Publications
Anomalous Inferred Viscosity and Normal Density Near the 3 He Tc in a Torsion Pendulum
Precise measurements of the dissipation and resonant frequency of a torsion pendulum reveal an anomaly in the inferred viscosity and normal density of liquid 3He near the superfluid transition. We present an argument that the anomaly originates in the large viscosity and large viscosity change of the normal component in the torsion tube in the vicinity of the superfluid transition. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Characterization of a small-scale prototype detector with wide dynamic range for time-resolved high-energy X-ray applications
We present characterization measurements of a fast-framing, wide-dynamic-range x-ray area detector intended for high-energy applications (≥20-keV photons). The MM-PAD-2.1 combines an integrating pixel front-end with a charge-removal mechanism to extend the maximum measurable signal to >107 20-keV ph/pixel/frame. The charge-removal mechanism is dead-time-less (i.e., incoming signal continues to be integrated by the front-end while charge removal is taking place) up to an incoming photon rate of >109 20-keV ph/pix/s.
Depth-dependent patterns in shear modulus of temporomandibular joint cartilage correspond to tissue structure and anatomic location
To fully understand TMJ cartilage degeneration and appropriate repair mechanisms, it is critical to understand the native structure-mechanics relationships of TMJ cartilage and any local variation that may occur in the tissue. Here, we used confocal elastography and digital image correlation to measure the depth-dependent shear properties as well as the structural properties of TMJ cartilage at different anatomic locations on the condyle to identify depth-dependent changes in shear mechanics and structure.
Emerging materials for spin–charge interconversion
Learning without loss
We explore a new approach for training neural networks where all loss functions are replaced by hard constraints. The same approach is very successful in phase retrieval, where signals are reconstructed from magnitude constraints and general characteristics (sparsity, support, etc.). Instead of taking gradient steps, the optimizer in the constraint based approach, called relaxed–reflect–reflect (RRR), derives its steps from projections to local constraints.
Accurate energies of transition metal atoms, ions, and monoxides using selected configuration interaction and density-based basis-set corrections
The semistochastic heat-bath configuration interaction method is a selected configuration interaction plus perturbation theory method that has provided near-full configuration interaction (FCI) levels of accuracy for many systems with both single- and multi-reference character. However, obtaining accurate energies in the complete basis-set limit is hindered by the slow convergence of the FCI energy with respect to basis size.
Excitons and emergent quantum phenomena in stacked 2D semiconductors
The design and control of material interfaces is a foundational approach to realize technologically useful effects and engineer material properties. This is especially true for two-dimensional (2D) materials, where van der Waals stacking allows disparate materials to be freely stacked together to form highly customizable interfaces. This has underpinned a recent wave of discoveries based on excitons in stacked double layers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), the archetypal family of 2D semiconductors.
Human neural tube morphogenesis in vitro by geometric constraints
Understanding human organ formation is a scientific challenge with far-reaching medical implications1,2. Three-dimensional stem-cell cultures have provided insights into human cell differentiation3,4. However, current approaches use scaffold-free stem-cell aggregates, which develop non-reproducible tissue shapes and variable cell-fate patterns. This limits their capacity to recapitulate organ formation. Here we present a chip-based culture system that enables self-organization of micropatterned stem cells into precise three-dimensional cell-fate patterns and organ shapes.
Atomic-scale visualization of electronic fluid flow
The most essential characteristic of any fluid is the velocity field, and this is particularly true for macroscopic quantum fluids1. Although rapid advances2–7 have occurred in quantum fluid velocity field imaging8, the velocity field of a charged superfluid—a superconductor—has never been visualized. Here we use superconducting-tip scanning tunnelling microscopy9–11 to image the electron-pair density and velocity fields of the flowing electron-pair fluid in superconducting NbSe2.
High-resolution single-particle cryo-EM of samples vitrified in boiling nitrogen
Based on work by Dubochet and others in the 1980s and 1990s, samples for single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) have been vitrified using ethane, propane or ethane/propane mixtures. These liquid cryogens have a large difference between their melting and boiling temperatures and so can absorb substantial heat without formation of an insulating vapor layer adjacent to a cooling sample.