BINA

Li- and Mn-rich layered-spinel integrated cathodes exhibit a high specific capacity, ≥200 mAh g–1, in a wide potential range; however, the low initial capacity of Li[Ni1/3Mn2/3]O2 is a drawback for their application in Li-ion batteries. Two Al-doped layered-spinel Li[Ni0.33Mn0.63Al0.03]O2 and Li[Ni0.33Mn0.60Al0.06]O2 cathode materials which were synthesized by self-combustion reaction, having less monoclinic and more active spinel phases, could show a much higher initial capacity compared to the undoped reference material. These cathode materials exhibit an initial specific capacity of 188 mAh g–1 vs ∼110 mAh g–1 when cycled at 20 mA g–1 between 2.3 and 4.9 V vs Li. Their capacity gradually increases to 210 mAh g–1 during initial cycling in standard electrolyte solutions and stabilizes thereafter. The average discharge voltage decreases from around 3.6 to 3.2 V after 200 cycles. Electrochemical …

Josephson junctions and superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID) are important electronic elements, which are based on normal conductor sandwiched between two superconductors. These junctions are produced by evaporation techniques, and once they are embedded in an electronic circuit, their properties are fixed. Using SQUIDs as a tunable component requires the ability to generate Josephson junctions in situ in a reversible controllable manner. In this work we demonstrated how a normal (metallic) region along a line traversing a superconductor can be turned on and off externally thus potentially generating a controllable Josephson junction or a SQUID. The concept is based on a long, current-carrying excitation coil, piercing a ring shaped superconductor with nucleation points. The vector potential produced by this coil generates a circular current that destroys superconductivity along a radial line starting at the nucleation point. Unlike the destruction of superconductivity with magnetic field, the vector potential method is reversible and reproducible; full superconductivity is recovered upon removing the current from the coil and different cool-downs yield the same normal lines.

HypothesisThe counterintuitive temperature-controlled self-faceting of water-suspended, surfactant-stabilized, liquid oil droplets provides new opportunities in engineering of smart liquids, the properties of which are controllable by external stimuli. However, many emulsions exhibiting self-faceting phenomena have limited stability due to surfactant precipitation. The emulsions’ stability may be enhanced, and their inter-droplet electrostatic repulsion tuned, through controlled charge screening driven by varying-concentration added salts. Moreover, in many technologically-relevant situations, salts may already exist in the emulsion’s aqueous phase. Yet, salts’ impact on self-faceting effects has never been explored. We hypothesize that the self-faceting transitions’ temperatures, and stability against surfactant precipitation, of ionic-surfactants-stabilized emulsions are significantly modified by salt introduction …

Label free and remote action potential detection in neurons can be of great importance in the neuroscience research field. This paper presents a novel label free imaging modality based on the detection of temporal vibrations of speckle patterns illuminating the sample. We demonstrated the feasibility of detecting action potentials originating from spontaneous and stimulated activity in cortical cell culture. The spatiotemporal vibrations of isolated cortical cells were extracted by illuminating the culture with a laser beam while the vibrations of the random back scattered secondary speckle patterns are captured by a camera. The postulated action potentials were estimated following correlation-based analysis on the captured vibrations, where the variance deviation of the signal from a Gaussian distribution is directly associated with the action potential events. The technique was validated in a series of experiments in which the optical signals were acquired concurrently with microelectrode array (MEA) recordings. Our results demonstrate the ability of detecting action potential events in mammalian cells remotely via extraction of acoustic vibrations.

We report here on focusing of a probe IR (λ= 1.55 μm) laser beam in silicon. The focusing is done by a second pump laser beam, at λ= 0.775 μm and 30 ps pulse width, with a donut shape that is launched collinearly and simultaneously (with some delay time) with the IR beam pulse. The pump beam pulse is absorbed in the silicon and creates, temporally, a free charge carriers (FCCs) donut pattern in the silicon. Following the plasma dispersion effect, the donut FCCs shapes a complex index of refraction pattern in the silicon that serves as a sort of dynamic GRIN lens for the probe beam due to the diffusion of the FCCs towards the donut center. This lens can be tuned to its focal point by the pump-probe delay time to reduce the point spread function (PSF) of the IR probe beam. We start seeing the focusing of the probe beam at pump-probe delay time of. The best focusing (results in PSF) was observed at …

Tattoos are highly trendy in western culture, but many people regret their tattoos for many reasons. It is essential to be aware of the ink location in advance to reduce the long and short‐term side effects. In this study, diffuse reflectance (DR) experiments were conducted on two‐layer (2L) tissue‐mimicking phantoms, where ink was sandwiched between the layers. An appreciable difference in the DR profile was found between the 2L phantom with and without the tattoo ink using the crossover point (Cp) method. Our technique was applied to ex vivo porcine skin. A point of intersection was found, between the skin and the tattooed skin. In the shorter wavelengths (500‐600 nm), a distinguishable 2L behavior was found, and in longer wavelengths (600‐850 nm), a single layer behavior was found between the tattooed skin before and after the intersection. In biological tissue, this Cp indeed finds the tattoo ink without …

In this paper, we show an enhancement of a super-resolution field of view multiplexing approach that, in addition to overcoming the diffraction related resolution limitation while sacrificing the field of view, also allows generating geometric super-resolution by creating sub-pixel shifts versus time. Thus, the proposed approach is both field of view as well as time multiplexing super-resolution, and it overcomes the resolution limits of both the diffraction and geometric limitation of spatial sampling caused by the stringent size of a camera’s pixels.

Background: IBD is a spectrum of pathologies characterized by dysregulated immune activation leading to uncontrolled response against intestinal, thus resulting in chronic gut inflammation and tissue damage. Due to its complexity, the molecular mechanisms responsible for disease onset and progression are still elusive, thus requiring intense research effort. In this context, the development of models recapitulating the etiopathology of IBD is critical. Methods: Colon from C57BL/6 or BALB/c mice were cultivated in a gut-ex-vivo system (GEVS), exposed 5h to DNBS 1, 5 or 2, 5 mg/ml, and the main hallmarkers of IBD were evaluated. Results: Gene expression analysis revealed a DNBS-induced: i) compromised Tight junction organization, responsible for tissue permeability dysregulation; induction of ER stress, and iii) tissue inflammation in colon of C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, the concomitant DNBS-induced apoptosis and ferroptosis pathways was evident in colon from both BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Conclusions: Overall, we have provided results demonstrating that GEVS is a consistent, reliable, and cost-effective system for modeling DNBS-induced IBD, useful for studying the onset and progression of human disease at the molecular level, while also reducing animal suffering.

Magnetite nanoparticles with different surface coverages are of great interest for many applications due to their intrinsic magnetic properties, nanometer size, and definite surface morphology. Magnetite nanoparticles are widely used for different medical-biological applications while their usage in optics is not as widespread. In recent years, nanomagnetite suspensions, so-called magnetic ferrofluids, are applied in optics due to their magneto-optical properties. This review gives an overview of nanomagnetite synthesis and its properties. In addition, the preparation and application of magnetic nanofluids in optics, nanophotonics, and magnetic imaging are described.

Label free and remote action potential detection in neurons can be of great importance in the neuroscience research field. This paper presents a novel label free imaging modality based on the detection of temporal vibrations of speckle patterns illuminating the sample. We demonstrated the feasibility of detecting action potentials originating from spontaneous and stimulated activity in cortical cell culture. The spatiotemporal vibrations of isolated cortical cells were extracted by illuminating the culture with a laser beam while the vibrations of the random back scattered secondary speckle patterns are captured by a camera. The postulated action potentials were estimated following correlation-based analysis on the captured vibrations, where the variance deviation of the signal from a Gaussian distribution is directly associated with the action potential events. The technique was validated in a series of experiments in which the optical signals were acquired concurrently with microelectrode array (MEA) recordings. Our results demonstrate the ability of detecting action potential events in mammalian cells remotely via extraction of acoustic vibrations.

Remote detection of photoacoustic signals is a well desired ability, enabling to perform advanced imaging in scenarios where contact is not possible. Various unique solutions have been suggested, including a camera-based speckle contrast photoacoustic detection. In this manuscript, a significant upgrade to the camera-based speckle contrast approach is presented and experimentally demonstrated. This solution is based on all-optical vibration sensing setup. The technique is based on spectral estimation of speckle pattern contrast and relies on several pre-developed works. First, it relies on the suggested application of speckle contrast to vibration sensing, and then on the realization of intensity pattern spectral manipulation, using a shearing interferometer. The method is evaluated and compared to traditional contrast estimation, and demonstrated in several applications in various vibration frequency band such as photoacoustic signal analysis and phonocardiographic heart sounds. The method is also applicable to measuring contrast changes due to a general speckle changing behavior, rather than surface vibration alone.

Light propagating along a reversed path experiences the same transmission coefficient as in the forward direction, independent of the path complexity. This is called the optical reciprocity of light, which is valid for not too intense scattering media as well. Hence, by utilizing the reciprocity principle, the proposed novel technique can achieve axially and laterally tunable focus, non-invasively, through a scattering media without a priori knowledge or modeling of its scattering properties. Moreover, the uniqueness of the proposed technique lies in the fact that the illumination and detection are on the same side of the scattering media.

We formalize the concept of the modular energy operator within the Page and Wootters timeless framework. As a result, this operator is elevated to the same status as the more studied modular operators of position and momentum. In analogy with dynamical nonlocality in space associated with the modular momentum, we introduce and analyze the nonlocality in time associated with the modular energy operator. Some applications of our formalization are provided through illustrative examples.

Recently, there have been many attempts to extend the notion of proper time to quantum mechanics with the use of quantum clocks. Using a similar idea combined with the relativistic mass-energy equivalence, we consider an accelerating massive quantum particle with an internal clock system. We show that the ensuing evolution from the perspective of the particle's internal clock is non-Hermitian. This result does not rely on specific implementations of the clock. As a particular consequence, we prove that the effective Hamiltonian of two gravitationally interacting particles is non-Hermitian from the perspective of the clock of either particle.

We study the effect of acoustic phonons on the quantum phase transition in the O() model. We develop a renormalization group analysis near (3+1) space-time dimensions and derive the RG equations using an -expansion. Our results indicate that when the number of flavors of the underlying O() model exceeds a critical number , the quantum transition remains second-order of the Wilson-Fisher type while, for , it is a weakly first-order transition. We characterize this weakly first-order transition by a length-scale , below which the behavior appears to be critical. At finite temperatures for , a tricritical point separates the weakly first-order and second-order transitions.

Bright luminescent hydrophobic carbon dots receive significant attention on account of their potential utility in bio‐imaging, sensors, and creating a full range of colors in displays. Herein, the solvothermal one‐pot synthesis of nitrogen and sulfur‐doped hydrophobic carbon dots (HCDs) from a single precursor, is reported. These HCDs exhibit good dispersibility in different organic solvents and show blue fluorescence in solid and solution states. Notably, HCDs show green color room temperature phosphorescence emission centered at 515 nm with a long average lifetime of 1.1 ms and an ultralong lifetime of 334 ms at 77 K. An intense white light with Commission international de d'Eclairage chromaticity coordinate of (0.32, 0.34) is generated by a simple mixing of HCDs with rhodamine 6G in the solution state. Furthermore, these HCDs are explored for the rapid detection of extremely hazardous and strong explosive …

We formalize the concept of the modular energy operator within the Page and Wootters timeless framework. As a result, this operator is elevated to the same status as the more studied modular operators of position and momentum. In analogy with dynamical nonlocality in space associated with the modular momentum, we introduce and analyze the nonlocality in time associated with the modular energy operator. Some applications of our formalization are provided through illustrative examples.

A novel type of Li/graphene oxide (Li/GO) battery based on a spontaneous redox reaction between Li metal and GO cathode is introduced as an alternative viable primary battery system. Here, we present an efficient synthesis of GO by the modified Hummers method and focus on a comprehensive study of the reduction mechanism. The Li/GO battery was thoroughly analyzed by various physical and electrochemical methods. GO rich in oxygen‐bearing functional groups on graphene layers provided lithium storage sites and delivered a high discharge capacity of around 720 mAh/g at 12 mA/g. Products formed on the surface during reduction were analyzed, and a mechanism was proposed. The results uncovered the reasons underlying the improved electrochemical properties and the contribution of the irreversible capacity of reduced GO in graphene‐based composite electrode materials for metal‐ion batteries …

Damage and loss of crops and plants caused by pathogens are global problems that have major effects on the food supply of many countries. Environmentally friendly viricide approaches are gaining in popularity to combat these problems. This study proposes the use of environmentally friendly hydrogen peroxide (HP) as a pesticide entrapped in a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) hydrogel for controlled release in agricultural applications. The hydrogel was prepared as a matrix of PVA and PVP containing HP. Freeze–thaw cycles of the PVA/PVP/HP hydrogel improve the mechanical properties and thereby decrease the HP release rate. The hydrogel chemical composition, morphology, and HP release rate through direct and indirect (gas phase) contact were investigated. Viricide capabilities were tested, indicating a high efficiency against ToBRFV on tobacco and tomato plants. Additionally, low …