Function elements (FE) are vital components of nanochannel-systems for artificially regulating ion transport. Conventionally, the FE at inner wall (FEIW) of nanochannel−systems are of concern owing to their recognized effect on the compression of ionic passageways. However, their properties are inexplicit or generally presumed from the properties of the FE at outer surface (FEOS), which will bring potential errors. Here, we show that the FEOS independently regulate ion transport in a nanochannel−system without FEIW. The numerical simulations, assigned the measured parameters of FEOS to the Poisson and Nernst-Planck (PNP) equations, are well fitted with the experiments, indicating the generally explicit regulating-ion-transport accomplished by FEOS without FEIW. Meanwhile, the FEOS fulfill the key features of the pervious nanochannel systems on regulating-ion-transport in osmotic energy conversion devices and biosensors, and show advantages to (1) promote power density through concentrating FE at outer surface, bringing increase of ionic selectivity but no obvious change in internal resistance; (2) accommodate probes or targets with size beyond the diameter of nanochannels. Nanochannel-systems with only FEOS of explicit properties provide a quantitative platform for studying substrate transport phenomena through nanoconfined space, including nanopores, nanochannels, nanopipettes, porous membranes and two-dimensional channels.

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The application of metamaterial in civil engineering to achieve isolation of a building by controlling the propagation of seismic waves is a substantial challenge because seismic waves, a superposition of longitudinal and shear waves, are more complex than electromagnetic and acoustic waves. In this paper, we design a broadband seismic metamaterial based on H-shaped fractal pillars and report numerical simulation of band structures for seismic surface waves propagating. Comparative study on the band structures of H-fractal seismic metamaterials with different levels shows that a new level of fractal structure creates new band gap, widens the total band gaps and shifts the same band gap towards lower frequencies. Moreover, the vibration modes for H-fractal seismic metamaterials are computed and analyzed to clarify the mechanism of widening band gaps. A numerical investigation of seismic surface waves propagation on a 2D array of fractal unit cells on the surface of semi-infinite substrate is proposed to show the efficiency of earthquake shielding in multiple complete band gaps.

Controlling the propagation of seismic waves to protect critical infrastructure via metamaterial is of new topical interest. This approach can be implemented by remote shielding of incoming waves rather than with vibration isolating structures. In this paper, a two-dimensional elastic metamaterial with periodically square concrete-filled steel piles embedded in soil is proposed to achieve a seismic shield for guided Lamb waves and surface waves. Its properties are numerically investigated using the finite element method. For Lamb waves, we first identify complete bandgaps appearing in a periodic composite with cylindrical piles. By comparison, it is found that if the shape of the pile is replaced with the square shape, the bandgaps become wider and shift to the lower frequencies, which is more suitable for practical applications. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that a complete low frequency bandgap also exists for surface waves. The vibration modes for both types of waves at the bandgap edges are computed and analyzed to clarify the mechanism of the bandgap generation. The study focuses on realistic structures that can be effective in the frequency ranges for seismic waves. Although we have focused on the geophysical setting, elastic waves are also very important in applications involving acoustic wave devices.

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The grafting density of probes at sensor interface plays a critical role in the performance of biochemical sensors. However, compared with macroscopic interface, the effects of probe grafting density at nanometric confinement are rarely studied due to the limitation of precise grafting density regulation and characterization at the nanoscale. Here, we investigate the effect from the grafting density of DNA probes on ionic signal for nucleic acid detection in a cylindrical nanochannel array (with diameter of 25 nm) by combing experiments and theories. We set up a theoretical model of charge distribution from close to inner wall of nanochannels at low probe grafting density to spreading in whole space at high probe grafting density. The theoretical results fit well with the experimental results. A reverse of ionic output from signal-off to signal-on occurs with increasing probe grafting density. Low probe grafting density offers a high current change ratio that is further enhanced using long-chain DNA probes or the electrolyte with a low salt concentration. This work develops an approach to enhance performance of nanochannel-based sensors and explore physicochemical properties in nanometric confines.

A novel seismic metamaterial plate consisting of two common building materials, which has the advantages of simple structure and easy to realize, is proposed. The seismic metamaterial plate creates a wide bandgap with a relative bandwidth of 1. Using numerical simulation, the bandgap properties of the metamaterial plate both in a free space and on a half space are studied and it is found that the wide bandgap of the free plate is kept even if in half space. Using scaled (1:30) experiments under 1 g conditions and simulations, we study the transmission spectrum under the surface waves incident on the seismic metamaterial plate and verify that it has a good attenuation effect in the corresponding frequency range. This work paves the way to the design of seismic metamaterials allowing an unparalleled control of surface wave propagation.

In this work, total conversions between longitudinal and transverse modes are achieved within an elastic metamaterial plate with thickness two orders smaller than the wavelength. The ultrathin metamaterial plate consists of an array of anisotropic dipolar resonators obliquely oriented, which can transfer the longitudinal movement into the transverse one, or vice versa, accounting for this effect. A mass-spring model is developed to depict analytically the mode conversion with a quantitative agreement with the simulation. The conversion rate of the metamaterial plate remains above 95% in varying solids, showing good adaptability in practical applications.