Towards large-scale quantum optimization solvers with few qubits.

Quantum computers hold the promise of more efficient combinatorial optimization solvers, which could be game-changing for a broad range of applications. However, a bottleneck for materializing such advantages is that, in order to challenge classical algorithms in practice, mainstream approaches require a number of qubits prohibitively large for near-term hardware. Here we introduce a variational solver for MaxCut problems over binary variables using only n qubits, with tunable k > 1.

An overview of additive manufacturing strategies of enzyme-immobilized nanomaterials with application incatalysis and biomedicine.

Meticulous and bespoke fabrication of structural materials with simple yet innovative outlines along with on-demand availability is the imperative aspiration for numerous fields. The alliance between nanotechnology and enzymes has led to the establishment of an inimitable and proficient class of materials. With the advancement in the field of additive manufacturing, the fabrication of some complex biological architects is achievable with similitude to the instinctive microenvironment of the biological tissue.

Potassium escaping balances the degree of graphitization and pore channel structure in hard carbon to boost plateau sodium storage capacity.

Biomass holds significant potential for large-scale synthesis of hard carbon (HC), and HC is seen as the most promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, designing a HC anode with a rich pore structure, moderate graphitization and synthesis through a simple process using a cost-effective precursor to advance SIBs has long been a formidable challenge. This is primarily because high temperatures necessary for pore regulation invariably lead to excessive graphitization.

Nanoscale Indentation-Induced Crystal Plasticity in CrCoNi Medium-Entropy Alloys Containing Short-Range Order.

CrCoNi medium-entropy alloys (MEAs), characterised by their high configurational entropies, have become a research hotspot in materials science. Recent studies have indicated that MEAs exhibit short-range order (SRO), which affects their deformation mechanisms. In this study, the micro-mechanisms of SRO within the framework of mesoscale continuum mechanics are mathematically evaluated using an advanced, non-local crystal plasticity constitutive framework.

Tunable bound states in the continuum in active metasurfaces of graphene disk dimers.

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) in metasurfaces have lately attracted a great deal of attention stemming from their inherent (formally) divergent factors, which lead to an enhancement of light-matter interaction in two-dimensional geometries. However, the development of plausible means to actively manipulate them remains a major challenge. The use of graphene layers has recently been suggested, employed either as a substrate or a coating that modifies the dielectric environment of the metasurface.

Unveiling magmatic structures and connectivity beneath the lunar Oceanus Procellarum region from GRAIL gravity data.

The Oceanus Procellarum region, characterized by its vast basaltic plains and pronounced volcanic activity, serves as a focal point for understanding the volcanic history of the Moon. Here we present density models of the magmatic structures beneath Oceanus Procellarum, derived from Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission data. The models uncover pronounced linear magmatic structures along the Procellarum's western border and significant intrusions within the northern and southern Marius Hills.

Towards improved spectroscopic applications in multi-gas environments: CO spectral line parameter measurement and analysis.

The ν + 2ν + ν band of CO is dominated by weak absorption lines near 2.0 uμm, which has potential application in planetary atmosphere, astrophysical, and hydrocarbon fuel combustion investigations. High-quality spectral line parameters are the foundation of spectroscopic technology.

Cation migration in layered oxide cathodes for sodium-ion batteries: fundamental failure mechanisms and practical modulation strategies.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are regarded as competitive candidates for the next generation of electrochemical energy storage (EES) systems due to their low cost and abundant sodium resources. Layered oxide cathodes have attracted much interest owing to their simple preparation process, high specific capacity and environmental friendliness. However, undesired cation migration during electrochemical reactions can lead to irreversible phase transitions and structural degradation of layered oxide cathode materials, resulting in a sharp decrease in specific capacity and energy density.

Solar-Driven Thin Air Gap Membrane Distillation with a Slippery Condensing Surface.

Membrane-based desalination is essential for mitigating global water scarcity; yet, the process is energy-intensive and heavily reliant on fossil fuels, resulting in substantial carbon emissions. To address the challenges of treating seawater, produced water, brackish groundwater, and wastewater, we have developed a thin air gap membrane distillation (AGMD) system featuring a novel slippery condensing surface. The quasi-liquid slippery surface facilitates efficient condensate water droplet removal, allowing for the implementation of a 1 mm thin air gap.

A Universal Interfacial Reconstruction Strategy Based on Converting Residual Alkali for Sodium Layered Oxide Cathodes: Marvelous Air Stability, Reversible Anion Redox, and Practical Full Cell.

Mn-based layered oxide cathodes have attracted widespread attention due to high capacity and low cost, however, poor air stability, irreversible phase transitions, and slow kinetics inhibit their practical application. Here, we propose a universal interfacial reconstruction strategy based on converting residual alkali to tunnel phase NaMnO for addressing the above mentioned issue simultaneously, using O3 NaNiFeMnO@2 mol % NaMnO (NaNFM@NMO) as the prototype material. The optimized material exhibits an initial capacity and energy density comparable with lithium-ion batteries.

One-pot sequential aldol condensation and hydrodeoxygenation of furfural and acetone to 1-octanol over multifunctional acid-based catalytic system.

Furfural and acetone are two of the most promising chemicals derived from lignocellulosic biomass. Coupling these two compounds expands the broad range of value-added chemicals that can be derived from biomass. In this study, 1-octanol, a promising medium chain-length alcohol, was produced from furfural and acetone through a series of reactions: aldol condensation (R1), hydrogenation (R2), and hydrogenolysis (R3).

Robustly learning the Hamiltonian dynamics of a superconducting quantum processor.

Precise means of characterizing analog quantum simulators are key to developing quantum simulators capable of beyond-classical computations. Here, we precisely estimate the free Hamiltonian parameters of a superconducting-qubit analog quantum simulator from measured time-series data on up to 14 qubits. To achieve this, we develop a scalable Hamiltonian learning algorithm that is robust against state-preparation and measurement (SPAM) errors and yields tomographic information about those SPAM errors.

Revealing the structural influence mechanism of intrinsic potassium/calcium elements on bio-waste-derived hard carbon for sodium-ion batteries.

Waste gourd shells enriched with ash-forming elements are selected as raw materials in this paper, discovering that the K and Ca compounds in the precursor not only exhibit the ability of self-forming pores, but also demonstrate catalytic graphitization of the hard carbon during the pyrolysis procedure.

A predictive walking energy model based on gait phase with suspended backpack.

Walking with heavy loads is a common task in military affairs and daily life. Considering that the shoulder and leg muscles fatigue will be caused during walking, which will affect the walking endurance and physical health. However, the suspended backpack is found to improve the energy efficiency of walking with a load.

Application of Intelligent Response Fluorescent Probe in Breast Cancer.

As one of the leading cancers threatening women's lives and health, breast cancer is challenging to treat and often irreversible in advanced cases, highlighting the critical importance of early detection and intervention. In recent years, fluorescent probe technology, a revolutionary in vivo imaging tool, has gained attention in medical research for its ability to improve tumor visualization significantly. This review focuses on recent advances in intelligent, responsive fluorescent probes, particularly in the field of breast cancer, which are divided into five categories, near-infrared responsive, fluorescein-labeled, pH-responsive, redox-dependent, and enzyme-triggered fluorescent probes, each of which has a different value for application based on its unique biological response mechanism.

Comparative SERS Activity of Homometallic and Bimetallic Core-Satellite Assemblies.

The fabrication of core-satellite (CS) assemblies offers a versatile strategy for tailoring the optical properties of plasmonic nanomaterials. In addition to key factors like size, shape, and spatial arrangement of individual components, the combination of plasmonic units with different compositions (e.g.

Atlas-Based Structural Disconnectomes Are Associated with Cognitive Performance in Brain Tumors.

Brain tumors are associated with impaired cognitive functioning, which may result from disruptions in brain structural connectivity. Estimating structural disconnections is a more advantageous representation of tumor impact and can be performed indirectly through normative brain atlases. Using a publicly available dataset of glioma and meningioma patient MRI scans and tumor masks, latent correlations were estimated between measures of structural disconnection and attention-based cognitive functioning.

Shapiro Steps in Driven Atomic Josephson Junctions.

We study driven atomic Josephson junctions realized by coupling two two-dimensional atomic clouds with a tunneling barrier. By moving the barrier at a constant velocity, dc and ac Josephson regimes are characterized by a zero and nonzero atomic density difference across the junction, respectively. Here, we monitor the dynamics resulting in the system when, in addition to the above constant velocity protocol, the position of the barrier is periodically driven.

Reviving Sodium Tunnel Oxide Cathodes Based on Structural Modulation and Sodium Compensation Strategy Toward Practical Sodium-Ion Cylindrical Battery.

As a typical tunnel oxide, NaMnO features excellent electrochemical performance and outstanding structural stability, making it a promising cathode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, it suffers from undesirable challenges such as surface residual alkali, multiple voltage plateaus, and low initial charge specific capacity. Herein, an internal and external synergistic modulation strategy is adopted by replacing part of the Mn with Ti to optimize the bulk phase and construct a Ti-containing epitaxial stabilization layer, resulting in reduced surface residual alkali, excellent Na transport kinetics and improved water/air stability.

Augmented sets of output differences and new distinguishers for SPN ciphers.

We introduce augmented vector spaces of output differences, new generic and black-box distinguishers for Substitution Permutation Network (SPN) ciphers. Our distinguishers are based on a novel method of constructing a vector of size bits from a given vector of size n bits, where and d is a positive integer. We list all such -bit vectors into a set called the corresponding -order augmented set and define its linear span as the corresponding -order augmented vector space .

Swifts Form V-Shaped Wings While Dipping in Water to Fine-Tune Balance.

Swifts, a distinctive avian cohort, have garnered widespread attention owing to their exceptional flight agility. While their aerial prowess is well documented, the challenge swifts encounter while imbibing water introduces an intriguing complexity. The act of water uptake potentially disrupts their flight equilibrium, yet the mechanisms enabling these birds to maintain stability during this process remain enigmatic.

Quasiparticle Dynamics in a Superconducting Qubit Irradiated by a Localized Infrared Source.

A known source of decoherence in superconducting qubits is the presence of broken Cooper pairs, or quasiparticles. These can be generated by high-energy radiation, either present in the environment or purposefully introduced, as in the case of some hybrid quantum devices. Here, we systematically study the properties of a transmon qubit under illumination by focused infrared radiation with various powers, durations, and spatial locations.