Nematicity dynamics in the charge-density-wave phase of a cuprate superconductor

Understanding the interplay between charge, nematic, and structural ordering tendencies in cuprate superconductors is critical to unraveling their complex phase diagram. Using pump-probe time-resolved resonant x-ray scattering on the (0 0 1) Bragg peak at the Cu L3 and oxygen K resonances, we investigate non-equilibrium dynamics of Qa = Qb = 0 nematic order and its association with both charge density wave (CDW) order and lattice dynamics in La1.65Eu0.2Sr0.15CuO4. In contrast to the slow lattice dynamics probed at the apical oxygen K resonance, fast nematicity dynamics are observed at the Cu L3 and planar oxygen K resonances. The temperature dependence of the nematicity dynamics is correlated with the onset of CDW order. These findings unambiguously indicate that the CDW phase, typically evidenced by translational symmetry breaking, includes a significant electronic nematic component.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figure

Development of a carbon microchannel integrated with a horizontal carbon sandwich electrode pair for ultra sensitive electrochemical/bio sensors

In this paper, we present carbon sandwich electrode pair as ultrasensitive electrochemical/bio sensors. We introduce simple, easy and low cost batch fabrication method, which is called carbon MEMS. Carbon MEMS process easily converts microstructures to nanostructures using only conventional photolithography and pyrolysis process. The carbon sandwich electrode pair consists of an on-plane electrode and a suspended nanomesh electrode. As electrochemical sensors, redox current amplification was measured with the carbon sandwich electrode pair. The feasibility of the carbon sandwich electrode pairs as highly sensitive electrochemical sensor platforms was demonstrated by measuring current values from the electrode pairs integrated in a pre-defined microchannel. The maximum current signal amplification factor of 89 was achieved by the carbon sandwich electrode pair integrated in a PDMS microchannel of 10 ??m channel height. Furthermore, we studied the effect of the aspect ratio of the suspended carbon electrode on the amplification factors

Verification of Industrial Worker Walking Efficiency with Wearable Hip Exoskeleton

In highly mobile workplaces, wearable walking-assistant devices reduce muscle fatigue in workers’ lower extremities and increase energy efficiency. In our study, we verify this following the development of an ultralight wearable hip exoskeleton for industrial workers. Ten healthy male adults participated in this study, and their muscle activity, muscle fatigue, and energy expenditure were compared with and without a device while walking on a treadmill and going up stairs. While walking on a treadmill with the assistive device, muscle fatigue in the gastrocnemius decreased by 79.5%, and oxygen uptake and energy expenditure per minute decreased by 7.9% and 7.4%, respectively. While climbing stairs with the assistive device, muscle fatigue of the tibialis anterior decreased by 83.5%, average muscle activity of the rectus femoris, semitendinosus, and gastrocnemius muscles decreased significantly, and oxygen uptake and energy expenditure decreased by 14% and 12.9% per minute, respectively. We confirm that an ultralight wearable hip exoskeleton helps the wearer reduce lower-limb muscle fatigue and use metabolic energy more efficiently. The results of this study are intended as basic data to expand the use of ultralight wearable hip exoskeletons at industrial sites and to improve device performance