Photoprotective Ability of Sunscreens against Ultraviolet, Visible Light and Near-Infrared Radiation

Despite the widespread prevalence of daily sunscreen usage, solar-induced skin damage continues to occur. We have previously reported that solar visible light and near-infrared, in addition to ultraviolet radiation, perform as aging factors and induce deleterious effects such as photoaging, vasodilation, muscle thinning, skin ptosis, photoimmunosupression and photocarcinogenesis. Despite this, most commonly used sunscreens only block ultraviolet radiation. To evaluate the complete solar-spectrum blocking ability of sunscreens produced by internationally well-known companies, a double-beam spectrophotometer was used to optically measure the transmission spectra. The spectrophotometer utilizes a unique, single monochromatic design covering a wavelength range of 240 to 2600 nm. Sunscreens (thickness, 0.1 mm, SPF50+, PA+++ or ++++) from internationally well-known companies blocked 78.8% - 99.9% of ultraviolet, 33.4% - 99.6% of visible light, and 27.0% - 76.4% of near-infrared. It can be concluded that while most commercially available sunscreens filter ultraviolet radiation, they are not effective at blocking visible light and near-infrared radiation. The results of this study imply that sunscreens that provide comprehensive photoprotection from ultraviolet through to near-infrared should be considered to prevent skin photodamage.

Novel Low Viscosity Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxides and Erioglaucine Sunscreen Potential to Protect from Ultraviolet, Visible Light and Near-Infrared Radiation

Despite the widespread recommendation and use of sunscreens and ultraviolet blocking materials, solar-induced skin damage and photoageing continues to pose a problem to human health worldwide. We have previously reported that solar visible light and near-infrared also contribute to skin damage and photo ageing. Most commonly recommended sunscreens are only effective throughout the UV spectrum, offering no protection from visible light and near-infrared. A possible solution could be to augment sunscreens with metal oxides which block visible light and near-infrared radiation. To evaluate the enhanced solar-spectrum blocking ability of novel low viscosity sunscreen containing zinc and iron oxides, a double-beam spectrophotometer was used to optically measure the transmission spectra. The spectrophotometer deploys a unique, single monochromatic design to detect wavelength penetration in the range of 240 to 2600 nm. The Sunscreen base without zinc oxide and iron oxides (control) blocked over 80% of ultraviolet-C and ultraviolet-B but did not block ultraviolet-A, visible light, or near-infrared. The novel low viscosity zinc oxide sample blocked almost over 90% ultraviolet, but did not block visible light and near-infrared sufficiently. However, the samples with the novel low viscosity zinc oxide, iron oxides and erioglaucine blocked almost over 90% of ultraviolet, visible light and near-infrared. It can be concluded that this novel combination of low viscosity zinc oxide, iron oxides and erioglaucine is effective at blocking ultraviolet, visible light and near-infrared radiation. The results of this study imply that sunscreens that provide comprehensive photoprotection from ultraviolet through to near-infrared should be adopted to prevent skin photodamage.

Photoprotective Ability of Colored Iron Oxides in Tinted Sunscreens against Ultraviolet, Visible Light and Near-Infrared Radiation

Solar-induced skin damage continues to pose a problem to human health worldwide, despite the widespread recommendation and use of sunscreens. We have previously reported that solar visible light and near-infrared also contribute to skin damage and photoageing. Most commonly recommended sunscreens are only effective throughout the UV spectrum, offering no protection from visible light and near-infrared. To evaluate the enhanced solar-spectrum blocking ability of iron oxides, a double-beam spectrophotometer was used to optically measure the transmission spectra. The spectrophotometer deploys a unique, single monochromatic design to detect wavelength penetration in the range of 240 to 2600 nm. The sample without iron oxide (control) blocked over 80% of ultraviolet-C and ultraviolet-B but did not block ultraviolet-A, visible light, or near-infrared wavelengths. The samples with yellow, and red iron oxide blocked over 90% ultraviolet, but did not block visible light and near-infrared effectively. The sample with black iron oxide blocked visible light, and near-infrared effectively compared with other samples with yellow, blue, and red iron oxide. The sample with red and black iron oxides, and the sample with yellow, blue, red, and black iron oxides blocked ultraviolet through to near-infrared. It can be concluded that dark colored iron oxide combinations are effective at blocking from ultraviolet through to visible light and near-infrared radiation. The results of this study may also suggest that biological colour of human skin and subcutaneous tissues are conserved for comprehensive photoprotection.

High efficiency and high transmission asymmetric polarization converter with chiral metasurface in visible and near-infrared region

Polarization manipulation of light is of great importance because it could promote development of wireless communications,biosensing,and polarization imaging.In order to use natural light more efficiently,it is highly demanded to design and fabricate high performance asymmetric polarization converters which could covert the natural light to one particular linearly polarized light with high efficiency.Traditionally,polarizers could be achieved by controllers with crystals and polymers exhibiting birefringence.However,the polarizers are bulky in size and the theoretical conversion efficiency of the polarizers is limited to 0.5 with unpolarized light incidence.In this paper,we propose a polarization converter which could preserve high transmission for one linearly polarized light and convert the orthogonal linearly polarized light to its cross-polarized with high transmittance based on a multi-layer chiral metasurface.Theoretical results show that normally incident y-polarized light preserves high transmittance for the wavelength range from 685 nm to 800 nm while the orthogonal normally incident x-polarized light is efficiently converted to the y-polarized light with high transmittance from 725 nm to 748 nm.Accordingly,for unpolarized light incidence,transmittance larger than 0.5 has been successfully achieved in a broadband wavelength range from 712 nm to 773 nm with a maximum transmittance of 0.58 at 732 nm.

Near-infrared lead chalcogenide quantum dots:Synthesis and applications in light emitting diodes

This paper reviews the recent progress in the synthesis of near-infrared(NIR) lead chalcogenide(PbX;PbX = PbS,PbSe, PbTe) quantum dots(QDs) and their applications in NIR QDs based light emitting diodes(NIR-QLEDs). It summarizes the strategies of how to synthesize high efficiency PbX QDs and how to realize high performance Pb X based NIR-QLEDs.

Structured Light 3D Vision Based on Laser Scanning Space-encoding and Its Synchro Control

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Multi-watt near-infrared light therapy as a neuroregenerative treatment for traumatic brain injury

Infrared light represents a broad spectrum of light with wavelengths from 700 nm to 1 million nm（1,000 microns）.At its shortest wavelengths（referred to as near-infrared）,it merges with the red spectrum of visible light.At the longest end（referred to as far-infrared）,it blends into the range of microwaves.

Image charge effect on the light emission of rutile TiO2(110) induced by a scanning tunneling microscope

The plasmon-enhanced light emission of rutile TiO2（110） surface has been investigated by a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope （STM）. We found that the photon emission arises from the inelastic electron tunneling between the STM tip and the conduction band or defect states of TiO2（110）. In contrast to the Au（111） surface, the maximum photon energy as a function of the bias voltage clearly deviates from the linear scaling behavior, suggesting the non-negligible effect of the STM tip on the band structure of TiO2. By performing differential conductance （dl/dV） measurements, it was revealed that such a deviation is not related to the tip-induced band bending, but is attributed to the image charge effect of the metal tip, which significantly shifts the band edges of the TiO2（110） towards the Femi level （EF） during the tunneling process. This work not only sheds new lights onto the understanding of plasmon-enhanced light emission of semiconductor surfaces, but also opens up a new avenue for engineering the plasmon-mediated interfacial charge transfer in molecular and semiconducting materials.

Biological Defenses against Ultra-Violet, Visible Light, and Near-Infrared Exposure

Objective: Humans are increasingly exposed to artificial light and electromagnetic wave radiation, in addition to solar radiation. Many studies have shown the biological effects of ultra-violet and near-infrared exposure, but few have extensively investigated the innate biological defenses within human tissues against visible light and near-infrared exposure. Herein, we investigated spectral properties of endogenous human biological defenses against ultra-violet to near-infrared. Methods: A double-beam spectrophotometer (190 - 2700 nm) was used to measure the transmission spectra of a saline solution used to imitate perspiration, and oil to imitate sebum, as well as human skin, blood, adipose tissue, and muscle. Results: Saline (thickness, 0.5 mm) blocked 27.5% - 98.6% of ultra-violet, 13.2% - 34.3% of visible light, and 10.7% - 99.8% of near-infrared. Oil (thickness, 0.5 mm) blocked 50.5% - 100% of ultra-violet, 28.7% - 54.8% of visible light, and 19.0% - 98.3% of near-infrared. Blood thicknesses of 0.05 and 0.5 mm blocked over 97.8%, 100% of ultra-violet, over 94.6%, 99.7% of visible light, and over 75.8%, 99.4% of near-infrared, respectively. Skin thicknesses of 0.25 and 0.5 mm blocked over 99.4%, 100% of ultra-violet and over 94.3%, 99.7% of visible light, and over 74.7%, 93.5% of near-infrared, respectively. Adipose tissue thickness of 0.25 and0.5 mm blocked over 98.3%, 100% of ultra-violet, over 94.7%, 99.7% of visible light, and over 88.1%, 98.6% of near-infrared, respectively. Muscle thickness of 0.25 and0.5 mm blocked over 95.4%, 99.8% of ultra-violet, over 93.1%, 99.5% of visible light, and over 86.9%, 98.3% of near-infrared, respectively. Conclusions: Humans possess endogenous biological protection against ultra-violet, visible light and near-infrared exposure on multiple levels, including through perspiration, sebum, blood, skin, adipose tissue, and muscle. Since solar and artificial radiation affects human tissues, biological defenses made of biological materials may be induced to protect subcutaneous tissues against these wavelengths.

Dynamic aggregation of carbon dots self-stabilizes symmetry breaking for exceptional hydrogen production with near-infrared light

Developing new photosystems that integrate broad-band near-infrared(NIR)light harvesting and efficient charge separation is a long-sought goal in the photocatalytic community.In this work,we develop a novel photochemical strategy to prepare light-active carbon dots(CDs)under room temperature and discover that the aggregation of CDs can broaden the light absorption to the NIR region due to the electronic couplings between neighboring CDs.Importantly,the dynamic noncovalent interactions within CD aggregates can stabilize symmetry breaking and thus induce large dipole moments for charge separation and transfer.Furthermore,the weak non-covalent interactions allow for flexible design of the aggregated degrees and the local electronic structures of CD aggregates,further strengthening NIR-light harvesting and charge separation efficiency.As a result,the CD aggregates achieve a record apparent quantum yield of 13.5%at 800 nm,which is one of the best-reported values for NIR-light-driven hydrogen photosynthesis to date.Moreover,we have prepared a series of different CDs and also observed that these CDs after aggregation all exhibit outstanding NIR-responsive photocatalytic hydrogen production activity,suggesting the universality of aggregation-enhanced photocatalysis.This discovery opens a new promising platform for using CD aggregates as efficient light absorbers for solar conversion.

Achieving near-infrared-light-mediated switchable friction regulation on MXene-based double network hydrogels

MXene possesses great potential in enriching the functionalities of hydrogels due to its unique metallic conductivity,high aspect ratio,near-infrared light(NIR light)responsiveness,and wide tunability,however,the poor compatibility of MXene with hydrogels limits further applications.In this work,we report a uniformly dispersed MXene-functionalized poly-N-isopropylacrylamide(PNIPAM)/poly-2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid(PAMPS)double network hydrogel(M–DN hydrogel)that can achieve switchable friction regulation by using the NIR light.The dispersity of MXene in hydrogels was significantly improved by incorporating the chitosan(CS)polymer.This M–DN hydrogel showed much low coefficient of friction(COF)at 25℃ due to the presence of hydration layer on hydrogel surface.After illuminating with the NIR light,M–DN hydrogel with good photothermal effect rapidly raised the temperature to above the lower critical solution temperature(LCST),which led to an obvious increase of surface COF owing to the destruction of the hydration layer.In addition,M–DN friction control hydrogel showed good recyclability and controllability by tuning“on-off”of the NIR light.This work highlights the construction of functional MXene hydrogels for intelligent lubrication,which provides insight for interface sensing,controlled transmission,and flexible robotic arms.

pH- and near-infrared light-responsive,biomimetic hydrogels from aqueous dispersions of carbon nanotubes

Owing to their low flexibility,poor processability and a lack of responsiveness,inorganic materials are usually non-ideal for constructing a living organism.Hence,to date,lifelike materials with structural hierarchies and adaptive properties usually rely on light and soft organic molecules,although few exceptions have been acquired using two-dimensional(2D)inorganic nanosheets.Herein,with a systematic study on the gelation behavior of carbon-based 0D quantum dots,1D nanotubes,and 3D fullerenes,we find that acidified 1D carbon nanotubes(CNTs)can serve as an alternative building block for fabricating purely inorganic biomimetic soft materials.The as-prepared CNT gels exhibit not only a pH-or photothermal-triggered mechanical and tribological adaptivity,which allows them to simulate the behavior of sea cucumbers,peacock mantis shrimps,and mammalian muscles or cortical bones,but also a unique damping property that is similar to spider’s cuticular pad.Their high elasticity,effective lubrication,excellent biocompatibility,and controllable friction and wear also allow them to function as a new type of smart lubricants,whose tribological properties can be regulated either by its internal pH changes or spatiotemporally by near-infrared(NIR)light irradiations,free of any toxic and flammable base oils or additives.

Mapping tree canopies in urban environments using airborne laser scanning (ALS):a Vancouver case study

Background: The distribution of forest vegetation within urban environments is critically important as it influences urban environmental conditions and the energy exchange through the absorption of solar radiation and modulation of evapotranspiration. It also plays an important role filtering urban water systems and reducing storm water runoff.Methods: We investigate the capacity of ALS data to individually detect, map and characterize large(taller than15 m) trees within the City of Vancouver. Large trees are critical for the function and character of Vancouver’s urban forest. We used an object-based approach for individual tree detection and segmentation to determine tree locations(position of the stem), to delineate the shape of the crowns and to categorize the latter either as coniferous or deciduous.Results: Results indicate a detection rate of 76.6% for trees > 15 m with a positioning error of 2.11 m(stem location). Extracted tree heights possessed a RMSE of 2.60 m and a bias of-1.87 m, whereas crown diameter was derived with a RMSE of 3.85 m and a bias of-2.06 m. Missed trees are principally a result of undetected treetops occurring in dense, overlapping canopies with more accurate detection and delineation of trees in open areas.Conclusion: By identifying key structural trees across Vancouver’s urban forests, we can better understand their role in providing ecosystem goods and services for city residents.

New LED light source system with uniform illumination for line-scan CCD imaging systems

A system with uniform light reflection in the inner surface within a horizontal 2/3 cylindrical structure for line-scan CCD of the print testing was designed. The design was based on diffuse reflection uniformity of the integrating sphere and requirement of the strip uniform illumination region. This system was called dome light. White light LED array light sources were used for uniform illumi- nation. The LEDs were filtrated to composite array light source based on coefficient of variation of a single LED. The standard white board and SG color checkers were used in the line-scan CCD imaging experiments under the dome light and ordinary illumination light source. The average color difference （AE） of SG color checkers in CIELAB space was 2. 091 under the dome light and 2. 286 under ordinary illumination light source respectively. Experimental results indicate that the dome light can satisfy illumination uniformity and color rendering consistency for line-scan CCD and provide a standard light source for uniform calibration of different cameras.

扫描式微透镜阵列系统的角放大率特性研究

扫描式微透镜阵列系统通过微动扫描成像,能够有效解决小行程与大视场之间的矛盾。扫描式微透镜阵列一般采用开普勒式望远结构,通过镜片横向相对位移实现视场扫描。本文提出了一种基于开普勒式望远结构的四片式微透镜阵列,探究了微透镜阵列的角放大率对于3~5μm波段的扫描式微透镜阵列系统的影响。当角放大率小于1时,经过串扰产生的杂散光较多,系统的能量利用率上限受到限制,导致衍射极限受到限制。角放大率越大,能量利用率上限越高,当角放大率从0.67^(×)改变为0.83^(×),能量利用率可以从43%提升到69%。当角放大率大于1时,系统的能量利用率不再受到结构限制,在抑制串扰的条件下,优化得到角放大率为1.5^(×)的结构。对其像质进行评价,各扫描视场RMS半径达到探测器像元尺寸,MTF达到0.6@17 lp/mm。角放大率作为表征微透镜阵列结构特点的参数,与系统能量利用率相关,从而影响像质,因此对于角放大率的分析与研究可为扫描式微透镜阵列系统的设计与实现提供依据。

用于应力双折射分布测量的多构型扫描系统设计

为了实现对不同构型光学样品进行应力双折射分布测量,在使用双弹光调制方法的基础上,设计了一种应用于双折射分布测量的多构型扫描系统。该系统在保证测量的高分辨率的同时,通过保持激光器静止,同时使样品进行快速移动,提高了测量精度与广度。在样品测量方面,采用633 nm(1/4)玻片测试,测试相对误差的范围为0.79%~0.95%,波动范围为0.12 nm,标准差为0.0352;采用BK7玻璃样品测试,波动范围为0.25 nm,标准差为0.0389。在扫描精度方面,连续扫描精度误差不超过0.05 mm,连续寸动扫描精度误差不超过0.009 mm。对比实验结果可得出,该多构型扫描系统可有效解决对样品任一区域实现高精度应力双折射测量的问题。

种子植物不同毛被和质地的叶片制备改进方法研究

为了改进一种适用于毛被特征和质地均不同的叶表皮特征观察的种子植物叶表皮制片方法,选择具有纸质叶和革质叶代表性的6种种子植物为研究材料,在稀硝酸和冰醋酸混合物中浸泡并搅拌使叶表面毛被(或鳞片)脱离,然后在冰醋酸和双氧水混合物中分离上、下表皮,再用乳酸透明后用1%番红染色,封片后用光学显微镜观察叶表皮特征,并将其与扫描电镜特征比较分析。结果显示:(1)数码相机拍照观察叶上表面可看出,2种质地6种植物叶片上表面均比较光滑,无毛或无明显的毛被;体视显微镜观察叶下表面可看出,薄荷叶和车前叶都较为平整无非腺毛,野艾蒿叶密被蛛丝状绒毛,胡颓子叶密被鳞片,山楂叶可以看到各级网脉,枸骨叶可以看到“黑点”状的下陷气孔。(2)改进叶表皮制片方法能有效去除纸质叶和革质叶叶表面的毛被或鳞片,并分离出上、下表皮,能够清晰观察到扫描电子显微镜下观察不到的叶表皮特征,包括表皮细胞形状、垂周壁式样、腺毛和气孔类型等。(3)对于角质层厚的革质叶和毛被(或鳞片)厚重的纸质叶或革质叶,扫描电子显微镜分辨率高,可以清晰观察到角质层或蜡质层颗粒和毛被或鳞片的纹理,但无法观察表皮细胞垂周壁式样和气孔类型;光学显微镜可以观察到表皮细胞垂周壁式样、气孔类型、毛被类型等特征,但无法观察到角质层或蜡质层颗粒和毛被或鳞片的纹理。可得结论:叶表皮制片新方法可以较好地分离纸质叶和革质叶的上、下表皮,从而获得理想的叶表皮制片,能够清晰观察叶表皮特征。

智能染色技术内镜在鼻咽部病变诊断中的应用探索

目的 比较白光内镜和智能染色技术(i-Scan)内镜对鼻咽肿物的诊断价值。方法 选择2019年1月-2021年12月于该科发现鼻咽肿物并取得活检病理结果的患者127例作为研究对象。其中,2019年1月-2020年12月使用白光内镜的59例,2021年1月-2021年12月使用i-Scan内镜的68例。以病理结果为金标准,比较两组患者的诊断准确率;评估i-Scan内镜下鼻咽肿物的微血管形态和病变边界等,并与病理结果进行相关性分析。结果 i-Scan内镜诊断鼻咽肿物的特异度和准确率高于白光内镜(91.80%和86.00%,91.17%和86.44%),敏感度低于白光内镜(85.71%和88.89%),但差异均无统计学意义(P> 0.05);i-Scan组诊断一致性较白光组略高(Kappa值为0.619和0.588);i-Scan组病变部位边界评分、微血管评分,以及两者总分,与病理评分呈正相关(r=0.429,r=0.421和r=0.460),差异均有统计学意义(P <0.05);对于鼻咽癌,内镜下均观察到典型的紊乱扭曲黏膜下血管(SV)和树枝状血管(BV)等,对于大部分良性病变,内镜下可观察到扩张且分布规律的SV和BV,无论病理良恶性,鼻咽部未观察到明显的上皮内乳头状毛细血管袢(IPCL)。结论 i-Scan内镜对鼻咽肿物诊断效能高于白光内镜。

汽车流水槽成形性分析及回弹研究

根据客户要求并结合流水槽形状特点,确定冲压工艺方案,利用Autoform R8软件进行CAE成形分析,获得零件回弹方向及回弹量,确定最佳拉深造型。通过现场零件质量验证工艺方案的可行性,最后对零件进行白光扫描,运用GOM软件对比扫描数据与零件数据,验证前期CAE分析的可靠性,该方案对类似零件的开发提供了参考依据。

Persistent radical anion of perylene dianhydride:an emerging metal-free photocatalyst for near-infrared photocontrolled RAFT polymerization

Developing a new type of photocatalyst(PC) and catalytic mechanism for near-infrared(NIR) photocontrolled reversibledeactivation radical polymerization(RDRP) system is charming but challenging.Herein,a novel PC of the persistent radical anion(PRA)(possessing the properties of both radical and anion) was developed for NIR photocontrolled reversible additionfragmentation chain transfer(RAFT) polymerization,enabling successful polymerization while gaining a deep insight into the mechanism of photo-induced electron transfer RAFT(PET-RAFT) polymerization.Different from the conventional and wellaccepted reductive quenching(RQ) pathway,in which the radical anion intermediates of PCs(PCs^(·-)) must be generated in an excited state(ES),here,the PRA(3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride radical anion(PTCDA^(·-))) could generate conveniently in situ in the ground state(GS) and subsequently serve as highly efficient PC in the NIR region(740–850 nm).The successful implementation of this strategy elucidates the peculiar role played by light and the real way of electron transfer behaviors.In fact,the transfer of a single electron from PRA to chain transfer agent(CTA) and cleavage of the C–S bonds is a process from ES to GS,rather than always from GS(PCs^(·-)) to GS(CTA) in the RQ pathway as is well known to all.In addition,the excellent spatial-temporal control and powerful penetration ability of the NIR light were also confirmed by this PRAcatalyzed polymerization system.