Abstract: The crystallization behavior of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and PET/Thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) composites was analyzed under nonisothermal conditions using calorimetric kinetic data, with thermodynamic parameters derived from the Lauritzen–Hoffman (L-H) model. The crystal growth process, dominated by secondary nucleation, deviates from simple spherulitic radial growth, instead reflecting a complex interplay of nucleation and lamellar growth phenomena. The temperature dependence of the linear crystal growth rate (G) follows a biexponential form as per the L-H relation, integrating both segmental transport and thermodynamic driving forces. Through kinetic modelling, values of nucleation constants (Kg), pre-exponential growth factors (G0), and surface free energies (σ and σe) were obtained.The analysis confirmed crystallization in Regime II across all compositions and temperatures studied (195–210°C), characterized by a chain-folding mechanism where growth occurs on pre-existing crystalline substrates. The substrate length (L), estimated via the Lauritzen Z test, increases with TLCP content and crystallization temperature,indicating enhanced nucleation and hindered chain folding in composites. PET/TLCP blends exhibited higher fold surface energy and work of chain folding compared to neat PET, revealing the inhibitory effect of TLCP on PET crystallization kinetics. These findings offer a comprehensive understanding of the crystallization regime transitions and underlying thermodynamics in PET/TLCP systems.

Abstract: Significant research efforts have recently focused on nanomaterial processing for gas sensors and related sensing applications. However, the major challenges in the field involve the choice of material for the sensing layer of the sensor device element together with the right structure, assembly, and morphology through which the full sensing properties of the material can be realised. Herein, we critically review the hierarchical nanostructures of V₂O₅ nanomaterial for application in gas sensing technology. Beyond the sheet structure which serves as the fundamental building block of the V2O5’smolecular arrangement, Nanostructures ranging from nanobelts to nanowires, nanorods, nanoribbons, nanofibers, nanotubes, and thin films were discovered as preferred configuration and thermodynamically favorable structures – according to many synthesis processes. Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) gases were identified as preferred molecules commonly detected by various V₂O₅ morphologies, with the nanotube structure showing preferential sensitivity and selectivity to C₂H₅OH. We also discuss perspectives from density functional theory (DFT) studies of V₂O₅ nanostructures and other (2D) materials structures for gas sensing applications. The studies highlight enhanced adsorption energy, increase conductivity, and band gap variation as a result of an upper shift in Fermi level, all as consequence of surface interaction between semiconductor crystal orientation and chemical molecules. Finally, our calculations of the optimised parameters for α-V₂O₅ orthorhombic structure showed good agreement with experimental and other theoretical data in the literature. The adsorption energy profile for NO₂ molecules revealed that Ag-doped surface exhibits the most negative adsorption energy compared with the clean surface and other doped surfaces.

Abstract: In this work, a deterministic charge–lattice–based model is presented to explain the origin of the photon, its invariant propagation speed, and its zero rest mass. In contemporary physics, the photon is commonly interpreted through field-based descriptions or the framework of wave–particle duality [1]. However, such approaches do not provide a clear mechanical explanation for the absence of rest mass in the photon, nor do they offer a physical origin for the universal constancy of the speed of light, which is typically treated as a postulate [2]. Within the proposed framework, all physical structures emerge from the lattice organization of only two fundamental entities: positive charge units (+) and negative charge units (−). Mass is not regarded as a fundamental property, but rather as an emergent consequence of binding between positive and negative charge units. The photon is described as a pure positive-charge excitation in which negative charge units are entirely absent. As a result, no binding energy is generated, leading naturally to zero rest mass. Photon propagation is not attributed to wave-like behavior or field oscillations, but instead arises from deterministic motion governed by a universal charge-lattice attraction. Consequently, the speed of the photon is independent of the motion of the source or observer and is fixed by the global structure of the charge lattice itself. In this view, the constancy of the speed of light is not an imposed assumption, but a direct physical outcome of charge-lattice dynamics. This model eliminates the need for wave–particle duality, spacetime curvature, and probabilistic in- terpretations in describing photon behavior, and provides a coherent, mechanical, and testable foundation for understanding light, mass, and motion.

Abstract: Deposition of amorphous B (a-B) onto Si substrates via chemical decomposition of B2H6 molecules produces a-B/Si heterojunctions which are the core parts of photodetectors used in vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and potentially in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithog-raphy. However, fundamental questions regarding the limit on the thickness of the de-posited a-B thin-films and the intrinsic electronic nature of the B atoms adjacent to the Si substrate remain unanswered. Here we investigated the local structural and electronic properties of atomic-thin amorphous boron (a-B) layers at the Si{001} substrates using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) techniques. The investigation revealed a rich variety of local chemical bonding and consequently interfacial electronic properties. For thin a-B layer(s)/Si systems, most of the a-B atoms at the interface formed (-B-Si-B-Si-) chains on the Si{001} surface, occupying the positions of the missing Si atoms and strongly hy-bridizing with the nearby Si atoms. Localized defect states at the Fermi level for the in-terfacial Si and B atoms were found in the pseudo-gap. These states have a major influ-ence on the electrical properties of the device. The predicted minimum thickness of the a-B films is 1nm, a useful metric for the manufacturing of a-B/Si devices. The information obtained here further helps understanding the working mechanisms of a-B/Si interfaces for photon detection, and constructing new core devices for potential applications in the field of metal/semiconductor heterojunctions for photodetection, photovoltaics, Schottky diodes and semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Analytical descriptions of transdermal drug delivery (TDD) commonly model deeper skin layers using ideal sink assumptions or phenomenological interfacial resistances. While mathematically convenient, such approaches obscure the physical role of the dermis and hypodermis in regulating molecular transport. Here, we develop an analytical impedance-based model for diffusion across multilayer skin membranes, in which the epidermal barrier is dynamically coupled to a finite diffusive backing layer representing the dermis–hypodermis composite. The influence of deeper layers is expressed through diffusion impedance, linking transport conductivity, storage capacity, and layer thickness, while enforcing continuity of concentration and diffusive flux at all internal interfaces. Closed-form analytical expressions are derived in the Laplace domain for concentration fields and interfacial fluxes, and the cumulative drug amount transmitted across the epidermal barrier is evaluated in the time domain via inverse Laplace transformation. The model distinguishes short- and long-time transport regimes. Analysis demonstrates that commonly used Dirichlet and Robin formulations arise as limiting cases but fail to capture regime-dependent backing-layer effects. By replacing ad hoc boundary conditions with a physically grounded impedance description, the proposed approach provides a unified and extensible basis for analyzing impedance-controlled transdermal transport, including extensions to anomalous and memory-dependent diffusion.

Abstract: This paper presents the design and validation of an enhanced clock architecture for White Rabbit Switches, addressing the growing need for ultra-precise synchronization in distributed systems. The White Rabbit protocol enables sub-nanosecond timing alignment and deterministic data transmission over optical fiber networks, making it a cornerstone for applications in high-energy physics, telecommunications, and industrial automation. Achieving this level of precision depends critically on the stability and integrity of the clock distribution system. To meet these requirements, the proposed architecture introduces a redundant oscillator subsystem that integrates two independent clock paths: one based on high-stability crystal oscillators and another on voltage-controlled oscillators. This dual-path design provides automatic failover capability, ensuring continuous operation under fault conditions. By directly generating the 125 MHz and 124.992 MHz signals required by the White Rabbit protocol, the system eliminates intermediate frequency synthesis stages, significantly reducing phase noise and jitter. The design process incorporates advanced signal and power integrity simulations to optimize Printed Circuit Board layout, impedance control, and power distribution network performance. These simulations confirm that the proposed architecture achieves low-jitter operation while maintaining compatibility with existing White Rabbit infrastructure. Detailed jitter analysis demonstrates substantial improvements in synchronization reliability, paving the way for robust deployment in large-scale scientific and industrial networks.

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a novel design model for an inertial switch that utilizes metal droplets as the sensing element. The overall device model comprises three components: the substrate layer, the functional structure layer, and the cover layer, along with the liquid metal. The metal droplets within the liquid storage tank are drawn towards the fixed electrode due to inertial forces. When the acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold, the metal droplet covers the fixed electrode, closing the switch and allowing current to flow through the external circuit. Conversely, when the acceleration load is removed, the metal droplet retracts to the liquid storage tank, disconnecting the fixed electrode. This design is characterized by its simplicity, low manufacturing cost, and stable dynamic response. To evaluate the threshold acceleration of the inertial switch, we developed a threshold evaluation equation through theoretical analysis and successfully fabricated an experimental prototype. Test results indicate that the threshold acceleration of the fabricated inertial switch is 0.76g, with a response time of 21 ms and a contact time of 10 ms. The overload test indicates that the device has excellent overload impact resistance and stable dynamic contact. Compared to traditional mechanical contact-type inertial switches, this research not only presents a new scheme for low-threshold inertial switches with a simple structure and low manufacturing cost, but also introduces the concept of deformable liquid metal electrodes into the field of inertial sensing for the first time, opening up a new technical path for applications such as consumer electronics and the Internet of Things that require low power consumption for triggering.

Abstract: The efficiency of the photomechanical effect in thin films of three azobenzene-based polymers PDR1A, PDR13A, and PMMA-co-PDR1A was determined using a cantilever-based sensor. The polymers were coated onto silicon and mica cantilevers, and the resulting cantilever bending under irradiation with visible light was measured to estimate changes in surface stress, photomechanical energy transduction per unit volume, and overall photomechanical efficiency. The photomechanical response was shown to be robust, repeatable, and quantifiable for all the polymers studied, even when the active polymer layer was much thinner than the cantilever substrate. Among the materials tested, PDR1A generated the largest forces, while PMMA-co-PDR1A exhibited the highest efficiency. For 35-µm-thick mica cantilevers coated with PDR1A, photoisomerization induced rapid and significant cantilever bending in the range of 100s of µm, corresponding to surface stress changes in the range of N/m. These results demonstrate the ability of thin azobenzene polymer films to function as strong, light-driven ‘artificial muscles’ in larger mechanical systems, and highlight the cantilever sensor platform as a powerful tool for the quantitative characterization of photomechanical effects in azo dye-based polymers.

Abstract: Direct-current (DC) electrokinetics in microfluidic channels is inherently affected by Faradaic reactions at the electrode–electrolyte interfaces, which induce local changes in pH and conductivity and, consequently, alter particle behavior. In this work, we present a simple microfluidic T-junction device designed to mitigate these effects by continuously flushing the regions near the electrodes with fresh electrolyte, thereby preserving the physicochemical properties of the main channel. Using fluorescence imaging with a pH-sensitive dye and electrical resistance measurements, we demonstrate that electrolyte acidification caused by water electrolysis can be effectively suppressed when advection overcomes electromigration of H⁺ ions. Order-of-magnitude estimates based on ion transport reveal that this condition is achieved when the flow velocity exceeds the characteristic electromigration velocity. We further investigate the effect of Faradaic reactions on cross-stream particle migration in electrophoresis experiments by quantifying the separation between suspended particles and the channel walls. We find that the particle–wall separation is significantly larger when electrolyte modifications are suppressed, clearly demonstrating the influence of Faradaic reactions on this phenomenon. Our results show that minimizing electrolyte modifications leads to a significantly enhanced particle-wall separation, highlighting the strong influence of Faradaic reactions on electrokinetic outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of controlling electrochemical effects in DC electrokinetics and provide a simple and robust strategy to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of microfluidic electrophoresis experiments.

Abstract: Sub-terahertz (sub-THz) frequencies are at the spotlight in the undergoing development of sixth-generation (6G) wireless communication systems, offering ultra-high data rates and low latency for rapidly emerging applications. However, employment of sub-THz frequencies introduces strict propagation challenges, including free-space path loss and atmospheric absorption, which limit coverage and reliability. To address these issues, highly directional links are required. The conventional beam shaping solutions such as refractive lenses and parabolic mirrors are bulky, heavy, and costly, making them less attractive for compact systems. Diffractive optical elements (DOEs) offer a promising alternative by enabling precise wavefront control through phase modulation, resulting in thin, lightweight components with high focusing efficiency. Employing the fused deposition modelling (FDM) using high impact polystyrene (HIPS), allows cost-effective fabrication of DOEs with minimal material waste and high diffraction efficiency. This work investigates the beam-shaping performance of the FDM-printed structures comparing DOEs and spherical refraction-based structures, wherein both are aiming for application in sub-THz communication systems. DOEs exhibit clear advantages over classically employed solutions.

Abstract: After approximately 60 years of service the 2856 MHz LINAC injector, of the Canadian Light Source (CLS), has been retired to make space for a new 3000.24 MHz LINAC injector, the frequency of which is a multiple of the 500.04 MHz CESR-B type superconductive radio frequency cavity used in the CLS storage ring. The new CLS LINAC injector has been designed and built by RI Research Instruments GmbH. The design is based on their robust S-band RF traveling wave accelerating structures technology, already serving other laboratories in the USA, Australia, Taiwan, Switzerland, and Sweden. In order to reduce cost and optimize space, the CLS has replaced its six accelerating RF structures, each 3.05 meters long, delivering 250 MeV electron beam with three 5.26 m long accelerating structures that will deliver the same beam energy. In order to do so, one RF structure is powered by one modulator-klystron and the last two RF structures receive their RF power from a second modulator-klystron that passes through a SLED system. The SLED system multiplies the peak power by a factor 5 to 6 and is then equally split to power each structure. We are reporting on the issues encountered during the commissioning of this new injector, on how we have tackled them and where the injector, compared to its technical specification, is standing today.

Abstract: This study presents two-dimensional numerical simulations of acoustic wave scattering involving a simplified human body model placed inside an enclosed cabin. The simulations utilise the µ-diff backscattering algorithm in MATLAB, which is suitable for model-ling frequency-domain interactions with multiple scatterers under penetrable boundary conditions. The body is represented as a cluster of penetrable, tangent circular cylinders with acoustic properties mimicking muscle, fat, bone, and clothing layers. Hidden PVC cylinders are embedded to simulate concealed objects. Several configurations were examined, varying the number of PVC inclusions (two to four), the frequency range, and the presence of an absorbing cabin wall. Sound pressure level (SPL) distributions around the body and at a 1-meter distance were analysed. Polar plots reveal distinct differences between the baseline body model and those incorporating PVC inclusions. The most pronounced effects occur near 160 Hz when an absorbing wall is present within the acoustic enclosure. The presence of an absorbing wall modifies wave behaviour, producing enhanced directional attenuation. The results demonstrate how object composition, spatial arrangement, and enclosure geometry influence acoustic backscattered fields. These findings highlight the potential of wave-based numerical modelling for detecting concealed items on the human body in confined acoustic environments, supporting the development of non-invasive security screening technologies. This work presents the first study addressing the 2D simulation of multiple acoustic waves scattering by a human body model within an acoustically enclosed environment for detecting hidden items on the human body.

Abstract: The Clausius–Mossotti (CM) factor underpins the theoretical description of dielectrophoresis (DEP) and is widely used in micro- and nano-scale systems for frequency-dependent particle and cell manipulation. It has further been proposed as an “electrophysiology Rosetta Stone”, capable of linking DEP spectra to intrinsic cellular electrical properties. In this paper, the mathematical foundations and interpretive limits of this proposal are critically examined. By analysing contrast factors derived from Laplace’s equation across multiple physical domains, it is shown that the CM functional form is a universal consequence of geometry, material contrast, and boundary conditions in linear Laplacian fields, rather than a feature unique to biological systems. Key modelling assumptions relevant to DEP are reassessed. Deviations from spherical symmetry lead naturally to tensorial contrast factors through geometry-dependent depolarisation coefficients. Complex, frequency-dependent CM factors and associated relaxation times are shown to arise inevitably from the coexistence of dissipative and storage mechanisms under time-varying forcing, independent of particle composition. Membrane surface charge influences DEP response through modified interfacial boundary conditions and effective transport parameters, rather than by introducing an independent driving mechanism. These results indicate that DEP spectra primarily reflect boundary-controlled field–particle coupling. From an inverse-problem perspective, this places fundamental constraints on parameter identifiability in DEP-based characterisation. The CM factor remains a powerful and general modelling tool for micromachines and microfluidic systems, but its interpretive scope must be understood within the limits imposed by Laplacian field theory.

Abstract: We introduce SORT-COSMO, the cosmology application module of the Supra-Omega Resonance Theory (SORT). SORT-COSMO provides a projection-based structural framework for analysing large-scale cosmological phenomena without modifying gravitational dynamics, introducing new fields, or performing empirical parameter fitting. The framework treats cosmological observables as structural projections of a shared operator–kernel backbone composed of idempotent resonance operators, a global consistency projector, and a non-local projection kernel. Within this geometry, scale-dependent drift, long-range coherence, and emergent structural amplification arise as projection effects rather than as consequences of altered expansion histories or additional physical degrees of freedom. SORT-COSMO formalises a set of structural diagnostics applicable to multiple cosmological anomaly classes, including scale-dependent Hubble drift, early galaxy overdensity, early supermassive black-hole seeds, low-multipole CMB modulation, and large-scale cosmic coherence. Each use case is treated as a diagnostic scenario within projection space, not as a phenomenological model or empirical fit. The framework is intentionally non-dynamical and fully compatible with standard cosmological theories, including General Relativity and \(\Lambda\)CDM. SORT-COSMO is positioned as a complementary structural analysis layer within the modular SORT v6 architecture, enabling cross-domain consistency with SORT-AI, SORT-QS, and SORT-CX while remaining agnostic to underlying microphysical assumptions.

Abstract: X-band copper resonating cavities are key components of future pulsed GHz normal conductive multi-TeV accelerators. Large electric gradients are required for new applications, but as the gradients increase, the components’ lifetime decreases due mainly to radiofrequency (RF) breakdown. Coating technology is under study in few laboratories to improve the performance and the lifetime of the RF structures. To this purpose, we studied the feasibility of fabrication of nanometer periodicity Cu/Mo metallic multilayers on three-dimensional (3-D) aluminum mandrels designed to replicate X-band copper resonating cavities. The nanometer period multilayers are proposed to mitigate surface degradation due to electric breakdown at high accelerating gradients, by stabilizing the inner cavity surfaces against dislocation evolution and roughening due to thermal-mechanical fatigue. High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) in a bias controlled dual closed field magnetron configuration is employed to deposit alternating Mo and Cu nanolayers onto the 3-D geometries. Due to the complexity of HiPIMS technology, the plasma pulse evolution is studied combining time resolved optical emission spectroscopy and pulse discharge electrical measurements. The influence of the process parameters and, particularly of the applied DC bias on film growth is studied with non-destructive microprobe α-particle Elastic Backscattering Spectrometry (µEBS) and by STEM electron microscopy. STEM and µEBS analyses confirm that Mo layers of thickness about 5-35 nm, can successfully be deposited repeatedly on thicker Cu layers (30-150 nm) preserving the individual properties with extremely limited interdiffusion and alloying of the layers deposited inside trenches with aspect ratios of 5:1 representative of X-band iris. The application of this technology for highly engineered nanostructured coatings in X-band cavities treatment, coupled to the replica process, might be envisaged for compact particles prototype accelerators, since it might improve the electrical breakdown lifetime at high accelerating fields, at least for the degradation processes caused by the high mobility of copper dislocations.

Abstract: Traffic congestion is a complex phenomenon that displays wave-like behavior where even a clear road can be disrupted by the actions of a single driver, causing the formation of stop-and-go waves. Studying these unprecedented hurdles is necessary to understand traffic dynamics, improve AI-based traffic management systems, and enhance overall efficiency in transportation. This study analyzes data that uses real-world highway traffic at an urban city using METR-LA sensor data and NGSIM vehicle trajectories to compute stop-and-go wave propagation. Looking at each car, the speeds and distances between vehicles are analyzed with the principles of statistical mechanics, revealing regular patterns in collective traffic behavior. Speed variations in car platoons tend to grow as they spread in a non-linear fashion, just like chaotic dynamics found in other complex systems (“Butterfly effect”). The results, combining wave theory and statistical mechanics to understand and model the traffic, provide meaningful information that could help both traffic management and future physics-based studies of the same or similar complex systems.

Abstract: We present a comprehensive and automated methodology for processing two-dimensional X-ray diffraction (2D-XRD) patterns. The proposed workflow involves three sequential stages: (i) precise localization of the diffraction center, (ii) removal of high-frequency noise, and (iii) suppression of non-physical background signals. This method enables improved data quality for subsequent quantitative analysis such as radial integration, phase identification, and structural refinement. Application to experimental datasets from both the Synchrotron Radiation Facility and a table-top X-ray diffractometer demonstrates the method’s robustness, accuracy, and computational efficiency.

Abstract: This study seeks to establish a consistent theoretical foundation to address enduring open questions in physics—such as the origins of life, free will, the subjective experience of time, consciousness, and biological intelligence—by exploring the connection between the stochastic quantum hydrodynamic model (SQHM) and the order generation in systems far from thermodynamic equilibrium, all converging in the manifestation of physical reality. It offers novel insights into the emergence of order, biological systems, and associated functions such as biological intelligence, free will, consciousness, and the behavior of social structures. These insights are grounded in the assumption of a discrete spacetime structure, enabling an analogy of the universe as a running discrete computation, where emergent physical laws arise from the computation’s intrinsic problem-solving goals. This perspective carries profound implications for physical evolution, suggesting that everyday reality, the origin of life, social interactions, and consciousness itself are intrinsic features of the universal physics. It introduces the idea that free will may emerge as a functional mechanism guiding the universe’s progression toward increasingly efficient and organized states, states in which order is preserved to the greatest extent possible. This view embodies a form of bounded probabilism, standing in sharp contrast to the concept of total, unconstrained randomness, which reduces the universe to a mere cosmic game of dice. It also offers a novel perspective through which artificial intelligence can be framed and its limitations, as well as its differences from biological intelligence, can be better understood. This view highlights how the quantum foundations of the universe contribute to the expression of consciousness, outlining potential avenues for advancing AI toward a more faithful emulation of conscious experience.

Abstract: The BCS theory of superconductivity, which relies on the formation of Cooper pairs mediated by lattice phonons, has stood for decades as the cornerstone of our understanding of superconductivity in conventional metals. However, critical inspection reveals that several theoretical and experimental inconsistencies persist in this framework, especially when extended to high-temperature and unconventional superconductors. This paper rigorously analyzes these inconsistencies, with emphasis on the inadequacy of phonon-mediated interactions to overcome Coulomb repulsion, the questionable nature of the long-range coherence implied by the size of Cooper pairs, and the breakdown of BCS predictions in strongly correlated systems. We present a calculation-intensive critique, highlighting the need for a deeper, possibly non-phononic mechanism for electron pairing or collective quantum behavior in superconductors. The BCS theory of superconductivity, premised on the formation of Cooper pairs via weak electron-phonon coupling, has long served as the canonical framework for understanding low-temperature superconductors. However, we argue that this framework is conceptually and physically insufficient—even for conventional materials. This paper presents a detailed theoretical critique grounded in explicit calculations, exposing contradictions in the length and energy scales involved, the lack of real-space localization of paired electrons, and the incompatibility between the BCS ground state and a physically bound pair in position space. We emphasize that the superconducting energy gap may better reflect a many-body correlation scale rather than a two-body binding energy. Further, we discuss topological and quantum field theoretic obstructions to pairing and reframe superconductivity as a macroscopic quantum coherent state independent of pair formation. Our approach challenges the narrative that Cooper pairing is a necessary cause of superconductivity and instead highlights the role of collective phase coherence, entanglement, and broken gauge symmetry as possible fundamental mechanisms.

Abstract: This paper explores an interdisciplinary framework linking the exceptional Lie group E8 with the architecture and dynamics of the human neocortex. We propose that the structural and algebraic richness of E8 may serve as a candidate symmetry model underlying aspects of cortical computation, connectivity, and information processing. Drawing from algebraic topology, theoretical neuroscience, and information theory, the study maps mathematical properties of E8 onto the functional topology of cortical manifolds and examines corresponding feedback loops through differential and geometric analogues. The work outlines a potential computational model constrained by E8 symmetry, evaluates neuroscientific validation pathways including imaging and timeseries data analysis, and considers applications to artificial intelligence. Philosophical implications are addressed, including discussions on symmetry, mathematical realism, epistemology, and the limits of reductionism. While acknowledging the speculative nature of the hypothesis, the paper aims to stimulate cross-disciplinary dialogue and outlines strategies for future empirical and computational exploration.