Enhanced optical transmission through an array of compound unit with multiple concentric or eccentric annular apertures

In this paper, transmission properties through an array of compound unit with multiple concentric or eccentric annular apertures are numerically studied. It is demonstrated that the transmission of the compound structure is not a simple superposition of that of each annular aperture array but exhibit substantial changes in both the position and intensity of resonant peaks. It is also found that the gap plasmon resonance exhibit split peaks when the symmetry is broken, which can be well explained from the view of charge oscillation. These properties provide a method to achieve enhanced transmission in multi-frequencies simultaneously and are of significant applicable value to the design of tunable optical devices.     

A type of spectrophotometer with both SCI and SCE measurement structures

In order to measure the color of different samples with different surface texture, multiple measurement and observation conditions are needed from the instrument. Thus, both SCI (specular component included) and SCE (specular component excluded) measurement conditions are included in most color measuring instruments today. In current design, a light trap is established in the integrating sphere, and the instrument uses mechanical control to switch between SCI and SCE measurement modes. However, establishing a light trap inside the integrating sphere will affect the SCI and SCE measurement results. This article discusses the problems in current design, proposes a dual light source structure that includes both SCI and SCE measurement conditions, and then evaluates the structure with experiments. The experiment results show that the improved structure is more suitable for color measuring instruments with both SCI and SCE modes, and it has high practical value.     

Hydrogen Spillover Enhanced Hydroxyl Formation and Catalytic Activity Toward CO Oxidation at the Metal/Oxide Interface

H₂‐promoted catalytic activity of oxide‐supported metal catalysts in low‐temperature CO oxidation is of great interest but its origin remains unknown. Employing an FeO(111)/Pt(111) inverse model catalyst, we herewith report direct experimental evidence for the spillover of H(a) adatoms on the Pt surface formed by H₂ dissociation to the Pt?FeO interface to form hydroxyl groups that facilely oxidize CO(a) on the neighboring Pt surface to produce CO₂. Hydroxyl groups and coadsorbed water play a crucial role in the occurrence of hydrogen spillover. These results unambiguously identify the occurrence of hydrogen spillover from the metal surface to the noble metal/metal oxide interface and the resultant enhanced catalytic activity of the metal/oxide interface in low‐temperature CO oxidation, which provides a molecular‐level understanding of both H₂‐promoted catalytic activity of metal/oxide ensembles in low‐temperature CO oxidation and hydrogen spillover.     

Quantitation of Oxidative Stress Gene Expression in MCF-7 Human Cell Lines Treated with Water-Dispersible CuO Nanoparticles

The objective of this study was to assess the cytotoxicity of water-dispersible CuO nanoparticles by quantifying the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related genes (glutathione S-transferase (GST) and catalase) using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Monodisperse CuO nanoparticles of 14 nm in size were used. Cytotoxicity of CuO nanoparticles was evaluated under in vitro condition at different concentrations (10, 50, and 100 μg/ml) and incubation times (12, 24, and 48 h) with human cancer cell lines (breast cancer epithelial cells). The genetic level cytotoxic screening produced consistent results showing that GST and catalase ROS gene expression was maximized in 24 h incubation at 100 μg/ml concentration of CuO nanoparticles. However, the cytotoxicity of water-dispersible CuO nanoparticle was not significant compared with control experiments, demonstrating its high potential in the application of nanomedicines for a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.     

Carbon Nanotubes/Heteroatom‐Doped Carbon Core–Sheath Nanostructures as Highly Active,Metal‐Free Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts for Alkaline Fuel Cells

A facile, scalable route to new nanocomposites that are based on carbon nanotubes/heteroatom‐doped carbon (CNT/HDC) core–sheath nanostructures is reported. These nanostructures were prepared by the adsorption of heteroatom‐containing ionic liquids on the walls of CNTs, followed by carbonization. The design of the CNT/HDC composite allows for combining the electrical conductivity of the CNTs with the catalytic activity of the heteroatom‐containing HDC sheath layers. The CNT/HDC nanostructures are highly active electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction and displayed one of the best performances among heteroatom‐doped nanocarbon catalysts in terms of half‐wave potential and kinetic current density. The four‐electron selectivity and the exchange current density of the CNT/HDC nanostructures are comparable with those of a Pt/C catalyst, and the CNT/HDC composites were superior to Pt/C in terms of long‐term durability and poison tolerance. Furthermore, an alkaline fuel cell that employs a CNT/HDC nanostructure as the cathode catalyst shows very high current and power densities, which sheds light on the practical applicability of these new nanocomposites.     

Annealing-free Poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester-based organic solar cells

We report on the fabrication of efficient annealing-free organic solar cells using co-solvent solution considered as a promising method for low-cost and time-saving manufacturing. Higher device efficiency could be obtained compared to the pure solvent casted device, resulting from the improved crystallinity, optical absorption and transport properties. The power conversion efficiency of 2.8% was obtained, demonstrating the feasibility of achieving low-cost and high-efficiency organic solar cells without any additional treatment and processing additives.