Fabrication and Optical Properties of Periodic Ag Nano‐Pore and Nano‐Particle Arrays with Controlled Shape and Size over Macroscopic Length Scales

A facile and economical route to preparation of highly ordered sliver pore or particle arrays with controlled pore‐shape and size extended over cm² areas is described. The substrates are prepared at planar and curved surfaces via sphere‐imprinted polymer (PDMS) templating using polystyrene spheres with diameters of 820, 600, or 430 nm. Nano‐pore arrays are created by sputtering 80 nm of Ag directly onto the templates and nano‐particle arrays are prepared by electrode‐less deposition of Ag from Tollen's reagent. The shape of the nano‐pore or particles in the array conformed to that of the imprint of the sphere on the template. Stretching the flexible template enable creation of cuboid shaped nano‐voids and nano‐particles following Ag deposition. Diffuse reflectance from the spherical Ag nano‐cavity arrays showed absorbance maxima at wavelengths comparable similar to the diameter of the templating sphere, whereas reflectance from the cuboid arrays, showed little correlation with the sphere diameter. The cuboid nano‐particle arrays showed the most intense visible absorption which is red‐shifted compared to the spherical arrays. White light diffraction from the arrays, observed by rotating 1 cm² substrates relative to a fixed light source, reflected exactly the symmetry axes of the periodic nano‐features in the arrays demonstrating the remarkable macroscopic order of the periodic structures. Raman spectra of 1‐benzenethiol adsorbed at the arrays indicated SERS enhancements from the substrates are attributed mainly to surface nano‐roughness with only moderate contributions from the periodically corrugated structures. Despite excitation at the major resonance dip in the reflectance spectrum, a weak, localized rim dipole mode is found to elicit a small increase in the SERS enhancement factor for the 430 nm diameter spherical arrays. FDTD studies of nano‐void arrays provided insights into v arious factors affecting the SERS experiment and confirmed the array's plasmonic spectra are dominated by propagating plasmon modes under microscope excitation/collection angles.     

Silver Nanoflower Decorated Graphene Oxide Sponges for Highly Sensitive Variable Stiffness Stress Sensors

Soft conductive materials should enable large deformation while keeping high electrical conductivity and elasticity. The graphene oxide (GO)‐based sponge is a potential candidate to endow large deformation. However, it typically exhibits low conductivity and elasticity. Here, the highly conductive and elastic sponge composed of GO, flower‐shaped silver nanoparticles (AgNFs), and polyimide (GO‐AgNF‐PI sponge) are demonstrated. The average pore size and porosity are 114 µm and 94.7%, respectively. Ag NFs have thin petals (8–20 nm) protruding out of the surface of a spherical bud (300–350 nm) significantly enhancing the specific surface area (2.83 m² g^?1). The electrical conductivity (0.306 S m^?1 at 0% strain) of the GO‐AgNF‐PI sponge is increased by more than an order of magnitude with the addition of Ag NFs. A nearly perfect elasticity is obtained over a wide compressive strain range (0–90%). The strain‐dependent, nonlinear variation of Young's modulus of the sponge provides a unique opportunity as a variable stiffness stress sensor that operates over a wide stress range (0–10 kPa) with a high maximum sensitivity (0.572 kPa^?1). It allows grasping of a soft rose and a hard bottle, with the minimal object deformation, when attached on the finger of a robot gripper.     

Highly Uniform Resistive Switching Properties of Solution‐Processed Silver‐Embedded Gelatin Thin Film

The silver‐embedded gelatin (AgG) thin film produced by the solution method of metal salts dissolved in gelatin is presented. Its simple fabrication method ensures the uniform distribution of Ag dots. Memory devices based on AgG exhibit good device performance, such as the ON/OFF ratio in excess of 10⁵ and the coefficient of variation in less of 50%. To further investigate the position of filament formation and the role of each element, current sensing atomic force microscopy (CSAFM) analysis as well as elemental line profiles across the two different conditions in the LRS and HRS are analyzed. The conductive and nonconductive regions in the current map of the CSAFM image show that the conductive filaments occur in the AgG layer around Ag dots. The migration of oxygen ions and the redox reaction of carbon are demonstrated to be the driving mechanism for the resistive switching of AgG memory devices. The results show that dissolving metal salts in gelatin is an effective way to achieve high‐performance organic–electronic applications.     

Synthesis of Branched DNA Scaffolded Super‐Nanoclusters with Enhanced Antibacterial Performance

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) possess unique optical properties, and exhibit a wide variety of potential applications. DNA with robust molecular programmability is demonstrated as an ideal scaffold to regulate the formation of NCs, offering a rational approach to precisely tune the spatial structures of NCs. Herein, the first use of branched DNA as scaffold to regulate the formation of silver nanoclusters (super‐AgNC) is reported, in which the spatial structures are precisely designed and constructed. Super‐AgNC with tunable shapes and arm‐lengths including Y‐, X‐, and (Y–X)‐ shaped super‐AgNC is achieved. The molecular structures and optical properties of super‐AgNCs are systemically studied. As a proof of application, remarkably, super‐AgNCs exhibit superior antibacterial performance. In addition, super‐AgNCs show excellent biocompatibility with three types of tissue cells including 293T (human embryonic kidney cells), SMCs (vascular smooth muscle cells), and GLC‐82 (lung adenocarcinoma cells). These performances enable the super‐AgNCs adaptable in a variety of applications such as biosensing, bioimaging, and antibacterial agents.     

An Electroactive and Transparent Haptic Interface Utilizing Soft Elastomer Actuators with Silver Nanowire Electrodes

An electroactive and transparent haptic interface having a rectangular void pattern creates tunable surface textures by controlling the wavelength and amplitude of independent void‐lines. To make an active tactile surface, the transparent haptic interface employs a silver nanowire (AgNW) electrode to be compliant with the deformed elastomer surface. Here, the dielectric elastomer is newly blended with polydimethylsiloxane and Ecoflex prepolymer to simultaneously control the mechanical stiffness and transparency. The relative resistance of the AgNW electrode on a single void line is nearly unchanged under bending test, confirming the high stretchability and conductivity of the nanowire‐networked electrode. The optical transparencies are 92–85%, depending on the ratio of the Ecoflex solution. Transparency values decreas by 7 and 16% after coating with AgNWs at densities of 30 and 140 mg m^?2, respectively. Using EP31, the void line is deformed by 90 µm under a field intensity of 13.0 V µm^?1. The haptic surface is successfully controlled by applying voltage, which produces four different surface textures, from relatively smooth to rough feeling, depending on the distance between deformed void lines. This haptic interface can be applied to diverse display systems as an external add‐on screen and will help to realize programmable surface textures in the future.     

纳米银-聚合物菱形剪纸薄膜应变传感特性的研究

采用银镜制备法和激光切割技术获得了纳米银颗粒/聚二甲基硅氧烷剪纸结构薄膜,并系统地研究了薄膜作为柔性应变传感器的力学及压阻特性。将数值模拟与实验相结合,测量了传感薄膜的应变比γ、压阻滞回特性、线性度及压阻敏感性,重点探讨了薄膜制备工艺、结构参数与上述薄膜传感特性的定量关系。结果表明,在给定结构下,结构薄膜整体与结构单元的应变比γ为常数,反映了结构薄膜的变形特性,是理想的力学性能表征参数。菱形剪纸结构薄膜具有量级可达200的大应变比,即在大应变下,材料的实际应变很小。这一特点极大地提升了薄膜的应变测量范围、压阻稳定性、线性度,并保持了合理的压阻灵敏度。     

掺(Ga,Si)银铝浆对n型TOPCon太阳能电池电性能的影响

银铝浆是新一代太阳能电池(n型TOPCon)的关键材料,但其金属化后在Si发射极表面形成很大且很深的“银铝尖钉”,尖钉易击穿p-n结造成短路,成为限制其应用的瓶颈。引入Si、Ga元素对银铝浆进行优化,分别制备了掺Si和掺Ga, Si的银铝浆,研究其对金属化区域暗态饱和电流密度J_0.metal、欧姆接触电阻R_c的影响机制。结果表明：掺入少量Si后,金属化区域未见明显“银铝尖钉”,说明掺Si后抑制了在浆料金属化时出现“银铝尖钉”的现象,对p-n结损伤较小,J_0.metal下降,开路电压V_oc上升,但是R_c增大。再掺入Ga组分后“银铝尖钉”明显变浅,数量变多,R_c下降,弥补了掺Si银铝浆欧姆接触差的弊端,有较高的电池转换效率;用扩散浓度测试仪(ECV)对发射极表层进行元素浓度分析,发现Ga分布于表层0～50 nm处,有利于改善欧姆接触。研究了Ga、Si的掺入量对银铝浆电性能的影响,电池转换效率最高达到24.68%,太阳能电池效率提升0.55%。     

Modification of Iron with Degradable Silver Phases Processed via Laser Beam Melting for Implants with Adapted Degradation Rate

In medical technology, implants are used to improve the quality of patients’ lives. The development of materials with adapted properties can further increase the benefit of implants. If implants are only needed temporarily, biodegradable materials are beneficial. In this context, iron-based materials are promising due to their biocompatibility and mechanical properties, but the degradation rate needs to be accelerated. Apart from alloying, the creation of noble phases to cause anodic dissolution of the iron-based matrix is promising. Due to its high electrochemical potential, immiscibility with iron, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties, silver is suited for the creation of such phases. A suitable technology for processing immiscible material combinations is powder-bed-based procedure like laser beam melting. This procedure offers short exposure times to high temperatures and therefore a limited time for diffusion of alloying elements. As the silver phases remain after the dissolution of the iron matrix, a modification is needed to ensure their degradability. Following this strategy, pure iron with 5 wt% of a degradable silver–calcium–lanthanum alloy is processed via laser beam melting. Investigation of the microstructure yields achievement of the intended microstructure and long-term degradation tests indicates an impact on the degradation, but no increased degradation rate.     

Preparation of Porous Silver Nanowires-Melamine Formaldehyde Hybrid Composite Materials and Their Electromagnetic Shielding and Flame-Retardant Properties

Along with the booming development of communication technology and electronic equipment, higher requirements of flame-retardant and EMI shielding performances for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are put forward. Herein, the ultralight and porous silver nanowires (AgNWs)-melamine formaldehyde (MF) hybrid composite with unique micro-/nanostructure is developed by a facile dip-coating method, which uses the AgNWs as 1D conductive coating and MF foam (MF foam) as 3D skeleton template. Benefiting from the unique porous micro-/nanostructure, the resultant hybrid composite displays low density, excellent EMI shielding performances, and superior flame-retardant property. The EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) and specific EMI SE (SSEt) of the hybrid composite in X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) can be up to 77 dB and 26971.4 dB cm⁻² g⁻¹, respectively. At the same time, the hybrid composite also passes the vertical burning test and shows an increased LOI value of 40.6%. The combination of flame-retardant and EMI shielding performances for EMI shielding materials makes the AgNWs-MF hybrid composite great application potential in civil and military fields. This work provides a new guide for the design of multifunctional high-performance EMI shielding materials.     

Combining shared-coin algorithms

This paper shows that shared-coin algorithms can be combined to optimize several complexity measures, even in the presence of a strong adversary. By combining shared coins of Bracha and Rachman (1991) [10] and of Aspnes and Waarts (1996) [7], this yields a shared-coin algorithm, and hence, a randomized consensus algorithm, with O(nlog²n)$O\left(n{log}^{2}n\right)$ individual work and O(n²logn)$O(n^{2}logn)$ total work, using single-writer registers. This improves upon each of the above shared coins (where the former has a high cost for individual work, while the latter reduces it but pays in the total work), and is currently the best for this model.