Simultaneous Manipulation Research Articles

Realizing Stable Artificial Photon Energy Harvesting Based on Perovskite Solar Cells for Diverse Applications.

As the fastest developing photovoltaic device, perovskite solar cells have achieved an extraordinary power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.3% under AM 1.5 illumination. However, few studies have been devoted to perovskite solar cells harvesting artificial light, owing to the great challenge in the simultaneous manipulation of bandgap-adjustable perovskite materials, corresponding matched energy band structure of carrier transport materials, and interfacial defects. Herein, through systematic morphology, composition, and energy band engineering, high-quality Cs0.05 MA0.95 PbBrx I3- x perovskite as the light absorber and Nby Ti1- y O2 (Nb:TiO2 ) as the electron transport material with an ideal energy band alignment are obtained simultaneously. The theoretical-limit-approaching record PCEs of 36.3% (average: 34.0 ± 1.2%) under light-emitting diode (LED, warm white) and 33.2% under fluorescent lamp (cold white) are achieved simultaneously, as well as a PCE of 19.5% (average: 18.9 ± 0.3%) under solar illumination. An integrated energy conversion and storage system based on an artificial light response solar cell and sodium-ion battery is established for diverse practical applications, including a portable calculator, quartz clock, and even environmental monitoring equipment. Over a week of stable operation shows its great practical potential and provides a new avenue to promote the commercialization of perovskite photovoltaic devices via integration with ingenious electronic devices.

Macroscopic Spontaneous Polarization and Surface Oxygen Vacancies Collaboratively Boosting CO2 Photoreduction on BiOIO3 Single Crystals

Prompt recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes in bulk and on the surface of photocatalysts harshly impedes the photocatalytic efficiency. However, the simultaneous manipulation of photocharges in the two locations is challenging. Herein, the synchronous promotion of bulk and surface separation of photoinduced charges for prominent CO2 photoreduction by coupling macroscopic spontaneous polarization and surface oxygen vacancies (OVs) of BiOIO3 single crystals is reported. The oriented growth of BiOIO3 single-crystal nanostrips along the [001] direction, ensuing substantial well-aligned IO3 polar units, renders a large enhancement for the macroscopic polarization electric field, which is capable of driving the rapid separation and migration of charges from bulk to surface. Meanwhile the introduction of surface OVs establishes a local electric field for charge migration to catalytic sites on the surface of BiOIO3 nanostrips. Highly polarized BiOIO3 nanostrips with ample OVs demonstrate outstanding CO2 reduction activity for CO production with a rate of 17.33 µmol g-1 h-1 (approximately ten times enhancement) without any sacrificial agents or cocatalysts, being one of the best CO2 reduction photocatalysts in the gas-solid system reported so far. This work provides an integrated solution to governing charge movement behavior on the basis of collaborative polarization from bulk and surface.

Genetic interaction screen for severe neurodevelopmental disorders reveals a functional link between Ube3a and Mef2 in Drosophila melanogaster

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are clinically and genetically extremely heterogeneous with shared phenotypes often associated with genes from the same networks. Mutations in TCF4, MEF2C, UBE3A, ZEB2 or ATRX cause phenotypically overlapping, syndromic forms of NDDs with severe intellectual disability, epilepsy and microcephaly. To characterize potential functional links between these genes/proteins, we screened for genetic interactions in Drosophila melanogaster. We induced ubiquitous or tissue specific knockdown or overexpression of each single orthologous gene (Da, Mef2, Ube3a, Zfh1, XNP) and in pairwise combinations. Subsequently, we assessed parameters such as lethality, wing and eye morphology, neuromuscular junction morphology, bang sensitivity and climbing behaviour in comparison between single and pairwise dosage manipulations. We found most stringent evidence for genetic interaction between Ube3a and Mef2 as simultaneous dosage manipulation in different tissues including glia, wing and eye resulted in multiple phenotype modifications. We subsequently found evidence for physical interaction between UBE3A and MEF2C also in human cells. Systematic pairwise assessment of the Drosophila orthologues of five genes implicated in clinically overlapping, severe NDDs and subsequent confirmation in a human cell line revealed interactions between UBE3A/Ube3a and MEF2C/Mef2, thus contributing to the characterization of the underlying molecular commonalities.

Operation Planning and Closed-Loop Control of a Soft Robotic Table for Simultaneous Multiple-Object Manipulation

This article presents the design, development, and validation of a closed-loop control system for a soft robotic table. The soft table can provide independent manipulation to multiple objects simultaneously, which is an advantage over traditional devices such as robotic arms and belt conveyor systems. The table also provides intrinsic soft handling for delicate objects. In order to execute automation tasks, a vision feedback system and an operation controller are developed and incorporated into the existing table prototype to form a closed-loop control. The vision feedback system implements image processing techniques to identify the object location from captured images. The operation controller is integrated from three sets of algorithms, including movement planning, actuator selection, and actuation planning. Two sets of experiments were conducted to validate the closed-loop system and the capability of the soft table. The first set validated the manipulation task of transporting an object to a desired location with autonomous planning and execution. The second set validated the table’s ability to manipulate multiple objects simultaneously and independently. Videos of both experiments have been supplied. Note to Practitioners —A soft robotic table is developed for the manipulation of delicate objects on a surface. The table is intended for automated sorting tasks in an industrial environment. Multiple objects placed on the table surface can be simultaneously and independently transported and orientated on the $XY$ horizontal plane. The deformable surface of the table provides soft handling for delicate objects. These are the advantages over existing manipulators such as robotic arms and belt conveyor systems. Based on previously conducted experiments, it was found that the open-loop control is ineffective to execute automation tasks due to the variability in object movements with soft interactions. To solve this problem, a closed-loop control system for autonomous object manipulation is developed and its detailed design and implementation are presented in this article. A vision feedback system and a controller are developed to form the proposed closed-loop control. Two sets of experiments involving common manipulation tasks were conducted. The control system is proven to be effective at handling the uncertainties in object movements and autonomous object manipulation by the soft robotic table is validated. The performance of this control system can be improved with better predictions of both the deformations on the table surface and the resultant object movements. Embedding deformable sensors into the table surface is a potential approach to achieve such improvement and this can be investigated in future works.

The Use of Tinkertoys® for Teaching Hip Anatomy and Alignment

Background: Health education can require an emphasis on potentially difficult concepts in anatomy and alignment. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the effect of active use of Tinkertoys® to promote understanding of alignment and to report its effectiveness for knowledge acquisition among students according to spatial ability. Methods: Two cohorts of physical therapy (PT) students (n=70) participated in this project over two years. Thirty-four students (second cohort) rated their math and spatial abilities on a survey. Following a traditional lecture on femoral torsion and angle of inclination, all participants took a pre-test. Then, a Tinkertoys® model of the lower limb was used along with a pelvic bone to simulate the hip anatomy and alignment. Only students in the second cohort received the opportunity to simultaneously manipulate similar models at their desks. At the end of the class period, a post-test was given. Four days later, a similar quiz was given. Descriptive statistics and repeated measures with pairwise comparisons were used to analyze the data. Results: Quiz means improved from pre-test (32.1%) to post-test (74.6%, p=0.023). Differences were not evident between people who self-reported stronger versus weaker spatial abilities (p=0.186). Conclusions: Tinkertoys® model use, with or without simultaneous model manipulation, facilitated learning, regardless of self-reported spatial ability.

Adaptive Tube Model Predictive Control for Manipulating Multiple Nanowires with Coupled Actuation in Fluid Suspension

Automated, highly precise online manipulation of multiple nano and microscale objects is essential to achieve scalable nanomanufacturing. One of the biggest limitations of the wireless external actuation is its global and coupled influence in the workspace, which limits the capability to robustly control multiple nano and microparticles independently and simultaneously. Another challenge for the highly precise manipulation of nanoparticles is due to their uncontrolled variations in structures or compositions that result in different dynamic behaviors. In this paper, we present an adaptive tube model predictive control scheme for the simultaneous manipulation of multiple nanowires under coupled electric fields in fluid suspension. The proposed strategy estimates the unknown mobilities of the individual nanowires online, formulates dynamic tubes that update based on the online estimated mobilities and nonlinear dynamics, and addresses the coupled actuation from the global electric field with dynamic separated tubes constructed for each nanowire. Simulations results show that as the number of simultaneously manipulated nanowires increases, the manipulation time increases and the maximum disturbance the system could reject decreases rapidly.

Simultaneous model estimation and manipulation of unknown objects

In this study, we propose a method of modeling unknown objects using a dual-arm robot with a depth sensor installed on the head. In the proposed method, the posture of an object is changed by dual-arm manipulation , to obtain the shape information on the occluded part. First, the posture of the object is changed by pushing to obtain the point cloud of the occluded part with the depth sensor. Then the graspable plane is detected and the object is grasped to obtain the point cloud including the bottom surface of the object. Re-gripping is performed until the object can be placed such that the bottom faces upward. We further acquire the point cloud on the bottom and integrate the obtained point cloud. We evaluate the completeness of the model and the versatility of the operation by experiments.

Transformation Omnithermotics: Simultaneous Manipulation of Three Basic Modes of Heat Transfer

9. L. J. Xu, S. Yang, G. L. Dai and J. P. Huang,Transformation Omnithermotics: Simultaneous Manipulation of Three Basic Modes of Heat Transfer,ES Energy Environ., 2019, 7, 65-70.DOI: doi.org/10.30919/esee8c372PDF online

Simultaneous manipulation of ion doping and cocatalyst loading into Mn0.3Cd0.7S nanorods toward significantly improved H2evolution

Ni2P and Ni2+jointly modified Mn0.3Cd0.7S photocatalysts were successfully fabricatedviaa facile solvothermal method. The loading of Ni2P and the doping of Ni2+proceeded simultaneouslyviaa one-step process.

Sustainable supplier selection for smart supply chain considering internal and external uncertainty: An integrated rough-fuzzy approach

This study proposes a novel framework to identify smart-sustainable SCMP (supply chain management practices) as supplier selection criteria for a smart supply chain. Supplier selection consists of two parts: criteria weights determination and suppliers ranking. DEMATEL (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) has been acknowledged as a relatively feasible method for determining the criteria weights due to its effectiveness in acquiring the interrelationships between criteria. TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) has been identified as the most frequently used method for supplier ranking due to its superiority in quickly finding the best alternatives. However, most existing research contains scant study of the simultaneous manipulation of internal uncertainty (individual linguistic vagueness) and external uncertainty (group preference diversity), which are involved in the supplier selection process. Therefore, this study proposes a hybrid rough-fuzzy DEMATEL-TOPSIS approach to sustainable supplier selection for a smart supply chain. The proposed method combines the strength of the fuzzy set in handling internal uncertainty and the advantages of the rough set in manipulating external uncertainty. The effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed methodology are illustrated through its application in sustainable vehicle transmission supplier selection and through comparisons with other methods.

Core-Shell-Heterostructured Magnetic-Plasmonic Nanoassemblies with Highly Retained Magnetic-Plasmonic Activities for Ultrasensitive Bioanalysis in Complex Matrix.

Herein, a facile self‐assembly strategy for coassembling oleic acid‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles (OC‐IONPs) with oleylamine‐coated gold nanoparticles (OA‐AuNPs) to form colloidal magnetic–plasmonic nanoassemblies (MPNAs) is reported. The resultant MPNAs exhibit a typical core–shell heterostructure comprising aggregated OA‐AuNPs as a plasmonic core surrounded by an assembled magnetic shell of OC‐IONPs. Owing to the high loading of OA‐AuNPs and reasonable spatial distribution of OC‐IONPs, the resultant MPNAs exhibit highly retained magnetic–plasmonic activities simultaneously. Using the intrinsic dual functionality of MPNAs as a magnetic separator and a plasmonic signal transducer, it is demonstrated that the assembled MPNAs can achieve the simultaneous magnetic manipulation and optical detection on the lateral flow immunoassay platform after surface functionalization with recognition molecules. In conclusion, the core–shell‐heterostructured MPNAs can serve as a nanoanalytical platform for the separation and concentration of target compounds from complex biological samples using magnetic properties and simultaneous optical sensing using plasmonic properties.

Algorithms for the Motion of Randomly Positioned Hexagonal and Square Microparts on a "Smart Platform" with Electrostatic Forces and a New Method for Their Simultaneous Centralization and Alignment.

In this paper, an approach is proposed for the simultaneous manipulation of multiple hexagonal and square plastic–glass type microparts that are positioned randomly on a smart platform (SP) using electrostatic forces applied by the suitable activation of circular conductive electrodes. First, the statics analysis of a micropart on the SP is presented in detail and the forces and torques that are applied to and around the center of mass (COM) respectively due to the activation of a SP electrode are determined. The “single electrode activation” (SEA) and the “multiple electrodes activations” (MEA) algorithms are introduced to determine the feasible SP electrodes activations for the microparts manipulation considering their initial configuration. An algorithm for the simultaneous handling of multiple microparts is studied considering the collision avoidance with neighboring microparts. An approach is presented for the simultaneous centralization and alignment of the microparts preparing them for their batch parallel motion on the SP. The developed algorithms are applied to a simulated platform and the results are presented and discussed.

A new symbolic-based continuous (infinite) modal approach for systems control and operation using computational mathematics

This paper presents the new concept of symbolic-based continuous (infinite) modal approach for systems control and operation in varying parameters environment. In this approach, the system is run under varying parameters form where the variations are sensed and fed back in a continuous manner for determining using symbolic-based expressions the corresponding control functions. The approach permits the simultaneous manipulation of system control and operation with the online changes of system parameters. The generic symbolic approach enables high system operation flexibility, while the continuous (infinite) modal operation ensures complete smoothing system behavior and full operation modal compatibility all over various system varying parameters regions. The realization of the continuous (infinite) modal design is carried out through symbolic-based embedded control expressions and using computational mathematics. The proof of concept of the presented scheme is demonstrated through both an illustrative example and an application representing the implementation of control of inverted pendulum system with varying cart mass operation. It is successfully elucidated that the exact generic tracking of changing parameters could effectively be achieved in very smoothly and with complete continuous modal compatibility and full auto or self-modality. Moreover, the proposed scheme enables providing more performance flexibility compared to the known unimodal and multimodal operation approaches and adds a new dimension for future system control and operation specially in the fields of mechatronics and robotics where smooth and flexible system behavior are to be maintained all over the modes of system operation. Finally, the applications of the suggested approach to examples of parameters varying direct and networked cyber-physical systems are addressed such that the varying parameters are monitored online and continuously fed to the symbolic-control function to yield at the end the exact/generic flexible control scheme.

Generation and Hall effect of skyrmions enabled using nonmagnetic point contacts

To enable functional skyrmion based spintronic devices, the controllable generation and manipulation of skyrmions is essential. While the generation of skyrmions by using a magnetic geometrical constriction has already been demonstrated, this approach is difficult to combine with a subsequent controlled manipulation of skyrmions. The high efficiency of skyrmion generation from magnetic constrictions limits the useful current density, resulting in stochastic skyrmion motion, which may obscure topological phenomena such as the skyrmion Hall effect. In order to address this issue, we designed a nonmagnetic conducting Ti/Au point contact in devices made of Ta/CoFeB/TaOx trilayer films. By applying high voltage pulses, we experimentally demonstrated that skyrmions can be dynamically generated. Moreover, the accompanied spin topology dependent skyrmion dynamics, the skyrmion Hall effect is also experimentally observed in the same devices. The creation process has been numerically reproduced through micromagnetic simulations in which the important role of skyrmion-antiskyrmion pair generation is identified. The motion and Hall effect of the skyrmions, immediately after their creation is described using a modified Thiele equation after taking into account the contribution from spatially inhomogeneous spin-orbit torques and the Magnus force. The simultaneous generation and manipulation of skyrmions using a nonmagnetic point contact could provide a useful pathway for designing novel skyrmion based devices.

Branched Photoswitchable Tethered Ligands Enable Ultra-efficient Optical Control and Detection of G Protein-Coupled Receptors In Vivo

The limitations of classical drugs have spurred thedevelopment of covalently tethered photoswitchable ligands to control neuromodulatory receptors. However, a major shortcoming of tethered photopharmacology is the inability to obtain optical control with an efficacy comparable with that of the native ligand. To overcome this, we developed a family of branched photoswitchable compounds to target metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). These compounds permit photo-agonism of Gi/o-coupled group II mGluRs with near-complete efficiency relative to glutamate when attached to receptors via a range of orthogonal, multiplexable modalities. Through a chimeric approach, branched ligands also allow efficient optical control of Gq-coupled mGluR5, which we use to probe the spatiotemporal properties of receptor-induced calcium oscillations. In addition, we report branched, photoswitch-fluorophore compounds for simultaneous receptor imaging and manipulation. Finally, we demonstrate this approach invivo in mice, where photoactivation of SNAP-mGluR2 in the medial prefrontal cortex reversibly modulates working memory in normal and disease-associated states.

Secret Ink: Kinetically Controlled Polymorphic Superstructure of Transparent Illuminant

Simultaneous manipulation of both transparency and luminescence is one of the biggest challenges in developing security materials and memory devices. To understand the crucial factors influencing s...

Explore and evaluate innovative value propositions for smart product service system: A novel graphics-based rough-fuzzy DEMATEL method

Abstract The rapid development of advanced information and communication technology enables the mainstream trend of manufacturing value propositions towards smart product service system (PSS). Prospect innovative value propositions (IVPs) emerge in the context of smart PSS. The IVPs analysis plays a critical role in the successful planning and design of smart PSS business model, which includes two key steps: identification and evaluation. However, the existing research rarely systematically explore what value propositions can be identified in the emerging field of smart PSS. Thus, this study conducts a comprehensive IVPs identification through literature review and prioritize these IVPs to provide support for later smart PSS concept design. Compared to other evaluation methods, the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) presents higher effectiveness to evaluate the interrelationship and importance degree of the identified IVPs. Moreover, the previous fuzzy-based DEMATEL is feasible to handle intrapersonal uncertainty (individual linguistic vagueness), and the previous rough-based DEMATEL can effectively manipulate the interpersonal uncertainty (group preference diversity). Nevertheless, there are few researches on simultaneous manipulation of the two kinds of uncertainty which may lead to inaccurate evaluation results. Therefore, this study develops a novel graphics-based rough-fuzzy DEMATEL method for IVPs evaluation. The effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed evaluation method are illustrated through the application in the smart vehicle service system and the comparisons with several different methods. The proposed evaluation model can provide more accurate and informative results, because it integrates the merits of fuzzy set in coping with the intrapersonal uncertainty and the strength of rough set in handling interpersonal uncertainty, and supports to present decision inconsistency along with the final weights based on a proposed graphics-based operator.

Large‐Area and Low‐Cost Nanoslit‐Based Flexible Metasurfaces for Multispectral Electromagnetic Wave Manipulation

AbstractManipulating multispectral electromagnetic (EM) waves has drawn great attention due to its potential applications in EM compatibility, radiative cooling, and multispectral imaging. Metasurfaces are intensively investigated to control EM waves and achieve versatile functions. However, the design of multispectral manipulation and the fabrication of multiscale metasurfaces remain a great challenge. Here, a multiscale flexible metasurface with nanometer‐sized characteristic dimensions and a square centimeter sized area is designed and fabricated for the simultaneous manipulation of infrared and terahertz waves. A simple yet powerful analytic method derived from catenary field theory is proposed to guide the design. A metasurface consisting of 2D nanoslit array is fabricated onto a flexible polyimide substrate by combining shadow mask fabrication with surface plasmon lithography to achieve nanoscale, large‐area, and repeatable fabrication. The experimental results show that the proposed metasurface possesses high reflectance exceeding 95% within the 8–12 µm wavelength range, indicating low thermal emissivity. Additionally, the metasurface exhibits low reflection in the THz regime and is capable of implementing integrated functions in conjunction with THz devices. Furthermore, the significant advantage of flexibility affords the metasurface excellent compatibility with irregular surfaces. This work may provide important guidance for the design and fabrication of large‐scale multispectral metasurfaces.

Miniaturized microscope with flexible light source input for neuronal imaging and manipulation in freely behaving animals

Simultaneous imaging and manipulation of a genetically defined neuronal population can provide a causal link between its activity and function. Here, we designed a miniaturized microscope (or ‘miniscope’) that allows fluorescence imaging and optogenetic manipulation at the cellular level in freely behaving animals. This miniscope has an integrated optical connector that accepts any combination of external light sources, allowing flexibility in the choice of sensors and manipulators. Moreover, due to its simple structure and use of open source software, the miniscope is easy to build and modify. Using this miniscope, we demonstrate the optogenetic silencing of hippocampal CA1 neurons using two laser light sources—one stimulating a calcium sensor (i.e., jGCaAMP7c) and the other serving as an optogenetic silencer (i.e., Jaws). This new miniscope can contribute to efforts to determine causal relationships between neuronal network dynamics and animal behavior.

All-dielectric metasurfaces for generation and detection of multi-channel vortex beams

We theoretically investigate the generation and detection of multi-channel vortex beams (VBs) carrying multiple orbital angular momenta by a monolayer all-dielectric metasurface. The metasurface can realize simultaneous manipulation of a two-level amplitude and continuous phase by an artificial design. The multi-channel VBs’ complex electric field is acquired by holography and the corresponding phase and amplitude are, respectively, encoded to the spatial orientation and geometry of nanofins. The maximum polarization conversion efficiency exceeds 98% and the uniformity is 0.0714. The ultra-compact, highly efficient and versatile metasurface is anticipated to promote development for high-capacity optical communication and integrated chip–level optical systems involving VBs.