Growth and characterization of two-dimensional crystals for communication and energy applications

This review article covers the growth and characterization of two-dimensional (2D) crystals of transition metal chalcogenides, h-BN, graphene, etc. The chemical vapor transport method for bulk single crystal growth is discussed in detail. Top-down methods like mechanical and liquid exfoliation and bottom-up methods like chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy for mono/few-layer growth are described. The optimal characterization techniques such as optical, atomic force, scanning electron, and Raman spectroscopy for identification of mono/few-layer(s) of the 2D crystals are discussed. In addition, a survey was done for the application of 2D crystals for both creation and deterministic transfer of single-photon sources and photovoltaic systems. Finally, the application of plasmonic nanoantenna was proposed for enhanced solar-to-electrical energy conversion and faster/brighter quantum communication devices.     

Microfluidic fabrication of water-in-water droplets encapsulated in hydrogel microfibers

By combining microfiber spinning techniques with aqueous two phase system (ATPS), a rapid and simple strategy to fabricate water-in-water (w/w) droplets encapsulated in microfibers was proposed for the first time. Hydrophilic environment in hydrogel and the fiber format facilitates higher biocompatibility, convenient manipulation of the droplets and recycling of the contents inside droplets, which would have promising development in biological, pharmacological and environmental fields.     

等离子体中X射线透过率分析及潜在通信应用研究

X射线具有波长短、光子能量高等特点,有望在等离子体环境中实现信息的有效传输.本文首先采用基于连续介质中的WKB分层法,研究了黑障条件下, X射线在非均匀等离子体鞘套中的透过率特性,仿真了不同等离子体电子密度和碰撞频率下X射线信号的透过率,理论上证明了X射线可用于黑障区信息传输的可行性.其次通过搭建环形扩散辉光放电等离子体发生器及实验验证系统,进行了国内外首次X射线穿过等离子体鞘套的验证实验.实验结果表明,等离子体对X射线信号的透过率存在一定程度的衰减,透过等离子体前后的X射线信号能谱轮廓相似度优于95.5%,能谱峰值点的偏移量小于1.3%.此外,在原有理论模型的基础上,考虑等离子中的粒子与X射线的碰撞、吸收效应,优化了X射线在等离子体中的透过率模型,与传统的理论方法相比,该模型可对实验现象进行更好的解释.同时计算了X射线在临近空间的透过率,并分析了X射线通信所能达到的潜在指标.这些结果有望为解决黑障区信号传输提供一定的理论与实验依据.     

The effective geometry Monte Carlo algorithm: Applications to molecular communication

In this work, we address the systematic biases and random errors stemming from finite step sizes encountered in diffusion simulations. We introduce the Effective Geometry Monte Carlo (EG-MC) simulation algorithm which modifies the geometry of the receiver. We motivate our approach in a 1D toy model and then apply our findings to a spherical absorbing receiver in a 3D unbounded environment. We show that with minimal computational cost the impulse response of this receiver can be precisely simulated using EG-MC. Afterwards, we demonstrate the accuracy of our simulations and give tight constraints on the single free parameter in EG-MC. Finally, we comment on the range of applicability of our results. While we present the EG-MC algorithm for the specific case of molecular diffusion, we believe that analogous methods with effective geometry manipulations can be utilized to approach a variety of problems in other branches of physics such as condensed matter physics and cosmological large scale structure simulations.     

Design optimization of a Class VII Flextensional Transducer

Class VII Flextensional Transducers (FTs) have been proposed as a means of overcoming the limitation of very high prestress in Class IV FTs. These transducers are made from shells shaped like dog bone and hence are also known as dog-bone shell transducers. In this work, we report design optimization of a low frequency aluminum shell Class VII FT, resonating at 2.5 kHz, using piezoelectric drive. Two and three dimensional Finite Element Modeling (FEM), with the help of a commercially available package ATILA have been used for the design optimization. Dimensional details of the base model have been adapted from previous literature. Parametric analyses have been done with respect to various aspects like type of rubber, shell height, shell material, etc. in order to optimize the design. Experimental results obtained from an initial prototype are also presented. The results match fairly well with the predicted values.     

基于EKF的水下LD通信精对准控制算法

高速激光通信中接收机与光斑中心很难处于精对准状态,导致水下光通信链路难以稳定建立.首先采用蒙特卡洛仿真统计法分析激光光子在海水中传输的接收光强分布规律,再通过实验对接收端的光斑图像进行采样分析,利用曲线拟合得到接收器位置与接收光强的关系.仿真与实验结果表明:光束经过25 m的水下传输,接收光强分布仍近似为高斯分布.采用非线性估计算法(扩展卡尔曼滤波)与基本状态控制反馈理论,根据接收光强度估计接收器当前位置与最大光强处的距离,通过反馈算法实现接收端与光斑中心的主动跟踪对准.算法仿真结果显示,接收端对准误差在2 mm以下,稳定后接收效率超过98%.     

某型机进近段高精度相对姿态实时测量技术

某型机在飞行训练过程中，进近段的二维相对姿态数据对于该型机安全着陆有着至关重要的作用。基于无线网络电台的双向数据传输系统能够实时获取进近段飞机相对理想着陆点的水平、垂直相对位置数据。通过上行链路上传着陆点的姿态数据，下行链路实时下传动动差分后的差分数据,最后在中心控制站进行二次数据处理。该技术获得的进近段二维相对姿态精度达到厘米级，满足飞行训练的需求。同时结合飞机显控数据以及视景图，以多角化动态关联的方式将实时获取的姿态数据等呈现给指挥员，更好地辅助指挥员进行着陆指挥工作。     

Advantage of Quantum Theory over Nonclassical Models of Communication

Quantum correlations provide dramatic advantage over the corresponding classical resources in several communication tasks. However, a broad class of probabilistic theories exists that attributes greater success than quantum theory in many of these tasks by allowing supra-quantum correlations in “space-like” and/or “time-like” paradigms. In this letter, a communication task involving three spatially separated parties is proposed where one party (verifier) aims to verify whether the bit strings possessed by the other two parties (terminals) are equal or not. This task is called authentication with limited communication, the restrictions on communication being: i) the terminals cannot communicate with each other, but (ii) each of them can communicate with the verifier through single use of channels with limited capacity. Manifestly, classical resources are not sufficient for perfect success of this task. Moreover, it is also not possible to perform this task with certainty in several nonclassical theories although they might possess stronger “space-like” and/or “time-like” correlations. Surprisingly, quantum resources can achieve the perfect winning strategy. The proposed task thus stands apart from all previously known communication tasks as it exhibits quantum advantage over other nonclassical strategies.     

Building Knowledge Bridges through Effective Science Communication

The ability to communicate is fundamental to life as we know it and the key to success in many cases is based on having good communication skills. Be it written, spoken, visual, auditory or otherwise, effective communication can open many doors to hidden knowledge that can benefit the world. Science as an entity, which itself stems from the Latin word Scientia, (Engl. “knowledge”), has a tradition of not being particularly well communicated, with long words, vast and confusing concepts, and information overloads. However, as good as communication between scientists has generally become, there is still room for improvement. This article hopes to inform and inspire scientists to lead by example, to educate and advise in the best ways that we can, not just for non-experts, but for the interest of everyone.     

Five Years of ChemRxiv: Where We Are and Where We Go From Here**

ChemRxiv was launched on August 15, 2017 to provide researchers in chemistry and related fields a home for the immediate sharing of their latest research. In the past five years, ChemRxiv has grown into the premier preprint server for the chemical sciences, with a global audience and a wide array of scholarly content that helps advance science more rapidly. On the service's fifth anniversary, we would like to reflect on the past five years and take a look at what is next for ChemRxiv.