This work was supported by the Taiyuan University of Science and Technology Scientific Research Initial Funding (20182028), the doctoral starting foundation of Shanxi Province (20192006), the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province (201703D111003), the Science and Technology Major Project of Shanxi Province (MC2016-01), and Project U610256 supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China.

1. Surface modification of BT fillers
<ol>
	<li>Prepare 20 mL of KH550 solution (1 wt% KH550 in 95 wt% ethanol-water solvent) and ultrasonicate for 15 min.</li>
	<li>Weigh BT nanoparticles (i.e., the filler) and KH550, respectively, so that fillers can be coated with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 wt% of the coupling agent. Treat 1 g of BT nanoparticles in 1.057, 2.114, 3.171, 4.228, and 5.285 mL of KH550 solution by 30 min ultrasonication.</li>
	<li>Evaporate the water-ethanol solvent from the mixture at 80 &#176;C for 5 h and then at...

<ol>
	<li>Lines, M. E., Glass, A. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Principles and applications of ferroelectrics and related materials. , (2001).</li><li>Nalwa, H. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Handbook of low and high dielectric permittivity materials and their applications, phenomena, properties and applications. , (1999).</li><li>Kao, K. 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As discussed above, the method developed by this work could successfully improve the energy-storage performance of ceramic-polymer nanocomposites. To optimize the effect of such method, it is critical to control the amount of coupling agent used in ceramic-surface modification. For ceramic nanoparticles with a diameter of ~200 nm, it was experimentally determined that 2 wt% of KH550 could lead to a maximal energy density. For other composite systems, this conclusion may be used approximately when the fillers with the dia...

The dielectrics applied in electrical energy storage devices are mainly characterized using two important parameters: the dielectric constant (&#949;r) and the breakdown strength (Eb)1,2,3. In general, organic materials such as polypropylene (PP) exhibit a high Eb (~102 MV/m) and a low &#949;r (mostly &#60;5)4,5,6 while inorganic materials, especially ferroelectrics such as BaTiO3, exhibit a high &#949;r (103-104) and a low Eb (~100 MV/m)6,7,8. In some applications, flexibility and the ability to withstand high mechanical impacts are also important for fabricating dielectric capacitors4. Therefore, it is important to develop methods for preparing polymer-based dielectric composites, especially for the development of low-cost methods to create high-performance 0-3 nanocomposites with high &#949;r and Eb9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18. For this purpose, preparation methods based on ferroelectric polymer matrices such as the polar polymer PVDF and its correlated copolymers are widely accepted due to their higher &#949;r (~10)4,19,20. In these nanocomposites, particles with high er, especially ferroelectric ceramics, have been widely used as fillers6,20,21,22,23,24,25.
When developing methods for manufacturing ceramic-polymer composites, there is a general concern that dielectric properties can be significantly influenced by the distribution of fillers26. The homogeneity of dielectric composites is not only determined by the preparation methods, but also by the wettability between the matrix and fillers27. It has been proven by many studies that the non-uniformity of ceramic-polymer composites can be eliminated by physical processes such as spin-coating28,29 and hot-pressing19,26. However, neither of these two processes change the surface connection between fillers and matrices; therefore, the composites prepared by these methods are still limited in improving &#949;r and Eb19,27. Additionally, from a manufacturing point of view, inconvenient processes are undesirable for many applications because they can lead to much more complex fabrication processes28,29. In this regard, a simple and effective method is needed.
Currently, the most effective method to improve the compatibility of ceramic-polymer nanocomposites is based on the treatment of ceramic nanoparticles, which modifies the surface chemistry between fillers and matrices30,31. Recent studies have shown that coupling agents can be easily coated on ceramic nanoparticles and effectively modify the wettability between fillers and matrices without affecting the casting process32,33,34,35,36. For surface modification, it is widely accepted that for each composite system, there is a suitable amount of coupling agent, which corresponds to a maximal increase in energy storage density37; excess coupling agent in composites may result in a decline in the performance of products36,37,38. For dielectric composites using nano-sized ceramic fillers, it is speculated that the effectiveness of coupling agent mainly depends on the surface area of fillers. However, the critical amount to be used in each nano-sized system is yet to be determined. In short, further research is required to use coupling agents to develop simple processes for manufacturing ceramic-polymer nanocomposites.
In this work, BaTiO3 (BT), the most widely studied ferroelectric material with high dielectric constant, was used as fillers, and the P(VDF-CTFE) 91/9 mol% copolymer (VC91) was used as the polymer matrix for the preparation of ceramic-polymer composites. To modify the surface of the BT nanofillers, the commercially available 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) was purchased and used as a coupling agent. The critical amount of the nanocomposite system was determined through a series of experiment. An easy, low-cost, and widely applicable method is demonstrated to improve the energy density of nano-sized composite systems.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:827px;" width="826">
	<colgroup>
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
	</colgroup>
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:259px;">3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550)</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">440140</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">Liquid, Assay: 99%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:259px;">95 wt.% ethanol-water</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">459836</td>
			<td>Liquid, Assay: 99.5%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;width:259px;">BaTiO3 nanoparticles</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">US Research Nanomaterials</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">US3830</td>
			<td>In a diameter of about 200 nm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:259px;">Ferroelectric tester</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">Radiant</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">Precision-LC100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:259px;">Glass substrates</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">Citoglas</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">16397</td>
			<td>75 x 25 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:259px;">Gold coater</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">Pelco</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">SC-6</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:259px;">High voltage supplier</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">Trek</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">610D</td>
			<td>10 kV</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:259px;">Impedance analyzer</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">Keysight</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">4294A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:259px;">N, N dimethylformamide</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">GEN002007</td>
			<td>Liquid</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:259px;">P(VDF-CTFE) 91/9 mol.% copolymer</td>
			<td style="width:184px;"></td>
			<td style="width:161px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:259px;">Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">JEOL</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">JSM-7000F</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:259px;">Vacuum oven</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">Heefei Kejing Materials Technology Co, Ltd</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">DZF-6020</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

application of a coupling agent to improve the dielectric properties of polymer-based nanocomposites

In this work, an easy, low-cost, and widely applicable method was developed to improve the compatibility between the ceramic fillers and the polymer matrix by adding 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) as a coupling agent during the fabrication process of BaTiO3-P(VDF-CTFE) nanocomposites through solution casting. Results show that the use of KH550 can modify the surface of ceramic nanofillers; therefore, good wettability on the ceramic-polymer interface was achieved, and the enhanced energy storage performances were obtained by a suitable amount of the coupling agent. This method can be used to prepare flexible composites, which is highly desirable for the production of high-performance film capacitors. If an excessive amount of coupling agent is used in the process, the non-attached coupling agent can participate in complex reactions, which leads to a decrease in dielectric constant and an increase in dielectric loss.

The free-standing nanocomposite films with different contents of fillers were successfully fabricated as described in the protocol, and were labeled as xBT-VC91, where x is the volume percentage of BT in the composites. The effect of KH550 (coupling agent) on the morphology and microstructure of these BT-VC91 films was studied by SEM and shown in Figure 1. The SEM images of 30BT-VC91 nanocomposites with 1 and 5 wt% coupling agent are shown in Figure 1a and <stro...

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Application of a Coupling Agent to Improve the Dielectric Properties of Polymer-Based Nanocomposites

Here, we demonstrate a simple and low-cost solution-casting process to improve the compatibility between the filler and the matrix of polymer-based nanocomposites using surface modified BaTiO3 fillers, which can effectively enhance the energy density of the composites.

In this work, an easy, low-cost, and widely applicable method was developed to improve the compatibility between the ceramic fillers and the polymer ...

It was proved that the using of commercial coupling agent could modify the surface of ceramic nanofillers, therefore, good wettability on the ceramic-polymer interface was achieved, and the enhanced energy storage performances were obtained by a suitable amount of coupling agent. The method developed by this work could be used in the preparation of flexible composites, which is highly desirable for the production of high-performance film capacitors. Prepare the solution of KH550 with 95 weight percent ethanol water solvent by 15 minutes ultra-sonication.Treat the BT nanoparticles in KH550 solutions by 30 minutes ultra-sonication. In this process, measure the weights of KH550 and BT nanoparticles fillers coated with one, two, three, four, and five weight percent of coupling agent in the KH550 dilute solution with a volume of five milliliter. Evaporate the water-ethanol solvent from the matrix at 80 degrees C for five hours, and then to 120 degrees C for 12 hours in a vacuum oven.Use the dry nanoparticles as the surface modified fillers in the preparation of BTVC-91 nanocomposites. One, the DMF-based polymer solution was prepared by dissolving 0.3 grams of polymer powders in 10 milliliter DMF at room temperature by a magnetic stirring for eight hours. Two, the barium titanate nanoparticles were added into the solution, then followed with 12 hours stirring to form homogeneous suspension and ultrasonicated for 30 minutes.In the preparation process, both the unmodified barium titanate and the barium titanate coated with coupling agent were used. After that, the suspension was cast on a preheated class substrate to make films. Three milliliters of the suspension was dropped on each of the glass substrate.Five, the glass substrate with suspensions was then kept in the oven at 70 degree for eight hours to evaporate the solvent. Six, finally, the as-cast films were released from the glass substrate and obtained free-standing films were annealed at 160 degrees C in air for 12 hours. The free-standing nanocomposite films was successfully fabricated according to the protocol.It was confirmed from the SEM that the ceramic nanoparticles treated with a suitable amount of coupling agent that could be uniformly distributed in the nanocomposites during casting;while the excessive amount of coupling agent may cause interactions between ceramic nanoparticles and leading to the aggregation of fillers. For the nanocomposites with low filler content, the dielectric constant of the composites was basically unchanged with a small amount of coupling agent is used and slightly decreases with the future increasing coupling agent amount. For the nanocomposites with high filler content, the dielectric constant of the composites increase adversely with a small amount of coupling agent and sharply decrease with the future increasing coupling agent amount.In terms of dielectric loss, the nanocomposites with coupling agent have a higher dielectric loss than the nanocomposites without coupling agent. The maximal breakdown strengths was obtained when two weight percent of coupling agent was used. A lower breakdown strengths was found from the nanocomposites with a higher amount of coupling agent.Due to the enhanced breakdown strengths and our relatively high charge discharge efficiency, the maximal energy density of the nanocomposites with a small amount of coupling agent were improved. In this work, barium titanate, the most widely studied ferroelectric material with high dielectric constant were used as fillers. The PVDF-CTFE copolymer was used as a polymer matrix for the preparation of ceramic polymer composites.To modify the surface of barium titanate nanofillers, the commercially available KH550 were purchased and used as coupling agent. They critical amount of the nanocomposite system was determined by the series of experiment. An easy, low-cost, and the widely applicative method to improve the energy density of nano-sized composite system was demonstrated.

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5.7K Views.  Taiyuan University of Science and Technology. It was proved that the using of commercial coupling agent could modify the surface of ceramic nanofillers, therefore, good wettability on the ceramic-polymer interface was achieved, and the enhanced energy storage performances were obtained by a suitable amount of coupling agent. The method developed by this work could be used in the preparation of flexible composites, which is highly desirable for the production of high-performance film capacitors. Prepare the solution of KH550 with 95 weigh...

Video: Application of a Coupling Agent to Improve the Dielectric Properties of Polymer-Based Nanocomposites

Here, we demonstrate a simple and low-cost solution-casting process to improve the compatibility between the filler and the matrix of polymer-based nanocomposites using surface modified BaTiO3 fillers, which can effectively enhance the energy density of the...

direct intrabronchial administration to improve the selective agent deposition within the mouse lung

Direct Intrabronchial Administration to Improve the Selective Agent Deposition Within the Mouse Lung

Intratracheal (IT) administration of experimental agents in mice often results in asymmetric delivery to the distal lungs.&#160; In this report, we describe a direct intrabronchial (IB) approach to cannulate each lung in living mice non-operatively.&#160; This approach can be used to selectively administer agents to one lung or may be adapted to improve the symmetric agent delivery to both...

environmentally-controlled microtensile testing of mechanically-adaptive polymer nanocomposites for ex vivo characterization

Environmentally-controlled Microtensile Testing of Mechanically-adaptive Polymer Nanocomposites for ex vivo Characterization

A method is discussed by which the in vivo mechanical behavior of stimuli-responsive materials is monitored as a function of time. Samples are tested ex vivo using a microtensile tester with environmental controls to simulate the physiological environment. This work further promotes understanding the in vivo behavior of our...

Environmentally-controlled Microtensile Testing of Mechanically-adaptive Polymer Nanocomposites for ex vivo Characterization

using microwave and macroscopic samples of dielectric solids to study the photonic properties of disordered photonic bandgap materials

Using Microwave and Macroscopic Samples of Dielectric Solids to Study the Photonic Properties of Disordered Photonic Bandgap Materials

Disordered structures offer new mechanisms for forming photonic bandgaps and unprecedented freedom in functional-defect designs. To circumvent the computational challenges of disordered systems, we construct modular macroscopic samples of the new class of PBG materials and use microwaves to characterize their scale-invariant photonic properties, in an easy and inexpensive...

electroactive polymer nanoparticles exhibiting photothermal properties

Electroactive Polymer Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photothermal Properties

A protocol is presented for the synthesis and preparation of nanoparticles consisting of electroactive polymers.

fabrication process of silicone-based dielectric elastomer actuators

Fabrication Process of Silicone-based Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

This manuscript shows the fabrication process for the manufacture of dielectric elastomer soft actuators based on silicone membranes. The three key stages of production are presented in detail: blade casting of thin silicone membranes; pad printing of compliant electrodes; and the assembly of all the...

the effect of construction and demolition waste plastic fractions on wood-polymer composite properties

The Effect of Construction and Demolition Waste Plastic Fractions on Wood-Polymer Composite Properties

Secondary material streams have been shown to include potential raw materials for production. Presented here is a protocol in which CDW-plastic waste as a raw material is identified, followed by various processing steps (agglomeration, extrusion). As a result, a composite material was produced, and mechanical properties were...

apoplast-extraction based method to improve the purity of plant produced recombinant protein  

Author Spotlight: Optimizing Apoplast Protein Extraction for Efficient Recovery of Recombinant Proteins from Plant Cells

The purification of recombinant proteins from plant systems is usually challenged by plant proteins. This work provides a method to effectively extract and purify a secreted recombinant protein from the apoplast of Nicotiana...

Apoplast-Extraction Based Method to Improve the Purity of Plant Produced Recombinant Protein  

fabrication of a bioactive, pcl-based "self-fitting" shape memory polymer scaffold

Fabrication of a Bioactive, PCL-based &quot;Self-fitting&quot; Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold

Scaffolds capable of fitting within cranio-maxillofacial (CMF) bone defects while exhibiting osteoconductivity and bioactivity are of interest. This protocol describes the preparation of a shape memory scaffold based on polycaprolactone diacrylate (PCL-DA) using a solvent-casting particulate-leaching (SCPL) method employing a fused salt template and application of a bioactive polydopamine...

Fabrication of a Bioactive, PCL-based "Self-fitting" Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold

fabrication of antibacterial graphene oxide/copper nanocomposites

Author Spotlight: Metallic Nanocomposites to Eliminate Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Herein, we introduce graphene oxide/copper (GO/Cu) nanocomposites as an antibacterial nanomaterial. The antibacterial effectiveness of the GO/Cu nanocomposites was evaluated against both antibiotic-resistant gram-positive and gram-negative...

Antibacterial Graphene Oxide/Copper Nanocomposites for Resistant Bacteria

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Fabrication of Antibacterial Graphene Oxide/Copper Nanocomposites

solution&#45;processed, surface&#45;engineered, polycrystalline cdse&#45;snse exhibiting low thermal conductivity

Author Spotlight: Advancing Energy Solutions Using Nanocomposites as Processed Thermoelectric Materials

CdSe-SnSe nanocomposites are produced by consolidating surface-engineered SnSe particles. A simple aqueous synthesis is employed to produce SnSe particles. Coating SnSe particles with CdSe molecular complexes allows for controlling grain size and increasing the number of defects present in the nanocomposite, thus lowering the thermal...

Production of CdSe&amp;#45;SnSe Nanocomposites from Consolidated SnSe Particles

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measuring the mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforcement polymer composite laminates obtained by different fabrication processes

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Fiber Composite Laminate Quality with the Wet Hand Lay-Up/Vacuum Bag Process 

This paper describes a fabrication process for fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite laminates obtained using the wet hand lay-up/vacuum bag...

Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforcement Polymer Composite Laminates Obtained by Different Fabrication Processes

amide coupling reaction for the synthesis of bispyridine-based ligands and their complexation to platinum as dinuclear anticancer agents

Amide Coupling Reaction for the Synthesis of Bispyridine-based Ligands and Their Complexation to Platinum as Dinuclear Anticancer Agents

This protocol describes the use of amide coupling reactions of isonicotinic acid and diaminoalkanes to form bridging ligands suitable for use in the synthesis of multinuclear platinum complexes, which combine aspects of the anticancer drugs BBR3464 and...

biophysical assays to probe the mechanical properties of the interphase cell nucleus: substrate strain application and microneedle manipulation

Biophysical Assays to Probe the Mechanical Properties of the Interphase Cell Nucleus: Substrate Strain Application and Microneedle Manipulation

We present two independent, microscope-based tools to measure the induced nuclear and cytoskeletal deformations in single, living adherent cells in response to global or localized strain application. These techniques are used to determine nuclear stiffness (i.e., deformability) and to probe intracellular force transmission between the nucleus and the...

manufacturing of three-dimensionally microstructured nanocomposites through microfluidic infiltration

Manufacturing of Three-dimensionally Microstructured Nanocomposites through Microfluidic Infiltration

Three-dimensional (3D) microstructured composite beams are fabricated through the directed and localized infiltration of nanocomposites into 3D porous microfluidic networks. The flexibility of this manufacturing method enables the utilization of different thermosetting materials and nanofillers in order to achieve a variety of functional 3D reinforced nanocomposite macroscopic...

preparation of monodomain liquid crystal elastomers and liquid crystal elastomer nanocomposites

Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites

We demonstrate the preparation of siloxane-based and epoxy-based liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) and LCE nanocomposites. The LCEs are characterized with respect to reversible strain, liquid crystal ordering, and stiffness. As a potential application, we demonstrate their use as shape-responsive substrates in a custom device for active cell...

application of an in vitro dna protection assay to visualize stress mediation properties of the dps protein

Application of an In vitro DNA Protection Assay to Visualize Stress Mediation Properties of the Dps Protein

The DNA-binding protein from starved cells (Dps) plays a crucial role in combating bacterial stress. This article discusses the purification of E. coli Dps and the protocol for an in vitro assay demonstrating Dps-mediated protection of DNA from degradation by reactive oxygen...

Application of an In vitro DNA Protection Assay to Visualize Stress Mediation Properties of the Dps Protein

custom smartphone application to guide locomotor-respiratory coupling in the field using step-adaptive breathing sounds 

Author Spotlight: Exploring Breathing Techniques and Digital Solutions for Enhancing Running Performance

Locomotor-respiratory coupling (LRC) is potentially advantageous for runners but may be difficult to perform. We introduce a custom solution implemented on a smartphone to individualize and guide runners toward...

Custom Smartphone Application to Guide Locomotor-Respiratory Coupling in the Field Using Step-Adaptive Breathing Sounds 

runrhythm: a custom smartphone application for enhancing locomotor-respiratory coupling in runners

RunRhythm: A Custom Smartphone Application for Enhancing Locomotor-Respiratory Coupling in Runners

Recently, disordered photonic materials have been suggested as an alternative to periodic crystals for the formation of a complete photonic bandgap (PBG). In this article we will describe the methods for constructing and characterizing macroscopic disordered photonic structures using microwaves. The microwave regime offers the most convenient experimental sample size to build and test PBG media. Easily manipulated dielectric lattice components extend flexibility in building various 2D structures on top of pre-printed plastic templates. Once built, the structures could be quickly modified with point and line defects to make freeform waveguides and filters. Testing is done using a widely available Vector Network Analyzer and pairs of microwave horn antennas. Due to the scale invariance property of electromagnetic fields, the results we obtained in the microwave region can be directly applied to infrared and optical regions. Our approach is simple but delivers exciting new insight into the nature of light and disordered matter interaction.

Our representative results include the first experimental demonstration of the existence of a complete and isotropic PBG in a two-dimensional (2D) hyperuniform disordered dielectric structure. Additionally we demonstrate experimentally the ability of this novel photonic structure to guide electromagnetic waves (EM) through freeform waveguides of arbitrary shape.

Disordered structures offer new mechanisms for forming photonic bandgaps and unprecedented freedom in functional-defect designs. To circumvent the computational challenges of disordered systems, we construct modular macroscopic samples of the new class of PBG materials and use microwaves to characterize their scale-invariant photonic properties, in an easy and inexpensive manner.

Recently, disordered photonic materials have been suggested as an alternative to periodic crystals for the formation of a complete photonic bandgap (PBG). ...

The Preparation of Electrohydrodynamic Bridges from Polar Dielectric Liquids

Horizontal and vertical liquid bridges are simple and powerful tools for exploring the interaction of high intensity electric fields (8-20 kV/cm) and polar dielectric liquids. These bridges are unique from capillary bridges in that they exhibit extensibility beyond a few millimeters, have complex bi-directional mass transfer patterns, and emit non-Planck infrared radiation. A number of common solvents can form such bridges as well as low conductivity solutions and colloidal suspensions. The macroscopic behavior is governed by electrohydrodynamics and provides a means of studying fluid flow phenomena without the presence of rigid walls. Prior to the onset of a liquid bridge several important phenomena can be observed including advancing meniscus height (electrowetting), bulk fluid circulation (the Sumoto effect), and the ejection of charged droplets (electrospray). The interaction between surface, polarization, and displacement forces can be directly examined by varying applied voltage and bridge length. The electric field, assisted by gravity, stabilizes the liquid bridge against Rayleigh-Plateau instabilities. Construction of basic apparatus for both vertical and horizontal orientation along with operational examples, including thermographic images, for three liquids (e.g., water, DMSO, and glycerol) is presented.

Horizontal and vertical electrohydrodynamic liquid bridges are simple and powerful tools for exploring the interaction of high intensity electric fields and polar dielectric liquids. The construction of basic apparatus and operational examples, including thermographic images, for three liquids (e.g., water, DMSO, and glycerol) is presented.

Horizontal and vertical liquid bridges are simple and powerful tools for exploring the interaction of high intensity electric fields (8-20 kV/cm) and ...

In Situ Time-dependent Dielectric Breakdown in the Transmission Electron Microscope: A Possibility to Understand the Failure Mechanism in Microelectronic Devices

The time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) in on-chip interconnect stacks is one of the most critical failure mechanisms for microelectronic devices. The aggressive scaling of feature sizes, both on devices and interconnects, leads to serious challenges to ensure the required product reliability. Standard reliability tests and post-mortem failure analysis provide only limited information about the physics of failure mechanisms and degradation kinetics. Therefore it is necessary to develop new experimental approaches and procedures to study the TDDB failure mechanisms and degradation kinetics in particular. In this paper, an in situ experimental methodology in the transmission electron microscope (TEM) is demonstrated to investigate the TDDB degradation and failure mechanisms in Cu/ULK interconnect stacks. High quality imaging and chemical analysis are used to study the kinetic process. The in situ electrical test is integrated into the TEM to provide an elevated electrical field to the dielectrics. Electron tomography is utilized to characterize the directed Cu diffusion in the insulating dielectrics. This experimental procedure opens a possibility to study the failure mechanism in interconnect stacks of microelectronic products, and it could also be extended to other structures in active devices.

In Situ Time-dependent Dielectric Breakdown in the Transmission Electron Microscope: A Possibility to Understand the Failure Mechanism in Microelectronic Devices

The time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) in on-chip interconnect stacks is one of the most critical failure mechanisms for microelectronic devices. This paper demonstrates the procedure of an in situ TDDB experiment in the transmission electron microscope, which opens a possibility to study the failure mechanism in microelectronic products.

The time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) in on-chip interconnect stacks is one of the most critical failure mechanisms for microelectronic devices. ...

This contribution demonstrates the fabrication process of dielectric elastomer transducers (DETs). DETs are stretchable capacitors consisting of an elastomeric dielectric membrane sandwiched between two compliant electrodes. The large actuation strains of these transducers when used as actuators (over 300% area strain) and their soft and compliant nature has been exploited for a wide range of applications, including electrically tunable optics, haptic feedback devices, wave-energy harvesting, deformable cell-culture devices, compliant grippers, and propulsion of a bio-inspired fish-like airship. In most cases, DETs are made with a commercial proprietary acrylic elastomer and with hand-applied electrodes of carbon powder or carbon grease. This combination leads to non-reproducible and slow actuators exhibiting viscoelastic creep and a short lifetime. We present here a complete process flow for the reproducible fabrication of DETs based on thin elastomeric silicone films, including casting of thin silicone membranes, membrane release and prestretching, patterning of robust compliant electrodes, assembly and testing. The membranes are cast on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates coated with a water-soluble sacrificial layer for ease of release. The electrodes consist of carbon black particles dispersed into a silicone matrix and patterned using a stamping technique, which leads to precisely-defined compliant electrodes that present a high adhesion to the dielectric membrane on which they are applied.

This manuscript shows the fabrication process for the manufacture of dielectric elastomer soft actuators based on silicone membranes. The three key stages of production are presented in detail: blade casting of thin silicone membranes; pad printing of compliant electrodes; and the assembly of all the components.

This contribution demonstrates the fabrication process of dielectric elastomer transducers (DETs). DETs are stretchable capacitors consisting of an ...

A method for the synthesis of electroactive polymers is demonstrated, starting with the synthesis of extended conjugation monomers using a three-step process that finishes with Negishi coupling. Negishi coupling is a cross-coupling process in which a chemical precursor is first lithiated, followed by transmetallation with ZnCl2. The resultant organozinc compound can be coupled to a dibrominated aromatic precursor to give the conjugated monomer. Polymer films can be prepared via electropolymerization of the monomer and characterized using cyclic voltammetry and ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectroscopy. Nanoparticles (NPs) are prepared via emulsion polymerization of the monomer using a two-surfactant system to yield an aqueous dispersion of the polymer NPs. The NPs are characterized using dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, and UV-Vis-NIR-spectroscopy. Cytocompatibility of NPs is investigated using the cell viability assay. Finally, the NP suspensions are irradiated with a NIR laser to determine their effectiveness as potential materials for photothermal therapy (PTT).

A protocol is presented for the synthesis and preparation of nanoparticles consisting of electroactive polymers.

A method for the synthesis of electroactive polymers is demonstrated, starting with the synthesis of extended conjugation monomers using a three-step ...

Measuring Spray Droplet Size from Agricultural Nozzles Using Laser Diffraction

When making an application of any crop protection material such as an herbicide or pesticide, the applicator uses a variety of skills and information to make an application so that the material reaches the target site (i.e., plant). Information critical in this process is the droplet size that a particular spray nozzle, spray pressure, and spray solution combination generates, as droplet size greatly influences product efficacy and how the spray moves through the environment. Researchers and product manufacturers commonly use laser diffraction equipment to measure the spray droplet size in laboratory wind tunnels. The work presented here describes methods used in making spray droplet size measurements with laser diffraction equipment for both ground and aerial application scenarios that can be used to ensure inter- and intra-laboratory precision while minimizing sampling bias associated with laser diffraction systems. Maintaining critical measurement distances and concurrent airflow throughout the testing process is key to this precision. Real time data quality analysis is also critical to preventing excess variation in the data or extraneous inclusion of erroneous data. Some limitations of this method include atypical spray nozzles, spray solutions or application conditions that result in spray streams that do not fully atomize within the measurement distances discussed. Successful adaption of this method can provide a highly efficient method for evaluation of the performance of agrochemical spray application nozzles under a variety of operational settings. Also discussed are potential experimental design considerations that can be included to enhance functionality of the data collected.

We present protocols to be used in the measurement of spray droplet size from agricultural nozzles used in both aerial and ground based agrochemical applications. These methods presented were developed to provide consistent and repeatable droplet size data both inter- and intra-laboratory, when using laser diffraction systems.

When making an application of any crop protection material such as an herbicide or pesticide, the applicator uses a variety of skills and information to ...

Optical Trap Loading of Dielectric Microparticles In Air

We demonstrate a method to trap a selected dielectric microparticle in air using radiation pressure from a single-beam gradient optical trap. Randomly scattered dielectric microparticles adhered to a glass substrate are momentarily detached using ultrasonic vibrations generated by a piezoelectric transducer (PZT). Then, the optical beam focused on a selected particle lifts it up to the optical trap while the vibrationally excited microparticles fall back to the substrate. A particle may be trapped at the nominal focus of the trapping beam or at a position above the focus (referred to here as the levitation position) where gravity provides the restoring force. After the measurement, the trapped particle can be placed at a desired position on the substrate in a controlled manner. 
In this protocol, an experimental procedure for selective optical trap loading in air is outlined. First, the experimental setup is briefly introduced. Second, the design and fabrication of a PZT holder and a sample enclosure are illustrated in detail. The optical trap loading of a selected microparticle is then demonstrated with step-by-step instructions including sample preparation, launching into the trap, and use of electrostatic force to excite particle motion in the trap and measure charge. Finally, we present recorded particle trajectories of Brownian and ballistic motions of a trapped microparticle in air. These trajectories can be used to measure stiffness or to verify optical alignment through time domain and frequency domain analysis. Selective trap loading enables optical tweezers to track a particle and its changes over repeated trap loadings in a reversible manner, thereby enabling studies of particle-surface interaction.

A protocol for launching and stably trapping selected dielectric microparticles in air is presented.

We demonstrate a method to trap a selected dielectric microparticle in air using radiation pressure from a single-beam gradient optical trap. Randomly ...

New Application of an Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet as a Neuro-protective Agent Against Glucose Deprivation-induced Injury of SH-SY5Y Cells

The atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) has attracted the attention of many researchers from multiple disciplines in recent years because its emissions include multiple types of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our previous study has shown the cytoprotective effect of the APPJ against oxidative stress-induced injuries. The aim of the present study is to provide a detailed in vitro treatment protocol regarding the neuroprotective applications of helium APPJs on glucose deprivation-induced injury in SH-SY5Y cells. The SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma-derived cell line was maintained in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 15% fetal calf serum. The culture medium was then changed to RPMI 1640 without glucose before APPJ treatment. After a 1 h incubation in a cell incubator, cell viability was determined using Cell Counting Kit 8. The results showed that, compared to the glucose deprivation group, cells treated with APPJ exhibited significantly increased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with 8 s/well observed as an optimal dose. Meanwhile, helium flow had no effect on the glucose deprivation-induced cell impairment. Our results indicated that APPJ could be potentially used as a treatment method for the diseases in the central nervous system related to glucose deprivation. This protocol could also be used as a cytoprotective application for other cells with different impairments, but the cell culture and APPJ treatment conditions should be readjusted, and the treatment dose must be relatively low.

A protocol for the neuroprotective application of low-dose atmospheric pressure plasma treatment on glucose deprivation-induced SH-SY5Y injuries.

The atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) has attracted the attention of many researchers from multiple disciplines in recent years because its emissions ...

Determination of the Excitation and Coupling Rates Between Light Emitters and Surface Plasmon Polaritons

We have developed a unique method to measure the excitation and coupling rates between the light emitters and surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) arising from metallic periodic arrays without involving time-resolved techniques. We have formulated the rates by quantities that can be measured by simple optical measurements. The instrumentation based on angle- and polarization-resolved reflectivity and photoluminescence spectroscopy will be described in detail here. Our approach is intriguing due to its simplicity, which requires routine optics and several mechanical stages, and thus is highly affordable to most of the research laboratories.

This protocol describes the instrumentation for determining the excitation and coupling rates between light emitters and Bloch-like surface plasmon polaritons arising from periodic arrays.

We have developed a unique method to measure the excitation and coupling rates between the light emitters and surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) arising ...

A Fabrication and Measurement Method for a Flexible Ferroelectric Element Based on Van Der Waals Heteroepitaxy

Flexible non-volatile memories have received much attention as they are applicable for portable smart electronic device in the future, relying on high-density data storage and low-power consumption capabilities. However, the high-quality oxide based nonvolatile memory on flexible substrates is often constrained by the material characteristics and the inevitable high-temperature fabrication process. In this paper, a protocol is proposed to directly grow an epitaxial yet flexible lead zirconium titanate memory element on muscovite mica. The versatile deposition technique and measurement method enable the fabrication of flexible yet single-crystalline non-volatile memory elements necessary for the next generation of smart devices.

In this paper, we present a protocol to directly grow an epitaxial yet flexible lead zirconium titanate memory element on muscovite mica.