic nonlinearities. The system is researched and investigated when using a Proportional–derivative (PD) controller to apply time-delayed control on displacement and velocity. Stability is improved, maximum peak overshoot is reduced, settling time is reduced, and the framework transient response is recovered using this control method. The first-order approximation solutions for the DE system are calculated using the averaging method. Simultaneous resonance is regarded as the worst type of resonance. To obtain the dynamic solution of the device with TDPD controllers, analytical and numerical approaches are used. The Routh-Huriwitz approach is used to review and analyze the consistency of the steady state solution in the near-resonance case. The effects of various factors on the steady-state solution are identified and discussed. The effects of time delay are investigated in order to determine the most stable range of time delays for the best performance. The MATLAB software package is used to generate simulation effects. When the results are compared to the numerical simulations, they show that the approximate solution and the control algorithm used in this paper are well validated. At the end, there is a comparison with previously published work. The focus of this paper is on using a TDPD controller to manage the nonlinear dynamic response and probable internal resonances of a circular DE membrane under mechanical and electrical excitations. The approximate solution of a nonlinear system of differential equations is investigated using the averaging technique in the cases of primary and 1:2 internal resonance, which are the worst-case scenarios that should be avoided. To display and compare controller effects at various system settings, several response curves are used. The TDPD controller is used to research nonlinear dynamics control of the DE system with harmonic force. The stability analysis and the effects of parameter behavior are tested using MATLAB program. To examine the controller effect, several response curves are used. The collected findings demonstrated that the TDPD control efficiency in reducing the system's nonlinear oscillations. The frequency response curves of the system were studied at various uncontrolled and regulated coefficients. Before and after control, response curve diagrams employing frequency response equations are created. Finally, validation curves are shown to measure the degree of similarity between analytical and numerical simulation predictions. At the end, there is a comparison with previously published works.

Machine learning in design of broadband terahertz absorbers based on composite structures

Metasurface absorbers have gained increasing attention in the field of electromagnetic (EM) absorption in recent years. The conventional design method often involves designing various structures and comparing absorption bandwidth and intensity to determine the absorber's structural parameters. The absorption of EM waves by absorbers involves a complicated process of electric field excitation and impedance matching. Although design experience can reduce the number of design iterations, the selection of artificial parameters is often imprecise and can result in design bias. Fortunately, machine learning (ML) algorithms offer the possibility of automating the design of critical parameters for metasurfaces, which can effectively reduce the laborious design process and the high cost of trial and error. In this study, a pyramid-based metasurface absorber (PMA) and an inverted pyramid-based metasurface absorber (IPMA) were designed and optimized using the random forest (RF) algorithm. The results show that the absorption bandwidths of the two absorber models are 2.68 THz and 2.42 THz, respectively, and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) is only 0.60%, which is significantly better than other classical ML and deep learning (DL) algorithms. This study offers a new approach for designing complex systems related to EM wave absorption, reflection, and transmission propagation.

Toward Band n78 Shear Bulk Acoustic Resonators Using Crystalline Y-Cut Lithium Niobate Films With Spurious Suppression

This work presents the study of suspended Y-cut Lithium Niobate shear bulk acoustic resonators for wide band filter applications in the frequency range of 3.5-4.5GHz. The resonators consist of a Lithium Niobate film with Aluminum top interdigitated electrodes (IDE) and floating bottom metal plate. Through vertical electric field excitation, shear bulk acoustic waves are generated in each unit cell of the device functioning as a quasi-independent resonator. Measured devices at 3.7GHz having large relative resonance-antiresonance bandwidth of 16.7% (750MHz), with 2 <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathrm{\Omega }$</tex-math> </inline-formula> impedance at resonance are presented. Suppression of higher order lateral harmonics through etching of trenches in the Lithium Niobate and geometric optimization is discussed.2022-0205

A fingertip-type magnetic pulse detection device for unusual monitoring conditions

Wearable devices for continuous non-invasive monitoring of physiological signals are crucial for preventive care and management of chronic conditions. However, these devices are either sensitive to skin conditions or require external stimuli, such as light or electrical excitation, to penetrate the skin for pulse detection. This often results in large motion artifacts and unsuitability for certain skin conditions. Here we demonstrate a simple fingertip-type device which can detect clear pulse signals under a range of conditions, including fingers covered by opaque substances such as a plaster or nail polish, or fingers immersed in water. The structure of the device consists of a pair of magnets and a magnetic sensor. Both experimental and numerical results show that the detected pulsation signals correspond directly to the vibrations induced by blood circulation with negligible influence from modulated magnetic signature of blood. Therefore, this device could be used in conditions which are challenging for existing pulse detectors and might also have its application extended to blood pressure measurement.

Behavioral Modeling of the Pinched Hysteresis Loop of a Pt/TiO2/Pt Memristor

The fourth fundamental circuit element, the memristor, has become a promising candidate to substantially improve the energy and area efficiencies of circuits as traditional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology is approaching its physical limit. However, a mathematical representation of the experimentally obtained current-voltage characteristic of the memristor is necessary to develop and test memristor-based circuitry in electrical design simulators. Here we have developed a behavioral model for the I-V trace of a Pt/TiO2/Pt memristor that can relate the fitting equations with the physical processes associated with the device in response to applied electrical excitation. Multiple conduction mechanisms are involved in memristor that depend upon its latest state. Therefore, the I-V has distinct segments that altogether form a hysteresis loop pinched at the center. In accordance with the predominant conduction mechanisms at each segment, our model defines the form of the equations. The behavioral model can adequately represent the experimental I-V retrieved from existing work.

A detailed analysis of single-channel Nav 1.5 recordings does not reveal any cooperative gating.

Cardiac voltage-gated sodium (Na+ ) channels (Nav 1.5) are crucial for myocardial electrical excitation. Recent studies based on single-channel recordings have suggested that Na+ channels interact functionally and exhibit coupled gating. However, the analysis of such recordings frequently relies on manual interventions, which can lead to bias. Here, we developed an automated pipeline to de-trend and idealize single-channel currents, and assessed possible functional interactions in cell-attached patch clamp experiments in HEK293 cells expressing human Nav 1.5 channels as well as in adult mouse and rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes. Our pipeline involved de-trending individual sweeps by linear optimization using a library of predefined functions, followed by digital filtering and baseline offset. Subsequently, the processed sweeps were idealized based on the idea that the ensemble average of the idealized current identified by thresholds between current levels reconstructs at best the ensemble average current from the de-trended sweeps. This reconstruction was achieved by non-linear optimization. To ascertain functional interactions, we examined the distribution of the numbers of open channels at every time point during the activation protocol and compared it to the distribution expected for independent channels. We also examined whether the channels tended to synchronize their openings and closings. However, we did not uncover any solid evidence of such interactions in our recordings. Rather, our results indicate that wild-type Nav 1.5 channels are independent entities or exhibit only very weak functional interactions that are probably irrelevant under physiological conditions. Nevertheless, our unbiased analysis will be important for further studies examining whether auxiliary proteins potentiate functional Na+ channel interactions. KEY POINTS: Nav 1.5 channels are critical for cardiac excitation. They are part of macromolecular interacting complexes, and it was previously suggested that two neighbouring channels may functionally interact and exhibit coupled gating. Manual interventions when processing single-channel recordings can lead to bias and inaccurate data interpretation. We developed an automated pipeline to de-trend and idealize single-channel currents and assessed possible functional interactions between Nav 1.5 channels in HEK293 cells and cardiomyocytes during activation protocols using the cell-attached patch clamp technique. In recordings consisting of up to 1000 sweeps from the same patch, our analysis did not reveal any evidence of functional interactions or coupled gating between wild-type Nav 1.5 channels. Our unbiased analysis may be useful in further studies examining how Na+ channel interactions are affected by mutations and auxiliary proteins.

Loops in 4+1d topological phases

2+1d topological phases are well characterized by the fusion rules and braiding/exchange statistics of fractional point excitations. In 4+1d, some topological phases contain only fractional loop excitations. What kind of loop statistics exist? We study the 4+1d gauge theory with 2-form \mathbb{Z}_2ℤ2 gauge field (the loop-only toric code) and find that while braiding statistics between two different types of loops can be nontrivial, the self “exchange” statistics are all trivial. In particular, we show that the electric, magnetic, and dyonic loop excitations in the 4+1d toric code are not distinguished by their self-statistics. They tunnel into each other across 3+1d invertible domain walls which in turn give explicit unitary circuits that map the loop excitations into each other. The SL(2,\mathbb{Z}_2ℤ2) symmetry that permutes the loops, however, cannot be consistently gauged and we discuss the associated obstruction in the process. Moreover, we discuss a gapless boundary condition dubbed the “fractional Maxwell theory” and show how it can be Higgsed into gapped boundary conditions. We also discuss the generalization of these results from the \mathbb{Z}_2ℤ2 gauge group to \mathbb{Z}_NℤN.

Design of Flexible FeCoSiB/ZnO Thin-Film Multiferroic Module for Low-Frequency Energy Harvesting

Multiphase magnetoelectric (ME) composites deposited on flexible substrates have been widely studied, which can respond to ambient mechanical, magnetic, and electric field excitations. This paper reports an investigation of flexible FeCoSiB/ZnO thin-film generators for low-frequency energy harvesting based on three substrates. Both hard substrate Si and flexible substrates (Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and Polyimide (PI)) are adopted to make a comparison of energy conversion efficiency. For the single ME laminate, a PET-based flexible ME generator presents the best ME coupling performance with an average coupling voltage output of ~0.643 mV and power output of ~41.3 nW under the alternating magnetic field of 40 Oe and 20 Hz. The corresponding ME coupling coefficient reaches the value of 321.5 mV/(cm·Oe) for this micrometer scale harvester. Flexible ME modules with double cantilevered ME generators are further designed and fabricated. When two PET-based generators are connected in series, the average voltage output and power are ~0.067 mV and ~0.447 nW, respectively. Although the energy harvested by ME thin-film generators is much smaller than bulk multiferroic materials, it proves the feasibility of using flexible FeCoSiB/ZnO generators for harvesting ambient magnetic energy and supplying sustainable electronic devices in the future.

Efficient sky-blue cesium lead bromide light-emitting diodes with enhanced stability via synergistic interfacial induction and polymer scaffold inhibition

All inorganic CsPbX3 perovskite has aroused broad interests in building efficient light-emitting devices with wide color gamut and flexible fabrication process. So far, the realization of high-performance blue perovskite light-emitting devices (PeLEDs) is still a critical challenge. Herein, we propose an interfacial induction strategy to generate low-dimensional CsPbBr3 with sky blue emission by employing γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) modified poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). The interaction between GABA and Pb2+ inhibited the formation of bulk CsPbBr3 phase. Further assisted by the polymer networks, the sky-blue CsPbBr3 film exhibited much improved stability under both photoluminescence and electrical excitation. This can be ascribed to the scaffold effect and the passivation function of the polymer. Consequently, the obtained sky-blue PeLEDs exhibited an average external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 5.67% (maximum of 7.21%) with a maximum brightness of 3308 cd/m2 and a working lifespan reaching 0.41 h. The strategy in this work provides a new opportunity for exploitation the full potential of blue PeLEDs towards application in lighting and display devices.

Design, Fabrication and Validation of Mixed Order Distributed Feed-Back Organic Diode Laser Cavity

In the context of the quest for the organic laser diode, we address a key challenge to design and fabricate high-quality factor cavities compatible with electrical excitation of organic semiconductors. More precisely, we present the design of DFB micro-cavities for integration in organic laser diodes and their validation under optical pumping. To design high-quality factor mixed-order DFB micro-cavities, we consider the half- and quarter-wavelength multilayered system and use the optical waveguide analysis to quantify the effective indices of the high and low indices, and the matrix transfer method to calculate the reflectances. Matrices of DFB micro-cavities made from different doses and different grating periods were fabricated. We then identified those showing laser emission under optical pumping as an indication of optimal matching of their resonance wavelength with respect to the electroluminescence peak of the organic gain material. Potential applications of organic laser diodes deal with light communication, spectroscopy, sensors, and other applications where heterogenous integration is important.

Quantum Shell in a Shell: Engineering Colloidal Nanocrystals for a High-Intensity Excitation Regime.

Many optoelectronic processes in colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) suffer an efficiency decline under high-intensity excitation. This issue is caused by Auger recombination of multiple excitons, which converts the NC energy into excess heat, reducing the efficiency and life span of NC-based devices, including photodetectors, X-ray scintillators, lasers, and high-brightness light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Recently, semiconductor quantum shells (QSs) have emerged as a promising NC geometry for the suppression of Auger decay; however, their optoelectronic performance has been hindered by surface-related carrier losses. Here, we address this issue by introducing quantum shells with a CdS-CdSe-CdS-ZnS core-shell-shell-shell multilayer structure. The ZnS barrier inhibits the surface carrier decay, which increases the photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY) to 90% while retaining a high biexciton emission QY of 79%. The improved QS morphology allows demonstrating one of the longest Auger lifetimes reported for colloidal NCs to date. The reduction of nonradiative losses in QSs also leads to suppressed blinking in single nanoparticles and low-threshold amplified spontaneous emission. We expect that ZnS-encapsulated quantum shells will benefit many applications exploiting high-power optical or electrical excitation regimes.

Quantitative comparison of excitation modes of tuning forks for shear force in probe microscopy

This article provides a careful comparison between the electric and mechanical excitation of a tuning fork for shear force feedback in scanning probe microscopy, an analysis not found in present literature. A setup is designed and demonstrated for robust signal and noise measurements at comparable levels of physical movement of the probe. Two different signal amplification methods, combined with two excitation ways provide three possible configurations. For each method a quantitative analysis, supported by analytical elaboration and numerical simulations, is provided. Finally, it is shown that in practical circumstances electric excitation followed by detection with a transimpedance amplifier provides the best result.

Theoretical modeling and experimental verification of an improved radial composite transducer consisting of a metal ring and a radially polarized piezoelectric stack

In the ring radial transducer, the wall thickness of the radially polarized piezoelectric ceramic is limited by the polarization technology and operating voltage, resulting in the limited power capacity and vibration ability of the transducer. Hence, an improved novel radial composite transducer (nRCT) is proposed in this paper, which consists of a radially polarized piezoelectric stack and a metal ring. Piezoelectric stack is used to enhance vibration and effectively solve the problem of difficult excitation caused by large wall thickness. A new electromechanical equivalent circuit model (EECM) of the nRCT in radial vibration is established, and the relationship between frequency characteristics of the nRCT and geometric size is analyzed. The finite element method (FEM) is used to carry out numerical modeling of the nRCT and the traditional radial composite transducer (tRCT), and preliminarily verify the calculation results of EECM. Compared with the tRCT, under the same electrical excitation, the equivalent electrical impedance of the nRCT designed in this paper decreases to 26%, and the radial vibration displacement increases to 142%. Finally, the nRCT and the tRCT are fabricated, and the experimental results have well verified the results of the theoretical analysis. The proposed radial piezoelectric stack model provides a new idea for the optimal design of radial vibration piezoelectric devices, which is expected to be further applied to the design of hydrophones, piezoelectric transformers, and medical ultrasound devices.

Bright Emission at Reverse Bias After Trailing Edge of Driving Pulse in Wide InGaN Quantum Wells

In group‐III‐nitride quantum wells (QWs), a strong piezoelectric field is formed. A built‐in potential from the p–n junction is working in the opposite direction depending on an externally applied voltage. Furthermore, the electric field in the QW can be partially screened by a high charge carrier density. Herein, the influence of these effects on recombination and spectrum for over 10 nm wide InGaN QWs is investigated. The very low overlap of electrons and holes would suggest inefficient devices. However, it is shown that thick QWs can be more effective and reach high optical gain. This can be explained by the screening of the electric field, resulting in a high overlap of excited electron and hole states that enable lasing. Herein, a pulsed electrical excitation scheme is used, where carrier injection at forward bias and predominant recombination at zero or reverse bias are separated in time. The interplay between the piezoelectric field and the built‐in potential on carrier recombination in dependence on an external bias voltage is observed. In particular, a strong increase of the radiative recombination rate after the trailing edge of the driving pulse is observed.

Piezoelectric ZnO nanoarrays for catalytic detection of H2O2 with ultra sensitivity

Piezo-electrocatalytic semiconductors with the piezoelectric effect and catalytic properties offer unprecedented opportunities in a variety of applications of chemical sensors, electrocatalysts, and photocatalysis. Herein, we demonstrate a flexible piezo-electrocatalytic sensor based on ZnO nanoarrays for ultrasensitive detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), an important substance in many biologic and medical fields. In situ growth of ZnO nanoarrays on flexible gold interdigital electrodes can effectively couple electrical excitation and external strain-induced piezoelectric polarization to promote catalytic reactions. Therefore, the piezo-electrocatalytic sensor measured by chronoamperometry exhibits an unexpectedly high sensitivity of 487 μA mM−1 cm−2, which is superior to previous results. By using finite element analysis, we simulate the piezoelectric effect of ZnO to elucidate the charge transfer between the strained ZnO and H2O2. This work demonstrates a versatile platform of a flexible piezo-electrocatalytic sensor that can use external mechanical energy to improve chemical and biologic detection.

Electro-optical modulation of terahertz beam by drifting space-charge domains in n-GaN epilayers

Electro-optical modulation of a terahertz beam by drifting space-charge domains in n-GaN epilayers under pulsed electric field excitation was found and investigated at a temperature of 77 K. The free charge carrier contribution was observed as the attenuation of terahertz (THz) transmission whose value independently on THz beam polarization increased with the electric field, in the presence of drifting space-charge domains, up to 10%. The electro-optical contribution, on the other hand, was sensitive to beam polarization and demonstrated a nonlinear increase in THz transmission up to 50% under the external electric field up to 1.6 kV/cm, while higher field values led to an electrical breakdown of samples operating in the presence of drifting space-charge domain.