Thermoacoustic-reflected focusing lens based on acoustic Bessel-like beam with phase manipulation

We report the realization of broadband reflected acoustic focusing lenses based on thermoacoustic phased arrays of Bessel-like beams, in which the units of phase manipulation are composed of three rigid insulated boundaries and a thermal insulation film in air with different temperatures. Based on these units, we realize a reflected focusing lens which can focus reflected acoustic energy on a line, and its fractional bandwidth can reach about 0.29. In addition, we discuss the influences of the base angle of Bessel-like beam, the number of basic unit, and the variation of unit temperature on focusing performances in details. Furthermore, the reflected focusing lens for the cylindrical acoustic wave based on the Bessel-like beam is also demonstrated. The proposed focusing lens has the advantages of a broad working bandwidth, large focus size,and high robustness, which may provide possibilities for the design and application of acoustic lenses.

Synthesis-temperature-dependent phase composition manipulation toward high thermoelectric performance in tetrahedrites

Tetrahedrite,an Earth-abundant natural mineral,has attracted extensive research interest because of its excellent thermoelectric performance.Herein,tetrahedrite samples comprising Cu-poor Cu_(12)Sb_(4)S_(13)and Cu-rich Cu_(14)Sb_(4)S_(13)phases have been synthesized using a colloidal method,in which the ratio of two phases is manipulated by controlling the synthesis temperature to improve the thermoelectric perfor-mance.It is found that an ultralow total thermal conductivity of∼0.3 W m^(−1)K^(−1)at 723 K is realized in the sample with a Cu-rich phase fraction of∼50%,which can be attributed to maximized phonon scattering by phase boundaries.As a result,combined with a decent power factor,this sample obtains an optimal zT of 1.15,which is about 85%higher than that of the sample with a Cu-rich phase fraction of∼64%and comparable to zT values of other eco-friendly,abundant Cu-based thermoelectric materials.This work demonstrates an effective synthesis-temperature-dependent phase composition manipulation strategy toward enhanced thermoelectric performance in tetrahedrites.

Broadband acoustic focusing by symmetric Airy beams with phased arrays comprised of different numbers of cavity structures

We realize broadband acoustic focusing effect by employing two symmetric Airy beams generated from phased arrays,in which the units of the phased arrays consist of different numbers of cavity structures, each of which is composed of a square cavity and two inclined channels in air. The exotic phenomenon arises from the energy overlapping of the two symmetric Airy beams. Besides, we demonstrate the focusing performance with high self-healing property, and discuss the effects of structure parameters on focusing performance, and present the characteristics of the cavity structure with straight channels. Compared with other acoustic lenses, the proposed acoustic lens has advantages of broad bandwidth（about 1.4 kHz）, high self-healing property of focusing performance, and free adjustment of focal length. Our finding should have great potential applications in ultrasound imaging and medical diagnosis.

Current advances of transition metal dichalcogenides in electromagnetic wave absorption:A brief review

Transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDs)show great advantages in electromagnetic wave(EMW)absorption due to their unique structure and electrical properties.Tremendous research works on TMD-based EMW absorbers have been conducted in the last three years,and the comprehensive and systematical summary is still a rarity.Therefore,it is of great significance to elaborate on the interaction among the morphologies,structures,phases,components,and EMW absorption performances of TMD-based absorbers.This review is devoted to analyzing TMD-based absorbers from the following perspectives:the EMW absorption regulation strategies of TMDs and the latest progress of TMD-based hybrids as EMW absorbers.The absorption mechanisms and component-performance dependency of these achievements are also summarized.Finally,a straightforward insight into industrial revolution upgrading in this promising field is proposed.

Bidirectional asymmetric acoustic focusing with two flat acoustic metasurfaces

We design an asymmetric transmission system(ATS)with two flat acoustic metasurfaces(AMs)to yield bidirectional asymmetric acoustic focusing(BAAF).The acoustic waves could be focused on both sides of the ATS with different focal lengths and intensities.To achieve high intensity energy concentration,the accelerating acoustic beams are selected to realize the BAAF.The working bandwidth of the BAAF based on our ATS could reach ～0.4 k Hz.It is found that by adjusting the distance between two flat AMs,the focal length and intensity of the bidirectional focusing could easily be modulated.Because the distance between two flat AMs is large enough,the BAAF even could be converted into a unidirectional acoustic focusing.The proposed BAAF may find applications in non-destructive evaluation,biomedical imaging and medical diagnosis.

Diverse nanomaterials synthesized by laser ablation of pure metals in liquids

Diverse nanomaterials, in the forms of carbides, sulfides, oxides, metals, hydroxides, etc., have been synthesized by laser ablation in liquids(LAL) with metal targets as the dominant educts. Many advantages of LAL technique itself and its products have been revealed since 1983 when the first report about LAL was released. Different from traditional wet-chemical synthesis,one unique feature of LAL is its resultant extreme high-temperature and high-pressure local environment for the nucleation and growth of nanomaterials, despite being performed at room temperature. This extreme condition can induce the atomization and ionization of the target materials and liquid molecules to incur different chemical reactions. The laser, liquid, liquid additive, and target can significantly alter the local environment in a broad range. Thus, different phases and shapes of nanomaterials are producible even from the same target. Through directly comparing the products of LAL of 13 kinds of chosen representative metals synthesized under different conditions, this review presents and discusses current understandings, challenging issues, and perspectives related to the diversity of LAL-products, which is willing to promote a deeper investigation and discussion on a clear clarification of the chemical reactions and particle nucleation/growth processes.