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Using molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the performance of molybdenum disulfide nanotubes (MoS2 NTs) as a medium for energy gas storage (hydrogen and methane). Two representative MoS2 NTs, (12, 12) and (6, 6), are considered in our present study. MoS2 NTs are found to effectively attract hydrogen and methane molecules through their surface and interior. Under storage conditions (175 K and 10 MPa), the storage capacity of methane in MoS2 NTs can reach 7–8 wt%, depending on the diameter of MoS2 NTs. For hydrogen, the storage capacity is around 0.7–0.9 wt%. The gas weight percentage is linearly dependent on the environmental pressure from 10 MPa to 1 MPa at constant temperature. Meanwhile, adsorption demonstrates an exponential relationship with the system temperature from 175 K to 425 K when pressure is maintained constant. Dynamic pressure simulations reveal that up to 80–90% of the stored gases can be spontaneously released as the pressure decreases from 10 MPa to 1 MPa, with methane slightly more efficient than hydrogen, indicating high cyclic storage performance. Our present theoretical findings shed new light on the utilization of MoS2 nanomaterials as a novel gas storage platform and we hope our results will promote future experimental efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the experimental observation of the intensity noise correlation and squeezing between counter propagating Stokes and anti-Stokes signals in Pr3+:Y2SiO5 crystals. Both the degree of correlation and squeezing as well as the oscillation frequency of correlation curves are modulated by changing the polarization states and powers of the dressing fields. The double-dressed effect and the triple-dressed effect in V-type three-level, Λ-type three-level and N-type four-level systems are compared. The polarization and power dependencies in these systems are different, and the oscillation frequency of the correlation curve in the triple-dressed process is greater than that of the double-dressed process. Our results show that the correlation and squeezing of photon pairs can be controlled via polarized dark states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE) materials have been developed and investigated for several decades. One important obstacle, which impedes the practical industrial application of LCE materials, is their modest robustness as actuator materials. In this work, we developed a LCE composite which was fabricated by incorporating eiderdown fibers into a polysiloxane-based main-chain LCE matrix. The eiderdown fibers were used as the flexible reinforcement phase suitable for the shape-morphing performance of LCE materials upon being stimulated. Due to the long fiber property, specific structure and surface characteristics of the eiderdown fibers, they constructed a reinforcement network in the LCE matrix and formed tight interfacial adhesion with the matrix. The LCE composite demonstrated enhanced actuation mechanical properties and robust actuation performance. Its actuation blocking stress and modulus were increased due to the reinforcement effect of the eiderdown fibers. The tensile strength and the performance of anti -fatigue failure under repeated actuation cycles and high loadings were greatly improved due to the crack-resisting effect and bridging effect of the eiderdown fibers. While other properties, such as the liquid crystalline phase structure, the stimulus deformation ratio, phase transition temperature of the LCE matrix, etc. , did not deteriorate or change due to the high flexibility, thermal stability and chemical stability of the eiderdown fibers.