Ultrafast all-optical switching in nonlinear 3R-MoS van der Waals metasurfaces.

Second-order nonlinear optical processes are fundamental to photonics, spectroscopy, and information technologies, with material platforms playing a pivotal role in advancing these applications. Here, we demonstrate the exceptional nonlinear optical properties of the van der Waals crystal 3R-MoS, a rhombohedral polymorph exhibiting high second-order optical susceptibility ( ) and remarkable second-harmonic generation (SHG) capabilities. By designing high quality factor resonances in 3R-MoS metasurfaces supporting quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBIC), we first demonstrate SHG efficiency enhancement exceeding 10.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study on the Cooling Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Silicone Carbide/Aluminum Composites.

The mismatch of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the reinforcement and the matrix leads to thermal residual stresses and defects upon cooling from the processing temperature to room temperature. The residual stresses and defects have a significant impact on the mechanical properties of metal-matrix composites. To investigate the effect of cooling temperature on the residual stresses' distribution and mechanical properties of SiC/Al, we investigated the cooling process of SiC/Al from different initial temperatures to room temperature.

A wireless bilateral transceiver coil based on volume decoupled resonators for a clinical MR mammography.

Wireless radiofrequency coils offer a valuable low cost solution for various MR applications due to several benefits, such as cable-free connection and compatibility with MR platforms of different vendors. Namely, for the purpose of clinical high-field human breast imaging several wireless transceiver coils are known to the date, those operational principle is based on inductive coupling with a body coil. These coils are commonly consist of a several volume resonators to perform bilateral breast imaging.

Classification of 5‑bit Binary Light Pulse Sequences Using Photoluminescence of Metal Halide Perovskite Memlumors.

A memlumor is an innovative neuromorphic luminescent device with a state-dependent photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) designed for optical neuromorphic computing applications. Metal halide perovskite memlumors leverage charge trapping and photodoping to modulate the PLQY, making it dependent on the excitation light history. Here, we demonstrate the ability of perovskite memlumors to classify time-dependent binary optical signals on sub-microsecond timescales.

Short-Term Bienenstock-Cooper-Munro Learning in Optoelectrically-Driven Flexible Halide Perovskite Single Crystal Memristors.

The transition to smart, wearable, and flexible optoelectronic devices that communicate with each other and perform neuromorphic computing at the edge, is a major goal in next-generation optoelectronics. These devices are expected to carry out their regular tasks while being supported by energy-efficient, in-memory computations. In this study, a lateral flexible device based on cesium lead tribromide perovskite single crystals integrated with single-walled carbon nanotube thin-film electrodes is presented.

Photonic-Mediated Neuromorphic Computing Enabled by a Copper Oxide Microcrystal Optoelectronic Synapse.

The concept of photonic neuromorphic computing offers fast, energy-efficient, and autonomous data processing yet faces challenges in the design of an active material, enabling the desired performance. Here, we demonstrate a copper oxide microcrystal optical synapse, demonstrating efficient, fast, and highly enhanced photonic neuromorphic computing. By optically pumping a single microcrystal with 2.

Micellization in active matter of asymmetric self-propelled particles: Experiments.

Active matter composed of self-propelled particles features fascinating self-organization phenomena, spanning from motility-induced phase separation to phototaxis to topological excitations depending on the nature and parameters of the system. In the present paper, we consider micelle formation by active particles with a broken symmetry having a circular back and a sharpened nose toward which the particles accelerate. As we demonstrate in experiments with robotic swarms, such particles can either remain in the isotropic phase or form micelles depending on the location of their center of inertia, in accordance with a recent theoretical proposal [T.

Asymmetric charge polarized heteronuclear nonmetal dual-atom catalysts for efficient electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction.

Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO) reduction reaction (CORR) is a crucial pathway for achieving carbon neutrality and facilitating the circular utilization of carbon resources. Using first principles study, we designed a series of single-atom catalysts (SACs) and dual-atom catalysts (DACs) anchored at S vacancies in monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS), with boron (B) and carbon (C) functioning as active sites. Our results reveal that exclusively parallel configured DACs (BB-, BC- and CC-MoS) demonstrate sufficient CO capture and activation capabilities.

Time-Optimal Transfer of the Quantum State in Long Qubit Arrays.

Recent technological advances have allowed the fabrication of large arrays of coupled qubits, serving as prototypes for quantum processors. However, the optimal control of such systems remains notoriously challenging, limiting the potential of large-scale quantum systems. Here, we investigate a model problem of quantum state transfer in a large nearest-neighbor-coupled qubit array.

Probing Ultrafast Magnetization Dynamics via Synthetic Axion Fields.

Spatial structuring of materials at subwavelength scales underlies the concept of metamaterials possessing exotic properties beyond those of the constituent media. Temporal modulation of material parameters enables further functionalities. Here, we show that high-frequency oscillations of spatially uniform magnetization generate an effective dynamic axion field embedding the amplitude and phase of magnetization oscillations.

Free-Space Orbital Angular Momentum Comb Generation via Second-Harmonic Generation.

At the end of the last century, Allen et al. showed that light has angular orbital momentum in addition to spin. This discovery contributed to the active development of free-space optical communication.

Quantitative Assessment of Human Anisotropic Skin Elasticity Using the Dispersion Curve of Surface Acoustic Wave Elastography.

Accurate assessment of skin elasticity is critical for understanding its physiological and pathological conditions. Conventional models often neglect anisotropy, leading to inconsistent measurements. We investigated skin anisotropic using Surface acoustic wave (SAW) based Optical Coherence Elastography (OCE), analyzing the angular ( ) dependence of SAW velocity ( ) relative to fiber orientation.

Quantitative Characterization of Undulation Patterns and Regional Features of the Oral Basement Membrane Zone Using Optical Coherence Tomography.

Alterations in the undulation pattern of the basement membrane zone (BMZ) reflect early pathological changes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides real-time, high-resolution, in vivo three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the oral mucosal microstructures, including BMZ. In this study, we quantified the undulation index of BMZ at four oral sites: the floor of the mouth, lower lip, buccal mucosa, and hard palate, and visualized their 3D morphological structures.

Ultrafast switching of a metasurface quasi-bound state in the continuum via transient optical symmetry breaking.

In photonic structures, bound states in the continuum (BICs) have recently attracted huge interest in both fundamental and applied research. Quasi-BIC leaky modes resulting from in-plane symmetry breaking in metasurfaces are particularly relevant to applications, due to their high quality factor, which scales as the squared inverse of the asymmetry parameter. Here, we theoretically propose an innovative approach to switch on quasi-BICs on sub-picosecond timescales via optically induced symmetry breaking in semiconductor metasurfaces.

Dual origin of effective axion response.

Effective axion fields emerge in condensed matter and photonic systems with broken parity and time-reversal symmetries resulting in nonreciprocal optical phenomena. Here, we predict a distinct type of electromagnetic response which has the same symmetry properties as an axion one, manifests itself only at the boundaries of the material and features the same coupling to incident plane waves. However, the response to the external sources introduced inside is profoundly different, allowing one to distinguish the predicted dual axion field experimentally.

HIV-1 Tat-TAR interactions study using hybrid scoring-enhanced molecular modeling across subtypes.

The role of the HIV-1 Tat protein in viral transcription is linked to variations among subtypes. However, research on Tat-TAR RNA interactions has largely focused on subtypes B and C, leaving the binding dynamics of other subtypes insufficiently explored. In this study, we employed a hybrid scoring-enhanced molecular modeling approach to systematically investigate the interactions between Tat exon 1 from nine major HIV-1 subtypes (A, B, C, D, F, G, H, J, and K) and TAR RNA.

High momentum two-dimensional propagation of emitted photoluminescence coupled with surface lattice resonance.

Dramatic fluorescence enhancement in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials (vdWMs) coupled to plasmonic nanostructures has the potential to enable ultrathin, flexible, and high-brightness illumination devices. However, addressing the limitation of locally scattered small plasmon-enhanced areas remains challenging. Here, we present a 2D plasmonic enhancement of photoluminescence (PL) spanning nearly 800 μm, enabled by surface lattice resonance (SLR) in a 2D vdWM-Au slot lattice hybrid.

New Two-Dimensional Carbon Sheet for Photocatalytic Water Splitting with High Carrier Mobility and Excellent Mechanical Properties.

Combining first-principles calculations with particle swarm optimization algorithms, we have successfully predicted an innovative two-dimensional carbon structure─the 2D 2 structure. This structure not only passed rigorous tests for kinetic and thermal stability but also demonstrated remarkable stability in air. This structure is originally a semiconductor with a quasi-direct band gap of 2.

Spectral physical unclonable functions: downscaling randomness with multi-resonant hybrid particles.

Optical physical unclonable functions (PUFs) are state-of-the-art in advanced security applications. Fabricated with inherent randomness, they generate fingerprint-like responses, serving as trust anchors for material assets. However, the existing PUFs, typically reliant on microscopic spatial features, face increasing threats from rapidly advancing microscale manipulation techniques.

Intermittent spike train processing through fractional leaky integrate-and-fire neuromorphic unit.

The leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) model provides a fundamental framework for modeling neuronal dynamics in spiking networks. While generalized LIF models can incorporate features, such as spike-frequency adaptation and noise, our study specifically examines its fractional-order extension governed by a relaxation equation with a fractional derivative, whose power-law dynamics emulate long-term memory effects ideal for processing intermittent, scale-invariant signals. Statistical properties of the response of the fractional-order LIF model to a flickering input voltage pulse flow, characterized by a fractional Poisson process of order ν, are evaluated.

Scalable and ultrafast CAR-T cell production using microfluidics.

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy has recently gained recognition as a transformative treatment of cancer, particularly of hematological malignancies. However, CAR-T manufacturing remains a major bottleneck of this treatment modality; in standard cases, it takes up to two weeks, resulting in a phenotypic shift toward terminally differentiated T-cells and a significant depletion of T-cells with naive-like phenotype (Tnlp), crucial for sustained clinical efficacy. Leveraging the current progress in microfluidic technologies, we develop and optimize a microfluidic device (MFD) for CAR-T cell production an ultrafast protocol that integrates T-cell activation and lentiviral transduction in a single step within 24 hours.

Effect of E-Beam Irradiation on Solutions of Fullerene C Conjugate with Polyvinylpyrrolidone and Folic Acid.

The radiation sterilization of polymer-based drug solutions can change the characteristics that determine the efficiency of drug targeting, such as particle sizes in the solution and their surface potential. The effect of E-beam treatment at doses of 3 and 8 kGy in a Xe or air atmosphere on the hydrodynamic properties of dilute solutions of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) conjugate with fullerene C and folic acid (FA-PVP-C) was studied and compared with native PVP K30. The capillary viscometry method was used to determine the intrinsic viscosity of solutions.

Effect of Defects on Piezoelectric Properties of Sm-Doped KNaNbO Ceramics.

Rare earth element (Sm)-doped potassium sodium niobate (KNN)-based ceramics are fabricated using spark plasma sintering method and their properties are investigated. The results show that all the samples crystallize in a typical perovskite structure with a single orthorhombic phase. With increasing the Sm doping, the ceramics gradually shift toward the relaxor ferroelectric state and the value of dielectric loss angle tangent () is smaller than 0.

Co-ligand tuning of MOF structural anisotropy for giant optical birefringence.

The control of the structural anisotropy of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) by tuning their co-ligand composition to enhance the birefringence properties is demonstrated. A set of Cd-based MOFs with three co-ligands and HTCPB were synthesised. We experimentally revealed the evolution of the MOF structural anisotropy and birefringence, which was equal to maximal Δ = 0.

Enhanced Adsorption of Sulfate Radicals through CaO-Induced D-Band Electron Modulation on Transition Metals.

The sulfate radical (SO) generated in the heterogeneous persulfate catalyzed oxidation system can be released into the bulk solution or adsorbed on the catalyst surface. The oxidation capacity of the surface adsorbed SO is relatively mild, but this also gives it a longer life cycle and a stronger ability to resist the environmental interference, giving it more potential for practical sewage treatment. However, to date, there is still a lack of effective strategies to regulate its existence state.