Optical fiber acoustic sensing multiplexing system based on TDM/SFDM

We propose a system of time-division multiplexing(TDM) and spatial frequency-division multiplexing(SFDM). Extrinsic Fabry–Perot interferometric sensors are applied to detect weak acoustic signals. The broadband source is employed, the light from it is modulated by a pulse signal sequence and is efficiently amplified by semiconductor optical amplifiers. Experimental results show that the equivalent noise pressure spectrum level is-97.2 d B re 1 rad/√Hz below 1250 Hz, and the cross talk between two sensors in one TDM channel is-32.7 d B with a cavity length difference of 60 μm. The number of sensors in this multiplexing system can theoretically reach 160.     

Novel low-dielectric constant and soluble polyimides from diamines containing fluorene and pyridine unit

Polyimides (PI's) with low-dielectric constant and excellent organic solubility have broad application prospects in the electronic field. Herein, this study designed a series of novel, low dielectric, organic soluble PI films by creatively introducing fluorene and pyridine ring into diamine monomers. Because of the noncoplanar structure of fluorenyl and the polarization of pyridine ring, PI films achieved a low-dielectric constant (2.22–3.09 at 10 MHz) and excellent organic solubility. Even in some organic solvents with low-boiling points, these PI films still exhibited outstanding solubility. In addition, all the films possessed high-tensile strength (≈120 MPa) and excellent optical transparency (>70%, 450 nm). It was worth noting that the glass transition temperature of films was all above 280°C and 5% weight loss temperature (T_5%) was at 486–553°C. In general, the novel high-performance low-dielectric PI films are expected to be used in the field of microelectronics.     

Hydrogel-Derived Honeycomb Ni3S4/N,P-C as an Efficient Oxygen Evolution Catalyst

The development of high-efficiency electrocatalysts with low costs for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is essential, but remains challenging. Herein, a new synthetic process is proposed to prepare Ni₃S₄ particles embedded in N,P-codoped honeycomb porous carbon aerogels (Ni₃S₄/N,P-HPC) through a hydrogel approach. The preparation of Ni₃S₄/N,P-HPC begins with the sol–gel polymerization of tripolyphosphate, chitosan, and guanidine polymer that contains metal-binding sites, allowing for the uniform incorporation of Ni ions into the gel matrix, freeze-drying, and subsequent carbonization under an inert atmosphere. This synthesis resolves difficulties in synthesizing the pure Ni₃S₄ phase caused by the instability of Ni₃S₄ at high temperature, while affording good control of the porous structure and N,P-doping of carbon aerogels. The synergy between the structural advantages of N,P-carbon aerogels (such as easily accessible active sites, high specific surface area, and excellent electron transport) and the intrinsic electrochemical properties of Ni₃S₄ result in the outstanding OER performance of Ni₃S₄/N,P-HPC, with overpotentials as low as 0.37 V at 10 mA cm⁻². The work outlined herein offers a simple and effective method for the development of carbon-based electrocatalysts for renewable energy conversion.     

[Ru(dcbpy)2dppz]2+/Fullerene Cosensitized PTB7-Th for Ultrasensitive Photoelectrochemical MicroRNA Assay

A new cosensitization photoelectrochemical (PEC) strategy was established by using a donor–acceptor-type photoactive material, poly{4,8-bis[5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl-alt-3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4-b]thiophene-4,6-diyl} (PTB7-Th), as a signal indicator, which was cosensitized with bis(4,4′dicarboxyl-2,2′-bipyridyl)(4,5,9,14-tetraazabenzo[b]triphenylene)ruthenium(II) ([Ru(dcbpy)₂dppz]²⁺) embedded in the grooves of the DNA duplex and fullerene (nano-C₆₀) immobilized on the surface of DNA nanoflowers for microRNA assay. [Ru(dcbpy)₂dppz]²⁺ and nano-C₆₀ could effectively enhance the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of PTB7-Th as a result of well-matched energy levels among nano-C₆₀, [Ru(dcbpy)₂dppz]²⁺ and PTB7-Th, leading to a clearly enhanced photocurrent signal. Meanwhile, a target recycling magnification technique based on duplex-specific nuclease was applied in this work to obtain higher detection sensitivity. The proposed biosensor demonstrated excellent analytical properties within a linear detection range of 2.5 fm to 2.5 nm and a limit of detection down to 0.83 fm . Impressively, this cosensitization PEC strategy offers an effective and convenient avenue to significantly improve the PCE of a photoactive material, resulting in a remarkably improved photocurrent signal for ultrasensitive and highly accurate detection of various targets.