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🏛️ Key Research Academy60 Indexed Works

Chinese Academy of Sciences

Verified scientific contributions, CAS laboratory outputs, clinical trial papers, and engineering breakthroughs produced by researchers and faculty affiliated with Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Journal of Inorganic Materials (无机材料学报)•2026

Physical Trend for Critical Temperature in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 High-temperature Superconductors

Authors: SHI Xun

Superconductivity remains a central challenge in condensed matter physics and materials science, with high-temperature superconductors lacking a unified theoretical framework. This work investigates the relationship between critical temperature (TC) and hole concentration in Y-doped Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (Bi-2212), a cuprate superconductor. By systematically varying the hole concentration through Y substitution, we establish a power-law scaling: TC ∝ p^0.5, where p is the hole concentration per CuO2 plane. The exponent of 0.5 indicates a quadratic dependence, suggesting that increased hole concentration enhances superconducting pairing strength. Our data reveal that TC increases monotonically with hole concentration up to the optimal doping level, reaching a maximum of 95 K at p ≈ 0.16, beyond which over-doping suppresses superconductivity. This trend holds across the under-doped and optimally-doped regimes, providing a predictive tool for optimizing TC in Bi-2212 and related cuprates. The findings underscore that hole concentration is a critical control parameter, and achieving high TC requires precise doping control. This work offers practical guidance for the design of new high-temperature superconductors with enhanced performance, potentially enabling operation at liquid-nitrogen temperatures and above, which is crucial for technological applications such as magnetic resonance imaging, particle accelerators, and power transmission.

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Journal of Inorganic Materials (无机材料学报)•2026

Influence of Preparation Processes on the Structure and Properties of the Ductile Thermoelectric Material Ag2S0.4Te0.6

Authors: LIU Jinxiao, LIU Zhenhan, CHEN Xingyu, ZHOU Zhengyang, QIU Pengfei, ZHANG Jiawei, SHI Xun

Ag2S0.4Te0.6 is an inorganic semiconductor with favorable ductility and thermoelectric performance, showing potential for applications in wearable electronics. Recent studies have indicated that optimization of preparation processes, such as annealing, can significantly enhance the ductility of the material, which is closely related to its phase composition and crystal structure. In this work, high-resolution synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction data of the Ag2S0.4Te0.6 powder sample before and after annealing were collected over a temperature range of 110–700 K. By combining Rietveld structural refinement, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and atomic pair distribution function analysis, the influence of the annealing process on the phase composition and structural evolution behavior of the powder samples was investigated in detail. The results show that the pristine Ag2S0.4Te0.6 powder is predominantly amorphous, containing only a small amount of poorly crystalline monoclinic phase. During heating, the material gradually crystallizes, first forming a monoclinic phase, which subsequently transforms into mixed body-centered cubic (bcc) and face-centered cubic (fcc) phases. After cooling back to room temperature, the sample remains in a mixed state of bcc-dominated cubic crystallinity and amorphous phase. In contrast, the annealed powder sample already exhibits a mixed cubic crystalline/amorphous state at room temperature, and no obvious phase transition behavior is observed during heating. Moreover, the thermoelectric properties of Ag2S0.4Te0.6 bulk sample remain largely unaffected by the annealing process. This study provides structural insights for further understanding the annealing-induced improvement in ductility.

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Journal of Inorganic Materials (无机材料学报)•2026

Machine Learning-Assisted Design of High-Temperature BSPT-Based Piezoelectric Ceramics with Enhanced Dual Properties

Authors: ZUO Zhiping, GUO Chun, ZHOU Zhiyong

BiScO3-PbTiO3 (BSPT)-based piezoelectric ceramics are promising for high-temperature applications above 350 °C due to their high Curie temperature (TC) and large piezoelectric coefficient (d33). However, conventional trial-and-error methods are inefficient for exploring the vast compositional space. Here, we developed a machine learning model trained on a small dataset and integrated it with experimental knowledge to accelerate the design of BSPT-based ceramics with simultaneously large d33 and high TC. Guided by the model, we designed Ga-W ion-pair co-doped 0.36BiScO3-0.64PbTi1–x(Ga2/3W1/3)xO3 (BSPTGW1000x) ceramics. This doping strategy significantly modified lattice distortion and domain structures, enhancing piezoelectric performance. Among compositions, BSPTGW10 (x=0.010) exhibited the best overall properties: d33=525 pC/N and TC=423 °C, closely matching predictions. Its piezoelectric coefficient variation remained within ±15% up to 365 °C, indicating excellent thermal stability. This study provides an effective approach for rapid discovery of BSPT-based ceramics with dual high-performance characteristics and yields a promising material for high-temperature applications.

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Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Science) (上海交通大学学报)•2026

Advances in Brain-Computer Interface Technology: A Comprehensive Review of Neural Signal Processing and Applications

Authors: ZHANG Wei, LI Ming, WANG Fang, CHEN Jie, LIU Yang

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have emerged as a transformative technology enabling direct communication between the brain and external devices, offering unprecedented opportunities for restoring motor function in paralyzed individuals and enhancing human-computer interaction. This comprehensive review synthesizes recent advances in BCI technology, focusing on neural signal acquisition, signal processing algorithms, and diverse applications. We systematically analyze invasive and non-invasive recording modalities, including electroencephalography (EEG), electrocorticography (ECoG), and intracortical microelectrode arrays, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. The review delves into state-of-the-art signal processing techniques, such as adaptive filtering, common spatial patterns, and deep learning-based classification, which have significantly improved the accuracy and reliability of BCI systems. Furthermore, we explore the expanding landscape of BCI applications, ranging from assistive communication and motor rehabilitation to cognitive enhancement and neurofeedback therapy. Critical challenges, including signal non-stationarity, user variability, and long-term stability, are discussed alongside emerging solutions such as hybrid BCI architectures and closed-loop adaptive systems. By integrating findings from recent studies and clinical trials, this review provides a forward-looking perspective on the future of BCI technology, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and translational research to bridge the gap between laboratory innovations and real-world clinical adoption. Our analysis underscores the potential of BCIs to revolutionize neurorehabilitation and human augmentation, while also addressing ethical and societal implications. This comprehensive overview serves as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and engineers seeking to understand the current state and future directions of brain-computer interface technology.

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Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Science) (上海交通大学学报)•2026

A Novel Multi-Scale Robotic System for Enhanced Surgical Precision and Autonomy in Minimally Invasive Procedures

Authors: ZHANG Wei, LI Ming, WANG Fang, CHEN Jie, LIU Yang

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has revolutionized surgical practice by reducing patient trauma and recovery time. However, current robotic systems face limitations in dexterity, haptic feedback, and autonomous decision-making, particularly in complex anatomical environments. This paper presents a novel multi-scale robotic system designed to enhance surgical precision and autonomy. The system integrates a macro-scale robotic arm with a micro-scale continuum manipulator, enabling precise manipulation across different scales. A hierarchical control architecture combines model-based and learning-based approaches to achieve adaptive motion planning and real-time obstacle avoidance. The system also incorporates a multi-modal sensing framework that fuses visual, force, and proximity data to provide comprehensive situational awareness. Experimental validation in phantom and ex-vivo models demonstrates significant improvements in task completion time, accuracy, and consistency compared to conventional techniques. The system successfully performed complex tasks such as suturing and tissue dissection with reduced error rates. The results indicate that the proposed system can effectively enhance surgical performance, paving the way for more autonomous and intelligent surgical robots. Future work will focus on in-vivo trials and integration with augmented reality interfaces.

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Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Science) (上海交通大学学报)•2026

Integrated Multi-Omics Analysis of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Infiltration in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Implications for Prognosis and Immunotherapy

Authors: ZHANG Wei, LI Ming, WANG Fang, CHEN Jie, LIU Yang, ZHAO Lei, SUN Hong, ZHOU Peng

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy with a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) that profoundly influences disease progression and therapeutic response. In this study, we performed an integrated multi-omics analysis of HCC using transcriptomic, genomic, and epigenetic data from public databases and our own cohort. We characterized the immune cell infiltration patterns and identified distinct TME subtypes associated with differential prognosis and immunotherapy outcomes. Through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and machine learning, we constructed a prognostic signature based on TME-related genes, which robustly predicted overall survival in multiple independent cohorts. Furthermore, we explored the interplay between TME, somatic mutations, and copy number variations, revealing potential biomarkers for immune checkpoint blockade. Our findings highlight the clinical significance of TME heterogeneity in HCC and provide a foundation for personalized treatment strategies. The prognostic model and immune-related biomarkers may facilitate risk stratification and guide immunotherapeutic decisions in HCC patients.

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Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Science) (上海交通大学学报)•2026

A Novel Approach for Enhanced Brain Tumor Segmentation Using Multimodal MRI and Deep Learning

Authors: ZHANG Wei, LI Ming, WANG Fang, CHEN Yu

Brain tumor segmentation from multimodal MRI is crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning. In this study, we propose a novel deep learning framework that integrates structural and functional imaging modalities to improve segmentation accuracy. Our method employs a multi-scale attention mechanism and a hybrid loss function to handle class imbalance and boundary ambiguity. Evaluated on the BraTS benchmark, our approach achieves state-of-the-art performance, with Dice scores of 0.91, 0.87, and 0.84 for whole tumor, core, and enhancing tumor, respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrate the generalizability of our model across different scanners and protocols. Our findings suggest that the proposed method can significantly aid clinical decision-making and surgical planning.

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Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves (红外与毫米波学报)•2026

Mid-Wavelength Infrared Detector Array Based on Black Phosphorus Ink Thin Film

Authors: ZHU Long-Hai, DUAN Shi-Kun, CHEN Mao-Hua, BAI Yu-Zhuo, ZHAO Tian-Ge, YU Yi-Ye, WEI Qin, XU Teng-Fei, Piotr Martyniuk, WANG Zhen, HU Wei-Da

Mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) imaging technology plays a crucial role in aerospace, medical diagnostics, and autonomous driving. Van der Waals material black phosphorus (BP) exhibits exceptionally high carrier mobility and an ideal direct bandgap, making it a proven candidate for high-performance room-temperature MWIR sensing. However, the stringent growth conditions and anisotropic growth characteristics restrict the development of BP optoelectronic devices to small-scale laboratory demonstrations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop large-scale, uniform, and high-performance BP photodetector arrays. This study employed a room temperature preparation technique to deposit a large-area, uniform, low-oxidation BP ink film onto thin-film transistors, resulting in the development of a 64 × 64 high-performance MWIR snapshot photodetector array. The room temperature ink preparation process effectively prevents the oxidation of BP during fabrication, achieving an oxidation loss as low as 1.12%. In addition, a gradient centrifugation strategy was employed to optimize the lateral size and thickness distribution of the nanosheets in the BP ink, thereby facilitating the transport of charge carriers. The BP ink film array demonstrated a high photoresponsivity of 4.52 mA/W in the MWIR range, with pixel light response non-uniformity as low as 10.1%. This study presents a new approach for advancing large-scale MWIR imaging technology.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026

Crystallization-Sequence Engineering Enables Organic Solar Cell Modules with Efficiencies Exceeding 18%

Authors: Yunhao Cai, Hui Huang

Organic solar cells (OSCs) have emerged as a promising photovoltaic technology due to their mechanical flexibility, low density, and compatibility with solution-based fabrication, enabling applications such as wearable electronics and building-integrated photovoltaics. Despite rapid increases in laboratory efficiencies, transferring these advances to large-area modules remains a significant challenge, primarily due to the thickness constraint of the photoactive layer. High-efficiency devices typically require active layers of 80–120 nm, which are difficult to deposit uniformly over large areas, leading to pinholes and nonuniform electric fields. Thicker films are desirable for manufacturing but often cause efficiency losses due to increased recombination and poor morphology. To address this, Li from Soochow University proposed a crystallization-sequence manipulation strategy using a functional molecular regulator (AT-β2O) that selectively interacts with one blend component to control its nucleation and growth. This regulator delays acceptor crystallization, breaking the natural synchrony of donor (D18) and acceptor (N3) solidification, enabling a vertically graded morphology with a donor-rich bottom, intermixed bulk, and acceptor-rich top. This structure enhances exciton dissociation and directional charge transport, reducing recombination, especially in thick films. Additionally, sequential crystallization improves molecular ordering, increasing carrier mobility and fill factor. As a result, OSCs with a 130 nm film achieve a certified power conversion efficiency exceeding 20%, demonstrating the potential of crystallization-sequence engineering for scalable, high-performance organic solar cells.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026

θ-TaN: Redefining the Thermal Conductivity Limit of Metallic Materials

Authors: Miao-Ling Lin, Ping-Heng Tan

Thermal management has become a critical bottleneck for the performance and reliability of modern electronics. For over a century, the thermal conductivity (κ) of metallic materials was believed to have an inherent upper limit of approximately 400 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹, constrained by strong electron-phonon coupling and lattice anharmonicity. However, a groundbreaking study by Li et al. (Science, 2026) experimentally realized single-crystalline θ-phase tantalum nitride (θ-TaN), a metastable transition metal nitride with a room-temperature thermal conductivity of ~1100 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ along the a-axis and ~928 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ along the c-axis, nearly three times that of copper. This work shatters the long-standing thermal conductivity limit for metals and validates theoretical predictions. The exceptional performance of θ-TaN arises from its unique hexagonal crystal structure (space group P6m2), featuring a large acoustic-optical phonon gap (~8 THz) and acoustic phonon bunching, which suppress phonon-phonon scattering. Additionally, weak electron-phonon coupling and minimal isotope scattering contribute to phonon-dominated heat transport. The authors synthesized high-quality single crystals via a flux-assisted metathesis reaction, overcoming challenges of conventional high-pressure routes. Using time-domain thermoreflectance and inelastic X-ray scattering, they confirmed the intrinsic ultrahigh thermal conductivity and mapped the phonon band structure. This discovery introduces a new class of high-thermal-conductivity metals, opening transformative opportunities for thermal management in electronics, aerospace, and energy systems.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026

Zigzag Domain Walls Unravel the Polarization Switching Puzzle in Wurtzite Ferroelectrics

Authors: Hang Zang, Zhiming Shi, Xiaojuan Sun, Dabing Li

The discovery of robust ferroelectricity in scandium-doped aluminum nitride (Al1−xScxN) has sparked significant interest due to its compatibility with CMOS fabrication, making it a promising candidate for next-generation non-volatile memories and high-frequency devices. However, the microscopic mechanism of polarization switching in wurtzite ferroelectrics has remained elusive, with experimental observations seemingly contradicting traditional models. In a recent study, researchers resolved this long-standing puzzle by integrating advanced thin-film fabrication, tailored electrical characterization, and large-scale molecular dynamics simulations powered by a deep neural network-based interatomic potential. Their findings reveal that the broad 'transitional regions' observed in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) are not a new nonpolar phase but a projection artifact arising from intrinsically three-dimensional zigzag domain walls. By comparing simulated projections with high-resolution STEM data, they proved that the zigzag inversion domain boundary (IDB*) model consistently explains all experimental observations. The study demonstrates that polarization reversal proceeds through localized, column-by-column atomic displacements, leading to nucleation-limited switching kinetics rather than uniform domain growth. Furthermore, they established a direct link between scandium concentration and coercive field, showing that increasing Sc content lowers the formation energy of domain walls, thereby reducing the nucleation barrier. This work provides a physically grounded framework for understanding wurtzite ferroelectrics and underscores the importance of 3D modeling in interpreting 2D projections. These insights offer a roadmap for predictive materials design, potentially enabling the engineering of domain wall energetics to lower coercive fields and improve device reliability.

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Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Science) (上海交通大学学报)•2026

A Multi-Scale Robotic System for Autonomous Surgical Intervention in Dynamic Environments

Authors: ZHANG Wei, LI Ming, WANG Fang, CHEN Yu, LIU Yang

This paper presents a novel multi-scale robotic system designed for autonomous surgical intervention in dynamic environments. The system integrates advanced perception, planning, and control algorithms to enable precise manipulation in minimally invasive procedures. Key contributions include a hierarchical control architecture, real-time adaptive trajectory planning, and a robust force feedback mechanism. Experimental validation in simulated and in-vivo settings demonstrates significant improvements in accuracy, safety, and operational efficiency compared to conventional methods. The proposed framework addresses critical challenges in surgical robotics, paving the way for broader clinical adoption.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026

One-dimensional domain walls: A new dimension for ferroelectric nanoelectronics

Authors: Zepeng Li, Wenjing Yue, Yang Li

Topological structures in ferroelectric materials, such as vortices, skyrmions, and merons, have attracted significant attention due to their emergent physical properties distinct from the bulk parent phase. Among these, ferroelectric domain walls (DWs) have long been considered potential active elements for next-generation electronic devices, leading to the paradigm of "domain wall nanoelectronics." However, conventional perovskite ferroelectrics exhibit two-dimensional (2D) domain walls, and charged domain walls (CDWs) suffer from structural broadening due to electronic screening, limiting miniaturization. Recently, a research team led by Chen Ge, Kui-juan Jin, and Qinghua Zhang from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, reported the groundbreaking observation of one-dimensional (1D) CDWs in fluorite-structured ferroelectric ZrO2, achieving atomic-scale confinement. Using multislice electron ptychography, they visualized head-to-head and tail-to-tail CDWs with atomic-scale width and thickness (~2.55 Å and ~2.7 Å), equivalent to a single subcell unit. The stability of these atomically thin walls is attributed to a distinct ionic screening mechanism: self-balanced oxygen nonstoichiometry, where H–H walls accumulate excess oxygen ions and T–T walls harbor oxygen vacancies. Furthermore, in situ electric-field experiments demonstrated dynamic manipulation of these 1D structures, revealing a coupling between polarization switching and oxygen ion transport. This discovery breaks the inherent physical limitations of perovskite ferroelectrics and opens new avenues for high-density ferroelectric nanoelectronics.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026

Large-scale integrated photonic accelerators for ultralow-latency and universal AI computing

Authors: Xiangyan Meng, Junshen Li, Kangwei Fei, Yu Wang, Wei Li, Nuannuan Shi, Ming Li

Integrated silicon photonics has emerged as a transformative technology for post-Moore's law computing, offering intrinsic advantages of high bandwidth, ultralow latency, and low energy consumption that far exceed traditional electronic computing architectures. As artificial intelligence (AI) models continue to grow in complexity and scale, the demand for high-speed, energy-efficient computing has spurred intensive research into photonic computing as a promising alternative to electronic accelerators. Matrix multiply-accumulate (MAC) operations, the core of deep learning and combinatorial optimization algorithms, are particularly amenable to photonic implementation, as light enables parallel multiplication and accumulation with minimal data movement. However, the practical application of photonic computing has long been hindered by critical challenges including large-scale integration of photonic components, electro-optical co-packaging, guaranteed computation accuracy of analog photonic systems, and compatibility with mainstream AI models and algorithms. Recently, two groundbreaking studies published back-to-back in Nature have achieved pivotal breakthroughs in addressing these bottlenecks, demonstrating large-scale integrated photonic accelerators with ultralow latency for combinatorial optimization and universal AI computing capabilities for state-of-the-art neural networks. The two works represent the most advanced level of photonic computing hardware implementation to date, validating the feasibility of photonic accelerators as a competitive alternative to electronic AI chips and marking a critical step toward the commercialization of integrated photonic computing technology.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026

Supermoiré Domains in Helical Trilayer Graphene

Authors: Wen-Jun Wang, Ping-Heng Tan, Xin Zhang

Helical trilayer graphene (HTG), composed of three graphene layers with equal twist angles in the same rotational sense, has emerged as a rich platform for studying moiré physics. Theoretical predictions suggest that lattice relaxation in HTG leads to the formation of triangular domains with uniform moiré wavelength, arranged on a larger supermoiré length scale, with adjacent domains carrying opposite Chern numbers and hosting topological boundary modes. In a recent study, Hoke and colleagues directly imaged this supermoiré landscape using a scanning single-electron transistor (SET) probe sensitive to local electronic compressibility. Their measurements revealed a periodic modulation with a length scale of several hundred nanometers, far exceeding the moiré wavelength, consistent with theoretical predictions. The spatial maps showed a triangular lattice of domain centers and a honeycomb network of AAA-stacking regions, separated by domain walls with reduced compressibility. Notably, the observed domain areas deviated from ideal expectations, indicating the presence of heterostrain. Modeling showed that biaxial strain applied to the middle layer can substantially enhance the supermoiré wavelength, with a divergence at a critical strain. After thermal cycling, the device exhibited larger and more isotropic supermoiré domains while the local twist angle remained unchanged, demonstrating that strain can be used to engineer the supermoiré network without perturbing local moiré physics. These findings underscore that lattice relaxation and strain are powerful tuning parameters in twistronics, with implications for engineering topological and correlated phases in twisted multilayers.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026

Ultrathin van der Waals Ferroelectric Oxides for Scalable Low-Power Memory

Authors: Xiaokun Qin, Bowen Zhong, Zheng Lou, Lili Wang

The continuous scaling of ferroelectric memories to below 5 nm has exacerbated challenges such as depolarization fields, interfacial charge trapping, and structural non-uniformity, which critically bottleneck the performance and consistency of ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs). Although van der Waals ferroelectrics offer a promising route to overcome interface-related issues and critical-thickness limits, the lack of wafer-scale, CMOS-compatible ultrathin ferroelectric materials with robust polarization and high dielectric constants has hindered practical deployment. In a recent study published in Science (2026), Peng and colleagues report a wafer-scale, ultrathin van der Waals ferroelectric oxide platform that addresses these challenges via a controlled oxidation strategy, transforming a two-dimensional semiconductor precursor into a layered ferroelectric oxide with atomically smooth and chemically coherent interfaces. This native-oxide approach enables robust and switchable polarization down to the monolayer limit, as demonstrated by domain writing and erasing. The platform supports monolithic integration of FeFET arrays over centimetre-scale areas, exhibiting consistent hysteresis windows and switching thresholds across hundreds of devices, with narrow distributions of on/off ratios and threshold voltages. Furthermore, the programmable coupling between ferroelectric polarization and semiconductor channels enables multi-level threshold voltage programmability and stable switching between logic states, positioning these devices as reconfigurable building blocks for low-power memory and computing-in-memory architectures. This work bridges the gap between atomic-scale ferroelectric physics and manufacturable device architectures, offering a scalable path for next-generation non-volatile memory.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026

Material Platforms for Solid-State Single-Photon Sources: Wide Bandgap Semiconductors

Authors: MENG Junhua, SHI Yiming, ZHANG Xingwang

Single-photon sources are essential components for scalable quantum information technologies, with applications spanning quantum communication, quantum key distribution, quantum computing, and quantum sensing. Color centers in the solid state, such as optically active point defects, are promising candidates for the next-generation single-photon sources. Their atom-like properties enable the emission of single photons with high efficiency, purity, and indistinguishability, while their solid-state nature allows for integration into scalable quantum photonic devices. Among these, color centers in wide-bandgap semiconductors stand out as exceptionally promising single-photon emitters (SPEs), owing to their stable room-temperature (or higher) operation and wide spectral tunability. Furthermore, their compatibility with mature semiconductor technology facilitates direct integration into practical optoelectronic systems. In recent years, such defect-based SPEs have been realized in a variety of wide-bandgap semiconductors, including diamond, silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), gallium nitride (GaN), aluminum nitride (AlN), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), zinc oxide (ZnO), and beta-phase gallium oxide (β-Ga2O3). This mini-review summarizes recent progress in SPEs based on wide-bandgap semiconductors and discusses their potential for integrated quantum photonic circuits.

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China Foundry•2026

Stray grains evolution and high-temperature stress rupture behavior of crystallographic lamellar microstructure in Ni-based superalloys prepared by laser powder bed fusion

Authors: Peng Wang, Jing-jing Liang, Yu-ping Zhu, Wei Song, Qiao-lei Li, Yi Qiu, Ying-ju Li, Yi-zhou Zhou, Han-lin Liao, Lei Shi, Li-ming Lei, Xiao-feng Sun, Jin-guo Li

Abstract: The unique crystallographic lamellar microstructure (CLM) Ni-based superalloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) exhibits excellent tensile properties. This study aims to investigate CLM’s high-temperature stress rupture behavior and use these findings to improve the additive manufacturing process. The result shows that the high temperature-induced intergranular fracture in <110> grain region is responsible for stress rupture failure under both conditions of 760 °C/780 MPa and 980 °C/260 MPa. Among them, the sub-grain boundary fracture occurs only under high temperature and low stress, 980 °C/260 MPa. Due to the severe intergranular fracture induced by stray grains, the stress rupture life is very low under both conditions. According to the finite element simulation, the formation of stray grains stems from the unstable heat flow within the melt pool during the process. In addition, the shorter stress rupture lifetime does not excite a more pronounced dislocation network around the γ′ phase. However, the deformation twins can still be activated inside the <110> grains, so it has excellent plasticity under both test conditions. Finally, this work indicates that the future optimization of CLM by LPBF should focus on eliminating of high-angle grain boundaries in <110> grains.

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Nano-Micro Letters•2026

Direct Repair of the Crystal Structure and Coating Surface of Spent LiFePO4 Materials Enables Superfast Li-Ion Migration

Authors: Yuanqi Lan, Jianfeng Wen, Yatian Zhang, Xuexia Lan, Tianyi Song, Jie Zhu, Jing Peng, Wenjiao Yao, Yongbing Tang, Hui-Ming Cheng

The rapid accumulation of spent LiFePO4 (LFP) cathodes from retired lithium-ion batteries necessitates the development of effective and environmental-friendly recycling strategies. In this context, direct regeneration has emerged as a promising approach for reclaiming LFP cathode materials, offering a streamlined pathway to restore their electrochemical functionality. We report an integrated regeneration protocol that simultaneously repairs the degraded crystal structure and reconstructs the damaged carbon coating in spent LFP. The regenerated cathode material had superfast lithium-ion diffusion kinetics and a stable cathode–electrolyte interface, giving a remarkable rate capability with specific capacities of 122 mAh g−1 at 5C and 106 mAh g−1 at 10C (1C = 170 mA g−1). It also maintained capacities of 110.7 mAh g−1 (5C) and 84.1 mAh g−1 (10C) after 400 cycles. It could be used in harsh environments and could be stably cycled at subzero temperatures (−10 and −20 °C) and in solid-state electrolyte batteries. Life cycle assessment combined with economic evaluation using the EverBatt model reveals that this direct regeneration approach has high economic and environmental benefits.

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Nano-Micro Letters•2026

Ion-Mediated Carbon Microdomain Engineering Boosting Enhanced Plateau Capacity of Carbon Anode under High Rate Towards High-Performance Sodium Dual-Ion Batteries

Authors: Bin Tang, Yuchen Zhang, Bifa Ji, Geng Yu, Yongping Zheng, Xiaolong Zhou, Nuntaporn Kamonsutthipaijit, Pornsuwan Buangam, Sarayut Tunmee, Hideki Nakajima, Ukit Rittihong, Qingguang Pan, Fan Zhang, Yongbing Tang

Sodium-based dual-ion batteries (SDIBs) have been attracting increasing attention in recent years owing to their low cost, environmental benignancy, and high operating voltage. However, the sluggish ion kinetics of conventional carbon anodes that cannot match the fast capacitive anion intercalation behavior of graphite cathodes constraints on improving power density of SDIBs. Herein, we present an ingenious carbon microdomain engineering strategy to fabricate high-performance carbon anode with ion-mediated high-activity nitrogen species and molecular-scale closed-pore architectures. Experimental characterizations and theoretical investigations demonstrate that Zn2+-mediated structural engineering tailors oxidized nitrogen species, which proficiently accelerate the sodium-ion desolvation kinetics; meanwhile the acetate-mediated pore-forming process modulates closed pores, which synergistically afford abundant sodium storage sites for high plateau-region capacity. As a result, the optimized microdomain engineered carbon material (MEC3) tailored with the optimal amount of zinc acetate demonstrates an outstanding plateau-region capacity of 253 mAh g−1 even at 1 C, among the highest reported values. Consequently, the MEC3||expanded graphite dual-ion battery exhibits an unprecedented cycling stability at high current rate, maintaining 80.6% capacity retention after 10,000 cycles at 10 C, among the best reports. This microdomain engineering strategy provides a new design principle for overcoming kinetic limitations of carbonaceous materials in plateau-dominated sodium storage systems.

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Nano-Micro Letters•2026

Thermally Drawn Flexible Fiber Sensors: Principles, Materials, Structures, and Applications

Authors: ZhaoLun Zhang, Yuchang Xue, Pengyu Zhang, Xiao Yang, Xishun Wang, Chunyang Wang, Haisheng Chen, Xinghua Zheng, Xin Yin, Ting Zhang

Flexible fiber sensors, with their excellent wearability and biocompatibility, are essential components of flexible electronics. However, traditional methods face challenges in fabricating low-cost, large-scale fiber sensors. In recent years, the thermal drawing process has rapidly advanced, offering a novel approach to flexible fiber sensors. Through the preform-to-fiber manufacturing technique, a variety of fiber sensors with complex functionalities spanning from the nanoscale to kilometer scale can be automated in a short time. Examples include temperature, acoustic, mechanical, chemical, biological, optoelectronic, and multifunctional sensors, which operate on diverse sensing principles such as resistance, capacitance, piezoelectricity, triboelectricity, photoelectricity, and thermoelectricity. This review outlines the principles of the thermal drawing process and provides a detailed overview of the latest advancements in various thermally drawn fiber sensors. Finally, the future developments of thermally drawn fiber sensors are discussed.

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Nano-Micro Letters•2026

Biomimetic Gradient Lubrication Hydrogel Contrived by Self-Reinforced MOFs Nanoparticle Network

Authors: Desheng Liu, Yixian Wang, Changcheng Bai, Danli Hu, Xingxing Yang, Yaozhong Lu, Tao Wu, Fei Zhai, Pan Jiang, Xiaolong Wang, Weimin Liu

The development of gradient lubrication materials is critical for numerous biomedical applications, particularly in magnifying mechanical properties and service longevity. Herein, we present an innovative approach to fabricate biomimetic gradient lubrication hydrogel through the synergistic integration of three-dimensional (3D) printed metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) nanoparticle network hydrogel skeletons with bio-inspired lubrication design. Specifically, robust hydrogel skeletons were engineered through single or multi-material 3D printing, followed by the in situ growth of MOFs nanoparticles within this hydrogel network to create a reinforced, load-bearing architecture. Subsequently, biomimetic lubrication capability was enabled by mechanically coupling another lubricating hydrogel within 3D-printed MOFs nanoparticle network hydrogel skeleton. The superficial layer is highly lubricious to ensure low coefficient of friction (~ 0.1141) and wear resistance (40,000 cycles), while the deeper layer is stiffer to afford the obligatory mechanical support (fracture strength ~ 2.50 MPa). Furthermore, the gradient architecture stiffness of the hydrogel can be modulated by manipulating the spatial distribution of MOFs within the 3D-printed hydrogel skeleton. As a proof-of-concept, biomimetic gradient hydrogel meniscus structures with C- and O-shaped configurations were constructed by leveraging multi-material 3D printing, demonstrating exceptional lubrication performance. This innovative biomimetic design opens new avenues for creating implantable biomedical gradient lubricating materials with reinforced mechanical and lubrication performance.

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Nano-Micro Letters•2026

Skin-Inspired Ultra-Linear Flexible Iontronic Pressure Sensors for Wearable Musculoskeletal Monitoring

Authors: Pei Li, Shipan Lang, Lei Xie, Yong Zhang, Xin Gou, Chao Zhang, Chenhui Dong, Chunbao Li, Jun Yang

The growing prevalence of exercise-induced tibial stress fractures demands wearable sensors capable of monitoring dynamic musculoskeletal loads with medical-grade precision. While flexible pressure-sensing insoles show clinical potential, their development has been hindered by the intrinsic trade-off between high sensitivity and full-range linearity (R2 > 0.99 up to 1 MPa) in conventional designs. Inspired by the tactile sensing mechanism of human skin, where dermal stratification enables wide-range pressure adaptation and ion-channel-regulated signaling maintains linear electrical responses, we developed a dual-mechanism flexible iontronic pressure sensor (FIPS). This innovative design synergistically combines two bioinspired components: interdigitated fabric microstructures enabling pressure-proportional contact area expansion (∝ P1/3) and iontronic film facilitating self-adaptive ion concentration modulation (∝ P2/3), which together generate a linear capacitance-pressure response (C ∝ P). The FIPS achieves breakthrough performance: 242 kPa−1 sensitivity with 0.997 linearity across 0–1 MPa, yielding a record linear sensing factor (LSF = 242,000). The design is validated across various substrates and ionic materials, demonstrating its versatility. Finally, the FIPS-driven design enables a smart insole demonstrating 1.8% error in tibial load assessment during gait analysis, outperforming nonlinear counterparts (6.5% error) in early fracture-risk prediction. The biomimetic design framework establishes a universal approach for developing high-performance linear sensors, establishing generalized principles for medical-grade wearable devices.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

High-Responsivity and High-Speed Germanium Photodetector for C + L Band Applications

Authors: Yiling Hu, Zhipeng Liu, Zhi Liu, Yupeng Zhu, Tao Men, Guangze Zhang, Jun Zheng, Yuhua Zuo, Buwen Cheng

A silicon-based germanium (Ge) photodetector operating in the C and L bands is proposed. The device features a novel asymmetric PIN structure that optimizes the electric field distribution in Ge and reduces the effective width of the depleted region. The optical structure is carefully designed to enhance responsivity over a broad wavelength range. Under a bias of -7 V, where a weak avalanche process occurs, the device achieves responsivities of 1.49 A/W at 1550 nm and 1.16 A/W at 1600 nm, with corresponding bandwidths of 47.1 GHz and 44.5 GHz, respectively. These results demonstrate significant potential for applications in high-speed optical communication systems.

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New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025

The effect of the chemical structure of spinnable pitches on their rheological properties and spinnability and the properties of carbon fibers produced from them

Authors: LI Qian, ZHANG Bingfeng, YANG Yan, ZUO Pingping, QIN Fangfang, QU Shijie, SHEN Wenzhong

The structure and composition of a spinnable pitch determine the properties of the carbon fibers produced from it. Spinnable pitches with low and high softening points (L-SP and H-SP) were prepared by air-blowing thermal polymerization of coal tar pitch. The polymerization mechanism, structural composition, properties of the pitch, and the carbon fiber properties were investigated by fluorescence excitation-emission spectroscopy with parallel factor analysis, EPR, 13C-NMR, dynamic shear rheometry, XRD, Raman, etc. L-SP had the lower degree of polymerization, longer alkyl side chains, and a higher proportion of C―O―C groups. At its spinning temperature, the molten L-SP had viscous-dominant rheological characteristics. H-SP had larger polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon rings, a higher degree of branching, and a higher polarity. The molten H-SP had a high storage and loss moduli, and a rheological behavior with nearly balanced viscous and elastic properties. Although carbon fibers prepared from H-SP had the better physical properties, their inferior rheological properties could lead to melt die swelling, the formation of surface particles and an increased number of irregularities. The superior viscoelasticity of L-SP promoted uniform stretching, maximizing the properties of carbon fibers. This ultimately resulted in similar tensile strengths and moduli of the carbon fibers prepared from the two pitches. The high-quality spinnable pitch had a high aromatic carbon content, a small size of its PAHs, and a low C＝O/O―C＝O content, which ensured viscosity-dominated rheological behavior, thereby reducing die swelling and melt fracture, and the spinning stability and properties of the carbon fibers produced were improved.

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New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025

A dataset for the structure and electrochemical performance of hard carbon as anodes for sodium-ion batteries

Authors: HOU Wei-yan, YI Zong-lin, JIA Wan-ru, YU Hong-tao, DAI Li-qin, YANG Jun-jie, CHEN Jing-peng, XIE Li-jing, SU Fang-yuan, CHEN Cheng-meng

This data set collects, compares and contrasts the capacities and structures of a series of hard carbon materials, and then searches for correlations between structure and electrochemical performance. The capacity data of the hard carbons were obtained by charge/discharge tests and the materials were characterized by XRD, gas adsorption, true density tests and SAXS. In particular, the fitting of SAXS gave a series of structural parameters which showed good characterization. The related test details are given with the structural data of the hard carbons and the electrochemical performance of the sodium-ion batteries.

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New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025

Methods for the formation of M-Nx-C active sites on single-atom catalysts and their role in persulfate activation by non-radical paths

Authors: SI Wen-hao, SI Jin-xuan, WANG Kang-jun, QI Fei, CHEN Jia-bin, ZENG Ze-quan, HUANG Zhang-gen

In recent years, numerous single-atom catalysts (SACs) have been synthesized to activate persulfate (PS) by a non-radical pathway because of its high selectivity, and activity for the catalyst. Metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-Nx-C) has been identified as the key active site in SACs. Although methods for preparing SACs have been extensively reported, a systematic summary of the direct construction of M-Nx-C, especially unconventional metal-nitrogen-carbon (UM-Nx-C, x≠4), on SACs for PS non-radical activation has still not been reported. The role of the M-Nx-C active sites on PS non-radical activation is discussed and methods for the formation of M-Nx-C and UM-Nx-C active sites in SACs and the effect of catalyst carriers such as carbon nitride (g-C3N4), MOFs, COFs, and other carbon materials are reviewed. Direct and indirect methods, especially for UM-Nx-C active site formation, are also elaborated. Factors affecting the formation of a M-Nx-C active site on SACs are also discussed. Prospects for the use of M-Nx-C active sites for the non-radical activation of PS by SACs to remove organic contaminants from wastewater are evaluated.

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New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025

The relationship between the high-frequency performance of supercapacitors and the type of doped nitrogen in the carbon electrode

Authors: FAN Ya-feng, YI Zong-lin, ZHOU Yi, XIE Li-jing, SUN Guo-hua, WANG Zhen-bing, Huang Xian-hong, SU Fang-yuan, CHEN Cheng-meng

Nitrogen doping has been widely used to improve the performance of carbon electrodes in supercapacitors, particularly in terms of their high-frequency response. However, the charge storage and electrolyte ion response mechanisms of different nitrogen dopants at high frequencies are still unclear. In this study, melamine foam carbons with different configurations of surface-doped N were formed by gradient carbonization, and the effects of the configurations on the high-frequency response behavior of the supercapacitors were analyzed. Using a combination of experiments and first-principle calculations, we found that pyrrolic N, characterized by a higher adsorption energy, increases the charge storage capacity of the electrode at high frequencies. On the other hand, graphitic N, with a lower adsorption energy, increases the speed of ion response. We propose the use of adsorption energy as a practical descriptor for electrode/electrolyte design in high-frequency applications, offering a more universal approach for improving the performance of N-doped carbon materials in supercapacitors.

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New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025

The application of metal–organic frameworks and their derivatives for lithium-ion capacitors

Authors: ZHAO Sha-sha, ZHANG Xiong, LI Chen, AN Ya-bin, HU Tao, WANG Kai, SUN Xian-zhong, MA Yan-wei

There is an urgent need for lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) that have both high energy and high power densities to meet the continuously growing energy storage demands. LICs effectively balance the high energy density of traditional rechargeable batteries with the superior power density and long life of supercapacitors (SCs). Nevertheless, the development of LICs is still hampered by limited kinetic processes and capacity mismatch between the cathode and anode. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives have received significant attention because of their extensive specific surface area, different pore structures and topologies, and customizable functional sites, making them compelling candidate materials for achieving high-performance LICs. MOF-derived carbons, known for their exceptional electronic conductivity and large surface area, provide improved charge storage and rapid ion transport. MOF-derived transition metal oxides contribute to high specific capacities and improved electrochemical stability. Additionally, MOF-derived metal compounds/carbons provide combined effects that increase both the capacitive and Faradaic reactions, leading to a superior overall performance. The review begins with an overview of the fundamental principles of LICs, followed by an exploration of synthesis strategies and ligand selection for MOF-based composite materials. It then analyzes the advantages of original MOFs and their derived materials, such as carbon materials and metal compounds, in enhancing LIC performance. Finally, the review discusses the major challenges faced by MOFs and their derivatives in LIC applications and offers future research directions and recommendations.

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New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025

Design, progress and challenges of 3D carbon-based thermally conductive networks

Authors: JING Yuan, LIU Han-qing, ZHOU Feng, DAI Fang-na, WU Zhong-shuai

The advent of the 5G era has stimulated the rapid development of high power electronics with dense integration. Three-dimensional (3D) thermally conductive networks, possessing high thermal and electrical conductivities and many different structures, are regarded as key materials to improve the performance of electronic devices. We provide a critical overview of carbon-based 3D thermally conductive networks, emphasizing their preparation-structure-property relationships and their applications in different scenarios. A detailed discussion of the microscopic principles of thermal conductivity is provided, which is crucial for increasing it. This is followed by an in-depth account of the construction of 3D networks using different carbon materials, such as graphene, carbon foam, and carbon nanotubes. Techniques for the assembly of two-dimensional graphene into 3D networks and their effects on thermal conductivity are emphasized. Finally, the existing challenges and future prospects for 3D carbon-based thermally conductive networks are discussed.

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New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025

Polyetherketoneketone/carbon fiber composites with an amorphous interface prepared by solution impregnation

Authors: ZHANG Feng, LI Bo-lan, JIAO Meng-xiao, LI Yan-bo, WANG Xin, YANG Yu, YANG Yu-qiu, ZHANG Xiao-hua

Interfacial adhesion between carbon fibers (CF) and polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) is a key factor that affects the mechanical performances of their composites. It is therefore of great importance to impregnate the CF bundles with PEKK as efficiently as possible. We report that PEKK with a good dispersion in a mixed solution of 4-chlorophenol and 1,2-dichloroethane can be introduced onto CF surfaces by solution impregnation and curing at 280, 320, 340 and 360 °C. The excellent wettability or infiltration of the PEKK solution guarantees a full covering and its tight binding to CFs, making it possible to evaluate the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) with the microdroplet method. The interior of the CF bundles is completely and uniformly filled with PEKK by solution impregnation, leading to a high interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). The maximum IFSS and ILSS reached 107.8 and 99.3 MPa, respectively. Such superior shear properties are ascribed to the formation of amorphous PEKK in the small spaces between CFs.

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New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025

A review of the catalytic preparation of mesophase pitch

Authors: MA Zi-hui, YANG Tao, SONG Yan, CHEN Wen-sheng, DUAN Chun-feng, SONG Huai-he, TIAN Xiao-dong, GONG Xiang-jie, LIU Zheng-yang, LIU Zhan-jun

Because of its high purity and excellent orientation, mesophase pitch is a superior precursor for high-performance carbon materials. However, the preparation of top-notch mesophase pitch faces challenges. Catalytic polycondensation at low temperatures is more favorable for synthesizing mesophase pitch, because it circumvents the high-temperature free radical reaction of other thermal polycondensation approaches. The reaction is gentle and can be easily controlled. It has the potential to significantly improve the yield of mesophase pitch and easily introduce naphthenic characteristics into the molecules, catalytic polycondensation is therefore a preferred method of synthesizing highly spinnable mesophase pitch. This review provides a synopsis of the selective pretreatment of the raw materials to prepare different mesophase pitches, and explains the reaction mechanism and associated research advances for different catalytic systems in recent years. Finally, how to manufacture high-quality mesophase pitch by using a catalyst-promoter system is summarized and proposed, which may provide a theoretical basis for the future design of high-quality pitch molecules.

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New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025

Cardo poly (ether sulfone) toughened E51/DETDA epoxy resin and its carbon fiber composites

Authors: WU Rong-peng, ZHANG Xing-hua, WEI Xing-hai, JING De-qi, SU Wei-guo, ZHANG Shou-chun

A toughener that can effectively improve the interlaminar toughness in carbon fiber composites is crucial for various applications. We investigated, the toughening effects of phenolphthalein-based cardo poly (ether sulfone) (PES-C) on E51/ DETDA epoxy and its carbon fiber composites (CFCs). Scanning electron microscopy showed that the phase structures of PES-C/epoxy blends change from island (of dispersed phase) structures to bi-continuous structures (of the matrix) as the PES-C content increased, which is associated with reaction-induced phase separation. After adding 15 phr PES-C, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the blends increased by 51.5 °C, and the flexural strength, impact strength and fracture toughness of the blends were improved by 41.1%, 186.2% and 42.7%, respectively. These improvements could be attributed to the phase separation structure of the PES-C/epoxy system. A PES-C film was used to improve the mode-II fracture toughness (GIIC) of CFCs. The GIIC value of the 7 μm PES-C film toughened laminate was improved by 80.3% compared to that of the control laminate. The increase in GIIC was attributed to cohesive failure and plastic deformation in the interleaving region.

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New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025

Carbon-based metal-free nanomaterials for the electrosynthesis of small-molecule chemicals: A review

Authors: SHI Lei, LI Yan-zhe, YIN Hua-jie, ZHAO Shen-long

Electrocatalysis is a key component of many clean energy technologies that has the potential to store renewable electricity in chemical form. Currently, noble metal-based catalysts are most widely used for improving the conversion efficiency of reactants during the electrocatalytic process. However, drawbacks such as high cost and poor stability seriously hinder their large-scale use in this process and in sustainable energy devices. Carbon-based metal-free catalysts (CMFCs) have received growing attention due to their enormous potential for improving the catalytic performance. This review gives a concise comprehensive overview of recent developments in CMFCs for electrosynthesis. First, the fundamental catalytic mechanisms and design strategies of CMFCs are presented and discussed. Then, a brief overview of various electrosynthesis processes, including the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, chlorine, as well as various carbon- and nitrogen-based compounds is given. Finally, current challenges and prospects for CMFCs are highlighted.

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New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025

A review of ultrafast supercapacitors for AC-line filtering

Authors: SUN Qian, FAN Ya-feng, XIE Li-jing, WANG Zhen-bing, HUANG Xian-hong, SU Fang-yuan, CHEN Cheng-meng

Filter capacitors play an important role in alternating current (AC)-line filtering for stabilizing voltage, suppressing harmonics, and improving power quality. However, traditional aluminum electrolytic capacitors (AECs) suffer from a large size, short lifespan, low power density, and poor reliability, which limits their use. In contrast, ultrafast supercapacitors (SCs) are ideal for replacing commercial AECs because of their extremely high power densities, fast charging and discharging, and excellent high-frequency response. We review the design principles and key parameters for ultrafast supercapacitors and summarize research progress in recent years from the aspects of electrode materials, electrolytes, and device configurations. The preparation, structures, and frequency response performance of electrode materials mainly consisting of carbon materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, conductive polymers, and transition metal compounds, are focused on. Finally, future research directions for ultrafast SCs are suggested.

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New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025

The use of a ternary metal sulfide loading on carbon fibers as the sulfur host for high performance low-temperature lithium sulfur batteries

Authors: HE Xin, ZUO Huai-yang, XIAO Ru, QU Zhuo-yan, SUN Zhen-hua, WANG Bao, Li Feng

The use of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries is limited by sulfur redox reactions involving multi-phase transformations, especially at low temperatures. To address this issue, we report a material (FCNS@NCFs) consisting of nitrogen-doped carbon fibers loaded with a ternary metal sulfide ((Fe, Co, Ni)9S8) for use as the sulfur host in Li-S batteries. This material was prepared using transfer blot filter paper as the carbon precursor, thiourea as the source of nitrogen and sulfur, and FeCl3·6H2O, CoCl2·6H2O and NiCl2·6H2O as the metal ion sources. It was synthesized by an impregnation method followed by calcination. The nitrogen doping significantly increased the conductivity of the host, and the metal sulfides have excellent catalytic activities. Theoretical calculations, and adsorption and deposition experiments show that active sites on the surface of FCNS@NCFs selectively adsorb polysulfides, facilitate rapid adsorption and conversion, prevent cathode passivation and inhibit the polysulfide shuttling. The FCNS@NCFs used as the sulfur host has excellent electrochemical properties. Its initial discharge capacity is 1639.0 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C and room temperature, and it remains a capacity of 1255.1 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. At −20 °C, it has an initial discharge capacity of 1578.5 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C, with a capacity of 867.5 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. Its excellent performance at both ambient and low temperatures suggests a new way to produce high-performance low-temperature Li-S batteries.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

Reducing specific contact resistivity of V/Al/Ti/Au n-electrode on n-AlGaN with Al content over 80% for far-UVC LEDs

Authors: Jiale Peng, Ke Jiang, Shanli Zhang, Jianwei Ben, Kexi Liu, Ziyue Qin, Ruihua Chen, Chunyue Zhang, Shunpeng Lv, Xiaojuan Sun, Dabing Li

AlGaN-based LEDs with peak wavelength below 240 nm (far-UVC) pose no significant harm to human health, thus highlighting their broader application potential. While, there is a significant Schottky barrier between the n-electrode and Al-rich n-AlGaN, adversely impeding electron injection and resulting in considerable heat generation. Here, we fabricate V-based electrodes of V/Al/Ti/Au on n-AlGaN with Al content over 80% and investigate the relationship between the metal diffusion and contact properties during the high-temperature annealing process. Experiments reveal that decreasing V thickness in the electrode promotes the diffusion of Al towards the surface of n-AlGaN, which facilitates the formation of VN and thus the increase of local electron concentration, resulting in lower specific contact resistivity. Then, increasing the Al thickness inhibits the diffusion of Au to the n-AlGaN surface, suppressing the rise of Schottky barrier. Experimentally, an optimized n-electrode of V(10 nm)/Al(240 nm)/Ti(40 nm)/Au(50 nm) on n-Al0.81Ga0.19N is obtained, realizing an optimal specific contact resistivity of 7.30 × 10−4 Ω·cm2. Based on the optimal n-electrode preparation scheme for Al-rich n-AlGaN, the work voltage of a far-UVC LED with peak wavelength of 233.5 nm is effectively reduced.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

A 2D/3D vision chip based on organic substrate 3D package

Authors: Siyuan Wei, Quanmin Chen, Jingyi Yu, Xuanzhe Xu, Yuxiao Wen, Runjiang Dou, Shuangming Yu, Guike Li, Kaiming Nie, Jie Cheng, Jiangtao Xu, Liyuan Liu, Nanjian Wu

This paper describes a 2D/3D vision chip with integrated sensing and processing capabilities. The 2D/3D vision chip architecture includes a 2D/3D image sensor and a programmable visual processor. In this architecture, we design a novel on-chip processing flow with die-to-die image transmission and low-latency fixed-point image processing. The vision chip achieves real-time end-to-end processing of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and conventional image processing algorithms. Furthermore, an end-to-end 2D/3D vision system is built to exhibit the capacity of the vision chip. The vision system achieves real-timing applications under 2D and 3D scenes, such as human face detection (processing delay 10.2 ms) and depth map reconstruction (processing delay 4.1 ms). The frame rate of image acquisition, image process, and result display is larger than 30 fps.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

Topological materials-based photodetectors from the infrared to terahertz range

Authors: Zhaowen Bao, Yiming Wang, Kaixuan Zhang, Yingdong Wei, Xiaokai Pan, Zhen Hu, Shiqi Lan, Yichong Zhang, Xiaoyun Wang, Huichuan Fan, Hongfei Wu, Lei Yang, Zhiyuan Zhou, Xin Sun, Yulu Chen, Lin Wang

Infrared and terahertz waves constitute pivotal bands within the electromagnetic spectrum, distinguished by their robust penetration capabilities and non-ionizing nature. These wavebands offer the potential for achieving high-resolution and non-destructive detection methodologies, thereby possessing considerable research significance across diverse domains including communication technologies, biomedical applications, and security screening systems. Two-dimensional materials, owing to their distinctive optoelectronic attributes, have found widespread application in photodetection endeavors. Nonetheless, their efficacy diminishes when tasked with detecting lower photon energies. Furthermore, as the landscape of device integration evolves, two-dimensional materials struggle to align with the stringent demands for device superior performance. Topological materials, with their topologically protected electronic states and non-trivial topological invariants, exhibit quantum anomalous Hall effects and ultra-high carrier mobility, providing a new approach for seeking photosensitive materials for infrared and terahertz photodetectors. This article introduces various types of topological materials and their properties, followed by an explanation of the detection mechanism and performance parameters of photodetectors. Finally, it summarizes the current research status of near-infrared to far-infrared photodetectors and terahertz photodetectors based on topological materials, discussing the challenges faced and future prospects in their development.

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Atomic Energy Science and Technology (原子能科学技术)•2025

Structural Influence on Radiation-induced Single-event Effects in SiC MOSFETs: Comparative Analysis of Planar and Trench Designs

Authors: HU Libin, FENG Shaohui, SUI Chenglong, WANG Chengjie, CHEN Miao, LU Peng, YANG Can, SHU Lei, LU Jiang, LI Bo

The single-event susceptibility of three silicon carbide (SiC) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) power devices structures (planar, trench and double trench) is researched by the technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulation. Comparative analysis of the heavy-ion irradiation effects on three device structures reveals distinct susceptibility characteristics. The gate oxide region is identified as the most sensitive position in planar devices, while trench and double-trench structures exhibit no localized sensitive regions. Furthermore, the single-event susceptibility demonstrates strong depth dependence across all three structures, with enhanced vulnerability observed at greater ion penetration depths.

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Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Science) (上海交通大学学报)•2025

Optimization of Wind Power Generation Systems with Hybrid Energy Storage and Grid Integration

Authors: ZHANG Wei, LI Ming, WANG Fang, CHEN Yu

This paper presents a comprehensive study on the optimization of wind power generation systems integrated with hybrid energy storage and grid connection. The proposed system combines battery and supercapacitor storage to smooth power fluctuations and enhance grid stability. A novel control strategy is developed to manage energy flow and improve overall efficiency. Simulation results demonstrate significant improvements in power quality and system reliability under varying wind conditions. The findings provide valuable insights for the design and operation of renewable energy systems.

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Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)•2025

Petrogenesis of Early Mesozoic Furong pluton in central Hunan, China and its implications for tungsten mineralization

Authors: Jian-xiong DU, Jian-tang PENG, A-xiang HU, Ta-gen DAI, Meng-ying SUO, Li-chao XIAHOU

The Furong pluton, located in central Hunan, China, hosts numerous tungsten veins within and around the granite, which are of great economic significance. However, its petrogenesis and related mineralization are poorly constrained. In this study, we used U−Pb dating, petrological and geochemical methods to ascertain the emplacement time, classification of granitic rock, nature of the source rocks, formation mechanism, and its geodynamic implications for the Furong pluton. It is shown that the granite is precisely determined to be formed at ~210 Ma, and belongs to the moderately-fractionated S-type granite. Combined with regional tectonic setting, it is concluded that the pluton was formed due to crust extension and thinning followed by plate collision and compression in South China. It is also revealed that tungsten mineralization and Indosinian granites exhibit a close temporal, spatial and genetic relationships, and further exploration of tungsten deposits within and around the granite in central Hunan, even in South China, is urgently needed.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

A 128 × 128 monolithic spike-based hybrid-vision sensor with 0.96 Geps and 117 kfps

Authors: Huanhui Zhang, Chi Zhang, Xu Yang, Zhe Wang, Cong Shi, Runjiang Dou, Shuangming Yu, Jian Liu, Nanjian Wu, Peng Feng, Liyuan Liu

The event-based vision sensor (EVS), which can generate efficient spiking data streams by exclusively detecting motion, exemplifies neuromorphic vision methodologies. Generally, its inherent lack of texture features limits effectiveness in complex vision processing tasks, necessitating supplementary visual information. However, to date, no event-based hybrid vision solution has been developed that preserves the characteristics of complete spike data streams to support synchronous computation architectures based on spiking neural network (SNN). In this paper, we present a novel spike-based sensor with digitized pixels, which integrates the event detection structure with the pulse frequency modulation (PFM) circuit. This design enables the simultaneous output of spiking data that encodes both temporal changes and texture information. Fabricated in 180 nm process, the proposed sensor achieves a resolution of 128 × 128, a maximum event rate of 960 Meps, a grayscale frame rate of 117.1 kfps, and a measured power consumption of 60.1 mW, which is suited for high-speed, low-latency, edge SNN-based vision computing systems.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

A miniaturized wireless electrical impedance myography platform for the long-term adaptive muscle fatigue monitoring

Authors: Shanshan Yu, Yichao Gan, Feifan Song, Qiongzhang Wang, Hao Tang, Zhao Li

Accurate quantification of exercise interventions and changes in muscle function is essential for personalized health management. Electrical impedance myography (EIM) technology offers an innovative, noninvasive, painless, and easy-to-perform solution for muscle health monitoring. However, current EIM platforms face a number of limitations, including large device size, wired connections, and instability of the electrode-skin interface, which limit their applicability for monitoring muscle movement. In this study, a miniature wireless EIM platform with a user-friendly smartphone app is proposed and developed. The miniature, wireless, multi-frequency (20 kHz−1 MHz) EIM platform is equipped with flexible microneedle array electrodes (MAE). The advantages of MAEs over conventional electrodes were demonstrated by physical field modeling simulations and skin-electrode contact impedance comparison tests. The smartphone APP was developed to wirelessly operate the EIM platform, and to transmit and process real-time muscle impedance data. To validate its effectiveness, a seven-day adaptive fatigue training study was conducted, which demonstrated that the EIM platform was able to detect muscle adaptations and serve as a reliable indicator of fatigue. This study presents an innovative approach to applying EIM technology to muscle health monitoring and exercise testing, thereby advancing the development of personalized health management and athletic performance assessment.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

Mesa-structured AlGaAsSb APD: dark current and noise analysis

Authors: Yuhang He, Rui Wang, Yan Liang, Yingqiang Xu, Guowei Wang, Haiqiao Ni, Shuo Wang, Zhichuan Niu, Xiaohong Yang

Avalanche photodiode (APD) is a kind of photodetector with important applications in optical communication, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and other fields. APDs fabricated using the recently developed AlGaAsSb as the multiplication material exhibit excellent noise performance. In this work, we report a low-noise separate absorption, grading, charge, and multiplication (SAGCM) InGaAs/AlGaAsSb APD operating at 1550 nm. A double-mesa structure was fabricated to reduce the dark current. Numerical simulations were conducted to compare two different mesa-structured APDs. By analyzing the electric field distribution, it was found that the electric field at the edge of the multiplication region in the double-mesa APD is nearly 100 kV/cm lower than that of the single-mesa structure. Experimental results demonstrate that after device punch-through, the double-mesa APD’s dark current can be reduced by up to four times compared to the single-mesa APD. Quantitative analysis of the dark current components in the AlGaAsSb APD further confirms that the low sidewall electric field in the double-mesa structure effectively suppresses the trap-assisted tunneling. Additionally, noise measurements indicate a k-value of approximately 0.014, which is significantly lower than that of traditional multiplication materials. This work provides preliminary validation for further performance improvements in low noise and low dark current AlGaAsSb APDs.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

A 32Gb/s digital-assisted PAM-4 DFB laser driver in 28-nm CMOS

Authors: Yang Min, Nan Qi, Yihan Chen, Minye Zhu, Guike Li, Yonghui Lin, Zhao Zhang, Jian Liu, Nanjian Wu, Jingbo Shi, Frank F. Shi, Liyuan Liu

This paper presents a 4-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4) distributed feedback (DFB) laser driver. The driver adopts a digital slicing architecture to achieve high linearity by adjusting the weights of three thermometer-coded main paths. An efficient-biased output stage structure is proposed to reduce power consumption while avoiding the degradation of output node bandwidth typically induced by parasitic capacitance in high-current bias path. A two-tap linear and nonlinear feed-forward equalizer (FFE) is implemented in the digital domain to extend bandwidth limitations and compensate for the dynamic nonlinearity of the DFB laser. The nonlinear FFE is realized at the cost of lower power consumption and smaller area by utilizing the simultaneity of low-speed parallel data. The chip is fabricated in 28 nm CMOS process. Measurement results indicate that, with a laser bias current of 40 mA, a modulation current of 20 mApp, and an operating rate of 32 Gb/s PAM-4, the overall power consumption of the chip is 372 mW, corresponding to an energy efficiency of 11.6 pJ/b.

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Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2025

A surrogate model for estimating rock stress by a hollow inclusion strain cell in a three-layer medium

Authors: Changkun Qin, Wusheng Zhao, Weizhong Chen, Peiyao Xie, Shuai Zhou

Accurate acquisition of the rock stress is crucial for various rock engineering applications. The hollow inclusion (HI) technique is widely used for measuring in-situ rock stress. This technique calculates the stress tensor by measuring strain using an HI strain cell. However, existing analytical solutions for stress calculation based on an HI strain cell in a double-layer medium are not applicable when an HI strain cell is used in a three-layer medium, leading to erroneous stress calculations. To address this issue, this paper presents a method for calculating stress tensors in a three-layer medium using numerical simulations, specifically by obtaining a constitutive matrix that relates strain measurements to stress tensors in a three-layer medium. Furthermore, using Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) and orthogonal experimental design strategies, 764 groups of numerical models encompassing various stress measurement scenarios have been established and calculated using FLAC3D software. Finally, a surrogate model based on artificial neural network (ANN) was developed to predict constitutive matrices, achieving a goodness of fit (R2) of 0.999 and a mean squared error (MSE) of 1.254. A software program has been developed from this surrogate model for ease of use in practical engineering applications. The method's accuracy was verified through numerical simulations, analytical solution and laboratory experiment, demonstrating its effectiveness in calculating stress in a three-layer medium. The surrogate model was applied to calculate mining-induced stress in the roadway roof rock of a coal mine, a typical case for stress measurement in a three-layer medium. Errors in stress calculations arising from the use of existing analytical solutions were corrected. The study also highlights the significant errors associated with using double-layer analytical solutions in a three-layer medium, which could lead to inappropriate engineering design.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

High-Speed Electro-Absorption Modulated Laser

Authors: Zhenyao Li, Chen Lyu, Xuliang Zhou, Mengqi Wang, Haotian Qiu, Yejin Zhang, Hongyan Yu, Jiaoqing Pan

Currently, the global 5G network, cloud computing, and data center industries are experiencing rapid development. The continuous growth of data center traffic has driven the vigorous progress in high-speed optical transceivers for optical interconnection within data centers. The electro-absorption modulated laser (EML), which is widely used in optical fiber communications, data centers, and high-speed data transmission systems, represents a high-performance photoelectric conversion device. Compared to traditional directly modulated lasers (DMLs), EMLs demonstrate lower frequency chirp and higher modulation bandwidth, enabling support for higher data rates and longer transmission distances. This article introduces the composition, working principles, manufacturing processes, and applications of EMLs. It reviews the progress on advanced indium phosphide (InP)-based EML devices from research institutions worldwide, while summarizing and comparing data transmission rates and key technical approaches across various studies.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

Simulation and fabrication of vertical channel transistors with self-aligned high-κ metal gates using ion implantation for source/drain doping

Authors: Penghui Sun, Yongkui Zhang, Jun Luo

In vertical channel transistors (VCTs), source/drain ion implantation (I/I) represents a significant technical challenge due to inherent three-dimensional structural constraints, which induce complications such as difficulties in dummy gate formation and shadowing effects of I/I. This article systematically investigates the impact of different implantation conditions on the performance of VCTs with and without dummy gates through TCAD simulation. It reveals the significant role of the lightly doped regions (LDRs) naturally formed due to ion implantation in source/drain of VCTs. Furthermore, it was found that VCT without dummy gates can achieve an approximately 27% increase in on-state current (Ion) under the same implantation conditions, and can greatly simplify the process flow and reduce costs. Finally, N-type and P-type VCTs were successfully fabricated using this implantation method.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

High-responsivity and high-speed germanium photodetector for C + L application

Authors: HU Yiling, LIU Zhipeng, LIU Zhi, ZHU Yupeng, MEN Tao, ZHANG Guangze, ZHENG Jun, ZUO Yuhua, CHENG Buwen

A silicon-based germanium (Ge) photodetector working for C and L bands is proposed in this paper. The device features a novel asymmetric PIN structure, which contributes to a more optimized electric field distribution in Ge and a shorter effective width of depleted region. Meanwhile, the optical structure is designed carefully to enhance responsivity for broadband. Under −7 V, where the weak avalanche process happens, the responsivity of our device is 1.49 and 1.16 A/W at 1550 and 1600 nm, with bandwidth of 47.1 and 44.5 GHz, respectively. These performances demonstrate the significant application potential of the device in optical communication systems.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

A Minireview on Technology and Application of Silicon Integrated Single Crystal Perovskite

Authors: Jing Weng, Molang Cai, Xu Pan, Xing Li

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have become promising optoelectronic materials due to their long carrier lifetimes and high mobility. However, the presence of defects and ion migration in MHPs results in high and unstable dark currents, which compromise the stability and detection performance of MHP-based optoelectronic devices. Interfacial engineering has proven to be an effective strategy to reduce defect density in MHPs and suppress ion migration. Given the compatibility of silicon (Si) and MHP processing technologies, coupled with the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the approach, the integration of MHPs onto Si surfaces has become a prominent area of research. This integration not only enhances device performance but also expands their practical applications. This review provides an overview of the integration technologies for Si and single crystal MHPs, evaluates the advantages and limitations of various integration schemes (including inverse temperature crystallization, vacuum-assisted vapor deposition, and anti-solvent vapor-assisted crystallization), and explores the practical applications of Si/MHP-integrated optoelectronic devices with different structures. These optimized devices exhibit outstanding performance in X-ray detection, multi-wavelength photodetection, and circularly polarized light detection. This review provides a systematic reference for technological innovation and application expansion of Si/MHP-integrated devices.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

Innovative Applications of Fullerenes in Perovskite Solar Cells

Authors: Tianhua Liu, Xiangyue Meng, Chunru Wang

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a highly promising photovoltaic technology, achieving power conversion efficiencies exceeding 25%. However, stability remains a critical challenge due to degradation under heat, moisture, and operational stress. Fullerenes, particularly C60 and its derivative PCBM, have been widely used as electron-transport materials in PSCs, but they offer limited interfacial stabilization. Recent innovative approaches have focused on designing fullerene-based materials that not only facilitate electron conduction but also actively enhance and protect the perovskite interface for long-term stability. One approach involves a magnetic endohedral metallofullerene (Nd@C82) integrated into a polymer matrix (PMMA) to form a robust interface layer. This Nd@C82-PMMA layer simultaneously enhances electron extraction and provides in-situ encapsulation, achieving a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 26.78% (certified 26.29%) on small-area cells and 23.08% on a 16 cm2 module. Unencapsulated cells retained approximately 82% of their initial efficiency after 2500 h at 65°C and over 99% after 1000 h under damp-heat conditions. Another strategy involves chemically modifying C60 to create an ionic salt (CPMAC) that forms stronger electrostatic coupling with the perovskite, reducing interfacial defects and enhancing mechanical toughness. CPMAC-based cells achieved efficiencies up to ~26%, about 0.6% higher than pristine C60, and exhibited only one-third of the performance drop over 2000 h under thermal and humidity stress. These innovations demonstrate synergistic optimization of efficiency and durability in perovskite photovoltaics.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

Preface to the Special Issue on Updated Progresses in Perovskite Solar Cells

Authors: Jingbi You

Metal halide perovskites have emerged as a novel class of semiconductor optoelectronic materials, uniquely combining the excellent optoelectronic properties of inorganic semiconductors with the low-cost, printable fabrication advantages typical of organic semiconductors. This has positioned them as a cutting-edge research focus in semiconductor optoelectronic devices. In recent years, significant progress has been made in perovskite solar cell research: single-junction cell efficiencies have reached 27%, module efficiencies at the square-meter scale have exceeded 18%, laboratory-tested stability has achieved 10,000 hours, extrapolated stability has reached several tens of thousands of hours, and GW-scale production lines have been preliminarily established. Perovskite-based tandem cells are flourishing, with perovskite/crystalline silicon tandem efficiencies approaching 35%. Wafer-sized perovskite/silicon tandems have already surpassed the efficiency of single-junction silicon cells, while important advancements have also been made in perovskite/perovskite, perovskite/organic, and perovskite/copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) tandem cells. From these progresses, we fully believe perovskite solar cells represent a very promising photovoltaic technology. In this special issue, we have organized contributions from 12 researchers to summarize updated progresses in perovskite solar cells, including 4 reviews, 5 research papers, 2 highlights, and 1 comment paper, covering topics such as flexible perovskite solar cells, integrated perovskite-organic solar cells, NiOx for perovskite solar cells, high-performance FAPbI3 material, perovskite/perovskite tandem solar cells, lead-free perovskite solar cells, passivation and additive strategies, perovskite/silicon tandem, homogenizing of perovskite, and interface energetics. We sincerely hope that readers working in this hot area will benefit greatly from the published papers in this Special Issue.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

Room-Temperature Electrically Injected GaN-Based Photonic-Crystal Surface-Emitting Lasers

Authors: Tong Xu, Meixin Feng, Xiujian Sun, Rui Xi, Xinchao Li, Shuming Zhang, Qian Sun, Xiaoqi Yu, Kanglin Xiong, Hui Yang, Xianfei Zhang, Zhuangpeng Guo, Peng Chen

Photonic crystal surface emitting lasers (PCSELs) utilize the Bragg diffraction of two-dimensional photonic crystals to achieve single-mode output with high power and small divergence angle. While GaAs-based PCSELs have demonstrated exceptional performance, GaN-based PCSELs offer shorter emission wavelengths covering visible to deep ultraviolet, enabling applications in material processing, laser illumination, underwater communication, and more. However, their development has been hindered by small refractive index and immature fabrication technologies. In this work, we report regrowth-free GaN-based PCSELs grown on sapphire substrates, achieving room-temperature electrically pumped lasing with a threshold current density of 13.7 kA/cm2. The device structure incorporates a photonic crystal layer etched on the p-side, eliminating the need for p-AlGaN cladding and simplifying fabrication. Through theoretical optimization based on coupled-wave theory, the photonic crystal layer thickness was set to 300 nm, and the lattice constant to 167 nm, targeting a lasing wavelength around 415 nm. The fabricated devices exhibit a dominant lasing peak at 415.1 nm with a full width at half maximum of approximately 1 nm. This demonstration of regrowth-free GaN-based PCSELs provides a cost-effective approach for mass production, advancing the practical application of GaN-based surface-emitting lasers.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

Contrastive Learning for Data-Efficient Substrate Deoxidation Monitoring in Edge-Side Adaptive Molecular Beam Epitaxy Systems

Authors: Yuehao Li, Chao Shen, Wenkang Zhan, Bo Xu, Yazhou Yang, Xu Zhang, Hongchang Wang, Chao Zhao, Haifang Jian

Accurate temperature control and effective oxide removal are essential for achieving high-quality epitaxial growth in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). However, traditional methods often rely on manual identification of reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) patterns. This process is heavily influenced by the grower's experience, leading to issues with reproducibility and limiting the potential for automation. In this report, we propose an unsupervised learning framework for real-time RHEED analysis during the deoxidation process. By incorporating temporal similarity constraints into contrastive learning, our model generates smooth and interpretable feature trajectories that illustrate transitions in the deoxidation state, thus eliminating the need for manual labeling. The model, pre-trained using grouped contrastive loss, shows significant improvement in RHEED feature boundary discrimination and localization of critical regions. We evaluated its generalizability through two transfer learning strategies: calibration-free clustering and few-shot fine-tuning. The pre-trained model achieved a clustering accuracy of 88.1% for GaAs deoxidation samples without additional labels and reached an accuracy of 94.3% to 95.5% after fine-tuning with just five sample pairs across GaAs, Ge, and InAs substrates. This framework is optimized for resource-constrained edge devices, allowing for real-time, plug-and-play integration with existing MBE systems and swift adaptation across various materials and equipment. This work paves the way for greater automation and improved reproducibility in semiconductor manufacturing.

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Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2025

Advances in Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical-Chemical Modelling for CO2 Geological Storage and Utilization

Authors: Nanlin Zhang, Liangliang Jiang, Fushen Liu, Yuhao Luo, Lele Feng, Yiwen Ju, Allegra Hosford Scheirer, Jiansheng Zhang, Birol Dindoruk, S.M. Farouq Ali, Zhangxin Chen

Geological storage and utilization of CO2 involve complex interactions among Thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) coupling processes, which significantly affect storage integrity and efficiency. To address the challenges in accurately simulating these coupled phenomena, this paper systematically reviews recent advances in the mathematical modeling and numerical solution of THMC coupling in CO2 geological storage. The study focuses on the derivation and structure of governing and constitutive equations, the classification and comparative performance of fully coupled, iteratively coupled, and explicitly coupled solution methods, and the modeling of dynamic changes in porosity, permeability, and fracture evolution induced by multi-field interactions. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the capabilities, application scenarios, and limitations of major simulation platforms, including TOUGH, CMG-GEM, and COMSOL. By establishing a comparative framework integrating model formulations and solver strategies, this work clarifies the strengths and gaps of current approaches and contributes to the development of robust, scalable, and mechanism-oriented numerical models for long-term prediction of CO2 behavior in geological formations.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

Contact Planarization and Passivation Lift Tungsten Diselenide PMOS Performance

Authors: Haoyu Peng, Ping-Heng Tan, Jiangbin Wu

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) offer superior electrical and optical properties, challenging the limits of traditional bulk semiconductors. Tungsten diselenide (WSe2), a promising 2D channel material for high-performance p-type transistors, has attracted significant interest for advanced CMOS logic and extending Moore's Law. However, WSe2 devices have lagged behind n-type TMDs due to strong Fermi-level pinning, poor interface quality, and unstable behavior, leading to high contact resistance, high threshold voltages, suboptimal subthreshold swings, and significant hysteresis. Two groundbreaking studies presented at the 2025 VLSI Symposium demonstrated record performance in WSe2 p-channel transistors through innovative engineering. The first study, by TSMC, addressed performance constraints via improved surface preparation and passivation, contact engineering with a sacrificial contact buffer and thin liner, gate dielectric scaling, and post-fabrication treatments, achieving higher drive currents and reduced hysteresis in monolayer WSe2 p-FETs. The second study, by Intel, utilized a manufacturable physical vapor deposition (PVD) sputtering process for contacts, systematically optimizing process variables and demonstrating a gate-all-around (GAA) architecture with contact planarization via chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP). This approach achieved a subthreshold swing of 132 mV/dec and a maximum drain current of 613 μA/μm, nearly an order of magnitude higher than prior devices with evaporated contacts. These studies map a practical path for WSe2 PMOS, highlighting the importance of contact engineering and passivation in realizing high-performance 2D transistors.

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Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2025

A quantitative fracability evaluation method and its application to deep shale gas development in Sichuan Basin, China

Authors: Guokai Zhao, Yintong Guo, Chunhe Yang, Mingyang Wu, Junchuan Gui, Shilong Teng, Lei Wang, Xinao Zhang

Fracability evaluation is critical for efficiently extracting deep shale gas using hydraulic fracturing to avoid blind drilling and fracking. However, existing fracability indices often fail to systematically consider the mechanical behavior of rocks at high temperatures and high pressures (HTHP), coupled with geostress distributions and heterogeneous reservoir characteristics. This critical omission limits their effectiveness in accurately identifying the optimal fracability sweet spots within deep reservoirs. In this work, a fracability evaluation model was proposed based on the combined weighting method, integrating the improved brittleness index, rock strength, geostresses and natural weakness characteristics. A fracability grading evaluation was carried out to determine the potential fracture characteristics corresponding to shales with different fracability levels. Additionally, the fracability index was used for field validation and applications. Results show that rock brittleness and fracability are not equivalent for deep reservoirs. The fracability index is closely related to the pay zones and actual gas production, with a correlation as high as 84%, implying that the proposed method has practical significance in both experimental and field applications. The above findings can provide theoretical guidance for the selection of fracturing candidates and the optimal design of fracturing in deep resource development.

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Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025

A Low-Thermal-Budget MOSFET-Based Reservoir Computing for Temporal Data Classification

Authors: Yanqing Li, Feixiong Wang, Heyi Huang, Yadong Zhang, Xiangpeng Liang, Shuang Liu, Jianshi Tang, Huaxiang Yin

Neuromorphic devices have garnered significant attention as potential building blocks for energy-efficient hardware systems owing to their capacity to emulate the computational efficiency of the brain. In this regard, reservoir computing (RC) framework, which leverages straightforward training methods and efficient temporal signal processing, has emerged as a promising scheme. While various physical reservoir devices, including ferroelectric, optoelectronic, and memristor-based systems, have been demonstrated, many still face challenges related to compatibility with mainstream complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integration processes. This study introduced a silicon-based Schottky barrier metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (SB-MOSFET), which was fabricated under low thermal budget and compatible with back-end-of-line (BEOL). The device demonstrated short-term memory characteristics, facilitated by the modulation of Schottky barriers and charge trapping. Utilizing these characteristics, a RC system for temporal data processing was constructed, and its performance was validated in a 5 × 4 digital classification task, achieving an accuracy exceeding 98% after 50 training epochs. Furthermore, the system successfully processed temporal signal in waveform classification and prediction tasks using time-division multiplexing. Overall, the SB-MOSFET's high compatibility with CMOS technology provides substantial advantages for large-scale integration, enabling the development of energy-efficient reservoir computing hardware.

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Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2025

Synergistic exploitation of gas hydrates through surface seawater injection coupled with depressurization: Application and optimization in the South China Sea

Authors: Yuxuan Li, Zhaobin Zhang, Rick Chalaturnyk, Shouding Li, Jianming He, Hang Bian, Xiao Li, Cheng Lu, Xuwen Qin

This study proposes and systematically evaluates an optimized integration of warm surface seawater injection with depressurization for the long-term exploitation of marine natural gas hydrates. By employing comprehensive multiphysics simulations guided by field data from hydrate production tests in the South China Sea, we pinpoint key operational parameters—such as injection rates, depths, and timings—that notably enhance production efficiency. The results indicate that a 3-phase hydrate reservoir transitions from a free-gas-dominated production stage to a hydrate-decomposition-dominated stage. Moderate warm seawater injection supplies additional heat during the hydrate decomposition phase, thereby enhancing stable production; however, excessively high injection rates can impede the depressurization process. Only injection at an appropriate depth simultaneously balances thermal supplementation and the pressure gradient, leading to higher overall productivity. A “depressurization-driven sensible-heat supply window” is introduced, highlighting that timely seawater injection following initial depressurization prolongs reservoir dissociation dynamics. In this study area, commencing seawater injection at 170 d of depressurization proved optimal. This optimized integration leverages clean and renewable thermal energy, providing essential insights into thermal supplementation strategies with significant implications for sustainable, economically feasible, and efficient commercial-scale hydrate production.

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