Hybrid Interface Research Articles

Implementation of the Conversational Hybrid Design Model to Improve Usability in the FAQ

FAQ is an important part of a system because it is used to make it easier for users to solve problems faced by users. Some FAQ systems have even started using Chatbot technology to make it easier for users. Chatbots have been widely used as a medium for services in almost all fields. Starting from marketing, service systems, education, health, culture and entertainment. Various types of chatbots have sprung up, ranging from text-based like short messaging applications to voice-based ones. However, not all forms of chatbot designs have been successfully implemented in the FAQ system. Adjustments need to be made, especially considering the persona of the user. This research provides a solution by implementing a hybrid conversational design. Hybrid conversation design is accomplished by incorporating text, voice, and buttons into the chatbot interface. Conversation activities with this hybrid interface provide keywords that users may search for in the form of buttons. The hybrid design of the FAQ Chatbot is proven to be able to improve user usability compared to full text chatbots and full text FAQs. The increase in user usability is measured using UEQ, the results of which show an increase in usability from all existing aspects. However, the implementation of this hybrid design also has the consequence that the conversation management system must have structured initial information.

Liminality and Gender Fluidity in Shakespearian Dramaturgy: A Postmodern Perspective

The article seeks to compare and contrast the critical canon based on transvestism with deliberations upon androgyny. The postmodern approach explores the liminal spaces in Shakespearian dramaturgy where rigid, hide-bound compartmentalization of dichotomies in gender fuse with a fluid, liminal space of hybrid interface. The earlier readings of misogyny and chauvinism into Shakespearian heroines’ assumption of the male identity open vistas in the liminal space where these characters are conferred a privilege to navigate spaces beyond conventional fixities. By subjecting gender binaries to artistic rendition and critical canon, Shakespearian dramas offer insight into the socio-political debate around gender roles and responsibilities. By breaking free with the status quo, Shakespeare's female protagonists emerge more empowered and emancipated in their deft handling of crisis where cross-dressing only serves as an expedient measure to earn them the requisite mobility to the echelons of power. On the other hand, it is on account of their intellectual acumen that poised on a critical juncture they are able to trigger a denouement of the dramatic complication.

Reduced Graphene Oxide/MXene-Derived TiO2 Hybrid Interface Layer for the Improvement of Zinc Oxide Nanorod Growth and Their Applications in Glutathione Sensing

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor is an important type of biosensor widely used in glutathione (GSH) sensing. The PEC properties of the photoanode present in the sensor are critical to its sensing performance. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an excellent semiconductor with a suitable band gap and light absorption ability for photoanode applications. Meanwhile, the interfacial layer is also important in the separation and transportation process of the excitons. In this work, high-quality ZnO nanorods were grown on the indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates. An interfacial layer consisting of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) or MXene (a two-dimensional transition metal carbide)-derived TiO2 was introduced. Our results show that the introduction of the RGO/TiO2 hybrid interfacial layer can promote both the high-quality growth of ZnO nanorods and also provides suitable band gap grading for efficient excitons separation and transportation. The GSH sensing performance of the PEC sensor based on the ZnO nanorods grown on the RGO/TiO2 hybrid layer-coated ITO photoanode can dramatically improve the photocurrent strength and linearity.

Preparation of CF-GO-SiO2 multi-scale reinforcements based on electrostatic interaction: A non-destructive and simple method to construct hybrid interface layers of carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin composites

A GO-SiO2 hybrid interface layer was prepared by electrostatic adsorption to synergistically improve the weak interface bonding between carbon fiber (CF) and poly(phthalazinone ether ketone) (PPEK). FTIR, Raman and XPS confirmed that GO-SiO2 interface layer is constructed on CF surface. SEM and AFM indicated that the synergistic effect of GO-SiO2 could obviously improve the CF surface roughness. CF-GO-SiO2/PPEK composite exhibits excellent interlaminar shear strength (84.2 MPa), flexural strength (1620 MPa), storage modulus (132.9 GPa) and Tg (285 °C). The GO-SiO2 interface layer improves the mechanical interlocking and wettability between CF and PPEK, and the failure mechanism of the composite changes from interfacial debonding for Untreated CF/PPEK composite to matrix cohesive destruction and fiber breakage for CF-GO-SiO2/PPEK composite. Moreover, the layer is beneficial to the hydrothermal ageing resistance of the composite. This study provides a promising strategy for improving the interfacial properties of advanced thermoplastic composites.

DFT calculations and machine learning approach to predict catalytic properties of nanoscale electrocatalysts in solution for clean fuel generation

<h2>Abstract</h2> A nanocatalyst is at the central position as a promoter of various chemical. Innovative design of highly functional catalyst materials has been, however, delayed. In molecular level computational electrochemistry new research paradigm has been established, which substantially incorporates IT-based artificial intelligence (AI) technology into machine learning algorism. Using the new computational methodology high-throughput screening of promising nanoparticle candidates has been attempted for various desired applications. Whether the frontier approach is successful or not is significantly controlled by the reliability and accuracy of input database. It is true that substantial amounts of the data are come by previous literatures and often ab-initio calculations with idealized model systems. The conditions in which the data were generated may be so different from the operando circumstances of the target materials. To secure extreme-level integrity of the database the in-situ measurement of nanoparticle structures should be carried out, from which the reliable correlation of the structure-performance-design principle can be identified. Using first-principles calculations we studied nanoparticles with adsorbate ligands in liquid solution to establish three-dimensional (3D) structure and property database, which are, then, analyzed through AI-based neural-network approach with high speed and accuracy. The information includes sizes, lattice distortions, and defects with picometer resolution under non-vacuum conditions. The computational outcomes are rigorously validated from the 3D liquid-cell electron microscopy. The approach is indeed ‘knowledge-based' AI, which can be expected to make groundbreaking ways toward the quantum nanoarchitecture for hybrid interface materials.

Controllable graphene oxide-based biocompatible hybrid interface as an anti-fibrotic coating for metallic implants

In tissue engineering, foreign body reactions (FBRs) that may occur after the insertion of medical implants are a considerable challenge. Materials currently used in implants are mainly metals that are non-organic, and the lack of biocompatibility and absence of immune regulations may lead to fibrosis after long periods of implantation. Here, we introduce a highly biocompatible hybrid interface of graphene oxide (GO) and collagen type I (COL-I), where the topological nanostructure can effectively inhibit the differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. The structure and roughness of this coating interface can be easily adjusted at the nanoscale level through changes in the GO concentration, thereby effectively inducing the polarization of macrophages to the M1 state without producing excessive amounts of pro-inflammatory factors. Compared to nanomaterials or the extracellular matrix as an anti-fibrotic interface, this hybrid bio-interface has superior mechanical strength, physical structures, and high inflammation. Evidenced by inorganic materials such as glass, titanium, and nitinol, GO-COL shows great potential for use in medical implants and cell-material interfaces.

Dual control of external surface and internal pore structure of small ordered mesoporous silica particles directed by mixed polyion complex micelles

A versatile approach has been developed to prepare small mesoporous silica particles with simultaneous control of the internal ordered pore structure and the external particle surface. Mixed polyion complex (PIC) micelles are used as silica structure-directing agents: they result from the complexation of a polybase with two polyacid double-hydrophilic block copolymers (DHBC) having either a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) based-block or a polyacrylamide (PAM) block. The ionizable block in both DHBC is poly(acrylic acid), which complexes oligochitosan to form the core of the electrostatic complex. By varying the architecture of the PEO-based block (linear or comb-shaped) and the synthesis parameters, it is possible to modulate the pore structure from 3D cage-like to 2D-hexagonal and lamellar mesostructures. Replacing a fraction of the PEO-based polymers with DHBC having a polyacrylamide block that has no affinity for silica is shown to affect silica-micelle interactions and material growth. While the PEO chains interact with silica to form the hybrid interface, the PAM chains act as capping agents and control the external surface of the particles. Increasing the relative amount of PAM-based DHBC leads to the formation of small discrete mesoporous silica particles that are reduced in size to 200 nm. The particle size reduction and particle surface stabilization by PAM chains can be explained by considering not only the existence of a mixed corona of PAM and PEO in PIC micelles but also the differentiated solubility of these two neutral blocks induced by silica condensation. Thus, the present strategy allows independent decrease of the particle size and tuning of its pore structure.

Novel Hybrid Numerical Simulation of the Wave Equation by Combining Physical and Numerical Representation Theorems and a Review of Hybrid Methodologies

AbstractWe present a novel hybrid method to simulate wave propagation through remote regional models. By reviewing and refining the two main existing hybrid categories, the multiple point sources method and direct discrete differentiation method, containing five distinct subcategories, the proposed hybrid method has the following three advantages. (a) The meshing of the local target model is completely independent of that of the global reference model. (b) Only three physical quantities, that is, the gradient ∇q, potential q, and second temporal derivative of the potential ∂ttq for the acoustic wave equation (traction, displacement, and acceleration for the elastic scenario) are required to construct the hybrid inputs during the first global simulation. They are located exactly on the two‐dimensional (2D) hybrid interface, which is highly accurate and memory efficient for three‐dimensional (3D) hybrid numerical simulations. The required memory of hybrid inputs can be reduced fourfold if the very high polynomial degree spectral element method (SEM) is used for the 3D local hybrid simulation. (c) An efficient artificial perfectly matched layer (PML) can be adopted naturally without any elements overlapping between the local and PML domains in the second hybrid simulation. We build on theoretical analysis and 2D/3D numerical forward simulations based on the SEM to illustrate this new hybrid method and demonstrate its validity. The proposed hybrid method is promising for efficiently probing key 3D structures anywhere within the Earth using the so‐called “box tomography.”

A Networked Hybrid Interface for Audience Sonification and Machine Learning

Lick the Toad is an ongoing project developed as a web based interface that runs in modern browsers. It provides a custom made platform to collect user data accessed from mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets etc. The system offers a tool for interactive collective sonification supporting networked music performance. It can be used in various contexts, such as an onsite installation, or for the distribution of raw data for live coding performances making it a versatile component for an array of creative practices. Of these, live coding which is one of the author's artistic approach to create live performances is demonstrated in this article highlighting and elaborating on technical and musical aspects of this approach. Final sections outline the system as a tool for live coding performances and cover a series of potential interactions integrating audience and/or using it independently alike.

Experimental and first-principles study on TiB/TiC interface in hybrid (TiB+TiC)/Ti6Al4V composite

To understand the synergistic strengthening mechanism of hybrid TiB + TiC reinforcements in Ti matrix composites, the corresponding TiB/TiC interfacial characters and load-bearing capacity were revealed in this work through a coupled method of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), ab-initio calculations, and Vickers indentation test. Results show the interfacial orientation relationship (OR) between TiB and TiC phases is [010]TiB//[11 2‾]TiC, (2 2‾ 0)TiC//(102)TiB, which exhibits an interface formation energy of 3.32 J/m2 estimated via first-principles calculations. The TiB/TiC interface shows a high adhesion strength of 5.78 J/m2 owing to the formation of strong B–C covalent bond, which is also slightly higher than the strength (5.52 J/m2) obtained within TiB. Moreover, the strong TiB/TiC interface contributes to the superior load-bearing capacity of the intergrowth ceramic structure with relatively higher hardness (∼2100 HV0.2) than that of individual TiB and TiC phases (around 2020–2030 HV0.2). Consequently, the hybrid TiB + TiC reinforcements exhibit a synergistic strengthening effect in Ti matrix composites due to the intergrowth microstructure characteristic with superior load-bearing capacity.

Stable all-solid-state lithium metal batteries enabled by ultrathin LiF/Li3Sb hybrid interface layer

The PEO-LLZTO composite solid electrolyte is considered to be one of the most promising solid electrolytes. However, there is still a heavily short circuit caused by dendrite penetration due to the uneven deposition of Li on the solid electrolyte/Li anode interface. In this paper, the SbF3 is used as the precursor to treating commercial Li foils by spray painting method, and an ultrathin LiF/Li3Sb hybrid interface layer is constructed. The interface layer can improve the deposition of Li and enhance the solid electrolyte/anode interface stability effectively contributed by the high Li-ion conductivity of LiF and lithiophilic Li3Sb. Using SbF3@Li as the anode to assemble solid symmetric cells, a high current density of 0.6 mA·cm–2 and an extended cycle life at 0.2 mA·cm–2 for 0.2 mAh·cm–2 are obtained. Moreover, assembling full cells with the LiFePO4 or single crystal LiNi0.6Mn0.1Co0.3O2, it is found that the cycle stability and coulomb efficiency are greatly improved. The LiFePO4|PEO-LLZTO|SbF3@Li cell delivers stable cycling at 0.2 C over 200 cycles (94.5% capacity retention), and it also exhibits a superior rate capability of 127.9 mAh·g–1 at 1 C. These results demonstrate that the modified Li anode holds large potential for all-solid-state lithium metal battery applications.

Elastomer–Alginate Interface for High‐Power and High‐Energy Zn Metal Anodes

AbstractSpontaneous corrosion and uncontrolled dendrite accumulation of Zn rapidly degrades zinc–metal battery performance. Artificial interfaces have been widely fabricated on Zn metal anodes, yet most interfaces are detrimental to ion transfer and adapt poorly to spatial changes during Zn plating/stripping. Herein, a hybrid interface, consisting of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fiber matrix and Zn‐alginate (ZA) filler, is designed, which serves as a physical barrier between anode and electrolyte to inhibit side reactions. Encouragingly, ZA regulates Zn2+ transport and endows uniform Zn deposition by inducing plating/stripping underneath the hybrid interface. At the same time, the TPU frame acts as a super‐elastic constraint to further suppress rampant dendrite evolution and accommodate a large amount of deposited Zn. Consequently, the interface‐protected Zn anode delivers high cycling stability (1200 h at 5 mA cm–2/5 mA h cm–2; 500 h at 10 mA cm–2/10 mA h cm–2), realizing an exceptional cumulative capacity of over 6000 mA h cm–2. This enhancement is well maintained in the full cell when coupled with a vanadium‐based cathode. The unique matrix‐filler architecture and mechanistic insights unraveled in this study are expected to provide a general principle in designing functional interfaces for metal anodes.

Building Ultra-Stable and Low-Polarization Composite Zn Anode Interface via Hydrated Polyzwitterionic Electrolyte Construction

HighlightsA novel hydrogel with high water retention and Zn2+ transference number of 0.604 was constructed by copolymerizing sulfobetaine and acrylamide in Zn(ClO4)2 solution.The designed electrolyte configuration enables in situ generation of the organic–inorganic hybrid interface, which contributes to the electrodeposition uniformity and corrosion resistance of the anode.Zn–Zn and Zn–MnO2 cells based on hydrogel electrolyte exhibit outstanding cycling stability (over 3000 h under 0.5 mA cm−2/0.5 mAh cm−2 after two-time shelving).

Conversion of Interfacial Chemical Bonds for Inducing Efficient Photoelectrocatalytic Water Splitting.

Sp-C-hybridized alkyne bonds present the natural advantages of interacting with metal atoms and have the ability to generate a large number of new catalytic active sites on the surface and the interfaces, thus greatly promoting the efficient progress of various light/electrochemical reactions. In this work, we have successfully fabricated a novel type of interfacial structure containing sp-C-Mo/O bonds and mixed Mo valence states with outstanding catalytic activity and stability for photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) overall water splitting in a wide pH range (0-14), due to the presence of sp-carbon-rich graphdiyne. For example, in alkaline conditions (pH = 14), the overpotentials of oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions at 10 mA cm-2 are 165 and 8 mV. When being used as an electrolyzer, the cell voltage of this catalyst is only 1.40 V to achieve 10 mA cm-2. The high PEC activity of graphdiyne@molybdenum oxide originates from the conversion of chemical bonds at the sp-C hybrid interface and the coexistence of multivalent states of molybdenum, triggering a large number of catalytic active sites, greatly promoting charge transfer and lowering water dissociation energy.

Fast atom-photon entangling gates with a superconducting coplanar waveguide

Entanglement between atoms and microwave photons in a superconducting coplanar waveguide~(SCW) can enable hybrid quantum devices and interface static and flying qubits. We study a one-step controlled-Z~(C$_{\text{Z}}$) gate between a neutral atom trapped near a SCW and a microwave mode in the SCW, which is an extension of the gate proposed in [J. D. Pritchard, et.al., Phys. Rev. A 89, 010301(R) (2014)]. The gate protocol is simple and requires one laser pulse for exciting a transition between the ground and Rydberg states of the neutral atom.

Site-dependent spin-polarized tunneling via hybrid interface states on molecule/ferromagnet surface

Based on density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green's function method, we investigate the spin polarization and transport ability of hybrid interface states at benzene/Ni surface by introducing the top probe electrode. The results demonstrate that when the top electrode connects the molecule with different sites, the spin polarization of the projected density of states and the interfacial spin density distribution are disturbed in different ways. A contact site induced inversion of the spin polarization is observed at Fermi energy. The transport calculation indicates that the center contact is better to achieve a large tunneling magnetoresistance at low bias, but the edge and top contacts is useful to get a little larger spin polarization of the current. This work points out that the spin polarization and transport property of the hybrid interface states in a molecular junction depends on the way to introduce the second probe electrode, which can be suitable designed to achieve an excellent performance.

Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Interfaces for Spin Injection into Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene

AbstractSpintronics is a quantum technology which aims at adding the spin quantum degree of freedom to conventional CMOS electronics. Since the discovery of the giant magneto‐resistance in 1988, considered as the birth of this field, spintronics continues flooding the market with plethora of devices used in everyday life applications such as hard drive read heads or magnetic random‐access memories, and so on. From a fundamental research perspective, the field is still blooming bringing post‐CMOS perspectives technologically closer to the reality with, for instance, prototypes of all‐spin‐logic circuits and neuromorphic chips. To sustain this intense research activity, a quest for new platform materials is also taking place not only to enhance existing performances but also to generate novel functionalities. In this vein, carbon nanostructures such as molecules, graphene, and carbon nanotubes are among the most sought‐after materials. In this review, spin transport experiments in carbon nanotubes and graphene are first detailed and then, the necessity to consider new hybrid interfaces are highlighted for a better control of the spin injection at the quantum device level.

DNA-encoded MXene-Pt nanozyme for enhanced colorimetric sensing of mercury ions

MXene-based nanozymes have attracted considerable attention in the field of environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics due to their unique properties. However, the low peroxidase-like activity and limited recognition functions of pristine MXenes hinder their further practical applications. Therefore, developing an efficient surface engineering strategy is urgently needed to promote the high performance of MXene-based nanozymes. Herein, a simple, versatile, and DNA-encoded seed-growth strategy was developed for the synthesis of MXene/DNA/Pt nanocomposites, which exhibit excellent peroxidase-like activity in a sequence-dependent manner. Surprisingly, a significant inhibition in peroxidase-like activity of MXene/DNA/Pt nanocomposites by Hg2+ ions is achieved due to the specific capture of Hg2+ by the nanozyme and in situ reduction of partial Hg2+ to Hg0 on the hybrid interface. Importantly, the proposed nanozyme-based Hg2+ sensor displays prominent analytical performance in both environmental and biological fluids, with high sensitivity, selectivity, and tunable dynamic range. Additionally, integrated with a portable centrifugal microfluidic system, the sensor has the potential to enable fast sample-to-answer Hg2+ detection in a high-throughput and point-of-care format. This work not only provides an effective surface engineering strategy for the design of highly active MXene-based nanozymes but also offers a strategy for developing a multimode sensing system for multiple scenario applications.

2-Methylimidazole-tuned “4-Self” strategy based on benzimidazole-5-carboxylate for boosting oxygen reduction electrocatalysis

Rational design highly active transition metal or transition metal oxides/nanocarbon hybrids is one of the feasible way to deliver a cooperative oxygen reduction (ORR) with a synergistic effect of the hybrid interface. Herein, based on benzimidazole-5-carboxylate (BIMC), CoO/Co-N-C nanocomposites are fabricated via 2-methylimidazole (2-MeIm)-tuned “4-Self” strategy, namely, self-templating, self-adapting, self-assembly and self-catalysis. As a base competitive ligand with N and C sources, 2-MeIm modulates the dispersion of BIMC in methanol to generate collodial-like BIMC tiny particles, the coordination ability of BIMC to Co(II), the composition and morphology of the self-assembled precursor (Co-BM), and as well as the conductivity of the resultant electrocatalyst. Impressing, carbonization of Co-BM at 800 °C under N2 atmosphere endows the pyrolysis product (Co-BM-800) with the well-dispersed Co/CoO riveted on nitrogen-doped carbon, as well as the enhanced ORR performance in terms of positive onset-potential (0.890 V vs. RHE), large diffusion limiting current density (5.21 mA cm−2), and high stability.

Silica deposition on zirconia via room-temperature atomic layer deposition (RT-ALD): Effect on bond strength to veneering ceramic

PurposeTo develop and to characterize a hybrid interface between yttria-stabilized zirconia (Y-TZP) transformed layer and silica-based nanofilm to enable a better bonding between Y-TZP and a veneering ceramic. Material and methodsSixty-six fully-sintered rectangular Y-TZP specimens were distributed into 6 groups, according to the surface treatment applied: C (control): no treatment; Al: 27 μm-alumina particle abrasion; Ht: hydrothermal treatment in autoclave for 15h; Si20: 20 cycles of silica deposition using room-temperature atomic layer deposition (RT-ALD); Si40: 40 cycles of RT-ALD; Ht + Si40: hydrothermal treatment followed by 40 cycles of RT-ALD. RT-ALD was performed by the sequential exposure of specimens to vapor of tetramethoxysilane orthosilicate (TMOS) and ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH). Y-TZP surface wettability and shear bond strength (SBS) between Y-TZP and the veneering ceramic were analyzed for all groups after surface treatments. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test were used for data analysis (p ≤ 0.05). ResultsThe highest contact angle was observed for the control group (64.46 ± 6.09 θ), while the lowest values (p < 0.001) were presented after Si20 (29.85 ± 4.23 θ) and Si40 (30.37 ± 5.51 θ) treatments. Hydrothermal treatment (49.3 ± 2.69 θ) and alumina abrasion (45.84 ± 4.12 θ) resulted in intermediate contact angle values. The highest SBS values were observed for Al (16.74 ± 1.68 MPa) and Ht (15.27 ± 2.11 MPa) groups (p < 0.018). Groups Si20 (9.66 ± 1.22 MPa), Si40 (9.33 ± 2.11 MPa), Ht + Si40 (9.37 ± 1.02 MPa) and C (12.54 ± 2.64 MPa) all resulted in similar SBS results (p > 0.998). ConclusionThe experimental treatments proposed enhanced surface wettability, but shear bond strength between Y-TZP and veneering ceramic was not improved. Alumina particle-abrasion improved SBS values while a decrease in wettability was observed.