Precise Technology Research Articles

Electromagnetic Nanocoils Based on InGaN Nanorings

Energy issues, including energy generation, conversion, transmission and detection, are fundamental factors in all systems. In micro- and nanosystems, dealing with these energy issues requires novel nanostructures and precise technology. However, both concept and setup are not well established yet in the microsystems, especially for those at the nanometer scale. Here, we demonstrate electromagnetic nanocoils with 100 nm diameters based on uniform and periodic InGaN nanoring arrays grown on patterned GaN surfaces using nanoscale selective area epitaxy (NSAE). We observed stronger photoluminescence from the periodic InGaN nanoring arrays compared to the non-uniform InGaN nanorings, which indicates good crystal quality of the InGaN nanostructure with the NSAE. Based on this kind of nanostructure, electromagnetic induction from the nanorings is detected through the rebound movement of high-energy electron diffraction patterns that are influenced by a modulated external magnetic field. Our results clearly show the generation of an inductive current and internal magnetic field in the nanorings. We anticipate this kind of nanostructure to be a potential key element for energy conversion, transfer and detection in nanosystems. For example, it could be used to fabricate microtransformers and micro- and nanosensors for electromagnetic signals.

Perfect confinement of acoustic vortex by phase-gradient metacage

Abstract Acoustic wave isolation and noise reduction represent significant challenges in the field of physics and its various applications. Traditional noise control devices are often hampered by substantial size limitations and their operational efficacy is generally restricted to planar waveforms. In this work, we demonstrate the perfect confinement of acoustic vortex waves using an acoustic metacage consisting of phase-gradient metasurfaces. By leveraging the parity-reversed diffraction rule of the phase-gradient metasurfaces, the designed metacage exhibits remarkable capabilities for perfect confinement of acoustic vortex waves, showcasing robust performance even with source offsets. These findings present a promising strategy for the development of precise and adaptable acoustic confinement technologies.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Soil Erosion in Coastal Areas Based on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Deep Learning Approach

Soil is an important nonrenewable resource. Soil erosion is increasingly severe, and the accurate identification of soil erosion is crucial for ecological sustainability. In recent years, advancements in artificial intelligence have significantly contributed to the development of precise modeling technologies. This study utilizes high-resolution multispectral images captured by unmanned aerial vehicles and applies five machine learning models, namely convolutional neural network (CNN), support vector classification, random forest, extreme gradient boosting, and fully connected neural network, to identify regional soil erosion. The performance of each model is evaluated using F1-score, precision, and recall measurements. The results show that all models exhibit strong recognition capabilities, with CNN outperforming the others in both training and testing phases. Specifically, CNN achieved a recall rate of 0.99 on the training set and an F1-score of 0.98. Given the black-box nature of machine learning models, the shapley additive explanations method is further used for interpreting model outputs. The analysis reveals that the normalized difference salinity index and soil erodibility factor are the primary factors influencing soil erosion in the study area.

Dairy calves provided with environmental enrichment are more active, playful and have fewer feeding interruptions

Concerns for farm animal welfare have led to the use of environmental enrichment to stimulate natural behaviours and promote positive emotions. In cattle, the provision of brushes is sometimes recommended but their use in calves and the effects they may have are not well established. The use of precision technologies enables the collection of detailed behavioural data that can be used as welfare indicators. Here we use ultra-wideband location sensors to measure activity and play, along with automatic milk feeders to measure feeding. We assessed the effects of stationary brushes on the behaviour of 226 dairy calves for up to 72 days. Half of the calves had access to the brushes for half of the experimental period. Using a mixed-effects linear model we showed that when brushes were present calves had significantly higher activity, fed slower, had fewer interruptions in their meals and spent less time around the feeder, suggesting reduced competition. Furthermore, calves that had access to brushes during the trial were more active and playful, even on days when the brushes were not available, compared to the control group. This finding indicates for the first time that enrichment may have a lasting effect on calf behaviour and welfare.

Patterned durable superhydrophobic and UV protective cotton fabric prepared through inkjet printing of Zn-based MOFs and long alkyl chain siloxane.

In order to solve the problems of high energy consumption, high raw material consumption and poor air permeability of fabrics in the dip-baking method, a simple low-liquid inkjet printing method was used to prepare superhydrophobic cotton fabrics. Inkjet printing technology enables precise control over the printing position and droplet amount, allowing for the creation of superhydrophobic patterns on the fabric surface. ZIF-8 precursor solution and long alkyl chain siloxane were formulated as suitable inks and printed on the surface of the fabric, forming a rough interface with low surface energy. The surface micromorphology and chemical structure of the fabric samples were characterized in detail. The prepared ZIF-HDTMS-cotton fabric exhibited superhydrophobic property with a high water contact angle of 158° and self-cleaning property against liquid and solid contaminants. Importantly, after undergoing a variety of harsh damage tests, the modified fabric still exhibited good superhydrophobicity, indicating its favorable chemical stability and mechanical durability. Compared to raw cotton fabric, the treated fabric exhibited an air permeability rate of 311.6L/m2/s, proving its excellent breathability. Due to the high absorption capacity of ZIF-8 to ultraviolet rays, the prepared cotton fabric has obtained a certain ultraviolet protection effect. In addition, through infrared camera observation, it is found that the ZIF-HDTMS-cotton fabric also has a good anti-permeation effect on hot water, which can play a role in preventing scalding. These findings pave the way for the development of patterned multifunctional textiles through precise inkjet printing technology.

The faraday cage: A foundational principle in electromagnetic shielding and its modern applications

The concept of field shielding, exemplified by the Faraday cage, has been a cornerstone of electromagnetic shielding research since Michael Faraday's groundbreaking work in the 19th century. Faraday’s ice-pail experiment demonstrated how a metal container could block external electric fields, isolating its contents from external electromagnetic influences. This discovery laid the foundation for field shielding techniques that have since been widely applied across science and technology. Over time, the Faraday cage effect has enabled significant advancements, including electromagnetic shielding in electronic devices, medical equipment, and telecommunications systems. Faraday cages play a critical role in protecting sensitive instruments from electromagnetic interference (EMI), ensuring measurement accuracy, and preventing disruptions caused by external electrical sources. Their enduring importance highlights their utility in advancing reliable and precise modern technologies.

Exploring the Internal Environmental Changes of Muscle Cells and Apoptotic Phase of Mitochondria in Dry-Cured Loin Using Electrical Stimulation: Promoting the Precise Regulation of Loin Ham Quality.

Traditional dry-curing methods have a long cycle time and low efficiency, resulting in the inconsistent quality of dry-cured ham. By applying electrical stimulation (ES) technology in the dry-curing process, it was found that ES affected mitochondrial apoptosis by modulating the intracellular environment of muscle cells, which, in turn, enhanced the quality of dry-cured pork loin. Specifically, ES accelerated glycogen and ATP depletion, which led to a rapid decline in pH. Meanwhile, compared to the control group (CK), the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase in the ES group (ES) increased by 160% and 124%, respectively, leading to the generation of H+ gradient and Ca2+ overload in mitochondria, which in turn triggered mitochondrial apoptosis and increased the apoptosis rate by 259%. In addition, Western blot analysis showed that ES promoted the Desmin and Troponin-T degradation levels. This study highlights the advantages of ES in dry-cured ham processing, which is expected to be a precise regulation technology.

An improved carrier-phase-based method for precise time synchronization using the observations from the China Space Station-ground synchronization system

The development of precise time synchronization technology is key to the effective application of time–frequency standards. It will significantly promote the application of precise time–frequency standards in the areas such as Positioning, Navigation, and Timing, lunar navigation, and cutting-edge fundamental physics research. This study presents an improved carrier-phase-based method for time synchronization, which was demonstrated through both laboratory and satellite-ground experiments via the China Space Station (CSS)-ground synchronization system. Initial laboratory experiments confirmed the system’s stability, achieving picosecond-level accuracy, highlighting the robustness of the method in controlled environments. Then, preliminary satellite-to-ground synchronization experiments were conducted using the CSS and ground stations, validating the effectiveness of the carrier-phase-based method. The time synchronization accuracy reached the picosecond-level, significantly surpassing traditional pseudocode techniques, which typically achieve sub-nanosecond level accuracy. Additionally, the Allan Deviation results indicated an improvement in stability by about an order of magnitude compared to traditional pseudocode-based methods. This demonstrates that the carrier-phase-based method can effectively mitigate common sources of system errors and enhance time synchronization capabilities. Therefore, this method can provide an effective technical reference for future applications requiring higher precision in time synchronization.

A Multimodal Perception System for Precise Landing of UAVs in Offshore Environments

ABSTRACTThe integration of precise landing capabilities into unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is crucial for enabling autonomous operations, particularly in challenging environments such as the offshore scenarios. This work proposes a heterogeneous perception system that incorporates a multimodal fiducial marker, designed to improve the accuracy and robustness of autonomous landing of UAVs in both daytime and nighttime operations. This work presents ViTAL‐TAPE, a visual transformer‐based model, that enhance the detection reliability of the landing target and overcomes the changes in the illumination conditions and viewpoint positions, where traditional methods fail. VITAL‐TAPE is an end‐to‐end model that combines multimodal perceptual information, including photometric and radiometric data, to detect landing targets defined by a fiducial marker with 6 degrees‐of‐freedom. Extensive experiments have proved the ability of VITAL‐TAPE to detect fiducial markers with an error of 0.01 m. Moreover, experiments using the RAVEN UAV, designed to endure the challenging weather conditions of offshore scenarios, demonstrated that the autonomous landing technology proposed in this work achieved an accuracy up to 0.1 m. This research also presents the first successful autonomous operation of a UAV in a commercial offshore wind farm with floating foundations installed in the Atlantic Ocean. These experiments showcased the system's accuracy, resilience and robustness, resulting in a precise landing technology that extends mission capabilities of UAVs, enabling autonomous and Beyond Visual Line of Sight offshore operations.

It's all downstream from here: RTK/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway resistance mechanisms in glioblastoma.

The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)/Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway is one of the most tumorigenic pathways in cancer, with its hyperactivation strongly linked to the aggressive nature of glioblastoma (GBM). Although extensive research has focused on developing therapeutics targeting this pathway, clinical success remains elusive due to the emergence of resistance mechanisms. This review investigates how inhibition of the RTK/Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway alters transcription factors, contributing to acquired resistance mechanisms in GBM. It also highlights the critical role of transcription factor dysregulation in therapeutic resistance. Findings from key studies on the RTK/Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway in GBM were synthesized to explore the role of transcription factor dysregulation in resistance to targeted therapies, radiation, and chemotherapy. The review highlights that transcription factors undergo significant dysregulation following RTK/Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway inhibition, contributing to therapeutic resistance. Transcription factors are promising targets for overcoming treatment resistance in GBM, with cotreatment strategies combining RTK/Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway inhibitors and transcription factor-targeted therapies presenting a novel approach. Despite the challenges of targeting complex structures and interactions, advancements in drug development and precision technologies hold great potential. Continued research is essential to refine these strategies and improve outcomes for GBM and other aggressive cancers.

Aptamer-Driven Multifunctional Nanoplatform for Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging and Rapid In Situ Inactivation of Salmonella typhimurium.

Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) is a prominent pathogen responsible for intestinal infections, primarily transmitted through contaminated food and water. This underscores the critical need for precise and biocompatible technologies enabling early detection and intervention of bacterial colonization in vivo. Herein, a multifunctional nanoplatform (IR808-Au@ZIF-90-Apt) was designed, utilizing an S. typhimurium-specific aptamer to initiate cascade responses triggered by intracellular ATP and GSH. The nanoplatform precisely targets S. typhimuriumvia aptamer recognition, promoting bacterial aggregation through nanoparticle sedimentation in an oscillatory system. Furthermore, the intelligent nanoplatform significantly enhances the sensitivity of S. typhimurium detection based on near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence signals, achieving a detection limit as low as 2 CFU mL-1. Additionally, in situ NIR irradiation was applied at the 30 min peak of fluorescence detection, enabling rapid and irreversible inactivation of S. typhimurium through the synergistic effects of photothermal and photodynamic effects. Importantly, in a mouse model of intestinal infection, the nanoplatform successfully detected early S. typhimurium colonization and achieved highly efficient in situ inactivation without adversely affecting the major organs. In conclusion, the nanoplatform achieved precise localized detection and in situ inactivation of S. typhimurium, offering valuable insights for disease surveillance and epidemiological studies, with promising implications for food safety and public health.

Study of Bionic Tactile Sensors in Flexible Robots

This research investigates the advancement and implementation of bio-inspired tactile and mechanosensory systems, drawing inspiration from sophisticated biological mechanisms found in nature, particularly human sensory networks and the Venus flytrap's rapid response system. The study demonstrates significant progress in developing highly sensitive and precise sensor technologies that effectively mimic natural sensing capabilities. Through innovative material combinations and structural designs, including hybrid graphene-based platforms and advanced piezoelectric tactile arrays, these sensing systems achieve enhanced detection of mechanical forces, subtle vibrations, and environmental fluctuations. The research findings indicate substantial improvements in sensor performance metrics, including response time, sensitivity threshold, and signal-to-noise ratio. Current challenges in manufacturing scalability and cost-effectiveness are addressed, with proposed solutions for large-scale production and seamless system integration. The study outlines promising applications across multiple fields, from advanced prosthetic limbs with enhanced tactile feedback to sophisticated robotic systems capable of precise environmental interaction. Future research directions emphasize the development of more robust and adaptable sensing platforms, focusing on improved durability, reduced power consumption, and enhanced integration capabilities for next-generation biosensing applications.

Multifunctional MXene inks for printed electrochemical energy storage devices

Since the discovery of MXenes, the family has expanded rapidly in the past decade. With their fascinating properties, including high electrical conductivity, solution processability, tunable surface functionality, and excellent mechanical properties, MXenes have garnered significant enthusiasm from the academic community and industrial relevance. The most extensively studied of the many applications for MXene-based devices is electrochemical energy storage (EES). Importantly, MXene inks allow quick yet efficient production of personal EES devices through additive manufacturing. However, there are relatively few comprehensive summaries of reports on the processing of MXene inks for EES devices. This paper provides a comprehensive review of MXene synthesis, additive manufacturing strategies and the latest advancements in the printing of MXene-based high-performance EES devices including micro-supercapacitors and batteries. Besides, the current challenges for high precision and high-performance printing technology are also discussed. This review is expected to provide valuable insights for solution processing of MXene inks and may shed light on the large-scale application of MXenes toward the next generation of wearable electronics.

Wear Simulations of Involute Harmonic Gear Under Mixed Lubrication Condition

ABSTRACTHarmonic gears are widely used in precise space technology, robotic, medical equipment and other fields, while the magnitude of surface topography changes due to wear is usually comparable to or larger than the original surface roughness and elastic deformation, leading to severe transmission failures. This paper reports a numerical approach to simulate the lubrication status considering wear evolution based on mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) and Archard models, in which the Reynolds equation is solved with finite difference method and surface deformation is calculated by the discrete convolution‐fast Fourier transform (DC‐FFT) algorithm. The interfacial pressure and film thickness distributions are validated by comparison with available results from literature. The harmonic gear lubrication and wear performances are calculated, including effects of machined surface, velocity, load, wear time and material properties, and the results suggest that avoiding long‐term and high‐torque working with a large wear coefficient can effectively prevent surface wear failure, which is beneficial for increasing the harmonic gears' lifespan.

Precision in dentistry: how PLA 3D printing settings influence model accuracy.

Advancements in computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), such as intraoral scanners, digital treatment planning, and 3D printers, offer digital alternatives to conventional orthodontics. For transforming digital data into atraditional model, precise 3D printing technologies are necessary. With numerous settings available on each 3D printer, selecting the most precise one is challenging. Therefore, the impact of layer height, printing temperature, print speed, and infill density on the accuracy of dental models was analyzed in this study. A3D file of aright upper central incisor was designed and printed 275 times in total with different settings for temperature, layer height, print speed, and infill density by using polylactic acid (PLA) filament on an industrial 3D printer. After scanning the models, root mean square error was calculated for analysis of precision. For each group, R2 value was calculated and linear regression as well as an ANOVA was performed for the factors influencing accuracy. Printing temperature as well as layer height had statistically significant impacts on printing 3D tooth models (p < 0.05). R2 values of 0.43 for printing temperature as well as of 0.11 for layer height were detected. The infill density as well as the print speed had no statistically significant impacts on accuracy (p > 0.05). This study confirms that choosing the correct printing temperature and layer height for printing dental models with PLA is important for obtaining good accuracy, whereas print speed and infill density have less of an impact.

Assessing the Impact of Precision Farming Technologies: A Literature Review

Climate change, population growth, and economic shocks govern a context where food security and economic sustainability represent major challenges for the agricultural sector. Research for innovative production systems that ensure a better allocation of resources is a necessity to provide the foundations for farm reconversion. In this way, we carried out our work relating to precision farming, which is one of the innovative approaches aimed at ensuring the sustainability of agricultural production systems, thanks to its application principles and potential benefits. This synthesis paper examines aspects of assessing the impact of the use of such technology by analyzing previous research. The analysis carried out showed that the study of the impact of the use of precision technologies focused on three essential components on a micro-economic scale: the economic component, the environmental component, and the agronomic component. Prior studies examining the advantages of precision technologies have mostly relied on the examination of experiments and the application of quantitative analysis methods to measure the impact on environmental, economic, and agronomic parameters. The results of the study demonstrated that the adoption of precision farming technologies has provided advantages that contribute to the sustainability of agricultural production systems. Specifically, reducing environmental impact, cutting GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions by over 80%, valorizing natural resources (water and soil) with irrigation water savings of over 26%, and improving production efficiency and effectiveness. However, we suggest further studies examining the effects of precision agriculture using an integrated approach to assess the agronomic, economic, environmental, and social aspects of a production system as a whole. These studies will provide recommendations for adapting precision agriculture technologies to a wide range of farm types. In turn, highlighting the benefits of using precision farming technologies will support the process of adoption by farmers. The overview and findings presented in this article should point researchers in the direction of further research into precision farming technologies and provide extension staff, farm advisors, and farm machinery dealers with guidelines for promoting the adoption of precision farming.

Precise beam control in optical phased arrays using the four steps rotating element electric field vector method

The integrated optical phase arrays (OPAs) possess the capability for rapid modulation and precise control of output beam deflection, making it widely applicable in fields such as three-dimensional terrain reconstruction, autonomous driving, and holographic imaging. However, the unknown initial phase introduced during the manufacturing and packaging processes of current OPAs results in low beam alignment quality and random output beam phases, significantly limiting the development and application of OPAs. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a precise control technology for OPA output beams, utilizing a beam calibration method we have developed, known as the Four Steps Rotating Element Electric Field Vector Method. This method enables rapid and accurate calibration, achieving precise phase control for each antenna on the OPA chip by calibrating the phase shift and controlling the voltage relationship. It overcomes the challenges of unknown phase distributions common in passive calibration methods, aligning the calibrated phase distribution more closely with theoretical expectations. The proposed method further enhances control over the OPA output beam. Based on this technology, we constructed an experimental platform to achieve a main lobe with a PSLR of 15.98 dB and successfully generated vortex beams using a 4×4 OPA. This innovation not only addresses the initial phase issues caused by manufacturing errors but also significantly enhances the precise control of OPA phases, expanding its applications in LiDAR systems.

Development of surgical robots: A brief history

The surgical robot is a complex integrating a number of modern high technologies. It results from the cross-integration and development of medical knowledge with mechanical engineering, intelligent control, advanced sensing technology, and other disciplines. Surgical robots improve the quality of medical services by providing patients with precise, minimally invasive, and intelligent surgical operations. Throughout the development history of surgical robots, with the improvement of the stability and flexibility of robots and the advancement of precise positioning technology, navigation technology, and automation technology, the current robots can perform more complex surgical operations. It has been widely used in orthopaedics, urology, neurosurgery, gastrointestinal surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, gynecology, and many other departments and has achieved good clinical results. Based on the field of surgical robot application, this paper introduces the development history of the main types of surgical robots in detail, summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of current surgical robots, and looks forward to the main development directions in the future to provide ideas for further research on surgical robots.

GALILEO HAS overview, comparison with analogues, and assessment of perspective

In 2022, Galileo, the European GNSS, launched the first phase of its HAS (High Accuracy Service) initiative. With free and global corrections for clock delays and satellite orbits, Galileo HAS provides decimeter positioning accuracy without additional ground networks. This research aims to evaluate the advancements in precise positioning technologies, focusing on the Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS). The study highlights the importance of precision positioning methods, including Standard Point Positioning (SPP), Real-Time Kinematic (RTK), and Precise Point Positioning (PPP). It assesses the performance of Galileo HAS in comparison with other global augmentation services like QZSS CLAS and BeiDou PPP-B2b. The methodology involves a comprehensive analysis of the technical capabilities, accuracy, and operational limitations of HAS through a literature review and comparative analysis of positioning performance data. The results confirm that Galileo HAS achieves decimeter-level accuracy globally, with horizontal accuracy below 20 cm and vertical accuracy below 40 cm. However, it suffers from prolonged convergence times due to the absence of atmospheric and phase bias corrections in its initial phase. The scientific novelty lies in identifying HAS's potential as the first global free PPP correction service via Signal-in-Space (SIS), distinguishing its practical advantages in semi-enclosed environments compared to traditional PPP augmentation systems. The study also emphasizes the unique integration challenges posed by HAS corrections due to proprietary encoding formats. Thee findings underscore HAS's utility in geodesy, mapping, and real-time applications, particularly in resource-constrained settings. However, the research highlights critical areas for improvement, such as implementing atmospheric corrections and phase bias adjustments, to meet real-time precise positioning demands. The conclusions note the undoubted usefulness of such a service as Galileo HAS and review its shortcomings and methods of solving them.

Advancements in Artificial Intelligence-mediated Fabrication of 3D, 4D, and 5D Printed for Fabrication of Drug Delivery Formulations

: One of the most powerful and inventive fabrication techniques used to create novel structures and solid materials using precise additive manufacturing technology is 5D and 4D printing, which is an improved version of 3D printing. It catches people's attention because of its capacity to generate fast, highly complex, adaptable product design and fabrication. Real-time sensing, change adaptation, and printing state prediction are made possible by this technology with the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The process of 3D printing involves the use of sophisticated materials and computer-aided design (CAD) with tomography scanning controlled by artificial intelligence (AI). The printing material is deposited according to the specifications of the file, typically in STL format; however, the printing process takes time.4D printing, which incorporates intelligent materials with time as a fourth dimension, can solve this drawback. About 80% of the time will be saved by this technique's self-repair and self-assembly qualities. One limitation of 3D printing is that it cannot print complex shapes with curved surfaces. However, this limitation can be solved by using 5D printing, which uses rotation of the print bed and extruder head to achieve additive manufacturing in five different axes. Some printed materials are made sensitive to temperature, humidity, light, and other parameters so they can respond to stimuli. With its effective and efficient manufacturing for the necessary design precision, this review assesses the potential of these procedures with AI intervention in medicine and pharmacy.