An Environment‑Tolerant Ion‑Conducting Double‑Network Composite Hydrogel for High‑Performance Flexible Electronic Devices

High-performance ion-conducting hydrogels(ICHs)are vital for developing flexible electronic devices.However,the robustness and ion-conducting behavior of ICHs deteriorate at extreme tempera-tures,hampering their use in soft electronics.To resolve these issues,a method involving freeze–thawing and ionizing radiation technology is reported herein for synthesizing a novel double-network(DN)ICH based on a poly(ionic liquid)/MXene/poly(vinyl alcohol)(PMP DN ICH)system.The well-designed ICH exhibits outstanding ionic conductivity(63.89 mS cm^(-1) at 25℃),excellent temperature resistance(-60–80℃),prolonged stability(30 d at ambient temperature),high oxidation resist-ance,remarkable antibacterial activity,decent mechanical performance,and adhesion.Additionally,the ICH performs effectively in a flexible wireless strain sensor,thermal sensor,all-solid-state supercapacitor,and single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerator,thereby highlighting its viability in constructing soft electronic devices.The highly integrated gel structure endows these flexible electronic devices with stable,reliable signal output performance.In particular,the all-solid-state supercapacitor containing the PMP DN ICH electrolyte exhibits a high areal specific capacitance of 253.38 mF cm^(-2)(current density,1 mA cm^(-2))and excellent environmental adaptability.This study paves the way for the design and fabrication of high-performance mul-tifunctional/flexible ICHs for wearable sensing,energy-storage,and energy-harvesting applications.

Miniature tunable Airy beam optical meta-device

Tunable Airy beams with controllable propagation trajectories have sparked interest in various fields,such as optical manipulation and laser fabrication.Existing research approaches encounter challenges related to insufficient compactness and integration feasibility,or they require enhanced tunability to enable real-time dynamic manipulation of the propagation trajectory.In this work,we present a novel method that utilizes a dual metasurface system to surpass these limitations,significantly enhancing the practical potential of the Airy beam.Our approach involves encoding a cubic phase profile and two off-axis Fresnel lens phase profiles across the two metasurfaces.The validity of the proposed strategy has been confirmed through simulation and experimental results.The proposed meta-device addresses the existing limitations and lays the foundation for broadening the applicability of Airy beams across diverse domains,encompassing light-sheet microscopy,laser fabrication,optical tweezers,etc.

A mixed-coordination electron trapping-enabled high-precision touch-sensitive screen for wearable devices

Touch-sensitive screens are crucial components of wearable devices.Materials such as reduced graphene oxide(rGO),carbon nanotubes(CNTs),and graphene offer promising solutions for flexible touch-sensitive screens.However,when stacked with flexible substrates to form multilayered capacitive touching sensors,these materials often suffer from substrate delamination in response to deformation;this is due to the materials having different Young’s modulus values.Delamination results in failure to offer accurate touch screen recognition.In this work,we demonstrate an induced charge-based mutual capacitive touching sensor capable of high-precision touch sensing.This is enabled by electron trapping and polarization effects related to mixed-coordinated bonding between copper nanoparticles and vertically grown graphene nanosheets.Here,we used an electron cyclotron resonance system to directly fabricate graphene-metal nanofilms(GMNFs)using carbon and copper,which are firmly adhered to flexible substrates.After being subjected to 3000 bending actions,we observed almost no change in touch sensitivity.The screen interaction system,which has a signal-to-noise ratio of 41.16 dB and resolution of 650 dpi,was tested using a handwritten Chinese character recognition trial and achieved an accuracy of 94.82%.Taken together,these results show the promise of touch-sensitive screens that use directly fabricated GMNFs for wearable devices.

Recent developments in selective laser processes for wearable devices

Recently,the increasing interest in wearable technology for personal healthcare and smart virtual/augmented reality applications has led to the development of facile fabrication methods.Lasers have long been used to develop original solutions to such challenging technological problems due to their remote,sterile,rapid,and site-selective processing of materials.In this review,recent developments in relevant laser processes are summarized under two separate categories.First,transformative approaches,such as for laser-induced graphene,are introduced.In addition to design optimization and the alteration of a native substrate,the latest advances under a transformative approach now enable more complex material compositions and multilayer device configurations through the simultaneous transformation of heterogeneous precursors,or the sequential addition of functional layers coupled with other electronic elements.In addition,the more conventional laser techniques,such as ablation,sintering,and synthesis,can still be used to enhance the functionality of an entire system through the expansion of applicable materials and the adoption of new mechanisms.Later,various wearable device components developed through the corresponding laser processes are discussed,with an emphasis on chemical/physical sensors and energy devices.In addition,special attention is given to applications that use multiple laser sources or processes,which lay the foundation for the all-laser fabrication of wearable devices.

Application value research of swallowing treatment device combined with swallowing rehabilitation training in the treatment of swallowing disorders after stroke

BACKGROUND Stroke is a common disabling disease,whether it is ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke,both can result in neuronal damage,leading to various manifestations of neurological dysfunction.AIM To explore of the application value of swallowing treatment device combined with swallowing rehabilitation training in the treatment of swallowing disorders after stroke.METHODS This study selected 86 patients with swallowing disorders after stroke admitted to our rehabilitation department from February 2022 to December 2023 as research subjects.They were divided into a control group(n=43)and an observation group(n=43)according to the treatment.The control group received swallowing rehabilitation training,while the observation group received swallowing treatment device in addition to the training.Both groups underwent continuous intervention for two courses of treatment.RESULTS The total effective rate in the observation group(93.02%)was higher than that in the control group(76.74%)(P=0.035).After intervention,the oral transit time,swallowing response time,pharyngeal transit time,and laryngeal closure time decreased in both groups compared to before intervention.In the observation group,the oral transit time,swallowing response time,and pharyngeal transit time were shorter than those in the control group after intervention.However,the laryngeal closure time after intervention in the observation group was compared with that in the control group(P=0.142).After intervention,average amplitude value and duration of the genioglossus muscle group during empty swallowing and swallowing 5 mL of water are reduced compared to before intervention in both groups.After intervention,the scores of the chin-tuck swallowing exercise and the Standardized Swallowing Assessment are both reduced compared to pre-intervention levels in both groups.However,the observation group scores lower than the control group after intervention.Additionally,the Functional Oral Intake Scale scores of both groups are increased after intervention compared to pre-intervention levels,with the observation group scoring higher than the control group after intervention(P<0.001).The cumulative incidence of complications in the observation group is 9.30%,which is lower than the 27.91%in the control group(P=0.027).CONCLUSION The combination of swallowing therapy equipment with swallowing rehabilitation training can improve the muscle movement level of the genioglossus muscle group,enhance swallowing function,and prevent the occurrence of swallowing-related complications after stroke.

Clinical efficacy and mechanism study of mid-frequency anti-snoring device in treating moderate obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome

BACKGROUND Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS)is primarily caused by airway obstruction due to narrowing and blockage in the nasal and nasopha-ryngeal,oropharyngeal,soft palate,and tongue base areas.The mid-frequency anti-snoring device is a new technology based on sublingual nerve stimulation.Its principle is to improve the degree of oropharyngeal airway stenosis in OSAHS patients under mid-frequency wave stimulation.Nevertheless,there is a lack of clinical application and imaging evidence.METHODS We selected 50 patients diagnosed with moderate OSAHS in our hospital between July 2022 and August 2023.They underwent a 4-wk treatment regimen involving the mid-frequency anti-snoring device during nighttime sleep.Following the treatment,we monitored and assessed the sleep apnea quality of life index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores.Additionally,we performed computed tomo-graphy scans of the oropharynx in the awake state,during snoring,and while using the mid-frequency anti-snoring device.Cross-sectional area measurements in different states were taken at the narrowest airway point in the soft palate posterior and retrolingual areas.RESULTS Compared to pretreatment measurements,patients exhibited a significant reduction in the apnea-hypopnea index,the percentage of time with oxygen saturation below 90%,snoring frequency,and the duration of the most prolonged apnea event.The lowest oxygen saturation showed a notable increase,and both sleep apnea quality of life index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores improved.Oropharyngeal computed tomography scans revealed that in OSAHS patients cross-sectional areas of the oropharyngeal airway in the soft palate posterior area and retrolingual area decreased during snoring compared to the awake state.Conversely,during mid-frequency anti-snoring device treatment,these areas increased compared to snoring.CONCLUSION The mid-frequency anti-snoring device demonstrates the potential to enhance various sleep parameters in patients with moderate OSAHS,thereby improving their quality of life and reducing daytime sleepiness.These therapeutic effects are attributed to the device’s ability to ameliorate the narrowing of the oropharynx in OSAHS patients.

Viologen-based flexible electrochromic devices

Electrochromic technology has gained significant attention in various fields such as displays,smart windows,biomedical monitoring,military camouflage,human-machine interaction,and electronic skin due to its ability to provide reversible and fast color changes under applied voltage.With the rapid development and increasing demand for flexible electronics,flexible electrochromic devices(FECDs)that offer smarter and more controllable light modulation hold great promise for practical applications.The electrochromic material(ECM)undergoing color changes during the electrochemical reactions is one of the key components in electrochromic devices.Among the ECMs,viologens,a family of organic small molecules with 1,1'-disubstituted-4,4'-dipyridinium salts,have garnered extensive research interest,due to their well-reversible redox reactions,excellent electron acceptance ability,and the ability to produce multiple colors.Notably,viologen-based FECDs demonstrate color changes in the liquid or semisolid electrolyte layer,eliminating the need for two solid electrodes and thus simplifying the device structure.Consequently,viologens offer significant potential for the development of FECDs with high optical contrast,fast response speed,and excellent stability.This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the progress and perspectives of viologen-based FECDs.It begins by summarizing the typical structure and recent exciting developments in viologen-based FECDs,along with their advantages and disadvantages.Furthermore,the review discusses recent advancements in FECDs with additional functionalities such as sensing,photochromism,and energy storage.Finally,the remaining challenges and potential research directions for the future of viologen-based FECDs are addressed.

Device-measured physical activity and sedentary time in the Nordic countries:A scoping review of population-based studies

Purpose:The purpose of this scoping review was to summarize and describe the methodology and results from population-based studies of physical activity and sedentary time measured with devices in the Nordic countries(Denmark,Finland,Iceland,Norway,and Sweden)and published in 2000 or later.Methods:A systematic search was carried out in PubMed and Web of Science in June 2023 using predefined search terms.Results:Fourteen unique research projects or surveillance studies were identified.Additionally,2 surveillance studies published by national agencies were included,resulting in a total of 16 studies for inclusion.National surveillance systems exist in Finland and Norway,with regular survey waves in school-aged children/adolescents and adults.In Denmark,recent nationally representative data have been collected in school children only.So far,Sweden has no regular national surveillance system using device-based data collection.No studies were found from Iceland.The first study was conducted in 2001 and the most recent in 2022,with most data collected from 2016 to date.Five studies included children/adole scents 6-18 years,no study included preschoolers.In total 11 studies included adults,of which 8 also covered older adults.No study focused specifically on older adults.The analytical sample size ranged from 205 to 27,890.Detailed methodology is presented,such as information on sampling strategy,device type and placement,wear protocols,and physical activity classification schemes.Levels of physical activity and sedentary time in children/adolescents,adults,and older adults across the Nordic countries are presented.Conclusion:A growing implementation of device-based population surveillance of physical activity and sedentary behavior in the Nordic countries has been identified.The variety of devices,placement,and data procedures both within and between the Nordic countries highlights the challenges when it comes to comparing study outcomes as well as the need for more standardized data collection.

Recent progresses in thermal treatment of β-Ga_(2)O_(3) single crystals and devices

In recent years,ultra-wide bandgap β-Ga_(2)O_(3) has emerged as a fascinating semiconductor material due to its great potential in power and photoelectric devices.In semiconductor industrial,thermal treatment has been widely utilized as a convenient and effective approach for substrate property modulation and device fabrication.Thus,a thorough summary of β-Ga_(2)O_(3) substrates and devices behaviors after high-temperature treatment should be significant.In this review,we present the recent advances in modulating properties of β-Ga_(2)O_(3) substrates by thermal treatment,which include three major applications:(ⅰ)tuning surface electrical properties,(ⅱ)modifying surface morphology,and(ⅲ)oxidating films.Meanwhile,regulating electrical contacts and handling with radiation damage and ion implantation have also been discussed in device fabrication.In each category,universal annealing conditions were speculated to figure out the corresponding problems,and some unsolved questions were proposed clearly.This review could construct a systematic thermal treatment strategy for various purposes and applications of β-Ga_(2)O_(3).

Numerical studies for plasmas of a linear plasma device HIT-PSI with geometry modified SOLPS-ITER

The HIT-PSI is a linear plasma device built for physically simulating the high heat flux environment of future reactor divertors to test/develop advanced target plate materials.In this study,the geometry-modified SOLPS-ITER program is employed to examine the effects of the magnetic field strength and neutral pressure in the device on the heat flux experienced by the target plate of the HIT-PSI device.The findings of the numerical simulation indicate a positive correlation between the magnetic field strength and the heat flux density.Conversely,there is a negative correlation observed between the heat flux density and the neutral pressure.When the magnetic field strength at the axis exceeds 1 tesla and the neutral pressure falls below 10 Pa,the HIT-PSI has the capability to attain a heat flux of 10 MW·m-2 at the target plate.The simulation results offer a valuable point of reference for subsequent experiments at HIT-PSI.

Recent advances in two-dimensional photovoltaic devices

Two-dimensional(2D)materials have attracted tremendous interest in view of the outstanding optoelectronic properties,showing new possibilities for future photovoltaic devices toward high performance,high specific power and flexibility.In recent years,substantial works have focused on 2D photovoltaic devices,and great progress has been achieved.Here,we present the review of recent advances in 2D photovoltaic devices,focusing on 2D-material-based Schottky junctions,homojunctions,2D−2D heterojunctions,2D−3D heterojunctions,and bulk photovoltaic effect devices.Furthermore,advanced strategies for improving the photovoltaic performances are demonstrated in detail.Finally,conclusions and outlooks are delivered,providing a guideline for the further development of 2D photovoltaic devices.

Unconventional room-temperature negative magnetoresistance effect in Au/n-Ge:Sb/Au devices

Non-magnetic semiconductor materials and their devices have attracted wide attention since they are usually prone to exhibit large positive magnetoresistance(MR)effect in a low static magnetic field environment at room temperature.However,how to obtain a large room-temperature negative MR effect in them remains to be studied.In this paper,by designing an Au/n-Ge:Sb/Au device with metal electrodes located on identical side,we observe an obvious room-temperature negative MR effect in a specific 50 T pulsed high magnetic field direction environment,but not in a static low magnetic field environment.Through the analysis of the experimental measurement of the Hall effect results and bipolar transport theory,we propose that this unconventional negative MR effect is mainly related to the charge accumulation on the surface of the device under the modulation of the stronger Lorentz force provided by the pulsed high magnetic field.This theoretical analytical model is further confirmed by regulating the geometry size of the device.Our work sheds light on the development of novel magnetic sensing,magnetic logic and other devices based on non-magnetic semiconductors operating in pulsed high magnetic field environment.

Neutron irradiation influence on high-power thyristor device under fusion environment

Because of their economy and applicability,high-power thyristor devices are widely used in the power supply systems for large fusion devices.When high-dose neutrons produced by deuterium–tritium(D–T)fusion reactions are irradiated on a thyristor device for a long time,the electrical characteristics of the device change,which may eventually cause irreversible damage.In this study,with the thyristor switch of the commutation circuit in the quench protection system(QPS)of a fusion device as the study object,the relationship between the internal physical structure and external electrical parameters of the irradiated thyristor is established.Subsequently,a series of targeted thyristor physical simulations and neutron irradiation experiments are conducted to verify the accuracy of the theoretical analysis.In addition,the effect of irradiated thyristor electrical characteristic changes on the entire QPS is studied by accurate simulation,providing valuable guidelines for the maintenance and renovation of the QPS.

Light-based 3D printing of stimulus-responsive hydrogels forminiature devices:recent progress and perspective

Miniature devices comprising stimulus-responsive hydrogels with high environmental adaptability are now considered competitive candidates in the fields of biomedicine,precise sensors,and tunable optics.Reliable and advanced fabricationmethods are critical formaximizing the application capabilities ofminiature devices.Light-based three-dimensional(3D)printing technology offers the advantages of a wide range of applicable materials,high processing accuracy,and strong 3D fabrication capability,which is suitable for the development of miniature devices with various functions.This paper summarizes and highlights the recent advances in light-based 3D-printed miniaturized devices,with a focus on the latest breakthroughs in lightbased fabrication technologies,smart stimulus-responsive hydrogels,and tunable miniature devices for the fields of miniature cargo manipulation,targeted drug and cell delivery,active scaffolds,environmental sensing,and optical imaging.Finally,the challenges in the transition of tunable miniaturized devices from the laboratory to practical engineering applications are presented.Future opportunities that will promote the development of tunable microdevices are elaborated,contributing to their improved understanding of these miniature devices and further realizing their practical applications in various fields.

Piezotronic neuromorphic devices:principle,manufacture,and applications

With the arrival of the era of artificial intelligence(AI)and big data,the explosive growth of data has raised higher demands on computer hardware and systems.Neuromorphic techniques inspired by biological nervous systems are expected to be one of the approaches to breaking the von Neumann bottleneck.Piezotronic neuromorphic devices modulate electrical transport characteristics by piezopotential and directly associate external mechanical motion with electrical output signals in an active manner,with the capability to sense/store/process information of external stimuli.In this review,we have presented the piezotronic neuromorphic devices(which are classified into strain-gated piezotronic transistors and piezoelectric nanogenerator-gated field effect transistors based on device structure)and discussed their operating mechanisms and related manufacture techniques.Secondly,we summarized the research progress of piezotronic neuromorphic devices in recent years and provided a detailed discussion on multifunctional applications,including bionic sensing,information storage,logic computing,and electrical/optical artificial synapses.Finally,in the context of future development,challenges,and perspectives,we have discussed how to modulate novel neuromorphic devices with piezotronic effects more effectively.It is believed that the piezotronic neuromorphic devices have great potential for the next generation of interactive sensation/memory/computation to facilitate the development of the Internet of Things,AI,biomedical engineering,etc.

Exploring innovative synthetic solutions for advanced polymer-based electrochromic energy storage devices:Phenoxazine as a promising chromophore

The current investigation offers an innovative synthetic solution regarding electrochromic(EC)and energy storage applications by exploring phenoxazine(POZ)moiety.Subsequently,three POZ-based polymers(polyimide,polyazomethine,and polyamide)were synthesized to ascertain the superior performer.The polyamide exhibited remarkable attributes,including high redox stability during 500 repetitive CVs,optical contrast of 61.98%,rapid response times of 1.02 and 1.38 s for coloring and bleaching,EC efficiency of 280 cm^(2)C^(-1).and decays of the optical density and EC efficiency of only 12.18%and 6.23%after 1000 cycles.Then,the energy storage performance of polyamide PA was tested,for which the following parameters were obtained:74.7 F g^(-1)(CV,scan rate of 10 mV s^(-1))and 118 F g^(-1)(GCD,charging current of 0.1 A g^(-1)).Then,the polyamide was tested in EES devices,which yielded the following EC parameters:an optical contrast of 62.15%,response times of 9.24 and 5.01 s for coloring and bleaching,EC efficiency of 178 cm^(2)C^(-1),and moderate decays of 20.25%and 23.24%for the optical density and EC efficiency after 500 cycles.The energy storage performance included a capacitance of 106 F g^(-1)(CV,scan rate of 0.1 mV s^(-1))and 9.23 F g^(-1)(GCD,charging current of 0.1 A g^(-1)),capacitance decay of 11.9%after500 cycles,and 1.7 V retention after 2 h.Also,two EES devices connected in series powered a 3 V LED for almost 30 s.

Process,Material,and Regulatory Considerations for 3D Printed Medical Devices and Tissue Constructs

Three-dimensional(3D)printing is a highly automated platform that facilitates material deposition in a layer-by-layer approach to fabricate pre-defined 3D complex structures on demand.It is a highly promising technique for the fabrication of personalized medical devices or even patient-specific tissue constructs.Each type of 3D printing technique has its unique advantages and limitations,and the selection of a suitable 3D printing technique is highly dependent on its intended application.In this review paper,we present and highlight some of the critical processes(printing parameters,build orientation,build location,and support structures),material(batch-to-batch consistency,recycling,protein adsorption,biocompatibility,and degradation properties),and regulatory considerations(sterility and mechanical properties)for 3D printing of personalized medical devices.The goal of this review paper is to provide the readers with a good understanding of the various key considerations(process,material,and regulatory)in 3D printing,which are critical for the fabrication of improved patient-specific 3D printed medical devices and tissue constructs.

Light-emitting devices based on atomically thin MoSe_(2)

Atomically thin MoSe_(2) layers,as a core member of the transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDs)family,benefit from their appealing properties,including tunable band gaps,high exciton binding energies,and giant oscillator strengths,thus pro-viding an intriguing platform for optoelectronic applications of light-emitting diodes(LEDs),field-effect transistors(FETs),sin-gle-photon emitters(SPEs),and coherent light sources(CLSs).Moreover,these MoSe_(2) layers can realize strong excitonic emis-sion in the near-infrared wavelengths,which can be combined with the silicon-based integration technologies and further encourage the development of the new generation technologies of on-chip optical interconnection,quantum computing,and quantum information processing.Herein,we overview the state-of-the-art applications of light-emitting devices based on two-dimensional MoSe_(2) layers.Firstly,we introduce recent developments in excitonic emission features from atomically thin MoSe_(2) and their dependences on typical physical fields.Next,we focus on the exciton-polaritons and plasmon-exciton polaritons in MoSe_(2) coupled to the diverse forms of optical microcavities.Then,we highlight the promising applications of LEDs,SPEs,and CLSs based on MoSe_(2) and their heterostructures.Finally,we summarize the challenges and opportunities for high-quality emis-sion of MoSe_(2) and high-performance light-emitting devices.

A Secure Device Management Scheme with Audio-Based Location Distinction in IoT

Identifying a device and detecting a change in its position is critical for secure devices management in the Internet of Things(IoT).In this paper,a device management system is proposed to track the devices by using audio-based location distinction techniques.In the proposed scheme,traditional cryptographic techniques,such as symmetric encryption algorithm,RSA-based signcryption scheme,and audio-based secure transmission,are utilized to provide authentication,non-repudiation,and confidentiality in the information interaction of the management system.Moreover,an audio-based location distinction method is designed to detect the position change of the devices.Specifically,the audio frequency response(AFR)of several frequency points is utilized as a device signature.The device signature has the features as follows.(1)Hardware Signature:different pairs of speaker and microphone have different signatures;(2)Distance Signature:in the same direction,the signatures are different at different distances;and(3)Direction Signature:at the same distance,the signatures are different in different directions.Based on the features above,amovement detection algorithmfor device identification and location distinction is designed.Moreover,a secure communication protocol is also proposed by using traditional cryptographic techniques to provide integrity,authentication,and non-repudiation in the process of information interaction between devices,Access Points(APs),and Severs.Extensive experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed method.The experimental results show that the proposedmethod has a good performance in accuracy and energy consumption.

Kinematics ofmandibular advancement devices(MADs):Why do some MADs move the lower jaw backward duringmouth opening?

Mandibular advancement devices(MADs)are widely used treatments for obstructive sleep apnea.MADs function by advancing the lower jaw to open the upper airway.To increase patient comfort,most patients allow the mouth to be opened.However,not all systems maintain the lower jaw in a forward position during mouth opening,which results in the production of a retrusion that favors the collapse of the upper airway.Furthermore,the kinematic behavior of the mechanism formed by the mandible-device assembly depends on jaw morphology.This means that,during mouth opening,some devices cause lower jaw protrusion in some patients,but cause its retraction in others.In this study,we report the behavior of well-known devices currently on themarket.To do so,we developed a kinematic model of the lower jawdevice assembly.Thismodelwas validated for all devices analyzed using a high-resolution camera system.Our results show that some of the devices analyzed here did not produce the correct behavior during patient mouth opening.