Singapore

Human sweat is one of the most available biofluids and the effect of sweat on the wearable electrodes has always been considered a deteriorating effect for electrode’s conductivity because of the enhanced corrosion behavior of bulk metals in the presence of saline solution. Herein, we demonstrate the first example of stretchable Ag electrodes in which the conductivity can be enhanced by human sweating behavior. The stretchable electrodes were fabricated by directly printing the ink composing of conductive filler silver flakes and rationally designed elastic binder (HPUA, thermoplastic and hydrophilic poly(urethane-acrylate) on hydrophilic textiles. Sweat can reduce the resistance of electrodes in both relaxed and stretched states. Our method uses sweat that is unharmful to human skin as the sintering agent that reduces the resistance of printed stretchable electrodes during wearing, providing a new route in the design of printed stretchable and wearable devices. In summary, we designed printable, photocurable, and textile-based Ag-HPUA electrodes whose resistance can be reduced by human sweat in both original and stretched states. The electrodes compose of Ag flakes and HPUA binder with hydrophilic, photocurable, and high stretchable properties. When the Ag-HPUA encounters the sweat, the lactic acid, and Cl- work synergistically to enhance the conductivity rapidly and permanently by removing the lubricant and sintering the exposed Ag flakes. The affecting factors and mechanism of the reaction between the Ag-HPUA electrode and sweat were well explored.

MATERIALS FOR HUMANITY (MH 21)

Printable Elastomeric Electrodes with Sweat-Enhanced Conductivity for Wearables

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MH 21 is arranged around 6 themes that focus attention on pressing needs that should be addressed to enhance the well-being of communities and provide a forum for presenting breakthrough discoveries.

poster

A recent proposal for a brain-inspired architecture, known as Neuromorphic Computing (NC), has received critical appraisal from many researchers charged with procuring low processing power that could one day rival the human brain. Its basic elements can be broadly classed into neurons and synapses, the latter of which is responsible for memory storage featuring multiply resistive states. Since then, spin-based neuromorphic elements have been a subject of study, amongst which the domain wall (DW) device expends the least energy. Nevertheless, the stochastic behaviour of DW motion complicates the identity of its position and renders its motion uncontrollable. This paper proposes the use of synthetic anti-ferromagnetic pinning sites embedded within a ferromagnetic device to control the position of the DW. We simulate both pinning and de-pinning of DWs at synthetic anti-ferromagnetic regions coupled by an inter-layer exchange interaction of up to -0.3 mJ/m2 and relate an increased magnitude of the inter-layer exchange coupling with a de-pinning current that grows in proportion in the affairs of longer pining sites (> 50 nm) with no dependence established on DMI or further length. On the contrary, we find both increasing and decreasing relationships between DMI and de-pinning current which are distinguished by two stable DW configurations at pinning sites of lower lengths. We also extend our study to accommodate five pinning sites to demonstrate the various resistive states from which its neuromorphic synaptic properties may be derived.

Pinning Domain Walls with Synthetic Antiferromagnets

Artificial electronic synapses with two-terminal floating-gate (FG) configurations have undergone enormous development because of the advantage in terms of easy modulation and quick fabrication. Although synaptic features can be effectively modulated via the FG field effect, the tunability remain limited, especially for the commonly used n-type transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). This paper focuses on a two-terminal MoS2 FG artificial synaptic device, the surface of which has been functionalized by an ultrathin deposition (0.1 nm) of MoO3 on the channel region. The surface functionalization together with the gating effect greatly enhance hysteresis behaviors of the device with expanded memory window from 6 to 14.8 V and significantly increased ON/OFF current ratio from 10 to 107. In addition, essential synaptic functions were successfully emulated in this synaptic two-terminal device, including transition from short-term to long-term potentiation, paired-pulse facilitation/depression, and spike timing-dependent plasticity. These findings promise surface charge transfer doping as an effective method to broaden the functionality of two-dimensional TMDCs-based electronic devices and provide a platform for the development of electric-modulated neuromorphic architectures.

Artificial synapses based on two-dimensional van der Waals materials for brain-inspired computing

2D transition-metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDs) exhibit a multitude of exotic properties. In particular, if 2D van der Waals magnets exist, they would be ideal atomically thin building blocks for 2D spintronics [1]. Theories have predicted intrinsic magnetism in 2D VX2, such as vanadium diselenide and vanadium ditelluride. Bonilla et al. reported strong room-temperature ferromagnetism in VSe2 monolayers on van der Waals substrates [2]. We show however, that 2D VSe2 is not intrinsically ferromagnetic, but displays evidence of spin frustration [3]. Nevertheless, a magnetic transition in 2D VSe2 can be induced at the contamination-free interface between Co and VSe2 via interface hybridization [4]. Promotion of ferromagnetism in 2D VSe2 is accompanied by antiferromagnetic coupling to Co and a reduction in the spin moment of Co. Consistent results are obtained for 2D VTe2 [5].

We have addressed the conflicting reports on the ferromagnetism of clean monolayer VSe2. We studied the controllable formation of 1D defect line patterns in VSe2 monolayers using STM and q-plus AFM techniques [6]. We found that the reconstructed VSe2 monolayer with Se-deficient line defects displays room-temperature ferromagnetism under X-ray magnetic circular dichroism and magnetic force microscopy, consistent with the DFT calculations. This work possibly resolves the controversy on whether monolayer VSe2 is intrinsically ferromagnetic, and highlights the importance of controlling surface defects in 2D crystals.

References

[1] W. Zhang, P. K. J. Wong, R. Zhu, A. T. S. Wee, InfoMat. (2019) 1, 1–17.
[2] M. Bonilla et al., Nat. Nano. (2018) 13, 289-293. 
[3] P. K. J. Wong et al., Adv. Mat. (2019) 31, 1901185.
[4] W. Zhang et al., ACS Nano (2019) 13, 8997-9004 
[5] P. K. J. Wong et al., ACS Nano (2019) 13, 11, 12894–12900
[6] R. Chua et al., Adv. Mater. (2020) 200069 


Is 2D Vanadium Diselenide Ferromagnetic?

Topological phonons in crystalline materials have been attracting great interest. However, most cases studied so far are direct generalizations of the topological states from electronic systems. Here, we reveal a novel class of topological phonons -- the symmetry-enforced nodal-chain phonons, which manifest features unique for phononic systems. We show that with D2d little co-group at a non-time-reversal-invariant-momentum point, the phononic nodal chain is guaranteed to exist owing to the vector basis symmetry of phonons, which is a unique character distinct from electronic and other systems. Combined with the spinless character, this makes the proposed nodal-chain phonons enforced by symmorphic crystal symmetries. We further screen all 230 space groups, and find five candidate groups. Interestingly, the nodal chains in these five groups exhibit two different patterns: for tetragonal systems, they are one-dimensional along the fourfold axis; for cubic systems, they form a three-dimensional network structure. Based on first-principles calculations, we identify K2O as a realistic material hosting almost ideal nodal-chain phonons. We show that the effect of LO-TO splitting, another unique feature for phonons, helps to expose the nodal-chain phonons in K2O in a large energy window. In addition, all the five candidate groups have spacetime inversion symmetry, so the nodal chains also feature a quantized π Berry phase. This leads to drumhead surface phonon modes that must exist on multiple surfaces of a sample.

Symmetry-Enforced Nodal Chain Phonons

2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have potential for quantum applications but progress has been slow due to contact problems. In particular, quantum transport studies are difficult as low-quality contacts are exacerbated at cryogenic temperatures where quantum devices are typically operated. Here, we use indium alloy to form contacts with chemical vapour deposition grown single-layer and bilayer WS2 devices. The devices exhibit ultra-low contact resistances and Schottky barrier heights at temperatures as low as 3 K, which in turn enables high carrier mobilities and measurements of resonant quantum tunnelling. Density functional theory calculations provide further insights into the intricacies of the metal/semiconductor interface and quantum transport in the material. Our results unlock the potential for 2D semiconductors in low temperature applications such as in quantum information processing.

Quantum Transport in Two-Dimensional WS2 with High-Efficiency Carrier Injection through Indium Alloy Contacts

We experimentally demonstrate that absorption of one of the photons from the entangled pair can be switched on and off by controlling the Pancharatnam-Berry phase of the other photon, the portion of the light does not go through the absorber. By using the so-called quantum coherent perfect absorption effect [1], we can expect near-perfect switching of the remote photon. The polarization entangled state between ‘idler’ and ‘signal’ photons is generated through spontaneous parametric down conversion process in the non-linear BBO crystal. The signal photon is sent to the interferometer where it excites the standing wave in the middle of the interferometer. The standing wave interacts with a thin absorber by the mechanism of coherent perfect absorption: if the absorber is at the anti-node of the standing wave, strong light-matter interaction takes place and the photon is fully absorbed; if the absorber is at the node of the standing wave, the photon is fully transmitted. The idler photon passes through the combination of three wave plates and acquires Pancharatnam-Berry phase due to the cyclic evolution of the photon polarization in Poincare sphere [2]. The introduced Pancharatnam-Berry phase of the idler photon, that does not go through the interferometer, enables the phase shift inside the interferometer, thus affect the interaction of the signal photon and the absorber. We perform two-photon polarization-sensitive measurements and demonstrate the probability of the signal photon dissipation by the absorber depends on the PB phase applied to the idler photon. 
References
[1] T. Roger, S. Vezzoli, E. Bolduc, J. Valente, J. J. F. Heitz, J. Jeffers, C. Soci, J. Leach, C. Couteau, N. I. Zheludev, and D. Faccio, Nat. Commun. 6, 7031 (2015).
[2] E. Cohen, H. Larocque, F. Bouchard, F. Nejadsattari, Y. Gefen, and E. Karimi, Nat. Rev. Phys. 1, 437–449 (2019).

Non-Local Control of Quantum coherent perfect absorption

Despite being a bona-fide bulk insulator, diamond develops an intriguing two-dimensional (2D) p-type surface conductivity when its surface is terminated by hydrogen and exposed to appropriate surface adsorbate layer such as atmospheric water as a result of the surface transfer doping process. Consequently, the surface of diamond presents a versatile platform for exploiting some of the extraordinary physical and chemical properties of diamond, leading to applications such as chemical/biological sensing and the development of high-power and high-frequency field effect transistors (FETs).

In this talk, I will describe our recent work on the surface transfer doping of diamond by transition metal oxides (TMOs). Specifically, I will show that by interfacing diamond with MoO3 or V2O5 a 2D hole conducting layer with metallic transport behaviours arises on diamond. Magnetotransport studies at low temperature reveal phase coherent transport in the 2D channel with a transition from weak localisation to weak antilocalisation as temperature drops, and are analysed in the context of spin-orbit coupling induced by Rashba effect (Figure 1). The obtained spin-orbit interaction is a few folds higher than that in the air-doped channel or ionic liquid gated channel with similar hole densities, suggesting that the local carrier density could in fact be much higher than that obtained by Hall-effect measurements. We also demonstrate that this surface conducting channel can be exploited to build diamond surface electronic devices such as metal-oxide semiconductor FETs (MOSFETs). Lastly, the prospects for constructing novel quantum devices on diamond surface by making use of this highly tunable 2D conducting layer on diamond are also explored.

Engineering the 2D Hole Gas on Diamond for Carbon-Based Electronics

Quasi-2D (Q2D) lead halide perovskites have emerged as promising materials for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) due to their tunable emission, slowed-down carrier diffusion, and improved stability. However, they are primarily fabricated through solution methods, which hinders its large-scale manufacture and practical applications. Physical-vapor-deposition (PVD) methods have well demonstrated the capability for reproducible, scalable, and layer-by-layer fabrication of high quality organic/inorganic thin films. Herein, for the first time, the full-evaporation fabrication of organic–inorganic hybrid ((BA)2Csn−1PbnBr3n+1) Q2D–3D PeLEDs is demonstrated. The morphology and crystal phase of the perovskite are controlled from 3D to 2D by modulating material composition, annealing temperature, and film thicknesses. The confinement of carriers in 3D layers and the energy funnel effect are discovered and discussed. Importantly, a record high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 5.3% based on evaporation method is achieved. Moreover, a centimeter-scale PeLED (1.5 cm × 2 cm) is obtained. Furthermore, the T50 lifetime of the device with an initial brightness of 100 cd m−2 is found to be 90 min with a thin layer PMMA passivation, which is among the longest for all PVD processed PeLEDs. Overall, this work casts a solid stepping stone towards the fabrication of high-performance PeLEDs on a large-scale.

Scalable All-Evaporation Fabrication of Efficient Light-Emitting Diodes with Hybrid 2D–3D Perovskite Nanostructures

Upconversion is a nonlinear optical phenomenon that involves the emission of high‐energy photons by sequential absorption of two or more low‐energy excitation photons. Due to their excellent physiochemical properties such as deep penetration depth, little damage to samples, and high chemical stability, upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are extensively applied in bioimaging, biosensing, theranostic, and photochemical reactions. This report will mainly introduce our recent research works of rare earth doped UCNPs for their applications in bioimaging, and cancer therapy.

Upconversion nanoparticles in luminescent detection, imaging, and therapy

Identifying new structurally and electrochemically stable fast ion-conducting solids so far is a slow trial and error process. To rationally accelerate materials design, a dependable rapid screening of materials is required so that promising structures can be shortlisted for higher level computational and experimental characterization. Here we report on our softBV bond-valence site energy-based automated pathway analysis that provides rapid simple visualization of ion transport pathways and yields meaningful approximate predictions of ion transport pathways from crystal structure models within seconds or minutes (a speed-up factor of 3 to 5 orders of magnitude compared to DFT-based NEB methods). Combined with a graphical user interface our software (available free for academic use from http://www.dmse.nus.edu.sg/asn/software.html) aims to enable experimentalists to quickly identify candidate solid electrolytes. Results are benchmarked against experimental and DFT NEB migration barriers. The approach now also comprises an AI-based dopant predictor focusing on bond-valence-based crystal chemical descriptors to assist experimentalists in exploring favourable substitutional doping strategies. 
We will also evaluate the predictability of absolute room temperature conductivities from static energy landscape analysis, bond-valence based empirical MD simulations and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. While for small fast-ion conductor structures at high temperatures AIMD is the gold standard, the less reliable but computationally cheaper empirical approaches have an advantage in modelling complex disordered materials over longer periods, as they eliminate the need for risky extrapolations from high temperature AIMD simulations. Lastly we explore an extension of our bond-valence based approach by computationally efficient multibody terms in order to optimize their accuracy in studying complex interfaces in energy storage materials.

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