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Inspired by nature’s molecular machines, the scientific research on solid-state molecular rotors is of great interest yet remains largely unexplored. Herein, we report a unique example of a thermal...

Solid-state fiber dye-sensitized solar cells (SS-FDSSCs) have been the subject of intensive attention and development in recent years. Although this field is only in its infancy, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are one such material that has been utilized to further improve the power conversion efficiency of solar cells. In this study, MOF-integrated DSSCs were shown to have potential in the development of solar cell devices with efficiency comparable to or better than that of conventional solar cells. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of SS-FDSSCs was improved by embedding MOF-801 into a mesoporous-TiO2 (mp-TiO2) layer, which was used as a photoanode in SS-FDSSCs, which are inherently flexible. The PCE of the MOF-integrated SS-FDSSCs was 6.50%, which is comparable to that of the reference devices (4.19%). The MOF-801 enhanced SS-FDSSCs decreased the series resistance (Rs) value, resulting in effective electron extraction with improved short-circuit current density (JSC), while also increasing the shunt resistance (Rsh) value to prevent the recombination of photo-induced electrons. The result is an improved fill factor and, consequently, a higher value for the PCE.

Carbon dots (CDs), because of their unique properties, are being rapidly developed as important luminescent materials for imaging, sensing, and use in photonic devices. However, most of the reported fundamental properties of the CDs are results of investigations conducted in the solution state, which may be completely different from those conducted in the solid state. In this work, we study the luminescence properties, photostability, and the dynamics of CDs in different matrix environments, from ensemble to the single-particle level. We observed that the properties associated with the emission centers and photostability of CDs were extremely sensitive to the local chemical environment. A better understanding of the dependence of the spectroscopic properties of CDs on the complex local chemical environment is an important step toward finding new ways of controlling the optical properties of CDs and optimizing their use in various applications.

Ferroelectric thin/thick films with large electrocaloric (EC) effect are critical for solid state cooling technologies. Here, large positive EC effects with two EC peaks in a broad temperature range (∼100 K) were obtained in 0.95Pb0.92La0.08(Zr0.70Ti0.30)0.98O3-0.05BiFeO3 (BFO La-codoped PZT) epitaxial thin films deposited on the (100), (110) and (111) oriented SrTiO3 (STO) substrates by a sol-gel method. The thin film deposited on the (111) oriented STO substrate exhibited a stronger EC effect (∼20.6 K at 1956 kV/cm) near room temperature. However, the thin films deposited on the (100) and (110) oriented STO substrates exhibited a stronger EC effect (∼18.8 K at 1852 kV/cm and ∼20.8 K at 1230 kV/cm, respectively) around the peak of the dielectric permittivity (Tm, ∼375 K). Particularly, as the direction of the applied electric field was switched (E La-codoped PZT epitaxial thin films are promising candidates for application in the next solid-state cooling devices.

This paper introduces a 4kV/120A solid-state DC circuit breaker (DCCB) based on discrete SiC MOSFETs. The DCCB is designed in a 5-layer tower structure. Each layer consists of a circular main conduction branch and an attached gate driver. There are two primary benefits in the proposed DCCB. First, it reduces conduction loss with multiple devices in parallel. Second, it achieves an ultrafast response speed with SiC MOSFETs. Moreover, the gate drivers of the DCCB are powered by a domino inductive power transfer (IPT) system. It achieves the load-independent constant-voltage output characteristics, which means the outputs are immune to load variations. An IPT system prototype is implemented to test the power transfer performance. At 500kHz frequency, the total output power reaches 15.73W that is sufficient to power on 5 gate drivers, with a peak transfer efficiency of 75.4%. The IPT system is tested to power a 4kV/120A DCCB prototype. It validates that the DCCB is effective to turn off 120A current within 3.5s.

Solid-state fluorescent switches with reversible luminescence characteristics have attracted considerable attention because of their broad applications in advanced photonics, such as anticounterfei...

With the high competition in market, the increase in quality and reliability of gas sensors is highly desirable. Compatible gas sensors having high precision, high sensitivity, economical have attracted a lot of attention. For good gas sensing, research on sensing material have been broadly focused. An improvement in Nano technology and use of different materials has led to the development of efficient and effective gas sensors. The Nano- materials manifest properties that are incomparable with the granular polycrystalline counterpart. With the advancement in Micro and Nano technology, micro-sized gas sensors have been developed with great sensing performance. For detection of toxic gases various techniques are available but solid state gas sensors offer a wide spectrum of materials and their sensitivities towards various types of gases. Of all the solid state gas sensing materials, semiconductor metal oxide nanostructures are more preferable due to the stability of their oxides, high response, low cost for fabrication, response to wide range of chemicals etc. They are cost effective, reliable, and robust and have quick response time. In this paper we have studied about the semiconductor metal oxide gas sensors. The effects due to morphological structure on sensing properties are also discussed. The existing detailed literature survey on techniques and mechanisms for the nanostructures and their gas sensing ability are also involved.

With sustainable development of biotechnology, increasing attention has been placed on utilization of solid-state fermented feed (SFF). Solid-state fermented feed has been a candidate strategy to alleviate the contradiction between supply and demand of feed resources, ensure food hygiene safety, promoting energy conservation, and emission reduction. In production of SFF, a variety of organic acids, enzymes, vitamins, peptides, and other unknown growth factors are produced, which could affect performance of animals. Solid-state fermented feed produced by different fermentation techniques has great instability on different physiological stages of different animals, which hinders the application and standardized production of SFF. Herein, we summarize the current advances in the role of the characteristics of SFF prepared by different manufacturing technique and its research progress in animal experiments on growth performance, gastrointestinal ecology, and immune system, so as to provide references for further acquiring a relatively perfect set of SFF production and evaluation systems.

Due to the lack of a comprehensive multi-objective Solid-State-Transformer (SST) design framework, SST designs are mostly obtained through trial/experience. In this paper, a machine learning (ML) aided optimal SST design framework is proposed, which involves the objectives of maximizing efficiency (η) and power density (ρ). The challenges of computationally expensive magnetics design, coupled with the correlation between magnetics design and performance of semiconductor devices, are tackled by developing a hybrid local optimization algorithm. This local optimization is subsequently learnt through ML techniques, using a limited number of optimal design datasets, and thus, assists in genesis of optimal SST design limits for several combinations of semiconductor devices and switching frequencies. The proposed framework is implemented for a Cascaded Matrix-based Dual-Active-Bridge (CMB-DAB) SST comprising of SiC MOSFETs to demonstrate the optimization routine. The optimization results exhibit low-error fits of the selected ML models and the η-ρ limits in different categories of optimal SST designs. The SiC based SST designs are also observed to offer better η-ρ optimal designs compared to Si based SSTs. A laboratory scale CMB-DAB prototype with experimental measurements is also presented to validate the proposed design optimization framework at a scaled-down level.

This Special Issue of the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits is dedicated to a collection of the best papers selected from the 2021 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) that took place on February 13-22, 2021, virtually. This issue covers papers from the Analog, Power Management, Data Converters, RF, and Wireless committees.

As an outstanding kind of flexible energy conversion device, flexible solid-state supercapacitors (FSSCs) show enormous advantages in flexible, portable, and wearable devices. The performance impro...

A high-power 300 GHz solid-state source chain based on GaN doublers is proposed. The two doublers working at 150 GHz and 300 GHz are designed and fabricated. The pulsed output power exceeds 1000 mW at 148 GHz to 152.5 GHz with an efficiency of 21 % to 29 %. At 151 GHz, a peak pulsed output power of 1322 mW with 27 % efficiency is derived, while a peak efficiency of 33.1 % is determined at 150 GHz with an input power of 2.3 W. The fabricated 300 GHz doubler delivers pulsed output power that is greater than 110 mW from 292 GHz to 305 GHz with an efficiency of 11.3 % to 14.7 %. A peak output power of 183.4 mW with 13.9 % efficiency is obtained at 302 GHz.

Proposed to be the critical enabling component for future distribution networks, solid‐state transformers (SSTs) have drawn much attention lately. They have a massive potential to help reduce size and weight, improve efficiency, integrate microgrids, renewables and energy storages in distribution systems, and can fulfil multiple grid functions such as bidirectional power flow control, fault isolation, system reconfiguration, and post‐fault restoration. The introduction of these power electronics devices in distribution systems, however, also brings new challenges to the grid. Extra levels of electromagnetic interference, stray current, and personnel safety are among the most prominent practical issues that proper grounding arrangements can address. In this paper, considerations that should be factored into the grounding scheme design for SST ports with different voltage forms and levels are thoroughly reviewed and summarised. The characteristics of various grounding schemes used in AC and DC distribution systems are evaluated and compared in detail from different perspectives. Based on the comprehensive review, several combinations of grounding schemes are recommended for typical SSTs. In addition, the inclusion of new relay protection devices in the SST grounding scheme design, considering their characteristics and unique requirements, to enhance protection and reliability is also discussed.

Various optoelectronic properties of 10-(1,3-Dithiol-2-ylidene)anthracene based organic light harvesters were probe at solid state bulk surface. Effect of diverse conjugated π-donor-acceptor bridge...

A compact step-down dc-dc converter has been developed for applications to solid-state Marx generator. The purpose is to allow Marx switches to be able to operate without direct power supply from the ground level circuits. The main voltage across the switch is used as the power source which is converted to a dc voltage that can be used to power the drivers of the solid-state switches. Experiments have been carried out to demonstrate the ability and the performance of the dc-dc converter, as well as its effectiveness in a four-stage Marx generator.

The article examines the principles of developing wireless networks of autonomous gamma sensors in order to create systems for spatial environmental radiation monitoring. The main task of such systems is to control the level of gamma radiation in areas where potential sources of ionizing radiation are located. An autonomous gamma-ray spectrometer is used as a measuring sensor. The authors propose to apply measuring sensors based on a silicon photomultiplier to create autonomous wireless networks of the industrial Internet for radiation monitoring. To confirm the possibility of using this class of receivers as part of gamma spectrometers, the main structural elements of the system were modeled, and the experimental model of the gamma spectrometer was prototyped. The linearity and energy resolution of the experimental sample were also investigated. To test the model for constructing a gamma spectrometer, a CsI (Tl) scintillation crystal and a Sensl Array-60035-4P photomultiplier were used. The established range of recorded energies is in the range from 121 keV to 1332 keV, the relative energy resolution for the 137Cs peak is 11.07 %, the linearity of the transfer characteristic is 99.91 %. Based on this sensor, the architecture of an automated wireless system for monitoring the spatial distribution of gamma radiation has been developed. The results of the work allow the use of radiation monitoring systems in accordance with the requirements of Industry 4.0.

Every "entity" or compound has physical and chemical properties as references for the synthesis and determination of the entity's structure. Thermodynamically, solid-state is the most stable matter in the universe and to be the ideal form in structure elucidation of pharmaceutical. The dry treatments, such as mechanochemistry, microwave heating, and the using of deep eutectic agent are becoming popular. These techniques are viewed as futuristic methods for reducing environmental damage, in line with "green pharmacy" concept. On the other hand, solid-state analysis methods from the simplest to the most sophisticated one have been used in the long decades, but most are for qualitative purposes. Recently many reports have proven that solid-state analysis instruments are reliable and prospective for implementing in the quantitative measurement. Infrared spectroscopy, powder x-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry have been employed in various kinetics and content determination studies. A revolutionary method developed for structural elucidation is single-crystal diffraction, which is capable of rapidly and accurately determining a three-dimensional chemical structure. Hereby it is shown that the accurate, precise, economic, ease, rapid-speed, and reliability of solidstate analysis methods are eco-benefits by reducing the reagent, catalyst, and organic solvent.

In recent years, the massive increase in the data generation has given rise to enormous challenges in storage systems. Single storage media, such as hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid state drives (SSDs), cannot meet the actual needs owing to their inherent physical characteristics. One feasible solution is to adopt a hybrid storage architecture that uses both an SSD and HDD. In this case, the management of the cache replacement strategy of the hybrid storage becomes key in improving storage performance. Based on the cuckoo filter, this study proposes a counting cuckoo filter (CCF) hot-probe method that exhibits a high space and time efficiency and supports deletion. Moreover, a CCF-least recently used (LRU) cache replacement strategy is proposed by combining CCF and the adaptive two-level LRU technique. This strategy uses CCF to identify hot data and the adaptive two-level LRU technique to manage the cache. Experimental results indicate that in comparison with traditional strategies, the cache replacement strategy combined with the hot-probe method can significantly improve cache hit ratios. Furthermore, in comparison with other cache replacement strategies that use hot-probe methods, CCF-LRU exhibits a lower time and space complexity and a higher hit ratio.

Electrically induced ionic motion offers a new way to realize voltage-controlled magnetism, opening the door to a new generation of logic, sensor, and data storage technologies. Here, we demonstrate an effective approach to magneto-ionically and electrically tune exchange bias in Gd/Ni$_{1-x}$Co$_{x}$O thin films (x=0.50, 0.67), where neither of the layers alone is ferromagnetic at room temperature. The Gd capping layer deposited onto antiferromagnetic Ni$_{1-x}$Co$_{x}$O initiates a solid-state redox reaction that reduces an interfacial region of the oxide to ferromagnetic NiCo. Exchange bias is established after field cooling, which can be enhanced by up to 35% after a voltage conditioning and subsequently reset with a second field cooling. These effects are caused by the presence of an interfacial ferromagnetic NiCo layer, which further alloys with the Gd layer upon field cooling and voltage application, as confirmed by electron microscopy and polarized neutron reflectometry studies. These results highlight the viability of the solid-state magneto-ionic approach to achieve electric control of exchange bias, with potentials for energy-efficient magneto-ionic devices., 25 pages, 5 figures; 8 pages of Supporting Information with 5 figures

Hydrogen can serve as a carrier to store renewable energy in large scale. However, hydrogen storage still remains a challenge in the current stage. It is difficult to meet the technical requirements applying the conventional storage of compressed gaseous hydrogen in high-pressure tanks or the solid-state storage of hydrogen in suitable materials. In the present work, a gaseous and solid-state (G-S) hybrid hydrogen storage system with a low working pressure below 5 MPa for a 10 kW hydrogen energy storage experiment platform is developed and validated. A Ti–Mn type hydrogen storage alloy with an effective hydrogen capacity of 1.7 wt% was prepared for the G-S hybrid hydrogen storage system. The G-S hybrid hydrogen storage tank has a high volumetric hydrogen storage density of 40.07 kg H2 m−3 and stores hydrogen under pressure below 5 MPa. It can readily release enough hydrogen at a temperature as low as −15 °C when the FC system is not fully activated and hot water is not available. The energy storage efficiency of this G-S hybrid hydrogen storage system is calculated to be 86.4%–95.9% when it is combined with an FC system. This work provides a method on how to design a G-S hydrogen storage system based on practical demands and demonstrates that the G-S hybrid hydrogen storage is a promising method for stationary hydrogen storage application.

Inconel alloys are one of the materials of choice for high temperature applications whether it is aerospace, nuclear or gas turbine. This is due to their excellent mechanical and non-corrosion properties even under harsh environments at elevated temperatures. Joining Inconel alloys through conventional fusion welding techniques have posed many different problems and hence, solid state joining processes could well be an alternative welding method for these alloys, wherever the design permits. Friction welding being a solid state welding process, is well established for its capability of producing high quality welds and joining dissimilar metals. In this paper, Inconel alloys are introduced initially, and then friction welding in general has been discussed. Thereafter, the published works on the friction welding of Inconel alloys are reviewed with an emphasis on microstructural and mechanical properties of similar and dissimilar Inconel weld joints.

Purpose: To examine gas bubbles generated by two laser lithotripsy devices, a pulsed thulium solid-state laser and a holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) device, and their possible effects in l...

Purpose:Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate has proven to be efficacious and safe for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. New laser technologies, such as the MOSES™ pulse laser sys...

High-voltage solid state pulse modulators are designed to handle voltage levels, which are several times the order of individual device voltage ratings, necessitating series connection of switches....

Summary Li-metal solid-state batteries (SSBs) are promising candidates to supplant Li-ion batteries for a variety of different applications, including electric vehicles, due to their potential to provide a stepwise improvement in performance and safety. However, the benefits of SSBs are also accompanied by a unique set of challenges, which currently hinder their widespread commercialization. This perspective provides an overview of some of these unique challenges and their connection to the electrochemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the SSB materials. Recent advances in understanding and overcoming these challenges are discussed. In an effort to establish more rigorous manufacturing, performance, and operation specifications, insights were solicited from three global automakers. In this context, we emphasize the importance of further mechanistic understanding of these systems using consistent testing protocols and data analysis methods, guided by practical input and design criteria proposed by automakers and other industrial parties.

A method of acoustic imaging in a liquid through a solid-state lens by using phase data processing with aberration correction is proposed. Results are presented from the theoretical modeling and the experimental study of investigating objects located in water.

Study designed to test association between stress-induced myocardial blood flow (sMBF), resting MBF (rMBF), and MBF reserve (MFR) and coronary artery disease (CAD) in a population of CAD and non-coronary patients. Secondary objectives were to confront visual analysis and dynamic analysis and to explore potential association between MBF and several cardiovascular risk factors METHODS: A total of 155 patients who underwent dynamic myocardial perfusion imaging on a CZT camera were included. sMBF, rMBF, and MFR were evaluated, and cardiovascular risk was assessed.Significantly lower total sMBF and MFR were observed in CAD patient vs non-CAD patient. In comparison with visual analysis, lower sMBF were found in pathologic territory, lower rMBF in necrotic territory and lower MFR in necrotic ones. A significant correlation between total sMBF, rMBF and diabetes was found.sMBF and MFR as assessed on CZT gamma-cameras can be used to determine the coronary state. Low total sMBF might be an independent risk factor of coronaropathy. An inverse correlation was suggested between total sMBF and rMBF with diabetes.

Formation of indium deposited coverage on (001) surface of InTe layered semiconductor crystal due to solid state dewetting process was studied by STM/STS in UHV. The initial surface was characteriz...

Aleksandr Il’ich Glazunov developed the first electrochemical technique to image the surface of conducting solids giving the technique the name electrography. The electrographic images can mirror the distribution of elements on the surface of solid materials and also the electrochemical activity, caused by variations of “dissolution tension”. Thus, he has established for the first time a kind of spatially resolved electrochemistry. Electrography is also the first direct electroanalytical technique for solid materials. The present paper gives an account of his turbulent life in Russia, Czechoslovakia and Chile, and a discussion of his main scientific achievement, the development of electrography.

Most optical systems involve a combination of lenses separated by free-space regions where light acquires the required angle-dependent phase delay for a certain functionality. Very recently, flat-o...

The lightweight products with superior specific strength are in great demand in numerous applications such as automotive, aerospace, biomedical, sports, etc. This work focussed on the manufacturing of lightweight products using the cellular three dimensional (3D) printing process. In this work, the continuous microcellular morphology has been developed in a single foamed filament using 3 D printing of carbon-di-oxide (CO2) saturated acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) filaments. The microcellular structures with average cell size in the range of 6–1040 µm were developed. The influence of printing parameters; nozzle temperature, feed rate, and flow rate on the foam characteristics and cell morphology at different levels were investigated. The different kinds of observed foamed extrudate irregularities were discussed.

There is the need for the use of biodegradable optical filters. This concept of this work is to solve the problems of electronic waste and enhance spectra filtering in photovoltaic (PV) module. The extract of the Ixora plant was used for this experiment. The extract was doped with 0.05 m of copper. The voltage peak analysis (VPA) was used to analyze the chemical stability of the filter. It was observed that the filter was chemically stable at certain time of the day due to temperature variations on the PV module.

Background Xylaria nigripes (Koltz.) Cooke, also known as Wuling Shen, is a high-value medicinal mushroom. It is a herbal medicine traditionally used for treating insomnia, trauma and depression. However, its toxicity has never been systematically evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of a standardized aqueous extract (XNE), an ingredient of commercial products, prepared from solid-state cultured X. nigripes in rats. Methods A 90-day subchronic toxicity study was conducted by oral administration of XNE at daily doses of 20, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight to Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes, and the control group was given distilled water (vehicle). All animals were checked daily for general behavior, body weight changes and signs of toxicity. At the end of the treatment period, hematological analysis, biochemical analysis and histopathological examination of organs were conducted. Results At tested concentrations, oral XNE administration caused no treatment-induced adverse effects on general health, body weight gain, relative organ weights, and hematological and biochemical parameters. Histopathological results also showed no significant structural changes in organs even in high-dose XNE-treated animals. Conclusion This study suggests that treatment with XNE for 90 days does not produce significant toxicity, even up to 100 fold (2000 mg/kg body weight/day) of the recommended daily intakes. Therefore, the use of XNE as herbal medicines is considered to be relatively safe.

Esophageal manometry is one of the main axes in diagnostic armamentarium that deals with esophageal motility disorders, next to endoscopic and radiological methods. Traditional, conventional manometry, has greatly been replaced by a modern technique, high resolution manometry which enables not only better spatiotemporal signal resolution and compatibility, but also shortens the time of the procedure which is extremely important for patients undergoing it. Two catheters are being used, solid state and water perfused. Both record pressures within the esophageal lumen and both esophageal sphincters. Contemporary technology has also enabled incorporation of impedance sensors into the catheter. Impedance is based on resistance changes to liquid or food boluses.These changes help in bolus transit evaluation, reducing the need for ionization procedures. Each examined bolus (liquid or solid) is evaluated according to Chicago classification criteria and parameters that are within these criteria. According to the third version of the Classification, functional esophageal disorders are divided into EGJ outflow obstruction disorders, major peristaltic and minor peristaltic disorders. Introduction of this methodology, but also the continuous update of Chicago classification, help in timely diagnosis and further treatment of all the more frequently diagnosed functional esophageal disorders.

The integration of multiple solid state LiDARs could achieve similar performance as a spinning LiDAR, by focusing on the dedicated area of interests. However, due to their small FoV settings, it is either required to rely on external sensors or form FoV overlaps to calibrate the extrinsic parameters between multiple LiDAR units. To overcome such limitations, we develop a targetless calibration method, which creates FoV overlaps (hence co-visible features) through movements and constructs a factor graph to resolve the constraints between LiDAR poses and extrinsic parameters. By solving the formulated problem with graph optimization, our proposed method could calibrate the extrinsic of LiDARs with few or even no overlapped FoVs, meanwhile, produce a globally consistent point cloud map. Experiments on different sensor setups and scenes have demonstrated the accuracy and robustness of our proposed approach.