Extreme Gradient Boosting to Predict Atomic Layer Deposition for Platinum Nano-Film Coating.

Extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) is an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of high accuracy and low inference time. The current study applies this XGBoost to the production of platinum nano-film coating through atomic layer deposition (ALD). In order to generate a database for model development, platinum is coated on α-Al2O3 using a rotary-type ALD equipment.

Understanding the nanoscale local buckling behavior of vertically aligned MWCNT arrays with van der Waals interactions.

The local buckling behavior of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) has been investigated and interpreted in the view of a collective nanotube response by taking van der Waals interactions into account. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the case of collective VACNT behavior regarding van der Waals force among nanotubes as a lateral support effect during the buckling process. The local buckling propagation and development of VACNTs were experimentally observed and theoretically analyzed by employing finite element modeling with lateral support from van der Waals interactions among nanotubes.

Determination of material constants of vertically aligned carbon nanotube structures in compressions.

Different chemical vapour deposition (CVD) fabrication conditions lead to a wide range of variation in the microstructure and morphologies of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which actually determine the compressive mechanical properties of CNTs. However, the underlying relationship between the structure/morphology and mechanical properties of CNTs is not fully understood. In this study, we characterized and compared the structural and morphological properties of three kinds of vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) arrays from different CVD fabrication methods and performed monotonic compressive tests for each VACNT array.

Reduced Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Graphene Gas Barrier Films for Flexible Organic Field-Effect Transistors.

Preventing reactive gas species such as oxygen or water is important to ensure the stability and durability of organic electronics. Although inorganic materials have been predominantly employed as the protective layers, their poor mechanical property has hindered the practical application to flexible electronics. The densely packed hexagonal lattice of carbon atoms in graphene does not allow the transmission of small gas molecules.

An Ag-grid/graphene hybrid structure for large-scale, transparent, flexible heaters.

Recently, carbon materials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene have been proposed as alternatives to indium tin oxide (ITO) for fabricating transparent conducting materials. However, obtaining low sheet resistance and high transmittance of these carbon materials has been challenging due to the intrinsic properties of the materials. In this paper, we introduce highly transparent and flexible conductive films based on a hybrid structure of graphene and an Ag-grid.

Laminated ultrathin chemical vapor deposition graphene films based stretchable and transparent high-rate supercapacitor.

Due to their exceptional flexibility and transparency, CVD graphene films have been regarded as an ideal replacement of indium tin oxide for transparent electrodes, especially in applications where electronic devices may be subjected to large tensile strain. However, the search for a desirable combination of stretchability and electrochemical performance of such devices remains a huge challenge. Here, we demonstrate the implementation of a laminated ultrathin CVD graphene film as a stretchable and transparent electrode for supercapacitors.

A highly conducting graphene film with dual-side molecular n-doping.

Doping is an efficient way to engineer the conductivity and the work function of graphene, which is, however, limited to wet-chemical doping or metal deposition particularly for n-doping, Here, we report a simple method of modulating the electrical conductivity of graphene by dual-side molecular n-doping with diethylenetriamine (DETA) on the top and amine-functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) at the bottom. The resulting charge carrier density of graphene is as high as -1.7 × 10(13) cm(-2), and the sheet resistance is as low as ∼86 ± 39 Ω sq(-1), which is believed to be the lowest sheet resistance of monolayer graphene reported so far.

Efficient prediction of protein conformational pathways based on the hybrid elastic network model.

Various computational models have gained immense attention by analyzing the dynamic characteristics of proteins. Several models have achieved recognition by fulfilling either theoretical or experimental predictions. Nonetheless, each method possesses limitations, mostly in computational outlay and physical reality.

A transparent and stretchable graphene-based actuator for tactile display.

A tactile display is an important tool to help humans interact with machines by using touch. In this paper, we present a transparent and stretchable graphene-based actuator for advanced tactile displays. The proposed actuator is composed of transparent and compliant graphene electrodes and a dielectric elastomer substrate.

Evaluation of multi-layered graphene surface plasmon resonance-based transmission type fiber optic sensor.

Graphene is a zero band-gap semi-metal with remarkable electromagnetic and mechanical characteristics. This study is the first ever attempt to use graphene in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor as replacement material for gold/silver. Graphene, comprised of a single atomic layer of carbon, is a purely two-dimensional material and it is an ideal candidate for use as a biosensor because of its high surface-to-volume ratio.

Efficient transfer of large-area graphene films onto rigid substrates by hot pressing.

Graphene films grown on metal substrates by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method have to be safely transferred onto desired substrates for further applications. Recently, a roll-to-roll (R2R) method has been developed for large-area transfer, which is particularly efficient for flexible target substrates. However, in the case of rigid substrates such as glass or wafers, the roll-based method is found to induce considerable mechanical damages on graphene films during the transfer process, resulting in the degradation of electrical property.

Detection of acetone vapor using graphene on polymer optical fiber.

Recently, many studies have been focused on the development of fiber optic sensor systems for various gases and vapors. In the present study, an intrinsic polymer optical fiber (POF) sensor using graphene is described for the purpose of acetone vapor sensing for the first time. Observations on the continuous measurement of acetone vapor in dehydrated air are presented.

High-performance graphene-based transparent flexible heaters.

We demonstrate high-performance, flexible, transparent heaters based on large-scale graphene films synthesized by chemical vapor deposition on Cu foils. After multiple transfers and chemical doping processes, the graphene films show sheet resistance as low as ∼43 Ohm/sq with ∼89% optical transmittance, which are ideal as low-voltage transparent heaters. Time-dependent temperature profiles and heat distribution analyses show that the performance of graphene-based heaters is superior to that of conventional transparent heaters based on indium tin oxide.

Prediction of anisotropic behavior of nano/micro composite based on damage mechanics with cell modeling.

New advanced composite materials have recently been of great interest. Especially, many researchers have studied on nano/micro composites based on matrix filled with nano-particles, nano-tubes, nano-wires and so forth, which have outstanding characteristics on thermal, electrical, optical, chemical and mechanical properties. Therefore, the need of numerical approach for design and development of the advanced materials has been recognized.

Synthesis of ultra-long super-aligned double-walled carbon nanotube forests.

The pre-treatment (catalyst reduction with H2) time effect on the carbon nanotube (CNT) growth is reported. The total CNT height, the initial growth rate, the diameter, the number of walls, and the alignment in the CNT forests change with the catalyst reduction time. Densely packed, vertically super-aligned, double-walled CNT (DWCNT) forests with 9 mm height were synthesized in 10 hrs.

A statistical study on nanoparticle movements in a microfluidic channel.

Microfluidic channels have received much attention because they can be used to control and transport nanoscale objects such as nanoparticles, nanowires, carbon nanotubes, DNA and cells. However, so far, practical channels have not been easy to design because they require very expensive fabrication and sensitive experiments. Numerical approaches can be alternatives or supplementary measures to predict the performance of new channels because they efficiently explain nanoscale multi-physics phenomena and successfully solve nanowire alignment and cell adhesion problems.

Flow-dependent directional growth of carbon nanotube forests by chemical vapor deposition.

We demonstrated that the structural formation of vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) forests is primarily affected by the geometry-related gas flow, leading to the change of growth directions during the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. By varying the growing time, flow rate, and direction of the carrier gas, the structures and the formation mechanisms of the vertically aligned CNT forests were carefully investigated. The growth directions of CNTs are found to be highly dependent on the nonlinear local gas flows induced by microchannels.

A novel approach to use of elastomer for monitoring of pressure using plastic optical fiber.

Elastomer has become a material of much interest for use as a deformation element in pressure and force monitoring devices. In the present work, we fabricated and characterized a pressure sensor that uses the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer and the plastic optical fiber (POF). The POF is used to guide light through the 10 mm thick PDMS block and collect the transmitted light and deliver it to the detector.

Effects of catalyst on the super-growth of multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

We investigated the effects of catalyst (Fe)/buffer layer (Al2O3) on the vertical growth multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition. The Fe was deposited onto Al2O3/SiO2/Si wafer by using e-beam evaporator. Ethylene was used as a feeding gas while argon was used as a carrier gas.

Numerical simulation of a nanoparticle focusing lens in a microfluidic channel by using immersed finite element method.

Lap-on-a-chip system is one of challenging parts in nano and bio engineering fields, for instance, microfluidic channels on the chip are useful for selecting a target particle and mass transferring of boiomolecules in fluid. However, since experimental approach is highly expensive both in time and cost, alternative reliable methods are required to conceive optimized channels. The purpose of this research is to simulate a nanoparticle focusing lens in a microfluidic channel from nanoparticle control point of view.

Single-walled carbon nanotube sensors for monitoring partial discharge induced dissociation of SF6.

We proposed to use a miniature single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) sensor, fabricated by alternating current dielectrophoresis, to detect dissociated and oxidized sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas species generated by partial discharge (PD) activity in a concealed chamber such as gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). The SWNT sensor did not react with pure SF6 gas but sensitively responded to the dissociated and oxidized SF6 species. Also, the SWNT sensor could be regenerated by purging with fresh air since the transduction was based on the physisorption of analytes.

Optical characterization of DNA-wrapped single walled carbon nanotubes irradiated with ultraviolet light.

We have investigated the effect of ultraviolet irradiation exposure time on single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) wrapped with single-strand DNA (ssDNA) using absorption spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The absorbance value of ssDNA-wrapped SWNTs in aqueous media was found to be decreased, where as SWNTs wrapped with ssDNA with polyd(T) were aggregated under UV irradiation.

Single-walled carbon nanotube sensor monitoring the dissociation of argon gas.

Monitoring of argon gas dissociation was demonstrated using a matted sheet of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), prepared by alternating current dielectrophoresis. The conductance of the SWNT network increased upon exposure to dissociated byproducts induced by corona discharge (CD), and the sensor signal was recovered rapidly by purging with the pure argon. Similar experiments on argon plasma were also carried out to investigate the applicability of the SWNT sensor in the monitoring of plasma-induced dissociation.

Silver-plated carbon nanotubes for silver/conducting polymer composites.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have advantages as conductive fillers due to their large aspect ratio and excellent conductivity. In this study, a novel silver/conducting polymer composite was developed by the incorporation of silver-plated CNTs. It is important to achieve a homogeneous dispersion of nanotubes and to improve the interfacial bonding to utilize the excellent properties of reinforcements in the matrix material.