Significant Near Field Enhancement Over Large Volumes Around Metal Nanorods via Strong Coupling of Surface Lattice Resonances and Fabry-Pérot Resonance

Metal nanoparticles supporting plasmons are widely used to enhance electromagnetic fields, resulting in strong light-matter interactions at the nanoscale in a diverse range of applications. Recently, it has been shown that when metal nanorods are periodically arranged with proper lattice periods, surface lattice resonances (SLRs) can be excited and near fields can be greatly enhanced over extended volumes. In this work, we report significant near field enhancement over even larger volumes by placing the metal nanorod array within a Fabry-Pérot (F-P) microcavity. Results show that taking advantage of strong coupling between the SLR and the photonic F-P resonances, the electric field intensity of the bonding split mode can be enhanced by up to 1935 times, which is about three times of the enhancement of the SLR, and the greatly enhanced field can extend over most of the F-P microcavity. We further show that the F-P resonances of both odd and even orders can strongly couple to the SLR by varying the nanorods position from the middle of the microcavity. We expect that the proposed plasmonic-photonic coupling system will find promising applications in nanolasers, nonlinear optics and sensing.

Mathematical Modelling and Operational Analysis of Combined Vertical–Horizontal Heat Exchanger for Shallow Geothermal Energy Application in Cooling Mode

Geothermal heat exchangers (GHEs) represent a buried pipe system, which can be utilised to harness renewable thermal energy stored in the ground to improve the efficiency of heating and cooling systems. Two basic arrangements of GHEs have been widely used: vertical and horizontal. Vertical GHEs generally have a better performance in comparison with the horizontal arrangement, and these systems are particularly suitable for confined spaces. Nevertheless, the main technical challenge associated with GHEs, for either the vertical or the horizontal arrangement, is the performance deterioration associated with an increase in the operation times during summer or winter seasons. In this paper, a combined horizontal-vertical GHE arrangement is proposed to address the current challenges. The combined GHE arrangement can be operated in five different modes, corresponding to different thermal loading conditions. These five operation modes of the combined GHE are analysed based on the transient finite difference models previously developed for the horizontal and vertical arrangements. The simulation results reveal that for the single operation mode (horizontal or vertical only), the vertical GHE performs better than the horizontal GHE due to relatively stable ground temperature deep down. While, for the combined operation mode, the series operations (horizontal to vertical or vertical to horizontal) of the GHE are superior to the split mode. It is found that the effect of the fluid mass flow rate ratio is trivial on the heat dissipation of the split mode GHE. The highest heat transfer rate in the split flow operational mode is rendered by the ratio of the mass flow rate of 40% horizontal and 60% vertical. In addition, the climate condition has more effect on GHE’s performance and the increase of the fluid flow rate it can enhance the amount of energy released by the GHE.

A novel split mode TFBAR device for quantitative measurements of prostate specific antigen in a small sample of whole blood

TFBAR technology demonstrates a cost-effective means for point-of-care diagnostics and monitoring of PSA.

Application of BIM Technology in Prefabricated Housing Design

BIM technology applied to the architectural design industry builds a more efficient and scientific building structure model. BIM also improves the design quality of construction projects and ensures the safety and efficiency of building construction. According to the actual situation of a prefabricated residential project, this paper analyzes the BIM design and combination of architecture, structure and equipment on the basis of module system, and puts forward collaborative design and house type split mode. The target is to provide reliable reference for BIM design of similar projects.

Exploration of intramolecular split G-quadruplex and its analytical applications

Distinct from intermolecular split G-quadruplex (Inter-SG), intramolecular split G-quadruplex (Intra-SG) which could be generated in a DNA spacer-inserted G-quadruplex strand has not been systematically explored. Not only is it essential for the purpose of simplicity of DNA-based bioanalytical applications, but also it will give us hints how to design split G-quadruplex-based system. Herein, comprehensive information is provided about influences of spacer length and split mode on the formation of Intra-SG, how to adjust its thermodynamic stability, and selection of optimal Intra-SG for bioanalysis. For instances, non-classical Intra-SG (e.g. 2:10, 4:8 and 5:7) displays lower stability than classical split strands (3:9, 6:6 and 9:3), which is closely related to integrity of consecutive guanine tract; as compared to regular Intra-SG structures, single-thymine capped ones have reduced melting temperature, providing an effective approach to adjustment of stability. It is believed that the disclosed rules in this study will contribute to the effective application of split G-quadruplex in the field of DNA technology in the future.

Asteroseismology of tidally distorted sdB stars

ABSTRACT Most subdwarf B stars are located in post-common envelope binaries. Many are in short-period systems subject to tidal influence, and many show pulsations useful for asteroseismic inference. In combination, one must quantify when and how tidal distortion affects the normal modes. We present a method for computing tidal distortion and associated frequency shifts. Validation is by application to polytropes and comparison with previous work. For typical sdB stars, a tidal distortion to the radius of between $0.2\,$ and $2\,$ per cent is generated for orbital periods of 0.1 d. Application to numerical helium core-burning stars identifies the period and mass-ratio domain where tidal frequency shifts become significant and quantifies those shifts in terms of binary properties and pulsation modes. Tidal shifts disrupt the symmetric form of rotationally split multiplets by introducing an asymmetric offset to modes. Tides do not affect the total spread of a rotationally split mode unless the stars are rotating sufficiently slowly that the rotational splitting is smaller than the tidal splitting.

Driving cycle development for Kuala Terengganu city using k-means method

Driving cycle plays a vital role in the production and evaluating the performance of the vehicle. Driving cycle is a representative speed-time profile of driving behavior of specific region or city. Many countries has developed their own driving cycle such as United State of America, United Kingdom, India, China, Ireland, Slovenia, Singapore, and many more. The objectives of this paper are to characterize and develop driving cycle of Kuala Terengganu city at 8.00 a.m. along five different routes using k-means method, to analyze fuel rate and emissions using the driving cycle developed and to compare the fuel rate and emissions with conventional engine vehicles, parallel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, series plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and single split-mode plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The methodology involves three major steps which are route selection, data collection using on-road measurement method and driving cycle development using k-means method. Matrix Laboratory software (MATLAB) has been used as the computer program platform in order to produce the best driving cycle and Vehicle System Simulation Tool Development (AUTONOMIE) software has been used to analyze fuel rate and gas emission. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that, Route C and single spilt-mode PHEV powertrain used and emit least amount of fuel and emissions.