Synergistic Remediation of Cadmium Pollution in Saline-Alkali Soil by Hydrogel and .

The cadmium (Cd) in saline-alkali soil poses a serious threat to the ecological environment and human health. , as a hyperaccumulator plant, can remediate Cd in saline-alkali soil, but the efficiency of phytoremediation is low. To improve the remediation effect of Cd pollution in saline-alkali soil, this study for the first time uses the synergy of hydrogel and for the remediation of Cd in saline-alkali soil.

Sequential Fusion Filter for State Estimation of Nonlinear Multi-Sensor Systems with Cross-Correlated Noise and Packet Dropout Compensation.

This paper is concerned with the problem of state estimation for nonlinear multi-sensor systems with cross-correlated noise and packet loss compensation. In this case, the cross-correlated noise is modeled by the synchronous correlation of the observation noise of each sensor, and the observation noise of each sensor is correlated with the process noise at the previous moment. Meanwhile, in the process of state estimation, since the measurement data may be transmitted in an unreliable network, data packet dropout will inevitably occur, leading to a reduction in estimation accuracy.

Broadband and CMOS-compatible polarization splitter and rotator built on a silicon nitride-on-silicon multilayer platform.

A broadband and CMOS-compatible polarization beam splitter and rotator (PSR) built on the silicon nitride-on-silicon multilayer platform is presented. The PSR is realized by cascading a polarization beam splitter and a polarization rotator, which are both subtly constructed with an asymmetrical directional coupler waveguide structure. The advantage of this device is that the function of PSR can be directly realized in the SiN layer, providing a promising solution to the polarization diversity schemes in SiN photonic circuits.

CMOS-compatible, broadband, and polarization-independent edge coupler for efficient chip coupling with standard single-mode fiber.

A CMOS-compatible, broadband, and polarization-independent edge coupler for efficient chip coupling with standard single-mode fiber is proposed. Three layers of a silicon nitride waveguide array with the same structures are used in the top oxide cladding of the chip to achieve high coupling efficiency and to simplify the mode transformation structure. Optimal total coupling loss at the wavelength of 1550 nm, -0.

Broadband yellow-orange light generation based on a step-chirped PPMgLN ridge waveguide.

Yellow-orange lights, valuable in photodynamic therapies, spectroscopy, and optogenetics, are limited by the narrow bandwidth and bulky setup via the conventional Raman or optical parametric oscillation processes. Moreover, flatness in the broad-band spectrum is also important for the aforementioned applications with extended functions. In this paper, by carefully designing grating-periods of a step-chirped PPMgLN ridge waveguide for sum frequency generation (SFG), we report a compact broad-band yellow-orange light with bandwidth of 5.

Nanopore Structure and Origin of Lower Permian Transitional Shale, Eastern Ordos Basin, China.

Nanopores in the shale play a vital role in methane adsorption, and their structural characteristics and origins are of great significance for revealing the mechanism of methane adsorption, desorption, and diffusion. In this paper, through low-temperature ashing and low-pressure gas adsorption experiments, the nanopore structure of original shales and ashed shales was quantitatively characterized, and the nanopore origins in the transitional shale of lower Permian in eastern Ordos Basin were analyzed. The results show that the pore volume (PV) and specific surface area (SSA) of nanopores in transitional shale reservoirs are 0.

Mid-infrared ridge waveguides fabricated in CaF crystal by the technique of O ion irradiation.

The fabrication of ridge waveguides in calcium fluoride () crystal working at the mid-infrared wavelength was studied. First, the planar waveguide was fabricated by using ion irradiation, and then the ridge waveguide structure was manufactured by precise diamond blade dicing. The propagation loss was measured by end-face coupling arrangement, and then annealing treatment was implemented to optimize the waveguide performance, and the propagation loss was finally reduced to 0.

A Gas-Ribbon-Hybrid Actuated Soft Finger with Active Variable Stiffness.

A new hybrid actuated soft finger with active variable stiffness is proposed for the first time by integrating gas-driven and ribbon-driven mechanisms. By carefully coordinating the two mechanisms, the bending deformation and the stiffness modulation processes of the soft finger can be uncoupled, providing it with both high flexibility and good variable stiffness. Although the soft finger, made entirely from flexible materials, works under a low and safe gas pressure of below 35 kPa, the maximum bending angle reaches ∼210°, and a single soft finger can withstand a weight of 1.

Dual-laser-actuated operation of small size objects at a liquid interface.

This work focuses on the use, for the first time to our knowledge, of dual laser beams in photothermal-effect-based propulsion of small size objects at liquid interfaces. Compared with the single-laser mode, dual-laser-actuated operation turns out to be much more controllable with high quality, efficiency, and anti-interference capacity, which can be achieved through automated programming instead of through manual operation. A series of experiments were carried out to verify the principle, with the effects of laser power, laser-spot distance, and movement speed discussed in detail.

A New Spiral-Type Inflatable Pure Torsional Soft Actuator.

Soft robot has become a hot topic recently due to its distinct advantages over traditional rigid robots such as high deformability and good impact resistance. However, the coupled deflections of flexile materials bring challenges to soft robotic research in many aspects such as kinematic modeling, dynamic analysis, and control. Besides, unwanted deformations might enlarge external dimensions of soft robots, causing a reduction in the efficiency and bringing about unexpected or harmful contacts with surrounding environments that will significantly affect the robots' performance.

A water-walking robot mimicking the jumping abilities of water striders.

The highly efficient and agile water-surface locomotion of water striders has attracted substantial research attention. Compared with imitating the horizontal rowing motion, imitating the jumping capability of water striders is much more challenging because the strong interaction in the jumping process easily causes the robot to sink. This study focuses on designing a miniature robot capable of continuously jumping on the water surface.

Why superhydrophobicity is crucial for a water-jumping microrobot? Experimental and theoretical investigations.

This study reported for the first time a novel microrobot that could continuously jump on the water surface without sinking, imitating the excellent aquatic locomotive behaviors of a water strider. The robot consisted of three supporting legs and two actuating legs made from superhydrophobic nickel foam and a driving system that included a miniature direct-current motor and a reduction gear unit. In spite of weighing 11 g, the microrobot jumped 14 cm high and 35 cm long at each leap.

Bioinspired aquatic microrobot capable of walking on water surface like a water strider.

Walking on the water surface is a dream of humans, but it is exactly the way of life for some aquatic insects. In this study, a bionic aquatic microrobot capable of walking on the water surface like a water strider was reported. The novel water strider-like robot consisted of ten superhydrophobic supporting legs, two miniature dc motors, and two actuating legs.