All-Optical Reconfigurable Excitonic Charge States in Monolayer MoS2.

Excitons are quasi-particles composed of electron-hole pairs through Coulomb interaction. Due to the atomic-thin thickness, they are tightly bound in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and dominate their optical properties. The capability to manipulate the excitonic behavior can significantly influence the photon emission or carrier transport performance of TMD-based devices. However, on-demand and region-selective manipulation of the excitonic states in a reversible manner remains challenging so far. Herein, harnessing the coordinated effect of femtosecond-laser-driven atomic defect generation, interfacial electron transfer, and surface molecular desorption/adsorption, we develop an all-optical approach to manipulate the charge states of excitons in monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). Through steering the laser beam, we demonstrate reconfigurable optical encoding of the excitonic charge states (between neutral and negative states) on a single MoS2 flake. Our technique can be extended to other TMDs materials, which will guide the design of all-optical and reconfigurable TMD-based optoelectronic and nanophotonic devices.

Module-Level Polaritonic Thermophotovoltaic Emitters via Hierarchical Sequential Learning.

Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) generators provide continuous and high-efficiency power output by utilizing local thermal emitters to convert energy from various sources to thermal radiation matching the bandgaps of photovoltaic cells. Lack of effective guidelines for thermal emission control at high temperatures, poor thermal stability, and limited fabrication scalability are the three key challenges for the practical deployment of TPV devices. Here we develop a hierarchical sequential-learning optimization framework and experimentally realize a 6″ module-scale polaritonic thermal emitter with bandwidth-controlled thermal emission as well as excellent thermal stability at 1473 K. The 300 nm bandwidth thermal emission is realized by a complex photon polariton based on the superposition of Tamm plasmon polariton and surface plasmon polariton. We experimentally achieve a spectral efficiency of 65.6% (wavelength range of 0.4-8 µm) with statistical deviation less than 4% over the 6″ emitter, demonstrating industrial-level reliability for module-scale TPV applications.

Determination of radiative and multiphonon non-radiative relaxation rates of upconversion materials.

The radiative and multiphonon non-radiative relaxation rates of lanthanide ions are intrinsic parameters to characterize the optical properties, which are the basic data for the theoretical model and numerical simulation of lanthanide upconversion systems. However, there are complex energy transfer processes, such as energy migration, energy transfer upconversion, and cross-relaxation in the lanthanide-doped upconversion materials, so it is difficult to accurately measure the intrinsic radiative and multiphonon relaxation rates. Therefore, a method to determine the relaxation rates of multi-level upconversion systems is proposed based on multi-wavelength excitation and level-by-level parameter calculations in this paper. For a dilute doped multi-level luminescence system excited at low powers, a model based on the measurements of steady-state emission spectra and luminescence decay curves is established through the macroscopic rate equations at multi-wavelength excitation, which can be used for the level-by-level calculation of the multi-level radiative and multiphonon relaxation rates. With the dilute doped ß-NaYF4:Er3+ six-level luminescence system as an example, the measurement method and the model are introduced in detail. Under the experimental conditions of neglecting the energy transfer effect between ions, the materials are excited by five lasers with central wavelengths of 1523 nm, 980 nm, 808 nm, 660 nm, and 520 nm to form five subsystems. The steady-state emission spectra and luminescence decay curves of the luminescence system excited by each wavelength were recorded. The intrinsic relaxation rates including 11 radiative relaxation rates and 4 multiphonon relaxation rates in the ß-NaYF4:Er3+ six-level system were determined based on the established model and method, which experimentally verified the applicability of the method proposed in this paper. This work will provide basic data for the analysis and regulation of the luminescence properties of lanthanide upconversion systems.

Protective effects of chicken egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgY) against experimental Aeromonas hydrophila infection in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala).

The emergence of multi antibiotic resistance by the pathogens and toxic impacts on host metabolism has opened new perspectives to rational novel vaccine techniques. Outbreaks of Aeromonas hydrophila in aquaculture caused high mortality throughout the world and resulted in the extensive economic loss in the aquaculture industry. In this study, we report the efficacy of anti-A. hydrophila IgY antibodies by passive vaccination and its prophylactic or therapeutic effects against A. hydrophila in blunt snout bream. Inactivated A. hydrophila immunized hens produced effective IgY antibodies that were stable at temperatures less than 60 °C or the pH value was >4. The specific IgY can be bound directly to A. hydrophila that efficiently agglutinated and inhibited the bacterial growth in a dose-dependent manner. The specific IgY had significantly enhanced the phagocytosis activity of macrophages and resulted in rapid bacterial clearance. Anti-A. hydrophila IgY antibodies significantly increased macrophage mediated respiratory burst, including nitric oxide and superoxide anion production and subsequently killed the pathogen. Histopathological studies of intestine and spleen from vaccinated blunt-snout bream challenged with A. hydrophila showed the structural integrity of the organs was maintained intact from the bacterial injury. In addition, the prophylactic and therapeutic immunization, protected the blunt snout bream and the survival is approximately about 60% and 50%, respectively. These data suggest that specific IgY has the potential for protecting blunt snout bream against A. hydrophila infection and show promise for the future development of harmless vaccines.

Scattering and absorption coefficients of silica-doped alumina aerogels.

Alumina-based aerogels are especially useful in many applications due to their excellent stability at high temperatures. This study experimentally analyzed the radiative properties of silica-doped alumina aerogels through spectral directional-hemispherical measurements for wavelengths of 0.38-25 µm. The silica-doped alumina aerogel samples were prepared with a 1.4∶1 molar ratio of silica to alumina. A two-flux model was used to describe the radiation propagation in a 1D scattering absorbing sample to derive expressions for the normal-hemispherical transmittances and reflectances based on the transport approximation. The normal-hemispherical transmittances and reflectances were measured at various spectral wavelengths and sample thicknesses using the integrating sphere method. The spectral absorption and transport scattering coefficients of silica-doped alumina aerogels were then determined from the measured normal-hemispherical data. The absorption and transport scattering coefficients of silica-doped alumina aerogels are (0.1 cm-1, 36 cm-1) and (0.1 cm-1, 112 cm-1) for wavelengths of 0.38-8.0 µm. The spectral transport scattering coefficient varies in the opposite direction from the spectral absorption coefficient for various wavelengths. The radiative properties for silica and alumina aerogels were quite different for the absorption coefficient for wavelengths of 2.5-8.0 µm and for the transport scattering coefficient for wavelengths of 0.38-2.5 and 3.5-6.0 µm. The measured radiative properties were used to predict the spectral normal-hemispherical reflectance and transmittance of the silica-doped alumina aerogels for various sample thicknesses and wavelengths. The predicted values do not change for the sample thicknesses greater than a critical value. The analysis provides valuable reference data for alumina aerogels for high-temperature applications.

Radiation temperature measurement method for semitransparent materials using one-channel infrared pyrometer.

Semitransparent zinc sulfide (ZnS) crystal materials are widely used as the infrared-transmitting windows for optical instruments operating in long wavelengths. This paper describes a temperature measurement method for high-temperature ZnS materials using the one-channel optical pyrometer based on a theoretical model of radiation transfer in semitransparent plates. Numerical analyses of the radiation properties of ZnS plate are used to optimize the spectral band for the optical pyrometry. The optimized measurement spectral band is based on a trade-off between the measurement radiation intensity and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the ZnS material. The effective waveband emittance of one-dimensional (1D) ZnS plates is analyzed for various experimental conditions (temperatures, thicknesses, and direction angles) for the one-channel infrared pyrometer with the optimized measurement spectral response. The analysis can be used to improve radiation temperature measurements of semitransparent ZnS materials in applications.

Temperature dependence mechanism of high-temperature oxidation of transition metal silicide MoSi2.

Transition metal silicides represented by MoSi2have excellent oxidation resistance and are widely used as high-temperature anti-oxidation coatings in hot end components of power equipment. However, the mechanism of temperature-dependent growth of MoSi2oxidation products has not been revealed. Therefore, this study investigated the formation characteristics of oxide film and silicide-poor compound on MoSi2at temperatures of 1000 °C-1550 °C through high-temperature oxidation experiments, combined with microscopic Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and x-ray diffraction (XRD) characterizations. The result showed that MoSi2underwent high-temperature selective oxidation reactions at 1000 °C-1200 °C, forming MoO2and SiO2oxide film on the substrate. As the oxidation temperature increased to 1550 °C, after 100 h of oxidation, along with the disappearance of MoO2and the phase transformation of SiO2, a continuous Mo5Si3layer with a thickness of approximately 47µm was formed at the SiO2-MoSi2interface. Thermodynamics and kinetic calculations further revealed the mechanism of temperature-dependent growth of oxidation products (MoO2and Mo5Si3) during high-temperature oxidation process of MoSi2. As the temperature increased, the diffusion flux ratio of O and Si decreased, leading to a decrease in oxygen concentration at the interface and promoting the growth of the Mo5Si3layer. Its thickness is an important indicator for evaluating the oxidation resistance of MoSi2coatings during service. This study provides experimental and mechanistic insights into the temperature-dependent growth behavior of Mo5Si3during the high-temperature oxidation of MoSi2coating, and provides guidance for predicting the service life and improving the oxidation resistance of silicide coatings.

Optofluidic crystallithography for directed growth of single-crystalline halide perovskites.

Crystallization is a fundamental phenomenon which describes how the atomic building blocks such as atoms and molecules are arranged into ordered or quasi-ordered structure and form solid-state materials. While numerous studies have focused on the nucleation behavior, the precise and spatiotemporal control of growth kinetics, which dictates the defect density, the micromorphology, as well as the properties of the grown materials, remains elusive so far. Herein, we propose an optical strategy, termed optofluidic crystallithography (OCL), to solve this fundamental problem. Taking halide perovskites as an example, we use a laser beam to manipulate the molecular motion in the native precursor environment and create inhomogeneous spatial distribution of the molecular species. Harnessing the coordinated effect of laser-controlled local supersaturation and interfacial energy, we precisely steer the ionic reaction at the growth interface and directly print arbitrary single crystals of halide perovskites of high surface quality, crystallinity, and uniformity at a high printing speed of 102 µm s-1. The OCL technique can be potentially extended to the fabrication of single-crystal structures beyond halide perovskites, once crystallization can be triggered under the laser-directed local supersaturation.

Self-diffusion mechanisms based defect complexes in MoSi2.

MoSi2is widely concerned due to excellent electrical conductivity, oxidation resistance as a typical transition metal silicide. The high-temperature diffusion behavior is one of the important factors for the degradation of MoSi2coatings. However, the diffusion mechanism in MoSi2is still unclear. Prior theoretical work mostly focused on defect formation energy, but these are not consistent with the self-diffusion experiments because the migration behaviors were not considered. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to investigate the microscopic diffusion mechanisms of Mo and Si atoms in MoSi2using density functional theory and the CI-NEB method. We confirmed that the temperature-dependent vibrational contribution has a significant impact on the defect formation free energy. The isolated point defects in MoSi2will tend to aggregate to form defect complexes, which participate in the atomic diffusion as mediators. The defect migration behaviors of atoms for vacancy mediated, vacancy complex mediated, and antisite assisted jumps were obtained based on electronic structures analysis. The results show that Si diffusion is mediated by intrasublattice jumps of the nearest neighbor Si vacancies. Moreover, the destroyed covalent Mo-Si bonds by Si vacancies and the non-directional weak metal bonds formed by the Mo antisites and Mo atoms could improve the mobility of the Mo atom which results in the low migration barrier. The agreement between our calculations and the reported experimental results indicates that the dominant diffusion mechanism for Mo atoms is mediated by vacancy complex mediated jumps and antisite assisted jumps. It is concluded that the Si vacancy-based defect complexes are likely the diffusion mediators for Mo atom self-diffusion in MoSi2. This work provides a deeper insight into the connection between the atomic mechanism and the macroscopic behavior for the diffusion in the MoSi2, and establishes the basis for further optimizing high-temperature coating materials.

Bending and Elastic Vibration of a Novel Functionally Graded Polymer Nanocomposite Beam Reinforced by Graphene Nanoplatelets.

A novel functionally graded (FG) polymer-based nanocomposite reinforced by graphene nanoplatelets is proposed based on a new distribution law, which is constructed by the error function and contains a gradient index. The variation of the gradient index can result in a continuous variation of the weight fraction of graphene nanoplatelets (GPLs), which forms a sandwich structure with graded mechanical properties. The modified Halpin-Tsai micromechanics model is used to evaluate the effective Young's modulus of the novel functionally graded graphene nanoplatelets reinforced composites (FG-GPLRCs). The bending and elastic vibration behaviors of the novel nanocomposite beams are investigated. An improved third order shear deformation theory (TSDT), which is proven to have a higher accuracy, is implemented to derive the governing equations related to the bending and vibrations. The Chebyshev-Ritz method is applied to describe various boundary conditions of the beams. The bending displacement, stress state, and vibration frequency of the proposed FG polymer-based nanocomposite beams under uniformly distributed loads are provided in detail. The numerical results show that the proposed distributions of GPL nanofillers can lead to a more effective pattern of improving the mechanical properties of GPL-reinforced composites than the common ones.

Theoretical evaluation of measurement uncertainties of two-color pyrometry applied to optical diagnostics.

We present a theoretical analysis of two-color pyrometry applied to optical diagnostics. A two-color pyrometer built with a single CCD is advantageous due to the simple system design. We evaluate the possibility and degree of ill-conditionness on the basis of measurement uncertainties for different measurement approaches of this two-color system. We classify measurement approaches. The corresponding ill-conditionness criterion is established. The greater the criterion value is, the worse the ill-conditioned degree of solution is. So, the optimum choice of measurement approach for the two-color system is achieved through intercomparison of the criterion values. Numerical examples are also given to illustrate this point. The theoretical analysis not only provides an effective way of evaluating different measurement approaches, but also may help us to better understand the influences that determine the choices between wavelength/waveband measurements and calibration/noncalibration modes for temperature and soot distribution.

[Relationship between temperature range and wavelength bandwidth for multi band pyrometry].

In the present paper, based on the linearity spectral emissivity model with two parameters in the narrow investigated waveband, we extend tri-wavelength pyrometry to tri-band pyrometry through waveband measurements of radiation temperature. In tri-band pyrometry, in order to realize the non-distortion measurement, considering the effect of the dynamic range and the minimum sensibility of the sensor on the coupling relation of multi-channel signals, the restriction condition of the effective temperature measurement range is discussed. However, under the assumption of the fixed sensor parameters, the measurement bandwidth of the sensor is an important influencing factor to the effective temperature measurement range in applications of tri-band pyrometry. Then for the measured objects with the known radiation characteristics, the variation of the effective temperature measurement range with the bandwidth of the sensor is presented through numerical simulations. So the required condition of bandwidth of the sensor is theoretically determined through the above discussions of the effective temperature measurement range. The analyses in this paper may provide the necessary theoretical guides to the design of the sensor of radiation temperature measurement.

[Analyses of spectral emissivity in radiation temperature measurement].

The complexity of the spectral emissivity of actual surfaces is the key point in the research and applications of radiation temperature measurement, resulting in the difficulty in the achievement of the temperature measurement. In the present paper, based on the discussions of the Taylor expansion, the non-dimension wavelength and the exponent, the authors describe the mathematical expression of the spectral emissivity of actual surfaces, and establish the general spectral emissivity function. Through the fitting of experimental data of the spectral emissivities of different metals at different temperatures, the applicability of the spectral emissivity function is verified which especially becomes the fundamental in the research of primary spectrum pyrometry.

[Determination of chlorophyll a and b using absorption spectrum].

Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b play a significant role in the plant growth process. Precise determination of its content could provide the scientific basis for the corps growth state, the plant pathology diagnosis and so on, and is the key point of implementing accurate agriculture. The authors transfered the absorption spectrum experiment data of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b determined by predecessor into a transmission spectrum. Observing the transmission spectrum using human eyes, the color of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b was obtained. Thus, according to the predecessor's experiment curve of absorption spectrum of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, combining the three primary color principles of colorimetry, and choosing a standard light source with spectrum power distribution similar to D65 as the illumination, the authors determined their chromaticity coordinates in the 1931CIE-x, y chromaticity diagram: Chlorophyll a is (0.198 1, 0.334 1), which falls in the cyan color region; Chlorophyll b is (0. 270 4, 0. 566 3), which falls in the yellowish green region. The main point of above processing is: reducing the spectrum curves of chlorophyll a and the chlorophyll b to coordinates on the chromaticity diagram, and the result could offer the essential theoretical support for a new non-contact, long-distance and non-damage technology to determine the pigment content in single leaf or mass.

VIS-NIR multispectral synchronous imaging pyrometer for high-temperature measurements.

A visible-infrared multispectral synchronous imaging pyrometer was developed for simultaneous, multispectral, two-dimensional high temperature measurements. The multispectral image pyrometer uses prism separation construction in the spectrum range of 650-950 nm and multi-sensor fusion of three CCD sensors for high-temperature measurements. The pyrometer had 650-750 nm, 750-850 nm, and 850-950 nm channels all with the same optical path. The wavelength choice for each channel is flexible with three center wavelengths (700 nm, 810 nm, and 920 nm) with a full width at half maximum of the spectrum of 3 nm used here. The three image sensors were precisely aligned to avoid spectrum artifacts by micro-mechanical adjustments of the sensors relative to each other to position them within a quarter pixel of each other. The pyrometer was calibrated with the standard blackbody source, and the temperature measurement uncertainty was within 0.21 °C-0.99 °C in the temperatures of 600 °C-1800 °C for the blackbody measurements. The pyrometer was then used to measure the leading edge temperatures of a ceramics model exposed to high-enthalpy plasma aerodynamic heating environment to verify the system applicability. The measured temperature ranges are 701-991 °C, 701-1134 °C, and 701-834 °C at the heating transient, steady state, and cooling transient times. A significant temperature gradient (170 °C/mm) was observed away from the leading edge facing the plasma jet during the steady state heating time. The temperature non-uniformity on the surface occurs during the entire aerodynamic heating process. However, the temperature distribution becomes more uniform after the heater is shut down and the experimental model is naturally cooled. This result shows that the multispectral simultaneous image measurement mode provides a wider temperature range for one imaging measurement of high spatial temperature gradients in transient applications.

[The temperature field partition for primary spectrum pyrometry].

In the applications of primary spectrum pyrometry to the detection of temperature, through the analysis of the coupled multi-channel signals, the authors investigated the necessary condition under which all temperatures can be measured simultaneously and effectively. For the case not satisfying the above condition, the authors put forward the concept of temperature field partition. And the process of the temperature field partition is detailedly described, and the simulation results are given. Ths study is significative for the applications of primary spectrum pyrometry.

[Correlativity analysis based on radiation spectrum of correlated color temperature and thermodynamic temperature of a radiating source].

Correlated color temperature, which describes the chromaticity characteristics of a radiating source, is different from its thermodynamic temperature derived from primary spectrum pyrometry. However, establishing their mathematical relationship is feasible. Therefore, the authors theoretically analyzed the variation rule of the correlativity difference between the correlated color temperature of the source and its thermodynamic temperature with the emissivity parameter. And the authors gave the corresponding numerical simulation results. The above theoretical and numerical discussions will make it possible that a colorimeter used to measure the correlated color temperature serves as a pyrometer to realize the measurement of the thermodynamic temperature.

Heat dissipation by blood circulation and airway tissue heat absorption in a canine model of inhalational thermal injury.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to further explore heat dissipation by blood circulation and airway tissue heat absorption in an inhalational thermal injury model. METHODS: Twelve adult male Beagle dogs were divided into four groups to inhale heated air for 10min: the control group, group I (100.5°C), group II (161.5°C), and group III (218°C). The relative humidity and temperature of the inhaled heated air were measured in the heating tube and trachea, as were blood temperatures and flow velocities in both common jugular veins. Formulas were used to calculate the total heat quantity reduction of the heated air, heat dissipation by the blood, and airway tissue heat absorption. RESULTS: The blood temperatures of both the common jugular veins increased by 0.29°C±0.07°C to 2.96°C±0.24°C and the mean blood flow volume after injury induction was about 1.30-1.74 times greater than before injury induction. The proportions of heat dissipated by the blood and airway tissue heat absorption were 68.92%±14.88% and 31.13%±14.87%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The heat dissipating ability of the blood circulation was demonstrated and improved upon along with tissue heat absorption owing to increased regional blood flow.

Mucosal fluid evaporation is not the method of heat dissipation from fourth-degree laryngopharyngeal burns.

This study was designed to explore whether mucosal fluid evaporation represents a method of heat dissipation from thermal air inhalation injury and to assess laryngopharyngeal tissue damage according to heat quantity changes of dry air and vapour. Fifteen adult male beagles were divided into five groups to inhale heated air or vapour for 10 min as follows: control group (ordinary air), group I (91-110 °C heated air), group II (148-175 °C heated air), group III (209-227 °C heated air), and group IV (96 °C saturated vapour). The heat quantity changes of the dry air and vapour were calculated via thermodynamic formulas. The macroscopic and histological features of the laryngopharynxes were examined and assessed by various tissue damage grading systems. Group IV exhibited the most serious laryngopharyngeal damage, including cilia exfoliation, submucosal thrombosis, glandular atrophy, and chondrocyte degeneration, which is indicative of fourth-degree injury. The quality, heat quantity, and proportional reduction of heat quantity of vapour in group IV were all higher than those in the other groups. Furthermore, we found that mucosal fluid evaporation is not the method of heat dissipation from thermal air inhalation injury used by the airways. Laryngopharyngeal tissue damage depends chiefly on the heat quantity of vapour in the air.