Sub-millimeter Scale Research Articles

Gravity measurement at the sub-millimeter scale with optical lattice clock

Due to the excellent accuracy, the optical lattice clock (OLC) has not only achieved impressive results in frequency measurement but also gradually plays an important role in quantum precision measurement. In this paper, we propose a scheme for measuring gravity at the sub-millimeter scale extracted from the Rabi spectrum based on Super-Bloch oscillations of atoms in the OLC. Our proposal can be realized on the existing OLC platform without significant change. Under realistic existing experimental parameters of 87Sr OLC, we determine the optimal experimental conditions and obtain a sensitivity of 5μGal/Hz in the quantum projection noise limit, which is 50 times better than the previous method at the sub-millimeter scale under the same consideration. Another advantage of our proposal is that it is insensitive to the noise of the lattice laser, which contributes to the major uncertainty of the previous measurement (PRA 86, 033615). Our research will promote the development of OLC geoscopy.

Laser Remote Sensing of Seismic Wave with Sub-Millimeter Scale Amplitude Based on Doppler Characteristics Extracted from Wavefront Sensor

Laser remote sensing of earthquake waves has the potential to be used in many applications. This article shows a Doppler model for laser remote sensing of seismic waves based on a wavefront sensor. The longitudinal vibration wave is analyzed using remote sensing, guided by theoretical principles. To determine the magnitude of ground vibration, we employ the method of wavefront phase change analysis, utilizing a continuous laser emitting light with a wavelength of 635 nm to illuminate the ground target. The ground vibration amplitude within the range of 0.12–1.18 mm was examined, confirming the reasonableness of the Doppler model. Simultaneously, the experimental findings indicate that the system exhibits a certain enhancement in detection accuracy compared to the conventional laser remote sensing detection technique. This approach can detect vibration signals at a sub-millimeter scale level, with an accuracy of 1% to 2%. The approach can fulfill the requirements for detecting seismic waves with low frequencies.

Quantitative Evaluation of the Relationship between Strain and Color Change in Opal Photonic Crystal Films and Application into Complex Specimen Geometries

The color change of opal photonic crystal films (OPCFs) due to deformation was quantitatively evaluated using digital image correlation (DIC) analysis. OPCFs were pasted on specimens of three different gauge geometries, and random patterns were formed on the opposite side of each specimen for DIC analysis. To assess the applicability of using OPCFs-based strain characterization for analyzing steel structural components and associated metallurgical analyses, smooth, width-gradient, and holed specimens were prepared in this study. As deformation increased in the smooth specimen, the color of the OPCFs changed significantly. The color change in the OPCFs could be quantitatively converted into strain values through Hue value analysis. Heterogeneous strain distributions could also be quantitatively analyzed using OPCFs-based analysis at the submillimeter or millimeter scale. When the strain gradient is too high, for example, near a stress concentration site such as a hole, local peeling of the OPCFs away from the specimen surface can occur. Consequently, for quantitative characterization, we must take proper care when measuring this upper limit of the “strain gradient” as well as strain, which would depend on the adhesion and surface condition of the specimen.

Controllable Multimodal Actuation in Fully Printed Ultrathin Micro-Patterned Electrochemical Actuators.

Submillimeter or micrometer scale electrically controlled soft actuators have immense potential in microrobotics, haptics, and biomedical applications. However, the fabrication of miniaturized and micropatterned open-air soft actuators has remained challenging. In this study, we demonstrate the microfabrication of trilayer electrochemical actuators (ECAs) through aerosol jet printing (AJP), a rapid prototyping method with a 10 μm lateral resolution. We make fully printed 1000 × 5000 × 12 μm3 ultrathin ECAs, each of which comprises a Nafion electrolyte layer sandwiched between two poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) electrode layers. The ECAs actuate due to the electric-field-driven migration of hydrated protons. Due to the thinness that gives rise to a low proton transport length and a low flexural rigidity, the printed ECAs can operate under low voltages (∼0.5 V) and have a relatively fast response (∼seconds). We print all the components of an actuator that consists of two individually controlled submillimeter segments and demonstrate its multimodal actuation. The convenience, versatility, rapidity, and low cost of our microfabrication strategy promise future developments in integrating arrays of intricately patterned individually controlled soft microactuators on compact stretchable electronic circuits.

3D active fault kinematic behaviour reveals rapidly alternating near-surface stress states in the Eastern Alps

Abstract Stress variations in the Earth's crust need to be understood in both the spatial and temporal domains to address a number of pressing societal issues. In this paper, precise three-dimensional records of fault kinematic behaviour obtained by mechanical extensometers are used to investigate changes in stress states along major faults in the Eastern Alps. The monitored faults are fractures with evident Upper Quaternary displacement and are directly attributed to their master tectonic structures. The results demonstrate that activity at the submillimetric scale is highly episodic; periods of repose are punctuated by conspicuous reactivation events affecting one or more of the displacement components. An original approach named the SMB2018 method is used to define the stress state associated with each fault reactivation event. The outputs evidence significant short-term changes in the local stress regime. The directions of the principal normal stresses calculated from these reactivation events present generally similar patterns for both compressional and extensional stress states. Consequently, submillimetric fault activity cannot be controlled by a rotating stress field; such shifts can only be caused by a change in the magnitude of the individual principal normal stresses so that the maximum compression changes to the minimum and vice versa.

Liposome biodistribution mapping with in vivo X-ray fluorescence imaging.

Lipid-based nanoparticles are organic nanostructures constituted of phospholipids and cholesterol, displaying high in vivo biocompatibility. They have been demonstrated as effective nanocarriers for drug delivery and targeting. Mapping liposome distribution is crucial as it enables a precise understanding of delivery kinetics, tissue targeting efficiency, and potential off-target effects. Recently, ruthenium-encapsulated liposomes have shown potential for targeted drug delivery, photodynamic therapy, and optical fluorescence imaging. In the present work, we design Ru(bpy)3-encapsulated liposomes (Ru-Lipo) empowering optical and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) properties for dual mode imaging and demonstrate the passivation role of liposomes over the free Ru(bpy)3 compound. We employ whole-body XRF imaging to map the in vivo biodistribution of Ru-Lipo in mice, enabling tumor detection and longitudinal studies with elemental specificity and resolution down to the sub-millimeter scale. Quantitative XRF computed tomography on extracted organs permits targeting efficiency evaluations. These findings highlight the promising role of XRF imaging in pharmacokinetic studies and theranostic applications for the rapid optimization of drug delivery and assessment of targeting efficiency.

AlSi10Mg hollow-strut lattice metamaterials by laser powder bed fusion

Intricate submillimetre scale AlSi10Mg hollow-strut lattices can be fabricated by LPBF, and observe yield strength superior to metal solid-strut lattices.

Multi-imaging platform for rhizosphere studies: Phosphorus and oxygen fluxes

Rhizosphere is a soil volume of high spatio-temporal heterogeneity and intensive plant-soil-microbial interactions, for which visualization and process quantification is of highest scientific and applied relevance, but still very challenging. A novel methodology for quick assessment of two-dimensional distribution of available phosphorus (P) in rhizosphere was suggested, tested, and development up to the application platform. Available P was firstly trapped by an in-situ diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) sampler with precipitated zirconia as the binding gel, and subsequently, the loaded gel was analyzed with an optimized colorimetric imaging densitometry (CID). The imaging platform was established linking: i) DGT, ii) planar optode, and iii) soil zymography techniques to simultaneously determine available P, oxygen, and acid phosphatase in rhizosphere at sub-millimeter spatial scales. The DGT identified available P level in rice rhizosphere were spatially overlapping to the localized redox hotspots and phosphatase activity. The spatial relationship between available P and acid phosphatase activity was dependent on root development. The root radial oxygen loss (ROL) remained active during the experimental observations (2–3 days), while a flux of available P of 10 pg cm−2 s−1 was visualized within 2–3 mm of roots, confirming the correlative response of rice roots to oxygen secretion and P uptake. Summarizing, the established imaging platform is suitable to capture spatial heterogeneity and temporal dynamics of root activities, nutrient bioavailability, ROL and enzyme activities in rhizosphere.

Transition from stromatolite to thrombolite fabric: potential role for reticulopodial protists in lake microbialites of a Proterozoic ecosystem analog.

Prior observations suggest that foraminiferan protists use their reticulopodia (anastomosing pseudopodia) to alter sediment fabric by disrupting laminations of subtidal marine stromatolites, erasing the layered structures in an experimental setting. Because microbialites and foraminifera are found in non-marine settings, we hypothesized that foraminifera living in lakes could also disrupt layered microbialite fabric. With this aim and using a variety of multidisciplinary approaches, we conducted field surveys and an experiment on microbialites from Green Lake (GL; Fayetteville, New York State, United States), which has been studied as a Proterozoic ecosystem analog. The lake is meromictic and alkaline, receiving calcium sulfate-rich water in the monimolimnion; it supports a well-developed carbonate platform that provides access to living and relict microbialites. The living microbialites grow from early spring to autumn, forming a laminated mat at their surface (top ~5 mm), but a clotted or massive structure exists at depth (> ~ 1 cm). We observed a morphotype of "naked" foraminiferan-like protist in samples from GL microbialites and sediments; thus, considered the possibility of freshwater foraminiferan impact on microbialite fabric. Results of an experiment that seeded the cultured freshwater foraminifer Haplomyxa saranae onto the GL microbialite surface indicates via micro-CT scanning and anisotropy analysis that the introduced foraminifer impacted uppermost microbialite layering (n = 3 cores); those cores with an added inhibitor lacked changes in anisotropy for two of those three cores. Thus, it remains plausible that the much smaller, relatively common, native free-form reticulate protist, which we identified as Chlamydomyxa labyrinthuloides, can disrupt microbialite fabrics on sub-millimeter scales. Our observations do not exclude contributions of other possible causal factors.

Percolation-induced gel-gel phase separation in a dilute polymer network.

Cosmic large-scale structures, animal flocks and living tissues can be considered non-equilibrium organized systems created by dissipative processes. Replicating such properties in artificial systems is still difficult. Herein we report a dissipative network formation process in a dilute polymer-water mixture that leads to percolation-induced gel-gel phase separation. The dilute system, which forms a monophase structure at the percolation threshold, spontaneously separates into two co-continuous gel phases with a submillimetre scale (a dilute-percolated gel) during the deswelling process after the completion of the gelation reaction. The dilute-percolated gel, which contains 99% water, exhibits unexpected hydrophobicity and induces the development of adipose-like tissues in subcutaneous tissues. These findings support the development of dissipative structures with advanced functionalities for distinct applications, ranging from physical chemistry to tissue engineering.

Second sound resonators and tweezers as vorticity or velocity probes: Fabrication, model, and method.

An analytical model of open-cavity second sound resonators is presented and validated against simulations and experiments in superfluid helium using a new resonator design that achieves unprecedented resolution. The model incorporates diffraction, geometrical misalignments, and flow through the cavity and is validated using cavities operated up to their 20th resonance in superfluid helium. An important finding is that resonators can be optimized to selectively sense either the quantum vortex density carried by the throughflow-as typically done in the literature-or the mean velocity of the throughflow. We propose two velocity probing methods: one that takes advantage of misalignments between the tweezers' plates and other that drives the resonator non-linearly, beyond a threshold that results in the self-sustainment of a vortex tangle within the cavity. A new mathematical treatment of the resonant signal is proposed to adequately filter out parasitic signals, such as temperature and pressure drift, and accurately separate the quantum vorticity signal. This elliptic method consists in a geometrical projection of the resonance in the inverse complex plane. Its effectiveness is demonstrated over a wide range of operating conditions. The resonator model and elliptic method are being utilized to characterize a new design of resonators with high resolution, thanks to miniaturization and design optimization. These second-sound tweezers are capable of providing time-space resolved information similar to classical local probes in turbulence, down to sub-millimeter and sub-millisecond scales. The principle, design, and microfabrication of second sound tweezers are being presented, along with their potential for exploring quantum turbulence.

Direct Laser Writing Photonic Crystal Hydrogels with a Supramolecular Sacrificial Scaffold.

Photonic crystal hydrogels (PCHs), with smart stimulus-responsive abilities, have been widely exploited as colorimetric sensors for years. However, the current fabrication technologies are mostly applicable to produce PCHs with simple geometries at the sub-millimeter scale, limiting the introduction of structural design into PCH sensors as well as the accompanied advanced applications. This paper reports the microfabrication of three-dimensional (3D) PCHs with the help of supramolecular agarose PCH as a sacrificial scaffold by two-photon lithography (TPL). The supramolecular PCHs, formulated with SiO2 colloidal nanoparticles and agarose aqueous solutions, show bright structural color and are degradable upon short-time dimethyl sulfoxide treatment. Leveraging the supramolecular PCH as a sacrificial scaffold, PCHs with precise 3D geometries can be fabricated in an economical and efficient way. This work demonstrates the application of such a strategy in the creation of structural-designed PCH mechanical microsensors that have not been explored before.

Two-photon microscopy for microrobotics: Visualization of micro-agents below fixed tissue.

Optical microscopy is frequently used to visualize microrobotic agents (i.e., micro-agents) and physical surroundings with a relatively high spatio-temporal resolution. However, the limited penetration depth of optical microscopy techniques used in microrobotics (in the order of 100 μm) reduces the capability of visualizing micro-agents below biological tissue. Two-photon microscopy is a technique that exploits the principle of two-photon absorption, permitting live tissue imaging with sub-micron resolution and optical penetration depths (over 500 μm). The two-photon absorption principle has been widely applied to fabricate sub-millimeter scale components via direct laser writing (DLW). Yet, its use as an imaging tool for microrobotics remains unexplored in the state-of-the-art. This study introduces and reports on two-photon microscopy as an alternative technique for visualizing micro-agents below biological tissue. In order to validate two-photon image acquisition for microrobotics, two-type micro-agents are fabricated and employed: (1) electrospun fibers stained with an exogenous fluorophore and (2) bio-inspired structure printed with autofluorescent resin via DLW. The experiments are devised and conducted to obtain three-dimensional reconstructions of both micro-agents, perform a qualitative study of laser-tissue interaction, and visualize micro-agents along with tissue using second-harmonic generation. We experimentally demonstrate two-photon microscopy of micro-agents below formalin-fixed tissue with a maximum penetration depth of 800 μm and continuous imaging of magnetic electrospun fibers with one frame per second acquisition rate (in a field of view of 135 × 135 μm2). Our results show that two-photon microscopy can be an alternative imaging technique for microrobotics by enabling visualization of micro-agents under in vitro and ex ovo conditions. Furthermore, bridging the gap between two-photon microscopy and the microrobotics field has the potential to facilitate in vivo visualization of micro-agents.

Underwater macrophotogrammetry to monitor in situ benthic communities at submillimetre scale

Abstract Larval settlement and recruitment of sessile organisms are key ecological processes for population recovery and maintenance that occur at scales invisible to the human eye. Accordingly, proxies of recruitment have commonly been quantified using artificial substrata such as settlement tiles made of diverse materials and shapes, which are typically transported to the laboratory for examination. However, it is unknown how much bias is introduced with this sampling strategy and how recruitment quantified on tiles relates to recruitment on nearby natural substrata. Here, we applied techniques that combine macrophotography with photogrammetry (macrophotogrammetry) underwater to monitor benthic communities at submillimetre scale. This application allows the investigation of recruitment and community succession of the earliest life‐history stages in situ and on natural substrata. We tested the use of four different imaging systems, varying in costs from US$ 1400 to US$ 5440. While the most expensive SONY αRiv system provided the best visual output and ground resolution (up to 5 μm/pixel with a + 4 close‐up lens); regardless of systems, 3D models always had a ground resolution ≤23 μm/pixel and errors in planar measurements of submillimetre features were similar among systems. This level of resolution compares well with stereomicroscopy in the range of 5:1 to 10:1 magnification, while providing detailed 3D digital records through time. Using a coral reef example, we apply this approach to demonstrate how it can be used to monitor small reef areas (~300–600 cm2) through time, including the quantification of biophysical metrics such as cover of small facilitative and competitive organisms and microhabitat complexity. We further show that organisms as small 0.5 mm in size, such as 2‐month‐old coral settlers, can be located accurately within the 3D models and measured with a good level of confidence. This method can be readily applied to other benthic environments to elucidate drivers of early recruitment and recovery of benthic organisms following disturbance impacts at very fine scales, directly on natural substrata, to avoid biases inherent with laboratory‐based analyses of artificial surfaces.

Hierarchical diffusion pathways into VOC adsorption films by direct ink writing and ammonium carbonate treatment

In-situ thermally restorable adsorption films exhibited brilliant performance for indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) purification with negligible wind resistance and considerable lifetime. However, the morphology of adsorption films should be restructured for better adsorption kinetics. This study structured adsorption films with submillimeter-sized channels by direct ink writing (DIW). Submicron-micron-sized porous structure was further fabricated through ammonia carbonate treatment. Pore size distribution characterization proved 33% of extra mesopores were created in the hierarchical porous adsorption film. Dynamic adsorption behaviours for formaldehyde and toluene illustrated that the hierarchical porous adsorption film exhibited an over 80% initial one-pass efficiency for both formaldehyde and toluene, improved by 20% over the plane adsorption film. The purification rate was also significantly improved by 83% and 67% for formaldehyde (from 0.059 mg g-1h−1 to 0.106 mg g-1h−1) and toluene (from 0.143 mg g-1h−1 to 0.239 mg g-1h−1), respectively. This study proposed a method for conveniently preparing multi-scale porous structured adsorption components under mild conditions. The hierarchical diffusion pathways induced by DIW and ammonium carbonate treatment will enhance the adsorption kinetics and the purification performance of the adsorption film, overcoming the weak purification performance and short material lifetime of the existing indoor VOCs adsorption components. This research can be further applied to gas separation, as well as gas sensing, as DIW can achieve sub-millimeter scale resolution, providing a versatile approach for heat and mass transfer enhancement in chemical and environmental fields.

Paleomagnetic evidence for a long-lived, potentially reversing martian dynamo at ~3.9 Ga.

The 4.1-billion-year-old meteorite Allan Hills 84001 (ALH 84001) may preserve a magnetic record of the extinct martian dynamo. However, previous paleomagnetic studies have reported heterogeneous, nonunidirectional magnetization in the meteorite at submillimeter scales, calling into question whether it records a dynamo field. We use the quantum diamond microscope to analyze igneous Fe-sulfides in ALH 84001 that may carry remanence as old as 4.1 billion years (Ga). We find that individual, 100-μm-scale ferromagnetic mineral assemblages are strongly magnetized in two nearly antipodal directions. This suggests that the meteorite recorded strong fields following impact heating at 4.1 to 3.95 Ga, after which at least one further impact heterogeneously remagnetized the meteorite in a nearly antipodal local field. These observations are most simply explained by a reversing martian dynamo that was active until 3.9 Ga, thereby implying a late cessation for the martian dynamo and potentially documenting reversing behavior in a nonterrestrial planetary dynamo.

Local and long-distance organization of prefrontal cortex circuits in the marmoset brain

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) has dramatically expanded in primates, but its organization and interactions with other brain regions are only partially understood. We performed high-resolution connectomic mapping of the marmoset PFC and found two contrasting corticocortical and corticostriatal projection patterns: "patchy" projections that formed many columns of submillimeter scale in nearby and distant regions and "diffuse" projections that spread widely across the cortex and striatum. Parcellation-free analyses revealed representations of PFC gradients in these projections' local and global distribution patterns. We also demonstrated column-scale precision of reciprocal corticocortical connectivity, suggesting that PFC contains a mosaic of discrete columns. Diffuse projections showed considerable diversity in the laminar patterns of axonal spread. Altogether, these fine-grained analyses reveal important principles of local and long-distance PFC circuits in marmosets and provide insights into the functional organization of the primate brain.

α-In2Se3 Nanostructure-Based Photodetectors for Tunable and Broadband Response

The strong thickness-dependent narrow direct band gap of few-layer α-In2Se3 makes it a promising candidate for high-performance photodetectors. However, few researchers focus on the relationship between thickness and optoelectronic characteristics, and most results are based on the mechanically exfoliated α-In2Se3 nanoflakes. Herein, a reliable physical vapor deposition strategy to grow α-In2Se3 nanosheets with tunable thickness and submillimeter scale is reported. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies confirmed the high-quality growth of α-In2Se3 nanosheets. The back-gate field-effect transistors on SiO2 substrates display n-type semiconductor behavior. A systematical investigation of the optoelectronic properties reveals a thickness-dependent broadband response from visible (447 nm) to near-infrared (1550 nm) wavelengths with better and excellent performance obtained in thicker α-In2Se3 nanosheets than that in thinner devices. More importantly, a great improvement of the responsivity, detectivity, and external quantum efficiency (EQE) can be achieved by changing the thickness of In2Se3. The photodetector exhibits an outstanding photoresponsivity of 347.6 A/W, an ultrahigh detectivity of 1.5 × 1013 Jones, and an external quantum efficiency of 8.3 × 104%, which is superior to several α-In2Se3 nanostructure- or other two-dimensional (2D)-based photodetectors. The thickness-dependent broadband response characteristics make the α-In2Se3 nanostructure a promising candidate for multifunctional optoelectronic device applications.

Electroforming of submillimeter scale array structures with a jet-flush mixed flow field

Electroforming of submillimeter scale array structures holds great promise for a wide range of applications in array microelectrodes, vacuum electron devices and metal molds, but poor and uneven mass transfer inside the submillimeter scale mask negatively affects the electroforming quality. To address this issue, a jet-flush mixed flow field is proposed here to fabricate a submillimeter array structure with an aspect ratio of more than 3. In this method, the jetting flow greatly reduces the effective diffusion layer thickness of the electrolyte, and the flushing flow improves the mass transfer uniformity inside the submillimeter scale mask. The simulation results indicate that the average effective diffusion layer thickness can be reduced by ~74 % and the standard error is controlled within ~7 μm by optimizing the jetting inlet angle, jetting velocity, and flushing velocity. The submillimeter scale array structures were fabricated by electroforming under a jet-flush mixed flow field (jetting inlet angle of 60°, jetting velocity of 3.2 m/s, flushing velocity of 0.4 m/s). This paper guides the high-quality electroforming of the submillimeter scale metal array structures with a high aspect ratio.

Exploring the Optimal 4D-SfM Photogrammetric Models at Plot Scale

Structure from Motion (4D-SfM) photogrammetry can capture the changes in surface processes with high spatial and temporal resolution, which is widely used to quantify the dynamic change process of the ground surface. However, the low accuracy and uncertainty of the reconstructed digital elevation models (DEM) with current 4D-SfM photogrammetry hinder its application due to the simple survey pattern with multiple cameras. Hence, this study aims to develop a single-camera-based 4D-SfM photogrammetry device and adopt the “lawn-mower’ survey pattern zigzagging over a 4 × 4 m bare slope to improve the accuracy and stability of reconstructed DEM. Four different image network geometries were generated based on the zigzag-based survey pattern. Two processing settings for Agisoft PhotoScan Pro were tested to reconstruct the 4D-SfM model. In total, we achieved eight different 4D models over a bare slope over a month-long period. The differences, stability and accuracy of eight models were analyzed. The results of the study showed that the different image network geometry and processing settings resulted in significant differences among the eight models of 4D data sequences. Among them, the image network geometry has the greatest influence on the accuracy of 4D data, and the different processing settings cause the least difference for the zigzag image network geometry with a large number of photos. The 49-ultra-high model could achieve submillimeter scale precision and its relative accuracy is superior to most of previous studies. The results of the above study show that the zigzag image network geometry can greatly improve the accuracy and stability of ground-based 4D-SfM photogrammetry.