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Category: engineering – Page 3

Using Grover’s algorithm to efficiently prepare collective quantum states in optical cavities

The reliable engineering of quantum states, particularly those involving several particles, is central to the development of various quantum technologies, including quantum computers, sensors and communication systems. These collective quantum states include so-called Dicke and Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states, multipartite entangled states that can be leveraged to collect precise measurements, to correct errors made by quantum computers and to enable communication between remote devices leveraging quantum mechanical effects.

Bioelectrosynthesis platform enables switch-like, precision control of cell signaling

Cells use various signaling molecules to regulate the nervous, immune, and vascular systems. Among these, nitric oxide (NO) and ammonia (NH₃) play important roles, but their chemical instability and gaseous nature make them difficult to generate or control externally.

A KAIST research team has developed a platform that generates specific signaling molecules in situ from a single precursor under an applied electrical signal, enabling switch-like, precise spatiotemporal control of cellular responses. This approach could provide a foundation for future medical technologies such as electroceuticals, electrogenetics, and personalized cell therapies.

The research team led by Professor Jimin Park from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, in collaboration with Professor Jihan Kim’s group, has developed a bioelectrosynthesis platform capable of producing either or on demand using only an electrical signal. The platform allows control over the timing, spatial range, and duration of cell responses.

Finding clarity in the noise: New approach recovers hidden signals at the nanoscale

In the world of nanotechnology, seeing clearly isn’t easy. It’s even harder when you’re trying to understand how a material’s properties relate to its structure at the nanoscale. Tools like piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) help scientists peer into the nanoscale functionality of materials, revealing how they respond to electric fields. But those signals are often buried in noise, especially in instances where the most interesting physics happens.

Now, researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a powerful new method to extract meaningful information from even the noisiest data, or when, alternatively, the response of the material is the smallest. Their approach, which combines physical modeling with advanced statistical reconstruction, could significantly improve the accuracy and confidence of nanoscale measurement properties.

The team’s findings, led by Nazanin Bassiri-Gharb, Harris Saunders, Jr. Chair and Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), are reported in Small Methods.

Progress and Perspectives in 2D Piezoelectric Materials for Piezotronics and Piezo‐Phototronics

The emergence of two-dimensional (2D) materials has catalyzed significant advancements in the fields of piezotronics and piezo-phototronics, owing to their exceptional mechanical, electronic, and optical properties. This review provides a comprehensive examination of key 2D piezoelectric and piezo-phototronic materials, including transition metal dichalcogenides, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and phosphorene, with an emphasis on their unique advantages and recent research progress. The underlying principles of piezotronics and piezo-phototronics in 2D materials is discussed, focusing on the fundamental mechanisms which enable these phenomena. Additionally, it is analyzed factors affecting piezoelectric and piezo-photoelectric properties, with a particular focus on the intrinsic piezoelectricity of 2D materials and the enhancement of out-of-plane polarization through various modulation techniques and materials engineering approaches. The potential applications of these materials are explored from piezoelectric nanogenerators to piezo-phototronic devices and healthcare. This review addresses future challenges and opportunities, highlighting the transformative impact of 2D materials on the development of next-generation electronic, optoelectronic, and biomedical devices.

This review examines advancements in 2D materials, focusing on their applications in piezotronics and piezo-phototronics. It discusses key materials like TMDs, h-BN, and phosphorene, highlighting their unique mechanical, electronic, and optical properties. The review delves into the mechanisms of piezoelectricity, explores applications such as nanogenerators and biomedical devices, and describes the future and challenges in 3D integration of 2D materials.

Quantum dot technique improves multi-photon state generation

A photonics research group co-led by Gregor Weihs of the University of Innsbruck has developed a new technique for generating multi-photon states from quantum dots that overcomes the limitations of conventional approaches. This has immediate applications in secure quantum key distribution protocols, where it can enable simultaneous secure communication with different parties.

Quantum dots—semiconductor nanostructures that can emit on demand—are considered among the most promising sources for photonic quantum computing. However, every quantum dot is slightly different and may emit a slightly different color. This means that to produce multi-photon states, we cannot use multiple quantum dots.

Usually, researchers use a single quantum dot and multiplex the emission into different spatial and temporal modes, using a fast electro-optic modulator. The technological challenge is that faster electro-optic modulators are expensive and often require very customized engineering. To add to that, they may not be very efficient, which introduces unwanted losses into the system.

Iterative SCRaMbLE for engineering synthetic genome modules and chromosomes

SCRaMbLE can optimise traits via gene rearrangement but is limited by screening. Here the authors use FACS and long-read sequencing with iterative SCRaMbLE to map genotype diversity and gene arrangements, identifying solutions for improving genome design.

New physical model aims to boost energy storage research

Engineers rely on computational tools to develop new energy storage technologies, which are critical for capitalizing on sustainable energy sources and powering electric vehicles and other devices. Researchers have now developed a new classical physics model that captures one of the most complex aspects of energy storage research—the dynamic nonequilibrium processes that throw chemical, mechanical and physical aspects of energy storage materials out of balance when they are charging or discharging energy.

The new Chen-Huang Nonequilibrium Phasex Transformation (NExT) Model was developed by Hongjiang Chen, a former Ph.D. student at NC State, in conjunction with his advisor, Hsiao-Ying Shadow Huang, who is an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the university. A paper on the work, “Energy Change Pathways in Electrodes during Nonequilibrium Processes,” is published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C.

But what are “nonequilibrium processes”? Why are they important? And why would you want to translate those processes into mathematical formulae? We talked with Huang to learn more.

Davidkimai/Context-Engineering: “Context engineering is the delicate art and science of filling the context window with just the right information for the next step.” — Andrej Karpathy. A frontier

“Context engineering is the delicate art and science of filling the context window with just the right information for the next step.” — Andrej Karpathy. A frontier, first-principles handbook inspired by Karpathy and 3Blue1Brown for moving beyond prompt engineering to the wider discipline of context design, orchestration, and optimization.

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