Intrinsic Physical Properties Research Articles

Progress of highly conductive Graphene-reinforced Copper matrix composites: A review

Enhancing the electrical conductivity of metals remains a critical challenge, as it directly determines the transmission efficiency of power electronic systems. Graphene-reinforced metal matrix composites have garnered widespread attention due to their exceptional electrical conductivity and low-temperature coefficient of resistance. This review thoroughly examines the intrinsic physical properties of Graphene and Cu, identifying specific obstacles in developing highly conductive composite materials. Despite the weak van der waals interactions between Graphene and Cu, the work principle and interaction mechanism between Cu and Graphene are elucidated. The primary focus of this review is to explore methods for enhancing the electrical conductivity of Cu/Graphene composites through different design strategies and processing techniques. The more complex and critical factors encompass the quality of raw materials, processing techniques, dimensional precision, crystallographic orientation, and the interfacial properties between Graphene and Cu. The perspectives on the research gap and further development trends of Cu/Gr composites are also discussed.

The JWST-PRIMAL archival survey. A JWST/NIRSpec reference sample for the physical properties and Lyman-alpha absorption and emission of ~ 600 galaxies at z = 5:0 - 13:4

One of the surprising early findings with has been the discovery of a strong ``roll-over'' or a softening of the absorption edge of in a large number of galaxies at \(z 6\), in addition to systematic offsets from photometric redshift estimates and fundamental galaxy scaling relations. This has been interpreted as strong cumulative damped absorption (DLA) wings from high column densities of neutral atomic hydrogen ( signifying major gas accretion events in the formation of these galaxies. To explore this new phenomenon systematically, we assembled the PRImordial gas Mass AssembLy (PRIMAL) legacy survey of 584 galaxies at $z=5.0-13.4$, designed to study the physical properties and gas in and around galaxies during the reionization epoch. We characterized this benchmark sample in full and spectroscopically derived the galaxy redshifts, metallicities, star formation rates, and ultraviolet (UV) slopes. We defined a new diagnostic, the damping parameter to measure and quantify the net effect of emission strength, the fraction in the intergalactic medium, or the local column density for each source. The survey is based on the spectroscopic DAWN Archive (DJA-Spec). We describe DJA-Spec in this paper, detailing the reduction methods, the post-processing steps, and basic analysis tools. All the software, reduced spectra, and spectroscopically derived quantities and catalogs are made publicly available in dedicated repositories. We find that the fraction of galaxies showing strong integrated DLAs with $N_ HI $ only increases slightly from $ 60<!PCT!>$ at $z 6$ up to $ 65-90<!PCT!>$ at $z>8$. Similarly, the prevalence and prominence of emission is found to increase with decreasing redshift, in qualitative agreement with previous observational results. Strong emitters (LAEs) are predominantly found to be associated with low-metallicity and UV faint galaxies. By contrast, strong DLAs are observed in galaxies with a variety of intrinsic physical properties, but predominantly at high redshifts and low metallicities. Our results indicate that strong DLAs likely reflect a particular early assembly phase of reionization-era galaxies, at which point they are largely dominated by pristine gas accretion. At $z=8-10$, this gas gradually cools and forms into stars that ionize their local surroundings, forming large ionized bubbles and producing strong observed emission at $z<8$.

Sensor array and color-coded test paper tongue based on multivariate cross-responsive AIEgen functionalized bimetallic lanthanide infinite coordination polymers: Toward smart identification and systematic analysis of antibiotics

Building and improving the monitoring technology system for newly emerging contaminants with a positive attitude is the first step to enhance governance capacity, which is in good accordance with the requirements of worldwide sustainable development strategy nowadays. With the urgent needs of smart identification and simultaneous detection of multiple antibiotics co-existing in the aquatic system in mind, we intentionally synthesized the aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) functionalized bimetallic lanthanide infinite coordination polymers (TPE-TS@Tb/Eu-AMP ICPs) series. The intrinsic physical and chemical properties of target antibiotics (flumequine, four kinds of tetracyclines, and sulfadiazine) triggered the complex chemical recognition reactions of TPE-TS@Tb/Eu-AMP ICPs series to give birth to multivariate cross-responses. Based on these theoretical-oriented sensing elements and rationally selected smart statistical tools, the “lab-on-TPE-TS@Tb/Eu-AMP ICPs” antibiotic sensor array is established with superior analytical performance. Moreover, the unique optical dominance of TPE-TS@Tb/Eu-AMP ICPs series on solid substrate enabled the subsequent exploitation of test paper tongue (TPT) with simultaneously altered RGB values as elements. Being further coded by the excitation modulation on commercial dark box UV-lamp, even promoted analytical behaviors of the TPT can be realized for the first time. With the aid of the smartphone, robust pattern recognition and accurate systematic analysis of antibiotics in the actual environmental samples were achieved by our sensor array and color-coded TPT, which may provide important scientific supports and technical reserves for the antibiotic control actions in future.

Performance evaluation of bamboo species for structural applications using TOPSIS and VIKOR: A comparative study

This study focuses on and investigates bamboo as a workable building material for civil engineering projects. The various bamboo species suitable for the building are identified and their intrinsic mechanical and physical properties are investigated to get a thorough understanding. A detailed methodology is proposed that presents all the steps performed from sample size collection to investigating the characteristics of the bamboo species and demonstrating bamboo's structural capabilities. The study provides insightful and technical knowledge that will be extremely helpful in advancing the sustainable incorporation of bamboo into civil engineering construction methods. The findings have proven that varieties of bamboo with higher density and lower shrinkage rates, such as Thyrsostachys Oliveri (Oliveri), perform superior in structural applications. Multi-criteria decision-making techniques (TOPSIS and VIKOR) revealed Dendrocalamus strictus (Manvel) and Thyrsostachys Oliveri (Oliveri) as top-performing species, making them suitable for structural applications.

Birds of a Feather: Resolving Stellar Mass Assembly with JWST/NIRCam in a Pair of Kindred z ∼ 2 Dusty Star-forming Galaxies Lensed by the PLCK G165.7+67.0 Cluster

We present a new parametric lens model for the G165.7+67.0 galaxy cluster, which was discovered with Planck through its bright submillimeter flux, originating from a pair of extraordinary dusty star-forming galaxies (DSFGs) at z ≈ 2.2. Using JWST and interferometric mm/radio observations, we characterize the intrinsic physical properties of the DSFGs, which are separated by only ∼1″ (8 kpc) and a velocity difference ΔV ≲ 600 km s−1 in the source plane, and thus are likely undergoing a major merger. Boasting intrinsic star formation rates SFRIR = 320 ± 70 and 400 ± 80 M ⊙ yr−1, stellar masses of log[M⋆/M⊙]=10.2±0.1 and 10.3 ± 0.1, and dust attenuations of A V = 1.5 ± 0.3 and 1.2 ± 0.3, they are remarkably similar objects. We perform spatially resolved pixel-by-pixel spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting using rest-frame near-UV to near-IR imaging from JWST/NIRCam for both galaxies, resolving some stellar structures down to 100 pc scales. Based on their resolved specific star formation rates (SFRs) and UVJ colors, both DSFGs are experiencing significant galaxy-scale star formation events. If they are indeed interacting gravitationally, this strong starburst could be the hallmark of gas that has been disrupted by an initial close passage. In contrast, the host galaxy of SN H0pe has a much lower SFR than the DSFGs, and we present evidence for the onset of inside-out quenching and large column densities of dust even in regions of low specific SFR. Based on the intrinsic SFRs of the DSFGs inferred from UV through far-infrared SED modeling, this pair of objects alone is predicted to yield an observable 1.1 ± 0.2 core-collapse supernovae per year, making this cluster field ripe for continued monitoring.

Thermo-Mechanical and Thermo-Electric Properties of a Carbon-Based Epoxy Resin: An Experimental, Statistical, and Numerical Investigation.

Due to their remarkable intrinsic physical properties, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can enhance mechanical properties and confer electrical and thermal conductivity to polymers currently being investigated for use in advanced applications based on thermal management. An epoxy resin filled with varying concentrations of CNTs (up to 3 wt%) was produced and experimentally characterized. The electrical percolation curve identified the following two critical filler concentrations: 0.5 wt%, which is near the electrical percolation threshold (EPT) and suitable for exploring mechanical and piezoresistive properties, and 3 wt% for investigating thermo-electric properties due to the Joule effect with applied voltages ranging from 70 V to 200 V. Near the electrical percolation threshold (EPT), the CNT concentration in epoxy composites forms a sparse, sensitive network ideal for deformation sensing due to significant changes in electrical resistance under strain. Above the EPT, a denser CNT network enhances electrical and thermal conductivity, making it suitable for Joule heating applications. Numerical models were developed using multiphysics simulation software. Once the models have been validated with experimental data, as a perfect agreement is found between numerical and experimental results, a simulation study is performed to investigate additional physical properties of the composites. Furthermore, a statistical approach based on the design of experiments (DoE) was employed to examine the influence of certain thermal parameters on the final performance of the materials. The purpose of this research is to promote the use of contemporary statistical and computational techniques alongside experimental methods to enhance understanding of materials science. New materials can be identified through these integrated approaches, or existing ones can be more thoroughly examined.

Modeling Abduction Mechanism of Soft Actuator with Elastica for Robotic Hands

Abstract Soft actuators, composed of pliable materials, are increasingly adopted in industrial grippers owing to their inherent flexibility, elasticity, and safety attributes, rendering them conducive for anthropomorphic robotic applications. Notably, a discernible void in extant literature pertains to the nuanced exploration of hand abduction movements. Addressing this lacuna, the present investigation delineates three salient contributions. Primarily, it introduces the Abduction Soft-Actuator (ASA) – an innovative design specifically tailored for robotic hand abduction. Secondly, it posits an analytical framework augmented by Large Deformation Virtual Beam (LDVB) theory for soft Elastica, facilitating a rigorous dissection of the intrinsic physical properties of the actuator's internal membrane. Thirdly, the study underscores the versatility of the ASA, drawing attention to its innate capability to seamlessly integrate membranes and springs, extending its applicability across multifarious design paradigms. Empirical findings accentuate the ASA's proficiency in prognosticating operational angles under an assortment of spring conditions, thereby refining spring selection protocols for a gamut of applications. Diverging from traditional soft actuators which predominantly deploy a singular material, the ASA epitomizes modularity, allowing for facile spring alternations to cater to diversified requirements. In juxtaposition with prevailing case-by-case analytical approaches, the ASA conspicuously amplifies its domain of applicability. Validation experiments employing inflated silicone membranes substantiate the LDVB theoretical framework, intimating those estimations, reliant on empirical metrics, are amenable to analytical prognostication. Collectively, this methodological intervention not only bridges the prevailing technological chasm but also enriches the comprehension matrix associated with soft actuator mechanism across myriad applications.

Study of vacancy defect in 2D/3D semiconductor heterostructure based on monolayer WSe2 and GaN

2D/3D heterostructure have attracted considerable attention within the scientific community due to their superior electronic properties and extensive spectral absorption capabilities. However, structural defect is inevitably introduced during the synthesis of 2D materials, which can significantly alter their intrinsic physical properties. Hence, 2D/3D semiconductor heterostructure composed of monolayers of WSe2 and GaN are constructed using first-principles calculations in this study. The impact of vacancy defect on the geometrical, electronic, and optical properties of the WSe2/GaN heterostructure is then systematically explored. The electronic property reveals that the introduction of impurity levels by vacancy defect, as well as interlayer surface-suspended bonds, results in a reduced band gap. This modification enhances the transfer ability of electrons from the valence band to the conduction band. Optical characterization demonstrates that the heterostructure formed by WSe2 and GaN exhibits a broad absorption spectrum, spanning from the visible to ultraviolet region, indicating a dual-wavelength photoresponse. Furthermore, regarding absorption coefficient and reflectivity, the heterostructure containing vacancy defect displays superior optical performance compared to the pristine heterostructure across both the visible and ultraviolet regions. The electronic and optical properties of the heterostructure can be tuned through the introduction of vacancy defects. These theoretical findings are anticipated to offer a foundational framework for the design of ultraviolet photodetectors utilizing WSe2/GaN heterostructure.

Novel yttrium and silicon co‐doped Li1.3+x+yAl0.3−xYxTi1.7Siy(P1−yO4)3 solid electrolyte for lithium batteries: Effect on ionic conductivity and crystal structure

AbstractDoping of superfast ionic conductors like NASICON has been shown to boost ionic conductivity and the efficiency of lithium batteries. NASICON‐type yttrium and silicon‐doped lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP) solid electrolytes have been synthesized via the conventional solid‐state method at different sintering temperatures. Their intrinsic physical, chemical, and electrochemical properties are analyzed using x‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Yttrium and silicon co‐doped LATP (LAYTSP) powder sintered at 900°C exhibits homogeneous hexagonal morphology and better crystallinity than the pure LATP solid electrolyte synthesized by the same methodology. LAYSTP demonstrated a higher ionic conductivity of 5.98 × 10−6 S/cm at ambient conditions. Mixing 5%‐LiCl with LAYTSP‐900°C improved the ionic conductivity significantly up to 1.88 × 10−4 S/cm. Cell viability testing demonstrated that our cells exhibit long‐term stability and are suitable for applications requiring sustained high voltages.

Design Optimization of Printed Multi-Layered Electroactive Actuators Used for Steerable Guidewire in Micro-Invasive Surgery.

To treat cardiovascular diseases (i.e., a major cause of mortality after cancers), endovascular-technique-based guidewire has been employed for intra-arterial navigation. To date, most commercially available guidewires (e.g., Terumo, Abbott, Cordis, etc.) are non-steerable, which is poorly suited to the human arterial system with numerous bifurcations and angulations. To reach a target artery, surgeons frequently opt for several tools (guidewires with different size integrated into angulated catheters) that might provoke arterial complications such as perforation or dissection. Steerable guidewires would, therefore, be of high interest to reduce surgical morbidity and mortality for patients as well as to simplify procedure for surgeons, thereby saving time and health costs. Regarding these reasons, our research involves the development of a smart steerable guidewire using electroactive polymer (EAP) capable of bending when subjected to an input voltage. The actuation performance of the developed device is assessed through the curvature behavior (i.e., the displacement and the angle of the bending) of a cantilever beam structure, consisting of single- or multi-stack EAP printed on a substrate. Compared to the single-stack architecture, the multi-stack gives rise to a significant increase in curvature, even when subjected to a moderate control voltage. As suggested by the design framework, the intrinsic physical properties (dielectric, electrical, and mechanical) of the EAP layer, together with the nature and thickness of all materials (EAP and substrate), do have strong effect on the bending response of the device. The analyses propose a comprehensive guideline to optimize the actuator performance based on an adequate selection of the relevant materials and geometric parameters. An analytical model together with a finite element model (FEM) are investigated to validate the experimental tests. Finally, the design guideline leads to an innovative structure (composed of a 10-stack active layer screen-printed on a thin substrate) capable of generating a large range of bending angle (up to 190°) under an acceptable input level of 550 V, which perfectly matches the standard of medical tools used for cardiovascular surgery.

Wafer-scale porous germanium bilayer structure formation by fast bipolar electrochemical etching

Recently, porous Germanium (PGe) structures have gained significant attention as a promising engineering material for a broad range of applications due to the versatility of its intrinsic physical and chemical properties. The Conventional Bipolar Electrochemical Etching (CBEE) technique favours a cost-effective and controlled synthesis of PGe layers, to tune the structural properties. However, some challenges still persist. Specifically, the etch rate of these layers remains low limited, resulting in extended process times. Achieving low porosity layers (< 40 %) remains unclear, and addressing the development of a non-sponge morphology is necessary for various fields, such as batteries. In this work, we investigate the impact of the anodic current density and electrolyte ratio on tubular single PGe layer (T-PGe) morphology with low porosities using a Fast Bipolar Electrochemical Etching (FBEE) process. We have demonstrated T-PGe structures with no parasitic sponge-like layer on top, providing insights to control their occurrence. We establish the feasibility of such layers as a template for the formation of tubular bilayers on the wafer's scale. This approach emphasizes the fast synthesis of promising T-PGe structures with low porosities (< 40 %).

Development of coffee bean porosity and thermophysical properties during roasting

The development of coffee bean porosity during roasting was captured for a Kenyan Arabica coffee roasted under different constant inlet air temperature conditions in a pilot-scale spouted bed roaster. Coffee bean porosity was characterised using X-ray Micro Computed Tomography (Micro-CT). These data demonstrated a significant increase in coffee bean porosity of up to 60% during roasting. The coffee's intrinsic physical properties were also analysed to identify the relationship between porosity, thermophysical properties (density, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity) and common process indicators (colour, mass, moisture, volume). Implications for heat transfer during roasting are also discussed. As Micro-CT, pycnometry and thermal properties analysers are not readily available tools, correlation of costly analytical methods with rapid discriminative tests are presented, allowing developers to utilise more accessible characterisation techniques to inform modulation of their processes and products. The data-driven approach to map coffee's physicochemical development during roasting provides comprehensive data that could be used to calibrate mechanistic or kinetic models. These physics-driven models could then be used as routine equations nested in heat and mass transfer simulations for developers to predict coffee's thermal evolution and subsequent physical transformation during roasting.

The Impact of Local Strain Fields in Noncollinear Antiferromagnetic Films.

Antiferromagnets hosting structural or magnetic order that breaks time reversal symmetry are of increasing interest for "beyond von Neumann" computing applications because the topology of their band structure allows for intrinsic physical properties, exploitable in integrated memory and logic function. One such group are the noncollinear antiferromagnets. Essential for domain manipulation is the existence of small net moments found routinely when the material is synthesized in thin film form and attributed to symmetry breaking caused by spin canting, either from the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction or from strain. Although the spin arrangement of these materials makes them highly sensitive to strain, there is little understanding about the influence of local strain fields caused by lattice defects on global properties, such as magnetization and anomalous Hall effect. This premise is investigated by examining noncollinear antiferromagnetic films that are either highly lattice mismatched or closely matched to their substrate. In either case, edge dislocation networks are generated and for the former case, these extend throughout the entire film thickness, creating large local strain fields. These strain fields allow for finite intrinsic magnetization in seemingly structurally relaxed films and influence the antiferromagnetic domain state and the intrinsic anomalous Hall effect.

Intrinsic room-temperature ferromagnetism in two-dimensional ternary transition metal tellurides CrX2Te4 (X = Al, Ga, and In)

A tremendous amount of research has witnessed the exploration of two-dimensional (2D) materials with intrinsic ferromagnetism and diverse physical properties. However, the low Curie temperature and deficient magnetic anisotropy hinder their practical applications in nanoscale spintronics. Based on first-principles calculations, we propose a new family of 2D ternary transition metal tellurides, CrX2Te4 (X = Al, Ga, and In), with both structural and magnetic stabilities at room temperature. Our calculations demonstrate that the 2D CrX2Te4 crystal exhibits the intrinsic 100% spin-polarized half-metallic feature with spin-up metallic and spin-down semi-conducting properties. With the remarkable magnetic moment of 4 μB per Cr atom, both 2D CrAl2Te4 and CrGa2Te4 crystals perform robust ferromagnetism with the out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy, while the 2D CrIn2Te4 crystal prefers the in-plane easy magnetization axis. The Monte Carlo simulation based on the 2D Heisenberg model shows that the critical Curie temperatures of the 2D CrAl2Te4, CrGa2Te4, and CrIn2Te4 crystals could reach 466, 431, and 536 K, respectively. Moreover, the magnetic exchange strength and magnetic anisotropy could be further enhanced by the in-plane biaxial strain. The novel electronic and magnetic features promote 2D CrX2Te4 (X = Al, Ga, and In) crystals as a new family of two-dimensional intrinsic ferromagnetic materials for next-generation advanced spintronics.

Exploiting Polarized Material Cues for Robust Car Detection

Car detection is an important task that serves as a crucial prerequisite for many automated driving functions. The large variations in lighting/weather conditions and vehicle densities of the scenes pose significant challenges to existing car detection algorithms to meet the highly accurate perception demand for safety, due to the unstable/limited color information, which impedes the extraction of meaningful/discriminative features of cars. In this work, we present a novel learning-based car detection method that leverages trichromatic linear polarization as an additional cue to disambiguate such challenging cases. A key observation is that polarization, characteristic of the light wave, can robustly describe intrinsic physical properties of the scene objects in various imaging conditions and is strongly linked to the nature of materials for cars (e.g., metal and glass) and their surrounding environment (e.g., soil and trees), thereby providing reliable and discriminative features for robust car detection in challenging scenes. To exploit polarization cues, we first construct a pixel-aligned RGB-Polarization car detection dataset, which we subsequently employ to train a novel multimodal fusion network. Our car detection network dynamically integrates RGB and polarization features in a request-and-complement manner and can explore the intrinsic material properties of cars across all learning samples. We extensively validate our method and demonstrate that it outperforms state-of-the-art detection methods. Experimental results show that polarization is a powerful cue for car detection. Our code is available at https://github.com/wind1117/AAAI24-PCDNet.

One-dimensional diamond nanostructures: Fabrication, properties and applications

Diamonds exhibit a unique combination of numerous excellent physical and chemical properties, such as the highest hardness, high Young's modulus, wide bandgap, high carrier mobility, negative electron affinity, and high thermal conductivity. Especially, diamond has attracted significant attention in recent years for its outstanding performance in high-frequency and high-power electronic devices and thermal management. Inheriting the intrinsic physical and chemical properties of diamonds, one-dimensional (1D) diamond nanostructures exhibit many additional properties that are unavailable for bulk diamond or thin films, e.g., large specific surface area, ultrahigh elasticity, and some plasticity, tip effect as well as direct transport for photon or photo-induced carriers. These properties make 1D diamond nanostructures an ideal candidate for applications ranging from micro/nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) to field electron emission, optical, electrochemical, and biological areas. This review will first introduce the development of controlled synthesis methods of 1D diamond nanostructure, including bottom-up chemical vapor deposition growth and top-down selective etching of bulk diamond. Subsequently, we will summarize recent advances in the mechanical, electron field emission, optical, and biological properties of 1D diamond nanostructures and their applications in electron and photon emitter, MEMS, sensing, intracellular delivery, etc.

Physical modulation of mesenchymal stem cell exosomes: A new perspective for regenerative medicine.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo) offer promising therapeutic potential for various refractory diseases, presenting a novel therapeutic strategy. However, their clinical application encounters several obstacles, including low natural secretion, uncontrolled biological functions and inherent heterogeneity. On the one hand, physical stimuli can mimic the microenvironment dynamics where MSC-Exo reside. These factors influence not only their secretion but also, significantly, their biological efficacy. Moreover, physical factors can also serve as techniques for engineering exosomes. Therefore, the realm of physical factors assumes a crucial role in modifying MSC-Exo, ultimately facilitating their clinical translation. This review focuses on the research progress in applying physical factors to MSC-Exo, encompassing ultrasound, electrical stimulation, light irradiation, intrinsic physical properties, ionizing radiation, magnetic field, mechanical forces and temperature. We also discuss the current status and potential of physical stimuli-affected MSC-Exo in clinical applications. Furthermore, we address the limitations of recent studies in this field. Based on this, this review provides novel insights to advance the refinement of MSC-Exo as a therapeutic approach in regenerative medicine.

Native point defects in 2D transition metal dichalcogenides: A perspective bridging intrinsic physical properties and device applications

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) hold immense promise as ultrathin-body semiconductors for cutting-edge electronics and optoelectronics. In particular, their sustained charge mobility even at atomic-level thickness as well as their absence of surface dangling bonds, versatile band structures, and silicon-compatibility integration make them a prime candidate for device applications in both academic and industrial domains. Despite such high expectations, group-VI TMDs reportedly exhibit a range of enigmatic properties, such as substantial contact resistance, Fermi level pinning, and limited unipolar charge transport, which are all rooted in their inherent defects. In other words, intrinsic physical properties resulting from their native defects extend their influence beyond the material level. Bridging point-defect-induced material properties and their behavior at the device level, this Perspective sheds light on the significance of crystalline defects beyond a rather simple defect–property relationship. As a distinctive approach, we briefly review the well-established defect model of conventional III–V semiconductors and further apply it to the emergent defect behaviors of 2D TMDs such as their defect-induced gap states. Within the main discussion, we survey a range of behaviors caused by the most prevalent intrinsic defect, namely, vacancies, within 2D TMDs, and their implications for electronic and optoelectronic properties when employed at the device level. This review presents an in-depth summary of complexities in material properties as well as device characteristics arising from intrinsic point defects and provides a solid foundation for the cross-links among native defects and material/device properties.

Quantum Few-Shot Image Classification.

Few-shot learning algorithms frequently exhibit suboptimal performance due to the limited availability of labeled data. This article presents a novel quantum few-shot image classification methodology aimed at enhancing the efficacy of few-shot learning algorithms at both the data and parameter levels. Initially, a quantum augmentation image representation technique is introduced, leveraging the local phase of quantum states to support few-shot learning algorithms at the data level. This approach enriches classical data while maintaining its intrinsic physical properties. Subsequently, a parameterized quantum circuit is employed to construct the classification model. This circuit, characterized by a reduced number of trainable parameters, shows increased resilience to overfitting, thereby offering a significant advantage at the parameter level for few-shot learning algorithms. The proposed approach is validated using three datasets, with experimental results indicating that it outperforms classical methods in few-shot learning scenarios while requiring fewer computational resources.

High-throughput single-cell assay for precise measurement of the intrinsic mechanical properties and shape characteristics of red blood cells.

The intrinsic physical and mechanical properties of red blood cells (RBCs), including their geometric and rheological characteristics, can undergo changes in various circulatory and metabolic diseases. However, clinical diagnosis using RBC biophysical phenotypes remains impractical due to the unique biconcave shape, remarkable deformability, and high heterogeneity within different subpopulations. Here, we combine the hydrodynamic mechanisms of fluid-cell interactions in micro circular tubes with a machine learning method to develop a relatively high-throughput microfluidic technology that can accurately measure the shear modulus of the membrane, viscosity, surface area, and volume of individual RBCs. The present method can detect the subtle changes of mechanical properties in various RBC components at continuum scales in response to different doses of cytoskeletal drugs. We also investigate the correlation between glycosylated hemoglobin and RBC mechanical properties. Our study develops a methodology that combines microfluidic technology and machine learning to explore the material properties of cells based on fluid-cell interactions. This approach holds promise in offering novel label-free single-cell-assay-based biophysical markers for RBCs, thereby enhancing the potential for more robust disease diagnosis.