Investigation of Dropwise Condensation on a Super-Aligned Carbon Nanotube Mesh-Coated Surface.

Enhanced vapor condensation is a critical issue for improving the efficiency of energy conversion, thermal management, water recovery, and treatment. Low-energy surfaces incorporating micro/nanoscale roughness have been reported to significantly promote vapor condensation. In this research, the mesh structures of super-aligned carbon nanotube (SACNT) films were prepared by crossing monolayer SACNT films on a copper substrate.

How Does Nature Evade the "Larger is Weaker" Fate of Ultralong Silk β-Sheet Nanocrystallites.

Silk protein builds up one of the strongest fibers superior to most synthetic and natural polymers. However, the strengthening mechanisms of the silk proteins remain largely elusive because of their complex nanocomposite structures. Here, we report an unusual behavior of this kind of material that is distinctively different from those of metals and other polymers.

The impact of auditory nerve functional states on the correlations between human and computer decisions for electrically evoked compound action potential threshold.

Objectives: The electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) is widely used in clinical to reflect the functional states of the auditory nerve in cochlear implant (CI) recipients, especially in pediatric CI users. Currently, the software can automatically provide the ECAP threshold, which is convenient and not affected by the subjective judgement of the clinicians. However, it remains unclear whether the correlations between human and computer decisions for ECAP threshold can be affected by auditory nerve functional states, which is also the main purpose of our present study.

Electrical Stimulation Degenerated Cochlear Synapses Through Oxidative Stress in Neonatal Cochlear Explants.

Neurostimulation devices use electrical stimulation (ES) to substitute, supplement or modulate neural function. However, the impact of ES on their modulating structures is largely unknown. For example, recipients of cochlear implants using electroacoustic stimulation experienced delayed loss of residual hearing over time after ES, even though ES had no impact on the morphology of hair cells.

Icephobic behaviors of superhydrophobic amorphous carbon nano-films synthesized from a flame process.

Hypothesis: Ice formation and accumulation are critical issues for the breakdown of power lines, aircraft wings, and other important facilities in cold environments. Although a large number of passive icephobic surfaces based on superhydrophobic materials have been designed in the last few decades, the complicated and high-cost fabrication processes limit them beyond large-scale applications. Therefore it is indeed to further investigate the readily available and low-cost functional icephobic materials.

[Development of electrically evoked auditory brainstem response modules of REZ-I domestic cochlear implant device].

Objective: To develop electrically evoked auditory brainstem response(EABR) modules of REZ-I domestic cochlear implant device, and testify the reliability and validity of the modules.

Methods: Postoperative EABR were recorded in guinea pigs by using the self-designed EABR module.

Results: EABR waves were recorded in all 15 ears of 9 guinea pigs with normal hearing.