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“Long-range vortex transfer in superconducting nanowires”. Cordoba R, Orus P, Jelić, ŽL, Sese J, Ricardo Ibarra M, Guillamon I, Vieira S, Jose Palacios J, Suderow H, Milošević, MV, Maria De Teresa J, Scientific reports 9, 12386 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1038/S41598-019-48887-7
Abstract: Under high-enough values of perpendicularly-applied magnetic field and current, a type-II superconductor presents a finite resistance caused by the vortex motion driven by the Lorentz force. To recover the dissipation-free conduction state, strategies for minimizing vortex motion have been intensely studied in the last decades. However, the non-local vortex motion, arising in areas depleted of current, has been scarcely investigated despite its potential application for logic devices. Here, we propose a route to transfer vortices carried by non-local motion through long distances (up to 10 micrometers) in 50 nm-wide superconducting WC nanowires grown by Ga+ Focused Ion Beam Induced Deposition. A giant non-local electrical resistance of 36 Omega has been measured at 2 K in 3 mu m-long nanowires, which is 40 times higher than signals reported for wider wires of other superconductors. This giant effect is accounted for by the existence of a strong edge confinement potential that hampers transversal vortex displacements, allowing the long-range coherent displacement of a single vortex row along the superconducting channel. Experimental results are in good agreement with numerical simulations of vortex dynamics based on the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations. Our results pave the way for future developments on information technologies built upon single vortex manipulation in nano-superconductors.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 13
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-019-48887-7
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“Josephson vortex loops in nanostructured Josephson junctions”. Berdiyorov GR, Milošević, MV, Kusmartsev F, Peeters FM, Savel'ev S, Scientific reports 8, 2733 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1038/S41598-018-21015-7
Abstract: Linked and knotted vortex loops have recently received a revival of interest. Such three-dimensional topological entities have been observed in both classical-and super-fluids, as well as in optical systems. In superconductors, they remained obscure due to their instability against collapse – unless supported by inhomogeneous magnetic field. Here we reveal a new kind of vortex matter in superconductors -the Josephson vortex loops – formed and stabilized in planar junctions or layered superconductors as a result of nontrivial cutting and recombination of Josephson vortices around the barriers for their motion. Engineering latter barriers opens broad perspectives on loop manipulation and control of other possible knotted/linked/entangled vortex topologies in nanostructured superconductors. In the context of Josephson devices proposed to date, the high-frequency excitations of the Josephson loops can be utilized in future design of powerful emitters, tunable filters and waveguides of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation, thereby pushing forward the much needed Terahertz technology.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-018-21015-7
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“Dimensional crossover and incipient quantum size effects in superconducting niobium nanofilms”. Pinto N, Rezvani SJ, Perali A, Flammia L, Milošević, MV, Fretto M, Cassiago C, De Leo N, Scientific reports 8, 4710 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1038/S41598-018-22983-6
Abstract: Superconducting and normal state properties of Niobium nanofilms have been systematically investigated as a function of film thickness, on different substrates. The width of the superconductingto- normal transition for all films is remarkably narrow, confirming their high quality. The superconducting critical current density exhibits a pronounced maximum for thickness around 25 nm, marking the 3D-to-2D crossover. The magnetic penetration depth shows a sizeable enhancement for the thinnest films. Additional amplification effects of the superconducting properties have been obtained with sapphire substrates or squeezing the lateral size of the nanofilms. For thickness close to 20 nm we measured a doubled perpendicular critical magnetic field compared to its large thickness value, indicating shortening of the correlation length and the formation of small Cooper pairs. Our data analysis indicates an exciting interplay between quantum-size and proximity effects together with strong-coupling effects and the importance of disorder in the thinnest films, placing these nanofilms close to the BCS-BEC crossover regime.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 37
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-018-22983-6
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“Molecular Insights into the Interaction of RONS and Thieno[3,2-c]pyran Analogs with SIRT6/COX-2: A Molecular Dynamics Study”. Yadav DK, Kumar S, Saloni, Misra S, Yadav L, Teli M, Sharma P, Chaudhary S, Kumar N, Choi EH, Kim HS, Kim M-hyun, Scientific reports 8, 4777 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1038/S41598-018-22972-9
Abstract: SIRT6 and COX-2 are oncogenes target that promote the expression of proinflammatory and pro-survival proteins through a signaling pathway, which leads to increased survival and proliferation of tumor cells. However, COX-2 also suppresses skin tumorigenesis and their relationship with SIRT6, making it an interesting target for the discovery of drugs with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Herein, we studied the interaction of thieno[3,2-c] pyran analogs and RONS species with SIRT6 and COX-2 through the use of molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations. Molecular docking studies revealed the importance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acid residues for the stability. The molecular dynamics study examined conformational changes in the enzymes caused by the binding of the substrates and how those changes affected the stability of the protein-drug complex. The average RMSD values of the backbone atoms in compounds 6 and 10 were calculated from 1000 ps to 10000 ps and were found to be 0.13 nm for both compounds. Similarly, the radius of gyration values for compounds 6 and 10 were found to be 1.87 +/- 0.03 nm and 1.86 +/- 0.02 nm, respectively. The work presented here, will be of great help in lead identification and optimization for early drug discovery.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-018-22972-9
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“Controlled growth of hexagonal gold nanostructures during thermally induced self-assembling on Ge(001) surface”. Jany BR, Gauquelin N, Willhammar T, Nikiel M, van den Bos KHW, Janas A, Szajna K, Verbeeck J, Van Aert S, Van Tendeloo G, Krok F, Scientific reports 7, 42420 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep42420
Abstract: Nano-sized gold has become an important material in various fields of science and technology, where control over the size and crystallography is desired to tailor the functionality. Gold crystallizes in the face-centered cubic (fcc) phase, and its hexagonal closed packed (hcp) structure is a very unusual and rare phase. Stable Au hcp phase has been reported to form in nanoparticles at the tips of some Ge nanowires. It has also recently been synthesized in the form of thin graphene-supported sheets which are unstable under electron beam irradiation. Here, we show that stable hcp Au 3D nanostructures with well-defined crystallographic orientation and size can be systematically created in a process of thermally induced self-assembly of thin Au layer on Ge(001) monocrystal. The Au hcp crystallite is present in each Au nanostructure and has been characterized by different electron microscopy techniques. We report that a careful heat treatment above the eutectic melting temperature and a controlled cooling is required to form the hcp phase of Au on a Ge single crystal. This new method gives scientific prospects to obtain stable Au hcp phase for future applications in a rather simple manner as well as redefine the phase diagram of Gold with Germanium.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 25
DOI: 10.1038/srep42420
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“Hampering Effect of Cholesterol on the Permeation of Reactive Oxygen Species through Phospholipids Bilayer: Possible Explanation for Plasma Cancer Selectivity”. Van der Paal J, Verheyen C, Neyts EC, Bogaerts A, Scientific reports 7, 39526 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep39526
Abstract: In recent years, the ability of cold atmospheric pressure plasmas (CAPS) to selectively induce cell death in cancer cells has been widely established. This selectivity has been assigned to the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) created in CAPs. To provide new insights in the search for an explanation
for the observed selectivity, we calculate the transfer free energy of multiple ROS across membranes containing a varying amount of cholesterol. The cholesterol fraction is investigated as a selectivity parameter because membranes of cancer cells are known to contain lower fractions of cholesterol compared to healthy cells. We find that cholesterol has a significant effect on the permeation of
reactive species across a membrane. Indeed, depending on the specific reactive species, an increasing cholesterol fraction can lead to (i) an increase of the transfer free energy barrier height and width, (ii) the formation of a local free energy minimum in the center of the membrane and (iii) the creation of extra free energy barriers due to the bulky sterol rings. In the context of plasma oncology, these observations suggest that the increased ingress of RONS in cancer cells can be explained by the decreased cholesterol fraction of their cell membrane.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 27
DOI: 10.1038/srep39526
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“Effect of head group and lipid tail oxidation in the cell membrane revealed through integrated simulations and experiments”. Yusupov M, Wende K, Kupsch S, Neyts EC, Reuter S, Bogaerts A, Scientific reports 7, 5761 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-06412-8
Abstract: We report on multi-level atomistic simulations for the interaction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with the head groups of the phospholipid bilayer, and the subsequent effect of head group and lipid tail oxidation on the structural and dynamic properties of the cell membrane. Our simulations are validated by experiments using a cold atmospheric plasma as external ROS source. We found that plasma treatment leads to a slight initial rise in membrane rigidity, followed by a strong and persistent increase in fluidity, indicating a drop in lipid order. The latter is also revealed by our simulations. This study is important for cancer treatment by therapies producing (extracellular) ROS, such as plasma treatment. These ROS will interact with the cell membrane, first oxidizing the head groups, followed by the lipid tails. A drop in lipid order might allow them to penetrate into the cell interior (e.g., through pores created due to oxidation of the lipid tails) and cause intracellular oxidative damage, eventually leading to cell death. This work in general elucidates the underlying mechanisms of ROS interaction with the cell membrane at the atomic level.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 27
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06412-8
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“Nanoscale mapping of plasmon and exciton in ZnO tetrapods coupled with Au nanoparticles”. Bertoni G, Fabbri F, Villani M, Lazzarini L, Turner S, Van Tendeloo G, Calestani D, Gradečak S, Zappettini A, Salviati G, Scientific reports 6, 19168 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep19168
Abstract: Metallic nanoparticles can be used to enhance optical absorption or emission in semiconductors, thanks to a strong interaction of collective excitations of free charges (plasmons) with electromagnetic fields. Herein we present the direct imaging at the nanoscale of plasmon-exciton coupling in Au/ZnO nanostructures by combining scanning transmission electron energy loss and cathodoluminescence spectroscopy and mapping. The Au nanoparticles (~30 nm in diameter) are grown in-situ on ZnO nanotetrapods by means of a photochemical process without the need of binding agents or capping molecules. This results in clean interfaces, enabling to prove the occurrence of the plasmon-exciton coupling and the straightforward mapping of its spatial localization. Interestingly, the Au plasmon resonance is localized at the Au/vacuum interface, rather than presenting an isotropic distribution around the nanoparticle. On the contrary, a strong localization of the ZnO excitons, has been observed inside the Au nanoparticle, revealing the existence of the plasmon-exciton coupling, as also confirmed by numerical simulations.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1038/srep19168
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“Large pinning forces and matching effects in YBa2Cu3O7-&delta, thin films with Ba2Y(Nb/Ta)O6 nano-precipitates”. Opherden L, Sieger M, Pahlke P, Hühne R, Schultz L, Meledin A, Van Tendeloo G, Nast R, Holzapfel B, Bianchetti M, MacManus-Driscoll JL, Hänisch J, Scientific reports 6, 21188 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep21188
Abstract: The addition of mixed double perovskite Ba2Y(Nb/Ta)O6 (BYNTO) to YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) thin films leads to a large improvement of the in-field current carrying capability. For low deposition rates, BYNTO grows as well-oriented, densely distributed nanocolumns. We achieved a pinning force density of 25 GN/m3 at 77 K at a matching field of 2.3 T, which is among the highest values reported for YBCO. The anisotropy of the critical current density shows a complex behavior whereby additional maxima are developed at field dependent angles. This is caused by a matching effect of the magnetic fields c-axis component. The exponent N of the current-voltage characteristics (inversely proportional to the creep rate S) allows the depinning mechanism to be determined. It changes from a double-kink excitation below the matching field to pinning-potential-determined creep above it.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 39
DOI: 10.1038/srep21188
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“Structural modification of P-glycoprotein induced by OH radicals: Insights from atomistic simulations”. Khosravian N, Kamaraj B, Neyts EC, Bogaerts A, Scientific reports 6, 19466 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep19466
Abstract: This study reports on the possible effects of OH radical impact on the transmembrane domain 6 of P-glycoprotein, TM6, which plays a crucial role in drug binding in human cells. For the first time, we employ molecular dynamics (MD) simulations based on the self-consistent charge density functional tight binding (SCC-DFTB) method to elucidate the potential sites of fragmentation and mutation in this domain upon impact of OH radicals, and to obtain fundamental information about the underlying reaction mechanisms. Furthermore, we apply non-reactive MD simulations to investigate the long-term effect of this mutation, with possible implications for drug binding. Our simulations indicate that the interaction of OH radicals with TM6 might lead to the breaking of C-C and C-N peptide bonds, which eventually cause fragmentation of TM6. Moreover, according to our simulations, the OH radicals can yield mutation in the aromatic ring of phenylalanine in TM6, which in turn affects its structure. As TM6 plays an important role in the binding of a range of cytotoxic drugs with P-glycoprotein, any changes in its structure are likely to affect the response of the tumor cell in chemotherapy. This is crucial for cancer therapies based on reactive oxygen species, such as plasma treatment.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1038/srep19466
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“Easily doped p-type, low hole effective mass, transparent oxides”. Sarmadian N, Saniz R, Partoens B, Lamoen D, Scientific reports 6, 20446 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep20446
Abstract: Fulfillment of the promise of transparent electronics has been hindered until now largely by the lack of semiconductors that can be doped p-type in a stable way, and that at the same time present high hole mobility and are highly transparent in the visible spectrum. Here, a high-throughput study based on first-principles methods reveals four oxides, namely X2SeO2, with X = La, Pr, Nd, and Gd, which are unique in that they exhibit excellent characteristics for transparent electronic device applications – i.e., a direct band gap larger than 3.1 eV, an average hole effective mass below the electron rest mass, and good p-type dopability. Furthermore, for La2SeO2 it is explicitly shown that Na impurities substituting La are shallow acceptors in moderate to strong anion-rich growth conditions, with low formation energy, and that they will not be compensated by anion vacancies VO or VSe.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 55
DOI: 10.1038/srep20446
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“Hollow Cone Electron Imaging for Single Particle 3D Reconstruction of Proteins”. Tsai C-Y, Chang Y-C, Lobato I, Van Dyck D, Chen F-R, Scientific reports 6, 27701 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep27701
Abstract: The main bottlenecks for high-resolution biological imaging in electron microscopy are radiation sensitivity and low contrast. The phase contrast at low spatial frequencies can be enhanced by using a large defocus but this strongly reduces the resolution. Recently, phase plates have been developed to enhance the contrast at small defocus but electrical charging remains a problem. Single particle cryo-electron microscopy is mostly used to minimize the radiation damage and to enhance the resolution of the 3D reconstructions but it requires averaging images of a massive number of individual particles. Here we present a new route to achieve the same goals by hollow cone dark field imaging using thermal diffuse scattered electrons giving about a 4 times contrast increase as compared to bright field imaging. We demonstrate the 3D reconstruction of a stained GroEL particle can yield about 13.5 A resolution but using a strongly reduced number of images.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab
Impact Factor: 4.259
DOI: 10.1038/srep27701
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“Enhanced optoelectronic performances of vertically aligned hexagonal boron nitride nanowalls-nanocrystalline diamond heterostructures”. Sankaran KJ, Hoang DQ, Kunuku S, Korneychuk S, Turner S, Pobedinskas P, Drijkoningen S, Van Bael MK, D' Haen J, Verbeeck J, Leou K-C, Lin I-N, Haenen K, Scientific reports 6, 29444 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep29444
Abstract: Field electron emission (FEE) properties of vertically aligned hexagonal boron nitride nanowalls (hBNNWs) grown on Si have been markedly enhanced through the use of nitrogen doped nanocrystalline diamond (nNCD) films as an interlayer. The FEE properties of hBNNWs-nNCD heterostructures show a low turn-on field of 15.2 V/mum, a high FEE current density of 1.48 mA/cm(2) and life-time up to a period of 248 min. These values are far superior to those for hBNNWs grown on Si substrates without the nNCD interlayer, which have a turn-on field of 46.6 V/mum with 0.21 mA/cm(2) FEE current density and life-time of 27 min. Cross-sectional TEM investigation reveals that the utilization of the diamond interlayer circumvented the formation of amorphous boron nitride prior to the growth of hexagonal boron nitride. Moreover, incorporation of carbon in hBNNWs improves the conductivity of hBNNWs. Such a unique combination of materials results in efficient electron transport crossing nNCD-to-hBNNWs interface and inside the hBNNWs that results in enhanced field emission of electrons. The prospective application of these materials is manifested by plasma illumination measurements with lower threshold voltage (370 V) and longer life-time, authorizing the role of hBNNWs-nNCD heterostructures in the enhancement of electron emission.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1038/srep29444
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“Large gap electron-hole superfluidity and shape resonances in coupled graphene nanoribbons”. Zarenia M, Perali A, Peeters FM, Neilson D, Scientific reports 6, 24860 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep24860
Abstract: We predict enhanced electron-hole superfluidity in two coupled electron-hole armchair-edge terminated graphene nanoribbons separated by a thin insulating barrier. In contrast to graphene monolayers, the multiple subbands of the nanoribbons are parabolic at low energy with a gap between the conduction and valence bands, and with lifted valley degeneracy. These properties make screening of the electron-hole interaction much weaker than for coupled electron-hole monolayers, thus boosting the pairing strength and enhancing the superfluid properties. The pairing strength is further boosted by the quasi one-dimensional quantum confinement of the carriers, as well as by the large density of states near the bottom of each subband. The latter magnifies superfluid shape resonances caused by the quantum confinement. Several superfluid partial condensates are present for finite-width nanoribbons with multiple subbands. We find that superfluidity is predominately in the strongly-coupled BEC and BCS-BEC crossover regimes, with large superfluid gaps up to 100 meV and beyond. When the gaps exceed the subband spacing, there is significant mixing of the subbands, a rounding of the shape resonances, and a resulting reduction in the one-dimensional nature of the system.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1038/srep24860
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“Moire superlattices at the topological insulator Bi2Te3”. Schouteden K, Li Z, Chen T, Song F, Partoens B, Van Haesendonck C, Park K, Scientific reports 6, 20278 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep20278
Abstract: We report on the observation of complex superlattices at the surface of the topological insulator Bi2Te3. Scanning tunneling microscopy reveals the existence of two different periodic structures in addition to the Bi2Te3 atomic lattice, which is found to strongly affect the local electronic structure. These three different periodicities are interpreted to result from a single small in-plane rotation of the topmost quintuple layer only. Density functional theory calculations support the observed increase in the DOS near the Fermi level, and exclude the possibility that strain is at the origin of the observed Moire pattern. Exploration of Moire superlattices formed by the quintuple layers of topological insulators holds great potential for further tuning of the properties of topological insulators.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 14
DOI: 10.1038/srep20278
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“Unusual dimensionality effects and surface charge density in 2D Mg(OH)2”. Suslu A, Wu K, Sahin H, Chen B, Yang S, Cai H, Aoki T, Horzum S, Kang J, Peeters FM, Tongay S;, Scientific reports 6, 20525 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep20525
Abstract: We present two-dimensional Mg(OH)(2) sheets and their vertical heterojunctions with CVD-MoS2 for the first time as flexible 2D insulators with anomalous lattice vibration and chemical and physical properties. New hydrothermal crystal growth technique enabled isolation of environmentally stable monolayer Mg(OH)(2) sheets. Raman spectroscopy and vibrational calculations reveal that the lattice vibrations of Mg(OH)(2) have fundamentally different signature peaks and dimensionality effects compared to other 2D material systems known to date. Sub-wavelength electron energy-loss spectroscopy measurements and theoretical calculations show that Mg(OH)(2) is a 6 eV direct-gap insulator in 2D, and its optical band gap displays strong band renormalization effects from monolayer to bulk, marking the first experimental confirmation of confinement effects in 2D insulators. Interestingly, 2D-Mg(OH)(2) sheets possess rather strong surface polarization (charge) effects which is in contrast to electrically neutral h-BN materials. Using 2D-Mg(OH)(2) sheets together with CVD-MoS2 in the vertical stacking shows that a strong change transfer occurs from n-doped CVD-MoS2 sheets to Mg(OH)(2), naturally depleting the semiconductor, pushing towards intrinsic doping limit and enhancing overall optical performance of 2D semiconductors. Results not only establish unusual confinement effects in 2D-Mg(OH)(2), but also offer novel 2D-insulating material with unique physical, vibrational, and chemical properties for potential applications in flexible optoelectronics.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 39
DOI: 10.1038/srep20525
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“Mechanism and comparison of needle-type non-thermal direct and indirect atmospheric pressure plasma jets on the degradation of dyes”. Attri P, Yusupov M, Park JH, Lingamdinne LP, Koduru JR, Shiratani M, Choi EH, Bogaerts A, Scientific reports 6, 34419 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep34419
Abstract: Purified water supply for human use, agriculture and industry is the major global priority nowadays. The advanced oxidation process based on atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma (NTP) has been used for purification of wastewater, although the underlying mechanisms of degradation of organic pollutants are still unknown. In this study we employ two needle-type atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma jets, i.e., indirect (ID-APPJ) and direct (D-APPJ) jets operating at Ar feed gas, for the treatment of methylene blue, methyl orange and congo red dyes, for two different times (i.e., 20 min and 30 min). Specifically, we study the decolorization/degradation of all three dyes using the above mentioned plasma sources, by means of UV-Vis spectroscopy, HPLC and a density meter. We also employ mass spectroscopy to verify whether only decolorization or also degradation takes place after treatment of the dyes by the NTP jets. Additionally, we analyze the interaction of OH radicals with all three dyes using reactive molecular dynamics simulations, based on the density functional-tight binding method. This investigation represents the first report on the degradation of these three different dyes by two types of NTP setups, analyzed by various methods, and based on both experimental and computational studies.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 23
DOI: 10.1038/srep34419
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“A comparative study for the inactivation of multidrug resistance bacteria using dielectric barrier discharge and nano-second pulsed plasma”. Hoon Park J, Kumar N, Hoon Park D, Yusupov M, Neyts EC, Verlackt CCW, Bogaerts A, Ho Kang M, Sup Uhm H, Ha Choi E, Attri P;, Scientific reports 5, 13849 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep13849
Abstract: Bacteria can be inactivated through various physical and chemical means, and these have always been the focus of extensive research. To further improve the methodology for these ends, two types of plasma systems were investigated: nano-second pulsed plasma (NPP) as liquid discharge plasma and an Argon gas-feeding dielectric barrier discharge (Ar-DBD) as a form of surface plasma. To understand the sterilizing action of these two different plasma sources, we performed experiments with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria (wild type) and multidrug resistant bacteria (Penicillum-resistant, Methicillin-resistant and Gentamicin-resistant). We observed that both plasma sources can inactivate both the wild type and multidrug-resistant bacteria to a good extent. Moreover, we observed a change in the surface morphology, gene expression and β-lactamase activity. Furthermore, we used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate the variation in functional groups (C-H/C-C, C-OH and C=O) of the peptidoglycan (PG) resulting from exposure to plasma species. To obtain atomic scale insight in the plasma-cell interactions and support our experimental observations, we have performed molecular dynamics simulations to study the effects of plasma species, such as OH, H2O2, O, O3, as well as O2 and H2O, on the dissociation/formation of above mentioned functional groups in PG.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 32
DOI: 10.1038/srep13849
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“Giant paramagnetic Meissner effect in multiband superconductors”. da Silva RM, Milošević, MV, Shanenko AA, Peeters FM, Albino Aguiar J, Scientific reports 5, 12695 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep12695
Abstract: Superconductors, ideally diamagnetic when in the Meissner state, can also exhibit paramagnetic behavior due to trapped magnetic flux. In the absence of pinning such paramagnetic response is weak, and ceases with increasing sample thickness. Here we show that in multiband superconductors paramagnetic response can be observed even in slab geometries, and can be far larger than any previous estimate – even multiply larger than the diamagnetic Meissner response for the same applied magnetic field. We link the appearance of this giant paramagnetic response to the broad crossover between conventional Type-I and Type-II superconductors, where Abrikosov vortices interact non-monotonically and multibody effects become important, causing unique flux configurations and their locking in the presence of surfaces.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 25
DOI: 10.1038/srep12695
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“Damage evaluation in graphene underlying atomic layer deposition dielectrics”. Tang X, Reckinger N, Poncelet O, Louette P, Urena F, Idrissi H, Turner S, Cabosart D, Colomer J-F, Raskin J-P, Hackens B, Francis LA, Scientific reports 5, 13523 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep13523
Abstract: Based on micro-Raman spectroscopy (muRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), we study the structural damage incurred in monolayer (1L) and few-layer (FL) graphene subjected to atomic-layer deposition of HfO2 and Al2O3 upon different oxygen plasma power levels. We evaluate the damage level and the influence of the HfO2 thickness on graphene. The results indicate that in the case of Al2O3/graphene, whether 1L or FL graphene is strongly damaged under our process conditions. For the case of HfO2/graphene, muRS analysis clearly shows that FL graphene is less disordered than 1L graphene. In addition, the damage levels in FL graphene decrease with the number of layers. Moreover, the FL graphene damage is inversely proportional to the thickness of HfO2 film. Particularly, the bottom layer of twisted bilayer (t-2L) has the salient features of 1L graphene. Therefore, FL graphene allows for controlling/limiting the degree of defect during the PE-ALD HfO2 of dielectrics and could be a good starting material for building field effect transistors, sensors, touch screens and solar cells. Besides, the formation of Hf-C bonds may favor growing high-quality and uniform-coverage dielectric. HfO2 could be a suitable high-K gate dielectric with a scaling capability down to sub-5-nm for graphene-based transistors.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 18
DOI: 10.1038/srep13523
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“Stroboscopic phenomena in superconductors with dynamic pinning landscape”. Jelić, ŽL, Milošević, MV, Van de Vondel J, Silhanek AV, Scientific reports 5, 14604 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep14604
Abstract: Introducing artificial pinning centers is a well established strategy to trap quantum vortices and increase the maximal magnetic field and applied electric current that a superconductor can sustain without dissipation. In case of spatially periodic pinning, a clear enhancement of the superconducting critical current arises when commensurability between the vortex configurations and the pinning landscape occurs. With recent achievements in (ultrafast) optics and nanoengineered plasmonics it has become possible to exploit the interaction of light with superconductivity, and create not only spatially periodic imprints on the superconducting condensate, but also temporally periodic ones. Here we show that in the latter case, temporal matching phenomena develop, caused by stroboscopic commensurability between the characteristic frequency of the vortex motion under applied current and the frequency of the dynamic pinning. The matching resonances persist in a broad parameter space, including magnetic field, driving current, or material purity, giving rise to unusual features such as externally variable resistance/impedance and Shapiro steps in current-voltage characteristics. All features are tunable by the frequency of the dynamic pinning landscape. These findings open further exploration avenues for using flashing, spatially engineered, and/or mobile excitations on superconductors, permitting us to achieve advanced functionalities.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 29
DOI: 10.1038/srep14604
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“Phonon limited superconducting correlations in metallic nanograins”. Croitoru MD, Shanenko AA, Vagov A, Milošević, MV, Axt VM, Peeters FM, Scientific reports 5, 16515 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep16515
Abstract: Conventional superconductivity is inevitably suppressed in ultra-small metallic grains for characteristic sizes smaller than the Anderson limit. Experiments have shown that above the Anderson limit the critical temperature may be either enhanced or reduced when decreasing the particle size, depending on the superconducting material. In addition, there is experimental evidence that whether an enhancement or a reduction is found depends on the strength of the electronphonon interaction in the bulk. We reveal how the strength of the e-ph interaction interplays with the quantum-size effect and theoretically obtain the critical temperature of the superconducting nanograins in excellent agreement with experimental data. We demonstrate that strong e-ph scattering smears the peak structure in the electronic density-of-states of a metallic grain and enhances the electron mass, and thereby limits the highest T-c achievable by quantum confinement.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1038/srep16515
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“Spontaneous symmetry breaking in vortex systems with two repulsive lengthscales”. Curran PJ, Desoky WM, Milošević, MV, Chaves A, Laloe J-B, Moodera JS, Bending SJ, Scientific reports 5, 15569 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep15569
Abstract: Scanning Hall probe microscopy (SHPM) has been used to study vortex structures in thin epitaxial films of the superconductor MgB2. Unusual vortex patterns observed in MgB2 single crystals have previously been attributed to a competition between short-range repulsive and long-range attractive vortex-vortex interactions in this two band superconductor; the type 1.5 superconductivity scenario. Our films have much higher levels of disorder than bulk single crystals and therefore both superconducting condensates are expected to be pushed deep into the type 2 regime with purely repulsive vortex interactions. We observe broken symmetry vortex patterns at low fields in all samples after field-cooling from above T-c. These are consistent with those seen in systems with competing repulsions on disparate length scales, and remarkably similar structures are reproduced in dirty two band Ginzburg-Landau calculations, where the simulation parameters have been defined by experimental observations. This suggests that in our dirty MgB2 films, the symmetry of the vortex structures is broken by the presence of vortex repulsions with two different lengthscales, originating from the two distinct superconducting condensates. This represents an entirely new mechanism for spontaneous symmetry breaking in systems of superconducting vortices, with important implications for pinning phenomena and high current density applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1038/srep15569
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“Enhancement of electron-hole superfluidity in double few-layer graphene”. Zarenia M, Perali A, Neilson D, Peeters FM, Scientific reports 4, 7319 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep07319
Abstract: We propose two coupled electron-hole sheets of few-layer graphene as a new nanostructure to observe superfluidity at enhanced densities and enhanced transition temperatures. For ABC stacked few-layer graphene we show that the strongly correlated electron-hole pairing regime is readily accessible experimentally using current technologies. We find for double trilayer and quadlayer graphene sheets spatially separated by a nano-thick hexagonal boron-nitride insulating barrier, that the transition temperature for electron-hole superfluidity can approach temperatures of 40 K.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 38
DOI: 10.1038/srep07319
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“Improving extracellular vesicles visualization: From static to motion”. Reclusa P, Verstraelen P, Taverna S, Gunasekaran M, Pucci M, Pintelon I, Claes N, de Miguel-Pérez D, Alessandro R, Bals S, Kaushal S, Rolfo C, Scientific Reports 10, 6494 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-62920-0
Abstract: In the last decade extracellular vesicles (EVs) have become a hot topic. The findings on EVs content and effects have made them a major field of interest in cancer research. EVs, are able to be internalized through integrins expressed in parental cells, in a tissue specific manner, as a key step of cancer progression and pre-metastatic niche formation. However, this specificity might lead to new opportunities in cancer treatment by using EVs as devices for drug delivery. For future applications of EVs in cancer, improved protocols and methods for EVs isolation and visualization are required. Our group has put efforts on developing a protocol, able to track the EVs for in vivo internalization analysis. We showed, for the first time, the videos of labeled EVs uptake by living lung cancer cells.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.6
Times cited: 25
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62920-0
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“Anti-cancer capacity of plasma-treated PBS: effect of chemical composition on cancer cell cytotoxicity”. Van Boxem W, Van der Paal J, Gorbanev Y, Vanuytsel S, Smits E, Dewilde S, Bogaerts A, Scientific reports 7, 16478 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16758-8
Abstract: We evaluate the anti-cancer capacity of plasma-treated PBS (pPBS), by measuring the concentrations of NO2 − and H2O2 in pPBS, treated with a plasma jet, for different values of gas flow rate, gap and plasma treatment time, as well as the effect of pPBS on cancer cell cytotoxicity, for three different glioblastoma cancer cell lines, at exactly the same plasma treatment conditions. Our experiments reveal that pPBS is cytotoxic for all conditions investigated. A small variation in gap between plasma jet and liquid surface (10 mm vs 15 mm) significantly affects the chemical composition of pPBS and its anti-cancer capacity, attributed to the occurrence of discharges onto the liquid. By correlating the effect of gap, gas flow rate and plasma treatment time on the chemical composition and anti-cancer capacity of pPBS, we may conclude that H2O2 is a more important species for the anti-cancer capacity of pPBS than NO2 −. We also used a 0D model, developed for plasma-liquid interactions, to elucidate the most important mechanisms for the generation of H2O2 and NO2 −. Finally, we found that pPBS might be more suitable for practical applications in a clinical setting than (commonly used) plasma-activated media (PAM), because of its higher stability.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 40
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16758-8
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“Chemical fingerprints of cold physical plasmas &ndash, an experimental and computational study using cysteine as tracer compound”. Lackmann J-W, Wende K, Verlackt C, Golda J, Volzke J, Kogelheide F, Held J, Bekeschus S, Bogaerts A, Schulz-von der Gathen V, Stapelmann K, Scientific reports 8, 7736 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-25937-0
Abstract: Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species released by cold physical plasma are being proposed as effectors in various clinical conditions connected to inflammatory processes. As these plasmas can be tailored in a wide range, models to compare and control their biochemical footprint are desired to infer on the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed effects and to enable the discrimination between different plasma sources. Here, an improved model to trace short-lived reactive species is presented. Using FTIR, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and molecular dynamics computational simulation, covalent modifications of cysteine treated with different plasmas were deciphered and the respective product pattern used to generate a fingerprint of each plasma source. Such, our experimental model allows a fast and reliable grading of the chemical potential of plasmas used for medical purposes. Major reaction products were identified to be cysteine sulfonic acid, cystine, and cysteine fragments. Less abundant products, such as oxidized cystine derivatives or S-nitrosylated cysteines, were unique to different plasma sources or operating conditions. The data collected point at hydroxyl radicals, atomic O, and singlet oxygen as major contributing species that enable an impact on cellular thiol groups when applying cold plasma in vitro or in vivo.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 19
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25937-0
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“Study of an AC dielectric barrier single micro-discharge filament over a water film”. Vanraes P, Nikiforov A, Bogaerts A, Leys C, Scientific reports 8, 10919 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-29189-w
Abstract: In the last decades, AC powered atmospheric dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) in air with a liquid electrode have been proposed as a promising plasma technology with versatile applicability in medicine agriculture and water treatment. The fundamental features of the micro-discharge filaments that make up this type of plasma have, however, not been studied yet in sufficient detail. In order to address this need, we investigated a single DBD micro-discharge filament over a water film in a sphere-to-sphere electrode configuration, by means of ICCD imaging and optical emission spectroscopy. When the water film temporarily acts as the cathode, the plasma duration is remarkably long and shows a clear similarity with a resistive barrier discharge, which we attribute to the resistive nature of the water film and the formation of a cathode fall. As another striking difference to DBD with solid electrodes, a constant glow-like plasma is observed at the water surface during the entire duration of the applied voltage cycle, indicating continuous plasma treatment of the liquid. We propose several elementary mechanisms that might underlie the observed unique behavior, based on the specific features of a water electrode.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 3
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29189-w
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“CAP modifies the structure of a model protein from thermophilic bacteria: mechanisms of CAP-mediated inactivation”. Attri P, Han J, Choi S, Choi EH, Bogaerts A, Lee W, Scientific reports 8, 10218 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-28600-w
Abstract: Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has great potential for sterilization in the food industry, by deactivation of thermophilic bacteria, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Therefore, we investigate here whether CAP is able to denature/modify protein from thermophilic bacteria. We focus on MTH1880 (MTH) from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum as model protein, which we treated with dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma operating in air for 10, 15 and 20 mins. We analysed the structural changes of MTH using circular dichroism, fluorescence and NMR spectroscopy, as well as the thermal and chemical denaturation, upon CAP treatment. Additionally, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to determine the stability, flexibility and solvent accessible surface area (SASA) of both the native and oxidised protein.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28600-w
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“Bacterial inactivation by plasma treated water enhanced by reactive nitrogen species”. Shaw P, Kumar N, Kwak HS, Park JH, Uhm HS, Bogaerts A, Choi EH, Attri P, Scientific reports 8, 11268 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-29549-6
Abstract: There is a growing body of literature that recognizes the importance of plasma treated water (PTW)for inactivation of microorganism. However, very little attention has been paid to the role of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in deactivation of bacteria. The aim of this study is to explore the role of RNS in bacterial killing, and to develop a plasma system with increased sterilization efficiency. To increase the concentration of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in solution, we have used vapor systems (DI water/HNO3 at different wt%) combined with plasma using N2 as working gas. The results show that the addition of the vapor system yields higher RONS contents. Furthermore, PTW produced by N2 + 0.5 wt% HNO3 vapor comprises a large amount of both RNS and ROS, while PTW created by N2 + H2O vapor consists of a large amount of ROS, but much less RNS. Interestingly, we observed more deactivation of E. Coli with PTW created by N2 + 0.5 wt% HNO3 vapor plasma as compared to PTW generated by the other plasma systems. This work provides new insight into the role of RNS along with ROS for deactivation of bacteria.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 17
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29549-6
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