Aerosol Doping System for Microscale Seamless p-n Patterning of Carbon Nanotube Films.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) films are extensively researched as a promising material for wearable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) owing to their good flexibility and high thermoelectric conversion ability. Miniaturizing a pair of p- and n-type thermocouples and increasing the number of repeating elements can effectively increase the power of TEGs. However, conventional p-n patterning methods, such as dipping and printing, have a coarse resolution at the submillimeter level, thereby limiting the miniaturization rate. This study developed an aerosol doping system as a fine n-doping method. A dopant aerosol with a <3 µm diameter was formed through ultrasonic nebulization and air separation, while n-doping was achieved by exposing the CNT film to the dopant aerosol. Microscale p-n patterning of 1 µm was achieved through exposure using small-sized aerosols at an exceptionally slow rate of 3 Å/min. This resolution is 100 times higher than those of conventional p-n patterning methods. The developed aerosol doping system for CNTs can also be used on organic semiconductor materials, such as PEDOT/PSS and perovskite materials. Therefore, it has the potential to significantly impact the realization of Internet of Things (IoT) terminals, such as flexible TEGs, transistors, and solar cells.

Snap-through Crack Propagation in Architected Bonded Interfaces Analyzed Using a Mechanoluminescent SAO/E Coating.

We investigate the mechanics of crack propagation in architected adhesive joints whose adherends are inspired to the base plate of the barnacle Amphibalanus (=Balanus) amphitrite, and feature an array of buried hollow cylindrical channels located perpendicularly to the direction of crack growth. Selective laser sintering is used to obtain the adherends that are subsequently bonded in the double cantilever beam configuration to ascertain the mechanics of crack growth. Finite element (FE) simulations are deployed to determine the strain energy release rate (ERR) and to elucidate the salient features of the fracture process. It is shown that the channels induce a modulation of the ERR and enable a crack tip shielding mechanism. Besides, FE simulations based on a cohesive zone approach indicate the occurrence of crack pinning/depinning cycles that are validated via experiments. A highlight of the present study is the use of a mechanoluminescent (ML) coating to unravel the evolution of the transient stress field in the crack tip region. The coating comprises an optical epoxy resin loaded with doped strontium aluminate phosphors (SrAl2O4/Eu2+) and converts mechanical energy into light emission with intensity proportional to the magnitude of mechanical stress. By combining the ML emission patterns with the stress distribution obtained from FEA, we unveil interesting details of snap-through cracking in architected bio-inspired adhesive joints.

Broadband Photodetectors and Imagers in Stretchable Electronics Packaging.

The integration of flexible electronics with optics can help realize a powerful tool that facilitates the creation of a smart society wherein internal evaluations can be easily performed nondestructively from the surface of various objects that is used or encountered in daily lives. Here, organic-material-based stretchable optical sensors and imagers that possess both bending capability and rubber-like elasticity are reviewed. The latest trends in nondestructive evaluation equipment that enable simple on-site evaluations of health conditions and abnormalities are discussed without subjecting the targeted living bodies and various objects to mechanical stress. Real-time performance under real-life conditions is becoming increasingly important for creating smart societies interwoven with optical technologies. In particular, the terahertz (THz)-wave region offers a substance- and state-specific fingerprint spectrum that enables instantaneous analyses. However, to make THz sensors accessible, the following issues must be addressed: broadband and high-sensitivity at room temperature, stretchability to follow the surface movements of targets, and digital transformation compatibility. The materials, electronics packaging, and remote imaging systems used to overcome these issues are discussed in detail. Ultimately, stretchable optical sensors and imagers with highly sensitive and broadband THz sensors can facilitate the multifaceted on-site evaluation of solids, liquids, and gases.

Outstanding Robust Photo- and Thermo-Electric Applications with Stabilized n-Doped Carbon Nanotubes by Parylene Coating.

Stabilization techniques for n-doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are essential for the practical use of CNT devices. However, none of the reported n-dopants have sufficient robustness in a practical environment. Herein, we report a highly stable technique for fabricating n-doped CNT films. We elucidate the mechanism by which air stability can be achieved by completely covering CNTs with n-dopants to prevent oxidation; consequently, the stability is lost when exposed to scratches or moisture. Therefore, we introduce parylene as a protective layer for n-doped CNTs and achieve air stability for more than 365 d. Moreover, we demonstrate outstanding robust thermo-electric power generation from strong acids, alkalis, and alcohols, which cannot be realized with conventional air-stable n-dopants. The proposed stabilization technique is versatile and can be applied to various n-dopants. Thus, it is expected to be a key technology in the practical application of CNT devices.

Mechanoluminescent Visualization of Crack Propagation for Joint Evaluation.

In this study, methods for the mechanoluminescent (ML) visualization of crack propagation and mechanical behavior to evaluate adhesive joints are demonstrated and explained. The first step involved sample preparation; an air spray was used to apply ML paint to the surface of the adhesive joint specimens. The performance of the ML sensor was described to examine the measurement conditions. The results of ML sensing during a double cantilever beam (DCB) test and a lap-shear (LS) test are demonstrated as these are the most frequently and widely used methods for evaluating adhesives. Originally, it was difficult to directly quantify the crack tip and strain/stress distribution and concentration because the crack tip was too small, and the effects of the strain could not be observed. The mechanoluminescence, crack propagation, and mechanical behavior during mechanical testing can be visualized via the ML pattern during the adhesive evaluation. This allows for the recognition of the precise position of the crack tips and other mechanical behaviors related to structural failure.

Carbon nanotube-based, serially connected terahertz sensor with enhanced thermal and optical efficiencies.

Owing to their high thermal and optical performances, carbon nanotube (CNT) films are used in various photo-thermo-electric (PTE) applications, such as terahertz (THz) sensing and energy harvesting. To improve the performance of PTE devices, a device structure should be designed based on a deep understanding of the thermal and optical responses of the CNT film. However, the optical properties of CNT films in the THz frequency region remain unclear because of the difficulties associated with device processing and measurements. Herein, we report our findings on the thermal and optical characteristics of CNT films. The shape of the CNT film that maximizes the product of the thermal and optical factors (optimal structure of the PTE sensor) depends on the frequency of the irradiating electromagnetic wave. The optimal film thickness and width values for THz irradiation range from 300-600 nm and 50-70 µm, respectively. Subsequently, we fabricated a serially connected, multi-element PTE sensor with an optimal device structure and enhanced the detection sensitivity by approximately 13 times compared with a single-element PTE sensor. In addition, we demonstrated the first THz spectroscopy application using a PTE sensor. The findings of this study, thermal/optical factor enhancement, and micro-sized CNT film processing technology can be used to improve the performance of all CNT-based photothermal devices, including PTE sensors and thermoelectric generators.

Flexible Mechanoluminescent SrAl2O4:Eu Film with Tracking Performance of CFRP Fracture Phenomena.

Non-destructive testing of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) laminates with bidirectional fiber bundles (twill-weave) using a mechanoluminescence (ML) technique was proposed. The dynamic strain distributions and fracture phenomena of the CFRP laminates in the tensile testing were evaluated by the fabricated ML sensor consisting of SrAl2O4:Eu (SAOE) powder and epoxy resin. The ML images for the ML sensor attached to the CFRP laminates with bidirectional fiber bundles gave a net-like ML intensity distribution similar to the original twill weave pattern. Specifically, it was found that the ML intensity on the longitudinal fiber bundle, which is the same as the tensile direction, is higher than that on the transverse fiber bundle. This indicates that the ML sensor can visualize the load share between fiber bundles in different directions of the CFRP laminate with high spatial resolution. Meanwhile, the ML sensor could also visualize the ultrafast discontinuous fracture process of the CFRP laminates and its stress distribution. The amount of SAOE powder in the ML sensor affects the tracking performance of the crack propagation. A higher SAOE amount leads to a fracture of the ML sensor itself, and a lower SAOE amount leads to poor ML characteristics.

Demonstration of static electricity induced luminescence.

Can we visualise static electricity, which everyone in the world knows about? Since static electricity is generated by contact or peeling, it may be a source of malfunction of electronic components, whose importance is steadily increasing, and even cause explosion and fire. As static electricity is invisible, makeshift measures of static electricity are taken on various surfaces; there is also a common view that it is hard to take effective measures. Here we present a specific luminescent material, SrAl2O4: Eu2+, which emits light at excitation by an electrostatic charge in the air. Till now, in the interaction between electricity and luminescent materials, it was considered that emission of light is enabled by accelerated particles colliding with the luminescent material in vacuo. There have been no reports on luminescent materials being responsive to low-energy electrostatic charges under atmospheric pressure. Using SrAl2O4: Eu2+ luminescent material discovered by us, we succeeded for the first time in static electricity visualisation in the form of green light. In addition to the fact that such static electricity induced luminescence assists in solving electrostatic-related problems in the industry, it also provides a new measurement method that facilitates the observation of previously invisible electric charges in the air.

Toughness and Durability of Interfaces in Dissimilar Adhesive Joints of Aluminum and Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastics.

The toughness and the durability under a high humidity condition of the interfaces in dissimilar adhesive joints of carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic with a polyamide-6 matrix and Al alloy were evaluated by two test methods, in which a tensile opening load was applied to the specimens to cleave the interfaces apart in two different ways. In the double cantilever beam (DCB) test, the specimens were continuously pulled apart at a constant velocity, while in the wedge test, the specimens are pulled apart at a constant displacement. The crack growth along the interface in the DCB test was dynamically monitored with the assistance of mechanoluminescence for the accurate detection of the phenomena at the crack tip. The wedge test was employed for the evaluation of the durability of the interfaces under high humidity conditions. It was found that the adhesive joints were failed by various failure modes depending on the surface pretreatment and environmental conditions. Throughout the work, discussion was made concerned with the interfacial structures and the adhesion mechanism of dissimilar adhesive joints.

Accumulation and Analysis of Cuprous Ions in a Copper Sulfate Plating Solution.

Knowledge of the behavior of cuprous ions (monovalent copper ion: Cu(I)) in a copper sulfate plating bath is important for improving the plating process. We successfully developed a method to quantitatively and easily measure Cu(I) in a plating solution and used it for evaluation of the solution. In this paper, a quantitative absorption spectrum measurement and a time-resolved injection measurement of Cu(I) concentrations by a color reaction are described. This procedure is effective as a method to reproduce and elucidate the phenomenon occurring in the plating bath in the laboratory. First, the formation and accumulation process of Cu(I) in solution by electrolysis of a plating solution is shown. The amount of Cu(I) in the solution is increased by electrolysis at higher current values ​​than the usual plating process. For the determination of Cu(I), BCS (bathocuproinedisulfonic acid, disodium salt), a reagent that selectively reacts with Cu(I), is used. The concentration of Cu(I) can be calculated from the absorbance of the Cu(I)-BCS complex. Next, the time measurement of the color reaction is described. The color reaction curve of Cu(I) and BCS measured by the injection method can be decomposed into an instantaneous component and a delay component. By analysis of these components, the holding structure of Cu(I) can be clarified, and this information is important when predicting the quality of the plating film to be produced. This method is used to facilitate the evaluation of the plating bath in the production line.

Performance of single mechanoluminescent particle as ubiquitous light source.

In this study, we have investigated mechanoluminescent (ML) performance of single ML particle as ubiquitous light source. When using high-speed CCD camera with image intensifier and microscopic equipment, mechanoluminescence from single particle was observed. As to the quantitative ML evaluation of the single ML particle was carried out using photomultiplier, and successfully estimated the performance of the single ML particle as an intensity controllable light source in nW order.

Mechanoluminescent light source for a fluorescent probe molecule.

We have demonstrated an innovative ability of mechanoluminescent (ML) material as a light source for the first time. By appropriate smart size control and nondestructive mechanical stimulation, the ML particle can be considered a promising candidate of in situ light source for bio-imaging and photo-therapy even in a human body.

Photocatalytic TiO2 particles confer superior antibacterial effects in a nutrition-rich environment: an in vitro study.

Titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) is known to confer photocatalytic bactericidal effects under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Few reports are available, however, on the clinical applications of TiO(2) particle mixtures. Our objective in the present research was to evaluate the in vitro bactericidal effects of a TiO(2) particle mixture in a nutrition-rich biological environment. A bacterial suspension of Staphylococcus aureus and epidermidis 3 x 10(3) CFU/mL was added to a TiO(2) particle mixture (0.038 mg/mL) containing mainly sodium percarbonate and citric acid. To simulate a biological environment, 40 microL of 10% bovine serum albumin was added and the culture temperature was maintained at 37 degrees C. The resulting product was irradiated by UV light and the bacterial survival rate was calculated for each time of UV irradiation. In the control sample treated with distilled water + UV, the bacteria survived at a high rate even after 180 min. In the TiO(2) mixture + UV sample, meanwhile, the bacterial survival rate dropped to 43.8% and 6.0% of the baseline values in S. aureus and S. epidermidis, respectively, after 60 min of UV irradiation. The photocatalytic antibacterial action of the TiO(2) particle mixture was high even in a protein-rich biological environment.

Photosensor based on an FET utilizing a biocomponent of photosystem I for use in imaging devices.

We have investigated a photosensor that consists of a field emission transistor (FET) utilizing the biocomponent of the photosystem I (PSI) protein complex for use in an imaging device. The PSI was immobilized on a gold electrode via the self-assembling monolayer (SAM) of 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid sodium salt to obtain a PSI-modified gold electrode. As for the PSI-modified gold electrode, the basic photoresponses originating from the excitation of PSI, including the photocurrent (106 nA) and the photoresponse of the open-circuit voltage (photo-Voc: 28.6 mV), were characterized. Then, the PSI-modified gold electrode was linked to the gate of the FET using a lead line, and the device was successfully driven by the photoelectric signals from the PSI like a voltage follower circuit. Further, we successfully demonstrated that the PSI-based FET acts as a photosensor in imaging devices.

The bactericidal efficacy of a photocatalytic TiO(2) particle mixture with oxidizer against Staphylococcus aureus.

By proving the bactericidal effects of a low-concentration titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) particle mixture against Staphylococcus aureus, we hope to ultimately apply a mixture of this type as part of a clinical treatment regimen. A bacterial suspension of S. aureus 1 x 10(5) CFU/ml was added dropwise to a TiO(2) particle mixture (19 ppm TiO(2)) and irradiated by ultraviolet (UV) light. The colony-forming units were counted and the bacterial survival rate was calculated. In the control sample, the bacterial survival rate was 83.3% even after 120 min. In the TiO(2) mixture + UV sample, the bacteria count dropped sharply, reaching 17.3% of the baseline value at 30 min and 0.4% at 60 min. TiO(2) particles dispersed in water mixtures are known to elicit highly efficient UV absorption and greater bonding to bacteria. A reaction of the TiO(2) with another oxidizer altered the aqueous pH and accelerated the photocatalytic chemical reaction. The TiO(2) particle mixture showed high antibacterial action against S. aureus even at a low concentration.

Photocatalytic bactericidal action of fluorescent light in a titanium dioxide particle mixture: an in vitro study.

Traditional titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) has photocatalytic bactericidal properties only under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, which restricts its use in clinical treatment regimens. In this study, we evaluated the photocatalytic bactericidal effects of an aqueous system of TiO(2) particles irradiated by fluorescent light (FL) on Staphylococcus aureus. A TiO(2) particle mixture containing 19 ppm (0.019 mg/mL) of TiO(2) was prepared. A bacterial solution of 1 x 10(5) CFU/mL was added one drop at a time to the TiO(2) mixture. The resulting product was then irradiated with FL. The bacterial survival rate decreased steadily in the TiO(2) mixture group, reaching 76.7% after 30 min of FL irradiation and 10.9% after 60 min. After 60 to 180 min, the bacterial survival ratio of the TiO(2) mixture group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The present study indicates that treating the surfaces of surgical devices and the surgical field with a TiO(2) particle mixture can create a nearly sterile environment that can be maintained throughout surgery, even at low luminous intensities.

Plugging a molecular wire into photosystem I: reconstitution of the photoelectric conversion system on a gold electrode.

Plug and play: Photoinduced electron transfer occurs from photoexcited P700 in photosystem I (PSI) to a gold surface (see picture). A novel molecular connector system is used, in which an artificial molecular wire, which is assembled on the gold surface, was plugged into PSI by reconstitution. Analysis of the photoelectron transfer kinetics proved both the output of electrons from PSI and the effectiveness of the molecular wire.

Room-temperature immobilization of gold nanoparticles on Si(111) surface and their electron behaviour.

Successful covalent soft immobilization of gold nanoparticles on Si(111) surface by simple immersion of hydrogen-terminated silicon wafer into a toluene dispersion of gold nanoparticles was achieved by use of a phenylalkyne-type stabilizing ligand, and the electron behaviour was investigated using a conducting AFM.

Bio-photosensor: Cyanobacterial photosystem I coupled with transistor via molecular wire.

We report on the first successful output of electrons directly from photosystem I (PSI) of thermophilic cyanobacteria to the gate of a field-effect transistor (FET) by bypassing electron flow via a newly designed molecular wire, i.e., artificial vitamin K(1), and a gold nanoparticle; in short, this newly manufactured photosensor employs a bio-functional unit as the core of the device. Photo-electrons generated by the irradiation of molecular complexes composed of reconstituted PSI on the gate were found to control the FET. This PSI-bio-photosensor can be used to interpret gradation in images. This PSI-FET system is moreover sufficiently stable for use exceeding a period of 1 year.

Photocurrent enhancement in a porphyrin-gold nanoparticle nanostructure assisted by localized plasmon excitation.

The nanostructured assembly of porphyrin and gold nano-particles exhibits distinct enhancement of photocurrents from porphyrin in the longer wavelength region, where the localized plasmon resonance was responsible