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14 pages, 2332 KiB  
Communication
Accurate Wideband RCS Estimation from Limited Field Data Using Infinitesimal Dipole Modeling with Compressive Sensing
by Jeong-Wan Lee, Ye Chan Jung and Sung-Jun Yang
Sensors 2025, 25(15), 4771; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25154771 - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 166
Abstract
This communication presents an accurate and computationally efficient approach for wideband radar cross-section (RCS) estimation and scattering point reconstruction using infinitesimal dipole modeling (IDM) with compressive sensing. The proposed method eliminates the need for field sampling at numerous frequency points across the wideband [...] Read more.
This communication presents an accurate and computationally efficient approach for wideband radar cross-section (RCS) estimation and scattering point reconstruction using infinitesimal dipole modeling (IDM) with compressive sensing. The proposed method eliminates the need for field sampling at numerous frequency points across the wideband range through Green’s function adjustment. Additionally, compressive sensing is employed for induced current calculation to reduce both frequency and angular sampling requirements. Numerical validation demonstrates that the method achieves a 50% reduction in field sample data and an 82.3% reduction in IDM processing time while maintaining comparable accuracy through Green’s function adjustment. Furthermore, compared to approaches without compressive sensing, the method shows a 55.1% and a 75.5% reduction in error in averaged RCS for VV-pol and HH-pol, respectively. The proposed method facilitates efficient wideband RCS estimation of various targets while significantly reducing measurement complexity and computational cost. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sensing and Imaging)
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22 pages, 4331 KiB  
Article
Simulation-Based Design of a Low-Cost Broadband Wide-Beamwidth Crossed-Dipole Antenna for Multi-Global Navigational Satellite System Positioning
by Songyuan Xu, Jiwon Heo, Won Seok Choi, Seong-Gon Choi and Bierng-Chearl Ahn
Sensors 2025, 25(15), 4665; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25154665 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 210
Abstract
This paper presents the design of a wideband circularly polarized crossed-dipole antenna for multi-GNSS applications, covering the frequency range of 1.16–1.61 GHz. The proposed antenna employs orthogonally placed dipole elements fed by a three-branch quadrature hybrid coupler for broadband and wide gain/axial ratio [...] Read more.
This paper presents the design of a wideband circularly polarized crossed-dipole antenna for multi-GNSS applications, covering the frequency range of 1.16–1.61 GHz. The proposed antenna employs orthogonally placed dipole elements fed by a three-branch quadrature hybrid coupler for broadband and wide gain/axial ratio beamwidth. The design is carried out using CST Studio Suite for a single dipole antenna followed by a crossed-dipole antenna, a feed network, and the entire antenna structure. The designed multi-GNSS antenna shows, at 1.16–1.61 GHz, a reflection coefficient of less than −17 dB, a zenith gain of 3.9–5.8 dBic, a horizontal gain of −3.3 to −0.2 dBic, a zenith axial ratio of 0.6–1.0 dB, and horizontal axial ratio of 0.4–5.9 dB. The proposed antenna has a dimension of 0.48 × 0.48 × 0.25 λ at the center frequency of 1.39 GHz. The proposed antenna can also operate as an LHCP antenna for L-band satellite phone communication at 1.525–1.661 GHz. Full article
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13 pages, 948 KiB  
Article
Extended Photoionization Cross Section Calculations for C III
by V. Stancalie
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(14), 8099; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15148099 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 216
Abstract
Spectral features of photoionization of various levels of C III are reported. These include characteristics of Rydberg and Seaton resonances, low and high excited levels, lifetimes, and total and partial cross sections. Calculations are performed in the relativistic Breit–Pauli R-matrix method with close-coupling [...] Read more.
Spectral features of photoionization of various levels of C III are reported. These include characteristics of Rydberg and Seaton resonances, low and high excited levels, lifetimes, and total and partial cross sections. Calculations are performed in the relativistic Breit–Pauli R-matrix method with close-coupling approximation, including damping effects on the resonance structure associated with the core-excited states produced by the electron excitation of C IV and photoionization of C III. For bound channel contribution, the close-coupling wavefunction expansion for photoionization includes ground and 14 excited states of the target ion CIV and 105 states configurations of C III. Extensive sets of atomic data for bound fine-structure levels, resulting in 762 dipole-allowed transitions, radiative probabilities, and photoionization cross sections out of Jπ = 0± − 4± fine-structure levels are obtained. The ground-level photoionization cross section smoothly decreases with increasing energy, showing a very narrow, strong Rydberg resonance converging to the CIV 1s22p threshold. The work shows that prominent Seaton resonances for 2sns states with n ≥ 5, caused by photoexcitation of the core electron below the 2p threshold, visibly contribute to photoabsorption from excited states of C III. The present results provide highly accurate parameters of various model applications in plasma spectroscopy. Full article
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13 pages, 3092 KiB  
Article
Carbon Dioxide Gas Sensor Based on Terahertz Metasurface with Asymmetric Cross-Shaped Holes Empowered by Quasi-Bound States in the Continuum
by Kai He and Tian Ma
Sensors 2025, 25(13), 4178; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25134178 - 4 Jul 2025
Viewed by 359
Abstract
In this paper, a novel type of polarization-insensitive terahertz metal metasurface with cross-shaped holes is presented, which is designed based on the theory of bound states in continuous media. The fundamental unit of the metasurface comprises a metal tungsten sheet with a cross-shaped [...] Read more.
In this paper, a novel type of polarization-insensitive terahertz metal metasurface with cross-shaped holes is presented, which is designed based on the theory of bound states in continuous media. The fundamental unit of the metasurface comprises a metal tungsten sheet with a cross-shaped hole structure. A thorough analysis of the optical properties and the quasi-BIC response is conducted using the finite element method. Utilizing the symmetry-breaking theory, the symmetry of the metal metasurface is broken, allowing the excitation of double quasi-BIC resonance modes with a high quality factor and high sensitivity to be achieved. Analysis of the multipole power distribution diagram and the spatial distribution of the electric field at the two quasi-BIC resonances verifies that the two quasi-BIC resonances of the metasurface are excited by electric dipoles and electric quadrupoles, respectively. Further simulation analysis demonstrates that the refractive index sensitivities of the two quasi-BIC modes of the metasurface reach 404.5 GHz/RIU and 578.6 GHz/RIU, respectively. Finally, the functional material PHMB is introduced into the metasurface to achieve highly sensitive sensing and detection of CO2 gas concentrations. The proposed metallic metasurface structure exhibits significant advantages, including high sensitivity, ease of preparation, and a high Q-value, which renders it highly promising for a broad range of applications in the domains of terahertz biosensing and highly sensitive gas sensing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advanced Flexible Electronic Devices: 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 2184 KiB  
Article
A Wideband Circularly Polarized Filtering Dipole Antenna
by Xianjing Lin, Ruishan Huang, Miaowang Zeng and An Yan
Symmetry 2025, 17(7), 1047; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym17071047 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 276
Abstract
This paper presents a circularly polarized (CP) antenna based on crossed dipoles with bandpass-type filtering radiation response. The antenna employs a pair of crossed dipole arms as radiators, which are printed on the upper and lower planes of the substrate. To achieve bandpass [...] Read more.
This paper presents a circularly polarized (CP) antenna based on crossed dipoles with bandpass-type filtering radiation response. The antenna employs a pair of crossed dipole arms as radiators, which are printed on the upper and lower planes of the substrate. To achieve bandpass filtering effects, radiation nulls are introduced on both sides of the passband. By vertically extending the ends of the four dipole arms, a ring-shaped current is formed between adjacent dipoles, generating the upper-band radiation null. Additionally, four parasitic patches are introduced parallel to the ends of the crossed dipole arms, creating another upper-band radiation null, further enhancing the frequency selectivity at the band edges and broadening the axial ratio (AR) bandwidth. Moreover, a square-ring slot is etched on the ground plane to introduce a lower-band radiation null, ultimately achieving a good bandpass filtering response. The proposed wideband CP filtering dipole antenna is implemented and tested. The antenna has a compact size of 0.49λ0× 0.49λ0× 0.16λ0 (where λ0 denotes the wavelength corresponding to the lowest operating frequency). The measured results show that the proposed antenna has an impedance bandwidth of 75% (1.65–3.66 GHz) and an overlapping AR bandwidth of 46.9% (2.25–3.63 GHz). Without additional filtering circuits, the antenna exhibits a stable gain of approximately 7 dB and three radiation nulls, with suppression levels of 20 dB in both the lower and upper stopbands, achieving good bandpass filtering performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Engineering and Materials)
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14 pages, 1838 KiB  
Article
Cable Aging State Diagnosis Adapted from Frequency-Domain Dielectric Spectroscopy and Polarization–Depolarization Current
by Yingqiang Shang, Yang Zhao, Hongquan Ji, Jingyue Ma, Jiren Chen, Ziheng Li, Kejia Wang and Zepeng Lv
Energies 2025, 18(12), 3169; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18123169 - 17 Jun 2025
Viewed by 421
Abstract
Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cables will gradually experience aging under various stresses during long-term operation, which may lead to faults and seriously affect the safe and stable operation of the power system. This article prepares aged cable samples by accelerating the thermal aging of [...] Read more.
Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cables will gradually experience aging under various stresses during long-term operation, which may lead to faults and seriously affect the safe and stable operation of the power system. This article prepares aged cable samples by accelerating the thermal aging of XLPE cables, and combines frequency-domain dielectric spectroscopy (FDS) and the polarization–depolarization current method (PDC) for detection and analysis. By measuring the dielectric loss of aged cables using frequency-domain dielectric spectroscopy, it was found that the dielectric loss value in the low-frequency region significantly increases with aging time, indicating that aging leads to an increase in polarity groups and polarization loss. The high-frequency dielectric loss also significantly increases with the strengthening of dipole polarization. At the same time, using the polarization–depolarization current method to measure the polarization current and depolarization current of cables, it was found that the stable value of polarization current increases with aging time, further verifying the changes in the conductivity and polarization characteristics of insulation materials. Combining the broadband dielectric response characteristics of FDS (0.001 Hz–1 kHz) with the time-domain charge transfer analysis of PDC, the molecular structure degradation (dipole polarization enhancement) and interface defect accumulation (space charge effect) of cable aging are revealed from both frequency- and time-domain perspectives. The experimental results show that the integral value of the low-frequency region of the frequency-domain dielectric spectrum and the stable value of the polarization depolarization current are positively correlated with the aging time, and can make use of effective indicators to evaluate the aging state of XLPE cables. Full article
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15 pages, 803 KiB  
Article
Field-Induced Ferroaxiality in Antiferromagnets with Magnetic Toroidal Quadrupole
by Satoru Hayami
Condens. Matter 2025, 10(2), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/condmat10020035 - 14 Jun 2025
Viewed by 676
Abstract
Magnetic toroidal multipoles have recently emerged as key descriptors of unconventional cross-correlation phenomena in antiferromagnetic systems. Among them, the rank-2 magnetic toroidal quadrupole, which is characterized as a time-reversal-odd polar tensor, has been theoretically associated with a variety of cross-correlation phenomena arising from [...] Read more.
Magnetic toroidal multipoles have recently emerged as key descriptors of unconventional cross-correlation phenomena in antiferromagnetic systems. Among them, the rank-2 magnetic toroidal quadrupole, which is characterized as a time-reversal-odd polar tensor, has been theoretically associated with a variety of cross-correlation phenomena arising from the time-reversal symmetry breaking. In this study, we investigate the interplay between magnetic toroidal quadrupoles and electric toroidal dipoles in antiferromagnets, with a particular focus on magnetic field-induced ferroaxiality. Through symmetry analysis and microscopic model calculations, we demonstrate that ferroaxiality can be induced by an external magnetic field, depending on both the field direction and the type of the magnetic toroidal quadrupole. We classify all magnetic point groups that possess magnetic toroidal quadrupoles and identify various candidate materials based on the MAGNDATA database. Our findings reveal a route to coupling spin and lattice degrees of freedom via toroidal multipoles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Magnetism)
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17 pages, 363 KiB  
Article
A Computationally Efficient MUSIC Algorithm with an Enhanced DOA Estimation Performance for a Crossed-Dipole Array
by Hao Nan, Xiaofeng Ma, Yubing Han and Weixing Sheng
Sensors 2025, 25(11), 3469; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25113469 - 30 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 615
Abstract
In this article, an improved real-valued dimension-reduction MUSIC (IRDR-MUSIC) algorithm is proposed for a crossed-dipole array. Initially, conjugate symmetry of the spatial component in the manifold vector is derived such that two real-valued matrices for the sum and difference covariance are constructed, which [...] Read more.
In this article, an improved real-valued dimension-reduction MUSIC (IRDR-MUSIC) algorithm is proposed for a crossed-dipole array. Initially, conjugate symmetry of the spatial component in the manifold vector is derived such that two real-valued matrices for the sum and difference covariance are constructed, which consist of the real and imaginary parts of the complex covariance matrix respectively. However, sum and difference covariance matrices with information loss would deteriorate the performance. Thus, given that the sum and difference covariance matrices have an identical null space, a joint sum–difference covariance matrix combining both the sum and difference covariance matrices is constructed, which includes the complete information of a complex covariance matrix. Accordingly, a computationally efficient IRDR-MUSIC algorithm with an enhanced performance is proposed. Compared with the existing dimension-reduction MUSIC algorithm, the proposed IRDR-MUSIC algorithm greatly reduce the complexity reduction almost without any performance loss since singular-value decomposition of the joint sum–difference covariance matrix operates in the real-valued domain, and only half of the range of the spatial spectrum search is required. Furthermore, the proposed IRDR-MUSIC algorithm outperforms the state-of-art complex-valued, symmetry-compressed, dimension-reduction MUSIC algorithm in both its multi-target resolution and computational efficiency. Numerical simulations and analyses verify the superiority of the proposed IRDR-MUSIC algorithm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Intelligent Sensors)
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19 pages, 8477 KiB  
Article
Wideband Dual-Polarized PRGW Antenna Array with High Isolation for Millimeter-Wave IoT Applications
by Zahra Mousavirazi, Mohamed Mamdouh M. Ali, Abdel R. Sebak and Tayeb A. Denidni
Sensors 2025, 25(11), 3387; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25113387 - 28 May 2025
Viewed by 651
Abstract
This work presents a novel dual-polarized antenna array tailored for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, specifically designed to operate in the millimeter-wave (mm-wave) spectrum within the frequency range of 30–60 GHz. Leveraging printed ridge gap waveguide (PRGW) technology, the antenna ensures robust performance [...] Read more.
This work presents a novel dual-polarized antenna array tailored for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, specifically designed to operate in the millimeter-wave (mm-wave) spectrum within the frequency range of 30–60 GHz. Leveraging printed ridge gap waveguide (PRGW) technology, the antenna ensures robust performance by eliminating parasitic radiation from the feed network, thus significantly enhancing the reliability and efficiency required by IoT communication systems, particularly for smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and high-speed sensor networks. The proposed antenna achieves superior radiation characteristics through a cross-shaped magneto-electric (ME) dipole backed by an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) cavity and electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structures. These features suppress surface waves, reduce edge diffraction, and minimize back-lobe emissions, enabling stable, high-quality IoT connectivity. The antenna demonstrates a wide impedance bandwidth of 24% centered at 30 GHz and exceptional isolation exceeding 40 dB, ensuring interference-free dual-polarized operation crucial for densely populated IoT environments. Fabrication and testing validate the design, consistently achieving a gain of approximately 13.88 dBi across the operational bandwidth. The antenna’s performance effectively addresses the critical requirements of emerging IoT systems, including ultra-high data throughput, reduced latency, and robust wireless connectivity, essential for real-time applications such as healthcare monitoring, vehicular communication, and smart infrastructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Measurement of Millimeter-Wave Antennas)
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14 pages, 20644 KiB  
Article
A High-Gain Circularly Polarized Magnetoelectric Dipole Antenna Array for Millimeter-Wave Applications
by Jun Xiao, Jing Wu, Zihang Ye, Tongyu Ding, Chongzhi Han and Qiubo Ye
Sensors 2025, 25(10), 3046; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25103046 - 12 May 2025
Viewed by 513
Abstract
A high-gain circularly polarized (CP) magnetoelectric dipole (ME-dipole) radiating element is demonstrated at a millimeter-wave (MMW) 5G band of 37–43.5 GHz. Each ME-dipole radiating element, consisting of two pairs of ring-shaped and L-shaped metal posts is excited by a cross-shaped substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) [...] Read more.
A high-gain circularly polarized (CP) magnetoelectric dipole (ME-dipole) radiating element is demonstrated at a millimeter-wave (MMW) 5G band of 37–43.5 GHz. Each ME-dipole radiating element, consisting of two pairs of ring-shaped and L-shaped metal posts is excited by a cross-shaped substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) coupling slot to achieve CP radiation. Through the use of all-metal radiating structures with a height of 3.4 mm, high-gain and high-efficiency radiation performances are achieved. For proof of concept, a 4 × 4 antenna array with a SIW feeding network is designed, fabricated, and measured. The measured impedance bandwidth of the proposed 4 × 4 CP antenna array is 19.2% from 33.9 to 41.1 GHz for |S11| ≤ −10 dB. The measured 3 db AR bandwidth is 10.3% from 37 to 41 GHz. The measured peak gain is 20.3 dBic at 41 GHz. The measured and simulated results are in good agreement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Measurement of Millimeter-Wave Antennas)
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12 pages, 1538 KiB  
Article
Properties of a Static Dipolar Impurity in a 2D Dipolar BEC
by Neelam Shukla and Jeremy R. Armstrong
Atoms 2025, 13(3), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms13030024 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1025
Abstract
We study a system of ultra-cold dipolar Bose gas atoms confined in a two-dimensional (2D) harmonic trap with a dipolar impurity implanted at the center of the trap. Due to recent experimental progress in dipolar condensates, we focused on calculating properties of dipolar [...] Read more.
We study a system of ultra-cold dipolar Bose gas atoms confined in a two-dimensional (2D) harmonic trap with a dipolar impurity implanted at the center of the trap. Due to recent experimental progress in dipolar condensates, we focused on calculating properties of dipolar impurity systems that might guide experimentalists if they choose to study impurities in dipolar gases. We used the Gross–Pitaevskii formalism solved numerically via the split-step Crank–Nicolson method. We chose parameters of the background gas to be consistent with dysprosium (Dy), one of the strongest magnetic dipoles and of current experimental interest, and used chromium (Cr), erbium (Er), terbium (Tb), and Dy for the impurity. The dipole moments were aligned by an external field along what was chosen to be the z-axis, and we studied 2D confinements that were perpendicular or parallel to the external field. We show density contour plots for the two confinements, 1D cross-sections of the densities, calculated self-energies of the impurities while varying both number of atoms in the condensate and the symmetry of the trap. We also calculated the time evolution of the density of an initially pure system where an impurity is introduced. Our results show that while the self-energy increases in magnitude with increasing number of particles, it is reduced when the trap anisotropy follows the natural anisotropy of the gas, i.e., elongated along the z-axis in the case of parallel confinement. This work builds upon work conducted in Bose gases with zero-range interactions and demonstrates some of the features that could be found when exploring dipolar impurities in 2D Bose gases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cold Atoms, Quantum Gases and Bose-Einstein Condensation)
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11 pages, 4733 KiB  
Article
Ionization Dynamics in Matter with Gold Nanoparticles upon Laser Irradiation of Various Intensities, Numerical Analysis
by Konstantin Zsukovszki and Istvan Papp
Particles 2025, 8(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/particles8010027 - 4 Mar 2025
Viewed by 751
Abstract
We perform the numerical study of the response of the media with golden nanoantennas upon irradiation by intense ~1017–1018 W/cm2 short 0.1 ps laser pulses. We study the influence of resonant nanoantennas on the ionization process and on the [...] Read more.
We perform the numerical study of the response of the media with golden nanoantennas upon irradiation by intense ~1017–1018 W/cm2 short 0.1 ps laser pulses. We study the influence of resonant nanoantennas on the ionization process and on the ions’ energy evolution at various intensities of laser pulses. Numerical modeling is performed with the help of EPOCH software using the “particle-in-cell” numeral method. The response of resonating nanoantennas of dipole and crossed shapes, embedded in dense media, is studied. The dynamics of ionization and the energies of ions acquired during the passage of the laser pulse are studied. The differences in the ionization energies for nanoantennas of dipole and crossed shapes are explored. The ionization dynamics in the matter doped with nanoantennas is examined; crossed-shaped antennas are identified for the best energy absorption in high-intensity fields. Full article
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16 pages, 710 KiB  
Article
Robust Direction of Arrival and Polarization Parameter Estimation in Mutual Coupling Scenario with Non-Collocated Crossed Dipole Arrays
by Wenjiang Chen, Xiang Lan and Xianpeng Wang
Sensors 2025, 25(5), 1391; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25051391 - 25 Feb 2025
Viewed by 532
Abstract
Traditional direction of arrival (DOA) and polarization parameter estimation algorithms generally perform well under ideal conditions. However, their performance degrades significantly in practical scenarios due to mutual coupling effects among array elements. This work introduces an innovative method based on a distributed crossed [...] Read more.
Traditional direction of arrival (DOA) and polarization parameter estimation algorithms generally perform well under ideal conditions. However, their performance degrades significantly in practical scenarios due to mutual coupling effects among array elements. This work introduces an innovative method based on a distributed crossed dipole array to jointly estimate DOA and polarization parameters in the presence of mutual coupling effects. This work firstly eliminates the mutual coupling matrix (MCM) through subarray selection, without requiring prior knowledge of the array’s mutual coupling. The DOA is then estimated using an improved high-resolution algorithm, followed by accurate estimation of the polarization parameters through parameter matching. The results from simulations confirm that the new method significantly improves the estimation accuracy in complex mutual coupling environments, showing notable potential for practical applications and robust performance. Full article
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22 pages, 5704 KiB  
Article
Application of DFT and Experimental Tests for the Study of Compost Formation Between Chitosan-1,3-dichloroketone with Uses for the Removal of Heavy Metals in Wastewater
by Joaquín Alejandro Hernández Fernández, Jose Alfonso Prieto Palomo and Rodrigo Ortega-Toro
J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(2), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9020091 - 19 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 816
Abstract
The environment presently contains greater amounts of heavy metals due to human activities, causing toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. This study evaluated a chitosan (CS) composite material combined with 1,3-dichlorocetone to extract heavy metals from affected waters, integrating experimental and computational analyses. The synthesis [...] Read more.
The environment presently contains greater amounts of heavy metals due to human activities, causing toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. This study evaluated a chitosan (CS) composite material combined with 1,3-dichlorocetone to extract heavy metals from affected waters, integrating experimental and computational analyses. The synthesis of chitosan, obtained from shrimp waste chitin, reached a yield of 85%. FTIR analysis confirmed key functional groups (NH2 and OH), and XRD showed high crystallinity with peaks at 2θ = 8° and 20°. The physicochemical properties evaluated included a moisture content of 7.3%, ash content of 2.4%, and a deacetylation degree of 73%, consistent with commercial standards. Chitosan exhibited significant solubility in 1.5% acetic acid, moderate solubility in water, and insolubility in NaOH, demonstrating its versatility for environmental applications. In adsorption tests, heavy metal concentrations were reduced by CS derivatives, with Cr and Pb dropping to 0.03 mg/L, and Cu and Zn to less than 0.05 mg/L. CS cross-linked with 1,3-dichlorocetone proved the most efficient, outperforming other derivatives such as glutaraldehyde and epichlorohydrin. Computational analysis evaluated key molecular interactions using DFT and the B3LYP/LANLD2Z method. The band gap energies (HOMO–LUMO) decreased to 0.09753 eV for Zn and 0.01485 eV for Pb, indicating high affinity, while Cd showed lower interaction (0.11076 eV). The total dipole moment increased remarkably for Zn (14.693 Debye) and Pb (7.449 Debye), in contrast to Cd (4.515 Debye). Other descriptors, such as chemical hardness (η), reflected a higher reactivity for Zn (0.04877 eV) and Pb (0.00743 eV), which favors adsorption. The correlation between experimental and computational results validates the efficiency and selectivity of CS/1,3-dichlorocetone for removing heavy metals, especially Pb and Zn. This material stands out for its adsorbent capacity, sustainability, and economic viability, positioning it as a promising solution for wastewater remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Modeling of Composites, 4th Edition)
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17 pages, 9313 KiB  
Article
Quasi-Invariance of Scattering Properties of Multicellular Cyanobacterial Aggregates
by Chunyang Ma, Qian Lu and Yen Wah Tong
Photonics 2025, 12(2), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12020142 - 10 Feb 2025
Viewed by 603
Abstract
The radiative/scattering properties of cyanobacterial aggregates are crucial for understanding microalgal cultivation. This study analyzed the scattering matrix elements and cross-sections of cyanobacterial aggregates using the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) method. A stochastic random walk approach was adopted to generate a force-biased packing [...] Read more.
The radiative/scattering properties of cyanobacterial aggregates are crucial for understanding microalgal cultivation. This study analyzed the scattering matrix elements and cross-sections of cyanobacterial aggregates using the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) method. A stochastic random walk approach was adopted to generate a force-biased packing model for multicellular filamentous cyanobacterial aggregates. The effects of the shape and size of multicellular cyanobacterial aggregates on their scattering properties were investigated in this work. The possibility of invariance in the scattering properties of cyanobacterial aggregates was explored. The invariance interpretation intuitively represented the radiative property characteristics of the aggregates. The presented results show that the ratios of the matrix elements of cyanobacterial aggregates are nearly shape-, size-, and wavelength-invariant. The extinction and absorption cross-sections (EACSs) per unit volume exhibited shape and approximate size invariance for cyanobacterial aggregates, respectively. The absorption cross-section of aggregates is not merely a volumetric phenomenon for aggregates that exceed a certain size. Furthermore, the absorption cross-sections per unit volume are independent of the volumetric distribution of the microalgae cells. The invariance interpretation presents crucial characteristics of the scattering properties of cyanobacterial aggregates. The existence of invariance greatly improves our understanding of the scattering properties of microalgal aggregates. The scattering properties of microalgal aggregates are the most critical aspects of light propagation in the design, optimization, and operation of photobioreactors. Full article
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