Visible Transparency Research Articles

Design of a Multifunctional Resin-Based Outdoor Spherical Robot Shell for Ultrahigh Visible to Near-Infrared Transmittance and Mid-Infrared Radiative Cooling.

As robots undertake increasingly complex tasks, such as real-time visible image sensing, environmental analysis, and weather monitoring under harsh conditions, design of an appropriate robot shell has become crucial to ensure the reliability of internal electronic components. Several key factors, such as the cooling efficiency, visible transparency, mechanical performance, and weathering resistance of the shell material, are proposed in this research to ensure future robot functionality. In this study, a polymeric double-layered shell for fabrication by stereolithography 3D printing was designed, featuring a porous outer layer and a spherical inner shell. The inner spherical shell provides approximately 90% transmission in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range (450-1050 nm) and ensures the proper functioning of the optical devices, such as cameras, lidar, and solar cells, inside the robot. In addition, the inner shell material displays high emittance in the mid-infrared range (5-20 μm) to facilitate effective radiative cooling and protect the robot control system from thermal damage. The 3D-printed inner shell is exposed to a real environment for three months, and its stable optical and mechanical performance confirms its weather resistance ability. Moreover, the 3D-printed outer robot shell promotes mechanical strength while the robot is moving. The optimal 50% porous outer shell is designed to protect the inner shell from continuous moving impact. Finite element simulations are also used to show that the 50% porosity of the outer shell significantly reduces the strain energy upon impact. Compared with a conventional single-layer design with a strain energy of 130 mJ, the double-layered shell with 50% porosity exhibits a reduced strain energy of 22.09 mJ. This double-layered design, which offers excellent weather resistance, high visible transparency, and effective radiative cooling, is promising for future applications in both land and water robot shells.

Optical Simulation and Modulation of Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells with Dual Ultrathin Ag Film Transparent Electrodes

The advancement of semitransparent organic solar cells utilizing narrow bandgap donor and acceptor materials has progressed rapidly in recent years. These semitransparent devices exhibit high absorption in the near‐infrared range and high transmission in the visible region, offering broad application potential. This research suggests employing dual ultrathin metal films as transparent electrodes to fabricate semitransparent photovoltaic devices. The investigation focuses on the spectral simulation and modulation of the transparent electrode structure, film thickness, optical coupling layer, and 1D photonic crystal utilizing the optical transfer matrix method. The primary goal of the integrated optical effects is to enhance the light absorption in the active layer while maintaining device visible transparency. Simulation results indicate the feasibility of a device structure consisting of Nb2O5/Ag/Nb2O5/PM6:BTP‐eC9:L8‐BO/MoO3/Ag/ZnSe/Na3AlF6/ZnSe, achieving an expected short‐circuit current density () of 17.10 mA cm−2, an average visible transmittance (AVT) of 50.40%, and a light utilization efficiency (LUE) of 5.49%. The incorporation of three nonperiodic dielectric layers shows the potential to further increase , AVT, and LUE to 17.40 mA cm−2, 51.49%, and 5.71%, respectively. This study introduces a novel device structure that optimizes active layer absorption and visible transmittance, aiming to advance semitransparent photovoltaic devices.

Al and Zn Doping in InON Thin Films and Their Optical, Electrical, and Electrochromic Properties.

Indium oxynitride (InON) is a promising material for various applications due to its notable properties, including high mobility, stability, and visible light transparency. Despite its potential, research on InON's electrochromic (EC) properties, especially after doping, remains limited. This study employed DC magnetron sputtering to prepare InON films under various doping conditions. A comprehensive investigation was conducted to examine the impacts of aluminum (Al) and zinc (Zn) doping on the composition, structure, morphology, optical, electrical, and EC characteristics of the InON films. The results indicated that Al doping increased surface amino groups, roughness, and optical band gap while enhancing redox activity. Zn doping introduced ZnO crystalline peaks, smoothed the surface, and reduced the optical bandgap and electrochemical performance. Both doping types negatively affected optical modulation but enabled the tuning of EC response peaks and wavelength ranges. This research underscores the significant role of doping in optimizing the EC performance of InON films, highlighting their potential for advanced applications.

Unveiling the impact of industry 4.0 on supply chain performance: the mediating role of integration and visibility

Industry 4.0 has revolutionised supply chain processes, providing companies with strategic advantages through advanced technologies such as cyber-physical systems, cloud computing, IoT, AI, and big data. This transformation aligns with the pursuit of high-level supply chain performance, achieved through cross-functional collaboration, end-to-end connectivity, real-time asset tracking, and increased decision transparency. However, the quantifiable extent of its influence has remained an open question, particularly in the context of integration and visibility. To address this gap, our research employs an empirical study, revealing that Industry 4.0 indirectly enhances supply chain performance by improving connectivity and integration within and between organisations, as well as enhancing information visibility and decision transparency. This research uncovers a novel sequential mediation by integration and visibility, offering valuable insights for scholars and industry practitioners alike.

Nonlinear LiNbO3 Local Electric Field Enhancement Photonic Crystal with Static Visible and Dynamic Asymmetric Laser Protection.

The rapid development of high-energy laser technology imposes heightened requirements on multifunctional laser protection. In this article, we report a study of static visible and dynamic asymmetric laser protection window, utilizing a one-dimensional photonic crystal comprising LiNbO3 and Nb2O5 defects fabricated by magnetron sputtering technique. The visible light transparency and asymmetric laser protection performance are attributed to photonic crystal energy band properties and significant local electric field enhancement. As 1064 nm laser energy levels are below 14.44 mJ/cm2, the forward and backward incident transmittances are 75.63 and 77.68%, respectively. With an increase in laser energy to 91.62 mJ/cm2, the forward and backward transmittances vary to 7.32 and 71.58% due to the combination of asymmetric electric field enhancement and the third-order nonlinear effect of LiNbO3, achieving dynamic asymmetric laser protection. Notably, the sample exhibits a lower optical protection threshold of 46.08 mJ/cm2 compared to that of traditional optical protection devices. Furthermore, the sample attains an average transmittance of 65.96% within the visible light band. This work presents inspirations for the preparation of multifunctional laser protection optical windows and advanced optical components.

Scalable Production of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles for Optoelectronics Applications.

This work describes the scalability process of a continuous-injection protocol employed to produce tin-doped indium oxide nanocrystal dispersions. Different levels of manipulation starting from the synthesis and processing also related to the tuning of the optical response (considering the peculiar combination of UV and NIR absorption with visible transparency) make these materials incredibly versatile. But one of the most attractive features concern the modulation of their charge carrier density through chemical or post-synthetic doping, as for the case of core-shell materials, expanding the properties of the core composition. In addition, the colloidal nature of such materials allows for easy solution processing which enables an extensive use in different applications within current thin films base technologies. It is therefore important to push forward the lab-scale synthesis to properly address the commercial fabrication requirements without any loss in quality. Uniformity is crucial for industrial applications, ensuring predictable performance and facilitating the integration of these nanoparticles into optoelectronic devices. The method here developed allowed a transition from mg-scale to gram-scale product mass outputs, while retaining stability in terms of particle size distribution, morphology, crystallinity, and optical properties. This research establishes a robust framework for the scalable production of metal oxide nanoparticles with consistent properties, enhancing their viability for widespread use in optoelectronic applications.

Design and demonstration of a simple, low-cost transparent solar absorber for glass window applications

Windows are a major source of heat loss from buildings in cold climates. Developing coatings for windows that retain high visible transparency and strongly absorbs solar energy in the near infrared region can help reduce energy consumption and cost for indoor heating. Nanophotonic structures based on metasurface and metamaterials have shown great potential for such applications. Unfortunately, most of the designs proposed so far are difficult to fabricate or expensive. In this work, we report the experimental demonstration of a low-cost alternative based on Ni/SiO2/Ni multilayer structure. The device provides a large increase in temperature under solar illumination while retaining high visible transmission. Our optical and thermal measurements reveal that the performance of the device remains stable over a long period. The combination of low cost, ease of fabrication, good optical and thermal performance, and long-term stability makes it a promising design for passive heating of windows in cold climates.

Aromatic Poly(dithioacetal)s: Spanning Degradability, Thermostability, and High Refractive Index Towards Eco-friendly Optics.

In the quest for eco-friendly optics, high refractive index polymers (HRIPs) with degradability have been one of the desirable optical materials for realizing eco-friendly and efficient lighting technologies. However, it has been challenging for HRIPs to simultaneously realize thermostability, high refractive index (RI), visible transparency, and efficient degradability, all of which are essential for their practical use. In this context, we herein focus on aromatic poly(dithioacetal)s, composed of visible-transparent yet degradable dithioacetal moieties and rigid phenylene sulfide spacers, exhibiting moderately high Tg (> 60 °C), high RI (> 1.7), and colorless film features. In addition, poly(dithioacetal)s can balance (1) high stability under the operating conditions even upon heating and (2) quantitative degradability that can selectively yield cyclic low-molecular-weight products that can be further repolymerized upon further addition of an acid catalyst. These results provide a key concept for high refractive index polymers that allow on-demand degradability and recyclability without compromising their high potential thermal and optical properties.

Color/Transparent Bi‐Customizable Solar Antifogging Nanofilms

AbstractAlmost all reported solar anti‐/defogging surfaces are black and opaque. However, aesthetics and transparency are preferred to enhance security, privacy, and visual experience without sacrificing antifogging in some practical scenarios, such as automotive windshields, architectural glass facades, and sports goggles. Herein, a color and transparency bi‐customizable solar antifogging heterostructure nanofilms is reported, which only consists of a Ti–TiOx layer for partial visible light transmission and a narrow bandgap Ti2O3 layer for broadband sunlight absorption. By precisely controlling each monolayer thickness, various vibrant structural colors (covering yellow/green/purple/blue) through interference effects, along with tunable visible light transparency (from 0% to 30%), and broadband solar absorption (up to 90%) are obtained, providing personalized options for various applications. Simultaneously, the nanofilms exhibit remarkable photothermal performance (110.3 °C under 1 kW m−2 irradiation) compared to blank samples, demonstrating sustained and superior defogging (3.5‐fold improvement) and antifogging capabilities, even in extremely cold (–20 °C) or high temperature and high humidity (50 °C, 100%) conditions. Importantly, the nanofilms are just 174 nm thick, and can be easily upgraded and scalable fabricated by sputtering on various rigid, flexible and portable substrates, such as glass, metals, textiles, plastics, enabling a wide range of direct applications.

Effect of Chlorine Inclusion in Wide Band Gap FAPbBr3 Perovskites

AbstractWide bandgap perovskites have recently gained attention owing to their physical properties, versatility, and potential in various optoelectronic devices including LEDs, detectors, and building‐integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). However, BIPV materials must meet conflicting requirements, necessitating high performance, high transparency in the visible spectrum and color neutrality. This study investigates the controlled addition of chlorine in FAPb(Br1‐xClx)3 perovskites to achieve band gaps exceeding 2.4 eV. Increasing chlorine content from xCl = 0.00 to xCl = 0.25 widens the band gap from 2.37 to 2.52 eV, effectively improving the visible light transparency. Advanced characterization techniques including X‐ray diffraction, synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence imaging, and fast transient absorption spectroscopy, complemented by density functional theory, reveal insights into absorption properties, electronic structure, and ultrafast recombination dynamics as a function of the thin film chemical composition. Furthermore, this study evaluates energetic disorder, carrier recombination rates, and non‐radiative losses for different compositions by extracting quantitative parameters such as Urbach energy and quasi‐Fermi level splitting, offering novel insights and guidelines for the design and optimization of emerging photovoltaic (PV) materials. Optimal PV performance metrics are achieved with a wide bandgap bromine perovskite containing 14% chlorine, striking a balance between morphology, transparency, and voltage losses.

Bayesian-neural-network accelerated design of multispectral-compatible camouflage layer with wide-band microwave absorption, customized infrared emission and visible transparency

Bayesian-neural-network accelerated design of multispectral-compatible camouflage layer with wide-band microwave absorption, customized infrared emission and visible transparency

Overcoming the Tradeoff of Visible Transparency and Electrical Conductance via Dual Smoothing of Dielectric/Metal Interfaces in Cu-Thin-Layer-Based Transparent Electrodes.

The rapid advancement of flexible optoelectronic devices, such as light-emitting diodes, solar cells, and electrochromic devices, necessitates the development of high-performance flexible transparent electrodes (TEs). Dielectric/metal/dielectric (DMD)-type TEs are promising alternatives to conventional indium tin oxide (ITO) due to the high electrical conductance, excellent visible transparency, and sufficient mechanical flexibility. However, the tradeoff between electrical conductance and visible transparency poses a challenge to performance enhancement. This study introduces an Ar-ion-mediated interface modification method to address this tradeoff by dual smoothing of dielectric/metal interfaces in TiOx/Cu/ZnO TEs. Implementing this dual smoothing methodology significantly enhances both electrical conductance and visible light transmittance, achieving a Haacke figure of merit 200% higher than that of an unmodified otherwise identical structure. The highest figure of merit is 0.113 Ω-1, a record high for Cu-thin-layer-based DMD TEs, far surpassing ITO electrode values. Further, the enhanced optoelectronic performance remains highly durable under severe and simultaneous electrical, thermal, and mechanical stresses, showcasing the potential for significant advances in flexible optoelectronics.

A multi-function glass shield for neutrons and gamma rays of boron- and bismuth-reinforced silicate glass

A successful attempt to produce a multi-function glass shield for attenuating neutrons and gamma rays by reinforcing a silicate glass network with boron and bismuth has been accomplished. A composition of 20SiO2-80Na2O (BSiBi0) was proposed to be used as a host glass network and prepared using the melt/annealing techniques. The low concentration of SiO2 in BSiBi0 was not sufficient to form a stable glass network. Then, the proposed BSiBi0 was modified with 10, 20, 30, and 40 mol% of each of B2O3 and Bi2O3 (BSiBi1, BSiBi2, BSiBi3, and BSiBi4) simultaneously. The structural effects of adding B3+ and Bi3+ were studied through X-ray diffraction, density, and FTIR, which all showed enhancement of glass forming ability, a former role of Bi3+ ions, and crowded the glass network by BO4 units. The derived structural parameters -\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$-$$\\end{document} molar volume, mean silicon – silicon separation, mean boron – boron separation, oxygen packing density, packing density, and number of bridging/non-bridging oxygen -\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$-$$\\end{document} were extensively discussed to explore the impact of B3+ and Bi3+ on the formed network. The richness of the proposed host glass network by B3+ and Bi3+ enhanced its thermal stability. The obtained elastic properties by ultrasonic measurements reflect the increase of the glass rigidity with increasing concentrations of B3+ and Bi3+ ions. The obtained glasses have high visible light transparency and almost complete UV absorption. The measured shielding parameters against two types of neutron energies (total slow and slow) and a wide range of gamma rays’ energies showed a significant improvement in the shielding efficiency of the considered glasses. The total slow neutrons, slow neutrons, and gamma rays’ attenuation abilities were improved by 22.9, 135.5, and 73.8 -\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$-$$\\end{document} 199.5%. High thermal stability, elasticity, visible light transparency, and neutrons and gamma rays’ attenuation performance features give the produced glasses, especially BSiBi4 glass, preference as shielding materials in nuclear fields.

A visible transparent infrared microwave compatible stealth metasurface with low infrared emissivity

Abstract This article proposes a visible transparent infrared microwave-compatible stealth metasurface with low infrared emissivity, aiming to integrate visible transparency, low infrared radiation, and broadband microwave absorption. The entire structure consists of a dual layer of infrared shielding layer (IRSL) and microwave absorption layer (MAL). Among them, IRSL adopts a frequency selective surface (FSS) structure with high-duty cycle dielectric-metal-dielectric (DMD) to obtain low infrared emissivity and high microwave transmittance. MAL combines the equivalent circuit method (ECM) and particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) to design a circular ring metasurface for broadband microwave absorption. To achieve better absorption performance, a transition layer (TL) is introduced to improve impedance matching between IRSL and MAL. Meanwhile, the use of transparent materials throughout the entire structure has the characteristic of visible transparency. In summary, this article proposes a multiband compatible stealth metasurface design method that can meet the stealth requirements of modern battlefields.

PI-SiO2 aerogel as a versatile high transparent material for photothermal cooperative management

PI-SiO2 aerogel as a versatile high transparent material for photothermal cooperative management

Innovative designs for semitransparent carbon-based perovskite solar cells for building-integrated applications

Innovative designs for semitransparent carbon-based perovskite solar cells for building-integrated applications

Tolerance of Corundum‐Structured Tin‐Doped Indium Oxide Thin Films to Gamma‐ray Irradiation

Corundum‐structured Sn‐doped indium oxide (rh‐ITO) is investigated as a novel transparent conductive oxide. Herein, its gamma‐ray tolerance up to a total dose of 77 kGy is examined for potential applications in harsh environments, such as space. The investigations are conducted on rh‐ITO with Sn concentrations of 0 and 5 at%. X‐ray diffraction 2θ‐ω scan analysis reveals that no phase separation occurs due to gamma‐ray irradiation. The carrier concentration in undoped rh‐In2O3 increases after irradiation, indicating that the gamma rays displace the oxygen atoms and form oxygen defects that generate donors. The high visible light transparency of rh‐In2O3 and rh‐ITO is maintained after irradiation. This study demonstrates the high stability of rh‐ITO to gamma‐ray irradiation until 77 kGy dose. This work contributes to the application of rh‐ITO as an electrode in high‐radiation environments.

Снижение числа несчастных случаев и аварий при управлении поездом в автоматическом режиме

Railroad transport is the main element of economic development of Russian regions; it ensures reliable communication between industrial enterprises and raw material supply bases in Russia. Transportation of enterprise employees and freights is an integral part of the successful functioning of any industrial company. Ensuring safe conditions of train traffic is a matter of high priority for all participants in the transportation process. The article provides external and internal parameters affecting the safety of rolling stock. The impact of external factors, such as weather conditions, optical visibility, illumination, and air transparency on the operation of technical vision systems when driving a train in automatic mode have been analyzed. Taking the impact of these factors into account is necessary to limit the speed of rolling stock in the sectors of low visibility and sharp reduction of visibility range of obstacles, which is crucial to ensure safe train movement when calculating the braking curve. Such a dependence requires the introduction of correcting coefficients into algorithms of the train movement model and considering the correction when calibrating and configuring computers and devices of the technical vision system. In order to determine the internal parameters of rolling stock, an algorithm for the calculation of the coordinates of a technical object has been proposed. For a moving object, the coordinates are calculated on the orthodromic trajectory using the existing dependence between the current longitude and latitude of the object and the speed projections measurements of the rolling stock on the axis of the geographic coordinate system. The proposed options to determine the rolling stock parameters improve the quality and accuracy of determining speed and coordinates and reduce computing and hardware costs aboard a locomotive, which, in turn, affects the time of decision-making to ensure optimal control of rolling stock and prevention of accidents and emergencies.

Influence of Ag doping on structural, morphological, and optical characteristics of sol-gel spin-coated TiO2 thin films

Pure and Ag-doped Titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films have been synthesized via the sol-gel spin coating method, and their structural, morphological, and optical properties have been investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis verifies that the polycrystalline anatase TiO2 phase is retained up to 2% Ag doping. However, lattice expansion and grain refinement down to 25.345nm are observed with increasing Ag content. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals the formation of large, isolated TiO2 aggregates separated by drying-induced cracks across the film surface. Optical studies show the undoped TiO2 films demonstrate excellent visible transparency (>75% transmittance) that slightly decreases upon Ag doping, though it remains suitably high for device applications. Meanwhile, optical absorption and defect states improve with more Ag incorporation, narrowing the TiO2 bandgap from 3.83eV (undoped) to 3.51eV (2% Ag-doping) due to the incorporation of Ag-induced electronic states just below the conduction band minimum. The capability to control optical and structural properties through Ag doping highlights the potential of these TiO2 films suitably tailored for photovoltaic devices or self-cleaning coatings.

Efficient bifacial semi-transparent perovskite solar cells via a dimethylformamide-free solvent and bandgap engineering strategy

Efficient bifacial semi-transparent perovskite solar cells via a dimethylformamide-free solvent and bandgap engineering strategy