Quantum algorithm for neighborhood preserving embedding

Neighborhood preserving embedding (NPE) is an important linear dimensionality reduction technique that aims at preserving the local manifold structure. NPE contains three steps, i.e., finding the nearest neighbors of each data point, constructing the weight matrix, and obtaining the transformation matrix. Liang et al. proposed a variational quantum algorithm (VQA) for NPE [Phys. Rev. A 101 032323 (2020)]. The algorithm consists of three quantum sub-algorithms, corresponding to the three steps of NPE, and was expected to have an exponential speedup on the dimensionality n. However, the algorithm has two disadvantages: (i) It is not known how to efficiently obtain the input of the third sub-algorithm from the output of the second one. (ii) Its complexity cannot be rigorously analyzed because the third sub-algorithm in it is a VQA. In this paper, we propose a complete quantum algorithm for NPE, in which we redesign the three sub-algorithms and give a rigorous complexity analysis. It is shown that our algorithm can achieve a polynomial speedup on the number of data points m and an exponential speedup on the dimensionality n under certain conditions over the classical NPE algorithm, and achieve a significant speedup compared to Liang et al.'s algorithm even without considering the complexity of the VQA.     

TPE based aggregation induced emission fluorescent sensors for viscosity of liquid and mechanical properties of hydrogel

Two amphiphilic TPE E/Z isomers with aggregation induced emission(AIE) property have been synthesized and characterized. The logarithmic fluorescent intensity of the two molecules was in positive relationship with logarithmic viscosity of liquid. To note, the Z-TPE isomer exhibited more sensitivity in the viscosity of liquid sensing in comparison with the corresponding E-TPE counterpart(around 1.80 folds).Furthermore, two molecules could be used as fluorescent sensors for mechanical properties(v...     

Active sites engineering of Pt/CNT oxygen reduction catalysts by atomic layer deposition

Understanding carbon-supported Pt-catalyzed oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)from the perspective of the active sites is of fundamental and practical importance.In this study,three differently sized carbon nanotube-supported Pt nanoparticles(Pt/CNT)are prepared by both atomic layer deposition(ALD)and impregnation methods.The performances of the catalysts toward the ORR in acidic media are comparatively studied to probe the effects of the sizes of the Pt nanoparticles together with their distributions,electronic properties,and local environments.The ALD-Pt/CNT catalysts show much higher ORR activity and selectivity than the impregnation-Pt/CNT catalysts.This outstanding ORR performance is ascribed to the well-controlled Pt particle sizes and distributions,desirable Pt^04f binding energy,and the Cl-free Pt surfaces based on the electrocatalytic measurements,catalyst characterizations,and model calculations.The insights reported here could guide the rational design and fine-tuning of carbon-supported Pt catalysts for the ORR.     

Boron-doping induced lithophilic transition of graphene for dendrite-free lithium growth

Li metal,possessing advantages of high theoretical specific capacity and low electrochemical potential,is regarded as the most promising anode material for next-generation batteries.However,despite decades of intensive research,its practical application is still hindered by safety hazard and low Coulombic efficiency,which is primarily caused by dendritic Li deposition.To address this issue,restraining dendrite growth at the nucleation stage is deemed as the most effective method.By utilizing the difference of electronegativity between boron atoms and carbon atoms,carbon atoms around boron atoms in boron-doped graphene(BG)turn into lithiophilic sites,which can enhance the adsorption capacity to Li⁺at the nucleation stage.Consequently,an ultralow overpotential of 10 mV at a current density of 0.5 mA/cm² and a high average Coulombic efficiency of 98.54%over more than 140 cycles with an areal capacity of 2 mAh/cm² at a current density of 1 m A/cm² were achieved.BG-Li|LiFePO₄ full cells delivered a long lifespan of480 cycles at 0.5 C and excellent rate capability.This work provides a novel method for rational design of dendrite-free Li metal batteries by regulating nucleation process.     

Research on the ions' axial temperature of a sympathetically-cooled 113Cd+ ion crystal

Molecular dynamics simulation of a sympathetically-cooled ¹¹³Cd⁺ ion crystal system is achieved. Moreover, the relationship between ions' axial temperature and different electric parameters, including radio frequency voltage and end-cap voltage is depicted. Under stable trapping condition, optimum radio frequency voltage, corresponding to minimum temperature and the highest cooling efficiency, is obtained. The temperature is positively correlated with end-cap voltage. The relationship is also confirmed by a sympathetically-cooled ¹¹³Cd⁺ microwave clock. The pseudo-potential model is used to illustrate the relationship and influence mechanism. A reasonable index, indicating ions' temperature, is proposed to quickly estimate the relative ions' temperature. The investigation is helpful for ion crystal investigation, such as spatial configuration manipulation, sympathetic cooling efficiency enhancement, and temporal evolution.     

Research progress of Pt and Pt-based cathode electrocatalysts for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells

Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have been widely used commercially to solve the energy crisis and environmental pollution. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode is the rate-determining step in PEMFCs. Platinum (Pt) catalysts are used to accelerate the ORR kinetics. Pt's scarcity, high cost, and instability in an acidic environment at high potentials seriously hinder the commercialization of PEMFCs. Therefore, studies should explore electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity, enhanced stability, and low-Pt loading. This review briefly introduces the research progress on Pt and Pt-based ORR electrocatalysts for PEMFCs, including anticorrosion catalyst supports, Pt, and Pt-based alloy electrocatalysts. Advanced preparation technology and material characterization of Pt-based ORR electrocatalysts are necessary to improve the performance and corresponding reaction mechanisms.     

Recent progress in advanced core-shell metal-based catalysts for electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction

Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction（CO₂RR） plays an important role in solving the problem of high concentration of CO₂in the atmosphere and realizing carbon cycle. Core-shell structure has many unique features including tandem catalysis, lattice strain effect, defect engineering, which exhibit great potential in electrocatalysis. In this review, we focus on the advanced core-shell metal-based catalysts（CMCs） for electrochemical CO₂RR. The recent progress of ...     

LHRH/TAT dual peptides-conjugated polymeric vesicles for PTT enhanced chemotherapy to overcome hepatocellular carcinoma

Combination therapy such as photothermal therapy (PTT) enhanced chemotherapy is regarded as a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Herein, we developed redox-responsive polymeric vesicles based on the amphiphilic triblock copolymer PCL-ss-PEG-ss-PCL. To avoid the limited therapeutic effect of chemotherapeutic drugs caused by systemic exposures and drug resistance, the redox-sensitive polymeric vesicles were cargoed with two chemotherapeutics: doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX). Besides, indocyanine green (ICG) was encapsulated, and cell-penetrating peptides and LHRH targeting molecule were modified on the surface of polymeric vesicles. The results indicated that the polymeric vesicles can load different kinds of drugs with high drug loading content, trigger drug release in responsive to the reductive environment, realize high cellular uptake via dual peptides and laser irradiation, and achieve higher cytotoxicity via chemo-photothermal combination therapy. Hence, the redox-responsive LHRH/TAT dual peptides-conjugated PTX/DOX/ICG co-loaded polymeric micelles exhibited great potential in tumor-targeting and chemo-photothermal therapy.     

Mixing of Racemic Poly(L-lactide)/Poly(D-lactide) Blend with Miscible Poly(D,L-lactide):Toward All Stereocomplex-type Polylactide with Strikingly Enhanced SC Crystallizability

Stereocomplex-type polylactide (SC-PLA) consisting of alternatively arranged poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) chains has gained a good reputation as a sustainable engineering plastic with outstanding heat resistance and durability,however its practical applications have been considerably hindered by the weak SC crystallizability.Current methods used to enhance the SC crystallizability are generally achieved at the expense of the precious bio-renewability and/or bio-degradability of PLAs.Herein,we demonstrate a feasible method to address these challenges by incorporating small amounts of poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) into linear high-molecular-weight PLLA/PDLA blends.The results show that the incorporation of the atactic PDLLA leads to a significant enhancement in the SC crystallizability because its good miscibility with the isotactic PLAs makes it possible to greatly improve the chain mixing between PLLA and PDLA as an effective compatibilizer.Meanwhile,the melt stability (i.e.,the stability of PLLA/PDLA chain assemblies upon melting) could also be improved substantially.Very intriguingly,SC crystallites are predominantly formed with increasing content and molecular weight of PDLLA.More notably,exclusive SC crystallization can be obtained in the racemic blends with 20 wt％ PDLLA having weight-average molecular weight of above 1 ×10s g/mol,where the chain mixing level and intermolecular interactions between the PLA enantiomers could be strikingly enhanced.Overall,our work could not only open a promising horizon for the development of all SC-PLA-based engineering plastic with exceptional SC crystallizability but also give a fundamental insight into the crucial role of PDLLA in improving the SC crystallizability of PLLA/PDLA blends.