Low Field Research Articles

Enhanced energy storage properties in BNST-based lead-free relaxor ferroelectric ceramics achieved via a high-entropy strategy

The 0.65(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3–0.35SrTiO3-based materials are essential for the development of pulse power capacitors. However, their low recoverable energy storage density and breakdown field strength have hindered further improvement. To address this, a high-entropy strategy based on multiscale regulation is proposed, which involves synergistically manipulating the activation energy and microstructure evolution in BNST-based ceramics through the introduction of Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.2Sn0.2Hf0.2Ta0.2)O3. The inclusion of high-insulating oxides can significantly raise the activation energy of the entire system. Furthermore, the high-entropy material can significantly increase the atomic disorder and lattice distortion, resulting in strong local polar fluctuations on several nanoscales and excellent energy storage characteristics. As a result, this approach yields an impressive Wrec of ∼ 4.89 J/cm3 and a high efficiency of ∼92.1 % at 351 kV/cm, and the outstanding thermal endurance (20∼150 °C), frequency stability (5∼1000 Hz) and fatigue (100∼105 cycles). This study provides an effective strategy for achieving excellent comprehensive performances in high-entropy ceramics.

Near-sensor analog computing system based on low-power and self-assembly nanoscaffolded BaTiO3:Nd2O3 memristor

Near-sensor analog computing systems have received a lot of attention as they can effectively reduce the large amount of redundant data transferred between sensor terminals and computing units, thereby shortening the data processing time and reducing power consumption. However, ensuring the reliability and stability of memristor devices used in the hardware circuits of near-sensor analog computing systems remains a considerable challenge. In this paper, we describe a robust ferroelectric memristor based on Pd/BaTiO3:Nd2O3/La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 grown on a silicon structure with SrTiO3 as the buffer layer. Through optimized growth temperature, the device exhibits a low coercive field voltage (−1–2 V), robust endurance characteristics (>1010 cycles), and a power consumption as low as 0.45 fJ per synaptic event. Also in this study, a near-sensor analog computing system based on an array of pressure sensors and ferroelectric memristors was constructed. It is shown that this system can accurately calculate multiple raw analog pressure signals in real time without the need for peripheral circuitry and that the system can classify object shapes and perform edge detection with a maximum deviation of only about 58.6 nA. This study highlights the great potential of ferroelectric memristors for use as fundamental components of near-sensor analog computing systems.

Strain-induced specific orbital control in a Heusler alloy-based interfacial multiferroics

For the development of spintronic devices, the control of magnetization by a low electric field is necessary. The microscopic origin of manipulating spins relies on the control of orbital magnetic moments (morb) by strain; this is essential for the high performance magnetoelectric (ME) effect. Herein, electric-field induced X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) is used to determine the changes in morb by piezoelectric strain and clarify the relationship between the strain and morb in an interfacial multiferroics system with a significant ME effect; the system consists of the Heusler alloy Co2FeSi on a ferroelectric Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 substrate. Element-specific investigations of the orbital states by operando XMCD and the local environment via extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis show that the modulation of only the Fe sites in Co2FeSi primarily contributes to the giant ME effect. The density functional theory calculations corroborate this finding, and the growth of the high index (422) plane in Co2FeSi results in a giant ME effect. These findings elucidate the element-specific orbital control using reversible strain, called the ‘orbital elastic effect,’ and can provide guidelines for material designs with a giant ME effect.

Numerical simulation of electricity generation potential through five vertical wells at Fengshun geothermal field in China

Fengshun geothermal field is the first medium low temperature geothermal field to exploit geothermal energy for electricity generation in China. Due to poor economy and low efficiency, the geothermal power plant was forced to shut down in 2016. In this work, based on the geological data of the well ZK11, we proposed a new heat exploitation scheme with five vertical wells and a binary system, computed the power generation potential and efficiency, and analyzed the main factors influencing heat production. The results indicate that through the five vertical wells, the system attains an electrical power of 1.49–1.05 MW, a reservoir impedance of 0.23–0.29 MPa/(kg/s), a pump power of 0.30–0.49 MW, and an electrical energy efficiency of 4.55–2.12. The electric power of unit flow rate is 22.4–31.7 times that of the existing power plant. Thus, this five-vertical-well system has significant development potential for medium low temperature hydrothermal field. The sensitivity analysis indicates that overburden and underburden permeability, water production rate and injection temperature have a significant impact on heat production performance. Increasing the overburden or underburden permeability will significantly reduce reservoir impedance and increase energy efficiency. Reducing the water production rate and injection temperature within a certain range can improve energy efficiency. This work also provides a guideline for the exploitation and power generation of future medium low temperature hydrothermal field in Fengshun and other sites under similar conditions.

Investigation of thermoelectric and magnetotransport properties of single crystalline Bi2Se3 topological insulator

The realization of remarkable thermoelectric (TE) properties in a novel single-crystalline quantum material is a topic of prime interest in the field of thermoelectricity. It necessitates a proper understanding of transport properties under magnetic field and magnetic properties at low field. We report polarized Raman spectroscopic study, TE properties, and magneto-resistance (MR) along with magnetic characterization of single-crystalline Bi2Se3. Polarized Raman spectrum confirms the strong polarization effect of A1g1 and A1g2 phonon modes, which verifies the anisotropic nature of the Bi2Se3 single crystal. Magnetization measurement along the in-plane direction of single crystal divulges a cusp-like paramagnetic response in susceptibility plot, indicating the presence of topological surface states (TSSs) in the material. In-depth MR studies performed in different configurations also confirm the presence of anisotropy in the single-crystalline Bi2Se3 sample. A sharp rise in MR value near zero magnetic field and low-temperature regime manifests a weak anti-localization (WAL) effect, depicting the quantum origin of the conductivity behavior at low temperature. Moreover, in-plane magneto-conductivity data at low-temperature (up to 5 K) and low-field region (≤15 kOe) confirm the dominance of the WAL effect (due to TSS) with a negligible bulk contribution. Quantum oscillation (SdH) in magneto-transport data also exhibits the signature of TSS. Additionally, an exceptional TE power factor of ∼950 μW m−1 K−2 at 300 K is achieved, which is one of the highest values reported for pristine Bi2Se3. Our findings pave the way for designing single crystals, which give dual advantages of being a good TE material along with a topological insulator bearing potential application.

High-Tc Ferromagnetic Semiconductor in Thinned 3D Ising Ferromagnetic Metal Fe3GaTe2.

Emergent phenomena in exfoliated layered transition metal compounds have attracted much attention in the past several years. Especially, pursuing a ferromagnetic insulator is one of the exciting goals for stimulating a high-performance magnetoelectrical device. Here, we report the transition from a metallic to high-Tc semiconductor-like ferromagnet in thinned Fe3GaTe2, accompanied with competition among various magnetic interactions. As evidenced by critical exponents, Fe3GaTe2 is the first layered ferromagnet described by a 3D Ising model coupled with long-range interactions. An extra magnetic phase from competition between ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism emerges at a low field below Tc. Upon reducing thickness, the Curie temperature (Tc) monotonically decreases from 342 K for bulk to 200 K for 1-3 nm flakes, which is the highest Tc reported as far as we know. Furthermore, a semiconductor-like behavior has been observed in such 1-3 nm flakes. Our results highlight the importance of Fe3GaTe2 in searching for ferromagnetic insulators, which may benefit spintronic device fabrication.

Physicochemical, Interactions, and morphology of l-arginine/konjac glucomannan gel: Effects of modified starches

To overcome the drawbacks of dehydration and low gel strength of the gels of l-arginine-treated konjac glucomannan (KGM), thermally irreversible gel was prepared by l-arginine induced KGM-modified starch mixed sol. The effects of the three modified starches (corn modified starch, acetylated bis-starch adipate, and hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate) on the mixed system were investigated by texture analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Low field NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Differential thermal analysis. The results showed a gradual increase in hardness with increasing concentration of modified starch. Differential thermal results indicated that acetylated bis-starch adipate composited gels had the highest thermal decomposition temperature (309 °C). The changes in the textural properties and thermal stability of the three mixed gels were mainly attributed to the enhanced hydrogen bonding between starch/KGM/l-arginine, and changes in the microstructure. When the starch concentration was higher, the denser the gel network structure was, the more difficult it was for water trapped in the gel system to precipitate out. The results indicated that acetylated bis-starch adipate was more suitable to be added to the mixed system to prepare thermally irreversible gels.

BaTiO3-based lead-free relaxor ferroelectric ceramics for high energy storage

Barium titanate (BaTiO3, BT) is widely used in capacitors because of its excellent dielectric properties. However, owing to its high remanent polarisation (Pr) and low dielectric breakdown field strength (Eb), achievement of high energy storage performance is challenging. Herein, a systematic strategy was proposed to reduce Pr and elevate Eb of BT via: (i) modification of the relaxor behavior by alloying it with Bi(Mg2/3Ta1/3)O3 (BMT) and (ii) heightening Eb by introducing NaTaO3 (NT) with high band gap. Consequently, the energy storage efficiency (η) of 90 % and high Eb of 780 kV cm−1 were achieved simultaneously for the BT-BMT-xNT system, which facilitated the recoverable energy density (Wrec) of 6.02 J cm−3. At 300 kV cm−1, its temperature (20–120 °C) and frequency (1–500 Hz) stabilities were found to be good. Moreover, the BT-BMT-0.15NT possessed ultrafast discharge rate (t0.9 < 51 ns) and ultrahigh power density (PD > 94 MW cm−3). This study offers an effective strategy for the design of novel high-performance dielectric energy storage materials.

Kagome Quantum Oscillations in Graphene Superlattices.

Electronic spectra of solids subjected to a magnetic field are often discussed in terms of Landau levels and Hofstadter-butterfly-style Brown-Zak minibands manifested by magneto-oscillations in two-dimensional electron systems. Here, we present the semiclassical precursors of these quantum magneto-oscillations which appear in graphene superlattices at low magnetic field near the Lifshitz transitions and persist at elevated temperatures. These oscillations originate from Aharonov-Bohm interference of electron waves following open trajectories that belong to a kagome-shaped network of paths characteristic for Lifshitz transitions in the moire superlattice minibands of twistronic graphenes.

Enhanced Absolute Recovered Energy under Low Electric Field in All-Inorganic 0-3 Nanocomposition Thick Films.

Inorganic thick-film dielectric capacitors with ultrahigh absolute recovered energy at low electric fields are extremely desired for their wide application in pulsed power systems. However, a long-standing technological bottleneck exists between high absolute energy and large recovered energy density. A new strategy is offered to fabricate selected all-inorganic 0-3 composite thick films up to 10µm by a modified sol-slurry method. Here, the ceramic powder is dispersed into the sol-gel matrix to form a uniform suspension, assisted by powder, therefore, the 2µm-thickness after single layer spin coating. To enhance the energy-storage performances, the composites process is thoroughly optimized by ultrafine powder (<50nm) technique based on a low-cost coprecipitation method instead of the solid-state and sol-gel methods. 0D coprecipitation powder has a similar dielectric constant to the corresponding 3D films, thus uneven electrical field distributions is overcome. Moreover, the increase of interfacial polarization is realized due to the larger specific surface area. A maximum recoverable energy density of 14.62Jcm-3 is obtained in coprecipitation thick films ≈2.2 times that of the solid-state powder and ≈1.3 times for sol-gel powder. This study provides a new paradigm for further guiding the design of composite materials.

Low noise magnetic field compensation based on differential biplanar coils with small coil constant

Magnetic field noise is a key factor limiting the resolution of quantum precise measurement. In active magnetic field compensation systems, the large coil constant and fixed noise of the coil and current source, respectively, cause excessive noise. This study proposes a differential biplanar coils (DBCs) design method by comprehensively optimizing two sets of biplanar coils with differential evolution (DE) algorithm, which can reduce the coil constant by two magnitude orders while ensuring high uniformity. The peak-to-peak magnetic field at the center point is reduced to 0.8 pT, and the magnetic field noise is reduced to 8 fT/Hz, which is a reduction of 94.4%. The low noise active magnetic compensation system based on the differential biplanar coils can improve the accuracy of the magnetic shielding room (MSR) internal magnetic field control and reduce magnetic field noise effectively. The proposed method contributes to generating a near-zero magnetic field environment with low magnetic field noise, which is critical to promoting magnetoencephalography (MEG) measurements.

Polar Organic Charge-Transfer Complex of the Asymmetrical Component for Flexible Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting and Self-Powered Wearable Sensors.

Organic piezomaterials have attracted much attention because of their easy processing, lightweight, and mechanic flexibility properties. Developing new smart organic piezomaterials is highly required for new-generation electronic applications. Here, we found a novel organic piezomaterial of organic charge-transfer complex (CTC) consisting of dibenzcarbazole analogue (DBCz) and tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) in the molecular-level heterojunction stacking mode. The DBCz-TCNQ complex exhibited ferroelectric properties (the saturated polarization of ∼1.23 μC/cm2) at room temperature with a low coercive field. The noncentrosymmetric alignment (Pc space group) led to a spontaneous polarization of this architecture and thus was the origin of the piezoelectric behavior. Lateral piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) based on the thermal evaporated CTC thin-film exhibited significant energy conversion behavior under mechanical agitation with a calculated piezoelectric coefficient (d31) of ∼33 pC/N. Furthermore, such a binary CTC thin-film constructed single-electrode PENG could show steady-state sensing performance to external stimuli as this flexible wearable device precisely detected physiological signals (e.g., finger bending, blink movement, carotid artery, etc.) with a self-powered supply. This work provides that the polar CTCs can act as efficient piezomaterials for flexible energy harvesting, conversion, and wearable sensing devices with a self-powered supply, enabling great potential in healthcare, motion detection, human-machine interfaces, etc.

Low field controllable continuous spin switching in the thulium-ytterbium single crystal.

We report the spin reorientation transition (SRT) and the low field controllable continuous spin switching (SSW) of the Tm0.75Yb0.25FeO3 (TYFO) single crystal in this study. The SRT, characterized by the transition from Γ2(Fx, Cy, Gz)-Γ4(Gx, Ay, Fz), occurs within the temperature range of 20-27 K. Under an external magnetic field of 50 Oe, the SSW occurs along the c-axis at approximately 98 K due to the reversal of Tm3+ magnetic moment induced by the magnetic coupling change between Tm3+ and Fe3+, transitioning from a parallel to an antiparallel alignment. Notably, a continuous SSW is observed along the a-axis at low temperatures, which has not been previously reported in rare earth orthoferrites. This unique behavior can be easily manipulated by low magnetic fields within the temperature range of 2-20 K. Both the spin reorientation transition and spin switching phenomena in the TYFO single crystal arise from interactions between rare earth ions and iron ions and can be effectively regulated by applied low magnetic fields, making it a promising material for low-field spin devices.

Evaluation of 12-lead electrocardiogram at 0.55T for improved cardiac monitoring in magnetic resonance imaging

The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is a standard diagnostic tool for monitoring cardiac ischemia and heart rhythm during cardiac interventional procedures and stress testing. These procedures can benefit from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) information; however, the MRI scanner magnetic field leads to ECG distortion that limits ECG interpretation. This study evaluated the potential for improved ECG interpretation in a "low field" 0.55T MRI scanner. The 12-lead ECGs were recorded inside 0.55T, 1.5T, and 3T MRI scanners, as well as at scanner table "home" position in the fringe field and outside the scanner room (seven pigs). To assess interpretation of ischemic ECG changes in a 0.55T MRI scanner, ECGs were recorded before and after coronary artery occlusion (seven pigs). ECGs was also recorded for five healthy human volunteers in the 0.55T scanner. ECG error and variation were assessed over 2-minute recordings for ECG features relevant to clinical interpretation: the PR interval, QRS interval, J point, and ST segment. ECG error was lower at 0.55T compared to higher field scanners. Only at 0.55T table home position, did the error approach the guideline recommended 0.025mV ceiling for ECG distortion (median 0.03mV). At scanner isocenter, only in the 0.55T scanner did J point error fall within the 0.1mV threshold for detecting myocardial ischemia (median 0.03mV in pigs and 0.06mV in healthy volunteers). Correlation of J point deviation inside versus outside the 0.55T scanner following coronary artery occlusion was excellent at scanner table home position (r2 =0.97), and strong at scanner isocenter (r2 =0.92). ECG distortion is improved in 0.55T compared to 1.5T and 3T MRI scanners. At scanner home position, ECG distortion at 0.55T is low enough that clinical interpretation appears feasible without need for more cumbersome patient repositioning. At 0.55T scanner isocenter, ST segment changes during coronary artery occlusion appear detectable but distortion is enough to obscure subtle ST segment changes that could be clinically relevant. Reduced ECG distortion in 0.55T scanners may simplify the problem of suppressing residual distortion by ECG cable positioning, averaging, and filtering and could reduce current restrictions on ECG monitoring during interventional MRI procedures.

Achieving outstanding energy storage behaviors via combinatorial optimization design in BNT-based relaxor ferroelectric ceramics under medium–low electric fields

We have successfully achieved high energy storage density and efficiency under low electric fields through the compositional synergetic design of a ternary solid solution system, Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3–BaZr0.3Ti0.7O3–NaNbO3.

The Leakage Field of the New High-Field Septum Magnets for Fast Extraction in Main Ring of J-PARC

As part of the effort to increase the beam power of the Main Ring (MR) for fast extraction (FX) in J-PARC to 750 kW, five new septum magnets for FX (FX-septa) were installed in the MR in 2022. The most significant goal for the magnets was to achieve an extremely low leakage field in the circulating line. To realize the low leakage field, new pure iron duct-type magnetic shields were mounted in the circulating ducts of the two high-field FX-septa in 2022. In July 2022, we verified that the impact of the leakage field of all of the FX-septa on the 3-GeV circulating beam was below 10% of that of the previous FX-septa. We also measured the leakage field in the circulating ducts of the two high-field FX-septa with new shields in October 2022, and confirmed that the quadrupole field component was reduced to ≈1% of that of the previous high-field FX-septa.

Achieving high energy storage density at low operating fields in lead hafnate-based novel perovskite solid solutions

Schematic diagram illustrating the concept, approaches and goal in the design and preparation of a new solid solution system (1 − x)PbHfO3–xAgNbO3, with enhanced maximum polarization and recoverable energy storage density at low operating fields.

Propulsion of zwitterionic surfactant-stabilized water-in-oil droplets by low electric fields.

We show directional and controllable propulsion of zwitterionic surfactant-stabilized water-in-oil droplets driven by low electric fields. Our results suggest that the propulsion mechanism is based on stimulus-responsive on-demand interfacial phenomena.

Influence of plasticity on the magnetic-field-induced bending deformation in a magneto-active elastomer with superparamagnetic nanoparticles

The influence of residual plastic deformation on the bending deformation of a magnetoactive elastomer (MAE) beam with non-coercive superparamagnetic manganite (La0.6Ag0.2Mn1.2O3) nanoparticles induced by a transverse uniform magnetic field has been studied. It was found that the MAE bending induced by the magnetic field switching-on/switching-off is mainly cyclic elastic. Plastic deformation leads to the emergence of residual bending and hysteresis in the field dependence of the bending. It was shown that the residual bending that appears after the first magnetic field switch-on eliminates the uncertainty of the bending direction at the next magnetization. Due to the residual plastic deformation, the bending direction of the superparamagnetic MAE with nanoparticles does not change when the direction of the applied magnetic field is inverted, in contrast to the MAE with microparticles where the uncertainty of the bending direction is eliminated due to the residual magnetization of weakly coercive ferromagnetic microparticles; therefore, the bending direction changes its sign with magnetic field reversion. In the low fields, the bending value for the MAEs with superparamagnetic particles is proportional to the square of the magnetic field strength. Model estimates on the residual deformation influence on the beam bending at beam magnetization reversal were obtained.

Fabrication and properties of nano-CeO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; doped Y-Ba-Cu-O bulk superconductors

Single-domain Y-Ba-Cu-O (YBCO) bulk superconductors can be widely used in the superconducting maglev, cryomagnets, motors/generators fields. In order to improve the performance of the YBCO bulk superconductors further, in this work, nano-CeO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; doped YBCO bulk superconductors are fabricated by two infiltration growth techniques (011-IG and 211-IG) respectively, in which two solid pellets of compositions Y&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;+1.15BaCuO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;+0.1CuO+1wt.% nano-CeO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; and Y&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;BaCuO&lt;sub&gt;5&lt;/sub&gt; (Y-211)+1 wt.% nano-CeO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; are employed. And a novel pit-type seeding mode is used to prevent the film seed from moving in the heat treatment process, then the growth morphologies, microstructures and superconducting properties of the samples are investigated. The results show that at a low doping level (1 wt.%), the normal growth of the YBCO crystal is not affected, and fully-grown single-domain YBCO bulk superconductors can be successfully prepared by the two techniques. Furthermore, the positions of the seeds do not move at all, which proves the effectiveness of the new seeding mode. The perpendicular growth sector boundaries on the top surfaces of the samples and clear (00&lt;i&gt;l&lt;/i&gt;) series X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks both prove the high &lt;i&gt;c&lt;/i&gt;-axis orientations and high growth quality of the samples. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results indicate that the nano-CeO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; doping can effectively refine the sizes of the Y-211 micro-particles in the bulk superconductors, and this method is applicable to both techniques. Low-temperature magnetization measurement shows that the nano-CeO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; doped sample prepared by the 011-IG method shows obviously better &lt;i&gt;J&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sub&gt;c&lt;/sub&gt; property than the undoped sample at low fields, indicating that the refined Y-211 particles can effectively enhance the δ&lt;i&gt;l&lt;/i&gt;-type pinning. In addition, compared with the 211-IG-processed sample, the 011-IG-processed sample performs better in terms of levitation force, microstructure and &lt;i&gt;J&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sub&gt;c&lt;/sub&gt; property, thus the 011-IG method is a more promising preparation process. The results of this study are important in improving the performance of the YBCO bulk superconductors and optimizing the fabrication technique further.