High photoelectric conversion efficiency and fast relaxation time of FA_(0.4)MA_(0.6)PbI_(3) applied in ultrafast modulation of terahertz waves

Active control of terahertz(THz)waves is attracting tremendous attentions in terahertz communications and active photonic devices.Perovskite,due to its excellent photoelectric conversion performance and simple manufacturing process,has emerged as a promising candidate for optoelectronic applications.However,the exploration of perovskites in optically controlled THz modulators is still limited.In this work,the photoelectric properties and carrier dynamics of FA_(0.4)MA_(0.6)PbI_(3)perovskite films were investigated by optical pumped terahertz probe(OPTP)system.The ultrafast carrier dynamics reveal that FA_(0.4)MA_(0.6)PbI_(3)thin film exhibits rapid switching and relaxation time within picosecond level,suggesting that FA_(0.4)MA_(0.6)PbI_(3)is an ideal candidate for active THz devices with ultrafast response.Furthermore,as a proof of concept,a FA_(0.4)MA_(0.6)PbI_(3)-based metadevice with integrating plasma-induced transparency(PIT)effect was fabricated to achieve ultrafast modulation of THz wave.The experimental results demonstrated that the switching time of FA_(0.4)MA_(0.6)PbI_(3)-based THz modulator is near to 3.5 ps,and the threshold of optical pump is as low as 12.7μJ cm^(-2).The simulation results attribute the mechanism of ultrafast THz modulation to photo-induced free carriers in the FA_(0.4)MA_(0.6)PbI_(3)layer,which progressively shorten the capacitive gap of PIT resonator.This study not only illuminates the potential of FA_(0.4)MA_(0.6)PbI_(3)in THz modulation,but also contributes to the field of ultrafast photonic devices.

Ionic Liquid-Enhanced Assembly of Nanomaterials for Highly Stable Flexible Transparent Electrodes

The controlled assembly of nanomaterials has demon-strated significant potential in advancing technological devices.However,achieving highly efficient and low-loss assembly technique for nanomate-rials,enabling the creation of hierarchical structures with distinctive func-tionalities,remains a formidable challenge.Here,we present a method for nanomaterial assembly enhanced by ionic liquids,which enables the fabrication of highly stable,flexible,and transparent electrodes featuring an organized layered structure.The utilization of hydrophobic and non-volatile ionic liquids facilitates the production of stable interfaces with water,effectively preventing the sedimentation of 1D/2D nanomaterials assembled at the interface.Furthermore,the interfacially assembled nanomaterial monolayer exhibits an alternate self-climbing behavior,enabling layer-by-layer transfer and the formation of a well-ordered MXene-wrapped silver nanowire network film.The resulting composite film not only demonstrates exceptional photoelectric performance with a sheet resistance of 9.4Ωsq^(-1) and 93%transmittance,but also showcases remarkable environmental stability and mechanical flexibility.Particularly noteworthy is its application in transparent electromagnetic interference shielding materials and triboelectric nanogenerator devices.This research introduces an innovative approach to manufacture and tailor functional devices based on ordered nanomaterials.

Flexible, Transparent and Conductive Metal Mesh Films with Ultra‑High FoM for Stretchable Heating and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

Despite the growing demand for transparent conductive films in smart and wearable electronics for electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding,achieving a flexible EMI shielding film,while maintaining a high transmittance remains a significant challenge.Herein,a flexible,transparent,and conductive copper(Cu)metal mesh film for EMI shielding is fabricated by self-forming crackle template method and electroplating technique.The Cu mesh film shows an ultra-low sheet resistance(0.18Ω□^(-1)),high transmittance(85.8%@550 nm),and ultra-high figure of merit(>13,000).It also has satisfactory stretchability and mechanical stability,with a resistance increases of only 1.3%after 1,000 bending cycles.As a stretchable heater(ε>30%),the saturation temperature of the film can reach over 110°C within 60 s at 1.00 V applied voltage.Moreover,the metal mesh film exhibits outstanding average EMI shielding effectiveness of 40.4 dB in the X-band at the thickness of 2.5μm.As a demonstration,it is used as a transparent window for shielding the wireless communication electromagnetic waves.Therefore,the flexible and transparent conductive Cu mesh film proposed in this work provides a promising candidate for the next-generation EMI shielding applications.

Highly Porous Yet Transparent Mechanically Flexible Aerogels Realizing Solar-Thermal Regulatory Cooling

The demand for highly porous yet transparent aerogels with mechanical flexibility and solar-thermal dual-regulation for energy-saving windows is significant but challenging.Herein,a delaminated aerogel film(DAF)is fabricated through filtration-induced delaminated gelation and ambient drying.The delaminated gelation process involves the assembly of fluorinated cellulose nanofiber(FCNF)at the solid-liquid interface between the filter and the filtrate during filtration,resulting in the formation of lamellar FCNF hydrogels with strong intra-plane and weak interlayer hydrogen bonding.By exchanging the solvents from water to hexane,the hydrogen bonding in the FCNF hydrogel is further enhanced,enabling the formation of the DAF with intra-layer mesopores upon ambient drying.The resulting aerogel film is lightweight and ultra-flexible,which pos-sesses desirable properties of high visible-light transmittance(91.0%),low thermal conductivity(33 mW m^(-1) K^(-1)),and high atmospheric-window emissivity(90.1%).Furthermore,the DAF exhibits reduced surface energy and exceptional hydrophobicity due to the presence of fluorine-containing groups,enhancing its durability and UV resistance.Consequently,the DAF has demonstrated its potential as solar-thermal regulatory cooling window materials capable of simultaneously providing indoor lighting,thermal insulation,and daytime radiative cooling under direct sunlight.Significantly,the enclosed space protected by the DAF exhibits a temperature reduction of 2.6℃ compared to that shielded by conventional architectural glass.

Transparency:The Missing Link to Boosting AI Transformations in Chemical Engineering

The issue of opacity within data-driven artificial intelligence(AI)algorithms has become an impediment to these algorithms’extensive utilization,especially within sensitive domains concerning health,safety,and high profitability,such as chemical engineering(CE).In order to promote reliable AI utilization in CE,this review discusses the concept of transparency within AI utilizations,which is defined based on both explainable AI(XAI)concepts and key features from within the CE field.This review also highlights the requirements of reliable AI from the aspects of causality(i.e.,the correlations between the predictions and inputs of an AI),explainability(i.e.,the operational rationales of the workflows),and informativeness(i.e.,the mechanistic insights of the investigating systems).Related techniques are evaluated together with state-of-the-art applications to highlight the significance of establishing reliable AI applications in CE.Furthermore,a comprehensive transparency analysis case study is provided as an example to enhance understanding.Overall,this work provides a thorough discussion of this subject matter in a way that—for the first time—is particularly geared toward chemical engineers in order to raise awareness of responsible AI utilization.With this vital missing link,AI is anticipated to serve as a novel and powerful tool that can tremendously aid chemical engineers in solving bottleneck challenges in CE.

Solution‑Processed Thin Film Transparent Photovoltaics:Present Challenges and Future Development

Electrical energy is essential for modern society to sustain economic growths.The soaring demand for the electrical energy,together with an awareness of the environmental impact of fossil fuels,has been driving a shift towards the utilization of solar energy.However,traditional solar energy solutions often require extensive spaces for a panel installation,limiting their practicality in a dense urban environment.To overcome the spatial constraint,researchers have developed transparent photovoltaics(TPV),enabling windows and facades in vehicles and buildings to generate electric energy.Current TPV advancements are focused on improving both transparency and power output to rival commercially available silicon solar panels.In this review,we first briefly introduce wavelength-and non-wavelengthselective strategies to achieve transparency.Figures of merit and theoretical limits of TPVs are discussed to comprehensively understand the status of current TPV technology.Then we highlight recent progress in different types of TPVs,with a particular focus on solution-processed thin-film photovoltaics(PVs),including colloidal quantum dot PVs,metal halide perovskite PVs and organic PVs.The applications of TPVs are also reviewed,with emphasis on agrivoltaics,smart windows and facades.Finally,current challenges and future opportunities in TPV research are pointed out.

Diphylleia Grayi-Inspired Intelligent Temperature-Responsive Transparent Nanofiber Membranes

Nanofiber membranes(NFMs) have become attractive candidates for next-generation flexible transparent materials due to their exceptional flexibility and breathability. However, improving the transmittance of NFMs is a great challenge due to the enormous reflection and incredibly poor transmission generated by the nanofiber-air interface. In this research, we report a general strategy for the preparation of flexible temperature-responsive transparent(TRT) membranes,which achieves a rapid transformation of NFMs from opaque to highly transparent under a narrow temperature window. In this process, the phase change material eicosane is coated on the surface of the polyurethane nanofibers by electrospray technology. When the temperature rises to 37 ℃, eicosane rapidly completes the phase transition and establishes the light transmission path between the nanofibers, preventing light loss from reflection at the nanofiber-air interface. The resulting TRT membrane exhibits high transmittance(> 90%), and fast response(5 s). This study achieves the first TRT transition of NFMs, offering a general strategy for building highly transparent nanofiber materials, shaping the future of next-generation intelligent temperature monitoring, anti-counterfeiting measures, and other high-performance devices.

European Union Issues World’s First Comprehensive Regulations for Artificial Intelligence

In March 2024,European Union(EU)lawmakers passed the world’s first comprehensive set of regulations governing the use of artificial intelligence(AI)[1].The EU’s AI Act,two and a half years in the making,was initially drawn up as a landmark bill to reduce harm in areas in which AI was thought to pose the biggest risks to people,such as in health care,education,and security,as well as banning uses that pose“unacceptable risks,”including manipulation of human behavior and evaluation of individuals’trustworthiness based on personal characteristics.According to the regulations,which will go into effect in stages over the next two years,“high-risk”AI systems will require risk-mitigation strategies,high-quality data sets,transparency,better documentation,and human supervision.The most common current AI uses,such as augmenting recommendation engines and email spam filters,will see far less oversight.

Structural and Luminescent Properties of Mg_(0.25-x)Al_(2.57)O_(3.79)N_(0.21):xMn^(2+)Green-Emitting Transparent Ceramic Phosphor

A series of spinel-type Mg_(0.25-x)Al_(2.57)O_(3.79)N_(0.21):xMn^(2+)(MgAlON:xMn^(2+))phosphors were synthesized by the solid-state reaction route.The transparent ceramic phosphors were fabricated by pressureless sintering followed by hot-isostatic pressing(HIP).The crystal structure,luminescence and mechanical properties of the samples were systematically investigated.The transparent ceramic phosphors with tetrahedrally coordinated Mn^(2+)show strong green emission centered around 515 nm under blue light excitation.As the Mn^(2+)concentration increases,the crystal lattice expands slightly,resulting in a variation of crystal field and a slight red-shift of green emission peak.Six weak absorption peaks in the transmittance spectra originate from the spin-forbidden ^(4)T_(1)(^(4)G)→^(6)A_(1) transition of Mn^(2+).The decay time was found to decrease from 5.66 to 5.16 ms with the Mn^(2+)concentration.The present study contributes to the systematic understanding of crystal structure and properties of MgAlON:xMn^(2+)green-emitting transparent ceramic phosphor which has a potential application in high-power light-emitting diodes.

Understanding of the Relationship between the Properties of Cu(In,Ga)Se_(2) Solar Cells and the Structure of Ag Network Electrodes

The relation between the structure of the silver network electrodes and the properties of Cu(In,Ga)Se_(2)(CIGS)solar cells is systemically investigated.The Ag network electrode is deposited onto an Al:ZnO(AZO)thin film,employing a self-forming cracked template.Precise control over the cracked template's structure is achieved through careful adjustment of temperature and humidity.The Ag network electrodes with different coverage areas and network densities are systemically applied to the CIGS solar cells.It is revealed that predominant fill factor(FF)is influenced by the figure of merit of transparent conducting electrodes,rather than sheet resistance,particularly when the coverage area falls within the range of 1.3–5%.Furthermore,a higher network density corresponds to an enhanced FF when the coverage areas of the Ag networks are similar.When utilizing a thinner AZO film,CIGS solar cells with a surface area of 1.0609 cm^(2)exhibit a notable performance improvement,with efficiency increasing from 10.48%to 11.63%.This enhancement is primarily attributed to the increase in FF from 45%to 65%.These findings underscore the considerable potential for reducing the thickness of the transparent conductive oxide(TCO)in CIGS modules with implications for practical applications in photovoltaic technology.

A graph neural network approach to the inverse design for thermal transparency with periodic interparticle system

Recent years have witnessed significant advances in utilizing machine learning-based techniques for thermal metamaterial-based structures and devices to attain favorable thermal transport behaviors.Among the various thermal transport behaviors,achieving thermal transparency stands out as particularly desirable and intriguing.Our earlier work demonstrated the use of a thermal metamaterial-based periodic interparticle system as the underlying structure for manipulating thermal transport behavior and achieving thermal transparency.In this paper,we introduce an approach based on graph neural network to address the complex inverse design problem of determining the design parameters for a thermal metamaterial-based periodic interparticle system with the desired thermal transport behavior.Our work demonstrates that combining graph neural network modeling and inference is an effective approach for solving inverse design problems associated with attaining desirable thermal transport behaviors using thermal metamaterials.

MWCNT Doped Reverse-Mode Polymer Network Liquid Crystals with Frequency Response Property

Polymer-liquid crystals(PLCs)are common materials for smart windows.However,PLC smart windows usually require high driving voltage to maintain transparency.We synthesized a novel PLC smart film by doping multi-wall carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs)into a reverse-mode polymer network liquid crystal(R-PNLC).

Microwave electrometry with Rydberg atoms in a vapor cell using microwave amplitude modulation

We have theoretically and experimentally studied the dispersive signal of the Rydberg atomic electromagneticallyinduced transparency(EIT)Autler–Townes(AT)splitting spectra obtained using amplitude modulation of the microwave(MW)electric field.In addition to the two zero-crossing points interval△f_(zeros),the dispersion signal has two positive maxima with an interval defined as the shoulder interval△f_(sho),which is theoretically expected to be used to measure a much weaker MW electric field.The relationship of the MW field strength E_(MW)and△f_(sho)is experimentally studied at the MW frequencies of 31.6 GHz and 9.2 GHz respectively.The results show that△f_(sho)can be used to characterize the much weaker E_(MW)than that of△f_(zeros)and the traditional EIT–AT splitting interval△f_(m);the minimum E_(MW)measured by△f_(sho)is about 30 times smaller than that by△f_(m).As an example,the minimum E_(MW)at 9.2 GHz that can be characterized by△f_(sho)is 0.056 mV/cm,which is the minimum value characterized by the frequency interval using a vapor cell without adding any auxiliary fields.The proposed method can improve the weak limit and sensitivity of E_(MW)measured by the spectral frequency interval,which is important in the direct measurement of weak E_(MW).

Singular optical propagation properties of two types of one-dimensional anti-PT-symmetric periodic ring optical waveguide networks

Two types of one-dimensional(1D)anti-PT-symmetric periodic ring optical waveguide networks,consisting of gain and loss materials,are constructed.The singular optical propagation properties of these networks are investigated.The results show that the system composed of gain materials exhibits characteristics of ultra-strong transmission and bidirectional reflection.Conversely,the system composed of loss materials demonstrates equal transmittance and reflectance at some frequencies.In both the systems,a new type of total reflection phenomenon is observed.When the imaginary part of the refractive indices of waveguide segments is smaller than 10-5,the system shows bidirectional transparency with the transmittance tending to be 1 and reflectivity to be smaller than 10-8 at some bands.When the refractive indices of the waveguide segments are real,the system will be bidirectional transparent at the full band.These findings may deepen the understanding of anti-PT-symmetric optical systems and optical waveguide networks,and possess potential applications in efficient optical energy storage,ultra-sensitive optical filters,ultra-sensitive all-optical switches,integrated optical chips,stealth physics,and so on.

Extending microwave-frequency electric-field detection through single transmission peak method

The strength of microwave(MW)electric field can be observed with high precision by using the standard electromagnetically induced transparency and Aulter–Towns(EIT-AT)technique,when its frequency is resonant or nearly-resonant with the Rydberg transition frequency.As the detuning of MW field increases,one of the transmission peaks(single peak)is easier to measure due to its increased amplitude.It can be found that the central symmetry point of the two transmission peaks f_(1/2)is only related to the detuning of MW field△_(MW)and central symmetry point f_(0)of resonant MW field,satisfying the relation f_(1/2)=△_(MW)/2+f_(0).Thus,we demonstrate a single transmission peak method that the MW E-field can be determined by interval between the position of single peak and f_(1/2).We use this method to measure continuous frequencies in a band from-200 MHz to 200 MHz of the MW field.The experimental results and theoretical analysis are presented to describe the effectiveness of this method.For 50 MHz<△_(MW)<200 MHz,this method solves the problem that the AT splitting cannot be measured by using the standard EIT-AT techniques or multiple atomic-level Rydberg atom schemes.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the glass catfish(Kryptopterus vitreolus)reveals molecular clues to its transparent phenotype

Glass catfish(Kryptopterus vitreolus)are notable in the aquarium trade for their highly transparent body pattern.This transparency is due to the loss of most reflective iridophores and light-absorbing melanophores in the main body,although certain black and silver pigments remain in the face and head.To date,however,the molecular mechanisms underlying this transparent phenotype remain largely unknown.To explore the genetic basis of this transparency,we constructed a chromosome-level haplotypic genome assembly for the glass catfish,encompassing 32 chromosomes and 23344 protein-coding genes,using PacBio and Hi-C sequencing technologies and standard assembly and annotation pipelines.Analysis revealed a premature stop codon in the putative albinism-related tyrp1b gene,encoding tyrosinase-related protein 1,rendering it a nonfunctional pseudogene.Notably,a synteny comparison with over 30 other fish species identified the loss of the endothelin-3(edn3b)gene in the glass catfish genome.To investigate the role of edn3b,we generated edn3b^(−/−)mutant zebrafish,which exhibited a remarkable reduction in black pigments in body surface stripes compared to wild-type zebrafish.These findings indicate that edn3b loss contributes to the transparent phenotype of the glass catfish.Our high-quality chromosome-scale genome assembly and identification of key genes provide important molecular insights into the transparent phenotype of glass catfish.These findings not only enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying transparency in glass catfish,but also offer a valuable genetic resource for further research on pigmentation in various animal species.

Wideband low-scattering metasurface with an in-band reconfigurable transparent window

Active metasurfaces with dynamically reconfigurable functionalities are highly demanded in various practical applications.Here,we propose a wideband low-scattering metasurface that can realize an in-band reconfigurable transparent window by altering the operation states of the PIN diodes loaded on the structures.The metasurface is composed of a band-pass frequency selective surface(FSS)sandwiched between two polarization conversion metasurfaces(PCMs).PIN diodes are integrated into the FSS to switch the transparent window,while a checkerboard configuration is applied in PCMs for the diffusive-reflective function.A sample with 20×20 elements is designed,fabricated,and experimentally verified.Both simulated and measured results show that the in-band functions can be dynamically switched between beam-splitting scattering and high transmission by controlling the biasing states of the diodes,while low backscattering can be attained outside the passband.Furthermore,the resonant structures of FSS also play the role of feeding lines,thus significantly eliminating extra interference compared with conventional feeding networks.We envision that the proposed metasurface may provide new possibilities for the development of an intelligent stealth platform and its antenna applications.

Transparent cap adjusted the stent placed for stenosis after endoscopic injection of esophageal varices:A case report

BACKGROUND The stent embedded in the esophageal mucosa is one of the complications after stenting for esophageal stricture.We present a case of stent adjustment with the aid of a transparent cap after endoscopic injection of an esophageal varices stent.CASE SUMMARY A 61-year-old male patient came to the hospital with discomfort of the chest after the stent implanted for the stenosis because of endoscopic injection of esophageal varices.The gastroscopy was performed,and the stent embedded into the esophageal mucosa.At first,we pulled the recycling line for shrinking the stent,however,the mucosa could not be removed from the stent.Then a forceps was performed to remove the mucosa in the stent,nevertheless,the bleeding form the mucosa was obvious.And then,we used a transparent cap to scrape the mucosa along the stent,and the mucosa were removed successfully without bleeding.CONCLUSION A transparent cap helps gastroscopy to remove the mucosa embedded in the stent after endoscopic injection of the esophageal varices stent.

Fabrication of UV-Curing Linalool-Polysiloxane Hybrid Films with High Refractive Index and Transparency

In this article,a series of high refractive indices(1.50-1.53)thiol phenyl polysiloxane(TPS)were synthesized via hydrolytic sol-gel reaction.The Fourier transform infrared spectra(FT-IR)and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra(NMR)results showed that TPS conformed to the predicted structures.Natural terpene linalool was exploited as photocrosslinker to fabricate UV-curing linalool-polysiloxane hybrid films(LPH)with TPS via photoinitiated thiol-ene reaction.LPH rapidly cured under UV irradiation at the intensity of 80 mW/cm^(2) in 30 s,exhibiting good UV-curing properties.The optical transmittance of LPH in the wavelength of 300-800 nm was over 90%,exhibiting good optical transparency.The water contact angle and water vapor permeability results showed that the introduction of phenyl groups enhance the hydrophobicity and water vapor barrier properties of LPH.The results indicated the potential of LPHs in the applications of optical functional coatings.

Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis treatment for periappendiceal abscess: A case report

BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal emergency.At present,the main treatments for periappendiceal abscess include antibiotics and surgery.However,the complications and mortality of emergency surgery are high.The preferred therapy is conservative treatment with antibiotics first,ultrasound-guided puncture drainage or surgical treatment is followed when necessary.Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy(ERAT)for acute uncomplicated appendicitis have been proved clinically effective,but it is rarely used in periap-pendiceal abscess.CASE SUMMARY We report a patient admitted to hospital because of“right lower abdominal pain for six days”.The computerized tomography(CT)of patient showed that appendicitis with fecaliths and abscess in the pelvis.The patient was treated by CT-guided puncture and drainage of abdominal abscess combined with ERAT to remove appendiceal fecaliths,irrigation and stent placement.CONCLUSION The patient did not receive surgery because of impoverished family.Abdominal pain did not recur during the follow-up period.This case confirms the value of ERAT in the treatment of periappendiceal abscess.