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The ice surface is known for presenting a very small kinetic friction coefficient, but the origin of this property remains highly controversial to date. In this work, we revisit recent computer simulations of ice sliding on atomically smooth substrates, using newly calculated bulk viscosities for the TIP4P/ice water model. The results show that spontaneously formed premelting films in static conditions exhibit an effective viscosity that is about twice the bulk viscosity. However, upon approaching sliding speeds in the order of m/s, the shear rate becomes very large, and the viscosities decrease by several orders of magnitude. This shows that premelting films can act as an efficient lubrication layer despite their small thickness and illustrates an interesting interplay between confinement enhanced viscosities and shear thinning. Our results suggest that the strongly thinned viscosities that operate under the high speed skating regime could largely reduce the amount of frictional heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to forecast the impact of alternating non-uniform temperature distributions on the deformation and internal stress within the thin film of a solar photon sail, as well as to assess how stress variations affect the sail's characteristics. To maintain the internal stress amplitude within the film during extreme temperature fluctuations, the solar sail employs an innovative pre-tensioning technique utilizing shape memory alloy (SMA) springs. A thermal-structural model is formulated specifically for a hexagonal solar sail. Subsequently, thermal-structural analyses are conducted to quantify deformations and stresses within the sail during its operation on the Earth-Moon L1 halo orbit. Incorporating the prestress factor, the out-of-plane deflection of the film under solar pressure is computed. Furthermore, prestressed modal analyses are performed to determine mode shapes and natural frequencies, taking into account both the prestress and the solar pressure acting on the film. Finally, numerical results are used to compare the performance of the solar sail in hot and cold environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a study of spin pumping efficiency and determine the spin mixing conductance and spin diffusion length in thin bilayer films based on 3d transition metal alloy Fe60Al40. Due to its magnetostructural phase transition, Fe60Al40 can be utilized as a ferromagnetic (FM) or paramagnetic (PM) material at the same temperature depending on its structural order; thus a thin Fe60Al40 film can act as a spin source or a spin sink when interfaced with a paramagnet or a ferromagnet, respectively. Ferromagnetic resonance measurements were performed in a frequency range of 5–35 GHz on bilayer films composed of FM–Fe60Al40/Pd and PM–Fe60Al40/Ni80Fe20 (permalloy). The increase in damping with the thickness of the paramagnetic layer was interpreted as a result of spin pumping into the paramagnet. We determine the spin mixing conductance g P d ↑↓ = (3.8 ± 0.5) × 10 18 m − 2 at the FM–Fe60Al40/Pd interface and the spin diffusion length λ P d = 9.1 ± 2.0 nm in Pd. For the PM–Fe60Al40/permalloy interface, we find a spin mixing conductance g F e A l ↑↓ = (2.1 ± 0.2) × 10 18 m − 2 and a spin diffusion length λ F e A l = 11.9 ± 0.2 nm for PM–Fe60Al40. The demonstrated bi-functionality of the Fe60Al40 alloy in spin pumping structures may be promising for spintronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of digital media and technology on performance arts is evident when digital visual effects (VFX) filming techniques are introduced on a film set. Digital technologies influence the film actor's approach to be congruent to and authentic within the circumstances of the scene. Actors require an effective skillset and strategies to successfully deliver an embodied performance aligning with the various digital VFX techniques. Focusing on imagination, action and emotion that would facilitate such an embodied performance, we drew on relevant neuroscientific notions such as neuron reactivation, conceptual blending, as-if body states and affordances. Additionally, we incorporated relevant embodied performance concepts from Stanislavski, Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies, Effector Patterns including the Emotional Body Approach and Lessac Kinesensics to the development of a digital acting programme, advancing the actor's required skills and providing on-set digital acting strategies to support congruency with digital VFX and authenticity within the diegetic reality. The efficacy of this programme was determined by assessing pre- and post-intervention recordings of both a control and an experimental group of trained actors. Reflection-on-action journals from participants supplemented the assessment. The assessments and journals indicate that the acquired skillset and on-set digital acting strategies effectively improve the actor's performance with digital VFX filming technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper considers the fragmentation of fluid films and, in particular, the used similarity numbers that characterize the process of fragmentation. Based on the analysis of a previously proposed mathematical model for a rotating fluid film evaporating in the Leidenfrost regime, the Sf criterion is proposed. It represents the relationship between the pressing inertial mass force acting on the fluid film and the dynamic effect of vapor from the heating wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compound varifocal lens based on electromagnetic drive technology is designed and fabricated, where the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film acts as a driving component, while the PDMS biconvex lens and the plane-concave lens form a coaxial compound lens system. The plane-concave lens equipped with driving coils is installed directly above the PDMS lens surrounded by the annular magnet. When different currents are applied, the annular magnet moves up and down, driving the PDMS film to undergo elastic deformation, and then resulting in longitudinal movement of the PDMS lens. The position change of the PDMS lens changes the focal length of the compound lens system. To verify the feasibility and practicability of this design, a prototype of our compound lens system is fabricated in experiment. Our proposed compound lens shows that its zoom ability reaches 9.28 mm when the current ranges from −0.20 A to 0.21 A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a Ti-doped Vanadium dioxide (VO2) selector device for reducing the leakage current. Here, TiO2 is formed by the Ti atoms in the VO2 film for acting like a good insulator. Hence, it reduces the integration density when the leakage current in a Cross Bar Array (CBA) is increased. In this article, the modeled Pt/Ti-doped VO2/Pt selector device is integrated with the resistive random-access memory model to demonstrate its effectiveness on sneak path current reduction. The I ON / I OFF ratio of the suggested Ti-doped VO2 selector is higher than 2 × 1 0 4. The simulated results outputs in terms of nonlinearity (∼ 28 × 1 0 4 ), current density (∼ 10 7 A cm − 2 ), and leakage current(∼0.31nA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conducting polymers can mimic the sensing characteristics of biological muscles through utilizing their unique electrochemical reactions. As these reactions occur, alterations in composition prompt changes in biomimetic properties, such as shifts in volume, brought about by the insertion of anions and solvent molecules, resulting in conformational movements. Similar to biological muscles, these electrochemical reaction senses the working variables affecting the reaction rate, through the same two connecting wires. The influence of working temperature and electrical energetic condition on the conformational movements of polyindole manifested as the cooperative actuation of the polymer chain is verified here using a polyindole‐coated polyvinyl alcohol (PIN/PVA) film. Cyclic voltammetric (CV) studies revealed that the extent of reaction of polyindole varies linearly with temperature and scan rate. The logarithmic dependence of redox charge obtained from coulovoltammogram with inverse of temperature further proved the temperature sensing characteristics and the influence of temperature on the cooperative actuation of the film. The conformational relaxation increases as the temperature increases through hosting higher number of counter anions with the solvent molecule. The extension of the redox reaction was found to decrease as the scan rate increases. The double logarithmic relation between the consumed redox charge and the scan rate has proved that the electrical energetic condition can influence the conformational movement in a reversible manner. It is also verified from Chronopotentiometric (CP) studies that the consumed electrical energy during the reaction varies linearly with the change in temperature. The results suggest that the PIN/PVA film can act as a biomimetic macro molecular sensor of working temperature and electrical energetic condition as biological muscles do. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water‐resistant poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) films are valuable in biomedical applications; however, they typically require crosslinkers to stabilize the films, which can introduce undesired aggregation or phase separation reactions. Herein, a dipping‐based process to prepare PEDOT:PSS films on nonplanar surfaces without crosslinker is developed. Sequential soaking of a dip‐coated PEDOT:PSS film in ethanol and water imparts water resistance to the film. Microscopic and spectroscopic techniques are used to monitor the process and confirm that the ethanol soaking elutes the excess PSS from the film bulk, which stabilizes the film prior to the water‐soaking process. The obtained films act as conductors and semiconductors on curved surfaces, including 3D‐printed objects. A film deposited on a curved surface is successfully applied as the channel layer in a neuromorphic organic electrochemical transistor. This approach can enable integrated bioelectronic and neuromorphic applications that can be readily deployed for facile prototyping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ethylene succinate) (PESu) or poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) under the framework of quality by design, were blended to produce effective sustained-release matrices for Paclitaxel delivery. A complete physicochemical characterization including weight variation, thickness, water uptake, moisture absorption, moisture loss, and hydrolytic degradation under physiological conditions, was performed. Quality by design approach was applied to study the critical parameters. In vitro cancer toxicity was studied in human cancer cell lines including lung and breast adenocarcinoma. The developed Paclitaxel-loaded films can act as a promising alternative topical matrix as an implant for breast and lung cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on old Etonians listed by actor Steve Coogan taking lead roles in Hollywood and British television and film including Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston and Damien Lewis. Topics discussed include autobiography book "Easily Distracted" by Coogan, cultural moment and concern in film and television of United Kingdom tapped by Coogan, and context of economic and class background manifested in work of actors.

Highlights: Imine groups in covalent organic framework (COF) films act as dual-active sites for humidity sensing, inducing an intrinsic enhanced mechanism of reversible protonated tautomerism via water molecule-induced hydrogen bonding. The cis-ketoimine reciprocal isomerization induces a stretching vibration effect for the ordered conjugated conductive frame of COF films, realizing fast response, wide range, and high sensitivity characteristics for humidity detection. Resistance changes of COF film-based sensors keep a strong linear relationship with low-range relative humidity, reflecting the quantitative sensing mechanism at the molecular level. Human metabolite moisture detection is important in health monitoring and non-invasive diagnosis. However, ultra-sensitive quantitative extraction of respiration information in real-time remains a great challenge. Herein, chemiresistors based on imine-linked covalent organic framework (COF) films with dual-active sites are fabricated to address this issue, which demonstrates an amplified humidity-sensing signal performance. By regulation of monomers and functional groups, these COF films can be pre-engineered to achieve high response, wide detection range, fast response, and recovery time. Under the condition of relative humidity ranging from 13 to 98%, the COFTAPB-DHTA film-based humidity sensor exhibits outstanding humidity sensing performance with an expanded response value of 390 times. Furthermore, the response values of the COF film-based sensor are highly linear to the relative humidity in the range below 60%, reflecting a quantitative sensing mechanism at the molecular level. Based on the dual-site adsorption of the (–C=N–) and (C–N) stretching vibrations, the reversible tautomerism induced by hydrogen bonding with water molecules is demonstrated to be the main intrinsic mechanism for this effective humidity detection. In addition, the synthesized COF films can be further exploited to effectively detect human nasal and oral breathing as well as fabric permeability, which will inspire novel designs for effective humidity-detection devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft actuators synergic color and shape change behaviors are highly interesting and have a great potential to enable biomimetic robotic devices. However, it remains a grand challenge to achieve color and shape change behaviors on demand for emulating complicated activities of living creatures adjusting to surrounding environments. Herein, photo‐responsive bilayer actuators synergic fluorescence and shape change behaviors are fabricated based on silica carbon dots (Si‐CDs) and liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). In the design, Si‐CDs/polydimethylsiloxane composite film acting as a photochromic layer provides tunable fluorescence performance under ultraviolet while graphene/LCE composite film functioning as a photo‐actuation layer affords reversible deformation under near‐infrared. Thanks to stable fluorescence and photo‐actuation behaviors of bilayer soft actuators, desired camouflage, and locomotion features are realized in untethered bio‐inspired soft robots such as artificial flytrap and inchworm‐inspired walkers by morphology engineering and driven manner manipulation. This work offers a toolbox for designing multifunctional photo‐responsive soft actuators and promotes them towards untethered bio‐inspired intelligent robotic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power consumption of photonic integrated circuits becomes a critical consideration. A new platform is proposed for ultralow‐power tuning in silicon photonics via piezo‐optomechanical coupling using hafnium‐oxide actuators. As an example of the potential of the platform, a tunable silicon‐hafnium‐oxide hybrid microring, where hafnium‐oxide film acts as an active optical and piezoelectric layer, is demonstrated. The hybrid microring is capable of linear bidirectional tuning with a wavelength tuning efficiency of 8.4 pm V−1 and a power efficiency of 0.12 nW pm−1. The estimated power consumption for tuning a free spectral range (FSR) in hybrid microring is 3.07 µW per FSR. The hybrid silicon‐hafnium‐oxide technology with complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility advances the field of ultralow‐power integrated photonic devices and can find applications in optical communications, computing, and spaces under cryogenic temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this edited interview, psychologists Eric Greene and Nisha Gupta interview filmmaker Dennis Leroy Kangalee about his film As an Act of Protest (2002), which is about a young African American actor named Cairo Medina who goes through a station-of-the-cross journey to find the meaning of his life and eradicate the racism and police brutality that continue to plague the world. In this conversation, Dennis shares the genesis of the film as a response to the police brutality occurring in New York in the late 1990s, the psychological struggles he experienced while making this film and enduring backlash to it, and his desire to convey raw emotional truths about the ugliness of racism and racial trauma through a style of radically honest filmmaking that can foster catharsis, reflection, and transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flexible self-powered display system integrating a flexible triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and flexible alternating current electroluminescence (ACEL) has attracted increasing attention for its promising potential in human–machine interaction applications. In this work, a performance-enhanced MXene/cellulose nanofibril (CNF)/MXene-based TENG (MCM-TENG) is reported for powering a flexible patterned ACEL device in order to realize self-powered display. The MCM multilayer composite film was self-assembled through the layer-by-layer method. The MCM film concurrently acted as a triboelectric layer and electrode layer due to its high conductivity and strength. Moreover, the effect of CNF concentration and number of layers on the output performance of TENG was investigated. It was found that the MCM-TENG realized the optimum output performance. Finally, a flexible self-powered display device was realized by integrating the flexible TENG and ACEL. The MCM-TENG with an output voltage of ≈90 V at a frequency of 2 Hz was found to be efficient enough to power the ACEL device. Therefore, the as-fabricated flexible TENG demonstrates a promising potential in terms of self-powered displays and human–machine interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light‐management films made entirely from natural polymers with tunable haze properties are developed via a facile approach. A novel green method based simply on the blending of network cellulose (NC)/water suspension with alginate (CaAlg) aqueous solution is proposed. The unique NC suspension created by a controlled hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose acts as the scatterer media while alginate serves as the transparent host matrix. NC features isotropic intertwined network of nanofibers that contributes to light scattering and produces optical haze. The opaque but hazy NC is dispersed purposefully in the alginate film, where its original properties are preserved owing to its poor solubility in water. Additionally, the dispersion notably increases the roughness of the composite film surface and acts as a light scatterer. Eventually, composite CaAlg/NC film with high transparency (>94%) and customized haze (15–73%) at 550 cm−1 wavelength is fabricated. Herein, the transparent alginate is successfully combined with the hazy cellulose of uniformly distributed nanofibers by blending to fabricate transparent/hazy all‐natural films. The fabricated films exhibit high transparency with tailored transmission haze. The film is highly fitting for large‐scale production and adequate to meet different haze requirements to accommodate different applications such as privacy protection films and antiglare/antireflection coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The passing of the Cinema Act of 1930 marked the enforcement of the first official cinematic censorship measures in Thailand. However, it was constitutive censorship combined with official and expansive censorship practices enforced by the Film Censor Board that created an environment of self-censorship which is most dangerous for freedom of speech in cinema. The justification for banning films was that they constituted a threat to the nation – national security, unity, culture, religious values or good morality. In Thailand, the paramount framing of censorship is nationalism. Even in contemporary times, these nationalist formations of censorship are put into effect in the 2008 National Film and Video Act. This article analyses the expansive and subjective interpretation of national threat, especially the term of 'morality', which is not exclusive to film production, but extends into curatorial exhibitions and audiences' access to cinema, an art form which is constrained by the censor/rating boards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tuning of a material's emissivity in the atmospheric window range of 8–13 µm is crucial for infrared (IR) adaptive applications such as thermal camouflage, IR stealth, and radiative cooling. A resonator structure comprising a phase‐changing Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) film on a metal mirror is promising as a tunable thermal emitter because its long‐wavelength IR emissivity can be varied by adjusting the degree of crystallization of the GST film through annealing. However, the space‐selective tuning of the emissivity required for practical use remains a significant challenge. Herein, a hybrid method combining laser irradiation and heat treatment is presented for space‐selective and continuous tuning of the emissivity of a GST‐based resonator. The current study shows that a laser‐induced crystalline layer formed in the near‐surface region of a 400 nm thick amorphous GST film can act as heterogeneous nuclei for crystallization when the film is subsequently annealed, thereby increasing the crystallization rate of the GST film. This results in a large difference in emissivity between the irradiated and nonirradiated areas, and the emissivity difference can be tuned by changing the annealing temperature. Thermal camouflage is experimentally demonstrated by making high‐and low‐temperature regions with low and high emissivity, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A Q-switched erbium-doped fiber laser utilizing a Fe-MOF thin film as a novel saturable absorber. • To investigate physical and optical properties of Fe-MOF. • Q-switched pulse operation at 1561.8 nm, with a repetition rate of 91.7 kHz and minimum pulse width of 3.9 µs at a maximum pump power of 531 mW. • Higher threshold and optimum stability of erbium-doped fiber laser based on novel Fe-MOF saturable-absorber. This study demonstrated the utilization of an iron metal–organic framework (Fe-MOF) thin film to act as a saturable absorber in a passively Q-switched erbium-doped fiber laser cavity. The Fe-MOF thin film was prepared using the conventional solution method technique and was characterized using XRD, SEM, EDX, and Raman. The integration of Fe-MOF thin film into fiber ferrule yields a stable self-starting Q-switching operation at a pump power of 55.4 mW. Besides at a maximum pump power of 531 mW, emission at 1561.8 nm, minimum pulse duration of 3.9 µs, maximum repetition rate of 91.7 kHz, and a maximum average output power of 10.8 mW was achieved. The measured results further reveal a maximum 53 dB single-to-noise ratio (SNR), signifying good pulse stability. Moreover, we examined a Fe-MOF-SA damage threshold and long-term stability. The optimum stability, excellent threshold, and shorter pulse width highlight the potential of Fe-MOF as a promising saturable absorber (SA) in a passively Q-switched fiber laser. In addition, this study broadened the applications of MOFs in pulse laser technology and introduced a new approach to advancing the field of ultrafast photonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue healing is a challenging process that requires the successful and simultaneous management of conflicting priorities. While promoting wound closure, a battle must be won against different external factors that may adversely affect the healing process. Here this problem is approached by creating asymmetrically designed double‐layer Janus‐type bilayer films where distinct functions are implemented into the two sides of the film. Once deployed, those Janus‐type films exhibit strong adhesion to a wide variety of wet tissues and canalize the release of integrated therapeutics toward the tissue side. At the same time, the outer surface of the films acts as a shield against tribological stress, pathogens, and cellular immune recognition. Moreover, when compared to untreated wounds, Janus‐treated skin lesions show accelerated wound closure as well as fast formation of new, intact tissue. Having performed their tasks, Janus‐type films degrade without leaving any traces on the tissues, which makes it possible to apply them to sensitive body surfaces. Thus, it is expected that the Janus‐type bilayer films designed here can be used in a variety of medical applications where conflicting demands must be met at the same time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the growing resistance of Gram‐negative bacteria and enhance the clinical application potential of antimicrobial peptides. In this study, we combined two α‐helical antimicrobial peptides K4 (WRKWRKWRKWRK‐NH2) or K5 (WRKWRKWRKWRKWRK‐NH2) with four traditional antibiotics (gentamicin, rifampicin, ciprofloxacin, and imipenem). Then we explored their potential and mechanism in inhibiting the generation of bacterial resistance. After adding K4 or K5, the tendency to produce resistant bacteria from traditional antibiotics declined significantly. And the obtained antibiotics‐resistant bacteria were further re‐sensitive to their corresponding traditional antibiotics with the addition of K4 or K5. Mostly, the combination showed synergistic or additive antibacterial effects on both the standard strains and the obtained antibiotics‐resistant bacteria, with a much better effect on the latter. Chemical sensitization and the outer membrane permeability experiments demonstrated that K4 and K5 may influence the drug efflux of the tested bacteria, while at the same time improving the outer membrane permeability of the obtained antibiotics‐resistant bacteria to traditional antibiotics by acting as a film breaker. They ultimately eliminated the generation of drug resistance. These results provided an effort that could break Gram‐negative bacteria's resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) on cluster-assembled super-hydrophilic nanoporous titania films deposited on hydrophobic conductive-polymer substrates feature a unique combination of surface properties that significantly improve the possibilities of capturing and processing biological samples before and during the MALDI-MS analysis without changing the selected sample target (multi-dimensional MALDI-MS). In contrast to pure hydrophobic surfaces, such films promote a remarkable biologically active film porosity at the nanoscale due to the soft assembling of ultrafine atomic clusters. This unique combination of nanoscale porosity and super-hydrophilicity provides room for effective sample capturing, while the hydrophilic-hydrophobic discontinuity at the border of the dot-patterned film acts as a wettability-driven containment for sample/reagent droplets. In the present work, we evaluate the performance of such advanced surface engineered reactive containments for their benefit in protein sample processing and characterization. We shortly discuss the advantages resulting from the introduction of the described chips in the MALDI-MS workflow in the healthcare/clinical context and in MALDI-MS bioimaging (MALDI-MSI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Programmable fluidic systems on curved and flexible substrates are of increasing interest. One approach to achieving programmability is the controlled sequential wetting and dewetting on a surface using voltage actuation. In particular, liquid dielectrophoresis techniques have recently been shown to provide the ability to form a spread liquid film on a normally liquid repellent, but rigid, substrate via applying a spatially periodic electrical potential underneath an initial sessile droplet. In this work, we demonstrate the creation of thin, rectangular shaped, films of electrically insulating liquid on the side of a curved and flexible liquid repellant substrate using dielectrophoresis forces. We find that the experimental threshold voltage V T (κ s) for film formation has a monotonic dependence on the value of the substrate curvature κ s in the range −0.4 mm−1 < κ s < 0.26 mm−1. By considering the balance of stresses acting on the films, including the Laplace pressure and the Maxwell stress, we develop an analytical theoretical expression that is in excellent quantitative agreement with our curvature dependent experimental threshold voltage measurements. The resulting physical insights and the demonstration of programmable wettability on curved and flexible substrates with both positive and negative curvature provide the foundations for applications in imaging, displays, and biochemical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of Co, Pd and Pt ultrathin films on the kinetics of the formation of Ni-silicide by reactive diffusion is investigated. 50 nm Ni/1 nm X/ 50 nm Ni (X = Co, Pd, Pt) deposited on Si(100) substrates are studied using in-situ and ex-situ measurements by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The presence of Co, Pd or Pt thin films in between the Ni layers delays the formation of the metal rich phase compared to the pure Ni/Si system and thus these films act as diffusion barriers. A simultaneous silicide formation (δ-Ni2Si and NiSi phases) different from the classic sequential formation is found during the consumption of the top Ni layer for which Ni has to diffuse through the barrier. A model for the simultaneous growth in the presence of a barrier is developed, and simulation of the kinetics measured by XRD is used to determine the permeability of the different barriers. Atom probe tomography (APT) of the Ni/Pd/Ni system shows that the Pd layer is located between the Ni top layer and δ-Ni2Si during the silicide growth, in accordance with a silicide formation controlled by Ni diffusion through the Pd layer. The effect of the barrier on the silicide formation and properties is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Super-hydrophobic/super-oleophilic materials for oil–water separation as well as separation methods have been a hot research field. Based on this, we propose a fancy method for continuous oil–water separation, which is different from the conventional gravity-driven method and permeation-type oil–water separation. It will be mentioned that the soft PP/EPDM TPV film was convoluted and assembled into the through-valve, and the gap among the films were acted as the pressure response channel for oil–water separation. Moreover, the functional PP/EPDM TPV films (oil–water contact angles of 0° and 155.2° ± 0.7°) were used directly for oil/water separation of mixtures containing water/non-polar oil and water/polar oil, due to the super-hydrophobic/under-oil super-hydrophobicity and super-oleophilic/under-water super-oleophilicity. The durably TPV films manifested desirable separation performance in oil–water mixtures, maintaining a separation efficiency of 98.0% for 25 cycles at a film gap of 50 μm and a critical pressure of 4 kPa. The new functional TPV film for continuous oil–water separation was recyclable, self-cleaning and easy to industrialize, indicating its great potential for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, we have synthesized tin disulphide (SnS2) thin films via a facile, low cost, single-step hydrothermal route using various surface directing agents. The SnS2 thin films were characterized for their optical, structural and morphological properties. The optical study illustrated a direct allowed type of optical transition with a bandgap in the range of 1.78 to 2.03 eV. Morphological study demonstrated the formation of hierarchical nutshell surface morphologies, when using different surfactants, having higher surface-to-volume ratios for better light absorption. The structural study revealed that nanocrystalline SnS2 thin films were formed with a pure hexagonal crystal structure with crystallite size ranging between 12.24 and 19.79 nm. Compositional analysis confirmed the formation of pure and stoichiometric SnS2 thin films. Finally, we carefully analyzed the photoresponse properties of the as synthesized and surfactant-assisted SnS2 thin films with the help of a standard two-electrode system on an electrochemical workstation where SnS2 thin films acted as the working electrode and graphite acted as the counter electrode. Photocurrent (Jsc) was enhanced with the use of the surface directing agents from 0.24 to 0.96 mA cm2 allied with a photovoltage (Voc) from 416 to 610.2 mV. The highest photoelectric conversion efficiency was obtained for the Triton X-100 assisted SnS2 photoanode and it was 0.83%. EIS performance of SnS2 thin films synthesized with surfactants demonstrated reduced charge transfer resistance (Rct), which supports the PEC (photoelectrochemical) performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to prepare a structurally and functionally integrated polyetheretherketone/multi-wall carbon nanotubes (PEEK/MWCNTs) electromagnetic shielding composites by sandwich structure. The PEEK ultra-fine powder and MWCNTs mixed by mechanical blending were selected as the core-layer and PEEK-based film acted as the surface-layer. The results indicate that the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (SE) and mechanical properties of the composites can be controlled by adjusting the ratio of PEEK which was chosen as the binder in the core-layer, the number of the core-layer and the composition of the surface-layer without sacrificing their thermal stability. Moreover, the specific electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (SSE), electrical conductivity, tensile strength and temperature of 5% weight loss (Td5%) of the optimized PEEK/MWCNTs composite reach 79.5 dB/mm, 1.8 S/cm, 93 MPa and 594°C, respectively. The performances of the above composite are obviously superior to those of the recently reported EMI composites. The improvements in the properties should be mainly attributed to the two factors: the dense conductive network formed by MWCNTs in the core-layer, and the good interface adhesion between MWCNTs-MWCNTs in the core-layer as well as between the core-layer and the surface-layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Film censorship screens the nation as a 'way of seeing' that is both fundamental to the art of governance and vulnerable to the flexibility of contemporary global images. In Thailand, this historically-conditioned regime arose in the geopolitics of the 1930 Film Act, the Motion Pictures and Video Act of 2008, and a coterminous regulation of visuality as a form of cultural governance. I pursue a close reading of two banned films by Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Nontawat Numbenchapol, respectively, to illustrate the aesthetics of film censorship in light of the development of a national cinema, especially to consider the strategies that film-makers use to negotiate the governance of vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oppenheimer describes The Act of Killing as a 'documentary about the imagination. We are documenting the ways we imagine ourselves, the ways we know ourselves'. This research analyses the documentary films The Act of Killing (Director Oppenheimer, co-directors Christine Cynn and anonymous 2012) and The Look of Silence (director Oppenheimer 2014), and the documentary imaginary. The research combines normally separate sites of analysis in production and audience studies in order to understand the power of documentary and the spectrum of social stories we inhabit. The article asks: how do the films document and imagine fear and impunity in memories of the genocide, and how do audiences engage with this documentary imaginary? Particular focus is paid towards the endings of the two documentary films and how audiences in this study reflect on the absence of justice for the victims of the genocide. Through the empirical research, we take a journey with the director and his film making process, understanding the lengthy and complex filming for the two documentaries in Indonesia. The films signal Oppenheimer's political and ethical commitment towards victim recognition, the possibility and impossibility of forgiveness, and the challenge of reconciliation between victims and perpetrators. The filmmaker's journey is intertwined with the enactments of the genocide by the perpetrators in their own surreal ways of imagining themselves, and the experience of victims seeking recognition. Audiences become intertwined in these journeys, finding along the way a critically productive space for documentary and the imaginary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes the distribution of doping elements and their influence on the phase composition, structure, and tribological properties of a new self-lubricating copper-based antifriction composite doped with nickel, titanium, aluminum, and silicon, with additions of the CaF2 solid lubricant. The composite is intended for operation at elevated loads up to 2.0 MPa and high rotation speeds up to 10,000 rpm. The maps of chemical elements showed that they were uniformly distributed over the composite and there were no segregation phenomena. The homogeneous distribution of doping elements throughout the volume promoted strengthening phases that were uniformly distributed in the composite. These phases, together with the CaF2 solid lubricant distributed uniformly, increased the tribological properties in severe friction conditions. The composite's high tribological properties were due to a uniform antiseize film that developed on the contact surfaces in operation, preventing the adhesion of surfaces and providing constant self-lubrication. The experimental results indicated that the new composite, Cu–(4.0–6.0)% Ni–(1.0–1.5)% Ti–(7.0–10.0)% Al–(0.5–0.8)% Si–(5.0–8.0)% CaF2, had greater antifriction characteristics than the well-known BrOTsS6-6-3 cast bronze used in the same operating conditions. In operation of the cast bronze, high rotation speeds lead to the ejection of the liquid lubricant by centrifugal forces from the contact area. The contact surfaces thus remain unprotected, which increases the friction coefficient and wear rate and leads to seizure of the contact surfaces. Homogeneous antiseize friction films make the new composite effective in operation without liquid lubrication at high rotation speeds and elevated loads. Such films act as a third, lubricating component in the friction unit along with the composite and the counterface. The antifriction copper-based composite can be recommended for friction units of high-speed web offset printing machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to understand Nesrin and Hatun characters in social life, who are situated in the center and acted in the film of Dust Cloth. In the first part, by following the question about what a critical feminist communication theory means, critical feminist communication theories will be overviewed so that gender roles and representation of the characters' femininities can be visible to follow visual and oral language in second part. In the second part, the lives of two women will have been taken into consideration and their struggles in patriarchal life will be analyzed in the context of their gender roles by means of "voice, representation and difference" sub headings and via explanatory and descriptive methods. Inner life of two women, who have shown a big effort in order to keep alive, will be tried to be assessed owing to patriarchal relations with outside world. Aligned with psychoanalysis via (Lacan 1995, 1999) and (Freud 1971), it will be examined that what kind of barriers those women hit in their social construction and with which methods they have been struggling towards them in the light of feminist communication theories towards constructing feminist subjects. Though there have been patriarchal relations observed in Dust Cloth film, it will be justified that the film is not adequate in terms of proposing alternative struggle methods and of constructing feminist subjects even though it is a woman film. As a conclusion, the points about where the film has placed the woman as a "subject" in patriarchal life in terms of woman sight (inspiring from Mulvey 1995, 1999) will be revealed and whether Dust Cloth film is a kind of a woman film aligned with feminist critical theory of communication will be made visible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical reduction studies of a mononuclear Cu(II) complex bearing a pentadentate amidate ligand under both aqueous and non-aqueous media revealed the deposition of a heterogeneous film on the electrode. The heterogeneous film was grown on an FTO working electrode by control potential electrolysis (CPE) at −0.9 V vs. NHE for 3 h (pH 3.0, phosphate buffer). Characterization of the electrodeposited film by SEM, EDX and XPS indicates the preferential formation of Cu 2 O. The FTO/Cu 2 O cathode, thus formed, exhibits electrocatalytic proton reduction in acidic aqueous medium (pH 3.0) with 95% Faradaic efficiency at moderate overpotential (η = 320 mV at onset). The overpotential required to reach 1 mA/cm2 is 530 mV. The FTO/Cu 2 O cathode maintained a current density of 2.5 mA cm−2 for a period of 3 h and showed stability after 200 scan cycles. [Display omitted] • A copper complex supported by a pentadentate ligand undergoes demetallation during electrochemical reduction. • The electrodiposited film acts as an effective hydrogen evolution electrocatalyst and shows great stability. • Characterization of the electroactive film revealed the formation of Cu 2 O nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thermal sensitive material, i.e. its mechanical properties strongly dependent on temperature, is periodically embedded in a series of metallic films acting as heat sources. The periodical thermal field transforms the homogenous structure into a functionally graded phononic crystal. Band gaps can be hence manipulated by the applied periodical thermal field. A transfer matrix method incorporated with a laminated model is employed to solve the band gaps of SH-wave. Numerical results show that periodic thermal field can manipulate the band widths, locations and numbers of band gaps significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the role of biological template on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) fabricated using tinoxide (SnO2) nanoparticles. Herein, onion (Allium cepa) has been employed as the biological template in the synthesis of tin oxide nanoparticles for the first time and is compared with SnO2 prepared without the template. The prepared samples were systematically characterised using the state-of -the art facilities. A sandwich cell was prepared by using the dye soaked SnO2 film acting as the photoanodeand platinum coated on FTO as the counter electrode with I3/I as the electrolyte. Current-voltage (I-V) characteristics have been studied using solar simulator. Performance of DSSC prepared with and without the template is analysed from the measured I-V curves and it is observed that the DSSC prepared using the biotemplate shows better efficiency (9.54%) and fill factor (0.5352). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the unpredictable nature of traumatic events, prospective research into trauma relies upon laboratory methods utilising distressing film scenes to act as a trauma analogue measuring vulnerability factors and testing interventions applied to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is the first study to test whether Virtual Reality (VR) provides a more effective trauma analogue than traditional on-screen presentation by direct comparison of the same real-life trauma film. Participants viewed footage of a staged car accident either presented in VR (N = 31) or on-screen (OS) (N = 30). Both groups recorded sense of presence, pre- and post-film mood and state anxiety. After the film, some participants (VR: n = 18; OS: n = 12) reported involuntary intrusions of the film and recorded the emotionality of these. VR presentation evoked a greater sense of presence, yet both VR and OS presentation elicited negative mood and involuntary intrusions. Although intrusions were more vivid in the VR condition, there were no significant differences in frequency or distress. However, a greater sense of presence, regardless of medium, was predictive of increased emotional reaction to the film and greater intrusion frequency and distress. Therefore, implementing a VR paradigm could be directly beneficial for TFP research concerning sense of presence or vividness of intrusions. The association between enhanced sense of presence and stress response suggests that an effective trauma analogue should be immersive, and VR presentation is a useful medium to elicit a greater sense of immersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium/L-cysteine (V/L-cys) hybrid films with favorable anti-corrosion performance were fabricated on copper substrate based on the coordination between Vanadium and L-cys. The characteristic adsorption of sulfhydryl groups (-SH) in L-cys on copper acts as a bridge for film formation, while the coordination between VO2+ ions and –COOH or NH 2 in L-cys repairs defects and enhances the density of film. The EIS results indicated that the corrosion protection efficiency of V/L-cys film was 99.6 %, which was much higher than that of single L-cys film (91.1 %). Moreover, the immersion test exhibited that V/L-cys film was capable of enduring 300 min of immersion in a 3.5 % NaCl solution, whereas L-cys film could only withstand 60 min of immersion. The durability of V/L-cys film showed a significantly higher level than that of L-cys film. [Display omitted] • A hybrid conversion film was fabricated on the copper surface. • Coordination between VO2+ and L-cys improve the performances of hybrid film. • The corrosion protection efficiency of V/L-cys film was 99.6 %. • The V/L-cys film exhibited excellent durability in NaCl solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we fabricated a glycol chitosan/oxidized hyaluronic acid hydrogel film with promising potential for the dual ophthalmic delivery of dexamethasone (Dex) and levofloxacin (Lev). Utilizing different oxidation degrees of oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA), several blank hydrogel films and Lev-loaded hydrogel films were successfully fabricated. With an increase in the oxidation degree of OHA, the swelling ratio of the hydrogel films decreased accordingly. The hydrogel films displayed a stepwise release of Lev and Dex, with Lev rapidly released from the hydrogel film, followed by a sustained release of Dex. Lev-loaded hydrogel films revealed a potent capacity to inhibit bacterial growth in different bacterial strains. In lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW264.7 macrophages, the formulated hydrogel films displayed potent in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by significantly downregulating various inflammatory cytokines. Overall, the fabricated hydrogel film acting as a dual drug delivery system might be a promising vehicle for the treatment of postoperative endophthalmitis. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was undertaken of ethanol droplet evaporation on structured surfaces of pillars (square pillars of variable dimensions and spacing of order microns, and cylindrical of various spacings). On seasoned perflourodecyltrichlorosilane surfaces, significant films were observed extending far beyond the initial contact line for pure ethanol droplets, most prominently for 4 microlitre droplets. On parylene coated surfaces, similar imbibed films were seen for 1.5 microlitre droplets of 50% by volume ethanol-water mixture. This film acts as an additional surface for evaporation and it appears that the droplet then serves as a reservoir for feeding the film until the evaporation process is completed, rather than evaporation being governed by evaporation at the contact line. The droplets with films show higher evaporation rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By embedding a film of highly aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into a shape memory polymer (SMP), a fourfold increase in resolution of nanostructures raised on demand with a simple laser pointer is achieved. In the design of nanostructured compounds for micro‐optic and microfluidic lab‐on‐chip and security applications, the SMP's imprinted surface modifications act as the active part, while the CNT film aids their fabrication as an efficient broadband absorber converting light into thermal energy and initializing the polymer's shape memory effect. Due to its extraordinarily high thermal conductivity, the CNT film further acts as a highly efficient heat sink dissipating excess heat before it can blur the boundaries of the raised nanostructures' region. A low‐cost fabrication method of those CNT–SMP compounds is presented and how the programming and recovery properties enable the production of nanoscale surface modifications with unprecedented simplicity, flexibility, and resolution is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reversible capacity of AlCl4− intercalation/de‐intercalation in conventional cathodes of aluminum‐ion batteries (AIBs) is difficult to improve due to the large size of AlCl4− anions. Therefore, it is highly desirable to realize the intercalation/de‐intercalation of smaller Al‐based ions. Here, we fabricated polyaniline/single‐walled carbon nanotubes (PANI/SWCNTs) composite films and protonated the PANI nanorods. The protonation endows PANI with more active sites and enhanced conductivity. Hyper self‐protonated PANI (PANI(H+)) exhibits reversible AlCl2+ intercalation/de‐intercalation during the discharge/charge process. As a result, the discharge capacity of the Al/PANI(H+) battery is twice as high as that of the initial composite films. PANI(H+)@SWCNT electrodes also have a stable cycling life with only 0.003 % capacity decay per cycle over 8000 cycles. Owing to the excellent mechanical properties, PANI(H+)@SWCNT composite films can act as the electrodes of flexible AIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reversible capacity of AlCl4− intercalation/de‐intercalation in conventional cathodes of aluminum‐ion batteries (AIBs) is difficult to improve due to the large size of AlCl4− anions. Therefore, it is highly desirable to realize the intercalation/de‐intercalation of smaller Al‐based ions. Here, we fabricated polyaniline/single‐walled carbon nanotubes (PANI/SWCNTs) composite films and protonated the PANI nanorods. The protonation endows PANI with more active sites and enhanced conductivity. Hyper self‐protonated PANI (PANI(H+)) exhibits reversible AlCl2+ intercalation/de‐intercalation during the discharge/charge process. As a result, the discharge capacity of the Al/PANI(H+) battery is twice as high as that of the initial composite films. PANI(H+)@SWCNT electrodes also have a stable cycling life with only 0.003 % capacity decay per cycle over 8000 cycles. Owing to the excellent mechanical properties, PANI(H+)@SWCNT composite films can act as the electrodes of flexible AIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanomaterials with ultraviolet/near-infrared (UV/NIR) shielding property have great potential for developing energy-saving windows. In this work, we report low-cost W 18 O 49 nanorods as UV/NIR shielding material. W 18 O 49 nanorods with the length of ~20 or ~60 nm were prepared by simple solvothermal method, and they exhibited strong size-dependent absorption in the UV/NIR region. By mixing W 18 O 49 nanorods with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), W 18 O 49 @PDMS films were constructed and they could shield 55.58% of UV and 75.89% of NIR light while transmit 58.03% of visible light. A sealed box with W 18 O 49 @PDMS-coated glass as the window exhibited a minimal temperature elevation (△ T = 9.2 °C) compared to those coated with pure glass (△ T = 18.2 °C) or ITO glass (△ T = 12.1 °C), under the irradiation of solar light (0.6 W cm−2). Additionally, the films had a contact angle of 122 ± 2°, showing self-cleaning ability. Therefore, W 18 O 49 @PDMS films can act as cost-efficient UV/NIR-shielding and self-cleaning film. W 18 O 49 nanorods have been developed as ultraviolet/near-infrared (UV/NIR) shielding agent. The corresponding flexible W 18 O 49 @PDMS film can shield 55.58% of UV and 75.89% of NIR light while transmit 58.03% of visible light and have excellent self-cleaning ability. Image 1 • Synthesis of W 18 O 49 nanorods with the length of ~20 or ~60 nm. • Strong NIR photoabsorption of short W 18 O 49 nanorods. • Effective transmittance (58.03%) of visible light and shielding of UV (55.58%) and NIR light (75.89%) by W 18 O 49 @PDMS film. • Excellent self-cleaning ability of W 18 O 49 @PDMS film possesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we have studied the uniaxial tension behaviors of the silicone-carbon nanotube (CNT) laminated structure (SCLS) with the load capacity of the CNT film comparable to that of silicone rubber, based on which a theoretical model is proposed to explore the underlying mechanism. The uniaxial tension behaviors of SCLS can be clearly divided into three stages corresponding to the uniform deformation of silicone rubber and CNT film, continuous fracture of CNT film, and uniaxial tension of silicone rubber, respectively. A zigzag plateau stress is observed in stage II. Indeed, the CNT film can act as a pinning ligament to constrain the deformation of silicone rubber, while its continuous fracture can gradually release the deformability of silicone rubber which is beneficial to increase the toughness of SCLS. By considering the in-plane tension stress of the CNT film and interface shear stress transfer, a continuous fracture and pinning model is proposed which can describe the uniaxial tension behaviors of SCLS very well. The results presented herein may shed useful insights for the design and optimization of the film-substrate based stretchable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the potential to act as the next generation of non-volatile memory, resistive random access memory (RRAM) not only has stable and excellent electrical characteristics, but can also be used in such versatile applications as neuron computing and logic circuit design. However, material selection for RRAM devices to accomplish the metal–insulator–metal (MIM) structure which initiates the resistance switching (RS) mechanism is incomplete because of the many different material characteristics between the metal and insulator. In this work, we demonstrate a via-hole structure, full transparent RRAM (TRRAM) with indium-tin-oxide (ITO) acting as both electrode and middle insulator in the ITO/ITOX/ITO structure. The originally conductive ITO thin film successfully acts as an insulator after a supercritical fluid (SCF) oxidation treatment. This all-ITO RRAM device exhibits superb electrical performance and excellent environmental stability to high temperature without significant degradation in its RS characteristics. In addition, the ITO-based TRRAM also displays stable performance under different light illumination conditions. Another ITO-based TRRAM constructed on soft polyimide (PI) substrate has also been demonstrated. The present all-ITO TRRAM is not only of great interest for future stable transparent electron applications, but it also provides a guideline for the simplification of material selection for transparent electron devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]