Design of all-optical temporal differentiator using a Moir fiber grating

We design and demonstrate an all-optical temporal differentiator based on a simple Moir fiber grating operated in reflection. The simulation results prove that a single Moir fiber grating with only one π-phase shifted point can act as the first-order temporal differentiator and that a Moir fiber grating incorporating two symmetrical π-phase shifted points can act as the second-order temporal differentiator. A practical Moir fiber grating is fabricated, thereby proving that such a grating can act as the first-order temporal differentiator. Our results verify the feasibility, flexibility, and accuracy of the proposed method.     

Electric-field control of nonvolatile magnetization in Co40Fe40B20/Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))(0.7)Ti(0.3)O3 structure at room temperature

We report a large and nonvolatile bipolar-electric-field-controlled magnetization at room temperature in a Co(40)Fe(40)B(20)/Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))(0.7)Ti(0.3)O(3) structure, which exhibits an electric-field-controlled looplike magnetization. Investigations on the ferroelectric domains and crystal structures with in situ electric fields reveal that the effect is related to the combined action of 109° ferroelastic domain switching and the absence of magnetocrystalline anisotropy in Co(40)Fe(40)B(20). This work provides a route to realize large and nonvolatile magnetoelectric coupling at room temperature and is significant for applications.     

Microstructure evolution and thermal properties in FeMoPCB alloy during mechanical alloying

Fe_79.3Mo_4.5P_8.1C_6.75B_1.35 amorphous alloy composite powder from respective element powders of Fe, Mo, C, B, and Fe–P intermediate compound, was synthesized by mechanical alloying. Microstructure evolution analysis indicates that the synthesized amorphous alloy composite powder after a milling time of 70 h encompasses predominately amorphous matrix embedded by nanocrystalline α-Fe with a grain size of about 5.5 nm. However, unlike other Fe-based amorphous alloys, the synthesized amorphous alloy composite powder exhibits no obvious supercooled liquid region with only crystallization temperature. The corresponding crystallization onset temperature and exothermic enthalpy measured from DSC curves are about 762 K and 15.86 J/g, respectively. The results obtained provide good candidate materials for fabricating bulk metallic glass composites and related bulk nanocrystalline materials.     

Efficient one-pot multienzyme synthesis of UDP-sugars using a promiscuous UDP-sugar pyrophosphorylase from Bifidobacterium longum (BLUSP)

A promiscuous UDP-sugar pyrophosphorylase (BLUSP) was cloned from Bifidobacterium longum strain ATCC55813 and used efficiently with a Pasteurella multocida inorganic pyrophosphatase (PmPpA) with or without a monosaccharide 1-kinase for one-pot multienzyme synthesis of UDP-galactose, UDP-glucose, UDP-mannose, and their derivatives. Further chemical diversification of a UDP-mannose derivative resulted in the formation of UDP-N-acetylmannosamine.     

Fusing three perylenebisimide branches and a truxene core into a star-shaped chromophore with strong two-photon excited fluorescence and high photostability

A novel star-shaped chromophore, Tr-PBI, was constructed by fusing three perylenebisimide branches and a truxene core. Tr-PBI exhibits high photostability and excellent two-photon properties: the maximum of δ(TPA) is 11,000 GM at 990 nm and fluorescence quantum efficiency Φ is 0.40 in THF.     

Enhancing the Stokes' shift of BODIPY dyes via through-bond energy transfer and its application for Fe(3+)-detection in live cell imaging

Two energy transfer cassettes that exhibit a large pseudo Stokes' shift (up to 400 nm) due to efficient through-bond energy transfer (up to 99%) have been constructed. Selective binding of Fe(III) with the donor entity significantly suppresses the excitation energy transfer resulting in fluorescence quenching in aqueous solution and in living cells.     

Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)-based materials for organic photovoltaics

Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) pigments have been widely used in inks, paints, and plastics since it was first developed back in the early 1970s. The DPP-based materials were gradually exploited by optical and electrical applications for the excellent fluorescent properties and good charge carrier mobility. In recent years, great interest has been focused on developing organic photovoltaic functional materials containing a DPP core and attractive efficiencies have been achieved. This feature article describes the application of DPP-based materials, highlighting the applications in optoelectrical fields.     

A split ligand for lanthanide binding: facile evaluation of dimerizing proteins

Luminescence of lanthanides is attractive for biological applications due to its long lifetime and sharp emission profiles. We describe the split display of a lanthanide binding ligand that allows facile evaluation of dimerizing proteins. The split lanthanide ligand is cysteine reactive, and therefore should be readily applicable to a variety of protein systems.     

Low temperature preparation of crystalline ZrO2 coatings for improved elevated-temperature performances of Li-ion battery cathodes

Ultrathin crystalline ZrO(2) nanofilms have been facilely deposited on LiMn(2)O(4) particles at 120 °C using atomic layer deposition. The ZrO(2) coating shows high crystallinity, conformality and homogeneity, which contribute to considerably improved electrochemical performance of LiMn(2)O(4) at elevated temperature in lithium-ion batteries.     

H2O2 triggered sol-gel transition used for visual detection of glucose

A new approach for the visual detection of glucose based on a H(2)O(2) triggered sol-gel transition in combination with modified gold nanoparticles is reported.