Altering the Position of Phenyl Substitution to Adjust Film Morphology and Memory Device Performance

In this study, two structural isomers α‐PBT and β‐PBT, which only differ in the phenyl substituent position on the quinoline chromophore, have been designed and successfully synthesized. The influences of substituent position on the film morphology and the storage performance of the devices were investigated. Both molecules employed in the memory devices exhibited same nonvolatile binary (write‐once‐read‐many‐times; WORM) characteristics, but the switch threshold voltage (Vth) of the β‐PBT‐based device was clearly lower than that of the α‐PBT‐based device. Simulation results demonstrate that the variation of the phenyl substituent position led to different intermolecular stacking styles and thus to varied grain sizes for each film morphology. This work illustrates that altering the phenyl substituent position on the molecular backbone could improve the quality of the film morphology and reduce power consumption, which is good for the rational design of future advanced organic memory devices (OMDs).     

Photoluminescence properties of a cationic trinuclear zinc(II) complex with the tetradentate Schiff base ligand 6‐methyl‐2‐({[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]imino}methyl)phenolate

Metal complexes with Schiff base ligands have been suggested as potential phosphors in electroluminescent devices. In the title complex, tetrakis[6‐methyl‐2‐({[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]imino}methyl)phenolato‐1:2κ⁸N,N′,O:O;3:2κ⁸N,N′,O:O]trizinc(II) hexafluoridophosphate methanol monosolvate, [Zn₃(C₁₄H₁₃N₂O)₄](PF₆)₂·CH₃OH, the Zn^II cations adopt both six‐ and four‐coordinate geometries involving the N and O atoms of tetradentate 6‐methyl‐2‐({[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]imino}methyl)phenolate ligands. Two terminal Zn^II cations adopt distorted octahedral geometries and the central Zn^II cation adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The O atoms of the phenolate ligands bridge three Zn^II cations, forming a dicationic trinuclear metal cluster. The title complex exhibits a strong emission at 469 nm with a quantum yield of 15.5%.     

Reversible Mechanical Switching of Magnetic Interactions in a Molecular Shuttle

An acid–base switchable molecular shuttle based on a [2]rotaxane, incorporating stable radical units in both the ring and dumbbell components, is reported. The [2]rotaxane comprises a dibenzo[24]crown-8 ring (DB24C8) interlocked with a dumbbell component that possesses a dialkylammonium (NH₂⁺) and a 4,4′-bipyridinium (BPY²⁺) recognition site. Deprotonation of the rotaxane NH₂⁺ centers effects a quantitative displacement of the DB24C8 macroring to the BPY²⁺ recognition site, a process that can be reversed by acid treatment. Interaction between stable 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) radicals connected to the ring and dumbbell components could be switched between noncoupled (three-line electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum) and coupled (five-line EPR spectrum) upon displacement of the spin-labelled DB24C8 macroring. The complete base- and acid-induced switching cycle of the EPR pattern was repeated six times without an appreciable loss of signal, highlighting the reversibility of the process. Hence, this molecular machine is capable of switching on/off magnetic interactions by chemically driven reversible mechanical effects. A system of this kind represents an initial step towards a new generation of nanoscale magnetic switches that may be of interest for a variety of applications.     

Recent developments in computer vision-based analytical chemistry: A tutorial review

Chemical analysis based on colour changes recorded with imaging devices is gaining increasing interest. This is due to its several significant advantages, such as simplicity of use, and the fact that it is easily combinable with portable and widely distributed imaging devices, resulting in friendly analytical procedures in many areas that demand out-of-lab applications for in situ and real-time monitoring. This tutorial review covers computer vision-based analytical (CVAC) procedures and systems from 2005 to 2015, a period of time when 87.5% of the papers on this topic were published. The background regarding colour spaces and recent analytical system architectures of interest in analytical chemistry is presented in the form of a tutorial. Moreover, issues regarding images, such as the influence of illuminants, and the most relevant techniques for processing and analysing digital images are addressed. Some of the most relevant applications are then detailed, highlighting their main characteristics. Finally, our opinion about future perspectives is discussed.     

Chiral Perylene Diimides: Building Blocks for Ionic Self‐Assembly

A chiral perylene diimide building block has been prepared based on an amine derivative of the amino acid L ‐phenylalanine. Detailed studies were carried out into the self‐assembly behaviour of the material in solution and the solid state using UV/Vis, circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy. For the charged building block BTPPP, the molecular chirality of the side chains is translated into the chiral supramolecular structure in the form of right‐handed helical aggregates in aqueous solution. Temperature‐dependent UV/Vis studies of BTPPP in aqueous solution showed that the self‐assembly behaviour of this dye can be well described by an isodesmic model in which aggregation occurs to generate short stacks in a reversible manner. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction studies (WXRD) revealed that this material self‐organises into aggregates with π–π stacking distances typical for π‐conjugated materials. TEM investigations revealed the formation of self‐assembled structures of low order and with no expression of chirality evident. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarised optical microscopy (POM) were used to investigate the mesophase properties. Optical textures representative of columnar liquid–crystalline phases were observed for solvent‐annealed samples of BTPPP. The high solubility, tunable self‐assembly and chiral ordering of these materials demonstrate their potential as new molecular building blocks for use in the construction of chiro‐optical structures and devices.     

Utilizing Paper-Based Devices for Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Detection

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the ability of a bacterial species to resist the action of an antimicrobial drug, has been on the rise due to the widespread use of antimicrobial agents. Per the World Health Organization, AMR has an estimated annual cost of USD 34 billion in the US and is predicted to be the number one cause of death worldwide by 2050. One way AMR bacteria can spread, and by which individuals can contract AMR infections, is through contaminated water. Monitoring AMR bacteria in the environment currently requires that samples be transported to a central laboratory for slow and labor intensive tests. We have developed an inexpensive assay using paper-based analytical devices (PADs) that can test for the presence of β-lactamase-mediated resistance. To demonstrate viability, the PAD was used to detect β-lactam resistance in wastewater and sewage and identified resistance in individual bacterial species isolated from environmental water sources.     

电荷耦合器件在质子辐照下的粒子输运仿真与效应分析

应用蒙特卡洛方法计算了质子在科学级电荷耦合器件(charge-coupled device, CCD) 结构中的能量沉积, 并结合该CCD的质子辐照试验及退火试验数据, 分析了器件的辐射损伤机理. 仿真计算体硅内沉积的位移损伤剂量和栅氧化层的电离损伤剂量, 辐照与退火试验过程中主要考察暗信号、电荷转移效率两个参数的变化规律. 研究结果显示, 暗信号和电荷转移效率的变化规律与位移、电离损伤剂量一致; 退火后暗信号大幅度降低, 辐照导致的表面暗信号增加占总暗信号增加的比例至少为80%; 退火后电荷转移效率恢复较小, 电荷转移效率降低的原因主要为体缺陷. 通过总结试验规律, 推导出了电荷转移效率退化程度的预估公式及其损伤因子k_damage.     

基于MEMS工艺的集成红外气体传感器工艺研究

研究了一种采用MEMS技术实现的含有红外发射源和探测单元的片上集成红外气体传感器芯片。通过理论分析证明了探测器和红外发射源可以集成在同一衬底上的可行性,采用正面刻蚀和背面ICP深刻蚀硅工艺实现红外发射元和探测单元的悬空热隔离结构,可以使红外发射源和探测器同时工作在较好的性能状态下。通过对红外气体传感器的红外发射源和探测单元的测试,表明两种单元均可以正常工作,验证了这种集成工艺的可行性。     

InGaAs固体微光器件研究进展

InGaAs器件具有光谱响应宽、量子效率高、响应速度快、数字化读出、高温工作、可靠性好以及寿命长等优点,符合新一代微光器件的发展需求,在国际上成为固体微光器件的一种新选择,获得了重要的发展和应用。文章就InGaAs固体微光器件材料属性、器件性能以及成像特点等几方面进行了详细分析,介绍了当前InGaAs器件的发展趋势,以及研制320×256 InGaAs阵列的最新进展。研究结果表明InGaAs材料生长及器件工艺具有较好的可控性和稳定性,为实现高性能、实用化的InGaAs固体微光器件提供了技术支撑。