Microneedle array(MNA)electrodes are an effective solution to achieve high-quality surface biopotential recording without the coordination of conductive gel and are thus very suitable for long-term wearable applicatio...Microneedle array(MNA)electrodes are an effective solution to achieve high-quality surface biopotential recording without the coordination of conductive gel and are thus very suitable for long-term wearable applications.Existing schemes are limited by flexibility,biosafety,and manufacturing costs,which create large barriers for wider applications.Here,we present a novel flexible MNA electrode that can simultaneously achieve flexibility of the substrate to fit a curved body surface,robustness of microneedles to penetrate the skin without fracture,and a simplified process to allow mass production.The compatibility with wearable wireless systems and the short preparation time of the electrodes significantly improves the comfort and convenience of electrophysiological recording.The normalized electrode–skin contact impedance reaches 0.98 kΩcm^(2)at 1 kHz and 1.50 kΩcm^(2)at 10 Hz,a record low value compared to previous reports and approximately 1/250 of the standard electrodes.The morphology,biosafety,and electrical/mechanical properties are fully characterized,and wearable recordings with a high signal-to-noise ratio and low motion artifacts are realized.The first reported clinical study of microneedle electrodes for surface electrophysiological monitoring was conducted in tens of healthy and sleep-disordered subjects with 44 nights of recording(over 8 h per night),providing substantial evidence that the electrodes can be leveraged to substitute for clinical standard electrodes.展开更多
Transdermal delivery is an attractive alternative, but it is limited by the extremely low permeability of skin. To solve this problem, a novel means--micro needle array based on micro electro-mechanical system （MEMS...Transdermal delivery is an attractive alternative, but it is limited by the extremely low permeability of skin. To solve this problem, a novel means--micro needle array based on micro electro-mechanical system （MEMS） technology, is provided to increase permeability of human skin with efficiency, safety and painless delivery. The fabrication method consists of a sequence of deep-reactive ion etching （DRIE）, anisotropic wet etching and conformal thin film deposition. The novel technology can enable the realization of micro fabricated micro needle array on a flexible silicon substrate. The micro needle array can be mounted on non-planar surface or even on flexible objects such as a human fingers and arms. The fabricated hollow wall straight micro needles are 200 μm in length, 30 μm inner diameter, and 50 μm outer diameter with 250 μm center-to-center spacing. Flow rate test proves that the polymeric base construction is important to function of micro needles array in package. Glucose solvent tests show that surface tension is the dominant force to affect the characters of flow in micro needles channel.展开更多
Spinal deformities assessment using 3D ultrasound scanning has limitations in fitting onto different back surface contour as well as fitting within the gaps between subject and their spinal brace during bracing assess...Spinal deformities assessment using 3D ultrasound scanning has limitations in fitting onto different back surface contour as well as fitting within the gaps between subject and their spinal brace during bracing assessments.The study proposed a flexible array ultrasound transducer to overcome these limitations.The results demonstrated the feasibility of spinal deformity assessments with a flexible ultrasound array when arranged in four shapes,namely Linear,Concave,Convex,and S-shaped.For comparisons of imaging performance on spinous process using the four shapes,Convex and S-shaped transducer showed a depth dependence and lateral location dependence of the lateral intensity distribution of spinous process,respectively.S-shaped transducer had the least accurate prediction of the location of spinous process,with measurement error of 4.83.2 mm,it also showed poorer prediction on spinal curvature measurements.This is suggested to be due to the asymmetrical distortion to the spinous process due to the lateral location dependence of the image.However,the coronal curve prediction of spine phantom performed well with R-squared values of>0.97 in all transducer shapes.The results of this study paved the way for further investigation on the improvement of image quality and measurement accuracy under different shapes for the flexible array,mechanism of dynamic shape change during the scanning to fit different body contour,as well as extension from 1D to 2D flexible array.展开更多
The quest for solar-blind photodetectors with outstanding optoelectronic properties and weak signals detection capability is essential for their applications in the field of imaging,communication,warning,etc.To date,G...The quest for solar-blind photodetectors with outstanding optoelectronic properties and weak signals detection capability is essential for their applications in the field of imaging,communication,warning,etc.To date,Ga_(2)O_(3)has demonstrated potential for high-performance solar-blind photodetectors.However,the performance usually decays superlinearly at low light intensities due to carrier-trapping effect,which limits the weak signal detection capability of Ga_(2)O_(3)photodetectors.Herein,a Ga_(2)O_(3)solarblind photodetector with ultra-thin absorbing medium has been designed to restrain trapping of photo-generated carriers during the transporting process by shortening the carrier transport distance.Meanwhile,multiple-beam interference is employed to enhance the absorption efficiency of the Ga_(2)O_(3)layer using an Al/Al_(2)O_(3)/Ga_(2)O_(3)structure.Based on the ultra-thin absorbing medium with enhanced absorption efficiency,a 7×7 flexible photodetector array is developed,and the detectivity can reach 1.7×10^(15)Jones,which is among the best values ever reported for Ga_(2)O_(3)photodetectors.Notably,the performance of the photodetector decays little as the illumination intensity is as weak as 5 nW/cm2,revealing the capacity to detect ultra-weak signals.In addition,the flexible photodetector array can execute the functions of imaging,spatial distribution of light source intensity,real-time light trajectory detection,etc.Our results may provide a route to high-performance solar-blind photodetectors for ultra-weak light detection.展开更多
An ultra-thin flexible eddy current proximity sensor array was developed for online measurements of tiny gaps between large smooth metallic and nonmetallic surfaces of arbitrary shapes. The probe of the flexible eddy ...An ultra-thin flexible eddy current proximity sensor array was developed for online measurements of tiny gaps between large smooth metallic and nonmetallic surfaces of arbitrary shapes. The probe of the flexible eddy current sensor array, which includes a set of sensor coils, is fabricated on a thin flexible substrate using the flexible printed circuit board process which allows the probe to be very thin and flexible so that it can conform to the surface geometry of the measured objects. The sensor coils are connected to an inductance-capacitance oscillator, which converts the distance between the sensor coil and the metallic target to a frequency output. Experimental results show that the measurement accuracy of the sensor system can reach ±0.5% for a 2-mm gap and the sensor system is suitable for online gap measurements.展开更多
With a 10%reversible compressive strain in more than 10 deformation cycles,the shape memory polymer composites(SMPCs)could be used for deployable structure and releasing mechanism.In this paper,without traditional ele...With a 10%reversible compressive strain in more than 10 deformation cycles,the shape memory polymer composites(SMPCs)could be used for deployable structure and releasing mechanism.In this paper,without traditional electro-explosive devices or motors/controllers,the deployable SMPC flexible solar array system(SMPC-FSAS)is studied,developed,ground-based tested,and finally on-orbit validated.The epoxy-based SMPC is used for the rolling-out variable-stiffness beams as a structural frame as well as an actuator for the flexible blanket solar array.The releasing mechanism is primarily made of the cyanate-based SMPC,which has a high locking stiffness to withstand 50 g gravitational acceleration and a large unlocking displacement of 10 mm.The systematical mechanical and thermal qualification tests of the SMPC-FSAS flight hardware were performed,including sinusoidal sweeping vibration,shocking,acceleration,thermal equilibrium,thermal vacuum cycling,and thermal cycling test.The locking function of the SMPC releasing mechanisms was in normal when launching aboard the SJ20 Geostationary Satellite on 27 Dec.,2019.The SMPC-FSAS flight hardware successfully unlocked and deployed on 5 Jan.,2020 on geostationary orbit.The triggering signal of limit switches returned to ground at the 139 s upon heating,which indicated the successful unlocking function of SMPC releasing mechanisms.A pair of epoxy-based SMPC rolled variable-stiffness tubes,which clapped the flexible blanket solar array,slowly deployed and finally approached an approximate 100%shape recovery ratio within 60 s upon heating.The study and on-orbit successful validation of the SMPC-FSAS flight hardware could accelerate the related study and associated productions to be used for the next-generation releasing mechanisms as well as space deployable structures,such as new releasing mechanisms with low-shocking,testability and reusability,and ultra-large space deployable solar arrays.展开更多
Under the assumption of potential flow and linear wave theory, a semi-analytic method based on eigenfunciton expansion is proposed to predict the hydrody-namic forces on an array of three bottom-mounted, surface-pierc...Under the assumption of potential flow and linear wave theory, a semi-analytic method based on eigenfunciton expansion is proposed to predict the hydrody-namic forces on an array of three bottom-mounted, surface-piercing circular cylinders. The responses of the cylinders induced by wave excitation are determined by the equa-tions of motion coupled with the solutions of the wave radiation and diffraction problems. Experiments for three-cylinder cases are then designed and performed in a wave flume to determine the accuracy of this method for regular waves.展开更多
基金supported by the China Capital Health Research and Development of Special (No. 2018-14111)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant No. 62004007 and No. 82027805)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Grant (No. 2021M700258)
文摘Microneedle array(MNA)electrodes are an effective solution to achieve high-quality surface biopotential recording without the coordination of conductive gel and are thus very suitable for long-term wearable applications.Existing schemes are limited by flexibility,biosafety,and manufacturing costs,which create large barriers for wider applications.Here,we present a novel flexible MNA electrode that can simultaneously achieve flexibility of the substrate to fit a curved body surface,robustness of microneedles to penetrate the skin without fracture,and a simplified process to allow mass production.The compatibility with wearable wireless systems and the short preparation time of the electrodes significantly improves the comfort and convenience of electrophysiological recording.The normalized electrode–skin contact impedance reaches 0.98 kΩcm^(2)at 1 kHz and 1.50 kΩcm^(2)at 10 Hz,a record low value compared to previous reports and approximately 1/250 of the standard electrodes.The morphology,biosafety,and electrical/mechanical properties are fully characterized,and wearable recordings with a high signal-to-noise ratio and low motion artifacts are realized.The first reported clinical study of microneedle electrodes for surface electrophysiological monitoring was conducted in tens of healthy and sleep-disordered subjects with 44 nights of recording(over 8 h per night),providing substantial evidence that the electrodes can be leveraged to substitute for clinical standard electrodes.
基金This project is supported by National Hi-tech Research and Development Program of China(863 Program, No.2005AA404220).
文摘Transdermal delivery is an attractive alternative, but it is limited by the extremely low permeability of skin. To solve this problem, a novel means--micro needle array based on micro electro-mechanical system （MEMS） technology, is provided to increase permeability of human skin with efficiency, safety and painless delivery. The fabrication method consists of a sequence of deep-reactive ion etching （DRIE）, anisotropic wet etching and conformal thin film deposition. The novel technology can enable the realization of micro fabricated micro needle array on a flexible silicon substrate. The micro needle array can be mounted on non-planar surface or even on flexible objects such as a human fingers and arms. The fabricated hollow wall straight micro needles are 200 μm in length, 30 μm inner diameter, and 50 μm outer diameter with 250 μm center-to-center spacing. Flow rate test proves that the polymeric base construction is important to function of micro needles array in package. Glucose solvent tests show that surface tension is the dominant force to affect the characters of flow in micro needles channel.
基金This work was supported by Hong Kong Research Grant Council(152220/14E,R5017-18),Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme,and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
文摘Spinal deformities assessment using 3D ultrasound scanning has limitations in fitting onto different back surface contour as well as fitting within the gaps between subject and their spinal brace during bracing assessments.The study proposed a flexible array ultrasound transducer to overcome these limitations.The results demonstrated the feasibility of spinal deformity assessments with a flexible ultrasound array when arranged in four shapes,namely Linear,Concave,Convex,and S-shaped.For comparisons of imaging performance on spinous process using the four shapes,Convex and S-shaped transducer showed a depth dependence and lateral location dependence of the lateral intensity distribution of spinous process,respectively.S-shaped transducer had the least accurate prediction of the location of spinous process,with measurement error of 4.83.2 mm,it also showed poorer prediction on spinal curvature measurements.This is suggested to be due to the asymmetrical distortion to the spinous process due to the lateral location dependence of the image.However,the coronal curve prediction of spine phantom performed well with R-squared values of>0.97 in all transducer shapes.The results of this study paved the way for further investigation on the improvement of image quality and measurement accuracy under different shapes for the flexible array,mechanism of dynamic shape change during the scanning to fit different body contour,as well as extension from 1D to 2D flexible array.
基金This work was financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2018YFB0406500)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.61804136,U1804155,and 62027816)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Nos.2018M630829 and 2019T120630).
文摘The quest for solar-blind photodetectors with outstanding optoelectronic properties and weak signals detection capability is essential for their applications in the field of imaging,communication,warning,etc.To date,Ga_(2)O_(3)has demonstrated potential for high-performance solar-blind photodetectors.However,the performance usually decays superlinearly at low light intensities due to carrier-trapping effect,which limits the weak signal detection capability of Ga_(2)O_(3)photodetectors.Herein,a Ga_(2)O_(3)solarblind photodetector with ultra-thin absorbing medium has been designed to restrain trapping of photo-generated carriers during the transporting process by shortening the carrier transport distance.Meanwhile,multiple-beam interference is employed to enhance the absorption efficiency of the Ga_(2)O_(3)layer using an Al/Al_(2)O_(3)/Ga_(2)O_(3)structure.Based on the ultra-thin absorbing medium with enhanced absorption efficiency,a 7×7 flexible photodetector array is developed,and the detectivity can reach 1.7×10^(15)Jones,which is among the best values ever reported for Ga_(2)O_(3)photodetectors.Notably,the performance of the photodetector decays little as the illumination intensity is as weak as 5 nW/cm2,revealing the capacity to detect ultra-weak signals.In addition,the flexible photodetector array can execute the functions of imaging,spatial distribution of light source intensity,real-time light trajectory detection,etc.Our results may provide a route to high-performance solar-blind photodetectors for ultra-weak light detection.
文摘An ultra-thin flexible eddy current proximity sensor array was developed for online measurements of tiny gaps between large smooth metallic and nonmetallic surfaces of arbitrary shapes. The probe of the flexible eddy current sensor array, which includes a set of sensor coils, is fabricated on a thin flexible substrate using the flexible printed circuit board process which allows the probe to be very thin and flexible so that it can conform to the surface geometry of the measured objects. The sensor coils are connected to an inductance-capacitance oscillator, which converts the distance between the sensor coil and the metallic target to a frequency output. Experimental results show that the measurement accuracy of the sensor system can reach ±0.5% for a 2-mm gap and the sensor system is suitable for online gap measurements.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.11632005)。
文摘With a 10%reversible compressive strain in more than 10 deformation cycles,the shape memory polymer composites(SMPCs)could be used for deployable structure and releasing mechanism.In this paper,without traditional electro-explosive devices or motors/controllers,the deployable SMPC flexible solar array system(SMPC-FSAS)is studied,developed,ground-based tested,and finally on-orbit validated.The epoxy-based SMPC is used for the rolling-out variable-stiffness beams as a structural frame as well as an actuator for the flexible blanket solar array.The releasing mechanism is primarily made of the cyanate-based SMPC,which has a high locking stiffness to withstand 50 g gravitational acceleration and a large unlocking displacement of 10 mm.The systematical mechanical and thermal qualification tests of the SMPC-FSAS flight hardware were performed,including sinusoidal sweeping vibration,shocking,acceleration,thermal equilibrium,thermal vacuum cycling,and thermal cycling test.The locking function of the SMPC releasing mechanisms was in normal when launching aboard the SJ20 Geostationary Satellite on 27 Dec.,2019.The SMPC-FSAS flight hardware successfully unlocked and deployed on 5 Jan.,2020 on geostationary orbit.The triggering signal of limit switches returned to ground at the 139 s upon heating,which indicated the successful unlocking function of SMPC releasing mechanisms.A pair of epoxy-based SMPC rolled variable-stiffness tubes,which clapped the flexible blanket solar array,slowly deployed and finally approached an approximate 100%shape recovery ratio within 60 s upon heating.The study and on-orbit successful validation of the SMPC-FSAS flight hardware could accelerate the related study and associated productions to be used for the next-generation releasing mechanisms as well as space deployable structures,such as new releasing mechanisms with low-shocking,testability and reusability,and ultra-large space deployable solar arrays.
基金supported by the National Marine Public Welfare Research Projects of China(No.201005002)The Hong Kong Polytechnic University(No.H-ZG 68)
文摘Under the assumption of potential flow and linear wave theory, a semi-analytic method based on eigenfunciton expansion is proposed to predict the hydrody-namic forces on an array of three bottom-mounted, surface-piercing circular cylinders. The responses of the cylinders induced by wave excitation are determined by the equa-tions of motion coupled with the solutions of the wave radiation and diffraction problems. Experiments for three-cylinder cases are then designed and performed in a wave flume to determine the accuracy of this method for regular waves.
