Universality and Multiplication of Gigahertz-Operated Silicon Pumps with Parts Per Million-Level Uncertainty.

The universality of physical phenomena is a pivotal concept underlying quantum standards. In this context, the realization of a quantum current standard using silicon single-electron pumps necessitates the verification of the equivalence across multiple devices. Herein, we experimentally investigate the universality of pumped currents from two different silicon single-electron devices which are placed inside the cryogen-free dilution refrigerator whose temperature (mixing chamber plate) was ∼150 mK under the operation of the pump devices. By direct comparison using an ultrastable current amplifier as a galvanometer, we confirm that two pumped currents are consistent with ∼1 ppm uncertainty. Furthermore, we realize quantum-current multiplication with a similar uncertainty by adding the currents of two different gigahertz (GHz)-operated silicon pumps, whose generated currents are confirmed to be identical. These results pave the way for realizing a quantum current standard in the nanoampere range and a quantum metrology triangle experiment using silicon pump devices.

Lorentz Force-Actuated Bidirectional Nanoelectromechanical Switch with an Ultralow Operation Voltage.

The high operating voltage of conventional nanoelectromechanical switches, typically tens of volts, is much higher than the driving voltage of the complementary metal oxide semiconductor integrated circuit (∼1 V). Though the operating voltage can be reduced by adopting a narrow air gap, down to several nanometers, this leads to formidable manufacturing challenges and occasionally irreversible switch failures due to the surface adhesive force. Here, we demonstrate a new nanowire-morphed nanoelectromechanical (NW-NEM) switch structure with ultralow operation voltages. In contrast to conventional nanoelectromechanical switches actuated by unidirectional electrostatic attraction, the NW-NEM switch is bidirectionally driven by Lorentz force to allow the use of a large air gap for excellent electrical isolation, while achieving a record-low driving voltage of <0.2 V. Furthermore, the introduction of the Lorentz force allows the NW-NEM switch to effectively overcome the adhesion force to recover to the turn-off state.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with the severity of liver fibrosis in patients after the Fontan operation.

The gold standard for determining the severity of liver disease in Fontan patients is now liver biopsy. Since it is an invasive procedure, this study determined the possibility of applying mitochondrial function from isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as a non-invasive indicator of liver fibrosis. Fontan patients (n = 37) without known liver disease were analysed cross-sectionally. Patients were classified according to their histology using the METAVIR score as follows; F0/F1-no/mild fibrosis; F2-moderate fibrosis; and F3/F4-cirrhosis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assessed for mitochondrial activity and apoptosis. This study did not find any significant differences in cardiac function among the groups according to liver histology. Interestingly, our findings indicated a significant decrease in maximal respiration and spare respiratory capacity, in both the moderate (F2) and cirrhosis (F3/F4) groups compared with the group without significant fibrosis (F0/F1). Moreover, the cirrhosis group exhibited higher levels of apoptosis and lower levels of live cells, compared with both the moderate and no significant fibrosis groups. In conclusion, the degree of liver fibrosis in Fontan patients is strongly correlated with mitochondrial dysfunction in PBMCs. Mitochondrial function and apoptosis could potentially serve as novel markers for tracking the progression of liver fibrosis in these patients.

Dual-Functional Ru/Ni-B-P Electrocatalyst Toward Accelerated Water Electrolysis and High-Stability.

Development of advanced electrocatalysts for the green hydrogen production by water electrolysis is an important task to reduce the climate and environmental issues as well as to meet the future energy demands. Herein, Ru/Ni-B-P sphere electrocatalyst is demonstrated by a combination of hydrothermal and soaking approaches, meeting the industrial requirement of low cell voltage with stable high-current operation. The Ru/Ni-B-P sphere catalyst demonstrates low overpotentials of 191 and 350 mV at 300 mA cm-2 with stable high current operation, ranking it as one of the best oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts. The bifunctional 2-E system demonstrates a low cell voltage of 2.49 V at 2000 mA cm-2 in 6 m KOH at 60 °C of harsh industrial operation condition. It also demonstrates outstanding stability with continuous 120 h (5 days) CA operation at 1000 mA cm-2. Further, the hybrid configuration of Ru/Ni-B-P || Pt/C being paired with the conventional benchmark electrode demonstrates a record low 2-E cell voltage of 2.40 V at 2000 mA cm-2 in 6 m KOH and excellent stability at high current of 1500 mA cm-2 under industrial operational condition.

Constructing Wide-Temperature Lithium-Sulfur Batteries by Using a Covalent Organic Nanosheet Wrapped Carbon Nanotube.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries hold the superiority of eminent theoretical energy density (2600 Wh kg-1 ). However, the ponderous sulfur reduction reaction and the issue of polysulfide shuttling pose significant obstacles to achieving the practical wide-temperature operation of Li-S batteries. Herein, a covalent organic nanosheet-wrapped carbon nanotubes (denoted CON/CNT) composite is synthesized as an electrocatalyst for wide-temperature Li-S batteries. The design incorporates the CON skeleton, which contains imide and triazine functional units capable of chemically adsorbing polysulfides, and the underlaid CNTs facilitate the conversion of captured polysulfides enabled by enhanced conductivity. The electrocatalytic behavior and chemical interplay between polysulfides and the CON/CNT interlayer are elucidated by in situ X-ray diffraction detections and theoretical calculations. Resultantly, the CON/CNT-modified cells demonstrate upgraded performances, including wide-temperature operation ranging from 0 to 65 °C, high-rate performance (625 mAh g-1 at 5.0 C), exceptional high-rate cyclability (1000 cycles at 5.0 C), and stable operation under high sulfur loading (4.0 mg cm-2 ) and limited electrolyte (5 µL mgs -1 ). These findings might guide the development of advanced Li-S batteries.

A 2.5 V In-Plane Flexi-Pseudocapacitor with Unprecedented Energy and Cycling Efficiency for All-Weather Applications.

As electronic devices for aviation, space, and satellite applications become more sophisticated, built-in energy storage devices also require a wider temperature spectrum. Herein, an all-climate operational, energy and power-dense, flexible, in-plane symmetric pseudocapacitor is demonstrated with utmost operational safety and long cycle life. The device is constructed with interdigital-patterned laser-scribed carbon-supported electrodeposited V5O12·6H2O as a binder-free electrode and a novel high-voltage anti-freezing water-in-salt-hybrid electrolyte. The anti-freezing electrolyte can operate over a wide temperature range of -40-60 °C while offering a stable potential window of ≈2.5 V. The device undergoes rigorous testing under diverse environmental conditions, including rapid and regular temperature and mechanical transition over multiple cycles. Additionally, detailed theoretical simulation studies are performed to understand the interfacial interactions with the active material as well as the local behavior of the anti-freeze electrolyte at different temperatures. As a result, the all-weather pseudocapacitor at 1 A g-1 shows a high areal capacitance of 234.7 mF cm-2 at room temperature and maintains a high capacitance of 129.8 mF cm-2 even at -40 °C. Besides, the cell operates very reliably for over 80 950 cycles with a capacitance of 25.7 mF cm-2 at 10 A g-1 and exhibits excellent flexibility and bendability under different stress conditions.

Electrolyte-Enabled High-Voltage Operation of a Low-Nickel, Low-Cobalt Layered Oxide Cathode for High Energy Density Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The lithium-ion battery industry acknowledges the need to reduce expensive metals, such as cobalt and nickel, due to supply chain challenges. However, doing so can drastically reduce the overall battery energy density, attenuating the driving range for electric vehicles. Cycling to higher voltages can increase the capacity and energy density but will consequently exacerbate cell degradation due to the instability at high voltages. Herein, an advanced localized high-concentration electrolyte (LHCE) is utilized to enable long-term cycling of a low-Ni, low-Co layered oxide cathode LiNi0.60Mn0.31Co0.07Al0.02O2 (NMCA) in full cells with graphite or graphite-silicon anodes at 4.5 V (≈4.6 vs Li+/Li). NMCA cells with the LHCE deliver a high initial capacity of 194 mA h g-1 at C/10 rate along with 73% capacity retention after 400 cycles compared to 49% retention in a baseline carbonate electrolyte. This is facilitated by reduced impedance growth, active material loss, and gas evolution with the NMCA cathode. These improvements are attributed to the formation of robust, inorganic-rich interphase layers on both the cathode and anode throughout cycling, which are induced by a favorable salt decomposition in the LHCE. This study demonstrates the efficacy of electrolytes toward facilitating the operation of high-energy-density, long-life, and cost-effective cathodes.

Bright and Stable Yellow Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes Through Core-Shell Nanostructure Engineering.

Solution-processed and efficient yellow quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) are considered key optoelectronic devices for lighting, display, and signal indication. However, limited synthesis routes for yellow quantum dots (QDs), combined with inferior stress-relaxation of the core-shell interface, pose challenges to their commercialization. Herein, a nanostructure tailoring strategy for high-quality yellow CdZnSe/ZnSe/ZnS core/shell QDs using a "stepwise high-temperature nucleation-shell growth" method is introduced. The synthesized CdZnSe-based QDs effectively smoothed the release stress of the core-shell interface and revealed a near-unit photoluminescence quantum yield, with nonblinking behavior and matched energy level, which accelerated radiative recombination and charge injection balance for device operation. Consequently, the yellow CdZnSe-based QLEDs exhibited a peak external quantum efficiency of 23.7%, a maximum luminance of 686 050 cd m-2, and a current efficiency of 103.2 cd A-1, along with an operating half-lifetime of 428 523 h at 100 cd m-2. To the best of the knowledge, the luminance and operational stability of the device are found to be the highest values reported for yellow LEDs. Moreover, devices with electroluminescence (EL) peaks at 570-605 nm exhibited excellent EQEs, surpassing 20%. The work is expected to significantly push the development of RGBY-based display panels and white LEDs.

Highly Sustainable h-BN Encapsulated MoS2 Hydrogen Evolution Catalysts.

Despite the importance of the stability of the 2D catalysts in harsh electrolyte solutions, most studies have focused on improving the catalytic performance of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) catalysts rather than the sustainability of hydrogen evolution. In previous studies, the vulnerability of MoS2 crystals is reported that the moisture and oxygen molecules can cause the oxidation of MoS2 crystals, accelerating the degradation of crystal structure. Therefore, optimization of catalytic stability is crucial for approaching practical applications in 2D catalysts. Here, it is proposed that monolayered MoS2 catalysts passivated with an atomically thin hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) layer can effectively sustain hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and demonstrate the ultra-high current density (500 mA cm⁻2 over 11 h) and super stable (64 h at 150 mA cm⁻2) catalytic performance. It is further confirmed with density functional theory (DFT) calculations that the atomically thin h-BN layer effectively prevents direct adsorption of water/acid molecules while allowing the protons to be adsorbed/penetrated. The selective penetration of protons and prevention of crystal structure degradation lead to maintained catalytic activity and maximized catalytic stability in the h-BN covered MoS2 catalysts. These findings propose a promising opportunity for approaching the practical application of 2D MoS2 catalysts having long-term stability at high-current operation.

Long-term costs to Medicare associated with endovascular and open repairs of infrarenal and complex abdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The vast majority of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) undergoing repairs receive endovascular interventions (EVARs) instead of open operations (OARs). Although EVARs have better short-term outcomes, OARs have improved longer-term durability and require less radiographic follow-up and monitoring, which may have significant implications on health care economics surrounding provision of AAA care nationally. Herein, we compared costs associated with EVAR and OAR of both infrarenal and complex AAAs. METHODS: We examined patients undergoing index elective EVARs or OARs of infrarenal and complex AAAs in the 2014-2019 Vascular Quality Initiative-Vascular Implant Surveillance and Interventional Outcomes Network (VQI-VISION) dataset. We defined overall costs as the aggregated longitudinal costs associated with: (1) the index surgery; (2) reinterventions; and (3) imaging tests. We evaluated overall costs up to 5 years after infrarenal AAA repair and 3 years for complex AAA repair. Multivariable regressions adjusted for case-mix when evaluating cost differences between EVARs vs OARs. RESULTS: We identified 23,746 infrarenal AAA repairs (8.7% OAR, 91% EVAR) and 2279 complex AAA repairs (69% OAR, 31% EVAR). In both cohorts, patients undergoing EVARs were more likely to be older and have more comorbidities. The cost for the index procedure for EVARs relative to OARs was lower for infrarenal AAAs ($32,440 vs $37,488; P < .01) but higher among complex AAAs ($48,870 vs $44,530; P < .01). EVARs had higher annual imaging and reintervention costs during each of the 5 postoperative years for infrarenal aneurysms and the 3 postoperative years for complex aneurysms. Among patients undergoing infrarenal AAA repairs who survived 5 years, the total 5-year cost of EVARs was similar to that of OARs ($35,858 vs $34,212; -$223 [95% confidence interval (CI), -$3042 to $2596]). For complex AAA repairs, the total cost at 3 years of EVARs was greater than OARs ($64,492 vs $42,212; +$9860 [95% CI, $5835-$13,885]). For patients receiving EVARs for complex aneurysms, physician-modified endovascular grafts had higher index procedure costs ($55,835 vs $47,064; P < .01) although similar total costs on adjusted analyses (+$1856 [95% CI, -$7997 to $11,710]; P = .70) relative to Zenith fenestrated endovascular grafts among those that were alive at 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Longer-term costs associated with EVARs are lower for infrarenal AAAs but higher for complex AAAs relative to OARs, driven by reintervention and imaging costs. Further analyses to characterize the financial viability of EVARs for both infrarenal and complex AAAs should evaluate hospital margins and anticipated changes in costs of devices.

Pushing the boundaries of phosphorylase cascade reaction for cellobiose production II: Model-based multiobjective optimization.

The inherent complexity of coupled biocatalytic reactions presents a major challenge for process development with one-pot multienzyme cascade transformations. Kinetic models are powerful engineering tools to guide the optimization of cascade reactions towards a performance suitable for scale up to an actual production. Here, we report kinetic model-based window of operation analysis for cellobiose production (≥100 g/L) from sucrose and glucose by indirect transglycosylation via glucose 1-phosphate as intermediate. The two-step cascade transformation is catalyzed by sucrose and cellobiose phosphorylase in the presence of substoichiometric amounts of phosphate (≤27 mol% of substrate). Kinetic modeling was instrumental to uncover the hidden effect of bulk microviscosity due to high sugar concentrations on decreasing the rate of cellobiose phosphorylase specifically. The mechanistic-empirical hybrid model thus developed gives a comprehensive description of the cascade reaction at industrially relevant substrate conditions. Model simulations serve to unravel opposed relationships between efficient utilization of the enzymes and maximized concentration (or yield) of the product within a given process time, in dependence of the initial concentrations of substrate and phosphate used. Optimum balance of these competing key metrics of process performance is suggested from the model-calculated window of operation and is verified experimentally. The evidence shown highlights the important use of kinetic modeling for the characterization and optimization of cascade reactions in ways that appear to be inaccessible to purely data-driven approaches.

Surgeon-Dependent Variability in Cost of Gastrointestinal Operations in a Single Cancer Center.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer operations are increasingly utilizing specialized equipment and technology. Related costs are often not known to the responsible surgeon. We seek to evaluate cost aspects of care episodes attributable to the surgeon's management decisions. METHODS: Financial cost data in a tertiary academic cancer center were queried over 3 y. Consecutive patients undergoing gastrointestinal operations followed by inpatient admission of two or more days were included, excluding patients with 40+ d admissions. Analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis, and multiple regression statistics were utilized. RESULTS: The study population included 1540 patients: 54% men and 46% women, with a median age of 64 y (range 15-95). Eight surgeons conducted major (82%) and minor (18%) operations, with a minimally invasive surgical approach in 60.4%. Procedures included colorectal (37%), pancreatic (19%), esophagogastric (18%), hepatobiliary (18%), and small bowel resections (8%). Total direct costs differed between surgeons with an analysis of variance coefficient range between -$3265 and +$6163 (P < 0.001). Surgeons' cost differences were observed for central medical supply, operating room (OR) supply, total OR, inpatient room, laboratory, pharmacy, supportive care (P < 0.001), and radiology costs (P < 0.02). OR supply cost was the dominant consistent domain with significant differences between surgeons in all case subcategories. When controlled for case category and minimally invasive surgical approach, multiple regression showed the most significant variations between surgeons in ORs, medical supply, and nutrition costs (P < 0.001), followed by laboratory costs (P < 0.01). Top OR supply costs were staplers and energy devices. CONCLUSIONS: Even in a highly subspecialized surgical environment, surgeons' variable utilization of ORs and medical supplies is strongly linked to variations in care-related costs. Specific queries into supply items should reduce costs and optimize value generated.

Application of PAT Probes in Aluminum Phosphate Adjuvant Manufacturing.

PURPOSE: This study is focused on monitoring process parameters and quality attributes of aluminum phosphate (AlPO4) using multiple in-line probes incorporated into an industrial-scale adjuvant suspension manufacturing unit. METHODS: The manufacturing of aluminum adjuvant suspension was monitored at manufacturing scale using conductivity, turbidity, infrared, and particle sizing and count probes to follow the continuous evolution of particle formation and size distribution, and the reaction kinetics during the synthesis of AlPO4. RESULTS: The data showed that AlPO4 forms large particles at the early stages of mixing, followed by a decrease in size and then stabilization towards the later stages of mixing and pH adjustment. The results provided a complementary view of process events and assisted in optimizing several parameters, e.g., flow rate of reactants AlCl3 and Na3PO4 solutions, mixing rate, pH, and conductivity of AlPO4, as well as adjuvant quality attribute such as particle size, thus streamlining and shortening the process development stage. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed the usefulness of the in-line probes to automate continuous assessment of AlPO4 batch-to-batch consistency during in-house adjuvant production at the industrial scale.

Predictors of Late Adverse Events in Patients with Surgically Treated Type I Aortic Dissection.

OBJECTIVE: Residual aortic dissection (AD) following DeBakey type I AD repair is associated with a high rate of adverse events that need additional intervention or surgery. This study aimed to identify clinical and early post-operative computed tomography (CT) imaging factors associated with adverse events in patients with type I AD after ascending aorta replacement. METHODS: This single centre, retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with type I AD who underwent ascending aorta replacement from January 2011 to December 2017 and post-operative CT within three months. The primary outcome was AD related adverse events, defined as AD related death and re-operation due to aortic aneurysm or impending rupture. The location and size of the primary intimal tears, aortic diameter, and false lumen status were evaluated. Regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with AD related adverse events. A decision tree model was used to classify patients as high or low risk. RESULTS: Of 103 participants (55.43 ± 13.94 years; 49.5% male), 24 (23.3%) experienced AD related adverse events. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, connective tissue disease (hazard ratio [HR] 15.33; p < .001), maximum aortic diameter ≥ 40 mm (HR 4.90; p < .001), and multiple (three or more) intimal tears (HR 7.12; p < .001) were associated with AD related adverse events. The three year cumulative survival free from AD related events was lower in the high risk group with aortic diameter ≥ 40 mm and multiple intimal tears (41.7% vs. 90.9%; p < .001). CONCLUSION: Early post-operative CT findings indicating a maximum aortic diameter ≥ 40 mm and multiple intimal tears may predict a higher risk of adverse events. These findings suggest the need for careful monitoring and more vigilant management approaches in these cases.

High blood glucose variability may predict poor outcomes in patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage undergoing surgical operation: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Elevated blood glucose (BG) variability has been reported as an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in a variety of diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between BG variability and clinical outcomes in patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage (SCH) undergoing surgical operation. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study of the consecutive patients admitted to the department of Neurosurgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2014 and June 2022 with the diagnosis of SCH underwent surgical intervention. BG analysis was continuously and routinely performed. BG variability was represented by the standard deviation (SD) of the serial measurements within the first 7 days. The general characteristics, imageological information, blood glucose level, and surgical information were reviewed and compared through medical records. RESULTS: A total of 115 patients (65 male and 50 female) were enrolled. Out of all 115 patients, the overall clinical outcomes according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were poor (mRS 3-6) in 31 patients (26.96%) and good (mRS 0-2) in 84 patients (73.04%). Twelve of the 115 patients died during hospitalization, and the mortality rate was 10.43%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that SD of BG (odds ratio (OR), 4.717; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.054-21.115; P = 0.043), GCS (OR, 0.563; 95% CI, 0.330-0.958; P = 0.034), and hematoma volume (OR, 1.395; 95% CI, 1.118-1.748; P = 0.003) were significant predictors. The area under the ROC curve of SD of BG was 0.911 (95% CI, 0.850-0.973; P < 0.001) with a sensitivity and specificity of 90.3% and 83.3%, respectively, and the cut-off value was 1.736. CONCLUSIONS: High BG Variability is independently correlated with the 6-month poor outcomes in patients with SCH undergoing surgical operation.

Fabrication of high quality lead-free double perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6thin film and its application in memristor with ultralow operation voltage.

Recently, the lead-free double perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6has been considered as a promising candidate for next-generation nonvolatile memory and artificial synapse devices due to its high stability and low toxicity compared to its lead-based counterparts. In this work, we developed a simple and effective method to produce high-quality lead-free double perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6thin films without pinholes and particles by applying a low-pressure assisted method under ambient condition with a relative humidity (RH) of about 45%. The formation of pinholes and Ag precipitation in the perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6 films is effectively suppressed by the proper ratio of N,N-dimenthylformamide (DMF) mixed in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvents. Furthermore, the grain size of the Cs2AgBiBr6films can be significantly increased by increasing the post-annealing temperature. Finally, a sandwiched structure memristor with an ITO/Cs2AgBiBr6/Ta configuration was successfully demonstrated, featuring ultralow operation voltage (VSet∼ 57 ± 23 mV,VReset∼ -692 ± 68 mV) and satisfactory memory window (the ratio ofRHRS/RLRS∼ 10 times), which makes it suitable for low-power consumption information storage devices.

Solution-processable low-voltage carbon nanotube field-effect transistors with high-krelaxor ferroelectric polymer gate insulator.

Achieving energy-efficient and high-performance field-effect transistors (FETs) is one of the most important goals for future electronic devices. This paper reports semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube FETs (s-SWNT-FETs) with an optimized high-krelaxor ferroelectric insulator P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) thickness for low-voltage operation. The s-SWNT-FETs with an optimized thickness (∼800 nm) of the high-kinsulator exhibited the highest average mobility of 14.4 cm2V-1s-1at the drain voltage (ID) of 1 V, with a high current on/off ratio (Ion/off>105). The optimized device performance resulted from the suppressed gate leakage current (IG) and a sufficiently large capacitance (>50 nF cm-2) of the insulating layer. Despite the extremely high capacitance (>100 nF cm-2) of the insulating layer, an insufficient thickness (<450 nm) induces a highIG, leading to reducedIDand mobility of s-SWNT-FETs. Conversely, an overly thick insulator (>1200 nm) cannot introduce sufficient capacitance, resulting in limited device performance. The large capacitance and sufficient breakdown voltage of the insulating layer with an appropriate thickness significantly improved p-type performance. However, a reduced n-type performance was observed owing to the increased electron trap density caused by fluorine proportional to the insulator thickness. Hence, precise control of the insulator thickness is crucial for achieving low-voltage operation with enhanced s-SWNT-FET performance.

Circular polarization sensitive opto-neuromorphic operation at plasmonic hot electron transistor using chiral gold nanoparticles.

Opto-neuromorphic operation is critical for biological system to recognize the visual objects and mimicking such operation is important for artificial prosthesis as well as machine vision system for industrial applications. To sophisticatedly mimic biological system, regulation of learning and memorizing efficiency is needed, however engineered synthetic platform has been lack of controllability, which makes huge gap between biological system and synthetic platform. Here we demonstrated controllable learning and memorizing opto-neuromorphic operation at plasmonic hot electron transistor. Especially, circularly polarized light (CPL) sensitive synaptic characteristics and learning experience capability are enabled by incorporating chiral plasmonic nanoparticle. Furthermore, gate voltage gives rise to controllable neuromorphic operation due to hot electron injection and trapping effect, resulting in high remaining synaptic weight of ∼70% at negative gate voltage under CPL excitation. We believe that this discovery makes significant leap toward on-demand in-sensor computing as well as toward bio-realistic device.

Sustained Phosphorus Removal and Enrichment through Off-Flow Desorption in a Reservoir of Membrane Capacitive Deionization.

In this study, we used a membrane capacitive deionization device with a reservoir (R-MCDI) to enrich phosphorus (P) from synthetic wastewater. This R-MCDI had two small-volume electrode chambers, and most of the electrolyte was contained in the reservoir, which was circulated along the electrode chambers. Compared with conventional MCDI, R-MCDI exhibited a phosphate removal rate of 0.052 µmol/(cm2·min), approximately double that of MCDI. This was attributed to R-MCDI's utilization of OH- alternative adsorption to remove phosphate from the influent. Noticing that around 73.9% of the removed phosphate was stored in the electrolyte in R-MCDI, we proposed a novel off-flow desorption operation to enrich the removed phosphate in the reservoir. Exciting results from the multicycle experiment (∼8 h) of R-MCDI showed that the PO43--P concentration in the reservoir increased all the way from the initial 152 mg/L to the final 361 mg/L, with the increase in the P charge efficiency from 5.5 to 22.9% and the decrease in the energy consumption from 28.2 to 6.8 kW h/kg P. The P recovery performance of R-MCDI was evaluated by viewing other similar studies, which revealed that R-MCDI in this study achieved superior P enrichment with low energy consumption and that the off-flow desorption proposed here considerably simplified the operation and enabled continuous P enrichment.

Influence of Ventilation on Formation and Growth of 1-20 nm Particles via Ozone-Human Chemistry.

Ozone reaction with human surfaces is an important source of ultrafine particles indoors. However, 1-20 nm particles generated from ozone-human chemistry, which mark the first step of particle formation and growth, remain understudied. Ventilation and indoor air movement could have important implications for these processes. Therefore, in a controlled-climate chamber, we measured ultrafine particles initiated from ozone-human chemistry and their dependence on the air change rate (ACR, 0.5, 1.5, and 3 h-1) and operation of mixing fans (on and off). Concurrently, we measured volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and explored the correlation between particles and gas-phase products. At 25-30 ppb ozone levels, humans generated 0.2-7.7 × 1012 of 1-3 nm, 0-7.2 × 1012 of 3-10 nm, and 0-1.3 × 1012 of 10-20 nm particles per person per hour depending on the ACR and mixing fan operation. Size-dependent particle growth and formation rates increased with higher ACR. The operation of mixing fans suppressed the particle formation and growth, owing to enhanced surface deposition of the newly formed particles and their precursors. Correlation analyses revealed complex interactions between the particles and VOCs initiated by ozone-human chemistry. The results imply that ventilation and indoor air movement may have a more significant influence on particle dynamics and fate relative to indoor chemistry.