Self-erasable dynamic surface patterns via controllable elastic modulus boosting multi-encoded and tamper-proof information storage

Dynamic surface patterns(DSPs)have attracted significant interest in anti-counterfeiting,enabling information to be stored,encrypted and decrypted in response to external stimuli.However,creating dynamic surface patterns,capable of controlling wrinkling time and independently modulating different information in both wrinkled and fluorescent states,remains a tremendous challenge.These limit DSPs to further enhance tamper-proofing capacity and extend the information storage density.Here,a rationally designed patterning strategy based on controllable elastic modulus was demonstrated to fabricate self-erasable dynamic surface patterns(S-DSPs)that increase information storage density.These novel S-DSPs strategically integrated amino co-oligomers(ACOs)with the 9-anthracenemethanol(9-AM)as skin layers,designing a bilayer multi-encoding system which could carry several different types of information with wrinkled and fluorescent patterns.The ACOs with relatively low molecular weight can endow the elastic modulus of skin layers with a wide range of regulation.As a result,the difference between the compressive strain and the critical wrinkle strain in the bilayer system would be precisely modulated by photo-dimerization to form quick-response(minimum<1 min)and self-erasable(3 min–8 days)wrinkled patterns for S-DSPs.Meanwhile,the fluorescence pattern could be independently erased and reprogrammed without affecting the change in the wrinkle pattern under modulus-controlled conditions.Moreover,controllable self-erasure in S-DSPs significantly develops tamper-proof capabilities in a supply chain.This original strategy could provide a new approach to the tamper-proof,high-density,and multi-encoded information storage in the product security or inkless printing.

Surface Patterning of Metal Zinc Electrode with an In‑Region Zincophilic Interface for High‑Rate and Long‑Cycle‑Life Zinc Metal Anode

The undesirable dendrite growth induced by non-planar zinc(Zn)deposition and low Coulombic efficiency resulting from severe side reactions have been long-standing challenges for metallic Zn anodes and substantially impede the practical application of rechargeable aqueous Zn metal batteries(ZMBs).Herein,we present a strategy for achieving a high-rate and long-cycle-life Zn metal anode by patterning Zn foil surfaces and endowing a Zn-Indium(Zn-In)interface in the microchannels.The accumulation of electrons in the microchannel and the zincophilicity of the Zn-In interface promote preferential heteroepitaxial Zn deposition in the microchannel region and enhance the tolerance of the electrode at high current densities.Meanwhile,electron aggregation accelerates the dissolution of non-(002)plane Zn atoms on the array surface,thereby directing the subsequent homoepitaxial Zn deposition on the array surface.Consequently,the planar dendrite-free Zn deposition and long-term cycling stability are achieved(5,050 h at 10.0 mA cm^(−2) and 27,000 cycles at 20.0 mA cm^(−2)).Furthermore,a Zn/I_(2) full cell assembled by pairing with such an anode can maintain good stability for 3,500 cycles at 5.0 C,demonstrating the application potential of the as-prepared ZnIn anode for high-performance aqueous ZMBs.

Surface Patterns of a Tetrahedral Polyelectrolyte Brush Induced by Grafting Density and Charge Fraction

A tetrahedral polyelectrolyte brush in the presence of trivalent counterions is researched under the condition of good solution by mea ns of molecular dynamics simulati ons.Grafting density and charge fraction are varied to gen erate a series of surface patter ns.Lateral microphase separation happens and various interesting pinned patches appear at appropriate charge fraction and grafting density.Through a careful analysis on the brush thickness,the pair correlation functions,the distributions of net charge,and the four states of trivalent counterions in the brush,we find that the ordered surface patterns and special properties are induced by the pure electrostatic correlation effect of trivalent ions even in the good solvent.Furthermore,the dependences of electrostatic correlation on the charge fraction of tethered chains are evaluated for fixed grafting den sity.Also,our results can serve as a guide for precise control over the stimuli-responsive materials rational and self-assembly of nanoparticles.

Surface circulation patterns observed by drifters in the Yellow Sea in summer of 2001,2002 and 2003

In summer of 2001, 2002 and 2003, ten, six and seventeen satellite-tracked surface drifters with drogues centered at 15 and 4 m were deployed, respectively, in the southern Yellow Sea (YS). 23 drifters of them transmitted useful data of at least 30 days. The wind-driven component of the drift was removed from the original drift velocity of drifters. The wind data used are from NCEP (National Center for Environmental Prediction), USA.Trajectories and drift velocities of the 23 drifters depicted the upper circulation structure in the southern YS.There exists an anti-cyclonic eddy with a mean speed and radius of 0.063 m/s and 50km in the central southern YS, whose center lingered within 35.3-36.0°N / 123.5-124.0°E. Showed by 6 drifters, a basin-scale elliptic cyclonic gyre with a mean speed of 0.114 m/s, long and short radius of 250 and 200 km surrounds the anti-cyclonic eddy. In the southwestern part of the southern YS has obvious frontal eddy activities within about100 km with a mean speed about 0.076 m/s. All the drifters passing Korean coast were staggering for more than10 days west of a protruding cape of central Korea. A small-scale cyclonic eddy centered at around 120.5°E/35.1°N with a mean speed of 0.048 m/s was observed in western part of the southern YS.

Enhanced anti-icing properties of branched PDMS coatings with self-regulated surface patterns

Adverse impact of icing,on either infrastructures or facilities,is the great impulsion for seeking anti-icing coatings with high performance.In this work,durable icephobic coatings with self-regulated surface patterns were developed from branched polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)co-crosslinked with fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane(POSS)through a breath figure method.The prepared coatings with patterned microstructures on the surfaces exhibited excellent anti-icing performance ascribed to micro-crack generation between ice and coating surface under a small external force.The stable cross-linked network composed of branched PDMS and fluorinated POSS endowed the coatings with durability and abrasion resistance.Low ice shear strength was achieved at approximate 19.7±2.5 kPa on coating surface with self-regulated honeycomb pattern.After experiencing 30 icing/deicing cycles,the ice shear strength of the coating varied slightly.Additionally,owing to dedication of fluorinated POSS,the coating showed merely a little increase in ice shear strength after more than 1600 abrasion cycles,which was still in the icephobic range below 50 kPa.Hence,the prepared coatings with remarkably enhanced anti-icing performance and superior mechanical stability would be promising for the practical applications.

Dominant patterns of winter Arctic surface wind variability

Dominant statistical patterns of winter Arctic surface wind （WASW） variability and their impacts on Arctic sea ice motion are investigated using the complex vector empirical orthogonal function （CVEOF） method. The results indicate that the leading CVEOF of Arctic surface wind variability, which accounts for 33% of the covariance, is characterized by two different and alternating spatial patterns （WASWP1 and WASWP2）. Both WASWP1 and WASWP2 show strong interannual and decadal variations, superposed on their declining trends over past decades. Atmospheric circulation anomalies associated with WASWPI and WASWP2 exhibit, respectively, equivalent barotropic and some baroclinic characteristics, differing from the Arctic dipole anomaly and the seesaw structure anomaly between the Barents Sea and the Beaufort Sea. On decadal time scales, the decline trend of WASWP2 can be attributed to persistent warming of sea surface temperature in the Greenland--Barents--Kara seas from autunm to winter, reflecting the effect of the Arctic warming. The second CVEOF, which accounts for 18% of the covariance, also contains two different spatial patterns （WASWP3 and WASWP4）. Their time evolutions are significantly correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation （NAO） index and the central Arctic Pattern, respectively, measured by the leading EOF of winter sea level pressure （SLP） north of 70~N. Thus, winter anomalous surface wind pattern associated with the NAO is not the most important surface wind pattern. WASWP3 and WASWP4 primarily reflect natural variability of winter surface wind and neither exhibits an apparent trend that differs from WASWP1 or WASWP2. These dominant surface wind patterns strongly influence Arctic sea ice motion and sea ice exchange between the western and eastern Arctic. Furthermore, the Fram Strait sea ice volume flux is only significantly correlated with WASWP3. The results demonstrate that surface and geostrophic winds are not interchangeable in terms of describing wind field variability over the Arctic Ocean. The results have important implications for understanding and investigating Arctic sea ice variations： Dominant patterns of Arctic surface wind variability, rather than simply whether there are the Arctic dipole anomaly and the Arctic Oscillation （or NAO）, effectively affect the spatial distribution of Arctic sea ice anomalies.

Propagation of Surface Wave Along a Thin Plasma Column and Its Radiation Pattern

Propagation of the surface waves along a two-dimensional plasma column and the far-field radiation patterns are studied in thin column approximation. Wave phase and attenuation coefficients are calculated for various plasma parameters. The radiation patterns are shown. Results show that the radiation patterns are controllable by flexibly changing the plasma length and other parameters in comparison to the metal monopole antenna. It is meaningful and instructional for the optimization of the plasma antenna design.

Doubly periodic patterns of modulated hydrodynamic waves:exact solutions of the Davey-Stewartson system

Exact doubly periodic standing wave patterns of the Davey-Stewartson （DS） equations are derived in terms of rational expressions of elliptic functions.In fluid mechanics,DS equations govern the evolution of weakly nonlinear,free surface wave packets when long wavelength modulations in two mutually perpendicular,horizontal directions are incorporated.Elliptic functions with two different moduli （periods） are necessary in the two directions.The relation between the moduli and the wave numbers constitutes the dispersion relation of such waves.In the long wave limit,localized pulses are recovered.

A new nano-scale surface marking technique for the deformation analysis of Mg-based alloys

In this work a new nanoscale surface marking technique,namely electron beam damage induced surface marking(EBDISM),is developed and tested for the first time on a fine-grained pure Mg surface.This technique utilizes focused high-energy electron beam of a scanning electron microscope to“burn”dense arrays of nano-scale grid patterns on the sample surface,and it is proved to be very effective for identifying and measuring localised deformation behaviours.However,the surface marking deposited by EBDISM is not permanent and it tends to deteriorate overtime.Cheap,easy to use and versatile,the EBDISM technique has a huge potential for quantitative measurement of strain field and nano-scale deformation analysis.

Preparation of La-Ti Composite Oxide Nanocrystal and Examination of Their Surface Topography with Atomic Force Microscope

With sol-gel method, nanometer La-Ti composite oxide was successfully prepared at a low temperature (750～800C) using polyethylene glycol as dispersant. By means of atomic force microscope, the surface pattern, particle size distribution, and specific surface area were studied. The compound particle surface appears as a smooth sheet, the mean size of the compound is 25.38 nm. On the specific surface, the particle erects at a height of 4.69 nm. The surface area is 58.90 nm2. The La-Ti composite oxide nanocrystal prefers to narrow and even particle size distribution and the homogeneity of surface topography.

A radar-infrared compatible broadband absorbing surface:Design and analysis

A radar-infrared compatible stealth surface is designed and analyzed.Without modifying the radar absorbing material(RAM),the design can theoretically achieve radar-infrared compatibility and broadband radar absorption through surface patterns and structures.A transmission-line-based model(TLM)is developed to analyze the radar absorbing performance of the surface.Optimization of the structure geometries is conducted aiming to maximize the-10 d B absorption bandwidth in 2–18 GHz.Surface with optimized structure geometries exhibits a superior absorption bandwidth,more than twice the bandwidth of the original 1.5 mm RAM slab,while maintaining a relatively low infrared emissivity.

Hollow hexagonal pattern with surface discharges in a？dielectric barrier discharge

The hollow hexagonal pattern involved in surface discharges is firstly investigated in a？dielectric barrier discharge system. The spatiotemporal structures of the pattern are studied using an intensified charge-coupled device and photomultiplier. Instantaneous images taken by an intensified charge-coupled device and optical correlation measurements show that the surface discharges are induced by volume discharges. The optical signals indicate that the discharge filaments constituting the hexagonal frame discharge randomly at the first current pulse or the second pulse, once？or twice. There is no？interleaving of several sub-lattices, which indicates that the ‘memory＇ effect is no longer in force due to surface discharges. By using the emission spectrum method, both the molecule vibration temperature？and electron density of the surface discharges are larger than that of the volume discharges.

Biomaterial–Related Cell Microenvironment in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

An appropriate cell microenvironment is key to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.Revealing the factors that influence the cell microenvironment is a fundamental research topic in the fields of cell biology,biomaterials,tissue engineering,and regenerative medicine.The cell microenvironment consists of not only its surrounding cells and soluble factors,but also its extracellular matrix(ECM)or nearby external biomaterials in tissue engineering and regeneration.This review focuses on six aspects of bioma-terial-related cell microenvironments:①chemical composition of materials,②material dimensions and architecture,③material-controlled cell geometry,④effects of material charges on cells,⑤matrix stiff-ness and biomechanical microenvironment,and⑥surface modification of materials.The present chal-lenges in tissue engineering are also mentioned,and eight perspectives are predicted.

A novel method to improve interfacial bonding of compound squeeze cast Al/Al-Cu macrocomposite bimetals:Simulation and experimental studies

A facile and innovative method to improve bonding between the two parts of compound squeeze cast Al/Al-4.5 wt.%Cu macrocomposite bimetals was developed and its effects on microstructure and mechanical properties of the bimetal were investigated.A special concentric groove pattern was machined on the top surface of the insert(squeeze cast Al-4.5 wt.%Cu) and its effects on heat transfer,solidification and distribution of generated stresses along the interface region of the bimetal components were simulated using ProCAST and ANSYS softwares and experimentally verified. Simulation results indicated complete melting of the tips of the surface grooves and local generation of large stress gradient fields along the interface. These are believed to result in rupture of the insert interfacial aluminum oxide layer facilitating diffusion bonding of the bimetal components. Microstructural evaluations confirmed formation of an evident transition zone along the interface region of the bimetal. Average thickness of the transition zone and tensile strength of the bimetal were significantly increased to about 375 μm and 54 MPa, respectively, by applying the surface pattern.The proposed method is an affordable and promising approach for compound squeeze casting of Al-Al macrocomposite bimetals without resort to any prior cost and time intensive chemical or coating treatments of the solid insert.

Controlling the Cassie-to-Wenzel Transition: an Easy Route towards the Realization of Tridimensional Arrays of Biological Objects

In this paper we provide evidence that the Cassie-to-Wenzel transition, despite its detrimental effects on the wetting properties of superhydrophobic surfaces, can be exploited as an effective micro-fabrication strategy to obtain highly ordered arrays of biological objects. To this purpose we fabricated a patterned surface wetted in the Cassie state, where we deposited a droplet containing genomic DNA. We observed that, when the droplet wets the surface in the Cassie state, an array of DNA filaments pinned on the top edges between pillars is formed. Conversely, when the Cassie-to-Wenzel transition occurs, DNA can be pinned at different height between pillars. These results open the way to the realization of tridimensional arrays of biological objects.

Advances in micro cutting tool design and fabrication

Microcutting is a precision technology that offers flexible fabrication of microfeatures or complex three-dimensional components with high machining accuracy and superior surface quality.This technology may offer great potential as well as advantageous process capabilities for the machining of hard-to-cut materials,such as tungsten carbide.The geometrical design and dimension of the tool cutting edge is a key factor that determines the size and form accuracy possible in the machined workpiece.Currently,the majority of commercial microtools are scaled-down versions of conventional macrotool designs.This approach does not impart optimal performance due to size effects and associated phenomena.Consequently,in-depth analysis and implementation of microcutting mechanics and fundamentals are required to enable successful industrial adaptation in microtool design and fabrication methods.This paper serves as a review of recent microtool designs,materials,and fabrication methods.Analysis of tool performance is discussed,and new approaches and techniques are examined.Of particular focus is tool wear suppression in the machining of hard materials and associated process parameters,including internal cooling and surface patterning techniques.The review concludes with suggestions for an integrated design and fabrication process chain which can aid industrial microtool manufacture.

Influence of structural depth of laser-patterned steel surfaces on the solid lubricity of carbon nanoparticle coatings

Carbon nanoparticle coatings on laser-patterned stainless-steel surfaces present a solid lubrication system where the pattern's recessions act as lubricant-retaining reservoirs.This study investigates the influence of the structural depth of line patterns coated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes(CNTs)and carbon onions(COs)on their respective potential to reduce friction and wear.Direct laser interference patterning(DLIP)with a pulse duration of 12 ps is used to create line patterns with three different structural depths at a periodicity of 3.5μm on AISI 304 steel platelets.Subsequently,electrophoretic deposition(EPD)is applied to form homogeneous carbon nanoparticle coatings on the patterned platelets.Tribological ball-on-disc experiments are conducted on the as-described surfaces with an alumina counter body at a load of 100 mN.The results show that the shallower the coated structure,the lower its coefficient of friction(COF),regardless of the particle type.Thereby,with a minimum of just below 0.20,CNTs reach lower COF values than COs over most of the testing period.The resulting wear tracks are characterized by scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy,and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.During friction testing,the CNTs remain in contact,and the immediate proximity,whereas the CO coating is largely removed.Regardless of structural depth,no oxidation occurs on CNT-coated surfaces,whereas minor oxidation is detected on CO-coated wear tracks.

Effect of metal surface morphology on nano-structured patterns induced by a femtosecond laser pulse and its experimental verification

The effect of material surface morphology on the periodic subwavelength of nano-structures induced by a femtosecond（fs） laser was investigated systematically from the initial surface roughness, the different scratches, the pre-formed ripples, and the ＂layer-carving＂ technology experiments. The results of the comparative experiments indicate that the initial surface conditions of the target surface have no obvious effects on the spatial structured periods（SSPs） and the ripple orientation of the periodic nano-structures induced by a fs laser, which agreed well with the foretold present surface two-plasmon resonance（STPR） model. Furthermore, different shapes of nanogrids with high regularity and uniformity were obtained by fs-laser fabrication.

Ultrasonic-based surface patterning and interfacial reaction of ZrO_(2)ceramics

We demonstrate a process to achieve selective surface metallization of ZrO_(2)ceramics using ultrasound technology in atmospheric environments at 350℃,which bestows good weldability of ZrO_(2)to achieve rapid and reliable connections with other metals as well as ceramic materials.The challenge is that brazing or diffusion welding processes to accomplish metallurgical connections for ZrO_(2) typically require holding at elevated temperatures for minutes to hours,while the selective ultrasonic metallization process requires only a few seconds of processing without the application of covering films or solder resists.In this study,the selected Sn-2Ti alloy could effectively wet and spread on ZrO_(2)substrate under ultrasonication,and continuous interphase layers were rapidly formed in situ between ZrO_(2)and Sn-2Ti.The bonding strength for the ZrO_(2)/Sn-2Ti interface was well established with the highest shear strength of 37.1 MPa,and the fracture location occurred at the filler metal.The interfacial reaction layer thickened remarkably with the prolongation of sonication,accompanied by the partial crystallization of amorphous TiO and the formation of irregularly striped Ti_(11.31)Sn_(3)O_(10)nanocrystals.