d-Orbital Reconstructions Forced by Double Bow-Shaped Deformations and Second Coordination Sphere Effects of Cu(II) Heme Analogs in HER**

Both geometric architecture and electronic configurations of heme proteins contribute to its activity. In this work we designed and synthesized a series of four copper(II) porphyrin complexes ( 4 -, 3 -, 2 - and 1 -Cu) where the molecular conformations are modulated by a pair of stepwise shortened straps on the same porphyrin side (cis-ortho) to give double bow-shaped skeletons. Single crystal structures demonstrate that the straps gradually increase the saddle deformation and the deviation of the metal centers, which is in accordance with two, unusual d-orbital reconstructions of two different ground states, as revealed by 4 K EPR and DFT calculations. In the study of the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), 1 -Cu, with the shortest straps, showed the most apparent improvement of activity. Second coordination sphere (SCS) effects created by the double bow-shaped architecture and the strong saddle porphyrin core in 1 -Cu are found to play key roles in proton trapping during the catalytic process. The work contributes a novel strategy to improve the catalytic performance of heme analogs through ligand geometric modulation.     

Direct Quantification of Nanoplastics Neurotoxicity by Single-Vesicle Electrochemistry

Nanoplastics are recently recognized as neurotoxic factors for the nervous systems. However, whether and how they affect vesicle chemistry (i.e., vesicular catecholamine content and exocytosis) remains unclear. This study offers the first direct evidence for the nanoplastics-induced neurotoxicity by single-vesicle electrochemistry. We observe the cellular uptake of polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics into model neuronal cells and mouse primary neurons, leading to cell viability loss depending on nanoplastics exposure time and concentration. By using single-vesicle electrochemistry, we find the reductions in the vesicular catecholamine content, the frequency of stimulated exocytotic spikes, the neurotransmitter release amount of single exocytotic event, and the membrane-vesicle fusion pore opening-closing speed. Mechanistic investigations suggest that PS nanoplastics can cause disruption of filamentous actin (F-actin) assemblies at cytomembrane zones and change the kinetic patterns of vesicle exocytosis. Our finding shapes the first quantitative picture of neurotoxicity induced by high-concentration nanoplastics exposure at a single-cell level.     

Fabrication of type-II InAs/GaSb superlattice long-wavelength infrared focal plane arrays

In this paper, we present an InAs/GaSb type-II superlattice (SL) with the M-structure for the fabrication of a long-wavelength (10 μm range) infrared (LWIR) focal plane arrays (FPA), which are grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The M-structure is named for the shape of the band alignment while the AlSb layer is inserted into the GaSb layer of InAs/GaSb SL. A 320 × 256 LWIR FPA has been fabricated with low surface leakage and high R₀A product of FPA pixels by using anodic sulfide and SiO₂ physical passivation. Experiment results show that the devices passivated with anodic sulfide obviously have higher R₀A than the un-sulphurized one. The 50% cutoff wavelength of the LWIR FPA is 9.1 μm, and the R₀A is 224 Ω cm² with the average detectivity of 2.3 × 10¹⁰ cm Hz^1/2 W⁻¹.     

Experimental study of single bubble motion in a liquid metal column exposed to a DC magnetic field

The motion of single Argon bubbles rising in the eutectic alloy GaInSn under the influence of a DC longitudinal magnetic field (parallel to the direction of bubble motion) was examined. The magnetic field strength was varied up to 0.3 T corresponding to a magnetic interaction parameter N (which measures the ratio of electromagnetic forces to inertial forces) slightly greater than 1. The liquid metal was at rest in a cylindrical container. Bubble and liquid velocities were measured using ultrasound Doppler velocimetry (UDV). The measured bubble terminal velocity showed oscillations indicating a zigzag movement of ellipsoidal bubbles. For small bubbles (d_e ⩽ 4.6 mm) an increase of the drag coefficient with increasing magnetic interaction parameter N was observed, whereas for larger bubbles (d_e ⩾ 5.4 mm) the application of the magnetic field reduces the drag coefficient. The measurements revealed a distinct electromagnetic damping of the bubble induced liquid velocity leading to more rectilinear bubble trajectories when the magnetic field is applied. Moreover, significant modifications of the bubble wake structure were observed. Raising of the magnetic field strength caused an enlargement of the eddies in the wake. The Strouhal number decreases with increasing magnetic interaction parameter N.     

基于锑化物二类超晶格的多色红外探测器研究进展

近年来InAs/GaSb二类超晶格红外探测器在材料晶体结构生长、器件结构设计与成像应用方面取得了飞速发展。尤其在多色红外探测方面,二类超晶格材料以其具备的带隙可调、暗电流小、量子效率高、材料均匀性高,以及成本低等优越性能,使其逐步成为第三代红外焦平面探测器的优选材料。本文阐述了锑化物窄带隙半导体研究中心的锑化物多色红外探测器研究进展。本团队成功实现了低噪声、高量子效率以及低光学串扰的短/中、短/长、中/长、长/长、中/长/甚长波等多种高性能多色红外探测器研制。     

Collective correlations,dynamics, and behavioural inconsistencies of the cryptocurrency market over time

Nonlinear Dynamics - This paper introduces new methods to study behaviours among the 52 largest cryptocurrencies between 01-01-2019 and 30-06-2021. First, we explore evolutionary correlation...     

Type II strained layer superlattice: A potential future IR solution

Type II strained layer superlattice (SLS) has been making tremendous progress in the past few years funded by the Missile Defense Agency Advanced Technology Directorate (MDA/DV) under the Passive EO/IR Program. SLS has shown great potential as a future solution for infrared military systems. In this presentation, the most recent progress in SLS development will be presented. The presentation will also discuss the comparison of SLS with mercury–cadmium–telluride (HgCdTe) using Rule 07, SLS minority carrier lifetime issues, and future directions.     

Revealing the unexpected promotion effect of EuOx on Pt/CeO2 catalysts for catalytic combustion of toluene

Pt/Eu₂O₃-CeO₂ materials with different Eu concentrations were prepared and applied to toluene destruction, and the remarkable promotion impact of EuO_x on Pt/CeO₂ can be observed. The characterization results reveal that the presence of EuO_x significantly enhances the redox property, lattice O concentration, and Ce³⁺ ratio of the Pt/CeO₂ material, which facilitates the dispersion and activity of Pt active sites and thus accelerates the decomposition process of toluene. Among all catalysts, a sample with an Eu content of 2.5 at.% (Pt/EC-2.5) possesses the best catalytic activity with 0.09 vol% of toluene completely destructed at 200 °C under a relatively high GHSV of 50000 h^?1. The possible reaction pathway and mechanism of toluene combustion over Pt/Eu₂O₃-CeO₂ samples are presented according to in-situ DRIFTS, which confirms that the toluene oxidation process obeys the Mars-van Krevelen mechanism with aldehydes and ketones as primary organic intermediates.