Bardasis-Schrieffer-like phase mode in a superconducting bilayer

We theoretically study the low-lying collective modes of an even-parity spin-singlet superconducting bilayer, where strong spin-orbit coupling leads to a closely competing odd-parity parity pairing state. We develop a gauge-invariant theory for the coupling of phase fluctuations to an external electromagnetic field and show that the competing odd-parity pairing state gives rise to a Bardasis-Schrieffer-like phase mode within the excitation gap. Accounting for the long-range Coulomb interaction, however, we find that this mode hybridizes with an antisymmetric plasmon and is likely pushed into the quasiparticle continuum

Bound states around impurities in a superconducting bilayer

We theoretically study the appearance of bound states around impurities in a superconducting bilayer. We focus our attention on $s$-wave pairing, which includes unconventional odd-parity states permitted by the layer degree of freedom. Utilizing numerical mean-field and analytical $T$-matrix methods, we survey the bound state spectrum produced by momentum-independent impurity potentials in this model. For even-parity $s$-wave pairing bound states are only found for impurities which break time-reversal symmetry. For odd-parity $s$-wave states, in contrast, bound states are generically found for all impurity potentials, and fall into six distinct categories. This categorization remains valid for nodal gaps. Our results are conveniently understood in terms of the ``superconducting fitness'' concept, and show an interplay between the pair-breaking effects of the impurity and the normal-state band structure

4D Printing of Shape Memory Polymers: From Macro to Micro

A novel and versatile shape memory ink system allowing 4D printing with light at the macroscale as well as the microscale is presented. Digital light processing (DLP) and direct laser writing (DLW) are selected as suitable 3D printing technologies to cover both regimes. First, a system based on monofunctional isobornyl acrylate and two crosslinkers consisting of a soft and a hard diacrylate is identified and proven to be compatible with both printing techniques. Employing DLP, a large variety of structures exhibiting distinct complexity is printed. These structures range from simple frames to more demanding 3D geometries such as double platform structures, infinity rings, or cubic grids. The shape memory effect is demonstrated for all the 3D geometries. Excellent shape fixity as well as recovery and repeatability is shown. Furthermore, the formulation is adapted for fast 4D printing at the microscale using DLW. Importantly, the 4D printed microstructures display remarkable shape memory properties. The possibility of trapping and releasing microobjects, such as microspheres, is ultimately demonstrated by designing, smart box-like 4D microstructures that can be thermally actuated—evidencing the versatility and potential of the reported system

Covalent Adaptable Microstructures via Combining Two‐Photon Laser Printing and Alkoxyamine Chemistry: Toward Living 3D Microstructures

Manufacturing programmable materials, whose mechanical properties can be adapted on demand, is highly desired for their application in areas ranging from robotics, to biomedicine, or microfluidics. Herein, the inclusion of dynamic and living bonds, such as alkoxyamines, in a printable formulation suitable for two-photon 3D laser printing is exploited. On one hand, taking advantage of the dynamic covalent character of alkoxyamines, the nitroxide exchange reaction is investigated. As a consequence, a reduction of the Young´s Modulus by 50%, is measured by nanoindentation. On the other hand, due to its “living” characteristic, the chain extension becomes possible via nitroxide mediated polymerization. In particular, living nitroxide mediated polymerization of styrene results not only in a dramatic increase of the volume (≈8 times) of the 3D printed microstructure but also an increase of the Young\u27s Modulus by two orders of magnitude (from 14 MPa to 2.7 GPa), while maintaining the shape including fine structural details. Thus, the approach introduces a new dimension by enabling to create microstructures with dynamically tunable size and mechanical properties

Socioeconomic status, severity of disease and level of family members’ care in adult surgical intensive care patients: the prospective ECSSTASI study

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with increased mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer and trauma. However, individual-level prospective data on SES in relation to health outcomes among critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) are unavailable. In a cohort of 1,006 patients at a 24-bed surgical ICU of an academic tertiary care facility in Germany, we examined levels of SES in relation to disease severity at admission, time period of mechanical ventilation, length of stay and frequency of phone calls and visits by next-of-kin. Patients with low SES had higher risk for Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score greater or equal to 5 [multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.49; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.95-2.33; p = 0.029] and a trend for higher risk for Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II) greater or equal to 31 (OR 1.28; 95% CI 0.80-2.05; p = 0.086) at admission as compared with patients with high SES. When compared with men with high SES, those with low SES had greater risk for ICU treatment a parts per thousand yen5 days (multivariate-adjusted OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.06-3.74; p = 0.036) and showed a trend for a low number of visits from next-of-kin (< 0.5 visits per day) (OR 1.85; 95% CI 0.79-4.30; p = 0.054). In women such associations could not be demonstrated. Socioeconomic status is inversely related to severity of disease at admission and to length of stay in ICU, and positively associated with the level of care by next-of-kin. Whether relations differ by gender requires further examination

Large-scale fabrication of ordered silicon nanotip arrays used for gas ionization in ion mobility spectrometers

The 9/11 events have led to an increase in the request for sensors and sensor systems that can detect rapidly, efficiently, and at moderate cost trace explosives and a whole range of toxic substances at diverse control points, e.g., at airports and inside air conditioning systems in aircraft and public buildings. To date, the security screening instruments of choice are ion mobility spectrometers (IMS), which are basically time-of-flight mass spectrometers (Sielemann, 1999 and Stach, 1997). Such instruments allow for the detection of explosives, chemical warfare agents, and illicit drugs. Widespread adoption of the IMS technology in civilian security screening applications, for instance, at airports, has been hindered due to the fact that state-of-the-art spectrometers employ radioactive ion sources. We report on fabrication and measurements of large-scale-ordered silicon nanotip arrays, used to replace the radioactive source for IMS gas ionization. Surface ionization m echanisms on the platinum-coated silicon surface can be significantly increased compared to flat structures due to the strong field enhancement at the tips. We will show measurements of the ion current of planar surfaces compared to microstructured surfaces as well as a photoelectrochemical etching process that allows to etch flat tips with a low aspect ratio as well as long tips with high aspect ratios with exact control about the tip profile

Large-scale fabrication of ordered silicon nanotip arrays used for gas ionization in ion mobility spectrometers

The 9/11 events have led to an increase in the request for sensors and sensor systems that can detect rapidly, efficiently, and at moderate cost trace explosives and a whole range of toxic substances at diverse control points, e.g., at airports and inside air conditioning systems in aircraft and public buildings. To date, the security screening instruments of choice are ion mobility spectrometers (IMS), which are basically time-of-flight mass spectrometers (Sielemann, 1999 and Stach, 1997). Such instruments allow for the detection of explosives, chemical warfare agents, and illicit drugs. Widespread adoption of the IMS technology in civilian security screening applications, for instance, at airports, has been hindered due to the fact that state-of-the-art spectrometers employ radioactive ion sources. We report on fabrication and measurements of large-scale-ordered silicon nanotip arrays, used to replace the radioactive source for IMS gas ionization. Surface ionization m echanisms on the platinum-coated silicon surface can be significantly increased compared to flat structures due to the strong field enhancement at the tips. We will show measurements of the ion current of planar surfaces compared to microstructured surfaces as well as a photoelectrochemical etching process that allows to etch flat tips with a low aspect ratio as well as long tips with high aspect ratios with exact control about the tip profile