Optimization of detection device geometry for NIR spectroscopy using a three-layered model of stone fruit

The influences of detection device geometry and fiber optic parameters on near infrared spectroscopy measurements were assessed using stone fruit models based on Monte Carlo simulation. The stone fruit was modeled as concentric spherical layered tissues including the skin, the flesh and the core. The choices of the detection angle, the diameter of the detection fiber, the numerical aperture, and the height of the probe were discussed. Receiving diffuse reflectance signals at detection angles in the range of 35°–50° and normalizing the detection signals by the collection area and the solid acceptance angle prior to use are suggested. Fiber probes with diameters D = 0.06 cm or 0.1 cm, NA = 0.20 or 0.30, and height h ≤ 0.8 cm are preferred. The probe deflection angle should be limited to within ±5° to guarantee measurement accuracy.     

Investigation on thermal performance of a high-temperature heat-pipe thermal protection structure

Sharp leading edges with a millimeter-scale radius are required for hypersonic vehicles from aerodynamic reasons. However, with the leading edges being so sharp, stagnation regions at wing and tail leading edges suffer a hostile thermal environment. Therefore, a high-temperature heat pipe is considered to be integrated into the structure of the leading edge to reduce the temperature of the stagnation point. In this paper, a superalloy-refractory composite-container-“wall” combined with the wick and working fluid structure is proposed, which is proved to be a feasible design of a heat pipe for the semi-passive thermal protection system (TPS). The effects of different material of the exterior surface on the temperature distributions are investigated. The effect of the half wedge angle, the design length and porosity of the wick is also investigated to find the effect of the geometry of the structure of the leading edge on the operation of the heat pipe.     

Plasma and cavitation dynamics during pulsed laser microsurgery in vivo

We compare the plasma and cavitation dynamics underlying pulsed laser microsurgery in water and in fruit fly embryos (in vivo)--specifically for nanosecond pulses at 355 and 532 nm. We find two key differences. First, the plasma-formation thresholds are lower in vivo--especially at 355 nm--due to the presence of endogenous chromophores that serve as additional sources for plasma seed electrons. Second, the biological matrix constrains the growth of laser-induced cavitation bubbles. Both effects reduce the disrupted region in vivo when compared to extrapolations from measurements in water.     

Evolution of the electronic structure of 1T-Cu(x)TiSe(2)

The electronic structure of a new charge-density-wave system or superconductor, 1T-Cu(x)TiSe(2), has been studied by photoemission spectroscopy. A correlated semiconductor band structure is revealed for the undoped case, which resolves a long-standing controversy in the system. With Cu doping, the charge-density wave is suppressed by the raising of the chemical potential, while the superconductivity is enhanced by the enhancement of the density of states, and possibly suppressed at higher doping by the strong scattering.     

Turbulence control with local pacing and its implication in cardiac defibrillation

In this review article, we describe turbulence control in excitable systems by using a local periodic pacing method. The controllability conditions of turbulence suppression and the mechanisms underlying these conditions are analyzed. The local pacing method is applied to control Winfree turbulence (WT) and defect turbulence (DT) induced by spiral-wave breakup. It is shown that WT can always be suppressed by local pacing if the pacing amplitude and frequency are properly chosen. On the other hand, the pacing method can achieve suppression of DT induced by instabilities associated with the motions of spiral tips while failing to suppress DT induced by the instabilities of wave propagation far from tips. In the latter case, an auxiliary method of applying gradient field is suggested to improve the control effects. The implication of this local pacing method to realistic cardiac defibrillation is addressed.     

Monolithic 160 Gbit/s optical time-division multiplexer

We present the design and experimental characterization of a monolithic optical time-division multiplexer (MUX) for 160 Gbit/s operation based on periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguides. Its key figures of merit agree well with theoretical predictions and meet or exceed those of a previously demonstrated PPLN-planar-light-wave-circuit hybrid MUX. The monolithic design has a simpler layout and higher efficiency while keeping the cross talk low.     

Photonic generation of a millimeter-wave signal based on sextuple-frequency multiplication

A millimeter-wave signal with sextuple-frequency multiplication of a microwave source is obtained with two cascaded optical modulators, which are driven by the same microwave source with phase deviation of pi/2 introduced by an electrical phase shifter. Without any optical filter, a wideband continuously tunable millimeter-wave signal is easily generated.     

Cycloaddition reactions of benzyne with olefins

Some novel cycloaddition reactions based on benzyne and olefins have been developed.These reactions were performed in the absence of a transition metal catalyst,and they displayed good yields.These cycloaddition reactions of benzyne with olefins provide effective routes for synthesizing benzocyclobutenes,biaryl compounds and 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene derivatives.     

Porous Tantalum Nitride Single Crystal at Two-Centimeter Scale with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance

Porous tantalum nitride (Ta₃N₅) single crystals, combining structural coherence and porous microstructure, would substantially improve the photoelectrochemical performance. The structural coherence would reduce the recombination of charge carriers and maintain excellent transport properties while the porous microstructure would not only reduce photon scattering but also facilitate surface reactions. Here, we grow bulk-porous Ta₃N₅ single crystals on a two-centimeter scale with (002), (023), and (041) facets, respectively, and show significantly enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. We show the preferential facet growth of porous crystals in a lattice reconstruction strategy in relation to lattice match and lattice channel. We present the facet engineering to enhance light absorption, exciton lifetime and transport properties. The porous Ta₃N₅ single crystal boosts photoelectrochemical oxidation of alcohols with the (002) facet showing the highest performance of >99 % alcohol conversion and >99 % aldehyde/ketone selectivity.