Technological Interest Research Articles

Ferroelectric Control of Anisotropic Magnetoresistance in Ultrathin Sr2IrO4 Films toward 2D Metallic Limit

AbstractThe Ruddlesden‐Popper 5d iridate Sr2IrO4 is an antiferromagnetic Mott insulator with the electronic, magnetic, and structural properties highly intertwined. Voltage control of its magnetic state is of intense fundmenatal and technological interest but remains to be demonstrated. Here, the tuning of magnetotransport properties in 5.2 nm Sr2IrO4 via interfacial ferroelectric PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 is reported. The conductance of the epitaxial PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3/Sr2IrO4 heterostructure exhibits ln(T) behavior that is characteristic of 2D correlated metal, in sharp contrast to the thermally activated behavior followed by 3D variable range hopping observed in single‐layer Sr2IrO4 films. Switching PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 polarization induces nonvolatile, reversible resistance modulation in Sr2IrO4. At low temperatures, the in‐plane magnetoresisance in the heterostructure transitions from positive to negative at high magnetic fields, opposite to the field dependence in single‐layer Sr2IrO4. In the polarization down state, the out‐of‐plane anisotropic magnetoresistance RAMR exhibits sinusoidal angular dependence, with a 90° phase shift below 20 K. For the polarization up state, unusual multi‐level resistance pinning appears in RAMR below 30 K, pointing to enhanced magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The work sheds new light on the intriguing interplay of interface lattice coupling, charge doping, magnetoelastic effect, and possible incipient ferromagnetism in Sr2IrO4, facilitating the functional design of its electronic and material properties.

Molecular Cocrystal Packing Suppresses Hopping-Driven Decoherence of Excitonic Spin Qubits.

Molecular excitonic spins have garnered significant interest for quantum technologies because they can be initialized into addressable, multilevel quantum states through spin-selective intersystem crossing or singlet fission. However, excitonic spin coherence is difficult to maintain above liquid helium temperatures due to typical crystal packings, which promote decoherence through exciton hopping between magnetically inequivalent sites. Here, we engineer donor-acceptor cocrystals where molecular packing in isolated π-stacks of magnetically equivalent molecules suppresses hopping-induced decoherence. Pulse-electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals that high-temperature spin coherence in this packing geometry is instead strongly influenced by mutual spin flip-flops between interacting excitons. Coherence anisotropy measurements indicate that spin-phonon coupling enhances the rate of spin flip-flops through dynamic reorientation of the zero field splitting tensor. As a result, coherence times decrease exponentially at elevated temperatures, with coherence times measurable up to 150 K. The combined results present generalized design strategies to preserve excitonic spin coherence at high temperatures.

Hydrogen embrittlement of steels: Mechanical properties in gaseous hydrogen

As the exigency for decarbonizing sectors such as utilities, heavy-duty transportation, and manufacturing has risen, interest in hydrogen technologies has intensified accordingly. Among the safety issues being addressed for hydrogen technologies is the potential for hydrogen embrittlement of steels, which are commonly specified for pressure boundaries in containment components. From an engineering perspective, hydrogen embrittlement of steels can be managed through conventional design and fitness-for-service (FFS) practices provided the mechanical property inputs are measured appropriately, i.e., testing of steels is performed in the hydrogen environment. Given the increasing need for managing hydrogen embrittlement to safely operate high-pressure containment components, the purpose of this review is to comprehensively survey and critically assess the literature on the following mechanical properties of steels in gaseous hydrogen that serve as inputs to design and FFS analyses: threshold stress-intensity factor or threshold J-integral for subcritical, time-dependent cracking, fatigue crack growth rate, and total fatigue life. The review focuses on such mechanical properties in gaseous hydrogen for carbon-manganese (C-Mn) steels, low-alloy steels, austenitic stainless steels, duplex stainless steels, as well as the ferritic and martensitic stainless steels, since these are most pertinent to containment components in hydrogen technology. Three high-level conclusions from the review are the following: 1) mechanical property data for C-Mn and low-alloy steels in hydrogen gas are sufficiently mature so that conservative limits can be specified for design and FFS analyses, 2) mechanical property data for austenitic stainless steels must be supplemented with additional measurements, particularly from specimens tested in high-pressure hydrogen gas, before conservative limits can be defined for design and FFS analyses, and 3) mechanical property data for ferritic, martensitic, and duplex stainless steels in hydrogen gas are so scarce that design and FFS analyses covering wide ranges of steel grades and component service conditions are currently not feasible.

Program Pengembangan Karakter dan Variasi Metode Pembelajaran Digital sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Literasi Siswa

This Community Service Program (PkM) aims to enhance the quality of education at SDN Medalkrisna 01 through three main activities: Literacy Eradication, Mini Cinema, and STEM-Based Learning. The Literacy Eradication program provides reading and writing guidance to students with literacy difficulties using phonemic techniques and progressive writing exercises. The Mini Cinema program is designed to raise students' awareness of the three major educational sins (bullying, intolerance, and sexual violence) through educational film screenings followed by interactive discussions. Meanwhile, STEM-Based Learning is implemented in science lessons through hands-on experiments, such as making churned ice cream, to understand the concept of phase changes in matter. The results of these programs show improvements in students’ literacy skills, awareness of the negative impacts of bullying, and increased interest in science and technology. Additionally, positive feedback from students and teachers indicates the effectiveness of the program in creating a more inclusive and innovative learning environment.

Neural signatures of STEM learning and interest in youth.

Neural signatures of STEM learning and interest in youth.

"The Grass is Always Greener" and "Questions for AI"

As a third-year undergraduate student studying Interactive Systems Design, Kate’s art explores a variety of mediums, in which a focus on the creative aspect of perspective is carried throughout her work. With Kate’s complementary interests in art and technology, she primarily experiments with graphic design, digital illustration, photography, and a combination of these mediums in her projects. "The Grass Is Always Greener": This piece is a digital print created using Adobe Photoshop that parodies the well-known “grass is greener” proverb. "Questions for AI": There are some questions out there that are hard to think about or ask. Perhaps even some that we will never have definitive answers for. However, as technology continues on its course of rapid advancement within the landscape of our ever-evolving society, these are the questions that stand between us and our understanding of where the future of humanity lies. As such, “Questions for AI” is a digital print series that prompts viewers to reflect not only upon recent modern development in artificial intelligence, but also on the new realities of the human race.

Home, In Parting

As a third-year undergraduate student studying Interactive Systems Design, Kate’s art explores a variety of mediums, in which a focus on the creative aspect of perspective is carried throughout her work. With Kate’s complementary interests in art and technology, she primarily experiments with graphic design, digital illustration, photography, and a combination of these mediums in her projects. “Home, In Parting” is a poem created as part of the USask English 120 Introduction to Creative Writing course. The poem comprises three linked tankas, each following a syllabic pattern of 5-7-5-7-7.

Consumer and Economic Influences on Electric Vehicle Adoption: The Mediating Role of Attitudes and the Moderating Effect of Demographics

This study explores economic and consumer factors impacting electric vehicle (EV) adoption through consumer attitude mediation and moderation by demographic factors in the Jordanian context. The study aims to fill an important knowledge gap about EV adoption mechanisms. The study analyzes the insufficient attention given to demographic indicators including age and income and educational level because they affect how economic premiums alongside psychological preferences lead to behavioral electronic vehicle adoption. The study used an online survey with 288 valid EV owner and drivers respondents in Jordan targeted to test the research model using structural equation modeling via SmartPLS. The analysis validates that economic variables relationship with EV adoption rates through consumer attitudes and demographic characteristics play a key role as influencing variables. Study presents actionable implications which policymakers and manufacturers can use to boost EV adoption rates. The results demonstrate that education programs combined with awareness campaigns about EV financial gains and environmental advantages need to become primary factors for developing positive consumer attitudes toward these vehicles. The different consumer segments require targeted marketing strategies because demographic characteristics serve as essential moderators in the adoption process. Older consumers with lower incomes need experiential information about EVs along with financial incentives since younger university-educated consumers already show interest in EV technology. Policy makers should use adjustable financial incentives to encourage adoption among groups that show low interest in electric vehicles because this approach will boost the impact of economic incentives toward wider adoption.

Mixed Reality Technology and Three-Dimensional Printing in Teaching: Heart Anatomy as an Example.

Mixed reality technology and three-dimensional (3D) printing are becoming more and morecommon in the field of medicine. During the COVID-19 pandemic and immediately after the restrictions had beeneased, many innovations were implemented in the teaching of future doctors. There was also interest in immersive techniques and 3D printing technology in anatomy teaching. However, these are not common implementations. In 2023, 3D prints and holograms in mixed reality technology were prepared for classes focused on the structure of the heart. They were used to teach students, who, with the support of engineers, could learn about the detailed structure of the heart and familiarize themselves with the new technologies that support the traditional model of learning on human cadavers. Students findthis possibility to be highly valuable. The article presents the process of preparing materials for classes and further implementation possibilities. The authors see an opportunity for the development of the presented technologies in students'teaching at various levels of education and the justification for increasingly widespread implementation.

A magnon band analysis of GdRu2Si2 in the field-polarized state

Understanding the formation of skyrmions in centrosymmetric materials is a problem of fundamental and technological interest. GdRu2Si2 is a candidate material that hosts a variety of multi-Q magnetic phases, including in zero-field. Here, inelastic neutron scattering is used to measure the spin excitations in the field-polarized phase of GdRu2Si2. Linear spin wave theory and a method of interaction invariant path analysis are used to derive a Hamiltonian accounting for the spectra. The Hamiltonian, dominated by bilinear (Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida) Heisenberg exchange, compares favorably to ab initio calculations. Dipolar interactions are a secondary energy scale to consider, with JD.D~ 0.05JRKKY. However, it is shown that in the field-polarized phase the dipolar interactions ‘self screen’ so that their effect is largely suppressed. No specific evidence for higher-order exchange is found. These aspects are discussed in the context of the lower field multi-Q states and the anisotropy of the system.

Pathways to STEM identity: high school students' perceptions in Qatar

IntroductionThis study delves into the intricate relationship between various constructs of student identity formation, which helps comprehend their subsequent impact on students' interest and persistence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Understanding how disciplinary identities contribute to the development of a holistic STEM identity is critical for shaping effective educational strategies.MethodsUtilizing a survey-based quantitative approach, this research encompasses data from 1,428 high school students. The study examined the influence of disciplinary identities in Mathematics, Science, and IT on the overall STEM identity.ResultsThe principal findings underscore that students' identities in specific disciplines-Mathematics identity (β = 0.55, p < 0.001), Science identity (β = 0.12, p < 0.001), and IT identity (β = 0.36, p < 0.001)-positively influence their overall STEM identity. Among these, the Mathematics identity exhibited the most substantial positive relationship. Additionally, the constructs associated with each disciplinary identity, particularly “recognition” and “sense of belonging,” demonstrated the strongest correlations within STEM subjects.DiscussionThese insights are pivotal for policymakers and educators aiming to cultivate a robust STEM identity among the younger generation. By fostering recognition and a sense of belonging within STEM subjects, these findings pave the way for more inclusive and effective strategies in STEM education.

Code Quest: Gamified Platform to learn Programming.

Code Quest is an innovative platform that blends coding education with gamification to make programming more accessible, engaging, and rewarding. Designed for beginners and students, it integrates structured learning and interactive gameplay to create a balanced environment that encourages consistent practice and growth. Participants (users) gain or lose points according to their performance, with a real-time leaderboard fostering healthy competition and motivation. The platform prioritizes core programming skills such as syntax retention, problem-solving, and logical thinking, while also promoting user engagement through game-based reinforcement. By removing traditional barriers to entry and introducing coding in a fun and less intimidating manner, Code Quest nurtures curiosity, builds confidence, and inspires a sustained interest in technology. Through its intuitive design and learner-centered approach, Code Quest redefines how coding is introduced to new learners, helping them develop technical fluency in an enjoyable and accessible way. It is adaptable across diverse learning styles, combining play with pedagogy which makes it very suitable for different types of learners and offers both self-paced and classroom environments. Keywords: Programming Education, Gamification, eLearning, Syntax Retention, Coding Challenges, Leaderboard System, Interactive Learning, Beginner-Friendly Coding

How anthropomorphic features in service robots foster co-creation and wellbeing among Gen Z consumers?

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the influence of service robot anthropomorphic factors on trust and emotion, which subsequently affect consumer outcomes such as value co-creation and consumer wellbeing.Design/methodology/approachThe authors gathered empirical data of 282 Gen Z visitors at a library where a service robot concierge was actively deployed. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the hypothesised relationships.FindingsThe findings reveal the significant positive effects of social capability and warmth on trust and emotion. In addition, the mediating roles of trust and emotion and the moderating effects of interest in new technology and frequency of visit are established.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that companies should prioritise cultivating trust and emotional connections to enhance consumer experiences with service robots.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to investigate the antecedents of both co-creation and consumer wellbeing in an actual fieldwork setting.

Enhancing opera vocal education through advanced machine learning algorithms: analytics for talent development and curriculum design

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a new system for providing personalized recommendations on educational materials in the learning process. The system was designed using machine learning models, specifically a long short-term memory deep neural network for recognizing the emotional tone of musical fragments in audio form and a recurrent neural network with a hierarchical attention mechanism for classifying vocal fragments by performance complexity. This system was employed to increase the flexibility of the learning process and enhance instructors’ ability to select relevant materials. The study involved a total of 118 opera students divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group utilized the proposed system to select materials for one-to-one vocal lessons with an instructor. The results were compared using non-parametric Mann–Whitney tests for independent samples and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for paired samples, revealing significant improvements in motivation components. In-depth interviews with 23 students provided detailed insights into their experiences with the system. Although most students expressed interest in the new technology, they identified several challenges. These challenges included a lack of accuracy and relevance in the results obtained and the complexity of the emotion classification system used.

Piezoelectric Polyurethane/Barium Titanate Composites with High Stretchability and Voltage Output for Energy Harvesting in Soft Wearable Electronics

AbstractThe increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions has stimulated interest in technologies that generate electrical energy from ambient mechanical energy. Piezoelectric materials, in this respect, are promising owing to the property of converting mechanical stress into electrical energy and represent an ideal active material platform in applications pertaining to stretchable electronics. However, conventional piezoelectric materials face a dilemma in balancing their mechanical flexibility with efficient energy conversion, limiting their practical applications in wearable devices. This work resolves this challenge by incorporating BaTiO3 nanoparticles, with high piezoelectric coefficients, into a polyurethane (PU) matrix to develop composite films with balanced stretchability and piezoelectric properties. The PU/BaTiO3 composite films exhibit a high stretchability of 336% at 30 wt.% BaTiO3 loading, well above the 55% minimum stretchability required for wearable applications. These films generate a peak‐to‐peak piezoelectric voltage response of ≈31 V under 1 bar compression, proving their capability to efficiently convert mechanical stress into usable electrical energy. The composites are utilized in a piezoelectric energy harvesting system to charge a commercial capacitor, demonstrating practical energy generation from human motion. The findings in this work represents an advancement toward developing flexible energy harvesting devices for wearable electronics and further sustainable energy technologies.

Determination of Teachers' Views on the Use of Assistive Technology in Special Education Classrooms

The use of assistive technologies in the education of individuals with special needs is rapidly increasing with advancements in technology, creating a greater demand for such tools in special education processes. At this juncture, the implementation of assistive technology, along with the experiences and competencies of teachers working in special education, is of paramount importance.This study aims to determine the opinions of teachers working in special education classes, special education work and practice centers, and special education vocational training centers in primary and secondary schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in Ankara and Eskişehir provinces. Four hundred fourteen special education teachers participated in the study. The descriptive survey model, which is appropriate for the study, was used. The data collection tool was the Assistive Technology Use Questionnaire developed by the researcher. The data were statistically analyzed, and frequency and percentage distributions were calculated. In analyzing the research data, the Chi-Square test, one of the non-parametric tests, was used in line with the objectives. The study's findings indicate that teachers' opinions on certain subtopics of assistive technology use varied significantly based on factors such as gender, educational status, teaching environment, prior assistive technology education during undergraduate studies, interest in internet and computer technologies, participation in assistive technology training, and personal use of assistive technologies. A majority of teachers reported feeling incompetent in using assistive technologies. The most commonly used and valued devices were smartphones, tablets, smart boards, and laptops. Based on these findings, integrating structured assistive technology training into teacher education programs and providing ongoing professional development opportunities could enhance teachers' competence and confidence in utilizing these technologies effectively.Keywords: Assistive technologies, individuals with special needs, teachers' opinions.

Evaluation of 3D-Printed Models in Dental Education: Practical Applications and Student Perspectives.

Recently, developments in digital technologies have significantly transformed dental education and practice. This study aims to assess students' knowledge and interest in digital dentistry and evaluate the implementation of 3D-printed models in dental training. A survey was conducted among 249 dental students to gauge their understanding of digital technologies, their willingness to deepen their knowledge, and their perceptions of advantages and limitations compared to conventional methods. Following the survey, 3D-printed dental models with removable dies were fabricated using high-resolution resin printing technology and distributed among first-year dental students. Over 13 weeks, students utilized these models for prosthetic training, performing procedures such as wax modeling, casting, and polishing of dental crowns. The study assessed the models' durability and categorized defects based on their location and cause. The results revealed a high level of student interest in digital technologies, emphasizing the necessity of integrating modern tools into dental education. Statistical analysis of the defects in the 3D-printed models highlighted critical areas requiring improvement, particularly concerning mechanical handling. Additionally, correlation analyses of student responses indicated that those who perceive digital tools as beneficial for their future careers are more inclined to adopt them in practice. The findings underscore the importance of digitalization in dental training, highlighting both its benefits and areas for refinement. Enhancing processing techniques and optimizing training methodologies can further improve the quality of 3D-printed models and their effectiveness in dental education.

A critical review on phosphorus recovery from source-diverted blackwater.

A critical review on phosphorus recovery from source-diverted blackwater.

The influence of virtual laboratories on students’ interest in STEM fields: a longitudinal study in secondary education

The objective of this article is to investigate the impact of virtual laboratories (biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics) on students’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields over six months of study. The study involved 317 participants from Alkey Margulan Pavlodar Pedagogical University (Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan), who were divided into experimental and control groups. An experimental approach was employed, wherein participants underwent training using virtual laboratories for six months. Statistical methods, specifically t-tests for paired and independent samples, were employed to analyze the results. The experiment revealed a statistically significant positive influence of virtual laboratories on students’ interest in STEM fields. Participants in the experimental group exhibited an increased interest in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics compared to the control group. The research findings hold important practical implications for enhancing STEM education. The implementation of virtual laboratories may contribute to an increase in students’ interest in studying STEM disciplines, which is crucial for shaping the future generation of specialists in these fields. Future considerations should involve exploring various types of virtual laboratories, taking into account sociocultural context, and addressing individual differences among students. Additionally, it is essential to investigate the longer-term effects of using digital technologies in STEM education.

An Evaluation of Targeted Spraying for Reducing Herbicide Use in Highbush Blueberry

Herbicides are the most common method for weed control in berry crops, although the evolution of herbicide resistance, worker and crop safety concerns, and regulatory challenges associated with the prevention of off-target movement are driving interest in alternative weed management technologies. Optically guided, targeted spray systems show promise for reducing herbicide use, minimizing crop damage, and expanding weed control options in perennial crops. In 2021 and 2022, field trials were conducted in New Jersey to evaluate the impact of conventional banded and targeted (WEED-IT™ system) herbicide applications on weed control and crop outcomes. Control of common groundsel, horseweed, and common purslane was influenced by herbicide type and application strategy but not by their interaction. Fluroxypyr applied at 280 and 560 g a.e./ha provided similar or better control of common groundsel and common purslane (>90%) compared with the 2,4-D choline and glufosinate (71% to 92%) standards. Similarly, horseweed control with florpyrauxifen-benzyl applied at 30 and 60 g a.e./ha (80% to 91%) matched or exceeded the suppression provided by 2,4-D and glufosinate (62% to 87%). Herbicide applications using the WEED-IT™ system reduced herbicide use by approximately 50% but provided less weed control than the traditional banded method; results likely reflect the effects of crop size and density on spray coverage. Crop injury was primarily observed on new canes, with targeted applications causing slightly more damage than the banded treatments across all observation timings. Stunting of new blueberry canes exceeded 8% at 1 week after application and decreased to less than 1% by 4 weeks after application, compared with a maximum of 3% stunting from banded applications. The greater levels of observed crop damage probably result from the system’s inability to distinguish between crops and weeds. Despite the potential of targeted spraying technologies to reduce herbicide use, their effectiveness and safety in perennial crops warrant further research, particularly regarding integration into comprehensive weed-management programs.