Browsing by Author "Yang, X."

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Open Access
Bifunctional highly fluorescent hollow porous microspheres made of BaMoO4: Pr3+ nanocrystals via a template-free synthesis
(The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2011) Yang, X.; Zhou, Y.; Yu, X.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan; Sun, X. W.
We report a bifunctional hollow porous microsphere composed of single-component BaMoO4 : Pr3+ nanocrystals by a facile template-free synthesis. All the as-synthesized hollow microspheres are well-dispersed with a diameter of 2-4 mu m and the BaMoO4 : Pr3+ nanocrystals measure 30-60 nm in diameter. It is observed that there are a large amount of pores with an average diameter is 17.5 nm in the shell of these BaMoO4 : Pr3+ hollow microspheres, thereby exhibiting a great promise for drug delivery. Meanwhile, the strong, narrow-bandwidth red emission centered at 643 nm from these nanostructures can be efficiently excited from 430 nm to 500 nm. The combination of excellent luminescent properties and a hollow porous nanostructure suggest a great promise in the application of these nanostructures in lighting and displays, and in biomedicine such as targeted drug delivery, integrated imaging, diagnosis, and therapeutics. In addition, the template-free solution synthesis can be applied to the design and fabrication of other functional architectures.
Open Access
A bright cadmium-free, hybrid organic/quantum dot white light-emitting diode
(American Institute of Physics, 2012-12-06) Yang, X.; Divayana, Y.; Zhao, D.; Swee Leck, K.; Lu, F.; Tiam Tan, S.; Putu Abiyasa, A.; Zhao Y.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan; Wei Sun, X.
We report a bright cadmium-free, InP-based quantum dot light-emitting diode (QD-LED) with efficient green emission. A maximum brightness close to 700 cd/m2 together with a relatively low turn-on voltage of 4.5 V has been achieved. With the design of a loosely packed QD layer resulting in the direct contact of poly[N,N′-bis(4-butylphenyl)-N,N′-bis(phenyl) benzidine] (poly-TPD) and 2,2′,2″-(1,3,5-benzinetriyl)-tris(1- phenyl-1-H-benzimidazole) (TPBi) in the device, a ternary complementary white QD-LED consisting of blue component (poly-TPD), green component (QDs), and red component (exciplex formed at the interface between poly-TPD and TPBi) has been demonstrated. The resulting white QD-LED shows an excellent color rendering index of 95.
Open Access
Electroluminescence efficiency enhancement in quantum dot light-emitting diodes by embedding a silver nanoisland layer
(Wiley-VCH Verlag, 2015) Yang, X.; Hernandez-Martinez, P. L.; Dang C.; Mutlugün, E.; Zhang, K.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan; Sun X. W.
A colloidal quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) is reported with substantially enhanced electroluminescence by embedding a thin layer of Ag nanoislands into hole transport layer. The maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 7.1% achieved in the present work is the highest efficiency value reported for green-emitting QLEDs with a similar structure, which corresponds to 46% enhancement compared with the reference device. The relevant mechanisms enabling the EQE enhancement are associated with the near-field enhancement via an effective coupling between excitons of the quantum dot emitters and localized surface plasmons around Ag nano-islands, which are found to lead to good agreement between the simulation results and the experimental data, providing us with a useful insight important for plasmonic QLEDs. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
Open Access
Facile synthesis of luminescent AgInS2–ZnS solid solution nanorods
(Wiley-VCH Verlag, 2013-04-16) Yang, X.; Tang, Y.; Tan S.T.; Bosman, M.; Dong, Z.; Leck K.S.; Ji Y.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan; Sun, X. W.
Highly luminescent semiconducting AgInS2–ZnS solid solution nanorods are successfully prepared by a facile one-pot solvothermal method. The resulting solid solution nanorods with length of 32 ± 5 nm are formed by fast growth of the AgInS2-rich solid solution head, followed by slow growth of the ZnS-rich solid solution tail. Photoluminescence studies on the solid solution nanorods reveal strong photoluminescence with peak emission wavelengths tunable from 650 to 700 nm.
Open Access
Fano resonances in THz metamaterials composed of continuous metallic wires and split ring resonators
(Optical Society of America, 2014) Li, Z.; Cakmakyapan, S.; Butun, B.; Daskalaki, C.; Tzortzakis, S.; Yang, X.; Özbay, Ekmel
We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that Fano resonances can be obtained in terahertz metamaterials that are composed of periodic continuous metallic wires dressed with periodic split ring resonators. An asymmetric Fano lineshape has been found in a narrow frequency range of the transmission curve. By using a transmission line combined with lumped element model, we are able to not only fit the transmission spectra of Fano resonance which is attributed to the coupling and interference between the transmission continuum of continuous metallic wires and the bright resonant mode of split ring resonators, but also reveal the capacitance change of the split ring resonators induced frequency shift of the Fano resonance. Therefore, the proposed theoretical model shows more capabilities than conventional coupled oscillator model in the design of Fano structures. The effective parameters of group refractive index of the Fano structure are retrieved, and a large group index more than 800 is obtained at the Fano resonance, which could be used for slow light devices. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America
Open Access
Full Visible Range Covering InP/ZnS Nanocrystals with High Photometric Performance and Their Application to White Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes
(Wiley-VCH Verlag, 2012-04-30) Yang, X.; Zhao, D.; Leck K.S.; Tan S.T.; Tang, Y. X.; Zhao, J.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan; Sun, X. W.
High-quality InP/ZnS core–shell nanocrystals with luminescence tunable over the entire visible spectrum have been achieved by a facile one-pot solvothermal method. These nanocrystals exhibit high quantum yields (above 60%), wide emission spectrum tunability and excellent photostability. The FWHM can be as narrow as 38 nm, which is close to that of CdSe nanocrystals. Also, making use of these nanocrystals, we further demonstrated a cadmium-free white QD-LED with a high color rendering index of 91. The high-performance of the resulting InP/ZnS NCs coupled with their low intrinsic toxicity may further promote industrial applications of these NC emitters.
Open Access
High-quality InP/ZnS nanocrystals with high photometric performance and their application to white quantum dot light-emitting diodes
(IEEE, 2012) Yang, X.; Tan, S. T.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan; Sun, X. W.
Full visible range covering InP/ZnS core-shell nanocrystals with high photometric performance have been prepared. Making use of these nanocrystals, we demonstrate a white quantum dot LED with a high color rendering index of 91. © 2012 IEEE.
Open Access
High‐resolution MRI of deep‐seated atherosclerotic arteries using motexafin gadolinium
(John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2008) Brushett, C.; Qiu, B.; Atalar, Ergin; Yang, X.
Purpose: To evaluate the potential of using motexafin gadolinium (MGd) to characterize atherosclerotic plaques of deep-seated arteries with MRI. Materials and Methods: We exposed vascular endothelial cells (EC) and smooth muscle cells (SMC) in vitro to varying concentrations of MGd. The fluorescence properties of MGd were then exploited using confocal microscopy to image exposed cells. For an in vivo validation study, we performed surface coil-based and intravascular coil-based high-resolution MRI of the iliac arteries and the abdominal aorta of three atherosclerotic Yucatan pigs. Subsequently, MGd enhancement of the target vessel walls was quantitatively evaluated and MR images were correlated with histology of the target vessels. Results: The in vitro study confirmed the intracellularization of MGd in both cell types and determined the optimum MGd dosage of 0.004 mmol/kg that produced the sufficiently high intracellular fluorescent intensity. The in vivo study showed a steady increase of MGd enhancement to approximately 25% at three hours postinjection of MGd. MRI showed areas of strong enhancement along the lumen boundary, which corresponded to fibrous tissue seen in histology. Conclusion: This study provides initial evidence that MGd may enhance MR vessel wall imaging for the characterization of plaque in deep-seated arteries.
Open Access
Intracoronary MR imaging using a 0.014-inch MR imaging-guidewire: Toward MRI-guided coronary interventions
(John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2008) Qiu, B.; Gao, F.; Karmarkar, P.; Atalar, Ergin; Yang, X.
Purpose: To validate the feasibility of using a newly designed MR imaging-guidewire (MRIG) to guide angioplasty balloon placement in coronary arteries. Materials and Methods: A custom gold/sliver/Nitinol/MP35N-based, 0.014-inch MRIG was manufactured. To test its mechanical performance we used the new MRIG to catheterize the left coronary arteries of three dogs under x-ray fluoroscopy. To further validate the feasibility of using the MRIG to generate intracoronary MR imaging, we positioned the MRIG, along with a dilation-perfusion balloon catheter, into the left coronary arteries of an additional three dogs. Longitudinal and four-chamber views of cine cardiac MR images were obtained using a fast gradient recalled echo (FGRE) sequence (TR/TE/FA = 5.2 msec/1.6 msec/20°, field of view [FOV] = 32 x 32 cm, thickness = 5 mm, space = 2 mm, matrix = 256 x 160, number of excites [NEX] = 0.5, and bandwidth [BW] = 32 kHz). Then three-dimensional (3D) MR coronary angiography of the left coronary arteries was obtained using a last imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) sequence. We subsequently used the MRIG, at a receive-only mode, to generate intracoronary MR images using FGRE (TR/TE/FA = 7.2 msec/3.5 msec/20°, FOV = 18 x 18cm, thickness = 3 mm, space = 0.5 mm, matrix = 256 x 256, NEX = 0.5, and BW = 32 kHz). Results: In all six animals the left main coronary arteries were successfully catheterized. 3D MR imaging displayed left coronary artery branches. Intracoronary MR imaging demonstrated the inflated balloons as a "train track" or a bright, thick ring at different views. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential of using this newly designed gold/silver/Nitinol/MP35N-based, 0.014-inch MRIG to catheterize coronary arteries and, thus, generate intracoronary MR imaging with balloon inflation.
Open Access
Light extraction efficiency enhancement of colloidal quantum dot light-emitting diodes using large-scale nanopillar arrays
(Wiley-VCH Verlag, 2014) Yang, X.; Dev, K.; Wang, J.; Mutlugun, E.; Dang, C.; Zhao Y.; Liu, S.; Tang, Y.; Tan S.T.; Sun, X. W.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan
A colloidal quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) is reported with substantially enhanced light extraction efficiency by applying a layer of large-scale, low-cost, periodic nanopillar arrays. Zinc oxide nanopillars are grown on the glass surface of the substrate using a simple, efficient method of non-wetting templates. With the layer of ZnO nanopillar array as an optical outcoupling medium, a record high current efficiency (CE) of 26.6 cd/A is achieved for QLEDs. Consequently, the corresponding external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 9.34% reaches the highest EQE value for green-emitting QLEDs. Also, the underlying physical mechanisms enabling the enhanced light-extraction are investigated, which leads to an excellent agreement of the numerical results based on the mode theory with the experimental measurements. This study is the first account for QLEDs offering detailed insight into the light extraction efficiency enhancement of QLED devices. The method demonstrated here is intended to be useful not only for opening up a ubiquitous strategy for designing high-performance QLEDs but also with respect to fundamental research on the light extraction in QLEDs.
Open Access
Low-cost, large-scale, ordered ZnO nanopillar arrays for light extraction efficiency enhancement in quantum dot light-emitting diodes
(IEEE, 2014) Yang, X.; Dev, K.; Wang, J.; Mutlugün, E.; Dang, C.; Zhao, Y.; Tan, S. T.; Sun, X. W.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan
We report a QLED with enhanced light outcoupling efficiency by applying a layer of periodic ZnO nanopillar arrays. The resulting QLED reaches the record external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 9.34% in green-emitting QLEDs with a similar device structure.
Open Access
MRI-guided gene therapy
(John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2006-05-22) Yang, X.; Atalar, Ergin
MRI has the ability to generate high-contrast and high-resolution images, to obtain multiple diagnostic evaluations of organ function and morphology, and to provide multiple image planes with no risk of ionizing radiation. Recent efforts have focused on using MR technology to monitor gene delivery, to enhance gene transfection/transduction, and to track gene expression. This review summarizes the current status of MRIguided gene therapy.
Open Access
Near resonant third-order optical nonlinearities of colloidal InP/ZnS quantum dots
(AIP Publishing, 2013) Wang, Y.; Yang, X.; He, T. C.; Gao, Y.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan; Sun, X. W.; Sun, H. D.
We have investigated the third-order optical nonlinearities of high-quality colloidal InP/ZnS core-shell quantum dots (QDs) using Z-scan technique with femtosecond pulses. The two-photon absorption cross-sections as high as 6.2 × 103 GM are observed at 800 nm (non-resonant regime) in InP/ZnS QDs with diameter of 2.8 nm, which is even larger than those of CdSe, CdS, and CdTe QDs at similar sizes. Furthermore, both of the 2.2 nm and 2.8 nm-sized InP/ZnS QDs exhibit strong saturable absorption in near resonant regime, which is attributed to large exciton Bohr radius in this material. These results strongly suggest the promising potential of InP/ZnS QDs for widespread applications, especially in two-photon excited bio-imaging and saturable absorbing.
Open Access
Phased-array MRI of canine prostate using endorectal and endourethral coils
(John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2003) Yung, A. C.; Oner, A. Y.; Serfaty, J-M.; Feneley, M.; Yang, X.; Atalar, Ergin
A four-channel phased array consisting of one surface coil, two endorectal coils, and one flexible endourethral loop coil was designed for MRI of the canine prostate. The endorectal coils provide high signal in the posterior region of the prostate, while the endourethral and surface coils are sensitive to the central and anterior regions of the prostate. Gel phantom experiments indicate that the proposed phased-array configuration generates 15 times more signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) than a combination of two surface coils and one endorectal coil within the posterior region of the prostate; the performance of the two configurations is comparable near the anterior prostate surface. Ultimate intrinsic SNR (UISNR) analysis was used to compare the proposed phased array's performance to the best possible SNR for external coils. This analysis showed that the proposed phased array outperforms the best-case external coil within the posterior and central regions of the prostate by up to 20 times. In canine experiments in vivo, high-resolution fast spin-echo (FSE) images of the prostate were obtained with a pixel size of 230 μm obtained in 3 min 12 s. The proposed phased-array design potentially can be used to increase the accuracy of prostate cancer staging and the feasibility of MR-guided prostate interventions. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Open Access
Plasmon-based photopolymerization: near-field probing, advanced photonic nanostructures and nanophotochemistry
(IOP Publishing, 2014-11-03) Zhou, X.; Soppera, O.; Plain, J.; Jradi, S.; Sun, X. W.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan; Yang, X.; Deeb, C.; Gray, S. K.; Wiederrecht, G. P.; Bachelot, R.
Hybrid nanomaterials are targeted by a rapidly growing group of nanooptics researchers, due to the promise of optical behavior that is difficult or even impossible to create with nanostructures of homogeneous composition. Examples of important areas of interest include coherent coupling, Fano resonances, optical gain, solar energy conversion, photocatalysis, and nonlinear optical interactions. In addition to the coupling interactions, the strong dependence of optical resonances and damping on the size, shape, and composition of the building blocks provides promise that the coupling interactions of hybrid nanomaterials can be controlled and manipulated for a desired outcome. Great challenges remain in reliably synthesizing and characterizing hybrid nanomaterials for nanooptics. In this review, we describe the synthesis, characterization, and applications of hybrid nanomaterials created through plasmon-induced photopolymerization. The work is placed within the broader context of hybrid nanomaterials involving plasmonic metal nanoparticles and molecular materials placed within the length scale of the evanescent field from the metal surface. We specifically review three important applications of free radical photopolymerization to create hybrid nanoparticles: local field probing, photoinduced synthesis of advanced hybrid nanoparticles, and nanophotochemistry.
Open Access
Simultaneous radiofrequency (RF) heating and magnetic resonance (MR) thermal mapping using an intravascular MR imaging/RF heating system
(John Wiley & Sons, 2005-06) Qiu, B.; El-Sharkawy, A.-M.; Paliwal, V.; Karmarkar, P.; Gao, F.; Atalar, Ergin; Yang, X.
Previous studies have confirmed the possibility of using an intravascular MR imaging guidewire (MRIG) as a heating source to enhance vascular gene transfection/expression. This motivated us to develop a new intravascular system that can perform MR imaging, radiofrequncy (RF) heating, and MR temperature monitoring simultaneously in an MR scanner. To validate this concept, a series of mathematical simulations of RF power loss along a 0.032-inch MRIG and RF energy spatial distribution were performed to determine the optimum RF heating frequency. Then, an RF generator/amplifier and a filter box were built. The possibility for simultaneous RF heating and MR thermal mapping of the system was confirmed in vitro using a phantom, and the obtained thermal mapping profile was compared with the simulated RF power distribution. Subsequently, the feasibility of simultaneous RF heating and temperature monitoring was successfully validated in vivo in the aorta of living rabbits. This MR imaging/RF heating system offers a potential tool for intravascular MR-mediated, RF-enhanced vascular gene therapy.
Open Access
Solution Processed Tungsten Oxide Interfacial Layer for Efficient Hole-Injection in Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes
(Wiley-VCH Verlag, 2014) Yang, X.; Mutlugun, E.; Zhao, Y.; Gao, Y.; Leck, K. S.; Ma, Y.; Ke, L.; Tan, S. T.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan; Sun, X. W.
A highly efficient and stable QLED using an inorganic WO3 nanoparticle film as a hole injection layer is demonstrated.The resulting WO3 nanoparticle-based QLEDs also exhibit superior performance compared to that of the present PEDOT:PSS-based QLEDs. The results indicate that WO3 nanoparticles are promising solution-processed buffer layer materials and serve as a strong candidate for QLED technology towards the practical applications in the next-generation lighting and displays. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
Open Access
SSFP-based MR thermometry
(John Wiley & Sons, 2004) Paliwal, V.; El-Sharkawy, A.-M.; Du, X.; Yang, X.; Atalar, Ergin
Of the various techniques employed to quantify temperature changes by MR, proton resonance frequency (PRF) shift-based phase-difference imaging (PDI) is the most accurate and widely used. However, PDI is associated with various artifacts. Motivated by these limitations, we developed a new method to monitor temperature changes by MRI using the balanced steady-state free precession (balanced-SSFP) pulse sequence. Magnitude images obtained with the SSFP pulse sequence were used to find the PRF shift, which is proportional to temperature change. Spatiotemporal temperature maps were successfully reconstructed with this technique in gel phantom experiments and a rabbit model. The results show that the balanced-SSFP-based method is a promising new technique for monitoring temperature.
Open Access
Theoretical and computational analysis of the electrophoretic polymer mobility inversion induced by charge correlations
(American Physical Society, 2023-03-23) Yang, X.; Büyükdağlı, Şahin; Scacchi, A.; Sammalkorpi, M.; Ala-Nissila, T.
Electrophoretic (EP) mobility reversal is commonly observed for strongly charged macromolecules in multivalent salt solutions. This curious effect takes place, e.g., when a charged polymer, such as DNA, adsorbs excess counterions so that the counterion-dressed surface charge reverses its sign, leading to the inversion of the polymer drift driven by an external electric field. In order to characterize this seemingly counterintuitive phenomenon that cannot be captured by electrostatic mean-field theories, we adapt here a previously developed strong-coupling-dressed Poisson-Boltzmann approach to the cylindrical geometry of the polyelectrolyte-salt system. Within the framework of this formalism, we derive an analytical polymer mobility formula dressed by charge correlations. In qualitative agreement with polymer transport experiments, this mobility formula predicts that the increment of the monovalent salt, the decrease of the multivalent counterion valency, and the increase of the dielectric permittivity of the background solvent suppress charge correlations and increase the multivalent bulk counterion concentration required for EP mobility reversal. These results are corroborated by coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations showing how multivalent counterions induce mobility inversion at dilute concentrations and suppress the inversion effect at large concentrations. This re-entrant behavior, previously observed in the aggregation of like-charged polymer solutions, calls for verification by polymer transport experiments.
Open Access
Transition metal oxides on organic semiconductors
(Elsevier BV, 2014-04) Zhao Y.; Zhang, J.; Liu, S.; Gao, Y.; Yang, X.; Leck K.S.; Abiyasa, A. P.; Divayana, Y.; Mutlugun, E.; Tan S.T.; Xiong, Q.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan; Sun, X. W.
Transition metal oxides (TMOs) on organic semiconductors (OSs) structure has been widely used in inverted organic optoelectronic devices, including inverted organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and inverted organic solar cells (OSCs), which can improve the stability of such devices as a result of improved protection of air sensitive cathode. However, most of these reports are focused on the anode modification effect of TMO and the nature of TMO-on-OS is not fully understood. Here we show that the OS on TMO forms a two-layer structure, where the interface mixing is minimized, while for TMO-on-OS, due to the obvious diffusion of TMO into the OS, a doping-layer structure is formed. This is evidenced by a series of optical and electrical studies. By studying the TMO diffusion depth in different OS, we found that this process is governed by the thermal property of the OS. The TMO tends to diffuse deeper into the OS with a lower evaporation temperature. It is shown that the TMO can diffuse more than 20 nm into the OS, depending on the thermal property of the OS. We also show that the TMO-on-OS structure can replace the commonly used OS with TMO doping structure, which is a big step toward in simplifying the fabrication process of the organic optoelectronic devices. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.