The core of a nuclear reactor presents exceptionally stringent requirements for structuralmaterialsduetoitshightemperatureandintenseradiationaswellasitsneed for unfailing mechanical integrity [1][2][3][4] . Thus, candidate materials for nuclear applications must possess excellent irradiation tolerance, high strength, and thermal stability.However,thesepropertiesaredifficulttorealizesimultaneouslyinonematerialbecause of apparently intrinsic tradeoffs between them. Here we report a novel interface engineering strategy that simultaneously achieves superior irradiation tolerance, high strength, and high thermal stability in bulk nanolayered (NL) Cu-Nb composites. By synthesizing bulk NL Cu-Nb composites containing interfaces with controlled sink efficiencies, we design a material in which nearly all irradiation-induced defects are
Tactile sensation plays important roles in virtual reality and augmented reality systems. Here, a self-powered, painless, and highly sensitive electro-tactile (ET) system for achieving virtual tactile experiences is proposed on the basis of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and ET interface formed of ball-shaped electrode array. Electrostatic discharge triggered by TENG can induce notable ET stimulation, while controlled distance between the ET electrodes and human skin can regulate the induced discharge current. The ion bombardment technique has been used to enhance the electrification capability of triboelectric polymer. Accordingly, TENG with a contact area of 4 cm2 is capable of triggering discharge, leading to a compact system. In this skin-integrated ET interface, touching position and motion trace on the TENG surface can be precisely reproduced on skin. This TENG-based ET system can work for many fields, including virtual tactile displays, Braille instruction, intelligent protective suits, or even nerve stimulation.
Bismuth oxide directly grown on nickel foam (p-Bi2O3/Ni) was prepared by a facile polymer-assisted solution approach and was used directly as a lithium-ion battery anode for the first time. The Bi2O3 particles were covered with thin carbon layers, forming network-like sheets on the surface of the Ni foam. The binder-free p-Bi2O3/Ni shows superior electrochemical properties with a capacity of 668 mAh/g at a current density of 800 mA/g, which is much higher than that of commercial Bi2O3 powder (c-Bi2O3) and Bi2O3 powder prepared by the polymer-assisted solution method (p-Bi2O3). The good performance of p-Bi2O3/Ni can be attributed to higher volumetric utilization efficiency, better connection of active materials to the current collector, and shorter lithium ion diffusion path.
Nanostructured Pt is the most efficient single-metal catalyst for fuel cell technology. Great efforts have been devoted to optimizing the Pt-based alloy nanocrystals with desired structure, composition, and shape for boosting the electrocatalytic activity. However, these well-known controls still show the limited ability in maximizing the Pt utilization efficiency for achieving more efficient fuel cell catalysis. Herein, a new strategy for maximizing the fuel cell catalysis by controlling/tuning the defects and interfaces of PtPb nanoplates using ion irradiation technique is reported. The defects and interfaces on PtPb nanoplates, controlled by the fluence of incident C ions, make them exhibit the volcano-like electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as a function of ion irradiation fluence. The optimized PtPb nanoplates with the mixed structure of dislocations, subgrain boundaries, and small amorphous domains are the most active for MOR, EOR, and ORR. They can also maintain high catalytic stability in acid solution. This work highlights the impact and significance of inducing/controlling the defects and interfaces on Pt-based nanocrystals toward maximizing the catalytic performance by advanced ion irradiation strategy.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.