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Oriented attachment of synthetic semiconductor nanocrystals is emerging as a route for obtaining new semiconductors that can have Dirac-type electronic bands such as graphene, but also strong spin-orbit coupling. The two-dimensional (2D) assembly geometry will require both atomic coherence and long-range periodicity of the superlattices. We show how the interfacial self-assembly and oriented attachment of nanocrystals results in 2D metal chalcogenide semiconductors with a honeycomb superlattice. We present an extensive atomic and nanoscale characterization of these systems using direct imaging and wave scattering methods. The honeycomb superlattices are atomically coherent and have an octahedral symmetry that is buckled; the nanocrystals occupy two parallel planes. Considerable necking and large-scale atomic motion occurred during the attachment process.

Honeycomb structures are one type of structure that has the geometry of a honeycomb to allow the minimization of the amount of used material to reach minimal material cost and minimal weight. In this regard, this article deals with the frequency analysis of imperfect honeycomb core sandwich disk with multi-scale hybrid nanocomposite (MHC) face sheets. The honeycomb core is made of aluminum due to its low weight and high stiffness. The rule of the mixture and modified Halpin–Tsai model are engaged to provide the effective material constant of the composite layers. By employing Hamilton’s principle, the governing equations of the structure are derived and solved with the aid of the generalized differential quadrature method. Afterward, a parametric study is carried out to investigate the effects of the thickness to length ratio of the honeycomb core, honeycomb core thickness to inner radius ratio, value fraction of carbon fibers, radius ration of the disk, the angle of honeycomb network, the weight fraction of CNTs, and tensile and compressive in-plane force on the frequency of the sandwich disk with honeycomb core and MHC. The results show that the critical fiber angle is θf/π= 0.5 for C–C and C–S boundary conditions. Another consequence is that when the structure is fixed with S–S boundary conditions, for p= 500 and p=1000, as well as the critical dimensionless angle for fibers is 0.5, there are two more range for critical fiber angle in which they are 0.275≤θf/π≤0.375 and 0.23≤θf/π≤0.39, respectively. Additionally, the range of the critical dimensionless angle for fibers increases by increasing the applied load. Some new results related to dynamic behavior of an MHC are also presented, which can serve as benchmark solutions for future investigations.

HighlightsMIL-88C (Fe) with varying aspect ratios as a precursor was synthesized by regulating oil bath conditions, followed by one-step thermal decomposition to obtain carbon-coated iron-based composites.High-efficiency microwave absorption properties were achieved with RLmin value of -67.4 dB (2.13 mm) and wide effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 5.52 GHz (1.90 mm) under the low filler loading.A symmetric gradient honeycomb structure was constructed utilizing the high-frequency structure simulator, achieving an EAB of 14.6 GHz and a RLmin of -59.0 dB.The impedance matching of absorbers is a vital factor affecting their microwave absorption (MA) properties. In this work, we controllably synthesized Material of Institute Lavoisier 88C (MIL-88C) with varying aspect ratios (AR) as a precursor by regulating oil bath conditions, followed by one-step thermal decomposition to obtain carbon-coated iron-based composites. Modifying the precursor MIL-88C (Fe) preparation conditions, such as the molar ratio between metal ions and organic ligands (M/O), oil bath temperature, and oil bath time, influenced the phases, graphitization degree, and AR of the derivatives, enabling low filler loading, achieving well-matched impedance, and ensuring outstanding MA properties. The MOF-derivatives 2 (MD2)/polyvinylidene Difluoride (PVDF), MD3/PVDF, and MD4/PVDF absorbers all exhibited excellent MA properties with optimal filler loadings below 20 wt% and as low as 5 wt%. The MD2/PVDF (5 wt%) achieved a maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 5.52 GHz (1.90 mm). The MD3/PVDF (10 wt%) possessed a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) value of − 67.4 at 12.56 GHz (2.13 mm). A symmetric gradient honeycomb structure (SGHS) was constructed utilizing the high-frequency structure simulator (HFSS) to further extend the EAB, achieving an EAB of 14.6 GHz and a RLmin of − 59.0 dB. This research offers a viable inspiration to creating structures or materials with high-efficiency MA properties.

Honeycomb structures have the geometry of the lattice network to allow the minimization of the amount of used material to reach minimal material cost and minimal weight. In this regard, this article deals with the frequency analysis of imperfect honeycomb core sandwich disk with multiscale hybrid nanocomposite (MHC) face sheets rested on an elastic foundation. The honeycomb core is made of aluminum due to its low weight and high stiffness. The rule of the mixture and modified Halpin–Tsai model are engaged to provide the effective material constant of the composite layers. By employing Hamilton’s principle, the governing equations of the structure are derived and solved with the aid of the generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM). Afterward, a parametric study is done to present the effects of the orientation of fibers (θf/π) in the epoxy matrix, Winkler–Pasternak constants (Kw and Kp), thickness to length ratio of the honeycomb network (th/lh), the weight fraction of CNTs, value fraction of carbon fibers, angle of honeycomb networks, and inner to outer radius ratio on the frequency of the sandwich disk. The results show that it is true that the roles of Kw and Kp are the same as an enhancement, but the impact of Kw could be much more considerable than the effect of Kp on the stability of the structure. Additionally, when the angle of the fibers is close to the horizon, the frequency of the system improves.

The honeycomb sandwich structure is widely used in energy-absorbing facilities because it is lightweight, has a high specific stiffness and high specific strength, and is easy to process. It also has dynamic mechanical characteristics such as a high impact resistance and high energy absorption. To explore the influence of the Poisson’s ratio on the local impact resistance, this paper compares and analyzes the local impact resistance of a series of honeycomb cores with different Poisson’s ratios under the impact of a spherical projectile at different speeds. Three typical honeycombs with negative/zero/positive Poisson ratios (re-entrant hexagon, semi-re-entrant hexagon, and hexagon) are selected to change the geometric parameters in order to have the same relative density and different Poisson ratios (−2.76–3.63). The relative magnitude of the rear face sheet displacement is in the order of negative Poisson’s ratio > zero Poisson’s ratio > positive Poisson’s ratio, which reveals that the honeycomb structure with the positive Poisson’s ratio has better protection ability than the others. Finally, a dual-wall hexagonal honeycomb is proposed. The rear face sheet displacement of the dual-wall hexagonal honeycomb sandwich structure is reduced by 34.4% at 25 m/s compared with the hexagonal honeycomb, which has a better local impact resistance.

Quantum spin liquids (QSLs) are topological states of matter exhibiting remarkable properties such as the capacity to protect quantum information from decoherence. Whereas their featureless ground states have precluded their straightforward experimental identification, excited states are more revealing and particularly interesting owing to the emergence of fundamentally new excitations such as Majorana fermions. Ideal probes of these excitations are inelastic neutron scattering experiments. These we report here for a ruthenium-based material, α-RuCl 3 , continuing a major search (so far concentrated on iridium materials) for realizations of the celebrated Kitaev honeycomb topological QSL. Our measurements confirm the requisite strong spin–orbit coupling and low-temperature magnetic order matching predictions proximate to the QSL. We find stacking faults, inherent to the highly two-dimensional nature of the material, resolve an outstanding puzzle. Crucially, dynamical response measurements above interlayer energy scales are naturally accounted for in terms of deconfinement physics expected for QSLs. Comparing these with recent dynamical calculations involving gauge flux excitations and Majorana fermions of the pure Kitaev model, we propose the excitation spectrum of α-RuCl 3 as a prime candidate for fractionalized Kitaev physics. Inelastic neutron scattering characterization shows that α-RuCl 3 is close to an experimental realization of a Kitaev quantum spin liquid on a honeycomb lattice. The collective excitations provide evidence for deconfined Majorana fermions.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the behavior of negative stiffness beams when arranged in a honeycomb configuration and to compare the energy absorption capacity of these negative stiffness honeycombs with regular honeycombs of equivalent relative densities. Design/methodology/approach – A negative stiffness honeycomb is fabricated in nylon 11 using selective laser sintering. Its force-displacement behavior is simulated with finite element analysis and experimentally evaluated under quasi-static displacement loading. Similarly, a hexagonal honeycomb of equivalent relative density is also fabricated and tested. The energy absorbed for both specimens is computed from the resulting force-displacement curves. The beam geometry of the negative stiffness honeycomb is optimized for maximum energy absorption per unit mass of material. Findings – Negative stiffness honeycombs exhibit relatively large positive stiffness, followed by a region of plateau stress as the cell walls buckle, similar to regular hexagonal honeycombs, but unlike regular honeycombs, they demonstrate full recovery after compression. Representative specimens are found to absorb about 65 per cent of the energy incident on them. Optimizing the negative stiffness beam geometry can result in energy-absorbing capacities comparable to regular honeycombs of similar relative densities. Research limitations/implications – The honeycombs were subject to quasi-static displacement loading. To study shock isolation under impact loads, force-controlled loading is desirable. However, the energy absorption performance of the negative stiffness honeycombs is expected to improve under force-controlled conditions. Additional experimentation is needed to investigate the rate sensitivity of the force-displacement behavior of the negative stiffness honeycombs, and specimens with various geometries should be investigated. Originality/value – The findings of this study indicate that recoverable energy absorption is possible using negative stiffness honeycombs without sacrificing the high energy-absorbing capacity of regular honeycombs. The honeycombs can find usefulness in a number of unique applications requiring recoverable shock isolation, such as bumpers, helmets and other personal protection devices. A patent application has been filed for the negative stiffness honeycomb design.

The purpose of this research was to improve the safety and performance by reducing the weight of the on-road vehicles with the utilization of reinforced sandwich composite material in automotive doors and panels. By this research conducted, the vehicle guarantees safety, since the dominant force works on bumpers and doors at the moment of impact and the possibility that sandwich panels will be put within the passenger seat, meaning that the safety of the user will be improved and the impact will be maximized. From the results, mechanical vibrations frequencies of Nomex, polyurethane and polypropylene honeycomb core structures showed 10% deviation when compared with the experimental results. With the implementation of the proposed sandwich panel in various automotive components, the vehicle weight will gradually be reduced, which ensures that the vehicles performance improves naturally.

Artificial honeycomb lattices offer a tunable platform for studying massless Dirac quasiparticles, and their topological and correlated phases. Artificial honeycomb lattices offer a tunable platform for studying massless Dirac quasiparticles and their topological and correlated phases. Here we review recent progress in the design and fabrication of such synthetic structures focusing on nanopatterning of two-dimensional electron gases in semiconductors, molecule-by-molecule assembly by scanning probe methods and optical trapping of ultracold atoms in crystals of light. We also discuss photonic crystals with Dirac cone dispersion and topologically protected edge states. We emphasize how the interplay between single-particle band-structure engineering and cooperative effects leads to spectacular manifestations in tunnelling and optical spectroscopies.

We compute the optical conductivity of 2D honeycomb crystals beyond the usual Dirac-cone approximation. The calculations are mainly based on the independent-quasiparticle approximation of the complex dielectric function for optical interband transitions. The full band structures are taken into account. In the case of silicene, the influence of excitonic effects is also studied. Special care is taken to derive converged spectra with respect to the number of k points in the Brillouin zone and the number of bands. In this way both the real and imaginary parts of the optical conductivity are correctly described for small and large frequencies. The results are applied to predict the optical properties reflection, transmission and absorption in a wide range of photon energies. They are discussed in the light of the available experimental data.