Paper fingerprinting using alpha-masked image matching

In this paper, we examine the problem of authenticating media using the unique fiber structure of each piece of (the so-called paper fingerprint). In particular, we look at methods to authenticate media when text has been printed over the authentication zone. We show how alpha-masked correlation [Fitch05] can be applied to this problem and develop a modification to alpha-masked correlation that is more closely matched to the requirements of this problem and produces an improvement in performance. We also investigate two methods of pixel inpainting to remove printed text or marks from the authentication zone and allow ordinary correlation to be performed. We show that these methods can perform as well as alpha-masked correlation. Finally two methods of improving the robustness to forgery are investigated.

The excellent catalyst support of Al2O3 fibers with needle-like mullite structure and HMF oxidation into FDCA over CuO/Al2O3 fibers

Design of Ag@C@SnO2@TiO2 yolk-shell nanospheres with enhanced photoelectric properties for dye sensitized solar cells

We report a route for large-scale synthesis of three-dimensional flower-like SnO2 microspheres. The prepared material was composed of special wedge-shaped nanorods with tetragonal and smooth square end planes. The obtained samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. A formation mechanism is proposed. The morphological evolution of a SnO2 sample from hierarchical flower-like microspheres to nanorods was observed. Time-dependent experiments illustrated that the hydrothermal reaction time and stirring time of the precursor were two key factors affecting the SnO2 shape. Compared with unorganized nanoparticles, the hierarchical flower-like SnO2 microspheres exhibited a significant improvement in electrochemical performance as the anode material for Li-ion batteries. The initial discharge capacity reached 1610.5 mAh g−1. In view of its unique structure, the prepared material is also expected to find interesting applications in other fields such as gas sensing or photocatalysis.

Anodized TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNTAs) prepared by anodization have garnered widespread attention due to their unique structure and properties. In this study, we prepared TNTAs of varying lengths by controlling the anodization time. Among them, the nanotubes anodized for 2 h have an inner diameter of approximately 92 nm and a wall thickness of approximately 12 nm. Then we subjected amorphous TNTAs prepared by the anodization method to annealing treatments, systematically analyzing the evolution of morphology and structure with varying annealing temperatures. As the annealing temperature increases, the amorphous successively undergoes transitions to the anatase phase and then to the rutile phase. During the transition to the anatase phase, the structure of the nanotube array remains intact, with the complete preservation of the tubular array structure. However, during the transition to the rutile phase, the tubular array structure is destroyed. To address why the tubular array remains undamaged during the amorphous-to-anatase transition, we subjected amorphous TNTAs to annealing at 300 °C for different durations. Raman spectroscopy was employed for fit analysis, providing insights into the evolution of the molecular structure during the anatase phase transition. Finally, TNTAs annealed at different temperatures were incorporated into lithium-ion batteries. By combining XRD for semi-quantitative phase content and anatase particle size calculations, we established a correlation between structure and electrochemical performance. The results indicate a significant improvement in electrochemical performance for an amorphous-anatase structure obtained through annealing at 300 °C, providing insights for the design of high-performance energy storage materials.

FeNi nanoparticles embedded reduced graphene/nitrogen-doped carbon composites towards the ultra-wideband electromagnetic wave absorption

Performance improvement strategy for water treatment films: MXene and GO

A New Role in Nursing: Unit-Based Manager of Patient Safety and Quality

Improvement of selective laser melting substrate surface performance via combined processing of jet electrochemical machining and jet electrodeposition

Silicon is regarded as the most promising negative electrode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries because of the high theoretical capacity. We have developed a Si powder with a flake shape (Si LeafPower®, Si-LP, OIKE & Co., Ltd.) that is 100 nm thick with a 3-5 μm lateral dimension.[1-3] The Si-LP electrode demonstrates a superior cycle performances because the unique flake structure resists pulverization during charge and discharge cycling. For further improvement of cycle performances, inhibition of reductive decomposition of electrolytes on the Si negative electrode is necessary. We tried to suppress the electrolyte decomposition by an artificial surface coating on Si thin films and investigated formation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) by in-situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) coupled with a potential sweep. An amorphous Si thin film with the thickness of 100 nm was deposited by RF magnetron sputtering on a mirror polished Cu substrate. After that, LiF layer was sequentially deposited on the Si film electrode by the RF sputtering. AFM observations coupled with cyclic voltammetry were performed in a liquid immersion sample stage equipped with electrochemical connectors. The Si thin film as a working electrode and Li wires as a counter and a reference electrodes were immersed in the electrolyte of 1 M LiTFSI/EC+DEC (1:1 by vol.). AFM scan was conducted with a conventional contact mode at a room temperature in an Ar-filled glovebox. The potential was managed with a potentiostat/galvanostat and the sweep rate was 0.5 mV s-1. In the first cycle of the cyclic voltammetry for the Si film electrode without LiF, a small cathodic current began to flow ~2 V, and a current peak arose around 0.9 V. This current peak disappeared in the second cycle, which indicated an irreversible reductive decomposition reaction of the electrolyte and formation of SEI on the Si electrode. In the AFM image coupled with the potential sweep, surface deposits emerged from ~0.9 V corresponding to the potential of the electrolyte decomposition. On the other hand, a reductive current peak and surface deposits caused by the electrolyte decomposition were not observed in the Si film electrode with LiF coating. Furthermore, the Coulombic efficiencies of the Si film electrodes improved by the LiF-coating. These results indicated that the LiF layer on the Si electrode prevented the electrolyte decomposition, and thus LiF is a very important component for SEI layer. Acknowledgments: This work was supported by ALCA-SPRING (JST, Japan) and KAKENHI (JSPS, Japan) Grant Number 16H04649.

Widening the working voltage of lithium-ion batteries is considered as an effective strategy to improve their energy density. However, the decomposition of conventional aprotic electrolytes at high voltage greatly impedes the success until the presence of high concentration electrolytes (HCEs) and the resultant localized HCEs (LHCEs). The unique solvated structure of HCEs/LHCEs endows the involved solvent with enhanced endurance toward high voltage while the LHCEs can simultaneously possess the decent viscosity for sufficient wettability to porous electrodes and separator. Nowadays, most LHCEs use LiFSI/LiTFSI as the salts and β-hydrofluoroethers as the counter solvents due to their good compatibility, yet the LHCE formula of cheap LiPF6 and high antioxidant α-hydrofluoroethers is seldom investigated. Here, we report a unique formula with 3 mol L−1 LiPF6 in mixed carbonate solvents and a counter solvent α-substituted fluorine compound (1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropylether). Compared to a conventional electrolyte, this formula enables dramatic improvement in the cycling performance of LiCoO2//graphite cells from approximately 150 cycles to 1000 cycles within the range of 2.9 to 4.5 V at 0.5 C. This work provides a new choice and scope to design functional LHCEs for high voltage systems.

Multifunctional wearable devices detect electric signals responsive to various biological stimuli and monitor present body motions or conditions, necessitating flexible materials with high sensitivity and sustainable operation. Although various dielectric polymers have been utilized in self-powered wearable applications in response to multiple external stimuli, their intrinsic limitations hinder further device performance enhancement. Because triboelectric devices comprising dielectric polymers are based on triboelectrification and electrostatic induction, multilayer-stacking structures of dielectric polymers enable significant improvements in device performance owing to enhanced interfacial polarization through dissimilar permittivity and conductivity between each layer, resulting in self-powered high-performance wearable devices. Moreover, novel triboelectric polymers with unique chemical structures or nano-additives can control interfacial polarization, allowing wearable devices to respond to multiple external stimuli. This review summarizes the recent insights into multilayered functional triboelectric polymers, including their fundamental dielectric principles and diverse applications.

Construction of PVA-lignosulfonate hydrogels for improved mechanical performances and all-in-one flexible supercapacitors

Promotional role of B2O3 in enhancing hollow SnO2 anode performance for Li-ion batteries

Students are the most important component of national human capital stock/assets that should never be wasted. The concept of demographic window of opportunity underscores the importance of timely acquisition of knowledge and skills. Student-centricity should be considered as matching the preferences and priorities of the students with the demands and expectations of the society in a way that produces a quality distinction. Higher education organizations act as an interface in this matching process. Such an approach will make a significant contribution to strengthening individual competencies, and increasing national capacities and performances. Entrepreneurship should be considered as an individual’s making a difference by showing his/her ability to produce innovative ideas and applications by using his/her knowledge and experiences during the process of fulfilling duties and responsibilities, and to offer new solutions and alternatives to problems. Therefore, every field of higher education (university, faculty, and department, institute and program) should be restructured to align with this perspective. The process should be designed to enable the students to be aware of the universal data, knowledge level and application models in the field of study, to learn the philosophy of the field, and to receive the training that will improve their abilities. In this new architecture, higher education organizations’ unique structures, decisions and practices have a critical role and function. However, higher education public authorities should ensure that the new generation student-centered approach is handled as a high-priority strategic target in all higher education organizations, in terms of capacities and performances. Ranking universities in this respect will positively affect the results of the structural change as well.