Local linear convergence analysis of Primal–Dual splitting methods

In this paper, we study the local linear convergence properties of a versatile class of Primal–Dual splitting methods for minimizing composite non-smooth convex optimization problems. Under the assumption that the non-smooth components of the problem are partly smooth relative to smooth manifolds, we present a unified local convergence analysis framework for these methods. More precisely, in our framework, we first show that (i) the sequences generated by Primal–Dual splitting methods identify a pair of primal and dual smooth manifolds in a finite number of iterations, and then (ii) enter a local linear convergence regime, which is characterized based on the structure of the underlying active smooth manifolds. We also show how our results for Primal–Dual splitting can be specialized to cover existing ones on Forward–Backward splitting and Douglas–Rachford splitting/ADMM (alternating direction methods of multipliers). Moreover, based on these obtained local convergence analysis result, several practical acceleration techniques are discussed. To exemplify the usefulness of the obtained result, we consider several concrete numerical experiments arising from fields including signal/image processing, inverse problems and machine learning. The demonstration not only verifies the local linear convergence behaviour of Primal–Dual splitting methods, but also the insights on how to accelerate them in practice.     

The electronic properties and electron transport of sawtooth penta-graphene nanoribbon under uniaxial strain: ab-initio study

ABSTRACT

The electronic properties and electron transport of a sawtooth penta-graphene nanoribbon (SSPGNR) under uniaxial strains are theoretically studied by density-functional theory (DFT) in combination with the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism. We investigated the electronic structures and the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of the SSPGNRs under a sequence of uniaxial strains in range from 10% compression to 10% stretch. In this strained range, carbon atoms still keep a pentagon network, but with the changing bond lengths. The C–C bond lengths change almost linearly with the tolerable strain. The value of the band gap of SSPGNRs can be depicted as a parabola under uniaxial strain. Our calculations show that the current is monotonous increase with compressive strain at the same applied bias voltage. In case of tensile strain, the variable rule of the current is different that it increases at first and decrease later. The fundamental physical properties (band structure, I–V characteristic) of SSPGNRs seem to be more sensitive to compressive strain than the stretch strain. The current intensity of the compressive-SSPGNR is by 2 orders of magnitude compared to that of the tensile-SSPGNR at the same strain in range from 6% to 10%. The results obtained from our calculations are beneficial to practical applications of these strained structures in SSPGNRs-based electromechanical devices.     

Theoretical studies of photovoltaic properties of five new silol dithiophene based D2-A-D1-A-D2 donors

Organic solar cell of silol dithiophene based D₂-A-D₁-A-D₂/PC₇₁BM (D: donor part; A: acceptor part; 1 and 2 denote different units) possesses promising power conversion efficiency. Researchers have studied D₂-A-D₁-A-D₂ molecules carefully, including the effects of the different number of terminal thiophenes, the different central moiety (D₁), and the length of the alkyl chain. However, there are few investigations, especially theoretical studies, on the influences of different A (acceptor) units on the properties of D₂-A-D₁-A-D₂ molecule. In the present work, we have designed and modeled five new D₂-A-D₁-A-D₂ (D₂ = bithiophene and D₁ = silol dithiophene) donors by changing A units (A = diketopyrrolopyrrole, naphtho[1,2-c:5,6-c′]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole, 5-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoselenadiazole, benzobisthiadiazole, and thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole). We have applied density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT to predict their ground-state electronic structures and the UV–vis spectra, and the open circuit voltages (Vocs) of organic solar cells of D₂-A-D₁-A-D₂/PC₇₁BM. Based on the calculated results, we find that bithiophene thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole siloldithiophene (BTTS) (D₂ = bithiophene, A = thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole, D₁ = silol dithiophene) possesses the highest lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (−2.60 eV) and the lowest highest occupied molecular orbital (−5.33 eV) energies, and the strongest absorption in the visible region. Besides, the solar cell of BTTS/PC₇₁BM has the highest Voc of 1.02 V. These results indicate that it may be a promising donor. In contrast, bithiophene benzobisthiadiazole siloldithiophene (BBBS) (A = benzobisthiadiazole) has low absorption strength in the visible region, which indicates that it may not be a suitable donor material.     

A super-junction SOI-LDMOS with low resistance electron channel

A novel super-junction LDMOS with low resistance channel(LRC), named LRC-LDMOS based on the silicon-oninsulator(SOI) technology is proposed. The LRC is highly doped on the surface of the drift region, which can significantly reduce the specific on resistance(Ron,sp) in forward conduction. The charge compensation between the LRC, N-pillar,and P-pillar of the super-junction are adjusted to satisfy the charge balance, which can completely deplete the whole drift,thus the breakdown voltage(BV) is enhanced in reverse blocking. The three-dimensional(3 D) simulation results show that the BV and R_(on,sp) of the device can reach 253 V and 15.5 mΩ·cm~2, respectively, and the Baliga's figure of merit(FOM = BV~2/R_(on,sp)) of 4.1 MW/cm~2 is achieved, breaking through the silicon limit.     

Progress on High Voltage PEO-based Polymer Solid Electrolytes in Lithium Batteries

Polymer electrolytes have attracted great interest for next-generation lithium-based batteries on account of safety and high energy density. In this review, we assess recent progress on the design of poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO)-based solid polymer electrolytes in high voltage lithium batteries and identify possible side reactions between PEO-based electrolytes and existing cathodes. We provide an overview of the ways to enhance high voltage resistance of PEO-based electrolytes. Those include components blend, molecular design and interface modification. With these efforts, we want to present new insights into rational design of PEO-based electrolytes to develop solid-state lithium batteries for advanced performance.     

q value and parent energy optimization using a low-voltage ionization approach increases resolution in linear ion trap mass spectrometry

In this work, the isolation step in the linear ion trap was performed using different “q values” conditions at a low collision-induced dissociation (CID) energy leading to the parent ion resolution improvements, reasonably due to better ion energy distribution. According to the results, we obtained a greater resolution and mass accuracy operating in both traditional electrospray and low voltage ionization near the q value = 0.778 and with a CID energy of 10%. This effect was evaluated with low-molecular-mass compounds (skatole and arginine). The proposed optimization yielded a superior instrument performance without adding technological complexity to mass spectrometry analyses.     

二硫化锡纳米片阻变存储器的制备与性能

采用水热法合成了尺寸为50~100 nm的二硫化锡纳米片,并首次以二硫化锡作为阻变层材料的阻变存储器（Cu/PMMA/SnS₂/Ag,PMMA=聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯）,对其阻变性能进行了研究。结果表明： Cu/PMMA/SnS₂/Ag阻变存储器的开关比约10⁵,耐受性2.7×10³。在上述2项性能指标达到较优水平的同时,开态与关态电压分别仅约为0.28与-0.19 V。     

Sulfone-based high-voltage electrolytes for high energy density rechargeable lithium batteries:Progress and perspective

Further enhancement in the energy density of rechargeable lithium batteries calls for high-voltage cathode materials and stable anodes,as well as matched high-voltage electrolytes without compromising the overall property of batteries.Sulfone-based electrolytes have aroused great interest in recent years owing to their wide electrochemical window and high safety.However,significant challenges such as the complexity of synthesis,high melting point(typically above room temperature),high viscosity,and their poor compatibility with graphite-based anodes have drastically impeded their practical applications.In this review,recent progress of sulfone solvents in high energy density rechargeable lithium batteries is summarized theoretically and experimentally.More importantly,general improvement methods of sulfone-based electrolytes,such as adding additives and cosolvents,structural modifications of sulfo ne,superconcentrated salt strategy are briefly discussed.We expect that this review provides inspiration for the future developments of sulfone-based high-voltage electrolytes(SHVEs) and their widespread applications in high specific energy lithium batteries.