Multivariate optimization and comparison between conventional extraction (CE) and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) of carotenoid extraction from cashew apple

Carotenoids are an essential component of cashew and can be used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, natural pigment, food additives, among other applications. The present work focuses on optimizing and comparing conventional and ultrasound-assisted extraction methods. Every optimization step took place with a 1:1 (w:w) mixture of yellow and red cashew apples lyophilized and ground in a cryogenic mill. A Simplex-centroid design was applied for both methods, and the solvents acetone, methanol, ethanol, and petroleum ether were evaluated. After choosing the extractor solvent, a central composite design was applied to optimize the sample mass (59–201 mg) and extraction time (6–34 min). The optimum conditions for the extractor solvent were 38% acetone, 30% ethanol, and 32% petroleum ether for CE and a mixture of 44% acetone and 56% methanol for UAE. The best experimental conditions for UAE were a sonication time of 19 min and a sample mass of 153 mg, while the CE was 23 min and 136 mg. Comparing red and yellow cashews, red cashews showed a higher carotenoid content in both methodologies. The UAE methodology was ca. 21% faster, presented a more straightforward composition of extracting solution, showed an average yield of superior carotenoid content in all samples compared to CE. Therefore, UAE has demonstrated a simple, efficient, fast, low-cost adjustment methodology and a reliable alternative for other applications involving these bioactive compounds in the studied or similar matrix.     

Terahertz generation in quantum cascade structures by two-color deriving fields: An approach to reach inversion population via optical pumping

In this paper, a quantum cascade laser (QCL) design is proposed based on GaAs/AlGaAs material system, which simultaneously operates at three widely separated wavelengths (${\lambda }_1=11.1\mu m,{\lambda }_2=14.1\mu m$ and ${\lambda }_{THz}=60\mu m$). In the design, all the wavelength radiations are achieved by the engineering of the electronic spectrum via the quantum-well widths and the applied electric field in a single active region within a same waveguide. The mid-infrared (mid-IR) wavelengths are obtained by adoption a dual-upper-state active region, and the proposed design aims to use both the mid-IR radiations as the coherent deriving fields to populate the upper THz lasing state to aid the THz-laser population inversion via optical pumping instead of direct electrical injection. A detailed analysis of electronic transport in the structure is carried out using a multi-level rate-equation model. The results show that the proposed structure offers an alternative approach to room temperature THz generation in QCLs.     

光纤基底TiNi形状记忆合金薄膜制备工艺

将TiNi基记忆合金薄膜与光纤相结合可制成智能化、集成化且成本经济的微机电系统和微传感器件.本文采用磁控溅射法在二氧化硅光纤基底上制备TiNi记忆合金薄膜,系统讨论了溅射工艺参数以及后续退火处理对薄膜质量的影响.采用自研制光纤镀膜掩膜装置在直径为125μm的光纤圆周表面上形成均匀薄膜.实验表明:在靶基距、背底真空度、Ar气流量和溅射时间一定的条件下,溅射功率存在最佳值;溅射压强较大时,薄膜沉积速率较低,但薄膜表面粗糙度较小.进行退火处理后,薄膜形成较良好的晶体结构,Ti_49.09Ni_50.91薄膜中马氏体B19′相和奥氏体B2相共存,但以B19′为主.根据本文研究结果,在玻璃光纤基底上制备高质量的TiNi基记忆合金薄膜是可实现的,本工作为下一步研制微机电系统和微型传感器做了基础准备.     

Synthesis of flower-like WS2 by chemical vapor deposition

Flower-like tungsten disulfide (WS₂) with a diameter of 5-10 μm is prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy are used to characterize its morphological and optical properties, and its growth mechanism is discussed. The key factors for the formation of flower-like WS₂ are determined. Firstly, the cooling process causes the generation of nucleation dislocations, and then the "leaf" growth of flower-like WS₂ is achieved by increasing the temperature.     

不同退火条件对PEALD制备的Ga2O3薄膜特性的影响

利用等离子增强原子层沉积技术(PEALD)在c面蓝宝石衬底上制备了氧化镓(Ga₂O₃)薄膜,研究了退火气氛(v(N₂)∶v(O₂)=1∶1(体积比)、空气和N₂)及退火时间对Ga₂O₃薄膜晶体结构、表面形貌和光学性质的影响。研究结果表明,退火前的氧化镓处于亚稳态,不同退火气氛下退火后晶体结构发生明显改变,而且退火气氛中N₂比例增加有利于Ga₂O₃重结晶。在N₂气氛下退火达到30 min,薄膜结构已由亚稳态转变成择优取向的β-Ga₂O₃。而且表面形貌分析表明,退火30 min后表面形貌开始趋于稳定,表面晶粒密度不再增加。另外实验样品在 400~800 nm的平均透射率几乎是100%,且光吸收边陡峭。采用N₂气氛退火,对于富氧环境下沉积的Ga₂O₃更利于薄膜表面原子迁移,以及择优取向Ga₂O₃重结晶。     

Asymmetric nonlinear-mode-conversion in an optical waveguide withPT symmetry

Asymmetric mode transformation in waveguide is of great significance for on-chip integrated devices with one-way effect, while it is challenging to achieve asymmetric nonlinear-mode-conversion (NMC) due to the limitations imposed by phase-matching. In this work, we theoretically proposed a new scheme for realizing asymmetric NMC by combining frequency-doubling process and periodic PT symmetric modulation in an optical waveguide. By engineering the one-way momentum from PT symmetric modulation, we have demonstrated the unidirectional conversion from pump to second harmonic with desired guided modes. Our findings offer new opportunities for manipulating nonlinear optical fields with PT symmetry, which could further boost more exploration on on-chip nonlinear devices assisted by non-Hermitian optics.     

Mg,N掺杂β-Ga2O3光电性质的第一性原理计算

通过基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理计算,研究了Mg单掺杂、N单掺杂和不同浓度的Mg-N共掺杂β-Ga₂O₃的结构性质、电子性质和光学性质,以期获得性能比较优异的p型β-Ga₂O₃材料。建立了五种模型:Mg单掺杂、N单掺杂、1个Mg-N共掺杂、2个Mg-N共掺杂和3个Mg-N共掺杂β-Ga₂O₃。经过计算,3个Mg-N共掺杂β-Ga₂O₃体系的结构最稳定。此外,在5种模型中,3个Mg-N共掺杂β-Ga₂O₃体系的禁带宽度是最小的,并且N 2p和Mg 3s贡献的占据态抑制了氧空位的形成,从而增加了空穴浓度。因此,3个Mg-N共掺杂β-Ga₂O₃体系表现出优异的p型性质。3个Mg-N共掺杂体系的吸收峰出现明显红移,在太阳盲区的光吸收系数较大,这归因于导带Ga 4s、Ga 4p、Mg 3s向价带O 2p、N 2p的带间电子跃迁。本工作将为p型β-Ga₂O₃日盲光电材料的研究和应用提供理论指导。     

体积应变对立方钛酸铅电子结构和光学性质的影响

本文利用第一性原理方法计算并分析了体积应变(-11%~11%)对立方顺电相PbTiO₃的结构、稳定性、电子结构和光学性质的影响。研究发现体积应变后PbTiO₃形成焓增大,稳定性下降,其中压应变对其稳定性的影响比拉应变大。当受到拉伸应变时,立方PbTiO₃由直接带隙半导体变为间接带隙半导体,且带隙随应变增大呈先增大后降低的趋势。在发生压应变时,从复介电函数、复折射率及吸收系数的分析结果可知,在自然光照下PbTiO₃的光吸收能力仅在个别波段有所增大,但总体呈减弱趋势,当产生拉伸应变时,介电峰、吸收峰红移,表明PbTiO₃在可见光范围内光吸收能力增强,并且当应变增大到11%时,PbTiO₃的吸收能力远高于本征立方相。     

The pentacene films on the glass/ITO surface: structure and optical properties

Abstract

The structure, morphology and optical transmittance spectra of pentacene films on the (glass/ITO) surface were studied. The films were grown by two methods - the thermal vacuum deposition (TVD) and pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The electron diffraction pattern from thermally deposited pentacene films confirms their polycrystalline structure while the diffraction pattern of PLD-coated layers has a diffusion character. The results obtained showed that layers deposited by the TVD method has an optical spectrum that is characteristic for the pentacene film in contrary to the layers deposited by the PLD method. It is found a sensitivity of the optical transmittance of pentacene films to the ammonia action, which may be used for development the optical gas sensor.     

Simulating the dynamic behavior of planetary gearbox based on improved Hanning function

Planetary gearboxes are widely used in industrial machines. They usually work in harsh environments giving rise to damages and high maintenance costs. Condition monitoring is a key action allowing one to detect the presence of such damage ensuring healthy running conditions. The knowledge of the dynamic behavior of such a gearbox can be achieved using modeling tools as a primary step before conditioning the monitoring subject. In addition, modeling a gear set can help in the stage of design in order to optimize physical and geometric parameters of the system. Therefore, in this work, a two-dimensional lumped parameter model is adopted to build all vibration sources. The time-varying mesh stiffness is approximated as a square wave form. A novel mathematical formulation is proposed to model the amplitude modulation phenomenon due to the rotational motion of the planets around the center of the gearbox. Finally, the overall vibration signal is concluded as a summation of all vibration components influenced by the modulation function.