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Nano-kirigami method enables rich diversity of structural geometries that significantly broaden the functionalities of optical micro/nano-devices. However, the methodologies of various nano-kirigami are still limited and as a result, the chiral nano-kirigami structure has yet been pushed to the limit for operation at visible wavelength region. Here, the merits of the various nano-kirigami strategies are comprehensively explored and bio-inspired nano-cilia metasurface with enhanced circular dichroism at visible wavelengths is demonstrated. The stereo chiral nano-cilia metasurface is designed with three-fold rotational symmetry, which exhibits tuneable chiroptical responses when the nano-cilia are deformed to form strong chiral light–matter interactions. By employing electron-beam lithography (EBL) and focused ion beam (FIB) lithography, on-chip nano-cilia metasurfaces are experimentally realized in near-infrared wavelengths region and at visible wavelengths, respectively, successfully validating the giant circular dichroism revealed in simulations. Our work is useful to broaden the existing platform of micro/nano-scale manufacturing and could provide an effective method for the realization of versatile bioinspired nanostructures with profound chiroptical responses.

This study presents an innovative approach to attitude control in microsatellites by utilizing a spherical magnetohydrodynamic attitude control device (MHD-SACD) for three-axis attitude adjustments. A novel method is developed to quantify the output torque generated by this device, analyzing the relationship between torque, voltage, and average fluid velocity. Utilizing the energy conservation principle, an equivalent coupling circuit for the MHD-SACD is derived to assess its power dynamics. This leads to the formulation of the electromagnetic torque equation. Additionally, simulations are conducted to calculate friction torque and resultant output torque. The findings provide a qualitative assessment of the device's torque characteristics, serving as a reference for future design optimization and setting the stage for subsequent experimental investigations. This study introduces a groundbreaking perspective to the domain of microsatellite attitude control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of zinc metal anodes (ZMAs) for use in emerging aqueous electrochemical devices like rechargeable zinc-ion batteries and hybrid capacitors is substantial, owing to their high theoretical capacity, low redox potential, non-toxicity, abundant availability, and cost-effectiveness. However, the practical application of ZMAs faces limitations due to issues such as uncontrolled zinc dendrite growth and side reactions. In this study, we demonstrate that simultaneously incorporating scandium ions (Sc3+) and acetate anions (Ac−) as electrolyte additives into a common ZnSO4 solution significantly enhances the cycling stability and reversibility of ZMAs. Our findings reveal that the Ac− acts as a pH regulator, dynamically buffering the electrolyte pH to be around 4.3, effectively suppressing water-induced side reactions. Additionally, the synergistic effect of Sc3+ and Ac− (Sc3+/Ac−) facilitates the desolation process of Zn2+ and lowers the energy barrier for electrochemical Zn plating, resulting in uniform Zn plating without noticeable zinc dendrite growth. Consequently, Zn‖Zn symmetric cells utilizing the Sc3+/Ac− electrolyte additive exhibit an ultra-long lifespan exceeding 1000 hours at 2.0 mA cm−2 and 1.0 mA h cm−2. Moreover, the Zn‖Cu cell demonstrates a high average coulombic efficiency of 99.4% after 400 plating/stripping cycles at 1.0 mA cm−2 and 1.0 mA h cm−2. Notably, when paired with an activated carbon (AC) cathode, Zn‖AC hybrid capacitors maintain a high-specific capacity of 62 mA h g−1 after 10 000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1. The research outcomes indicate that Sc3+ in combination with Ac− are promising electrolyte additives for achieving highly stable aqueous ZMAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optically spatial displacement and material modification hold great potential for the appealing applications in nanofabrication and reconfiguration of functional optical devices. Here, we propose and demonstrate a scheme to achieve simultaneous deformation and phase change in vanadium dioxide (VO2)/Si3N4/Au hybrid nanostructures by laser stimuli. Low triggering threshold and significant deformation characteristics of VO2, based on controllable phase transition, are demonstrated in microscale cantilevers. The plasmonic properties of the nanostructure array are further utilized to achieve a polarization-selective dynamic response. The persistence of deformation and dynamical optical modulation are further demonstrated. Such high-precision fabrication methods and non-contact reconfiguration methods are useful for future applications in dynamic optical manipulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organosulfur materials containing sulfur–sulfur bonds are an emerging class of high‐capacity cathodes for lithium storage. However, it remains a great challenge to achieve rapid conversion reaction kinetics at practical testing conditions of high cathode mass loading and low electrolyte utilization. In this study, a Li‐rich pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile/selenium disulfide (pPAN/Se2S3) composite cathode is synthesized by deep lithiation to address the above challenges. The Li‐rich molecular structure significantly boosts the lithium storage kinetics by accelerating lithium diffusivity and improving electronic conductivity. Even under practical test conditions requiring a lean electrolyte (Electrolyte/sulfur ratio of 4.1 μL mg−1) and high loading (7 mg cm−2 of pPAN/Se2S3), DL‐pPAN/Se2S3 exhibits a specific capacity of 558 mAh g−1, maintaining 484 mAh g−1 at the 100th cycle with an average Coulombic efficiency of near 100%. Moreover, it provides (electro)chemically stable Li resources to offset Li consumption over charge–discharge cycles. As a result the as‐fabricated anode‐free cell shows a superior cycling stability with 90% retention of the initial capacity over 45 cycles. This study provides a novel approach for fabricating high‐energy and stable Li–SPAN cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern studies have shown that neuroendocrine disorders caused by the dysfunction of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis are one of the important pathogenetic mechanisms of kidney‐yang‐deficiency‐syndrome (KYDS). The preventive effect of Gushudan on KYDS has been reported, but its regulatory mechanisms on the HPG axis have not been elucidated. In this study, we developed an integrated untargeted and targeted metabolomics analysis strategy to investigate the regulatory mechanism of Gushudan on the HPG axis in rats with KYDS. In untargeted metabolomics, we screened 14 potential biomarkers such as glycine, lysine, and glycerol that were significantly associated with the HPG axis. To explore the effect of changes in the levels of potential biomarkers on KYDS, all of them were quantified in targeted metabolomics. With the quantitative results, correlations between potential biomarkers and testosterone, a functional indicator of the HPG axis, were explored. The results showed that oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and energy depletion, induced by metabolic disorders in rats, were responsible for the decrease in testosterone levels. Gushudan improves metabolic disorders and restores testosterone levels, thus restoring HPG axis dysfunction. This finding elucidates the special metabolic characteristics of KYDS and the therapeutic mechanism of Gushudan from a new perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]